Cheshire, Conn., April 27, 2006 – Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) today announced financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2006.
For the period ended March 31, 2006, Alexion (the "Company") reported revenues of $0.8 million and a net loss of $27.2 million, resulting in a basic and diluted loss per share of $0.88.
For the period ended March 31, 2006, the Company reported revenues of $0.8 million compared to $0.6 million for the same period last year. Compared to last year, the Company had increased activity related to government funded research grants.
Total reported operating expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006 were $29.4 million. This compares to $25.0 million for the same period last year. Due to changes in GAAP between the two periods, the $29.4 million amount includes a $3.2 million expense for share-based compensation, whereas the $25.0 million amount does not include share-based compensation expense. Research and development expenses were $21.2 million compared to $20.3 million for the same period last year. General and administrative expenses were $8.1 million compared to $4.8 million for the same period last year.
Adjusted to exclude share-based compensation expense, total operating expenses for the period were $26.2 million (non-GAAP, due to the adjustment) compared to $25.0 million in the same period last year. Adjusted to exclude share-based compensation expense, the Company's research and development expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006 was $19.3 million (non-GAAP, due to the adjustment) compared to $20.3 million for the same period last year. The decrease in research and development expenses resulted primarily from lower spending related to the pexelizumab programs, partially offset by higher payroll and benefits costs to support our research and development activities and for the SHEPHERD and Extension studies related to SolirisTM development. Adjusted to exclude share-based compensation expense, the Company's general and administrative expenses were $6.9 million (non-GAAP, due to the adjustment) for the three months ended March 31, 2006 compared to $4.8 million for the same period last year. The increase resulted principally from increased headcount dedicated to commercial development activities and higher professional fees principally for patent, commercial and technology activities.
The Company posted investment income for the period of $2.0 million compared to $1.7 million for the same period last year, reflecting higher market interest rates. Interest expense was $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, compared to $0.8 million for the same period last year. The decrease in interest expense is attributable to the lower interest rate for the 1.375% convertible senior notes as compared to the 5.75% interest rate on the convertible subordinated notes, which were repaid in March 2005. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2005 we recorded a loss from early extinguishment of the 5.75% Notes, which consisted of the write-off of the remaining balance of the deferred financing costs of approximately $1.2 million and the redemption premium of approximately $2.0 million.
The Company incurred a non-GAAP net loss for the period of $24.1 million, or $0.78 per common share, versus a net loss of $26.6 million, or $0.95 per common share, for the same period last year.
As of March 31, 2006, Alexion had approximately $189.3 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as compared to $212.5 million at December 31, 2005.
Non-GAAP Financial Information - Non-GAAP financial information is utilized by Alexion's management to better understand the comparative operating performance of the company. A reconciliation between non-GAAP financial measures and GAAP financial measures is included in the table accompanying this press release after the unaudited Selected Financial Data.
SolirisTM (eculizumab) for PNH
On January 26, 2006, the Company announced positive results from its TRIUMPH Phase III pivotal trial with its lead drug candidate SolirisTM (eculizumab) in the orphan blood disorder Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria ("PNH"). The trial met the co-primary endpoints of transfusion rate and hemoglobin stabilization with statistical significance. All secondary endpoints were also achieved with statistical significance. The companion SHEPHERD open-label Phase III trial is progressing according to plan. SHEPHERD is aimed at providing safety and additional efficacy data for SolirisTM in PNH. The Company is currently compiling applications for regulatory approval to market SolirisTM for PNH in the United States and Europe.
"During this quarter, we have continued to make progress with moving SolirisTM toward commercialization," said Leonard Bell, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Alexion. "The fully enrolled SHEPHERD Phase III trial is on-going, with preliminary interim results expected in the latter part of the first half of this year, and complete trial results expected before year-end. In addition, we expect scientific presentations and publications from the already completed TRIUMPH trial later this year. We remain on track to submit marketing applications for SolirisTM in both the United States and Europe during the second half of the year. Furthermore, we are continuing to ramp up pre-launch preparations for SolirisTM in both the U.S and Europe. Importantly, as we turn to consider commercialization activities outside of the United States and Europe, we have also shored up our proprietary position in Asia with the issuance from the Japanese patent office of a key methods and composition patent for SolirisTM."
Conference Call/Web cast Information
Alexion will host a conference call/webcast to discuss matters mentioned in this release. The call is scheduled for today, April 27th at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time. To participate in this call, dial 719-457-2629, confirmation code 4602251, shortly before 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time. A replay of the call will be available for a limited period following the call, beginning at 12:00 p.m. today. The replay number is 719-457-0820, confirmation code 4602251. The webcast can be accessed at: www.alexionpharm.com.
About Alexion
Alexion Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company working to develop and deliver life-changing drug therapies for patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. Alexion is engaged in the discovery and development of therapeutic products aimed at treating patients with a wide array of severe disease states, including hematologic diseases, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. Alexion's two lead product candidates, eculizumab and pexelizumab, are currently undergoing evaluation in several clinical development programs, including two Phase III trials of SolirisTM (eculizumab) for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Under the Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) process, the FDA has agreed to the design of protocols for the two trials of SolirisTM (eculizumab) in PNH patients that could, if successful, serve as the primary basis of review for approval of a licensing application for eculizumab in the PNH indication. On January 26, 2006, Alexion announced that the first of those two PNH trials, the TRIUMPH study, achieved its co-primary endpoints with statistical significance. The Company's Phase III PRIMO-CABG2 trial of pexelizumab in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) did not achieve its primary endpoint, and results are unlikely to be sufficient for filing for licensing approval of pexelizumab in that indication. The Company has determined to finalize its ongoing Phase III APEX-AMI trial of pexelizumab in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with fewer patients than originally planned. The anticipated timing of completion of the APEX-AMI trial will be announced after further discussion with Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals (P&G), Alexion's pexelizumab collaborator, and after new definitive determinations have been made. Although the APEX-AMI trial is the subject of an SPA, the number of patients actually enrolled may not be sufficient for the FDA to consider the trial compliant with the SPA. In such event, if results of the APEX-AMI trial are successful, Alexion may still seek approval to market pexelizumab in the AMI indication, but the FDA regulatory process may not be subject to any benefits of the SPA process. This press release and further information about Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. can be found at: http://www.alexionpharm.com.
| ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. | |||
| Selected Financial Data | |||
| Statements of Operations (unaudited) | |||
| (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | |||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||
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| 2006 | 2005 | ||
| Revenues | $768 | $565 | |
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| Operating Expenses: | |||
| Research and Development | 21,214 | 20,277 | |
| General and Administrative | 8,146 | 4,769 | |
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| Total Operating Expenses | 29,360 | 25,046 | |
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| Operating loss | (28,592) | (24,481) | |
| Operating income (expense): | |||
| Investment income | 1,963 | 1,686 | |
| Interest Expense | (688) | (831) | |
| Loss on early extinguishment of debt | - | (3,184) | |
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| Total other income (expense) | 1,275 | (2,329) | |
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| State tax benefit | 90 | 229 | |
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| Net Loss | $(27,227) | $(26,581) | |
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| Basic and diluted net loss per common share | $(0.88) | $(0.95) | |
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| Shares used in computing net loss per common share | 30,991 | 27,925 | |
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| Balance Sheet Data | |||
| As of | |||
| March 31, 2006 | December 31, 2005 | ||
| Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities | $189,271 | $212,456 | |
| Total Assets | $237,924 | $262,711 | |
| Net Stockholders' Equity | $63,215 | $81,890 | |
The following table represents a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial information related to share-based compensation for the periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005:
| Reported Amounts | Share-Based Compensation Adjustment | Excluding Share-Based Compensation | |
| March 31, 2006 | |||
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| Research and development | $21,214 | $(1,880) | $19,334 |
| General and administrative | 8,146 | (1,286) | 6,860 |
| Operating expenses | 29,360 | (3,166) | 26,194 |
| Operating loss | (28,592) | 3,166 | (25,426) |
| Net loss | (27,227) | 3,166 | (24,061) |
| Basic and diluted net loss per share | $(0.88) | $0.10 | $(0.78) |
| March 31, 2005 | |||
| Research and development | $20,277 | $- | $20,277 |
| General and administrative | 4,769 | - | 4,769 |
| Operating expenses | 25,046 | - | 25,046 |
| Operating loss | (24,481) | - | (24,481) |
| Net loss | (26,581) | - | (26,581) |
| Basic and diluted net loss per share | $(0.95) | $- | $(0.95) |