Sec Form 13G Filing - BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND L P filing for Spero Therapeutics Inc. (SPRO) - 2021-02-12

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

Biotechnology Value Trading Fund OS LP

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) ☒

(b) ☐

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Cayman Islands

NUMBER OF

5

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

0 shares

OWNED BY

6

SHARED VOTING POWER

EACH

REPORTING

134,912 (1)

PERSON WITH

7

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0 shares

8

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

134,912 (1)

9

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

134,912 (1)

10

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

☐

11

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

Less than 1% (1)

12

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

PN

  

(1) Excludes 60,000 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series B Preferred that may not be converted due to the Series B Blocker.

 

Excludes 159,000 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series C Preferred that may not be converted due to the Series C Blocker.

 

Excludes 208,349 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series D Preferred that may not be converted due to the Series D Blocker.

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

BVF Partners OS Ltd.

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) ☒

(b) ☐

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Cayman Islands

NUMBER OF

5

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

0 shares

OWNED BY

6

SHARED VOTING POWER

EACH

REPORTING

134,912 (1)

PERSON WITH

7

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0 shares

8

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

134,912 (1)

9

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

134,912 (1)

10

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

☐

11

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

Less than 1% (1)

12

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

CO

  

(1) Excludes 60,000 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series B Preferred that may not be converted due to the Series B Blocker.

 

Excludes 159,000 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series C Preferred that may not be converted due to the Series C Blocker.

 

Excludes 208,349 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series D Preferred that may not be converted due to the Series D Blocker.

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

BVF GP HOLDINGS LLC

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) ☒

(b) ☐

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Delaware

NUMBER OF

5

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

0 shares

OWNED BY

6

SHARED VOTING POWER

EACH

REPORTING

2,600,677 (1)

PERSON WITH

7

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0 shares

8

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

2,600,677 (1)

9

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

2,600,677 (1)

10

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

☐

11

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

9.4% (1)

12

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

OO

  

(1) Includes 525,000 shares of Common Stock currently issuable upon the conversion of certain Series B Preferred. Excludes 353,000 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series B Preferred that may not be converted due to the Series B Blocker.

 

Excludes 2,055,000 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series C Preferred and BVF2 that may not be converted due to the Series C Blocker.

 

Excludes 3,006,651 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series D Preferred and BVF2 that may not be converted due to the Series D Blocker.

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

BVF Partners L.P.

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) ☒

(b) ☐

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Delaware

NUMBER OF

5

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

0 shares

OWNED BY

6

SHARED VOTING POWER

EACH

REPORTING

2,768,278 (1)

PERSON WITH

7

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0 shares

8

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

2,768,278 (1)

9

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

2,768,278 (1)

10

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

☐

11

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

9.99% (1)

12

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

PN, IA

  

(1) Includes 525,000 shares of Common Stock currently issuable upon the conversion of certain Series B Preferred. Excludes 475,000 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series B Preferred that may not be converted due to the Series B Blocker.

 

Excludes 2,287,000 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series C Preferred that may not be converted due to the Series C Blocker.

 

Excludes 3,215,000 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series D Preferred that may not be converted due to the Series D Blocker.

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

BVF Inc.

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) ☒

(b) ☐

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Delaware

NUMBER OF

5

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

0 shares

OWNED BY

6

SHARED VOTING POWER

EACH

REPORTING

2,768,278 (1)

PERSON WITH

7

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0 shares

8

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

2,768,278 (1)

9

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

2,768,278 (1)

10

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

☐

11

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

9.99% (1)

12

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

CO

  

(1) Includes 525,000 shares of Common Stock currently issuable upon the conversion of certain Series B Preferred. Excludes 475,000 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series B Preferred that may not be converted due to the Series B Blocker.

 

Excludes 2,287,000 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series C Preferred that may not be converted due to the Series C Blocker.

 

Excludes 3,215,000 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series D Preferred that may not be converted due to the Series D Blocker.

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

Mark N. Lampert

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) ☒

(b) ☐

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

United States

NUMBER OF

5

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

0 shares

OWNED BY

6

SHARED VOTING POWER

EACH

REPORTING

2,768,278 (1)

PERSON WITH

7

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0 shares

8

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

2,768,278 (1)

9

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

2,768,278 (1)

10

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

☐

11

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

9.99% (1)

12

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

IN

  

(1) Includes 525,000 shares of Common Stock currently issuable upon the conversion of certain Series B Preferred. Excludes 475,000 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series B Preferred that may not be converted due to the Series B Blocker.

 

Excludes 2,287,000 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series C Preferred that may not be converted due to the Series C Blocker.

 

Excludes 3,215,000 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series D Preferred that may not be converted due to the Series D Blocker.

Item 1(a).

Name of Issuer:

 

Spero Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”).

 

Item 1(b).

Address of Issuer’s Principal Executive Offices:

 

675 Massachusetts Avenue, 14th Floor

Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139

 

Item 2(a).

Name of Person Filing

Item 2(b).

Address of Principal Business Office or, if None, Residence

Item 2(c).

Citizenship

 

Biotechnology Value Fund, L.P. (“BVF”)

44 Montgomery St., 40th Floor

San Francisco, California 94104

Citizenship: Delaware

 

BVF I GP LLC (“BVF GP”)

44 Montgomery St., 40th Floor

San Francisco, California 94104

Citizenship: Delaware

 

Biotechnology Value Fund II, L.P. (“BVF2”)

44 Montgomery St., 40th Floor

San Francisco, California 94104

Citizenship: Delaware

 

BVF II GP LLC (“BVF2 GP”)

44 Montgomery St., 40th Floor

San Francisco, California 94104

Citizenship: Delaware

 

Biotechnology Value Trading Fund OS LP (“Trading Fund OS”)

PO Box 309 Ugland House

Grand Cayman, KY1-1104

Cayman Islands

Citizenship: Cayman Islands

 

BVF Partners OS Ltd. (“Partners OS”)

PO Box 309 Ugland House

Grand Cayman, KY1-1104

Cayman Islands

Citizenship: Cayman Islands

 

BVF GP Holdings LLC (“BVF GPH”)

44 Montgomery St., 40th Floor

San Francisco, California 94104

Citizenship: Delaware

 

BVF Partners L.P. (“Partners”)

44 Montgomery St., 40th Floor

San Francisco, California 94104

Citizenship: Delaware

 

BVF Inc.

44 Montgomery St., 40th Floor

San Francisco, California 94104

Citizenship: Delaware

 

Mark N. Lampert (“Mr. Lampert”)

44 Montgomery St., 40th Floor

San Francisco, California 94104

Citizenship: United States

 

Each of the foregoing is referred to as a “Reporting Person” and collectively as the “Reporting Persons.”

 

Item 2(d).

Title of Class of Securities:

 

Common Stock, $0.001 par value (the “Common Stock”)

 

Item 2(e).

CUSIP Number:

 

84833T103

 

Item 3.

If This Statement is Filed Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b), or 13d-2(b) or (c), Check Whether the Person Filing is a:

 

		/x/	Not applicable.
	(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.
	(e)	/ /	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)	/ /	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.
	(j)	/ /	Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).
	(k)	/ /	Group, in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution: ____

 

Item 4.

Ownership

 

(a)

Amount beneficially owned:

 

As of the close of business on December 31, 2020, the Reporting Persons held 1,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred”), convertible for an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The Series B Preferred may not be converted if, after such conversion, the Reporting Persons would beneficially own, as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), more than 9.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock then issued and outstanding (the “Series B Blocker”). As of the close of business on December 31, 2020, the Series B Blocker limits the aggregate conversion of Series B Preferred by the Reporting Persons to 525,000 out of the 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock underlying the Series B Preferred owned by the Reporting Persons in the aggregate. In providing beneficial ownership described herein, the Reporting Persons have assumed that certain Series B Preferred held by BVF and BVF2 to acquire 525,000 shares of Common Stock would be converted, which would bring the Reporting Persons to the aggregate 9.99% limitation, and the remaining Series B Preferred convertible into 475,000 shares of Common Stock owned by the Reporting Persons in the aggregate would not be converted due to the Series B Blocker.

 

As of the close of business on December 31, 2020, the Reporting Persons held 2,287 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred”) convertible for an aggregate of 2,287,000 shares of Common Stock. The Series C Preferred may not be converted if, after such conversion, the Reporting Persons would beneficially own, as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) Exchange Act, more than 9.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock then issued and outstanding. As of the close of business on December 31, 2020, the Series C Blocker limits the aggregate conversion of Series C Preferred by the Reporting Persons to 0 out of the 2,287,000 shares of Common Stock underlying the Series C Preferred owned by the Reporting Persons in the aggregate.

 

As of the close of business on December 31, 2020, the Reporting Persons held 3,215,000 shares of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series D Preferred”) convertible for an aggregate of 3,215,000 shares of Common Stock. The Series D Preferred may not be converted if, after such conversion, the Reporting Persons would beneficially own, as determined in accordance with Section 13(d) Exchange Act, more than 9.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock then issued and outstanding (the “Series D Blocker” and together with the “Series B Blocker”, “Series C Blocker”, the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”). As of the close of business on December 31, 2020, the Series D Blocker limits the aggregate conversion of Series D Preferred by the Reporting Persons to 0 out of the 3,215,000 shares of Common Stock underlying the Series D Preferred owned by the Reporting Persons in the aggregate.

 

The Reporting Persons may choose to convert the Series B Preferred, Series C Preferred or Series D Preferred in other amounts among the Reporting Persons, while continuing to comply with the Beneficial Ownership Limitation.

 

As of the close of business on December 31, 2020 (i) BVF beneficially owned 1,649,735 shares of Common Stock, including 493,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of certain Series B Preferred held by it, and excluding 1,166,000 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series C Preferred and 1,801,109 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series D Preferred (ii) BVF2 beneficially owned 950,942 shares of Common Stock, including 32,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of certain Series B held by it, and excluding 353,000 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series B Preferred, 889,000 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series C Preferred, and 1,205,542 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series D Preferred, and (iii) Trading Fund OS beneficially owned 134,912 shares of Common Stock, excluding 60,000 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series B Preferred, 159,000 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series C Preferred, and 208,349 shares of Common Stock underlying certain Series D Preferred.

 

BVF GP, as the general partner of BVF, may be deemed to beneficially own the 1,649,735 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by BVF.

 

BVF2 GP, as the general partner of BVF2, may be deemed to beneficially own the 950,942 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by BVF2.

 

Partners OS, as the general partner of Trading Fund OS, may be deemed to beneficially own the 134,912 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Trading Fund OS.

 

BVF GPH, as the sole member of each of BVF GP and BVF2 GP, may be deemed to beneficially own the 2,600,677 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by BVF and BV2.

 

Partners, as the investment manager of BVF, BVF2 and Trading Fund OS, and the sole member of Partners OS, may be deemed to beneficially own the 2,768,278 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned in the aggregate by BVF, BVF2, Trading Fund OS, and a certain Partners managed account (the “Partners Managed Account”), including 32,689 shares of Common Stock held in the Partners Managed Account, and excluding 62,000 shares of Common Stock underlying the Series B Preferred and 73,000 shares of Common Stock underlying the Series C Preferred held in the Partners Managed Account.

 

BVF Inc., as the general partner of Partners, may be deemed to beneficially own the 2,768,278 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Partners.

 

Mr. Lampert, as a director and officer of BVF Inc., may be deemed to beneficially own the 2,768,278 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by BVF Inc.

 

The foregoing should not be construed in and of itself as an admission by any Reporting Person as to beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock owned by another Reporting Person. BVF GP disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by BVF. BVF2 GP disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by BVF2. Partners OS disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Trading Fund OS. BVF GPH disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by BVF and BVF2. Each of Partners, BVF Inc. and Mr. Lampert disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by BVF, BVF2, Trading Fund OS, and held in the Partners Managed Account, and the filing of this statement shall not be construed as an admission that any such person or entity is the beneficial owner of any such securities.

 

(b)

Percent of class:

 

The following percentages are based on a denominator that is the sum of (i) 27,187,489 shares of Common Stock outstanding, as of October 29, 2020, as disclosed in the Issuer’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 5, 2020 and (ii) certain or all of the 525,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of certain Series B Preferred, as applicable.

 

As of the close of business on December 31, 2020 (i) BVF beneficially owned approximately 6.0% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) BVF2 beneficially owned approximately 3.5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (iii) Trading Fund OS beneficially owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (iv) BVF GP may be deemed to beneficially own approximately 6.0% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (v) BVF2 GP may be deemed to beneficially own approximately 3.5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (vi) Partners OS may be deemed to beneficially own less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (vii) BVF GPH may be deemed to beneficially own approximately 9.4% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, and (v) each of Partners, BVF Inc. and Mr. Lampert may be deemed to beneficially own approximately 9.99% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (less than 1% of which is held in the Partners Managed Account).

 

(c)

Number of shares as to which such person has:

 

(i)

Sole power to vote or to direct the vote

 

See Cover Pages Items 5-9.

 

(ii)

Shared power to vote or to direct the vote

 

See Cover Pages Items 5-9.

 

(iii)

Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of

 

See Cover Pages Items 5-9.

 

(iv)

Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of

 

See Cover Pages Items 5-9.

 

Item 5.

Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 6.

Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.

 

BVF GP, BVF GPH, Partners, BVF Inc. and Mr. Lampert share voting and dispositive power over the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by BVF. BVF GPH, Partners, BVF Inc. and Mr. Lampert share voting and dispositive power over the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by BVF2. Partners, BVF Inc. and Mr. Lampert share voting and dispositive power over the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by BVF, BVF2, Trading Fund OS, and the Partners Managed Account.

 

Item 7.

Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary That Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person.

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 8.

Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.

 

See Exhibit 99.1 to Amendment No. 2 to the Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 18, 2020.

 

Item 9.

Notice of Dissolution of Group.

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 10.

Certifications.

 

By signing below each of the undersigned certifies that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above 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 his knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

Dated: February 12, 2021

 

BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND, L.P.			BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE TRADING FUND OS LP
By:	BVF I GP LLC., its general partner		By:	BVF Partners L.P., its investment manager
			By:	BVF Inc., its general partner
By:	/s/ Mark N. Lampert
	Mark N. Lampert		By:	/s/ Mark N. Lampert
	Chief Executive Officer			Mark N. Lampert
				President
BVF I GP LLC
			BVF GP HOLDINGS LLC
By:	/s/ Mark N. Lampert
	Mark N. Lampert		By:	/s/ Mark N. Lampert
	Chief Executive Officer			Mark N. Lampert
				Chief Executive Officer
BIOTECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND II, L.P.
			BVF PARTNERS L.P.
By:	BVF II GP LLC, its general partner
			By:	BVF Inc., its general partner
By:	/s/ Mark N. Lampert
	Mark N. Lampert		By:	/s/ Mark N. Lampert
	Chief Executive Officer			Mark N. Lampert
				President
BVF II GP LLC
			BVF INC.
By:	/s/ Mark N. Lampert
	Mark N. Lampert		By:	/s/ Mark N. Lampert
	Chief Executive Officer			Mark N. Lampert
				President
BVF PARTNERS OS LTD.
			/s/ Mark N. Lampert
By:	BVF Partners L.P., its sole member		MARK N. LAMPERT
By:	BVF Inc., its general partner
By:	/s/ Mark N. Lampert
	Mark N. Lampert
	President