On August 4, 2016 Apricus Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:APRI), a biopharmaceutical company advancing innovative medicines in urology and rheumatology, reported financial results for the second quarter of 2016 and provided a corporate update on its priorities for 2016 (Press release, Apricus Biosciences, AUG 4, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2193174 [SID:1234514249]).

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"In the second quarter, we sharpened our strategic focus in an effort to maximize the regulatory and commercial success of Vitaros with the goal of building a thriving and profitable global Vitaros brand," stated Richard W. Pascoe, Chief Executive Officer. "Our primary corporate goal continues to be the potential regulatory approval of Vitaros in the United States. In an effort to advance our Vitaros NDA resubmission, we requested, and we were recently granted, a Type B meeting with the FDA, scheduled for November 17, 2016. The purpose of this meeting is to confirm our strategy for addressing the deficiencies contained in the original 2008 Complete Response letter. We will incorporate any FDA feedback into the final submission, which we expect to occur as soon as possible after the meeting. We view the granting of this meeting as a favorable development and a reflection of our commitment to maintaining a constructive relationship with all regulatory authorities. Additionally, we have consolidated Vitaros territories in Europe and Asia with our newest partner Ferring in an effort to expand the global availability of Vitaros and increase revenue in important markets such as Germany. Moreover, we have substantially reduced our operating expenses and improved our balance sheet as part of our strategy to achieve profitability in 2017."

Second Quarter Highlights and Recent Developments

Apricus updated its corporate goals early in the second quarter to focus on increasing Vitaros’ value through the fostering and expansion of its commercial partnerships, in the U.S. and globally, and strengthening the Company’s financial position. Second quarter and recent highlights include:

Expanded the Company’s exclusive Vitaros distribution agreement with Ferring International S.A. in Latin America to now include Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and certain countries in Asia (previously Sandoz’s territories), the United Kingdom (previously Takeda’s territory) and Korea for up to an additional $3.85 million in upfront and pre-commercialization milestone payments and up to an additional $1.5 million in launch milestone payments, plus royalties on future net sales;
Closed on a common stock purchase agreement with Aspire Capital. Aspire Capital completed an initial purchase of 2,531,645 shares of common stock for proceeds of $1.0 million and has committed to purchase up to $6.0 million in additional shares of common stock over the next 24 months. No warrants were associated with this agreement;
Announced receipt of regulatory approval of Vitaros in Lebanon by our partner in the Middle East, Elis Pharmaceuticals, marking an important entry into a highly attractive Middle Eastern erectile dysfunction market; and
Obtained regulatory approval in Europe for an improved delivery device material of construction for the refrigerated version of Vitaros.
Strategic Priorities

Apricus continues to focus on achieving the following key strategic objectives:

Vitaros* (alprostadil)

Continue implementation of the U.S. regulatory approval strategy to address the safety and manufacturing issues raised by the FDA in the original Vitaros NDA submission, with an NDA resubmission targeted for the fourth quarter of 2016 and an approval decision expected after a six month review period;
Continue to support the Company’s ex-U.S. partners’ efforts to build a global brand and increase revenue by supporting new commercial launches by the Company’s partners and assisting the Company’s partners in obtaining additional regulatory approvals in their respective territories; and
Continue to generate the required data in 2016 to support delivery device improvements and related regulatory submission(s) with a priority to support the U.S. NDA resubmission of the refrigerated version of Vitaros.
RayVa(alprostadil)

Explore Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. and EU; and
Explore global or regional partnerships prior to initiating the Phase 2b study.
Corporate/Financial

Reduce operating expenses by approximately 30% in 2016 and 60% in 2017 as compared to 2015 operating expenses; and
Grow Vitaros revenue, seek non-dilutive capital, and utilize lower cost of capital financial instruments to fund operations with the goal of achieving profitability in 2017.
Second Quarter Financial Results

Revenue for each of the quarters ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was $0.5 million. Revenue during the quarter ended June 30, 2016 was comprised of $0.3 million in royalty revenues, an increase of $0.2 million or 305.3% over the quarter ended June 30, 2015. Revenue during the quarter ended June 30, 2015 included $0.4 million in product sales, the decline of which in 2016 was a result of our commercialization partners working directly with our manufacturers. Net loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 was $3.3 million, or loss per share of $0.05, compared to a net loss of $5.2 million, or $0.10 per share for the second quarter of 2015. Reducing the net loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 was a non-cash change in the fair value of the Company’s warrant liability in the amount of $1.6 million.

As of June 30, 2016, cash and cash equivalents totaled $2.7 million, compared to $3.9 million as of December 31, 2015. Cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2016 do not reflect the receipt of $2.0 million in upfront payments received in July related to the Ferring Northern Europe and Asia territory expansion, nor any proceeds from sales of common stock to Aspire Capital.

2016 Financial Outlook

Early in the second quarter of 2016, Apricus reduced its staff, including the executive team, by approximately 30%, decreased the size of the Board by one member and reduced the Board’s cash compensation. Apricus plans to continue to reduce operating expenses (excluding non-cash stock-based compensation expense and depreciation expense), with a goal of achieving reductions of approximately 30% in 2016 and 60% in 2017 as compared to 2015 operating expenses (excluding non-cash stock-based compensation expense and depreciation expense).

In 2016, Apricus expects to continue to generate cash from milestone or licensing payments and royalty revenues from its partners’ sales of Vitaros. Apricus will also continue to pursue out-licensing opportunities for Vitaros in Japan and China. Apricus’ expenditures will include minimal costs for the preparatory Phase 2b clinical development of RayVa, as well as costs for activities associated with supporting the regulatory approval of Vitaros in the U.S. and the commercialization of Vitaros in Europe.