SAN DIEGO, Nov 05, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: LGND) (the "Company" or "Ligand") today announced financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and provided a business update.
"Over the past few months, we announced agreements to acquire two companies that upon closing will contribute promising new assets to Ligand. We also advanced our internal pipeline, reported numerous positive developments from our partners and took steps that will significantly reduce future expenses," said John L. Higgins, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ligand Pharmaceuticals. "We believe these activities are making Ligand a stronger and more valuable company by diversifying our business, increasing our potential revenue and improving our financial strength. We are very pleased with the progression of the partnerships we gained from our acquisition of Pharmacopeia in December 2008, and look forward to consolidating into Ligand the assets of both Neurogen and Metabasis."
Third Quarter Results
Total revenues from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2009 were $7.9 million, compared with $5.2 million for the same period in 2008. The increase in revenues is due to $6.3 million in collaboration revenues resulting from agreements acquired from Pharmacopeia, partially offset by a $3.6 million decrease in royalty revenues due to the change in the contractual royalty rate on AVINZA(R) from 15% to 5% that became effective in the fourth quarter of 2008.
Operating costs and expenses from continuing operations in the third quarter of 2009 were $27.6 million and include $15.2 million of lease termination costs. Excluding the lease termination costs, operating costs and expenses from continuing operations were $12.3 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared with $12.1 million in the third quarter of 2008. Research and development expenses increased by $3.8 million for the third quarter of 2009, compared with the same period in 2008, primarily due to costs of servicing the collaboration agreements acquired from Pharmacopeia, partially offset by lower expenses associated with internal research programs. Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2009 also include $1.1 million of asset impairment charges related to the termination of our research collaboration with Schering-Plough Corporation. General and administrative expenses decreased by $3.5 million, compared with the same period in 2008, primarily due to reduced legal expenses.
During the third quarter of 2009, the Company entered into a lease termination agreement for its facility in San Diego, California. As a result, during the third quarter of 2009, the Company recorded lease termination costs of $15.2 million, which include the net present value of the lease termination payments of $14.3 million and $0.9 million of other costs associated with the lease termination. Also as a result of the lease termination, during the third quarter of 2009, the Company recognized $20.4 million of accretion of deferred gain on sale leaseback.
Total net income in the third quarter of 2009 was $1.8 million, or $0.02 per share. Excluding $15.2 million of lease termination costs and $20.4 million of accretion of deferred gain on sale leaseback, the total net loss in the third quarter of 2009 was $3.4 million, or $0.03 per share, compared with a net loss of $18.1 million, or $0.19 per share, in the third quarter of 2008. Income from continuing operations in the third quarter of 2009 was $1.1 million, or $0.01 per share, compared with a loss from continuing operations of $9.1 million, or $0.10 per share, in the comparable 2008 quarter. Income from discontinued operations in the third quarter of 2009 was $0.7 million, or $0.01 per share, compared with a loss from discontinued operations of $9.0 million, or $0.09 per share, in the comparable 2008 quarter.
As of September 30, 2009, Ligand had cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted investments of $45.5 million.
Year-to-Date Results
Total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, were $25.0 million, compared with $14.9 million for the same period in 2008. Operating costs and expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, including $15.2 million of lease termination costs, were $57.6 million, compared with $40.3 million for the same period in 2008. The net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, was $5.0 million, or $0.04 per share, compared with a net loss of $28.5 million, or $0.30 per share, for the same period in 2008.
Third Quarter and Recent Highlights
Operating Forecast and Financial Outlook
Ligand expects 2009 total revenues of approximately $33 million to $34 million, consisting of approximately $12.0 million of non-cash deferred revenue, royalty payments from sales of AVINZA and PROMACTA, revenue from collaboration agreements and potential milestone payments from existing corporate partners. For the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company anticipates total operating expenses will be between $12 million and $13 million, including non-cash expenses of approximately $2.0 million.
The Company currently projects to finish 2009 with approximately $50 million in cash, assuming the acquisition of Neurogen is completed before year end. For 2010, the Company currently forecasts that its operating expenses will be approximately $30 million to $35 million and that revenues are projected to be at approximately the same level as forecasted expenses for 2010. This revenue outlook does not include license or milestone payments from any potential new license agreements.
Conference Call
Ligand management will host a conference call today beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (1:30 p.m. Pacific time) to discuss this announcement and answer questions. To participate via telephone, please dial (877) 356-5578 from the U.S. or (706) 679-0565 from outside the U.S. A replay of the call will be available until December 6, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time by dialing (800) 642-1687 from the U.S. or (706) 645-9291 from outside the U.S., and entering passcode 36000073. Individual investors can access the live and archived Webcast through Ligand's web site at www.ligand.com.
The conference call and Webcast are accompanied by a slide presentation. The slides are embedded in the Webcast; those listening by phone can access a PDF version of the presentation in the Investor section of the Web site www.ligand.com
About Ligand Pharmaceuticals
Ligand discovers and develops new drugs that address critical unmet medical needs of patients with muscle wasting, frailty, hormone-related diseases, osteoporosis, inflammatory diseases, anemia, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Ligand's proprietary drug discovery and development programs are based on advanced cell-based assays, gene-expression tools, ultra-high throughput screening and one of the world's largest combinatorial chemical libraries. Ligand has strategic alliances with major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Cephalon, GlaxoSmithKline, Schering-Plough, Pfizer and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals (now Pfizer). With more than 20 molecules in various stages of development, Ligand utilizes proprietary technologies for identifying drugs with novel receptor and enzyme drug targets.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements by Ligand that involve risks and uncertainties and reflect Ligand's judgment as of the date of this release. Actual events or results may differ from Ligand's expectations. For example, we may not receive expected royalties on AVINZA from King Pharmaceuticals, PROMACTA from GSK or any other partnered products or from research and development milestones, and we may not be able to timely or successfully advance any product(s) in Ligand's pipeline. In addition, there can be no assurance that Ligand will achieve its guidance for 2009 or 2010, that Ligand will deliver strong cash flow over the long term, that the proposed acquisitions of Neurogen and Metabasis will close or that Ligand will realize the expected benefits of the acquisitions, Ligand's 2009 revenues will be driven by royalty payments related to AVINZA and PROMACTA sales, that results of any clinical study will be timely, favorable or confirmed by later studies, that products under development by Ligand or its partners will receive regulatory approval, or that there will be a market for the product(s) if successfully developed and approved. Also, Ligand may experience delays in the commencement, enrollment, completion or analysis of clinical testing for its product candidates, or significant issues regarding the adequacy of its clinical trial designs or the execution of its clinical trials, which could result in increased costs and delays, or limit Ligand's ability to obtain regulatory approval. Further, unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of Ligand's product(s) could delay or prevent regulatory approval or commercialization. Ligand may also have indemnification obligations to King Pharmaceuticals or Eisai in connection with the sales of the AVINZA and oncology product lines. In addition, Ligand may not be able to successfully implement its strategic growth plan and continue the development of its proprietary programs. The failure to meet expectations with respect to any of the foregoing matters may reduce Ligand's stock price. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors affecting Ligand's business can be found in prior press releases available via www.ligand.com as well as in Ligand's public periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. Ligand disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements beyond the date of this release. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except share data) | ||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | |||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Royalties | $ | 1,651 | $ | 5,248 | $ | 6,386 | $ | 14,926 | ||||||||
| Collaborative research and development and other revenues | 6,250 | -- | 18,577 | -- | ||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 7,901 | 5,248 | 24,963 | 14,926 | ||||||||||||
| Operating costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 9,921 | 6,165 | 29,744 | 19,707 | ||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 2,415 | 5,929 | 12,190 | 20,579 | ||||||||||||
| Lease termination costs | 15,235 | -- | 15,235 | -- | ||||||||||||
| Write-off of acquired in-process research and development | -- | -- | 442 | -- | ||||||||||||
| Total operating costs and expenses | 27,571 | 12,094 | 57,611 | 40,286 | ||||||||||||
| Accretion of deferred gain on sale leaseback | (20,444 | ) | (491 | ) | (21,426 | ) | (1,473 | ) | ||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | 774 | (6,355 | ) | (11,222 | ) | (23,887 | ) | |||||||||
| Other income | 281 | 221 | 316 | 336 | ||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 1,055 | (6,134 | ) | (10,906 | ) | (23,551 | ) | |||||||||
| Income tax (expense) benefit | -- | (2,990 | ) | -- | (179 | ) | ||||||||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations | 1,055 | (9,124 | ) | (10,906 | ) | (23,730 | ) | |||||||||
| Discontinued operations: | ||||||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of AVINZA Product Line before income taxes | 608 | 122 | 5,331 | 7,287 | ||||||||||||
| Gain (loss) on sale of Oncology Product Line before income taxes | 140 | (12,799 | ) | 591 | (12,569 | ) | ||||||||||
| Income tax benefit (expense) on discontinued operations | -- | 3,676 | -- | 525 | ||||||||||||
| Discontinued operations | 748 | (9,001 | ) | 5,922 | (4,757 | ) | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 1,803 | $ | (18,125 | ) | $ | (4,984 | ) | $ | (28,487 | ) | |||||
| Basic and diluted per share amounts: | ||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 0.01 | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | (0.25 | ) | |||||
| Discontinued operations | 0.01 | (0.09 | ) | 0.05 | (0.05 | ) | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 0.02 | $ | (0.19 | ) | $ | (0.04 | ) | $ | (0.30 | ) | |||||
| Weighted average number of common shares - basic | 113,006,842 | 95,068,102 | 113,102,455 | 95,059,166 | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares - diluted | 113,139,102 | 95,068,102 | 113,102,455 | 95,059,166 | ||||||||||||
LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS INCORPORATED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands) | ||||||||
| September 30, 2009 | December 31, 2008 | |||||||
| Assets | (unaudited) | |||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments | $ | 44,193 | $ | 80,671 | ||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 2,110 | -- | ||||||
| Other current assets | 1,667 | 2,300 | ||||||
| Current portion of co-promote termination asset | 11,925 | 10,958 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 59,895 | 93,929 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 9,893 | 12,903 | ||||||
| Goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets | 482 | 5,375 | ||||||
| Long-term portion of co-promote termination asset | 45,374 | 47,524 | ||||||
| Restricted indemnity account | -- | 10,232 | ||||||
| Other assets | 1,442 | 1,485 | ||||||
$ | 117,086 | $ | 171,448 | |||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 27,970 | $ | 35,972 | ||||
| Allowance for loss on returns, rebates and chargebacks | 354 | 9,590 | ||||||
| Current portion of deferred gain | 1,702 | 1,964 | ||||||
| Current portion of co-promote termination liability | 11,925 | 10,958 | ||||||
| Current portion of equipment financing obligations | 172 | 1,829 | ||||||
| Current portion of deferred revenue | 10,924 | 10,301 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 53,047 | 70,614 | ||||||
| Long-term portion of equipment financing obligations | -- | 2,178 | ||||||
| Long-term portion of co-promote termination liability | 45,374 | 47,524 | ||||||
| Long-term portion of deferred revenue | 4,866 | 16,819 | ||||||
| Long-term portion of deferred gain | 2,128 | 23,292 | ||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | 12,824 | 9,041 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 118,239 | 169,468 | ||||||
| Common stock subject to conditional redemption | 8,344 | 12,345 | ||||||
| Stockholders' equity | (9,497 | ) | (10,365 | ) | ||||
$ | 117,086 | $ | 171,448 | |||||
SOURCE: Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
John L. Higgins, President and CEO
Erika Luib, Investor Relations
858-550-7896
or
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates
Don Markley
310-691-7100
dmarkley@lhai.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009
