LONDON, UK: Life Science REIT (AIM: LABS), the real estate investment trust focused on UK life science properties, announces that, in accordance with the intention expressed at the time of the Company’s initial public offering on AIM, the board has determined to apply for the Company’s existing ordinary shares to be admitted to listing on the premium listing segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and to trading on the premium segment of the main market of London Stock Exchange.
The Company’s admission to trading on AIM will be cancelled with effect from Admission.
The directors believe that Admission is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole for the following reasons:
• The Company will have access to a potentially larger pool of capital which may improve the liquidity of the Ordinary Shares on the secondary market;
• The premium listing is expected to broaden the appeal of the Company to a wider range of investors;
• A premium listing may enhance the Company’s corporate profile and recognition with increased media coverage and investor interest; and
• Company will be required to comply with higher standards of governance required by premium listed companies under the FCA’s Listing Rules and related regulations and guidance.
In addition, the migration to the premium segment will enable the Board to take steps to seek that the Company be considered for eligibility for inclusion in a broader range of equity indices including the FTSE’s EPRA and UK Index Series which may further facilitate increased liquidity of the Ordinary Shares.
The Company confirms that preparations in respect of Admission are well progressed and therefore the Company hereby gives notice of the intended cancellation of trading of its Ordinary Shares on AIM in accordance with Rule 41 of the AIM Rules for Companies. It is expected that the Company will publish the Prospectus in mid-November 2022 and it is expected that Admission will occur, and the Company’s admission to trading on AIM will be cancelled by early December 2022.
Admission is not expected to be conditional upon any shareholder approval and an Admission timetable will be published in due course.
Jefferies International Limited and Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited are acting as joint sponsors in connection with Admission.
Claire Boyle, Chair of the Company commented: “We are pleased to propose this important milestone for the Company outlined at the time of our IPO completed in November 2021. Comfortably within the twelve months since that date, the Company has secured a substantial and diverse portfolio of quality life science properties in Oxford, Cambridge and London which the Board believe has significant growth potential. We look forward to joining the main market with the anticipated benefits of a potentially larger pool of capital to further improve liquidity, enhance the Company profile and consideration for eligibility to be included in a broader range of equity indices.”