* Business combination transaction with Voyager Acquisition Corp. complete,
creating a Nasdaq-listed, innovative biopharmaceutical company focused on
next-generation cancer therapies of novel bispecific T-cell engagers (TCEs)
and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)
* Strengthened financial position with $27.5 million principal amount senior
secured note financing and $50 million share purchase agreement to advance
VERAXA's pipeline of oncology drug candidates utilizing its novel BiTAC
platform
* VERAXA recently presented promising data supporting the underlying principle
of its novel BiTAC platform technology at the American Association for
Cancer Research (AACR) 2026 Annual Meeting
* VERAXA's common stock and warrants to commence trading tomorrow on the
Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbols "VRXA" and "VRXAW",
respectively
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - June 10, 2026 -- VERAXA Biotech AG, an emerging leader in
designing novel cancer therapies, today announced that its previously announced
business combination ("Business Combination") with Voyager Acquisition Corp.
(NASDAQ: VACH, "Voyager"), a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Voyager Acquisition Sponsor Holdco LLC, and Odeon
Capital Group LLC, was closed successfully (the "Closing"). Pursuant to the
Closing, VERAXA Biotech AG and Voyager merged with and into VERAXA Biotech
Holding AG, which will change its name to VERAXA Biotech AG (NASDAQ: VRXA;
"VERAXA"). The shareholders of Voyager approved the transaction on March
12, 2026. The transaction had been previously approved by VERAXA's shareholders
on February 27, 2026. Tomorrow, on June 11, 2026, VERAXA will commence trading
its shares under the symbol "VRXA" and its warrants under the symbol "VRXAW" on
the Nasdaq Capital Market.
VERAXA is developing a new generation of bispecific TCEs and ADCs aimed at
increasing patient benefit through enlarging the therapeutic window and
maximizing safety and efficacy. Central to VERAXA's strategy is the use of its
proprietary technology platform BiTAC (Bi-targeted Tumor-Associated
Cytotoxicity), which enables the creation of conditionally activated, AND-gated
therapeutic strategies that precisely target cancer cells while leaving healthy
cells intact. This highly specific dual-antigen approach targets tumor cells
with precision and makes it possible to target solid tumors with non-exclusive
cancer markers. VERAXA is currently advancing a pipeline of development programs
with a focus on solid tumors, which are predominantly sourced from its BiTAC
platform. VERAXA's BiTAC platform also enables the company to contribute value
to developments in complementary therapeutic sectors such as
radioimmunoconjugates (RICs) and antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs).
Initial data from VERAXA's most advanced BiTAC program were presented at the
recent American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026 in
San Diego, CA, USA. VERAXA's BiTAC-TCE candidate performed as intended in vitro
and in vivo, attacking cancer cells featuring both target molecules while
sparing cells expressing just one of these targets. Data demonstrated a superior
safety profile and matching efficacy compared to a more traditional TCE,
pointing to the possibility of a significantly improved therapeutic index. The
Company's posters are available on the VERAXA website at www.veraxa.com
(http://www.veraxa.com).
Proceeds from the financings will provide VERAXA with the ability to advance its
pipeline of BiTAC-TCE and BiTAC-ADC programs toward clinical development and
through initial value inflection points. The financings are comprised of a
senior secured note in the principal amount of $27.5 million and a securities
purchase agreement of up to $50 million.
"Entering this next chapter as a public company with significant momentum is a
transformational milestone for VERAXA," said Christoph Antz, Ph.D. Chief
Executive Officer of VERAXA. "We are grateful for the support received to date
from current and new shareholders as the completion of our business combination
better positions us to deliver meaningful value to patients with cancer. From
here, we look to fully unlocking the transformative therapeutic potential of our
BiTAC-TCE and BiTAC-ADC programs and establish our BiTAC platform as a launch
pad for a multitude of innovative cancer therapies."
"VERAXA combines strong technology, excellent science, and an experienced
management team - the ideal foundation for sustainable success on an
international scale," added Oliver R. Baumann, Chairman of the VERAXA Board and
CEO of Xlife Sciences AG. "Bringing our first portfolio company onto the NASDAQ
market and setting VERAXA up for the accelerated growth of its pipeline and
organization is a significant milestone for VERAXA and for Xlife Sciences at the
same time."
"New technologies are poised to unlock significant value in two of the most
vibrant subsectors in cancer medicine in recent years - bispecific T-cell
engagers and ADCs," said Warren Hosseinion, M.D., Chairman of the Voyager Board
of Directors prior to the Closing of the Business Combination and a current
member of the VERAXA Board of Directors. "In VERAXA, we have found a unique
opportunity to fulfill Voyager's mission of scaling a transformational approach
in the healthcare industry toward clinical readiness and market approval."
About the Business Combination
On April 22, 2025, VERAXA entered into a definitive business combination
agreement (the "Business Combination Agreement") with Voyager Acquisition Corp.,
a Cayman Islands exempted company and special purpose acquisition company
targeting the healthcare sector (NASDAQ: VACH, "Voyager"). Upon closing of the
Business Combination, the combined company is expected to become a publicly
traded company listed on NASDAQ trading under the symbol "VRXA".
The description of the Business Combination contained herein is only a high-
level summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the underlying
documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). A more
detailed description of the terms of the transaction has been provided in a
proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC by Voyager on February 19, 2026.
About VERAXA Biotech AG (NASDAQ:VRXA)
At VERAXA, we are building a premier engine for the discovery and development of
next-generation antibody-based therapeutics, including bispecific T cell
engagers, bispecific ADCs and other innovative formats. Powered by a suite of
transformative technologies and guided by rigorous quality-by-design principles,
we are rapidly advancing our pipeline of ADCs and proprietary BiTAC formats into
clinical development and beyond. VERAXA was founded on scientific breakthroughs
made at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, a world-renowned institution
known for pioneering life science research and cutting-edge technology.
For regular updates about VERAXA Biotech, visit www.veraxa.com
(http://www.veraxa.com) or follow us on LinkedIn
(https://www.linkedin.com/company/veraxa-biotech/), X
(https://x.com/VERAXABiotech) (formerly known as Twitter) and Bluesky
(https://bsky.app/profile/veraxa-biotech.bsky.social).
About Xlife Sciences AG (XLS:SW)
Xlife Sciences is a Swiss company focused as incubator and accelerator on the
value development and commercialization of promising research projects from
universities and other research institutions in the life sciences sector, with
the aim of providing solutions for high unmet medical needs and a better quality
of life. The goal is to bridge research and development to the healthcare
markets. Xlife Sciences takes carefully selected projects in the four areas of
technological platforms, biotechnology/ therapies, medical technology, and
artificial intelligence/digital health to the next stage of development and
participates in their subsequent performance. For more information, visit
https://www.xlifesciences.ch/en/home
About Voyager Acquisition Corp.
Voyager is a special purpose acquisition company with a bold mission: to
revolutionize the healthcare sector through a merger, stock purchase, or
business combination. Our team of experienced executives includes unparalleled
expertise in investing, operations, and medical innovation, supported by a vast
network of connections. With these strengths, we not only seek to drive success
but commit to scaling companies to unprecedented heights in the healthcare
industry. For more information, please visit https://www.voyageracq.com.
Advisors
Anne Martina is acting as sole M&A advisor to VERAXA. Duane Morris LLP is acting
as legal counsel to VERAXA. Winston & Strawn LLP is serving as legal counsel to
Voyager. Cantor Fitzgerald is acting as Voyager's capital markets advisor.
Non-Solicitation
This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent
or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the potential
transaction and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an
offer to buy the securities of Voyager or VERAXA, nor shall there be any sale of
any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer,
solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification
under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities
shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes certain statements that may be considered forward-
looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-
looking statements include, without limitation, statements about future events
or Voyager's or VERAXA's future financial or operating performance. For example,
statements regarding VERAXA's anticipated growth and the anticipated growth and
other metrics, statements regarding the benefits of the Business Combination,
and the anticipated timing of the completion of the Business Combination are
forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking
statements by terminology such as "may," "should," "could," "might," "plan,"
"possible," "project," "strive," "budget," "forecast," "expect," "intend,"
"will," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "predict," "potential" or
"continue," or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar
terminology.
These forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future results
of Voyager and VERAXA are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts,
and projections about the industry in which VERAXA operates, as well as the
beliefs and assumptions of Voyager's management and VERAXA's management. These
forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to, without
limitation, (i) known and unknown risks, including the risks and uncertainties
indicated from time to time in the final prospectus of Voyager relating to its
initial public offering filed with the SEC, and in the proxy
statement/prospectus filed by Voyager and VERAXA on February 19, 2026, including
those under "Risk Factors" therein, and other documents filed or to be filed
with the SEC by Voyager; (ii) uncertainties; (iii) assumptions; and (iv) other
factors beyond Voyager's or VERAXA's control that are difficult to predict
because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the
future. They are neither statements of historical fact nor promises or
guarantees of future performance. Therefore, VERAXA's actual results may differ
materially and adversely from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking
statements and Voyager and VERAXA therefore caution against relying on any of
these forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that,
while considered reasonable by Voyager and its management and VERAXA and its
management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain and are inherently
subject to risks, variability and contingencies, many of which are beyond
Voyager's or VERAXA's control. Factors that may cause actual results to differ
materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: (i) the
occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to
the termination of the Business Combination Agreement and any subsequent
definitive agreements with respect to the Business Combination; (ii) the outcome
of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Voyager, VERAXA, or
others following the announcement of the Business Combination and any definitive
agreements with respect thereto; (iii) the inability to complete the Business
Combination due to the failure to obtain consents and approvals of the
shareholders of Voyager, to obtain financing to complete the Business
Combination or to satisfy other conditions to closing, or delays in obtaining,
adverse conditions contained in, or the inability to obtain necessary regulatory
approvals required to complete the transactions contemplated by the Business
Combination Agreement; (iv) the failure to realize estimated shareholder
redemptions, purchase price and other adjustments; and (v) other risks and
uncertainties set forth in the filings by Voyager with the SEC. There may be
additional risks that neither Voyager nor VERAXA presently know or that Voyager
and VERAXA currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results
to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-
looking statements made by or on behalf of Voyager or VERAXA speak only as of
the date they are made. None of Voyager or VERAXA undertakes any obligation to
update any forward-looking statements to reflect any changes in their respective
expectations with regard thereto or any changes in events, conditions or
circumstances on which any such statement is based.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the Business Combination Agreement, Voyager and VERAXA have
filed a proxy statement/prospectus of Voyager, and will file other documents
regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC. This communication is not
intended to be, and is not, a substitute for the proxy statement/prospectus or
any other document that Voyager has filed or may file with the SEC in connection
with the proposed transaction. The definitive proxy statement and other relevant
materials for the proposed transaction have been mailed or made available to
stockholders of Voyager as of a record date to be established for voting on the
proposed transaction.
Before making any voting or investment decision, investors and stockholders of
Voyager are urged to carefully read the entire registration statement, the proxy
statement/prospectus, and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as
well as any amendments or supplements to these documents, and the documents
incorporated by reference therein, because they will contain important
information about Voyager, VERAXA, and the proposed transaction. Voyager's
investors and stockholders and other interested persons can also obtain copies
of the registration statement, the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, the
definitive proxy statement/prospectus, other documents filed with the SEC that
will be incorporated by reference therein, and all other relevant documents
filed with the SEC by Voyager and/or VERAXA in connection with the transaction,
without charge, once available, at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov
(http://www.sec.gov), or by directing a request to Voyager at the address set
forth below.
Contact
VERAXA Biotech AG - Corporate
Christoph Antz, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder
investors@veraxa.com (mailto:investors@veraxa.com)
For Media and Investors - EU
Mario Brkulj
Valency Communications
mbrkulj@valencycomms.eu (mailto:mbrkulj@valencycomms.eu)
For Media and Investors - U.S.
Brandon Weiner
ICR Healthcare
VERAXA@icrhealthcare.com (mailto:VERAXA@icrhealthcare.com)
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