Aeterna Zentaris Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Ceapro Inc. for CAD 20 million in a merger of equals transaction.
Following the closing of the transaction, the board of directors of the combined company will consist of eight directors, comprised of four independent directors from Ceapro, three independent directors from Aeterna and Gilles Gagnon, who currently serves on both boards. Management of the combined operations will include executives from both Ceapro and Aeterna, with Ceapro?s current Chief Executive Officer, Gilles Gagnon, and Aeterna?s current Chief Financial Officer, Giuliano La Fratta, continuing to carry out their respective responsibilities following the closing of the transaction. Post the transaction, Ceapro's common shares will be de-listed from the TSX Venture Exchange and the combined company is expected to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (?Nasdaq?) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (the ?TSX?).
The transaction is subject to approval of Ceapro and Aeterna shareholders, Alberta court approval, applicable stock exchange approvals and other customary closing conditions. Aeterna?s and Ceapro?s Board of Directors have unanimously approved the transaction, based on the unanimous recommendation of the Aeterna board's strategic committee and Ceapro board's special committee. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2024. As of March 12, 2024, shareholder of ceapro and Aeterna approved the deal. As of March 28, 2024, Court of King's Bench of Alberta has issued a final order approving the arrangement.
Raymond James Ltd. acted as financial advisor and fairness opinion provider to Aeterna. Norton Rose Fulbright acted as Canadian and U.S. legal advisor to Aeterna. Kingsdale Advisors acted as proxy solicitor to Aeterna. Bloom Burton Securities Inc. acted as financial advisor and fairness opinion provider to Ceapro. Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP acted as Canadian legal advisor and Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP acted as U.S. legal advisor to Ceapro. Computershare Trust Company of Canada acted as depositary to Aeterna Zentaris. Computershare Investor Services Inc. acted as depositary to Ceapro. Kingsdale Advisors will receive a fee of CAD 110,000.