On May 9, 2016 Pfenex Inc. (NYSE MKT: PFNX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company engaged in the development of biosimilar therapeutics, including high value and difficult to manufacture proteins, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016 and provided a business update (Press release, Pfenex, MAY 9, 2016, View Source [SID:1234512316]).
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"Pfenex continued to make solid progress in the first quarter," stated Bertrand C. Liang, chief executive officer of Pfenex. "Today we announced the positive top-line data from our PF708 initial bioequivalence study which can be referred to in our separate press release issued this afternoon. In the second half of 2016, we expect to initiate the pivotal clinical program for PF530, our biosimilar candidate to Betaseron. Additionally, we expect to present data from our phase 1a study of Px563L, our anthrax vaccine candidate. We are looking forward to the key data readouts and study initiations over the remainder of 2016 which we believe will further highlight our differentiated business strategy and capabilities."
Business Highlights
The bioequivalence study in healthy subjects for PF708, our peptide product candidate that we are developing as a therapeutic equivalent to Forteo, met the primary outcome measures. We anticipate initiating the clinical program to satisfy the filing requirements for PF708 through the 505(b)(2) regulatory development pathway by year-end which will include an immunogenicity/pharmacokinetic study in subjects with osteoporosis.
Pfenex completed a Phase 1 trial of PF530, a biosimilar candidate to Betaseron, in 2015 which enrolled 12 healthy subjects. Based on the analysis of the trial PK and PD parameters, no statistical differences between PF530 compared to the reference compound were observed. The pivotal PK/PD study and immunogenicity trial are expected to initiate in 2H2016.
The pivotal clinical comparator trial for PF582, our biosimilar candidate to Lucentis which we partnered with Pfizer in February 2015, is expected to initiate in 2016. Pfizer is responsible for initiating and conducting the trial. The PF582 collaboration with Pfizer included an upfront payment of $51 million and milestone payments valued at up to $291 million as well as tiered double-digit royalties on net sales of PF582. We will share costs equally of the clinical comparative trial with Pfizer, up to a cap for Pfenex of $20 million, with $10 million of that amount offset as a credit against the royalties payable to us.
Pfenex initiated the Phase 1 trial for its recombinant anthrax vaccine in 2015 and expects an interim data read-out in 2H2016. In August 2015, Pfenex announced signing a five year, cost plus fixed fee contract valued at up to $143.5 million with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for the advanced development of our mutant recombinant protective antigen anthrax vaccine, which offers the potential for a dramatic improvement in the rapid production of large amounts of high value stable recombinant anthrax vaccine for the U.S. Government.
Financial Highlights for the First Quarter
Total Revenue increased by $0.8 million, or 40%, to $2.8 million in the three month period ended March 31, 2016 compared to $2.0 million in same period in 2015. The increase in revenue for the three month period was due to the stage of development of our Px563L product candidate under our government contracts and an increase in license revenue, offset by a decrease in product sales. The Phase 1 trial for Px563L, entirely funded through the U.S. government, was initiated at the end of 2015. Given the nature of the novel vaccine development process, revenue will fluctuate depending on stage of development.
Cost of revenue of $1.3 million decreased by approximately $32 thousand, or 2%, compared to the same period in 2015. The decrease in cost of revenue for the three month period was due primarily to a decrease in product sales, which is impacted by our customers’ product development and clinical progression. The decrease was offset by an increase in costs for our Px563L product candidate under our government contracts. Given the nature of the novel vaccine development process, these costs will fluctuate depending on stage of development.
Research and development expenses increased by approximately $2.7 million, or 95%, in the three month period ended March 31, 2016 to $5.5 million in the three month period ended March 31, 2016 compared to $2.8 million in same period in 2015. The increase in research and development expenses during the three month period was due to the increase in development activity on our product candidates PF708 and PF530 and the hiring of additional personnel dedicated to our research and development efforts. A bioequivalence study began at the end of 2015 for PF708, increasing costs over the same period last year. For PF530 and PF708, we expect research and development costs will increase going forward as we independently advance PF530 and PF708 as wholly-owned product candidates. We expect research and development expenses to increase for the foreseeable future as we advance our lead candidates and pipeline product candidates.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $0.3 million, or 8%, to $4.2 million in the three month period ended March 31, 2016 compared to $3.9 million in the same period in 2015. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses during the three month period was primarily due to an increase in personnel costs and an increase in activities associated with operating as a publicly-traded company. We expect general and administrative costs to continue to increase for activities associated with operating as a publicly-traded company including the hiring of additional personnel. In addition, we intend to continue to incur increased internal and external costs to support our various product development efforts, which can vary from period to period.
Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2016 was $96.5 million.