Celgene Corporation Announces Preliminary 2017 Unaudited Results and 2018 Financial Guidance

On January 8, 2018 Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG) reported a business update as well as its preliminary 2017 unaudited results and financial guidance for 2018 at the 36th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference (Press release, Celgene, JAN 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234522979]). Based on U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the full-year of 2017 is expected to be in the range of $3.64 to $4.19, a 57 percent year-over-year increase based on the mid-point of the range. Full year 2017 GAAP operating margin is expected to be approximately 36 percent, an increase from 28 percent in the prior year, primarily due to increased product sales. For the fourth quarter 2017, GAAP EPS is expected to be in the range of ($0.09) to $0.46, a 65 percent year-over-year decrease based on the mid-point of the range. Fourth quarter 2017 GAAP operating margin is expected to be approximately 34 percent, an increase from 31 percent in the prior year, primarily due to increased product sales.

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Adjusted EPS is expected to be approximately $7.44 for the full year of 2017, a 25 percent year-over-year increase. Full year 2017 adjusted operating margin is expected to be 58.1 percent, an increase of 310 basis points (bps) year-over-year. For the fourth quarter of 2017, adjusted EPS is expected to be approximately $2.00, a 24 percent year-over-year increase. Fourth quarter 2017 adjusted operating margin is expected to be 55.3 percent, a decrease of 70 bps year-over-year.

"2017 was a strong year for Celgene as we delivered excellent top- and bottom-line growth and achieved critical milestones across our hematology, oncology, inflammation and immunology franchises," said Mark J. Alles, Chief Executive Officer of Celgene. "We are executing on a strategy to achieve our 2020 targets, accelerate portfolio diversification and expand our pipeline of innovative therapies."


Preliminary Q4 and FY 2017 Net Product Sales and Total Revenue are expected to be (Unaudited, in millions):

Q4 2017

Y/Y%

FY 2017

Y/Y%

REVLIMID $2,188 21% $8,187 17%
POMALYST/IMNOVID $442 17% $1,614 23%
OTEZLA $371 22% $1,279 26%
ABRAXANE $251 (6)% $992 2%
Total Revenue $3,483 17% $13,003 16%

Certain activities involved in determining the audited results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 are in-process and could result in the final reported audited results being different from the unaudited results noted in this press release. The ranges of our estimated GAAP diluted earnings per share for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017 include an estimated financial statement impact of between approximately $800 million and approximately $1,300 million related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Act"), which was enacted on December 22, 2017. Our estimate of the impact of the Tax Act is based on currently available information and interpretation of its provisions. Our actual results may materially differ from our current estimate due to, among other things, further guidance that may be issued by U.S. tax authorities or regulatory bodies and/or changes in interpretations and assumptions we have preliminarily made. We will continue to analyze the Tax Act to finalize its financial statement impact, including the mandatory deemed repatriation of foreign earnings, re-measurement of deferred taxes and certain other provisions of the Tax Act. We anticipate finalizing our preliminary analysis and the impact on our December 31, 2017 financial statements by the time we announce our financial results currently anticipated on January 25, 2018. Additionally, please see the attached Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliation of Estimated/Projected GAAP to Adjusted (Non-GAAP) Measures for further information relevant to the interpretation of adjusted financial measures and reconciliations of these adjusted financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measures, respectively, for each of 2017 and 2018.

Celgene Expects Volume-Driven Product Sales and Earnings Growth in 2018

In 2018, total revenue is expected to be approximately $14.4 billion to $14.8 billion, a 12 percent increase year-over-year, based on the mid-point of the range. Based on GAAP, EPS for the full-year 2018 is expected to be in the range of $6.58 to $6.95, excluding the impact of any strategic transactions, impairments, loss contingencies, changes in the fair value of equity investments and non-operating tax adjustments that have not yet occurred. For the full-year 2018, adjusted diluted EPS is expected to be in the range of $8.70 to $8.90, an 18 percent increase year-over-year, based on the mid-point of the range.



Year-over-Year

Change

Total Revenue $14.4B to $14.8B 12%*
REVLIMID Net Product Sales Approximately $9.4B 15%
POMALYST/ IMNOVID Net Product Sales Approximately $1.9B 18%
OTEZLA Net Product Sales Approximately $1.5B 17%
ABRAXANE Net Product Sales Approximately $1.0B 1%
GAAP diluted EPS $6.58 to $6.95 N/M**
Adjusted diluted EPS $8.70 to $8.90 18%*
GAAP operating margin Approximately 46.5% N/M**
Adjusted operating margin Approximately 60.0% ~ +200 bps
Weighted average diluted shares 775M -34M
Adjusted Tax Rate ~18% ~ +200 bps
*Year-over-year percentage change based on the mid-point of the range.

**Not meaningful as the 2018 measures exclude the impact of any strategic transactions, impairments, loss contingencies, changes in the fair value of equity investments and non-operating tax adjustments that have not yet occurred.

Reaffirming Expected 2020 Long-term Financial Targets

2020 total revenue range of $19.0 billion to $20.0 billion
Adjusted Diluted EPS to exceed $12.50
2018 Expected Operational Milestones

Hematology & Oncology

Regulatory Submissions

Submission of a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for REVLIMID in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone (RVd) in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM)
Submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA for fedratinib in myelofibrosis
Trial Initiations

Initiate the pivotal program with CC-122 in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
Initiate the pivotal program with BGB-A317 (tislelizumab) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Initiate a phase III trial with bb2121 in third-line plus multiple myeloma in collaboration with bluebird bio
Initiate a phase III trial with JCAR017 in transplant-eligible second-line diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in collaboration with Juno Therapeutics
Initiate the phase III COMMANDS trial with luspatercept in first-line, lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)
Clinical Data

Data from the phase III AUGMENT trial with REVLIMID in combination with rituximab in patients with relapsed and/or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL)
Data from the phase III ROBUST trial with REVLIMID in patients with first-line ABC-subtype DLBCL
Data from the phase III apact trial with ABRAXANE as adjuvant therapy in patients with surgically resected pancreatic cancer
Data from the phase III QUAZAR AML-001 trial with CC-486 as maintenance therapy in post-induction acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
Data from the phase III OPTIMISMM trial with POMALYST in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone (PVd) in second-line multiple myeloma
Data from the phase III MEDALIST trial with luspatercept in patients with ring sideroblast-positive (RS+) MDS in collaboration with Acceleron Pharma
Data from the phase III BELIEVE trial with luspatercept in patients with beta-thalassemia in collaboration with Acceleron Pharma
Data from phase I/II trial with CC-220 in relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM)
Trial Enrollment

Complete enrollment in the pivotal KarMMa trial with bb2121 in RRMM in collaboration with bluebird bio
Complete enrollment in the pivotal TRANSCEND WORLD trial with JCAR017 in third-line DLBCL in collaboration with Juno Therapeutics
Inflammation and Immunology

Regulatory Submissions/Decisions

FDA decision on the submission of an NDA for ozanimod in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS)
FDA decision on the submission of an sNDA for OTEZLA once-daily formulation
Submission of an sNDA for OTEZLA in Behçet’s disease
Submission of a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for ozanimod in RMS
Trial Initiations

Initiate a phase III trial with OTEZLA in ulcerative colitis
Initiate a phase III trial with OTEZLA in mild-to-moderate psoriasis
Initiate a phase III trial with ozanimod in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS)
Clinical Data

Data from a phase III trial with OTEZLA in scalp psoriasis
Data from a phase II trial with OTEZLA in ulcerative colitis to be presented at a medical meeting in the first quarter of 2018

Trial Enrollment

Complete enrollment in the phase III TRUE NORTH trial with ozanimod in ulcerative colitis
Research and Early Development

File at least 5 Investigational New Drug (IND) or Clinical Trial Applications (CTA) for novel assets

Teneobio Announces a Strategic Alliance with TESARO to Develop the Next Generation of Immuno-Oncology, Multispecific Antibodies

On January 8, 2018 Teneobio, Inc., a next generation multi-specific antibody therapeutics company announced today the initiation of a research collaboration and licensing agreement with TESARO, Inc., an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company, to develop novel multi-specific antibodies for up to six undisclosed oncology targets (Press release, TeneoBio, JAN 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234585553]).

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Under the terms of the agreement, Teneobio will generate product candidates using its proprietary UniRat transgenic human antibody ‘heavy-chain only’ rodent platform and its state-of-the-art sequence-based discovery engine, TeneoSeek. TESARO will have exclusive licenses to the antibodies for clinical development and commercialization on a global basis.

Teneobio Inc. will receive an upfront of $10 million and is eligible for research fees and up to $50M in development milestones per product. Teneobio would also receive royalties on world–wide net sales of each multi-specific product. Additional terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Roland Buelow, CEO of Teneobio, added, "We are excited to embark on a productive research collaboration with TESARO. The rapid, sequence-based discovery of UniRat-derived modular human variable heavy-chain antibody domains (UniDabs), enables the assembly of robust, optimized multi-specific therapeutics with excellent manufacturability. Complementing our internal pipeline, our strategic alliance with TESARO further leverages the bandwidth and efficiency of Teneobio’s state-of-the-art discovery platforms to advance specific biotherapeutics to the clinic. TESARO’s track record and focus on immuno-oncology are a great match to our interests and our goal to address unmet medical needs with novel mechanisms of action that are now afforded by breakthrough multi-specifics."

"Single domain antibodies have emerged as a leading platform that enables targeted immune activation," said Mary Lynne Hedley, Ph.D., President and COO of TESARO. "This strategic research collaboration with Teneobio will allow us to develop biologic drug candidates with novel mechanisms of action. We look forward to working with the Teneobio team, which has a strong track record of success in designing biologic drug candidates."

ActoBio Therapeutics, Inc. Presentation, dated January 8, 2018.

On January 8, 2018 ActoBio Therapeutics, Inc. presented its Presentation, dated January 8, 2018 (Presentation, Intrexon, JAN 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234522973]).

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Allergan to Report Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Earnings and Host Conference Call and Webcast

On January 8, 2018 Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN) reported it intends to release fourth quarter and full year 2017 financial results on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, prior to the open of U.S. Financial Markets (Press release, Allergan, JAN 8, 2018, View Source(2) [SID1234523019]).

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Allergan will host a conference call and webcast at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 to discuss its financial results. The dial-in number to access the call is U.S./Canada (877) 251-7980, International (706) 643-1573, and the conference ID is 67779395.

A taped replay of the conference call will also be available beginning approximately two hours after the call’s conclusion, and will remain available through 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time on March 6, 2018. The replay may be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 and entering the conference ID 67779395. From international locations, the replay may be accessed by dialing (404) 537-3406 and entering the same conference ID.

To access the webcast, please visit Allergan’s Investor Relations website at View Source;. A replay of the webcast will also be available on Allergan’s Investor Relations website.

TG Therapeutics and Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Announce Global License Agreement for Development and Commercialization of Novel BTK Inhibitor Program for the Treatment of Hematologic Malignancies

On January 8, 2018 TG Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:TGTX) (or "TG") and Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd. (SSE:600276) (or "Hengrui") reported that the companies have entered into an exclusive global license agreement pursuant to which TG Therapeutics will obtain worldwide rights, excluding Asia but including Japan, for the development of Hengrui’s Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) inhibitor program, including lead candidate TG-1701 (known in China as SHR-1459), as monotherapy and in combination with ublituximab (TG-1101), TG’s glycoengineered anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, and umbralisib (TGR-1202), TG’s next generation PI3K-delta inhibitor (Press release, TG Therapeutics, JAN 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234523028]). In addition to TG-1701, the global license agreement covers TG-1702 (SHR-1266), another BTK inhibitor in pre-clinical development.

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Under the terms of the agreement, Hengrui will receive an up-front licensing fee and near-term milestones, payable in TG common stock, and will be eligible to receive additional payments contingent on certain clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones, totaling approximately $350MM, as well as tiered royalties on net sales.

TG-1701 (SHR-1459) and TG-1702 (SHR-1266) are orally available, covalently-bound BTK inhibitors that exhibit superior selectivity to BTK compared to ibrutinib in in vitro kinase screening. Hengrui commenced a Phase 1 clinical trial for TG-1701 (SHR-1459) in China in December 2017 while TG-1702 (SHR-1266) is in pre-clinical development.

Previously, TG reported that the triple combination of ublituximab, umbralisib, and the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib, resulted in a 100% Overall Response Rate (ORR) among 19 treated patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL), an 86% ORR among 7 treated patients with iNHL (Follicular Lymphoma and Marginal Zone Lymphoma) and 100% ORR in the 4 treated patients with Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL).

Michael S. Weiss, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TG Therapeutics stated, "We are pleased to be partnering with one of the leading Chinese biopharmaceutical companies. We have been evaluating potential BTK inhibitors for quite some time and we were really impressed with Hengrui’s research that led to the development of these two highly selective BTK inhibitors. We believe TG-1701 could be comparable to the best-in-class BTK inhibitors and in combination with ublituximab and umbralisib, could represent a truly unique triple combination treatment option across CLL and NHL." Mr. Weiss continued, "With our UNITY program, we have pivotal and registration directed trials either already fully enrolled or enrolling across CLL and NHL for our U2 combination of umbralisib + ublituximab, and for umbralisib as a single agent. With this license, we have taken a major step toward the development of a next generation, wholly-owned, proprietary, triplet therapy. Our goal is to advance TG-1701 into the clinic as quickly as possible in the first half of this year."

"TG Therapeutics has a distinctive strategy towards addressing B-cell lymphomas, employing unique combination strategies to harness key drivers of oncogenesis based on a portfolio of differentiated assets," said Lianshan Zhang, Ph.D., President of Global R&D of Hengrui. "We have been very impressed by the leadership at TG Therapeutics and their vision in re-defining the treatment landscape for lymphoma patients."

"Our steadfast commitment towards providing better and safer medicines for patients has propelled Hengrui to be a leading biopharmaceutical company in China," said Piaoyang Sun, Ph.D., Chairman of Hengrui. "In recent years we have worked hard to generate and develop novel, potentially high impact oncology assets across modalities including immuno-oncology, targeted therapies, hormonal therapies, antibody-drug conjugates, oncolytic viruses, and epigenetics, among others. Hengrui is absolutely delighted to be a partner of TG Therapeutics to jointly make a difference for patients who suffer hematology malignancies around the world."

ABOUT BTK INHIBITORS

Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) is an essential component of the B-cell receptor signaling pathways that regulate the survival, activation, proliferation, and differentiation of B lymphocytes. Targeting BTK with small molecule inhibitors has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment option for B-cell lymphomas and autoimmune diseases.