Molecular Templates, Inc. (NASDAQ: MTEM) today announced that it has commenced an underwritten public offering of its common stock and newly designated Series A convertible preferred stock. Molecular also intends to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the shares of common stock offered in the public offering on the same terms and conditions. All of the shares in the offering are to be sold by Molecular.

Molecular intends to use the net proceeds from the offering, together with its existing cash and cash equivalents, to fund: its ongoing Phase II clinical studies for MT-3724; its ongoing Phase I clinical study of MT-5111; its share of development expenses in its CD38 collaboration with Takeda; its program PD-L1 (including its anticipated upcoming Phase I clinical study for PD-L1); further preclinical development and drug discovery activities in its other programs and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The offering is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering.

Cowen, Barclays and Stifel are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.