Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date
of Report (Date of the earliest event reported): November 2, 2006
NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
(State or other
jurisdiction of
incorporation or
organization)
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0-22705
(Commission File
Number)
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33-0525145
(IRS Employer Identification
No.) |
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12790 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA
(Address of principal executive offices)
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92130
(Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (858) 617-7600
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the
filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2 (b)) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4 (c)) |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM 2.02 RESULTS OF OPERATION AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.
On November 2, 2006, Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. announced its financial results for the nine
months and quarter ended September 30, 2006. The full text of the press release issued in
connection with the announcement is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
In accordance with General Instruction B.2. of Form 8-K, the information in this Current
Report of Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (Exchange Act) or otherwise subject to the
liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific
reference in such a filing.
ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(c) EXHIBITS. The following exhibit is filed herewith:
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Exhibit |
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Description of Exhibit |
99.1
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Press Release dated November 2, 2006 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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Dated: November 2, 2006 |
NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
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/s/ TIMOTHY P. COUGHLIN
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Timothy P. Coughlin |
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Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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Exhibit 99.1
EXHIBIT 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact at Neurocrine Biosciences
Elizabeth Foster or Claudia Woodworth
(858) 617-7600
NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2006 RESULTS
COMPANY ALSO PROVIDES UPDATE ON INDIPLON PROGRAM
San Diego, CA, November 2, 2006 Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:NBIX) today announced that
based on guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at the end-of-review meetings
for indiplon capsules and indiplon tablets New Drug Applications (NDAs), and related communications
from these meetings, the Company is finalizing a path forward for the indiplon program.
The Companys discussions with the FDA on the indiplon capsules NDA have been focused on the
actions necessary to bring indiplon capsules from Approvable to Approval for the treatment of
insomnia. The FDA requested that the resubmission include further analyses and modifications of
analyses previously submitted to address questions raised by the Agency in the initial review. The
reanalysis is ongoing. The FDA also requested and the Company has completed a supplemental
pharmacokinetic/food effect profile of indiplon capsules including several meal types. While the
FDA has not requested any additional clinical studies for the indiplon capsules resubmission, the
Company has elected to conduct an additional 3-month safety and efficacy study to supplement the
reanalysis and provide additional support for the resubmission. The NDA for indiplon capsules is
targeted to be resubmitted to the FDA during summer 2008.
The Companys discussions with the FDA on the indiplon tablets NDA have been focused on the actions
necessary to bring indiplon tablets from Non-Approvable to Approval for the treatment of insomnia.
The FDA Non-Approvable Letter requested that the Company reanalyze certain safety and efficacy
data. The FDA has requested additional long-term safety and efficacy data with the 15 mg dose for
the adult population and the development of a separate dose for the elderly population. In their
discussions, the Company and the FDA noted positive efficacy data for sleep maintenance with both
indiplon capsules and tablets. On the basis of these discussions, the Company is formulating a
strategy to pursue a sleep maintenance claim for indiplon. The evaluation of indiplon for sleep
maintenance will include both indiplon capsules and tablets.
Now that we have received clarification from the FDA on the requirements for indiplon, we
believe that indiplon will be best served by focusing our resources on the resubmission of the NDA
to secure approval for indiplon capsules. While the Agency did not request additional studies for
indiplon capsules, we have decided to take the most conservative approach and conduct an additional
3-month safety and efficacy study for sleep onset to ensure the highest probability for the success
of the resubmission. We will be pursuing a sleep maintenance claim for indiplon to be filed as a
separate application at a later date, said Gary A. Lyons, President and CEO of Neurocrine
Biosciences.
The Company Also Announced Financial Results
In addition, the Company today announced its financial results for the quarter ended September 30,
2006. For the third quarter of 2006, the Company reported a net loss of $39.1 million, or $1.03
loss per share compared to net income of $26.2 million, or $0.71 basic earnings per share, for the
same period in 2005. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company reported a net loss
of $92.5 million, or $2.46 loss per share compared to net income of $1.7 million, or $0.05 basic
earnings per share, for the same period last year. The adoption of Financial Accounting Standards
Board Statement 123R Share-Based Payment (FAS 123R) resulted in non-cash operating expenses of
approximately $3.2 million and $12.7 million for the three months and nine months ended September
30, 2006, respectively. Additionally, the Company incurred a one-time cost of approximately $9.5
million related to severance and outplacement costs during the third quarter of 2006. During the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company recognized milestones of $50.0 and
$71.0 million under collaboration agreements.
Revenues for the third quarter of 2006 were $1.1 million compared with $64.7 million for the
respective period last year. Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 were $29.8
million compared with $109.8 million for the same period in 2005. The decrease in revenues for the
three and nine month periods is primarily due to achievement of a $50.0 million milestone under the
Pfizer collaboration agreement in the third quarter of 2005. The Company recognized $0.3
million and $6.5 million, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 in the form of
sponsored development funding under the Pfizer collaboration agreement compared to $1.3 million and
$7.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005. License fees and milestones
recognized under the Pfizer collaboration were $0.7 million and $5.8 million for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2006 and $55.4 million and $86.3 million for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2005. The sales force allowance earned under the Pfizer collaboration agreement
was $16.5 million and $14.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005,
respectively, and $8.0 million for the third quarter of 2005.
Research and development expenses decreased to $25.2 million for the third quarter of 2006 from
$26.6 million for the respective period in 2005. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and
2005, research and development expenses were $79.1 million and $81.9 million, respectively. This
decrease in research and development expenses primarily resulted from lower external development
costs offset by severance payments totaling $2.8 million.
Sales, general and administrative expenses increased to $16.1 million for the third quarter of 2006
compared with $13.0 million during the same period last year. For the nine months ended September
30, 2006, sales, general and administrative expenses were $47.8 million compared to $28.4 million
for the respective period in 2005. This increase in sales, general and administrative expenses
during the third quarter primarily resulted from severance payments totaling $6.7 million offset by
lower operating costs. The year to date increase in sales, general and administrative expenses was
the result of higher aggregate head count in 2006 as compared to 2005 and the adoption of FAS
123R.
The Companys balance sheet on September 30, 2006 reflected total assets of $404.1 million,
including cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, and receivables due under collaboration
agreements of $200.2 million as compared with balances at December 31, 2005 of $483.1 million and
$273.9 million, respectively.
Financial Guidance for 2006
The Company expects the net cash burn for 2006 will be approximately $100.0 million and expects to
end 2006 with approximately $180.0 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. The
net cash burn for 2007 is expected to be approximately $80.0 million.
As part of our business strategy we have always maintained a strong and diversified R & D pipeline
and are encouraged by the progress of the next generation of products that have advanced through
development this past quarter, especially our GnRH and CRF programs. Our R & D group continues to
build up the pipeline and we are proud to announce the selection of a new development candidate,
sNRI for neuropathic pain, which is expected to enter Phase I clinical trials by year-end, said
Gary A. Lyons, President and CEO of Neurocrine Biosciences.
Over the last few months we have implemented a number of important organizational changes at the
Company. We are proud of the promotions of Kevin Gorman Ph.D to Chief Operating Officer and Tim
Coughlin to Chief Financial Officer and appreciate the strengths and expertise they bring to our
senior management team as we move the pipeline forward, added Lyons.
As part of our financial strategy, we have reallocated resources and adjusted operating expenses
in order to meet the funding requirements for continued development of our pipeline. We plan to
continue to maintain a well-controlled burn rate and will also review collaborative alternatives
and outside funding strategies to achieve these goals, said Timothy P. Coughlin, Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer of Neurocrine Biosciences.
Pipeline Update
Neurocrine is advancing six drug candidates through clinical development. The Company is expecting
to report on several Phase II clinical trials in the fourth quarter of 2006 and throughout 2007. At
the same time, Neurocrine scientists will continue to build Neurocrines pipeline and meet the
Company-wide goal of bringing one new compound into development each year.
GnRH Antagonists for endometriosis:
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Initiated a 6-month Phase IIb clinical trial with NBI-56418 for the treatment of
endometriosis during the 4th Quarter 2006. |
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Preliminary top line results from a second Phase II 3-month clinical trial in
endometriosis evaluating additional dose response expected in the 4th
Quarter of 2006. |
Urocortin 2 for CHF:
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Results from a Phase II dose response trial involving patients with stable
congestive heart failure (CHF) expected in the 4th Quarter 2006. |
CRF Antagonists for IBS and Anxiety/Depression:
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Neurocrine expects the first exploratory studies in patients with irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS) to start during the 4th Quarter of 2006. |
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Neurocrine expects Phase II proof of concept trials in two indications, IBS and
anxiety, to be initiated late in 2006. |
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A back up compound is currently in Phase I multi-dose trials. |
Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (sNRI) for Neuropathic Pain
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New clinical candidate for neuropathic pain expected to enter Phase I clinical trials in late 4th Quarter 2006 or early 1st Quarter 2007. |
GnRH Antagonists:
Neurocrine recently received communication from the FDA securing agreement to a non-clinical
registration plan and the Phase IIb 6 month clinical trial design. The Company previously reported
positive safety and efficacy results with completion of the 3-month off-treatment period of its
6-month proof of concept, safety, efficacy and dose-finding Phase II clinical trial using its
proprietary, orally-active, non-peptide Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist
(NBI-56418). The Company had previously reported positive preliminary results from the completion
of the first 3-month double-blind treatment period of this Phase II trial in April 2006.
Based on these data, Neurocrine plans to move ahead with an expanded six-month study in patients
with endometriosis. This Phase IIb study will include several hundred patients and has been
initiated during the 4th Quarter of 2006. In addition to confirming the effect of
NBI-56418 on endometriotic pain, this study is designed primarily to assess the impact of longer
treatment on bone mineral density as measured by DEXA scan. The Company expects completion of the
trial in mid-2008.
Neurocrine also completed enrollment of patients in a second Phase II study in patients with
endometriosis to explore once vs. twice daily dosing. This study, a multi-dose, double-blind,
placebo-controlled trial, enrolled 68 patients and is designed to assess safety and efficacy over a
3-month period of active treatment followed by an additional 3 months off treatment. The primary
endpoint of reduction in endometriotic pain will be measured by the Composite Pelvic Sign and
Symptoms Score (CPSSS) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Preliminary top line results are expected
to be announced toward the end of the 4th Quarter of 2006.
Urocortin 2 for CHF
Initial results of a Phase II study in patients with stable Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) indicate
that urocortin 2 is generally well tolerated and that the predicted hemodynamic effects on systolic
and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac work and, most importantly, cardiac output occur
over the entire 4-hour infusion. The study, a US Phase II study in stable CHF patients, was
designed to assess various hemodynamic endpoints, safety and PK/PD over the 4-hour infusion
treatment period. Results are expected in the 4th Quarter of 2006.
CRF for Anxiety/Depression and IBS
The CRF collaboration between Neurocrine and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has identified multiple unique
high affinity and selective antagonists for the CRF receptor that are currently in clinical
development for depression and anxiety-related disorders and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Neurocrine expects the first exploratory studies in patients with IBS to be initiated during the
4th Quarter of 2006. Neurocrine expects two additional Phase II proof of concept
trials to be initiated in the 4th Quarter of 2006, one in patients with IBS and a second
trial in patients with anxiety. GSK has also advanced a back up CRF receptor antagonist into a
Phase I single dose study in the 1st Quarter of 2006 and this compound is now in a Phase
I multi-dose study.
New Drug Candidate Selected for Clinical Development Pipeline
Neurocrine has selected a new compound, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (sNRI) for
development for treatment of neuropathic pain and psychiatric disorders. Based on its selective
pharmacologic effect as a norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitor, this drug also has potential clinical
utility in a variety of other therapeutic areas including psychiatry, gastroenterology and urology.
Phase I clinical trials are expected to be initiated in late 2006 or early 2007.
Additional Research Programs
Neurocrines Research Group continues to advance novel small molecule compounds into clinical
development. Neurocrine scientists are focusing on developing small molecule antagonists against
G-protein coupled receptors. In addition, Neurocrine is also currently reviewing in preclinical
studies a number of A2A antagonists for the treatment of Parkinsons disease.
Conference Call and Webcast Today at 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time
Neurocrine will host a live conference call and Webcast to discuss its third quarter financial
results and provide a Company update November 2, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) /
2:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST). Participants can access the live conference call by dialing
1-800-903-0258 (US) or 1-785-832-0326 (International) using the conference ID# 7NBIX. The call can
also be accessed via the webcast through the Companys website
at http://www.neurocrine.com
If you are unable to attend the Webcast and would like further information on this announcement
please contact Claudia Woodworth or Elizabeth Foster in the Investor Relations Department at
Neurocrine Biosciences at (858) 617-7600. A replay of the Conference Call will be available
approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call by dialing 1-800-695-0974 (US) or
1-402-220-1459 (International). The call will be archived for two weeks.
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on neurological and endocrine
diseases and disorders. Our product candidates address some of the largest pharmaceutical markets
in the world including insomnia, anxiety, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, and CNS related
disorders. Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. news releases are available through the Companys website
via the Internet at http://www.neurocrine.com
In addition to historical facts, this press release may contain forward-looking statements that
involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements are risks and
uncertainties associated with Neurocrines business and finances in general, as well as risks and
uncertainties associated with the Companys indiplon program and clinical pipeline. Specifically,
the risks and uncertainties associated with the Companys indiplon program include but are not
limited to the risk that the Companys reanalysis of the indiplon capsule clinical data requested
by the FDA will not demonstrate the safety and/or efficacy of indiplon capsules; risk that the
additional indiplon clinical trials the Company plans to conduct to support its regulatory filings
will fail to demonstrate that indiplon is safe and/or efficacious; risk that the Company will not
be able to address issues and or requests set forth in the action letters from the FDA in a timely
manner; risk relating to the availability of resources to conduct the additional indiplon clinical
trials and prepare and resubmit the indiplon regulatory filings; risk that the FDA may reject any
further indiplon regulatory filings or find them incomplete or insufficient; risk that the FDA may
determine that the Companys indiplon clinical data will not support the indiplon labeling sought
by the Company; risk that indiplon approval and subsequent commercialization may be significantly
delayed; risk that we may be not be successful in finding another indiplon collaboration partner on
favorable terms or at all and that failure to obtain a new partner could adversely effect
indiplon development and commercialization; and risk that indiplon will never be approved by the
FDA or commercialized. In addition, the Company faces risks and uncertainties with respect to the
Companys indiplon program and clinical pipeline including risk that the Companys GnRH receptor
antagonist, urocortin 2, CRF antagonist, and sNRI clinical candidates will not proceed to later
stage clinical trials; risk relating to the Companys dependence on contract manufacturers for
clinical drug supply; risks associated with the Companys dependence on corporate collaborators for
commercial manufacturing and marketing and sales activities; uncertainties relating to patent
protection and intellectual property rights of third parties; risks and uncertainties relating to
competitive products and technological changes that may limit demand for the Companys products;
risk that the Company will be unable to raise additional funding required to complete development
of all of its product candidates; and the other risks described in the Companys report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and the Companys report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended June 30, 2006. Neurocrine undertakes no obligation to update the statements contained in this
press release after the date hereof.
NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except for per share data)
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Three Months Ended |
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Nine Months Ended |
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September 30, |
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September 30, |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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(unaudited) |
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(unaudited) |
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Revenues: |
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Sponsored research and development |
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$ |
348 |
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$ |
1,297 |
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$ |
6,503 |
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$ |
8,434 |
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License fees and milestones |
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726 |
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55,448 |
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6,811 |
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87,344 |
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Sales force allowance |
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8,000 |
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16,480 |
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14,000 |
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Total revenues |
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1,074 |
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64,745 |
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29,794 |
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109,778 |
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Operating expenses: |
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Research and development |
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25,223 |
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26,627 |
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79,070 |
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81,863 |
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Sales, general and administrative |
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16,047 |
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12,997 |
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47,778 |
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28,393 |
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Total operating expenses |
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41,270 |
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39,624 |
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126,848 |
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110,256 |
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Income (loss) from operations |
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(40,196 |
) |
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25,121 |
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(97,054 |
) |
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(478 |
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Other income and (expenses): |
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Interest income and expense, net |
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1,525 |
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1,056 |
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5,033 |
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2,232 |
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Other income and (expense), net |
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(472 |
) |
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(26 |
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(472 |
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(37 |
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Total other income |
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1,053 |
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1,030 |
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4,561 |
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2,195 |
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Net income (loss) |
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$ |
(39,143 |
) |
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$ |
26,151 |
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$ |
(92,493 |
) |
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$ |
1,717 |
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Net income (loss) per common share: |
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Basic |
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$ |
(1.03 |
) |
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$ |
0.71 |
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$ |
(2.46 |
) |
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$ |
0.05 |
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Diluted |
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$ |
(1.03 |
) |
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$ |
0.68 |
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$ |
(2.46 |
) |
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$ |
0.05 |
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Shares used in the calculation of net income (loss) per common share: |
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Basic |
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37,868 |
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36,707 |
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37,664 |
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36,685 |
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Diluted |
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37,868 |
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38,406 |
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37,664 |
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37,992 |
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NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
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September 30, |
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December 31, |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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(unaudited) |
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Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities |
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$ |
199,778 |
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$ |
273,068 |
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Other current assets |
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5,002 |
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6,242 |
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Total current assets |
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204,780 |
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279,310 |
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Property and equipment, net |
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93,868 |
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99,307 |
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Prepaid royalty |
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94,000 |
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94,000 |
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Other non-current assets |
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11,483 |
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10,506 |
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Total assets |
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$ |
404,131 |
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$ |
483,123 |
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Current liabilities |
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$ |
21,267 |
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$ |
33,693 |
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Long-term liabilities |
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56,388 |
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59,326 |
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Stockholders equity |
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326,476 |
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390,104 |
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Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
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$ |
404,131 |
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$ |
483,123 |
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