Celgene Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2017 Operating and Financial Results

On January 25, 2018 Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG) reported operating results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2017 (Press release, Celgene, JAN 25, 2018, View Source [SID1234523574]).

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For the fourth quarter of 2017, net product sales were $3,479 million, an increase of 17 percent, year-over-year. Fourth quarter total revenue increased 17 percent to $3,483 million.

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Net product sales for the full year of 2017 were $12,973 million, an increase of 16 percent year-over-year. Total revenue for the full year of 2017 was $13,003 million, an increase of 16 percent year-over-year.

Based on U.S. GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), Celgene reported a net loss of $81 million and diluted earnings per share (EPS) of ($0.10) for the fourth quarter of 2017. For the fourth quarter of 2016, GAAP net income was $429 million and diluted EPS was $0.53. The decrease was primarily due to the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Full-year GAAP net income for 2017 was $2,940 million and diluted EPS was $3.64. Full-year GAAP net income for 2016 was $1,999 million and diluted EPS was $2.49.

Adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of 2017 increased 23 percent to $1,592 million compared to $1,290 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. For the same period, adjusted diluted EPS increased 24 percent to $2.00 from $1.61.

Adjusted net income for the full year 2017 increased 26 percent to $6,016 million. Adjusted diluted EPS increased 25 percent to $7.44 from $5.94 for the full year of 2016.

"Our 2017 commercial, regulatory and clinical execution lay the foundation for success in 2018 and beyond," said Mark J. Alles, Chief Executive Officer of Celgene Corporation. "Our operating momentum enables us to continue expanding our portfolio, as demonstrated by the two strategic transactions announced this year."

Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2017 Financial Highlights

Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons are for the fourth quarter and full year of 2017 compared to the fourth quarter and full year of 2016. The adjusted operating expense categories presented below exclude share-based employee compensation expense, collaboration-related upfront expense, research and development asset acquisition expense, IPR&D asset impairment charges, clinical trial and development activity wind-down costs and a litigation-related loss contingency accrual expense. Please see the attached Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Net Income 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.

Net Product Sales Performance

REVLIMID sales for the fourth quarter increased 21 percent to $2,188 million. Fourth quarter U.S. sales of $1,473 million and international sales of $715 million increased 24 percent and 15 percent, respectively. Full-year REVLIMID sales were $8,187 million, an increase of 17 percent year-over-year. Sales growth was driven primarily by higher volume due to increases in duration and market share.
POMALYST/IMNOVID sales for the fourth quarter were $442 million, an increase of 17 percent year-over-year. Fourth quarter U.S. sales of $283 million increased 29 percent and international sales were unchanged at $159 million. Full-year POMALYST/IMNOVID sales were $1,614 million, an increase of 23% year-over-year. Sales growth was driven primarily by increased volume due to increases in market share and duration.
OTEZLA sales in the fourth quarter were $371 million, a 22 percent increase year-over-year. Fourth quarter U.S. sales of $303 million and international sales of $68 million increased 13 percent and 84 percent, respectively. Full-year OTEZLA sales were $1,279 million, an increase of 26 percent year-over-year. OTEZLA sales were primarily driven by volume gains in the U.S. and strong uptake in key international markets.
ABRAXANE sales for the fourth quarter were $251 million, a decrease of 6 percent year-over-year. U.S. sales were $155 million and international sales were $96 million, a decrease of 10 percent and an increase of 2 percent, respectively. Full-year ABRAXANE sales were $992 million, an increase of 2 percent year-over-year. ABRAXANE market shares in pancreatic cancer, first-line advanced non-squamous lung cancer and metastatic breast cancer in the U.S. have remained stable. Growth in Europe was from market share gains for ABRAXANE in pancreatic cancer.
In the fourth quarter, all other product sales, which include IDHIFA, THALOMID, ISTODAX, VIDAZA and an authorized generic version of VIDAZA drug product primarily sold in the U.S., were $227 million compared to $220 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. Full-year sales for these products were $901 million compared to $910 million in full-year 2016.
Total net product sales for the fourth quarter of 2017 increased 17 percent year-over-year, driven by operational growth. Net product sales growth also includes a 1.4 percent negative impact from currency exchange effects.
Research and Development (R&D)

On a GAAP basis, R&D expenses were $2,738 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 versus $1,135 million for the same period in 2016. Full-year 2017 R&D expenses were $5,915 million compared to $4,470 million for 2016. Both the fourth-quarter and full-year 2017 increases in R&D expenses on a GAAP basis were primarily due to the charges related to the discontinuation of the GED-0301 clinical trials in Crohn’s disease, including impairment of an IPR&D asset and other one-time charges related to wind-down costs associated with the GED-0301 clinical trials in Crohn’s disease and certain development activities.

Adjusted R&D expenses were $766 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $673 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. For the full year 2017, adjusted R&D expenses were $2,749 million compared to $2,508 million for the full year 2016. Both the fourth quarter and full-year 2017 increases in adjusted R&D expenses were primarily due to increased spending related to clinical trial and other R&D activity.

Selling, General, and Administrative (SG&A)

On a GAAP basis, SG&A expenses were $774 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $685 million for the same period in 2016. Full-year SG&A expenses were $2,941 million for 2017 compared to $2,658 million for 2016. The full-year 2017 increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to an increase in litigation-related loss contingency accrual expense.

Adjusted SG&A expenses were $687 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $533 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. For full-year 2017, adjusted SG&A expenses were $2,279 million versus $2,139 million in 2016.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities

Operating cash flow was $5,246 million for 2017, an increase of 26 percent compared to 2016. For the full-year 2017, Celgene purchased approximately $3,911 million of its common shares. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had $822 million remaining under the existing share repurchase program. The Company ended the year with $12,042 million in cash and marketable securities.

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


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 operating margin*** Approximately 46.5% N/M**
Adjusted operating margin*** Approximately 60.0% ~ +200 bps
Adjusted Tax Rate ~18% ~ +210 bps
GAAP diluted EPS*** $7.26 to $7.66 N/M**
Adjusted diluted EPS*** $8.70 to $8.90 18%*
Weighted average diluted shares 775M -34M

*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.
*** 2018 guidance does not include the impact of our recently announced pending acquisition of Juno Therapeutics Inc., which is expected to be dilutive to adjusted diluted EPS in 2018 by approximately $0.50.

Product and Pipeline Updates

Hematology & Oncology

At the 59th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in December, data were presented on Celgene’s marketed and pipeline hematology assets. Select data presentations included:
Celgene and partner bluebird bio presented updated data from the phase I trial evaluating bb2121 in patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). In November, bb2121 was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and PRIority MEdicines (PRIME) eligibility by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). In December, the pivotal KarMMa trial evaluating bb2121 in RRMM was initiated.
Celgene and partner Juno Therapeutics presented updated data from the phase I TRANSCEND trial evaluating JCAR017 in patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The pivotal TRANSCEND program in the U.S. with JCAR017 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is under way and the TRANSCEND WORLD cohort is on-track to initiate in the first half of 2018.
Celgene and partner Acceleron Pharma presented updated data from the ongoing phase II trials with luspatercept in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Data from the phase III MEDALIST and BELIEVE trials are expected in mid-2018. Additionally, Celgene plans to initiate the phase III COMMANDS trial with luspatercept in front-line MDS during the first half of 2018.
Updated data were presented from the phase Ib trial evaluating CC-122 in combination with obinutuzumab in patients with DLBCL, follicular lymphoma (FL) or marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). A pivotal program with CC-122 in NHL is expected to initiate in 2018.
Updated data were presented from the phase I trial evaluating CC-486 in combination with rituximab plus chemotherapy (R-CHOP) in patients with DLBCL, FL or transformed lymphoma. Data from the phase III QUAZAR AML-001 trial evaluating CC-486 as maintenance therapy in post-induction acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is expected in the second half of 2018.
Celgene and partner Agios Pharmaceuticals presented data from the phase I trial evaluating ivosidenib or IDHIFA combined with standard induction chemotherapy (7+3 regimen) in patients with newly diagnosed AML with an isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) or isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 (IDH2) mutation.
In December, Celgene disclosed top-line results from the phase III RELEVANCE trial evaluating REVLIMID in combination with rituximab (R2) in first-line FL. This investigational study evaluated REVLIMID plus R2 followed by R2 maintenance compared to the standard of care with rituximab plus chemotherapy (R-CHOP, R-bendamustine or R-CVP) followed by rituximab maintenance in patients with previously untreated FL. The R2 treatment arm did not achieve superiority in the co-primary endpoints of complete response or unconfirmed complete response (CR/CRu) at 120 weeks and progression-free survival (PFS) during the pre-planned analysis (final analysis of CR/CRu and interim analysis of PFS). Neither arm was superior for either of the co-primary endpoints. The safety findings were consistent with the known profiles of the regimens investigated. The full data set will be presented at a future medical congress.
Inflammation & Immunology

In December, a New Drug Application (NDA) was submitted with the FDA for ozanimod in relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) based on data from the phase III RADIANCE Part B and SUNBEAM trials evaluating ozanimod in patients with RMS. The data were presented at the MSParis2017-7th Joint European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS)-American Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Meeting in October. Celgene plans to submit a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) with the EMA in the first quarter of 2018.
A robust life-cycle plan for ozanimod is advancing and a phase III pivotal trial evaluating ozanimod in Crohn’s disease was initiated. In addition, the phase III TRUE NORTH trial with ozanimod in ulcerative colitis (UC) is ongoing and on-track to complete enrollment in the second half of 2018.
In 2018, Celgene plans to initiate a phase III trial with OTEZLA in UC based on the efficacy and safety results demonstrated in a phase II randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled proof of concept study evaluating OTEZLA in UC (n=170). The full phase II data set will be presented at the 13th Congress of the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organization (ECCO) in February.
Business Update Summary

In January 2018, Celgene entered into an agreement to acquire Impact Biomedicines, Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company developing fedratinib, a highly selective JAK2 kinase inhibitor, for myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera.

Under the terms of the agreement, Celgene will pay approximately $1.1 billion upfront and up to $1.25 billion in contingent payments based on regulatory approval milestones for myelofibrosis. Additional future payments for regulatory approvals in additional indications and sales-based milestones are also possible. This acquisition will strengthen Celgene’s commitment to myelofibrosis, a disease with high unmet medical need, and will expand strategic development options within Celgene’s myeloid portfolio of assets. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018.
In January 2018, Celgene entered into an agreement to acquire Juno Therapeutics, Inc., an integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative cellular immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Celgene will pay $87 per share in cash, or a total of approximately $9 billion, net of cash and marketable securities acquired and Juno shares already owned by Celgene (approximately 9.7% of outstanding shares). Adding to Celgene’s lymphoma program, JCAR017 represents a potentially best-in-class CD19-directed CAR T currently in a pivotal program for relapsed and/or refractory DLBCL. This acquisition will complement Celgene’s leadership in hematology and oncology as well as advance Celgene’s global leadership in cellular immunotherapy.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the tender of a number of shares of Juno common stock that represent at least a majority of outstanding shares, and expiration of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. Celgene expects to fund the transaction through a combination of existing cash and new debt. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018.
Q4 and Full-year 2017 Conference Call and Webcast Information

Celgene will host a conference call to discuss the fourth quarter and full-year of 2017 operational and financial performance on Thursday, January 25, 2018, at 9 a.m. ET. The conference call will be available by webcast at www.celgene.com. An audio replay of the call will be available from noon January 25, 2018, until midnight ET February 1, 2018. To access the replay in the U.S., dial 1-855-859-2056; outside the U.S. dial 404-537-3406. The participant passcode is 2175246.

About Celgene

Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated global biopharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through next-generation solutions in protein homeostasis, immuno-oncology, epigenetics, immunology and neuro-inflammation. For more information, please visit www.celgene.com. Follow Celgene on Social Media: @Celgene, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are generally statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "plans," "will," "outlook" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current plans, estimates, assumptions and projections, and speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in light of new information or future events, except as otherwise required by law. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond our control. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of the impact of a number of factors, many of which are discussed in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The tender offer described herein has not yet commenced. The description contained herein is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any shares of Juno. At the time the tender offer is commenced, Celgene and Blue Magpie Corporation ("Purchaser") intend to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO containing an offer to purchase, a form of letter of transmittal and other documents relating to the tender offer, and Juno intends to file a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 with respect to the tender offer. Celgene, Purchaser and Juno intend to mail these documents to the stockholders of Juno. THESE DOCUMENTS, AS EACH MAY BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME, WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE TENDER OFFER AND JUNO STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THEM CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE. STOCKHOLDERS OF JUNO WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN A FREE COPY OF THESE DOCUMENTS (WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY JUNO, CELGENE OR PURCHASER WITH THE SEC AT THE WEBSITE MAINTAINED BY THE SEC AT WWW.SEC.GOV.

Hyperlinks are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only. Celgene bears no responsibility for the security or content of external websites.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, this document also contains certain non-GAAP financial measures based on management’s view of performance including:

Adjusted research and development expense
Adjusted selling, general and administrative expense
Adjusted operating margin
Adjusted net income
Adjusted earnings per share
Management uses such measures internally for planning and forecasting purposes and to measure the performance of the Company. We believe these adjusted financial measures provide useful and meaningful information to us and investors because they enhance investors’ understanding of the continuing operating performance of our business and facilitate the comparison of performance between past and future periods. These adjusted financial measures are non-GAAP measures and should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. When preparing these supplemental non-GAAP financial measures we typically exclude certain GAAP items that management does not consider to be normal, recurring, cash operating expenses but that may not meet the definition of unusual or non-recurring items. Other companies may define these measures in different ways. The following categories of items are excluded from adjusted financial results:

Acquisition and Divestiture-Related Costs: We exclude the impact of certain amounts recorded in connection with business combinations and divestitures from our adjusted financial results that are either non-cash or not normal, recurring operating expenses due to their nature, variability of amounts, and lack of predictability as to occurrence and/or timing. These amounts may include non-cash items such as the amortization of acquired intangible assets, amortization of purchase accounting adjustments to inventories, intangible asset impairment charges and expense or income related to changes in the estimated fair value measurement of contingent consideration. We also exclude transaction and certain other cash costs associated with business acquisitions and divestitures that are not normal recurring operating expenses, including severance costs which are not part of a formal restructuring program.

Share-based Compensation Expense: We exclude share-based compensation from our adjusted financial results because share-based compensation expense, which is non-cash, fluctuates from period to period based on factors that are not within our control, such as our stock price on the dates share-based grants are issued.

Collaboration-related Upfront Expenses: We exclude collaboration-related upfront expenses from our adjusted financial results because we do not consider them to be normal, recurring operating expenses due to their nature, variability of amounts, and lack of predictability as to occurrence and/or timing. Upfront payments to collaboration partners are made at the commencement of a relationship anticipated to continue for a multi-year period and provide us with intellectual property rights, option rights and other rights with respect to particular programs. The variability of amounts and lack of predictability of collaboration-related upfront expenses makes the identification of trends in our ongoing research and development activities more difficult. We believe the presentation of adjusted research and development, which does not include collaboration-related upfront expenses, provides useful and meaningful information about our ongoing research and development activities by enhancing investors’ understanding of our normal, recurring operating research and development expenses and facilitates comparisons between periods and with respect to projected performance. All expenses incurred subsequent to the initiation of the collaboration arrangement, such as research and development cost-sharing expenses/reimbursements and milestone payments up to the point of regulatory approval are considered to be normal, recurring operating expenses and are included in our adjusted financial results.

Research and Development Asset Acquisition Expense: We exclude costs associated with acquiring rights to pre-commercial compounds because we do not consider such costs to be normal, recurring operating expenses due to their nature, variability of amounts, and lack of predictability as to occurrence and/or timing. Research and development asset acquisition expenses includes expenses to acquire rights to pre-commercial compounds from a collaboration partner when there will be no further participation from the collaboration partner or other parties. The variability of amounts and lack of predictability of research and development asset acquisition expenses makes the identification of trends in our ongoing research and development activities more difficult. We believe the presentation of adjusted research and development, which does not include research and development asset acquisition expenses, provides useful and meaningful information about our ongoing research and development activities by enhancing investors’ understanding of our normal, recurring operating research and development expenses and facilitates comparisons between periods and with respect to projected performance.

Restructuring Costs: We exclude costs associated with restructuring initiatives from our adjusted financial results. These costs include amounts associated with facilities to be closed, employee separation costs and costs to move operations from one location to another. We do not frequently undertake restructuring initiatives and therefore do not consider such costs to be normal, recurring operating expenses.

Certain Other Items: We exclude certain other significant items that may occur occasionally and are not normal, recurring, cash operating expenses from our adjusted financial results. Such items are evaluated on an individual basis based on both the quantitative and the qualitative aspect of their nature and generally represent items that, either as a result of their nature or magnitude, we would not anticipate occurring as part of our normal business on a regular basis. While not all-inclusive, examples of certain other significant items excluded from adjusted financial results would be: impairment charges for significant fair value adjustments to equity investments, significant litigation-related loss contingency accruals and expenses to settle other disputed matters, and changes in the carrying value of our equity investments beginning in 2018.

Estimated Tax Impact From Above Adjustments: We exclude the net income tax impact of the non-tax adjustments described above from our adjusted financial results. The net income tax impact of the non-tax adjustments includes the impact on both current and deferred income taxes and is based on the taxability of the adjustment under local tax law and the statutory tax rate in the tax jurisdiction where the adjustment was incurred.

Non-Operating Tax Adjustments: We exclude the net income tax impact of certain other significant income tax items, which are not associated with our normal, recurring operations ("Non-Operating Tax Items"), from our adjusted financial results. Non-Operating Tax Items include items which may occur occasionally and are not normal, recurring operating expenses (or benefits), including adjustments related to acquisitions, divestitures, collaborations, certain adjustments to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to prior year tax positions, the impact of tax reform legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the impact resulting from intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory beginning in 2018, and other similar items. We also exclude excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies that arise upon vesting or exercise of share-based payments recognized as income tax benefits or expenses due to their nature, variability of amounts, and lack of predictability as to occurrence and/or timing.

Long-Term Targets

A reconciliation of long-term adjusted financial targets to the most comparable GAAP measures cannot be provided because we are unable to forecast with reasonable certainty many of the items necessary to calculate such comparable GAAP measures, including share-based compensation expense, collaboration-related upfront expense, research and development asset acquisition expense, acquisition-related expenses, fair value adjustments to contingent consideration, the ultimate outcome of legal proceedings and unusual gains and losses, as well as unforeseen events, risks and developments. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could be material to our results computed in accordance with GAAP. We believe the inherent uncertainties in reconciling our long-term non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures would make the forecasted comparable GAAP measures nearly impossible to predict with reasonable certainty and therefore inherently unreliable.

See the attached Reconciliations of GAAP to Adjusted Net Income for explanations of the amounts excluded and included to arrive at the adjusted measures for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, and for the projected amounts for the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2018.

Celgene Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In millions, except per share data)

Three-Month Periods Ended Twelve-Month Periods Ended
December 31, December 31,
2017 2016 2017 2016

Net product sales $ 3,479 $ 2,977 $ 12,973 $ 11,185
Other revenue 4 3 30 44
Total revenue 3,483 2,980 13,003 11,229

Cost of goods sold (excluding amortization of acquired intangible assets) 119 113 461 438
Research and development 2,738 1,135 5,915 4,470
Selling, general and administrative 774 685 2,941 2,658
Amortization of acquired intangible assets 79 105 329 459
Acquisition related (gains) charges and restructuring, net (1,425 ) 13 (1,350 ) 38
Total costs and expenses 2,285 2,051 8,296 8,063

Operating income 1,198 929 4,707 3,166

Interest and investment income, net 33 9 105 30
Interest (expense) (142 ) (127 ) (522 ) (500 )
Other income (expense), net 42 (312 ) 24 (324 )

Income before income taxes 1,131 499 4,314 2,372

Income tax provision 1,212 70 1,374 373

Net (loss) income $ (81 ) $ 429 $ 2,940 $ 1,999

Net (loss) income per common share:
Basic $ (0.10 ) $ 0.55 $ 3.77 $ 2.57
Diluted $ (0.10 ) $ 0.53 $ 3.64 $ 2.49

Weighted average shares:
Basic 773.5 776.8 779.2 777.2
Diluted 773.5 802.2 808.7 803.3

December 31, December 31,
2017 2016
Balance sheet items:
Cash, cash equivalents & marketable securities $ 12,042 $ 7,970
Total assets 30,141 28,086
Long-term debt, including current portion 15,838 14,290
Total stockholders’ equity 6,921 6,600

Celgene Corporation and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Net Income
(In millions, except per share data)

Three-Month Periods Ended Twelve-Month Periods Ended
December 31, December 31,
2017 2016 2017 2016

Net (loss) income – GAAP $ (81 ) $ 429 $ 2,940 $ 1,999

Before tax adjustments:
Cost of goods sold (excluding amortization of acquired intangible assets):
Share-based compensation expense (1) 7 8 29 33

Research and development:
Share-based compensation expense (1) 68 64 268 253
Collaboration-related upfront expense (2) 96 128 765 816
Research and development asset acquisition expense (3) - 270 325 893
IPR&D asset impairment charge (4) 1,620 - 1,620 -
Clinical trial & development activity wind-down charge (4) 188 - 188 -

Selling, general and administrative:
Share-based compensation expense (1) 87 83 347 320
Litigation-related loss contingency accrual expense (5) - 69 315 199

Amortization of acquired intangible assets (6) 79 105 329 459

Acquisition related (gains) charges and restructuring, net:
Change in fair value of contingent consideration (7) (1,425 ) 9 (1,350 ) 22
Restructuring charges (8) - 3 - 16

Other income (expense), net:
Impairment of equity investment (9) - 272 - 272

Income tax provision:
Estimated tax impact from above adjustments (10) (299 ) (74 ) (686 ) (432 )
Non-operating tax adjustments (11) 1,252 (76 ) 926 (80 )
Net income – Adjusted $ 1,592 $ 1,290 $ 6,016 $ 4,770

Net income per common share – Adjusted
Basic $ 2.06 $ 1.66 $ 7.72 $ 6.14
Diluted (12) $ 2.00 $ 1.61 $ 7.44 $ 5.94

Explanation of adjustments:
(1) Exclude share-based compensation expense totaling $162 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2017 and $155 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2016.
Exclude share-based compensation expense totaling $644 for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2017 and $606 for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2016.
(2) Exclude upfront payment expense for research and development collaboration arrangements.
(3) Exclude research and development asset acquisition expenses.
(4) Exclude charges associated with the discontinuance of GED-0301 clinical trials in Crohn’s disease (Trials), including impairment of an IPR&D asset and other one-time charges
related to wind-down costs associated with discontinuing the Trials and certain development activities.
(5) Exclude loss contingency accrual expenses related to a civil litigation matter in 2017 and contractual dispute in 2016.
(6) Exclude amortization of intangible assets acquired in the acquisitions of Pharmion Corp., Gloucester Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Gloucester), Abraxis BioScience, Inc. (Abraxis), Celgene
Avilomics Research, Inc. (Avila) and Quanticel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Quanticel).
(7) Exclude changes in the fair value of contingent consideration related to the acquisitions of Gloucester, Abraxis, Avila, Nogra Pharma Limited (Nogra) and Quanticel, including the
impact to the Nogra contingent consideration liabilities related to the discontinuance of the Trials.
(8) Exclude restructuring charges related to our relocation of certain operations into our two Summit, NJ locations as well as costs associated with certain headcount reductions.
(9) Fair value adjustment to our equity investment in Juno Therapeutics, Inc. (Juno) per ASC 320 "Investments – Debt and Equity Securities."
(10) Exclude the estimated tax impact of the above adjustments.
(11) Exclude other non-operating tax expense items. The adjustments for the three-month period ended December 31, 2017 are to exclude expense of $1,269 as a result of the
implementation of tax reform legislation (2017 Tax Act) and excess tax benefits related to the adoption of ASU 2016-09 (Compensation-Stock Compensation) of $17. The
adjustments for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2017 are to exclude expense of $1,269 as a result of the implementation of the 2017 Tax Act, excess tax benefits related
to the adoption of ASU 2016-09 (Compensation-Stock Compensation) of $290, prior year tax benefits arising from a U.S. research and development and orphan drug tax credits study
of $55 and to exclude other adjustments totaling tax expense of $2. The adjustments for the three- and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2016 are to exclude the tax benefit
of a tax loss incurred on our investment in Avila of $80 in both periods, with the three-month period also including other adjustments totaling tax expense of $4.
(12) Diluted net income per share for the three-month period ended December 31, 2017 was determined using diluted weighted-average shares of 797.4 million.

Celgene Corporation and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of Full-Year 2018 Projected GAAP to Adjusted Net Income
(In millions, except per share data)

Range
Low High

Projected net income – GAAP (1) $ 5,629 $ 5,934

Before tax adjustments:
Cost of goods sold (excluding amortization of acquired intangible assets):
Share-based compensation expense 30 27

Research and development:
Share-based compensation expense 268 247
Research and development asset acquisition expense 1,115 1,115

Selling, general and administrative:
Share-based compensation expense

348 321

Amortization of acquired intangible assets 260 235

Acquisition related (gains) charges and restructuring, net:

Change in fair value of contingent consideration 3 3

Other income (expense), net:
Changes in fair value of equity investments (780 ) (780 )

Income tax provision:
Estimated tax impact from above adjustments (130 ) (204 )
Non-operating tax adjustments - -

Projected net income – Adjusted $ 6,743 $ 6,898

Projected net income per diluted common share – GAAP $ 7.26 $ 7.66

Projected net income per diluted common share – Adjusted $ 8.70 $ 8.90

Projected weighted average diluted shares 775.0 775.0

(1) Our projected 2018 earnings do not include the effect of any business combinations (including the effect of our recently announced pending acquisition of Juno), collaboration agreements, asset acquisitions, asset impairments, additional litigation-related loss contingency accruals, changes in the fair value of our CVRs issued as part of the acquisition of Abraxis, changes in the fair value of equity investments due to the adoption of ASU 2016-01 (Financial Instruments-Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities) or non-operating tax adjustments that may occur after the day prior to the date of this press release.

Celgene Corporation and Subsidiaries
Net Product Sales
(In millions)

Three-Month Periods
Ended December 31, % Change
2017 2016 Reported Operational(1) Currency(2)

REVLIMID
U.S. $ 1,473 $ 1,187 24.1 % 24.1 % 0.0 %
International 715 621 15.1 % 18.7 % (3.6 )%
Worldwide 2,188 1,808 21.0 % 22.2 % (1.2 )%

POMALYST/IMNOVID
U.S. 283 219 29.2 % 29.2 % 0.0 %
International 159 159 0.0 % 3.9 % (3.9 )%
Worldwide 442 378 16.9 % 18.5 % (1.6 )%

OTEZLA
U.S. 303 268 13.1 % 13.1 % 0.0 %
International 68 37 83.8 % 85.4 % (1.6 )%
Worldwide 371 305 21.6 % 21.8 % (0.2 )%

ABRAXANE
U.S. 155 172 (9.9 )% (9.9 )% 0.0 %
International 96 94 2.1 % 7.2 % (5.1 )%
Worldwide 251 266 (5.6 )% (3.8 )% (1.8 )%

IDHIFA (3)
U.S. 13 - N/A N/A N/A
International - - N/A N/A N/A
Worldwide 13 - N/A N/A N/A

VIDAZA
U.S. 3 2 50.0 % 50.0 % 0.0 %
International 160 151 6.0 % 10.3 % (4.3 )%
Worldwide 163 153 6.5 % 10.7 % (4.2 )%

azacitidine for injection
U.S. 4 10 (60.0 )% (60.0 )% 0.0 %
International - - N/A N/A N/A
Worldwide 4 10 (60.0 )% (60.0 )% 0.0 %

THALOMID
U.S. 16 22 (27.3 )% (27.3 )% 0.0 %
International 12 13 (7.7 )% (4.4 )% (3.3 )%
Worldwide 28 35 (20.0 )% (18.7 )% (1.3 )%

ISTODAX
U.S. 16 19 (15.8 )% (15.8 )% 0.0 %
International 2 2 0.0 % (1.9 )% 1.9 %
Worldwide 18 21 (14.3 )% (14.5 )% 0.2 %

All Other
U.S. - - N/A N/A N/A
International 1 1 N/A N/A N/A
Worldwide 1 1 N/A N/A N/A

Total Net Product Sales
U.S. 2,266 1,899 19.3 % 19.3 % 0.0 %
International 1,213 1,078 12.5 % 16.3 % (3.8 )%
Worldwide $ 3,479 $ 2,977 16.9 % 18.3 % (1.4 )%

(1) Operational includes impact from both volume and price
(2) Currency includes the impact from both foreign exchange rates and hedging activities
(3)
IDHIFA was approved in August 2017 in the U.S. for the treatment of adult patients with R/R AML with an isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 (IDH2) mutation as detected by an FDA approved test.


Celgene Corporation and Subsidiaries
Net Product Sales
(In millions)

Twelve-Month Periods
Ended December 31, % Change
2017 2016 Reported Operational(1) Currency(2)

REVLIMID
U.S. $ 5,426 $ 4,417 22.8 % 22.8 % 0.0 %
International 2,761 2,557 8.0 % 10.2 % (2.2 )%
Worldwide 8,187 6,974 17.4 % 18.2 % (0.8 )%

POMALYST/IMNOVID
U.S. 1,008 778 29.6 % 29.6 % 0.0 %
International 606 533 13.7 % 16.9 % (3.2 )%
Worldwide 1,614 1,311 23.1 % 24.4 % (1.3 )%

OTEZLA
U.S. 1,058 904 17.0 % 17.0 % 0.0 %
International 221 113 95.6 % 94.3 % 1.3 %
Worldwide 1,279 1,017 25.8 % 25.7 % 0.1 %

ABRAXANE
U.S. 607 634 (4.3 )% (4.3 )% 0.0 %
International 385 339 13.6 % 17.5 % (3.9 )%
Worldwide 992 973 2.0 % 3.4 % (1.4 )%

IDHIFA (3)
U.S. 20 - N/A N/A N/A
International - - N/A N/A N/A
Worldwide 20 - N/A N/A N/A

VIDAZA
U.S. 8 12 (33.3 )% (33.3 )% 0.0 %
International 620 596 4.0 % 6.6 % (2.6 )%
Worldwide 628 608 3.3 % 5.9 % (2.6 )%

azacitidine for injection
U.S. 35 66 (47.0 )% (47.0 )% 0.0 %
International 1 - N/A N/A N/A
Worldwide 36 66 (45.5 )% (45.5 )% 0.0 %

THALOMID
U.S. 80 97 (17.5 )% (17.5 )% 0.0 %
International 52 55 (5.5 )% (2.7 )% (2.8 )%
Worldwide 132 152 (13.2 )% (12.2 )% (1.0 )%

ISTODAX
U.S. 67 72 (6.9 )% (6.9 )% 0.0 %
International 9 8 12.5 % 10.3 % 2.2 %
Worldwide 76 80 (5.0 )% (5.2 )% 0.2 %

All Other
U.S. 1 1 N/A N/A N/A
International 8 3 N/A N/A N/A
Worldwide 9 4 N/A N/A N/A

Total Net Product Sales
U.S. 8,310 6,981 19.0 % 19.0 % 0.0 %
International 4,663 4,204 10.9 % 13.2 % (2.3 )%
Worldwide $ 12,973 $ 11,185 16.0 % 16.9 % (0.9 )%

(1) Operational includes impact from both volume and price
(2) Currency includes the impact from both foreign exchange rates and hedging activities
(3)
IDHIFA was approved in August 2017 in the U.S. for the treatment of adult patients with R/R AML with an isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 (IDH2) mutation as detected by an FDA approved test.

BIOGEN REPORTS RECORD REVENUES FOR BOTH THE FULL YEAR AND FOURTH QUARTER OF 2017, $12.3 BILLION AND $3.3 BILLION, RESPECTIVELY

On January 25, 2018 Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq: BIIB) reported full year and fourth quarter 2017 financial results, including (Press release, Biogen, JAN 25, 2018, View Source [SID1234523573]):

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Full year total revenues of $12.3 billion, a 7% increase versus the prior year or a 15% increase excluding hemophilia revenues*.

Full year multiple sclerosis (MS) revenues grew 4% versus prior year to $9.1 billion, which included $159 million in royalties on our estimate of OCREVUS sales.

For the fourth quarter of 2017, MS revenues grew 5% versus prior year to $2.3 billion, which included $77 million in royalties on our estimate of OCREVUS sales.

U.S. MS revenues in the fourth quarter of 2017 benefitted by approximately $40 million from increased inventory in the channel for TECFIDERA, AVONEX, PLEGRIDY, and TYSABRI compared to the third quarter of 2017.

Full year global TECFIDERA revenues were $4.2 billion, an increase of 6% versus prior year.

Full year global TYSABRI revenues were stable at $2.0 billion.

Full year revenue growth was driven by the launch of SPINRAZA, which contributed $884 million in global revenues.

Full year GAAP net income and diluted earnings per share (EPS) attributable to Biogen Inc. of $2.5 billion and $11.92, respectively.

GAAP net income and EPS were negatively impacted by $1.2 billion and $5.51, respectively, due to the transition toll tax and re-measurement of our net deferred tax assets related to the U.S. corporate tax reform legislation.

GAAP net income and EPS were negatively impacted by $110 million and $0.52, respectively, related to the payment to Neurimmune to reduce the royalty payments on potential commercial sales of aducanumab, Biogen’s investigational treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

GAAP net income and EPS were negatively impacted by $84 million and $0.39, respectively, related to the impairment of ZINBRYTA related assets as a result of the Article 20 procedure of ZINBRYTA in the European Union.


Full year non-GAAP net income and diluted EPS attributable to Biogen Inc. of $4.6 billion and $21.81, respectively.

Non-GAAP net income and EPS were negatively impacted by $61 million and $0.29, respectively, related to the impairment of ZINBRYTA related assets.

Full year GAAP and non-GAAP net income and diluted EPS were reduced by $73 million and $0.34, respectively, for R&D charges associated with business development transactions with Alkermes plc and Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Ionis) in the fourth quarter of 2017.

* In Q1 2017, Biogen completed the spin-off of its global hemophilia business into a new company, known as Bioverativ. The 15% increase in total revenues excludes all hemophilia revenues from 2016 through January 2017. Hemophilia revenues include ELOCTATE and ALPROLIX product revenues as well as royalty and contract manufacturing revenue related to Sobi.

(In millions, except per share amounts)
Q4 ’17

Q3 ’17

Q4 ’16

Q4 ’17 v. Q3 ’17

Q4 ’17 v. Q4 ’16

FY ’17

FY ’16

FY ’17 v. FY ’16
Total revenues#
$
3,307

$
3,078

$
2,872

7%

15%

$
12,274

$
11,449

7%

GAAP net income^
$
(297
)

$
1,226

$
649

(124%)

(146%)

$
2,539

$
3,703

(31%)
GAAP diluted EPS
$
(1.40
)

$
5.79

$
2.99

(124%)

(147%)

$
11.92

$
16.93

(30%)

Non-GAAP net income^
$
1,116

$
1,337

$
1,093

(17%)

2%

$
4,645

$
4,423

5%
Non-GAAP diluted EPS
$
5.26

$
6.31

$
5.04

(17%)

4%

$
21.81

$
20.22

8%
# Q4 2017 total revenues grew 26% versus Q4 2016 excluding hemophilia. FY 2017 total revenues grew
15% versus FY 2016 excluding hemophilia for 2016 through January 2017.
^ Net income attributable to Biogen Inc.
Note: Percent changes represented as favorable/(unfavorable)

A reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP full year and quarterly financial results can be found in Table 3 at the end of this press release.

"2017 was a year of strong execution at Biogen," said Michel Vounatsos, Biogen’s Chief Executive Officer. "With a renewed focus on our strategic priorities, we delivered record full year revenues, solid earnings, and significant progress in strengthening the foundation for our future with seven additions to our neuroscience pipeline in 2017."

"Our core MS business demonstrated resilience in an increasingly competitive market, and SPINRAZA has had one of the most successful rare disease launches of all time, bringing new hope to patients and their families. We are also proud of our achievements in business development, with 2017 being one of the most productive years in Biogen’s history."

"And over the next 12 to 18 months, we expect several important data readouts across both our core and emerging growth areas as we continue to advance an industry-leading neuroscience portfolio."

Revenue Highlights
(In millions)
Q4 ’17

Q3 ’17

Q4 ’16

Q4 ’17 v. Q3 ’17

Q4 ’17 v. Q4 ’16

FY ’17

FY ’16

FY ’17 v. FY ’16
Multiple Sclerosis:

TECFIDERA
$
1,076

$
1,070

$
1,002

1%

7%

$
4,214

$
3,968

6%
Total Interferon
$
645

$
662

$
688

(3%)

(6%)

$
2,646

$
2,795

(5%)
AVONEX
$
520

$
538

$
564

(3%)

(8%)

$
2,152

$
2,314

(7%)
PLEGRIDY
$
125

$
124

$
125

0%

0%

$
494

$
482

3%
TYSABRI
$
463

$
469

$
474

(1%)

(2%)

$
1,973

$
1,964

0%
FAMPYRATM
$
24

$
24

$
22

0%

10%

$
92

$
85

8%
ZINBRYTA
$
12

$
14

$
6

(18%)

98%

$
53

$
8

NMF

Spinal Muscular Atrophy

SPINRAZA
$
363

$
271

$
5

34%

NMF

$
884

$
5

NMF

Hemophilia*:

ELOCTATE
$

$

$
149

NMF

(100%)

$
48

$
513

(91%)
ALPROLIX
$

$

$
93

NMF

(100%)

$
26

$
334

(92%)

Other Product Revenues:

Biosimilars
$
122

$
101

$
53

21%

130%

$
380

$
101

277%
FUMADERMTM
$
9

$
11

$
11

(17%)

(22%)

$
40

$
46

(14%)

Total Product Revenues:
$
2,712

$
2,623

$
2,503

3%

8%

$
10,355

$
9,818

5%

OCREVUS Royalties
$
77

$
65

$

19%

NMF

$
159

$

NMF
RITUXAN/GAZYVA Revenues
$
338

$
342

$
318

(1%)

6%

$
1,400

$
1,315

6%
Other Revenues
$
180

$
49

$
51

267%

252%

$
360

$
316

14%

Total Revenues#
$
3,307

$
3,078

$
2,872

7%

15%

$
12,274

$
11,449

7%

MS Product Revenues + OCREVUS Royalties
$
2,296

$
2,304

$
2,192

(0%)

5%

$
9,137

$
8,820

4%
Note: Numbers may not foot due to rounding; percent changes represented as favorable/(unfavorable)


In the fourth quarter of 2017 SPINRAZA revenues comprised $218 million in sales in the U.S. and $144 million in sales outside the U.S. Inventory levels for SPINRAZA in the U.S. were relatively flat versus the third quarter of 2017. Outside the U.S., SPINRAZA revenues were primarily from Germany, Turkey, and Japan.


In the fourth quarter of 2017 other revenues were $180 million, benefitting from increased contract manufacturing.

Expense Highlights
(In millions)
Q4 ’17

Q3 ’17

Q4 ’16

Q4 ’17 v. Q3 ’17

Q4 ’17 v. Q4 ’16

FY ’17

FY ’16

FY ’17 v. FY ’16
GAAP cost of sales
$
509

$
370

$
378

(38%)

(35%)

$
1,630

$
1,479

(10%)
Non-GAAP cost of sales
$
509

$
370

$
363

(38%)

(40%)

$
1,630

$
1,426

(14%)

GAAP R&D
$
588

$
446

$
534

(32%)

(10%)

$
2,254

$
1,973

(14%)
Non-GAAP R&D
$
588

$
446

$
531

(32%)

(11%)

$
2,251

$
1,970

(14%)

GAAP SG&A
$
572

$
434

$
496

(32%)

(16%)

$
1,936

$
1,948

1%
Non-GAAP SG&A
$
554

$
434

$
484

(28%)

(15%)

$
1,901

$
1,930

2%
Note: Percent changes represented as favorable & (unfavorable)


Cost of sales in the fourth quarter of 2017 increased versus the third quarter of 2017 primarily due to the increase in contract manufacturing and the impairment of ZINBRYTA related assets.


R&D expense in the fourth quarter of 2017 included $78 million related to the exclusive global license and collaboration agreement with Alkermes plc to develop and commercialize BIIB098, a monomethyl fumarate (MMF) small drug molecule.


R&D expense in the fourth quarter of 2017 included a $25 million milestone to Ionis related to a new collaboration agreement to identify new antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) drug candidates for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).


R&D expense in the fourth quarter of 2016 included a $50 million milestone to Eisai Co. Ltd. following the initiation of Phase 3 trials for elenbecestat (E2609), a beta secretase cleaving enzyme (BACE) inhibitor in development for Alzheimer’s disease.


SG&A expense in the fourth quarter of 2017 increased versus the prior quarter primarily due to timing of spend as well as certain investments across sales and marketing, worldwide medical, and general and administrative expense.

Other Financial Highlights

For 2017 the Company’s effective full year GAAP tax rate was 48%, and the Company’s effective full year non-GAAP tax rate was 25%. For the fourth quarter of 2017 the Company’s effective GAAP tax rate was 112%, and the Company’s effective non-GAAP tax rate was 29%.

In the fourth quarter of 2017 Biogen booked a GAAP tax charge of $1.2 billion related to the U.S. corporate tax reform legislation.

In the fourth quarter of 2017 Biogen booked a GAAP and non-GAAP tax charge of $42 million and $50 million, respectively, related to the impairment of ZINBRYTA related tax assets.


Throughout 2017 Biogen repurchased approximately 4.9 million shares of the Company’s common stock for a total value of $1.4 billion.


In the fourth quarter of 2017 Biogen repaid its Senior Notes due March 1, 2018 for $558 million.


As of December 31, 2017, Biogen had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaling approximately $6.7 billion, and approximately $5.9 billion in notes payable and other financing arrangements.


For 2017 the Company’s full year weighted average diluted shares were 213 million. For the fourth quarter of 2017 the Company’s weighted average diluted shares were 212 million.

2018 Financial Guidance
Biogen also announced its full year 2018 financial guidance. This guidance consists of the following components:


Revenue is expected to be approximately $12.7 billion to $13.0 billion.

GAAP and non-GAAP R&D expense is expected to be approximately 16% to 17% of total revenue.

This guidance does not include any impact from potential acquisitions or large business development transactions, as both are hard to predict.

GAAP and non-GAAP SG&A expense is expected to be approximately 15% to 16% of total revenue.

GAAP tax rate is expected to be approximately 23.5% to 24.5%; non-GAAP tax rate is expected to be approximately 22.5% to 23.5%.

GAAP diluted EPS is expected to be between $22.20 and $23.20.

Non-GAAP diluted EPS is expected to be between $24.20 and $25.20.

Biogen may incur charges, realize gains, or experience other events in 2018 that could cause actual results to vary from this guidance.

Recent Events

In 2017, Biogen added seven clinical programs to its neuroscience pipeline including BIIB098 (MMF prodrug) for MS, BIIB092 (anti-tau antibody) for both Alzheimer’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy, BIIB076 (anti-tau antibody) for Alzheimer’s disease, BIIB080 (tau antisense oligonucleotide) for Alzheimer’s disease, BIIB093 (IV glibenclamide) for large hemispheric infarction, and natalizumab for drug-resistant focal epilepsy.


In January 2018, Biogen acquired the exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc.’s Phase 1 ready investigational oral compound KPT-350 for the treatment of certain neurological and neurodegenerative conditions, primarily amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). KPT-350 is a novel therapeutic candidate that works by inhibiting XPO1, with the goal of reducing inflammation and neurotoxicity, along with increasing neuroprotective responses. Biogen will pay Karyopharm a one-time upfront payment of $10 million and up to an additional $207 million in milestones, plus tiered royalty payments on potential sales of KPT-350.


In January 2018, Biogen dosed the first patient in the Phase 2 SPARK study of BIIB054 (anti-alpha-synuclein antibody) in Parkinson’s disease.


In January 2018, Biogen joined Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Pfizer Inc., AbbVie Inc., AstraZeneca PLC, and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in a collaboration to collect genetic information on 500,000 people in the UK Biobank database, a project that could help accelerate new drug discovery and improve approval success rates. Biogen has committed $10 million toward this effort.


In January 2018, the European Medicines Agency’s Article 20 Procedure of ZINBRYTA was concluded as the European Commission adopted restrictions to minimize the risk of serious liver injury with ZINBRYTA, including restriction of its use to adult patients with relapsing forms of MS who have had an inadequate response to at least two disease modifying therapies (DMTs) and for whom treatment with any other DMT is contraindicated or otherwise unsuitable.


In December 2017, Biogen and Eisai Co., Ltd. announced that an Independent Data Monitoring Committee determined that BAN2401, an anti-amyloid beta protofibril antibody, did not meet the criteria for success based on a Bayesian analysis at 12 months as the primary endpoint in an 856-patient Phase II clinical study (Study 201) for early Alzheimer’s disease. Following the predefined study protocol, the blinded study will continue and a comprehensive final analysis will be conducted at 18 months seeking to demonstrate clinically significant results. The results of the final analysis are expected to be obtained during the second half of 2018.


In December 2017, Biogen and Ionis entered into a new collaboration agreement to identify new ASO drug candidates for the treatment of SMA. Biogen will have the option to license therapies arising out of this collaboration and will be responsible for their development and commercialization.


In November 2017, Biogen and Alkermes plc entered into a global license and collaboration agreement to develop and commercialize BIIB098, an oral MMF small drug molecule in Phase 3 development for the treatment of relapsing forms of MS.


In November 2017, Biogen presented new data from the long-term extension of its ongoing Phase 1b study of aducanumab at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) meeting in Boston, MA. This data includes results from patients in the Phase 1b study who were treated with a gradually increased dose of aducanumab for up to 24 months and those who were treated with a fixed dose of 3, 6, or 10 mg/kg aducanumab for up to 36 months. The results are consistent with previously reported analyses from the Phase 1b study and support the design of the ongoing Phase 3 studies of aducanumab for early Alzheimer’s disease.


In November 2017, the end of study results from ENDEAR, the Phase 3 study of SPINRAZA for the treatment of SMA, were published in The New England Journal of Medicine.


In October 2017, Biogen and Ionis were awarded the prestigious 2017 Prix Galien USA Award for Best Biotechnology Product for SPINRAZA. The Prix Galien USA Award recognizes extraordinary achievement in scientific innovation that improves the state of human health.

Management Updates

In December 2017, Jeffrey D. Capello joined Biogen as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Capello brings 26 years of experience in finance. Most recently he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Beacon Health Options Inc. His previous experience includes founding and running his own company, Monomy Advisors, and serving as Chief Financial Officer of Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Boston Scientific Corporation, and Perkin Elmer. Earlier in his career he was also a partner in the Boston and Amsterdam offices of PwC.


In December 2017, Mark Hernon joined Biogen as Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer. Mr. Hernon brings more than 30 years of experience in IT and strategic leadership. Most recently he was the Global Head of R&D Site Strategy and Operations at Takeda Pharmaceuticals,

where he led the global transformation of Takeda’s R&D footprint. His previous experience with Takeda Pharmaceuticals also included roles as the Regional Chief Information Officer for the Americas, Global Head of R&D, QA and HR Systems, and Vice President of Operations for the Cambridge, MA site.


In November 2017, Chirfi Guindo joined Biogen as Executive Vice President and Head of Global Marketing, Market Access, and Customer Innovation. Mr. Guindo brings 27 years of experience in the global pharmaceutical industry and has held several leadership positions at Merck in Canada, the U.S., France, Africa, and the Netherlands. Most recently Mr. Guindo was President & Managing Director of Merck Canada.

Conference Call and Webcast
The Company’s earnings conference call for the fourth quarter will be broadcast via the internet at 8:00 a.m. ET on January 25, 2018, and will be accessible through the Investors section of Biogen’s website, www.biogen.com. Supplemental information in the form of a slide presentation is also accessible at the same location on the internet and will be subsequently available on the website for at least one month.

Note about Future Earnings Releases and Calls
Starting with the first quarter 2018 earnings release, Biogen intends to cease publishing press releases relating to future earnings calls, earnings releases, and investor events via newswire services. The Company will post these materials on the Investors section of Biogen’s website, www.biogen.com, and issue a statement on Twitter (@biogen) when they become available.

Can-Fite Receives from Gebro Holdings $2,200,000 Payment as Part of Distribution Agreement for Piclidenoson in 3 European Countries

On January 25, 2018 Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE:CFBI), a biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address cancer, liver and inflammatory diseases, reported it has received its first payment of approximately $2,200,000 from Gebro Holding GmBH (Press release, Can-Fite BioPharma, JAN 25, 2018, View Source [SID1234523563]). Can-Fite recently announced entering into a distribution agreement with Gebro for the exclusive right to distribute to distribute Can-Fite’s lead drug candidate, Piclidenoson (CF101), for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis in 3 European countries including Spain, Switzerland and Austria, upon receipt of regulatory approvals. The recently signed Gebro distribution agreement adds to the distribution agreements for Piclidenoson that the company already has in place with Cipher Pharmaceuticals (for the distribution of Piclidenoson in Canada for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis) and Kwang Dong Pharmaceutical (for the distribution of Piclidenoson in Korea for rheumatoid arthritis).

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Under the terms of the distribution agreement, Gebro is making a total upfront and milestone payment of approximately $2,200,000 to Can-Fite. In addition, the agreement provides that additional payments of up to approximately $7,000,000 will be received by Can-Fite upon the achievement of certain regulatory, launch and sales milestones plus double digit royalty payments on net sales.

Gebro Pharma is a privately-owned leading pharma group founded in Austria in the late 1940s with over 500 employees. Its headquarters are located in Fieberbrunn (Austria), where Gebro is a top local leading player, with commercial operations in Spain and Switzerland. In Spain, Gebro is ranked among the top growing companies within the Pharma sector. The therapeutic focus of Gebro is pain with a strong franchise in rheumatology and in Spain, Gebro is ranked nº1 in rheumatology and pain. Alongside, rheumatology and pain, Gebro has also built a portfolio around dermatology, urology, respiratory, GI, and CV depending on the territory.

"We are pleased to receive this upfront and milestone payment of $2,200,000 from Gebro and look towards future potential milestone payments as we advance Piclidenoson through completion of our current Phase III trials in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis," stated Can-Fite CEO Dr. Pnina Fishman. Can-Fite recently initiated patient enrolment for its Phase III ACRobat trial of Piclidenoson for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

The rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis therapeutic market is dominated by biological drugs that are primarily administered via intravenous injection (IV) and have potential side effects. Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis are huge unmet need markets, where rheumatoid arthritis is estimated to reach $35B in 2020 and psoriasis is forecast to reach $9B in 2018.

Sorrento Therapeutics CAR-T Manufacturing Capacity Expanded With Opening of East Coast GMP Site in Addition to Primary West Coast Facility

On January 24, 2018 Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SRNE) ("Sorrento"), reported the expansion of its Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) CAR-T manufacturing capacity, with an exclusive agreement to operate the "Cellular Immunotherapy and Gene Therapy Facility" at Roger Williams Medical Center (Providence, RI) under Sorrento management (Press release, Sorrento Therapeutics, DEC 24, 2018, View Source [SID1234532248]).

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Sorrento estimates that the combination of its East and West Coast manufacturing capacity will allow the company to process CAR-T treatments for over 300 patients a year without the use of a third-party contract manufacturer. Sorrento believes that the current capacity should be sufficient to meet its lead candidate CD38 CAR-T multiple myeloma development needs through and up to FDA approval, and support other upcoming CAR-T development programs.

This latest facility addition brings the total GMP manufacturing sites of Sorrento and its subsidiaries to 5 separate facilities: Judicial Facilities (San Diego, CA) for CAR-T therapies and antibody production, Providence Facilities (RI) for CAR-T therapies, Camino Santa Fe Facilities (San Diego, CA) for oncolytic virus production, Suzhou Facilities (China) for antibody-drug conjugate (linker toxin synthesis and bio conjugation) production and Bioserv Corporation (San Diego, CA) for small molecule and biologics fill and finish, medical devices and high potency compound fill and finish (expected completion later in the year).

"We decided a long time ago that internal manufacturing capability would be a strategic asset for Sorrento," stated Henry Ji, Chairman and CEO. He also noted, "Many biotech companies learned the hard way the risks of entering into a new therapeutic area without internal manufacturing capabilities and having to compete with other companies for limited numbers of third party manufacturers. With all the recent activity in the CAR-T space we are extremely pleased to be in control of our own GMP manufacturing and not have to rely on outside parties for our supply needs for our current and future development work."

As Sorrento moves towards non-viral CAR manufacturing, it also expects both the Judicial and Providence Facilities to be able to increase their capacity throughput and handle multiple CAR-T development programs in parallel.

20-F – Annual and transition report of foreign private issuers [Sections 13 or 15(d)]

(Filing, Annual, Novartis, 2017, JAN 24, 2018, View Source [SID1234523540])

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