Magenta Therapeutics, Dianthus enter definitive merger agreement

Magenta Therapeutics and Dianthus Therapeutics announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement to combine the companies in an all-stock transaction. The combined company will focus on advancing Dianthus’ pipeline of next-generation complement inhibitors, including DNTH103 currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial. Upon completion of the merger, the combined company is expected to operate under the name Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc. and trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "DNTH". In support of the merger, Dianthus has secured commitments for a $70 million private investment in its common stock and pre-funded warrants from a syndicate of healthcare investors led by Fidelity Management & Research Company, Catalio Capital Management, 5AM Ventures, Avidity Partners, Wedbush Healthcare Partners and founding investors Fairmount, Tellus BioVentures and Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners, that is expected to close immediately prior to completion of the merger. With the cash expected from both companies at closing and the proceeds of the concurrent private financing, the combined company is expected to have approximately $180 million of cash or cash equivalents immediately post-closing. The cash resources are intended to be used to advance Dianthus’ pipeline through multiple clinical data catalysts and is expected to fund operations into mid-2026. The merger and related financing are expected to close in the third quarter of 2023. Magenta previously announced a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives in February 2023 and has since completed winding down a majority of its activities and costs associated with its research and development initiatives, including the termination of its lease and the sale of key assets. Pre-merger Dianthus stockholders are expected to own approximately 78.7% of the combined company and pre-merger Magenta stockholders are expected to own approximately 21.3% of the combined company. The percentage of the combined company that Magenta’s stockholders will own as of the close of the transaction is subject to adjustment based on the amount of Magenta’s net cash at the closing date. Immediately prior to the closing of the proposed merger, Magenta stockholders will be issued contingent value rights representing the right to receive certain payments from proceeds received by the combined company, if any, related to pre-transaction legacy assets. Following the merger, the combined company will be led by Marino Garcia, the current CEO and President of Dianthus Therapeutics, and the current members of the Dianthus management team. Magenta Therapeutics, Inc. will be renamed "Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc." and the corporate headquarters will be co-located in New York, NY and Waltham, MA. The merger agreement provides that the Board of Directors of the combined company will be composed of eight board members, including all six current Dianthus board members and two from Magenta. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of each company and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2023, subject to customary closing conditions, including, the approvals by the stockholders of each company and other customary closing conditions.