Mylan Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Results and Provides 2020 Guidance

On February 27, 2020 Mylan N.V. (NASDAQ: MYL) reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2019 and provided 2020 guidance (Press release, Mylan, FEB 27, 2020, View Source [SID1234554939]).

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Fourth Quarter 2019 Financial Highlights

Total revenues of $3.19 billion, up 4%, up 5% on a constant currency basis, compared to the prior year period.
Revenue Highlights:
Rest of World segment net sales of $927.9 million, up 9%, on an actual and constant currency basis.
Europe segment net sales of $1.11 billion, up 2%, up 5% on a constant currency basis.
North America segment net sales of $1.13 billion, up 3%, on an actual and constant currency basis, primarily due to new products sales.
U.S. GAAP diluted earnings per ordinary share ("U.S. GAAP EPS") of $0.04, compared to U.S. GAAP EPS of $0.10 in the prior year period.
Adjusted diluted earnings per ordinary share ("adjusted EPS") of $1.40, up 8% compared to adjusted EPS of $1.30 in the prior year period.
U.S. GAAP net cash provided by operating activities of $686.7 million, up 8% compared to $636.1 million in the prior year period.
Adjusted free cash flow of $810.5 million, up 18% compared to $689.7 million in the prior year period.
Full Year 2019 Financial Highlights

Total revenues of $11.50 billion, up 1%, up 3% on a constant currency basis, compared to the prior year period.
Revenue Highlights:
Rest of World segment net sales of $3.17 billion, up 5%, up 8% on a constant currency basis.
Europe segment net sales of $4.04 billion, down 3%, up 2% on a constant currency basis.
North America segment net sales of $4.16 billion, up 2%, on an actual and constant currency basis, primarily due to new product sales.
U.S. GAAP EPS of $0.03, compared to $0.68 in the prior year period.
Adjusted EPS of $4.42, down 3%, or flat to the prior year at $4.58 on a constant currency basis.
U.S. GAAP net cash provided by operating activities of $1.80 billion, down 23% compared to $2.34 billion in the prior year period.
Adjusted free cash flow of $2.10 billion, down 22% compared to $2.71 billion in the prior year period, driven by investment in working capital to support the $1.0 billion in new product launches.
Mylan is not providing forward-looking guidance for U.S. GAAP reported financial measures or a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures. Please see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for additional information.

Full Year 2020 Guidance Highlights

Total Revenues between $11.5 billion and $12.5 billion.
Adjusted EBITDA between $3.2 billion and $3.9 billion.
A reconciliation of the Company’s 2020 financial guidance for Total Revenues and Adjusted EBITDA to the 2020 financial targets provided in July 2019 is presented below.
($ in millions)

Mylan CEO Heather Bresch said: "Mylan’s 2019 full year and fourth quarter results demonstrate the durability and strength of the business model we have created as well as our continued long-term commitment to expand access to medicine. Our model continues to be best positioned to withstand the negative trends impacting the industry, and allowed us to deliver on every key metric we set out to achieve in 2019, including total revenue, revenue from new product launches, and both adjusted cash flow and EPS. Our performance is the result of a number of key milestones, including growth across all segments in the fourth quarter and for the year on a constant currency basis.

Bresch continued: "Looking ahead to the full year of 2020, although we widened the ranges to take into consideration certain factors, the mid-point of our guidance is in line with what we previously disclosed for 2020 in conjunction with the Upjohn transaction. We are extremely proud of the efforts of our global work force that enable us to sustain consistent business performance and profitability across all of our segments. This includes work on our business transformation, which as we’ve previously shared, is focused on unlocking latent value within the organization and delivering economic profit, while maintaining our commitment of providing access."

Bresch continued: "As we have previously stated, on a go-forward basis, we believe adjusted EBITDA to be the best measure of our company’s underlying operational results and true business performance. As we continue to make excellent progress on the path to close the combination with Pfizer’s Upjohn business, we are confident that the strength of our diverse portfolio, geographic reach and global commercial and operational scale will serve as a strong foundation for Viatris to become a new champion for global health."

Mylan President Rajiv Malik said: "Our full-year results also reflect solid underlying business performance driven by existing products that generated double-digit-growth, including Creon, Influvac, Dona, Amitiza and Glatiramer Acetate 40 mg, coupled with achieving our target of $1 billion in new product launch revenues. As we look forward, complex products, global key brands and biosimilars, in addition to our business transformation will enable us to deliver on our 2020 guidance and help position Viatris for a strong future."

Mylan CFO Ken Parks added: "In 2019, Mylan’s stable and durable cash flow profile continued to generate strong results, delivering $2.1 billion of adjusted free cash flow, which was in line with our guidance range for the full year. In addition, we delivered on our commitment to repay $1.1 billion of debt in 2019 and reduced our notional debt to adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio to 3.6 times at the end of the year. In 2020, we remain committed to delever and to maintain our investment grade credit rating by paying down an additional $1 billion of debt on anticipated consistent free cash flow generation, while preserving our financial flexibility."

Evaluation of Financial Performance Measures

The Company’s management team recently undertook an evaluation of how it would measure the financial performance of the Company going forward. In evaluating its financial performance measures, the Company considered the strategy related to the planned 2020 closing of the Upjohn transaction (which will include a transition away from growth by acquisition with a greater focus on complex product related development activity and a focus on capital allocation, including strengthening of the balance sheet through the paydown of debt and returning value to shareholders). The purpose of the evaluation was to identify performance measures that best reflect the Company’s future business operations, strategy and goals. As a result of that evaluation, management identified the following primary financial performance measures for the Company: GAAP Revenues (measure for both guidance and actual results), GAAP Net Income (measure for actual results), Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) (measure for both guidance and actual results) and Adjusted Net Income (measure for actual results).

The Company believes that these measures most appropriately reflect how the Company will evaluate business performance internally and have been used to set operational goals in 2020. In addition, the Company believes that adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) focuses management on the Company’s underlying operational results and true business performance, as well as demonstrating the Company’s ability to comply with financial debt covenants and assess the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness. As such, adjusted EBITDA will be used starting in 2020, in part, for management’s annual incentive compensation. The Company also believes that GAAP revenue focuses management on the overall growth of the business.

(1) Amounts exclude intersegment revenue that eliminates on a consolidated basis.

(2) Non-GAAP financial measures. Please see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for additional information.

Fourth Quarter 2019 Financial Results

Total revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2019 were $3.19 billion, compared to $3.08 billion for the comparable prior year period, representing an increase of $113.1 million, or 4%. Total revenues include both net sales and other revenues from third parties. Net sales for the current quarter were $3.16 billion, compared to $3.04 billion for the comparable prior year period, representing an increase of $127.8 million, or 4%. Other revenues for the current quarter were $28.5 million, compared to $43.2 million for the comparable prior year period.

The increase in net sales included an increase in the North America segment of 3%, in the Europe segment of 2% and in the Rest of World segment of 9%. Mylan’s net sales were unfavorably impacted by the effect of foreign currency translation, primarily reflecting changes in the U.S. Dollar as compared to the currencies of Mylan’s subsidiaries in the European Union. The unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation on current period net sales was approximately $34.9 million, or 1%. On a constant currency basis, net sales increased by approximately $162.7 million, or 5%. This increase was primarily driven by new product sales, partially offset by a decrease in net sales from existing products primarily due to the impact of lower pricing across the regions. Below is a summary of net sales in each of our segments for the three months ended December 31, 2019:

Net sales from North America segment totaled $1.13 billion in the current quarter, an increase of $32.0 million or 3% when compared to the prior year period. This increase was primarily driven by new product sales partially offset by a decline in sales of existing products due to lower volumes, and to a lesser extent lower pricing. New product sales were primarily driven by sales of the Wixela Inhub and other new products. The lower sales of existing products was due to changes in the competitive environment, including the loss of exclusivity of tadalafil. The impact of foreign currency translation on current period net sales was insignificant within North America.

Net sales from Europe segment totaled $1.11 billion in the current quarter, an increase of $19.3 million or 2% when compared to the prior year period. The increase was primarily the result of new product sales and higher volumes of existing products. These items were partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation and lower pricing on existing products. The unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation on the current period was approximately $33.4 million, or 3%. Constant currency net sales increased by approximately $52.7 million, or 5% when compared to the prior year.

Net sales from Rest of World segment totaled $927.9 million in the current quarter, an increase of $76.5 million or 9% when compared to the prior year period. This increase was primarily driven by higher volumes of existing products sold in certain emerging markets, China and Japan and new product sales primarily in Australia, India and certain emerging markets. The increase in net sales was partially offset by lower pricing on existing products and, to a lesser extent, the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation. The unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation was $1.5 million, or less than 1%. Constant currency net sales increased by approximately $78.0 million, or 9% when compared to the prior year.
U.S. GAAP gross profit for the three months ended December 31, 2019 was $1.09 billion and U.S. GAAP gross margins were 34%. For the three months ended December 31, 2018, U.S. GAAP gross profit was $1.02 billion and U.S. GAAP gross margins were 33%. U.S. GAAP gross margins were positively impacted by approximately 425 basis points due to new product introductions primarily in North America. Additionally, U.S. GAAP gross margins were also positively impacted by a decrease in amortization expense in the quarter. Partially offsetting these items, U.S. GAAP gross margins were negatively impacted by the decline in sales of existing products by approximately 660 basis points. The decline in sales of existing products was primarily in North America. Adjusted gross profit was $1.70 billion and adjusted gross margins were 53% for the three months ended December 31, 2019 compared to adjusted gross profit of $1.68 billion and adjusted gross margins of 55% in the prior year period. Adjusted gross margins were negatively impacted by lower gross profit from sales of existing products partially offset by gross margins on new product introductions primarily in North America.

R&D expense for the three months ended December 31, 2019 was $151.8 million, compared to $148.8 million for the comparable prior year period, an increase of $3.0 million. This increase was primarily due to higher payments in the current year period related to licensing arrangements for products in development partially offset by lower expenditures related to the reprioritization of global programs.

SG&A expense for the three months ended December 31, 2019 was $654.4 million, compared to $632.9 million for the comparable prior year period, an increase of $21.5 million. The increase was primarily due to continued investment in selling and marketing activities. Also contributing to the increase were higher consulting fees and other expenses primarily related to the pending Upjohn transaction totaling approximately $29.0 million in the current quarter. Partially offsetting these items were gains recognized through the sale of assets and a reduction in bad debt expense due to a special business interruption event for one customer realized in the prior year quarter.

During the fourth quarter of December 31, 2019, the Company recorded a net charge of $8.9 million in litigation settlements and other contingencies, net, compared to a net charge of $1.1 million in the comparable prior year period. The increase from the comparable prior year period primarily relates to an increase in fair value of contingent consideration totaling approximately $8.5 million.

U.S. GAAP net earnings decreased by $30.7 million to earnings of $20.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019, compared to earnings of $51.2 million for the prior year period and U.S. GAAP EPS decreased from $0.10 in the prior year period to $0.04 in the current quarter. The Company recognized a U.S. GAAP income tax provision of $114.7 million in the current year period, compared to a U.S. GAAP income tax provision of $25.8 million for the comparable prior year period, an increase of $88.9 million. The increase in the U.S. GAAP income tax provision in the current year period is the result of an increase in earnings before taxes as compared to the prior year period combined with increases in the Company’s reserve for uncertain tax provisions in the current quarter. Adjusted net earnings increased by $51.7 million to $721.4 million as compared to $669.7 million for the prior year period. Adjusted EPS increased to $1.40 from $1.30 in the prior year period.

EBITDA was $827.4 million for the current quarter and $841.2 million for the comparable prior year period. After adjusting for certain items as further detailed in the reconciliation below, adjusted EBITDA was $1.06 billion for the current quarter and $1.01 billion for the comparable prior year period.

Year Ended December 31, 2019 Financial Results

For the year ended December 31, 2019, Mylan reported total revenues of $11.50 billion, compared to $11.43 billion for the prior year period, representing an increase of $66.6 million, or 1%. Total revenues include both net sales and other revenues from third parties. Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2019 were $11.37 billion, compared to $11.27 billion for the prior year period, representing an increase of $101.6 million, or 1%. Other revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019 were $130.2 million, compared to $165.2 million for the prior year period, a decrease of $35.0 million.

The increase in net sales was primarily the result of an increase in net sales in the Rest of World segment of 5% and the North America segment of 2%, partially offset by a decrease in the Europe segment of 3%. Mylan’s net sales were unfavorably impacted by the effect of foreign currency translation, primarily reflecting changes in the U.S. Dollar as compared to the currencies of Mylan’s subsidiaries in the European Union, Australia and India. The unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation on current year net sales was approximately $322.4 million, or 3%. On a constant currency basis, the increase in net sales was approximately $424.0 million, or 4% for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase was driven by new product sales, partially offset by a decrease in net sales from existing products as a result of lower pricing and volumes. Below is a summary of net sales in each of our segments for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Net sales in the North America segment totaled $4.16 billion, an increase of $68.5 million or 2% from the prior year. This increase was due primarily to new product sales, including the Wixela Inhub, Fulphila (biosimilar to Neulasta) and YUPELRI. This increase was partially offset by lower volumes, and to a lesser extent, pricing of existing products, driven by changes in the competitive environment and continued portfolio rationalization. The impact of foreign currency translation on current period net sales was insignificant within North America.

Net sales in the Europe segment totaled $4.04 billion, a decrease of $120.2 million or 3% from the prior year. This decrease was the result of the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation of approximately $223.7 million, or 5%. Partially offsetting this decrease were new product sales and higher net sales of existing products which were driven by higher volumes partially offset by lower pricing. Constant currency net sales increased by approximately $103.5 million, or 2% when compared to the prior year.

Net sales in the Rest of World segment totaled $3.17 billion, an increase of $153.3 million or 5% from the prior year. This increase was the result of higher net sales of existing products and new product sales. The increase to net sales of existing products was driven by higher volumes primarily in China, Japan, certain emerging markets and from the Company’s ARV franchise. The increase in net sales as a result of new products was primarily due to new product sales in Australia, certain emerging markets and from the Company’s ARV franchise. The increase in net sales was partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation of $93.3 million, or 3%, and to a lesser extent by lower pricing on existing products. Constant currency net sales increased by approximately $246.6 million, or 8%.
U.S. GAAP gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $3.90 billion and gross margins were 34%. For the year ended December 31, 2018, gross profit was $4.00 billion and gross margins were 35%. Gross margins were negatively impacted by the decline in sales of existing products by approximately 550 basis points. The decline in sales of existing products was primarily in North America and includes the impacts of product rationalization. Partially offsetting this impact, gross margins were positively impacted by approximately 500 basis points due to new product introductions primarily in North America. Adjusted gross profit was $6.14 billion and adjusted gross margins were approximately 53% for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to adjusted gross profit of $6.18 billion and adjusted gross margins of approximately 54% for the year ended December 31, 2018. Adjusted gross margins were negatively impacted by lower gross profit from sales of existing products partially offset by gross margins on new product introductions primarily in North America.

R&D expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $639.9 million, compared to $704.5 million for the prior year, a decrease of $64.6 million. This decrease was primarily due to lower expenditures related to the reprioritization of global programs and lower restructuring related costs.

SG&A expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $2.56 billion, compared to $2.44 billion for the prior year, an increase of $122.6 million. The increase was primarily due to an increase of approximately $82.5 million for consulting fees and other expenses primarily related to the pending Upjohn transaction in addition to increased investment in selling and marketing activities. Also contributing to the increase was higher share-based compensation expense of approximately $60.7 million as a result of the reversal of all of the cumulative expense related to certain performance-based awards totaling $70.6 million in the prior year. Partially offsetting these increases was bad debt expense of approximately $26.5 million incurred in the prior year related to a special business interruption event for one customer and $20.0 million of compensation expense for an additional discretionary bonus for a certain group of employees in the prior year. None of the employees who received the 2018 discretionary bonus were named executive officers.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded a net gain of $21.4 million in Litigation settlements and other contingencies, net, compared to $49.5 million in the prior year. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized a net gain in litigation settlements of approximately $1.0 million. This net gain was primarily due to a favorable litigation settlement related to the Celgene Corporation matter of $62.0 million, which was partially offset by litigation related charges for settlements reached during the year. Charges for litigation related matters included $18.0 million for the modafinil antitrust matter and $30.0 million for the settlement with the SEC. In addition, a $20.4 million gain was recognized for the reduction of contingent consideration related to the acquisition of the exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize a generic equivalent to GlaxoSmithKline’s Advair Diskus incorporating Pfizer’s respiratory delivery platform.

Litigation settlements for the year ended December 31, 2018 consisted primarily of a gain of approximately $22.9 million related to a favorable litigation settlement, which was partially offset by litigation related charges of approximately $14.9 million related to an antitrust and a patent infringement matter. In addition, a $44.0 million gain was recognized for the change in value of contingent consideration related to the respiratory delivery platform, which was partially offset by losses incurred on other contingent consideration.

U.S. GAAP net earnings decreased by $335.7 million to $16.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $352.5 million for the prior year. U.S. GAAP EPS decreased from $0.68 to $0.03 in the current year. The Company recognized an income tax provision of $137.6 million in the current year, compared to an income tax benefit of $54.1 million for the prior year period. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company reached an agreement in principle with the IRS to resolve all issues relating to our positions on the EPD Business Acquisition. As a result, the Company recorded a reserve of approximately $155.0 million as part of its liability for uncertain tax positions, with a net impact to the income tax provision of approximately $144.9 million. The tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2018 included a net benefit to the income tax provision of approximately $53.0 million as a result of the federal and state audits and settlements and expirations of certain state, federal, and foreign statutes of limitations. Partially offsetting this benefit was an increase in the reserve for uncertain tax benefits of approximately $18.0 million for certain other matters. Also impacting the current and prior year income tax provision and benefit, respectively, was the changing mix of income earned in jurisdictions with differing tax rates. Adjusted net earnings decreased to $2.28 billion in the current year from $2.36 billion in the prior year and adjusted EPS decreased to $4.42 in the current year from $4.58 in the prior year.

EBITDA was $2.75 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019, and $3.03 billion for the prior year period. After adjusting for certain items as further detailed in the reconciliation below, adjusted EBITDA was $3.54 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019 and $3.62 billion for the prior year period.

Cash Flow

U.S. GAAP net cash provided by operating activities was $1.80 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $2.34 billion for the prior year period. Capital expenditures were approximately $213.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to approximately $252.1 million for the comparable prior year. Adjusted net cash provided by operating activities was $2.29 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $2.97 billion for the prior year period. Adjusted free cash flow, defined as adjusted net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures, was $2.10 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $2.71 billion in the prior year period.

Guidance

Mylan is providing guidance for 2020 excluding any impact of the proposed combination with the Upjohn business. Mylan expects 2020 total revenues in the range of $11.50 billion to $12.50 billion, the midpoint of which represents an increase of 4% versus 2019. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $3.2 billion to $3.9 billion, which is in line with 2019 at the midpoint.

As discussed in the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section below, other than revenues, Mylan is not providing forward looking guidance for U.S. GAAP reported financial measures or a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure because it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of certain significant items without unreasonable effort. These items include, but are not limited to, acquisition-related expenses, including integration, restructuring expenses, asset impairments, litigation settlements and other contingencies, including changes to contingent consideration and certain other gains or losses. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could have a material impact on U.S. GAAP reported results for the guidance period.

Q4 2019 Earnings Call and 2020 Guidance

As previously announced, Mylan N.V. will host a webcast at 4:30 p.m. ET today to discuss the Company’s financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2019, along with financial guidance for 2020. The webcast can be accessed live by calling 855.493.3607 or 346.354.0950 for international callers (ID#: 9599904) or at the following address on the Company’s website: investor.mylan.com. The "Q4 2019 Earnings Call & 2020 Guidance" presentation, which will be referenced during the call can be found at investor.mylan.com. A replay of the webcast also will be available on the website.

Accelerate Diagnostics Reports Fourth Quarter 2019 Financial Results

On February 27, 2020 Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AXDX) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2019 (Press release, ACCELERATED MEDICAL DIAGNOSTICS, FEB 27, 2020, View Source [SID1234554938]).

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"Our contracted instrument trajectory continued over the course of 2019 as we doubled our global contracted instrument base by signing 304 instruments, including 137 units during the fourth quarter. Our full-year revenue was short of expectations as multi-site customers in the U.S. have taken longer than anticipated to go live and begin generating consumable revenue," said Jack Phillips, president and chief executive officer of Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc. "One of my initial areas of focus was to evaluate and re-engineer our go-live process, and I am confident the resulting improvements will help relieve our 255 U.S. instrument backlog and make the process quicker and more predictable. For clinically live accounts, I am encouraged that annual annuities are approximately $45k, proving to be predictable, and these customers are enthusiastic about the outcomes they are realizing."

Fourth Quarter 2019 Highlights

Added 137 net new commercially contracted instruments, compared to 133 in the fourth quarter of 2018.
Net sales of $3.5 million, compared to $1.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, or 94% year-over-year growth.
Gross margin was 44% for the quarter, compared to 29% in the fourth quarter of 2018. This increase was the result of lower consumable production costs per unit as production volumes increase. Certain perishable raw materials exceeded expiration and required disposal in the quarter. Excluding the impact of this charge, gross margin for the fourth quarter was 51%.
Research and development (R&D) costs for the quarter were $6.2 million, compared to $6.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. We expected this spend to remain relatively flat on a year-over-year basis, as our R&D programs remain consistent.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the quarter were $13.6 million, compared to $13.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. These expenses remained relatively unchanged on a year-over-year basis.
Net loss was $21.3 million in the fourth quarter, or $0.39 per share, which included $3.2 million in non-cash stock-based compensation expense.
Net cash used in the quarter was $13.5 million, and the company ended the quarter with total cash, investments, and cash equivalents of $108.5 million.
Full Year 2019 Highlights

Added 304 net new commercially contracted instruments year to date, compared to 202 in 2018.
Net sales of $9.3 million, compared to $5.7 million in 2018, or 63% year over year growth.
Gross margin was 47%, compared to 44% in 2018. This increase was the result of lower consumable production costs per unit as production volumes increase. Certain perishable raw materials exceeded expiration and required disposal in the fourth quarter. Excluding the impact of this charge, gross margin for the year was 53%.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $51.9 million, compared to $55.2 million in 2018. This decrease was driven by lower stock-based compensation expense in the current year.
Research and development (R&D) costs were $25.3 million, compared to $27.6 million in 2018. We expected this spend to remain relatively flat on a year-over-year basis, as our R&D programs remain consistent.
Net loss was $84.3 million, or $1.55 per share, which included $12.6 million in non-cash stock-based compensation expense.
Net cash used was $58.0 million, and the company ended the year with total cash, investments, and cash equivalents of $108.5 million.
Full financial results for the quarter and year ending December 31, 2019 will be filed on Form 10-K through the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) website at View Source

Audio Webcast and Conference Call

The company will host a conference call at 4:30PM ET today to review its first quarter results. To listen to the conference call, dial +1.877.883.0383 and enter the conference ID: 2860141. International participants may dial +1.412.902.6506. Please dial in 10 to 15 minutes prior to the start of the conference call. A replay of the call will be available by telephone at +1.877.344.7529 (U.S.) or +1.412.317.0088 (international) using replay code 10138283 until May 19, 2020.

This conference call will also be webcast and can be accessed from the "Investors" section of the company’s website at axdx.com/investors. A replay of the audio webcast will be available until May 19, 2020.

NuVasive to Participate in Cowen 40th Annual Healthcare Conference

On February 27, 2020 NuVasive, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUVA), the leader in spine technology innovation, focused on transforming spine surgery with minimally disruptive, procedurally integrated solutions, reported that management will present at the Cowen 40th Annual Healthcare Conference at The Boston Marriott Copley Place in Boston on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at 9:20 a.m. ET/6:20 a.m. PT (Press release, NuVasive, FEB 27, 2020, View Source [SID1234554937]).

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Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

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A live webcast of the presentation will be available online from the Investor Relations page of the Company’s website at www.nuvasive.com. A replay of the presentation will remain available on the website for 30 days after the live webcast.

Lipocine Announces Closing Of Registered Direct Offering Of Common Stock And Warrants

On February 27, 2020 Lipocine Inc. (NASDAQ:LPCN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on metabolic and endocrine disorders, reported the closing of a registered direct offering of 10,084,034 Class A Units, each consisting of one share of its common stock and one half of a common warrant to purchase one share of its common stock, at a price of $0.595 per Class A Unit, for total gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $6 million, before deducting placement agent fees and other estimated offering expenses (Press release, Lipocine, FEB 27, 2020, View Source [SID1234554936]). The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering for working capital and general corporate purposes.

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Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

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Roth Capital Partners acted as sole agent for the offering.

The offering was made pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-220942) (including a prospectus) previously filed with and declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). A prospectus supplement describing the terms of the offering has been filed with the SEC.

A copy of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to these securities may be obtained by contacting Roth Capital Partners, 888 San Clemente Drive, Suite 400, Newport Beach, CA 92660, (800) 678-9147. Electronic copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are also available free of charge on the website of the SEC at www.sec.gov.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor will there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Nektar Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2019 Financial Results

On February 27, 2020 Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2019 (Press release, Nektar Therapeutics, FEB 27, 2020, View Source [SID1234554935]).

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Cash and investments in marketable securities at December 31, 2019 were approximately $1.6 billion as compared to $1.9 billion at December 31, 2018.

"Nektar’s progress over the past year has established a strong foundation for growth, with a robust portfolio of clinical-stage immuno-oncology and immunology candidates addressing multiple therapeutic areas," said Howard W. Robin, President and CEO of Nektar. "Our amended joint development plan with Bristol-Myers Squibb for bempegaldesleukin in combination with Opdivo expands the active registrational program for the doublet to five indications, including new Phase 3 studies in the adjuvant melanoma setting and muscle invasive bladder cancer. It also provides a path forward in first-line lung cancer and enhances our ability to pursue new combinations in additional indications."

Mr. Robin continued, "We also advanced NKTR-255, a novel IL-15 agonist that stimulates NK cells and memory T cells, into the clinic in combination with ADCC therapies. With NKTR-358, we have an opportunity to address the underlying immune imbalance associated with multiple autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. Our partner Eli Lilly is on track to initiate a Phase 2 study in lupus, advance ongoing Phase 1b clinical trials in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, and start an additional Phase 2 study in a new autoimmune indication this year."

Summary of Financial Results

Revenue in the fourth quarter of 2019 was $33.9 million as compared to $39.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $114.6 million as compared to $1.2 billion in 2018 and was lower primarily due to the recognition of $1.06 billion of license revenue from the Bristol-Myers Squibb collaboration agreement in the second quarter of 2018.

Total operating costs and expenses in the fourth quarter of 2019 were $143.5 million as compared to $140.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. Total operating costs and expenses for 2019 were $554.7 million as compared to $505.4 million in 2018. Total operating costs and expenses increased primarily as a result of increases in research and development (R&D) expense and general and administrative (G&A) expense.

R&D expense in the fourth quarter of 2019 was $110.4 million as compared to $108.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2018. R&D expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $434.6 million as compared to $399.5 million in 2018. R&D expense was higher in 2019 as compared to 2018 primarily because of the continued clinical development of bempegaldesleukin, including the registrational studies in melanoma, bladder cancer and renal cell carcinoma, and manufacture of Phase 2 drug supply for NKTR-358, which were partially offset by lower bempegaldesleukin and NKTR-181 manufacturing costs.

G&A expense was $27.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 as compared to $23.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. G&A expense for 2019 was $98.7 million as compared to $81.4 million in 2018. G&A expense was higher in the fourth quarter and full year 2019 as compared to the same periods in 2018 primarily due to non-cash stock based compensation expense, limited commercialization readiness activities for NKTR-181, as well as other costs related to personnel, facilities and outside services.

Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $112.2 million or $0.64 basic and diluted loss per share as compared to a net loss of $98.2 million or $0.57 basic and diluted loss per share in the fourth quarter of 2018. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $440.7 million or $2.52 diluted loss per share as compared to net income of $681.3 million or $3.78 diluted earnings per share in 2018.

2019 and Year-to-Date Business Highlights:

In February 2020, Nektar announced the publication of preclinical bempegaldesleukin data in two manuscripts in Nature Communications showing how bempegaldesleukin works synergistically with multiple immune-based therapies to enhance T-cell-mediated tumor control.
In January 2020, Nektar and Bristol-Myers Squibb announced a new joint development plan that expands the ongoing registrational program for bempegaldesleukin plus Opdivo (nivolumab) from three ongoing registrational trials in first-line metastatic melanoma, first-line cisplatin-ineligible metastatic urothelial cancer and first-line metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) to include two additional registrational trials in adjuvant melanoma and muscle-invasive bladder cancer. In addition, a Phase 1/2 study will be initiated to evaluate bempegaldesleukin plus nivolumab in combination with axitinib in first-line RCC in order to support a future registrational trial. Bristol-Myers Squibb will also independently conduct and fund a Phase 1/2 study in first-line non-small-cell lung cancer with bempegaldesleukin and nivolumab.
In January 2020, Nektar made the strategic business decision to withdraw its New Drug Application (NDA) for NKTR-181, an investigational medicine in development for chronic pain and make no further investment into the program.
In December 2019, Nektar presented results from preclinical studies of NKTR-255, its IL-15 agonist, at the 61st American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting highlighting the candidate’s potential in the treatment of hematological malignancies by restoring both NK cell and memory CD8 T cell compartments in patients.
In November 2019, Nektar presented updated results from the first-in-human Phase 1a study of NKTR-358 at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology supporting development of the candidate as a first-in-class T regulatory cell stimulator for the treatment of autoimmune and other chronic inflammatory conditions.
In November 2019, Nektar presented new data from the Stage IV front-line melanoma cohort in the PIVOT-02 study at the 2019 Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. At a median time of follow-up of 18.6 months, median progression free survival had not yet been reached.
In October 2019, Nektar announced that its partner Eli Lilly initiated two Phase 1b studies of NKTR-358, one in patients with psoriasis and one in patients with atopic dermatitis.
In October 2019, Nektar announced the initiation of a first-in-human, Phase 1 clinical study evaluating NKTR-255 as monotherapy for patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma or multiple myeloma.
In September 2019, Nektar presented clinical data from its PIVOT-02 study for bempegaldesleukin in combination with Opdivo (nivolumab) at the 2019 CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference (CIMT) (Free CIMT Whitepaper) demonstrating the promising clinical activity of the combination in patients with advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, particularly in patients with PD-L1 negative baseline tumors.
In August 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for bempegaldesleukin in combination with Opdivo (nivolumab) for the treatment of patients with previously untreated unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
In June 2019, Nektar presented biomarker and clinical data from the ongoing PIVOT-02 study for bempegaldesleukin in combination with Opdivo (nivolumab) at the 2019 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. Clinical data presented included 12-month follow-up for the Stage IV first-line melanoma patient cohort and showed a deepening and durability of response over time.
In April 2019, Nektar presented positive preclinical data on its immuno-oncology pipeline candidates, bempegaldesleukin and NKTR-255, at the 2019 AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.
In March 2019, Nektar presented preliminary immune activation, safety and clinical activity data from the ongoing dose-escalation stage of the REVEAL study at the 2019 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper)-SITC Meeting. The REVEAL Phase 1/2 study is evaluating the safety and efficacy of NKTR-262, a novel TLR agonist, in combination with bempegaldesleukin.
In February 2019, Nektar presented clinical data from first-line Stage IV urothelial carcinoma patients enrolled in the PIVOT-02 study of bempegaldesleukin with Opdivo (nivolumab) at the 2019 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.
The company also announced upcoming presentations at the following scientific congresses:

Society of Toxicology (SOT) 59th Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA

Presentation: "Bempegaldesleukin (NKTR-214), a novel IL-2 based immunotherapy, demonstrates superior nonclinical safety compared to that reported for recombinant human IL-2 (rhIL-2)", Leung, S., et al.
Session: Safety Assessment: Pharmaceutical—Drug Development
Date: Wednesday, March 18th, 10:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Presentation: "Toxicology Species Selection for Preclinical Safety Assessment of TLR7/8 Prodrug Agonist", Gunther, J., et al.
Session: Safety Assessment: Pharmaceutical—Drug Development
Date: Wednesday, March 18th, 10:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
American Chemical Society National Meeting

Presentation: "NKTR-262: Discovery of a novel TLR 7/8 agonist prodrug that demonstrates synergistic anti-tumor effect in combination with NKTR-214, a CD-122 preferential IL-2 pathway agonist", Anand, N., et al.
Session: MEDI: Tissue Specific Delivery: TLR Agonists
Date: Tuesday, March 24th, 10:10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Conference Call to Discuss Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2019 Financial Results
Nektar management will host a conference call to review the results beginning at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time/2:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Thursday, February 27, 2020.

This press release and a live audio-only Webcast of the conference call can be accessed through a link that is posted on the home page and Investors section of the Nektar website: View Source The web broadcast of the conference call will be available for replay through March 27, 2020.

To access the conference call, follow these instructions:
Dial: (877) 881-2183 (U.S.); (970) 315-0453 (international)
Passcode: 2507828 (Nektar Therapeutics is the host)

In the event that any non-GAAP financial measure is discussed on the conference call that is not described in the press release, or explained on the conference call, related information will be made available on the Investors page at the Nektar website as soon as practical after the conclusion of the conference call.