Genesis Research and Development Corporation Suspends New Zealand Operations Due to Lack of Funding
Solirna Biosciences Ltd Solirna's scientific and management team has made substantial progress with development of its single stranded gene silencing technology. Further funding of Solirna is being discussed, with future development of the technology likely to be undertaken overseas.
Pure Power Global Negotiations with Pure Power Global for the settlement of the outstanding debt relating to the sale of BioJoule Ltd have been continuing for a long period. In recognition of the significant change in asset values and the difficulty in arranging funding since the global financial crisis, Genesis has agreed to accept a significantly reduced amount if payment is made promptly. An initial deposit is being paid and complete settlement is intended to occur in May.
Corporate Activity
Genesis is currently discussing a proposed transaction to acquire a company with several therapeutic development projects, including one that is close to entering clinical development. The vendors have indicated that funds are available to allow Genesis to make a placement of shares which would raise approximately $450,000, with further more significant funding likely to follow.
Existing Genesis assets, including its royalty rights, and equity interests in Solirna Biosciences Ltd and Real Time Genomics, may be transferred to a separate entity. Existing Genesis shareholders would then receive shares in that new entity and would continue to hold their existing shares in Genesis. These transactions have not yet been fully developed or agreed with the other parties involved, and will be subject to approval of shareholders. Genesis Chief Executive, Stephen Hall, said, "It is now apparent that sufficient funding is not available to allow ongoing development of the Solirna technology in New Zealand. The Foundation for Research Science and Technology has declined to provide any substantive funding and at this stage the Japanese investor in Solirna is still determining whether it will provide further funding.
"Further information will be provided to shareholders as the plans discussed above are developed further."
Stephen G. Hall - Chief Executive Genesis Research & Development Corporation Limited http://www.genesis.co.nz PO Box 50 Shortland St, Auckland 1140, New Zealand One Fox Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand NZSX:GEN ASX:GEN
Tel +64 9 373 5600 Direct:+64 9 374 3710 Mobile +64 21 715 725 Fax +64 9 373 5601 e-mail s.hall@genesis.co.nz