8-K
false000183136300018313632022-08-082022-08-08

 

 

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 08, 2022

 

 

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Delaware

001-39926

98-1448275

(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

 

 

 

1065 East Hillsdale Blvd.

Suite 100

 

Foster City, California

 

94404

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (650) 525-5535

 

N/A

(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:

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, $0.0001 par value per share

 

TERN

 

NASDAQ Global Select Market

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 8, 2022, Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. issued a press release announcing its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information contained in Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit

No.

 

Description

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press Release issued by Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. on August 8, 2022

104

 

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

 

 


 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

 

 

 

Date: August 8, 2022

By:

/s/ Bryan Yoon

 

 

Bryan Yoon

 

 

Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel

 

 


EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

https://cdn.kscope.io/1bfa3bf74c05db554dfde939843f1a48-img52906712_0.jpg 

 

Terns Pharmaceuticals Reports Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Corporate Highlights

 

TERN-701 (allosteric BCR-ABL inhibitor) advances into Phase 1 trial for CML in China

 

IND-enabling activities for TERN-601 (GLP-1R agonist) remain on track; Phase 1 obesity trial initiation expected in 2023

 

Initiated dosing of TERN-501 (THR-β agonist) Phase 2a DUET combo clinical trial for NASH; top-line data expected in second half of 2023

 

Cash and equivalents of $140 million provides runway into 2025, supporting three expected clinical trial readouts across three product candidates and three indications

 

FOSTER CITY, Calif., August 8, 2022 – Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Terns” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: TERN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of small-molecule product candidates to address serious diseases, including oncology, obesity and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022 and corporate highlights.

 

“During the second quarter, Terns saw significant progress in advancing three of our internally discovered, small-molecule product candidates towards key clinical readouts in chronic myeloid leukemia, obesity and NASH,” said Sen Sundaram, chief executive officer at Terns. “We look forward to assessing the differentiation of these three product candidates, each of which target clinically validated mechanisms of action.”

 

Recent Developments and Anticipated Milestones

 

TERN-701: Oral, allosteric BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) for chronic myeloid leukemia

 

In May 2022, Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Company Limited (Hansoh) initiated dosing of TERN-701 in a Phase 1 dose-escalation and dose-expansion trial in approximately 100 patients with CML (NCT05367700)
The objectives of this trial are to evaluate the tolerability, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of TERN-701 in CML
TERN-701 is Terns’ proprietary, allosteric BCR-ABL TKI, designed to target the ABL myristoyl pocket, for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
TERN-701 aims to address limitations of the only FDA-approved allosteric BCR-ABL TKI with the goal of achieving improved tumor suppression through a combination of: (1) potent activity against CML including a broad range of mutations, (2) improved PK to enable potential once-daily dosing, and (3) minimal food or fasting requirements
TERN-701 is out-licensed to Hansoh for development in the greater China region. Hansoh is responsible for all development costs in China, including the ongoing Phase 1 trial
Terns retains all worldwide development and commercialization rights outside of greater China, as well as access to data generated by Hansoh in China
Terns is exploring options for the development and commercialization of TERN-701 outside of China, including potential internal development and/or additional strategic partnerships

 

 


 


TERN-601: Oral, small-molecule glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist for obesity

 

IND-enabling activities for TERN-601, Terns’ lead GLP-1R development candidate, are proceeding on-track with the goal of initiating a first-in-human clinical trial in 2023
The Phase 1 clinical program for TERN-601 is expected to include a single ascending dose trial and a multiple ascending dose proof-of-concept trial assessing potential endpoints such as body weight and HbA1c
TERN-601 is a Terns’ proprietary orally-administered small-molecule glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist for the treatment of obesity
Terns screened more than 20,000 molecular permutations through its proprietary quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) model to identify suitable small-molecule scaffolds with potentially improved properties relative to other GLP-1-based approaches
Terns has identified structures believed to be suitable for oral administration as a single-agent or in combination with other drug candidates within its pipeline

 

TERN-501: Oral, thyroid hormone receptor-beta (THR-β) agonist for NASH

 

In July 2022, Terns initiated dosing in the DUET Phase 2a clinical trial of TERN-501 (THR-β agonist) alone and in combination with TERN-101 (FXR agonist) in approximately 140 adult patients with presumed NASH (NCT05415722)
Primary endpoint is the relative change from baseline in liver fat content as measured by MRI-PDFF at Week 12 for TERN-501 monotherapy compared with placebo
Secondary endpoints include assessment of changes in MRI-PDFF (combination vs. placebo) and MRI cT1 (TERN-501 monotherapy vs. placebo as well as 501+101 combination vs. placebo)
Top-line data expected in the second half of 2023

 

 

 


 

Key Appointments

 

Radhika Tripuraneni, M.D., M.P.H. joined the Company’s Board of Directors in July 2022. Dr. Tripuraneni serves as the Chief Development Officer of Prothena Corporation plc and brings to the Terns Board of Directors more than 15 years of experience in drug development
Kerry Russell, M.D., Ph.D. joined the Company as Chief Medical Officer in June 2022. Dr. Russell was most recently vice president of late clinical development at Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and was previously an associate professor at Yale University School of Medicine for over 13 years

 

Upcoming Investor Events

 

Terns will present at the Canaccord Genuity 42nd Annual Growth Conference on Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 11:30am ET. A live webcast of the event will be available on the investor relations page of the Terns Pharmaceuticals website at http://ir.ternspharma.com. A replay of the webcast will be archived on Terns’ website for 30 days following the presentation

 

Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results

 

Cash Position: As of June 30, 2022, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $139.8 million as compared with $166.0 million as of December 31, 2021. Based on its current operating plan, Terns expects these funds will be sufficient to support its planned operating expenses into 2025, including through the expected proof-of-concept clinical readouts for TERN-701, TERN-601 and TERN-501
Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses were $8.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, as compared with $6.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2021
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses were $5.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, as compared with $4.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2021
Net Loss: Net loss was $13.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, as compared with $10.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2021

 

 


 

 

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited; in thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

$

8,662

 

 

$

5,961

 

 

$

16,798

 

 

$

14,696

 

General and administrative

 

 

5,422

 

 

 

4,857

 

 

 

11,111

 

 

 

9,418

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

14,084

 

 

 

10,818

 

 

 

27,909

 

 

 

24,114

 

Loss from operations

 

 

(14,084

)

 

 

(10,818

)

 

 

(27,909

)

 

 

(24,114

)

Interest income

 

 

214

 

 

 

55

 

 

 

283

 

 

 

66

 

Other (expense) income, net

 

 

(54

)

 

 

39

 

 

 

(50

)

 

 

26

 

Loss before income taxes

 

 

(13,924

)

 

 

(10,724

)

 

 

(27,676

)

 

 

(24,022

)

Income tax expense

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(14

)

 

 

(27

)

 

 

(53

)

Net loss

 

$

(13,930

)

 

$

(10,738

)

 

$

(27,703

)

 

$

(24,075

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

 

$

(0.55

)

 

$

(0.43

)

 

$

(1.10

)

 

$

(1.19

)

Weighted average common stock outstanding, basic and diluted

 

 

25,304,290

 

 

 

25,109,973

 

 

 

25,286,877

 

 

 

20,162,496

 

 

 

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Selected Balance Sheet Data

(Unaudited; in thousands)

 

 

 

June 30, 2022

 

 

December 31, 2021

 

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities

 

$

139,810

 

 

$

165,982

 

Total assets

 

 

144,860

 

 

 

168,070

 

Total liabilities

 

 

7,644

 

 

 

7,767

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

137,216

 

 

 

160,303

 

 

 

About Terns Pharmaceuticals

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of small-molecule product candidates to address serious diseases, including oncology, obesity and NASH. Terns’ pipeline includes four clinical stage development programs including a THR-β agonist, an allosteric BCR-ABL inhibitor, an FXR agonist, a VAP-1 inhibitor, and a preclinical small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist program. For more information, please visit: www.ternspharma.com.

 

 


 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements about Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including those related to the Company’s expectations of timing and potential results of the Company’s clinical trials and other development activities; the potential indications to be targeted by the Company with its small-molecule product candidates; the therapeutic potential of the Company’s small-molecule product candidates; the potential for the mechanisms of action of the Company’s product candidates to be therapeutic targets for their targeted indications; the potential utility and progress of the Company’s product candidates in their targeted indications, including the clinical utility of the data from and the endpoints used in the Company’s clinical trials; the Company’s clinical development plans and activities; the Company’s expectations regarding the profile of its product candidates, including efficacy, tolerability, safety, metabolic stability and pharmacokinetic profile and potential differentiation as compared to other products or product candidates; the Company’s plans for and ability to continue to execute on its current development strategy; and the Company’s expectations with regard to its runway. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding the Company’s strategy, future financial condition, future operations, future trial results, projected costs, prospects, plans, objectives of management and expected market growth, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “design,” “due,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “plan,” “positioned,” “potential,” “predict,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and other similar expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events and future trends, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. The Company has based these forward-looking statements largely on its current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results and the implementation of the Company’s plans to vary materially, including the risks associated with the initiation, cost, timing, progress, results and utility of the Company’s current and future research and development activities and preclinical studies and clinical trials. In particular, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s ability to progress with its research, development, manufacturing and regulatory efforts, including the Company’s clinical trials for its product candidates, will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence at this time, such as the ultimate duration of the pandemic, travel restrictions, quarantines, social distancing and business closure requirements in the United States and in other countries, and the effectiveness of actions taken globally to contain and treat the disease. These risks are not exhaustive. For a detailed discussion of the risk factors that could affect the Company’s actual results, please refer to the risk factors identified in the Company’s SEC reports, including but not limited to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2022. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

 

Contacts for Terns

 

Investors

Justin Ng

investors@ternspharma.com

 

Media

Jenna Urban

Berry & Company Public Relations

media@ternspharma.com