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8-K - FORM 8-K - Ardea Biosciences, Inc./DE | a58957e8vk.htm |
Exhibit 99.1
Contact:
|
John Beck Ardea Biosciences, Inc. (858) 652-6523 jbeck@ardeabio.com |
Ardea Biosciences Reports Recent Accomplishments and Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2010
Financial Results
Financial Results
SAN DIEGO, March 11, 2011 Ardea Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: RDEA), a biotechnology company
focused on the development of small-molecule therapeutics for the treatment of serious diseases,
today reported recent accomplishments and announced fourth quarter and full-year 2010 financial
results.
With approximately $160 million in cash as of the end of February, we are in an excellent
financial position, commented Barry D. Quart, PharmD, Ardeas president and chief executive
officer. In addition, we recently reported positive, topline results from our Phase 2b study of
lesinurad, previously called RDEA594, in gout patients not responding adequately to allopurinol
alone. These results support our view that lesinurad has the potential to significantly improve
the lives of millions of gout patients who are untreated or inadequately treated due to the
limitations of current therapies. In the months to come, we expect to meet with the FDA to
finalize the design of our Phase 3 program for lesinurad.
Recent Accomplishments and Important Upcoming Events
| In December 2010, the United States Adopted Names Counsel (USAN) adopted lesinurad, pronounced le sin ure ad, as the USAN name for RDEA594. | |
| In January 2011, we announced positive, topline results from a Phase 2b study (Study 203) adding lesinurad to allopurinol in 208 allopurinol-refractory patients. At the highest lesinurad dose tested in this study, the number of patients taking the combination who achieved the medically recommended target of below 6 mg/dL was more than three times the number of patients who achieved the target on allopurinol alone. This translated into an overall response rate of 89 percent using a last observation carried forward, or LOCF, analysis. The combination of lesinurad and allopurinol was also well tolerated. | |
| In February 2011, we completed an underwritten public offering of approximately 3.2 million shares of our common stock, including the full exercise of an overallotment option granted to the underwriters. Net proceeds from the sale of the shares, before expenses and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, were approximately $78 million. | |
| In January 2011, we received a $15 million milestone payment from Bayer Healthcare AG (Bayer) triggered by the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical study of BAY-86-9766 (RDEA119) in combination with sorafenib (Nexavar®; Bayer, Onyx Pharmaceuticals) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, or primary liver cancer. BAY 86-9766 (RDEA119) is a potent, non-ATP competitive, highly selective inhibitor of mitogen-activated ERK kinase (MEK). |
Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2010 Financial Results
As of December 31, 2010, we had $80.6 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
and $17.0 million in receivables, compared to $50.9 million in cash, cash equivalents and
short-term investments and $1.4 million in receivables as of December 31, 2009.
The net increase in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments for 2010 was due primarily to
our April 2010 public offering of common stock, partially offset by the use of cash to fund our
clinical-stage programs, personnel costs and for other general corporate purposes. The increase in
receivables for 2010 was due to revenue recognized in the fourth quarter of 2010 for the first
milestone achieved under the license agreement with Bayer, as well as increased reimbursements of
third-party development costs and sponsored research also associated with this agreement.
Revenues totaled $17.3 million and $27.4 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31,
2010, respectively. Revenues totaled $8.3 million and $22.9 million for the three and twelve
months ended December 31, 2009, respectively. The revenues earned in 2009 and 2010 resulted from
the recognition of a portion of the $35 million, upfront, non-refundable license fee under the
Bayer agreement and the related reimbursement by Bayer of third-party development costs. In
addition, in 2010, the Company recognized $15.0 million in revenue for the achievement of the first
milestone, as well as approximately $0.4 million in sponsored research revenue, under the license
agreement with Bayer.
For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2010, total operating expenses increased to
$17.8 million and $68.6 million, respectively, from $14.4 million and $52.9 million for the same
periods in 2009. Total operating expenses for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2010
included non-cash stock-based compensation charges of $1.8 million and $10.8 million, or $0.08 per
share and $0.49 per share, respectively, as compared to charges of $1.4 million and $5.8 million,
or $0.08 per share and $0.32 per share, respectively, for the same periods in 2009. These
increased charges were primarily in connection with the departure of certain employees during the
third quarter of 2010. The increase in total operating expenses between the 2009 and 2010 periods
was primarily a result of an increase in research and development expense due mainly to the
continued development and progression of our clinical and preclinical programs, as well as the
above-described increase in non-cash, stock-based compensation expense.
Net loss for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2010 was $0.6 million and $41.6
million, or $0.03 per share and $1.91 per share, respectively, compared to a net loss for the same
periods in 2009 of $6.3 million and $30.9 million, or $0.34 per share and $1.70 per share,
respectively. The decrease in net loss between the three-month periods and the increase in net
loss between the twelve-month periods were due primarily to the revenue and operating expense
fluctuations described above. The decrease in net loss per share for the three months ended
December 31, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 was a result of the decrease in net loss.
The increase in net loss per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 compared to the
same period in 2009 was partially offset by an increase in weighted-average shares outstanding in
2010 as a result of our April 2010 public offering of common stock.
ARDEA BIOSCIENCES, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
Milestones |
$ | 15,000 | $ | | $ | 15,000 | $ | | ||||||||
License fees |
1,077 | 7,251 | 8,100 | 20,442 | ||||||||||||
Sponsored research |
358 | | 358 | | ||||||||||||
Reimbursable research and
development costs |
896 | 1,004 | 3,961 | 2,494 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues |
17,331 | 8,255 | 27,419 | 22,936 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Research and development |
14,288 | 11,478 | 52,110 | 42,198 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative |
3,538 | 2,882 | 16,452 | 10,689 | ||||||||||||
Total operating expenses* |
17,826 | 14,360 | 68,562 | 52,887 | ||||||||||||
Loss from operations |
(495 | ) | (6,105 | ) | (41,143 | ) | (29,951 | ) | ||||||||
Other income (expense): |
||||||||||||||||
Interest income |
84 | 66 | 364 | 386 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(172 | ) | (291 | ) | (866 | ) | (1,323 | ) | ||||||||
Other income, net |
(13 | ) | | 14 | 21 | |||||||||||
Total other income (expense) |
(101 | ) | (225 | ) | (488 | ) | (916 | ) | ||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (596 | ) | $ | (6,330 | ) | $ | (41,631 | ) | $ | (30,867 | ) | ||||
Basic and diluted net loss per share |
$ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.34 | ) | $ | (1.91 | ) | $ | (1.70 | ) | ||||
Shares used in computing basic and
diluted net loss per share |
23,214 | 18,445 | 21,823 | 18,158 | ||||||||||||
* | Includes $1.8 million and $10.8 million in non-cash, stock-based compensation expense for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2010, respectively, as compared to $1.4 million and $5.8 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2009. Stock-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2010 includes $3.1 million related to the departure of certain employees. |
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments |
$ | 80,612 | $ | 50,891 | ||||
Total assets |
$ | 100,454 | $ | 55,065 | ||||
Total stockholders equity |
$ | 77,123 | $ | 24,741 |
About Ardea Biosciences, Inc.
Ardea Biosciences, Inc., of San Diego, California, is a biotechnology company focused on the
development of small-molecule therapeutics for the treatment of serious diseases. Lesinurad,
previously called RDEA594, our lead product candidate for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout,
is a once-daily, oral inhibitor of the URAT1 transporter which has completed Phase 2 clinical
development. Our next-generation URAT1 inhibitor program is currently in preclinical development.
BAY 86-9766, formerly known as RDEA119, is a potent and specific inhibitor of mitogen-activated ERK
kinase (MEK) for the treatment of cancer being developed under a global license agreement with
Bayer HealthCare AG. BAY 86-9766 is currently in a Phase 2 study in patients with hepatocellular
carcinoma in combination with sorafenib (Nexavar®; Bayer, Onyx Pharmaceuticals) and a
Phase 1/2 study in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in combination with gemcitabine.
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ
materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements
include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our plans and goals, the expected properties
and benefits of lesinurad, BAY 86-9766 and our other compounds and the timing and results of our
preclinical, clinical and other studies. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the
forward-looking statements include risks related to the outcome of preclinical and clinical
studies, risks related to regulatory approvals, delays in commencement of preclinical and clinical
studies, costs associated with our drug discovery and development programs, and risks related to
the outcome of our business development activities, including collaboration or license agreements.
These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in our most recently filed SEC
documents, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, under
the headings Risk Factors. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak
only as of the date on which they were made. We undertake no obligation to update such statements
to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.
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