Sonnet BioTherapeutics Announces 1-for-8 Reverse Stock Split

Rhea-AI Summary

Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: SONN) has announced a 1-for-8 reverse stock split of its outstanding common stock, effective for trading on September 30, 2024. This move aims to increase the per share trading price to meet Nasdaq's $1.00 minimum bid price requirement. The company's stock will continue trading under the symbol 'SONN' with a new CUSIP number. The reverse split will reduce the number of shares outstanding from approximately 5.2 million to 650,300.

Key points:

• Par value remains $0.0001 per share
• Authorized number of shares unchanged
• No fractional shares issued; cash payments for fractional entitlements
• Applies to outstanding warrants and stock options with adjusted exercise prices
• Stockholders approved the split on September 12, 2024
• Board of directors approved the 1-for-8 ratio on September 23, 2024

Positive

• Attempt to meet Nasdaq's $1.00 minimum bid price requirement for continued listing
• Potential to attract more institutional investors with higher share price

Negative

• Reduction in total number of outstanding shares from 5.2 million to approximately 650,300
• Possible indication of financial distress or struggle to maintain Nasdaq listing
• Risk of not achieving desired share price increase post-split

Insights

Financial Analyst

The announced 1-for-8 reverse stock split is a significant move by Sonnet BioTherapeutics to maintain its Nasdaq listing. This action is primarily aimed at boosting the stock price above the $1.00 minimum bid requirement, which is important for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

Key points to consider:

• The split will reduce outstanding shares from approximately 5.2 million to 650,300, potentially increasing stock price and liquidity.
• No change in company valuation or shareholder equity percentages, except for fractional shares.
• Adjustments will be made to outstanding warrants and stock options, maintaining their relative value.
• The move doesn't address underlying business fundamentals or cash position.

While this action may temporarily boost the stock price, it's important to note that reverse splits are often viewed negatively by the market. Investors should closely monitor the company's financial performance and pipeline progress post-split to gauge long-term viability.

Market Research Analyst

Sonnet's reverse stock split reflects broader challenges in the biotech sector, particularly for smaller cap companies. This move is a common tactic to maintain listing requirements, but it also signals potential underlying issues:

• Investor sentiment: The need for a reverse split often indicates a lack of market confidence or poor stock performance.
• Dilution concerns: Previous share issuances may have led to this situation and future capital raises could further dilute shareholders.
• Sector trends: Small biotech firms are facing a challenging funding environment, which could impact Sonnet's ability to advance its pipeline.

While the split doesn't directly impact the company's fundamentals, it may affect trading dynamics. Reduced share count could lead to increased volatility. Investors should focus on Sonnet's cash runway, upcoming catalysts and any strategic alternatives the company might pursue to create value.

PRINCETON, N.J., Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc. (“Sonnet” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: SONN), a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative targeted biologic drugs, announced today that it will effect a 1-for-8 reverse stock split of its outstanding common stock. This will be effective for trading purposes as of the commencement of trading on Monday, September 30, 2024.

The reverse stock split is intended to increase the per share trading price of Sonnet's common stock to satisfy the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market (Rule 5550(a)(2)). Sonnet's common stock will continue to trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SONN” and under a new CUSIP number, 83548R402. As a result of the reverse stock split, every eight pre-split shares of common stock outstanding will become one share of common stock. The par value of the Company's common stock will remain unchanged at $0.0001 per share after the reverse stock split. The reverse stock split will not change the authorized number of shares of the Company's common stock. The reverse stock split will affect all stockholders uniformly and will not alter any stockholder's percentage interest in the Company's equity, except to the extent that the reverse stock split results in some stockholders owning a fractional share. No fractional shares will be issued in connection with the reverse split. Stockholders who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional share will instead receive a cash payment based on the average closing price of the Company's common stock on the five (5) consecutive days leading up to the effective date of the reverse split. The reverse split will also apply to common stock issuable upon the exercise of Sonnet's outstanding warrants and stock options, with a proportionate adjustment to the exercise prices thereof, and under the Company's equity incentive plans.

The reverse stock split will reduce the number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding from approximately 5.2 million to approximately 650,300.

On September 12, 2024, the stockholders of the Company approved the reverse stock split by a majority of the votes cast and gave the Company's board of directors discretionary authority to select a ratio for the split ranging from 1-for-2 to 1-for-12. The board of directors approved the reverse stock split at a ratio of 1-for-8 on September 23, 2024.

Securities Transfer Corporation is acting as the exchange agent and transfer agent for the reverse stock split. Stockholders holding their shares in book-entry form or in brokerage accounts need not take any action in connection with the reverse stock split. Beneficial holders are encouraged to contact their bank, broker or custodian with any procedural questions.

About Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.

Sonnet BioTherapeutics is an oncology-focused biotechnology company with a proprietary platform for innovating biologic drugs of single or bifunctional action. Known as F_HAB (Fully Human-Albumin Binding), the technology utilizes a fully human single chain antibody fragment (scFv) that binds to and “hitch-hikes” on human serum albumin (HSA) for transport to target tissues. Sonnet's F_HAB was designed to specifically target tumor and lymphatic tissue, with an improved therapeutic window for optimizing the safety and efficacy of immune modulating biologic drugs. F_HAB is the foundation of a modular, plug-and-play construct for potentiating a range of large molecule therapeutic classes, including cytokines, peptides, antibodies, and vaccines.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, as amended, including those relating to the Company’s reverse stock split, the outcome of the Company’s clinical trials, the Company's cash runway, the Company's product development, clinical and regulatory timelines, market opportunity, competitive position, possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, potential growth opportunities and other statements that are predictive in nature. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry and markets in which we operate and management's current beliefs and assumptions.

These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking expressions, including, but not limited to, “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. These statements relate to future events or our financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include those set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Sonnet BioTherapeutics Investor Contact

JTC Team, LLC
Jenene Thomas
833-475-8247
SONN@jtcir.com

Source: Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc.
Released September 25, 2024

FAQ

When will Sonnet BioTherapeutics (SONN) implement its 1-for-8 reverse stock split?

Sonnet BioTherapeutics (SONN) will implement its 1-for-8 reverse stock split effective for trading purposes on Monday, September 30, 2024.

What is the main reason for Sonnet BioTherapeutics (SONN) conducting a reverse stock split?

The main reason for the reverse stock split is to increase the per share trading price of Sonnet's common stock to satisfy the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market.

How will the reverse stock split affect the number of Sonnet BioTherapeutics (SONN) shares outstanding?

The reverse stock split will reduce the number of Sonnet BioTherapeutics (SONN) shares outstanding from approximately 5.2 million to approximately 650,300.

Will Sonnet BioTherapeutics (SONN) issue fractional shares after the reverse stock split?

No, Sonnet BioTherapeutics (SONN) will not issue fractional shares. Stockholders entitled to fractional shares will receive a cash payment based on the average closing price of the company's common stock on the five consecutive days leading up to the effective date of the reverse split.