BiomX Inc. Announces 1-for-10 Reverse Stock Split

Rhea-AI Summary

BiomX Inc. (NYSE American: PHGE) has announced a 1-for-10 reverse stock split of its common stock, effective August 26, 2024. The stock will continue trading under the symbol 'PHGE' with a new CUSIP number. This decision, approved by stockholders on July 9, 2024, will reduce outstanding shares from approximately 178,958,447 to 17,895,845. The reverse split will not alter stockholders' ownership percentages, and fractional shares will be rounded up. No action is required for holders of book-entry or brokerage account shares. The company's units will be proportionally adjusted, maintaining one share and one warrant exercisable for half a share per unit.

Positive

• Potential to maintain NYSE American listing compliance
• Possible increased attractiveness to institutional investors
• No change in stockholders' percentage ownership

Negative

• Reduction in total number of outstanding shares
• Potential short-term stock price volatility
• Possible negative market perception of reverse splits

Insights

Financial Analyst

BiomX's 1-for-10 reverse stock split is a strategic move to maintain NYSE American listing compliance and potentially attract institutional investors. While it doesn't directly impact the company's market capitalization, it could improve stock liquidity and perception. However, investors should note that reverse splits are often viewed as a red flag, indicating underlying financial challenges. The reduction from 178,958,447 to approximately 17,895,845 outstanding shares might create a temporary price boost, but without fundamental improvements in BiomX's financials or clinical progress, this effect may be short-lived. Stockholders should closely monitor the company's upcoming financial reports and clinical trial results to gauge the long-term impact of this corporate action.

Biotech Industry Expert

This reverse split doesn't alter BiomX's fundamental value proposition in phage therapy, but it does raise questions about the company's financial health and investor confidence. As a clinical-stage biotech, BiomX's success hinges on its pipeline progress, particularly in targeting specific pathogenic bacteria. The split might provide a short-term boost to meet listing requirements, but it's important for investors to focus on upcoming clinical milestones and cash runway. The company needs to demonstrate significant advancements in its phage therapies to justify this financial maneuver and attract long-term investment. Without concrete progress in its clinical trials or strategic partnerships, this move might be seen as merely delaying more substantial financial challenges.

GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BiomX Inc. (NYSE American: PHGE) (“BiomX” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage company advancing novel natural and engineered phage therapies that target specific pathogenic bacteria, today announced that it intends to effect a one-for-ten reverse split (the "Reverse Stock Split") of the Company’s common stock (the "Common Stock"). The Common Stock will continue to trade on the NYSE American under the existing symbol “PHGE” and will begin trading on a split-adjusted basis when the market opens on August 26, 2024. The new CUSIP number for the Common Stock following the Reverse Stock Split will be 09090D 301.

The Reverse Stock Split was previously approved by the Company’s stockholders at a special meeting held on July 9, 2024, with the final ratio determined by the Company’s Board of Directors on August 8, 2024. The Company plans to file a Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to effect the Reverse Stock Split.

The 1-for-10 Reverse Stock Split will automatically combine and convert ten current shares of the Common Stock into one issued and outstanding new share of Common Stock. Proportional adjustments also will be made to shares underlying outstanding equity awards, warrants and convertible preferred stock, and to the number of shares issued and issuable under the Company’s stock incentive plans and certain existing agreements. The Company’s units will also be proportionally adjusted, and each unit will continue to represent one share and one warrant exercisable for half a share. The Company will provide the CUSIP number for the units later today. The Reverse Stock Split will not change the par value of the Common Stock nor the authorized number of shares of Common Stock, preferred stock or any series of preferred stock.

The Reverse Stock Split will affect all stockholders uniformly and will not alter any stockholder’s percentage ownership interest in the Company’s equity, except for minor changes to the treatment of fractional shares as described below. After the effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock will be reduced from approximately 178,958,447 to approximately 17,895,845, subject to adjustment to give effect to the treatment of any fractional shares that stockholders would have received in the Reverse Stock Split. No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Stockholders of the Company who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares because they hold a number of shares not evenly divisible by the Reverse Stock Split ratio will be automatically entitled to receive an additional fraction of a share of the Common Stock to round up to the next whole share. Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the Company transfer agent, will send instructions to stockholders of record who hold stock certificates regarding the exchange of certificates for Common Stock. Stockholders who hold their shares of Common Stock in book-entry form or in brokerage accounts or “street name” are not required to take any action to effect the exchange of their shares of Common Stock following the Reverse Stock Split. Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company may be reached for questions at (800) 509-5586.

About BiomX
BiomX is a clinical-stage company leading the development of natural and engineered phage cocktails and personalized phage treatments designed to target and destroy harmful bacteria for the treatment of chronic diseases with substantial unmet needs. BiomX discovers and validates proprietary bacterial targets and applies its BOLT (“BacteriOphage Lead to Treatment”) platform to customize phage compositions against these targets. For more information, please visit www.biomx.com, the content of which does not form a part of this press release.

Safe Harbor
This press release contains express or implied “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “target,” “believe,” “expect,” “will,” “may,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “would,” “positioned,” “future,” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. For example, when BiomX discusses the effective date for the Reverse Stock Split and the date that trading of the New Common Stock will begin on a split-adjusted basis, it is using forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on BiomX management’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of BiomX’s control. Therefore, investors should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements and should review the risks and uncertainties described under the caption “Risk Factors” in BiomX’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 4, 2024, and additional disclosures BiomX makes in its other filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and except as provided by law BiomX expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update forward-looking statements.

BiomX, Inc.
Assaf Oron
+97254-2228901
assafo@biomx.com

FAQ

When will BiomX's 1-for-10 reverse stock split take effect?

BiomX's 1-for-10 reverse stock split will take effect on August 26, 2024, when the market opens.

What will happen to BiomX's stock symbol PHGE after the reverse split?

BiomX's stock symbol PHGE will remain unchanged after the reverse split, continuing to trade on the NYSE American.

How many shares of BiomX (PHGE) will be outstanding after the reverse split?

After the reverse split, BiomX's outstanding shares will be reduced from approximately 178,958,447 to 17,895,845, subject to adjustments for fractional shares.

Will BiomX (PHGE) stockholders need to take any action for the reverse split?

Stockholders holding shares in book-entry form or brokerage accounts do not need to take any action. Those with stock certificates will receive instructions from the transfer agent.