LumiraDx, CA Healthcare Acquisition Revise Merger Terms to Lower Equity Value of Combined Company

Original from Genomeweb

Point-of-care diagnostics firm LumiraDx and special purpose acquisition company CA Healthcare Acquisition said on Monday that they have revised the terms of their previously announced merger to lower the equity value of the combined company.

London-based LumiraDx also lowered its full-year 2021 revenue estimates by up to 70 percent.

The change in the merger terms, which lowers the pro forma enterprise value of post-merger LumiraDx to $3 billion from $5 billion, is expected to make the company more attractive to investors, the companies said.

In April, CAHC said it had agreed to merge with LumiraDx in a deal that would facilitate LumiraDx's listing on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol LMDX. Boston-based CAHC had previously floated its shares on the Nasdaq, raising $115 million in an initial public offering.

The new $3 billion valuation for post-merger LumiraDx excludes the $115 million in cash that CAHC is holding in trust, which will become available to the combined company. Current LumiraDx shareholders will retain the entirety of their existing holdings in LumiraDx, as specified under the merger's original terms.

The transaction is slated to close in the fall.

"Today's announcement reflects our commitment to delivering significant upside potential and long-term value for both our current CAHC shareholders as well as future shareholders of LumiraDx," Ron Zwanziger, LumiraDx chairman and CEO, said in a statement.

LumiraDx is developing a pipeline of tests that includes more than 30 assays for health conditions that include infectious disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and coagulation disorders. The company also offers a range of SARS-CoV-2 tests with US Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorizations.

LumiraDx expects to receive clearances for 10 tests over the next two years including ones for influenza/COVID-19, tuberculosis, and troponin. The company recently updated its 2021 revenue guidance to the $300 million to $500 million range and said it expects 2024 revenues in the range of $1 billion to $1.25 billion.

In April when LumiraDx announced its plans to go public through the SPAC mechanism, it said 2021 revenues were expected to be between $600 million and $1 billion.

Source: LumiraDx, CA Healthcare Acquisition Revise Merger Terms to Lower Equity Value of Combined Company | Genomeweb