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): May 9, 2019

 

 

 

ASSEMBLY BIOSCIENCES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-35005   20-8729264

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

11711 N. Meridian St., Suite 310

Carmel, Indiana 46032

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(833) 509-4583

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o       Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o       Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o       Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o       Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

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

 

Emerging growth company    o

 

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.     o

 

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, par value $0.001 ASMB The Nasdaq Global Select Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On May 9, 2019, Assembly Biosciences, Inc. issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

 

The information furnished with this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any other filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits:

 

Exhibit No.  Description
99.1  Press release dated May 9, 2019.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.  Description
99.1  Press release dated May 9, 2019.

  

 

 

 

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.

 

Date: May 9, 2019 Assembly Biosciences, Inc.
     
     
  By:  /s/ Derek A. Small
    Derek A. Small
    President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

Assembly Biosciences Reports First Quarter 2019 Financial Results and Recent Highlights

 

SAN FRANCISCO, May 9, 2019 – Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASMB), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing innovative therapeutics targeting hepatitis B virus (HBV) and diseases associated with the microbiome, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 and provided a business update.

 

“We are dedicated to increasing cure rates for individuals with chronic HBV and were honored to have data highlighting our deep pipeline of novel core inhibitor candidates featured at The International Liver Congress™ (ILC) last month, including our ABI-H0731 presentation as a ‘Best of ILC’ selection,” said Derek Small, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We showed interim data from the ongoing Phase 2a trials of ‘731 demonstrating the potential of core inhibitors in combination with Nuc therapy to be the backbone of HBV cure regimens going forward, along with updates on our next generation core inhibitor programs. Additionally, we initiated a Phase 1b trial for our first microbiome clinical program in collaboration with Allergan, with ABI-M201 now being evaluated in ulcerative colitis patients.”

 

Mr. Small continued, “Our progress this year has helped us to attract development veterans to our leadership team to support both of our programs: Steven J. Knox as Senior Vice President Clinical Development and David R. Houck, Ph.D., as Senior Vice President Product Development and Portfolio Management. These additions reflect our continued evolution into a clinical-stage organization across both our HBV and microbiome programs, allowing us to focus our resources on key pipeline priorities and improving our cash runway.”

 

First Quarter 2019 and Recent Highlights

 

·Interim data from two ongoing Phase 2a trials of ABI-H0731 (‘731) in subjects with chronic HBV infection was presented at a late-breaker oral session at ILC, The Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) in Vienna, Austria.

o‘731 in combination with nucleos(t)ide therapy (Nuc) showed a favorable safety profile and the potential to eliminate residual Hepatitis B Virus (DNA), one of the gating factors to potentially reaching cure.

oSignificant HBV RNA declines were only observed in patients on ‘731 combination therapy.

oIn treatment naïve patients, accelerated and significant declines in HBV DNA were observed starting as early as Week 2.

oIn Nuc-experienced, virally-suppressed patients, HBV DNA reductions below the detectable limits of a high-sensitivity PCR assay were observed only on combination therapy with ‘731, an unprecedented finding in the field of HBV. One treatment suppressed patient that achieved rapid DNA “target not detected” and RNA decline to below the limit of quantitation also demonstrated a greater than 0.5 log10 decline in HBeAg by Week 24.

oTo prevent continual new infection and cccDNA formation, elimination of residual viremia will likely be required to increase cure rates.

·Additional data presentations at EASL included:

oA Phase 1a study of next-generation core inhibitor ABI-H2158 (2158), which demonstrated that 2158 was well tolerated and trough liver concentrations are projected to achieve exposures in excess of the in vitro EC50 (334nM) for cccDNA establishment with once daily administration. A Phase 1b study in patients is underway.

 

 

 

 

oPreclinical profile of ABI-H3733, the Company’s third core inhibitor, which demonstrated increased potency in blocking cccDNA formation.

oAdditional data from continuing longitudinal studies demonstrating that cccDNA population turnover can occur in as little as 3-4 months, contrary to historical estimates of up to 14 years. These results suggest relatively rapid turnover of cccDNA pools and/or infected cells and the potential to pursue cure in a defined treatment period with targeted therapeutic regimens

·Strengthened clinical and product development team:

oSteven J. Knox joined as Senior Vice President Clinical Development. Mr. Knox is a 30-year clinical development veteran that came to Assembly from Gilead Sciences where he most recently served as Vice President, Clinical Research and was responsible for global development programs in inflammation and viral hepatitis, including for sofosbuvir (Sovaldi®) and sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (Harvoni®), and tenofovir alafenamide (Vemlidy®)1.

oDavid R. Houck, Ph.D. joined as Senior Vice President Product Development and Portfolio Management. Mr. Houck has more than 35 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, from drug discovery through submission of INDs and NDAs for both small molecules and biologics, to manufacturing and quality control with particular experience in anti-infective agents including HCV and HIV.

·Ongoing Phase 1b clinical trial of microbiome candidate M201 for mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis (UC) at sites in the U.S.

 

Anticipated Milestones and Events

 

HBV Program

 

·ABI-H0731

o24-week data from Phase 2a trials combining ‘731 with Nuc therapy expected in Q4 2019, along with an update on extended treatment of these patients in the open label Study 211.

  

·ABI-H2158

oPhase 1b trial in HBV-infected subjects data expected by Q1 2020.

 

·ABI-H3733

oPhase 1a trial expected to initiate in Q1 2020.

 

Microbiome Program

 

·ABI-M201

oOngoing Phase 1b trial in patients with mildly to moderately active UC.

 

·Microbiome Platform

oLeveraging discovery and development capabilities and manufacturing expertise to advance new proprietary candidates for other disease indications.

 

Upcoming Conferences

 

·Bank of America Merrill Lynch Health Care Conference 2019 in Las Vegas, May 14-15, 2019.

·Jefferies 2019 Healthcare Conference in New York on June 5, 2019 at 9:00am ET.

 

 

 

 

First Quarter 2019 Financial Results

 

·Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were approximately $193.5 million as of March 31, 2019, compared to approximately $218.1 million as of December 31, 2018. This quarter-end cash position is projected to fund operations into 2021.

 

·Revenues from collaborative research were approximately $3.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $3.6 million for the same period in 2018.

 

·Research and development expenses, excluding stock-based compensation expense, were approximately $20.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to approximately $12.0 million for the same period in 2018. This increase was primarily due to an increase of approximately $6.4 million in research and development expenses related to the HBV program and an increase of approximately $1.6 million in research and development expenses related to the microbiome program. Stock-based compensation expense was approximately $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to approximately $2.5 million for the same period in 2018.

 

·General and administrative expenses, excluding stock-based compensation expense, were approximately $5.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $4.1 million for the same period in 2018. The increase was primarily due to increases in professional fees, employee-related expenses and facility expenses associated with the Company’s new offices in South San Francisco. Stock-based compensation expense was approximately $3.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to approximately $1.6 million for the same period in 2018.

 

·Net loss attributable to common stockholders was approximately $27.1 million, or $1.05 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to approximately $16.3 million, or $0.80 per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2018. The increase was primarily due to an increase in research and development expenses related to the HBV program, expenses related to non-cash, stock-based compensation, employee incentive programs and increased headcount across the organization.

 

About Assembly Biosciences
Assembly Biosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing innovative therapeutics targeting hepatitis B virus (HBV) and diseases associated with the microbiome. The HBV program is focused on advancing a new class of potent, oral core inhibitors that have the potential to increase cure rates for chronically infected patients. The microbiome program is developing novel oral live synthetic biotherapeutic candidates with Assembly’s fully integrated platform, including a robust process for strain identification and selection, GMP banking and production, and targeted delivery to the lower gastrointestinal tract with the GEMICEL® technology. For more information, visit assemblybio.com.

 

 

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events, including statements about the clinical and therapeutic potential of core inhibitors, the timing of the initiation of and the availability of data from our ongoing and planned clinical trials and cash projections. Certain forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or by use of forward-looking terminology such as “expected,” “may,” “will,” “projected” and “potential.” Assembly intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: the components, timing, cost and results of clinical trials and other development activities involving our product candidates (including those licensed by Allergan Pharmaceuticals International Limited); the unpredictability of the preclinical and clinical development of our product candidates and of the duration and results of regulatory review of those candidates by the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities; our anticipated capital expenditures and our estimates regarding our capital requirements; and the possible impairment of, or inability to obtain, intellectual property rights and the costs of obtaining such rights from third parties. More information about the risks and uncertainties faced by Assembly are more fully detailed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Assembly's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Assembly assumes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

1Sovaldi®, Harvoni® and Vemlidy® are registered trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.

 

Contacts
Assembly Biosciences, Inc.
Investors:
Lauren Glaser
(415) 521-3828
lglaser@assemblybio.com 

 

 

 

 

ASSEMBLY BIOSCIENCES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
($ in thousands except for share and per share amounts)
         
   March 31,   December 31, 
   2019   2018 
   (Unaudited)     
ASSETS          
Current assets          
Cash and cash equivalents  $29,107   $41,471 
Marketable securities   164,429    176,609 
Accounts receivable from collaboration   2,987    2,430 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   4,283    1,992 
Total current assets   200,806    222,502 
           
Property and equipment, net   2,079    557 
Operating lease right-of-use assets   13,063    - 
Other assets   1,661    3,348 
Indefinite-lived intangible asset   29,000    29,000 
Goodwill   12,638    12,638 
Total assets  $259,247   $268,045 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Current liabilities          
Accounts payable  $2,427   $3,693 
Accrued expenses   10,141    9,679 
Deferred revenue - short-term   9,933    5,100 
Operating lease liabilities - short-term   2,704    - 
Total current liabilities   25,205    18,472 
           
Deferred rent   -    108 
Deferred tax liabilities   3,252    3,252 
Deferred revenue - long-term   29,868    35,560 
Operating lease liabilities - long-term   10,521    - 
Total liabilities   68,846    57,392 
           
Commitments and contingencies          
           
Stockholders' equity          
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding   -    - 
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; 25,549,757 and 25,495,425 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively   26    25 
Additional paid-in capital   559,453    552,762 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (239)   (347)
Accumulated deficit   (368,839)   (341,787)
Total stockholders' equity   190,401    210,653 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $259,247   $268,045 

 

 

 

 

ASSEMBLY BIOSCIENCES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
($ in thousands except for share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
         
   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2019   2018 
         
Collaboration revenue  $3,885   $3,565 
           
 Operating expenses:          
 Research and development   22,704    14,541 
 General and administrative   9,517    5,696 
 Total operating expenses   32,221   20,237 
 Loss from operations   (28,336)   (16,672)
           
 Other income (expenses)          
 Interest and other income   1,276    446 
 Other income (expense), net   1    (23)
 Total other income   1,277    423 
 Loss before income taxes   (27,059)   (16,249)
           
 Income tax benefit   7    - 
 Net loss  $(27,052)  $(16,249)
           
 Other comprehensive (loss) income          
 Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax   108    (67)
 Comprehensive loss  $(26,944)  $(16,316)
           
Net loss per share, basic and diluted  $(1.05)  $(0.80)
           
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted   25,668,798    20,231,804