Zevra Therapeutics Refinances Existing Debt with up to $100M in Committed Capital under New Credit Facility

CELEBRATION, Fla., April 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zevra Therapeutics, Inc. (NasdaqGS: ZVRA) (Zevra, or the Company), a rare disease therapeutics company, today announced that it has entered into a new credit facility provided by leading biotech investors. Led by Perceptive Advisors and Healthcare Royalty, the new credit facility provides up to $100M in committed capital in three tranches: an initial draw of $60M at closing, a second tranche of up to $20M available until October 5, 2025, and a third tranche of up to $20M which becomes available upon approval of arimoclomol, the Company’s product candidate for the treatment of Niemann Pick disease Type C (NPC), in each case subject to certain terms and conditions. As part of this transaction, the Company has retired its combined existing debt of approximately $43.1M.

Net proceeds from the initial $60M draw, after repayment of the existing debt, original issue discount, and fees and expenses associated with this transaction, are approximately $14.0M.

The new five-year credit facility bears interest at the 3-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) (subject to a 4.00% per annum floor), plus 7.00% per annum, which all-in interest rate is currently 12.33% per annum. Zevra has the option to pay up to 25% of the interest on principal amounts outstanding in-kind through and including March 31, 2026, subject to certain terms and conditions. The facility is interest-only throughout the five-year term of the facility, with all outstanding principal due on the maturity date of April 5, 2029, and includes certain customary covenants and obligations.

“Entry into this new credit facility is another step in Zevra’s execution of our strategic vision to become a leading rare disease company,” said R. LaDuane Clifton, Zevra’s Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer. “By restructuring the amounts previously outstanding on two different facilities, we have simplified and extended the maturity while also providing additional non-dilutive capital flexibility to support our strategic priorities for 2024, which are (i) successfully launching OLPRUVA and ensuring access for patients, (ii) preparing for the launch of arimoclomol, if approved, and (iii) advancing our KP1077 development program in sleep disorders. As a result of this transaction, and based on our current operating plan, available cash, cash equivalents and investments, we expect that our cash runway will be further extended into 2026.”