VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sirona Biochem Corp. (TSX-V: SBM) (Frankfurt: ZSB) (Xetra: ZSB) (the “Company”) announced today that it has closed an oversubscribed, non-brokered convertible debenture for gross proceeds of $1,563,600. The private placement consists of 1,563 Debenture units, (the “Debenture Units”) at a price of $1,000 per Debenture Unit.

Dr. Howard Verrico, CEO, subscribed to $500,000 of Debenture Units. Dr. Verrico’s participation is a “related party transaction” within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. The Company relied on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder-approval requirements of MI 61-101 in respect of related party participation in the Offering. The MI 61-101 exemptions are available as the fair market value of the Debenture Units, and the fair market value of the consideration for the Debenture Units, insofar as it involves Dr. Verrico and other interested parties, did not exceed 25% of the Company’s market capitalization.

“Although we are in a challenging market, I am confident the value of our platform technology will be recognized as we advance our diverse pipeline. It is my intention to support Sirona, as needed, both financially and by working with our team to make Sirona a commercial success. We appreciate the contribution of the long-term shareholders in this financing who share my vision,” reports Dr. Howard Verrico.

Approximately 1/3 of the net proceeds from the Offering will be used for general corporate purposes, and the remainder of the proceeds will used for research and development expenses (including but not limited to, laboratory staff salaries, laboratory materials and intellectual property costs).

Each Debenture Unit has a face value of (the “Face Value”) of $1,120, consisting of $1,000 in principal (the “Principal”) and $120 in prepaid interest (the “Prepaid Interest”). The Principal of the Debenture Units will accrue interest at a rate of 12% per annum, which accrued interest (“Accrued Interest”) will be paid semi-annually, in arrears. The Company will pay the Prepaid Interest and Accrued Interest in cash or, subject to TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) acceptance, may elect to satisfy payment in kind by issuing Shares (“Interest Shares”). In the event of payment in kind, the number of Interest Shares due will be calculated using a conversion price (the “Interest Conversion Price”) equal to, subject to acceptance by the TSXV, the maximum Discounted Market Price (as defined in TSXV policies) on the applicable payment due date.

The holder may, at its option, convert in full or in part, the Principal at any time prior to April 20, 2026 (the “Maturity Date”) into units (the “Units”) of the Company at $0.10 per Unit (the “Conversion Price”). Upon conversion of the Principal, the Company will pay Prepaid Interest and unpaid Accrued Interest in cash or, subject to acceptance by the TSXV, in Interest Shares issued at the Interest Conversion Price.

Each Unit consists of one Share and one non-transferable share purchase warrant (a “Warrant”). Each Warrant is exercisable by the holder thereof to purchase one Share (a “Warrant Share”) at an exercise price of $0.15 at any time prior to the Maturity Date.

The Company shall have the right to redeem the Convertible Debentures prior to the Maturity Date at any time after 6 months from the issue date, by paying holders in cash the Face Value of the Convertible Debentures, together with all Prepaid and Accrued Interest and a redemption penalty payment of 8% of the Face Value. The Company shall give the holders 30 business days’ notice (the “Redemption Notice”) to do so. On receipt of a Redemption Notice, a holder may elect to convert all or part of the Principal of the Convertible Debenture into Units at the Conversion Price. All Prepaid and Accrued Interest in respect of the Principal amount so converted shall be, at the election of the holder, either paid in cash or, subject to acceptance by the TSXV, converted into Shares at the Interest Conversion Price, by giving the Company notice (the “Conversion Notice”) within 10 business days of receipt of the Redemption Notice.

The Company compensated finder, PI Financial Corp. (the “Finder”), by way of cash fees of $12,500 and 125,000 warrants (the “Finder’s Warrants”). Each Finder’s Warrant entitles the Finder to acquire common shares of the Company (each, a “Finder’s Warrant Share”) at $0.15 per Finder’s Warrant Share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance.        

About Sirona Biochem Corp.

Sirona Biochem is a cosmetic ingredient and drug discovery company with a proprietary platform technology. Sirona specializes in stabilizing carbohydrate molecules with the goal of improving efficacy and safety. New compounds are patented for maximum revenue potential.

Sirona’s compounds are licensed to leading companies around the world in return for licensing fees, milestone fees and ongoing royalty payments. Sirona’s laboratory, TFChem, is located in France and is the recipient of multiple French national scientific awards and European Union and French government grants. For more information please visit www.sironabiochem.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For more information regarding this press release, please contact:

Christopher Hopton, CFO
Sirona Biochem Corp.
Phone: 1.604.282.6064
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sirona Biochem cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are only predictions based upon current expectations and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of release of the relevant information, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, Sirona Biochem’s forward-looking statements due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Sirona Biochem’s business including, without limitation, statements about: the progress and timing of its clinical trials; difficulties or delays in development, testing, obtaining regulatory approval, producing and marketing its products; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of its products that could delay or prevent product development or commercialization; the scope and validity of patent protection for its products; competition from other pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies; and its ability to obtain additional financing to support its operations. Sirona Biochem does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by law.