CAMBRIDGE, MA--(Marketwire - March 16, 2010) - Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: MIPI), a biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing targeted therapeutic and imaging radiopharmaceuticals for use in oncology, today announced financial and operational results for the fourth quarter and year-ended December 31, 2009.
At December 31, 2009, the Company had approximately $64.0 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, 25,268,327 shares of common stock outstanding and $186.5 million of Senior Secured Bonds and accrued and unpaid interest.
Fourth Quarter Results
For the quarter ended December 31, 2009, Molecular Insight reported a net
loss of $13.2 million or
$0.52 per share, compared to a net loss of $15.8 million or $0.63 per share
for the fourth quarter of 2008. The decrease in net loss was primarily
attributable to the recognition of $4.4 million in license and product
revenues related to Onalta™, partially offset by an increase in
operating expenses of $2.2 million. Operating expenses were $13.2 million
in the fourth quarter 2009 and increased by 20 percent from the fourth
quarter 2008, due to increases in research and development expenses of $1.5
million and in general and administrative expenses of $0.7 million.
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Research and development expenses were $8.1 million for the fourth quarter
2009, compared to $6.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2008.
The increase is primarily attributable to the build-out of a
commercial-scale Azedra™ manufacturing suite and an impairment charge
recognized for the Company's Denton, Texas manufacturing facility,
partially offset by a decline in clinical trial expenses due to the
completion of a Phase 2 Zemiva™ trial in 2008.
General and administrative expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2009, were $5.0 million, compared to $4.3 million for the same period in 2008. The increase of $0.7 million was mainly due to legal and consulting fees incurred related to ongoing efforts to improve the Company's capital structure.
Year-End 2009 Results
For the full year 2009, Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals reported a net
loss of $66.5 million, or $2.64 per share, compared to $81.3 million, or
$3.25 per share, in 2008. The decrease in net loss is attributable to a
reduction in operating expenses of $10.6 million and recognition of $4.4
million in Onalta license and product revenues. Operating expenses
declined 17% due to decreases in research and development expenses of $8.4
million and in general and administrative expenses of $2.2 million.
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Research and development expenses were $30.2 million in 2009, compared to
$38.6 million for 2008. The $8.4 million decrease is primarily
attributable to the completion of a Phase 2 Zemiva clinical trial in 2008,
partially offset by increased investments in Trofex™ preclinical
studies,
build-out of a commercial-scale Azedra™ manufacturing suite and the
impairment charge described above.
General and administrative expenses were $21.5 million in 2009 compared to $23.7 million in 2008. This decrease reflects cost-cutting initiatives put in place at the end of 2008 primarily attributable to reduced professional fees, as well as staffing levels.
Based on the Company's current projections of cash flow, unless it is able to raise sufficient additional capital, the Company will be in breach of the minimum liquidity requirements under the Indenture governing the Company's Senior Secured Bonds in the second half of 2010. The Company's difficulties in meeting its Bond Indenture covenants and its recurring losses from operations raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern in the second half of 2010. Therefore, the report of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm on the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2009 includes an emphasis paragraph relating to substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The inclusion of such a going concern emphasis paragraph in the auditor's report would result in a default under the terms of the Indenture that may give rise to an acceleration of the Company's debt obligations under the Indenture, unless waived by the Bond holders.
The Company discussed with the holders of its Bonds the foregoing circumstances and a restructuring of its outstanding debt. On March 15, 2010, the Company executed a waiver agreement with holders of at least a majority of the Company's outstanding Senior Secured Bonds and the Bond Indenture trustee. Under the terms of the waiver agreement, the Bond holders and Bond Indenture trustee have agreed to waive the default arising from the inclusion of the going concern paragraph in the independent auditor's report and other technical defaults under the Bond Indenture until 12:01 AM Eastern Standard Time on April 16, 2010, subject to earlier termination upon certain circumstances. The waiver is also subject to a number of terms and conditions relating to the provision of certain information to the Bond holders, among other conditions and matters. In the event that the waiver expires or terminates prior to the successful conclusion of the Company's negotiations with Bond holders regarding the restructuring of the outstanding debt, then the Company will be in default of its obligations under the Indenture and the Bond holders may choose to accelerate the debt obligations under the Indenture and demand immediate repayment in full and seek to foreclose on the collateral supporting such obligations. If the Company's debt obligations are accelerated or are not restructured on acceptable terms, it is likely the Company will be unable to repay such obligations and may seek protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or similar relief.
"We are engaged in constructive discussions with our Bond holders regarding our default under the covenants contained in the Bond Indenture," said Daniel L. Peters, President and CEO, of Molecular Insight. "Although there are no guarantees, we remain optimistic regarding the possibility of reaching an agreement with the Bond holders in a manner designed to avoid an acceleration of our debt obligations under the Bond Indenture and position us for future growth through a restructuring of these obligations."
Strategic Priorities Refocused On Oncology and Out-Licensing in
2009
Molecular Insight is seeking to establish itself as a market-leading
oncology-focused specialty pharmaceutical company committed to the
discovery, development and commercialization of targeted radiotherapeutic
compounds and molecular imaging radiopharmaceuticals. The Company is
seeking to develop its oncology pipeline through a combination of
partnering and internal efforts. Molecular Insight's pipeline of oncologic
radiotherapeutics and radiopharmaceuticals initially address neuroendocrine
tumors, prostate cancer and metastatic melanoma.
"In 2009, based upon an assessment of market opportunities and our competitive strengths and capabilities, we made a strategic decision to focus our resources on developing our promising oncology pipeline," said Daniel L. Peters. "Within oncology there are clear unmet patient needs where Molecular Insight has the science to uniquely and effectively diagnose and treat disease. In looking at our portfolio, we determined that a balance of external partnerships and Company-driven product development is the best way to create maximum value for our bondholders and shareholders, while ensuring benefits to as many patients as possible."
As a first step in the Company's refocused strategy for product development, Molecular Insight out-licensed Onalta, the Company's radiotherapeutic for neuroendocrine tumors for Phase 3 development and commercialization in certain territories. Also, in conjunction with the Company's strategic refocusing, Molecular Insight intends to out-license Zemiva, a radiopharmaceutical for the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia, for Phase 3 clinical development and commercialization, in order to concentrate its resources on the further development of its oncology portfolio.
2009 Product Development and Out-Licensing Highlights
- Molecular Insight commenced a pivotal Phase 2 clinical trial for Azedra
in adult patients with malignant pheochromocytoma. The Phase 2 study is
being conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) granted during
2009 by the U.S. FDA.
- Molecular Insight entered into an out-license and manufacturing and
supply agreement for Onalta with BioMedica Life Sciences for use in certain
countries in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Russia and Turkey.
Onalta is under development for the treatment of metastatic carcinoid and
pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in patients whose symptoms are not
controlled by conventional therapy. BioMedica is expected to commence
European pivotal Phase 3 clinical studies in 2010.
- The Company conducted a Phase 1 imaging study of Trofex™ which
targets prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a protein highly
expressed by prostate cancer. Trofex has the potential to both detect and,
when labeled with a therapeutic isotope, to treat metastatic prostate
cancer. Clinical data from this trial demonstrated that Trofex rapidly
detected metastatic prostate cancer lesions in soft tissues and bone within
two to four hours of administration.
- The Company received a two-year grant from the National Cancer
Institute (NCI) enabling initiation of a Phase 1 proof-of-concept clinical
trial of Solazed™, a targeted radiotherapeutic intended for the
treatment of malignant metastatic melanoma.
Investor Update Call
Molecular Insight management will host a conference call and webcast
Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at
4:30 p.m., U.S. Eastern Daylight Savings Time. To access the call on March
16, 2010 dial 888.679.8033 or 617.213.4846 for international participants)
at least five minutes prior to the start of the call. The participant pass
code is 97807395. For one week following the call, an audio replay can be
accessed by dialing 888.286-8010 (or 617.801.6888 for international
callers) and using the pass code 50056981.
To access the live audio broadcast or the subsequent archived recording of the call, please visit the Investor Center section of the Molecular Insight website at http://www.molecularinsight.com. Please log onto Molecular Insight's website several minutes prior to the start of the call to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be required. The webcast is also being distributed through the Thomson StreetEvents Network to both institutional and individual investors. Individual investors can listen to the call at http://www.fulldisclosure.com and institutional investors can access the call via http://www.streetevents.com.
About Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical
company and pioneer in the emerging field of molecular medicine. The
Company is focused on the discovery and development of targeted therapeutic
and imaging radiopharmaceuticals for use in oncology. Molecular Insight
has five clinical-stage candidates in development. For further information
on Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals, please visit
www.molecularinsight.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this release that are not strictly historical in nature are
"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 our financial performance, our corporate
strategy, our negotiations with our Bond holders and the consequences of
the failure to reach agreement with the Bond holders in regard to avoiding
acceleration of the debt obligations under the Bond Indenture and
restructuring such debt on acceptable terms, our ability to meet our
obligations under the Bond Indenture, our potential insolvency and other
consequences caused by a default under the Bond Indenture, our clinical and
business developments, our clinical trials of Azedra™, Onalta™,
Trofex™, Solazed™, and Zemiva™ and anticipated regulatory
requirements and the timing of launches of such products, our business
development strategy regarding the European rights to Onalta™ and
anticipated compassionate use and clinical trials in the licensed European
territories, anticipated revenues from product supply to BioMedica, from
regulatory milestone payments and from milestone and tiered royalties on
sales, our capital requirements and our needs for additional financing,
potential severe dilution of our stock ownership, potential delisting of
our stock, and the additional risks discussed in filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Such forward-looking statements
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may
cause the actual results of Molecular Insight to be materially different
from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. The Company's SEC filings are available
through the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval system
(EDGAR) at http://www.sec.gov. Press releases for Molecular Insight
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. are available on our website:
http://www.molecularinsight.com. If you would like to receive press
releases via e-mail, please contact: investor@molecularinsight.com. All
forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this
cautionary statement, and the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or
update this release to reflect events or circumstances after the date
hereof.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except per share amounts and except weighted average shares)
Three Months Ended Years Ended
December 31, December 31,
------------------------ ------------------------
2008 2009 2008 2009
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Revenue:
Research and
development grants $ 237 $ 609 $ 475 $ 1,059
License and product -- 4,436 -- 4,436
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total revenues 237 5,045 475 5,495
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating expenses:
Cost of product
revenue -- 35 -- 35
Research and
development 6,668 8,130 38,653 30,206
General and
administrative 4,252 4,986 23,739 21,531
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total operating
expenses 10,920 13,151 62,392 51,772
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Loss from operations (10,683) (8,106) (61,917) (46,277)
Total other expenses,
net (5,139) (5,121) (19,337) (20,207)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net loss $ (15,822) $ (13,227) $ (81,254) $ (66,484)
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Basic and diluted net
loss per share $ (0.63) $ (0.52) $ (3.25) $ (2.64)
Weighted average shares
used to calculate
basic and diluted net
loss per share 25,109,760 25,235,420 24,974,704 25,178,376
Non-cash stock-based
compensation included
in:
Research and
development $ 180 $ 320 $ 1,208 $ 1,589
General and
administrative 318 304 2,855 2,381
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total stock-based
compensation $ 498 $ 624 $ 4,063 $ 3,970
=========== =========== =========== ===========
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)
As of As of
December 31, December 31,
2008 2009
------------ ------------
Cash and cash equivalents $ 25,495 $ 15,467
Investments 80,291 48,515
Accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other
current assets 1,542 1,553
Debt issuance costs -- net 5,897 4,527
Property and equipment -- net 5,452 4,044
Restricted cash 500 500
------------ ------------
Total assets $ 119,177 $ 74,606
============ ============
Other current liabilities $ 11,588 $ 9,762
Other long-term liabilities 452 478
Deferred revenue 25 25
Bond payable, net of discount 154,932 174,838
------------ ------------
Total liabilities 166,997 185,103
Total stockholders' deficit (47,820) (110,497)
------------ ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
deficit $ 119,177 $ 74,606
============ ============
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)
Years Ended
December 31,
--------------------
2008 2009
--------- ---------
Cash, cash equivalents and investments - beginning of
year $ 162,996 $ 105,786
Net cash burn (57,210) (41,804)
--------- ---------
Cash, cash equivalents and investments - end of year $ 105,786 $ 63,982
========= =========
Contacts
Investors
Chuck Abdalian
Chief Financial Officer
(617) 871-6618
cabdalian@molecularinsight.com
Media
Martin A. Reynolds
Manager
Corporate Communications
(617) 871-6734
mreynolds@molecularinsight.com
Susan Pietropaolo
BCC Partners
(845) 638-6290
(201) 923-2049
spietropaolo@bccpartners.com
