As previously reported, on June 15, 2020, the Company completed its business combination with Forte Subsidiary, Inc. (“Forte Subsidiary”), in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated February 19, 2020, as amended (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Telluride Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”), and Forte Subsidiary, pursuant to which Merger Sub merged with and into Forte Subsidiary, with Forte Subsidiary surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”). Immediately prior to the closing of the Merger, the then outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock were adjusted with a reverse stock split of 15 to 1. At the closing of the Merger, each share of Forte Subsidiary’s common stock was converted into the right to receive approximately 3.1624 shares of the Company’s common stock (before giving effect of the reverse split). Immediately prior to closing of the Merger, the Company changed its name from “Tocagen Inc.” to “Forte Biosciences, Inc.”
In connection with the Merger, the Company provides the following information set forth in this Item 8.01.
DESCRIPTION OF FORTE’S BUSINESS
Overview
Forte is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing through clinical trials our lead product candidate, FB-401, which is a live biotherapeutic for the treatment of inflammatory skin disease, including pediatric and adult patients with atopic dermatitis (“AD”). Forte’s lead product candidate, FB-401, is a live biotherapeutic for the treatment of inflammatory skin disease developed in collaboration with the NIH and NIAID. The skin is a complex barrier organ characterized by complex interactions between microbial communities and host tissue via signaling provided by the innate and the adaptive immune systems. Exposure to various endogenous and exogenous factors impact the system balance potentially leading to inflammatory skin conditions comprising infections, allergies or autoimmune diseases. Researchers in microbiology and dermatology have identified and characterized the microorganisms present on the skin to evaluate the bacterial contribution to skin health and dermatological conditions.
Forte is developing a new approach to treating inflammatory skin disease using a topical live biotherapeutic, FB-401. FB-401, consists of three therapeutic strains of a commensal gram-negative bacteria, Roseomonas mucosa that were specifically selected for their impact on key parameters of inflammatory skin disease. Forte has extensive preclinical and mechanism of action data demonstrating that FB-401 improves atopic dermatitis disease parameters by driving tissue repair and anti-inflammation as well as suppressing potentially harmful bacteria like S. aureus. Specifically, Forte believes that FB-401:
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drives immune pathways that are defective;
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suppresses Staphylococcus aureus growth; and
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improves skin barrier function.
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To date, Forte has completed a Phase 1/2a study, including both adults and pediatrics, demonstrating a significant reduction in atopic dermatitis disease and pruritus, as well as control of S. aureus while tapering/eliminating steroid use. The full results from this study are expected to be published in the next month or two and are consistent with the published interim dataset. Forte is currently planning to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial in the third quarter of 2020.
Market for Treating AD
AD is a relapsing and remitting inflammatory skin disorder that affects all age groups. It is chronic and incurable, and is characterized by skin-barrier disruption and immune dysregulation. Clinically, AD is characterized by xerosis, erythematous crusted eruptions, lichenification, an impaired skin barrier and intense pruritus AD flares are frequently triggered by exposure to environmental factors, irritants, and allergens.
Although estimates of AD prevalence vary widely across different studies due to differences in data collection methodology, inconsistent age group assessment, and study periods, AD is one of the most common dermatologic diseases, involving 10%-20% of children and 2%-10% of adults. A 2010 study in the United States evaluating AD severity in children found that 67% had mild disease, 26% had moderate disease and 7% had severe disease. Approximately 85% of all cases of AD begin before age five.
Patients with AD have a high disease burden and their quality of life is significantly affected. AD has been shown to have a greater negative effect on patient mental health than diabetes and hypertension. Patients with moderate-to-severe AD have a higher prevalence of social dysfunction and sleep impairment, which are directly related to the severity of the disease. Depression, anxiety, and social dysfunction not only affect patients with AD, but also affect their caregivers. Compared with psoriasis, another common and debilitating skin disease, patients with AD have lower physical, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, and mental health scores.
The therapeutic approach to AD primarily consists of trigger avoidance, skin hydration with bathing, and use of emollients and anti-inflammatory therapies consisting predominantly of topical corticosteroids (“TCS”). In many patients, treatment with TCS provides some measure of symptomatic relief but does not adequately control