SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 13D

 

[Rule 13d-101]

 

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT TO § 24.13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO § 240.13D-2(a)

 

(Amendment No. 7)*

 

Protara Therapeutics, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

 

Common Stock

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

74365U107

(CUSIP Number)

 

David Clark Elliot Press Deerfield Mgmt, L.P. 345 Park Avenue South, 12th Floor New York, New York 10010 (212) 551-1600   With a copy to:   Mark D. Wood, Esq. Jonathan D. Weiner, Esq. Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP 575 Madison Avenue New York, New York 10022 (212) 940-8800

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

 

January 5, 2021

(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.

 

(Continued on following pages)
(Page 1 of 14 Pages)

 

* 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).

  

 

SCHEDULE 13D

Cusip No. 74365U107

Page 2 of 14 Pages

 

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS   Deerfield Partners, L.P.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) ☐ (b) ☒
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS   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
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER   0
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER   0
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER   0
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER   0
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON   0
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*		☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)   0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON   PN

 

 

SCHEDULE 13D

Cusip No. 74365U107

Page 3 of 14 Pages

 

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS   Deerfield Private Design Fund III, L.P.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) ☐ (b) ☒
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS   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
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER   0
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER   0
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER   0
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER   0
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 0
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*		☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)   0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON   PN

 

 

SCHEDULE 13D

Cusip No. 74365U107

Page 4 of 14 Pages

 

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS   Deerfield Private Design Fund IV, L.P.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) ☐ (b) ☒
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS   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
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER   0
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER   0
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER   0
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER   0
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON   0
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*		☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)   0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON   PN

 

 

SCHEDULE 13D

Cusip No. 74365U107

Page 5 of 14 Pages

 

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS   Deerfield Mgmt, L.P.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) ☐ (b) ☒
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS   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
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER   0
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER   0
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER   0
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER   0
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON   0
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*		☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)   0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON   PN

 

 

SCHEDULE 13D

Cusip No. 74365U107

Page 6 of 14 Pages

 

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS   Deerfield Mgmt III, L.P.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) ☐ (b) ☒
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS   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
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER   0
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER   0
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER   0
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER   0
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON   0
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*		☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)   0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON   PN

  

 

SCHEDULE 13D

Cusip No. 74365U107

Page 7 of 14 Pages

 

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS   Deerfield Mgmt IV, L.P.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) ☐ (b) ☒
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS   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
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER   0
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER   0
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER   0
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER   0
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON   0
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*		☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)   0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON   PN

  

 

SCHEDULE 13D

Cusip No. 74365U107

Page 8 of 14 Pages

 

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS   Deerfield Management Company, L.P.
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) ☐ (b) ☒
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS   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
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH	7	SOLE VOTING POWER   0
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER   0
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER   0
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER   0
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON   0
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*		☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)   0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON   PN

  

 

SCHEDULE 13D

Cusip No. 74365U107

Page 9 of 14 Pages

 

1	NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS   James E. Flynn
2	CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP		(a) ☐ (b) ☒
3	SEC USE ONLY
4	SOURCE OF FUNDS   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
	8	SHARED VOTING POWER   0
	9	SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER   0
	10	SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER   0
11	AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON   0
12	CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*		☐
13	PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)   0%
14	TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON   IN

  

 

Page 10 of 14

 

This Amendment No. 7 (this “Amendment”) to Schedule 13D amends the Schedule 13D (as previously amended, the “Schedule 13D”) filed by (i) Deerfield Mgmt, L.P. (“Deerfield Mgmt”), (ii) Deerfield Management Company, L.P. (“Deerfield Management”), (iii) Deerfield Mgmt III, L.P. (“Deerfield Mgmt III”), (iv) Deerfield Special Situations Fund, L.P., (v) Deerfield Partners, L.P. (“Deerfield Partners”), (vi) Deerfield Private Design Fund III, L.P. (“Deerfield Private Design Fund III”), (vii) Deerfield Private Design Fund IV, L.P. (“Deerfield Private Design Fund IV”), (viii) Deerfield Mgmt, L.P. (“Deerfield Mgmt IV”), (ix) James E. Flynn (“Flynn” and, collectively with Deerfield Mgmt, Deerfield Management, Deerfield Mgmt III, Deerfield Partners, Deerfield Private Design Fund III, Deerfield Private Design Fund IV and Deerfield Mgmt IV, the “Reporting Persons”) and certain other persons, with respect to the securities of Protara Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly known as ArTara Therapeutics, Inc.), as amended by Amendment Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 to the Schedule 13D filed on August 4, 2017, August 22, 2017, December 4, 2017, November 8, 2019, November 14, 2019 and January 17, 2020, respectively. Deerfield Partners, Deerfield Private Design Fund III and Deerfield Private Design Fund IV are collectively referred to herein as the “Funds.”

 

Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Schedule 13D.

 

Item 1. Security and Issuer.

 

Item 1 of the Schedule 13D is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

 

This Statement on Schedule 13D relates to the shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of Protara Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly known as ArTara Therapeutics, Inc.), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). The address of the Company's principal executive office is 1 Little West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014.

 

Item 5. Interests in Securities of the Issuer

 

Items 5(a), (b), (c) and (e) of the Schedule 13D are hereby amended and restated as follows:

 

(a)

 

(1) Deerfield Partners

 

Number of shares: 0

Percentage of shares: 0%

 

(2) Deerfield Private Design Fund III

 

Number of Shares: 0

Percentage of Shares: 0%

 

(3) Deerfield Private Design Fund IV

 

Number of Shares: 0

Percentage of Shares: 0%

 

 

Page 11 of 14

  

(4) Deerfield Mgmt

 

Number of shares: 0

Percentage of shares: 0%

 

(5) Deerfield Mgmt III

 

Number of Shares: 0

Percentage of Shares: 0%

 

(6) Deerfield Mgmt IV

 

Number of Shares: 0

Percentage of Shares: 0%

 

(7) Deerfield Management

 

Number of shares: 0

Percentage of shares: 0%

 

(8) Flynn

 

Number of shares: 0

Percentage of shares: 0%

 

(b)

 

(1) Deerfield Partners

 

Sole power to vote or direct the vote: 0

Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 0

Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition: 0

Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

 

(2) Deerfield Private Design Fund III

 

Sole power to vote or direct the vote: 0

Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 0

Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition: 0

Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

 

(3) Deerfield Private Design Fund IV

 

Sole power to vote or direct the vote: 0

Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 0

Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition: 0

Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

 

(4) Deerfield Mgmt

 

Sole power to vote or direct the vote: 0

Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 0

Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition: 0

Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

 

 

Page 12 of 14

  

(5) Deerfield Mgmt III

 

Sole power to vote or direct the vote: 0

Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 0

Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition: 0

Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

 

(6) Deerfield Mgmt IV

 

Sole power to vote or direct the vote: 0

Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 0

Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition: 0

Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

 

(7) Deerfield Management

 

Sole power to vote or direct the vote: 0

Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 0

Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition: 0

Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

 

(8) Flynn

 

Sole power to vote or direct the vote: 0

Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 0

Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition: 0

Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition: 0

 

Flynn is the sole member of the general partner of each of Deerfield Mgmt, Deerfield Mgmt III, Deerfield Mgmt IV and Deerfield Management.  Deerfield Mgmt is the general partner of Deerfield Partners. Deerfield Mgmt III is the general partner of Deerfield Private Design Fund III. Deerfield Mgmt IV is the general partner of Deerfield Private Design Fund IV. Deerfield Management is the investment manager of each of Deerfield Private Design Fund III, Deerfield Partners and Deerfield Private Design Fund IV.

 

(c) Transactions in the Common Stock effected by the Reporting Persons in the last sixty (60) days are set forth on Schedule A to this Amendment. On January 5, 2021, the Reporting Persons sold an aggregate of 750,069 shares of Common Stock in a privately negotiated block trade at a sales price of $21.00 per share. All other transactions reflected in Schedule A to this Amendment were effected in open market transactions on the Nasdaq Global Market in the ordinary course of the applicable Reporting Person’s business.

 

(e) As of January 5, 2021, each of the Reporting Persons ceased to beneficially own more than five percent of the Common Stock.

 

 

Page 13 of 14

 

SIGNATURE

 

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of their knowledge and belief, the undersigned certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 
Dated: January 8, 2021

  

	DEERFIELD MGMT, L.P.
	By:  J.E. Flynn Capital, LLC, General Partner
	By:	/s/ Jonathan Isler
	Name:	Jonathan Isler
	Title:	Attorney-in-Fact
	DEERFIELD MGMT III, L.P.
	By: J.E. Flynn Capital III, LLC, General Partner
	By:	/s/ Jonathan Isler
	Name:	Jonathan Isler
	Title:	Attorney-in-Fact
	DEERFIELD MGMT IV, L.P.
	By: J.E. Flynn Capital IV, LLC, General Partner
	By:	/s/ Jonathan Isler
	Name:	Jonathan Isler
	Title:	Attorney-in-Fact
	DEERFIELD PARTNERS, L.P.
	By:  Deerfield Mgmt, L.P., General Partner
	By:  J.E. Flynn Capital, LLC, General Partner
	By:	/s/ Jonathan Isler
	Name:	Jonathan Isler
	Title:	Attorney-in-Fact
	DEERFIELD PRIVATE DESIGN FUND III, L.P.
	By: Deerfield Mgmt III, L.P., General Partner
	By: J.E. Flynn Capital III, LLC, General Partner
	By:	/s/ Jonathan Isler
	Name:	Jonathan Isler
	Title:	Attorney-in-Fact

  

 

Page 14 of 14

  

	DEERFIELD PRIVATE DESIGN FUND IV, L.P.
	By: Deerfield Mgmt IV, L.P., General Partner
	By: J.E. Flynn Capital IV, LLC, General Partner
	By:	/s/ Jonathan Isler
	Name:	Jonathan Isler
	Title:	Attorney-in-Fact
	DEERFIELD MANAGEMENT COMPANY, L.P.
	By:  Flynn Management LLC, General Partner
	By:	/s/ Jonathan Isler
	Name:	Jonathan Isler
	Title:	Attorney-in-Fact
	JAMES E. FLYNN
	/s/ Jonathan Isler
	Jonathan Isler, Attorney-in-Fact

 

 

Schedule A

 

Reporting Person	Date		Number of Shares Sold		Price per Share ($)		Price Range ($)**
Deerfield Partners, L.P.	1/4/2021		14,940		24.4854*		24.02 - 25.00
Deerfield Private Design Fund III, L.P.	1/4/2021		914		24.4854*		24.02 - 25.00
Deerfield Private Design Fund IV, L.P.	1/4/2021		16,747		24.4854*		24.02 - 25.00
Deerfield Partners, L.P.	1/5/2021		343,737		21.00
Deerfield Private Design Fund III, L.P.	1/5/2021		21,030		21.00
Deerfield Private Design Fund IV, L.P.	1/5/2021		385,302		21.00

 

* Price per share reported is a weighted average price. The Reporting Persons undertake to provide to the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, full information regarding the number of shares sold at each separate price within the ranges set forth in the “Price Range” column of this Schedule A.

 

** The shares were sold in multiple transactions at prices within the price range indicated (unless otherwise indicated).