Alexion Reports Second Quarter 2019 Results

On July 24, 2019 Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALXN) reported financial results for the second quarter of 2019 (Press release, Alexion, JUL 24, 2019, View Source [SID1234537698]). Total revenues in the second quarter were $1,203.3 million, a 15 percent increase compared to the same period in 2018. The negative impact of foreign currency on total revenues year-over-year was 1 percent, or $15.1 million, inclusive of hedging activities. On a GAAP basis, diluted EPS in the quarter was $2.04, a 200 percent increase versus the prior year. The second quarter of 2018 included $803.7 million of expense related to the value of the in-process research and development asset acquired in connection with our acquisition of Wilson Therapeutics AB. Non-GAAP diluted EPS for the second quarter of 2019 was $2.64, a 28 percent increase versus the second quarter of 2018.

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"We delivered another strong quarter, with continued growth driven by the successful U.S. launches of ULTOMIRIS in PNH and SOLIRIS in gMG. We received three regulatory approvals over the last month, including SOLIRIS for NMOSD in the U.S., and ULTOMIRIS for PNH in Japan and the EU. In addition, the FDA granted priority review for ULTOMIRIS in atypical HUS," said Ludwig Hantson, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Alexion. "We are well positioned to continue our momentum in the second half of 2019, strengthening our four durable franchises in hematology and nephrology, neurology, metabolics and FcRn, advancing and expanding our pipeline, and serving more people living with rare diseases than ever before."

Second Quarter 2019 Financial Highlights

Total net product sales were $1,202.5 million in the second quarter of 2019, compared to $1,044.7 million in the second quarter of 2018.
SOLIRIS (eculizumab) net product sales were $980.8 million, compared to $898.2 million in the second quarter of 2018, representing a 9 percent increase. SOLIRIS volume increased 17 percent year-over-year. SOLIRIS net product sales for the second quarter 2019 included a $31.6 million reduction to revenue related to a recent judicial order on SOLIRIS pricing in Canada. The reduction in revenue includes the impact for the period from September 2017 to June 2019.
ULTOMIRIS (ravulizumab-cwvz) net product sales were $54.2 million in the second quarter of 2019.
STRENSIQ (asfotase alfa) net product sales were $141.3 million, compared to $125.1 million in the second quarter of 2018, representing a 13 percent increase. STRENSIQ volume increased 21 percent year-over-year.
KANUMA (sebelipase alfa) net product sales were $26.2 million, compared to $21.4 million in the second quarter of 2018, representing a 22 percent increase. KANUMA volume increased 33 percent year-over-year.
GAAP cost of sales was $99.2 million, compared to $95.3 million in the second quarter of 2018. Non-GAAP cost of sales was $95.7 million, compared to $89.3 million in the second quarter of 2018.
GAAP R&D expense was $187.6 million, compared to $173.4 million in the second quarter of 2018. Non-GAAP R&D expense was $148.7 million, compared to $158.3 million in the second quarter of 2018.
GAAP SG&A expense was $299.3 million, compared to $277.3 million in the second quarter of 2018. Non-GAAP SG&A expense was $255.8 million, compared to $230.4 million in the second quarter of 2018.
GAAP acquired in-process research and development expense (benefit) was $(4.1) million related to the agreement of the final working capital adjustment for the Syntimmune, Inc. acquisition, compared to $803.7 million in the second quarter of 2018, related to the in-process research and development asset acquired in connection with the 2018 acquisition of Wilson Therapeutics AB.
GAAP income tax expense was $39.7 million, compared to income tax expense of $38.8 million in the second quarter of 2018. Non-GAAP income tax expense was $90.2 million, compared to $77.1 million in the second quarter of 2018.
GAAP diluted EPS was $2.04, compared to $(2.05) in the second quarter of 2018. The second quarter of 2018 included $803.7 million of expense related to the value of the in-process research and development asset acquired in connection with the Wilson Therapeutics AB acquisition. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $2.64, compared to $2.07 in the second quarter of 2018.
Research and Development

PHASE 3

SOLIRIS – Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD): In June 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved SOLIRIS for adults with anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) auto antibody-positive NMOSD. Applications for approval in the European Union (EU) and Japan are under review. Alexion plans to initiate a Phase 3 study in children and adolescents with NMOSD by the end of 2019.
SOLIRIS – Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG): Dosing is underway in a Phase 3 study of SOLIRIS in children and adolescents with gMG.
ULTOMIRIS – Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH): ULTOMIRIS was approved for adults with PNH in Japan in June 2019 and in the EU in July 2019. A Phase 3 study of ULTOMIRIS in children and adolescents with PNH is underway.
ULTOMIRIS – Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS): In June 2019, Alexion announced that the FDA granted priority review for ULTOMIRIS in aHUS and set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of October 19, 2019. The filing was based on previously announced positive topline results from a Phase 3 study of ULTOMIRIS in complement inhibitor-naïve patients with aHUS. Alexion plans to file for regulatory approvals in the EU and Japan in the second half of 2019. In addition, a Phase 3 study of ULTOMIRIS in children and adolescents with aHUS is underway.
ULTOMIRIS – Subcutaneous: Dosing is underway in a single, PK-based Phase 3 study of ULTOMIRIS delivered subcutaneously once per week to support registration in PNH and aHUS. Data are expected in early 2020.
ULTOMIRIS – gMG: Dosing is underway in a Phase 3 study of ULTOMIRIS in gMG.
ULTOMIRIS – NMOSD: Alexion plans to initiate a Phase 3 study of ULTOMIRIS in NMOSD by the end of 2019, pending regulatory feedback.
ULTOMIRIS – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant-Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy (HSCT-TMA): Alexion plans to initiate a Phase 3 study of ULTOMIRIS in HSCT-TMA in the first half of 2020, pending regulatory feedback.
ALXN1840 (WTX101) – Wilson Disease: Dosing is underway in a Phase 3 study of ALXN1840 (WTX101) in Wilson disease, a rare genetic disorder with devastating hepatic and neurological consequences. ALXN1840 is a first-in-class oral copper-binding agent with a unique mechanism of action to bind serum copper and promote its removal from the liver. Enrollment is expected to complete in early 2020.
PHASE 1/2

ALXN1830 (SYNT001): Alexion plans to initiate a Phase 2/3 study of ALXN1830 (SYNT001) in warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (WAIHA) in early 2020. In addition, Alexion plans to initiate a Phase 1 study of a subcutaneous formulation of ALXN1830 in healthy volunteers in early 2020. Pending results from the Phase 1 study, Alexion plans to initiate a Phase 2/3 study of subcutaneous ALXN1830 in gMG in 2020.
ALXN1810 – Subcutaneous: Alexion has completed a Phase 1 study of subcutaneous ALXN1210 co-administered with Halozyme’s ENHANZE drug-delivery technology, recombinant human hyaluronidase enzyme (rHuPH20), a next-generation subcutaneous formulation called ALXN1810. Strategic planning for the best development path for ALXN1810 is ongoing.
ULTOMIRIS – Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Alexion plans to initiate a proof-of-concept study for ULTOMIRIS in ALS in early 2020, pending regulatory feedback.
ULTOMIRIS – Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS): Alexion plans to initiate an exploratory clinical study of ULTOMIRIS in PPMS.
Caelum Biosciences – CAEL-101 – Light Chain (AL) Amyloidosis: Alexion is collaborating with Caelum Biosciences to develop CAEL-101 for AL amyloidosis, a rare systemic disorder that causes misfolded immunoglobulin light chain protein to build up in and around tissues, resulting in progressive and widespread organ damage. CAEL-101 is a first-in-class amyloid fibril targeted therapy designed to improve organ function by reducing or eliminating amyloid deposits in patients with AL amyloidosis. In a Phase 1a/1b study, CAEL-101 demonstrated improved organ function, including cardiac and renal function, in patients with relapsed and refractory AL amyloidosis. Pending regulatory feedback, a Phase 2/3 study investigating CAEL-101 as an add-on to current standard-of-care therapy is planned to begin in 2020.
Affibody AB – ABY-039: In April 2019, Alexion entered into a partnership with Affibody AB, following approval from the relevant regulatory authorities, to co-develop ABY-039 for rare Immunoglobulin G (IgG)-mediated autoimmune diseases. Currently in Phase 1 development, ABY-039 is a bivalent antibody-mimetic that targets the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn). ABY-039 has been specifically designed to combine Affibody’s protein therapeutics platform (Affibody molecules) and AlbumodTM technology to achieve a long half-life, which, along with its small size provides the potential for less frequent, convenient, at-home subcutaneous administration.
PRE-CLINICAL

ALXN1720: In June 2019, Alexion submitted the initial Clinical Trial Authorization (CTA) application to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for the initiation of a Phase 1 study of ALXN1720, a novel anti-C5 albumin-binding bi-specific mini-body that binds and prevents activation of human C5. Alexion plans to initiate this first-in-human study in late 2019.
Zealand Pharma A/S: Alexion is collaborating with Zealand Pharma A/S to discover and develop novel peptide therapies for up to four targets in the complement pathway. Peptides offer a number of advantages, including being highly selective and potent, allowing low dosage volumes for ease of administration, and having the potential to treat a broad range of complement-mediated diseases.
Dicerna – GalXCTM: Alexion is collaborating with Dicerna Pharmaceuticals to jointly discover and develop up to four subcutaneously delivered GalXCTM RNA interference (RNAi) candidates, currently in pre-clinical development, for the treatment of complement-mediated diseases.
Complement Pharma – CP010: Alexion is collaborating with Complement Pharma to co-develop CP010, a pre-clinical C6 inhibitor that has the potential to treat multiple neurological disorders.
2019 Financial Guidance
Alexion is increasing total revenues and EPS guidance. Full guidance updates are outlined below.

Updated 2019 financial guidance assumes a GAAP effective tax rate of 6 to 7 percent and a non-GAAP effective tax rate of 14 to 15 percent.

Alexion’s financial guidance is based on current foreign exchange rates net of hedging activities and does not include the effect of acquisitions, license and collaboration agreements, intangible asset impairments, litigation charges, changes in fair value of contingent consideration or restructuring and related activity outside of the previously announced activities that may occur after the issuance of this press release.

Conference Call/Webcast Information:
Alexion will host a conference call/audio webcast to discuss the second quarter 2019 results today at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in the call, dial 866-762-3111 (USA) or 210-874-7712 (International), conference ID 5564357 shortly before 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A replay of the call will be available for a limited period following the call. The audio webcast can be accessed on the Investor page of Alexion’s website at: View Source

Integra LifeSciences Reports Second Quarter 2019 Financial Results

On July 24, 2019 Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: IART), a leading global medical technology company, reported financial results for the second quarter ending June 30, 2019 (Press release, Integra LifeSciences, JUL 24, 2019, View Source [SID1234537696]).
Second Quarter 2019 Highlights

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Reported revenues were $383.6 million, an increase of 4.8% compared to the second quarter of 2018, and organic revenues increased 6.6% over the prior-year quarter;

Reported revenues in the Codman Specialty Surgical segment increased 4.1% compared to the second quarter of 2018;

Reported revenues in the Orthopedics and Tissue Technologies segment increased 6.1% compared to the second quarter of 2018;

Foreign currency exchange rate changes negatively impacted reported revenues by $4.0 million in the second quarter of 2019;

GAAP gross margin was 62.6%, an increase of 20 basis points compared to the second quarter of 2018. Adjusted gross margin was 67.4%, unchanged from the prior-year quarter;

Adjusted EBITDA margin was 25.5%, an increase of 200 basis points compared to the second quarter of 2018;

GAAP earnings per diluted share were $0.34, more than double the prior-year quarter;

Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $0.73, an increase of 21.7% over the second quarter of 2018;

The Company reaffirms its revenue guidance for the full-year 2019, which includes total reported revenues of $1.515 billion to $1.525 billion and organic revenue growth of approximately 5%;

The Company reaffirms its GAAP earnings per diluted share guidance range for the full-year 2019 of $1.46 to $1.53. The Company is raising guidance for adjusted earnings per diluted share to a new range of $2.70 to $2.75.

"Strong performance across our entire product portfolio, and in particular new product launches, drove our second quarter results," said Peter Arduini, Integra’s president and chief executive officer. "As we near the end of the Codman integration, we are experiencing a more stable operating environment and realizing the strategic benefits of the combined organizations."
The company reported GAAP net income of $29.7 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2019, compared to GAAP net income of $11.4 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2018. The improvement was driven by higher revenues, lower integration costs, improved operating leverage and lower interest expense.
Adjusted net income for the second quarter of 2019 was $63.4 million, an increase of 25.4% from the prior year. The increase in adjusted net income is a result of higher revenues, improved operating leverage and lower interest expense. Adjusted earnings per diluted share for the second quarter of 2019 was $0.73, an increase of 21.7% over the prior year’s quarter.
Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2019 was $97.9 million, or 25.5% of revenue, a 200 basis point improvement compared to $85.9 million, or 23.5% of revenue, in the second quarter of 2018. This increase was driven mostly by improved operating leverage.
2019 Full-Year Outlook
The Company reaffirms its revenue guidance for the full-year 2019, which includes total reported revenues of $1.515 billion to $1.525 billion and organic revenue growth of approximately 5%;
The Company reaffirms its GAAP earnings per diluted share guidance range for the full-year 2019 of $1.46 to $1.53. The Company is raising guidance for adjusted earnings per diluted share to a new range of $2.70 to $2.75 from its prior range of $2.65 to $2.72.

In the future, the company may record, or expects to record, certain additional revenues, gains, expenses, or charges as described in the Discussion of Adjusted Financial Measures below, which will be excluded from the calculation of adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share for historical periods and in adjusted earnings per share guidance.

Conference Call and Presentation Available Online

Integra has scheduled a conference call for 8:30 AM ET today, Wednesday, July 24, 2019, to discuss financial results for the second quarter and forward-looking financial guidance. The conference call will be hosted by Integra’s senior management team and will be open to all listeners. Additional forward-looking information may be discussed in a question and answer session following the call.
Integra’s management team will reference a presentation during the conference call. The presentation can be found on investor.integralife.com.
Access to the live call is available by dialing (888) 394-8218 and using the passcode 2606382. The call can also be accessed via a webcast link provided on investor.integralife.com. A replay of the call will be available through July 29, 2019 by dialing (888) 203-1112 and using the passcode 2606382. The webcast will also be archived on the website.

ArQule to Report Second Quarter 2019 Financial Results on August 7, 2019

On July 24, 2019 ArQule, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARQL) reported it will report financial results for the second quarter of 2019 before the market opens on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 (Press release, ArQule, JUL 24, 2019, View Source [SID1234537695]). The Company will hold a conference call and webcast on the same day at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss these results and provide a general business update.

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The live webcast can be accessed in the "Investors and Media" section of our website, www.arqule.com, under "Events & Presentations." You may also listen to the call by dialing (877) 868-1831 within the U.S. or (914) 495-8595 outside the U.S. A replay will be available two hours after the completion of the call and can be accessed in the "Investors & Media" section of our website, www.arqule.com, under "Events and Presentations."

Thermo Fisher Scientific Reports Second Quarter 2019 Results

On July 24, 2019 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 29, 2019 (Press release, Thermo Fisher Scientific, JUL 24, 2019, View Source [SID1234537693]).

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Second Quarter 2019 Highlights

Second quarter revenue increased 4% to $6.32 billion.
Second quarter GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) increased 50% to $2.77.
Second quarter adjusted EPS increased 11% to $3.04.
Strengthened our mass spectrometry leadership with new instruments, workflows and software, highlighted by two new-generation Thermo Scientific Orbitrap systems – the Exploris 480 and Eclipse Tribrid – and a new workflow to advance biotherapeutics, called the HR Multi-Attribute Method. In genetic analysis, we launched the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 6 and 7 Pro Real-Time PCR systems to automate qPCR workflows.
Continued to expand our bioproduction capabilities to meet customer demand for biologics, committing $50 million to add manufacturing capacity for single-use technologies at our facilities in the U.S. and Europe, and establishing a Bioprocessing Collaboration Center at our Pharma Services site in St. Louis, Missouri.
Opened Customer Experience Center in Seoul, South Korea, to showcase our depth of capabilities for life sciences applications and create a hub for customers to work with our experts and facilitate strategic partnerships within Korea’s scientific community.
Significantly expanded our CDMO capabilities for pharma and biotech customers, completing the acquisition of Brammer Bio, a leader in viral vector manufacturing for gene and cell therapy, for $1.7 billion and announcing our intent to acquire a GlaxoSmithKline site in Cork, Ireland, for the production of complex Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).
Completed our previously announced divestiture of the Anatomical Pathology business for $1.14 billion.
Adjusted EPS, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures that exclude certain items detailed later in this press release under the heading "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

"We’re pleased to deliver very strong second-quarter results," said Marc N. Casper, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. "Our team executed well in the quarter and we made great progress with our growth strategy to set our company up for an even stronger future.

"It was an outstanding quarter for technology innovation, and we are especially excited about the launch of two new Orbitrap systems – the Exploris 480 and Eclipse Tribrid – that extend our legacy of breakthrough mass spectrometry. In Asia-Pacific and emerging markets, we continued to capitalize on our leading position, highlighted by strong performance in China.

"We also further strengthened our value proposition for pharma and biotech customers, completing our acquisition of Brammer Bio and announcing our intent to acquire a site from GSK to expand our capacity for complex API manufacturing."

Casper added, "We’ve made excellent progress through the halfway point in the year, which positions us to achieve an outstanding 2019."

Second Quarter 2019

Revenue for the quarter grew 4% to $6.32 billion in 2019, versus $6.08 billion in 2018. Organic revenue growth was 5%; acquisitions increased revenue by 1% and currency translation decreased revenue by 2%.

As previously disclosed, in the final week of the quarter, the company experienced an outage in one of its data centers that caused delays in the processing of certain orders and shipments. This resulted in some second quarter activity shifting to the third quarter. Thermo Fisher estimates that the outage had a negative impact on total company organic revenue growth of approximately 1% in the second quarter, primarily affecting the Analytical Instruments Segment.

GAAP Earnings Results

GAAP diluted EPS in the second quarter of 2019 increased 50% to $2.77, versus $1.85 in the same quarter last year. GAAP operating income for the second quarter of 2019 grew to $1.50 billion, compared with $0.94 billion in the year-ago quarter. GAAP operating margin increased to 23.7%, compared with 15.4% in the second quarter of 2018. GAAP results for the second quarter of 2019 reflect the gain on the sale of the company’s Anatomical Pathology business during the quarter.

Non-GAAP Earnings Results

Adjusted EPS in the second quarter of 2019 increased 11% to $3.04, versus $2.75 in the second quarter of 2018. Adjusted operating income for the second quarter of 2019 grew 6% compared with the year-ago quarter. Adjusted operating margin was 23.5%, compared with 23.1% in the second quarter of 2018.

2019 Guidance Update

Thermo Fisher is raising its 2019 revenue and earnings guidance primarily to reflect stronger operational performance. The company is raising its revenue guidance to a new range of $25.30 to $25.50 billion versus its previous guidance of $25.17 to $25.47 billion. This would result in 4 to 5% revenue growth over 2018. The company is raising its adjusted EPS guidance to a new range of $12.16 to $12.26, versus its previous guidance of $12.08 to $12.22, for 9 to 10% growth year over year.

Segment Results

Management uses adjusted operating results to monitor and evaluate performance of the company’s four business segments, as highlighted below. Since these results are used for this purpose, they are also considered to be prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Life Sciences Solutions Segment

In the second quarter of 2019, Life Sciences Solutions Segment revenue grew 9% to $1.71 billion, compared with revenue of $1.57 billion in the second quarter of 2018. Segment adjusted operating margin increased to 35.6%, versus 33.3% in the 2018 quarter.

Analytical Instruments Segment

Analytical Instruments Segment revenue grew 1% to $1.32 billion in the second quarter of 2019, compared with revenue of $1.31 billion in the second quarter of 2018. Segment adjusted operating margin was 21.6%, versus 22.2% in the 2018 quarter.

Specialty Diagnostics Segment

Specialty Diagnostics Segment revenue increased 1% to $0.94 billion in the second quarter of 2019, compared with revenue of $0.93 billion in the second quarter of 2018. Segment adjusted operating margin was 25.7%, versus 27.2% in the 2018 quarter.

Laboratory Products and Services Segment

In the second quarter of 2019, Laboratory Products and Services Segment revenue grew 3% to $2.63 billion, compared with revenue of $2.55 billion in the second quarter of 2018. Segment adjusted operating margin was 13.1%, versus 13.2% in the 2018 quarter.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), we use certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EPS, adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin, which exclude certain acquisition-related costs, including charges for the sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition and significant transaction costs; restructuring and other costs/income; and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. Adjusted EPS also excludes certain other gains and losses that are either isolated or cannot be expected to occur again with any predictability, tax provisions/benefits related to the previous items, the impact of significant tax audits or events and the results of discontinued operations. We exclude the above items because they are outside of our normal operations and/or, in certain cases, are difficult to forecast accurately for future periods. We also use a non-GAAP measure, free cash flow, which is operating cash flow, excluding net capital expenditures, and also excludes operating cash flows from discontinued operations to provide a view of the continuing operations’ ability to generate cash for use in acquisitions and other investing and financing activities. We believe that the use of non-GAAP measures helps investors to gain a better understanding of our core operating results and future prospects, consistent with how management measures and forecasts the company’s performance, especially when comparing such results to previous periods or forecasts.

For example:

We exclude costs and tax effects associated with restructuring activities, such as reducing overhead and consolidating facilities. We believe that the costs related to these restructuring activities are not indicative of our normal operating costs.

We exclude certain acquisition-related costs, including charges for the sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition and significant transaction costs. We exclude these costs because we do not believe they are indicative of our normal operating costs.

We exclude the expense and tax effects associated with the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets because a significant portion of the purchase price for acquisitions may be allocated to intangible assets that have lives of 3 to 20 years. Based on acquisitions closed through the end of the second quarter of 2019, adjusted EPS will exclude approximately $3.30 of expense for the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. Exclusion of the amortization expense allows comparisons of operating results that are consistent over time for both our newly acquired and long-held businesses and with both acquisitive and non-acquisitive peer companies.

We also exclude certain gains/losses and related tax effects, the impact of significant tax audits or events (such as changes in deferred taxes from enacted tax rate changes or the estimated initial impacts of U.S. tax reform legislation), which are either isolated or cannot be expected to occur again with any predictability and that we believe are not indicative of our normal operating gains and losses. For example, we exclude gains/losses from items such as the sale of a business or real estate, gains or losses on significant litigation-related matters, gains on curtailments of pension plans, the early retirement of debt and discontinued operations.

We also report free cash flow, which is operating cash flow, excluding net capital expenditures, and also excludes operating cash flows from discontinued operations to provide a view of the continuing operations’ ability to generate cash for use in acquisitions and other investing and financing activities.

Thermo Fisher’s management uses these non-GAAP measures, in addition to GAAP financial measures, as the basis for measuring the company’s core operating performance and comparing such performance to that of prior periods and to the performance of our competitors. Such measures are also used by management in their financial and operating decision-making and for compensation purposes.

The non-GAAP financial measures of Thermo Fisher’s results of operations and cash flows included in this press release are not meant to be considered superior to or a substitute for Thermo Fisher’s results of operations prepared in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of such non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are set forth in the accompanying tables. Thermo Fisher does not provide GAAP financial measures on a forward-looking basis because we are unable to predict with reasonable certainty and without unreasonable effort items such as the timing and amount of future restructuring actions and acquisition-related charges as well as gains or losses from sales of real estate and businesses, the early retirement of debt and the outcome of legal proceedings. The timing and amount of these items are uncertain and could be material to Thermo Fisher’s results computed in accordance with GAAP.

Conference Call

Thermo Fisher Scientific will hold its earnings conference call today, July 24, 2019, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time. To listen, dial (877) 273-7122 within the U.S. or (647) 689-5496 outside the U.S. You may also listen to the call live on our website, www.thermofisher.com, by clicking on "Investors." You will find this press release, including the accompanying reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures and related information, in that section of our website under "Financial Results." An audio archive of the call will be available under "Webcasts and Presentations" through Friday, August 9, 2019.

ImaginAb Initiates Phase II Clinical Trial at a World-Leading Cancer Center

On July 24, 2019 ImaginAb Inc., a clinical-stage immuno-oncology imaging company, reported it has initiated its Phase II clinical trial of its lead product, CD8 tracer 89Zr-Df-IAB22M2C, at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA (Press release, ImaginAb, JUL 24, 2019, View Source [SID1234537691]). Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a world-renowned research and treatment center for cancer and other life-threatening diseases based in Boston, Massachusetts, a principal teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School.

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89Zr-Df-IAB22M2C is a first in class imaging agent that visualizes the immune system using non-invasive, whole-body in vivo PET imaging of CD8 T cells. Using its ‘Minibody’ platform, ImaginAb’s technology targets and visualizes CD8+ T-cells to provide highly-specific, quantitative assessment of the immunological status of each cancer lesion within a patient, potentially enabling treatment to be tailored quickly and specifically to the needs of that patient.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is one of ImaginAb’s active clinical sites conducting Phase II baseline/on-treatment clinical trials investigating the utility of 89Zr-Df-IAB22M2C to image CD8 T cells prior to (baseline) and after (on-treatment) cancer patients receive immunotherapy-based treatment. Annick Van Den Abbeele M.D., Chair emeritus, Department of Imaging at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, is the study’s principal investigator.

Ian Wilson, CEO of ImaginAb, said: "ImaginAb’s goal is to provide target-specific imaging agents to predict, inform, monitor and enable treatment of cancer disease more effectively. We are delighted to add, the world-renowned, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to our CD8 Imaging Phase II trial and for enrollment and imaged of their first patient in this ongoing clinical study."

The trial will enroll metastatic cancer patients and will study the correlation of imaging signals observed using ImaginAb’s CD8 T cell ImmunoPET imaging agent, standard-of-care scans, and immunohistochemistry analysis of CD8 in biopsied tissues. The trial will also measure changes in CD8+ T-cell distribution before and after immuno-oncology therapies.