On November 12, 2019 Evotec SE (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, MDAX/TecDAX, ISIN: DE0005664809) reported financial results and corporate updates for the first nine months ended 30 September 2019 (Press release, Evotec, NOV 12, 2019, View Source;announcements/press-releases/p/evotec-se-reports-first-nine-month-2019-results-and-corporate-updates-5864 [SID1234550887]).

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OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE – DRIVING DRUG DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT FAST FORWARD
Multiple new alliances in EVT Innovate and EVT Execute
Just – Evotec Biologics off to a very good start
Achievement of multiple important milestones (e.g. Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Indivumed)
Co-owned pipeline projects progressing very well, e.g. with positive Phase II POC results in chronic cough with Bayer
Extension of iPSC-based neurodegeneration partnership with Celgene into 2023; triggering additional $ 30 m payment
Joint venture created with Vifor Pharma focused on novel nephrology therapeutics (after period-end)
Expansion of BRIDGE roll-out with new BRIDGEs LAB10x and LAB555 (after period-end)
Continued company formations and equity participation e.g. in Aeovian, Eternygen, Facio, Immunitas; and spin-off formation Breakpoint Therapeutics GmbH focused on DNA damage response
Building a leading position in anti-infectives discovery and development (e.g. alliances with GARDP, GNA Now, Helmholtz, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation)

INCREASE IN EBITDA GUIDANCE FOR FULL-YEAR 2019
Full-year 2019 guidance for revenue and unpartnered R&D costs confirmed; EBITDA guidance increased to approximately 15% (previously: >10%)

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
In the first nine months of 2019, Evotec’s Group revenues continued their strong performance and increased by 16% to € 321.4 m (9M 2018: € 278.1 m). This positive development is mainly due to the very strong performance in the base business across all business lines, solid milestone payments, and first revenue contributions by Just – Evotec Biologics (€ 10.4 m). Revenues from milestones upfronts and licences, which can vary significantly from quarter to quarter, decreased to € 22.3 m in comparison to the previous year (9M 2018: € 27.2 m) and included, amongst others, payments from Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Celgene.

The gross margin in the first nine months of 2019 amounted to 30.7% (9M 2018: 30.1%). This increase in margin compared to 2018 is based on very good capacity utilisation and favourable FX.

In the first nine months of 2019, Evotec focused its unpartnered R&D expenses of € 25.7 m primarily on initiatives in the fields of metabolic diseases, oncology, and platform projects. Its partnered R&D expenses of € 15.6 m on its infectious disease portfolio were shown under R&D while the expenses fully reimbursed by its partner Sanofi were recognised under other operating income. This split into unpartnered and partnered R&D expenses had not been applied in the first nine months of 2018, where total R&D expenses of € 16.0 m were recorded compared to total € 41.3 m in the reporting period.

The Group’s selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses increased by 13% to € 46.2 m (9M 2018: € 40.8 m) in the first nine months of 2019. This increase is mainly due to overall company growth including staff increases, upgrading of systems, consultancy fees, plus expenses from acquired companies, equity and financing transactions.

Impairments of intangible assets and goodwill of € 11.9 m were recorded (9M 2018: impairment of intangible assets of € 4.2 m). This one-off impairment was mainly due to the termination of the SGM-1019 agreement by our partner Second Genome, the programme was fully impaired (€ 10.3 m). This impairment of intangible assets in addition triggered a goodwill impairment of € 1.6 m of the cash-generating unit Evotec (US) Innovate. All rights of the underlying asset were returned to Evotec.

The strong increase in the adjusted Group EBITDA to € 93.2 m (9M 2018: € 68.7 m), resulted mainly from the very strong performance in the base business, solid milestones and licence contributions, a positive EBITDA contribution by Just – Evotec Biologics and effects from the first-time application of the new accounting standard IFRS 16 (+€ 10.1 m).

In the first nine months of 2019, Evotec’s operating result was € 46.4 m (9M 2018: € 59.5 m). A year on year comparison is not meaningful, as 2018 was significantly positively affected by a one-off impact from the bargain purchase ID Lyon in 2018 (€ 15.4 m). The Company’s net result for the first nine months of 2019 amounted to € 29.7 m (9M 2018: € 52.3 m) and also cannot be compared like for like as it was affected by the one-off effect of the impairments on intangible assets and goodwill.

Evotec ended the third quarter of 2019 with a strong liquidity position of € 282.6 m (31 December 2018: € 149.5 m), which was composed of cash and cash equivalents (€ 249.6 m) and investments (€ 33.0 m). In the first nine months of 2019, liquidity was primarily affected by the completion of the repayment of the remainder of the € 140 m debt bridge facility drawn down in context of the acquisition of Aptuit in August 2017 as well as the repayment of flexible bank loan agreements, the successful issue of a promissory note (Schuldschein) worth € 250 m, gross, at very attractive interest rates of below 1.5%, as well as the draw-down of another tranche of the European Investment Bank R&D loan and the acquisition of Just – Evotec Biologics.

OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Overall, the EVT Execute segment continued its strong progress in existing alliances and signed new or extended established partnerships. The strong performance was highlighted through the signing of a strategic multi-year drug discovery collaboration across multiple therapeutic areas with Takeda. Evotec will use its leading integrated drug discovery platform to deliver clinical candidates for Takeda to pursue into clinical development. Evotec is eligible to receive pre-clinical, clinical, and commercial milestones that can total in excess of $ 170 m per programme as well as tiered royalties on future sales.

The Just – Evotec Biologics integration into the Evotec Group is fully on track. In the first three months since the acquisition, Just – Evotec Biologics signed new agreements e.g. with Teva and Biocon Biologics.

EVT Innovate continued to deliver strong progress within its collaborations, signed important new contracts and extensions plus achieved major advances in Evotec’s co-owned pipeline. Bayer achieved positive Phase II POC results with its P2X3 antagonist in chronic cough showing good efficacy and safety.

Evotec’s academic BRIDGE portfolio has been expanded through LAB555 (after period-end), the first BRIDGE built in Israel. The partnership aims to expedite drug discovery and development by providing efficient translation of early stage Hebrew University research.

Evotec continues to invest in promising companies with operational synergies. Evotec was participating in Aeovian’s series A financing after successfully delivering Aeovian’s first candidate drug, and formed its second spin-off Breakpoint Therapeutics, a virtual company focusing on the development of Evotec’s DNA damage response portfolio. Furthermore, Evotec invested in the NewCo Immunitas Therapeutics, a Boston-based monoclonal antibody company.

Furthermore, Evotec expanded its position, being at the forefront of women’s health and anti-infective drug discovery. Evotec entered an alliance with Celmatix, a partnership to develop pre-clinical programmes in prevalent but underserved conditions affecting women’s reproductive health, including polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, and infertility.

In the field of anti-infectives, Evotec closed additional collaborations, e.g. kicking off "GNA Now", a new initiative for the development of novel antibacterial agents. The increasing recognition of antibiotic resistance as growing threat to public healthcare systems enabled Evotec to receive grants for projects to further accelerate drug discovery efforts in this area of high medical need.

After period-end, Evotec and Vifor Pharma launched a joint venture focused on the discovery and development of novel nephrology therapeutics. Both companies will hold a 50% share, with Vifor Pharma benefiting from access to an external R&D capability for the development of a Nephrology pipeline, while Evotec will gain access to a commercial partner for assets developed through the Joint Venture. The initial funding of € 25 m for pre-clinical development will be covered by Vifor Pharma, while Evotec contributes its PanHunter bioinformatics platform and high-quality data sets from thousands of human kidney disease patients to the Joint Venture.

INCREASE IN EBITDA GUIDANCE FOR FULL-YEAR 2019
Full-year 2019 guidance for revenue and unpartnered R&D costs confirmed; EBITDA guidance increased to approximately 15% (previously: >10%).

Webcast/Conference Call
The Company is going to hold a conference call to discuss the results as well as to provide an update on its performance. The conference call will be held in English.

Conference call details

Date: Tuesday, 12 November 2019

Time: 02.00 pm CET (08.00 am EST, 01.00 pm GMT)

On November 12, 2019 NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701), a leader in IT and network technologies, and VAXIMM AG, a Swiss/German biotech company focused on developing oral T-cell immunotherapies, reported that the companies have signed a strategic clinical trial collaboration agreement and an equity investment agreement to develop novel personalized neoantigen cancer vaccines (Press release, NEC, NOV 12, 2019, View Source [SID1234550868]).

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Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, which is non-exclusive to both parties, NEC will provide funding for a Phase I clinical trial. NEC and VAXIMM will co-develop personalized cancer vaccines using NEC’s cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology, which is utilized in its Neoantigen Prediction System, and VAXIMM’s proprietary T-cell immunotherapy technology. The vaccines are planned to be evaluated in a Phase I clinical trial in various solid tumors. VAXIMM will be responsible for conducting the clinical trial, which is expected to be initiated in 2020.

NEC has the option for development and commercialization rights to the program worldwide, except for China and other Asian territories outside of Japan.

Osamu Fujikawa, Senior Vice President, NEC Corporation, said: "Cancer is consistently one of the most serious healthcare challenges, with millions of new cases diagnosed worldwide annually. NEC’s core technology is well positioned for the development of personalized medicine, and we are strongly committed to delivering effective treatments for cancer patients. We are delighted to be working with VAXIMM in order to develop an optimal immunotherapy for each individual patient."

Heinz Lubenau, PhD, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of VAXIMM, said: "We are excited to enter this alliance with NEC and to have their strong support of VAXIMM. NEC’s novel AI technology will enable not only the identification but also the prioritization of neoantigens from each patient, facilitating the optimal potential treatment for each individual. Once the list of neoantigens is available, we will be able to apply our technology to quickly produce a personalized vaccine. Individualized therapy is at the cutting edge of cancer treatment today, and, with this collaboration, we are able to further contribute to this approach."

About NEC’s Neoantigen Prediction System
NEC’s neoantigen prediction utilizes its proprietary AI which is combined with NEC OncoImmunity AS’s bioinformatics pipelines – making it the leading neoantigen prediction system in the field. NEC comprehensively evaluates candidate neoantigens, which allows it to effectively prioritize numerous candidate neoantigens identified in a single patient.

On November 11, 2019 Hutchison China MediTech Limited ("Chi-Med") (AIM/Nasdaq: HCM) reported that Christian Hogg, Chief Executive Officer, will present at the following conferences (Press release, Hutchison China MediTech, NOV 11, 2019, https://www.chi-med.com/chi-med-to-attend-upcoming-investor-and-industry-conferences/ [SID1234552848]):

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Deutsche Bank Depositary Receipts Virtual Investor Conference (dbVIC) webcast on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 8:30 am (EST) / 1:30 pm (GMT) / 9:30 pm (China Time);
BioCentury & Bayhelix China Healthcare Summit on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 1:30 pm (China Time) in Shanghai; and
Presentation at Piper Jaffray Annual Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 8:50 am (EST), and investor meetings on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 in New York.

In addition, members of the management team will attend the following investor conferences:

Presentation at Jefferies University Specialist Speakers Summit on China Disruption & Innovation on Friday, November 15, 2019 in Hong Kong;
Investor meetings at Jefferies London Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 and Thursday, November 21, 2019 in London;
Investor meetings at Morgan Stanley Annual Asia Pacific Summit on Thursday, November 21, 2019 in Singapore; and
Presentation at Goldman Sachs Asia Pacific Healthcare Forum on Monday, November 25, 2019 at 11:30 am (Hong Kong Time), and investor meetings on Monday, November 25, 2019 and Tuesday, November 26, 2019 in Hong Kong.

On November 11, 2019 Hutchison China MediTech Limited ("Chi-Med") (AIM/Nasdaq: HCM) reported that its New Drug Application ("NDA") for surufatinib for the treatment of patients with advanced non-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors ("NET") has been accepted for review by the China National Medical Products Administration (Press release, Hutchison China MediTech, NOV 11, 2019, View Source [SID1234551038]).

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The NDA is supported by data from the successful SANET-ep study, a Phase III study of surufatinib in advanced neuroendocrine tumors – extra-pancreatic patients in China for whom there is no effective therapy. The positive results of this trial were highlighted in an oral presentation at the 2019 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress on September 29, 2019.

Christian Hogg, Chief Executive Officer of Chi-Med commented, "This NDA filing puts us on track for the potential approval and launch of surufatinib in China, an important development for NET patients with limited treatment options. In order to maximize patient access to surufatinib upon regulatory approval, we are now building our own dedicated commercial oncology organization and expect to be ready to cover all relevant hospitals and clinics in China at the time of launch."

"We believe surufatinib has robust efficacy, tolerability and combinability with a dual angio-immuno kinase inhibition profile, which may make it an attractive treatment in China," Mr. Hogg added.

Chi-Med currently retains all worldwide rights to surufatinib. Surufatinib is under investigation in multiple solid tumors in China, the U.S. and Europe, both as a monotherapy and in combination with immunotherapies.

Surufatinib is Chi-Med’s second in-house discovered novel oncology drug to reach NDA submission in China, following the launch of fruquintinib last year for colorectal cancer under the brand name Elunate.

About Neuroendocrine Tumors (NET)

Neuroendocrine tumors form in cells that interact with the nervous system or in glands that produce hormones. They can originate in various parts of the body, most often in the gut or the lungs and can be benign or malignant. Neuroendocrine tumors are typically classified as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors or other neuroendocrine tumors. Approved targeted therapies include Sutent and Afinitor for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, or well-differentiated, non-functional gastrointestinal or lung neuroendocrine tumors.

According to Frost and Sullivan, there were 19,000 newly diagnosed cases of neuroendocrine tumors in the U.S. in 2018. Importantly, neuroendocrine tumors are associated with a relatively long duration of survival compared to other tumors. As a result, there were approximately 141,000 estimated patients living with neuroendocrine tumors in the U.S. in 2018 of which over 90%, or approximately 132,000, were non-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor patients.

In China, there were approximately 67,600 newly diagnosed neuroendocrine tumor patients in 2018 and, considering the current incidence to prevalence ratio in China, potentially as many as 300,000 patients living with the disease in the country1. It is estimated that approximately 80% of the patients living with neuroendocrine tumors in China are non-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor patients.

About SANET-ep

SANET-ep is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center, Phase III study comparing surufatinib orally daily with placebo in patients with low- or intermediate-grade advanced extra-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors for whom there is no effective therapy. In June 2019, a 198 patient interim analysis was conducted, leading the Independent Data Monitoring

Committee (IDMC) to determine that the study met the pre-defined primary endpoint of progression-free survival ("PFS") and should be stopped early. 84% of the patients in the study had disease with pathological grade 2. 41% of patients had disease originating outside of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the lung or with unknown origin.

Surufatinib reduced the risk of progression or death by 67%. Median PFS per investigator assessment was 9.2 months for patients treated with surufatinib, as compared to 3.8 months for patients in the placebo group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.334; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.223-0.499; p<0.0001). The efficacy of surufatinib was seen across all subgroups, and supported by statistically significant improvement as measured by secondary efficacy endpoints including objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), time to response (TTR), duration of response (DoR), safety, and tolerability. Efficacy was also supported by Blinded Independent Image Review Committee (BIIRC) assessment. Overall survival (OS) data was not mature, with only 18.7% OS events at data cut-off. The safety profile was consistent with observations in prior clinical studies. Additional details may be found at clinicaltrials.gov, using identifier NCT02588170.

About Surufatinib

Surufatinib (previously known as HMPL-012 or sulfatinib) is a novel, oral angio-immuno kinase inhibitor that selectively inhibits the tyrosine kinase activity associated with vascular endothelial growth factor receptors ("VEGFR") and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), which both inhibit angiogenesis, and colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R), which regulates tumor-associated macrophages, promoting the body’s immune response against tumor cells. Its unique dual mechanism of action may be very suitable for possible combinations with other immunotherapies. Surufatinib is in several late-stage and proof-of-concept clinical trials in China and proof-of-concept clinical trials in the U.S.

According to Frost & Sullivan, the market for VEGF/VEGFR inhibitors in China has grown from US$500 million in 2015 to over US$1.5 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach US$5 billion by 2026.

Chi-Med currently retains all rights to surufatinib worldwide.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in China: In 2016, we initiated the SANET-p study, which is a pivotal Phase III study in patients with low- or intermediate-grade, advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in China. The primary endpoint is PFS. We expect an interim analysis in the first half of 2020 and enrollment to complete in 2020 (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02589821).

Neuroendocrine tumors in the U.S. and Europe: The encouraging data from the Phase II and Phase III studies of surufatinib in neuroendocrine tumors in China (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02267967), and the ongoing Phase Ib study in the U.S. (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02549937), have led us to decide to proceed with planning a registration study in neuroendocrine tumors patients.

Biliary tract cancer in China: In March 2019, we initiated a Phase IIb/III study comparing surufatinib with capecitabine in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer whose disease progressed on first-line chemotherapy. The primary endpoint is OS (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT03873532).

Immunotherapy combinations: In November 2018 and September 2019, we entered into collaboration agreements to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of surufatinib in combination with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibodies. This included global collaborations to evaluate the combination of surufatinib with Tuoyi, approved in China by Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co. Ltd, and with Tyvyt, approved in China by Innovent Biologics, Inc.

On November 11, 2019 FibroGen, Inc. (NASDAQ: FGEN) reported financial results for the third quarter of 2019 and provided an update on the company’s recent developments (Press release, FibroGen, NOV 11, 2019, View Source [SID1234550937]).

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"The FibroGen team achieved many milestones over the past few months, culminating with the positive Phase 3 results for roxadustat reported at the American Society of Nephrology conference last week in Washington, D.C.," said Jim Schoeneck, Interim Chief Executive Officer, FibroGen. "This set of global studies covered the spectrum of chronic kidney disease anemia and is believed to be the largest and most comprehensive ever reported. We expect the positive cardiovascular safety data, comparing roxadustat to placebo in non-dialysis patients and to epoetin alfa in patients on dialysis, along with the superior efficacy results, can serve as the basis for regulatory approval in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. We plan to submit an NDA in the U.S. by the end of this quarter for both dialysis and non-dialysis patients with our partner AstraZeneca, and an MAA in Europe by the end of first quarter 2020 by our partner Astellas, followed by submissions to other regulatory authorities.

"In addition, roxadustat is now approved for CKD patients with anemia in China and was approved in Japan for anemia in CKD patients on dialysis. Our other clinical programs advanced, as we initiated our roxadustat Phase 2 study to treat anemia in patients receiving chemotherapy and enrolled the first patients in our pamrevlumab Phase 3 programs for both idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (ZEPHYRUS) and locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPIS).

"These major accomplishments demonstrate our commitment to the vision set by FibroGen’s founder and long-time CEO and Chairman, Tom Neff. We mourn his unexpected passing and are grateful for his leadership and rare ability to recognize and advance scientific innovation."

Recent Developments – Roxadustat

Roxadustat is a novel, oral, first-in-class treatment for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with anemia, discovered by FibroGen and developed globally in conjunction with our partners AstraZeneca and Astellas. Groundbreaking science on the body’s oxygen-sensing mechanism and adaptation to hypoxia was awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and serves as the foundation for the mechanism of action for roxadustat. Roxadustat increases hemoglobin by mimicking the body’s natural response to low oxygen.

American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week Presentations – November 6-9, 2019

Clinical results presented from six roxadustat Phase 3 studies comprising over 8,000 anemia patients with chronic kidney disease, as well as pooled results for patients not on dialysis and on dialysis, including an incident dialysis subgroup

For additional data presented, please see our November 8, 2019 press release. Please also see our website for FibroGen’s ASN presentations

Cardiovascular Safety Confirmed: In both non-dialysis dependent and dialysis dependent CKD anemia patients:

Non-Dialysis Dependent (NDD) (n=4270):

Risk of MACE, MACE+, and all-cause mortality in roxadustat patients was comparable to placebo based on a reference non-inferiority margin of 1.3

NDD results are based on ITT long-term follow-up analysis method agreed with the FDA

Dialysis Dependent (DD) (n=3880):

Risk of MACE and all-cause mortality in roxadustat patients were not increased compared to the active comparator, epoetin alfa

Roxadustat patients had a 14% lower risk of MACE+ than epoetin alfa patients

Incident Dialysis (ID) Subgroup (n=1526): In the clinically important ID subgroup of patients, initiating dialysis within 4 months prior to randomization:

Roxadustat patients had a 30% lower risk of MACE than epoetin alfa

Roxadustat patients had a 34% lower risk of MACE+ than epoetin alfa

Roxadustat patients had a trend towards lower all-cause mortality compared to epoetin alfa

Endpoint definitions, using centrally adjudicated events:

Time to first Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE), a composite endpoint including all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke

Time to first MACE+, referring to MACE plus unstable angina and heart failure requiring hospitalization

Time to all-cause mortality

Primary Efficacy Endpoints Met in all Individual Studies and Pooled Analyses

Met primary efficacy endpoint of mean change in hemoglobin (Hb) from baseline to average Hb weeks 28-52 in each of the six individual studies and in each of the two pooled efficacy analyses

Statistically superior to placebo in the NDD pool

Statistically superior to epoetin alfa in the DD pool

Other Pooled Efficacy Analyses

Non-Dialysis Dependent

In the pooled analysis, roxadustat was superior to placebo, with significantly larger Hb increase than placebo regardless of iron-repletion status at baseline

Roxadustat treatment reduced the need for rescue treatment and red blood cell transfusion (RBC) compared to placebo

Roxadustat slowed the decline in renal function compared to placebo in patients eGFR >= 15

Roxadustat reduced LDL cholesterol

Dialysis Dependent

The larger Hb increase in patients treated with roxadustat vs. epoetin alfa was particularly notable in patients with inflammation (elevated CRP level)

Roxadustat treatment reduced the need for RBC transfusion compared to epoetin alfa

Less IV iron was required in patients receiving roxadustat versus patients receiving epoetin alfa

Other Recent Developments, Recognition and Future Milestones

Roxadustat U.S. and EU Regulatory Timelines

Expect to submit U.S. NDA for roxadustat for the treatment of anemia in CKD patients both on dialysis and not on dialysis this quarter

Astellas expected to submit the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) within the second half of their 2019 fiscal year, ending March 2020

Roxadustat for Anemia in CKD – Approvals and Market Activity

Expanded approval of roxadustat (China tradename: 爱瑞卓) in China to include the treatment of anemia in CKD patients who are not dialysis-dependent

Roxadustat (Japan tradename: Evrenzo) approved in Japan for the treatment of anemia associated with CKD in dialysis patients

First prescriptions written for roxadustat for patients in China

FibroGen booked commercial product revenue for the first time (China)

Roxadustat received the 2019 Dushu Lake Prize 独墅湖杯 in China for "On-Market Innovative Drug with Highest Clinical Value"

Results from the two China Phase 3 studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM)

Development Programs

Roxadustat for Anemia in Oncology

Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

Clinical proof-of-concept study accepted for oral presentation at the 2019 American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting

Randomized placebo-controlled portion of global Phase 3 study ongoing

Chemotherapy-Induced Anemia (CIA)

Initiated patient dosing in Phase 2 study

Pamrevlumab for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

Initiated dosing in the pivotal ZEPHYRUS Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Pamrevlumab for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer (LAPC)

Initiated dosing in the pivotal LAPIS Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Pamrevlumab for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

Expect to meet with the FDA this quarter to discuss clinical development plan

Corporate and Financial

Net loss for the third quarter of 2019 was $49.4 million, or $0.57 net loss per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $42.6 million, or $0.50 net loss per basic and diluted share one year ago

At September 30, 2019, FibroGen had $666.5 million in cash, restricted time deposits, cash equivalents, investments, and receivables

Conference Call and Webcast Details

FibroGen will host a conference call and webcast today, Monday, November 11, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time) to discuss financial results and provide a business update. A live audio webcast of the call may be accessed in the investor section of the company’s website, www.fibrogen.com. To participate in the conference call by telephone, please dial 1 (888) 771-4371 (U.S. and Canada) or 1 (847) 585-4405 (international), reference the FibroGen third quarter 2019 financial results conference call, and use confirmation number 49132826. A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the call for a period of four weeks. To access the replay, please dial 1 (888) 843-7419 (domestic) or 1 (630) 652-3042 (international), and use passcode 4132826.

About Roxadustat

Roxadustat (FG-4592) is a first-in-class, orally administered small molecule HIF-PH inhibitor that promotes erythropoiesis through increasing endogenous production of erythropoietin, improving iron regulation, and overcoming the negative impact of inflammation on hemoglobin syntheses and red blood cell production by downregulating hepcidin. Administration of roxadustat has been shown to induce coordinated erythropoiesis, increasing red blood cell count while maintaining plasma erythropoietin levels within or near normal physiologic range in multiple subpopulations of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, including in the presence of inflammation and without a need for supplemental intravenous iron. Roxadustat is currently approved in China for the treatment of anemia in CKD patients on dialysis and patients not on dialysis and approved in Japan for the treatment of anemia in CKD patients on dialysis. Roxadustat is in Phase 3 clinical development in the U.S. and Europe and in Phase 2/3 development in China for anemia associated with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and in a Phase 2 U.S. trial for treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia.

Astellas and FibroGen are collaborating on the development and commercialization of roxadustat for the treatment of anemia in territories including Japan, Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Middle East, and South Africa. AstraZeneca and FibroGen are collaborating on the development and commercialization of roxadustat for the treatment of anemia in the U.S., China, and other markets in the Americas and in Australia/New Zealand as well as Southeast Asia.

About Pamrevlumab

Pamrevlumab is a first-in-class antibody developed by FibroGen to inhibit the activity of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a common factor in fibrotic and proliferative disorders characterized by persistent and excessive scarring that can lead to organ dysfunction and failure. Pamrevlumab is in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and for the treatment of locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer (LAPC), and in Phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Orphan Drug Designation to pamrevlumab for the treatment of patients with IPF, LAPC, and DMD. Pamrevlumab has also received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with IPF and LAPC. Across all clinical studies, pamrevlumab has consistently demonstrated a good safety and tolerability profile to date. For information about pamrevlumab studies currently recruiting patients, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.