UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form
Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(Commission File Number)
British Columbia, |
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
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(Address of principal executive offices) |
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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | |
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) | |
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) | |
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Second Closing of Financing Transaction
On September 23, 2022, Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the “Company”) completed its previously disclosed financing transaction (the “Financing Transaction”) with Petrichor Opportunities Fund I LP (the “Investor”) in connection with the issuance of up to $45,000,000 of senior secured floating rate convertible notes (the “Notes”), issuable in multiple tranches. The Second Closing is a tranche of $20,000,000 (the “Second Closing Note”) that was issued and convertible at a price per share equal to the Initial Conversion Price equal to $7.89 per share, a 20% premium of the 5-day volume weighted average price (the “VWAP”) of the Company’s common shares as traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market immediately prior to September 20, 2022 which was the date the Company obtained FDA approval of PEDMARK (the “Second Closing Trigger”).
Subsequent to the funding of the Second Closing Note, and before December 31, 2023, the Company may draw up to $20,000,000 of additional financing under the SPA, in one or more tranches of $10,000,000 upon mutual agreement of the Company and the Investor (the “Subsequent Closing Notes”). The Subsequent Closing Notes will be convertible at a price per share equal to $7.89 per share, a 20% premium to the 5-day VWAP of the Company’s common shares as traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market immediately prior to the date on which the Company obtains FDA approval of PEDMARK (the “Second Closing Trigger”).
A commitment fee of 2.0% of the Notes is payable under the SPA. Half of such fee will be paid by the issuance on the first closing of warrants to purchase 55,498 Fennec common shares (“First Closing Warrant”) and half is payable in cash or warrants, at our election, on the second closing. The Warrants will be exercisable at a price per share of $8.11 and will have a term of five years from the date of the grant. Subsequently, the Company elected to have the all the commitment fee of the Notes payable in warrants.
Pursuant to the SPA, the Company agreed to register the Company shares underlying the Notes and warrants by filing a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by the 105th calendar day after the closing date of the Transaction (subject to certain permitted extensions). To the extent the registration statement is not filed within such 45-day deadline, the registration statement is not declared effective within 150 calendar days (or 180 calendar days if reviewed by the SEC, subject to certain permitted extensions in each case) or the effectiveness of the registration statement is not maintained (subject to certain allowable grace periods), then the Company will be obligated pay a fee.
The Notes and warrants are being offered and sold to the Investor pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D as promulgated thereunder.
Notes
The Notes will be senior secured obligations of the Company. Unless earlier converted or redeemed, the Notes will mature on August 19, 2027.
The Notes accrue interest at a rate equal to the greater of (a) US Prime Rate or (b) three and one-half percent (3.5%), plus the applicable margin of four and one-half percent (4.5%) on the outstanding balance of the Notes, payable quarterly on the first business day of each calendar quarter. Fort the first twenty-four (24) months following the Closing Date, Interest equal to three and one-half percent (3.5%) on the outstanding balance of the Note will be paid-in-kind.
Prior to the maturity, a holder of the Second Closing Note will have the right to convert the principal and any accrued but unpaid interest into shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $7.89 per share (the “Second Closing Note Conversion Price”), subject to certain adjustments as set forth in the First Closing Note. The Subsequent Closing
Notes will have the right to convert into shares of Common Stock at a conversion price equal to $7.89 to the extend funded.
At any time after August 19, 2025, the Company has the right to redeem all, but not less than all, of the outstanding Notes for cash prior to the Maturity Date, at a redemption premium on such amount as follows: (a) prior to August 19, 2026, 110%; and (b) after August 19, 2026 but on or prior to August 19, 2027, 107.5% (the “Redemption Premium”).
Upon the occurrence of certain events of default as set forth in the Notes (other than events of default relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or liquidation proceedings) or a change of control, a holder of the Notes may require the Company to redeem all or any portion of its Notes at the applicable Redemption Premium. If certain events of default relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or liquidation proceedings occur, all outstanding principal and accrued and unpaid interest (plus any accrued and unpaid late charges) will automatically become due and payable at the applicable Redemption Premium.
The Notes contain certain covenants and restrictions, including, among others, that, for so long as the Notes are outstanding, the Company will not incur any indebtedness (other than permitted indebtedness under the Notes), permit liens on its properties (other that permitted liens under the Notes), make payments on junior securities, make dividends or transfer certain assets or permit its unrestricted cash to be less than a minimum amount.
The foregoing description of the SPA, the Second Closing Note and Second Closing Warrant is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Second Closing Note and the Form of Second Closing Warrant, which are filed herewith as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference. The SPA was filed in exhibit 10.1 pursuant to the Form 8-K on August 1, 2022.
Item 2.03.Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
The information set forth in Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.
Item 3.02.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
The information set forth in Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02.
Item 8.01.Other Events.
The Company issued a news release announcing the Agreement with Petrichor Opportunities Fund I LP. A copy of the news release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
The information contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including the exhibit attached hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be filed for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), or incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, unless such subsequent filing specifically references this Form 8-K.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)Exhibits
Exhibit No. Description
4.1 |
99.1 |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (Formatted as Inline XBRL) |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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| FENNEC PHARMACEUTICALS INC. |
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Date September 26, 2022 | By: | /s/ Robert Andrade |
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| Robert Andrade Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 4.1
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR BLUE SKY LAWS.
UNLESS PERMITTED UNDER SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY MUST NOT TRADE THE SECURITY BEFORE THE DATE THAT IS 4 MONTHS AND A DAY AFTER THE LATER OF (I) THE ISSUE DATE AND (II) THE DATE THE ISSUER BECAME A REPORTING ISSUER IN ANY PROVINCE OR TERRITORY.
FENNEC PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
SENIOR SECURED CONVERTIBLE NOTE
Issuance Date: September 23, 2022Original Principal Amount: U.S. $20,000,000
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc., a British Columbia corporation (the “Company”), hereby promises to pay to Petrichor Opportunities Fund I LP or its registered assigns (the “Holder”) in cash the amount set out above as the Original Principal Amount (as (x) reduced pursuant to the terms hereof pursuant to redemption, conversion or otherwise, and (y) increased from time to time by the aggregate amount of PIK Interest that shall have been added to the outstanding principal amount of this Note pursuant to Section 2.2, the “Principal”) when due, whether upon the Maturity Date, acceleration, redemption or otherwise (in each case in accordance with the terms hereof), to pay cash interest (“Cash Interest”) on any outstanding Principal at the Cash Interest Rate from the date set out above as the Issuance Date (the “Issuance Date”) until the same becomes due and payable, whether upon an Interest Date, the Maturity Date, acceleration, conversion, redemption or otherwise (in each case in accordance with the terms hereof), and to pay paid-in-kind interest (“PIK Interest”, and together with Cash Interest, collectively, “Interest”) on any outstanding Principal at a rate of 3.50% per annum from the Issuance Date until the earlier of (A) August 19, 2024, and (B) the date the same becomes due and payable, whether upon an Interest Date, the Maturity Date, acceleration, conversion, redemption or otherwise (in each case in accordance with the terms hereof). This Senior Secured Convertible Note (including all Senior Secured Convertible Notes issued in exchange, transfer or replacement hereof, this “Note”) is one of a series of Senior Secured Convertible Notes issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement on the Issuance Date and referred to in the Securities Purchase Agreement as the Second Closing Notes (collectively, the “Notes” and such other Senior Secured Convertible Notes issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement on the Issuance Date and referred to in the Securities Purchase Agreement as the Second Closing Notes, the “Other Notes”). Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in Section 32.
1
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Where:
CP0=the Conversion Price in effect immediately before the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately before the open of business on the effective date of such share split or share combination, as applicable
CP1=the Conversion Price in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date or the open of business on such effective date, as applicable
OS0=the number of shares of Common Shares outstanding immediately before the open of business on such ex-dividend date or effective date, as applicable
OS1=the number of shares of Common Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination
For the avoidance of doubt, pursuant to the definition of CP1 above, any adjustment to the Conversion Price made pursuant to this Section 7.1 will become effective immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date or the open of business on such effective date, as applicable. If any dividend, distribution, share split or share combination of the type described in this Section 7.1 is declared or announced, but not so paid or made, then the Conversion Price, if previously adjusted, will be readjusted, effective as of the date the Board of Directors of the
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Company determines not to pay such dividend or distribution or to effect such share split or share combination, to the Conversion Price that would then be in effect had such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination not been declared or announced.
Where:
CP0=the Conversion Price in effect immediately before the open of business on the ex-dividend date for such distribution
CP1=the Conversion Price in effect immediately after the open of business on such ex-dividend date
OS=the number of shares of Common Shares outstanding immediately before the open of business on such ex-dividend date
X=the total number of shares of Common Shares issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants
Y=a number of shares of Common Shares obtained by dividing (x) the aggregate amount payable to exercise all such rights, options or warrants distributed by the Company by (y) the average of the Closing Sale Prices per share of Common Shares for the ten (10) consecutive Trading Days ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately before the date such distribution is announced
For the avoidance of doubt, any adjustment to the Conversion Price made pursuant to this Section 7.2 will be made successively whenever any such rights, options or warrants are issued and, pursuant to the definition of CP1 above, will become effective immediately after the open of business on the ex-dividend date for the applicable distribution. To the extent that shares of Common Shares are not delivered after the expiration of such rights, options or warrants (including as a result of such rights, options or warrants not being exercised), the Conversion Price, if previously adjusted, will be readjusted effective as of such expiration date to the Conversion Price that would then be in effect had the decrease to the Conversion Price for such distribution been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of Common Shares actually delivered upon exercise of such rights, option or warrants. To the extent such rights, options or warrants are not so distributed, the Conversion Price will be readjusted effective as of the date the Board of Directors of the Company determines not to distribute such rights, options or warrants, to the Conversion Price that would then be in effect had the ex-dividend date for the distribution of such rights, options or warrants not occurred. For purposes of this Section 7.2, in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle holders of Common Shares to subscribe for or purchase
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shares of Common Shares at a price per share that is less than the average of the Closing Sale Prices per share of Common Shares for the ten (10) consecutive Trading Days ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately before the date of the distribution of such rights, options or warrants is announced, and in determining the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants, there will be taken into account any consideration the Company receives for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise thereof, with the value of such consideration, if not cash, to be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company.
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(a) | as of any date after August 19, 2025 but prior to August 19, 2026, the sum of (i) 100.00%, plus (ii) 10.00%; and |
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(b) | as of any date on or after August 19, 2026, the sum of (i) 100.00%, plus (ii) 7.50%. |
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[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has executed this Senior Secured Convertible Note as of the Issuance Date set out above.
Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc.
By:
Name:
Title:
Accepted and Agreed:
PETRICHOR OPPORTUNITIES FUND I LP
By PETRICHOR OPPORTUNITIES FUND I GP LLC
By:
Name:
Title:
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EXHIBIT I
Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc.
CONVERSION NOTICE
Reference is made to the Senior Secured Convertible Note (the “Note”) issued to the undersigned by Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc., a British Columbia corporation (the “Company”). In accordance with and pursuant to the Note, the undersigned hereby elects to convert the Conversion Amount (as defined in the Note) of the Note indicated below into shares of Common Shares, no par value (the “Common Shares”), of the Company, as of the date specified below. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning as set forth in the Note.
Date of Conversion:
Aggregate Principal to be converted:
Aggregate accrued and unpaid Interest
and accrued and unpaid Late Charges
with respect to such portion of the
Principal and such Interest to
be converted:
AGGREGATE CONVERSION AMOUNT
TO BE CONVERTED:
Please confirm the following information:
Conversion Price:
Number of shares of Common Shares to be issued (the “Shares”):
□ | Check here if the Holder does not intend to resell the Shares to be issued either (x) prior to, (y) contemporaneously with or (z) no later than thirty days after, as applicable, the date of this Conversion Notice |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, unless the Holder shall have checked the box above, the Holder agrees to notify the Company in the event that the Holder has not resold the Shares to be issued on or prior to thirty days after the date of this Conversion Notice.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, this Conversion Notice shall constitute a representation by the Holder of the Note submitting this Conversion Notice that after giving effect to the Conversion provided for in this Conversion Notice, such Holder (together with its Attribution Parties) will not have beneficial ownership (together with the beneficial ownership of such Person’s Attribution Parties) of a number of shares Common Shares which exceeds the Maximum Percentage (as defined in the Note) of the total outstanding shares of Common Shares of the Company as determined pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.4 of the Note.
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Please issue the Common Shares into which the Note is being converted to Holder, or for its benefit, as follows:
□ | Check here if requesting delivery as a certificate to the following name and to the following address: |
Issue to:
□ | Check here if requesting delivery by Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian as follows: |
DTC Participant:
DTC Number:
Account Number:
Date:
Name of Registered Holder
By:
Name:
Title:
Tax ID:
Facsimile:
Email Address:
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EXHIBIT II
TRANSFER AGENT INSTRUCTIONS
Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc.
_________ ___, 20__
[Transfer Agent]
[Address]
[Address]
[Address]
Re:Order to Issue Common Shares of Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to (A) the Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2022, as amended, by and among Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc., a British Columbia corporation (the “Company”), and the investors who are parties thereto, pursuant to which the Company is issuing to the purchasers (collectively, the “Holders”) senior secured convertible notes (the “Notes”), which are convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Shares, no par value (the “Common Shares”); (B) the related Transfer Agent Instructions, dated as of [●], 20[22] (the “20[22] Instruction”); (C) the conversion notice attached hereto (the “Conversion Notice”); and (D) the attached copy of a written instruction from the general counsel of the Company (or its outside legal counsel) that (1) a registration statement covering the resale of the shares of the Common Shares, subject to this letter, has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), (2) the Holders may transfer such shares of the Common Shares under Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act (“Rule 144”), or (3) the Holders may transfer such shares of the Common Shares under Rule 144, without having to comply with the information requirements under Rule 144(c)(1).
This instruction letter shall serve as our authorization and direction to you to issue:
● | to the recipient identified under “Issue to” in the applicable Conversion Notice, |
● | in book-entry form, |
● | such number of shares of the Common Shares as set forth under “Number of shares of the Common Shares to be issued” in the Conversion Notice, |
● | out of the Transfer Agent Reserve (as defined in the 20[22] Instruction), and |
● | by crediting the designated recipient’s balance account with the Depository Trust Company, identified in the Conversion Notice under “DTC Participant,” “DTC Number,” and “Account Number,” through its Deposit Withdrawal at Custodian system. |
[Signature Page Follows]
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Should you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact me at [_______].
Very Truly Yours,
FENNEC PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
By: _____________________
Name:
Title:
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THIS WARRANT AND THE SHARES ISSUABLE HEREUNDER HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY U.S. STATE AND, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 5.3 AND 5.4 BELOW, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SAID ACT AND LAWS OR, IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER, SUCH OFFER, SALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM SUCH REGISTRATION.
UNLESS PERMITTED UNDER SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY MUST NOT TRADE THE SECURITY BEFORE THE DATE THAT IS 4 MONTHS AND A DAY AFTER THE ISSUE DATE.
THE COMMON SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE LISTED ON THE TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE; HOWEVER, THE SAID SECURITIES CANNOT BE TRADED THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF SUCH EXCHANGE SINCE THEY ARE NOT FREELY TRANSFERABLE, AND CONSEQUENTLY ANY CERTIFICATE REPRESENTING SUCH SECURITIES IS NOT ‘GOOD DELIVERY’ IN SETTLEMENT OF TRANSACTIONS ON THE TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE.
THIS WARRANT WILL BE VOID AND OF NO VALUE UNLESS EXERCISED WITHIN THE TIME LIMITS PROVIDED HEREIN.
WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON SHARES
Company: FENNEC PHARMACEUTICALS INC., a corporation continued under the laws of the Province of British Columbia
Number of Shares: 55,498
Type/Series of Shares: Common Shares
Warrant Price: US$8.11 per Common Share
Issue Date: September 23, 2022
Expiration Date: September 23, 2027, subject to earlier expiration as set forth herein
Securities Purchase Agreement: This Warrant to Purchase Common Shares (“Warrant”) is issued in connection with that certain Securities Purchase Agreement dated August 1, 2022 between Petrichor Opportunities Fund I LP and Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc. (as amended and/or modified and in effect from time to time, the “SPA”).
THIS WARRANT CERTIFIES THAT, for good and valuable consideration, PETRICHOR OPPORTUNITIES FUND I LP (together with any successor or permitted assignee or transferee of this Warrant or of any shares issued upon exercise hereof, “Holder”) is entitled to purchase the number of fully paid and non-assessable shares (the “Shares”) of the above-stated Type/Series of Shares (the “Common Shares”) in the capital of the above-named company (the “Company”) at the above-stated Warrant Price, all as set forth above and as adjusted pursuant to Section 2 of this Warrant, subject to the provisions and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Warrant.
SECTION 1. EXERCISE.
1.1Method of Exercise. Holder may at any time and from time to time exercise this Warrant, in whole or in part, by delivering to the Company (i) the original of this Warrant; (ii) a duly executed Notice of Exercise in substantially the form attached hereto as Appendix 1; and (iii) unless Holder is exercising this Warrant pursuant to a cashless exercise as set forth in Section 1.2, a check, wire transfer of same-day funds (to an account designated by the Company) or other form of payment acceptable to the Company for the aggregate Warrant Price for the Shares being purchased.
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1.2Cashless Exercise. On any exercise of this Warrant, in lieu of payment of the aggregate Warrant Price in the manner as specified in Section 1.1 above, but otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Section 1.1, Holder may elect to receive Shares equal to the value of this Warrant, or portion hereof as to which this Warrant is being exercised. Thereupon, the Company shall issue to the Holder such number of fully paid and non-assessable Shares as are computed using the following formula:
X = Y(A-B)/A
where:
X =the number of Shares to be issued to the Holder;
Y =the number of Shares with respect to which this Warrant is being exercised (inclusive of the Shares surrendered to the Company in payment of the aggregate Warrant Price);
A =the fair market value (as determined pursuant to Section 1.3 below) (the “Fair Market Value”) of one Share; and
B =the Warrant Price.
1.3Fair Market Value. If the Company’s Shares are then traded or quoted on a U.S. or Canadian nationally recognized securities exchange, inter-dealer quotation system or over-the-counter market, including the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) or, failing which, the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) (each, a “Trading Market”), the Fair Market Value of a Share shall be the closing price or last sale price of a Share, expressed in US dollars, reported for the Business Day immediately before the date on which Holder delivers this Warrant together with its Notice of Exercise to the Company. If the Company’s Shares are not traded in a Trading Market, the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine the Fair Market Value of a Share in its reasonable good faith judgment.
1.4Delivery of Certificate and New Warrant. Within a reasonable time after Holder exercises this Warrant in the manner set forth in Section 1.1 or 1.2 above, the Company shall deliver to Holder a certificate representing the Shares issued to Holder upon such exercise and, if this Warrant has not been fully exercised and has not expired, a new warrant of like tenor representing the Shares not so acquired.
1.5Replacement of Warrant. On receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, on delivery of an indemnity agreement reasonably satisfactory in form, substance and amount to the Company or, in the case of mutilation, on surrender of this Warrant to the Company for cancellation, the Company shall, within a reasonable time, execute and deliver to Holder, in lieu of this Warrant, a new warrant of like tenor and amount.
1.6Treatment of Warrant Upon Acquisition of Company.
(a)Acquisition. For the purpose of this Warrant, “Acquisition” means any transaction or series of related transactions involving: (i) the sale, lease, exclusive license, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; (ii) any merger, amalgamation or consolidation of the Company into or with another person or entity (other than a merger, amalgamation or consolidation effected exclusively to change the Company’s domicile), or any other corporate reorganization, in which the shareholders of the Company in their capacity as such immediately prior to such merger, amalgamation, consolidation or reorganization, own less than a majority of the Company’s (or the surviving or successor entity’s) outstanding voting power immediately after such merger, amalgamation, consolidation or reorganization; or (iii) any sale or other transfer by the shareholders of the Company of shares representing at least a majority of the votes attaching to the Company’s then-total outstanding combined voting equity securities.
(b)Treatment of Warrant at Acquisition. In the event of an Acquisition in which the consideration to be received by the Company’s shareholders consists solely of cash, solely of Marketable Securities or a combination of cash and Marketable Securities (a “Cash/Public Acquisition”), and the Fair Market Value of one Share as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above would be greater than the Warrant Price in effect on such date immediately prior to such Cash/Public Acquisition, and Holder has not exercised this Warrant pursuant to Section 1.1 above as to all Shares, then this Warrant shall automatically be
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deemed to be exercised in a Cashless Exercise pursuant to Section 1.2 above as to all Shares effective immediately prior to and contingent upon the consummation of a Cash/Public Acquisition. In connection with such Cashless Exercise, Holder shall be deemed to have restated each of the representations and warranties in Section 4 of the Warrant as at the date thereof and the Company shall promptly notify the Holder of the number of Shares (or such other securities) issued upon exercise. In the event of a Cash/Public Acquisition where the Fair Market Value of one Share as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above would be less than the Warrant Price in effect immediately prior to such Cash/Public Acquisition, then this Warrant will expire immediately prior to the consummation of such Cash/Public Acquisition.
(c) Upon the closing of any Acquisition other than a Cash/Public Acquisition, the acquiring, surviving or successor entity shall assume the obligations of this Warrant, and this Warrant shall thereafter be exercisable for the same securities and/or other property as would have been paid for the Shares issuable upon exercise of the unexercised portion of this Warrant as if such Shares were outstanding on and as of the closing of such Acquisition, subject to further adjustment from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant.
(d) As used in this Warrant, “Marketable Securities” means securities meeting all of the following requirements: (i) the issuer thereof is then subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or similar reporting requirements of applicable securities laws in Canada, and is then current in its filing of all required reports and other information under the Act and the Exchange Act or under such applicable securities laws in Canada; (ii) the class and series of shares or other security of the issuer that would be received by Holder in connection with the Acquisition were Holder to exercise this Warrant on or prior to the closing thereof is then traded in a Trading Market; and (iii) if such Trading Market is a Canada Trading Market, Holder would be able to publicly re-sell, immediately following the closing of such Acquisition, all of the issuer’s shares and/or other securities that would be received by Holder in such Acquisition were Holder to exercise this Warrant in full on or prior to the closing of such Acquisition, or if such Trading Market is a U.S. Trading Market, Holder would be able to publicly re-sell, within six (6) months and one day following the closing of such Acquisition, all of the issuer’s shares and/or other securities that would be received by Holder in such Acquisition were Holder to exercise this Warrant in full on or prior to the closing of such Acquisition.
SECTION 2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SHARES AND WARRANT PRICE.
2.1Share Dividends, Splits, Etc. If the Company declares or pays a dividend or distribution on the outstanding Common Shares payable in Shares or other securities or property (other than cash), then upon exercise of this Warrant, for each Share acquired, Holder shall receive, without additional cost to Holder, the total number and kind of securities and property which Holder would have received had Holder owned the Shares of record as of the date the dividend or distribution occurred. If the Company subdivides the outstanding Common Shares by reclassification or otherwise into a greater number of shares, the number of Shares purchasable hereunder shall be proportionately increased and the Warrant Price shall be proportionately decreased. If the outstanding Common Shares are combined or consolidated, by reclassification or otherwise, into a lesser number of shares, the Warrant Price shall be proportionately increased and the number of Shares shall be proportionately decreased.
2.2Reclassification, Exchange, Combinations or Substitution. Upon any event whereby all of the outstanding Common Shares are reclassified, exchanged, combined, substituted, or replaced for, into, with or by Company securities of a different class and/or series, then from and after the consummation of such event, this Warrant will be exercisable for the number, class and series of Company securities that Holder would have received had the Shares been outstanding on and as of the consummation of such event, and subject to further adjustment thereafter from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant. The provisions of this Section 2.2 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, exchanges, combinations substitutions, replacements or other similar events.
2.3No Fractional Share. No fractional Share shall be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant and the number of Shares to be issued shall be rounded down to the nearest whole Share. If a fractional Share interest arises upon any exercise of the Warrant, the Company shall eliminate such fractional Share interest by paying Holder in cash the amount computed by multiplying the fractional interest by (i) the Fair Market Value (as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above) of a full Share, less (ii) the then-effective Warrant Price.
2.4Notice/Certificate as to Adjustments. Upon each adjustment of the Warrant Price, class/type and/or number of Shares, the Company, at the Company’s expense, shall notify Holder in writing within a reasonable time setting forth the adjustments to the Warrant Price, class/type and/or number of Shares and facts upon which such
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adjustment is based. The Company shall, upon written request from Holder, furnish Holder with an officer’s certificate of an authorized officer of the Company, including computations of such adjustment and the Warrant Price, Class and number of Shares in effect upon the date of such adjustment.
SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.
3.1Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Holder that all Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant, and all securities, if any, issuable upon conversion of the Common Shares, shall, upon issuance, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and free of any liens and encumbrances except for restrictions on transfer provided for herein or under applicable U.S. and Canadian federal, provincial and state securities laws. The Company covenants that it shall at all times cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued capital such number of Common Shares and other securities as will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of this Warrant.
3.2Notice of Certain Events. If the Company proposes at any time to:
(a) declare any dividend or distribution upon the outstanding shares in the capital of the Company, whether in cash, property, shares, or other securities and whether or not a regular cash dividend;
(b) offer for subscription or sale pro rata to the holders of the outstanding shares any additional shares (of any class or series) in the capital of the Company;
(c) effect any reclassification, exchange, combination, substitution, reorganization or recapitalization of the outstanding Common Shares; or
(d) effect an Acquisition or to liquidate, dissolve or wind up; or
then, in connection with each such event, the Company shall give Holder:
(1) in the case of the matters referred to in (a) and (b) above, at least seven (7) Business Days prior written notice of the earlier to occur of the effective date thereof or the date on which a record will be taken for such dividend, distribution, or subscription rights (and specifying the date on which the holders of outstanding Common Shares will be entitled thereto) or for determining rights to vote, if any; and
(2) in the case of the matters referred to in (c) and (d) above at least seven (7) Business Days prior written notice of the date when the same will take place (and specifying the date on which the holders of outstanding Common Shares will be entitled to exchange their shares for the securities or other property deliverable upon the occurrence of such event and such reasonable information as Holder may reasonably require regarding the treatment of this Warrant in connection with such event giving rise to the notice).
The Company will also provide information requested by Holder that is reasonably necessary to enable Holder to comply with Holder’s accounting or reporting requirements.
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES OF THE HOLDER.
The Holder represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
4.1Purchase for Own Account. This Warrant and the Shares to be acquired upon exercise of this Warrant by Holder are being acquired for investment for Holder’s account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the public resale or distribution within the meaning of the Act, the Securities Act (British Columbia) (the “Securities Act”) or any other applicable securities law in Canada. Holder also represents that it has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring this Warrant or the Shares.
4.2Disclosure of Information. Holder is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has received or has had full access to all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to make an informed
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investment decision with respect to the acquisition of this Warrant and its underlying securities. Holder further has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of this Warrant and its underlying securities and to obtain additional information (to the extent the Company possessed such information or could acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify any information furnished to Holder or to which Holder has access.
4.3Investment Experience. Holder understands that the purchase of this Warrant and its underlying securities involves substantial risk. Holder has experience as an investor in securities of companies in the development stage and acknowledges that Holder can bear the economic risk of such Holder’s investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that Holder is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities and/or has a preexisting personal or business relationship with the Company and certain of its officers, directors or controlling persons of a nature and duration that enables Holder to be aware of the character, business acumen and financial circumstances of such persons.
4.4Accredited Investor Status. Holder is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Act and of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions (“NI 45-106”), and is purchasing the Warrant pursuant to an exemption from the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.
4.5Registration Exemptions. Holder understands that this Warrant and the Shares issued upon exercise of this Warrant and any securities such Shares may be convertible or exchangeable into have not been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States or the securities commission of any state or any securities authority in any Province or Territory in Canada by reason of their issuance in a transaction either: (i) exempt from the registration requirements of the Act pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof or Rule 506 promulgated thereunder; or (ii) not subject to the registration requirements of the Act pursuant to Regulation S, nor have they been qualified by a prospectus under the laws of any province or territory of Canada and, accordingly, are subject to resale restrictions and may not be offered or sold except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Act or receipted final prospectus under provincial or territorial laws unless offered or sold pursuant to an available exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Act or the prospectus or other requirements of the laws of the applicable province or territory and in accordance with applicable state, provincial and territorial securities laws. In addition, Holder represents that it is familiar with Rule 144 promulgated pursuant to the Act and understands the resale limitations imposed hereby and by the Act. Holder understands that no public market presently exists for any securities of the Company, and there can be no assurance that any such market will be created.
4.6No Shareholder Rights. Without limiting any term or provision of this Warrant, Holder agrees that it will not have any rights as a shareholder of the Company (including, without limitation, voting rights) until the exercise of this Warrant.
SECTION 5. MISCELLANEOUS.
5.1Term; Automatic Cashless Exercise Upon Expiration.
(a) Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 1.6 above, this Warrant is exercisable in whole or in part at any time and from time to time on or before 6:00 PM, U.S. Pacific time, on the Expiration Date and shall be void thereafter.
(b)Automatic Cashless Exercise upon Expiration. In the event that, upon the Expiration Date, the Fair Market Value of one Share (or other security issuable upon the exercise hereof) as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above is greater than the Warrant Price in effect on such date, then this Warrant shall automatically be deemed on and as of such date to be exercised pursuant to Section 1.2 above as to all Shares (or such other securities) for which it shall not previously have been exercised, and the Company shall, within a reasonable time, deliver a certificate representing the Shares (or such other securities) issued upon such exercise to Holder.
5.2Legends.Each certificate evidencing Shares (and each certificate evidencing securities issued upon conversion of any Shares, if any) shall be imprinted with legends in substantially the following form:
THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY
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NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SAID ACT AND LAWS OR, IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER, SUCH OFFER, SALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM SUCH REGISTRATION.
DELIVERY OF THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT CONSTITUTE “GOOD DELIVERY” IN SETTLEMENT OF TRANSACTIONS ON STOCK EXCHANGES IN CANADA. A NEW CERTIFICATE, BEARING NO LEGEND, DELIVERY OF WHICH WILL CONSTITUTE "GOOD DELIVERY", MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY UPON DELIVERY OF THIS CERTIFICATE AND A DULY EXECUTED DECLARATION, IN FORM SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, TO THE EFFECT THAT THE SALE OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED.
If the Shares are issued prior to ________________, 2022:
[UNLESS PERMITTED UNDER SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY MUST NOT TRADE THE SECURITY BEFORE THE DATE THAT IS 4 MONTHS AND A DAY AFTER THE ISSUE DATE.
THE COMMON SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE LISTED ON THE TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE; HOWEVER, THE SAID SECURITIES CANNOT BE TRADED THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF SUCH EXCHANGE SINCE THEY ARE NOT FREELY TRANSFERABLE, AND CONSEQUENTLY ANY CERTIFICATE REPRESENTING SUCH SECURITIES IS NOT ‘GOOD DELIVERY’ IN SETTLEMENT OF TRANSACTIONS ON THE TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE.]
5.3Compliance with Securities Laws on Transfer. This Warrant and the Shares issued upon exercise of this Warrant (and the securities issuable, directly or indirectly, upon conversion of the Shares, if any) may not be transferred or assigned in whole or in part except in compliance with applicable U.S. and Canadian federal, provincial and state securities laws by the transferor and the transferee (including, without limitation, the delivery of investment representation letters and legal opinions reasonably satisfactory to the Company, as reasonably requested by the Company). The Company shall not require Holder to provide an opinion of counsel if the transfer is to an affiliate of Holder, provided that any such transferee is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Act and NI 45-106. Additionally, the Company shall also not require an opinion of counsel if there is no material question as to the availability of Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.
5.4 Transfer Procedure. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.3, the Holder and any subsequent Holder may transfer all or part of this Warrant or the Shares issued upon exercise of this Warrant (or the securities issuable upon conversion of the Shares, if any) to any transferee, provided, however, in connection with any such transfer any subsequent Holder will give the Company notice of the portion of the Warrant and/or Shares (and/or securities issuable upon conversion of the Shares) being transferred with the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the transferee and Holder will surrender this Warrant to the Company for reissuance to the transferee(s) (and Holder if applicable); and provided further, that any subsequent transferee shall agree in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Warrant.
5.5Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder from the Company to the Holder, or vice versa, shall be deemed delivered and effective (i) when given personally; (ii) on the third (3rd) Business Day after being mailed by first-class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid; (iii) upon actual receipt if given by facsimile or electronic mail and such receipt is confirmed in writing by the recipient; or (iv) on the first Business Day following delivery to a reliable overnight courier service, courier fee prepaid, in any case at such address as may have been furnished to the Company or Holder, as the case may be, in writing by the Company or such Holder from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.5. All notices to Holder shall be addressed as follows until the Company receives notice of a change of address in connection with a transfer or otherwise:
Petrichor Opportunities Fund I LP
885 Third Avenue, Suite 2403
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New York, NY 10022
Attn: Michael Beecham
Email: mbeecham@petrichorcap.com
With a copy to, which shall not constitute notice:
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
MetLife Building
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
Attn: Todd E. Bowen
Email: bowent@gtlaw.com
Notice to the Company shall be addressed as follows until Holder receives notice of a change in address:
Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc.
68 TW Alexander Drive
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Attn: Robert Andrade, CEO
EMAIL: randrade@fennecpharma.com
5.6Waiver. This Warrant and any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of such change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. Any such amendment under this Section 5.6 will be subject to the prior approval of Nasdaq and/or the TSX or of any regulator of any other Trading Market having jurisdiction.
5.7Attorneys’ Fees. In the event of any dispute between the parties concerning the terms and provisions of this Warrant, the party prevailing in such dispute shall be entitled to collect from the other party all costs incurred in such dispute, including reasonable legal fees. In addition, the Company shall pay any reasonable legal fees of the Holder in connection with the exercise of the Warrant.
5.8Counterparts; Facsimile/Electronic Signatures. This Warrant may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Any signature page delivered electronically or by facsimile shall be binding to the same extent as an original signature page with regards to any agreement subject to the terms hereof or any amendment thereto.
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5.9Governing Law. This Warrant shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the laws of Canada applicable therein.
5.10Headings. The headings in this Warrant are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning of any provision of this Warrant.
5.11Business Days. “Business Day” is any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which the banks in North Carolina are closed.
5.12Currency.As used herein, “$” and “dollars” shall refer to United States Dollars.
[Signature page follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Warrant to Purchase Common Shares to be executed by their duly authorized representatives effective as of the Issue Date written above.
“COMPANY”
FENNEC PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
By: _________________________________
Name: Robert Andrade
Title: CFO
“HOLDER”
PETRICHOR OPPORTUNITIES FUND I LP
by PETRICHOR OPPORTUNITIES FUND I GP LLC
By:_________________________________
Name: Tadd Wessel
Title: Managing Member
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APPENDIX 1
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
1.The undersigned Holder hereby exercises its right to purchase ___________ Common Shares (the “Shares”) in the capital of Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the “Company”) in accordance with the attached Warrant to Purchase Common Shares and tenders payment of the aggregate Warrant Price for such shares as follows:
[ ]check in the amount of $________ payable to order of the Company enclosed herewith
[ ]Wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Company’s account
[ ]Cashless Exercise pursuant to Section 1.2 of the Warrant
[ ]Other [Describe] __________________________________________
2.Please issue a certificate or certificates representing the Shares in the name specified below:
___________________________________________
Holder’s Name
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
(Address)
3. By its execution below and for the benefit of the Company, Holder hereby restates each of the representations and warranties in Section 4 of the Warrant to Purchase Common Shares as of the date hereof.
HOLDER:
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_________________________
By:________________________
Name: ________________________
Title: ________________________
Date:________________________
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Exhibit 99.1
FENNEC PHARMACEUTICALS ANNOUNCES SECOND CLOSING OF $20 MILLION INVESTMENT
FROM PETRICHOR
~Under the Terms of the Previously Announced Investment Agreement, $5 Million Already Funded Upon Initial Closing, Which Occurred on August 19, 2022, and $20 Million to be Funded Upon FDA Approval of PEDMARK® Which Occurred on September 20, 2022 ~
~ Fennec Has the Potential to Access an Additional $20 Million Prior to December 31, 2023 ~
Research Triangle Park, NC, September 26, 2022 – Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:FENC; TSX: FRX), a specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that it has completed the second closing of $20 million of senior secured promissory notes under our previously announced investment agreement with Petrichor Healthcare Capital Management. Under the terms of the original investment agreement, the second closing of $20 million was to be funded upon the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of PEDMARK® (sodium thiosulfate injection) by September 30, 2022 and satisfaction of other closing conditions. On September 20, 2022, the FDA approved the Company’s New Drug Application (NDA) for PEDMARK to reduce the risk of ototoxicity associated with cisplatin in pediatric patients one month of age and older with localized, non-metastatic solid tumors. Further, Fennec upon mutual agreement with Petrichor, may draw up to $20 million of additional financing under the investment agreement.
Further information concerning the investment agreement will be set forth in the Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on or about September 26, 2022. The offer and sale of the notes and the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes, if any, have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and the notes and such shares may not be offered or sold absent registration with the SEC, or an applicable exemption from registration requirements, or in a transaction not subject to, such registration requirements. Fennec is relying upon the exemption set forth in Section 602.1 of the TSX Company Manual, which provides that the TSX will not apply its standards to certain transactions involving eligible interlisted issuers on a recognized exchange, such as Nasdaq.
No regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved the contents of this press release. This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the notes or the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes, if any, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
About Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity
Cisplatin and other platinum compounds are essential chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of many pediatric malignancies. Unfortunately, platinum-based therapies can cause ototoxicity, or hearing loss, which is permanent, irreversible, and particularly harmful to the survivors of pediatric cancer.i
The incidence of ototoxicity depends upon the dose and duration of chemotherapy, and many of these children require lifelong hearing aids or cochlear implants, which can be helpful for some, but do not reverse the hearing loss and can be costly over time.ii Infants and young children that are affected by ototoxicity at critical stages of development lack speech and language development and literacy, and older children and adolescents often lack social-emotional development and educational achievement.iii
About PEDMARK® (sodium thiosulfate injection)
PEDMARK® is the first and only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved therapy indicated to reduce the risk of ototoxicity associated with cisplatin treatment in pediatric patients with localized, non-metastatic, solid tumors. It is a unique formulation of sodium thiosulfate in single-dose, ready-to-use vials for intravenous use in pediatric patients.iv PEDMARK® is also the only therapeutic agent with proven efficacy and safety data with an established dosing paradigm, across two open-label, randomized Phase 3 clinical studies, the Clinical Oncology Group (COG) Protocol ACCL0431 and SIOPEL 6.
In the U.S. and Europe, it is estimated that, annually, more than 10,000 children may receive platinum-based chemotherapy. The incidence of ototoxicity depends upon the dose and duration of chemotherapy, and many of these children require lifelong hearing aids. There is currently no established preventive agent for this hearing loss and only expensive, technically difficult, and sub-optimal cochlear (inner ear) implants have been shown to provide some benefit. Infants and young children that suffer ototoxicity at critical stages of development lack speech language development and literacy, and older children and adolescents lack social-emotional development and educational achievement.
Indications and Usage
PEDMARK® (sodium thiosulfate injection) is indicated to reduce the risk of ototoxicity associated with cisplatin in pediatric patients 1 month of age and older with localized, non-metastatic solid tumors.
Limitations of Use
The safety and efficacy of PEDMARK have not been established when administered following cisplatin infusions longer than 6 hours. PEDMARK may not reduce the risk of ototoxicity when administered following longer cisplatin infusions, because irreversible ototoxicity may have already occurred.
Important Safety Information
PEDMARK is contraindicated in patients with history of a severe hypersensitivity to sodium thiosulfate or any of its components.
Hypersensitivity reactions occurred in 8% to 13% of patients in clinical trials. Monitor patients for hypersensitivity reactions. Immediately discontinue PEDMARK and institute appropriate care if a hypersensitivity reaction occurs. Administer antihistamines or glucocorticoids (if appropriate) before each subsequent administration of PEDMARK. PEDMARK may contain sodium sulfite; patients with sulfite sensitivity may have hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or severe asthma episodes. Sulfite sensitivity is seen more frequently in people with asthma.
PEDMARK is not indicated for use in pediatric patients less than 1 month of age due to the increased risk of hypernatremia or in pediatric patients with metastatic cancers.
Hypernatremia occurred in 12% to 26% of patients in clinical trials, including a single Grade 3 case. Hypokalemia occurred in 15% to 27% of patients in clinical trials, with Grade 3 or 4 occurring in 9% to 27% of patients. Monitor serum sodium and potassium levels at baseline and as clinically indicated. Withhold PEDMARK in patients with baseline serum sodium greater than 145 mmol/L.
Monitor for signs and symptoms of hypernatremia and hypokalemia more closely if the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) falls below 60 mL/min/1.73m2.
Administer antiemetics prior to each PEDMARK administration. Provide additional antiemetics and supportive care as appropriate.
The most common adverse reactions (≥25% with difference between arms of >5% compared to cisplatin alone) in SIOPEL6 were vomiting, nausea, decreased hemoglobin, and hypernatremia. The most common adverse reaction (≥25% with difference between arms of >5% compared to cisplatin alone) in COG ACCL0431 was hypokalemia.
Please see full Prescribing Information for PEDMARK® at: www.PEDMARK.com
About Fennec Pharmaceuticals
Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of PEDMARK® for the prevention of platinum-induced ototoxicity in pediatric patients. Further, PEDMARK received FDA approval in September 2022 and has received Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. Fennec has a license agreement with Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) for exclusive worldwide license rights to intellectual property directed to sodium thiosulfate and its use for chemoprotection, including the prevention of ototoxicity induced by platinum chemotherapy, in humans. For more information, please visit www.fennecpharma.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Except for historical information described in this press release, all other statements are forward-looking. Words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” or the negative of those terms, and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements about our business strategy, timeline and other goals, plans and prospects, including our commercialization plans respecting PEDMARK®, the market opportunity for and market impact of PEDMARK®, its potential impact on patients and anticipated benefits associated with its use , and potential access to further funding after the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company’s business that could cause actual results to vary, including the risks and uncertainties that regulatory and guideline developments may change, scientific data and/or manufacturing capabilities may not be sufficient to meet regulatory standards or receipt of required regulatory clearances or approvals, clinical results may not be replicated in actual patient settings, unforeseen global instability, including political instability, or instability from an outbreak of pandemic or contagious disease, such as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), or surrounding the duration and severity of an outbreak, protection offered by the Company’s patents and patent applications may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented by its competitors, the available market for the Company’s products will not be as large as expected, the Company’s products will not be able to penetrate one or more targeted markets, revenues will not be sufficient to fund further development and clinical studies, our ability to obtain necessary capital when needed on acceptable terms or at all, the Company may not meet its future capital requirements in different countries and municipalities, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. Fennec disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law.
For a more detailed discussion of related risk factors, please refer to our public filings available at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com.
PEDMARK® and Fennec® are registered trademarks of Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc.
©2022 Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc. All rights reserved.
For further information, please contact:
Investors:
Robert Andrade
Chief Financial Officer
Fennec Pharmaceuticals Inc.
+1 919-246-5299
Corporate and Media:
Lindsay Rocco
Elixir Health Public Relations
+1 862-596-1304
lrocco@elixirhealthpr.com
i Rybak L. Mechanisms of Cisplatin Ototoxicity and Progress in Otoprotection. Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery. 2007, Vol. 15: 364 - 369
ii Landier W. Ototoxicity and Cancer Therapy. Cancer. June 2016 Vol. 122, No.11: 1647-1658.
iii Bass JK, Knight KR, Yock TI, et al. Evaluation and Management of Hearing Loss in Survivors of Childhood and Adolescent Cancers: A Report from the Children's Oncology Group. Pediatric Blood & Cancer. 2016 Jul;63(7):1152-1162.
iv PEDMARK® Prescribing Information. 11 Description.