EDISON, NJ – Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:HEPA), has received notice from Nasdaq regarding non-compliance with continued listing requirements due to a reported stockholders' deficit. The pharmaceutical company, specializing in the development of drug therapies, disclosed on Monday that its financial statements for the quarter ending September 30, 2024, showed a deficit of $406,685, failing to meet the minimum market value or net income standards set by Nasdaq.
The company's common stock continues to be traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol "HEPA" despite the warning. Hepion Pharmaceuticals now has until early January 2025 to submit a plan to regain compliance. If Nasdaq accepts the plan, the company could be granted up to 180 days from the original notice date to demonstrate compliance.
Should Nasdaq reject the plan, Hepion Pharmaceuticals will have the opportunity to appeal the decision before a hearings panel. The outcome of these proceedings is uncertain, and there is no guarantee that Hepion Pharmaceuticals will maintain its listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
This development follows the company's history as ContraVir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. before its name change in August 2013. Hepion Pharmaceuticals, headquartered in Edison, New Jersey, operates under the SIC code for pharmaceutical preparations, with fiscal year-end on December 31.
As the situation unfolds, Hepion Pharmaceuticals has not provided any additional comments on its strategy to address the deficit or the potential impact on its operations and stock performance. The information reported is based on a press release statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"In other recent news, Hepion Pharmaceuticals and Pharma Two B Ltd. have jointly filed for a proposed merger, a significant step in their plans to operate under the Pharma Two B name. The merger is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024, pending approval by shareholders and regulatory authorities. Pharma Two B's lead product candidate, P2B001, a promising treatment for Parkinson's Disease, will be the primary focus of the combined company.
Concurrent with the merger's closing, an $11.5 million private financing will adjust the ownership distribution, with Pharma Two B equity-holders owning approximately 85% of the combined entity, and Hepion shareholders, the remaining 15%. Hepion Pharmaceuticals also faces a potential Nasdaq delisting over share price concerns. The company has been granted a 180-day grace period to regain compliance with the minimum bid price rule, which can be achieved if the stock's closing bid price reaches or exceeds $1.00 per share for at least 10 consecutive business days within this period.
Additionally, Hepion Pharmaceuticals has announced significant changes in its executive leadership, with John Cavan stepping down from his roles as interim CEO and CFO. John Brancaccio, the company's executive chairman, has assumed these roles in the interim. These are among the recent developments for both companies."
InvestingPro Insights
Recent InvestingPro data paints a challenging picture for Hepion Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:HEPA), aligning with the company's Nasdaq listing troubles. The company's market capitalization stands at a modest $4.18 million, reflecting investor caution. This caution is further evidenced by the stock's significant price decline, with a year-to-date total return of -78.57% as of the latest data.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that HEPA is "quickly burning through cash" and "suffers from weak gross profit margins," which may explain the stockholders' deficit mentioned in the article. The company's financial health is further strained, as indicated by its negative EBITDA of -$24.85 million for the last twelve months as of Q3 2024.
Despite these challenges, analysts have set a fair value target of $30 for HEPA, substantially higher than its previous closing price of $0.69. This disparity suggests that some believe in the company's potential, possibly based on its drug development pipeline.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 8 additional tips for HEPA, providing a deeper understanding of the company's financial position and market performance.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.