All amounts are in U.S. dollars QUEBEC CITY, Nov. 13
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AEterna Zentaris Inc.
(NASDAQ:AEZSNASDAQ:TSX:NASDAQ:AEZ), a global biopharmaceutical
company focused on endocrinology and oncology, today reported
financial and operating results for the third quarter ended
September 30, 2008. Third Quarter 2008 Highlights - Appointment on
September 1, 2008, of Juergen Engel, Ph.D. as President and CEO of
AEterna Zentaris, replacing Juergen Ernst who had been acting as
Interim President and CEO since April 2008. Mr. Ernst, the former
Chairman of the Company, was appointed Executive Chairman effective
September 1, 2008; - Completion of patient recruitment for the
second efficacy trial of the Phase 3 program in benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH) with lead compound, cetrorelix; - Start of second
stage of recruitment for the Phase 2 trial in ovarian cancer with
AEZS-108. The trial is part of a Phase 2 program in gynaecological
cancers which will include up to 82 women; - Signing of a license
and cooperation agreement for the commercialization of cetrorelix
in BPH, with Handok Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (Handok) for the
Korean market. Subsequent to quarter end, signing of another
agreement with Handok for the commercialization of ozarelix in BPH
for the Korean market; and - Recovery of worldwide rights from
Ardana plc (LSE:ARA) for the Growth Hormone Secretagogue (GHS)
compound, AEZS-130. Future development options are currently being
evaluated for the use of this compound in growth hormone
deficiencies. Subsequent to Quarter-End On November 11, 2008,
AEterna Zentaris signed a definitive agreement to sell to Cowen
Healthcare Royalty Partners, L.P. ("CHRP") its rights to royalties
on future sales of Cetrotide(R) covered by its license agreement
with Merck Serono. The license agreement between AEterna Zentaris
and Merck Serono was signed in 2000 and granted Merck Serono
exclusive rights to market, distribute and sell Cetrotide
worldwide, with the exception of Japan, in the field of in vitro
fertilization. On closing, AEterna Zentaris will receive $52.5
million from CHRP. In addition, contingent on 2010 net sales of
Cetrotide(R) reaching a specified level, AEterna Zentaris would
receive an additional payment of $2.5 million from CHRP. Under the
terms of the agreement, if cetrorelix which is currently in Phase 3
clinical trials for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia,
is approved for sale by the European regulatory authorities in an
indication other than in vitro fertilization, AEterna Zentaris has
agreed to make a one-time cash payment to CHRP for an amount
ranging from $5 million up to a maximum of $15 million. The amount
which would be due to CHRP will be higher the earlier the product
receives European regulatory approval. "We are very pleased with
the Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners transaction for Cetrotide(R)
which is in line with our strategy of generating non-dilutive
financing. With this transaction, we strengthened our financial
position to focus on the development of cetrorelix in BPH, while
pursuing partnership opportunities for its future
commercialization," said Juergen Engel, Ph.D., President and Chief
Executive Officer of AEterna Zentaris. "At the drug development
level, both our Phase 3 program in BPH with cetrorelix, and our
Phase 2 program with our lead oncology compound, AEZS-108 in
ovarian and endometrial cancer, met their recruitment goals as
scheduled and remain on track. First results for cetrorelix in BPH
are still expected in the third quarter of 2009, while those for
AEZS-108 should be disclosed in the next few months." CONSOLIDATED
RESULTS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 Consolidated
sales and royalties increased to $8.6 million for the three-month
period ended September 30, 2008, compared to $7.4 million for the
same period in 2007. The increase in sales and royalties for the
three-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same
period last year is related primarily to additional sales of
Cetrotide(R), partly offset by the exclusion of sales from
Impavido(R) in the third quarter of 2008. License fees revenues
decreased to $2.4 million for the three-month period ended
September 30, 2008 compared to $3.7 million for the same period in
2007. The decrease for the three-month period ended September 30,
2008, compared to the same period in 2007, is mainly attributable
to a milestone payment received in 2007 from Ardana plc.
Consolidated R&D costs, net of tax credits and grants were
$13.9 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2008
compared to $9.8 million for the same period in 2007. Additional
R&D expenses for the three-month period ended September 30,
2008, compared to the same period in 2007 are mainly related to the
advancement of the Phase 3 program in BPH with the compound,
cetrorelix. Consolidated selling, general and administrative
(SG&A) expenses were $3.3 million for the three-month period
ended September 30, 2008 compared to $5.8 million for the same
period in 2007. The decrease in SG&A expenses for the
three-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same
period in 2007 is primarily related to organizational changes and
cost saving measures that were implemented in the second quarter of
2008. Consolidated net loss for the three-month period ended
September 30, 2008 was $13.9 million or $0.26 per basic and diluted
share compared to $8.7 million or $0.16 per basic and diluted share
for the same period in 2007. The increase in net loss for the
three-month period ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same
period last year, is mainly related to the advancement of the
cetrorelix Phase 3 program for BPH, lower manufacturing margins and
foreign exchange loss. The cash and short-term investments were $11
million as at September 30, 2008. CONFERENCE CALL Management will
be hosting a conference call for the investment community beginning
at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, today, November 13, 2008, to discuss
third quarter 2008 financial results. To participate in the live
conference call by telephone, please dial 416-646-3095,
514-807-8791 or 800-814-4859. Individuals interested in listening
to the conference call on the Internet may do so by visiting
http://www.aezsinc.com/. A replay will be available on the
Company's Web site for 30 days. About AEterna Zentaris Inc. AEterna
Zentaris Inc. is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on
endocrine therapy and oncology with proven expertise in drug
discovery, development and commercialization. News releases and
additional information are available at http://www.aezsinc.com/.
Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains
forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the U.S. Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and
uncertainties, which could cause the Company's actual results to
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the
availability of funds and resources to pursue R&D projects, the
successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the ability
of the Company to take advantage of business opportunities in the
pharmaceutical industry, uncertainties related to the regulatory
process and general changes in economic conditions. Investors
should consult the Company's quarterly and annual filings with the
Canadian and U.S. securities commissions for additional information
on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking
statements. Investors are cautioned not to rely on these
forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to
update these forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation
to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of
any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained
herein to reflect future results, events or developments except if
we are requested by a governmental authority or applicable law.
Attachment: Financial summary (In thousands of US dollars, except
share and per share data) Three months ended Nine months ended
Sept. 30, Sept. 30, (Unaudited) 2008 2007 2008 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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$ $ $ $ Revenues Sales and royalties 8,630 7,372 24,822 22,392
License fees 2,399 3,671 6,412 9,436
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11,029 11,043 31,234 31,828
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Operating expenses Cost of sales 4,986 3,290 14,348 9,675 Research
and development costs, net of tax credits and grants* 13,880 9,835
44,914 25,557 Selling, general and administrative* 3,277 5,847
14,287 15,257 Depreciation and amortization: Property, plant and
equipment 433 426 1,199 1,183 Intangible assets 839 1,024 2,555
3,014
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23,415 20,422 77,303 54,686
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Loss from operations (12,386) (9,379) (46,069) (22,858) Other
income (expenses) Interest income 149 494 737 1,369 Interest
expense - (15) (68) (68) Foreign exchange (loss) gain (1,324) (170)
429 (766) Loss on disposal of long-lived assets held for sale (90)
- (125) -
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(1,265) 309 973 535
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Loss before income taxes (13,651) (9,070) (45,096) (22,323) Income
tax (expense) recovery (228) 1,012 (228) 4,287
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Net loss from continuing operations (13,879) (8,058) (45,324)
(18,036) Net loss from discontinued operations - (646) - (624)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net loss for the period (13,879) (8,704) (45,324) (18,660)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Net loss per share from continuing operations Basic and diluted
(0.26) (0.15) (0.85) (0.34)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Net loss per share Basic and diluted (0.26) (0.16) (0.85) (0.35)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Weighted average number of shares Basic and diluted 53,187,470
53,184,803 53,187,470 53,181,248
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* Stock-based compensation costs included in: Research and
development 50 64 166 180 Selling, general and administra- tive 52
447 78 1,312
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102 511 244 1,492
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Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Three months ended
Nine months ended Sept. 30, Sept. 30, (Unaudited) 2008 2007 2008
2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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$ $ $ $ Net loss for the period (13,879) (8,704) (45,324) (18,660)
Other comprehensive income (loss): Foreign currency translation
(3,169) 6,315 (2,650) 13,204 Variation in the fair value of
short-term investments (15) 81 (3) (87)
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Comprehensive loss (17,063) (2,308) (47,977) (5,543)
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(In thousands of US dollars) CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS September
30, December 31, Unaudited 2008 2007
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$ $ Cash and short-term investments 10,957 41,387 Other current
assets 15,374 18,193 ---------------------------- 26,331 59,580
Long-term assets 46,227 63,783 ---------------------------- Total
assets 72,558 123,363 ----------------------------
---------------------------- Current liabilities 17,611 22,255
Deferred revenues 4,508 3,333 Long-term payable 197 - Employee
future benefits 9,384 9,184 ---------------------------- 31,700
34,772 Shareholders' equity 40,858 88,591
---------------------------- Total liabilities and shareholders'
equity 72,558 123,363 ----------------------------
---------------------------- DATASOURCE: AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.
CONTACT: Investor Relations: Ginette Vallieres, Investor Relations
Coordinator, (418) 652-8525 ext. 265, ; Media Relations: Paul
Burroughs, Director of Communications, Office: (418) 652-8525 ext.
406, Cell: (418) 575-8982,
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