The Market Online - At The Bell

Join our daily newsletter At The Bell to receive exclusive market insights

  • Biopharmaceutical company Opthea (OPT) has completed its initial public offering to list on the United States’ NASDAQ stock exchange
  • As expected, the company raised approximately US$128.2 million (roughly A$180.3 million) in aggregate gross proceeds through the offering
  • Opthea has also granted the IPO’s underwriters a 30-day option to buy up to 1,425,000 additional American Depositary Shares (ADS)
  • The proceeds of the IPO are likely to go towards supporting the company’s product development and clinical trials
  • Opthea shares are down 0.42 per cent in early trade, priced at $2.38

Opthea (OPT) has completed its initial public offering to list on the United States’ NASDAQ stock exchange.

On October 16, the company launched its IPO of American Depositary Shares (ADS) on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. A few days later, on October 20, Opthea released information about the IPO’s pricing.

During the IPO, the company offered 8,563,300 depositary shares, which represented 68,506,400 ordinary shares in Opthea. These were available at an IPO price of US$13.50 (approximately A$18.99) each.

The company also offered up pre-funded warrants for the purchase of 936,700 depositary shares at a similar IPO price.

Opthea originally hoped to raise US$160 million (roughly A$225 million) through the Nasdaq offering. However, the company later downgraded its expectations to potential proceeds of US$128.2 million (approximately A$180.3 million).

Opthea’s latter estimate was correct, as the company did indeed raise approximately US$128.2 million (or A$180.3 million) in aggregate gross proceeds through the IPO. However, Opthea has also granted the IPO’s underwriters a 30-day option to buy up to 1,425,000 additional depositary shares at the IPO price, minus underwriting discounts.

With these extra shares still up for sale, the company could expect further proceeds to add to its current total raised thus far. According to Opthea, any proceeds of the IPO are likely to go towards supporting the company’s product development and clinical trials.

While Opthea’s depositary shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the company’s ordinary shares will continue to list on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).

Opthea shares are down 0.42 per cent in early trade, priced at $2.38 at 10:29 am AEDT.

OPT by the numbers
More From The Market Online
Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast, 3D illustration.

Tissue Repairs soars nearly 32% on TGA approval for wound healing gel

Biotech company Tissue Repair Ltd (ASX:TRP) has seen its share price rise more than 30% on news it had gained TGA (Therapeutic
The Market Online Video

Little Green Pharma (ASX:LGP) reports revenue increase in Q4 FY24

This interview discusses Little Green Pharma’s (ASX:LGP) record-breaking quarterly results for June 2024, highlighting a 12% increase in revenue and significant cash receipts.
Illustration representing big data technology.

Opyl forms JV with UK and US consortium to bring products to the world

Medical technology and AI company Opyl Ltd is set to form a joint venture with UK…
Ai gen brain scan

EMVision Medical successfully fabs first prototype of First Responder brain scan device – portable enough for a backpack

EMVision Medical Devices (ASX:EMV) has announced its successful fabrication of a portable on-the-spot brain scanning device.