UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant x
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨
Check the appropriate box:
| | | | | |
o | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
o | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
o | Definitive Proxy Statement |
x | Definitive Additional Materials |
o | Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12 |
| |
Fresh Tracks Therapeutics, Inc. (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply): | | | | | |
x | No fee required |
o | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials |
o | Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11 |
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) November 13, 2023
FRESH TRACKS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware | | 000-21088 | | 93-0948554 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) | | (Commission File Number) | | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
2000 Central Avenue
Suite 100
Boulder, CO 80301
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (720) 505-4755
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):
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☐ | 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:
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Title of each class | | Trading Symbol(s) | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share | | FRTX | | 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 November 13, 2023, Fresh Tracks Therapeutics, Inc. (“Fresh Tracks” or the “Company”) issued a press release reporting, among other things, its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and provided a corporate update. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report.
The information in this Item 2.02, and Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT
In connection with the proposed liquidation and dissolution of the Company (the “Dissolution”) and the plan of liquidation and dissolution (the “Plan of Dissolution”), the Company filed a definitive proxy statement with the SEC on October 20, 2023. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT, ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO, ANY OTHER SOLICITING MATERIALS AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED DISSOLUTION, THE PLAN OF DISSOLUTION AND RELATED MATTERS, AND/OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT FRESH TRACKS, THE PROPOSED DISSOLUTION, THE PLAN OF DISSOLUTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Stockholders may obtain a free copy of the definitive proxy statement and the other relevant materials, and any other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov or on the “Investors” section of Fresh Track’s website at www.frtx.com.
Participants in the Solicitation
Fresh Tracks and its executive officers and directors may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from its stockholders with respect to the proposed Dissolution, the Plan of Dissolution and related matters, and any other matters to be voted on at the upcoming special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”). Information regarding the names, affiliations and direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, of such directors and executive officers in the solicitation are included in the definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on October 20, 2023. Additional information regarding such directors and executive officers, and other important Company information, are included in Fresh Track’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the SEC on May 1, 2023.
Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of Fresh Track’s stockholders in connection with the proposed Dissolution, the Plan of Dissolution and related matters are set forth in the definitive proxy statement. These documents are available free of charge as described in the preceding section.
For more information, visit https://www.frtx.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements made in this Current Report on Form 8-K relating to future financial, business, conditions, plans, prospects, impacts, shifts, trends, progress, or strategies and other such matters, including without limitation, Fresh Tracks’ proposed Dissolution pursuant to its Plan of Dissolution, the timing of filing of the Certificate of Dissolution, the timing and outcome of the Special Meeting to approve the Dissolution and the Plan of Dissolution, the amount, number, and timing of liquidating distributions, if any, to its stockholders, the amount of reserves, and similar statements, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, when or if used in this Current Report on Form 8-K, the words “may,” “could,” “should,” “might,” “show,” “continue,” “conduct,” “report,” “seek,” “report,” “conserve,” “distribute,” “dissolve,” “encourage,” “discontinue,” “terminate,” “wind down,” “additional,” “announce,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “sufficient,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “potential,” “will,” “evaluate,” “aim,” “meet,” “support,” “look forward,” “develop,” “promise,” “provide,” “first-in-class,” “opportunity,” “disrupt,” “reduce,” “suggest,” and similar expressions and their variants, as they relate to Fresh Tracks or any of Fresh Tracks’ partners, or third parties, may identify forward-looking statements. Fresh Tracks cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time, often quickly, and in unanticipated ways. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or historical experience include the availability, timing and amount of liquidating distributions being different than expected; the amounts
that will need to be set aside as reserves by Fresh Tracks being higher than anticipated; the possible inadequacy of such reserves to satisfy Fresh Tracks’ obligations; potential unknown contingencies or liabilities, and Fresh Tracks’ potential inability to favorably resolve them or at all; the amount of proceeds that might be realized from the sale or other disposition of any remaining Fresh Tracks assets; the application of, and any changes in, applicable tax and other laws, regulations, administrative practices, principles and interpretations; the incurrence by Fresh Tracks of expenses relating to the Dissolution being different than estimated; the ability of the Fresh Tracks board of directors to abandon, modify or delay implementation of the Dissolution, even after stockholder approval; failure of the Company’s stockholders to approve the proposed Plan of Dissolution; the Company’s ability to settle, make reasonable provision for or otherwise resolve its liabilities and obligations, including the establishment of an adequate contingency reserve; and the uncertain macroeconomic and political environment.
Further information on the factors and risks that could cause actual results to differ from any forward-looking statements are contained in Fresh Tracks’ filings with the SEC, which are available at https://www.sec.gov (or at https://www.frtx.com). Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements and other statements contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K regarding matters that are not historical facts are only estimates or predictions and should not place undue reliance upon the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K. Fresh Tracks specifically disclaims any duty or obligation to update forward-looking statements.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
99.1 Press release issued by Fresh Tracks Therapeutics, Inc. on November 13, 2023
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.
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Date: November 13, 2023 | Fresh Tracks Therapeutics, Inc. | |
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| By: | /s/ Albert N. Marchio, II | |
| Name: | Albert N. Marchio, II | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer | |
Fresh Tracks Therapeutics Reports Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update
Cash and cash equivalents of approximately $11.5 million as of October 31, 2023
Special meeting of stockholders on November 16 seeking stockholder approval of the Dissolution and Plan of Dissolution
If approved by stockholders, the Company estimates that cash distributions in the Dissolution will be between $5 million and $7 million, or $0.84 to $1.17 per share, to stockholders
BOULDER, CO — November 13, 2023 — Fresh Tracks Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company” or “Fresh Tracks”) (Nasdaq: FRTX), today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023 and provided a corporate update.
“Following the approval by our Board of a plan of liquidation and dissolution of the Company, we have taken numerous actions over the last few weeks to reduce operating expenses and conserve capital, with the primary goal of maximizing the remaining cash available to distribute to stockholders if the dissolution is approved,” commented Albert (Bert) N. Marchio, II, Fresh Tracks’ Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and director and Chairman of the Board. “As we move towards the special meeting of stockholders next week, we urge all stockholders to review the definitive proxy statement we filed with the SEC on October 20, 2023 and encourage them to vote as soon as possible. If the dissolution is approved at the special meeting, we intend to promptly file a Certificate of Dissolution with the Secretary of the State of Delaware and subsequently initiate the first of several liquidating cash distributions to stockholders.”
Recent Corporate Highlights
On September 19, 2023, Fresh Tracks announced a proposed plan of liquidation and dissolution (the “Plan of Dissolution”) and its intent to discontinue all clinical and preclinical development programs and reduce the Company’s workforce. Historically, Fresh Tracks was a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company striving to transform patient lives through the development of innovative and differentiated prescription therapeutics. The Company’s pipeline aimed to disrupt existing treatment paradigms and featured several new chemical entities that inhibit novel targets with first-in-class potential for autoimmune, inflammatory, and other debilitating diseases.
The Company’s board of directors (“Board”) and executive management team conducted a comprehensive process to explore and evaluate strategic alternatives with the goal of maximizing stockholder value. Potential alternatives that were under evaluation included, but were not limited to, a financing, a merger or reverse merger, the sale of all or part of the Company, licensing of assets, a business combination, and/or other strategic transactions or series of related transactions involving the Company.
On September 18, 2023, after conducting an extensive, months-long potential strategic alternatives process, including four unsuccessful attempts to find a merger or reverse merger partner due to the potential acquirer’s inability to secure its own necessary financing and/or inability to offer adequate value to consummate the transaction, and combined with the unsuccessful outreach to approximately 125 other possible counterparties and investors who operate or invest in both life sciences and other industry sectors, the Board unanimously approved the Company’s proposed liquidation and dissolution (the “Dissolution”) and the Plan of Dissolution, subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders. In connection with the Plan of Dissolution, effective October 2, 2023, the Company discontinued all clinical and preclinical development programs and terminated most of its employees, except for certain employees, consultants, and advisors who will supervise or facilitate the dissolution and wind down of the Company, if approved by the Company’s stockholders.
Fresh Tracks plans to hold a special meeting of stockholders on November 16, 2023 (the “Special Meeting”) to seek stockholder approval of the Dissolution and the Plan of Dissolution and has filed proxy materials relating to the Special Meeting with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). If the Dissolution and the Plan of Dissolution are approved by the Company’s stockholders, based on currently available information, the Company estimates that it will have in the range between approximately $5.0 million and $7.0 million of cash available to be distributed to stockholders in connection with the Dissolution, which implies a per share distribution range of $0.84 to $1.17 per share of common stock. Distributions, if any, to the Company’s stockholders may be paid in one or more distributions over a period of several years. Such distributions will not occur until after the Certificate of Dissolution is filed, which the Company intends to do as soon as practicable after stockholder approval, if such approval is obtained.
The Board of Directors fixed the close of business on October 17, 2023, as the record date for the Special Meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date may vote at the Special Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Your vote is important. If you have questions about how to vote, please call the Company’s proxy solicitor D.F. King at 800-769-4414 (or international: 914-218-4628).
Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results
The Company reported cash and cash equivalents of $12.0 million as of September 30, 2023, compared to $8.7 million as of December 31, 2022. As of October 31, 2023, the Company’s cash balance was approximately $11.5 million.
Revenue was $7.9 million for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $0.5 million for the third quarter of 2022. Revenue for the third quarter of 2023 primarily consisted of contract revenue of $7.9 million recognized pursuant to its Asset Purchase Agreement Amendment with Botanix SB Inc. (“Botanix”) and Botanix Pharmaceuticals Limited (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”), in which the Company agreed to terminate and relinquish any remaining amounts potentially payable by Botanix to the Company in the future. Revenue for the third quarter of 2022 primarily consisted of contract revenue recognized under the Asset Purchase Agreement and a Transition Services Agreement with Botanix.
Research and development expenses were $0.6 million for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $3.6 million for the third quarter of 2022. The decrease was primarily driven by decreased expenses of $2.3 million related to the Company’s DYRK1A inhibitor program and $0.6 million for personnel and other unallocated expenses.
General and administrative expenses were $5.3 million for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $3.0 million for the third quarter of 2022. The increase of $2.3 million was primarily the result of $1.7 million for a licensing fee to the Company’s former licensor in July 2023 under the Asset Purchase Agreement Amendment and $1.1 million in higher compensation-related expenses primarily due to severance expense, partially offset by $0.5 million in lower legal and compliance fees.
The Company reported net income of $2.1 million for the third quarter of 2023 compared to a net loss of $6.0 million for the third quarter of 2022.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT
This press release is for informational purposes only. It is neither a solicitation of a proxy, an offer to purchase, nor a solicitation of an offer to sell shares of the Company. In connection with the proposed Dissolution and the Plan of Dissolution, the Company filed a definitive proxy statement with the SEC on October 20, 2023. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT, ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO, ANY OTHER SOLICITING MATERIALS AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED DISSOLUTION, THE PLAN OF DISSOLUTION AND RELATED MATTERS, AND/OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT FRESH TRACKS, THE PROPOSED DISSOLUTION, THE PLAN OF DISSOLUTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Stockholders may obtain a free copy of the definitive proxy statement and the
other relevant materials, and any other documents filed by the Company with the SEC, at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov or on the “Investors” section of Fresh Track’s website at www.frtx.com.
Participants in the Solicitation
Fresh Tracks and its executive officers and directors may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from its stockholders with respect to the proposed Dissolution, the Plan of Dissolution and related matters, and any other matters to be voted on at the Special Meeting. Information regarding the names, affiliations and direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, of such directors and executive officers in the solicitation are included in the definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on October 20, 2023. Additional information regarding such directors and executive officers, and other important Company information, are included in Fresh Track’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the SEC on May 1, 2023.
Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of Fresh Track’s stockholders in connection with the proposed Dissolution, the Plan of Dissolution and related matters are set forth in the definitive proxy statement. These documents are available free of charge as described in the preceding section.
For more information, visit https://www.frtx.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements made in this press release relating to future financial, business, conditions, plans, prospects, impacts, shifts, trends, progress, or strategies and other such matters, including without limitation, Fresh Tracks’ proposed Dissolution pursuant to its Plan of Dissolution, the timing of filing of the Certificate of Dissolution, the timing and outcome of the Special Meeting to approve the Dissolution and the Plan of Dissolution, the amount, number, and timing of liquidating distributions, if any, to its stockholders, the amount of reserves, and similar statements, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, when or if used in this press release, the words “may,” “could,” “should,” “might,” “show,” “continue,” “conduct,” “report,” “seek,” “report,” “conserve,” “distribute,” “dissolve,” “encourage,” “discontinue,” “terminate,” “wind down,” “additional,” “announce,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “sufficient,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “potential,” “will,” “evaluate,” “aim,” “meet,” “support,” “look forward,” “develop,” “promise,” “provide,” “first-in-class,” “opportunity,” “disrupt,” “reduce,” “suggest,” and similar expressions and their variants, as they relate to Fresh Tracks or any of Fresh Tracks’ partners, or third parties, may identify forward-looking statements. Fresh Tracks cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time, often quickly, and in unanticipated ways. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or historical experience include the availability, timing and amount of liquidating distributions being different than expected; the amounts that will need to be set aside as reserves by Fresh Tracks being higher than anticipated; the possible inadequacy of such reserves to satisfy Fresh Tracks’ obligations; potential unknown contingencies or liabilities, and Fresh Tracks’ potential inability to favorably resolve them or at all; the amount of proceeds that might be realized from the sale or other disposition of any remaining Fresh Tracks assets; the application of, and any changes in, applicable tax and other laws, regulations, administrative practices, principles and interpretations; the incurrence by Fresh Tracks of expenses relating to the Dissolution being different than estimated; the ability of the Fresh Tracks board of directors to abandon, modify or delay implementation of the Dissolution, even after stockholder approval; failure of the Company’s stockholders to approve the proposed Plan of Dissolution; the Company’s ability to settle, make reasonable provision for or otherwise resolve its liabilities and obligations, including the establishment of an adequate contingency reserve; and the uncertain macroeconomic and political environment. Further information on the factors and risks that could cause actual results to differ from any forward-looking statements are contained in Fresh Tracks’ filings with the SEC, which are available at https://www.sec.gov (or at https://www.frtx.com). The forward-looking statements represent the estimates of Fresh Tracks as of the date hereof only. Fresh Tracks specifically disclaims any duty or obligation to update forward-looking statements.
Fresh Tracks Therapeutics, Inc.
Investor Contact:
Dan Ferry
LifeSci Advisors
(617) 430-7576
daniel@lifesciadvisors.com
Fresh Tracks Therapeutics, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)
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| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
Revenue | | | | | | | |
Contract revenue | $ 7,944 | | $ 486 | | $ 8,006 | | $ 4,801 |
Royalty revenue | — | | — | | — | | 92 |
Total revenue | 7,944 | | 486 | | 8,006 | | 4,893 |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | |
Research and development | 627 | | 3,560 | | 3,172 | | 11,438 |
General and administrative | 5,320 | | 3,002 | | 9,542 | | 10,396 |
Total operating expenses | 5,947 | | 6,562 | | 12,714 | | 21,834 |
Income (loss) from operations | 1,997 | | (6,076) | | (4,708) | | (16,941) |
Other income | 107 | | 58 | | 257 | | 372 |
Interest expense | — | | — | | (5) | | (6) |
Net income (loss) | 2,104 | | (6,018) | | (4,456) | | (16,575) |
Less: net income attributable to participating securities | (197) | | — | | — | | — |
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders | $ 1,907 | | $ (6,018) | | $ (4,456) | | $ (16,575) |
| | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) per common share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted | $ 0.32 | | $ (2.07) | | $ (0.86) | | $ (6.05) |
Weighted-average shares used to compute net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted | 5,912,786 | | 2,906,000 | | 5,199,856 | | 2,738,954 |
Fresh Tracks Therapeutics, Inc.
Selected Financial Information
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
(amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| September 30, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 12,020 | | $ 8,680 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 993 | | 1,403 |
Total assets | 13,057 | | 10,271 |
Total liabilities | 2,108 | | 3,077 |
Total stockholders’ equity | 10,949 | | 7,194 |