McKesson Reports Fiscal 2018 Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Results

On May 24, 2018 McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) reported that revenues for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2018, were $51.6 billion, up 6% compared to $48.7 billion a year ago (Press release, McKesson, MAY 24, 2018, View Source [SID1234526887]). On a constant currency basis, revenues increased 4% over the prior year. For the fiscal year, McKesson had revenues of $208.4 billion, up 5% compared to $198.5 billion a year ago. On a constant currency basis, revenues increased 4% over the prior year.

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On the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), fourth-quarter loss per diluted share from continuing operations was $(5.58), compared to earnings per diluted share of $16.79 a year ago. Full-year GAAP earnings per diluted share from continuing operations was $0.30, compared to $23.28 a year ago. Fourth-quarter GAAP loss per diluted share and full-year GAAP earnings per share included after-tax net charges totaling $1.9 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively, or $9.07 and $12.32 per diluted share, respectively, driven primarily by non-cash goodwill and long-lived asset impairment charges in the company’s European and Canadian retail businesses, partially offset by benefits related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

Prior year fourth-quarter and full-year GAAP earnings per diluted share included an after-tax net gain of $3.0 billion, or $14.10 per diluted share and $13.53 per diluted share, respectively, related to the creation of the Change Healthcare joint venture.

Fourth-quarter Adjusted Earnings per diluted share was $3.49, up 2% compared to $3.41 a year ago. Full-year Adjusted Earnings per diluted share was $12.62, up 1% compared to $12.54 for the prior year, which includes the $0.31 per diluted share contribution to create a non-profit foundation.

For the full year, McKesson generated cash from operations of $4.3 billion and ended the year with cash and cash equivalents of $2.7 billion. During the year, McKesson repaid approximately $765 million in net long-term debt, paid $2.9 billion for acquisitions, repurchased approximately $1.7 billion of its common stock, invested $580 million internally and paid $262 million in dividends."

"While we realized significant charges in the fourth quarter reflecting challenging market conditions in Europe and Canada, I’m pleased with the Fiscal 2018 performance across our other businesses. And the strength of our balance sheet and cash flow enabled us to make internal investments and acquisitions that will drive growth," said John H. Hammergren, chairman and chief executive officer. "This strong financial position, combined with actions we are taking in relation to our recently announced multi-year strategic growth initiative, ensures McKesson’s ongoing focus on delivering shareholder value.

"We also returned capital to shareholders through share repurchases and a quarterly dividend. And yesterday, our Board of Directors approved an additional share repurchase authorization of $4 billion, as we believe that the company’s shares are an attractive investment opportunity and repurchasing stock is an important part of our diversified capital allocation strategy," continued Hammergren.

Segment Results

Distribution Solutions revenues were $51.6 billion for the quarter, up 7% on a reported basis and 5% on a constant currency basis. For the full year, Distribution Solutions revenues were $208.1 billion, up 6% on a reported basis and 5% on a constant currency basis, compared to the prior year.

North America pharmaceutical distribution and services revenues of $42.7 billion for the quarter were up 5% on both a reported basis and constant currency basis. For the full year, North America pharmaceutical distribution and services revenues were $174.2 billion, up 6% on both a reported and constant currency basis, compared to the prior year. Revenue growth for the quarter and the full year was driven primarily by market growth and acquisitions, partially offset by branded to generic conversions.

International pharmaceutical distribution and services revenues were $7.2 billion for the quarter, up 19% on a reported basis and 4% on a constant currency basis, driven by acquisitions and market growth, which were the same factors that drove full year revenues of $27.3 billion, up 10% on a reported basis and up 5% on a constant currency basis, compared to the prior year.

Medical-Surgical distribution and services revenues were $1.7 billion for the quarter, up 9%, driven primarily by market growth, including the impact of a stronger flu season. For the full year, Medical-Surgical distribution and services revenues were $6.6 billion, up 6% compared to the prior year.

Fourth-quarter Distribution Solutions GAAP operating loss was $(689) million and GAAP operating margin was (1.33)%. On a constant currency basis, fourth-quarter adjusted operating profit was $1.1 billion, up 8% from the prior year on a reported basis and 7% on a constant currency basis. Adjusted operating margin for the Distribution Solutions segment was 2.26% on a constant currency basis. Adjusted operating margin excluding noncontrolling interests for the Distribution Solutions segment was 2.17% on a constant currency basis.

For the full year, Distribution Solutions GAAP operating profit was $1.2 billion and GAAP operating margin was 0.59%. On a constant currency basis, full-year adjusted operating profit was $4.1 billion, up 8% from the prior year on a reported basis and 7% on a constant currency basis. Adjusted operating margin for the Distribution Solutions segment was 1.96% on a constant currency basis. Adjusted operating margin excluding noncontrolling interests for the Distribution Solutions segment was 1.87% on a constant currency basis.

Fourth-quarter Technology Solutions GAAP operating profit was $23 million. Fourth-quarter adjusted operating profit was $72 million, driven by the company’s proportionate share of the income from McKesson’s equity investment in Change Healthcare.

Full-year Technology Solutions GAAP operating loss was $(23) million. Full-year adjusted operating profit was $304 million, primarily driven by the company’s proportionate share of the income from McKesson’s equity investment in Change Healthcare.

Fiscal Year 2018 Reconciliation of GAAP Results to Adjusted Earnings

Adjusted Earnings per diluted share of $12.62 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, excludes the following GAAP items:

Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles of $2.60 per diluted share;
Acquisition-related expenses and adjustments of $1.20 per diluted share;
Last-In-First-Out ("LIFO") inventory-related credits of 31 cents per diluted share;
Restructuring charges of $2.82 per diluted share, including non-cash long-lived asset impairment charges; and
Other adjustment net charges of $6.01 per diluted share, primarily including non-cash goodwill asset impairment charges, partially offset by benefits related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
Revised Segment Financial Reporting Effective Fiscal Year 2019

Following the retirement of the president of Distribution Solutions in January 2018 and an evaluation of the company’s management and operating structure, McKesson has revised its reportable segments commencing in the first quarter of Fiscal 2019. McKesson’s new reportable segments are:

U.S. Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions, which includes the U.S. Pharmaceutical and McKesson Specialty Health businesses;
European Pharmaceutical Solutions; and
Medical-Surgical Solutions.
All remaining operating segments and business activities that are not significant enough to require reportable segment disclosure will be included in Other. Other primarily includes McKesson Canada, McKesson Prescription Technology Solutions (MRxTS) and the company’s equity method investment in Change Healthcare.

Please refer to a second 8-K filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission for historical supplemental information for the fiscal years ending March 31, 2018; March 31, 2017; and March 31, 2016 reflecting historical results by revised reportable segment.

Fiscal Year 2019 Outlook

McKesson expects Adjusted Earnings per diluted share of $13.00 to $13.80 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019.

"Our Fiscal 2019 outlook represents mid- to high-single digit percentage growth year over year, reflecting a more stable market environment and effective capital allocation, while including the previously outlined headwinds in our European and Rexall businesses," Hammergren concluded.

McKesson has ceased providing forward-looking guidance on a GAAP basis as the company is unable to provide a quantitative reconciliation of this forward-looking non-GAAP measure to the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measure, without unreasonable effort, as items are inherently uncertain and depend on various factors, many of which are beyond the company’s control.

Key Assumptions for Fiscal 2019

The Fiscal 2019 outlook is based on the following key assumptions and is also subject to the Risk Factors outlined below:

McKesson to deliver mid-single digit percent revenue growth and down slightly to up mid-single digit percent adjusted income from operations growth in Fiscal 2019.
U.S. Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions to deliver low- to mid-single digit percent revenue growth and flat to down mid-single digit percent adjusted operating profit growth in Fiscal 2019.
European Pharmaceutical Solutions to deliver flat to mid-single digit percent revenue and adjusted operating profit growth in Fiscal 2019.
Medical-Surgical Solutions is expected to deliver low-double digit percent revenue growth and mid- to high-single digit percent adjusted operating profit growth in Fiscal 2019.
Other is expected to deliver low-single digit percent revenue growth and adjusted operating profit to be flat in Fiscal 2019, which includes a gross headwind of between $100 million and $120 million related to the generic pricing initiative the Canadian provincial governments enacted April 1, 2018, as well as the impact of an increase in minimum wage in multiple provinces.
Adjusted equity earnings from the company’s investment in Change Healthcare are expected to grow in the low- to mid-single digit percent in Fiscal 2019.
Expect low-double digit percent decline in corporate expenses compared to Fiscal 2018.
Interest expense is expected to decline year over year.
The guidance range assumes a full-year adjusted tax rate of approximately 21% to 23%, which may vary from quarter to quarter.
Income attributable to noncontrolling interests is expected to decline year over year.
The company’s ownership position in McKesson Europe is assumed to be approximately 77% for Fiscal 2019.
Foreign currency exchange rate movements are assumed to have a net favorable impact of up to 10 cents per diluted share year over year.
Commencing in Fiscal 2019, the company will provide free cash flow guidance. Free cash flow is expected to be approximately $3.0 billion, which is net of expected property acquisitions and capitalized software expenditures of between $600 million and $800 million.
Weighted average diluted shares used in the calculation of earnings per share are expected to be approximately 200 million for the year.
Adjusted Earnings

McKesson separately reports financial results on the basis of Adjusted Earnings. Adjusted Earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as GAAP income from continuing operations, excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, acquisition-related expenses and adjustments, LIFO inventory-related adjustments, gains from antitrust legal settlements, restructuring charges, and other adjustments. A reconciliation of McKesson’s GAAP financial results to Adjusted Earnings is provided in Schedules 2, 3 and 4 of the financial statement tables included with this release.

The company will not provide forward-looking guidance on a GAAP basis prospectively as McKesson is unable to provide a quantitative reconciliation of this forward-looking non-GAAP measure to the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measure, without unreasonable effort, because McKesson cannot reliably forecast LIFO inventory-related adjustments, gains from antitrust legal settlements, restructuring charges, and other adjustments, which are difficult to predict and estimate. These items are inherently uncertain and depend on various factors, many of which are beyond the company’s control, and as such, any associated estimate and its impact on GAAP performance could vary materially.

Constant Currency

McKesson also presents its financial results on a constant currency basis. The company conducts business worldwide in local currencies, including the Euro, British pound and Canadian dollar. As a result, the comparability of the financial results reported in U.S. dollars can be affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Constant currency information is presented to provide a framework for assessing how the company’s business performed excluding the effect of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The supplemental constant currency information of the company’s GAAP financial results and Adjusted Earnings (Non-GAAP) is provided in Schedule 3 of the financial statement tables included with this release.

Non-GAAP Measures

McKesson also provides adjusted operating profit margin excluding noncontrolling interests. The company has arrangements involving third-party noncontrolling interests. As a result, pre-tax results are affected by the portion of pre-tax earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests. Adjusted operating profit margin excluding noncontrolling interests information is presented to provide a framework for assessing how the company’s business performed excluding the effect of pre-tax earnings that is not attributable to McKesson. The supplemental adjusted operating profit margin excluding noncontrolling interests information of the company’s GAAP financial results and Adjusted Earnings (Non-GAAP) is provided in Schedule 3 of the financial statement tables included with this release.

McKesson also provides a free cash flow estimate on a forward-looking basis. Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less property acquisitions and capitalized software expenditures, as outlined in the company’s condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Risk Factors

Except for historical information contained in this press release, matters discussed may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied. These statements may be identified by their use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "may", "will", "should", "seeks", "approximately", "intends", "plans", "estimates" or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. The discussion of financial trends, strategy, plans or intentions may also include forward-looking statements. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks and uncertainties; however, the most significant of these risks and uncertainties are described in the company’s Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and include, but are not limited to: changes in the U.S. healthcare industry and regulatory environment; managing foreign expansion, including the related operating, economic, political and regulatory risks; changes in the Canadian healthcare industry and regulatory environment; exposure to European economic conditions, including recent austerity measures taken by certain European governments; changes in the European regulatory environment with respect to privacy and data protection regulations; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the company’s ability to successfully identify, consummate, finance and integrate acquisitions; the performance of the company’s investment in Change Healthcare; the company’s ability to manage and complete divestitures; material adverse resolution of pending legal proceedings; competition and industry consolidation; substantial defaults in payment or a material reduction in purchases by, or the loss of, a large customer or group purchasing organization; the loss of government contracts as a result of compliance or funding challenges; public health issues in the U.S. or abroad; cyberattack, natural disaster, or malfunction of sophisticated internal computer systems to perform as designed; the adequacy of insurance to cover property loss or liability claims; the company’s proprietary products and services may not be adequately protected, and its products and solutions may be found to infringe on the rights of others; system errors or failure of our technology products or services to conform to specifications; disaster or other event causing interruption of customer access to data residing in our service centers; changes in circumstances that could impair our goodwill or intangible assets; new or revised tax legislation or challenges to our tax positions; general economic conditions, including changes in the financial markets that may affect the availability and cost of credit to the company, its customers or suppliers; changes in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; withdrawal from participation in multiemployer pension plans or if such plans are reported to have underfunded liabilities; inability to realize the expected benefits from the company’s restructuring and business process initiatives; difficulties with outsourcing and similar third party relationships; risks associated with the company’s retail expansion; and the company’s inability to keep existing retail store locations or open new retail locations in desirable places. The reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are first made. Except to the extent required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Conference Call Details

The company has scheduled a conference call for today, Thursday, May 24th, at 8:00 AM ET. The dial-in number for individuals wishing to participate on the call is 323-701-0225. Craig Mercer, senior vice president, Investor Relations, is the leader of the call, and the password to join the call is ‘McKesson’. A telephonic replay of this conference call will be available for five calendar days. The dial-in number for individuals wishing to listen to the replay is 719-457-0820 and the pass code is 3609926. An archive of the conference call will also be available on the company’s Investor Relations website at View Source

Shareholders are encouraged to review the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Lava Therapeutics Raises EUR 16 Million to Advance Bispecific Gamma-Delta T Cell Engager Platform. Biologics Expert Paul Parren Joins as Head of R&D.

On May 23, 2018 Lava Therapeutics ("LAVA") reported it has raised EUR 16 million in its first major institutional financing round from an investor syndicate led by Gilde Healthcare and Versant Ventures with additional support from US-based MRL Ventures Fund (MRLV), joining founder investors Lupus Ventures and Biox Biosciences (Press release, Lava Therapeutics, MAY 23, 2018, View Source [SID1234526871]). The funding will support development of LAVA’s proprietary pipeline of bispecific gamma-delta (γδ) T cell engagers for the treatment of cancer. LAVA also announced the appointment of Paul Parren, PhD, as Executive Vice President and Head of Research & Development. Dr. Parren joins the company as an internationally recognized antibody drug innovator and developer.

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As part of the financing, LAVA established a Supervisory Board including Stefan Luzi, PhD of Gilde Healthcare, Guido Magni, MD, PhD, of Versant Ventures and Reza Halse, PhD of MRLV. They join Erik van den Berg, who will serve as Chairman of the Board, and biotech entrepreneur Jan van der Hoeven.

"The quality of the investors and the size of this financing underscores the potential of LAVA’s approach and its commitment to establishing itself as a leader in the T cell engager field with our vision centered on creating a new standard for potent and safe cancer treatments," said Mr. van den Berg. "The arrival of Paul Parren further validates the technology and LAVA’s dedication to developing a differentiated product pipeline."

"LAVA’s differentiated T-cell engager platform has the potential to target oncology settings of high unmet need. Based on cutting edge Dutch science, LAVA fits very well in Gilde Healthcare’s portfolio which includes first- and best-in-class therapeutics throughout Europe and the US," said Dr. Luzi from Gilde Healthcare.

"By engaging and re-directing in-vivo gamma delta T cells against tumors, LAVA’s approach represents an innovative and unique platform technology capable of exploiting the immune system, with multiple potential applications in the therapy of solid and liquid cancers. We are enthusiastic about working with LAVA’s team to move this exciting technology forward," said Dr. Magni from Versant Ventures.

Paul Parren joins Lava Therapeutics with 30 years of experience in antibody science and drug development. For the past 16 years he served as Genmab’s Head of Preclinical Development and Research, translating antibody biology successfully into immunotherapies from discovery to the clinic, including approved therapeutic antibodies ofatumumab and daratumumab, as well as establishing validated antibody platform technologies. Dr. Parren is a Professor of Molecular Immunology at the Leiden University Medical Center in Leiden, the Netherlands, board member of The Antibody Society and was an Associate Professor at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California. He holds a PhD in Molecular Immunology from the University of Amsterdam.

"The opportunity at LAVA is to develop a novel pipeline of targeted biologic therapeutics to safely channel the immune system’s response towards tumors. I am looking forward to working with the LAVA team to build an organization that brings the exciting γδ T cell engager platform to its fullest potential and rapidly translate it to the clinic," added Dr. Parren.

To date, the company has demonstrated proof of principle for the platform, building on the scientific discoveries of the research team headed by Dr. Hans van der Vliet, medical oncologist at the Department of Medical Oncology of the VU University Medical Center and Cancer Center Amsterdam and CSO of Lava Therapeutics. LAVA will use the EUR 16 million investment to further develop and validate its bispecific γδ T cell engager platform, broaden its pipeline and to develop a lead candidate for clinical testing.

About γδ T cells
γδ T cells are a potent class of proinflammatory immune effector cells and one of two main categories of T lymphocytes. γδ T cells provide effective tumor immunosurveillance and anti-tumor immune responses against a wide variety of both solid and hematological malignancies. Human γδ T cells are classified based on their receptor Vδ chain, with Vγ9Vδ2 T cells being the predominant population in human peripheral blood. Vγ9Vδ2 T cells are endowed with specific reactivity to small phosphorylated metabolite antigens (termed phosphoantigens) that are expressed by tumor cells at higher levels and respond to signals from tumors leading to tumor-infiltration, interferon-γ secretion and tumor cell killing in addition to acting as antigen-presenting cells, priming the adaptive immune system.

INmune Bio Initiates Phase I Clinical Trial of INB03

On May 23, 2018 INmune Bio, Inc., an immunotherapy company developing therapies that reprogram the patient’s innate immune system to treat cancer, reported that it has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of its drug candidate INB03 in patients with advanced solid tumors (Press release, INmune Bio, MAY 23, 2018, View Source [SID1234529236]). INB03 is a novel innate immune system checkpoint inhibitor that targets MDSCs, cells of the innate immune system which create an immunosuppressive shield around the tumor and inhibit the patient’s immune system from attacking the cancer. By preventing the proliferation and function of MDSC, the company believes patients will have a stronger immune response to their tumor and may respond better to other cancer treatments including immunotherapy such as checkpoint inhibitors (CPI).

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"MDSC are a high priority target for the next advance in immuno-oncology," said RJ Tesi, MD, CEO and co-founder of INmune Bio. "INB03 decreases proliferation and function of MDSC. By eliminating the immunosuppressive effects of MDSC in the tumor microenvironment, we hope to provide therapeutic options for patients who are resistant to immunotherapy because of elevated levels of MDSC. This Phase I trial is the first step to meeting our goal of improving the response to CPI in patients who fail therapy due to increased MDSC in their tumor."

"In less than three years, INmune Bio has developed two immunotherapy platforms, INKmune and INB03 from bench-to-bedside. Both programs will enter the clinic this year," said Tim Schroeder, CEO of CTI Clinical Trials and Consulting Services (CTI) and an INmune Bio board member. "The company has remained focused on reprograming the patient’s innate immune system to better attack their cancer. By targeting the oft-ignored innate immune system, INmune Bio has a chance to make a difference in patients’ lives."

CTI Clinical Trial & Consulting Services Australia Pty Ltd., a subsidiary of CTI, is the CRO managing the INB03 Phase I clinical trial.

MDSCs are myeloid cells that appear in patients with cancer and other chronic inflammatory diseases. In patients with cancer, the number of MDSC in the blood and/or tumor microenvironment predict the severity of the cancer and prognosis. The more MDSC, the worse the prognosis. MDSC are recognized as a risk factor in predicting failure to immunotherapy including CPI. By eliminating MDSC, INB03 should allow an improved response to immunotherapy as well as an increased ability of the patient’s own immune system to attack the tumor. The INB03 Phase I trial uses biomarkers to select patients who should benefit from treatment. There are currently no approved drugs that have been developed to target MDSC.

Mabxience and Amneal enter Into an agreement for bevacizumab biosimilar in the united states

On May 23, 2018 mAbxience, a company specialized in the research, development, manufacturing and global commercialization of monoclonal antibody biosimilars -part of the Insud Pharma Group- and Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an integrated specialty pharmaceutical company powered by a robust U.S. generics business, have signed an exclusive licensing and supply agreement in the United States for mAbxience´s bevacizumab, a biosimilar candidate for Avastin (Press release, mAbxience, MAY 23, 2018, View Source [SID1234611988]).

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Under the milestone based commercial agreement mAbxience will lead product, clinical development and subsequent manufacture while Amneal will guide the product through regulatory approval and have exclusive commercialisation rights in the United States.

"We are very proud to deepen our partnership with Amneal with the bevacizumab biosimilar agreement. We are passionate about increasing access and affordability of biologics in all countries around the world and this latest agreement with Amneal will be an important contribution to public health in the United States," said Emmanuelle Lepine, General Manager of mAbxience.

mAbxience is progressing its international expansion, and recently established partnerships in Europe and Australia for its bevacizumab biosimilar. Building long lasting partnerships is central to the company´s business philosophy. Biosimilars bring patients a safe, effective, efficient and affordable treatment option, which contributes to the sustainability of healthcare systems worldwide. More than 10,000 patients have now been treated with a mAbxience biosimilar.

Kronos Bio Appoints Dr. Norbert Bischofberger, Former Head of R&D for Gilead Sciences,
as President and Chief Executive Officer and Completes $18 Million Seed Financing

On May 23, 2018 Kronos Bio, Inc. (Kronos), a Two River portfolio company, reported the appointment of Norbert Bischofberger, Ph.D. as its President and Chief Executive Officer and completion of an $18 million seed financing (Press release, Kronos Bio, MAY 23, 2018, View Source [SID1234526872]). Prior to joining Kronos, Dr. Bischofberger was at Gilead Sciences for almost 30 years, where he most recently served as Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Scientific Officer until April 2018.

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The financing was led by a number of industry leaders and venture capital funds, including Omega Funds, BellCo Capital, John Martin, Ph.D., Norbert Bischofberger, Ph.D., and Vida Ventures, LLC. As part of this financing, Drs. Bischofberger and Martin, as well as Rebecka Belldegrun, M.D., and Otello Stampacchia, Ph.D. joined the company’s Board of Directors.

Kronos is researching and developing first-in-class therapies against historically intractable targets. Its technology is based on over a decade of research by Kronos’ Scientific Founder, Angela Koehler, Ph.D., into high-throughput screening strategies for chemical modulators of transcription factors and other recalcitrant targets in oncology. By combining small molecule microarrays (SMM) with extensive know-how in biological assay development, Kronos’ technology platform enables high-throughput screens of chemical libraries against target proteins in a more physiologically-relevant context. This approach is ideally suited for rapid discovery of unique ligands that can be utilized in the generation of novel modulators or degraders of challenging targets such as transcription factors.

"Kronos’ technology creates the opportunity to fundamentally challenge the historic belief that certain targets should not be pursued," said Dr. John Martin. "Norbert is ideally positioned to shepherd this exciting technology into the next stage of development. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Norbert again to accelerate the progress of this novel technology to generate lead compounds."

"The future of our industry belongs to companies who dare to be first," said Dr. Arie Belldegrun, Chairman of Kronos’ Board of Directors. "Angela’s innovative research combined with Norbert’s expertise and track record of success, provides Kronos the opportunity to discover first-in-class treatments for some of the most elusive targets in oncology."

Dr. Bischofberger was part of the early formation of Gilead Sciences. He joined the company in 1990 and served as Executive Vice President for Research and Development from 1999 to 2018 and Chief Scientific Officer from 2007 to 2018. Prior to joining Gilead, Dr. Bischofberger was a Senior Scientist in Genentech’s DNA Synthesis Group from 1986 until 1990. He received a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Zurich’s Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule and performed postdoctoral research in steroid chemistry at Syntex. Dr. Bischofberger also performed additional research in organic chemistry and applied enzymology in Professor George Whiteside’s lab at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

"The science behind Kronos is compelling. At its core, it focuses on solutions, not limitations. It is some of the most exciting technology I’ve come across and it opens a new door for applied chemistry to solve some of the greatest challenges we face in the industry today," said Dr. Norbert Bischofberger. "When I started at Gilead, we had approximately 25 employees. I am excited to apply the wisdom and experience I’ve gained and return to my roots in early stage biotechnology."

Kronos is currently advancing two preclinical programs built upon hits identified from the SMM platform, targeting MYC and the Androgen Receptor (AR). The MYC family of transcription factors are master regulators of cell proliferation and differentiation, and MYC expression is dysregulated in a large proportion of human cancers. Kronos is currently pursuing lead compounds that have demonstrated activity in multiple MYC-driven cancer models. The Androgen Receptor (AR) is a primary driver of disease progression in prostate cancer. Kronos is progressing multiple hit series that target AR and its splice variants and have been shown to reduce viability and AR expression in treatment-resistant cell lines.

"While we can lay the framework in an academic setting, the speed with which progress can be made with the right team of commercial scientists is greatly accelerated. This next stage of development will uncover the real therapeutic potential of this research for patients," said Dr. Angela Koehler, Assistant Professor, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Scientific Founder of Kronos. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work closely with Norbert and together advance our research to benefit patients with intractable cancers."