GILEAD SCIENCES ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2017 FINANCIAL RESULTS

On February 6, 2018 Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) reported its results of operations for the fourth quarter and full year 2017 (Press release, Gilead Sciences, FEB 6, 2018, View Source [SID1234523758]). Total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $5.9 billion compared to $7.3 billion for the same period in 2016. Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $3.9 billion, or $2.96 loss per share, compared to net income of $3.1 billion, or $2.34 per diluted share for the same period in 2016. The net loss for the fourth quarter includes an estimated $5.5 billion charge related to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Reform)(1). Non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $2.3 billion, or $1.78 per diluted share, compared to $3.6 billion, or $2.70 per diluted share for the same period in 2016. Non-GAAP net income excludes amounts related to acquisition-related, up-front collaboration, stock-based compensation and other expenses, and the impact of Tax Reform.

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Full year 2017 total revenues were $26.1 billion, compared to $30.4 billion for 2016. Net income for 2017 was $4.6 billion, or $3.51 per diluted share, compared to $13.5 billion, or $9.94 per diluted share for 2016. Non-GAAP net income for 2017 was $11.7 billion, or $8.84 per diluted share, compared to $15.7 billion, or $11.57 per diluted share for 2016.

Product Sales

Total product sales for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $5.8 billion, compared to $7.2 billion for the same period in 2016. Product sales for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $4.1 billion in the United States, $1.1 billion in Europe and $553 million in other locations. Product sales for the fourth quarter of 2016 were $4.9 billion in the United States, $1.4 billion in Europe and $870 million in other locations.
Total product sales during 2017 were $25.7 billion, compared to $30.0 billion in 2016. For 2017, product sales were $18.1 billion in the United States, $5.0 billion in Europe and $2.6 billion in other locations. For 2016, product sales were $19.3 billion in the United States, $6.1 billion in Europe and $4.6 billion in other locations.

Antiviral Product Sales
Antiviral product sales, which include sales of our HIV, chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and chronic hepatitis C (HCV) products, were $5.2 billion for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $6.6 billion for the same period in 2016. For 2017, antiviral product sales were $23.3 billion compared to $27.7 billion in 2016.

HIV and HBV product sales for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $3.7 billion compared to $3.4 billion for the same period in 2016 and $14.2 billion for the full year 2017 compared to $12.9 billion in 2016. The increases were primarily driven by the continued uptake of our tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)-based products, Genvoya (elvitegravir 150 mg/cobicistat 150 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 10 mg), Descovy (emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg) and Odefsey (emtricitabine 200 mg/rilpivirine 25 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg).

HCV product sales, which consist of Harvoni (ledipasvir 90 mg/sofosbuvir 400 mg), Sovaldi (sofosbuvir 400 mg), Epclusa (sofosbuvir 400 mg/velpatasvir 100 mg) and Vosevi (sofosbuvir 400 mg/velpatasvir 100 mg/voxilaprevir 100 mg), were $1.5 billion for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $3.2 billion for the same period in 2016 and $9.1 billion for the full year 2017 compared to $14.8 billion in 2016. The declines were across all major markets.

Other Product Sales
Other product sales, which include Letairis (ambrisentan), Ranexa (ranolazine) and AmBisome (amphotericin B for liposome injection), were $624 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $621 million for the same period in 2016. For 2017, other product sales were $2.3 billion compared to $2.2 billion in 2016.

For 2017 compared to 2016:

R&D expenses decreased primarily due to the 2016 impacts of impairment charges related to IPR&D, ongoing milestone payments, up-front collaboration expenses related to Gilead’s license and collaboration agreement with Galapagos NV and Gilead’s purchase of Nimbus Apollo, Inc., partially offset by Gilead’s purchase of Cell Design Labs in 2017.

Non-GAAP R&D expenses* decreased primarily due to the 2016 impact of ongoing milestone payments.

SG&A expenses increased primarily due to acquisition-related costs associated with Gilead’s acquisition of Kite.

Non-GAAP SG&A expenses* increased primarily due to higher branded prescription drug fee expense.

Provision for Income Taxes and Tax Reform
Provision for income taxes was $6.0 billion for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $821 million for the same period in 2016 and $8.9 billion for the full year 2017 compared to $3.6 billion in 2016. The increases were primarily due to an estimated charge of $5.5 billion from Tax Reform, which was enacted on December 22, 2017 and lowers U.S. corporate income tax rates as of January 1, 2018, implements a territorial tax system and imposes a repatriation tax on deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. This estimate is provisional and based on our initial analysis and current interpretation. Given the complexity of the legislation, anticipated guidance from the U.S. Treasury, and the potential for additional guidance from the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or the Financial Accounting Standards Board, this estimate may be adjusted during 2018.
Non-GAAP provision for income taxes excludes the estimated charge of $5.5 billion from Tax Reform. A reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP financial information is provided in the tables on pages 8, 9 and 10.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
As of December 31, 2017, Gilead had $36.7 billion of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities compared to $32.4 billion as of December 31, 2016. During 2017, Gilead generated $11.9 billion in operating cash flow and in connection with the acquisition of Kite, Gilead issued $3.0 billion aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes and $6.0 billion aggregate principal amount of term loan facilities, of which $1.5 billion was repaid in December 2017. Additionally, Gilead paid cash dividends of $2.7 billion and utilized $954 million on stock repurchases.

Corporate Highlights

Announced that Executive Chairman John C. Martin, PhD will transition from his current role of Executive Chairman to Chairman of the Board of Directors effective March 9, 2018.

Announced the acquisition of Cell Design Labs, gaining new technology platforms that will enhance research and development efforts in cellular therapy.

Announced the launch of the Gilead COMPASS (COMmitment to Partnership in Addressing HIV/AIDS in Southern States) Initiative, a 10-year, $100 million commitment to support organizations working to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Southern United States.

Announced the promotion of Alessandro Riva, MD, to Executive Vice President, Oncology Therapeutics, with responsibility for Gilead’s hematology and oncology programs, including cell therapy research and development.
Product & Pipeline Updates announced by Gilead during the Fourth Quarter of 2017 include:
HIV and Liver Diseases Programs

Presented data at The Liver Meeting 2017 which included the announcement of:

Results from a Phase 2, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating two doses of GS-0976, an oral, investigational inhibitor of Acetyl-CoA carboxylase, in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The data demonstrate that the higher dose of GS-0976 (20 mg taken orally once daily) when administered for 12 weeks was associated with statistically significant reductions in hepatic steatosis (buildup of fat in the liver) and a noninvasive marker of fibrosis compared to placebo.

Results from an open-label Phase 2 study evaluating once-daily Harvoni for 12 weeks among HCV genotype 1 patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance ≤ 30 mL/min). 100 percent of patients achieved a sustained virologic response 12 weeks after completing therapy (SVR12), including patients with compensated cirrhosis and those who had failed prior treatment.

Results from an open-label Phase 2 study evaluating once-daily Epclusa for 12 weeks among 79 liver transplant patients with genotype 1-4 chronic HCV infection. Treatment with Epclusa resulted in an overall SVR12 rate of 96 percent, including patients with cirrhosis and prior treatment failure, and was well tolerated.

Updated results from two Phase 3 studies demonstrating improved long-term bone and renal safety in HBV-infected patients 48-weeks after switching from Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300mg) to Vemlidy (tenofovir alafenamide 25mg).

Announced detailed 48-week results from a Phase 3 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of switching virologically suppressed HIV-1 infected adult patients from a multi-tablet regimen containing a boosted protease inhibitor (bPI) to a fixed-dose combination of bictegravir (50 mg) (BIC), a novel investigational integrase strand transfer inhibitor, and emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (200/25 mg) (FTC/TAF), a dual-NRTI backbone. In the ongoing study, BIC/FTC/TAF was found to be statistically non-inferior to regimens containing bPIs and demonstrated no treatment-emergent resistance at 48 weeks. The data were presented at IDWeek 2017.

Announced a new licensing agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), a United Nations-backed public health organization, to expand access to BIC upon regulatory approval in the United States. Through this agreement, MPP can sub-license rights to BIC to generic drug companies in India, China and South Africa to manufacture therapies containing BIC for distribution in 116 low- and middle-income countries.

Oncology and Cell Therapy Programs

Announced updated results from the ongoing Phase 1/2 ZUMA-3 study of KTE-C19, a CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T) cell therapy, which is investigational, for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). With a minimum of eight weeks of follow-up, 71 percent of ALL patients (n=17/24) who received a single infusion of KTE-C19 achieved complete tumor remission (complete remission (CR) or CR with incomplete hematological recovery). The ZUMA-3 study results were presented in an oral session at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper).

Announced long-term follow-up data from the ZUMA-1 study of Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel) in patients with refractory large B-cell lymphoma. With a minimum follow-up of one year after a single infusion of Yescarta (median follow-up of 15.4 months), 42 percent of patients continued to respond to therapy, including 40 percent with a complete remission. Detailed results from this updated analysis were simultaneously presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper), and published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Announced that U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted regular approval to Yescarta, the first CAR T cell therapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, high-grade B-cell lymphoma, and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma (transformed follicular lymphoma).

Non-GAAP Financial Information
The information presented in this document has been prepared by Gilead in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), unless otherwise noted as non-GAAP. Management believes non-GAAP information is useful for investors, when considered in conjunction with Gilead’s GAAP financial information, because management uses such information internally for its operating, budgeting and financial planning purposes. Non-GAAP information is not prepared under a comprehensive set of accounting rules and should only be used to supplement an understanding of Gilead’s operating results as reported under GAAP. Non-GAAP measures may be defined and calculated differently by other companies in the same industry. A reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP financial information is provided in the tables on pages 8, 9, 10 and 11.

Conference Call
At 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time today, Gilead’s management will host a conference call and a simultaneous webcast to discuss results from its fourth quarter 2017 and full year 2017 as well as provide 2018 guidance and a general business update. To access the webcast live via the internet, please connect to the company’s website at www.gilead.com/investors 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be needed to hear the webcast. Alternatively, please call (877) 359-9508 (U.S.) or (224) 357-2393 (international) and dial the conference ID 6478317 to access the call.

A replay of the webcast will be archived on the company’s website for one year, and a phone replay will be available approximately two hours following the call through February 8, 2018. To access the phone replay, please call (855) 859-2056 (U.S.) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and dial the conference ID 6478317.

RXi Pharmaceuticals to Present at the BIO CEO and Investor Conference

On February 5, 2018 RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NASDAQ: RXII) a biotechnology company developing immuno-oncology therapeutics based on its self-delivering RNAi (sd-rxRNA) therapeutic platform reported that it will give a webcast presentation at the BIO CEO and Investor Conference(Press release, RXi Pharmaceuticals, FEB 5, 2018, View Source [SID1234523727]). RXi’s President and CEO, Dr. Geert Cauwenbergh, will highlight the Company’s therapeutic platform and its business strategy to advance the development of a new class of cancer therapeutics, using adoptive cell transfer (ACT).

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Title: Developing Self-Delivering RNAi (sd-rxRNA) for Immuno-oncology
Track and location: Oncology, Room: Odets
Date and Time: Monday, February 12, 2018, 2:15 pm ET
Presenter: Dr. Geert Cauwenbergh, President and CEO

Now in its 20th year, the BIO CEO & Investor Conference is one of the largest investor conferences focused on established and emerging publicly traded and select private biotech companies. The conference will take place February 12-13, 2018 at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City.

The link for the webcast may be found on the Company’s website under the "Investors – Events and Presentations" section at www.rxipharma.com.

Ligand to Report Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Results on February 21st

On February 5, 2018 Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: LGND) reported plans to report fourth quarter and full year 2017 financial results on February 21, 2018 (Press release, Ligand, FEB 5, 2018, View Source [SID1234523736]). Ligand’s CEO John Higgins, President and COO Matt Foehr and Executive Vice President and CFO Matt Korenberg will host the conference call.

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Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Earnings Call


What: Ligand conference call to discuss financial results and provide general business updates

When: Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Time: 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (1:30 p.m. Pacific time)

Conference Call: (833) 591-4752 within the U.S.
(720) 405-1612 outside the U.S.
Conference ID – 2391528

Webcast:

Live conference call webcast and replay accessible at www.ligand.com

Houston Business Journal: NanOlogy to Update Clinical Program at BIO CEO Conference

On February 5, 2018 NanOlogy, a clinical stage pharmaceutical development company, reported that Gere diZerega, MD, VP of Medical Affairs, will present at BIO CEO & Investor Conference, February 12, 2018, at 3:15 PM EST in the Brecht room of the New York Marriott Marquis (Press release, NanOlogy, FEB 5, 2018, View Source [SID1234523737]).

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Dr. diZerega will share promising preliminary data from the NanOlogy clinical development programs. The company is developing a submicron particle technology platform for local delivery of chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer and related illnesses via intratumoral, intracystic, intraperitoneal, and topical administration.

"The NanOlogy submicron particle platform may provide more effective therapies for multiple indications either as early first line treatments or in combination regimens," said lead scientific advisor Maurie Markman, MD, President of Medicine and Science, Cancer Treatment Centers of America. "Early trial results indicate that the platform may enable local delivery of large, sustained amounts of the drug at the site of disease, thereby reducing systemic exposure and systemic side effects."

Clinical Programs

NanOlogy has four Phase 2 clinical trials underway for NanoPac, a sterile suspension of submicron particle paclitaxel, in ovarian cancer (with orphan drug designation), prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and pancreatic mucinous cysts. NanOlogy also is conducting a Phase 2 trial of SOR007, submicron particle paclitaxel suspended in a topical anhydrous base, for cutaneous metastases, while NanOlogy affiliate, DFB Soria, has a Phase 2 trial of SOR007 nearing completion for actinic keratosis. In 2018, a clinical trial is planned in bladder cancer for NanoDoce, a sterile suspension of the submicron particle docetaxel, pending IND approval.

Preclinical

In addition, NanoPac for nebulized inhalation has shown tumor reduction in a preclinical lung cancer study after pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated an unprecedented 14-day retention of drug in lung tissue with no gross or histologic abnormalities in the tissue.

Patent Portfolio

The NanOlogy submicron particle technology platform is protected by an extensive intellectual property (IP) portfolio covering production processes, uses, formulations, and specifications, as well as composition under US patent 9,814,685 entitled Taxane Particles and Their Use valid until June 2036 covering particle size, density, surface area, drug dissolution, and other aspects. NanOlogy investigational drugs are being developed under FDA’s streamlined 505(b)2 pathway. Coupled with the composition patent, and expanding IP portfolio, the company enjoys NME (new molecular entity) – like advantages without the corresponding risk and timeline.

NanOlogy expects results from its clinical trials in 2018 and during this time will be exploring options to progress its drug candidates to NDA submission, market approval, and commercial distribution.

Varian Acquires Mobius Medical Systems

On February 5, 2018 Varian (NYSE: VAR) reported it has acquired privately-held Mobius Medical Systems, a leader in radiation oncology Quality Assurance (QA) software (Press release, Varian Medical Systems, FEB 5, 2018, View Source [SID1234523897]). This acquisition expands Varian’s leadership in radiation medicine, by increasing its portfolio of patient treatment plan QA and machine QA technologies, and enables the company to potentially impact more patients around the globe with software solutions designed to assure the quality of treatments.

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The acquisition of Mobius is consistent with Varian’s long-term growth and value creation strategy and broadens its cancer care portfolio. The integration of additional QA tools into the Varian ecosystem will allow advanced QA processes to be more seamlessly combined into treatment workflows. Additionally, Varian also can ensure that QA methods advance at the same time as Varian introduces new treatment techniques.

"Varian has a long history of providing high-quality QA for its products and the treatments they deliver," said Kolleen Kennedy, president of Varian’s Oncology Systems business. "Varian places high value on the market-leading Mobius QA products, including Mobius3D and DoseLab, and is dedicated to expanding their global reach. The two companies have similar cultures with deep commitments to enabling quality cancer care for patients around the globe."

The Mobius QA software is in use at over 1000 sites worldwide to ensure patients receive high-quality care. Mobius3D is a 3D dose verification and IMRT/VMAT treatment delivery QA system. Mobius3D performs 3D dose verification for patient plans, supports verification checks throughout the entire clinical process for IMRT and VMAT, and includes modular staged testing to reinforce the confidence of the medical physicist in the patient plan and treatment delivery. DoseLab is fast, simple and powerful software for quality assurance of medical linear accelerators.

For more information about the Mobius products that are now part of the Varian cancer care portfolio, visit www.varian.com/mobius.