Novo Holdings-backed Windward Bio raises $175 million in US IPO
Nov 12 (Reuters) - Novo Holdings-backed Windward Bio said on Thursday it had raised $175 million in its US initial public offering after selling about 10.3 million shares at $17 apiece.
The IPO price was within its marketed range of $16 to $18.
Basel, Switzerland-based Windward, which is developing antibody medicines for patients with serious respiratory and dermatologic diseases, will start trading on Friday under the symbol "WWB."
Here are more details:
Winward's lead candidate, WIN378, aims to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by blocking a protein that contributes to airway inflammation
French drugmaker Sanofi SASY.PA has agreed to purchase $50 million of shares and pre-funded warrants in a private placement
Led by CEO and founder, Luca Santarelli, Windward has raised $310 million in equity financing from Novo Holdings and other healthcare investors, including OrbiMed, Blue Owl and RTW Investments
Santarelli's previous ventures include VectivBio, which was acquired by Ironwood Pharmaceuticals IRWD.O for $1.2 billion in 2023, while Pfizer PFE.N acquired Therachon in 2019 for $810 million
Healthcare and biotechnology companies have accounted for a flurry of US listings this fall, while macroeconomic headwinds have dampened IPO activity in other sectors
Jefferies, TD Cowen, Piper Sandler and UBS Investment Bank are underwriting the offering
Zug, Switzerland-based dental firm vVardis is also expected to go public on Friday