RACC Signs Definitive Agreement to Take Oak Hill Bio Public via $160M SPAC Merger
RACC sits 22% above its 52-week low of $10.21 on light trading volume (0.1× avg).
Summary
SPAC Research Alliance Corp III (RACC) has agreed to acquire Oak Hill Bio in a $160 million deal, backed by $100 million in committed financing. The combined company will advance rugonersen, a Phase 3-ready therapy for Angelman syndrome, with cash runway into 2029.
Key Events · M&A and Partnerships · RACC
-
Definitive Merger Agreement Signed
On July 26, 2026, RACC entered into a Business Combination Agreement to acquire 100% of Oak Hill Bio in exchange for newly issued RACC common stock, valuing Oak Hill at a base equity value of $160 million.
-
$100M Committed Financing Package
The deal includes $45 million in SAFE financing from RA Capital (already funded) and a $55 million PIPE at $10.00 per share, with the $75 million RACC trust fully backstopped by RA Capital against redemptions.
-
Lead Asset Rugonersen in Phase 3
Oak Hill Bio's rugonersen, an antisense oligonucleotide for Angelman syndrome, is in a pivotal Phase 3 trial (BEACON) with the first patient dosed in July 2026; topline data are expected in early 2029.
-
Pro Forma Cash Runway Through 2029
The combined company expects approximately $175 million in gross proceeds, providing cash runway through Phase 3 readout and potential NDA submission in the second half of 2029.
Analysis · RACC · Real Estate & Construction
Research Alliance Corp III (RACC) has entered into a definitive business combination agreement with Oak Hill Bio, a clinical-stage biotech developing rugonersen for Angelman syndrome. The deal values Oak Hill at $160 million and is backed by $100 million in committed financing—$45 million already funded through a SAFE and $55 million via a PIPE at $10.00 per share. RACC's $75 million trust is fully backstopped by sponsor RA Capital, ensuring the combined company has approximately $175 million in gross proceeds to fund rugonersen through Phase 3 readout and potential NDA submission in the second half of 2029. The transaction is expected to close by year-end 2026, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. This is a transformative event for RACC, pivoting it from a blank-check company to a late-stage rare disease player with a lead asset already in a pivotal trial.
At the time of this filing, RACC was trading at $12.50 on NASDAQ in the Real Estate & Construction sector, with a market capitalization of approximately $100.3M. The 52-week trading range was $10.21 to $12.86. This filing was assessed with positive market sentiment and an importance score of 9 out of 10.