Nektar Therapeutics Announces Closing of $115 Million Public Offering Including Full Exercise of Underwriters' Option to Purchase Additional Shares

Rhea-AI Summary

Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR), a clinical-stage biotech company, has successfully closed its public offering of common stock, raising $115 million in gross proceeds. The company sold 4,893,618 shares at $23.50 per share, including 638,298 additional shares from the full exercise of the underwriters' option.

The offering was managed by Jefferies and Piper Sandler as joint bookrunning managers, with BTIG and H.C. Wainwright & Co. also participating. The proceeds will support general corporate purposes, including research and development, clinical development, and manufacturing costs for advancing drug candidates.

Positive

• Successfully raised $115 million in gross proceeds through public offering
• Full exercise of underwriters' option to purchase additional shares indicates strong demand
• Strengthened cash position to support R&D and clinical development programs

Negative

• Potential dilution for existing shareholders due to issuance of 4.89 million new shares
• Additional offering expenses and underwriting discounts will reduce net proceeds

Insights

Biotech Investment Analyst

Nektar Therapeutics successfully raised $115M through stock offering at $23.50/share, bolstering its financial position for clinical development programs.

Nektar Therapeutics has successfully completed a $115 million public offering by selling approximately 4.9 million shares at $23.50 per share, including the full exercise of the underwriters' option for additional shares. This capital raise represents a significant financial milestone for the clinical-stage biotech company.

The successful completion with full exercise of the underwriters' option indicates strong institutional interest in Nektar's immunotherapy pipeline. With approximately 4.9 million new shares entering the market, this represents moderate dilution that's offset by the substantial cash infusion.

The company explicitly stated that proceeds will fund research and development, clinical development, and manufacturing activities to advance its drug candidates. This financing strengthens Nektar's balance sheet and extends its operational runway, providing critical capital for advancing its immunotherapy pipeline through key clinical milestones without immediate financing pressure.

The participation of established underwriters including Jefferies and Piper Sandler lends credibility to this offering. While specific pricing relative to market wasn't disclosed, the successful completion suggests the $23.50 per share pricing was reasonably attractive to institutional investors.

For clinical-stage biotechs like Nektar, access to capital is essential as they typically generate minimal revenue while facing substantial R&D expenses. This capital infusion provides Nektar with greater financial flexibility to advance its immunotherapy candidates through critical development stages that could potentially enhance long-term value.

SAN FRANCISCO, July 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of innovative medicines in the field of immunotherapy, today announced the closing of its underwritten public offering of $115 million of shares of its common stock. Nektar sold 4,893,618 shares of common stock in the offering, which includes 638,298 shares sold upon exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares of common stock in the offering. The shares of common stock were sold at a public offering price of $23.50 per share. The gross proceeds to Nektar from the offering were approximately $115 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses. All of the securities sold in this offering were offered by Nektar.

Nektar intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include research and development, clinical development and manufacturing costs to support the advancement of its drug candidates, as well as other general corporate purposes.

Jefferies and Piper Sandler acted as joint bookrunning managers for the offering. BTIG, LLC also acted as bookrunner for the offering. H.C. Wainwright & Co. acted as lead manager for the offering.

The securities described above were offered pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-286222) that was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 28, 2025 and declared effective on April 1, 2025. This offering was made only by means of a prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus that form a part of the registration statement.

A final prospectus supplement related to and describing the terms of the offering was filed with the SEC and is available on the SEC's website located at www.sec.gov. Copies of the final prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus related to the offering may also be obtained from Jefferies LLC, Attention: Equity Syndicate Prospectus Department, 520 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, by telephone at (877) 821-7388, or by email at prospectus_department@jefferies.com; or Piper Sandler & Co., Attention: Prospectus Department, 800 Nicollet Mall, J12S03, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, or by telephone at (800) 747-3924, or by e-mail at prospectus@psc.com.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy 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 registration or qualification under the securities laws of that state or jurisdiction.

About Nektar Therapeutics

Nektar Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing treatments that address the underlying immunological dysfunction in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. Nektar's lead product candidate, rezpegaldesleukin (REZPEG, or NKTR-358), is a novel, first-in-class regulatory T cell stimulator being evaluated in two Phase 2b clinical trials, one in atopic dermatitis and one in alopecia areata. Nektar's pipeline also includes a preclinical bivalent tumor necrosis factor receptor type II (TNFR2) antibody and bispecific programs, NKTR-0165 and NKTR-0166, and a modified hematopoietic colony stimulating factor (CSF) protein, NKTR-422. Nektar, together with various partners, is also evaluating NKTR-255, an investigational IL-15 receptor agonist designed to boost the immune system's natural ability to fight cancer, in several ongoing clinical trials. Nektar is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which can be identified by words such as: "will," "expect," "develop," "potential," "plan," and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding the anticipated use of proceeds from the offering. Nektar intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on Nektar's current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the control of Nektar. The actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the risks and uncertainties set forth in Nektar's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2025 as well as the risks identified in the registration statement and the final prospectus supplement relating to the offering. Any forward-looking statement made by Nektar in this press release is based only on information currently available to Nektar and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Nektar undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

For Investors:

Corey Davis, Ph.D.
LifeSci Advisors
212-915-2577
cdavis@lifesciadvisors.com

For Media:

Madelin Hawtin
LifeSci Communications
603-714-2638
mhawtin@lifescicomms.com

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SOURCE Nektar Therapeutics

FAQ

How much did Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) raise in its July 2025 public offering?

Nektar Therapeutics raised $115 million in gross proceeds through the public offering of common stock.

What was the share price for NKTR's 2025 public offering?

The shares were sold at a public offering price of $23.50 per share.

How many shares did Nektar Therapeutics sell in the July 2025 offering?

Nektar sold a total of 4,893,618 shares, including 638,298 shares from the full exercise of the underwriters' option.

How will Nektar use the proceeds from its 2025 public offering?

The proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including research and development, clinical development, and manufacturing costs to support drug candidate advancement.

Who were the underwriters for Nektar's 2025 public offering?

Jefferies and Piper Sandler acted as joint bookrunning managers, with BTIG as bookrunner and H.C. Wainwright & Co. as lead manager.