<PAGE>
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported) February 1, 2000
-------------------
BOSTON LIFE SCIENCES, INC.
--------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
Delaware 0-6533 87-0277826
- ------------------------------------------- ----------- ------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization) File No.)
137 Newbury Street
8th Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
- ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) Zip Code
</TABLE>
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (617) 425-0200
-----------------
<PAGE>
Item 5. Other Events.
-------------
On February 1, 2000, the Company announced that its collaborating scientists had
isolated the molecular target of its Central Nervous System (CNS) growth
factors, AF-1 and Inosine. This target appears to be an enzyme within CNS
neurons that specifically controls axon growth of all CNS nerve cells whether in
the brain or in the spinal cord. Activation of this enzyme by Inosine and AF-1
is apparently sufficient to overwhelm the natural inhibitory factor(s) such as
Nogo that ordinarily prevent nerve regeneration in the CNS. Such regeneration
had not been achieved to any substantial degree until AF-1 and Inosine were
demonstrated as capable of stimulating significant axonal regrowth in the
corticospinal tract.
The Company believes that the identification of this control enzyme represents a
critical breakthrough in understanding the mechanisms underlying CNS nerve
regeneration. Based on data published in the November 9, 1999 issue of the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), stimulation of this
enzyme by Inosine appeared to be far more effective in stimulating axon growth
in the motor tracts of the spinal cord following experimental injury than the
use of antibodies to counteract the natural axon growth inhibitor, Nogo.
On February 2, 2000, the Company announced that H.C. Wainwright & Co., a Boston-
based brokerage and investment banking firm, had initiated research coverage of
the company with a buy rating. H. C. Wainwright & Co., Inc. founded in 1868 and
based in Boston, is a leading source of high-quality equity research, investment
banking, asset management consulting, retail and institutional securities
brokerage, and other financial advisory services. The firm's strong background
in equity research enables it to provide institutional and individual clients
with accurate and up-to-date investment information and counsel.
On February 11, 2000, the Company announced that it would review its development
strategy for its Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnostic and
therapeutic technologies at the BIO 2000 CEO & Investor Conference in New York
on Wednesday, February 16th.
The Company's diagnostic radioimaging agent, Altropane(TM), and its potential
application as the first objective, biochemical test for Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was discussed in the current February 6, 2000
issue of the Boston Globe Magazine. The Boston Globe article detailed the
growing concern among parents, educators and health professionals regarding the
accuracy of current purely psychosocial criteria used to diagnose ADHD,
particularly in children, and the related problem of the inappropriate use of
potentially addictive stimulant medication for this poorly-defined condition.
The potential utility of Altropane as an ADHD diagnostic was also previously
featured in the November 22, 1999 issue of Business Week. The initial clinical
study results demonstrating that Altropane could detect a significantly abnormal
elevation in the number of dopamine transporters (DATs) in the brains of
subjects with longstanding ADHD were published in the December 17, 1999 issue of
the prestigious British medical journal The Lancet.
It is currently estimated that approximately 1.5 million adults and 5 million
children are categorized as ADHD, and an additional 500,000 new cases are
identified annually. The Company believes that Altropane, if approved, has the
potential to become one of the largest selling radiopharmaceuticals ever
developed.
The Company will also provide an important update at the BIO 2000 Conference of
its program to develop therapies for both Parkinson's Disease and ADHD.
Item 7. Exhibits.
---------
The following Exhibits are filed as part of this report on Form 8-K:
99.1 Press Release, dated February 1, 2000.
99.2 Press Release, dated February 2, 2000.
99.3 Press Release, dated February 11, 2000.
1
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto authorized.
BOSTON LIFE SCIENCES, INC.
Dated: February 15, 2000 By: /s/Joseph Hernon
-----------------
Joseph Hernon
Chief Financial Officer
2
<PAGE>
BOSTON LIFE SCIENCES, INC.
CURRENT REPORT ON FORM 8-K
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No. Pages
-------------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
99.1 Press Release, dated February 1, 2000 4
99.2 Press Release, dated February 2, 2000 5
99.3 Press Release, dated February 11, 2000 6
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.1
MOLECULAR "TARGET" OF BOSTON LIFE SCIENCES' NERVE GROWTH FACTORS ISOLATED
Inosine and AF-1 stimulate spinal cord axonal regeneration despite natural
inhibitors
February 1, 2000--Boston, MA--Boston Life Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLSI)
announced that the Company's collaborating scientists have isolated the
molecular target of the Company's Central Nervous System (CNS) growth factors,
AF-1 and Inosine. This target appears to be an enzyme within CNS neurons that
specifically controls axon growth of all CNS nerve cells whether in the brain or
in the spinal cord. Activation of this enzyme by Inosine and AF-1 is apparently
sufficient to overwhelm the natural inhibitory factor(s) such as Nogo that
ordinarily prevent nerve regeneration in the CNS. Such regeneration had not
been achieved to any substantial degree until AF-1 and Inosine were demonstrated
as capable of stimulating significant axonal regrowth in the corticospinal
tract.
"We believe that the identification of this control enzyme represents a critical
breakthrough in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying CNS nerve
regeneration," stated Dr. Marc Lanser, Chief Scientific Officer of BLSI. "As
documented in an article published in the November 9,1999 issue of the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), stimulation of this
enzyme by Inosine appears to be far more effective in stimulating axon growth in
the motor tracts of the spinal cord following experimental injury than the use
of antibodies to counteract the natural axon growth inhibitor, Nogo. Direct
comparison of our PNAS data with that published for experiments using antibodies
to Nogo (Journal of Neuroscience) demonstrates a very significant order of
magnitude increase in the amount of axon growth produced utilizing Inosine
compared to that achieved through the previously reported use of antibodies to
Nogo. Based on these and other published data, we believe that administration
of Inosine and AF-1 currently appears to offer the most promising potential
approach yet reported in the effort directed at overcoming the long-recognized
natural inhibition to nerve regeneration in the CNS," added Dr. Lanser.
"The exciting attribute of this control enzyme is that it appears to be
activated by AF-1 and Inosine, our two proprietary nerve growth factors. We
believe that these findings may imply an important clinical advantage for AF-1
and Inosine since they appear to activate this pivotal enzyme to stimulate axon
regeneration. Consequently, we expect them to move to the forefront of
potential therapeutic approaches to spinal cord injury and stroke," stated Dr.
Lanser.
BLSI is developing novel treatments for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and central
nervous system disorders, as well as diagnostics for Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder and Parkinson's Disease. In addition to AF-1 and
Inosine, BLSI's products in clinical trials or in preclinical development
include Altropane(TM) an imaging agent for the diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease
and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Troponin I, a naturally-occurring
anti-angiogenesis factor for the treatment of solid tumors; transcription
factors that may control the expression of molecules associated with autoimmune
disease and allergies; and fusion toxins for the treatment of multiple sclerosis
and cancer.
Statements made in this press release other than statements of historical fact
represent forward-looking statements. Such statements include, without
limitation, statements regarding expectations or beliefs as to future results or
events, such as expected timing and results of clinical trials, discussions with
regulatory agencies, schedules of IND, NDA and all other regulatory submissions,
the timing of product introductions, the possible approval of products, the
market size for the Company's products and possible advantages of the Company's
products. All such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and
uncertainties and actual results may vary materially from these statements.
Factors that may affect future results include: regulatory decisions, results
of scientific data from clinical trials; delays in the regulatory or development
processes; the ability to obtain intellectual property protection, the outcome
of discussions with potential partners, the availability and adequacy of
financial resources, market acceptance of the Company's products and other
possible risks and uncertainties that have been noted in reports filed by the
Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K/A.
For further information, please contact:
- ----------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Media Investors Corporate
<S> <C> <C>
Jim Weinrebe Maria Zapf Boston Life Sciences, Inc.
Schwartz Communications Boston Life Sciences, Inc. Marc Lanser, MD
781.684.0770 617.425.0200 Chief Scientific Officer
www.bostonlifesciences.com 617.425.0200
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.2
H.C. WAINWRIGHT & CO. INITIATES COVERAGE OF
BOSTON LIFE SCIENCES INC. WITH A RATING OF BUY
February 2, 2000, Boston, Mass.--Boston Life Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLSI) a
biotechnology company, announced that H.C. Wainwright & Co., a Boston-based
brokerage and investment banking firm, has initiated research coverage of the
company with a buy rating.
H. C. Wainwright & Co., Inc. founded in 1868 and based in Boston, is a leading
source of high-quality equity research, investment banking, asset management
consulting, retail and institutional securities brokerage, and other financial
advisory services. The firm's strong background in equity research enables it
to provide institutional and individual clients with accurate and up-to-date
investment information and counsel.
BLSI is developing novel treatments for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and central
nervous system disorders, as well as diagnostics for Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder and Parkinson's Disease. BLSI's products in clinical
trials or in preclinical development include: Altropane(TM) an imaging agent for
the diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder; Troponin I, a naturally-occurring anti-angiogenesis factor for the
treatment of solid tumors; AF-1 and Inosine, nerve growth factors for the
treatment of spinal cord injury, stroke and glaucoma; transcription factors that
may control the expression of molecules associated with autoimmune disease and
allergies; and fusion toxins for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and cancer.
Statements made in this press release other than statements of historical fact
represent forward-looking statements. Such statements include, without
limitation, statements regarding expectations or beliefs as to future results or
events, such as expected timing and results of clinical trials, discussions with
regulatory agencies, schedules of IND, NDA and all other regulatory submissions,
the timing of product introductions, the possible approval of products, the
market size for the Company's products and possible advantages of the Company's
products. All such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and
uncertainties and actual results may vary materially from these statements.
Factors that may affect future results include: regulatory decisions, results
of scientific data from clinical trials; delays in the regulatory or development
processes; the ability to obtain intellectual property protection, the outcome
of discussions with potential partners, the availability and adequacy of
financial resources, and market acceptance of the Company's products.
For further information, please contact:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Media Investors Corporate
<S> <C> <C>
Jim Weinrebe Maria Zapf Boston Life Sciences, Inc.
Schwartz Communications Boston Life Sciences, Inc. Marc Lanser, MD
781.684.0770 617.425.0200 Chief Scientific Officer
www.bostonlifesciences.com 617.425.0200
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.3
BOSTON LIFE SCIENCES TO HIGHLIGHT DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMS IN
ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER AT BIO 2000 CEO CONFERENCE
Potential Importance of Altropane in Diagnosis of ADHD discussed in current
Boston Globe Magazine
February 11, 2000--Boston, MA--Boston Life Sciences' (NASDAQ: BLSI) will review
the clinical development strategy for its Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD) diagnostic and therapeutic technologies at the BIO 2000 CEO &
Investor Conference in New York on Wednesday, February 16th.
The Company's diagnostic radioimaging agent, Altropane(TM), and its potential
application as the first objective, biochemical test for Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is discussed in the current February 6, 2000 issue
of the Boston Globe Magazine. The Boston Globe article details the growing
concern among parents, educators and health professionals regarding the accuracy
of current purely psychosocial criteria used to diagnose ADHD, particularly in
children, and the related problem of the inappropriate use of potentially
addictive stimulant medication for this poorly-defined condition.
The potential utility of Altropane as an ADHD diagnostic was also previously
featured in the November 22, 1999 issue of Business Week. The initial clinical
study results demonstrating that Altropane could detect a significantly abnormal
elevation in the number of dopamine transporters (DATs) in the brains of
subjects with longstanding ADHD were published in the December 17, 1999 issue of
the prestigious British medical journal The Lancet.
The Company expects to initiate its Phase II clinical trial at the end of the
first quarter of 2000, and will be submitting a Fast Track application for
Altropane in the ADHD indication based on `unmet medical need', since there is
presently no objective biologic test for ADHD available.
It is currently estimated that approximately 1.5 million adults and 5 million
children are categorized as ADHD, and an additional 500,000 new cases are
identified annually. The Company believes that Altropane, if approved, has the
potential to become one of the largest selling radiopharmaceuticals ever
developed.
The Company will also provide an important update at the BIO 2000 Conference of
its program to develop therapies for both Parkinson's Disease and ADHD.
BLSI is developing novel diagnostics for Parkinson's Disease and ADHD as well as
treatments for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and central nervous system
disorders. In addition to Altropane, BLSI's products in preclinical development
include: Troponin I, a naturally-occurring anti-angiogenesis factor for the
treatment of solid tumors; AF-1 and Inosine, nerve growth factors for the
treatment of acute and chronic CNS disorders; fusion toxins for the treatment of
cancer and multiple sclerosis; and transcription factors that may control the
expression of molecules associated with autoimmune disease and allergies.
Statements made in this press release other than statements of historical fact
represent forward-looking statements. Such statements include, without
limitation, statements regarding expectations or beliefs as to future results or
events, such as expected timing and results of clinical trials, discussions with
regulatory agencies, schedules of IND, NDA and all other regulatory submissions,
the timing of product introductions, the possible approval of products, the
market size for the Company's products and possible advantages of the Company's
products. All such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and
uncertainties and actual results may vary materially from these statements.
Factors that may affect future results include: regulatory decisions, results
of scientific data from clinical trials; delays in the regulatory or development
processes; the ability to obtain intellectual property protection, the outcome
of discussions with potential partners, the availability and adequacy of
financial resources, market acceptance of the Company's products and other
possible risks and uncertainties that have been noted in reports filed by the
Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K/A.
For further information, please contact:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Media Investors Corporate
<S> <C> <C>
Jim Weinrebe Maria Zapf Boston Life Sciences, Inc.
Schwartz Communications Boston Life Sciences, Inc. Marc Lanser, MD
781.684.0770 617.425.0200 Chief Scientific Officer
www.bostonlifesciences.com 617.425.0200
</TABLE>
6
