On March 5, 2024 Akari Therapeutics, Plc (Nasdaq: AKTX), a late-stage biotechnology company developing advanced therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and Peak Bio Inc. (OTC: PKBO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapeutics in areas of inflammation and oncology reported a definitive agreement to merge as equals in an all-stock transaction (Press release, Akari Therapeutics, MAR 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234640766]). The combined entity will operate as Akari Therapeutics, Plc, which is expected to continue to be listed and trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market as AKTX.

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Following closing, the company will have an expanded pipeline that contains multiple compelling assets spanning early and late development stages. An assessment of the pipeline is planned, including program prioritization, updated timelines, near-term value creation opportunities, and other considerations. Key highlights of the merger include:

Peak’s innovative ADC toolkit and lead program

The merged pipeline features a robust ADC toolkit with novel payload and linker technologies. By combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy strategies, the merged company aims to develop cutting-edge solutions for cancer patients. In addition, the program includes a novel pre-clinical ADC candidate targeting TROP-2.
Multiple compelling assets spanning early and late stages

Akari’s nomacopan is a bispecific recombinant inhibitor of complement C5 and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) being evaluated in a Phase 3 clinical trial for pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant-related thrombotic microangiopathy (HSCT-TMA). It has potential to be the first approved treatment for HSCT-TMA, a rare complication of stem cell transplantation that has an 80% mortality rate among severe adult and pediatric patients.
Akari’s long-acting version of nomacopan (PASylated-nomacopan) is in the final stages of pre-clinical development for geographic atrophy (GA). It has the potential to address significant unmet patient needs including a longer dose interval between intravitreal injections and reduction of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) risk that is associated with approved complement-only inhibitors currently used in GA treatment.
Peak Bio’s Phase 2-ready PHP-303 program is targeting alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). The program was licensed from Bayer Healthcare and is a 5th generation neutrophil elastase inhibitor (NEI) targeting the inflammatory aspects of AATD, a rare condition.
Strategic focus

The merged company is expected to emphasize business development and licensing with broad potential impact on patients.
Proven leadership

Leadership has extensive strategic and operational experience. Hoyoung Huh, M.D., Ph.D. is expected to serve as incoming Chairman of the Board of the combined entity. Dr. Huh is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors at Pliant Therapeutics and co-founder of BridgeBio Pharma. He is former Chairman of Geron Corporation, CytomX Therapeutics, Epizyme, and is a former partner at McKinsey & Company.
The post-merger Board of Directors will consist of three directors selected by each company and one independent director jointly selected.

Transaction Details

Under the terms of the agreement, Peak stockholders will receive a number of Akari ordinary shares (represented by American Depositary Shares) for each share of Peak stock they own, as determined on the basis of the exchange ratio described in the agreement. The exchange is expected to result in implied equity ownership in the combined company of approximately 50% for Akari shareholders and approximately 50% for Peak stockholders on a fully-diluted basis, subject to adjustment under certain circumstances, including based on each party’s relative level of net cash at the closing of the proposed transaction.

Timing and Approvals

The transaction is expected to close late in the second quarter of this year subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including approval by the shareholders of both companies.

Legal Advisors

Goodwin Procter LLP is serving as legal advisor to Akari and DLA Piper LLP is serving as legal advisor to Peak Bio.