Company: TVRD
Filing Date: 2025-01-27
Form Type: S-4/A
Source: 0001104659-25-006050
Chunk: 519

Company: Tvardi Therapeutics, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-01-27
Form: S-4/A
Chunk 519
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’s common stock in December 2024.

In Cara Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, unless the context otherwise requires, Cara uses the term “CSL Vifor” to refer to CSL Vifor and its affiliated entities, including where applicable, the joint venture between CSL Vifor and Fresenius Medical Care with which Cara is a party to two collaborations for the commercialization of KORSUVA (difelikefalin) injection.

Overview

Introduction

Cara is a biopharmaceutical company that has been focused on leading a new treatment paradigm to improve the lives of patients suffering from chronic pruritus. Cara has developed an IV formulation of difelikefalin, which is approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pruritus associated with advanced chronic kidney disease in adults undergoing hemodialysis in the United States, the European Union, or EU, and multiple other countries. The IV formulation is out-licensed worldwide.

On June 14, 2024, Cara’s Board of Directors approved a streamlined operating plan exploring strategic alternatives focused on maximizing shareholder value after Cara announced its decision to discontinue the clinical program in notalgia paresthetica, or NP, on June 12, 2024. Cara’s decision to discontinue the clinical program in NP followed the outcome from the dose-finding Part A of the KOURAGE-1 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of oral difelikefalin for moderate-to-severe pruritus in adult patients with NP in which oral difelikefalin did not demonstrate a meaningful clinical benefit at any dose compared to placebo. The decision was not related to any safety or medical issues, or negative regulatory feedback related to the NP program. In connection with the streamlined operating plan, Cara’s Board of Directors also approved a second reduction in Cara’s workforce by approximately 70%, which was substantially completed by June 30, 2024.

Strategic Alternatives

After a comprehensive review by Cara’s Board of Directors of strategic alternatives, including identifying and reviewing potential candidates for a strategic transaction, on December 17, 2024, Cara, Merger Sub and Tvardi entered into the Merger Agreement, pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into Tvardi, with Tvardi surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Cara. The closing of the Merger is subject to approval by Cara’s and Tvardi’s stockholders, as well as other customary closing conditions, including the effectiveness of