Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLDX) today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010. Celldex reported a net loss of $9.1 million, or $0.28 per share, for the third quarter of 2010 compared to a net loss of $7.2 million, or $0.45 per share, for the third quarter of 2009. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Celldex reported a net loss of $25.2 million, or $0.79 per share, compared to a net loss of $23.6 million, or $1.49 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. At September 30, 2010, Celldex reported cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $57.7 million, a decrease of $8.1 million from June 30, 2010. The decrease is due primarily to operational expenses, $0.3 million in severance payments related to the CuraGen acquisition and $0.5 million in capital expenditures made during the third quarter of 2010. Remaining severance payments of $0.2 million and $0.7 million will be made in 2010 and 2011, respectively.
“In addition, during the third quarter of 2010, Celldex initiated a Phase 2b study of CDX-011, our antibody-drug conjugate, in advanced, refractory breast cancer patients and presented promising initial clinical data from a Phase 1/2 dose-escalating clinical trial of our CDX-1401 vaccine in October.”
Celldex believes that expected cash inflows from interest income on invested funds, an anticipated refinancing of outstanding debt, an anticipated milestone payment, taken together with our current cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities at September 30, 2010 are sufficient to meet estimated working capital requirements and fund planned operations into 2012, including clinical development costs for rindopepimut (CDX-110) anticipated to be paid during that period.
"Importantly, effective November 1, 2010, Celldex has regained rights to develop and commercialize rindopepimut. Rindopepimut is widely perceived by clinicians as one of the most promising drug candidates for patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme—a population with very limited treatment options. We believe we can advance the program at a pace that most appropriately reflects its considerable value proposition and market opportunity—which should benefit patients with GBM and our shareholders—and we are well positioned to advance rindopepimut into a pivotal study by the second half of 2011," said Anthony S. Marucci, Celldex's President and Chief Executive Officer. "In addition, during the third quarter of 2010, Celldex initiated a Phase 2b study of CDX-011, our antibody-drug conjugate, in advanced, refractory breast cancer patients and presented promising initial clinical data from a Phase 1/2 dose-escalating clinical trial of our CDX-1401 vaccine in October."
Third quarter highlights:
- In September, Celldex announced that it would regain rights to develop and commercialize rindopepimut from Pfizer, effective November 1, 2010. Rindopepimut is an experimental therapeutic cancer vaccine that targets the tumor-specific molecule epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) in patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM).
- In September, Celldex initiated a 120 patient randomized Phase 2b controlled study of CDX-011 (glembatumumab vedotin), the Company's antibody drug conjugate for the treatment of patients with glycoprotein NMB (GPNMB) expressing advanced, refractory breast cancer. CDX-011 targets the protein GPNMB, which is over expressed in a variety of cancers including breast cancer, melanoma and brain tumors. Patients are being randomized (2:1) to receive either CDX-011 or single-agent "Investigator's Choice" chemotherapy. Study endpoints include response rate, progression-free survival and overall survival. The study is being conducted in approximately 25 academic and community sites across the U.S and enrollment is expected to be completed by Q4 2011.
- The Company and its collaborators presented positive, preliminary data from the CDX-1401 Phase 1/2 study at the iSBTc Annual Meeting in October. CDX-1401 is a novel antibody-based targeted cancer vaccine candidate being evaluated as a treatment for patients with melanoma and other cancers known to express the tumor antigen NY-ESO-1. CDX-1401 was well tolerated and there were no dose-limiting toxicities. Robust anti-NY-ESO-1 immunity was induced with the majority of the patients developing anti-NY-ESO-1 antibody responses and 39% of the patients experiencing increases in NY-ESO-1 specific T cell responses including both CD4 and CD8 responses. Importantly, the T cell responses were directed against multiple regions of the NY-ESO-1 antigen. Based on these results, the Company is conducting ongoing cohorts of CDX-1401 in combination with additional TLR agonists including with poly-ICLC (HiltonolTM), a potent TLR3 agonist and stimulator of immune cells.
Fourth quarter and upcoming events:
- On November 1, 2010, Celldex received notice from the IRS that it has been awarded Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project (QTDP) grants totaling approximately $1.7 million from the U.S. government related to seven of the Company's projects, including rindopepimut, CDX-011, CDX-1307, CDX-1401, CDX-1135, CDX-301 and CDX-1127.
- At the Society of Neuro-Oncology Annual Meeting being held November 18-21, 2010 in Montreal, Celldex expects to present final data on the 5.5-month Progression Free Survival (PFS) rate from all 65 patients enrolled in the rindopepimut ACT III study as well as an update on Overall Survival (OS) data from this study. Final OS data from the ACT II study will also be presented. These data will provide additional information that will allow us to better design the future clinical development of rindopepimut. Celldex is currently planning to initiate a Phase 3 randomized study of rindopepimut in patients with GBM by the second half of 2011.
- In the fourth quarter of 2010, Celldex expects to complete the renovations of its Fall River, MA, manufacturing facility, increasing its capacity by installing a 1000L bioreactor and making the facility EMEA compliant. Implementing EMEA requirements along with US GMPs will allow Celldex to distribute potential products to clinical sites in both the US and EU.
Further Financial Highlights
Third Quarter Results
The net loss of $9.1 million for the third quarter of 2010 represents an increased loss of $1.9 million when compared to the net loss for the same period in 2009, primarily due to increases in research and development (R&D) as a result of the advancement and expansion of Celldex's clinical pipeline, amortization and interest expenses in the third quarter of 2010, offset partially by decreases in revenues, royalty and general and administrative (G&A) expenses.
Revenues for the third quarter of 2010 decreased by $1.6 million when compared to revenues for the third quarter of 2009. Product development and licensing revenue primarily reflects the recognition of $1.3 million in Pfizer deferred revenue related to rindopepimut (CDX-110) during the three-month periods in both 2010 and 2009. Contracts and grants revenue reflects revenues from Rockefeller University recorded in 2009 only. In 2010, Celldex recognized $1.0 million in product royalty revenue related to offsetting royalty expense payable to Cincinnati Children's Hospital (CCH) compared to product royalty revenue of $1.9 million payable to CCH in 2009.
R&D expenses in the third quarter of 2010 and 2009 were approximately $7.2 million and $5.2 million, respectively. Changes in R&D expenses between 2010 and 2009 primarily reflect higher personnel-related expenses, facility-related expenses, contracted research expenses, clinical trials expenses and license/milestone payments to licensors, offset by lower laboratory supplies and services expenses and contract manufacturing expenses in 2010.
Royalty expense includes product royalty and sublicense royalty fees on our out-licensed programs. The $0.9 million decrease in royalty expenses in the third quarter of 2010 was due to a decrease in Rotarix® related royalty fees. Our retained interests in Rotarix net royalties, which were not sold to Paul Royalty Fund, are recorded as product royalty revenue and a corresponding amount that is payable to CCH is recorded as royalty expense.
G&A expense decreased by $1.4 million to $2.4 million in 2010 as compared to G&A expense of $3.9 million in the third quarter of 2009 primarily due to legal and other professional services expenses incurred in 2009 in connection with the acquisition of CuraGen Corporation.
The $0.4 million increase in amortization expense for the third quarter of 2010 was primarily due to the amortization of intangible assets acquired in connection with the acquisition of CuraGen Corporation.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities decreased by approximately $8.1 million from June 30, 2010, primarily due to operating expenses incurred during the quarter, CuraGen-related severance payments and capital expenditures related to renovations at our Fall River, MA manufacturing facility.
Nine Month Results
The net loss of $25.2 million for the first nine months of 2010 represents an increased loss of $1.6 million when compared to the net loss for the same period in 2009. Higher operating and interest expenses were incurred during the first nine months of 2010 compared to 2009, partially offset by the receipt of a sublicense income payment of $3.0 million from TopoTarget A/S in the first quarter of 2010.
Revenues for the first nine months of 2010 decreased by $1.4 million compared with revenues for 2009. Product development and licensing revenue primarily reflects the recognition of $3.9 million in Pfizer deferred revenue related to rindopepimut (CDX-110) during the nine-month periods in both 2010 and 2009. The decrease in contracts and grants revenue in 2010 compared to 2009 primarily reflects reduced revenues from Rockefeller University. In the first nine months of 2010, Celldex also recognized $4.7 million in product royalty revenue related to offsetting royalty expense payable to CCH compared to $5.1 million in 2009.
R&D expense in the first nine months of 2010 increased by $2.8 million compared to 2009 due primarily to the combined operations of Celldex and CuraGen for the full nine-month period in 2010, including increased personnel-related expenses, clinical trials costs, contract manufacturing expenses, license/milestone payments to licensors and facility-related costs. These increases were partially offset by decreased laboratory supplies and services expenses. Royalty expenses for 2010 decreased by $0.4 million due to decreased royalty expense to CCH.
G&A expense decreased by $2.9 million to $7.8 million in 2010 as compared to G&A expense of $10.7 million in the first nine months of 2009, primarily due to reduced personnel-related and M&A-related legal and other professional services expenses in 2010, as compared to 2009 when Celldex completed the CuraGen transaction.
The $2.4 million increase in amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily due to the amortization of intangible assets acquired in connection with the CuraGen acquisition.
The $3.2 million increase in investment and other income, net in 2010, is primarily due to other income of $3.0 million recorded for the TopoTarget sublicense income payment. The $0.9 million increase in interest expense was primarily due to interest recorded in 2010 on the CuraGen convertible debt, which Celldex assumed in connection with the CuraGen acquisition.
As of September 30, 2010, Celldex had approximately 32.1 million shares outstanding.
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