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): July 13, 2022
Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware |
| 001-36576 |
| 20-0198082 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
| (Commission File Number) |
| (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
5 Radnor Corporate Center, Suite 500 100 Matsonford Rd, Radnor, PA |
| 19087 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
| (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (484) 801-4670
__________________________________________________________________
(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, par value $0.001 | MRNS | Nasdaq Global 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 1.01. | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. |
On July 13, 2022, Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an asset purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Novo Nordisk Inc. (“Buyer”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell its Priority Review Voucher (the “PRV”) to Buyer. The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, issued the PRV to the Company on March 18, 2022 in connection with the approval of the use of ZTALMY® (ganaxolone) oral suspension for the treatment of seizures associated with cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD) in patients 2 years of age and older. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, Buyer agreed to pay the Company $110.0 million, payable in cash, upon the closing of the transaction.
The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnification provisions subject to certain limitations. The closing of the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.
The foregoing description of the Purchase Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Purchase Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 8.01. | Other Events. |
Also on July 14, 2022, the Company issued a press release announcing the Purchase Agreement. A copy of the press release is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference to this Item 8.01.
Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
To the extent that statements contained in this Form 8-K are not descriptions of historical facts regarding the Company, they are forward-looking statements reflecting the current beliefs and expectations of management made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “intend”, “believe”, and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements contained in this report include, without limitation, statements regarding the completion of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement and the Company’s receipt of the payment for the PRV. Forward-looking statements in this report involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks and uncertainties related to the antitrust review of the Purchase Agreement and the risks discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent filed quarterly report on Form 10-Q, annual report on Form 10-K, and the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements that the Company makes in this report speak only as of the date of this report. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this report.
Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) | Exhibits |
Exhibit No. |
| Description |
10.1+* | ||
99.1 |
| Press Release issued by Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., dated July 14, 2022. |
104 | The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL. | |
+ | Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The registrant undertakes to furnish supplemental copies of any of the omitted schedules upon request by the SEC. | |
* | Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K. |
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.
MARINUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. | |
Date: July 14, 2022 | /s/ Steven Pfanstiel |
Steven Pfanstiel | |
Chief Financial Officer |
Exhibit 10.1
CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY “[***]”, HAS BEEN OMITTED BECAUSE IT IS BOTH (I) NOT MATERIAL AND (II) IS THE TYPE THAT THE REGISTRANT TREATS AS PRIVATE OR CONFIDENTIAL.
Execution Version
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
NOVO NORDISK INC.
AND
MARINUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
dated as of July 13, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
ii
List of Exhibits
Exhibit A | Form of Bill of Sale |
Exhibit B | Seller’s Transfer Acknowledgement Letter |
Exhibit C | Buyer’s Transfer Acknowledgement Letter |
Exhibit D | Press Release |
iii
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of July 13, 2022 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Novo Nordisk Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware (“Buyer”), and Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware (“Seller”). Buyer and Seller may hereinafter be referred to individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Seller is the holder of all right, title and interest in and to the Priority Review Voucher (as defined below);
WHEREAS, Seller and Buyer each (i) desire that Buyer purchase from Seller, and Seller sell, transfer and assign to Buyer, the Purchased Assets (as defined below), all on the terms set forth herein (such transaction, the “Asset Purchase”) and (ii) in furtherance thereof, have duly authorized, approved and executed this Agreement and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with all applicable Legal Requirements (as defined below); and
WHEREAS, Seller and Buyer desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and other agreements in connection with the Asset Purchase as set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and their mutual undertakings hereinafter set forth, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties hereto agree as follows:
1
2
CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY “[***]”, HAS BEEN OMITTED BECAUSE IT IS BOTH (I) NOT MATERIAL AND (II) IS THE TYPE THAT THE REGISTRANT TREATS AS PRIVATE OR CONFIDENTIAL.
1
1
Term | Section |
2
3
Seller represents and warrants to Buyer, as of the Effective Date and the Closing Date, as follows:
4
is not required for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the Asset Purchase.
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or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (c) that seeks to obtain from Seller, Buyer or any of their respective Affiliates in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement any damages which would result in the transactions contemplated hereby being rescinded following consummation. To Seller’s Knowledge, there is no fact or circumstance that would reasonably be expected to serve as a basis for any of the foregoing Proceedings. None of the Purchased Assets are subject to any Order of any Governmental Entity or arbitrator.
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Buyer represents and warrants to Seller, as of the Effective Date and the Closing Date, as follows:
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or require any consent, approval or waiver from any Person pursuant to, (a) any provision of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of Buyer, (b) any Contract to which Buyer is a party or by which it is bound which involves or affects in any way the Asset Purchase or (c) except as may be required to comply with the HSR Act, any Legal Requirements applicable to Buyer (except, in the case of clauses (b) and (c) above, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to adversely affect the ability of Buyer to consummate the Asset Purchase at Closing in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and perform its other obligations under this Agreement).
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respective Affiliates to, provide the other Party with prompt written notice of the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event the occurrence or non-occurrence of which has caused or would reasonably be expected to cause any condition to the obligations of such other Party to effect the Closing or the failure of such first Party to comply with or satisfy in any material respect any covenant to be complied with or satisfied by the such Party pursuant to this Agreement; provided that the failure by either Party to give notice of any such occurrence as required pursuant to this Section 7.02(b) with respect to a breach of or inaccuracy in a representation or warranty contained herein shall not, in and of itself, render such breach or inaccuracy to become a failure to comply with a covenant. Any notice provided by a Party pursuant to this Section 7.02 shall not be deemed to amend, modify or supplement any representation or warranty made by such Party in this Agreement or any certificate or document delivered hereunder and shall not operate as a waiver or otherwise affect or impair the other Party’s rights under this Agreement (including with respect to Article VIII and Article IX).
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shall forthwith become null and void (except for the provisions of this Section 9.02, Section 10.03, Article I and Article XI, which shall survive any such termination) and there shall be no Liability on the part of Buyer or Seller except for damages resulting from any breach of this Agreement prior to termination of this Agreement by Buyer or Seller.
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Agreement, and liability for the breach thereof, shall survive the Closing and shall remain in full force and effect for a period of one (1) year following the Closing Date; provided, however, that (a) the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.01, Section 4.02, Section 4.03(b)(i), Section 4.05, Section 4.13 and Section 4.15 shall survive the Closing Date and remain in full force and effect until the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, and (b) the covenants which are by their terms to be performed following the Closing shall survive the Closing and remain in full force and effect until performed in accordance with their terms.
If to Buyer, to:
Novo Nordisk Inc.
800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, NJ 08356
United States of America
Attention: Jamie Haney, General Counsel
Email: yjmh@novonordisk.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Novo Nordisk A/S
Nove Alle
DK-2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark
Attention: General Counsel
and
18
Covington & Burling LLP
The New York Times Building
620 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10018-1405
United States of America
Attention: Jack S. Bodner
Email: jbodner@cov.com
If to Seller, to:
Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
5 Radnor Corporate Center
100 Matsonford Road, Suite 500
Radnor, PA 19087
Attention: Steve Pfanstiel, Chief Financial Officer; Office of the General Counsel
Email: spfanstiel@marinuspharma.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Latham & Watkins LLP
10250 Constellation Blvd. Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Attention: Andrew Clark; Paul Jeffrey
Email: Andrew.Clark@lw.com; Paul.Jeffrey@lw.com
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any legal decision that would require interpretation of any claimed ambiguities in this Agreement against the Party that drafted it, has no application and is expressly waived.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of Buyer and Seller has caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by their respective Representatives thereunto duly authorized, all as of the date first written above.
NOVO NORDISK INC. | ||
| ||
| ||
By: | /s/ Doug Langa | |
| Name: | Doug Langa |
| Title: | EVP, North America Operations |
[Signature page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of Buyer and Seller has caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by their respective Representatives thereunto duly authorized, all as of the date first written above.
MARINUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. | |
| |
| |
By: | /s/Steven Pfanstiel |
Name: Steven Pfanstiel
Title: Chief Financial Officer
[Signature page to Asset Purchase Agreement]
PRESS RELEASE
Exhibit 99.1
Marinus Pharmaceuticals Sells Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher for $110 Million
RADNOR, Pa. – July 14, 2022 – Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRNS), a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of innovative therapeutics to treat seizure disorders, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (PRV) for $110 million.
“Upon completion, the sale of the PRV will significantly strengthen Marinus’ financial position, which we believe extends our cash runway into the fourth quarter of 2023,” said Steven Pfanstiel, Chief Financial Officer of Marinus. “Importantly, this non-dilutive funding will allow us to maintain momentum advancing our clinical pipeline, including the two ongoing Phase 3 trials in status epilepticus and tuberous sclerosis complex, and focus on the commercial launch of ZTALMY.”
Marinus received the voucher in March 2022 under a U.S. Food and Drug Administration program intended to encourage the development of treatments for rare pediatric diseases. Marinus was awarded the voucher when it received approval of ZTALMY® (ganaxolone) oral suspension CV for the treatment of seizures associated with CDKL5 deficiency disorder, a rare form of genetic epilepsy, in patients two years of age and older.
Marinus will receive a lump sum payment of $110 million upon the closing of the transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to occur following the expiration of the applicable U.S. antitrust clearance requirements.
Jefferies LLC acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Marinus for this transaction.
About the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (PRV) Program
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Program is intended to encourage the development of new drug and biological products for the prevention and treatment of certain rare pediatric diseases. Under this program, a PRV is issued to the sponsor of a rare pediatric disease product application and entitles the holder to priority review of a single New Drug Application or Biologics License Application. The sponsor may choose to sell or transfer the voucher upon approval of the rare pediatric disease product application.
About Marinus Pharmaceuticals
Marinus is a commercial stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of innovative therapeutics for seizure disorders. The Company’s commercial product, ZTALMY® (ganaxolone) oral suspension CV, has been approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of seizures associated with CDKL5 deficiency disorder in patients two years of age and older. The potential of ganaxolone is also being studied in other rare seizure disorders, including in Phase 3 trials in tuberous sclerosis complex and refractory status epilepticus. Ganaxolone is a neuroactive steroid GABAA receptor modulator that acts on a well-characterized target in the brain known to have anti-seizure effects. It is being developed in IV and oral formulations to maximize therapeutic reach for adult and pediatric patients in acute and chronic care settings. For more information visit www.marinuspharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
To the extent that statements contained in this press release are not descriptions of historical facts
Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Address: 5 Radnor Corporate Center, 100 Matsonford Rd, Suite 500, Radnor, PA 19087
Phone: (484) 801-4670 | Website: www.marinuspharma.com
regarding Marinus, they are forward-looking statements reflecting the current beliefs and expectations of management made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend", "believe", and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, among others, statements regarding the completion of the contemplated sale of the PRV (including the satisfaction of the conditions thereto) and the expected timing thereof; our plans with respect to the use of the PRV sale proceeds; our expected cash runway following the completion of the contemplated sale of the PRV; our commercialization plans with respect to ZTALMY and the expected timing thereof; our expected clinical development plans, enrollment in our clinical trials, regulatory communications and submissions for ganaxolone, and the timing thereof; and other statements regarding the Company's future operations, financial performance, financial position, prospects, objectives and other future event.
Forward-looking statements in this press release involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our clinical development programs, future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to the antitrust review process and the ability of the parties to consummate the transaction; the risk that the closing conditions in the purchase agreement are not met; uncertainties and delays relating to the design, enrollment, completion, and results of clinical trials; unanticipated costs and expenses; the company’s cash and cash equivalents may not be sufficient to support its operating plan for as long as anticipated; clinical trial results may not support regulatory approval or further development in a specified indication or at all; actions or advice of the FDA or EMA may affect the design, initiation, timing, continuation and/or progress of clinical trials or result in the need for additional clinical trials; delays, interruptions or failures in the manufacture and supply of our product candidates; the company’s ability to obtain additional funding to support its clinical development and commercial programs; and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, the medical community, regulators and the global economy. This list is not exhaustive and these and other risks are described in our periodic reports, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release.
Company Contact
Sasha Damouni Ellis
Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Investor Relations
Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
484-253-6792
sdamouni@marinuspharma.com
Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Address: 5 Radnor Corporate Center, 100 Matsonford Rd, Suite 500, Radnor, PA 19087
Phone: (484) 801-4670 | Website: www.marinuspharma.com