SCHEDULE 13G
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )*
Mereo BioPharma Group plc
(Name of Issuer)
Ordinary Shares, nominal value £0.003 per share
(Title of Class of Securities)
| 589492107** | ||
|
|
(CUSIP Number) |
|
| December 31, 2020 | ||
|
|
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement) |
|
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:
| x | Rule 13d-1(b) | |
| ¨ | Rule 13d-1(c) | |
| ¨ | Rule 13d-1(d) |
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act, but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
**This CUSIP applies to the American Depositary Shares, each representing five Ordinary Shares
CUSIP No. 589492107
| 1 |
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
Baker Bros. Advisors LP |
| 2 |
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (See Instructions)
(a) ¨ (b) ¨ |
| 3 |
SEC USE ONLY
|
| 4 |
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware |
|
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH |
5 |
SOLE VOTING POWER
39,631,929 (1) |
| 6 |
SHARED VOTING POWER
-0- | |
| 7 |
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
39,631,929 (1) | |
| 8 |
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0- |
| 9 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
39,631,929 (1) |
| 10 |
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions)
¨ |
| 11 |
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
11.4% (1)(2) |
| 12 |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)
IA, PN |
| (1) | Includes 30,151,465 Ordinary Shares (“Ordinary Shares”) of Mereo BioPharma Group plc (the “Issuer”) that are represented by 6,030,293 American Depositary Shares (“ADS”) and 9,031,484 Ordinary Shares that are represented by 1,806,297 ADS issuable upon the exercise of June 2023 Warrants (as defined in Item 4 and subject to the limitations as described therein) and 448,980 Ordinary Shares represented by 89,796 ADS that may be acquired upon conversion of Tranche 1 Notes (as defined in Item 4 and subject to the limitations as described therein), directly held by the Funds (as defined below). Each ADS represents 5 Ordinary Shares of the Issuer. |
| (2) | Based on 338,713,962 Ordinary Shares of the Issuer outstanding as of August 1, 2020, as reported in the Issuer’s Prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on October 23, 2020, plus 9,031,484 Ordinary Shares that are represented by 1,806,297 ADS issuable upon the exercise of the June 2023 Warrants (as defined in Item 4 and subject to the limitations as described therein) and 448,980 Ordinary Shares represented by 89,796 ADS that may be acquired upon conversion of Tranche 1 Notes (as defined in Item 4 and subject to the limitations as described therein). |
CUSIP No. 589492107
| 1 |
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
Baker Bros. Advisors (GP) LLC |
| 2 |
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (See Instructions)
(a) ¨ (b) ¨ |
| 3 |
SEC USE ONLY
|
| 4 |
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware |
|
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH |
5 |
SOLE VOTING POWER
39,631,929 (1) |
| 6 |
SHARED VOTING POWER
-0- | |
| 7 |
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
39,631,929 (1) | |
| 8 |
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0- |
| 9 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
39,631,929 (1) |
| 10 |
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions)
¨ |
| 11 |
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
11.4% (1)(2) |
| 12 |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)
HC, OO |
| (1) | Includes 30,151,465 Ordinary Shares of the Issuer that are represented by 6,030,293 ADS and 9,031,484 Ordinary Shares that are represented by 1,806,297 ADS issuable upon the exercise of June 2023 Warrants (as defined in Item 4 and subject to the limitations as described therein) and 448,980 Ordinary Shares represented by 89,796 ADS that may be acquired upon conversion of Tranche 1 Notes (as defined in Item 4 and subject to the limitations as described therein), directly held by the Funds (as defined below). Each ADS represents 5 Ordinary Shares of the Issuer. |
| (2) | Based on 338,713,962 Ordinary Shares of the Issuer outstanding as of August 1, 2020, as reported in the Issuer’s Prospectus filed with the SEC on October 23, 2020, plus 9,031,484 Ordinary Shares that are represented by 1,806,297 ADS issuable upon the exercise of the June 2023 Warrants (as defined in Item 4 and subject to the limitations as described therein) and 448,980 Ordinary Shares represented by 89,796 ADS that may be acquired upon conversion of Tranche 1 Notes (as defined in Item 4 and subject to the limitations as described therein). |
CUSIP No. 589492107
| 1 |
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
Felix J. Baker |
| 2 |
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (See Instructions)
(a) ¨ (b) ¨ |
| 3 |
SEC USE ONLY
|
| 4 |
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States |
|
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH |
5 |
SOLE VOTING POWER
39,631,929 (1) |
| 6 |
SHARED VOTING POWER
-0- | |
| 7 |
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
39,631,929 (1) | |
| 8 |
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0- |
| 9 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
39,631,929 (1) |
| 10 |
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions)
¨ |
| 11 |
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
11.4% (1)(2) |
| 12 |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)
IN, HC |
| (1) | Includes 30,151,465 Ordinary Shares of the Issuer that are represented by 6,030,293 ADS and 9,031,484 Ordinary Shares that are represented by 1,806,297 ADS issuable upon the exercise of June 2023 Warrants (as defined in Item 4 and subject to the limitations as described therein) and 448,980 Ordinary Shares represented by 89,796 ADS that may be acquired upon conversion of Tranche 1 Notes (as defined in Item 4 and subject to the limitations as described therein), directly held by the Funds (as defined below). Each ADS represents 5 Ordinary Shares of the Issuer. |
| (2) | Based on 338,713,962 Ordinary Shares of the Issuer outstanding as of August 1, 2020, as reported in the Issuer’s Prospectus filed with the SEC on October 23, 2020, plus 9,031,484 Ordinary Shares that are represented by 1,806,297 ADS issuable upon the exercise of the June 2023 Warrants (as defined in Item 4 and subject to the limitations as described therein) and 448,980 Ordinary Shares represented by 89,796 ADS that may be acquired upon conversion of Tranche 1 Notes (as defined in Item 4 and subject to the limitations as described therein). |
CUSIP No. 589492107
| 1 |
NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
Julian C. Baker |
| 2 |
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (See Instructions)
(a) ¨ (b) ¨ |
| 3 |
SEC USE ONLY
|
| 4 |
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States |
|
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH |
5 |
SOLE VOTING POWER
39,631,929 (1) |
| 6 |
SHARED VOTING POWER
-0- | |
| 7 |
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
39,631,929 (1) | |
| 8 |
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
0 |
| 9 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
39,631,929 (1) |
| 10 |
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions)
¨ |
| 11 |
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
11.4% (1)(2) |
| 12 |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)
IN, HC |
| (1) | Includes 30,151,465 Ordinary Shares of the Issuer that are represented by 6,030,293 ADS and 9,031,484 Ordinary Shares that are represented by 1,806,297 ADS issuable upon the exercise of June 2023 Warrants (as defined in Item 4 and subject to the limitations as described therein) and 448,980 Ordinary Shares represented by 89,796 ADS that may be acquired upon conversion of Tranche 1 Notes (as defined in Item 4 and subject to the limitations as described therein), directly held by the Funds (as defined below). Each ADS represents 5 Ordinary Shares of the Issuer. |
| (2) | Based on 338,713,962 Ordinary Shares of the Issuer outstanding as of August 1, 2020, as reported in the Issuer’s Prospectus filed with the SEC on October 23, 2020, plus 9,031,484 Ordinary Shares that are represented by 1,806,297 ADS issuable upon the exercise of the June 2023 Warrants (as defined in Item 4 and subject to the limitations as described therein) and 448,980 Ordinary Shares represented by 89,796 ADS that may be acquired upon conversion of Tranche 1 Notes (as defined in Item 4 and subject to the limitations as described therein). |
Schedule 13G
| Item 1(a) | Name of Issuer: |
| Mereo BioPharma Group plc (the “Issuer”) | |
| Item 1(b) | Address of Issuer’s Principal Executive Offices: |
| One Cavendish Place, 4th Floor | |
| London, W1G 0QF United Kingdom | |
| Item 2(a) | Name of Person Filing: |
| This Schedule 13G is being filed jointly by the Baker Bros. Advisors LP (the “Adviser”), Baker Bros. Advisors (GP) LLC (the “Adviser GP”), Felix J. Baker and Julian C. Baker (collectively, the “Reporting Persons”). | |
| Item 2(b) | Address of Principal Business Office or, if None, Residence: |
| The business address of each of the Reporting Persons is: | |
| c/o Baker Bros. Advisors LP | |
| 860 Washington Street, 3rd Floor | |
| New York, NY 10014 | |
| (212) 339-5690 | |
| Item 2(c) | Citizenship: |
| The Adviser is a limited partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Adviser GP is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. The citizenship of each of Julian C. Baker and Felix J. Baker is the United States of America. | |
| Item 2(d) | Title of Class of Securities |
| Ordinary Shares, nominal value £0.003 per share (“Ordinary Shares”). | |
| Item 2(e) | CUSIP Number |
| 589492107 |
| Item 3. | If this statement is filed pursuant to §§240.13d-1(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a: |
| (a) | ¨ | Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Exchange Act. | |
| (b) | ¨ | Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Exchange Act. | |
| (c) | ¨ | Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Exchange Act. | |
| (d) | ¨ | Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. | |
| (e) | x | An investment adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E). | |
| (f) | ¨ | An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F). | |
| (g) | x | A parent holding company or control person in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G). | |
| (h) | ¨ | A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. | |
| (i) | ¨ | A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. | |
| (j) | ¨ | Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J). |
| Item 4. | Ownership. |
Items 5 through 9 and 11 of each of the cover pages to this Schedule 13G are incorporated herein reference.
Set forth below is the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares represented by American Depositary Shares (“ADS”) directly held by each of Baker Brothers Life Sciences, L.P. (“Life Sciences”) and 667, L.P. (“667”, and together with Life Sciences, the “Funds”) which may be deemed to be indirectly beneficially owned by the Reporting Persons, as well as Ordinary Shares represented by ADS that may be acquired upon exercise of warrants with an exercise price of 34.8 pence per Ordinary Share that expire June 30, 2023 (“June 2023 Warrants”), subject to the limitations on exercise described below, and Ordinary Shares represented by ADS that may be acquired upon conversion of 6% convertible notes with a conversion price of 17.4 pence per Ordinary Share due June 30, 2023 (“Tranche 1 Notes”), subject to the limitations on conversion described below. Each ADS represents 5 Ordinary Shares of the Issuer.
The information set forth below is based on 338,713,962 Ordinary Shares outstanding as of August 1, 2020, as reported in the Issuer’s Prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 23, 2020, plus 9,031,484 Ordinary Shares represented by 1,806,297 ADS issuable upon the exercise of the June 2023 Warrants, subject to the limitations on exercise described below and 448,980 Ordinary Shares represented by 89,796 ADS that may be acquired upon conversion of Tranche 1 Notes, subject to the limitations on conversion described below. Such percentage figures are calculated in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
| Name | Number of Ordinary Shares we own or have the right to acquire within 60 days | Percent of Class Outstanding | ||||||
| 667, L.P. | 5,142,399 | 1.5 | % | |||||
| Baker Brothers Life Sciences, L.P. | 34,489,530 | 9.9 | % | |||||
| Total | 39,631,929 | 11.4 | % | |||||
The June 2023 Warrants are only exercisable to the extent that upon giving effect or immediately prior to such exercise such holder would beneficially own, for purposes of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, no more than 9.99% of the outstanding Ordinary Shares (“Warrants Beneficial Ownership Limitation”). By written notice to the Issuer, the Funds may from time to time increase or decrease the Warrants Beneficial Ownership Limitation applicable to that Fund to any other percentage not in excess of 19.99%. Any such increase will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Issuer. As a result of this restriction, the number of Ordinary Shares that may be issued upon exercise of the June 2023 Warrants by the above holders may change depending upon changes in the outstanding Ordinary Shares.
The Tranche 1 Notes are only convertible to the extent that upon giving effect or immediately prior to such conversion no individual noteholder shall hold more than 9.99% of the outstanding Ordinary Shares (“Notes Beneficial Ownership Limitation”). By written notice to the Issuer, the Funds may from time to time increase or decrease the Notes Beneficial Ownership Limitation applicable to that Fund to any other percentage not in excess of 19.99%. Any such increase will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Issuer. As a result of this restriction, the number of Ordinary Shares that may be issued upon exercise of the Tranche 1 Notes by the above holders may change depending upon changes in the outstanding Ordinary Shares.
Pursuant to the management agreements, as amended, among the Adviser, the Funds and their respective general partners, the Funds’ respective general partners relinquished to the Adviser all discretion and authority with respect to the investment and voting power of the securities held by the Funds and thus the Adviser has complete and unlimited discretion and authority with respect to the Funds’ investments and voting power over investments.
The Adviser GP, Felix J. Baker and Julian C. Baker as managing members of the Adviser GP, and the Adviser may be deemed to be beneficial owners of securities of the Issuer directly held by the Funds.
| Item 5. | Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class. |
If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following ¨. N/A
| Item 6. | Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person. |
| N/A | |
| Item 7. | Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person. |
| The information in Item 4 is incorporated herein by reference. | |
| Item 8. | Identification and Classification of Members of the Group. |
| N/A | |
| Item 9. | Notice of Dissolution of Group. |
| N/A | |
| Item 10. | Certification. |
By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
February 16, 2021
| BAKER BROS. ADVISORS LP | ||
| By: Baker Bros. Advisors (GP) LLC, its general partner | ||
| By: | /s/ Scott L. Lessing | |
| Name: Scott L. Lessing | ||
| Title: President | ||
| BAKER BROS. ADVISORS (GP) LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Scott L. Lessing | |
| Name: Scott L. Lessing | ||
| Title: President | ||
| /s/ Julian C. Baker | |
| Julian C. Baker |
| /s/ Felix J. Baker | |
| Felix J. Baker |
EXHIBIT 99.1
AGREEMENT
In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the undersigned hereby agree that this Statement on Schedule 13G (including additional amendments thereto) relating to the Ordinary Shares of Mereo BioPharma Group plc is being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of each of them.
February 16, 2021
| BAKER BROS. ADVISORS LP | ||
| By: Baker Bros. Advisors (GP) LLC, its general partner | ||
| By: | /s/ Scott L. Lessing | |
| Name: Scott L. Lessing | ||
| Title: President | ||
| BAKER BROS. ADVISORS (GP) LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Scott L. Lessing | |
| Name: Scott L. Lessing | ||
| Title: President | ||
| /s/ Julian C. Baker | |
| Julian C. Baker |
| /s/ Felix J. Baker | |
| Felix J. Baker |