Proactive Investors - Shield Therapeutics (LON:STXS), the commercial-stage pharma company, has entered into a $5.7 million monetisation agreement with AOP Health International Management, its biggest shareholder.
Under the terms of the agreement, AOP will provide Shield with the funds in return for the right to the $11.4 million China approval milestone payment.
This payment is to be made by Jiangsu Aosaikang Pharmaceutica (ASK Pharma), Shield's commercial partner, on the successful Chinese sign-off for Shield's lead asset, Ferracru.
Ferracru is a breakthrough treatment for iron deficiency.
The phase III trial is expected to begin recruitment later this year, meaning the milestone payment could fall due by the end of 2026.
As part of the transaction, Dr Rudolf Widmann, the founder of AOP, which owns just under 40% of Shield, would join the UK group's board as a non-exec.
Greg Madison said $5.7 million (along with the $8 million in the bank as of the end of May), will 'fortify' the company's balance during commercial ramp-up in the US.
"We are pleased to work with AOP on this Milestone Monetisation Agreement to bring in additional capital to support our growing business. We are encouraged by the recent Accrufer commercial trends in the US and will continue to be opportunistic to further support our growing business," he added.