Aprea Therapeutics Announces Oversubscribed $30 Million Private Placement

Rhea-AI Summary

Aprea Therapeutics (Nasdaq: APRE) announced an oversubscribed private placement expected to raise approximately $30 million in gross proceeds before fees. The financing includes pre-funded warrants to buy ~37.2 million shares and warrants to purchase an additional ~37.2 million shares with a $0.683 strike.

The company expects to close on or about March 31, 2026, use proceeds for general corporate and R&D purposes, and believes the funds will extend cash runway into Q1 2028. Dose escalation completion for ACESOT-1051 is anticipated in Q2 2027.

Positive

• Gross proceeds of $30 million expected from the private placement
• Proceeds expected to extend cash runway into Q1 2028
• Financing led by institutional investors including Soleus Capital
• Funds allocated for R&D and general corporate purposes

Negative

• Issuance of ~74.4 million warrants/pre-funded warrants implies potential dilution
• Pre-funded warrant price near $0.808 and warrant strike at $0.683 may pressure share value upon exercise
• Resale limited until registration; market liquidity for these shares may be delayed

Market Reaction – APRE

+11.48% $0.76 109.5x vol

15m delay 11 alerts

+11.48% Since News

-7.2% Trough in 2 min

$0.76 Last Price

$0.60 $0.81 Day Range

+$898K Valuation Impact

$8.72M Market Cap

109.5x Rel. Volume

Following this news, APRE has gained 11.48%, reflecting a significant positive market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -7.2% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner has triggered 11 alerts so far, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. The stock is currently trading at $0.76. This price movement has added approximately $898K to the company's valuation. Trading volume is exceptionally heavy at 109.5x the average, suggesting very strong buying interest.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus (15 min delayed). Upgrade to Silver for real-time data.

Key Figures

Private placement size: $30 million gross proceeds Pre-funded warrant shares: 37.2 million shares Pre-funded warrant price: $0.808 minus $0.001 +5 more

8 metrics

Private placement size $30 million gross proceeds Oversubscribed private placement financing

Pre-funded warrant shares 37.2 million shares Pre-funded warrants to purchase common stock

Pre-funded warrant price $0.808 minus $0.001 Purchase price per pre-funded warrant

Common warrant shares 37.2 million shares Warrants to purchase common stock

Warrant exercise price $0.683 per share Exercise price of common warrants

Warrant expiry Dec 31, 2029 Outside expiry for common warrants

USC enrollment target At least 50 patients Planned USC enrollment in ACESOT-1051 trial

Cash runway guidance Into Q1 2028 Runway expectation after this financing

Market Reality Check

Price: $0.6990 Vol: Volume 72,584 vs 20-day a...

normal vol

$0.6990 Last Close

Volume Volume 72,584 vs 20-day average 85,895 (relative volume 0.85) shows no pre-news accumulation. normal

Technical Shares at $0.699 are trading below the $1.26 200-day MA and about 70.1% under the 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

APRE was down 2.43% while peers were mixed: AEON up 18.36%, CYCCP down 5.61%, IN...

2 Up 1 Down

APRE was down 2.43% while peers were mixed: AEON up 18.36%, CYCCP down 5.61%, INAB down around 4–5%, with scanner peers PCSA and CLDI up and only INAB down, indicating stock-specific factors rather than a broad biotech move.

Previous Private placement Reports

2 past events · Latest: Jan 29 (Negative)

Same Type Pattern 2 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 29	Private placement financing	Negative	-22.8%	$5.6M at-the-market private placement with common and pre-funded warrants.
Dec 09	Private placement financing	Negative	-10.8%	$3.1M at-the-market private placement with 5-year warrants attached.

Pattern Detected

Prior private placements on Dec 9, 2025 and Jan 29, 2026 both saw double-digit percentage declines, with an average move of about -16.79%, indicating a history of negative reactions to this financing type.

Recent Company History

Over the past several months, Aprea has repeatedly used private placements to fund its oncology pipeline. A $3.1M raise in Dec 2025 and a $5.6M placement in Jan 2026 both involved common/pre-funded warrants and led to negative price reactions of -10.8% and -22.78%. Those financings were earmarked for R&D and to support the ACESOT-1051 APR-1051 trial, similar in purpose to today’s larger $30M capital raise.

Historical Comparison

-16.8% avg move · In recent quarters, APRE announced two private placements, averaging a -16.79% next-day move. Today’...

private placement

-16.8%

Average Historical Move private placement

In recent quarters, APRE announced two private placements, averaging a -16.79% next-day move. Today’s larger $30M financing fits this pattern of dilution-driven pressure following capital raises.

Financing events progressed from a $3.1M raise in Dec 2025 to $5.6M in Jan 2026 and now a substantially larger $30M placement, each tied to funding APR-1051 development and extending cash runway, while maintaining a similar warrants-based structure.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Active S-3 Shelf

Shelf Active

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2026-03-17

Aprea has an active shelf registration on Form S-3/A dated Mar 17, 2026, noted as effective and already used at least once via a 424B3 filing on Mar 19, 2026 to register resale of prior private placement shares.

Market Pulse Summary

The stock is surging +11.5% following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with the company’...

Analysis

The stock is surging +11.5% following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with the company’s move to secure $30M of additional capital and extend cash runway into Q1 2028. However, prior private placements on Dec 9, 2025 and Jan 29, 2026 led to average moves of about -16.79%, highlighting historical dilution concerns. The presence of an effective S-3/A shelf and sizable new warrants means investors would need to watch for future overhang from potential share issuance.

Key Terms

pre-funded warrants, warrants, exercise price, private placement, +3 more

7 terms

pre-funded warrants financial

"plans to sell (i) pre-funded warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of approximately 37.2 million shares"

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.

warrants financial

"and (ii) warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of approximately 37.2 million shares of common stock"

Warrants are special documents that give you the right to buy a company's stock at a set price before a certain date. They are often used as a way for companies to attract investors or raise money, and their value can increase if the company's stock price goes up.

exercise price financial

"The warrants to be issued will have an exercise price of $0.683 per share"

The exercise price is the fixed amount at which you can buy or sell an asset, like a stock, when using an options contract. It matters because it helps determine whether exercising the option will be profitable or not, depending on the current market price. Think of it as the set price you agree on today to buy or sell later.

private placement financial

"oversubscribed private placement financing that is expected to result in total gross proceeds"

A private placement is a way for companies to raise money by selling securities directly to a small group of investors instead of through a public offering. This process is often quicker and less regulated, making it similar to offering a special, exclusive investment opportunity to select individuals or institutions. For investors, it can provide access to unique investment options that are not available on public markets.

Regulation D regulatory

"and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder, and the securities have not been registered"

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.

registration statement regulatory

"The Company has agreed to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission"

A registration statement is a formal document that companies file with a government agency to offer new shares of stock to the public. It provides essential information about the company's finances, operations, and risks, helping investors make informed decisions. Think of it as a detailed product description that ensures transparency and trust before buying into a company.

resale registration statement regulatory

"Any offering of the securities under the resale registration statement will only be made"

A resale registration statement is a document filed with regulators that allows existing shareholders to sell their shares to the public. It provides the necessary legal approval and information for these shares to be resold on the market, helping to increase the availability of shares for trading. For investors, it signals that shares held by current owners can be offered for sale, potentially affecting share prices and market liquidity.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

• Financing led by Soleus Capital with participation from Vestal Point Capital, Squadron Capital Management and additional new and existing investors
  

DOYLESTOWN, Pa., March 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: APRE) (“Aprea”, or the “Company”), a clinical-stage precision medicine oncology company focused on the discovery and development of targeted therapies for patients with biomarker-defined cancers, today announced that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement for an oversubscribed private placement financing that is expected to result in total gross proceeds of approximately $30 million to the Company before deducting placement agent fees and other private placement expenses (the “Offering”).

The private placement was led by Soleus Capital with participation from other new investors, including Vestal Point Capital and Squadron Capital Management, existing investors and certain insiders of the Company.

In connection with the Offering the Company plans to sell (i) pre-funded warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of approximately 37.2 million shares of common stock (“Pre-Funded Warrants”), for a purchase price equal to $0.808, minus $0.001 per Pre-Funded Warrant, and (ii) warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of approximately 37.2 million shares of common stock. The warrants to be issued will have an exercise price of $0.683 per share, will be exercisable immediately upon issuance, and will expire on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2029, and (ii) 30 calendar days after the exercise of a holder’s Pre-Funded Warrant on a pro rata basis.

The gross proceeds to the Company from the Offering are estimated to be approximately $30 million before deducting the placement agent’s fees and other estimated Offering expenses. The Company intends to use the upfront net proceeds from the private placement for general corporate purposes and for research and development expenses. The Offering is expected to close on or about March 31, 2026, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

In addition to the existing biomarker-enriched cohorts under evaluation in the ongoing ACESOT-1051 Phase 1 trial, Aprea plans to use commercially reasonable efforts to seek enrollment of at least 50 patients with uterine serous carcinoma (USC), as well as patients with Cyclin E-overexpressing, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC) in order to further assess APR-1051 in selected patient populations with high unmet medical need. The Company currently anticipates completing dose escalation of the ACESOT-1051 trial in the second quarter of 2027 and currently expects that the proceeds from the Offering will be sufficient to extend its cash runway into the first quarter of 2028, in each case, based on the Company’s current business plans and assumptions.

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. is acting as the lead placement agent for the private placement. Maxim Group LLC is acting as co-lead placement agent for the private placement.

The offer and sale of the foregoing securities are being made in a private placement under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder, and the securities have not been registered under the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws. Accordingly, the securities may not be reoffered or resold 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. The Company has agreed to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering the resale of the securities purchased in the private placement.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state. Any offering of the securities under the resale registration statement will only be made by means of a prospectus.

About Aprea

Aprea is a clinical-stage precision medicine oncology company focused on the discovery and development of targeted therapies for patients with biomarker-defined cancers. The Company is pioneering a new approach to treat cancer by exploiting vulnerabilities associated with cancer cell mutations. This approach was developed to kill tumors while minimizing the effect on normal, healthy cells. Aprea’s technology has potential applications across multiple cancer types, enabling it to target a range of tumors, including ovarian, endometrial, colorectal and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The company’s lead programs are APR-1051, an oral, small-molecule inhibitor of WEE1 kinase, and ATRN-119, a small molecule ATR inhibitor, both in clinical development for solid tumor indications. For more information, please visit the company website at www.aprea.com.

The Company may use, and intends to use, its investor relations website at https://ir.aprea.com/ as a means of disclosing material nonpublic information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.

Forward-Looking Statement

Certain information contained in this press release includes “forward-looking statements”, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended related to our study analyses, clinical trials, regulatory submissions, and projected cash position. We may, in some cases use terms such as “future,” “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “targeting,” “confidence,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “likely,” “will,” “should” or other words that convey uncertainty of the future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of our management team and on information currently available to management that involve risks, potential changes in circumstances, assumptions, and uncertainties. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our ability to develop, commercialize, and achieve market acceptance of our current and planned products and services, our research and development efforts, including timing considerations and other matters regarding our business strategies, use of capital, results of operations and financial position, and plans and objectives for future operations. Any or all of the forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong or be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, the risk that the proposed private placement and the transactions described herein may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, the failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the private placement and related transactions, market and other conditions, as well as other factors described under “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in the documents we file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. For all these reasons, actual results and developments could be materially different from those expressed in or implied by our forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are made only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update such forward-looking statements for any reason, except as required by law.

Investor Contact:

Mike Moyer
LifeSci Advisors
mmoyer@lifesciadvisors.com

FAQ

What did Aprea (APRE) announce about the March 30, 2026 private placement?

Aprea announced an oversubscribed private placement expected to raise ~$30 million. According to the company, the financing includes pre-funded warrants to buy ~37.2 million shares plus ~37.2 million regular warrants exercisable at $0.683.

How will the APRE offering affect Aprea's cash runway and operations?

The offering is expected to extend Aprea's cash runway into Q1 2028. According to the company, proceeds will fund general corporate purposes and research and development, supporting ongoing ACESOT-1051 activities.

What securities is Aprea issuing in the March 2026 financing (APRE)?

Aprea plans to sell pre-funded warrants and warrants to purchase common stock. According to the company, pre-funded warrants cover ~37.2M shares and additional warrants cover ~37.2M shares with a $0.683 exercise price.

When does Aprea expect to close the APRE private placement and when do warrants expire?

Aprea expects the offering to close on or about March 31, 2026. According to the company, the warrants expire on the earlier of December 31, 2029 or 30 days after pro rata exercise of pre-funded warrants.

How will the APRE financing affect shareholder dilution and liquidity?

The financing could be dilutive given issuance of ~74.4 million warrant-related instruments. According to the company, resale is restricted until the company files and effectiveness of a resale registration statement.

What trial milestones did Aprea (APRE) link to the financing timeline?

Aprea anticipates completing dose escalation of ACESOT-1051 in Q2 2027. According to the company, it will also seek enrollment of at least 50 USC patients and Cyclin E-overexpressing PROC patients to further assess APR-1051.