Exelixis to Present at the Guggenheim Healthcare Talks Idea Forum / Oncology Day 2019 on February 14, 2019

On February 7, 2019 Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXEL) reported that Michael M. Morrissey, Ph.D., the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, will provide an overview of the company at the Guggenheim Healthcare Talks Idea Forum / Oncology Day taking place on Thursday, February 14, 2019 in New York, NY (Press release, Exelixis, FEB 7, 2019, View Source [SID1234533136]). The Exelixis presentation is scheduled for 9:00 AM EST / 6:00 AM PST that day.

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To access the webcast link, log onto www.exelixis.com and proceed to the News & Events / Event Calendar page under the Investors & Media heading. Please connect to the company’s website at least 15 minutes prior to the presentation to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be required to listen to the webcast. A replay will also be available at the same location for 14 days.

Mirati Therapeutics To Present At The Guggenheim Healthcare Talks Idea Forum & Oncology Day

On February 7, 2019 Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRTX), a clinical-stage targeted oncology company, reported that it will participate in the Guggenheim Healthcare Talks Idea Forum & Oncology Day in New York on Thursday, February 14th at 11:00 a.m. ET/ 8:00 a.m. PT. Chris LeMasters, Chief Business Officer and James Christensen, Chief Scientific Officer will provide a corporate overview during a fireside chat at the conference (Press release, Mirati, FEB 7, 2019, View Source [SID1234533120]).

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The presentation will be webcast and made available through the "Investors" section of www.mirati.com, and replays will be made available for 90 days following the events.

Gossamer Bio Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering

On February 7, 2019 Gossamer Bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: GOSS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, acquiring, developing and commercializing therapeutics in the disease areas of immunology, inflammation and oncology, reported the pricing of its initial public offering of 17,250,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $16.00 per share (Press release, Gossamer Bio, FEB 7, 2019, View Source [SID1234533137]). The shares are expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on February 8, 2019 under the ticker symbol "GOSS." All of the shares are being offered by Gossamer Bio. The gross proceeds from the offering, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by Gossamer Bio, are expected to be $276.0 million. The offering is expected to close on February 12, 2019, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions. In addition, Gossamer Bio has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,587,500 shares of common stock at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.

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BofA Merrill Lynch, SVB Leerink, Barclays and Evercore ISI are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.

Registration statements relating to the shares being sold in this offering have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and became effective on February 7, 2019. The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the prospectus may be obtained from BofA Merrill Lynch, NC1-004-03-43, 200 North College Street, 3rd Floor, Charlotte, NC 28255-0001, Attention: Prospectus Department, or by email at [email protected]; or from SVB Leerink, Attention: Syndicate Department, One Federal Street, 37th Floor, Boston, MA 02110, or by telephone at (800) 808-7525, ext. 6132, or by email at [email protected]; or from Barclays, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, Attn: Prospectus Department, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by telephone at (888) 603-5847, or by email at [email protected]; or from Evercore ISI, Attention: Equity Capital Markets, 55 East 52nd Street, 36th Floor, New York, NY 10055, or by telephone at (888) 474-0200, or by email at [email protected].

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 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 jurisdiction

AMAG Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Financial Results and Provides Company Update

On February 7, 2019 AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAG) reported unaudited consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2018, which were in-line with previously announced preliminary results (Press release, AMAG Pharmaceuticals, FEB 7, 2019, View Source [SID1234533175]).

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Total revenues from continuing operations for the full year of 2018 totaled $474.0 million, including record annual revenue of $135.0 million from Feraheme (ferumoxytol injection), annual revenue of $322.3 million from Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection) and its authorized generic, and annual revenue of $16.2 million from Intrarosa (prasterone). The company reported an operating loss from continuing operations of $47.0 million and adjusted EBITDA of $120.8 million in 2018.1

"We achieved key regulatory milestones in 2018 with two U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals and the acceptance of a new drug application (NDA). During the second half of 2018, we broadened our product pipeline with the addition of two promising development-stage assets, both of which underscore our commitment to bring forth new drugs in areas of significant unmet patient need," said William Heiden, AMAG’s president and chief executive officer. "Looking to the year ahead, we are reaffirming our 2019 financial guidance, which includes nearly $400 million in top-line revenue, increased investments in clinical development, investments in support of our commercial product portfolio, and the impact of a recently completed consolidation of the company’s women’s health and maternal health sales forces."

2018 Highlights and Recent Events:

Received FDA approval and successfully launched Makena subcutaneous auto-injector

Received FDA approval and launched Feraheme’s expanded label, achieving 27% growth in 2018

Established strong healthcare provider support for Intrarosa and initiated direct-to-consumer campaign

Received FDA acceptance of Vyleesi NDA with a June 23, 2019 PDUFA date

Acquired AMAG-423, a late-stage orphan drug candidate in development for the treatment of severe preeclampsia

Acquired Perosphere Pharmaceuticals Inc. (closed in January 2019), including ciraparantag, a development-stage drug candidate to reverse the anticoagulant effects of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH)

Divested the Cord Blood Registry (CBR) business and paid off $475 million of senior notes, eliminating cash interest expense of approximately $40 million per year

Achieved top- and bottom-line financial guidance, which was raised three times during 2018
____________________________
1 See summaries of GAAP to non-GAAP adjustments at conclusion of this press release.

Fourth Quarter Financial Results Ended December 31, 2018)
Financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018 were aligned with AMAG’s preliminary results issued on January 7, 2019. Total revenues from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2018 were $88.1 million, compared with $128.5 million for the same period in 2017. In the fourth quarter of 2018, sales of Makena totaled $46.9 million, compared with $100.4 million in the same period last year; sales of Feraheme and MuGard increased 33% to $35.3 million, compared with $26.6 million in the same period last year; and sales of Intrarosa totaled $5.9 million, compared with $1.5 million in the same period last year.

Total costs and expenses from continuing operations, including cost of product sales, were $107.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared with $141.3 million in the same period in 2017. The company reported an operating loss from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2018 of $18.8 million, compared with an operating loss from continued operations of $12.7 million for the same period last year. Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2018 totaled $1.5 million, compared with $53.6 million for the same period last year.1

Full Year Financial Results Ended December 31, 2018
Revenues from continuing operations in 2018 totaled $474.0 million, compared with $495.8 million in 2017.
The $21.8 million decrease was primarily due to i) a decrease in Makena intramuscular product sales, partially offset by the successful launch of the Makena subcutaneous auto-injector, ii) record sales of Feraheme following the approval of it expanded label in February 2018, and iii) an increase in net sales of Intrarosa, which was launched in July 2017.

Total costs and expenses from continuing operations, including cost of product sales, totaled $521.0 million in 2018, compared with $799.6 million in 2017. Included in the 2017 cost and expenses was a $319.2 million Makena intramuscular-related non-cash impairment charge. Excluding this charge, total costs and expenses increased by $40.6 million in 2018, compared to 2017. The year-over-year increase was due to i) higher cost of product sales, driven primarily by increased non-cash intangible asset amortization expenses of $28.0 million and higher royalty obligations related to the Makena subcutaneous auto-injector and Intrarosa products, and ii) planned increases in selling, general and administrative expenses, which primarily consisted of commercialization costs related to Intrarosa, the Makena subcutaneous auto-injector, and the Feraheme broad label. These increases were partially offset by lower research and development costs in 2018, compared to 2017, and a $33.3 million decrease in acquired in-process research and development expense.

The company reported an operating loss from continuing operations in 2018 of $47.0 million, compared with an operating loss of $303.8 million in 2017. The company reported a net loss from continuing operations of $169.3 million, or ($4.92) per basic and diluted share in 2018, compared with a net loss of $205.2 million, or ($5.88) per basic and diluted share in 2017.

2018 non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of $120.8 million was in the middle of the most recently increased guidance range.1

Net Income from Discontinued Operations
As a result of the sale of CBR in August 2018, CBR is classified as discontinued operations for accounting purposes. Net income from discontinued operations was $103.6 million in 2018, of which $87.1 million represents the gain on the sale of the CBR business, as compared to $5.9 million in the same period in 2017.

Balance Sheet Highlights
The company ended 2018 with $394.2 million in cash and investments, $21.4 million of short-term convertible notes, which will be paid off on February 15, 2019, and $320.0 million principal balance of outstanding on its 2022 convertible notes.

2019 Financial Guidance2
The company reaffirms the following financial guidance for 2019.
($M)
2019 Financial Guidance
Total revenue
$365 – $415
Operating loss
($131) – ($101)
Adjusted EBITDA
($65) – ($35)
2 See reconciliation of 2019 GAAP to non-GAAP financial guidance at conclusion of this press release.

The Company’s 2019 financial guidance reflects the impact of a recent combination of the company’s women’s health and maternal health sales forces into one integrated sales team, which will promote both Intrarosa and Makena and now comprises approximately 125 sales representatives. Of the 110 displaced employees, approximately 100 were part of the field-based sales and commercial organization with the remainder coming from general and administrative functions. The company expects to record a one-time restructuring charge of approximately $6 million in the first quarter of 2019. The company’s financial guidance also encompasses a modest expansion of its hematology/oncology sales force to support the continued growth of Feraheme, continued investment in the development of its growing pipeline of clinical programs, and investments to support the anticipated launch of Vyleesi in the second half of 2019.

"Today we are reaffirming the financial guidance that we published in January. This financial guidance contemplated the addition of ciraparantag to the portfolio, the consolidation of our women’s health and maternal health sales forces and other measures that we have taken to increase efficiency," said Ted Myles, AMAG’s chief financial officer. "We have a strong balance sheet, and with Feraheme and the Makena subcutaneous auto-injector expected to generate significant cash flow, we are well positioned to self-fund investments in the Intrarosa direct-to-consumer campaign, launch activities for Vyleesi, and the phase 2b/3a clinical programs for AMAG 423 and ciraparantag. This broad and diversified portfolio, combined with our financial flexibility and discipline, provides a unique platform to deliver innovative therapies to patients in need and to generate significant shareholder value."

The company has a number of goals and key milestones in 2019:

Build on the success of the Makena SC auto-injector’s 46% fourth quarter 2018 market share (of FDA-approved hydroxyprogesterone caproate products)

Drive Feraheme market growth and market share growth to treat more patients suffering from iron deficiency anemia

Continue successful Intrarosa direct-to-consumer campaign; expanding treatment to more of the 18 million untreated women

Submit results to the FDA from the ambulatory blood pressure study assessing short-term daily use of Vyleesi prior to the June 23, 2019 PDUFA date; prepare for commercial launch in 2H-2019

Target full enrollment in AMAG-423 severe preeclampsia Phase 2b/3a clinical study by year end

Initiate ciraparantag anticoagulant reversal agent Phase 3a clinical studies

Pursue business development opportunities

Meet/exceed financial guidance

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 fourth quarter and full year 2018 financial results and recent developments.

Dial-in Number
U.S./Canada Dial-in Number: (877) 412-6083
International Dial-in Number: (702) 495-1202
Conference ID: 9185366

Replay Dial-in Number: (855) 859-2056
Replay International Dial-in Number: (404) 537-3406
Conference ID: 9185366

A telephone replay will be available from approximately 11:00 a.m. ET on February 7, 2019 through midnight on February 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 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.

HiberCell Launches to Prevent Cancer Relapse and Metastasis with Novel Therapeutics

On February 7, 2019 HiberCell, a biotechnology company developing therapeutics focused on preventing cancer relapse and metastasis, reported with $60.75M in Series A funding led by ARCH Venture Partners (Press release, HiberCell, FEB 7, 2019, View Source [SID1234533195]). HiberCell is the first company exclusively focused on tumor dormancy detection and therapeutics.

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Most patients who succumb to cancer do so because of metastatic cancer. Accumulated evidence has demonstrated that cancer recurrence is driven by dormant disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) that persist undetected in the body for prolonged periods of time. In approaching cancer as a systemic disease, the company seeks to detect and therapeutically target the ‘Achilles heel’ of patient DTCs to prevent or delay metastasis. The company is developing first-in-class therapeutics targeting DTCs originating from solid and liquid cancers.

"HiberCell is the foundational tumor dormancy company," said Alan Rigby, Ph.D., co-founder, president and chief scientific officer. "We know that dormant disseminated tumor cells are critical drivers of cancer metastasis. In translating this biology into the clinic, our work will be focused on further defining the characteristic genetics and transcriptomics of dormant disseminated tumor cells and charting a course to leverage our dormancy therapies to improve patient outcomes and survival. We believe that this approach provides a differentiated opportunity to change the paradigm of cancer treatment."

"While we have made great strides in treating primary tumors, the unfortunate and painful truth is that relapsed or metastatic cancer still claims the lives of most people with cancer, even when their primary tumor has been successfully treated," said Julio Aguirre-Ghiso, Ph.D., HiberCell’s scientific founder and professor of Medicine (Hematology and Medical Oncology), director of Head and Neck Cancer Basic Research and Solid Tumor and Metastasis Research and co-leader of the Cancer Mechanisms Program at The Tisch Cancer Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "HiberCell will build on the foundational biology that is in place by focusing on novel tools to better detect, isolate and annotate the survival mechanisms in these dormant disseminated tumor cells. By targeting these mechanisms with therapeutics, we believe it is possible to extend disease-free intervals and improve the chance of survival through lower rates of relapse and metastasis."

"We’re launching HiberCell at an exciting time for cancer treatments," said Ari Nowacek, principal at ARCH Venture Partners. "Recent advances in cancer treatment that take advantage of a patient’s immune system are providing prolonged survival advantages to patients, but cancer metastasis represents a significant unmet medical need across the cancer landscape."

In addition to backing from ARCH Venture Partners, investors include Hillhouse Capital, 6 Dimensions Capital, Celgene Corporation, the NYC Life Sciences Fund and undisclosed institutional investors, family offices and private individuals.

HiberCell represents a significant investment by the NYC Life Sciences Fund. Established by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the Fund is at the forefront of initiatives designed to champion New York City’s early-stage life sciences ecosystem. Separately, Dr. Aguirre-Ghiso received the 2016 BioAccelerate Prize for work that has been licensed by HiberCell. The Prize is awarded by the Partnership Fund for New York City to provide funding for the commercialization of research at New York academic institutions.

"HiberCell exemplifies the high caliber innovation that New York’s life sciences ecosystem can support and foster," said James Patchett, president and CEO of NYCEDC. "The HiberCell team has the scientific and financial backing needed to advance cutting-edge science and make a meaningful difference in cancer patients’ lives. NYCEDC is proud to foster that kind of work here in New York City."

"HiberCell is slated to be one of the more prominent academic new ventures in New York City this year, and demonstrates Mount Sinai’s commitment to developing innovative therapies," said Erik Lium, Ph.D., executive vice president of Mount Sinai Innovation Partners. "This groundbreaking partnership between HiberCell’s leadership team, Mount Sinai, ARCH Venture Partners, the NYCEDC and other prominent investor groups seeks to bring novel therapies to the fight against cancer."

HiberCell will occupy state-of-the-art lab and office space in The Hudson Research Center, a partnership between Taconic Investment Partners and Silverstein Properties located at 619 West 54th Street.

Leadership Team

HiberCell’s rapidly expanding, multidisciplinary team consists of world-class cancer scientists, venture capitalists and drug developers who are leaders within their respective fields. At launch, Alan Rigby, Ph.D., will lead the company as president and chief scientific officer. Ari Nowacek, Ph.D., M.D., principal at ARCH Venture Partners, will serve as vice president of operations and business development, and Mark Mulvihill, Ph.D., will serve as vice president of chemistry and drug discovery.

Board of Directors

Steven Gillis, Ph.D., chairman of the board at HiberCell, managing director at ARCH Venture Partners
Alan Rigby, Ph.D., president and chief scientific officer at HiberCell
Ari Nowacek, M.D., Ph.D., principal at ARCH Venture Partners & vice president, operations and business development at HiberCell
Kevin Heyeck, Ph.D., venture partner at 6 Dimensions Capital
Michael Yi, Ph.D., partner at Hillhouse Capital
Scientific Advisory Board

Julio Aguirre-Ghiso, Ph.D., director of Solid Tumor and Metastasis Research, director of Head and Neck Cancer Basic Research, co-leader of the Cancer Mechanisms Program and professor of Oncological Sciences, Otolaryngology, and Medicine (Hematology and Medical Oncology) at The Tisch Cancer Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine
Christoph Klein, M.D., Ph.D., head of the Department of Experimental Medicine and Therapy Research at the University of Regensburg, head of Personalized Tumor Therapy, a division of Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM)
Ruggero De Maria, M.D., professor and director of the Institute of General Pathology at the Catholic University of Rome, president of the Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine in Turin, Italy and president of the Italian Alliance Against Cancer network