On November 7, 2018 Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MNTA) reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 and provided a corporate update (Press release, Momenta Pharmaceuticals, NOV 7, 2018, View Source [SID1234530989]).
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
"We recently highlighted our pipeline of novel drug candidates for immune-mediated disorders at our recent R&D Day and, as we look to early 2019, we plan to have two Phase 2 trials of M281 initiated in gMG and HDFN and one Phase 1/2 trial of M254 initiated in ITP," said Craig A. Wheeler, President and Chief Executive Officer of Momenta Pharmaceuticals. "To complement the advancement of our novel drug pipeline, we have ongoing revenues from our Glatopa franchise as well as two late-stage biosimilar assets which have the potential to be important revenue drivers to support our novel drug pipeline. We recently executed agreements with AbbVie enabling the global launch of M923, our proposed biosimilar to HUMIRA, in the European Union and in the United States in November 2023, subject to regulatory approval. Additionally, our research platform is showing broad applicability and we believe it will generate additional pipeline expansion opportunities."
Third Quarter 2018 Highlights and Recent Events
Complex Generics:
Glatopa Products: a fully substitutable, AP-rated generic version of three-times-a-week COPAXONE 40 mg/mL and daily COPAXONE 20 mg/mL (glatiramer acetate injection) for patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis developed in collaboration with Sandoz
· In the third quarter of 2018, Momenta recorded $13.6 million in product revenues from Sandoz’s sales of Glatopa 20 mg/mL and 40 mg/mL products.
Novel Drugs for Rare Autoimmune and Immune-mediated Diseases:
M281 (anti-FcRn): a fully human anti-neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) aglycosylated immunoglobulin G (IgG1) monoclonal antibody (mAb)
· On October 11, 2018, Momenta presented additional data from its Phase 1 study of M281 in healthy volunteers. M281 exhibited dose-dependent pharmacodynamics, rapid onset of target receptor occupancy, a self-limited IgG decrease to a mean maximum percent reduction of approximately 84% of baseline, and loss of target occupancy and IgG recovery observed at consistent times after the last dose. Single doses up to 60 mg/kg or 15 or 30 mg/kg administered weekly for up to 4 weeks by intravenous infusion were well-tolerated with no serious adverse events, few moderate adverse events (AEs) and a low incidence of infection-related AEs similar to placebo treatment. The full data from the Phase 1 study has been accepted for publication. The Company expects the data to be published before the end of 2018.
· On October 11, 2018 Momenta announced that it plans to commence two Phase 2 proof of concept clinical trials, one in generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) and one in hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), in the fourth quarter of 2018.
M230 (CSL730): a recombinant Fc multimer being developed in collaboration with CSL
· CSL’s Phase 1 study in healthy volunteers to evaluate the safety and tolerability of M230 is ongoing and is targeted to be completed in 2019.
M254 (hsIgG): a hyper-sialylated immunoglobulin designed to be a higher potency alternative to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) with the potential for enhanced safety and convenience
· The Company is targeting the initiation of a Phase 1/2 proof of concept study in immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in early 2019, pending regulatory feedback.
Biosimilars:
On October 1, 2018, Momenta announced that as a result of its strategic review the Company plans to advance its two late-stage biosimilar assets, M923, its wholly-owned proposed biosimilar to HUMIRA, and M710, its proposed biosimilar to EYLEA being developed in collaboration with Mylan. Momenta has initiated discussions with its collaboration partner, Mylan, to exit its participation in the development of its five other biosimilar programs including M834, a proposed biosimilar to ORENCIA (abatacept).
M923: a fully-owned proposed biosimilar to HUMIRA (adalimumab)
· On November 6, 2018 Momenta announced it had entered into a settlement with AbbVie Inc., to enable the commercialization of M923. Under the terms of the agreements and subject to approval by health regulatory authorities, Momenta may launch M923 in the
United States on November 20, 2023 and in Europe upon approval by the European Medicines Agency.
· Momenta plans to submit a biologics license application for M923 with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the fourth quarter of 2018 and a marketing authorization application in the European Union in the first half of 2019.
· The Company is working to identify commercialization partners for M923.
M710: a proposed biosimilar to EYLEA (aflibercept) candidate being developed in collaboration with Mylan
018, Mylan initiated a pivotal clinical trial in patients with diabetic macular edema to compare safety, efficacy and immunogenicity of M710 with EYLEA.
Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results
Revenue: In the third quarter of 2018, the Company recorded $13.6 million in product revenues from Sandoz’s sales of Glatopa 20 mg/mL and 40 mg/mL products compared to $10.9 million in profit share from Sandoz sales of Glatopa 20 mg/mL for the same period in 2017. The increase in product revenues of $2.7 million, or 25%, was primarily due to a non-recurring deduction of a $5.0 million contractual amount in 2017, offset by lower net sales of Glatopa driven by Mylan N.V.’s entry into the COPAXONE market.
Research and development revenue for the third quarter of 2018 was $1.3 million compared to $13.2 million recorded in the same quarter last year. The decrease in research and development revenue of $11.9 million, or 90%, was primarily due to a $10.0 million milestone achieved in the 2017 period and lower reimbursable expenses for the Company’s complex generic programs.
Total revenues for the third quarter of 2018 were $14.9 million compared to $24.1 million for the same period in 2017.
Operating Expenses: Total GAAP operating expenses, were $66.7 million in the third quarter of 2018. In the third quarter of 2018, Momenta recorded $15.5 million of restructuring charges included in total GAAP operating expenses in connection the Company’s restructuring announced on October 1, 2018.
Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $30.7 million, compared to $37.9 million for the same period in 2017. The decrease of $7.2 million, or 19%, was primarily due to a decrease in external R&D expenses for M923 offset by increases in spending for M281 and M230.
3
General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $20.4 million, compared with $20.7 million for the same period in 2017. General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2018 includes professional fees of $1.0 million incurred in connection with the Company’s strategic review.
Third quarter non-GAAP operating expenses were $45.7 million. Non-GAAP operating expenses is total operating expenses (which excludes collaboration expenses reimbursable by Mylan), less stock-based compensation expense, restructuring costs and collaborative reimbursement revenues. See "Non-GAAP Financial Information and Other Disclosures" and the table below entitled "Reconciliation of GAAP Results to Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a reconciliation of GAAP operating expense to non-GAAP operating expense.
Net Loss: The Company reported a net loss of $50.3 million, or $0.65 per share for the third quarter of 2018 compared to a net loss of $33.2 million, or $0.44 per share for the same period in 2017. The net loss for the third quarter includes restructuring charges of $15.5 million.
Cash Position: At September 30, 2018, Momenta had $281.6 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities compared to $321.2 million at June 30, 2018.
2018 Financial Guidance
Momenta provides non-GAAP operating expense guidance, which it believes can enhance an overall understanding of its financial performance when considered together with GAAP financial measures. Refer to the section of this press release below entitled "Non-GAAP Financial Information and Other Disclosures" for further discussion of this subject.
Non-GAAP operating expense is total operating expenses (which excludes collaboration expenses reimbursable by Mylan), less stock-based compensation expense, restructuring costs, and collaborative reimbursement revenues. Today, Momenta is providing updated non-GAAP operating expense guidance of approximately $230 – $240 million for 2018 and $45 – $55 million for the fourth quarter of 2018. Approximately $1.4 million in additional charges related to the restructuring are anticipated to be recorded in the quarter ending December 31, 2018. The Company expects to continue to recognize revenue from Mylan’s $45 million upfront payment on a quarterly basis. The Company also estimates that collaborative reimbursement revenues will be approximately $0 – $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2018.
Non-GAAP Financial Information and Other Disclosures
Momenta uses a non-GAAP financial measure, non-GAAP operating expense, to provide operating expense guidance. Momenta believes this non-GAAP financial measure is useful
to investors because it provides greater transparency regarding Momenta’s operating performance as it excludes non-cash stock compensation expense, restructuring costs and collaborative reimbursement revenues. This non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered a substitute or an alternative to GAAP total operating expense and should not be considered a measure of Momenta’s liquidity. Instead, non-GAAP operating expense should only be used to supplement an understanding of Momenta’s operating results as reported under GAAP. Momenta has not provided GAAP reconciliation for its forward-looking non-GAAP annual or quarterly operating expense because Momenta cannot reliably predict without unreasonable efforts the timing or amount of the factors that substantially contribute to the projection of stock compensation expense, which is excluded from the forward-looking non-GAAP financial measure. The Company has provided the estimated reconciling information that is available without unreasonable effort in the section of this press release above entitled "2018 Financial Guidance."
Conference Call Information
Management will host a conference call and webcast today at 8:00 am ET to discuss these results and provide an update on the Company. A live webcast of the conference call may be accessed on the "Investors" section of the Company’s website, www.momentapharma.com. An archived version of the webcast will be posted on the Momenta website approximately two hours after the call.
To access the call you may also dial (877) 224-9084 (domestic) or (720) 545-0022 (international) prior to the scheduled conference call time and provide the access code 3079348. A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call and will be accessible through November 14, 2018. To access the replay, please dial (855) 859-2056 (domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and provide the access code 3079348