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): November 18, 2005

 


 

INCYTE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

0-27488

 

94-3136539

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Incorporation)

 

 

 

Identification Number)

 

 

 

 

 

Experimental Station, Route
141 & Henry Clay Road,

 

 

Building E336

 

 

Wilmington, DE

 

19880

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(302) 498-6700

(Registrant’s telephone number,

including area code)

 


 

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:

 

o    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 



 

ITEM 1.01  ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT.

 

On November 18, 2005, Incyte Corporation (“Incyte”) entered into a Collaborative Research and License Agreement (the “License Agreement”) with Pfizer Inc. (“Pfizer”) for the development, manufacture and marketing of oral CCR2 antagonists.  Under the License Agreement, Pfizer received exclusive worldwide development and commercialization rights to Incyte’s portfolio of CCR2 antagonist compounds for all indications, excluding multiple sclerosis and one other undisclosed indication, for which Incyte retains exclusive worldwide rights, and certain compounds.

 

Concurrently with the execution of the License Agreement, Incyte and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pfizer entered into a Note Purchase Agreement, as described under Items 2.03 and 3.02 below.  The information contained in Items 2.03 and 3.02 with respect to the Note Purchase Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference.

 

The effectiveness of the License Agreement and the issuance of convertible subordinated notes under the Note Purchase Agreement are subject to customary closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

 

A copy of the press release dated November 21, 2005 relating to the License Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

 

ITEM 2.03 CREATION OF A DIRECT FINANCIAL OBLIGATION OR AN OBLIGATION UNDER AN OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENT OF A REGISTRANT.

 

In connection with the execution of the License Agreement discussed in Item 1.01 above, on November 18, 2005, Incyte also entered into a Note Purchase Agreement pursuant to which it agreed to sell to Pfizer’s wholly- owned subsidiary, Pfizer Overseas Pharmaceuticals (“Pfizer OP”) up to $20 million of convertible subordinated notes (the “Notes”).  Subject to customary closing conditions, a Note with a principal amount of $10 million will be issued upon the effectiveness of the License Agreement, and an additional Note with a principal amount of $10 million will be issued, at Incyte’s sole election, if Incyte files an Investigational New Drug Application in an indication retained by Incyte under the License Agreement.  Incyte will not pay interest on the principal amount of the Notes and the Notes will mature and be payable in full seven years following the applicable date of issuance.  Incyte may not prepay the Notes until after the third anniversary of the date of issuance, at which time Incyte may prepay the Notes without penalty.

 

Prior to maturity, Pfizer OP may convert all or any portion of the Notes into shares of common stock of Incyte as discussed in more detail in Item 3.02 below.  Under the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement and subject to certain limitations, Incyte granted Pfizer OP demand and piggyback registration rights under the Securities Act of 1933 for the shares of Incyte common stock issued upon conversion of the Notes.

 

If there is an event of default under the terms of the Notes, not cured by Incyte, Pfizer OP can require Incyte immediately to pay the entire unpaid principal amount then outstanding under the Notes.  Events of default include Incyte’s failure to pay any portion of the principal of the Notes when due or to comply in any material respect with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement or the License Agreement, the acceleration of an aggregate of $10 million or more in principal amount of Incyte indebtedness or the commencement of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to Incyte or its debts under a bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

 

ITEM 3.02  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

 

In connection with the License Agreement discussed in Item 1.01 above, on November 18, 2005, Incyte also entered into a Note Purchase Agreement pursuant to which it agreed to sell to Pfizer OP up to $20 million of convertible subordinated notes subject to certain conditions described in Item 2.03 above.  At any time prior to maturity, Pfizer OP may convert all or any portion of outstanding Notes into shares of common stock of Incyte at a conversion price representing a premium to Incyte’s common stock price immediately preceding the issuance of the applicable Note.  The conversion price will be appropriately adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends or combinations.

 

2



 

The Notes and any shares of common stock of Incyte issued upon conversion of the Notes (the “Shares”) that may be issued to Pfizer OP will be issued in reliance on the exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) set forth in Section 4(2) promulgated thereunder relating to sales by an issuer not involving a public offering.  There was no general solicitation or general advertising of the sale of the Notes or the Shares, Incyte made a reasonable inquiry to determine that the Notes and Shares were being acquired by an “accredited investor” as defined under the Act for investment and not distribution and, prior to the execution of the Note Purchase Agreement, Incyte disclosed that the Notes and the Shares have not been registered under the Act and may not be resold unless they are registered or an exemption from such registration is available.  Any Notes or Shares issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement will bear appropriate restrictive legends.

 

ITEM 9.01  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

 

(c)           Exhibits

 

99.1         Press release dated November 21, 2005.

 

3



 

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.

 

Dated:  November 21, 2005

 

 

INCYTE CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Patricia A. Schreck

 

 

 

Patricia A. Schreck

 

 

 

Executive Vice President and

 

 

 

General Counsel

 

 

4