UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

May 11, 2020

(Commission File No. 001-38475)

 

ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED

(REG. NO. 289175)

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

CAYMAN ISLANDS

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)

83 CLEMENCEAU AVENUE

#12-03 UE SQUARE

SINGAPORE 239920

(Address of registrant’s principal executive office)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F   Form 40-F  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101 (b) (1):

    Yes      No  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101 (b) (7):

    Yes      No  

 

 

 


Announcement of first quarter 2020 financial results and corporate update

 

On May 11, 2020, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals issued a press release announcing the financial results for the first quarter ended 31 March 2020 and provided an update on its clinical activities.

A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Exhibits

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit Description

 

 

99.1

 

Press release dated May 11, 2020 regarding announcement of first quarter 2020 financial results and corporate update.

 


 


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, thereto duly authorized.

 

 

 

ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED

(Registrant)

 

 

By:

/s/ Kiran Kumar Asarpota

 

Name:

Kiran Kumar Asarpota

Title:

VP Finance

Date: May 11, 2020

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

PRESS RELEASE

 

 

 

ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2020 FINANCIAL RESULTS AND PROVIDES CORPORATE UPDATE

Singapore, 11 May 2020 – ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:ASLN, TPEx:6497), a clinical-stage immunology and oncology focused biopharmaceutical company developing innovative treatments to transform the lives of patients, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended 31 March 2020 and provided an update on its clinical activities.

Dr Carl Firth, Chief Executive Officer, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented changes and affected many worldwide. We have been putting strategies in place to mitigate risks to our development programs, including opening sites in different geographies where restrictions are easing. We are also taking steps to ensure that we emerge from this situation stronger and ready to initiate our planned phase 2b study of ASLAN004 for atopic dermatitis in 1H 2021, building our US presence as we grow a team there and prepare to file an Investigational New Drug application with the US FDA.”

First quarter 2020 and recent business highlights

Clinical development

ASLAN004

 

As announced on 13 April, recruitment for the second dose cohort of the multiple ascending dose (MAD) study in atopic dermatitis (AD) has been paused in light of government restrictions in Singapore to contain the spread of COVID-19. ASLAN is closely monitoring government guidance around the restrictions, which were extended until 1 June 2020 on 21 April.

 

 

ASLAN still expects to announce unblinded, interim data from the study later this year but will review the timelines when the tightened restrictions are lifted in Singapore and recruitment into the study recommences.

 

 

To accelerate recruitment, ASLAN has identified several clinical sites in Australia that could join the ongoing MAD study.

 

Varlitinib

 

Two abstracts on varlitinib have been accepted for presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) virtual congress on 29 May. An abstract on the results from the TreeTopp study was accepted for poster presentation and the second abstract, on the comparison of therapeutic responses by using CT imaging, will be available in the virtual library.

 

Anticipated upcoming milestones for ASLAN004

 

Interim, unblinded data from the 3 dose cohorts (up to 24 patients) expected in 2H 2020, and initiation of the expansion cohort (an additional 18 patients).

 

 

Opening of clinical trial sites in Australia and filing of IND application with the US FDA in the middle of 2020.

 

 

Completion of MAD clinical trial in moderate-to-severe AD patients in 1H 2021.

 

 

Initiation of Phase 2b study of ASLAN004 for AD in 1H 2021.

 

First quarter 2019 financial highlights

 

Cash used in operations for the first quarter of 2020 was US$5.2 million compared to US$7.2 million in the same

 

 


 

period in 2019.

 

 

Research and development expenses were US$2.4 million in the first quarter of 2020 compared to US$4.4 million in the first quarter of 2019. The decrease was driven by the completion of clinical studies related to varlitinib and lower manufacturing expenses.

 

 

General and administrative expenses were US$1.0 million in the first quarter of 2020 compared to US$2.3 million in the first quarter of 2019. The decrease was primarily due to earlier restructuring efforts which resulted in a decrease in headcount and staffing costs.

 

 

Net loss for the first quarter of 2020 was US$3.0 million compared to a net loss of US$4.3 million for the first quarter of 2019.

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled US$16.9 million as of 31 March 2020 compared to US$22.2 million as of 31 December 2019. Weighted average shares outstanding for the first quarter of 2020 was 190.0 million compared to 160.2 million for the first quarter of 2019. One American Depositary Share is the equivalent of five ordinary shares.

 

 

 

 


ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS1
(in
US dollars)

 

 

 

December 31, 2019

(audited)

 

 

March 31, 2020

(unaudited)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

22,203,031

 

 

$

16,894,299

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Prepayments

 

 

68,923

 

 

 

185,430

 

Total current assets

 

 

22,271,954

 

 

 

17,079,729

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

 

 

68,256

 

 

 

73,928

 

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income

 

 

132,160

 

 

 

97,153

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

38,333

 

 

 

29,718

 

Right-of-use assets

 

 

727,866

 

 

 

661,153

 

Intangible assets

 

 

2,845

 

 

1,867

 

Refundable deposits

 

 

108,076

 

 

 

108,076

 

Total non-current assets

 

 

1,077,536

 

 

 

971,895

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

23,349,490

 

 

$

18,051,624

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade payables

 

$

1,871,843

 

 

$

1,363,914

 

Other payables

 

 

3,246,842

 

 

 

2,188,744

 

Lease liabilities – current

 

 

264,543

 

 

 

268,170

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

5,383,228

 

 

 

3,820,828

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

 

 

262,350

 

 

 

262,350

 

Long-term borrowings

 

 

17,065,305

 

 

 

16,706,400

 

Long-term borrowing from related parties

 

 

566,176

 

 

 

586,749

 

Lease liabilities – non-current

 

 

490,835

 

 

 

421,895

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

184,870

 

 

 

125,514

 

Total non-current liabilities

 

 

18,569,536

 

 

 

18,102,908

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

23,952,764

 

 

 

21,923,736

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary shares

 

 

61,366,844

 

 

 

61,366,844

 

Capital surplus

 

 

116,495,710

 

 

 

116,495,710

 

Accumulated deficits

 

 

(179,484,825)

 

 

 

(182,531,530)

 

Other reserves

 

 

(55,084)

 

 

 

(90,091)

 

Total equity attributable to stockholders of the Company

 

 

(1,677,355)

 

 

 

(4,759,067)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

 

 

1,074,081

 

 

 

886,955

 

Total equity

 

 

(603,274)

 

 

 

(3,872,112)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

$

23,349,490

 

 

$

18,051,624

 

 

 


ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)1
(in US dollars, unaudited)

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

 

NET REVENUE

 

$

3,000,000

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COST OF REVENUE

 

 

(100,000)

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GROSS PROFIT

 

 

2,900,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative expenses

 

 

(2,256,361)

 

 

 

(997,543)

 

 

 

Research and development expenses

 

 

(4,449,532)

 

 

 

(2,354,616)

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

(6,705,893)

 

 

 

(3,352,159)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOSS FROM OPERATIONS

 

 

(3,805,893)

 

 

 

(3,352,159)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

69,024

 

 

 

102

 

 

 

Other gains and losses

 

 

(404,555)

 

 

 

457,251

 

 

 

Finance costs

 

 

(199,700)

 

 

 

(339,025)

 

 

 

Total non-operating income and expenses

 

 

(535,231)

 

 

 

118,328

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAX

 

 

(4,341,124)

 

 

 

(3,233,831)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

 

(2,918)

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET LOSS FOR THE PERIOD

 

 

(4,344,042)

 

 

 

(3,233,831)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized loss on investments in equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income

 

 

-

 

 

 

(35,007)

 

 

 

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE PERIOD

 

$

(4,344,042)

 

 

$

(3,268,838)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders of the Company

 

 

(4,344,042)

 

 

 

(3,046,705)

 

 

 

Non-controlling interests

 

 

-

 

 

 

(187,126)

 

 

 

 

 

$

(4,344,042)

 

 

$

(3,233,831)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders of the Company

 

$

(4,344,042)

 

 

$

(3,081,712)

 

 

 

Non-controlling interests

 

 

-

 

 

 

(187,126)

 

 

 

 

 

$

(4,344,042)

 

 

$

(3,268,838)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOSS PER SHARE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted

 

$

(0.03)

 

 

$

(0.02)

 

 

 

Weighed-avg. shares outstanding (in thousand)

 

 

160,249

 

 

 

189,955

 

 

 

1 Financial Statements in US dollars are prepared by the company and are unaudited by certified public accountant as of 31 Mar 2020.

Ends

 

 

 


Media and IR contacts

 

 

Emma Thompson

Spurwing Communications

Tel: +65 6751 2021

Email: ASLAN@spurwingcomms.com

 

Robert Uhl

Westwicke Partners

Tel: +1 858 356 5932

Email: robert.uhl@westwicke.com

 

About ASLAN Pharmaceuticals

ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:ASLN, TPEx:6497) is a clinical-stage immunology and oncology focused biopharmaceutical company developing innovative treatments to transform the lives of patients. Led by a senior management team with extensive experience in global development and commercialisation, ASLAN has a clinical portfolio comprised of a first in class monoclonal therapy, ASLAN004, that is being developed in atopic dermatitis and other immunology indications, and a small molecule inhibitor targeting oncology. ASLAN’s partners include Almirall, Array BioPharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and CSL. For additional information please visit www.aslanpharma.com.

 

 

Forward looking statements

This release and the accompanying financial information, if any, contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of the management of ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited and/or its affiliates (the "Company"). These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s business strategy, the Company’s plans to develop and commercialise its product candidates, the safety and efficacy of the Company’s product candidates, the Company’s plans and expected timing with respect to regulatory filings and approvals, and the size and growth potential of the markets for the Company’s product candidates. The Company’s estimates, projections and other forward-looking statements are based on management's current assumptions and expectations of future events and trends, which affect or may affect the Company’s business, strategy, operations or financial performance, and inherently involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation the risk factors described in the Company’s US Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports (Commission File No. 001-38475), including the Company’s prospectus dated May 8, 2018 filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on such date.

 

All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “might,” “could,” “will,” “aim,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” or the negative of those terms, and similar expressions that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes are intended to identify estimates, projections and other forward-looking statements. Estimates, projections and other forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and, except to the extent required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or review any estimate, projection or forward-looking statement.