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): March 28, 2018  

Molecular Templates, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware	001-32979	94-3409596
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

9301 Amberglen Blvd, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78729

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(512) 869-1555
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

(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))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2). 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 Financial Condition.

On March 28, 2018, Molecular Templates, Inc. (the “Company”) announced its financial results for the quarter and the year ended December 31, 2017. The full text of the press release issued in connection with the announcement is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information contained in this Item 2.02 and in the press release furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or Sections 11 and 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1993, as amended. The information contained in this Item 2.02 and in the press release furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this current report on Form 8-K shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission made by the Company whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit 99.1. Press release dated March 28, 2018

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.

	Molecular Templates, Inc.
Date: March 28, 2018	By:	/s/ Eric E. Poma, Ph.D.
		Eric E. Poma, Ph.D.
		Chief Executive Officer

EX-99.1 2 exh_991.htm PRESS RELEASE

EXHIBIT 99.1

Molecular Templates, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2017 Financial Results

Update on MT-3724 Provided at World ADC Conference; More Data Expected in 2Q18

Upcoming Presentations at AACR Conference to Feature Data on PD-L1 Antigen Seeding ETB and HER2 ETB

AUSTIN, Texas, March 28, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Molecular Templates, Inc. (Nasdaq:MTEM) (“Molecular”), a clinical-stage oncology company focused on the discovery and development of the company’s proprietary engineered toxin bodies (ETBs), which are differentiated, targeted, biologic therapeutics for cancer, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter of 2017. As of December 31, 2017, cash and cash equivalents totaled $58.9 million. Molecular’s current cash balance is expected to fund operations into late 2019.

“We are excited by the continued progress of our pipeline as well as our partnership with Takeda,” said Eric Poma, Ph.D., CEO and CSO of Molecular Templates.  “We expect the remainder of 2018 to bring more data on our lead program MT-3724 in DLBCL, additional IND filings for other pipeline programs, and the potential for more business development transactions that would support additional programs with non-dilutive capital.”

Company Highlights and Upcoming Milestones

Corporate

• In 4Q17, Molecular expanded its senior management team with the additions of Adam Cutler as Chief Financial Officer; Barbara Ruskin J.D. Ph.D. as SVP, General Counsel and Chief Patent Officer; Nenad Sarapa M.D. M.S. as SVP of Clinical Development, and Conrad Jordaan as SVP of Finance and Corporate Controller.
• On March 2, 2018, Molecular closed a $10 million debt facility with Perceptive Advisors. The proceeds were used to repay an existing debt facility with Silicon Valley Bank and will support Molecular’s build out of its GMP manufacturing facility, which should shorten the time from lead development to IND and better support Molecular’s own pipeline as well as partnerships.

MT-3724

• MT-3724 (an ETB targeting CD20) is in an ongoing Phase Ib expansion study intended to better define the overall response rate to this candidate as a single-agent in heavily pre-treated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients.
• A brief update on the first three patients dosed in the MT-3724 Phase Ib expansion study was delivered at the World ADC Summit Europe today. Observations included the following:   
  • One of the three patients achieved a partial response (PR) after a single dose of MT-3724. The PR was confirmed at the end of cycle 2 per protocol and the patient remains on study with continued dosing of MT-3724. The other two patients were assessed as having stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD).
  • A dose interruption and reduction was required in two of the first three patients in Phase Ib expansion. These patients had high body weights which resulted in high absolute doses of MT-3724 based on 75 mcg/kg dosing. The adverse events observed (grade 2 and 3) were reversible and dosing resumed at 50 mcg/kg, which has been generally well tolerated.
  • Based on these data, the deep and sustained clinical responses to MT-3724 observed at doses as low as 5 mcg/kg, as well as the near-complete peripheral B-cell depletion at doses up to 50 mcg/kg, the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of MT-3724, has been defined as 50 mcg/kg with a maximum total drug per dose of 6,000 mcg, or 6 mg.
• Enrollment in the Phase Ib expansion study continues, with further updates on results expected in 2Q18.
• Nine DLBCL patients with low serum levels of rituximab have been treated at doses ranging from 5 mcg/kg to 75 mcg/kg in the Phase I dose-finding and Phase Ib expansion studies.  In these nine patients, one complete response, two partial responses, three patients with stable disease (including one patient with a 48% reduction in tumor size), and three patients with progressive disease, were observed. 
• Based on the peripheral B-cell depletion observed at 50 mcg/kg and responses seen at doses as low as 5 mcg/kg, 50 mcg/kg appears to be an efficacious and well-tolerated dose.
• Molecular also expects to initiate combination studies with MT-3724 in earlier lines of DLBCL therapy in 2Q18.

Takeda Collaboration

• In December 2017, Takeda selected two targets for further research using Molecular’s ETBs. This has triggered $4 million in milestone payments to be paid by Takeda in 2018.
• Takeda and Molecular are evaluating CD38 ETBs and could select a drug candidate for development by the end of 2Q18. 

MT-4019

• MT-4019, an ETB candidate that is designed to target CD38-expressing myeloma cancer cells, is progressing through IND enabling studies. If Takeda and Molecular do not select a joint candidate for development, Molecular anticipates filing an IND application for MT-4019 in mid-2018 to initiate a Phase I clinical trial in the United States in 2H18.

Research

• Preclinical data for Molecular’s ETBs targeting PD-L1 (which incorporates Molecular’s Antigen Seeding Technology – a differentiated immune-oncology approach) and HER2 will be presented at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting in April 2018
• Molecular expects to file an IND application for an ETB targeting HER2 in 4Q18
• Molecular expects to file an IND application for an ETB targeting PD-L1 (with antigen seeding) in 1Q19
• Several other ETB candidates are in preclinical development targeting both solid and hematological cancers

Financial Results

The net loss attributable to common shareholders for the fourth quarter was $6.9 million, or $0.26 per basic and diluted share. This is compared to a net loss attributable to common shareholders for the same period in 2016, of $2.9 million, or $13.82 per basic and diluted share. 

Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $0.8 million, compared to $0.4 million for the same period in 2016. Revenues in the fourth quarters of 2017 and 2016 were comprised of grant revenue from the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (“CPRIT”). Total research and development (R&D) expenses for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $4.7 million, compared with $1.7 million for the same period in 2016. Total general and administrative (G&A) expenses for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $3.5 million, compared with $1.1 million for the same period in 2016.

Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $3.4 million, compared to $1.9 million for 2016. These revenues were primarily comprised of research and development revenues from our collaboration with Takeda of $1.9 million, and grant revenue from CPRIT of $1.0 million. Revenues for the same period in 2016 comprised of grant revenue from CPRIT. Total R&D expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $9.5 million, compared to $8.0 million for 2016. Total G&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $11.8 million, compared to $4.5 million for 2016.

The net loss attributable to common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $24.1 million, or $2.11 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $12.6 million or $59.04 per basic and diluted share, for 2016. As of December 31, 2017, cash and cash equivalents totaled $58.9 million. Molecular’s current cash balance is expected to fund operations into late 2019.

About Molecular Templates

Molecular Templates is a clinical-stage oncology company focused on the discovery and development of differentiated, targeted, biologic therapeutics for cancer. We believe our proprietary biologic drug platform technology, referred to as engineered toxin bodies, or ETBs, provides a differentiated mechanism of action that may address some of the limitations associated with currently available cancer therapeutics. ETBs utilize a genetically engineered form of Shiga-like Toxin A subunit, or SLTA, a ribosome inactivating bacterial protein, that can be targeted to specifically destroy cancer cells.  Additional information about Molecular Templates can be obtained at http://www.mtem.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). Molecular Templates disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and claims the protection of the Act’s Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected expenses, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. In addition, when or if used in this press release, the words “may,” “could,” “should,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict” and similar expressions and their variants, as they relate to Molecular Templates may identify forward-looking statements.  Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the development of the Company’s lead program, MT-3724; the expected timing of submitting various IND applications and initiating studies; and the Company’s belief that its proprietary biologic drug platform technology, or ETBs, provides for a differentiated mechanism of action that may address some of the limitations associated with currently available cancer therapeutics.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including, but not limited to, the uncertainties inherent in the preclinical and clinical development process;  whether the Company’s cash resources will be sufficient to fund its continuing operations for the periods and/or trials anticipated; the ability of the Company to protect its intellectual property rights; and legislative, regulatory, political and economic developments, as well as those risks identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact:

Andrew McDonald, Ph.D.
andrew@lifesciadvisors.com
646-597-6987

Adam Cutler
Chief Financial Officer
adam.cutler@mtem.com
862-204-4006

Molecular Templates, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

		Three Months Ended					Year Ended
	December 31,				December 31,		December 31,			December 31,
	2017				2016		2017			2016
Revenues:
Research and development revenue from collaboration agreements	$	—		$	—		$	2,408		$	—
Grant revenue		820			353			987			1,880
Total revenues		820			353			3,395			1,880
Operating Expenses:
Research and development		4,657			1,658			9,487			8,017
General and administrative		3,523			1,110			11,755			4,482
Total operating expenses		8,180			2,768			21,242			12,499
Operating loss		(7,360	)		(2,415	)		(17,847	)		(10,619	)
Interest and other, net		346			(150	)		(674	)		(409	)
(Gain)/Loss on conversion of notes		99			—			(4,619	)		—
Net loss		(6,915	)		(2,565	)		(23,140	)		(11,028	)
Deemed dividends on preferred stock		—			(393	)		(958	)		(1,572	)
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	$	(6,915	)	$	(2,958	)	$	(24,098	)	$	(12,600	)
Net loss per share – basic and diluted	$	(0.26	)	$	(13.82	)	$	(2.11	)	$	(59.04	)
Weighted average shares used in computing net loss per share – basic and diluted		26,893			214			11,401			213

Molecular Templates, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)

	December 31,		December 31,
	2017		2016
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	58,910	$	1,716
Prepaid expenses and other		1,504		127
Total current assets		60,414		1,843
Property and equipment, net		1,952		334
In-process research and development		26,623		—
Intangible assets and other		1,402		921
Total assets	$	90,391	$	3,098
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	5,207	$	2,144
Current portion of long-term debt		2,400		2,400
Related party debt		—		7,315
Deferred revenue		2,765		1,870
Other current liabilities		70		36
Total current liabilities		10,442		13,765
Warrant liabilities		954		49
Long-term debt, net of current portion		1,078		3,165
Other liabilities		628		53
Redeemable convertible preferred stock				25,871
Stockholders’ equity		77,289		(39,805)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	90,391	$	3,098

EX-99.1

EdgarFiling