Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Provides First Quarter 2016 Investor Update

On May 9, 2016 Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: IRWD), a commercial biotechnology company, reported an update on its first quarter 2016 results and recent business activities (Press release, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, MAY 9, 2016, View Source [SID:1234512137]).

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"In the first few months of 2016, Ironwood made significant progress building a top-performing commercial biotech company. We delivered strong operational performance, advanced a second program into Phase IIb trials, and executed a license agreement that leverages our strong commercial capabilities and puts us on track for at least five U.S. commercial product launches by 2020," said Peter Hecht, chief executive officer of Ironwood. "The quarter’s results also demonstrate continued strong LINZESS growth: more than 4.5 million prescriptions have now been filled by more than 1 million patients since launch, and market research has shown high physician and patient satisfaction with LINZESS as an effective and safe treatment option for adults suffering from IBS-C or CIC."

First Quarter 2016 and Recent Highlights

Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C) / Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC) Franchise

Ironwood estimates its IBS-C/CIC franchise, including LINZESS and linaclotide colonic release (if approved), which are jointly owned in the U.S. by Ironwood and Allergan with both companies sharing equally in any profits or losses, may represent a peak U.S. sales opportunity exceeding $2 billion, with additional global potential.

LINZESS. U.S. net sales, as provided by Allergan, were $137.1 million in the first quarter of 2016, a 44% increase compared to the first quarter of 2015.
Nearly 600,000 total LINZESS prescriptions were filled in the first quarter of 2016, a 30% increase compared to the first quarter of 2015, according to IMS Health.
Net profit for the LINZESS U.S. brand collaboration, including commercial and research and development (R&D) expenses, was $58.4 million in the first quarter of 2016.
LINZESS commercial margin was 55% in the first quarter of 2016, compared to 39% in the first quarter of 2015.
Ironwood and Allergan launched a new direct to consumer marketing campaign, and the companies increased LINZESS managed care coverage and expanded the entry into new market segments including long term care.
Ironwood and Allergan continue to expect to launch a 72 mcg dose of linaclotide in early 2017, if approved. The companies anticipate that the 72 mcg dose will accelerate physician prescribing of LINZESS within the large, heterogeneous adult CIC patient population.
Linaclotide Colonic Release. A Phase IIb clinical trial is enrolling patients, with data expected in the second half of 2016. This second-generation guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C) agonist product candidate has the potential to provide greater and faster abdominal pain relief in adult IBS-C patients and to expand the IBS-C and CIC market, if approved.
Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Franchise

IW-3718. Ironwood initiated a dose-ranging Phase IIb clinical trial with IW-3718, a wholly-owned asset, for the potential treatment of refractory GERD. Data from the Phase IIb trial are expected in 2017. If approved, Ironwood estimates peak sales for IW-3718 may exceed $2 billion.
Uncontrolled Gout Franchise

On April 26, Ironwood announced that it signed a licensing agreement with AstraZeneca for the exclusive U.S. rights to all products containing lesinurad. This includes FDA-approved ZURAMPIC (lesinurad 200mg tablets) as well as a fixed-dose combination of lesinurad and allopurinol, which AstraZeneca plans to submit for FDA regulatory review in the second half of 2016.

For as many as two million gout patients in the U.S., treatment with a xanthine oxidase inhibitor (XOI) such as allopurinol to decrease production of uric acid is not sufficient to achieve treatment goals. ZURAMPIC complements XOI therapy by increasing excretion of uric acid and is indicated for use in combination with an XOI for the treatment of hyperuricemia associated with uncontrolled gout. ZURAMPIC is not recommended for the treatment of asymptomatic hyperuricemia and should not be used as monotherapy.

The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2016, and Ironwood expects to launch ZURAMPIC in the middle of the second half of 2016.

Vascular and Fibrotic Franchise

Ironwood is leveraging its pharmacologic expertise in guanylate cyclases to advance soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators for the potential treatment of vascular and fibrotic diseases. Ironwood believes this opportunity has the potential to deliver multiple products, a number of which could generate peak sales exceeding $1 billion if approved. All vascular and fibrotic assets are wholly-owned by Ironwood. Highlights during the first quarter and recent period include:

IW-1701. Ironwood announced positive top-line results from a Phase Ia study of IW-1701 and is in the process of initiating a Phase Ib multiple ascending dose study, with topline data expected in the second half of 2016.
IW-1973. Ironwood is currently enrolling healthy volunteers in a Phase Ib clinical study with IW-1973 designed to assess its safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic profile and pharmacodynamic effects. Data from this study are expected in the second half of 2016.
Data from pre-clinical and early clinical studies of these compounds are being presented at several scientific conferences this spring.
Ironwood expects to initiate multiple Phase II studies with its sGC stimulators this year.

Additional Programs

Diabetic Gastroparesis

IW-9179. Ironwood previously announced that top-line data from an exploratory Phase IIa clinical study indicated IW-9179 did not meaningfully reduce the severity of symptoms in patients with diabetic gastroparesis and it will discontinue development of IW-9179 for gastroparesis.

Global Collaborations and Partnerships

Ironwood’s strong U.S. commercial organization successfully introduced LINZESS to the market with its partner Allergan and expects to commercialize multiple important products in the U.S. over time. Ironwood expects to out-license ex-U.S. commercialization rights to its pipeline product candidates. Highlights during the first quarter and recent period include:

Astellas Pharma Inc. filed for approval with the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to market linaclotide in Japan for IBS-C in adult patients, which resulted in Ironwood earning a $15 million development milestone payment, which was received in the first quarter.
Ironwood and AstraZeneca AB filed for approval with the China Food and Drug Administration to market linaclotide in China for the treatment of adult patients with IBS-C.
Ironwood continued co-promoting Allergan’s VIBERZI (eluxadoline) for adults suffering from IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) and Exact Sciences’ Cologuard noninvasive stool DNA screening test for colorectal cancer, in the U.S. Both partnerships represent productive and efficient utilization of Ironwood’s commercial capabilities and continue to generate incremental revenues.
Corporate and Financials

Collaborative Arrangements Revenue
Collaborative arrangements revenue was $66.0 million in the first quarter of 2016 compared to $28.9 million in the first quarter of 2015. Revenue primarily consisted of $46.6 million in revenue associated with Ironwood’s share of the net profits from the sales of LINZESS in the U.S., compared to $25.1 million in the first quarter of 2015.
Ironwood recognized $12.9 million in revenue of the $15.0 million milestone payment from Astellas during the first quarter of 2016.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses were $68.0 million in the first quarter of 2016 as compared to $57.0 million in the first quarter of 2015. Operating expenses in the first quarter of 2016 consisted of $31.8 million in R&D expenses, and $36.2 million in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses. Non-cash share-based compensation expenses recorded in R&D and SG&A expenses in the first quarter of 2016 were $2.5 million and $4.3 million, respectively.
Other Expense
Interest Expense. Net interest expense was $9.7 million in the first quarter of 2016, in connection with the company’s $175 million debt financing executed in January 2013 and the approximately $336 million convertible debt financing executed in June 2015. Interest expense recorded in the first quarter of 2016 includes $6.3 million in cash expense and $3.6 million in non-cash expense.
Gain/Loss on Derivatives. Ironwood records a gain/loss on derivatives related to the change in fair value of the convertible note hedges and note hedge warrants issued in connection with the convertible debt financing in June 2015. A loss on derivatives of $1.6 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2016.
Net Loss
GAAP net loss was $13.3 million, or $0.09 per share, in the first quarter of 2016, as compared to $33.2 million, or $0.24 per share, in the first quarter of 2015. Non-GAAP net loss excludes the impact of mark-to-market adjustments on the derivatives related to Ironwood’s convertible debt. Non-GAAP net loss was $11.7 million, or $0.08 per share, in the first quarter of 2016, as compared to $33.2 million, or $0.24 per share, in the first quarter of 2015. See Non-GAAP Financial Measures below.
Cash Position
Ironwood ended the first quarter of 2016 with $434 million of cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities, a decrease of $5 million from the end of the fourth quarter of 2015. Ironwood generated $0.2 million in cash from operating activities during the first quarter of 2016. In contrast, in the first quarter of 2015, Ironwood used $36 million of cash for operations.
2016 Financial Guidance
In 2016, Ironwood expects:

Use of less than $70 million in cash for operations in 2016, revised as of April 26, 2016, at the time of the lesinurad deal announcement, from less than $60 million as previously guided.
Combined Allergan and Ironwood total 2016 marketing and sales expenses for LINZESS to be in the range of $230 million to $260 million.
On its second quarter 2016 investor update, following the closing of the lesinurad transaction, Ironwood expects to update its guidance for total annual operating expenses for 2016, including both R&D and SG&A expenses.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The company presents non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per share to exclude the impact of net gains and losses on the derivatives related to our convertible notes that are required to be marked-to-market. These gains and losses may be highly variable, difficult to predict and of a size that could have a substantial impact on the company’s reported results of operations in any given period. Management believes this non-GAAP information is useful for investors, taken in conjunction with Ironwood’s GAAP financial statements, because it provides greater transparency and period-over-period comparability with respect to Ironwood’s operating performance. These measures are also used by management to assess the performance of the business. Investors should consider these non-GAAP measures only as a supplement to, not as a substitute for or as superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are unlikely to be comparable with non-GAAP information provided by other companies. For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measures, please refer to the table at the end of this press release.

Vical Reports First Quarter 2016 Financial Results

On May 09, 2016 Vical Incorporated (Nasdaq:VICL) reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2016 (Press release, Vical, MAY 9, 2016, View Source [SID:1234512130]). Net loss for the first quarter of 2016 was $2.4 million, or $0.03 per share, compared with a net loss of $3.8 million, or $0.04 per share, for the first quarter of 2015. Revenues for the first quarter of 2016 were $4.6 million, compared with revenues of $4.9 million for the first quarter of 2015, reflecting revenues from Astellas Pharma Inc. for manufacturing services performed under our ASP0113 collaborative agreements. ASP0113 is Vical’s therapeutic vaccine designed to prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease and associated complications in transplant recipients.

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Vical had cash and investments of $40.3 million at March 31, 2016. The Company’s net cash use for the first quarter of 2016 was $1.7 million, which was consistent with the Company’s guidance for the full year. The Company is projecting net cash burn for 2016 between $8 million and $11 million.

Program updates include:

ASP0113 CMV Vaccine

The multinational Phase 3 registration trial in 500 hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients is ongoing and over 80% of the subjects have now been enrolled. Astellas expects enrollment to be completed by the third quarter of 2016, with the top-line data available in the fourth quarter of 2017. The primary endpoint of this trial is a composite of overall mortality and CMV end organ disease. Vical and Astellas have initiated process validation activities for the manufacture of the bulk drug product in anticipation of a potential BLA filing in 2018.

Enrollment in the multinational Phase 2 trial in kidney transplant recipients was completed in May 2015 and the last subject is expected to complete 1 year of follow up later this month. The primary endpoint of this trial is the incidence of CMV viremia and the study is powered to show an approximately 50% reduction in CMV viremia at 1 year after transplantation. Astellas expects the top-line trial data to be available in the third quarter of 2016.

HSV-2 Therapeutic Vaccine

Trial results, including data on multiple endpoints evaluating safety and efficacy, from our recently completed HSV-2 Phase 1/2 trial will be presented in an oral late-breaker presentation at the American Society of Microbiology (ASM) Microbe/ICAAC 2016 conference on June 20, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts.

VL-2397 Antifungal

Enrollment is ongoing in Vical’s first-in-human Phase 1 trial of its novel antifungal, VL-2397. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is intended to evaluate safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of single and multiple ascending doses of VL-2397 in healthy volunteers. The trial is expected to be complete by the end of 2016. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Vical Fast Track, qualified infectious disease product (QIDP) and orphan drug designations for VL-2397 for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis. This invasive fungal infection is associated with a high rate of mortality in immunocompromised patients, underscoring the need for new antifungal therapies. Vical is working closely with a core team of expert advisors to design a proof of concept efficacy study for VL-2397 in the treatment of patients with invasive aspergillosis.

Vical will conduct a conference call and webcast today, May 9, at noon Eastern Time, to discuss the Company’s financial results and program updates with invited participants. The call and webcast are open on a listen-only basis to any interested parties. To listen to the conference call, dial in approximately ten minutes before the scheduled call to (719) 325-2484 (preferred), or (888) 523-1228 (toll-free), and reference confirmation code 9062407. A replay of the call will be available for 48 hours beginning about two hours after the call. To listen to the replay, dial (719) 457-0820 (preferred) or (888) 203-1112 (toll-free) and enter replay passcode 9062407. The call will also be available live and archived through the events page at www.vical.com. For further information, contact Vical’s Investor Relations department by phone at (858) 646-1127 or by e-mail at [email protected].

The Medicines Company Reports First-Quarter 2016 Business and Financial Results

On May 9, 2016 The Medicines Company (NASDAQ:MDCO) reported its business and financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016 (Press release, Medicines Company, MAY 9, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2166297 [SID:1234512129]).

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During the first quarter of 2016, the Company has:

PCSK9si (PCSK9 synthesis inhibitor): Continued on pace to recruit up to 480 patients in the ORION-1 clinical program, a Phase 2, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial to test the efficacy, safety and durability of a range of doses in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; we anticipate completion of the trial by the end of 2016.
MDCO-216: Advanced enrollment of patients in the MILANO-PILOT study evaluating the drug’s effects on atherosclerotic plaque burden; trial is set to enroll 120 evaluable patients, with the first 40 patients expected to be analyzed around mid-year 2016;
ABP-700: Transitioned to Phase 2 clinical development with the expectation of enrolling patients for the first study of a global procedural sedation colonoscopy program by end of second quarter; with continued success, we expect to launch Phase 3 clinical testing in 2017;
CARBAVANCE: Announced the granting of fast track status and the anticipated completion of Phase 3 clinical trials during second half 2016; anticipate filing NDA and MAA by end of year;
Revenues for newly- launched products (Kengreal, Cleviprex, Orbactiv, Minocin IV and Ionsys) increased 161% to $10.9 million in the first quarter of 2016 over the same period in 2015.
The Company announced earlier today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its non-core cardiovascular products—Cleviprex (clevidipine), Kengreal (cangrelor) and its rights to Argatroban for Injection—to Chiesi USA, Inc. and its parent company, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., for up to $792 million, consisting of $260 million in cash payable at closing, up to $480 million in sales-based milestone payments, the assumption by Chiesi of up to $50 million in milestone payment obligations and approximately $2 million for product inventory. The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, is expected to close early in the third quarter of 2016.

Clive Meanwell, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of The Medicines Company, stated: "The divestiture of our non-core cardiovascular products will enable us to drive the continued development of our potential blockbuster R&D products without diluting our shareholders. Each of our four products in development have critical data milestones which we expect will be unveiled over the course of the year. In addition to completing and reporting data for the ORION-1 Phase 2 clinical trial of PCSK9si, we plan to initiate ORION-2, a Phase 2 study in familial homozygous hypercholesterolemia patients during 2016. For MDCO-216, we expect to secure clinical re-proof of concept from the MILANO-PILOT study. Finally, we expect to complete and report data for the Phase 3 registrational trial of Carbavance, as well as the Phase 2 trial of ABP-700. We look forward to sharing these critical updates throughout the year."

First-Quarter 2016 Financial Summary from Continuing Operations

Worldwide net revenue was $50.3 million for the first quarter of 2016 compared to $110.1 million in the first quarter of 2015. Worldwide Angiomax/Angiox (bivalirudin) net product sales were $16.9 million in the first quarter of 2016 compared to $100.7 million in the first quarter of 2015, with net product sales in the United States decreasing to $13.2 million in the first quarter of 2016 from $95.1 million in the first quarter of 2015 driven by the loss of Angiomax exclusivity in July 2015. Included in total net revenue for the first quarter of 2016 is $18.9 million of royalty revenues derived from the gross profit of authorized generic sales of Angiomax (bivalirudin) by Sandoz, Inc. Other products including Cleviprex, Argatroban for Injection, Minocin for Injection, Orbactiv, Ionsys and Kengreal recorded sales of $14.5 million during the first quarter of 2016 compared to $9.4 million in the first quarter of 2015.

The net loss from continuing operations attributable to The Medicines Company for the first quarter of 2016 was $90.3 million, or $1.31 per share, compared to net income from continuing operations attributable to The Medicines Company of $4.4 million, or $0.07 per share, for the first quarter of 2015. Adjusted net loss(1) from continuing operations attributable to The Medicines Company for the first quarter of 2016 was $71.2 million, or $1.03(1) per share, compared to adjusted net loss(1) from continuing operations attributable to The Medicines Company of $0.1 million for the first quarter of 2015.

First-Quarter 2016 Financial Summary from Discontinued Operations

In the first quarter of 2016, the Company completed the sale of its hemostasis products. The net loss for the first quarter of 2016 from discontinued operations attributable to The Medicines Company was $2.1 million, or $0.03 per share, compared to net income from discontinued operations attributable to The Medicines Company for the first quarter of 2015 of $0.7 million, or $0.01 per share.

(1) Adjusted net loss and adjusted loss per share from continuing operations attributable to The Medicines Company are non-GAAP financial performance measures with no standardized definitions under U.S. GAAP. For further information and a detailed reconciliation, refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures and Reconciliations of GAAP to Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted Loss Per Share sections of this release for explanations of the amounts excluded and included to arrive at adjusted net loss and adjusted loss per share amounts.

As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $430 million in cash and investments compared to $373 million at the end of 2015.

Teva Reports First Quarter 2016 Results

On May 9, 2016 Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA) reported results for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 (Press release, Teva, MAY 9, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2166269 [SID:1234512128]).
Q1 2016
Revenues $4.81 billion
Cash flow from Operations $1.38 billion
Non-GAAP EPS $1.20
GAAP EPS $0.62

Non-GAAP EPS adjusted to exclude December 2015 equity offerings was $1.36, in line with results in the first quarter of 2015.
Exchange rate fluctuations reduced revenues by $107 million and non-GAAP operating profit by $30 million.
Second quarter 2016 revenues are expected to be $4.7-$4.9 billion; non-GAAP EPS expected to be $1.16-$1.20; non-GAAP EPS, adjusted to exclude the impact of the December 2015 equity offerings, is expected to be $1.32-$1.36.
Our guidance for the second quarter of 2016 does not include any Actavis Generics revenues or profit. We expect to close the Actavis Generics acquisition in June 2016.
"We start 2016 with solid performance across the business, strong financial results and the achievement of several key milestones. Generics remains a core contributor to our performance despite no major launches in the U.S. this quarter as we had in the first quarter 2015 with continuous operational and financial improvement across the business. We finalized our acquisition of Rimsa and completed the business venture in Japan with Takeda. We continue to make important progress in our specialty business where we see great promise," stated Erez Vigodman, President & CEO of Teva. "Looking forward, we have several upcoming approvals and key clinical milestones in our pipeline and of course the much anticipated close of Actavis Generics. We are excited to be in the final stages of completing the acquisition of Actavis Generics, which will enable us to further realize the enormous potential in the growing global generics universe and deliver the benefits of this transaction to our stockholders, customers, patients and healthcare systems around the world."
First Quarter 2016 Results
Revenues in the first quarter of 2016 amounted to $4.8 billion, down 3% compared to the first quarter of 2015. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations, revenues were down 1%.
Exchange rate differences (net of profits from certain hedging transactions) between the first quarter of 2016 and the first quarter of 2015 decreased revenues by $107 million, and both non-GAAP and GAAP operating income by $30 million.
Non-GAAP gross profit was $3.0 billion in the first quarter of 2016, down 2% from the first quarter of 2015. Non-GAAP gross profit margin was 62.7% in the first quarter of 2016, compared to 61.5% in the first quarter of 2015. GAAP gross profit was $2.8 billion in the first quarter of 2016, down 2% compared to the first quarter of 2015. GAAP gross profit margin was 58.0% in the quarter, compared to 56.9% in the first quarter of 2015.
Research and Development (R&D) expenses (excluding equity compensation expenses and purchase of in-process R&D) in the first quarter of 2016 amounted to $375 million, compared to $328 million in the first quarter of 2015. R&D expenses were 7.8% of revenues in the quarter, compared to 6.6% in the first quarter of 2015. R&D expenses related to our generic medicines segment increased 23% to $136 million, compared to $111 million in the first quarter of 2015. The increase is mainly due to increased development of complex generic products such as sterile and respiratory medicines. R&D expenses related to our specialty medicines segment increased 7% to $229 million, compared to $215 million in the first quarter of 2015, mainly due to increased development costs related to assets acquired through the Labrys and Auspex transactions.
Selling and Marketing (S&M) expenses (excluding amortization of purchased intangible assets and equity compensation expenses) amounted to $821 million, or 17.1% of revenues, in the first quarter of 2016, compared to $908 million, or 18.2% of revenues, in the first quarter of 2015. S&M expenses related to our generic medicines segment decreased 25% to $279 million, compared to $374 million in the first quarter of 2015. The decrease was mainly due to reduced royalties related to our sales of budesonide (Pulmicort) in the United States. S&M expenses related to our specialty medicines segment decreased 6% to $457 million, compared to $486 million in the first quarter of 2015.
General and Administrative (G&A) expenses (excluding equity compensation expenses) amounted to $294 million in the first quarter of 2016, or 6.1% of revenues, compared to $293 million and 5.9% in the first quarter of 2015.
Quarterly non-GAAP operating income was $1.5 billion, similar to the first quarter of 2015. Quarterly GAAP operating income was $1.2 billion in the first quarter of 2016, an increase of 56% compared to $0.7 billion in the first quarter of 2015.
We calculate EBITDA as non-GAAP operating income (which excludes amortization and certain other items) plus depreciation expenses for the period. In the first quarter of 2016, depreciation amounted to $108 million, compared to $113 million in the first quarter of 2015. EBITDA for the first quarter of 2016 amounted to $1.6 billion, down 1% compared to the first quarter of 2015.
Non-GAAP financial expenses amounted to $52 million in the first quarter of 2016, compared to $49 million in the first quarter of 2015. GAAP financial expenses for the first quarter of 2016 amounted to $298 million, compared to $192 million in the first quarter of 2015. The higher expenses, on a GAAP basis, were mainly the result of a $246 million impairment of net monetary assets following the devaluation in Venezuela.
The provision for non-GAAP income taxes for the first quarter of 2016 amounted to $302 million on pre-tax non-GAAP income of $1.5 billion, for a quarterly tax rate of 21%. The provision for non-GAAP income taxes in the first quarter of 2015 was $312 million on pre-tax non-GAAP income of $1.5 billion, for a quarterly tax rate of 21%. GAAP income tax expenses for the first quarter of 2016 amounted to $228 million or 26%, on pre-tax income of $867 million. In the first quarter of 2015, the provision for income taxes amounted to $104 million or 19%, on pre-tax income of $557 million. While the tax rate may fluctuate quarterly, we expect our annual tax rate for 2016 to be similar to that for 2015.
Non-GAAP net income attributable to ordinary shareholders and non-GAAP diluted EPS were $1.2 billion and $1.20, respectively, in the first quarter of 2016, compared to $1.2 billion and $1.36 in the first quarter of 2015. Non-GAAP EPS adjusted to exclude the December 2015 equity offerings was $1.36. GAAP net income attributable to ordinary shareholders and GAAP diluted EPS were $570 million and $0.62, respectively, in the first quarter of 2016, compared to $446 million and $0.52, respectively, in the first quarter of 2015.
Non-GAAP information: Net non-GAAP adjustments in the first quarter of 2016 amounted to $536 million. Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS for the quarter were adjusted to exclude the following items:
Financial expenses of $246 million related to the impairment of our net monetary assets in Venezuela following a change in exchange rates;
Amortization of purchased intangible assets totaling $189 million, of which $178 million is included in cost of goods sold and the remaining $11 million in selling and marketing expenses;
Acquisition and related expenses of $101 million;
Equity compensation of $24 million;
Restructuring expenses of $19 million;
Impairment of long-lived assets of $13 million;
Other non-GAAP items of $43 million;
Income from legal settlements and loss contingencies of $25 million; and
Corresponding tax benefit of $74 million.
Teva believes that excluding such items facilitates investors’ understanding of its business and financial results. See the attached tables for a reconciliation of the U.S. GAAP results to the adjusted non-GAAP figures.
Cash flow from operations generated during the first quarter of 2016 amounted to $1.4 billion, as in the first quarter of 2015. Free cash flow, excluding net capital expenditures, amounted to $1.2 billion, similar to the first quarter of 2015.
Cash and investments at March 31, 2016 decreased to $7.2 billion, compared to $8.4 billion at December 31, 2015, mainly due to the funding of the Rimsa acquisition.
For the first quarter of 2016, the weighted average outstanding shares for the fully diluted earnings per share calculation were 979 million on a non-GAAP basis and 920 million on a GAAP basis. The average weighted diluted shares outstanding used for the fully diluted share calculation for the first quarter of 2015 were 859 million shares, on both a non-GAAP and GAAP basis. The increase in the number of shares resulted from our December 2015 equity offerings, with the number of shares on a non-GAAP basis including the potential dilution resulting from our recently issued mandatory convertible preferred shares, which had a dilutive effect on our non-GAAP earnings per share.
Excluding the impact of the December 2015 equity offerings to finance the Actavis Generics acquisition, the weighted average outstanding shares for the fully diluted earnings per share calculation on a non-GAAP basis for the first quarter of 2016 was 861 million shares.
As of March 31, 2016, the fully diluted share count for calculating Teva’s market capitalization was approximately 1,003 million shares.
Total shareholders’ equity was $30.6 billion at March 31, 2016, compared to $29.9 billion at December 31, 2015.
Segment Results for the First Quarter 2016
Generic Medicines Segment
Three Months Ended March 31,
2016 2015
U.S.$ in millions / % of Segment Revenues

Revenues $ 2,170
100.0%
$ 2,621
100.0%
Gross profit 999 46.0% 1,284 49.0%
R&D expenses 136 6.3% 111 4.2%
S&M expenses 279 12.8% 374 14.3%
Segment profit* $ 584 26.9% $ 799 30.5%
____________________
* Segment profit consists of gross profit for the segment, less R&D and S&M expenses related to the segment. Segment profit does not include G&A expenses, amortization and certain other items.

Generic Medicines Revenues
Generic medicines revenues in the first quarter of 2016 amounted to $2.2 billion, a decrease of 17% compared to the first quarter of 2015. In local currency terms, revenues decreased 15%.
Generic revenues consisted of:
U.S. revenues of $976 million, a decrease of 32% or of $463 million, compared to the first quarter of 2015. The decrease resulted mainly from a decline in sales of $427 million due to the loss of exclusivity on esomeprazole (Nexium) and budesonide (Pulmicort).
European revenues of $671 million, a decrease of 1%, but up 1% in local currency terms, compared to the first quarter of 2015. This resulted mainly from our strategy of pursuing profitable and sustainable business in the region, along with higher API sales to third parties.
ROW revenues of $523 million, an increase of 4%, or 13% in local currency terms, compared to the first quarter of 2015. The increase in local currency terms was mainly due to higher revenues in Venezuela and Canada, which were partially offset by lower revenues in Japan and Russia.
API sales to third parties of $197 million (which is included in the market revenues above), an increase of 25% compared to the first quarter of 2015, with higher revenues in both Europe and the United States.
Generic medicines revenues comprised 45% of our total revenues in the quarter, compared to 52% in the first quarter of 2015.
Generic Medicines Gross Profit
Gross profit from our generic medicines segment in the first quarter of 2016 amounted to $1.0 billion, a decrease of 22% compared to the first quarter of 2015. The lower gross profit was mainly a result of the lower sales of esomeprazole (Nexium) and budesonide (Pulmicort) in the United States, which are both high gross profit products. This decrease was partially offset by higher gross profit of our ROW markets and API business. Gross profit margin for our generic medicines segment in the first quarter of 2016 decreased to 46.0%, from 49.0% in the first quarter of 2015.
Generic Medicines Profit
Our generic medicines segment generated profit of $584 million in the first quarter of 2016, a decrease of 27% compared to the first quarter of 2015. Generic medicines profitability as a percentage of generic medicines revenues was 26.9% in the first quarter of 2016, down from 30.5% in the first quarter of 2015. The decrease was primarily due to the lower gross profit of the segment, which was partially offset by lower S&M expenses.
Specialty Medicines Segment
Three Months Ended March 31,
2016 2015
U.S.$ in millions / % of Segment Revenues

Revenues $ 2,152
100.0%
$ 1,956
100.0%
Gross profit 1,871 86.9% 1,678 85.8%
R&D expenses 229 10.6% 215 11.0%
S&M expenses 457 21.2% 486 24.9%
Segment profit* $ 1,185 55.1% $ 977 49.9%
____________________
* Segment profit is comprised of gross profit for the segment, less R&D and S&M expenses related to the segment. Segment profit does not include G&A expenses, amortization and certain other items.

Specialty Medicines Revenues
Specialty medicines revenues in the first quarter of 2016 amounted to $2.2 billion, an increase of 10% compared to the first quarter of 2015. In local currency terms, revenues increased 11%. U.S. specialty medicines revenues amounted to $1.7 billion, up 13% compared to the first quarter of 2015. European specialty medicines revenues amounted to $394 million, a decrease of 3%, but flat in local currency terms, compared to the first quarter of 2015. ROW specialty revenues amounted to $81 million, up 13%, or 27% in local currency terms, compared to the first quarter of 2015.
Specialty medicines revenues comprised 45% of our total revenues in the quarter, compared to 40% in the first quarter of 2015.
The increase in specialty medicines revenues compared to the first quarter of 2015 was primarily due to higher sales of our CNS and respiratory products.
The following table presents revenues by therapeutic area and key products for our specialty medicines segment for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:

Three Months Ended
March 31,
Percentage
Change
2016 2015 2016 – 2015
U.S. $ in millions
CNS $ 1,323 $ 1,220 8%
Copaxone 1,006 924 9%
Azilect 113 107 6%
Nuvigil 103 85 21%
Respiratory 366 265 38%
ProAir 173 124 40%
QVAR 134 98 37%
Oncology 268 264 2%
Treanda and Bendeka 155 157 (1%)
Women’s Health 110 129 (15%)
Other Specialty 85 78 9%
Total Specialty Medicines $ 2,152 $ 1,956 10%

Global revenues of Copaxone (20 mg/mL and 40 mg/mL), the leading multiple sclerosis therapy in the U.S. and globally, amounted to $1.0 billion, an increase of 9% compared to the first quarter of 2015.
Copaxone revenues in the United States amounted to $821 million, an increase of 12% compared to the first quarter of 2015. The increase was mainly due to higher net pricing, including a price increase of 7.9% in January 2016. At the end of the first quarter of 2016, according to March 2016 IMS data, our U.S. market shares for the Copaxone products in terms of new and total prescriptions were 28.1% and 29.8%, respectively. Copaxone 40 mg/mL accounted for over 81% of total Copaxone prescriptions in the U.S.
Copaxone revenues outside the United States amounted to $185 million, a decrease of 4%, but an increase of 2% in local currency terms, compared to the first quarter of 2015.
Our global Azilect revenues amounted to $113 million, an increase of 6% compared to the first quarter of 2015. In local currency terms, revenues increased 7%. Global in-market sales decreased 13%.
Revenues of our respiratory products amounted to $366 million, up 38% compared to the first quarter of 2015. ProAir revenues in the quarter increased 40% to $173 million, compared to the first quarter of 2015, due to volume growth and positive price effects. QVAR global revenues increased 37% to $134 million in the first quarter of 2016, compared to the first quarter of 2015, mainly due to positive price effects.
Revenues of our oncology products amounted to $268 million in the first quarter of 2016, up 2% from the first quarter of 2015. Revenues of Treanda and Bendeka amounted to $155 million, down 1% compared to the first quarter of 2015.
Specialty Medicines Gross Profit
Gross profit from our specialty medicines segment amounted to $1.9 billion, an increase of $193 million compared to the first quarter of 2015. Gross profit margin for our specialty medicines segment in the first quarter of 2016 was 86.9%, compared to 85.8% in the first quarter of 2015.
Specialty Medicines Profit
Our specialty medicines segment profit amounted to $1.2 billion in the first quarter of 2016, up 21% compared to the first quarter of 2015, mainly due to higher gross profit and lower S&M expenses.
Specialty medicines profit as a percentage of segment revenues was 55.1% in the first quarter of 2016, up from 49.9% in the first quarter of 2015.
The following tables present details of our multiple sclerosis franchise and of our other specialty medicines for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:
Multiple Sclerosis
Three months ended March 31,
2016 2015
U.S.$ in millions / % of MS Revenues

Revenues $ 1,006
100.0%
$ 924
100.0%
Gross profit 919 91.4% 819 88.6%
R&D expenses 25 2.5% 27 2.9%
S&M expenses 89 8.9% 135 14.6%
MS profit $ 805 80.0% $ 657 71.1%


Other Specialty
Three months ended March 31,
2016 2015
U.S.$ in millions / % of Other Specialty Revenues

Revenues $ 1,146
100.0%
$ 1,032
100.0%
Gross profit 952 83.1% 859 83.2%
R&D expenses 204 17.8% 188 18.2%
S&M expenses 368 32.1% 351 34.0%
Other Specialty profit $ 380 33.2% $ 320 31.0%

Other Activities
Our OTC revenues related to PGT amounted to $288 million, an increase of 35% compared to $213 million in the first quarter of 2015. In local currency terms, revenues increased 47%, mainly due to inflation and higher volumes in Venezuela. PGT’s in-market sales amounted to $411 million in the first quarter of 2016, an increase of $37 million compared to the first quarter of 2015.
Other revenues amounted to $200 million in the first quarter of 2016, mostly from the distribution of third-party products in Israel and Hungary, compared to revenues of $192 million in the first quarter of 2015.
Financial Outlook
Pending the closing of the Actavis Generics acquisition, we are providing revenue and non-GAAP EPS guidance for the second quarter 2016. This includes the results of the Rimsa acquisition and the Teva-Takeda business venture, but not of the Actavis Generics acquisition. Additional guidance will be provided after closing the Actavis Generics acquisition.
We continue to work toward satisfying all conditions for the closing and, based on our estimate of the timing to obtain clearance from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, we currently expect to close in June 2016.
We expect revenues for the second quarter of 2016 to be $4.7-$4.9 billion.
Non-GAAP EPS for the second quarter of 2016 is expected to be $1.16-$1.20. Excluding the impact of the December 2015 equity offerings, non-GAAP EPS is expected to be $1.32-$1.36.
Cash flow from operating activities for the second quarter of 2016 is expected to be $1.2-$1.3 billion.
These estimates reflect management`s current expectations for Teva’s performance in 2016. Actual results may vary, whether as a result of exchange rate differences, market conditions or other factors. In addition, the non-GAAP figures exclude the amortization of purchased intangible assets, costs related to certain regulatory actions, inventory step-up, legal settlements and reserves, impairments and related tax effects.
The non-GAAP data presented by Teva are the results used by Teva’s management and board of directors to evaluate the operational performance of the company, to compare against the company’s work plans and budgets, and ultimately to evaluate the performance of management. Teva provides such non-GAAP data to investors as supplemental data and not in substitution or replacement for GAAP results, because management believes such data provides useful information to investors.
Dividend
On May 5, 2016, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.34 per ordinary share for the first quarter of 2016. For holders of our ordinary shares that are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, the dividend will be converted into new Israeli shekels based on the official exchange rate as of May 9, 2016.
The record date will be May 24, 2016, and the payment date will be June 7, 2016. Tax will be withheld at a rate of 15%.
On March 15, 2016, we paid a dividend of $71 million (including withholding taxes) to the holders of record of our mandatory convertible preferred shares as of March 1, 2016.

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Stemline Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2016 Financial Results

On May 09, 2016 Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:STML) reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 (Press release, Stemline Therapeutics, MAY 9, 2016, View Source [SID:1234512127]).

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Ivan Bergstein, M.D., Stemline’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, "During the first quarter, we made substantial progress across our multiple clinical programs. In particular, we continued to advance our ongoing potentially pivotal Phase 2 trial of SL-401 in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN). We look forward to sharing updated data from this trial at our principal investigator’s oral presentation at the upcoming annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper)."

Dr. Bergstein, continued, "Our team has executed extremely well, reaching our first quarter enrollment goals in our ongoing SL-401 trials in BPDCN and additional indications, as well as treating the first patients with SL-801 in our Phase 1 trial of advanced solid tumors. We also continue to meet accrual expectations in our SL-701 Phase 2 trial in second-line glioblastoma. With this level of performance, coupled with our strong cash position, we believe we have the resources to achieve significant clinical and regulatory milestones this year and beyond."

First Quarter 2016 Financial Results Review
Stemline ended the first quarter of 2016 with $87.8 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments, as compared to $97.5 million as of December 31, 2015, which reflects a cash burn of $9.7 million for the quarter. The company ended the first quarter of 2016 with 19.0 million shares outstanding.

For the first quarter of 2016, Stemline had a net loss of $9.0 million, or $0.51 per share, compared with a net loss of $7.7 million, or $0.46 per share, for the same period in 2015.

Research and development expenses were $6.5 million for the first quarter of 2016, which reflects an increase of $0.5 million, or 8%, compared with $6.0 million for the first quarter of 2015. The higher expenses during the first quarter were primarily attributable to the ramp up in clinical trial activities.

General and administrative expenses were $2.9 million for the first quarter of 2016, which reflects an increase of $1.1 million, or 58%, compared with $1.8 million for the first quarter of 2015. The increase in expense year over year was primarily attributable to higher non-cash stock based compensation and payroll costs relating to employees.