On February 23, 2016 Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPG) (the "Company") reported on February 11, 2016, an interim dividend of 22.16 US cents per Ordinary Share payable on April 12, 2016, to shareholders on the register of members at the close of business on March 11, 2016 (Filing, 8-K, Shire, FEB 23, 2016, View Source [SID:1234509169]).

Shareholders are advised that recent developments in global tax law, namely the introduction of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act and the Common Reporting Standard, have introduced new reporting obligations relating to the Company’s Income Access Share arrangements ("IAS Arrangements"). These require that certain information relating to shareholders participating in the IAS Arrangements is reported to the appropriate tax authorities. In order to ensure the new reporting obligations are met, the Company is requesting from electing (or deemed electing) shareholders the relevant information via new IAS Arrangements election forms (and continuation forms in respect of joint holders). The relevant IAS Arrangements election forms together with an explanatory covering letter were posted to shareholders on February 16, 2016. In accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.1R, these documents were also uploaded to the National Storage Mechanism and are available for viewing. Internet links to the documents are also available on the Company’s website: www.shire.com

All shareholders who wish to receive, or continue to receive, UK sourced dividends via the IAS Arrangements (and therefore without incurring Irish dividend withholding tax) need to complete the new IAS Arrangements election forms and return to the address stated therein.

In order for submitted IAS Arrangements election forms to be valid in respect of the dividend to be paid on April 12, 2016, they need to be received by the Company’s Registrar, Equiniti, by 5pm (UK time) on March 11, 2016. Election forms received after this date will not be applied to this dividend though will be applied to future dividend payments.

Shareholders who do not elect to receive UK sourced dividends using the new IAS Arrangements election forms are advised that their dividends will be Irish sourced and therefore incur Irish dividend withholding tax, subject to applicable exemptions. If you are in any doubt as to what action to take, please consult your tax advisor immediately.

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On February 23, 2016 ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARIA) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2015 and issued 2016 product revenue guidance (Press release, Ariad, FEB 23, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2142086 [SID:1234509137]). Additionally, the Company provided an update on corporate developments and key objectives for 2016.

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"We had a strong fourth quarter of sales for Iclusig and 102 percent growth year over year," stated Paris Panayiotopoulos, president and chief executive officer of ARIAD. "This is a very important year for ARIAD as we work to complete our ongoing review of strategic initiatives to deliver patient and shareholder value. In addition to maximizing top-line growth of Iclusig, a key event this year will be the presentation of pivotal, registration data on brigatinib at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper), along with our planned filing for marketing approval of brigatinib in the U.S."

2015 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Financial Results

Revenues

Net product revenues from sales of Iclusig were $33.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, an increase of 56% from the fourth quarter of 2014.

U.S. sales of Iclusig were $25.1 million for the fourth quarter, an increase of 48% from the fourth quarter of 2014.

European sales of Iclusig were $8.2 million for the fourth quarter, an increase of 86% from the fourth quarter of 2014.

Net product revenues from sales of Iclusig for the year ended December 31, 2015 were $112.5 million, an increase of 102% from 2014. In the U.S., net product revenue totaled $85.7 million in 2015, an increase of 114% from 2014, while in the EU, net product revenue totaled $26.8 million in 2015, an increase of 71% from 2014.

Net Loss

Quarter Ended December 31, 2015

Net loss for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2015 was $59.9 million, or $0.32 per share, compared to a net loss of $5.8 million, or $0.03 per share, for the same period in 2014. The net loss for 2014 included $50 million in non-recurring income resulting from an amendment to our license agreement with Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

R&D expenses were $44.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, an increase of 37% from the fourth quarter of 2014, reflecting an increase in Iclusig clinical-trial costs, as well as increased manufacturing and other supporting costs related to Iclusig.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $43.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, an increase of 9% from the fourth quarter of 2014, reflecting an increase in personnel and commercial-related expenses.

Year Ended December 31, 2015

Net loss for the full year 2015 was $231.2 million, or $1.23 per share, compared to a net loss of $162.6 million, or $0.87 per share, for the full year 2014. The net loss for 2014 included $50 million in non-recurring income resulting from an amendment to our license agreement with Bellicum, noted above. The net loss for 2015 includes approximately $14.5 million in non-recurring expenses related to the retirement of our chief executive officer and costs associated with our 2015 proxy and legal matters.

The 2015 results include an increase in Iclusig product revenue of $56.8 million as well as an increase in operating expenses of $70.5 million in 2015 compared to 2014, reflecting an increase in R&D expenses related to an increase in clinical-trial costs, as well as manufacturing and other support costs related to Iclusig and brigatinib clinical trials, and an increase in personnel and related costs reflecting a larger number of R&D employees in 2015 compared to 2014.

Cash Position

As of December 31, 2015, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $242.3 million, compared to $352.7 million in cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2014.

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities include $50 million we received in the third quarter of 2015 from PDL BioPharma, Inc. (PDL) pursuant to a royalty financing agreement. In July 2016, we will receive an additional $50 million from PDL. Under the agreement, we also have an option, in our sole discretion, to receive up to an additional $100 million through July 2016.

2016 Product Revenue Guidance

Net product revenues from sales of Iclusig are expected to be in the range of $190 million to $200 million. This guidance includes sales of Iclusig in the U.S., Europe, and other select countries where ARIAD has distributorships in place.

ARIAD will provide guidance on 2016 operating expenses at the time of completing its ongoing strategic review expected in the second quarter of 2016.

Research and Development Progress and Key Objectives

Iclusig Clinical Development

Late last year we initiated the OPTIC-2L trial, a Phase 3 trial of Iclusig in patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) who have experienced treatment failure after imatinib therapy. This second-line study of Iclusig is aimed at expanding the indication for Iclusig in patients with resistant and intolerant CML.

Patient enrollment is ongoing in the OPTIC (Optimizing Ponatinib Treatment In CML) trial of Iclusig. This randomized, dose-ranging trial is designed to evaluate three different starting doses of ponatinib in patients with refractory CP-CML and is expected to inform the optimal use of Iclusig in these patients.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka), our commercial partner for Iclusig in Japan and several other Asian countries, submitted a new drug application (NDA) to the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) seeking approval for Iclusig for the treatment of resistant or intolerant CML and Philadelphia-chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ALL). This marketing application was submitted in early 2016 and is expected to lead to an initial approval of Iclusig in Japan by the end of this year.

Brigatinib Clinical Development

We submitted clinical data from the Phase 2 ALTA trial of brigatinib to this year’s annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) in June, 2016. The ALTA trial enrolled approximately 220 patients at 71 sites in North America, Europe and Asia. In addition to an anticipated data presentation at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper), we are on track to file for approval of brigatinib in the U.S. in the third quarter of this year. Brigatinib has received breakthrough-therapy designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The randomized front-line clinical trial of brigatinib is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2016. This Phase 3 trial is designed to compare brigatinib and crizotinib in patients with ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), who have not received prior ALK inhibitors, and is expected to serve as a confirmatory trial for accelerated approval of brigatinib.

Advancing the Pipeline

We submitted an investigational new drug (IND) application for AP32788 in late 2015 and received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at the end of January to begin a Phase 1/2 proof-of-concept clinical trial which we expect to begin in 2016. AP32788 is an orally active tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI), designed to address the unmet medical need in NSCLC patients with specific EGFR and HER2 kinase mutations. ARIAD estimates that there are approximately 6,000 patients in the United States living with EGFR exon 20 or HER2 point mutations.

Upcoming Investor Meetings

ARIAD management will be participating at the following investor conferences:

RBC Capital Markets’ Healthcare Conference, New York City, February 24, 2016

Cowen and Company Healthcare Conference, Boston, March 9, 2016

Barclays Global Healthcare Conference, Miami, March 17, 2016

About Iclusig (ponatinib) tablets

Iclusig is a kinase inhibitor. The primary target for Iclusig is BCR-ABL, an abnormal tyrosine kinase that is expressed in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia-chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL). Iclusig was designed using ARIAD’s computational and structure-based drug-design platform specifically to inhibit the activity of BCR-ABL. Iclusig targets not only native BCR-ABL but also its isoforms that carry mutations that confer resistance to treatment, including the T315I mutation, which has been associated with resistance to other approved TKIs.

Iclusig is approved in the U.S., EU, Australia, Switzerland, Israel and Canada.

In the U.S., Iclusig is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the:

Treatment of adult patients with T315I-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (chronic phase, accelerated phase, or blast phase) or T315I-positive Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL).

Treatment of adult patients with chronic phase, accelerated phase, or blast phase chronic myeloid leukemia or Ph+ ALL for whom no other tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy is indicated.

These indications are based upon response rate. There are no trials verifying an improvement in disease-related symptoms or increased survival with Iclusig.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE BOXED WARNING

WARNING: VASCULAR OCCLUSION, HEART FAILURE, and HEPATOTOXICITY

See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning

Vascular Occlusion: Arterial and venous thrombosis and occlusions have occurred in at least 27% of Iclusig treated patients, including fatal myocardial infarction, stroke, stenosis of large arterial vessels of the brain, severe peripheral vascular disease, and the need for urgent revascularization procedures. Patients with and without cardiovascular risk factors, including patients less than 50 years old, experienced these events. Monitor for evidence of thromboembolism and vascular occlusion. Interrupt or stop Iclusig immediately for vascular occlusion. A benefit risk consideration should guide a decision to restart Iclusig therapy.

Heart Failure, including fatalities, occurred in 8% of Iclusig-treated patients. Monitor cardiac function. Interrupt or stop Iclusig for new or worsening heart failure.

Hepatotoxicity, liver failure and death have occurred in Iclusig-treated patients. Monitor hepatic function. Interrupt Iclusig if hepatotoxicity is suspected.

Please see the full U.S. Prescribing Information for Iclusig, including the Boxed Warning, for additional important safety information

On February 23, 2016 BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:BCRX) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2015(Press release, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, FEB 23, 2016, View Source [SID:1234509139]).

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"In 2015, we gained clarity on both of our HAE drug candidates and brought in additional capital by out-licensing RAPIVAB. Our efforts are now focused on completing the bioavailability study of a solid dosage form of avoralstat and completing the APeX-1 clinical trial of BCX7353," said Jon P. Stonehouse, President & Chief Executive Officer. "We ended 2015 with a balance sheet that enables us to achieve these two near-term data events without the need to raise capital. These two programs give us two shots at achieving our goal of developing a highly effective, conveniently dosed, oral drug candidate for the prophylactic treatment of HAE patients."

Fourth Quarter Financial Results

For the three months ended December 31, 2015, total revenues decreased to $4.6 million from $5.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. The decrease resulted primarily from lower 2015 RAPIVAB royalty revenue, as well as lower collaborative revenue associated with BCX4430 development under contracts with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).

Research and Development (R&D) expenses for the fourth quarter 2015 of $19.0 million were consistent with the $18.5 million incurred in the fourth quarter 2014. R&D expense in the fourth quarter 2015 was more heavily concentrated in the Company’s hereditary angioedema (HAE) programs, and to a lesser extent, BCX4430 development costs under the NIAID and BARDA contracts, as compared to R&D expenses in the fourth quarter 2014.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the fourth quarter 2015 increased to $2.7 million compared to $2.0 million in the fourth quarter 2014, largely due to the initiation of activities in preparation for the future commercialization of the Company’s HAE product candidates.

Interest expense, which is related to non-recourse notes, was $1.3 million for the fourth quarter of both 2015 and 2014. Also, a $229,000 mark-to-market gain on the Company’s foreign currency hedge was recognized in the fourth quarter 2015, compared to a $4.8 million mark-to-market gain in the fourth quarter 2014. These gains result from periodic changes in the U.S. dollar/Japanese yen exchange rate and the related mark-to-market valuation of our underlying hedge arrangement.

The net loss for the fourth quarter of 2015 was $18.1 million, or $0.25 per share, compared to a net loss of $11.7 million, or $0.16 per share, for the fourth quarter 2014.

2015 Financial Results

For the year ended December 31, 2015, total revenues increased to $48.3 million from $13.6 million in 2014. The increase in 2015 revenues was primarily due to the recognition of $21.8 million of revenue associated with a $33.7 million upfront payment from the RAPIVAB out-licensing transaction, $6.3 million of RAPIVAB product revenue, and increased collaboration revenue associated with BCX4430 development.

R&D expenses increased to $72.8 million for 2015 from $51.8 million for 2014. This increase was primarily the result of significantly higher HAE development costs and slightly higher RAPIVAB and BCX4430 development costs incurred in 2015, as compared to 2014.

SG&A expenses increased to $13.0 million in 2015 from $7.5 million in 2014, due primarily to increased marketing, medical affairs activities associated with HAE programs, as well as unrestricted grants awarded to the U.S. and international HAE patient advocacy groups.

Interest expense, which is related to non-recourse notes, was $5.2 million in 2015 and $5.0 million in 2014. In addition, a $564,000 mark-to-market loss on the Company’s foreign currency hedge was recognized in 2015, compared to a $5.5 million mark-to-market gain in 2014. These gains result from periodic changes in the U.S. dollar/Japanese yen exchange rate and the related mark-to-market valuation of our underlying hedge arrangement. We also realized a currency hedge gain of $1.7 million from the exercise of a U.S. Dollar/Japanese yen currency option.

The 2015 net loss decreased to $43.0 million, or $0.59 per share, compared to a net loss of $45.2 million, or $0.68 per share for 2014.

Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $100.9 million at December 31, 2015 and represented a $13.1 million decrease from $114.0 million at December 31, 2014. Net operating cash use for 2015 was $42.2 million, as compared to $33.3 million utilized in 2014.

Clinical Development Update & Outlook

On February 8, 2016, we announced results from OPuS-2 (Oral P rophylaxiS-2), a clinical trial of avoralstat administered three times daily in a liquid-filled soft gel formulation for the prophylactic treatment of HAE attacks. The primary efficacy endpoint was angioedema attack frequency. Treatment with 500 mg and 300 mg of avoralstat three times daily failed to demonstrate a statistically significantly lower mean attack rate versus placebo. Statistically significant improvements in duration of attacks and in the Angioedema Quality of Life total score were observed comparing the 500 mg three times a day avoralstat arm to placebo. Following the analysis of OPuS-2 results, the decision was made to discontinue further development of softgel avoralstat formulation in order to focus development efforts on a novel solid dosage form of avoralstat.

BioCryst expects to report results from a relative bioavailability study testing the novel solid dosage form of avoralstat by mid-year 2016. The primary goal of this study is to achieve meaningfully better drug exposure in a twice daily dosing regimen.

BioCryst expects to report results from the BCX7353 APeX-1 dose ranging study in HAE patients by year end. The design of APeX-1 trial will be described once it is initiated.

Financial Outlook for 2016

Based upon development plans and our awarded government contracts, BioCryst expects its 2016 net operating cash use to be in the range of $55 to $75 million, and its 2016 operating expenses to be in the range of $78 to $98 million. Our operating expense range excludes equity-based compensation expense due to the difficulty in reliably projecting this expense, as it is impacted by the volatility and price of the Company’s stock, as well as by the vesting of the Company’s outstanding performance-based stock options.

On February 22, 2016 PDL BioPharma, Inc. (PDL) (NASDAQ: PDLI) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2015 (Press release, PDL BioPharma, FEB 22, 2016, View Source [SID:1234509142]).

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Total revenues in 2015 increased two percent to $590.4 million from $581.2 million in 2014. Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2015 included $485.2 million in royalties from PDL’s licensees to the Queen et al. patents, $68.4 million in net royalty payments from acquired royalty rights and a change in fair value of the royalty rights assets, which included approximately $43.4 million in net cash royalty payments, $36.2 million in interest revenue from notes receivable debt financings to late-stage healthcare companies, and $0.7 million in realized gains from the sale of PDL’s investment in AxoGen Inc. common stock. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, our Queen et al. royalty revenues consisted of royalties and maintenance fees earned on sales of products under license agreements associated with our Queen et al. patents. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, royalty rights – change in fair value consisted of revenues associated with the change in estimated fair value of our royalty right assets, primarily Depomed, Inc., The Regents of the University of Michigan, Viscogliosi Brothers, LLC, ARIAD Pharmaceuticals Inc. and AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The full year 2015 revenue growth over the full year 2014 is driven by increased sales of Perjeta, Xolair, and Kadcyla by PDL’s licensees, an increase in the estimated fair value of the acquired royalty rights from the Company’s purchase of Depomed’s diabetes-related royalties, as well as a foreign exchange gain and lower rebate paid to Novartis AG for Lucentis , partially offset by decreased interest revenues due to the early payoff of the AxoGen and Durata Therapeutics, Inc. notes receivables.

Total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2015 increased 52 percent, to $178.1 million from $117.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2015 included $121.2 million in royalty payments from PDL’s licensees to the Queen et al. patents, $49.1 million in net royalty payments from acquired royalty rights and a change in fair value of the royalty rights assets, which included approximately $34.4 million in net cash royalty payments, $7.6 million in interest revenue from notes receivable debt financings to late-stage healthcare companies, and $0.1 million in realized gains from the sale of PDL’s investment in AxoGen common stock. The fourth quarter of 2015 revenue growth over the fourth quarter of 2014 is driven by the change in estimated fair value of our royalty right assets, primarily Depomed, Inc.

Operating expenses in 2015 were $40.1 million, compared with $34.9 million in 2014. Operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2014 were $16.5 million, compared with $17.7 million in 2014. The increase in operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2015, when compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, was a result of total restructuring costs of $7.9 million in connection with the LENSAR notes receivable extinguishment, which is comprised of a loss on extinguishment of notes receivable of $4.0 million primarily related to a lower estimated fair value of the ALPHAEON Class A common stock, and additional general and administrative expenses of $3.9 million for closing and legal fees related to the LENSAR notes receivable restructuring, and other legal expenses mostly related to $1.2 million in funding the ongoing operation management of Wellstat Diagnostics, partially offset by a decrease in professional services from asset acquisition expenses. The decrease in operating expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, when compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2014, was a result of a decrease in professional services from asset acquisition expenses and a decrease in compensation related expenses, partially offset by the LENSAR restructuring loss and other closing fees, and an increase for legal expenses mostly related to Wellstat ongoing operation management.

Net income in 2015 was $332.8 million, or $2.03 per diluted share as compared with net income in 2014 of $322.2 million, or $1.86 per diluted share. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2015 was $100.6 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, as compared with net income of $55.1 million in the same period of 2014, or $0.32 per diluted share.

Net cash provided by operating activities in 2015 was $301.5 million, compared with $292.3 million in the same period in 2014. PDL had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $220.4 million and $293.7 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The decrease was primarily attributable to the extinguishment of convertible notes of $220.4 million, purchase of royalty rights at fair value of $115.0 million, payment of dividends of $98.3 million, repayment of a portion of the March 2015 Term Loan of $75.0 million, purchase of notes receivable of $35.2 million, and payment of debt issuance costs related to the February 2018 Note issuance of $0.6 million, partially offset by proceeds from the March 2015 Term Loan of $100.0 million, proceeds from royalty rights of $43.4 million, repayment of notes receivables of $25.2 million, sale of investments of $1.9 million, and cash generated by operating activities of $301.5 million.

Recent Developments

In December 2015, Lion Buyer, a wholly owned subsidiary of ALPHAEON assumed $42.0 million in loans as part of the borrowings under PDL’s prior credit agreement with LENSAR and changed its name to LENSAR, LLC in connection with ALPHAEON’s acquisition of substantially all of the assets of LENSAR. In addition, ALPHAEON issued 1.7 million shares of its Class A common stock to PDL for an estimated fair value of $3.84 per share.

In December 2015 and January 2016, PDL and Direct Flow Medical modified the existing credit agreement. PDL funded an additional $5.0 million to Direct Flow Medical in the form of a short-term secured promissory note that we expect will be converted into a loan under the credit agreement with substantially the same interest and payment terms as the existing loans.
PDL’s $100.0 million term loan entered into on March 20, 2015 with the Royalty Bank of Canada was repaid with the final principal payment of $25.0 million plus accrued interest paid on February 12, 2016.

On February 18, 2016, PDL was advised that Sanofi and kaléo will terminate their license and development agreement later this year. At that time, all U.S. and Canadian commercial and manufacturing rights to Auvi-Q will be returned to kaléo, and they intend to evaluate the timing and options for bringing Auvi-Q back to the market. PDL entered into a secured note purchase agreement with Accel 300, a wholly-owned subsidiary of kaléo, which as of December 31, 2015, had a principal balance of $144.8 million due to PDL. An interest reserve account previously set up as part of the note agreement will substantially cover interest payments due to PDL through the end of the second quarter of 2016, and kaléo has indicated that it intends to make payments due to PDL under the note agreement until Auvi-Q is returned to the market.

2016 Dividends
On January 26, 2016, our board of directors declared a quarterly dividend to be paid to our stockholders in the first quarter of 2016 of $0.05 per share of common stock, payable on March 11, 2016 to stockholders of record on March 4, 2016, the record date of the dividend payment. At the same time our board of directors elected to announce its future dividend plans on a quarter by quarter basis, rather than for the full year as was the previous practice, to allow greater flexibility and focus on long term growth. Our board of directors evaluates the financial condition of the Company and considers the economic outlook, profitability, corporate cash flow, the Company’s liquidity needs and the health and stability of credit markets when determining the dividend.

On February 22, 2016 PDL BioPharma, Inc. (PDL) (NASDAQ: PDLI) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2015 (Filing, 8-K, PDL BioPharma, FEB 22, 2016, View Source [SID:1234509130]).

Total revenues in 2015 increased two percent to $590.4 million from $581.2 million in 2014. Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2015 included $485.2 million in royalties from PDL’s licensees to the Queen et al. patents, $68.4 million in net royalty payments from acquired royalty rights and a change in fair value of the royalty rights assets, which included approximately $43.4 million in net cash royalty payments, $36.2 million in interest revenue from notes receivable debt financings to late-stage healthcare companies, and $0.7 million in realized gains from the sale of PDL’s investment in AxoGen Inc. common stock. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, our Queen et al. royalty revenues consisted of royalties and maintenance fees earned on sales of products under license agreements associated with our Queen et al. patents. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, royalty rights – change in fair value consisted of revenues associated with the change in estimated fair value of our royalty right assets, primarily Depomed, Inc., The Regents of the University of Michigan, Viscogliosi Brothers, LLC, ARIAD Pharmaceuticals Inc. and AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The full year 2015 revenue growth over the full year 2014 is driven by increased sales of Perjeta, Xolair, and Kadcyla by PDL’s licensees, an increase in the estimated fair value of the acquired royalty rights from the Company’s purchase of Depomed’s diabetes-related royalties, as well as a foreign exchange gain and lower rebate paid to Novartis AG for Lucentis, partially offset by decreased interest revenues due to the early payoff of the AxoGen and Durata Therapeutics, Inc. notes receivables.

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Total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2015 increased 52 percent, to $178.1 million from $117.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2015 included $121.2 million in royalty payments from PDL’s licensees to the Queen et al. patents, $49.1 million in net royalty payments from acquired royalty rights and a change in fair value of the royalty rights assets, which included approximately $34.4 million in net cash royalty payments, $7.6 million in interest revenue from notes receivable debt financings to late-stage healthcare companies, and $0.1 million in realized gains from the sale of PDL’s investment in AxoGen common stock. The fourth quarter of 2015 revenue growth over the fourth quarter of 2014 is driven by the change in estimated fair value of our royalty right assets, primarily Depomed, Inc.

Operating expenses in 2015 were $40.1 million, compared with $34.9 million in 2014. Operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2014 were $16.5 million, compared with $17.7 million in 2014. The increase in operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2015, when compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, was a result of total restructuring costs of $7.9 million in connection with the LENSAR notes receivable extinguishment, which is comprised of a loss on extinguishment of notes receivable of $4.0 million primarily related to a lower estimated fair value of the ALPHAEON Class A common stock, and additional general and administrative expenses of $3.9 million for closing and legal fees related to the LENSAR notes receivable restructuring, and other legal expenses mostly related to $1.2 million in funding the ongoing operation management of Wellstat Diagnostics, partially offset by a decrease in professional services from asset acquisition expenses. The decrease in operating expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, when compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2014, was a result of a decrease in professional services from asset acquisition expenses and a decrease in compensation related expenses,

partially offset by the LENSAR restructuring loss and other closing fees, and an increase for legal expenses mostly related to Wellstat ongoing operation management.

Net income in 2015 was $332.8 million, or $2.03 per diluted share as compared with net income in 2014 of $322.2 million, or $1.86 per diluted share. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2015 was $100.6 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, as compared with net income of $55.1 million in the same period of 2014, or $0.32 per diluted share.

Net cash provided by operating activities in 2015 was $301.5 million, compared with $292.3 million in the same period in 2014. PDL had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $220.4 million and $293.7 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The decrease was primarily attributable to the extinguishment of convertible notes of $220.4 million, purchase of royalty rights at fair value of $115.0 million, payment of dividends of $98.3 million, repayment of a portion of the March 2015 Term Loan of $75.0 million, purchase of notes receivable of $35.2 million, and payment of debt issuance costs related to the February 2018 Note issuance of $0.6 million, partially offset by proceeds from the March 2015 Term Loan of $100.0 million, proceeds from royalty rights of $43.4 million, repayment of notes receivables of $25.2 million, sale of investments of $1.9 million, and cash generated by operating activities of $301.5 million.

Recent Developments

In December 2015, Lion Buyer, a wholly owned subsidiary of ALPHAEON assumed $42.0 million in loans as part of the borrowings under PDL’s prior credit agreement with LENSAR and changed its name to LENSAR, LLC in connection with ALPHAEON’s acquisition of substantially all of the assets of LENSAR. In addition, ALPHAEON issued 1.7 million shares of its Class A common stock to PDL for an estimated fair value of $3.84 per share.

In December 2015 and January 2016, PDL and Direct Flow Medical modified the existing credit agreement. PDL funded an additional $5.0 million to Direct Flow Medical in the form of a short-term secured promissory note that we expect will be converted into a loan under the credit agreement with substantially the same interest and payment terms as the existing loans.

PDL’s $100.0 million term loan entered into on March 20, 2015 with the Royalty Bank of Canada was repaid with the final principal payment of $25.0 million plus accrued interest paid on February 12, 2016.

On February 18, 2016, PDL was advised that Sanofi and kaléo will terminate their license and development agreement later this year. At that time, all U.S. and Canadian commercial and manufacturing rights to Auvi-Q will be returned to kaléo, and they intend to evaluate the timing and options for bringing Auvi-Q back to the market. PDL entered into a secured note purchase agreement with Accel 300, a wholly-owned subsidiary of kaléo, which as of December 31, 2015, had a principal balance of $144.8 million due to PDL. An interest reserve account previously set up as part of the note agreement will substantially cover interest payments due to PDL through the end of the second quarter of 2016, and kaléo has indicated that it intends to make payments due to PDL under the note agreement until Auvi-Q is returned to the market.

2016 Dividends
On January 26, 2016, our board of directors declared a quarterly dividend to be paid to our stockholders in the first quarter of 2016 of $0.05 per share of common stock, payable on March 11, 2016 to stockholders of record on March 4, 2016, the record date of the dividend payment. At the same time our board of directors elected to announce its future dividend plans on a quarter by quarter basis, rather than for the full year as was the previous practice, to allow greater flexibility and focus on long term growth. Our board of directors evaluates the financial condition of the Company and considers the economic outlook, profitability, corporate cash flow, the Company’s liquidity needs and the health and stability of credit markets when determining the dividend.