Exhibit 99.1
Immunovant Sciences Ltd. Closes Transaction with Health Sciences
Acquisitions Corporation
Combined company, to be named Immunovant, Inc., will begin trading on Nasdaq under ticker symbol “IMVT” on December 19, 2019
NEW YORK – Immunovant, Inc., formerly known as Health Sciences Acquisitions Corporation (Nasdaq: HSAC) (“HSAC”), a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by RTW Investments, LP, announced today the closing of its business combination with Immunovant Sciences Ltd. (“ISL”), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing IMVT-1401, a fully human monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to and inhibits the neonatal Fc receptor (“FcRn”) and is designed to be delivered by subcutaneous injection.
The business combination was approved by HSAC’s stockholders at a special meeting held on December 16, 2019. HSAC reported that, prior to the special meeting, there were zero redemptions from HSAC shareholders, an uncommon occurrence demonstrating the strength of the transaction. The combined company was renamed Immunovant, Inc. (“Immunovant”), and Immunovant’s shares of common stock are expected to begin trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “IMVT” on December 19, 2019. ISL’s management team will continue to run Immunovant, led by Chief Executive Officer, Pete Salzmann, M.D.
“We are thrilled to have completed the share exchange between HSAC and ISL and look forward to supporting Immunovant as it seeks to advance three important therapeutic programs through the clinic,” said Rod Wong, M.D., President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of HSAC and Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of RTW Investments, LP.
Proceeds from this transaction exceeded $100 million and will provide Immunovant with capital expected to progress three key IMVT-1401 pipeline programs for Graves’ ophthalmopathy, myasthenia gravis, and warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
Naveen Yalamanchi, Principal and Portfolio Manager at RTW Investments, LP, added, “We have been impressed with the development of Immunovant’s key asset under the thoughtful guidance of its CEO, Pete Salzmann.”
Immunovant reiterates its previous guidance regarding data releases from the ongoing and planned Phase 2 clinical trials:
| • | | Initial results fromASCEND-GO 1, an open-label Phase 2a clinical trial of IMVT-1401 for the treatment of Graves’ ophthalmopathy, are expected in Q1 2020. |
| • | | Topline results fromASCEND-MG, an ongoing Phase 2a clinical trial of IMVT-1401 for the treatment of myasthenia gravis, are expected in 1H 2020. |
| • | | Initial results from a Phase 2a clinical trial of IMVT-1401 for the treatment of warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia are expected in Q4 2020. |