UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 1)*
Akouos, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value
(Title of Class of Securities)
00973J101
(CUSIP Number)
Louis S. Citron, Esq.
New Enterprise Associates
1954 Greenspring Drive, Suite 600, Timonium, MD 21093
(410) 842-4000
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
October 17, 2022
(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 §240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
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).
CUSIP No. 00973J101 |
13D | Page 2 of 21 Pages |
| 1. | NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
New Enterprise Associates 16, L.P.
|
|||
| 2. | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see instructions)
|
(a) ☒ (b) ☐ | ||
| 3. | SEC USE ONLY
|
|||
| 4. | SOURCE OF FUNDS (see instructions)
WC
|
|||
| 5. | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
|
☐ | ||
| 6. | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware Limited Partnership
|
| NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH | 7. |
SOLE VOTING POWER
0 Shares
| ||
| 8. | SHARED VOTING POWER
4,294,207 shares
| |||
| 9. | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0 Shares
| |||
| 10. | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
4,294,207 shares
|
| 11. | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
4,294,207 shares1
|
|||
| 12. | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see instructions)
|
☐ | ||
| 13. | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
11.6%
|
|||
14. |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions)
PN
|
___________________________
1 Includes only shares directly held by NEA 16. NEA 16 may be deemed to be part of a voting group and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by such voting group. See Item 4 and Item 5.
CUSIP No. 00973J101 |
13D | Page 3 of 21 Pages |
| 1. | NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
NEA Partners 16, L.P.
|
|||
| 2. | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see instructions)
|
(a) ☒ (b) ☐ | ||
| 3. | SEC USE ONLY
|
|||
| 4. | SOURCE OF FUNDS (see instructions)
AF
|
|||
| 5. | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
|
☐ | ||
| 6. | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware Limited Partnership
|
| NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH | 7. |
SOLE VOTING POWER
0 Shares
| ||
| 8. | SHARED VOTING POWER
4,294,207 shares
| |||
| 9. | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0 Shares
| |||
| 10. | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
4,294,207 shares
|
| 11. | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
4,294,207 shares2
|
|||
| 12. | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see instructions)
|
☐ | ||
| 13. | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
11.6%
|
|||
14. |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions)
PN
|
___________________________
2 Includes only shares directly held by NEA 16. NEA 16 may be deemed to be part of a voting group and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by such voting group. See Item 4 and Item 5.
CUSIP No. 00973J101 |
13D | Page 4 of 21 Pages |
| 1. | NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
NEA 16 GP, LLC
|
|||
| 2. | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see instructions)
|
(a) ☒ (b) ☐ | ||
| 3. | SEC USE ONLY
|
|||
| 4. | SOURCE OF FUNDS (see instructions)
AF
|
|||
| 5. | CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)
|
☐ | ||
| 6. | CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware Limited Liability Company
|
| NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH | 7. |
SOLE VOTING POWER
0 Shares
| ||
| 8. | SHARED VOTING POWER
4,294,207 shares
| |||
| 9. | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0 Shares
| |||
| 10. | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
4,294,207 shares
|
| 11. | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
4,294,207 shares3
|
|||
| 12. | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see instructions)
|
☐ | ||
| 13. | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
11.6%
|
|||
14. |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions)
OO
|
___________________________
3 Includes only shares directly held by NEA 16. NEA 16 may be deemed to be part of a voting group and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by such voting group. See Item 4 and Item 5.
CUSIP No. 00973J101 |
13D | Page 5 of 21 Pages |
| 1. | NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
Forest Baskett
|
|||
| 2. | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see instructions)
|
(a) ☒ (b) ☐ | ||
| 3. | SEC USE ONLY
|
|||
| 4. | SOURCE OF FUNDS (see instructions)
AF
|
|||
| 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
0 Shares
| ||
| 8. | SHARED VOTING POWER
4,294,207 shares
| |||
| 9. | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0 Shares
| |||
| 10. | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
4,294,207 shares
|
| 11. | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
4,294,207 shares4
|
|||
| 12. | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see instructions)
|
☐ | ||
| 13. | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
11.6%
|
|||
14. |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions)
IN
|
___________________________
4 Includes only shares directly held by NEA 16. NEA 16 may be deemed to be part of a voting group and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by such voting group. See Item 4 and Item 5.
CUSIP No. 00973J101 |
13D | Page 6 of 21 Pages |
| 1. | NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
Ali Behbahani
|
|||
| 2. | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see instructions)
|
(a) ☒ (b) ☐ | ||
| 3. | SEC USE ONLY
|
|||
| 4. | SOURCE OF FUNDS (see instructions)
AF
|
|||
| 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
0 Shares
| ||
| 8. | SHARED VOTING POWER
4,294,207 shares
| |||
| 9. | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0 Shares
| |||
| 10. | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
4,294,207 shares
|
| 11. | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
4,294,207 shares5
|
|||
| 12. | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see instructions)
|
☐ | ||
| 13. | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
11.6%
|
|||
14. |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions)
IN
|
___________________________
5 Includes only shares directly held by NEA 16. NEA 16 may be deemed to be part of a voting group and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by such voting group. See Item 4 and Item 5.
CUSIP No. 00973J101 |
13D | Page 7 of 21 Pages |
| 1. | NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
Carmen Chang
|
|||
| 2. | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see instructions)
|
(a) ☒ (b) ☐ | ||
| 3. | SEC USE ONLY
|
|||
| 4. | SOURCE OF FUNDS (see instructions)
AF
|
|||
| 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
0 Shares
| ||
| 8. | SHARED VOTING POWER
4,294,207 shares
| |||
| 9. | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0 Shares
| |||
| 10. | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
4,294,207 shares
|
| 11. | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
4,294,207 shares6
|
|||
| 12. | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see instructions)
|
☐ | ||
| 13. | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
11.6%
|
|||
14. |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions)
IN
|
___________________________
6 Includes only shares directly held by NEA 16. NEA 16 may be deemed to be part of a voting group and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by such voting group. See Item 4 and Item 5.
CUSIP No. 00973J101 |
13D | Page 8 of 21 Pages |
| 1. | NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
Anthony A. Florence, Jr.
|
|||
| 2. | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see instructions)
|
(a) ☒ (b) ☐ | ||
| 3. | SEC USE ONLY
|
|||
| 4. | SOURCE OF FUNDS (see instructions)
AF
|
|||
| 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
0 Shares
| ||
| 8. | SHARED VOTING POWER
4,294,207 shares
| |||
| 9. | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0 Shares
| |||
| 10. | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
4,294,207 shares
|
| 11. | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
4,294,207 shares7
|
|||
| 12. | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see instructions)
|
☐ | ||
| 13. | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
11.6%
|
|||
14. |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions)
IN
|
___________________________
7 Includes only shares directly held by NEA 16. NEA 16 may be deemed to be part of a voting group and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by such voting group. See Item 4 and Item 5.
CUSIP No. 00973J101 |
13D | Page 9 of 21 Pages |
| 1. | NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
Mohamad H. Makhzoumi
|
|||
| 2. | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see instructions)
|
(a) ☒ (b) ☐ | ||
| 3. | SEC USE ONLY
|
|||
| 4. | SOURCE OF FUNDS (see instructions)
AF
|
|||
| 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 citizen
|
| NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH | 7. |
SOLE VOTING POWER
0 Shares
| ||
| 8. | SHARED VOTING POWER
4,294,207 shares
| |||
| 9. | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0 Shares
| |||
| 10. | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 4,294,207 shares
|
| 11. | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 4,294,207 shares8
|
|||
| 12. | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see instructions)
|
☐ | ||
| 13. | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
11.6%
|
|||
14. |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions)
IN
|
___________________________
8 Includes only shares directly held by NEA 16. NEA 16 may be deemed to be part of a voting group and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by such voting group. See Item 4 and Item 5.
CUSIP No. 00973J101 |
13D | Page 10 of 21 Pages |
| 1. | NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
Scott D. Sandell
|
|||
| 2. | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see instructions)
|
(a) ☒ (b) ☐ | ||
| 3. | SEC USE ONLY
|
|||
| 4. | SOURCE OF FUNDS (see instructions)
AF
|
|||
| 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 citizen
|
| NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH | 7. |
SOLE VOTING POWER
0 Shares
| ||
| 8. | SHARED VOTING POWER
4,294,207 shares
| |||
| 9. | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0 Shares
| |||
| 10. | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
4,294,207 shares
|
| 11. | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
4,294,207 shares9
|
|||
| 12. | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see instructions)
|
☐ | ||
| 13. | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
11.6%
|
|||
14. |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions)
IN
|
___________________________
9 Includes only shares directly held by NEA 16. NEA 16 may be deemed to be part of a voting group and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by such voting group. See Item 4 and Item 5.
CUSIP No. 00973J101 |
13D | Page 11 of 21 Pages |
| 1. | NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
Peter W. Sonsini
|
|||
| 2. | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see instructions)
|
(a) ☒ (b) ☐ | ||
| 3. | SEC USE ONLY
|
|||
| 4. | SOURCE OF FUNDS (see instructions)
AF
|
|||
| 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 citizen
|
| NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH | 7. |
SOLE VOTING POWER
0 Shares
| ||
| 8. | SHARED VOTING POWER
4,294,207 shares
| |||
| 9. | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0 Shares
| |||
| 10. | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
4,294,207 shares
|
| 11. | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
4,294,207 shares10
|
|||
| 12. | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see instructions)
|
☐ | ||
| 13. | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
11.6%
|
|||
14. |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions)
IN
|
___________________________
10 Includes only shares directly held by NEA 16. NEA 16 may be deemed to be part of a voting group and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by such voting group. See Item 4 and Item 5.
CUSIP No. 00973J101 |
13D | Page 12 of 21 Pages |
| 1. | NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.
Paul Walker
|
|||
| 2. | CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (see instructions)
|
(a) ☒ (b) ☐ | ||
| 3. | SEC USE ONLY
|
|||
| 4. | SOURCE OF FUNDS (see instructions)
AF
|
|||
| 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 citizen
|
| NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH | 7. |
SOLE VOTING POWER
0 Shares
| ||
| 8. | SHARED VOTING POWER
4,294,207 shares
| |||
| 9. | SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0 Shares
| |||
| 10. | SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
4,294,207 shares
|
| 11. | AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
4,294,207 shares11
|
|||
| 12. | CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (see instructions)
|
☐ | ||
| 13. | PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
11.6%
|
|||
14. |
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (see instructions)
IN
|
___________________________
11 Includes only shares directly held by NEA 16. NEA 16 may be deemed to be part of a voting group and may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held by such voting group. See Item 4 and Item 5.
CUSIP No. 00973J101 |
13D | Page 13 of 21 Pages |
Item 1. Security and Issuer.
This Amendment No. 1 (“Amendment No. 1”) to Schedule 13D amends and supplements the Schedule 13D originally filed on July 7, 2020 relating to the common shares, $0.0001 par value (the “Common Stock”), of Akouos, Inc. (the “Issuer”), having its principal executive office at 645 Summer Street, Suite 200, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.
Certain terms used but defined in this Amendment No. 1 have the meanings assigned thereto in the Schedule 13D. Except as specifically provided herein, this Amendment No. 1 does not modify any of the information previously reported on the Schedule 13D.
Item 2. Identity and Background.
This statement is being filed by:
(a) New Enterprise Associates 16, L.P. (“NEA 16”), NEA Partners 16, L.P. (“NEA Partners 16”), which is the sole general partner of NEA 16; and NEA 16 GP, LLC (“NEA 16 LLC” and, together with NEA Partners 16, the “Control Entities”), which is the sole general partner of NEA Partners 16; and
(b) Forest Baskett (“Baskett”), Ali Behbahani (“Behbahani”), Carmen Chang (“Chang”), Anthony A. Florence, Jr. (“Florence”), Mohamad H. Makhzoumi (“Makhzoumi”), Scott D. Sandell (“Sandell”), Peter W. Sonsini (“Sonsini”) and Paul Walker (“Walker”) (together, the “Managers”) and Joshua Makower (“Makower”). The Managers are the managers of NEA 16 LLC.
The persons named in this Item 2 are referred to individually herein as a “Reporting Person” and collectively as the “Reporting Persons.”
The address of the principal business office of NEA 16 and each Control Entity and Sandell is New Enterprise Associates, 1954 Greenspring Drive, Suite 600, Timonium, MD 21093. The address of the principal business office of Behbahani is New Enterprise Associates, 5425 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 800, Chevy Chase, MD 20815. The address of the principal business office of Baskett, Chang, Makhzoumi, Sonsini and Walker is New Enterprise Associates, 2855 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California 94025. The address of the principal business office of Florence is New Enterprise Associates, 104 5th Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10001.
The principal business of NEA 16 is to invest in and assist growth-oriented businesses located principally in the United States. The principal business of NEA Partners 16 is to act as the sole general partner of NEA 16. The principal business of NEA 16 LLC is to act as the sole general partner of NEA Partners 16. The principal business of each of the Managers is to manage the Control Entities, NEA 16 and a number of affiliated partnerships with similar businesses.
During the five years prior to the date hereof, none of the Reporting Persons has been convicted in a criminal proceeding or has been a party to a civil proceeding ending in a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
NEA 16 LLC is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. NEA 16 and NEA Partners 16 are limited partnerships organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. Each of the Managers is a United States citizen.
CUSIP No. 00973J101 |
13D | Page 14 of 21 Pages |
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.
On October 17, 2022, the Issuer entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Eli Lilly and Company (“Lilly”) and Lilly’s wholly owned subsidiary Kearny Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Purchaser”), relating to, among other things, the merger of Purchaser with the Issuer in an all cash transaction, pursuant to a tender offer, with the Issuer surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Lilly. In connection with the Merger Agreement, NEA 16 and certain other stock holders (each a “Stockholder” and together, the “Stockholders”) entered into a tender and support agreement (the “Voting Agreement”) with Lilly pursuant to which each Stockholder agreed, among other things, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Voting Agreement, (i) to tender all of the Shares held by such Stockholder (the “Subject Shares”) in the Offer, subject to certain exceptions (including the valid termination of the Merger Agreement), (ii) to vote against other proposals to acquire the Company and (iii) to certain other restrictions on its ability to take actions with respect to the Company and its Shares. Subject to certain exceptions, the Voting Agreement prohibits transfers by the Stockholders of any of their shares of Common Stock prior to the termination of the Voting Agreement and certain other actions that would impair the ability of the Stockholders to fulfill their obligations under the Voting Agreement. The Voting Agreement will automatically terminate upon certain events, including the termination of the Merger Agreement. The foregoing descriptions of the Merger Agreement and the Voting Agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of such agreements. The foregoing description of the Voting Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such agreement. The Merger Agreement and Voting Agreement are included as Exhibit 2.1 and Exhibit 2.4, respectively, of the Issuer’s Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on October 18, 2022 and are incorporated herein by reference.
NEA 16 holds a total of 4,294,207 shares of the Issuer’s Common Stock (the “NEA 16 Shares”). As a result of the Voting Agreement, the Reporting Persons may be deemed to be members of a “group” with the parties to the Voting Agreement. 12
Subject to the terms of the Voting Agreement and depending on market conditions, its continuing evaluation of the business and prospects of the Issuer and other factors, NEA 16 and other Reporting Persons may dispose of or acquire additional shares of the Issuer. Except as set forth above, none of the Reporting Persons has any present plans, which relate to or would result in:
| (a) | The acquisition by any person of additional securities of the Issuer, or the disposition of securities of the Issuer; |
| (b) | An extraordinary corporate transaction, such as a merger, reorganization or liquidation, involving the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries; |
| (c) | A sale or transfer of a material amount of assets of the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries; |
| (d) | Any change in the present board of directors or management of the Issuer, 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 present capitalization or dividend policy of the Issuer; |
| (f) | Any other material change in the Issuer’s business or corporate structure; |
| (g) | Changes in the Issuer’s charter, bylaws or instruments corresponding thereto or other actions which may impede the acquisition of control of the Issuer by any person; |
| (h) | Causing a class of securities of the Issuer to be 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 Issuer becoming eligible for termination of registration pursuant to Section 12(g)(4) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or |
| (j) | Any action similar to any of those enumerated above. |
_____________
12 See the Schedule 13D or 13G (or an amendment thereto to the extent any material change in the facts set forth in any Schedule 13D or 13G previously filed by any other Stockholder has occurred) filed, or that the Reporting Persons anticipate will be filed, separately by each Stockholder, which includes, or will include, information regarding the other Stockholder’s jurisdiction of organization, principal business and address of principal office.
CUSIP No. 00973J101 |
13D | Page 15 of 21 Pages |
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
| (a) | NEA 16 is the record owner of the NEA 16 Shares. As the general partner of NEA 16, NEA Partners 16 may be deemed to own beneficially the NEA 16 Shares. As the sole general partner of NEA Partners 16, NEA 16 LLC may be deemed to own beneficially the NEA 16 Shares. As members of NEA 16 LLC, each of the Managers may be deemed to own beneficially the NEA 16 Shares. |
Each Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of the NEA 16 Shares and the shares held by the other Stockholders other than those shares which such person owns of record.
The percentage of outstanding Common Stock of the Issuer which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by each Reporting Person is set forth on Line 13 of such Reporting Person’s cover sheet. Such percentage was calculated based on 36,899,325 shares of Common Stock reported to be outstanding on July 29, 2022 in the Issuer’s Form 10Q, filed with the SEC on August 15, 2022.
| (b) | Regarding the number of shares as to which such person has: |
| (i) | sole power to vote or to direct the vote: See line 7 of cover sheets |
| (ii) | shared power to vote or to direct the vote: See line 8 of cover sheets |
| (iii) | sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition: See line 9 of cover sheets |
| (iv) | shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition: See line 10 of cover sheets |
| (c) | Except as set forth in Item 3 or 4 above, none of the Reporting Persons has effected any transaction in the Common Stock during the last 60 days. |
| (d) | No other person is known to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or any proceeds from the sale of, Common Stock beneficially owned by any of the Reporting Persons. |
| (e) | Makower has ceased to beneficially own five percent (5%) or more of the Issuer’s Ordinary Shares as a result of ceasing to be a manager of NEA 16 LLC. |
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer.
The information provided and incorporated by reference in Item 4 is hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 7. Material to Be Filed as Exhibits.
Exhibit 1 – Agreement regarding filing of joint Schedule 13D.
Exhibit 2 – Power of Attorney regarding filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
CUSIP No. 00973J101 |
13D | Page 16 of 21 Pages |
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of its knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
EXECUTED this 28th day of October, 2022.
NEW ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATES 16, L.P.
| By: | NEA PARTNERS 16, L.P. General Partner |
| By: | NEA 16 GP, LLC General Partner |
By: *
Scott D. Sandell
Chief Executive Officer
NEA PARTNERS 16, L.P.
| By: | NEA
16 GP, LLC General Partner |
By: *
Scott D. Sandell
Chief Executive Officer
NEA 16 GP, LLC
By: *
Scott D. Sandell
Chief Executive Officer
CUSIP No. 00973J101 |
13D | Page 17 of 21 Pages |
*
Forest Baskett
*
Ali Behbahani
*
Carmen Chang
*
Anthony A. Florence, Jr.
*
Mohamad H. Makhzoumi
*
Joshua Makower
*
Scott D. Sandell
*
Peter W. Sonsini
*
Paul Walker
*/s/ Louis S. Citron
Louis S. Citron
As attorney-in-fact
This Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D was executed by Louis S. Citron on behalf of the individuals listed above pursuant to a Power of Attorney a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 2.
CUSIP No. 00973J101 |
13D | Page 18 of 21 Pages |
EXHIBIT 1
AGREEMENT
Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the undersigned hereby agree that only one statement containing the information required by Schedule 13D need be filed with respect to the ownership by each of the undersigned of shares of stock of Akouos, Inc.
EXECUTED this 28th day of October, 2022.
NEW ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATES 16, L.P.
| By: | NEA PARTNERS 16, L.P. General Partner |
| By: | NEA 16 GP, LLC General Partner |
By: *
Scott D. Sandell
Chief Executive Officer
NEA PARTNERS 16, L.P.
| By: | NEA
16 GP, LLC General Partner |
By: *
Scott D. Sandell
Chief Executive Officer
NEA 16 GP, LLC
By: *
Scott D. Sandell
Chief Executive Officer
CUSIP No. 00973J101 |
13D | Page 19 of 21 Pages |
*
Forest Baskett
*
Ali Behbahani
*
Carmen Chang
*
Anthony A. Florence, Jr.
*
Mohamad H. Makhzoumi
*
Joshua Makower
*
Scott D. Sandell
*
Peter W. Sonsini
*
Paul Walker
*/s/ Louis S. Citron
Louis S. Citron
As attorney-in-fact
This Agreement relating to Schedule 13D was executed by Louis S. Citron on behalf of the individuals listed above pursuant to a Power of Attorney a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.
CUSIP No. 00973J101 |
13D | Page 20 of 21 Pages |
EXHIBIT 2
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Louis S. Citron, Timothy Schaller, Sasha Keough and Stephanie Brecher, and each of them, with full power to act without the others, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, to sign any and all instruments, certificates and documents that may be necessary, desirable or appropriate to be executed on behalf of himself as an individual or in his or her capacity as a direct or indirect general partner, director, officer or manager of any partnership, corporation or limited liability company, pursuant to section 13 or 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and any and all regulations promulgated thereunder, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and any other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and with any other entity when and if such is mandated by the Exchange Act or by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, granting unto said attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary, desirable or appropriate, fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, thereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact, or his or her substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been signed as of the 13th day of March, 2017.
/s/ M. James Barrett
M. James Barrett
/s/ Peter J. Barris
Peter J. Barris
/s/ Forest Baskett
Forest Baskett
/s/ Ali Behbahani
Ali Behbahani
/s/ Colin Bryant
Colin Bryant
/s/ Carmen Chang
Carmen Chang
/s/ Anthony A. Florence, Jr.
Anthony A. Florence, Jr.
/s/ Carol G. Gallagher
Carol G. Gallagher
/s/ Dayna Grayson
Dayna Grayson
/s/ Patrick J. Kerins
Patrick J. Kerins
/s/ P. Justin Klein
P. Justin Klein
CUSIP No. 00973J101 |
13D | Page 21 of 21 Pages |
/s/ Vanessa Larco
Vanessa Larco
/s/ Joshua Makower
Joshua Makower
/s/ Mohamad H. Makhzoumi
Mohamad H. Makhzoumi
/s/ Edward T. Mathers
Edward T. Mathers
/s/ David M. Mott
David M. Mott
/s/ Sara M. Nayeem
Sara M. Nayeem
/s/ Jason R. Nunn
Jason R. Nunn
/s/ Gregory Papadopoulos
Gregory Papadopoulos
/s/ Chetan Puttagunta
Chetan Puttagunta
/s/ Jon Sakoda
Jon Sakoda
/s/ Scott D. Sandell
Scott D. Sandell
/s/ A. Brooke Seawell
A. Brooke Seawell
/s/ Peter W. Sonsini
Peter W. Sonsini
/s/ Melissa Taunton
Melissa Taunton
/s/ Frank M. Torti
Frank M. Torti
/s/ Ravi Viswanathan
Ravi Viswanathan
/s/ Paul E. Walker
Paul E. Walker
/s/ Rick Yang
Rick Yang