Cibus Announces Pricing of Public Offering of Class A Common Stock

Rhea-AI Summary

Cibus (Nasdaq: CBUS), a leading agricultural biotechnology company, has announced the pricing of its public offering of 3,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock at $4.00 per share. The company expects to raise approximately $12.0 million in gross proceeds before deducting underwriting discounts and expenses. Cibus has granted underwriters a 45-day option to purchase an additional 450,000 shares to cover over-allotments.

The offering is set to close on September 19, 2024. Cibus plans to use the net proceeds to fund the development of new seed traits, improve existing ones, support Trait Machine operations, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. Roth Capital Partners and A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.

Positive

• Potential to raise $12.0 million in gross proceeds
• Funds allocated for development of new and improvement of existing seed traits
• Investment in Trait Machine operations
• Additional capital for working capital and general corporate purposes

Negative

• Potential dilution of existing shareholders' ownership
• Offering price of $4.00 per share may indicate market valuation concerns
• Additional 450,000 shares option could further dilute ownership if exercised

Insights

Financial Analyst

Cibus's public offering of 3 million shares at $4.00 per share raises $12 million in gross proceeds, a significant capital injection for the agricultural biotech firm. This 25% discount to the current share price suggests potential dilution for existing shareholders. The additional $1.8 million from the over-allotment option could provide extra liquidity. The company's focus on funding trait development and operations indicates a strategic push to advance its gene-editing technologies. However, investors should note that this capital raise might not be sufficient for long-term growth, potentially leading to future dilutive events.

Biotech Industry Expert

Cibus's capital raise underscores the capital-intensive nature of agricultural biotechnology. The focus on "Trait Machine operations" suggests a commitment to scaling their proprietary gene-editing platform. This could accelerate the development of novel seed traits, potentially leading to more resilient and productive crops. However, the relatively modest size of the offering may limit the scope of R&D initiatives. Investors should monitor Cibus's progress in translating this funding into tangible advancements in trait development and commercialization timelines, as success here could significantly impact the company's competitive position in the ag-biotech landscape.

Market Strategist

The timing and pricing of Cibus's offering reveal important market dynamics. The 25% discount suggests challenging market conditions for biotech fundraising, reflecting broader sector headwinds. This could indicate investor caution towards speculative ag-tech investments. The involvement of Roth Capital and A.G.P. as joint book-runners might help broaden the investor base, potentially improving liquidity. However, the offering's size relative to Cibus's market cap implies significant dilution, which could pressure the stock in the short term. Long-term investors should weigh this dilution against the potential for accelerated growth from the capital infusion.

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cibus, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBUS) (the “Company” or “Cibus”), a leading agricultural biotechnology company that uses proprietary gene editing technologies to develop plant traits (or specific genetic characteristics) in seeds, today announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 3,000,000 shares of its Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class A Common Stock”) at a public offering price of $4.00 per share. The Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase an additional 450,000 shares of Class A Common Stock to cover over-allotments, if any. All shares of Class A Common Stock to be sold in the offering are to be sold by the Company.

The gross proceeds of the offering will be approximately $12.0 million before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The offering is expected to close on September 19, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund further development of new and improvement of existing seed traits, Trait Machine operations, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Roth Capital Partners and A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.

This offering is being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-273062), including a base prospectus, previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and declared effective by the SEC on October 27, 2023. A prospectus supplement describing the terms of the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website located at http://www.sec.gov. Electronic copies of the prospectus supplement may be obtained, when available, from Roth Capital Partners, LLC, 888 San Clemente, Suite 400, Newport Beach, CA 92660, (800) 678-9147, from A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners, 590 Madison Avenue, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10022, by telephone at (212) 624-2060, or by email at prospectus@allianceg.com, or by accessing the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Cibus

Cibus is a leading independent plant trait company that develops and licenses plant traits to seed companies for royalties. Cibus is not a seed company, but rather a technology company that uses its proprietary gene editing technology to develop and commercialize plant traits at a fraction of the time and cost of conventional breeding. Cibus’ strategy is focused on commercializing productivity traits for the world’s major row crops with large acreage such as: canola, rice, soybean, corn and wheat. The Company targets traits that help manage farmers’ seed productivity and sustainability challenges such as weeds, disease, and insects. The United Nations estimates that the impacts from these challenges cost the global economy approximately $300 billion annually. Cibus has a current portfolio of six traits, three of which are in commercial development and four of which are multi-crop traits associated with weed management and disease, including Sclerotinia resistance and a new weed management trait which are in advanced greenhouse and field trial stages.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "estimates," "expects," "intends," "may," "will," or the negative of these terms and other similar terminology. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the anticipated closing of the offering and the expected use of the proceeds from the offering. Completion of the offering is subject to numerous factors, many of which are beyond Cibus’ control, including, without limitation, market conditions, failure to satisfy customary closing conditions and the risk factors and other matters set forth in the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus included in the registration statement and the documents incorporated by reference therein. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by Cibus’ management, which are based only on information currently available to it when, and speak only as of the date, such statement is made. Cibus does not assume any obligation to publicly provide revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by law.

CIBUS CONTACTS:

INVESTOR RELATIONS
Karen Troeber
ktroeber@cibus.com
858-450-2636

Jeff Sonnek – ICR
jeff.sonnek@icrinc.com

MEDIA RELATIONS
media@cibus.com
(619) 849-6009

Colin Sanford
colin@bioscribe.com
203-918-4347

FAQ

How many shares of Class A Common Stock is Cibus (CBUS) offering in its public offering?

Cibus (CBUS) is offering 3,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock in its public offering, with an additional 45-day option for underwriters to purchase up to 450,000 shares to cover over-allotments.

What is the pricing of Cibus (CBUS) public offering announced on September 18, 2024?

The public offering of Cibus (CBUS) announced on September 18, 2024, is priced at $4.00 per share of Class A Common Stock.

How much does Cibus (CBUS) expect to raise from its public offering?

Cibus (CBUS) expects to raise approximately $12.0 million in gross proceeds from its public offering before deducting underwriting discounts and other offering expenses.

What will Cibus (CBUS) use the proceeds from its public offering for?

Cibus (CBUS) intends to use the net proceeds to fund the development of new seed traits, improve existing ones, support Trait Machine operations, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.