ProQR Therapeutics N.V. (Nasdaq:PRQR), a company dedicated to changing lives through the creation of transformative RNA therapies for severe genetic rare diseases, announced that it has entered into a $30 million convertible debt financing agreement with Pontifax Medison Debt Financing, the healthcare-dedicated venture and debt fund of the Pontifax life science funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe access to capital provided by this facility is designed to increase our financial flexibility as we continue to advance our pipeline and build toward commercialization,\u201d said Smital Shah, ProQR\u2019s Chief Business and Financial Officer. \u201cIf fully drawn down, this capital would extend ProQR\u2019s cash runway into 2023, which is beyond a number of anticipated catalysts and value inflection points for our clinical stage programs. Additionally, this funding will accelerate the advancement of our translational platform and discovery programs.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPontifax is pleased to enter into this strategic financing partnership with ProQR as it continues to advance its pipeline of RNA therapies for inherited retinal diseases,\u201d said Momi Karako, partner at Pontifax. \u201cProQR has expertise in antisense oligonucleotides, a productive platform, and a deep pipeline of novel RNA therapies focused on inherited retinal diseases, which fits well with our portfolio of companies that target transformative, cutting-edge life sciences technologies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the agreement with Pontifax, ProQR will have access to up to $30 million in convertible debt financing in three tranches of $10 million each that will mature over a 54 month period and have an interest-only period of 24 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pontifax may elect to convert the outstanding loan into ProQR ordinary shares at any time prior to repayment at a conversion price of $7.88 per share, which is a 50% premium to the Company\u2019s average closing share price during the 7 days prior to closing. ProQR also has the ability to convert the loan into its ordinary shares, at the same conversion price, if the Company\u2019s stock price reaches a pre-determined threshold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In connection with the loan agreement, ProQR has agreed to issue to Pontifax warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 190,424 shares of its common stock at an exercise price of $7.88 per share, which is a 50% premium to the average closing price during the 7 days prior to closing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
J. Wood Capital Advisors LLC and Perella Weinberg Partners LP acted as financial advisors and Goodwin Proctor LLP and Allen & Overy LLP acted as legal advisors to ProQR on this transaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n