Item 2.05.Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of GlycoMimetics, Inc. (the “Company”) has approved a streamlined operating plan that includes the exploration of strategic alternatives focused on maximizing shareholder value. The Company has concluded, following feedback from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, that the regulatory path forward for its lead product candidate uproleselan for the treatment of relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia would require an additional clinical trial.
In connection with the streamlined operating plan approved by the Board, on July 24, 2024, the authorized officers of the Company committed the Company to a corporate restructuring that includes a reduction in the Company’s workforce by 26 employees, or approximately 80% of its headcount. The Company expects to substantially complete the reduction by July 31, 2024. The Company anticipates recognizing approximately $3.6 million in total charges in connection with the headcount reduction, which costs are expected to be substantially recognized in the third quarter of 2024, with related cash payments expected to be paid out by the end of 2024. These charges will consist primarily of one-time severance payments upon termination and continued benefits for a specified period of time. The Company expects such costs to be the only direct expense of the workforce reduction; however, the charges the Company expects to incur are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and actual results may materially differ. The Company may also incur other material charges not currently contemplated due to events that may occur as a result of, or associated with, these actions.
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
As part of the reduction in force described in Item 2.05 above, the employment of Dr. Edwin Rock, the Company’s Chief Medical Officer, will end on July 31, 2024 (the “Separation Date”).
The Company expects to enter into a Separation Agreement with Dr. Rock, which will be effective as of the Separation Date. Under the Separation Agreement, subject to Dr. Rock executing a general release of claims in the Company’s favor, the Company will pay Dr. Rock, as severance, the equivalent of twelve (12) months of his base salary in effect as of the Separation Date, subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings. This amount will be paid in a lump sum on the Company’s next regular payroll date following the Separation Date, provided that Dr. Rock has signed and not revoked the Separation Agreement as of that date.
In addition, the Company will also pay the federal COBRA (or, if applicable, state continuation coverage) premiums to continue healthcare coverage for Dr. Rock and his covered dependents, as applicable, for twelve (12) months from the Separation Date or, if earlier, the date when he becomes eligible for substantially equivalent health insurance coverage in connection with new employment or self-employment or the date on which he ceases to be eligible for COBRA or state continuation coverage for any reason (such period, the “COBRA Payment Period”). If the Company determines that its payment of the COBRA premiums on Dr. Rock’s behalf would violate applicable law, then the Company will pay Dr. Rock each month during the COBRA Payment Period a cash payment equal to the COBRA premium for such month, subject to applicable tax withholding.
The Company expects to enter into a separate agreement with Dr. Rock (the “Consulting Agreement”), to be effective as of the Separation Date, pursuant to which Dr. Rock will, at the request of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, or his designee, provide the Company with consulting services through January 31, 2025 (the “Consulting Period”). During the Consulting Period, Dr. Rock will be paid a specified hourly rate, subject to obtaining advance approval from an authorized representative of the Company to provide such consulting services. Dr. Rock’s provision of services under the Consulting Agreement will constitute “Continuous Service” for purposes of continued vesting and exercising of his outstanding equity awards under the Company’s equity incentive plans.
The foregoing descriptions of the Separation Agreement and Consulting Agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of such agreements. Copies of the Separation Agreement and the Consulting Agreement, if executed, will be filed as exhibits to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending September 30, 2024.