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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): August 14, 2024

 

 

FORTE BIOSCIENCES, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-38052   26-1243872

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

3060 Pegasus Park Dr.

Building 6

Dallas, Texas

    75247
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)     (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (310) 618-6994

Not Applicable

(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))

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

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Stock, $0.001 par value   FBRX   The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

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 August 14, 2024, Forte Biosciences, Inc. issued a press release reporting its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. A copy of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information furnished in this Current Report under Item 2.02 and the exhibit attached hereto shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 8.01.

Other Events.

The Company has updated its corporate presentation that it uses when meeting with investors, analysts and others. A copy of the Company’s updated corporate presentation is attached as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)

Exhibits

 

Exhibit

  

Description

99.1    Press Release, dated August 14, 2024
99.2    Corporate Presentation
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.

 

    FORTE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
Date: August 14, 2024     By:  

/s/ Antony Riley

      Antony Riley
      Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 99.1

 

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FORTE BIOSCIENCES, INC. ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER 2024 RESULTS AND

PROVIDES BUSINESS UPDATE

DALLAS, TX – AUGUST 14, 2024 – Forte Biosciences, Inc. (www.fortebiorx.com) (NASDAQ: FBRX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on autoimmune and autoimmune-related diseases, today announced second quarter 2024 results and provided a business update.

Second Quarter 2024 Business Highlights

“Forte continues to make excellent progress with FB102, our anti-CD122 monoclonal antibody therapeutic candidate. The SAD/MAD phase 1 healthy volunteer study has successfully completed and FB102 has demonstrated a good safety profile.” said Paul Wagner, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Forte Biosciences. “Based on the successful completion of the phase 1 healthy volunteer cohorts, Forte is initiating a patient study in celiac disease with data expected by the second quarter of 2025. Based on the biology of celiac disease and the mechanism of action of FB102 we are excited about the potential in celiac disease, an indication with a significant unmet need. We believe the data to date supports the significant potential for FB102 across a variety of autoimmune and autoimmune-related diseases with large addressable markets and we look forward to pursuing these opportunities as we continue to advance the FB102 program.”

R&D and Clinical Development Updates

In FB102 mechanistic in-vitro studies, human donor T and NK cells were stimulated with either IL2 or IL15 in the presence or absence of FB102. FB102 significantly inhibited proliferation and activation at levels comparable to unstimulated cells. Human donor regulatory T cell (Treg) studies stimulated with IL2 demonstrated comparable proliferation both in the presence and absence of FB102.

In the 4 and 13 week nonhuman primate (NHP) studies, after a single dose, FB102 demonstrated significant reductions in the NK cell pharmacodynamic marker. Additionally, after multiple doses at exposures comparable to human therapeutic doses, Treg levels in the FB102 dosing arm was comparable to vehicle. These observations suggest that FB102 is demonstrating selectivity with respect to inhibiting the intermediate vs high affinity IL2 receptor.

The phase 1 healthy volunteer SAD/MAD cohorts have successfully completed. The FB102 phase 1 healthy volunteer study demonstrated a good safety profile. Of note, in this study FB102 reported a significant reduction in the NK cell pharmacodynamic marker of the FB102 mechanism. Based on these results, Forte is advancing clinical development of FB102 into a celiac disease patient study with first patient dosing expected in the third quarter of 2024. Top-line results of the study are expected by the second quarter of 2025.

Second Quarter 2024 Operating Results

Research and development expenses were $5.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $7.1 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease of approximately $1.5 million in manufacturing costs partially offset by an increase of approximately $0.1 million in payroll and related expenses due to an increase in Forte’s average headcount.


Research and development expenses were $10.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $11.9 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease of approximately $4.1 million in manufacturing costs partially offset by an increase of approximately $1.3 million in clinical expenses as Forte advanced its FB102 program through clinical trials, and a net increase of approximately $1.0 million in payroll and related expenses due to an increase in Forte’s average headcount and related payments.

General and administrative expenses were $7.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $1.9 million for the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily due to increases in legal and professional expenses.

General and administrative expenses were $10.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $4.0 million for the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily due to increases in legal and professional expenses.

Net losses per share were $(0.27) and $(0.42) for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, and $(0.43) and $(0.74) for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Forte ended the second quarter 2024 with approximately $24.5 million in cash and cash equivalents. Forte had approximately 36.4 million shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2024.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands except share and par value data)

 

     June 30, 2024     December 31, 2023  
     (unaudited)        

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 24,498     $ 37,125  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     1,213       1,202  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     25,711       38,327  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

     96       109  

Other assets

     271       544  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 26,078     $ 38,980  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 5,275     $ 1,424  

Accrued liabilities (including $50 and $0 related party payable as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)

     3,842       2,242  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     9,117       3,666  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)

    

Stockholders’ equity

    

Common stock, $0.001 par value: 200,000,000 shares authorized as of June 30, 2024 (unaudited) and December 31, 2023; 36,442,380 and 36,335,105 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 (unaudited) and December 31, 2023, respectively

     36       36  

Additional paid-in capital

     155,383       153,794  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (7     4  

Accumulated deficit

     (138,451     (118,520
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     16,961       35,314  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 26,078     $ 38,980  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND

COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

     For the Three Months Ended
June 30,
    For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2024     2023     2024     2023  

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development

   $ 5,590     $ 7,139     $ 9,914     $ 11,926  

Research and development - related party

     150     $ —        179     $ —   

General and administrative

     7,078       1,895       10,529       3,963  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     12,818       9,034       20,622       15,889  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (12,818     (9,034     (20,622     (15,889

Other income, net

     307       138       691       240  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (12,511   $ (8,896   $ (19,931   $ (15,649
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share information:

        

Net loss per share - basic and diluted

   $ (0.27   $ (0.42   $ (0.43   $ (0.74

Weighted average shares and pre-funded warrants outstanding, basic and diluted

     46,131,151       21,046,831       46,107,006       21,026,866  

Comprehensive Loss:

        

Net loss

   $ (12,511   $ (8,896   $ (19,931   $ (15,649

Unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities

     (5     1       (11     1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

   $ (12,516   $ (8,895   $ (19,942   $ (15,648
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Additional details on Forte’s second quarter 2024 financial results can be found in Forte’s Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC on August 14, 2024. You can also find more information in the investor relations section of Forte’s website at www.fortebiorx.com.

About Forte

Forte Biosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is advancing FB102, which is a proprietary anti-CD122 monoclonal antibody therapeutic candidate with potentially broad autoimmune and autoimmune-related indications.

Forward-Looking Statements

Forte cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “project,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negatives of these terms or other similar expressions. These statements are based on the Company’s current beliefs and expectations. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Company’s beliefs, goals, intentions and expectations regarding its product candidate, FB102 and the therapeutic and commercial market potential of FB102, and Forte’s plans to initiate a patient study in celiac disease with data expected by the second quarter of 2025. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: risks related to Forte’s ability to obtain sufficient additional capital to continue to advance Forte’s product candidate, FB102; uncertainties associated with the clinical development and regulatory approval of Forte’s product candidate, FB102, including potential delays in the commencement, enrollment and completion of clinical trials, including the timing of the commencement of the Company’s patient-based studies; the risk that results from preclinical and any interim result of our ongoing phase 1 clinical trials may not be predictive of future results from clinical trials; risks associated with the failure to


realize any value from FB102 in light of inherent risks, expense and difficulties involved in successfully bringing product candidates to market; and additional risks, uncertainties, and other information affecting Forte’s business and operating results is contained in Forte’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 18, 2024, in the Company’s subsequent Quarterly Report on Forms 10-Q filed on May 13, 2024 and August 14, 2024, and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements in this press release are current only as of the date hereof and, except as required by applicable law, Forte undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

 

Contact:   

LifeSci Advisors

Mike Moyer, Managing Director

mmoyer@lifesciadvisors.com

  

Forte Biosciences, Inc.

Paul Wagner, CEO

investors@fortebiorx.com

Exhibit 99.2

 

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Exhibit 99.2 FORTE BIOSCIENCES CORPORATE DECK AUGUST 14,2024


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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements contained in this presentation regarding matters that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995, known as the PSLRA. These include statements regarding management’s intention, plans, beliefs, expectations or forecasts for the future, and, therefore, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Forte Biosciences, Inc. (“we”, the “Company” or “Forte”) undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. We use words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “guidance,” and similar expressions to identify these forward-looking statements that are intended to be covered by the safe-harbor provisions of the PSLRA. Such forward-looking statements are based on our expectations and involve risks and uncertainties; consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, risks relating to the business and prospects of the Company; Forte’s plans to develop and potentially commercialize its product candidates, including FB102; the risk that results from early-preclinical studies may not be predictive of results from later-stage studies or clinical trials; the timing of initiation of Forte’s planned clinical trials; the timing of the availability of data from Forte’s clinical trials; the timing of any planned investigational new drug application or new drug application; Forte’s plans to research, develop and commercialize its current and future product candidates; Forte’s projections of the size of the market for FB102; Forte’s ability to successfully enter into collaborations, and to fulfill its obligations under any such collaboration agreements; the clinical utility, potential benefits and market acceptance of Forte’s product candidates; Forte’s commercialization, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and strategy; developments and projections relating to Forte’s competitors and its industry; the impact of government laws and regulations; Forte’s ability to protect its intellectual property position; Forte’s estimates regarding future revenue, expenses, capital requirements and need for additional financing; and the impact of global events on the Company, the Company’s industry or the economy generally. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs, and these statements represent our views as of the date of this presentation. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in these forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Information regarding certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions may be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the caption “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2023 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management team to predict all risk factors or assess the impact of all factors on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in, or implied by, any forward-looking statements. While we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this presentation. 2


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EXPERIENCED MANAGEMENT Forte’s management has extensive experience in manufacturing, quality, regulatory and clinical development Paul Wagner, Ph.D., CFA – CEO Tony Riley – Chief Financial Officer Chris Roenfeldt, PMP – Chief Operating Officer Steven Ruhl – Chief Technical Officer Barbara Finck, MD – Senior Medical Clinician 3


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Forte Biosciences, Inc is a clinical-stage public biotechnology company (Nasdaq: FBRX) Strong Board of Directors comprised of leaders in industry including: Scott Brun, MD – Former head of Abbvie product development Steve Doberstein, PhD – Former Chief Scientific Officer of Nektar Lawrence Eichenfield, MD- Vice Chair Dermatology UCSD Barbera Finck, MD – Led Enbrel development at Immunex and Humira biosimilar development at Coherus David Gryska – Former CFO of Incyte and Celgene Steve Kornfeld – Co-Managing Partner of Castle Peak Partners and former Healthcare Sector Team Leader and PM at Franklin Templeton Don Williams – Former Ernst and Young and Grant Thornton Partner 4


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FB102 PROGRAM OVERVIEW


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CLINICAL STAGE FB102 OVERVIEW • CD122 is a subunit of the intermediate affinity IL-2/IL-15 receptor expressed on NK cells,certainT cell subtypes an is a subunit of the high affinity IL-2 receptor expressed on Tregs. • FB102 (Forte’s anti-CD122 antibody) is designed to mediate both the IL-2 and the IL-15 induced proliferation and activation of pathogenic NK cells,certainT cell subtypes without effecting the IL-2 biology of beneficial Tregs. • In-vitro data from human donor immune cells as well as in vivo NHP data demonstrates FB102 significantly inhibits proliferation and activation of potentially pathogenic immune cells without significantly effectingTregs. Lodolce 2002 Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. PMID 12401478 Ross 2018 Annu Rev Immunol. PMID 29677473


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ADVANCING CLINICAL STAGE FB102 • Phase 1 healthy volunteer SAD/MAD successfully completed and demonstrated a good safety profile. • Forte is initiating celiac disease patient study in 3Q24 and data is expected by 2Q25. • Significant amount of proof-of-concept preclinical data across numerous indications supports“Pipeline-in-a-Product” potential for FB102.


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HIGHLIGHTS OF EXISTING PRECLINICALANTI-CD122 PROOF-OF-CONCEPT DATA


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PARTIALLIST OF POSITIVE POCANIMAL DATAFORANTI-CD122 HIGHLIGHTS FB102“PIPELINE-IN-A-PRODUCT” POTENTIAL Disease Species Outcome Reference Alopecia areata Mouse Prevented fur loss Nature Med,2014 Improved IL-15-induced mucosal Celiac disease Mouse PNAS,2009 damage GVHD Mouse Prolonged survival JN Bio patent,2015 Skin and kidney transplant Prolonged graft survival in Mouse/Monkey J Clin Invest,2018 rejection combination with CTLA-4 Type 1 diabetes Mouse Delayed disease onset JCI Insight,2018 Vitiligo Mouse Enhanced repigmentation SciTransl Med,2018 


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FB102 IN PROOF-OF-CONCEPT AUTOIMMUNE PRECLINICAL DATA


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GENERATING PRECLINICAL EFFICACY DATAINA HUMANIZED MOUSE MODEL OFACUTE GVHD Humanized mouse model of graft vs host disease Aggressive,rapid-onset of GvHD (100% mortality within 30 days) due to both T and NK cell engraftment NCG (immunodeficient) Transplant with human with human IL-15 expression PBMC (5x106) Huarte, Immunotherapy 2021 PMID:34184542. 


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DOSE-RANGING INVESTIGATION OF FB102 INA HUMANIZED MOUSE MODEL OFACUTE GVHD:THERAPEUTIC MODE Irradiation& End of PBMC transplantation treatment Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 FB102 Once-daily IP administration Start dosing on Day 5, (75,125,175 mpk) once daily Vehicle Once-daily IP administration Ruxolitinib Twice-daily oral administration Start dosing on Day 5, (60 mpk) twice daily Twice-daily oral administration Vehicle N=10 per cohort 


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FB102 SURVIVAL BENEFITS:THERAPEUTIC MODEL Start of daily treatment FB102 100% superior to FB102(75): 90% aGvHD FB102(175):90% 80% FB102(125):80% standard of care, 60% Ruxolitinib: 60% ruxolitinib, 40% head-to-head 20% 0% Vehicle: 0% 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 Study day P=0.0001 for FB102 (75,175) vsVehicle on Day 14 P=0.0007 for FB102 (125) vsVehicle on Day 14 13 P=0.01 for Ruxolitinib vsVehicle on Day 14


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MONOVS COMBINATION THERAPIESWITH FB102,RUXOLITINIB OR CORTICOSTEROIDS Irradiation& End of study PBMC injection (D18) Day 1 5 8 12 15 18 Ruxolitinib Twice-daily oral (60 mpk) FB102+Ruxolitinib Once-daily IP + twice-daily oral (75 mpk+60 mpk) Placebo Once-daily IP + twice-daily oral (Combination of vehicles) N=10 per cohort 14


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FB102 SURVIVAL BENEFITS:COMBINATION OF FB102WITH RUXOLITINIB SIGNIFICANTLY SUPERIORTO RUXOLITINIBALONE Start of daily treatment FB102 + Rux 100% combo FB102+Rux: 90% significantly 80% superior to 60% standard of care single agent, 40% ruxolitinib, Ruxolitinib: 30% head-to-head 20% Vehicle:0% 0% 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 Study day p 0.0001 for FB102+Rux vsVehicle on Day 18 15 p 0.02 for FB102+Rux vs Ruxolitinib Mono on Day 18


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PHASE 1 HEALTHYVOLUNTEER STUDY


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FB102 PHASE 1 HEALTHYVOLUNTEER SUMMARY • Phase 1 healthy volunteer SAD/MAD successfully completed and demonstrated a good safety profile. • Significant reductions in NK cell pharmacodynamic marker of FB102 mechanism were observed supporting the in-vitro as well as the NHP data and the mechanism of action of FB102. • Forte is initiating a celiac disease patient study in 3Q24 with data from this study expected by 2Q25. 17


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FB102 INDICATION REVIEW


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PARTIALLIST OF POSITIVE POCANIMAL DATAFORANTI-CD122 HIGHLIGHTS FB102“PIPELINE-IN-A-PRODUCT” POTENTIAL Disease Species Outcome Reference Alopecia areata Mouse Prevented fur loss Nature Med,2014 Improved IL-15-induced mucosal Celiac disease Mouse PNAS,2009 damage GVHD Mouse Prolonged survival JN Bio patent,2015 Skin and kidney transplant Prolonged graft survival in Mouse/Monkey J Clin Invest,2018 rejection combination with CTLA-4 Type 1 diabetes Mouse Delayed disease onset JCI Insight,2018 Vitiligo Mouse Enhanced repigmentation SciTransl Med,2018


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CELIAC DISEASE 


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NOAPPROVEDTHERAPIES FOR CELIAC DISEASE; POTENTIAL FORA MULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR OPPORTUNITY ï,¡ Celiac disease ï,¡ Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that’s triggered by consuming gluten and results in damage to the small intestineï,¡ Symptom include diarrhea, fatigue, headaches, anemia, nausea,dermatitis herpetiformis (an itchy skin rash)ï,¡ Significant patient population does not respond to gluten free dietï,¡ Health consequence for not treating include malnourishment, cancer,other autoimmune conditions ï,¡ Patient Population ï,¡ Estimated 1:133 in US (2.5 million people) with celiac disease (Fasano,Arch Intern Med.2003 PMID:12578508.) ï,¡ 0.3% to 0.5% of celiac disease patients are non-responsive (Malamut Gastroenterology.2024 38556189) ï,¡ No approved treatment options for celiac disease 21


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IL-2AND IL-15 IN CELIAC DISEASE (CED) IL-2 ï,¡ Clear genetic basis for involvement of IL-2 in CeD ï,¡ Gluten-induced IL-2 production differentiates true CeD from non-gluten induced GI symptomsï,¡ IL-2 strongly correlates with symptom severity and serum IL-2 peaks within 4 hours after gluten exposureï,¡ IL-2 production is followed by increases in intestinalT cells and inflammatoryTh-1 type cytokine IFN-γ IL-15 ï,¡ Clear genetic basis for involvement of IL-15 in CeDï,¡ IL-15 levels in intestinal tissue correlate with intestinal damage ï,¡ IL-15 is overexpressed in gut epithelium and immune cells upon gluten exposureï,¡ IL-15Ra is overexpressed in intestinalT cells in patients with CeD ï,¡ IL-15 induces proliferation and activation of intestinalT cells and inflammatory cytokines IFN- γ andTNF-αï,¡ IL-15 activates intestinal cytotoxic CD8+T cells that kill gut epitheliumï,¡ IL-15 impairs immunosuppressive and gut-protective activity of CD4+Tregs andTGF-β 22 1—van Heel 2007 Nat Genet. PMID 17558408 


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FB102:PREVENTION OF GLUTEN-INDUCED INTESTINAL DAMAGE IN CELIACS BY BLOCKING IL-15AND IL-2ACTIVATION OF CD8+ T CELLS healthy epithelium damaged epithelium CD8+ CD8+ cells Tcell damage IL-15 epithelium FB102 blocks IL-15 and IL-2 IL-2 APC with Gluten gluten specific peptide CD4+ Tcell 23 Levescot 2022 Gut PMID 35879049


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ANTI-CD122ANTIBODY REVERSES IL-15 INDUCED INTESTINAL DAMAGE IN MICE ï,¡ Transgenic mice overexpressing IL-15 in the intestine have extensive inflammation and damage to the duodeno-jejunal region with extensive blunting of villi ï,¡ Extensive influx of NKG2D-expressing CD8+T cells, and enterocytes express NKG2D ligands, similar to celiac disease ï,¡ Anti-CD122 antibody treatment for 8 weeks reverses this damage,including reestablishment of normal villus heights Wild-type mice have normal intestine T3:IL-15 transgenic mice have extensive intestinal swelling and distention Anti-CD122 antibody treatedT3:IL-15 transgenic mice have normal intestines 24 Yokoyama PNAS2009PMID19805228


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VITILIGO


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LARGE UNMET NEED INVITILIGO PRESENTSA MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR OPPORTUNITY ï,¡ Vitiligo ï,¡ Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease of the skin driven by pathogenicT cells that kill melanocytes and create white spots. ï,¡ Vitiligo results in sensitive skin (increasing likelihood of sub burns),eye abnormalities, emotional challenges, and leads to a predisposition of other autoimmune conditions. ï,¡ Patient Population ï,¡ Prevalent in 0.76% of population – 2 Million in US Amy Deanna / CoverGirl cosmeticsï,¡ While JAK inhibitors have demonstrated efficacy in vitiligo, regulatory scrutiny of the JAK class including black box warnings has dampened enthusiasm for this class and as a result there remains a significant unmet need for safe and effective therapies for treating AA and vitiligo 26 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12419-vitiligo


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IL-15ACTIVATION OF PATHOGENIC CD8+T CELLS IN SKIN Vitiligo patients have unpigmented skin due to activated FB102 blocks activation of pathogenicT cells,restoring pathogenicT cells killing melanocytes melanocyte health and skin pigmentation Tokura Front Immunol.2021 PMID 33633737 27


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IL-2THERAPY DRIVES VITILIGO EnhancedSurvivalAssociatedwithVitiligoExpressionduring MaintenanceBiotherapyforMetastaticMelanoma(1) Peter D. Boasberg1, Dave S.B. Hoon2, Lawrence D. Piro1, Maureen A. Martin1, Akhide Fujimoto2,Timothy S. Kristedja1, Sandeep Bhachu1, Xing Ye2, Regina R. Deck1 and Steven J. O’Day1 In a large retrospective analysis of 374 metastatic melanoma patients treated with high-dose IL-2, a total of 84 patients (22%) developed treatment-related vitiligo,although in patients with objective clinical responses the incidence of vitiligo was nearly 50% (2) 1) Journal of Investigative Derm.(2006)Vol 126 2) Journal of Clinical OncologyV19(15) 28


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ANANTI-CD122ANTIBODY IS EFFECTIVE INA MOUSE VITILIGO MODELWITH ESTABLISHED DISEASE Repigmentation study Melanin-reactive T cells Melanin-reactive T cells eliminated pigment in tail eliminated pigment in tail Vehicle(control) treatment Anti-CD122 treatment did not restore pigment restored pigmentation Richmond,2012.SciTranslMed.2018PMID30021889 29


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ANTI-CD122 INA MOUSE MODEL OFVITILIGO:POTENTIAL OF DURABLE RESPONSEWITH INFREQUENT DOSING REGIMEN Note:anti-mouse CD122 (surrogate molecule) was used in these studies. 30 


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TYPE 1 DIABETES


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TYPE 1 DIABETES IS CAUSED BYAUTOREACTIVET CELLS DESTROYING INSULIN-PRODUCING PANCREATIC BETA CELLS ï,¡ Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is classified by three stages of progression ï,¡ Stage 1:at least one diabetes-related autoantibody but has normal blood sugar and no symptoms ï,¡ Stage 2:at least two diabetes-related autoantibodies and abnormal blood sugar levels but otherwise symptom freeï,¡ Stage 3:significant beta cell loss has occurred;abnormal blood sugar levels;hemoglobin A1C >6.4%; excessive thirst and urination; blurry vision; fatigue; requires insulin for disease management ï,¡ Patient Population ï,¡ 64,000 people diagnosed withType 1 diabetes annually1ï,¡ 2 approved treatment option to delay the onset ofType 1 Diabetes FB102 may represent a safer way to delay the onset ofType 1 Diabetes 32 1—https://beyondtype1.org/type-1-diabetes-statistics/ 


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FB102 IS PREDICTEDTO BLOCK IL-15 FROMACTIVATING BETA-CELL SPECIFIC CD8+T CELLS,PREVENTING BETA-CELL KILLING IL-15/ FB102 blocks IL15RA IL-15 binding CD122/ CD132 CD8+T cells with receptors recognizing Environmental stress causes β-cells to β-cell specific peptides are enriched in upregulate MHC and to express IL-15 pancreatic islets ofT1D patients and IL-15RA 33 Herold 2024 Nat Rev Immunol.PMID 38308004


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A SINGLE INJECTION OFANTI-CD122ANTIBODY DELAYS DIABETES ONSET IN NOD MICEANDALSO KNOCKS DOWN NK CELLS Yuan 2018 JCI Insight PMID 29367461 34


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GRAFTVERSUS HOST DISEASE (GVHD) 


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GRAFTVS HOST DISEASE (GVHD):A SERIOUS COMPLICATION OF ALLOGENEIC STEM CELLTRANSPLANTATION ï,¡ Acute Graft vs Host Disease Cause:donor immune cells attack host tissues ï,¡ Occurs in up to 50% of recipients. ï,¡ 2 year mortality >70% mortality in Stage 3 and 4 disease ï,¡ Usually combination or organs involved: skin (rash),GI tract (vomiting, diarrhea),liver (jaundice) ï,¡ Chronic Graft vs Host Diseaseï,¡ Develops in up to 40% of recipients. ï,¡ In addition to skin,GI tract and liver,may involve lungs,mucosal surfaces (eyes,mouth,GU tract),muscle,joints (connective tissue)ï,¡ Prevalence ï,¡ Acute Graft versus Host Disease 5,000ï,¡ Chronic Graft versus Host Disease 14,000 36 https://www.lls.org/booklet/graft-versus-host-disease


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CD8AND NK CELLS INTHE PATHOGENESIS OFACUTE GVHD: POTENTIAL OFANTI-CD122ANTAGONISMWITH FB102 Anti-CD122:blocking key cellular mediators of GVHD IFNg IL-2 Inflammation & apoptosis Devetten MP, Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2004;10:815. Simonetta F, Front Immunol. 2017;8:465. Khandelwal P, Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2020;26:1. 37


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ACUTE GVHD:TREATMENT PARADIGMAND DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE https://www.lls.org/booklet/graft-versus-host-disease https://www.jakafi.com/pdf/prescribing-information.pdf 38


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DOSE-RANGING INVESTIGATION OF FB102 INA HUMANIZED MOUSE MODEL OFACUTE GVHD:THERAPEUTIC MODE Irradiation& End of PBMC transplantation treatment Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 FB102 Once-daily IP administration Start dosing on Day 5, (75,125,175 mpk) once daily Vehicle Once-daily IP administration Ruxolitinib Twice-daily oral administration Start dosing on Day 5, (60 mpk) twice daily Twice-daily oral administration Vehicle N=10 per cohort 39


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FB102 SURVIVAL BENEFITS:THERAPEUTIC MODEL Start of daily treatment FB102 100% superior to FB102(75): 90% aGvHD FB102(175):90% 80% FB102(125):80% standard of care, 60% Ruxolitinib: 60% ruxolitinib, 40% head to head 20% 0% Vehicle: 0% 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 Study day P=0.0001 for FB102 (75,175) vsVehicle on Day 14 40 P=0.0007 for FB102 (125) vsVehicle on Day 14 P=0.01 for Ruxolitinib vsVehicle on Day 14


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MONOVS COMBINATION THERAPIESWITH FB102,RUXOLITINIB OR CORTICOSTEROIDS Irradiation& End of study PBMC injection (D18) Day 1 5 8 12 15 18 Ruxolitinib Twice-daily oral (60 mpk) FB102+Ruxolitinib Once-daily IP + twice-daily oral (75 mpk+60 mpk) Placebo Once-daily IP + twice-daily oral (Combination of vehicles) N=10 per cohort


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FB102 SURVIVAL BENEFITS:COMBINATION OF FB102WITH RUXOLITINIB SIGNIFICANTLY SUPERIORTO RUXOLITINIBALONE Start of daily treatment FB102 + Rux 100% combo FB102+Rux: 90% significantly 80% superior to 60% standard of care single agent, 40% ruxolitinib, Ruxolitinib: 30% head-to-head 20% Vehicle:0% 0% 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 Study day p 0.0001 for FB102+Rux vsVehicle on Day 18 42 p 0.02 for FB102+Rux vs Ruxolitinib Mono on Day 18


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TRANSLATION OF HUMANIZEDACUTE GVHD MOUSE FINDINGS INTO PATIENT RESPONSE:PROMISING FB102 RESULTS Magnitude of FB102 preclinical efficacy correlates with positive clinical response. Preclinical Data Indication/ Clinical Data Company Candidate Mechanism (survival in humanized Phase (Day 28 ORR) GVHD model) Second/Third-line Forte Biosciences FB102 Anti-CD122 90% (vs 0% for control) TBD Preclinical Second-line Incyte Ruxolitinib JAK 1/2 inhibition 90% (vs 0% for control)1 62%4 Commercial First-line Equillium/Ono Itolizumab Anti-CD6 50% (vs 10% for control)2 >50%5 Phase 3 First-line Incyte Itacitinib JAK 1 inhibition 20% (vs 0% for control)3 N.S.vs PBO Terminated 1. Huarte 2021Immunotherapy. PMID 34184542. 2. Ng et al. Blood. 2019;134(Supp 1):5063. 3. Courtois 2021 Bone Marrow Transplant. PMID 34172892.Day 60 results shown. 4. Zeiser 2020 N Engl J Med. PMID 32320566 43 5. Equillium Corporate Presentation, September2022. 6. Zeiser 2022 Lancet Haematol. PMID 34971577.


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SUMMARY


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CLINICAL STAGE FB102 OVERVIEW • CD122 is a subunit of the intermediate affinity IL-2/IL-15 receptor expressed on NK cells,certainT cell subtypes an is a subunit of the high affinity IL-2 receptor expressed on Tregs. • FB102 (Forte’s anti-CD122 antibody) is designed to mediate both the IL-2 and the IL-15 induced proliferation and activation of pathogenic NK cells,certainT cell subtypes without effecting the IL-2 biology of beneficial Tregs. • In-vitro data from human donor immune cells as well as in vivo NHP data demonstrates FB102 significantly inhibits proliferation and activation of potentially pathogenic immune cells without effectingTregs. Lodolce 2002 Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. PMID 12401478 Ross 2018 Annu Rev Immunol. PMID 29677473


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FB102 PROGRAM SUMMARY • Phase 1 healthy volunteer SAD/MAD successfully completed and demonstrated a good safety profile. • Significant reductions in NK cell pharmacodynamic marker of FB102 mechanism observed supporting the in vitro as well as the NHP data and mechanism of action of FB102. • Forte is initiating celiac disease patient study in 3Q24 and data is expected by 2Q25. • Significant amount of proof-of-concept preclinical data across numerous indications supports“Pipeline-in-a-Product” potential for FB102. 46

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