Kazia Therapeutics Announces $2 Million Private Placement at Premium to Market

Rhea-AI Summary

Kazia Therapeutics (NASDAQ: KZIA), an oncology-focused drug development company, has secured a $2 million private placement (PIPE) with institutional investors at a 5% premium to the July 31, 2025 closing price. The transaction, expected to close on August 4, 2025, involves ordinary shares and prefunded warrants without common warrant coverage.

The proceeds will support the clinical development of two key programs: paxalisib, a brain-penetrant dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor in trials for brain cancer and advanced breast cancer, and EVT801, a selective VEGFR3 inhibitor. The company will file a shelf registration statement within 60 days to register the resale of ADSs representing the ordinary shares and those underlying the pre-funded warrants.

Positive

• Financing secured at 5% premium to market price
• Clean structure with no common warrant coverage
• Funds will advance two clinical-stage assets through key catalysts
• Support from established institutional investors

Negative

• Small offering size of only $2 million may provide limited runway
• Dilution to existing shareholders
• Securities are restricted until registration statement becomes effective

Insights

Biotech Financial Analyst

Kazia secured $2M funding at 5% premium, providing runway for clinical trials of cancer drugs paxalisib and EVT801.

This $2 million private placement represents a modest but strategic capital raise for Kazia Therapeutics, with several noteworthy aspects. First, the deal was secured at a 5% premium to market price, which is uncommon in biotech financing and suggests investor confidence in Kazia's clinical programs. The structure as a straightforward equity investment without warrant coverage is also favorable, minimizing potential future dilution compared to more complex financing instruments typically seen in the sector.

The financing, while relatively small, provides Kazia with critical runway to advance its two lead candidates through important near-term milestones. Paxalisib, their brain-penetrant PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, is currently in trials for both brain cancer and advanced breast cancer, with the CEO specifically highlighting upcoming data from the breast cancer trial as a key catalyst. Their second asset, EVT801 (a selective VEGFR3 inhibitor), is in Phase 1 for solid tumors.

This capital injection appears timed to bridge the company to specific data readouts that could potentially enable larger, more favorable financing rounds if positive. The premium pricing suggests the participating institutional investors see value beyond current market valuation. However, the modest size indicates this is likely a bridge financing rather than a comprehensive solution to long-term capital needs, as clinical-stage oncology programs typically require substantially more capital to reach completion.

SYDNEY, Aug. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kazia Therapeutics Limited (NASDAQ: KZIA), an oncology-focused drug development company, today announced that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain established institutional investors for a private placement of equity securities (PIPE). Pursuant to the securities purchase agreement, the Company agreed to offer and sell to an aggregate of approximately $2.0 million of ordinary shares and prefunded warrants. The securities being sold in the PIPE are priced at a 5% premium to the closing price of Kazia's ADSs on July 31, 2025.  The PIPE is structured as a straightforward equity investment with no common warrant coverage.  The transaction is expected to close on Monday, August 4, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

The Company estimates that the net proceeds to the Company from the PIPE will be approximately $2 million, after deducting estimated offering expenses. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to support the continued clinical development of its lead programs, including paxalisib, a brain-penetrant dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor currently in clinical trials for both brain cancer and advanced breast cancer, and EVT801, a selective VEGFR3 inhibitor, and for general corporate purposes.

"This transaction provides Kazia with additional capital to advance our clinical-stage assets through key near-term catalysts most notably additional data from our ongoing advanced breast cancer trial," said Dr. John Friend, CEO of Kazia Therapeutics. "We are grateful for the continued support of our investors and look forward to delivering updates on upcoming milestones."

The securities sold in this PIPE are being made in a transaction not involving a public offering and have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. Pursuant to the securities purchase agreement, the Company has agreed to file a shelf registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) within 60 days of the closing to register the resale of ADSs representing the ordinary shares and those underlying the pre-funded warrants.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other 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 other jurisdiction. Any offering of the securities described above under the resale registration statement will only be by means of a prospectus.

For investor and media, please contact Alex Star, Managing Director LifeSci Advisors LLC,  Astarr@lifesciadvisors.com, +1-201-786-8795.

About Kazia Therapeutics Limited Kazia Therapeutics Limited (NASDAQ: KZIA) is an innovative oncology-focused drug development company, based in Sydney, Australia. Our lead program is paxalisib, a brain-penetrant pan-PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, which is being developed to treat multiple forms of brain cancer, including glioblastoma and brain metastases. A Phase 1b clinical trial is also underway evaluating paxalisib in combination with checkpoint inhibition and chemotherapy for patients with advanced triple-negative breast cancer. EVT801, a selective VEGFR3 inhibitor, is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial for advanced solid tumors. Kazia is working to rapidly progress these assets through clinical development and toward commercialization.

Forward-Looking Statements This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, which can generally be identified as such by the use of words such as "may," "will," "estimate," "future," "forward," "anticipate," or other similar words. Any statement describing Kazia's future plans, strategies, intentions, expectations, objectives, goals or prospects, and other statements that are not historical facts, are also forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding: the completion of the PIPE, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related thereto, the intended use of proceeds from the PIPE, and the Company's future expectations, plans and prospects. Such statements are based on Kazia's current expectations and projections about future events and future trends affecting its business and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, including risks and uncertainties: related to market and other conditions, associated with clinical and preclinical trials and product development, including the risk that preliminary or interim data may not reflect final results, related to regulatory approvals, and related to the impact of global economic conditions. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in Kazia's Annual Report, filed on form 20-F with the SEC, and in subsequent filings with the SEC. Kazia undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required under applicable law. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this announcement.

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SOURCE Kazia Therapeutics Limited

FAQ

How much did Kazia Therapeutics (KZIA) raise in the August 2025 private placement?

Kazia Therapeutics raised $2 million through a private placement of ordinary shares and prefunded warrants, priced at a 5% premium to the July 31, 2025 closing price.

What will KZIA use the private placement proceeds for?

The proceeds will support the clinical development of paxalisib for brain cancer and advanced breast cancer, EVT801 for advanced solid tumors, and general corporate purposes.

When will the KZIA private placement close?

The private placement is expected to close on August 4, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

What are Kazia Therapeutics' main drug candidates?

Kazia's lead programs are paxalisib, a brain-penetrant PI3K/mTOR inhibitor for brain cancer and breast cancer, and EVT801, a selective VEGFR3 inhibitor for advanced solid tumors.

What is the registration status of the KZIA private placement securities?

The securities are currently unregistered and cannot be sold in the US without registration. Kazia will file a shelf registration statement within 60 days of closing to register the resale of the securities.