Sec Form 13D Filing - FOLEY & LARDNER filing for Clene Inc. (CLNN) - 2023-02-06

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Name of Issuer)

(Title of Class of Securities)

(CUSIP Number)

David J. Matlin

61 Cedar Pt Lane

Sag Harbor, NY 11963

(917) 841-2666

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person

Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

(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 which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box ☐.

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSON David J. Matlin
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP			(a) ☐ (b) ☐ ☐☐
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS PF
5	CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)			☐
6	CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION United States
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH		7	SOLE VOTING POWER 5,451,862 (1)
		8	SHARED VOTING POWER 150,000
		9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 5,451,862 (1)
		10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 150,000
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 5,601,862 (1)
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES			☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 7.6% (2)
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON IN

	(1)	Includes 158,178 shares that may be acquired within 60 days pursuant to options held by David J. Matlin.
	(2)	Based on 73,820,010 shares of Common Stock of the Issuer outstanding as of November 2, 2022, as disclosed on the Issuer’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 7, 2022, and 158,178 options held by David J. Matlin.

This initial Schedule 13D relates to the common stock, $0.0001 par value (“Common Stock”) of Clene Inc. (the “Company”).  The address of the principal executive offices of the Company is 6550 South Millrock Drive, Suite G50, Salt Lake City, Utah 84121.

The total amount of funds used for the purchase of Common Stock by the Reporting Person was $13.2 million. All of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Reporting Person were paid for using personal funds, and the options held by the Reporting Person to purchase shares of Common Stock were granted to the Reporting Person under the Clene Inc. 2020 Stock Plan.

This is the Reporting Person’s initial Schedule 13D. The Reporting Person purchased the Common Stock based on the belief that such securities, at current market prices, represented an attractive investment opportunity. Depending upon overall market conditions, other investment opportunities, and the availability of Common Stock at desirable prices, the Reporting Person may endeavor to increase his position in the Company through, among other things, the purchase of Common Stock in open market or private transactions on such terms and at such times as the Reporting Person deems advisable.

The Reporting Person intends to review his investment in the Company on a continuing basis taking into consideration various factors, including the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, general economic and industry conditions, the securities markets in general and those for shares of Common Stock and the Company, in particular, as well as other developments and other investment opportunities. Based upon such review, the Reporting Person will take such actions in the future as the Reporting Person may deem appropriate in light of the circumstances existing from time to time, which may include further acquisitions of shares of Common Stock of the Company or disposal of some or all of the shares of Common Stock of the Company owned by the Reporting Person or otherwise acquired by the Reporting Person, either in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.

Pursuant to the Reporting Person’s continued service as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, the Reporting Person may receive future equity awards from the Company in accordance with the applicable equity plans, as may be in effect from time to time.

As Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, the Reporting Person is involved in the oversight and management of the Company and setting policy for the Company. The Reporting Person participates with the Board of Directors of the Company in the consideration of, and taking action on, significant corporate events and opportunities involving the Company. As a result, from time to time the Reporting Person may consider proposals that relate to or would result in the matters listed in Items 4(a)-(j) of Schedule 13D.

Except as set forth in this Schedule 13D, the Reporting Person has not formulated any plans or proposals which relate to or would result in: (a) the acquisition by any person of additional securities of the Company or the disposition of securities of the Company, (b) an extraordinary corporate transaction, such as a merger, reorganization or liquidation, involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (c) a sale or transfer of a material amount of the assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (d) any change in the present Board of Directors or management of the Company, 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 Company’s capitalization or dividend policy of the Company, (f) any other material change in the Company’s business or corporate structure, (g) any change in the Company’s charter or bylaws or other instrument corresponding thereto or other action which may impede the acquisition of control of the Company by any person, (h) causing a class of the Company’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 registered national securities association, (i) a class of equity securities of the Company becoming eligible for termination of registra tion pursuant to Section 12(g)(4) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act") or (j) any action similar to any of those enumerated above.

(a)

The Reporting Person beneficially owns 5,601,862 shares of Common Stock, which represents 7.6% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (based on 73,820,010 shares outstanding as of November 2, 2022, as disclosed on the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC November 7, 2022). This includes 158,178 shares that may be acquired within 60 days pursuant to options held by the Reporting Person.

(b)

The Reporting Person has sole voting and dispositive power over 5,451,862 shares of Common Stock, which includes 158,178 shares that may be acquired within 60 days pursuant to options held by the Reporting Person. The Reporting Person has shared voting and dispositive power over 150,000 shares of Common Stock that are held by the Matlin Family Trust 2020, of which the Reporting Person is the trustee.

(c)	Except as described in this Schedule 13D, there have been no transactions in the shares of Common Stock effected by the Reporting Person during the last 60 days.

(d)	To the best knowledge of the Reporting Person, the Reporting Person does not have or know any other person who has the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, and Common Stock beneficially owned by the Reporting Person.

(e)	Not applicable.

To the knowledge of the Reporting Person, except for those matters described in this Schedule 13D, there is no contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship (legal or otherwise) between the Reporting Person and any other person with respect to securities of the Company.

None.

[Signatures follow on the next page.]

SIGNATURES

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.

Date: February 6, 2023.

DAVID J. MATLIN By:  /s/ David J. Matlin                                  David J. Matlin