Oragenics, Inc. Announces Conversion of Preferred Shares and Elimination of Liquidation Preference

Rhea-AI Summary

Oragenics (NYSE: OGEN) announced the conversion of its remaining Series A and Series B Preferred Shares into common stock. The conversion eliminates approximately $2.35 million in liquidation preference and simplifies the company's capital structure. Specifically, 5,417,000 Series A and 4,050,000 Series B Preferred Shares were converted into approximately 22,000 common shares. The Series A and B Preferred Shares, which carried no voting rights, have been fully retired. The company views this as a strategic move to strengthen its foundation for future growth and focus on advancing its pipeline of treatments for neurological and rare diseases.

Positive

• Elimination of $2.35 million in liquidation preference
• Simplification of capital structure through retirement of all preferred shares
• Removal of stock overhang potentially improving trading dynamics

Negative

• Dilution of existing shareholders through issuance of 22,000 new common shares

Insights

Financial Analyst

The conversion of preferred shares into common stock marks a significant financial restructuring for Oragenics, removing $2.35 million in liquidation preference. This strategic move simplifies the capital structure by converting 5,417,000 Series A and 4,050,000 Series B preferred shares into approximately 22,000 common shares. The elimination of the liquidation preference reduces potential claims on company assets and improves the position of common stockholders. For a micro-cap company with a market cap of just $4.3 million, this restructuring represents a material improvement in the financial foundation. The removal of preferred shares also increases transparency in the company's capital structure, potentially making it more attractive to new investors. However, the conversion will result in some dilution of existing common shareholders, albeit relatively minimal given the conversion ratio.

SARASOTA, Fla., Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oragenics, Inc. (NYSE: OGEN), a biotechnology company advancing innovative treatments for brain-related health conditions, today announced the conversion of its remaining outstanding convertible Series A and Series B Preferred Shares into common stock. The conversion helps simplify the company’s capital structure and eliminates approximately $2.35 million in liquidation preference, effectively removing a significant overhang on the company’s stock.

Holders of the Company’s remaining 5,417,000 Series A Preferred Shares and 4,050,000 Series B Preferred Shares exercised their right to convert their shares into a total of approximately 22,000 common shares. The Series A and B Preferred Shares, which carried no voting rights, have now been fully retired.

“This conversion is a pivotal step for Oragenics as we simplify our financial structure and strengthen our foundation for future growth,” said Janet Huffman, Chief Financial Officer of Oragenics. “Eliminating the liquidation preference removes a significant overhang on our stock, aligning with our commitment to creating long-term value for shareholders and positioning us to focus on advancing our innovative pipeline of treatments for neurological and rare diseases.”

About Oragenics:

Oragenics is a development-stage biotechnology company focused on nasal delivery of pharmaceutical medications in neurology and fighting infectious diseases, including drug candidates for treating mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), also known as concussion, and for treating Niemann Pick Disease Type C (NPC), as well as proprietary powder formulation and an intranasal delivery device. For more information, please visit www.oragenics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and information currently available. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project” and similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters identify forward-looking statements. Investors should be cautious in relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, those described in our Form 10-K and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information set forth in this press release is as of the date hereof. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included in this press release and not place undue reliance on such statements. We do 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.

Investor Contact
Rich Cockrell
Investor Relations
404.736.3838
OGEN@CG.CAPITAL

FAQ

How many preferred shares did Oragenics (OGEN) convert to common stock in December 2024?

Oragenics converted 5,417,000 Series A Preferred Shares and 4,050,000 Series B Preferred Shares into approximately 22,000 common shares.

What is the value of the liquidation preference eliminated in OGEN's December 2024 preferred share conversion?

The conversion eliminated approximately $2.35 million in liquidation preference.

How will the preferred share conversion affect OGEN's capital structure?

The conversion simplifies OGEN's capital structure by fully retiring all Series A and B Preferred Shares, which carried no voting rights, and removing the stock overhang.

What is the conversion ratio of OGEN's preferred shares to common stock in the December 2024 conversion?

Approximately 9,467,000 preferred shares (combined Series A and B) were converted into approximately 22,000 common shares.