Celladon Corporation Provides Business Update


  • Process of Seeking Merger or Sale Underway
  • Company Not Pursuing Further Development of Existing Programs

SAN DIEGO, June 26, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Celladon Corporation (Nasdaq:CLDN), today confirmed its plans to suspend further research or development of its MYDICAR (AAV1/SERCA2a) program and its other pre-clinical programs including the Stem Cell Factor (mSCF) gene therapy and SERCA2b small molecule programs.

Earlier in the month the Company announced the engagement of Wedbush PacGrow Healthcare as its exclusive financial advisor and a strategic plan pursuant to which the Company immediately commenced a process to seek a merger or sale. This process is ongoing and the Company expects to provide further updates on the progress of this strategic plan in the coming quarter, which could include the sale of the Company or some or all of its assets, and/or a liquidation and distribution of the remaining cash to its shareholders.

"Our Board of Directors has unanimously determined that seeking a merger or sale, in lieu of further development of our remaining programs and assets, gives us the best opportunity to maximize shareholder value. We are aggressively pursuing that course," said Paul Cleveland, president and chief executive officer of Celladon. "If we are unable to identify a merger or sale that provides superior value to our shareholders, we will move forward with a liquidation and distribution of net cash to shareholders."

The Company currently estimates that if it were to liquidate during the third quarter of 2015, the net cash available for distribution to shareholders would be approximately $25-$30 million. This projection is based on the Company's current expectations and assumptions, and the actual amount of net cash available for distribution in such a liquidation and distribution could differ materially from the Company's current estimate.

The Company also announced a second reduction in its workforce, with approximately half of the employees not previously notified of termination of employment being expected to depart in the third quarter. "Our employees have been performing with exceptional professionalism under difficult circumstances, and on behalf of the Board I would like to thank them for their efforts," said Mr. Cleveland.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Celladon's process to seek a merger or sale and its ability to maximize shareholder value through such a process, as well as projections regarding the amount of net cash to be available in a liquidation and distribution. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Celladon's current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with the ability to identify and consummate any acquisition or sale through the process being conducted by Celladon and the ability to project future cash utilization and reserves needed for contingent future liabilities.  Risks and uncertainties facing Celladon are described more fully in Celladon's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Celladon undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.


            

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