ASLN ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Ltd

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

December 8, 2023

(Commission File No. 001-38475)

ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED

(REG. NO. 289175)

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

CAYMAN ISLANDS

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

3 Temasek Avenue

Level 18 Centennial Tower

Singapore 039190

(Address of registrant’s principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F  Form 40-F 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101 (b) (1):

Yes  No 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101 (b) (7):

Yes  No 

 

 

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Amendment to Loan Agreement with K2 HealthVentures LLC

 

On July 12, 2021, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited, an exempted company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company”), and ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ASLAN USA”), as borrowers entered into a Loan, Guaranty, and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Pte. Ltd., a private company limited by shares formed under the laws of the Republic of Singapore (“ASLAN Singapore” and, together with the Company and ASLAN USA, each a “Loan Party” and, collectively, the “Loan Parties”), as guarantor, the lenders from time-to-time, party thereto, K2 HealthVentures LLC as administrative agent, and Ankura Trust Company, LLC as collateral agent, as amended by that certain First Amendment to the Loan, Guaranty and Security Agreement dated as of June 30, 2023. The Loan Agreement provides for up to $45.0 million of term loans in up to four separate tranches, including an initial $20,000,000 term loan funded at closing. To date, the Company has borrowed $25.0 million in aggregate, being the first and second tranches of term loans.

 

On December 6, 2023, the Company entered into an amendment (the “Second Amendment”) of the Loan Agreement pursuant to which the lenders agreed to extend the period under the Loan Agreement in which the Company is not required to make payments with respect to the outstanding principal amount (during which period interest payments continue to become due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Loan Agreement). The first date from which the Company is required to make monthly payments of principal is now January 1, 2025.

 

In addition, pursuant to the Second Amendment, (i) the Company made a payment of $12.0 million to the administrative agent, which has been applied to the outstanding principal under the Loan Agreement (the “Prepayment”) and (ii) the lenders and the administrative agent waived a prepayment fee of 2.0% that otherwise would have been required under the Loan Agreement with respect to the Prepayment. After giving effect to the Prepayment, $13.0 million of principal will remain outstanding under the Loan Agreement.

 

In connection with the Second Amendment, the lenders have received a lien on certain intellectual property owned by the Loan Parties, subject to customary exceptions.

 

A copy of the Second Amendment is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the Second does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit.

 

The information contained in this Form 6-K is hereby incorporated by reference into the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-252575), Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-254768), Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-270835), Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-270837), Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-252118), Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-263843) and Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-270832).

 

Forward Looking Statements

This Form 6-K contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of the management of the Company. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s cash runway. The Company’s estimates, projections and other forward-looking statements are based on management’s current assumptions and expectations of future events and trends, which affect or may affect the Company’s business, strategy, operations, or financial performance, and inherently involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of many risks and uncertainties, which include, unexpected safety or efficacy data observed during preclinical or clinical studies; the impact of health epidemics or pandemics or the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia as well as ongoing conflicts in the Middle East on the Company’s business and the global economy; general market conditions; changes in the competitive landscape; and the Company’s ability to obtain sufficient financing to fund its strategic and clinical development plans. Other factors that may cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements are described in the Company’s SEC filings and reports (Commission File No. 001- 38475), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 24, 2023. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “might,” “could,” “will,” “aim,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” or the negative of those terms, and similar expressions that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes are intended to identify estimates, projections, and other forward-looking statements. Estimates, projections, and other forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and, except to the extent required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or review any estimate, projection, or forward-looking statement.
 

Exhibits

Exhibit Number		Exhibit Description
4.1		Second Amendment to Loan, Guaranty, and Security Agreement, dated as of December 6, 2023, by and among ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc., ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Pte. Ltd., K2 HealthVentures LLC and Ankura Trust Company, LLC.

 

 

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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, thereto duly authorized.

ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED
(Registrant)
By:	/s/ Kiran Kumar Asarpota
Name:	Kiran Kumar Asarpota
Title:	Chief Operating Officer

Date: December 8, 2023

 

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Exhibit 4.1

SECOND Amendment

to

Loan, Guaranty and security agreement

 

This Second Amendment to Loan, Guaranty, and Security Agreement (this “Amendment”) is entered into this 6th day of December, 2023, by and among (a) ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS (USA) INC., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower Representative”), ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED, an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and each other Person party hereto as a borrower from time to time (“Parent”, and together with Borrower Representative, collectively, “Borrowers”, and each, a “Borrower”), (b) ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS PTE. LTD., a private company limited by shares formed under the laws of the Republic of Singapore (“ASLAN LTD” and together with each other Person party hereto or any other Loan Documents as a guarantor from time to time, collectively, “Guarantors” and each, a “Guarantor”, and together with Borrowers, collectively, “Loan Parties”, and each, a “Loan Party”), (c) K2 HEALTHVENTURES LLC as a lender, and the other lenders from time to time party hereto (collectively, “Lenders”, and each, a “Lender”), (d) K2 HEALTHVENTURES LLC, as administrative agent for Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors, “Administrative Agent”), and (e) ANKURA TRUST COMPANY, LLC, as collateral agent for Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors, “Collateral Trustee”).

Recitals

A. The Secured Parties and the Loan Parties have entered into that certain Loan, Guaranty and Security Agreement dated as of July 12, 2021, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Loan, Guaranty and Security Agreement dated as of June 30, 2023 (as the same may from time to time be amended, modified, supplemented or restated, the “Loan Agreement”).

B. Lender has extended credit to the Loan Parties for the purposes permitted in the Loan Agreement.

C. The Loan Parties have requested that Administrative Agent amend the Loan Agreement to make certain revisions to the Loan Agreement as more fully set forth herein.

D. Administrative Agent has agreed to so amend certain provisions of the Loan Agreement, but only to the extent, in accordance with the terms, subject to the conditions and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth below.

Agreement

Now, Therefore, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

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“(d) Each Loan Party is the sole owner of the Intellectual Property which it owns or purports to own except for (i) licenses constituting “Permitted Transfers”, (ii) open-source software, (iii) over-the-counter software that is commercially available to the public, (iv) material Intellectual Property licensed to such Loan Party and noted on the Perfection Certificate or as disclosed pursuant to Section 6.7(c), and (v) immaterial Intellectual Property licensed to such Loan Party. Each Patent (other than patent applications) which it owns or purports to own and which is material to such Loan Party’s business is, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, valid and enforceable, and no part of the Intellectual Property which a Loan Party owns or purports to own and which is material to the Loan Parties’ business has been judged invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part. To the best of each Loan Party’s knowledge, no claim has been made that any part of the Intellectual Property violates the rights of any third party except to the extent such claim could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as noted on the Perfection Certificate or Schedule 5.2(d) hereto or as disclosed pursuant to Section 6.7(c), no Loan Party is a party to, nor is it bound by, any Restricted License. No Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party owns any material Intellectual Property. It will not be necessary to use any inventions of any of such Loan Party’s employees or consultants (or Persons it currently intends to hire) made prior to their employment by such Loan Party. Each current and prior employee, consultant or other Affiliate thereof has entered into an invention assignment agreement or similar agreement with such Loan Party with respect to all intellectual property rights he or she owns that are related to the Loan Parties’ business.”

“(e) Annual Audited Financial Statements. As soon as available, but no later than (i) for Parent’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, one hundred twenty (120) days after the last day of such fiscal year, and (ii) for each other fiscal year of Parent, ninety (90) days after the last day of Parent’s fiscal year, audited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS, consistently applied, together with an unqualified opinion on the financial statements from an independent certified public accounting firm reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, together with any management letter with respect thereto;

 

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“ (b) If any Loan Party (i) obtains any Patent, registered Trademark, registered Copyright, registered mask work, or any pending application for any of the foregoing, whether as owner or licensee, or (ii) applies for any Patent or the registration of any Trademark (other than Excluded Property), then Borrower Representative shall provide written notice thereof to Administrative Agent contemporaneously with the delivery of the then-next Compliance Certificate required to be delivered hereunder pursuant to Section 6.2(c) and shall execute such intellectual property security documents and other documents and take such other actions as Administrative Agent may reasonably request to perfect and maintain a first priority perfected security interest, in favor of Collateral Trustee, to protect Collateral Trustee’s interest in such property pursuant to applicable law. If a Loan Party decides to register any Copyrights or mask works in the United States Copyright Office, Borrower Representative shall: (x) provide Administrative Agent with at least fifteen (15) days prior written notice of such Loan Party’s intent to register such Copyrights or mask works together with a copy of the application it intends to file with the United States Copyright Office (excluding exhibits thereto); (y) execute an intellectual property security document and such other documents and take such other actions as Administrative Agent may reasonably request to perfect and maintain a first priority perfected security interest in favor of Collateral Trustee in the Copyrights or mask works intended to be registered with the United States Copyright Office; and (z) record such intellectual property security document with the United States Copyright Office contemporaneously with filing the Copyright or mask work application(s) with the United States Copyright Office.”

 

“ “Amortization Date” means January 1, 2025.”

 

“ “Excluded Property” is defined in the definition of “Collateral”.

 

“ “Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement and any schedules, exhibits, certificates, notices, and any other documents related to this Agreement, the Warrant, the Share Charge, the Fee Letter, the Collateral Trust Agreement, the Automatic Payment Authorization, the Account Control Agreements, the Collateral Access Agreements, the Disclosure Letter, the IP Security Deed, any Subordination Agreement, any note, or notes or guaranties executed by a Loan Party, and any other present or future agreement by a Loan Party with or for the benefit of Collateral Trustee or any Lender in connection with this Agreement, all as amended, modified, supplemented, extended or restated from time to time.”

 

“ “IP Security Deed” means that certain security deed (intellectual property) dated on or about the date of the Second Amendment to this Agreement by and among ASLAN LTD, as chargor, and Collateral Trustee with respect to ASLAN LTD's Intellectual Property, as amended, modified, supplemented, extended or restated from time to time.”

3

 

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“ The Collateral consists of all of each Loan Party’s right, title and interest in and to the following personal property wherever located, whether now owned or existing or hereafter acquired, created or arising:

 

All goods, Accounts (including health-care receivables), Equipment, Inventory, contract rights or rights to payment of money, leases, license agreements, franchise agreements, General Intangibles, Intellectual Property, commercial tort claims, documents, instruments (including any promissory notes), chattel paper (whether tangible or electronic), cash, deposit accounts, fixtures, letters of credit rights (whether or not the letter of credit is evidenced by a writing), securities, and all other investment property, supporting obligations, and financial assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, wherever located; and all such Loan Party’s Books relating to the foregoing, and any and all claims, rights and interests in any of the above and all substitutions for, additions, attachments, accessories, accessions and improvements to and replacements, products, proceeds (both cash and non-cash) and insurance proceeds of any or all of the foregoing.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Collateral does not include (each of the following, “Excluded Property”) (i) any United States intent-to-use trademark or service mark applications filed pursuant to Section 1(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1051, at all times prior to the filing of a “Statement of Use” pursuant to Section 1(d) of the Lanham Act or an “Amendment to Allege Use” pursuant to Section 1(c) of the Lanham Act with respect thereto with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or otherwise, (ii) Equity Interests in Jaguahr Therapeutics, or (iii) any property to the extent that such grant of security interest is prohibited by any Requirement of Law of a Governmental Authority or constitutes a breach or default under or results in the termination of or requires any consent not obtained under, any contract, license, agreement, instrument or other document evidencing or giving rise to such property, except to the extent that such Requirement of Law or the term in such contract, license, agreement, instrument or other document providing for such prohibition, breach, default or termination or requiring such consent is ineffective under Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the Code (or any successor provision or provisions) of any relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable law (including the Bankruptcy Code) or principles of equity; provided, however, that such security interest shall attach immediately at such time as such Requirement of Law is not effective or applicable, or such prohibition, breach, default or termination is no longer applicable or is waived, and to the extent severable, shall attach immediately to any portion of the Collateral that does not result in such consequences.”

 

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[Signature page follows.]

6

 

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In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

 

LENDER
K2 HEALTHVENTURES LLC By: /s/ Anup Arora . Name: Anup Arora Title: Managing Director & CIO
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
K2 HEALTHVENTURES LLC By: /s/ Anup Arora . Name: Anup Arora Title: Managing Director & CIO

 

BORROWERS:

EXECUTED AS A DEED:

ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED By: /s/ Carl Aslan Jason Morton Firth Name: Carl Aslan Jason Morton Firth Title: Director

ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS (usa) iNC. By: /s/ Carl Aslan Jason Morton Firth Name: Carl Aslan Jason Morton Firth Title: Director

 

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GUARANTOR:

EXECUTED AND DELIVERED AS A DEED For and on behalf of ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS PTE. LTD. By: /s/ Carl Aslan Jason Morton Firth Name: Carl Aslan Jason Morton Firth Title: Director   By: /s/ Kiran Asarpota Name: Kiran Asarpota Title: Director/Secretary   / In the presence of:- /s/ Daryl Tan Name: Daryl Tan Witness Address of witness:] 3 Temasek Avenue Level 18, Singapore 039190

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

___________________________

1 Note: This Agreement will need to be signed for and on behalf of the Guarantor by 2 directors, 1 director and 1 secretary, or 1 director and 1 witness.

 

 

 

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Annex I

 

EXHIBIT D

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

TO: K2 HEALTHVENTURES LLC, as Administrative Agent FROM: ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS (USA) INC. ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED	Date: _________________

Reference is made to that certain Loan, Guaranty, and Security Agreement, dated July 12, 2021 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, from time to time, the “Agreement”), among (a) ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS (USA) INC., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower Representative”), ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED, an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and each other Person party thereto as a borrower from time to time (“Parent”, and together with Borrower Representative, collectively, “Borrowers”, and each, a “Borrower”), (b) ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS PTE. LTD., a private company limited by shares formed under the laws of the Republic of Singapore (“ASLAN LTD” and together with each other Person party hereto or any other Loan Documents as guarantor from time to time, collectively, “Guarantors” and each, a “Guarantor”, and together with Borrowers, collectively, “Loan Parties”, and each, a “Loan Party”), (c) K2 HEALTHVENTURES LLC and any other lender from time to time party thereto and the lenders from time to time party thereto (collectively, “Lenders”, and each, a “Lender”), (d) K2 HEALTHVENTURES LLC, as administrative agent for Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors, “Administrative Agent”), and (e) ANKURA TRUST COMPANY, LLC, as collateral agent for Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors, “Collateral Trustee”). Capitalized terms have meanings as defined in the Agreement.

The undersigned authorized officer of Borrower Representative, hereby certifies in accordance with the terms of the Agreement as follows:

(1) Each Borrower is in compliance for the period ending ________ with all covenants set forth in the Agreement; (2) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and (3) the representations and warranties in the Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on this date; provided, however, that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof; and provided, further that those representations and warranties expressly referring to a specific date shall be true, accurate and complete in all material respects as of such date.

The undersigned certifies that all financial statements delivered herewith are prepared in accordance with IFRS (other than, with respect to unaudited financials for the absence of footnotes and being subject to normal year-end adjustments), consistently applied from one period to the next. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given them in the Agreement.

Please indicate compliance status by circling Yes/No under “Complies” column.

Reporting Covenants	Required	Complies
Monthly financial statements and Compliance Certificate	Monthly, within 30 days	Yes No
A/P Aging Reports	Monthly, within 30 days	Yes No
Quarterly financial statements	Quarterly, within 45 days	Yes No
Annual Operating Budget and Financial Projections	Annually, within 30 days of fiscal year end and within 5 days of any material modification	Yes No
Annual audited financial statements and any management letters	Annually, within (i) 120 days for Borrower’s 2023 fiscal year end and (ii) 90 days of any other fiscal year end	Yes No

 

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Statements, reports and notices to stockholders or holders of Subordinated Debt	Within 5 days of delivery		Yes No
SEC filings	Within 5 days after filing with SEC		Yes No
Legal action notices and updates	Promptly		Yes No
Board or advisory board materials	Within 5 Business Days of Parent’s Board meeting		Yes No
Board minutes	Within 5 Business Days of Parent’s Board meeting		Yes No
IP report	At the end of each fiscal quarter		Yes No
Bank account statements (with transaction detail)	Together with monthly financial statements		Yes No
Product related material correspondence, reports, documents and other filings	Within 5 Business Days		Yes No
Copies of preferred stock financing documents	Together with Compliance Certificate due after closing of such financing		Yes No
Other Covenants	Required	Actual	Complies
Equipment financing Indebtedness	Not to exceed $500,000.00 outstanding	$	Yes No
Repurchases of stock from former employees, officers and directors	Not to exceed $500,000.00 per fiscal year	$	Yes No
Other Investments in non-Loan Party Subsidiaries	Not to exceed $500,000.00 per fiscal year	$	Yes No
Deposits or pledges for bids, tenders, contracts, leases, surety or appeal bonds	Not to exceed $500,000.00 at any time	$	Yes No

 

Other Matters

Please list any SEC filings made since the most recently delivered Compliance Certificate: _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
Has any Borrower changed its legal name, jurisdiction of organization or chief executive office? If yes, please complete details below: _______________________________________________________________________	Yes	No
Has there been any change in Key Person? If so, please describe appointment of any interim replacement (required within 30 days) or full-time replacement by a candidate with equivalent qualifications: _______________________________________________________________________	Yes	No

 

 

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Have any new Subsidiaries been formed? If yes, please provide complete schedule below.	Yes	No

 

Legal Name of Subsidiary	Jurisdiction of Organization	Holder of Subsidiary Equity Interests	Equity Interests Certificated? (Y/N)	Jurisdiction

 

Have any new Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts been opened? If yes, please complete schedule below.	Yes	No

 

Accountholder	Deposit Account / Intermediary	Address	Account Number	Account Control Agreement in place or an Excluded Account? (Y/N)

 

Is there any new Product not previously disclosed on the Perfection Certificate or any prior Compliance Certificate? If yes, please complete details below: _______________________________________________________________________	Yes	No
Has there been any material change to anticipated or scheduled Royalty, Milestone, and Earn-Out Payments? If yes, please attach an updated schedule A to the Disclosure Letter.	Yes	No.
Has any Loan Party added any new lease location, bailee location or other location where Collateral is maintained? If yes, please describe below: _______________________________________________________________________	Yes	No
Has any Loan Party entered into a Restricted License? If yes, please describe below: _______________________________________________________________________	Yes	No

Has any Loan Party (i) obtained any Patent, registered Trademark, registered Copyright, registered mask work, or any pending application for any of the foregoing, whether as owner or licensee, or (ii) applied for any Patent or the registration of any Trademark (other than Excluded Property):

_______________________________________________________________________	Yes	No

The following are the exceptions with respect to the certification above: (If no exceptions exist, state “No exceptions to note.”)

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

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BORROWER REPRESENTATIVE: ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS (USA) INC. By: Name: Title:

 

 

 

 

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Annex II

Schedule 5.2(d)

[Borrower’s counsel please provide amendments to licenses agreement which were not disclosed/reviewed in connection with original LSA closing]

 

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