GALENA BIOPHARMA, INC. (NASDAQ:GALE) Files An 8-K Other Events

Other Events.

SEC Investigation

On December 22, 2016, Galena Biopharma, Inc. (Galena) and its former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) reached an agreement in principle to a proposed settlement that would resolve an investigation by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) involving conduct in the period 2012-2014 regarding the commissioning of internet publications by outside promotional firms.

Under the terms of the proposed settlement framework, Galena and the former CEO would consent to the entry of an administrative order requiring that we and the former CEO cease and desist from any future violations of Sections 5(a), 5(b), 5(c), 17(a), and 17(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 10(b), 13(a), and 13(b)(2)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and various rules thereunder, without admitting or denying the findings in the order. Based upon the proposed settlement framework, the Company will make a $200,000 penalty payment. In addition to other remedies, the proposed settlement framework would require the former CEO to make a disgorgement and prejudgment interest payment as well as a penalty payment to the Commission. To address the issues raised by the SEC staff’s investigation, in addition to previous governance enhancements we have implemented, we have voluntarily undertaken to implement a number of remedial actions relating to securities offerings and our interactions with investor relations and public relations firms. The proposed settlement is subject to approval by the Commission and would acknowledge our cooperation in the investigation and confirm our voluntary undertaking to continue that cooperation. If the Commission does not approve the settlement, we may need to enter into further discussions with the SEC staff to resolve the investigated matters on different terms and conditions. As a result, there can be no assurance as to the final terms of any resolution including its financial impact or any future adjustment to the financial statements.

A special committee of the board of directors has determined in response to an indemnification claim by the former CEO that we are required under Delaware law to indemnify our former CEO for the disgorgement and prejudgment interest payment of approximately $750,000 that he would be required to pay if and when the settlement is approved by the Commission. Any penalty payment that the former CEO will be required to make in connection with this matter ($600,000 under the proposed settlement framework) will be the responsibility of the former CEO.

About GALENA BIOPHARMA, INC. (NASDAQ:GALE)
Galena Biopharma, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company. The Company focuses on developing and commercializing targeted oncology therapeutics that address unmet medical needs. The Company’s development portfolio ranges from mid- to late-stage clinical assets, including cancer immunotherapy program led by NeuVax (nelipepimut-S), GALE-301 and GALE-302. The Company’s NeuVax is in Phase III breast cancer clinical trial with several concurrent Phase II trials ongoing both as a single agent and in combination with other therapies. GALE-301 is in a Phase IIa clinical trial in ovarian and endometrial cancers and in a Phase Ib clinical trial given sequentially with GALE-302. The Company’s therapies utilize an immunodominant peptide combined with the immune adjuvant, recombinant human granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF, Leukine), and work by harnessing the patient’s own immune system to seek out and attack any residual cancer cells. GALENA BIOPHARMA, INC. (NASDAQ:GALE) Recent Trading Information
GALENA BIOPHARMA, INC. (NASDAQ:GALE) closed its last trading session up +0.03 at 1.98 with 380,883 shares trading hands.