First Wave BioPharma Announces Exercise of Warrants and Issuance of New Warrants in a Private Placement for $4.8 Million Gross Proceeds Priced

Rhea-AI Summary

First Wave BioPharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: FWBI) announced agreements with certain holders of its existing warrants to exercise at a reduced price, resulting in approximately $4.8 million in gross proceeds. The new warrants will allow the purchase of up to 1,762,674 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per share.

Financial Analyst

The recent announcement by First Wave BioPharma regarding the exercise of existing warrants at a reduced price and the issuance of new warrants represents a strategic financial maneuver aimed at raising capital. The decision to lower the exercise price to $5.50 per share, potentially below the market price, can be perceived as an incentive for warrant holders to capitalize on their investments and simultaneously provides the company with approximately $4.8 million in gross proceeds. This influx of capital is critical for a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, as it directly supports ongoing research and development activities, particularly in the expensive field of gastrointestinal disease treatments.

The issuance of new warrants with a five-year term and an exercise price of $5.00 per share, under Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act, is indicative of the company's confidence in its long-term prospects. However, it is also a dilutive event for current shareholders, as it could lead to an increase in the number of shares outstanding if these warrants are exercised. Investors should monitor the company's use of the raised capital and any subsequent impact on its pipeline progress and financial health.

Market Research Analyst

In the context of the biopharmaceutical industry, First Wave BioPharma's strategy to adjust warrant terms and engage in a private placement is a noteworthy event that reflects the company's need to secure funding without resorting to more dilutive equity offerings or incurring debt. The transaction structured as an at-market deal under Nasdaq rules is intended to minimize disruption in the stock's market value while still appealing to warrant holders.

It is important to observe the market's reception of this transaction, as it may set a precedent for similar small-cap biopharma companies seeking to balance financing needs with shareholder interests. The timing of this transaction, alongside the company's commitments to file a resale registration statement, suggests a proactive approach to liquidity management and regulatory compliance, which could influence investor confidence and the stock's trading volume in the near term.

Legal Expert

The legal framework surrounding this transaction involves the Securities Act of 1933, which governs the issuance of new warrants and the resale of shares. First Wave BioPharma's adherence to Section 4(a)(2) for the private placement indicates a reliance on exemptions from registration requirements, which is a common tactic for companies to quickly raise funds without public offering. However, the commitment to file a resale registration statement for the new warrants underscores the company's obligation to provide liquidity options for investors and to comply with SEC regulations.

This legal structuring ensures that the securities can be resold in the future, which is a significant consideration for the exercising warrant holders. Potential investors should be aware of the implications of such securities transactions, as they can affect the timing and availability of shares in the market, thus impacting the overall liquidity and marketability of First Wave BioPharma's stock.

BOCA RATON, Fla., Dec. 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Wave BioPharma, Inc. (“First Wave BioPharma” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: FWBI), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of targeted, non-systemic therapies for gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, today announced it has entered into agreements with certain holders of its existing warrants exercisable for 881,337 shares of its common stock, in the aggregate, to exercise their warrants at a reduced exercise price of $5.50 per share, in exchange for new warrants as described below. The aggregate gross proceeds from the exercise of the existing warrants is expected to total approximately $4.8 million, before deducting financial advisory fees. The reduction in the exercise price of the existing warrants and the issuance of the new warrants was structured as an at-market transaction under Nasdaq rules.

Roth Capital Partners is acting as the Company’s financial advisor for this transaction.

The shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the existing warrants are registered for resale pursuant to a resale registration statements on Form S-3 (File No. 333-2744634) which was declared by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on September 29, 2023, a resale registration statement on Form S-3 ((File No. 333-274634) which was declared effective by the SEC on September 29, 2023, and a resale registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-272404) which ws declared effective by the SEC on July 17, 2023.

In consideration for the immediate exercise of the existing warrants for cash and the payment of $0.125 per share underlying the new warrants, the exercising holders will receive new warrants to purchase shares of common stock in a private placement pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). The new warrants will be exercisable into an aggregate of up to 1,762,674 shares of common stock, at an exercise price of $5.00 per share and have a term of exercise equal to five years. The securities offered in the private placement have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or applicable under state securities laws. Accordingly, the securities 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. As part of the transaction, the Company has agreed to file a resale registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 10 days of the closing to register the resale of the shares of common stock underlying the new warrants issued in the private placement.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

About First Wave BioPharma, Inc.

First Wave BioPharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of targeted, non-systemic therapies for gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. The Company is currently advancing a therapeutic development pipeline with multiple late-stage clinical stage programs, including Capeserod, a selective 5-HT4 receptor partial agonist which First Wave is developing for gastrointestinal (GI) indications; the biologic Adrulipase, a recombinant lipase enzyme designed to enable the digestion of fats and other nutrients in cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency; and it is anticipated that the Company will soon acquire Latiglutenase, a targeted, oral first-in-class biotherapeutic for celiac disease. First Wave BioPharma is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida. For more information visit www.firstwavebio.com. 

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release may contain certain statements relating to future results which are forward-looking statements. It is possible that the Company’s actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements, depending on factors including whether a definitive agreement for the Proposed Transaction or a transaction with ImmunogenX and any concurrent financing or licensing transaction will be entered into; whether such transactions, or any other contemplated transaction, may be completed with different terms, in an untimely manner, or not at all; whether the Company will be able to realize the benefits of the Proposed Transaction described herein; the Company’s ability to integrate the assets and commercial operations contemplated to be acquired from ImmunogenX into the Company’s business; whether results obtained in preclinical and nonclinical studies and clinical trials will be indicative of results obtained in future clinical trials; whether preliminary or interim results from a clinical trial will be indicative of the final results of the trial; whether the Company will be able to maintain compliance with Nasdaq’s continued listing criteria and the effect of a delisting from Nasdaq on the market for the Company’s securities; the size of the potential markets for the Company’s drug candidates and its ability to service those markets; the effects of the First Wave Bio, Inc. acquisition, the related settlement and their effect on the Company’s business, operating results and financial prospects; and the Company’s current and future capital requirements and its ability to raise additional funds to satisfy its capital needs. Additional information concerning the Company and its business, including a discussion of factors that could materially affect the Company’s financial results are contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, under the heading “Risk Factors,” as well as the Company’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or correct any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently occur or of which we hereafter become aware.

For more information:
First Wave BioPharma, Inc.
777 Yamato Road, Suite 502
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: (561) 589-7020
info@firstwavebio.com

Media contact:
Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc.
David Schemelia
(609) 468-9325
dschemelia@tiberend.com

FAQ

What did First Wave BioPharma announce?

First Wave BioPharma, Inc. announced agreements with certain holders of its existing warrants to exercise at a reduced price, resulting in approximately $4.8 million in gross proceeds.

What is the ticker symbol of First Wave BioPharma?

The ticker symbol of First Wave BioPharma is FWBI.

How many shares of common stock can the new warrants purchase?

The new warrants will allow the purchase of up to 1,762,674 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per share.

What is the exercise price of the existing warrants?

The exercise price of the existing warrants is $5.50 per share.

Who is acting as the financial advisor for this transaction?

Roth Capital Partners is acting as the Company’s financial advisor for this transaction.