89bio, Inc. Announces Proposed Underwritten Public Offering of Common Stock and Pre-Funded Warrants

Rhea-AI Summary

89bio, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company (Nasdaq: ETNB), announced a public offering of $200 million in common stock or pre-funded warrants. The offering includes a 30-day option for underwriters to purchase an additional $30 million. Proceeds will support clinical activities for pegozafermin, focusing on liver and cardio-metabolic diseases. The offering is subject to market conditions. BofA Securities, SVB Securities, and Evercore ISI are the book-running managers. The company emphasizes that this press release is not an offer to sell securities, as per SEC regulations.

Positive

• The offering aims to raise $200 million to fund clinical activities and development of pegozafermin.
• The funds will support manufacturing scale-up and general corporate purposes.

Negative

• The public offering may lead to shareholder dilution.
• Market conditions could delay or prevent the completion of the offering.

SAN FRANCISCO, March 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 89bio, Inc. (“89bio”) (Nasdaq: ETNB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of liver and cardio-metabolic diseases, today announced that it has commenced an underwritten public offering of $200 million of shares of its common stock or, in lieu of common stock to certain investors that so choose, pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of its common stock. In addition, 89bio is expected to grant the underwriters of the offering an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to an additional $30 million of shares of its common stock at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions. The proposed public offering is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed or as to the actual size or terms of the offering. All of the securities to be sold in the offering are being offered by 89bio.

89bio intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund ongoing clinical activities and development of pegozafermin, manufacturing scale-up and other general corporate purposes, including working capital and operating expenses.

BofA Securities, SVB Securities and Evercore ISI are acting as book-running managers for the offering.

A shelf registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and became effective on February 14, 2023. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus, including a prospectus supplement, forming a part of an effective registration statement. A preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering have been filed with the SEC and are available on the SEC’s website, located at www.sec.gov. Prospective investors should read the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and other documents 89bio has filed with the SEC for more complete information about 89bio and the offering. Electronic copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus related to the offering may also be obtained by contacting BofA Securities, Attention: Prospectus Department, NC1-022-02-25, 201 North Tryon, Charlotte, NC 28255-0001, or by email at dg.prospectus_requests@bofa.com; SVB Securities, Attention: Syndicate Department, 53 State Street, 40th Floor, Boston, MA 02109, by telephone at (800) 808-7525, ext. 6105, or by email at syndicate@svbsecurities.com; or Evercore ISI, Attention: Equity Capital Markets, 55 East 52nd Street, 35th Floor, New York, New York 10055, by telephone at (888) 474-0200, or by email at ecm.prospectus@evercore.com.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, 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 89bio

89bio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of liver and cardio-metabolic diseases. The company’s lead product candidate, pegozafermin, a specifically engineered glycoPEGylated analog of fibroblast growth factor 21, is currently being developed for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and severe hypertriglyceridemia (SHTG). The company is headquartered in San Francisco.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, 89bio’s expectations regarding the proposed offering and the anticipated use of the net proceeds of the offering. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “objective,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “can,” “would,” “expect,” “believe,” “design,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “anticipate,” “goal,” “opportunity,” “develop,” “plan” or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward looking statements. While 89bio believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties (including, without limitation, those set forth in 89bio’s filings with the SEC), many of which are beyond 89bio’s control and subject to change. Actual results could be materially different. Risks and uncertainties include: changes as a result of market conditions or for other reasons; the risk that the offering will not be consummated; the impact of general economic, health, industrial or political conditions in the United States or internationally; and other risks and uncertainties identified in 89bio’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and other subsequent disclosure documents filed with the SEC. 89bio claims the protection of the Safe Harbor contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for forward-looking statements. 89bio expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter any statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Investor and Media Contact:
Ryan Martins
Chief Financial Officer
investors@89bio.com

FAQ

What is the purpose of 89bio's $200 million stock offering?

The proceeds will fund clinical activities for pegozafermin and general corporate purposes.

How much additional stock can underwriters purchase in the 89bio offering?

Underwriters have an option to purchase up to an additional $30 million of common stock.

What are the risks associated with 89bio's stock offering?

Risks include potential shareholder dilution and the uncertainty of market conditions affecting the offering's completion.

Who is managing 89bio's public stock offering?

The offering is managed by BofA Securities, SVB Securities, and Evercore ISI.