HARMONY BIOSCIENCES TO ACQUIRE ZYNERBA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
- Harmony Biosciences' acquisition of Zynerba Pharmaceuticals could lead to the development of a potentially transformative treatment for Fragile X syndrome and other rare neuropsychiatric disorders.
- Zynerba's lead asset, Zygel, is currently being evaluated in a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial for FXS.
- None.
Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Harmony will commence a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Zynerba for a purchase price of
"This is an important step in Harmony's strategy to build a diversified portfolio of innovative assets to address unmet medical needs and drive our long-term growth. This acquisition affords us the opportunity to advance the development and delivery of a potentially transformative treatment for the symptoms of Fragile X syndrome and other rare neuropsychiatric disorders," said Jeffrey M. Dayno, M.D.,
"Harmony's development and commercial expertise, technologies, people and focus on rare neurological diseases are an excellent strategic fit with Zynerba," said Armando Anido, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Zynerba. "I am very proud of Zynerba's accomplishments with Zygel™ to date. With Harmony's scale, resources and proven commercial excellence, they are well positioned to potentially bring to market the first pharmaceutical product indicated for the treatment of behavioral symptoms of Fragile X syndrome and to maximize the value of Zygel."
Zynerba's lead asset, Zygel, is the first and only pharmaceutically manufactured, synthetic cannabidiol, a non-euphoric cannabinoid, formulated as a patent-protected permeation-enhanced gel for transdermal delivery through the skin and into the circulatory system. Zygel is manufactured through a synthetic process in a cGMP facility and is not extracted from the cannabis plant. Therefore, it is devoid of THC, which is what causes the euphoric effect of cannabis, and has the potential to be a nonscheduled product if approved. Zygel is currently being evaluated in a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial for patients living with FXS, known as the RECONNECT Trial. Additionally, Zygel showed positive signals in an open label Phase 2 trial in patients living with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q), called the INSPIRE Trial.
Cannabidiol, the active ingredient in Zygel, has been granted orphan drug designation by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of FXS and for the treatment of 22q. Additionally, Zygel has received FDA Fast Track designation for the treatment of behavioral symptoms in patients with FXS.
FXS is a rare genetic disorder that affects approximately 80,000 people in the
It is estimated that there are approximately 80,000 people living with 22q in the
Transaction Details
Under the terms of the definitive agreement, which was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of Harmony and Zynerba, Harmony will commence a tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of Zynerba for a purchase price of
Clinical Milestones
- Completion of FXS Phase 3 clinical trial:
in the aggregate or approximately$15 million per share$0.27 47 - Positive data readout from FXS Phase 3 clinical trial:
Regulatory Milestones
- FDA approval in FXS:
in the aggregate or approximately$35 million per share$0.63 89 - FDA approval in Second Indication:
in the aggregate or approximately$15 million per share$0.27 07
Net Sales Milestones
- Achievement of
in aggregate Net Sales:$250 million in the aggregate or approximately$15 million per share$0.27 02 - Achievement of
in aggregate Net Sales:$500 million in the aggregate or approximately$30 million per share$0.54 05
Each CVR is subject to the achievement of the milestone conditions described above, and there can be no assurance whether any such milestones will be achieved or when any payments will be made with respect to any CVR.
Harmony will fund the transaction from its existing cash on hand. As of June 30, 2023, Harmony had cash, cash equivalents and investment securities of
The transaction is expected to close by the fourth quarter of 2023, subject to customary closing conditions, including that the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Zynerba's common stock tender such shares to Harmony in connection with the tender offer. Following the successful closing of the tender offer, Harmony will acquire any shares of Zynerba it does not already own through a second-step merger at the same per share offer price as paid in the tender offer. Zynerba's board of directors unanimously recommends that Zynerba's stockholders tender their shares in the tender offer.
Advisors
For Harmony, Hogan Lovells US LLP is acting as legal counsel. For Zynerba, MTS Health Partners, L.P. is acting as financial advisor and Goodwin Procter LLP is acting as legal counsel.
Conference Call Today at 8:30 AM ET
At 8:30 AM ET Harmony will host a live webcast to review this proposed acquisition. The live and replay webcast of the call will be available on the investor relations page of our website at https://ir.harmonybiosciences.com/. To participate in the live call by phone, dial (800) 245-3047 (domestic) or +1 (203) 518-9765 (international), and reference passcode HRMY0814.
About Harmony Biosciences
At Harmony Biosciences, we specialize in developing and delivering treatments for rare neurological diseases that others often overlook. We believe that where empathy and innovation meet, a better life can begin for people living with neurological diseases. Established by Paragon Biosciences, LLC, in 2017 and headquartered in
About Zynerba Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Zynerba Pharmaceuticals is the leader in innovative pharmaceutically produced, synthetic transdermal cannabidiol therapies for orphan neuropsychiatric disorders. We are committed to improving the lives of patients and their families living with severe, chronic health conditions including Fragile X syndrome and 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Learn more at www.zynerba.com.
About Fragile X Syndrome
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a rare genetic disorder that is the leading known cause of both inherited intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder, affecting 1 in 3,600 to 4,000 males and 1 in 4,000 to 6,000 females. The disorder negatively affects synaptic function, plasticity and neuronal connections, and results in a spectrum of intellectual disabilities and behavioral symptoms, such as social avoidance and irritability. There are approximately 80,000 people in the U.S. and approximately 121,000 people in the European Union and
FXS is caused by a mutation in FMR1, a gene which modulates a number of systems, including the endocannabinoid system, and most critically, codes for a protein called FMRP. The FMR1 mutation manifests as multiple repeats of a DNA segment, known as the CGG triplet repeat, resulting in deficiency or lack of FMRP. FMRP helps regulate the production of other proteins and plays a role in the development of synapses, which are critical for relaying nerve impulses, and in regulating synaptic plasticity. In people with full mutation of the FMR1 gene, the CGG segment is repeated more than 200 times, and in most cases causes the gene to not function. Methylation of the FMR1 gene also plays a role in determining functionality of the gene. In approximately
About 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome
22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q) is a disorder caused by a small missing piece of the 22nd chromosome. The deletion occurs near the middle of the chromosome at a location designated q11.2. It is considered a mid-line condition, with physical symptoms including characteristic palate abnormalities, heart defects, immune dysfunction, and esophageal / GI issues, as well as debilitating neuropsychiatric and behavioral symptoms, including anxiety, social withdrawal, ADHD, cognitive impairment and autism spectrum disorder. It is estimated that 22q occurs in one in 4,000 live births, suggesting that there are approximately 80,000 people living with 22q in the
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, including as they relate to Harmony and Zynerba, the anticipated occurrence, manner and timing of the proposed transaction, the future development of their technologies and product candidates, including the development of and market opportunities for Zynerba's technology and product candidates, the future value (if any) of the contingent value rights, Harmony's strategy, and the anticipated synergies and benefits from the proposed transaction, are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that 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. Potential risks, uncertainties and other factors to be considered include, among others, that Zynerba stockholders may not tender a sufficient number of shares in the tender offer; the length of time necessary to consummate the proposed transaction may be longer than anticipated, or it may not be consummated at all; problems may arise in successfully integrating the business and technologies of Harmony and Zynerba, and Harmony may not realize the expected benefits of the proposed transaction; the proposed transaction may involve unexpected costs; the businesses may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the proposed transaction, including difficulties in maintaining relationships with third parties or retaining key employees; and even if the transaction is consummated no contingent consideration may become payable. For further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see Harmony's and Zynerba's most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including under the headings "Risk Factors." You are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this document. Except as required by law, neither Harmony nor Zynerba is under any duty to update any of the information in this document.
Additional Information about the Acquisition and Where to Find It:
In connection with the proposed acquisition, Harmony will commence a tender offer for the outstanding shares of Zynerba. The tender offer has not yet commenced. This document is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell shares of Zynerba, nor is it a substitute for the tender offer materials that Harmony and Xylophone Acquisition Corp ("Purchaser") will file with the SEC upon commencement of the tender offer. At the time the tender offer is commenced, Harmony and Purchaser will file tender offer materials on Schedule TO, and Zynerba will file a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 with the SEC with respect to the tender offer. Holders of shares of Zynerba common stock are urged to read the tender offer materials (including an Offer to Purchase, a related Letter of Transmittal and certain other tender offer documents) and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement when they become available (as each may be amended or supplemented from time to time) because they will contain important information that holders of shares of Zynerba common stock should consider before making any decision regarding tendering their shares. The Offer to Purchase, the related Letter of Transmittal and certain other tender offer documents, as well as the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement, will be made available to all holders of shares of Zynerba at no expense to them. The tender offer materials and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement will be made available for free at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. In addition, these materials will be available at no charge on the Enhanced SEC Filings section of the Investor Relations page of Zynerba's website at https://www.zynerba.com/ and by directing a request to the information agent for the tender offer, whose information will be set forth in the Offer to Purchase.
Harmony Biosciences Contacts:
Investor:
Luis Sanay, CFA
445-235-8386
lsanay@harmonybiosciences.com
Media:
Cate McCanless
202-641-6086
cmccanless@harmonybiosciences.com
Zynerba Pharmaceuticals Contact:
Peter Vozzo
ICR Westwicke
443-213-0505
Peter.Vozzo@westwicke.com
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SOURCE Harmony Biosciences and Zynerba Pharmaceuticals, Inc.