Exhibit 99.1
Assembly Biosciences Announces $12.6 Million in Equity Financings
— Funding supports advancement of antiviral portfolio, including four candidates in clinical
development, and extends cash runway into Q1 2026 —
— Anticipated near term interim data read outs include ABI-5366 Phase 1a in 3Q24 and Phase
1b in 1H25, and ABI-4334 Phase 1b by end of 2024 —
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (“Assembly Bio”) (Nasdaq: ASMB), a biotechnology company developing innovative therapeutics targeting serious viral diseases, today announced that it has closed the issuance of shares of its common stock and warrants to Armistice Capital LLC (“Armistice Capital”), a healthcare-focused institutional investor, and Gilead Sciences, Inc. (“Gilead”), in separate equity financings that have resulted in aggregate gross proceeds to Assembly Bio of approximately $12.6 million, before deducting expenses.
The sale of common stock to Gilead maintains Gilead’s ownership of 19.9 percent of the outstanding voting stock of Assembly Bio as of the date of closing pursuant to the terms of the Investor Rights Agreement entered into between Assembly Bio and Gilead in October 2023 (the “Investor Rights Agreement”). Assembly Bio and Gilead have also agreed to extend the time period to satisfy certain conditions related to Assembly Bio’s right to require Gilead to increase its ownership from 19.9 percent up to 29.9 percent of Assembly Bio’s outstanding voting stock at a premium.
“The Armistice and Gilead investments strengthen our balance sheet as we look to deliver important interim clinical data readouts expected by the end of the year and continue to advance our novel pipeline,” said Jason Okazaki, chief executive officer and president of Assembly Bio. “In addition, the amendment of our equity agreement terms with Gilead reflects our companies’ shared commitment to the advancement of our collaboration candidates in the coming years, with four candidates expected to be in clinic this year.”
Assembly Bio sold 634,500 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to 634,500 shares to Armistice Capital, and sold 179,500 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to 179,500 shares to Gilead, in each case, at a combined price of $15.46 per share of common stock and accompanying warrant. The warrants have an exercise price of $17.00 per share of common stock, will be immediately exercisable and will expire on June 18, 2029.
Assembly Bio currently expects to use the net proceeds from the equity financings for general corporate purposes.