8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 21, 2014

 

 

GALECTIN THERAPEUTICS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Nevada   001-31791   04-3562325

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

4960 PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BOULEVARD, STE 240

NORCROSS, GA 30071

(Address of principal executive office) (zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (678) 620-3186

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


SECTION 2 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On March 21, 2014, Galectin Therapeutics Inc. (“Galectin Therapeutics”) issued a press release announcing its results of operations and financial condition for the year ended December 31, 2013. Galectin hereby incorporates by reference herein the information set forth in its press release dated March 21, 2014 (the “Press Release”), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Except for the historical information contained in this report, the statements made by Galectin Therapeutics are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All such statements are subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Galectin Therapeutics” future financial performance could differ significantly from the expectations of management and from results expressed or implied in the Press Release. Forward-looking statements in the Press Release are subject to certain risks and uncertainties described in the Press Release. For further information on other risk factors, please refer to the “Risk Factors” contained in Galectin Therapeutics’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and its subsequent filings with the SEC.

The information in this Item 2.02 is being furnished, not filed, pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K. Accordingly, the information in Item 2.02 of this report, including the Press Release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, will not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement filed by Galectin under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference.

SECTION 9 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.

Not applicable.

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

Not applicable.

(c) Shell Company Transactions.

Not applicable.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

99.1    Press Release dated March 21, 2014

 

- 2 -


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Galectin Therapeutics Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Galectin Therapeutics Inc.

Date: March 21, 2014   By:  

/s/ Jack W. Callicutt

    Jack W. Callicutt
    Chief Financial Officer

 

- 3 -

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

Galectin Therapeutics Reports 2013 Financial Results

Norcross, GA (March 21, 2014) – Galectin Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: GALT), the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin proteins to treat fibrosis and cancer, today reported its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2013. These results are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Many important milestones and objectives were achieved in 2013 and continuing into the first quarter of 2014. During this period, we had significant activity involving our lead compound, GR-MD-02. We received notification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that we may proceed with our Phase 1 clinical trial for GR-MD-02 in patients with fatty liver disease (NASH) with advanced fibrosis. Subsequently, we received FDA Fast Track designation for GR-MD-02 for fatty liver disease with advanced fibrosis, and we completed enrollment of the first cohort of patients in our Phase 1 clinical trial. Additionally, we enhanced our patent portfolio, and we have raised funds sufficient to finance our currently planned operations through 2015. Looking ahead, we expect to announce the results of the first cohort of patients in our Phase 1 clinical trial in early April 2014,” said Peter G. Traber, M.D., Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Medical Officer, Galectin Therapeutics. “This Phase 1 first-in-man study is evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and exploratory biomarkers for efficacy for single and multiple doses of GR-MD-02 when administered to patients with fatty liver disease with advanced fibrosis.”

The Company also is working with Providence Portland Medical Center in planning for an investigator sponsored Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the combination of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Yervoy® (ipilimumab) and the Company’s GR-MD-02 in patients with metastatic melanoma. This trial is based on pre-clinical data obtained in collaboration with Dr. Will Redmond at the center which demonstrated that the combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors like ipilimumab with GR-MD-02 enhances the antitumor effect in syngeneic mouse cancer models. This trial recently was approved by the FDA and expected to commence in the second quarter of 2014.

At December 31, 2013, the Company had $10.5 million of non-restricted cash and cash equivalents available to fund future operations. In January and February 2014, the Company received $1.5 million from warrant exercises and $28.2 million in net proceeds from the issuance of common shares through its At Market stock issuance program. The Company believes that the cash on hand of $37.6 million as of March 21, 2014, is sufficient to fund its currently planned operations and research and development through 2015.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company reported a net loss applicable to common stock of $21.9 million, or ($1.30) per share, basic and diluted, compared with a net loss applicable to common stock of $10.9 million or ($0.72) per share, basic and diluted, for 2012. The increase in net loss applicable to common stock is largely due to an $8.8 million or ($0.53) per share one-time, non-cash charge related to modification of certain warrants recorded in the second quarter of 2013 and an unrelated one-time, non-cash stock compensation charge of $1.0 million or ($0.06) per share recorded in the third quarter of 2013.

Research and development expense for the 2013 was $5.7 million, compared with $4.5 million for 2012. The increase in research and development expense in 2013 over 2012 primarily relates to increased costs for our Phase I clinical trial offset somewhat by lower pre-clinical and drug manufacturing costs.


General and administrative expense for 2013 was $6.4 million, compared with $5.4 million for 2012. The primary reasons for the increase were non-cash stock-based compensation and legal expense offset somewhat by decreased rent expense.

About Galectin Therapeutics

Galectin Therapeutics (NASDAQ: GALT) is developing promising carbohydrate-based therapies for the treatment of fibrotic liver disease and cancer based on the Company’s unique understanding of galectin proteins, key mediators of biologic function. We are leveraging extensive scientific and development expertise as well as established relationships with external sources to achieve cost effective and efficient development. We are pursuing a clear development pathway to clinical enhancement and commercialization for our lead compounds in liver fibrosis and cancer. Additional information is available at www.galectintherapeutics.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events or future financial performance, and use words such as “may,” “estimate,” “could,” “expect” and others. They are based on our current expectations and are subject to factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the statements. These statements include those regarding our plans, expectations and goals regarding clinical trials, including our expectation that clinical data from the first cohort should be available in April 2014, the Company’s plans regarding a Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the combination of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Yervoy® (ipilimumab) and the Company’s GR-MD-02 in patients with metastatic melanoma, and plans regarding future funding alternatives and the sufficiency of cash on hand to fund future operations and planned research and development through 2015. Factors that could cause our actual performance to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, among others, that our plans, expectations and goals regarding any clinical trial or any future trials are subject to factors beyond our control and there is no guarantee that we will avoid delays in the development of our drug products or receive FDA approval for any of our drugs in development. Any current clinical trials and any future trials may not produce positive results in a timely fashion, if at all, and any necessary changes during the course of a trial could prove time consuming and costly. We may have difficulty in enrolling candidates for testing, which would impact our estimates regarding timing, and we may not be able to achieve the desired results. Upon receipt of FDA approval, we may face competition with other drugs and treatments that are currently approved or those that are currently in development, which could have an adverse impact on our ability to achieve revenues from any proposed indications. Plans regarding development, approval and marketing of any of our drugs, including GR-MD-02, are subject to change at any time based on the changing needs of our company as determined by management and regulatory agencies. To date, we have incurred operating losses since our inception, and our ability to successfully develop and market drugs may be impacted by our ability to manage costs and finance our continuing operations. For a discussion of additional factors impacting our business, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, and our subsequent filings with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although subsequent events may cause our views to change, we disclaim any obligation to update forward-looking statements.

Contact: Jack Callicutt, Chief Financial Officer, 678-620-3186, ir@galectintherapeutics.com.

Galectin Therapeutics and its associated logo is a registered trademark of Galectin Therapeutics Inc.

Yervoy® is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb


Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2013     2012  
    

(in thousands, except

per share data)

 

Operating expenses:

    

Research and development

   $ 5,688      $ 4,527   

General and administrative

     6,416        5,372   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     12,104        9,899   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating loss

     (12,104     (9,899
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income:

    

Interest and other

     16        224   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income

     16        224   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (12,088   $ (9,675
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Preferred stock dividends and accretion costs

     (1,096     (1,206

Modification of warrants

     (8,763     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss applicable to common stock

   $ (21,947   $ (10,881
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net loss per share

   $ (1.30   $ (0.72

Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share

     16,874        15,131   

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data

 

     December 31,
2013
     December 31,
2012
 
     (in thousands)  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 10,489       $ 9,364   

Total assets

     10,713         9,561   

Total current liabilities

     2,486         1,638   

Total liabilities

     2,486         1,644   

Total redeemable, convertible preferred stock

     6,746         6,752   

Total stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,481       $ 1,165