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): May 5, 2022
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||||||||
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617 ) 314-6297
Not applicable
(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:
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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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 May 5, 2022, Keros Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. A copy of the press release is furnished hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, is being furnished and 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. The information contained in this Item 2.02 and in the accompanying exhibit is not incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit | ||||||||
| No. | Description | |||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document) | |||||||
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.
| KEROS THERAPEUTICS, INC. | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Jasbir Seehra | |||||||
Jasbir Seehra, Ph.D. Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
Dated: May 5, 2022
Exhibit 99.1
Keros Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2022 Financial Results
Lexington, Mass. – May 5, 2022 – Keros Therapeutics, Inc. (“Keros” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: KROS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel treatments for patients suffering from hematological and musculoskeletal disorders with high unmet medical need, today provided a business update and reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022.
“The first quarter of fiscal 2022 saw positive momentum across all of our programs,” said Jasbir S. Seehra, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer. “We remain on track to report additional data from our ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial of KER-050 in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes ("MDS") in mid-2022, as well as to report initial data from Part 1 of our ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial of KER-012 in healthy volunteers in the second quarter of 2022.”
First Quarter 2022 Financial Results
Keros reported a net loss of $24.2 million in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to a net loss of $15.9 million in the first quarter of 2021. The increase in net loss for the first quarter was largely due to increased research and development efforts as well as additional infrastructure expenses to support the achievement of Keros' corporate goals.
Research and development expenses were $18.1 million for the first quarter of 2022 as compared to $11.5 million for the same period in 2021. The increase of $6.6 million was primarily due to additional research and development efforts, manufacturing activities, and personnel expenses to support the advancement of Keros' pipeline.
General and administrative expenses were $6.0 million for the first quarter of 2022 as compared to $4.3 million for the same period in 2021. The increase of $1.8 million was primarily due to increase in personnel expenses and other external expenses to support Keros' organizational growth.
Keros’ cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2022 was $228.6 million compared to $230.0 million as of December 31, 2021. Keros expects that the cash and cash equivalents it had on hand at March 31, 2022 will fund its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the first quarter of 2024.
About Keros Therapeutics, Inc.
Keros is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel treatments for patients suffering from hematologic and musculoskeletal disorders with high unmet medical need. Keros is a leader in understanding the role of the transforming growth factor-beta family of proteins, which are master regulators of red blood cell and platelet production as well as of the growth, repair and maintenance of muscle and bone. Keros’ lead protein therapeutic product candidate, KER-050, is being developed for the treatment of low blood cell counts, or cytopenias, including anemia and thrombocytopenia, in patients with MDS and in patients with myelofibrosis. Keros’ lead small molecule product candidate, KER-047, is being developed for the treatment of anemia resulting from iron imbalance. Keros’ third product candidate, KER-012, is being developed for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension and for the treatment of disorders associated with bone loss, such as osteoporosis and osteogenesis imperfecta.
Cautionary Note Regarding 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, as
amended. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "intends," “plans,” “potential,” "projects,” “would” and "future" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning: Keros’ expectations regarding its growth, strategy, progress and timing of its clinical trials for KER-050 and KER-012; the potential impact of COVID-19 on Keros’ ongoing and planned preclinical studies, clinical trials, business and operations; and Keros’ expected cash runway. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: Keros’ limited operating history and historical losses; Keros’ ability to raise additional funding to complete the development and any commercialization of its product candidates; Keros’ dependence on the success of its lead product candidates, KER-050 and KER-047; that Keros may be delayed in initiating, enrolling or completing any clinical trials; competition from third parties that are developing products for similar uses; Keros’ ability to obtain, maintain and protect its intellectual property; Keros’ dependence on third parties in connection with manufacturing, clinical trials and preclinical studies; and risks relating to the impact on Keros' business of the COVID-19 pandemic or similar public health crises.
These and other risks are described more fully in Keros’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 9, 2022, and its other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, Keros undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.
Investor Contact:
Justin Frantz
jfrantz@soleburytrout.com
617-221-9100
KEROS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
| THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, | |||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| OPERATING EXPENSES: | |||||||||||
| Research and development | (18,078) | (11,495) | |||||||||
| General and administrative | (6,048) | (4,274) | |||||||||
| Total operating expenses | (24,126) | (15,769) | |||||||||
| LOSS FROM OPERATIONS | (24,126) | (15,769) | |||||||||
| OTHER EXPENSE, NET | |||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (1) | (1) | |||||||||
| Other expense, net | (59) | (65) | |||||||||
| Total other expense, net | (60) | (66) | |||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (24,186) | (15,835) | |||||||||
| Income tax (provision) benefit | — | (50) | |||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (24,186) | $ | (15,885) | |||||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted | $ | (24,186) | $ | (15,885) | |||||||
| Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted | $ | (1.01) | $ | (0.68) | |||||||
| Weighted-average common stock outstanding—basic and diluted | 23,993,698 | 23,229,794 | |||||||||
KEROS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
| MARCH 31, 2022 | DECEMBER 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| CURRENT ASSETS: | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 228,586 | 230,042 | |||||||||
| Accounts receivable | — | 18,000 | |||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 2,634 | 3,398 | |||||||||
| Total current assets | 231,220 | 251,440 | |||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 864 | 1,067 | |||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 1,456 | 1,335 | |||||||||
| Restricted cash | 1,327 | 1,327 | |||||||||
| Other long-term asset | 275 | 82 | |||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | 235,142 | 255,251 | |||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||||||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES: | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | 3,064 | 3,645 | |||||||||
| Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 884 | 862 | |||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 7,700 | 7,339 | |||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 11,648 | 11,846 | |||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion | — | 231 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities | 11,648 | 12,077 | |||||||||
| STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: | |||||||||||
| Common stock, par value of $0.0001 per share; 200,000,000 authorized as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively; 24,003,103 and 23,974,834 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 371,433 | 366,927 | |||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (147,941) | (123,755) | |||||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 223,494 | 243,174 | |||||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | 235,142 | 255,251 | |||||||||