Allergan to Present at The Leerink Partners 7th Annual Global Healthcare Conference

On January 31, 2018 Allergan plc (NYSE:AGN), a leading global biopharmaceutical company, reported that Chief Commercial Officer William Meury and Chief Research and Development Officer David Nicholson will present at the Leerink Partners 7th Annual Global Healthcare Conference in New York, NY (Press release, Allergan, JAN 31, 2018, View Source [SID1234523698]). The presentation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, February 15, 2018.

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!

The presentation will be webcast live and can be accessed on Allergan’s Investor Relations website at www.allergan.com/investors. The webcast can also be accessed through the following URL: View Source;

An archived version will be available within 24 hours of the live presentation, and can be accessed at the same location for 90 days.

Lilly Reports Strong Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2017 Revenue Growth, Increases 2018 EPS Guidance

On January 31, 2018 Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2017 (Press release, Eli Lilly, JAN 31, 2018, View Source [SID1234523654]).

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!

Know more, wherever you are:
Latest on Eli Lilly and Company’s Cancer Pipeline, book your free 1stOncology demo here.

Certain financial information for 2017 and 2016 is presented on both a reported and a non-GAAP basis. Some numbers in this press release may not add due to rounding. Reported results were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and include all revenue and expenses recognized during the periods. Non-GAAP measures exclude the items described in the reconciliation tables later in the release. The company’s 2018 financial guidance is also being provided on both a reported and a non-GAAP basis. The non-GAAP measures are presented to provide additional insights into the underlying trends in the company’s business.

"Lilly’s new products, including Trulicity, Taltz and Jardiance, continued to drive solid revenue growth in the fourth quarter of 2017, while we maintained flat operating expenses," said David A. Ricks, Lilly’s chairman and CEO. "Momentum continues for our innovation-based strategy. We recently received approval for Taltz in the U.S. and European Union for active psoriatic arthritis, are encouraged by early use of Verzenio for breast cancer and expect further pipeline progress in 2018 in areas of significant patient need, including cancer, immunologic disorders, diabetes, neurodegeneration and pain."

Key Events Over the Last Three Months

Regulatory

Regarding Taltz (ixekizumab), for the treatment of adults with active psoriatic arthritis:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its approval and the company launched in the U.S.
The European Commission issued its approval.
Clinical

The company announced top-line results from its Phase 3 study of Cyramza (ramucirumab) in combination with cisplatin and capecitabine or 5-FU (5-fluorouracil) in the first-line treatment of patients with HER2-negative metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. The trial met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival but did not improve overall survival, a secondary endpoint. The company does not intend to seek regulatory approval based on the results of this study.
The company initiated a clinical trial to evaluate the functionality and safety of its automated insulin delivery system in Type 1 diabetes, which is a hybrid closed-loop platform that uses connected devices — an insulin pump with a dedicated controller, dosing algorithm and continuous glucose monitor — to automate insulin dosing. This system is part of the Connected Diabetes Ecosystem, which is being designed to make diabetes management easier by enabling people to use insulin more effectively.
Fourth-Quarter Reported Results
In the fourth quarter of 2017, worldwide revenue was $6.161 billion, an increase of 7 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2016. The revenue increase was driven by a 4 percent increase due to volume, a 2 percent increase due to higher realized prices, and a 1 percent increase due to the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

Revenue in the U.S. increased 6 percent, to $3.423 billion, due to increased volume for new pharmaceutical products, including Trulicity, Basaglar, Taltz, Jardiance, Lartruvo and Verzenio, as well as higher realized prices for several pharmaceutical products, primarily Forteo and Humulin. The increase in revenue was partially offset by decreased volume due to loss of exclusivity for Strattera and Effient, as well as decreased demand for Cialis and food animal products, and lower realized prices for Humalog. Realized prices reflect increased revenue related to changes in estimates for rebates and discounts of a similar magnitude in the fourth quarter of both 2017 and 2016.

Revenue outside the U.S. increased 8 percent, to $2.738 billion, largely due to increased volume for several new pharmaceutical products, including Trulicity, Taltz, Cyramza, Jardiance and Olumiant and, to a lesser extent, the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

Gross margin increased 6 percent, to $4.536 billion, in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared with the fourth quarter of 2016. Gross margin as a percent of revenue was 73.6 percent, a decrease of 1.0 percentage point compared with the fourth quarter of 2016. The decrease in gross margin percent was primarily due to the effect of foreign exchange rates on international inventories sold and product mix, partially offset by manufacturing efficiencies and higher realized prices.

Operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2017, defined as the sum of research and development and marketing, selling and administrative expenses, remained flat at $3.254 billion. Research and development expenses increased 2 percent, to $1.473 billion, or 23.9 percent of revenue. Marketing, selling and administrative expenses decreased 1 percent, to $1.780 billion, due to decreased expenses related to late life-cycle products, partially offset by increased expenses related to new pharmaceutical products. Operating expenses were 52.8 percent of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2017, a reduction of 3.4 percentage points compared with the fourth quarter of 2016.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, the company recognized an acquired in-process research and development charge of $50.0 million associated with a strategic collaboration with CureVac. In the fourth quarter of 2016, the company recognized an acquired in-process research and development charge of $30.0 million associated with an agreement with AstraZeneca to co-develop MEDI1814, a potential disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, the company recognized asset impairment, restructuring and other special charges of $1.003 billion. The charges are primarily associated with efforts to reduce the company’s cost structure, including the U.S. voluntary early retirement program. In the fourth quarter of 2016, the company recognized asset impairment, restructuring and other special charges of $147.6 million, primarily associated with global severance costs and integration costs related to the acquisition of Novartis Animal Health.

Operating income in the fourth quarter of 2017 was $229.0 million, a decrease of $647.2 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2016, primarily driven by higher asset impairment, restructuring and other special charges, partially offset by higher gross margin.

Other income (expense) was income of $55.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared with income of $15.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. The increase in other income was driven primarily by higher net gains on sales of investments in the fourth quarter of 2017 as compared with 2016.

During the fourth quarter of 2017, the company recorded income tax expense of $1.941 billion, which included an estimated tax charge of $1.914 billion, despite earning $284.1 million of income before income taxes. The estimated tax charge is based on recently enacted U.S. tax reform legislation, including a one-time repatriation transition tax, also known as the "toll tax," of approximately $3.6 billion. The estimated tax charge is subject to change based upon additional analysis and subsequent regulations, interpretations and guidance. As a result of new rules related to repatriation, Lilly may utilize more than $9 billion in cash held across the company’s global affiliates.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share were $(1.657) billion and $(1.58), respectively, compared with $771.8 million and $0.73, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2016. The decreases in net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share were primarily driven by the impact of recently enacted U.S. tax reform legislation, as well as higher asset impairment, restructuring and other special charges.

Fourth-Quarter Non-GAAP Measures
On a non-GAAP basis, fourth-quarter 2017 gross margin increased 6 percent, to $4.710 billion. Gross margin as a percent of revenue was 76.5 percent, a decrease of 0.9 percentage points compared with the fourth quarter of 2016. The decrease in gross margin percent was primarily due to the effect of foreign exchange rates on international inventories sold and product mix, partially offset by manufacturing efficiencies and higher realized prices.

Operating expenses were 52.8 percent of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2017, a reduction of 3.4 percentage points compared with the fourth quarter of 2016.

Operating income increased $239.4 million, or 20 percent, to $1.458 billion in the fourth quarter of 2017, due to higher gross margin.

The effective tax rate was 20.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared with 17.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016. The higher effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2017 was primarily due to a lower net discrete tax benefit compared with the fourth quarter of 2016.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, net income increased 19 percent, to $1.207 billion, and earnings per share increased 20 percent, to $1.14, compared with $1.013 billion and $0.95, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2016. The increases in net income and earnings per share were primarily driven by higher operating income.

For further detail of non-GAAP measures, see the reconciliation below as well as the Reconciliation of GAAP Reported to Selected Non-GAAP Adjusted Information table later in this press release.

Full-Year Reported Results
For the full year 2017, worldwide revenue increased 8 percent compared with 2016 to $22.871 billion. The revenue increase was driven by a 6 percent increase due to volume and a 2 percent increase due to higher realized prices.

Revenue in the U.S. increased 11 percent to $12.785 billion, driven by increased volume for new pharmaceutical products, including Trulicity, Taltz, Basaglar, Lartruvo and Jardiance, and higher realized prices for several pharmaceutical products, primarily Forteo and Cialis, as well as increased volume for companion animal products from the acquisition of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica’s U.S. feline, canine and rabies vaccine portfolio. The increase in revenue was partially offset by decreased volume due to loss of exclusivity for Strattera and Effient, as well as decreased demand for Cialis and food animal products. Cymbalta revenue declined $154 million, primarily driven by an increase in revenue due to a reduction to the return reserve in 2016.

Revenue outside the U.S. increased 4 percent to $10.086 billion, due to increased volume for several new pharmaceutical products, primarily driven by Trulicity and Cyramza. The increase in revenue was partially offset by competitive pressure and the loss of exclusivity for Alimta in several countries and lower volume from the loss of exclusivity for Zyprexa in Japan.

Gross margin increased 8 percent to $16.801 billion in 2017. Gross margin as a percent of revenue was 73.5 percent, an increase of 0.1 percentage points compared with 2016. The increase in gross margin percent was primarily due to manufacturing efficiencies and higher realized prices, offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates on international inventories sold and product mix.

Total operating expenses increased 1 percent to $11.870 billion in 2017. Research and development expenses increased 1 percent to $5.282 billion, or 23.1 percent of revenue. Marketing, selling and administrative expenses increased 2 percent to $6.588 billion, driven by increased marketing expenses for new products that were partially offset by decreased expenses related to late life-cycle products. Operating expenses were 51.9 percent of revenue in 2017, a reduction of 3.2 percentage points compared with 2016.

In 2017, the company recognized acquired in-process research and development charges of $1.113 billion resulting from business development activity, primarily related to the acquisition of CoLucid Pharmaceuticals. In 2016, the company recognized acquired in-process research and development charges of $30.0 million associated with the agreement with AstraZeneca to co-develop MEDI1814, a potential disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

In 2017, the company recognized asset impairment, restructuring and other special charges of $1.674 billion. The charges are primarily associated with efforts to reduce the company’s cost structure, including the U.S. voluntary early retirement program. In 2016, the company recognized asset impairment, restructuring, and other special charges of $382.5 million associated with integration and severance costs related to the acquisition of Novartis Animal Health, other global severance costs, and asset impairments related to the closure of an animal health manufacturing facility in Ireland.

Operating income in 2017 decreased 38 percent compared with 2016 to $2.145 billion, as higher operating expenses driven by asset impairment, restructuring, and other special charges, as well as acquired in-process research and development, were partially offset by higher gross margin.

Other income (expense) was income of $52.4 million in 2017. Other income (expense) in 2016 was expense of $84.8 million driven by a $203.9 million charge related to the impact of the Venezuelan financial crisis, including the significant deterioration of the bolívar, partially offset by higher net gains on investments.

During 2017, the company recorded income tax expense of $2.402 billion, which included an estimated tax charge of $1.914 billion, despite earning $2.197 billion of income before income taxes. The estimated tax charge is based on recently enacted U.S. tax reform legislation, including the toll tax of approximately $3.6 billion. The estimated tax charge is subject to change based upon additional analysis and subsequent regulations, interpretations and guidance. As a result of new rules related to repatriation, Lilly may utilize more than $9 billion in cash held across the company’s global affiliates. The company’s effective tax rate in 2016 was 18.9 percent.

For the full year 2017, net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share were $(204.1) million and $(0.19), respectively, compared with $2.738 billion, and $2.58, respectively, in 2016. The decreases in net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share were driven by the impact of recently enacted U.S. tax reform legislation, as well as higher asset impairment, restructuring and other special charges and acquired in-process research and development charges, partially offset by higher gross margin.

Full-Year Non-GAAP Measures
On a non-GAAP basis for the full year 2017, operating income increased $1.094 billion, or 24 percent, to $5.649 billion driven by higher gross margin. The effective tax rate was 20.5 percent in 2017, compared with 20.1 percent in 2016. Net income increased 21 percent and earnings per share increased 22 percent to $4.530 billion, and $4.28, respectively.

For further detail of non-GAAP measures, see the reconciliation below as well as the Reconciliation of GAAP Reported to Selected Non-GAAP Adjusted Information table later in this press release.

Selected Established Pharma Products

Humalog
For the fourth quarter of 2017, worldwide Humalog revenue decreased 5 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2016, to $782.2 million. Revenue in the U.S. decreased 12 percent, to $463.4 million, driven by lower realized prices and, to a lesser extent, decreased volume associated with buying patterns. Realized prices reflect increased revenue related to changes in estimates for rebates and discounts of a similar magnitude in the fourth quarter of both 2017 and 2016. Changes in segment and payer mix contributed to the decline in realized prices. Revenue outside the U.S. increased 8 percent, to $318.8 million, driven by increased volume, the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates and, to a lesser extent, higher realized prices.

For the full year 2017, worldwide Humalog revenue increased 3 percent to $2.865 billion. U.S. Humalog revenue for 2017 was $1.718 billion, a 2 percent increase, driven primarily by higher realized prices due to changes in estimates for rebates and discounts, which decreased revenue in 2016 and increased revenue in 2017. Humalog revenue outside the U.S. was $1.147 billion, a 6 percent increase, driven by increased volume and, to a lesser extent, higher realized prices, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

Cialis
For the fourth quarter of 2017, worldwide Cialis revenue decreased 12 percent to $597.4 million. U.S. Cialis revenue was $361.4 million in the fourth quarter, a 13 percent decrease compared with the fourth quarter of 2016, driven by decreased demand. Cialis revenue outside the U.S. decreased 10 percent to $236.0 million, driven by decreased volume, partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

For the full year 2017, worldwide Cialis revenue decreased 6 percent to $2.323 billion. U.S. Cialis revenue for 2017 was $1.359 billion, an 8 percent decrease, driven by decreased demand, partially offset by higher realized prices. Cialis revenue outside the U.S. was $964.5 million, a 4 percent decline, driven by decreased volume, partially offset by higher realized prices.

Alimta
For the fourth quarter of 2017, Alimta generated worldwide revenue of $525.2 million, which decreased 3 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2016. U.S. Alimta revenue increased 1 percent, to $272.4 million, driven by increased volume, partially offset by lower realized prices. Alimta revenue outside the U.S. decreased 7 percent, to $252.8 million, driven by competitive pressure and loss of exclusivity in several countries.

For the full year 2017, worldwide Alimta revenue decreased 10 percent to $2.063 billion. U.S. Alimta revenue for 2017 was $1.034 billion, a 6 percent decline, driven by decreased demand due to competitive pressure. Alimta revenue outside the U.S. was $1.028 billion, a 13 percent decline, driven by competitive pressure and the loss of exclusivity in several countries.

Forteo
For the fourth quarter of 2017, worldwide revenue for Forteo was $513.2 million, a 21 percent increase compared with the fourth quarter of 2016. U.S. revenue increased 32 percent, to $303.7 million, driven by higher realized prices and, to a lesser extent, increased volume, primarily due to wholesaler buying patterns. Revenue outside the U.S. increased 8 percent, to $209.5 million, driven by increased volume and, to a lesser extent, higher realized prices.

For the full year 2017, worldwide Forteo revenue increased 17 percent to $1.749 billion. U.S. Forteo revenue for 2017 was $965.2 million, a 25 percent increase driven by higher realized prices and increased volume, primarily due to wholesaler buying patterns. Forteo revenue outside the U.S. was $783.8 million, a 7 percent increase driven by increased volume, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates and lower realized prices.

Humulin
For the fourth quarter of 2017, worldwide Humulin revenue increased 2 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2016, to $362.6 million. U.S. revenue increased 13 percent, to $249.7 million, driven by higher realized prices due to changes in estimates for rebates and discounts and shifts in segment and business mix, partially offset by decreased volume. Revenue outside the U.S. decreased 15 percent, to $112.8 million, driven by decreased volume, primarily due to buying patterns in China and, to a lesser extent, lower realized prices, partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

For the full year 2017, worldwide Humulin revenue decreased 2 percent to $1.335 billion. U.S. revenue for 2017 was $884.6 million, a 3 percent increase, driven by higher realized prices. Revenue outside the U.S. was $450.7 million, an 11 percent decline, driven primarily by decreased volume and lower realized prices.

Selected New Pharma Products

Trulicity
Fourth-quarter 2017 worldwide Trulicity revenue was $649.0 million, an increase of 93 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2016. U.S. revenue increased 94 percent, to $519.8 million, driven by increased share of market for Trulicity and growth in the GLP-1 class. Revenue outside the U.S. was $129.2 million, an increase of 87 percent.

For the full year 2017, worldwide Trulicity revenue was $2.030 billion, an increase of 119 percent compared with 2016. U.S. revenue increased 118 percent, to $1.610 billion, driven by increased share of market for Trulicity and growth in the GLP-1 class. Revenue outside the U.S. increased 123 percent, to $419.9 million.

Cyramza
For the fourth quarter of 2017, worldwide Cyramza revenue was $204.8 million, an increase of 16 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2016. U.S. revenue was $74.4 million, an increase of 17 percent, driven by increased volume. Revenue outside the U.S. was $130.4 million, an increase of 15 percent, primarily due to strong volume growth in Japan, partially offset by lower realized prices and, to a lesser extent, the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

For the full year 2017, worldwide Cyramza revenue was $758.3 million, an increase of 23 percent compared with 2016. U.S. revenue increased 3 percent, to $278.8 million, driven by increased volume. Revenue outside the U.S. increased 39 percent, to $479.6 million, primarily due to strong volume growth in Japan, partially offset by lower realized prices and, to a lesser extent, the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

Taltz
For the fourth quarter of 2017, Taltz generated worldwide revenue of $172.5 million. U.S. revenue was $142.5 million, an increase of $11.1 million compared with the third quarter of 2017.

For the full year 2017, Taltz generated worldwide revenue of $559.2 million. U.S. revenue was $486.0 million.

Jardiance
The company’s worldwide Jardiance revenue during the fourth quarter of 2017 was $143.2 million, an increase of 88 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2016. U.S. revenue increased 65 percent, to $92.1 million, driven by increased share of market for Jardiance and growth in the SGLT2 class. Revenue outside the U.S. was $51.1 million, an increase of 151 percent, primarily driven by increased volume in several countries and, to a lesser extent, the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates. Jardiance is part of the company’s alliance with Boehringer Ingelheim, and Lilly reports as revenue a portion of Jardiance’s gross margin.

For the full year 2017, worldwide Jardiance revenue was $447.5 million, an increase of 122 percent compared with 2016. U.S. revenue increased 101 percent, to $290.4 million, driven by increased share of market for Jardiance and growth in the SGLT2 class. Revenue outside the U.S. increased 173 percent, to $157.0 million, primarily driven by increased volume in several countries.

Basaglar
For the fourth quarter of 2017, Basaglar generated worldwide revenue of $153.8 million. U.S. revenue was $114.4 million, which was essentially flat compared with the third quarter of 2017, as changes in estimates for rebates and discounts increased revenue in the third quarter of 2017 and decreased revenue in the fourth quarter of 2017. Basaglar is part of the company’s alliance with Boehringer Ingelheim, and Lilly reports total sales as revenue, with payments made to Boehringer Ingelheim for its portion of the gross margin reported as cost of sales.

For the full year of 2017, Basaglar generated worldwide revenue of $432.1 million. U.S. revenue was $311.1 million.

Lartruvo
For the fourth quarter of 2017, Lartruvo, a treatment in combination with doxorubicin for a subset of adult patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma, generated worldwide revenue of $59.0 million. U.S. revenue was $41.5 million, which was essentially flat compared with the third quarter of 2017.

For the full year of 2017, Lartruvo generated worldwide revenue of $203.0 million. U.S. revenue was $161.7 million.

Olumiant
For the fourth quarter of 2017, Olumiant, a treatment for moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis, generated worldwide revenue of $23.0 million, an increase of $6.8 million compared with the third quarter of 2017, reflecting strong launch uptake in Germany.

For the full year of 2017, Olumiant generated worldwide revenue of $45.9 million, reflecting strong launch uptake in Germany.

Verzenio
For the fourth quarter and full year of 2017, Verzenio, a treatment for women with HR+, HER2- advanced breast cancer, generated worldwide revenue of $21.0 million. Verzenio was launched in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Animal Health

In the fourth quarter of 2017, worldwide animal health revenue totaled $790.9 million, a decrease of 6 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2016. Worldwide food animal revenue decreased 8 percent, to $547.4 million, primarily driven by market access and competitive pressure in the U.S. for Posilac and Optaflexx, respectively. Worldwide companion animal revenue increased 1 percent, to $243.4 million, driven by the inclusion of $36.5 million in revenue from the acquisition of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica’s U.S. feline, canine and rabies vaccine portfolio, largely offset by a reduction to U.S. distributor inventory levels as well as competitive pressure.

For the full year of 2017, worldwide animal health revenue totaled $3.086 billion, a decline of 2 percent compared with the full year of 2016. Worldwide food animal revenue decreased 8 percent, to $2.017 billion, primarily driven by market access and competitive pressure in the U.S. for Posilac and Optaflexx, respectively. Worldwide companion animal revenue increased 10 percent, to $1.069 billion, driven by the inclusion of $216.7 million in revenue from the acquisition of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica’s U.S. feline, canine and rabies vaccine portfolio, partially offset by competitive pressure.

2018 Financial Guidance

The company has revised certain elements of its 2018 financial guidance on a reported and non-GAAP basis. Earnings per share for 2018 are being increased to be in the range of $4.39 to $4.49 on a reported basis and $4.81 to $4.91 on a non-GAAP basis, to reflect the estimated impact of recently enacted U.S. tax reform legislation.

The company still anticipates 2018 revenue between $23.0 billion and $23.5 billion. Revenue growth is expected to be driven by new products including Trulicity, Taltz, Basaglar, Jardiance, Verzenio, Cyramza, Olumiant and Lartruvo.

The 2018 tax rate is now expected to be approximately 18.0 percent on a reported and non-GAAP basis to reflect the estimated impact of recently enacted U.S. tax reform legislation. The 2018 tax rate benefits from a lower corporate income tax rate, partially offset by the changes to certain business exclusions, deductions, credits and international tax provisions and is subject to change based upon changes in our interpretations of the tax laws, along with subsequent regulations, interpretations and guidance.

Webcast of Conference Call
As previously announced, investors and the general public can access a live webcast of the fourth-quarter 2017 financial results conference call through a link on Lilly’s website at www.lilly.com. The conference call will be held today from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Eastern time (ET) and will be available for replay via the website.

Lilly is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We were founded more than a century ago by a man committed to creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs, and today we remain true to that mission in all our work. Across the globe, Lilly employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to communities through philanthropy and voluntarism. To learn more about Lilly, please visit us at www.lilly.com and View Source F-LLY

This press release contains management’s current intentions and expectations for the future, all of which are forward- looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The words "estimate", "project", "intend", "expect", "believe", "target", "anticipate" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially due to various factors. There are significant risks and uncertainties in pharmaceutical research and development. There can be no guarantees that pipeline products will receive the necessary clinical and manufacturing regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. With respect to the review of and any potential initial public offering, merger, sale, or retention of the Elanco animal health business, there can be no guarantee that the company will realize the expected benefits of the review or other strategic efforts or that the review or other strategic efforts will be completed on the anticipated timeline, if at all. The company’s results may also be affected by such factors as the timing of anticipated regulatory approvals and launches of new products; market uptake of recently launched products; competitive developments affecting current products; the expiration of intellectual property protection for certain of the company’s products; the company’s ability to protect and enforce patents and other intellectual property; the impact of governmental actions regarding pricing, importation, and reimbursement for pharmaceuticals, including U.S. health care reform; regulatory compliance problems or government investigations; regulatory actions regarding currently marketed products; unexpected safety or efficacy concerns associated with the company’s products; issues with product supply stemming from manufacturing difficulties or disruptions; regulatory changes or other developments; changes in patent law or regulations related to data-package exclusivity; litigation involving current or future products; the extent to which third-party indemnification obligations relating to product liability litigation and similar matters will be performed; unauthorized disclosure of trade secrets or other confidential data stored in the company’s information systems and networks; changes in tax law and regulations, including the impact of tax reform legislation enacted in December 2017 and related guidance; changes in inflation, interest rates, and foreign currency exchange rates; asset impairments and restructuring charges; changes in accounting standards promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); acquisitions and business development transactions and related integration costs; the impact of exchange rates and global macroeconomic conditions; and the impact of any strategic alternatives the company decides to pursue for it animal health products business. For additional information about the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements, please see the company’s latest Form 10-Q and Form 10-K filed with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Except as is required by law, the company expressly disclaims any obligation to publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this release.

____________________________________________________________

Alimta (pemetrexed disodium, Lilly)
Basaglar (insulin glargine injection, Lilly)
Cialis (tadalafil, Lilly)
Cymbalta (duloxetine hydrochloride, Lilly)
Cyramza (ramucirumab, Lilly)
Effient (prasugrel, Lilly)
Forteo (teriparatide of recombinant DNA origin injection, Lilly)
Glyxambi (empagliflozin/linagliptin, Boehringer Ingelheim)
Humalog (insulin lispro injection of recombinant DNA origin, Lilly)
Humulin (human insulin of recombinant DNA origin, Lilly)
Jardiance (empagliflozin, Boehringer Ingelheim)
Lartruvo (olaratumab, Lilly)
Olumiant (baricitinib, Lilly)
Optaflexx (ractopamine, Lilly)
Portrazza (necitumumab, Lilly)
Posilac (recombinant bovine somatotropin, Lilly)
Strattera (atomoxetine hydrochloride, Lilly)
Synjardy (empagliflozin/metformin, Boehringer Ingelheim)
Taltz (ixekizumab, Lilly)
Trajenta (linagliptin, Boehringer Ingelheim)
Trulicity (dulaglutide, Lilly)
Verzenio (abemaciclib, Lilly)
Zyprexa (olanzapine, Lilly)

Exicure to Present at BIO CEO & Investor Conference, Immuno-Oncology 360° Summit and LEERINK Partners 7th Annual Global Healthcare Conference

On January 31, 2018 Exicure, Inc., the pioneer in gene regulatory and immunotherapeutic drugs utilizing three-dimensional, spherical nucleic acid (SNA) constructs, reported that Dr. David Giljohann, Chief Executive Officer of Exicure, will present a company update at the annual BIO CEO & Investor Conference on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at 1:45 pm EST at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City (Press release, Exicure, JAN 31, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2329459 [SID1234523655]). The company will also present at the Immuno-Oncology 360° Summit (IO360°) on Thursday, February 8, 2018 at 11:15 am EST. This meeting will take place at The Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.

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!

Additionally, the company plans to present a company overview at the LEERINK Partners 7th Annual Global Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at 9:30 am EST at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel in New York City.

A live webcast of the BIO CEO & Investor Conference and the LEERINK Partners Global Healthcare Conference presentations will be available on the Events & Presentations section of Exicure’s website and will also be archived.

Protagonist Therapeutics to Participate in the Leerink Partners 7th Annual Global Healthcare Conference

On January 31, 2018 Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTGX) reported that Dinesh V. Patel, Ph.D., the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, will provide a corporate overview at the Leerink Partners 7th Annual Global Healthcare Conference taking place on February 14-15 at the Lotte New York Palace in New York, NY (Press release, Protagonist, JAN 31, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2329405 [SID1234523656]).

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!

The Protagonist Therapeutics presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, February 14 at 9:30 am Eastern Time.

A live audio webcast of the presentation may be accessed by visiting the Investors page of Protagonist Therapeutics corporate website at View Source A replay of the presentation will be available for 30 days following the presentation.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Results

On January 31, 2018 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2017 (Press release, Thermo Fisher Scientific, JAN 31, 2018, View Source [SID1234523657]).

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!

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Highlights

Fourth quarter revenue grew 22% to $6.05 billion.

Full year revenue grew 14% to $20.92 billion.

Fourth quarter GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) decreased 18% to $1.30.
Full year GAAP diluted EPS increased 10% to $5.59. GAAP results include a one-time tax provision of $204 million associated with the recent enactment of tax reform legislation in the U.S.

Fourth quarter adjusted EPS increased 16% to $2.79.
Full year adjusted EPS increased 15% to $9.49.

Invested $0.9 billion in R&D during the year and launched high-impact products across all segments, highlighted by the Thermo Scientific Q-Exactive HF-X mass spectrometer, Thermo Scientific Krios G3i cryo transmission electron microscope, Applied Biosystems SeqStudio genetic analyzer and the Oncomine Dx Target Test.

Delivered strong year-over-year growth in Asia-Pacific and Emerging Markets, led by outstanding performance in China, and added new capabilities to support growth opportunities in China, South Korea and the Middle East.

Deployed $7.8 billion in 2017 on strategic acquisitions, adding leading biopharma contract development and manufacturing services through Patheon and expanding our offerings in bioproduction, cloud-based informatics, electron microscopy and transplant diagnostics.

Returned $1 billion of capital to shareholders in 2017 through stock buybacks and dividends.
Adjusted EPS, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures that exclude certain items detailed later in this press release under the heading "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

"We’re pleased to deliver an excellent 2017, with a very strong finish in the fourth quarter that capped off another outstanding year," said Marc N. Casper, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. "Our performance demonstrates the continued success of our proven growth strategy and great execution by our teams.

"Among the highlights of 2017, we launched innovative new products in our key technology platforms, and enabled breakthroughs in proteomics, genetic analysis and structural biology. We continued to leverage our industry-leading scale to deliver strong performance in high-growth emerging markets, particularly China, India and South Korea. It was also a very active year for strategic M&A. We significantly enhanced our value proposition with the addition of Patheon’s leading services offering for pharma and biotech customers."

Casper concluded, "We’re in an excellent position as we begin 2018, and we’re energized about our prospects for the future."

Fourth Quarter 2017

Revenue for the quarter grew 22% to $6.05 billion in 2017, versus $4.95 billion in 2016. Organic revenue growth was 8%; acquisitions increased revenue by 11% and currency translation increased revenue by 3%.

GAAP Earnings Results

GAAP diluted EPS in the fourth quarter decreased to $1.30, versus $1.59 in the same quarter last year, due to the one-time tax provision previously noted. GAAP operating income for the fourth quarter of 2017 grew to $0.96 billion, compared with $0.75 billion in the fourth quarter of 2016. GAAP operating margin increased to 15.8%, compared with 15.2% in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Non-GAAP Earnings Results

Adjusted EPS in the fourth quarter of 2017 increased 16% to $2.79, versus $2.41 in the fourth quarter of 2016. Adjusted operating income for the fourth quarter of 2017 grew 18% compared with the year-ago quarter. Adjusted operating margin decreased 80 basis points to 24.0%, compared with 24.8% in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Full Year 2017

Revenue for the full year grew 14% to $20.92 billion in 2017, versus $18.27 billion in 2016. Organic revenue growth was 5%; acquisitions increased revenue by 9% and currency translation increased revenue slightly.

GAAP Earnings Results

GAAP diluted EPS for the full year increased to $5.59, versus $5.09 in 2016. GAAP diluted EPS in 2017 reflects the one-time tax provision. GAAP operating income for 2017 grew to $2.97 billion, compared with $2.45 billion a year ago. GAAP operating margin was 14.2% in 2017, compared with 13.4% in 2016.

Non-GAAP Earnings Results

Adjusted EPS for the full year rose 15% to $9.49, versus $8.27 in 2016. Adjusted operating income for 2017 grew 15% compared with 2016, and adjusted operating margin expanded 10 basis points to 23.2%, compared with 23.1% a year ago.

Annual Guidance for 2018

The company will provide 2018 financial guidance on its earnings conference call this morning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time.

Segment Results

Management uses adjusted operating results to monitor and evaluate performance of the company’s four business segments, as highlighted below. Since these results are used for this purpose, they are also considered to be prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Life Sciences Solutions Segment

In the fourth quarter of 2017, Life Sciences Solutions Segment revenue grew 11% to $1.58 billion, compared with revenue of $1.42 billion in the fourth quarter of 2016. Segment adjusted operating margin increased to 35.6%, versus 32.9% in the 2016 quarter.

For the full year 2017, Life Sciences Solutions Segment revenue rose 8% to $5.73 billion, compared with revenue of $5.32 billion in 2016. Segment adjusted operating margin increased to 33.1% in 2017, compared with 30.0% a year ago.

Analytical Instruments Segment

Results for the Analytical Instruments Segment reflect the acquisition of FEI Company in September 2016. Segment revenue grew 16% to $1.41 billion in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared with revenue of $1.22 billion in the fourth quarter of 2016. Segment adjusted operating margin was flat at 24.5%.

For the full year 2017, Analytical Instruments Segment revenue rose 31% to $4.82 billion, compared with revenue of $3.67 billion in 2016. Segment adjusted operating margin grew to 21.3%, versus 20.3% in 2016.

Specialty Diagnostics Segment

Specialty Diagnostics Segment revenue grew 10% to $0.91 billion in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared with revenue of $0.83 billion in the fourth quarter of 2016. Segment adjusted operating margin was 26.5%, versus 27.2% in the 2016 quarter.

For the full year 2017, Specialty Diagnostics Segment revenue grew 4% to $3.49 billion, compared with revenue of $3.34 billion in 2016. Segment adjusted operating margin was 26.7%, versus 2016 results of 27.2%.

Laboratory Products and Services Segment

Laboratory Products and Services Segment results reflect the acquisition of Patheon in late August 2017. In the fourth quarter of 2017, segment revenue grew 43% to $2.40 billion, compared with revenue of $1.68 billion in the fourth quarter of 2016. Segment adjusted operating margin was 12.5%, versus 14.0% in the 2016 quarter.

For the full year 2017, Laboratory Products and Services Segment revenue grew 16% to $7.83 billion, compared with revenue of $6.72 billion in 2016. Segment adjusted operating margin was 12.9%, versus 14.4% in 2016.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), we use certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EPS, adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin, which exclude certain acquisition-related costs, including charges for the sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition and significant transaction costs; restructuring and other costs/income; and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. Adjusted EPS also excludes certain other gains and losses that are either isolated or cannot be expected to occur again with any predictability, tax provisions/benefits related to the previous items, benefits from tax credit carryforwards, the impact of significant tax audits or events and the results of discontinued operations. We exclude the above items because they are outside of our normal operations and/or, in certain cases, are difficult to forecast accurately for future periods. We also use a non-GAAP measure, free cash flow, which is operating cash flow, excluding net capital expenditures, and also excludes operating cash flows from discontinued operations to provide a view of the continuing operations’ ability to generate cash for use in acquisitions and other investing and financing activities. We believe that the use of non-GAAP measures helps investors to gain a better understanding of our core operating results and future prospects, consistent with how management measures and forecasts the company’s performance, especially when comparing such results to previous periods or forecasts.

For example:

We exclude costs and tax effects associated with restructuring activities, such as reducing overhead and consolidating facilities. We believe that the costs related to these restructuring activities are not indicative of our normal operating costs.

We exclude certain acquisition-related costs, including charges for the sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition and significant transaction costs. We exclude these costs because we do not believe they are indicative of our normal operating costs.

We exclude the expense and tax effects associated with the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets because a significant portion of the purchase price for acquisitions may be allocated to intangible assets that have lives of 5 to 20 years. In 2018, based on acquisitions closed through the end of 2017, our adjusted EPS will exclude approximately $3.25 of expense for the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. Exclusion of the amortization expense allows comparisons of operating results that are consistent over time for both our newly acquired and long-held businesses and with both acquisitive and non-acquisitive peer companies.

We also exclude certain gains/losses and related tax effects, benefits from tax credit carryforwards and the impact of significant tax audits or events (such as the effect on deferred tax balances of enacted changes in tax rates or, in 2017, the incremental impact of tax reform legislation in the U.S.), which are either isolated or cannot be expected to occur again with any predictability and that we believe are not indicative of our normal operating gains and losses. For example, we exclude gains/losses from items such as the sale of a business or real estate, gains or losses on significant litigation-related matters, gains on curtailments of pension plans, the early retirement of debt and discontinued operations.

We also report free cash flow, which is operating cash flow, excluding net capital expenditures, and also excludes operating cash flows from discontinued operations to provide a view of the continuing operations’ ability to generate cash for use in acquisitions and other investing and financing activities.

Thermo Fisher’s management uses these non-GAAP measures, in addition to GAAP financial measures, as the basis for measuring the company’s core operating performance and comparing such performance to that of prior periods and to the performance of our competitors. Such measures are also used by management in their financial and operating decision-making and for compensation purposes.

The non-GAAP financial measures of Thermo Fisher’s results of operations and cash flows included in this press release are not meant to be considered superior to or a substitute for Thermo Fisher’s results of operations prepared in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of such non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are set forth in the accompanying tables. Thermo Fisher does not provide GAAP financial measures on a forward-looking basis because we are unable to predict with reasonable certainty and without unreasonable effort items such as the timing and amount of future restructuring actions and acquisition-related charges as well as gains or losses from sales of real estate and businesses, the early retirement of debt and the outcome of legal proceedings. The timing and amount of these items are uncertain and could be material to Thermo Fisher’s results computed in accordance with GAAP.

Conference Call

Thermo Fisher Scientific will hold its earnings conference call today, January 31, 2018, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time. To listen, dial (844) 579-6824 within the U.S. or (763) 488-9145 outside the U.S. You may also listen to the call live on our website, www.thermofisher.com, by clicking on "Investors." You will find this press release, including the accompanying reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures and related information, in that section of our website under "Financial Results." An audio archive of the call will be available under "Webcasts and Presentations" through Friday, February 16, 2018.