Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. current report, 26 April 2022

Business Context and Reporting Period

This Form 8-K Current Report was filed by Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. on May 2, 2022, covering events occurring on April 26 and April 27, 2022. The report details a private placement of equity securities and the acceptance of scientific abstracts for presentation at a major oncology conference.

Key Financial Metrics and Transaction Details

  • Transaction Type: Private placement of common stock and pre-funded warrants.
  • Gross Proceeds: Approximately $15.0 million (before estimated offering expenses).
  • Securities Issued:
    • 3,149,912 shares of Common Stock at $2.36 per share.
    • Pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 3,206,020 shares at $2.359 per warrant.
  • Closing Date: April 29, 2022.
  • Investors: Certain institutional accredited investors, including Versant Vantage II, L.P. (a beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company's common stock).

Material Changes and Agreements

The Company entered into two material definitive agreements on April 26, 2022:

  1. Securities Purchase Agreement: Governed the private placement. Pre-funded warrants are exercisable immediately and do not expire, subject to a beneficial ownership limitation of 9.99% (adjustable up to 19.99% with notice).
  2. Registration Rights Agreement: Requires the Company to file a registration statement for the resale of securities by May 23, 2022. The Company agreed to pay liquidated damages of 1% of the aggregate investment per 30-day period if the registration statement is not filed or becomes effective within specified timelines.

Outlook, Risks, and Other Events

  • Scientific Milestone: On April 27, 2022, the Company announced that two abstracts were accepted for presentation at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting (June 3-7, 2022).
  • Forward-Looking Statements: The filing contains statements regarding the use of proceeds, development plans, and pre-clinical study results. Actual results may differ due to risks outlined in the Company's 2021 Form 10-K.
  • Liquidity Impact: The $15.0 million in gross proceeds is intended to fund the Company's operations and development programs, though specific allocation details are not provided in this filing.

Investor Verification Checklist

  • Verify the final net proceeds after deducting offering expenses, as the $15.0 million figure is gross.
  • Review the full text of the Securities Purchase Agreement (Exhibit 10.1) and Registration Rights Agreement (Exhibit 10.2) for specific covenants and liquidated damage caps.
  • Monitor the filing status of the registration statement for the resale of securities, with a deadline of May 23, 2022.
  • Assess the potential dilution impact of the 3,149,912 shares and 3,206,020 warrant shares issued.
  • Review the abstracts accepted for the ASCO Annual Meeting to understand the clinical progress of the Company's product candidates.