Listed biotech Imugene was leveraging a new cancer treatment...

Listed biotech Imugene was leveraging a new cancer treatment licensing deal on Wednesday morning, asking investors for a $60 million cash injection split evenly between a placement and a share purchase plan.

The $30 million placement was priced at 8.4¢, a 10.6 per cent discount to its last trade price and 12.4 per cent lower than the 20-day volume weighted average price. It included a one-for-one free option with an 11.8¢ strike price and August 2026 expiry.

The share purchase plan would be offered at either the placement price or at a 2.5 per cent discount to the five-day volume weighted average price before the SPP’s close – whichever happens to be lower. Just like the placement, the SPP would include the options.

Imugene’s shares were halted as its house broker Bell Potter worked through the raise. It comes after the company said it would acquire the license to an allogeneic CAR T cell therapy known as azer-cel, from Precision Biosciences.

Documents sent to potential investors said the treatment was “highly complementary” to Imugene’s existing portfolio. The company will have $196.6 million in cash following the capital raising, “with the potential for a further $45 million from the exercise of attaching options”.

Bids into the placement are due at close of business on Wednesday. The SPP would run from August 25 to September 7.