U.S. FDA APPROVES EISAI’S ANTICANCER AGENT HALAVEN(R) FOR THE TREATMENT OF ADVANCED LIPOSARCOMA

On January 29, 2016 Eisai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, CEO: Haruo Naito, "Eisai") reported that its U.S. subsidiary Eisai Inc. has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of its in-house developed anticancer agent Halaven (eribulin mesylate) for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic liposarcoma who have received a prior anthracycline-containing regimen (Press release, Eisai, JAN 29, 2016, View Source [SID:1234508906]). Halaven is the first and only single agent to demonstrate an overall survival (OS) benefit in a Phase III trial in patients with advanced or recurrent and metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (leiomyosarcoma or liposarcoma). Following approval for use in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in the United States, this marks the second indication for which Halaven has been approved by the FDA based on a statistically significant extension of OS.

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This approval was based on the results from a multicenter, open-label, randomized Phase III study (Study 309) comparing the efficacy and safety of Halaven versus dacarbazine in 452 patients (aged 18 or over) with locally advanced or recurrent and metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (liposarcoma or leiomyosarcoma) who had disease progression following standard therapies which must have included an anthracycline and at least one other additional regimen.

Halaven demonstrated a statistically significant extension in the study’s primary endpoint of OS over the comparator treatment dacarbazine (Halaven median OS: 13.5 months vs dacarbazine median OS: 11.5 months; Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.768 [95% CI=0.618-0.954], p=0.017).1
For patients with liposarcoma, Halaven demonstrated a significant improvement in OS over dacarbazine (Halaven, n=71, median OS: 15.6 months vs dacarbazine, n=72, median OS: 8.4 months; HR 0.51 [95% CI=0.35-0.75]).2 Additionally, in the study’s secondary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS), patients treated with Halaven experienced an improvement in PFS over dacarbazine (Halaven median PFS: 2.9 months vs dacarbazine median PFS: 1.7 months; HR 0.52 [95% CI=0.35-0.78]).2

The most common adverse reactions (incidence greater than or equal to 25%) in study patients with liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma treated with Halaven were fatigue, nausea, alopecia, constipation, peripheral neuropathy, abdominal pain and pyrexia, which was consistent with the known side-effect profile of Halaven.2 The most common (incidence greater than or equal to 5%) Grade 3-4 laboratory abnormalities reported in patients receiving Halaven were neutropenia, hypokalemia, and hypocalcemia. The most common serious adverse reactions reported in patients receiving Halaven were neutropenia (4.9%) and pyrexia (4.5%).2

Soft tissue sarcoma is a collective term for a diverse group of malignant tumors that occur throughout the soft tissues (fat, muscle, nerves, fibrous tissues and blood vessels) in the body. Approximately 12,000 patients in the United States are diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma each year, and liposarcoma is one of the most common forms of soft tissue sarcoma. As outcomes are poor for patients with advanced disease, it remains a disease with significant unmet medical need.

Applications seeking approval of Halaven for use in the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma have been submitted in Europe and Japan. Meanwhile, the agent has been designated as an orphan drug for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma in the United States and Japan.

Halaven is a halichondrin class microtubule dynamics inhibitor with a distinct binding profile.2 In addition, recent non-clinical studies showed that Halaven is associated with increased vascular perfusion and permeability in tumor cores.3 Halaven promotes the epithelial state and decreases the capacity of breast cancer cells to migrate.4 It was first approved in the United States in November 2010 for patients with metastatic breast cancer who have received at least two chemotherapeutic regimens for the treatment of metastatic disease. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline and a taxane in either the adjuvant or metastatic setting. Halaven is currently approved for use in the treatment of breast cancer in approximately 60 countries including Japan and countries in Europe, the Americas and Asia.

Through this additional approval, Eisai remains committed to providing further clinical evidence for Halaven aimed at maximizing value of the drug as it seeks to contribute further to addressing the diverse needs of, and increasing the benefits provided to, patients with cancer, their families, and healthcare providers.

< Notes to editors >

1. About Halaven (eribulin mesylate)
Halaven is the first in the halichondrin class of microtubule dynamics inhibitors with a novel mechanism of action. Structurally Halaven is a simplified and synthetically produced version of halichondrin B, a natural product isolated from the marine sponge Halichondria okadai. Halaven is believed to work by inhibiting the growth phase of microtubule dynamics which prevents cell division. In addition, recent non-clinical studies showed that Halaven is associated with increased vascular perfusion and permeability in tumor cores.3 Halaven promotes the epithelial state and decreases the capacity of breast cancer cells to migrate.4
Halaven was first approved as a treatment in the United States in November 2010 for patients with metastatic breast cancer who have received at least two chemotherapeutic regimens for the treatment of metastatic disease. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline and a taxane in either the adjuvant or metastatic setting. Halaven is currently approved for use in the treatment of breast cancer in approximately 60 countries worldwide, including Japan and countries in the Europe, Americas and Asia. In Japan, Halaven has been approved to treat inoperable or recurrent breast cancer and was launched in the country in July 2011. Halaven has also been approved in countries in Europe and Asia indicated as a treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have progressed after at least one chemotherapeutic regimen for advanced disease. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline and a taxane in either the adjuvant or metastatic setting, unless patients were not suitable for these treatments.
Regarding soft tissue sarcoma, Halaven has been approved in the United States for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic liposarcoma who have received a prior anthracycline-containing regimen, and applications seeking approval for this potential indication have been submitted in Japan and Europe. Meanwhile, Halaven has been designated as an orphan drug for soft-tissue sarcoma in the United States and Japan.

2. About Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Soft tissue sarcoma is a collective term for a diverse group of malignant tumors that occur throughout the soft tissue (fat, muscle, nerves, fibrous tissues and blood vessels) in the body. Approximately 12,000 patients in the United States and 29,000 patients in Europe are diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma each year. According to a patient survey conducted by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, there are approximately 4,000 patients with soft tissue sarcoma in Japan. As the structures where the tumors originate are diverse, there are various types of soft tissue sarcoma, and the most common types include leiomyosarcoma, liposarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma. While treatment of soft tissue sarcoma is focused on curative surgery, if the degree of malignancy is high, treatment then becomes a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. As outcomes are poor for patients with advanced disease, it remains a disease with significant unmet medical need.

3. About Study 309
Conducted primarily in Europe and the United States, Study 309 was a multicenter, open-label, randomized Phase III study comparing the efficacy and safety of Halaven versus dacarbazine in 452 patients (aged 18 or over) with locally advanced or recurrent and metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (liposarcoma or leiomyosarcoma) who had disease progression following standard therapies which must have included an anthracycline and at least one other additional regimen. Patients received either Halaven (1.4 mg/m2 administered intravenously on Day 1 and Day 8) or dacarbazine (850–1200 mg/m2 administered intravenously on Day 1) every 21 days until disease progression.
From the results for the study, Halaven demonstrated a statistically significant extension in the study’s primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) over the comparator treatment dacarbazine (Halaven median OS: 13.5 months vs dacarbazine median OS: 11.5 months; Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.768 [95% CI=0.618-0.954], p=0.017).1 Furthermore, in the study’s secondary endpoints, there was no statistically significant difference found between Halaven and dacarbazine in either progression-free survival (PFS) (median PFS: 2.6 months in both arms) or progression-free rate at 12 weeks (PFR12wks) (Halaven PFR12wks: 33% vs dacarbazine PFR12wks: 29%).1
For patients with liposarcoma, Halaven demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in OS over dacarbazine (Halaven, n=71, median OS: 15.6 months vs dacarbazine, n=72, median OS: 8.4 months; HR 0.51 [95% CI=0.35-0.75]).2 Additionally, patients treated with Halaven experienced an improvement in PFS over dacarbazine (Halaven median PFS: 2.9 months vs dacarbazine median PFS: 1.7 months; HR 0.52 [95% CI=0.35-0.78]).2
The most common adverse reactions (incidence greater than or equal to 25%) in study patients with liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma treated with Halaven were fatigue (62%), nausea (41%), alopecia (35%), constipation (32%), peripheral neuropathy (29%), abdominal pain (29%) and pyrexia (28%), which was consistent with the known side-effect profile of Halaven.2 The most common (incidence greater than or equal to 5%) Grade 3-4 laboratory abnormalities reported in patients receiving Halaven were neutropenia (32% vs. 8.9% in the dacarbazine arm), hypokalemia (5.4% vs. 2.8%) and hypocalcemia (5.0% vs. 1.4%). The most common serious adverse reactions reported in patients receiving Halaven were neutropenia (4.9%) and pyrexia (4.5%).2 The most common adverse reactions resulting in discontinuation of Halaven were fatigue and thrombocytopenia (0.9% each).

8-K – Current report

On January 29, 2016 ImmunoGen, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMGN), a biotechnology company that develops targeted anticancer therapeutics using its proprietary ADC technology, reported financial results for the three-month period ended December 31, 2015 — the second quarter of the Company’s 2016 fiscal year (Filing, 8-K, ImmunoGen, JAN 29, 2016, View Source [SID:1234508907]). ImmunoGen also provided an update on product programs and reiterated its 2016 fiscal year guidance.

"ImmunoGen is off to a strong start for 2016, with multiple clinical trial initiations underway," commented Daniel Junius, President and CEO. "Of particular importance is the opening of our FORWARD I trial assessing mirvetuximab soravtansine as single-agent therapy for pretreated FRα-positive ovarian cancer, which we believe is the fastest path to registration for this promising ADC. We expect several presentations of mirvetuximab soravtansine data in 2016, including mature results from the 40-patient FRα-positive ovarian cancer Phase 1 cohort."

Mr. Junius continued, "Our partners also are making meaningful progress. Of particular note is Bayer’s initiation of a Phase 2 trial designed to support registration of its anetumab ravtansine product candidate. Roche expects data to be reported from its trial assessing Kadcyla in the neoadjuvant setting this year and — if positive — to bring these to regulatory authorities for potential filing in 2016. A third partner compound is on track to advance into registration testing later this year."

Update on Wholly Owned Product Programs

Mirvetuximab soravtansine — First FRα-targeting ADC is a potential new treatment for ovarian cancer and other FRα-positive solid tumors.

· Assessments as single-agent therapy for pretreated FRα-positive ovarian cancer:

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· Updated Phase 1 findings were presented at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)-NCI-EORTC meeting in November for the dataset reported at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) in May (abstracts #C47 and #5518, respectively). These included that 35% (7/20) of patients with FRα-positive platinum-resistant disease treated had a confirmed objective response, with most (6/7) responders on mirvetuximab soravtansine for 6 months or longer. This compares with ImmunoGen’s target response rate of 30% or more to advance the ADC as monotherapy. Most of the patients and all of the responders had high or medium FRα levels on their tumors.

· Patient enrollment is open for the Company’s FORWARD I Phase 2 trial, which is designed to support an Accelerated Approval pathway for mirvetuximab soravtansine. FORWARD I is being conducted in partnership with the GOG Foundation, Inc. To qualify for enrollment, patients must have ovarian cancer with high or medium FRα expression that was previously treated with 3 or 4 regimens.

· Patient enrollment was completed in 4Q2015 in the 20-patient Phase 1 expansion cohort requiring biopsies. The Company intends to present initial biomarker data from this assessment at a medical meeting in 2Q2016 in addition to reporting mature data from the 40-patient Phase 1 cohort in this disease at the meeting.

· Assessments as combination therapy for FRα-positive ovarian cancer:

· Encouraging preclinical data with a range of combination regimens were presented at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)-NCI-EORTC meeting (abstract C170).

· In December, patient dosing began in the Phase 1b/2 trial, FORWARD II, assessing mirvetuximab soravtansine in combination with approved anticancer agents.

· Assessments for the treatment of other FRα-positive cancers:

· In 4Q2015, patient enrollment was completed in the 20-patient Phase 1 expansion cohort assessing the ADC for FRα-positive relapsed/refractory endometrial cancer. The Company expects to report findings from this assessment in 2H2016.

· Additional cancer types are being evaluated for FRα expression preclinically.

IMGN529 and coltuximab ravtansine — CD37- and CD19-targeting, respectively, ADCs for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and potentially other B-cell malignancies.

· Preclinical findings of strong synergy for IMGN529 used in combination with rituximab were reported at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) (abstract #1548) in December.

· Patient enrollment in a Phase 2 trial assessing IMGN529 in combination with rituximab is expected to begin early this year. Enrollment in a Phase 2 trial assessing coltuximab ravtansine in a different combination regimen is expected to begin in 2H2016.

IMGN779 — First CD33-targeting ADC utilizing an IGN cancer-killing agent. IGNs are a

new class of DNA-acting agents invented by ImmunoGen.

· Mechanism of action data were reported at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) (abstract #1366).

· ImmunoGen is preparing to initiate Phase 1 testing of IMGN779 for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in 1H2016.

Update on Partner Programs

Nine companies are advancing ADCs with ImmunoGen technology. Recent highlights include:

· Patient dosing has begun in Bayer’s global Phase 2 clinical trial designed to support registration of its mesothelin-targeting ADC, anetumab ravtansine. This event triggers a milestone payment to ImmunoGen that will be reflected in the Company’s 3QFY2016 financial results.

· Roche expects data from its KRISTINE trial assessing Kadcyla in the neoadjuvant setting for early HER2-positive breast cancer to be reported this year and, if positive, to bring these to regulatory authorities for potential filing in 2016.

· In December, Takeda took its first license for the exclusive right to develop ADCs to an undisclosed target using ImmunoGen technology.

· Also in December, CytomX announced it is advancing a novel anticancer agent targeting CD166 using its ProbodyTM technology and ImmunoGen’s ADC technology under a strategic collaboration established between the companies in early 2014.

Financial Results

For the Company’s quarter ended December 31, 2015 (2QFY2016), ImmunoGen reported a net loss of $(33.2) million, or $(0.38) per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $13.6 million, or $0.16 per basic and diluted share, for the same quarter last year (2QFY2015).

Revenues for 2QFY2016 were $18.0 million, compared to $48.3 million for 2QFY2015. The current period includes $8.6 million of amortization of upfront fees previously received from Takeda and the prior year period includes $41.4 million of amortization of upfront fees previously received from Novartis and Lilly. The fees are recognized in their respective quarters due to the partner taking one or more licenses in the quarter. License and milestone fees for 2QFY2016 also include a $2 million milestone earned from Sanofi with the advancement of SAR428926 into clinical testing. Revenues in 2QFY2016 include $6.3 million of non-cash royalty revenues and $0.2 million of cash royalty revenues on Roche sales of Kadcyla for the three-months ended September 30, 2015, compared with $4.6 million in cash royalty revenues for the prior year period.

Operating expenses in 2QFY2016 were $46.3 million, compared to $34.5 million in 2QFY2015. Operating expenses in 2QFY2016 include research and development expenses of $38.2 million, compared to $27.6 million in 2QFY2015. This change is primarily due to increased third-party costs related to the advancement of our wholly owned product candidates, increased clinical trial costs, primarily related to our expansion of the mirvetuximab soravtansine development program, and increased

personnel expenses, principally due to recent hiring. Operating expenses include general and administrative expenses of $8.1 million in 2QFY2016, compared to $6.9 million in 2QFY2015. This increase is primarily due to increased personnel expenses and professional services.

ImmunoGen had approximately $212.3 million in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2015, compared with $278.1 million as of June 30, 2015, and had no debt outstanding in either period. Cash used in operations was $63.0 million in the first six months of FY2016, compared with $34.4 million in the same period in FY2015. Capital expenditures were $7.6 million and $2.6 million for the first six months of FY2016 and FY2015, respectively.

Financial Guidance for Fiscal Year 2016

ImmunoGen’s financial guidance remains unchanged from that issued in July 2015. ImmunoGen expects: its revenues to be between $70 million and $80 million; its operating expenses to be between $175 million and $180 million; its net loss to be between $120 million and $125 million; its cash used in operations to be between $100 million and $105 million; and its capital expenditures to be between $13 million and $15 million. Cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2016 are anticipated to be between $165 million and $170 million.

Lilly Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2015 Results

On January 28, 2016 Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2015 (Press release, Eli Lilly, JAN 28, 2016, View Source [SID:1234508880]).

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Certain financial information for 2015 and 2014 is presented on both a reported and a non-GAAP basis. Some numbers in this press release may not add due to rounding. Reported results were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and include all revenue and expenses recognized during the period. Non-GAAP measures exclude the items described in the reconciliation tables later in the release. Non-GAAP measures in 2014 include the results of Novartis Animal Health as if the acquisition and the financing for the acquisition had occurred as of January 1, 2014. Non-GAAP financial measures for all periods presented also exclude amortization of intangibles primarily associated with costs of marketed products acquired or licensed from third parties. The company’s 2016 financial guidance is also being provided on both a reported and a non-GAAP basis. The non-GAAP measures are presented in order to provide additional insights into the underlying trends in the company’s business.

"Lilly’s 2015 results reinforce our confidence in the future with six FDA approvals and multiple positive Phase III data readouts, as well as encouraging results from newly launched products including Cyramza, Trulicity, Jardiance and Basaglar," said John C. Lechleiter, Ph.D., Lilly’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. "In 2016, we aim to continue revenue growth, margin expansion and value creation for our shareholders, all while sustaining a flow of innovative medicines from our pipeline to improve people’s lives."

Key Events Over the Last Three Months

Commercial

The company launched Portrazza (necitumumab) in the U.S., in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin, as the first biologic for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Regulatory

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Portrazza.

The FDA approved Basaglar (insulin glargine injection) 100 units/mL. Basaglar is a long-acting insulin with an identical amino acid sequence to Lantus, another U-100 insulin glargine. Per the company’s settlement agreement with Sanofi, Basaglar will be available in the U.S. starting on December 15, 2016. Basaglar is part of the Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly Diabetes Alliance.

Following positive opinions from Europe’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), the European Commission has approved:
Cyramza (ramucirumab) in combination with docetaxel for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with disease progression after platinum-based chemotherapy.
Cyramza in combination with FOLFIRI for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with disease progression on or after prior therapy with bevacizumab, oxaliplatin and a fluoropyrimidine.

The company and Incyte Corporation announced the submission of a new drug application to the FDA for the approval of oral once-daily baricitinib for the treatment of moderately-to-severely active rheumatoid arthritis. Baricitinib was also submitted to the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of moderately-to-severely active rheumatoid arthritis.

Within the Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly Diabetes Alliance:
The FDA accepted the filing of data from the long-term clinical trial investigating cardiovascular (CV) outcomes for Jardiance (empagliflozin) in adults with type 2 diabetes at high risk for CV events. The data were also submitted to European regulators. Jardiance is the only diabetes medicine to have demonstrated a significant reduction in both cardiovascular risk and cardiovascular death in a dedicated outcomes trial.
The fixed-dose combination tablet containing empagliflozin and linagliptin was submitted to European regulators.

The company received a positive opinion from Europe’s CHMP recommending approval of Portrazza in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor expressing squamous NSCLC who have not received prior chemotherapy for this condition.
Clinical

The company ceased development of basal insulin peglispro, a potential treatment for type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

The company announced that psoriatic arthritis patients treated with ixekizumab for 24 weeks achieved significant improvements in signs and symptoms of their disease when compared with placebo, while also experiencing significantly less progression of radiographic structural joint damage, reduced disability when performing certain physical functions and improved skin clearance of plaque psoriasis.

Business Development/Other

The company and Merck announced extensions of an existing collaboration to:
Evaluate the safety and efficacy of the combination of Lilly’s Alimta (pemetrexed for injection) and Merck’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in a pivotal Phase III study in first-line nonsquamous NSCLC.
Evaluate abemaciclib, Lilly’s cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and 6 inhibitor, and Merck’s Keytruda in a Phase I study across multiple tumor types.

The company announced an agreement with Roche Diagnostics related to Roche’s ongoing development of a commercially scalable cerebrospinal fluid assay for amyloid-beta 1-42.
The company revealed plans to expand its global research and development headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. A new $70 million building within Lilly’s development complex will feature a multi-disciplinary laboratory to facilitate collaboration across multiple R&D functions.
The company announced it will close its animal health manufacturing facility in Sligo, Ireland. As a result of this action, the company expects to record a charge of approximately $100 million (pre-tax) or approximately $0.09 per share (after tax) in the first-quarter of 2016.
The company announced a dividend for the first quarter of 2016 of $0.51 per share on outstanding common stock, representing a 2 percent increase. The annual indicated rate is now $2.04 per share.
As part of its previously announced share repurchase program, the company repurchased approximately $250 million in company stock in the fourth quarter of 2015. For the full year 2015, the company returned approximately $2.9 billion in cash to shareholders through both its dividend and share repurchase program.

Fourth-Quarter Reported Results
In the fourth quarter of 2015, worldwide revenue was $5.376 billion, an increase of 5 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. The revenue increase was comprised of 7 percent due to increased volume and 3 percent due to higher prices, partially offset by 6 percent due to the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates. The increase in worldwide volume was primarily due to the inclusion of revenue from Novartis Animal Health and increased volume for several products, including Trulicity and Cyramza, as well as Erbitux due to the transfer of commercialization rights in North America. These worldwide volume increases were partially offset by the residual impact of the loss of exclusivity for Cymbalta. Revenue in the U.S. increased 15 percent to $2.821 billion, driven by higher prices, the inclusion of revenue from Novartis Animal Health and increased volumes for several pharmaceutical products. Revenue outside the U.S. decreased 4 percent to $2.555 billion, driven by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates and the loss of exclusivity for Cymbalta in Europe in 2014, partially offset by the inclusion of revenue from Novartis Animal Health and increased volumes for several pharmaceutical products.

Gross margin increased 3 percent to $3.986 billion in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. Gross margin as a percent of revenue was 74.2 percent, a decrease of 1.3 percentage points compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. The decrease in gross margin percent was primarily due to the inclusion of Novartis Animal Health and the transfer of Erbitux commercialization rights in North America, partially offset by productivity improvements from the company’s diabetes manufacturing technical agenda, efficiencies in other manufacturing processes and higher prices in the U.S.

Operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2015, defined as the sum of research and development, and marketing, selling and administrative expenses, were $3.243 billion, an increase of 9 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. Research and development expenses increased 22 percent to $1.444 billion, or 26.9 percent of revenue, primarily driven by charges associated with the terminations of evacetrapib and basal insulin peglispro of approximately $135 million, and higher late-stage clinical development costs. Marketing, selling and administrative expenses remained flat at $1.798 billion, as the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates and lower litigation expenses were offset by expenses related to new product launches and the inclusion of Novartis Animal Health.

In the fourth quarter of 2015, the company recognized acquired in-process research and development charges of $199.0 million. These charges were primarily associated with the acquisition of worldwide rights to an intranasal glucagon from Locemia Solutions. In the fourth quarter of 2014, the company recognized acquired in-process research and development charges of $105.2 million. The 2014 charges were comprised of $55.2 million associated with revisions to the agreement between Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim and $50.0 million related to a collaboration with Adocia focused on developing an ultra-rapid insulin, known as BioChaperone Lispro.

In the fourth quarter of 2015, the company recognized asset impairment, restructuring and other special charges of $144.9 million. The charges are associated with severance costs, integration costs related to the acquisition of Novartis Animal Health and asset impairments. In the fourth quarter of 2014, the company recognized asset impairment, restructuring and other special charges of $401.0 million, comprised of asset impairments primarily associated with the closure of a manufacturing site in Puerto Rico, severance costs related to ongoing cost containment efforts to reduce the company’s cost structure and global workforce, and costs for the then-pending acquisition of Novartis Animal Health.

Operating income in the fourth quarter of 2015 was $399.9 million, an increase of 6 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2014, as lower asset impairment, restructuring and other special charges, and higher gross margin were largely offset by higher operating expenses and acquired in-process research and development charges.

Other income (expense) was income of $44.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, compared with income of $137.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Other income during the fourth quarter of 2014 was primarily driven by $92.0 million of other income associated with revisions to the agreement between Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim and net gains on investments.

The effective tax rate was a benefit of 7.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015, compared with an expense of 16.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2014. The effective tax rates for both periods include the full-year benefit of the renewal of certain U.S. tax provisions, including the R&D tax credit, at the end of each respective period. The 2015 effective tax rate also includes a favorable tax impact of acquired in-process research and development charges, asset impairment, restructuring and other special charges, and a net discrete tax benefit of $17 million.

In the fourth quarter of 2015, net income increased 12 percent to $478.4 million, and earnings per share increased 13 percent to $0.45, compared with $428.5 million and $0.40, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2014. The increases in net income and earnings per share were driven by a lower effective tax rate and higher operating income, partially offset by lower other income.

Fourth-Quarter Non-GAAP Measures
On a non-GAAP basis, worldwide revenue of $5.376 billion in the fourth quarter of 2015 remained flat compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. A revenue decrease of 6 percent due to the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates was essentially offset by revenue increases of 3 percent due to higher prices and 2 percent due to increased volume. U.S. revenue increased 12 percent to $2.821 billion driven by higher prices and increased volumes. Revenue outside the U.S. decreased 11 percent to $2.555 billion, driven by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates and the loss of exclusivity for Cymbalta in Europe in 2014, partially offset by increased volumes for several pharmaceutical products.

Gross margin increased 1 percent to $4.153 billion in the fourth quarter of 2015. Gross margin as a percent of revenue was 77.3 percent, an increase of 1.0 percentage point compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. The increase in gross margin percent reflects productivity improvements from the company’s diabetes manufacturing technical agenda, efficiencies in other manufacturing processes and increased prices in the U.S.

Operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2015 were $3.241 billion, an increase of 5 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. Research and development expenses increased 19 percent to $1.444 billion, or 26.9 percent of revenue, primarily driven by charges associated with the terminations of evacetrapib and basal insulin peglispro of approximately $135 million, and higher late-stage clinical development costs. Marketing, selling and administrative expenses decreased 3 percent to $1.797 billion, driven by the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates and lower litigation expenses, partially offset by expenses related to new product launches.

Operating income in the fourth quarter of 2015 was $912.8 million, a decline of 12 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2014, due to higher research and development expenses, partially offset by higher gross margin.

Other income (expense) was income of $44.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, compared with income of $11.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2014.

The effective tax rate decreased 2.9 percentage points to 13.5 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. The effective tax rates for both periods include the full-year benefit of the renewal of certain U.S. tax provisions, including the R&D tax credit, at the end of each respective period. The fourth quarter of 2015 also includes a net discrete tax benefit of $17 million.

Net income decreased 6 percent to $828.2 million, and earnings per share decreased 5 percent to $0.78, compared with $880.5 million and $0.82, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2014. The decreases in net income and earnings per share were driven by lower operating income, primarily as a result of the termination costs for evacetrapib and basal insulin peglispro.

For further detail of non-GAAP measures, see the reconciliation below as well as the Reconciliation of GAAP Reported to Selected Non-GAAP Adjusted Information table later in this press release.

Full-Year 2015 Reported Results
For the full-year 2015, worldwide revenue increased 2 percent to $19.959 billion compared with 2014. This increase was comprised of 8 percent due to increased volume and 1 percent due to higher prices, partially offset by 7 percent due to the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates. The increase in volume was primarily due to the inclusion of revenue from Novartis Animal Health and increased volume for several pharmaceutical products, including Cyramza, Trulicity and Humalog, as well as Erbitux due to the transfer of commercialization rights in North America. These worldwide volume increases were partially offset by the residual impact of the loss of exclusivity for Cymbalta and Evista. Revenue in the U.S. increased 11 percent to $10.097 billion due to higher prices, the inclusion of revenue from Novartis Animal Health, and increased volumes for several pharmaceutical products, partially offset by the residual impact of the loss of exclusivity for Cymbalta and Evista. Revenue outside the U.S. decreased 6 percent to $9.861 billion primarily due to the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates, partially offset by the inclusion of revenue from Novartis Animal Health and increased volumes for several pharmaceutical products.

Gross margin increased 2 percent to $14.922 billion in 2015. Gross margin as a percent of revenue was 74.8 percent, essentially flat compared with 2014 as the unfavorable impacts of the inclusion of Novartis Animal Health and inventory step-up and amortization costs were offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates on international inventories sold.

Total operating expenses remained flat in 2015 compared with 2014. Research and development expenses increased 1 percent to $4.796 billion, or 24.0 percent of revenue, driven primarily by higher late-stage clinical development costs, the inclusion of Novartis Animal Health and an increase in charges associated with the termination of late-stage molecules, partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates. Marketing, selling and administrative expenses decreased 1 percent to $6.533 billion, due to the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates and a 2014 charge associated with the Branded Prescription Drug Fee, partially offset by the inclusion of Novartis Animal Health and expenses related to new product launches.

In 2015, the company recognized acquired in-process research and development charges of $535.0 million. These charges are associated with the following payments:

$200.0 million to Pfizer following an FDA decision allowing the resumption of Phase III clinical trials for tanezumab.
$149.0 million to Locemia Solutions associated with the acquisition of worldwide rights to an intranasal glucagon.
$56.0 million to Innovent associated with a collaboration to develop potential oncology therapies.
$50.0 million to Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., related to an exclusive license and collaboration agreement for Hanmi’s oral Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor for the treatment of autoimmune and other diseases.
$30.0 million to BioNTech AG related to a research collaboration to discover novel cancer immunotherapies.
$50.0 million for other technology collaborations.
In 2014, the company recognized acquired in-process research and development charges of $200.2 million. These charges included the following:

$55.2 million associated with revisions to the agreement between Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim.
$50.0 million related to the collaboration with Adocia.
$50.0 million related to an agreement with AstraZeneca to co-develop and commercialize AZD3293, an oral beta secretase cleaving enzyme (BACE) inhibitor as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
$45.0 million related to a collaboration agreement with Immunocore to research and potentially develop novel T cell-based cancer therapies.
In 2015, the company recognized asset impairment, restructuring, and other special charges of $367.7 million. The charges relate to severance costs, integration costs for Novartis Animal Health, and asset impairments. In 2014, the company recognized charges of $468.7 million for asset impairment, restructuring and other special charges. The charges included severance costs related to ongoing cost containment efforts to reduce the company’s cost structure and global workforce, asset impairments primarily associated with the closure of a manufacturing site in Puerto Rico, and integration costs for the then-pending acquisition of Novartis Animal Health.

Operating income in 2015 increased 1 percent compared with 2014 to $2.689 billion, as higher gross margin and lower asset impairment, restructuring and other special charges were largely offset by higher acquired in-process research and development charges.

Other income (expense) was income of $100.6 million in 2015, compared with income of $340.5 million in 2014. Other income in 2015 included net gains of $236.7 million on investments, partially offset by a net charge of $152.7 million related to the repurchase of $1.65 billion of debt. Other income in 2014 included net gains of $216.4 million on investments and $92.0 million of other income associated with revisions to the agreement between Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim.

The effective tax rate was 13.7 percent in 2015, compared with 20.3 percent in 2014. The effective tax rate for 2014 reflects the impact of a $119.0 million nondeductible charge associated with the U.S. Branded Prescription Drug Fee. The decrease in the tax rate for 2015 compared with 2014 is primarily due to a favorable tax impact of the net charge related to the repurchase of debt, acquired in-process research and development charges, and asset impairment, restructuring, and other special charges.

For the full year 2015, net income increased 1 percent to $2.408 billion, and earnings per share increased 1 percent to $2.26, compared with full-year 2014 results of $2.390 billion and $2.23, respectively. The increases in net income and earnings per share were driven by lower income taxes and higher operating income, largely offset by lower other income.

Full-Year 2015 Non-GAAP Measures
Operating income increased 10 percent to $4.371 billion driven by lower operating expenses, partially offset by lower gross margin. The effective tax rate for 2015 was 20.9 percent compared with 20.6 percent in 2014. Net income increased 12 percent and earnings per share increased 13 percent to $3.656 billion and $3.43, respectively.

For further detail of non-GAAP measures, see the reconciliation below as well as the Reconciliation of GAAP Reported to Selected Non-GAAP Adjusted Information table later in this press release.

Humalog
For the fourth quarter of 2015, worldwide Humalog sales increased 10 percent, to $798.7 million. Sales in the U.S. increased 20 percent to $511.0 million, driven by higher realized prices and, to a lesser extent, increased volume. Sales outside the U.S. decreased 6 percent to $287.7 million, driven by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates, partially offset by increased volume.

For the full year of 2015, worldwide Humalog sales increased 2 percent to $2.842 billion. U.S. Humalog sales for 2015 were $1.772 billion, a 9 percent increase, driven by higher realized prices and, to a lesser extent, increased volume. Humalog sales outside the U.S. were $1.070 billion, an 8 percent decline, driven by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates, partially offset by higher volume.

Alimta
For the fourth quarter of 2015, Alimta generated sales of $627.2 million, which decreased 13 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. U.S. sales of Alimta decreased 17 percent, to $283.0 million, driven by decreased demand and, to a lesser extent, lower realized prices. Sales outside the U.S. decreased 10 percent, to $344.2 million, driven by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates and, to a lesser extent, lower realized prices, partially offset by higher volume.

For the full year of 2015, worldwide Alimta sales decreased 11 percent to $2.493 billion. U.S. Alimta sales for 2015 were $1.162 billion, a 5 percent decline, driven by decreased demand and, to a lesser extent, lower realized prices. Alimta sales outside the U.S. were $1.331 billion, a 15 percent decline, driven by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates and, to a lesser extent, lower realized prices, partially offset by increased volume.

Cialis
Cialis sales for the fourth quarter of 2015 increased 3 percent to $638.4 million. U.S. sales of Cialis were $387.0 million in the fourth quarter, a 22 percent increase compared with the fourth quarter of 2014, driven by higher realized prices. Sales of Cialis outside the U.S. decreased 17 percent, to $251.4 million, driven by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates and decreased volume, partially offset by higher realized prices.

For the full year of 2015, worldwide Cialis sales increased 1 percent to $2.311 billion. U.S. Cialis sales for 2015 were $1.257 billion, a 21 percent increase, driven by higher realized prices. Cialis sales outside the U.S. were $1.054 billion, a 16 percent decline, driven by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

Forteo
Fourth-quarter 2015 sales of Forteo were $377.9 million, a 1 percent decline compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. U.S. sales of Forteo increased 2 percent to $185.8 million, as higher realized prices were largely offset by lower volume. Sales outside the U.S. decreased 3 percent to $192.1 million, driven by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates, largely offset by increased volume.

For the full year of 2015, worldwide Forteo sales increased 2 percent to $1.348 billion. U.S. Forteo sales for 2015 were $612.4 million, a 14 percent increase driven by higher realized prices, partially offset by decreased volume. Forteo sales outside the U.S. were $735.9 million, a 6 percent decline, driven by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates, partially offset by increased volume.

Humulin
Worldwide Humulin sales decreased 9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015, to $358.6 million. U.S. sales remained relatively flat at $211.2 million. Sales outside the U.S. decreased 20 percent, to $147.4 million, driven by decreased volume, primarily due to the loss of a government contract in Brazil, and the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

For the full year of 2015, worldwide Humulin sales decreased 7 percent to $1.307 billion. U.S. Humulin sales for 2015 were $764.4 million, a 7 percent increase, driven by higher realized prices and, to a lesser extent, wholesaler buying patterns, partially offset by decreased demand. Humulin sales outside the U.S. were $543.0 million, a 21 percent decline, driven by decreased volume, primarily due to the loss of a government contract in Brazil, and the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

Cymbalta
For the fourth quarter of 2015, Cymbalta generated $223.6 million in revenue, a decline of 39 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. Sales of Cymbalta outside the U.S. decreased by 35 percent to $198.5 million, due to the loss of exclusivity in Europe in 2014 and the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

For the full year of 2015, worldwide Cymbalta sales decreased 36 percent to $1.028 billion. Sales of Cymbalta outside the U.S. were $883.0 million, a 26 percent decline, driven by unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates and the loss of exclusivity in Europe in 2014.

Zyprexa
In the fourth quarter of 2015, Zyprexa sales totaled $229.1 million, a decline of 9 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. Zyprexa sales outside the U.S. decreased 7 percent, to $203.4 million, primarily due to the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

For the full year of 2015, worldwide Zyprexa sales decreased 9 percent to $940.3 million. Zyprexa sales outside the U.S. were $783.6 million, a 15 percent decline, driven primarily by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

Strattera
During the fourth quarter of 2015, Strattera generated $221.6 million of sales, an increase of 14 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. U.S. sales increased 21 percent to $143.7 million, driven primarily by higher realized prices. Sales outside the U.S. increased 3 percent to $77.9 million, driven by increased volume, largely offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

For the full year of 2015, worldwide Strattera sales increased 6 percent to $784.0 million. U.S. Strattera sales for 2015 were $502.1 million, a 11 percent increase, driven by higher realized prices and, to a lesser extent, increased demand. Strattera sales outside the U.S. were $281.9 million, a 1 percent decline, driven by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates, largely offset by increased volume.

Effient
Effient sales were $140.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, an increase of 2 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. U.S. Effient sales increased 7 percent to $114.6 million, driven by higher realized prices, partially offset by decreased demand. Sales outside the U.S. decreased 17 percent to $25.7 million, driven by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates and lower realized prices.

For the full year of 2015, worldwide Effient sales remained flat at $523.0 million. U.S. Effient sales for 2015 were $417.6 million, a 6 percent increase driven by higher realized prices, partially offset by decreased demand. Effient sales outside the U.S. were $105.4 million, a 17 percent decline, driven primarily by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

Evista
Evista sales for the fourth quarter of 2015 were $52.8 million, a decline of 27 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. Sales outside the U.S. decreased 16 percent to $44.4 million, driven primarily by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

For the full year of 2015, worldwide Evista sales decreased 43 percent to $237.3 million. U.S. sales of Evista were $61.7 million, a 70 percent decline, driven by the loss of patent exclusivity in March 2014. Sales outside the U.S. decreased 17 percent to $175.6 million, driven primarily by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

Animal Health
In the fourth quarter of 2015, worldwide animal health sales totaled $811.7 million, an increase of 28 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2014. U.S. animal health sales increased 19 percent, to $381.8 million and animal health sales outside the U.S. were $429.9 million, a 38 percent increase. The increases were driven by the inclusion of revenue from Novartis Animal Health.

Including the sales of Novartis Animal Health in 2014, fourth-quarter worldwide animal health sales decreased 11 percent, U.S. sales decreased 2 percent, and sales outside the U.S. decreased 18 percent. The decline in U.S. sales was driven by lower realized prices and volume in food animal products, partially offset by higher volume for companion animal products. The decline in sales outside the U.S. was driven by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates and decreased volume. Including the sales of Novartis Animal Health in 2014 and excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates, worldwide animal health sales decreased 5 percent.

For the full year of 2015, worldwide animal health sales totaled $3.181 billion, an increase of 36 percent compared with the full year of 2014. U.S. animal health sales increased 21 percent, to $1.541 billion and animal health sales outside the U.S. were $1.640 billion, a 53 percent increase. The increases were driven by the inclusion of revenue from Novartis Animal Health.

Including the sales of Novartis Animal Health in 2014, full-year worldwide animal health sales decreased 7 percent, U.S. sales decreased 1 percent, and sales outside the U.S. decreased 13 percent. The decline in U.S. sales was driven primarily by decreased volume in food animal products. The decline in sales outside the U.S. was driven by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates and decreased volume in companion animal products, partially offset by higher realized prices and volume for food animal products. Including the sales of Novartis Animal Health in the full year of 2014 and excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates, worldwide animal health sales decreased 1 percent.

2016 Financial Guidance
Earnings per share for 2016 are now expected to be in the range of $2.83 to $2.93 on a reported basis. Earnings per share for 2016 are still expected to be $3.45 to $3.55 on a non-GAAP basis. Non-GAAP figures for 2016 exclude amortization of intangibles as well as integration costs associated with the Novartis Animal Health acquisition.

The company still anticipates 2016 revenue between $20.2 billion and $20.7 billion. Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates, the company expects revenue growth from a number of established products including Humalog, Trajenta, Cialis, Forteo, Strattera, Erbitux, and animal health products, as well as higher revenues from new products including Cyramza, Trulicity, Jardiance, Portrazza, and Basaglar.

Marketing, selling and administrative expenses are still expected to be in the range of $6.0 billion to $6.2 billion. Research and development expenses are still expected to be in the range of $4.8 billion to $5.0 billion.

The 2016 tax rate is now expected to be approximately 21.0 percent on a reported basis due to the tax impact of amortization of intangibles, integration costs associated with the Novartis Animal Health acquisition and restructuring charges. The non-GAAP tax rate is still expected to be approximately 22.5 percent.

[PDF]Change in the Company Name of Western Pharmaceutical Subsidiaries of Kyowa Hakko Kirin

On January 29, 2016 Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd. (Tokyo 4151; President and CEO: Nobuo Hanai, "Kyowa Hakko Kirin") reported that it will change the name of all its western pharmaceutical subsidiaries, using "Kyowa Kirin" as a common company brand name (Press release, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, JAN 28, 2016, View Source [SID:1234508911]). Every subsidiary will begin officially operating under this new company trade name at various points during 2016.

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Kyowa Hakko Kirin is expanding its business globally and, as shown in its business vision, "Kyowa Hakko Kirin will be a Japan-based Global Specialty Pharmaceutical Company contributing to human health and well-being worldwide through innovative drug discovery and global commercialization, driven by state-of-the art antibody technologies mainly in the core therapeutic areas of oncology, nephrology and immunology". The company plans to launch late stage development products in the US and Europe in this mid-term business plan. Kyowa Hakko Kirin’s decision to unify all of its western pharmaceutical subsidiaries under one name, "Kyowa Kirin", is in pursuit of its aim to become a Global Specialty Pharmaceutical Company.

"I am convinced that a unified brand name will strengthen interaction and integration in our group." said Nobuo Hanai, Ph.D., President and CEO of Kyowa Hakko Kirin. "This will assist us in leaping forward as a Global Specialty Pharmaceutical Company, creating innovations across the group’s various business bases."

The Kyowa Hakko Kirin Group companies strive to contribute to the health and well-being of people around the world by creating new value through the pursuit of advances in life sciences and technologies.

Celgene Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2015 Operating and Financial Results

On January 28, 2016 Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG) reported operating results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2015(Press release, Celgene, JAN 28, 2016, View Source [SID:1234508890]). For the fourth quarter of 2015, net product sales were $2,539 million compared to $2,055 million from the same period in 2014, an increase of 24 percent. The net negative impact of currency on net product sales was 1 percent. Fourth quarter total revenue increased 23 percent to $2,563 million compared to $2,085 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of 2015 increased 14 percent to $961 million compared to $840 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. For the same period, adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) increased 17 percent to $1.18 from $1.01 and includes a $0.07 impact from a $70 million milestone achieved by OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. during the quarter.

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Net product sales for the full year of 2015 were $9,161 million compared to $7,564 million for the full year of 2014, an increase of 21 percent. Total revenue for the full year of 2015 was $9,256 million compared to $7,670 million for the previous year, an increase of 21 percent. Adjusted net income increased 25 percent to $3,882 million compared to the prior year. Adjusted diluted EPS increased 27 percent to $4.71 from $3.71 for the full year of 2014.

Based on U.S. GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), Celgene reported net income of $561 million and diluted EPS of $0.69 for the fourth quarter of 2015. For the fourth quarter of 2014, GAAP net income was $614 million and diluted EPS was $0.74. Full year GAAP net income for 2015 was $1,602 million and diluted EPS was $1.94. Full year GAAP net income for 2014 was $2,000 million and diluted EPS was $2.39.

"Celgene delivered outstanding operating and financial results in 2015. Our extraordinary operating momentum and key regulatory approvals in 2015 increase our prospects for significant growth in 2016 and beyond," said Bob Hugin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Celgene Corporation. "In 2016, we will continue to leverage our global operations and advance our deep and diverse pipeline to accelerate the next generation of transformational medicines."

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2015 Financial Highlights

Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons are for the fourth quarter and full year of 2015 compared to the fourth quarter and full year of 2014. The adjusted operating expense categories presented below exclude share-based employee compensation expense, in-process research and development (IPR&D) impairments, upfront collaboration payments and settlement of contingent obligations. Please see the attached Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Net Income for further information.

Net Product Sales Performance

REVLIMID sales for the fourth quarter increased 18 percent to $1,561 million and were driven by increased duration of therapy in the U.S. and market share gains in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) in Europe. Fourth quarter U.S. sales of $956 million and international sales of $605 million increased 20 percent and 15 percent, respectively. Full year REVLIMID sales were $5,801 million, an increase of 16 percent.

POMALYST/IMNOVID sales for the fourth quarter were $294 million. Fourth quarter U.S. sales of $170 million and international sales of $124 million increased 29 percent and 77 percent, respectively. Full year POMALYST/IMNOVID sales were $983 million. Sales were driven by increased market share and duration gains.

ABRAXANE sales for the fourth quarter were $270 million, an increase of 14 percent. U.S. sales were $180 million and international sales were $90 million, an increase of 5 percent and 41 percent, respectively. Full year ABRAXANE sales were $967 million, an increase of 14 percent.

OTEZLA sales in the fourth quarter were $183 million. Full year OTEZLA sales were $472 million. OTEZLA uptake and market share gains continued to accelerate in the fourth quarter in the U.S. with increased contribution from early launch countries in Europe.

In the fourth quarter, all other product sales, which include THALOMID, ISTODAX, VIDAZA and an authorized generic version of VIDAZA drug product in the U.S., were $231 million compared to $248 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Full year sales for these products were $938 million.

Research and Development (R&D)

Adjusted R&D expenses were $649 million for the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to $478 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. The fourth quarter of 2015 included a $70 million milestone achieved by OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and also reflected increased clinical trial activity for pipeline programs.

For the full year of 2015, adjusted R&D expenses were $2,044 million compared to $1,651 million for the full year of 2014. Adjusted R&D expenses included expenses related to advancing clinical trials and expenses for collaboration-related payments to partners.

On a GAAP basis, R&D expenses were $777 million for the fourth quarter of 2015 versus $585 million for the same period in 2014. The year-over-year increase in R&D expenses on a GAAP basis was primarily due to an increase in clinical trial activity. Full year of 2015 R&D expenses were $3,697 million compared to $2,431 million for 2014. The increase in R&D expenses on a GAAP basis was primarily due to upfront payments for collaboration arrangements and an increase in clinical trial activity, partially offset by an impairment recorded in the prior year.

Selling, General, and Administrative (SG&A)

Adjusted SG&A expenses were $533 million for the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to $479 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. For the full year of 2015, adjusted SG&A was $2,011 million versus $1,778 million in 2014. The increase was primarily due to launch expenses related to OTEZLA in the U.S. and Europe and the ongoing launch of REVLIMID for NDMM in Europe.

On a GAAP basis, SG&A expenses were $609 million for the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to $544 million for the same period in 2014. Full year SG&A expenses were $2,305 million for 2015 compared to $2,028 million for 2014.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities

Operations generated cash flow of $2,483 million for 2015, a decrease of 12 percent year-over-year, primarily driven by an increase in upfront collaboration payments. For the full year of 2015, Celgene purchased approximately $3,257 million of shares. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had $3,890 million remaining under the existing share repurchase program. The Company ended the year with $6,552 million in cash and marketable securities.

Product and Pipeline Updates

Hematology/Oncology

In December 2015, Celgene announced the settlement of litigations with Natco Pharma Ltd. and its partners and affiliates, relating to certain patents for REVLIMID. As part of the settlement, Celgene agreed to provide Natco with a license to Celgene’s patents required to manufacture and sell an unlimited quantity of generic lenalidomide in the U.S. beginning on January 31, 2026. In addition, Natco will receive a volume-limited license to sell generic lenalidomide in the U.S. commencing in March 2022, which is expected to be a mid-single-digit percentage of the total lenalidomide capsules dispensed in the U.S. during the first year of entry. The volume limitation is expected to increase gradually each twelve months until March 2025. Natco’s ability to market generic lenalidomide in the U.S. will be contingent on its obtaining approval of an Abbreviated New Drug Application.

In December, REVLIMID was granted full marketing authorization by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for use in combination with dexamethasone as a treatment for patients with NDMM. This marketing authorization expands upon the approval of REVLIMID in 2010 for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Reimbursement discussions are ongoing.

Celgene, in collaboration with partner AstraZeneca, announced the initiation of the FUSION clinical development program with durvalumab in hematologic malignancies. The initial trials combine durvalumab with Celgene assets and novel compounds in RRMM, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Additional trials in NDMM and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are expected to begin late in the first quarter of 2016.

At the 57th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, data on the combination of REVLIMID, bortezomib and low-dose dexamethasone (RVd) in NDMM were presented. In the 471-patient study, patients receiving RVd achieved a median progression free survival (PFS) of 43 months compared to a median PFS of 30 months for patients who received Rd alone (HR = 0.712, 96% CI, one-sided p=0.0018 (two-sided p=0.0037)). The data also show that overall survival (OS) was improved for RVd compared to Rd. Patients who received RVd had a median OS of 75 months compared to a median 64 months for patients receiving Rd (HR=0.709, 96% CI, one-sided p=0.0125 (two-sided p=0.0250)). In January, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) added the RVd combination to the multiple myeloma guidelines as a category 1 preferred treatment for both stem-cell transplant and non stem-cell transplant candidates.

Subsequent to our October 2015 supplementary new drug application filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the expanded indication of REVLIMID for the treatment of non-del 5q lower risk MDS, the FDA requested additional analyses and data for the submission to further support the risk/benefit assessment of REVLIMID in this population. Based on the request, Celgene has decided to withdraw the submission at this time. Celgene remains committed to continued development in myeloid disease with ongoing trials in MDS and AML with CC-486, luspatercept in collaboration with Acceleron and the IDH platform in collaboration with Agios.

Data on the combination of ABRAXANE with chemotherapy and with anti-PD-L1 compounds in neoadjuvant and triple-negative breast cancer were presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December. Data from the phase III ETNA cooperative group trial with ABRAXANE in patients with HER2-negative high-risk breast cancer are expected to be presented in 2016. Celgene expects to submit ABRAXANE for early-stage breast cancer for regulatory approval in Europe in 2016.

Inflammation & Immunology

In January 2016, Celgene announced that radiographic data from long-term follow-up from the phase III POSTURE trial of OTEZLA in ankylosing spondylitis showed a delay in disease progression. Based on this result, Celgene is evaluating the next steps for OTEZLA in this disease. The data are expected to be presented at a major medical congress in 2016.

Results from the two phase III ESTEEM trials (ESTEEM 1 and ESTEEM 2) in patients with psoriasis were published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. At week 16, OTEZLA produced greater NAPSI-50 response (50% reduction from baseline in target Nail Psoriasis Severity Index score) versus placebo (both studies P < .0001) and ScPGA response (Scalp Physician Global Assessment score 0 or 1) versus placebo (both studies P < .0001). Improvements were generally maintained over 52 weeks in patients with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index response at week 32.

Three year efficacy and safety data of OTEZLA in patients with psoriatic arthritis from the phase III PALACE 1 trial were presented at the American College of Rheumatology meeting in November. Among patients remaining in the study on treatment at 156 weeks, OTEZLA demonstrated sustained and clinically meaningful improvements in ACR 20, ACR 50 and ACR 70 scores with a well-tolerated safety profile.

In the fourth quarter, a large phase III pivotal trial with GED-0301 in active Crohn’s disease began enrollment. In addition, a phase II trial with GED-0301 in ulcerative colitis also began enrollment. Data from the registration-enabling endoscopic trial with GED-0301 is expected in 2017. Also in the quarter, the phase II STEPSTONE trial with ozanimod in Crohn’s disease began enrollment.

The Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) updated their Treatment Recommendations for Psoriatic Arthritis in 2015. OTEZLA was included for the first time in these recommendations including for peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, dactylitis, psoriasis and nail disease in psoriatic arthritis.

Business Update

Human Longevity, Inc. (HLI), a genomics and cell therapy-based diagnostic and therapeutic company based in San Diego, agreed to purchase Celgene Cellular Therapeutics’ (CCT) biobanking business known as LifebankUSA and CCT’s biomaterials portfolio of assets including Biovance. In addition, in this transaction HLI will also acquire the full rights to PSC-100, a placental stem cell program which CCT partnered with HLI in August 2014. CCT remains committed to advancing a pipeline of cell therapy and regenerative medicine products including PDA-002 in clinical trials for diabetic foot ulcers and diabetic peripheral neuropathy and PNK-007 (natural killer (NK) cells) in phase I trials for AML and multiple myeloma.

Data from at Least 18 Phase III Trials Expected from Mid-2016 Through Mid-2018

2016

REMARC trial with REVLIMID in DLBCL maintenance
CONTINUUM trial with REVLIMID in CLL maintenance
ETNA trial with ABRAXANE in neoadjuvant breast cancer
PSA-006 trial with OTEZLA in biologic naïve psoriatic arthritis

2017

RELEVANCE trial with REVLIMID in first-line follicular lymphoma
AUGMENT trial with REVLIMID in relapsed and/or refractory follicular lymphoma
IMpower 130 Roche-sponsored trial with ABRAXANE and atezolizumab in non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
IMpower 131 Roche-sponsored trial with ABRAXANE and atezolizumab in squamous NSCLC
apact trial with ABRAXANE in adjuvant pancreatic cancer
abound.sqm with ABRAXANE in squamous NSCLC maintenance
RELIEFTM trial with OTEZLA in Behçet’s disease
SUNBEAM trial with ozanimod in multiple sclerosis
RADIANCE trial with ozanimod in multiple sclerosis

2018

OPTIMISMM trial with POMALYST in second-line relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma
IMpassion 130 Roche-sponsored trial with ABRAXANE and atezolizumab in triple-negative breast cancer
CD-002 trial with GED-0301 in Crohn’s disease
CD-003 trial with GED-0301 in Crohn’s disease
TRUE NORTH trial with ozanimod in ulcerative colitis

Celgene Expects Strong Product Sales and Earnings Growth in 2016

Total net product sales of $10.5 billion to $11.0 billion, an increase of 17 percent year-over-year based on the mid-point of the range and includes a negative impact from foreign exchange of approximately $120 million

REVLIMID net sales in the range of $6.6 billion to $6.7 billion, an increase of 15 percent year-over-year based on the mid-point of the range

Adjusted operating margin of approximately 53.5 percent after investments across the entire organization, a 150 bps improvement over 2015. GAAP operating margin is expected to be approximately 42 percent

Adjusted diluted EPS in the range of $5.50 to $5.70, an increase of approximately 19 percent year-over-year based on the mid-point of the range. GAAP diluted EPS is expected to be in the range of $4.26 to $4.64

Fully diluted share count for the full-year 2016 of approximately 825 million

For the first quarter of 2016, adjusted diluted EPS in the range of $1.27 to $1.30. GAAP diluted EPS is expected to be in the range of $0.98 to $1.05

Please see the attached Reconciliations of 2016 Projected GAAP to Adjusted Net Income for further information.

Q4 and Full year 2015 Conference Call and Webcast Information

Celgene will host a conference call to discuss the fourth quarter and full-year of 2015 operational and financial performance on Thursday, January 28, 2016, at 9 a.m. ET. The conference call will be available by webcast at www.celgene.com. An audio replay of the call will be available from noon January 28, 2016, until midnight ET February 4, 2016. To access the replay in the U.S., dial 1-855-859-2056; outside the U.S. dial 404-537-3406. The participant passcode is 11177982.