Merger completion and NASDAQ listing expected in Q1 2021
US listing will support and accelerate ongoing development of 4D pharma’s Live Biotherapeutics
LEEDS, England–(BUSINESS WIRE)–4D pharma plc (AIM: DDDD), a pharmaceutical company leading the development of Live Biotherapeutic products (LBPs) – a novel class of drug derived from the microbiome, today announces the filing of a registration statement on Form F-4 (the “Registration Statement”) with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The filing follows the announcement on October 22, 2020 of the proposed merger between 4D pharma and Longevity Acquisition Corporation (NASDAQ: LOAC) (“Longevity”), a NASDAQ-listed Special Purpose Acquisition Company (“SPAC”).
The filing of the Registration Statement is a significant milestone as 4D pharma continues to execute its intention to complete the merger with Longevity and, in connection with the merger, list new American Depositary Shares (ADSs) on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol ‘LBPS’. On completion of the merger and listing of the ADSs, 4D pharma will become dual-listed and ordinary shares will continue to be traded on AIM under the ticker symbol ‘DDDD’. The merger is currently expected to complete and the NASDAQ ADS listing become effective in Q1 2021. 4D pharma ADSs will begin trading on NASDAQ immediately following completion. This is subject to approval of 4D pharma and Longevity shareholders, and the SEC review process.
“Following on from last month’s announcement of execution of the definitive merger agreement with Longevity, today’s development constitutes another major stride towards attaining a NASDAQ listing, which will increase the pool of accessible capital and deliver value to the business and its shareholders,” said Duncan Peyton, CEO, 4D pharma.
About 4D pharma
Founded in February 2014, 4D pharma is a world leader in the development of Live Biotherapeutics, a novel and emerging class of drugs, defined by the FDA as biological products that contain a live organism, such as a bacterium, that is applicable to the prevention, treatment or cure of a disease. 4D has developed a proprietary platform, MicroRx®, that rationally identifies Live Biotherapeutics based on a deep understanding of function and mechanism.
4D pharma’s Live Biotherapeutic products (LBPs) are orally delivered single strains of bacteria that are naturally found in the healthy human gut. The Company has six clinical programmes, namely a Phase I/II study of MRx0518 in combination with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) in solid tumours, a Phase I study of MRx0518 in a neoadjuvant setting for patients with solid tumours, a Phase I study of MRx0518 in patients with pancreatic cancer, a Phase I/II study of MRx-4DP0004 in asthma, a Phase II study of MRx-4DP0004 in patients hospitalised with COVID-19, and Blautix® in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which has completed a successful Phase II trial. Preclinical-stage programmes include candidates for CNS disease such as Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. (Read more…) The Company has a research collaboration with MSD, a tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA, to discover and develop Live Biotherapeutics for vaccines.
In October 2020 4D Pharma announced its intention to merge with Longevity Acquisition Corporation (NASDAQ: LOAC), a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), and seek a NASDAQ listing. The merger is expected to be completed and the NASDAQ listing of 4D Pharma American Depositary Shares (ADSs) under the ticker symbol ‘LBPS’ is currently expected to become effective in early 2021, subject to approval of 4D shareholders and Longevity shareholders, and the SEC review process.
For more information, refer to https://www.4dpharmaplc.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains “forward-looking statements.” All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this announcement are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements usually relate to future events and anticipated revenues, earnings, cash flows or other aspects of our operations or operating results. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “foresee,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “may,” “estimate,” “outlook” and similar expressions, including the negative thereof. The absence of these words, however, does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations, beliefs and assumptions concerning future developments and business conditions and their potential effect on the Company. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those that it anticipates.
All of the Company’s forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties some of which are significant or beyond its control and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s historical experience and its present expectations or projections. The foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that affect the Company’s business, including those described the documents filed by the Company with the SEC should be carefully considered. The Company wishes to caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any of its forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.
Additional Information about the Transaction and Where to Find it
This press release is being made in respect of a proposed business combination involving 4D and Longevity. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The Registration Statement includes a preliminary prospectus with respect to 4D’s ordinary shares and ADSs to be issued in the proposed transaction and a proxy statement of Longevity in connection with the merger. The information in the Registration Statement is not complete and may be changed. 4D may not sell the ordinary shares referenced in the Registration Statement until the Registration Statement becomes effective. The proxy statement/prospectus has been provided to the Longevity shareholders. 4D and Longevity also plan to file other documents with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction.
This press release is not a substitute for any prospectus, proxy statement or any other document that 4D or Longevity may file with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. Investors and security holders are urged to read the Registration Statement and, when they become available, any other relevant documents that will be filed with the SEC carefully and in their entirety because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction.
You may obtain copies of all documents filed with the SEC regarding this transaction, free of charge, at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). In addition, investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and other documents filed with the SEC without charge, at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov) or by calling +1-800-SEC-0330.
Participants in the Solicitation
Longevity and its directors and executive officers and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Longevity’s shareholders with respect to the proposed transaction. Information regarding Longevity’s directors and executive officers is available in its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2020, filed with the SEC on April 30, 2020. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation relating to the proposed transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interests is contained in the Registration Statement.
4D and its directors and executive officers may also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Longevity in connection with the proposed transaction. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the proposed transaction is included in the Registration Statement.
Contacts
4D pharma
Duncan Peyton, Chief Executive Officer +44 (0)113 895 0130
Investor Relations ir@4dpharmaplc.com
N+1 Singer – Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker +44 (0)20 7496 3000
Philip Davies / Justin McKeegan / Iqra Amin (Corporate Finance)
Tom Salvesen (Corporate Broking)
Bryan Garnier & Co. Limited – Joint Broker +44 (0)20 7332 2500
Dominic Wilson / Phil Walker
Image Box Communications
Neil Hunter / Michelle Boxall +44 (0)20 8943 4685
neil@ibcomms.agency / michelle@ibcomms.agency