Ocugen Announces $20M Securities Purchase Agreement to Bolster Gene Therapy Programs

Ocugen has announced a $20M Securities Purchase Agreement with Janus Henderson Investors, priced at $1.00 per share, expected to generate gross proceeds of approximately $20 million and potential additional proceeds of $30 million if the warrants are fully exercised. This move aims to bolster Ocugen's financial position and support its ongoing development programs in gene therapies for blindness diseases.

Ocugen Inc. (NASDAQ: OCGN), a pioneering biotechnology leader in gene therapies for blindness diseases, has entered into a significant securities purchase agreement with Janus Henderson Investors. The agreement, announced on August 8, 2025, involves the purchase of 20 million shares of common stock and warrants for gross proceeds of $20 million. The company may receive up to $30 million of additional gross proceeds if the warrants are exercised in full. The offering is expected to close on or about August 11, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions [2].

The securities purchase agreement is part of Ocugen's ongoing efforts to bolster its financial position and support its extensive development programs in gene therapies for blindness diseases. The company has outlined plans to submit three potential gene-therapy filings by 2028, with commercialization plans for 2026 [1].

Ocugen's strategic focus on gene therapies for blindness diseases addresses significant unmet medical needs. The company's breakthrough modifier gene therapy platform has the potential to address complex diseases caused by imbalances in multiple gene networks. Current programs in development include inherited retinal diseases and blindness diseases affecting millions across the globe, including retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, and geographic atrophy—late stage dry age-related macular degeneration [2].

The offering is being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3, previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The company has stated that the offering is expected to close on or about August 11, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions [2].

This funding will help Ocugen to continue its research and development efforts, which are crucial for the advancement of gene therapies for blindness diseases. The company's strategic focus on gene therapies for blindness diseases positions it to capture a significant share of the growing market for ophthalmology treatments. The ophthalmology market is projected to exceed $10 billion annually by 2030, driven by aging populations and rising prevalence of retinal diseases [3].

Ocugen's stock was trading at $0.9801 after hours on August 8, 2025, following the announcement of the securities purchase agreement [1].

References:
[1] https://seekingalpha.com/news/4482893-ocugen-launches-20-million-direct-offering-of-common-stock-warrants
[2] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ocugen-inc-announces-20-million-210300928.html
[3] https://www.ainvest.com/news/4dmt-strategic-ophthalmology-push-glimpse-future-gene-therapy-retinal-diseases-2508/