On November 1, 2018 MannKind Corporation (NASDAQ:MNKD) reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 (Press release, Mannkind, NOV 1, 2018, View Source [SID1234530468]).

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"In 3Q 2018, we executed on both of our corporate value drivers, Afrezza and Technosphere Platform, by signing a global licensing and collaboration agreement for Treprostinil Technosphere and a research agreement for an undisclosed Technosphere formulation with upfront payments from these deals received in the last two months. Our sales and marketing efforts continue to show progress in growing Afrezza sales as the 3Q revenues have more than doubled from 3Q 2017," said Michael Castagna, Chief Executive Officer of MannKind Corporation.

Third Quarter Results

For the third quarter of 2018, Afrezza net revenue was $4.4 million, an increase of 121% compared to $2.0 million for the third quarter of 2017, reflecting increased product demand and pricing as well as a more favorable mix of cartridges.

Cost of goods sold was $5.3 million for the third quarter of 2018, an increase of 16% compared to $4.6 million for the same period in 2017, which was driven by an increased write-off of expiring inventory in the amount of $0.7 million.

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $2.0 million compared to $4.4 million for the third quarter of 2017, a decrease of $2.4 million or 53%, reflecting $1.0 million in lower salary related expenses (for personnel who were engaged in research and development activities in 2017 but who have transitioned to Afrezza commercial support activities), lower clinical trial expense of $0.9 million, a decrease in headcount of $0.4 million and lower research and development supply costs of $0.2 million. These decreases were offset by increases in stock compensation expense and in travel expenses of $0.2 million.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $19.4 million for the third quarter of 2018 compared to $17.7 million for the third quarter of 2017. The $1.7 million or 9% increase was primarily due to a marketing and advertising cost increase of $1.2 million, an increase in commercial operations headcount of $0.9 million, an increase in sample spending of $0.3 million which were offset by lower facility costs of $0.5 million and a decrease in general and administrative personnel severance costs of $0.4 million.

Interest expense on notes was $1.0 million for the third quarter of 2018 compared to $2.3 million for the third quarter of 2017. The $1.3 million or 57% decrease was primarily due to a reduction in the principal debt balances.

The net loss for the third quarter of 2018 was $24.2 million, or $0.16 per share, compared to the $32.9 million net loss in the third quarter of 2017 or $0.31 per share. The lower loss per share is attributable to an increase in revenues, lower expenses and an increase in shares used to compute the basic and diluted net loss per share.

Nine Months Ended Results

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, Afrezza net revenue was $11.5 million, an increase of 144% compared to $4.7 million for the same period in 2017, reflecting increased product demand and pricing as well as a more favorable mix of cartridges.

Cost of goods sold for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $14.4 million compared to $12.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. This increase of $2.2 million or 18% was primarily attributable to a $1.2 million increase resulting from higher Afrezza sales, an increase of $0.9 million of excess capacity costs and a $0.4 million realized currency loss from insulin purchases which were offset by a $0.3 million settlement of a credit related to a purchase of insulin. Inventory write-offs of $1.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 remained flat compared to 2017.

R&D expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $7.7 million compared to $10.6 million for the same period in 2017. This $3.0 million or 28% decrease was primarily attributable to a $2.2 million decrease in salary-related expenses (for personnel who were engaged in research and development activities in 2017 but who have transitioned to Afrezza commercial support activities), a decrease in headcount of $0.7 million, a decrease in research and development supply costs of $0.5 million, and a decrease in salary related expenses for personnel supporting manufacturing and production activities of $0.4 million. These decreases were offset by an increase in relocation and recruiting fees of $0.6 million plus an increase in consulting services costs of $0.4 million in connection with international regulatory activities.

SG&A expenses were $61.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $51.7 million for the same period in 2017. The $10.0 million or 19% increase was primarily due to an increase in headcount-related expenses associated with commercial operations of $3.5 million and general and administration personnel of $2.5 million, a $2.2 million increase in salary-related expenses (for personnel who were engaged in research and development activities in 2017 but who have transitioned to Afrezza commercial support activities), an increase in stock-based compensation expense of $1.9 million, a $1.1 million increase in the cost of transitioning corporate support functions from Connecticut to our headquarters in California and an increase in consulting fees in connection with corporate strategies of $0.9 million, which were offset by lower marketing expenses of $1.6 million and a decrease in facility expenses of $0.7 million.

Interest expense on notes was $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $7.4 million for the same period in 2017. The $2.9 million or 40% decrease was primarily due to a reduction in the principal debt balances.

The net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $77.2 million, or $0.56 per share, compared to $84.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, or $0.84 per share. The lower net loss per share is attributable to an increase in revenues, a decrease in expenses and an increase in shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at September 30, 2018 was $11.0 million compared to $48.4 million at December 31, 2017, primarily due to net cash used in operating activities of $62.7 million, inclusive of $10.0 million received from United Therapeutics in September 2018, primarily offset by $26.4 million of net proceeds from a registered direct offering of 14 million shares of common stock and warrants at a purchase price of $2.00 per share and accompanying warrant.

Conference Call

MannKind will host a conference call and presentation webcast to discuss these results today at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To view and listen to the earnings call webcast live via the Internet, visit the Company’s website at www.mannkindcorp.com and click on the "Q3 2018 MannKind Earnings Conference Call" link in the Webcasts section of News & Events. To participate in the live call by telephone, please dial (888) 394-8218 toll-free or (323) 701-0225 toll/international and use the conference passcode: 5666425.

A telephone replay of the call will be accessible for approximately 14 days following completion of the call by dialing (844) 512-2921 toll-free or (412) 317-6671 toll/international and use the replay passcode: 5666425. A replay will also be available on MannKind’s website for 14 days.