Xenetic Biosciences Inc

Xenetic Biosciences has signed a definitive share exchange agreement to acquire privately held Santersus AG in an all-stock transaction that would leave existing Xenetic shareholders with approximately 15% of the combined company while Santersus shareholders hold about 85%, subject to adjustments including Xenetic's net cash balance at closing. The combined company, to be renamed Santersus Bio, Inc. and trade on Nasdaq under the proposed ticker SNTS, would combine four NET-targeting therapeutic programs, two of which hold FDA Breakthrough Device Designation. Santersus Chief Executive Officer James Ladtkow would lead the combined organization, and the new eight-member board would include six Santersus nominees and two Xenetic nominees, with 180-day post-closing lock-up agreements covering specified shareholders, directors and officers. The transaction, announced September 16, is targeted to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to Xenetic shareholder approval, Nasdaq listing approval and an effective resale registration statement on Form S-1. The announcement did not disclose a transaction valuation, combined cash position or projected operating expenses.