Mithra initiates monetization process, receives bridge loan from existing lenders
- Mithra appoints advisors and initiates a process to monetize its assets or execute a sale of its business
- Mithra has entered into a new secured bridge loan facility in a committed amount of up to EUR 13.5 million, subject to milestones; with an uncommitted facility of a further EUR 5 million
- Bridge loan facility provides expected liquidity runway to fund the monetization process with respect to key assets through 30 April
- Secured lenders to certain key Mithra operating entities agree to standstill and forbear all debt service (including by extending maturity) in support of the monetization process
Liege, Belgium, 05 March 2024 - 07:00 CET - Mithra.
Monetization Process
In an effort to maximize value for all of Mithra's stakeholders, the Company has initiated a monetization process to realize value from its assets involving the sale of various selected assets, particularly Estetra SRL, and/or the business as a whole (the "Monetization Process"). The Company is finalizing negotiations with an internationally recognized investment bank to help conduct the Monetization Process in collaboration with DC Advisory and Alvarez & Marsal, who are advising on liquidity management and advising on monetization, among other things.
As is described below, the Monetization Process with respect to key assets is being funded under the Facility, subject to achievement of milestones.
Parties interested in participating in the Monetization Process should contact Ed Kulik of DC Advisoryand Thomas Dillenseger of Alvarez & Marsal).
Liquidity / Terms of Facility
The Facility provides up to EUR 13.5 million to be drawn in multiple tranches upon the satisfaction of certain milestones, as well as an uncommitted EUR 5 million "accordion" facility (which can be used once the committed amount has been fully drawn and only if the lenders consent).
The cash received under the Facility, if received in full, creates expected cash runway intended to fund the business through 30 April, permitting a focus on the Monetization Process.
The borrower under the Facility is Estetra SRL with a guarantee from Mithra Pharmaceuticals SA (such guarantee being limited in recourse to the secured assets). The Facility is secured on all of the assets of Estetra SRL, a share pledge over shares in Estetra SRL and a pledge on intercompany receivables of Mithra Pharmaceuticals SA on Estetra SRL.
The maturity date of the Facility is sixty days from the first utilization date of the Facility. The initial conditions precedent have been met, and the first drawdown of EUR 9 million is expected to be drawn on 6 March 2024.
The remaining tranches can be drawn during successive periods of ten business days (starting within ten business days after signing) each time for an amount not exceeding EUR 2.5 million (and, for the avoidance of doubt, never exceeding in aggregate the total committed amount). Drawdowns under the remaining tranches are conditional upon additional milestones having been met, which primarily include various data and plans being provided to the Lenders in relation to the implementation of the Monetization Process, the appointment of (an) investment bank(s) to advise on the Monetization Process, the entry into an intercreditor agreement with other secured lenders, including receipt of third-party guarantor consent, and the actual implementation of the Monetization Process. The Facility is subject to mandatory prepayment in full upon a change of control over Estetra SRL and the proceeds of sales of assets of Estetra SRL will also be applied to a mandatory prepayment. The Facility contains various undertakings and events of default.
The lenders under the Facility consist of funds managed by Highbridge Capital Management, LLC and funds managed by Whitebox Advisors, LLC (each a "Lender"). The Lenders under the Facility will enter into an intercreditor agreement with ING Belgium NV/SA and Belfius Bank NV/SA, the other existing secured creditors to Estetra SRL, who have agreed in principle to forebear and standstill with respect to any defaults under their agreements.
The Facility does not bear interest; however, the Facility provides for a forbearance fee of 2% on the amounts outstanding under Mithra's existing senior secured convertible facility with the Lenders (which is in consideration of the waivers and forbearance that the Lenders have provided to Mithra under that facility while Mithra explored strategic alternatives to maximize value for all of its stakeholders, as referenced in Mithra's 6 February 2024 announcement on its cash position) and a 5% commitment fee on the committed amounts (including the accordion when and if it becomes committed). Both fees will be paid in kind by compounding these amounts with the principal amount of the Facility. The Facility also provides for an exit fee of 5% (or 10% in the absence of third party guarantor consent) of any amounts paid, repaid or cancelled under the Facility and a make-whole fee equal to the amount necessary to ensure that the total return on investment of the Lenders (including the funded amounts and compounded fees and interest, but excluding the commitment fee) is equal to 20% (or 30% in the absence of third party guarantor consent ) of the Facility. The exit fee and make-whole fee are payable in cash upon any repayment, prepayment or cancellation of the Facility.
The EUR 12.8 million of cash currently held in escrow as described in the Mithra's 15 February announcement regarding the sale of its holding in Mayne Pharma is expected to be used to repay indebtedness owed to the Lenders under the existing facility.
However, there is a risk that Mithra will not be able to draw the full amount, for instance if it is not able to initiate a Monetization Process. Even if a Monetization Process is initiated, there is a material risk that that process will not be successful, in whole or in part, or may not be sufficient to repay Mithra's existing indebtedness. If Mithra is not able to draw funds under the Facility or is otherwise not able to raise or generate sufficient cash, this will adversely affect Mithra's continued operations and ability to operate as a going concern.
For more information, please contact:
| Mithra Pharmaceuticals SA Alex Sokolowski, PhD Head of IR & Communications investorrelations@mithra.com +32 (0)4 349 28 22 | Frédérique Depraetere Communications Director info@mithra.com +32 (0)4 349 28 22 |
About Mithra
Mithra Pharmaceuticals SA
ESTELLE ®, and DONESTA® are registered trademarks of Mithra Pharmaceuticals or one of its affiliates.
Important information
The contents of this announcement include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words "believes", "estimates," "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will", "plans", "continue", "ongoing", "potential", "predict", "project", "target", "seek" or "should", and include statements the Company makes concerning the intended results of its strategy. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.
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Attachment
- 2024-03-05_Mithra_Press-Release_New Secured Bridge Loan_FR (https://ml-eu.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/ebb539d7-7e82-4b62-9d83-d0e8e37be330)
