ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Vanda) , a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of clinical-stage products for central nervous system disorders, today announced financial and operational results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009.
Vanda reported a net loss of $7.7 million for the third quarter of 2009, compared to $12.4 million for the second quarter of 2009 and $10.9 million for the third quarter of 2008. Total expenses for the third quarter of 2009 were $7.7 million, compared to $12.4 million for the second quarter of 2009 and $11.2 million for the third quarter of 2008. Research and development (R&D) expenses for the third quarter of 2009 were $2.1 million, compared to $7.2 million for the second quarter of 2009 and $3.8 million for the third quarter of 2008. The decrease in R&D expenses in the third quarter of 2009 relative to the second quarter of 2009 is primarily due to the regulatory consulting fees accrued in the second quarter as a result of the approval of Fanapt(TM) (iloperidone) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The decrease in R&D expenses in the third quarter of 2009 relative to the third quarter of 2008 is primarily due to the completion of the Phase III clinical trial of tasimelteon in chronic primary insomnia in 2008.
As of September 30, 2009, Vanda’s cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaled approximately $20.7 million. As of September 30, 2009, a total of approximately 27.2 million shares of Vanda common stock were outstanding. Net loss per common share for the third quarter of 2009 was $0.28, compared to $0.46 for the second quarter of 2009 and $0.41 for the third quarter of 2008.
OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
On October 12, 2009, Vanda entered into an amended and restated sublicense agreement with Novartis Pharma AG (Novartis). The parties had originally entered into a sublicense agreement on June 4, 2004 pursuant to which Vanda obtained certain worldwide exclusive licenses from Novartis relating to Fanapt(TM). The agreement is subject to, and will become effective upon, clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (HSR Act), which is expected by the end of 2009.
Pursuant to the agreement, Novartis will have exclusive commercialization rights to all formulations of Fanapt(TM) in the U.S. and Canada. Except for two post-approval studies started by Vanda prior to the execution date of the agreement, which Vanda is obligated to complete, Novartis will be responsible for the further clinical development activities in the U.S. and Canada, including the development of a long-acting injectable (or depot) formulation of Fanapt(TM).
Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Vanda will be entitled to an upfront payment of $200 million, which it expects to receive within 30 days after the effective date of the agreement. Vanda will be eligible for additional payments totaling up to $265 million upon the achievement of certain commercial and development milestones for Fanapt(TM) in the U.S. and Canada. Vanda will also receive royalties, which, as a percentage of net sales, are in the low double-digits, on net sales of Fanapt(TM) in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, Vanda will no longer be required to make any future milestone payments with respect to sales of Fanapt(TM) or any future royalty payments with respect to sales of Fanapt(TM) in the U.S. and Canada.
Vanda retains exclusive rights to Fanapt(TM) outside the U.S. and Canada and Vanda will have exclusive rights to use any of Novartis’ data for Fanapt(TM) for developing and commercializing Fanapt(TM) outside the U.S. and Canada. At Novartis’ option, the parties will enter into good faith discussions relating to the co-commercialization of Fanapt(TM) outside of the U.S. and Canada or, alternatively, Novartis will receive a royalty on net sales of Fanapt(TM) outside of the U.S. and Canada.
Vanda continued the clinical, regulatory and commercial evaluation for tasimelteon, a MT1/MT2 melatonin agonist, currently in Phase III stage of development.
FINANCIAL DETAILS
FINANCIAL GUIDANCE
Vanda is currently concentrating its efforts on the transition of the commercialization and development rights to Fanapt(TM) in the U.S. and Canada to Novartis and expects to work closely on the joint steering committee to assist in the anticipated commercial launch of Fanapt(TM) in the first quarter of 2010. The transition includes all regulatory, manufacturing and post-marketing commitments requested by the FDA. Under the terms of the agreement with Novartis, except for two small post-approval studies started by Vanda prior to the execution date of the agreement, which Vanda is obligated to complete, Novartis will be responsible for the further clinical development activities in the U.S. and Canada, including the development and commercialization of a depot formulation of Fanapt(TM). In addition, the Company will also evaluate the regulatory path and commercial opportunity for Fanapt(TM) outside the U.S. and Canada. Vanda will also continue the clinical, regulatory and commercial evaluation for tasimelteon. The Company intends to operate on a reduced spending plan with its fixed overhead costs expected to be approximately $2.5 million to $3 million per quarter.
CONFERENCE CALL
Vanda has scheduled a conference call for today, Monday, November 2, 2009, at 10:00 AM ET. During the call, Mihael H. Polymeropoulos, M.D., President and CEO, and Stephanie Irish, Acting CFO, will discuss quarterly results and other corporate activities. Investors can call 1-800-901-5247 (domestic) and 1-617-786-4501 (international) prior to the 10:00 AM start time and ask for the Vanda Pharmaceuticals conference call hosted by Dr. Polymeropoulos (participant passcode 46702701). A replay of the call will be available Monday, November 2, 2009, at 1:00 PM ET and will be accessible until Monday, November 9, 2009, at 5:00 PM ET. The replay call-in number is 1-888-286-8010 for domestic callers and 1-617-801-6888 for international callers. The access number is 87052099.
The conference call will be broadcast simultaneously on the company’s Web site, http://www.vandapharma.com. Investors should click on the Investor Relations tab and are advised to go to the Web site at least 15 minutes early to register, download, and install any necessary software. The call will also be archived on the Vanda Web site for a period of 30 days, through December 2, 2009.
ABOUT VANDA PHARMACEUTICALS INC.:
Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of clinical-stage products for central nervous system disorders. For more on Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc., please visit http://www.vandapharma.com.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Various statements in this release are “forward-looking statements” under the securities laws. Words such as, but not limited to, “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “targets,” “likely,” “will,” “would,” and “could,” and similar expressions or words, identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations that involve risks, changes in circumstances, assumptions and uncertainties. Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. is at an early stage of development and may not ever have any products that generate significant revenue. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the company’s forward-looking statements include, among others: the extent and effectiveness of the development, sales and marketing and distribution support Fanapt(TM) receives; Vanda’s ability to successfully commercialize Fanapt(TM) outside of the U.S. and Canada; delays in the completion of Vanda’s clinical trials; a failure of Vanda’s products to be demonstrably safe and effective; Vanda’s failure to obtain regulatory approval for its products or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements for its products; a lack of acceptance of Vanda’s products in the marketplace, or a failure to become or remain profitable; Vanda’s expectations regarding trends with respect to its costs and expenses; Vanda’s inability to obtain the capital necessary to fund its commercial and research and development activities; Vanda’s failure to identify or obtain rights to new products; Vanda’s failure to develop or obtain sales, marketing and distribution resources and expertise or to otherwise manage its growth; a loss of any of Vanda’s key scientists or management personnel; losses incurred from product liability claims made against Vanda; a loss of rights to develop and commercialize Vanda’s products under its license and sublicense agreements and other factors that are described in the “Risk Factors” section (Part II, Item 1A) of Vanda’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2009 (File No. 001-34186). In addition to the risks described above and in Part II, Item 1A of Vanda’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q, other unknown or unpredictable factors also could affect Vanda’s results. There can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by Vanda will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Vanda. Therefore, no assurance can be given that the outcomes stated in such forward-looking statements and estimates will be achieved.
All written and verbal forward-looking statements attributable to Vanda or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to herein. Vanda cautions investors not to rely too heavily on the forward-looking statements Vanda makes or that are made on its behalf. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and Vanda undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines any obligation, to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
CONTACT: Stephanie R. Irish, Acting Chief Financial Officer of Vanda
Pharmaceuticals Inc., +1-240-599-4500, stephanie.irish@vandapharma.com
Web site: http://www.vandapharma.com/
