RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Liquidia Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: LQDA), a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel products using its proprietary PRINT® technology, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire RareGen, LLC, a portfolio company of PBM Capital, through an all-stock merger. Liquidia and RareGen will consolidate under a new holding company, to be named Liquidia Corporation, which is expected to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “LQDA,” as the successor to Liquidia Technologies. RareGen provides strategy, investment, and commercialization for rare disease pharmaceutical products. RareGen has a small, targeted sales force focused on PAH.
RareGen acquired the right to promote Sandoz’s first-to-file generic of Remodulin® (treprostinil) for the treatment of patients with PAH. In March 2019, Sandoz and RareGen launched their generic treprostinil injection, making it the first generic of Remodulin® to market. Liquidia Corporation will assume RareGen’s responsibilities under the agreement with Sandoz following closing of the merger transaction.
This acquisition reinforces Liquidia’s commitment to the PAH community and continued pursuit to address the unmet needs of patients and the healthcare professionals who treat them. The potential introduction of LIQ861 as a more convenient inhaled treprostinil over the currently available inhaled option, combined with RareGen’s parenteral treprostinil option emphasize Liquidia’s commitment to addressing the patient continuum of treatment. In addition, these combined entities further enhance the organization’s knowledge base, customer reach and commercial planning in preparation for the potential launch of LIQ861, if approved.
“The acquisition of RareGen creates tremendous value for Liquidia’s stockholders and, most importantly, patients,” stated Neal Fowler, Chief Executive Officer of Liquidia. “RareGen offers a knowledgeable team and scalable sales force, coupled with rights to commercialize an important PAH product that complements Liquidia’s lead product candidate in PAH, LIQ861. The acquisition of RareGen bolsters Liquidia’s ability to advance much needed treatment options for the PAH community."
Following the closing of the merger transaction, Liquidia and RareGen will be wholly owned operating subsidiaries of Liquidia Corporation. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Liquidia will acquire 100 percent ownership of RareGen for 6,166,666 shares of Liquidia Corporation common stock. RareGen members are entitled to receive between 1,458,333 and 2,708,333 shares of additional Liquidia Corporation common stock if certain RareGen net sales thresholds are met in 2021. The transaction was approved by the boards of directors of Liquidia and RareGen and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2020, subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by Liquidia Technologies stockholders and a registration statement on Form S-4 being declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Under the terms of the merger agreement, at the close of the transaction Liquidia Technologies stockholders will receive an identical number of shares of Liquidia Corporation common stock in exchange for their Liquidia Technologies common stock.
At the closing of the merger transaction, two of RareGen’s current directors, Paul B. Manning, of PBM Capital Group, a current investor in Liquidia and beneficial owner of a majority of RareGen’s equity, and Roger A. Jeffs, Ph.D., former Co-CEO of United Therapeutics, will join the Liquidia Corporation Board of Directors and one member of the current Liquidia Board of Directors will resign, resulting in a nine member board of directors post-closing.
“The combined company formed through this transaction aims to expand access and treatment options for PAH patients,” said Paul Manning, President and CEO of PBM Capital Group. “We are excited about LIQ861 and think it will offer a more convenient, and portable treatment option for inhaled Treprostinil. RareGen’s commitment to, and knowledge in the PAH space will amplify Liquidia’s efforts to support this difficult-to-treat patient group.
Certain of Liquidia’s stockholders, representing approximately 38.5 percent of its current outstanding common stock, have agreed to vote in favor of the merger agreement.
Jefferies LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor, and DLA Piper LLP acted as legal counsel, to Liquidia in connection with the transaction.
About Liquidia
Liquidia is a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel products using its proprietary PRINT® technology to transform the lives of patients. PRINT is a particle engineering platform that enables precise production of uniform drug particles designed to improve the safety, efficacy and performance of a wide range of therapies. Currently, Liquidia is focused on the development of two product candidates for which it holds worldwide commercial rights: LIQ861 for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and LIQ865 for the treatment of local post-operative pain. Liquidia is headquartered in Research Triangle Park, NC. For more information, please visit www.liquidia.com.
About RareGen
RareGen is a portfolio company of PBM Capital Group, a healthcare investment firm. RareGen provides strategy, investment, and commercialization for rare disease pharmaceutical products. RareGen has a national sales force focused on cardiology and pulmonology specialties.
