LAKE OSWEGO, Ore., Aug. 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galena Biopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq:GALE), a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative, targeted oncology treatments addressing major unmet medical needs to advance cancer care, today reported its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 and provided an update on recent business developments.
"We have made significant progress in advancing our development stage pipeline of leading cancer immunotherapies, as well as strengthening our team and resources. In the last quarter, we presented key Phase 2 data at ASCO and were issued an important patent to support our ongoing development of the NeuVax™ Phase 3 PRESENT trial," said Mark J. Ahn, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer. "In addition, I am pleased to report that we have already opened 33 investigational sites for Phase 3 patient enrollment in the U.S., and are in the process of opening additional sites in Canada, Europe, and Asia. We remain focused on completing enrollment of our global registrational trial, as well as partnering activities." Recent Business Highlights Q2 2012 Financial Highlights
Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2012 was $0.2 million or $0.003 per share on a basic and diluted basis, versus a net loss of $3.8 million, or $0.10 per share on a basic and diluted basis for the three months ended June 30, 2011.
Operating loss from continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2012 was approximately $5.7 million compared with $2.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, operating loss from continuing operations was $10.1 million compared with $5.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Loss from discontinued operations was $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2012, as compared to $2.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Loss from discontinued operations was $1.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to $4.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The period to period changes in net income, loss from continued operations and net loss from discontinued operations are primarily driven by the spin-off of our former RXi Pharmaceuticals subsidiary on April 27, 2012 and the
related focus of our continuing operations on our late-stage NeuVax product candidate.
Other income for the three months ended June 30, 2012 was $5.9 million versus other income of $0.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Other expense for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was $13.2 million versus other income of $2.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The period to period changes in other income (expense) were due to non-cash charges related to changes in the fair value estimates of our warrant liabilities and contingent purchase price liability.
As of June 30, 2012, Galena had cash and cash equivalents of $19.2 million, compared with cash and cash equivalents of $11.4 million as of December 31, 2011. In connection with the RXi spin-off on April 27, 2012, approximately 67.0 million shares of RXi common stock were distributed as a dividend to the Galena shareholders, representing a net liability position of $2.2 million at historical cost. We retained a 4% interest in RXi, or approximately 32.7 million shares of RXi common stock, which is carried at historical cost, effectively zero, at June 30, 2012. The market value of the RXi shares held by Galena at June 30, 2012 was approximately $4.3 million. About NeuVax™ (nelipepimut-S or E75)
NeuVax (nelipepimut-S or E75) consists of the E75 peptide derived from human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) combined with the immune adjuvant granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Treatment with NeuVax stimulates cytotoxic (CD8+) T cells in a highly specific manner to target cells expressing any level of HER2. NeuVax is given as an intradermal injection once a month for six months, followed by a booster injection once every six months. Based on a successful Phase 2 trial that achieved its primary endpoint of disease-free survival, the Food and Drug Administration granted NeuVax a Special Protocol Assessment for its Phase 3 PRESENT (Prevention of Recurrence in Early-Stage, Node-Positive Breast Cancer with Low to Intermediate HER2 Expression with NeuVax Treatment) study. The Phase 3 trial is ongoing and
additional information on the study can be found at www.neuvax.com.
According to the National Cancer Institute, over 230,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with breast cancer annually. Of these women, about 75% of them have breast cancer tissue that tests positive for some level of HER2 staining (IHC 1+, 2+ or 3+). Only 25% of all breast cancer patients, those with HER2 3+ disease, are eligible for Herceptin® (trastuzumab; Roche-Genentech), which had revenues of over $6 billion in 2011. NeuVax targets the 50—60% of patients with tumors that are HER2 negative (low-to-intermediate or HER2 1+, 2+), who are not eligible for Herceptin. NeuVax may provide these early-stage breast cancer patients with a treatment option to prevent recurrence and maintain their disease-free status. About Folate Binding Protein (E39), or FBP
Folate Binding Protein (FBP) is a targeted vaccine aimed at preventing the recurrence of ovarian, endometrial, and breast cancers. The FBP vaccine consists of the E39 peptide derived from the folate binding protein combined with the immune adjuvant granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). FBP is over-expressed (20-80 fold) in more than 90% of ovarian and endometrial cancers, as well as 20—50% of breast, lung, colorectal, and renal cell carcinomas. FBP has very limited tissue distribution and expression in non-malignant tissue, making it an ideal immunotherapy target.
Ovarian cancer occurs in over 22,000 patients per year in the U.S. and is the most lethal gynecologic cancer. Although the incidence of ovarian cancer is only approximately 20% of that of breast cancer, the number of patients that die from ovarian cancer is nearly 50% greater than the percentage of breast cancer patients who die from this disease. Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer and occurs in over 46,000 women, with over 8,000 deaths in the U.S. annually. While many patients respond to initial treatment and become clinically free of disease, the majority of these patients will relapse, and, once the disease recurs, the treatment options and successes drop dramatically. About Galena Biopharma
Galena Biopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq:GALE) is a Portland, Oregon-based biopharmaceutical company that develops innovative, targeted oncology treatments that address major unmet medical needs to advance cancer care. For more information please visit us at www.galenabiopharma.com.
The Galena Biopharma, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=10647 Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the possible benefits of the recent developments described above, as well as statements about expectations, plans and prospects for the development of Galena's product candidates. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those identified under "Risk Factors" in Galena's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2011 filed with the SEC. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements. Galena does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect a change in its views or events or circumstances that occur after the date of this press release.
Galena Biopharma (A Development Stage Company) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EXPENSES
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2012
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2011
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
Research and development expense
$ 3,720
$ 329
$ 6,384
$ 390
General and administrative expense
1,963
1,949
3,709
5,068
Operating loss
(5,683)
(2,278)
(10,093)
(5,458)
Other income (expense), net
5,910
682
(13,220)
2,116
Income (loss) from continuing operations
227
(1,596)
(23,313)
(3,342)
Loss from discontinued operations
(423)
(2,158)
(1,644)
(4,257)
Net loss
$ (196)
$ (3,754)
$ (24,957)
$ (7,599)
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic income (loss) per share, continuing operations
$ 0.003
$ (0.04)
$ (0.41)
$ (0.11)
Diluted loss per share, continuing operations
$ (0.03)
$ (0.04)
$ (0.41)
$ (0.11)
Basic and diluted loss per share, discontinued operations
$ (0.01)
$ (0.06)
$ (0.03)
$ (0.14)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic
65,112,147
38,568,501
56,554,160
29,492,756
Diluted
67,177,572
38,568,501
56,554,160
29,492,756
Galena Biopharma (A Development Stage Company) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Amounts in thousands)
June 30, December 31,
2012 2011 ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 19,228
$ 11,433
Restricted cash
101
101
Prepaid expenses
760
276
Total current assets
20,089
11,810
Equipment and furnishings, net
34
393
In-process research and development
12,864
12,864
Goodwill
5,898
5,898
Deposits
74
3
Total assets
38,959
$ 30,968
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$ 1,706
$ 2,155
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
1,478
2,984
Current maturities of capital lease obligations
12
35
Convertible notes payable
--
500
Fair value of warrants potentially settleable in cash
5,229
3,746
Current contingent consideration
897
1,782
Total current liabilities
9,322
11,202
Capital lease obligations, net of current maturities
45
32
Deferred tax liability, non-current
5,053
5,053
Contingent consideration, net of current portion
5,423
4,569
Total liabilities
19,843
20,856
Stockholders' equity
19,116
10,112
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$ 38,959
$ 30,968 CONTACT: Madeline Hatton
Toll free: +1 (855) 855-GALE (4253), ext. 109
info@galenabiopharma.com
or
Remy Bernarda
IR Sense, LLC
+1 (503) 400-6995
remy@irsense.com
