ProQR Announces Proposed Underwritten Public Offering of Ordinary Shares

Rhea-AI Summary

ProQR Therapeutics N.V. (Nasdaq: PRQR) announced its intention to conduct an underwritten public offering of ordinary shares. The company plans to use the net proceeds for advancing clinical development of product candidates, progressing RNA-editing technology platforms, and for general corporate purposes. In addition, the underwriters may purchase an additional 15% of the offering within 30 days at the offering price. The offering is subject to market conditions and there are no guarantees on completion or terms.

Positive

• Intended use of proceeds for clinical development and RNA-editing technology advancements.
• Potential growth opportunities through new funding.

Negative

• Issuance of new shares may lead to shareholder dilution.
• Market conditions pose uncertainty regarding offering completion.

LEIDEN, Netherlands & CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ProQR Therapeutics N.V. (Nasdaq: PRQR), a company dedicated to changing lives through the creation of transformative RNA therapies for inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), today announced that it intends to offer and sell its ordinary shares in an underwritten public offering. All of the shares are being offered by ProQR. In addition, ProQR expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the offering amount in ordinary shares at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The proposed offering is subject to market conditions and other closing conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual terms of the offering.

ProQR intends to use the net proceeds from the offering, together with its existing cash and cash equivalents, to advance clinical development of its product candidates, to progress its other pipeline candidates, to advance its RNA-editing technology platforms, and for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

Citigroup and Evercore ISI are acting as joint lead bookrunning managers for the offering. Stifel and Cantor are acting as joint bookrunning managers for the offering.

A shelf registration statement on Form F-3 relating to the offered ordinary shares was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on November 7, 2018, which was declared effective on November 19, 2018. A preliminary prospectus supplement relating to and describing the terms of the offering will be filed with the SEC. When available, copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from Citigroup Global Markets Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by telephone at (800) 831-9146; Evercore ISI, Attention: Equity Capital Markets, 55 East 52nd Street, 36th Floor, New York, NY 10055, or by telephone at (888) 474-0200 or by email at ecm.prospectus@evercore.com; Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Attention: Prospectus Department, One Montgomery Street, Suite 3700, San Francisco, CA 94104, by telephone at (415) 364-2720 or by email at syndprospectus@stifel.com; Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Attention: Capital Markets, 499 Park Avenue, 6th floor, New York, NY 10022, or by email at prospectus@cantor.com. You may also obtain these documents free of charge by visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a 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 ProQR

ProQR Therapeutics is dedicated to changing lives through the creation of transformative RNA therapies for the treatment of severe genetic rare diseases such as Leber congenital amaurosis 10, Usher syndrome and retinitis pigmentosa. Based on our unique proprietary RNA repair platform technologies we are growing our pipeline with patients and loved ones in mind.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, which are often indicated by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “look forward to”, “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information available to management only as of the date of this press release. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the proposed offering of ProQR’s ordinary shares and the use of proceeds therefrom. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond ProQR’s control, including risk and uncertainties related to market conditions, severity and duration of the impact of COVID-19 on our business and operations, and satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the proposed offering. There can be no assurance that ProQR will be able to complete the proposed offering on the anticipated terms, or at all. Applicable risks also include those that are included in ProQR’s preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus filed with the SEC for the proposed public offering, including the documents incorporated by reference therein, which include ProQR’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020, and any subsequent SEC filings. Given these risks, uncertainties and other factors, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future, except as required by law.

 

ProQR Therapeutics N.V.

Investor Contact:
Sarah Kiely
ProQR Therapeutics N.V.
T: +1 617 599 6228
skiely@proqr.com
or
Hans Vitzthum
LifeSci Advisors
T: +1 617 535 7743
hans@lifesciadvisors.com

Media Contact:
Cherilyn Cecchini, MD
LifeSci Communications
T: +1 646 876 5196
ccecchini@lifescicomms.com

 

FAQ

What is the purpose of ProQR's public offering on March 30, 2021?

ProQR intends to use the net proceeds for advancing clinical development, RNA-editing technology, and general corporate purposes.

What percentage of additional shares may underwriters purchase in ProQR's offering?

Underwriters may purchase up to an additional 15% of the offering amount within 30 days.

What risks are associated with ProQR's public offering announcement?

Risks include shareholder dilution, market conditions affecting the offering's completion, and uncertainties in achieving anticipated terms.

What is the stock symbol for ProQR Therapeutics?

The stock symbol for ProQR Therapeutics is PRQR.