AFT Pharmaceuticals (AFT) today announces it has established a NZ$15 million interim banking facility with the BNZ, enabling the company to commence refinancing its borrowings at more attractive rates. The new facility uses the existing security arrangements between AFT, BNZ and CRG.
AFT’s main facility is provided by specialist US-based healthcare investor CRG. The loan attracts an interest rate of 13.5% and matures on 31 March 2020. Although CRG has offered to extend the loan AFT has been exploring options to refinance its borrowings at more favourable New Zealand commercial lending rates.
The company intends to repay US$9.5 million of the CRG debt in the next few days, significantly reducing its financing costs. It will continue negotiations with New Zealand commercial banks for a long-term facility which will be used to repay the balance of the CRG loan on 31 March 2020. Accordingly, the interim BNZ facility expires on 31 March 2020.
AFT Founder and Managing Director Dr Hartley Atkinson said: “We are grateful for the support and financial flexibility CRG has provided to AFT over five years of significant research and development investment, and as this business matures it is appropriate for the company to seek alternative borrowing arrangements.” AFT intends to release its audited results for the 12 Months to 31 March 2019 at around 9.00am 22 May 2019. It is holding a conference call for media and investors at 10.00am.
To attend the conference call please dial in on one of the numbers below at least five minutes before the scheduled call time, identify yourself to the operator and provide the following confirmation code: 9462706
Australia
+61 3 8338 0026
1800 123 296
New Zealand
+64 9 887 6907
0800 452 782
For more information:
Investors
Malcolm Tubby
CFO
AFT Pharmaceuticals
Tel: +64 9 488 0232
Media
Richard Inder
The Project
+64 21 645 643
