EDISON, N.J., May 31, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ContraVir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTRV), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapeutic drugs for the treatment of liver disease arising from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and chronic viral infection, announced today a reverse split of its common stock, $0.0001 par value, at a ratio of 1 for 70 effective May 31, 2019. The Company’s common stock will begin trading on a split-adjusted basis when the markets open on June 3, 2019 under the existing trading symbol “CTRV.”
The reverse stock split is primarily intended to bring the Company into compliance with the minimum bid price requirement for maintaining its listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The new CUSIP number for the common stock following the reverse split will be 21234W400.
As a result of the reverse split, each seventy pre-split shares of common stock outstanding will automatically combine into one new share of common stock without any action on the part of the holders, and the number of outstanding common shares will be reduced from approximately 41.3 million shares to approximately 590,500 shares. Proportionate adjustments will be made to the conversion and exercise prices of the Company's outstanding warrants, stock options, and to the number of shares issued and issuable under the Company's equity incentive plans. The common stock issued pursuant to the reverse stock split will remain fully paid and non-assessable. The reverse stock split will not affect the par value of the common stock.
On March 11, 2019 the board of directors of the company approved the reverse stock split, subject to shareholder approval. On May 2, 2019, a majority of the company’s shareholders approved giving the Board discretionary authority to enact the reverse stock split. The Board approved the reverse stock split on a one for seventy ratio on May 9, 2019.
The reverse stock split will affect all stockholders uniformly and will not alter any stockholder's percentage interest in the company's equity, except to the extent that the reverse stock split would result in a stockholder owning a fractional share. Any fractional shares of common stock resulting from the reverse stock split will be rounded up to the nearest whole post-split share and no shareholders will receive cash in lieu of fractional shares. The Company’s transfer agent, Philadelphia Stock Transfer, Inc. will provide stockholders of record holding certificates representing pre-split shares of the company's common stock as of the effective date, a letter of transmittal providing instructions for the exchange of shares. Registered stockholders holding pre-split shares of the company's common stock electronically in book-entry form are not required to take any action to receive post-split shares. Stockholders owning shares via a broker, bank, trust or other nominee will have their positions automatically adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split, subject to such broker's particular processes, and will not be required to take any action in connection with the reverse stock split. Additional information about the reverse stock split can be found in the company’s definitive proxy statement (Form DEF 14A) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2019, available free of charge at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov, or at the Company’s website, www.contravir.com. Philadelphia Stock Transfer, Inc. can be reached by phone at (484) 416-3124 or mail at 2320 Haverford Rd., Suite 230, Ardmore, PA 19003
About ContraVir Pharmaceuticals
ContraVir is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of targeted therapies for liver disease arising from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and chronic hepatitis virus infection (HBV, HCV, HDV). The company’s lead drug candidate, CRV431, reduces liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma tumor burden in experimental models of NASH. Preclinical studies also have demonstrated antiviral activities towards HBV, HCV, and HDV through several mechanisms. These diverse therapeutic activities result from CRV431’s potent inhibition of cyclophilin enzymes, which are involved in many disease processes. Currently in clinical phase development, CRV431 shows potential to play an important role in the overall treatment of liver disease - from triggering events through to end-stage disease. For more information, please visit www.contravir.com.
