Gobia Enterprises invests in Gasporox AB (publ)

Following interest from Gobia Enterprises AB, the board of directors of Gasporox AB (publ) has decided to carry out a directed issue of SEK 15.4 million. Behind Gobia Enterprises AB is the entrepreneur Jan G Smith with extensive experience in pharmaceutical technology. Gobia Enterprises AB is seen as a strategic investor and main owner in Gasporox as the company's established plan involves a deeper focus on the pharmaceutical industry.

The board of directors of Gasporox AB (publ), corporate registration number 556678–0093, (“Gasporox” or the “Company”) has today decided on a directed issue of 1,122,126 shares, corresponding to an increase in the number of shares by 15%, at a subscription price of SEK 13.75, with a deviation from the shareholders’ preferential rights. This is based on the authorization that the general meeting gave to the board of directors on May 4, 2020. Through the issue, the company will receive 15,429 thousand SEK before issue costs, which are estimated at less than 100 thousand SEK.

Gobia Enterprises AB (“Gobia”) is a capital-rich and strategically important investor. Gobia is owned by Jan G Smith, who has been active in the pharmaceutical industry and is one of two founders of the medical technology company ABIGO Medical AB, based in Gothenburg. ABIGO Medical operates in advanced wound care, has approximately 170 employees and had sales of approximately SEK 400 million in 2019. 75% of the company was sold this year to the listed hygiene and health company Essity. ABIGO Medical in its entirety was then valued at SEK 900 million on a debt-free basis. Jan G Smith continues to own 25% of ABIGO Medical through his company Gobia Enterprises AB and remains as Chairman of the Board of Directors of ABIGO Medical AB.

Jan G Smith, Gobia Enterprises AB comments:
“We are pleased to be able to invest in a technologically advanced company like Gasporox. With our own successful background in pharmaceuticals and medical technology, we believe that Gasporox can fill an interesting market need and has large and long-term growth opportunities. In addition, we strongly believe in the company’s management and entrepreneurial spirit.”

Gasporox board member and Fårö Capital owner Christer Fåhraeus comments:
“We are pleased that there is such a great interest in Gasporox and welcome Gobia as another strong and strategic owner. They have a long and broad experience of building companies, not least in the pharmaceutical industry and we see that this is a good match for Gasporox. By bringing in this type of investor, Gasporox can really focus on an expansion within the drug inspection.”

The subscription price for the directed issue corresponds to a valuation at a level slightly lower than the share’s volume-weighted average price over the last 20 trading days and represents a discount of 9%. The largest owner will continue to be Norsk Elektro Optikk AS. The purpose of the issue and the reason for the deviation from the shareholders’ preferential rights is to provide the Company with a new strategic and long-term investor and at the same time enable the acquisition in a time- and cost-effective manner. of capital to finance continued growth, especially in the pharmaceutical inspection market. The proceeds from the issue will primarily be used to finance investments in market development and technology development as well as increased working capital in connection with the expansion of the business. After the issue is completed and fully subscribed, the company will have 8,604,968 shares.

CEO Märta Lewander Xu comments:
“That Gobia wants to invest in Gasporox is a seal of quality that confirms that the company is on the right track and is an interesting case. Our focus on pharmaceutical inspection is well aligned with Gobia’s extensive knowledge of the industry. We are proud to be able to share our entrepreneurship with Gobia and welcome them as shareholders.”

This information is information that Gasporox AB is obliged to disclose under the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted, through the agency of the above contact person, for publication on October 7, 2020 at 08:30 CET.