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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 3, 2022

Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

001-37581

46-0571712

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

640 Lee Road, Suite 200

Wayne, PA 19087

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(484) 324-7933

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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, $0.00001 par value

 

ACRS

 

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 3, 2022, Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Registrant”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2022. A copy of this press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2. of Form 8-K, the information in this Item 2.02 and Exhibit 99.1 hereto 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 liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any of the Registrant’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any incorporation language in such a filing, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit

 

Number

Exhibit Description

99.1

Press Release, dated August 3, 2022.

104

The cover page from Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc.’s Form 8-K filed on August 3, 2022, formatted in Inline XBRL.

2

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.

  

ACLARIS THERAPEUTICS, INC.

By:  

/s/ Frank Ruffo

Date: August 3, 2022

Frank Ruffo
Chief Financial Officer

3

Exhibit 99.1

Aclaris Therapeutics Reports Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Provides a Corporate Update

 

Appointed Douglas Manion, M.D., FRCP (C), as President and COO

 

Initiated Phase 2a Study Activities for Psoriatic Arthritis

WAYNE, Pa., Aug. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACRS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel drug candidates for immuno-inflammatory diseases, today announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2022 and provided a corporate update.

“It has been a busy first half of the year as we continue in our pursuit of becoming a leading development-stage immunology company,” said Dr. Neal Walker, Chief Executive Officer of Aclaris. “We have strengthened our senior leadership team this year with the addition of a number of accomplished leaders, including James Loerop, Chief Business Officer, Gail Cawkwell, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, and most recently, Doug Manion, MD, President and Chief Operating Officer. During the second quarter we also were able to raise additional capital, which extended our expected cash runway to the end of 2025. We look forward to continuing to advance our clinical and pre-clinical programs as we move through the second half of the year.”

Research and Development Highlights:

Clinical Programs

Zunsemetinib, an investigational oral small molecule MK2 inhibitor:

Currently being developed as a potential treatment for immuno-inflammatory diseases

oRheumatoid Arthritis (ATI-450-RA-202): This Phase 2b dose ranging trial to investigate the efficacy, safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of multiple doses (20 mg and 50 mg twice daily) of zunsemetinib in combination with methotrexate in subjects with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is ongoing. Aclaris continues to expect topline data in 2023.

oHidradenitis Suppurativa (ATI-450-HS-201): This Phase 2a trial to investigate the efficacy, safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of zunsemetinib (50 mg twice daily) in subjects with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is ongoing. Aclaris continues to expect topline data in the first half of 2023.

oPsoriatic Arthritis (ATI-450-PsA-201): Aclaris initiated study activities in the second quarter in this Phase 2a trial to investigate the efficacy, safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of zunsemetinib (50 mg twice daily) in subjects with moderate to severe psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Aclaris continues to expect topline data in the first half of 2023.

ATI-1777, an investigational topical “soft” Janus kinase (JAK) 1/3 inhibitor:

Currently being developing as a potential treatment for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD)

oAtopic Dermatitis (ATI-1777-AD-202): This Phase 2b trial to determine the efficacy, safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of ATI-1777 in subjects with moderate to severe AD is ongoing. In this trial, Aclaris will explore multiple concentrations of twice daily treatment with ATI-1777 and a single concentration of once daily treatment with ATI-1777, in patients 12 years and older. Aclaris continues to expect topline data in the first half of 2023.


ATI-2138, an investigational oral ITK/TXK/JAK3 (ITJ) inhibitor:

Currently being developed as a potential treatment for T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases

oATI-2138-PKPD-101: This Phase 1 single ascending dose (SAD) trial to investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ATI-2138 in healthy subjects is ongoing. Aclaris continues to expect topline data in 2022.

oIf the Phase 1 SAD trial is successful, Aclaris currently plans to initiate a Phase 1 multiple ascending dose (MAD) trial of ATI-2138 in subjects with psoriasis in 2022. Aclaris is also currently exploring alternative indications that are relevant to the mechanism of action.

Preclinical Programs

ATI-2231, an investigational oral MK2 inhibitor compound:

Currently being explored as a potential treatment for pancreatic cancer and metastatic breast cancer as well as in preventing bone loss in patients with metastatic breast cancer

oSecond MK2 inhibitor generated from Aclaris’ proprietary KINect® drug discovery platform and designed to have a long half-life.

oIND-enabling studies are underway, and Aclaris expects to submit an IND by the end of 2022.

Financial Highlights:

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of June 30, 2022, Aclaris had aggregate cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $256 million compared to $226 million as of December 31, 2021. Aggregate cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of June 30, 2022 included $73 million of net proceeds from the sale of 4.8 million shares under its ATM facility in April 2022.

Aclaris continues to anticipate that its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of June 30, 2022 will be sufficient to fund its operations through the end of 2025, without giving effect to any potential business development transactions or additional financing activities.

Financial Results

Second Quarter 2022

Net loss was $20.5 million for the second quarter of 2022 compared to $18.2 million for the second quarter of 2021.

Total revenue was $1.5 million for the second quarter of 2022 compared to $1.8 million for the second quarter of 2021.

Research and development (R&D) expenses were $18.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 compared to $7.9 million for the prior year period.
oThe $10.9 million increase was primarily the result of higher:
Zunsemetinib development expenses, including costs associated with clinical activities for a Phase 2b trial for RA, a Phase 2a trial for HS and a Phase 2a trial for PsA.


ATI-1777 development expenses related to drug candidate manufacturing and other preclinical activities and start-up costs associated with a Phase 2b clinical trial.
Preclinical development activities related to ATI-2231.
Compensation-related expenses due to an increase in headcount.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $6.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 compared to $5.9 million for the prior year period.

Revaluation of contingent consideration resulted in a $3.4 million reduction of expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 mainly due to higher discount rates, compared to a revaluation of contingent consideration expense of $4.8 million for the prior year period.

Year-to-date 2022

Net loss was $39.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $46.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

Total revenue was $3.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $3.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

R&D expenses were $33.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $15.7 million for the prior year period.
oThe $17.4 million increase was primarily the result of higher:
Zunsemetinib development expenses, including costs associated with clinical activities for a Phase 2b trial for RA, a Phase 2a trial for HS and a Phase 2a trial for PsA.
ATI-1777 development expenses related to drug candidate manufacturing and other preclinical activities and start-up costs associated with a Phase 2b clinical trial.
Preclinical development activities related to ATI-2231.
Compensation-related expenses due to an increase in headcount.

G&A expenses were $12.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $10.7 million for the prior year period.
oThe $1.5 million increase was primarily the result of higher compensation-related costs, including stock-based compensation, due to increased headcount and the impact of new equity awards granted during the six months ended June 30, 2022.

Revaluation of contingent consideration resulted in a $4.6 million reduction of expense for the six months ended June 30, 2022 mainly due to higher discount rates, compared to a revaluation of contingent consideration expense of $21.2 million for the prior year period.

About Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc.

Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of novel drug candidates to address the needs of patients with immuno-inflammatory diseases who lack satisfactory treatment options. The company has a multi-stage portfolio of drug candidates powered by a robust R&D engine exploring protein kinase regulation. For additional information, please visit www.aclaristx.com.


Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “will,” and similar expressions, and are based on Aclaris’ current beliefs and expectations. These forward-looking statements include expectations regarding the development of Aclaris’ drug candidates, including the timing of its clinical trials and regulatory filings, and its belief that its existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities will be sufficient to fund its operations through the end of 2025. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially include uncertainties inherent in the conduct of clinical trials, Aclaris’ reliance on third parties over which it may not always have full control, Aclaris’ ability to enter into strategic partnerships on commercially reasonable terms, the uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and other risks and uncertainties that are described in the Risk Factors section of Aclaris’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and other filings Aclaris makes with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. These documents are available under the “SEC Filings” page of the “Investors” section of Aclaris’ website at www.aclaristx.com. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are based on information available to Aclaris as of the date of this release, and Aclaris assumes no obligation to, and does not intend to, update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share data)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

    

2022

    

2021

    

2022

    

2021

Revenues:

Contract research

$

1,218

$

1,606

$

2,439

$

3,141

Other revenue

310

218

542

460

Total revenue

1,528

1,824

2,981

3,601

Costs and expenses:

Cost of revenue (1)

1,068

1,263

2,223

2,465

Research and development (1)

18,779

7,897

33,085

15,735

General and administrative (1)

6,075

5,870

12,174

10,697

Revaluation of contingent consideration

(3,400)

4,800

(4,600)

21,239

Total costs and expenses

22,522

19,830

42,882

50,136

Loss from operations

(20,994)

(18,006)

(39,901)

(46,535)

Other income (expense), net

462

(155)

580

(380)

Net loss

$

(20,532)

$

(18,161)

$

(39,321)

$

(46,915)

Net loss per share, basic and diluted

$

(0.31)

$

(0.34)

$

(0.62)

$

(0.90)

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted

65,990,031

53,968,405

63,723,123

52,163,136

(1) Amounts include stock-based compensation expense as follows:

Cost of revenue

$

302

$

335

$

530

$

582

Research and development

941

1,154

828

2,030

General and administrative

2,449

2,343

4,680

3,895

Total stock-based compensation expense

$

3,692

$

3,832

$

6,038

$

6,507


Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc.

Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data

(unaudited, in thousands, except share data)

    

June 30, 2022

    

December 31, 2021

 

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities

$

255,824

$

225,656

Total assets

$

277,976

$

251,211

Total current liabilities

$

16,217

$

22,931

Total liabilities

$

42,224

$

53,870

Total stockholders' equity

$

235,752

$

197,341

Common stock outstanding

66,667,580

61,228,446


Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc.

Selected Consolidated Cash Flow Data

(unaudited, in thousands)

    

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2022

    

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2021

 

Net loss

$

(39,321)

$

(46,915)

Depreciation and amortization

414

535

Stock-based compensation expense

6,038

6,507

Revaluation of contingent consideration

(4,600)

21,239

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

(3,166)

(5,819)

Net cash used in operating activities

$

(40,635)

$

(24,453)

Aclaris Contact

investors@aclaristx.com

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