WILLOW BIOSCIENCES ANNOUNCES SECOND STRATEGIC INVESTMENT FROM KALSEC

Rhea-AI Summary

Willow Biosciences Inc. secures a second strategic investment from Kalsec Inc. for the development of natural food ingredients, achieving a significant milestone. The investment will aid in commercializing the company's product pipeline and supporting general corporate activities.

CALGARY, AB, Feb. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Willow Biosciences Inc. ("Willow" or the "Company") (TSX: WLLW) (OTCQB: CANSF), a leading biotechnology company focused on revolutionizing industrial manufacturing of pure, consistent, and sustainable functional ingredients, is pleased to announce a second strategic investment (the "Milestone Investment"), by way of non-brokered private placement, from Kalsec^® Inc. ("Kalsec"), a leading global producer of natural taste and sensory, food protection, colors and advanced hops ingredients for the food and beverage industry, for the continued development of natural food ingredients. This Milestone Investment is connected to the Kalsec investment announced by the Company on February 20, 2024, pursuant to which Kalsec committed to subscribe for an additional US$100,000.00 on the completion of an operational milestone by Willow to develop a strain that meets certain performance criteria (the "Milestone"). This Milestone was achieved by the Company on February 23, 2024. Proceeds from the Milestone Investment will be used for the commercialization and development of the Company's pipeline of products, including natural food ingredients, working capital, and general corporate purposes.

Pursuant to the Milestone Investment, the Company issued 1,153,131 units (each, a "Unit") at a subscription price of C$0.12 per Unit, each Unit consisting of one (1) common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one-half of one (1/2) Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one (1) Common Share at a price of C$0.16 per Common Share until March 1, 2025; provided that if, at any time prior to the expiry date of the Warrants, the 20-day volume weighted average of actual closing prices of the Common Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (or other principal exchange on which the Common Shares are listed, is greater than C$0.21, the Company may accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants to the date that is 20 days following the date of the notice of such acceleration.

All securities issued under the Milestone Investment, including securities issuable on exercise thereof, are subject to a hold period in Canada of four months and one day in accordance with applicable securities legislation.

About Willow Biosciences Inc.

Willow develops and produces precision fermented functional ingredients for the health and wellness, food and beverage and personal care markets. Willow's FutureGrown^TM and BioOxi™ platforms enable large-scale production with sustainability at its core. Willow's R&D team has a proven track record of developing and commercializing bio-based manufacturing processes and products to benefit our B2B partners and their customers. For more information, visit www.willowbio.com.

FutureGrown™ and BioOxi™ are registered trademarks of Willow Biosciences Inc. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective holders.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may include forward-looking statements including opinions, assumptions, estimates and the assessment of future plans and operations of Willow, and, more particularly, statements concerning: Willow's business strategies, expectations, planned operations and future actions; the use of proceeds from the Milestone Investment; and the listing of the Common Shares issuable pursuant to the Milestone Investment and the exercise of the Warrants. When used in this news release, the words "will," "anticipate," "believe," "likely", "estimate," "expect," "intent," "may," "project," "outlook," "could," "would'" "should," and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based upon a number of estimates and assumptions made by Willow, including but not limited to: assumptions in respect of current and future market conditions; future operations of Willow; and successful implementation of Willow's commercialization and production strategy, generally. Forward-looking statements are subject to a wide range of risks and uncertainties, and although Willow believe that the expectations represented by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will be realized. Any number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the success of Willow's research and development strategies; infringement on intellectual property; failure to benefit from partnerships; actions and initiatives of federal, state and provincial governments and changes to government policies and the execution and impact of these actions, initiatives and policies; competition from other industry participants; adverse U.S., Canadian and global economic conditions; adverse global events and public-health crises; failure to comply with certain regulations; departure of key management personnel or inability to attract and retain talent; and other factors more fully described from time to time in the reports and filings made by Willow with securities regulatory authorities. Please refer to the Company's most recent Annual Information Form and Management's Discussion and Analysis for risk factors relating to Willow, which can be accessed either on Willow's website at www.willowbio.com or under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and Willow does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. 

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SOURCE Willow Biosciences Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of the Milestone Investment for Willow Biosciences Inc.?

The Milestone Investment from Kalsec Inc. marks a crucial step in the development of natural food ingredients for Willow Biosciences Inc., supporting the company's product pipeline and overall growth.

How will the proceeds from the Milestone Investment be utilized by Willow Biosciences Inc.?

The proceeds from the Milestone Investment will be used for commercializing and developing the company's pipeline of products, including natural food ingredients, working capital, and general corporate purposes.

What is the subscription price per Unit in the Milestone Investment?

The subscription price per Unit in the Milestone Investment is C$0.12, with each Unit consisting of one Common Share and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant.

What is the expiry date for the Warrants issued under the Milestone Investment?

The Warrants issued under the Milestone Investment entitle the holder to purchase one Common Share at a price of C$0.16 per share until March 1, 2025, with a provision for acceleration under certain conditions.

What is the hold period for securities issued under the Milestone Investment in Canada?

Securities issued under the Milestone Investment, including those issuable on exercise, are subject to a hold period of four months and one day in Canada as per applicable securities legislation.