Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-279719
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NO. 1
(To Prospectus dated June 4, 2024)
ZURA BIO LIMITED
Resale of Up To 41,596,750 Class A Ordinary Shares
This prospectus supplement updates and supplements the prospectus, dated June 4, 2024 (as supplemented to date, the “Prospectus”), which forms a part of our registration statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-279719). This prospectus supplement is being filed to update and supplement the information in the Prospectus with the information contained in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, 2024 (the “Quarterly Report”). Accordingly, we have attached the Quarterly Report to this prospectus supplement.
The Prospectus and this prospectus supplement relate to the resale from time to time by the selling securityholders named in the Prospectus or their permitted transferees (collectively, the “Selling Securityholders”) of up to an aggregate of 41,596,750 Class A ordinary shares of Zura Bio Limited (“we” or “Zura”), a Cayman Islands exempted company, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class A Ordinary Shares”), which consists of (i) 20,090,128 Class A Ordinary Shares issued by Zura at the closing of our private placement on April 22, 2024, (ii) 16,102,348 Class A Ordinary Shares issuable upon the exercise of pre-funded warrants to purchase Class A Ordinary Shares (“2024 Pre-Funded Warrants”) issued by Zura at the closing of our private placement on April 22, 2024 and (iii) 5,404,274 Class A Ordinary Shares registrable by Zura pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 20, 2023 by and among Zura, JATT Ventures, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (the “Sponsor”) and other signatories party thereto (the “A&R Registration Rights Agreement”) granting such holders registration rights with respect to such shares. The Class A Ordinary Shares held by the Selling Securityholders and underlying the 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants held by the Selling Securityholders and registered by the Prospectus are referred to herein as the “Registrable Securities.” While we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Registrable Securities by the Selling Securityholders, we will receive proceeds from the exercise of any 2024 Pre-Funded Warrants for cash. Additional details regarding the securities to which the Prospectus relates and the Selling Securityholders is set forth in the Prospectus under “Information Related to Offered Securities” and “Selling Securityholders.”
This prospectus supplement updates and supplements the information in the Prospectus and is not complete without, and may not be delivered or utilized except in combination with, the Prospectus, including any amendments or supplements thereto. This prospectus supplement is qualified by reference to the Prospectus, including any amendments or supplements thereto, except to the extent that the information in this prospectus supplement updates and supersedes the information contained therein.
The sale of the Registrable Securities being offered in the Prospectus could result in a significant decline in the public trading price of our securities. Our public shares and public warrants are currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbols “ZURA” and “ZURAW,” respectively. On August 12, 2024, the closing price of our Class A Ordinary Shares on Nasdaq was $3.37. See “Risk Factors─Sales and issuances of our Class A Ordinary Shares and future exercise of warrants or registration rights, could result in additional dilution of the percentage ownership of our shareholders and could cause the price of our securities to decline.”
You should read the Prospectus and any prospectus supplement or amendment carefully before you invest in our securities.
We are an “emerging growth company” under applicable federal securities laws and will be subject to reduced public company reporting requirements.
INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS THAT ARE DESCRIBED IN THE “RISK FACTORS” SECTION BEGINNING ON PAGE 15 OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities to be issued under this prospectus or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is August 13, 2024.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2024
OR
☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO |
Commission File Number 001-40598
ZURA BIO LIMITED
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
Cayman Islands | 98-1725736 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
1489 W. Warm Springs Rd. #110 Henderson, NV | 89014 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (702) 757-6133
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| | | ||
| | | ||
Title of each class |
| Trading Symbol(s) |
| Name of each exchange on which registered |
Class A Ordinary Shares | | ZURA | | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (The Nasdaq Capital Market) |
Warrants | | ZURAW | | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (The Nasdaq Capital Market) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
| | | |
Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ |
| | | |
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. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of August 13, 2024, the registrant had 67,207,088 Class A Ordinary Shares and 2,025,988 Public Warrants outstanding.
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | | 23 | |
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2
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our and our management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward- looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
The forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of the Company and its management thereof and are inherently subject to uncertainties and changes in circumstances and their potential effects and speak only as of the date of such statement. There can be no assurance that future developments will be those that have been anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:
● | our expectations regarding our product candidates and their related benefits, and our beliefs regarding competing product candidates and products both in development and approved, may not be achieved; |
● | our vision and strategy may not be successful; |
● | the timing of key events and initiation of our studies and release of clinical data may take longer than anticipated or may not be achieved at all; |
● | expectations regarding the potential general acceptability and maintenance of our product candidates by regulatory authorities, payors, physicians, and patients may not be achieved; |
● | we may be unable to attract and retain key personnel; |
● | expectations with respect to our future operating expenses, capital requirements and needs for additional financing may not be achieved; |
● | we have not completed any clinical trials, and have no products approved for commercial sale; |
● | we have incurred significant losses since inception, and expect to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future and may not be able to achieve or sustain profitability in the future; |
● | we require substantial additional capital to finance our operations, and if we are unable to raise such capital when needed or on acceptable terms, we may be forced to delay, reduce, and/or eliminate one or more of its development programs or future commercialization efforts; |
● | we may be unable to renew existing contracts or enter into new contracts; |
● | we rely on third-party contract development manufacturing organizations for the manufacture of clinical materials; |
● | we rely on contract research organizations, clinical trial sites, and other third parties to conduct our preclinical studies and clinical trials; |
● | we may be unable to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates, and there may be related restrictions or limitations of any approved products; |
● | we may be unable to successfully respond to general economic and geopolitical conditions; |
● | we may be unable to effectively manage growth; |
3
● | we face competitive pressures from other companies worldwide; |
● | we may be unable to adequately protect our intellectual property rights; and |
● | other factors set forth in documents filed, or to be filed, with the SEC. |
Additional discussion of the risks, uncertainties and other factors described above, as well as other risks material to our business, can be found under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible to predict all such risk factors, nor can Zura assess the impact of all such risk factors on the business of Zura or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures, investments or other transactions we may execute.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. You should not put undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, reflect the beliefs and opinions of Zura on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to Zura as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and while Zura believes such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and statements should not be read to indicate that Zura has conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. All forward-looking statements attributable to Zura or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. Zura undertakes no obligations to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
4
Zura Bio Limited
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share data)
|
| June 30, |
| December 31, | ||
| | 2024 | | 2023 | ||
| | (unaudited) | | | | |
Assets | | | | | | |
Current assets: |
| | | | |
|
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 188,443 | | $ | 99,806 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | 1,032 | | | 1,037 |
Total current assets | | | 189,475 | | | 100,843 |
Property and equipment, net | | | 25 | | | — |
Total assets | | $ | 189,500 | | $ | 100,843 |
| | | | | | |
Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Shareholders’ Equity | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | | $ | 15,073 | | $ | 20,302 |
Total current liabilities | | | 15,073 | | | 20,302 |
Private placement warrants | | | 2,364 | | | 990 |
Total liabilities | | | 17,437 | | | 21,292 |
| | | | | | |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Redeemable noncontrolling interest | | | 14,000 | | | 18,680 |
| | | | | | |
Shareholders’ Equity: | | | | | | |
Preferred shares, $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000 authorized as of June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023; -0- issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023 | | | — | | | — |
Class A Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023; 63,683,806 and 43,593,678 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively | | | 6 | | | 4 |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 278,086 | | | 162,820 |
Accumulated deficit | | | (121,570) | | | (103,494) |
Total Zura Bio Limited shareholders’ equity | | | 156,522 | | | 59,330 |
Noncontrolling interest | | | 1,541 | | | 1,541 |
Total shareholders’ equity | | | 158,063 | | | 60,871 |
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and shareholders’ equity | | $ | 189,500 | | $ | 100,843 |
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
Zura Bio Limited
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| | For the Three Months Ended | | For the Six Months Ended | ||||||||
| | June 30, | | June 30, | ||||||||
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
| 2023 | ||||
Operating expenses: |
| | | | | | | |
| | |
|
Research and development | | $ | 5,539 | | $ | 28,230 | | $ | 9,132 | | $ | 33,114 |
General and administrative | | | 6,220 | | | 5,675 | |
| 11,006 | |
| 8,510 |
Total operating expenses | | | 11,759 | | | 33,905 | |
| 20,138 | |
| 41,624 |
Loss from operations | | | (11,759) | | | (33,905) | |
| (20,138) | |
| (41,624) |
Other (income)/expense, net: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other (income)/expense | | | (2) | | | (7) | | | (25) | | | 3 |
Interest income | | | (2,196) | | | — | | | (3,411) | | | (1) |
Dividend income | | | — | | | (405) | | | — | | | (405) |
Change in fair value of private placement warrants | | | 768 | | | 532 | | | 1,374 | | | 355 |
Change in fair value of note payable | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 2,244 |
Total other (income)/expense, net | | | (1,430) | | | 120 | | | (2,062) | | | 2,196 |
Loss before income taxes | | | (10,329) | | | (34,025) | | | (18,076) | | | (43,820) |
Income tax benefit | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
Net loss before redeemable noncontrolling interest | | | (10,329) | | | (34,025) | | | (18,076) | | | (43,820) |
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 203 |
Net loss | | | (10,329) | | | (34,025) | | | (18,076) | | | (43,617) |
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest to redemption value | | | (2,337) | | | — | | | (2,337) | | | (203) |
Deemed dividend to redeemable noncontrolling interest | | | — | | | (10,875) | | | — | | | (10,875) |
Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interest from redemption value to carrying value | | | — | | | — | | | 7,017 | | | — |
Net loss attributable to Class A Ordinary Shareholders of Zura | | $ | (12,666) | | $ | (44,900) | | $ | (13,396) | | $ | (54,695) |
Net loss per share attributable to Class A Ordinary Shareholders of Zura, basic and diluted | | $ | (0.17) | | $ | (1.31) | | $ | (0.22) | | $ | (2.88) |
Weighted-average Class A Ordinary Shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to Class A Ordinary Shareholders of Zura, basic and diluted | | | 74,947,369 | | | 34,303,125 | |
| 60,930,956 | |
| 19,012,464 |
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
Zura Bio Limited
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Convertible Preferred Shares and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share data)
|
| Redeemable |
| Convertible Preferred |
|
| Class A |
| Additional |
| | | | | |
| Total | |||||||||
| | Noncontrolling | | Shares(1) | | | Ordinary Shares(1) | | Paid-in | | Accumulated | | Noncontrolling | | Shareholders’ | |||||||||||
|
| Interest |
| Shares |
| Amount |
|
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Capital |
| Deficit |
| Interest |
| Equity (Deficit) | |||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2023 | | $ | 18,680 |
| — | | | — | |
| 43,593,678 | | | 4 | | | 162,820 | | | (103,494) | | | 1,541 | | | 60,871 |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | | | | |
| |
Issuance of Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with April 2024 Private Placement, net of $7.2 million of transaction costs | |
| — |
| — | |
| — | |
| 20,090,128 | |
| 2 | |
| 55,221 | |
| — | | | — | |
| 55,223 |
Issuance of Pre-Funded Warrants in connection with April 2024 Private Placement | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 50,030 | | | — | | | — | | | 50,030 |
Share-based compensation | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 5,335 | | | — | | | — | | | 5,335 |
Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interest from redemption value to carrying value | | | (7,017) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 7,017 | | | — | | | — | | | 7,017 |
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest to redemption value | | | 2,337 | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (2,337) | | | — | | | — | | | (2,337) |
Net loss | |
| — |
| — | |
| — | |
| — | |
| — | |
| — | |
| (18,076) | | | — | |
| (18,076) |
Balance as of June 30, 2024 | | $ | 14,000 |
| — | | | — | |
| 63,683,806 | | | 6 | | | 278,086 | | | (121,570) | | | 1,541 | | | 158,063 |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | | | | |
| |
Balance as of December 31, 2022 | | $ | 10,000 |
| 13,510,415 | | $ | 12,500 | |
| 279,720 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | (32,056) | | $ | — | | $ | (32,056) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of Series A-1 convertible preferred shares as license compensation | |
| — |
| 267,939 | |
| 2,186 | |
| — | |
| — | |
| — | |
| — | | | — | |
| — |
Conversion of Series A-1 convertible preferred shares to Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with Business Combination | |
| — |
| (13,778,354) | |
| (14,686) | |
| 13,778,354 | |
| 2 | |
| 14,684 | |
| — | | | — | |
| 14,686 |
Issuance of Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with Business Combination, including PIPE Investment, Forward Purchase Investment, and Backstop Shares, net of $4.0 million of transaction costs | | | — | | — | | | — | | | 12,444,081 | | | 1 | | | 48,350 | | | — | | | — | | | 48,351 |
Issuance of Class A Ordinary Shares to settle research and development license consideration liability | | | — | | — | | | — | | | 550,000 | | | — | | | 4,488 | | | — | | | — | | | 4,488 |
Reclassification of public warrant liability to equity | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 2,001 | | | — | | | — | | | 2,001 |
Issuance of Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with April 2023 Private Placement, net of $9.8 million of transaction costs | | | — | | — | | | — | | | 15,041,530 | | | 1 | | | 54,133 | | | — | | | — | | | 54,134 |
Issuance of Pre-Funded Warrants in connection with April 2023 Private Placement | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 16,070 | | | — | | | — | | | 16,070 |
Issuance of Class A Ordinary Shares to Lilly in connection with 2023 Lilly License | | | — | | — | | | — | | | 1,000,000 | | | — | | | 7,840 | | | — | | | — | | | 7,840 |
Issuance of Restricted share awards | | | | | | | | | | | 499,993 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share-based compensation | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 8,088 | | | — | | | — | | | 8,088 |
Net loss | | | (203) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (43,617) | | | — | | | (43,617) |
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest to redemption value | | | 203 | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (203) | | | — | | | (203) |
Stone Peach Call Right issued to noncontrolling interest | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1,541 | | | 1,541 |
Deemed dividend to redeemable noncontrolling interest | | | 10,875 | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (10,875) | | | — | | | (10,875) |
Balance as of June 30, 2023 | | $ | 20,875 | | — | | $ | — | | | 43,593,678 | | $ | 4 | | $ | 155,654 | | $ | (86,751) | | $ | 1,541 | | $ | 70,448 |
7
| | Redeemable | | Convertible | | | Class A | | Additional | | | | | | | Total | ||||||||||
| | Noncontrolling | | Preferred Shares(1) | | | Ordinary Shares(1) | | Paid-in | | Accumulated | | Noncontrolling | | Shareholders’ | |||||||||||
|
| Interest |
| Shares |
| Amount |
|
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Capital |
| Deficit |
| Interest |
| Equity (Deficit) | |||||||
Balance as of March 31, 2024 |
| $ | 11,663 | | — | | | — | |
| 43,593,678 | | | 4 | | | 172,246 | | | (111,241) | | | 1,541 | | | 62,550 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with April 2024 Private Placement, net of $7.2 million of transaction costs |
| | — | | — | |
| — | |
| 20,090,128 | |
| 2 | | | 55,221 | |
| — | | | — | |
| 55,223 |
Issuance of Pre-Funded Warrants in connection with April 2024 Private Placement |
| | — | | — | |
| — | |
| — | |
| — | | | 50,030 | |
| — | | | — | |
| 50,030 |
Share-based compensation |
| | — | | — | |
| — | |
| — | |
| — | | | 2,926 | |
| — | | | — | |
| 2,926 |
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest to redemption value | | | 2,337 | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (2,337) | | | — | | | — | | | (2,337) |
Net loss | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | | | | (10,329) | | | — | | | (10,329) |
Balance as of June 30, 2024 | | $ | 14,000 | | — | | | — | | | 63,683,806 | | | 6 | | | 278,086 | | | (121,570) | | | 1,541 | | | 158,063 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of March 31, 2023 | | $ | 10,000 | | — | | | — | | | 27,052,155 | | | 3 | | | 69,703 | | | (41,851) | | | — | | | 27,855 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with April 2023 Private Placement, net of $9.8 million of transaction costs | | | — | | — | | | — | | | 15,041,530 | | | 1 | | | 54,133 | | | — | | | — | | | 54,134 |
Issuance of Pre-Funded Warrants in connection with April 2023 Private Placement | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 16,070 | | | — | | | — | | | 16,070 |
Issuance of Class A Ordinary Shares to Lilly in connection with 2023 Lilly License | | | — | | — | | | — | | | 1,000,000 | | | — | | | 7,840 | | | — | | | — | | | 7,840 |
Issuance of Restricted share awards | | | — | | — | | | — | | | 499,993 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | |
Share-based compensation | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 7,908 | | | — | | | — | | | 7,908 |
Net loss | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (34,025) | | | — | | | (34,025) |
Stone Peach Call Right issued to noncontrolling interest | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1,541 | | | 1,541 |
Deemed dividend to redeemable noncontrolling interest |
| | 10,875 | | — | |
| — | |
| — | |
| — | | | — | |
| (10,875) | | | — | |
| (10,875) |
Balance as of June 30, 2023 |
| $ | 20,875 | | — | | $ | — | |
| 43,593,678 | | $ | 4 | | $ | 155,654 | | $ | (86,751) | | $ | 1,541 | | $ | 70,448 |
(1) The Company’s convertible preferred shares and Class A Ordinary Shares prior to the closing of the Business Combination (as defined in Note 1) have been retroactively restated to reflect the exchange ratio of approximately 108.083 established in the Business Combination Agreement as described in Note 6.
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
8
Zura Bio Limited
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
| | For the Six | ||||
| | Months Ended | ||||
| | June 30, | ||||
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 | ||
Cash flows from operating activities |
| | | | |
|
Net loss before redeemable noncontrolling interest | | $ | (18,076) | | $ | (43,820) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | | | | |
| |
Research and development acquired license | | | — | |
| 27,381 |
Anti-dilution share issuance compensation | | | — | | | 2,186 |
Share-based compensation expense | | | 5,335 | |
| 2,498 |
Change in fair value of note payable | | | — | |
| 2,244 |
Change in fair value of research and development license consideration liability | | | — | |
| 1,854 |
Change in fair value of private placement warrants | | | 1,374 | |
| 355 |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 1 | |
| — |
Foreign exchange transaction (gain)/loss | | | (25) | |
| 6 |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | |
| |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | 5 | |
| (321) |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | | | (213) | |
| (813) |
Net cash used in operating activities | | | (11,599) | |
| (8,430) |
Cash flows from investing activities | | | | |
| |
Purchase of fixed assets | | | (17) | | | — |
Purchase of research and development license | | | (5,000) | | | (5,750) |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (5,017) | |
| (5,750) |
Cash flows from financing activities | | | | | | |
Proceeds from issuance of Ordinary Shares in connection with April 2024 Private Placement, net of $7.2 million of transaction costs | | | 55,223 | | | — |
Proceeds from issuance of Pre-Funded Warrants in connection with April 2024 Private Placement | | | 50,030 | |
| — |
Proceeds from issuance of Ordinary Shares in connection with April 2023 Private Placement, net of $0.1 million of transaction costs | | | — | | | 63,846 |
Proceeds from issuance of Class A Ordinary Shares upon Closing of Business Combination | | | — | | | 56,683 |
Proceeds from issuance of Pre-Funded Warrants in connection with April 2023 Private Placement | | | — | | | 16,070 |
Settlement of note payable | | | — | | | (10,000) |
Payment of deferred transaction costs | | | — | | | (1,184) |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | 105,253 | | | 125,415 |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | | | 88,637 | | | 111,235 |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | | 99,806 | | | 1,567 |
Cash and cash equivalents, ending of period | | $ | 188,443 | | $ | 112,802 |
| | | | | | |
Supplemental Disclosure | | | | | | |
Cash paid for taxes | | $ | — | | $ | — |
Cash paid for interest | | $ | — | | $ | — |
| | | | | | |
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities | | | | | | |
Conversion of Series A-1 convertible preferred shares for Class A Ordinary Shares | | $ | — | | $ | 14,686 |
Accrued 2023 Lilly License consideration | | $ | — | | $ | 12,250 |
Deemed dividend to redeemable noncontrolling interest | | $ | — | | $ | 10,875 |
Issuance of Class A Ordinary shares for 2023 Lilly License | | $ | — | | $ | 7,840 |
Adjustments to redeemable noncontrolling interest from redemption value to carrying value | | $ | 7,017 | | $ | — |
Share-based equity issuance costs | | $ | — | | $ | 5,590 |
Settlement of research and development license consideration liability | | $ | — | | $ | 4,488 |
Transaction costs include in accounts payable and accrued expenses | | $ | — | | $ | 4,122 |
Reclassification of deferred offering costs to additional paid-in capital | | $ | — | | $ | 4,015 |
Assumption of public and private placement warrants in connection with Business Combination | | $ | — | | $ | 3,715 |
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest to redemption value | | $ | 2,337 | | $ | — |
Reclassification of public warrant liability to equity | | $ | — | | $ | 2,001 |
Issuance of Call Right to noncontrolling interest | | $ | — | | $ | 1,541 |
Purchase of property and equipment included in accounts payable and accrued expenses | | $ | 9 | | $ | — |
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
9
Zura Bio Limited
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
1. | Organization and Description of Business |
Zura Bio Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company, formerly known as JATT Acquisition Corp (“JATT”), together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “Zura” or “Zura Bio”), is a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing immunology assets into Phase 2 development programs, including crebankitug (ZB-168), a fully anti-IL7Ra monoclonal antibody, which it has licensed from Pfizer, Inc. (“Pfizer”), as well as torudokimab (ZB-880), a high affinity monoclonal antibody, and tibulizumab (ZB-106), a bispecific antibody relating to IL-17 and BAFF, which it has licensed from Eli Lilly and Company (“Lilly”). The Company’s accounting predecessor, Zura Bio Limited (herein referred to as “Legacy Zura”), was formed in the United Kingdom (“UK”) on January 18, 2022 (“Inception”).
Business Combination
On March 20, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), the Company consummated the previously announced business combination (the “Business Combination”), pursuant to the terms of a business combination agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement”), dated as of June 16, 2022 (as amended on September 20, 2022, November 14, 2022, and January 13, 2023), by and among JATT, JATT Merger Sub, JATT Merger Sub 2, Zura Bio Holdings Ltd. (“Holdco”), and Legacy Zura. Pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, (a) before the closing of the Business Combination, Holdco was established as a new holding company of Legacy Zura and became a party to the Business Combination Agreement; and (b) on the Closing, in sequential order: (i) Merger Sub merged with and into Holdco, with Holdco continuing as the surviving company and a wholly owned subsidiary of JATT; (ii) immediately following the Merger, Holdco merged with and into Merger Sub 2, with Merger Sub 2 continuing as the surviving company and a wholly owned subsidiary of JATT; and (iii) JATT changed its name to “Zura Bio Limited”.
The Business Combination has been accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, with Legacy Zura being the accounting acquirer and JATT as the acquired company for accounting purposes. Accordingly, all historical financial information presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements represent the accounts of Legacy Zura. The shares and net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders of Legacy Zura prior to the Closing Date have been retroactively restated as shares reflecting the exchange ratio established in the Business Combination Agreement.
Prior to the Business Combination, JATT’s public shares, public warrants, and public units were listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbols “JATT,” “JATT.WS,” and “JATT.U,” respectively. On March 20, 2023, the Company’s Class A ordinary shares (“Class A Ordinary Shares”) and public warrants began trading on the Nasdaq under the symbols “ZURA” and “ZURAW,” respectively.
Emerging Growth Company Status
The Company is an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act until such time as those standards apply to private companies. The Company has elected to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, and as a result of this election, the consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) standards’ effective dates. The Company may take advantage of these exemptions up until the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of an offering or such earlier time that it is no longer an emerging growth company. The Company expects to no longer be an emerging growth company effective December 31, 2026.
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2. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements (the “condensed consolidated financial statements”) have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the accounts of its consolidated subsidiaries. Other shareholders’ interests in the Company’s subsidiaries, Z33 Bio, Inc. (“Z33”) and ZB17 LLC (“ZB17”), are shown in the condensed consolidated financial statements as redeemable noncontrolling interest and noncontrolling interest, respectively. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. If necessary, reclassification of amounts previously reported have been made in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements in order to conform to current presentation.
These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP applicable to interim financial statements. These condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and do not include all disclosures normally required in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. As such, the information included herein should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023 (the “audited consolidated financial statements”) that were included in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024. In management’s opinion, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the annual consolidated financial statements and reflect all adjustments, which include normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair statement of the Company’s financial position as of June 30, 2024 and the results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 and for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2024 or any other future interim or annual period.
Significant Accounting Policies
Except for the addition of property and equipment, there have been no significant changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies from those that were disclosed in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates and assumptions reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements relate to and include, but are not limited to, the fair value of Class A Ordinary Shares and other assumptions used to measure share-based compensation, the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest, and the fair value of public and private placement warrants.
Risks and Uncertainties
The Company is subject to risks common to early-stage companies in the biotechnology industry, including, but not limited to, development by the Company or its competitors of technological innovations, risks of failure of clinical studies, dependence on key personnel, protection of proprietary technology, compliance with government regulations, and ability to transition from preclinical manufacturing to commercial production of products.
The Company’s future product candidates will require approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and comparable foreign regulatory agencies prior to commercial sales in their respective jurisdictions. There can be no assurance that any product candidates will receive the necessary approvals. If the Company was denied approval, approval was delayed or the Company was unable to maintain approval for any product candidate, it could have a material adverse impact on the Company.
The Company has significant cash balances at financial institutions which throughout the year regularly exceed the federally insured limit of $250,000. Any loss incurred or a lack of access to such funds could have a significant adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
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Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is recognized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of each asset. Computer and office equipment are depreciated over three years. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are recorded to expense as incurred.
Net Loss Per Share
Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to Class A Ordinary Shareholders by the weighted-average number of Class A Ordinary Shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share excludes the potential impact of the Company’s convertible preferred shares and options to purchase Class A Ordinary Shares because their effect would be anti-dilutive due to the Company’s net loss for the period presented. Since the Company had a net loss in the period presented, basic and diluted net loss per share are the same.
The table below provides potentially dilutive securities not included in the calculation of the diluted net loss per share because to do so would be anti-dilutive:
| | June 30, | | June 30, |
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
Shares issuable upon exercise of the public and private placement to purchase Class A Ordinary Shares | | 12,809,996 | | 12,809,996 |
Shares issuable upon exercise of options to purchase Class A Ordinary Shares | | 9,975,424 | | 5,681,471 |
Shares issuable upon exercise of Z33 Series Seed Preferred Shares Put Right | | 2,000,000 | | — |
Restricted share units | | 1,131,970 | | 898,018 |
Restricted share awards | | 374,995 | | 499,993 |
Shares issuable upon exercise of Z33 Series Seed Preferred Shares call option | | — | | 2,000,000 |
Total | | 26,292,385 | | 21,889,478 |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or other standard setting bodies and adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows upon adoption.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (“ASU 2023-07”). ASU 2023-07 requires disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included within the segment measure of profit or loss. This guidance will be applied retrospectively and is effective for annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2024. The Company does not expect implementation of the new guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. ASU 2023-09 requires annual disclosures of specific categories in the rate reconciliation, additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold and a disaggregation of income taxes paid, net of refunds. ASU 2023-09 also eliminates certain existing disclosure requirements related to uncertain tax positions and unrecognized deferred tax liabilities. ASU 2023-09 is effective for the Company beginning with the 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Early adoption is permitted. ASU 2023-09 should be applied prospectively. Retrospective adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact this standard will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
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3. | Fair Value Measurements |
The Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company determines fair value based upon the exit price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants, as determined by either the principal market or the most advantageous market. Inputs used in the valuation techniques to derive fair values are classified based on a three-level hierarchy. These levels are:
Level 1: Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date;
Level 2: Inputs are observable, unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the related assets or liabilities; and
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities that are supported by little or no market data.
Financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, prepaid and other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses, and private placement warrants. The carrying values of the Company’s cash, prepaid and other current assets, and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.
The following table presents information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, and the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized.
|
| June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||
|
| Level 1 |
| Level 2 |
| Level 3 |
| Total | ||||
Financial assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash equivalents | | $ | 186,814 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 186,814 |
Financial liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Private placement warrants | | $ | — | | $ | 2,364 | | $ | — | | $ | 2,364 |
| | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
|
| Level 1 |
| Level 2 |
| Level 3 |
| Total | ||||
Financial assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash equivalents | | $ | 97,913 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 97,913 |
Financial liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Private placement warrants | | $ | — | | $ | 990 | | $ | — | | $ | 990 |
There were no transfers into or out of Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024.
Note payable
On December 8, 2022, the Company received $7.6 million in net proceeds from the issuance of a promissory note (the “Note”) issued to Hydra, LLC (“Hydra”) with a face amount of $8.0 million. The Note was repaid on March 20, 2023, upon the consummation of the Business Combination. The Company elected to account for the Note at fair value. Upon the Closing Date of the Business Combination, the Note was remeasured to the settlement value and subsequently repaid for a total of $10.0 million. The Company recorded a loss on remeasurement of the Note of $2.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 within change in fair value of note payable in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The Note was no longer outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Research and development license consideration
As consideration for the 2022 Lilly License (see Note 5), Lilly agreed to receive either 550,000 Zura Class A Ordinary Shares upon the closing of the Business Combination (subject to certain lock-up provisions) or 4,702,867 shares of Z33 Series Seed Preferred Shares (the subsidiary redeemable preferred shares) if the Business Combination was not consummated. The arrangement was liability classified and remeasured at fair value at each reporting date (the research and development license consideration liability).
13
Upon the Closing Date of the Business Combination, the liability was remeasured to its settlement value and subsequently settled through the issuance of 550,000 Class A Ordinary Shares of Zura. The aggregate fair value of the Class A Ordinary Shares of Zura issued to Lilly was determined to be $4.5 million, or $8.16 per share. The Company recorded a loss on the remeasurement of the research and development license consideration liability of $1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023 within research and development in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The research and development license consideration liability was no longer outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Private Placement Warrants
As of June 30, 2024, the Company has private placement warrants (see Note 7). Such warrants are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Because the transfer of private placement warrants to non-permitted transferees would result in the private placement warrants having substantially the same terms as the public warrants, the Company determined that the fair value of each private placement warrant is consistent with that of a public warrant. Accordingly, the private placement warrants are classified as Level 2 financial instruments. The following table provides a summary of changes in the estimated fair value of the private placement warrants:
| | For the six | |
| | months ended | |
|
| June 30, 2024 | |
Balance at December 31, 2023 | | $ | 990 |
Change in fair value | |
| 1,374 |
Balance at June 30, 2024 | | $ | 2,364 |
The Company recorded a loss from the change in fair value of the private placement warrants of $0.8 million and $1.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively, and a gain of $0.5 million and loss of $0.4 million, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively, within change in fair value of private placement warrants on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
4. | Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses is comprised of the following as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
|
| June 30, 2024 |
| December 31, 20231 | ||
Accrued research and development costs | | $ | 7,149 | | $ | 6,091 |
Accrued 2023 Lilly License costs | | | 5,000 | | | 10,000 |
Accounts payable | |
| 990 | | | 2,749 |
Accrued bonus | |
| 837 | | | 1,201 |
Accrued severance | | | 696 | | | — |
Other accrued expenses | | | 401 | | | 261 |
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses | | $ | 15,073 | | $ | 20,302 |
(1) | Comparative figures have been reclassified to conform with current period presentation. |
5. | License Agreements |
Pfizer
On March 22, 2022, the Company entered into a license agreement and a Series A-1 Subscription and Shareholder’s Agreement (collectively, the “Pfizer Agreement”) with Pfizer. The Company is obligated to make 11 future development and regulatory milestone payments aggregating up to $70.0 million and sales milestone payments up to an aggregate of $525.0 million based on respective thresholds of net sales of products (developed from the licensed compound) (the “Products”), if any. The Company will also pay an annual earned royalty at a marginal royalty rate in the mid-single digits to low double digits (less than 20%), based on thresholds of net sales of Products, if any. Royalties are payable on a country-by-country basis for a certain period of years or upon the later expiration of regulatory exclusivity of the Company’s Products in a country.
14
The Company is also subject to a potential multi-million dollar transaction payment obligation if, within a certain period the Company has (a) certain changes in control, excluding an initial public offering or any business combination where the securities of the Company are listed on a stock exchange (e.g., a transaction with a special purpose acquisition company), or (b) the Company sublicenses or divests of its rights to the Products.
The Company recognized the first $1.0 million development milestone as a component of research and development in the consolidated statement of operations during the year ended December 31, 2023. This amount due is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2024. The Company does not owe any other amounts under the Pfizer Agreement as of June 30, 2024.
Lonza
In July 2022, the Company entered into a license agreement (the “Lonza License”) with Lonza Sales AG (“Lonza”) for a worldwide non-exclusive license for Lonza’s gene expression system in exchange for varying considerations depending on a number of factors such as whether the Company enters further into manufacturing agreements with Lonza or with a third party, and whether the Company enters into sublicense agreements with third parties (including up to middle six-figure annual payments per sublicense upon commencement of a sublicense, as well as royalties of up to low-single digit percentages of net sales of certain products over a commercially standard double-digit multi-year term). The Lonza License will remain in effect until terminated. The Company is free to terminate the Lonza License at any time upon 60 days’ notice, with or without cause. Lonza may terminate the Lonza License for cause upon a breach by the Company or for other commercially standard reasons.
During October 2023, the Company began drug substance manufacturing with a third party. As a result of manufacturing with a third party other than Lonza, under the terms of the Lonza License the first annual milestone payment of $0.4 million became due and was paid during the six months ended June 30, 2024. The Company recorded this payment within research and development expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
2022 Lilly License
On December 8, 2022, the Company’s consolidated subsidiary, Z33 Bio Inc. (“Z33”), entered into a license agreement (the “2022 Lilly License”) with Lilly pursuant to which Lilly granted Z33 an exclusive (even as to Lilly), royalty-bearing global license to develop, manufacture, and commercialize certain intellectual property owned by Lilly relating to its IL-33 compound.
As a finder’s fee in connection with arranging the acquisition, Z33 issued to Stone Peach Properties, LLC (“Stone Peach”) 4,900,222 shares of Z33 Series Seed Preferred Shares, which is included in the measurement of the cost of the acquired asset. Zura has the right, but not the obligation to purchase up to 50% of the Series Seed Preferred Shares issued to Stone Peach at a price per share of $2.448869 for a period of two years from the date of the agreement (the “Call Option”). Stone Peach has the right, but not the obligation to sell up to 50% of the Series Seed Preferred Shares issued to Stone Peach to Zura for a price per share of $2.040724 (the “Put Option”). Stone Peach may exercise its option at any time between the first anniversary and the second anniversary of the transaction. In April 2023, the Company agreed to, within six months of April 24, 2023, exercise its Call Option on 50% of the Z33 Series Seed Preferred Shares previously issued to Stone Peach. The Company agreed to settle its Call Option by issuing 2,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares. In November 2023, the Company and Stone Peach amended the terms of the agreement, voiding the Company’s obligation to exercise its Call Option, and instead reverting the Company’s rights and obligations under the Call Option back to that of the original agreement. Stone Peach, in addition to the existing Put Option, was granted the right, but not the obligation to sell up to 50% of the Series Seed Preferred Shares issued to Stone Peach to Zura in exchange for 2,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares (the “Put Right”). Stone Peach may exercise its Put Option and Put Right at any time between April 24, 2024 and April 24, 2028 under the new agreement.
The Company is obligated to pay $3.0 million to Lilly under the 2022 Lilly License upon the completion of a financing by the Company with gross proceeds exceeding $100 million. The Company is further obligated to make 10 commercial, development and regulatory milestone payments up to an aggregate of $155.0 million and sales milestone payments up to an aggregate of $440.0 million based on respective thresholds of net sales of products developed from the licensed compound, if any. The Company will also pay an annual earned royalty to Lilly at a marginal royalty rate between in the mid-single to low-double digits (less than 20%), with increasing rates based on net sales in the respective calendar year, based on a percentage of sales within varying thresholds for a certain period of the year, if any. The Company will account for these contingent payments when they become due. As of June 30, 2024, none of the contingent payments were due.
15
2023 Lilly License
On April 26, 2023, the Company’s newly-formed subsidiary ZB17 LLC (“ZB17”) entered into a license agreement (the “2023 Lilly License” and, together with the 2022 Lilly License, the “Lilly Licenses”) with Lilly, for an exclusive license to develop, manufacture and commercialize a certain bispecific antibody relating to IL-17 and BAFF (“ZB-106”). ZB17 made a payment of $5.0 million to Lilly during the six months ended June 30, 2024 in connection with the receipt of certain know-how, data, information and materials that Lilly was required to provide under the license agreement.
As a finder’s fee for arranging the acquisition of the 2023 Lilly License, ZB17 granted to Stone Peach the right, but not the obligation, to purchase 4.99% of the fully diluted equity of ZB17 for $1.0 million (the “Stone Peach Call Right”). The Stone Peach Call Right is not exercisable until after the last patient is dosed in any single next clinical trial with ZB-106 and expires one year from the date of first indication approval for ZB-106 by the FDA or the European Medicines Agency (“EMA”). The Stone Peach Call Right represents noncontrolling interest in the Company’s subsidiary, ZB17. As of June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the noncontrolling interest balance was $1.5 million.
As additional consideration, Stone Peach receives annual payments first of $0.6 million, and increasing by 10% annually, so long as the Company maintains its license for ZB-106 on May 1st of each year. An annual payment of $0.7 million became due and was paid during the three months ended June 30, 2024. The Company recorded this payment within research and development expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
As a finder’s fee for arranging the acquisition of the 2023 Lilly License, the Company agreed to make a one-time milestone payment of $5.0 million to BAFFX17, Ltd (“BAFFX17”) upon the occurrence of either: (i) a change of control transaction, (ii) the closing of an issuance of equity or equity-linked securities by the Company of at least $100.0 million, (iii) the consummation of a sale of assets resulting in net proceeds in excess of $100.0 million, or (iv) the Company’s fully diluted shares outstanding exceed 52,500,000 shares (on a split adjusted basis). As the Company’s fully diluted shares outstanding exceeded 52,500,000 shares prior to December 31, 2023, the $5.0 million fee was recorded in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
The Company is obligated to make 4 development milestone payments to Lilly up to an aggregate of $155.0 million, and sales milestone payments up to an aggregate of $440 million based on respective thresholds of net sales. The Company is also obligated to pay Lilly over a multi-year period (twelve years, or upon the later expiration of regulatory exclusivity of ZB-106 in a country) an annual earned royalty at a marginal royalty rate in the mid-single digits to low-double digits, with increasing rates depending on net sales in the respective calendar year, based on a percentage of sales within varying thresholds for a certain period of years. The Company is also obligated to pay BAFFX17 a fee equal to 3% of any milestone or royalty payments due to Lilly pursuant to the terms of either the 2022 Lilly License and the 2023 Lilly License with Lilly. Upon receiving written approval from the FDA, EMA, or similar regulatory authority of an Investigational New Drug (“IND”) and the commencement of a clinical trial in the applicable jurisdiction for ZB-106, Stone Peach will also receive a one-time payment of $4.5 million. Stone Peach will also receive a one-time milestone payment of $25 million upon either (i) certain equity-related transactions, or (ii) the receipt of regulatory approval from the applicable regulatory authority for any new indication in the applicable jurisdiction. Furthermore, Stone Peach was granted a royalty of 2% of the aggregate net sales of any products developed from the licensed compound. The Company will account for these contingent payments when they become due. As of June 30, 2024, none of the contingent payments were due.
WuXi Biologics License
In July 2023, the Company entered into a cell line license agreement (the “Cell Line License Agreement”) with WuXi Biologics and its Affiliates (“WuXi Biologics”) for certain of WuXi Biologics’ know – how, cell line, and biological materials (the “WuXi Biologics Licensed Technology”) to manufacture, have manufactured, use, sell and import certain products produced through the use of the cell line licensed by WuXi Biologics under the Cell Line License Agreement (the “WuXi Biologics Licensed Products”). If the Company manufactures all of its commercial supplies of bulk drug product for WuXi Biologics Licensed Products with a manufacturer other than WuXi Biologics or its affiliates, the Company is required to make royalty payments to WuXi Biologics in an amount equal to a fraction of a single digit percentage of global net sales of WuXi Biologics Licensed Products manufactured by a third-party manufacturer (the “Royalty”). If the Company manufactures part of its commercial supplies of the WuXi Biologics Licensed Products with WuXi Biologics or its affiliates, then the Royalty will be reduced accordingly on a pro rata basis. The Cell Line License Agreement will continue indefinitely unless terminated (i) by the Company upon three months’ prior written notice and its payment of all undisputed amounts due to WuXi Biologics through the effective date of termination, (ii) by WuXi Biologics for a material breach by the Company that remains uncured for 30 days after written notice, or (iii) by WuXi Biologics if the Company fails to make a payment and such failure continues for 30 days after receiving notice of such failure.
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6. | Shareholders’ Equity |
Business Combination
Immediately prior to the Closing Date of the Business Combination, Pfizer was issued additional Series A-1 convertible preferred shares upon the closing of the Business Combination that were immediately converted to 267,939 Class A Ordinary Shares. The shares were issued in accordance with the anti-dilution provision of the Pfizer Agreement.
On the Closing Date and in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Business Combination, each Class A Ordinary Share of Legacy Zura, par value $0.001 per share, Series A-1 convertible preferred share, outstanding option (whether vested or unvested), and restricted share unit (whether vested or unvested) were canceled and converted into a comparable number of awards that consisted of either the rights to receive or acquire the Company’s Class A Ordinary Shares, par value $0.0001 per share, as determined by the exchange ratio pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement. The exchange ratio is approximately 108.083.
On March 16, 2023, in connection with the closing of the Business Combination and effective upon the Closing Date, the Company authorized 300,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares, par value of $0.0001 and 1,000,000 preferred shares, par value of $0.0001.
April 2024 Private Placement
On April 18, 2024, the Company entered into subscription agreements (the “Investor Agreements”) with certain institutional and other accredited investors (the “Investors”), whereby the Company agreed to issue 18,732,301 Class A Ordinary Shares, par value $0.0001 per share and pre-funded warrants (the “2024 Pre-Funded Warrants”) to purchase up to 16,102,348 Class A Ordinary Shares. Each Class A Ordinary Share was sold at a price of $3.108 per Class A Ordinary Share and each 2024 Pre-Funded Warrant was sold at a price of $3.107 per 2024 Pre-Funded Warrant for an aggregate purchase price of $108.3 million. See Note 7 for further information on the Pre-Funded Warrants.
On April 18, 2024, the Company also entered into subscription agreements (the “Insider Agreements” and together with the Investor Agreements, the “April 2024 Private Placement”) with certain officers, directors and affiliates of the Company (“Insiders” and together with the Investors, the “Subscribers”), whereby the Company issued 1,357,827 Class A Ordinary Shares, par value $0.0001 per share sold a purchase price of $3.13 per Class A Ordinary Share for an aggregate purchase price of $4.2 million.
The April 2024 Private Placement closed on April 22, 2024, from which the Company received total gross proceeds of approximately $112.5 million, before deducting transaction costs of $7.2 million.
Ordinary Shares Reserved for Issuance
A summary of shares reserved for issuance as of June 30, 2024 is summarized below:
|
| June 30, 2024 |
Shares issuable upon exercise of warrants to purchase Class A Ordinary Shares |
| 32,694,344 |
Shares issuable upon exercise of options to purchase Class A Ordinary Shares |
| 10,782,788 |
Shares available for grant under 2023 Equity Incentive Plan and 2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan |
| 3,179,417 |
Shares issuable upon exercise of Z33 Series Seed Preferred Shares Put Right |
| 2,000,000 |
Restricted Share Units |
| 1,442,473 |
Total shares reserved for issuance |
| 50,099,022 |
7.Warrants
In connection with the Business Combination, the Company assumed 5,910,000 private placement warrants to purchase Class A that were held by JATT and 6,899,996 public warrants to purchase Class A Ordinary Shares that were held by JATT’s public shareholders. The Warrants will expire five years after the completion of the Business Combination, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
As of June 30, 2024, no warrants have been exercised or redeemed.
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Public Warrants
The public warrants became exercisable into Class A Ordinary Shares commencing 30 days after the Business Combination and expire five years from the date of the Business Combination, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of the Company’s Class A Ordinary Shares at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to certain adjustments.
The Company may redeem, with 30 days written notice, each whole outstanding public warrant for cash at a price of $0.01 per warrant if the Reference Value (as defined below) equals or exceeds $18.00 per share, subject to certain adjustments. The warrant holders have the right to exercise their outstanding warrants prior to the scheduled redemption date at $11.50 per share, subject to certain adjustments. If the Company calls the public warrants for redemption, the Company will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise the Public Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis”, as described in the warrant agreement. For purposes of the redemption, “Reference Value” shall mean the last reported sales price of the Company’s Class A Ordinary Shares for any twenty trading days within the thirty trading-day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which notice of the redemption is given.
Private Placement Warrants
The private placement warrants are identical to the public warrants, except that the private placement warrants are not transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the private placement warrants are exercisable on a cashless basis and are non-redeemable so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees. If the private placement warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, then such warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by the warrant holders on the same basis as the public warrants.
Pre-Funded Warrants
In connection with the April 2023 Private Placement, the Company sold to accredited investors Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase up to 3,782,000 Class A Ordinary Shares at a price of $4.249 per Pre-Funded Warrant for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $16.1 million. Each Pre-Funded Warrant has an exercise price of $0.001 per Class A Ordinary Share and is exercisable for one Class A Ordinary Share at any time or times on or after April 26, 2023, until exercised in full.
In connection with the April 2024 Private Placement, the Company sold to accredited investors Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase up to 16,102,348 Class A Ordinary Shares at a price of $3.107 per Pre-Funded Warrant for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $50.0 million. Each Pre-Funded Warrant has an exercise price of $0.001 per Class A Ordinary Share and is exercisable for one Class A Ordinary Share at any time or times on or after April 22, 2024, until exercised in full.
The following table presents the number of public, private placement, and Pre-Funded warrants outstanding, their exercise price, and expiration dates as of June 30, 2024:
Warrants Issued |
| Exercise Price |
| Expiration Date | |
6,899,996 | | $ | 11.50 |
| March 2028 |
5,910,000 | | $ | 11.50 |
| March 2028 |
19,884,348 | | $ | 0.001 |
| N/A |
8. | Share-based Compensation |
On March 16, 2023, JATT’s board of directors approved the Zura Bio Limited 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan”) which became effective on the day immediately preceding the Closing Date of the Business Combination. The Equity Incentive Plan allows for the grant of share options, both incentive and nonqualified share options; stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), alone or in conjunction with other awards; restricted shares awards (“RSAs”) and restricted share units (“RSUs”); incentive bonuses, which may be paid in cash, shares, or a combination thereof; and other share-based awards. On June 1, 2023, the Company’s board of directors approved an increase to the number of Class A Ordinary Shares that may be issued under the Equity Incentive Plan by an additional 5,564,315 Class A Ordinary Shares.
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The Class A Ordinary Shares issuable under the Equity Incentive Plan are subject to an annual increase on January 1st of each calendar year beginning on January 1, 2024, and ending on and including January 1, 2029, equal to the lesser of (i) 5.0% of the aggregate number of Class A Ordinary Shares outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year, (ii) 8,059,796 Class A Ordinary Shares or (iii) such smaller number of shares as is determined by the board. As of January 1, 2024, the Company’s board of directors decided not to apply an increase to the Class A Ordinary Shares issuable under the Equity Incentive Plan for the 2024 calendar year.
On March 16, 2023, JATT’s board of directors approved the Zura Bio Limited 2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) which became effective on the day immediately preceding the Closing Date of the Business Combination. The maximum number of Class A Ordinary Shares that may be issued under the ESPP is 4,029,898, plus an aggregate number of Class A Ordinary Shares that are automatically added under the Equity Incentive Plan on January 1st of each calendar year unless otherwise determined by the Company’s board of directors, beginning on January 1, 2024, and ending on and including January 1, 2029, as discussed above. The ESPP enables eligible employees of the Company and designated affiliates to purchase Class A Ordinary Shares at a discount of 15%. As of June 30, 2024, the Company has not activated its ESPP.
As of June 30, 2024, a maximum of 13,624,111 Class A Ordinary Shares may be issued under either the Equity Incentive Plan and ESPP, collectively.
Equity Incentive Plan
Share Options
The fair value of Equity Incentive Plan share options are estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company lacks significant company-specific historical and implied volatility information. Therefore, it estimates its expected share volatility based on the historical volatility of a publicly traded set of peer companies. Due to the lack of historical exercise history, the expected term of the Company’s share options has been determined using the “simplified” method for awards. The risk-free interest rate is determined by reference to the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant of the award for time periods approximately equal to the expected term of the award. Expected dividend yield is zero based on the fact that the Company has never paid cash dividends and does not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
The following weighted-average assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the Equity Incentive Plan share options issued during the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:
| | Six Months Ended | | ||||
|
| June 30, | | ||||
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| ||
Share price | | $ | 3.49 | | $ | 6.26 | |
Expected volatility | | | 101.1 | % | | 97.1 | % |
Risk-free rate | | | 4.2 | % | | 3.6 | % |
Expected life | | | 6.1 years | | | 6.1 years | |
Expected dividend yield | | | — | % | | — | % |
The following table summarizes the Company’s share option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2024:
|
| |
| | |
| Weighted |
| | |
| | | | Weighted | | Average | | Aggregate | ||
| | | | Average | | Remaining | | Intrinsic | ||
| | Number of | | Exercise Price | | Contractual | | Value | ||
|
| Options |
| (per share) |
| Life (Years) |
| (in thousands) | ||
Options outstanding at December 31, 2023 |
| 5,791,065 | | $ | 2.12 | | 9.3 | | $ | 17,752 |
Granted | | 5,259,298 | | | 3.62 | | — | | | — |
Forfeited |
| (267,575) | | | 1.87 | | — | | | — |
Options outstanding at June 30, 2024 |
| 10,782,788 | | $ | 2.86 | | 9.3 | | $ | 12,864 |
Options vested and exercisable at June 30, 20241 |
| 2,678,918 | | $ | 3.18 | | 8.8 | | $ | 4,234 |
1Of the vested options as of June 30, 2024, 823,963 remain subject to restrictions on exercisability
Included in the table above are 2,280,560 options to purchase Class A Ordinary Shares issued to certain directors, executives, and employees outside of the Equity Incentive Plan.
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The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $2.83 and $5.57, respectively.
Market-Based Share Options
On March 20, 2023, the Company granted 306,373 options to purchase Class A Ordinary Shares (“Market-Based Share Options”) to a certain director of the board. These awards will vest only to the extent that the 20-day volume weighted average trading price (“VWAP”) of the Class A Ordinary Shares is over $30 per Class A Ordinary Share at any time prior to the fifth anniversary of the grant date. These awards have an exercise price of $8.16 and become exercisable when vested and the market condition is satisfied. These awards expire 10 years from the date of grant. The fair value of these Market-Based Share Options was estimated using a Monte Carlo valuation method. The following table sets forth the weighted-average assumptions used at the grant date to determine the fair value of the Market-Based Share Options granted during the six months ended June 30, 2023. No Market-Based Share Options were granted during the six months ended June 30, 2024:
|
| For the |
| |
| | Six Months Ended |
| |
| | June 30, |
| |
| | 2023 |
| |
Expected volatility |
| | 80.0 | % |
Risk-free rate |
| | 3.6 | % |
Expected life |
| | 2.2 years | |
Expected dividend yield |
| | — | % |
Fair value per Market-Based Share Options | | $ | 4.66 | |
The expense recognized related to Market-Based Share Options during the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was $0.2 million.
Restricted Share Units
The Company issued RSUs to certain employees, executives, and directors pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan. The fair value has been estimated based on the closing price of the stock on the grant date
|
| |
| Weighted | |
| | | | Average | |
| | Number of | | Grant Date | |
|
| RSUs |
| Fair Value | |
Unvested RSUs at December 31, 2023 |
| 1,563,018 | | $ | 5.93 |
Granted |
| — | | | — |
Forfeited | | (121,545) | | | 5.24 |
Vested and unissued |
| (289,503) | | | 5.42 |
Unvested RSUs at June 30, 2024 |
| 1,151,970 | | $ | 6.09 |
The expense recognized related to RSUs during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was approximately $0.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively.
Restricted Share Awards
The Company converted RSU’s granted to a certain director pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan into RSAs during the year ended December 31, 2023. The fair value was estimated based on the closing price of the shares on the original grant date.
|
| |
| Weighted | |
| | | | Average | |
| | Number of | | Grant Date | |
|
| RSAs |
| Fair Value | |
Unvested RSAs at December 31, 2023 |
| 499,993 | | $ | 8.16 |
Granted |
| — | |
| — |
Vested |
| (124,998) | |
| 8.16 |
Unvested RSAs at June 30, 2024 |
| 374,995 | | $ | 8.16 |
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The expense recognized related to RSAs during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was $0.3 million and $0.5, respectively.
Equity Award Modification
On January 10, 2024, the Company and its Chief Medical Officer (the “CMO”) entered into an agreement regarding the CMO’s departure from the Company (the “Severance Agreement”). In connection with the Severance Agreement, 67,525 of the share options previously granted to the CMO became fully vested and exercisable and 40,515 of the RSUs previously granted to the CMO became fully vested. All remaining share options and RSUs not vested were forfeited and cancelled. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, the Company recognized a reversal of approximately $0.1 million of share-based compensation expense related to this modification within research and development expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
Share-based Compensation Expense
Share-based compensation expense for all equity arrangements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:
| | Three Months Ended | | Six Months Ended | ||||||||
| | June 30, | | June 30, | ||||||||
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
| 2023 | ||||
Research and development | | $ | 636 | | $ | — | | $ | 1,069 | | $ | 2,186 |
General and administrative | |
| 2,290 | | | 2,319 | |
| 4,266 | |
| 2,499 |
Total share-based compensation expense | | $ | 2,926 | | $ | 2,319 | | $ | 5,335 | | $ | 4,685 |
As of June 30, 2024, there was approximately $28.6 million of total unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to options granted to employees, executives, and directors that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.3 years. As of June 30, 2024, there was approximately $6.1 million of total unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to RSUs granted to certain employees, executives, and directors under the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.9 years. As of June 30, 2024, there was approximately $2.8 million of total unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to RSAs granted to a certain director under the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.7 years.
9. | Commitments and Contingencies |
Litigation
The Company is not a party to any material legal proceedings and is not aware of any pending or threatened claims. From time to time, the Company may be subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business activities.
10. | Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest |
As a finder’s fee for the 2022 Lilly License, the Company’s consolidated subsidiary Z33 issued 4,900,222 shares of Z33 Series Seed Preferred Shares to Stone Peach. Zura has the right, but not the obligation to purchase up to 50% of the Series Seed Preferred Shares issued to Stone Peach at a price per share of $2.448869 for a period of two years from the date of the agreement (the “Call Option”). Stone Peach has the right, but not the obligation to sell up to 50% of the Series Seed Preferred Shares issued to Stone Peach to Zura for a price per share of $2.040724 (the “Put Option”). As it is not possible to specifically identify the shares that may be redeemed by exercising the Put Option, and the applicable unit of account is each share, the Company assessed that each share must be considered redeemable until the exercise or the expiration of the Put Option. Accordingly, the Z33 Series Seed Preferred Shares issued to Stone Peach represents redeemable noncontrolling interest.
In April 2023, the Company agreed to, within six months of April 24, 2023, exercise its Call Option on 50% of the Z33 Series Seed Preferred Shares previously issued to Stone Peach. The Company agreed to settle its Call Option by issuing 2,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares. The amended settlement terms represented an extinguishment and reissuance of the Z33 Series Seed Preferred Shares. The $10.9 million difference between the estimated fair value of the new instrument issued and the carrying value of the Z33 Series Seed Preferred Shares was recorded as a deemed dividend to the redeemable noncontrolling interest and as an adjustment to net loss to arrive at net loss attributable to Class A ordinary shareholders in the consolidated statement of operations.
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In November 2023, the Company and Stone Peach amended the terms of the agreement, voiding the Company’s obligation to exercise its Call Option, and instead reverting the Company’s rights and obligations under the Call Option back to that of the original agreement. Stone Peach, in addition to the existing Put Option, was granted the right, but not the obligation to sell up to 50% of the Series Seed Preferred Shares issued to Stone Peach to Zura in exchange for 2,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares (the “Put Right”). Stone Peach may exercise its Put Option and Put Right at any time between April 24, 2024, and April 24, 2028, under the new agreement. The amended settlement terms represented an extinguishment and reissuance of the Z33 Series Seed Preferred Shares. The $9.2 million difference between the estimated fair value of the new instrument issued and the carrying value of the Z33 Series Seed Preferred Shares was recorded as a deemed contribution from the redeemable noncontrolling interest and as an adjustment to net loss to arrive at net loss attributable to Class A ordinary shareholders in the consolidated statement of operations. On June 30, 2024, the redeemable noncontrolling interest was remeasured from its carrying value as of March 31, 2024 to its redemption price and the difference was recorded as an adjustment to net loss to arrive at net loss attributable to Class A ordinary shareholders for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
As of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the redeemable noncontrolling interest balance was $14.0 million and $18.7 million, respectively.
11. | Subsequent Events |
On July 12, 2024, the Company commenced an exchange offer (the “Exchange Offer”) and consent solicitation (the “Consent Solicitation”) relating to its outstanding (i) public warrants that were issued in connection with its initial public offering to purchase Class A ordinary shares of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share, and (ii) private placement warrants that were issued in connection with its initial public offering to purchase Class A ordinary shares (together with the public warrants, the “IPO warrants”). The Company offered to all holders of the IPO warrants the opportunity to receive 0.30 Class A ordinary shares in exchange for each outstanding IPO warrant tendered by the holder and exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer. Concurrently with the Exchange Offer, the Company also solicited consents from holders of the IPO warrants to amend that certain warrant agreement, dated as of July 16, 2021, by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“CST”), as warrant agent (the “Warrant Agreement”) to permit the Company to require that each IPO warrant outstanding upon the closing of the Exchange Offer be exchanged for 0.27 Class A ordinary shares, which is a ratio 10% less than the exchange ratio applicable to the Exchange Offer. Pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement, all except certain specified modifications or amendments require the vote or written consent of holders of at least a majority of the outstanding public warrants and a majority of the outstanding private placement warrants.
The Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation expired at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on August 8, 2024. A total of 6,703,428 public warrants, or approximately 97.2% of the outstanding public warrants, and a total of 4,080,580 private placement warrants, or approximately 69.0% of the outstanding private placement warrants, were validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation.
On August 12, 2024, the Company completed the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation and issued 3,235,184 Class A ordinary shares in exchange for 10,784,008 IPO warrants. In connection with its completion of the Exchange Offer, the Company entered into an amendment, dated August 12, 2024 (the “Warrant Amendment”), to the Warrant Agreement to provide the Company with the right to mandatorily exchange the Company’s remaining outstanding IPO warrants for Class A ordinary shares at an exchange ratio of 0.27 Class A ordinary shares for each IPO warrant. The Company has exercised its right to exchange all remaining untendered IPO warrants in accordance with the terms of the Warrant Amendment (the “Post-Offer Exchange”). The Company has fixed the date for such exchange as August 27, 2024.
On July 24, 2024, the Company executed a settlement agreement (“Settlement Agreement”) in connection with the CEO transition effective April 8, 2024. In respect to 1,950,000 outstanding options held by the former CEO, the Company agreed to (1) accelerate the vesting of 1,000,000 options for his service as CEO through April 8, 2024, (2) revise the vesting schedule applicable to an additional 250,000 options which will vest equally on the first, second and third anniversaries of the Transition Date (as defined therein), and (3) revise the vesting schedule applicable to the remaining 700,000 options, which would vest subject to integral participation in a capital raise of at least $50M within 12 months of the Transition Date, which the Compensation Committee has agreed occurred and vested as of the date of the Settlement Agreement. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this modification on the consolidated financial statements.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis provides information that management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our consolidated results of operations and financial condition. You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our audited financial statements as of December 31, 2023, included on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024, and in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
In addition to historical information, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024, that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or anticipated results. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” to “Zura,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Zura Bio Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company formerly known as JATT Acquisition Corp., and its consolidated subsidiaries. References to JATT Acquisition Corp. or “JATT” refer to the Company prior to the consummation of the Business Combination.
Overview
Zura Bio Limited, formerly known as JATT Acquisition Corp., is a multi-asset clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel medicines for immune and inflammatory disorders. The experienced leadership team aims to become a leader in the autoimmune and inflammatory field.
We were incorporated as a Cayman Islands exempted company on March 10, 2021. Our wholly owned subsidiary, Zura Bio Limited (“Zura Bio UK”) was formed in the United Kingdom, or UK, on January 18, 2022. Prior to March 20, 2023, our operations were conducted through Zura Bio UK.
We have a limited operating history. Since our inception, our operations have focused on organizing and staffing our company, business planning, raising capital and entering into collaboration agreements for conducting manufacturing, and research and development activities. Our lead product candidates are in the clinical testing stage; however, we have not conducted any clinical tests ourselves, nor have any been conducted during the period since our inception. We do not have any product candidates approved for sale and have not generated any revenue from product sales. We funded our operations up until June 30, 2024 through (i) the sale of equity, raising an aggregate of $10.0 million of gross proceeds from the sale of shares of convertible preferred stock of Zura Bio UK through March 31, 2023; (ii) the issuance of a promissory note, receiving net proceeds of $7.6 million in December 2022; (iii) proceeds from the Business Combination of $56.7 million in March 2023; (iv) the April 2023 Private Placement, raising an aggregate of $80.0 million of gross proceeds from the sale of Class A Ordinary Shares and Pre-Funded Warrants during the year ended December 31, 2023; and (v) the April 2024 Private Placement, raising an aggregate of $112.5 million of gross proceeds from the sale of Class A Ordinary Shares and Pre-Funded Warrants.
Since our inception, we have incurred significant operating losses. Our net loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, was $10.3 million and $18.1 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $121.6 million. We anticipate that our expenses will increase significantly in connection with our ongoing activities, as we:
● | continue to advance the preclinical and clinical development of our product candidates; |
● | conduct our planned preclinical studies and clinical trials for our product candidates, as well as initiate and complete additional trials of future potential product candidates; |