Enzo Biochem Receives Notice of Non-Compliance with New York Stock Exchange Listing Rules

Rhea-AI Summary

Enzo Biochem (NYSE: ENZ) has received a non-compliance notice from the New York Stock Exchange due to two main issues: (1) its 30-day average market capitalization and stockholder's equity as of October 31, 2024, were both below $50 million, and (2) its average closing stock price was under $1.00 over a 30-day trading period.

The company has 18 months to address the market capitalization and stockholder's equity deficiencies, and 6 months to resolve the stock price issue. To regain compliance on stock price, ENZ must achieve a closing price of at least $1.00 and maintain an average closing price of $1.00 over a 30-day period.

ENZ will notify the NYSE by January 23, 2025, of its intention to submit a compliance plan by February 21, 2025. The stock continues to trade on the NYSE while the company explores solutions to meet listing requirements.

Positive

• Company maintains NYSE listing during compliance period
• 18-month window provided to address market cap and equity issues
• 6-month period granted to resolve stock price deficiency

Negative

• Market capitalization below $50 million threshold
• Stockholder's equity below $50 million requirement
• Stock trading below $1.00 minimum price requirement
• Risk of potential NYSE delisting if compliance not achieved

Insights

Financial Risk Analyst

This NYSE non-compliance notice represents a critical juncture for Enzo Biochem, highlighting severe financial distress across multiple metrics. The company faces a triple threat: market cap below $50 million, stockholder's equity below $50 million and a share price below $1.00. The 18-month cure period for market cap and equity issues, alongside a 6-month window for the share price problem, creates a challenging timeline for recovery.

The requirements for compliance restoration are stringent - maintaining a $1.00 share price over 30 consecutive trading days and addressing the substantial market cap shortfall. Historical patterns show that companies in similar situations often struggle to meet these requirements without implementing significant corporate actions like reverse stock splits or substantial business restructuring. The February 21 deadline for submitting a compliance plan adds immediate pressure to develop actionable solutions.

For context, this situation typically signals heightened investment risk, as companies facing multiple NYSE compliance issues have historically shown a roughly 40% probability of eventual delisting. The market's reaction to such notices often creates a negative feedback loop, potentially further pressuring the share price and making recovery more challenging.

Corporate Governance Expert

The non-compliance notice triggers critical governance implications that extend beyond mere listing requirements. This situation demands immediate board action and strategic intervention. The company must navigate complex regulatory requirements while maintaining operational stability and investor confidence. The tight deadline of January 23 for acknowledging the intent to submit a compliance plan, followed by the February 21 submission deadline, creates significant pressure on management to develop a comprehensive turnaround strategy.

Historical data shows that successful recovery from multiple listing standard violations typically requires a combination of strategic initiatives:

• Capital raising through equity or debt offerings
• Strategic divestitures or asset sales
• Operational restructuring to improve financial metrics
• Corporate actions such as reverse stock splits

The board's response to this situation will be important in determining the company's future trajectory and maintaining stakeholder confidence during this critical period.

FARMINGDALE, N.Y, Jan. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enzo Biochem, Inc. (NYSE: ENZ) (“Enzo” or the “Company”) today announced that it was notified by the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) that it is not in compliance with Section 802.01B and Section 802.01C of the NYSE Listed Company Manual because (i) its 30 trading-day average market capitalization was less than $50 million and its last reported stockholder’s equity as of October 31, 2024 was less than $50 million and (ii) the average closing price of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Common Stock”) was less than $1.00 over a consecutive 30 trading-day period. The Company has a period of 18 months to cure the market capitalization and stockholder’s equity deficiencies and a period of six months to cure the average closing stock price deficiency. The notice does not result in the immediate delisting of the Common Stock.

With regards to the average closing stock price deficiency, the Company can regain compliance at any time within the six-month period following receipt of the NYSE's non-compliance notice if, on the last trading day of any calendar month during the cure period, the Company has (i) a closing share price of at least $1.00 and (ii) an average closing share price of at least $1.00 over the 30 trading-day period ending on the last trading day of that month. Under the NYSE’s listing rules, the price condition will be deemed cured if the price promptly exceeds $1.00 per share and the price remains above that level for at least the following 30 consecutive trading days.

The Company will notify the NYSE by January 23, 2025, that it intends to submit a plan by February 21, 2025, to cure the market capitalization, stockholder’s equity and average closing stock price deficiencies and to return to compliance with the NYSE's continued listing standards. The Company intends to consider all available alternatives to cure the deficiencies identified by the NYSE.

The Common Stock will continue to be listed and trade on the NYSE, subject to the Company’s ongoing compliance with the NYSE's other continued listing standards.

About Enzo Biochem

Enzo Biochem, Inc. has operated as a life sciences company for over 45 years. The primary business of Enzo today is conducted through its Life Sciences division, Enzo Life Sciences, which focuses on labeling and detection technologies from DNA to whole cell analysis, including a comprehensive portfolio of thousands of high-quality products, including antibodies, genomic probes, assays, biochemicals, and proteins. The Company’s proprietary products and technologies play central roles in translational research and drug development areas, including cell biology, genomics, assays, immunohistochemistry, and small molecule chemistry. The Company monetizes its technology primarily via sales through our global distribution network and licensing. For more information, please visit enzo.com or follow Enzo Biochem on X and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this release may be considered "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include declarations regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management, which are dependent on a number of factors outside of the control of the Company including, inter alia, the markets for the Company’s products, cost of goods sold, other expenses, government regulations, litigation, and general business conditions. See Risk Factors in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2024. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could materially affect actual results. The Company disclaims any obligations to update any forward-looking statement as a result of developments occurring after the date of this release.

Enzo Biochem Contacts

For Enzo Biochem:

Patricia Eckert, Chief Financial Officer Enzo Biochem 631-755-5500 peckert@enzo.com

FAQ

What NYSE compliance issues does Enzo Biochem (ENZ) face in January 2025?

Enzo Biochem faces two NYSE compliance issues: market capitalization and stockholder's equity below $50 million, and average closing stock price below $1.00 over a 30-day trading period.

How long does ENZ have to resolve its NYSE listing deficiencies?

ENZ has 18 months to resolve market capitalization and stockholder's equity issues, and 6 months to cure the stock price deficiency.

What is the minimum stock price ENZ needs to maintain for NYSE compliance?

ENZ needs to maintain a closing share price of at least $1.00 and an average closing share price of $1.00 over a 30-day trading period.

When will ENZ submit its compliance plan to the NYSE?

ENZ will notify the NYSE by January 23, 2025, and submit its compliance plan by February 21, 2025.

Will ENZ be immediately delisted from the NYSE due to non-compliance?

No, ENZ will continue trading on the NYSE while working to resolve the compliance issues within the given cure periods.