UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 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): May 11, 2020

 

 

CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-36500   94-3103561

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

7575 Gateway Blvd., Suite 110

Newark, CA 94560

(Address of principal executive offices)

(510) 293-8800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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))

Securities pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of Each Exchange

on Which Registered

Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share   CBAY   The Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   ☐

 

 

 


Item 2.02

Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On May 11, 2020, CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc. issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 and certain corporate highlights. A copy of this press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by this reference.

The information in this report, including the exhibit hereto, shall be deemed “filed” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Item 8.01

Other Events.

The information set forth in Item 2.02 is incorporated by reference here.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit 99.1 is deemed to be filed, rather than furnished, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

99.1    Press release dated May 11, 2020
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)


SIGNATURES

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

 

CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc.
By:  

/s/ Sujal Shah

Name:   Sujal Shah
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

Dated: May 11, 2020


Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

CymaBay Reports First Quarter 2020 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

Independent expert panel unanimously concludes there is no clinical, biochemical or histological evidence of

seladelpar-induced liver injury in the Phase 2b NASH study

Panel unanimously supports re-initiating clinical development of seladelpar pending approval by the FDA

CymaBay plans to re-engage with the FDA as quickly as possible

Company remains focused on cost containment as it pursues next steps for seladelpar and continued

evaluation of strategic alternatives

Conference call and webcast today at 4:30 p.m. ET

NEWARK, Calif., May 11, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)—CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBAY), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for liver and other chronic diseases with high unmet need, today announced corporate updates and financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2020.

Sujal Shah, President and CEO of CymaBay, stated, “Last week a panel of some of the most experienced and distinguished liver pathologists and hepatologists in the world completed an independent review analyzing findings from our Phase 2b study of seladelpar in patients with NASH. I am pleased to report that the panel unanimously concluded there was no clinical, biochemical or histological evidence of seladelpar-induced liver injury in the study, and as a result they also unanimously supported the lifting of the clinical hold and re-initiation of clinical development.

While we have not yet discussed full results from our investigation nor any of the panel’s conclusions with the FDA, we are planning to re-engage with the agency as quickly as possible. At this point we cannot guarantee what the next steps or timelines will be, but we are confident that we have conducted a truly rigorous, independent review to help us definitively support the conclusion that seladelpar did not cause drug-induced liver injury in our NASH phase 2b study.”

Dr. Paul Watkins, Howard Q Ferguson Distinguished Professor, Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Public Health, Director, Institute for Drug Safety Sciences at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, said, “I was pleased to chair this esteemed independent panel of liver experts. The panel conducted a comprehensive, systematic review and discussion of all of the clinicopathological data from the seladelpar NASH Phase 2b study. In my experience, no other drug in development for NASH has been through such rigorous scrutiny of safety data at this stage of development. As we have stated, the features noted by study pathologists at end of treatment were confirmed on this review. However, these did not differ qualitatively between baseline and end of treatment. We suspect these histologic features are underreported; however, in the experience of the pathology review subcommittee, these features may be observed in patients with NASH. The panel unanimously concluded that the data in aggregate, including the lack of significant differences in histologic features or their changes across the placebo and treatment groups, do not support injury related to seladelpar.”


LOGO

 

Dr. Stephen Harrison, Medical Director, Pinnacle Clinical Research, Visiting Professor of Hepatology at Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, and principal investigator of the seladelpar Phase 2b study in NASH, added, “I believe CymaBay and the FDA did the right thing in putting patient safety first when development of seladelpar was halted at the end of last year until an in-depth investigation was conducted into the findings identified by study pathologists in the NASH study. At this point, the findings and additional data collected have been thoroughly investigated by leading experts in the areas of drug-induced liver injury and hepatopathology. Given the benefit observed on both NASH resolution and fibrosis with seladelpar in the NASH Phase 2b study as well as data presented at multiple medical meetings from studies of seladelpar in PBC, I am pleased that the independent review panel is supportive of restarting clinical development pending approval from the FDA.”

Recent Corporate Highlights

 

   

At the end of last week, a panel of eight of the world’s foremost expert liver pathologists and hepatologists, whose collective experience relevant to CymaBay’s investigation includes drug-induced liver injury, NASH and cholestatic liver diseases, completed a four-day independent review analyzing findings from CymaBay’s NASH Phase 2b study. The panel unanimously supported lifting the clinical hold for seladelpar and re-initiation of clinical development. In addition to the chair, Dr. Paul Watkins, the panel included:

 

   

Pierre Bedossa, MD, PhD, Professor of Pathology at the University Paris-Diderot, France, and Medical Director and CEO of LIVERPAT

 

   

Michael Charlton, MD, Chief of Hepatology, Director of the Center for Liver Diseases and Medical Director of the Transplant Institute at the University of Chicago

 

   

Zachary Goodman, MD, PhD, Director of Hepatic Pathology Consultation and Research, Center for Liver Disease, Inova Healthcare Services

 

   

Neil Kaplowitz, MD, Professor of Medicine and Thomas H. Brem Chair in Medicine, Budnick Chair of Liver Disease, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California

 

   

David Kleiner, MD, PhD, Head of Histopathology and Autopsy Pathology at the NIH and the Reference Pathologist for the Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network

 

   

Willis Maddrey, MD, Professor Emeritus of Internal Medicine at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

 

   

John Vierling, MD, Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine


LOGO

 

   

CymaBay intends to reach out to the FDA to discuss all of the data it has collected to date and the results of the panel review meetings. Once initial feedback is gathered, CymaBay intends to submit a complete response to the seladelpar clinical hold to the FDA. The CymaBay Board of Directors has worked closely with management throughout the investigation and panel review and is in support of next steps to re-engage with the FDA.

 

   

As a reminder, during the fourth quarter of 2019, management implemented a restructuring program following the placement of the seladelpar program on clinical hold pending further investigation of the histologic observations noted by study pathologists in CymaBay’s Phase 2b NASH study and pending completion of its review of strategic options.

 

   

Late in the first quarter of 2020, the need for sustained cost containment was further underscored by the unexpected and rapid onset of the coronavirus pandemic and the associated travel restrictions and shelter-in-place orders issued by governmental authorities in jurisdictions where CymaBay, its partners, investigators, and vendors, conduct operations. In response to these measures, CymaBay has taken steps, such as enabling remote operations for all employees, which have allowed operating activities to continue as seamlessly as possible.

 

   

CymaBay will continue to closely monitor pandemic developments and their associated risks to the business, and will take actions available to mitigate them where possible. Further, all of CymaBay’s actions will be guided by a commitment to taking all steps possible to ensure the health and safety of its employees.

 

   

Held $176.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments at March 31, 2020.

Mr. Shah continued, “As the next steps in our seladelpar investigation process become clear we will continue to keep our shareholders updated as appropriate, while also continuing to evaluate potential strategic alternatives. Further, we remain focused on cost containment and will look at additional steps we can take into fiscal year 2020 in order to closely control the Company’s operating expenses and associated cash burn.”

First Quarter Ended March 31, 2020 Financial Results

 

   

Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were $9.5 million, compared to $18.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. Research and development expense in the first quarter of 2020 was significantly lower than the corresponding period in 2019 primarily due to declining clinical trial activities related to the Phase 3 PBC, Phase 2b NASH, and Phase 2 PSC clinical trials, and other studies, as efforts continue to scale back and shut down these studies as a result of the clinical hold on the seladelpar development program.

 

   

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were $4.3 million, compared to $5.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. General and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2020 was lower than the corresponding period in 2019 due to lower continuing labor costs and other administrative expenses following restructuring efforts undertaken in the fourth quarter of 2019.


LOGO

   

Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $13.1 million, or ($0.19) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $23.1 million, or ($0.37) per diluted share in the three months ended March 31, 2019. Net loss was lower in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the corresponding period in 2019 primarily due to a decrease in operating expenses, including clinical trial and labor related expenses.

Conference Call Details

CymaBay will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss first quarter 2020 financial results and provide a corporate update. To access the live conference call, please dial 855-327-6837 from the U.S. and Canada, or 631-891-4304 internationally, Conference ID# 10009543. To access the live and subsequently archived webcast of the conference call, go to the Investors section of the company’s website at http://ir.cymabay.com/events.

About CymaBay

CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for liver and other chronic diseases with high unmet medical need.

Cautionary Statements

The statements in this press release regarding the timing of completion and outcome of the investigation into the seladelpar histological findings, the potential benefits of seladelpar to patients with NASH, CymaBay’s expectations and plans regarding its intended future interactions with the FDA, its current and future clinical trials and CymaBay’s ability to fund current and planned clinical trials are forward looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events regarding the further development of seladelpar could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks related to: the seladelpar histological findings have not yet been submitted to the FDA, and there is no guarantee as to how or when the FDA will respond; the success, cost and timing of any of CymaBay’s product development activities, including clinical trials; effects observed in trials to date that may not be repeated in the future; any delays or inability to obtain or maintain regulatory approval of CymaBay’s product candidates in the United States or worldwide; and the ability of CymaBay to obtain sufficient financing to complete development, regulatory approval and commercialization of its product candidates in the United States and worldwide or to potentially restart clinical trials. Additional risks relating to CymaBay are contained in CymaBay’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. CymaBay disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law.


LOGO

Important Information

CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc. filed a preliminary proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 5, 2020, and intends to file a definitive proxy statement and associated WHITE proxy card with the SEC in connection with the solicitation of proxies for CymaBay’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2020 Annual Meeting”). Any definitive proxy statement and WHITE proxy card will be mailed to CymaBay’s stockholders. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF CYMABAY ARE URGED TO READ ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH OR FURNISHED TO THE SEC, INCLUDING CYMABAY’S PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY SUPPLEMENTS THERETO, IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and stockholders can obtain a copy of the relevant documents filed by CymaBay with the SEC, including the definitive proxy statement, when it becomes available, free of charge by visiting the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Investors and stockholders can also obtain, without charge, a copy of the definitive proxy statement, when available, and other relevant filed documents at https://ir.cymabay.com/all-sec-filings.

Participants in the Solicitation

CymaBay, its directors and certain of its executive officers will be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders in respect of the 2020 Annual Meeting. Information regarding the names of CymaBay’s directors and executive officers and their respective interests in CymaBay by security holdings or otherwise is set forth in CymaBay’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2020, Amendment No.1 to CymaBay’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on April 29, 2020 and CymaBay’s preliminary proxy statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on May 5, 2020. All such information will be contained in the definitive proxy statement and related materials that CymaBay will mail to CymaBay’s stockholders in connection with the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

For additional information about CymaBay visit www.cymabay.com.

Contact:

Sloane & Company

Dan Zacchei / Joe Germani, 212-486-9500

Dzacchei@sloanepr.com / JGermani@sloanepr.com

 


LOGO

 

CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc.

Financial Results

(In thousands, except share and per share information)

 

     Quarter Ended
March 31,
 
     2020     2019  
     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Operating expenses:

    

Research and development

   $ 9,509     $ 18,588  

General and administrative

     4,347       5,663  

Restructuring charges

     71       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     13,927       24,251  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (13,927     (24,251

Other income (expense):

    

Interest income

     839       1,176  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     839       1,176  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (13,088   $ (23,075
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net loss per common share

   $ (0.19   $ (0.37

Diluted net loss per common share

   $ (0.19   $ (0.37

Weighted average common shares outstanding used to calculate basic net loss per common share

     68,882,459       61,890,632  

Weighted average common shares outstanding used to calculate diluted net loss per common share

     68,882,459       61,890,632  


LOGO

 

CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc.

Balance Sheet Data

(In thousands)

 

     March 31,
2020
     December 31,
2019
 

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities

   $ 176,232      $ 190,945  

Working capital

     174,027        185,287  

Total assets

     188,600        205,727  

Total liabilities

     13,552        19,379  

Common stock and additional paid-in capital

     814,138        812,140  

Total stockholders’ equity

     175,048        186,348  
Cymabay Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CBAY)
Historical Stock Chart
From Feb 2024 to Mar 2024 Click Here for more Cymabay Therapeutics Charts.
Cymabay Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CBAY)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2023 to Mar 2024 Click Here for more Cymabay Therapeutics Charts.