1 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT FILED PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED): JANUARY 8, 2001 ARONEX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) DELAWARE 0-20111 76-0196535 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (COMMISSION FILE NUMBER) (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.) INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) 8707 TECHNOLOGY FOREST PLACE THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS 77381-1191 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES AND ZIP CODE) (281) 367-1666 (REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE) 2 ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS On January 8, 2001, Aronex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "Company") publicly disseminated a press release announcing that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has denied approval of the Company's New Drug Application for ATRAGEN(R) (tretinoin liposome for injection) as a treatment for patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia, for whom therapy with tretinoin is necessary but for whom an intravenous administration is required. The recent ruling from the FDA will result in the Company taking steps to reserve cash by reducing its workforce and other operating expenses. The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company's press release dated January 8, 2001, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. ITEM 7. EXHIBITS Exhibit 99.1 -- The Company's Press Release dated January 8, 2001. -2- 3 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. ARONEX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. Date: January 9, 2001 By: /s/ TERANCE A. MURNANE --------------------------------------- Terance A. Murnane Controller -3- 4 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit No. Description - ----------- ----------- Exhibit 99.1 -- The Company's Press Release dated January 8, 2001.