Inovio Pharmaceuticals Reports 2018 Third Quarter Financial Results

On November 8, 2018 Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:INO), a late-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of DNA immunotherapies targeted against cancers and infectious diseases, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 (Press release, Inovio, NOV 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234531029]). Inovio’s management will host a live conference call and webcast at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time today to discuss financial results and provide a general business update.

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Inovio Highlights

VGX-3100 – HPV-related Precancers
Phase 3 trial enrollment remains ongoing and on track for REVEAL 1, with REVEAL 2 expected to begin in early 2019. To date, REVEAL 1 has opened sites across 19 countries, actively recruiting patients. Recruitment for Phase 2 studies in vulvar dysplasia and anal dysplasia is also underway. In August, Inovio entered into a partnership with the AIDS Malignancy Consortium to evaluate VGX-3100 in a multi-site Phase 2 study in HIV-positive adult men and women. Interim efficacy data from all these Phase 2 studies are expected in 2019.
MEDI0457 (formerly INO-3112, licensed to MedImmune)
The October issue of Clinical Cancer Research detailed results of a patient with head and neck cancer treated with MEDI0457 who achieved a sustained complete response (full remission) following subsequent treatment with a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor. In the Inovio-sponsored study of 22 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, 91% of patients (20/22) showed T cell activity in the blood or tissue. MEDI0457 is currently in a Phase 2 study to evaluate the anti-tumor activity of MEDI0457 in combination with durvalumab in patients with recurrent/metastatic HPV 16- or 18- associated head and neck cancer. MedImmune is also expected to begin another Phase 2 study in the fourth quarter to evaluate the anti-tumor activity of MEDI0457 in combination with durvalumab in patients with recurrent/metastatic HPV 16- or 18- associated cancers (other than head and neck). The commencement of this study will trigger a milestone payment to Inovio under the terms of the parties’ collaboration agreement.
INO-5150 – Prostate cancer
Presented prostate cancer data from Inovio’s Phase 1 study at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2018 conference in which a slowing of Prostate-Specific Antigen Doubling Time (PSADT) was observed in men with prostate cancer, with 86% of patients remaining progression-free at week 72.
INO-5401 – Cancer Combination Trials
Enrollment is going as planned and is on target to report interim Phase 2 data for both glioblastoma (GBM) and bladder cancer in 2019. In both trials INO-5401 is combined with a checkpoint inhibitor – for GBM with Regeneron (PD-1); for bladder cancer with Genentech (PD-L1).
PENNVAX-GP – HIV
In August, first patient was dosed with PENNVAX-GP in a randomized clinical trial that will evaluate its ability to drive remission of HIV infection. Enrollment remains on track. The trial is part of a previously reported multi-year $6.95 million grant from the NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to develop a single or combination therapy using Inovio’s PENNVAX-GP with the goal of attaining long-term HIV remission. Inovio anticipates interim results in 2019.
INO-4700 (GLS-5300) – MERS
First patient was dosed with vaccine to prevent infection from the deadly MERS virus (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) in a Phase 1/2a study to evaluate INO-4700 (or GLS-5300). The trial is ongoing in South Korea, sponsored by Inovio’s Korean development partner GeneOne Life Science (KSE: 011000) with full funding from the International Vaccine Institute. Inovio anticipates interim results in 2019.
DNA-Encoded Monoclonal Antibody (dMAb)
In October, Inovio received the first two U.S. patents for its DNA-encoded monoclonal antibody technology (dMAb) from the USPTO and was awarded a $2.2 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to advance its dMAb platform and new clinical delivery devices. In addition, Inovio announced an important milestone in the field of dMAb immunotherapies where Inovio was the first to report evidence on the use of dMAb technology to develop novel monoclonal antibody-based therapies targeting checkpoint inhibitors.
Cash Position
As of September 30, 2018, cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $85.5 million compared to $95.6 million as of June 30, 2018.
Dr. J. Joseph Kim, Inovio’s President & CEO said, "Utilizing ample resources, Inovio is making significant advancements on many fronts. The Phase 3 REVEAL 1 study for our lead VGX-3100 program is on track to fully enroll in 2019 and our three separate immuno-oncology, checkpoint combination Phase 2 trials, being executed with top partners and collaborators, MedImmune, Genentech, and Regeneron, are also advancing well. In fact, we saw a potential preview of what could come from the ongoing cancer efficacy studies in a new publication in Clinical Cancer Research which showcased the first complete responder from our Phase 1 MEDI0457 head & neck cancer trial. Also progressing well are our externally funded vaccine programs including the CEPI-funded Lassa vaccine program as well as IVI-funded MERS and GeneOne-funded Zika vaccine trials. Overall, these clinical trial advancements ensure that we will have multiple, meaningful data catalysts in the coming months."

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Total revenue was $2.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $2.6 million for the same period in 2017. Total operating expenses were $28.6 million compared to $31.8 million for the same period in 2017.

As a result of the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, beginning on January 1, 2018, all contributions received from current grant agreements have been recorded as a contra-expense as opposed to revenue on the consolidated statement of operations. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, $2.6 million was recorded as contra-research and development expense, which amount would have been classified as grant revenue in the prior year. Had this change in presentation not occurred, total revenue would have been $4.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $2.6 million for the same period in 2017. Total operating expenses would have been $31.2 million compared to $31.8 million for the same period in 2017.

Inovio’s net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 was $25.0 million, or $0.27 per basic and diluted share, compared to $34.1 million, or $0.39 per basic and $0.40 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.

Revenue

The increase in comparable revenue and grant agreement recognition for the third quarter of 2018 compared to 2017 was primarily due to increases from Inovio’s MedImmune collaboration and its CEPI grant of $1.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively. These increases were offset by a decrease in grant funding recognized from Inovio’s DARPA Ebola grant of $1.2 million, among other variances.

Operating Expenses

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2018 were $21.9 million compared to $25.5 million for the same period in 2017. The decrease in R&D expenses was primarily due to the $2.6 million contra-research and development expense recorded from grant agreements as discussed above, as well as a decrease of $2.4 million in expenses related to Inovio’s DARPA Ebola grant. These decreases were slightly offset by an increase of $1.4 million for drug manufacturing related to Inovio’s collaboration with MedImmune and an increase of $746,000 related to employee headcount to support clinical trials and partnerships, among other variances.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $6.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 versus $6.3 million for the same period in 2017.

Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2018, cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $85.5 million compared to $95.6 million as of June 30, 2018. As of September 30, 2018, the Company had 94.5 million common shares outstanding and 105.1 million common shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis, after giving effect to outstanding options, restricted stock units and convertible preferred stock.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 the Company sold 2,967,480 shares of common stock under its current and prior ATM common stock sales agreements for aggregate net proceeds of $14.9 million.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, stock options and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 713,944 shares of common stock were exercised for aggregate net proceeds of $2.3 million.

Inovio’s balance sheet and statement of operations are provided below. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 providing the complete 2018 third quarter financial report can be found at: View Source

Conference Call / Webcast Information

Inovio’s management will host a live conference call and webcast at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time today to discuss Inovio’s financial results and provide a general business update.

The live webcast and a replay may be accessed by visiting the Company’s website at View Source Telephone replay will be available approximately two hours after the call at 877-481-4010 (domestic) or 919-882-2331 (international) using replay ID 39603.

IntelGenx Reports Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

On November 8, 2018 IntelGenx Technologies Corp. (TSX-V: IGX) (OTCQX: IGXT) (the "Company" or "IntelGenx") reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 (Press release, IntelGenx, NOV 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234531028]). All dollar amounts are expressed in U.S. currency and results are reported in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles except where noted otherwise.

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2018 Third Quarter Financial Highlights:

Total revenue was $700,000, which reflected decreases in deferred revenues on monetization of $972,000, offset by an increase in R&D revenues of $418,000 vs same period last year.
Negative adjusted EBITDA was ($2.3 million), compared to negative adjusted EBITDA of ($340,000) in the same period last year.
Cash and short-term investments totalled $2.2 million as at September 30, 2018, which did not include $499,000 in proceeds from the exercise of previously issued common share purchase warrants, nor gross proceeds of $12 million raised by the Company in its October 2018 equity offering, nor gross proceeds of $633,000 from the exercise of over-allotment options.
Recent Developments:

Announced that an Abbreviated New Drug Application ("ANDA") for a generic buccal film product was submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") by its partner, Insud Pharma (formerly Chemo Group).
Commenced patient recruitment in Phase 2a study with Montelukast VersaFilm in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease ("AD").
Announced successful results from a bioequivalence study for RIZAPORT, its proprietary anti-migraine VersaFilm product, demonstrating that RIZAPORT is bioequivalent to the U.S. reference, Maxalt-MTL, as well as the European reference, Maxalt-Lingua.
Executed a definitive world-wide agreement with Tilray, a global leader in cannabis research, cultivation, production and distribution, to co-develop and commercialize oral film products infused with recreational and medical cannabis ("cannabis-infused VersaFilm").
"This was a landmark quarter, where the Company continued to push the frontiers of oral film drug development," commented Dr. Horst G. Zerbe, President and CEO of IntelGenx. "From the initiation of AD patient recruitment for the Phase 2a Montelukast VersaFilm study, to the generic buccal film product ANDA submission, to executing our definitive agreement with Tilray, many important milestones were achieved as we continue to advance toward bringing multiple exciting VersaFilm products to market."

Financial Results:

Total revenues for the three-month period ended September 30, 2018 amounted to $700,000, compared to $1.3 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017. The decrease for the three-month period ended September 30, 2018 compared to last year’s corresponding period is mainly attributable to a decrease in deferred revenues on monetization of $972,000 offset by an increase in R&D revenues of $418,000.

Operating costs and expenses were $3.3 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018, versus $1.8 million for the corresponding quarter in 2017. The increase for the three-month period ended September 30, 2018 is mainly attributable to a $874,000 increase in Research and Development expenses mainly attributable to an increase in clinical study costs and a $750,000 increase in Selling, General and Administrative expenses mainly attributable to an increase in manufacturing costs.

For the third quarter ended September 30, 2018, the Company had an operating loss of $2.6 million, compared to an operating loss of $569,000 for the comparable period of 2017.

Net comprehensive loss was $2.9 million, or $0.04 on a basic and diluted per share basis, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2018, compared to a net comprehensive loss of $586,000, or $0.01 on a basic and diluted per share basis, for the comparable period of 2017.

As at September 30, 2018, the Company’s cash and short-term investments totalled $2.2 million, which did not include $499,000 in recently reported proceeds from the exercise of previously issued common share purchase warrants, nor gross proceeds of $12 million raised by the Company in its October 2018 equity offering, nor gross proceeds of $633,000 from the exercise of over-allotment options.

Conference Call Details:

IntelGenx will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2018 financial results today, November 8, 2018, at 4:30 p.m. ET. The dial-in number for the conference call is (833) 231-8269 (Canada and United States) or (647) 689-4114 (International), conference ID 8659745. The call will also be webcast live and archived for twelve months at www.intelgenx.com.

Acorda to Present at Stifel 2018 Healthcare Conference

On November 8, 2018 Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACOR) reported that Ron Cohen, M.D., Acorda’s President and CEO, will present at the Stifel 2018 Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, November 13 at 2:00pm EST (Press release, Acorda Therapeutics, NOV 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234531024]). A live audio webcast of the presentation can be accessed under "Investor Events" in the Investor section of the Acorda website at www.acorda.com, or you may use the link:

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Kezar Life Sciences Reports Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

On November 8, 2018 Kezar Life Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: KZR), a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing novel small molecule therapeutics to treat unmet needs in autoimmunity and cancer, reported its third quarter 2018 business highlights and financial results (Press release, Kezar Life Sciences, NOV 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234531020]).

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"During the third quarter of 2018 we continued to execute on our strategy of developing our first-in-class selective immunoproteasome inhibitor for patients with severe autoimmune diseases. Enrollment continues in KZR-616-002, our Phase 1b/2 trial in lupus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN), with top-line results from the initial two cohorts of the Phase 1b expected in the first half of 2019," said John Fowler, CEO of Kezar. "In the same timeframe we plan to begin enrolling the Phase 2 portion of the trial, focused exclusively on LN, a serious disease with high medical and economic burden and no approved drugs. Plans to initiate trials in up to four additional autoimmune indications with high unmet need are also on track for 2019."

Business Highlights

Enrollment of patients with SLE with or without nephritis to the open-label dose escalation Phase 1b portion of the clinical trial KZR-616-002 (NCT03393013), continued in the third quarter. This trial will include a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 portion in patients with active, proliferative LN.

Ongoing drug discovery efforts in the protein secretion program (Sec61 translocon modulation) advanced in the third quarter. Continued progress with the medicinal chemistry campaign and preclinical studies could lead to nomination of a first clinical candidate for oncology in 2019.

Financial Results

Cash Position. Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $112.8 million as of September 30, 2018, compared to $51.0 million as of December 31, 2017. The increase in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities was primarily attributable to IPO proceeds, net of cash used by the Company in operations to advance its clinical stage programs as well as preclinical research and development.

R&D Expenses. Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2018 increased by $3.1 million to $4.7 million from $1.6 million in the third quarter of 2017. This increase was primarily related to advancing both the KZR-616 clinical program and the protein secretion preclinical program.

G&A Expenses. General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2018 increased by $1.0 million to $1.6 million from $0.6 million in the third quarter of 2017. This increase was primarily related to increases in personnel, professional services and insurance incurred because of becoming a public company.

Net Loss. Net loss for the third quarter of 2018 was $5.7 million, or $0.30 per basic and diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $2.1 million, or $3.31 per basic and diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2017.

Shares Outstanding. Total shares outstanding were 19.1 million as of September 30, 2018. Additionally, there were 2.2 million options granted to purchase common stock at a $3.70 weighted average exercise price as of September 30, 2018.

Intrexon Announces Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

On November 8, 2018 Intrexon Corporation (NASDAQ: XON), a leader in the engineering and industrialization of biology to improve the quality of life and health of the planet, reported its third quarter financial results for 2018.

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Recent Commercial Achievements:

Intrexon continues discussions with several major energy companies concerning partnering of its Methane Bioconversion Platform;
Site selection on Intrexon’s first 2,3 BDO plant is on track for year end;
Okanagan Specialty Fruits, a wholly owned subsidiary of Intrexon, completed the 2018 Arctic Apple harvest, yielding ten times last year’s production, and expects to make pre-sliced Arctic apples available through over 500 retail outlets this month;
EnviroFlight, Intrexon’s joint venture with Darling Ingredients Inc., is scheduled to open phase one of the largest black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) facility in the U.S. this month; and
Intrexon commenced deployment of its Botticelli platform, beginning with a collaboration in tomato with a large international producer.
Recent Technical/Business Achievements:

Precigen, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Intrexon, recently reported data on a multigenic therapeutic candidate that in appropriate pre-clinical models suggests potential superiority to approved anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors;
From Intrexon’s methane bioconversion platform, the Company now is producing 2,3, BDO from natural gas at roughly 50% of the theoretical target yield, has demonstrated performance at 500X scale-up and has conducted sustained production runs exceeding 1,000 hours;
Oxitec, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Intrexon, entered into a second cooperative agreement with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a new strain of Oxitec’s Friendly biological engineering platform to develop a self-limiting Anopheles stephensi mosquito to help combat this mosquito that spreads malaria in India, Middle East and the Horn of Africa;
ActoBio Therapeutics, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Intrexon, and T1D Partners, LLC, announced that the first patient has been dosed in the Company’s Phase Ib/IIa clinical trial for AG019 for the treatment of early onset type 1 diabetes (T1D);
Continuing its expansion into regenerative medicine, Exemplar Genetics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Intrexon, reported the first pig has been born with the potential to produce organs for human transplant;
Trans Ova Genetics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Intrexon, created six bull calves that rank at the top of the global Holstein bull population;
Intrexon announced advances in the development of its engineered yeast platform to produce cannabinoids for medical use via fermentation. This microbe-based process has potential to provide greater supply-chain security and avoids the resource-intensive isolation that often leads to quality and quantity variability in end products;
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended amendment of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) ingredient definition of dried BSFL to include feeding to poultry. The approval of BSFL for use in poultry feed expands the potential for this ingredient as a more sustainable source of protein and enables EnviroFlight to support this new market opportunity with its new facility;
Collaborator Fibrocell Science, Inc. (NASDAQ: FCSC) reported the FDA granted Fast Track Designation to FCX-013, the company’s clinical stage candidate for the treatment of moderate to severe localized scleroderma, and the FDA’s Office of Orphan Products Development awarded Fibrocell a $1.4 million clinical trial research grant for continued clinical development of FCX-007, the company’s gene therapy candidate for the treatment of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB); and
Collaborator Oragenics, Inc. (NYSE: OGEN) announced the resumption of its Phase 2 clinical trial for AG013 for the potential treatment of oral mucositis (OM).
Recent Corporate Highlights:

Intrexon completed its registered underwritten public offering of $200 million aggregate principal amount of 3.50% convertible senior notes due in 2023 (Convertible Notes);
Precigen Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Intrexon, and Ziopharm Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZIOP) announced a new definitive license agreement to replace all existing agreements between the companies that will provide Ziopharm exclusive and non-exclusive rights to technology controlled by Precigen, Inc., as well as securing for Precigen developmental control over the majority of its portfolio.
The Company, through its subsidiary ActoBio Therapeutics, acquired the remaining interests in certain entities previously owned by a related party. As a result, ActoBio owns the exclusive rights to use its technologies to develop therapeutics in the fields of chronic rhinosinusitis and celiac disease;
Intrexon transferred its stock exchange listing from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to the Nasdaq Global Select Market (Nasdaq) and began trading under "XON" ticker on the Nasdaq exchange on September 25, 2018; and
Intrexon announced the formation of a Bioinformatics Hub in Munich, establishing Intrexon Bioinformatics Germany GmbH (IBG).
Third Quarter 2018 Financial Highlights:

Total revenues of $32.4 million, a decrease of 30% from the third quarter of 2017;
Net loss of $57.3 million attributable to Intrexon, or $(0.44) per basic share, including non-cash charges of $38.7 million;
Adjusted EBITDA of $(28.9) million, or $(0.22) per basic share;
The net change in deferred revenue related to upfront and milestone payments, which represents the cash and stock received from collaborators less the amount of revenue recognized during the period, was a decrease of $17.3 million compared to a decrease of $8.6 million in the third quarter of 2017; and
Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaled $246.6 million, the value of preferred shares totaled $158.4 million, and the value of common equity securities totaled $4.7 million at September 30, 2018.
Year-to-Date 2018 Financial Highlights:

Total revenues of $117.4 million, a decrease of 24% from the nine months ended September 30, 2017;
Net loss of $168.9 million attributable to Intrexon, or $(1.31) per basic share, including non-cash charges of $109.0 million;
Adjusted EBITDA of $(75.3) million, or $(0.58) per basic share; and
The net change in deferred revenue related to upfront and milestone payments, which represents the cash and stock received from collaborators less the amount of revenue recognized during the period, was a decrease of $34.5 million compared to a decrease of $28.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017.
"Our company is transitioning from one with great science and technology to one with great products and product candidates that embody our engineered biology," commented Randal J. Kirk, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Intrexon. "Recognizing our requirements, we are fully occupied on the development of systems, teams and plans to successfully commercialize products that we believe will be transformative in their fields."

Mr. Kirk concluded, "While we do not underestimate the challenges that face us – or anyone – in making such a transition, we have persevered in the execution of our plans laid long ago and believe that we are seeing the fruits of our prior labors. It long has been our goal to create one of the truly great companies in the world and all of us at intrexon are excited to be where we are today and looking with great anticipation toward our future."

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results Compared to Prior Year Period

Total revenues decreased $13.6 million, or 30%, from the quarter ended September 30, 2017. Collaboration and licensing revenues decreased $13.8 million from the quarter ended September 30, 2017 due to (i) a decrease in research and development services for certain of the Company’s exclusive channel collaborations, or ECCs, as the Company redeployed certain resources towards supporting prospective new platforms and partnering opportunities and began to focus more on the further development of relationships and structures that provide the Company with more control and ownership over the development process and commercialization path, (ii) a decrease in research and development services for certain of the Company’s ECCs as a result of program progression where the Company’s collaborators have taken responsibility of the execution of the programs, (iii) changes in revenue recognition for upfront and milestone payments under the new Accounting Standards Codification 606, or ASC 606, revenue standard whereby revenues are recognized based on the amount of services the Company performs for its collaborators, and (iv) the mutual termination of the Company’s second ECC with ZIOPHARM for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease in December 2017. Gross margin on products declined in the current period as a result of increased operating costs associated with new product offerings and cloned products. Gross margin on services improved in the current period as a result of pricing changes and an increase in the number of embryos produced per bovine in vitro fertilization cycle due to improved production results.

Research and development expenses increased $8.4 million, or 23%, and include $8.7 million expense related to in-process research and development reacquired as part of an asset acquisition in September 2018. Although selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were consistent period over period, legal and professional fees decreased $2.9 million primarily due to a decline in the use of regulatory and other consultants. This decrease was offset primarily by higher compensation expenses related to performance and retention incentives for SG&A employees.

Year-to-Date 2018 Financial Results Compared to Prior Year Period

Total revenues decreased $36.6 million, or 24%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Collaboration and licensing revenues decreased $37.8 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily due to (i) a decrease in research and development services for certain of the Company’s ECCs as the Company redeployed certain resources towards supporting prospective new platforms and partnering opportunities and began to focus more on the further development of relationships and structures that provide the Company with more control and ownership over the development process and commercialization path, (ii) a decrease in research and development services for certain of the Company’s ECCs as a result of program progression where the Company’s collaborators have taken responsibility of the execution of the programs, (iii) changes in revenue recognition for upfront and milestone payments under the new ASC 606 revenue standard whereby revenues are recognized based on the amount of services the Company performs for its collaborators, and (iv) the mutual termination of the Company’s second ECC with ZIOPHARM for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease in December 2017. Product revenues decreased $2.2 million or 9% primarily due to lower customer demand for live calves, cows previously used in production, and cloned products. These decreases were partially offset by increased customer demand for pregnant recipients. Gross margin on products declined in the current period as a result of lower product sales and increased operating costs associated with new product offerings and cloned products. The increase in service revenues of $2.5 million, or 7%, as well as the gross margin thereon relates to pricing changes and an increase in the number of embryos produced per bovine in vitro fertilization cycle due to improved production results.

Research and development expenses increased $19.4 million, or 19%, and include (i) $8.7 million expense related to in-process research and development reacquired as part of an asset acquisition in September 2018 and (ii) $5.3 million of one-time costs associated with closing one of Oxitec’s Brazilian subsidiary’s leased research and development facilities as the Company decentralized operations previously conducted in this facility. Research and development consultants and lab supplies increased $3.1 million primarily due to increased expenses from contract research organizations and consultants providing services for both programs being developed internally and pursuant to some of the Company’s collaborations. Depreciation and amortization increased $2.1 million primarily as a result of the depreciation expense on research and development assets and amortization of developed technology acquired from GenVec, Inc. in June 2017. Although SG&A expenses were consistent period over period, legal and professional fees decreased $7.5 million primarily due to decreased legal fees associated with ongoing litigation and decreased fees incurred for regulatory and other consultants. This decrease was offset by an increase of $6.9 million in compensation expenses related to performance and retention incentives for SG&A employees.

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host a conference call today Thursday, November 8th, at 5:30 PM ET to discuss the third quarter 2018 financial results and provide a general business update. The conference call may be accessed by dialing 1‑888-317-6003 (Domestic US), 1-866-284-3684 (Canada), and 1-412-317-6061 (International) and providing the number 8225818 to join the Intrexon Corporation Call. Participants may also access the live webcast through Intrexon’s website in the Investors section at View Source