Imugene share price sinks on $80 million cap raise

What did Imugene announce to the market?

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points
  • Imugene shares sink 4.44% to 21.5 cents during midday trade 
  • The company announced it has successfully received firm commitments for its $80 million institutional placement 
  • Proceeds raised from the placement will be used towards accelerating the development of Imugene's anti-cancer drugs 

The Imugene Limited (ASX: IMU) share price has come out of a trading halt today.

This comes after the clinical stage immuno-oncology company provided an update in regards to its latest capital raise.

At the time of writing, Imugene shares are down 4.44% to 21.5 cents apiece.

In comparison, the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) is up 0.59% following strong gains on Wall Street overnight.

A sad looking scientist sitting and upset about a share price fall.

Image source: Getty Images

Imugene hails successful placement

In a statement to the ASX, Imugene advised it has successfully completed its $80 million institutional placement.

The company received firm commitments from two leading institutional investors with significant healthcare and biotechnology expertise.

The placement will see a total of 400 million new ordinary shares issued at a price of 20 cents each. This represents an 11.1% discount on the last closing price on 9 September and a 12% discount on the 5-day volume-weighted average price.

In addition, for every two new shares subscribed, Imugene intends to issue one free attaching new option.

A total of 200 million new options will be offered to placement participants with an exercise price of 33 cents per option. This will expire on 31 March 2026 and can be exercisable at any time up to and including the expiry date.

The funds acquired from the placement will boost the company's pro-forma cash position of around $175 million. This will be used to progress the multiple clinical trials that are aimed at treating a variety of cancers.

The shares are expected to be allotted and issued on 19 September 2022.

Commenting on the institutional placements, Imugene founder and executive chair Paul Hopper said:

This capital raising ensures a long runway for the existing programmes while also providing flexibility to add complementary assets should attractive opportunities present.

The ability to introduce two high calibre institutional investors onto the share register following what has been a volatile period across biotechnology indices speaks to the quality of the company's unique clinical platforms.

With minimal dilution to existing shareholders of only 6.8%, and with such a definitive statement of investment support for Imugene by two prominent funds, the board believes we have a significant opportunity to maximise value for all Imugene shareholders.

About the Imugene share price

Since this time last year, the Imugene share price has fallen 46%.

These losses have mostly come from the first few months of 2022.

Based on today's price, Imugene presides a market capitalisation of roughly $1.32 billion with 5.87 billion shares on issue.

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Capital Raising

A man looking at his laptop and thinking.
Materials Shares

Core Lithium shares tumble after $120m capital raising for Finniss restart

It won't be long until the company is producing lithium again.

Read more »

Close-up photo of a human hand with $100 bills offering the money to another human hand.
Capital Raising

Why this ASX healthcare stock has crashed 20% today

The Imugene share price is plunging after announcing a heavily discounted capital raising.

Read more »

A man using a phone shouts and puts his hand out in a stop motion indicating the Yancoal trading halt today
Capital Raising

Magellan requests trading halt ahead of major announcement

Magellan enters a trading halt ahead of a proposed merger and capital raising.

Read more »

A man sitting at a computer is blown away by what he's seeing on the screen, hair and tie whooshing back as he screams argh in panic.
Capital Raising

Why is this ASX 300 stock crashing 40% today?

Let's see why this stock is crashing deep into the red.

Read more »

A piggy bank is surround by hands preparing to pay coins into the slot, representing a company capital raisingh in asx share price represented by multiple hands all placing coins in a piggy bank
Capital Raising

Santana share price back in trade and down 12%. Here's what just happened

Santana shares tumble 12% after announcing a $130 million capital raise.

Read more »

A miner stands in front of an excavator at a mine site.
Capital Raising

Why this ASX uranium miner's shares are frozen today

This ASX uranium miner is halted as the market waits for further clarity.

Read more »

A woman sits at her computer with her chin resting on her hand as she contemplates her next potential investment.
Capital Raising

Why this ASX copper stock suddenly halted trading this morning

This ASX copper stock has entered a trading halt after flagging a major funding move.

Read more »

A man holds his head in his hands, despairing at the bad result he's reading on his computer.
Materials Shares

Why are Vulcan Energy shares crashing 33% today?

Let's see why this lithium stock is sinking heavily in morning trade.

Read more »