SAN DIEGO, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ardea Biosciences, Inc. , a biotechnology company focused on the development of small-molecule therapeutics for the treatment of gout, cancer and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), today reported recent accomplishments and financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009.
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“Since our last quarterly update, we have confirmed the activity of RDEA594 in gout patients, and we have initiated the four planned studies in our broad-based Phase 2 development program,” commented Barry D. Quart, PharmD, Ardea’s president and chief executive officer. “The Phase 2a results demonstrate the ability of RDEA594 to normalize renal excretion of uric acid in patients that have gout due to their inability to excrete sufficient amounts of uric acid. These under-excretors of uric acid make up approximately 90% of the patients with hyperuricemia and gout, and are the primary target population for RDEA594,” added Dr. Quart.
Recent Accomplishments
Clinical Development Efforts and Important Upcoming Clinical Development Milestones
Third Quarter and Year-to-Date 2009 Financial Results
As of September 30, 2009, we had $59.6 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, and $1.4 million in receivables, compared to $57.7 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, and $0.4 million in receivables as of December 31, 2008. The increase in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and receivables for the first nine months of 2009 was primarily due to the receipt of a $35.0 million non-refundable, upfront license fee and the expected reimbursement of third-party development costs associated with our MEK inhibitor program under our license agreement with Bayer, offset by the use of cash to fund our clinical-stage programs, personnel costs and for other general corporate purposes.
We anticipate that our existing cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund our operating activities through the first quarter of 2011. This current financial projection includes forecasted expenses associated with the RDEA594 Phase 2 and Phase 3 programs anticipated for that period, combined with expense reductions from our recent restructuring. This projection does not include any milestone payments under our license agreement with Bayer, proceeds from future partnering activities or financings, or potential payments under our asset purchase agreement with Valeant.
Revenues totaled $9.2 million and $14.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively. There were no revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and revenues totaled $0.3 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008. The revenues earned during the first nine months of 2009 resulted from the recognition of a portion of the upfront, non-refundable license fee and reimbursement of third-party development costs under our license agreement with Bayer. The $35.0 million upfront license fee is being recognized on a straight-line basis over a period of approximately 13 months, which is the anticipated timeframe in which the Company expects to complete all of its obligations under the license agreement. The revenue earned in fiscal 2008 resulted from the research services we provided under our master services agreement with Valeant, which has since terminated by its terms.
The net loss applicable to common stockholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $2.5 million and $24.5 million, or $0.13 per share and $1.36 per share, respectively, compared to a net loss applicable to common stockholders for the same periods in 2008 of $14.2 million and $42.4 million, or $0.95 per share and $2.98 per share, respectively. The net loss applicable to common stockholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 included non-cash charges of $1.3 million and $4.3 million, or $0.07 per share and $0.24 per share, respectively, for stock-based compensation expense. For the same period in 2008, we reported non-cash charges of $1.3 million and $3.7 million, or $0.09 per share and $0.26 per share, respectively, for stock-based compensation expense.
The decrease in net loss applicable to common stockholders between these periods was primarily a result of the increase in revenues noted above for the same period, and a decrease in operating expenses, mainly due to reduced discovery research and clinical development expenditures as we continue to focus our resources on our gout-related programs, RDEA594 and RDEA684. In addition, during the third quarter of 2009, we realized savings from our restructuring plan of approximately $1.1 million. These decreases were partially offset by severance-related restructuring charges of approximately $0.1 million and $0.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, an increase in interest expense in connection with our growth capital loan and capital lease obligations entered into in the second half of 2008 and a decline in interest income due to lower average interest rates as compared to 2008.
About Ardea Biosciences, Inc.
Ardea Biosciences, Inc., of San Diego, California, is a biotechnology company focused on the development of small-molecule therapeutics for the treatment of gout, cancer and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). RDEA594, our lead product candidate in development for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout, is a selective URAT1 transporter inhibitor in Phase 2 clinical development. Our next-generation URAT1 inhibitor, RDEA684, is currently in preclinical development. RDEA119, a potent and specific inhibitor of mitogen-activated ERK kinase (MEK), is being developed under a global license agreement with Bayer HealthCare. RDEA119 is being evaluated as a single agent in a Phase 1 study in advanced cancer patients and in a Phase 1/2 study in combination with sorafenib (Nexavar(R); Bayer HealthCare, Onyx Pharmaceuticals) in advanced cancer patients. RDEA806, for the treatment of HIV, is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) that has successfully completed a Phase 2a study in HIV patients. RDEA427, a next generation NNRTI, has superior pharmacokinetic properties, and even greater activity against a wide range of drug-resistant viral isolates than RDEA806. We have evaluated RDEA427 in a human micro-dose pharmacokinetic study.
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our plans and goals, the expected properties and benefits of RDEA594, RDEA684, RDEA119, RDEA806, and our other compounds and the timing and results of our preclinical, clinical and other studies, sufficiency of our cash resources, expected benefits of our restructuring and our financial performance. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include risks related to the outcome of preclinical and clinical studies, risks related to regulatory approvals, delays in commencement of preclinical and clinical studies, costs associated with our drug discovery and development programs, risks related to the timing, assumptions and projections relating to our restructuring and risks related to the outcome of our business development activities, including collaboration or licensing agreements. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in our most recently filed SEC documents, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, under the headings “Risk Factors.” All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. We undertake no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.
CONTACT: John Beck of Ardea Biosciences, Inc., +1-858-652-6523,
jbeck@ardeabio.com; or media, Heidi Chokeir, Ph.D. of Russo Partners, LLC,
+1-619-528-2217, heidi.chokeir@russopartnersllc.com, for Ardea Biosciences,
Inc.
Web site: http://www.ardeabiosciences.com/
