regeneron_10q.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
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(Mark One) |
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(X) |
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13
OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES |
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EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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For the quarterly period ended |
June 30, 2010 |
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OR |
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( ) |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13
OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES |
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EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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For the transition period from
______________ to
______________ |
Commission File Number
0-19034
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as
specified in its charter)
New
York |
13-3444607 |
(State or other jurisdiction
of |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification
No.) |
incorporation or organization) |
|
777 Old Saw Mill River Road |
|
Tarrytown, New
York |
10591-6707 |
(Address of principal executive
offices) |
(Zip
Code) |
(914) 347-7000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check
mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding
12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file
such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past
90 days.
Indicate by check
mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its
corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted
and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter)
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit and post such files).
Indicate by check
mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer,
a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of
“large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company”
in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer |
X |
|
Accelerated filer __ |
Non-accelerated filer |
|
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Smaller reporting company __ |
Indicate by check
mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act).
Number of shares
outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock as of July 15,
2010:
Class of Common
Stock |
Number of
Shares |
Class A Stock, $0.001 par
value |
2,182,036 |
Common Stock, $0.001 par value |
79,931,305 |
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Table of
Contents
June 30, 2010
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Page Numbers |
PART I |
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FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
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Item 1 |
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Financial Statements |
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Condensed balance sheets (unaudited) at
June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 |
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3 |
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Condensed statements of operations
(unaudited) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and
2009 |
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4 |
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Condensed statements of stockholders’
equity (unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and
2009 |
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5 |
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Condensed statements of cash flows
(unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 |
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6 |
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Notes to condensed financial statements
(unaudited) |
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7-13 |
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Item
2 |
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Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations |
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14-37 |
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Item 3 |
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
About Market Risk |
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37 |
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Item 4 |
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Controls and Procedures |
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37-38 |
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PART II |
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OTHER INFORMATION |
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Item 1 |
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Legal Proceedings |
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38 |
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Item 1A |
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Risk Factors |
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38-54 |
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Item 6 |
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Exhibits |
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54 |
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SIGNATURE PAGE |
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55 |
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS,
INC.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS AT JUNE 30, 2010 AND
DECEMBER 31, 2009 (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share data)
|
|
June 30, |
|
December 31, |
ASSETS |
|
2010 |
|
2009 |
Current assets |
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|
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Cash and cash
equivalents
|
|
$ |
112,000 |
|
|
$ |
207,075 |
|
Marketable securities |
|
|
194,337 |
|
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|
134,255 |
|
Accounts receivable from the sanofi-aventis
Group |
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|
91,126 |
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|
62,703 |
|
Accounts receivable - other |
|
|
4,070 |
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|
2,865 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets |
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|
16,217 |
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|
18,610 |
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Total current assets |
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|
417,750 |
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|
425,508 |
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Restricted cash |
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|
3,400 |
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|
1,600 |
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Marketable securities |
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|
70,465 |
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|
47,080 |
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Property, plant, and equipment, at cost,
net of accumulated |
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depreciation and amortization |
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|
292,329 |
|
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|
259,676 |
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Other assets |
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|
6,697 |
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|
7,338 |
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
790,641 |
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|
$ |
741,202 |
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LIABILITIES and STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY |
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Current liabilities |
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Accounts payable and accrued
expenses |
|
$ |
58,256 |
|
|
$ |
49,031 |
|
Deferred revenue from sanofi-aventis, current
portion |
|
|
19,126 |
|
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|
17,523 |
|
Deferred revenue - other, current
portion |
|
|
41,741 |
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|
27,021 |
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Facility lease obligations, current
portion |
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|
448 |
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Total current liabilities |
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119,571 |
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|
93,575 |
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Deferred revenue from
sanofi-aventis |
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96,168 |
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90,933 |
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Deferred revenue - other |
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42,009 |
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46,951 |
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Facility lease obligations |
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157,359 |
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109,022 |
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Other long term liabilities |
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|
4,318 |
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3,959 |
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Total liabilities |
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419,425 |
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344,440 |
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Commitments and contingencies |
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Stockholders' equity |
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Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 30,000,000
shares authorized; issued and |
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outstanding - none |
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Class A Stock, convertible, $.001 par value;
40,000,000 shares authorized; |
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shares issued and outstanding - 2,182,036 in
2010 and 2,244,698 in 2009 |
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2 |
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2 |
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Common Stock, $.001 par value; 160,000,000
shares authorized; |
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shares issued and outstanding - 79,923,216 in
2010 and 78,860,862 in 2009 |
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|
80 |
|
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|
79 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
1,368,531 |
|
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|
1,336,732 |
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
(997,091 |
) |
|
|
(941,095 |
) |
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
income |
|
|
(306 |
) |
|
|
1,044 |
|
Total stockholders' equity |
|
|
371,216 |
|
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|
396,762 |
|
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity |
|
$ |
790,641 |
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$ |
741,202 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral
part of the financial statements. |
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3
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS,
INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
|
|
Three months ended June
30, |
|
Six months ended June
30, |
|
|
2010 |
|
2009 |
|
2010 |
|
2009 |
Revenues |
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Sanofi-aventis collaboration
revenue
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$ |
84,941 |
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$ |
60,732 |
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$ |
153,612 |
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$ |
110,392 |
|
Other collaboration revenue |
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|
13,635 |
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12,846 |
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26,722 |
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|
22,794 |
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Technology licensing |
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|
10,037 |
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|
10,000 |
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20,075 |
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20,000 |
|
Net product sales |
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|
5,197 |
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|
4,500 |
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|
15,049 |
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8,391 |
|
Contract research and other |
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|
2,076 |
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|
1,954 |
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|
3,962 |
|
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|
3,436 |
|
|
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|
115,886 |
|
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|
90,032 |
|
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|
219,420 |
|
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|
165,013 |
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Expenses |
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Research and development |
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|
124,526 |
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94,231 |
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241,997 |
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|
174,538 |
|
Selling, general, and
administrative |
|
|
14,679 |
|
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|
11,632 |
|
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|
28,902 |
|
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|
23,052 |
|
Cost of goods sold |
|
|
405 |
|
|
|
435 |
|
|
|
1,122 |
|
|
|
827 |
|
|
|
|
139,610 |
|
|
|
106,298 |
|
|
|
272,021 |
|
|
|
198,417 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Loss from operations |
|
|
(23,724 |
) |
|
|
(16,266 |
) |
|
|
(52,601 |
) |
|
|
(33,404 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income (expense) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment income |
|
|
592 |
|
|
|
1,328 |
|
|
|
1,031 |
|
|
|
3,078 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
(2,342 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,426 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,750 |
) |
|
|
1,328 |
|
|
|
(3,395 |
) |
|
|
3,078 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(25,474 |
) |
|
$ |
(14,938 |
) |
|
$ |
(55,996 |
) |
|
$ |
(30,326 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share, basic and diluted |
|
$ |
(0.31 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.19 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.69 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.38 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted |
|
|
81,492 |
|
|
|
79,626 |
|
|
|
81,330 |
|
|
|
79,562 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of the financial statements. |
|
|
4
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited)
For the six months ended June
30, 2010 and 2009
(In
thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional |
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A Stock |
|
Common Stock |
|
Paid-in |
|
Accumulated |
|
Comprehensive |
|
Stockholders' |
|
Comprehensive |
|
|
Shares |
|
Amount |
|
Shares |
|
Amount |
|
Capital |
|
Deficit |
|
Income (Loss) |
|
Equity |
|
Loss |
Balance, December 31,
2009 |
|
2,245 |
|
|
$
|
2 |
|
78,861 |
|
$
|
79 |
|
$
|
1,336,732 |
|
$
|
(941,095 |
) |
|
$
|
1,044 |
|
|
$
|
396,762 |
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of Common Stock in connection with |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
exercise of stock options, net of shares
tendered
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
878 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
11,391 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,392 |
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of Common Stock in connection
with |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company 401(k) Savings Plan
contribution |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111 |
|
|
|
|
|
2,867 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,867 |
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of restricted Common Stock under |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term Incentive Plan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conversion of Class A Stock to Common
Stock |
|
(63 |
) |
|
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,541 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,541 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(55,996 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(55,996 |
) |
|
$
|
(55,996 |
) |
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
marketable securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,350 |
) |
|
|
(1,350 |
) |
|
|
(1,350 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, June 30, 2010 |
|
2,182 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
79,923 |
|
$ |
80 |
|
$ |
1,368,531 |
|
$ |
(997,091 |
) |
|
$ |
(306 |
) |
|
$ |
371,216 |
|
|
$ |
(57,346 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31,
2008 |
|
2,249 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
77,642 |
|
$ |
78 |
|
$ |
1,294,813 |
|
$ |
(873,265 |
) |
|
$ |
(114 |
) |
|
$ |
421,514 |
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of Common Stock in connection with |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
exercise of stock options, net of shares
tendered |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
196 |
|
|
|
|
|
1,705 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,705 |
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of Common Stock in connection
with |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company 401(k) Savings Plan
contribution |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
81 |
|
|
|
|
|
1,391 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,391 |
|
|
|
|
|
Conversion of Class A Stock to Common Stock |
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,094 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,094 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(30,326 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(30,326 |
) |
|
$ |
(30,326 |
) |
Change in net unrealized gain (loss)
on |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
marketable securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,128 |
|
|
|
1,128 |
|
|
|
1,128 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, June 30, 2009 |
|
2,247 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
77,921 |
|
$ |
78 |
|
$ |
1,313,003 |
|
$ |
(903,591 |
) |
|
$ |
1,014 |
|
|
$ |
410,506 |
|
|
$ |
(29,198 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of the financial statements. |
|
|
5
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS,
INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
|
|
Six months ended June
30, |
|
|
2010 |
|
2009 |
Cash flows from operating
activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$
|
(55,996 |
) |
|
$ |
(30,326 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
cash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
used in operating
activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and
amortization |
|
|
8,707 |
|
|
|
5,722 |
|
Non-cash compensation
expense |
|
|
17,541 |
|
|
|
15,094 |
|
Other non-cash charges and
expenses |
|
|
225 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized loss on marketable
securities |
|
|
200 |
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in assets and
liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase in accounts
receivable |
|
|
(29,628 |
) |
|
|
(24,834 |
) |
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses
and other assets |
|
|
1,604 |
|
|
|
(578 |
) |
Increase in deferred
revenue |
|
|
16,616 |
|
|
|
5,873 |
|
Increase in accounts payable, accrued
expenses, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and other liabilities |
|
|
18,105 |
|
|
|
13,045 |
|
Total adjustments |
|
|
33,370 |
|
|
|
14,322 |
|
Net cash used in operating
activities |
|
|
(22,626 |
) |
|
|
(16,004 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing
activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of marketable
securities |
|
|
(222,168 |
) |
|
|
(105,315 |
) |
Sales or maturities of marketable
securities |
|
|
137,909 |
|
|
|
190,723 |
|
Capital expenditures |
|
|
(45,324 |
) |
|
|
(52,671 |
) |
(Increase) decrease in restricted
cash |
|
|
(1,800 |
) |
|
|
50 |
|
Net cash (used in) provided by investing
activities |
|
|
(131,383 |
) |
|
|
32,787 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing
activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds in connection with facility lease
obligations |
|
|
47,544 |
|
|
|
5,182 |
|
Payments in connection with facility lease
obligations |
|
|
(674 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net proceeds from the issuance
of Common Stock |
|
|
12,064 |
|
|
|
1,705 |
|
Net cash provided by financing
activities |
|
|
58,934 |
|
|
|
6,887 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash
equivalents |
|
|
(95,075 |
) |
|
|
23,670 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of period |
|
|
207,075 |
|
|
|
247,796 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
period |
|
$ |
112,000 |
|
|
$ |
271,466 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of the financial statements. |
|
|
6
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Notes to
Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Unless otherwise noted, dollars in thousands, except per share data)
1. Interim Financial Statements
The interim Condensed Financial Statements of
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Regeneron” or the “Company”) have been
prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of
Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all information and disclosures
necessary for a presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of
operations, and cash flows in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America. In the opinion of management, these
financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal
recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial
position, results of operations, and cash flows for such periods. The results of
operations for any interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results
for the full year. The December 31, 2009 Condensed Balance Sheet data were
derived from audited financial statements, but do not include all disclosures
required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Effective in the first quarter of 2010, the
estimated useful lives of certain capitalized laboratory and other equipment,
which is a component of property, plant, and equipment, was extended. The effect
of this change in estimate was to lower depreciation expense by $1.0 million and
$2.0 million and to lower the Company’s net loss per share by $0.01 and $0.02
for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively.
2. ARCALYST® (rilonacept) Product
Revenue
In February 2008, the Company received
marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for
ARCALYST®
Injection for Subcutaneous Use for the treatment of Cryopyrin-Associated
Periodic Syndromes (“CAPS”). The Company had limited historical return
experience for ARCALYST® beginning with initial
sales in 2008 through the end of 2009; therefore, ARCALYST® net product sales were
deferred until the right of return no longer existed and rebates could be
reasonably estimated. Effective in the first quarter of 2010, the Company
determined that it had accumulated sufficient historical data to reasonably
estimate both product returns and rebates of ARCALYST®. As a result, $4.8
million of previously deferred ARCALYST® net product sales were
recognized as revenue in the first quarter of 2010.
ARCALYST® net product sales
totaled $5.2 million and $4.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010
and 2009, respectively, and $15.0 million and $8.4 million for the six months
ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. ARCALYST® net product sales
during the first six months of 2010 included $10.2 million of net product sales
made during this period and $4.8 million of previously deferred net product
sales, as described above. There was no deferred ARCALYST® net product sales
revenue at June 30, 2010. At June 30, 2009, deferred ARCALYST® net product sales
revenue was $4.9 million. The effect of this change in estimate related to
ARCALYST® net
product sales revenue was to lower the Company’s net loss per share by $0.06 for
the six months ended June 30, 2010.
Cost of goods sold related to ARCALYST® sales, which consisted
primarily of royalties, totaled $0.4 million for both the three months ended
June 30, 2010 and 2009, and $1.1 million and $0.8 million for the six months
ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. To date, ARCALYST® shipments to the
Company’s customers have consisted of supplies of inventory manufactured and
expensed prior to FDA approval of ARCALYST®; therefore, the costs
of these supplies were not included in costs of goods sold. At both June 30,
2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company had $0.4 million of inventoried
work-in-process costs related to ARCALYST®, which is included in
prepaid expenses and other current assets.
7
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Notes to
Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Unless otherwise noted, dollars in thousands, except per share data)
3. Per Share Data
The Company’s basic and diluted net loss per
share amounts have been computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average
number of shares of Common Stock and Class A Stock outstanding. Net loss per
share is presented on a combined basis, inclusive of Common Stock and Class A
Stock outstanding, as each class of stock has equivalent economic rights. For
the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company reported net
losses; therefore, no common stock equivalents were included in the computation
of diluted net loss per share for these periods, since such inclusion would have
been antidilutive. The calculations of basic and diluted net loss per share are
as follows:
|
|
Three Months Ended June
30, |
|
|
2010 |
|
2009 |
Net loss (Numerator) |
|
$
|
(25,474 |
) |
|
$
|
(14,938 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average shares, in thousands
(Denominator) |
|
|
81,492 |
|
|
|
79,626 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net loss per
share |
|
$ |
(0.31 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.19 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June
30, |
|
|
2010 |
|
2009 |
Net loss (Numerator) |
|
$ |
(55,996 |
) |
|
$ |
(30,326 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average shares, in thousands
(Denominator) |
|
|
81,330 |
|
|
|
79,562 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net loss per
share |
|
$ |
(0.69 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.38 |
) |
Shares issuable upon the exercise of stock
options and vesting of restricted stock awards, which have been excluded
from the June 30, 2010 and 2009 diluted per share amounts because their effect
would have been antidilutive, include the following:
|
|
Three months ended June
30, |
|
|
2010 |
|
2009 |
Stock Options: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number, in
thousands |
|
|
21,288 |
|
|
20,106 |
Weighted average exercise price |
|
$ |
18.67 |
|
$ |
17.56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted Stock: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number, in
thousands |
|
|
510 |
|
|
500 |
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended June
30, |
|
|
2010 |
|
2009 |
Stock Options: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number, in
thousands |
|
|
21,344 |
|
|
20,161 |
Weighted average exercise price |
|
$ |
18.63 |
|
$ |
17.56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted Stock: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number, in
thousands |
|
|
506 |
|
|
500 |
8
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS,
INC.
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Unless otherwise noted, dollars in thousands, except per share data)
4. Statement of Cash Flows
Supplemental disclosure of noncash
investing and financing activities:
Included in accounts payable and accrued
expenses at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were $4.1 million and $9.8
million, respectively, of accrued capital expenditures. Included in accounts
payable and accrued expenses at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 were $12.1
million and $7.0 million, respectively, of accrued capital
expenditures.
Included in accounts payable and accrued
expenses at December 31, 2009 and 2008 were $2.6 million and $1.5 million,
respectively, of accrued Company 401(k) Savings Plan contribution expense. In
the first quarter of 2010 and 2009, the Company contributed 111,419 and 81,086
shares, respectively, of Common Stock to the 401(k) Savings Plan in satisfaction
of these obligations.
Pursuant to the application of authoritative
guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) to the
Company’s lease of office and laboratory facilities in Tarrytown, New York, the
Company recognized a facility lease obligation of $1.3 million for the six
months ended June 30, 2009, in connection with capitalizing, on the Company’s
books, the landlord’s costs of constructing new facilities that the Company has
leased.
Included in facility lease obligations and
property, plant, and equipment at June 30, 2010 was $1.7 million of capitalized
and deferred interest for the six months ended June 30, 2010, as the related
facilities being leased by the Company are currently under construction and
lease payments on these facilities do not commence until January
2011.
Included in other assets at December 31, 2009
was $0.7 million due to the Company in connection with employee exercises of
stock options.
Included in marketable securities at June 30,
2010 and December 31, 2009 were $1.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of
accrued interest income. Included in marketable securities at June 30, 2009 and
December 31, 2008 were $1.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively, of accrued
interest income.
5. Marketable Securities
Marketable securities at June 30, 2010 and
December 31, 2009 consisted of debt securities, as detailed below, and an equity
security, the aggregate fair value of which was $3.8 million and $5.5 million at
June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, and the aggregate cost basis
of which was $4.0 million at both June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. The
following tables summarize the amortized cost basis of debt securities included
in marketable securities, the aggregate fair value of those securities, and
gross unrealized gains and losses on those securities at June 30, 2010 and
December 31, 2009. The Company classifies its debt securities, other than
mortgage-backed securities, based on their contractual maturity dates.
Maturities of mortgage-backed securities have been estimated based primarily on
repayment characteristics and experience of the senior tranches that the Company
holds.
9
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Notes to
Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Unless otherwise noted, dollars in thousands, except per share data)
|
|
Amortized |
|
Fair |
|
Unrealized |
At
June 30, 2010 |
|
Cost Basis |
|
Value |
|
Gains |
|
(Losses) |
|
Net |
Maturities within one year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. government
obligations
|
|
$ |
156,142 |
|
$ |
156,208 |
|
$ |
70 |
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
66 |
|
U.S. government guaranteed corporate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
bonds |
|
|
31,216 |
|
|
31,362 |
|
|
146 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
146 |
|
Corporate bonds |
|
|
3,053 |
|
|
3,067 |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 |
|
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
|
773 |
|
|
707 |
|
|
|
|
|
(66 |
) |
|
|
(66 |
) |
U.S. government
guaranteed |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
collateralized mortgage
obligations |
|
|
2,803 |
|
|
2,993 |
|
|
190 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
190 |
|
|
|
|
193,987 |
|
|
194,337 |
|
|
420 |
|
|
(70 |
) |
|
|
350 |
|
Maturities between one and four years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. government
obligations
|
|
|
30,476 |
|
|
30,536 |
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
60 |
|
U.S. government guaranteed
corporate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
bonds |
|
|
32,240 |
|
|
32,648 |
|
|
408 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
408 |
|
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
|
1,450 |
|
|
1,313 |
|
|
|
|
|
(137 |
) |
|
|
(137 |
) |
Municipal bonds |
|
|
2,196 |
|
|
2,192 |
|
|
3 |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
66,362 |
|
|
66,689 |
|
|
471 |
|
|
(144 |
) |
|
|
327 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
260,349 |
|
$ |
261,026 |
|
$ |
891 |
|
$ |
(214 |
) |
|
$ |
677 |
|
At
December 31, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maturities within one year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. government
obligations |
|
$ |
100,491 |
|
$ |
100,573 |
|
$ |
82 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
82 |
|
U.S. government guaranteed corporate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
bonds |
|
|
17,176 |
|
|
17,340 |
|
|
164 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
164 |
|
Corporate bonds |
|
|
10,142 |
|
|
10,342 |
|
|
200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
200 |
|
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
|
2,471 |
|
|
2,338 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
(133 |
) |
|
|
(133 |
) |
U.S. government
guaranteed |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
collateralized mortgage
obligations |
|
|
3,612 |
|
|
3,662 |
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
|
133,892 |
|
|
134,255 |
|
|
496 |
|
|
(133 |
) |
|
|
363 |
|
Maturities between one and two years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. government obligations |
|
|
9,413 |
|
|
9,367 |
|
|
|
|
|
(46 |
) |
|
|
(46 |
) |
U.S. government guaranteed
corporate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
bonds |
|
|
31,064 |
|
|
31,344 |
|
|
280 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
280 |
|
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
|
1,168 |
|
|
900 |
|
|
|
|
|
(268 |
) |
|
|
(268 |
) |
|
|
|
41,645 |
|
|
41,611 |
|
|
280 |
|
|
(314 |
) |
|
|
(34 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
175,537 |
|
$ |
175,866 |
|
$ |
776 |
|
$ |
(447 |
) |
|
$ |
329 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009,
marketable securities included an additional unrealized loss of $0.3 million and
an additional unrealized gain of $1.4 million, respectively, related to the
equity security in the Company’s marketable securities portfolio.
The following table shows the fair value of
the Company’s marketable securities that have unrealized losses and that are
deemed to be only temporarily impaired, aggregated by investment category and
length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous
unrealized loss position, at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. The debt
securities listed at June 30, 2010 mature at various dates through July 2013.
|
|
Less than 12 Months |
|
12 Months or Greater |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
Unrealized |
|
|
|
|
Unrealized |
|
|
|
|
Unrealized |
At
June 30, 2010 |
|
Fair Value |
|
Loss |
|
Fair Value |
|
Loss |
|
Fair Value |
|
Loss |
U.S. government obligations |
|
$ |
23,417 |
|
$
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
23,417 |
|
$
|
(4 |
) |
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,020 |
|
$
|
(203 |
) |
|
|
2,020 |
|
|
(203 |
) |
Municipal bonds |
|
|
1,188 |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,188 |
|
|
(7 |
) |
Equity security |
|
|
3,776 |
|
|
(268 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,776 |
|
|
(268 |
) |
|
|
$ |
28,381 |
|
$ |
(279 |
) |
|
$ |
2,020 |
|
$ |
(203 |
) |
|
$ |
30,401 |
|
$ |
(482 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At
December 31, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. government obligations |
|
$ |
9,367 |
|
$ |
(46 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
9,367 |
|
$ |
(46 |
) |
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,238 |
|
$ |
(401 |
) |
|
|
3,238 |
|
|
(401 |
) |
|
|
$ |
9,367 |
|
$ |
(46 |
) |
|
$ |
3,238 |
|
$ |
(401 |
) |
|
$ |
12,605 |
|
$ |
(447 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Notes to
Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Unless otherwise noted, dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Realized gains and losses are included as a
component of investment income. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2010
and 2009, realized gains and losses on sales of marketable securities were not
significant. In computing realized gains and losses, the Company computes the
cost of its investments on a specific identification basis. Such cost includes
the direct costs to acquire the security, adjusted for the amortization of any
discount or premium.
The Company’s assets that are measured at fair
value on a recurring basis, at June 30, 2010
and December 31, 2009, were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting
Date Using |
|
|
|
|
|
Quoted Prices |
|
Significant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
in Active |
|
Other |
|
Significant |
|
|
|
|
|
Markets for |
|
Observable |
|
Unobservable |
|
|
|
|
|
Identical Assets |
|
Inputs |
|
Inputs |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
(Level 1) |
|
(Level 2) |
|
(Level 3) |
At
June 30, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available-for-sale marketable securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. government
obligations
|
|
$ |
186,744 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
186,744 |
|
|
U.S. government guaranteed
corporate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
bonds |
|
|
64,010 |
|
|
|
|
|
64,010 |
|
|
Corporate bonds |
|
|
3,067 |
|
|
|
|
|
3,067 |
|
|
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
|
2,020 |
|
|
|
|
|
2,020 |
|
|
U.S. government guaranteed |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
collateralized mortgage
obligations |
|
|
2,993 |
|
|
|
|
|
2,993 |
|
|
Municipal bonds |
|
|
2,192 |
|
|
|
|
|
2,192 |
|
|
Equity security |
|
|
3,776 |
|
$ |
3,776 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
264,802 |
|
$ |
3,776 |
|
$ |
261,026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At
December 31, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available-for-sale marketable securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. government obligations |
|
$ |
109,940 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
109,940 |
|
|
U.S. government guaranteed
corporate |
|
|
48,684 |
|
|
|
|
|
48,684 |
|
|
bonds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate bonds |
|
|
10,342 |
|
|
|
|
|
10,342 |
|
|
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
|
3,238 |
|
|
|
|
|
3,238 |
|
|
U.S. government guaranteed |
|
|
3,662 |
|
|
|
|
|
3,662 |
|
|
collateralized mortgage
obligations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity security |
|
|
5,469 |
|
$ |
5,469 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
181,335 |
|
$ |
5,469 |
|
$ |
175,866 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marketable securities included in Level 2 were
valued using a market approach utilizing prices and other relevant information,
such as interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit
risks and default rates, generated by market transactions involving identical or
comparable assets. The Company considers market liquidity in determining the
fair value for these securities. During the six months ended June 30, 2010,
deterioration in the credit quality of a marketable security from one issuer
subjected the Company to the risk of not being able to recover the carrying
value of the security. As a result, the Company recognized a $0.1 million
impairment charge related to this Level 2 marketable security, which the Company
considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired. During the three months ended
June 30, 2010, and the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company did
not record any charges for other-than-temporary impairment of its Level 2
marketable securities.
At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the
Company held one Level 3 marketable security whose fair value was $0.1 million.
This Level 3 security was valued using information provided by the Company’s
investment advisors, including quoted bid prices which took into consideration
the securities’ lack of liquidity. During the three and six months ended June
30, 2009, the Company did not record any settlements, realized gains or losses,
or charges for other-than-temporary
impairment related to this Level 3 marketable security. In addition, there were
no purchases, sales, or maturities of Level 3 marketable securities and no
unrealized gains or losses related to Level 3 marketable securities for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. The Company held no Level 3
marketable securities at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. There were no
transfers of marketable securities between Levels 1, 2, or 3 classifications
during the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and
2009.
11
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Notes to
Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Unless otherwise noted, dollars in thousands, except per share data)
On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews its
portfolio of marketable securities, using both quantitative and qualitative
factors, to determine if declines in fair value below cost are
other-than-temporary. With respect to debt securities, this review process also
includes an evaluation of the Company’s (a) intent to sell an individual debt
security or (b) need to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery
or maturity. With respect to equity securities, this review process includes an
evaluation of the Company’s ability and intent to hold the securities until
their full value can be recovered.
The current economic environment, the
deterioration in the credit quality of issuers of securities that the Company
holds, and the continuing volatility of securities markets increase the risk of
potential declines in the current market value of marketable securities in the
Company’s investment portfolio. Such declines could result in charges against
income in future periods for other-than-temporary impairments and the amounts
could be material.
6. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payable and accrued
expenses as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 consist of the following:
|
|
June 30, |
|
December 31, |
|
|
2010 |
|
2009 |
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
15,525 |
|
$ |
18,638 |
Accrued payroll and related costs |
|
|
19,469 |
|
|
9,444 |
Accrued clinical trial expense |
|
|
16,141 |
|
|
11,673 |
Accrued property, plant, and equipment expenditures |
|
|
2,041 |
|
|
1,883 |
Accrued expenses, other |
|
|
5,080 |
|
|
6,207 |
Payable to Bayer HealthCare |
|
|
|
|
|
1,186 |
|
|
$ |
58,256 |
|
$ |
49,031 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7. Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive loss of the Company includes net
loss adjusted for the change in net unrealized gain (loss) on marketable
securities, net of any tax effect. For the three and six months ended June 30,
2010 and 2009, the components of comprehensive loss are:
|
|
Three months ended June
30, |
|
|
2010 |
|
2009 |
Net loss |
|
$ |
(25,474 |
) |
|
$ |
(14,938 |
) |
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on marketable
securities |
|
|
(1,023 |
) |
|
|
2,262 |
|
Total comprehensive loss
|
|
$ |
(26,497 |
) |
|
$ |
(12,676 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended June
30, |
|
|
2010 |
|
2009 |
Net loss |
|
$ |
(55,996 |
) |
|
$ |
(30,326 |
) |
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on marketable
securities |
|
|
(1,350 |
) |
|
|
1,128 |
|
Total comprehensive loss |
|
$ |
(57,346 |
) |
|
$ |
(29,198 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Notes to
Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Unless otherwise noted, dollars in thousands, except per share data)
8. Legal Matters
From time to time, the Company is a party to
legal proceedings in the course of its business. The Company does not expect any
such current legal proceedings to have a material adverse effect on the
Company’s business or financial condition.
9. Future Impact of Recently Issued Accounting
Standards
In March 2010, the FASB amended its
authoritative guidance on the milestone method of revenue recognition. The
milestone method of revenue recognition has now been codified as an acceptable
revenue recognition model when a milestone is deemed to be substantive. This
guidance may be applied retrospectively to all arrangements or prospectively for
milestones achieved after the adoption of the guidance. The Company will be
required to adopt this amended guidance for the fiscal year beginning January 1,
2011, although earlier adoption is permitted. Management does not anticipate
that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on the Company’s
financial statements.
10. Subsequent Event- Extension of Technology
Licensing Agreement with Astellas
In March 2007, the Company entered into a
six-year non-exclusive license agreement with Astellas Pharma Inc. that allows
Astellas to utilize the Company’s VelocImmune® technology in its
internal research programs to discover human monoclonal antibodies. Under the
terms of the agreement, Astellas made a $20.0 million annual, non-refundable
payment to the Company in each of 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007. In July 2010, the
license agreement with Astellas was amended and extended through June 2023.
Under the terms of the amended agreement, Astellas will make a $165.0 million
up-front payment to the Company. In addition, Astellas will make a $130.0
million payment to the Company in June 2018 unless the license agreement
has been terminated prior to that date. Astellas has the right to terminate this
license agreement at any time by providing 90 days’ advance written notice.
Under certain limited circumstances, such as a material breach of the agreement
by the Company, Astellas may terminate the agreement and receive a refund of a
portion of its payment to the Company under the July 2010 amendment to the
agreement. The Company is entitled to receive a mid-single-digit royalty on any
future sales of antibody products discovered by Astellas using the Company’s
VelocImmune®
technology.
13
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The discussion below contains forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties relating to future events and the future financial
performance of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and actual events or results may
differ materially. These statements concern, among other things, the possible
success and therapeutic applications of our product candidates and research
programs, anticipated sales of our marketed product, the timing and nature of
the clinical and research programs now underway or planned, and the future
sources and uses of capital and our financial needs. These statements are made
by us based on management's current beliefs and judgment. In evaluating such
statements, shareholders and potential investors should specifically consider
the various factors identified under the caption “Risk Factors” which could
cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such
forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to update
publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
Overview
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a
biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercializes
pharmaceutical products for the treatment of serious medical conditions. We
currently have one marketed product: ARCALYST® (rilonacept) Injection
for Subcutaneous Use, which is available for prescription in the United States
for the treatment of Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS), including
Familial Cold Auto-inflammatory Syndrome (FCAS) and Muckle-Wells Syndrome (MWS)
in adults and children 12 and older.
We have eight product candidates in clinical
development, including three product candidates that are in late-stage (Phase 3)
clinical development. Our late stage programs are ARCALYST®, which is being developed for the prevention
of gout flares in patients initiating uric acid-lowering treatment; VEGF
Trap-Eye, which is being developed using intraocular delivery for the treatment
of eye diseases in collaboration with Bayer HealthCare LLC; and aflibercept
(VEGF Trap), which is being developed in oncology in collaboration with the
sanofi-aventis Group. Our earlier stage clinical programs are REGN727, an
antibody to PCSK9, which is being developed for low density lipoprotein (LDL)
cholesterol reduction; REGN88, an antibody to the interleukin-6 receptor
(IL-6R), which is being developed in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing
spondilitis; REGN421, an antibody to Delta-like ligand-4 (Dll4), which is being
developed in oncology; REGN668, an antibody to the interleukin-4 receptor
(IL-4R), which is being developed in atopic dermatitis; and REGN475, an antibody
to Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), which is being developed for the treatment of
pain. All five of our earlier stage clinical programs are fully human antibodies
that are being developed in collaboration with sanofi-aventis.
Our core business strategy is to maintain a
strong foundation in basic scientific research and discovery-enabling
technologies and combine that foundation with our clinical development and
manufacturing capabilities. Our long-term objective is to build a successful,
integrated biopharmaceutical company that provides patients and medical
professionals with new and better options for preventing and treating human
diseases. However, developing and commercializing new medicines entails
significant risk and expense.
We believe that our ability to develop product
candidates is enhanced by the application of our VelociSuite™
technology platforms. Our discovery platforms are designed to identify specific
proteins of therapeutic interest for a particular disease or cell type and
validate these targets through high-throughput production of genetically
modified mice using our VelociGene® technology to understand the role of these proteins in normal physiology
as well as in models of disease. Our human monoclonal antibody technology
(VelocImmune®) and cell line expression technologies
(VelociMab®) may then be utilized to design and produce
new product candidates directed against the disease target. Our five antibody
product candidates currently in clinical trials were developed using
VelocImmune®. Under the terms of our antibody
collaboration with sanofi-aventis, which was expanded during 2009, we plan to
advance an average of four to five new antibody product candidates into clinical
development each year, for an anticipated total of 30-40 candidates over the
next eight years. We continue to invest in the development of enabling
technologies to assist in our efforts to identify, develop, manufacture, and
commercialize new product candidates.
We and Astellas Pharma Inc.
announced in July 2010 that Astellas has extended through 2023 the
non-exclusive license agreement that allows Astellas to utilize our VelocImmune® technology in its internal research
programs to discover fully human monoclonal antibody product candidates.
Astellas will pay $165.0 million up-front and another $130.0 million in
June 2018 unless it terminates the agreement prior to that date. Upon
commercialization of any antibody products discovered utilizing VelocImmune®, Astellas will pay us a mid-single-digit
royalty on product sales.
14
Commercial Product:
ARCALYST®– Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS)
Net product sales of ARCALYST® Injection for Subcutaneous Use in the second
quarter of 2010 were $5.2 million, compared to $4.5 million during the same
period of 2009. We recognized $15.0 million of net product sales during the
first six months of 2010, which included $10.2 million of ARCALYST® net product sales made during the first half
of 2010 and $4.8 million of previously deferred net product sales, as described
below under “Results of Operations.” In the first six months of 2009, we
recognized $8.4 million of ARCALYST® net product sales. ARCALYST® is available for prescription in the United
States for the treatment of Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS),
including Familial Cold Auto-inflammatory Syndrome (FCAS) and Muckle-Wells
Syndrome (MWS) in adults and children 12 and older.
ARCALYST® is a protein-based product designed to bind
the interleukin-1 (called IL-1) cytokine and prevent its interaction with cell
surface receptors. CAPS is a group of rare, inherited, auto-inflammatory
conditions characterized by life-long, recurrent symptoms of rash, fever/chills,
joint pain, eye redness/pain, and fatigue. Intermittent, disruptive
exacerbations or flares can be triggered at any time by exposure to cooling
temperatures, stress, exercise, or other unknown stimuli.
Clinical Programs:
1. ARCALYST®– Inflammatory Diseases
ARCALYST® is being developed for the prevention of gout
flares in patients initiating uric acid-lowering therapy. Gout, a disease in
which, as in CAPS, IL-1 may play an important role in pain and inflammation, is
a very painful and common form of arthritis that results from high levels of
uric acid, a bodily waste product normally excreted by the kidneys. The elevated
uric acid can lead to formation of urate crystals in the joints of the toes,
ankles, knees, wrists, fingers, and elbows. Uric acid-lowering therapy, most
commonly with allopurinol, is prescribed to eliminate the urate crystals and
prevent reformation. Paradoxically, the initiation of uric acid-lowering therapy
often triggers an increase in the frequency of gout attacks in the first several
months of treatment, which may lead to discontinuation of therapy. The break up
of the urate crystals can result in stimulation of inflammatory mediators,
including IL-1, resulting in acute flares of joint pain and inflammation. These
painful flares generally persist for at least five days.
During the first quarter of 2009, we initiated a Phase 3 clinical
development program with ARCALYST® for the treatment of gout. The program
included four clinical trials called PRE-SURGE 1 (PREvention Study against URate-lowering drug-induced Gout Exacerbations), PRE-SURGE 2, SURGE
(Study Utilizing Rilonacept in Gout Exacerbations), and RE-SURGE (REview of Safety Utilizing Rilonacept in Gout Exacerbations), each of which are described
below.
In June 2010, we announced that our PRE-SURGE 1 study in gout patients
initiating allopurinol therapy to lower their uric acid levels showed that
ARCALYST® prevented gout attacks, as measured by the
primary study endpoint of the number of gout flares per patient over the 16 week
treatment period. Patients who received ARCALYST® at a weekly, self-administered, subcutaneous
dose of 160 milligrams (mg) had an 80% decrease in mean number of gout flares
compared to the placebo group over the 16 week treatment period (0.21 flares vs.
1.06 flares, p<0.0001). Patients who received ARCALYST® at a weekly dose of 80 mg had a 73% decrease
compared to the placebo group (0.29 flares vs. 1.06 flares,
p<0.0001).
All secondary endpoints of the study were
highly positive (p<0.001 vs. placebo). Among these endpoints, treatment with
ARCALYST® reduced the proportion of patients who
experienced two or more flares during the study period by up to 88% (3.7% with
ARCALYST® 160 mg, 5.0% with ARCALYST® 80 mg, and 31.6% with placebo, p<0.0001).
In addition, treatment with ARCALYST® reduced the proportion of patients who
experienced at least one gout flare during the study period by up to 65% (16.3%
with ARCALYST® 160 mg, 18.8% with ARCALYST® 80 mg, and 46.8% with placebo,
p<0.001).
15
A total of 241 patients were randomized
in PRE-SURGE 1, a North America-based double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
ARCALYST® was generally well tolerated with no reported
drug-related serious adverse events. Adverse events that occurred at a frequency
of at least 5% in any study group were: injection site reaction (19.8% with
ARCALYST® 160 mg, 8.8% with ARCALYST® 80 mg, and 1.3% with placebo), upper
respiratory tract infection (9.9% with ARCALYST® 160 mg, 8.8% with ARCALYST® 80 mg, and 7.6% with placebo), lower
respiratory tract infection (0% with ARCALYST® 160 mg, 5.0% with ARCALYST® 80 mg, and 2.5% with placebo),
musculoskeletal pain/ discomfort (6.2% with ARCALYST® 160 mg, 7.5% with ARCALYST® 80 mg, and 8.9% with placebo), and headache,
(3.7% with ARCALYST® 160 mg, 6.3% with ARCALYST® 80 mg, and 1.3% with placebo).
In addition, in June 2010, we reported results
from a placebo-controlled, Phase 3 study (called SURGE), evaluating pain in
patients presenting with an acute gout flare. The results of this study showed
that there was no significant benefit from combining ARCALYST® with indomethacin (a non-sterodial
anti-inflammatory drug considered the standard of care), as measured by the
primary study endpoint of the average intensity of gout pain from 24 to 72 hours
after initiation of treatment. Patients treated with indomethacin alone
experienced an average reduction in patient-reported pain scores (0 to 4 Likert
scale where 0 represents no pain and 4 represents extreme pain) of 1.40 points
from baseline compared to an average reduction of 1.55 points from baseline in
patients treated with both indomethacin and ARCALYST® (p=0.33). Patients who received ARCALYST® alone experienced an average pain reduction
of 0.69 points. Treatment with ARCALYST® was generally well tolerated with no reported
drug-related serious adverse events. The most commonly reported adverse event
with ARCALYST® was headache.
There are two ongoing studies in the Phase 3
program with ARCALYST® in the prevention of gout flares in patients
initiating uric acid-lowering therapy. The global PRE-SURGE 2 study, which has a
similar trial design as PRE-SURGE 1, is evaluating the number of gout flares per
patient over the first 16 weeks of initiation of allopurinol therapy. In
addition, the global RE-SURGE study is evaluating the safety of ARCALYST® versus placebo over 16 weeks in patients who
are at risk for gout flares because they are taking uric acid-lowering drug
treatment. PRE-SURGE 2 is fully enrolled and RE-SURGE is over 90% enrolled. Data
from both studies are expected in early 2011. We own worldwide rights to
ARCALYST®.
Royalty Agreement with Novartis Pharma
AG
Under a June 2009 agreement with Novartis
Pharma AG (that replaced a previous collaboration and license agreement), we
receive tiered royalties on worldwide sales of Novartis’ canakinumab, a fully
human anti-interleukin-IL1ß antibody. The
multi-tiered royalty rates in the agreement start at 4% and reach 15% when
annual sales exceed $1.5 billion. Canakinumab is approved to treat
Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndrome (CAPS) and is in development for gout,
type 2 diabetes, and other inflammatory diseases.
2. VEGF Trap-Eye – Ophthalmologic Diseases
VEGF Trap-Eye is a specially purified and
formulated form of VEGF Trap, which is being developed for use in intraocular
applications. We and Bayer HealthCare are testing VEGF Trap-Eye in Phase 3
programs in patients with the neovascular form of age-related macular
degeneration (wet AMD) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). We and Bayer
HealthCare are also conducting a Phase 2 study of VEGF Trap-Eye in patients with
diabetic macular edema (DME). Wet AMD and diabetic retinopathy (which includes
DME) are two of the leading causes of adult blindness in the developed world. In
both conditions, severe visual loss is caused by a combination of retinal edema
and neovascular proliferation.
The Phase 3 trials in wet AMD, known as VIEW 1
and VIEW 2 (VEGF Trap: Investigation of Efficacy and Safety in Wet age-related macular degeneration), are
comparing VEGF Trap-Eye and Lucentis® (ranibizumab injection), owned by Genentech, Inc., an anti-angiogenic
agent approved for use in wet AMD. VIEW 1 is being conducted in North America
and VIEW 2 is being conducted in Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Latin America.
The VIEW 1 and VIEW 2 trials are both evaluating VEGF Trap-Eye doses of 0.5
milligrams (mg) and 2.0 mg at dosing intervals of four weeks and 2.0 mg at a
dosing interval of eight weeks (after three monthly doses) compared with
Lucentis (Genentech) dosed according to its U.S. label, which specifies doses of
0.5 mg administered every four weeks over the first year. As-needed dosing (PRN)
with both agents will be evaluated in the second year of the studies, although
patients will be dosed no less frequently than every 12 weeks. VIEW 1 and VIEW 2
were fully enrolled in 2009, and initial data are expected in the fourth quarter
of 2010.
16
VEGF Trap-Eye is also in Phase 3 development
for the treatment of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), another cause of
visual impairment. The COPERNICUS (COntrolled Phase 3 Evaluation of Repeated iNtravitreal administration of VEGF Trap-Eye
In Central retinal vein occlusion: Utility and Safety) study is being led by Regeneron and the
GALILEO (General Assessment Limiting InfiLtration of Exudates in central retinal vein Occlusion with VEGF Trap-Eye) study is being
led by Bayer HealthCare. Patients in both studies will receive six monthly
intravitreal injections of either VEGF Trap-Eye at a dose of 2 mg or sham
control injections. The primary endpoint of both studies is improvement in
visual acuity versus baseline after six months of treatment. At the end of the
initial six months, patients will be dosed on a PRN basis for another six
months. All patients will be eligible for rescue laser treatment. COPERNICUS is
fully enrolled and GALILEO is over 90% enrolled. Initial data from both studies
are anticipated in early 2011.
The Phase 2 DME study, known as DA VINCI
(DME And VEGF Trap-Eye: INvestigation of Clinical Impact), is a double-masked, randomized,
controlled trial that is evaluating four different dosing regimens of VEGF
Trap-Eye versus laser treatment. In February 2010, we and Bayer HealthCare
announced that treatment with VEGF Trap-Eye demonstrated a statistically
significant improvement in visual acuity compared to focal laser therapy, the
primary endpoint of the study. Visual acuity was measured by the mean number of
letters gained over the initial 24 weeks of the study. Patients in each of the
four dosing groups receiving VEGF Trap-Eye achieved statistically significantly
greater mean improvements in visual acuity (8.5 to 11.4 letters of vision
gained) compared to patients receiving focal laser therapy (2.5 letters gained)
at week 24 (p< 0.01 for each VEGF Trap-Eye group versus focal laser). VEGF
Trap-Eye was generally well-tolerated, and no ocular or non-ocular drug-related
serious adverse events were reported. The adverse events reported were those
typically associated with intravitreal injections or the underlying disease.
Following the initial 24 weeks of treatment, patients continue to be treated for
another 24 weeks on the same dosing regimens. Initial one-year results will be
available later in 2010.
Collaboration with Bayer HealthCare
In October 2006, we entered into a
collaboration agreement with Bayer HealthCare for the global development and
commercialization outside the United States of VEGF Trap-Eye. Under the
agreement, we and Bayer HealthCare will collaborate on, and share the costs of,
the development of VEGF Trap-Eye through an integrated global plan that
encompasses wet AMD, DME, and CRVO. Bayer HealthCare will market VEGF Trap-Eye
outside the United States, where the companies will share equally in profits
from any future sales of VEGF Trap-Eye. If VEGF Trap-Eye is granted marketing
authorization in a major market country outside the United States, we will be
obligated to reimburse Bayer HealthCare for 50% of the development costs that it
has incurred under the agreement from our share of the collaboration profits.
Within the United States, we retain exclusive commercialization rights to VEGF
Trap-Eye and are entitled to all profits from any such sales. We can earn up to
$70 million in future development and regulatory milestone payments related to
the development of VEGF Trap-Eye and marketing approvals in major market
countries outside the United States. We can also earn up to $135 million in
sales milestone payments if total annual sales of VEGF Trap-Eye outside the
United States achieve certain specified levels starting at $200
million.
3. Aflibercept (VEGF Trap) – Oncology
Aflibercept is a protein-based product
candidate designed to bind all forms of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A
(called VEGF-A), VEGF-B, and the related Placental Growth Factor (called PlGF),
and prevent their interaction with cell surface receptors. VEGF-A (and to a
lesser degree, PlGF) is required for the growth of new blood vessels (a process
known as angiogenesis) that are needed for tumors to grow.
Aflibercept is being developed globally in
cancer indications in collaboration with sanofi-aventis. We and sanofi-aventis
are conducting three randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trials, all of which are
fully enrolled, that are evaluating combinations of standard chemotherapy
regimens with either aflibercept or placebo for the treatment of cancer. One
trial (called VELOUR) is evaluating aflibercept as a 2nd-line treatment for metastatic colorectal
cancer in combination with FOLFIRI (folinic acid [leucovorin], 5-fluorouracil,
and irinotecan). A second trial (VITAL) is evaluating aflibercept as a 2nd-line treatment for locally advanced or
metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in combination with docetaxel. A third
trial (VENICE) is evaluating aflibercept as a 1st-line treatment for metastatic
castration-resistant prostate cancer in combination with docetaxel/prednisone.
In addition, a Phase 2 study (called AFFIRM) of aflibercept in 1st-line metastatic colorectal cancer in
combination with FOLFOX (folinic acid [leucovorin], 5-fluorouracil, and
oxaliplatin) is also fully enrolled.
17
Each of the Phase 3 studies is monitored by an
Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC), a body of independent clinical and
statistical experts. The IDMCs meet periodically to evaluate data from the
studies and may recommend changes in study design or study discontinuation. Both
interim and final analyses will be conducted when a pre-specified number of
events have occurred in each trial. Based on projected event rates, (i) an
interim analysis of VELOUR at 65% of the prespecified number of events required
for the final analysis of overall survival is expected to be conducted by an
independent statistician and reviewed by an IDMC in the second half of 2010,
(ii) final results are anticipated in the first half of 2011 from the VITAL
study and in the second half of 2011 from the VELOUR study, and (iii) an interim
analysis of VENICE is expected to be reviewed by an IDMC in mid-2011, with final
results anticipated in 2012. Initial data from the AFFIRM study are anticipated
in the second half of 2011.
Aflibercept Collaboration with the
sanofi-aventis Group
We and sanofi-aventis U.S. (successor to
Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) globally collaborate on the development and
commercialization of aflibercept. Under the terms of our September 2003
collaboration agreement, as amended, we and sanofi-aventis will share
co-promotion rights and profits on sales, if any, of aflibercept outside of
Japan for disease indications included in our collaboration. In Japan, we are
entitled to a royalty of approximately 35% on annual sales of aflibercept,
subject to certain potential adjustments. We may also receive up to $400 million
in milestone payments upon receipt of specified marketing approvals, including
up to $360 million related to the receipt of marketing approvals for up to eight
aflibercept oncology and other indications in the United States or the European
Union and up to $40 million related to the receipt of marketing approvals for up
to five oncology indications in Japan.
Under the aflibercept collaboration agreement,
as amended, agreed upon worldwide development expenses incurred by both
companies during the term of the agreement will be funded by sanofi-aventis. If
the collaboration becomes profitable, we will be obligated to reimburse
sanofi-aventis for 50% of aflibercept development expenses in accordance with a
formula based on the amount of development expenses and our share of the
collaboration profits and Japan royalties, or at a faster rate at our
option.
4. REGN727 (Anti-PCSK9 Antibody) for LDL cholesterol reduction
Elevated low density lipoprotein (LDL)
cholesterol levels is a validated risk factor leading to cardiovascular disease.
Statins are a class of drugs that lower LDL by upregulating the expression of
the LDL receptor (LDLR), which removes LDL from circulation. PCSK9 (proprotein
convertase substilisin/kexin type 9) is a protein that binds to LDLR and
prevents LDLR from binding to and removing LDL from circulation. People who have
a mutation that reduces the activity of PCSK9 have lower levels of LDL, as well
as a reduced risk of adverse cardiovascular events. We used our VelocImmune® technology to generate a fully human
monoclonal antibody inhibitor of PCSK9, called REGN727, that is intended to
robustly lower LDL cholesterol through a novel mechanism of action. REGN727 is
targeted at inhibiting PCSK9, which results in prevention of the degradation of
LDLRs in the liver, thereby facilitating LDL clearance from the systemic
circulation leading to lower LDL levels in the blood.
In May 2010, we announced that in an interim
efficacy analysis of a dose-escalating, randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled, Phase 1 trial in healthy volunteers, REGN727 achieved
substantial, dose dependent decreases of LDL (bad) cholesterol. Each dosing
cohort consisted of six treated and two placebo patients. In July 2010, we
presented additional data from the Phase 1 program. At the highest intravenous
dose tested, a single dose of REGN727 achieved a greater than 60% maximum mean
reduction of LDL cholesterol from baseline that lasted for more than one month.
At the highest subcutaneous dose tested, a single dose of REGN727 achieved a
greater than 60% maximum mean reduction of LDL cholesterol from baseline that
lasted for more than two weeks. No serious adverse events and no dose limiting
toxicities have been reported. Dose escalation is ongoing in both
studies.
In July 2010, we also presented the results of
an interim efficacy analysis of a dose escalating, randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled Phase 1 trial of subcutaneously delivered REGN727 in
hyperlipidemic patients (familial hypercholesterolemia and non-familial
hypercholesterolemia) on stable doses of statins whose LDL levels were greater
than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). At the highest dose tested to-date,
in eleven patients, a single dose of REGN727 achieved an approximately 40%
maximum mean reduction of LDL cholesterol from baseline. No serious adverse events and no
dose limiting toxicities have been reported. Dose escalation in this study is
ongoing. REGN727 is being developed in collaboration with
sanofi-aventis.
18
5. REGN88 (Anti-IL-6R Antibody) for inflammatory
diseases
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a key cytokine
involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, causing inflammation and
joint destruction. A therapeutic antibody to the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R),
tocilizumab, developed by Roche, has been approved for the treatment of
rheumatoid arthritis.
REGN88 is a fully human monoclonal antibody to
IL-6R generated using our VelocImmune® technology that has completed Phase 1
studies, the results of which were presented at the annual meeting of the
European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) in June 2010. REGN88 was well
tolerated by patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and no dose-limiting toxicities
were reported. Treatment with REGN88 resulted in dose-related reductions in
biomarkers of inflammation. REGN88 is currently in a Phase 2/3 double-blind,
placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study in patients with active rheumatoid
arthritis and a Phase 2 double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study in
ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine.
REGN88 is being developed in collaboration with sanofi-aventis.
6. REGN421 (Anti-Dll4 Antibody) for advanced
malignancies
In many clinical settings, positively or
negatively regulating blood vessel growth could have important therapeutic
benefits, as could the repair of damaged and leaky vessels. VEGF was the first
growth factor shown to be specific for blood vessels, by virtue of having its
receptor primarily expressed on blood vessel cells. In the December 21, 2006
issue of the journal Nature, we reported
data from a preclinical study demonstrating that blocking an important cell
signaling molecule, known as Delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4), inhibited the growth of
experimental tumors by interfering with their ability to produce a functional
blood supply. The inhibition of tumor growth was seen in a variety of tumor
types, including those that were resistant to blockade of VEGF, suggesting a
novel anti-angiogenesis therapeutic approach. Moreover, inhibition of tumor
growth is enhanced by the combination of Dll4 and VEGF blockade in many
preclinical tumor models.
REGN421 is a fully human monoclonal antibody
to Dll4 generated using our VelocImmune® technology. REGN421, which is being developed
in collaboration with sanofi-aventis, is in Phase 1 clinical
development.
7. REGN668 (Anti-IL-4R Antibody) for allergic and immune
conditions
Interleukin-4 receptor (IL-4R) is required for
signaling by the cytokines IL-4 and IL-13. Both of these cytokines are critical
mediators of immune response, which, in turn, drives the formation of
Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies and the development of allergic responses, as
well as the atopic state that underlies asthma and atopic dermatitis. REGN668 is
a fully human VelocImmune® antibody that is
designed to bind to IL-4R. REGN668, which is being developed in collaboration
with sanofi-aventis, has completed a Phase 1 trial in healthy volunteers, and
will be initiating a Phase 2 trial in atopic dermatitis in the second half of
2010.
8. REGN475 (Anti-NGF Antibody) for pain
Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a member of the
neurotrophin family of secreted proteins. NGF antagonists have been shown to
prevent increased sensitivity to pain and abnormal pain response in animal
models of neuropathic and chronic inflammatory pain. Mutations in the genes that
code for the NGF receptors were identified in people suffering from a loss of
deep pain perception. For these and other reasons, we believe blocking NGF could
be a promising therapeutic approach to a variety of pain
indications.
REGN475 is a fully human monoclonal antibody
to NGF, generated using our VelocImmune® technology, which is designed to block pain
sensitization in neurons. Preclinical experiments indicate that REGN475
specifically binds to and blocks NGF activity and does not bind to or block cell
signaling for closely related neurotrophins such as NT-3, NT-4, or BDNF. REGN475
is being developed in collaboration with sanofi-aventis.
19
In May 2010, we announced an interim analysis
of a randomized, double-blind, four-arm, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial in 217
patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. In July 2010, we presented additional
results from this trial through 16 weeks. The primary endpoint of this study is
safety, and REGN475 was generally well tolerated. Serious treatment emergent
adverse events were rare and balanced between placebo and drug arms with three
events (5.5%) in the placebo group and four events (2.5%) in the combined
REGN475 groups. The most frequent adverse events reported among patients
receiving REGN475 included sensory abnormalities, arthralgias,
hyper/hypo-reflexia, peripheral edema, and injection site reactions. The types
and frequencies of adverse events reported were similar to those previously
reported from other investigational studies involving an anti-NGF
antibody.
In the first interim efficacy analysis,
REGN475 demonstrated significant improvements at the two highest doses tested as
compared to placebo in average walking pain scores over 8 weeks following a
single intravenous infusion (p<0.01). In July 2010, we reported that REGN475
demonstrated significant improvements at the two highest doses tested as
compared to placebo in average walking pain scores over 16 weeks following a
second intravenous infusion at week 8 (p<0.01). Pain was measured
by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), as well as the Western Ontario and McMaster
Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain and function subscales
Analysis of efficacy data from a Phase 2 trial
in the acute setting of nerve root compression induced pain (acute sciatica)
suggests that REGN475 therapy will not be effective in this
setting.
At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), another pharmaceutical company has suspended its anti-NGF
antibody clinical program in osteoarthritis and certain other chronic pain
indications. We have responded to FDA requests for information about patients in
our REGN475 clinical trials. REGN475 is currently not on clinical hold, and our
Phase 2 trials in patients with vertebral fracture pain and chronic pancreatitis
pain are ongoing. Our Phase 2 trial in osteoarthritis of the knee has been
completed. We will update our plans for REGN475 following feedback from the
FDA.
Research and Development
Technologies:
Many proteins that are either on the surface
of or secreted by cells play important roles in biology and disease. One way
that a cell communicates with other cells is by releasing specific signaling
proteins, either locally or into the bloodstream. These proteins have distinct
functions, and are classified into different “families” of molecules, such as
peptide hormones, growth factors, and cytokines. All of these secreted (or
signaling) proteins travel to and are recognized by another set of proteins,
called “receptors,” which reside on the surface of responding cells. These
secreted proteins impact many critical cellular and biological processes,
causing diverse effects ranging from the regulation of growth of particular cell
types, to inflammation mediated by white blood cells. Secreted proteins can at
times be overactive and thus result in a variety of diseases. In these disease
settings, blocking the action of specific secreted proteins can have clinical
benefit. In other cases, proteins on the cell-surface can mediate the
interaction between cells, such as the processes that give rise to inflammation
and autoimmunity.
Our scientists have developed two different
technologies to design protein therapeutics to block the action of specific cell
surface or secreted proteins. The first technology, termed the “Trap”
technology, was used to generate our first approved product, ARCALYST®, as well as aflibercept and VEGF Trap-Eye,
all of which are in Phase 3 clinical trials. These novel “Traps” are composed of
fusions between two distinct receptor components and the constant region of an
antibody molecule called the “Fc region”, resulting in high affinity product
candidates. VelociSuiteTM is our second technology platform and it is
used for discovering, developing, and producing fully human monoclonal
antibodies that can address both secreted and cell-surface targets.
VelociSuiteTM
VelociSuiteTM consists of VelocImmune®, VelociGene®, VelociMouse®, and VelociMab®. The VelocImmune® mouse platform is utilized to produce fully
human monoclonal antibodies. VelocImmune® was generated by exploiting our VelociGene® technology (see below), in a process in which
six megabases of mouse immune gene loci were replaced, or “humanized,” with
corresponding human immune gene loci. VelocImmune® mice can be used to generate efficiently
fully human monoclonal antibodies to targets of therapeutic interest.
VelocImmune® and our entire VelociSuiteTM offer the potential to increase the speed and
efficiency through which human monoclonal antibody therapeutics may be
discovered and validated, thereby improving the overall efficiency of our early
stage drug development activities. We are utilizing the VelocImmune® technology to produce our next generation of
drug candidates for preclinical and clinical development.
20
Our VelociGene® platform allows custom and precise
manipulation of very large sequences of DNA to produce highly customized
alterations of a specified target gene, or genes, and accelerates the production
of knock-out and transgenic expression models without using either
positive/negative selection or isogenic DNA. In producing knock-out models, a
color or fluorescent marker may be substituted in place of the actual gene
sequence, allowing for high-resolution visualization of precisely where the gene
is active in the body during normal body functioning as well as in disease
processes. For the optimization of pre-clinical development and pharmacology
programs, VelociGene® offers the opportunity to humanize targets by
replacing the mouse gene with the human homolog. Thus, VelociGene® allows scientists to rapidly identify the
physical and biological effects of deleting or over-expressing the target gene,
as well as to characterize and test potential therapeutic
molecules.
Our VelociMouse® technology
platform allows for the direct and immediate generation of genetically altered
mice from embryonic stem cells (ES cells), thereby avoiding the lengthy process
involved in generating and breeding knockout mice from chimeras. Mice generated
through this method are normal and healthy and exhibit a 100% germ-line
transmission. Furthermore, the VelociMice are suitable for direct phenotyping or
other studies. We have also developed our VelociMab® platform for the
rapid screening of antibodies and rapid generation of expression cell lines for
our Traps and our VelocImmune® human monoclonal antibodies.
Antibody Collaboration and License
Agreements
Sanofi-aventis. In
November 2007, we and sanofi-aventis entered into a global, strategic
collaboration to discover, develop, and commercialize fully human monoclonal
antibodies. The collaboration is governed by a Discovery and Preclinical
Development Agreement and a License and Collaboration Agreement. We received a
non-refundable, up-front payment of $85.0 million from sanofi-aventis under the
discovery agreement. In addition, sanofi-aventis is funding research at
Regeneron to identify and validate potential drug discovery targets and develop
fully human monoclonal antibodies against these targets. Sanofi-aventis funded
approximately $175 million of research from the collaboration’s inception
through December 31, 2009.
In November 2009, we and sanofi-aventis
amended these agreements to expand and extend our antibody collaboration.
Sanofi-aventis will now fund up to $160 million per year of our antibody
discovery activities over the period from 2010-2017, subject to a one-time
option for sanofi-aventis to adjust the maximum reimbursement amount down to
$120 million per year commencing in 2014 if over the prior two years certain
specified criteria are not satisfied. In addition, sanofi-aventis will fund up
to $30 million of agreed-upon costs we incur to expand our manufacturing
capacity at our Rensselaer, New York facilities. In 2010, as we scale up our
capacity to conduct antibody discovery activities, we will incur and seek
reimbursement of only $130-$140 million of antibody discovery costs, with the
balance between that amount and $160 million added to the funding otherwise
available to us in 2011-2012. As under the original 2007 agreement,
sanofi-aventis also has an option to extend the discovery program for up to an
additional three years for further antibody development and preclinical
activities. We will lead the design and conduct of research activities,
including target identification and validation, antibody development, research
and preclinical activities through filing of an Investigational New Drug
Application, toxicology studies, and manufacture of preclinical and clinical
supplies. The goal of the expanded collaboration is to advance an average of
four to five new antibody product candidates into clinical development each
year, for an anticipated total of 30-40 candidates over the next eight
years.
For each drug candidate identified under the
discovery agreement, sanofi-aventis has the option to license rights to the
candidate under the license agreement. If it elects to do so, sanofi-aventis
will co-develop the drug candidate with us through product approval. Development
costs will be shared between the companies, with sanofi-aventis generally
funding drug candidate development costs up front, except that following receipt
of the first positive Phase 3 trial results for a co-developed drug candidate,
subsequent Phase 3 trial-related costs for that drug candidate will be shared
80% by sanofi-aventis and 20% by us. We are generally responsible for
reimbursing sanofi-aventis for half of the total development costs for all
collaboration antibody products from our share of profits from commercialization
of collaboration products to the extent they are sufficient for this purpose.
However, we are not required to
apply more than 10% of our share of the profits from collaboration products in
any calendar quarter towards reimbursing sanofi-aventis for these development
costs.
21
Sanofi-aventis will lead commercialization
activities for products developed under the license agreement, subject to our
right to co-promote such products. The parties will equally share profits and
losses from sales within the United States. The parties will share profits
outside the United States on a sliding scale based on sales starting at 65%
(sanofi-aventis)/35% (us) and ending at 55% (sanofi-aventis)/45% (us), and will
share losses outside the United States at 55% (sanofi-aventis)/45% (us). In
addition to profit sharing, we are entitled to receive up to $250 million in
sales milestone payments, with milestone payments commencing after aggregate
annual sales outside the United States exceed $1.0 billion on a rolling 12-month
basis.
In August 2008, we entered into an agreement
with sanofi-aventis to use our VelociGene® platform to supply sanofi-aventis with
genetically modified mammalian models of gene function and disease.
Sanofi-aventis will pay us a minimum of $21.5 million for the term of the
agreement, which extends through December 2012, for knock-out and transgenic
models of gene function for target genes identified by sanofi-aventis.
Sanofi-aventis will use these models for its internal research programs that are
outside of the scope of our antibody collaboration.
AstraZeneca UK Limited. In February 2007, we entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with
AstraZeneca UK Limited that allows AstraZeneca to utilize our VelocImmune® technology in its internal research programs
to discover human monoclonal antibodies. Under the terms of the agreement,
AstraZeneca made $20.0 million annual, non-refundable payments to us in the
first quarter of 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. AstraZeneca is required to make up
to two additional annual payments of $20.0 million, subject to its ability to
terminate the agreement. We are entitled to receive a mid-single-digit royalty
on any future sales of antibody products discovered by AstraZeneca using our
VelocImmune® technology.
Astellas Pharma Inc. In March 2007, we entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with
Astellas Pharma Inc. that allows Astellas to utilize our VelocImmune® technology in its internal research programs
to discover human monoclonal antibodies. Under the terms of the agreement,
Astellas made $20.0 million annual, non-refundable payments to us in the second
quarter of 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. In July 2010, the license agreement with
Astellas was amended and extended through June 2023. Under the terms of the
amended agreement, Astellas will make a $165.0 million up-front payment to us.
In addition, Astellas will make a $130.0 million payment to us in June
2018 unless the license agreement has been terminated prior to that date.
Astellas has the right to terminate this license agreement at any time by
providing 90 days’ advance written notice. Under certain limited circumstances,
such as our material breach of the agreement, Astellas may terminate the
agreement and receive a refund of a portion of its payment to us under the July
2010 amendment to the agreement. We are entitled to receive a mid-single-digit
royalty on any future sales of antibody products discovered by Astellas using
our VelocImmune® technology.
22
National Institutes of Health
Grant
In September 2006, we
were awarded a five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as
part of the NIH’s Knockout Mouse Project. The goal of the Knockout Mouse Project
is to build a comprehensive and broadly available resource of knockout mice to
accelerate the understanding of gene function and human diseases. Under the NIH
grant, as amended, we have received $18.1 million through June 30, 2010 and are
entitled to receive an additional $7.2 million through the remaining term of the
grant.
Research Programs
Our preclinical research
programs are in the areas of oncology and angiogenesis, ophthalmology, metabolic
and related diseases, muscle diseases and disorders, inflammation and immune
diseases, bone and cartilage, pain, cardiovascular diseases, and infectious
diseases.
Regeneron plans to file an Investigational New Drug
Application for REGN910, an antibody to Angiopoietin-2, a novel
anti-angiogenesis target, by the end of 2010.
General
Developing and commercializing new medicines
entails significant risk and expense. Since inception we have not generated any
significant sales or profits from the commercialization of ARCALYST® or any of our other product candidates.
Before significant revenues from the commercialization of ARCALYST® or our other product candidates can be
realized, we (or our collaborators) must overcome a number of hurdles which
include successfully completing research and development and obtaining
regulatory approval from the FDA and regulatory authorities in other countries.
In addition, the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are rapidly
evolving and highly competitive, and new developments may render our products
and technologies uncompetitive or obsolete.
From inception on January 8, 1988 through June
30, 2010, we had a cumulative loss of $997.1 million. In the absence of
significant revenues from the commercialization of ARCALYST® or our other product candidates or other
sources, the amount, timing, nature, and source of which cannot be predicted,
our losses will continue as we conduct our research and development activities.
We expect to incur substantial losses over the next several years as we continue
the clinical development of VEGF Trap-Eye and ARCALYST®; advance new product candidates into clinical
development from our existing research programs utilizing our technology for
discovering fully human monoclonal antibodies; continue our research and
development programs; and commercialize additional product candidates that
receive regulatory approval, if any. Also, our activities may expand over time
and require additional resources, and we expect our operating losses to be
substantial over at least the next several years. Our losses may fluctuate from
quarter to quarter and will depend on, among other factors, the progress of our
research and development efforts, the timing of certain expenses, and the amount
and timing of payments that we receive from collaborators.
23
The planning, execution, and results of our
clinical programs are significant factors that can affect our operating and
financial results. In our clinical programs, key events to date in 2010 and
plans over the next 12 months are as follows:
|
|
|
|
2010-11 Plans |
Clinical Program |
|
2010 Events to
Date |
|
(next 12
months) |
ARCALYST® (rilonacept)
|
|
- Reported positive results
from PRE-SURGE 1 and completed patient enrollment of PRE-SURGE 2. Both
Phase 3 studies are
evaluating ARCALYST® in the prevention of gout flares
associated with the initiation of uric acid-lowering drug therapy
- Reported results showing no
significant improvement in pain relief from a Phase 3 study (SURGE)
evaluating ARCALYST® in the treatment of acute gout flares
|
|
- Complete patient enrollment
of an additional Phase 3 study (RE-SURGE) and report data from PRE-SURGE
2 and RE-SURGE in early 2011
- If PRE-SURGE 2 and RE-SURGE
are successful, file for regulatory approval of ARCALYST® in the prevention of gout flares
associated with the initiation of uric acid-lowering drug therapy by
mid-2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
VEGF Trap – Eye
|
|
- Completed patient enrollment
in the first of two Phase 3 CRVO trials (COPERNICUS)
- Reported positive 24-week
primary endpoint results from the Phase 2 DME trial
|
|
- Report data from VIEW 1 and
VIEW 2 trials in the fourth quarter of 2010
- Complete patient enrollment
in the second Phase 3 CRVO trial (GALILEO) and report initial data from
both trials
- Report one-year results from
the Phase 2 DME trial
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aflibercept (VEGF Trap – Oncology)
|
|
- Completed patient enrollment
in the Phase 3 studies in non-small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer,
and colorectal cancer
- Completed patient enrollment
in a Phase 2 1st-line study in metastatic colorectal
cancer in combination with chemotherapy
|
|
- During the second half of
2010, an Independent Data Monitoring Committee is expected to conduct an
interim analysis of the Phase 3 study (VELOUR) in colorectal
cancer
- Report data from the Phase 3
study (VITAL) in non-small cell lung cancer.
- In mid-2011, an Independent
Data Monitoring Committee is expected to conduct an interim analysis of
the Phase 3 study (VENICE) in prostate cancer
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monoclonal Antibodies
|
|
- REGN727: Reported interim
proof-of-concept data from a Phase 1 study for LDL cholesterol
reduction
- REGN88: Initiated a Phase
2/3 dose-ranging study in rheumatoid arthritis and a Phase 2
dose-ranging study in ankylosing spondylitis
- REGN88: Reported data from
the Phase 1 program in rheumatoid arthritis
- REGN475: Reported interim
data from the Phase 2 studies in osteoarthritis of the knee and acute
sciatica
|
|
- REGN727: Report additional
data from the Phase 1 program and initiate a Phase 2 program for LDL
cholesterol reduction
- REGN668: Initiate a Phase 2
program in the treatment of atopic dermatitis
- REGN475: Report additional
data from the Phase 2 study in osteoarthritis of the knee
- REGN475: Update clinical
plans following feedback from the FDA
- Advance additional antibody
candidates into clinical development, including REGN910
|
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 and
2009
Net Loss
Regeneron reported a net loss of $25.5
million, or $0.31 per share (basic and diluted), for the second quarter of 2010,
compared to a net loss of $14.9 million, or $0.19 per share (basic and diluted)
for the second quarter of 2009. The increase in our net loss was principally due
to higher research and development expenses, as detailed below, partly offset by
higher collaboration revenue primarily in connection with our antibody
collaboration with sanofi-aventis.
24
Revenues
Revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 consist of the
following:
(In millions) |
2010 |
|
2009 |
Collaboration revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
Sanofi-aventis |
$ |
84.9 |
|
$ |
60.7 |
Bayer HealthCare |
|
13.7 |
|
|
12.8 |
Total collaboration revenue |
|
98.6 |
|
|
73.5 |
Technology licensing revenue |
|
10.0 |
|
|
10.0 |
Net product sales |
|
5.2 |
|
|
4.5 |
Contract research and other
revenue |
|
2.1 |
|
|
2.0 |
Total revenue |
$ |
115.9 |
|
$ |
90.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sanofi-aventis Collaboration
Revenue
The collaboration revenue we earn from
sanofi-aventis, as detailed below, consists primarily of reimbursement for
research and development expenses and recognition of revenue related to
non-refundable up-front payments of $105.0 million related to the aflibercept
collaboration and $85.0 million related to the antibody
collaboration.
Sanofi-aventis Collaboration
Revenue |
|
Three months ended |
(In millions) |
June 30, |
|
2010 |
|
2009 |
Aflibercept: |
|
|
|
|
|
Regeneron expense reimbursement |
$ |
3.8 |
|
$ |
9.2 |
Recognition of deferred
revenue related to up-front payments |
|
2.5 |
|
|
2.5 |
Total aflibercept |
|
6.3 |
|
|
11.7 |
Antibody: |
|
|
|
|
|
Regeneron expense reimbursement |
|
76.4 |
|
|
45.7 |
Recognition of deferred revenue related to up-front and other |
|
|
|
|
|
payments |
|
1.8 |
|
|
2.6 |
Recognition of revenue related to VelociGene® agreement |
|
0.4 |
|
|
0.7 |
Total antibody |
|
78.6 |
|
|
49.0 |
Total sanofi-aventis collaboration
revenue |
$ |
84.9 |
|
$ |
60.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sanofi-aventis’ reimbursement of our aflibercept expenses decreased in
the second quarter of 2010 compared to same period in 2009, primarily due to
lower costs related to manufacturing aflibercept clinical supplies as well as a
decrease in internal research activities. As of June 30, 2010, $37.5 million of
the original $105.0 million of up-front payments related to our aflibercept
collaboration with sanofi-aventis was deferred and will be recognized as revenue
in future periods.
In the second quarter of 2010, sanofi-aventis’
reimbursement of our antibody expenses consisted of $36.6 million under the
discovery agreement and $39.8 million of development costs under the license
agreement, compared to $28.3 million and $17.4 million, respectively, in the
second quarter of 2009. The higher reimbursement amounts in the second quarter
of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 were due to an increase in our
research activities conducted under the discovery agreement and increases in our
development activities for antibody candidates under the license
agreement.
Recognition of deferred revenue, related
primarily to sanofi-aventis’ $85.0 million up-front payment, decreased during
the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 due to the
November 2009 amendments to expand and extend the companies’ antibody
collaboration. In connection with the November 2009 amendment of the discovery
agreement, sanofi-aventis is funding up to $30 million of agreed-upon costs
incurred by us to expand our manufacturing capacity at our Rensselaer, New York
facilities, of which $14.3 million was received or receivable from
sanofi-aventis as of June 30, 2010. Payments for such funding from
sanofi-aventis are deferred and recognized as collaboration revenue
prospectively over the related performance period in conjunction with the
original $85.0 million up-front payment. As of June 30, 2010, $74.6 million of
the original up-front payment and subsequent payments to fund expansion of our
Rensselaer facilities was deferred and will be recognized as revenue in future
periods.
25
In August 2008, we entered into a separate
VelociGene®agreement with sanofi-aventis. For the three
months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, we recognized $0.4 million and $0.7
million, respectively, in revenue related to this agreement.
Bayer HealthCare Collaboration Revenue
The collaboration revenue we earn from Bayer
HealthCare, as detailed below, consists of cost sharing of Regeneron VEGF
Trap-Eye development expenses and recognition of revenue related to a
non-refundable $75.0 million up-front payment received in October 2006 and a
$20.0 million milestone payment received in August 2007 (which, for the purpose
of revenue recognition, was not considered substantive).
Bayer HealthCare Collaboration
Revenue |
|
Three months ended |
(In millions) |
June 30, |
|
2010 |
|
2009 |
Cost-sharing of Regeneron VEGF Trap-Eye
development expenses |
$ |
11.2 |
|
$ |
10.4 |
Recognition of deferred revenue related
to up-front and milestone |
|
|
|
|
|
payments |
|
2.5 |
|
|
2.4 |
Total Bayer HealthCare collaboration revenue |
$ |
13.7 |
|
$ |
12.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
In periods when we recognize VEGF Trap-Eye
development expenses that we incur under our collaboration with Bayer
HealthCare, we also recognize, as collaboration revenue, the portion of those
VEGF Trap-Eye development expenses that is reimbursable by Bayer
HealthCare. Cost-sharing of our VEGF Trap-Eye development
expenses with Bayer HealthCare increased in the second quarter of 2010, compared
to the same period in 2009, due to higher clinical development costs in
connection with our Phase 3 trial in CRVO and Phase 2 trial in DME and higher
costs related to VEGF Trap-Eye clinical drug supplies. In 2010 and 2009,
development expenses incurred by Regeneron and Bayer HealthCare under the VEGF
Trap-Eye global development plan were shared equally. As of June 30, 2010, $51.9
million of the $75.0 million up-front licensing and $20.0 million milestone
payments was deferred and will be recognized as revenue in future
periods.
Technology Licensing
Revenue
In connection with our VelocImmune® license agreements with AstraZeneca and
Astellas, each of the $20.0 million annual, non-refundable payments are deferred
upon receipt and recognized as revenue ratably over approximately the ensuing
year of each agreement. In the second quarter of both 2010 and 2009, we
recognized $10.0 million of technology licensing revenue related to these
agreements.
Net Product Sales
For the three months ended June 30, 2010,
ARCALYST® net product sales were $5.2 million, compared to $4.5 million during the
same period in 2009. There was no deferred ARCALYST®net product sales revenue at June 30, 2010. At
June 30, 2009, deferred ARCALYST® net product sales revenue was $4.9
million.
Contract Research and Other
Revenue
Contract research and other revenue for the
three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 included $1.2 million and $1.5
million, respectively, recognized in connection with our five-year grant from
the NIH, which we were awarded in September 2006 as part of the NIH’s Knockout
Mouse Project.
Expenses
Total operating expenses increased to $139.6
million in the second quarter of 2010 from $106.3 million in the second quarter
of 2009. Our average headcount increased to 1,214 in the second quarter of 2010
from 966 in the same period of 2009
principally as a result of our expanding research and development activities,
which are primarily attributable to our antibody collaboration with
sanofi-aventis.
26
Operating expenses in the second quarter of
2010 and 2009 include a total of $8.7 million and $7.4 million, respectively, of
non-cash compensation expense related to employee stock option and restricted
stock awards (Non-cash Compensation Expense), as detailed below:
|
For the three months ended June 30,
2010 |
|
Expenses
before |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
inclusion of Non-cash |
|
Non-cash |
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
Expenses as |
(In millions) |
Expense |
|
Expense |
|
Reported |
Research and development |
$ |
119.5 |
|
$ |
5.0 |
|
$ |
124.5 |
Selling, general, and
administrative |
|
11.0 |
|
|
3.7 |
|
|
14.7 |
Cost of goods sold |
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.4 |
Total operating expenses |
$ |
130.9 |
|
$ |
8.7 |
|
$ |
139.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended June 30,
2009 |
|
Expenses
before |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
inclusion of Non-cash |
|
Non-cash |
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
Expenses as |
(In millions) |
Expense |
|
Expense |
|
Reported |
Research and development |
$ |
89.5 |
|
$ |
4.7 |
|
$ |
94.2 |
Selling, general, and
administrative |
|
9.0 |
|
|
2.7 |
|
|
11.7 |
Cost of goods sold |
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.4 |
Total operating expenses |
$ |
98.9 |
|
$ |
7.4 |
|
$ |
106.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses increased to
$124.5 million in the second quarter of 2010 from $94.2 million in the same
period of 2009. The following table summarizes the major categories of our
research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and
2009:
Research and Development
Expenses |
|
For the three
months ended June 30, |
|
Increase |
(In millions) |
2010 |
|
2009 |
|
(Decrease) |
Payroll and benefits (1) |
$ |
31.9 |
|
$ |
23.6 |
|
$ |
8.3 |
|
Clinical trial expenses |
|
28.5 |
|
|
30.2 |
|
|
(1.7 |
) |
Clinical manufacturing costs
(2) |
|
27.6 |
|
|
13.8 |
|
|
13.8 |
|
Research and other development
costs |
|
13.8 |
|
|
9.9 |
|
|
3.9 |
|
Occupancy and other operating
costs |
|
12.7 |
|
|
8.9 |
|
|
3.8 |
|
Cost-sharing of Bayer HealthCare
VEGF |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trap-Eye development expenses (3) |
|
10.0 |
|
|
7.8 |
|
|
2.2 |
|
Total research and development |
$ |
124.5 |
|
$ |
94.2 |
|
$ |
30.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes $4.2
million and $4.0 million of Non-cash Compensation Expense for the three
months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Represents the
full cost of manufacturing drug for use in research, preclinical
development, and clinical trials, including related payroll and benefits,
Non-cash Compensation Expense, manufacturing materials and supplies,
depreciation, and occupancy costs of our Rensselaer manufacturing
facility. Includes $0.8 million and $0.7 million of Non-cash Compensation
Expense for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009,
respectively.
|
|
|
|
(3) |
|
Under our
collaboration with Bayer HealthCare, in periods when Bayer HealthCare
incurs VEGF Trap-Eye development expenses, we also recognize, as
additional research and development expense, the portion of Bayer
HealthCare’s VEGF Trap-Eye development expenses that we are obligated to
reimburse. Bayer HealthCare provides us with estimated VEGF Trap-Eye
development expenses for the most recent fiscal quarter. Bayer
HealthCare’s estimate is reconciled to its actual expenses for such
quarter in the subsequent fiscal quarter and our portion of its VEGF
Trap-Eye development expenses that we are obligated to reimburse is
adjusted accordingly.
|
27
Payroll and benefits increased principally
due to the increase in employee headcount, as described above. Clinical trial
expenses decreased due primarily to lower costs related to our ARCALYST® clinical development
program in gout. Clinical manufacturing costs increased primarily due to higher
costs related to manufacturing clinical supplies of monoclonal antibodies.
Research and other development costs increased primarily due to higher costs
associated with our antibody programs. Occupancy and other operating costs
increased principally in connection with our higher headcount, expanded research
and development activities, and new and expanded leased laboratory and office
facilities in Tarrytown, New York. Cost-sharing of Bayer HealthCare’s VEGF
Trap-Eye development expenses increased primarily due to higher costs in
connection with the VIEW 2 trial in wet AMD and the GALILEO trial in CRVO, both
of which are being conducted by Bayer HealthCare.
We prepare estimates of research and
development costs for projects in clinical development, which include direct
costs and allocations of certain costs such as indirect labor, Non-cash
Compensation Expense, and manufacturing and other costs related to activities
that benefit multiple projects, and, under our collaboration with Bayer
HealthCare, the portion of Bayer HealthCare’s VEGF Trap-Eye development expenses
that we are obligated to reimburse. Our estimates of research and development
costs for clinical development programs are shown below:
Project Costs |
|
For the three
months ended June 30, |
|
Increase |
(In millions) |
2010 |
|
2009 |
|
(Decrease) |
ARCALYST® |
$ |
11.6 |
|
$ |
15.7 |
|
$ |
(4.1 |
) |
VEGF Trap-Eye |
|
31.2 |
|
|
27.0 |
|
|
4.2 |
|
Aflibercept |
|
3.0 |
|
|
7.4 |
|
|
(4.4 |
) |
REGN88 |
|
9.8 |
|
|
8.5 |
|
|
1.3 |
|
Other antibody candidates in clinical
development |
|
26.2 |
|
|
5.1 |
|
|
21.1 |
|
Other research programs &
unallocated costs |
|
42.7 |
|
|
30.5 |
|
|
12.2 |
|
Total research and development
expenses |
$ |
124.5 |
|
$ |
94.2 |
|
$ |
30.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Drug development and approval in the United
States is a multi-step process regulated by the FDA. The process begins with
discovery and preclinical evaluation, leading up to the submission of an IND to
the FDA which, if successful, allows the opportunity for study in humans, or
clinical study, of the potential new drug. Clinical development typically
involves three phases of study: Phases 1, 2, and 3. The most significant costs
in clinical development are in Phase 3 clinical trials, as they tend to be the
longest and largest studies in the drug development process. Following
successful completion of Phase 3 clinical trials for a biological product, a
biologics license application (or BLA) must be submitted to, and accepted by,
the FDA, and the FDA must approve the BLA prior to commercialization of the
drug. It is not uncommon for the FDA to request additional data following its
review of a BLA, which can significantly increase the drug development timeline
and expenses. We may elect either on our own, or at the request of the FDA, to
conduct further studies that are referred to as Phase 3B and 4 studies. Phase 3B
studies are initiated and either completed or substantially completed while the
BLA is under FDA review. These studies are conducted under an IND. Phase 4
studies, also referred to as post-marketing studies, are studies that are
initiated and conducted after the FDA has approved a product for marketing. In
addition, as discovery research, preclinical development, and clinical programs
progress, opportunities to expand development of drug candidates into new
disease indications can emerge. We may elect to add such new disease indications
to our development efforts (with the approval of our collaborator for joint
development programs), thereby extending the period in which we will be
developing a product. For example, we, and our collaborators where applicable,
continue to explore further development of ARCALYST®, aflibercept, and VEGF
Trap-Eye in different disease indications.
28
There are numerous uncertainties
associated with drug development, including uncertainties related to safety and
efficacy data from each phase of drug development, uncertainties related to the
enrollment and performance of clinical trials, changes in regulatory
requirements, changes in the competitive landscape affecting a product
candidate, and other risks and uncertainties described in Item 1A, “Risk
Factors” under “Risks Related to ARCALYST® (rilonacept) and the
Development of Our Product Candidates,” “Regulatory and Litigation Risks,” and
“Risks Related to Commercialization of Products.” The lengthy process of seeking
FDA approvals, and subsequent compliance with applicable statutes and
regulations, require the expenditure of substantial resources. Any failure by us
to obtain, or delay in obtaining, regulatory approvals could materially
adversely affect our business.
For these reasons and due to the variability
in the costs necessary to develop a product and the uncertainties related to
future indications to be studied, the estimated cost and scope of the projects,
and our ultimate ability to obtain governmental approval for commercialization,
accurate and meaningful estimates of the total cost to bring our product
candidates to market are not available. Similarly, we are currently unable to
reasonably estimate if our product candidates in clinical development will
generate material product revenues and net cash inflows. In 2008, we received
FDA approval for ARCALYST® for the treatment of
CAPS, a group of rare, inherited auto-inflammatory diseases that affect a very
small group of people. We currently do not expect to generate material product
revenues and net cash inflows from the sale of ARCALYST® for the treatment of
CAPS.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
increased to $14.7 million in the second quarter of 2010 from $11.7 million in
the same period of 2009. In the second quarter of 2010, we incurred higher
compensation expense due
primarily to increases in headcount, higher Non-cash Compensation Expense, and
higher recruitment costs.
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of goods sold related to
ARCALYST® sales,
which consisted primarily of royalties and other period costs, totaled $0.4
million for both of the quarters ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. To date,
ARCALYST®
shipments to our customers have consisted of supplies of inventory manufactured
and expensed prior to FDA approval of ARCALYST® in February 2008;
therefore, the costs of these supplies were not included in costs of goods
sold.
Other Income and Expense
Investment income decreased to $0.6
million in the second quarter of 2010 from $1.3 million in the comparable
quarter of 2009, primarily due to lower balances of, and lower yields on, cash
and marketable securities and a $0.1 million other-than-temporary impairment
charge. Interest expense of $2.3 million in the second quarter of 2010 was
attributable to the imputed interest portion of payments to our landlord to
lease newly constructed laboratory and office facilities in Tarrytown, New York.
These payments commenced in the third quarter of 2009.
Six Months
Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009
Net Loss
Regeneron reported a net loss of $56.0
million, or $0.69 per share (basic and diluted), for the first half of 2010,
compared to a net loss of $30.3 million, or $0.38 per share (basic and diluted)
for the first half of 2009. The increase in our net loss was principally due to
higher research and development expenses, as detailed below, partly offset by
higher collaboration revenue primarily in connection with our antibody
collaboration with sanofi-aventis.
Revenues
Revenues for the six months ended
June 30, 2010 and 2009 consist of the following:
(In millions) |
2010 |
|
2009 |
Collaboration revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
Sanofi-aventis |
$ |
153.6 |
|
$ |
110.4 |
Bayer HealthCare |
|
26.7 |
|
|
22.8 |
Total collaboration
revenue |
|
180.3 |
|
|
133.2 |
Technology licensing revenue |
|
20.1 |
|
|
20.0 |
Net product sales |
|
15.0 |
|
|
8.4 |
Contract research and other
revenue |
|
4.0 |
|
|
3.4 |
Total revenue |
$ |
219.4 |
|
$ |
165.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
29
Sanofi-aventis Collaboration Revenue
The collaboration revenue we earn from
sanofi-aventis, as detailed below, consists primarily of reimbursement for
research and development expenses and recognition of revenue related to
non-refundable up-front payments of $105.0 million related to the aflibercept
collaboration and $85.0 million related to the antibody collaboration.
Sanofi-aventis Collaboration
Revenue |
|
Six months ended |
(In millions) |
June 30, |
|
2010 |
|
2009 |
Aflibercept: |
|
|
|
|
|
Regeneron expense reimbursement |
$ |
8.7 |
|
$ |
14.6 |
Recognition of deferred revenue related to
up-front payments |
|
5.0 |
|
|
5.0 |
Total aflibercept |
|
13.7 |
|
|
19.6 |
Antibody: |
|
|
|
|
|
Regeneron expense
reimbursement |
|
135.8 |
|
|
84.1 |
Recognition of deferred revenue related to
up-front and other |
|
|
|
|
|
payments |
|
3.3 |
|
|
5.3 |
Recognition of revenue related to VelociGene® agreement |
|
0.8 |
|
|
1.4 |
Total antibody |
|
139.9 |
|
|
90.8 |
Total sanofi-aventis collaboration
revenue |
$ |
153.6 |
|
$ |
110.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sanofi-aventis’ reimbursement of our
aflibercept expenses decreased in the first half of 2010 compared to the same
period in 2009, primarily due to lower costs related to manufacturing
aflibercept clinical supplies as well as a decrease in internal research
activities.
In the first half of 2010, sanofi-aventis’
reimbursement of our antibody expenses consisted of $63.4 million under the
discovery agreement and $72.4 million of development costs under the license
agreement, compared to $51.0 million and $33.1 million, respectively, in the
first half of 2009. The higher reimbursement amounts in the first half of 2010
compared to the same period in 2009 were due to an increase in our research
activities conducted under the discovery agreement and increases in our
development activities for antibody candidates under the license
agreement.
Recognition of deferred revenue, related
primarily to sanofi-aventis’ $85.0 million up-front payment, decreased during
the first half of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 due to the November
2009 amendments to expand and extend the companies’ antibody
collaboration.
In August 2008, we entered into a separate
VelociGene® agreement with sanofi-aventis. For the six
months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, we recognized $0.8 million and $1.4
million, respectively, in revenue related to this agreement.
Bayer HealthCare Collaboration Revenue
The collaboration revenue we earn from Bayer
HealthCare, as detailed below, consists of cost sharing of Regeneron VEGF
Trap-Eye development expenses and recognition of revenue related to a
non-refundable $75.0 million up-front payment received in October 2006 and a
$20.0 million milestone payment received in August 2007 (which, for the purpose
of revenue recognition, was not considered substantive).
Bayer HealthCare Collaboration
Revenue |
|
Six months ended |
(In millions) |
June 30, |
|
2010 |
|
2009 |
Cost-sharing of Regeneron VEGF Trap-Eye
development expenses |
$ |
21.8 |
|
$ |
17.9 |
Recognition of deferred revenue related
to up-front and milestone |
|
|
|
|
|
payments |
|
4.9 |
|
|
4.9 |
Total Bayer HealthCare collaboration
revenue |
$ |
26.7 |
|
$ |
22.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
30
Cost-sharing of our VEGF Trap-Eye development
expenses with Bayer HealthCare increased in the first half of 2010, compared to
the same period in 2009, due to higher clinical development costs in connection
with our Phase 3 trial in CRVO and Phase 2 trial in DME and higher costs related
to VEGF Trap-Eye clinical drug supplies.
Technology Licensing Revenue
In connection with our VelocImmune® license agreements with AstraZeneca and
Astellas, each of the $20.0 million annual, non-refundable payments are deferred
upon receipt and recognized as revenue ratably over approximately the ensuing
year of each agreement. In the first half of both 2010 and 2009, we recognized
$20.0 million of technology licensing revenue related to these agreements.
Net Product Sales
In February 2008, we received marketing
approval from the FDA for ARCALYST® for the treatment of
CAPS. We had limited historical return experience for ARCALYST® beginning with initial
sales in 2008 through the end of 2009; therefore, ARCALYST® net product sales were
deferred until the right of return no longer existed and rebates could be
reasonably estimated. Effective in the first quarter of 2010, we determined that
we had accumulated sufficient historical data to reasonably estimate both
product returns and rebates of ARCALYST®. As a result, for the
six months ended June 30, 2010, we recognized as revenue $15.0 million of
ARCALYST® net
product sales, which included $10.2 million of ARCALYST® net product sales made
during the period and $4.8 million of previously deferred net product sales. For
the six months ended June 30, 2009, we recognized as revenue $8.4 million of
ARCALYST® net
product sales.
Contract Research and Other Revenue
Contract research and other revenue for the
first half of 2010 and 2009 included $2.3 million and $3.0 million,
respectively, recognized in connection with our five-year grant from the NIH,
which we were awarded in September 2006 as part of the NIH’s Knockout Mouse
Project.
Expenses
Total operating expenses increased to $272.0
million in the first half of 2010 from $198.4 million in the same period of
2009. Our average headcount increased to 1,151 in the first half of 2010 from
952 in the same period of 2009 principally as a result of our expanding research
and development activities, which are primarily attributable to our antibody
collaboration with sanofi-aventis.
Operating expenses in the first half of 2010
and 2009 include a total of $17.5 million and $15.1 million, respectively, of
Non-cash Compensation Expense, as detailed below:
|
For the six months ended June 30,
2010 |
|
Expenses
before |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
inclusion of Non-cash |
|
Non-cash |
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
Expenses as |
(In millions) |
Expense |
|
Expense |
|
Reported |
Research and development |
$ |
232.0 |
|
$ |
10.0 |
|
$ |
242.0 |
Selling, general, and
administrative |
|
21.4 |
|
|
7.5 |
|
|
28.9 |
Cost of goods sold |
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.1 |
Total operating expenses |
$ |
254.5 |
|
$ |
17.5 |
|
$ |
272.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
For the six months ended June 30,
2009 |
|
Expenses
before |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
inclusion of Non-cash |
|
Non-cash |
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
Expenses as |
(In millions) |
Expense |
|
Expense |
|
Reported |
Research and development |
$ |
165.1 |
|
$ |
9.4 |
|
$ |
174.5 |
Selling, general, and
administrative |
|
17.4 |
|
|
5.7 |
|
|
23.1 |
Cost of goods sold |
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
0.8 |
Total operating expenses |
$ |
183.3 |
|
$ |
15.1 |
|
$ |
198.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses increased to
$242.0 million in the first half of 2010 from $174.5 million in the same period
of 2009. The following table summarizes the major categories of our research and
development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009:
Research and Development
Expenses |
|
For the six months
ended June 30, |
|
|
|
(In millions) |
2010 |
|
2009 |
|
Increase |
Payroll and benefits (1) |
$ |
59.6 |
|
$ |
46.5 |
|
$ |
13.1 |
Clinical trial expenses |
|
60.8 |
|
|
49.5 |
|
|
11.3 |
Clinical manufacturing costs
(2) |
|
47.5 |
|
|
27.9 |
|
|
19.6 |
Research and other development
costs |
|
26.6 |
|
|
18.4 |
|
|
8.2 |
Occupancy and other operating
costs |
|
24.7 |
|
|
17.4 |
|
|
7.3 |
Cost-sharing of Bayer HealthCare VEGF
Trap- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eye
development expenses (3) |
|
22.8 |
|
|
14.8 |
|
|
8.0 |
Total research and development |
$ |
242.0 |
|
$ |
174.5 |
|
$ |
67.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes $8.5
million and $8.0 million of Non-cash Compensation Expense for the six
months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. |
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Represents the
full cost of manufacturing drug for use in research, preclinical
development, and clinical trials, including related payroll and benefits,
Non-cash Compensation Expense, manufacturing materials and supplies,
depreciation, and occupancy costs of our Rensselaer manufacturing
facility. Includes $1.5 million and $1.4 million of Non-cash Compensation
Expense for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009,
respectively. |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
Under our
collaboration with Bayer HealthCare, in periods when Bayer HealthCare
incurs VEGF Trap-Eye development expenses, we also recognize, as
additional research and development expense, the portion of Bayer
HealthCare’s VEGF Trap-Eye development expenses that we are obligated to
reimburse. Bayer HealthCare provides us with estimated VEGF Trap-Eye
development expenses for the most recent fiscal quarter. Bayer
HealthCare’s estimate is reconciled to its actual expenses for such
quarter in the subsequent fiscal quarter and our portion of its VEGF
Trap-Eye development expenses that we are obligated to reimburse is
adjusted accordingly. |
Payroll and benefits increased
principally due to the increase in employee headcount, as described above.
Clinical trial expenses increased due primarily to higher costs related to our
clinical development programs for (i) VEGF Trap-Eye, principally in connection
with our COPERNICUS trial in CRVO, (ii) ARCALYST®, related to our Phase
3 clinical development program in gout, and (iii) monoclonal antibody
candidates, which are in earlier stage clinical development. Clinical
manufacturing costs increased primarily due to higher costs related to
manufacturing clinical supplies of monoclonal antibodies. Research and other
development costs increased primarily due to higher costs associated with our
antibody programs. Occupancy and other operating costs increased principally in
connection with our higher headcount, expanded research and development
activities, and new and expanded leased laboratory and office facilities in
Tarrytown, New York. Cost-sharing of Bayer HealthCare’s VEGF Trap-Eye
development expenses increased primarily due to higher costs in connection with
the VIEW 2 trial in wet AMD and the
GALILEO trial in CRVO, both of which are being conducted by Bayer
HealthCare.
32
We prepare estimates of research and
development costs for projects in clinical development, which include direct
costs and allocations of certain costs such as indirect labor, Non-cash
Compensation Expense, and manufacturing and other costs related to activities
that benefit multiple projects, and, under our collaboration with Bayer
HealthCare, the portion of Bayer HealthCare’s VEGF Trap-Eye development expenses
that we are obligated to reimburse. Our estimates of research and development
costs for clinical development programs are shown below:
Project Costs |
|
For the six months
ended June 30, |
|
Increase |
(In millions) |
2010 |
|
2009 |
|
(Decrease) |
ARCALYST® |
$ |
31.7 |
|
$ |
33.6 |
|
$ |
(1.9 |
) |
VEGF Trap-Eye |
|
64.8 |
|
|
47.8 |
|
|
17.0 |
|
Aflibercept |
|
6.9 |
|
|
11.7 |
|
|
(4.8 |
) |
REGN88 |
|
14.7 |
|
|
17.5 |
|
|
(2.8 |
) |
Other antibody candidates in
clinical |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
development |
|
50.3 |
|
|
10.0 |
|
|
40.3 |
|
Other research programs &
unallocated costs |
|
73.6 |
|
|
53.9 |
|
|
19.7 |
|
Total research and development
expenses |
$ |
242.0 |
|
$ |
174.5 |
|
$ |
67.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the reasons described above under
“Research and Development Expenses” for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and
2009, and due to the variability in the costs necessary to develop a product and
the uncertainties related to future indications to be studied, the estimated
cost and scope of the projects, and our ultimate ability to obtain governmental
approval for commercialization, accurate and meaningful estimates of the total
cost to bring our product candidates to market are not available. Similarly, we
are currently unable to reasonably estimate if our product candidates in
clinical development will generate material product revenues and net cash
inflows. In 2008, we received FDA approval for ARCALYST® for the treatment of
CAPS, a group of rare, inherited auto-inflammatory diseases that affect a very
small group of people. We currently do not expect to generate material product
revenues and net cash inflows from the sale of ARCALYST® for the treatment of
CAPS.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
increased to $28.9 million in the first half of 2010 from $23.1 million in the
same period of 2009. In the first half of 2010, we incurred higher compensation
expense due primarily to increases in headcount,
higher Non-cash Compensation Expense, and higher recruitment costs.
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of goods sold related to ARCALYST® sales, which consisted
primarily of royalties and other period costs, totaled $1.1 million and $0.8
million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. To date,
ARCALYST®
shipments to our customers have consisted of supplies of inventory manufactured
and expensed prior to FDA approval of ARCALYST® in February 2008;
therefore, the costs of these supplies were not included in costs of goods
sold.
Other Income and Expense
Investment income decreased to $1.0
million in the first half of 2010 from $3.1 million in the comparable quarter of
2009, primarily due to lower balances of, and lower yields on, cash and
marketable securities and a $0.1 million other-than-temporary impairment charge.
Interest expense of $4.4 million in the first half of 2010 was attributable to
the imputed interest portion of payments to our landlord to lease newly
constructed laboratory and office facilities in Tarrytown, New York. These
payments commenced in the third quarter of 2009.
33
Liquidity and Capital
Resources
Since our inception in 1988, we have financed
our operations primarily through offerings of our equity securities, a private
placement of convertible debt (which was repurchased or repaid in 2008),
purchases of our equity securities by our collaborators, including
sanofi-aventis, revenue earned under our past and present research and
development agreements, including our agreements with sanofi-aventis and Bayer
HealthCare, our past contract manufacturing agreements, our technology licensing
agreements, ARCALYST® product revenue, and
investment income.
Six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009
At June 30, 2010, we had $380.2
million in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable securities
compared with $390.0 million at December 31, 2009. In February 2010, we received
$47.5 million from our landlord in connection with tenant improvement costs for
the new laboratory and office facilities that we lease in Tarrytown, New York.
In addition, in February and June 2010, we received $20.0 million annual
technology licensing payments from AstraZeneca and Astellas, respectively.
Cash Used in Operations:
Net cash used in operations was $22.6 million
in the first six months of 2010 and $16.0 million in the first six months of
2009. Our net losses of $56.0 million in the first half of 2010 and $30.3
million in the first half of 2009 included $17.5 million and $15.1 million,
respectively, of Non-cash Compensation Expense, and $8.7 million and $5.7
million, respectively, of depreciation and amortization.
At June 30, 2010, accounts receivable
increased by $29.6 million, compared to end-of-year 2009, primarily due to a
higher receivable balance related to our antibody collaboration with
sanofi-aventis. Also, our deferred revenue balances at June 30, 2010 increased
by $16.6 million, compared to end-of-year 2009, primarily due to (i) the receipt
of the $20.0 million payments from AstraZeneca and Astellas, as described above,
which were deferred and are being recognized ratably over the ensuing year and
(ii) sanofi-aventis’ funding of $13.8 million of agreed-upon costs incurred by
us during the first half of 2010 to expand our manufacturing capacity at our
Rensselaer facilities, which was deferred and is being recognized as
collaboration revenue prospectively over the related performance period in
conjunction with the original $85.0 million up-front payment received from
sanofi-aventis. These increases were partially offset by amortization of
previously received deferred payments under our sanofi-aventis and Bayer
HealthCare collaborations. At June 30, 2010, accounts payable, accrued expenses,
and other liabilities increased by $18.1 million, compared to end-of-year 2009,
primarily in connection with our expanded levels of activities and expenditures,
including higher liabilities for payroll and related costs and clinical trial
expenses.
At June 30, 2009, accounts receivable
increased by $24.8 million, compared to end-of-year 2008, primarily due to a
higher receivable balance related to our antibody collaboration with
sanofi-aventis. Also, our deferred revenue balances at June 30, 2009 increased
by $5.9 million, compared to end-of-year 2008, primarily due to the receipt of
$20.0 million annual payments from AstraZeneca and Astellas in February and June
2009, respectively, which were deferred and recognized ratably over the ensuing
year. This increase was partially offset by amortization of previously received
deferred payments under our sanofi-aventis and Bayer HealthCare collaborations.
At June 30, 2009, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities
increased by $13.0 million compared to end-of-year 2008. The increase was due
primarily to higher liabilities for clinical trial and payroll-related costs,
partially offset by a $9.8 million cost-sharing payment which was due to Bayer
HealthCare at December 31, 2008 in connection with the companies’ VEGF Trap-Eye
collaboration; no cost-sharing payment was due to Bayer HealthCare at June 30,
2009.
Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing
Activities:
Net cash used in investing activities was
$131.4 million in the first six months of 2010 and net cash provided by
investing activities was $32.8 million in the first six months of 2009. In the
first half of 2010, purchases of marketable securities exceeded sales or
maturities by $84.3 million, whereas in the first half of 2009, sales or
maturities of marketable securities exceeded purchases by $85.4 million. Capital
expenditures in the first half of 2010 and 2009 included costs in connection
with expanding our manufacturing capacity at our Rensselaer, New York facilities
and tenant improvements and related costs in connection with our leased office
and laboratory facilities in Tarrytown, New York.
34
Cash Provided by Financing Activities:
Net cash provided by financing activities was
$58.9 million in the first six months of 2010 and $6.9 million in the first six
months of 2009. In the first half of 2010 and 2009, we received $47.5 million
and $5.2 million, respectively, from our landlord in connection with tenant
improvement costs for our new Tarrytown facilities, which we recognized as
additional facility lease obligations since we are deemed to own these
facilities in accordance with FASB authoritative guidance. In addition, proceeds
from issuances of Common Stock in connection with exercises of employee stock
options were $12.1 million in the first six months of 2010 and $1.7 million in
the first six months of 2009.
Fair Value of Marketable Securities:
At June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, we
held marketable securities whose aggregate fair value totaled $264.8 million and
$181.3 million, respectively. The composition of our portfolio of marketable
securities on these dates was as follows:
|
June 30, 2010 |
|
December 31, 2009 |
Investment type |
|
Fair Value |
|
Percent |
|
Fair Value |
|
Percent |
U.S. Treasury securities |
$ |
25.0 |
|
10% |
|
$ |
80.4 |
|
44% |
U.S. government agency
securities |
|
161.7 |
|
61% |
|
|
29.6 |
|
16% |
U.S. government-guaranteed corporate
bonds |
|
64.0 |
|
24% |
|
|
48.7 |
|
27% |
U.S. government guaranteed
collateralized mortgage |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
obligations |
|
3.0 |
|
1% |
|
|
3.7 |
|
2% |
Corporate bonds |
|
3.1 |
|
1% |
|
|
10.3 |
|
6% |
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
2.0 |
|
1% |
|
|
3.2 |
|
2% |
Equity security |
|
3.8 |
|
1% |
|
|
5.4 |
|
3% |
Other |
|
2.2 |
|
1% |
|
|
|
|
|
Total
marketable securities |
$ |
264.8 |
|
100% |
|
$ |
181.3 |
|
100% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In addition, at June 30, 2010 and December 31,
2009, we had $115.4 million and $208.7 million, respectively, of cash, cash
equivalents, and restricted cash, primarily held in money market funds that
invest in U.S. government securities.
During 2009 and 2010 to date, as marketable
securities in our portfolio matured or paid down, we purchased higher quality
securities such as U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. government agency obligations,
and U.S. government-guaranteed debt. This shift in our investment portfolio,
which we initiated in 2008, has reduced the risk profile, as well as the overall
yield, of our portfolio.
Funding of Antibody Discovery Activities under Collaboration with
sanofi-aventis
As described above under “Antibody
Collaboration and License Agreements,” in November 2009, we and sanofi-aventis
amended our collaboration agreements to expand and extend our antibody
collaboration. Sanofi-aventis will now fund up to $160 million per year of our
antibody discovery activities over the period from 2010-2017, subject to a
one-time option for sanofi-aventis to adjust the maximum reimbursement amount
down to $120 million per year commencing in 2014 if over the prior two years
certain specified criteria are not satisfied. In 2010, as we scale up our
capacity to conduct antibody discovery activities, we will incur and seek
reimbursement of only $130-$140 million of antibody discovery costs, with the
balance between that amount and $160 million added to the funding otherwise
available to us in 2011-2012. The discovery agreement under the antibody
collaboration will expire at the end of 2017; however, sanofi-aventis has an
option to extend the agreement for up to an additional three years for further
antibody development and preclinical activities.
Extension of License Agreement with Astellas
As described above under “Antibody
Collaboration and License Agreements,” in July 2010, the non-exclusive license
agreement with Astellas was amended and extended through June 2023. Under the
terms of the amended agreement, Astellas
will make a $165.0 million up-front payment to us, and will make a $130.0
million payment to us in June 2018 unless the license agreement has been
terminated prior to that date.
35
Capital Expenditures:
Our cash expenditures for property, plant, and
equipment totaled $45.3 million and $52.7 million for the first six months of
2010 and 2009, respectively. We expect to incur capital expenditures of
approximately $50 to $70 million during the remainder of 2010 and approximately
$40 to $60 million in 2011, primarily in connection with expanding our
Rensselaer, New York manufacturing facilities and tenant improvements at our
leased Tarrytown facilities. As described above, in February 2010, we received
$47.5 million from our landlord in connection with tenant improvement costs in
Tarrytown. In addition, as described above, sanofi-aventis has funded $13.8
million of agreed-upon capital expenditures incurred by us during the first half
of 2010 to expand our manufacturing capacity at our Rensselaer facilities, which
was either received or receivable at June 30, 2010. We expect to be reimbursed
for a portion of additional capital expenditures in 2010 and 2011 for our
Rensselaer facilities by sanofi-aventis, with the remaining amount to be funded
by our existing capital resources.
Funding Requirements:
We expect to continue to incur substantial
funding requirements primarily for research and development activities
(including preclinical and clinical testing). Before taking into account
reimbursements from our collaborators, and exclusive of anticipated funding for
capital expenditures as described above, we currently anticipate that
approximately 65-75% of our expenditures for 2010 will be directed toward the
clinical development of product candidates, including ARCALYST®, aflibercept, VEGF
Trap-Eye, and clinical stage monoclonal antibodies; approximately 15-25% of our
expenditures for 2010 will be applied to our basic research and preclinical
activities; and the remainder of our expenditures for 2010 will be used for the
continued development of our novel technology platforms and general corporate
purposes. While we expect that funding requirements for our research and
development activities will continue to increase in 2010, we also expect that a
greater proportion of our research and development expenditures will be
reimbursed by our collaborators, especially in connection with our amended and
expanded antibody collaboration with sanofi-aventis.
The amount we need to fund operations will
depend on various factors, including the status of competitive products, the
success of our research and development programs, the potential future need to
expand our professional and support staff and facilities, the status of patents
and other intellectual property rights, the delay or failure of a clinical trial
of any of our potential drug candidates, and the continuation, extent, and
success of our collaborations with sanofi-aventis and Bayer HealthCare. Clinical
trial costs are dependent, among other things, on the size and duration of
trials, fees charged for services provided by clinical trial investigators and
other third parties, the costs for manufacturing the product candidate for use
in the trials, and for supplies, laboratory tests, and other expenses. The
amount of funding that will be required for our clinical programs depends upon
the results of our research and preclinical programs and early-stage clinical
trials, regulatory requirements, the duration and results of clinical trials
underway and of additional clinical trials that we decide to initiate, and the
various factors that affect the cost of each trial as described above.
Currently, we are required to remit royalties on product sales of ARCALYST® for the treatment of
CAPS. In the future, if we are able to successfully develop, market, and sell
ARCALYST® for
other indications or certain of our product candidates, we may be required to
pay royalties or otherwise share the profits generated on such sales in
connection with our collaboration and licensing agreements.
We expect that expenses related to the filing,
prosecution, defense, and enforcement of patents and other intellectual property
will continue to be substantial.
We believe that our existing capital
resources, including funding we are entitled to receive under our collaboration
agreements and our non-exclusive license agreement with Astellas, which was
amended in July 2010 as described above, will enable us to meet operating needs
through at least 2013. However, this is a forward-looking statement based on our
current operating plan, and there may be a change in projected revenues or
expenses that would lead to our capital being consumed significantly before such
time. For example, if we choose to commercialize products that are not licensed
to a third party, we could incur substantial pre-marketing and commercialization
expenses that could lead us to consume our cash at a faster rate. If there is
insufficient capital to fund all of our planned operations and activities, we
would expect to prioritize available capital to fund selected preclinical and
clinical development programs or license selected products.
36
Other than a $3.4 million letter of credit
issued to our landlord in connection with our lease for facilities in Tarrytown,
New York, we have no off-balance sheet arrangements. In addition, we do not
guarantee the obligations of any other entity. As of June 30, 2010, we had no
established banking arrangements through which we could obtain short-term
financing or a line of credit. In the event we need additional financing for the
operation of our business, we will consider collaborative arrangements and
additional public or private financing, including additional equity financing.
Factors influencing the availability of additional financing include our
progress in product development, investor perception of our prospects, and the
general condition of the financial markets. We may not be able to secure the
necessary funding through new collaborative arrangements or additional public or
private offerings. If we cannot raise adequate funds to satisfy our capital
requirements, we may have to delay, scale-back, or eliminate certain of our
research and development activities or future operations. This could materially
harm our business.
Future Impact of Recently Issued Accounting
Standards
In March 2010, the FASB amended its
authoritative guidance on the milestone method of revenue recognition. The
milestone method of revenue recognition has now been codified as an acceptable
revenue recognition model when a milestone is deemed to be substantive. This
guidance may be applied retrospectively to all arrangements or prospectively for
milestones achieved after the adoption of the guidance. We are required to adopt
this amended guidance for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2011, although
earlier adoption is permitted. Management does not anticipate that the adoption
of this guidance will have a material impact on our financial statements.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE
DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest Rate Risk:
Our earnings and cash flows are subject to
fluctuations due to changes in interest rates principally in connection with our
investment of excess cash in direct obligations of the U.S. government and its
agencies, other debt securities guaranteed by the U.S. government, and money
market funds that invest in U.S. government securities and, to a lesser extent,
investment grade debt securities issued by corporations, bank deposits, and
asset-backed securities. We do not believe we are materially exposed to changes
in interest rates. Under our current policies, we do not use interest rate
derivative instruments to manage exposure to interest rate changes. We estimate
that a one percent unfavorable change in interest rates would have resulted in
approximately a $1.2 million and $0.8 million decrease in the fair value of our
investment portfolio at June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Credit Quality Risk:
We have an investment policy that includes
guidelines on acceptable investment securities, minimum credit quality, maturity
parameters, and concentration and diversification. Nonetheless, deterioration of
the credit quality of an investment security subsequent to purchase may subject
us to the risk of not being able to recover the full principal value of the
security. We have recognized other-than-temporary impairment charges related to
certain marketable securities of $2.5 million, $0.1 million, and $0.1 million in
2008, 2009, and the first six months of 2010, respectively.
The current economic environment,
the deterioration in the credit quality of issuers of securities that we hold,
and the continuing volatility of securities markets increase the risk of
potential declines in the current market value of marketable securities in our
investment portfolio. Such declines could result in charges against income in
future periods for other-than-temporary impairments and the amounts could be
material.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Our management, with the participation of our
chief executive officer and chief financial officer, conducted an evaluation of
the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is
defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), as of the end of the period covered by
this report. Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief
financial officer each concluded that, as of the end of such period, our
disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information
required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the
Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis,
and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief
executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosure.
37
There has been no change in our internal
control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and
15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended June 30, 2010 that
has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our
internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we are a party to legal
proceedings in the course of our business. We do not expect any such current
legal proceedings to have a material adverse effect on our business or financial
condition.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
We operate in an environment that
involves a number of significant risks and uncertainties. We caution you to read
the following risk factors, which have affected, and/or in the future could
affect, our business, operating results, financial condition, and cash flows.
The risks described below include forward-looking statements, and actual events
and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in these
forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently
known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business
operations. Furthermore, additional risks and uncertainties are described under
other captions in this report and should be considered by our investors.
Risks Related to Our Financial Results and
Need for Additional Financing
We have had a history of operating losses and we may never achieve
profitability. If we continue to incur operating losses, we may be unable to
continue our operations.
From inception on January 8, 1988
through June 30, 2010, we had a cumulative loss of $997.1 million. If we
continue to incur operating losses and fail to become a profitable company, we
may be unable to continue our operations. In the absence of substantial revenue
from the sale of products or other sources, the amount, timing, nature or source
of which cannot be predicted, our losses will continue as we conduct our
research and development activities.
We may need additional funding in the future, which may not be available
to us, and which may force us to delay, reduce or eliminate our product
development programs or commercialization efforts.
We will need to expend substantial
resources for research and development, including costs associated with clinical
testing of our product candidates. We believe our existing capital resources,
including funding we are entitled to receive under our collaboration agreements
and our non-exclusive license agreement with Astellas, will enable us to meet
operating needs through at least 2013; however, one or more of our VelocImmune® licenses or
collaboration agreements may terminate, our projected revenue may decrease, or
our expenses may increase and that would lead to our capital being consumed
significantly before such time. Our expenses may increase for many reasons,
including for expenses in connection with the commercial launch of our products,
for expenses related to new clinical trials testing ARCALYST® or VEGF Trap-Eye, or
for the potential requirement for us to fund 20% of Phase 3 clinical trial costs
for any of our antibody product candidates pursuant to the terms of our
collaboration with sanofi-aventis.
We may require additional financing
in the future and we may not be able to raise such additional funds. If we are
able to obtain additional financing through the sale of equity or convertible
debt securities, such sales may be dilutive to our shareholders. Debt financing
arrangements may require us to pledge certain assets or enter into covenants
that would restrict our business activities or our ability to incur further
indebtedness and may contain other terms that are not favorable to our
shareholders. If we are unable to raise sufficient funds to complete the
development of our product candidates, we may face delay, reduction or
elimination of our research and development programs or preclinical or clinical trials, in which case our
business, financial condition or results of operations may be materially harmed.
38
The value of our investment portfolio, which includes cash, cash
equivalents, and marketable securities, is influenced by varying economic
and market conditions. A decrease in the value of an asset in our
investment portfolio or a default by the issuer may result in our
inability to recover the principal we invested and/or a recognition of a
loss charged against income.
|
As of June 30, 2010, cash, cash
equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable securities totaled $380.2 million
and represented 48% of our total assets. We have invested our excess cash
primarily in direct obligations of the U.S. government and its agencies, other
debt securities guaranteed by the U.S. government, and money market funds that
invest in U.S. government securities and, to a lesser extent, investment grade
debt securities issued by corporations, bank deposits, and asset-backed
securities. We consider assets classified as marketable securities to be
“available-for-sale,” as defined by FASB authoritative guidance. Marketable
securities totaled $264.8 million at June 30, 2010, are carried at fair value,
and the unrealized gains and losses are included in other accumulated
comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. If
the decline in the value of a security in our investment portfolio is deemed to
be other-than-temporary, we write down the security to its current fair value
and recognize a loss which may be fully charged against income. For example, we
recognized other-than-temporary impairment charges related to certain marketable
securities of $2.5 million, $0.1 million, and $0.1 million in 2008, 2009, and
the first six months of 2010, respectively. The current economic environment,
the deterioration in the credit quality of some of the issuers of securities
that we hold, and the recent volatility of securities markets increase the risk
that we may not recover the principal we invested and/or there may be further
declines in the market value of securities in our investment portfolio. As a
result, we may incur additional charges against income in future periods for
other-than-temporary impairments or realized losses upon a security’s sale or
maturity, and such amounts may be material.
Risks Related to ARCALYST® (rilonacept) and the Development of Our Product Candidates
Successful development of any of our product candidates is highly
uncertain.
Only a small minority of all research and development programs ultimately
result in commercially successful drugs. Even if clinical trials demonstrate
safety and effectiveness of any of our product candidates for a specific disease
and the necessary regulatory approvals are obtained, the commercial success of
any of our product candidates will depend upon their acceptance by patients, the
medical community, and third-party payers and on our partners’ ability to
successfully manufacture and commercialize our product candidates. Our product
candidates are delivered either by intravenous infusion or by intravitreal or
subcutaneous injections, which are generally less well received by patients than
tablet or capsule delivery. If our products are not successfully commercialized,
we will not be able to recover the significant investment we have made in
developing such products and our business would be severely harmed.
We are testing aflibercept, VEGF Trap-Eye, and ARCALYST® in a number of
late-stage clinical trials. Clinical trials may not demonstrate statistically
sufficient effectiveness and safety to obtain the requisite regulatory approvals
for these product candidates. In a number of instances, we have terminated the
development of product candidates due to a lack of or only modest effectiveness.
Aflibercept is in Phase 3 clinical trials in combination with standard
chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of 2nd-line metastatic
colorectal cancer, 1st-line androgen
independent prostate cancer, and 2nd-line metastatic
non-small cell lung cancer. Aflibercept may not demonstrate the required safety
or efficacy to support an application for approval in any of these indications.
We do not have proof of concept data from early-stage, double-blind, controlled
clinical trials that aflibercept will be safe or effective in any of these
cancer settings. In March 2010, Genentech announced that a Phase 3 trial of its
VEGF antagonist, Avastin® (bevacizumab), in
combination with chemotherapy in men with prostate cancer, did not meet its
primary endpoint. This trial had a very similar design to our ongoing Phase 3
trial of aflibercept in prostate cancer.
We are testing VEGF Trap-Eye in Phase 3 trials for the treatment of wet
AMD and the treatment of CRVO. Although we reported positive Phase 2 trial
results with VEGF Trap-Eye in wet AMD, based on a limited number of patients,
the results from the larger Phase 3 trials may not demonstrate that VEGF
Trap-Eye is safe and effective or
compares favorably to Lucentis (Genentech). A number of other potential new
drugs and biologics which showed promising results in initial clinical trials
subsequently failed to establish sufficient safety and efficacy data to obtain
necessary regulatory approvals. VEGF Trap-Eye has not been previously studied in
CRVO.
39
ARCALYST® is in Phase 3 clinical
trials for the prevention of gout flares in patients initiating uric
acid-lowering drug therapy. Although we reported positive Phase 3 data from one
trial in patients with gout initiating uric acid-lowering drug therapy, there is
a risk that the results of the other ongoing trials of ARCALYST® in patients initiating
uric acid-lowering drug therapy will differ from the previously reported Phase 3
trial. A number of potential new drugs and biologics which showed promising
results in initial clinical trials subsequently failed to establish sufficient
safety and efficacy data to obtain necessary regulatory approvals.
We are studying our antibody
candidates in a wide variety of indications in early stage clinical trials. Many
of these trials are exploratory studies designed to evaluate the safety profile
of these compounds and to identify what diseases and uses, if any, are best
suited for these product candidates. These early stage product candidates may
not demonstrate the requisite efficacy and/or safety profile to support
continued development for some or all of the indications that are being, or are
planned to be, studied.
Clinical trials required for our product candidates are expensive and
time-consuming, and their outcome is highly uncertain. If any of our drug trials
are delayed or yield unfavorable results, we will have to delay or may be unable
to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates.
We must conduct extensive testing of
our product candidates before we can obtain regulatory approval to market and
sell them. We need to conduct both preclinical animal testing and human clinical
trials. Conducting these trials is a lengthy, time-consuming, and expensive
process. These tests and trials may not achieve favorable results for many
reasons, including, among others, failure of the product candidate to
demonstrate safety or efficacy, the development of serious or life-threatening
adverse events (or side effects) caused by or connected with exposure to the
product candidate, difficulty in enrolling and maintaining subjects in the
clinical trial, lack of sufficient supplies of the product candidate or
comparator drug, and the failure of clinical investigators, trial monitors,
contractors, consultants, or trial subjects to comply with the trial plan or
protocol. A clinical trial may fail because it did not include a sufficient
number of patients to detect the endpoint being measured or reach statistical
significance. A clinical trial may also fail because the dose(s) of the
investigational drug included in the trial were either too low or too high to
determine the optimal effect of the investigational drug in the disease
setting.
Many of our clinical trials are
conducted under the oversight of Independent Data Monitoring Committees (or
IDMCs). These independent oversight bodies are made up of external experts who
review the progress of ongoing clinical trials, including available safety and
efficacy data, and make recommendations concerning a trial’s continuation,
modification, or termination based on interim, unblinded data. Any of our
ongoing clinical trials may be discontinued or amended in response to
recommendations made by responsible IDMCs based on their review of such interim
trial results. For example, in September 2009, a Phase 3 trial that was
evaluating aflibercept as a 1st-line treatment for metastic pancreatic cancer
in combination with gemcitabine was discontinued at the recommendation of an
IDMC after a planned analysis of interim efficacy data determined that the trial
would not meet its efficacy endpoint. The IDMC for the VELOUR trial, which is
studying aflibercept as a 2nd-line treatment for
metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with chemotherapy, is expected to
conduct an interim analysis of the data from this trial in the second half of
2010. The recommended termination of any of our ongoing late-stage clinical
trials by an IDMC could negatively impact the future development of our product
candidate(s) and our business may be materially harmed.
We will need to reevaluate any drug
candidate that does not test favorably and either conduct new trials, which are
expensive and time consuming, or abandon the drug development program. Even if
we obtain positive results from preclinical or clinical trials, we may not
achieve the same success in future trials. Many companies in the
biopharmaceutical industry, including Regeneron, have suffered significant
setbacks in clinical trials, even after promising results have been obtained in
earlier trials. The failure of clinical trials to demonstrate safety and
effectiveness for the desired indication(s) could harm the development of our
product candidate(s), and our business, financial condition, and results of
operations may be materially harmed.
Serious complications or side effects have occurred, and may continue to
occur, in connection with the use of our approved product and in clinical trials
of some of our product candidates which could cause our regulatory approval to be revoked or otherwise negatively affected or
lead to delay or discontinuation of development of our product candidates which
could severely harm our business.
40
During the conduct of clinical trials,
patients report changes in their health, including illnesses, injuries, and
discomforts, to their study doctor. Often, it is not possible to determine
whether or not the drug candidate being studied caused these conditions. Various
illnesses, injuries, and discomforts have been reported from time-to-time during
clinical trials of our product candidates. It is possible that as we test our
drug candidates in larger, longer, and more extensive clinical programs,
illnesses, injuries, and discomforts that were observed in earlier trials, as
well as conditions that did not occur or went undetected in smaller previous
trials, will be reported by patients. Many times, side effects are only
detectable after investigational drugs are tested in large scale, Phase 3
clinical trials or, in some cases, after they are made available to patients
after approval. If additional clinical experience indicates that any of our
product candidates has many side effects or causes serious or life-threatening
side effects, the development of the product candidate may fail or be delayed,
which would severely harm our business.
Aflibercept (VEGF Trap) is being studied for
the potential treatment of certain types of cancer and our VEGF Trap-Eye
candidate is being studied in diseases of the eye. There are many potential
safety concerns associated with significant blockade of vascular endothelial
growth factor, or VEGF, that may limit our ability to successfully develop
aflibercept and VEGF Trap-Eye. These serious and potentially life-threatening
risks, based on clinical and preclinical experience of VEGF inhibitors, include
bleeding, intestinal perforation, hypertension, proteinuria, congestive heart
failure, heart attack, and stroke. In addition, patients given infusions of any
protein, including VEGF Trap delivered through intravenous administration, may
develop severe hypersensitivity reactions or infusion reactions. Other VEGF
blockers have reported side effects that became evident only after large scale
trials or after marketing approval when large numbers of patients were treated.
These and other complications or side effects could harm the development of
aflibercept for the treatment of cancer or VEGF Trap-Eye for the treatment of
diseases of the eye.
We have tested ARCALYST® in only a small number
of patients. As more patients begin to use our product and as we test it in new
disease settings, new risks and side effects associated with ARCALYST® may be discovered, and
risks previously viewed as inconsequential could be determined to be
significant. Like cytokine antagonists such as Kineret® (anakinra), marketed
by Biovitrum, Enbrel® (etanercept), marketed
by Amgen Inc. and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Remicade® (infliximab) marketed
by Centocor Ortho Biotech, Inc., ARCALYST® affects the immune
defense system of the body by blocking some of its functions. Therefore,
ARCALYST® may
interfere with the body’s ability to fight infections. Treatment with Kineret
(Biovitrum), a medication that works through the inhibition of IL-1, has been
associated with an increased risk of serious infections, and serious, life
threatening infections have been reported in patients taking ARCALYST®. These or other
complications or side effects could cause regulatory authorities to revoke
approvals of ARCALYST® for the treatment of
CAPS or deny the approval of ARCALYST® in gout or other
disease settings. Alternatively, we may be required to conduct additional
clinical trials, make changes in the labeling of our product, or limit or
abandon our efforts to develop ARCALYST® in new disease
settings. Any such side effects may also result in a reduction, or even the
elimination, of sales of ARCALYST® in approved
indications.
We are studying REGN475, a fully human
monoclonal antibody to NGF, in a variety of pain indications, including
osteoarthritis of the knee. Recently, another pharmaceutical company that is
developing an antibody to NGF announced that it has suspended clinical programs
for its agent in patients with osteoarthritis and other chronic use indications
at the request of the FDA following a small number of reports of patients
experiencing a worsening of osteoarthritis or osteonecrosis leading to joint
replacement. Although REGN475 has some differences from this third party
antibody, the safety risks reported in clinical trials with this other agent
could be risks associated with all antibodies to NGF, including our product
candidate. This risk or other complications or side effects could result in the
discontinuation or limitation of the further development of REGN475 in
osteoarthritis and other pain indications, including as a result of being
placed on clinical hold by the FDA.
41
ARCALYST®
and our product candidates in development are recombinant proteins that could
cause an immune response, resulting in the creation of harmful or neutralizing
antibodies against the therapeutic protein.
In addition to the safety, efficacy,
manufacturing, and regulatory hurdles faced by our product candidates, the
administration of recombinant proteins frequently causes an immune response,
resulting in the creation of antibodies against the therapeutic protein. The
antibodies can have no effect or can totally neutralize the effectiveness of the
protein, or require that higher doses be used to obtain a therapeutic effect. In
some cases, the antibody can cross react with the patient’s own proteins,
resulting in an “auto-immune” type disease. Whether antibodies will be created
can often not be predicted from preclinical or clinical experiments, and their
detection or appearance is often delayed, so that there can be no assurance that
neutralizing antibodies will not be detected at a later date, in some cases even
after pivotal clinical trials have been completed. Antibodies directed against
the receptor domains of ARCALYST® were detected in
patients with CAPS after treatment with ARCALYST®. Nineteen of 55
subjects (35%) who received ARCALYST® for at least 6 weeks
tested positive for treatment-emerging binding antibodies on at least one
occasion. To date, no side effects related to antibodies were observed in these
subjects and there were no observed effects on drug efficacy or drug levels. It
is possible that as we continue to test aflibercept and VEGF Trap-Eye with more
sensitive assays in different patient populations and larger clinical trials, we
will find that subjects given aflibercept and VEGF Trap-Eye develop antibodies
to these product candidates, and may also experience side effects related to the
antibodies, which could adversely impact the development of such candidates.
We may be unable to formulate or manufacture our product candidates in a
way that is suitable for clinical or commercial use.
Changes in product formulations and
manufacturing processes may be required as product candidates progress in
clinical development and are ultimately commercialized. If we are unable to
develop suitable product formulations or manufacturing processes to support
large scale clinical testing of our product candidates, including aflibercept,
VEGF Trap-Eye, and our antibody candidates, we may be unable to supply necessary
materials for our clinical trials, which would delay the development of our
product candidates. Similarly, if we are unable to supply sufficient quantities
of our product or develop product formulations suitable for commercial use, we
will not be able to successfully commercialize our product
candidates.
Risks Related to Intellectual Property
If we cannot protect the confidentiality of our trade secrets or our
patents are insufficient to protect our proprietary rights, our business and
competitive position will be harmed.
Our business requires using sensitive and
proprietary technology and other information that we protect as trade secrets.
We seek to prevent improper disclosure of these trade secrets through
confidentiality agreements. If our trade secrets are improperly exposed, either
by our own employees or our collaborators, it would help our competitors and
adversely affect our business. We will be able to protect our proprietary rights
from unauthorized use by third parties only to the extent that our rights are
covered by valid and enforceable patents or are effectively maintained as trade
secrets. The patent position of biotechnology companies involves complex legal
and factual questions and, therefore, enforceability cannot be predicted with
certainty. Our patents may be challenged, invalidated, or circumvented. Patent
applications filed outside the United States may be challenged by third parties
who file an opposition. Such opposition proceedings are increasingly common in
the European Union and are costly to defend. We have pending patent applications
in the European Patent Office and it is likely that we will need to defend
patent applications from third party challengers from time to time in the
future. Our patent rights may not provide us with a proprietary position or
competitive advantages against competitors. Furthermore, even if the outcome is
favorable to us, the enforcement of our intellectual property rights can be
extremely expensive and time consuming.
We may be restricted in our development and/or commercialization
activities by, and could be subject to damage awards if we are found to have
infringed, third party patents or other proprietary rights.
Our commercial success depends significantly
on our ability to operate without infringing the patents and other proprietary
rights of third parties. Other parties may allege that they have blocking
patents to our products in clinical development, either because they claim to
hold proprietary rights to the composition of a product or the way it is
manufactured or used. Moreover, other parties may allege that they have blocking
patents to antibody products made using our VelocImmune® technology,
either because of the way the antibodies are discovered or produced or because
of a proprietary position covering an antibody or the antibody’s target.
42
We are aware of patents and pending
applications owned by Genentech that claim certain chimeric VEGF receptors.
Although we do not believe that aflibercept or VEGF Trap-Eye infringes any valid
claim in these patents or patent applications, Genentech could initiate a
lawsuit for patent infringement and assert that its patents are valid and cover
aflibercept or VEGF Trap-Eye or uses thereof. Genentech may be motivated to
initiate such a lawsuit at some point in an effort to impair our ability to
develop and sell aflibercept or VEGF Trap-Eye, which represent potential
competitive threats to Genentech’s VEGF-binding products and product candidates.
An adverse determination by a court in any such potential patent litigation
would likely materially harm our business by requiring us to seek a license,
which may not be available, or resulting in our inability to manufacture,
develop, and sell aflibercept or VEGF Trap-Eye or in a damage award.
We are aware of patents and pending
applications owned by Roche that claim antibodies to the interleukin-6 receptor
and methods of treating rheumatoid arthritis with such antibodies. We are
developing REGN88, an antibody to the interleukin-6 receptor, for the treatment
of rheumatoid arthritis. Although we do not believe that REGN88 infringes any
valid claim in these patents or patent applications, Roche could initiate a
lawsuit for patent infringement and assert its patents are valid and cover
REGN88.
We are aware of a U.S. patent jointly owned by
Genentech and City of Hope relating to the production of recombinant antibodies
in host cells. We currently produce our antibody product candidates using
recombinant antibodies from host cells and may choose to produce additional
antibody product candidates in this manner. Neither ARCALYST®, aflibercept, nor VEGF
Trap-Eye are recombinant antibodies. If any of our antibody product candidates
are produced in a manner subject to valid claims in the Genentech patent, then
we may need to obtain a license from Genentech, should one be available.
Genentech has licensed this patent to several different companies under
confidential license agreements. If we desire a license for any of our antibody
product candidates and are unable to obtain a license on commercially reasonable
terms or at all, we may be restricted in our ability to use Genentech’s
techniques to make recombinant antibodies in or to import them into the United
States.
Further, we are aware of a number of other
third party patent applications that, if granted, with claims as currently
drafted, may cover our current or planned activities. We cannot assure you that
our products and/or actions in manufacturing and selling our product candidates
will not infringe such patents.
Any patent holders could sue us for damages
and seek to prevent us from manufacturing, selling, or developing our drug
candidates, and a court may find that we are infringing validly issued patents
of third parties. In the event that the manufacture, use, or sale of any of our
clinical candidates infringes on the patents or violates other proprietary
rights of third parties, we may be prevented from pursuing product development,
manufacturing, and commercialization of our drugs and may be required to pay
costly damages. Such a result may materially harm our business, financial
condition, and results of operations. Legal disputes are likely to be costly and
time consuming to defend.
We seek to obtain licenses to patents when, in
our judgment, such licenses are needed. If any licenses are required, we may not
be able to obtain such licenses on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. The
failure to obtain any such license could prevent us from developing or
commercializing any one or more of our product candidates, which could severely
harm our business.
Regulatory and Litigation Risks
If we do not obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates, we
will not be able to market or sell them.
We cannot sell or market products without
regulatory approval. If we do not obtain and maintain regulatory approval for
our product candidates, including ARCALYST® for the treatment of
diseases other than CAPS, the value of our company and our results of operations
will be harmed. In the United States, we must obtain and maintain approval from
the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for each drug we intend to
sell. Obtaining FDA approval is typically a lengthy and expensive process, and
approval is highly uncertain. Foreign governments also regulate drugs
distributed in their country and approval in any country is likely to be a
lengthy and expensive process, and approval is highly uncertain. Except for the
FDA approval of ARCALYST® and the Europeans
Medicines Agency approval of rilonacept for the treatment of CAPS, none of our
product candidates has ever received regulatory approval to be marketed and sold
in the United States or any other country. We may never receive regulatory
approval for any of our product candidates.
43
The FDA enforces good clinical practices and
other regulations through periodic inspections of trial sponsors, clinical
research organizations (CROs), principal investigators, and trial sites. If we
or any of the third parties conducting our clinical studies are determined to
have failed to fully comply with Good Clinical Practice regulations (GCPs), the
study protocol or applicable regulations, the clinical data generated in our
studies may be deemed unreliable. This could result in non-approval of our
product candidates by the FDA, or we or the FDA may decide to conduct additional
audits or require additional clinical studies, which would delay our development
programs and substantially harm our business.
Before approving a new drug or biologic
product, the FDA requires that the facilities at which the product will be
manufactured be in compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices, or cGMP
requirements. Manufacturing product candidates in compliance with these
regulatory requirements is complex, time-consuming, and expensive. To be
successful, our products must be manufactured for development, following
approval, in commercial quantities, in compliance with regulatory requirements,
and at competitive costs. If we or any of our product collaborators or
third-party manufacturers, product packagers, or labelers are unable to maintain
regulatory compliance, the FDA can impose regulatory sanctions, including, among
other things, refusal to approve a pending application for a new drug or
biologic product, or revocation of a pre-existing approval. As a result, our
business, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially
harmed.
In addition to the FDA and other regulatory
agency regulations in the United States, we are subject to a variety of foreign
regulatory requirements governing human clinical trials, manufacturing,
marketing and approval of drugs, and commercial sale and distribution of drugs
in foreign countries. The foreign regulatory approval process includes all of
the risks associated with FDA approval as well as country specific regulations.
Whether or not we obtain FDA approval for a product in the United States, we
must obtain approval by the comparable regulatory authorities of foreign
countries before we can commence clinical trials or marketing of ARCALYST® or any of our product
candidates in those countries.
If we fail to meet the stringent requirements of governmental regulation
in the manufacture of our marketed product and clinical candidates, we could
incur substantial remedial costs, delays in the development of our clinical
candidates, and a reduction in sales.
We and our third party providers are required
to maintain compliance with cGMP, and are subject to inspections by the FDA or
comparable agencies in other jurisdictions to confirm such compliance. Changes
of suppliers or modifications of methods of manufacturing may require amending
our application to the FDA and acceptance of the change by the FDA prior to
release of product. Because we produce multiple product candidates at our
facility in Rensselaer, New York, there are increased risks associated with cGMP
compliance. Our inability, or the inability of our third party service
providers, to demonstrate ongoing cGMP compliance could require us to engage in
lengthy and expensive remediation efforts, withdraw or recall product, halt or
interrupt clinical trials, and/or interrupt commercial supply of our marketed
product. Any delay, interruption or other issues that arise in the manufacture,
fill-finish, packaging, or storage of our product candidates as a result of a
failure of our facilities or the facilities or operations of third parties to
pass any regulatory agency inspection or maintain cGMP compliance could
significantly impair our ability to develop and commercialize our products. Any
finding of non-compliance could increase our costs, cause us to delay the
development of our product candidates, and cause us to lose revenue from our
marketed product.
If the testing or use of our products harms people, we could be subject
to costly and damaging product liability claims.
The testing, manufacturing, marketing, and
sale of drugs for use in people expose us to product liability risk. Any
informed consent or waivers obtained from people who sign up for our clinical
trials may not protect us from liability or the cost of litigation. We may be
subject to claims by CAPS patients who use ARCALYST® that they have been
injured by a side effect associated with the drug. Our product liability
insurance may not cover all potential liabilities or may not completely cover
any liability arising from any such litigation. Moreover, in the future we may
not have access to liability insurance or be able to maintain our insurance on
acceptable terms.
44
If we market and sell ARCALYST® in a way that violates
federal or state fraud and abuse laws, we may be subject to civil or criminal
penalties.
In addition to FDA and related regulatory
requirements, we are subject to health care “fraud and abuse” laws, such as the
federal False Claims Act, the anti-kickback provisions of the federal Social
Security Act, and other state and federal laws and regulations. Federal and
state anti-kickback laws prohibit, among other things, knowingly and willfully
offering, paying, soliciting or receiving remuneration to induce, or in return
for, purchasing, leasing, ordering or arranging for the purchase, lease or order
of any health care item or service reimbursable under Medicare, Medicaid, or
other federally or state financed health care programs.
Federal false claims laws prohibit any person
from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, a false claim for payment
to the federal government, or knowingly making, or causing to be made, a false
statement to get a false claim paid. Pharmaceutical companies have been
prosecuted under these laws for a variety of alleged promotional and marketing
activities, such as allegedly providing free product to customers with the
expectation that the customers would bill federal programs for the product;
reporting to pricing services inflated average wholesale prices that were then
used by federal programs to set reimbursement rates; engaging in promotion for
uses that the FDA has not approved, or off-label uses, that caused claims to be
submitted to Medicaid for non-covered off-label uses, and submitting inflated
best price information to the Medicaid Rebate program.
The majority of states also have statutes or
regulations similar to the federal anti-kickback law and false claims laws,
which apply to items and services reimbursed under Medicaid and other state
programs, or, in several states, apply regardless of the payer. Sanctions under
these federal and state laws may include civil monetary penalties, exclusion of
a manufacturer’s products from reimbursement under government programs, criminal
fines, and imprisonment.
Even if we are not determined to have violated
these laws, government investigations into these issues typically require the
expenditure of significant resources and generate negative publicity, which
would also harm our financial condition. Because of the breadth of these laws
and the narrowness of the safe harbors, it is possible that some of our business
activities could be subject to challenge under one or more of such laws.
In recent years, several states and
localities, including California, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts,
Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Vermont, and West Virginia, have enacted
legislation requiring pharmaceutical companies to establish marketing compliance
programs, and file periodic reports with the state or make periodic public
disclosures on sales, marketing, pricing, clinical trials, and other activities.
Similar requirements are being considered in other states and were included in
health care reform legislation recently enacted by the federal government. Many
of these requirements are new and uncertain, and the penalties for failure to
comply with these requirements are unclear. Nonetheless, if we are found not to
be in full compliance with these laws, we could face enforcement action and
fines and other penalties, and could receive adverse publicity.
Our operations may involve hazardous materials and are subject to
environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations. We may incur substantial
liability arising from our activities involving the use of hazardous materials.
As a biopharmaceutical company with
significant manufacturing operations, we are subject to extensive environmental,
health, and safety laws and regulations, including those governing the use of
hazardous materials. Our research and development and manufacturing activities
involve the controlled use of chemicals, viruses, radioactive compounds, and
other hazardous materials. The cost of compliance with environmental, health,
and safety regulations is substantial. If an accident involving these materials
or an environmental discharge were to occur, we could be held liable for any
resulting damages, or face regulatory actions, which could exceed our resources
or insurance coverage.
In future years, if we are unable to conclude that our internal control
over financial reporting is effective, the market value of our Common Stock
could be adversely affected.
As directed by Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the SEC adopted rules requiring public companies to
include a report of management on the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting in their annual reports on Form 10-K that contains an assessment by
management of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial
reporting. In addition, the independent registered public accounting firm
auditing our financial statements must attest to and report on the effectiveness
of our internal control over financial reporting. Our independent registered
public accounting firm provided us with an unqualified report as to the
effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December
31, 2009, which report is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. However,
we cannot assure you that management or our independent registered public
accounting firm will be able to provide such an unqualified report as of future
year-ends. In this event, investors could lose confidence in the reliability of
our financial statements, which could result in a decrease in the market value
of our Common Stock. In addition, if it is determined that deficiencies in the
design or operation of internal controls exist and that they are reasonably
likely to adversely affect our ability to record, process, summarize, and report
financial information, we would likely incur additional costs to remediate these
deficiencies and the costs of such remediation could be material.
45
Changes in laws and regulations affecting the healthcare industry could
adversely affect our business.
All aspects of our business, including
research and development, manufacturing, marketing, pricing, sales, litigation,
and intellectual property rights, are subject to extensive legislation and
regulation. Changes in applicable federal and state laws and agency regulations
could have a material adverse effect on our business. These
include:
- changes in the FDA and foreign
regulatory processes for new therapeutics that may delay or prevent the
approval of any of our current or future product candidates;
- new laws, regulations, or judicial
decisions related to healthcare availability or the payment for healthcare
products and services, including prescription drugs, that would make it more
difficult for us to market and sell products once they are approved by the FDA
or foreign regulatory agencies;
- changes in FDA and foreign
regulations that may require additional safety monitoring prior to or after
the introduction of new products to market, which could materially increase
our costs of doing business; and
- changes in FDA and foreign current
Good Manufacturing Practice, or cGMPs, that make it more difficult for us to
manufacture our marketed product and clinical candidates in accordance with
cGMPs.
The enactment in the U.S. of the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act, or PPCA, potential regulations easing the
entry of competing follow-on biologics in the marketplace, new legislation or
implementation of existing statutory provisions on importation of lower-cost
competing drugs from other jurisdictions, and legislation on comparative
effectiveness research are examples of previously enacted and possible future
changes in laws that could adversely affect our business.
Risks Related to Our Reliance on Third Parties
If our antibody collaboration with sanofi-aventis is terminated, our
business operations and our ability to discover, develop, manufacture, and
commercialize our pipeline of product candidates in the time expected, or at
all, would be materially harmed.
We rely heavily on funding from sanofi-aventis
to support our target discovery and antibody research and development programs.
Sanofi-aventis has committed to pay up to $1.28 billion between 2010 and 2017 to
fund our efforts to identify and validate drug discovery targets and
pre-clinically develop fully human monoclonal antibodies against such targets.
In addition, sanofi-aventis funds almost all of the development expenses
incurred by both companies in connection with the clinical development of
antibodies that sanofi-aventis elects to co-develop with us. We rely on
sanofi-aventis to fund these activities. In addition, with respect to those
antibodies that sanofi-aventis elects to co-develop with us, such as REGN88,
REGN421, REGN475, REGN727, and REGN668 we rely on sanofi-aventis to lead much of
the clinical development efforts and assist with obtaining regulatory approval,
particularly outside the United States. We also rely on sanofi-aventis to lead
the commercialization efforts to support all of the antibody products that are
co-developed by sanofi-aventis and us. If sanofi-aventis does not elect to
co-develop the antibodies that we discover or opts-out of their development, we
would be required to fund and oversee on our own the clinical trials, any
regulatory responsibilities, and the ensuing commercialization efforts to
support our antibody products. If sanofi-aventis terminates the antibody
collaboration or fails to comply with its payment obligations thereunder, our
business, financial condition, and results of operations would be materially
harmed. We would be required to either expend substantially more resources than
we have anticipated to support our research and development efforts, which could
require us to seek additional funding that might not be available on favorable
terms or at all, or materially cut back on such activities. While we cannot
assure you that any of the antibodies from this collaboration will ever be
successfully developed and commercialized, if sanofi-aventis does not perform
its obligations with respect to antibodies that it elects to co-develop, our
ability to develop, manufacture, and commercialize these antibody product
candidates will be significantly adversely affected.
46
If our collaboration with sanofi-aventis for aflibercept (VEGF Trap) is
terminated, or sanofi-aventis materially breaches its obligations thereunder,
our business operations and financial condition, and our ability to develop,
manufacture, and commercialize aflibercept in the time expected, or at all,
would be materially harmed.
We rely heavily on sanofi-aventis to lead much
of the development of aflibercept. Sanofi-aventis funds all of the development
expenses incurred by both companies in connection with the aflibercept program.
If the aflibercept program continues, we will rely on sanofi-aventis to assist
with funding the aflibercept program, provide commercial manufacturing capacity,
enroll and monitor clinical trials, obtain regulatory approval, particularly
outside the United States, and lead the commercialization of aflibercept. While
we cannot assure you that aflibercept will ever be successfully developed and
commercialized, if sanofi-aventis does not perform its obligations in a timely
manner, or at all, our ability to develop, manufacture, and commercialize
aflibercept in cancer indications will be significantly adversely affected.
Sanofi-aventis has the right to terminate its collaboration agreement with us at
any time upon twelve months advance notice. If sanofi-aventis were to terminate
its collaboration agreement with us, we would not have the resources or skills
to replace those of our partner, which could require us to seek additional
funding that might not be available on favorable terms or at all, and could
cause significant delays in the development and/or manufacture of aflibercept
and result in substantial additional costs to us. We have limited commercial
capabilities and would have to develop or outsource these capabilities.
Termination of the sanofi-aventis collaboration agreement for aflibercept would
create substantial new and additional risks to the successful development and
commercialization of aflibercept.
If our collaboration with Bayer HealthCare for VEGF Trap-Eye is
terminated, or Bayer HealthCare materially breaches its obligations thereunder,
our business operations and financial condition, and our ability to develop and
commercialize VEGF Trap-Eye in the time expected, or at all, would be materially
harmed.
We rely heavily on Bayer HealthCare to assist
with the development of VEGF Trap-Eye. Under our agreement with them, Bayer
HealthCare is required to fund approximately half of the development expenses
incurred by both companies in connection with the global VEGF Trap-Eye
development program. If the VEGF Trap-Eye program continues, we will rely on
Bayer HealthCare to assist with funding the VEGF Trap-Eye development program,
lead the development of VEGF Trap-Eye outside the United States, obtain
regulatory approval outside the United States, and provide all sales, marketing,
and commercial support for the product outside the United States. In particular,
Bayer HealthCare has responsibility for selling VEGF Trap-Eye outside the United
States using its sales force. While we cannot assure you that VEGF Trap-Eye will
ever be successfully developed and commercialized, if Bayer HealthCare does not
perform its obligations in a timely manner, or at all, our ability to develop,
manufacture, and commercialize VEGF Trap-Eye outside the United States will be
significantly adversely affected. Bayer HealthCare has the right to terminate
its collaboration agreement with us at any time upon six or twelve months
advance notice, depending on the circumstances giving rise to termination. If
Bayer HealthCare were to terminate its collaboration agreement with us, we would
not have the resources or skills to replace those of our partner, which could
require us to seek additional funding that might not be available on favorable
terms or at all, and could cause significant delays in the development and/or
commercialization of VEGF Trap-Eye outside the United States and result in
substantial additional costs to us. We have limited commercial capabilities and
would have to develop or outsource these capabilities outside the United States.
Termination of the Bayer HealthCare collaboration agreement would create
substantial new and additional risks to the successful development and
commercialization of VEGF Trap-Eye.
Our collaborators and service providers may fail to perform adequately in
their efforts to support the development, manufacture, and commercialization of
ARCALYST® and our
drug candidates.
We depend upon third-party collaborators,
including sanofi-aventis, Bayer HealthCare, and service providers such as
clinical research organizations, outside testing laboratories, clinical
investigator sites, and third-party manufacturers and product packagers and
labelers, to assist us in the manufacture and preclinical and clinical
development of our product candidates. If any of our existing collaborators or
service providers breaches or terminates its agreement with us or does not
perform its development or manufacturing services under an agreement in a timely
manner or in compliance with applicable Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs),
Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), or Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Standards, we
could experience additional costs, delays, and difficulties in the manufacture
or development or in obtaining approval by regulatory authorities for our
product candidates.
47
We rely on third party service providers to
support the distribution of ARCALYST® and many other related
activities in connection with the commercialization of ARCALYST® for the treatment of
CAPS. We cannot be certain that these third parties will perform adequately. If
these service providers do not perform their services adequately, our efforts to
market and sell ARCALYST® for the treatment of
CAPS will not be successful.
Risks Related to the Manufacture of Our
Product Candidates
We have limited manufacturing capacity, which could inhibit our ability
to successfully develop or commercialize our drugs.
Our manufacturing facility is likely to be
inadequate to produce sufficient quantities of product for commercial sale. We
intend to rely on our corporate collaborators, as well as contract
manufacturers, to produce the large quantities of drug material needed for
commercialization of our products. We rely entirely on third-party manufacturers
for filling and finishing services. We will have to depend on these
manufacturers to deliver material on a timely basis and to comply with
regulatory requirements. If we are unable to supply sufficient material on
acceptable terms, or if we should encounter delays or difficulties in our
relationships with our corporate collaborators or contract manufacturers, our
business, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially
harmed.
We must expand our own manufacturing capacity
to support the planned growth of our clinical pipeline. Moreover, we may expand
our manufacturing capacity to support commercial production of active
pharmaceutical ingredients, or API, for our product candidates. This will
require substantial additional expenditures, and we will need to hire and train
significant numbers of employees and managerial personnel to staff our facility.
Start-up costs can be large and scale-up entails significant risks related to
process development and manufacturing yields. We may be unable to develop
manufacturing facilities that are sufficient to produce drug material for
clinical trials or commercial use. This may delay our clinical development plans
and interfere with our efforts to commercialize our products. In addition, we
may be unable to secure adequate filling and finishing services to support our
products. As a result, our business, financial condition, and results of
operations may be materially harmed.
We may be unable to obtain key raw materials
and supplies for the manufacture of ARCALYST® and our product
candidates. In addition, we may face difficulties in developing or acquiring
production technology and managerial personnel to manufacture sufficient
quantities of our product candidates at reasonable costs and in compliance with
applicable quality assurance and environmental regulations and governmental
permitting requirements.
If any of our clinical programs are discontinued, we may face costs
related to the unused capacity at our manufacturing facilities.
We have large-scale manufacturing operations
in Rensselaer, New York. We use our facilities to produce bulk product for
clinical and preclinical candidates for ourselves and our collaborations. If our
clinical candidates are discontinued, we will have to absorb one hundred percent
of related overhead costs and inefficiencies.
Third-party supply failures, business interruptions, or natural disasters
affecting our manufacturing facilities in Rensselaer, New York could adversely
affect our ability to supply our products.
We manufacture all of our bulk drug materials
for ARCALYST® and
our product candidates at our manufacturing facilities in Rensselaer, New York.
We would be unable to supply our product requirements if we were to cease
production due to regulatory requirements or action, business interruptions,
labor shortages or disputes, contaminations, fire, natural disasters, or other
problems at the facilities.
Certain raw materials necessary for
manufacturing and formulation of ARCALYST® and our product
candidates are provided by single-source unaffiliated third-party suppliers. In
addition, we rely on certain third parties to perform filling, finishing,
distribution, and other services related to the manufacture of our products. We
would be unable to obtain these raw materials or services for an indeterminate
period of time if any of these third-parties were to cease or interrupt
production or otherwise fail to supply these materials, products, or services to
us for any reason, including due to regulatory requirements or action, adverse
financial developments at or affecting the supplier, failure by the supplier to
comply with GMPs, business interruptions, or labor shortages or disputes. This,
in turn, could materially and adversely affect our ability to manufacture or
supply ARCALYST®
or our product candidates for use in clinical trials, which could materially and
adversely affect our business and future prospects.
48
Also, certain of the raw materials required in
the manufacturing and the formulation of our clinical candidates may be derived
from biological sources, including mammalian tissues, bovine serum, and human
serum albumin. There are certain European regulatory restrictions on using these
biological source materials. If we are required to substitute for these sources
to comply with European regulatory requirements, our clinical development
activities may be delayed or interrupted.
Risks Related to Commercialization of Products
If we are unable to establish sales, marketing, and distribution
capabilities, or enter into agreements with third parties to do so, we will be
unable to successfully market and sell future products.
We are marketing and selling ARCALYST® for the treatment of
CAPS ourselves in the United States, primarily through third party service
providers. We have no sales or distribution personnel in the United States and
have only a small staff with commercial capabilities. We currently have no
sales, marketing, commercial, or distribution capabilities outside the United
States. If we are unable to obtain those capabilities, either by developing our
own organizations or entering into agreements with service providers, even if
our current or future product candidates receive marketing approval, we will not
be able to successfully sell those products. In that event, we will not be able
to generate significant revenue, even if our product candidates are approved. We
cannot guarantee that we will be able to hire the qualified sales and marketing
personnel we need or that we will be able to enter into marketing or
distribution agreements with third-party providers on acceptable terms, if at
all. Under the terms of our collaboration agreement with sanofi-aventis, we will
rely on sanofi-aventis for sales, marketing, and distribution of aflibercept in
cancer indications, should it be approved in the future by regulatory
authorities for marketing. We will have to rely on a third party or devote
significant resources to develop our own sales, marketing, and distribution
capabilities for our other product candidates, including VEGF Trap-Eye in the
United States and ARCALYST® for patients with gout
initiating uric acid-lowering drug therapy, and we may be unsuccessful in
developing our own sales, marketing, and distribution organization.
There may be too few patients with CAPS to profitably commercialize
ARCALYST® in this
indication.
Our only approved product is ARCALYST® for the treatment of
CAPS, a group of rare, inherited auto-inflammatory diseases. These rare diseases
affect a very small group of people. The incidence of CAPS has been reported to
be approximately 1 in 1,000,000 people in the United States. Although the
incidence rate of CAPS in Europe has not been reported, it is known to be a rare
set of diseases. In October 2009, we received European marketing authorization
for rilonacept for CAPS. In 2009, Novartis received regulatory approval in the
U.S. and Europe for its IL-1 antibody product for the treatment of CAPS. Given
the very rare nature of the disease and the competition from Novartis’ IL-1
antibody product, we may be unable to profitably commercialize ARCALYST® in this indication.
Even if our product candidates are approved for marketing, their
commercial success is highly uncertain because our competitors have received
approval for products with a similar mechanism of action, and competitors may
get to the marketplace with better or lower cost
drugs.
There is substantial competition in the
biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries from pharmaceutical, biotechnology,
and chemical companies. Many of our competitors have substantially greater
research, preclinical and clinical product development and manufacturing
capabilities, and financial, marketing, and human resources than we do. Our
smaller competitors may also enhance their competitive position if they acquire
or discover patentable inventions, form collaborative arrangements, or merge
with large pharmaceutical companies. Even if we achieve product
commercialization, our competitors have achieved, and may continue to achieve,
product commercialization before our products are approved for marketing and
sale.
49
Genentech has an approved VEGF antagonist,
Avastin, on the market for treating certain cancers and many different
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are working to develop competing VEGF
antagonists, including Novartis, Amgen, Imclone LLC/Eli Lilly and Company,
Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and GlaxoSmithKline. Many of these molecules are farther
along in development than aflibercept and may offer competitive advantages over
our molecule. Each of Pfizer and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, (together with its
partner Bayer HealthCare) has received approval from the FDA to market and sell
an oral medication that targets tumor cell growth and new vasculature formation
that fuels the growth of tumors. The marketing approvals for Genentech’s VEGF
antagonist, Avastin, and their extensive, ongoing clinical development plan for
Avastin in other cancer indications, make it more difficult for us to enroll
patients in clinical trials to support aflibercept and to obtain regulatory
approval of aflibercept in these cancer settings. This may delay or impair our
ability to successfully develop and commercialize aflibercept. In addition, even
if aflibercept is ever approved for sale for the treatment of certain cancers,
it will be difficult for our drug to compete against Avastin (Genentech) and the
FDA approved kinase inhibitors, because doctors and patients will have
significant experience using these medicines. In addition, an oral medication
may be considerably less expensive for patients than a biologic medication,
providing a competitive advantage to companies that market such products.
The market for eye disease products is also
very competitive. Novartis and Genentech are collaborating on the
commercialization and further development of a VEGF antibody fragment, Lucentis
(Genentech), for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD),
DME, and other eye indications. Lucentis (Genentech) was approved by the FDA in
June 2006 for the treatment of wet AMD. In addition, in June 2010, Lucentis
(Genentech) was approved by the FDA for the treatment of macular edema because
of a blockage in a retinal vein. Many other companies are working on the
development of product candidates for the potential treatment of wet AMD and DME
that act by blocking VEGF and VEGF receptors, and through the use of small
interfering ribonucleic acids (siRNAs) that modulate gene expression. In
addition, ophthalmologists are using off-label, with success for the treatment
of wet AMD, a third-party repackaged version of Genentech’s approved VEGF
antagonist, Avastin. The National Eye Institute and others are conducting
long-term, controlled clinical trials comparing Lucentis (Genentech) to Avastin
(Genentech) in the treatment of wet AMD. The marketing approval of Lucentis
(Genentech) and the potential off-label use of Avastin (Genentech) make it more
difficult for us to enroll patients in our clinical trials and successfully
develop VEGF Trap-Eye. Even if VEGF Trap-Eye is ever approved for sale for the
treatment of eye diseases, it may be difficult for our drug to compete against
Lucentis (Genentech), because doctors and patients will have significant
experience using this medicine. Moreover, the relatively low cost of therapy
with Avastin (Genentech) in patients with wet AMD presents a further competitive
challenge in this indication. While we believe that aflibercept would not be
well tolerated if administered directly to the eye, if aflibercept is ever
approved for the treatment of certain cancers, there is a risk that third
parties will attempt to repackage aflibercept for use and sale for the treatment
of wet AMD and other diseases of the eye, which would present a potential
low-cost competitive threat to the VEGF Trap-Eye if it is ever approved for
sale.
The availability of highly effective FDA
approved TNF-antagonists such as Enbrel (Amgen and Wyeth), Remicade (Centocor),
Humira®
(adalimumab), marketed by Abbott, and SimponiTM (golimumab), marketed
by Centocor, and the IL-1 receptor antagonist Kineret (Biovitrum), and other
marketed therapies makes it more difficult to successfully develop and
commercialize ARCALYST® in other indications,
and this is one of the reasons we discontinued the development of ARCALYST® in adult rheumatoid
arthritis. In addition, even if ARCALYST® is ever approved for
sale in indications where TNF-antagonists are approved, it will be difficult for
our drug to compete against these FDA approved TNF-antagonists because doctors
and patients will have significant experience using these effective medicines.
Moreover, in such indications these approved therapeutics may offer competitive
advantages over ARCALYST®, such as requiring
fewer injections.
There are both small molecules and antibodies
in development by other companies that are designed to block the synthesis of
interleukin-1 or inhibit the signaling of interleukin-1. For example, Eli Lilly,
Xoma Ltd., and Novartis are each developing antibodies to interleukin-1 and
Amgen is developing an antibody to the interleukin-1 receptor. Novartis received
marketing approval for its IL-1 antibody for the treatment of CAPS from the FDA
in June 2009 and from the European Medicines Agency in October 2009. Novartis is
also developing this IL-1 antibody in gout and other inflammatory diseases.
Novartis’ IL-1 antibody and these other drug candidates could offer competitive
advantages over ARCALYST®. For example,
Novartis’ IL-1 antibody is dosed once every eight weeks compared to the
once-weekly dosing regimen for ARCALYST®. The successful
development and/or commercialization of these competing molecules could impair
our ability to successfully commercialize ARCALYST®.
50
We are developing ARCALYST® for the prevention of
gout flares in patients initiating uric acid-lowering therapy. In October 2009,
Novartis announced positive Phase 2 results showing that canakinumab is more
effective than an injectable corticosteroid at reducing pain and preventing
recurrent attacks or “flares” in patients with hard-to-treat gout. Novartis’
IL-1 antibody is dosed less frequently for the treatment of CAPS and may be
perceived as offering competitive advantages over ARCALYST® in gout by some
physicians, which would make it difficult for us to successfully commercialize
ARCALYST® in that
disease.
Currently, inexpensive, oral therapies such as
analgesics and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used as the
standard of care to treat the symptoms of gout diseases. These established,
inexpensive, orally delivered drugs may make it difficult for us to successfully
commercialize ARCALYST® in these diseases.
The successful commercialization of ARCALYST® and our product
candidates will depend on obtaining coverage and reimbursement for use of these
products from third-party payers and these payers may not agree to cover or
reimburse for use of our products.
Our product candidates, if commercialized, may
be significantly more expensive than traditional drug treatments. For example,
we are developing ARCALYST® for the prevention of
gout flares in patients initiating uric acid-lowering drug therapy. Patients
suffering from this gout indication are currently treated with inexpensive
therapies, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These existing
treatment options are likely to be considerably less expensive and may be
preferable to a biologic medication for some patients. Our future revenues and
profitability will be adversely affected if United States and foreign
governmental, private third-party insurers and payers, and other third-party
payers, including Medicare and Medicaid, do not agree to defray or reimburse the
cost of our products to the patients. If these entities refuse to provide
coverage and reimbursement with respect to our products or provide an
insufficient level of coverage and reimbursement, our products may be too costly
for many patients to afford them, and physicians may not prescribe them. Many
third-party payers cover only selected drugs, making drugs that are not
preferred by such payers more expensive for patients, and require prior
authorization or failure on another type of treatment before covering a
particular drug. Payers may especially impose these obstacles to coverage on
higher-priced drugs, as our product candidates are likely to be.
We market and sell ARCALYST® in the United States
for the treatment of a group of rare genetic disorders called CAPS. We have
received European Union marketing authorization for rilonacept for the treatment
of CAPS. There may be too few patients with CAPS to profitably commercialize
ARCALYST®.
Physicians may not prescribe ARCALYST®, and CAPS patients may
not be able to afford ARCALYST®, if third party payers
do not agree to reimburse the cost of ARCALYST® therapy and this would
adversely affect our ability to commercialize ARCALYST®
profitably.
In addition to potential restrictions on
coverage, the amount of reimbursement for our products may also reduce our
profitability. Government and other third-party payers are challenging the
prices charged for healthcare products and increasingly limiting, and attempting
to limit, both coverage and level of reimbursement for prescription drugs. In
March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or PPCA and a related
reconciliation bill were signed into law. This legislation imposes cost
containment measures that are likely to adversely affect the amount of
reimbursement for our future products. The full effects of this legislation are
unknown at this time and will not be known until regulations and guidance are
issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and other federal and
state agencies. Some states are also considering legislation that would control
the prices of drugs, and state Medicaid programs are increasingly requesting
manufacturers to pay supplemental rebates and requiring prior authorization by
the state program for use of any drug for which supplemental rebates are not
being paid. It is likely that federal and state legislatures and health agencies
will continue to focus on additional health care reform in the future that will
impose additional constraints on prices and reimbursements for our products.
Since ARCALYST® and our product
candidates in clinical development will likely be too expensive for most
patients to afford without health insurance coverage, if our products are unable
to obtain adequate coverage and reimbursement by third-party payers our ability
to successfully commercialize our product candidates may be adversely impacted.
Any limitation on the use of our products or any decrease in the price of our
products will have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve
profitability.
51
In certain foreign countries, pricing,
coverage, and level of reimbursement of prescription drugs are subject to
governmental control, and we may be unable to negotiate coverage, pricing, and
reimbursement on terms that are favorable to us. In some foreign countries, the
proposed pricing for a drug must be approved before it may be lawfully marketed.
The requirements governing drug pricing vary widely from country to country. For
example, the European Union provides options for its member states to restrict
the range of medicinal products for which their national health insurance
systems provide reimbursement and to control the prices of medicinal products
for human use. A member state may approve a specific price for the medicinal
product or it may instead adopt a system of direct or indirect controls on the
profitability of the company placing the medicinal product on the market. Our
results of operations may suffer if we are unable to market our products in
foreign countries or if coverage and reimbursement for our products in foreign
countries is limited or delayed.
Risk Related to Employees
We are dependent on our key personnel and if we cannot recruit and retain
leaders in our research, development, manufacturing, and commercial
organizations, our business will be harmed.
We are highly dependent on certain of our
executive officers. If we are not able to retain any of these persons or our
Chairman, our business may suffer. In particular, we depend on the services of
P. Roy Vagelos, M.D., the Chairman of our board of directors, Leonard Schleifer,
M.D., Ph.D., our President and Chief Executive Officer, George D. Yancopoulos,
M.D., Ph.D., our Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer and
President, Regeneron Research Laboratories, and Neil Stahl, Ph.D., our Senior
Vice President, Research and Development Sciences. There is intense competition
in the biotechnology industry for qualified scientists and managerial personnel
in the development, manufacture, and commercialization of drugs. We may not be
able to continue to attract and retain the qualified personnel necessary for
developing our business.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
Our stock price is extremely volatile.
There has been significant volatility in our
stock price and generally in the market prices of biotechnology companies’
securities. Various factors and events may have a significant impact on the
market price of our Common Stock. These factors include, by way of
example:
- progress, delays, or adverse
results in clinical trials;
- announcement of technological
innovations or product candidates by us or competitors;
- fluctuations in our operating
results;
- third party claims that our
products or technologies infringe their patents;
- public concern as to the safety or
effectiveness of ARCALYST® or any of our
product candidates;
- developments in our relationship
with collaborative partners;
- developments in the biotechnology
industry or in government regulation of healthcare;
- large sales of our common stock by
our executive officers, directors, or significant shareholders;
- arrivals and departures of key
personnel; and
- general market conditions.
The trading price of our Common Stock has
been, and could continue to be, subject to wide fluctuations in response to
these and other factors, including the sale or attempted sale of a large amount
of our Common Stock in the market. Broad market fluctuations may also adversely
affect the market price of our Common Stock.
Future sales of our Common Stock by our significant shareholders or us
may depress our stock price and impair our ability to raise funds in new share
offerings.
A small number of our shareholders
beneficially own a substantial amount of our Common Stock. As of April 14, 2010,
our six largest shareholders plus Leonard Schleifer, M.D, Ph.D., our Chief
Executive Officer, beneficially owned 51.1% of our outstanding shares of Common
Stock, assuming, in the case of our Chief Executive Officer, the conversion of
his Class A Stock into Common Stock and the exercise of all options held by him
which are exercisable within 60 days of April 14, 2010. As of April 14, 2010,
sanofi-aventis beneficially owned 14,799,552 shares of Common Stock,
representing approximately 18.6% of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding.
Under our investor agreement, as amended, with sanofi-aventis, sanofi-aventis
may not sell these shares until December 20, 2017 except under limited
circumstances and subject to earlier termination of these restrictions upon the
occurrence of certain events. Notwithstanding these restrictions, if
sanofi-aventis, or our other significant shareholders or we, sell substantial
amounts of our Common Stock in the public market, or the perception that such
sales may occur exists, the market price of our Common Stock could fall. Sales
of Common Stock by our significant shareholders, including sanofi-aventis, also
might make it more difficult for us to raise funds by selling equity or
equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem
appropriate.
52
Our existing shareholders may be able to exert significant influence over
matters requiring shareholder approval.
Holders of Class A Stock, who are generally
the shareholders who purchased their stock from us before our initial public
offering, are entitled to ten votes per share, while holders of Common Stock are
entitled to one vote per share. As of April 14, 2010, holders of Class A Stock
held 21.5% of the combined voting power of all shares of Common Stock and Class
A Stock then outstanding, including any voting power associated with any shares
of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Class A Stock holders. These
shareholders, if acting together, would be in a position to significantly
influence the election of our directors and to effect or prevent certain
corporate transactions that require majority or supermajority approval of the
combined classes, including mergers and other business combinations. This may
result in our taking corporate actions that other shareholders may not consider
to be in their best interest and may affect the price of our Common Stock. As of
April 14, 2010:
- our current executive officers and
directors beneficially owned 13.7% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock,
assuming conversion of their Class A Stock into Common Stock and the exercise
of all options held by such persons which are exercisable within 60 days of
April 14, 2010, and 28.1% of the combined voting power of our outstanding
shares of Common Stock and Class A Stock, assuming the exercise of all options
held by such persons which are exercisable within 60 days of April 14, 2010;
and
- our six largest shareholders plus
Leonard S. Schleifer, M.D., Ph.D. our Chief Executive Officer, beneficially
owned 51.1% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock, assuming, in the case
of our Chief Executive Officer, the conversion of his Class A Stock into
Common Stock and the exercise of all options held by him which are exercisable
within 60 days of April 14, 2010. In addition, these seven shareholders held
56.3% of the combined voting power of our outstanding shares of Common Stock
and Class A Stock, assuming the exercise of all options held by our Chief
Executive Officer which are exercisable within 60 days of April 14,
2010.
Pursuant to an investor agreement, as amended,
sanofi-aventis has agreed to vote its shares, at sanofi-aventis’ election,
either as recommended by our board of directors or proportionally with the votes
cast by our other shareholders, except with respect to certain change of control
transactions, liquidation or dissolution, stock issuances equal to or exceeding
10% of the then outstanding shares or voting rights of Common Stock and Class A
Stock, and new equity compensation plans or amendments if not materially
consistent with our historical equity compensation practices.
The anti-takeover effects of provisions of our charter, by-laws, and of
New York corporate law and the contractual “standstill” provisions in our
investor agreement with sanofi-aventis, could deter, delay, or prevent an
acquisition or other “change in control” of us and could adversely affect the
price of our Common Stock.
Our amended and restated certificate of
incorporation, our by-laws, and the New York Business Corporation Law contain
various provisions that could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change
in control of our company or our management that shareholders may consider
favorable or beneficial. Some of these provisions could discourage proxy
contests and make it more difficult for shareholders to elect directors and take
other corporate actions. These provisions could also limit the price that
investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our Common Stock.
These provisions include:
- authorization to issue “blank
check” preferred stock, which is preferred stock that can be created and
issued by the board of directors without prior shareholder approval, with
rights senior to those of our common shareholders;
- a staggered board of directors, so
that it would take three successive annual meetings to replace all of our
directors;
53
- a requirement that removal of
directors may only be effected for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of
at least eighty percent (80%) of the outstanding shares entitled to vote for
directors, as well as a requirement that any vacancy on the board of directors
may be filled only by the remaining directors;
- any action required or permitted
to be taken at any meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting,
only if, prior to such action, all of our shareholders consent, the effect of
which is to require that shareholder action may only be taken at a duly
convened meeting;
- any shareholder seeking to bring
business before an annual meeting of shareholders must provide timely notice
of this intention in writing and meet various other requirements; and
- under the New York Business
Corporation Law, in addition to certain restrictions which may apply to
“business combinations” involving the Company and an “interested shareholder”,
a plan of merger or consolidation of the Company must be approved by
two-thirds of the votes of all outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon.
See the risk factor immediately above captioned “Our existing shareholders may be able to exert significant influence
over matters requiring shareholder approval.”
Until the later of the fifth anniversaries of
the expiration or earlier termination of our antibody collaboration agreements
with sanofi-aventis or our aflibercept collaboration with sanofi-aventis,
sanofi-aventis will be bound by certain “standstill” provisions, as amended,
which contractually prohibit sanofi-aventis from acquiring more than certain
specified percentages of our Class A Stock and Common Stock (taken together) or
otherwise seeking to obtain control of the Company.
In addition, we have a Change in Control
Severance Plan and our Chief Executive Officer has an employment agreement that
provides severance benefits in the event our officers are terminated as a result
of a change in control of the Company. Many of our stock options issued under
our Amended and Restated 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan may become fully vested
in connection with a “change in control” of our company, as defined in the plan.
These contractual provisions may also have the effect of deterring, delaying, or
preventing an acquisition or other change in control.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
(a) Exhibits
|
Exhibit |
|
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
|
10.1 |
|
- |
|
Sixth Amendment to
Lease, by and between BMR-Landmark at Eastview LLC and the Registrant,
entered into as of June 4, 2010. |
|
31.1 |
|
- |
|
Certification of CEO
pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. |
|
31.2 |
|
- |
|
Certification of CFO
pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. |
|
32 |
|
- |
|
Certification of CEO
and CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. |
|
101 |
|
- |
|
Interactive Data
File |
|
101.INS |
|
- |
|
XBRL Instance
Document |
|
101.SCH |
|
- |
|
XBRL Taxonomy
Extension Schema |
|
101.CAL |
|
- |
|
XBRL Taxonomy
Extension Calculation Linkbase |
|
101.LAB |
|
- |
|
XBRL Taxonomy
Extension Label Linkbase |
|
101.PRE |
|
- |
|
XBRL Taxonomy
Extension Presentation Linkbase |
|
101.DEF |
|
- |
|
XBRL Taxonomy
Extension Definition Document |
54
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized.
|
|
|
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. |
|
Date: July 28, 2010 |
By: |
/s/ MURRAY
A. GOLDBERG |
|
|
|
Murray A. Goldberg |
|
Senior Vice President, Finance &
Administration, |
|
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer,
and |
|
Assistant Secretary |
|
(Principal Financial Officer
and |
|
Duly Authorized
Officer) |
55