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): February 18, 2009
Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 000-31161 | 23-2908305 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
6166 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, California 92121
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
858.453.7200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including 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)) |
In this report, “Arena Pharmaceuticals,” “Arena,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise provides.
| Item 8.01 | Other Events. |
On February 18, 2009, we announced the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial of an orally administered niacin receptor agonist drug candidate being developed by Merck & Co., Inc., under its collaboration with us to treat atherosclerosis. Agonists of the niacin receptor have the potential to regulate plasma lipid profiles, including HDL, or the “good” cholesterol, similar to the therapeutic action of niacin. The initiation of this trial does not trigger a milestone payment.
The Phase 2 clinical trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the safety, tolerability, as well as potential efficacy, of the niacin receptor agonist in patients with dyslipidemia.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this Form 8-K are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include statements about the development, therapeutic indication, efficacy and potential of a niacin receptor agonist in a Phase 2 clinical trial under our collaboration with Merck; the therapeutic and other potential of niacin receptor agonists; and the protocol, design, scope, enrollment and other aspects of such trial. For such statements, we claim the protection of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual events or results may differ materially from our expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, clinical trials and studies may not proceed at the time or in the manner we expect or at all, the results of clinical trials or preclinical studies may not be predictive of future results, the ability to receive regulatory approval for our drug candidates, and our ability to obtain and defend our patents. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by our forward-looking statements are disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent our judgment as of the time of the filing of this Form 8-K. We disclaim any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as may be required under applicable law.
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.
| Date: February 18, 2009 | Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | |||||||
| By: | /s/ Jack Lief | |||||||
| Jack Lief | ||||||||
| President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||