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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(MARK ONE)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998
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OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
From the transition period from __________________ to __________________
Commission file number 0-4829-03
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NABI
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(Name of Registrant)
Delaware 59-1212264
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(State or Jurisdiction of Incorporation I.R.S. Employer
or Organization) Identification Number
5800 Park of Commerce Boulevard N.W., Boca Raton, Florida 33487
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Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.10 PER SHARE
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. [X] Yes [ ] No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ]
As of March 25, 1999, 34,913,623 shares of common stock were
outstanding, of which 33,438,972 shares were held of record by non-affiliates.
The aggregate market value of shares held by non-affiliates was approximately
$125,396,145 based on the closing price per share of such common stock on such
date as reported by the Nasdaq National Market.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Portions of Nabi's definitive Proxy Statement for its annual meeting of
shareholders which Nabi intends to file within 120 days after the end of Nabi's
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 are incorporated by reference into Part III
hereof as provided therein.
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NABI
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
OVERVIEW
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Nabi(R) (the "Company") is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company that
develops and commercializes pharmaceutical products used for the prevention and
treatment of infectious diseases and immunological disorders. On March 25,
1999, the Company announced that its Biologics License Application ("BLA") for
Nabi-HB(TM), was approved by the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"). Nabi's
current pharmaceutical product portfolio includes WinRho SDF(TM) and
Autoplex(R)T, which have also been approved by the FDA. In addition, the
Company has an extensive pipeline of products under development. Currently five
of Nabi's pharmaceutical products are in clinical trials. The Company is also
one of the largest collectors and suppliers of non-specific and specialty
antibody products (source and specialty plasma) in the world. Nabi collects
these products from an extensive donor base in the United States. Some of these
antibodies are used in the manufacture of Nabi's pharmaceutical products. Most
are supplied to other pharmaceutical companies for the manufacture of numerous
products used throughout the world. The mission of the Company is simple - to
focus its competitive advantages in technology, facilities, people and markets
to deliver products to prevent and treat life-threatening conditions.
During 1998, Nabi's management determined that certain restructuring initiatives
were necessary to sharpen the Company's focus and to improve overall
profitability and cash flow. As part of this process, management and the Board
of Directors re-examined each of the Company's business segments with a view
towards strategic optimization. While sales of non-specific antibody products
were essentially even year over year, there was considerable margin pressure in
this segment of the Company's business. To address this problem, the Company
decided to pursue a shift in its revenue mix towards higher margin specialty
antibody products and to streamline its production of non-specific antibodies.
During 1999, certain antibody collection centers in the United States and the
Company's four centers in Germany will be sold or closed. United States donors
are expected to transfer to nearby Nabi centers or Nabi will seek to increase
production at other lower-cost antibody collection facilities.
Nabi also determined its own product development spending needs to be focused on
clinical trials and marketing programs for currently marketed and late
development stage pharmaceutical products. The Company will actively pursue
strategic alliances to support additional product development activities. As a
result of these decisions, the Company will decrease its rate of internal
spending on preclinical research activities in 1999 and reduced staff
accordingly at its Rockville, Maryland facility in February 1999.
PRODUCTS
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CURRENTLY MARKETED PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS
Revenue generated by Nabi's pharmaceutical products has grown almost six-fold
since 1994. Sales of these products totaled $55 million in 1998 representing a
60% increase over 1997 levels ($34.5 million). In 1998, pharmaceutical products
accounted for more than 20% of the Company's total revenues and approximately
70% of the Company's gross margin. Nabi marketed three pharmaceutical products
during 1998 and 1997. Nabi sold the last of its H-BIG(R) product inventory in
the third quarter of 1998. This product has been replaced by the Company's
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internally developed Nabi-HB(TM), which was approved by the FDA in March, 1999.
Nabi's currently marketed pharmaceutical products are described below:
Nabi-HB(TM)
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC"), viral
hepatitis ranks third as a reportable disease, surpassed only by venereal
diseases and chickenpox. Approximately one third of all viral hepatitis cases
are reported as hepatitis B. The hepatitis B virus ("HBV") is a major health
concern globally as it now affects approximately 300 million people worldwide.
Hepatitis B is 100 times more infectious than the human immunodeficiency virus
("HIV"). The CDC estimates that in the United States alone there are one to two
million chronic hepatitis B carriers, 300,000 new hepatitis B infections per
year, 22,000 babies born to hepatitis B positive mothers and 5,000 individuals
who die from hepatitis B or its complications annually.
Nabi-HB(TM) is a human polyclonal antibody product to be used to prevent
hepatitis B following exposure to the disease by sexual or household exposure,
blood transfusion or accidental ingestion, or by transmission from a hepatitis B
antigen-positive mother to a newborn. Nabi launched the product immediately upon
receipt of FDA approval in March, 1999. Cangene Corporation ("Cangene")
currently manufactures Nabi-HB(TM) for the Company.
Additionally, in November 1998, Nabi filed an expanded access Investigational
New Drug application ("IND") for the use of Nabi-HB(TM) to prevent the infection
of transplanted livers in patients with HBV. Nabi is manufacturing a hepatitis B
immune globulin in its Boca Raton manufacturing facility. This product is
currently in clinical studies.
WinRho SDF(TM)
Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura ("ITP") is an autoimmune disease which manifests
itself in abnormally low platelet levels (Thrombocytopenia) resulting in
bleeding tendencies. The term purpura refers to the appearance of large purple
patches on the body caused by bleeding into the skin and mucous membranes. In
ITP, the body's immune system produces antibodies that attach to platelets
causing them to be removed from circulation, primarily by the spleen. Because
platelets are required for blood clotting, as platelet counts decrease, the
incidence of bleeding episodes increase. In certain cases, such as severe trauma
or spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage, the bleeding can be life threatening. In
the United States, experts estimate that there are 50 per 1,000,000 childhood
cases of ITP and 60 per 1,000,000 adult cases of ITP annually. In children, the
disease is usually acute in onset and is often resolved in six months. In adult
ITP, the onset is insidious and rarely resolves itself spontaneously.
Additionally, ITP is more common in females than males. ITP can occur as either
a primary disease, with an associated condition or secondary to another
underlying disease such as HIV or Lupus.
WinRho SDF(TM) is a human polyclonal antibody product approved for the treatment
of ITP and for the suppression of Rh isoimmunization. WinRho SDF(TM) has been
designated as an Orphan Drug for the treatment of ITP. Nabi began exclusive
marketing of WinRho SDF(TM) in the United States in mid-1995 under a license and
distribution agreement with Cangene Corporation. Nabi is currently conducting
several Phase IV clinical studies involving WinRho SDF(TM), including(a) a
comparison of WinRho SDF(TM) versus IVIG for the treatment of ITP, (b) an
evaluation of WinRho SDF(TM) in the treatment of ITP during pregnancy, and (c) a
comparison of WinRho SDF(TM) versus routine care with Prednisone followed by
splenectomy in the management of ITP. See also "Strategic Alliances" and
"Government and Industry Regulation-Orphan Drug Act."
AutoPlex(R)T
Hemophilia is a blood disorder characterized by a lack of a particular
functional coagulation factor. In the case of hemophilia A, the deficient factor
is Factor VIII. Physicians typically treat hemophilia by replacing the deficient
factor with factor from outside sources. In most cases, replacement therapy is
effective in stopping bleeding episodes. However, the treatment of hemophilia A
is complicated when an inhibitor or
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antibody is produced in response to outside sources of Factor VIII. These
inhibitors combine with the infused Factor VIII and neutralize its activity.
AutoPlex(R)T is a complex blood coagulation factor used to treat hemophilia A
patients who have developed inhibitors to Factor VIII. AutoPlex(R)T "bypasses"
the Factor VIII requirement for clotting by stimulating other components of the
coagulation process. Nabi acquired exclusive rights for AutoPlex(R)T in the
United States, Canada and Mexico from Baxter Healthcare Corporation ("Baxter")
in May 1997.
MARKETED ANTIBODY PRODUCTS
Non-specific Antibodies
Nabi is one of the world's largest suppliers of human non-specific antibody
products (source plasma) to the pharmaceutical and diagnostic industries. In
1998, Nabi derived revenues of $133.1 million from sales of non-specific
antibodies. This was virtually even with 1997 levels of $135.3 million. Sales of
non-specific antibodies in 1998 accounted for 55% of total Company revenues, a
4% decrease from 1997 levels, reflecting the increasing revenue contribution
from pharmaceutical products discussed earlier.
Among other uses, non-specific antibodies are used to manufacture intravenous
immune globulin ("IVIG") that helps the body to fight infections and assists in
the treatment of bone marrow transplantation, B cell chronic lymphocytic
leukemia, hypogammaglobulinemia, Kawasaki syndrome and other chronic immune
deficiencies.
Specialty Antibodies
During 1998, sales of specialty antibodies (specialty plasma) were $55.0
million, a 7% decrease from 1997 sales of $59.0 million. Certain high-margin
specialty antibody product sales increased during 1998, such as anti-D and
hepatitis B, but were more than offset by a reduction in sales of other
lower-margin specialty antibodies for tetanus, cytomegalovirus ("CMV") and
respiratory syncytial virus ("RSV"). Specialty antibody sales in 1998 accounted
for 23% of the Company's total revenue, a 3% decrease from 1997 levels.
These products are derived from plasma that contains high concentrations of
specific antibodies. They are used primarily to manufacture hyperimmune
globulins that can bolster the immunity of patients to help fight a particular
infection or to treat certain immune system disorders. This includes products to
prevent or treat exposure to hepatitis A and B, CMV, and rabies and products to
treat ITP and Rh incompatibility. Specialty antibodies are also used to develop
diagnostic products.
Nabi identifies potential specialty antibody donors through screening and
testing procedures. Nabi also has developed FDA-licensed programs to vaccinate
potential donors to stimulate their production of specific antibodies. Through
Nabi's nationwide operations and access to its large and diverse donor base of
approximately 275,000 individuals, Nabi believes it has a strategic advantage in
its ability to collect specialty antibodies.
Nabi's principal specialty antibody products include:
* ANTI-D. Anti-D antibodies have long been used to prevent Rh-D immunization
in Rh negative women and subsequent hemolytic disease ("blue baby disease")
in Rh positive infants. Antibodies collected from donors who have high
anti-D levels are used to make products to protect the infant (Rh
isoimmunization) and treat ITP in children and adults. Nabi has proprietary
donor stimulation and management programs that enhance its ability to
increase collection of anti-D antibodies.
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* HEPATITIS B ANTIBODIES. Antibodies to HBV are used to manufacture hepatitis
B immune globulin therapeutic products that provide passive immunity
against HBV. The specialty antibodies collected by Nabi are also used to
produce Nabi-HB(TM), the Company's hepatitis B pharmaceutical product. Nabi
believes that its proprietary donor stimulation and donor management
programs generally allow Nabi to produce anti-hepatitis B antibodies having
a higher concentration and broader specificity than competing products.
* CMV ANTIBODIES. By screening its large donor population, Nabi can identify
individuals with high concentrations of CMV antibodies, and can supply
these antibodies to manufacturers to enhance intravenous immune globulin
products and to produce CMV-specific immune globulin therapeutic products.
* RABIES ANTIBODIEs. Rabies antibodies are used by manufacturers to make
therapeutic products that provide a short-term protective antibody
immunity to patients exposed to the rabies virus.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PRODUCT PIPELINE
The use of human antibody products increased in the mid-1980's as a result of
the development of intravenous formulations that made administration of larger
therapeutic doses practical for a broad range of specific diseases. As a result,
antibody therapy (also known as passive immunization) has become a growing part
of medical practice. Nabi is developing additional pharmaceutical products for
the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and their associated
complications through the activation and targeting of the human immune system.
Nabi is focusing the major portion of its efforts on products that contain a
rich mixture of specific antibodies produced naturally by healthy human donors
or stimulated through immunization. These highly purified, human polyclonal
antibody-based products are administered to provide passive immunity against
infection in immune-compromised patients who cannot respond to a vaccine or in
patients who are at immediate risk and therefore do not have time to mount their
own antibody response through vaccination.
Nabi is also developing vaccines to be used as immunizing agents in donors for
the production of antibody products or as stand-alone vaccines for long-term
protection against infection in at risk populations. Nabi is initially
concentrating these development efforts on vaccines for bacterial infections,
particularly those infections that are hospital acquired (nosocomial infections)
or associated with chronic disease. Nabi believes there also may be areas
outside of infectious diseases, for example, in the prevention and treatment of
nicotine addiction, where its conjugate vaccine technologies may also be applied
successfully.
Nabi-StaphVAX(TM) and Nabi-Altastaph(TM)
The World Health Organization ("WHO") estimates that more than 17 million people
die of infectious disease each year. According to the CDC, the mortality rate
for infectious disease increased approximately 60% between 1980 and 1992. In the
early 1980's, the majority of hospital-acquired bloodstream infections were due
to Gram-negative bacteria such as E. COLI and P. AERUGINOSA. However, by 1989,
the combined incidence of Gram-positive infections in the bloodstream such as,
STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS and S. EPIDERMIDIS had increased over 5-fold to a level
twice that of Gram-negative infections. The trend is expected to continue.
Over the past two decades, infectious disease experts have become increasingly
concerned about the emerging Gram-positive bacterial resistance to contemporary
antibiotics, coupled with the increasing prevalence of organisms having greater
virulence. It is currently estimated that up to 40% of S. AUREUS and more than
80% of S. EPIDERMIDIS are methicillin-resistant. Of greater concern is the fact
that a number
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of infections caused by another Gram-positive pathogen, ENTEROCOCCUS, are
resistant to all antibiotics including vancomycin.
Further, for the first time in history, isolates of S. AUREUS with reduced
sensitivity to vancomycin have been identified in the United States and in
Japan. Resistance of a clinical S. EPIDERMIDIS isolate to vancomycin has also
been reported. If vancomycin resistance is broadly transferred to S. AUREUS and
S. EPIDERMIDIS, many clinicians fear a return to the pre-methicillin/vancomycin
era of the 1950's and 1960's when staphylococcal infections were generally
fatal. Adding to the gravity of the situation, drug resistant isolates have
moved from the hospital into the community, threatening those most at risk - the
young and the elderly.
Nabi is developing two products for the prevention and treatment of S. AUREUS
infections. Nabi-StaphVAX(TM) is a capsular polysaccharide-based glycoconjugate
vaccine which targets the two S. AUREUS serotypes (Type 5 and Type 8)
responsible for over 85% of S. AUREUS infections. This bivalent vaccine is based
on patented vaccine technology in-licensed by Nabi from the National Institute
of Health ("NIH"). See also "Strategic Alliances". Nabi-StaphVAX(TM) seeks to
induce specific antibodies in vaccinated individuals that bind to and help kill
invading S. AUREUS bacteria. The second product, Nabi Altastaph(TM) is a
specific human antibody-based product that contains high levels of antibodies
against S. AUREUS Type 5 and Type 8. It is manufactured from specialty
antibodies produced by immunizing healthy donors with Nabi-StaphVAX(TM).
Nabi StaphVAX(TM) and Nabi-Altastaph(TM) rely on completely different mechanisms
of action than those of systemic antibiotics and it is believed, based on
preclinical data, that these products will be effective against even antibiotic
resistant strains of S. AUREUS. In addition, since vaccines and antibodies
present a different mechanism of action from that of antibiotics, Nabi is
attempting to demonstrate that concurrent use of Nabi-StaphVAX(TM) or
Nabi-Altastaph(TM) and antibiotics will act synergistically, or additively, to
combat infection and may reduce the appearance of additional antibiotic
resistant strains of bacteria in the future.
Nabi-StaphVAX(TM) is being developed for patients who are at long term, high
risk of infection and who are immunocompetent and thus able to respond to a
vaccine. The initial clinical target is hemodialysis patients with end stage
renal disease ("ESRD") who are at high risk of S. AUREUS infections due to their
vascular access grafts. Other potential clinical targets for Nabi-StaphVAX(TM)
include: (a) at risk patients such as the elderly who are expected to have long
stays in medical or extended care facilities; (b) patients undergoing planned
surgery who can be vaccinated in advance and in whom staphylococcal infections
can have serious consequences; and (c) prosthetic surgery and vascular graft
patients whose implants are at long-term risk of staphylococcal infections.
Nabi-StaphVAX(TM) is currently in a Phase III pivotal trial in ESRD patients on
hemodialysis. Nabi intends to establish a correlate of protection based on
population antibody titers to expand the clinical indications for this vaccine
beyond the Phase III trial's patient population.
In contrast to Nabi-StaphVAX(TM), which is intended to provide long-term
immunological protection, Nabi-Altastaph(TM) is designed to provide immediate,
on demand protection for patients who are at high, short-term risk of infection
or who are immunocompromised and cannot respond effectively to a vaccine. This
type of prophylactic treatment is likely to be cost effective because a single
dose of intravenously administered human polyclonal antibodies persists in the
bloodstream for several weeks, and may be sufficient to provide protection for
the entire risk period. High-risk populations include low birth weight newborns,
trauma patients and emergency surgical patients. Nabi-Altastaph(TM) is currently
in a Phase I/II trial in neonates to determine its safety and pharmacokinetics.
In addition, Nabi plans to evaluate Nabi-Altastaph(TM) as a therapeutic drug for
the treatment of diagnosed S. AUREUS infections. Clinical studies of
Nabi-Altastaph(TM) in shock-trauma patients in hospital-intensive care units are
in the planning stages.
Previous studies using either rats or mice in several different bacterial
challenge modes have demonstrated the efficacy of active immunization with
Nabi-StaphVAX(TM) and passive immunization with
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Nabi-Altastaph(TM). In the prophylactic settings studied, antibodies to
Nabi-StaphVAX(TM), whether actively acquired (through vaccination) or passively
acquired (through the use of Nabi-Altastaph(TM)), conferred statistically
significant protection against the relevant S. AUREUS challenge strains. In
human clinical trials to date, Nabi-StaphVAX(TM) has been shown to be safe and
immunogenic.
Recently, Nabi identified a serotype of S. AUREUS, named type 336, that accounts
for over 90% of non-type 5 and non-type 8 S. AUREUS clinical infections (about
10-12% of all clinically significant S. AUREUS infections). The Company has
identified, purified and characterized a polysaccharide from type 336 S. AUREUS
and has prepared a glycoconjugate vaccine that is capable of protecting animals
from challenge with clinical isolates of this serotype. During 1998, Nabi was
issued a patent on a S. AUREUS 336 antigen, vaccines made from that antigen, and
antibodies reactive to the antigen. Subsequent generations of Nabi-StaphVAX(TM)
are expected to contain type 336 antigen in addition to type 5 and type 8
antigens. A prototype of this trivalent vaccine against S. AUREUS is currently
in studies in dairy cattle under a Cooperative Research and Development
Agreement ("CRADA") with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The veterinary
applications of Nabi-StaphVAX(TM) are of interest since S. AUREUS is a major
cause of mastitis in dairy cattle worldwide.
STAPHYLOCOCCUS EPIDERMIDIS and ENTEROCOCCUS SPP. are the next most clinically
common Gram-positive nosocomial bacterial infections after S. AUREUS. Nabi
intends to extend coverage to these two Gram-positive bacteria in subsequent
generations of Nabi-StaphVAX(TM) and Nabi-Altastaph(TM). The Company has filed
patent applications on selected enterococcal antigens and in 1998 was issued a
patent for a protective S. EPIDERMIDIS antigen that it intends to include in a
combination vaccine. From 1996 to 1998 these bacterial antigens have been
undergoing preclinical testing and process development. These activities have
shown that antibodies to these antigens are protective in animal models and
facilitate killing of bacteria by white blood cells (a process called
opsonophagocytosis).
Nabi is currently in discussions with potential corporate partners to assist in
the development of Nabi-StaphVAX(TM), Nabi-Altastaph(TM) and the related
combination vaccines and antibody products described above.
Nabi-Civacir(TM)
Nabi-Civacir(TM) is a human antibody product derived from screened donors. It
contains antibodies that are neutralizing to hepatitis C virus ("HCV"). Nabi
intends to develop Nabi-Civacir for post-exposure prophylaxis of HCV, the
prevention of HCV reinfection of transplanted livers in patients and ultimately
for the treatment of certain stages of chronic HCV infections. Management
believes that approximately 40% to 50% of liver transplants are due to
complications resulting from chronic HCV infections. HCV has significant
economic impact because it causes chronic infections in a large percentage of
those infected and results in significant morbidity and mortality in later
stages of the disease. HCV infection also contributes to frequent
hospitalizations when it occurs in liver transplant patients. There are four
million individuals in the United States and more than 170 million individuals
worldwide infected with HCV.
In 1998, Nabi initiated a series of chimpanzee studies of Nabi-Civacir(TM) in
collaboration with the CDC under a CRADA. The results from these animal studies
suggest that the elevated level of anti-HCV in serum maintained by multiple
infusions of Nabi-Civacir(TM) may be associated with the elimination of virus
from the blood, prevention of acute hepatitis and the possible elimination of
HCV antigen from liver cells after experimental HCV infection. Nabi is currently
in discussions with potential corporate partners to assist in the development of
Nabi-Civacir(TM).
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Nabi-NicVAX(TM)
The use of tobacco products has been associated with increased risk of heart and
lung disease and cancer worldwide. Addiction to nicotine as a result of tobacco
use has been identified as one of the major factors that prevent cigarette
smokers and other tobacco users from giving up this life-threatening activity.
Nabi has begun development of Nabi-NicVAX(TM), a vaccine against nicotine that
is intended to be used to prevent and treat nicotine addiction. Prototypic
versions of the vaccine have been shown to induce high titers of
nicotine-specific antibodies in vaccinated animals. Studies evaluating the
ability of the vaccine to prevent entrance of nicotine into the brain and to
modify animal behavior in response to nicotine were conducted during 1998 and
have generated positive preliminary results. Nabi believes that a nicotine
vaccine that raises high titered, highly specific antibodies that bind to
nicotine with high affinity can also prevent nicotine addiction in humans by
blocking nicotine from reaching drug receptors in the brain. The Company also
believes that Nabi-NicVAX(TM) can be an effective product for those attempting
to give up tobacco by helping to prevent relapse into continued nicotine use.
The Company has filed a patent application on Nabi-NicVAX(TM) and its uses to
prevent and treat nicotine addiction. Nabi is currently in discussions with
potential corporate partners to assist in the development of Nabi-NicVAX(TM).
RENs
Nabi has exclusively licensed from the University of Maryland a novel,
proprietary, platform technology which permits the synthesis of so-called Ring
Expanded Nucleoside ("RENs") and Nucleotide ("RENt") analogs with the potential
for antiviral and anti-tumor cell activity. Using this technology, a number of
active compounds have been prepared by Nabi through its collaboration with the
University under a series of Maryland Industrial Partnership ("MIPS") grants. A
lead compound, Nabi 3700.001, has been selected for further development. This
drug has been initially shown to have an acceptable toxicity profile and to have
good anti-viral activity and specificity against hepatitis B virus IN VITRO. In
1998, the University of Maryland was issued a U.S. patent with claims
encompassing the composition and synthesis of RENs and RENt compounds; these
patent rights have been assigned to Nabi. See also "Strategic Alliances". Nabi
is currently in discussions with potential corporate partners to assist in the
development of the RENs technology.
The following is a summary of Nabi's currently marketed products and products
under development:
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PRODUCTS INDICATIONS OR POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS STATUS
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NABI-HB(TM) Post exposure prevention of hepatitis B infection CURRENTLY MARKETED and planned
Phase IV clinical trials
Prevention of hepatitis B virus reinfection in Phase II clinical trials &
liver transplant patients expanded access to transplant
patients under IND.
WINRHO SDF(TM) Treatment of ITP CURRENTLY MARKETED and in Phase IV
clinical trials
AUTOPLEX(R)T Treatment of hemophilia patients with CURRENTLY MARKETED
inhibitors to Factor VIII
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NON-SPECIFIC ANTIBODIES Intermediate for production of CURRENTLY MARKETED as
non-specific antibodies (i.e., standard IVIG) bulk intermediate products
SPECIALTY Intermediate for production of specific CURRENTLY MARKETED as
ANTIBODIES antibodies (e.g., tetanus, rabies, HBV bulk intermediate products
and anti-D antibodies)
NABI-STAPHVAX(TM) Prevention and treatment OF S. AUREUS infections; In Phase III clinical trials in
ESRD patients on hemodialysis
Next generation products also address In preclinical development
S. EPIDERMIDIS and Enterococcal infections
NABI-ALTASTAPH(TM) Prevention OF S. AUREUS infections; In Phase I/II clinical trials
in premature infants
Next generation products to also address In preclinical development
S. EPIDERMIDIS and Enterococcal infections
NABI-CIVACIR(TM) Prevention of hepatitis C virus-reinfection In preclinical development
in liver transplant patients,
post- exposure prophylaxis & treatment of chronic
hepatitis C virus infection
NABI-NICVAX(TM) Prevention and treatment of nicotine In research
addiction associated with tobacco use
RENS Treatment of viral infections In research
Treatment of cancer In research
==================================================================================================================================
STRATEGIC ALLIANCES
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Nabi is actively pursuing strategic alliances to assist in the development of
its product pipeline. The Company's current key strategic alliances are
discussed below.
CANGENE CORPORATION
Under a license and distribution agreement with Cangene, has exclusive marketing
rights for, and shares in the profits from sales of WinRho SDF(TM) in the
United States. Cangene, which holds the FDA licenses for the product, is
required to supply the necessary quantities of WinRho SDF(TM) to support such
sales. The Cangene agreement terminates in 2005, and requires Nabi among other
things, to meet specified sales goals or make specified payments to Cangene in
order to maintain exclusivity.
During 1997, Nabi entered into an agreement with Cangene with respect to the
manufacture of Nabi-HB(TM). See also "Supply and Manufacturing -
Pharmaceuticals". In addition, Cangene has exclusive marketing rights for
Nabi-HB(TM) in Canada provided it meets specified sales goals. Nabi shares in
the profits from sales of Nabi-HB(TM) in Canada. The term of the Canadian
marketing agreement with Cangene for Nabi-HB(TM) is co-extensive with the terms
of the manufacturing agreement for Nabi-HB(TM).
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OTHER LICENSES
Under a license agreement with the NIH, Nabi has exclusive rights to the NIH's
patent relating to a carbohydrate/protein conjugate vaccine against
Staphylococcus, and is obligated to pay the NIH a royalty based on net sales.
The licensed patent rights cover Nabi-StaphVAX(TM) and Nabi-Altastaph(TM)
products. The license terminates with respect to each country on the date that
the NIH's patent rights expire in such country.
Under a license agreement with the University of Maryland, Nabi has exclusive
rights to patents relating to ring expanded nucleoside and nucleotide analogs,
and is obligated to pay the University a royalty based on net sales. The license
terminates with respect to each country on the date that the patent rights
expire in such country.
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS
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Nabi sells its pharmaceutical products to wholesalers, distributors, and home
healthcare companies and sells its antibody products to pharmaceutical and
diagnostic manufacturers, most of which have been customers of Nabi for many
years.
Customers to which sales exceeded 10% of Nabi's annual consolidated sales in the
last three fiscal years ending December 31, 1998 were: Baxter and Bayer
Corporation ("Bayer") in 1998; Bayer and Baxter in 1997; Baxter, Bayer and
Biotest Pharma GmbH ("Biotest") in 1996. Aggregate sales of antibody products to
these customers were approximately $89 million, $93 million and $107 million, or
37%, 41% and 45% of total sales for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and
1996, respectively.
Nabi generally sells its antibody products under contracts ranging from one to
five years that allow for annual pricing renegotiations. Pricing for product
deliveries is generally mutually agreed to prior to the beginning of the
contract year and fixed for that year, but generally does provide for price
increases/decreases to reflect changes in customer specifications and new
governmental regulations. Consequently, Nabi's profit margins may be adversely
or beneficially affected if changes in the cost of collecting antibody products
rise or fall during the year.
SUPPLY AND MANUFACTURING
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PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS
Nabi has completed construction of a biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility
that is designed to allow the Company to manufacture, formulate, process and
package pharmaceutical products. Nabi anticipates completion of all requisite
validation studies and clinical trials by the end of 1999 and submission of a
BLA for the facility to produce pharmaceutical products subsequently thereafter.
In 1997, Nabi entered into an agreement with Cangene under which Cangene
manufactures Nabi-HB(TM) for the Company. This agreement with Cangene has a
three year term that commenced on the date Nabi received FDA approval to market
Nabi-HB(TM), although either party may terminate the agreement upon 12 months
notice. Nabi collects and supplies the specialty antibodies necessary for the
manufacture of Nabi-HB(TM).
Nabi is required to purchase its requirements of WinRho SDF(TM) from Cangene
which has granted Nabi exclusive marketing rights to the product in the United
States, under an agreement which terminates in 2005.
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In 1997, Nabi acquired from Baxter the exclusive rights to AutoPlex(R)T in the
United States, Canada and Mexico. In connection with the acquisition, Baxter
agreed to manufacture Autoplex(R)T until May 2000 or at such later time as may
be determined under the terms of a consent order entered into between Baxter and
the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC"), but in any event four months after Nabi
receives approval from the FDA to manufacture AutoPlex(R)T. The FTC could
require Nabi to return to Baxter Nabi's rights to AutoPlex(R)T if Nabi does not
obtain FDA approval to manufacture the product by May 2000 or to a later date
agreed to by the FTC. If Baxter thereafter sells these rights, Nabi and Baxter
will share equally the proceeds of any such sale and under certain circumstances
Baxter will be required to make a specified payment to Nabi.
Nabi manufactures its clinical supplies of products under development at its
facilities in Boca Raton and Miami, Florida and Rockville, Maryland.
ANTIBODY COLLECTION PROCESS
Nabi currently collects and processes antibody products from 69 collection
centers located across the United States and Germany. Each Nabi-owned United
States center is licensed and regulated by the FDA. Most of Nabi's centers are
located in urban areas and many are near universities and military bases.
Prospective donors are required to complete an extensive medical questionnaire
and are subject to laboratory testing and a physical examination under the
direction or supervision of a physician. Following this screening, antibodies
are collected from suitable donors by means of a process known as
plasmapheresis. As described earlier, during the fourth quarter of 1998, Nabi
decided to sell or close a number of its antibody collection centers in the U.S.
and the Company's four centers in Germany.
PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
- ------------------------------
Nabi's continued success will depend, in part, on its abilities to obtain and
protect patent rights, trade secrets and other intellectual property. Nabi has
acquired title or licenses to a number of patents or patent applications and has
filed ten patent applications of its own. See also "Factors to Be Considered -
Uncertainty of Legal Protection Afforded by Patents and Proprietary Rights".
GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY REGULATION
- ----------------------------------
The collection, processing and sale of Nabi's products as well as its research,
preclinical development and clinical trials are subject to regulation for safety
and efficacy by numerous governmental authorities in the United States and other
countries, including England, Germany and Australia. Domestically, the federal
Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Public Health Service Act, and other federal
and state statutes and regulations govern the collection, testing, manufacture,
safety, efficacy, labeling, storage, record keeping, approval, advertising and
promotion of Nabi's products.
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS
Human polyclonal antibody products currently are classified as "biological
products" under FDA regulations. The steps required before a biological product
may be marketed in the United States generally include preclinical studies and
the filing of an Investigational New Drug ("IND") application with the FDA,
which must be accepted by the FDA before human clinical studies may commence.
After human clinical studies, the FDA must approve a BLA. In addition to
obtaining FDA approval for each product, the FDA must approve the manufacturing
facilities for the product. Biological products, once
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approved, have no provision allowing competitors to market generic versions.
Each biological product must undergo the entire development process in order to
be approved.
Preclinical studies are conducted on laboratory animals to evaluate the
potential efficacy and safety of a product. The results of preclinical studies
are submitted as part of the IND application, which must be approved by the FDA
before human clinical trials may begin. The initial human clinical evaluation
called Phase I trials, generally involve administration of a product to a small
number of normal healthy volunteers to test for safety. Phase II trials involve
administration of a product to a limited number of patients with a particular
disease to determine dosage and safety, as well as provide indications of
efficacy. Phase III trials examine the efficacy and safety of a product in an
expanded patient population at geographically dispersed clinical sites. The FDA
reviews the clinical plans and the results of trials and can discontinue the
trials at any time if there are significant safety issues. The results of all
trials are submitted in the form of a BLA for approval to commence commercial
sales. The approval process is affected by several factors, including the
severity of the disease, the availability of alternative treatments, and the
risks and benefits demonstrated in clinical trials. The FDA also may require
post-marketing surveillance to monitor potential adverse effects of the product.
The regulatory process can be modified by Congress or the FDA in specific
situations.
For BLA approval, the FDA requires, among other things, that the prospective
manufacturer's methods conform to the agency's Good Manufacturing Practice
("cGMP") regulations, which must be followed at all times. In complying with
standards set forth in these regulations, manufacturers must continue to expend
time, money and effort in the area of production and quality control to ensure
full technical compliance.
ANTIBODY PRODUCTS
The collection, storage and testing of antibody based products is regulated by
the FDA. Any person operating a plasma collection facility in the United States
must have an Establishment License Application ("ELA") and individual Product
License Application ("PLA") issued by the FDA and each center must be inspected
and approved by the FDA. In the future, the ELA and PLA will be replaced by a
single application, the BLA. Nabi holds Establishment Licenses and Product
Licenses issued by the FDA covering all Nabi-owned collection centers located in
the United States. In addition, collection centers require FDA approval to
collect each specialty antibody. Nabi is also subject to and is required to be
in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements in foreign countries where
it exports products.
Nabi continually pursues its commitment to quality and compliance with
applicable FDA regulations and other regulatory requirements through its own
internal training and quality assurance programs. As part of its commitment to
quality, Nabi has embraced the Quality Plasma Program ("QPP") which was
initiated by the American Blood Resources Association, an industry group that
establishes standards for plasmapheresis centers. QPP imposes standards for
plasmapheresis centers in addition to those presently required by the FDA. QPP
certification is proving increasingly significant, because many customers will
only purchase antibodies that have been collected in QPP certified centers. All
of Nabi's domestic-owned centers are QPP certified centers.
ORPHAN DRUG ACT
Under the Orphan Drug Act, the FDA may designate a product as having Orphan Drug
status to treat a "rare disease or condition," which currently is defined as a
disease or condition that affects populations of less than 200,000 individuals
in the United States, or, if victims of a disease number more than 200,000, for
which the sponsor establishes that it does not realistically anticipate its
product sales in the United States will be sufficient to recover its costs. If a
product is designated an Orphan Drug, then the sponsor is entitled to receive
certain incentives to undertake the development and marketing of the product. In
addition, the sponsor that obtains the first marketing approval for a designated
Orphan Drug for a given
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indication effectively has marketing exclusivity for a period of seven years.
There may be multiple designations of Orphan Drug status for a given drug and
for different indications. However, only the sponsor of the first BLA approved
for a given drug for its use in treating a given rare disease may receive
marketing exclusivity. WinRho SDF(TM) has received Orphan Drug protection for
the treatment of ITP. See also "Factors to Be Considered - Uncertainty of Orphan
Drug Designation".
OTHER
Nabi's Miami-based FDA-approved testing laboratory is licensed by the State of
Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, and the states of
Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The laboratory is licensed
pursuant to Medicare regulations and regulations of the U.S. Health Care Finance
Administration's Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988.
COMPETITION
- -----------
Nabi believes that Nabi-HB(TM) will be able to achieve a significant share of
the domestic market and that Nabi's access to the vaccines and specialty
antibodies necessary for the manufacture of Nabi-HB(TM) will allow it to
maintain its market share. See also "Supply and Manufacturing - Pharmaceutical
Products".
Nabi believes that WinRho SDF(TM) has a significant and growing share of the
domestic market for ITP treatment. Competing therapeutic modalities include the
use of steroids; intravenous immune globulins ("IVIG"); and splenectomy (a
surgical procedure to remove the spleen). Each of these therapies has
significant drawbacks associated with its use, and Nabi believes that WinRho
SDF(TM) can be used for long-term treatment of chronic ITP. WinRho SDF(TM) costs
less and requires less time to administer versus intravenous immune globulin.
WinRho SDF(TM) presents no surgical risks compared to splenectonomy and has
consistently demonstrated its ability to elicit a platelet response when
compared to the alternative ITP therapies. WinRho SDF(TM) is also designed to
suppress Rh isoimmunization. There are competitive therapeutic products licensed
for Rh isoimmunization indications in the United States, however these products
are administered intermuscularly ("IM") compared to WinRho SDF(TM) which is
administered intravenously ("IV"). These products are typically less expensive
than WinRho SDF(TM) and, as a result, Nabi does not anticipate significant sales
of WinRho SDF(TM) for Rh isoimmunization.
Autoplex(R)T competes in the anti-inhibitor segment of the hemophilia A
marketplace. Autoplex(R)T and other competitive agents are used to treat
patients that have developed inhibitors (an immunity) to Factor VIII, the
standard therapy for people suffering from hemophilia A. There are two
pharmaceutical products currently on the market that compete with AutoPlex(R)T.
Nabi and other independent suppliers of antibody products, sell these products
principally to pharmaceutical companies that process this raw material into
finished products. Although these pharmaceutical companies generally own
plasmapheresis centers, in the aggregate they purchase a substantial portion of
their antibody requirements from independent suppliers. There is competition
among these independent suppliers. Nabi attempts to compete for sales by
maintaining competitive pricing and by providing customers with high-quality
products and superior customer service. Management believes Nabi has the ability
to continue to compete successfully in these areas.
Nabi competes for donors with pharmaceutical companies which obtain antibodies
for their own use through their own collection centers, other commercial
collectors of antibody products, and non-profit organizations such as the
American Red Cross and community blood banks which solicit the donations of
blood. Nabi competes for donors by providing competitive compensation and
outstanding donor service, by implementing programs to attract donors through
education as to the uses for collected antibodies, by encouraging groups to have
their members become antibody donors for fund raising purposes and by improving
the attractiveness of Nabi's collection facilities.
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Most of the antibody products which Nabi collects, processes and sells to its
customers are used in the manufacture of therapeutic products to treat certain
diseases. Several companies are marketing and developing products to treat some
of these diseases based upon technology which would lessen or eliminate the need
for human antibodies. Such products could adversely affect the demand for
antibody products. Products utilizing technology developed to date have not
proven as cost-effective and marketable to healthcare providers as products
based on human antibodies. However, Nabi is unable to predict the impact on its
business of future technological advances.
EMPLOYEES
- ---------
Nabi employed approximately 2,100 persons at December 31, 1998. Nabi believes
that the relations between Nabi's management and its employees are generally
good.
FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED
- ------------------------
The parts of this Annual Report on Form 10-K titled "Item 1 - Business," "Item 3
- - Legal Proceedings" and "Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contain certain forward-looking
statements which involve risks and uncertainties. In addition, officers of Nabi
may from time to time make certain forward-looking statements that also involve
risks and uncertainties. Set forth below is a discussion of certain factors that
could cause Nabi's actual results to differ materially from the results
projected in such forward-looking statements.
COSTS OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Nabi has incurred and expects to continue incurring significant expenses
associated with its pharmaceutical product development activities, including the
cost of clinical trials relating to product development and marketing expenses
relating to product introduction. Any revenues generated from products under
development will not be realized for several years. Nabi currently does not have
the financial resources to fund all of its pharmaceutical product development
activities and has elected to focus its spending on those products which Nabi is
already marketing or which are in the late stage of development. Nabi is
actively pursuing strategic alliances to assist in the development and
commercialization of its pharmaceutical products. There can be no assurance that
Nabi's efforts will be successful, and if they are not, Nabi will not be able to
continue to aggressively develop its early stage products. Nabi's ability to
continue to fund its ongoing research and development activities is dependent on
its ability to generate revenues from its pharmaceutical products or obtain
financing. There can be no assurance, therefore, that Nabi will be able to
continue to funds its research and development activities even at its reduced
target level and if Nabi is required to further reduce the funding for its
research and development activities,this could have a material adverse effect on
the ability of Nabi to realize its objective of becoming a fully integrated
developer, manufacturer and marketer of pharmaceutical products.
UNCERTAINTY OF NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Nabi's future success will depend on its ability to achieve scientific and
technological advances and to translate such advances into commercially
competitive products on a timely basis. Nabi's pharmaceutical products under
development are at various stages of research and development, and substantial
further development, preclinical testing and clinical trials will be required to
determine their technical feasibility and commercial viability. The proposed
development schedules for these products may be affected by a variety of
factors, including technological difficulties, proprietary technology of others,
reliance on third
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parties and changes in government regulation, many of which factors are not
within the control of Nabi. Positive results for a product in a clinical trial
do not necessarily assure that positive results will be obtained in future
clinical trials or that government approval to commercialize the product will be
obtained. In addition, any delay in the development, introduction or marketing
of Nabi's products under development could result either in such products being
marketed at a time when their cost and performance characteristics would not be
competitive in the marketplace or in a shortening of their commercial lives.
There can be no assurance that Nabi's pharmaceutical products under development
will prove to be technologically feasible, commercially viable and able to
obtain necessary regulatory approvals and licenses on a timely basis, if at all.
The failure of Nabi to successfully and timely develop and commercialize several
of its pharmaceutical products and obtain necessary regulatory approvals could
have a material adverse effect on Nabi's business, financial condition and
results of operations.
COMPETITIVE MARKET FOR PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS
Nabi could lose its exclusive marketing rights to WinRho SDF(TM) if it fails
to achieve specified performance criteria including sales goals and compensatory
payments. Nabi may lose its rights to Autoplex(R)T if it abandons its efforts to
obtain FDA approval to manufacture the product or does not timely obtain such
approval. If Nabi successfully develops additional pharmaceutical products,
additional expenditures, management resources and time may be required to
develop a larger sales force, unless Nabi elects to have a third party market
any or all of such products. If Nabi so elects, there can be no assurance that
Nabi will be able to find a partner on acceptable terms or at all, or that any
such partner will be successful in its efforts. If Nabi succeeds in bringing one
or more products to market, it will compete with many other companies that may
have extensive and well-funded marketing and sales operations. The failure of
Nabi to successfully market new pharmaceutical products or the loss of exclusive
rights to market WinRho SDF(TM) or Autoplex(R)T could have a material adverse
effect on Nabi's business, financial condition and results of operations.
UNCERTAINTY OF MARKET ACCEPTANCE
There can be no assurance that any of Nabi's products in development will
achieve market acceptance. The degree of market acceptance will depend upon a
number of factors, including the receipt of regulatory approvals, the
establishment and demonstration in the medical community of the clinical
efficacy and safety of Nabi's products and their potential advantages over
existing treatment methods, the prices of such products, and reimbursement
policies of government and third-party payers. The failure of any pharmaceutical
product under development to gain market acceptance could have a material
adverse effect on Nabi's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
FACTORS AFFECTING ANTIBODY PRODUCTS SUPPLY AND DEMAND
In response to continuing concerns over the safety of blood-derived products,
the FDA began to step up inspections and citations of manufacturers of blood and
plasma products in 1996 and 1997. The FDA maintained that this industry had not
paid sufficient attention to Good Manufacturing Practices and should address
deficiencies. Several of these manufacturers received serious citations and some
entered into consent decrees with the FDA that involved temporary closures of
facilities or cutbacks in production. These FDA actions caused several
manufacturers of blood-derived products, most of whom are customers of Nabi, to
reduce their need for non-specific and specific antibodies provided by Nabi.
This reduced demand for non-specific and specific antibodies on the part of
these manufacturers has resulted in a temporary reduction of Nabi's sales of
these products.
In 1997, the establishment of Team Biologics by the FDA ushered in a new era of
more stringent controls and regulation affecting the collectors of human
antibody products. Increased regulatory and quality
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assurance personnel were required to ensure compliance with the new regulations.
Implementation of more sophisticated information technology systems, as well as
more thorough and sensitive testing of both donors and of plasma also became
necessary. These changes resulted in increased cost to Nabi in providing
non-specific and specialty antibodies to its customers.
Concern over the safety of antibody products has resulted in the adoption of
more rigorous screening procedures by regulatory authorities and manufacturers
of antibody products. These procedures, which include a more extensive
investigation into a donor's background and new tests, have disqualified
numerous potential donors and discouraged other donors who may be reluctant to
undergo the screening procedures. In addition, Nabi's efforts to increase
production to meet demand has resulted in higher costs to attract and retain
donors during a period of low unemployment in the United States.
The worldwide supply of plasma has fluctuated historically. Future changes in
government regulation relating to the collection and use of antibodies, its
fractionation or any negative public perception about the antibody collection
process or the safety of products derived from blood or plasma could further
adversely affect the overall supply of or demand for antibodies. Fluctuations in
the demand for or supply of antibody products could have a material adverse
effect on Nabi's business, financial condition and results of operations.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION; UNCERTAINTY OF REGULATORY APPROVALS
Nabi's research, preclinical development, clinical trials, manufacturing and
marketing of its products are subject to extensive regulation by numerous
government authorities in the United States. The process of obtaining FDA and
other required regulatory approvals is lengthy and expensive, and the time
required for such approvals is uncertain. The approval process is affected by
several factors, including the severity of the disease, the availability of
alternative treatments, and the risks and benefits demonstrated in clinical
trials. The FDA also may require post-marketing surveillance to monitor
potential adverse effects of the product. The regulatory process can be modified
by Congress or the FDA in specific situations. Many of Nabi's clinical trials
are at a relatively early stage and, except for Nabi-HB(TM), WinRho SDF(TM) and
Autoplex(R)T, no approval from the FDA or any other government agency for the
manufacturing or marketing of any of its products under development has been
granted. Currently, Autoplex(R)T is manufactured by Baxter. If Nabi does not
obtain FDA approval to manufacture Autoplex(R)T on a timely basis, the assets
and marketing rights associated with Autoplex(R)T could revert to Baxter. There
can be no assurance that Nabi will be able to obtain the necessary approvals for
manufacturing or marketing of any of its products. Failure to obtain additional
FDA approvals of products currently marketed or FDA approval for products under
development could have a material adverse effect on Nabi's business, financial
condition and results of operations. If a product is approved, its failure to
comply with applicable regulatory requirements could, among other things, result
in fines, suspension or revocation of regulatory approvals, product recalls or
seizures, operating restrictions, injunctions and criminal prosecutions.
Distribution of Nabi's products outside the United States is subject to
extensive government regulation. These regulations, including the requirements
for approvals or clearance to market, the time required for regulatory review
and the sanctions imposed for violations, vary from country to country. There
can be no assurance that Nabi will obtain regulatory approvals in such countries
or that it will not be required to incur significant costs in obtaining or
maintaining its foreign regulatory approvals. In addition, the export by Nabi of
certain of its products that have not yet been cleared for domestic commercial
distribution may be subject to FDA export restrictions. Failure to obtain
necessary regulatory approvals, the restriction, suspension or revocation of
existing approvals or any other failure to comply with regulatory requirements
would have a material adverse effect on Nabi's business, financial condition and
results of operations.
Nabi's United States antibody collection, storage, labeling and distribution
activities also are subject to strict regulation and licensing by the FDA.
Nabi's collection centers in the United States are subject to periodic
inspection by the FDA, and from time to time Nabi receives notices of
deficiencies from the FDA
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as a result of such inspections. The failure of Nabi or its collection centers
to continue to meet regulatory standards or to remedy any such deficiencies
could result in corrective action by the FDA, including closure of one or more
collection centers and fines or penalties. In addition, before new antibodies
collection centers are opened, the collection centers and their procedures and
personnel must meet certain regulatory standards to obtain necessary licenses.
New regulations may be enacted and existing regulations or their interpretation
or enforcement are subject to change. Therefore, there can be no assurance that
Nabi will be able to continue to comply with any regulations or that the costs
of such compliance will not have a material adverse effect on Nabi's business,
financial condition and results of operations.
Nabi has received permission from the FDA to conduct certain donor stimulation
programs. No assurance can be given, however, that the FDA will permit Nabi to
begin stimulation using other immunizing agents before obtaining regulatory
approval of the immunizing agents as vaccine products. If the FDA were to
require Nabi to secure such regulatory approvals for the immunizing agents to be
used in donor stimulation before commencing clinical trials on the
pharmaceutical products to be produced using such immunizing agents, the overall
regulatory approval process for Nabi's pharmaceutical products would be
significantly delayed, which could have a material adverse effect on Nabi's
business, financial condition and results of operations.
DEPENDENCE UPON THIRD PARTIES TO MANUFACTURE PRODUCTS
Nabi does not currently manufacture any of the pharmaceutical products which it
markets and is dependent upon third parties to manufacture these products for
Nabi. The failure by Nabi's manufacturers to meet Nabi's needs for these
products or delays in the receipt of deliveries could have a material adverse
effect on Nabi's business, financial condition and results of operations. Nabi
has constructed a biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility that is designed to
allow Nabi to manufacture, formulate and package pharmaceutical products. Nabi
has validated this facility and is completing the required clinical trials for
licensure by the FDA. Nabi anticipates that the facility will be able to produce
Nabi-HB(TM) for commercial sale til 2001 and Autoplex(R)T thereafter. Moreover,
manufacturing products at a single site may present risks if a disaster (such as
a fire or hurricane) causes interruption of manufacturing capability. In such an
event, Nabi will have to resort to alternative sources of manufacturing that
could increase its costs as well as result in significant delays while required
regulatory approvals are obtained. Any such delays or increased costs could have
a material adverse effect on Nabi's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
LIMITED MANUFACTURING CAPABILITY AND EXPERIENCE
Nabi has completed construction of a new biopharmaceutical manufacturing
facility and related processes in Boca Raton, Florida. Nabi anticipates
completion of all requisite clinical studies and documentation by the end of
1999 and filing for approval of FDA licensure for this facility subsequently
thereafter. No assurance can be given that Nabi will be able to obtain such
licensure and failure to obtain such licensure on a timely basis or at all would
have a material adverse effect on business, financial condition and results of
operations. The new facility is designed to process specialty antibodies into
pharmaceutical products. However, Nabi has not previously owned or operated such
a facility and has no direct experience in commercial, large-scale manufacturing
of pharmaceutical products. There can be no assurance that when FDA licensure is
received, Nabi will have product to manufacture so that the facility can be
operated efficiently and profitably. The failure of Nabi to successfully operate
its new manufacturing facility would have a material adverse effect on Nabi's
business, financial condition and results of operations.
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POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECT OF LITIGATION
Nabi is currently one of several defendants in several suits generally based
upon claims that the plaintiffs became infected with HIV as a result of using
HIV-contaminated products made by various defendants other than Nabi or as a
result of family relations with those so infected. These suits allege, among
other things, that Nabi or its predecessors supplied HIV-contaminated plasma to
the defendants who produced the products in question. Nabi denies all claims
made against it and intends to vigorously defend the cases. No assurance can be
given that additional lawsuits relating to infection with HIV will not be
brought against Nabi by persons who have become infected with HIV or plasma
fractionates or that cross-complaints will not be filed in existing lawsuits. In
addition, there can be no assurance that lawsuits based on other causes of
action will not be filed or that Nabi will be successful in the defense of any
or all existing or potential future lawsuits. Defense of suits can be expensive
and time-consuming, regardless of the outcome, and an adverse result in one or
more suits, particularly those related to HIV, could have a material adverse
effect on Nabi's business, financial condition and results of operations.
RISK OF PRODUCT LIABILITY; LIMITED INSURANCE
The processing and sale of Nabi's products involve a risk of product liability
claims, and Nabi currently is a party to litigation involving such claims. In
addition, there can be no assurance that infectious diseases will not be
transmitted by Nabi's products and therefore create additional product liability
claims. Product liability insurance for the biopharmaceutical industry generally
is expensive to the extent it is available at all. There can be no assurance
that Nabi will be able to maintain such insurance on acceptable terms or that it
will be able to secure increased coverage if the commercialization of its
products progresses. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the existing
coverage of Nabi's insurance policy and/or any rights of indemnification and
contribution that Nabi may have will offset existing or future claims. A
successful claim against Nabi with respect to uninsured liabilities or in excess
of insurance coverage and not subject to any indemnification or contribution
could have a material adverse effect on Nabi's business, financial condition and
results of operations.
DEPENDENCE ON STRATEGIC ALLIANCES
Nabi is pursuing strategic alliances with third parties for the development of
certain of its pharmaceutical products. No assurance can be given that Nabi will
be successful in these efforts or, if successful, that the collaborators will
conduct their activities in a timely manner. If Nabi is not successful in its
efforts, Nabi will not be able to continue to aggressively develop its early
stage products. Even if Nabi is successful, if any of Nabi's collaborative
partners breach or terminate their agreements with Nabi or otherwise fail to
conduct their collaborative activities in a timely manner, the development or
commercialization of products could be delayed, and Nabi may be required to
devote significant additional resources to product development and
commercialization, or terminate certain development programs. In addition, there
can be no assurance that disputes will not arise in the future with respect to
the ownership of rights to any technology developed with third parties. These
and other possible disagreements between collaborators and Nabi could lead to
delays in the collaborative research, development or commercialization of
certain products or could require or result in litigation or arbitration, which
would be time-consuming and expensive, and could have a material adverse effect
on Nabi's business, financial condition and results of operations.
UNCERTAINTY OF LEGAL PROTECTION AFFORDED BY PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
The patent positions of biotechnology firms generally are highly uncertain and
involve complex legal and factual questions. There can be no assurance that
existing patent applications will mature into issued patents, that Nabi will be
able to obtain additional licenses to patents of others or that Nabi will be
able
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to develop additional patentable technology of its own. Because patent
applications in the United States are not disclosed by the Patent and Trademark
Office until patents issue, and because publication of discoveries in the
scientific or patent literature often lags behind actual discoveries, Nabi
cannot be certain that it was the first creator of inventions covered by its
pending patent applications or that it was the first to file patent applications
for such inventions. There can be no assurances that any patents issued to Nabi
will provide it with competitive advantages or will not be challenged by others.
Furthermore, there can be no assurance that others will not independently
develop similar products, or, if patents are issued to Nabi, design around such
patents.
A number of pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, universities and
research institutions have filed patent applications or received patents
relating to products or processes competitive with or similar to those of Nabi.
Some of these applications or patents may be competitive with Nabi's
applications, or conflict in certain respects with claims made under Nabi's
applications. Such a conflict could result in a significant reduction of the
coverage of Nabi's patents, if issued. In addition, if patents that contain
competitive or conflicting claims are issued to others and such claims are
ultimately determined to be valid, Nabi may be required to obtain licenses to
these patents or to develop or obtain alternative technology. If any licenses
are required, there can be no assurance that Nabi will be able to obtain any
such licenses on commercially favorable terms, if at all. Nabi's failure to
obtain a license to any technology that it may require to commercialize its
products could have a material adverse effect on Nabi's business, financial
condition and results of operations. Litigation, which could result in
substantial cost to Nabi, may also be necessary to enforce any patents issued to
Nabi or to determine the scope and validity of third-party proprietary rights.
Nabi also relies on secrecy to protect its technology, especially where patent
protection is not believed to be appropriate or obtainable. Nabi maintains
strict controls and procedures regarding access to and use of its proprietary
technology and processes. However, there can be no assurance that these controls
or procedures will not be violated, that Nabi would have adequate remedies for
any violation, or that Nabi's trade secrets will not otherwise become known or
be independently discovered by competitors.
UNCERTAINTY OF ORPHAN DRUG DESIGNATION
If a product is designated an Orphan Drug by the FDA, then the sponsor is
entitled to receive certain incentives to undertake the development and
marketing of the product. In addition, the sponsor that obtains the first
marketing approval for a designated Orphan Drug for a given indication
effectively has marketing exclusivity for a period of seven years. There may be
multiple designations of Orphan Drug status for a given drug with different
indications. However, only the sponsor of the first approved PLA for a given
drug indication in treating a given rare disease may receive marketing
exclusivity. While it may be advantageous to obtain Orphan Drug status for
eligible products, there can be no assurance that the precise scope of
protection that is currently afforded by Orphan Drug status will be available in
the future or that the current level of exclusivity will remain in effect.
Congress has considered legislation that would amend the Orphan Drug Act to
limit the scope of marketing exclusivity granted to Orphan Drug products. WinRho
SDF(TM) has received Orphan Drug marketing exclusivity for the treatment of ITP
(and has obtained Orphan Drug status for certain other indications) and certain
other of Nabi's products under development have Orphan Drug status. There can be
no assurance that Nabi will succeed in obtaining Orphan Drug marketing
exclusivity for products that have Orphan Drug status or that Orphan Drug
marketing exclusivity with respect to WinRho SDF(TM) or other products, if
obtained, will be of material benefit to Nabi. Furthermore, another manufacturer
could obtain an Orphan Drug designation as well as approval for the same product
for a different indication or a different product for the same indication.
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INTENSE COMPETITION; UNCERTAINTY OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE
Competition in the development of biopharmaceutical products is intense, both
from biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, and is expected to increase.
Many of Nabi's competitors have greater financial resources and larger research
and development staffs than Nabi, as well as substantially greater experience in
developing products, obtaining regulatory approvals, and manufacturing and
marketing pharmaceutical products. Competition with these companies involves not
only product development, but also acquisition of products and technologies from
universities and other institutions. Nabi also competes with universities and
other institutions in the development of pharmaceutical products, technologies
and processes and for qualified scientific personnel. There can be no assurance
that Nabi's competitors will not succeed in developing technologies and products
that are more effective or affordable than those being developed by Nabi. In
addition, one or more of Nabi's competitors may achieve product
commercialization of or patent protection for competitive products earlier than
Nabi, which would preclude or substantially limit sales of Nabi's products.
Further, several companies are attempting to develop and market products to
treat certain diseases based upon technology that would lessen or eliminate the
need for human antibodies. The successful development and commercialization by
any competitor of Nabi of any such product could have a material adverse effect
on Nabi's business, financial condition and results of operations.
Nabi competes for antibody donors with pharmaceutical companies that may obtain
antibodies for their own use, other commercial collection companies and
non-profit organizations such as the American Red Cross and community blood
banks that solicit the donation of blood. A number of these competitors have
access to greater financial, marketing and other resources than Nabi. Nabi
competes for donors by means of offering financial incentives to donors to
compensate them for their time and inconvenience, providing outstanding customer
service to its donors, implementing programs designed to attract donors through
education as to the uses for collected antibodies, encouraging groups to have
their members become antibodies donors and improving the attractiveness of
Nabi's antibodies collection facilities. Nabi also competes with other
independent antibody suppliers that sell antibodies principally to
pharmaceutical companies that process antibodies into finished products. If Nabi
is unable to maintain and expand its donor base, its business, financial
condition and results of operations will be materially and adversely affected.
DEPENDENCE ON SMALL NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS FOR SIGNIFICANT ANTIBODY PRODUCT SALES
During the 1998, 1997 and 1996 fiscal years, antibody product sales to customers
purchasing more than 10% of Nabi's consolidated sales (which did not exceed
three customers in any such period), accounted for approximately 37%, 41% and
45%, respectively, of Nabi's consolidated sales for each period. The loss of any
major customer or a material reduction in a major customer's purchases of
antibodies could have a material adverse effect upon Nabi's business, financial
condition and results of operations.
UNCERTAINTY OF PRODUCT PRICING AND REIMBURSEMENT
Nabi's ability to commercialize its pharmaceutical products and related
treatments will be dependent in part upon the availability of, and Nabi's
ability to obtain, adequate levels of reimbursement from government health
administration authorities, private healthcare insurers and other organizations.
Significant uncertainty exists as to the reimbursement status of newly approved
healthcare products, and there can be no assurance that adequate third-party
coverage will be available, if at all. Inadequate levels of reimbursement may
prohibit Nabi from maintaining price levels sufficient for realization of an
adequate return on its investment in developing new pharmaceutical products and
could result in the termination of production of otherwise commercially viable
products. Government and other third-party payers are increasingly attempting to
contain healthcare costs by limiting both the coverage and level of
reimbursement for new products approved for marketing by the FDA and by
refusing, in some cases, to
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provide any coverage for disease indications for which the FDA has not granted
marketing approval. Also, the trend towards managed healthcare in the United
States and the concurrent growth of organizations such as HMOs, which could
control or significantly influence the purchase of healthcare services and
products, as well as legislative proposals to reform healthcare or reduce
government insurance programs, may all result in lower prices for Nabi's
products. The cost containment measures that healthcare providers are
instituting and the impact of any healthcare reform could have an adverse effect
on Nabi's ability to sell its products and may have a material adverse effect on
Nabi's business, financial condition and results of operations.
There can be no assurance that reimbursement in the United States or foreign
countries will be available for Nabi's products, or, if available, will not be
decreased in the future, or that reimbursement amounts will not reduce the
demand for, or the price of, Nabi's products. The unavailability of third-party
reimbursement or the inadequacy of the reimbursement for medical treatments
using Nabi's products could have a material adverse effect on Nabi's business,
financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, Nabi is unable to
forecast what additional legislation or regulation, if any, relating to the
healthcare industry or third-party coverage and reimbursement may be enacted in
the future or what effect such legislation or regulation would have on Nabi's
business.
Most of Nabi's antibody product sales are made pursuant to contracts having
initial terms ranging from one to five years. These contracts generally provide
for annual pricing renegotiations. Once established, the pricing generally
remains fixed for the year subject to price changes to reflect changes in
customer specifications or price adjustments to compensate Nabi for increased
costs associated with new governmental testing requirements. As a result, Nabi's
business, financial condition and results of operations would be adversely
affected if, due to changes in government regulation or other factors, its costs
of collecting and selling antibodies rise during a given year and Nabi is not
able to pass on the increased costs until the next annual pricing renegotiation.
YEAR 2000
Nabi continues to assess the potential impact of the Year 2000 computer
processing issue on its management and information systems. Key financial and
operational systems have been evaluated for Year 2000 compliance. During 1998, a
cross-functional team was established to identify and address Year 2000 issues
for other information systems, equipment, other business systems and external
supplier and customer relationships.
Nabi has completed its initial assessment phase of addressing Year 2000 issues.
The Company is currently testing systems and equipment, and is concurrently
renovating or replacing any systems or equipment as needed. In addition, Nabi
has initiated communications with key external suppliers and customers. Nabi's
goal is to complete all significant required validation of changes to systems,
equipment or processes and contingency planning by the end of the third quarter
of 1999.
At this time, based on the work completed to date, Nabi believes that its
software, equipment and other systems are Year 2000 compliant or that it will be
able to renovate or replace, in a timely manner, any element, which if not Year
2000 compliant could be expected to have a significant, adverse effect on our
ability to deliver products and services. However, no assurance can be given
that the Company's efforts will be successful. If they are not, the Company's
operations or financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
A majority of the space occupied by Nabi is primarily used to collect antibody
products, and is leased from non-affiliates under leases expiring through 2010.
A majority of these leases contain renewal options that permit Nabi to renew the
leases for varying periods up to five years at the then fair rental value. Nabi
believes that in the normal course of its business it will be able to renew or
replace its existing leases. Nabi also owns four collection facilities located
in Arizona, Indiana, Minnesota and Washington. Nabi's collection centers range
in size from approximately 2,000 to 20,000 square feet.
Nabi leases office, laboratory, warehouse or pilot manufacturing space in Miami,
Florida and Rockville, Maryland.
Nabi owns a facility that houses its executive offices and its biopharmaceutical
manufacturing facility in Boca Raton, Florida. Nabi will commence commercial
manufacturing in this location after it obtains FDA licensure.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Nabi is a party to litigation in the ordinary course of business. Nabi does not
believe that any such litigation will have a material adverse effect on its
business, financial position or results of operations.
In addition, Nabi is a co-defendant with various other parties in several suits
filed in the U.S. by, or on behalf of, individuals who claim to have been
infected with HIV as a result of either using HIV-contaminated products made by
the defendants other than Nabi or having familial relations with those so
infected. The claims against Nabi are based on negligence and strict liability.
Several similar suits previously pending against Nabi, including a purported
class action, have been dismissed.
Nabi denies all claims against it in these suits and intends to defend these
cases vigorously. Nabi believes that any such litigation will not have a
material adverse effect on its business, financial position or results of
operations.
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ITEM 3A. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The executive officers of Nabi are as follows:
NAME AGE POSITION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DAVID J. GURY 60 Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer
BRUCE K. FARLEY 48 Senior Vice President, Manufacturing Operations
THOMAS H. MCLAIN 41 Senior Vice President, Corporate Services
and Chief Financial Officer
DAVID D. MUTH 45 Senior Vice President, Business Operations
ROBERT B. NASO, PH.D. 54 Senior Vice President, Quality Regulatory
and Product Development
LORRAINE M. BREECE 46 Senior Director of Finance and
Chief Accounting Officer
DAVID J. GURY has served as Nabi's Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer since April 3, 1992. Previously, since May 21, 1984, he was
Nabi's President and Chief Operating Officer. He has been a director of Nabi
since 1984.
BRUCE K. FARLEY has served as Senior Vice President, Manufacturing Operations
since February 1999, when he joined Nabi. Previously, Mr. Farley was Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Meris Laboratories, where he led
the Company through a strategic reorganization and sale. From 1983 to 1996, he
was employed by Laboratory Corporation of America (formerly National Health
Laboratories) in numerous positions of increasing general management and
operational responsibility as Vice President, Divisional Manager Northwest
(Seattle), Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Esoteric and Drugs of Abuse
Testing (Nashville), Divisional Manager, California (San Diego), and Regional
Manager (Houston).
THOMAS H. MCLAIN has served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Services and
Chief Financial Officer of Nabi since June 1998. Previously, from 1988 to 1998,
Mr. McLain was employed by Bausch & Lomb, Inc. where, as Staff Vice President,
Business Process Reengineering, he led a cross functional team to restructure
the global finance and purchasing organizations.He also held various positions
of increasing responsibility in finance at Bausch & Lomb, including Staff Vice
President, Accounting and Reporting and Assistant Corporate Controller.
DAVID D. MUTH has served as Senior Vice President of Business Operations since
March 1998. Since November 1996, he was Senior Vice President of Sales,
Marketing and Business Development and responsible for growing Nabi's
pharmaceutical business. Mr. Muth joined Nabi in August 1996 as the Senior Vice
President of Business Development. Previously, he was Senior Vice President of
Business Development at Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from February 1995 to May
1996. From 1978 to 1995, Mr. Muth was employed at Johnson and Johnson where he
held numerous positions of increasing responsibility in Business Development,
Sales, Marketing, New Product Development and Finance at the Corporate
Headquarters in New Brunswick, New Jersey, at Ethicon Inc. in Sommerville, New
Jersey and at Ortho McNeal Pharmaceuticals in Raritan, New Jersey.
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ROBERT B. NASO, PH.D.has served as Senior Vice President Quality, Regulatory and
Product Development, since August 1998. He joined Nabi in November 1995 as
Senior Vice President, Research and Development and General Manager, Rockville
Operations. Previously, he was Vice President of Research at Univax Biologics,
Inc. beginning in May 1992, and became Vice President of Research and
Development in October 1994. From 1983 to 1992, Dr. Naso was employed at Johnson
and Johnson where he held various positions of increasing responsibility in
research and development.
LORRAINE M. BREECE has served as Senior Director of Finance and Chief Accounting
Officer since April 1991.
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NABI
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Nabi's common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"NABI." The following table sets forth for each period indicated the high and
low sale prices for the common stock (based upon intra-day trading) as reported
by the Nasdaq National Market.
HIGH LOW
-----------------------
1998
-------------------------------------------------------------------
First Quarter 4 7/8 2 5/8
Second Quarter 4 1/2 2 21/32
Third Quarter 3 3/4 1 7/8
Fourth Quarter 3 7/16 1
1997
-------------------------------------------------------------------
First Quarter 12 3/8 6 13/16
Second Quarter 7 1/2 5 15/16
Third Quarter 8 3/16 5 7/16
Fourth Quarter 7 5/8 3 5/16
The number of record holders of Nabi's common stock at December 31, 1998 was
1,501.
No cash dividends have been previously paid on Nabi's common stock and
none are anticipated in 1999. Nabi's credit agreement also restricts dividend
payments.
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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA - FIVE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial data for Nabi for
the five years ended December 31, 1998 that were derived from Nabi's
consolidated financial statements, which have been audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants. On November 29, 1995,
Univax, a publicly traded biopharmaceutical Company, was merged with and into
Nabi in a tax-free, stock-for-stock transaction. The Merger was accounted for as
a pooling of interests and accordingly, all prior period financial information
has been combined.
The data should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified by reference to,
Nabi's Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". All
amounts in the following table are expressed in thousands, except for per share
data.
Year Ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Sales $ 243,087 $ 228,744 $ 239,909 $ 195,928 $ 164,426
Cost of products sold 178,366 180,533 181,914 152,148 131,192
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Gross profit 64,721 48,211 57,995 43,780 33,234
Selling, general and administrative expense 31,151 25,012 21,095 26,816 16,467
Research and development expense 21,822 19,126 16,721 20,132 17,599
Royalty expense 10,946 6,617 5,253 3,490 1,426
Other operating expense 2,169 3,087 3,757 3,015 2,234
Non-recurring charges 14,605 5,680 -- -- --
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Operating income (loss) (15,972) (11,311) 11,169 (9,673) (4,492)
Interest income 48 272 1,275 1,064 354
Interest expense (5,681) (4,712) (3,987) (1,931) (3,254)
Other, net (105) (70) (511) (334) (28)
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Income (loss) before benefit (provision) for income
taxes and extraordinary charge (21,710) (15,821) 7,946 (10,874) (7,420)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes (47) 4,668 6,214 (6,687) (5,774)
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Income (loss) before extraordinary charge (21,757) (11,153) 14,160 (17,561) (13,194)
Extraordinary charge -- -- (932) -- (717)
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss) $ (21,757) $ (11,153) $ 13,228 $ (17,561) $ (13,911)
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Income (loss) before extraordinary charge $ (0.62) $ (0.32) $ 0.41 $ (0.52) $ (0.47)
Extraordinary charge -- -- (0.03) -- (0.03)
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss) $ (0.62) $ (0.32) $ 0.38 $ (0.52) $ (0.50)
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Income (loss) before extraordinary charge $ (0.62) $ (0.32) $ 0.40 $ (0.52) $ (0.47)
Extraordinary charge -- -- (0.03) -- (0.03)
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Net income (loss) $ (0.62) $ (0.32) $ 0.37 $ (0.52) $ (0.50)
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital $ 39,720 $ 63,933 $ 63,630 $ 14,690 $ 52,208
Total assets 218,300 225,906 202,142 137,975 132,089
Notes payable, including current maturities 118,044 121,081 83,465 42,894 27,557
Total stockholders' equity 54,189 75,663 86,061 69,442 85,319
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of Nabi's financial condition and results
of operations for the three years ended December 31, 1998 should be read in
conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto and
with the information contained under "Factors to be Considered" in Item 1.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth Nabi's results of operations for the respective
periods expressed as a percentage of sales:
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------- ------ -----
Sales 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of products sold 73.4 78.9 75.8
------- ------ -----
Gross profit margin 26.6 21.1 24.2
Selling, general and administrative expense 12.8 10.9 8.8
Research and development expense 9.0 8.4 7.0
Royalty expense 4.5 2.9 2.2
Other operating expense 0.9 1.3 1.6
Non-recurring charges 6.0 2.5 --
------- ------ -----
Operating income (loss) (6.6) (4.9) 4.6
Interest income -- -- 0.5
Interest expense (2.3) (2.0) (1.6)
Other, net -- -- (0.2)
------- ------ -----
Income (loss) before benefit (provision) for income taxes
and extraordinary charge (8.9) (6.9) 3.3
Benefit (provision) for income taxes -- 2.0 2.6
Extraordinary charge -- -- (0.4)
======= ====== =====
Net income (loss) (8.9)% (4.9)% 5.5%
======= ====== =====
Information concerning Nabi's sales by industry segment, for the respective
periods, is set forth in the following table. All dollar amounts set forth in
the table are expressed in thousands.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEGMENT 1998 1997 1996
------------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------
Antibody Products:
- Non-specific antibodies $133,141 54.8% $135,331 59.2% $ 121,025 50.5%
- Specialty antibodies 54,963 22.6 58,943 25.8 92,479 38.5
-------- --------- -------- -------- ---------- ------
188,104 77.4 194,274 85.0 213,504 89.0
Pharmaceutical Products 54,983 22.6 34,470 15.0 26,405 11.0
-------- --------- -------- --------- ---------- ------
TOTAL $243,087 100.0% $228,744 100.0% $ 239,909 100.0%
======== ========= ======== ======== ========== ======
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1998 AS COMPARED TO 1997
SALES. Sales for 1998 increased by $14.3 million, or 6%, to $243.1 million
compared to $228.7 million for 1997. The increase was primarily attributable to
a substantial increase in pharmaceutical sales based on strong demand for WinRho
SDF(TM) and Autoplex(R)T. Pharmaceutical sales in 1998 also included sales of
H-BIG(R) during the first three fiscal quarters until Nabi essentially exhausted
its inventory of this product. Nabi's successor product, Nabi-HB(TM), was
launched immediately after the announcement of FDA approval, on March 25, 1999.
This significant improvement in pharmaceutical sales was offset by an overall 3%
decline in antibody product (plasma) sales. Certain high-margin specialty
antibody sales increased during 1998, such as anti-D and hepatitis B, but these
revenue gains were more than offset by decreased market demand for other lower
margin specialty antibody products. While non-specific antibody (source plasma)
shipments increased in 1998, sales declined due to lower pricing under contracts
which were negotiated in late 1997 when there was a general disruption in the
plasma industry. Antibody product revenues also benefited from a short-term
opportunity to provide laboratory testing services for a plasma fractionator
during 1998.
GROSS PROFIT MARGIN. Gross profit and related margin for 1998 was $64.7 million
or 26.6%, compared to $48.2 million or 21.1% in 1997. The significant
improvement in the gross profit margin resulted from increased contribution from
sales of high-margin pharmaceutical products and certain high-margin specialty
antibodies, offset by the effects of reduced margins earned on non-specific
antibody sales. Gross profits and related margins on antibody product sales were
adversely impacted by several factors in 1998: lower contract prices for
non-specific antibodies, higher fees paid to donors to increase production to
meet demand, higher costs to meet new regulatory and quality requirements and
underabsorption of fixed overhead as a result of reduced production levels. The
impact of these factors was partially offset by a reduction in certain expenses
associated with process improvement initiatives within antibody operations.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE. Selling, general and administrative
expense was $31.2 million or 12.8% of sales in 1998, compared to $25.0 million
or 10.9% of sales in 1997. The increase was primarily attributable to the
expansion of the Company's sales force and promotional activity expenses
associated with increasing pharmaceutical product sales. In addition,
incremental expenditures were incurred in 1998 associated with ongoing support
of new information systems that were implemented enterprise wide in mid 1997.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE. Research and development expense was $21.8
million or 9% of sales in 1998, compared to $19.1 million or 8.4% of sales in
1997. The increase in expenses relates primarily to the higher costs associated
with the advancement of clinical trials for Nabi-HB(TM), Nabi-StaphVAX(TM) and
Nabi-Altastaph(TM)
ROYALTY EXPENSE. Royalty expense was $10.9 million, or 4.5% of sales in 1998,
compared to $6.6 million, or 2.9% of sales in 1997. This increase in expense is
attributable to higher sales of pharmaceutical products.
NON-RECURRING CHARGES. Results for 1998 include approximately $14.6 million of
non-recurring charges. The 1998 charges were comprised of certain restructuring
costs ($13.0 million) and costs relating to litigation ($1.6 million). During
the fourth quarter of 1998, Nabi's management determined that certain
restructuring initiatives were necessary to sharpen the Company's focus and to
improve overall profitability and cash flow. As part of this process, management
and the Board of Directors re-examined each of the Company's business segments
with a view towards strategic optimization. While sales of antibody products
were essentially flat year over year, there was considerable margin pressure in
this segment of the Company's overall business. To address this problem, the
Company decided to pursue a shift in its revenue mix towards higher margin
specialty antibody products and streamline its production of non-specific
antibodies. During 1999, certain antibody collection centers in the United
States and the
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Company's four centers in Germany will be sold or closed. Unites States donors
are expected to transfer to nearby Nabi centers or Nabi will seek to increase
production at other lower-cost antibody collection facilities.
Nabi also determined its own product development spending needs to be focused on
clinical trials and marketing programs for currently marketed and late
development stage pharmaceutical products. The Company will actively pursue
strategic alliances to support additional product development activities. As a
result of these decisions, the Company will decrease its rate of internal
spending on preclinical research activities in 1999 and reduced staff
accordingly at its Rockville, Maryland facility in February 1999. Also included
in the restructuring charge is the write-off of the Company's vaccine pilot
plant in Maryland.
The additional non-recurring charge of $1.6 million relates to management's
estimate of the Company's costs incurred in connection with its ongoing
litigation with the general contractor for the Boca Raton, Florida manufacturing
facility. This litigation was initiated by Nabi.
INTEREST AND OTHER EXPENSE, NET. Interest and other expense, net for 1998 was
$5.7 million, compared to $4.5 million in 1997. The increase was primarily
attributable to higher average outstanding borrowings as compared to 1997.
Capitalized interest relating primarily to construction of Nabi's
biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Boca Raton, Florida during 1998 was
approximately $3.8 million as compared to $2.4 million during 1997.
OTHER FACTORS. The provision for income taxes was $47,000 for 1998, compared to
a benefit of $4.7 million in 1997. The benefit for 1997 relates to the refund of
income taxes previously paid on taxable income in prior years. The effective tax
rate differs from the statutory rate of 35% due primarily to the establishment
of a valuation allowance for net operating loss carryforwards generated in 1998.
1997 AS COMPARED TO 1996
SALES. Sales for 1997 were $228.7 million compared to $239.9 million for 1996.
Overall, revenues for the year were adversely affected by a 9.0% decline in
antibody sales attributable to several factors, notably the general disruption
in the industry caused by regulatory problems experienced by the major plasma
processors and a shift in demand from certain specialty antibodies to
non-specific antibodies. While the industry disruption had not impacted the
continued strong demand for products produced from non-specific antibodies, it
had led to decreased fractionation capacity, a decreased ability to process raw
plasma and an increase of plasma inventories in 1997. The decline in antibody
revenue was partially offset by a 31% increase in pharmaceutical product
revenues over the prior year largely due to an increased demand for WinRho
SDF(TM) and sales of Autoplex(R)T, a product which was acquired from Baxter in
May 1997.
GROSS PROFIT MARGIN. Gross profit and related margin for 1997 was $48.2 million
or 21.1%, compared to $58 million or 24.2% in 1996. Gross profit margins were
adversely affected by several factors, including a less favorable sales mix of
specialty and non-specific antibodies; under absorption of fixed overhead as a
result of reduced production levels in response to the general disruption in the
plasma industry and certain expenses associated with process improvement
initiatives within antibody operations. The increase in sales of higher margin
pharmaceutical products partially offset the overall decline in gross profit
margin.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE. Selling, general and administrative
expense was $25.0 million or 10.9% of sales in 1997, compared to $21.1 million
or 8.8% of sales in 1996. The increase was primarily attributable to sales and
marketing expenses associated with increased pharmaceutical product sales and
expenses associated with the implementation and ongoing support of new
information systems.
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30
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE. Research and development expense was $19.1
million or 8.4% of sales in 1997, compared to $16.7 million or 7.0% of sales in
1996. The increase in expenses relates primarily to the cost of clinical studies
associated with the development of Nabi-HB(TM), Nabi-StaphVAX(TM) and
Nabi-Altastaph(TM).
ROYALTY EXPENSE. Royalty expense was $6.6 million, or 2.9% of sales in 1997,
compared to $5.3 million, or 2.2% of sales in 1996. This increase in expense is
attributable to higher sales of pharmaceutical products.
NON-RECURRING CHARGES. Nabi recognized approximately $5.7 million of
non-recurring charges during 1997. These charges included $3.9 million of asset
impairment losses, principally associated with Nabi's investment in Michigan
Biologic Products Institute ("MBPI"), an alternative contract manufacturing
facility for the production of Nabi-HB(TM). The project was abandoned during the
third quarter as Nabi entered into an agreement with Cangene Corporation for the
manufacturing of Nabi-HB(TM). Streamlining initiatives within plasma operations,
principally involving center closings, contributed the remaining $1.8 million in
non-recurring charges.
INTEREST AND OTHER EXPENSE, NET. Interest and other expense, net for 1997 was
$4.5 million, compared to $3.2 million in 1996. The increase was primarily
attributable to higher average outstanding borrowings and lower average
outstanding investments as compared to 1996. Capitalized interest relating
primarily to construction of Nabi's biopharmaceutical manufacturing plant in
Boca Raton, Florida during 1997 was approximately $2.4 million as compared to
$1.8 million during 1996.
OTHER FACTORS. The income tax benefit of $4.7 million for 1997, compares to a
benefit of $6.2 million in 1996. The benefit for 1997 relates to the expected
recovery of income taxes previously paid on taxable income in prior years. The
benefit recognized in 1996 was primarily due to the release of valuation
allowances associated with certain net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards and
other deferred tax assets acquired through the Merger.
Net income for 1996 includes an extraordinary charge of $.9 million, or $.03 per
share, due to the write-off of debt issue costs associated with Nabi's early
repayment of its outstanding bank debt through the application of a portion of
the net proceeds of the 6.5% Convertible Subordinated Notes issued during the
first quarter of 1996.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
On March 1, 1999, Nabi amended its credit agreement to allow for retroactive
application as of December 31, 1998. The amendment provided for the waiver of
existing defaults of the financial covenants at the end of the year, the
amendment of certain financial covenants and the extension of the Company's $5
million term loan for twelve months to March 31, 2000. Borrowings under the
revolving credit and term loan agreement were $37.5 million and additional
availability was approximately $7.6 million at December 31, 1998. The credit
agreement is secured by substantially all of Nabi's assets, requires the
maintenance of certain financial covenants and prohibits the payment of
dividends.
As of December 31, 1998, Nabi's current assets exceeded current liabilities by
$39.7 million as compared to a net working capital position of $63.9 million at
December 31, 1997. Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 1998 were $1
million compared to $3.4 million at December 31, 1997. The primary source of
cash during 1998 was from operations, including reductions in inventories and
the collection of significant refunds of income taxes. Net cash provided by
operating activities was $18.2 million representing an improvement of $43.8
million from the prior year. The primary uses of cash were capital expenditures
primarily associated with the Company's manufacturing facility in Boca Raton,
Florida.
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Projected capital expenditures for 1999 consist of costs associated with the
Boca Raton manufacturing facility including capitalized interest, development of
information systems (with Year 2000 expenditures prioritized over other systems
development expenditures) and antibody collection center renovations. Nabi
believes that cash flow from operations and its available bank credit facilities
will be sufficient to meet its anticipated cash requirements for the remainder
of 1999. It is Nabi's objective to generate positive cash flow in the future and
reduce debt through the repayment of borrowings under its revolving credit
agreement or through possible repurchases under its 6.5% Convertible
Subordinated Notes. The Company is also in the process of seeking additional
cash to fund the development of its pharmaceutical product pipeline from
strategic alliances and additional funding from new or existing credit
facilities.
YEAR 2000
During 1997, the Company implemented a current version of SAP software. This
system is used for most computer processing related to purchasing, accounts
payable, invoicing, accounts receivable, inventory, fixed assets and financial
reporting. The vendor of this software has advised Nabi that it has provided
Nabi with the appropriate updates for the system to be Year 2000 compliant. In
addition, Nabi is in the process of updating donor management systems in
approximately one-fifth of the Company's antibody collection centers which are
not currently Year 2000 compliant.
During the third quarter of 1998, Nabi established a cross-functional team to
coordinate the Company's efforts in addressing Year 2000 issues beyond SAP and
the donor management systems. These efforts are focused in four major areas:
other information systems, equipment, other business systems and external
supplier and customer relationships.
The Company's program to address Year 2000 preparedness has four overlapping
phases: (1) the identification and assessment of business critical systems,
equipment and business relationships, (2) the testing of Year 2000 readiness for
internal systems and equipment and the inquiry/audit of Year 2000 readiness for
external suppliers and customers, (3) the renovation or replacement of systems,
equipment or business relationships that will not be Year 2000 compliant,
including re-testing as required, and finally, (4) contingency planning to
mitigate the potential effect of issues which may be so deeply embedded in
systems, equipment and processes that they are beyond the Company's ability to
identify and control.
Nabi has completed its initial assessment phase of addressing the Year 2000
issue. The Company is currently testing systems and equipment, and is
concurrently renovating or replacing any systems or equipment as needed. In
addition, Nabi has initiated communications with its key customers and critical
suppliers and is currently in the process of assessing the responses being
received. Nabi's goal is to complete all significant required validation of
changes to systems, equipment or processes and contingency planning by the end
of the third quarter of 1999.
The Company will utilize both internal and external resources in its Year 2000
efforts. The additional cost to achieve Year 2000 compliance is currently
estimated at $3 to $5 million dollars, including expense and capital
expenditures, not all of which are incremental to the Company's operations.
These expenditures will primarily be incurred during 1999 and will be funded by
a com