Armata Pharmaceuticals Announces $45 Million Investment to Support Advancement of the Company's Bacteriophage Development

Rhea-AI Summary

Armata Pharmaceuticals announced a securities purchase agreement to sell common stock and warrants to Innoviva, raising $45 million before expenses. The funding will support Armata's clinical pipeline, particularly for AP-PA02 and AP-SA02, which target chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections and complicated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, respectively. Innoviva will purchase 9 million shares at $5.00 each, with transactions occurring in two tranches. The second tranche is contingent on shareholder approval and is expected by the end of Q1 2022.

Positive

• Armata secures $45 million to advance clinical pipeline and bacteriophage platform.
• Innoviva's investment indicates strong confidence in Armata's technology.
• Funding allows commitment to new clinical indications beyond current trials.

Negative

• Second tranche purchase depends on shareholder approval, introducing uncertainty.
• Potential dilution of existing shares due to issuance of new common stock and warrants.

MARINA DEL REY, Calif., Feb. 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE American: ARMP) ("Armata" or the "Company"), a biotechnology company focused on pathogen-specific bacteriophage therapeutics for antibiotic-resistant and difficult-to-treat bacterial infections, today announced that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement to sell Armata common stock and warrants to Innoviva Strategic Opportunities LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Innoviva, Inc. (Nasdaq: INVA) (collectively, "Innoviva"), Armata's largest shareholder. The gross proceeds to the Company from the transaction are expected to be $45 million, before deducting estimated offering expenses payable by the Company.

Armata intends to use the net proceeds from this transaction to advance its clinical pipeline and strengthen its bacteriophage platform. The clinical pipeline is led by AP-PA02, currently under evaluation in the 'SWARM-P.a.' trial as a novel therapeutic to treat chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in people with cystic fibrosis. A second study, 'diSArm', is evaluating AP-SA02 in patients with complicated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. The bacteriophage platform efforts include engineering phage for improved attributes and the planned build-out of a phage-specific GMP manufacturing facility.

"We are grateful to Innoviva for the strong vote of confidence in our Company and our technology that this investment represents," said Brian Varnum, Chief Executive Officer of Armata. "Innoviva's long term support has powered the clinical development of AP-PA02 and AP-SA02. This financing also enables us to commit to new clinical indications for these lead product candidates, including non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and prosthetic joint infections," Dr. Varnum concluded.

Pursuant and subject to the terms and conditions of the securities purchase agreement and related agreements, Innoviva will purchase 9.0 million newly issued shares of Armata's common stock, at a price of $5.00 per share, and warrants to purchase up to 4.5 million additional shares of Armata's common stock, with an exercise price of $5.00 per share.  The stock purchases are expected to occur in two tranches.  Upon execution, Innoviva purchased approximately 3.6 million shares of common stock and warrants to purchase approximately 1.8 million shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $18.1 million.  At the closing of the second tranche, upon Armata stockholders voting in favor of the transaction, Innoviva will purchase approximately 5.4 million shares of common stock and warrants to purchase approximately 2.7 million shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $26.9 million.

Subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions, including the approval of Armata's stockholders, the second closing contemplated by the securities purchase agreement is expected to occur near the end of the first quarter of 2022. The shareholders of Armata will receive a proxy statement seeking approval of the second closing in the coming weeks.

Armata received legal advice in the transaction from Thompson Hine LLP, and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. provided a fairness opinion. 

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP provided legal advice to Innoviva.

This release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security.  The shares offered have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or any state thereof absent registration under the securities act and applicable state securities laws or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

About Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Armata is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of precisely targeted bacteriophage therapeutics for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant and difficult-to-treat bacterial infections using its proprietary bacteriophage-based technology. Armata is developing and advancing a broad pipeline of natural and synthetic phage candidates, including clinical candidates for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and other pathogens. In addition, in collaboration with Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, Armata is developing proprietary synthetic phage candidates to target an undisclosed infectious disease agent. Armata is committed to advancing phage with drug development expertise that spans bench to clinic including in-house phage specific GMP manufacturing.   

Forward Looking Statements

This communication contains "forward-looking" statements, including, without limitation, statements related to the use of proceeds from the securities offering, Armata's bacteriophage development programs,  Armata's ability to meet expected milestones, Armata's ability to be a leader in the development of phage-based therapeutics, and statements related to the timing and results of clinical trials, including the anticipated initiation and advancement of clinical trials of AP-PA02 and AP-SA02, Armata's ability to develop new products based on bacteriophages and synthetic phages, and Armata's expectations for performance of Armata's therapeutic candidates based on Armata's recent nonclinical work. Any statements contained in this communication that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Armata's current expectations. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Armata's actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks related to the ability of Armata's lead clinical candidates, AP-PA02 and AP-SA02, to be more effective than previous candidates; Armata's ability to expedite development of AP-PA02; Armata's ability to advance its preclinical and clinical programs and the uncertain and time-consuming regulatory approval process; Armata's ability to develop products based on bacteriophages and synthetic phages to kill bacterial pathogens; the Company's expected market opportunity for its products; Armata's ability to sufficiently fund its operations as expected, including obtaining additional funding as needed; and any delays or adverse events within, or outside of, Armata's control, caused by the recent outbreak of COVID-19. Additional risks and uncertainties relating to Armata and its business can be found under the caption "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in Armata's filings and reports with the SEC, including in Armata's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 17, 2021, and in its subsequent filings with the SEC.

Armata expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Armata's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based. 

Media Contacts:

At Armata:
Steve Martin
Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
ir@armatapharma.com
858-800-2492

Investor Relations:
Joyce Allaire
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
jallaire@lifesciadvisors.com
212-915-2569

 

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SOURCE Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

FAQ

What is the total amount raised by Armata Pharmaceuticals in the recent investment?

Armata Pharmaceuticals raised $45 million from the investment.

Who is the largest shareholder of Armata Pharmaceuticals involved in the recent deal?

Innoviva Strategic Opportunities LLC, a subsidiary of Innoviva, Inc. (Nasdaq: INVA), is Armata's largest shareholder.

What will Armata Pharmaceuticals do with the raised funds?

The funds will be used to advance its clinical pipeline and strengthen its bacteriophage platform.

What are the key products being developed by Armata Pharmaceuticals?

Armata is focused on AP-PA02 and AP-SA02, targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus infections.

When is the second tranche of the stock purchase expected to close?

The second tranche is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2022, subject to shareholder approval.