6 Comments
User's avatar
Robert Dippolito's avatar

What a fascinating little read that turned into a much longer read! Thx for sharing. I wish I saw this a little sooner. I saw something in the proxy about locking down the list of registered shareholders on what they call the 'Final Record Date'. This is a little unsettling if one were to pursue something through an OTC transaction. There is risky and then there is silly. Curious...I am still seeing active trading on HOOK with reasonable volumes, all things considered. Am I missing something?

Expand full comment
writser's avatar

The final record date is standard procedure. What they say is that if they file for dissolution the stock will be delisted and only shareholders who held through the delisting will receive the liquidation proceeds.

As to whether you are missing anything: I don't know! There have been no new filings / updates for about two months. The lack of updates is perhaps a tiny bit concerning but I personally don't think it is a big deal.

The biggest change since the write-up is that the price is now about 10% higher, making it slightly less attractive in my opinion.

Expand full comment
Money Metroid's avatar

This is a rare post that makes me want to learn to fish rather than reach for the fish in the author’s basket. Well done.

Love how the proxy background is like a detective's file. My first time skimming one. Guessing Baker Bros (9.9% then and now - good sign) is the "such stockholder" that went activist in June 2024 to help HOOK see the writing on the wall. Then after a longshot merger and PIPE with a UK shite-co fell apart, vultures circled and HOOK got at least one credible offer for a small premium to their cash(?). But then with Gilead’s quasi blocking stake, negotiating an asset sale to them and winding down what's left made more sense.

Close? Missing a lot?

Expand full comment
writser's avatar

Yes, the background section is always worth a read. Your read is as good as mine, I think that is about what happened. I don't think Gilead "blocked" an alternative transaction, it's just that they were the natural buyer for the company assets but they weren't interested in buying the whole company and winding it down (it's all chump change to them anyway).

So Gilead and Hookipa came up with the asset transfer plan but due to the transfer plan RemainCo wasn't really attractive for, let's say, Kevin Tang, who could have entertained a cash offer but wasn't going to pay $10m for the company assets.

Expand full comment
Money Metroid's avatar

Ah good point, there was commentary in there about Gilead repeatedly telling Hookipa no, we care only about HB-400 and HB-500, the rest is a headache to us.

Working my way through some of your other quiz q’s now and playing with CourtListener for practice. Cheers writser.

Expand full comment
Robert Dippolito's avatar

Amazing to me how this community finds these little treasures 😀

Expand full comment