Portage Biotech Announces Letter of Intent with Immunova for an Option to Acquire iOx Therapeutics, Ltd

Rhea-AI Summary

Portage Biotech (NASDAQ: PRTG) has entered into a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Immunova, a private Connecticut-based biotechnology company, regarding a potential acquisition of iOx Therapeutics. Under the proposed agreement, Immunova would acquire the entire share capital of iOx, a wholly owned subsidiary of Portage that develops liposomal iNKT agonists. iOx's lead candidate, PORT-2, has shown promising preliminary clinical activity.

The transaction aims to advance innovative therapies while creating value for Portage shareholders. The deal remains subject to definitive agreements, closing conditions, and regulatory approvals. Both companies are committed to completing the transaction promptly and will provide updates as needed.

Positive

• Potential monetization of iOx Therapeutics subsidiary asset
• PORT-2 candidate has demonstrated promising preliminary clinical activity
• Strategic alignment with company's goal to unlock shareholder value

Negative

• Transaction is still in early stages with only LOI signed
• Deal completion subject to multiple conditions and approvals

Insights

Financial Analyst

The Letter of Intent between Portage Biotech and Immunova represents a strategic move to potentially divest iOx Therapeutics, a wholly-owned subsidiary focusing on liposomal iNKT agonists. While financial terms aren't disclosed, this development could strengthen Portage's balance sheet and streamline its portfolio. For a company with a $3.7 million market cap, successful execution of this deal could provide important capital for advancing other pipeline assets. PORT-2's promising preliminary clinical activity suggests potential value in the transaction. However, investors should note that this is currently just an LOI, subject to definitive agreements and regulatory approvals, with no guaranteed completion or financial benefit.

Biotech Research Analyst

The potential acquisition of iOx Therapeutics by Immunova could accelerate the development of PORT-2, their lead liposomal iNKT agonist candidate. This asset fits well within Immunova's focus on lipid-based therapeutics and delivery systems. The preliminary clinical activity shown by PORT-2 indicates promise in the immuno-oncology space, where novel approaches to activate immune responses against cancer are highly valued. The synergy between Immunova's expertise in lipid drugs and iOx's technology could potentially expedite the clinical development process. This strategic alignment might benefit both companies while potentially bringing innovative cancer treatments to patients faster.

WESTPORT, Conn., Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Portage Biotech, Inc. (“Portage” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: PRTG), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company with a portfolio of novel multi-targeted therapies for use as monotherapy and in combination, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Letter of Intent (“LOI”) with Immunova, LLC, (“Immunova”) a private Connecticut-based biotechnology company. Under the terms of the LOI, Portage and Immunova have agreed to negotiate a definitive option agreement for Immunova or an affiliate to acquire the entire share capital of iOx Therapeutics, Ltd (“iOx”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Portage. iOx is focused on developing liposomal iNKT agonists, and its lead candidate, PORT-2, has demonstrated promising preliminary clinical activity.

Alex Pickett, CEO of Portage Biotech, commented: “We are excited about this opportunity to partner with Immunova. This transaction underscores Portage’s commitment to unlocking the value of its assets and bringing returns to shareholders while ensuring that potentially innovative therapeutics are swiftly brought into clinical development.”

Brian Horsburgh, PhD, CEO of Immunova, said: “We are delighted to continue our collaboration with Portage and potentially add the iOx assets to our own pipeline, creating a clinical-stage biotech company focused on lipid drugs and delivery systems that empower immune cells to better fight disease. This acquisition represents a leap in our mission to advance innovative therapies to patients who need them most.”

The transaction remains subject to the negotiation and execution of definitive agreements, customary closing conditions, and regulatory approvals. Portage and Immunova are committed to completing the transaction in a timely manner and will provide further updates as appropriate or necessary.

About Portage Biotech, Inc.

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. Portage’s approach focuses on discovering and developing therapies with unique mechanisms of action and strong scientific rationale to address unmet patient needs. For more information, visit www.portagebiotech.com.

About Immunova, LLC

Immunova is a privately held biotechnology company based in Connecticut, specializing in the development of lipid-based drugs and immune-modulating therapies. Immunova’s mission is to leverage cutting-edge science to design innovative treatments that empower immune cells and transform the treatment landscape for cancer and other diseases.

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. For example, statements regarding the potential benefits of PORT-2, the Company’s plans to enter into a definitive agreement with Immunova or an affiliate, the potential value of iOx's assets and potential returns to the Company's shareholders, are forward-looking statements. As a result, forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, but are not limited to: the risk that the Company and Immunova may not enter into a definitive agreement or consummate a sale of iOx, the risk that any such definitive agreement may not result in returns to the Company’s shareholders and may create distractions or uncertainties that may adversely affect the Company’s operating results, business or investor perceptions, the uncertainty of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, the Company’s ability to obtain financing in the future to cover its operational costs and its estimates regarding capital requirements, 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, PLEASE CONTACT:

Portage Biotech:

Alexander Pickett
Chief Executive Officer
ir@portagebiotech.com

Immunova, LLC:

Brian Horsburgh
CEO
203 716 6369
info@immunova.net

FAQ

What are the terms of Portage Biotech's LOI with Immunova for iOx Therapeutics?

Portage Biotech (PRTG) has entered into a Letter of Intent with Immunova for an option to acquire the entire share capital of iOx Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Portage focused on developing liposomal iNKT agonists.

What is the status of PORT-2, iOx Therapeutics' lead candidate?

PORT-2, iOx Therapeutics' lead candidate, has demonstrated promising preliminary clinical activity in its development as a liposomal iNKT agonist.

What conditions need to be met for the Portage-Immunova deal to close?

The transaction is subject to negotiation and execution of definitive agreements, customary closing conditions, and regulatory approvals.

How will the Immunova acquisition affect Portage Biotech (PRTG) shareholders?

The transaction is intended to unlock value for Portage shareholders while ensuring innovative therapeutics continue clinical development, according to company statements.