The biopharmaceutical company is raising approximately €25 million on Euronext Paris, at €14.02 per share, at the bottom of the indicative listing range. Trading begins tomorrow.
After Haffner Energy, Aelis Farma has just completed a new IPO in Paris, the fifth listing of the year, according to Euronext. The Bordeaux-based biopharmaceutical company has succeeded in convincing investors of its plans to treat brain diseases.
It is nevertheless a half-success since the subscription commitments reached 16.5 million euros, even before the beginning of the placement: 9.8 million euros from Indivior, one of the world leaders in the treatment of addictions, and 6.7 million euros from "historical shareholders and a new investor".
High market volatility
If the amount of the transaction reaches €25 million, i.e. 100% of the initial target, the price of €14.02 per share is on the lower end of the indicative price range, announced at the time of the launch of the transaction, set between €14.02 and €16.82.
The issuer evokes a strong market volatility, while the marketing of the securities coincided with the tensions between Russia and Ukraine and the fears related to a faster and wider than expected increase in interest rates. The size of the transaction may however be increased to 25.55 million euros in case of full exercise of the over-allotment option.
Trading will start this Friday on the regulated market (compartment B) of Euronext Paris, whereas the issuer had chosen to enter the stock market through the large door. Most SMEs opt for the Growth compartment, because of the lighter constraints.
Capitalization: 175 million euros
Based on a price per share of €14.02, the capitalization of Aelis Farma will amount to approximately €175 million after the capital increase.
"Aelis Farma is developing a new class of drugs: specific inhibitors of CB1 receptor signaling (CB1-SSi) of the endocannabinoid system that provide access to several therapeutic areas without available treatments. These unique drug candidates, by mimicking a recently discovered natural defense mechanism of the brain, appear capable of treating various brain pathologies without disrupting normal behavior. A first in pharmacology", explains the sender.
The first two are already in clinical trials, AEF0117 to treat cannabis abuse disorders and AEF0217 to treat various cognitive deficits, including those related to Down syndrome (Trisomy 21).
"The capital increase will help select and bring to the clinic additional drug candidates from our innovative research platform for the treatment of some of the many brain diseases associated with dysregulation of CB1 receptor activity"said Pier Vincenzo Piazza, co-founder and CEO of Aelis Farma.