Launching Zura Bio: The first UK firm to list on NASDAQ in 2023

Launching Zura Bio The first UK firm to list in the US in 2023.

Problem

A new, unknown entity, SPACS, reverse business combinations, biotechnology, pharma R&D, investors, stock-exchanges, current affairs, founders, new teams, international markets – this one had it all. And the problem was, how do you cut through the noise and make sure your client’s message is heard? That was the challenge facing JATT Acquisition and in turn, Zura Bio. And that’s when they came to us for help. With a public offering the target, the timings somewhat unclear and the wider market unaware, we had to be careful, patient and strategic.

Solution

First, listen and digest. There was a lot going on here. Interesting, engaging founders, an investor-base keen for action and results, a market saturated in regulation, and a financial vehicle – a SPAC – steeped in scrutiny. The solution? Take a structured, sensitive approach to profile raising and strategic advice.

We developed a detailed, US-UK based media relations programme of activity for the JATT founders, giving them a platform to relay their narrative – that of a specialist background, perfectly suited to running a newly formed Biotech business. Alongside broader C-Suite advice on corporate strategy and market sentiment towards the possible public markets, we ‘warmed up’ the media for the big announcement through thought leadership, industry comment and founder stories. We also worked alongside the NASDAQ marketing team, investor relations departments and everyone involved in making the listing possible. We wrote speeches, briefing notes, social posts, the lot. We were, and this is something we love, deeply connected to the business and its objectives.

Outcomes

Yes, there was coverage everywhere. Naturally. We leant heavily on the message of being the first UK firm to list in the US in 2023, when NASDAQ welcomed them to the family. That certainly helped, and with that we secured broadcast interviews on Sky News and Bloomberg, alongside national coverage here in the UK and in the US alongside hundreds of other pieces of coverage globally. The coverage somewhat goes without saying, but what we were most proud of was the positive message we carried, about SPACS, about why we chose the US, about why this is a positive story for both markets, and about why Zura Bio is perfectly positioned to grow and grow and grow in the future. The message and reception of that message was only possible thanks to the sustained, patient media strategy and working closely with everyone involved. And while seeing the founder on TV and seeing Zura Bio draped all over Times Square in New York (see photo) was pretty awesome, seeing the message we crafted spread across the world was even more so.