ARCA biopharma Declares Special Dividend in Connection with the Proposed Merger with Oruka Therapeutics

Rhea-AI Summary

ARCA biopharma (NASDAQ: ABIO) has announced a special cash dividend estimated at $1.59 per share in connection with its proposed merger with Oruka Therapeutics. The dividend is payable to stockholders of record as of August 26, 2024, with a payment date of August 28, 2024. However, the payment is contingent on ARCA stockholder approval of the merger at a special meeting scheduled for August 22, 2024. The exact dividend amount will be based on ARCA's net cash exceeding $5 million prior to the merger closing. If approved, the merger is expected to close on August 29, 2024.

Positive

• Special cash dividend of approximately $1.59 per share announced
• Merger with Oruka Therapeutics potentially creating synergies and growth opportunities
• ARCA's net cash position exceeds $5 million

Negative

• Dividend payment contingent on stockholder approval of the merger
• Actual dividend amount may vary from the estimated $1.59 per share
• Potential dilution of existing shareholders' ownership post-merger

Insights

Financial Analyst

The announcement of a special dividend of approximately $1.59 per share is a significant development for ARCA biopharma shareholders. This dividend, contingent on the approval of the merger with Oruka Therapeutics, represents a substantial return of capital to investors. The dividend's size, estimated at $1.59 per share, is noteworthy given ARCA's closing price of $2.05 on August 15, 2024, representing a 77.6% yield. This move could be seen as an incentive for shareholders to approve the merger. However, investors should note that the exact amount may vary based on ARCA's net cash position at closing. The conditionality of the dividend on merger approval ties shareholder interests closely to the transaction's outcome, potentially influencing voting behavior at the upcoming special meeting.

Legal Expert

The structure of this special dividend in connection with the proposed merger raises interesting legal and governance considerations. By conditioning the dividend on shareholder approval of the merger, ARCA's board is effectively creating a financial incentive for shareholders to vote in favor of the transaction. This approach, while not uncommon, could be scrutinized for potentially influencing shareholder decision-making. The disclosure of the estimated dividend amount prior to the shareholder vote demonstrates transparency, but also highlights the board's strategy to garner support. From a legal standpoint, the board must ensure that this approach aligns with their fiduciary duties to act in the best interests of all shareholders. The precise calculation method for the dividend, based on excess net cash above $5 million, provides a clear framework but also leaves room for potential adjustments, which shareholders should carefully consider.

Market Research Analyst

This special dividend announcement could significantly impact ARCA's market position and investor perception. The substantial dividend yield of approximately 77.6% is likely to attract attention from yield-seeking investors and could potentially drive short-term price movements in ARCA's stock. However, it's important to note that this dividend is a one-time event tied to the merger, not a recurring distribution. The market's reaction will likely be influenced by investors' views on the merger's strategic value and Oruka Therapeutics' prospects. The dividend's structure, effectively returning excess cash to shareholders, suggests that the combined entity post-merger may have a different capital structure and strategy. Investors should carefully evaluate the long-term implications of the merger beyond the immediate cash return. The conditionality of the dividend on merger approval creates an interesting dynamic that could influence trading patterns and shareholder composition leading up to the August 22 vote.

Special dividend estimated to be $1.59 per share

Payment of special dividend conditioned upon ARCA stockholder approval of the Proposed Merger with Oruka

WESTMINSTER, Colo., Aug. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ARCA biopharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABIO) (“ARCA”) today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a special cash dividend (the “Special Dividend”) in connection with the previously announced merger (the “Merger”) with Oruka Therapeutics, Inc. (“Oruka”) pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated April 3, 2024 (the “Merger Agreement”).

The Special Dividend, which ARCA estimates will be $1.59 per share of ARCA’s common stock, will be payable in cash to the stockholders of record as of August 26, 2024. The exact amount of the Special Dividend will be calculated pursuant to the Merger Agreement and based on ARCA’s reasonable, good faith approximation of the amount by which ARCA’s net cash, as determined prior to the closing of the Merger, will exceed $5,000,000. Total actual distribution of the amount of the Special Dividend could be higher or lower than $1.59 per share and the estimate for amount to be distributed to stockholders could change. The payment date in respect of the Special Dividend is scheduled for August 28, 2024.

Payment of the Special Dividend is conditioned upon approval by the ARCA stockholders of the Merger, which ARCA’s stockholders will consider and vote upon at the special meeting of ARCA stockholders scheduled for 9:00 a.m. MT on August 22, 2024. Closing of the Merger is expected to occur on August 29, 2024 assuming that the transaction is approved by ARCA’s stockholders and the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions under the Merger Agreement.

If you need assistance in voting your shares or have questions regarding the special meeting of ARCA’s stockholders, please contact ARCA’s proxy solicitor, Innisfree M&A Incorporated at (877) 750-8310 (toll-free).

About ARCA biopharma

ARCA biopharma is dedicated to developing genetically and other targeted therapies for cardiovascular diseases through a precision medicine approach to drug development. For more information, please visit www.arcabio.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.

About Oruka Therapeutics

Oruka Therapeutics is developing novel biologics designed to set a new standard for the treatment of chronic skin diseases. Oruka’s mission is to offer patients suffering from chronic skin diseases like plaque psoriasis the greatest possible freedom from their condition by achieving high rates of complete disease clearance with dosing as infrequently as one or twice a year. Oruka is advancing a proprietary portfolio of potentially best-in-class antibodies that were engineered by Paragon Therapeutics and target the core mechanisms underlying plaque psoriasis and other dermatologic and inflammatory diseases. For more information, visit www.orukatx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements (including within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act and Section 27A of the Securities Act) concerning ARCA, Oruka, the proposed transactions and other matters. These forward-looking statements include express or implied statements relating to the structure, timing and completion of the proposed Merger; the combined company’s listing on Nasdaq after closing of the proposed Merger; expectations regarding the ownership structure of the combined company; the expected executive officers and directors of the combined company; each company’s and the combined company’s expected cash position at the closing of the proposed Merger (including completion of Oruka’s private placement) and cash runway of the combined company; the expected contribution and payment of dividends in connection with the Merger, including the timing thereof; the future operations of the combined company; the nature, strategy and focus of the combined company; the development and commercial potential and potential benefits of any product candidates of the combined company; anticipated preclinical and clinical drug development activities and related timelines, including the expected timing for data and other clinical results; the combined company having sufficient resources to advance its pipeline candidates; and other statements that are not historical fact. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions (including the negatives of these terms or variations of them) may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting ARCA, Oruka, including the pre-closing private financing, or the Merger will be those that have been anticipated.

The forward-looking statements contained in this communication are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects and therefore subject to other risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the possible failure to satisfy the conditions to the closing or consummation of the Merger, including ARCA’s failure to obtain stockholder approval for the Merger, risks associated with the potential failure to complete the financing transaction in a timely manner or at all, risks associated with the uncertainty as to the timing of the consummation of the Merger and the ability of each of ARCA and Oruka to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger, risks associated with ARCA’s continued listing on Nasdaq until closing of the Merger, the failure or delay in obtaining required approvals from any governmental or quasi-governmental entity necessary to consummate the Merger; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance or condition that could give rise to the termination of the Merger prior to the closing or consummation of the Merger, risks associated with the possible failure to realize certain anticipated benefits of the Merger, including with respect to future financial and operating results; the effect of the completion of the Merger on the combined company’s business relationships, operating results and business generally; risks associated with the combined company’s ability to manage expenses and unanticipated spending and costs that could reduce the combined company’s cash resources; risks related to the combined company’s ability to correctly estimate its operating expenses and other events; changes in capital resource requirements; risks related to the inability of the combined company to obtain sufficient additional capital to continue to advance its product candidates or its preclinical programs; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the combined company or any of its directors or officers related to the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby; the ability of the combined company to obtain, maintain and protect its intellectual property rights, in particular those related to its product candidates; the combined company’s ability to advance the development of its product candidates or preclinical activities under the timelines it anticipates in planned and future clinical trials; the combined company’s ability to replicate in later clinical trials positive results found in preclinical studies and early-stage clinical trials of its product candidates; the combined company’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits of its research and development programs, strategic partnerships, licensing programs or other collaborations; regulatory requirements or developments and the combined company’s ability to obtain necessary approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other regulatory authorities; changes to clinical trial designs and regulatory pathways; competitive responses to the Merger and changes in expected or existing competition; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the Merger; potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the completion of the Merger; legislative, regulatory, political and economic developments; and those risks and uncertainties and other factors more fully described in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including reports filed on Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, in other filings that ARCA makes and will make with the SEC in connection with the proposed Merger, including the Proxy Statement/Prospectus described below under “Important Additional Information About the Proposed Transaction Filed with the SEC,” and in other filings made by ARCA with the SEC from time to time and available at www.sec.gov. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, and with regard to the proposed transaction, are based on ARCA’s current expectations, estimates and projections about the expected date of closing of the proposed transaction and the potential benefits thereof, its business and industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by ARCA, all of which are subject to change. Such forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and the parties undertake no obligation to update such statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable law.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication is not intended to and do not constitute (i) a solicitation of a proxy, consent or approval with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed transactions (the “Proposed Transactions”) between ARCA and Oruka or (ii) an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities pursuant to the Proposed Transactions or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. Subject to certain exceptions to be approved by the relevant regulators or certain facts to be ascertained, the public offer will not be made directly or indirectly, in or into any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of such jurisdiction, or by use of the mails or by any means or instrumentality (including without limitation, facsimile transmission, telephone and the internet) of interstate or foreign commerce, or any facility of a national securities exchange, of any such jurisdiction.

NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS COMMUNICATION IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE.

Important Additional Information About the Proposed Transaction Filed with the SEC

This communication is not a substitute for the registration statement on Form S-4 or for any other document that ARCA has filed or may file with the SEC in connection with the Proposed Transactions. In connection with the Proposed Transactions, ARCA has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4, which contains a proxy statement/prospectus of ARCA. ARCA URGES INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4, PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE OR MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY, BECAUSE THEY DO AND WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ARCA, ORUKA, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and stockholders can obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed by ARCA with the SEC through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Stockholders are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus and the other relevant materials filed with the SEC before making any voting or investment decision with respect to the Proposed Transactions. In addition, investors and stockholders should note that ARCA communicates with investors and the public using its website (https://arcabio.com/investors/).

Participants in the Solicitation

ARCA, Oruka and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders in connection with the Proposed Transactions. Information about ARCA’s directors and executive officers including a description of their interests in ARCA is included in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the Proposed Transactions and ARCA’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including any information incorporated therein by reference, each as filed with the SEC. Information about ARCA’s and Oruka’s respective directors and executive officers and their interests in the Proposed Transactions is included in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the Proposed Transactions filed with the SEC.

ARCA biopharma Investor & Media Contact:

Jeff Dekker
720.940.2122
ir@arcabio.com

Oruka Therapeutics Investor Relations Contact:

Alan Lada
650.606.7911
Alan.lada@orukatx.com

FAQ

What is the estimated special dividend amount for ARCA biopharma (ABIO) shareholders?

ARCA biopharma (ABIO) has estimated a special cash dividend of $1.59 per share for its shareholders.

When is the record date for ARCA biopharma's (ABIO) special dividend?

The record date for ARCA biopharma's (ABIO) special dividend is August 26, 2024.

What condition must be met for ARCA biopharma (ABIO) to pay the special dividend?

The special dividend payment is conditioned upon ARCA biopharma (ABIO) stockholders approving the proposed merger with Oruka Therapeutics.

When is ARCA biopharma's (ABIO) special stockholder meeting to vote on the Oruka Therapeutics merger?

ARCA biopharma's (ABIO) special stockholder meeting to vote on the Oruka Therapeutics merger is scheduled for August 22, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. MT.

What is the expected closing date for ARCA biopharma's (ABIO) merger with Oruka Therapeutics?

The expected closing date for ARCA biopharma's (ABIO) merger with Oruka Therapeutics is August 29, 2024, subject to stockholder approval and satisfaction of other conditions.