Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (“Advanced Cell”, or the “Company”) (OTCBB: ACTC), announced today that it has entered into definitive agreements on three private placements with institutional and other accredited investors under which the Company has received definitive commitments in excess of $15 million. The three investments are expected to provide proceeds sufficient to fund the Company’s general operations and working capital for the next two years. Much of the proceeds will be used to support the Company’s Retinal Pigment Epithelial (RPE) program, which the Company expects to commence later this year through the filing of an IND with the FDA, in addition to funding development of certain other pre clinical programs.
“We are extremely pleased to have negotiated these financings, with the support of existing debt holders, which will leave us sufficiently capitalized well into 2011,” remarked William M. Caldwell IV, CEO of Advanced Cell. “In addition to satisfying our operational and working capital needs, these funds will be integral in advancing our RPE Program through the clinic once we receive FDA clearance to commence clinical activities. Although we will require additional funds for specific development programs, we believe the current funding go a long way to satisfying our general operations and specific research programs into 2011.”
The Company completed the placement of a series of debentures to existing investors in the principal amount of $2,103,000, convertible into common stock at $0.10 per share for which the Company was paid $1,752,000. The Company will be required to redeem the debentures monthly commencing in May 2010, in the amount of 14.28% of the initial principal amount of the Notes, in cash or common stock at the Company’s option. The investors also received warrants to purchase an aggregate of 14,020,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.108. Further, the investors are obligated to purchase an additional $2,103,000 principal amount of debentures and 14,020,000 warrants within 90 days, at a purchase price of $1,752,000, subject to customary conditions. The investors also received an Additional Investment Right, which terminates in August 2010, and allows the investors to purchase up to $2,200,000 of principal amount of the Company’s convertible notes on the same terms and conditions as the original notes purchased in the offering. If the investors exercise their Additional Investment Right, they will also receive one and one third Class B warrants for each two shares that would be issued if the investors converted the entire portion of the note purchased pursuant to their Additional Investment Right.