0001599901FALSE00015999012024-08-092024-08-09

 
 
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 9, 2024
  _________________________________________
AVIDITY BIOSCIENCES, INC. 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 _________________________________________
Delaware001-3932146-1336960
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(Commission
File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
10578 Science Center Drive, Suite 125
San Diego, California 92121 92121
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(858) 401-7900
(Registrant’s telephone number, include area code)
N/A
(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))
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 $0.0001 per share RNA The Nasdaq Global 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 7.01.Regulation FD Disclosure.
On August 9, 2024, Avidity Biosciences, Inc. ("Avidity" or the "Company") will host an investor and analyst event (the "Event") to discuss the initial data from the EXPLORE44™ trial of delpacibart zotadirsen (formerly AOC 1044) in people living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy ("DMD") mutations amenable to exon 44 skipping (“DMD44"). The Event will begin at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time and will be available via a live video webcast accessible under the “Events and Presentations” page in the “Investors” section of Avidity’s corporate website, at https://www.aviditybiosciences.com. During the Event, the Company will present the corporate slide presentation attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The information contained in this Item 7.01, including in Exhibit 99.1 hereto and on Avidity’s corporate website, is being “furnished” and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is not subject to the liabilities of that section and is not deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Item 8.01.Other Events.
On August 9, 2024, the Company announced initial AOC 1044 data from the Phase 1/2 EXPLORE44™ trial which demonstrated consistent delivery of phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers ("PMO") to skeletal muscle, an increase in exon 44 skipping, an increase of dystrophin production, a reduction in creatine kinase levels and favorable safety and tolerability results in people living with DMD44. Avidity also announced delpacibart zotadirsen as the approved international nonproprietary name of AOC 1044, abbreviated as del-zota.

The initial assessment from the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1/2 EXPLORE44 trial of del-zota assessed the safety and tolerability for 25 participants across two dose levels (5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg). In the 5 mg/kg cohort, participants received a dose of 5 mg/kg of del-zota every six weeks, or placebo.

In the Phase 1/2 EXPLORE44 study, del-zota demonstrated:

Consistent delivery of PMO of 200nM in skeletal muscle after three doses of del-zota at 5 mg/kg;
A 37% increase in exon 44 skipping at four months;
An increase of 25% of normal in dystrophin production at four months;
A reduction in creatine kinase levels to near normal, with greater than 80% reduction compared to baseline at four months; and
Favorable safety and tolerability results.
Del-zota demonstrated favorable safety and tolerability results, with most adverse events mild or moderate in participants with DMD44. Two participants discontinued from the study due to treatment emergent adverse events: one due to a serious adverse event of anaphylaxis which fully resolved, and one due to moderate infusion related reaction. Enrollment in the EXPLORE44 trial is complete. The Company plans to enroll additional patients in the EXPLORE44 Open-Label Extension study.

Del-zota is the first product candidate in development by Avidity from its DMD franchise. The Company will engage regulators with the goal of advancing development of del-zota as quickly as possible. The Company also intends to pursue advancement of additional exon-skipping DMD product candidates.




Forward-Looking Statements

Avidity cautions readers that statements contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K regarding matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the company's current beliefs and expectations. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the characterization of safety, tolerability and functional data associated with del-zota from the Phase 1/2 EXPLORE44™ trial; the standards against which the del-zota data are being measured; the impact of such data on the advancement of del-zota; the plans and timing and advancement of the EXPLORE44 trial; the design and goals of the EXPLORE44 trial and individual cohorts therein; and the possibility of advancing development of del-zota as quickly as possible and of advancing additional DMD product candidates. This Current Report on Form 8-K also contains estimates and other statistical data made by independent parties and by us. This data involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and the reader is cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates.

The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Avidity that any of these plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this Current Report on Form 8-K due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Avidity's business and those beyond its control, including, without limitation: preliminary results of a clinical trial are not necessarily indicative of final results and additional data related to del-zota that continues to become available may be inconsistent with the data produced as of the date hereof, and further analysis of existing data and analysis of new data may lead to conclusions different from those established as of the date cutoff; unexpected adverse side effects to, or inadequate efficacy of, Avidity's product candidates that may delay or limit their development, regulatory approval and/or commercialization, or may result in additional clinical holds which may not be timely lifted, recalls or product liability claims; Avidity is early in its development efforts; Avidity's approach to the discovery and development of product candidates based on its AOC platform is unproven, and the company does not know whether it will be able to develop any products of commercial value; potential delays in the commencement, enrollment, data readouts and completion of preclinical studies or clinical trials; Avidity's dependence on third parties in connection with preclinical and clinical testing and product manufacturing; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; and other risks described in Avidity's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 28, 2024, and in subsequent filings with the SEC. Avidity cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
 
Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
 
Exhibit
Number
  Description
99.1  
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.
 
  AVIDITY BIOSCIENCES, INC.
Date: August 9, 2024  By: /s/ Michael F. MacLean
   Michael F. MacLean
   Chief Financial and Chief Business Officer


1 August 9, 2024 NASDAQ: RNA | aviditybio.com Investor & Analyst Event Series – Volume 10 Transforming Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) AOC 1044 EXPLORE44TM Phase 1/2 Initial Data


 
2 We caution the reader that this presentation contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this presentation are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: our business strategy; the anticipated timing, costs, design, goals and conduct of our ongoing and planned preclinical studies and clinical trials; the timing of release of data from our ongoing clinical programs and the announcement of new programs; the timing of additional cohorts to existing clinical trials, including dosage levels and other details thereof; the characterization of data and results from preclinical studies and clinical trials, including the EXPLORE44 trial of delpacibart zotadirsen (del-zota, formerly AOC 1044), and conclusions drawn therefrom; research and development plans; plans and projected timelines for delpacibart etedesiran (del-desiran, formerly AOC 1001), delpacibart braxlosiran (del-brax, formerly AOC 1020) and del-zota; safety and tolerability profiles of our product candidates; efficacy data demonstrated by our product candidates; our plans regarding our DMD franchise; the potential of the AOC platform and specific product candidates; the status and potential of our product candidates as first-in-class and/or best-in-class; the ability of our product candidates to treat rare diseases; timing and likelihood of success; product approvals; plans and objectives of management for future operations; collaborations with third parties and expected benefits therefrom; the partial clinical hold related to del-desiran; and cash position and our ability to fund our planned operations. In some cases, the reader can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “project,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Avidity that any of our plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this presentation due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in our business based on factors beyond our control, including, without limitation: we may not be able to fully resolve the partial clinical hold related to del-desiran; additional requests for data by the FDA or other regulatory authorities may result in significant additional expense and timing delays; data delivered to the FDA may not be satisfactory to the FDA; additional participant data related to our product candidates that continues to become available may be inconsistent with the data produced as of the most recent respective date cutoffs, and further analysis of existing data and analysis of new data may lead to conclusions different from those established as of such date cutoffs; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate efficacy of our product candidates may delay or limit their development, regulatory approval and/or commercialization, or may result in additional clinical holds, recalls or product liability claims; we are early in our development efforts; our approach to the discovery and development of product candidates based on our AOC platform is unproven, and we do not know whether we will be able to develop any products of commercial value; the results of preclinical studies and early clinical trials are not necessarily predictive of future results; potential delays in the commencement, enrollment and completion of clinical trials, or of designations conferred by regulatory authorities; our dependence on third parties in connection with preclinical and clinical testing and product manufacturing; we may not realize the expected benefits of our collaborations with third parties, our existing collaborations may terminate earlier than expected or we may not be able to form new collaborations; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries, including acceptance of INDs and similar foreign regulatory submissions and our proposed design of future clinical trials; Fast Track or Breakthrough Designation by the FDA may not lead to a faster development or regulatory review or approval process; our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our product candidates and proprietary technologies; we may exhaust our capital resources sooner than we expect and fail to raise additional needed funds; and other risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2024, and in subsequent filings with the SEC. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by applicable law, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This presentation also contains estimates and other statistical data made by independent parties and by us relating to market size and growth and other data about our industry. This data involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and the reader is cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates. In addition, projections, assumptions, and estimates of our future performance and the future performance of the markets in which we operate are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk. These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates made by the independent parties and by us. This presentation shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. Forward-Looking Statements


 
3 OUR VISION To profoundly improve people’s lives by revolutionizing the delivery of RNA therapeutics Amy Living with FSHD Nathan, living with DMD, and his father, Brad


 
4 Purpose of Update Present initial data from Phase 1/2 EXPLORE44 Del-zota 5mg/kg at 4-month timepoint • Unsurpassed delivery to muscle • Statistically significant robust exon skipping • Statistically significant dystrophin production • Profound reduction in creatine kinase • Favorable safety and tolerability What’s next for del-zota • Regulatory interactions on expediting path to accelerated approval Global DMD Franchise – beyond DMD44 delpacibart zotadirsen abbreviation: del-zota (formerly known as AOC 1044) mAb OLIGOs


 
5 Del-zota: Potential New Treatment for People Living with DMD44 Unsurpassed Delivery to Muscle • Consistent delivery of PMO of 200 nM in skeletal muscle Significant Exon Skipping • Robust 37% increase in exon skipping • Up to 66% increase in exon skipping Significant Dystrophin Production • Substantial increase of 25% of normal in dystrophin production • Restored total dystrophin up to 54% of normal Profound Reduction in Creatine Kinase Biomarker • Creatine kinase levels were reduced to near normal with greater than 80% reduction compared to baseline Favorable Safety and Tolerability Unsurpassed delivery; significant increase of 25% of normal in dystrophin production DMD Healthy 7% 32% 25% increase on del-zota D ys tr op hi n Safety data from EXPLORE44TM as of 25 July 2024


 
6 Steve Hughes, M.D. Chief Medical Officer Sarah Boyce President & CEO W. Michael Flanagan, Ph.D. Chief Scientific & Technical Officer Michael MacLean Chief Financial & Business Officer Transforming the Treatment of DMD AVIDITY MANAGEMENT TEAM


 
Transforming the Treatment of DMD44


 
8 DMD: Hereditary Disorder Causing Progressive, Debilitating Muscle Damage and Significantly Reduced Life Expectancy • Monogenic, X-linked, recessive condition characterized by progressive muscle damage and weakness • Primarily affects males, loss of ambulation by teenage years • Significantly reduces life expectancy • Caused by mutations in the DMD gene, which encodes for the dystrophin protein • ~ 7% of DMD skip-amenable patients have mutations amenable to exon 44 skipping (DMD44) • ~900 patients with DMD44 in US • Del-zota: designed to specifically skip exon 44 of dystrophin gene to enable dystrophin production ~10,000 - 15,000 PEOPLE WITH DMD IN THE US SIMILAR PREVALENCE IN EUROPE DMD Advocates Lee, living with DMD, and Ginne, his mother~900 PEOPLE WITH DMD44 IN THE US


 
9 EXPLORE44 Phase 1/2 DMD44 Cohorts: Overview & Objectives • Measures of muscle function • Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) • Quality of life Key Exploratory ObjectivesKey Information • Pharmacokinetics • Pharmacodynamics • Exon 44 skipping • Dystrophin protein levels Secondary ObjectivesPrimary Objective • Safety and tolerability of multiple doses in DMD patients amenable to exon 44 skipping • Multiple dose • N=24; Ages 7-27 • Ambulatory and non- ambulatory • Biopsies in all cohorts • Participants eligible to roll-over into​ extension


 
10 Demographics and Baseline Characteristics Placebo N=3 mean (SD) Del-Zota 5.0 mg/kg N=9 mean (SD) Age (yrs) 13.7 (2.5) 16.0 (4.7) BMI (kg/m2) 23.1 (5.5) 24.2 (5.6) Age of Symptom Onset (yrs) 3.8 (2.9) 3.6 (2.3) Creatine Kinase, U/L 7,118 (1659) 5,033 (3246) Corticosteroid Use 100% 100%


 
11 Del-zota: Favorable Safety and Tolerability in DMD44 Patients Subjects with ≥ 1 TEAE n (%) Placebo N=7 5.0 mg/kg N=9 10 mg/kg N=9 Any AE 4 (57%) 8 (89%) 4 (44%) Related to study drug 0 2 (22%) 1 (11%) Serious AE (SAE) 0 1 (11%) 0 AE leading to study discontinuation 0 2 (22%) 0 AE leading to death 0 0 0 Data from EXPLORE44TM as of 25 July 2024 Most treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were mild or moderate • No related AE occurred in >1 patient • 1 participant discontinued due to serious AE of anaphylaxis • 1 participant discontinued due to moderate infusion related reaction • No symptomatic hemoglobin changes, hypomagnesemia or renal events


 
12 Expediting Del-zota Registrational Plan 3: 1 Ra nd om iz at io n AO C 10 44 : P la ce bo A Healthy Volunteer Cohorts B1 B2 5.0 mg/kg 10.0 mg/kg Dose – dose listed is PMO Initiation of next dose level cohort Part A: Healthy Volunteers Part B: Participants with DMD amenable to exon 44 skipping 7.5-month treatment and observation • EXPLORE44 enrollment complete; dose-escalation to 20 mg/kg not necessary • Plan to enroll additional patients in the EXPLORE44 Open-Label Extension study • Regulatory interactions to discuss the most expeditious path to accelerated approval


 
Del-zota: Initial Data from 5mg/kg Cohort


 
14 Del-zota: Transforming the Treatment of DMD44 Unsurpassed Delivery to Muscle Statistically Significant Robust Exon Skipping Statistically Significant Dystrophin Production Profound Decrease in Creatine Kinase Biomarker • Consistent delivery of PMO of 200 nM in skeletal muscle • Once again, reinforcing the disruptive and broad potential of our AOC platform • 37% increase in exon 44 skipping • Up to 66% increase in exon 44 skipping • Increase of 25% of normal in dystrophin production • Restored total dystrophin up to 54% of normal • Creatine kinase levels reduced to near normal with greater than 80% reduction compared to baseline


 
15 Del-zota Produces Near Full-Length Dystrophin Naturally occurring dystrophin Representative dystrophin produced by del-zota Micro-dystrophin produced by gene therapies N H1 R1 R2 R3 H2 R 24 H4 CR N H1 R1 R2 R3 H2 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R 10 R 11 R 12 R 13 R 14 R 15 R 16 R 17 R 18 R 19 H3 R 20 R 21 R 22 R 23 R 24 H4 CR CT N H1 R1 R2 R3 H2 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R 10 R 11 R 12 R 13 R 14 R 15 R 16 R 17 R 19 H3 R 20 R 21 R 22 R 23 R 24 H4 CR CT


 
16 Del-zota: Unsurpassed Delivery to Muscle in DMD Participants Single Dose Q6W X 3 0 50 100 150 200 PM O 44 (n M ) DMD44 HV Del-Zota (5 mg/kg) D D exon44 HV HV DMD44 del-zota (5 mg/kg) PMO44 muscle tissue concentrations were determined utilizing HPLC. Muscle biopsy collected from vastus lateralis (HV) or biceps brachii (DMD44) at 1 month post last dose. Mean +/- SEM. N=8 healthy volunteers and N=7 del-zota. Doses expressed as PMO component. PMO tissue concentration of 200 nM after 3 doses


 
17 Del-zota: Increase of 37% in Exon 44 Skipping Statistically significant increase in exon 44 skipping of up to 66% Muscle biopsy collected from biceps brachii at 1 month post last dose (q6W x 3). Mean +/- SEM. N=3 placebo and N=7 del-zota. Exon 44 skipping determined using ddPCR. *p<0.05 by Wilcoxon test Baseline 4 Months Baseline 4 Months 0 20 40 60 % E xo n- sk ip pi ng placebo del-zota 5 mg/kg 37% increase *


 
18 Del-zota: Increase of 25% of Normal in Dystrophin Production Significantly restored total dystrophin up to 54% of normal Dystrophin protein determined in biceps brachii muscle biopsy at 1 month post 3rd dose by Western Blot. Data normalized to myosin heavy chain. Mean +/- SEM. N=3 (Placebo), N=7 (del-zota). Dose expressed as PMO component. *p<0.05 by Wilcoxon test 25% increase * placebo del-zota 5 mg/kg Baseline 4 Month Baseline 4 Month 0 10 20 30 40 D ys tro ph in (% n or m al ) DMD Healthy 7% 32% 25% increase on del-zota D ys tr op hi n


 
19 Del-zota: Creatine Kinase Levels Decrease to Near Normal Creatine kinase reduced by greater than 80% compared to baseline Upper limit of normal (ULN) 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 Study Day C re at in e K in as e (U /L ) m ea n (S EM ) PBO (N=3) 5 mg/kg (N=7) Dosing


 
20 Del-zota: First of Multiple AOCs in DMD Franchise Data support expediting advancement of additional exon-skipping candidates Unsurpassed Delivery to Muscle Statistically Significant Robust Exon Skipping Statistically Significant Dystrophin Production Profound Decrease in Creatine Kinase Biomarker • Consistent delivery of PMO of 200 nM in skeletal muscle • Once again, reinforcing the disruptive and broad potential of our AOC platform • 37% increase in exon 44 skipping • Up to 66% increase in exon 44 skipping • Increase of 25% of normal in dystrophin production • Restored total dystrophin up to 54% of normal • Creatine kinase levels reduced to near normal with greater than 80% reduction compared to baseline


 
Revolutionizing the Delivery of RNA Therapeutics


 
22 Avidity is Committed to Partnering with the DMD Community to Efficiently Advance Treatment Options • FDA has granted del-zota Orphan Drug, Fast Track and Rare Pediatric Disease designations. EMA has granted del-zota Orphan designation • EXPLORE44 enrollment complete; plan to enroll additional patients in the EXPLORE44 open-label extension study • Looking forward to regulatory interactions to discuss the most expeditious path to accelerated approvalBrad and Nathan DMD Advocates We understand the responsibility to get treatments to patients as quickly as possible


 
23 OUR VISION To profoundly improve people’s lives by revolutionizing the delivery of RNA therapeutics Amy Living with FSHD Lee, living with DMD, and his family


 
24 August 9, 2024 NASDAQ: RNA | aviditybio.com Investor & Analyst Event Series – Volume 10 Transforming Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) AOC 1044 EXPLORE44TM Phase 1/2 Initial Data Q&A


 
25 August 9, 2024 NASDAQ: RNA | aviditybio.com Investor & Analyst Event Series – Volume 10 Transforming Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) AOC 1044 EXPLORE44TM Phase 1/2 Initial Data


 
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Cover
Aug. 09, 2024
Cover [Abstract]  
Document Type 8-K
Document Period End Date Aug. 09, 2024
Entity Registrant Name AVIDITY BIOSCIENCES, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE
Entity File Number 001-39321
Entity Tax Identification Number 46-1336960
Entity Address, Address Line One 10578 Science Center Drive
Entity Address, Address Line Two Suite 125
Entity Address, City or Town San Diego
Entity Address, State or Province CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 92121
City Area Code 858
Local Phone Number 401-7900
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Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer false
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
Trading Symbol RNA
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company false
Entity Central Index Key 0001599901
Amendment Flag false

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