Cytokinetics, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2015 Financial Results
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA, April 30, 2015 - Cytokinetics, Incorporated (Nasdaq: CYTK) reported total research and development revenues for the first quarter of 2015 were $4.4 million, compared to $8.0 million during the same period in 2014. The net loss for the first quarter was $8.9 million, or $0.23 per basic and diluted share. This is compared to a net loss for the same period in 2014, of $8.7 million, or $0.27 per basic share and diluted share. As of March 31, 2015, cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $117.5 million.
"During the first quarter, Cytokinetics convened meetings with each of FDA and EMA to review results from BENEFIT-ALS and to discuss plans to advance tirasemtiv to the next stage of clinical development. Based on feedback from those meetings, Cytokinetics is preparing to initiate a large, international Phase III clinical trial of tirasemtiv in patients with ALS.” stated Robert I. Blum, Cytokinetics' President and Chief Executive Officer. “In addition, we are pleased that COSMIC-HF recently completed patient enrollment. We are readying for the availability of results from this clinical trial which are expected later this year and are preparing for the potential progression of omecamtiv mecarbil to Phase III in collaboration with Amgen.”
Company Highlights
Skeletal Muscle Contractility
tirasemtiv
• During the quarter, Cytokinetics convened meetings with regulatory authorities in both the United States and Europe to discuss the results of BENEFIT-ALS and plans to advance tirasemtiv to Phase III. While regulatory interactions are on-going, the company believes that the current feedback from the FDA and EMA inform the advancement of tirasemtiv to a Phase III program.
• During the quarter, Cytokinetics conducted readiness activities to support the initiation of a Phase III clinical trial of tirasemtiv in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Objectives of the Phase III program are to confirm and extend results observed in BENEFIT-ALS and will include assessments of measures of respiratory function after longer duration treatment with tirasemtiv in patients with ALS, including effects on slow vital capacity (SVC).
• During the quarter, a manuscript titled “A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Single Doses of Tirasemtiv in Patients with Acetylcholine Receptor-Binding Antibody-Positive Myasthenia Gravis” was published in the journal Neurotherapeutics. This publication summarized results from a Phase IIa clinical trial which evaluated two doses of tirasemtiv in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG). The authors concluded that tirasemtiv may improve muscle function in patients with MG and that the results support further development of tirasemtiv in neuromuscular diseases.
CK-2127107
• During the quarter, Cytokinetics and Astellas Pharma Inc. engaged neuromuscular experts to inform the planning of a Phase II clinical trial of CK-2127107 in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) which is expected to be conducted by Cytokinetics in accordance with an agreed plan with Astellas. Cytokinetics and Astellas also engaged in additional preclinical activities, including manufacturing and formulation development for CK-2127107.
Cardiac Muscle Contractility
omecamtiv mecarbil
• During the quarter, patient enrollment completed in COSMIC-HF (Chronic Oral Study of Myosin Activation to Increase Contractility in Heart Failure). COSMIC-HF is a Phase II, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial designed to assess the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of omecamtiv mecarbil dosed orally in patients with heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction as well as its effects on echocardiographic measures of cardiac function. Over 275 patients have completed the 20-week duration of dosing in the expansion phase of COSMIC-HF. This trial is being conducted by Amgen in collaboration with Cytokinetics.
• During the quarter, Cytokinetics collaborated with Amgen on activities directed to the potential advancement of omecamtiv mecarbil to a Phase III program.
Pre-Clinical Research
• During the quarter, Cytokinetics and Amgen agreed to extend the joint research program directed to next-generation cardiac sarcomere activator compounds. Terms of the amendment to the companies’ collaboration agreement provide for Amgen’s continued support of Cytokinetics scientists through 2015 and potential additional milestone payments from Amgen to Cytokinetics for compounds that may arise out of the collaborative research.
• During the quarter, a manuscript titled “The Small Molecule Fast Skeletal Troponin Activator, CK-2127107, Improves Exercise Tolerance in a Rat Model of Heart Failure” was published in The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. In this preclinical study, CK-2127107 was associated with increased exercise performance in this heart failure model. The authors concluded that CK-2127107 substantially increased exercise performance in this model, suggesting that modulation of skeletal muscle function by a fast skeletal troponin activator may be a useful therapeutic approach in heart failure associated exercise intolerance.
Corporate
• During the quarter, Cytokinetics supported the global efforts of patient and disease advocacy groups to raise awareness of rare diseases, like ALS and SMA, through participation in Rare Disease Day on February 28, 2015.
Financials
Revenues for the first quarter of 2015 were $4.4 million, compared to $8.0 million during the same period in 2014. Revenues for the first quarter of 2015 included $1.6 million of license revenues and $2.1 million of research and development revenues from our collaboration with Astellas, and $0.7 million in research and development revenues from our collaboration with Amgen. Revenues for the same period in 2014 were comprised of $2.1 million of license revenues and $5.2 million of research and development revenues from our collaboration with Astellas, which included a $2.0 million milestone payment related to research activities; and $0.7 million of research and development revenues from our collaboration with Amgen.
Total research and development (R&D) expenses for the first quarter of 2015 were $9.0 million, compared with $12.5 million for the same period in 2014. The $3.5 million decrease in R&D expenses for the first quarter of 2015, compared with the same period in 2014, was primarily due to a decrease of $3.9 million in outsourced clinical and preclinical costs partially offset by an increase of $0.2 million in personnel related expenses.
Total general and administrative (G&A) expenses for the first quarter of 2015 were $4.4 million, compared with $4.3 million for the same period in 2014.
R&D Day Meeting
Cytokinetics is hosting a R&D Day on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. The meeting is scheduled to occur from 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM Eastern Time at the New York Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York, New York and will be simultaneously webcast. Representatives of Cytokinetics’ senior management team will be joined by expert clinicians to provide updates regarding the company’s discovery and development programs including recent progress, milestones and other commentary.
Annual Stockholders’ Meeting
Cytokinetics’ Annual Stockholders’ Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2015. The meeting is scheduled to occur at 10:30 AM Pacific Time at the Embassy Suites Hotel in South San Francisco, CA and will be simultaneously webcast.
Company Milestones
Skeletal Muscle Contractility
tirasemtiv
• Cytokinetics expects to initiate a Phase III clinical development program for tirasemtiv in patients with ALS in the second quarter of 2015.
CK-2127107
• Cytokinetics expects to initiate a Phase II trial of CK-2127107 in patients with SMA in the second half of 2015.
Cardiac Muscle Contractility
omecamtiv mecarbil
• Cytokinetics expects results from COSMIC-HF to be available in the second half of 2015.
• Cytokinetics expects to continue joint development activities in collaboration with Amgen directed to the potential advancement of omecamtiv mecarbil to Phase III clinical development.
Conference Call and Webcast Information
Members of Cytokinetics' senior management team will review the company's first quarter results via a webcast and conference call today at 4:30 PM Eastern Time. The webcast can be accessed through the Homepage and Investor Relations section of the Cytokinetics website at www.cytokinetics.com. The live audio of the conference call can also be accessed by telephone by dialing either (866) 999-CYTK (2985) (United States and Canada) or (706) 679-3078 (international) and typing in the passcode 34463154.
An archived replay of the webcast will be available via Cytokinetics' website until May 7, 2015. The replay will also be available via telephone by dialing (855) 859-2056 (United States and Canada) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and typing in the passcode 34463154 from April 30, 2015 at 5:30 PM Eastern Time until May 7, 2015.
About Cytokinetics
Cytokinetics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel small molecule therapeutics that modulate muscle function for the potential treatment of serious diseases and medical conditions. Cytokinetics is developing tirasemtiv, a fast skeletal muscle activator, as a potential treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Tirasemtiv has been granted orphan drug designation and fast track status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and orphan medicinal product designation by the European Medicines Agency for the potential treatment of ALS. Cytokinetics is collaborating with Amgen Inc. to develop omecamtiv mecarbil, a cardiac muscle activator, for the potential treatment of heart failure. Cytokinetics is collaborating with Astellas Pharma Inc. to develop CK-2127107, a fast skeletal muscle activator, for the potential treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. Amgen holds an exclusive license worldwide to develop and commercialize omecamtiv mecarbil and Astellas holds an exclusive license worldwide to develop and commercialize CK-2127107. Both licenses are subject to Cytokinetics' specified development and commercialization participation rights. All of these drug candidates have arisen from Cytokinetics' muscle biology focused research activities and are directed towards the cytoskeleton. The cytoskeleton is a complex biological infrastructure that plays a fundamental role within every human cell. Additional information about Cytokinetics can be obtained at http://www.cytokinetics.com/.
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"During the first quarter, Cytokinetics convened meetings with each of FDA and EMA to review results from BENEFIT-ALS and to discuss plans to advance tirasemtiv to the next stage of clinical development. Based on feedback from those meetings, Cytokinetics is preparing to initiate a large, international Phase III clinical trial of tirasemtiv in patients with ALS.” stated Robert I. Blum, Cytokinetics' President and Chief Executive Officer. “In addition, we are pleased that COSMIC-HF recently completed patient enrollment. We are readying for the availability of results from this clinical trial which are expected later this year and are preparing for the potential progression of omecamtiv mecarbil to Phase III in collaboration with Amgen.”
Company Highlights
Skeletal Muscle Contractility
tirasemtiv
• During the quarter, Cytokinetics convened meetings with regulatory authorities in both the United States and Europe to discuss the results of BENEFIT-ALS and plans to advance tirasemtiv to Phase III. While regulatory interactions are on-going, the company believes that the current feedback from the FDA and EMA inform the advancement of tirasemtiv to a Phase III program.
• During the quarter, Cytokinetics conducted readiness activities to support the initiation of a Phase III clinical trial of tirasemtiv in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Objectives of the Phase III program are to confirm and extend results observed in BENEFIT-ALS and will include assessments of measures of respiratory function after longer duration treatment with tirasemtiv in patients with ALS, including effects on slow vital capacity (SVC).
• During the quarter, a manuscript titled “A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Single Doses of Tirasemtiv in Patients with Acetylcholine Receptor-Binding Antibody-Positive Myasthenia Gravis” was published in the journal Neurotherapeutics. This publication summarized results from a Phase IIa clinical trial which evaluated two doses of tirasemtiv in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG). The authors concluded that tirasemtiv may improve muscle function in patients with MG and that the results support further development of tirasemtiv in neuromuscular diseases.
CK-2127107
• During the quarter, Cytokinetics and Astellas Pharma Inc. engaged neuromuscular experts to inform the planning of a Phase II clinical trial of CK-2127107 in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) which is expected to be conducted by Cytokinetics in accordance with an agreed plan with Astellas. Cytokinetics and Astellas also engaged in additional preclinical activities, including manufacturing and formulation development for CK-2127107.
Cardiac Muscle Contractility
omecamtiv mecarbil
• During the quarter, patient enrollment completed in COSMIC-HF (Chronic Oral Study of Myosin Activation to Increase Contractility in Heart Failure). COSMIC-HF is a Phase II, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial designed to assess the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of omecamtiv mecarbil dosed orally in patients with heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction as well as its effects on echocardiographic measures of cardiac function. Over 275 patients have completed the 20-week duration of dosing in the expansion phase of COSMIC-HF. This trial is being conducted by Amgen in collaboration with Cytokinetics.
• During the quarter, Cytokinetics collaborated with Amgen on activities directed to the potential advancement of omecamtiv mecarbil to a Phase III program.
Pre-Clinical Research
• During the quarter, Cytokinetics and Amgen agreed to extend the joint research program directed to next-generation cardiac sarcomere activator compounds. Terms of the amendment to the companies’ collaboration agreement provide for Amgen’s continued support of Cytokinetics scientists through 2015 and potential additional milestone payments from Amgen to Cytokinetics for compounds that may arise out of the collaborative research.
• During the quarter, a manuscript titled “The Small Molecule Fast Skeletal Troponin Activator, CK-2127107, Improves Exercise Tolerance in a Rat Model of Heart Failure” was published in The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. In this preclinical study, CK-2127107 was associated with increased exercise performance in this heart failure model. The authors concluded that CK-2127107 substantially increased exercise performance in this model, suggesting that modulation of skeletal muscle function by a fast skeletal troponin activator may be a useful therapeutic approach in heart failure associated exercise intolerance.
Corporate
• During the quarter, Cytokinetics supported the global efforts of patient and disease advocacy groups to raise awareness of rare diseases, like ALS and SMA, through participation in Rare Disease Day on February 28, 2015.
Financials
Revenues for the first quarter of 2015 were $4.4 million, compared to $8.0 million during the same period in 2014. Revenues for the first quarter of 2015 included $1.6 million of license revenues and $2.1 million of research and development revenues from our collaboration with Astellas, and $0.7 million in research and development revenues from our collaboration with Amgen. Revenues for the same period in 2014 were comprised of $2.1 million of license revenues and $5.2 million of research and development revenues from our collaboration with Astellas, which included a $2.0 million milestone payment related to research activities; and $0.7 million of research and development revenues from our collaboration with Amgen.
Total research and development (R&D) expenses for the first quarter of 2015 were $9.0 million, compared with $12.5 million for the same period in 2014. The $3.5 million decrease in R&D expenses for the first quarter of 2015, compared with the same period in 2014, was primarily due to a decrease of $3.9 million in outsourced clinical and preclinical costs partially offset by an increase of $0.2 million in personnel related expenses.
Total general and administrative (G&A) expenses for the first quarter of 2015 were $4.4 million, compared with $4.3 million for the same period in 2014.
R&D Day Meeting
Cytokinetics is hosting a R&D Day on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. The meeting is scheduled to occur from 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM Eastern Time at the New York Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York, New York and will be simultaneously webcast. Representatives of Cytokinetics’ senior management team will be joined by expert clinicians to provide updates regarding the company’s discovery and development programs including recent progress, milestones and other commentary.
Annual Stockholders’ Meeting
Cytokinetics’ Annual Stockholders’ Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2015. The meeting is scheduled to occur at 10:30 AM Pacific Time at the Embassy Suites Hotel in South San Francisco, CA and will be simultaneously webcast.
Company Milestones
Skeletal Muscle Contractility
tirasemtiv
• Cytokinetics expects to initiate a Phase III clinical development program for tirasemtiv in patients with ALS in the second quarter of 2015.
CK-2127107
• Cytokinetics expects to initiate a Phase II trial of CK-2127107 in patients with SMA in the second half of 2015.
Cardiac Muscle Contractility
omecamtiv mecarbil
• Cytokinetics expects results from COSMIC-HF to be available in the second half of 2015.
• Cytokinetics expects to continue joint development activities in collaboration with Amgen directed to the potential advancement of omecamtiv mecarbil to Phase III clinical development.
Conference Call and Webcast Information
Members of Cytokinetics' senior management team will review the company's first quarter results via a webcast and conference call today at 4:30 PM Eastern Time. The webcast can be accessed through the Homepage and Investor Relations section of the Cytokinetics website at www.cytokinetics.com. The live audio of the conference call can also be accessed by telephone by dialing either (866) 999-CYTK (2985) (United States and Canada) or (706) 679-3078 (international) and typing in the passcode 34463154.
An archived replay of the webcast will be available via Cytokinetics' website until May 7, 2015. The replay will also be available via telephone by dialing (855) 859-2056 (United States and Canada) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and typing in the passcode 34463154 from April 30, 2015 at 5:30 PM Eastern Time until May 7, 2015.
About Cytokinetics
Cytokinetics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel small molecule therapeutics that modulate muscle function for the potential treatment of serious diseases and medical conditions. Cytokinetics is developing tirasemtiv, a fast skeletal muscle activator, as a potential treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Tirasemtiv has been granted orphan drug designation and fast track status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and orphan medicinal product designation by the European Medicines Agency for the potential treatment of ALS. Cytokinetics is collaborating with Amgen Inc. to develop omecamtiv mecarbil, a cardiac muscle activator, for the potential treatment of heart failure. Cytokinetics is collaborating with Astellas Pharma Inc. to develop CK-2127107, a fast skeletal muscle activator, for the potential treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. Amgen holds an exclusive license worldwide to develop and commercialize omecamtiv mecarbil and Astellas holds an exclusive license worldwide to develop and commercialize CK-2127107. Both licenses are subject to Cytokinetics' specified development and commercialization participation rights. All of these drug candidates have arisen from Cytokinetics' muscle biology focused research activities and are directed towards the cytoskeleton. The cytoskeleton is a complex biological infrastructure that plays a fundamental role within every human cell. Additional information about Cytokinetics can be obtained at http://www.cytokinetics.com/.
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