Akebia Therapeutics (AKBA) 8-K Akebia Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2019 Financial Results; Announces Full

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM8-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): May 6, 2019

AKEBIA THERAPEUTICS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	001-36352	20-8756903
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

245 First Street Cambridge, Massachusetts	02142
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617)871-2098

Check the appropriate box below if the Form8-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 Rule14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR240.13e-4(c))

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 Rule12b-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. ☒

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 $0.00001 per share	AKBA	The Nasdaq Global Market

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On May 9, 2019, Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and commented on certain corporate accomplishments and plans. The full text of the press release issued in connection with these announcements is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form8-K (this “Report”) and is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.02.

The information in this Item 2.02 and Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (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 Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On May 6, 2019, Rita Jain, M.D., announced that she intends to resign her current position as the Company’s Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, effective June 17, 2019. On May 9, 2019, the Company announced that Steven K. Burke, M.D., will succeed Dr. Jain as the Company’s Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer on the effective date of Dr. Jain’s resignation. Dr. Jain has advised the Company that she is committed to supporting the Company and her successor during a transitional period.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release, dated May 9, 2019, issued by Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.

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.

		AKEBIA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Date: May 9, 2019	By:	/s/ John P. Butler
		Name: John P. Butler Title: President and Chief Executive Officer