VBI Vaccines Provides an Update on its Restructuring Proceedings

Rhea-AI Summary

VBI Vaccines Inc. (Nasdaq: VBIV) has provided an update on its restructuring proceedings announced on July 30, 2024. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware granted provisional relief under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on August 2, 2024. A hearing is scheduled to consider the recognition of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice order granting the company protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA).

VBI received notice from Nasdaq that its common shares will be delisted effective August 8, 2024. The company does not plan to appeal this decision. Ernst & Young Inc. has been appointed as Monitor in the CCAA proceedings and the proposed sale and investment solicitation process (SISP).

Positive

• None.

Negative

• Company filed for bankruptcy protection under CCAA
• Nasdaq delisting of common shares effective August 8, 2024
• Company not appealing Nasdaq delisting decision
• Restructuring proceedings indicate financial distress

Insights

Financial Analyst

VBI Vaccines' restructuring update reveals significant challenges for the company. The Chapter 15 filing and CCAA protection indicate severe financial distress, likely stemming from ongoing operational issues or market pressures. The impending delisting from Nasdaq on August 8, 2024, is a major blow to investor confidence and liquidity.

The initiation of a sale and investment solicitation process (SISP) suggests the company is exploring strategic alternatives, including potential asset sales or seeking new investors. This process could lead to a significant restructuring of VBI's operations and ownership structure. Investors should be prepared for potential dilution or loss of equity value as the restructuring progresses.

Legal Expert

The granting of provisional relief under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code is a critical step in VBI's restructuring process. This move allows for cross-border insolvency protection, coordinating proceedings between the U.S. and Canada. The CCAA protection in Canada provides VBI with a stay of proceedings, giving the company breathing room to restructure its operations and negotiate with creditors.

The appointment of Ernst & Young Inc. as Monitor ensures oversight of the restructuring process, protecting creditors' interests. The SISP will be important in determining VBI's future, potentially leading to a sale of assets or injection of new capital. Stakeholders should closely monitor the proceedings and any court filings for updates on the company's restructuring plan and potential outcomes.

Market Research Analyst

VBI Vaccines' restructuring signals broader challenges in the biotech sector, particularly for companies with promising pipelines but revenue streams. The company's financial difficulties highlight the high-risk nature of vaccine development and the importance of robust funding to sustain operations through lengthy clinical trials and regulatory processes.

The delisting from Nasdaq may trigger a sell-off by institutional investors bound by mandates requiring listed securities. This could lead to increased volatility in VBI's stock price and reduced liquidity. The restructuring process and potential SISP outcomes will likely reshape VBI's market position and could attract interest from larger pharmaceutical companies looking to acquire vaccine assets at a discount.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- VBI Vaccines Inc. (Nasdaq: VBIV) (VBI), a biopharmaceutical company driven by immunology in the pursuit of powerful prevention and treatment of disease, today provided an update on the restructuring proceedings announced on July 30, 2024.

U.S. Chapter 15 Filing
On August 2, 2024, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware granted provisional relief under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and scheduled a further hearing to consider the recognition of the July 30, 2024, Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) order (“Initial Order”), which granted the company protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-36, as amended (“CCAA”).

NASDAQ Listing
On July 30, 2024, the Company received a letter from the listing qualifications department staff of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) notifying the Company that its common shares will be delisted from Nasdaq effective as of opening of business on August 8, 2024. The Company does not intend to appeal the delisting determination.

Stikeman Elliott LLP, Haynes and Boone, LLP, Morris, Nicols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP, and Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer Baratz are acting as legal advisors to VBI. As previously announced, Ernst & Young Inc. (“EY”) has been appointed as Monitor in the CCAA proceedings and the proposed sale and investment solicitation process (“SISP”).

Additional information regarding the CCAA proceeding can be found on the Monitor’s website here, or by contacting the Monitor at vbi.monitor@ca.ey.com or 1-888-338-1764. Additional information regarding the Chapter 15 Case can be found here.

About VBI Vaccines Inc.

VBI Vaccines Inc. (“VBI”) is a biopharmaceutical company driven by immunology in the pursuit of powerful prevention and treatment of disease. Through its innovative approach to virus-like particles (“VLPs”), including a proprietary enveloped VLP (“eVLP”) platform technology and a proprietary mRNA-launched eVLP (“MLE”) platform technology, VBI develops vaccine candidates that mimic the natural presentation of viruses, designed to elicit the innate power of the human immune system. VBI is committed to targeting and overcoming significant infectious diseases, including hepatitis B, coronaviruses, and cytomegalovirus (CMV), as well as aggressive cancers including glioblastoma (GBM). VBI is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with research operations in Ottawa, Canada, and a research and manufacturing site in Rehovot, Israel.

Website Home: http://www.vbivaccines.com/
News and Resources: http://www.vbivaccines.com/news-and-resources/
Investors: http://www.vbivaccines.com/investors/

Cautionary Statement on Forward-looking Information

Certain statements in this press release that are forward-looking and not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). The Company cautions that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may materially affect the Company’s results of operations. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the Company’s ability to successfully complete a sale process under Chapter 15 and/or the CCAA and/or Israeli Insolvency Law; potential adverse effects of the Restructuring Proceedings on the Company’s liquidity and results of operations; the Company’s ability to obtain timely approval by the applicable courts in Canada, US, and Israel, with respect to the motions filed in or in connection with the Restructuring Proceedings; objections to the Company’s sale process, the DIP Loan, or other pleadings filed that could protract the restructuring proceedings; employee attrition and the Company’s ability to retain senior management and other key personnel due to the distractions and uncertainties, including the Company’s ability to provide adequate compensation and benefits during the Restructuring Proceedings; the Company’s ability to comply with the restrictions imposed by the DIP Loan and other financing arrangements; the Company’s ability to maintain relationships with suppliers, customers, employees and other third parties and regulatory authorities as a result of the Chapter 15, CCAA filings, and proceedings under the Israeli Insolvency Law; the applicable rulings in the Restructuring Proceedings, including the approval of the DIP Loan, and the outcome of the Restructuring Proceedings generally; the length of time that the Company will operate under Chapter 15, CCAA protection, and protection under the Israeli Insolvency Law, and the continued availability of operating capital during the pendency of the proceedings; risks associated with third party motions in the Restructuring Proceedings and/or under Israeli Insolvency Law, which may interfere with the Company’s ability to consummate a sale; and increased administrative and legal costs related to the Chapter 15, the CCAA proceedings, and proceedings under Israeli Insolvency Law, and other litigation and inherent risks involved in a bankruptcy process, the Company’s ability to regain and maintain compliance with the listing standards of the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Company’s ability to satisfy all of the conditions to the consummation of the transactions with Brii Biosciences, the Company’s ability to comply with its obligations under its loan agreement with K2 HealthVentures, the impact of general economic, industry or political conditions in the United States or internationally; the impact and continuing effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on our clinical studies, manufacturing, business plan, and the global economy; the ability to successfully manufacture and commercialize PreHevbrio/PreHevbri; the ability to establish that potential products are efficacious or safe in preclinical or clinical trials; the ability to establish or maintain collaborations on the development of pipeline candidates and the commercialization of PreHevbrio/PreHevbri; the ability to obtain appropriate or necessary regulatory approvals to market potential products; the ability to obtain future funding for developmental products and working capital and to obtain such funding on commercially reasonable terms; the Company’s ability to manufacture product candidates on a commercial scale or in collaborations with third parties; changes in the size and nature of competitors; the ability to retain key executives and scientists; and the ability to secure and enforce legal rights related to the Company’s products. A discussion of these and other factors, including risks and uncertainties with respect to the Company, is set forth in the Company’s filings with the SEC and the Canadian securities authorities, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 13, 2023, and filed with the Canadian security authorities at sedarplus.ca on March 13, 2023, as may be supplemented or amended by the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Given these risks, uncertainties and factors, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. All such forward-looking statements made herein are based on our current expectations and we undertake no duty or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240802116901/en/

VBI

IR@vbivaccines.com

Source: VBI Vaccines Inc.

FAQ

When will VBI Vaccines (VBIV) be delisted from Nasdaq?

VBI Vaccines (VBIV) will be delisted from Nasdaq effective as of the opening of business on August 8, 2024.

What type of bankruptcy protection has VBI Vaccines (VBIV) filed for?

VBI Vaccines has filed for protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) in Canada and sought recognition of this proceeding under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

Who has been appointed as the Monitor for VBI Vaccines' (VBIV) CCAA proceedings?

Ernst & Young Inc. (EY) has been appointed as the Monitor for VBI Vaccines' CCAA proceedings and the proposed sale and investment solicitation process (SISP).

Is VBI Vaccines (VBIV) appealing the Nasdaq delisting decision?

No, VBI Vaccines has stated that it does not intend to appeal the Nasdaq delisting determination.