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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): April 14, 2020
TRICIDA, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

001-38558

46-3372526
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
7000 Shoreline Court
Suite 201
South San Francisco, CA 94080
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(415) 429-7800
(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 exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share TCDA The Nasdaq Global Select 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 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On April 15, 2020, Tricida, Inc. (the "Company") intends to make a slide presentation at the 19th Annual Needham Virtual Healthcare Conference. Tricida will provide a company overview, business update and progress on the company’s key initiatives. A form of the Company's slide presentation is being furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and a copy is available on the Company's website at IR.Tricida.com.
The information included under Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, 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 liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 8.01 Other Events.
In response to the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Tricida is working to ensure the continuity of its business operations as the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, while taking appropriate steps to ensure the safety of its clinical trial participants, investigators and employees. We continue to be committed to seeking U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approval and to preparing for commercialization of our drug candidate, veverimer (also known as TRC101), as a treatment for metabolic acidosis and the slowing of kidney disease progression in patients with metabolic acidosis associated with chronic kidney disease. We are actively monitoring and evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this and other key business initiatives and overall business operations, and provide the following updates:
Regulatory
At this time, we do not believe the COVID-19 pandemic has affected our PDUFA goal date of August 22, 2020. We continue to work cooperatively with the FDA on review matters related to our NDA. We are prioritizing our activities on late-cycle interactions with the FDA. We expect to have an update on the potential Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee meeting thereafter.
Supply Chain
At this time, Tricida has sufficient supply of veverimer drug substance to support for approximately 12 months both the clinical supply requirements for the VALOR-CKD confirmatory post-marketing trial and the anticipated initial commercial launch supply requirements. Veverimer drug substance manufacturing is conducted for Tricida by Patheon in their Linz, Austria facility. We are in regular communication with Patheon and, to our knowledge, there have not been business discontinuations at this site due to COVID-19, and the production of veverimer drug substance is ongoing as planned.
At this time, Tricida has not experienced any material disruption in the distribution network for veverimer, including the provision of raw materials, the shipping of drug substance and drug product and the provision of clinical trial supplies to trial participants.
Commercial Readiness
At this time, Tricida’s commercial plans for the potential launch of veverimer have not materially changed due to COVID-19. Tricida is currently on track to hire 80 to 85 strategic account managers late in the second quarter of 2020, but we are monitoring developments with COVID-19 and maintaining flexibility on the timing of hiring. Our commercial leadership team and 10 regional account directors have been hired to manage this process.
Tricida continues to interact with payers to discuss access to veverimer, in anticipation of its potential launch in the fourth quarter of 2020. Our commercial payer team has met with over 77 payers representing approximately 260 million lives. While some recent interactions have been converted to virtual meetings, in general, we do not believe the COVID-19 pandemic has affected our interactions with payers.



We do not yet know the full impact that COVID-19 will have on the potential commercial launch of veverimer. However, if the COVID-19 pandemic were to continue for an extended period, it may require that the initiation of our commercial activities be delayed or certain of our commercial activities be converted to a virtual format which may impact the timing and pace of our commercial launch.
VALOR-CKD Confirmatory Post-Marketing Trial
Together with our investigators and CROs, Tricida is assessing the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient recruitment into, and the ability to maintain patients enrolled in, our post-marketing trial, VALOR-CKD. At this time, safety monitoring activities, adjudication of endpoint events and provision of clinical trial supplies have not been materially affected by COVID-19. We have provided investigators additional guidance per general FDA and EMA recommendations on clinical trial conduct during COVID-19 to ensure the confirmatory post-marketing trial is effectively conducted with the utmost attention to trial subject and investigator safety while maintaining compliance with applicable clinical trial regulations and minimizing risks to the trial’s integrity. We will continue to monitor the potential impact that COVID-19 may have on patient recruitment into, and the ability to maintain patients enrolled in, our post-marketing trial, VALOR-CKD.
Financial
At this time, COVID-19 has not materially impacted our current financial resources or our outlook. Tricida estimates cash expenditures of $250 million to $260 million in 2020. Based on its current operating plan and excluding potential revenue of veverimer, if approved, Tricida expects that its cash, cash equivalents and investments as of December 31, 2019 and its anticipated additional borrowing capacity of $90 million under its Hercules debt facility will enable Tricida to fund its operations into the second half of 2021.
Employee Safety and Business Continuity
The safety of Tricida employees remains a top priority for the company. As of March 17, 2020, Tricida transitioned to a work-from-home policy and has continued to actively conduct business on a remote basis. We are leveraging digital communication technologies to continue important interactions with our employees, consultants and advisors, as well as with healthcare professionals, payers, regulators and other stakeholders. Tricida continues to assess company policies, business continuity plans and employee support.
We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation as it continues to evolve and the exact timing and magnitude of any delays and/or future impact to our on-going regulatory, supply chain, commercial readiness and post-marketing clinical trial activities is currently unknown.
Supplemental Risk Factors
In light of recent developments relating to the COVID-19 global pandemic, Tricida is supplementing the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A. of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2020, to include the following risk factors under the heading “Risks Related to our Business and Industry”:
An epidemic or pandemic disease outbreak, including the recent 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2, could disrupt our business operations as well as the business or operations of our third-party manufacturers, our CROs, clinical data management organizations, medical institutions and clinical investigators, the FDA or other third parties with whom we conduct business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
An epidemic or pandemic disease outbreak, including the recent COVID-19 outbreak, could severely disrupt our operations or the operations of third parties that we depend on, including our single third-party contract manufacturers, our CROs, clinical data management organizations, medical institutions and clinical investigators, and the FDA and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.



While there is significant uncertainty relating to the potential effect of COVID-19 on our business and operations, infections may become more widespread and travel restrictions may worsen.
As COVID-19 continues to rapidly spread and even after its spread slows, we may experience various temporary and/or permanent disruptions that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, including:
delays in our PDUFA goal date of August 22, 2020 set by the FDA;
interruptions or delays in the operations of the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory agencies, which may impact approval timelines, including delays or difficulties in FDA trial site visits;
delays and other interruptions in our supply chain of veverimer that may affect our commercial launch and sales of veverimer;
delays or difficulties in continuing recruitment and/or enrollment of patients in our confirmatory post-marketing trial, VALOR-CKD;
increased rates of patients withdrawing from our confirmatory post-marketing trial, VALOR-CKD following enrollment as a result of contracting COVID-19 or being forced to quarantine due to potential exposure to COVID-19;
delays and other interruptions in our supply chain that may affect our clinical sites’ receipt of the supplies and materials needed to conduct our confirmatory post-marketing trial, VALOR-CKD;
delays or difficulties in our initiation of clinical sites, including difficulties in recruiting clinical site investigators and clinical site staff, for our confirmatory post-marketing trial, VALOR-CKD;
changes in local regulations as part of a response to the COVID-19 outbreak which may require us to change the ways in which we conduct our confirmatory post-marketing trial, VALOR-CKD, which may result in unexpected costs, delays or discontinuance of the trial;
interruption of key VALOR-CKD clinical trial activities, such as site monitoring, due to limitations on travel imposed or recommended by federal, state or foreign governments, employers and others, or interruption of clinical trial subject visits and study procedures, the occurrence of which could affect the integrity of our clinical trial data;
risk that participants enrolled in our confirmatory post-marketing trial, VALOR-CKD, acquire COVID-19 while the trial is ongoing, which could impact the results of the trial, including by increasing the number of observed adverse events;
diversion of healthcare resources away from the conduct of clinical trials, including the diversion of medical facilities serving as trial sites for in our confirmatory post-marketing trial, VALOR-CKD, and medical staff supporting the conduct of the trial;
volatility in the price of our common stock causing difficulties in raising funds on acceptable terms or accessing funds from our Term Loan with Hercules; and
limitations on employee resources that would otherwise be focused on the preparation for our commercial launch and conducting our confirmatory post-marketing trial, VALOR-CKD, including because of sickness of employees or their families, the desire of employees to avoid contact with large groups of people, an increased reliance on working from home or mass transit disruptions.
Disruptions at the FDA and other government agencies caused by global health concerns, including the COVID-19 pandemic, could hinder their ability to hire and retain key leadership and other personnel, or otherwise prevent new or modified products from being approved or commercialized in a timely manner or at all, or otherwise prevent those agencies from performing normal business functions on which the operation of our business may rely, which could negatively impact our business.
The ability of the FDA to review and approve new products can be affected by a variety of factors, including government budget and funding levels, ability to hire and retain key personnel and accept the payment of user fees,



and statutory, regulatory, and policy changes, and other events that may otherwise affect the FDA’s ability to perform routine functions. Average review times at the agency have fluctuated in recent years as a result.
Disruptions at the FDA and other agencies may also slow the time necessary for new drugs to be reviewed and/or approved by necessary government agencies, which would adversely affect our business. For example, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 10, 2020, the FDA announced its intention to postpone most inspections of foreign manufacturing facilities and products through April 2020. On March 18, 2020, the FDA announced its intention to temporarily postpone routine surveillance inspections of domestic manufacturing facilities and provided guidance regarding the conduct of clinical trials. Regulatory authorities outside the United States may adopt similar restrictions or other policy measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If a prolonged government shutdown occurs, or if global health concerns continue to prevent the FDA or other regulatory authorities from conducting their regular inspections, reviews, or other regulatory activities, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA and other agencies to timely review and process our regulatory submissions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Please also refer to the complete Item 1A of Tricida’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2020 for additional risks and uncertainties facing Tricida that may have a material adverse effect on Tricida’s business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
Forward Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements relate to expectations concerning matters that are not historical facts. Words such as “projects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” and similar words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to risks associated with our business prospects, financial results and business operations. These and other factors that may affect our future business prospects, results and operations are identified and described in more detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the Company’s most recent Annual Report filed on Form 10-K and our subsequently filed Quarterly Report(s) on Form 10-Q. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this filing. Except as required by applicable law, the Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results, later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits
Exhibit Number   Description
     
99.1  
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
 




SIGNATURE
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.






Dated: April 14, 2020

TRICIDA, INC.






By:

/s/ Geoffrey M. Parker


Name:

Geoffrey M. Parker


Title:

Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President











Treating Metabolic Acidosis and Slowing the Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease Investor Presentation April 2020


 
Forward Looking Statements Any statements contained in this presentation or made during the accompanying oral presentation that are not statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined under the Federal securities laws. Examples of such statements include our plans, beliefs, intentions, expectations and projections regarding, among other things: (i) our receipt of FDA approval for veverimer on a timely basis, or at all; (ii) the potential date of approval of our New Drug Application (“NDA”) for veverimer; (iii) advisory committee meeting matters; (iv) the safety, efficacy and other expected patient benefits of veverimer; (v) the market opportunity, competition and rate of adoption for veverimer; (vi) our future clinical trial and product development milestones; (vii) our disease awareness and commercialization efforts and strategies; (viii) our receipt of adequate reimbursement for veverimer, and (ix) our financial projections and cost estimates. Any such forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions, but are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from our current expectations or those implied by the forward-looking statements. In addition, this presentation contains industry and market data prepared by third parties or by us. We have not independently verified this third-party data, and our data is based on our estimates and assumptions, which are subject to uncertainty and risk. As a result, you should not place undue reliance on this industry and market data. The risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect our forward-looking statements and the industry and market data include, but are not limited to: (i) the prospects of veverimer, including our ability to obtain FDA approval; (ii) the potential that the FDA could identify issues regarding our NDA at any time during its review of the application; (iii) risks related to the enrollment, completion and results of our confirmatory postmarketing trial; (iv) risk related to the market acceptance or commercial success of veverimer, including receipt of adequate reimbursement; (v) risks related to competition, potential market size and the size of the patient population for veverimer; (vi) risks related to the safety, efficacy and clinical benefit of veverimer; (vii) risks related to our manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution strategies and activities; (viii) our medical affairs activities; (ix) risks related to COVID-19; and (ix) risks related to our capital requirements and ability to raise sufficient funds for our operations. These and other factors that may affect our future results and operations are identified and described in more detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the Company’s most recent Annual Report filed on Form 10-K and our subsequently filed Quarterly Report(s) on Form 10-Q. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this presentation. Except as required by applicable law, the Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results, later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. 2


 
Our Goals for Veverimer* A Drug Candidate for the Treatment of Metabolic Acidosis in Patients with CKD Veverimer Is Under Review by the FDA with a PDUFA Goal Date of August 22, 2020 First and ONLY Disease Improve How Patients FDA-Approved Therapy Modifying Feel and Function Significant unmet medical Slow CKD progression Enhance physical need to treat chronic through the treatment of functioning and physical metabolic acidosis chronic metabolic acidosis functioning-related quality of life * Veverimer is not yet approved 3


 
Eight Things to Know About Metabolic Acidosis


 
1. Metabolic Acidosis is Commonly Caused by Kidney Disease Diseased Kidneys Lose Capacity to Excrete Acid Serum Bicarbonate Levels Fall acid Normal 22 – 29 Range mEq/L Serum bicarbonate Acid is generated Diseased kidneys An increase in acid Metabolic 12 – <22 from dietary sources lose capacity leads to a decrease Acidosis mEq/L and daily metabolism to excrete in serum bicarbonate excess acid and a vicious cycle leading to worsening metabolic acidosis Acute/Severe <12 Metabolic mEq/L Acidosis Source: Kraut. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2010;6(5):274; KDIGO Clinical Practice Guidelines 2012. 5


 
2. Metabolic Acidosis is Highly Prevalent in CKD ~ 3 Million Patients with Metabolic Acidosis and CKD in the United States ~600,000 ~1.1 Million > % ~1.4 Million 30 18% 9% Stage 3a Stage 3b Stage 4 & 5 *Stage 5 pre-dialysis patients. Data on file. NHANES 1999-2004 reports prevalence of CKD Stages 3 and 4 for the US adult population ages 20 and older. CKD Stage 3 and 4 prevalence was calculated using NHANES prevalence and 2016 US Census data. Stage 3a (70%) and 3b (30%) were approximated using NCCD-CDC Surveillance System. Metabolic acidosis prevalence by Stage 3a, 3b, and 4 reported in Inker LA et al., JASN, 2011. 6


 
3. Metabolic Acidosis Can Impact Kidney, Bone and Muscle Health Metabolic Acidosis is Associated with an Increased Risk of CKD Progression and Adverse Effects On Bone and Muscle Reduced Renal Acid Secretion Increased Risk of CKD Leads to Acid Buildup Progression and Mortality Acid Buffering Leads to Loss Increased Risk of Fractures, of Bone Density Renal Osteodystrophy Acid Buffering Leads to Muscle Wasting and Reduced Increased Protein Catabolism Physical Functioning Kraut JA et al., Adv Chronic Kidney Dis, 2017. 7


 
4. Metabolic Acidosis is Linked to Worsening Kidney Disease Increased Acid Excretion Augmented ammoniagenesis and enhanced proton secretion Renal Impairment Metabolic Persistent Acid Retention Kidney disease Sustained expression of ET-1, Acidosis progression aldosterone and angiotensin II Further Diminishing Kidney Function Kidney fibrosis, proteinuria, inflammation, sodium and water retention Laghmani K et al., J Clin Invest, 2001. Wesson DE, JASN, 2001. Wesson DE et al., KI, 2010. Wesson DE et al., KI, 2012. Wesson DE et al., Nephrol Dial Transplant, 2015. Phisitkul S et al., KI, 2010. Ruiz-Ortega M et al., J Hypertens Suppl, 1994. Seccia TM et al., J Hypertens, 2008. Wolf G et al., Nephron Physiol, 2003. Greene EL et al., J Clin Invest, 1996. Remuzzi G 8 et al., Kidney Blood Press Res, 1996. Halperin ML et al., Am J Kidney Dis, 1989. Nath KA et al., J Clin Invest, 1985. Nath KA et al., AJKD, 1991. Chen W et al., BMC Nephrol, 2014.


 
5. Multiple Academic Studies Show that Increasing Serum Bicarbonate Translates to Clinical Benefit Forest Plot Shows Slower Decline in eGFR at the End of Study Period with Oral Alkali Supplementation or Reduction of Dietary Acid Intake Oral alkali Dietary intervention Navaneethan et al., CJASN, 2019. 9


 
6. National and International Kidney Disease Guidelines Recommend Treating Metabolic Acidosis CKD Practice Guidelines Suggest Treatment if Serum Bicarbonate Levels are Below 22 mEq/L “We suggest that in people with CKD and “In CKD Stages 3, 4, and 5, the serum level serum bicarbonate concentrations of total CO2 should be measured. The <22 mmol/L treatment with oral bicarbonate frequency of these measurements should be supplementation be given to maintain serum based on the stage of CKD (OPINION). bicarbonate within the normal range, unless contraindicated. In these patients, serum levels of total CO2 should be maintained at >22 mEq/L Serum bicarbonate concentrations less than (22 mmol/L). (EVIDENCE) If necessary, 22 mmol/L are associated with risk of CKD supplemental alkali salts should be given to progression and increased risk of death.” achieve this goal. (OPINION).” KDIGO: Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. Kidney Inter, Suppl, 2013. Eknoyan G et al., AJKD, 2003. 10


 
7. Metabolic Acidosis is Undertreated The Majority of Patients with Metabolic 100% Acidosis are NOT treated 90% 80% % of 70% Patients 60% Receiving 50% Oral Alkali 40% Therapy 30% 20% 15% < 10% 10% < 3% < 6% 0% CRIC Study Tangri 2020 TRCA-301 Tangri 2019 Dobre 2013 Dobre M et al., AJKD, 2013. Tangri N et al., NKF SCM, 2020. Wesson DE et al., The Lancet, 2019. Tangri N et al., ASN, 2019. The Tangri studies were sponsored by Tricida, Inc. 11


 
8. Current Treatments for Metabolic Acidosis Have Limitations: Oral Alkali Supplements Can Deliver Unacceptable Sodium Loads KDIGO guidelines recommend restricting sodium intake to <2 g per day in patients with CKD Other guidelines for common co-morbid diseases associated with CKD also recommend restricting dietary sodium Heart Failure (ACCF/AHA) Hypertension (ACC/AHA) Diabetes (ADA) <1.5 g of sodium per day (stage A/B) <1.5 g of sodium per day (optimal goal) <2.3 g of sodium per day <3 g of sodium per day (stage C/D) Sodium Loads Delivered by Daily Oral Alkali Dosing* Baseline Serum Bicarbonate Increase Needed to Normalize Serum Corresponding Oral NaHCO Dose (g/day) (mEq/L) Bicarbonate (mEq/L) 3 Sodium Dose 12 10 20.4 5.6 g/day 18 4 8.1 2.2 g/day *Calculation represents an 80 kg person. ACC, American College of Cardiology; ACCF, American College of Cardiology Foundation; ADA, American Diabetes Association; AHA, American Heart Association. Abramowitz, et al. CJASN, 2013. 12


 
8. Current Treatments for Metabolic Acidosis Have Limitations: Oral Alkali Supplements Can Have Adverse Systemic Effects Adverse Systemic Effects Mean Changes (Day 1 to Day 5) in Weight and Systolic Blood Pressure • The volume effects (e.g., blood pressure, sodium retention) of Change in Body Change in Systolic Weight Blood Pressure NaHCO3 are the same as those from Change ofin body weight Change ofin systolic blood pressure NaCl 5 24 20 4 • Worsening edema/increased loop 16 3 diuretics required 12 Pound 2 mm Hg • Worsening hypertension/increased 8 1 4 antihypertensive drugs required 0 0 NaCl (200 mEq) NaHCO3 (100 mEq) NaCl (200 mEq) NaHCO3 (100 mEq) • Gastrointestinal intolerability + + NaCl (100 mEq) NaCl (100 mEq) Husted et al., Clinical Nephrology, 1977. Navaneethan SD et al., CJASN, 2019. 13


 
8. Current Treatments for Metabolic Acidosis Have Limitations Sodium from Oral Alkali May Inhibit the Efficacy of Common Hypertension Therapies Sodium Attenuates the Beneficial Effects of ARBs and ACEi ACEi therapy Post-hoc analysis of RENAAL and IDNT trials Post-Hoc Analysis of REIN Trials Risk of kidney events in patients receiving ARBs increases in Higher salt intake was associated with an increased risk of direct proportion to higher sodium intake progression to ESRD in patients taking an ACEi Post-hoc Analysis of RENAAL and IDNT Studies: “The renal and cardiovascular protective effects of ARB therapy compared with non-RAASi–based therapy attenuated in subjects with larger consumption of sodium so that in subjects with the highest sodium intake the treatment effects on hard renal and cardiovascular outcomes were completely annihilated.” ARB: Angiotension II receptor blocker. ACE: Angiotension converting enzyme inhibitor. RAASi: Renal angiotension aldosterone system inhibitor. Lambers Heerspink HJ et al., KI, 2012. Vegter S et al., JASN, 2012. 14


 
8. Current Treatments for Metabolic Acidosis Have Limitations: Oral Alkali Supplements Have Not Been Established to be Safe and Efficacious (Not FDA-Approved) BiCARB Multi-Center, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled, Randomized Trial • Efficacy Summary • Population: 300 subjects enrolled at 27 study sites in - There is no evidence of a treatment benefit of oral the UK sodium bicarbonate at doses of 1.5 – 3 g/day vs • Double-blind, placebo-controlled 24-month study placebo on physical function, quality of life or CKD progression • Average Age: ~74 years • Baseline Serum Bicarbonate: ~20-21 mEq/L • Safety Summary - Cardiac disorders • Baseline eGFR: ~18-20 mL/min/1.73m2 • 21% sodium bicarbonate vs 13% placebo • Restrictive eligibility criteria, and corresponding restrictive - Death population, resulted in 4 years to enroll 300 subjects, of • 9.9% sodium bicarbonate vs 7.4% placebo which only about half completed the study - Early withdrawals • 47% sodium bicarbonate vs 46% placebo “Our results suggest that at least for patients aged 60 and over with CKD GFR categories 4 and 5, 1.5 to 3 g per day of oral bicarbonate does not produce any health benefits and may be associated with net harms.” Conclusion from The BiCARB study group The BiCARB study group, BMC Medicine, 2020. 15


 
Metabolic Acidosis: Three Key Takeaways Metabolic acidosis is common, harmful 1 and needs to be treated Metabolic acidosis is both a complication and an underlying cause of kidney disease 2 progression There is an urgent need for an FDA-approved 3 therapy to treat chronic metabolic acidosis 16


 
There is an Urgent Need for an FDA-Approved Therapy to Treat Chronic Metabolic Acidosis Currently Available Approaches Have Limitations and Are Not Widely Used • Neutralize acid with oral alkali supplements • Decrease acid intake with dietary intervention Veverimer: A Potential New Approach to Treat Metabolic Acidosis • Bind and remove intestinal acid with an orally administered, non-absorbed polymer – Does not introduce a sodium load – Analogous to mechanism healthy kidney uses when it excretes ammonium chloride and titratable acids to maintain acid/base balance – Results in an increase in serum bicarbonate 17


 
Veverimer: Designed to Bind and Remove Acid in the GI Tract to Raise Serum Bicarbonate and Treat Metabolic Acidosis 18


 
Veverimer: Designed to Bind and Remove HCl with High Capacity and Selectivity High Binding Capacity High Binding Selectivity NH2 NH2 veverimer Non-absorbed polymer GI Anions Ranked by Size NH2 NH2 Oral Ingestion Oral H+ Bile Acids NH + NH + + Fatty Acids 3 3 Binds protons (H ) and then selectively veverimer binds chloride (Cl–) Citrate veverimer + + NH3 NH3 in the GI tract Phosphate Cl- Chloride Cl- Cl- + + NH3 NH3 Excreted, resulting in veverimer The high degree of crosslinking in veverimer provides a removal of HCl* Acid Tract GI in Binding Acid that leads to high selectivity + + size exclusion mechanism NH3 NH3 Cl- Cl- for binding chloride (the smallest anion) over larger anions Excretion in Feces GI: Gastrointestinal. HCl: Hydrochloric acid. *Veverimer’s maximum theoretical HCl binding capacity is approximately 10 mEq/gram. 19


 
Veverimer: Ease of Administration* Once-a-day dosing Orally administered as a suspension in water 3 g, 6 g or 9 g dose sizes 2 oz. Water No observed drug-drug interactions** *Targeted profile if approved ** Data on file 20


 
Veverimer: Being Reviewed through the Accelerated Approval Program – PDUFA Goal Date of August 22, 2020 Accelerated Approval Veverimer NDA Accepted for Review Program Requirements through the Accelerated Approval Program Increasing blood bicarbonate may Treats a Serious, slow progression to ESRD for patients Life-Threatening Condition with CKD and metabolic acidosis Meaningful Advantage There are no FDA-approved therapies for Over Standard of Care the treatment of chronic metabolic acidosis Surrogate Endpoint Reasonably Increasing blood bicarbonate has been Likely to Predict Clinical Benefit linked to the slowing of CKD progression Source: FDA Guidance for Industry—Expedited Programs for Serious Conditions—Drugs and Biologics. 21


 
Veverimer: Clinical Trial Program Completed Clinical Trials Postmarketing Trial TRCA-101* Successful 2-week, randomized, double-blind, Initiated enrollment in 4Q 2018 placebo-controlled Phase 1/2 trial, 3 doses and 2 dosing regimens of veverimer or placebo Evaluate the efficacy and safety of veverimer in delaying CKD Blood bicarbonate endpoint progression in pre-dialysis patients with metabolic acidosis 135 subjects Anticipate randomizing ~1,600 subjects TRCA-301** Successful 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial Time to event trial: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 3 – 9 g veverimer or placebo study Blood bicarbonate endpoint 217 subjects Protocol specifies an interim analysis when at least half the planned number of primary endpoint events have been accrued TRCA-301E*** Successful 40-week, blinded Phase 3 extension trial 3 – 9 g veverimer or placebo 196 subjects * Completed planned trials for NDA and published Data readout expected post initial approval TRCA-101, TRCA-301 & TRCA-301E results * Bushinsky et al., CJASN. 2018;13:26-35. **Wesson, et al., The Lancet, 2019. ***Wesson, et al., The Lancet, 2019. 22


 
Veverimer: TRCA-301 and TRCA-301E Trial Results Published in The Lancet TRCA-301 Results TRCA-301E Results 23


 
Veverimer: TRCA-301/301E Trial Design Study TRCA-301 Study TRCA-301E Treatment Period Treatment Period Veverimer 6 g QD (n=124) Veverimer 3-9 g QD (n=114) Fixed 6 g QD until Week 4 217 patients with eGFR 20-40 2 mL/min/1.73m R Dose adjustments Safety and serum 4:3 allowed * Follow-up bicarbonate 12-20 mEq/L Placebo QD (n=93) Placebo QD (n=82) Week -2 Day 1 Week 4 Week 12 Week 52 Week 54 R: randomization; QD: once daily. *Blinded dose adjustments (3 g, 6 g and 9 g QD veverimer) thereafter to maintain serum bicarbonate levels within the normal range. 24


 
Veverimer: TRCA-301: Baseline Disease Characteristics Veverimer Placebo Medication Veverimer Placebo N=124 N=93 Use N=124 N=93 29 28 ACE inhibitors / ARBs 67% 82% Baseline eGFR, mean mL/min/1.73m2 mL/min/1.73m2 Diuretics 60% 63% Baseline serum 17 mEq/L 17 mEq/L bicarbonate, mean Calcium channel blockers 56% 60% Selected Medical History Anti-diabetic drugs 53% 56% CKD 100% 100% Beta blockers 46% 53% Hypertension 97% 97% Lipid modifying agents 44% 53% Diabetes 61% 70% Anti-thrombotic agents 38% 48% Left ventricular hypertrophy 47% 41% Drugs for acid related disorders 10% 6% Congestive heart failure 29% 33% Sodium bicarbonate 10% 8% 25


 
Veverimer: Summary of TRCA-301/301E Clinical Trial Results TRCA-301 Veverimer-Treated Subjects Experienced a Mean TRCA-301 / TRCA-301E Increase from Baseline in Serum Bicarbonate of 4.5 mEq/L Prespecified Time-to-Event Analyses (52 Weeks) 21.7 65% Reduction in the Annualized Event Rate for Veverimer-Treated Subjects 22 21.6 21.6 22.0 21.7 4% DD50 21 incidence rate 20.8 4.5 mEq/L 20 20.2 (P< 0.0001) 12% DD50 0 0 incidence rate 19 19.0 18.6 18.6 18.9 18.4 18.5 18 18.1 17.3 17.3 17 BL Week 1 Week 2 Week 4 Week 6 Week 8 Week Week Placebo Veverimer 10 12 TRCA-301 / TRCA-301E TRCA-301 / TRCA-301E KDQOL Physical Function Domain Repeated Chair Stand Test Improved physical function physical Improved 11.4 function physical Improved -1.4 0 -4.3 -0.7 0 12 Time since randomisation (weeks) 40 52 BL: Baseline. W: Week. Error bars: Standard error of the mean. DD50: Death, dialysis or ≥50% reduction in eGFR. Wesson DE et al., Lancet 2019; 393:1417-27. Wesson DE et al., Lancet 2019; 394: 396-406. 26


 
Veverimer: TRCA-301E Prespecified Analyses 1) Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL) Physical Function Survey ̶ A validated questionnaire designed to assess kidney disease-specific health-related quality of life ̶ Subjects responded to the 10 KDQOL questions related to physical function during daily activities ̶ Total possible score = 100 2) Repeated Chair Stand Test ̶ Used as a measure of lower extremity muscle strength ̶ Measured as time for subject to complete 5 repetitions of sit-to-stand 3) Time to DD50 ̶ Evaluated time to death, dialysis/renal replacement therapy or ≥ 50% reduction in eGFR 27


 
Veverimer: Improvement in Patient-Reported Physical Function Over One Year (KDQOL Physical Function Domain) 15 p<0.0001 Veverimer (N=114) Placebo (N=82) 11.42*11.42 Mean 10 p=0.0396 p=0.0177 Change 7.80 from 6.49 Baseline in KDQOL 5 Physcial Function Domain 2.11 0 1.16 Functioning Physical Improved -0.71-0.7 Baseline: PBO = 55.73; Veverimer = 52.59 -5 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 46 52 Week *The minimally clinically important difference in KDQOL subscales, based on the academic literature, is 3 to 5 points Wesson et al., The Lancet, 2019. 28


 
Veverimer: Improvement in Measured Physical Functioning Over One Year (Repeated Chair Stand Test) 2 Veverimer (N=114) Placebo (N=82) 1 ImprovedPhysical Functioning 0 p=0.0017 p<0.0001 p<0.0001 Mean -1 -1.25 -1.19 Change --1.41.42 from -2 Baseline to -2.25 Complete -3 Repeated Chair Test, -4 -3.71 Seconds -4.28 -5 -4.28* Baseline: PBO = 21.01; Veverimer = 21.65 -6 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 46 52 Week *The minimally clinically important difference in the time to complete the repeated chair stand test, based on the academic literature, is 1.7 seconds Wesson et al., The Lancet, 2019. 29


 
Veverimer: Reduction in a Composite of Mortality and Kidney Disease Progression Over One Year (DD50) TRCA-301 / TRCA-301E Study Results Pre-Specified Time-to-Event Analyses (52 Weeks) Kaplan-Meier Plot of Time to First Occurrence of Death, Renal Replacement Therapy or ≥50% Decline in eGFR 4% DD50 incidence rate 65% Reduction 12% DD50 incidence rate DD50 = Death, dialysis/renal transplant or 50% reduction in eGFR. Incidence rate is calculated as 100 × number of events / total person-years. 30 Wesson et al., The Lancet, 2019.


 
Veverimer: TRCA-301/301E Safety Summary TRCA-301 TRCA-301E Veverimer Placebo Veverimer Placebo (n=124) (n=93) (n=114) (n=82) Discontinued prematurely 4.0% 4.3% 2.6% 9.8% Serious adverse events (none assessed to be related to 2.4% 2.2% 1.8% 4.9% study drug) Gastrointestinal adverse events 16.9% 8.6% 21.4% 25.9% Wesson et al., The Lancet, 2019. 31


 
Our Goal is to Launch Veverimer in the United States for Treatment of Patients with CKD and Metabolic Acidosis Treated by Nephrologists 32


 
Metabolic Acidosis is a Significant US Market Opportunity 3,000,000 Increased Awareness Patients with CKD and drives higher metabolic acidosis diagnosis and treatment Metabolic Acidosis Expansion 1,100,000 beyond nephrologists provides additional opportunity Patients Under Physician Care Focus on patients seen by nephrologists provides ~600,000 Patients Under initial opportunity for veverimer Nephrologist Care Data on file. NHANES 1999-2004 reports prevalence of CKD Stages 3 and 4 for the US adult population ages 20 and older. CKD Stage 3 and 4 prevalence was calculated using NHANES prevalence and 2016 US Census data. Stage 3a (70%) and 3b (30%) were approximated using NCCD-CDC Surveillance System. Metabolic acidosis prevalence by Stage 3a, 3b, and 4 reported in Inker LA et al., JASN, 2011. Symphony Health Solutions Claims Data. 33


 
A High Number of Patients with Metabolic Acidosis Are Treated By a Relatively Small Number of Nephrologists Highly Concentrated Market 100% 80% of Potential Target Patient Population 80% 60% 40% 20% Cumulative % Potential 0% ~5,000 Nephrologists Cumulative % of nephrologists with highest number of pre-dialysis patients with Stages 3-5 CKD Symphony Health Solutions IDV® 34


 
We Will Target ~5,000 Community Nephrologists at Launch Optimize Reach with 2 Regional Managers, 10 Division Heads and 80 to 85 Strategic Account Managers # Nephrologist Symphony Health Solutions IDV® 35


 
High-Prescribing Nephrologists Believe There is a Link Between Metabolic Acidosis and Kidney, Bone and Muscle Health Progression of CKD Muscle health Bone health 84% of respondents believe that 86% of respondents believe that 98% of respondents believe that treating metabolic acidosis helps to treating metabolic acidosis helps treating metabolic acidosis helps slow kidney disease progression maintain muscle health maintain bone health 84% 86% 98% Believe Believe Believe Also, 90% of respondents believe that a potential new treatment for metabolic acidosis that leads to improvements in physical function-related quality of life would be meaningful for their patients Tricida Primary Market Research, SciMedica Group, Aug 2018. Nephrologist n=50 36


 
Expanding our Disease Awareness Campaign Website and Neph+ App Digital Ads and Congresses Social Media Engagement ASN Kidney Week 2019 >1,000 Engagements with HCPs www.metabolicacidosisinsights.com Now ranked 1st on Google search 37


 
Increasing Awareness of Veverimer and Metabolic Acidosis Through Publications and Posters Veverimer Metabolic Acidosis TRCA-301 Results TRCA-301E Results March 2019 June 2019 Jun 2019: Tolerance to Mar 2019: Clinical Jul 2019: Effects of Veverimer versus placebo in Long-term safety and efficacy of Sodium in Patients With evidence that treatment Treatment of Metabolic patients with metabolic acidosis veverimer in patients with metabolic CKD-Induced Metabolic of metabolic acidosis Acidosis in CKD, A associated with chronic kidney acidosis in chronic kidney disease: a Acidosis: Does the slows the progression of Systematic Review and disease: a multicentre, multicentre, randomised, blinded, Accompanying Anion Matter? chronic kidney disease Meta-Analysis randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 40-week controlled, phase 3 trial extension • Randomized Controlled Trial of • MOA and Onset of Effect of Veverimer, a • Metabolic Acidosis is an Independent • Metabolic acidosis is a Predictive Factor for All- Long-Term Safety and Efficacy Novel Acid Binder for the Treatment of MA Predictor of Adverse Renal Outcomes Cause Mortality in CKD* of Veverimer for Treatment of Associated with CKD and Higher Costs in Patients with • Metabolic acidosis is Undertreated in CKD Metabolic Acidosis Chronic Kidney Disease • Effects of Veverimer on Serum Bicarbonate • Understanding the Long-Term Impact of • Mechanism of Action of and Physical Function in Patients with • Metabolic Acidosis is Underdiagnosed Metabolic acidosis in CKD: Design of the Veverimer, a First-in-Class, Diabetes and CKD: Subgroup Analysis and Undertreated in Patients with ULTIMA-CKD Registry Orally-Administered, Non- from a Randomized Trial Chronic Kidney Disease Absorbed, Counterion-Free • Metabolic Acidosis is Associated with • Effects of Veverimer on Serum Bicarbonate Hydrochloric Acid Binder Being Failure to Thrive and Fractures/Falls in and Physical Function in Patients with CHF Developed for the Treatment of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and CKD: Subgroup Analysis from a Metabolic Acidosis in CKD • Association of Metabolic Acidosis with Randomized Trial • Adverse Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease and Metabolic Acidosis: • CKD as a Model of Accelerated Aging and Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Improvement in Physical Function with A Longitudinal Analysis from Electronic Medical Veverimer Records of > 50,000 Patients 38


 
Veverimer: Positive Reaction to Profile and Anticipated Adoption Supports Market Opportunity to Address a High Unmet Need Nephrologists Were Asked about Their Nephrologists Were Asked to Estimate Likelihood of Prescribing Veverimer* Veverimer Share at One Year* 79% Would Definitely or 52% Probably Prescribe Veverimer Share For Their Other 18% Patients, it will be Might “Watch and Wait” Prescribe Definitely/Probably Might Would Not Definitely Would Not Source: IQVIA Quant Q3’19 Nephrologist n=100 *Based on a target product profile including information from Wesson DE et al., Lancet. 2019; 393:1417-1427. Wesson DE et al., Lancet. 2019; 394:396-406. Quotation from Tricida Primary Market Research Qual Survey 2019, n=15. If approved, the veverimer prescribing information may differ. *We believe this estimate is more representative of peak share opportunity 39


 
Engaging with Payers to Facilitate Optimal Coverage $$$ $$$ $$$$ $$$ Managed Market Employing Multiple Payer Advisory Team Actively Meeting Avenues for Handling Board Meeting with Payers Prior Authorizations • Met with 10 payers representing ~100 • Field-based payer team of 12 • Mirror nephrologists’ current practice million lives in March 2020 representatives ˗ Preferred pharmacy (retail and specialty, as • Key takeaways: • Proactively targeting payers that preferred) ˗ First-in-class, must cover represent 95% of covered US lives ˗ Electronic Prior Authorization System ˗ Disease modification is important • Met with 77 payers representing >260 ˗ Patient Assistance Hub ˗ Positive reactions to health economics million lives ˗ Nephrologist staff education by 10 field analysis ˗ Goal is to meet with 100 payers prior to reimbursement managers ˗ Prior authorization likely (confirm serum approval at least once bicarbonate and sodium sensitivities) 40


 
Ongoing Payer Discussions Include Health Impact of Metabolic Acidosis Supportive Data from Analysis of Major Payer Database Shows Significant Health Impact of Metabolic Acidosis Over a Two-Year Period 3X 3.6X 1.5X Higher Likelihood Higher Likelihood of Higher Likelihood to Progress of Death Starting Dialysis 1 or More CKD Stages 50% 50% 50% 40% 40% 40% *38.3% *30.9% 30% 30% 30% 24.6% *18.0% 20% 20% 20% 10.2% 10% 10% 4.8% 10% 0% 0% 0% Mortality Chronic Dialysis Progression > 1 CDK Percent of Patients with with Outcome of Patients Percent Mortality Chronic Dialysis ProgressionStage, % ≥ 1 CKD Stage, % *p<0.0001 Metabolic Acidosis (N=17,350) Normal Serum Bicarbonate (N=34,208) Optum® EMR, De-identified electronic Health Record dataset 2007–2017. Tangri N, National Kidney Foundation Spring 2020 Data on file. 41


 
Ongoing Payer Discussions Include HEOR Analysis Compelling Health Economic Outcomes Research (HEOR) Message for Payers Impact of metabolic acidosis comparing Impact of increase in serum bicarbonate all-cause cost in an acidotic vs. as a continuous variable in combined non-acidotic population acidotic and non-acidotic population ~$40K of added costs/year Each 1 mEq/L increase in serum CKD stage 3 to 5 non-dialysis patients bicarbonate was associated with with metabolic acidosis costs ~$40K more than a 7% decrease in all cause monthly CKD patients with normal serum bicarbonate healthcare costs (p<0.0001) Optum® EMR, De-identified electronic medical records 2007–2017. Reaven N, Association of Managed Care Pharmacy; Oct 31, 2019 and ASN Kidney Week Nov 7, 2019 42


 
Patients with Commercial, Medicare with Subsidy, Medicaid and VA/DOD Patients Represent ~62% of Target Population Anticipated Payer Mix in Target Population 1% VA/DOD 5% VA/ Uninsured DODCash 10% Medicaid Medicaid33% Over half of the initial targeted patients with Medicare with CKD and metabolic acidosis will have either no subsidy low copay (Medicaid, Medicare with subsidy 33% and VA/DOD) or may have assistance with Commercial 18% their copay (commercial) Medicare with subsidy Symphony Health Solutions IDV® 2018 USRDS Annual Report, Kaiser Family Foundation 43


 
Veverimer: Multi-Billion Revenue Opportunity in the US with a Focus on the Nephrology Specialty US Revenue Metrics Est. WAC price: 3,000,000 ~$2,000 – $3,000/month Patients with CKD and Est. net price (~30% GtN): ~$1,400 – $2,100/month Metabolic Acidosis Est. compliance: 65% (~8 months/year) 1,100,000 Revenue PPPY: ~$14,000 (at midpoint) Patients Under Physician Care ~600,000 Patients Under Nephrologist Care 5% Share of 150,000 Total >$2 billion / year in the Rx Patients* Prevalence US Nephrology Specialty PPPY: Per Patient Per Year. *Incorporates intent to treat and managed care coverage assumptions 44


 
Veverimer: Worldwide Patent Estate United States Europe Rest of World • Six issued Orange Book • Three issued patents • Issued patents in Australia, eligible patents Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico and • Several pending Russia • Several pending patent patent applications applications • Corresponding pending patent applications in other commercially significant countries Patent protection expected to provide exclusivity for veverimer until at least June 5, 2034 in the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico and Russia and at least December 10, 2035 in Europe.* *Exclusivity does not include any extension related to Hatch-Waxman in the United States, or a Supplementary Protection Certificate in Europe. 45


 
Strong Financial Position ~ $355 million year-end cash, cash equivalents and investments as of December 31, 2019 $60 million currently drawn under a $200 million debt facility with Hercules (including $20 million drawn in December 2019) – Additional draw down availability of: • $15 million prior to December 15, 2020 • $75 million subject to FDA approval of veverimer and prior to December 15, 2020 • $50 million subject to approval by Hercules ~ 49.8 million total shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019 46


 
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