Sec Form 13D Filing - Alpine ImmunoSciences L.P. filing for ALPINE IMMUNE SCIENCES INC. (ALPN) - 2023-11-13

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 6)*

Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

02083G100

(CUSIP Number)

Dr. Mitchell H. Gold

600 Stewart Street, Suite 1503

Seattle, Washington 98101

Telephone: (206) 441-5064

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

November 9, 2023

(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 of §§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 Rule 13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

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).

This Amendment No. 6 (“Amendment No. 6”) to Schedule 13D supplements and amends the initial statement on Schedule 13D originally filed by the Reporting Persons with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on August 3, 2017, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto filed with the SEC on January 23, 2019, Amendment No. 2 filed with the SEC on August 3, 2020, Amendment No. 3 filed with the SEC on December 22, 2020, Amendment No. 4 filed with the SEC on September 21, 2021 and Amendment No. 5 filed with the SEC on September 27, 2022 (as so amended, the “Schedule 13D”). This Statement relates to the common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Shares”), of Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), whose principal executive offices are located at 188 East Blaine Street, Suite 200, Seattle, Washington 98102.

Each item below amends and supplements the information disclosed under the corresponding item of the Schedule 13D. Capitalized terms defined in the Schedule 13D are used herein with their defined meanings.

This Schedule 13D relates to Shares held by Alpine Immunosciences, which is principally engaged in the business of making investments. Alpine BioVentures is the general partner of Alpine Immunosciences. Dr. Gold and Dr. Venkatesan are the Managing Partners of Alpine BioVentures and limited partners of Alpine Immunosciences.

The business address of each of Alpine Immunosciences, Alpine BioVentures and Dr. Venkatesan is 600 Stewart Street, Suite 1503, Seattle, Washington 98101.

The business address of Dr. Gold is 188 East Blaine Street, Suite 200, Seattle, Washington 98102.

Alpine Immunosciences is a Delaware limited partnership; Alpine BioVentures is a Delaware limited liability company. Each of Dr. Gold and Venkatesan are citizens of the United States of America.

Prior to the Merger (defined and described in Item 4), Alpine Immunosciences held shares of common stock of Old Alpine (defined in Item 4), which had been acquired over several years through various means. In addition, prior to the Merger, on April 18, 2017, Alpine Immunosciences, together with other Old Alpine stockholders, entered into a Subscription Agreement with Old Alpine (the “Subscription Agreement”), pursuant to which Alpine Immunosciences agreed to purchase 520,045 shares of Old Alpine common stock at a price of $6.327 per Old Alpine share immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger, for a total of approximately $3,290,324.72 (the “Financing”). The closing of the Merger was conditioned upon the closing of the Financing. As a result of the foregoing, immediately prior to consummation of the Merger, Alpine Immunosciences beneficially owned 7,655,276 shares of Old Alpine common stock. The description contained herein of the Subscription Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of the document, which is attached as Exhibit B to this Schedule 13D and is incorporated by reference herein.

As a result of the Merger, based on the exchange rate of 0.4969 Shares for each share of Old Alpine common stock (the “Exchange Ratio”), Alpine Immunosciences received an aggregate of 3,803,906 Shares in exchange for its shares of Old Alpine common stock.

All fractional Shares were paid in cash.

The source of funds for the forego ing purchases came from the working capital of Alpine Immunosciences.

In addition, prior to the Merger, each of Dr. Gold and Dr. Venkatesan held shares of common stock of Old Alpine, which had been acquired over several years through various means, and options to acquire shares of common stock of Old Alpine, which had been granted under the Alpine Plan (defined in Item 4). Prior to the Merger, Dr. Gold beneficially owned 196,875 shares of Old Alpine common stock, including options to acquire 1,128,564 shares of Old Alpine common stock, and Dr. Venkatesan beneficially owned 118,750 shares of Old Alpine common stock, including options to acquire 181,250 shares of Old Alpine common stock.

Immediately after the Merger, after giving effect to the Exchange Ratio: (i) Dr. Gold’s options to purchase 605,000 shares of Old Alpine’s common stock granted in March 2017 (“March 2017 Options”) converted into options to purchase 300,624 Shares; (ii) of Dr. Gold’s options to purchase 300,000 shares of Old Alpine’s common stock granted in December 2015 (“December 2015 Options”), the 196,875 December 2015 options which were exercised prior to the Merger were converted into an aggregate of 97,827 Shares, and the 103,125 December 2015 Options which were outstanding immediately prior to the Merger were converted into options to purchase 51,242 Shares; and (iii) Dr. Gold’s options to purchase 420,439 shares of Old Alpine’s common stock granted in April 2017 (“April 2017 Options”) converted into options to purchase 208,916 Shares. Subsequent to the Merger, Dr. Gold was granted options to purchase 70,000 Shares in January 2018 (“January 2018 Options”), options to purchase 200,000 Shares in February 2019 (“February 2019 Options”), options to purchase 270,000 shares in January 2020 (“January 2020 Options”), restricted stock units constituting the right to receive 67,569 shares in January 2020, of which 33,784 of such restricted stock units vested on June 30, 2020 and 33,785 of such restricted stock units vested on December 31, 2020, with an aggregate of 19,350 of such vested restricted stock units being withheld by the Issuer to satisfy its tax withholding obligations in connection with the net settlement of such restricted stock units, options to purchase 255,000 shares in January 2021 (“January 2021 Options”), options to purchase 215,000 shares in January 2022 (the “January 2022 Options”), options to purchase 350,000 shares in January 2023 (the “January 2023 Options”). Each of the March 2017 Options, December 2015 Options, April 2017 Options, January 2018 Options, February 2019 Options, January 2020 Options, January 2021 Options, January 2022 Options and January 2023 Options are subject generally to Dr. Gold’s continued employment with the Issuer and certain change of control provisions.

Also immediately after the Merger, after giving effect to the Exchange Ratio, of Dr. Venkatesan’s options to purchase 300,000 shares of Old Alpine’s common stock granted in December 2015: (i) the 118,750 of which options were exercised prior to the Merger were converted into an aggregate of 59,005 Shares; and (ii) the 181,250 of which options were outstanding immediately prior to the Merger were converted into options to purchase 90,063 Shares. Subsequent to the Merger, Dr. Venkatesan was granted options to purchase 25,000 Shares in January 2018 (“Venkatesan January 2018 Options”), options to purchase 7,650 Shares in January 2019 (“Venkatesan January 2019 Options”), options to purchase 7,650 Shares in January 2020 (“Venkatesan January 2020 Options”), options to purchase 7,650 Shares in January 2021 (“Venkatesan January 2021 Options”), and 10,000 Shares in January 2022 (“Venkatesan January 2022 Options”). On July 18, 2022, Dr. Venkatesan resigned from the Issuer’s Board. In connection with Dr. Venkatesan’s resignation, the Board accelerated the vesting of the Venkatesan January 2022 Options, such that they became fully vested and exercisable. All options held by Dr. Venkatesan were forfeited following expiration of the 180 day post-termination exercise period.

The source of funds for the purchases by Dr. Gold came from the personal funds of Dr. Gold, and the source of funds for the purchases by Dr. Venkatesan came from the personal funds of Dr. Venkatesan.

On January 15, 2019, the Issuer entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Alpine Immunosciences and certain other institutional investors (the “Transaction”). Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Issuer agreed to issue and sell Units to Alpine Immunosciences in a private placement, at $5.37 per unit, with each unit consisting of one Share and a warrant to purchase 0.39 of a Share (each, a “Unit”). Alpine Immunosciences purchased 190,875 Units. In connection with the entry into the Purchase Agreement, Alpine Immunosciences and the other investors entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Issuer relating to the Issuer’s obligations to prepare and file a resale registration statement with the SEC relating to the Shares issued in the Transaction, including Shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrants. The descriptions contained herein of the Purchase Agreement, Registration Rights Agreement and the warrants do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the forms of the documents, which are attached as Exhibits E, F and G, respectively, to this Schedule 13D and are incorporated by reference herein.

A total of $1,024,998.75 was paid to acquire the Units by Alpine Immunosciences in connection with the Purchase Agreement. The source of the funds for the acquisition by Alpine Immunosciences was working capital. No part of the purchase price was borrowed by Alpine Immunosciences for the purpose of acquiring any securities discussed in this Item 3.

On July 24, 2020, the Issuer entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “2020 Purchase Agreement”) for a private placement (the “2020 Private Placement”) with a select group of institutional investors. Pursuant to the 2020 Purchase Agreement, the investors agreed to purchase (a) 5,139,610 units representing (i) 5,139,610 Shares and (ii) warrants to purchase up to that number of additional shares of common stock equal to 30% of the number of Shares respectively purchased by each investor (rounded down to the nearest whole share) (the “Common Stock Warrants”) and (b) 790,710 units representing (i) prefunded warrants to purchase 790,710 Shares (the “Prefunded Warrants”) and (ii) Common Stock Warrants to purchase up to that number of additional shares of common stock equal to 30% of the number of shares of common stock underlying the Prefunded Warrants respectively purchased by each investor (rounded down to the nearest whole share). Alpine Immunosciences, Alpine BioVentures, Dr. Gold and Dr. Venkatesan did not purchase any securities in the 2020 Private Placement.

On December 22, 2020, Alpine Immunosciences effected a distribution of 993,801 Shares to its limited partners on a pro rata basis for no consideration (the “December 2020 Distribution”). As a result of the December 2020 Distribution, Dr. Gold received 260,528 Shares and Dr. Venkatesan received 181,024 Shares.

On September 14, 2021, the Issuer entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “2021 Purchase Agreement”) for a private placement (the “2021 Private Placement”) with a select group of institutional investors. Pursuant to the 2021 Purchase Agreement, the investors agreed to purchase an aggregate of (a) 6,489,357 Shares and (b) Prefunded Warrants to purchase 3,191,487 shares of common stock. Alpine Immunosciences, Alpine BioVentures, Dr. Gold and Dr. Venkatesan did not purchase any securities in the 2021 Private Placement.

On September 14, 2021, the Issuer entered into an exchange agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) with an existing institutional investor, pursuant to which the Issuer agreed to exchange an aggregate of 1,200,000 Shares for Prefunded Warrants to purchase 1,200,000 shares of common stock (subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, recapitalizations and other similar events affecting common stock). Alpine Immunosciences, Alpine BioVentures, Dr. Gold and Dr. Venkatesan were not party to the Exchange Agreement.

On September 14, 2021, Alpine Immunosciences entered into a stock transfer agreement (the “Transfer Agreement”) by and between Alpine Immunosciences and Frazier Life Sciences Public Fund, L.P. (“Frazier Public Fund”), pursuant to which Alpine Immunosciences sold to Frazier Public Fund an aggregate of 400,000 shares of the Issuer’s common stock for $9.40 per share, for a total of $3,760,000.00.

On September 20, 2022, the Issuer entered into an underwriting agreement (the “2022 Underwriting Agreement”) with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), SVB Securities LLC and Cowen and Company, LLC (“Cowen”), acting as representatives of the several underwriters named therein, relating to an underwritten public offering of 13,606,000 Shares being sold by the Company (the “2022 Public Offering”). Pursuant to the 2022 Underwriting Agreement, the Issuer also granted such underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,040,900 Shares. None of Alpine Immunosciences, Alpine BioVentures, Dr. Gold and Dr. Venkatesan purchased any securities in the 2022 Public Offering.

On November 6, 2023, the Issuer entered into an underwriting agreement (the “2023 Underwriting Agreement”) with Morgan Stanley, Cowen and Leerink Partners LLC, acting as representatives of the several underwriters named therein, relating to an underwritten public offering of 8,800,000 Shares being sold by the Company and pre-funded warrants to purchase 3,200,000 Shares (the “2023 Public Offering”). Pursuant to the 2023 Underwriting Agreement, the Issuer has also granted such underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,800,000 Shares. None of Alpine Immunosciences, Alpine BioVentures, Dr. Gold and Dr. Venkatesan purchased any securities in the 2023 Public Offering.

On July 24, 2017, the Issuer (which was formerly known as Nivalis Therapeutics, Inc.) completed a business combination with what was then known as Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. and currently known as AIS Operating Co., Inc. (“Old Alpine”) in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of April 18, 2017, by and among the Issuer, Nautilus Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”), and Old Alpine (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which Merger Sub merged with and into Old Alpine, with Old Alpine surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Issuer (the “Merger”).

On July 24, 2017, in connection with, and prior to the completion of, the Merger, the Issuer effected a 1-for-4 reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”). Also on July 24, 2017, immediately after completion of the Merger, the Issuer changed its name to “Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc.”

Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Issuer issued Shares to Old Alpine’s stockholders, including Alpine Immunosciences, Dr. Gold and Dr. Venkatesan, at the Exchange Ratio and after taking into account the Reverse Stock Split, for each share of Old Alpine common stock outstanding immediately prior to the Merger. The Issuer also assumed all of the stock options outstanding under the Old Alpine Amended and Restated 2015 Stock Plan, as amended (the “Old Alpine Plan”), including those held by Dr. Gold and Dr. Venkatesan, with such stock options henceforth representing the right to purchase a number of Shares equal to the Exchange Ratio multiplied by the number of shares of Old Alpine common stock previously represented by such options. The Issuer also assumed the Old Alpine Plan.

On July 24, 2017, effective as of the effective time of the Merger: (i) each of Dr. Gold and Dr. Venkatesan were appointed to the Issuer’s board of directors (the “Board”) with an initial term that expired at the Issuer’s 2020 annual meeting of stockholders (each of Dr. Gold and Dr. Venkatesan were elected to serve an additional three-year term on the Board at the Issuer’s 2020 annual meeting of stockholders); (ii) the Board appointed Dr. Gold as the Executive Chairman of the Board and the Issuer’s Chief Executive Officer and Assistant Secretary; and (iii) the Board appointed Dr. Venkatesan as the Issuer’s President. Dr. Gold served as Old Alpine’s acting Chief Executive Officer since June 2016 and has served as Executive Chairman and as a member of Old Alpine’s board of directors since January 2015. Dr. Venkatesan served as Old Alpine’s Chief Executive Officer from November 2015 to June 2016 before transitioning to Old Alpine’s President in June 2016. Dr. Venkatesan has served as a member of Old Alpine’s board of directors since November 2015. Effective as of August 6, 2018, Dr. Venkatesan ceased to serve as the Issuer’s President, but continues to serve as a member of the Board.

The Reporting Persons acquired the Shares and the Units for investment purposes, and such purchases have been made in the Reporting Persons’ ordinary course of business. The Reporting Persons expect to review from time to time their investment in the Issuer and may, depending on the market and other conditions: (i) purchase additional Shares, options or related derivatives in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise and (ii) sell all or a portion of the Shares, options or related derivatives now beneficially owned or hereafter acquired by them.

Also, consistent with their investment intent, the Reporting Persons may engage in communications with, without limitation, one or more stockholders of the Issuer, one or more officers of the Issuer and/or one or more members of the Board regarding the Issuer, including but not limited to its operations, governance and control.

Except as set forth above, none of the Reporting Persons has any plans or proposals which relate to, or could result in, any of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) through (j), inclusive, of the instructions to Item 4 of Schedule 13D. The Reporting Persons may, at any time and from time to time, review or reconsider their position and/or change their purpose and/or formulate plans or proposals with respect thereto.

As of November 9, 2023, Alpine BioVentures may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own 2,675,421 Shares, including 74,441 Shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants, representing approximately 4.6% of the outstanding Shares.

As of November 9, 2023, Dr. Gold may be deemed to beneficially own 4,266,215 Shares, including shares of common stock issuable pursuant stock options vested and exercisable within 60 days of November 9, 2023, representing approximately 7.2% of the outstanding Shares. These Shares are held as follows:

As of November 9, 2023, Dr. Venkatesan may be deemed to beneficially own 2,712,687 Shares, representing approximately 4.7% of the outstanding Shares. These Shares are held as follows:

The foregoing beneficial ownership percentages are based on 58,001,547 Shares (as defined in Item 1) outstanding, which is the sum of: (i) 49,201,547 shares of the Issuer’s Common Stock outstanding on August 4, 2023, as set forth in the Issuer’s quarterly report filed on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2023, plus (ii) 8,800,000 shares of the Issuer’s Common Stock issued on November 9, 2023 in the 2023 Public Offering (as defined in Item 3), as adjusted pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d)(1) promulgated under the Exchange Act.

The response to Items 3 and 4 of this Schedule 13D are incorporated by reference herein.

Each of Alpine Immunosciences, Dr. Gold and Dr. Venkatesan entered into a lock-up agreement, pursuant to which each agreed, except in limited circumstances, not to sell or transfer, or engage in swap or similar transactions with respect to, the Shares, including, as applicable, Shares received in the Merger and issuable upon exercise of certain warrants and options, for a period of 180 days following the completion of the Merger (the “Merger Lock-Up Agreements”). The restrictions imposed by the Merger Lock-up Agreements expired in January 2018.

In addition, each of Dr. Gold and Dr. Venkatesan entered into an indemnification agreement with the Issuer on July 24, 2017 immediately following the Merger (the “Indemnification Agreements”).

In connection with the Transaction, each of Dr. Gold and Dr. Venkatesan entered into a lock-up agreement, pursuant to which each agreed, except in limited circumstances, not to sell or transfer, or engage in swap or similar transactions with respect to, the Shares, including, as applicable, Shares purchased in connection with the Purchase Agreement, until the earlier of (i) 180 days following the closing of the Transaction and (ii) 30 days following the date of effectiveness of the registration statement registering the resale of the Shares acquired in connection with the Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement Lock-Up Agreements”, and together with the Merger Lock-Up Agreements, the “Prior Lock-Up Agreements”). The lock-up restrictions in the Prior Lock-Up Agreements have expired.

In connection with the 2020 Private Placement, each of Dr. Gold and Dr. Venkatesan entered into a new lock-up agreement, pursuant to which each agreed, except in limited circumstances, not to sell or transfer, or engage in swap or similar transactions with respect to the Shares, until 90 days following the date of the 2020 Purchase Agreement (the “2020 Lock-Up Agreements”).

In connection with the 2021 Private Placement, Drs. Gold and Venkatesan each entered into a lock-up agreement, pursuant to which they each agreed, except in limited circumstances, not to sell or transfer, or engage in swap or similar transactions with respect to the Shares, until 60 days following the date of the 2021 Purchase Agreement (the “2021 Lock-Up Agreements”).

In connection with the 2022 Public Offering, each of Alpine Immunosciences and Dr. Gold entered into a new lock-up agreement, pursuant to which they each agreed, except in limited circumstances, not to sell or transfer, or engage in swap or similar transactions with respect to the Shares, until 60 days following the date of the final prospectus supplement relating to the 2022 Public Offering (the “2022 Lock-Up Agreements”).

In connection with the 2023 Public Offering, each of Alpine Immunosciences and Dr. Gold entered into a new lock-up agreement, pursuant to which they each agreed, except in limited circumstances, not to sell or transfer, or engage in swap or similar transactions with respect to the Shares, until 45 days following the date of the final prospectus supplement relating to the 2023 Public Offering (the “2023 Lock-Up Agreements and together with the Prior Lock-Up Agreements, the 2020 Lock-Up Agreements, the 2021 Lock-Up Agreements, and the 2022 Lock-Up Agreements, the “Lock-Up Agreements”).

The descriptions contained herein of the Lock-Up Agreements and the Indemnification Agreements do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the form of such documents, which are attached as Exhibits C-1, C-2, C-3, D, H and I respectively, to this Schedule 13D and are incorporated by reference herein.

Except as described in this Schedule 13D, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships (legal or otherwise) among the persons named in Item 2 of this Statement or between such persons and any other person with respect to any securities of the Issuer.

SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his or its knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Date: November 13, 2023