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MORRISTOWN, N.J. - Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:HEPA), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company with a current market capitalization of just $0.4 million, announced a 1-for-50 reverse stock split of its common stock to be effective after market close on Thursday. The move aims to boost the company’s stock price, currently trading at $0.04, to comply with NASDAQ’s minimum bid price rule for continued listing. According to InvestingPro data, the stock has fallen 98% over the past year, highlighting the urgency of this corporate action.
The reverse stock split was authorized by stockholders at the annual meeting on March 10, 2025, and is set to reduce the number of issued and outstanding shares from approximately 54.25 million to roughly 1.08 million. As a result, the common stock is expected to begin trading on a split-adjusted basis on March 18, 2025, under the existing ticker symbol HEPA, with a new CUSIP number 426897 401. InvestingPro analysis reveals concerning fundamentals, with the company receiving a "WEAK" Financial Health score and showing significant cash burn rates.
The action will not alter any stockholder’s percentage ownership interest or voting power, except for minimal changes due to rounding up fractional shares. Additionally, proportionate adjustments will be made to the per share exercise prices and the number of shares underlying the company’s outstanding stock options, warrants, and stock incentive plans.
Hepion’s primary asset, Rencofilstat, has received Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations from the FDA for the treatment of NASH and HCC, respectively. The company had previously paused enrollment in its ASCEND-NASH clinical trial in April 2023, with 151 subjects randomized and data from approximately 80 subjects available for evaluation.
The reverse stock split is expected to help Hepion regain compliance with NASDAQ’s $1.00 minimum bid price requirement. However, the company cautions that there are no guarantees that the post-split stock price will meet NASDAQ’s standard for the required period or that the common stock will remain listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market. With a negative return on assets of -158% and an Altman Z-Score indicating financial distress, investors can access comprehensive financial health metrics and 15 additional key insights through InvestingPro’s advanced analytics platform.
This information is based on a press release statement from Hepion Pharmaceuticals. The company has advised that forward-looking statements in the release are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.
In other recent news, Hepion Pharmaceuticals has disclosed its unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of January 31, 2025, in compliance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The release, part of a routine SEC filing, provides a snapshot of the company’s financial position but does not include specific figures or commentary on performance. Additionally, Hepion has announced a public offering aimed at raising approximately $9 million in gross proceeds. The offering includes shares of common stock and warrants, with plans to use the funds for debt repayment and general corporate purposes.
The offering is expected to close on January 23, 2025, with Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd. serving as the sole placement agent. Furthermore, Hepion Pharmaceuticals has received a notice from the Nasdaq Stock Market regarding non-compliance with a listing rule tied to annual shareholder meetings. The company has 45 days to submit a plan to regain compliance, with the potential for an extension until June 30, 2025, if accepted by Nasdaq. Investors are closely monitoring Hepion’s actions to address this compliance issue and maintain its Nasdaq listing.
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