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FSD Pharma (HUGE) announced a definitive agreement to acquire Lucid Psycheceuticals for approximately US$9 million in FSD stock. The acquisition aims to bolster FSD's pipeline in psychedelics and medical cannabis, specifically targeting neurodegenerative diseases and mental health disorders. Lucid brings a strong pipeline of therapeutic compounds and is partnered with the University Health Network for exclusive rights to new chemical entities. The transaction involves the issuance of approximately 4.5 million FSD Shares and requires shareholder approval.
Positive
Acquisition of Lucid enhances FSD's drug development pipeline in psychedelics and medical cannabis.
Lucid has a robust pipeline targeting neurodegenerative diseases and mental health disorders.
Transaction expected to facilitate quick progress towards clinical trials.
Related party transaction raises governance concerns due to Anthony Durkacz's dual role.
Acquisition Advances Company’s Strategic Plan Toward a Diversified Novel Drug Development Pipeline in Psychedelics and Medical Cannabis
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
FSD Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: HUGE) (CSE: HUGE) (FRA: 0K9) (“FSD Pharma” or the “Company”), a life sciences holding company dedicated to building a portfolio of assets and biotech solutions in legal psychedelics and medical cannabis, announced today it has entered a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares Lucid Psycheceuticals Inc. (“Lucid”), a Canadian-based specialty psychedelic pharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapies to treat critical neurodegenerative diseases, for approximately US$9 million (CAD$11.3 million) in FSD Pharma stock (the “Transaction”), as further described below.
“The acquisition of a distinctive company like Lucid illustrates FSD Pharma’s vision to build a portfolio of biotechnology assets on a new frontier of medicine that hold the potential to treat mental health disorders and neurodegenerative diseases in a new way,” said Anthony Durkacz, Interim CEO of FSD Pharma. “Lucid has successfully developed a strong pipeline of novel therapeutic compounds — supported by IP in order to advance to future clinical trials — and we are confident that the experience the Lucid leadership team brings will allow us to immediately start the process towards clinical trials to further advance these promising therapies. This is an exciting venture for FSD Pharma that we believe represents a paradigm shift in the development and outlook of our company.”
Strategic Highlights
Founded in 2020, Lucid is developing novel molecules and combinations with the goal of addressing Total Brain Health and targeting some of the most challenging neurodegenerative diseases, such as Multiple sclerosis, and other Brain conditions. Lucid has exclusive worldwide licensing rights from the University Health Network, North America’s largest health research organization, to a patent-protected family of new chemical entities (NCEs), on which Lucid’s development platform is based and from which its lead neurodegenerative disorders therapeutic candidate, Lucid-21-302, has been derived. In addition, Lucid’s pipeline includes Lucid-201, a psychedelic drug candidate targeting mental health disorders, and it is also investigating certain cannabinoids.
In addition, upon closing of the transaction Lucid’s co-founder and CEO, Dr. Lakshmi Kotra will be transitioning to the FSD Pharma team with Prof. Kotra taking on the role of leading the development of FSD Pharma’s drug development pipeline in Psychedelics and Medical Cannabis. Dr. Kotra is a Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Toronto, and senior scientist at Krembil Brain Institute at the University Health Network.
Prof. Lakshmi Kotra, co-founder and CEO of Lucid, commented, “We started with a vision to accelerate therapies for Total Brain Health. Since inception, we have made significant progress and built a strong scientific and execution team. We are excited to enter a new phase of growth with FSD Pharma. I am personally delighted with FSD Pharma leadership’s shared commitment to bring forward advanced therapeutics addressing challenging health issues. We believe our combined resources and experienced teams will position us to enter clinical development programs to deliver highly effective therapeutic products in neurodegenerative disorders and mental health areas.”
Transaction Details
The Transaction will be effected by way of a three-cornered amalgamation between Lucid, FSD Pharma and a wholly-owned subsidiary of FSD Pharma. The Transaction will involve the issuance of approximately 4.5 million Class B subordinate voting shares in the capital of FSD Pharma (each, an “FSD Share”) as the acquisition consideration (the “Consideration Shares”), with a deemed aggregate purchase price of approximately US$9 million (CAD$11.3 million based on an exchange rate of US$1 to CAD$1.255) at a deemed price of US$2.00 (CAD$2.51) per FSD Share. The Consideration Shares may be adjusted slightly in the event the market price of the FSD Shares changes significantly prior to closing of the Transaction. Additionally, all of the outstanding Lucid stock options and warrants will become exercisable into FSD Shares, with the number and exercise price of such securities to be adjusted in accordance with the Transaction’s exchange ratio.
The closing of the Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions for a transaction of this nature including, among other things, Lucid obtaining the requisite shareholder approval at a special meeting of Lucid shareholders to be called to consider the Transaction (the “Lucid Meeting”). The closing of the Transaction is expected to occur in September 2021.
The Transaction will require approval by 66 2/3% of the votes cast by Lucid shareholders at the Lucid Meeting. Lucid shareholders holding at least 66 2/3% of the shares of Lucid, have entered into support agreements with FSD Pharma (the “Support Agreements”) pursuant to which, among other things, they have agreed to vote all of the shares held by them in favor of the Transaction at the Lucid Meeting, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Support Agreements.
Additionally, it is a condition to closing of the Transaction that Lucid shareholders holding approximately 44% of the shares of Lucid, shall have entered into lock-up agreements with FSD Pharma pursuant to which: (a) 20% of the Consideration Shares received by each such locked-up shareholder will be exempt from any contractual transfer restrictions imposed by FSD Pharma; and (b) 80% of the Consideration Shares received by each such locked-up shareholder will be subject to contractual transfer restrictions, with such Consideration Shares to be released from such transfer restrictions over an 18 month period from the date of closing the Transaction.
Completion of the Transaction is subject to various closing conditions, including: the approval of the Nasdaq and CSE, the approval of the boards of directors of FSD Pharma and Lucid, the approval of the security holders of Lucid, and completion of due diligence by the parties.
Anthony Durkacz, a director and control person of the Company, is also a shareholder and warrant holder of Lucid, through a company he beneficially owns, and consequently the Transaction constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). In its consideration and approval of the Transaction, the board of directors of the Company, with Mr. Durkacz recusing himself, determined that the Transaction will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements of MI 61-101 on the basis of the exemptions in Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101.
About FSD Pharma
FSD Pharma is a life sciences holding company dedicated to building a portfolio of diversified therapeutic assets and innovative healthcare and biotech services. Currently, FSD is actively pursuing potential acquisition targets in the healthcare and biotech space to bring innovative treatments to market to treat various mental health disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. www.fsdpharma.com
About Lucid Psycheceuticals
The brain is the ultimate frontier in health research. Depression, anxiety, dementia and similar conditions often are prodromes to more serious neurodegenerative diseases, such as Multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Inspired by the mechanisms of action of psychedelics, and the need for therapeutics to prevent, and possibly reverse, neurodegeneration, Lucid is exploring novel therapies to address total brain health, i.e. mind and biology behind it! For more information, please visit www.lucidpsycheceuticals.com.
Forward Looking Information
Certain statement contained herein are “forward-looking statements”. Often, but not always, forward-looking statement can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “expected”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases, or states that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include the comments made with respect to the Company’s clinical trial, the evaluation of the commercial viability of its principal drug compound, and the statements made by Zeeshan Saeed regarding the commercial opportunities the Company’s principal drug compound and other commercial opportunities and fulfilling strategic and operational goals outlined in prior communications to shareholders. FSD cannot give any assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to have been correct. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this document.
What is the significance of FSD Pharma's acquisition of Lucid Psycheceuticals?
The acquisition aims to strengthen FSD Pharma's pipeline in psychedelics and medical cannabis, focusing on therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and mental health disorders.
How much is FSD Pharma paying for Lucid Psycheceuticals?
FSD Pharma is acquiring Lucid Psycheceuticals for approximately US$9 million in FSD stock.
What are the expected benefits of the acquisition for FSD Pharma shareholders?
The acquisition is expected to enhance FSD Pharma's drug development capabilities and expedite clinical trials, potentially leading to new revenue streams.
When is the acquisition of Lucid Psycheceuticals expected to close?
The closing of the transaction is anticipated to occur in September 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.
