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 20, 2018

SYNLOGIC, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

001-37566

26-1824804

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

(Commission
File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

301 Binney St., Suite 402

Cambridge, MA

02142

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)


Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617) 401-9975

200 Sidney St., Suite 320
Cambridge, MA 02139

(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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

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 20, 2018, Synlogic, 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 in this Current Report on Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99.1) 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 filing.  


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

  (d) Exhibits
 
The following exhibit relating to Item 2.02 shall be deemed to be furnished, and not filed:
 

99.1 Press Release dated March 20, 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.

SYNLOGIC, INC.

 

Date: March 20, 2018

By:

/s/ Todd Shegog

Name:

Todd Shegog

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 99.1

Synlogic Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

– Strengthened balance sheet with $53.7M public offering; extended cash runway through 2019 –

– Initiated Phase 1b/2a study evaluating SYNB1020 in patients with cirrhosis and hyperammonemia; topline data expected in 4Q 2018 –

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 20, 2018--Synlogic, Inc. (Nasdaq: SYBX), a clinical stage company applying synthetic biology to probiotics to develop novel, living medicines, today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2017.

“In 2018, we are well positioned to continue to advance our platform, and with the initiation of clinical trials for our Synthetic BioticTM medicines, SYNB1020 and SYNB1618, for the treatment of hyperammonemia and PKU we have the potential to establish proof of concept in patients in two different diseases by year-end,” said JC Gutiérrez-Ramos, Ph.D., Synlogic’s president and chief executive officer. “These data will be key to determine if SYNB1020 and SYNB1618 could help patients manage their diseases and have the potential to demonstrate the power of our Synthetic Biotic platform.”

Dr. Gutiérrez-Ramos continued. “Our strong cash position also enables us to expand our pipeline. Based on our promising preclinical data, we plan to advance two Synthetic Biotic candidates into IND-enabling studies, broadening the platform’s scope into immuno-oncology and adding an additional application in inborn errors of metabolism for the treatment of maple syrup urine disease.”

Recent Highlights
Corporate


Pipeline

2018 Priorities
Pipeline

Corporate

Fourth Quarter 2017 Financial Results
For the three months ended December 31, 2017, Synlogic reported a consolidated net loss of $11.7 million, or $0.74 per share, compared to a net loss of $6.8 million, or $4.28 per unit, for the corresponding period in 2016. The increase in net loss for the fourth quarter was primarily due to increases in compensation-related expenses as Synlogic continues to grow its employee headcount and hire into key positions to support its corporate goals, as well as increases in research and development expenses to support its advancing clinical programs.


Research and development expenses were $7.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to $5.1 million for the corresponding period in 2016. The increase was primarily due to an increase in compensation-related expenses associated with increased headcount, increased external costs associated with process and formulation development, pre-clinical and clinical studies and acceleration of leasehold improvements associated with exiting Synlogic’s former facility.

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2017 were $4.3 million compared to $1.8 million for the corresponding period in 2016. The increase was primarily due to increases in compensation-related expenses associated with increased headcount and increases in expenses related to being a newly public company, including audit, legal and investor relations.

Revenue was $0.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. Revenue is associated with the upfront, nonrefundable $2.0 million payment from the Company’s collaboration with AbbVie, to develop a Synthetic Biotic medicine for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is being recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected term of the research collaboration.

As of December 31, 2017, Synlogic had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $87.0 million.

Full Year 2017 Financial Results
For the year ended December 31, 2017, consolidated net loss was $40.4 million, or $6.00 per share, compared to a consolidated net loss of $21.0 million, or $13.30 per unit, for the year ended December 31, 2016. Revenues were $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $0.4 million for the same period in 2016. The increase in revenues was due to achievement of the first development milestone in the Company’s collaboration with AbbVie which resulted in a $2.0 million payment to Synlogic in May 2017. Total operating expenses were $43.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $21.4 million for the same period in 2016. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to compensation-related expenses associated with increased headcount, increased external costs associated with development of Synlogic’s Synthetic Biotic programs including process and formulation development, pre-clinical and clinical studies as well as increased general and administrative expenses as a consequence of becoming a public company.


About Synthetic Biotic Medicines
Synlogic’s innovative new class of Synthetic Biotic medicines leverages the tools and principles of synthetic biology to genetically engineer probiotic microbes to perform or deliver critical functions missing or damaged due to disease. The company’s lead programs target diseases, including inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs), in which the body’s ability to break down commonly occurring by-products of digestion is impaired. These by-products, or metabolites, accumulate to toxic levels and cause serious health consequences. When delivered orally, these medicines can act from the gut to compensate for the dysfunctional metabolic pathway and have a systemic effect. Synthetic Biotic medicines are designed to clear toxic metabolites associated with specific metabolic diseases and have the potential to significantly improve symptoms of disease for affected patients.

About Synlogic
Synlogic is pioneering the development of a novel class of living medicines, Synthetic Biotic medicines, based on its proprietary drug development platform. Synlogic’s initial pipeline includes Synthetic Biotic medicines for the treatment of rare genetic diseases, such as phenylketonuria (PKU) and urea cycle disorders (UCD). In addition, the company is leveraging the broad potential of its platform to create Synthetic Biotic medicines for the treatment of more common diseases, including liver disease, inflammatory and immune disorders, and cancer. Synlogic is collaborating with AbbVie to develop Synthetic Biotic-based treatments for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). For more information, please visit www.synlogictx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that involve substantial risks and uncertainties for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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 Synlogic may identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the potential of Synlogic’s platform to develop therapeutics to address a wide range of diseases including: inborn errors of metabolism, liver disease, inflammatory and immune disorders, and cancer; the future clinical development of Synthetic Biotic medicines; the approach Synlogic is taking to discover and develop novel therapeutics using synthetic biology; the potential of Synlogic’s technology to treat hyperammonemia and phenylketonuria; and the expected timing of Synlogic’s anticipated clinical trial initiations. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors, including: the uncertainties inherent in the preclinical development process; the ability of Synlogic 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 Synlogic’s filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect Synlogic’s current views with respect to future events. Synlogic anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. However, while Synlogic may elect to update these forward-looking statements in the future, Synlogic specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Synlogic’s view as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.


                 
Synlogic, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
(in thousands) For the three months ended For the year ended
December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
 
Revenue $ 111 $ 111 $ 2,444 $ 444
 
Operating expenses
Research and development 7,736 5,127 30,341 15,010
General and administrative   4,293     1,843     12,927     6,398  
Total operating expenses   12,029     6,970     43,268     21,408  
Loss from operation (11,918 ) (6,859 ) (40,824 ) (20,964 )
Other income(expense), net   221     11     447     10  
Net loss $ (11,697 ) $ (6,848 ) $ (40,377 ) $ (20,954 )
 
Net loss per share attributable to common shareholders - basic and diluted $ (0.74 ) $ -   $ (6.00 ) $ -  
Weighted-average common shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common shareholders - basic and diluted   15,871,223     -     6,724,641     -  
 
 
Net loss per unit attributable to common unit holders - basic and diluted $ -   $ (4.28 ) $ -   $ (13.30 )
Weighted-average common units used in computing net loss per unit attributable to common unit holders - basic and diluted   -  

 

  1,616,185     -     1,575,558  
 
 
 
 
Synlogic, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Data
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
December 31, 2017

 

December 31, 2016
Assets
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments $ 87,025 $ 14,586
Fixed assets 9,783 3,504
Other assets   2,891     1,949  
Total assets $ 99,699   $ 20,039  
 
Liabilities, Contingently Redeemable Preferred Equity and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities $ 9,027 $ 4,186
Deferred revenue, net of current portion 668 1,112
Other liabilities   4,966     1,238  
Total liabilities   14,661     6,536  
Total contingently redeemable preferred equity and stockholders' equity   85,038     13,503  
Total liabilities, contingently redeemable preferred equity and stockholders' equity $ 99,699   $ 20,039  

CONTACT:
Synlogic
MEDIA CONTACT:
Courtney Heath, 617-872-2462
courtney@scientpr.com
or
INVESTOR CONTACT:
Elizabeth Wolffe, Ph.D., 617-207-5509
liz@synlogictx.com