Portage Biotech Inc. (PRTG)

[DireWolf4]

Here it is folks. The beginnings of the next Pfizer. Ground floor!! A who's who in pharmaceutical research.



TORONTO, March 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Bontan Corporation Inc. ('the Company") (BNTNF) ("Bontan") is pleased to announce that it has signed a letter of intent with Portage Pharma Ltd., a private limited company formed under the laws of The British Virgin Islands ("Portage") to acquire all the issued and outstanding shares of Portage in exchange for approximately 81.7 million shares of Bontan. Approximately 71.4 million shares of Bontan, equal to the total number of warrants and options currently issued and outstanding in Bontan, will be reserved for the shareholders of Portage to be issued as warrants and options on terms to be mutually agreed upon at the time of Closing. Additionally, approximately 9.8 million shares of Bontan will be issued to Culminant Capital in consideration for financial advisory services rendered and to be rendered in connection with the proposed transaction and other transactions contemplated on Closing.

The Closing of the proposed transaction is subject to the completion of due diligence, execution of a definitive agreement and other approvals, expected to be completed by April 15, 2013.

Portage is a biotechnology company engaged in researching and developing products through to proof of concept with an early focus on unmet clinical needs and orphan drugs. Following proof of concept, Portage would look to sell or licence the products to Big Pharma.

Portage currently holds a master licence to the Antennapedia platform for all pathologies (except oncology).The board of directors and key shareholders of Portage are Dr. Gregory Bailey, Mr. Jim Mellon and Dr. Declan Doogan.

Portage has assembled a very experienced team of senior researchers and developers led by Dr. Bruce Littman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Dr. Frank W. Marcoux, Chief Scientific Officer.

Dr. Doogan is Chairman of Portage and brings more than 30 years of experience in the global pharmaceuticals industry, including more than 20 years with Pfizer Inc., his last position being head of global drug development. Dr. Bruce Littman has extensive experience in the areas of translational research, personalised medicine and early clinical development planning and execution, including over 19 years with Pfizer Inc. at various levels of pharmaceutical drug development positions. Dr. Frank Marcoux has 25 years of experience in pharmaceutical research focusing on high confidence translation of drug discovery programs to early clinical proof of concept. Dr. Marcoux worked in various senior capacities with Pfizer Inc. for eight years and with Parke-Davis Pharmaceutical for seventeen years.

Mr. Kam Shah, Bontan CEO, comments; "We are delighted to report to our shareholders that, after a careful review, we have entered into a LOI to acquire Portage. The acquisition is a potential game-changer for us. It will put us at the forefront of biotech research and development. We are very much looking forward to completing our due diligence and closing this transaction and moving to the next phase of our plan."

Dr. Declan Doogan, the Chairman of Portage, states; "Portage represents a significant opportunity to bring exciting new medicines to the market. Using the strong scientific, medical and drug development expertise in the company we believe we can identify and develop novel approaches utilizing the latest in scientific theory. Under Bruce Littman we have an acknowledged leader in early drug development (Translational Medicine) and with the rest of the team we can exploit the exciting breakthroughs in biological and genetic sciences. Our first projects are already underway and could significantly add to the treatment of neurological and inflammatory disease. Bontan provides access to public markets and allows us to proceed expeditiously with our development of the Antennapedia platform while sourcing additional products."
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