Earnings Release • Mar 8, 2016
Earnings Release
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Conference call and webcast (in English) March 9 at 2:30pm CET (I:30pm GMT/8:30am EST)
Strasbourg, France, March 8, 2016 – Transgene SA (Euronext: TNG) today announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 and provided an outlook for 2016.
The financial statements for 2015 as well as management's discussion and analysis are attached to this press release (Appendices A and B).
o First patient treated in PHOCUS Phase 3
TG1050 (For the treatment of chronic hepatitis B)
Philippe Archinard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "Our strategic priority is to develop our products in combination with ICIs and existing standard of care. The implementation of our ambitious development plan in combination with ICIs is well underway. In addition, the promising TG4010 data accumulated to date places us in a position to now consider a possible Conditional Marketing Approval1 submission in Europe. We are currently evaluating the means by which such a project, including the associated phase 3 trial in first line NSCLC, could be implemented. We will provide an update when available." Philippe Archinard added: "We are in an excellent position to carry out our plans and achieve the goal of becoming a leader in active immunotherapies in oncology and infectious diseases."
Following the completion of its restructuring plan, Transgene announced on the 7th January 2016, its strategy based on its unique and well-known strengths in the immune-engineering of viral vectors and on its expertise in pre-clinical and clinical development. Transgene's strategy is to give priority to combination studies with other immunotherapy products, including ICIs.
Transgene is an active player in this new paradigm where it has key strengths. Combining active immunotherapeutics with ICIs has been widely validated by the scientific community and it offers Transgene the potential to further assess synergies in the treatment of certain cancers and infectious diseases, with the aim of improving treatment outcomes and the quality of life of patients.
Transgene is in ongoing discussions with clinical and biopharmaceutical partners to start at least five clinical studies in combination with ICIs for its two most advanced products. These studies should be initiated during the second half of 2016.
The main combination programs are:
Transgene is also further strengthening its translational research capabilities through collaborations with academic institutions. Transgene expects to organize an R&D day in the second half of 2016 to showcase its capabilities and partnerships.
After the close of fiscal year 2015, Transgene announced that it had secured up to €30 million in new funding from two sources:
1 CMA: conditional marketing approvals are granted to products that address unmet medical needs and whose availability would result in a significant public health benefit. Consideration for full marketing authorization is contingent upon the completion of a Phase III study.
With these new sources of funding and the impact of the restructuring plan, the Company should have sufficient funds for scheduled operating activities through 2017.
Jean-Philippe Del, Vice President, Finance, said: "During 2015 we implemented a cost savings plan to complement the restructuring program and took the steps necessary to secure additional financing, which we were able to obtain early this year. With the new structure now in place, we are in a good position to effectively implement our ambitious development plans and advance the Company's goals".
The Company provided information on potential newsflow during the next 12 months:
The restructuring started in 2015 will produce significant savings in fixed costs beginning in 2016:
Transgene stated that it expects cash burn for 2016 to be around €35 million, which includes the conduct of ongoing clinical trials, as well as the initiation of several new combination trials with its immunotherapy programs and ICIs. Projected cash burn includes extraordinary items such as the €6 million in restructuring costs and a milestone payment to SillaJen, Inc. of \$4 million for the first patient enrolled in Europe in the PHOCUS Phase 3 trial with Pexa-Vec in HCC.
A conference call in English has been scheduled for March 9th, 2016 at 02:30pm CET (08:30am EST). A replay of the call will be available on the Transgene website (www.transgene.fr) following the live event.
In addition, an analyst (SFAF) meeting, to be conducted in French, has been scheduled for March 9th, at 11:30am CET at Convention Center Etoile Saint-Honoré, 21-25 rue de Balzac, Paris 8.
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For access to the live and on demand webcast from any IOS apple or Android mobile devices:
| France: | +33 (0)1 76 77 22 27 |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom: | +44 (0)20 3427 1905 |
| US: | +1 646 254 3362 |
| Confirmation Code: | 3348416 |
Participants will need to provide the above code when dialing into the call.
Transgene S.A. (Euronext: TNG), part of Institut Mérieux, is a publicly traded French biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing targeted immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Transgene's programs utilize viral vector technology with the goal of indirectly or directly killing infected or cancerous cells. The Company's two lead clinical-stage programs are: TG4010 for non-small cell lung cancer and Pexa-Vec for liver cancer. The Company has several other programs in clinical and pre-clinical development. Transgene is based in Strasbourg, France, and has additional operations in Lyon, as well as satellite offices in China and the U.S. Additional information about Transgene is available at www.transgene.fr.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no guarantee that (i) the results of the Phase 2b part of the TIME trial will be predictive of future results with TG4010, (ii) regulatory authorities will agree with the Company's further development plans for TG4010, or (iii) the Company will find partners for its immunotherapies products in a timely manner and on satisfactory terms and conditions, if at all. The occurrence of any of these risks could have a significant negative outcome for the Company's activities, perspectives, financial situation, results and development. The Company's ability to commercialize its products depends on but is not limited to the following factors: positive pre-clinical data may not be predictive of human clinical results, the success of clinical studies, the ability to obtain financing and/or partnerships for product manufacturing, development and commercialization, and marketing approval by government regulatory authorities. For a discussion of risks and uncertainties which could cause the Company's actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors ("Facteurs de Risque") section of the Document de Référence, available on the AMF website (http://www.amf-france.org) or on Transgene's website (www.transgene.fr). Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Transgene undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.
Elisabetta Castelli, Director IR +33 (0)3 88 27 91 21 [email protected]
MC Services Raimund Gabriel +49 89 210 228 30 [email protected]
Shaun Brown +44 207 148 5998 [email protected]
The 2015 consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on March 7, 2016, and will be submitted for approval by the shareholders of the Company during the next annual general meeting on May 24, 2016. Audit procedures have been performed and the delivery of the auditors' report is ongoing.
(in thousands of euros)
| ASSETS | December 31, 2015 | December 31, 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Current assets: | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 3,285 | 3,513 |
| Other current financial assets | 28,365 | 62,422 |
| Cash, cash equivalents and other financial assets: | 31,650 | 65,935 |
| Trade receivables | 1,784 | 1,540 |
| Inventories | 1,164 | 1,149 |
| Other current assets | 12,930 | 10,614 |
| Assets held for sale | 3,500 | - |
| Total current assets | 51,028 | 79,238 |
| Non-current assets: | ||
| Property, plant and equipment | 16,559 | 23,641 |
| Intangible assets | 485 | 1,056 |
| Non-current financial assets | 4,050 | 3,852 |
| Equity consolidated affiliates | 1,148 | 2,320 |
| Other non-current assets | 27,599 | 30,846 |
| Total non-current assets | 49,841 | 61,715 |
| Total assets | 100,869 | 140,953 |
| LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | December 31, 2015 | December 31, 2014 |
| Current liabilities: | ||
| Trade payables | 6,521 | 8,296 |
| Financial liabilities | 9,396 | 8,992 |
| Provision for risks and charges | 7,038 | 127 |
| Other current liabilities | 3,770 | 4,148 |
| Total current liabilities | 26,725 | 21,563 |
| Non-current liabilities: | ||
| Financial liabilities Employee benefits |
44,401 3,196 |
43,199 4,352 |
| Other non-current liabilities | - | - |
| Total non-current liabilities | 47,597 | 47,551 |
| Total liabilities | 74,322 | 69,114 |
| Equity: | ||
| Capital | 88,196 | 88,156 |
| Share premium | 476,788 | 476,255 |
| Retained earnings | (491,263) | (442,707) |
| Net loss for the period | (46,374) | (48,556) |
| Other comprehensive income | (800) | (1,309) |
| Total equity and reserves attributable to Company shareholders |
26,547 | 71,839 |
| Total liabilities and equity | 100,869 | 140,953 |
(in thousands of euros, except per share data)
| December 31, | December 31, | |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2014 | |
| Revenue from collaborative and licensing agreements | 1,465 | 1,837 |
| Government financing for research expenditure | 8,100 | 9,262 |
| Revenue | 9,565 | 11,099 |
| Research and development expenses | (32,138) | (41,731) |
| General and administrative expenses | (5,798) | (7,578) |
| Other revenue and (expenses), net | (7,436) | (1,282) |
| Net operating expenses | (45,372) | (50,591) |
| Operating income / (loss) | (35,807) | (39,492) |
| Interest income/(expense), net | (930) | (801) |
| Income from equity consolidated affiliates | (1,172) | (823) |
| Income / (loss) before tax | (37,909) | (41,116) |
| Income tax expense | - | - |
| Net income / (loss) from continuing operations | (37,909) | (41,116) |
| Net income / (loss) from discontinued operations | (8,465) | (7,440) |
| Net income/(loss) | (46,374) | (48,556) |
| Net income per share (€) | (1.20) | (1.26) |
| Diluted earnings per share (€) | (1.20) | (1.26) |
(in thousands of euros)
| December 31, 2015 |
December 31, 2014 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Net income / (loss) | (46,374) | (48,556) |
| Foreign exchange gains / (losses) | 28 | 18 |
| Re-evaluation hedging instruments | 115 | (159) |
| Other comprehensive income re-classifiable into profit or loss | 143 | (141) |
| Actuarial gain / (losses) on provision for retirements | 366 | 459 |
| Other comprehensive income non re-classifiable into profit or loss | 366 | 459 |
| Other comprehensive | 509 | 318 |
| Comprehensive income (loss) | (45,865) | (48,238) |
| Of which, equity holder of the parent: | (45,865) | (48,238) |
| Of which, minority interests: | - | - |
8
(in thousands of euros)
| December 31, 2015 | December 31, 2014 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cash flow from operating activities: | ||
| Net income | (46,374) | (48,556) |
| Elimination of financial elements | 930 | 801 |
| Elimination of non-cash items | ||
| Income from equity consolidated affiliates | 1,172 | 824 |
| Changes in provisions | 8,697 | 267 |
| Depreciation and amortization of tangible and intangible assets | 2,636 | 3,039 |
| Payment in shares | 462 | 721 |
| Others | 11 | 1,034 |
| Net cash generated from / (used in) operating activities before change in working capital and other operating cash flow: |
(32,466) | (41,870) |
| Change in operating working capital: | ||
| Receivables | 73 | (977) |
| Inventories | (14) | (174) |
| Research tax credit | (8,532) | (8,702) |
| Other current assets | (2,150) | (61) |
| Trade payables | (1,685) | (899) |
| Prepaid income | 461 | (533) |
| Employee benefits | (841) | (1,036) |
| Other current liabilities | 2 | 16 |
| Net cash generated from /(used in) operating activities: | (45,152) | (54,236) |
| Cash flow from investing activities : | ||
| (Acquisition) / disposal of property, plant and equipment | (1,527) | (2,463) |
| (Acquisition) / disposal of intangible assets | 0 | (139) |
| Other (Acquisitions) / disposals | 3,843 | 3,134 |
| Net cash generated from / (used in) investing activities: | 2,316 | 532 |
| Cash flow from financing activities | ||
| Net cash interest | (165) | (4) |
| Gross proceeds from issuance of share capital | 477 | 65,664 |
| Fees paid in relation to capital increase | 0 | (2,929) |
| Conditional subsidies | 923 | 955 |
| (Acquisition) / disposal of other financial assets | 34,176 | (19,445) |
| Research tax credit financing | 8,209 | 8,438 |
| Repayment of finance lease liabilities | (1,040) | (618) |
| Net cash generated from /(used in) financing activities: | 42,580 | 52,061 |
| Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents | 28 | 18 |
| Net increase/ (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents: | (228) | (1,625) |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 3,513 | 5,138 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period: | 3,285 | 3,513 |
| Investments in other financial assets | 28,365 | 62,422 |
| Cash, cash equivalents and other financial assets: | 31,650 | 65,935 |
During the periods under review, revenues from collaborative and licensing agreements mainly included:
At December 31, 2015, government financing for research expenditures consisted of grants received and receivable, as well as a research tax credit.
Research grants amounted to €0.2 million in 2015 (€0.6 million in 2014).
The research tax credit (CIR - crédit impôt recherche) amounted to €7.9 million in 2015 (€8.8 million in 2014). Related eligible expenses (net of grants received during the fiscal year) amounted to €25.8 million in 2015 and €29.8 million in 2014. This decrease in expenses was due to lower eligible research and development (R&D) expenses (€26.9 million in 2015 versus €31.2 million in 2014), including operating expenses, clinical trial expenses and outsourced R&D expenses.
R&D expenses amounted to €32.1 million in 2015, compared to €41.7 million in 2014, at constant perimeter. This decrease was due to (i) a reduction in payroll costs and operating expenses as a result of the restructuring plan initiated in 2015, and (ii) a decrease in external expenses for clinical and other projects.
The following table details R&D expenses by type:
| In millions of euros | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payroll costs | 14.6 | 16.1 | -9% |
| Share-based payments | 0.3 | 0.5 | -40% |
| Intellectual property expenses and licensing costs | 1.5 | 1.3 | +15% |
| External expenses for clinical projects | 4.2 | 7.6 | -45% |
| External expenses for other projects | 4.4 | 7.6 | -42% |
| Operating expenses | 5.1 | 6.7 | -24% |
| Depreciation and provisions | 2.0 | 1.9 | +5% |
| Research and development expenses | 32.1 | 41.7 | -23% |
Employee costs allocated to R&D (salaries, employer contributions and related expenses) amounted to €14.6 million in 2015, compared to €16.1 million in 2014. This decrease was due to the cost savings measures implemented in 2015, including not filling job openings and not renewing temporary employment contracts, as a complement to the restructuring plan.
Intellectual property and licensing expenses amounted to €1.5 million in 2015 versus €1.3 million in 2014.
External expenses for clinical trials amounted to €4.2 million in 2015 versus €7.6 million in 2014. This significant decrease (-45%) was due to the following:
Other external expenses, including expenses for research, pre-clinical and manufacturing projects, amounted to €4.4 million in 2015 versus €7.6 million in 2014. This decrease was due to lower expenses related to regulatory toxicology studies and sub-contracting manufacturing of TG1050 (€0.3 million in 2015 versus €1.5 million in 2014) and a decrease in expenses for the commercial production unit with Sanofi/Genzyme (€1.8 million in 2015 versus €2.6 million in 2014).
Operating expenses, including the cost of operating research laboratories, amounted to €5.1 million in 2015 versus €6.7 million in 2014.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses amounted to €5.8 million in 2015 versus €7.6 million in 2014.
The following table details G&A expenses by type:
| In millions of euros | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payroll costs | 2.9 | 3.7 | -22% |
| Share-based payments | 0.1 | 0.2 | -50% |
| Fees and administrative expenses | 1.7 | 2.5 | -32% |
| Other fixed costs | 1.0 | 1.1 | -9% |
| Depreciation and provisions | 0.1 | 0.1 | N/S |
| General and administrative expenses | 5.8 | 7.6 | -24% |
Employee costs allocated to G&A amounted to €2.9 million in 2015 versus €3.7 million in 2014. This decrease was mainly due to a staff reduction in financial and administrative support functions.
Fees and administrative expenses amounted to €1.7 million in 2015 versus €2.5 million in 2014.
Other expenses, net amounted to €7.4 million in 2015 versus €1.4 million in 2014.
The decision in 2015 to restructure the Company resulted in a net restructuring charge of €7.5 million in 2015.
In 2014, the capital operations related to Platine Pharma Services SAS resulted in a net expense of €0.7 million, and the sale of shares in Jennerex, Inc. resulted in a net expense of €0.2 million.
Net interest expense amounted to €0.9 million in 2015 versus €0.8 million in 2014.
Financial income (investment income) amounted to €0.5 million in 2015 versus €0.3 million in 2014.
Interest expense mainly consisted of bank interest on the financing of the research tax credit (€0.4 million), discount of the advances received by Bpifrance under the ADNA (Advanced Diagnostics for New Therapeutic Approaches) program (€0.6 million), interest on financing leases (€0.2 million) and a decrease in Transgene's estimated interest in Sillajen, Inc. subsequent to the disposal of Jennerex, Inc. shares (€0.3 million).
Net loss from continuing operations was €37.9 million in 2015, compared to €41.1 million in 2014, at constant perimeter.
Net loss from discontinued manufacturing operations amounted to €8.5 million in 2015, compared to €7.4 million in 2014, at constant perimeter. Net loss consisted of:
Total net loss for 2015 was €46.4 million (€48.6 million in 2014). Net loss per share was €1.20 in 2015 (€1.26 in 2014).
Investments in tangible and intangible assets (net of disposals) amounted to €1.4 million in 2015 (€2.3 million in 2014).
In 2015, the Company refinanced its 2014 research tax credit of €8.9 million through a bank loan with Bpifrance, which matures in mid-2018, at which time the receivable is expected to be paid by the French government.
In 2015, Transgene also received €0.9 million (€0.8 million in 2014) in repayable advances for the ADNA program, which receives public funding from Bpifrance. Since the start of the ADNA program, the Company has received €14.3 million in repayable advances under this program. The Company may receive up to €1.7 million in additional repayable advances over the remaining term of the ADNA program (until 2017).
The Company's cash is invested in short-term money-market mutual funds or placed, at market conditions, in a cash pool managed by the majority shareholder of Transgene, Institut Mérieux.
At December 31, 2015, the Company's available cash amounted to €31.7 million versus €65.9 million at December 31, 2014.
At the date of this document, the Company had no bank debt subject to covenants.
Excluding capital increases, the Company's net cash burn amounted to €34.8 million in 2015 versus €44.9 million in 2014.
In early January, the Company obtained a loan of €20 million from the EIB (European Investment Bank) under the IDFF (Infectious Diseases Finance Facility) program. This is a 5-year loan, without securities granted, and the principal and accumulated interest will be reimbursable only from the fourth year. The loan will be released in two tranches at the request of the Company and no security was granted by the Company
Transgene has also received a commitment by its major shareholder, the Institut Mérieux, to provide additional financing of around 10 million euros, confirming its support of the Company's strategy.
In early February 2016, Transgene announced the sale of the assets of its biomanufacturing unit, based in Illkirch-Graffenstaden, to ABL Europe SAS, a Contract Manufacturing Organization wholly-owned subsidiary of ABL, Inc. and member of the Institut Mérieux. This production assets was sold for a total amount of €3.5 million. ABL Europe has become a sub-lessee of Transgene's main building for the use of quality control laboratories. In parallel, both companies have signed a three-year agreement under which Transgene has secured the production of the necessary clinical lots for its clinical development plan. The sale by Transgene of its production asset was the last step of the company's reorganization decided in June 2015 which aimed to outsource the manufacturing of clinical lots and to focus on the company's core expertise, the immuno-engineering of viral vectors and clinical developments.
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