ProQR Announces Proposed Underwritten Public Offering of Ordinary Shares

Rhea-AI Summary

ProQR Therapeutics N.V. (Nasdaq: PRQR), a company focused on RNA therapies using its Axiomer™ RNA editing technology platform, has announced a proposed underwritten public offering of its ordinary shares. The company intends to grant underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the offering amount. Proceeds from the offering will be used to fund research and development, clinical development, and general corporate purposes.

Joint lead bookrunning managers for the offering include Evercore ISI, Cantor, Raymond James, and Oppenheimer & Co. A shelf registration statement on Form F-3 has been filed with the SEC and declared effective. The offering is subject to market conditions, and there is no assurance of its completion or terms.

Positive

• Potential to raise significant capital for research and development
• Funding for advancement of current and future product candidates
• Expansion of research and development programs

Negative

• Potential dilution of existing shareholders' ownership
• Uncertainty regarding the completion and terms of the offering
• Market conditions may affect the success of the offering

Insights

Financial Analyst

ProQR Therapeutics is initiating a public offering of ordinary shares, signaling a significant move to raise capital. This offering could substantially impact the company's financial position and dilute existing shareholders. The involvement of major underwriters like Evercore ISI, Cantor, Raymond James and Oppenheimer & Co. lends credibility to the offering.

The company plans to use the proceeds primarily for research, development and clinical advancement of its RNA therapy pipeline. This injection of capital could accelerate ProQR's progress in its proprietary Axiomer™ RNA editing technology platform, potentially leading to breakthrough therapies.

However, investors should note that the offering's success is not guaranteed and the final terms are yet to be determined. The additional 15% option granted to underwriters could further impact share dilution. While this move strengthens ProQR's financial position, it may put short-term pressure on the stock price due to increased supply of shares.

Biotech Research Analyst

ProQR's decision to raise capital through a public offering is a strategic move to support its innovative RNA editing technology platform, Axiomer™. This platform has the potential to revolutionize treatments for genetic disorders by editing RNA directly, offering a novel approach compared to traditional gene therapies.

The focus on expanding research and development programs suggests ProQR is confident in its pipeline and sees opportunities for growth. This could lead to an acceleration in the development of new therapies and potentially bring products to market faster.

However, investors should be aware that biotechnology research is inherently risky and capital-intensive. While the additional funding is positive for advancing ProQR's programs, it doesn't guarantee success in clinical trials or regulatory approvals. The company's ability to efficiently utilize these funds and demonstrate progress in its pipeline will be important for long-term value creation.

LEIDEN, Netherlands & CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ProQR Therapeutics N.V. (Nasdaq: PRQR) (“ProQR”), a company dedicated to changing lives through transformative RNA therapies based on its proprietary Axiomer^™ RNA editing technology platform, today announced that it has commenced an underwritten public offering of its ordinary shares (the “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 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 terms of the Offering.

ProQR intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering, together with its existing cash and cash equivalents, to primarily fund research and development and clinical development to support the advancement of its current or future product candidates and the expansion of its research and development programs, and the remainder for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes.

Evercore ISI, Cantor, Raymond James and Oppenheimer & Co. are acting as joint lead bookrunning managers for the Offering.

A shelf registration statement on Form F-3 relating to the Offering (including the accompanying prospectus) was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on September 30, 2024 and was declared effective on October 10, 2024. 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: Evercore Group L.L.C., 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; or Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Attention: Capital Markets, 110 East 59th Street, 6th Floor, New York, New York 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 offer or 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. ProQR is pioneering a next-generation RNA technology called Axiomer™, which uses a cell’s own editing machinery called ADAR to make specific single nucleotide edits in RNA to reverse a mutation or modulate protein expression and could potentially yield a new class of medicines for both rare and prevalent diseases with unmet need. 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, the grant to the underwriters of the 30-day option to purchase additional securities in the Offering, and the intended use of proceeds from the Offering. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond ProQR’s control, including risks and uncertainties related to market conditions and satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the Offering. There can be no assurance that ProQR will be able to complete the 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 Offering, including the documents incorporated by reference therein, which include ProQR’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, 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

Peter Kelleher
LifeSci Advisors
T: +1 617 430 7579
pkelleher@lifesciadvisors.com
Media Contact:
Robert Stanislaro
FTI Consulting
T: +1 212 850 5657
robert.stanislaro@fticonsulting.com

FAQ

What is the purpose of ProQR's (PRQR) proposed public offering?

ProQR (PRQR) intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund research and development, clinical development, support the advancement of current or future product candidates, expand research programs, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Who are the underwriters for ProQR's (PRQR) public offering?

Evercore ISI, Cantor, Raymond James, and Oppenheimer & Co. are acting as joint lead bookrunning managers for ProQR's (PRQR) public offering.

When was the shelf registration statement for ProQR's (PRQR) offering declared effective?

The shelf registration statement on Form F-3 for ProQR's (PRQR) offering was declared effective by the SEC on October 10, 2024.

What option is ProQR (PRQR) granting to the underwriters in this offering?

ProQR (PRQR) 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.