Strong results and solid recent progress by LGND, but the company does not seem to have much of a following. I did not yet listen to today's conference call.
finance.yahoo.com
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Announces Second Quarter Results
Conference call begins at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time today
Press Release
Source: Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
On Monday August 3, 2009, 4:05 pm EDT
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:LGND - News) today announced financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and provided an update on key programs.
Second Quarter Results
Total revenues from continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2009 were $7.6 million, compared with $4.8 million for the same period in 2008. The increase in revenues of $2.8 million is due to $4.7 million in collaboration revenues resulting from agreements acquired from Pharmacopeia as well as $0.9 million of license and milestone revenue. These increases were partially offset by a $2.8 million decrease in royalty revenues due to the change in the contractual royalty rate on AVINZA® from 15% to 5% that became effective in the fourth quarter of 2008.
Operating costs and expenses from continuing operations in the second quarter of 2009 were $12.7 million, compared with $10.9 million in the second quarter of 2008. Research and development expenses increased by $3.1 million for the second quarter of 2009, compared to the same period in 2008, primarily due to costs of servicing the collaboration agreements acquired from Pharmacopeia in December 2008. General and administrative expenses decreased by $1.7 million compared to the same period in 2008 primarily due to reduced legal costs. Additionally, during the second quarter of 2009, the Company recorded a write-off of acquired in-process research and development of $0.4 million as a result of adjustments related to the purchase price allocation for Pharmacopeia.
The total net loss in the second quarter of 2009 was $1.7 million, or $0.01 per share, compared with a net loss of $6.4 million, or $0.07 per share, in the comparable 2008 quarter. Loss from continuing operations in the second quarter of 2009 was $4.5 million, or $0.04 per share, compared with a loss from continuing operations of $4.9 million, or $0.05 per share, in the comparable 2008 quarter. Income from discontinued operations in the second quarter of 2009 was $2.8 million, or $0.03 per share, compared with a loss from discontinued operations of $1.5 million, or $0.02 per share, in the comparable 2008 quarter.
As of June 30, 2009, Ligand had cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted investments of $56.9 million.
“Ligand had a very productive second quarter. We saw new Phase III data announced by our partners, GSK and Wyeth, another Ligand-derived product named CONBRIZA received EU regulatory approval, additional cash milestone payments were collected and we entered a new license agreement for a Phase II program that could generate additional future royalties,” said John L. Higgins, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ligand. “Since the beginning of 2009, our partners have delivered numerous positive events and cash payments, operating expenses have decreased and we are making progress on our pipeline programs, notably with the initiation of our Phase I SARM trial. We are highly focused on driving value for shareholders through productive early stage research and generating potential future cash flow from our extensive roster of fully funded royalty partnerships.”
Year-to-Date Results
Total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2009, were $17.1 million, compared with $9.7 million for the first six months of 2008. Operating costs and expenses for the first six months of 2009 were $30.0 million, compared with $28.2 million for the same period in 2008.
The net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2009, was $6.8 million, or $0.06 per share, compared with a net loss of $10.4 million, or $0.11 per share, for the same period in 2008.
Second Quarter and Recent Highlights
•July: Wyeth announced data in the journal, Fertility and Sterility, from a Phase III clinical study showing that the investigational compound bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens (APRELA™) significantly reduced the frequency and severity of hot flushes and improved measures of vaginal atrophy when compared to placebo. Wyeth expects to file an initial NDA in the first half of 2010.
•July: Ligand and N.V. Organon mutually agreed to terminate the research collaboration under their collaboration and license agreement, which Ligand assumed in connection with its acquisition of Pharmacopeia. The termination is effective at the end of 2009. Pursuant to the termination agreement, the Company will continue to receive research funding through the end of 2009 and has the potential to earn future milestone payments on several programs at the time of termination. Ligand expects that certain costs required to service this agreement will be eliminated or reduced in 2010.
•June: Ligand initiated a Phase I clinical trial with LGD-4033, a next-generation selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) designed to provide the benefits of androgen receptor stimulation on skeletal muscle and bone without the side effects of currently marketed androgens.
•June: Ligand entered into an exclusive license agreement with ParinGenix Inc. under which ParinGenix was granted exclusive license rights to three issued U.S. patents relating to certain desulfated heparin compounds. Pursuant to the license agreement, Ligand received an up-front payment of $350,000 and will receive a 3% royalty on net sales by ParinGenix.
•June: GSK presented new Phase III results for PROMACTA® for chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) at the European Hematology Conference in Germany. Data from two long-term studies (RAISE – 197 patients and EXTEND – 144 patients) demonstrated that patients treated with PROMACTA experienced significant elevations in platelet counts, as well as a reduction in bleeding and bruising, compared with placebo. In addition, patients experienced a statistically significant improvement in quality of life. Patients treated with PROMACTA reported an increased vitality, reduced fatigue, and an increased ability to participate in the activities of daily living.
•May: Ligand presented DARA Phase IIb results at the American Society of Hypertension Annual Meeting. Both the 400 mg and 800 mg doses of DARA produced statistically significant better blood pressure control than irbesartan, a current standard of care.
•April: Wyeth received approval in the EU for CONBRIZA (the EU trade name for VIVIANT™) for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis in women at increased risk of fracture. Ligand earned a $550,000 milestone payment, and is entitled to receive royalty payments on net sales of the product. Wyeth expects to launch CONBRIZA in the EU in 2010.
Operating Forecast and Financial Outlook
Affirming its previous 2009 revenue forecast, Ligand expects 2009 total revenue of $30 to $34 million, including approximately $9.0 million of non-cash deferred revenue, consisting of royalty payments from King Pharmaceuticals for sales of AVINZA and from GSK for sales of PROMACTA, revenue from collaboration agreements and potential milestone payments from existing corporate partners. For the remaining two quarters of 2009, the Company anticipates total operating costs will be between $23 million and $25 million, including non-cash expenses of approximately $4.0 million.
The Company currently projects to finish 2009 with more than $45 million in cash. For 2010, the Company currently forecasts that its operating expenses will be approximately $35 million and that revenues are projected to be at about the same level as forecasted expenses for 2010. This revenue outlook does not assume license or milestone payments from any potential new license agreements.
Conference Call
Ligand management will host a conference call today beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (1:30 p.m. Pacific time). To participate via telephone please dial (877) 356-5578 from the U.S. or (706) 679-0565 from outside the U.S. A replay of the call will be available until September 3, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time by dialing (800) 642-1687 from the U.S. or (706) 645-9291 from outside the U.S., and entering passcode 21666759. Individual investors can access the live and archived Webcast through Ligand’s Web site at www.ligand.com... |
