| Item 2.01 | Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets |
On July 19, 2023, Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) completed its acquisition from Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holdings AG (“Santhera”) of an exclusive license for North America for vamorolone, a potential treatment for patients suffering with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (“DMD”). The license is for exclusive commercial rights in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, as well as the right of first negotiation in Europe and Japan should Santhera pursue partnership opportunities. Additionally, the Company will hold North American rights for any future approved indications of vamorolone.
As previously disclosed, the Company will make an all-cash purchase payment of $75 million to acquire the license pursuant to a License Agreement, dated June 19, 2023, by and between Santhera, its wholly owned subsidiary, Santhera Pharmaceuticals (Schweiz) AG, and the Company (the “License Agreement”). Simultaneously, pursuant to an Investment Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2023, between Santhera and the Company (the “Investment Agreement”), as amended by that certain Amendment to Investment Agreement dated July 18, 2023, the Company has made a strategic equity investment into Santhera by acquiring 1,414,688 of Santhera’s post reverse-split ordinary shares (representing approximately 11.26% of Santhera’s outstanding ordinary shares following the transaction) at an investment price of CHF 9.477 (corresponding to a mutually agreed volume-weighted average price prior to signing), with the approximately $15 million USD in equity investment proceeds to be used by Santhera for Phase IV studies in DMD and further development of additional indications for vamorolone. Catalyst will also be obligated under certain circumstances to make milestone payments and to pay royalties to Santhera.
The foregoing descriptions of the License Agreement and the Investment Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of such agreements, copies of which were attached as Exhibit 10.1, and Exhibit 10.2, respectively, to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on June 23, 2023. The amendment to the Investment Agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.3 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements, other than statements of historical fact, including any statements containing the words “believes,” expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current intentions, beliefs and expectations regarding future events. The Company cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will be accurate. The reader should realize that if underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could differ materially from expectations. The reader is, therefore, cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this Form 8-K, and, except as required by law, the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement to reflect new information, events or circumstances.
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