Origin Agritech Announces Appeal of Nasdaq Delisting Letter

Rhea-AI Summary

Origin Agritech Ltd. (NASDAQ: SEED) has submitted an appeal to Nasdaq to request an extension of time and present its plan to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing 5550(b)(2). The company is committed to maintaining its Nasdaq listing and is confident it can meet continuing listing compliance. The requested appeal stays any delisting or suspension action pending the issuance of a final decision by Nasdaq.

Financial Analyst

The appeal by Origin Agritech Ltd. to extend its compliance period with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(2) is a strategic move aimed at preserving investor confidence and maintaining access to capital markets. The rule in question typically requires listed companies to maintain a minimum level of shareholders' equity, an adequate market value of listed securities, or a certain net income level. Failing to meet these requirements can result in delisting, which often leads to decreased liquidity and investor interest.

In the short-term, the appeal may provide temporary relief to shareholders, preventing immediate stock price volatility that a delisting announcement could trigger. However, the long-term implications for stakeholders hinge on the company's ability to address the underlying issues that led to the non-compliance. Investors should monitor the company's progress closely, particularly the completion of its annual report, which will provide critical financial health indicators.

Market Research Analyst

Origin's commitment to maintaining its Nasdaq listing underscores the importance of visibility and credibility afforded by the exchange, which can be particularly crucial for technology-driven agricultural firms seeking to attract investment. The agricultural technology sector is highly competitive and access to capital is essential for research and development, as well as for scaling operations.

Stakeholders should consider the broader industry trends, such as the increasing global demand for food security and sustainable farming practices, which could benefit companies like Origin in the long run. However, the firm's ability to capitalize on these trends will likely depend on its financial restructuring and strategic initiatives post-compliance. A successful appeal and subsequent compliance could signal to the market that the company is on a corrective path, potentially attracting further investment.

Legal Expert

Origin Agritech's appeal to Nasdaq's Listing Qualifications Department represents a legal recourse available to companies facing potential delisting. The process involves a formal plan to regain compliance, which must be convincing enough to grant an extension. During this period, any delisting action is stayed, which is a critical legal shield for the company.

It is important for investors to understand that while the appeal process is a positive step, it is not indicative of the final outcome. The company's ability to present a viable plan that satisfies Nasdaq's requirements will be essential. The legal intricacies of such an appeal are complex and require a transparent and robust plan to regain compliance, which will be scrutinized by the Nasdaq authorities before a final decision is made.

BEIJING, Jan. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Origin Agritech Ltd. (NASDAQ: SEED) (the "Company" or "Origin"), a leading Chinese agricultural technology company, today announced that it has submitted an appeal to Nasdaq's Listing Qualifications Department to request a further extension of time and present its plan to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing 5550(b)(2). The Company is committed to maintaining its Nasdaq listing and is confident it can meet continuing listing compliance. The requested appeal stays any delisting or suspension action pending the issuance of a final decision by Nasdaq. The Company is also working on completing its annual report on Form 20-F as soon as possible.

About Origin Agritech Limited

Origin Agritech Limited, founded in 1997 and headquartered in Zhong-Guan-Cun (ZGC) Life Science Park in Beijing, is a leading Chinese agricultural technology company. In crop seed biotechnologies, Origin Agritech's phytase corn was the first transgenic corn to receive the Bio-Safety Certificate from China's Ministry of Agriculture. Over the years, Origin has established a robust biotechnology seed pipeline including products with glyphosate tolerance and pest resistance (Bt) traits. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.originagritech.com. The Company also maintains a Twitter account for updating investors on company and industry developments, which is https://x.com/origin_agritech.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements address expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and contain words like "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "will," "would," "target," and similar expressions and variations. Forward-looking statements address matters that are uncertain. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are based on assumptions and expectations which may not be realized. They are based on management's current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about the Company and the industry in which the Company operates but involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control. Some of the important factors that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements are: failure to develop and market new products and optimally manage product life cycles; ability to respond to market acceptance, rules, regulations and policies affecting our products; failure to appropriately manage process safety and product stewardship issues; changes in laws and regulations or political conditions; global economic and capital markets conditions, such as inflation, interest and currency exchange rates; business or supply disruptions; natural disasters and weather events and patterns; ability to protect and enforce the company's intellectual property rights; and separation of underperforming or non-strategic assets or businesses. The company undertakes no duty or obligation to publicly revise or update any forward-looking statements as a result of future developments, or new information or otherwise, should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results. You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained herein and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.

For more information, please contact:

Origin Agritech Limited Contact:
Kate Lang (Mandarin/English)
Director of Investor Relations
Phone: +86 186-1839-3368
Email: bing.lang@originseed.com.cn

Investor Relations Contact:
Matthew Abenante, IRC
President
Strategic Investor Relations, LLC
Tel: 347-947-2093
Email: matthew@strategic-ir.com

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SOURCE Origin Agritech Limited

What is the ticker symbol for Origin Agritech Ltd.?

The ticker symbol for Origin Agritech Ltd. is SEED.

What did Origin Agritech Ltd. announce regarding Nasdaq?

Origin Agritech Ltd. announced that it has submitted an appeal to Nasdaq to request an extension of time and present its plan to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing 5550(b)(2).

What is the Company's plan to regain compliance with Nasdaq?

The Company's plan to regain compliance with Nasdaq involves submitting an appeal and presenting its plan to Nasdaq's Listing Qualifications Department.

What action does the requested appeal stay pending a final decision by Nasdaq?

The requested appeal stays any delisting or suspension action pending the issuance of a final decision by Nasdaq.

What form is the Company working on completing?

The Company is working on completing its annual report on Form 20-F as soon as possible.