8-K

 

 

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 8, 2014

 

 

ALDEYRA THERAPEUTICS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

001-36332   20-1968197

(Commission

File No.)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

15 New England Executive Park

Burlington, MA 01803

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (781) 270-0630

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:

 

¨ 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))

 

 

 


Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure

Aldeyra Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company” or “Aldeyra”) today announced that new data supporting its lead product candidate, NS2 will be presented as an abstract poster at the Society for Investigative Dermatology 2014 Annual Meeting, being held May 7, 2014 through May 10, 2014, in Albuquerque, New Mexico (the “SID Annual Meeting”). The abstract will be presented at the Poster Session 1 on Thursday, May 8, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Mountain Time in the NE Exhibit Hall of the Albuquerque Convention Center. In addition, the abstract was selected for discussion at the invitation-only Academic/Industry Session that follows the Academic-Industry Partnership Project during the Satellite Symposium being held on Thursday, May 8, 2014 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time. The poster that will be used for such presentations is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. Aldeyra issued a press release on May 8, 2014 announcing the Company’s participation at the SID Annual Meeting, which is furnished as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Various statements to be made during the presentation, including statements in the poster furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K, are “forward-looking statements” under the securities laws. Words such as, but not limited to, “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “targets,” “likely,” “will,” “would,” and “could,” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions or words, identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations that involve risks, changes in circumstances, assumptions and uncertainties.

Aldeyra is at an early stage of development and may not ever have any products that generate significant revenue. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in Aldeyra’s forward-looking statements include, among others, the timing and success of preclinical studies and clinical trials conducted by Aldeyra and its development partners; the ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of Aldeyra’s product candidates, and the labeling for any approved products; the scope, progress, expansion, and costs of developing and commercializing Aldeyra’s product candidates; the size and growth of the potential markets for Aldeyra’s product candidates and the ability to serve those markets; Aldeyra’s expectations regarding Aldeyra’s expenses and revenue; the sufficiency of Aldeyra’s cash resources and needs for additional financing; Aldeyra’s ability to attract or retain key personnel; and other factors that are described in the “Risk Factors” section of Aldeyra’s final prospectus filed under Rule 424(b)(4) with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with Aldeyra’s initial public offering. No forward-looking statements can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from such statements.

All written and verbal forward-looking statements attributable to Aldeyra or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to herein. Aldeyra cautions investors not to rely too heavily on the forward-looking statements Aldeyra makes or that are made on its behalf. The information conveyed during the presentation and on the poster attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K will be provided only as of the date of the SID Annual Meeting, and the Company undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines any obligation, to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements contained in such poster or presentation from and after the date of the SID Annual Meeting whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The information in Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and the Exhibits attached hereto shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.


Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

99.1   Presentation poster
99.2   Press Release


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.

 

ALDEYRA THERAPEUTICS, INC.

By:

  /s/ Todd C. Brady, M.D., Ph.D.
  Name: Todd C. Brady, M.D., Ph.D.
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

Dated: May 8, 2014


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

99.1   Presentation poster
99.2   Press Release
EX-99.1
NS2, a novel aldehyde trap, decreases aldehyde levels in dry
skin and eye models
Scott L. Young
1
, Todd C. Brady
1
, Eduardo Perez
2
, Maxwell Stock
2
, Jose R. Fernandez
2
1
Aldeyra Therapeutics, Inc., Burlington, MA
2
Signum Dermalogix, Inc., Monmouth Junction, NJ
Dry
conditions
induce
aldehyde
generation
in
human
dermal
and
ocular
tissue.
Cream
placebo
used
for
NS2
active
formulations
and
NS2
creams
between
0.05-0.1%
are
unlikely
skin
irritants
when
topically
applied
twice
a
day
(12
hours
between
appli-
cation).
In
topical
dermatologic
and
eye
drop
formulations,
NS2
has
significant
aldehyde
trapping
activity
in
human
dermal
and
ocular
tissue
subjected
to
dry
conditions.
Topically
applied
NS2
could
be
a
safe
and
effective
treatment
for
diseases
characterized
by
dry
tissue.
Dry
environmental
conditions
(high
temperature,
low
humidity)
can
promote
lipid
oxidation
and
induce
elevated
levels
of
aldehyde
species
that
may
damage
lipid-rich
moisture
barriers
in
skin
and
eye,
generating
further
dryness.
Deficiencies
in
aldehyde
dehydrogenase
activity
in
Sjögren-
Larsson
Syndrome,
for
example,
may
lead
to
high
aldehyde
levels
and
damage
to
the
dermal
moisture
barrier
that
causes
the
severe
ichthyosis
characteristic
of
the
disease.
Since
patients
with
dry
eye
syndrome
manifest
elevated
aldehyde
levels
in
tears,
aldehydes
may
also
compromise
the
moisture
barrier
in
the
eye
and
thereby
exacerbate
dryness.
Thus,
lowering
aldehyde
levels
may
represent
a
novel
therapeutic
approach
for
treating
dryskinandeye conditions.
Fig 1. Dry skin and Dry eye conditions
Fig 4. NS2 cream formulations do not
affect viability of 3D skin models
NS2
cream
formulations
were
tested
for
skin
irritation
in
reconstructed
human
epidermis.
EpiDerm
(MatTek®)
tissues
were
acclimated
for
24
hours
and
then
treated
topically
twice
(12
hours
apart)
with
NS2
cream
formulations
(0.05%
and
0.1%
w/v)
or
SDS
(2%
w/v),
used
as
positive
control.
Tissue
viability
levels
were
measured
by
the
MTT
reduction
assay
48
hours
after
treatments.
The
levels
of
tissue
viability
after
each
treatment
were
compared
to
the
untreated
group
to
estimate
the
potential
for
skin
irritation.
(**=
p<0.01)
SIG990
SIG990
SIG990
Abstract
Fig 5. NS2 prevents the increase in aldehyde
levels caused by dry conditions in skin tissue
Summary/Conclusions
Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome
Dry eye
In
a
topical
dermatologic
formulation,
NS2
(0.05%
w/v)
was
administered
to
reconstructed
human
epidermis
under
normal
and
dry
skin
conditions
(DSC).
EpiDerm
(MatTek®)
tissues
were
acclimated
before
treatments
for
24
hours
and
then
treated
topically
with
or
without
NS2.
Tissues
were
incubated
under
normal
(37
°
C;
>40%RH)
or
DSC
(40
°
C;
<40%RH)
for
72
hours.
Malondialdehyde
(MDA)
levels
of
tissue
lysates
were
measured
using
the
TBARS
assay
and
compared
to
untreated
tissue.
(**
=
p<0.01).
Fig 3. Dry conditions increase aldehyde levels
in human tissue
EpiOcular
(MatTek®)
tissues
were
acclimated
before
treatments
for
24
hours
and
then
incubated
under
normal
(37
°
C;
>40%RH)
or
dry-conditions
(40
°
C;
<40%RH)
for
24,
48
and
72
hours.
Malondialdehyde
(MDA)
levels
of
tissue
lysates
were
measured
using
the
TBARS
assay.
(ns
=non
significant;
**=
p<0.01)
Fig 6. NS2 prevents the increase in aldehyde
levels caused by dry conditions in ocular tissue
In
an
eye
drop
formulation,
NS2
(0.5%
w/v)
was
administered
to
reconstructed
human
cornea-like
tissue
under
normal
and
dry
eye
conditions
(DEC).
EpiOcular
(MatTek®)
tissues
were
acclimated
before
treatments
for
24
hours
and
later
treated
topically
with
or
without
NS2.
Tissues
were
incubated
under
normal
(37
°
C;
>40%RH)
or
DEC
(40
°
C;
<40%RH)
for
72
hours.
Malondialdehyde
(MDA)
levels
of
tissue
lysates
were
measured
using
the
TBARS
assay
and
compared
to
untreated
tissue.
(**
=
p<0.01).
Fig 2. NS2: A novel aldehyde trap
Free
aldehydes
are
naturally
occurring
chemical
species
formed
during
a
variety
of
biological
processes,
including
polyamine
and
glucose
metabolism
and
lipid
peroxidation.
Uncontrolled
levels
of
aldehyde
species
can
lead
to
inflammation
via
activation
of
the
NF-Kß
pathway
and
also
damage
key
lipids
that
comprise
the
dermal
moisture
barrier
and
lubricate
the
surface
of
the
eye.
Elevated
levels
of
malondialdehyde
(MDA)
have
been
shown
in
a
variety
of
inflammatory
skin
and
eye
diseases,
including
psoriasis,
atopic
dermatitis,
anterior
uveitis,
and
rosacea.
In
addition,
high
levels
of
fatty
aldehydes
in
Sjögren-Larsson
Syndrome,
an
orphan
disease
caused
by
mutations
in
fatty
acid
aldehyde
dehydrogenase,
lead
to
severe
ichthyosis,
retinal
disease
and
neurological
disorders.
Here,
we
report
the
effect
of
dry
conditions
on
inducing
MDA
levels
in
human
skin
and
eye
tissue
and
the
activity
of
NS2,
a
novel
aldehyde-binding
small
molecule,
in
reducing
levels
of
MDA
generated
by
dry
conditions.
Topical
application
of
NS2
cream
to
three-dimensional
human
skin
equivalents
lowered
MDA
levels
(measured
by
TBARS
assay)
induced
by
dry
skin
conditions.
Moreover,
topical
application
of
NS2
eye
drops
to
three-dimensional
human
cornea-like
tissue
lowered
MDA
levels
induced
by
dry
eye
conditions.
These
results
suggest
that
NS2
could
mitigate
the
toxic
aldehyde
load
that
is
generated
in
dry
skin
and
dry
eye
conditions.
By
trapping
aldehydes,
NS2
may
protect
skin
and
eye
tissue
from
chronic
inflammation
caused
by
aldehydes
that
are
generated
in
dry
conditions,
and
in
addition
may
protect
lipids
that
are
critical
in
preserving
moisture
in
skin
and
eye.
Thus,
NS2
represents
a
potential
novel
compound
that
could
provide
a
dual
benefit
to
individuals
with
dry
skin
or
dry
eyes.
EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

 

LOGO

Aldeyra Therapeutics’ Data on Lead Candidate NS2 to be Presented at Society

for Investigative Dermatology 2014 Annual Meeting

Results Suggest Novel Approach to Treating Dry Skin and Dry Eye Diseases

Burlington, MA, May 8, 2014 – Aldeyra Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALDX) (Aldeyra), a biotechnology company focused on the development of products to treat diseases related to free aldehydes, today announced that new data supporting its lead product candidate, NS2, which is designed to trap aldehydes, will be presented as an abstract poster at the Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) 2014 Annual Meeting, being held May 7, 2014 through May 10, 2014, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The study, titled “NS2, a novel aldehyde trap, decreases aldehyde levels in dry skin and eye models” (Abstract LB793), will be presented during Poster Session I on Thursday, May 8, 2014 from 10am – 12pm (MT) in the NE Exhibit Hall of the Albuquerque Convention Center. In addition, the abstract was selected for discussion at the invitation-only Academic/Industry Session that follows the Academic-Industry Partnership Project during the Satellite Symposium being held on Thursday, May 8 at 12pm – 2 pm (MT).

Researchers studied the effect of dry conditions on inducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels – which have been shown to be elevated in a variety of inflammatory skin and eye diseases – in human skin and eye tissue and the activity of NS2 in reducing levels of MDA generated by dry conditions. The study found that topical application of NS2 cream to three-dimensional human skin equivalents lowered MDA levels (measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, or TBARS, assay) induced by dry skin conditions, and topical application of NS2 eye drops to three-dimensional human cornea-like tissue lowered MDA levels induced by dry eye conditions.

Researchers concluded that in topical dermatologic and eye drop formulations, NS2 has significant aldehyde trapping activity in human dermal and ocular tissue subjected to dry conditions and that topically applied NS2 could be a safe and effective treatment for diseases characterized by dry tissue. Researchers also concluded that dry conditions induce aldehyde generation in human dermal and ocular tissue and that the cream vehicle used for NS2 formulations and NS2 creams between 0.05-0.1% are unlikely skin irritants when topically applied twice a day to human skin equivalents with 12 hours between applications.

NS2 is an aldehyde-binding small molecule based on an innovative platform technology created to bind and trap free aldehydes, which are toxic and pro-inflammatory mediators of numerous diseases, and are thought to impair the formation of moisture barriers in tissue. By decreasing aldehyde load, NS2, in pre-clinical studies, has demonstrated multiple mechanisms of action, including generating an anti-inflammatory response, legion healing, reduction of fibrosis, and protection of a lipid critical to dermal tissue moisture barriers and ocular tear integrity. As a product candidate, NS2 is currently being evaluated to address two underserved skin and eye diseases, Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome and acute anterior uveitis.

Todd C. Brady, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of Aldeyra, commented, “We are excited to present the findings of our recent studies at this year’s SID Annual Meeting. These data demonstrate that our lead product candidate NS2 has the ability to trap free aldehydes and may thereby protect specific lipids


critical to preserving moisture in the skin and eye. Given the results that we have seen, we believe that NS2 can be a viable and effective therapeutic option for patients who suffer from dry skin or dry eye conditions.”

About NS2

NS2, a product candidate that is designed to trap and allow for disposal of free aldehydes, is under development for the treatment of Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome (SLS), a rare disease caused by mutations in an enzyme that metabolizes fatty aldehydes, and acute anterior uveitis, a rare disease characterized by severe inflammation and pain in the anterior eye.

About Aldeyra Therapeutics, Inc.

Aldeyra Therapeutics, Inc, is a biotechnology company focused primarily on the development of products to treat diseases thought to be related to endogenous free aldehydes, a naturally occurring class of toxic molecules. The company has developed NS2, a product candidate designed to trap free aldehydes. Aldeyra plans to begin clinical testing of NS2 in 2014 for the treatment of Sjögren-Larsson Syndrome and acute anterior uveitis. NS2 has not been approved for sale in the U.S. or elsewhere. www.aldeyra.com

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding Aldeyra’s plans for its product candidates. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “objective,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “can,” “would,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “project,” “target,” “design,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “plan” or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations that involve risks, changes in circumstances, assumptions and uncertainties. Aldeyra is at an early stage of development and may not ever have any products that generate significant revenue. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in Aldeyra’s forward-looking statements include, among others, the timing and success of preclinical studies and clinical trials conducted by Aldeyra and its development partners; the ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval of Aldeyra’s product candidates, and the labeling for any approved products; the scope, progress, expansion, and costs of developing and commercializing Aldeyra’s product candidates; the size and growth of the potential markets for Aldeyra’s product candidates and the ability to serve those markets; Aldeyra’s expectations regarding Aldeyra’s expenses and revenue, the sufficiency of Aldeyra’s cash resources and needs for additional financing; Aldeyra’s ability to attract or retain key personnel; and other factors that are described in the “Risk Factors” section of Aldeyra’s final prospectus filed under Rule 424(b)(4) with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with Aldeyra’s initial public offering. No forward-looking statements can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from such statements. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and Aldeyra undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Investor Contact:

David Burke/Lee Roth

The Ruth Group

Tel: 646-536-7009/7012

dburke@theruthgroup.com

lroth@theruthgroup.com