UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant ☐ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☑
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| ☐ | Preliminary Proxy Statement | |
| ☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | |
| ☐ | Definitive Proxy Statement | |
| ☑ | Definitive Additional Materials | |
| ☐ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12 | |
CERULEAN PHARMA INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
DARÉ BIOSCIENCE, INC.
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if Other Than the Registrant)
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July 3, 2017
Dear Cerulean Stockholder,
As the founder and CEO of Daré Bioscience, Inc. (“Daré”), I am excited by the prospect of Daré combining with Cerulean Pharma Inc. (“Cerulean”). Daré is a healthcare company committed to the development and commercialization of innovative products in women’s health. We believe a segment of this market is underserved, which gives us an opportunity to create value for stockholders.
The problem isn’t a lack of early innovation. The global donor community of foundations and governments has invested in early research to expand options, improve outcomes and advance global women’s health. Yet, promising candidates often fail to advance.
The problem isn’t commercialization. Pharmaceutical companies with established sales and marketing franchises in women’s health exist; however, many of these companies prefer to get involved in later stages of development, e.g., in pivotal trials or following an application for regulatory approval.
The problem is the gap in mid-stage development. We believe there is a gap between early innovation and commercialization in women’s health that creates an opportunity for Daré.
Our business model is to fill the gap. We intend to license the rights to novel product candidates (some of which have existing clinical data), advance their clinical development and, if successful, create a comprehensive global commercialization strategy in combination with established pharmaceutical partners.
Our product candidate, Ovaprene®, illustrates our business model. We intend to continue the clinical development of Ovaprene, which has completed a pilot postcoital test clinical trial with results published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine in 2009. If the Cerulean stockholders approve the transactions proposed in the definitive proxy statement, Daré intends to commence a PCT clinical trial of Ovaprene® with CONRAD, a non-profit organization that oversaw the successful development and FDA approval of the Caya® diaphragm, the most recently approved barrier contraceptive device in combination with a locally-acting spermiostatic agent.
In connection with the proposed combination of Daré and Cerulean, Cerulean has filed with the SEC a definitive proxy statement that describes the combination in detail. Stockholders may obtain a copy of the definitive proxy statement without charge at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov) or from Cerulean’s proxy solicitor. Before making any voting decision, I urge you to read the definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC June 19, 2017 and any other documents that may be filed with the SEC regarding the special meeting and the proposed transactions in their entirety because they contain or will contain important information about the proposed transaction, the combined business and Ovaprene. In addition, you are strongly encouraged to read the description of the transaction with Novartis starting on page 102 of the definitive proxy statement, as the cash from the sale of those assets will be an important source of funding for the operations of the combined company.
If Cerulean stockholders approve the transactions in the proxy, the management of Daré looks forward to having the opportunity to work on your behalf.
If you have any questions regarding the proposed transactions, or to obtain a copy of the definitive proxy statement free of charge, please contact Cerulean’s proxy solicitor, Morrow Sodali, at 1-800-662-5200.
Sincerely,
Sabrina Martucci Johnson
Founder and CEO
Daré Bioscience, Inc.