Company Overview
ANEW MEDICAL, INC. (“ANEW”), a Nasdaq listed company (ticker symbol “WENA) specializes specializes in the development of patented, novel disease-modifying technologies to include key developments in treating neurodegenerative and age-related disorders.The company’s focus on central nervous systems (CNS) diseases utilizing cell and gene therapies to mitigate age-related pathologies such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia symptoms and neuromuscular diseases. The Company has exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize proprietary product platforms based on its proprietary isoform transcribed from the human Klotho gene referred to as secreted Klotho or “s-KL”. This s-KL protein or gene therapy has been recognized for its potential to mitigate age-related pathologies such as ALS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. The Company is also evaluating other core technology platforms to acquire for development and commercialization by the Company.
Press Releases
ANEW MEDICAL ANNOUNCES KEY PATENT ISSUED IN CHINA TO PROTECT KLOTHO PROTEIN AND GENE DELIVERY SYSTEMS
NEW YORK, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ANEW MEDICAL, INC. (“ANEW” or “the Company”) (OTCPK: LEAS) a US-based biotechnology company (“ANEW”) focused on developing cell and gene- based treatments to affect aging and age-related diseases, announced that is has been granted and issued a patent in China, number CN 117126829 A for the use of ANEW’s Klotho protein and Klotho gene delivery and expression systems in the treatment of cognition, memory and neurodegenerative diseases. This intellectual property was licensed by ANEW from UNIVERSITAT AUTÒNOMA DE BARCELONA (UAB) and INSTITUCIÓ CATALANA DE RECERCA I ESTUDIS AVANÇATS (ICREA) in Barcelona, Spain on an exclusive worldwide basis and ANEW paid for all patent costs associated with obtaining –the patent.
Dr. Joseph Sinkule, the Founder and CEO of ANEW stated “Obtaining a patent in China was difficult but important to our global product development programs in neurodegenerative diseases. The aging population in China is affected by the same age-related diseases we are fighting in the US and Europe. ANEW plans to obtain patents in Hong Kong and other Asian markets and seek to establish a distributorship in these markets with companies in Asia that can market and sell our products”.
In May 2023, ANEW announced its proposed merger with a special purpose acquisition company (“SPAC”) called Redwoods (NASDAQ: RWOD) (“RWOD” or “Redwoods”). At closing, anticipated to take place in March 2024, we expect ANEW to be listed on NASDAQ. The CFO of RWOD and a member of the RWOD Board, Mr. Edward Cong Wang, will join the ANEW Board of Directors on the board of the combined company.
About ANEW MEDICAL, INC. – ANEW MEDICAL, INC. (OTC: LEAS) is a technology and medical product development company focused on the development of therapeutics and diagnostics for a broad range of life-threating disease indications. The Company has offices in the US and in Spain. ANEW’s current portfolio consists of three platforms – generic oncology drugs that are in short supply in the US, Phase 3 ready biosimilar biologics targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases, and its proprietary gene therapy program using DNA and RNA as therapeutics and diagnostics.
Important Information about the Proposed Business Combination and Where to Find It
This press release relates to a proposed transaction between Redwoods and ANEW. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange, any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. In connection with the proposed business combination, Redwoods, ANEW and/or a successor entity of the transaction has filed relevant materials with the SEC, including a registration statement on Form S-4 containing a proxy statement/prospectus (the “Registration Statement”). The Registration Statement includes a proxy statement/prospectus to be distributed to holders of Redwoods’s common stock in connection with Redwoods’s solicitation of proxies for the vote by Redwoods’s stockholders with respect to the proposed transaction and other matters as described in the Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus relating to the offer of securities to be issued to ANEW’s stockholders in connection with the proposed business combination. The Registration Statement has been filed and declared effective, and Redwoods [has mailed] a definitive proxy statement to its stockholders.
Before making any voting or investment decision, investors and security holders and other interested parties are urged to read the Registration Statement, any amendments thereto and any other documents filed with the SEC carefully and in their entirety when they become available because they will contain important information about Redwoods, ANEW and the proposed business combination. Copies of these documents may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
The documents filed by Redwoods with the SEC also may be obtained free of charge upon written request to Redwoods at c/o Redwoods Acquisition Corp., 1115 Broadway 12th Floor, New York, NY 10010. The documents filed by ANEW or any successor entity of the transaction with the SEC also may be obtained free of charge upon written request to ANEW at 13576 Walnut Street, Suite A, Omaha, NE 68144 USA.
Participants in the Solicitation
Redwoods and ANEW and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Redwoods’ stockholders with respect to the proposed business combination under the rules of the SEC. Securityholders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations, and interests of certain of Redwoods’ executive officers and directors in the solicitation by reading Redwoods’ Registration Statement and other relevant materials filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed business combination when they become available. Information about Redwoods’ directors and executive officers and their ownership of Redwoods common stock is set forth in its prospectus related to its initial public offering dated April 1, 2022. Other information regarding the interests of Redwoods’ participants in the proxy solicitation, which in some cases, may be different than those of their stockholders generally, will be set forth in the Registration Statement relating to the proposed business combination when it becomes available. These documents can be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov.
ANEW and its directors and executive officers may also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Redwoods in connection with the proposed business combination. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the proposed business combination will be included in the Registration Statement for the proposed business combination.
Non-Solicitation
This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent, or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed business combination. This press release shall also not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.
Forward-Looking Statements – This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts are “forward-looking statements,” including those relating to future events. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “plan”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “may”, “might”, “will”, “should”, “project”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “intend”, or “continue”, or other words or terms of similar meaning. These statements include, without limitation, statements related to research, pr-clinical data, plans for future development, and the potential of a drug development candidate. These forward-looking statements are based on our current plans, objectives, estimates, expectations and intentions, and inherently involve significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a results of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties with the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the Company’s clinical plans and business strategy, risks and uncertainties associated with product development and clinical success thereof, the uncertainties of regulatory approvals, and manufacturing and supply risks, other risks and uncertainties affecting the Company and its research and development programs as set forth in its SEC filings. Other risks and uncertainties of which the Company is not currently aware may also affect the Company’s forward-looking statements and may cause actual results and the timing of events to differ materially from those anticipated. The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information, future events, changes in its expectations or other circumstances that exist after the date as of which the forward-looking statements were made.
ANEW MEDICAL, INC. (“ANEW”) has entered into a definitive business combination agreement with Redwoods Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: RWOD).
NEW YORK, May 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — ANEW MEDICAL, INC. (“ANEW” or the “Company”), an early-stage biotechnology company focused on developing disruptive new therapies to treat neurodegenerative diseases, announced today that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Redwoods Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: RWOD; “Redwoods”), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC. ANEW currently has its common stock quoted on the OTC Markets under the symbol “LEAS”.
The transaction values the combined company at a pro forma enterprise value of approximately US$94.0 million (assuming no redemptions) with existing ANEW stockholders rolling over 100% of their equity into the combined company. ANEW stockholders will be eligible to receive additional shares pursuant to an earn-out based on the combined company’s stock performance following the closing of the transaction. The transaction is expected to provide approximately US$54 million of cash proceeds, assuming no redemptions by Redwoods stockholders. These values exclude up to five million of additional earn-out shares that would be issued to ANEW stockholders if applicable stock performance-based requirements are met. Upon completion of the transaction, the combined company will operate as ANEW MEDICAL and expects to remain listed on NASDAQ.
ANEW is dedicated to realizing the potential of gene therapies to offer transformative patient outcomes in areas of high unmet medical need and extending the reach of gene therapies to highly prevalent neurodegenerative disorders. The Company has assembled a portfolio of gene therapies in partnership with leading scientific institutions and has built a core team with extensive experience in the gene therapy, drug development, and commercialization space. ANEW is initially focused on progressing programs that include alpha Klotho-based gene therapies for ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.
Management Comments
Dr. Joseph Sinkule, CEO and Founder of ANEW, welcomed the signing of the agreement, saying, “ANEW is focused on developing disruptive new gene therapies to alleviate and/or reverse the progression of devastating neurodegenerative diseases. We are thrilled to be reaching this important milestone and we believe it will be incredibly beneficial for our mission as a company. The partnership with Redwoods as well as the listing on NASDAQ constitute an ideal pathway to raise additional capital and fund our strategic initiatives going forward. ANEW management looks forward to creating significant shareholder value over the next several years of product development and commercialization.”
“We are delighted to announce the proposed merger with ANEW,” said Mr. Jiande Chen, CEO of Redwoods. “After undertaking a comprehensive process with external advisors to explore and evaluate numerous potential business combination partners, our board and management team believe this transaction with ANEW represents the best opportunity to create substantial value for our stockholders. This business combination, if completed, will result in Redwoods investors having an equity stake in a company that is focused on developing and commercializing potentially disruptive gene therapies to improve the lives of patients with neurodegenerative diseases. We are thrilled to support ANEW in its transition to a public company and to provide an avenue for ANEW to expeditiously meet its development milestones.”
Key transaction terms
The pro forma enterprise value of the combined company is up to US$94 million, which includes up to US$54 of cash held in the trust account of Redwoods, which is subject to redemption by Redwoods stockholders. These values exclude up to 5 million of additional earn-out shares that would be issued to ANEW stockholders if applicable stock performance-based requirements are met. The transaction, which has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of ANEW and Redwoods, is subject to approval by their respective stockholders and other closing conditions. The proposed business combination contemplates that ANEW’s stockholders will roll 100% of their equity into the combined company and will be eligible to receive additional shares pursuant to an earn-out based on the combined company’s future stock performance.
All cash remaining on the combined company’s balance sheet at the closing of the transaction, after the settlement of transaction-related expenses, is expected to be utilized by the combined company for working capital, growth, and other general corporate purposes. The proposed business combination is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2023.
A more detailed description of the transaction terms and a copy of the definitive merger agreement will be included in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by Redwoods with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and available at www.sec.gov.
Advisors
Chardan is acting as M&A and capital markets advisor to ANEW. Cyruli Shanks & Zizmor, LLP is acting as legal counsel to ANEW. Loeb & Loeb LLP is acting as legal counsel to Redwoods.
About ANEW
ANEW is a Wyoming corporation with a primary focus on developing disruptive new therapies to alleviate and/or reverse the progression of neurodegenerative diseases through the use of cell and gene therapy. ANEW has assembled a team of highly experienced pharmaceutical professionals and has licensed technologies that are essential and life-saving. Deploying the cell and gene therapy that integrates a proprietary gene splice variant called secreted klotho (s-KL) and delivery of the gene construct to the cytoplasm of cells using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotype 9 that concentrates the expressed protein in the central nervous system (CNS) and another AAV9 that has been shown to concentrate in muscle tissue.
About Redwoods
Redwoods Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: RWOD; “Redwoods”) is a blank check company formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities.
Important Information about the Proposed Business Combination and Where to Find It
This press release relates to a proposed transaction between Redwoods and ANEW. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange, any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. In connection with the proposed business combination, Redwoods, ANEW and/or a successor entity of the transaction intends to relevant materials with the SEC, including a registration statement on Form S-4 containing a proxy statement/prospectus (the “Registration Statement”) with the SEC. The Registration Statement will include a proxy statement/prospectus to be distributed to holders of Redwoods’s common stock in connection with Redwoods’s solicitation of proxies for the vote by Redwoods’s stockholders with respect to the proposed transaction and other matters as described in the Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus relating to the offer of securities to be issued to ANEW’s stockholders in connection with the proposed business combination. After the Registration Statement has been filed and declared effective, Redwoods will mail a definitive proxy statement, when available, to its stockholders.
Before making any voting or investment decision, investors and security holders and other interested parties are urged to read the Registration Statement, any amendments thereto and any other documents filed with the SEC carefully and in their entirety when they become available because they will contain important information about Redwoods, ANEW and the proposed business combination. Copies of these documents may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
The documents filed by Redwoods with the SEC also may be obtained free of charge upon written request to Redwoods at c/o Redwoods Acquisition Corp., 1115 Broadway 12th Floor, New York, NY 10010. The documents filed by ANEW or any successor entity of the transaction with the SEC also may be obtained free of charge upon written request to ANEW at 13576 Walnut Street, Suite A, Omaha, NE 68144 USA.
Participants in the Solicitation
Redwoods and ANEW and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Redwoods’ stockholders with respect to the proposed business combination under the rules of the SEC. Securityholders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations, and interests of certain of Redwoods’ executive officers and directors in the solicitation by reading Redwoods’ Registration Statement and other relevant materials filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed business combination when they become available. Information about Redwoods’ directors and executive officers and their ownership of Redwoods common stock is set forth in its prospectus related to its initial public offering dated April 1, 2022. Other information regarding the interests of Redwoods’ participants in the proxy solicitation, which in some cases, may be different than those of their stockholders generally, will be set forth in the Registration Statement relating to the proposed business combination when it becomes available. These documents can be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov.
ANEW and its directors and executive officers may also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Redwoods in connection with the proposed business combination. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the proposed business combination will be included in the Registration Statement for the proposed business combination.
Non-Solicitation
This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent, or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed business combination. This press release shall also not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about the parties’ ability to close the proposed business combination and related transactions, the anticipated benefits of the proposed business combination, and the financial condition, results of operations, earnings outlook and prospects of Redwoods and/or the proposed business combination and related transactions and may include statements for the period following the consummation of the proposed business combination and related transactions. In addition, any statements that refer to projections (including EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, EBITDA margin and revenue projections), forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “outlook,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “continue,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “should,” “would” and other similar words and expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
The forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of the management of Redwoods and ANEW, as applicable, and are inherently subject to uncertainties and changes in circumstances and their potential effects and speak only as of the date of such statement. There can be no assurance that future developments will be those that have been anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including: risks related to ANEW’s businesses and strategies; the ability to complete the proposed business combination due to the failure to obtain approval from Redwoods’s stockholders or satisfy other closing conditions in the definitive merger agreement; the amount of any redemptions by existing holders of Redwoods’s common stock; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the business combination; other risks and uncertainties included under the header “Risk Factors” in the Registration Statement to be filed by Redwoods, ANEW and/or a successor entity of the transaction, in the final prospectus of Redwoods for its initial public offering dated April 1, 2022; and in Redwoods’s other filings with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and ANEW and Redwoods assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither ANEW nor Redwoods gives any assurance that ANEW, Redwoods or the combined company will achieve its expectations.
SOURCE Redwoods Acquisition Corp
ANEW MEDICAL, INC. Acquires World Wide License to Treat Neurodegenerative Diseases Using a Longevity Protein and Gene Therapy Programs.
Published: Dec 07, 2022
NEW YORK, Dec. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — ANEW MEDICAL, INC. (“ANEW” or “the Company”) (OTCPK:LEAS), a medical technology holding company announced that it has acquired an exclusive worldwide license from Universitat Autonomous de Barcelona (UAB) and affiliated institutions to a platform technology for discovery and development of cell and gene therapy products based on a proprietary human protein and gene called α-Klotho.
Gene Therapy for Neurodegenerative Diseases
“The new longevity industry is growing quite rapidly and new approaches to creating medications that target the mechanisms of aging to prevent or reverse the diseases of aging are important” says Dr. Joseph Sinkule, the founder and CEO of ANEW MEDICAL (ANEW). Dr. Sinkule goes on to say “In general, aging is the accumulation of molecular damage to cells and tissues – genes making no protein or the wrong proteins, waste products of metabolism, aberrant cells and their harmful behavior, and this simple damage begins to spiral out of control and leading to age-related diseases like heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).”
“We work with a very talented and experienced group in Barcelona, Spain and experts in the U.S., joining together to develop product candidates that solve these problems, using cell and gene therapy approaches to change the paradigm of how these diseases are treated or potentially prevented” stated Dr. Sinkule. “We have chosen the α-Klotho gene and protein as its loss and low blood levels is most directly associated with aging and many age-related diseases – the gene is often called “the anti-aging gene” and was named for “Clotho”, one of the Greek goddesses of the three Greek Fates believed by the ancients “to spin the thread of life”. The Klotho gene was first identified in 1997 in humans and mammals and works as a humoral factor or hormone that may regulate aging and age-related protein function and senescence (cell aging).
Dr. Shalom Hirschman, the Chief Medical Officer and key medical advisor stated “We plan to first pursue a treatment for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, as it is uniformly fatal and there are no effective drugs that can actually treat this horrific disease. Our Klotho gene therapy is a unique approach to treating ALS. The therapeutic results generated in experimental animal models of ALS offers great promise for patients afflicted with the disease. We plan to pursue Alzheimer’s disease with a corporate partner for the studies are larger, more expensive, and a longer duration. Other neurodegenerative diseases will utilize a tissue-specific promoter, a secreted-Klotho gene variant called s-KL, and adeno-associated virus (AAV) or lipid particles to deliver the gene inside a patient’s cells. This type of therapy does not interfere with human chromosomes in the cell nucleus, so it is easy to administer as a relatively safe procedure” says Dr. Hirschman.
About ANEW MEDICAL, INC. – ANEW MEDICAL, INC. (OTC: LEAS) is a technology and medical product holding company focused on the development of therapeutics and diagnostics for a broad range of life-threatening disease indications. The Company has offices in the US and in Spain. ANEW’s current portfolio consists of generic oncology drugs that are in short supply in the US, biosimilar biologics targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases, and its proprietary gene therapy program using DNA and RNA as therapeutics and diagnostics.
For more information on ANEW MEDICAL, INC. please visit www.anewmeds.com.
Forward-Looking Statements – This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts are “forward-looking statements,” including those relating to future events. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “plan”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “may”, “might”, “will”, “should”, “project”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “intend”, or “continue”, or other words or terms of similar meaning. These statements include, without limitation, statements related to research, pr-clinical data, plans for future development, and the potential of a drug development candidate. These forward-looking statements are based on our current plans, objectives, estimates, expectations and intentions, and inherently involve significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a results of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties with the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the Company’s clinical plans and business strategy, risks and uncertainties associated with product development and clinical success thereof, the uncertainties of regulatory approvals, and manufacturing and supply risks, other risks and uncertainties affecting the Company and its research and development programs as set forth in its SEC filings. Other risks and uncertainties of which the Company is not currently aware may also affect the Company’s forward-looking statements and may cause actual results and the timing of events to differ materially from those anticipated. The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information, future events, changes in its expectations or other circumstances that exist after the date as of which the forward-looking statements were made.