Avidity Biosciences, Inc. Announces Proposed Public Offering of Common Stock

Rhea-AI Summary

Avidity Biosciences, Inc. (RNA) announced a proposed public offering of $100 million in common stock, with an additional 15% option for underwriters. The offering aims to fund the Phase 1/2 MARINA trial for AOC 1001, advance AOC 1044 and the AOC FSHD program, and support working capital. The offering is subject to market conditions and uncertainties regarding completion and terms. Joint bookrunning managers include Cowen, SVB Leerink, Evercore ISI, and Wells Fargo Securities.

Positive

• Avidity plans to use proceeds to fund the Phase 1/2 MARINA trial for AOC 1001.
• Funds will also support the advancement of AOC 1044 and the AOC FSHD program.
• The company aims to expand its AOC platform targeting various diseases.

Negative

• Potential dilution of current shares due to the offering.
• No guaranteed completion or terms for the stock offering.

LA JOLLA, Calif., Aug. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Avidity Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: RNA), a biopharmaceutical company committed to delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics called Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™), today announced that it intends to offer and sell, subject to market and other conditions, $100 million of shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering. In addition, Avidity intends to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the shares of common stock offered in the public offering. All of the shares to be sold in the offering are to be sold by Avidity. There can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering.

Avidity intends to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with its existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities: to complete its Phase 1/2 MARINA trial for AOC 1001; to advance AOC 1044 and its AOC FSHD program into clinical development; to further advance its AOC platform in and beyond its muscle franchise; and towards working capital and other general corporate purposes.

Cowen, SVB Leerink, Evercore ISI and Wells Fargo Securities are acting as joint bookrunning managers for the offering.

The securities described above are being offered by Avidity pursuant to a shelf registration statement that became automatically effective upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to this offering will be filed with the SEC. When available, copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to this offering may be obtained from: Cowen and Company, LLC c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, Attn: Prospectus Department, by email at PostSaleManualRequests@broadridge.com or by telephone at (833) 297-2926; from SVB Leerink LLC, Attention: Syndicate Department, 53 State Street, 40th Floor, Boston, MA 02109, or by telephone at (800) 808-7525, ext. 6105, or by email at syndicate@svbleerink.com; 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 from Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Attention: Equity Syndicate Department, 500 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001, or by telephone at (800) 326-5897, or by email at cmclientsupport@wellsfargo.com. Electronic copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus will also be available on the website of the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

About Avidity

Avidity Biosciences, Inc.'s mission is to profoundly improve people's lives by delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics - Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs^TM). Avidity's proprietary AOCs are designed to combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the precision of oligonucleotide therapies to target the root cause of diseases previously untreatable with RNA therapeutics. Avidity's lead product candidate, AOC 1001, is designed to treat myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). The FDA has cleared Avidity to proceed with the Phase 1/2 MARINA^TM trial of AOC 1001 in adults with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Its advancing and expanding pipeline also includes programs in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), muscle atrophy and Pompe disease. The company is planning for AOC 1044, the lead of three programs for the treatment of DMD, and its AOC FSHD program to enter the clinic in 2022. Avidity is also broadening the reach of AOCs beyond muscle tissues through both internal discovery efforts and key partnerships as the company continues to deliver on the RNA revolution. Avidity is headquartered in La Jolla, CA.

Forward Looking Statements

Avidity cautions you that statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the company's current beliefs and expectations. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Avidity's expectations of the completion, timing and size of the proposed public offering and the anticipated use of proceeds therefrom. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Avidity that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risks and uncertainties associated with market conditions and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the proposed public offering, as well as risks and uncertainties inherent in Avidity's business, including those described in the company's prior press releases and the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including under the heading "Risk Factors" in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent filings with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and Avidity undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

CONTACTS:

Kathleen Gallagher
(858) 401-7900
kath.gallagher@aviditybio.com        

Amy Conrad
Juniper Point
(858) 366-3243
amy@juniper-point.com 

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SOURCE Avidity Biosciences, Inc.

FAQ

What is Avidity Biosciences' stock offering amount?

Avidity Biosciences announced a proposed public offering of $100 million.

What will the proceeds from Avidity's stock offering be used for?

The proceeds will fund the Phase 1/2 MARINA trial for AOC 1001 and advance AOC 1044 and the AOC FSHD program.

Who are the underwriters for Avidity's stock offering?

The underwriters include Cowen, SVB Leerink, Evercore ISI, and Wells Fargo Securities.

What is the additional option for underwriters in Avidity's offering?

Underwriters have a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the shares offered.

What risks are associated with Avidity's stock offering?

There is a risk of dilution for current shareholders and uncertainty regarding the offering's completion.