On November 8, 2018 BioTime, Inc. (NYSE American:BTX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on degenerative diseases, reported financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 (Press release, BioTime, NOV 8, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2376133 [SID1234531179]). BioTime management will host a conference call and webcast today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time/5:30 a.m. Pacific Time to provide a business update.
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"I am excited to have joined BioTime at a pivotal time in the Company’s development. This past quarter is a great example of how we plan to transform BioTime into a premiere cell therapy company, as we were highly active on the clinical, corporate development, and operational fronts," stated Brian M. Culley, Chief Executive Officer of BioTime. "Our upcoming acquisition of Asterias will create a pipeline of product candidates which supports our objective of turning ambitious plans into treatment reality. Moreover, as evidenced by the planned spin-off of AgeX Therapeutics, we will seek to unlock value from our broad patent platform and invest capital into our core programs. Importantly, our lead program, OpRegen, continues to generate encouraging results in a disease with no currently-approved therapies. Successfully delivering on our stated milestones at each stage of corporate and clinical development and increasing our visibility within the investment and medical communities through strategic and active engagement are key areas of focus for us which will help drive the company’s success."
Recent Highlights
Biotech executive Brian M. Culley appointed as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Culley brings more than 25 years of experience, spanning diverse operational areas including strategy, finance, licensing, and clinical development. Ms. Culley holds a B.S. in biology from Boston College, a masters in biochemistry from the University of California, Santa Barbara and an M.B.A. from The Johnson School of Business at Cornell University. He has worked as a bench scientist, technology transfer professional, head of business development and most recently served consecutively as the CEO of two publicly-traded biotech companies.
Announced today entry into a merger agreement to acquire Asterias Therapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American:AST) in an all stock transaction. Upon consummation of the transaction and as a result of the merger, BioTime will acquire two clinical-stage cell therapy product candidates addressing significant unmet medical needs in spinal cord injury and immuno-oncology.
Received $43.2 million for approximately one-half of BioTime’s interest in AgeX Therapeutics Inc. ("AgeX") to Juvenescence Ltd., which will help support development of BioTime’s core programs. BioTime received $21.6 million in cash. The remaining $21.6 million was received in the form of a two year promissory note, which is convertible into Juvenescence common stock, upon its IPO, if completed prior to maturity. BioTime and AgeX will continue to collaborate towards the success of both companies in order to maximize the potential of the AgeX programs and provide for enhanced equity value, milestone payments, and royalties owed to BioTime under this agreement.
Encouraging OpRegen Data Presented at 2018 American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting. Treatment with OpRegen continues to be well tolerated and shows signs of structural improvement in the retina and decreases in drusen density in some patients. Notably, early data from Cohort 4 patients with earlier-stage dry-AMD are promising and indicate structural improvement within the retina, evidence of the continued presence of the transplanted OpRegen cells, and improvements in visual acuity.
Announced November 16, 2018 Record Date and November 28, 2018 Distribution Date for the distribution of the majority of shares of AgeX common stock owned by BioTime on a pro rata basis to eligible BioTime shareholders as of the Record Date. BioTime shareholders will receive one share of AgeX common stock for every 10 Shares of BioTime common stock held as of the Record Date. BioTime shareholders will not have to surrender or exchange BioTime common shares in order to receive AgeX shares.
Third Quarter Financial Results
Cash Position and Marketable Securities: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $21.4 million as of September 30, 2018, compared to $29.2 million as of June 30, 2018. On November 2, 2018, BioTime received the second installment of the $10.8 million receivable from Juvenescence.
Value of Holdings in Public Affiliates: At September 30, 2018, BioTime held common stock in publicly-traded affiliates valued at approximately $65.0 million. This amount was the market value of BioTime’s 21.7 million shares in Asterias Biotherapeutics (NYSE American: AST) and 14.7 million shares in OncoCyte (NYSE American: OCX). If the acquisition of Asterias is completed by BioTime, Asterias will cease to exist as a public entity and there will be no market value to the Asterias shares.
If the planned AgeX distribution is completed on or about November 28, 2018, AgeX common stock will be publicly traded and the AgeX shares BioTime continues to hold after the distribution may be a source of additional liquidity to BioTime, as needed. The AgeX distribution is subject to a number conditions, including the SEC declaring AgeX’s Registration Statement on Form 10 effective.
If the Juvenescence note is converted to Juvenescence common stock prior to its maturity date, the Juvenescence common stock may be a marketable security that BioTime may use to supplement its liquidity, as needed. If the Juvenescence note is not converted, it is payable in cash, plus accrued interest at 7% per year, at maturity.
Revenues: BioTime’s revenue is generated primarily from research grants, licensing fees and royalties. Total revenue was $1.0 million for the third quarter of 2018 compared to $1.7 million in the third quarter of 2017, a decrease of $0.7 million. The decrease was primarily due to a $0.5 million decrease in grant revenues and $0.2 million decrease in subscriptions and advertisement revenues, which are generated by LifeMap Sciences, AgeX’s subsidiary. Beginning on August 30, 2018, subscription and advertising revenues were no longer be included with BioTime due to the deconsolidation of AgeX.
BioTime grant revenues are generated primarily for the development of OpRegen and from a Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Institutes of Health ("NIH") for its vision restoration program. The decrease in grant revenues for the third quarter of 2018, as compared to the third quarter of 2017, was primarily due to timing of revenues generated as more grant revenues were generated during the first six months of 2018 as compared to 2017, during which grant revenues were earned primarily in the third quarter.
Total revenue was $4.2 million for the nine months ended September 2018 compared to $2.4 million in the same period of the prior year, an increase of $1.8 million. The increase was primarily due to a $1.7 million increase in BioTime grant revenues. Grant revenues generated by Cell Cure from the IIA for the development of OpRegen and the NIH grant amounted to $2.1 million and $0.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, compared to grant revenues of $1.2 million in the same period in the prior year generated from the IIA.
Operating Expenses: Total operating expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $11.3 million, as reported, which is comprised of $9.7 million for BioTime and $1.6 million for AgeX. AgeX was deconsolidated from BioTime on August 30, 2018, and beginning on that date, AgeX’s operating expenses will not be included in BioTime’s operating expenses. Total operating expenses, as adjusted, were $8.8 million for the third quarter of 2018, which is comprised of $7.4 million for BioTime and $1.4 million for AgeX.
The reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP operating expenses, by entity, is provided in the financial tables included with this earnings release.
R&D Expenses: Third quarter research and development expenses were $4.9 million compared to $6.6 million for the comparable period in 2017, a decrease of $1.7 million. Research and development expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 were $17.2 million and $19.3 million, respectively, a decrease of $2.1 million. The decreases of $1.7 million and $2.1 million in total research and development expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, respectively, were mainly attributable to the following: a decrease of $0.9 million and $0.6 million, respectively, in BioTime related program expenses, primarily related to the completion of the Renevia clinical trial in 2018; decreases of $0.7 million and $0.2 million, respectively, in AgeX related programs, including LifeMap Sciences, due to the deconsolidation of AgeX on August 30, 2018; a decrease of $0.8 million from the nonrecognition of OncoCyte research and development expenses incurred after February 17, 2017 as a result of the deconsolidation of OncoCyte; and a decrease of $0.5 million in LifeMap Solutions expenses resulting from the cessation of its mobile health software development application business in July 2017. The decreases were partially offset by a nonrecurring $0.8 million expense incurred by AgeX on March 23, 2018 with respect to certain acquired in-process research and development.
Beginning on August 30, 2018, BioTime ceased recognizing research and development expenses related to AgeX and its programs due to the deconsolidation of AgeX on that date.
G&A Expenses: Third quarter general and administrative expenses were $6.4 million compared to $4.6 million for the comparable period in 2017, an increase of $1.8 million. This increase was primarily attributable to the following: a $1.4 million increase due to management transition costs, including the hiring of BioTime’s new Chief Executive Officer during September 2018; a $0.5 million increase in legal, accounting and compliance fees for the planned AgeX distribution; $0.2 million increase in license and related fees for patent prosecution and patent fees; and a $0.2 million increase in noncash stock-based compensation expense due to increases in option grants, and restricted stock unit grants made to the CEO. These increases were offset to some extent by a $0.5 million decrease in noncash shareholder expense recorded in the third quarter of 2017 for certain Cell Cure warrants issued in July 2017.
General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $17.6 million compared to $14.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $3.5 million. This increase was primarily attributable to the following: a $2.3 million increase due to management transition and other compensation related costs noted above; a $1.3 million increase in legal, audit and compliance costs for the planned distribution of AgeX; a $0.7 million increase in license and related fees for patent prosecution and patent fees; a $0.7 million increase in noncash stock based compensation expense; and a $0.4 million increase in AgeX related costs, including LifeMap Sciences, incurred through August 29, 2018, the date before the deconsolidation of AgeX, primarily related to AgeX’s share of legal, audit and compliance costs for the planned distribution of AgeX. These increases were offset by a decrease of $1.4 million in combined general and administrative expenses related to OncoCyte and LifeMap Solutions, and a $0.5 million decrease in noncash shareholder expense recorded in the third quarter of 2017 for certain Cell Cure warrants issued in July 2017.
Beginning on August 30, 2018, BioTime ceased recognizing general and administrative expenses related to AgeX and its subsidiaries due to the deconsolidation of AgeX on that date.
Net Income or loss attributable to BioTime: Third quarter net income attributable to BioTime was $66.7 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, compared to a net income attributable to BioTime of $14.3 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2017. Net loss attributable to BioTime for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was ($1.0) million, or ($0.01) per share, compared to a net income attributable to BioTime of $52.0 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Net income or loss attributable to BioTime was primarily driven by noncash gains and losses from the changes in market values of the Asterias and OncoCyte shares held by BioTime, and the gains from deconsolidation of AgeX due to BioTime’s sale of AgeX shares to Juvenescence in 2018, and deconsolidation of OncoCyte in 2017.
Conference Call and Webcast
BioTime will host a conference call and webcast today, at 5:30am PT, 8:30am ET to discuss its third quarter 2018 financial results and to provide a business update. Interested parties may access the conference call by dialing (866) 888-8633 from the U.S. and Canada and (636) 812-6629 from elsewhere outside the U.S. and should request the "BioTime Inc. Call". A live webcast of the conference call will be available online in the Investors section of BioTime’s website. A replay of the webcast will be available on BioTime’s website for 30 days and a telephone replay will be available through November 15th, 2018, by dialing (855) 859-2056 from the U.S. and Canada and (404) 537-3406 from elsewhere outside the U.S. and entering conference ID number 8658619.