Cantargia resolves on a fully covered rights issue of approximately SEK 250 million

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STOCKHOLM, June 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cantargia AB (publ) ("Cantargia" or the "Company") (Nasdaq Stockholm: CANTA) announces that the board of directors has resolved to carry out a fully covered new share issue of approximately SEK 250 million with pre-emptive rights for the Company's shareholders (the "Rights Issue"). The purpose of the Rights Issue is to, based on the strong results recently presented, secure financing for future value-adding activities for nadunolimab (CAN04) such as the preparation of an upcoming randomized clinical study in lung cancer starting 2023, phase II/III study in pancreatic cancer in collaboration with PanCAN as well as further advancing other clinical programs for nadunolimab and CAN10. The board of director's resolution on the Rights Issue is subject to approval by an extraordinary general meeting, which is intended to be held on 21 July 2022. A notice to the extraordinary general meeting will be published through a separate press release. Due to the Rights Issue, the Company has resolved to postpone the announcement of the interim report for the second quarter 2022 to 30 August 2022.

"Cantargia recently presented new robust clinical results within both pancreatic cancer as well as lung cancer, which have generated substantial international interest. It is therefore logical to give nadunolimab the best possible opportunity to increase the commercial value and reach the goal of providing cancer patients a new effective treatment in the future", says Göran Forsberg, CEO of Cantargia.

Summary

·  The board of directors of Cantargia has today resolved on the Rights Issue of approximately SEK 250 million. The board's resolution on the Rights Issue is subject to approval by an extraordinary general meeting, which is intended to be held on 21 July 2022. A notice to the meeting will be published through a separate press release.

• The purpose of the Rights Issue is to secure financing for (i) preparation of a randomized study regarding non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC, starting 2023 (ii) PDAC phase II/III in collaboration with PanCAN and (iii) advancing some second wave clinical opportunities for nadunolimab (in e.g., pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer or biliary tract cancer), after prioritization during 2022.
• The Rights Issue is fully covered by a combination of intentions to subscribe, subscription undertakings and guarantee commitments, including underwriting commitments from the Joint Global Coordinators (as defined below):                  
• the existing shareholders Fjärde AP-fonden, Alecta Pensionsförsäkring, Första AP-fonden, Handelsbanken Fonder through the investment fund Hälsovård Tema and Brushamn Invest AB have undertaken to subscribe for their respective pro rata share of the Rights Issue. In addition, Handelsbanken Fonder through the investment fund Hälsovård Tema has, subject to customary conditions, undertaken to subscribe for shares corresponding to an amount of approximately SEK 1.6 million, corresponding to approximately 0.6 percent of the Rights Issue;           
• all shareholding members of the Company's management team and board of directors, which jointly hold approximately 1.0 percent of the number of shares in the Company, have committed to subscribe for their respective pro rata share of the Rights Issue, or alternatively subscribe for an amount corresponding to the proceeds of subscription rights sold;             
• Total subscription undertakings from existing shareholders amount to approximately 27.3 percent of the Rights Issue;             
• certain existing shareholders, including Swedbank Robur through the investment funds Folksam LO Sverige and Swedbank Robur Sverige have expressed their support for the Rights Issue and have declared their intention to subscribe for their respective pro-rata share of the Rights Issue, corresponding to approximately 7.7 percent of the Rights Issue;          
• total subscription undertakings and intentions from existing shareholders amount to approximately SEK 87 million, equivalent to approximately 35.0 percent of the Rights Issue;             
• Barclays Bank Ireland PLC and Carnegie Investment Bank AB (publ) (the "Joint Global Coordinators"), Fjärde AP-fonden and two former shareholders of the Company have provided guarantee commitments, subject to customary conditions, which in aggregate, amount to approximately SEK 163 million, corresponding to approximately 65.0 percent of the Rights Issue
• The full terms for the Rights Issue, including subscription price, increase in share capital and number of new shares are expected to be announced around 18 July 2022. Provided that the Rights Issue is approved by the extraordinary general meeting, the record date for the Rights Issue is expected to be 25 July 2022 and the subscription period is expected to run from 27 July 2022 until 10 August 2022.

Background and resons

Cantargia is a Swedish clinical-stage biotech company developing antibody-based pharmaceuticals for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Its drug candidates target the protein IL1RAP. It is overexpressed in many solid tumor types and where Cantargia has specific patents - giving it broad therapeutic potential and many opportunities to develop unique projects through the CANxx platform built up internally.

Cantargia's lead candidate, nadunolimab (CAN04), is a first-in-class drug candidate designed to counteract tumor promoting systems and stimulate the immune system to recognize and destroy tumor cells. It has shown promising data when combined with standard chemotherapy in 30 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 73 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In PDAC, the interim data indicate a clinically relevant survival benefit (12.7 months vs 8.5 months for historic control), PFS of 7.2 months, with 12 patients still receiving treatment. Strong effects were also observed in NSCLC patients in combination with first-line chemotherapy (response rate of 53 percent, median progression-free survival 6.8 months and median survival of 13.7 months). These results show stronger efficacy than expected from cytotoxic drugs alone and a very good safety with the possibility of reducing some serious side effects that limit the use of certain cytotoxic drugs.

These data, together with early results in combination with the immunotherapy Keytruda, were presented and discussed at three sessions during the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in June 2022. Moreover, the Company presented biomarker data, providing support for the mechanism of action and highlight unique properties providing significant potential in different combination treatments.

Preparations are ongoing for a potential pivotal trial in PDAC at leading US centres in collaboration with PanCAN. The formal preparatory activities with regulatory authorities are ongoing with the aim of starting the study during 2022. Following the strong effects of nadunolimab observed in NSCLC patients, Cantargia is preparing for a randomized study starting 2023.

Cantargia's second program, CAN10 for myocarditis and systemic sclerosis, is planned to enter clinical development early 2023. Strong preclinical efficacies have been shown in animal models of these and several other autoimmune/inflammatory diseases.

Based on the recently presented positive data for both nadunolimab and CAN10, Cantargia has decided to carry out the Rights Issue of approximately SEK 250 million.

The Rights Issue

For the reasons set out above, the Company's board of directors has decided to carry out the Rights Issue of approximately SEK 250 million before transaction costs, subject to approval by an extraordinary general meeting.

The right to subscribe for new shares in the Rights Issue shall vest in the Company's shareholders with pre-emptive rights. The record date for the right to participate in the Rights Issue shall be 25 July 2022. Subscription for shares can also be made without pre-emptive rights.

Full terms for the Rights Issue, including the amount by which the share capital is to be increased, the number of new shares to be issued and the amount to be paid for each new share, are expected to be announced around 18 July 2022.

The subscription period is expected to run from 27 July 2022 to 10 August 2022. Trading in subscription rights is expected to take place on Nasdaq Stockholm during the period from 27 July 2022 to 5 August 2022 and trading in BTAs (paid subscribed shares) is expected to occur between 27 July 2022 to 11 August 2022.

Extraordinary general meeting

The board of directors' decision regarding the Rights Issue is subject to approval by an extraordinary general meeting, which is intended to be held on 21 July 2022. The board of directors also proposes that the general meeting resolves on necessary changes to the articles of association. The notice to the extraordinary general meeting will be announced in a separate press release.

Subscription undertakings, guarantee commitments and voting commitments

Provided that the extraordinary general meeting approves the board of directors' resolution on the Rights Issue, the existing shareholders Fjärde AP-fonden, Alecta Pensionsförsäkring, Första AP-fonden, Handelsbanken Fonder through the investment fund Hälsovård Tema and Brushamn Invest AB have undertaken to subscribe for their respective pro rata share of the Rights Issue. In addition, Handelsbanken Fonder through the investment fund Hälsovård Tema has, subject to customary conditions, undertaken to subscribe for shares corresponding to an amount of approximately SEK 1.6 million, corresponding to approximately 0.6 percent of the Rights Issue.

All shareholding members of the Company's management team and board of directors, which jointly hold approximately 1.0 percent of the number of shares in the Company, have also committed to subscribe for their respective pro rata share of the Rights Issue, or alternatively subscribe for an amount corresponding to the proceeds of subscription rights sold.

These shareholders have also undertaken to vote in favor of the board's resolution at the extraordinary general meeting. Total subscription undertakings from existing shareholders amount to approximately 27.3 percent of the Rights Issue.

In addition, certain shareholders, including Swedbank Robur through the investment funds Folksam LO Sverige and Swedbank Robur Sverige, have expressed their support for the Rights Issue and have declared their intention to subscribe for their pro-rata share in the Rights Issue, corresponding to approximately 7.7 percent of the Rights Issue.

Total subscription undertakings and intentions to subscribe from existing shareholders amount to approximately SEK 87 million, equivalent to approximately 35.0 percent of the Rights Issue.

The Joint Global Coordinators, Fjärde AP-fonden and two former shareholders of the Company have provided guarantee commitments subject to customary conditions, which in aggregate, amount to approximately SEK 163 million, corresponding to approximately 65.0 percent of the Rights Issue.

Hence, the Rights Issue is fully covered by subscription undertakings, guarantee commitments, and declaration of intention to participate.

For the Joint Global Coordinators' guarantee undertakings, a guarantee commission of 5 percent of the guaranteed amount shall be paid as cash remuneration. No remuneration shall be paid for the subscription undertakings nor for Fjärde AP-fonden's guarantee undertaking. A guarantee commission of 5 percent of the guaranteed amount shall be paid for the remaning guarantee undertakings. Neither the subscription undertakings nor the guarantee commitments are secured by bank guarantee, blocked funds, pledges or similar arrangements. Further information regarding the parties who have entered subscription undertakings and guaranteed commitments will be available in the prospectus that will be published before the start of the subscription period.

Indicative timetable for the Rights Issue

• Announcement of the full terms of the Rights Issue,18 July 2022.  
• Extraordinary general meeting, 21 July 2022.
• The prospectus is published 22 July 2022.
• Last day of trading in the Company's shares, including the right to participate in the Rights Issue, 21 July 2022.
• First day of trading in the Company's shares, excluding the right to participate in the Rights Issue, 22 July 2022.
• Record date for the Rights Issue, 25 July 2022.
• Trading in subscription rights, 27 July 2022 - 5 August 2022.
• Subscription period, 27 July 2022 - 10 August 2022.
• Trading in paid subscribed shares (BTAs), 27 July 2022 - 11 August 2022.

Prospectus

A prospectus will be made available before the subscription period commences on Cantargia's website, www.cantargia.com, as well as on Carnegie Investment Bank AB's (publ) website, www.carnegie.se.

Interim report

Due to the Rights Issue, the Company has resolved to postpone the announcement of the interim report for the second quarter 2022, from the originally planned date 18 August 2022, to 30 August 2022.

Advisers

In conjunction with the Rights Issue, the Company has engaged Barclays Bank Ireland PLC and Carnegie Investment Bank AB (publ) as Joint Global Coordinators and Bookrunners. Advokatfirman Vinge acts as legal counsel to the Company and Baker & McKenzie Advokatbyrå KB acts as legal counsel to the Joint Global Bookrunners.

For further information, please contact:

Göran Forsberg, CEO
Mobile: +46 (0)46-275 62 60
E-mail: goran.forsberg@cantargia.com

This is information that Cantargia AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 23.30 CEST on 21 June 2022.

About Cantargia

Cantargia AB (publ), reg. no. 556791-6019, is a biotechnology company that develops antibody-based treatments for life-threatening diseases and has established a platform based on the protein IL1RAP, involved in a number of cancer forms and inflammatory diseases. The main project, the antibody nadunolimab, is being studied clinically in combination with chemotherapy or immune therapy with a primary focus on non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. Positive interim data from the combination with chemotherapy indicate stronger efficacy than would be expected from chemotherapy alone. Cantargia's second project, the antibody CAN10, addresses treatment of serious autoimmune/inflammatory diseases, with initial focus on systemic sclerosis and myocarditis.

Cantargia is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (ticker: CANTA). More information about Cantargia is available at www.cantargia.com.

About nadunolimab (CAN04)

The antibody CAN04 binds strongly to its target IL1RAP and functions by inducing ADCC and blocking IL-1α and IL-1β signaling. Thereby, CAN04 can counteract the contribution of the IL-1 system to the immune suppressive tumor microenvironment and development of resistance to chemotherapy. CAN04 is investigated in multiple ongoing clinical trials. In the phase I/IIa study CANFOUR, first line combination therapy is investigated with standard chemotherapies in patients with PDAC (gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel) and patients with NSCLC (cisplatin/gemcitabine) (NCT03267316). Positive interim data for the combination therapies show durable responses in 73 patients with PDAC, resulting in median iPFS of 7.2 months and median survival of 12.7 months. Stronger efficacy was also observed in 30 NSCLC patients with median PFS of 6.8 months. A response rate of 53 percent was achieved, with even higher responses in non-squamous NSCLC patients previously treated with pembrolizumab. These results show stronger efficacy than expected from chemotherapy alone. CAN04 is investigated with chemotherapy also in the phase I study CAPAFOUR, with the FOLFIRINOX regimen for first line treatment of metastatic PDAC (NCT04990037), and in two further clinical studies, CESTAFOUR (NCT05116891) and TRIFOUR (NCT05181462), in additional forms of cancer, including biliary tract cancer, colorectal cancer and triple negative breast cancer. CAN04 is also evaluated with the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab, with or without chemotherapy, in the phase I study CIRIFOUR (NCT04452214).

Important information

The information in this press release does not contain or constitute an offer to acquire, subscribe or otherwise trade with shares or other securities in Cantargia. No action has been taken and measures will not be taken to permit a public offering in any other jurisdictions besides Sweden.

This press release is not a prospectus according to the definition in Regulation (EU) 2017/2019 (the "Prospectus Regulation") and has not been approved by any regulatory authority in any jurisdiction. This press release neither identifies nor pretends to identify risks (direct or indirect) that can be connected to an investment in shares or other securities in Cantargia. A prospectus will be prepared in connection with the Rights Issue and be reviewed and approved by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority, which is the national competent authority in Sweden with regard to the Prospectus Regulation. In order for investors to fully understand the potential risks and benefits associated with a decision to participate in the Rights Issue, any investment decision should only be made based on the information in the prospectus. Thus, investors are encouraged to review the prospectus in its entirety.

The information in this press release may not be released, published, copied, reproduced or distributed, directly or indirectly, wholly or in part, in or to the United States of America, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea or any other jurisdiction where such act would be unlawful, where such action is subject to legal restrictions or would require additional registration or other measures beyond those that follow from Swedish law. Actions in violation of these restrictions may constitute a violation of applicable securities law. No shares or other securities in Cantargia have been registered, and no shares or other securities will be registered, under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act") or the securities legislation of any state or other jurisdiction in the United States of America and no shares or other securities may be offered, sold or otherwise transferred, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States of America, except under an available exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements under the Securities Act and in compliance with the securities legislation in the relevant state or any other jurisdiction of the United States of America.

Within the European Economic Area ("EEA"), no offer of shares or other securities ("Securities") is made to the public in any other country than Sweden. In other member states of the EU, such an offering of Securities may only be made in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation. In other member states of the EEA which have implemented the Prospectus Regulation in its national legislation, any offer of Securities may only be made in accordance with an applicable exemption in the Prospectus Regulation and/or in accordance with an applicable exemption under a relevant national implementation measure. In other member states of the EEA which have not implemented the Prospectus Regulation in its national legislation, any offer of Securities may only be made in accordance with an applicable exemption under national law.

In the United Kingdom, this document and any other materials in relation to the Securities described herein is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, and any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to, and will be engaged in only with, "qualified investors" (within the meaning of the United Kingdom version of the Prospectus Regulation which is part of United Kingdom law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018) who are (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments who fall within the definition of "investment professionals" in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order"); (ii) high net worth entities etc. falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order; or (iii) such other persons to whom such investment or investment activity may lawfully be made available under the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this communication relates is available only to, and will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Persons who are not relevant persons should not take any action on the basis of this press release and should not act or rely on it.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements which reflect the Company's current view on future events and financial and operational development. Words such as "intend", "expect", "anticipate", "may", "believe", "plan", "estimate" and other expressions which imply indications or predictions of future development or trends, and which are not based on historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements inherently involve both known and unknown risks and uncertainties as they depend on future events and circumstances. Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future results or development and the actual outcome could differ materially from the forward-looking statements.

This press release has been issued by and is the sole responsibility of the Company. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be made as to, or in relation to, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by each of the Joint Global Coordinators and Bookrunners or by any of their respective affiliates or agents as to, or in relation to, the accuracy or completeness of this press release or any other written or oral information made available to or publicly available to any interested party or its advisers, and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.

Barclays Bank Ireland PLC is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Each of the Joint Global Coordinators and Bookrunners is acting exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the Rights Issue, the content of this press release and other matters described in this press release. The Joint Global Coordinators and Bookrunners will not regard any other person as their respective clients in relation to the Rights Issue, the content of this press release and other matters described in this press release and will not be responsible to anyone (including any placees) other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to their respective clients or for providing advice to any other person in relation to the Rights Issue, the content of this press release or any other matters referred to in this press release.

In connection with the Rights Issue, each of the Joint Global Coordinators and Bookrunners and any of their affiliates, acting as investors for their own account, may take up a portion of the shares in the Rights Issue as a principal position and in that capacity may retain, purchase, sell, offer to sell for their own accounts such shares and other securities of the Company or related investments in connection with the Rights Issue or otherwise. Accordingly, references to Rights Issue shares being offered, acquired, placed or otherwise dealt in should be read as including any issue or offer to, or acquisition, placing or dealing by, each of the Joint Global Coordinators and Bookrunners and any of their affiliates acting in such capacity. In addition, each of the Joint Global Coordinators and Bookrunners and any of their affiliates may enter into financing arrangements (including swaps, warrants or contracts for differences) with investors in connection with which each of the Joint Global Coordinators and Bookrunners and any of their respective affiliates may from time to time acquire, hold or dispose of shares. None of the Joint Global Coordinators and Bookrunners intend to disclose the extent of any such investment or transactions otherwise than in accordance with any legal or regulatory obligations to do so.

Each of the Joint Global Coordinators and Bookrunners and their respective affiliates may have engaged in transactions with, and provided various commercial banking, investment banking, financial advisory transactions and services in the ordinary course of their business with the Company and/or its affiliates for which they would have received customary fees and commissions. Each of the Joint Global Coordinators and Bookrunners and their respective affiliates may provide such services to the Company and/or its affiliates in the future.

Information to distributors

Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within: (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended ("MiFID II"); (b) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; and (c) local implementing measures (together, the "MiFID II Product Governance Requirements"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the shares of the Company have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that such shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of retail investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II; and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (the "EU Target Market Assessment"). Solely for the purposes of each manufacturer's product approval process in the United Kingdom, the target market assessment in respect of the shares in the Company has led to the conclusion that: (i) the target market for such shares is only eligible counterparties, as defined in the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook, and professional clients, as defined in Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("UK MiFIR"); and (ii) all channels for distribution of such shares to eligible counterparties and professional clients are appropriate (the "UK Target Market Assessment" and, together with the EU Target Market Assessment, the "Target Market Assessment"). Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, Distributors should note that: the price of the shares of the Company may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the shares of the Company offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the shares in the Company is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other advisers) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Rights Issue. Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, the Joint Global Coordinators will only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of MiFID II or UK MiFIR; or (b) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the shares of the Company.

Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the shares in Company and determining appropriate distribution channels.

The English text is an unofficial translation of the original Swedish text. In case of any discrepancies between the Swedish text and the English translation, the Swedish text shall prevail.

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