UNITED STATES SECURITIES

AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

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

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Month of June 2021

 

Commission File Number: 001-39545

 

Orphazyme A/S

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

 

Ole Maaløes Vej 3, DK-2200

Copenhagen N

Denmark

(Address of principal executive office)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of 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):  

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):  

 



 

 

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

This Report on Form 6-K (the “Report”) and Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 to this Report are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the registrant’s registration statements on Form S-8 (File nos. 333-249407 and 333-255661) and to be a part thereof from the date on which this Report is filed, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently furnished.

 

EXHIBIT LIST

 

Exhibit

 

Description

99.1

 

Company announcement dated June 28, 2021

99.2

 

Company announcement dated June 28, 2021

 

 


 

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, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orphazyme A/S

 

 

 

 

Date: June 28, 2021

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Anders Vadsholt

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Anders Vadsholt

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Orphazyme A/S

Company announcement

No. 20/2021

Inside information

Ole Maaløes Vej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen N

www.orphazyme.com

Company Registration No. 32266355

 

 

Orphazyme announces restructuring to focus resources on supporting a path forward for arimoclomol in NPC

 

-Significant headcount reduction of global workforce to free resources-

 

-Changes to the Board of Directors-

 

-Outlook for 2021 reiterated-

 

Copenhagen – June 28, 2021 – Orphazyme A/S (ORPHA.CO; ORPH), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced a restructuring intended to enable the company to advance its corporate strategy and the development of arimoclomol for Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC). The resulting cost savings include an approximate two thirds reduction in our global workforce. Orphazyme remains committed to pursuing regulatory approval in Europe and assessing a path forward for arimoclomol in the U.S. following receipt of a Complete Response Letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 17, 2021.

 

Orphazyme CEO Christophe Bourdon said: “As a result of the restructuring of the company and our rigorous cost saving program, we will have to part ways with many of our most valued and talented colleagues. I thank each of them for their strong commitment to Orphazyme and dedication to showing up for patients in need. The immediate actions we are taking are necessary to protect and support the ongoing approval process in Europe and the evaluation of a path forward in the U.S.”  

 

As part of the restructuring, Orphazyme will significantly scale back its global organization, including teams based in the U.S. and Europe, with the purpose of reducing the number of employees to those who will support essential activities moving forward. This includes pursuing regulatory approval in Europe, assessing the path forward in partnership with the FDA in the U.S., and supporting the existing global Expanded Access Program (EAP). In Denmark, Orphazyme will immediately initiate negotiations under the Danish Act on Collective redundancies and the Act on Information and Consultation.

 

Further, Rémi Droller, Martijn Kleijwegt, and Anders Hedegaard will resign from the Board of Directors effective June 30, 2021. The Board of Directors will thereafter consist of Georges Gemayel, Chairman, Bo Jesper Hansen, Deputy Chairman, Carrolee Barlow, Martin Bonde, Catherine Moukheibir, and Stephanie Smith Okey.

 

Georges Gemayel, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Orphazyme, stated: “I would like to express our gratitude to Rémi Droller, Martijn Kleijwegt and Anders Hedegaard for their valuable contributions to Orphazyme over the years. In line with the restructuring of the company, the Board of Directors will not replace Rémi, Martijn and Anders. The Board is appropriately sized to support the path forward for Orphazyme.

 

Reiterate outlook for 2021

Orphazyme’s financial outlook remains unchanged for 2021, as announced in company announcement no. 16/2021 on June 18, 2021.

 

Orphazyme intends to provide an update and further information in connection with the publication of its interim report for the first half of 2021, due for release August 24, 2021.

 

 

For additional information, please contact

 

Orphazyme A/S

 

Chicago: Molly Carey Poarch+1-773-770-6888

 

Copenhagen: Sarah Maria Wilkens +45 31443135 

 

 

 

 

Page 1 of 2

 

 


Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

About Niemann-Pick disease type C

Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a rare, genetic, progressively debilitating, and often fatal neurovisceral disease. It belongs to a family known as lysosomal storage diseases and is caused by mutations leading to defective NPC protein. As a consequence, lipids that are normally cleared by the lysosome accumulate in tissues and organs, including the brain, and drive the disease pathology. We estimate the incidence of NPC to be one in 100,000 live births and the number of NPC patients in the United States and in Europe to be approximately 1,800 individuals. There are no approved treatments for NPC in the U.S.

 

About Orphazyme A/S 

Orphazyme is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company. Arimoclomol, the company’s lead candidate, is in clinical development for rare diseases including Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) and Gaucher disease. Orphazyme is headquartered in Denmark and has operations in the U.S. and Switzerland. ADSs representing Orphazyme’s shares are listed on Nasdaq U.S. (ORPH) and its shares are listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (ORPHA.CO).

 

About Arimoclomol 

Arimoclomol is an investigational drug candidate that amplifies the production of heat shock proteins (HSPs). HSPs can rescue defective misfolded proteins, clear protein aggregates, and improve the function of lysosomes. Arimoclomol is administered orally, and has now been studied in 10 phase 1, four phase 2 and three pivotal phase 2/3 trials. Arimoclomol has received orphan drug designation (ODD) for NPC in the US and EU. Arimoclomol has received fast-track designation (FTD) breakthrough therapy designation (BTD) and rare-pediatric disease designation (RPDD) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for NPC. On June 17, 2021, Orphazyme received a Complete Response Letter from the FDA regarding its New Drug Application for arimoclomol for the treatment of NPC.

 

Forward-looking statement 

This company announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and otherwise, including in respect of the scope, cost and implication of the restructuring announced today, its intention to pursue regulatory approval for arimoclomol in the United States and Europe, its anticipated operating expenses and operating loss for any future period and anticipated cash position at any future date. Although the Company believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, all statements other than statements of historical fact included in this company announcement about future events are subject to (i) change without notice and (ii) factors beyond the Company’s control. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by, or including words such as “target,” “believe,” “expect,” “aim,” “intend,” “may,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “will,” “can have,” “likely,” “should,” “would,” “could”, and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the Company’s control that could cause the Company’s actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the expected results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.  

 

Page 2 of 2

 

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

Orphazyme A/S

Company announcement

No. 21/2021

Ole Maaløes Vej 3, DK-2200 Copenhagen N

www.orphazyme.com

Company Registration No. 32266355

 

Orphazyme presents 36-month data supporting durable response to arimoclomol during Parseghian Scientific Conference for NPC Research

 

Copenhagen – June 28, 2021 – Orphazyme A/S (ORPHA.CO; ORPH), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced 24-month interim results of an open-label extension (OLE) trial, providing efficacy and safety data for its investigational treatment arimoclomol in Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) for up to 36 months. The data are featured in a presentation as part of the Parseghian Scientific Conference for Niemann-Pick disease type C Research.

 

The results demonstrate that arimoclomol provided a sustained benefit to study participants by reducing NPC progression as measured by the 5-domain NPC Clinical Severity Scale (5D-NPCCSS). A slowing of progression from baseline was observed through 36 months in participants who received arimoclomol from the start of the double-blind phase (mean change, 3.5 points). By comparison, disease progression among NPC patients receiving routine clinical care was estimated to be a mean increase of 5.2 points after three years, based on a statistical model combining placebo data from the NPC-002 double-blind study and prospective data from the observational NPC-001 study. The effect was consistent across pre-specified subgroups, including among participants more than four years of age and those treated with miglustat. Also, slowing of progression through 24 months was observed in those participants who initiated arimoclomol treatment upon entering the open-label period (mean change, 0.9 points).

 

“Following on the outcomes from the 12-month double-blind phase, which indicated a clinically meaningful effect on disease progression, these longer-term data provide an encouraging picture that arimoclomol could deliver a sustained benefit and consistent safety profile over time,” said Marc Patterson, MD, Professor of Neurology, Pediatrics and Medical Genetics, Mayo Clinic Children’s Center in Rochester, MN.

 

Arimoclomol demonstrated a consistent safety profile throughout the 36-month treatment period. Adverse events observed during the open label extension phase were similar to those observed in the double-blind phase. A total of 41 patients joined the OLE following the double-blind period; 33 have now completed up to 36 months of treatment.

 

Data from the 36-month period support the findings from the 12-month double-blind period, which showed a clinically meaningful difference on the 5-domain NPCCSS, with a significant p-value of 0.046 (previously calculated at p=0.0537).

 

Orphazyme continue to pursue regulatory approval in Europe and evaluate a path forward for arimoclomol in NPC in the US.

 

These data provide further evidence of the clinical profile of arimoclomol to treat this population and may support our efforts to pursue regulatory approval to deliver a much-needed option for the NPC community,” said CEO Christophe Bourdon. “We continue to evaluate our path forward in the U.S. following the recent FDA response, and our application remains under active review in the European Union.

 

 

 

 

For additional information, please contact:

 

Orphazyme A/S

 

Chicago: Molly Carey Poarch+1-773-770-6888

Global Media

Copenhagen: Sarah Maria Wilkens +45 31443135 

 

 

 

 

Page 1 of 2

 

 


Exhibit 99.2

 

 

 

About Niemann-Pick disease type C

Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a rare, genetic, progressively debilitating, and often fatal neurodegenerative disease. It belongs to a family known as lysosomal storage diseases and is caused by mutations leading to defective NPC protein. As a consequence, lipids that are normally cleared by the lysosome accumulate in tissues and organs, including the brain, and drive the disease pathology. We estimate the incidence of NPC to be one in 100,000 live births and the number of NPC patients in the United States and in Europe to be approximately 1,800 individuals. There are no approved treatments for NPC in the U.S.

About Arimoclomol 

Arimoclomol is an investigational drug candidate that amplifies the production of heat shock proteins (HSPs). HSPs can rescue defective misfolded proteins, clear protein aggregates, and improve the function of lysosomes. Arimoclomol is administered orally, and has now been studied in 10 phase 1, four phase 2 and three pivotal phase 2/3 trials. Arimoclomol has received orphan drug designation (ODD) for NPC in the US and EU. Arimoclomol has received fast-track designation (FTD) breakthrough therapy designation (BTD) and rare-pediatric disease designation (RPDD) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for NPC. On June 17, 2021, Orphazyme received a Complete Response Letter from the FDA regarding its New Drug Application for arimoclomol for the treatment of NPC.

 

About Orphazyme A/S 

Orphazyme is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the heat shock protein response for the treatment of rare diseases. The company is harnessing amplification of heat shock proteins (or HSPs) in order to develop and commercialize novel therapeutics for diseases caused by protein misfolding, protein aggregation, and lysosomal dysfunction. Arimoclomol, the company’s lead candidate, is in clinical development for orphan diseases including Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) and Gaucher disease. Orphazyme is headquartered in Denmark and has operations in the U.S. and Switzerland. ADSs representing Orphazyme’s shares are listed on Nasdaq U.S. (ORPH) and its shares are listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (ORPHA).

 

Forward-looking statement 

This company announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and otherwise, including in its intention to pursue regulatory approval for arimoclomol in the United States and Europe and the timing of clinical data. Although the Company believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, all statements other than statements of historical fact included in this company announcement about future events are subject to (i) change without notice and (ii) factors beyond the Company’s control. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by, or including words such as “target,” “believe,” “expect,” “aim,” “intend,” “may,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “will,” “can have,” “likely,” “should,” “would,” “could”, and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the Company’s control that could cause the Company’s actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the expected results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including the risks and uncertainties that are described in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 2, 2021, the Company’s Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on June 11, 2021, and other filings Orphazyme makes with the SEC from time to time. These documents are available on the “Investors & Media” section of Orphazyme’s website at www.orphazyme.com. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

 

Page 2 of 2