On November 8, 2016 Heron Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:HRTX) (the Company or Heron), a biotechnology company focused on improving the lives of patients by developing best-in-class medicines that address major unmet medical needs, reported financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and highlighted recent corporate progress (Press release, Heron Therapeutics, NOV 8, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2220688 [SID1234516540]).

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Recent Corporate Progress:
Heron commenced U.S. commercial sales of SUSTOL (granisetron) extended-release injection in October 2016. SUSTOL was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in August 2016. SUSTOL is indicated in combination with other antiemetics in adults for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) or anthracycline and cyclophosphamide (AC) combination chemotherapy regimens.
Positive results from the Company’s Phase 2 clinical study of HTX-011, its lead product candidate for the management of post-operative pain, in patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair (Study 202) were presented at PAINWeek 2016. The primary and important secondary endpoints were achieved, and HTX-011 was generally well tolerated. Furthermore, HTX-011 administered via instillation was shown to be equally effective to administration via injection.

Heron reported positive, top-line results from the Company’s second Phase 2 clinical study of HTX-011 in patients undergoing bunionectomy (Study 208). The primary and important secondary endpoints were achieved, and HTX-011 was generally well tolerated.

"The second half of 2016 is off to an exciting start for Heron, highlighted by the FDA approval and commercial launch of SUSTOL," commented Barry D. Quart, Pharm.D., Chief Executive Officer of Heron. "We are progressing toward our NDA submission for HTX-019, the approval of which could position Heron as the first company to address both mechanisms of action for the prophylaxis of CINV with injectable products. Furthermore, we are excited about the impressive clinical profile of HTX-011 emerging from our broad-based Phase 2 program and look forward to providing a further update on the HTX-011 program in early 2017."

Results of Operations
As of September 30, 2016, Heron had $88.9 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, compared to $131.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of December 31, 2015.

Heron’s net cash used for operating activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $36.1 million and $95.6 million, respectively, compared to net cash used for operating activities of $19.9 million and $55.4 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2015.

Heron’s net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $48.5 million and $125.2 million, or $1.24 per share and $3.34 per share, respectively, compared to a net loss of $22.7 million and $66.3 million, or $0.63 per share and $2.07 per share, respectively, for the same periods in 2015.

The increases in net cash used for operating activities and net loss in the 2016 periods as compared to the 2015 periods were primarily due to costs incurred in preparation for the commercial launch of SUSTOL, as well as clinical and manufacturing costs related to the development of HTX-019 and HTX-011.