BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pharmion Corporation today reported financial results for its quarter ended September 30, 2007. Third quarter net sales totaled $67.3 million, compared to $61.6 million in the third quarter of 2006. Worldwide sales of Vidaza(R) (azacitidine for injection) totaled $42.3 million in the third quarter of 2007, compared to $36.6 million in the same quarter of 2006. In the U.S., sales of Vidaza totaled $33.3 million in the third quarter of 2007, equal to the same quarter of 2006. Named patient and compassionate use sales of Vidaza in Europe and other international markets totaled $9.0 million in the third quarter of 2007, compared to $3.3 million in the third quarter of 2006. Sales of Thalidomide, including named patient and compassionate use sales in Europe, totaled $20.2 million in the third quarter of 2007, also equal to the same period of 2006.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, net sales totaled $195.8 million, compared to net sales of $178.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Worldwide sales of Vidaza totaled $120.5 million in the first nine months of 2007, compared to $105.6 million in the same period in 2006. U.S. sales of Vidaza totaled $97.2 million in the first nine months of 2007, compared to $98.7 million in the same period in 2006. Named patient and compassionate use sales of Vidaza in Europe and other international markets totaled $23.3 million in the first nine months of 2007, compared to $6.9 million in the first nine months of 2006. Sales of Thalidomide totaled $60.7 million in the first nine months of 2007, compared to $58.8 million in the same period in 2006.
“We are very pleased with our operating results this quarter and our continued progress toward what should be a transformative 2008 for Pharmion,” said Patrick Mahaffy, Pharmion’s president and CEO. “The exceptionally strong results of the Vidaza Survival study reported this quarter demonstrate Vidaza’s tremendous benefit in treating MDS, and clearly establish survival as the standard by which treatment options for higher-risk MDS should now be evaluated. We look forward to the presentation of the study results later this year and based on these results, we are on track to file for accelerated approval for Vidaza in Europe by year end. In addition, based on encouraging progress with the EMEA, we are accelerating our preparation for launch in Europe for Thalidomide. Finally, we made significant progress advancing our pipeline; initiating a Phase Three pivotal trial for Amrubicin in relapsed/refractory small cell lung cancer and furthering the development of MGCD0103 in solid tumors.”
Pharmion reported a net loss of $(21.4) million, or $(0.58) per share for the third quarter of 2007. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company’s net loss totaled $(36.4) million, or $(1.05) per share. The net loss for the third quarter of 2006 was $(3.6) million, or $(0.11) per share. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company’s net loss totaled $(26.8) million, or $(0.84) per share. These net losses include stock compensation expense for the third quarters of 2007 and 2006 of $1.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively, and $4.1 million and $2.4 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. In addition, the losses for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007 include a charge of $8 million for a milestone payment triggered by the acceptance of our marketing authorization application (MAA) for Satraplatin for the treatment of second-line hormone-refractory prostate cancer by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA).
The Company made significant progress in the third quarter advancing its product pipeline. Pharmion initiated several clinical studies across its portfolio, including a Phase 3 study in small cell lung cancer for Amrubicin, Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies in solid tumors and CLL for MGCD0103, opened centers and began enrolling patients in the dose escalation study for oral Azacitidine, and commenced our research program targeting sirtuin inhibitors. Research and development (R&D) expenses totaled $29.1 million for the third quarter of 2007, compared to $16.7 million for the third quarter of 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, research and development costs totaled $72.0 million, compared to $50.2 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006.
Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $32.5 million for the third quarter of 2007, compared to selling, general and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2006 of $24.5 million. For the first nine months of 2007, selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $93.2 million, compared to $73.0 million in the first nine months of 2006. These increases in selling, general and administrative expenses are primarily due to expanded commercial activities for Vidaza in the U.S. and the Company’s investment in launch preparation activities in Europe for Thalidomide and Vidaza.
As of September 30, 2007, the Company had $257.6 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and no outstanding debt.
2007 Milestones and Objectives
Pharmion has a number of important clinical, regulatory and development objectives planned or underway in 2007 for each of its key products, and made significant progress against those objectives during the third quarter. Highlights include the following:
2007 Financial Outlook
Updating its financial guidance announced in June, Pharmion expects to report total net sales for 2007 in a range of approximately $265 to $270 million, up from the previous guidance of $250 to $260 million. Research and development expenses for 2007 are expected to total approximately $95 to $100 million, adjusted from the previous guidance of $85 to $95 million. Selling, general and administrative expenses for 2007 are expected to total approximately $125 million, up from previous guidance approximately $120 million. Finally, the Company expects to end 2007 with approximately $235 to $245 million of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, an increase from previous guidance of $225 to $235 million.
Pharmion will hold a conference call to discuss third quarter 2007 results later this afternoon, October 31, at 5:00 p.m. ET. The conference call will be simultaneously webcast on the Company’s web site at http://www.pharmion.com, and archived for future review. Dial-in numbers for the conference call for institutional investors and analysts are as follows: participants from the U.S. 800.260.8140, International participants 617.614.3672, passcode: 60001162.
About Pharmion
Pharmion is a leading global oncology company focused on acquiring, developing and commercializing innovative products for the treatment of hematology and oncology patients in the U.S., Europe and additional international markets. Pharmion has a number of products on the market including the world’s first approved epigenetic drug, Vidaza(R), a DNA demethylating agent. For additional information about Pharmion, please visit the company’s website at http://www.pharmion.com.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains forward-looking statements, which express the current beliefs and expectations of management, including Pharmion’s plans for clinical development and regulatory submissions of Pharmion’s products and product candidates, and Pharmion’s anticipated financial results for 2007. Such statements are based on current expectations and involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause Pharmion’s future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the outcome of ongoing clinical trials, the status and timing or regulatory approvals for Pharmion’s product candidates; the impact of competition from other products under development by Pharmion’s competitors; the regulatory environment and changes in the health policies and structure of various countries; uncertainties regarding market acceptance of products newly launched, currently being sold or in development; Pharmion’s ability to successfully acquire rights to, develop and commercialize additional pharmaceutical products; failure of third-party manufacturers to produce the product volumes required on a timely basis, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, and other factors that are discussed in Pharmion’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of Pharmion’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and Pharmion undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
CONTACT: Breanna Burkart and Anna Sussman, Directors, Investor Relations
and Corporate Communications of Pharmion Corporation, +1-720-564-9150
Web site: http://www.pharmion.com/
