UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to |
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Commission file number 0-19119
CEPHALON, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
23-2484489 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania (Address of principal executive offices) |
19380-4245 (Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (610) 344-0200
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class |
Name of each exchange on which registered |
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None |
None |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports 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. Yes ý No o.
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 the 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. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Act of 1933). Yes ý No o.
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, as of June 30, 2003, was approximately $2.265 billion. Such aggregate market value was computed by reference to the closing price of the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on June 30, 2003. For purposes of making this calculation only, the registrant has defined affiliates as including all directors and executive officers.
The number of shares of the registrant's Common Stock outstanding as of March 8, 2004 was 55,932,070.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant's definitive proxy statement for its 2004 annual meeting of stockholders are incorporated by reference into Items 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 of Part III of this Form 10-K.
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| Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements | 3 | |||
PART I |
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Item 1. |
Business |
5 |
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| Item 2. | Properties | 23 | ||
| Item 3. | Legal Proceedings | 23 | ||
| Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders | 24 | ||
PART II |
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Item 5. |
Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters |
26 |
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| Item 6. | Selected Financial Data | 26 | ||
| Item 7. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 28 | ||
| Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk | 58 | ||
| Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | 59 | ||
| Item 9. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | 97 | ||
| Item 9A. | Controls and Procedures | 97 | ||
PART III |
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Item 10. |
Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant |
98 |
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| Item 11. | Executive Compensation | 98 | ||
| Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters | 98 | ||
| Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions | 98 | ||
| Item 14. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 98 | ||
PART IV |
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Item 15. |
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K |
99 |
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SIGNATURES |
107 |
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Our disclosure and analysis in this document and in the documents that are or will be incorporated by reference into this document contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements provide our current expectations or forecasts of future events and are not statements of historical fact. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Such statements may include words such as "anticipate," "will," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "should," "plan," "believe," "hope," and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of, among other things, future operating or financial performance, strategic initiatives and business strategies, regulatory or competitive environments, our intellectual property and product development. In particular, these include, among others, statements about:
Any or all of our forward-looking statements in this document and in the documents we have referred you to may turn out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. The factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements include, among others:
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We do not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Risks that we anticipate are discussed in more detail in the section included in Item 7 hereof and entitled "Certain Risks Related to our Business." This discussion is permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
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PART I
Overview
Cephalon is an international biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and marketing of innovative products to treat sleep disorders, neurological disorders, cancer and pain. In addition to conducting an active research and development program, we market three products in the United States and numerous products in various countries throughout Europe.
Our corporate and research and development headquarters are in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and we have offices in Salt Lake City, Utah, France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland. We operate manufacturing facilities in France for the production of modafinil, which is the active drug substance in PROVIGIL® (modafinil) tablets [C-IV], and Salt Lake City, Utah, for the production of ACTIQ® (oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate) [C-II] for worldwide distribution and sale.
Our three biggest products in terms of product sales, PROVIGIL, ACTIQ and GABITRIL® (tiagabine hydrochloride), comprised approximately 86% of our worldwide net sales for the year ended December 31, 2003. The majority of PROVIGIL, ACTIQ and GABITRIL sales are in the U.S. market. Outside the United States, our commercial activities are concentrated primarily in France, the United Kingdom and Germany. The following table summarizes the major markets for our three most significant products:
| PRODUCT |
BRAND NAME |
COUNTRY |
INDICATION |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modafinil | PROVIGIL® | United States | To improve wakefulness in patients with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) associated with narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSA/HS)* | |||
United Kingdom; Republic of Ireland |
EDS associated with narcolepsy and with OSA/HS |
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Italy |
EDS associated with narcolepsy |
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MODIODAL® |
France; Spain |
Narcolepsy with or without cataplexy; idiopathic hypersomnia |
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VIGIL® |
Germany |
Narcolepsy with or without cataplexy and moderate to severe OSA/HS |
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Oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate |
ACTIQ® |
United States; Germany; Republic of Ireland; France; United Kingdom; Spain |
Management of breakthrough cancer pain in patients who are opioid tolerant |
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Tiagabine hydrochloride |
GABITRIL® |
United States; France; United Kingdom; Republic of Ireland; Spain; Germany; Poland |
As adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures in epilepsy |
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On March 28, 2003, we filed a patent infringement lawsuit in U.S. District Court in New Jersey against Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Barr Laboratories, Inc. based upon the abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) filed by each of these companies seeking FDA approval for a generic equivalent of modafinil. The lawsuit claims infringement of our U.S. Patent No. RE37516, which covers pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment with the form of modafinil contained in PROVIGIL. We intend to vigorously defend the validity, and prevent infringement, of this patent. This litigation is currently in the discovery phase and we expect that the trial will begin sometime in 2005. See "Certain Risks Related to Our Business." Our sales of ACTIQ also depend on various patents that protect the current formulation, the first of which expires in the U.S. in September 2006, and the formulation of ACTIQ sold prior to June 2003, which expires in May 2005. If we perform an additional clinical study in pediatric patients that is agreeable to the FDA, the FDA could grant us six months of additional exclusivity beyond the expiration of these patents. We intend to perform such a study once a mutually agreed upon clinical protocol is reached with the FDA.
In 2003, we marketed our U.S. products through two specialty sales forces. For PROVIGIL and GABITRIL, we had an approximately 240-person field sales and sales management team that detailed the products primarily to neurologists, psychiatrists and sleep specialists. For ACTIQ, our approximately 90-person field sales and sales management team detailed ACTIQ to pain specialists and oncologists. Beginning in 2004, we consolidated these two sales teams into a single unit that will detail all three products to a broader group of physicians, including primary care physicians (e.g., internists, general practitioners and family practitioners). In addition, we expanded the size of this combined force to nearly 500 persons.
Outside of the United States, we have a sales organization in France numbering approximately 130 persons detailing products to office-based and hospital-based physicians, and sales and marketing organizations with approximately 50 persons in the aggregate that support our presence in other European countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, the Republic of Ireland, Switzerland and Austria. In territories where we have not established our own sales and marketing groups, we have chosen to market our products through a select group of distribution companies with expertise in the development, marketing and sale of pharmaceuticals in those territories. In most cases, we have granted rights to our distribution partners to market, sell and distribute our products in their respective territories, and we supply finished product for resale in such territories. The revenues and net income generated from these arrangements were not significant to our results of operations for 2003 and are not expected to be significant to our results of operations in 2004.
During 2003, we continued to pursue our strategy for both broadening the range of clinical uses that are approved by regulatory authorities and seeking new and improved formulations of our currently marketed products. In January 2004, we received final approval from the FDA to expand the label for PROVIGIL to include improving wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness (ES) associated with shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) and in patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSA/HS). In late 2003, we initiated Phase 3 clinical trials of PROVIGIL in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and of NUVIGIL (armodafinil), a single-isomer of PROVIGIL that an earlier placebo-controlled clinical trial demonstrated maintained wakefulness and had a longer duration of effect than PROVIGIL. If the results of these trials are positive, we would expect to make FDA regulatory submissions in late 2004 or early 2005. With respect to GABITRIL, we have completed pilot studies in the therapeutic areas of anxiety, neuropathic pain and insomnia. In the second quarter of 2003, we initiated larger Phase 2 studies of GABITRIL in Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which should be completed in the first half of 2004. Depending on the results of these studies, we would expect to begin a Phase 3 program in one of these indications in the second half of 2004. In addition, in early 2004 we initiated a
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Phase 2 study of GABITRIL in insomnia. We also expect to initiate in 2004 clinical development of a sugar-free formulation of ACTIQ.
In addition to clinical programs aimed at further developing our marketed products, we have significant research programs focused on developing therapeutics to treat neurological and oncological disorders. Our technology principally focuses on an understanding of kinases and the role they play in cellular survival and proliferation. We have coupled this knowledge with a library of novel, small, synthetic molecules that are orally-active and inhibit the activities of specific kinases. This technology base has resulted in three molecules that are currently in clinical development. With respect to neurology, we have a program with a molecule, CEP-1347, that has entered an 800-patient Phase 2/3 clinical trial for the treatment of patients with early stage Parkinson's disease. In the cancer area, we have a program with a molecule, CEP-701, and are currently enrolling patients for Phase 2 clinical trials in patients suffering from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and prostate cancer. The Phase 2 study in AML is enrolling earlier stage patients than our previous Phase 2 study with CEP-701, and is utilizing a combination of other therapies. The Phase 2 study in prostate cancer is enrolling a more homogeneous group of patients, specifically, hormone refractory patients, than the earlier Phase 2 study. Additionally, we are conducting a Phase 1 program with another molecule, CEP-7055, to evaluate safety and tolerability in patients with treatment-refractory tumors. As part of our corporate strategy, we often seek to share the risk of our research and development activities with corporate partners and, to that end, we have entered into agreements to share the costs of developing and/or commercializing certain of these molecules.
For the year ended December 31, 2003, our total revenues and net income were $714.8 million and $83.9 million, respectively. Our revenues from U.S. and European operations are detailed in Note 16 to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. The third quarter of 2001 was our first profitable quarter from commercial operations since inception. Our accumulated deficit at December 31, 2003 was $321.3 million. These accumulated losses have resulted principally from costs incurred in research and development, including clinical trials, and from selling, general and administrative costs associated with our pre-commercial and commercial activities. Prior to 2001, we funded our operations principally from the proceeds of private and public sales of our equity and debt securities. While we seek to increase profitability and cash flow from operations, we will need to continue to achieve growth of product sales and other revenues sufficient for us to attain these objectives. The rate of our future growth will depend, in part, upon our ability to obtain additional regulatory approvals for our currently marketed products, or to successfully develop or acquire and commercialize new product candidates.
We are a Delaware corporation with our principal executive offices located at 145 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, Pennsylvania, 19380. Our telephone number is (610) 344-0200 and our web site address is www.cephalon.com. We make available free of charge through the Investor Relations section of our web site our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. We include our web site address in this Annual Report on Form 10-K only as an inactive textual reference and do not intend it to be an active link to our web site.
Pending Acquisition of CIMA LABS INC.
On November 3, 2003, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with CIMA LABS INC. (CIMA). Pursuant to this agreement, we will acquire CIMA through the merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cephalon with and into CIMA, with CIMA surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cephalon. In connection with the merger, each outstanding share of CIMA common stock will be
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converted into the right to receive $34.00 per share in cash. Each outstanding employee stock option to purchase CIMA common stock, whether or not vested or exercisable, will be converted into the right to receive in cash an amount equal to $34.00 less the exercise price for such option. The total value of the transaction is approximately $515 million, or $405 million net of CIMA's cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2003. The completion of the transaction is subject to several conditions, including the approval of the merger by the stockholders of CIMA and the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (HSR Act). On January 23, 2004, we announced that we had received a request for additional information from the Federal Trade Commission as part of its review of the transaction under the HSR Act. This request extends the waiting period under the HSR Act during which the FTC is permitted to review the proposed transaction. We expect the merger will be completed in the second quarter of 2004.
PROVIGIL
Overview
Modafinil is the first in a new class of wakefulness-promoting agents. While its exact mechanism of action remains to be fully elucidated, modafinil appears to act selectively in regions of the brain believed to regulate normal sleep and wakefulness. In December 1998, the FDA approved PROVIGIL to improve wakefulness in patients with EDS associated with narcolepsy and we launched the product in the United States in February 1999. In clinical studies, PROVIGIL was found to be generally well tolerated, with a low incidence of adverse events relative to placebo. The most commonly observed adverse events were headache, infection, nausea, nervousness, anxiety and insomnia.
Excessive sleepiness is a common and debilitating symptom across many different disease states. The National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research estimated that as many as 40 million Americans suffer from various sleep disorders, the consequences of which include excessive daytime sleepiness. ES may negatively impact daytime functioning, including awareness, judgment, productivity and quality of life and is characterized by difficulty in maintaining wakefulness and an increased likelihood of falling asleep in inappropriate situations. Over the past few years, we have focused significant clinical development efforts on exploring the potential use of PROVIGIL in treating conditions beyond narcolepsy where ES is a significant clinical problem.
In January 2004, we received FDA approval to expand the label for PROVIGIL to include improving wakefulness in patients with ES associated with OSA/HS and SWSD. For patients with OSA/HS, PROVIGIL is indicated as an adjunct to standard treatments for the underlying condition. Outside of the U.S., modafinil currently is approved in more than 20 countries, including France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy and Germany, for the treatment of EDS associated with narcolepsy. In the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Germany, we also have approval to market modafinil to treat EDS in patients with OSA/HS.
In the United States we market PROVIGIL through an approximately 500-person field sales force that details all three of our U.S. products. Outside the United States, we market modafinil using both our existing European sales force and through marketing collaborations with third parties.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a debilitating, lifelong sleep disorder whose symptoms often first arise in late childhood. Its most common symptom is an uncontrollable propensity to fall asleep during the day. This sleep disorder impairs a person's ability to perform basic daily activities, significantly impacting quality of life. There is no known cure for narcolepsy, which is estimated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to affect approximately 200,000 people in the United States of which 25% are diagnosed and receiving treatment for narcolepsy. PROVIGIL has been recognized by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine as the standard of therapy for the treatment of EDS associated with narcolepsy.
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ES in Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome
Individuals with OSA/HS experience frequent awakenings, sometimes occurring hundreds of times during the night as a result of blockage of the airway passage, usually the relaxation and collapse of the soft tissue in the back of the throat during sleep. Symptoms of OSA/HS may include restless sleep, loud, heavy snoring (often interrupted by silence and then gasps), falling asleep during the day, morning headaches, loss of energy, trouble concentrating, irritability, forgetfulness, mood or behavior changes, anxiety or depression, and obesity. According to the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research, OSA is estimated to afflict at least 15 million Americans. Continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, a medical device that blows air through the nasal passage, is the primary treatment for OSA/HS. However, approximately 30 percent of patients that use CPAP continue to experience ES, for which PROVIGIL may be an appropriate adjunctive treatment.
ES in Shift Work Sleep Disorder
SWSD is defined as a persistent or recurrent pattern of sleep disruption that leads to excessive sleepiness or insomnia due to a mismatch between the natural circadian sleep-wake pattern and the sleep-wake schedule required by a person's environment. Characterized by extreme sleepiness, insomnia, headaches and difficulty concentrating, SWSD particularly affects those who frequently rotate shifts or work at night, which is contrary to the body's natural circadian rhythms. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 20 million U.S. adults, or 20 to 25 percent of the national labor force, perform shift work. Excessive sleepiness is a major problem for shift workers, with several million experiencing this disorder.
Market expansion strategies
While applicable laws and regulations prevent us from promoting our products for uses beyond those contained in the approved label, our analysis of prescription data for PROVIGIL in the United States indicates that some physicians have elected to prescribe the product to treat conditions outside its currently labeled indications including for ES associated with depression, fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis and for ADHD.
Our ongoing clinical programs are focused on the exploration of the potential use of PROVIGIL in treating ES that may be caused by a variety of clinical conditions, as well as potential use for ADHD in children. To that end, we have conducted clinical studies exploring the utility of PROVIGIL in ADHD in children. In September 2002, we announced positive results from an investigational clinical study in children suffering from ADHD. In the four-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design study, 248 children and adolescents between the ages of six and 13 were assigned to one of four daily dose regimens of PROVIGIL or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint measure was the teacher-completed school version of the ADHD Rating Scale IV. All of the PROVIGIL treated groups showed a reduction in symptoms of ADHD, with certain dosage groups reaching statistical significance compared to placebo (p<0.05) and with the dosage group receiving 300mg of PROVIGIL, once a day, reaching statistical significance at the primary endpoint. PROVIGIL generally was well tolerated with the most commonly reported adverse events in this study consistent with those described in the current product label. In late 2003, we initiated a Phase 3 program in ADHD in children.
Finally, an important focus of our PROVIGIL strategy is the development of follow-on compounds. In December 2003, we commenced Phase 3 clinical trials with NUVIGIL, the single R-isomer version of modafinil, that we believe has a longer duration of action than the current racemic PROVIGIL formulation. The efficacy portion of the Phase 3 program with NUVIGIL consists of 2 twelve-week clinical trials in patients with OSA/HS and one in patients with narcolepsy. These randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials are expected to include approximately 800
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patients. The primary outcome measures of the trials are the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) and the Clinical Global Impression of Change-Clinician (CGI-C). The trials are being conducted concurrently at sites in the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia. If the results of the Phase 3 trials are positive, we would seek to file a New Drug Application (NDA) in late 2004 or early 2005 and launch this new compound in late 2005. We also will commence a study of NUVIGIL in patients with SWSD in early 2004 and, if the results are positive, expect to file a supplemental NDA for that additional indication. In addition, we continue to engage in pre-clinical efforts and have identified second generation new chemical entities designed to provide additional clinical benefits.
Intellectual Property Position
We own U.S. and foreign patent rights that expire between 2014 and 2015 covering pharmaceutical compositions and uses of modafinil and, more specifically, covering certain particle sizes of modafinil contained in the pharmaceutical composition. Ultimately, these patents might be found invalid if challenged by a third party, or a potential competitor could develop a competing product or product formulation that avoids infringement of these patents. To date, the FDA has accepted four ANDAs for pharmaceutical products containing modafinil. Each of these ANDAs for modafinil filed with the FDA prior to December 2003 contained a Paragraph IV certification in which the ANDA applicant certified that the U.S. particle-size modafinil patent covering PROVIGIL is either invalid or will not be infringed by the ANDA product. On March 28, 2003, we filed a patent infringement lawsuit in U.S. District Court in New Jersey against Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Barr Laboratories, Inc. based upon the ANDAs filed by each of these companies with the FDA. The lawsuit claims infringement of our U.S. Patent No. RE37516. While we intend to vigorously defend the validity of this patent and prevent infringement, these efforts will be both expensive and time consuming and, ultimately, may not be successful. This litigation is currently in the discovery phase, and we expect the trial to begin sometime in 2005.
In early 2004, Barr and Ranbaxy each announced the receipt of tentative FDA approval for their respective generic versions of PROVIGIL. If the court finds the particle-size patent is invalid or not infringed, Barr and Ranbaxy could begin selling their modafinil-based products upon the expiration of our FDA orphan drug exclusivity, currently in December 2005, which would significantly and negatively impact revenues from PROVIGIL. We do not know whether the ANDAs filed by Teva and Mylan have been, or will be, tentatively approved by the FDA.
If we perform an additional clinical study of PROVIGIL in pediatric patients that is agreeable to the FDA, the FDA could grant us a six-month extension of our orphan drug exclusivity (to June 2006) and six months of exclusivity beyond the 2014 expiration of the particle-size patent term. However, we cannot be sure that we will be able to reach an agreement with the FDA with respect to an appropriate pediatric study.
The U.S. composition of matter patent for modafinil expired in 2001. Corresponding patents outside the United States have expired, with the exception of Italy where a patent extension beyond the original 1998 expiration remains possible.
We own composition of matter patents directed to NUVIGIL that are set to expire in May 2007 in the United States and in January 2007 outside the United States. Assuming positive clinical trial results and success in attaining FDA approval for this compound in late 2005, we would expect to receive a three year period of marketing exclusivity (until late 2008). In addition, assuming this same timetable for approval, we would anticipate that the term of this patent would be extended under the Hatch-Waxman Act until approximately late 2008. If we perform an additional clinical study of this product in pediatric patients, the FDA could grant us six months of exclusivity beyond the expiration of the patent and the three-year period of marketing exclusivity (until mid-2009). We intend to perform such a study once a mutually agreed upon clinical protocol is reached with the FDA. We hold patents covering a
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method of treating ADHD with modafinil, and the modafinil formulation for ADHD, that currently are set to expire in 2020 and 2022, respectively. Assuming positive clinical trial results and FDA approval, we would expect to receive a three year period of marketing exclusivity for the use of modafinil in ADHD. We also hold rights to other patents and patent applications directed to further compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, manufacturing processes and uses of next generation modafinil products. We own rights to various trademarks covering pharmaceutical products containing the active drug substance modafinil.
Manufacturing and Product Supply
At our manufacturing facilities in Mitry-Mory, France, we produce the active drug substance modafinil. In 2004, we expect to complete a $25 million modernization and expansion project at this facility. We have two qualified manufacturers of finished commercial supplies of PROVIGIL, DSM Pharmaceutical and Patheon, Inc. Any future change in manufacturers or manufacturing processes requires regulatory approval. We seek to maintain inventories of active drug substance and finished products to protect against supply disruptions.
Competition
There are several other products used for the treatment of narcolepsy or ES in the United States and in our other licensed territories, namely methylphenidate products such as RITALIN® by Novartis. Many of these products have been available for a number of years and are available in inexpensive generic forms.
ACTIQ
Overview
ACTIQ is approved in the United States for the management of breakthrough cancer pain in opioid tolerant patients. It was approved by the FDA in November 1998 and was launched in the United States in March 1999. Following our acquisition of Anesta Corp. in October 2000, we relaunched ACTIQ in February 2001. In October 2002, we reacquired rights to ACTIQ in twelve countries, principally in Europe, from Elan Pharma International Limited.
ACTIQ uses our proprietary oral transmucosal delivery system (OTS) to deliver fentanyl citrate, a powerful, Schedule II opioid analgesic. The OTS delivery system consists of a drug matrix that is mounted on a handle. It is designed to achieve rapid absorption of fentanyl through the oral mucosa (the lining of the mouth) and into the bloodstream. Side effects of ACTIQ are typical of opioid products and include somnolence, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. The greatest risk from improper use of ACTIQ, as with all opioid-based products, is the potential for respiratory depression, which can be life-threatening. We market ACTIQ under a comprehensive risk management program of educational and safe use messages that inform health care professionals, patients and their families of proper use, storage, handling and disposal of the product.
In 2003, we marketed ACTIQ in the United States through an approximately 90-person field sales and sales management team that detailed the product to pain specialists and oncologists. In 2004, our expanded 500-person field sales force is detailing all three of our U.S. products to a broader group of physicians.
Breakthrough Cancer Pain
One of the most challenging components of cancer pain is breakthrough pain. Breakthrough pain is a flare of moderate to severe pain that "breaks through" the medication patients use to control their
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persistent pain. Breakthrough pain may be related to a specific activity, or may occur spontaneously and unpredictably.
Breakthrough cancer pain typically develops rapidly and often reaches maximum intensity in three to five minutes. It has a duration that varies from minutes to several hours and can be extremely painful and debilitating. Cancer patients who suffer from breakthrough pain may suffer a number of episodes every day.
The ideal management of breakthrough pain requires rescue medication that has a rapid onset of action and the ability for dosing to be tailored to the individual characteristics of the breakthrough pain episodes, such as intensity and duration. With ACTIQ, a patient places the product between his or her cheek and gum and moves it from side to side. A portion of the fentanyl citrate is rapidly absorbed through the mucosal tissues into the blood stream, while the remaining dose is swallowed and absorbed more slowly through the gastro-intestinal tract. Pain relief may begin within 15 minutes. ACTIQ is available in six dosage strengths to allow individualization of dosing.
Intellectual Property Position
We hold an exclusive license to the U.S. patent covering the currently approved compressed powder pharmaceutical composition and method for administering fentanyl via this composition that is set to expire in September 2006. If we are able to reach agreement with the FDA on an appropriate pediatric study, complete such study and submit the results of the study to the FDA, the FDA could grant us six months of exclusivity beyond the expiration of these patents. However, we cannot be sure that we will reach an agreement with the FDA. Corresponding patents in foreign countries expire between 2009 and 2010.
Our patent protection with respect to the ACTIQ formulation we sold in the United States prior to June 2003 will expire in May 2005. If we complete an ACTIQ pediatric study prior to May 2005, the FDA could grant us six months of exclusivity beyond the expiration of this patent until November 2005. The loss of patent protection on ACTIQ, beginning in 2005, could significantly and negatively impact our revenues from the sale of ACTIQ.
Other issued patents and pending patent applications in the United States and foreign countries that are owned or licensed by us are directed to various formulation processes for manufacturing the product, methods of using the product and disposal containers required by the FDA to be provided as part of the product. We also hold the rights to the ACTIQ trademark covering pharmaceuticals for oral transmucosal delivery containing fentanyl as the active drug substance.
Manufacturing and Product Supply
At our facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, we manufacture ACTIQ for sale in the United States and international markets. In 2004, we expect to begin a nearly $70 million, two-year capital expansion project at our Salt Lake City facility that will increase our ACTIQ manufacturing and packaging capacity and provide us with flexibility to manufacture other products at this facility. Prior to the change to the current compressed powder ACTIQ formulation in June 2003, Abbott Laboratories manufactured the previous formulation for us for sale in the United States.
Fentanyl, the active ingredient in ACTIQ, is a Schedule II controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Our purchases of fentanyl for use in the production of ACTIQ are subject to quota that is approved by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Supply disruption could result from delays in obtaining DEA approvals or the receipt of approvals for quantities of fentanyl that are insufficient to meet current or projected product demand. The quota system also limits our ability to build inventories as a method of insuring against possible supply disruptions.
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Competition
The market for opioids used in cancer pain is dominated by three long-acting opioid analgesics currently marketed for chronic pain: Johnson & Johnson's DURAGESIC® and Purdue Pharmaceuticals' OXYCONTIN® and MS-CONTIN®. Physicians may attempt to manage breakthrough pain by increasing the dose of these long-acting opioids until the patient no longer experiences breakthrough pain. Contrasted with ACTIQ, these products have a relatively slower onset of action and a longer duration of action. ACTIQ is intended to be used as adjunctive breakthrough pain therapy for patients using long-acting opioids to treat their persistent pain.
Cancer pain also is treated with short-acting opioid tablets, capsules and elixirs, as well as quick-acting invasive (i.e., intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous) opioid delivery systems, many of which have been available for many years and are available in inexpensive generic form. The overwhelming majority of prescriptions written to treat breakthrough cancer pain are written for short-acting opioids, such as Oxycodone and morphine sulfate, and quick-acting invasive opioids other than ACTIQ. We also are aware of numerous other companies developing other technologies for rapidly delivering opioids to treat breakthrough pain, including transmucosal, transdermal, nasal spray and inhaled delivery systems, among others. For example, in September 2003, Johnson & Johnson filed an NDA with the FDA for E-Trans®, a battery-powered transdermal patch that allows on-demand delivery of fentanyl with rapid absorption. If these technologies are successfully developed and approved over the next few years, they could represent significant competition for ACTIQ.
We continue to focus our research efforts on developing improved formulations of ACTIQ with enhanced clinical benefits, including a sugar-free formulation. In addition to providing significant patient benefit, we believe these efforts could yield enhanced intellectual property protection.
GABITRIL
Overview
GABITRIL is a selective GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) reuptake inhibitor approved for use as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures in epileptic patients. GABA is an important inhibitory transmitter in the central nervous system and is widely distributed in all regions of the brain. The FDA approved GABITRIL in September 1997 and it was launched in the United States in 1998 by Abbott. In late 2000, we acquired all U.S. rights to GABITRIL from Abbott in exchange for payments totaling $100 million over five years. We also made an additional payment to Abbott of $10 million when Abbott obtained an extension to 2011 of the composition patent covering the active drug substance contained in GABITRIL. In December 2001, we acquired product rights to GABITRIL worldwide, excluding Canada, Latin America and Japan, from Sanofi-Synthelabo and the product inventor, Novo Nordisk A/S. We are also selling GABITRIL in France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria and Switzerland through Cephalon affiliates and in numerous other countries throughout the world through third-party distributors. In 2003, GABITRIL was supported in the United States by our 240-person field sales and sales management and support team that also promoted PROVIGIL. Beginning in 2004, our expanded 500-person field sales force will detail all three of our U.S. products.
While applicable laws and regulations prevent us from promoting our products for uses beyond those contained in the approved label, our analysis of prescription data in the United States for GABITRIL indicates that some physicians have elected to prescribe the product to treat conditions outside of its currently labeled indication, including generalized anxiety disorder and neuropathic pain.
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Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a chronic disorder characterized by seizures that cause sudden, involuntary, time-limited alteration in behavior, including changes in motor activities, autonomic functions, consciousness or sensations, and accompanied by an abnormal electrical discharge in the brain. A partial seizure arises from a disorder emanating from a distinct, identifiable region of the brain and produces a given set of symptoms depending on the area of onset. A general seizure arises from a general dysfunction of biochemical mechanisms throughout the brain and may produce different types of convulsions. Epilepsy usually begins in early childhood, but can appear at any time during an individual's lifespan. It is estimated that more than 1 million adult Americans suffer from epilepsy.
Market expansion strategies
Because GABITRIL works selectively to increase the amount of available GABA in the brain, it may be useful in treating conditions where additional GABA may prove effective. Based upon the putative mechanism of action of GABITRIL established in animal models, and certain preclinical and clinical study results, we believe GABITRIL may prove effective in treating anxiety, neuropathic pain and insomnia.
In the second quarter of 2003, we initiated two, 200-plus patient, Phase 2 studies of GABITRIL in Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which should be completed in the second quarter of 2004. Depending on the results of these studies, we would expect to begin a Phase 3 program in one of these indications in the second half of 2004. In addition, in early 2004 we initiated a Phase 2 study of GABITRIL in insomnia.
Intellectual Property Position
GABITRIL is our trademark that is used in connection with pharmaceuticals containing tiagabine as the active drug substance. This product is covered by U.S. and foreign patents that are held by Novo-Nordisk A/S. The U.S. patents have been licensed in the United States exclusively to Abbott Laboratories. We have an exclusive sublicense from Abbott to these patents in the United States and exclusive licenses from Novo-Nordisk to corresponding foreign patents.
There are three U.S. composition-of-matter patents covering the currently approved product: a patent claiming tiagabine, the active drug substance in GABITRIL; a patent claiming crystalline tiagabine hydrochloride monohydrate and its use as an anti-epileptic agent; and a patent claiming anhydrous crystalline tiagabine hydrochloride and processes for its preparation. These patents currently are set to expire in 2011, 2012 and 2017, respectively. There also is a pharmaceutical composition patent covering the currently approved product and processes for its preparation, which is set to expire in 2016. Supplemental Protection Certificates based upon corresponding foreign patents covering this product are set to expire in 2011.
Manufacturing and Product Supply
Abbott is required to supply us with finished commercial supplies of GABITRIL for the U.S. market until at least October 2005. Outside of the United States, we have an agreement with Sanofi-Synthelabo to supply us with GABITRIL until January 2005. We have identified a third party manufacturer for the future worldwide production of the active drug substance tiagabine and finished commercial supplies of GABITRIL. We are in the process of qualifying this manufacturer with appropriate U.S. and European regulatory authorities. We seek to maintain inventories of finished commercial supplies of GABITRIL to protect against supply disruptions.
Competition
The pharmaceutical market for the treatment of partial seizures in epileptic patients generally is well served with a number of available therapeutics, several of which are recent entrants to the market.
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The market is dominated by Pfizer's NEURONTIN® (gabapentin). In addition, several treatments for partial seizures are available in inexpensive generic forms. Growth of pharmaceutical products in this market tends to be slow both because of the number of therapies available and also because physicians are unlikely to change the medication of a patient whose condition is well controlled.
OTHER PRODUCTS
In addition to PROVIGIL, ACTIQ and GABITRIL, we are engaged in the sale and marketing of other of our products and certain third party products in various international markets, principally in France, the United Kingdom and Germany. For the year ended December 31, 2003, aggregate worldwide net sales from these products accounted for approximately 14% of our total net sales, with the majority of this revenue relating to sales of our products in France. The following is a summary of certain other products we market and sell.
| Product |
Country |
Indication |
Third Party |
Contract Expiration |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cephalon Products: | |||||||||
| SPASFON® (phloroglucinol) | France | Biliary/urinary tract spasm and irritable bowel syndrome |
n/a | n/a | |||||
| FONZYLANE® (buflomedil) | France | Cerebral vascular disorders | n/a | n/a | |||||
| PROXALYOC® (piroxicam) | France | Non-steroid anti-inflammatory | n/a | n/a | |||||
| PARALYOC® (paracetamol) | France | Analgesic | n/a | n/a | |||||
| LOPERAMIDE LYOC® (loperamide) |
France | Acute and chronic diarrhea | n/a | n/a | |||||
Third Party Products: |
|||||||||
| APOKINON® (apomorphine hydrochloride) |
France | Levadopa therapy fluctuations in Parkinson's Disease |
Laboratoire Aguettant S.A. | 2007 | |||||
| OTRASEL® (selegeline hydrochloride) |
France | Parkinson's Disease | Elan Pharma International Limited | 2015 | |||||
| TEGRETOL® (carbamezipine) | U.K. | Epilepsy | Novartis Pharma AG | 2010 | |||||
| RITALIN® (methylphenidate) | U.K. | ADHD | Novartis Pharma AG | 2010 | |||||
| LIORESAL® (baclofen) | U.K. | Spasticity | Novartis Pharma AG | 2010 | |||||
| ANAFRAIL® (clomipramine hydrochloride) |
U.K. | Depression and obsessive compulsive disorder |
Novartis Pharma AG | 2010 | |||||
| XILOPAR® (selegeline hydrochloride) |
Germany | Parkinson's Disease | Elan Pharma International Limited | 2015 | |||||
| APO-GO® (apomorphine hydrochloride) |
Germany | Levadopa therapy fluctuations in Parkinson's Disease |
Britannia Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. | 2010 | |||||
| QUILONUM® (lithium) | Germany | Bipolar disorder | GlaxoSmithKline Inc. | 2007 | |||||
We manufacture certain of the Cephalon products above at our manufacturing facilities in Mitry-Mory and Nevers, France. We perform warehousing, packaging and distribution activities for France and other export territories from our facilities in Maisons-Alfort, France. We have a sales organization in France numbering approximately 130 persons detailing our products to office-based and hospital-based physicians. Outside of France, we have sales and marketing organizations with approximately 50 persons in the aggregate that support sales of our products and third party products in other European countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, the Republic of Ireland, Switzerland and Austria
Our largest product in terms of product sales in France is SPASFON. SPASFON is an antimuscarinic, antispasmodic muscle relaxant indicated for biliary tract spasms, irritable bowel
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syndrome, urinary tract spasm and the treatment of certain gynecological-related spasms. The product is sold in a variety of formats, including solid oral tablets, fast-dissolve tablets (LYOC) and suppositories. French government efforts to control healthcare costs may result in both price reductions on our products and the rapid growth of generic competition to our proprietary products.
Under an exclusive collaboration arrangement with Novartis Pharma AG established in November 2000, we market PROVIGIL, TEGRETOL, RITALIN, ANAFRANIL and LIORESAL in the United Kingdom. We share with Novartis the earnings from sales of the four Novartis neurology products and PROVIGIL in the United Kingdom. We now face competition from generic versions of many of the branded products included in the collaboration. European Union pricing laws also allow the parallel importation of branded drugs between member countries. Due to pricing variations within the European Union, it is possible that our overall margins on our branded drugs could be impacted negatively as a result of the importation of product from relatively lower-margin member countries to relatively higher-margin member countries.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
In addition to our clinical programs focused on our marketed products, our research and development efforts focus primarily on two therapeutic areas: neurodegenerative disorders and cancers. Neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by the death of neurons (i.e., the specialized conducting cells of the nervous system) which, in turn, results in the loss of certain functions such as memory and motor coordination. Cancers are characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of cells that may form tumors. Our research has focused on an understanding of kinases and the role they play in cellular survival and proliferation. We have coupled this knowledge with a library of novel, small, orally-active synthetic molecule inhibitors of kinases that allows us to intervene in these processes. This technology base has resulted in three molecules that are currently in clinical development: CEP-1347, CEP-701 and CEP-7055. For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, we expended $170.3 million, $128.3 million, and $83.0 million, respectively, on our research and development efforts.
Neurology
A growing body of evidence, substantiated by our own research findings, suggests that neuronal death is caused by a series of biochemical events that are themselves precipitated by the activation of intracellular signaling pathways. Our research, and that of others, has demonstrated that one of the initial events involved in the cell death process is the activation of the stress-activated protein kinase pathway. Thus, we believe inhibition of this pathway should lead to neuronal survival and result clinically in the inhibition of the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. We have identified targets within this pathway known as mixed lineage kinases (MLK), whose inhibition in preclinical models results in inactivation of the cell death process. We are pursuing the development of certain potent inhibitors of the MLK for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, as described below.
Parkinson's disease
We have discovered several proprietary compounds that are potent MLK inhibitors and that are also efficacious in preclinical models in preventing neuronal death. We are developing one such MLK inhibitor, CEP-1347, for use as a potential treatment for Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system affecting over one million Americans. The primary pathology of the disease is the degeneration of the dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra region of the brain, which results in a slowing of spontaneous movements, gait difficulty, postural instability, rigidity and tremor. In a variety of preclinical models of Parkinson's disease, CEP-1347 demonstrated therapeutic potential in inhibiting the progression of Parkinson's disease. Specifically, in non-human primate models, CEP-1347 protected against loss of dopamine neurons in the regions of the brain affected by Parkinson's disease and prevented the appearance of the associated behavioral symptoms. Our rights to develop and market CEP-1347 in the United States stem from our 1992 collaboration
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with Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd. In 1999, we entered into a collaborative agreement with H. Lundbeck A/S, a Danish pharmaceutical company, to discover, develop and market in Europe products to treat neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. This collaboration covers the development and marketing of CEP-1347 and other proprietary small molecules that may be useful in treating these diseases.
In 2002, Cephalon and Lundbeck initiated an 800-patient randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose Phase 2/3 clinical trial of CEP-1347 in patients with early stage Parkinson's disease. Sixty-five study centers in the United States and Canada are participating in this clinical trial. We expect this study to be fully enrolled in 2004. The objective of the study is to determine whether or not CEP-1347 may be effective in delaying disability due to progression of Parkinson's disease. Patients enrolled into the study are expected to be treated for two years and will receive either placebo or CEP-1347. We anticipate completion of the study in early 2006. We have a supply agreement with Abbott under which it supplies the key chemical intermediate used for the manufacture of CEP-1347 under contract to Cephalon. Lundbeck then uses that intermediate for the manufacture of CEP-1347 for use in clinical trials.
Oncology
In normal tissues, cellular proliferation is balanced by cellular death, and these processes are governed in part by a class of soluble protein molecules (commonly referred to as growth factors) that serve as communication signals between cells. The uncontrolled proliferation of cells associated with cancer may be linked to inappropriate signaling from growth factors. Many of these growth factors bind to cell surface receptors (many of which are kinases) and trigger intracellular signals that maintain cell survival or direct the cell to proliferate. Inhibition of these kinases provides a novel therapeutic strategy for treating a variety of oncological disorders without the undesirable side effects associated with traditional chemotherapeutics.
Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
We have synthesized a class of small, orally active molecules that are selective inhibitors of the nerve growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (trk). Trk may play an important role in the development and propagation of prostate and pancreatic cancers; inhibiting trk antagonizes the "survival" signal elicited by this receptor in such tumors. Our lead compound in this area, CEP-701, is administered orally. We have licensed our rights to develop and market CEP-701 from Kyowa Hakko. We have a supply agreement with Abbott under which it supplies the key chemical intermediate found in CEP-701.
Our scientists have discovered that CEP-701, in addition to its trk activity, is also a potent inhibitor of the flt-3 kinase. Flt-3 kinase has been shown to be mutated in patients suffering from AML who are treatment resistant, which results in a poor prognosis. Thus, inhibition of this kinase may lead to a novel treatment for AML.
We have completed Phase 2 studies with CEP-701 to study its effect in patients refractory to other therapies and suffering from prostate cancer and AML. In early studies in prostate cancer and AML, we observed positive signals from the use of CEP-701, although the treatment effect seen was not sufficient to justify continued studies as monotherapy in refractory patients. In 2003, we initiated additional Phase 2 studies with CEP-701 in these areas utilizing higher doses of CEP-701 in combination with other therapies. The Phase 2 study in AML is enrolling earlier stage patients than our previous Phase 2 study with CEP-701, and is utilizing a combination of other therapies. The Phase 2 study in prostate cancer is enrolling a more homogeneous group of patients, specifically, hormone refractory patients, than the earlier Phase 2 study.
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Angiogenesis Inhibitors
As cancer cells aggregate and form solid tumors, they secrete growth factors that promote the formation of new blood vessels necessary for providing nutrients to the growing tumor; this process is called angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is promoted by a number of these growth factors but appears to be particularly dependent upon the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF acts at its receptor kinase to initiate blood vessel growth into the tumor. We believe that inhibition of the receptor kinase for VEGF will result in inhibition of the angiogenesis process thus starving the tumor of needed nutrients. We believe that this approach has potential utility in the treatment of solid tumors.
We have synthesized a number of proprietary, orally active molecules that are potent and selective inhibitors of the VEGF receptor kinase. These molecules have been shown to slow the growth of a variety of tumors in preclinical models. Our lead compound in this area is CEP-7055. We have filed an Investigational New Drug application (IND) and are conducting Phase 1 clinical trials with CEP-7055. In December 2001, we entered into a collaborative agreement with Sanofi-Synthelabo to discover, develop and market worldwide products that inhibit angiogenesis, excluding nervous system and opthalmic disorders. The collaboration covers the development and marketing of CEP-7055 and other proprietary small molecules.
Drug Delivery Technologies
Oral Transmucosal System (OTS)
We are continuing to invest in research and development of our OTS technology platform to expand our position within our current therapeutic areas. For example, we currently are pursuing both sugar free and novel delivery formulations of ACTIQ that utilize our OTS technology. In addition, we continue to assess the potential uses of our OTS technology, as well as other proprietary buccal delivery systems, in several therapeutic areas in which we focus.
LYOC Delivery System
We continue to develop our LYOC technology, which is used to create fast-dissolving oral tablets. We currently manufacture and sell several drugs in France using our LYOC technology, including SPASFON LYOC, PARALYOC, PROXALYOC, and LOPERAMIDE LYOC, and are considering other compounds that may be suitable for formulation using this technology.
Neurotrophic Factors
Under a collaboration with Chiron Corporation that was terminated in February 2001, we conducted clinical trials using IGF-I, also known as MYOTROPHIN® (mecasermin) Injection, in patients in North America and Europe suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a fatal disorder of the nervous system characterized by the chronic, progressive degeneration of motor neurons, which leads to muscle weakness, muscle atrophy and, eventually, to the patient's death. In February 1997, we submitted an NDA to the FDA for approval to market MYOTROPHIN in the United States for the treatment of ALS. In May 1998, the FDA issued a letter stating that the NDA was "potentially approvable," under certain conditions. We do not believe those conditions can be met without conducting an additional Phase 3 clinical study, and we have no plans to conduct such a study at this time. However, certain physicians have obtained governmental and non-governmental funding to be used to conduct such a study. We have agreed with these physicians to allow reference to our IND and have agreed to supply MYOTROPHIN in quantities sufficient for them to conduct the study in exchange for the right to use any clinical data generated by such study in support of FDA approval of our pending NDA. These physicians commenced the study in mid-2003 and are continuing to enroll patients as of early 2004; if the study is not fully enrolled by early 2005, we may be unable to provide quantities of MYOTROPHIN sufficient to complete the study. Even if this additional study is concluded, the results will not be available for several years and may not be sufficient to obtain
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regulatory approval to market the product. Furthermore, we do not have a source for finished commercial supply of MYOTROPHIN in the event regulatory approval is obtained.
Other Discovery Research Efforts
Since our inception, we have been engaged in research to discover innovative medicines. To date, we have focused our efforts on neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. This research has resulted in the discovery of compounds that could potentially be useful in treating important clinical conditions beyond those for which we have active development programs. In these and other cases, we often seek to establish collaborative partnerships with companies whose clinical development and marketing capabilities will maximize the value of these discoveries.
In addition to our research programs discussed above, we are pursuing a variety of other innovative discovery research efforts. For example, we have a multi-year research collaboration with TransTech Pharma, Inc. The collaboration is utilizing TransTech's Translational Technology, a highly automated and fully integrated proprietary drug discovery process, to discover and develop small molecules for up to three therapeutic targets.
Scientific and Medical Advisory Board
We maintain a Scientific and Medical Advisory Board consisting of individuals with expertise in neuroscience and oncology research, as well as related fields. Members of the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board advise us on issues concerning long-term scientific planning, research and development, and also periodically evaluate our research programs, clinical development plans and clinical trials. We compensate the members for their services. The current members of our Scientific and Medical Advisory Board are as follows:
| Stanley H. Appel, M.D., Baylor College of Medicine |
Steven T. DeKosky, M.D., University of Pittsburgh Medical Center |
Arthur K. Asbury, M.D., University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine |
John T. Isaacs, M.D., Johns Hopkins University, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center |
Robert L. Barchi, M.D., Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania Medical Center |
Richard T. Johnson, M.D., Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine |
Bruce A. Chabner, M.D., Massachusetts General Hospital |
Robert Y. Moore, M.D., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh |
Stanley Cohen, Ph.D., retired, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine |
Robert H. Roth, Ph.D., Yale University School of Medicine |
OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
We also own issued and pending U.S. patents and applications claiming compositions and/or uses of certain kinase inhibitors, including two novel classes of small molecules referred to as "indolocarbazoles" and "fused pyrrolocarbazoles." We have filed foreign counterparts of these patents in other countries, as appropriate. We also have licensed U.S. and European composition-of-matter and use patents and applications for novel compositions under our collaborative agreement with Kyowa Hakko, including compositions and uses of certain indolocarbazoles for the treatment of pathological conditions of the prostate (including prostate cancer) and for the treatment of neurological disorders. We own issued and pending U.S. and foreign patents and applications claiming compositions and/or uses of inhibitors of certain proteases, including novel classes of small molecules for inhibition of calpain, and novel classes of small molecules for inhibition of the multicatalytic protease.
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Through collaborative agreements with researchers at several academic institutions, we have licenses to or the right to license, generally on an exclusive basis, patents and patent applications issued or filed in the United States and certain other countries arising under or related to such collaborations.
CUSTOMERS
Our principal customers are wholesale drug distributors. These customers comprise a significant part of the distribution network for pharmaceutical products in the United States. A small number of large wholesale distributors control a significant share of this network. For the year ended December 31, 2003, our three largest U.S. wholesale drug distributors were Cardinal Health, Inc., McKesson Corporation and AmerisourceBergen Corporation. These three distributors, in the aggregate, accounted for 82% of our worldwide net sales. The loss or bankruptcy of any of these customers could have an adverse affect on our results of operation and financial condition.
COMPETITION
We face intense competition and rapid technological change in the pharmaceutical marketplace. Large and small companies, academic institutions, governmental agencies, and other public and private research organizations conduct research, seek patent protection and establish collaborative arrangements for product development in competition with us. Products developed by any of these entities may compete directly with those we develop or sell. In addition, many of the companies and institutions that compete against us have substantially greater capital resources, research and development staffs and facilities than we have, and substantially greater experience in conducting clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals and manufacturing and marketing pharmaceutical products. These entities represent significant competition for us. Our products also face potential competition from companies seeking to develop and sell generic formulations of our products at a substantial price discount to the current price of our products. In addition, competitors who are developing products for the treatment of neurological or oncological disorders might succeed in developing technologies and products that are more effective than any that we develop or sell or that would render our technology and products obsolete or noncompetitive. Competition and innovation from these or other sources potentially could negatively affect sales of our products or make them obsolete. Advances in current treatment methods also may adversely affect the market for such products. In addition, we may be at a competitive marketing disadvantage against companies that have broader product lines and whose sales personnel are able to offer more complementary products than we can. Any failure to maintain our competitive position could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
As discussed in more detail above, our products face competition in the marketplace. We cannot be sure that we will be able to demonstrate the potential advantages of our products to prescribing physicians and their patients on an absolute basis and/or in comparison to other presently marketed products. We also need to demonstrate to physicians, patients and third party payors that the cost of our products is reasonable and appropriate in the light of their safety and efficacy, the price of competing products and the related health care benefits to the patient.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
The manufacture and sale of therapeutics are subject to extensive regulation by U.S. and foreign governmental authorities. In particular, pharmaceutical products are subject to rigorous preclinical and clinical trials and other approval requirements as well as other post-approval requirements by the FDA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and by analogous agencies in countries outside the United States.
As an initial step in the FDA regulatory approval process, preclinical studies are typically conducted in animals to identify potential safety problems and, in some cases, to evaluate potential efficacy. The results of the preclinical studies are submitted to regulatory authorities as a part of an
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IND that is filed with regulatory agencies prior to beginning studies in humans. However, for several of our drug candidates, no animal model exists that is potentially predictive of results in humans. As a result, no in vivo indication of efficacy is available until these drug candidates progress to human clinical trials.
Clinical trials are typically conducted in three sequential phases, although the phases may overlap. Phase 1 typically begins with the initial introduction of the drug into human subjects prior to introduction into patients. In Phase 1, the compound is tested for safety, dosage tolerance, absorption, biodistribution, metabolism, excretion and clinical pharmacology, as well as, if possible, to gain early information on effectiveness. Phase 2 typically involves studies in a small sample of the intended patient population to assess the efficacy of the drug for a specific indication, determine dose tolerance and the optimal dose range, and to gather additional information relating to safety and potential adverse effects. Phase 3 trials are undertaken to further evaluate clinical safety and efficacy in an expanded patient population, generally at multiple study sites, to determine the overall risk-benefit ratio of the drug and to provide an adequate basis for product labeling. Each trial is conducted in accordance with certain standards under protocols that detail the objectives of the study, the parameters to be used to monitor safety and the efficacy criteria to be evaluated. In the United States, each protocol must be submitted to the FDA as part of the IND. Further, one or more independent Institutional Review Boards must evaluate each clinical study. The Institutional Review Board considers, among other things, ethical factors, the safety of the study, the adequacy of informed consent by human subjects and the possible liability of the institution. Similar procedures and requirements must be fulfilled to conduct studies in other countries. The process of completing clinical trials for a new drug is likely to take a number of years and require the expenditure of substantial resources.
Promising data from preclinical and clinical trials are submitted to the FDA in an NDA for marketing approval and to foreign regulatory authorities under applicable requirements. Preparing an NDA or foreign application involves considerable data collection, verification, analyses and expense, and there can be no assurance that the applicable regulatory authority will accept the application or grant an approval on a timely basis, if at all. The marketing or sale of pharmaceuticals in the United States may not begin without FDA approval. The approval process is affected by a number of factors, including primarily the safety and efficacy demonstrated in clinical trials and the severity of the disease. Regulatory authorities may deny an application if, in their sole discretion, they determine that applicable regulatory criteria have not been satisfied or if, in their judgment, additional testing or information is required to ensure the efficacy and safety of the product. One of the conditions for initial marketing approval, as well as continued post-approval marketing, is that a prospective manufacturer's quality control and manufacturing procedures conform to the current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations of the regulatory authority. In complying with these regulations, a manufacturer must continue to expend time, money and effort in the area of production, quality control and quality assurance to ensure full compliance. Manufacturing establishments, both foreign and domestic, also are subject to inspections by or under the authority of the FDA and by other federal, state, local or foreign agencies. Discovery of previously unknown problems with a product or manufacturer may result in restrictions on such product or manufacturer, including withdrawal of the product from the market.
After regulatory approval has been obtained, further studies, including Phase 4 post-marketing studies, may be required to provide additional data on safety, to validate surrogate efficacy endpoints, or for other reasons, and the failure of such studies can result in a range of regulatory actions, including withdrawal of the product from the market. Further studies will be required to gain approval for the use of a product as a treatment for clinical indications other than those for which the product was initially approved. Results of post-marketing programs may limit or expand the further marketing of the products. Further, if there are any modifications to the drug, including any change in indication, manufacturing process, labeling or manufacturing facility, it may be necessary to submit an application seeking approval of such changes to the FDA or foreign regulatory authority. Finally, the FDA can
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place restrictions on approval and marketing utilizing its authority under applicable regulations. For example, ACTIQ was approved subject to restrictions that include compliance with a rigorous Risk Management Program (RMP). The approval and RMP give the FDA authority to pre-approve promotional materials and permits an expedited market withdrawal procedure if issues arise regarding the safe use of ACTIQ. Moreover, marketed products are subject to continued regulatory oversight by the Office of Medical Policy Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising, and Communications, and the failure to comply with applicable regulations could result in marketing restrictions, financial penalties and/or other sanctions.
Whether or not FDA approval has been obtained, approval of a product by regulatory authorities in foreign countries must be obtained prior to the commencement of commercial sales of the product in such countries. The requirements governing the conduct of clinical trials and product approvals vary widely from country to country, and the time required for approval may be longer or shorter than that required for FDA approval. Although there are procedures for unified filings for most European countries, in general, each country also has its own additional procedures and requirements, especially related to pricing of new pharmaceuticals. Further, the FDA and other federal agencies regulate the export of products produced in the United States and, in some circumstances, may prohibit or restrict the export even if such products are approved for sale in other countries.
In the United States, the Orphan Drug Act provides incentives to drug manufacturers to develop and manufacture drugs for the treatment of rare diseases, currently defined as diseases that affect fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States, or for a disease that affects more than 200,000 individuals in the United States, where the sponsor does not realistically anticipate its product becoming profitable. The FDA has granted PROVIGIL orphan drug status for use in treating excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy and has designated MYOTROPHIN as an orphan drug for use in treating ALS, because each indication currently affects fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States. Under the Orphan Drug Act, a manufacturer of a designated orphan product can seek certain tax benefits, and the holder of the first FDA approval of a designated orphan product will be granted a seven-year period of marketing exclusivity for that product for the orphan indication. While the marketing exclusivity of an orphan drug would prevent other sponsors from obtaining approval of the same drug compound for the same indication unless the subsequent sponsors could demonstrate clinical superiority or a market shortage occurs, it would not prevent other sponsors from obtaining approval of the same compound for other indications or the use of other types of drugs for the same use as the orphan drug. Orphan drug designation generally does not confer any special or preferential treatment in the regulatory review process. The U.S. Congress has considered, and may consider in the future, legislation that would restrict the duration or scope of the market exclusivity of an orphan drug and, thus, we cannot be sure that the benefits of the existing statute will remain in effect. Additionally, we cannot be sure that other governmental regulations applicable to our products will not change.
In addition to the market exclusivity period under the Orphan Drug Act, the U.S. Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984 permits a sponsor to apply for a maximum five-year extension of the term of a patent for a period of time following the initial FDA approval of an NDA for a New Chemical Entity (NCE). The statute specifically allows a patent owner acting with due diligence to extend the term of the patent for a period equal to one-half the period of time elapsed between the approval of the IND and the filing of the corresponding NDA, plus the period of time between the filing of the NDA and FDA approval, up to a maximum of five years of patent term extension. Any such extension, however, cannot extend the patent term beyond a maximum term of fourteen years following FDA approval and is subject to other restrictions. Additionally, under this statute, five years of marketing exclusivity is granted for the first approval of an NCE. During this period of exclusivity, sponsors generally may not file and the FDA may not approve an ANDA or a 505(b)(2) application for a drug product equivalent or identical to the NCE. An ANDA is the application form typically used by manufacturers seeking approval of a generic version of an approved drug. There is also a possibility that Congress will revise the underlying statute in the next few years,
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which may affect these provisions in ways that we cannot foresee. Additionally, the FDA regulates the labeling, storage, record keeping, advertising and promotion of prescription pharmaceuticals. Drug manufacturing establishments must register with the FDA and list their products with the FDA.
The Controlled Substances Act imposes various registration, record-keeping and reporting requirements, procurement and manufacturing quotas, labeling and packaging requirements, security controls and a restriction on prescription refills on certain pharmaceutical products. A principal factor in determining the particular requirements of this act, if any, applicable to a product is its actual or potential abuse profile. A pharmaceutical product may be listed as a Schedule II, III, IV or V substance, with Schedule II substances considered to present the highest risk of substance abuse and Schedule V substances the lowest. Modafinil, the active drug substance in PROVIGIL, has been scheduled under the Controlled Substances Act as a Schedule IV substance. Schedule IV substances are allowed no more than five prescription refills during a six-month period and are subject to special handling procedures relating to the storage, shipment, inventory control and disposal of the product. Fentanyl, the active ingredient in ACTIQ, is a Schedule II controlled substance. Schedule II substances are subject to even stricter handling and record keeping requirements and prescribing restrictions than Schedule III or IV products. In addition to federal scheduling, both PROVIGIL and ACTIQ are subject to state controlled substance regulation, and may be placed in more restrictive schedules than those determined by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and FDA. However, to date, neither modafinil nor fentanyl has been placed in a more restrictive schedule by any state.
In addition to the statutes and regulations described above, we also are subject to regulation under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Environmental Protection Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and other federal, state and local regulations.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 2003, we had a total of 1,646 full-time employees, of which 1,085 were employed in the United States and 561 were located at our various facilities in Europe. We believe that we have been successful in attracting skilled and experienced personnel; however, competition for such personnel is intense.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We own our corporate headquarters, which is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania and consists of approximately 160,000 square feet of administrative offices and research facilities. We also lease approximately 62,000 square feet of administrative offices that are near our owned facilities in West Chester. In 2004, we signed agreements to lease approximately 190,000 square feet of administrative office space in Malvern, Pennsylvania, and expect to convert a significant portion of the administrative office space in our West Chester location to research facilities. In Salt Lake City, Utah, we house administrative, research, manufacturing and warehousing operations in approximately 123,000 square feet that we lease.
We lease office space for our European operations in the U.K. as well as space for our satellite offices in Switzerland and Germany. In France, we own administrative facilities, an executive and research facility, a manufacturing facility, a packaging facility and various warehouses totaling approximately 285,000 square feet. We also lease the site of our other manufacturing facility in France totaling approximately 29,000 square feet. We believe that our current facilities are adequate for our present purposes.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On March 28, 2003, we filed a patent infringement lawsuit in U.S. District Court in New Jersey against Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc.,
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and Barr Laboratories, Inc. based upon the ANDAs filed by each of these companies seeking FDA approval for a generic equivalent of modafinil. The lawsuit claims infringement of our U.S. Patent No. RE37516, which covers the pharmaceutical compositions and uses of modafinil. The litigation currently is in the discovery phase, and we expect that the trial will begin sometime in 2005. We intend to vigorously defend the validity, and prevent infringement, of this patent.
We are a party to certain other litigation in the ordinary course of our business, including, among others, U.S. patent interference proceedings, European patent oppositions, and matters alleging employment discrimination, product liability and breach of commercial contract. We are vigorously defending ourselves in all of these actions and do not believe these matters, even if adversely adjudicated or settled, would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
We did not submit any matters to the vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The names, ages and positions held by our executive officers as of December 31, 2003 are as follows:
| Name |
Age |
Position |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Frank Baldino, Jr., Ph.D. |
50 |