On August 2, 2018 Cambrex Corporation (NYSE: CBM), a leading manufacturer of small molecule innovator and generic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), reported its results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 (Press release, Cambrex, AUG 2, 2018, View Source [SID1234528318]).

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Highlights
Net revenue increased 13% to $152.0 million compared to $134.6 million in the same quarter last year. Excluding the impact of adopting the new revenue standard, ASC 606 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers, net revenue decreased 1%.
GAAP Diluted EPS from continuing operations increased 61% to $1.21 per share from $0.75 per share in the same quarter last year. The 2018 results reflect a lower tax rate as a result of tax reform in the United States. Excluding the impact of adopting ASC 606, Diluted EPS from continuing operations was $0.87 per share.
EBITDA increased 22% to $52.2 million compared to $42.6 million in the same quarter last year. Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes the impact of adopting ASC 606, decreased to $37.2 million from $42.6 million in the same quarter last year (see table at the end of this release).
Net cash was $171.3 million at the end of the quarter, a decrease of $16.2 million during the quarter.
The Company continues to expect full year 2018 Adjusted net revenue growth, which excludes the impact of foreign currency and adoption of ASC 606, to be between -2% and 2% compared to 2017 and Adjusted EBITDA to be between $150 and $160 million. This does not include the impact of the Halo acquisition (see Financial Expectations – Continuing Operations section below for related explanations and additional financial guidance).
Entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Halo Pharma, a leading dosage form Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) specializing in product development and commercial manufacturing, for approximately $425 million in total cash consideration.
"Our recent accomplishments mark significant progress toward our goals of investing in increased capacity and expanding our capabilities in order to take advantage of favorable industry trends and provide best-in-class services for our global customers. Most notably, we were pleased to announce the agreement to acquire Halo Pharma, which expands our offerings into finished dose development and manufacturing, while diversifying our customer base and accelerating our revenue growth," commented Steven M. Klosk, President and Chief Executive Officer.

"We are also encouraged by second quarter performance across our three product categories. We recently added a new late-stage clinical project to our innovator portfolio with the potential to generate between $5 million and $10 million in peak API sales. This brings the total to three new late-stage projects added during the first half of 2018, with the combined potential to generate greater than $25 million in API revenue. Sales of generic APIs and controlled substances were also strong in the quarter."

Basis of Reporting
The Company has provided a reconciliation of GAAP to adjusted (i.e. Non-GAAP) amounts at the end of this press release. Cambrex management believes that the adjustments provide useful information to investors due to the magnitude and nature of certain amounts recorded under GAAP.

Second Quarter 2018 Operating Results – Continuing Operations
Net revenue was $152.0 million, an increase of $17.5 million, or 13%, compared to the second quarter of 2017. Excluding a 2% favorable impact of foreign exchange compared to the second quarter of 2017, net revenue increased 11%. The increase in volumes is driven by higher custom development products, generic APIs and the adoption of ASC 606, which accelerated revenue recognition for a portion of Cambrex’s portfolio, enabling revenues for certain products to be recognized over time, rather than upon delivery to the customer. Cambrex elected the modified retrospective method which did not require prior periods to be restated. The increases were partially offset by lower pricing. Excluding the impact of adopting ASC 606, net revenue decreased 1%.

Gross margins were flat at 43% versus the same quarter last year. Excluding the impact of adopting ASC 606, gross margin was 37%.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $16.0 million, compared to $18.1 million in the same quarter last year. This decrease was primarily due to lower personnel related costs.

Research and development expenses were $4.1 million, compared to $4.5 million in the same quarter last year. This decrease was primarily driven by the timing of spending on the development of generic drug products.

Operating profit was $44.7 million compared to $35.0 million in the same quarter last year. The increase was primarily the result of higher gross profit and lower operating expenses as described above. Excluding the impact of adopting ASC 606, operating profit was $29.7 million. Adjusted EBITDA was $37.2 million compared to $42.6 million in the same quarter last year (see table at the end of this press release).

Income tax expense was $8.7 million resulting in an effective tax rate of 18% compared to $9.2 million and an effective tax rate of 27% in the same quarter last year. The reduction in the effective tax rate reflects the impact of tax reform in the United States.

Income from continuing operations was $40.9 million or $1.21 per share compared to $25.1 million or $0.75 per share in the same quarter last year. Excluding the impact of adopting ASC 606, Diluted EPS from continuing operations was $0.87 per share.

Adjusted income from continuing operations was $24.7 million or $0.74 per share, compared to $25.4 million or $0.76 per share in the same quarter last year (see table at the end of this press release).

Capital expenditures were $8.9 million and depreciation and amortization was $7.5 million compared to $10.7 million and $7.6 million, respectively, in the same quarter last year.

Net cash was $171.3 million at the end of the second quarter, a decrease of $16.2 million during the quarter.

The following table shows the Company’s current expectations for its full year 2018 financial performance versus its expectations from the previous quarter. These expectations do not reflect the impact of the acquisition of Halo Pharma on 2018 results. The Company expects to issue revised guidance in our third quarter call once the acquisition has closed.

tations are for continuing operations and exclude the impact of any potential acquisitions, divestitures, restructuring activities, outcomes of tax disputes and the adoption of ASC 606 which became effective January 1, 2018. Adjusted net revenue growth expectations exclude the impact of foreign exchange and the adoption of ASC 606. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted income from continuing operations per share for 2018 will be computed on a basis consistent with the reconciliation of the current quarter financial results in the tables at the end of this press release. Free cash flow is defined as the change in debt, net of cash during the year. Adjusted effective tax rate excludes certain effects of share-based payments that were possibly deferred under the previous guidance. The tax rate will be sensitive to the Company’s geographic mix of income, changes in the tax laws or rates within the countries in which the Company operates and the effects of certain share-based payments.

The financial information contained in this press release is unaudited, subject to revision and should not be considered final until the Company’s Form 10-Q for second quarter 2018 is filed with the SEC.

Conference Call and Webcast
A conference call to discuss the Company’s second quarter 2018 results will begin at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on August 2, 2018 and can be accessed by calling 1-888-208-1711 for domestic and +1-323-794-2575 for international. Please use the passcode 3913181 and call approximately 10 minutes prior to the start time. A webcast will be available in the Investors section on the Cambrex website located at www.cambrex.com. A telephone replay of the conference call will be available through August 9, 2018 by calling 1-888-203-1112 for domestic and +1-719-457-0820 for international. Please use the passcode 3913181 to access the replay.

On August 2, 2018 argenx (Euronext & Nasdaq: ARGX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a deep pipeline of differentiated antibody-based therapies for the treatment of severe autoimmune diseases and cancer, reported its second quarter business update and half-year financial results for 2018 (Press release, argenx, AUG 2, 2018, View Source [SID1234528317]).

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These half-year results and this business update will be discussed during a conference call and webcast presentation today at 3 p.m. CEST/ 9 a.m. EDT. To participate in the conference call, please select your phone number below, and use the confirmation code 7669735. The webcast may be accessed on the homepage of the argenx website at www.argenx.com or by clicking here.

"We made significant progress recently in building a pipeline-in-a-product opportunity around our lead candidate efgartigimod (ARGX-113) as we study its potential to treat a range of severe autoimmune diseases, including validation of its mechanism of action across two indications based on the proof-of-concept data from the Phase 2 clinical trial in generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) and the early evidence of disease control from the first cohort of patients in our Phase 2 pemphigus vulgaris (PV) clinical trial. These results strengthen our conviction that reducing pathogenic autoantibodies may offer an innovative approach to treating gMG and PV and could give rise to potential therapeutic benefits in other conditions that are similarly mediated. We look forward to a productive second half of 2018 around efgartigimod with topline data from the Phase 2 immune thrombocytopenia clinical trial expected before the end of the third quarter and the launch of a Phase 3 clinical trial in gMG before the end of the year," commented Tim Van Hauwermeiren, CEO of argenx.

"We are also advancing a deep pipeline of differentiated antibodies beyond efgartigimod. We continue to enroll the Phase 2 clinical trial of ARGX-110 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and expect to report full data from the Phase 1 dose-escalation clinical trial in December around the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. We achieved key milestones in our collaborations with AbbVie and Leo Pharma this quarter and have continued to showcase our ability to grow our pipeline through our productive Innovative Access Program."

SECOND QUARTER 2018 AND RECENT BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS

Efgartigimod Program

Full Phase 2 Myasthenia Gravis Data: Presented complete data from Phase 2 clinical trial of efgartigimod in gMG at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting.

Data showed clinical improvement of efgartigimod over placebo through entire 10-week duration of the trial.

Clinical benefit in the treatment group maximized as of one week after administration of last dose, achieving statistical significance over the placebo group on the Myasthenia Gravis Activity-of-Daily-Living (MG-ADL) score.

All patients in the treatment arm showed reduction of total IgG levels, and clinically meaningful disease improvement was found to correlate with a reduction in pathogenic IgG levels.

Efgartigimod was well-tolerated in all patients, with most adverse events (AEs) characterized as mild and deemed unrelated to the study drug. No serious or severe AEs were reported.

End-of-Phase 2 Meeting with FDA: Received feedback from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during the end-of-Phase 2 meeting on the framework of our Phase 3 program for efgartigimod in gMG.

Global Phase 3 clinical trial expected to evaluate the efficacy of a 10 mg/kg intravenous (IV) dose of efgartigimod in approximately 150 gMG patients over a 26-week period.

argenx expects to enroll in the trial both AChR autoantibody positive patients and AChR autoantibody negative patients whose disease is driven by MuSK and LRP4 autoantibodies, among others.

Patients in the Phase 3 clinical trial would be able to roll over into an open-label extension study for a period of one year.

Interim Data from First Cohort in Phase 2 PV Trial: Reported interim data from the first cohort of our Phase 2 proof-of-concept clinical trial of efgartigimod for the treatment of PV.

Rapid disease control observed in four of the six mild-to-moderate PV patients treated, and efgartigimod was well-tolerated in all treated PV patients.

Strong pharmacodynamic effect correlated with an improvement in Pemphigus Disease Area Index (PDAI) score, characterized by the start of healing of existing lesions and absence of formation of new lesions.

Independent Data Monitoring Committee recommended advancing to cohort 2 with an increased dosing frequency and dosing duration during the maintenance phase.

Phase 1 Data using Subcutaneous Formulation: Announced data from the Phase 1 study of the subcutaneous (SC) formulation of efgartigimod, demonstrating comparable characteristics to the IV formulation, including half-life, pharmacodynamics and tolerability.
Data showed that repeat exposure to SC efgartigimod can maintain IgG suppression at a steady state, with the possibility to dose up or down based on patient needs.
argenx intends to explore various dosing schedules with the SC formulation to best address patient needs, including an IV loading dose followed by SC maintenance as one possible schedule.

ARGX-110 Program

Ongoing Enrollment in Phase 2 Trial of ARGX: argenx expects to enroll an initial 21 patients in the ongoing Phase 2 part of the Phase 1/2 proof-of-concept trial of ARGX-110 in combination with standard of care azacytidine in newly diagnosed, elderly AML and high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes patients who are unfit for chemotherapy. The Company expects to use the selected ARGX-110 dose of 10 mg/kg as determined from the dose-escalation part of the trial.

Corporate Updates

Received second preclinical milestone payment under the development agreement with AbbVie for ARGX-115 targeting novel immune checkpoints in oncology.

Received third preclinical milestone payment from collaboration with LEO Pharma following approval of our clinical trial application (CTA) filing for ARGX-112 to treat inflammatory skin disorders.

Received a milestone payment from the strategic collaboration with Shire triggered by Shire exercising its exclusive option to in-license an antibody discovered and developed using the Company’s proprietary SIMPLE Antibody platform and Fc engineering technologies.

Appointed R. Keith Woods as Chief Operating Officer.

Selected for BEL 20 Index representing the 20 largest companies traded on Euronext Brussels, subject to meeting Euronext Index Family criteria and review.

UPCOMING MILESTONES

Advance efgartigimod into Phase 3 clinical development in gMG before the end of 2018.

Report topline data from the Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial for efgartigimod in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) before the end of the third quarter of 2018 and present the full dataset at a workshop around the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.

Report full data from the Phase 2 trial of efgartigimod in PV in the first half of 2019.

Report full data of the dose-escalation phase of the AML Phase 1/2 clinical trial and the cutaneous T-cell lymphoma Phase 2 clinical trial of ARGX-110 around the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.

Total operating income was €20.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, compared to €23.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The decrease in operating income in 2018 was primarily due to a decrease of €4.5 million in revenue primarily from the completion of the preclinical activities under our ongoing collaboration with LEO Pharma. The decrease was offset by an increase in other operating income of €1.2 million, mainly driven by an increase in payroll tax rebates for employing certain research and development personnel.

Research and development expenses were €34.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, compared to €25.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase in research and development expenses in 2018 was principally due to (i) an increase of €4.4 million in share-based compensation expense linked to the grant of stock options to our research and development employees (including an increase of €1.3 million in social security costs on stock options granted to certain Belgian and non-Belgian resident employees), (ii) an increase of €4.0 million in costs related to the advancement of the clinical development and manufacturing activities of ARGX-113 and ARGX-110 and (iii) costs associated with a planned increase in research and development headcount.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were €11.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, compared to €5.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase of €6.5 million in selling, general and administrative expenses in 2018 is mainly explained by an increase of €6.1 million of personnel expenses resulting from (i) an increase of €4.9 million in share-based compensation expense linked to the grant of stock options to our selling, general and administrative employees (including an increase of €1.1 million in social security costs on stock options granted to certain Belgian and non-Belgian resident employees) and (ii) the recruitment of additional employees (notably in our US office) to further strengthen our selling, general and administrative activities.

Financial income and exchange gains amounted to €5.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to financial income and exchange losses of €0.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, which was primarily attributable to unrealized exchange rate gains on our cash, cash equivalents and current financial assets position in USD linked to the favorable fluctuation of the USD exchange rate in the six months ended June 30, 2018.

The Group generated a loss for the period and total comprehensive loss of €20.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, compared to a loss for the period and total comprehensive loss of €8.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017.

As at June 30, 2018, the Group’s cash, cash equivalents and current financial assets amounted to €338.9 million, compared to €359.8 million as at December 31, 2017.

EXPECTED 2018 FINANCIAL CALENDAR:

October 25, 2018: Third quarter 2018 business update and financial results.

On August 2, 2018 BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ: BMRN) (BioMarin or the Company) reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 (Press release, BioMarin, AUG 2, 2018, View Source [SID1234528316]). The financial results that follow represent a comparison of the second quarter of 2018 to the second quarter of 2017. Total revenues were $372.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 compared to $317.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, an increase of 17%. GAAP Net Loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 was $16.8 million, or $0.09 loss per basic and diluted share compared to GAAP Net Loss of $36.8 million, or $0.21 loss per basic and diluted share for the quarter ended June 30, 2017.

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Net product sales for the second quarter of 2018 were $367.8 million, compared to $315.9 million in the second quarter of 2017. The increase in net product sales was attributed to the following:

Vimizim: increased by $24.4 million, or 24%, due primarily to an increase in the number of commercial patients;
Brineura: launched in the second quarter of 2017, and contributed $10.6 million to increased net product revenues;
Kuvan: increased $7.0 million, or 7%, driven by an increase in the number of commercial patients;
Naglazyme: increased $5.4 million, or 6%, primarily due to government ordering patterns in certain countries and an increase in the number of commercial patients; and
Aldurazyme: increased $4.1 million, or 21%, primarily as a result of increased volume.
The decrease in GAAP Net Loss was primarily due to the following:

Increased gross profit primarily driven by increased Vimizim, Brineura and Kuvan net product revenues; and
A gain on the sale of intangible assets totaling $20.0 million received from Pfizer Inc. (Pfizer) associated with the achievement of two regulatory milestones, triggered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acceptance of the New Drug Application submission for talazoparib (which BioMarin sold to Medivation Inc. prior to Pfizer’s acquisition of Medivation Inc.) and the European Medicines Agency acceptance of Pfizer’s submission of a Marketing Authorization Application for talazoparib; partially offset by
Higher research and development (R&D) expense for the expansion of our clinical programs related to tralesinidase alfa (formally referred to as BMN-250), vosoritide and valoctocogene roxaparvovec and higher selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense in support of the preparation for the commercial launch of Palynziq (formerly known as pegvaliase) and the continued commercial expansion of Brineura.
Non-GAAP Income for the second quarter of 2018 was $19.9 million, compared to Non-GAAP Income of $26.6 million in the second quarter of 2017. The decrease in Non-GAAP income in the second quarter of 2018 is primarily attributed to higher R&D and SG&A expenses, partially offset by increased gross profit from revenues.

As of June 30, 2018, BioMarin had cash, cash equivalents and investments totaling approximately $1.6 billion, as compared to $1.8 billion on December 31, 2017. Our 0.75% senior subordinated convertible notes due 2018 are scheduled to mature in October 2018. Holders have the right to convert their notes at maturity, and with respect to any such conversions we have elected to settle in cash up to the principal amount of the notes, shares of our common stock in respect of conversion value in excess thereof, and cash in lieu of any fractional shares.

Commenting on second quarter results, Jean-Jacques Bienaimé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BioMarin, said, "In the quarter, BioMarin achieved numerous value-creating events on both the commercial and regulatory fronts. On May 24 we received standard FDA approval of Palynziq, an important new therapy that helps address a significant unmet need in adults with phenylketonuria (PKU) who have been unable to control their blood Phe levels with current treatment options. We are very happy with the pace of the initial commercial launch of Palynziq and look forward to providing an update on launch metrics in the third quarter of this year."

"In clinical development, we provided two years of clinical data with the 6e13 vg/kg dose of valoctocogene roxaparvovec gene therapy for severe Hemophilia A from the ongoing Phase 1/2 study in at the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) 2018 World Congress in Glasgow, Scotland. The updated data demonstrated the elimination of need for prophylaxis and no spontaneous bleeds in two years. In addition, we amended the protocol for the global GENEr8-1 (Phase 3) pivotal study to evaluate superiority compared to the current standard of care. The number of participants has been increased to 130 and we now anticipate completing enrollment during the first quarter of 2019."

Mr. Bienaimé continued, "With seven commercial products expected to generate approximately $1.5 billion in revenues this year, two potentially $1.0 billion plus late-stage clinical product opportunities, whose pivotal studies are expected to be fully enrolled later this year and in Q1 2019, I believe BioMarin’s commercial prospects have never been better."

All Financial Guidance items are calculated based on US GAAP with the exception of Non-GAAP Income. Refer to Non-GAAP Information beginning on page 9 of this press release for a complete discussion of the Company’s Non-GAAP financial information and reconciliations to the comparable GAAP reported information.

Key Program Highlights

Palynziq for phenylketonuria: On May 24, 2018, the Company announced that it had received standard approval from the FDA for Palynziq, an injection to reduce blood Phe concentrations in adult patients with phenylketonuria, who have uncontrolled blood Phe concentrations greater than 600 micromoles/L on existing management. Palynziq, a PEGylated recombinant phenylalanine ammonia lyase enzyme, is the first approved enzyme substitution therapy to target the underlying cause of PKU by helping the body to break down Phe. In the U.S., Palynziq is only available through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the Palynziq REMS Program. Palynziq is BioMarin’s second approved treatment for this important condition and its seventh commercialized product.

In March 2018, the European Medicines Agency accepted BioMarin’s submission of a Marketing Authorization Application for Palynziq.

Valoctocogene roxaparvovec gene therapy for hemophilia A:
On May 22, the Company provided an update to its previously reported results of an open-label Phase 1/2 study of valoctocogene roxaparvovec, an investigational gene therapy treatment for severe hemophilia A. The updated results were presented during an oral presentation at the WFH 2018 World Congress in Glasgow, Scotland by Dr. John Pasi, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D., from Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry and primary investigator for this Phase 1/2 study. The data presented at WFH is the most current data (April 16, 2018 cut off) and includes 104 weeks of data for the 6e13 vg/kg cohort and 52 weeks of data for the 4e13 vg/kg cohort.

In the 6e13 vg/kg cohort, the data showed continued and substantial reductions in bleeding requiring Factor VIII infusions with a 97% reduction in mean Annualized Bleed Rate (ABR), with no spontaneous bleeds and elimination of all bleeds in target joints in the second year. 71% and 86% of participants had zero bleeds requiring Factor VIII infusions in years 1 and 2 respectively compared to 14%, who had zero bleeds requiring Factor VIII infusions for a year at baseline. There was a 96% reduction in mean FVIII usage through week 104. Mean Factor VIII activity levels from week 20 through 104 were consistently within the normal or near normal range and no participant was above the upper limit of normal at week 104, expressed as a percentage of normal factor activity in blood. At 104 weeks post-infusion, mean Factor VIII activity level of the 6e13 vg/kg cohort was within the normal range at 59%, and the median was near normal at 46%.

Quality of life as measured by the six-domain Haemo-QoL-A instrument rapidly improved across all domains by up to 17.3 points in mean over baseline through the second year. This is well above the 5.2 point increase considered to be the minimal clinically important difference. The next data update on the Phase 1/2 study with the 6e13 vg/kg cohort is expected to be at the end of year three, in the May 2019 timeframe.

The 4e13 vg/kg cohort also showed a substantial reduction in bleeding requiring Factor VIII infusions with a 92% reduction in ABR. 83% of participants had zero bleeds requiring Factor VIII infusions following treatment for a year compared to 17%, who had zero bleeds requiring Factor VIII infusions for a year at baseline. Mean Factor VIII usage decreased by 98%. Consistent with the reduction in ABR and FVIII usage, quality of life showed mean improvement by 3.8 to 6.3 points.

The global Phase 3 program includes two studies with valoctocogene roxaparvovec, one with the 6e13 vg/kg dose (GENEr8-1) and one with the 4e13 vg/kg dose (GENEr8-2). Enrollment completion in the newly amended GENEr8-1 study is now expected in the first quarter of 2019. GENEr8-2, the ongoing Phase 3 study with the 4e13 vg/kg dose, remains unchanged with an N=40 and is expected to complete enrollment one to two quarters after GENEr8-1 in 2019.

The Company updated the protocol for the GENEr8-1 study evaluating the 6e13 vg/kg dose and has powered the study to evaluate superiority to the current standard of care, Factor VIII prophylaxis. The study will now include 130 participants (an increase of 90 from the original 40).

During the quarter, the Company began a Phase 1/2 study with the 6e13kg/vg dose of valoctocogene roxaparvovec in up to approximately 10 participants with pre-existing AAV5 antibodies. In addition to that study and the ongoing global Phase 3 studies, GENEr8-1 and GENEr8-2, BioMarin has two additional clinical studies underway in its comprehensive gene therapy program for the treatment of severe hemophilia A. One to study seroprevalence in people with severe hemophilia A and one non-interventional study to determine baseline characteristics in people with hemophilia A, are ongoing around the world. Also, participants in the Phase 1/2 dose escalation study updated in the quarter at WFH will continue to be monitored as part of the global program underway.

Vosoritide for achondroplasia: On May 11, 2018, the FDA held an advisory committee meeting to discuss drug development for the treatment of children with achondroplasia, the most common form of disproportionate short stature in humans. It was a joint meeting of the Pediatric Advisory Committee and Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee. The committees agreed that annualized growth velocity is the appropriate primary endpoint to use in clinical trials for the treatment of achondroplasia. The committees also expressed support for evaluating secondary endpoints in drug development for achondroplasia including, quality of life, and effects on sleep apnea, hearing loss, and ear infection.

BioMarin’s Phase 3 product candidate, vosoritide, an analog of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), is being studied in children with achondroplasia. Vosoritide has demonstrated sustained increase in average growth velocity over 30 months of treatment in 10 children, who completed 30 months of daily dosing at 15 µg/kg/day. Over this period of time, patients experienced a mean cumulative height increase of approximately 4 cm over what their baseline growth velocity would have predicted.

The Company’s multi-pronged program was developed to demonstrate the ability to improve clinical outcomes in children with achondroplasia. The program includes four distinct areas of focus to support global approval. Currently enrolling, the global Phase 3 study is a randomized, placebo-controlled study of vosoritide in approximately 110 children with achondroplasia ages 5-14 for 52 weeks. The study will be followed by a subsequent open-label extension. Children in this study will have completed a minimum six-month baseline study to determine their respective baseline growth velocity prior to entering the Phase 3 study. The baseline study is fully enrolled and the Company expects to complete enrollment of the Phase 3 study in September or October of this year. In addition, the Company expects to have over 5 years of clinical data from the long-term, open-label Phase 2 program to corroborate maintenance of effect.

Given the importance of early intervention in this indication, on June 14, 2018, the Company began an infant/toddler study in 0 to 5 year-old children and dosed the first participant in the global Phase 2 study. Finally, the Company has undertaken a Natural History program to augment clinical understanding of outcomes of untreated patients for comparison to treated patients.
Other Ongoing Clinical Development Programs:

Tralesinidase alfa (formerly referred to as BMN 250) for MPS IIIB (Sanfilippo Syndrome, Type B): Earlier in the year, at the WORLDSymposium 2018, the Company updated preliminary results from the Phase 1/2 trial with tralesinidase alfa, an investigational enzyme replacement therapy using a novel fusion of recombinant human alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGLU) with a peptide derived from insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) for the treatment of Sanfilippo B syndrome or mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB (MPS IIIB). These data suggest that tralesinidase alfa, which is administered via intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion, reaches the peripheral circulation and has activity in somatic organs. Development Quotient (DQ), a measure of cognitive function normalized to age, was also monitored. Preliminary data suggest stabilization of cognitive DQ at the high dose of tralesinidase alfa in some subjects. Patients with untreated Sanfilippo B syndrome usually show progressive decline in DQ.

BMN 290 for Friedreich’s Ataxia: In late 2017, BioMarin announced that it had selected as its next clinical drug development candidate, BMN 290, a selective chromatin modulation therapy intended for treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia. Friedreich’s ataxia is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that results in disabling neurologic and cardiac progressive decline associated with a deficiency in frataxin. Prior to the lead compound being acquired by BioMarin from Repligen Corporation (Repligen), it demonstrated increases in frataxin in Friedreich’s ataxia patients. In preclinical models conducted by BioMarin, BMN 290, a compound derived from the original Repligen compound, increases frataxin message expression in brain and cardiac tissues more than two-fold. Currently, there are no approved disease modifying therapies for Friedreich’s ataxia. The Company expects to complete IND-enabling evaluations with a view to submitting an IND application for BMN 290 during the second half of 2018.

Gene therapy product candidate for phenylketonuria (PKU): In April 2018, the Company announced that it expects to submit an investigational new drug (IND) application for a gene therapy product for the treatment of PKU in 2019 (after BMN 290 for Friedreich’s ataxia). PKU is an autosomal recessive disorder in which phenylalanine hydroxylase, the enzyme that metabolizes the amino acid phenylalanine (Phe), is deficient. PKU leads to high levels of neurotoxic phenylalanine, which affects neurocognitive development and function, if left untreated. In preclinical models, BioMarin’s PKU gene therapy product candidate demonstrated sustained, normalized Phe levels in an ongoing study and out to 60 weeks at the last observation. The product candidate will be an AAV vector containing the DNA sequence that codes for the phenylalanine hydroxylase enzyme that is deficient in people with PKU.
BioMarin will host a conference call and webcast to discuss second quarter 2018 financial results today, Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. ET. This event can be accessed on the investor section of the BioMarin website at www.biomarin.com.

On August 2, 2018 Genomic Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: GHDX) reported financial results and business progress for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 (Press release, Genomic Health, AUG 2, 2018, View Source [SID1234528315]).

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"We delivered record results in the first half of 2018, including 14 percent growth in revenue and an $8.3 million profit in the second quarter, driven by successful execution across our entire business, enhanced operational efficiency and greater leverage, strong reimbursement for the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score test including the benefit from PAMA, and increased private payor reimbursement for the Genomic Prostate Score test," said Kim Popovits, chairman of the board, chief executive officer and president of Genomic Health. "With increasing reimbursement in our U.S. urology business and the global impact of the recently published landmark TAILORx results, we are on track to deliver double-digit revenue growth and full year profitability."

Pre-606 Adjusted Product Revenue
Effective January 1, 2018, the company adopted the new ASC 606 accounting standard for revenue, using the modified retrospective method, which applies the new standard prospectively and does not impact prior years’ financial statements. Since the as-reported 2017 quarterly and annual financial statements will not be restated to reflect the new accounting standard, the company has provided a supplemental financial schedule in the non-GAAP tables at the end of this press release, reflecting an estimate of revenue as if the new standard had been applied to the historical 2017 product revenue portion of revenue as of January 1, 2017, referred to herein as "pre-606 adjusted revenue."

Second Quarter and Six Months Ended June 30, 2018, Financial Results
Total revenue was $95.6 million in the second quarter of 2018, compared with pre-606 adjusted revenue of $83.8 million for the second quarter of 2017, an increase of 14 percent, and an increase of 13 percent on a non-GAAP constant currency basis. Reported revenue was $85.5 million in the second quarter of 2017.

U.S. product revenue was $81.4 million in the second quarter of 2018, compared with pre-606 adjusted revenue of $71.0 million for the second quarter of 2017, an increase of 15 percent. U.S. product reported revenue was $72.4 million in the second quarter of 2017. U.S. invasive breast revenue from Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score tests was $72.5 million in the second quarter of 2018, compared with U.S. invasive breast pre-606 adjusted revenue of $64.2 million for the second quarter of 2017, an increase of 13 percent. U.S. invasive breast revenue was $65.6 million in the second quarter of 2017. U.S. prostate test revenue from Oncotype DX Genomic Prostate Score (GPS) tests was $6.7 million in the second quarter of 2018, compared with $4.1 million in the second quarter of 2017, an increase of 63 percent.

International product revenue was $14.2 million in the second quarter of 2018, compared with pre-606 adjusted revenue of $12.8 million for the second quarter of 2017, an increase of 11 percent, and a 6 percent increase on a non-GAAP constant currency basis. International product reported revenue was $13.1 million in the second quarter of 2017.

Net income was $8.3 million, or $0.23 per share on a basic and diluted basis, in the second quarter of 2018, an improvement of $11.0 million, compared with a net loss of $2.7 million, or $0.08 per share on a basic and diluted basis, in the second quarter of 2017. Operating income was $7.1 million in the second quarter of 2018, an improvement of $10.2 million, compared with an operating loss of $3.1 million in the second quarter of 2017.

On a non-GAAP basis, net income was $9.4 million in the second quarter of 2018, compared with a $2.7 million non-GAAP net loss in the second quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP operating income was $9.4 million in the second quarter of 2018, compared with a non-GAAP operating loss of $3.1 million in the second quarter of 2017.

More than 33,590 Oncotype test results were delivered in the second quarter of 2018, an increase of 6 percent, compared with more than 31,550 test results delivered in the same period in 2017. Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score tests delivered in the U.S. grew 4 percent in the second quarter of 2018, compared with the same period in 2017. Oncotype DX GPS tests delivered in the U.S. grew 32 percent in the second quarter of 2018, compared with the same period in 2017. The number of international tests delivered in the second quarter of 2018 was consistent with the same period in 2017 and represented approximately 23 percent of total test volume in the quarter.

Total revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2018, was $188.2 million, compared with pre-606 adjusted revenue of $166.1 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of 13 percent, with a similar increase of 13 percent on a non-GAAP constant currency basis. Reported revenue was $169.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017.

International product revenue was $27.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, compared with pre-606 adjusted revenue of $25.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, an increase of 8 percent, and a 4 percent increase on a non-GAAP constant currency basis. International product reported revenue was $26.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017.

Net income was $4.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, an improvement of $8.0 million, compared with a net loss of $3.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Operating income increased to $2.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, an improvement of $8.7 million, compared with an operating loss of $6.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017.

Non-GAAP net income was $14.0 million for the first six months ended June 30, 2018, compared with a $5.5 million non-GAAP net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Non-GAAP operating income was $13.6 million for the first six months ended June 30, 2018, compared with a non-GAAP operating loss of $6.0 million for the same period in 2017.

Cash and cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities at June 30, 2018 were $152.9 million, which included the fair value of the company’s investment in marketable equity securities of $3.7 million, compared with $129.6 million at December 31, 2017, which included the fair value of the company’s investment in marketable securities of $3.5 million.

2018 Financial Outlook

The outlook for 10% to 15% revenue growth in 2018 represents management’s estimates for 2018 versus 2017 reported revenues adjusted to reflect the impact of ASC 606 revenue recognition rules, which were effective January 1, 2018. Under the new rules, the company will report most uncollectible balances as a reduction in net revenues; historically, certain uncollectible amounts were classified as bad debt expense and were approximately 2.5% of revenue and classified within selling, general and administrative expenses. The company does not expect ASC 606 to impact net income or EPS.

Based on 36 million estimated shares outstanding.

Non-GAAP net income excludes charges for personnel reductions and asset write-offs associated with product cessation, and clinical and commercial development milestone payments.

Recent Business Highlights

Results from the landmark ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group TAILORx study were published in The New England Journal of Medicine and presented in the Plenary Session at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. Results demonstrated that the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score test identified 70 percent of early-stage breast cancer patients who receive no benefit from chemotherapy and can be effectively treated with endocrine therapy alone. Additionally, the trial established that chemotherapy may provide life-saving benefit to 30 percent of patients.
Following the TAILORx study publication, the U.K.’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) confirmed that it has requested that the External Assessment Group (EAG) review the results before finalizing its updated guidance on tumor profiling tests, and the German Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) commissioned the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) to evaluate the new evidence before making a final coverage decision in Germany.
Established public coverage with the province of New Brunswick for the use of the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score test in early-stage breast cancer patients with node-negative disease, increasing the total number of covered lives in Canada to more than 35 million. With this decision, all 10 provinces in Canada now cover the test.
Multiple private insurers, including a top five national payor, established new coverage for the Oncotype DX GPS test, bringing the total number of U.S. covered lives to more than 92 million, including Medicare.
Results from two studies demonstrating the positive impact of the Oncotype DX GPS test on risk assessment for better treatment decisions in clinically low-risk prostate cancer patients in real-world practice were presented at the 2018 American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting.
JAMA Oncology published a study that demonstrated that the Oncotype DX AR-V7 Nucleus Detect test can identify patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who may live longer if they switch from targeted androgen receptor-signaling inhibitor (ARSi) therapy, such as enzalutamide and abiraterone, to taxane-based chemotherapy.
The company discontinued its early-stage development of the IsoPSA assay and terminated its milestone-based licensing agreement with Cleveland Diagnostics.
Non-GAAP Disclosure
The company makes reference in this press release to "non-GAAP operating income (loss)," which excludes 2018 expenses resulting from the restructuring charges for the cessation of the Oncotype SEQ Liquid Select test product development and commercialization activities in the first quarter of 2018, the expenses for a milestone payment to Biocartis N.V., and the cessation of its collaboration with Cleveland Diagnostics in the second quarter of 2018. Additionally, the company references "non-GAAP net income (loss)," which also excludes fair value adjustments related to its collaborations with Biocartis, Epic Sciences and Cleveland Diagnostics in the first and second quarters of 2018, and the gain on sale of marketable equity securities in the first quarter of 2017. The company believes that excluding these items and their related tax effects from its financial results reflects operating results that are more indicative of the company’s ongoing operating performance while improving comparability to prior periods, and, as such, may provide investors with an enhanced understanding of the company’s past financial performance and prospects for the future. The company also considers the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on its global business as described in the constant currency table accompanying this press release. The company’s management uses such non-GAAP measures internally to evaluate and assess its core operations and to make ongoing operating decisions. This information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for income (loss) from operations or net income (loss) information prepared in accordance with GAAP. An explanation and reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is included in the tables accompanying this press release.

Conference Call Details
To access the live conference call today, August 2, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time via phone, please dial (877) 303-7208 from the United States and Canada, or +1 (224) 357-2389 internationally. The conference call ID is 2089377. Please dial in approximately ten minutes prior to the start of the call. To access the live and subsequently archived webcast of the conference call, go to the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at View Source Please connect to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the presentation to allow for any software download that may be necessary

On August 2, 2018 AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACRX), (AcelRx), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on innovative therapies for use in medically supervised settings, reported its second quarter 2018 financial results (Press release, AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, AUG 2, 2018, View Source [SID1234528314]).

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"The first half of the year has been productive on all fronts as we have accomplished all the milestones we established for the period. We’re very focused on reaching our remaining milestones for the year and, if DSUVIA is approved in November, eager to start commercializing our first U.S. product in Q1 2019," said Vince Angotti, Chief Executive Officer of AcelRx. "We continue to believe we have a unique product for the management of moderate to severe acute pain that can fulfill an unmet need within appropriate healthcare settings. We look forward to continued dialogue with the FDA during the coming months to achieve these objectives," continued Angotti.

Recent Highlights

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted the New Drug Application (NDA) for DSUVIA in May.
Received approval from the European Commission for DZUVEO for the management of acute moderate-to-severe pain in medically monitored settings.
Completed an underwritten public offering of 7,272,727 shares of common stock, at a price of $2.75 per share to the public with estimated net proceeds to the company of $18.7 million.
Financial Information

June 30, 2018 cash and short-term investment balance of $50.1 million;
R&D and G&A expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 totaled $7.2 million compared to $9.1 million for the prior year period. Excluding stock-based compensation expense, these figures were $6.2 million for the second quarter of 2018 compared to $8.1 million for the prior year period. R&D and G&A expenses for the first half of 2018 totaled $14.7 million compared to $20.1 million in the first half of 2017. Excluding stock-based compensation expense, these figures were $12.8 million for the first half of 2018 compared to $18.1 million for the prior year period. The decrease in R&D and G&A expenses in both periods is primarily due to lower Zalviso-related expenses attributed to the Phase 3 clinical program completed in 2017. See the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" table below for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP operating expenses described above to their related GAAP measures;
Net cash use during the second quarter 2018 was $8.5 million excluding proceeds from ATM facility, included $2.3 million of debt service; and
For the second quarter of 2018 net loss was $10.5 million, or $0.20 per basic and diluted share, compared to $13.1 million, or $0.29 per basic and diluted share, for the second quarter of 2017. Net loss for the first half of 2018 was $22.1 million, or $0.43 basic and diluted net loss per share, compared to $28.6 million, or $0.63 basic and diluted net loss per share, for the prior year period.
2018 Remaining Milestones

Expected FDA advisory committee meeting for DSUVIA in late Q3/early Q4 2018;
Prescription Drug User Fee Act, PDUFA, date for DSUVIA on November 3, 2018; and
Anticipated resubmission of NDA for Zalviso in Q4 2018.
Conference Call and Webcast Information
As previously announced, AcelRx will conduct an investment-community conference call today, August 2, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (1:30 p.m. Pacific Time) to discuss these financial results and provide other corporate updates. Investors who wish to participate in the conference call may do so by dialing (866) 361-2335 for domestic callers, (855) 669-9657 for Canadian callers or (412) 902-4204 for international callers. Those interested in listening to a webcast of the conference call live via the Internet may do so by visiting the company’s website at www.acelrx.com and clicking on the webcast link on the Investors home page. The webcast will be archived on the AcelRx website for 90 days following the call.