Akari Therapeutics Plc (Nasdaq: AKTX) announced on March 3, 2025, the successful pricing of a private placement financing round expected to raise approximately $7.6 million in gross proceeds. The Boston and London-based biotechnology company, focused on developing next-generation precision bi-functional antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) for cancer treatment, will use these funds to advance its novel spliceosome inhibitor payload ADC technology platform.
The company has entered into definitive purchase agreements with investors for the issuance and sale of 6,637,626 unregistered American Depository Shares (ADSs), or prefunded warrants in lieu thereof, along with Series A and Series B Warrants. The ADSs were priced at $0.87 per share, matching the Nasdaq official closing price on February 28, 2025.
Dr. Huh, Chairman of Akari's Board, demonstrated insider confidence by participating in the private placement through the termination of an existing $1 million convertible note in lieu of payment for the ADSs and warrants. The gross cash proceeds from the offering are expected to be approximately $6.6 million before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses.
"With these funds, the Company will focus on investing in its novel spliceosome inhibitor payload ADC technology platform, seeking license partners for its TROP-2 ADC program, and monetizing non-core assets," stated the company in its announcement.
Strategic Financing Details
The Series A and Series B Warrants will have an exercise price of $0.87 per ADS, equal to the Nasdaq official closing price on February 28, 2025, and will be exercisable immediately following issuance. The Series A Warrants have a term of one year from the closing date, while the Series B Warrants extend to five years. Investors paid an additional 12.5 cents per ADS issuable upon exercise of each warrant.
Paulson Investment Company is serving as the placement agent for the financing, which is expected to close on or about March 5, 2025, subject to satisfaction of customary closing obligations.
New Leadership to Drive ADC Platform Development
This financing announcement comes shortly after Akari appointed biotechnology industry leader Abizer Gaslightwala as President and Chief Executive Officer. Gaslightwala brings significant oncology experience, having previously served as SVP and Franchise Head for US Oncology at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, where he led a portfolio of products spanning both solid and hematological malignancies with total annual sales of $1 billion.
His extensive background includes executive leadership roles at major pharmaceutical companies including Amgen, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson, where he worked across multiple successful brands including Kyprolis®, Vectibix®, Neulasta®, XGEVA®, Repatha®, and ELIQUIS®.
The former President and CEO, Samir R. Patel, M.D., who had been serving in an interim capacity since May 2024, will remain as a member of the company's Board of Directors, maintaining continuity in the company's strategic direction.
Akari's Strategic Repositioning
This financing represents a significant step in Akari's strategic repositioning following its merger with Peak Bio, completed in November 2024. The merger created an innovative biotechnology company with a broader focus on advancing multiple disease therapies.
The company has been actively strengthening its financial position, having regained full Nasdaq compliance in November 2024 after curing a shareholders' equity deficiency. The current private placement, led by existing shareholders and insiders, further demonstrates investor confidence in Akari's technology platform and business strategy.
ADC Platform Focus
Akari's focus on antibody-drug conjugates positions it in one of the fastest-growing segments of oncology therapeutics. ADCs combine the targeting precision of monoclonal antibodies with potent cytotoxic payloads, enabling more selective delivery of cancer-killing agents to tumor cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
The company's novel spliceosome inhibitor payload technology represents a differentiated approach in the competitive ADC landscape. Spliceosome inhibitors target the cellular machinery responsible for RNA processing, a critical function for cancer cell survival.
The TROP-2 ADC program, for which Akari is seeking licensing partners, targets the trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (TROP-2), which is overexpressed in many epithelial cancers, including breast, lung, and colorectal cancers, making it a valuable target for precision oncology approaches.
Industry analysts note that the ADC market is projected to grow significantly in the coming years, with multiple pharmaceutical companies seeking to expand their oncology portfolios through internal development or strategic partnerships in this space.
Market Position and Outlook
With this financing secured, Akari strengthens its position to advance its proprietary ADC technology while pursuing partnership opportunities that could accelerate development and commercialization pathways.
The company's dual focus on developing its spliceosome inhibitor payload technology while seeking partners for its TROP-2 ADC program reflects a balanced approach to maximizing the value of its technology platform while managing development costs and risks.
As Akari moves forward under new leadership and with fresh capital, the company appears positioned to capitalize on the growing interest in next-generation ADC technologies that promise improved efficacy and safety profiles compared to earlier generations of cancer therapeutics.
