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 16, 2021

 

 

 

ONCOTELIC THERAPEUTICS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   000-21990   13-3679168

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

29397 Agoura Road, Suite 107

Agoura Hills, CA 91301

(Address of principal executive offices and Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

(650) 635-7000

 

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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

☐  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 class   Trading Symbols   Name of each exchange on which registered
N/A   OTLC    

 

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 8.01 Other Events

 

Oncotelic Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) and Golden Mountain Partners, (“GMP”) announced that they are forming a joint venture (“JV”) to advance clinical development of the Company’s pharmaceutical pipeline and build out of manufacturing facilities for the commercial launch of the Company’s drug candidates (“the GMP Transaction”). The JV is expected to be taken to an initial public offering (“IPO”). Recent IPOs for TGF- β assets include Genor Biopharma, Pliant Therapeutics and ScholarRock. The Company and GMP signed a term-sheet, which amongst other requirements, includes moving into a standstill agreement and an immediate infusion of $1.5 Million by GMP into the Company.

 

On August 16, 2021, the Company issued press release stating GMP transaction. The press release if filed herewith.

 

On August 16, 2021 we met with investors to discuss the GMP transaction and its potential impact. The presentation is filed herewith.

 

  ● The JV is between GMP, the Company and Dr. Trieu
  ● The JV shall be fully funded by GMP
  ● Dr. Trieu will lead manufacturing to support the commercialization of the Oncotelic’s assets as well as building out a pipeline of fast to market portfolio of drugs
  ● The Company will provide its oncology/infectious disease pipeline
  ● The IPO will be set up on the Hong Kong or other stock exchange.
  ● The valuation of the IPO could be in the range of $1-2 Billion based on other comparables i.e. Genor Biopharma (HKEX: 6998), Pliant Therapeutics (Nasdaq:PLRX) and ScholarRock (Nasdaq:SRRK)
  ● Assuming the valuation above is achieved, and with the proposed 35% ownership of the JV by the Company this could potentially translate into $350-700M in asset for the Company.
  ● All this would be achieved without any dilution to the Company shareholders.
  ● The proposed terms are being finalized as part of the definitive agreement within the next 45 days for shareholder approval.
  ● This is the most transformative transaction for the company since its inception. We strongly recommend approval.
  ● There is a standstill agreement in place for 45 days wherein the Company has agreed not to continue discussion of other competing transactions.
  ● In consideration of standing still, GMP shall infuse $1.5 Million into the Company to support C001 clinical trial evaluating OT-101 against COVID-19

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   Description   Incorporation by reference
         
99.1   GMP and Oncotelic forming JV for IPO   Filed herewith.
99.1   GMP transaction presentation   Filed herewith

 

-2-
 

 

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.

 

  Oncotelic Therapeutics, Inc.
     
Date: August 17, 2021   /s/ Vuong Trieu
  By:  Vuong Trieu
    Chief Executive Officer

 

-3-

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

ONCOTELIC AND GOLDEN MOUNTAIN PARTNERS FORMING A JOINT VENTURE FOR IPO

 

AGOURA HILLS, Calif., August 16, 2021 - Oncotelic Therapeutics, Inc. (“Oncotelic” or the “Company”) (OTCQB:OTLC), a leading developer of TGF-β therapeutics for oncology and COVID-19 and Golden Mountain Partners, (“GMP”) announced that they are forming a joint venture (“JV”) to advance clinical development of Oncotelic’s pharmaceutical pipeline and build out of manufacturing facilities for the commercial launch of Oncotelic’s drug candidates. The JV is expected to be taken to an initial public offering (“IPO”). Recent IPOs for TGF- β assets include Genor Biopharma, Pliant Therapeutics and ScholarRock. The Company and GMP signed a term-sheet, which amongst other requirements, includes moving into a standstill agreement and an immediate infusion of $1.5 Million by GMP into Oncotelic.

 

“This latest development is a continuation of our relationship with GMP, which started early 2020 when GMP began invested in Oncotelic COVID-19 programs. Being fully capitalized we look forward to rapid progress in bringing needed therapies to patients in both oncology and COVID-19. A robust IPO comparable to similar IPOs would be a strong win for Oncotelic’s shareholders who have been unwavering in their support for finding the cures for these debilitating diseases.” said Dr. Vuong Trieu, CEO and Chairman of Oncotelic.

 

About Oncotelic Therapeutics

 

Oncotelic Therapeutics, Inc. (f/k/a Mateon Therapeutics, Inc.) (“Oncotelic”), was formed in the State of New York in 1988 as OXiGENE, Inc., was reincorporated in the State of Delaware in 1992, and changed its name to Mateon Therapeutics, Inc. in 2016, and Oncotelic Therapeutics, Inc. in November 2020.

 

Oncotelic is artificial intelligence driven immuno-oncology company with a robust pipeline of first in class TGF-β immunotherapies for late stage cancers such as gliomas, pancreatic cancer and melanoma. OT-101, the lead immuno-oncology drug candidate of Oncotelic, is a first-in-class anti-TGF-β RNA therapeutic that exhibited single agent activity in relapsed/refractory cancer patients. OT-101 also has shown activity against SARS-CoV-2 and has completed a phase 2 trial against COVID-19 with data cleaning and datalock ongoing. Oncotelic is seeking to leverage its deep expertise in oncology drug development to improve treatment outcomes and survival of cancer patients with a special emphasis on rare pediatric cancers. Oncotelic also has rare pediatric designation for DIPG (OT-101), melanoma (CA4P), and AML (OXi 4503). The Company also acquired PointR Data Inc. (“PointR”) in November 2019. The PointR Acquisition was intended to create a publicly traded

 

For more information, please visit www.oncotelic.com and www.mateon.com.

 

 
 

 

Oncotelic’s Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this communication regarding strategy, future operations, future financial position, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. Words such as “may”, “expect”, “anticipate” “hope”, “vision”, “optimism”, “design”, “exciting”, “promising”, “will”, “conviction”, “estimate,” “intend,” “believe”, “quest for a cure of cancer”, “innovation-driven”, “paradigm-shift”, “high scientific merit”, “impact potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements about future plans, the progress, timing, clinical development, scope and success of future clinical trials, the reporting of clinical data for the company’s product candidates and the potential use of the company’s product candidates to treat various cancer indications. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Many factors may cause differences between current expectations and actual results, including unexpected safety or efficacy data observed during preclinical or clinical studies, clinical trial site activation or enrollment rates that are lower than expected, changes in expected or existing competition, changes in the regulatory environment, failure of collaborators to support or advance collaborations or product candidates and unexpected litigation or other disputes. These risks are not exhaustive, the company faces known and unknown risks, including the risk factors described in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on May 20, 2020 and in the company’s other periodic filings. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, whether as a result of new information future events, or otherwise.

 

Contact Information:

For Oncotelic Therapeutics, Inc.:

Amit Shah

ashah@oncotelic.com

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.2