Kazia Therapeutics Ltd. secured additional funds worth A$3.4 million through an institutional placement of its 8.9 million new fully paid ordinary shares priced at 38 Australian cents apiece.

The transaction was led by WG Partners LLP, with participation from institutional, professional and sophisticated investors.

Additionally, the Sydney-based company will initiate a share purchase plan that allows its eligible existing shareholders to purchase new fully paid ordinary shares Oct. 23.

The placement does not require shareholder approval, the company added.

Kazia will use the proceeds to fund its research and development activities, which includes the further development of GDC-0084, a potential treatment of the most common and most aggressive form of brain cancer known as glioblastoma multiforme, and cantrixil for treating ovarian cancer. GDC-0084 has been designated as an orphan drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

A portion of the proceeds is also allocated for Kazia's working capital into 2020.

Kazia Therapeutics is an oncology-focused biotechnology company developing anti-cancer drugs.