DALLAS, Aug. 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Taysha Gene Therapies, Inc. (Nasdaq: TSHA), a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on developing and commercializing AAV-based gene therapies for the treatment of monogenic diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), announced today that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement for a private placement financing that is expected to result in gross proceeds of approximately $150 million, before deducting placement agent commissions and offering expenses. The PIPE was led by new investor, RA Capital Management, with participation from a large institutional investor, PBM Capital, RTW Investments, LP, Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners, TCGX, Acuta Capital Partners, Kynam Capital Management, LP, Octagon Capital, Invus, GordonMD Global Investments LP, and B Group Capital.
“We are pleased by the support from this prestigious group of new and existing investors, which we believe highlights the enthusiasm of the early clinical readout of the first patient treated in our REVEAL trial and reinforces the potential of gene therapy to transform the lives of patients suffering from devastating diseases,” said Sean P. Nolan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Taysha. “We expect that the net proceeds from the PIPE, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents, will extend our cash runway into the third quarter of 2025 to primarily support the clinical development of TSHA-102 in Rett syndrome and provide support for TSHA-120 program activities in GAN, working capital and other general corporate purposes. With this capital infusion, we believe we are well positioned to continue to execute across key program milestones.”
In the PIPE, Taysha is selling an aggregate of 122,412,376 shares of its common stock at a price of $0.90 per share and, in lieu of common stock to certain investors, pre-funded warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 44,250,978 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $0.899 per pre-funded warrant. Each pre-funded warrant has an exercise price of $0.001 per share of common stock and is immediately exercisable and remains exercisable until exercised in full. The PIPE is being conducted in accordance with applicable Nasdaq rules and was priced to satisfy the “Minimum Price” requirement (as defined in the Nasdaq rules). The PIPE is expected to close by August 16, 2023, subject to customary closing conditions. The pre-funded warrants will only be exercisable upon receipt of stockholder approval of an increase in the authorized shares of Taysha’s common stock, which Taysha will first seek to obtain at an annual meeting of stockholders to be held by December 31, 2023.
Jefferies is acting as exclusive placement agent in the private placement.
The securities to be sold in this private placement, including the shares of common stock underlying the pre-funded warrants, have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. Taysha has agreed to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering the resale of the shares of common stock and the shares of common stock underlying the pre-funded warrants issued in the PIPE.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
About Taysha Gene Therapies
Taysha Gene Therapies (Nasdaq: TSHA) is on a mission to eradicate monogenic CNS disease. With a singular focus on developing curative medicines, we aim to rapidly translate our treatments from bench to bedside. We have combined our team’s proven experience in gene therapy drug development and commercialization with the world-class UT Southwestern Gene Therapy Program. Together, we leverage our fully integrated platform with a goal of dramatically improving patients’ lives. More information is available at www.tayshagtx.com.