IGC Pharma, Inc. (NYSE American: IGC), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, has fortified its Alzheimer’s research efforts by securing a $12 million revolving line of credit from the Hong Kong Branch of O-Bank Co., Ltd. This financial backing will primarily support IGC’s working capital needs related to its Alzheimer’s research.
The terms of the credit line allow IGC to draw up to $1 million within a 30-day period. The interest rate for a draw is 1% plus the rate paid on certificates of deposits. The facility has an initial duration of 12 months, with the potential for a 12-month extension subject to Bank approval. The Bank received $120,000 as a fee from IGC for providing the 12-month facility. Bradbury Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited, a financial institution with approximately $2 billion in assets under management, has collateralized cash assets in support of the line of credit. This follows the recently announced investment of $3 million in IGC led by four investment funds managed by Bradbury through a private placement, of unregistered shares with no warrants or other derivatives, highlighting their continued support for the Company.
IGC Pharma’s research and development efforts are focused on Alzheimer’s disease, with three molecules in various stages of development. Notably, IGC-AD1 is currently in Phase 2 of clinical trials as a potential treatment for agitation in dementia due to Alzheimer’s. According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, the number of people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is projected to nearly triple by 2050, with approximately 76% experiencing neuropsychiatric symptoms like agitation. Out of the targeted 146 patients for the Phase-2 trial, 16 individuals have already completed the trial. IGC Pharma has secured contracts with eight trial sites, with negotiations underway at seven additional sites. The Company expects that 13-15 trial sites can enroll between 15 to 20 patients per month, allowing the Company to target completion of its Phase-2 trial in the first quarter of calendar 2024.
Keith Loo See Yuen, Group CEO of Bradbury, expressed his firm’s enthusiastic commitment to IGC’s endeavors, stating, “We wholeheartedly endorse IGC’s relentless pursuit of developing groundbreaking therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. Our investment is a testament to our faith in IGC’s mission and a strategic bet on a company that we believe holds the potential to redefine the Alzheimer’s landscape. We envision IGC as a trailblazer in this challenging field, creating significant value for its investors, and most importantly, bringing much-needed hope and relief to millions of patients and families worldwide.”
Ram Mukunda, CEO of IGC Pharma, expressed gratitude for the line of credit provided by O-Bank and the continued support from Bradbury. He emphasized the Company’s ongoing research and development initiatives, particularly with the promising drug candidate, IGC-AD1. Mukunda stated, “We are thankful to O-Bank for their support, and grateful for the continued support from Bradbury. Together, with our dedicated investors and partners, we are working towards our goal of developing innovative therapies for Alzheimer’s disease. With their support, we are focused on advancing IGC-AD1 and bringing hope and relief to millions of patients and families worldwide.”
