Mithra initiates monetization process, receives bridge loan from
existing lenders
Mithra initiates
monetization process, receives bridge loan from existing
lenders
-
Mithra appoints advisors and initiates a process to monetize its
assets or execute a sale of its business
-
Mithra has entered into a new secured bridge loan facility in a
committed amount of up to EUR 13.5 million, subject to milestones;
with an uncommitted facility of a further EUR 5 million
-
Bridge loan facility provides expected liquidity runway to fund the
monetization process with respect to key assets through 30
April
-
Secured lenders to certain key Mithra operating entities agree to
standstill and forbear all debt service (including by extending
maturity) in support of the monetization process
Liege, Belgium, 05 March 2024 – 07:00
CET – Mithra (Euronext Brussels: MITRA), a company
dedicated to women’s health, today announces the initiation of a
monetization process and signing of a new secured bridge loan
facility (the "Facility") expected to fund that
process through 30 April. The monetization process and Facility are
further to Mithra’s 06 February 2024 announcement on its cash
position.
Monetization Process
In an effort to maximize value for all of
Mithra’s stakeholders, the Company has initiated a monetization
process to realize value from its assets involving the sale of
various selected assets, particularly Estetra SRL, and/or the
business as a whole (the "Monetization Process").
The Company is finalizing negotiations with an internationally
recognized investment bank to help conduct the Monetization Process
in collaboration with DC Advisory and Alvarez & Marsal, who are
advising on liquidity management and advising on monetization,
among other things.
As is described below, the Monetization Process
with respect to key assets is being funded under the Facility,
subject to achievement of milestones.
Parties interested in participating in the
Monetization Process should contact Ed Kulik of DC Advisory
(Ed.Kulik@dcadvisory.com) and Thomas Dillenseger of Alvarez &
Marsal (TDillenseger@alvarezandmarsal.com).
Liquidity / Terms of
Facility
The Facility provides up to EUR 13.5 million to
be drawn in multiple tranches upon the satisfaction of certain
milestones, as well as an uncommitted EUR 5 million "accordion"
facility (which can be used once the committed amount has been
fully drawn and only if the lenders consent).
The cash received under the Facility, if
received in full, creates expected cash runway intended to fund the
business through 30 April, permitting a focus on the Monetization
Process.
The borrower under the Facility is Estetra SRL
with a guarantee from Mithra Pharmaceuticals SA (such guarantee
being limited in recourse to the secured assets). The Facility is
secured on all of the assets of Estetra SRL, a share pledge over
shares in Estetra SRL and a pledge on intercompany receivables of
Mithra Pharmaceuticals SA on Estetra SRL.
The maturity date of the Facility is sixty days
from the first utilization date of the Facility. The initial
conditions precedent have been met, and the first drawdown of EUR 9
million is expected to be drawn on 6 March 2024.
The remaining tranches can be drawn during
successive periods of ten business days (starting within ten
business days after signing) each time for an amount not exceeding
EUR 2.5 million (and, for the avoidance of doubt, never exceeding
in aggregate the total committed amount). Drawdowns under the
remaining tranches are conditional upon additional milestones
having been met, which primarily include various data and plans
being provided to the Lenders in relation to the implementation of
the Monetization Process, the appointment of (an) investment
bank(s) to advise on the Monetization Process, the entry into an
intercreditor agreement with other secured lenders, including
receipt of third-party guarantor consent, and the actual
implementation of the Monetization Process. The Facility is subject
to mandatory prepayment in full upon a change of control over
Estetra SRL and the proceeds of sales of assets of Estetra SRL will
also be applied to a mandatory prepayment. The Facility contains
various undertakings and events of default.
The lenders under the Facility consist of funds
managed by Highbridge Capital Management, LLC and funds managed by
Whitebox Advisors, LLC (each a “Lender”). The
Lenders under the Facility will enter into an intercreditor
agreement with ING Belgium NV/SA and Belfius Bank NV/SA, the other
existing secured creditors to Estetra SRL, who have agreed in
principle to forebear and standstill with respect to any defaults
under their agreements.
The Facility does not bear interest; however,
the Facility provides for a forbearance fee of 2% on the amounts
outstanding under Mithra’s existing senior secured convertible
facility with the Lenders (which is in consideration of the waivers
and forbearance that the Lenders have provided to Mithra under that
facility while Mithra explored strategic alternatives to maximize
value for all of its stakeholders, as referenced in Mithra’s 6
February 2024 announcement on its cash position) and a 5%
commitment fee on the committed amounts (including the accordion
when and if it becomes committed). Both fees will be paid in kind
by compounding these amounts with the principal amount of the
Facility. The Facility also provides for an exit fee of 5% (or 10%
in the absence of third party guarantor consent) of any amounts
paid, repaid or cancelled under the Facility and a make-whole fee
equal to the amount necessary to ensure that the total return on
investment of the Lenders (including the funded amounts and
compounded fees and interest, but excluding the commitment fee) is
equal to 20% (or 30% in the absence of third party guarantor
consent ) of the Facility. The exit fee and make-whole fee are
payable in cash upon any repayment, prepayment or cancellation of
the Facility.
The EUR 12.8 million of cash currently held in
escrow as described in the Mithra's 15 February announcement
regarding the sale of its holding in Mayne Pharma is expected to be
used to repay indebtedness owed to the Lenders under the existing
facility.
However, there is a risk that Mithra will not be
able to draw the full amount, for instance if it is not able to
initiate a Monetization Process. Even if a Monetization Process is
initiated, there is a material risk that that process will not be
successful, in whole or in part, or may not be sufficient to repay
Mithra's existing indebtedness. If Mithra is not able to draw funds
under the Facility or is otherwise not able to raise or generate
sufficient cash, this will adversely affect Mithra's continued
operations and ability to operate as a going concern.
For more information, please contact:
Mithra Pharmaceuticals SAAlex Sokolowski, PhDHead
of IR & Communicationsinvestorrelations@mithra.com +32 (0)4 349
28 22 |
Frédérique Depraetere Communications Directorinfo@mithra.com+32
(0)4 349 28 22 |
About Mithra Mithra
Pharmaceuticals SA (Euronext: MITRA) is a Belgian biopharmaceutical
company dedicated to transforming women’s health by offering new
choices through innovation, with a particular focus on
contraception and menopause. Mithra’s goal is to develop products
offering better efficacy, safety and convenience, meeting women’s
needs throughout their life span. Mithra explores the potential of
the unique native estrogen estetrol in a wide range of applications
in women health and beyond. After having successfully launched the
first estetrol-based product in 2021, the contraceptive pill
ESTELLE®, Mithra is now focusing on its second product DONESTA®,
the next-generation hormone therapy. Mithra also offers partners a
complete spectrum of solutions from early drug development,
clinical batches and commercial manufacturing of complex polymeric
products (vaginal ring, implants) and complex liquid injectables
and biologicals (vials, pre-filled syringes or cartridges) at its
technological platform Mithra CDMO. Active in more than 100
countries around the world, is headquartered in Liège, Belgium.
www.mithra.com
ESTELLE ®, and DONESTA® are registered
trademarks of Mithra Pharmaceuticals or one of its affiliates.
Important informationThe
contents of this announcement include statements that are, or may
be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These
forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology, including the words "believes",
"estimates," "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will",
"plans", "continue", "ongoing", "potential", "predict", "project",
"target", "seek" or "should", and include statements the Company
makes concerning the intended results of its strategy. By their
nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties,
and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements
are not guarantees of future performance. The Company's actual
results may differ materially from those predicted by the
forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to
publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, except as may
be required by law.
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- 2024-03-05_Mithra_Press-Release_New Secured Bridge Loan_FR
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