Portage Biotech Receives Extension of Time to Attain Compliance With Stock Exchange Continued Listing Requirements

Rhea-AI Summary

Portage Biotech (NASDAQ: PRTG) has received an extension from Nasdaq to meet continued listing requirements. The company must achieve one of three compliance criteria by June 9, 2025: minimum shareholders' equity of $2.5 million, market value of listed securities of at least $35 million, or net income from continued operations of at least $500,000 in the most recent fiscal year or in two of the last three fiscal years.

Nasdaq will regularly review Portage's progress toward these goals. If the company fails to meet the requirements by the deadline or doesn't show consistent progress, Nasdaq will initiate delisting proceedings, though Portage would have the right to appeal to a Hearings Panel.

Positive

• Extension granted by Nasdaq providing additional time to meet listing requirements
• Multiple compliance options available to maintain listing

Negative

• Risk of potential delisting if compliance not achieved by June 9, 2025
• Current non-compliance with minimum shareholders' equity requirement of $2.5M
• Failure to meet market value requirement of $35M
• Non-compliance with net income requirements

Insights

Financial Compliance Analyst

The Nasdaq extension granted to Portage Biotech reveals significant underlying financial challenges that warrant careful investor attention. With a current market cap of $8.06 million, the company faces an uphill battle to meet any of the three compliance pathways:

• The $2.5 million shareholders' equity requirement appears challenging given the typical cash burn rates in clinical-stage biotech companies
• The $35 million market value threshold would require a more than 300% increase from current levels
• The net income requirements are particularly demanding for pre-revenue biotech companies focused on R&D

The June 9 deadline creates a narrow window for compliance, potentially forcing the company to consider strategic alternatives such as reverse stock splits, capital raises, or strategic transactions. These options often come at a significant cost to existing shareholders through dilution or unfavorable terms.

The implications extend beyond immediate compliance concerns. Institutional investors typically have mandates restricting investment in non-Nasdaq listed securities, which could trigger forced selling if delisting occurs. Additionally, moving to over-the-counter markets would likely result in reduced liquidity, wider bid-ask spreads, and decreased analyst coverage.

Historical precedents in the biotech sector show that companies receiving such extensions typically need to execute significant strategic moves to maintain their listing status. The four-month timeline suggests Portage must demonstrate material progress in its compliance plan to avoid delisting proceedings, which could create near-term pressure on management to prioritize financial engineering over operational objectives.

DOVER, Del., Feb. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Portage Biotech, Inc. (“Portage” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: PRTG), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company with a portfolio of innovative therapeutics, today announced that on February 11, 2025, it received notification from The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (“Nasdaq”) that Nasdaq has accepted Portage’s compliance plan and has granted the Company the extension to regain compliance with the continued listing standards on The Nasdaq Capital Market (the “Capital Market”) as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) whereby the minimum shareholders’ equity is at least $2.5 million or meet either of the alternative continued listing standards for the Capital Market, relating to market value of listed securities of at least $35 million or net income from continued operations of at least $500,000 in the most recently completed fiscal year or in two of the last three most recently completed fiscal years.

Nasdaq will periodically review Portage’s adherence to the plan milestones. If Portage is not in compliance with the continued listing standards by June 9, 2025, or if Portage does not make progress consistent with the plan during the plan period, Nasdaq will initiate delisting proceedings as appropriate. At that time, the Company may appeal Nasdaq’s determination to a Hearings Panel.

About Portage Biotech, Inc.
Portage Biotech is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company advancing a pipeline of novel biologics to transform the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. For more information, visit www.portagebiotech.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations and those statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “believe,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “will,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “continues,” or similar expressions or variations on such expressions are forward-looking statements. As a result, forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: the risk that the Company may not secure financing, the uncertainty of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, and other factors set forth in “Item 3 - Key Information-Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2024 and “Business Environment – Risk Factors” in the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the Three and Six Months ended September 30, 2024 filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Form 6-K. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them as actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, except as required by law.

For More Information:
Portage Biotech
Alexander Pickett, Chief Executive Officer
ir@portagebiotech.com

FAQ

What are the compliance requirements Portage Biotech (PRTG) needs to meet by June 9, 2025?

Portage Biotech needs to meet one of three requirements: shareholders' equity of at least $2.5 million, market value of listed securities of at least $35 million, or net income from continued operations of at least $500,000 in the most recent fiscal year or in two of the last three fiscal years.

What happens if PRTG fails to meet Nasdaq compliance requirements by June 9, 2025?

If Portage fails to meet the requirements or show consistent progress, Nasdaq will initiate delisting proceedings, though the company can appeal to a Hearings Panel.

How will Nasdaq monitor PRTG's progress toward compliance?

Nasdaq will periodically review Portage's adherence to the plan milestones to ensure the company is making progress consistent with the compliance plan.

What options does PRTG have if Nasdaq initiates delisting proceedings?

If Nasdaq initiates delisting proceedings, Portage Biotech has the right to appeal the determination to a Hearings Panel.