On February 21, 2018 The Medicines Company (NASDAQ:MDCO) today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2017 (Press release, Medicines Company, FEB 21, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2333597 [SID1234524083]).

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"We have successfully executed our strategic action plan for 2017 by divesting our non-core assets, restructuring our business to focus on inclisiran, and initiating the inclisiran Phase 3 ORION program – recently completing target enrollment ahead of schedule in both ORION 11 and ORION 9 trials," said Clive Meanwell, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of The Medicines Company.

Dr. Meanwell continued, "We expect momentum to continue throughout 2018, including rapid accrual of clinical safety information on inclisiran and manufacturing development. Based on this accelerated and efficient progress, we believe an NDA and MAA submission will be feasible as soon as the second half of 2019."

Fourth-Quarter 2017 Financial Summary from Continuing Operations

Worldwide net revenue was $8.6 million in the fourth-quarter of 2017 compared to $17.4 million in the fourth-quarter of 2016, primarily from Angiomax, including both royalty revenues derived from the gross profit on authorized generic sales of Angiomax (bivalirudin) by Sandoz, Inc. and worldwide Angiomax/Angiox (bivalirudin) net product sales. The fourth quarter of 2016 also included $0.4 million of sales related to the divested non-core cardiovascular products.

On a GAAP basis, loss from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2017 was $159.4 million, or $2.19 per share, compared to $82.8 million, or $1.17 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2016. Included in loss from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2017 were charges of approximately $63.0 million for the impairment of the contingent purchase price for Raplixa, $20.0 million milestone for the first dosing in phase III inclisiran study and $15.0 million in connection with an obsolescence inventory reserve for Angiomax. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted loss(1) from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2017 was $44.4 million, or $0.61(1) per share, compared to $54.9 million, or $0.78(1) per share, in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Fourth-Quarter 2017 Financial Summary from Discontinued Operations

In the fourth quarter of 2017 the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell its infectious disease business unit to Melinta Therapeutics, Inc. for $270 million in upfront consideration and guaranteed payments ($215 million of guaranteed cash and $55 million of Melinta common stock), tiered royalty payments of 5% to 25% on worldwide net sales of Vabomere, Orbactiv and Minocin IV, and the assumption by Melinta of all royalty, milestone and other payment obligations relating to those products.

In the first quarter of 2016, the Company completed the divestiture of its hemostasis products for an upfront payment of $174.1 million, and potential milestone payments of up to an additional $235.0 million, in the aggregate, following the achievement of certain specified net sales milestones.

Net loss from discontinued operations in the fourth quarter of 2017 was $18.8 million compared to $40.1 million in 2016.

Full-Year 2017 Financial Summary from Continuing Operations

Worldwide net revenue was $44.8 million for the full year 2017 compared to $143.2 million in 2016. Included in total net revenue for the full year 2017 and 2016 was $44.6 million and $104.9 million, respectively, of Angiomax revenue, including both royalty revenues derived from the gross profit on authorized generic sales of Angiomax (bivalirudin) by Sandoz, Inc. and worldwide Angiomax/Angiox (bivalirudin) net product sales.

On a GAAP basis, loss from continuing operations for the full year 2017 was $607.7 million, or $8.40 per share, compared to income from continuing operations of $20.5 million, or $0.28 per share, for the full year 2016. Included in net loss from continuing operations for 2017 were net charges of approximately $277.0 million associated with the discontinuation and market withdrawal of Ionsys (fentanyl iontophoretic transdermal system) in the U.S. market, $63.0 million for the impairment of the contingent purchase price of Raplixa, $27.3 million associated with the discontinuation of the clinical development program for MDCO-700, our investigational anesthetic agent, and $20.0 million milestone for the first dosing in the phase III inclisiran study. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted loss(1) from continuing operations for the full year 2017 was $142.4 million, or $1.97(1) per share, compared to $169.0 million, or $2.42(1) per share, for the full year 2016.

(1) Adjusted net loss and adjusted loss per share from continuing operations are non-GAAP financial performance measures with no standardized definitions under U.S. GAAP. For further information and a detailed reconciliation, refer to the "Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures" and "Reconciliations of GAAP to Adjusted Loss From Continuing Operations and Adjusted Loss per Share" sections of this press release.

Full-Year 2017 Financial Summary from Discontinued Operations

Net loss from discontinued operations for the full year 2017 was $100.7 million or $1.39 per share, compared to $139.7 million, or $1.91 per share in 2016.

At December 31, 2017, the Company had a total of $151.4 million in cash and cash equivalents.

Fourth-Quarter 2017 Conference Call and Webcast Information

The Company will host a conference call and webcast today, February 21, 2018, at 8:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, to discuss its fourth-quarter 2017 financial results and provide clinical and operational updates. The dial-in information to access the call is as follows:

U.S./Canada: (877) 359-9508
International: (224) 357-2393
Conference ID: 3592738

A taped replay of the conference call will be available from 11:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, today until 11:30 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on February 28, 2018. The replay may be accessed as follows:

U.S./Canada: (855) 859-2056
International: (404) 537-3406
Conference ID: 3592738

The webcast can be accessed in the Investors section of The Medicines Company website. A replay of the webcast will also be available.

About Inclisiran

Inclisiran (formerly known as PCSK9si and ALN-PCSsc) is an investigational GalNAc-conjugated RNAi therapeutic targeting PCSK9 – a genetically validated protein regulator of LDL receptor metabolism – being developed for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. In contrast to anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that bind to PCSK9 in blood, inclisiran is a first-in-class investigational medicine that acts by turning off PCSK9 synthesis in the liver.

The Medicines Company and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. are collaborating in the advancement of inclisiran pursuant to their 2013 agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Alnylam completed certain pre-clinical studies and the Phase I clinical study, with The Medicines Company leading and funding the development of inclisiran from Phase II forward, as well as potential commercialization.

G1 Therapeutics has filed a 10-K – Annual report [Section 13 and 15(d), not S-K Item 405] with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Filing, 10-K, G1 Therapeutics, 2018, FEB 21, 2018, View Source [SID1234524128]).

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On February 21, 2018 TG Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:TGTX) reported the publication of the results from the Phase 1 first-in-human study of umbralisib (TGR-1202), the Company’s novel once-daily PI3K delta inhibitor, in The Lancet Oncology (Press release, TG Therapeutics, FEB 21, 2018, View Source [SID1234524106]). The paper includes safety and efficacy information from 90 patients with relapsed or refractory b-cell malignancies, including patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and various forms of lymphoma treated with single agent umbralisib. In this study, umbralisib was well tolerated with a favorable safety profile distinct from prior generation PI3K delta inhibitors. Grade 3/4 immune mediated AEs commonly associated with other PI3K delta inhibitors were limited, with transaminitis occurring in 3 patients ( < 3%), and pneumonia and colitis in 2 patients each ( < 2% for each). Notably, both events of colitis occurred at doses exceeding the current Phase 3 dose. Umbralisib was also clinically active with 85% of relapsed or refractory CLL patients achieving an objective response (50% per IWCLL criteria; 35% a partial response with lymphocytosis) and 53% of patients with relapsed or refractory Follicular Lymphoma (FL) achieving an objective response, including 2 patients with a Complete Response (CR).

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These data, in addition to the unique structural attributes and enhanced selectivity profile of umbralisib, are described further in the manuscript entitled, "Umbralisib, a novel PI3K and casein kinase-1 epsilon inhibitor, in relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and lymphoma: an open-label, phase 1, dose-escalation, first-in-human study," which was published yesterday in The Lancet Oncology. The online version of the article can be accessed at http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(18)30082-2/fulltext.

Dr. Howard A. Burris, the Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director of the Drug Development Program at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute in Nashville, TN, and lead author stated, "We are pleased to have treated the first patient ever with umbralisib over 5 years ago and believe it has an important place in the treatment landscape for patients with hematologic malignancies. Several patients from this Phase 1 study are still on study today, approaching 5 years of continuous daily therapy, speaking to both the safety and efficacy profile of this unique agent."

Dr. Owen A. O’Connor, Professor of Medicine and Experimental Therapeutics, Director Lymphoid Malignancies at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, stated, "Pre-clinically umbralisib has a very unique profile, selectively inhibiting both PI3K delta and CK1 epsilon, as previously described in our Blood paper. The clinical results in this paper support our thesis that the differentiated preclinical profile explains the differences seen in the clinic between umbralisib and the other PI3K delta inhibitors."

"We want to thank Dr. Burris, Dr. O’Connor and all the investigators who participated in this first-in-human Phase 1 trial for umbralisib, which has set the stage for our ongoing pivotal UNITY-CLL and UNITY-NHL trials. With over 1,000 patients treated with umbralisib to date, we and the investigators believe umbralisib is a differentiated, active and more selective PI3K delta inhibitor that exhibits a favorable safety profile as compared to prior generation molecules," stated Michael S. Weiss, the Company’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

On February 20, 2018 Incyte Corporation (Nasdaq:INCY) reported that it will present at the following investor conferences during the month of March (Press release, Incyte, FEB 20, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2333288 [SID1234524053]):

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Cowen and Company 38th Annual Health Care Conference on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 12:00 pm (EDT) in Boston; and
Barclays Global Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at 9:30 am (EDT) in Miami
The presentation will be webcast live and can be accessed at www.incyte.com in the Investors section under "Events and Presentations." Investors interested in listening to the live webcast should log on before the start time in order to download any software required.

On February 20, 2018 Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT) reported financial results for its third quarter of fiscal year 2018, which ended January 26, 2018 (Press release, Medtronic, FEB 20, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2333238 [SID1234524055]).

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The company reported third quarter worldwide revenue of $7.369 billion, an increase of 1 percent as reported, or 7 percent on a comparable, constant currency basis, which adjusts for the divestiture of its Patient Care, Deep Vein Thrombosis (Compression), and Nutritional Insufficiency businesses to Cardinal Health that occurred in the second quarter, and a $177 million positive impact from foreign currency.

As reported, third quarter GAAP net loss and loss per share (LPS) were $1.389 billion and $1.03, respectively. GAAP results included a $2.2 billion net charge primarily related to the U.S. transition tax charge as part of U.S. tax reform. As detailed in the financial schedules included through the link at the end of this release, third quarter non-GAAP net income and diluted EPS were $1.592 billion and $1.17, increases of 3 percent and 4 percent, respectively. Adjusting for the divestiture and a negative 1 cent impact from foreign currency, third quarter non-GAAP diluted EPS increased 12 percent.

Third quarter U.S. revenue of $3.912 billion represented 53 percent of company revenue and decreased 5 percent as reported, or increased 6 percent on a comparable basis. Non-U.S. developed market revenue of $2.355 billion represented 32 percent of company revenue and increased 7 percent as reported, or 5 percent on a comparable, constant currency basis. Emerging market revenue of $1.102 billion represented 15 percent of company revenue and increased 12 percent on both a reported and a comparable, constant currency basis.

"Our results reflect a solid quarter for Medtronic, and as we expected, a strong turnaround from the first half of our fiscal year," said Omar Ishrak, Medtronic chairman and chief executive officer. "We continue to execute on our broad, sustainable growth strategy, driving therapy innovation and global market penetration, while delivering enterprise synergies to enable margin improvement."

Cardiac and Vascular Group
The Cardiac and Vascular Group (CVG) includes the Cardiac Rhythm & Heart Failure (CRHF), Coronary & Structural Heart (CSH), and Aortic & Peripheral Vascular (APV) divisions. CVG worldwide third quarter revenue of $2.800 billion increased 10 percent, or 7 percent on a constant currency basis. CVG revenue performance was driven by strong, mid-teens growth in CSH and mid-single digit growth in CRHF and APV, all on a constant currency basis.

CRHF third quarter revenue of $1.457 billion increased 6 percent, or 4 percent on a constant currency basis. Arrhythmia Management grew in the low-single digits on a constant currency basis, driven by high-teens constant currency growth in AF Solutions, as well as strong adoption of the Micra Transcatheter Pacing System and TYRX absorbable antibacterial envelope. Heart Failure grew in the mid-single digits on a constant currency basis, driven by strong double digit constant currency growth in Mechanical Circulatory Support from sales of the HVAD(TM) System, as well as continued solid demand for the company’s portfolio of quadripolar cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers (CRT-P).
CSH third quarter revenue of $886 million increased 18 percent, or 14 percent on a constant currency basis, led by low-thirties constant currency growth in transcatheter aortic valves on the strength of the CoreValve Evolut PRO and U.S. intermediate risk indication. Coronary grew in the low-double digits on a constant currency basis, driven by strong demand for the company’s Resolute Onyx(TM) drug-eluting stent in the U.S. and Japan.
APV third quarter revenue of $457 million increased 7 percent, or 5 percent on a constant currency basis. Aortic grew in the low-single digits on a constant currency basis, driven by the performance of the Valiant Captivia thoracic stent graft system. Peripheral grew in the mid-single digits on a constant currency basis, driven by double digit growth in both PTA balloons and drug-coated balloons. High-single digit growth in endoVenous was driven by a strong performance of the VenaSeal(TM) closure system.
Minimally Invasive Therapies Group
The Minimally Invasive Therapies Group (MITG) includes the Surgical Innovations (SI) and the Respiratory, Gastrointestinal & Renal (RGR) divisions. MITG worldwide third quarter revenue of $2.041 billion decreased 16 percent as reported, or increased 6 percent on a comparable, constant currency basis. MITG revenue performance was driven by high-single digit growth in SI and low-single digit growth in RGR, both on a comparable, constant currency basis.

SI third quarter revenue of $1.384 billion increased 7 percent on a comparable, constant currency basis, driven by growth from new products in Advanced Energy and Advanced Stapling, including LigaSure(TM) vessel sealing instruments with nano-coating, endo stapling specialty reloads, and the Signia(TM) powered stapler.
RGR third quarter revenue of $657 million increased 3 percent on a comparable, constant currency basis. GI and Hepatology grew in the low-double digits on a comparable, constant currency basis, with strength across the GI therapeutics, diagnostics, and ablation product lines. Respiratory and Patient Monitoring grew in the low-single digits on a comparable, constant currency basis, with strength in Nellcor(TM) pulse oximetry sensors given the strong incidence of influenza in the U.S.
Restorative Therapies Group
The Restorative Therapies Group (RTG) includes the Spine, Brain Therapies, Specialty Therapies, and Pain Therapies divisions. RTG worldwide third quarter revenue of $1.944 billion increased 7 percent, or 5 percent on a constant currency basis. Group results were driven by low-double digit growth in Brain Therapies, high-single digit growth in Pain Therapies, and mid-single digit growth in Specialty Therapies, offsetting flat results in Spine, all on a constant currency basis.

Spine third quarter revenue of $661 million increased 1 percent, or was flat on a constant currency basis. Mid-single digit constant currency growth in bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) partially offset low-single digit declines in Core Spine, which were consistent with the Core Spine market.
Brain Therapies third quarter revenue of $585 million increased 13 percent, or 10 percent on a constant currency basis. Neurovascular grew in the high-teens on a constant currency basis, with strength across its stroke product portfolio. Neurosurgery grew in the low-double digits on a constant currency basis, led by strong sales of the StealthStation S8 surgical navigation system and O-arm2 surgical imaging system.
Specialty Therapies third quarter revenue of $398 million increased 8 percent, or 6 percent on a constant currency basis. High-single digit growth in Pelvic Health and ENT was partially offset by low-single digit declines in Transformative Solutions, all on a constant currency basis.
Pain Therapies third quarter revenue of $300 million increased 10 percent, or 8 percent on a constant currency basis. The division returned to growth on the strength of the recently launched Intellis(TM) platform for spinal cord stimulation, as well as growth in drug pumps.
Diabetes Group
The Diabetes Group includes the Intensive Insulin Management (IIM), Diabetes Service & Solutions (DSS), and Non-Intensive Diabetes Therapies (NDT) divisions. Diabetes Group worldwide third quarter revenue of $584 million increased 17 percent, or 13 percent on a constant currency basis. The group is experiencing strong global demand for its new sensor-augmented insulin pump systems, and has made great progress on its ability to meet this demand, as evidenced by the improved sequential revenue growth.

IIM third quarter revenue grew in the high-teens on a constant currency basis, driven by the U.S. launch of the MiniMed 670G hybrid closed loop insulin pump system with the Guardian sensor 3 CGM. In international markets, IIM delivered low-twenties constant currency growth on the continued strength of the MiniMed 640G system.
DSS third quarter revenue grew in the mid-single digits on a constant currency basis, with growth in consumables benefitting from customer base growth and improved patient utilization.
NDT third quarter revenue declined in the mid-single digits on a constant currency basis, given the commercial focus on the MiniMed 670G launch and competitive pressures.
Guidance
Medtronic today reiterated its fiscal year 2018 revenue and non-GAAP guidance. The company’s guidance is given on a comparable, constant currency basis, which accounts for the divestiture of certain businesses from its prior period Patient Monitoring & Recovery division by removing the financial impact of these businesses from the second, third, and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2017, as well as removing the impact of foreign currency.

In fiscal year 2018, the company continues to expect comparable, constant currency revenue growth to be in the range of 4 to 5 percent. While the impact of foreign currency remains fluid, if current exchange rates remain similar for the remainder of the fiscal year, the company’s revenue would be positively affected by approximately $480 million to $500 million for the fiscal year, including an approximate $300 to $320 million positive impact in the fourth fiscal quarter.

In fiscal year 2018, the company continues to expect diluted non-GAAP EPS growth to be in the range of 9 to 10 percent on a comparable, constant currency basis from the prior year comparable EPS of $4.37. Assuming current exchange rates remain similar for the rest of the year, the foreign exchange impact on the company’s non-GAAP EPS would be approximately negative 4 cents for the fiscal year, including an approximate 2 cent negative impact in the fourth fiscal quarter.

"Looking ahead, we are confident in our ability to deliver mid-single digit constant currency revenue growth and strong constant currency EPS leverage, this fiscal year and beyond," said Ishrak. "We remain keenly focused on executing to deliver dependable results as we continue to leverage our global diversification and scale to fulfill our Mission of alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world."

Webcast Information
Medtronic will host a webcast today, February 20, at 8:00 a.m. EST (7:00 a.m. CST) to provide information about its businesses for the public, analysts, and news media. This quarterly webcast can be accessed by clicking on the Investor Events link at investorrelations.medtronic.com and this earnings release will be archived at newsroom.medtronic.com. Medtronic will be live tweeting during the webcast on our Newsroom Twitter account, @Medtronic. Within 24 hours of the webcast, a replay of the webcast and transcript of the company’s prepared remarks will be available by clicking on the Investor Events link at investorrelations.medtronic.com.

Financial Schedules
To view the third quarter financial schedules and non-GAAP reconciliations, click here. To view the third quarter earnings presentation, click here. Both documents can also be accessed by visiting newsroom.medtronic.com.