Progen Industries Limited (ASX: PGL, NASDAQ: PGLA) and Medigen Biotechnology Corporation (Medigen) today announced they have agreed terms to conclude the Agreement of Strategic Alliance (Strategic Alliance) between the two companies.
The Strategic Alliance, which was signed in May 2000, required Medigen to undertake and complete certain clinical trials of PI-88. On completion of these PI-88 clinical trials, Medigen was entitled to a 15% royalty on PI-88 proceeds of commercialisation received by Progen. Both parties have agreed to end the Strategic Alliance to allow Progen to develop and commercialise PI-88 as rapidly as possible and with maximum flexibility.
The removal of the 15% royalty obligation to Medigen means Progen now retains a much larger portion of PI-88’s proceeds of commercialisation which significantly increases the value of PI-88 to the Company as it completes the final stages of clinical development.
In return, Medigen will benefit through an increased equity position in Progen and the potential to earn future milestone payments, demonstrating the confidence Medigen has in the future of PI-88. Additionally, the cancellation of Progen’s shareholding in Medigen and the removal of an associated anti-dilution clause will provide Medigen with future capital raising alternatives including a potential Initial Public Offering.
Key terms: § The parties agree to end the Strategic Alliance and therefore: o Medigen has no further obligations to conduct additional clinical trials of PI-88 following the completion of the current Phase II HCC trial; o Medigen foregoes its right to earn a 15% royalty on PI-88 proceeds of commercialisation received by Progen; and
In consideration for Medigen agreeing to end the Strategic Alliance and to compensate Medigen for its contribution to the development of PI-88, Progen has agreed to:
Return to Medigen the 19.9% equity it holds in Medigen; Issue 500,000 Progen ordinary shares to Medigen on execution of the agreement. Medigen are not able to sell these shares until they complete a clinical milestone in relation to the current PI-88 Phase II HCC Trial; Pay Medigen $A300,000 on execution of the agreement; Issue a further 732,600 Progen ordinary shares and pay $A2M in cash or shares, at Progen’s discretion, to Medigen on Medigen completing two clinical milestones in relation to the current PI-88 Phase II HCC Trial; Pay Medigen up to $A4M on PI-88 achieving specified clinical and commercial milestones; and Issue 1,000,000 options to Medigen upon Medigen providing to Progen the HCC Phase II Trial Final Study Report. These options have an exercise price calculated on the 60 business day average closing Progen share price at the time the Final Study Report is provided to Progen, and have a two year term. Dr Stanley Chang and his alternate, Mr Eugene Cheng, will resign from Progen’s Board and Progen’s two representatives will resign from Medigen’s Board.
Mr Justus Homburg, Progen’s Chief Executive Officer commented: “We believe this is an excellent opportunity to create a win-win scenario for both companies and create the greatest flexibility for PI-88 to be developed and commercially exploited.”
Mr Stephen Chang, Progen’s Executive Chairman added: “The alliance between the two companies has formed an important foundation for the development of PI-88. Medigen has played a central role in our clinical trial program, particularly in the liver cancer trial, the largest PI-88 Phase II trial that has been conducted, which involved 172 patients.”
“The Progen Board extends its gratitude to Dr Chang and Mr Cheng for their contribution to the Company as Directors. Their commitment to PI-88’s development in liver cancer has been critical to our current ability to proceed as rapidly as possible towards commencing a Phase 3 trial of PI-88 in liver cancer”, Mr Chang said.
Medigen’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Stanley Chang commented: “The alliance was struck in 2000 and at that time it was never envisaged that Progen would develop PI-88 beyond the completion of Phase II. We are delighted to have been involved in the development of PI-88 particularly the HCC Phase II study, and agreed to end the Alliance so that PI-88 has the best chance of success. Our continuing confidence in PI-88 is reflected in our strong desire to hold Progen equity and to agree to future milestone payments that are based on PI-88’s success.”
Further information:
About Progen: Progen Industries Limited is an Australian based globally focused biotechnology company committed to the discovery, development and commercialisation of small molecule pharmaceuticals for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases.
Progen’s three key areas of focus are: · Clinical Development - via a focused clinical trial program involving its two compounds PI-88 and PI-166 · Drug Discovery - projects focusing on the development of potent, selective inhibitors of carbohydrate-protein interactions, which are implicated in many disease processes · Manufacturing Services – PI-88 manufacturing development and supply for the clinical program and contract manufacturing services.
About Medigen: Medigen Biotechnology Corporation is a Taiwanese company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of new therapies and innovative technologies. Medigen’s scientific scope is oncology, immunology and complimentary alternative medicine which are derived from the Company’s R&D team’s innovative proprietary Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) Platform and clinical trial expertise.
Medigen’s key areas of focus are: · Clinical Development – with emphasis on new therapeutics of diseases of Asian significance · NAT Platform – HLA and other NAT detecting/diagnosing kits including design, development, manufacturing and commercialisation.
Media and Investor Relations: Rebecca Piercy Buchan Consulting rpiercy@bcg.com.au Ph: (02) 9237 2800 / 0422 916 422 Progen Information:
Linton Burns Chief Financial Officer Progen Industries Limited linton.burns@progen.com.au Ph: +61 7 3842 3333
Justus Homburg Chief Executive Officer Progen Industries Limited justus.homburg@progen.com.au
Ph: : +61 7 3842 3333
