Portage Biotech and Compedica Stock-for-Stock Exchange

Rhea-AI Summary

Portage Biotech (NASDAQ: PRTG) has entered into a stock-for-stock exchange agreement with Compedica Holdings Limited. Portage issued 625,000 shares at $8.00 per share in exchange for 1,165,501 Compedica shares valued at $4.29 each, in a $5 million transaction. Compedica will own 27.4% of Portage's outstanding shares post-transaction. The agreement includes a commitment from Portage to invest at least 50% of future equity funding into Compedica shares at $4.29 per share. Compedica is developing the OptiPulse medical device for diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), targeting a $4+ billion US market. The company expects to publish clinical trial results in Q4 2025 and launch commercial sales in H1 2026. The strategic alliance aims to address the significant unmet need in DFU treatment, which affects 18.6 million people worldwide with a 30% five-year mortality rate.

Positive

• Strategic entry into the $4+ billion US diabetic foot ulcer market
• Compedica's clinical trial results expected in Q4 2025 with commercial launch planned for H1 2026
• Agreement provides framework for future funding and collaboration between companies
• No broker fees associated with the transaction, reducing costs

Negative

• Significant dilution with Compedica gaining 27.4% ownership of Portage
• Portage committed to invest 50% of future equity funding into Compedica, potentially limiting financial flexibility
• No lock-up arrangement for Compedica shares, allowing immediate resale
• Commercial success dependent on pending clinical trial results

Insights

Medical Investment Analyst

Portage's $5M investment in Compedica for 27.4% ownership signals strategic positioning in the $4B diabetic foot ulcer market.

Portage Biotech has executed a $5 million stock-for-stock exchange with Compedica Holdings, issuing 625,000 ordinary shares at $8.00 per share in exchange for 1,165,501 Compedica shares valued at $4.29 each. This transaction gives Compedica a 27.4% ownership stake in Portage while simultaneously allowing Portage to invest in Compedica's diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) treatment technology.

The deal includes a notable funding commitment clause requiring Portage to use at least 50% of net proceeds from any future equity funding to purchase additional Compedica shares at the same $4.29 price point. This ensures ongoing capital support for Compedica's OptiPulse device development and commercialization efforts.

Timing is strategically significant as Compedica expects to publish results from its randomized clinical trial in Q4 2025, with commercial sales projected for H1 2026. The agreement targets the $4 billion U.S. diabetic foot ulcer market, addressing a condition affecting approximately 18.6 million people worldwide with a concerning 30% five-year mortality rate comparable to cancer.

This transaction represents a calculated bet on medical device technology rather than Portage's traditional pharmaceutical pipeline approach. The investment provides Portage diversification while giving Compedica access to broader investment audiences and North American distribution channels ahead of their critical clinical trial results and commercialization phase.

DOVER, Del., June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Portage Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ: PRTG), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company formed under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (“Portage”) announce that on June 5, 2025 Portage and Compedica Holdings Limited, a company formed under the laws of the Isle of Man (“Compedica”) entered a mutual Subscription Agreement (“Subscription Agreement”).

Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, Portage issued 625,000 ordinary shares at a per share price of $8.00 in exchange for 1,165,501 shares of Compedica with a value of $4.29 per share, in a transaction valued at $5,000,000. After the transaction, Compedica will own 27.4% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Portage. The Portage ordinary shares were sold pursuant to an exemption under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, under Regulation S, and were issued as “restricted stock.”

Under the terms of the agreement, if Portage enters into an equity funding arrangement, subject to the working capital requirements of Portage and unless agreed otherwise by the parties in writing, Portage will use not less than 50% of net funds received to subscribe for new Compedica equity at a price of $4.29 per share, the intended use of proceeds to be to support the continued development of the Compedica device and its commercialization.

Jamie Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of Compedica, said “The subscription by Portage for shares in Compedica, together with the funding commitment, provides Compedica with additional support. Compedica expects to publish the results of its randomized clinical trial in Q4 2025 whilst it continues its scale-up ahead of the launch of first commercial sales, expected to be in the first half of 2026. The diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) market is worth over $4 billion in the US alone, and the OptiPulse medical device has the potential to be the gold standard for the treatment of DFUs as the trial is expected to show that the device improves the outcome for patients and reduces costs for insurers. Working with Portage, we now have the platform to reach a wider investment audience and introduce the OptiPulse active therapy system as we focus on commercializing the device in North America in 2026.”

Alexander Pickett, Director and Chief Executive Officer of Portage, said, “Diabetic foot ulcers afflict approximately 18.6 million people worldwide and have a five-year mortality rate of approximately 30%, comparable to a cancer diagnosis. Compedica has developed a novel approach to reduce the burden of care and improve outcomes in this area of intense unmet medical need.” (JAMA https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37395769/)

Justin Stebbing, a Non-Executive Director of Portage, and a member of the Independent Committee that approved the transaction, further commented, “We are delighted to complete this strategic alliance with Compedica. We have been in discussions with Compedica for some months, figuring out a structure whereby we can support the business as it scales-up its North American operations. Hopefully, this transaction is the first step in what will be a successful partnership. We look forward to working with Jamie and his team and making further announcements regarding the business over the next 6-12 months as the business enters a critical period in its growth, with the results of its randomized clinical trial the first milestone on the horizon, expected to be published in the last quarter of the 2025 calendar year.”

Additional information about the Subscription Agreement
Compedica was granted registration rights on a resale basis, upon demand. Compedica is not subject to any lock-up arrangement. Compedica was also granted the right to have an observer attend board meetings and review written consents of the board of directors, subject to restrictions on being given confidential or market-sensitive information without a non-disclosure obligation with respect to such information. There are no broker fees in connection with the transaction.

About Portage Biotech
Portage Biotech is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company advancing a pipeline of novel biologics to transform the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. For more information, visit www.portagebiotech.com.

About Compedica
Compedica is a medical device technology company dedicated to developing innovative product solutions that harness the healing power of blood flow to help healthcare professionals prevent and treat Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) through its OptiPulse active therapy system. For more information, visit www.compedica.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations and those statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “believe,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “will,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “continues,” or similar expressions or variations on such expressions are forward-looking statements. As a result, forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: the risk that the Company may not secure financing, the uncertainty of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, scientific results may not be as expected, and other factors set forth in “Item 3 - Key Information-Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2024 and “Business Environment – Risk Factors” in the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the Three and Six Months ended September 30, 2024, filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Form 6-K. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them as actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, except as required by law.

For More Information:
Portage Biotech
Alexander Pickett, Chief Executive Officer
ir@portagebiotech.com

FAQ

What is the value of the stock exchange deal between Portage Biotech (PRTG) and Compedica?

The stock-for-stock exchange deal is valued at $5 million, with Portage issuing 625,000 shares at $8.00 per share in exchange for 1,165,501 Compedica shares at $4.29 per share.

What percentage of Portage Biotech will Compedica own after the transaction?

After the transaction, Compedica will own 27.4% of Portage Biotech's issued and outstanding ordinary shares.

When does Compedica expect to launch commercial sales of the OptiPulse device?

Compedica expects to launch first commercial sales of the OptiPulse device in the first half of 2026.

What is the size of the diabetic foot ulcer market that Portage and Compedica are targeting?

The diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) market is worth over $4 billion in the US alone.

When will Compedica publish its randomized clinical trial results?

Compedica expects to publish the results of its randomized clinical trial in Q4 2025.

What funding commitment has Portage made to Compedica for future equity raises?

Portage has committed to use not less than 50% of net funds received from future equity funding arrangements to subscribe for new Compedica equity at $4.29 per share.