Roquefort Therapeutics PLC (LSE:ROQ) CEO Ajan Reginald discussed the company’s proposed sale of subsidiary Lyramid to Pleiades Pharma with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion. Reginald explained that the sale, valued at a minimum of $10 million in cash and equity, marks the first step in Roquefort’s transformational strategy for 2025. He described it as a significant return on investment, as the company initially acquired Lyramid for £1 million in 2021.
Pleiades Pharma, led by Caroline Fortier, has a strong track record of successful exits, amounting to $750 million in the past decade. Reginald highlighted that the deal also validates Roquefort’s value creation model and underscores its current market undervaluation. The sale represents one and a half times Roquefort’s market capitalisation, showcasing the company’s ability to acquire, develop, and monetise high-value assets.
"We believe the upside potential with Pleiades Pharma is significant," Reginald stated, noting Pleiades' focus on building and exiting clinical asset portfolios. He also hinted at further opportunities, with two other assets in Roquefort’s portfolio already advancing toward value creation.