Chardan Healthcare Acquisition Corp. (NYSE:
CHAC, “CHAC”), a special purpose acquisition company (“SPAC”) sponsored by affiliates of Chardan Capital Markets LLC (“Chardan”), announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement for a business combination with BiomX Ltd. (“BiomX”), a microbiome company developing both natural and engineered phage therapies.
Assuming no redemption of CHAC shareholders, the combined company will have an initial market capitalization of approximately $254 million. Upon closing of the transaction, it is expected that CHAC will be renamed BiomX and remain on the NYSE American Stock Exchange, listed under a new ticker symbol.
CHAC has entered into a mix of commitments including purchase and sale, backstop, and voting agreements with BiomX and with investors — including OrbiMed, RTW Investment, Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Inc. (JJDC), Takeda Ventures, Inc., MiraeAsset, Seventure Partners’ Health for Life Capital I, SBI Japan-Israel Innovation Fund, as well as RM Global Partners (RMGP) BioPharma Investment Fund — so that the $50 million minimum closing condition for the transaction has been satisfied prior to today’s announcement.
Proceeds from the transaction will provide BiomX with substantial growth capital and the flexibility of a public listing to further accelerate BiomX’s expansion as a leading microbiome product discovery company. BiomX is developing customized phage-based products designed to improve the appearance of acne-prone skin and eradicate harmful bacteria in chronic diseases. The company’s pipeline includes preclinical candidates for acne-prone skin, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and colorectal cancer (CRC). BiomX’s product for acne-prone skin is anticipated to begin clinical testing by the end of 2019. The combined company will continue to be led by BiomX’s experienced management team headed by Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Solomon.
“We created CHAC to partner with an innovative biotechnology company that would benefit from a public listing, could use our cash resources to implement groundbreaking clinical work, and whose products and technology could lead to significant growth and drive long-term returns for our shareholders,” said Jonas Grossman, CHAC’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “BiomX has all those qualities, along with an experienced management team ready to take the reins of a public company. We believe this transaction leaves BiomX with a strong balance sheet and sufficient cash for the company to reach multiple value inflection points in its leading clinical programs.” George Kaufman, CFO and Head of Strategy at CHAC, noted, “We believe we have structured a transaction that will deliver value to all stakeholders and creates opportunity for new investors. We are excited to make use of inherent features of the SPAC in combination with the fundamental qualities of BiomX and supportive shareholders for the benefit of all of our partners.”
