BALTIMORE & THOROFARE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MyMD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Akers Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKER) today jointly announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement. Upon closing the transaction, the combined company is expected to be renamed MyMD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and remain listed on the Nasdaq under the new ticker symbol “MYMD.”

The companies plan to hold a video conference for investors on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 4:15 p.m. ET to provide additional context on the integrated company, the clinical pipeline and drug development plan, and the commercial potential of the targeted indications. To participate in the briefing session, please click on the link below to register.

• Event Link: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2584/38815
• Participant Dial In: Toll Free: 877-407-0778; International: 201-689-8565

Following the merger, the two companies will join as one to focus on developing and commercializing MyMD’s novel immunotherapy pipeline assets, including MYMD-1, a first-in-class drug being developed to treat autoimmune and age-related diseases, including extending the human lifespan. MYMD-1 has been shown to be effective in regulating the immune system from causing age-related diseases in preclinical studies and MyMD believes that it is the first oral small molecule regulator of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-?) capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier. Looking forward, MyMD intends to also continue to develop its second asset, SUPERA-1R, a drug platform based on a patent-protected, synthetic derivative of cannabidiol (CBD) that seeks to target key cannabinoid receptors.

A Phase 1 study on MYMD-1 has been completed, with plans to begin two Phase 2 clinical trials in Q1 2021 and additional Phase 2 clinical trials throughout 2021. Preclinical data, showing the effectiveness of MyMD-1 in treating autoimmune diseases, were compiled by nationally recognized researchers and laid the foundation for the studies, securing peer-reviewed publications in The Journal of Immunology and the Journal of Neuroimmunology.

“Over the last seven years, MyMD has advanced its robust drug development program, achieving very encouraging preclinical and Phase 1 clinical data,” said Chris Chapman, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of MyMD. “As we enter Phase 2 clinical trials and continue to advance our drug candidates toward commercialization--we believe this merger is the natural next step for us. Gaining access to the public capital markets, along with Akers’ capital resources, should allow us to accelerate our plans and elevate MyMD within the emerging fields of aging, immunometabolic regulation and TNF? inhibition.”

The mechanism of action for MYMD-1 involves shutting down the production of TNF-?, offering the potential to reshape clinical guidelines and treatment approaches for aging and a number of autoimmune diseases including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

Reflecting on the rationale for the merger, Chris Schreiber, Executive Chairman and President of Akers, stated, "We are excited about this strategic opportunity to focus on MyMD’s promising clinical development program and worldwide patent position. Through this transaction, the company will be committed to delivering novel, multi-indication platform drugs designed to extend healthy lifespan and treat the source of chronic autoimmune diseases. We are highly excited about MyMD’s broad development program focused on two drug platforms that address enormous market potential. We believe that our merger with MyMD should provide us with additional value creation opportunities, in addition to our COVID-19 vaccine candidate that we have been working with our partners in India to develop.”

Management and Organization

The combined company will be led by Chris Chapman, M.D., who will become President and Chief Medical Officer of MyMD, and Adam Kaplin, M.D., who will become Chief Scientific Officer of MyMD, and is planned to be headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Chapman is the founder and CEO of Chapman Pharmaceutical Consulting Inc. and will bring extensive experience working with biotechnology companies in the design of clinical trial protocols, conducting clinical trials and advising on regulatory and medical affairs. Dr. Kaplin, the prior founder and chief of the Neuropsychiatric CNS Autoimmune Consultation Clinic, at the Johns Hopkins Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence, and an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, has consulted with multiple hospitals, biotechnology companies and non-profit organizations on medical and development matters.

Transaction Details

On a pro forma basis and based upon the number of shares of Akers common stock to be issued in the merger, current Akers’ shareholders will own approximately 20% of the combined company, on a fully diluted basis, and current MyMD’s shareholders will own approximately 80% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis (excluding the effect of warrants issued in the below described private placement). The merger agreement also provides for additional contingent payments in cash and shares to the stockholders of MyMD under certain circumstances. The merger is expected to close in the first half of 2021, subject to the approval of Akers’ shareholders at a special shareholder meeting, as well as other customary closing conditions.

In connection with the definitive merger agreement, Akers agreed to loan MyMD up to $3 million pursuant to a secured promissory note. The note bears interest at 5% per annum, has a maturity date of April 15, 2022 and is secured by a first lien on MyMD’s assets.

Private Placement

Concurrently with the execution of the merger agreement with MyMD, Akers entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain accredited investors to raise $18 million through the issuance of up to 9,765,933 shares of common stock (or common stock equivalents) and accompanying warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 9,765,933 shares of common stock at $1.85 per share of common stock and accompanying warrant. The warrants are immediately exercisable at an exercise price of $2.06 per share, with an expiration date of five and one-half years after the date of issuance. The offer and sale of the foregoing securities are being made in a transaction not involving a public offering and have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or applicable state securities laws.

Accordingly, the securities may not be reoffered or resold in the United States except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and such applicable state securities laws.

Under an agreement with the investors, the Company is required to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission covering the resale of the shares of common stock to be issued to the investors and to use best efforts to have the registration statement declared effective as promptly as practical thereafter.

The closing of the private placement is subject to the satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions set forth in the securities purchase agreement.

About Akers Biosciences Inc.

Akers Biosciences is pursuing rapid development and manufacturing of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate in collaboration with Premas Biotech PVT Ltd.

About MyMD Pharmaceuticals, Inc:

MyMD is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company committed to extending healthy lifespan by focusing on developing two therapeutic platforms. MYMD-1 is a drug platform based on a clinical stage small molecule that regulates the immunometabolic system to control TNF-? and other pro-inflammatory cytokines. MYMD-1 is being developed to treat autoimmune diseases, including those currently treated with TNF-? blocking drugs, and aging and longevity. SUPERA-1R is a drug platform based on a novel (patent pending) synthetic derivative of cannabidiol (CBD) that targets numerous key receptors including CB2 and opioid receptors and inhibits monoamine oxidase. SUPERA-1R is being developed to address the rapidly growing CBD market, that includes FDA approved drugs and CBD products not currently regulated as a drug. For more information, visit www.mymd.com.