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EX-10.1 - EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT - Kindred Biosciences, Inc.exhibit101-amendmentno3toe.htm
EX-4.1 - RIGHTS AGREEMENT - Kindred Biosciences, Inc.exhibit41-kindredrightsagr.htm
EX-3.1 - CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION - Kindred Biosciences, Inc.exhibit31-certificateofdes.htm



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 19, 2017


KINDRED BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



 
 
 
 
 
Delaware
 
001-36225
 
46-1160142
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1555 Bayshore Highway, Suite 200, Burlingame, California 94010
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(650) 701-7901
(Registrant’s telephone number, include area code)
N/A
(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:
o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
x
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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 x
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. x






Item 1.01
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On May 19, 2017, the Board of Directors of Kindred Biosciences, Inc. (the “Company”) declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”). The dividend is payable to the stockholders of record at the close of business on June 1, 2017 (the “Record Date”). The Rights will also attach to shares of Common Stock issued after the Record Date. Each Right initially entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Preferred Stock”) at a price of $25.00 per one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (the “Purchase Price”), subject to adjustment. The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement dated as of May 19, 2017, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Rights Agreement”), between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent (the “Rights Agent”).
Until the earlier to occur of (i) 10 business days following a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons has become an Acquiring Person (as defined below) or (ii) 10 business days (or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors of the Company prior to such time as any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an Acquiring Person) following the commencement of, or public announcement of an intention to make, a tender or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becoming an Acquiring Person (the earlier of such dates being called the “Distribution Date”), the Rights will be evidenced, with respect to certificates representing Common Stock (or book entry shares of Common Stock) outstanding as of the Record Date, by such certificates (or such book entry shares) together with a copy of a summary of the Rights (the “Summary of Rights”). Except in certain situations, a person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an “Acquiring Person” upon acquiring beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. No such person or group having beneficial ownership of 20% or more of such outstanding shares at the time of the first announcement of adoption of the rights plan reflected in the Rights Agreement will be deemed an Acquiring Person until such time as such person or group becomes the beneficial owner of additional shares of Common Stock (other than by reason of a stock dividend, stock split or other corporate action effected by the Company in which all holders of Common Stock are treated equally).
The Rights Agreement provides that, until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the Rights will be transferred with and only with the Common Stock. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), new Common Stock certificates issued after the Record Date upon transfer or new issuances of Common Stock will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the surrender for transfer of any certificates for shares of Common Stock (or book entry shares of Common Stock) outstanding as of the Record Date, even without such notation or a copy of the Summary of Rights, will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the shares of Common Stock represented thereby. As soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights (“Right Certificates”) will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Stock as of the close of business on the Distribution Date and such separate Right Certificates alone will evidence the Rights.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The Rights will expire on May 18, 2020 (the “Final Expiration Date”), unless the Final Expiration Date is extended or the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company as described below. In addition, the Company will seek stockholder approval of the Rights Agreement at the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company to be held on July 24, 2017 (or any adjournment thereof). If the stockholders' approval of the Rights Agreement is not obtained at that annual meeting of stockholders (or any adjournment thereof), the Rights will expire.
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of shares of Preferred Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights is subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Preferred Stock, (ii) upon the grant to holders of the Preferred Stock of certain rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Stock at a price, or securities convertible into Preferred Stock with a conversion price, less than the then-current market price of the Preferred Stock or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular periodic cash dividends or dividends payable in Preferred Stock) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to above).
The number of outstanding Rights is subject to adjustment in the event of a stock dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock or subdivisions, consolidations or combinations of the Common Stock occurring, in any such case, prior to the Distribution Date.





Each share of Preferred Stock will be entitled, when, as and if declared, to a minimum preferential quarterly dividend payment of the greater of (a) $10.00 per share, and (b) an amount (subject to certain adjustments) equal to 1,000 times the dividend declared per share of Common Stock. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of the Preferred Stock will be entitled to a minimum preferential payment of the greater of (a) $10.00 per share (plus any accrued but unpaid dividends), and (b) an amount equal to 1,000 times the payment made per share of Common Stock. Each share of Preferred Stock will (subject to certain adjustments) have 1,000 votes, voting together with the Common Stock. Finally, in the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which outstanding shares of Common Stock are converted or exchanged, each share of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive 1,000 times the amount received per share of Common Stock. These rights are protected by customary anti-dilution provisions.
Because of the nature of the Preferred Stock’s dividend, liquidation and voting rights, the value of the one one-thousandth interest in a share of Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of each Right should approximate the value of one share of Common Stock.
In the event that any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right, other than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person (which will thereupon become void), will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise of a Right that number of shares of Common Stock having a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.
In the event that, after a person or group has become an Acquiring Person, the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are sold, proper provisions will be made so that each holder of a Right (other than Rights beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person which will have become void) will thereafter have the right to receive upon the exercise of a Right that number of shares of common stock of the person with whom the Company has engaged in the foregoing transaction (or its parent) that at the time of such transaction have a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.
At any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person and prior to the earlier of one of the events described in the previous paragraph or the acquisition by such Acquiring Person of 50% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Board of Directors of the Company may exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by such Acquiring Person which will have become void), in whole or in part, for shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock (or a series of the Company’s preferred stock having equivalent rights, preferences and privileges), at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock, or a fractional share of Preferred Stock (or other preferred stock) equivalent in value thereto, per Right.
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in such Purchase Price. No fractional shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock will be issued (other than fractions of Preferred Stock which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock, which may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts), and in lieu thereof an adjustment in cash will be made based on the current market price of the Preferred Stock or the Common Stock.
At any time prior to the time an Acquiring Person becomes such, the Board of Directors of the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.0001 per Right (the “Redemption Price”) payable, at the option of the Company, in cash, shares of Common Stock or such other form of consideration as the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine. The redemption of the Rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board of Directors of the Company in its sole discretion may establish. Immediately upon any redemption of the Rights, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the Redemption Price.
For so long as the Rights are then redeemable, the Company may, except with respect to the Redemption Price, amend the Rights Agreement in any manner. After the Rights are no longer redeemable, the Company may, except with respect to the Redemption Price, amend the Rights Agreement in any manner that does not adversely affect the interests of holders of the Rights.
Until a Right is exercised or exchanged, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.
The Rights Agreement and the Certificate of Designations of Series A Preferred Stock are attached hereto as exhibits and incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the Rights does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibits.





As of April 28, 2017, there were 23,310,559 shares of the Company’s Common Stock issued and outstanding. 100,000 shares of Preferred Stock have been reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the Rights.    
Additional Information and Where to Find It
The Company intends to file a proxy statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) with respect to its 2017 Annual Meeting. The Company stockholders are strongly encouraged to read any such proxy statement, the accompanying white proxy card and other documents filed with the SEC carefully in their entirety when they become available because they will contain important information. Stockholders will be able to obtain any proxy statement, any amendments or supplements to the proxy statement and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies also will be available free of charge at the Company’s website at www.KindredBio.com or by contacting the Company’s Investor Relations at (650) 701-7904. The Company, its directors, executive officers and other employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s stockholders in connection with the matters to be considered at KindredBio’s 2017 Annual Meeting. Information about certain current directors and executive officers of the Company is available in the Company’s proxy statement, dated April 8, 2016, for its 2016 Annual Meeting. To the extent holdings of the Company’s securities by such directors or executive officers have changed since the amounts printed in the 2016 proxy statement, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. More detailed information regarding the identity of potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement and other materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the Company's 2017 Annual Meeting.
Item 3.03
Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.
The information set forth in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated into this Item 3.03 by reference.
Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On May 19, 2017, the Company and Denise Bevers, the Company's Chief Operating Officer, entered into Amendment No. 3 to Ms. Bevers's employment agreement dated June 20, 2013 as amended by Amendment No. 1 on November 11, 2013 and Amendment No. 2 on June 4, 2015 (the “Amendment”).
The Amendment provides for an increase in the payment to Ms. Bevers upon termination by the Company without cause or by Ms. Bevers with good reason, as defined in the employment agreement, from twelve (12) months of Ms. Bevers’s then current base salary to eighteen (18) months of her then current base salary.
Item 5.03
Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
In connection with the adoption of the Rights Agreement described in Item 1.01 above, the Board of Directors approved a Certificate of Designation of Series A Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designation”).  The Certificate of Designation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and became effective on May 23, 2017.  The Certificate of Designation is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 is incorporated herein by reference.  The description of the rights and preferences of the Series A Preferred Stock in Item 1.01 is incorporated herein by reference.







Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)    Exhibits
Exhibit No.
 
Description
3.1
 
Certificate of Designations of Series A Preferred Stock of Kindred Biosciences, Inc.
4.1
 
Rights Agreement, dated as of May 19, 2017, between Kindred Biosciences, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent.
10.1
 
Amendment No. 3 dated May 19, 2017 to Employment Agreement between Kindred Biosciences, Inc. and Denise Bevers, dated June 20, 2013 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated November 11, 2013 and Amendment No. 2 dated June 4, 2015).






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.
 
KINDRED BIOSCIENCES, INC.
 
 
 
 
Date: May 24, 2017
By: /s/ Richard Chin         
 
   Richard Chin, M.D.
 
   President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 






EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
 
Description
3.1
 
Certificate of Designations of Series A Preferred Stock of Kindred Biosciences, Inc.
4.1
 
Rights Agreement, dated as of May 19, 2017, between Kindred Biosciences, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent.
10.1
 
Amendment No. 3 dated June May 19, 2017 to Employment Agreement between Kindred Biosciences, Inc. and Denise Bevers, dated June 20, 2013 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated November 11, 2013 and Amendment No. 2 dated June 4, 2015)