BERKELEY, Calif. and MAINZ, Germany, June 29, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mainz Biomed NV (NASDAQ:MYNZ) (“Mainz Biomed” or the “Company”), a molecular genetics diagnostic company specializing in the early detection of cancer, announced today that it has entered into a $50 million Pre-Paid Advance Agreement (PPA) with Yorkville Advisors Global, LP (Yorkville), a global investment management firm. Simultaneously, the Company and Yorkville also entered into a $5.5 million Promissory Note (Note) with approximately $5.0 million funded at closing.
“We are executing an ambitious commercial and product development plan, and the flexibility of this funding vehicle enables us to continue operating in this strategic and opportunistic fashion,” commented Guido Baechler, Chief Executive Officer of Mainz Biomed.
Mainz is currently commercializing its flagship product ColoAlert, a highly efficacious and easy-to-use detection test for colorectal cancer (CRC), across Europe and in select international territories via a differentiated business model of partnering with third-party laboratories for test kit processing versus the traditional methodology of operating a single facility. In December of 2022, the Company initiated a U.S. Pivotal Clinical Study (ReconAAsense) for a CRC screening test that may integrate the Company’s portfolio of novel gene expression (mRNA) biomarkers, providing the opportunity to achieve gold standard status in the at-home CRC diagnostic tool market. These biomarkers have demonstrated the potential to identify advanced adenomas, a type of curable pre-cancerous polyp often attributed to CRC, which is being evaluated in European and U.S. studies (ColoFuture/eAArly DETECT). Results from both studies are expected in 2023, and Mainz anticipates enrollment in ReconAAsense to commence in the second half of 2023. The Company’s early-stage product development pipeline is highlighted by PancAlert, a potential first-in-class screening test for pancreatic cancer.
For further details on the transaction, please see the Company’s Form 6-K that has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by visiting www.SEC.gov.
About ColoAlert®
ColoAlert®, Mainz Biomed’s flagship product, delivers high sensitivity and specificity in a user-friendly, at-home colorectal cancer (CRC) screening kit. This non-invasive test can be indicative of tumors as determined by analyzing tumor DNA, offering better early detection than fecal occult blood tests (FOBT). Based on PCR-technology, ColoAlert® detects more cases of colorectal cancer than other stool tests and allows for an earlier diagnosis (Gies et al., 2018). The product is commercially available in select EU countries through a network of leading independent laboratories, corporate health programs and via direct sales. To receive marketing approval in the US, ColoAlert® will be evaluated in the FDA-registration trial ‘ReconAAsense.’ Once approved in the US, the Company’s commercial strategy is to establish scalable distribution through a collaborative partner program with regional and national laboratory service providers across the country.
About Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer globally, with more than 1.9 million new cases reported in 2020, according to World Cancer Research Fund International. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that screening with stool DNA tests such as ColoAlert® should be conducted once every three years starting at age 45. Each year in the US, 16.6 million colonoscopies are performed. However, roughly one-third of US residents aged 50-75 have never been screened for colon cancer. This gap in screening represents a $4.0B+ total market opportunity in the US.
About Mainz Biomed NV
Mainz Biomed develops market-ready molecular genetic diagnostic solutions for life-threatening conditions. The Company’s flagship product is ColoAlert®, an accurate, non-invasive and easy-to-use, early-detection diagnostic test for colorectal cancer based on real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction-based (PCR) multiplex detection of molecular-genetic biomarkers in stool samples. ColoAlert® is currently marketed across Europe. The Company is running a pivotal FDA clinical study for US regulatory approval. Mainz Biomed’s product candidate portfolio also includes PancAlert, an early-stage pancreatic cancer screening test. To learn more, visit mainzbiomed.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
For media inquiries, please contact press@mainzbiomed.com
In Europe:
MC Services AG
Anne Hennecke/Caroline Bergmann
+49 211 529252 20
mainzbiomed@mc-services.eu
In the US:
Josh Stanbury
+1 416 628 7441
josh@sjspr.co
For investor inquiries, please contact info@mainzbiomed.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “estimate”, “plan”, “outlook”, and “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements reflect the current analysis of existing information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. As a result, caution must be exercised in relying on forward-looking statements. Due to known and unknown risks, actual results may differ materially from the Company’s expectations or projections. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements: (i) the failure to meet projected development and related targets; (ii) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (iii) the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company and its current or intended markets; and (iv) other risks and uncertainties described herein, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed from time to time in other reports and other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by the Company. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact the Company’s expectations and projections can be found in its filings with the SEC, including its annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 7, 2023. The Company’s SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to Mainz Biomed and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Mainz Biomed undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.
