Aptevo Therapeutics Announces 1-for-20 Reverse Stock Split as part of Nasdaq Compliance Plan

Rhea-AI Summary

Aptevo Therapeutics (NASDAQ:APVO) has announced a 1-for-20 reverse stock split effective May 23, 2025, at 5:01 p.m. Eastern Time. Trading on the adjusted basis will begin on May 27, 2025. The reverse split will reduce outstanding shares from approximately 13.5 million to 0.7 million.

The measure, approved by stockholders on May 14, 2025, and finalized by the Board on May 21, 2025, is part of the company's strategy to maintain Nasdaq Capital Market listing compliance. The split will affect all outstanding shares, options, restricted stock units, and warrants. No fractional shares will be issued, with cash payments provided instead. The trading symbol "APVO" and the stock's par value of $0.001 will remain unchanged.

Positive

• Helps maintain Nasdaq listing compliance
• Reduces number of outstanding shares, potentially making the stock more attractive to institutional investors
• No change to company's market capitalization or enterprise value

Negative

• Indicates underlying share price weakness necessitating the reverse split
• May signal financial distress or market concerns
• Could result in reduced trading liquidity due to fewer outstanding shares

Insights

Financial Restructuring Specialist

Aptevo's 1-for-20 reverse split aims to maintain Nasdaq compliance by artificially boosting share price, a concerning sign of underlying financial struggles.

This reverse stock split represents a significant defensive maneuver by Aptevo to maintain its Nasdaq listing requirements, which typically mandate a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share. By consolidating shares at a steep 1-for-20 ratio, the company is attempting to artificially boost its share price without changing any fundamental business metrics.

The reduction from 13.5 million to approximately 0.7 million shares outstanding is particularly aggressive compared to more common 1-for-5 or 1-for-10 splits, suggesting severe downward pressure on the stock price. Importantly, this action doesn't change Aptevo's market capitalization, cash position, or business prospects – it merely adjusts the share count and price proportionally.

Reverse splits generally carry negative signaling effects to the market. They're typically implemented by companies experiencing prolonged share price deterioration and are often viewed as a last resort to maintain exchange listing. While this buys Aptevo time to address its underlying business challenges, the history of companies implementing such steep reverse splits shows they frequently experience continued downward pressure post-split.

Investors should note that while the mechanics of the split ensure proportional ownership (adjusting options, RSUs, warrants accordingly), reverse splits often signal deeper operational or financial difficulties. This restructuring doesn't address Aptevo's fundamental challenges but merely treats the symptom of a depressed share price.

SEATTLE, WA / ACCESS Newswire / May 22, 2025 / Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:APVO) ("Aptevo" or the "Company"), today announced that it will conduct a reverse stock split of its outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share ("Common Stock"), at a ratio of 1-for-20 (the "Reverse Stock Split"). The Reverse Stock Split is expected to become effective on May 23, 2025, at 5:01 p.m. Eastern Time (the "Effective Time"), with shares expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market, on a split-adjusted basis, at market open on May 27, 2025. In connection with the Reverse Stock Split, every 20 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the Effective Time will be automatically converted into one share of Common Stock. No change will be made to the trading symbol for the Common Stock, "APVO," in connection with the Reverse Stock Split.

The Reverse Stock Split is part of the Company's plan to maintain compliance with the continued listing standards of The Nasdaq Capital Market, among other benefits.

The Reverse Stock Split was approved by the Company's stockholders at the Company's Special Meeting of Stockholders held on May 14, 2025 (the "Special Meeting") to be effected in the Board's discretion within approved parameters. Following the Special Meeting, the final ratio was approved by the Company's Board on May 21, 2025.

The Reverse Stock Split will reduce the number of shares of outstanding Common Stock from approximately 13.5 million shares (as of the date of this press release) to approximately 0.7 million shares, subject to adjustment for rounding, as discussed below and potential additional issuances through the effective date of the Reverse Stock Split.

The Reverse Stock Split will affect all issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. All outstanding options, restricted stock units, warrants, and other securities entitling their holders to purchase or otherwise receive shares of Common Stock will be adjusted as a result of the reverse split, as required by the terms of each security. The number of shares available to be awarded under the Company's equity incentive plans will also be appropriately adjusted. Following the reverse split, the par value of the Common Stock will remain unchanged at $0.001 par value per share. The Reverse Stock Split will not change the authorized number of shares of Common Stock or preferred stock. No fractional shares will be issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split, and stockholders who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional share of Common Stock will be entitled to receive a cash payment (without interest).

Additional information regarding the Reverse Stock Split is available in the Company's definitive proxy statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on April 25, 2025, and a Current Report on Form 8-K which the Company plans to file following the Effective Time.

About Aptevo Therapeutics
Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel bispecific immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer. The company has two clinical candidates. Mipletamig is currently being evaluated in RAINIER, a Phase 1b/2 trial for the treatment of frontline acute myeloid leukemia in combination with standard-of-care venetoclax + azacitidine. Mipletamig has received orphan drug designation ("orphan status") for AML according to the Orphan Drug Act. ALG.APV-527, a bispecific conditional 4-1BB agonist, only active upon simultaneous binding to 4-1BB and 5T4, is being co-developed with Alligator Bioscience and is being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial for the treatment of multiple solid tumor types likely to express 5T4. The Company has three pre-clinical candidates with different mechanisms of action designed to target a range of solid tumors. All pipeline candidates were created from two proprietary platforms, ADAPTIR® and ADAPTIR-FLEX® The Aptevo mission is to improve treatment outcomes and transform the lives of cancer patients. For more information, please visit www.aptevotherapeutics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes "forward-looking statements", including information about management's view of the Company's future expectations, plans and prospects, within the safe harbor provisions provided under federal securities laws, including under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "expect," "estimate," "project," "budget," "forecast," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "may," "will," "could," "should," "believes," "predicts," "potential," "continue" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements and factors that may cause such differences include, without limitation, our ability to continue as a going concern; a deterioration in Aptevo's business or prospects; further assessment of preliminary or interim data or different results from later clinical trials; adverse events and unanticipated problems and adverse developments in clinical development, including unexpected safety issues observed during a clinical trial; and changes in regulatory, social, macroeconomic and political conditions. These risks are not exhaustive, the Company faces known and unknown risks. Additional risks and factors that may affect results of the Company are set forth in the Company's filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. The foregoing sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from the Company's expectations in any forward-looking statement. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements about the effectuation of the Reverse Stock Split. These reports and filings are available at www.sec.gov and are available for download, free of charge, soon after such reports are filed with or furnished to the SEC, on the "Investors" page of the Company's website at www.apvotherapeutics.com. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, and, except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect new information, events, or circumstances.

Contact:
Miriam Weber Miller
Head, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Aptevo Therapeutics

Email: IR@apvo.com or Millerm@apvo.com
Phone: 206-859-6628

SOURCE: Aptevo Therapeutics

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What is the ratio of Aptevo Therapeutics (APVO) reverse stock split announced in May 2025?

Aptevo Therapeutics announced a 1-for-20 reverse stock split, meaning every 20 shares will be converted into one share.

When will APVO's reverse stock split take effect?

The reverse stock split will become effective on May 23, 2025, at 5:01 p.m. Eastern Time, with split-adjusted trading beginning on May 27, 2025.

How many shares will APVO have outstanding after the reverse split?

After the reverse split, APVO's outstanding shares will reduce from approximately 13.5 million to 0.7 million shares.

Why is Aptevo Therapeutics doing a reverse stock split in 2025?

The reverse stock split is part of Aptevo's plan to maintain compliance with Nasdaq Capital Market listing standards.

Will APVO shareholders receive fractional shares in the reverse split?

No, shareholders entitled to fractional shares will receive cash payments instead of fractional shares.