FibroGen Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Financial Results

On February 27, 2018 FibroGen, Inc. (NASDAQ:FGEN), a science-based biopharmaceutical company, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2017 and provided an update on the company’s recent developments (Press release, FibroGen, FEB 27, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2335086 [SID1234524229]).

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"In 2017, we continued to make significant progress on key clinical and regulatory milestones. Our first NDA submission for roxadustat was accepted for review by the China Food and Drug Administration. With our partners, we are advancing the roxadustat Phase 3 CKD anemia programs to completion with plans to file for market approvals in the U.S., Europe, and Japan. In our fibrosis program, pamrevlumab has demonstrated tremendous potential in multiple indications. In a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2b study in IPF, pamrevlumab was well-tolerated and achieved statistical significance in the primary endpoint of FVC % predicted, in FVC, and in the secondary endpoints of quantitative changes of lung fibrosis, disease progression, and patient-reported outcomes," said Thomas B. Neff, FibroGen’s Chief Executive Officer. "We are intensely focused on the execution of critical activities for our CKD anemia, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and pancreatic cancer programs as these approach important new milestones in 2018."

Recent Developments and Highlights
Roxadustat for CKD Anemia in U.S./ROW

With our partner AstraZeneca, we have agreed to a timeline for Phase 3 enrollment completion in the second quarter of 2018 and data readout in the fourth quarter of 2018 to support U.S. regulatory submission in the first half of 2019
DSMB recommended Phase 3 clinical studies to continue under current protocols with no changes

Roxadustat for CKD Anemia in China

Positive efficacy and safety results reported from two Phase 3 trials
New Drug Application accepted for filing by the CFDA

Roxadustat for CKD Anemia in Japan

Our partner Astellas has completed three of six Phase 3 trials
Topline positive Phase 3 results reported in peritoneal dialysis study

Roxadustat for MDS Anemia

Enrollment commenced in our first U.S./Europe Phase 3 study for the treatment of anemia in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)

Pamrevlumab for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

Statistically significant high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) results achieved in our randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2b study
Positive Phase 2b study results presented at European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress 2017

Pamrevlumab for Pancreatic Cancer

Reported positive interim Phase 2 open-label results at 2017 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper)-GI conference showing a majority of pamrevlumab-treated patients converted from unresectable to resectable cancer; all resection evaluations complete and results continue to be favorable for pamrevlumab

Corporate and Financial

Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $22.1 million, or $0.27 per share, compared to $34.0 million, or $0.54 per share one year ago
Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2017, was $126.2 million, or $1.73 per share, compared to $61.7 million, or $0.98 per share one year ago
At December 31, 2017, FibroGen had $762.2 million in cash, restricted time deposits, cash equivalents, investments, and receivables
Received a $15.0 million milestone payment from AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter of 2017 upon roxadustat NDA submission to CFDA
Completed financings in April 2017 and in August 2017 with net proceeds of $115.1 million and $356.2 million, respectively

2018 Outlook

U.S. Phase 3 CKD anemia enrollment completion in the second quarter of 2018
U.S. Phase 3 CKD anemia data readout in the fourth quarter of 2018 to support U.S. regulatory submission in the first half of 2019
NDA approval decision expected in China for CKD anemia by the end of 2018
Expect to confirm plans with our partner Astellas for regulatory submissions in Europe and Japan
Anticipate data readout from two Japan Phase 3 hemodialysis studies, a long-term conversion study and a correction (ESA-naïve) study, in the first quarter of 2018
Anticipate initiation of roxadustat Phase 2/3 clinical study in China for anemia associated with MDS in first half of 2018
Expect to present HRCT and health-related quality-of-life results from the IPF Phase 2b trial at an upcoming scientific conference
Design pivotal trials for IPF and locally advanced pancreatic cancer

Conference Call and Webcast Details
FibroGen will host a conference call and webcast today, February 27, 2018, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time) to discuss financial results and provide a business update. A live audio webcast of the call may be accessed in the investor section of the company’s website, www.fibrogen.com. To participate in the conference call by telephone, please dial 1 (888) 771-4371 (U.S. and Canada) or 1 (847) 585-4405 (international), reference the FibroGen fourth quarter and full year 2017 financial results conference call, and use passcode 46307822#. A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the call for a period of two weeks. To access the replay, please dial (888) 843-7419 (domestic) or (630) 652-3042 (international), and use passcode 46307822#.

vTv Therapeutics Reports 2017 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial and Operational Results and Recent Highlights

On February 27, 2018 vTv Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:VTVT) reported a corporate update and financial and operational results for the fourth quarter and full year that ended December 31, 2017 (Press release, vTv Therapeutics, FEB 27, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2335134 [SID1234524269]).

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"We made tremendous progress across the spectrum of our Alzheimer’s and diabetes programs this past year, and look forward to continuing this momentum in 2018 as we anticipate reporting topline results in April from Part A of our Phase 3 STEADFAST study of azeliragon in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease," said Steve Holcombe, president and CEO of vTv Therapeutics. "Our unique and holistic approach to targeting Alzheimer’s through the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) antagonist addresses three major pathologies believed to contribute to the disease: transport of a-beta to the brain, inflammation and the phosphorylation of tau protein. We’re hopeful that results from the study will be a step toward finding a much-needed therapy for the Alzheimer’s community and the millions of people suffering from this devastating disease."

Fourth Quarter 2017 Highlights

vTv Therapeutics Initiates Phase 1b/2 Study as Part of Industry Partnership with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)

Conducted with support from JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, vTv Therapeutics initiated simplici-T1, an adaptive Phase1b/2 study assessing the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety and tolerability of vTv Therapeutics’ liver-selective glucokinase activator, TTP399, in type 1 diabetes. The study will evaluate whether TTP399 is well-tolerated when administered as an add-on to insulin therapy and can improve daily glucose profiles and HbA1c in people living with T1D.

vTv Therapeutics and Hangzhou Zhongmei Huadong Pharmaceutical Co. Enter Licensing Agreement for GLP-1r Diabetes Program

vTv Therapeutics successfully entered into a licensing agreement with Hangzhou Zhongmei Huadong Pharmaceutical Co., one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in China, for rights to develop and commercialize vTv Therapeutics’ GLP-1r agonist program, including TTP273, in China and other Pacific Rim countries. vTv Therapeutics received an $8 million upfront payment and is eligible for up to an additional $75 million in milestone payments related to development, regulatory and commercial milestones. In addition, vTv Therapeutics will be eligible to receive royalty payments on sales of commercialized products in the licensed territories. vTv will conduct a Phase 2 multi-region clinical trial, including sites in both the United States and China, to investigate the safety and efficacy of a lower dose of TTP273 in patients with type 2 diabetes.

vTv Therapeutics and Reneo Pharmaceuticals Enter Licensing Agreement for PPAR-delta Program

vTv Therapeutics granted Reneo Pharmaceuticals exclusive worldwide rights to research, develop and commercialize vTv Therapeutics’ selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPAR-delta) program, including HPP593, in a global licensing agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, vTv Therapeutics received an upfront payment and is eligible to receive future development and commercialization milestones as well as royalties on sales of approved products. vTv Therapeutics also received shares of Reneo Pharmaceuticals’ common stock.

vTv Therapeutics Hosts Key Opinion Leader (KOL) Event on Current State of Clinical Development in Alzheimer’s Disease

vTv Therapeutics hosted a KOL presentation focused on the current state of clinical development in Alzheimer’s disease. The event featured two speakers with extensive experience in Alzheimer’s research and care: Dr. Howard Fillit, founding executive director and chief scientific officer of Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, clinical professor of geriatric medicine, palliative care and neuroscience at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine; and Dr. Mary Sano, associate dean for clinical research, professor of psychiatry, founding member and director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. vTv Therapeutics provided a brief overview of the company’s ongoing Phase 3 clinical development program for azeliragon, an orally bioavailable small molecule RAGE antagonist for patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease.

Upcoming Anticipated Milestones

vTv Therapeutics anticipates reporting topline data from Part A of the company’s Phase 3 STEADFAST Study in April 2018. Data from Part B are expected to read out in early 2019. The STEADFAST study is a single protocol within which vTv Therapeutics is conducting two statistically independent, identical, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials investigating the efficacy of azeliragon as a potential treatment of mild Alzheimer’s disease.

Shelf Registration on Form S-3

Today the Company filed a S-3 Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register Class A Common Stock. The Company has no current plans to issue securities under the Registration Statement.

Fourth Quarter 2017 Financial Results

Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2017, were $11.8 million compared to $20.5 million as of September 30, 2017.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $10.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $9.0 million in the third quarter of 2017. The increase in research and development expense was primarily driven by increased enrollment in the open-label extension trial and higher consulting costs incurred related to the STEADFAST Study.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $2.9 million and $2.6 million, for the fourth and third quarters of 2017, respectively. The increase in general and administrative cost was primarily due to the higher professional service fees incurred in the fourth quarter of 2017 related to our license agreements entered into in December 2017.
Net Loss Before Non-Controlling Interest: Net loss before non-controlling interest was $14.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to net loss before non-controlling interest of $12.4 million for the third quarter of 2017.
Net Loss per Share: GAAP net loss per share was $0.44 and $0.38 for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, respectively, based on weighted-average shares of 9.7 million in each period. Non-GAAP net loss per fully exchanged share was $0.44 and $0.38 for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, respectively, based on non-GAAP fully exchanged weighted-average shares of 32.8 million in each period.

Full Year 2017 Financial Results

R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $39.6 million in 2017, compared to $45.7 million in 2016. The decrease in research and development expense was primarily driven by decreases in clinical trial costs for TTP399 and TTP273 as both the AGATA and LOGRA studies were completed in 2016. Additionally, we saw decreases in the expense for azeliragon as a result of the completion of drug-drug interaction and other supporting studies in 2016 which were partially offset by increases in cost related to continuing enrollment in the open-label extension trial and increased cost of consultants engaged to assist with the STEADFAST Study.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $11.3 million and $9.9 million, for the 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in general and administrative cost was primarily due to the higher professional service fees incurred in 2017 related to our license agreements entered into in December 2017 and increased compensation cost related to the grant of additional share-based compensation awards as well as the impact of additional personnel hired in both years.
Net Loss Before Non-Controlling Interest: Net loss before non-controlling interest was $54.6 million for 2017 compared to net loss before non-controlling interest of $55.4 million for 2016.
Net Loss per Share: GAAP net loss per share was $1.67 and $1.71 for 2017 and 2016, respectively, based on weighted-average shares of 9.7 million and 9.5 million in each period, respectively. Non-GAAP net loss per fully exchanged share was $1.67 and $1.69 for 2017 and 2016, respectively, based on non-GAAP fully exchanged weighted-average shares of 32.8 million in each period.


vTv Therapeutics Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)

December 31, September 30,
2017 2017
(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 11,758 $ 20,488
Restricted cash and cash equivalents 162 281
Accounts receivable, net 8,000 —
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 442 725
Total current assets 20,362 21,494
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, long-term 2,500 —
Property and equipment, net 283 310
Long-term investments 2,480 —
Long-term deposits 2,292 2,251
Total assets $ 27,917 $ 24,055
Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Stockholders’ Deficit
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 13,901 $ 10,120
Deferred revenue 8,757 —
Current portion of notes payable 4,271 2,083
Total current liabilities 26,929 12,203
Notes payable 15,316 17,228
Deferred revenue, net of current portion 4,497 —
Warrant liability, related party 492 —
Other liabilities 290 285
Total liabilities 47,524 29,716
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interest 131,440 130,642
Stockholders’ deficit:
Class A Common Stock 97 97
Class B Common Stock 232 232
Additional paid-in capital 127,682 127,036
Accumulated deficit (279,058 ) (263,668 )
Total stockholders’ deficit attributable to vTv Therapeutics Inc. (151,047 ) (136,303 )
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and stockholders’ deficit $ 27,917 $ 24,055


vTv Therapeutics Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations – Unaudited
(in thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended
September 30,
December 31, 2017 2017
Revenue $ 233 $ 15
Operating expenses:
Research and development 10,068 8,989
General and administrative 2,937 2,567
Total operating expenses 13,005 11,556
Operating loss (12,772 ) (11,541 )
Interest income 22 35
Interest expense (852 ) (849 )
Other expense, net (190 ) —
Loss before income taxes and noncontrolling interest (13,792 ) (12,355 )
Income tax provision 800 —
Net loss before noncontrolling interest (14,592 ) (12,355 )
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (10,281 ) (8,705 )
Net loss attributable to vTv Therapeutics Inc. $ (4,311 ) $ (3,650 )

Net loss per share of vTv Therapeutics Inc. Class A Common Stock, basic and diluted
$ (0.44 ) $ (0.38 )

Weighted-average number of vTv Therapeutics Inc. Class A Common Stock, basic and diluted
9,693,254 9,693,254


vTv Therapeutics Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended For the Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
(Unaudited)
2017 2016 2017 2016
Revenue $ 233 $ 38 $ 291 $ 634
Operating expenses:
Research and development 10,068 11,099 39,640 45,748
General and administrative 2,937 2,252 11,333 9,906
Total operating expenses 13,005 13,351 50,973 55,654
Operating loss (12,772 ) (13,313 ) (50,682 ) (55,020 )
Interest income 22 20 117 87
Interest expense (852 ) (394 ) (3,092 ) (398 )
Other expense, net (190 ) (24 ) (190 ) (22 )
Loss before income taxes and noncontrolling interest (13,792 ) (13,711 ) (53,847 ) (55,353 )
Income tax provision 800 — 800 —
Net loss before noncontrolling interest (14,592 ) (13,711 ) (54,647 ) (55,353 )
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (10,281 ) (9,661 ) (38,503 ) (39,001 )
Net loss attributable to vTv Therapeutics Inc. $ (4,311 ) $ (4,050 ) $ (16,144 ) $ (16,352 )

Net loss per share of vTv Therapeutics Inc. Class A Common Stock, basic and diluted
$ (0.44 ) $ (0.42 ) $ (1.67 ) $ (1.71 )

Weighted-average number of vTv Therapeutics Inc. Class A Common Stock, basic and diluted
9,693,254 9,693,254 9,693,254 9,545,527

Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Results

On February 26, 2018 Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Eagle" or "the Company") (Nasdaq: EGRX) reported its financial results for the three- and twelve-months ended December 31, 2017 (Press release, Eagle Pharmaceuticals, FEB 26, 2018, View Source [SID1234524162]). Highlights of and subsequent to the fourth quarter of 2017 include:

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Business and Recent Highlights:

Agreed on a path forward with the FDA for RYANODEX for EHS and plans to conduct an additional clinical trial in August 2018 during the Hajj pilgrimage, similar to the Eagle study conducted during the Hajj in 2015;
Completed randomization of 600 subjects in the fulvestrant clinical study ahead of schedule during the first quarter of 2018;
Filed an ANDA for Eagle’s first of two ANDA product candidates in 2018; awaiting FDA acceptance;
Settled $48mm in potential Arsia milestone obligations in exchange for $15 million in cash, for a total investment in Eagle Biologics of $45 million.
Financial Highlights:

Fourth Quarter 2017

Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $46.8 million, compared to $81.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, which included $40 million in license and other income;
Q4 2017 income before income tax provision was $9.9 million compared to $28.3 million in Q4 2016;
Q4 2017 net income was $9.1 million, or $0.61 per basic and $0.58 per diluted share, compared to net income of $57.3 million, or $3.75 per basic and $3.52 per diluted share in Q4 2016;
Q4 2017 Adjusted Non-GAAP net income was $15.6 million, or $1.05 per basic and $1.00 per diluted share, compared to Adjusted Non-GAAP net income of $17.2 million, or $1.12 per basic and $1.05 per diluted share in the prior year quarter.
Full Year 2017

Total revenue for the twelve months ending December 31, 2017 grew 25% to $236.7 million, compared to $189.5 million in 2016;
2017 income before income tax provision was $72.9 million, compared to $53.4 million in 2016;
2017 net income was $51.9 million, or $3.44 per basic and $3.27 per diluted share, compared to a net income of $81.5 million, or $5.24 per basic and $4.96 per diluted share in 2016;
2017 income tax expense was $21 million, compared to an income tax benefit of $28 million in 2016;
2017 Adjusted Non-GAAP net income was $69.0 million, or $4.57 per basic and $4.34 per diluted share, compared to Adjusted Non-GAAP net income of $45.9 million, or $2.96 per basic and $2.79 per diluted share in 2016. For a full reconciliation of Adjusted Non-GAAP net income to the most comparable GAAP financial measures, please see the tables at the end of this press release;
2017 EBITDA was $96.2 million, compared to $63.9 million in 2016;
At year end, Eagle had completed its $75 million Share Repurchase Program authorized in August 2016 and purchased an additional $5.8 million in Eagle common stock as part of its expanded $100 million share buyback program;
Cash and cash equivalents were $114.7 million, accounts receivable were $53.8 million, and debt was $48.8 million as of December 31, 2017; and,
2018 Expense Guidance:
R&D expense is expected to be in the range of $46 – $50 million ($39 – $43 million on a non-GAAP basis)
SG&A expense is expected to be in the range of $61 – $64 million ($45 – $48 million on a non-GAAP basis).
"Eagle had another record year in 2017, with revenue of $237 million and EBITDA of $96 million. We are excited about our positive meeting with the FDA that will enable us to advance RYANODEX for EHS, and are planning to conduct another clinical study at the Hajj in August of this year. And, our fulvestrant study randomization has now been completed ahead of schedule with 600 subjects. Pending positive data, we remain on track to file an NDA during the fourth quarter of 2018," stated Scott Tarriff, Chief Executive Officer of Eagle Pharmaceuticals.

"Importantly, we filed an ANDA for our first of two assets earlier this year and intend to file another during the second half of 2018. Combined branded sales for these assets are approximately $500 million, representing another significant opportunity to create value for patients and shareholders," added Tarriff.

"We remain focused on developing best-in-class injectables and driving value for shareholders. Given the strength of our pipeline and multiple upcoming catalysts in 2018, we believe we are well-positioned to continue to deliver strong results this year," concluded Tarriff.

Fourth Quarter 2017 Financial Results

Total revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2017 was $46.8 million, as compared to $81.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016. A summary of total revenue is outlined below:


Three Months Ended December 31,
2017 2016

Revenue:
Product sales $ 10,432 $ 9,080
Royalty income 36,353 32,015
License and other income — 40,046
Total revenue 46,785 81,141

Product sales were $10.4 million, driven by increases in Bendeka and Ryanodex, partially offset by a decrease in Argatroban. Royalty income increased to $36.4 million, as a result of the increased market share on Teva sales of Bendeka, as well as an increase in the royalty rate from 20% to 25%.

Research and development expenses decreased $6.8 million to $9.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to $16.2 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease was largely due to lower levels of API purchases.

SG&A expenses decreased $4.2 million to $13.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $17.5 million in the three months ended December 31, 2016. The decrease was due to the expiration of the Spectrum promotion contract at the end of June 2017, as well as a reduction in marketing expenses. These reductions were partially offset by the increase in personnel-related expenses associated with the expansion of our sales force in the second quarter of 2017.

During the fourth quarter of 2017, Eagle recorded a tax expense of $854,000, compared to a tax benefit of $29 million during the fourth quarter of 2016. The tax provision in the fourth quarter of 2017 was decreased by the recognition of federal R&D tax credits, offset in part by an adjustment to Eagle’s net deferred tax asset to reflect the impact of the recently enacted federal tax reform legislation. The tax provision in the fourth quarter of 2016 was impacted by Eagle’s reversal of the valuation allowance against the Company’s net deferred tax asset.

Net income for the fourth quarter was $9.1 million, or $0.61 per basic share and $0.58 per diluted share, compared to net income of $57.3 million, or $3.75 per basic and $3.52 per diluted share in the three months ended December 31, 2016, due to the factors discussed above.

Adjusted Non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $15.6 million, or $1.05 per basic and $1.00 per diluted share, compared to Adjusted Non-GAAP net income of $17.2 million or $1.12 per basic and $1.05 per diluted share in the prior year quarter. For a full reconciliation of Adjusted Non-GAAP net income to the most comparable GAAP financial measures, please see the tables at the end of this press release.

Full Year 2017 Financial Results

Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $236.7 million, as compared to $189.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. A summary of total revenue is outlined below:


Year Ended December 31,
2017 2016

Revenue:
Product sales $ 45,327 $ 40,646
Royalty income 153,880 99,040
License and other income 37,500 49,796
Total revenue 236,707 189,482

The increase in product sales in 2017 was driven primarily by the growth in Ryanodex sales. Royalty income increased by $54.8 million to $153.9 million in 2017 from $99.0 million in 2016, due to increased sales of Bendeka and an increase in the royalty rate from 20% to 25%. License and other income reflects payments received for achieving certain contractual milestones in connection with the Company’s Bendeka licensing agreement with Teva, as well as an upfront payment associated with the SymBio collaboration covering Japanese rights for bendamustine hydrochloride ready-to-dilute and rapid infusion injection products.

Gross margin expanded to 76% in 2017, as compared to 71% in 2016.

R&D expense increased to $32.6 million in 2017, compared to $28.3 million in 2016 as a result of development efforts to advance multiple product candidates. Excluding stock-based compensation and other non-cash and non-recurring items, 2017 R&D expense was $27.6 million.

SG&A expenses increased by $18.1 million to $71.4 million in 2017, compared to $53.3 million in 2016. The increase in SG&A expenses related primarily to: (i) increases in personnel-related expenses due to the expansion of our sales force in the second quarter of 2017; (ii) marketing expenses associated with pre-launch EHS disease state awareness initiatives; (iii) increased external legal expenses; and (iv) staff additions incurred to support expansion of the Company. These increases were partially offset by the expiration of the Spectrum promotion contract at the end of June 2017. Excluding stock-based compensation and other non-cash and non-recurring items, 2017 SG&A expense was $56.9 million.

For the full year, the Company recorded a tax expense of $21 million, compared to a benefit of $28 million in 2016. The tax provision in 2017 was decreased by the recognition of federal R&D tax credits and the impact of employee stock option exercises. These decreases were partially offset by an adjustment to Eagle’s net deferred tax asset to reflect the impact of the recently enacted federal tax reform legislation. The tax provision in 2016 was impacted by a reversal of a valuation allowance which had been carried against the Company’s net deferred tax assets. We anticipate that changes to the corporate tax code will positively impact Eagle’s tax expense beginning in 2018.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $51.9 million or $3.44 per basic and $3.27 per diluted share as compared to net income of $81.5 million or $5.24 per basic and $4.96 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2016, as a result of the factors discussed above.

Adjusted Non-GAAP net income for 2017 was $69.0 million, or $4.57 per basic and $4.34 per diluted share, compared to Adjusted Non-GAAP net income of $45.9 million, or $2.96 per basic and $2.79 per diluted share in 2016.

Liquidity

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had $114.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and $53.8 million in net accounts receivable, $40.0 million of which was due from Teva. In 2017, net cash provided by operating activities, excluding the increase in net accounts receivable, was $70.5 million. The Company had $48.8 million in outstanding debt.

As part of our stock repurchase plan, in 2017, we completed our $75 million Share Repurchase Program authorized in August 2016, and purchased an additional $5.8 million in Eagle common stock as part of our expanded $100 million share buyback program.

2018 Expense Guidance

2018 R&D expense is expected to be in the range of $46 – $50 million. This reflects ongoing expenses for the enrollment of fulvestrant and Ryanodex EHS clinical trials, as well as CMC outlays in expectation of the 2019 launch of fulvestrant, if approved. Excluding stock-based compensation and other non-cash and non-recurring items, R&D expense would be in the range of $39 – $43 million.

2018 SG&A expense is expected to be in the range of $61 – $64 million. Excluding stock-based compensation and other non-cash and non-recurring items, SG&A expense would be in the range of $45 – $48 million.

Conference Call

As previously announced, Eagle management will host its fourth quarter and full year 2017 conference call as follows:


Date Monday, February 26, 2018

Time 8:30 A.M. EST

Toll free (U.S.) 866-518-6930

International 203-518-9797

Webcast (live and replay)

www.eagleus.com, under the "Investor Relations" section

A replay of the conference call will be available for one week after the call’s completion by dialing 800-677-7320 (US) or 402-220-0666 (International) and entering conference call ID EGRXQ417. The webcast will be archived for 30 days at the aforementioned URL.

TESARO Announces Collaboration to Evaluate Combination of ZEJULA® (Niraparib) and Anti-PD-L1 Cancer Immunotherapy in Metastatic Bladder Cancer

On February 26, 2018 TESARO, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSRO), an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company, reported that it has entered into a clinical collaboration with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, to evaluate the combination of the PD-L1 antibody atezolizumab (TECENTRIQ) and TESARO’s PARP-inhibitor ZEJULA (niraparib) in patients with metastatic bladder cancer (Press release, TESARO, FEB 26, 2018, View Source [SID1234524184]).

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"This collaboration enables us to expand the clinical assessment of niraparib and PD(L)-1 combinations beyond ovarian, breast and lung cancer," said Mary Lynne Hedley, Ph.D., President and COO of TESARO. "The combination of these two therapies could provide a potential option for patients with advanced bladder cancer, for whom mechanisms of immune escape, despite significant recent advances with anti-PD(L)-1 agents, remain a clinically relevant unmet need."

The collaboration includes testing the experimental combination in MORPHEUS, Roche’s novel cancer immunotherapy development platform. MORPHEUS is a Phase 1b/2 adaptive platform to develop combinations of cancer immunotherapies more rapidly and efficiently. The planned trial will be conducted by Genentech and is expected to begin mid-2018.

TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab) is a registered trademark of Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

Endocyte Announces Phase 3 VISION Trial and Provides Update on Corporate Strategy and Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2017 Financial Results

On February 26, 2018 Endocyte, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECYT), a biopharmaceutical company developing targeted therapeutics for personalized cancer treatment, today provided an update on its corporate strategy and reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ending Dec. 31, 2017 (Press release, Endocyte, FEB 26, 2018, View Source [SID1234524163]).

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"Following a successful End of Phase 2 meeting with the FDA, we are excited to launch the VISION trial, a phase 3 registration trial of 177Lu-PSMA-617 in patients with prostate cancer," said Mike Sherman, president and CEO of Endocyte. "After extensive collaboration with prostate cancer specialists around the world, the robust and sophisticated VISION trial design will be attractive to patients and physicians when we begin enrollment in the second quarter of 2018."

"In addition, we were pleased that Caryn Barnett and Theresa Bruce recently joined our team, both seasoned leaders with strong track records of executing late stage oncology development programs," added Mr. Sherman. "We expect 2018 to be a critical year of execution for us, as we will not only initiate VISION, but also bring our adaptor-controlled chimeric antigen receptor t-cell (CAR T-cell) program into the clinic in the fourth quarter of 2018."

177Lu-PSMA-617Phase 3 VISION Trial Design Finalized

Following a successful End of Phase 2 meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Endocyte finalized the phase 3 VISION trial design for 177Lu-PSMA-617. The trial will include two interim assessments of efficacy, which could potentially lead to an early approval for 177Lu-PSMA-617.

The VISION trial is an international, prospective, open-label, multicenter, randomized phase 3 study of 177Lu-PSMA-617 for the treatment of patients with progressive prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), who have received at least one novel androgen axis drug (NAAD) and at least one taxane regimen. VISION will enroll up to 750 patients with PSMA-positive scans, randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either 177Lu-PSMA-617 and best supportive care alone or in combination with a NAAD (physician’s choice), versus best supportive care alone or in combination with a NAAD (physician’s choice). Best supportive care alternatives are palliative in nature. Patients treated with 177Lu-PSMA-617 will receive 7.4 gigabecquerel (GBq) intravenously every six weeks for a maximum of six cycles. The trial will be stratified by the physician’s choice of using a NAAD or not, so the use of NAAD’s will be balanced between trial arms.

The primary endpoint of the study will be overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints include radiographic progression free survival, response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) response, and time to first symptomatic skeletal event. Interim efficacy analyses of OS will be conducted at 50% and 70% of the 489 targeted events.

Enrollment of the trial is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2018 and is expected to be completed in 18-24 months. The first interim assessment of OS could occur as early as the second half of 2019.

Announced Agreement for Clinical Supply of Lutetium with ITM

Endocyte also announced an agreement with ITM Isotopen Technologien München AG, which will provide clinical supply of no-carrier-added Lutetium for the manufacturing of 177Lu-PSMA-617.

Added Experienced Clinical Trial Professionals to Ensure Strong Execution

In addition, today Endocyte announced that it recently added key capabilities to support the success of its clinical programs.

Caryn Barnett joined Endocyte as Senior Director, Clinical Operations with global responsibility for Endocyte clinical trials. She has over 22 of years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry, most recently as Director of Clinical Operations, North America Oncology at Eli Lilly and Company. Caryn’s accomplishments include her recent leadership in executing four simultaneous global oncology registration programs, each of which were subsequently approved by the FDA.

Theresa Bruce joined Endocyte as Head of European Clinical Operations following 25 years in the field of clinical research, with the last 20 dedicated to oncology. Theresa brings a significant understanding of the regulatory landscape, particularly in Europe. Additionally, she played a lead role in developing next generation prostate cancer therapeutics in these regions, with her involvement in the operational execution of several phase 3 prostate cancer studies including, most notably, the development of abiraterone (Zytiga) from early-stage trials through registration.

CAR T-Cell Therapy Expected to Begin Clinical Development in the Fourth Quarter of 2018

Endocyte has also finalized plans for the clinical development of its adaptor-controlled CAR T-cell therapy in patients with osteosarcoma. Endocyte’s approach utilizes an autologous CAR T-cell targeting fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), an agent otherwise not present in the human body. With the administration of CAR T adaptor molecules (CAMs) which bind to tumor targets and to the CAR T-cells, the approach potentially enables controlled engagement of the CAR T-cells. This control over the antigen target differentiates the approach to earlier generation CAR T programs. In collaboration with Michael Jensen, MD of Seattle Children’s Research Institute, pre-clinical evaluations have been completed and clinical evaluation is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2018.

In this trial, patients will be selected based on the presence of folate receptor positive disease. Following administration of the FITC-targeted CAR T-cells, the protocol provides for intra-patient dose escalation of CAMs. Patients will be monitored following each CAM dose to assess immune response, providing for rapid feedback on activity and safety of the therapy. This innovative design is intended to gradually build the immune response, thereby allowing for the potential to maximize antitumor activity with the intent to avoid severe cytokine release syndrome as well as CAR T-cell exhaustion.

Through Endocyte’s collaboration with Purdue University, multiple additional CAMs are in pre-clinical development, directed against distinct targets including, potentially, carbonic anhydrase 9, cholecystokinin-2 receptor (CCK2R), neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R), among others.

Expected 2018 Milestones

Phase 3 registration VISION trial of 177Lu-PSMA-617 in mCRPC first patient visit (2Q 2018)
50-patient response rate data readout of investigator initiated trial of 177Lu-PSMA-617 in mCRPC at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) (June 2018)
Publications on other ongoing investigator initiated clinical trials of 177Lu-PSMA-617 in prostate cancer patients (2018)
CAR T phase 1 first patient visit in osteosarcoma (4Q 2018)
Fourth Quarter 2017 Financial Results

Endocyte reported a net loss of $8.6 million, or $0.18 per basic and diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to a net loss of $11.1 million, or $0.26 per basic and diluted share for the same period in 2016.

Research and development expenses were $5.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $8.2 million for the same period in 2016. The decrease was primarily attributable to: a decrease of $1.4 million in compensation expense as a result of employee terminations since December 31, 2016, including those resulting from the company’s restructuring in June 2017; a decrease of $1.0 million in manufacturing expense for EC1169; a decrease of $0.7 million in expenses related to trial and manufacturing costs for EC1456; and a decrease of $0.6 million in expenses related to pre-clinical work and general research, including the development of EC2629. These decreases were partially offset by: an increase of $0.6 million in expenses related to consulting fees for PSMA-617 and in expenses related to our CAR T-cell therapy program

General and administrative expenses were $3.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $3.1 million for the same period in 2016. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in expenses related to legal and professional fees and an increase in compensation expense, including stock compensation expense.

Cash, cash equivalents and investments were $97.5 million at Dec. 31, 2017, compared to $103.1 million at Sept. 30, 2017, and $138.2 million at Dec. 31, 2016.

Financial Expectations

The company anticipates its cash, cash equivalents and investments balance at the end of 2018 to exceed $50 million. Endocyte has sufficient cash to fund its activities into the second half of 2019 through many important milestones.

Conference Call

Endocyte management will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. EST.
U.S. and Canadian participants: (877) 845-0711
International: (760) 298-5081

A live, listen-only webcast of the conference call and accompanying slides may be accessed by visiting the Investors & News section of the Endocyte website, www.endocyte.com.

The webcast will be recorded and available on the company’s website for 90 days following the call.

Website Information
Endocyte routinely posts important information for investors on its website, www.endocyte.com, in the "Investors & News" section. Endocyte uses this website as a means of disclosing material information in compliance with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the "Investors & News" section of Endocyte’s website, in addition to following its press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, Endocyte’s website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.