/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE US OR TO US NEWSWIRE SERVICES/
VANCOUVER , Feb. 19, 2020 /CNW/ – Else Nutrition Holdings Inc. (TSX.V:BABY) (OTCQB:BABYF) (“Else Nutrition”, “Else” or the “Company”), a developer of novel plant based infant nutrition is pleased to announce that it has entered into an investment agreement with NewH2 Limited, a subsidiary of Health and Happiness (H&H) International Holdings Limited, a Hong Kong Stock Exchange Company(1112.HK), pursuant to which NewH2 has agreed to an investment of C$5.75 million in the Company, as part of an aggregate private placement offering of up to C$8.0 million .
Pursuant to the private placement the Company will issue up to 12,383,900 (the “Units”) at a price of C$0.646 per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one common share and 0.25 share purchase warrants, with each whole warrant (a “Warrant”) entitling the holder to acquire one additional common share of the Company at an exercise price of C$0.969 per share for a period of thirty months from the closing date. NewH2 has agreed to purchase 8,900,928 of the Units being offered which will represent approximately 11.15% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares assuming all Units are sold.
On closing of the offering, NewH2 and the Company will enter into an investor rights agreement pursuant to which NewH2 will be granted certain rights to maintain its percentage holdings of common shares in the Company through participation in future financings, and the right to hold one board seat on the Company’s board of directors. Closing of the offering is expected to occur on or about February 26, 2020 , and is subject to obtaining stock exchange approval.
The company intends to use the proceeds of the offering to accelerate its anticipated launch in the United States scheduled for the second quarter of 2020, to enhance its toll manufacturing capabilities, to build its distribution relationship with H&H and expedite sales in the new territories, and to undertake additional marketing initiatives, as well as for general working capital.
The Company is also pleased to announce a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Health and Happiness (H&H) Hong Kong Limited for the future distribution of non-dairy non-soy Baby formula and children nutrition drinks in the following markets: France , Hong Kong China (SAR), Cross-Border China, Australia , Italy , and Mainland China. The parties will work together in the coming months to formalize distribution agreements and develop business plans for the aforementioned markets.
“We are thrilled about this relationship, and about the strong alignment between Else Nutrition and the H&H group. The strategic alignment with such a reputable, global and premium, health and wellness brand-builder, coupled with the investment, provide growth potential for our brand globally. It marks a significant milestone in our mission to change the way we feed our babies and families for generations to come, using real, clean, plant-based alternatives,”
said Hamutal Yitzhak , CEO & Co-Founder of Else Nutrition.
H&H Group CEO, Laetitia Garnier , said
“H&H is very pleased to make this investment and is looking forward to a successful partnership with Else Nutrition. Our NewH2 innovation fund is working on some highly innovative ventures that align with emerging consumer trend. The plant based trend is undeniably growing globally, but there are too few products that can fulfil consumers needs while bringing the right nutrition. Else’s revolutionary 100% plant-based non-soy infant formula is a unique proposition and partnering with Else is a unique opportunity for us to join forces with a very experienced and forward thinking team, and to drive growth from an early stage with huge upside in a booming category.”
About Else Nutrition Holdings Inc.
Else Nutrition Holdings Inc. (TSX.V:BABY) (OTCQB:BABYF) is an Israel -based food and nutrition company focused on developing innovative, clean and plant-based food and nutrition products for infants, toddlers, children, and adults. Its revolutionary, plant-based, non-soy, formula is a clean-ingredient alternative to dairy-based formula. Else Nutrition (formerly INDI) won the “2017 Best Health and Diet Solutions” award at the Global Food Innovation Summit in Milan . The holding company, ELSE Nutrition Holdings Inc, is a publicly-traded company, listed on TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol BABY and is quoted on the US OTC Markets QB board under the trading symbol BABYF. Else’s Executive and Advisory Board includes leaders hailing from Abbott Nutrition, Mead Johnson, Boston Children’s Hospital, ESPHGAN (European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition). Plum Organics, Tel Aviv University’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine, and Gastroenterology & Nutrition Institute of RAMBAM Medical Center.
About H&H Group and NewH2
H&H Group launched NewH2 (with initial funding of US$60m ) in 2018 as a corporate venture to support entrepreneurs who are using advances in technology and science to develop innovative advanced nutrition solutions. NewH2 invests in early and growth-stage entrepreneurial businesses which are developing innovative brands, products, technologies or business models in the fields of health and wellness, thus aligning with H&H’s ambition to become a global leader in premium family nutrition and wellness.
H&H, which was founded in 1999 with a vision of contributing to healthier and better lives, has a proven track record in growing entrepreneurial and disruptive brands into powerful and more global offerings. Building its success on “premium, proven and aspirational” products, it has brought together six brands to date, all created by entrepreneurs with the same vision of providing infants or adults with health and wellness: Biostime, Swisse Wellness, Healthy Times, Dodie, Good Goût, and most recently, Aurelia Probiotic Skincare. Listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (code 1112), and with revenues of over US$1.46bn ) in 2018, H&H is a truly global business.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
The securities described herein have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements under the U.S. Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws.
Certain information contained herein constitutes “forward-looking information” under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Private Placement and the NewH2 Private Placement and the completion thereof and the use of proceeds. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “will” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “will” occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including: the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, use of proceeds from the financing, capital expenditures and other costs, and financing and additional capital requirements. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that is incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.
SOURCE Else Nutrition Holdings Inc.