UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 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 March 2020

Commission File No. 001-36848
 
 
Check-Cap Ltd.
 
Check-Cap Building
Abba Hushi Avenue
P.O. Box 1271
Isfiya, 30090
Mount Carmel, Israel
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES.)
 
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): ____
 
The financial statements included in this Form 6-K are being incorporated by reference into the Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Form S-8 Registration Statement File No. 333-203384, Form S-8 Registration Statement File No. 333-226490, and into the Form F-3 Registration Statements File Nos. 333-211065 and 333-225789.


Other Information
 
On March 6, 2020, Check-Cap Ltd. provided certain corporate updates and announced its financial results for the three-and twelve-month period ended December 31, 2019.
 
A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Exhibit No.
Description
 




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.
 
 
Check-Cap Ltd.
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Alex Ovadia
 
 
 
Name: Alex Ovadia
 
 Date: March 6, 2020
 
Title: Chief Executive Officer
 





 
Exhibit 99.1
 
 
 
 
Check-Cap Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Financial Results
 
Company planning to initiate a U.S. pivotal study of the C-Scan System in late 2020
 
Strengthened balance sheet through a $4.76 million private placement of ordinary shares
  
ISFIYA, Israel, March 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Check-Cap Ltd. (the "Company" or "Check-Cap") (NASDAQ: CHEK) (NASDAQ: CHEKZ), a clinical stage medical diagnostics company advancing the development of C-Scan®, the first and only patient-friendly preparation-free screening test to detect polyps before they transform into colorectal cancer, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2019.
 
 2019 and Recent Highlights:
 

Continued to advance the pre-submission process with FDA towards the initiation of a pivotal trial of the C-Scan System in late 2020 
 

In February 2020, strengthened its balance sheet through a $4.76 million private placement of ordinary shares
 

In December 2019, announced positive results from the U.S. pilot study of C-Scan that was performed at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Mayo Clinic of Rochester  
 

In August 2019, announced the completion of manufacturing line transfer implementation and qualification for the C-Scan System to our manufacturing partner, GE Healthcare, a leading global medical technology and life sciences company
 

In July 2019, announced positive results from the post-CE approval study of C-Scan, which further validated the importance and potential of the system. 
 
"We ended 2019 on a high note with the successful completion of our U.S. pilot study of the C-Scan System which, pending FDA approval, sets the stage for the initiation of a U.S. pivotal trial in late 2020," said Alex Ovadia, Chief Executive Officer of Check-Cap. "There exists a significant global unmet need for a colon cancer screening and detection technology that is preparation free and non- invasive compared to the current standard of care, colonoscopy. We believe the patient-friendly C-Scan System can increase screening rates globally by eliminating the rigorous and unpleasant preparation that colonoscopy and other tests require.
 

"Colon cancer is a highly preventable disease, and an increase in global screening rates that we believe C-Scan can facilitate will result in earlier detection and improved long-term patient outcomes. We look forward to initiating a U.S. pivotal trial, as we work to introduce this groundbreaking technology in the important US market," Mr. Ovadia concluded.
 
Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter Ended December 31, 2019
 
Research and development expenses, net, were $2.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019, compared to $2.4 million for the same period in 2018.  The increase is primarily due to a $0.4 million increase in salaries and related expenses and a $0.2 million increase in materials, subcontractor and consultant expenses, primarily in connection with our U.S. pilot study and regulatory expenses, offset in part by a $0.1 million decrease in share-based compensation expenses. 
 
General and administrative expenses were $1.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019, compared to $1.1 million for the same period in 2018. The decrease is primarily due to a $0.2 million decrease in professional services, offset in part by a $0.1 million increase in salaries and related expenses. 
 
Operating loss was $3.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019, compared to an operating loss of $3.5 million for the same period in 2018.
 
Financial income, net was $19,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2019, compared to $366,000 for the same period in 2018.  The change is primarily as a result of a change in royalties' provision of $3,000 in 2019 compared to $295,000 in 2018 and $29,000 financial income from interest compared to $80,000 in 2018.
 
Net loss was $3.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019, compared to $3.1 million for the same period in 2018.
 
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term bank deposits as of December 31, 2019 were $8.0 million as compared to $14.6 million as of December 31, 2018. Subsequent to the end of the fourth quarter, in February 2020, we raised gross proceeds of $4.76 million in a private placement.
 
Financial Results for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019
 
Research and development expenses, net, were $10.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, compared to $7.6 million for the same period in 2018. The increase is primarily due to a $0.9 million increase in salaries and related expenses, $0.2 million increase in share-based compensation, $0.4 million increase in materials, $0.5 million increase in subcontractor and consultant expenses and a $0.8 million increase in other research and development expenses, mainly related to our clinical trials, primarily in connection with our post-CE Mark clinical study and the U.S. pilot study.  The increase in research and development expenses, net between 2019 and 2018 also includes a $0.1 million decrease in grants received from the Israel Innovation Authority.
 
General and administrative expenses were $3.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, compared to $3.5 million for the same period in 2018. The increase is primarily due to an increase of $0.4 million in share-based compensation expenses and $0.2 million increase in other general expenses, offset in part by a $0.3 million decrease in salaries and related expenses and $0.1 million decrease in professional services expenses.
 
Operating loss was $14.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, compared to $11.1 million in the same period in 2018.
 

Finance income, net, was $234,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, compared to $473,000 for the same period in 2018. The decrease in finance income, net was primarily as a result of a $252,000 decrease in finance income from a change in royalties' provision.
 
Net loss was $13.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, compared to $10.6 million for the same period in 2018.
 
Net cash used in operating activities was $12.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, compared to $10.1 million for the same period in 2018.
 
The number of outstanding ordinary shares as of December 31, 2019 was 8,272,906. Subsequent to December 31, 2019, the Company issued 2,720,178 ordinary shares in a private placement. As of February 25, 2020, the number of our outstanding ordinary shares was 10,997,714.
 
A copy of the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019 has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and posted on the Company’s investor relations website at  http://ir.check-cap.com/home. The Company will deliver a hard copy of its annual report, including its complete audited consolidated financial statements, free of charge, to its shareholders upon request to Mira Rosenzweig, Chief Financial Officer, at mira.rosenzweig@check-cap.com.
 
[Financial Tables to Follow]
 
About Check-Cap
 
Check-Cap is a clinical stage medical diagnostics company aiming to redefine colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention through the introduction of C-Scan®, the first and only patient-friendly preparation-free screening test to detect polyps before they transform into colorectal cancer. The Company's disruptive capsule-based screening technology aims to significantly increase screening adherence worldwide and enable millions of people to stay healthy. The C-Scan System uses an ultra-low dose X-ray capsule, an integrated positioning, control, and recording system, as well as proprietary software to generate a 3D map of the inner lining of the colon. C-Scan is non-invasive and requires no preparation or sedation, allowing the patients to continue their daily routine with no interruption as the capsule is propelled through the gastrointestinal tract by natural motility. 
 
Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Words such as "may," "should," "could," "would," "predicts," "potential," "continue," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, often signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and may not be accurate indications of when such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information that the Company has when those statements are made or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of these and other risks that could cause such differences and that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements, please refer to the "Forward-looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 

CHECK CAP LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 (U.S. dollars in thousands except share data)

   
December 31,
 
   
2 0 1 9
   
2 0 1 8
 
Assets
           
Current assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
   
7,685
     
8,572
 
Restricted cash
   
350
     
350
 
Short-term bank deposit
   
-
     
5,643
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
400
     
419
 
Total current assets
   
8,435
     
14,984
 
                 
Non-current assets
               
Property and equipment, net
   
540
     
452
 
Operating lease assets
   
454
     
-
 
Total non-current assets
   
994
     
452
 
Total assets
   
9,429
     
15,436
 
                 
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
               
Current liabilities
               
Accounts payable and accruals
               
  Trade
   
989
     
1,113
 
  Other
   
490
     
214
 
Other current liabilities
   
-
     
35
 
Employees and payroll accruals
   
1,101
     
859
 
Operating lease liabilities- current
   
222
     
-
 
Total current liabilities
   
2,802
     
2,221
 
                 
Non-current liabilities
               
Royalties provision
   
182
     
185
 
Operating lease liabilities- net of current portion
   
211
     
-
 
Total non-current liabilities
   
393
     
185
 
                 
Shareholders' equity
               
Share capital, Ordinary shares, 2.4 NIS par value (90,000,000 and 30,000,000
authorized shares as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively; 8,272,908 and
5,330,684 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 2018,
respectively)
   
5,407
     
3,456
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
77,964
     
72,888
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
-
     
(13
)
Accumulated deficit
   
(77,137
)
   
(63,301
)
Total shareholders' equity
   
6,234
     
13,030
 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
   
9,429
     
15,436
 
 

CHECK CAP LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
   
Year
ended
   
Three months
ended
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2019
   
2018
   
2019
   
2018
 
Research and development expenses, net
   
10,474
     
7,618
     
2,819
     
2,396
 
General and administrative expenses
   
3,595
     
3,445
     
1,028
     
1,073
 
Operating loss
   
14,069
     
11,063
     
3,847
     
3,469
 
Finance income, net
   
233
     
473
     
19
     
365
 
Loss before income tax
   
13,836
     
10,590
     
3,828
     
3,104
 
Taxes on income
   
-
     
(1
)
   
-
     
-
 
Net loss for the period
   
13,836
     
10,589
     
3,828
     
3,104
 
Comprehensive loss:
                               
Net loss
   
13,836
     
10,589
     
3,828
     
3,104
 
Change in fair value of cash flow hedge
   
(13
)
   
13
     
-
     
(28
)
Comprehensive loss
   
13,823
     
10,602
     
3,828
     
3,076
 
Loss per share:
                               
Net loss per ordinary share basic and diluted
   
1.73
     
2.61
     
0.46
     
0.58
 
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding
- basic and diluted (in thousands)
   
7,986
     
4,058
     
8,270
     
5,352
 
 



CHECK-CAP LTD.
CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 (U.S. dollars in thousands)

   
Year
ended
   
Three months
ended
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2019
   
2018
   
2019
   
2018
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                       
Net loss 
   
(13,836
)
   
(10,589
)
   
(3,829
)
   
(3,104
)
Adjustments required to reconcile net loss to net cash used in
operating activities:
                               
Depreciation
   
115
     
147
     
31
     
29
 
Share-based compensation
   
516
     
(65
)
   
110
     
206
 
Financial expenses (income), net
   
40
     
(13
)
   
85
     
110
 
Changes in assets and liabilities items:
                               
Decrease (increase) in prepaid and other current assets and non-current assets
   
(420
)
   
(13
)
   
(383
)
   
77
 
Increase (decrease) in trade accounts payable, accruals and other current liabilities
   
503
     
416
     
399
     
356
 
Increase (decrease) in employees and payroll accruals
   
242
     
258
     
266
     
(92
)
Decrease in royalties provision
   
(3
)
   
(255
)
   
(10
)
   
(294
)
Net cash used in operating activities
   
(12,843
)
   
(10,114
)
   
(3,331
)
   
(2,712
)
                                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                               
Purchase of property and equipment
   
(167
)
   
(94
)
   
(36
)
   
(80
)
Proceeds from (investment in) short-term bank and other deposit
   
5,612
     
(5,629
)
   
3,939
     
3,371
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
   
5,445
     
(5,723
)
   
3,903
     
3,291
 
                                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                               
Exercise of warrants into ordinary shares
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(4
)
Issuance of ordinary shares in the registered direct offerings, net of issuance expenses
   
6,511
     
(30
)
   
-
     
(30
)
Issuance of ordinary shares in the 2018 Public Offering
   
-
     
17,792
     
-
     
(66
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
6,511
     
17,762
     
-
     
(100
)
                                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
   
(887
)
   
1,925
     
572
     
437
 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the period
   
8,922
     
6,997
     
7,463
     
8,485
 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the period
   
8,035
     
8,922
     
8,035
     
8,922
 
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash flow information:
                               
Cashless exercise of warrants to purchase ordinary shares into ordinary shares
   
24
     
33
     
11
     
24
 
Purchase of property and equipment
   
32
     
3
     
32
     
35
 
Recognition of operating leases and operating lease liabilities from adoption of ASU 2016-02
   
369
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Right of use asset obtained in exchange for new operating lease
   
223
     
-
     
117
     
-
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
                               
Cash paid for taxes
   
15
     
5
     
-
     
-
 
 
Investor Contacts
Jeremy Feffer
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
+1 212-915-2568
jeremy@lifesciadvisors.com
 
Meirav Gomeh-Bauer
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
+972(0)-54-476-4979
Meirav@lifesciadvisors.com