SEC Form SC 13D/A filed by Biora Therapeutics Inc. (Amendment)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

SCHEDULE 13D/A

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 8)*

Biora Therapeutics, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

74319F107

(CUSIP Number)

Andrew C. Hyman, Esq.

Athyrium Capital Management, LP

505 Fifth Avenue, 18th Floor

New York, New York 10017

(212) 402-6925

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

September 18, 2023

(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-l(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 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).

Explanatory Note

This Amendment No. 8 amends and supplements the Schedule 13D originally filed by the Reporting Persons (as defined below) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on July 6, 2020, (as amended to date, this “Schedule 13D”). Except as may be described herein, none of the Reporting Persons or, to the knowledge of the Reporting Persons, none of the Covered Persons, has had any transactions in the Common Stock during the past 60 days. On January 3, 2023, the Company (as defined below) effected a reverse stock split (the “Reverse Stock Split”) of the Company’s Common Stock (as defined below) at a ratio of 25:1. The share and per share amounts reported in this Schedule 13D give effect to the Reverse Stock Split for all periods presented herein.

Item 1. Security and Issuer.

This Schedule 13D relates to the common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), of Biora Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). The address of the principal executive offices of the Company is 4330 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 300, San Diego, California 92122.

Item 2. Identity and Background.

(a)-(c) & (f) This Schedule 13D is filed jointly by the following persons pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”):

(1) Athyrium Opportunities III Co-Invest 1 LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Co-Invest LP”), is an investment partnership engaged in the business of making equity and debt investments;

(2) Athyrium Opportunities III Acquisition LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Acquisition LP”), is an investment partnership engaged in the business of making equity and debt investments;

(3) Athyrium Opportunities III Acquisition 2 LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Acquisition 2 LP” and, together with Acquisition LP, the “AOIII Acquisition Funds”), is an investment partnership engaged in the business of making equity and debt investments;

(4) Athyrium Opportunities 2020 LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“2020 LP” and, together with Co-Invest LP and the AOIII Acquisition Funds, the “Funds”), is an investment partnership engaged in the business of making equity and debt investments;

(5) Athyrium Opportunities Associates III GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Associates III GP”), is engaged in the business of being the general partner of Associates III LP;

(6) Athyrium Opportunities Associates Co-Invest LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Associates Co-Invest”), is engaged in the business of being the general partner of Co-Invest LP;

(7) Athyrium Funds GP Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“GP Holdings”), is engaged in the business of being the managing member of Associates Co-Invest and Associates III GP (as defined below);

(8) Athyrium Opportunities Associates III LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Associates III LP”), is engaged in the business of being the general partner of the AOIII Acquisition Funds and 2020 LP; and

(9) Jeffrey A. Ferrell is an individual citizen of the United States whose principal occupation is to serve as the Managing Member of GP Holdings and the President of Associates III GP and Associates Co-Invest.

The persons described in (1) through (9) above are referred to herein as the “Reporting Persons.” A list of the directors, executive officers, managers, members and partners, as applicable, of each Reporting Person (collectively, the “Covered Persons”) is attached hereto as Annex A and is incorporated by reference herein. To the knowledge of the Reporting Persons, each of the Covered Persons that is a natural person is a United States citizen.

The principal business address of each of the Reporting Persons and each associated Covered Person is c/o Athyrium Capital Management, LP, 505 Fifth Avenue, Floor 18, New York, New York 10017.

(d) During the last five years, none of the Reporting Persons or, to their knowledge, none of the Covered Persons, has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).

(e) During the last five years, none of the Reporting Persons or, to their knowledge, none of the Covered Persons, has been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and, as a result of such proceeding, was or is subject to 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.

Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

On October 27, 2017, the Company and Co-Invest LP entered into a Series B Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (the “2017 Series B Stock Purchase Agreement”), which provided for the sale of shares of Series B Preferred Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $50.0 million.

On August 27, 2019, the Company and Acquisition LP entered into a Series B Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement pursuant to which Acquisition LP purchased shares of Series B Preferred Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $25.0 million.

On November 12, 2019, the Company and Acquisition LP entered into a Series B Stock Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (the “2019 Series B Stock Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which Acquisition LP purchased additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $25.0 million. Also on November 12, 2019, Acquisition 2 LP acquired all of the securities of the Company held by Acquisition LP.

On December 19, 2019 and February 28, 2020, Acquisition 2 LP purchased additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to the 2019 Series B Stock Purchase Agreement for an aggregate purchase price of $25.0 million and $10.0 million, respectively.

On March 31, 2020, Co-Invest LP and the Company entered into the First Amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement Amendment”) providing for the payment in shares of the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock of the interest on the amount outstanding under the applicable credit agreement.

On April 3, 2020, the Company and Acquisition 2 LP entered into a Series B Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement pursuant to which Acquisition 2 LP purchased additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $10.0 million.

On May 8, 2020, the Company and 2020 LP entered into a Note Purchase Agreement pursuant to which 2020 LP purchased an unsecured convertible promissory note (the “Convertible Promissory Note”) with an annual interest rate of 8.0% and in an aggregate principal amount of $15.0 million.

In connection with the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering of its Common Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock and the Convertible Promissory Note converted, automatically and without any additional consideration, into 732,794 and 50,000 shares, respectively, of Common Stock. Further, on June 23, 2020, in connection with the initial public offering of the Company’s Common Stock, 2020 LP purchased 133,333 shares of Common Stock. The funds used to purchase such shares were composed of the investment capital of 2020 LP.

On December 7, 2020, the Company consummated a follow-on public offering of its Common Stock and a concurrent private placement of its 7.25% convertible senior notes due 2025 (the “7.25% Convertible Notes”). Acquisition 2 purchased 165,137 shares of Common Stock, and Acquisition LP purchased an aggregate principal amount of $25,000,000 of the 7.25% Convertible Notes in connection with the offerings. Such shares of Common Stock were purchased for an aggregate purchase price of $13.5 million, and such 7.25% Convertible Notes were purchased for $25.0 million in cash, in each case at the same price offered to the public. The funds used to purchase such shares and 7.25% Convertible Notes, as applicable, were composed of the investment capital of the applicable Fund. At the same time, Co-Invest LP consummated an agreement to receive an aggregate principal amount of $78,500,000 of the 7.25% Convertible Notes and $95,833.33 in cash in exchange for the cancellation of the $78.6 million in principal and accrued and unpaid interest outstanding, as well as a prepayment penalty, under the Company’s credit agreement for which Co-Invest LP acted as the lender and collateral agent.

On June 1, 2021, Acquisition LP and Co-Invest LP entered into a Consent and Waiver Agreement and, on May 27, 2021, a Stock Issuance Agreement (the “Stock Issuance Agreement”), each with the Company, pursuant to which Acquisition LP and Co-Invest LP agreed to forgo and waive their right to receive interest in cash due on the 7.25% Convertible Notes held by Acquisition LP and Co-Invest LP, in exchange for the issuance of shares of Common Stock equal to $3,626,812.50, the amount of cash interest so waived. Pursuant to the Stock Issuance Agreement, Acquisition LP acquired 12,252 shares of Common Stock and Co-Invest LP acquired 38,472 shares of Common Stock.

On June 14, 2021, the Company consummated a private placement of units (the “Private Placement”), with each unit consisting of one share of Common Stock and the right to buy an additional share of Common Stock for the exercise price specified in the warrant conferring such right (the “Common Stock Warrant”). In connection with the Private Placement, Acquisition 2 LP purchased 323,886 units with an aggregate purchase price of $20.0 million. On November 6, 2022, the Company and Acquisition 2 LP agreed to amend the Common Stock Warrant (as amended, the “Amended Warrant”) to reduce the exercise price to $8.22 per share of Common Stock. The Amended Warrant is exercisable at any time on or after May 9, 2023 and until May 9, 2028, but not thereafter.

On November 6, 2022, Acquisition LP and Co-Invest LP entered into an Interest Waiver and Securities Issuance Agreement and a Securities Purchase Agreement (collectively, the “Interest Waiver Agreements”), in each case with the Company, pursuant to which Acquisition LP and Co-Invest LP agreed to forego and waive their right to receive an aggregate amount of $3,751,875 in cash interest due on the 7.25% Convertible Notes held by Acquisition LP and Co-Invest LP, in exchange for the issuance of shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase an additional share of Common Stock (the “Second Common Stock Warrant”). In connection with the Interest Waiver Agreements, Acquisition LP acquired 120,833 shares of Common Stock and the right to purchase 120,833 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Second Common Stock Warrant and Co-Invest LP acquired 379,416 shares of Common Stock and the right to purchase 379,416 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Second Common Stock Warrant. The Second Common Stock Warrant has an exercise price of exercise price of $8.22 per share and is exercisable at any time on or after May 9, 2023 and until May 9, 2028, but not thereafter.

On September 18, 2023, the Company, Acquisition LP and Co-Invest LP entered into a Convertible Notes Exchange Agreement for Common Stock and Warrants (the “Exchange Agreement”) whereby (i) Acquisition LP exchanged $12,077,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Convertible Notes directly held by Acquisition LP for (1) 2,230,690 shares of the Common Stock, pre-funded warrants to purchase 1,787,209 shares of Common Stock (“Pre-Funded Warrants”) and warrants to purchase 4,017,899 shares of Common Stock (“September 2023 Warrants”), all issued to and directly held by Acquisition 2 LP pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, and (2) accrued and unpaid interest paid to Acquisition LP on the 7.25% Convertible Notes exchanged by Acquisition LP to, but excluding, September 18, 2023 and (ii) Co-Invest LP exchanged $37,923,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Convertible Notes directly held by Co-Invest LP for (1) 7,004,591 shares of Common Stock, Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase 5,612,017 shares of Common Stock, September 2023 Warrants to purchase 12,616,608 shares of Common Stock, all issued to and directly held by Co-Invest LP pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, and (2) accrued and unpaid interest paid to Co-Invest LP on the 7.25% Convertible Notes exchanged by Co-Invest LP to, but excluding, September 18, 2023. The Pre-Funded Warrants have an exercise price of $0.001 per share and are exercisable at any time on or after September 18, 2023 until such Pre-Funded Warrants have been fully exercised in accordance with their terms. The September 2023 Warrants have an exercise price of $3.01 per share and are exercisable at any time on or after September 18, 2023 until September 18, 2026. Each of the Pre-Funded Warrants and the September 2023 Warrants are subject to certain exercise limitations, including a limitation on the ability to exercise if the holder’s beneficial ownership of Common Stock (together with its affiliates and certain attribution parties) would exceed 49.9% of the outstanding Common Stock.

Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.

The Reporting Persons acquired the securities reported herein for investment purposes and intend to review their investments in the Company on a continuing basis. Depending on various factors, including but not limited to the Company’s financial position and strategic direction, price levels of the Common Stock, conditions in the securities markets, various laws and regulations applicable to the Company and companies in its industry and the Reporting Persons’ ownership in the Company, and general economic and industry conditions, the Reporting Persons may in the future take actions with respect to their investment in the Company as they deem appropriate, including changing their current intentions, with respect to any or all matters required to be disclosed herein. Without limiting the foregoing, and subject to any applicable limitations described in Item 6 below, the Reporting Persons may, from time to time, acquire or cause affiliates to acquire additional shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company (including any combination or derivative thereof), dispose, or cause affiliates to dispose, of some or all of their Common Stock or other securities of the Company or continue to hold, or cause affiliates to hold, Common Stock or other securities of the Company.

In addition, the Reporting Persons have had and intend to continue having discussions, from time to time, with management and the board of directors of the Company, and may engage with other stockholders or securityholders of the Company and other relevant parties, or take other actions concerning, the Company’s business, lines of business, operations, strategy, previously announced restructuring, plans and prospects; any extraordinary corporate transactions (including, but not limited to, a merger, reorganization or liquidation); sales of a material amount of assets or divestitures; a change in the board of directors or management; a material change in the Company’s capitalization, capital structure or dividend policies; other material changes in the Company’s business, lines of business, or corporate structure; or similar actions.

Except as set forth herein, or as would occur upon completion of any of the matters discussed herein, the Reporting Persons have no present plans, proposals or intentions which would result in or relate to any of the transactions described in subparagraphs (a) through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D. Although the foregoing reflects activities presently contemplated by the Reporting Persons and each other individuals named in Item 2 with respect to the Company, the foregoing is subject to change at any time.

The information set forth under Items 3 and 6 is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

(a)-(b) The information contained on the cover pages of this Schedule 13D is incorporated herein by reference.

The Reporting Persons beneficially own in the aggregate 12,348,838 shares of Common Stock, which represents approximately 49.9% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. All calculations of percentage ownership in this Schedule 13D are based on (i) 23,328,097 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of September 19, 2023 as disclosed in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 19, 2023, (ii) plus shares issuable upon conversion of the 7.25% Convertible Notes held by the Reporting Persons, and (iii) plus shares underlying the Amended Warrant, the Second Common Stock Warrant, and the Pre-Funded Warrants and September 2023 Warrants, to the extent such warrants are then exercisable and the resulting shares are considered beneficially owned under applicable rules promulgated under the Exchange Act.

To the knowledge of the Reporting Persons, none of the Covered Persons directly owns any shares of Common Stock; provided, however, that because of each Covered Persons’ status as a director, executive officer, manager, member or partner of a Reporting Person, a Covered Person may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Reporting Person. Except to the extent of their pecuniary interest, each of the Covered Persons disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of the Common Stock reported herein and the filing of this Schedule 13D shall not be construed as an admission that any such Covered Person is the beneficial owner of any securities covered by this statement.

(c) Except as described herein, none of the Reporting Persons or, to their knowledge, none of the Covered Persons, has had any transactions in the Common Stock during the past 60 days.

(d) Except as set forth herein, to the knowledge of the Reporting Persons, no other person has the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, any shares of Common Stock.

(e) Not applicable.

Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer.

Fourth Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement

On August 27, 2019, Co-Invest LP, Acquisition LP and certain of their affiliates (the “Athyrium Parties”) entered into a fourth amended and restated investors’ rights agreement (the “Investors’ Rights Agreement”) with the Company and the other stockholders of the Company. The Investors’ Rights Agreement provides that the stockholders of the Company have certain registration rights described below. On November 12, 2019, in connection with its acquisition of the securities of the Company previously held by Acquisition LP, Acquisition 2 LP signed a joinder agreement to the Investors’ Rights Agreement and became one of the Athyrium Parties discussed below.

The registration rights described below will expire (i) with respect to any Athyrium Party, at the time such Athyrium Party can sell all of its registrable securities under Rule 144 or another similar exemption under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), without limitation during a three-month period without registration, or (iii) upon termination of the Investors’ Rights Agreement.

The key registration rights under the Investors’ Rights Agreement are as follows:

On November 10, 2020, the Company and the other stockholders party thereto entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Investors’ Rights Agreement in order to provide for the registration of the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Promissory Note.

On December 7, 2020, the Company and the other stockholders party thereto entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Investors’ Rights Agreement in order to provide for the registration of the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of the 7.25% Convertible Notes.

On May 31, 2021, the Company and the other stockholders party thereto entered into Amendment No. 3 to the Investors’ Rights Agreement in order to provide for the registration of the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Stock Issuance Agreement.

On August 19, 2021, in connection with the proposed sale by the Company of Common Stock and warrants to purchase Common Stock pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC on July 30, 2021 (the “Shelf Registration Statement”), the Company and the stockholders party to the Investors’ Rights Agreement entered into that certain Notice and Waiver, pursuant to which such stockholders waived their respective right to request that the Company include the securities registrable pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement among the securities registered on the Shelf Registration Statement.

On September 18, 2023, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Agreement, the Company and the other stockholders party thereto entered into Amendment No. 4 to the Investors’ Rights Agreement in order to provide for the registration of the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Exchange Agreement and issuable pursuant to the terms of the Pre-Funded Warrants and the September 2023 Warrants.

7.25% Convertible Notes

On December 7, 2020, the Company issued a new series of 7.25% Convertible Notes. The 7.25% Convertible Notes were issued pursuant to, and are governed by, an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of December 7, 2020, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. The conversion rate is 11.1204 shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of 7.25% Convertible Notes. The conversion rate will be subject to customary adjustments upon the occurrence of certain events. In addition, if certain corporate events that constitute a “Make-Whole Fundamental Change” (as defined in the Indenture) occur, then the conversion rate will, in certain circumstances, be increased for a specified period of time.

Common Stock Warrant and Amended Warrant

On June 14, 2021, the Company issued a Common Stock Warrant to Acquisition 2 LP as registered holder. On November 6, 2022, the Company and Acquisition 2 LP agreed to amend the Common Stock Warrant. This Amended Warrant is exercisable for 323,886 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.22 per share, at any time on or after May 9, 2023 and prior to May 9, 2028.

Second Common Stock Warrant

On November 9, 2022, the Company issued the Second Common Stock Warrant to Acquisition LP and Co-Invest LP in connection with the Interest Waiver Agreements. The Second Common Stock Warrant is exercisable for 500,249 shares of Common Stock, has an exercise price of $8.22 per share of Common Stock and is exercisable at any time between May 9, 2023 and prior to its expiration on May 9, 2028.

Convertible Notes Exchange Agreement for Common Stock and Warrants

On September 18, 2023, the Company, Acquisition LP and Co-Invest LP entered into the Exchange Agreement whereby (i) Acquisition LP exchanged $12,077,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Convertible Notes directly held by Acquisition LP for (1) 2,230,690 shares of the Common Stock, Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase 1,787,209 shares of Common Stock and September 2023 Warrants to purchase 4,017,899 shares of Common Stock, all issued to and directly held by Acquisition 2 LP pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, and (2) accrued and unpaid interest paid to Acquisition LP on the 7.25% Convertible Notes exchanged by Acquisition LP to, but excluding, September 18, 2023 and (ii) Co-Invest LP exchanged $37,923,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Convertible Notes directly held by Co-Invest LP for (1) 7,004,591

shares of Common Stock, Pre-Funded Warrants to purchase 5,612,017 shares of Common Stock, September 2023 Warrants to purchase 12,616,608 shares of Common Stock, all issued to and directly held by Co-Invest LP pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, and (2) accrued and unpaid interest paid to Co-Invest LP on the 7.25% Convertible Notes exchanged by Co-Invest LP to, but excluding, September 18, 2023. The Pre-Funded Warrants have an exercise price of $0.001 per share and are exercisable at any time on or after September 18, 2023 until such Pre-Funded Warrants have been fully exercised in accordance with their terms. The September 2023 Warrants have an exercise price of $3.01 per share and are exercisable at any time on or after September 18, 2023 until September 18, 2026. Each of the Pre-Funded Warrants and the September 2023 Warrants are subject to certain exercise limitations, including a limitation on the ability to exercise if the holder’s beneficial ownership of Common Stock (together with its affiliates and certain attribution parties) would exceed 49.9% of the outstanding Common Stock.

The foregoing summary of the Investors’ Rights Agreement, 7.25% Convertible Notes, Common Stock Warrant, Amended Warrant Second Common Stock Warrant, Exchange Agreement, the Pre-Funded Warrant and the September 2023 Warrant is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of such agreements, copies of which are filed as exhibits hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.

Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k) promulgated under the Exchange Act, the Reporting Persons have entered into an agreement with respect to the joint filing of this Schedule 13D, which agreement is set forth on the signature page to this Schedule 13D.

Except as described above and herein in this Schedule 13D, there are no other contracts, understandings or relationships (legal or otherwise) among the parties named in Item 2 hereto and between such persons and any person with respect to any of the common stock of the Company owned by the Funds.

Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his or its knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k)(1)(iii) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the persons named below agree to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of this Schedule 13D with respect to the common stock of the Company.

Dated as of September 19, 2023.

ANNEX A

Other than as set forth below, and in the Schedule 13D to which this Annex A is attached, none of the Reporting Persons have appointed any executive officers or directors.

Athyrium Opportunities Co-Invest LLC

The name and principal occupation of each of the members and executive officers of Athyrium Opportunities Co-Invest LLC are listed below:

Athyrium Opportunities Associates III GP LLC

The name and principal occupation of each of the members and executive officers of Athyrium Opportunities Associates III GP LLC are listed below: