Swiss-based VERAXA Biotech and US-headquartered Voyager Acquisition announced on April 23, 2025, that they have entered into a definitive agreement to create a combined business focused on developing next-generation cancer therapies. The transaction, unanimously approved by both companies' boards of directors, will result in a publicly traded clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company listed on the NASDAQ exchange under the ticker symbol VERX.
The business combination values VERAXA's equity contribution at approximately $1.3 billion. Assuming a $10.00 per share price and no redemptions of Voyager's public shares, the combined entity's implied pro forma equity value is expected to reach approximately $1.64 billion at closing.
Innovative Cancer Therapy Platforms
VERAXA specializes in designing novel cancer therapies through its proprietary technology platforms, most notably the Bi-Targeted Antibody Cytotoxicity (BiTAC) platform. This innovative approach enables a highly specific dual-marker targeting strategy that aims to expand the therapeutic window of current standard-of-care treatments for solid tumors while improving safety and efficacy profiles.
"VERAXA is committed to developing and delivering the next wave of safe and highly efficacious cancer therapies," said Christoph Antz, PhD, CEO and co-founder of VERAXA. "Side effects too often limit today's cancer therapies and prevent doctors from applying optimal dose levels. Our latest platform innovation, the BiTAC format, is designed to specifically address this issue and create first-in-class drug candidates with unprecedented safety and efficacy."
The BiTAC platform functions as a safety switch, with treatment components that only activate when specific conditions are met, potentially addressing one of the most significant challenges in cancer treatment—balancing efficacy with safety.
Expanding Technology and Market Potential
VERAXA has recently expanded its artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled technology platform to pursue two major drug modalities:
- Next-generation bispecific antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)—including BiTAC ADCs and bsADCs
- Bispecific antibodies targeting key immune cells—specifically T cell engagers (TCEs)
Both therapeutic approaches represent rapidly growing markets within oncology. According to VERAXA, the global TCE market is projected to reach $112 billion by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 44%, while the global ADC market is expected to grow to $57 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of approximately 30%.
Independent market research estimates the global ADC market was valued at $11.29 billion in 2023, with projected growth at a 9.2% CAGR through 2030.
Strategic Rationale and Financial Outlook
Adeel Rouf, CEO and director of Voyager Acquisition, highlighted the strategic fit: "Voyager's mission is to identify innovative healthcare companies positioned for long-term success with strong business models and expansive total addressable markets. VERAXA exemplifies all these compelling characteristics, underscored by a steadfast commitment to bring transformative drug modalities to cancer patients through pursuing strategic global partnerships and advancing its proprietary pipeline."
Upon completion of the merger, VERAXA expects to access gross proceeds of up to $253 million held in Voyager's trust account, subject to no redemptions and before transaction costs. Additionally, the company is raising a crossover financing round from new and existing investors. These combined proceeds are expected to provide capital for at least two years, supporting the pursuit of key partnerships and co-development opportunities.
Xlife Sciences' Stake and Perspective
VERAXA is a key portfolio company of Xlife Sciences AG, which currently holds approximately 18% stake in VERAXA. Oliver R. Baumann, CEO of Xlife Sciences AG, commented on the transaction: "The planned NASDAQ listing of VERAXA marks a pivotal milestone for both VERAXA and Xlife Sciences. It exemplifies our mission to bring groundbreaking science from the lab to life - and to the market. We are proud to have supported VERAXA from its inception and are confident that this transaction will significantly accelerate its ability to deliver first-in-class therapies to patients worldwide."
Transaction Timeline
The business combination is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and the approval of Voyager's shareholders. Upon closing, VERAXA's shareholders will receive approximately 130 million shares of the combined company.
Warren Hosseinion, Chairman of Voyager Acquisition Corp., expressed confidence in the ADC market: "We believe ADCs will revolutionize oncology due to their significant improvement over standard of care across a wide range of cancers and higher probability of technical and regulatory success compared to other oncology drugs, as evidenced by multiple deals in excess of $1 billion each since 2023 in this space."
