Vera Therapeutics Announces Commencement of Public Offering of Class A Common Stock

Rhea-AI Summary

Vera Therapeutics, a late-stage biotechnology company, has announced a public offering of $75 million shares of its Class A common stock, aimed at developing treatments for serious immunological diseases. The offering is subject to market conditions, with underwriters being granted a 30-day option to purchase an additional 15% of the shares. J.P. Morgan, Cowen, and Evercore ISI are the joint book-running managers. Vera's lead candidate, atacicept, targets autoimmune diseases including IgA nephropathy and lupus nephritis, while MAU868 addresses BK Virus infections. The offering will be conducted under a shelf registration statement and the company holds full rights to its drug candidates.

Positive

• The public offering aims to raise $75 million, potentially funding the development of its lead product candidate, atacicept.
• Vera retains global rights to atacicept and MAU868, allowing for future revenue from these drugs.

Negative

• The public offering could lead to shareholder dilution if additional shares are issued.
• There is no assurance regarding the completion or terms of the proposed offering, adding uncertainty.

BRISBANE, Calif., Feb. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vera Therapeutics, Inc. (“Vera”), a late-stage biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing transformative treatments for patients with serious immunological diseases, today announced that it has commenced a public offering, subject to market and other conditions, to issue and sell $75.0 million of shares of its Class A common stock. All of the shares are being offered by Vera.

In connection with the proposed offering, Vera expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the shares of Class A common stock sold in the public offering. There can be no assurance as to whether or when the proposed offering may be completed or as to the actual size or terms of the proposed offering.

J.P. Morgan, Cowen and Evercore ISI are acting as joint book-running managers for the proposed offering. LifeSci Capital is acting as lead manager for the proposed offering.

The proposed offering is being made pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3, including a base prospectus, that was previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and was declared effective by the SEC on June 13, 2022. A preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the proposed offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available for free on the SEC’s website located at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the proposed offering may be obtained, when available from: J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Attention: Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by telephone at (866) 803-9204, or by email at prospectus-eq_fi@jpmchase.com; Cowen and Company, LLC, 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022, by email at Prospectus_ECM@cowen.com or by telephone at (833) 297-2926; or Evercore Group L.L.C., Attention: Equity Capital Markets, 55 East 52nd Street, 36th Floor, New York, NY 10055, or by telephone at 888-474-0200, or by email at ecm.prospectus@evercore.com.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any 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 Vera

Vera is a late-stage biotechnology company focused on developing treatments for serious immunological diseases. Vera’s mission is to advance treatments that target the source of immunologic diseases in order to change the standard of care for patients. Vera’s lead product candidate is atacicept, a fusion protein self-administered as a subcutaneous injection once weekly that blocks both B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) and a proliferation inducing ligand (APRIL), which stimulate B cells and plasma cells to produce autoantibodies contributing to certain autoimmune diseases, including IgA nephropathy (IgAN), also known as Berger’s disease, and lupus nephritis. In addition, Vera is evaluating additional diseases where the reduction of autoantibodies by atacicept may prove medically useful. Vera is also developing MAU868, a monoclonal antibody designed to neutralize infection with BK Virus, a polyomavirus that can have devastating consequences in certain settings such as kidney transplant. Vera retains all global developmental and commercial rights to atacicept and MAU868.

Forward-looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding Vera’s expectations regarding the offering are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based upon Vera’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, market conditions and satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the proposed public offering. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management’s assumptions and estimates as of such date. Vera undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.

Contacts
Investor Contact:
IR@veratx.com

Media Contact:
Uncapped Communications
uncappedverateam@uncappedcommunications.com

FAQ

What is Vera Therapeutics' recent public offering about?

Vera Therapeutics announced a public offering of $75 million of Class A common stock to support its treatments for immunological diseases.

Who are the underwriters for Vera Therapeutics' stock offering?

J.P. Morgan, Cowen, and Evercore ISI are acting as joint book-running managers for the stock offering.

How much additional stock can underwriters purchase from Vera Therapeutics?

Underwriters have a 30-day option to purchase an additional 15% of the shares sold in the offering.

What risks are associated with Vera Therapeutics' public offering?

Risks include potential shareholder dilution and uncertainty regarding the offering's completion and terms.

What is the purpose of the funds raised in the public offering by Vera Therapeutics?

The funds are intended to support the development of Vera's immunological disease therapies, including atacicept.