UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 5)*
Novus Therapeutics, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
(Title of Class of Securities)
67011N 204
(CUSIP Number)
OrbiMed Israel BioFund GP Limited Partnership
OrbiMed Israel GP Ltd.
Nissim Darvish
89 Medinat HaYehudim St.
Building E, 11th Floor
Herzliya 46766, Israel
Telephone: 972 73 2822600
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized
to Receive Notices and Communications)
October 5, 2020
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because § 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g) check the following box ☐.
Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See § 240.13d-7(b) for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
* 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 (“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).
SCHEDULE 13D
| CUSIP No. 67011N 204 | Page 2 of 10 Pages |
| 1 |
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
OrbiMed Israel BioFund GP Limited Partnership | |||
| 2 |
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (See Instructions) (a) o (b) o |
| ||
| 3 |
SEC USE ONLY
| |||
| 4 |
SOURCE OF FUNDS (See Instructions)
N/A | |||
| 5 |
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
|
o | ||
| 6 |
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
State of Israel | |||
|
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH |
7 |
SOLE VOTING POWER
0 | ||
| 8 |
SHARED VOTING POWER
176,850 | |||
| 9 |
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0 | |||
| 10 |
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
176,850 | |||
| 11 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
176,850 | |||
| 12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions) | o | ||
| 13 |
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 14.1%* | |||
| 14 |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)
PN | |||
| * |
This percentage is calculated based upon 1,252,409 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Shares”) of Novus Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), as reported by Bloomberg L.P. on October 13, 2020.
|
SCHEDULE 13D
| CUSIP No. 67011N 204 | Page 3 of 10 Pages |
| 1 |
NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
OrbiMed Israel GP Ltd. | |||
| 2 |
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (See Instructions) (a) o (b) o |
| ||
| 3 | SEC USE ONLY | |||
| 4 |
SOURCE OF FUNDS (See Instructions)
N/A | |||
| 5 | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) | o | ||
| 6 |
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
State of Israel | |||
|
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH |
7 |
SOLE VOTING POWER
0 | ||
| 8 |
SHARED VOTING POWER
176,850 | |||
| 9 |
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0 | |||
| 10 |
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
176,850 | |||
| 11 |
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
176,850 | |||
| 12 | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (See Instructions) | o | ||
| 13 |
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
14.1* | |||
| 14 |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (See Instructions)
CO | |||
| * |
This percentage is calculated based upon 1,252,409 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Shares”) of Novus Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), as reported by Bloomberg L.P. on October 13, 2020.
|
| Item 1. | Security and Issuer. |
This Amendment No. 5 (“Amendment No. 5”) to Schedule 13D supplements and amends the Statement on Schedule 13D of OrbiMed Israel BioFund GP Limited Partnership and OrbiMed Israel GP Ltd. (the “Statement”) originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 19, 2017, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto filed with the SEC on March 19, 2018, Amendment No. 2 filed with the SEC on May 6, 2019, Amendment No. 3 filed with the SEC on February 25, 2020, and Amendment No. 4 filed with the SEC on August 18, 2020 (“Amendment No. 4”). This Statement relates to the common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Shares”), of Novus Therapeutics, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware (the “Issuer”), with its principal executive offices are located at 19900 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 550 Irvine, California 92612. The Shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the ticker symbol “NVUS.” Information given in response to each item shall be deemed incorporated by reference in all other items, as applicable.
This Amendment No. 5 is being filed to report that, on October 6, 2020, the Issuer filed a current report on Form 8-K, which stated that, on October 5, 2020, the Issuer implemented a reverse stock split of its Shares at a ratio of 1-for-18 (the “Reverse Stock Split”). On October 13, 2020, Bloomberg L.P. reported that the Issuer’s total number of outstanding Shares had increased to 1,252,409 (after accounting for the Reverse Stock Split) (the “Outstanding Share Increase”). As a result of the Outstanding Share Increase, the percentage of outstanding Shares that the Reporting Persons may be deemed to beneficially own was reduced by more than 1% since the filing of Amendment No. 4.
| Item 2. | Identity and Background. |
(a) This Statement is being jointly filed by OrbiMed Israel GP Ltd., an Israeli company (“OrbiMed Israel”), and OrbiMed Israel BioFund GP Limited Partnership, an Israeli limited partnership (“OrbiMed BioFund”) (together, the “Reporting Persons” and each, a “Reporting Person”).
(b) – (c) OrbiMed Israel, a company that acts as general partner of certain limited partnerships, is the general partner of OrbiMed BioFund, which is the general partner of OrbiMed Israel Partners Limited Partnership, an Israeli limited partnership (“OIP”), which holds the securities to which this Statement relates.
The address of the principal office of each Reporting Person is 89 Medinat HaYehudim St., Build E, 11th Floor, Herzliya 46766 Israel.
The name, business address, present principal occupation or employment and citizenship of each of the directors, executive officers and partners (as applicable) of the Reporting Persons are set forth in Schedules I and II hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.
(d) – (e) During the last five years, none of the Reporting Persons nor, to the best of their knowledge, any of the persons listed in Schedules I and II hereto, has been: (i) convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or (ii) a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
| Item 3. | Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration. |
Not applicable.
| Item 4. | Purpose of Transaction. |
The Shares have been acquired by the Reporting Persons for the purpose of making an investment in the Issuer and not for the intention of acquiring control of the Issuer’s business on behalf of OIP.
The Reporting Persons from time to time intend to review their investment in the Issuer on the basis of various factors, including the Issuer’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, general economic and industry conditions, the securities markets in general and those for the Issuer’s Shares in particular, as well as other developments and other investment opportunities. Based upon such review, the Reporting Persons will take such actions in the future as the Reporting Persons may deem appropriate in light of the circumstances existing from time to time. If the Reporting Persons believe that further investment in the Issuer is attractive, whether because of the market price of the Shares or otherwise, they may acquire Shares or other securities of the Issuer either in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. Similarly, depending on market and other factors, the Reporting Persons may determine to dispose of some or all of the Shares currently owned by the Reporting Persons or otherwise acquired by the Reporting Persons either in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.
Except as set forth in this Statement, the Reporting Persons have not formulated any plans or proposals which relate to or would result in: (a) the acquisition by any person of additional securities of the Issuer or the disposition of securities of the Issuer; (b) an extraordinary corporate transaction, such as a merger, reorganization or liquidation, involving the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries; (c) a sale or transfer of a material amount of the assets of the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries; (d) any change in the present Board or management of the Issuer, including any plans or proposals to change the number or term of directors or to fill any existing vacancies on the Board; (e) any material change in the Issuer's capitalization or dividend policy; (f) any other material change in the Issuer's business or corporate structure: (g) any change in the Issuer's charter or bylaws or other or instrument corresponding thereto or other action which may impede the acquisition of control of the Issuer by any person; (h) causing a class of the Issuer's securities to be deregistered or delisted from a national securities exchange or to cease to be authorized to be quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system of a national securities association; (i) a class of equity securities of the Issuer becoming eligible for termination of registration pursuant to Section 12(g)(4) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”); or (j) any action similar to any of those enumerated above.
| Item 5. | Interest in Securities of the Issuer. |
(a)-(b) As of the date of this filing, the Reporting Persons may be deemed, for purposes of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, directly or indirectly, including by reason of their mutual affiliation, to be the beneficial owners of the Shares described in Item 6 below. Based upon information reported by Bloomberg L.P. on October 13, 2020, such Shares constitute approximately 14.1% of the issued and outstanding Shares. OrbiMed Israel, pursuant to its authority as the general partner of OrbiMed BioFund, the general partner of OIP, may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own the Shares held by OIP. OrbiMed BioFund, pursuant to its authority as the general partner of OIP, may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own the Shares held by OIP. As a result, OrbiMed Israel and OrbiMed BioFund share the power to direct the vote and to direct the disposition of the shares of Shares described in Item 6 below.
(c) The Reporting Persons have not effected any transactions during the past sixty (60) days in any Shares.
(d) Not applicable.
(e) Not applicable.
| Item 6. | Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer. |
In addition to the relationships between the Reporting Persons described in Items 2, 3, and 5 above, OrbiMed BioFund is the general partner of OIP pursuant to the terms of the limited partnership agreement of OIP. OrbiMed Israel is the general partner of OrbiMed BioFund, pursuant to the terms of the limited partnership agreement of OrbiMed BioFund. As a result, OrbiMed BioFund has the power to direct the vote and to direct the disposition of the Shares held by OIP and such power is exercised through OrbiMed Israel. OrbiMed Israel exercises this investment power through an investment committee (the “Committee”) comprised of Carl L. Gordon, Jonathan T. Silverstein, Nissim Darvish, Anat Naschitz, and Erez Chimovits (“Chimovits”), each of whom disclaims beneficial ownership of the Shares held by OIP, except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. As a result, OrbiMed BioFund and OrbiMed Israel may be deemed directly or indirectly, including by reason of their mutual affiliation, to be the beneficial owners of the Shares held by OIP and to share power to direct the vote and the disposition of the Shares held by OIP. The number of outstanding Shares attributable to OIP is 176,850 Shares. OrbiMed Israel maybe be considered to hold indirectly 176,850 Shares, and OrbiMed BioFund may be considered to hold indirectly 176,850 Shares.
The Reporting Persons have designated Chimovits to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, and, accordingly, the Reporting Persons may have the ability to affect and influence control of the Issuer. From time to time, Chimovits may receive stock options or other awards of equity-based compensation pursuant to the Issuer’s compensation arrangements for non-employee directors. Chimovits is obligated to transfer any Shares issued under any such stock options or other awards, or the economic benefit thereof, to OrbiMed Israel or an affiliate, which will in turn ensure that such Shares or economic benefits are provided to OIP.
Except as described above or elsewhere in this Statement or incorporated by reference in this Statement, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships (legal or otherwise) between any of the Reporting Persons or, to the best of their knowledge, any of the persons named in Schedules I and II to this Statement or between any of the Reporting Persons and any other person or, to the best of their knowledge, any person named in Schedules I and II to this Statement and any other person with respect to any securities of the Issuer, including, but not limited to, transfer or voting of any securities, finder’s fees, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of profits, division of profits or losses, or the giving or withholding of proxies.
| Item 7. | Materials to be Filed as Exhibits. |
| Exhibit No. | Description |
|
1.
|
Joint Filing Agreement between OrbiMed Israel GP Ltd. and OrbiMed Israel BioFund GP Limited Partnership. |
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of each of the undersigned’s knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated: October 13, 2020
| ORBIMED ISRAEL BIOFUND GP LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | |||
| By: | OrbiMed Israel GP Ltd., its General Partner | ||
| By: | /s/ Nissim Darvish | ||
| Nissim Darvish | |||
| Director of OrbiMed Israel GP Ltd. | |||
| ORBIMED ISRAEL GP LTD. | |||
| By: | /s/ Nissim Darvish | ||
| Nissim Darvish | |||
| Director | |||
SCHEDULE I
The name and present principal occupation of each of the executive officers and directors of OrbiMed Israel GP Ltd. are set forth below. Unless otherwise noted, all of these persons are Israeli citizens and have as their business address 89 Medinat HaYehudim St., Build E, 11th Floor, Herzliya 46766, Israel.
| Name | Position with Reporting Person |
Principal Occupation |
|
Carl L. Gordon American citizen |
Director |
Member OrbiMed Advisors LLC 601 Lexington Avenue, 54th Floor New York, NY 10022 |
| Nissim Darvish | Director |
Senior Managing Director OrbiMed Israel Partners Limited |
|
Jonathan T. Silverstein American citizen |
Director |
Member 601 Lexington Avenue, 54th Floor New York, NY 10022 |
| Erez Chimovits | Director |
Partner OrbiMed Israel Partners Limited |
| Anat Naschitz | Director |
Managing Director OrbiMed Israel Partners Limited |
SCHEDULE II
The business and operations of OrbiMed Israel BioFund GP Limited Partnership are managed by the executive officers and directors of its general partner, OrbiMed Israel GP Ltd.
EXHIBIT A
JOINT FILING AGREEMENT
The undersigned hereby agree that the Statement on this Schedule 13D, dated October 13, 2020 (the “Schedule 13D”), with respect to the Shares of Novus Therapeutics, Inc. is filed on behalf of each of us pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Rule 13d-1(k) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that this Agreement shall be included as an Exhibit to this Schedule 13D. Each of the undersigned agrees to be responsible for the timely filing of the Schedule 13D, and for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning itself contained therein. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the 13th day of October, 2020.
| ORBIMED ISRAEL BIOFUND GP LIMITED PARTNERSHIP | |||
| By: | OrbiMed Israel GP Ltd., its General Partner | ||
| By: | /s/ Nissim Darvish | ||
| Nissim Darvish | |||
| Director of OrbiMed Israel GP Ltd. | |||
| ORBIMED ISRAEL GP LTD. | |||
| By: | /s/ Nissim Darvish | ||
| Nissim Darvish | |||
| Director | |||