Net operating expenses decreased by 33% in 2008; Forecast cutting net operating expenses by approximately 50% in 2009
CTI expects to complete pixantrone NDA submission in Q2 2009
SEATTLE, March 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI) today reported recent accomplishments and financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2008.
Recent Events
"Unfortunately in this current economic environment the Company finds itself like most of our peers unable to justify supporting non-essential long term investments in preclinical research. In a move to maintain adequate liquidity to advance pixantrone to market we continue to streamline our operations to meet the goal of pixantrone approval in 2009," said James A. Bianco, M.D., CEO of CTI. "The non-dilutive capital infusion from the sale of Zevalin and resulting reduction in expenses associated with the product is important as we can utilize our resources for products we now believe have significantly greater market potential."
Financial Results
For the quarter ended December 31, 2008, total operating expenses decreased approximately 69% to $11.2 million compared to $36.2 million for the same period in 2007 mainly as a result of the reduction in research and development expenses as well as a gain of $9.4 million on the sale of Zevalin to a 50/50 owned joint venture with Spectrum in 2008. CTI reported a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $41.3 million ($0.52 per share) compared to a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $39.1 million ($7.44 per share) for the same period in 2007. The reduction in net loss per share is due to an increase in the number of shares outstanding.
For the year ended December 31, 2008, total operating expenses decreased approximately 33% to $88.7 million for 2008 compared to $133.1 million for 2007 mainly as a result of a decrease in research and development expenses, acquired in-process research and development expense of $24.6 million in 2007 and a gain of $9.4 million on the sale of Zevalin to a 50/50 owned joint venture with Spectrum in 2008. CTI posted a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $202.9 million ($7.00 per share), compared to a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $148.3 million ($32.75 per share) for the same period in 2007. The increase in net loss is primarily related to increased expenses related to financing in 2008. The reduction in net loss per share is due to an increase in the number of shares outstanding.
The Company ended the year with cash and cash equivalents, securities available-for-sale and interest receivable of approximately $10.7 million. In March 2009, CTI closed its transaction to sell its remaining interest in the Zevalin joint venture to Spectrum for approximately $16.5 million. Even with this additional financing, in order to meet liquidity needs, the Company will need to raise additional capital this year in order to fund its continued operations and is exploring alternatives to do so, which may include potential partnerships or joint ventures, public or private equity financings, debt financings or restructurings, dispositions of assets or other means.
In addition, given the current credit crunch most biotech companies must operate in today, its Board of Directors is engaged in an evaluation of short- and long-term strategic business development opportunities and operational efficiencies for the company and has authorized management to retain a financial advisor for this process.
The review process may include seeking additional partners or collaborators for the company's product development candidates, additional equity or debt financings or seeking further efficiencies in its operations. No specific timetable has been set for completion of the review. CTI presently has no commitment or agreement with respect to any possible future transaction, and there can be no assurance that any transaction will result.
About Cell Therapeutics, Inc.
Headquartered in Seattle, CTI is a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing an integrated portfolio of oncology products aimed at making cancer more treatable. For additional information, please visit www.cticseattle.com.
This press release includes forward-looking statements about our commercial progress, potential regulatory filings, expected timing of clinical trial results as well as efforts to reduce operating expenses, that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, the outcome of which could materially and/or adversely affect actual future results. Specifically, the risks and uncertainties include statements about our ability to submit an NDA in the first half of 2009 for pixantrone and gain approval in 2009, our ability to continue to reduce our operating expenses, the Company's ability to continue to raise capital as needed to fund its operations, a decision by the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel to delist our common stock as a result of our continued non-compliance with Nasdaq's quantitative requirements to remain listed, the development of OPAXIO, pixantrone, and brostallicin, which include risks associated with preclinical and clinical developments in the biopharmaceutical industry in general and with OPAXIO, pixantrone, and brostallicin in particular, including, without limitation, the potential failure of these product candidates to prove safe and effective for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and sarcoma, determinations by regulatory, patent and administrative governmental authorities, competitive factors, technological developments, costs of developing, producing and selling OPAXIO, pixantrone, and brostallicin, and the risk factors listed or described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, the Company's most recent filings on Forms 10-K, 8-K, and 10-Q. Except as may be required by law, CTI does not intend to update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
CONTACT: Media Contact: Dan Eramian, +1-206-272-4343, C: +1-206-854-1200,
media@ctiseattle.com, www.CellTherapeutics.com/press_room, or Investors
Contact: Ed Bell, +1-206-272-4345, Lindsey Jesch Logan, +1-206-272-4347, F:
+1-206-272-4434, invest@ctiseattle.com, www.CellTherapeutics.com/investors
Web site: http://www.celltherapeutics.com/
