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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 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): August 11, 2023

Pyxis Oncology, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


Delaware	001-40881	83-1160910
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

321 Harrison Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts		02118
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: 617-221-9059

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☒Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share	PYXS	The Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☒

Item 8.01 Other Events.

As previously announced, on May 23, 2023, Pyxis Oncology, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Apexigen, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Apexigen”) and Ascent Merger Sub Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into Apexigen, with Apexigen surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

This Current Report on Form 8-K is being filed to provide the financial information set forth in Item 9.01 below, which gives effect to the foregoing transactions as set forth therein, so that, among other purposes, such financial information is incorporated by reference into our registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information, comprised of an unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of March 31, 2023 and unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and the year ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes, are filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.


(d) Exhibits
Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information as of March 31, 2023 and for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and the year ended December 31, 2022.
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

Additional Information and Where to Find It

This Current Report on Form 8-K is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed business combination and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933. The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a Registration Statement on Form S-4 in connection with the transaction and Apexigen has filed with the SEC and mailed to its stockholders a proxy statement/prospectus in connection with the transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders are able to obtain free copies of the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by the Company and Apexigen through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders are able to obtain free copies of the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus from the Company by contacting ir@pyxisoncology.com or from Apexigen by contacting ir@apexigen.com.

Participants in the Solicitation

The Company and Apexigen, and their respective directors and executive officers, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding the Company’s directors and executive officers is contained in the Company’s proxy statement, filed with the SEC on April 28, 2023. Information regarding Apexigen’s directors and executive officers is contained in Apexigen’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 22, 2023. Additional information regarding the persons who may be deemed participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests in the proposed business combination are available in the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus.

Forward Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. These statements are often identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “objective,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “to be,” “will,” “would,” or the negative or plural of these words, or similar expressions or variations, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. We cannot assure you that the events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified herein, and those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” set forth in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 related to the proposed business combination, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, Apexigen’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, Apexigen’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 and Apexigen’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, each of which is on file with the SEC. Among other things, there can be no guarantee that the proposed business combination will be completed in the anticipated timeframe or at all, that the conditions required to complete the proposed business combination will be met, that the combined company will realize the expected benefits of the proposed business combination, if any, that the clinical stage assets will progress on anticipated timelines or at all, or that the combined company will be successful in progressing its pipeline through development and the regulatory approval process. These risks are not exhaustive. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date hereof and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

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 thereunto duly authorized.


			Pyxis Oncology, Inc.

Date:	August 11, 2023	By:	/s/ Pam Connealy
			Pam Connealy Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

Exhibit 99.1

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The Merger

On May 23, 2023, Pyxis Oncology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Pyxis Oncology” or the “Company”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Ascent Merger Sub Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), and Apexigen, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Apexigen”), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will merge with and into Apexigen (the “Merger”), with Apexigen surviving such Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Definitions for the capitalized terms used in this section are provided herein.

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”):


	a)	Each share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Apexigen (the “Apexigen Common Stock”) that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than (i) treasury shares, and (ii) any shares of Apexigen Common Stock held directly by the Company or Merger Sub) will automatically be converted into the right to receive 0.1725 (the “Exchange Ratio”) shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Pyxis Oncology (the “Company Common Stock” or “Pyxis Oncology Common Stock”). No fractional shares of Company Common Stock will be issued in connection with the Merger and the number of shares of Company Common Stock to be issued to Apexigen stockholders shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share. The Exchange Ratio and shares to be issued to Apexigen stockholders in connection with the Merger will be subject to adjustment for stock splits and similar events as provided in the Merger Agreement.


	b)	Each option to purchase shares of Apexigen Common Stock (each, an “Apexigen Option”) that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be assumed and converted as of the Effective Time into an option to acquire, on substantially similar terms and conditions as were applicable under such Apexigen Option, the number of shares of Company Common Stock determined by multiplying the number of shares of Apexigen Common Stock subject to such Apexigen Option immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio (rounded down to the nearest whole share), with an exercise price per share equal to the exercise price per share of such Apexigen Option as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, divided by the Exchange Ratio (rounded up to the nearest whole cent).


	c)	Each award of restricted stock units of Apexigen (each, an “Apexigen RSU Award”) outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time will be assumed and converted as of the Effective Time into an award of Pyxis Oncology restricted stock units, with substantially similar terms and conditions as were applicable under such Apexigen RSU Award, that covers the number of shares of Company Common Stock determined by multiplying the number of shares of Apexigen Common Stock subject to such Apexigen RSU Award immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio (rounded down to the nearest whole share).


	d)	Each warrant to purchase shares of Apexigen Common Stock (each, an “Apexigen Warrant”) outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be assumed and converted as of the Effective Time into a warrant to acquire, on substantially similar terms and conditions as were applicable under such Apexigen Warrant, a number of shares of Company Common Stock determined by multiplying the number of shares of Apexigen Common Stock subject to such Apexigen Warrant immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio (rounded down to the nearest whole share), with an exercise price per share equal to the exercise price per share of such Apexigen Warrant as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, divided by the Exchange Ratio (rounded up to the nearest whole cent), with any fractional shares to be dealt with in accordance with the terms of such Apexigen Warrant.

Upon closing of the Merger (the “Closing Date”), Apexigen will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pyxis Oncology and Pyxis Oncology’s current stockholders will own approximately 90% of the combined company’s outstanding common stock and Apexigen stockholders will own approximately 10% of the combined company’s outstanding common stock.

Pro Forma Financial Information

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is presented to illustrate the effect of the Merger of Pyxis Oncology and Apexigen. The information under the “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet” in the table below gives effect to the Merger as if it had taken place on March 31, 2023, the closing date of Pyxis Oncology’s latest period presented and combines the unaudited historical condensed consolidated balance sheet of Pyxis Oncology as of March 31, 2023 with Apexigen’s unaudited historical condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2023.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and the year ended December 31, 2022 give effect to the Merger as if it had occurred on January 1, 2022, the first day of Pyxis Oncology’s fiscal year 2022, and combines the historical results of Pyxis Oncology and Apexigen. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 combines the unaudited historical condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss of Pyxis Oncology and Apexigen for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, combines the audited historical statements of operations and comprehensive loss of Pyxis Oncology and Apexigen for the year ended December 31, 2022.

The historical financial statements of Pyxis Oncology and Apexigen have been adjusted in the accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information to give effect to the transaction accounting adjustments which are necessary to account for the Merger in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not include any adjustments not otherwise described herein. The unaudited pro forma adjustments are based upon available information and certain assumptions that management believes are reasonable.

The adjustments presented to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information have been identified and presented to provide relevant information necessary for an accurate understanding of the combined company upon consummation of the Merger. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is based on assumptions and adjustments that are described in the accompanying notes. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is for illustrative purposes only. The financial results may have been different had the companies always been combined. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information should not be relied upon as being indicative of the historical results that would have been achieved had the companies always been combined or the future results that the combined company will experience. The actual amounts recorded as of the completion of the Merger may differ materially from the information presented in the unaudited pro forma combined financial information as a result of the amount of cash used by Apexigen between the signing of the Merger Agreement and the Closing Date, the timing of the closing of the Merger, and other changes in the amounts or estimated fair value of Apexigen’s assets and liabilities prior to the Closing Date. The combined company believes that its assumptions and methodologies provide a reasonable basis for presenting all the significant effects of the transactions based on information available to management at this time and that the unaudited pro forma transaction accounting adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and are properly applied in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information should be read in conjunction with:


	●	The accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information;


	●	The audited historical consolidated financial statements of Pyxis Oncology as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 and the related notes set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 22, 2023, incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus;


	●	The unaudited historical condensed consolidated financial statements of Pyxis Oncology as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and the related notes set forth in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 11, 2023, incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus;


	●	The audited historical consolidated financial statements of Apexigen as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 and the related notes set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 22, 2023, included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus;


	●	The unaudited historical condensed consolidated financial statements of Apexigen as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and the related notes set forth in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 15, 2023, included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus; and


	●	The disclosures contained in the sections titled “Pyxis Oncology Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus and “Apexigen Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Apexigen”, included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

PYXIS ONCOLOGY, INC.

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet

As of March 31, 2023

(In thousands)


	Historical
	Pyxis Oncology			Apexigen			Transaction Adjustments			Note 4	Pro Forma Combined
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	53,059		$	12,730		$	(655	)	(A)(B)	$	65,134
Marketable debt securities, short-term		96,290			—			—				96,290
Restricted cash		1,472			—			—				1,472
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		5,361			2,123			—				7,484
Deferred financing costs, current		—			1,776			(1,776	)	(C)		—
Total current assets		156,182			16,629			(2,431	)			170,380
Property and equipment, net		13,163			—			—				13,163
Operating lease right-of-use assets		13,458			—			—				13,458
Intangible assets, net		—			—			20,218		(D)		20,218
Goodwill		—			—			625		(E)		625
Deferred financing costs, non-current		—			592			(592	)	(C)		—
Other assets		—			355			—				355
Total assets	$	182,803		$	17,576		$	17,820			$	218,199
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	4,025		$	2,809		$	—			$	6,834
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		6,363			5,494			11,917		(F)		23,774
Operating lease liabilities, current portion		1,213			—			—				1,213
Deferred revenue		—			6,150			—				6,150
Total current liabilities		11,601			14,453			11,917				37,971
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion		19,039			—			—				19,039
Derivative warrant liabilities		—			10			—				10
Total liabilities		30,640			14,463			11,917				57,020
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock		—			—			—				—
Common stock		37			2			2		(G)		41
Additional paid-in capital		383,108			185,957			(170,812	)	(H)		398,253
Accumulated other comprehensive income		696			—			—				696
Accumulated deficit		(231,678	)		(182,846	)		176,713		(I)		(237,811	)
Total stockholders’ equity		152,163			3,113			5,903				161,179
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	182,803		$	17,576		$	17,820			$	218,199

See the accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

PYXIS ONCOLOGY, INC.

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

(in thousands, except share and per share data)


	Historical
	Pyxis Oncology			Apexigen			Transaction Adjustments		Note 4		Pro Forma Combined
Operating expenses:
Research and development	$	11,901		$	2,937		$	—			$	14,838
General and administrative		9,053			3,279			—				12,332
Total operating expenses		20,954			6,216			—				27,170
Loss from operations		(20,954	)		(6,216	)		—				(27,170	)
Other income, net:
Interest and investment income		1,673			—			—				1,673
Sublease income		38			—			—				38
Other income, net		—			163			—				163
Total other income, net		1,711			163			—				1,874
Net loss	$	(19,243	)	$	(6,053	)	$	—			$	(25,296	)
Net loss per common share - basic and diluted	$	(0.54	)	$	(0.25	)	$	—			$	(0.64	)
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding - basic and diluted		35,351,671			24,156,890			4,275,521		(M)		39,627,192

See the accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

PYXIS ONCOLOGY, INC.

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations

For the year ended December 31, 2022

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Historical

Pyxis Oncology 

Apexigen 

Transaction
Adjustments

Note 4

Pro Forma
Combined

Operating expenses:

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