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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) August 10, 2020

 

CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 001-36279 75-3175693
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
     
4 Stamford Plaza
107 Elm Street
, 9th Floor
Stamford
, Connecticut
  06902
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
     
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (203) 406-3700
     

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 (see General Instruction A.2.):

 

¨ 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 Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share CARA The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

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 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On August 10, 2020, Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020.  A copy of the press release is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference to this Item 2.02.

 

The information furnished pursuant to this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any of the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such a filing.

 

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)         Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.   Description
99.1   Press Release dated August 10, 2020
104   Cover page interactive data file (formatted as Inline XBRL)

 

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SIGNATURES 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

  By: /s/ RICHARD MAKARA
    Richard Makara
    Vice President, Head of Accounting & Controller
    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

Date: August 10, 2020 

 

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Exhibit 99.1 

 

 

 

Cara Therapeutics Reports Second Quarter 2020 Financial Results

 

– Conference call today at 4:30 p.m. ET –

 

STAMFORD, Conn., August 10, 2020 – Cara Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CARA), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing new chemical entities designed to alleviate pruritus by selectively targeting peripheral kappa opioid receptors (KORs), today announced financial results and operational highlights for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020.

 

“In the second quarter, we continued to advance our clinical development programs for both KORSUVA™ Injection and Oral KORSUVA. Following positive top-line data from our KALM™-2 pivotal Phase 3 trial of KORSUVA Injection for chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) in hemodialysis patients, we remain on track to submit our first New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the fourth quarter,” said Derek Chalmers, Ph.D., D.Sc., President and Chief Executive Officer of Cara Therapeutics. “We also successfully completed a planned interim statistical analysis of our KARE Phase 2 dose-ranging trial of Oral KORSUVA for moderate-to-severe pruritus in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients and expect the trial to be fully enrolled by the fourth quarter.”

 

Second Quarter and Recent Developments:

 

KORSUVA Injection: Chronic Kidney Disease-Associated Pruritus (CKD-aP): Hemodialysis

 

In April 2020, the Company announced positive top-line results from its KALM-2 global pivotal Phase 3 trial of KORSUVA Injection in hemodialysis patients with moderate-to-severe CKD-aP. The trial met the primary endpoint, with a statistically significant proportion of patients on KORSUVA Injection achieving a three-point or greater improvement from baseline in the weekly mean Worst Itching Intensity Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) versus placebo (p=0.02) at week 12. The trial also met the key secondary endpoint, with a statistically significant proportion of patients on KORSUVA Injection achieving a four-point or greater improvement from baseline in the weekly mean Worst Itching Intensity NRS versus placebo (p=0.01) at week 12. KORSUVA Injection was generally well-tolerated through 12 weeks of treatment with a safety profile consistent with prior clinical trials.

 

 

 

All safety databases are now closed with more than 1,500 total patient exposures achieved, including more than 700 patients completing at least six months of treatment and more than 400 patients completing one year of treatment.

 

The Company remains on track to submit an NDA for KORSUVA Injection to the FDA in the fourth quarter of 2020.

 

Oral KORSUVA: CKD-aP: Non-Hemodialysis

 

In December 2019, the Company announced positive top-line results from its Phase 2 dose-ranging trial of Oral KORSUVA for the treatment of pruritus in patients with stage III-V (moderate-to-severe) CKD. The Company plans to conduct an End of Phase 2 Meeting with the FDA in the first quarter of 2021. In advance of that meeting, the Company intends to initiate the safety portion of the Phase 3 program in the fourth quarter of 2020.

 

Oral KORSUVA: Atopic Dermatitis (AD)

 

In June 2020, the Company announced the completion of an interim conditional power assessment of its ongoing KARE Phase 2 dose-ranging trial of Oral KORSUVA for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pruritus in AD patients. The trial is evaluating the safety and efficacy of three tablet strengths (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1.0 mg, twice daily) of Oral KORSUVA versus placebo for 12 weeks, followed by a 4-week active extension phase.

 

Based on the recommendation of the Independent Data Monitoring Committee, the size of the trial was increased from an original enrollment target of 320 patients to 410 patients, to maintain the prespecified statistical power of 80% or greater on the trial’s primary endpoint of change from baseline in the weekly mean of the daily 24-hour Worst Itching Intensity NRS and key secondary endpoint of the proportion of patients achieving a four point or greater improvement in Worst Itching Intensity NRS score at week 12. The prespecified interim conditional power assessment was conducted after approximately 50% of the originally targeted patient number had completed the designated 12-week treatment period. The Company expects the trial to be fully enrolled in the fourth quarter of 2020 and aims to report top-line results in the first half of 2021, subject to any delays related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Oral KORSUVA: Chronic Liver Disease-Associated Pruritus (CLD-aP): Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC)

 

The Company is conducting a Phase 2 trial of Oral KORSUVA for the treatment of pruritus in patients with hepatic impairment due to PBC. The trial is evaluating the safety and efficacy of Oral KORSUVA (1.0 mg tablet, twice daily) versus placebo for 16 weeks. The Company continues to screen patients and aims to have top-line data in the first half of 2021, due in part to delays related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

 

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Board of Directors Expansion and Appointment

 

In June 2020, the Company expanded its Board of Directors by appointing Susan Shiff, Ph.D., M.B.A., as a new Director. Dr. Shiff currently serves as Senior Vice President and Head of the Center for Observational and Real-World Evidence at Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada.

 

COVID-19 Impacts and Business Operations

 

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with the FDA’s updated guidance for conducting clinical trials, the Company has implemented numerous clinical and operational measures to prioritize the health and safety of patients, employees and study investigators and minimize potential disruptions to its ongoing clinical studies. Cara is working closely with its clinical and commercial manufacturing partners to continue to ensure sufficient supply of KORSUVA is available for its clinical trials.

 

Based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State of Connecticut, all Cara employees continue to work remotely and business travel has been restricted.

 

Upcoming Activities

 

The Company expects to make presentations at the following upcoming conferences:

 

·40th Annual Canaccord Genuity Growth Conference, August 11-13, 2020

·Cantor Fitzgerald Global Healthcare Conference, September 15-17, 2020

·American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week, October 19-25, 2020

·Stifel Healthcare Conference, November 17-18, 2020

·Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference, November 17-19, 2020

·Piper Sandler Health Care Conference, December 1-3, 2020

 

Second Quarter 2020 Financial Results

 

Net Loss: Net loss was $25.1 million, or $0.54 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2020, compared to a net loss of $23.0 million, or $0.58 per basic and diluted share, for the same period of 2019.

 

Revenues: Total revenue was $5.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020, compared to $5.2 million during the same period of 2019. Total revenue consisted of:

 

·The Company recognized $4.5 million and $5.2 million of license and milestone fees revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, related to its license agreement with Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma Ltd. (VFMCRP).

 

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·The Company recognized $0.6 million of license and milestone fees revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2020 related to the achievement of a milestone related to its license agreement with Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical Corp.

 

·The Company recognized $0.5 million of clinical compound revenue from the sales of clinical compound for the three months ended June 30, 2020 to Maruishi Pharmaceutical Company Ltd. and VFMCRP. There were no sales of clinical compound for the three months ended June 30, 2019.

 

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses were $26.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $24.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The higher R&D expenses in 2020 were primarily due to increases in stock-based compensation expense, payroll and related costs and cost of clinical compound sales, partially offset by a net decrease in clinical trial costs, conferences, and travel and related costs.

 

General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses were $5.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $5.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The increase in 2020 was primarily due to increases in consultants’ costs, legal fees, and insurance costs, partially offset by decreases in stock-based compensation expense.

 

Other Income, Net: Other income, net was $634,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to $947,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in 2020 was due to a decrease in accretion and interest income resulting from a lower yield on our portfolio of investments in the 2020 period.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities Position: At June 30, 2020, cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $153.0 million compared to $218.2 million at December 31, 2019. The decrease in the balance of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities primarily resulted from cash used in operations of $66.0 million, partially offset by proceeds of $0.3 million from the exercise of stock options.

 

Financial Guidance

 

Based on timing expectations and projected costs for current clinical development plans, Cara expects that its existing cash and cash equivalents and available-for-sale marketable securities as of June 30, 2020 will be sufficient to fund its currently anticipated operating expenses and capital expenditures into the second half of 2021, without giving effect to any potential milestone payments under existing collaborations. 

 

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Conference Call

 

Cara management will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss second quarter 2020 financial results and provide a business update.

 

To participate in the conference call, please dial (855) 445-2816 (domestic) or (484) 756-4300 (international) and refer to conference ID 7669087. A live webcast of the call can be accessed under "Events & Presentations" in the News & Investors section of the Company's website at www.CaraTherapeutics.com.

 

An archived webcast recording will be available on the Cara website beginning approximately two hours after the call.

 

About Cara Therapeutics

 

Cara Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing new chemical entities designed to alleviate pruritus by selectively targeting peripheral KORs. Cara is developing a novel and proprietary class of product candidates, led by KORSUVA (CR845/difelikefalin), a first-in-class KOR agonist that targets KORs located in the peripheral nervous system and on immune cells. In the Company’s KALM-1 and KALM-2 Phase 3 trials and two Phase 2 trials, KORSUVA Injection has demonstrated statistically significant reductions in itch intensity and concomitant improvement in pruritus-related quality of life measures in hemodialysis patients with moderate-to-severe CKD-aP. Cara has successfully completed its Phase 2 trial of Oral KORSUVA for the treatment of pruritus in patients with CKD and is currently conducting Phase 2 trials of Oral KORSUVA in AD and PBC patients with moderate-to-severe pruritus.

 

The FDA has conditionally accepted KORSUVA as the trade name for difelikefalin injection. CR845/difelikefalin is an investigational drug product and its safety and efficacy have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.

 

Forward-looking Statements

 

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning the expected timing of the enrollment and data readouts from the Company’s ongoing clinical trials, the potential results of ongoing clinical trials, timing of future regulatory and development milestones for the Company’s product candidates, including the Company’s projected timeline for the submission of its NDA for KORSUVA Injection for CKD-aP, the expected timeline for conducting meetings with the FDA concerning the Company’s product candidates, the potential for the Company’s product candidates to be alternatives in the therapeutic areas investigated, the Company’s expected cash reach, and the potential impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s clinical development and regulatory timelines and plans. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Risks are described more fully in Cara Therapeutics’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and its other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Cara Therapeutics undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

 

Financial tables follow

 

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CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)  

  

   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
  2020   2019   2020   2019 
Revenue:                
License and milestone fees  $5,099   $5,208   $13,120   $9,450 
Clinical compound revenue   535    -    607    140 
Total revenue   5,634    5,208    13,727    9,590 
                     
Operating expenses:                    
Research and development   26,108    24,356    59,644    47,964 
General and administrative   5,410    4,994    9,968    8,902 
Total operating expenses   31,518    29,350    69,612    56,866 
Operating loss   (25,884)   (24,142)   (55,885)   (47,276)
                     
Other income, net   634    947    1,591    2,036 
Loss before benefit from income taxes   (25,250)   (23,195)   (54,294)   (45,240)
                     
Benefit from income taxes   182    235    304    320 
Net loss  $(25,068)  $(22,960)  $(53,990)  $(44,920)
                     
Net loss per share:                    
Basic and Diluted  $(0.54)  $(0.58)  $(1.15)  $(1.13)
                     
Weighted average shares:                    
Basic and Diluted   46,799,703    39,818,162    46,762,327    39,685,954 

 

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CARA THERAPEUTICS, INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
   2020   2019 
Assets        
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $56,967   $18,305 
Marketable securities   73,218    136,701 
Income tax receivable   1,120    816 
Other receivables   486    971 
Prepaid expenses   10,124    8,863 
Total current assets   141,915    165,656 
Operating lease right-of-use asset   2,825    3,036 
Marketable securities, non-current   22,861    63,159 
Property and equipment, net   604    700 
Restricted cash   408    408 
Total assets  $168,613   $232,959 
           
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  $13,952   $19,665 
Operating lease liability, current   1,006    967 
Current portion of deferred revenue   9,768    22,262 
Total current liabilities   24,726    42,894 
           
Operating lease liability, non-current   2,959    3,352 
           
Commitments and contingencies   -    - 
           
Stockholders’ equity:          
Preferred stock   -    - 
Common stock   47    47 
Additional paid-in capital   594,963    587,223 
Accumulated deficit   (454,717)   (400,727)
Accumulated other comprehensive income   635    170 
Total stockholders’ equity   140,928    186,713 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $168,613   $232,959 

 

INVESTOR CONTACT:

 

Janhavi Mohite

Stern Investor Relations, Inc.
212-362-1200
Janhavi.Mohite@sternir.com

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Annie Starr

6 Degrees

973-415-8838

astarr@6degreespr.com

 

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