Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Announces Closing of up to $7.1 Million Registered Direct Offering Priced At-The-Market Under Nasdaq Rules

Rhea-AI Summary

Acurx Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ACXP) closed a registered direct offering on April 16, 2026, selling 825,085 shares (or pre-funded warrants) at $3.03 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $2.5 million.

In a concurrent private placement the company issued immediately exercisable short-term warrants to purchase up to 1,650,170 shares at an exercise price of $2.78, exercisable for 24 months, which could raise an additional ~$4.6 million if fully exercised.

Positive

• $2.5M aggregate gross proceeds from registered direct offering
• Up to $4.6M potential additional proceeds if warrants fully exercised
• Short-term warrants are immediately exercisable on issuance

Negative

• Potential dilution: 825,085 shares issued plus up to 1,650,170 warrant shares
• Placement agent fees and offering expenses will reduce net proceeds
• Resale restrictions apply to short-term warrants and underlying shares

News Market Reaction – ACXP

-4.42%

14 alerts

-4.42% News Effect

-22.6% Trough in 17 min

-$409K Valuation Impact

$8.85M Market Cap

0.2x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, ACXP declined 4.42%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -22.6% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 14 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $409K from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $8.85M at that time.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Gross proceeds: $2.5 million Potential warrant proceeds: $4.6 million Shares offered: 825,085 shares +5 more

8 metrics

Gross proceeds $2.5 million Aggregate gross proceeds from the registered direct offering before fees

Potential warrant proceeds $4.6 million Maximum additional gross proceeds if short-term warrants fully exercised for cash

Shares offered 825,085 shares Common stock (or pre-funded warrants) sold at $3.03 per share

Warrant coverage 1,650,170 shares Common shares underlying unregistered short-term warrants in private placement

Offering price $3.03 per share Purchase price in registered direct, at-the-market under Nasdaq rules

Warrant exercise price $2.78 per share Exercise price of unregistered short-term warrants

Warrant term 24 months Expiry after effective date of resale registration for warrant shares

Shelf capacity $50 million Maximum aggregate issuance under active Form S-3 shelf registration

Market Reality Check

Price: $2.11 Vol: Volume 107,503 is well be...

low vol

$2.11 Last Close

Volume Volume 107,503 is well below 20-day average 715,833, indicating muted trading vs. the offering headline. low

Technical Price 3.115 is trading below 200-day MA 4.54, despite a 11.51% gain pre-offering news.

Peers on Argus

ACXP is up 11.51% while momentum-screened peers HCWB and SILO are both down (med...

2 Down

ACXP is up 11.51% while momentum-screened peers HCWB and SILO are both down (median about -3.2%), pointing to stock-specific dynamics around the financing.

Common Catalyst No same-day peer news; moves appear driven by company-specific financing rather than a shared biotech catalyst.

Previous Offering Reports

5 past events · Latest: Jun 17 (Negative)

Same Type Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jun 17	Warrant exercise financing	Negative	-12.3%	Holder exercised discounted warrants; company issued new five-year warrants.
Mar 10	Offering closing	Negative	+2.2%	Closed $1.1M registered direct deal with concurrent private placement warrants.
Mar 07	Offering announcement	Negative	-29.9%	Announced $1.1M registered direct stock sale plus 24‑month warrants.
Jan 07	Offering closing	Negative	-6.9%	Closed $2.5M at-the-market registered direct with five-year warrants.
Jan 06	Offering announcement	Negative	-26.0%	Announced $2.5M registered direct stock sale and immediate private placement warrants.

Pattern Detected

Past financing/offering headlines for ACXP often saw weak share-price reactions, with average same-tag moves of about -14.56% and mostly negative next-day performance.

Recent Company History

Over the past year, Acurx repeatedly used registered direct offerings and warrant structures to raise capital, typically via H.C. Wainwright and often tied to its shelf registration. Prior financings on Jan 6–7, 2025 and in Mar–Jun 2025 came with sizeable new share and warrant issuance and mostly negative price reactions. Compared with those events, today’s offering again taps the shelf and a concurrent private placement but coincides with a positive pre-news price move.

Historical Comparison

-14.6% avg move · In the last five financing-related announcements, ACXP’s average move was -14.56%, with four negativ...

offering

-14.6%

Average Historical Move offering

In the last five financing-related announcements, ACXP’s average move was -14.56%, with four negative reactions. Today’s +11.51% pre-offering move stands out versus that pattern.

Financing activity has progressed from repeated small registered directs and warrant inducements in early 2025 to continued use of the S-3 shelf and concurrent private-placement warrants to fund late-stage antibiotic development.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Active S-3 Shelf · $50 million

Shelf Active

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2025-07-09

$50 million registered capacity

ACXP has an active Form S-3 shelf, filed Jul 9, 2025, permitting up to $50 million of securities over three years. Capacity in any 12‑month period is constrained by Form S‑3 eligibility rules, and the shelf has been tapped multiple times via prospectus supplements, including the Apr 16, 2026 takedown.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement adds new equity and warrant issuance, raising $2.5 million upfront with potential ...

Analysis

This announcement adds new equity and warrant issuance, raising $2.5 million upfront with potential for another $4.6 million via short-term warrants, all under an existing $50 million shelf framework. It follows a series of similar financings used to fund late-stage antibiotic development. Investors may watch total share and warrant overhang, further shelf takedowns, and execution on clinical milestones to gauge how effectively this capital supports long-term value relative to dilution.

Key Terms

registered direct offering, pre-funded warrants, short-term warrants, at-the-market, +4 more

8 terms

registered direct offering financial

"announced the closing of its previously announced registered direct offering of 825,085 shares"

A registered direct offering is a way for a company to sell new shares of its stock directly to select investors with regulatory approval. This method allows the company to raise funds quickly and efficiently without needing a public auction, similar to offering exclusive access to a limited number of buyers. For investors, it often provides an opportunity to purchase shares at a favorable price, while giving the company immediate access to capital.

pre-funded warrants financial

"825,085 shares of its common stock (or pre-funded warrants in lieu thereof) at a purchase price"

Pre-funded warrants are financial instruments that give investors the right to purchase a company's stock at a set price, but with most or all of the purchase price paid upfront. They function like a coupon or gift card for stock, allowing investors to buy shares later at a fixed price, which can be beneficial if they want to avoid future price increases. This makes them important for investors seeking flexibility and certainty in their investment plans.

short-term warrants financial

"issued unregistered short-term warrants to purchase up to 1,650,170 shares of common stock."

Short-term warrants are tradable contracts that give the holder the right to buy a company's shares at a fixed price within a brief, specified window—usually weeks to a few months. Think of them as limited-time coupons for stock: they let investors try to profit from quick price moves without owning the shares outright, but they can magnify gains or losses and may dilute existing shareholders if exercised.

at-the-market financial

"common stock (or pre-funded warrants) at a purchase price of $3.03 per share ... priced at-the-market under Nasdaq rules."

"At-the-market" is a method for companies to sell new shares of stock directly into the open market over time, rather than all at once. It allows companies to raise money gradually, similar to selling slices of a pie instead of the entire pie at once, which can help manage the sale's impact on the stock price. This approach gives investors a steady supply of shares while providing companies with flexible funding options.

shelf registration statement regulatory

"pursuant to a "shelf" registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-288595)"

A shelf registration statement is a document a company files with regulators that allows it to sell shares or bonds quickly when it’s a good time to raise money. It’s like having a pre-approved plan ready so the company can act fast without going through lengthy paperwork each time they want to sell, making fundraising more flexible.

form s-3 regulatory

"pursuant to a "shelf" registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-288595)"

Form S-3 is a legal document companies use to register their stock sales with the government, making it easier and faster for them to raise money by selling shares to investors. It’s like having a pre-approved shopping list that lets a company quickly sell new shares when they need funds, without going through a lengthy approval process each time.

section 4(a)(2) regulatory

"private placement under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended"

Section 4(a)(2) is a part of U.S. securities laws that allows companies to sell their stock directly to certain investors without registering the sale with regulators. This process is often used for private placements, making it easier and faster for companies to raise money from knowledgeable or institutional investors. It matters to investors because it provides an alternative way to buy shares, often with fewer disclosures and lower costs.

regulation d regulatory

"under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Regulation D promulgated"

Regulation D is a set of rules that govern how companies can raise money from investors without going through the full process required for public stock offerings. It provides simplified options for private placements, making it easier for companies to seek investments from a smaller group of investors. For investors, it offers opportunities to invest in private companies, often with fewer restrictions, but also with different levels of risk and disclosure.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

$2.5 million upfront with up to an additional $4.6 million of potential aggregate gross proceeds upon the exercise in full of short-term warrants

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y., April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACXP) ("we" or "Acurx" or the "Company"), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of antibiotics for difficult-to-treat bacterial infections, today announced the closing of its previously announced registered direct offering of 825,085 shares of its common stock (or pre-funded warrants in lieu thereof) at a purchase price of $3.03 per share (or pre-funded warrant in lieu thereof) priced at-the-market under Nasdaq rules. In addition, in a concurrent private placement, the Company issued unregistered short-term warrants to purchase up to 1,650,170 shares of common stock. The short-term warrants have an exercise price of $2.78 per share, are immediately exercisable upon issuance and will expire twenty-four months following the effective date of the registration statement registering the resale of the shares of common stock underlying the short-term warrants.

H.C. Wainwright & Co. acted as the exclusive placement agent for the offering.

The aggregate gross proceeds to the Company from the offering were approximately $2.5 million, before deducting the placement agent fees and other offering expenses payable by the Company. The potential additional gross proceeds to the Company from the unregistered short-term warrants, if fully-exercised on a cash basis, will be approximately $4.6 million. No assurance can be given that any of such short-term warrants will be exercised. The Company currently intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

The shares of common stock (or pre-funded warrants) (but not the short-term warrants issued in the private placement or the shares of common stock underlying such short-term warrants) were offered by the Company pursuant to a "shelf" registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-288595) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on July 9, 2025, and became effective on January 6, 2026. The registered direct offering of the shares of common stock (or pre-funded warrants) was made only by means of a prospectus, including a prospectus supplement, forming a part of the effective registration statement. The prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the securities offered in the registered direct offering were filed with the SEC and are available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Electronic copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the registered direct offering may also be obtained by contacting H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC at 430 Park Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10022, by telephone at (212) 856-5711 or e-mail at placements@hcwco.com.

The short-term warrants described above were issued in a concurrent private placement under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Regulation D promulgated thereunder and, along with the shares of common stock underlying the short-term warrants, have not been registered under the Securities Act, or applicable state securities laws. Accordingly, the short-term warrants and underlying shares of common stock may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and such applicable state securities laws.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein, 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 the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Acurx Pharmaceuticals is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a new class of small molecule antibiotics for difficult-to-treat bacterial infections. The Company's approach is to develop antibiotic candidates with a Gram-positive selective spectrum (GPSS®) that blocks the active site of the Gram+ specific bacterial enzyme DNA polymerase IIIC (pol IIIC), inhibiting DNA replication and leading to Gram-positive bacterial cell death. Its R&D pipeline includes antibiotic product candidates that target Gram-positive bacteria, including Clostridioides difficile, methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant Enterococcus (VRE), drug- resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (DRSP) and B. anthracis (anthrax; a Bioterrorism Category A Threat-Level pathogen).

Acurx's lead product candidate, ibezapolstat, for the treatment of C. difficile Infection (CDI) is Phase 3 ready to advance to international clinical trials subject to obtaining appropriate financing. The Company recently announced the launch of a ground-breaking clinical trial with ibezapolstat in patients with multiply-recurrent CDI (rCDI) that has the potential to shift the paradigm of treatment and prevention of rCDI from two agents to one. This new clinical trial in rCDI begins with an open-label pilot trial to gain experience with IBZ in patients with multiply-recurrent CDI with at least 3 episodes of CDI within the past 12 months. This will inform elements of a planned active-controlled, Phase 3 registration trial in the rCDI indication to be implemented following favorable results from the open-label 20 patient trial. Upon subsequent successful completion of the Ph3 pivotal rCDI trial, and per the operative FDA procedure, Acurx plans to request FDA approval for treatment and prevention of rCDI under the FDA's Limited Population Pathway for Antibacterial and Antifungal Drugs (Guidance for Industry, 2020).

The Company's preclinical pipeline includes development of an oral product candidate for treatment of ABSSSI (Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections), upon which a development program for treatment of inhaled anthrax is being planned in parallel.

To learn more about Acurx Pharmaceuticals and its product pipeline, please visit www.acurxpharma.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements in this press release about our future expectations, plans and prospects, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, prospects, plans and objectives, and other statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the exercise of the short-term warrants prior to their expiration and the use of proceeds from the offering. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: market and other conditions, and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company's annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and in the Company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Acurx disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements, except as may be required by law.

Investor Contact:

Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
David P. Luci, President & Chief Executive Officer
Tel: 917-533-1469
Email: davidluci@acurxpharma.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/acurx-pharmaceuticals-inc-announces-closing-of-up-to-7-1-million-registered-direct-offering-priced-at-the-market-under-nasdaq-rules-302745211.html

SOURCE Acurx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

FAQ

How much did ACXP raise in the April 16, 2026 registered direct offering?

The company raised approximately $2.5 million in gross proceeds from the registered direct offering. According to the company, that figure is before placement agent fees and other offering expenses payable by the company.

What is the potential additional funding from ACXP's short-term warrants (ACXP)?

If fully exercised, the short-term warrants could provide about $4.6 million in additional gross proceeds. According to the company, those warrants cover up to 1,650,170 shares at a $2.78 exercise price and expire 24 months after registration effectiveness.

How many new ACXP shares were issued and at what price in the offering?

Acurx issued 825,085 shares (or pre-funded warrants) at a purchase price of $3.03 per share. According to the company, the registered direct offering was priced at-the-market under Nasdaq rules.

What are the key terms of the short-term warrants issued by ACXP?

The short-term warrants are immediately exercisable, have a $2.78 exercise price, and expire 24 months after registration effectiveness. According to the company, they were issued in a concurrent private placement under securities exemptions.

How does ACXP plan to use the net proceeds from the offering?

The company intends to use net proceeds for working capital and general corporate purposes. According to the company, no further allocation details were provided in the announcement.