- ARCA biopharma and Oruka Therapeutics announce Merger Agreement
- ARCA biopharma appoints Thomas Keuer as President
WESTMINSTER, Colo., April 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ARCA biopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABIO), (the “Company”) a biopharmaceutical company applying a precision medicine approach to developing genetically targeted therapies for cardiovascular diseases, today reported first quarter 2024 financial results and provided a corporate update.
In April 2022, ARCA established a Special Committee of the board of directors (the “Board”) of ARCA to conduct a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives. As part of the strategic review process, the Company explored potential strategic alternatives that included, without limitation, an acquisition, merger, business combination or other transactions. The Company has and is continuing to explore strategic alternatives related to its product candidates and related assets, including, without limitation, licensing transactions and asset sales.
On April 3, 2024, following a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives, the Company, Atlas Merger Sub Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of ARCA (“Merger Sub I”), Atlas Merger Sub II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of ARCA (“Merger Sub II”) and Oruka Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Oruka”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other matters, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub I will merge with and into Oruka, with Oruka continuing as a wholly owned subsidiary of ARCA and the surviving corporation of the merger (the “First Merger”) and as part of the same overall transaction, the surviving corporation in the First Merger will merge with and into Merger Sub II with Merger Sub II continuing as a wholly owned subsidiary of ARCA and the surviving entity of the merger (the “Second Merger” and together with the First Merger, the “Merger”). The Merger is intended to qualify for federal income tax purposes as a tax-free reorganization under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Additional descriptions about the Merger Agreement and related agreements were previously disclosed on a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 3, 2024.
The Company’s future operations are highly dependent on the success of the Merger and there can be no assurances that the Merger will be successfully consummated. In the event that the Company does not complete the Merger, the Company may explore strategic alternatives, including, without limitation, another strategic transaction and/or pursue a dissolution and liquidation of the Company.
Separation of Michael Bristow, M.D., President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Effective April 3, 2024, ARCA and Dr. Michael Bristow, President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board mutually agreed to conclude Dr. Bristow’s employment and service as a director.
In connection with Dr. Bristow’s separation, ARCA and Dr. Bristow entered into a separation agreement (the “Separation Agreement”) on April 3, 2024. Pursuant to the terms of the Separation Agreement, ARCA provided to Dr. Bristow a lump sum payment equal to (i) twelve (12) months of Dr. Bristow’s base salary as of the last date of his employment and (ii) a cash payment of $25,000, less applicable withholdings. The severance benefits were conditioned on the non-revocation by Dr. Bristow of a legal release of claims.
ARCA and Dr. Bristow entered into a consulting agreement, effective April 3, 2024 (the “Consulting Agreement”), pursuant to which Dr. Bristow is providing certain consulting services provided for in the Consulting Agreement to ARCA until the earlier of (i) the completion of services under the Consulting Agreement, (ii) a termination in accordance with the terms of the Consulting Agreement, and (iii) upon a Change of Control (as defined in ARCA’s 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”)). Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, Dr. Bristow’s provision of services under the Consulting Agreement are deemed to be a Continuous Service (as defined in the Plan) and, as a result, his equity awards under the Plan continue to vest during the term of the Consulting Agreement.
Appointment of Thomas Keuer as President
Effective as of April 3, 2024, the Board appointed Thomas A. Keuer, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, to serve as ARCA’s President and principal executive officer. Mr. Keuer has been with ARCA since 2006, and as its Chief Operating Officer for the last nine years, a position he will continue to serve in. Mr. Keuer will not receive any additional compensation in connection with his appointment as President and principal executive officer. Mr. Keuer’s position will end upon closing of the Merger as previously disclosed on a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 3, 2024.
First Quarter 2024 Summary Financial Results
Cash and cash equivalents were $35.9 million as of March 31, 2024, compared to $37.4 million as of December 31, 2023. ARCA believes that its current cash and cash equivalents, consisting primarily of money market funds, will be sufficient to fund its operations through the middle of 2025. Our future viability beyond that point is dependent on the results of the strategic review process and our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations. We expect to continue to incur costs and expenditures in connection with the process of evaluating strategic alternatives. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to successfully consummate any particular strategic transaction, including the Merger. The process of continuing to evaluate these strategic options may be very costly, time-consuming and complex and we have incurred, and may in the future incur, significant costs related to this continued evaluation, such as legal, accounting and advisory fees and expenses and other related charges.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $2.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to $1.4 million for the corresponding period in 2023, an increase of approximately $0.9 million. During the quarter ended March 31, 2023, ARCA recorded $159,000 for one-time termination benefits related to the mutually agreed to conclusion of Christopher D. Ozeroff’s employment, the former Secretary, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of ARCA, effective March 31, 2023. The increase for the three month period was primarily a result of a $1.1 million increase in professional fees primarily related to the Merger Agreement discussed above, offset by $0.2 million lower one-time termination benefits and lower personnel costs from the reduction discussed above in 2023. G&A expenses in 2024 are expected to be higher than those in 2023 as we incur professional fees related to the Merger Agreement discussed above and maintain administrative activities to support our ongoing operations. We expect to incur significant costs related to our exploration of strategic alternatives and the Merger, including legal, accounting and advisory expenses and other related charges.
Research and development (R&D) expenses were $0.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to $0.4 million for the corresponding period in 2023. The $0.2 million decrease in R&D expenses in 2024 as compared to 2023 was primarily related to decreased headcount and a $0.1 million decrease related to the unrestricted research grants with ARCA’s former President and Chief Executive Officer’s academic research laboratory at the University of Colorado. There was no expense under these arrangements for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Total expense under these arrangements for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $0.1 million. In December 2023, the Company made a payment of $125,000 for the grant period July 2022 through December 2023 under these arrangements. As discussed above, the former President and Chief Executive Officer resigned in April 2024. R&D expense in 2024 is expected to be lower than 2023 while we explore strategic alternatives. Should we resume clinical trials of product candidates, we expect research and development costs to increase significantly for the foreseeable future as our product candidate development programs progress.
Total operating expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 were $2.5 million compared to $1.8 million for the first quarter 2023.
Net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 was $2.0 million, or $0.14 per basic and diluted share, compared to $1.3 million, or $0.09 per basic and diluted share in the first quarter of 2023.
About ARCA biopharma
ARCA biopharma is dedicated to developing genetically and other targeted therapies for cardiovascular diseases through a precision medicine approach to drug development. For more information, please visit www.arcabio.com or follow the Company on LinkedIn.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning ARCA, Oruka, the proposed pre-closing financing and the proposed merger between ARCA and Oruka (collectively, the “Proposed Transactions”) and other matters. These statements include, but are not limited to, express or implied statements relating to ARCA’s or Oruka’s management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future including, without limitation, statements regarding: the Proposed Transactions and the expected effects, perceived benefits or opportunities, including investment amounts from investors and expected proceeds, and related timing with respect thereto, expectations regarding or plans for discovery, preclinical studies, clinical trials and research and development programs, in particular with respect to ORKA-001 and ORKA-002, and any developments or results in connection therewith, including the target product profile of each of ORKA-001 and ORKA-002; the anticipated timing of the commencement of and results from those studies and trials; expectations regarding the use of proceeds, the sufficiency of post-transaction resources to support the advancement of Oruka’s pipeline through certain milestones and the time period over which Oruka’s post-transaction capital resources will be sufficient to fund its anticipated operations; the cash balance of the combined entity at closing; expectations regarding the treatment of psoriasis and associated diseases; expectations related to ARCA’s contribution and payment of dividends in connection with the Merger, including the timing thereof; the expected trading of the combined company’s stock on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “ORKA;” potential future development plans for Gencaro, including ARCA’s ability to continue development of Gencaro; ARCA’s ability to secure sufficient financing to support any clinical trials for Gencaro: and the ability of ARCA’s financial resources to support its operations at the current levels through the middle of fiscal year 2025, ARCA’s ability to obtain additional funding when needed or enter into a strategic or other transaction, the extent to which our issued and pending patents may protect our products and technology, the potential of such product candidates to lead to the development of safe or effective therapies, our ability to enter into collaborations, or our ability to maintain listing of our common stock on a national exchange. These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in ARCA’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation ARCA’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and subsequent filings. ARCA disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
All forward-looking statements in this press release are current only as of the date hereof and, except as required by applicable law, ARCA 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.
No Offer or Solicitation
This press release and the information contained herein is not intended to and does not constitute (i) a solicitation of a proxy, consent or approval with respect to any securities or in respect of the Proposed Transactions or (ii) an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities pursuant to the Proposed Transactions or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. Subject to certain exceptions to be approved by the relevant regulators or certain facts to be ascertained, the public offer will not be made directly or indirectly, in or into any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of such jurisdiction, or by use of the mails or by any means or instrumentality (including without limitation, facsimile transmission, telephone and the internet) of interstate or foreign commerce, or any facility of a national securities exchange, of any such jurisdiction.
NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PRESS RELEASE IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE.
Important Additional Information About the Proposed Transactions Will be Filed with the SEC
This press release is not a substitute for the registration statement or for any other document that ARCA may file with the SEC in connection with the Proposed Transactions. In connection with the Proposed Transactions between ARCA and Oruka, ARCA intends to file relevant materials with the SEC, including a registration statement on Form S-4 that will contain a proxy statement/prospectus of ARCA. ARCA URGES INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ARCA, ORUKA, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and stockholders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed by ARCA with the SEC (when they become available) through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Stockholders are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus and the other relevant materials when they become available before making any voting or investment decision with respect to the Proposed Transactions. In addition, investors and stockholders should note that ARCA communicates with investors and the public using its website (https://arcabio.com/investors/).
Participants in the Solicitation
ARCA, Oruka and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders in connection with the Proposed Transactions. Information about ARCA’s directors and executive officers including a description of their interests in ARCA is included in ARCA’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10‑K, including any information incorporated therein by reference, as filed with the SEC. Additional information regarding these persons and their interests in the transaction will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the Proposed Transactions when it is filed with the SEC. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.
Investor & Media Contact:
Jeff Dekker
720.940.2122
ir@arcabio.com
| (Tables follow) |
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| ARCA BIOPHARMA, INC. | ||||
| BALANCE SHEET DATA (in thousands) (unaudited) |
||||
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $35,903 | $37,431 | ||
| Working capital | $35,089 | $36,955 | ||
| Total assets | $36,706 | $37,861 | ||
| Total stockholders’ equity | $35,125 | $37,020 | ||
| ARCA BIOPHARMA, INC. | |||||||
| STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited) |
|||||||
| March 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) |
|||||||
| Costs and expenses: | |||||||
| General and administrative | $ | 2,317 | $ | 1,406 | |||
| Research and development | 165 | 390 | |||||
| Total costs and expenses | 2,482 | 1,796 | |||||
| Loss from operations | (2,482 | ) | (1,796 | ) | |||
| Interest and other income | 473 | 450 | |||||
| Net loss | $ | (2,009 | ) | $ | (1,346 | ) | |
| Net loss per share: | |||||||
| Basic and diluted | $ | (0.14 | ) | $ | (0.09 | ) | |
| Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||||||
| Basic and diluted | 14,501,143 | 14,410,143 | |||||
