Zevra Therapeutics Announces Pricing of Underwritten Offering of Common Stock

Rhea-AI Summary

Zevra Therapeutics (Nasdaq: ZVRA) has announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 9,230,770 shares of its common stock at $6.50 per share. This offering is expected to generate gross proceeds of approximately $60.0 million. The company has also granted underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,384,615 shares. Cantor and William Blair are acting as joint book-running managers, with Citizens JMP and H.C. Wainwright & Co. as co-managers. The offering, subject to customary closing conditions, is anticipated to close on August 12, 2024. This public offering is being conducted under a registration statement filed with the SEC on June 4, 2024, which became effective on June 13, 2024.

Positive

• Successful pricing of a significant public offering, raising approximately $60 million in gross proceeds
• Additional 30-day option for underwriters to purchase more shares, potentially increasing total proceeds
• Engagement of reputable financial institutions as book-running managers and co-managers for the offering

Negative

• Potential dilution of existing shareholders' ownership due to the issuance of 9,230,770 new shares
• Additional dilution possible if underwriters exercise their option to purchase extra shares
• Offering price of $6.50 per share may be lower than current market price, potentially impacting stock value

Insights

Financial Analyst

Zevra Therapeutics' $60 million public offering is a significant move for this rare disease therapeutics company. Priced at $6.50 per share, this offering could potentially dilute existing shareholders by 9.23% (excluding the overallotment option). The pricing suggests a slight discount to the current market price, which is typical for such offerings to ensure full subscription.

This capital raise will likely strengthen Zevra's balance sheet, potentially funding R&D efforts or clinical trials for its rare disease pipeline. However, investors should note the dilutive effect on earnings per share. The involvement of reputable underwriters like Cantor and William Blair lends credibility to the offering, potentially indicating strong institutional interest.

Biotech Industry Expert

For a rare disease therapeutics company like Zevra, a $60 million capital injection is substantial. This funding could significantly accelerate their drug development pipeline, potentially bringing life-changing treatments to market faster. The rare disease space is known for its high-risk, high-reward nature, with successful drugs often commanding premium pricing due to patient populations.

Investors should closely monitor Zevra's upcoming announcements regarding the allocation of these funds. Key areas to watch include advancements in clinical trials, potential licensing deals, or expansion of their research capabilities. This capital raise could be a pivotal moment in Zevra's growth trajectory, potentially positioning them as a more competitive player in the rare disease therapeutics landscape.

Market Research Analyst

The timing of Zevra's offering is intriguing, coming amidst a challenging biotech funding environment. Successfully raising $60 million suggests investor confidence in Zevra's potential. The rare disease market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.5% from 2021 to 2028, driven by factors like increasing awareness, improving diagnostics and favorable regulatory environments.

Zevra's ability to secure this funding could provide a competitive edge in a market where many smaller biotechs are struggling. However, investors should remain cautious and monitor Zevra's progress in translating this capital into tangible advancements in their drug pipeline. The success of this offering could also signal a potential thawing in the biotech funding landscape, which would be a positive indicator for the sector as a whole.

CELEBRATION, Fla., Aug. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zevra Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZVRA), a rare disease therapeutics company (“Zevra”), today announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 9,230,770 shares of its common stock at an offering price of $6.50 per share, for total gross proceeds of approximately $60.0 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by Zevra. All of the common stock is being offered by Zevra. The offering is expected to close on August 12, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. In addition, Zevra has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,384,615 shares of its common stock at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.

Cantor and William Blair are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering. Citizens JMP and H.C. Wainwright & Co. are acting as co-managers.

The securities described above are being offered by Zevra pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333- 279941), which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on June 4, 2024, and became effective on June 13, 2024. This offering is being made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus which forms a party of the registration statement. A final prospectus supplement related to the offering will be filed with the SEC and may be obtained, when available, by visiting the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may also be obtained, when available, by contacting: Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Attention: Capital Markets, 110 East 59th Street, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10022, or by email at prospectus@cantor.com or William Blair & Company, L.L.C., Attention: Prospectus Department, 150 North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606, by telephone at (800) 621-0687 or by email at prospectus@williamblair.com.

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

About Zevra Therapeutics:

Zevra Therapeutics is a rare disease company combining science, data, and patient needs to create transformational therapies for diseases with limited or no treatment options. Zevra’s mission is to bring life-changing therapeutics to people living with rare diseases. With unique, data-driven development and commercialization strategies, Zevra is overcoming complex drug development challenges to make new therapies available to the rare disease community.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, and which can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “project,” “contemplate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “assume,” “intend,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar words or the negative of these terms, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future actions or performance. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, including without limitation statements regarding anticipated consummation of the proposed offering, market conditions, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the proposed offering, the completion of the offering on the anticipated terms or at all and general economic conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Zevra and its current plans or expectations. They are subject to several known and unknown uncertainties, risks, and other important factors that may cause Zevra’s actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These and other important factors are described in detail in the “Risk Factors” section of Zevra’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other filings with the SEC. While Zevra may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, except as required by law, Zevra disclaims any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause Zevra’s views to change. Although Zevra believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Zevra cannot assure that such expectations will prove correct. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Zevra’s views as of any date after the date of this press release.

Zevra Contact

Nichol Ochsner 
+1 (732) 754-2545 
nochsner@zevra.com

Russo Partners Contacts

Adanna G. Alexander, Ph.D.
+1 (646) 942-5603
adanna.alexander@russopartnersllc.com

Ignacio Guerrero-Ros, Ph.D.
+1 (646) 942-5604
ignacio.guerrero-ros@russopartnersllc.com

FAQ

How many shares of ZVRA stock are being offered in the public offering?

Zevra Therapeutics is offering 9,230,770 shares of its common stock in the underwritten public offering.

What is the price per share for ZVRA's public offering?

The offering price for Zevra Therapeutics' public offering is $6.50 per share.

How much does Zevra Therapeutics expect to raise from this offering?

Zevra Therapeutics expects to raise approximately $60.0 million in gross proceeds from this public offering.

When is the expected closing date for ZVRA's public offering?

The public offering for Zevra Therapeutics is expected to close on August 12, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.

Who are the underwriters for Zevra Therapeutics' public offering?

Cantor and William Blair are acting as joint book-running managers, while Citizens JMP and H.C. Wainwright & Co. are acting as co-managers for the offering.