8-K
0001703647falseNASDAQ00017036472024-08-132024-08-13

 

 

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): August 13, 2024

 

Korro Bio, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

001-39062

47-2324450

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation)

(Commission

File Number)

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

One Kendall Square, Building 600-700, Suite 6-401

Cambridge, MA

 

02139

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617) 468-1999

 

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, par value $0.001 per share

 

KRRO

 

The Nasdaq Capital 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 Financial Condition.

On August 13, 2024, Korro Bio, Inc. issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The full text of the press release is being furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this current report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or 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

 

Press Release issued by Korro Bio, Inc., dated August 13, 2024

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.

 

 

KORRO BIO, INC.

 

 

Date: August 13, 2024

By:

/s/ Ram Aiyar

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Ram Aiyar

 

 

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 


EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

https://cdn.kscope.io/f34ad75bd24a9f09f9114e8d0da0a5c9-img174420225_0.jpg 

Korro Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Provides Business Updates

 

Regulatory filing of first-in-human (FIH) trial of KRRO-110 in patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) anticipated in the second half of 2024

 

 

Preclinical data presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference (ATS) demonstrating KRRO-110's ability to correct alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) protein resulting in >70% of circulating protein to be M-AAT and concomitantly reducing the Z-AAT protein

 

 

Ended second quarter of 2024 with $187.8 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities

 

 

Cash runway into second half of 2026 to fund anticipated completion of KRRO-110 FIH trial and progress additional pipeline candidates

 

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 13, 2024 — Korro Bio, Inc. (Korro) (Nasdaq: KRRO), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a new class of genetic medicines based on editing RNA for both rare and highly prevalent diseases, today reported financial results for the second quarter of 2024 and provided an update on its recent progress and anticipated milestones.

 

“We continue to advance KRRO-110, our lead candidate for the treatment of AATD, and remain on track to submit a regulatory filing in the second half of 2024. This is only possible with the team’s focus, and support of our manufacturing partners,” said Dr. Ram Aiyar, CEO and President of Korro. “We believe KRRO-110 has the potential to be transformative for patients with AATD, as evidenced by the robust body of preclinical data across multiple animal models. Supported by the $70.0 million private placement completed in April 2024, we remain focused on executing on multiple value-creating milestones and bringing a new therapeutic modality forward.”

 

Pipeline and Business Updates:

Advancing KRRO-110 towards a first-in-human trial. KRRO-110 is the first RNA editing oligonucleotide product candidate from Korro’s proprietary RNA editing platform, OPERA™. KRRO-110 is designed to co-opt an endogenous enzyme, Adenosine Deaminase Acting on RNA (ADAR), to edit the “A” variant on SERPINA1 RNA, repair an amino acid codon, and restore secretion of normal AAT protein. This repair of the endogenous protein has the potential to clear protein aggregates from within liver cells to create a potentially clinically differentiated benefit for liver function and to preserve lung function by providing an adequate amount of normal AAT protein.
Presented preclinical data for KRRO-110 at ATS 2024. Preclinical data presented in May 2024 showcased sustained editing efficiency of approximately 60%, resulting in an increase in the total AAT protein in circulation, and demonstrating >70% of resulting protein in circulation to be M-AAT in the NSG-PIZ mouse (a model of human AATD). Additionally, data established 35 µM of M-AAT 1-week post-initial dose, with baseline levels at 0 µM, and increased to 45 µM of M-AAT at week 13.

 

Joined the Russell Indices. Effective July 1, 2024, Korro joined the Russell 2000®, Russell 3000® and Russell Microcap® Indexes, supporting its efforts to enhance value for its stakeholders.

 

Upcoming Milestones:

Regulatory filing of KRRO-110 in AATD on track for the second half of 2024.
Interim Phase 1/2 clinical trial readout for KRRO-110 in ZZ AATD patients anticipated in the second half of 2025.
Completion of the Phase 1/2 clinical trial for KRRO-110 expected in 2026.

 

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results:

 

Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $187.8 million as of June 30, 2024, compared to $166.1 million as of December 31, 2023. Korro expects its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities will fund operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the second half of 2026.

 

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses were $17.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $13.1 million for the same period in 2023. The increase was driven primarily by increases in discovery, preclinical and contract manufacturing costs, license and milestone fees and personnel related expenses.

 

General and Administration (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses were $7.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $5.3 million for the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily due to increased office headquarter facility costs and personnel costs attributable to build-out of the G&A function and compliance costs as a public company.

 

Net Loss: Korro’s net loss was $21.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $17.6 million for the same period in 2023.

 

About Korro

 

Korro is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a new class of genetic medicines for both rare and highly prevalent diseases using its proprietary RNA editing platform. Korro is generating a portfolio of differentiated programs that are designed to harness the body’s natural RNA editing process to effect a precise yet transient single base edit. By editing RNA instead of DNA, Korro is expanding the reach of genetic medicines by delivering additional precision and tunability, which has the potential for increased specificity and improved long-term tolerability. Using an oligonucleotide-based approach, Korro expects to bring its medicines to patients by leveraging its proprietary platform with precedented delivery modalities, manufacturing know-how, and established regulatory pathways of approved oligonucleotide drugs. Korro is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For more information, visit korrobio.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, express or implied statements regarding expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or


 

strategies of Korro regarding the future including, without limitation, express or implied statements regarding: Korro’s planned regulatory filing for KRRO-110 in AATD and timing of any interim data readout and completion of any Phase 1/2 clinical trial; Korro’s cash runway; the potential benefits conferred by Korro’s inclusion in the Russell 3000® Index and the Russell Microcap® Index; and Korro’s ability to expand the reach of genetic medicines; among others. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “strive,” “would,” “aim,” “target,” “commit,” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that statement is not forward looking. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that, while considered reasonable are inherently uncertain. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, various factors beyond management’s control including risks inherent in biopharmaceutical development; risks associated with pre-clinical studies and clinical trials; and other risks associated with obtaining regulatory approvals and protecting intellectual property; as well as risks associated with general economic conditions; and other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in Korro’s filings with the SEC, including Part II Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in Korro’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on the date hereof, as such may be amended or supplemented by its other filings with the SEC. Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this press release, which speak only as of the date they are made and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the cautionary statements herein. Except as required by law, Korro does not undertake or accept any duty to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or in the events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. This press release does not purport to summarize all of the conditions, risks and other attributes of an investment in Korro.

 

Korro Contact Information

 

Investors
IR@korrobio.com

 

Media
Glenn Silver
FINN Partners
Glenn.silver@finnpartners.com

 

 


 

Korro Bio, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

$

17,138

 

 

$

13,127

 

 

$

30,710

 

 

$

27,820

 

General and administrative

 

 

6,987

 

 

 

5,281

 

 

 

14,868

 

 

 

10,673

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

24,125

 

 

 

18,408

 

 

 

45,578

 

 

 

38,493

 

Loss from operations

 

 

(24,125

)

 

 

(18,408

)

 

 

(45,578

)

 

 

(38,493

)

Other income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income, net

 

 

2,329

 

 

 

786

 

 

 

4,242

 

 

 

1,266

 

Total other income, net

 

 

2,329

 

 

 

786

 

 

 

4,242

 

 

 

1,266

 

Loss before provision for income taxes

 

 

(21,796

)

 

 

(17,622

)

 

 

(41,336

)

 

 

(37,227

)

Provision for income taxes

 

 

(30

)

 

 

(27

)

 

 

(47

)

 

 

(27

)

Net loss

 

$

(21,826

)

 

$

(17,649

)

 

$

(41,383

)

 

$

(37,254

)

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale marketable securities

 

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

5

 

Comprehensive loss

 

$

(21,805

)

 

$

(17,649

)

 

$

(41,362

)

 

$

(37,249

)

Net loss per share, basic and diluted

 

$

(2.43

)

 

$

(63.83

)

 

$

(4.87

)

 

$

(135.96

)

Weighted-average shares used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted

 

 

8,986,545

 

 

 

276,482

 

 

 

8,503,086

 

 

 

274,015

 

 

 


 

Korro Bio, Inc.

Selected Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

June 30,
2024

 

 

December 31,
2023

 

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities

 

$

187,776

 

 

$

166,150

 

Working capital (1)

 

 

151,303

 

 

 

153,245

 

Total assets

 

 

249,588

 

 

 

221,663

 

Total liabilities

 

 

51,511

 

 

 

51,752

 

Total stockholders' equity

 

 

198,077

 

 

 

169,911

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Working capital is defined as current assets less current liabilities.