AMAG PHARMACEUTICALS ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER 2019 FINANCIAL RESULTS
AND PROVIDES CORPORATE UPDATE

On May 7, 2019 AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAG) reported unaudited consolidated financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 and provided a business update (Press release, AMAG Pharmaceuticals, MAY 7, 2019, View Source [SID1234535793]).

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Total revenue for the first quarter of 2019 was $75.8 million, compared with $117.4 million in the same period last year. Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) revenues were $31.3 million in the first quarter, compared with $90.0 million in the same period last year. This decline was primarily due to the mid-2018 entry of generic competition to the Makena intramuscular (IM) product, as well as IM supply constraints in the quarter (described below). Feraheme (ferumoxytol injection) first quarter 2019 revenues increased to a record $40.0 million, or 59%, over the same period last year. Intrarosa (prasterone) realized significant growth in net price as well as volume growth in the first quarter of 2019, as compared to the prior year period.

The company reported an operating loss of $117.7 million in the first quarter of 2019, compared with an operating loss of $50.8 million in the first quarter of 2018. Included in the loss in the first quarter of 2019 was a $74.9 million accounting impact related to the acquisition of Perosphere Pharmaceuticals Inc., which closed in the quarter. Consistent with its strategic plan and 2019 financial guidance, the company reported negative adjusted EBITDA of $26.6 million in the first quarter of 2019, compared with positive adjusted EBITDA of $30.0 million in the first quarter of 2018.1

"While total Makena revenues in the first quarter were adversely impacted by a number of non-recurring charges, we are encouraged by the strong underlying demand for the subcutaneous auto-injector, and the progress made to replace our previous primary supplier of Makena IM with new inventory from two suppliers this second quarter," said William Heiden, AMAG’s president and chief executive officer. "We’re also proud of our Feraheme team and the continued growth that product has realized. The significant cash flow from these products helps fund the development of our novel pipeline assets, which we believe are the future value drivers of the company."

"In the first quarter, our development pipeline continued to progress nicely. We are eagerly awaiting a decision on the upcoming PDUFA date for VyleesiTM (bremelanotide) and the mid-year initiation of the Phase 3a clinical studies for ciraparantag," continued Mr. Heiden. "We look forward to discussing more about AMAG’s future at our Analyst Day that will be held on May 22 in New York, which will include panels for AMAG-423, Vyleesi and ciraparantag of key opinion leaders who will provide their expert views on the opportunity for and value of these new product candidates."

1 See summaries of GAAP to non-GAAP adjustments at the conclusion of this press release.

1

First Quarter 2019 and Recent Business Highlights:

Promoted Tony Casciano to chief commercial officer; Mr. Casciano led the successful launches of the Makena SC auto-injector and the Feraheme broad label

Achieved 59% growth in Feraheme net sales year-over-year

Makena SC auto-injector achieved 40% volume growth and captured 54% market share of all FDA-approved hydroxyprogesterone caproate prescription volume over the fourth quarter of 2018

Improved first quarter 2019 Intrarosa gross-to-net price by more than 30% over the fourth quarter of 2018; successfully combined and cross trained the women’s health and maternal health sales forces into one team of approximately 125 sales representatives

Acquired Perosphere Pharmaceuticals, including ciraparantag, a development-stage drug candidate to reverse the anticoagulant effects of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH)

Completed the study and submitted ambulatory blood pressure data to the FDA and continued activities supporting the potential launch of Vyleesi (PDUFA date: June 23, 2019)

Data presentations:

New and encore data related to Vyleesi for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) at the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH)/International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) joint meeting

New data related to Vyleesi for the treatment of HSDD and Feraheme related to iron deficiency anemia (IDA) resulting from abnormal uterine bleeding at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting

Reaffirmed 2019 financial guidance

First Quarter Ended March 31, 2019 (unaudited)
Total revenues for the first quarter of 2019 were $75.8 million, compared with $117.4 million in the first quarter of 2018. First quarter 2019 net product sales of Makena were $31.3 million, which were lower than the $90.0 million reported in the first quarter of 2018, primarily due to the mid-2018 entry of generic competition to the Makena IM product, as well as IM supply constraints. Makena revenues in the first quarter of 2019 were further impacted by a number of gross-to-net charges, including: (i) $3.5 million of failure-to-supply penalties related to a temporary authorized generic (AGx) IM out of stock situation that occurred during the first quarter, (ii) approximately $5.0 million of increased Medicaid rebates related to the IM supply constraints in the quarter and best price implications, and (iii) $6.0 million change in estimate for Medicaid liability for prior period sales of the Makena IM product. The company expects to resolve its Makena IM supply constraints in the second quarter of 2019 and, therefore, believes charges (i) and (ii) described above are non-recurring in nature. During the first quarter of 2019, the company did not record any branded Makena IM revenues, and revenues for the AGx were adversely impacted by IM supply constraints. Sales of the Makena SC auto-injector totaled $37.8 million in the first quarter of 2019, which is net of the $5.0 million additional Medicaid rebates referenced above. Sales of Feraheme and MuGard increased 59% to $40.1 million in the first quarter of 2019, compared with $25.2 million in the first quarter of 2018. Intrarosa contributed $4.4 million in net sales during the first quarter of 2019, compared with $2.2 million in the same period last year.

Operating expenses, including cost of product sales, were aligned with expectations, totaling $193.5 million in the first quarter of 2019, compared with $168.2 million for the same period in 2018. This increase was primarily due to: (i) the $74.9 million acquired in-process research and development charge related to the acquisition of Perosphere, (ii) a one-time restructuring charge of $7.4 million related to combining the company’s women’s health and maternal health sales forces, and (iii) higher research and development costs of $7.3 million related to the company’s ongoing clinical development programs. These increases in operating expenses were partially off-set by a $45.4 million reduction in cost of product sales, driven primarily by lower intangible amortization expense.

2

The company reported an operating loss from continuing operations in the first quarter of 2019 of $117.7 million, compared with an operating loss of $50.8 million for the same period last year, largely due to the Perosphere acquisition described above. The company reported a net loss from continuing operations of $122.1 million, or $3.54 loss per basic and diluted share, for the first quarter of 2019, compared with a net loss from continuing operations of $58.1 million, or $1.70 loss per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2018. The net loss reported during the first quarter on 2019 was favorably impacted by a reduction in interest expense incurred, as compared to the prior year period. This was the result of the company retiring $475 million in high-yield bonds in the third quarter of 2018.

Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2019 was ($26.6) million, compared with $30.0 million in the first quarter of 2018.

Balance Sheet Highlights
As of March 31, 2019, the company’s cash and investments totaled $266.5 million, and long-term total debt totaled $320.0 million (representing the principal amounts outstanding of the 2022 convertible notes). Cash used during the first quarter of 2019 included: (i) $70.8 million related to the acquisition of Perosphere Pharmaceuticals, (ii) $21.4 million for the repayment of the balance of the company’s 2019 Convertible Note, and (iii) $13.7 million for the repurchase of approximately 1.1 million shares of common stock.

2 See reconciliations of 2019 GAAP to non-GAAP financial guidance at conclusion of this press release.
3 As previously reported, the 2019 operating loss guidance range issued in January 2019 excluded the potential accounting impact for the acquisition of Perosphere, which had not closed at that time. The operating loss guidance range has now been adjusted to incorporate the $74.9 million accounting impact of the Perosphere acquisition, which was recorded in the first quarter of 2019.

"We’re pleased with the market uptake of the Makena SC auto-injector, which captured more than 50 percent share of patients treated with FDA-approved hydroxyprogesterone caproate in the first quarter, underscoring continued strong physician demand of this differentiated product and the sustainability of the Makena franchise," said Ted Myles, AMAG’s chief financial officer. "With the expected return of Makena IM supply in the second quarter, continued strong underlying demand for the SC auto-injector, impressive performance from Feraheme, as well as encouraging leading indicators from our Intrarosa direct-to-consumer campaign, we are reiterating our full year guidance for 2019."

Conference Call and Webcast Access
AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. will host a conference call and webcast today at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss the company’s first quarter 2019 financial results, recent business highlights and 2019 outlook.

Dial-in Number
U.S./Canada dial-in number: (877) 412-6083
International dial-in number: (702) 495-1202
Conference ID: 6850648

Replay dial-in number: (855) 859-2056
Replay International dial-in number: (404) 537-3406
Conference ID: 6850648

A telephone replay will be available from approximately 11:00 a.m. ET on May 7, 2019 through midnight on May 14, 2019. The webcast with slides will be accessible through the Investors section of AMAG’s website at www.amagpharma.com. A replay of the webcast will be archived on the website for 30 days.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
AMAG has presented certain non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP costs and expenses and non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA (earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortization). These non-GAAP financial measures exclude certain amounts, expenses or income, from the corresponding financial measures determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (GAAP). Management believes this non-GAAP information is useful for investors, taken in conjunction with AMAG’s GAAP financial statements, because it provides greater transparency regarding AMAG’s operating performance. Management uses these measures, among other factors, to assess and analyze operational results and trends and to make financial and operational decisions. Non-GAAP information is not prepared under a comprehensive set of accounting rules and should only be used to supplement an understanding of AMAG’s operating results as reported under GAAP, not as a substitute for GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are unlikely to be comparable with non-GAAP information provided by other companies. The determination of the amounts that are excluded from non-GAAP financial measures is a matter of management judgment and depends upon, among other factors, the nature of the underlying expense or income amounts. Reconciliations between these non-GAAP financial measures and the most comparable GAAP financial measures are included in the tables accompanying this press release after the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Calquence Phase III ASCEND trial met primary endpoint at interim analysis in relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and will stop early

On May 7, 2019 AstraZeneca reported positive results from the Phase III ASCEND trial of Calquence (acalabrutinib) in previously-treated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) (Press release, AstraZeneca, MAY 7, 2019, View Source [SID1234535787]). Results showed a statistically-significant and clinically-meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) with Calquence monotherapy compared to a combination regimen of rituximab plus physician’s choice of idelalisib or bendamustine. Importantly, the safety and tolerability of Calquence was consistent with the known profile.

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José Baselga, Executive Vice President, R&D Oncology said: "Calquence is the first BTK inhibitor to show benefit in a Phase III trial as a monotherapy compared to current standard-of-care combinations used in relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. We look forward to presenting detailed results at a forthcoming medical meeting."

Within AstraZeneca’s robust development programme for Calquence, ASCEND is the first of two Phase III CLL trials expected to read out in 2019. The second is ELEVATE-TN (ACE-CL-007) in treatment-naïve, front-line CLL. Calquence is currently approved for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in the US, Brazil, the UAE, and Qatar, and is being developed for the treatment of CLL and other blood cancers.

About ASCEND

ASCEND (ACE-CL-309) is a global, randomised, multicentre, open-label Phase III trial evaluating the efficacy of Calquence in previously-treated patients with CLL. In the trial, 310 patients were randomised (1:1) into two groups. Patients in the first group received Calquence monotherapy (100mg twice daily until disease progression). Patients in the second group received rituximab plus physician’s choice of idelalisib or bendamustine.1

The primary endpoint is PFS assessed by an independent review committee (IRC), and key secondary endpoints include physician-assessed PFS, IRC- and physician-assessed overall response rate and duration of response, as well as overall survival, patient reported outcomes and time to next treatment (TTNT).1

About Calquence

Calquence (acalabrutinib) was granted accelerated approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2017 for the treatment of adult patients with MCL who have received at least one prior therapy. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials

Calquence is an inhibitor of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK). Calquence binds covalently to BTK, thereby inhibiting its activity2. In B-cells, BTK signalling results in activation of pathways necessary for B-cell proliferation, trafficking, chemotaxis, and adhesion.

As part of an extensive clinical development programme, AstraZeneca and Acerta Pharma are currently evaluating Calquence in 26 clinical trials that are company-sponsored. Calquence is being developed for the treatment of multiple B-cell blood cancers including CLL, MCL, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia, follicular lymphoma, and multiple myeloma and other haematologic malignancies. Several Phase III clinical trials in CLL are ongoing, including ASCEND, ELEVATE-TN, ELEVATE-RR (ACE-CL-006) evaluating Calquence vs. ibrutinib in previously-treated CLL and ACE-CL-311 evaluating Calquence in combination with venetoclax and obinutuzumab in previously-untreated fit patients with CLL.

About chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)

CLL is the most common type of leukaemia in adults3. In the US, it accounts for approximately one in four new cases of leukaemia, with the average age at the time of diagnosis being approximately 70 years of age4. In CLL, too many blood stem cells in the bone marrow become abnormal lymphocytes and these abnormal cells have difficulty fighting infections3. As the number of abnormal cells grows there is less room for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets3. This could result in anaemia, infection and bleeding3. B-cell receptor signalling through BTK is one of the essential growth pathways for CLL.

About AstraZeneca in haematology

Leveraging its strength in oncology, AstraZeneca has established haematology as one of four key oncology disease areas of focus. The Company’s haematology franchise includes two US FDA-approved medicines and a robust global development programme for a broad portfolio of potential blood cancer treatments. Acerta Pharma serves as AstraZeneca’s haematology research and development arm. AstraZeneca partners with like-minded science-led companies to advance the discovery and development of therapies to address unmet need.

In October 2018, AstraZeneca and Innate Pharma announced a global strategic collaboration that included Innate Pharma licensing the US commercial rights of Lumoxiti (moxetumomab pasudotox-tdfk), and with support from AstraZeneca, will continue EU development and commercialisation, pending regulatory submission and approval.

About AstraZeneca in oncology

AstraZeneca has a deep-rooted heritage in Oncology and offers a quickly-growing portfolio of new medicines that has the potential to transform patients’ lives and the Company’s future. With at least six new medicines to be launched between 2014 and 2020, and a broad pipeline of small molecules and biologics in development, we are committed to advance Oncology as a key growth driver for AstraZeneca focused on lung, ovarian, breast and blood cancers. In addition to our core capabilities, we actively pursue innovative partnerships and investments that accelerate the delivery of our strategy as illustrated by our investment in Acerta Pharma in haematology.

By harnessing the power of four scientific platforms – Immuno-Oncology, Tumour Drivers and Resistance, DNA Damage Response and Antibody Drug Conjugates – and by championing the development of personalised combinations, AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer treatment and one day eliminate cancer as a cause of death.

Data From the Remetinostat Phase II Study in Basal Cell Carcinoma Patients to be Presented at the 2019 SID Annual Meeting

On May 7, 2019 Medivir AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: MVIR) reported that data from the investigator-initiated study evaluating the effects of remetinostat in basal cell carcinoma patients, will be presented during the 2019 Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) annual meeting in Chicago, USA (Press release, Medivir, MAY 7, 2019, View Source [SID1234535776]).

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Data will be presented on a poster and orally on May 10 and 11, respectively. The title of the abstract is: "An Open-Label Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Topical Remetinostat Gel for Basal Cell Carcinoma".

Authors: Nicole Urman B.S., Shaundra Eichstadt M.D., Hanh Do B.S., Amar Mirza B.S., Irene Bailey Ph.D., Shufeng Li Ph.D., Stanley T. Hollmig, Jean Y. Tang M.D. Ph.D., Anthony E. Oro M.D. Ph.D., Sumaira Aasi M.D., and Kavita Y. Sarin M.D. Ph.D.

Details of all presentations for the 2019 SID annual meeting are available at the conference website:View Source

For further information, please contact:
Uli Hacksell, CEO, Medivir AB, phone: +46(0)73-125-0615

Athenex Announces $100 Million Private Placement

On May 6, 2019 Athenex, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATNX), a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapies for the treatment of cancer and related conditions, reported that it has directly entered into an agreement for the sale of its common stock in a private placement with three institutional investors, namely Perceptive Advisors, Avoro Capital Advisors (formerly known as venBio Select Advisor) and OrbiMed (Press release, Athenex, MAY 6, 2019, View Source [SID1234573891]). The transaction is expected to result in gross proceeds to Athenex of approximately $100 million, before deducting offering expenses. Net proceeds from the transaction are expected to be used to fund clinical development and regulatory activities of Oraxol (oral paclitaxel and encequidar (also known as HM30181A)); clinical regulatory activities of KX2-391 ointment for the treatment of actinic keratosis; commercialization activities, including pre-launch activities for Oraxol; manufacturing infrastructure; and working capital and general corporate purposes.

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Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

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The Company will issue 10 million shares of common stock for a purchase price of $10.00 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $100 million. The closing of the private placement is expected to occur on or about May 7, 2019, subject to customary closing conditions.

"We are extremely delighted by the support from these leading healthcare investment firms," said Dr. Johnson Lau, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Athenex. "We believe the financing from this private placement will position us well to further advance our Phase 3 clinical programs for Oraxol and KX2-391 ointment and support our pre-launch and commercialization efforts."

The offering of shares of common stock has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or applicable state securities laws, and the shares are being offered pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and similar exemptions under applicable state securities laws. At the closing of the offering, the Company will enter into a registration rights agreement with the investors, pursuant to which the Company will agree to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering for resale the shares issued in this private placement.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any offer or sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

LIDDS: Liproca® Depot open label extension study indicates longer treatment intervals

On May 6, 2019 Lidds reported the preliminary data from a voluntary open label extension (OLE) study indicates that the time to re-treatment with Liproca Depot in prostate cancer patients is potentially longer than anticipated (Press release, Lidds, MAY 6, 2019, View Source [SID1234555914]). This information comes from the OLE phase of the Phase IIb study, LPC-004. Data from the main study is currently being collected according to plan. Preliminary study results will be available during the third quarter of this year.

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The voluntary open label extension (OLE) study involves a number of patients who participated in the Liproca Depot Phase IIb clinical study. In the OLE phase, a second injection of Liproca Depot was administered once the patient’s PSA level (a biomarker for prostate cancer) had returned to its pre-treatment level.

-Preliminary information from the OLE study looks promising as it indicates a longer than expected anti-androgen effect from Liproca Depot treatment, says Monica Wallter, CEO of LIDDS.

Earlier Phase II studies have shown that Liproca Depot can be an effective anti-androgen treatment without the resulting hormonal side effects associated with current treatments that have a physical and psychological impact on patients.

– Patients who have participated in the voluntary open label extension study so far say they would be prepared to be treated with Liproca Depot again, says Monica Wallter.

Liproca Depot is based on LIDDS proprietary NanoZolid technology that allows active anti-cancer drugs to be injected directly into a tumor and for the drugs to be released over an extended period of time. Liproca Depot is currently in the final stage of a Phase IIb study at clinics in Canada, Finland and Lithuania.

One in every six men is diagnosed with prostate cancer and there is currently no standard drug treatment for prostate cancer patients at low risk of progression. The global drug market for prostate cancer is expected to grow to more than USD 8 billion by 2022.

Facts about the open label extension (OLE) study:
The voluntary OLE study involves patients who participated in the Liproca Depot Phase IIb clinical study. A second injection of Liproca Depot was administered once the patient’s PSA level (a biomarker for prostate cancer) had returned to its pre-treatment level.
The rationale for conducting the OLE study is to understand the long-term anti-androgen efficacy of Liproca Depot and to follow these patients for a further year to assess safety and quality of life parameters after a repeated Liproca Depot injection.