Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:INGN), a developer of targeted
molecular therapies for cancer, today announced financial results for
the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008, and highlighted
recent corporate developments.
Recent Developments:
-
Introgen announced additional positive data from its Phase III
clinical trial of ADVEXIN® (p53 tumor
suppressor therapy) for recurrent, refractory head and neck cancer.
Findings showed that ADVEXIN demonstrated a statistically significant
increased survival benefit compared to methotrexate in the
prospectively defined p53 biomarker population, and a statistically
significant increase in tumor response compared to methotrexate in the
p53 biomarker population.
-
The company’s Marketing Authorization
Application (MAA) for ADVEXIN was accepted for review by the European
Medicines Agency (EMEA).
-
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informed the
company that the Biologics License Application (BLA) submitted by
Introgen for the marketing approval of ADVEXIN in the United States
was not sufficiently complete. The company intends to appeal this
decision and is in discussions with the FDA regarding the appeal.
Also during the third quarter, Introgen initiated a restructuring of the
company, including reducing staff, to conserve and redirect financial
resources toward several priority objectives including:
-
Prosecution of the MAA for ADVEXIN in Europe.
-
Working with the FDA to determine an appropriate clinical development
path for ADVEXIN in the U.S.
-
Contract production and manufacturing of biologics.
As a further step toward enhancing shareholder value, subsequent to the
quarter end Introgen engaged Torreya Partners as its strategic advisor
for the purpose of exploring a range of strategic opportunities for both
the company and its programs. Strategic alternatives the company may
pursue could include, but are not limited to, the sale of company
assets, partnering or other collaboration agreements, a merger, or other
strategic transactions.
-
The Company accepted the resignation of James W. Albrecht, Jr., as
Chief Financial Officer and from all positions that he held with
Introgen and its subsidiaries, effective as of November 14, 2008. Mr.
Albrecht resigned to pursue new opportunities and not because of any
disagreement with management as to our accounting practices or
policies for which he was responsible.
"We are continuing operational expense
reductions and exploring a range of strategic options with the intent of
leveraging the company’s key programs and
manufacturing assets. These efforts are designed to enhance value for
our shareholders,” stated David G. Nance,
president and CEO of Introgen. "Concurrently,
we are committed to ADVEXIN, which if approved by the EMEA, has the
potential to become an important cancer therapy in Europe. We are also
working with the FDA to determine the best potential registration path
for ADVEXIN in the U.S.”
Third Quarter 2008 Financial Results
During the quarter, the company’s cash, cash
equivalents and short-term investments decreased $4.7 million as a
result of the use of those resources to conduct its business, which is
consistent with the anticipated decrease in the amount of these
resources consumed compared to the previous quarter ended June 30, 2008.
Introgen’s cash, cash equivalents and
short-term investments were $6.3 million at September 30, 2008.
Revenue was $331,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared
to revenue of $139,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2007.
Operating expense was $6.5 million for the quarter ended September 30,
2008, compared to operating expense of $8.1 million for the quarter
ended September 30, 2007, which includes a $1.1 million expense in each
period related to share-based compensation. Operating expense for the
third quarter declined primarily as a result of the completion of
activities associated with the
ADVEXIN regulatory filings in both
the U.S. and Europe during the second quarter of 2008 and ongoing
programs to reduce our operating expenses.
The company’s net loss was $6.0 million, or
$0.14 per share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. These results
compare to a net loss of $7.5 million, or $0.17 per share, for the
comparable quarter ended September 30, 2007.
Nine Months Financial Results
Revenue was $638,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008,
compared to revenue of $543,000 for the nine months ended September 30,
2007. Operating expense was $20.3 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008, compared to operating expenses of $22.8 million for
the nine months ended September 30, 2007, which includes $3.3 million
and $3.9 million, respectively, of expense related to share-based
compensation.
The company’s net loss was $14.7 million, or
$0.33 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. These
results compare to a net loss of $20.9 million, or $0.48 per share, for
the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
About ADVEXIN
ADVEXIN p53 therapy is a targeted molecular therapy with broad
applicability in a wide range of tumor types and clinical settings
because it targets one of the most fundamental and common molecular
defects, abnormal p53 tumor suppressor function, associated with cancer
initiation, progression and treatment resistance. ADVEXIN has
demonstrated increased survival and tumor growth control in recurrent
head and neck cancer patients. ADVEXIN has demonstrated clinical
activity in a number of solid tumor types in multiple Phase 1, 2 and 3
clinical trials conducted worldwide. ADVEXIN is considered an 'Orphan
Drug' in the U.S. for the treatment of recurrent, refractory head and
neck cancer, which, if approved, entitles the drug to extended market
exclusivity for the approved indication. ADVEXIN is a registered
trademark describing p53 therapy, developed by Introgen under exclusive
worldwide licenses from The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer
Center.
ABOUT INTROGEN
Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on
the discovery, development and commercialization of targeted molecular
therapies for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Introgen is
developing molecular therapeutics, immunotherapies, vaccines and
nano-particle tumor suppressor therapies to treat a wide range of
cancers using tumor suppressors, cytokines and genes. Introgen maintains
integrated research, development, manufacturing, clinical and regulatory
departments and operates multiple manufacturing facilities including a
commercial scale cGMP manufacturing facility. In June 2008, Introgen
submitted a BLA to the FDA requesting marketing approval for ADVEXIN p53
therapy to treat recurrent, refractory head and neck cancer.
Simultaneously, Gendux Molecular Limited, an Introgen subsidiary,
submitted a MAA to the EMEA for the same indication. The EMEA accepted
Introgen's MAA for review. The FDA has declined to file Introgen's BLA
at this time, and Introgen plans to appeal such refusal. ADVEXIN
represents the first of a new class of tumor suppressor cancer therapy
and is the first of its kind to be submitted for regulatory approval in
the United States and Europe.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements in this release that are not strictly historical may be
"forward-looking" statements, including those relating to Introgen's
ability to obtain regulatory approval of ADVEXIN, to succeed with its
manufacturing business, or to complete any strategic transaction. The
actual results may differ from those described in this release due to
the risks and uncertainties that exist in Introgen's operations and
business environment, including Introgen's stage of product development
and the limited experience in the development of gene-based drugs in
general, dependence upon proprietary technology and the current
competitive environment, history of operating losses and accumulated
deficits, reliance on collaborative relationships, and uncertainties
related to clinical trials, the safety and efficacy of Introgen's
product candidates, the ability to obtain the appropriate regulatory
approvals, Introgen's patent protection and market acceptance, as well
as other risks detailed from time to time in Introgen's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission including its filings on Form 10-K
and Form 10-Q. Introgen undertakes no obligation to publicly release the
results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements that reflect
events or circumstances arising after the date hereof.
FINANCIAL TABLES TO FOLLOW
|
INTROGEN THERAPEUTICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SEPTEMBER 30,
|
|
DECEMBER 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
|
|
$
|
6,294
|
|
|
$
|
14,905
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MARKETABLE SECURITIES
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
10,165
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
388
|
|
|
|
706
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
|
|
|
3,858
|
|
|
|
4,442
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER ASSETS
|
|
|
245
|
|
|
|
265
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL ASSETS
|
|
$
|
10,785
|
|
|
$
|
30,483
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, ACCRUALS AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
|
$
|
6,397
|
|
|
$
|
7,240
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTES PAYABLE, NET OF CURRENT PORTION
|
|
|
6,897
|
|
|
|
7,155
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER LONG TERM LIABILITIES
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
79
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES
|
|
|
13,294
|
|
|
|
14,474
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST IN CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARY
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|
|
(2,511
|
)
|
|
|
16,003
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|
$
|
10,785
|
|
|
$
|
30,483
|
|
INTROGEN THERAPEUTICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THREE MONTHS ENDED
|
NINE MONTHS ENDED
|
|
|
SEPTEMBER 30,
|
|
|
|
|
SEPTEMBER 30,
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
(Thousands except per share information.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONTRACT SERVICES, GRANT AND
OTHER REVENUE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
331
|
|
|
$
|
139
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
638
|
|
|
$
|
543
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPERATING EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
|
|
|
3,784
|
|
|
|
5,074
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,620
|
|
|
|
13,012
|
|
|
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
|
|
|
2,699
|
|
|
|
2,980
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,720
|
|
|
|
9,780
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES
|
|
|
6,483
|
|
|
|
8,054
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,340
|
|
|
|
22,792
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS
|
|
|
(6,152
|
)
|
|
|
(7,915
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(19,702
|
)
|
|
|
(22,249
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REALIZED GAIN ON SALE OF MARKETABLE SECURITIES
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,388
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
INTEREST INCOME, INTEREST EXPENSE AND OTHER INCOME, NET
|
|
177
|
|
|
|
369
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
588
|
|
|
|
1,337
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOSS BEFORE NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST IN CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARY
|
|
($5,975
|
)
|
|
|
($7,546
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($14,726
|
)
|
|
|
($20,912
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST IN CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARY
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET LOSS
|
|
|
(5,975
|
)
|
|
|
(7,546
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14,722
|
)
|
|
|
(20,912
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET LOSS PER SHARE, BASIC AND DILUTED
|
|
|
($0.14
|
)
|
|
|
($0.17
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($0.33
|
)
|
|
|
($0.48
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHARES USED IN COMPUTING BASIC AND DILUTED
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET LOSS PER SHARE
|
|
|
44,089
|
|
|
|
43,845
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44,037
|
|
|
|
43,768
|
|