Relief Therapeutics: A New Chapter in U.S. Market Presence

Relief Therapeutics Holding SA, a biopharmaceutical company committed to delivering innovative treatment options for select specialty, unmet, and rare diseases, has announced its intention to file Form 15F with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on December 17, 2024. This filing seeks to terminate the registration of its ordinary shares under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) and its reporting obligations under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. This strategic move aims to reduce compliance costs and maintain flexibility in pursuing the company's strategic objectives.

Upon filing the Form 15F, Relief Therapeutics' reporting obligations with the SEC, including the filing of annual reports on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K, will immediately be suspended. The company expects these obligations to be fully terminated 90 days following submission of the Form 15F. Despite this change, Relief Therapeutics will continue to maintain its listing on the SIX Swiss Exchange and its Level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program, ensuring its shares and ADRs remain quoted on the U.S. over-the-counter market (OTCQB).

Relief Therapeutics' decision to terminate its SEC reporting obligations aligns with its strategic goal to reduce compliance costs and maintain operational flexibility. The company has concluded that maintaining its SEC registration is no longer beneficial, as it had previously decided not to pursue a listing of its securities on a U.S.-regulated stock exchange after filing Form 20-F in 2021. This move allows Relief Therapeutics to focus more resources on its core business operations and growth initiatives, potentially enhancing its competitive position in the biopharmaceutical industry.



The termination of SEC reporting obligations will impact U.S. investors' access to information, as Relief Therapeutics will no longer be required to file annual reports on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K. However, the company's shares will continue to be traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange and quoted on the U.S. OTCQB market. Investors can still access financial reports and press releases in English on the company's website. This change may reduce compliance costs for Relief Therapeutics, allowing it to maintain flexibility in pursuing strategic objectives.

Relief Therapeutics' portfolio offers a balanced mix of marketed, revenue-generating products, proprietary, globally patented TEHCLO™ and Physiomimic™ platform technologies, and a targeted clinical development pipeline consisting of risk-mitigated assets focused in three core therapeutic areas: rare skin diseases, rare metabolic disorders, and rare respiratory diseases. In addition, Relief Therapeutics is commercializing several legacy products via licensing and distribution partners. Headquartered in Geneva, Relief Therapeutics is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the symbol RLF and quoted in the U.S. on OTCQB under the symbols RLFTF and RLFTY.



In conclusion, Relief Therapeutics' decision to file Form 15F and terminate its SEC reporting obligations could result in significant cost savings and strategic benefits. By suspending the filing of annual reports on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K, the company can reduce its compliance costs associated with these regulatory requirements. Additionally, this move allows Relief Therapeutics to maintain flexibility in pursuing its strategic objectives, as it can now reassess a regulated exchange listing in the United States if a transformative business transaction arises. This decision also enables the company to focus more resources on its core business operations and growth initiatives, potentially enhancing its competitive position in the biopharmaceutical industry.