Form 8-K Anthera Pharmaceuticals For: Mar 07
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
ANTHERA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
Delaware
|
001-34637
|
20-1852016
|
||
|
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)
|
(Commission File Number)
|
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
|
|
25801 Industrial Boulevard, Suite B, Hayward,
California |
94545
|
|
|
(Address of principal executive offices)
|
(Zip Code)
|
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (510) 856-5600
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)
|
|
o 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))
|
|
Item 5.02
|
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
|
Appointment of Interim Chief Medical Officer
On March 7, 2016, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”), on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, appointed Dr. James Pennington to serve as the Company’s Interim Chief Medical Officer, effective April 1, 2016.
Dr. Pennington, 73, joined Anthera in 2007 as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer and transitioned to Senior Research Fellow in 2010. Prior to joining Anthera, Dr. Pennington served as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of CoTherix where he oversaw the approval of Ventavis®. He previously served as Chief Medical Officer of InterMune as well as in a variety of positions at early stage biotech companies and large global pharmaceutical companies, including Alpha Therapeutic Corporation, Shaman Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Bayer Corporation. Dr. Pennington spent 12 years as a member of the Harvard Medical School faculty. Dr. Pennington holds a B.A. from the University of Oregon (summa cum laude) and an M.D. from the University of Oregon Medical School (summa cum laude) and is Board Certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases.
There are (a) no understandings or arrangements between Dr. Pennington and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed as Interim Chief Medical Officer of the Company and (b) Dr. Pennington has no material interest in any transaction or proposed transaction in which the Company is or is to be a party. Dr. Pennington has no family relationship with any director or executive officer of the Company.
In connection with Dr. Pennington’s appointment, the Company entered into an offer letter with Dr. Pennington and granted Dr. Pennington an option to purchase 45,000 shares of the Company’s common stock under the Company’s 2013 Stock Option and Incentive Plan. The option will vest monthly over six months. Pursuant to the offer letter, Dr. Pennington’s base salary will be $360,000 per annum. Dr. Pennington is also eligible for a discretionary bonus target of up to 35% of his base salary during the period he serves as the Company’s Interim Chief Medical Officer based on certain performance goals, to be determined in the sole discretion of the Company.
Resignation of Chief Medical Officer
On March 7, 2016, Dr. Colin Hislop tendered his letter of resignation from the role of Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, effective April 1, 2016.
A copy of the press release announcing Dr. Pennington’s appointment and Dr. Hislop’s resignation is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1.
|
Item 9.01
|
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
|
(d) Exhibits
|
Exhibit No.
|
Description
|
|
|
99.1
|
Press Release, dated March 7, 2016
|
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.
|
Date: March 8, 2016
|
Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ May Liu
|
|
|
May Liu
|
||
|
Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration
|
||
Exhibit Index
|
Exhibit No.
|
Description
|
|
|
99.1
|
Press Release, dated March 7, 2016
|
Exhibit 99.1
Anthera Pharmaceuticals Announces Appointment of Dr. James Pennington as Interim Chief Medical Officer
HAYWARD, Calif., March 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANTH) today announced the appointment of James Pennington, M.D. as interim Chief Medical Officer following the Company's acceptance of Colin Hislop's resignation effective April 1st, 2016.
"Our development programs have progressed extensively during Colin's tenure at Anthera, and during that time, both blisibimod and Sollpura® have advanced into late-stage clinical trials. We thank Colin for his contributions to that development progress and wish him much success in his future endeavors" said Craig Thompson, Anthera's President and Chief Operating Officer. "Jim's long history at Anthera and substantial experience with our clinical programs, combined with his successful regulatory and commercialization experience, will continue to play a pivotal role in keeping our development programs on track for achievement of our milestones in 2016."
Dr. Pennington assumes the position of interim Chief Medical Officer with over 40 years of successful clinical development and commercialization including 14 drug approvals and 10 registration ex-US approvals including both small and large molecule therapeutics.
"Working with the dedicated medical team at Anthera has been gratifying and I am privileged to lead our development efforts as interim Chief Medical Officer," said Dr. Pennington. "As we continue the final stages of our clinical programs, I am confident in our team's ability to bring new treatment options to patients with unmet medical needs."
Dr. Pennington joined Anthera in 2007 as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer and transitioned to Senior Clinical Fellow in 2010. Prior to joining Anthera in 2007, Dr. Pennington served as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of CoTherix where he oversaw the approval of Ventavis®. He previously served as Chief Medical Officer of InterMune as well as in a variety of positions at early stage biotech companies and large global pharmaceutical companies including Alpha Therapeutic Corporation, Shaman Pharmaceuticals and Bayer Corporation. Dr. Pennington spent 12 years as a member of the Harvard Medical School faculty. Dr. Pennington holds a B.A. from the University of Oregon and an M.D. from the University of Oregon Medical School and is Board Certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases.
About Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Anthera Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products to treat serious and life-threatening diseases, including exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis, lupus, lupus with glomerulonephritis, and IgA nephropathy. Additional information on the Company can be found at www.anthera.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Any statements contained in this press release that refer to future events or other non-historical matters, including statements that are preceded by, followed by, or that include such words as "estimate," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "goal," "expect," "project," or similar statements, are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on Anthera's expectations as of the date of this press release and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially as set forth in Anthera's public filings with the SEC, including Anthera's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015. Anthera disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
CONTACT: Nikhil Agarwal of Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
[email protected] or 510.856.5600 x5621
www.twitter.com/antherapharma
www.facebook.com/Anthera-Pharmaceuticals-Inc-1680605322159042
https://www.linkedin.com/company/anthera-pharmaceuticals
Source: Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc