Flex Pharma,Inc. (NASDAQ:FLKS) Files An 8-K Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal ActivitiesItem 2.05. Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.
On June 8, 2018, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Flex Pharma, Inc. (the “Company”) approved a corporate restructuring plan to reduce its cost structure. Additionally, the Board and management team have initiated a process to explore a range of strategic alternatives for enhancing stockholder value, including the potential sale or merger of the Company.The Board has established a Strategic Committee that will work with management to oversee this process. Wedbush PacGrow has been engaged to act as the Company’s strategic financial advisor. There can be no assurance that this process will result in any such transaction and the Company does not intend to disclose additional details unless and until it has entered into a specific transaction.
In connection with the restructuring plan, the Company plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 60%, with the majority of the reduction in personnel expected to be completed by June30, 2018. As a result, the Company expects to realize annualized cost savings beginning in the third quarter of 2018. The Company estimates that it will incur one-time costs of approximately $0.8 million to $1.1 million in the form of termination benefits related to the restructuring plan.
The Company believes that the aforementioned exit costs currently represent its best estimates of the anticipated charges to be incurred; although there may be additional charges recognized as additional actions are identified and finalized.As particular actions are finalized and the Company is able to make good faith determinations of additional estimated costs and future cash expenditures associated with such actions, the Company intends to file amendments to the Current Report on Form8-K, as required by Item 2.05 of Form8-K, or report such costs or charges in its periodic reports, as appropriate.
This Item 2.05 contains forward-looking statements, including information regarding the Company’s corporate restructuring plan. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and inherently involve significant risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties. A further description of the risks and uncertainties relating to the business of the Company is contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 7, 2018, and the Company’s subsequent current and periodic reports filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this Item 2.05 as a result of new information, future events or changes in its expectations.
Item 2.05. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
In connection with the Company’s restructuring plan, Dr. Thomas Wessel, M.D., Ph.D., will transition from his role as the Company's Chief Medical Officer to an outside advisor to the Company on June 26, 2018. In connection with this transition, Dr. Wessel's employment was terminated and the Company entered into an Advisor Agreement with Dr. Wessel to which Dr. Wessel will primarily advise the Company during its strategic assessment process. Under the terms of the Advisor Agreement, Dr. Wessel's vested stock options will be exercisable for a period of one year after termination of the Advisor Agreement. The Advisor Agreement may be terminated by either party upon 30 days' notice.
In addition, to the terms of Dr. Wessel’s Separation Agreement with the Company, Dr. Wessel will receive a lump sum payment equal to nine months’ base salary, totaling $257,250, following his termination date, and a portion of the monthly COBRA insurance payments for Dr. Wessel during the nine month period following the termination date.
The foregoing descriptions of the Advisor Agreement and Separation Agreement are only summaries and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Advisor Agreement and Separation Agreement, copies of which will be filed as exhibits to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2018.
Item 2.05Other Events.
On June 13, 2018, the Company announced that it is ending its ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial investigations of FLX-787 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Charcot-Marie-Tooth due to oral tolerability concerns observed in both studies in a subset of patients being treated with the oral disintegrating tablet formulation at 30 mg, taken three times a day. The Company will continue to operate with a reduced internal team that will focus their efforts on assessing the potential of FLX-787 in dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and operating the HOTSHOT consumer business while the strategic review is ongoing.
About Flex Pharma,Inc. (NASDAQ:FLKS)
Flex Pharma, Inc. is a biotechnology company. The Company develops treatments for nocturnal leg cramps, muscle cramps and spasms associated with severe neuromuscular conditions, and exercise associated muscle cramps (EAMCs). The Company’s product candidates activate certain receptors in primary sensory neurons, which then act through neuronal circuits to reduce the repetitive firing, or hyperexcitability, of alpha-motor neurons in the spinal cord, thereby preventing or reducing the frequency and intensity of muscle cramps and spasms. The Company operates through developing and commercializing products for nocturnal leg cramps, muscle cramps, spasms and spasticity associated with severe neuromuscular conditions, and exercise-associated muscle cramps segment. The Company’s lead drug product candidate is FLX-787, which is in the Phase II clinical trial stage. It is developing a consumer brand and products specifically formulated to treat athletes suffering from EAMCs.
