8-K

NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS (NKTR)

8-K 2023-02-28 For: 2023-02-28
View Original
Added on April 04, 2026

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the SecuritiesExchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): February

28, 2023

NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


Delaware 0-24006 94-3134940
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS EmployerIdentification No.)

455 Mission Bay Boulevard South

San Francisco, California 94158

(Address of Principal Executive Offices and ZipCode)


Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (415) 482-5300

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:

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(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value NKTR NASDAQ Global Select Market

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 FinancialCondition.

On February 28, 2023, Nektar Therapeutics, a Delaware corporation (“Nektar”), issued a press release (the “Press Release”) announcing its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022. A copy of the Press Release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

The information in this report, including the exhibit hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section. The information contained herein and in the accompanying exhibit shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission made by Nektar, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.


(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit No. Description
99.1 Press release titled “Nektar Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2022 Financial Results”
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (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.

NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS
Date: February 28, 2023 By: /s/ Mark A. Wilson
Mark A. Wilson
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

Exhibit 99.1

NektarTherapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2022 Financial Results

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2022.

Cash and investments in marketable securities at December 31, 2022, were approximately $505.0 million as compared to $798.8 million at December 31, 2021.

"We are committed to ensuring that our existing cash can support a runway through at least the middle of 2025," said Howard W. Robin, President and CEO of Nektar. "This will enable us to advance our current pipeline to reach value-enhancing milestones. As a result, and as we stated on our analyst call last week, we will be making additional changes at Nektar to significantly reduce operating costs to meet that commitment."

Summary of FinancialResults

Revenue in the fourth quarter of 2022 was $22.0 million as compared to $25.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $92.1 million as compared to $101.9 million in 2021. Revenue for 2022 was lower compared to 2021, driven by a decrease in non-cash royalty revenue.

Total operating costs and expenses in the fourth quarter of 2022 were $74.5 million as compared to $137.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. Total operating costs and expenses for the full year 2022 were $468.2 million as compared to $548.0 million in 2021. Operating costs and expenses for both the fourth quarter and the full year 2022 decreased as compared to 2021 primarily due to the wind down of the bempegaldesleukin program, partially offset by severance expense and non-cash lease and equipment impairment charges.

R&D expense in the fourth quarter of 2022 was $34.7 million as compared to $99.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2021. R&D expense for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $218.3 million as compared to $400.3 million in 2021. R&D expense decreased for both the fourth quarter and full year 2022 primarily due to the wind down of the bempegaldesleukin program. The clinical trial and related employee compensation costs for the wind down of the bempegaldesleukin program are reported in restructuring, impairment and other costs of terminated program, discussed below.

G&A expense was $21.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and $32.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. G&A expense for the full year 2022 was $92.3 million as compared to $122.8 million in 2021. G&A expense decreased for both the fourth quarter and full year 2022 primarily due to the wind down of the bempegaldesleukin program.

Restructuring, impairment and other costs of the terminated program were $11.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and $135.9 million in the full year 2022. The full year 2022 amount includes $65.8 million in non-cash lease and equipment impairment charges, $30.9 million in employee severance expense and $31.7 million for clinical trial and related employee compensation costs for the wind down of the bempegaldesleukin program, as well as $7.5 million in other restructuring costs.

Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2022 was $59.7 million or $0.32 basic and diluted loss per share as compared to a net loss of $145.6 million or $0.79 basic and diluted loss per share in the fourth quarter of 2021. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $368.2 million or $1.97 basic and diluted loss per share as compared to a net loss of $523.8 million or $2.86 basic and diluted loss per share in 2021.

On February 23, 2023, Nektar announced topline data from a Phase 2 study of rezpegaldesleukin in adults with moderately-to-severely active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (https://ir.nektar.com/news-releases/news-release-details/nektar-therapeutics-announces-phase-2-topline-data) and conducted a call with analysts and investors.

As a result of this call, Nektar will not host its regular quarterly financial results conference call for the fourth quarter and year-end 2022.  Nektar's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 was filed on February 28, 2023.

About Nektar Therapeutics

Nektar Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company with a robust, wholly owned R&D pipeline of investigational medicines in oncology and immunology as well as a portfolio of approved partnered medicines. Nektar is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with additional operations in Huntsville, Alabama. Further information about the company and its drug development programs and capabilities may be found online at http://www.nektar.com.

Cautionary NoteRegarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press releasecontains forward-looking statements which can be identified by words such as: "will," "may," "advance,""support," "develop," "provide" and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statementsinclude, among others, statements we make regarding the therapeutic potential of, and future development plans for rezpegaldesleukin(formerly NKTR-358), NKTR-255 and our other drug candidates in research programs, the prospects and plans for our collaborations withother companies, the timing of the initiation of clinical studies and the data readouts for our drug candidates, our expectations (includingour expected charges and cost savings) following our 2022 corporate restructuring and  reorganization plan and workforce reduction,and our expected working capital and cash runway. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance.Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plansand strategies, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate tothe future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many ofwhich are outside of our control. Our actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore,you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materiallyfrom those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others: (i) our statements regarding the therapeutic potentialof rezpegaldesleukin, NKTR-255 and our other drug candidates are based on preclinical and clinical findings and observations and aresubject to change as research and development continue; (ii) rezpegaldesleukin, NKTR-255 and our other drug candidates are investigationalagents and continued research and development for these drug candidates is subject to substantial risks, including negative safety andefficacy findings in ongoing clinical studies (notwithstanding positive findings in earlier preclinical and clinical studies); (iii)rezpegaldesleukin, NKTR-255 and our other drug candidates are in various stages of clinical development and the risk of failure is highand can unexpectedly occur at any stage prior to regulatory approval; (iv) the timing of the commencement or end of clinical trials andthe availability of clinical data may be delayed or unsuccessful due to challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, regulatory delays,slower than anticipated patient enrollment, manufacturing challenges, changing standards of care, evolving regulatory requirements, clinicaltrial design, clinical outcomes, competitive factors, or delay or failure in ultimately obtaining regulatory approval in one or moreimportant markets; (v) we may not achieve the expected cost savings we expect from our 2022 corporate restructuring and reorganizationplan and we may undertake additional restructuring and cost-saving activities in the future, (vi) patents may not issue from our patentapplications for our drug candidates, patents that have issued may not be enforceable, or additional intellectual property licenses fromthird parties may be required; and (vii) certain other important risks and uncertainties set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-Kfiled with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2023. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press releaseis based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligationto update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information,future developments or otherwise.

Contact:

**For Investors:**Vivian Wu of Nektar Therapeutics

628-895-0661

**For Media:**David Rosen of Argot Partners

(212) 600-1902

david.rosen@argotpartners.com

NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
ASSETS December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 (1)
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 88,227 $ 25,218
Short-term investments 416,750 708,737
Accounts receivable 5,981 22,492
Inventory 19,202 15,801
Other current assets 15,808 23,333
Total current assets 545,968 795,581
Long-term investments - 64,828
Property, plant and equipment, net 32,451 60,510
Operating lease right-of-use assets 53,435 117,025
Goodwill 76,501 76,501
Other assets 2,245 2,744
Total assets $ 710,600 $ 1,117,189
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 12,980 $ 9,747
Accrued compensation 9,582 15,735
Accrued clinical trial expenses 12,262 26,809
Other accrued expenses 14,713 15,468
Operating lease liabilities, current portion 18,667 17,441
Total current liabilities 68,204 85,200
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion 112,829 125,736
Development derivative liability - 27,726
Liabilities related to the sales of future royalties, net 155,378 195,427
Other long-term liabilities 7,551 3,592
Total liabilities 343,962 437,681
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock 19 19
Capital in excess of par value 3,574,719 3,516,641
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (6,907 ) (4,157 )
Accumulated deficit (3,201,193 ) (2,832,995 )
Total stockholders' equity 366,638 679,508
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 710,600 $ 1,117,189

(1) The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2022 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for complete financial statements.

NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED<br> STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share information)
(Unaudited)
Three months ended December 31, Year ended December 31,
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2022 2021 2022 2021
Revenue:
Product sales $ 4,379 $ 5,890 $ 20,348 $ 23,725
Non-cash royalty revenue related to the sales of future royalties 17,627 19,079 69,794 77,746
License, collaboration and other revenue 17 40 1,913 436
Total revenue 22,023 25,009 92,055 101,907
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold 6,233 6,163 21,635 24,897
Research and development 34,740 99,614 218,323 400,269
General and administrative 21,939 32,142 92,333 122,844
Restructuring, impairment and other costs of terminated program 11,580 - 135,930 -
Total operating costs and expenses 74,492 137,919 468,221 548,010
Loss from operations (52,469 ) (112,910 ) (376,166 ) (446,103 )
Non-operating income (expense):
Change in fair value of development derivative liability - (383 ) 33,427 (8,023 )
Non-cash interest expense on liabilities related to the sales of future royalties (7,201 ) (8,127 ) (28,911 ) (47,313 )
Loss on revaluation of liability related to the sale of future royalties - (24,410 ) - (24,410 )
Interest income and other income (expense), net 3,126 181 6,667 2,569
Total non-operating income (expense), net (4,075 ) (32,739 ) 11,183 (77,177 )
Loss before provision for income taxes (56,544 ) (145,649 ) (364,983 ) (523,280 )
Provision for income taxes 3,144 (4 ) 3,215 557
Net loss $ (59,688 ) $ (145,645 ) $ (368,198 ) $ (523,837 )
Basic and diluted net loss per share $ (0.32 ) $ (0.79 ) $ (1.97 ) $ (2.86 )
Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share 188,237 184,964 187,138 183,298
NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS
---
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED<br> STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
--- --- --- --- --- ---
2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss (368,198 ) $ (523,837 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Non-cash royalty revenue related to the sales of future royalties (69,794 ) (77,746 )
Non-cash interest expense on liabilities related to the sales of future royalties 28,911 47,313
Loss on revaluation of liability related to the sale of future royalties - 24,410
Change in fair value of development derivative liability (33,427 ) 8,023
Non-cash research and development expense 4,951 16,703
Stock-based compensation 57,320 94,674
Depreciation and amortization 13,030 14,146
Deferred income tax expense 2,708 (102 )
Impairment of right-of-use asset and property, plant and equipment 65,761 -
(Gain) loss on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment, net (3,326 ) -
Amortization of premiums (discounts), net and other non-cash transactions (2,435 ) 6,730
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 16,511 12,397
Inventory (3,401 ) (509 )
Operating leases, net (2,680 ) 2,340
Other assets 6,906 (2,586 )
Accounts payable 3,103 (11,690 )
Accrued compensation (6,153 ) 1,203
Other accrued expenses (12,734 ) (23,524 )
Deferred revenue (1,060 ) (605 )
Net cash used in operating activities (304,007 ) (412,660 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments (467,914 ) (960,689 )
Maturities of investments 826,229 1,166,951
Sales of investments - 11,504
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (5,676 ) (14,989 )
Sales of property, plant and equipment 13,196 -
Net cash provided by investing activities 365,835 202,777
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from sale of future royalties, net of 3.8 million of transaction costs - -
Repayment of senior notes - -
Cash receipts from development derivative liability 750 3,000
Proceeds from shares issued under equity compensation plans 758 33,238
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 1,508 36,238
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents (327 ) (92 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 63,009 (173,737 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 25,218 198,955
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 88,227 $ 25,218
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes 272 $ 325
Operating lease right-of-use assets recognized in exchange for lease liabilities - $ 1,057

All values are in US Dollars.