UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
| x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004
| ¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 0-23155
TRIMERIS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| DELAWARE | 56-1808663 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
3500 PARAMOUNT PARKWAY
MORRISVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 27560
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(919) 419-6050
Registrants telephone number, including area code:
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:
None
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(G) OF THE ACT:
Common Stock, $.001 par value (Title of Class)
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 registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). x Yes ¨ No
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, as of June 30, 2004 was approximately $259,050,000 (based on the last sale price of such stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market System on June 30, 2004).
The number of shares of the registrants common stock outstanding as of March 3, 2005 was 21,806,535.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrants definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K.
FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004
Table of Contents
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Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding Trimeris, Inc.s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. While we believe these statements are accurate, our business is dependent on many factors, some of which are discussed in the Risk Factors and Business sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Many of these factors are beyond our control, and any of these and other factors could cause actual clinical and financial results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of our previous clinical trials are not necessarily indicative of the results of future clinical trials and our previous financial results are not necessarily indicative of our future financial results. Please read the Risk Factors section in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information regarding these factors. We undertake no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to the statements contained in this report to reflect events or circumstances that occur subsequent to the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
We are a biopharmaceutical company primarily engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of a new class of antiviral drug treatments called fusion inhibitors. Fusion inhibitors impair viral fusion, a complex process by which viruses attach to, penetrate and infect host cells. If a virus cannot enter a host cell, the virus cannot replicate. By inhibiting the fusion process of particular types of viruses, like the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), our first commercial product and our compounds under research offer a novel mechanism of action with the potential to treat a variety of medically important viral diseases.
In September 2004, Trimeris appointed Steven D. Skolsky as its Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors. Mr. Skolsky succeeds company founder Dr. Dani Bolognesi, who continues to serve as Chief Scientific Officer of the company and Vice-Chairman of the board of directors. Drawing on his general management experience and knowledge of HIV therapeutics, Mr. Skolsky is working with management to set a clear vision for the future of our Company.
We aspire to become a premier, fully integrated biotechnology company dedicated to innovating therapy for viral diseases. Our strategy is to create value for patients, caregivers, employees and shareholders by discovering, developing, and commercializing novel medicines that save and improve lives. Our strengths include a leadership position in HIV viral entry, world-class peptide drug development expertise and a proven collaborative partner.
Fuzeon is our first-generation HIV fusion inhibitor, developed in collaboration with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, or Roche. Fuzeon has been shown to inhibit HIV viral fusion with host cells by blocking the conformational rearrangement of an HIV protein called gp41. The FDA approved the use of Fuzeon in combination with other anti-HIV drugs for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in treatment-experienced patients with evidence of HIV-1 replication despite ongoing anti-HIV therapy. The FDA granted accelerated approval for the commercial sale of Fuzeon in 2003, and commercial sales of Fuzeon began in March that same year. Full approval was granted in October 2004. Roche also filed an application for European marketing approval of Fuzeon in September 2002 and was granted marketing approval under exceptional circumstances by the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products, in May 2003.
Roche is manufacturing Fuzeon drug substance in its Boulder, Colorado facility. Fuzeon finished drug product is produced using this drug substance at Roches manufacturing facility in Basel, Switzerland, and at another third party facility. Fuzeon is distributed and sold by Roche through Roches sales and distribution network throughout the world in countries where regulatory approval has been received.
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Commercial sales of Fuzeon began in the United States in March 2003. Under our collaboration agreement with Roche, we share profits equally from the sale of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada. During 2004, net sales of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada were $85.7 million compared to $28.3 million in 2003. Net sales outside the United States and Canada were $49.5 million compared to $8.2 million in 2003. Unit sales of Fuzeon are expressed in kits shipped. A kit represents a one-month supply of Fuzeon for a patient. During 2004, Roche shipped approximately 58,900 kits to paying patients in the United States and Canada.
T-1249 is a second-generation HIV fusion inhibitor that has been investigated successfully in four separate clinical trials. Phase I/II trials of T-1249 demonstrated satisfactory efficacy and safety, including in patients who had previously failed on or had developed resistance to Fuzeon. In January 2004, Roche and Trimeris announced that further clinical development of T-1249 was being put on hold due to technical challenges in achieving a formulation capable of delivering a once daily injection. The compounds safety, efficacy and tolerability were not factors affecting the decision. The clinical trial, T1249-105, was ongoing when the decision was made to put the development of T-1249 on hold. T1249-105 is now a compassionate use protocol for patients that were already receiving T-1249, as these patients have exhausted all treatment options. To date, 26 patients have completed 96 weeks of treatment with T-1249. T-1249 remains one of our next-generation drug candidates having established the proof-of-concept in overcoming Fuzeon resistant virus in the clinic. However, our focus will be to pursue formulations that will allow significantly less frequent dosing.
Our goal is to continue to strengthen and expand our fusion inhibitor franchise. In January 2004, we announced an extension of our research agreement with Roche to discover, develop and commercialize the next generation of HIV gp41 peptide fusion inhibitors. The research agreement will focus on the discovery of new HIV gp41 peptide fusion inhibitors with enhanced efficacy and resistance profiles along with the investigation of improved formulation and delivery technologies to enable less frequent and more convenient administration of peptide fusion inhibitors. Our objective is to develop an HIV gp41 fusion inhibitor that can be administered with significantly less frequent dosing. Although, the research agreement itself does not require that a specific amount be spent on any annual research plan, at their discretion, either party has the option to supplement the budgeted research plan at their own additional expense. We are still in discussions with Roche to define the research plan and budget for 2005.
We are also working with Roche to develop improvements in delivery, convenience and other enhancements to Fuzeon. We believe that any product enhancements made to Fuzeon could potentially be applied to other HIV gp41 peptide fusion inhibitors as well. We have also established discovery programs outside the scope of our Roche collaboration, which are focused on the development of small molecule HIV fusion inhibitors that could be administered orally.
Commercial Products
Fuzeon
Fuzeon is our first marketed product for the treatment of HIV. The FDA has approved the use of Fuzeon in combination with other anti-HIV drugs for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in treatment-experienced patients with evidence of HIV-1 replication despite ongoing anti-HIV therapy. The standard approach to treating HIV infection has been to lower viral loads by using a combination of drugs. There are twenty FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of HIV.
Fuzeon Mechanism of Action
Fuzeon is a 36-amino acid synthetic peptide that binds to a key region of an HIV surface protein called gp41. Fuzeon blocks HIV viral fusion by interfering with certain structural rearrangements within gp41 that are required for HIV to fuse to and enter a host cell.
In the HIV infection process, the gp120 surface protein is stripped away from the virus after gp120 binds to host cell receptors. Two specific regions in the gp41 protein are thus freed and can bind to one another and cause the viral membrane to fuse with the host cell membrane. If Fuzeon is present in the bloodstream, it binds tightly to one of these regions within the gp41 protein and blocks the structural rearrangement necessary for the virus to fuse with the host cell. Since the virus cannot fuse with the host cell, it cannot penetrate and release its genetic material into the cell. HIV infection of the host cell is inhibited, and HIV replication within that cell is prevented.
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Commercial Results
Under our collaboration agreement with Roche, Trimeris and Roche share profits from the sale of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada equally. This amount is reported as collaboration profit (or loss), as a component of revenue, in the Statements of Operations. Collaboration profit/loss is calculated as follows: Total gross sales of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada is reduced by any discounts, returns or rebates resulting in total net sales. Net sales are reduced by costs of goods sold resulting in gross margin. Gross margin is reduced by selling, marketing and other expenses related to the sale of Fuzeon, resulting in operating income or loss. The Companys 50% share of the operating income or loss is reported as collaboration income or loss. For the year ended December 31, 2004, net sales of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada totaled approximately $85.7 million compared to $28.3 million in 2003. During the year ended December 31, 2004, sales, marketing and other expenses exceeded the gross margin from the sale of Fuzeon resulting in the Companys 50% share of operating loss from the sale of Fuzeon in the United States of $16.1 million. Unit sales of Fuzeon are expressed in kits shipped. A kit represents a one-month supply of Fuzeon for a patient. For the year ended December 31, 2004, Roche shipped approximately 58,900 kits to wholesalers compared to 19,400 kits in 2003. The number of kits shipped and the resulting sales levels may not remain constant and may increase or decrease in the future.
Roche previously had an exclusive distribution arrangement with Chronimed, Inc. (Chronimed) to distribute Fuzeon in the United States during 2003 and the first part of 2004. This exclusive arrangement terminated on April 26, 2004. Effective April 26, 2004, Fuzeon became available through retail and specialty pharmacies across the U.S. Prior to April 26, 2004, revenue from product sales had been recognized when title and risk of loss had passed to Chronimed, which was when Chronimed allocated drug for shipment to a patient. Beginning April 26, 2004, revenue is recognized when Roche ships drug and title and risk of loss passes to wholesalers.
Under our collaboration agreement with Roche, we receive a royalty based on net sales of Fuzeon, as recorded by Roche, outside the United States and Canada. For the year ended December 31, 2004, net sales of Fuzeon, as recorded by Roche, outside the United States and Canada were $49.5 million compared to $8.2 million in 2003. Fuzeon is commercially available in over thirty-five countries, including all the major countries in Europe.
Regulatory
In October 2004, the FDA granted full approval to Fuzeon. The FDA had previously granted accelerated approval to Fuzeon on the basis of 24-week data in March 2003. Accelerated approval is a special regulatory status designed to expedite the approval of therapies for serious or life-threatening illnesses, which provide meaningful benefit to patients over existing treatments. The traditional approval of Fuzeon was based on results from two Phase III clinical trials, called TORO-1 and TORO-2, over 48 weeks which confirmed the durable efficacy and safety of Fuzeon-based regimens.
In September 2002, Roche filed an application for European marketing approval. Roche received marketing approval under exceptional circumstances from the European Medicines Evaluation Agency, or EMEA, for use of Fuzeon in the European Union in May 2003. Roche submitted a full analysis of 48-week clinical data to the Committee for Human Medicinal Products, or CHMP, in December 2003 seeking a label change for Fuzeon. In April 2004, the CHMP recommended inclusion of the 48 week data in the label. This was followed by approval by the EMEA for this label change in June 2004. This approval allows Roche to market Fuzeon using the full 48 week safety and efficacy data. Outside the United States and the European Union, Roche has received approval and reimbursement for Fuzeon in over thirty-five countries, and is in the process of negotiating reimbursement from additional countries in which they plan to market Fuzeon.
Manufacturing
Roche manufactures the bulk drug substance of Fuzeon. Based on our progress and experience to date, we believe that Roche will be able to produce supply of Fuzeon sufficient to meet anticipated demand. If Fuzeon sales levels do not meet Roches and our expectations, the resulting production volumes may not allow Roche to achieve their anticipated economies of scale for Fuzeon. If Roche does not achieve these economies of scale, the costs of goods for Fuzeon could be higher than previous and current expectations.
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Treatment Guidelines
In October 2004, a panel of experts convened by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published updated anti-HIV drug treatment guidelines. For treatment-experienced patients with virologic failure, the panel recommended Fuzeon be added to an optimized background regimen and that inclusion of Fuzeon as part of new regimens can add significant antiretroviral activity.
In July 2004, International AIDS Society (IAS)USA published anti-HIV drug guidelines that recommend Fuzeon for use in treatment-experienced HIV patients that require a change in therapy after the second, third, or fourth drug regimen failure. The guidelines caution that Fuzeon should not be delayed to a point when a patients outcome may be compromised by the inability to combine it with other active anti-HIV drugs. The guidelines further state that there is no evidence that Fuzeon should be discontinued once a patient achieves a viral load that is below the level of detection.
While these guideline publications provide guidance to clinicians on the recommended role and use of Fuzeon in clinical practice, physicians are not required to adhere to these recommendations. The actual use of Fuzeon may or may not be positively affected by these guidelines.
Optimizing Long-Term Response
In October 2004, we announced that in a retrospective, subset analysis of 48-week data from the TORO Phase III studies, almost twice as many treatment experienced patients (52%) who took Fuzeon with an active protease inhibitor (PI) regimen (including at least two other active anti-HIV drugs) achieved undetectable levels of HIV (less than 400 copies/ mL), compared to those receiving an active boosted PI regimen without Fuzeon (27%). Patients taking Fuzeon with an active boosted PI regimen also experienced a significantly greater immunological response, with a median increase of 104 CD4 cells / mm3 versus an increase of 57 CD4 cells / mm3 among patients receiving an active boosted PI regimen without Fuzeon.
Earlier Treatment with Fuzeon
Also in October 2004, Trimeris and Roche presented data showing that earlier use of Fuzeon in treatment-experienced HIV patients results in better treatment outcomes and preserves future drug options. A new analysis of the TORO studies highlighted the benefits of earlier use of Fuzeon, with regard to both virological outcomes and preservation of future treatment options. The analysis found that 33% of patients who did not receive Fuzeon in their regimen at the beginning of the TORO studies developed resistance to at least one active treatment option after week 48 or virological failure. By comparison, only 13% of those who began with a Fuzeon -based regimen experienced loss of at least one active treatment option after 48 weeks or virological failure. Furthermore, significantly more patients who were treated with a Fuzeon -based regimen from the outset of the study achieved undetectable levels of HIV (less than 400 copies/mL), compared to the control arm, even including patients who switched to a Fuzeon -based regimen after failing a regimen without Fuzeon (32% vs. 22%, respectively). These data indicate that in triple class experienced patients, a Fuzeon-based regimen should be initiated at the next switch in therapy and not delayed until failure of additional regimens.
Key Initiatives:2004 and 2005
Given the demonstrated efficacy, durability and safety of Fuzeon-based therapies in treatment experienced patients, we are focusing much of our promotional efforts on three primary objectives; expanding the adoption and initiation of therapy with Fuzeon, enhancing retention of patients on therapy, and ensuring full access for individuals that have been prescribed Fuzeon. We have developed and are implementing specific programs that address these three objectives. These programs complement our more traditional marketing and sales efforts and specifically address the issues pertaining to chronic use of an injectable therapy.
First, Trimeris and Roche have launched two nursing support programs that are designed to augment the existing Fuzeon Answer Centera patient treatment hotline. The first of these programs is a local nursing program that offers virtually full-time support via a dedicated nursing call center for Fuzeon patients. This support includes assistance with
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drug preparation, administration, and the management of ongoing therapy. A total of 2,606 patients received assistance from the Fuzeon Answer Center in 2004, with an additional 161 patients enrolled in our outreach support initiative. The second program utilizes a team of nurses specially trained on the preparation and administration of Fuzeon, who travel to physicians offices or patients homes to assist with the proper use of the drug. Through the first four months following initiation (as of December 31, 2004), 275 patients had received assistance from this program. We believe that these adherence and persistency initiatives will continue to improve patient retention from the first week of therapy initiation and address some of the problems identified in our field experience to date.
Second, we are initiating various promotional campaigns. At the time of commercial launch in 2003, we believed that demand for Fuzeon would exceed our ability to manufacture drug supply in the period immediately following launch. As a result, we conducted limited direct promotion to stimulate demand during 2003. Now that supply limitations have been overcome, and given the broader experience with Fuzeon among clinicians and patients, we are positioned to leverage and communicate their experiences in the broadest manner possible. Trimeris and Roche are working to heighten awareness of Fuzeon through ongoing advertising and promotional campaigns. These print and internet campaigns, directed to patients, clinicians, pharmacists, nurses, and treatment educators, were implemented across the U.S. in 2004 and will continue in various forms in 2005.
Prior to launch, only about 250 of the top 2,000 AIDS treating physicians in the U.S. had any experience with Fuzeon. This differs from other HIV medications that had very large Expanded Access Programs (EAP) prior to launch, allowing for a greater number of physicians and patients to have experience with the medication prior to approval. Because of prior supply constraints, we were unable to have an EAP of the size and scope associated with most HIV products. We believe that more than 2,500 physicians in the United States have prescribed Fuzeon through December 31, 2004. We now have the physician and patient experience that most HIV drugs experience when they launch.
To address the needs of treatment experienced patients living with HIV disease, Trimeris and Roche have launched the Fuzeon Accelerated Simultaneous Access Program (ASAP). This new initiative provides immediate access to Fuzeon for patients who are starting treatment with Fuzeon in combination with an investigational anti-HIV drug obtained through an expanded access program (EAP). Fuzeon ASAP helps to facilitate simultaneous initiation of Fuzeon with an active investigational agent in a regimen deemed medically appropriate by a physician. For patients starting treatment with Fuzeon in combination with an investigational drug in expanded access, Fuzeon ASAP provides up to a 60-day supply of Fuzeon at no cost to the patient, which consists of an immediate shipment of a 30-day supply and an additional 30-day supply if reimbursement is still pending. Upon request, patient support and adherence programs, including at-home nurse visits, are provided to help facilitate successful initiation and continuation of therapy throughout the duration of treatment. Trimeris and Roche cannot ensure access to Fuzeon for all patients beyond the initial 60 days if reimbursement is not then established. However, reimbursement assistance is available to assist in securing coverage for continued Fuzeon use.
In order to further enhance a patients ability to initiate and remain on Fuzeon containing therapies, we have initiated a number of studies to assess the acceptance and utility of novel subcutaneous injection (SCI) delivery systems. Among these are the Becton Dickinson 31 gauge, thin-walled syringe/needle (BD31G) and the Biojector 2000 (B2000) needle-free delivery system. The BD31G is a shorter, insulin-type of needle that may afford more consistent SCI dosing that may lead to improvement in the incidence or severity of potential injection site reactions associated with Fuzeon administration. The BD31G is currently being evaluated in the Phase IIIb/IV study known as T-20 Qualité. We anticipate publishing the findings of the T-20 Qualité study later this year. The B2000 has been used to deliver millions of injections in a wide range of healthcare settings since receiving FDA approval in 1996. Since 1996, the use of the B2000 has ranged from vaccine administration to chronic therapy dosing for multiple sclerosis and diabetes. B2000 needle-free injection works by forcing medication rapidly through a tiny orifice held against the skin. This creates a fine stream of high-pressure fluid that penetrates the skin and deposits medication in the tissue beneath. Patient satisfaction surveys conducted by Bioject and their partners indicate a high preference (>70%) for drug administration via this needle-free system for a range of medications as compared to conventional needle/syringe delivery. The reasons expressed for such preference include elimination of needle-phobia, ease of injection process, and amelioration of injection site reactions. Recently, we have completed a single-dose cross-over trial with Fuzeon known as T-20 405 that was designed to compare the Bioject B2000 needle-free injection device with a standard
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needle/syringe administered by a health care practitioner. Data from this trial indicates that in this setting use of the needle-free device results in bioequivalent levels of Fuzeon when compared to the standard needle/syringe. A second study has been proposed which is designed to compare the Bioject B2000 needle-free injection device with standard needle/syringe self-administration. We plan to pursue labeling discussions with regulatory agencies to allow the promotion of the administration of Fuzeon via the B2000 system.
Phase III Clinical Trials of Fuzeon
Trial Design
TORO-1, a 48-week Phase III clinical trial was conducted in North America and Brazil. The trial evaluated the activity and safety of Fuzeon in 491 HIV-infected patients who had previously used all three classes of currently-approved anti-HIV drugs. In this clinical trial, all patients received an individually optimized background regimen of three to five anti-HIV drugs other than Fuzeon. In the control group, patients received only the optimized background regimen which was selected based on the patients treatment history and the genotype and phenotype of the patients virus. A genotypic resistance analysis involves examination of the genetic sequence of the strains of virus present in the sample. A phenotypic resistance analysis involves an assessment of the ability of a drug to block infection caused by strains of a virus grown in culture.
TORO-2, a 48-week Phase III clinical trial was conducted in Western Europe and Australia. The protocol for TORO-2 was substantially similar to TORO-1 and studied 504 HIV-infected patients.
Clinical Trial Results
In 2003, we presented data from a 48-week pooled analysis of TORO-1 and TORO-2. The primary endpoint for the clinical trials, the difference in the magnitude of decrease in HIV viral loads between the Fuzeon group and the control group, was met in both the TORO-1 and TORO-2 clinical trials and was statistically significant. Additionally, the increase of CD4 count from baseline and suppression of viral load below the level of detection were also statistically significant. An increase in CD4 cell count is indicative of immune system restoration and is important in reducing the likelihood of opportunistic infection. The following table summarizes the 48-week pooled data, calculated in accordance with FDA guidelines. Patients in the control group that experienced virologic failure after eight weeks on therapy were allowed to add Fuzeon, with or without changing their background regimen. The last observations for viral load and CD4 cell count prior to the regimen change for these patients was used for analysis of the group response. All data depicted below were statistically significant. Stated otherwise, the statistical measures, p-values, for all the data shown below were less than 0.05. In both of the trials, the p-values for the primary endpoints were less than 0.0001.
| POOLED | ||||
| Fuzeon |
Control | |||
| Primary Endpoint |
||||
| Mean decrease in viral load (log10) |
1.48 | 0.63 | ||
| Mean decrease in viral load (% reduction) |
97 | 77 | ||
| Incremental reduction of viral load (log10) |
0.85 | | ||
| Secondary Endpoints |
||||
| Mean increase in CD4 cell count (cells/cubic millimeter) |
91 | 45 | ||
| Patients achieving viral load below 400 copies (%) |
30 | 12 | ||
| Patients achieving viral load below 50 copies (%) |
18 | 8 | ||
| Patients achieving viral load reduction greater than 1.0 log10 (%) |
37 | 17 | ||
| Patients experiencing virologic failure (%) |
52 | 78 | ||
| Other Data |
||||
| Patients discontinuing from trial (%) |
27 | 25 | ||
| Patients discontinuing from trial for virological failure (%) |
6 | 10 | ||
| Patients discontinuing from trial for injection site reactions (%) |
4 | | ||
| Patients switching from control to Fuzeon (%) |
| 66 | ||
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The response of patients in the Fuzeon group surpassed that of the control group across all subgroups studied, including age, race, baseline CD4 count and baseline viral load. In both treatment groups, greater viral load reduction was seen in patients who had more active drugs in their optimized background regimen, less treatment experience and less advanced disease, defined as a patient with a CD4 count greater than 100 cells.
The superiority of virological response achieved with Fuzeon-based regimens was observed regardless of the number of active agents in the background regimen. Among patients whose virus was sensitive to one drug in the background regimen, 29% of patients in the Fuzeon group achieved levels of HIV below 400 copies, compared to 7% in the control group. Among patients whose virus was sensitive to two active agents in the background regimen, 39% of patients achieved levels of HIV below 400 copies in the Fuzeon group at 48 weeks compared to 15% in the control group. These results were statistically significant.
48-Week Efficacy Data
Combined TORO-1 and TORO-2 48-week data showed that 30% of patients in the Fuzeon group had undetectable levels of HIV, defined as less than 400 copies per milliliter of blood, compared to 12% in the control group. In addition, 80% of the patients in the Fuzeon group who achieved a reduction of HIV viral load to below 400 copies per milliliter of blood at 24 weeks maintained this response at 48 weeks, compared to 70% in the control group. Thirty-seven percent of patients in the Fuzeon group maintained at least a 90%, or 1.0 log10, reduction in blood levels of HIV at 48 weeks compared to 17% of patients in the control group. Previous clinical studies in HIV have shown that a 68%, or 0.5 log10 reduction in HIV levels may be associated with clinical benefit to patients. On average, patients in the Fuzeon group experienced an increase of twice as many CD4 immune cells from baseline as those achieved by patients in the control group at 48 weeks. In addition, the median duration of virological benefit in the Fuzeon group of 32 weeks was approximately three times longer than the median duration of 11 weeks in the control group. All of these results were highly statistically significant.
96 Week Efficacy Data
In July 2004, we announced data from patients in TORO-1 and TORO-2 that have completed 96 weeks of treatment with Fuzeon. Fuzeon durably suppresses HIV and provides continuous increases in CD4 cells over a period of 96 weeks.
Additional analyses indicate that there is a distinct disadvantage to patients who wait to initiate Fuzeon based therapy. In the TORO study, patients originally randomized to the control group were allowed to add Fuzeon to a re-optimized regimen at virological failure or after 48 weeks on study. Data continued to be collected from these patients that we have now defined as the switch patient. Patients in the Fuzeon treatment group from the outset of the studies achieved a mean viral load reduction in blood levels of HIV of 2.1 log10 through 96 weeks of treatment. This reduction was markedly greater than that achieved by the switch patients who achieved a mean reduction in viral load at 96 weeks of 1.1 log10. Patients in the Fuzeon treatment group saw continuous improvements in CD4 cells over the study period with the mean CD4 increase from baseline of 166 cells per cubic millimeter at week 96 compared to 116 cells per cubic millimeter in the switch patient group.
More than half of treatment-experienced patients who began using Fuzeon at the outset of the study were successful in completing 96 weeks of treatment.
Impact of Fuzeon on Activities of Daily Living
Data collected from a survey of patients in TORO-1 and TORO-2 suggest that subcutaneous delivery of Fuzeon was well-accepted by a majority of patients after 48 weeks of treatment.
Conducted among 492 patients in TORO-1 and TORO-2 at week 48, the survey assessed whether the subcutaneous delivery of Fuzeon influenced a patients ability to conduct normal activities of daily living, or ADL. Most patients reported little or no impact of injection on familiar routines of work (81%), sleep (90%), social life (84%), travel (65%), intimacy (77%), or privacy (69%). These findings suggest that motivated patients who receive instruction were able to manage self-injection with little difficulty and without the need for substantial changes in daily routines.
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The survey found that 67% of patients scored self-injection as very easy or easy. Other responses were neutral (18%), difficult (13%) and very difficult (3%). Most patients also rated as very easy or easy various activities relating to the preparation and usage of Fuzeon, such as administration (67%), dissolution of study drug (78%), refrigeration (79%) and disposal of needles/syringes (79%).
Results from this survey after 48 weeks of treatment suggest that subcutaneous injection of Fuzeon was manageable for a majority of patients. Data was collected from 581 patients remaining on treatment at 24 weeks. After 24 weeks, most patients reported little or no impact of injection on familiar routines of work (85%), sleep (90%), social life (84%), travel (68%), intimacy (77%), privacy (70%), or appearance (75%).
Safety Results
The following safety results reflect the data included in the original FDA-approved package insert for Fuzeon. The overall safety profile of Fuzeon is based on 1,188 subjects who received at least one dose of Fuzeon during various clinical trials. This includes 1,153 adults, 608 of whom received the recommended dose for greater than 24 weeks, and 35 pediatric subjects. Assessment of adverse events is based on the pooled data from the two Phase III studies, TORO-1 and TORO-2.
Local Injection Site Reactions. Local injection site reactions, or ISRs, were the most frequent adverse events associated with the use of Fuzeon. In TORO-1 and TORO-2, 98% of subjects had at least one local ISR. Three percent of subjects discontinued treatment with Fuzeon because of ISRs. The majority of ISRs were associated with mild to moderate pain at the injection site, redness, induration and the presence of bumps. Nine percent of patients had local reactions that required analgesics or limited usual activities.
Other Adverse Events. Serious allergic reactions have been attributed to Fuzeon in less than 1% of patients and in some cases have recurred upon subsequent re-dosing. The events most frequently reported in patients in the Fuzeon group, excluding injection site reactions, were diarrhea (26.8%), nausea (20.1%), and fatigue (16.1%). These events were also commonly observed in the control group and occurred more frequently: diarrhea (33.5%), nausea (23.7%), and fatigue (17.4%).
An increased rate of bacterial pneumonia was observed in the Fuzeon group in TORO-1 and TORO-2, compared to the control group. There were 4.68 pneumonia events per 100 patient-years in the Fuzeon group, versus 0.61 events per 100 patient-years in the control group. Approximately half of the study subjects with pneumonia required hospitalization. One subject death in the Fuzeon group was attributed to pneumonia. Risk factors for pneumonia included low baseline CD4 cell count, high baseline viral load, intravenous drug use, smoking and a prior history of lung disease. It is unclear if the increased incidence of pneumonia was related to Fuzeon use. The study design, which allowed patients in the control group that experienced virologic failure after eight weeks on therapy to change their regimen to a Fuzeon containing regimen, may have contributed to this observation. Trimeris and Roche are studying this further in an epidemiology study of pneumonia in HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy.
48-week Safety Data
The 48-week analysis of safety data from the combined TORO-1 and TORO-2 trials revealed that, on at least one study visit, 98% of patients in the Fuzeon group experienced at least one localized ISR, such as pain/discomfort, redness, hardness, bumps, itching or bruising. Less than 5% of patients discontinued treatment due to ISRs. Due to a substantial difference in the duration of treatment for patients in the Fuzeon group compared with the control group, the rate of adverse events was measured as number of events per 100 years of patient experience. Aside from ISRs, the incidence of the three most common adverse events was less frequent in the Fuzeon group compared to the control group. Adverse events included diarrhea (38 per 100 patient-years in the Fuzeon group vs. 73 in the control group), nausea (27 vs. 50, respectively) and fatigue (24 vs. 38, respectively). Other common signs and symptoms reported at a lower frequency in the Fuzeon group than the control group were headache, insomnia, and vomiting. Among events reported more commonly in the Fuzeon group compared to the control group were pain or numbness in the peripheral nervous system, weight decrease, decreased appetite, swelling of lymph nodes and pneumonia. Other than treatment-emergent eosinophilia, grade 3 and grade 4 laboratory abnormalities, when adjusted for exposure, generally showed higher rates in the control group compared to the Fuzeon group. The eosinophilia was not associated with clinical events of hypersensitivity in either treatment group.
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96-week Safety Data
No new safety issues were identified in the 96-week analysis, and there was no evidence of long-term or cumulative toxicities. Rather, patients in the Fuzeon treatment group experienced less diarrhea, nausea and fatigue, side effects often associated with anti-HIV drug therapy. The frequency and severity of injection site reactions remained constant and did not increase in severity over 96 weeks.
Current and Future Fuzeon Clinical Trials
We expect to continue our ongoing clinical trials as well as initiate new clinical trials with Fuzeon during 2005. These trials will focus on the following primary needs for current and potential Fuzeon patients: evaluation of new delivery systems that may reduce needle-phobia and/or ameliorate the rate/severity of injection site reactions; the effect of Fuzeon in patients with less treatment experience than in our TORO trials; and the potential for reducing other anti-HIV drug related toxicities and/or adverse events. The table below summarizes our current on-going, or recently completed, clinical trials.
| Name |
Description | |
| T20-401 | Pilot trial of once daily administration of Fuzeon vs. standard twice daily regimen. | |
| T20-405 | Single dose crossover study comparing needle-free injection device vs. standard needle/syringe administered by a health care professional. | |
| ENF-404 | Multi-dose crossover study comparing needle-free injection device vs. standard needle/syringe with self-administration. | |
| T20 Qualité | Quality of life study of standard needle and syringe vs. 31g needle and insulin syringe. | |
| T20 Intense | Comparative trial in earlier line patients assessing ongoing Fuzeon use compared to an induction/maintenance approach. | |
| T20 SwitchTox | An assessment of the substitution of ARVs associated with undesirable side-effects/toxicities in favor of Fuzeon. | |
The T20-405 and ENF-404 trials involve the use of the currently approved Biojector 2000 needle-free injection device manufactured by Bioject Medical Technologies, Inc., described above.
Collaborations
Roche
We have entered into a worldwide agreement, as amended, with Roche to develop and market Fuzeon and T-1249, or a replacement compound. Our agreement with Roche grants them an exclusive, worldwide license for Fuzeon and T-1249 and certain other peptide compounds in the field of HIV. Roche may terminate its license as a whole or for a particular country or countries in its sole discretion with advance notice. We will share development expenses and profits for Fuzeon and T-1249, or a replacement compound, in the United States and Canada equally with Roche. Outside of the United States and Canada, Roche will fund all development costs and pay us royalties on net sales of Fuzeon and T-1249, or a replacement compound, for a specified term. In addition, the agreement calls for Trimeris to receive up to $68 million in upfront and milestone payments, of which we have achieved $28.3 million as of December 31, 2004. Our collaboration with Roche is a contractual one and is not a separate legal entity. Consequently, we have no investment in any collaboration entity. All assets used in the manufacture of Fuzeon by Roche are owned and operated by Roche.
Roche is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of Fuzeon; all sales are made through their sales force. The results of our commercial operations are reported on our financial statements as Collaboration profit/loss which is calculated as follows: Total gross sales of Fuzeon by Roche in the United States and Canada is reduced by estimates for discounts, rebates and returns resulting in total net sales. Net sales are reduced by costs of goods sold resulting in gross margin. Gross margin is reduced by selling and marketing expenses and other expenses related to the sale of Fuzeon, resulting in operating income or loss. The Companys 50% share of the operating income or loss is
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reported as collaboration income or loss. This information is disclosed below in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationCritical Accounting PoliciesCollaboration Loss.
Substantially all of the data used to calculate the Collaboration income or loss is derived from information provided by Roche. We compare sales amounts to data from third party services such as IMS for accuracy. Roches estimate of discounts, rebates and returns is first reviewed by Trimeris marketing personnel based on their knowledge of the payor mix and other factors and is then reviewed by the Trimeris finance staff. The collaboration has a North American Joint Marketing Committee, or NAJMC, that oversees the commercialization activities related to Fuzeon. The NAJMC consists of representatives from Roche and Trimeris. The NAJMC reviews the budgets for the direct marketing costs and Roche sales force costs charged to Fuzeon and the costs of departments at Roche that devote time on Fuzeon-related issues, such as government affairs and reimbursement. The actual costs are reviewed by the Trimeris NAJMC members and compared to budgeted amounts prior to inclusion in collaboration income/loss. In the event that we are not satisfied after reviewing the actual costs, we will withhold payment until presented with satisfactory documentation or appropriate adjustments to the charges are made. Historically the calculation of the collaboration income/loss has been consistent from period to period but we cannot guarantee that fluctuations will not occur.
We recognize 50% of the total Collaboration profit/loss, which includes estimates made by and recorded by Roche for reductions to gross sales for expected returns of expired products, government rebate programs, such as Medicaid reimbursements, and customer incentives, such as cash discounts for prompt payment. Estimates for government rebate programs and cash discounts are determined by Roche based on contractual terms, historical information from Roches anti-HIV drug portfolio, and Roches expectations regarding future utilization rates for these programs. Estimates for product returns are based on an on-going analysis of industry return patterns and historical return patterns by Roche for its anti-HIV drug portfolio. This includes the purchase of third-party data by Roche to assist Roche and us in monitoring channel inventory levels and subsequent prescriptions for Fuzeon. We also monitor the activities and clinical trials of our key competitors and assess the potential impact on future Fuzeon sales and return expectations where necessary. Expected returns for Fuzeon are generally low as Fuzeon has a high Wholesale Acquisition Cost, or WAC, compared to other anti-HIV drugs, and requires significantly more storage space than other anti-HIV drugs due to the size of a monthly kit because Fuzeon requires twice daily injections. Consequently wholesalers tend to stock only the necessary volumes of Fuzeon inventory. We believe that wholesalers hold about three weeks supply that has been sold by Roche to wholesalers, but not yet purchased by patients. The current shelf life of Fuzeon is 36 months. Roche reviews the estimates discussed above on a quarterly basis and adjusts estimates as appropriate for changes in facts or circumstances. This estimate reduces our share of collaboration income or loss under our collaboration agreement.
We have also entered into a research agreement with Roche to discover, develop and commercialize additional anti-HIV gp41 fusion inhibitor peptides. Pursuant to the agreement, Trimeris and Roche agreed to share the worldwide research, development and commercialization expenses and profits from the worldwide sales of anti-HIV gp41 fusion inhibitor peptides created after July 1, 1999. Although, the research agreement itself does not require that a specific amount be spent on any annual research plan, at their discretion, either party has the option to supplement the budgeted research plan at their own additional expense. At present we are still in discussions with Roche to define the research plan and budget for 2005. Our agreement with Roche grants them an exclusive, worldwide license for these peptides. Either party may terminate the agreement as a whole or for a particular drug, country or countries in its sole discretion with advance notice. In 2004, we announced that Trimeris and Roche had renewed the joint research obligations under the agreement through December 31, 2005.
Array Biopharma
In 2001, we entered into an agreement with Array BioPharma, Inc., or Array, to discover orally-available small molecule fusion inhibitors of HIV and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. We will initially screen a library of small molecule compounds provided by Array against HIV and RSV fusion protein targets. A small molecule is defined as a molecule that has a molecular weight of less than 2000 daltons. Array will use its drug discovery platform to select the optimal lead compounds. We will collaborate with Array to identify preclinical candidates, and we will be responsible for further development of those candidates. Array will provide the initial library of compounds on a non-exclusive basis and will work exclusively with us on the HIV fusion protein targets during the term of the collaboration. We will work with Array on a non-exclusive basis on these targets. Array will be entitled to receive payments and royalties
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based on achievement of certain developmental and commercial milestones. In June 2004, the companies announced the renewal of this research agreement. As part of this renewed agreement, Trimeris will screen small molecule compounds created by Array against HIV entry inhibitor targets. The terms of the agreement are substantially similar to those of the initial agreement, signed in 2001.
Neokimia, Inc.
In 2002, we entered into an agreement with Neokimia Inc., or Neokimia, to discover and develop small molecule HIV fusion inhibitors. We will initially screen a library of small molecule compounds provided by Neokimia. Neokimia will use its proprietary drug discovery platform to optimize lead compounds. We will collaborate with Neokimia to identify preclinical drug candidates. Neokimia will provide the initial library of compounds on a non-exclusive basis and will work exclusively with us on the HIV gp41 fusion protein target during the term of the collaboration. We exercised our option to select an additional target to add to the collaboration related to HIV fusion. We will work with Neokimia on a non-exclusive basis on these targets. We, with Neokimia, will equally fund all research activities through the declaration of a development candidate. We will be responsible for all future clinical development, regulatory and commercial activities on a worldwide basis. Neokimia will be entitled to receive payments and royalties on net product sales based on achievement of certain developmental and commercial milestones. Neokimia also has an option to co-fund clinical development activities for development compounds through the end of Phase I human clinical trials, in exchange for increased royalties on net product sales. In December 2003, Neokimia merged with Tranzyme, Inc., or Tranzyme, and Tranzyme acquired Neokimias rights and obligations under the 2002 agreement.
Research
As part of our business strategy, we conduct research and development activities both internally and with our collaborative partners. Our research efforts focus primarily on treating viral diseases by identifying novel mechanisms for blocking viral fusion. In total, our research and development (R&D) expenses for 2004 were $21.3 million, compared with $36.8 million for 2003 and $51.2 million for 2002.
Viral Fusion Inhibitors
Viruses utilize the intracellular machinery of a cell to make components that are necessary for viral replication. Viruses cause disease when their uncontrolled replication interferes with the basic function of the invaded cells. The attraction of a virus to the cell it infects is based upon a specific interaction between the receptors on the surface of the target cell and the virus.
Viral infection of cells occurs through a cyclical, multi-step process, consisting of viral entry, intracellular replication and release. Once the viral genetic material is inside the target cell, this material then directs the target cell to produce viral proteins and enzymes that are necessary to complete the replication cycle of the virus. When viral replication is completed, newly formed viruses are released from the cell. These newly formed viruses spread by infecting new cells. The cycle is repeated when the replicated virus infects the new cells.
Currently marketed antiviral therapies typically target specific enzymes that viruses use to replicate. Other compounds that are in clinical development, including ours, focus on the entry of the viruses into target cells. We have pioneered the discovery and development of a new class of anti-HIV compounds, called fusion inhibitors, that prevents one of the crucial steps in viral entry from occurring by blocking the conformational rearrangement of HIV required to allow HIV to fuse with a host cell. Fuzeon is a first-generation fusion inhibitor that prevents HIV from entering and infecting cells. T-1249 is a rationally designed second-generation fusion inhibitor. Our third generation, or next generation peptides, are also rationally designed peptides with the goal of being long-acting and having an enhanced resistance profile as compared to Fuzeon.
Novel HIV gp41 Peptide Fusion Inhibitors. One of the goals of the research agreement with Roche is to identify technologies that improve our anti-HIV peptides. This could be achieved through improving the potency and/or the time that a peptide remains active in the bloodstream, commonly referred to as the molecules half-life. This improved
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half-life may be achieved by attaching additional molecular entities to a peptide. The resulting dosing regimen could be significantly less frequent than the current twice-daily subcutaneous injection that Fuzeon requires.
Another goal of the research agreement is to discover a peptide with an enhanced resistance profile. This profile could include effectiveness against HIV strains that may become resistant to other HIV gp41 peptide fusion inhibitors. A second resistance profile improvement would be a peptide that makes it more difficult for HIV to generate resistant virus strains to the peptide, therefore improving the durability of the peptide in therapy. We believe these resistance profile improvements could lead to additional market acceptance of such a peptide.
With respect to our next generation peptide program, our intention is to identify a next generation fusion inhibitor candidate that has an optimized virological and pharmacokinetic profile as well as to identify a sustained-release formulation for that peptide that will allow significantly less frequent dosing. We, together with our partner Roche, are currently researching several promising anti-viral peptides, with the hope of selecting one of these peptides for advanced pre-clinical studies. In the near future, we plan to select a lead candidate and a back-up candidate that will proceed to advanced formulation studies. The results of these studies will determine how rapidly we move towards naming a clinical candidate.
Other Research Programs
Fuzeon Product Optimization. We believe we may be able to improve upon the potential product attributes of Fuzeon by enhancing methods of delivery. Fuzeon is currently delivered via a twice-daily subcutaneous injection. We believe that incremental improvements in delivery convenience could enhance its market acceptance resulting in enhanced adoption, broader use and improved therapy adherence over time. We are currently working with Roche to explore more convenient delivery, such as use of smaller gauge needles, needle-free delivery devices, multi-dose vials, and other enhancements. We continue to evaluate the ability to administer Fuzeon once daily with the current formulation in the clinical trial known as T20-401. While we are no longer actively pursing once daily dosing formulations of Fuzeon with our internal research efforts, we continue to evaluate the technologies of third parties that might allow once daily dosing.
Small Molecule HIV Fusion Inhibitors. We also have discovery programs that are focused on orally available small molecule HIV fusion inhibitors. The development of small molecule HIV fusion inhibitors is not within the scope of our collaboration with Roche. We have entered into two agreements with Array BioPharma, Inc., and Neokimia, Inc., to discover small molecule fusion inhibitors of HIV.
Sales, Marketing and Distribution
Trimeris does not exercise direct control over the sales, marketing or distribution of Fuzeon. We currently rely on Roche for the sales, marketing and distribution of Fuzeon and, if they are approved by the FDA, any other drug candidates covered by our collaboration with Roche, in accordance with the marketing terms contained in our development and license agreement with Roche. Roche may terminate this agreement at any time with advance notice. If Roche fails to market Fuzeon or our other drug candidates, if approved, adequately, we do not have the ability under our collaboration agreement to establish our own sales, marketing or distribution capabilities. If Roche ceases to market Fuzeon or our other drug candidates by terminating our agreement, and we were unable to reach agreement with one or more other marketing partners, we would be required to develop internal sales, marketing and distribution capabilities. We may not be able to establish cost-effective sales, marketing or distribution capabilities or make arrangements with third parties to perform these activities on acceptable terms on a timely basis, if at all. This would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the market price of our stock.
Our agreement with Roche and any sales, marketing or distribution arrangements we establish with other parties gives Roche, and may give those parties, significant control over important aspects of the commercialization of Fuzeon and our other drug candidates, including:
| | market identification; |
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| | marketing methods; |
| | pricing; |
| | drug positioning; |
| | composition and deployment of sales force; and |
| | promotional effort and activities. |
We may not be able to control the amount or timing of resources that Roche or any third party may devote to our drug candidates.
Roche previously had entered into an exclusive distribution arrangement with Chronimed, Inc. to distribute Fuzeon in the United States during the initial commercial launch in 2003 and the first part of 2004. This exclusive arrangement terminated in April 2004 and Fuzeon became available through retail and specialty pharmacies across the U.S. This development has enhanced and simplified access to Fuzeon for patients and their healthcare providers by allowing physicians to write prescriptions for Fuzeon in the same manner as they prescribe other medications. Furthermore, patients are now able to get Fuzeon from the retail or specialty pharmacy of their choice, including Chronimed.
Patents, Proprietary Technology and Trade Secrets
Our success will depend, in part, on our ability, and the ability of our collaborators or licensors, to obtain protection for our products and technologies under United States and foreign patent laws, to preserve our trade secrets and to operate without infringing the proprietary rights of third parties.
We own or have exclusive licenses to 35 issued United States patents, numerous pending United States patent applications, and certain corresponding foreign patents and patent applications. Most of our United States patents issued to date are currently set to expire between 2013 and 2022.
We also rely on trade secrets, know-how and other proprietary information, which we seek to protect, in part, through the use of confidentiality agreements with employees, consultants, advisors and others. These agreements may not provide adequate protection for our trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information in the event of any unauthorized disclosure. Our employees, consultants or advisors could disclose our trade secrets or proprietary information to competitors, which would be detrimental to us.
We have an exclusive, worldwide, royalty-bearing license from the New York Blood Center under certain U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications relating to certain HIV peptides. Under this license we are required to pay the New York Blood Center a royalty equal to one-half of one percent of the net sales of Fuzeon up to $100 million in a calendar year, and one-quarter of one percent of net sales in excess of $100 million for that calendar year. For 2004, we recognized expense of approximately $575,000 for royalty payments due to the New York Blood Center related to the sales of Fuzeon.
Competition
We are engaged in segments of the biopharmaceutical industry, including the treatment of HIV, that are intensely competitive and change rapidly. Fuzeon and any other HIV fusion inhibitors we may develop will compete with numerous existing therapies. For example, at least 20 drugs are currently approved in the United States for the treatment of HIV. In addition, a number of companies are pursuing the development of novel pharmaceutical products that target HIV. Some companies, including several multi-national pharmaceutical companies, are simultaneously marketing several different drugs and may therefore be able to market their own combination drug therapies. We believe that a significant number of drugs are currently under development and will become available in the future for the treatment of HIV.
Fuzeon is delivered via twice daily subcutaneous injections, each delivering 90 mg of Fuzeon. The other approved anti-HIV drugs are delivered orally at various dosing intervals. We believe that this delivery method is one factor that
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may limit its uptake as compared to other competing drugs. In addition, the Wholesale Acquisition Cost, or WAC, of Fuzeon is approximately $21,000 for one year of therapy. This price is significantly higher than any of the other approved anti-HIV drugs. Fuzeons price relative to other approved anti-HIV drugs may also limit patient demand.
The need for drugs that have a novel mechanism of action has stimulated interest in the inhibition of HIV entry into the cell. We believe that several companies are developing or attempting to develop HIV drug candidates that inhibit entry of the virus into the cell via mechanisms other than fusion. Several companies including GlaxoSmithKline PLC, Pfizer, Inc., and Schering Plough Corp, are developing CCR5 inhibitors that inhibit entry of the virus into the cell through a different mechanism. These compounds are in various stages of development and none are currently approved by the FDA.
The standard of care for the treatment of HIV is to administer a regimen that combines drugs from each of the different classes of anti-HIV drugs. In the event drug candidates are approved that are effective against HIV virus that has become resistant to currently approved drugs, we believe that using these drugs in combination with Fuzeon may provide patients with additional treatment options that do not currently exist. These drugs may be both competitive with Fuzeon in some cases, and synergistic with Fuzeon in other cases.
We believe that there is a significant future market for therapeutics that treat HIV and other viral diseases. However, we anticipate that we will face intense and increasing competition in the future as new products enter the market and advanced technologies become available. Existing products or new products for the treatment of HIV developed by our competitors may be more effective, less expensive or more effectively marketed than any products eventually commercialized by us.
Many of our competitors have significantly greater financial, technical and human resources than we have and may be better able to develop, manufacture, sell, market and distribute products. Many of these competitors have products that have been approved or are in late-stage development. These competitors also operate large, well-funded research and development programs. In addition, smaller companies may prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Furthermore, academic institutions, governmental agencies and other public and private research organizations are becoming increasingly aware of the commercial value of their inventions for the treatment of HIV and are more actively seeking to commercialize the technology they have developed.
New developments in our areas of research and development are expected to continue at a rapid pace in both industry and academia. If our drug candidates are successfully developed and approved, we will face competition based on:
| | the safety and effectiveness of the products; |
| | the convenience of the dosing regimen; |
| | the timing and scope of regulatory approvals; |
| | availability of manufacturing, sales, marketing and distribution capabilities; |
| | reimbursement coverage; |
| | price; and |