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): June 10, 2015
ROCK CREEK PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified
in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
000-15324
(Commission File Number) |
52-1402131
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
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2040 Whitfield Avenue, Suite 300
Sarasota, Florida 34243
(Address of principal executive offices,
including zip code)
(804) 527-1970
(Registrant’s telephone number,
including area code) |
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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:
| ¨ | 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)) |
| Item 7.01. | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
Attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current
Report on Form 8-K is an updated investor presentation that Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) may use
in presentations to investors from time to time.
On June 10, 2015, the Company issued a press
release announcing a clinical development update. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated
herein by reference.
The information in this Current Report on
Form 8-K shall not be treated as filed for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
| Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
| 99.1 | Investor Presentation Materials
(June 2015). |
| 99.2 | Press Release, dated June
10, 2015. |
SIGNATURE
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.
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ROCK CREEK PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Michael J. Mullan |
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Michael J. Mullan |
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Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
Date: June 10, 2015
Exhibit 99.1
June 2015 Investor Presentation (NASDAQ:RCPI)
Forward Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this presentation constitute forward - looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to statements identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "targets," "projects" and similar expressions. The statements in this release are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward - looking statements. Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences, including, but not limited to, failure to obtain sufficient capital resources to fund our development program and operations, results of clinical trials and/or other studies, the challenges inherent in new product development initiatives, including the continued development and approval of anti - inflammatory drug candidates, the effect of any competitive products, our ability to license and protect our intellectual property, our ability to raise additional capital in the future that is necessary to maintain our business, changes in government policy and/or regulation, potential litigation by or against us, any governmental review of our products or practices, pending litigation matters, as well as other risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our annual report on Form 10 - K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 filed on March 12, 2015. We undertake no duty to update any forward - looking statement or any information contained in this presentation or in other public disclosures at any time. 2
• Focused on discovery, development and commercialization of prescription pharmaceuticals for chronic inflammatory diseases and neurological disorders • Lead drug candidate, Anatabine Citrate, is a novel small molecule, cholinergic agonist o Phase I clinical trial underway – data expected 3Q 2015 o Anti - inflammatory effects observed in pre - clinical and clinical studies published in several peer reviewed scientific journals since 2011 o Human data demonstrating ability to ameliorate immune system’s targeting of thyroid gland in autoimmune thyroiditis published in 2014 o Distinct mechanism of action versus other anti - inflammatory drugs o Broad intellectual property portfolio Investment Highlights 3
• Small molecule • Exhibits anti - inflammatory pharmacological characteristics via Cholinergic Receptor Binding • Excellent bioavailability • Crosses blood brain barrier • Well tolerated as dietary supplement by several hundred thousand users Anatabine Citrate : Key Attributes 4
Potential Therapeutic Applications 5 Anatabine Autoimmune Diseases 2014 2013 2011 2012 Alzheimer’s Disease Inflammation 2013 2013
Anatabine Inflammatory Molecules: TNF - α, IL - 1, IL - 6, IFN - γ, Cox - 2 Amyloid, etc. α - 7 nAChR Antabine Citrate: NF - ƙB Signaling Pathways 6
7 Anatabine JAK IKK STAT3 P - STAT3 P65 NFkB * * Signaling Pathways: Mechanism of Action Daniel Paris, David Beaulieu - Abdelahad, Ghania Ait - Ghezala , Venkat Mathura , , Megha Verma, Alex E Roher, Jon Reed , Fiona Crawford 1, Michael Mullan , (2015) Anatabine Attenuates Tau Phosphorylation and Oligomerization in P301S Tau Transgenic Mice; Brain Disorders & Therapy Inflammatory Proteins GSK3ß P65 NFkB Inflammatory Proteins
Proposed Common Mechanism(s) of Action across Different CNS and non - CNS Conditions Suppression of inflammatory activity (via NF - kB, STAT3) Activation of alpha 7 nAChR on microglia, macrophage, monocytes, B - cells, T - cells Reduced inflammatory cytokine release Reduced tissue damage Reduced organ dysfunction Anatabine Citrate: Proposed MOA 8
Hashimoto's thyroiditis cytology showing lymphocytes and Hurthle cell metaplasia Lowell R. Schmeltz et al, (2014) Anatabine Supplementation Decreases Thyroglobulin Antibodies in Patients With Chronic Lympho cyt ic Autoimmune (Hashimoto’s) Thyroiditis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, January 2014, 99(1):E137 – E142 • Evaluating Anatabine Citrate in Human Thyroid Health • Double - blind, randomized, placebo - controlled, parallel group study o 9 - 24 mg/d Anatabine Citrate or placebo, each containing vitamins A and D 3 o Orally 3x daily for 3 months o 165 patients randomized (146 completed efficacy evaluation – 70 anatabine & 76 placebo) o ~50% of patients were taking levothyroxine • Primary Outcome: Safety and Tolerability • Secondary Outcome: Anti - thyroid auto - antibodies, thyroid structure, and thyroid function • 5 visits over 12 weeks Autoimmune Thyroiditis: Human Study 9
Anti - thyroglobulin Antibodies in Anatabine Citrate Treated Thyroiditis Patients were Reduced Lowell R. Schmeltz et al, (2014) Anatabine Supplementation Decreases Thyroglobulin Antibodies in Patients With Chronic Lympho cyt ic Autoimmune (Hashimoto’s) Thyroiditis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, January 2014, 99(1):E137 – E142 Autoimmune Thyroiditis: Human Study 10
• Mice injected at 0 hr and 48 hrs with 300 µg of Pertussis toxin • Day 1, 10 Week - old C57Bl6/J Female mice immunized with 300 µg of murine MOG35 - 55 (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein) • Mice randomized into 2 groups: o Placebo group (n=15) receiving regular drinking water o Anatabine group (n=15) receiving 20 mg/kg of Anatabine diluted in drinking water • Mice evaluated for clinical signs daily (0= no clinical sign; 1= tail paresis; 2= paresis of one hind limb; 3= paresis of two hind limbs; 4= moribund; 5= death) Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) Model Preclinical Model of Multiple Sclerosis 11 Paris D, Beaulieu - Abdelahad D, Mullan M, Ait - Ghezala G, Mathura V, et al. (2013) Amelioration of Experimental Autoimmune Encepha lomyelitis by Anatabine. PLoS ONE 8(1): e55392. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0055392
12 0. 17.5 35. 52.5 70. 87.5 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 Incidence of Hind Limb Paresis Day After MOG Vaccination Placebo (n=15) Anatabine (n=15) * Paris D, Beaulieu - Abdelahad D, Mullan M, Ait - Ghezala G, Mathura V, et al. (2013) Amelioration of Experimental Autoimmune Encepha lomyelitis by Anatabine. PLoS ONE 8(1): e55392. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0055392 Pre c linical Model of Multiple Sclerosis
• Reduced nerve damage in Anatabine treated EAE mouse spinal cord 13 Preclinical Model of Multiple Sclerosis * Paris D, Beaulieu - Abdelahad D, Mullan M, Ait - Ghezala G, Mathura V, et al. (2013) Amelioration of Experimental Autoimmune Encepha lomyelitis by Anatabine. PLoS ONE 8(1): e55392. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0055392
Normalization of Inflammatory Spleen Cytokines in EAE mice by Anatabine 14 Preclinical Model of Multiple Sclerosis * Paris D, Beaulieu - Abdelahad D, Mullan M, Ait - Ghezala G, Mathura V, et al. (2013) Amelioration of Experimental Autoimmune Encepha lomyelitis by Anatabine. PLoS ONE 8(1): e55392. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0055392 Anatabine
15 Anatabine Citrate: Psoriasis Indication TPA Induced Epidermal Hyperplasia (Psoriasis Mouse Model)
Control TPA TPA+ Anatabine Topical Topical Anatabine: Psoriasis Mouse Model 16
P<0.001 P<0.001 17 Topical Anatabine: Psoriasis Mouse Model 0. 27.5 55. 82.5 110. 137.5 Control (n=8) TPA (n=8) TPA+Anatabine (n=8) Acanthosis (µm)
18 P - p65NFkB Immuno - Staining Topical Anatabine : Psoriasis Mouse Model
19 0. 3.25 6.5 9.75 13. Control (n=8) TPA (n=8) TPA+Anatabine topical (n=8) P - p65NFkB Burden (%) P<0.001 P<0.001 P - p65NFkB Reduction Topical Anatabine: Psoriasis Mouse Model TPA (n=8)
20 P - STAT3 Immuno - Staining Topical Anatabine in Psoriasis Mouse Model P - STAT3 Immuno - Staining
0. 3.5 7. 10.5 14. Control (n=8) TPA (n=8) TPA+Anatabine Topical (n=8) Skin P - STAT3 Burden (%) P<0.001 P<0.001 Topical Anatabine : Psoriasis Mouse Model P - STAT3 Reduction 21
• Phase 1 underway in EU o Clinical Trial Application (CTA) approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK (January 2015) o Trial being conducted by CRO Quotient Clinical in Nottingham, UK o Study Completion expected in Third Quarter/2015 • Investigational New Drug Application (IND) filed with US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) o On Clinical Hold o Company plans to respond to FDA in context of overall strategy and ongoing acquisition of preclinical and human clinical data Anatabine Citrate: Regulatory Strategy 22
• Initial dosing of first cohort of 14 healthy subjects began in Feb . 2015 • Primary outcome measures : safety and tolerability • Secondary outcome measures : pharmacokinetic parameters • Exploratory outcome measures : pharmacodynamic (PD) assessment (impact of the drug on inflammatory processes) • Six dosing regimens have been administered to optimize pharmacokinetic parameters • Additional dosing regimens to be administered as a modification to Part 2 of the study, testing for “food effect” and PK optimization • Planned follow up, double - blind, placebo - controlled, seven - day multiple dose study of the optimal formulation in healthy subjects • Study Completion in third quarter 2015 , with follow up data analysis in fourth quarter 2015 Anatabine Citrate: Phase I Trial Design 23
• Dermatology (Psoriasis) • Arthritic Conditions (Osteoarthritis) • Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s) • Auto - Immune Disorders (Thyroiditis) • CNS (Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis) Potential Therapeutic Indications 24 Initial Clinical Targets: Psoriasis & Osteoarthritis
03/01/14 • Six Issued US/Foreign Anatabine related patents: o Anatabine Citrate - Novel Compound ; US Patent 8,557,999 o Method of Anatabine synthesis • Six pending US and foreign patents pending for “use” of Anatabine, its isomers and derivatives for inflammatory conditions Intellectual Property 25
15 Q1 - 15 CTA Approval Phase I under CTA Safety, PK, PD data Drug Formulation development Phase IIA POC studies Q2 - 15 Q3 - 15 Q4 - 15 2016 Phase II studies CTA Phase I Complete Ongoing US IND Protocol Development Upcoming Milestones 26
Management Team Michael Mullan, MBBS (MD), PhD - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer • Recognized authority on Alzheimer's disease and related disorders - "Top 100 Cited Alzheimer Investigators" • Former CEO of The Roskamp Institute, a non - profit research organization, funded by multiple agencies, including NIH and Alzheim er's Association • Inventor on the patents covering the first genetic mutations linked to familial Alzheimer's disease • Authored and co - authored over 200 papers on Alzheimers’ disease and related disorders • Trained as a physician. Medical degree and PhD in molecular genetics, from London University Benjamin M. Dent - Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and VP of Operations • Former CEO of Dent Consulting Group LLC. • Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Moark LLC • Senior leadership and accounting positions with Solute, Inc. and Capsugel, a business unit of Pfizer, Inc. • Adjunct professor with the St. Louis Graduate Program in Entrepreneurial Management Program • Management consultant to Lehman Brothers Investment Management Portfolio Company Ryan K. Lanier, PhD - Chief Scientific Officer • Joined Rock Creek in 2009, involved in preclinical and clinical development of anatabine citrate • Clinical research scientist at Javelin Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA. assisting the development of novel analgesic drug fo rmu lations to treat acute pain syndrome. Helped prepare NDA for approval of “Dyloject”, an injectable diclofenac sodium compound, owned by Hospira • PhD in Biological Psychology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Post Doctoral training at the Johns Hopkins Universi ty School of Medicine Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit (BPRU) • Author on numerous manuscripts and book chapters, and has presented research findings at a variety of scientific meetings Theodore Jenkins, VP - Corporate Strategy and Development • Institutional Capital Markets professional with 18 years of experience spanning Alex Brown & Sons, Salomon Brothers, Credit S uis se, & Oppenheimer • US Naval Officer (Lieutenant Commander) • MS Business Administration, Carey School, The Johns Hopkins University 27
Scott P. Sensenbrenner • President and CEO of Enzymedica, Inc. • Executive experience in marketing, supply chain, operations and financial management in the natural products industry • Overseen sales and marketing programs in public and private companies • Previously Group Director, Nutrition Division with Perrigo, Inc. (NYSE: PRGO) Lee Musgrove Canaan • Portfolio manager of a private money management firm founded in 2003 • 25 years of financial and public capital markets experience and 35 years of scientific and technical expertise • Previously a fixed income analyst for the high yield debt team at a global mutual fund company • Transitioned from corporate financial professional in treasury operations of a Fortune 100 energy company Suni Chundru Samuel, MD, MBA • Chief Executive Officer of Sierra Molecular Corporation • Commercialized and developed medical devices, chemistry, molecular tools, overseen production, developed new product portfolios • Built sales channels with Fortune 500 distributors, and driven intellectual property strategy • Founded her first medical device company, Cambridge Devices • MD from State University of New York and M.B.A. from Harvard Business School Michael Mullan, MBBS, PhD - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Board of Directors 28
Capitalization 29 As of March 31, 2015 ($000s) Cash and cash equivalents $91 Insurance proceeds receivable $3,529 Long - term debt $350 Common shares outstanding 8,111,700 Warrants outstanding (Wtd. avg. exercise price of $29.20/share) 1,119,840 Options outstanding (Wtd. avg. exercise price of $52.93/share) 1,019,000 Fully diluted shares outstanding 10,250,540
• Focused on discovery, development and commercialization of prescription pharmaceuticals for chronic inflammatory diseases and neurological disorders • Lead drug candidate, Anatabine Citrate, is a novel small molecule, cholinergic agonist o Phase I clinical trial underway – data expected 3Q 2015 o Anti - inflammatory effects observed in pre - clinical and clinical studies published in several peer reviewed scientific journals since 2011 o Human data demonstrating ability to ameliorate immune system’s targeting of thyroid gland in autoimmune thyroiditis published in 2014 o Distinct mechanism of action versus other anti - inflammatory drugs o Broad intellectual property portfolio Investment Highlights 30
For more information, please contact: Theodore Jenkins VP, Corporate Strategy & Development 2040 Whitfield Avenue, Suite 300 Sarasota, FL 34243 (941) 251 - 0488 31
Exhibit 99.2
Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals Announces Clinical
Update
SARASOTA,
Fla., June 10, 2015 – Rock
Creek Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (NASDAQ: RCPI), a drug development company focused on chronic
inflammatory disease and neurologic disorders, announced today an update on its clinical and regulatory drug development activities.
Phase I Trial Update
The United Kingdom's Medicines and Healthcare
Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved in January 2015 a Clinical Trial Application (CTA) to commence a Phase I study of the
Company's lead compound, Anatabine Citrate. The trial consists of three parts, with Part Two being optional. The objectives of
Parts One and Two are to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of various modified and immediate
release formulations of anatabine citrate in healthy adult subjects, and to identify an optimal formulation for multiple day dosing
in Part Three. Exploratory pharmacodynamic (PD) outcome measures are also being assessed.
As previously announced, the Company completed recruitment and
commenced human dosing for the study by March 1, 2015. As of June 1, 2015, Part One of the Phase I study is complete,
and the Company announces that there were no reports of serious adverse events (AEs) or AEs leading to study withdrawal.
Further, there were no safety concerns raised by the Company’s UK contract research organization or its UK based trial medical
monitor.
The Company now expects to conduct an abbreviated Part Two of
the study primarily to evaluate the effects of food on PK parameters. Dosing in Part Two is
expected to commence and be completed within the third quarter 2015.
Subsequently, the Company expects to conduct Part Three of the
study comprised of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, seven-day multiple dose study of the optimal formulation in healthy subjects
and is targeting study completion and generating preliminary results in the third quarter 2015. It is anticipated that follow
up data management and analysis will be completed during the fourth quarter 2015. As per the trial design, outcome measures will
focus primarily on overall safety and tolerability with secondary measures focusing on standard PK parameters and
also PD assessment, specifically measuring the impact of the drug on inflammatory processes.
New Zealand Study
As previously announced, the Company completed its
New Zealand study of the Company’s nutritional supplement variant of Anatabine Citrate. In December 2014, the Company received
a New Zealand Ministry of Health Ethics Committee approval to conduct a single-site, single dose, open-label human study,
entitled “Determination of the Blood Pharmacodynamic Effects following a Single Dose of Oral Anatabine Citrate in Normal,
Healthy Volunteers.” The primary outcome measure of the study was a pharmacodynamic assessment of whether a single dose
of orally administered anatabine citrate can acutely attenuate expression and/or production of pro-inflammatory mediators in human
white blood cells, thus creating an anti-inflammatory effect. Follow up analysis is complete
and the Company is expecting to provide a formal report in the third quarter.
About Anatabine Citrate:
Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals’ Anatabine
Citrate is a small molecule, cholinergic agonist which exhibits anti-inflammatory pharmacological characteristics, distinct from
other anti-inflammatory drugs available such as biologics, steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. The Company has sponsored
extensive pre-clinical (in vitro and in vivo) studies resulting in peer reviewed and published scientific journal articles, covering
models of Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's Disease, and Auto-Immune Thyroiditis. All these studies demonstrated the anti-inflammatory
effects of Anatabine Citrate. In addition, the Company's compilation of human exposure, safety and tolerability data, derived primarily
from human clinical studies and post-marketing data collection of the previously marketed nutraceutical product, has provided important
insights for clinical development.
About Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, Inc.:
Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an
emerging drug development company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of new drugs, formulations and compounds
that provide therapies for chronic inflammatory disease, neurologic disorders and behavioral health.
For more information, visit: http://www.rockcreekpharmaceuticals.com
Forward Looking Statements:
Certain statements contained in this
release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
statements include, but are not limited to statements identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates,"
"estimates," "intends," "plans," "targets," "projects" and similar expressions.
The statements in this release are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our company's management and are subject
to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Numerous
factors could cause or contribute to such differences, including, but not limited to, failure to obtain sufficient capital resources
to fund our development program and operations, results of clinical trials and/or other studies, the challenges inherent in new
product development initiatives, including the continued development and approval of anti-inflammatory drug candidates, the effect
of any competitive products, our ability to license and protect our intellectual property, our significant payables, our ability
to raise additional capital in the future that is necessary to maintain our business, changes in government policy and/or regulation,
potential litigation by or against us, any governmental review of our products or practices, pending litigation matters, as well
as other risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation,
our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 filed on March 12, 2015. We undertake no duty to update
any forward-looking statement or any information contained in this press release or in other public disclosures at any time.
CONTACT:
Stephanie Carrington
Investors
Integrated Corporate Relations, Inc. (ICR): Redefining Strategic
Communications
685 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor,
New York, NY 10017
(646) 277-1282
stephanie.carrington@icrinc.com
Ted Jenkins
Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Development,
Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals
2040 Whitfield Avenue, Suite 300
Sarasota, FL 34243
Direct: 941-251-0488
tjenkins@rockcreekpharmaceuticals.com
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