On November 8, 2018 Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: KERX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on bringing innovative medicines to people with kidney disease, reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 (Press release, Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, NOV 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234531085]). The company also reviewed its commercial progress with Auryxia and provided a general business update.

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 continued to see significant growth year-over-year in the number of prescriptions written and the revenue generated by Auryxia," said Jodie Morrison, interim chief executive officer of Keryx Biopharmaceuticals. "We are continuing to make progress on consummating our merger with Akebia and have scheduled a stockholder meeting to approve the transaction for December 11, 2018. We are excited about the potential strategic, financial and operational benefits of this transaction and are aiming, subject to stockholder approval and satisfaction of other customary conditions, to close the transaction by the end of the year."

Business Highlights

Net U.S. Auryxia product sales were $26.6 million in the third quarter of 2018, as compared to $13.6 million in the same quarter in 2017, representing growth of 96 percent.
Approximately 47,500 Auryxia prescriptions were reported in the third quarter of 2018, representing 9.4 million Auryxia tablets. This compares to approximately 25,200 prescriptions and 5.4 million Auryxia tablets in the third quarter of 2017.
Auryxia market share for the third quarter of 2018 was 6.4 percent, compared to 3.5 percent in the third quarter of 2017.
The breadth of physicians prescribing Auryxia continued to expand in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, with approximately 6,500 prescribers in the 2018 quarter, nearly 2,000 more than the third quarter of 2017.
The depth of Auryxia prescribing also increased significantly in the third quarter of 2018, with a 28 percent increase in the average number of prescriptions per prescriber as compared to the third quarter of 2017.
As expected, there was a shift in channel mix for Auryxia during the third quarter of 2018, with 61 percent of prescriptions coming through IMS reporting channels and 39 percent coming through specialty pharmacies (including Fresenius Rx and Davita Rx); the shift in mix is due the closing of Davita’s specialty pharmacy business, which occurred in September 2018.
The gross-to-net adjustment for Auryxia for the third quarter of 2018 was 50 percent. This is consistent with year-to-date 2018 gross-to-net adjustment of 50 percent.
Akebia Merger Update

On June 28, 2018, Keryx announced that it had entered a definitive merger agreement with Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. that is expected to close by the end of 2018, subject to stockholder approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
If the merger is consummated, Keryx stockholders would continue to participate in the growth of Auryxia and gain access to an innovative Phase 3 product candidate with the potential to compete in a complementary multi-billion-dollar market, upon successful completion of its development program. The combined company would have substantial financial resources, an integrated platform for the development and launch of renal drugs and be led by a seasoned executive with decades of experience in the renal field.
The definitive proxy materials were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on October 30, 2018 and the companies’ respective stockholder meetings are scheduled for December 11, 2018 for stockholders of record as of October 22, 2018.
The Keryx Board continues to unanimously support the merger and recommends that stockholders vote FOR the merger proposals at the upcoming stockholders’ meeting.
Given the pending merger with Akebia, Keryx will not be holding a conference call to discuss third quarter 2018 results.

Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2018 Financial Results

"I’m pleased to be reporting another solid quarter of Auryxia performance, having nearly doubled revenue over the same period a year ago, driven primarily by increases in volume," said Scott Holmes, senior vice president and chief financial officer of Keryx Biopharmaceuticals. "We believe the proposed merger with Akebia will put us in a strong position financially, with Akebia’s significant cash position today and Auryxia’s growing revenues contributing to the financial strength of the combined company in the future."

Total revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 were $28.0 million, compared with $15.0 million during the same period in 2017. Total revenues for the third quarter of 2018 include $26.6 million in net U.S. Auryxia product sales, as compared to $13.6 million in the third quarter of 2017. Total revenues for the third quarter of 2018 also include $1.4 million in license revenue, as compared to $1.4 million during the same period in 2017.

Cost of goods sold for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 were $7.5 million, compared with $5.9 million during the same period in 2017.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 were $26.5 million, as compared to $22.7 million during the same period in 2017. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 included $3.4 million in non-cash stock compensation expense, as compared to $2.9 million during the third quarter of 2017.

Research and development expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 were $7.9 million, as compared to $9.3 million during the same period in 2017. Research and development expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 included $0.4 million in non-cash stock compensation expense, as compared to $0.5 million during the same period in 2017.

Net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 was $17.0 million, or $0.14 per share, as compared to a net loss of $23.5 million, or $0.20 per share, for the same period in 2017. Net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 included $2.2 million in non-cash interest expense related to the amortization of a discount recognized in connection with the modification of the convertible senior notes.

Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2018 totaled $41.1 million.

About Auryxia (ferric citrate) tablets
Auryxia (ferric citrate) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on September 5, 2014 for the control of serum phosphorus levels in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis and approved by the FDA on November 6, 2017 for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis. Auryxia tablets were designed to contain 210 mg of ferric iron, equivalent to 1 gram of ferric citrate, and offers convenient mealtime dosing. The starting dose of Auryxia for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia for patients on dialysis is six tablets per day (two per meal) and for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in patients not on dialysis is three tablets per day (one per meal). For more information about Auryxia and the U.S. full prescribing information, please visit www.Auryxia.com.

IMPORTANT U.S. SAFETY INFORMATION FOR AURYXIA (ferric citrate)

CONTRAINDICATION

AURYXIA (ferric citrate) is contraindicated in patients with iron overload syndromes, e.g., hemochromatosis.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Iron Overload: Increases in serum ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) were observed in clinical trials with AURYXIA in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis treated for hyperphosphatemia, which may lead to excessive elevations in iron stores. Assess iron parameters prior to initiating AURYXIA and monitor while on therapy. Patients receiving concomitant intravenous (IV) iron may require a reduction in dose or discontinuation of IV iron therapy.
Risk of Overdosage in Children Due to Accidental Ingestion: Accidental ingestion and resulting overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6 years of age. Advise patients of the risks to children and to keep AURYXIA out of the reach of children.
ADVERSE REACTIONS

Most common adverse reactions with AURYXIA were:

Hyperphosphatemia in CKD on Dialysis: Diarrhea (21%), discolored feces (19%), nausea (11%), constipation (8%), vomiting (7%) and cough (6%)
Iron Deficiency Anemia in CKD Not on Dialysis: Discolored feces (22%), diarrhea (21%), constipation (18%), nausea (10%), abdominal pain (5%) and hyperkalemia (5%)
SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Pregnancy and Lactation: There are no available data on AURYXIA use in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk of major birth defects and miscarriage. However, an overdose of iron in pregnant women may carry a risk for spontaneous abortion, gestational diabetes and fetal malformation. Data from rat studies have shown the transfer of iron into milk, hence, there is a possibility of infant exposure when AURYXIA is administered to a nursing woman.

On November 8, 2018 Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALPN), a leading immunotherapy company focused on developing innovative treatments for autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and cancer, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 (Press release, Alpine Immune Sciences, NOV 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234531101]).

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 have had a highly productive quarter as we continue to rapidly advance our two lead programs, ALPN-101 for the treatment of autoimmune/inflammatory disease and ALPN-202 for oncology, toward our first human clinical trials," said Mitchell H. Gold, M.D., Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Alpine. "We are excited by the strong cadence of preclinical data to be presented at upcoming scientific meetings in the fourth quarter, highlighting the potential of our molecules as novel, next generation immunotherapies."

Corporate Development Highlights

ALPN-101 preclinical data presented at ACR/ARHP and ANA annual meetings: In October, we presented positive results from our lead autoimmune/inflammatory program, ALPN-101, a dual ICOS/CD28 antagonist, in experimental models of inflammatory arthritis and multiple sclerosis. The data were presented in poster sessions at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP) Annual Meeting in Chicago as well as the 143rd Annual Meeting of the American Neurological Association (ANA) in Atlanta.
Advancing both lead programs towards the clinic: ALPN-101 remains on track to advance to clinical trials and we anticipate completing all tasks necessary to commence clinical trials in the first quarter of 2019. ALPN-202 pre-clinical development activities continue as planned with the goal of human clinical trials starting in 2019.
Two upcoming poster presentations at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) 33rd Annual Meeting: We will have two poster presentations at the upcoming SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) annual meeting on Friday, November 9, 2018 and Saturday, November 10, 2018 in Washington, D.C.

Abstract Title: ALPN-202, a combined PD-L1/CLTA-4 antagonist and PD-L1-dependent CD28 T cell costimulator, elicits potent intratumoral T cell immunity superior to and differentiated from PD-L1 inhibitor monotherapy

Abstract Number: 10654

Abstract Title: Tumor-Localizing NKp30/ICOSL vIgD Fusion Proteins Direct Effective Dual CD28/ICOS T cell Costimulation to B7-H6+ Tumor Cells In Vitro and Tumors In Vivo

Abstract Number: 10813

Two upcoming poster presentations at 60th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and Exposition: We will have two poster presentations at the upcoming ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and Exposition on Saturday, December 1, 2018 in San Diego, CA.

Abstract Title: Therapeutic Candidate ALPN-101, a Dual ICOS/CD28 Antagonist, Potently Suppresses Human/NSG Mouse Xenograft Graft Vs. Host Disease (GvHD) in a Dose Ranging Study and Reduces Disease Activity in a Mouse Model of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)

Session Name: 701. Experimental Transplantation: Basic Biology, Pre-Clinical Models: Poster 1

Publication Number: 2037

Abstract Title: "Switch" Transmembrane Immunomodulatory Proteins (TIPs) Consisting of High-Affinity PD-1 Extracellular Domains (PD-1 vIgDs) and Costimulatory Intracellular Domains Potently Enhance the Activity of TCR-Engineered T Cells

Session Name: 703. Adoptive Immunotherapy: Poster 1

Publication Number: 2052

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

We ended the third quarter of 2018 with $62.0 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, compared to $81.2 million as of December 31, 2017.
Net loss for the third quarter of 2018 was $12.1 million, compared to a net income of $2.1 million for the same period in 2017. The increase in net loss is primarily attributable to our preparations to initiate human clinical trials for ALPN-101 and ALPN-202 in 2019.
Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $10.5 million, compared to $2.8 million for the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in contract manufacturing and process development for ALPN-101 and ALPN-202 and direct research activities, in addition to personnel-related expenses, overhead and facilities.
General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $1.9 million, relatively flat, compared to $1.9 million for the same period of 2017. There was an insignificant net decrease, primarily attributable to a decrease in professional and legal service fees related to merger costs incurred during the 2017 period, partially offset by increases in personnel-related expenses and costs incurred to support the growth and expansion of the business, overhead and facilities.
Cash Guidance

We expect to have sufficient cash to fund operations into 2020, including the clinical advancement of ALPN-101 for the treatment of autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and ALPN-202 for the treatment of cancer.

On November 8, 2018 ChemoCentryx, Inc., (Nasdaq:CCXI), reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 and provided an overview of the Company’s recent corporate highlights (Press release, ChemoCentryx, NOV 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234531155]).

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 embark now upon exciting times. Looking forward to the coming year, we have set the stage for a sequence of key top-line data readouts from multiple clinical programs; readouts which could change the treatment landscape in woefully underserved orphan diseases," said Thomas J. Schall, Ph. D., President and Chief Executive Officer of ChemoCentryx. "We completed enrollment of our landmark ADVOCATE Phase III pivotal trial in ANCA-associated vasculitis in the third quarter, and plan to report top-line data in the fourth quarter of this coming year. We have clinical trials of avacopan in C3G and another unique asset, CCX140 in FSGS underway, and we stand on the brink of launching our definitive clinical trial of avacopan in Hidradenitis Suppurativa, our first foray into orphan dermatological disease. Our momentum grows ever stronger, enabled by a robust balance sheet that allows us to conduct multiple registration-supporting trials simultaneously."

Recent Highlights

Completed enrollment of the Company’s pivotal Phase III ADVOCATE trial of avacopan for the treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis; top line data expected in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the Phase IIb clinical development of avacopan in HS, a chronic and inflammatory skin disease. The Company expects to launch a comprehensive, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with avacopan in HS by the end of 2018. The study is expected to enroll approximately 390 patients with moderate to severe HS in the United States. The primary endpoint will be proportion of patients with a clinical response as assessed by the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR) score compared to placebo after 12 weeks of treatment.

Advanced the Company’s clinical trial of avacopan in patients with C3 Glomerulopathy (C3G); enrollment now at 61% of the initial cohort of 44 patients; 35% of the expanded study targeting a combined 88 patients. C3G is a rare disorder that often affects the young, requiring dialysis and often kidney transplant with relapsing disease common. There is no approved effective treatment.

Received orphan drug designation from the FDA for CCR2 inhibitor CCX140 for the treatment of FSGS, a rare kidney disease. Clinical trials are underway in two FSGS sub-populations: nephrotic syndrome primary FSGS and sub-nephrotic primary FSGS.

Began active enrollment of patients with FSGS at multiple sites in the U.S. and Europe.

Presented at the American Society of Nephrology and American College of Rheumatology annual meetings on the avacopan ADVOCATE Phase III trial design and the potential new role of CCR2 in the treatment of FSGS with the first demonstration of CCR2 presence on renal progenitor cells destined to be podocytes.

Maintained a very strong balance sheet with reported cash and investments of approximately $186.0 million at September 30, 2018.

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Cash and investments totaled approximately $186.0 million at September 30, 2018. ChemoCentryx was cash flow positive for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 (driven by cash receipts from milestone and upfront payments and credit facility advances), and reported a net increase of $50.8 million in cash and investments for period then ended. Excluding cash receipts from milestone and upfront payments and credit facility advances, the Company utilized cash and investments of approximately $40.7 million for the first nine months of the year and expects to end 2018 with approximately $170 million.

Revenue was $9.0 million for the third quarter of 2018, consistent with the same period in 2017. Revenue recognized represents amortization of the upfront license fee commitments, milestone payments and collaboration funding from Vifor pursuant to the Avacopan Agreement, Avacopan Amendment and CCX140 Agreement.

Research and development expenses were $15.1 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared to $12.3 million for the same period in 2017. The increase from 2017 to 2018 was primarily due to the advancement of the avacopan ADVOCATE Phase III pivotal trial which completed enrollment in July 2018.

General and administrative expenses were $5.4 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared to $3.6 million for the same period in 2017. The increase from 2017 to 2018 was primarily due to higher employee-related expenses, including those associated with our commercialization planning efforts, and increased professional fees.

Net loss for the third quarter of 2018 was $10.9 million, compared to $6.6 million for the same period in 2017.

Total shares outstanding at September 30, 2018 were approximately 50.4 million shares.

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host a conference call and webcast today, November 8, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time / 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time. To participate by telephone, please dial 877-303-8028 (Domestic) or 760-536-5167 (International). The conference ID number is 4672117. A live and archived audio webcast can be accessed through the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.ChemoCentryx.com. The archived webcast will remain available on the Company’s website for fourteen (14) days following the conference call.

On November 8, 2018 Cambrex Corporation (NYSE: CBM), a leading manufacturer of small molecule innovator and generic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients ("APIs"), and finished dosage forms, reported its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 (Press release, Cambrex, NOV 8, 2018, View Source;p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2376146 [SID1234530924]).

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!

Third Quarter 2018 Highlights

Completed the acquisition of Halo Pharma ("Halo"), a leading finished dosage form Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization ("CDMO") specializing in product development and commercial manufacturing, for $425 million in total cash consideration.

Net revenue decreased 7% under current U.S. GAAP, ASC 606 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606"). Under ASC 605, the previous revenue recognition standard, Net revenue decreased 9% compared to the same quarter last year.

Under ASC 606, Diluted EPS from continuing operations was $0.79 per share compared to $0.52 per share in the same quarter last year. 2018 performance reflects a lower tax rate resulting from tax reform in the United States and New Jersey. Under ASC 605, Diluted EPS from continuing operations would have been $0.94 per share.

Under ASC 606, EBITDA decreased to $15.8 million from $33.7 million in the same quarter last year. Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes the impact of adopting ASC 606, Halo’s results and acquisition and integration costs, was $28.1 million (see table at the end of this press release).

Net debt was $227.9 million at the end of the quarter, an increase of $399.2 million during the quarter primarily driven by the acquisition of Halo Pharma and partially offset by cash flows from operations during the quarter.

The Company now expects full year 2018 Adjusted Net revenue, which excludes the impact of foreign currency and the adoption of ASC 606, to be between -1% and -3% compared to 2017 and Adjusted EBITDA to be between $153 and $159 million, excluding the impact of the Halo acquisition (see Financial Expectations – Continuing Operations section below for related explanations and additional financial guidance).
"We’re very pleased to have closed the Halo acquisition this quarter, which diversifies our business into the large, growing market for outsourced finished dosage form contract development and manufacturing. Halo’s capabilities complement Cambrex’s existing global API manufacturing expertise and Halo expands our customer base and broadens our small molecule funnel. Integration is well underway and we are confident that this business will allow us to better meet the needs of our global network of customers and create future growth synergies," commented Steven M. Klosk, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cambrex.

"Market conditions in the Innovator sector remain strong and the addition of a new late stage project during the third quarter brings our total to 18 such products. A key component of our long term growth strategy is to steadily increase the number of late stage products in our portfolio. We believe that Cambrex is increasingly well positioned to execute against this strategy."

Basis of Reporting
The Company has provided a reconciliation of GAAP to adjusted (i.e. Non-GAAP) amounts at the end of this press release. Cambrex management believes that the adjustments provide useful information to investors due to the magnitude and nature of certain amounts recorded under GAAP.

Third Quarter 2018 Operating Results – Consolidated, Continuing Operations
Net revenue under ASC 606 was $104.6 million. Under ASC 605, the previous revenue recognition standard, Net revenue decreased to $102.7 million, or 9%, from $112.6 million in the same quarter last year. Net revenue during the quarter includes the acquisition of Halo which contributed revenue of $5.2 million under ASC 606 and $6.3 million under ASC 605. Results under ASC 606 and ASC 605 include a 1% unfavorable impact of foreign exchange compared to the third quarter of 2017.

Gross margins under ASC 606 were 31%. Under ASC 605, gross margins were 38% compared to 42% in the same quarter last year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $14.5 million, compared to $17.2 million in the same quarter last year. The decrease was mainly due to lower personnel related costs, an accounts receivable write-off in the same quarter last year and the impact of foreign currency.

Research and development expenses were flat year over year at $4.2 million.

Acquisition and integration expenses of $7.4 million represents costs associated with the acquisition of Halo.

Operating profit under ASC 606 was $6.6 million. Under ASC 605, operating profit was $13.2 million compared to $25.5 million in the same quarter last year. The decrease was primarily the result of higher operating expenses related to the purchase of Halo and lower gross profit. Adjusted EBITDA was $28.1 million compared to $33.7 million in the same quarter last year (see table at the end of this press release).

Income tax expense was a benefit of $15.4 million compared to an expense of $7.5 million and an effective tax rate of 30% in the same quarter last year. The income tax benefit during the quarter reflects the immediate recognition of certain effects of share-based compensation, acquisition and integration expenses, unrealized gain on investment in equity securities, a $2.1 million benefit for the finalization of the toll charge on undistributed foreign earnings under U.S. tax reform, and a $12.2 million benefit for the release of a state valuation allowance and the revaluation of state deferred tax balances due to New Jersey tax reform enacted during the third quarter of 2018. Excluding these items, the effective tax rate would have been approximately 20% during the quarter.

Income from continuing operations under ASC 606 was $26.8 million or $0.79 per share.

Adjusted income from continuing operations, calculated under ASC 605 and including other adjustments described in the table at the end of this press release, was $16.7 million or $0.49 per share, compared to $18.5 million or $0.55 per share in the same quarter last year.

Capital expenditures were $10.8 million and depreciation and amortization was $9.2 million compared to $15.4 million and $8.2 million, respectively, in the same quarter last year.

Net debt was $227.9 million at the end of the third quarter, an increase of $399.2 million during the quarter. The increase was driven by the acquisition of Halo and partially offset by cash flows from operations.

Third Quarter 2018 Operating Results – Finished Dosage Form ("FDF") segment
The acquisition of Halo resulted in the creation of the FDF segment for Cambrex. Included in Cambrex’s consolidated results for the third quarter of 2018 are the results of Halo for the period from acquisition date, September 12, 2018, through September 30, 2018 and are as follows.

Net revenue in the third quarter of 2018 under ASC 606 was $5.2 million. Net revenue under ASC 605 was $6.3 million.

Gross margins under ASC 606 in the third quarter of 2018 were 32%. Gross margins under ASC 605 were 28%.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2018.

Operating profit under ASC 606 was $0.5 million. Under ASC 605, operating profit was $0.6 million. Both exclude $0.4 million in integration costs and includes increased depreciation and amortization expense resulting from the application of purchase accounting.

Financial Expectations – Continuing Operations
The following table shows the Company’s current expectations for its full year 2018 financial performance versus its expectations from the previous quarter. The expectations in the table below reflect expected results from the business excluding the recent acquisition of Halo and are consistent with the basis on which prior guidance was provided.

On November 8, 2018 Caladrius Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLBS) ("Caladrius" or the "Company"), a late-stage therapeutics development biopharmaceutical company with multiple technology platforms targeting select cardiovascular indications and autoimmune disease, reported its financial results for the three ended September 30, 2018, and provides a business update (Press release, Caladrius Biosciences, NOV 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234530965]).

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!

Highlights of the 2018 third quarter and early fourth quarter include:

Continued enrollment in a Phase 2 (SAKIGAKE designated and eligible for early conditional approval) clinical trial in Japan of CLBS12 for the treatment of no-option critical limb ischemia ("CLI"), including completion of enrollment of the five patient Buerger’s disease cohort;

Continued enrollment in a Phase 2 clinical trial using the CD34 cell therapy CLBS14-CMD for the treatment of coronary microvascular dysfunction ("CMD");

Continued follow-up analysis of The Sanford Project: T-Rex Study Phase 2 clinical trial of CLBS03 in type 1 diabetes after completing enrollment and reporting six-month results on 50% of trial subjects in the first quarter of 2018 that concluded the treatment is well-tolerated and non-futile for therapeutic effect; and

Conducted a Type B meeting with the US Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") under the provisions of the RMAT designation for CLBS14-RfA for the treatment of refractory angina to define remaining steps to registration.

"We are pleased with the advancement of our clinical programs during the third quarter. We maintain our previous guidance regarding development milestones and continue to demonstrate efficient management of cash spend," stated Dr. David J. Mazzo, President and CEO. "The fully-enrolled T-Rex Study of CLBS03 in type 1 diabetes remains on track for top-line data in early 2019. Our programs studying our CD34 cell therapy platform for CMD here in the United States and CLI in Japan continue to enroll with a target for top-line data in the second half of 2019 and early 2020, respectively.

"We are also pleased to announce that we recently completed our Type B meeting with the FDA pertaining to CLBS14-RfA for the treatment of refractory angina. This meeting was conducted to obtain FDA guidance and to define the remaining requirements for registration of this product under the terms of its RMAT designation. We believe that the meeting was both collaborative and positive and our assessment of the conversation is that FDA is demonstrating maximum flexibility afforded under the RMAT designation as we work together to establish the development steps necessary to bring this product to registration. We will be working with FDA to finalize the next development steps and to formalize the minutes of the meeting. We look forward to providing further information once these actions are completed."

Third Quarter Financial Highlights

Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $1.7 million, a 47% decrease compared with $3.2 million for the third quarter of 2017. The current quarter expenses were principally comprised of costs in our ischemic repair programs for CLBS12 and CLBS14-CMD, as well as initial planning for our CLBS14-RfA

program. Conversely, the prior year quarter expenses were primarily focused on our T-Rex study for CLBS03, which completed enrollment in December 2017 and is now in the follow-up phase of the study.

General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $2.1 million, a 30% decrease compared with $2.9 million for the third quarter of 2017, due to lower general and administrative headcount and corporate-related activities compared with the prior year period.

The net loss from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2018 was $3.5 million, or $0.36 per share, compared with $3.5 million, or $0.38 per share, for the third quarter of 2017.

Nine Month Financial Highlights

Research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $6.1 million, a 46% decrease compared with $11.2 million for the nine months of 2017. The current year expenses were principally comprised of costs in our ischemic repair programs for CLBS12 and CLBS14-CMD as well as initial planning for our CLBS14-RfA program. Conversely, the prior year expenses were primarily focused on our T-Rex study for CLBS03, which completed enrollment in December 2017 and is now in the follow-up phase of the study.

General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $7.1 million, a 22% decrease compared with $9.1 million for the nine months of 2017. The decrease was due to lower general and administrative headcount and corporate-related activities compared with the prior year period, along with the sale of our counter-flow centrifugation system to Hitachi in the second quarter of 2018, which resulted in a one-time $1.4 million gain included in general and administrative expenses.

The net loss from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $12.6 million, or $1.31 per share, compared with $25.8 million, or $1.37 per share, for the nine months of 2017.

Balance Sheet Highlights

As of September 30, 2018, Caladrius had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $46.1 million, compared with $60.1 million as of December 31, 2017. Based on existing programs and projections, the Company continues to remain confident that its cash balances and additional grant funding, along with continued disciplined expense management, will allow it to fund its current business plan beyond 2019.

Conference Call

Caladrius management will host a conference call for the investment community today beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time to review financial results, provide a Company update and answer questions.

Stockholders and other interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing (866) 595-8403 (domestic), or (706) 758-9979 (international), and providing conference ID: 9490459. The call will also be broadcast live on the Internet via the Company’s website at www.caladrius.com/investors/news-events.

For those unable to participate on the live conference call, a replay will be available through November 15, 2018, and can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406. All listeners should provide the following replay access code: 9490459.

The webcast replay will be archived on the Company’s website for 90 days at www.caladrius.com.