Earnings Release • Oct 11, 2007
Earnings Release
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| 9M 2007 | 9M 2006 | Change in % |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings key figures in EUR '000 | |||
| Other operating income | 2,158 | 966 | 123.4 |
| Operating expenses | (19,486) | (13,149) | 48.2 |
| of which research and development | (16,606) | (10,527) | 57.8 |
| Operating result | (17,328) | (12,183) | 42.2 |
| Result before tax | (16,005) | (13,543) | 18.2 |
| Net loss for the period | (16,024) | (13,551) | 18.2 |
| Earnings per share in EUR | (1.34) | (1.74) | (22.9) |
| Balance sheet key figures as at 31 August in EUR '000 |
|||
| Total assets | 44,118 | 18,253 | 141.7 |
| Liquid funds1) | 40,108 | 14,826 | 170.5 |
| Shareholders' equity | 32,089 | 56 | 57,345.6 |
| Equity ratio2) in % | 72.7 | 0.3 | 23,667.6 |
| Cash flow statement in EUR '000 | |||
| from operating activities | (16,437) | (9,909) | 65.9 |
| from investment activities3) | (30,525) | (10,360) | 194.6 |
| from financing activities | (988) | 3,896 | (125.4) |
| Employees | |||
| Employees as at 31 August | 53 | 44 | 20.5 |
| Employees – average during the reporting period | 52 | 44 | 18.2 |
1) Including financial assets 2) Shareholders' equity / Total assets
3) Contains investments in financial assets totalling EUR 30 million for the current financial year (previous year: EUR 10 million)
In the third quarter of 2007, WILEX again made substantial progress in its Phase III ARISER trial with RENCAREX®. To date, more than 670 patients have already been enrolled, which represents more than 78% of the planned total number of patients to be recruited. In October, the number of relapses reached 100, which are required for the interim analysis for futility. Results of the analysis can be expected before the end of the year.
The Phase Ib trial with WX-671 in patients with head and neck tumours was successfully completed in September 2007. In addition to the good safety and tolerance, another important result is that the active principle is taken up in the tumour tissue.
Patient recruitment started for the Phase II combination trial with WX-671 in the indication of pancreatic cancer. WILEX has also made good progress with the preparation of the Phase III trial for CA9-SCAN.
The optimisation of cost structures, mainly in the production of RENCAREX®, has already made an impact in the third quarter. Research and development costs were down by EUR 0.1 million to EUR 5.8 million compared to the second quarter, despite projects progressing according to plan. At the same time, other operating income rose EUR 0.2 million compared with the previous quarter to EUR 0.9 million due to the recognition of milestone payments. Overall income and expenses therefore remain within the mid-year adjusted target ranges.
The current unfavourable capital market conditions for biotechnology shares have also affected the WILEX share price in recent months. However, analysts have highlighted WILEX's favourable balance between risks and opportunities, the multi-product clinical development portfolio and especially the scientifically recognised design of the ARISER trial.
The Executive Management Board has been extended to include Dr. Thomas Borcholte, who joined us at the beginning of October 2007 as Chief Business Officer responsible for Product Marketing and Business Development. This reflects our increased focus on commercialisation of the advanced portfolio.
Kindly note the updated financial calendar for 2008 on page 13.
Kind regards,
Peter Llewellyn-Davies, CFO
The unmet medical need for WILEX' drug and medical product candidates remains high. To date, no drugs have been approved for the adjuvant therapy of non-metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma. There are several drugs in the market for the treatment of advanced metastatic renal cell carcinoma with increasing sales. With regard to the diagnosis of renal masses and other types of tumours, CA9-SCAN may prove to be significantly more specific than the methods used to date; this represents an attractive market potential. The market potential of uPA inhibitors, which are at a comparatively early stage of clinical development, is also high because inhibition of the uPA system may play a role in the long-term control of various types of cancer.
Patient recruitment for the Phase III ARISER trial with RENCAREX® continues to progress significantly. Currently more than 670 patients have been enrolled, which represents more than 78% of the total number to be recruited. The successful progress triggered a further milestone payment in the third quarter by our cooperation partner Laboratorios del Dr. Esteve S.A. We continue to expect patient recruitment to be completed according to plan.
The recruitment of patients with locally
advanced, inoperable and non-metastatic pancreatic cancer in the clinical Phase II trial with WX-671 in combination with the chemotherapeutic agent Gemcitabine (Gemzar®, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, USA) has started successfully. A total of 90 patients are to be included in the trial.
An international symposium sponsored by WILEX and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research will address the functional and clinical aspects of CA-IX on 14 November 2007. RENCAREX® and CA9-SCAN bind to the CA-IX antigen, which is expressed on more than 90% of clear cell renal cell carcinomas, but also on bladder carcinoma cells and the cells of other types of cancers, such as cervical, colon and breast cancer. Internationally renowned experts will present the latest research findings as well as clinical developments in diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. Detailed information is available on the website at www.ca-ix.com.
WILEX reported a result before tax of EUR – 16.01 million for the first nine months of financial year 2007 (previous year: EUR – 13.54 million). The result for the third quarter amounted to EUR – 5.30 million and improved slightly compared with the second quarter (EUR – 5.78 million). This was due to a reduction in General & Administrative costs as well as research and development costs on the one hand and higher income on the other. Earnings per share totalled EUR – 1.34 in the financial year to date (previous year: EUR – 1.74).
As in previous reporting periods, WILEX did not generate sales in the third quarter of 2007, since all its products are still in clinical development phases. However, other operating income rose to EUR 0.94 million (second quarter: EUR 0.71 million). The increase is attributable to the pro rata recognition of a further milestone payment by our cooperation partner Esteve. In the first nine months of financial year 2007, WILEX achieved other operating income totalling EUR 2.16 million, which is more than double the amount generated in the same period in 2006 (EUR 0.97 million). This resulted primarily from the income generated from milestone payments by Esteve. In addition, we received proceeds from the US Department of Defense, which provides financial support totalling approximately USD 5 million for our uPA programme. Furthermore, and to a lesser extent, operating income was affected by the release of other provisions.
Operating expenses of EUR 6.67 million in the third quarter of 2007 were down 4.0% compared to the period March to May 2007 (EUR 6.94 million). This was largely due to the cost savings in the production of RENCAREX® as well as a cost-optimised patient recruitment. However, expenses for the nine
month period of EUR 19.49 million exceeded the previous year's figure of EUR 13.15 million by 48.2%, reflecting the significant progress in development projects. Of this increase, 85.2% (previous year: 80.0%) was attributable to research and development costs of EUR 16.61 million (previous year: EUR 10.53 million). Approximately 64% thereof was invested in the clinical development of monoclonal antibodies (RENCAREX® and CA9-SCAN) and 33% in the development of small molecule drugs (uPA programme).
EUR 0.34 million were moderately higher than in the previous year (EUR 0.32 million). The same applies to General & Administrative costs, which amounted to EUR 2.54 million compared with EUR 2.31 million in the previous year.
The decrease in General & Administrative costs in the third quarter of 2007 compared with the second quarter of 2007 totalling 17.8% was caused by the partial write-back of provisions and lower expenses associated with the valuation of stock options.
As in the first two quarters of the current year, WILEX also reported a clearly positive financial result in the third quarter. This is mainly due to the investment of liquid funds not yet drawn on for clinical development in fixed-term deposits and other types of short-term investment. The net financial result of EUR 0.42 million almost matched the figures for the two previous quarters. The decrease of interest income due to the reduction in liquid funds was compensated by higher interest as a result of market conditions. For the first nine months of 2007, the Company reported a positive net financial result of EUR 1.32 million. Financial expenditure for silent participations affected the previous year's figure of EUR – 1.36 million.
Total assets were reduced by EUR 5.6 million to EUR 44.1 million in the third quarter of 2007. This represents a decrease of EUR 15.6 million compared with year end 2006. As in the previous quarters, the decrease in assets is attributable to clinical development costs, with the corresponding reduction in shareholders' equity. The milestone payment from Esteve, triggered in August and transferred just after the reporting date of 31 August 2007, accounted for the increase in other receivables.
corresponds to an average cash burn rate of EUR 1.89 million per month. This does not include the purchase of financial assets, which is reported under cash used for investment activities. Other cash used for investment activities is attributable, in particular, to part payments for the acquisition of licences. A major proportion of the cash used for financing activities was triggered by payments in connection with the IPO in November 2006. This is offset by a cash inflow from the previous year, which is attributable to the private placement of shares.
Shareholders' equity as at 31 August 2007 totalled EUR 32.09 million, almost EUR 5.3 million less than at the end of the second quarter. This means that the equity ratio is down from 75.1% as at 31 May 2007 to 72.7% as at the reporting date. The liquidity ratio (defined as the proportion of the sum of cash positions and bank credit balances as well as current liabilities) amounted to 350.3% as at 31 August 2007 (30 November 2006: 513.5%).
Long-term liabilities decreased from EUR 0.92 million to EUR 0.58 million in the third quarter. This was mainly due to the reclassification of a licence payment amounting to EUR 0.20 million due in mid 2008, which is now included under current liabilities. Current liabilities of EUR 11.45 million were only 0.4% below the level recorded at the end of the previous quarter (EUR 11.49 million). Trade accounts payable rose while other current liabilities decreased as a result of lower provisions and the scheduled reduction in accruals for the payments of the US Department of Defense and Esteve.
In the third quarter of 2007, WILEX recruited new staff mainly in research and development. Compared with the previous quarter, the total number of staff rose from 48 to 53.
In the first nine months of 2007, no subscription rights were issued to employees and members of the Executive Management Board as part of the stock option programme. Consequently there was no change in the number of option rights issued to employees and members of the Executive Management Board, which remained at 723,369. A total of 565,788 option rights are therefore still available to be issued.
There were no transactions with related parties in the reporting period.
The Phase Ib trial with WX-671 in patients with head and neck tumours was successfully completed in September 2007. The drug candidate demonstrated a good safety and tolerance profile in all dosages. As predicted, the active principle WX-UK1 was found in the tumour tissue removed during surgery.
The Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) for the ARISER study convened on 1 October 2007. The Committee reviews the safety of the ongoing ARISER trial at regular intervals. The IDMC members were unanimous in their recommendations for continuation of the trial according to the protocol. In October, the number of relapses reached 100, which are required for the interim analysis for futility. Results of the analysis can be expected before the end of the year.
The Supervisory Board of WILEX AG has appointed Dr. Thomas Borcholte to the Executive Management of the Company with effect from 1 October 2007. As Chief Business Officer (CBO), he will be responsible for Product Marketing and Business Development. In his capacity as a consultant, he has already worked for WILEX in the third quarter.
The risks and opportunities for WILEX have not changed materially compared to the situation illustrated in the interim report for the first half of 2007.
The income and expenses of WILEX remain within the guidance which was adjusted with the Q2 interim report. The 2007 targets for the full year have therefore been confirmed. This also applies to the use of cash, which is expected to range between EUR 24 million and EUR 28 million.
We expect the results of the WX-UK1 Phase I combination trial with the chemotherapeutic agent Capecitabine (Xeloda® Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland) by the end of the current financial year. The trial, which is supported by the US Department of Defense, is conducted in cooperation with the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia in patients with different types of solid tumours.
A further Phase II trial with WX-671 in breast cancer patients is in preparation.
of WILEX AG in accordance with IFRS
| 9M 2007 in EUR |
9M 2006 in EUR |
Q3 2007 in EUR |
Q3 2006 in EUR |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales revenues | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Other operating income | 2,157,991 | 965,913 | 940,398 | 345,284 | |
| Total income | 2,157,991 | 965,913 | 940,398 | 345,284 | |
| Research and development costs | (16,606,415) | (10,527,030) | (5,784,778) | (4,310,613) | |
| Quality control and assurance | (341,163) | (316,164) | (126,114) | (108,104) | |
| General & Administrative costs | (2,538,888) | (2,305,873) | (757,061) | (871,802) | |
| Total operating expenses | (19,486,467) | (13,149,067) | (6,667,954) | (5,290,519) | |
| OPERATING RESULT | (17,328,476) | (12,183,154) | (5,727,556) | (4,945,235) | |
| Financial income | 1,361,469 | 172,494 | 436,314 | 87,047 | |
| Financial expenditure | (37,663) | (1,532,232) | (12,938) | (248,111) | |
| Net financial result | 1,323,807 | (1,359,738) | 423,375 | (161,064) | |
| RESULT BEFORE TAX | (16,004,669) | (13,542,892) | (5,304,180) | (5,106,299) | |
| Income tax | (18,902) | (7,852) | (12,439) | (5,469) | |
| NET LOSS FOR THE PERIOD | (16,023,571) | (13,550,744) | (5,316,619) | (5,111,768) | |
| Earnings per share: | |||||
| Undiluted and diluted earnings per share | (1.34) | (1.74) | (0.44) | (0.64) | |
| Average number of shares issued | 11,962,754 | 7,804,077 | 11,962,754 | 7,962,754 |
in EUR '000
| Q3 07 | Q2 07 | Q1 07 | Q4 06 | Q3 06 | Q2 06 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other operating income | 940 | 711 | 506 | 697 | 345 | 471 |
| Operating expenses | (6,668) | (6,941) | (5,878) | (6,763) | (5,291) | (4,611) |
| of which research and development | (5,785) | (5,905) | (4,917) | (5,203) | (4,311) | (3,669) |
| Operating result | (5,728) | (6,230) | (5,371) | (6,066) | (4,945) | (4,140) |
| Result before tax | (5,304) | (5,775) | (4,925) | (5,094) | (5,106) | (4,350) |
| Net loss for the period | (5,317) | (5,782) | (4,925) | (5,110) | (5,112) | (4,352) |
| Earnings per share in EUR | (0.44) | (0.48) | (0.41) | (0.58) | (0.64) | (0.55) |
of WILEX AG in accordance with IFRS as at 31 August 2007 and 30 November 2006
| 31.08.2007 in EUR |
30.11.2006 in EUR |
|
|---|---|---|
| ASSETS | ||
| Property and equipment | 537,541 | 509,537 |
| Intangible assets | 1,573,143 | 1,284,496 |
| Long-term assets | 2,110,684 | 1,794,033 |
| Inventories | 22,200 | 22,200 |
| Other prepayments | 1,281,303 | 1,069,638 |
| Other receivables | 595,985 | 112,217 |
| Financial assets | 30,419,474 | 0 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 9,688,228 | 56,708,532 |
| Current assets | 42,007,189 | 57,912,588 |
| TOTAL ASSETS | 44,117,873 | 59,706,621 |
| Subscribed capital | 11,962,754 | 11,962,754 |
|---|---|---|
| Capital reserve | 104,819,223 | 104,426,653 |
| Accumulated losses | (84,692,850) | (68,669,279) |
| Shareholders' equity | 32,089,127 | 47,720,128 |
| Pension accruals | 21,679 | 21,094 |
| Deferred long-term income | 518,867 | 625,742 |
| Other long-term liabilities | 0 | 192,197 |
| Liabilities arising from leasing agreements | 38,098 | 104,252 |
| Long-term liabilities | 578,644 | 943,285 |
| Trade accounts payable | 2,320,315 | 1,103,522 |
| Liabilities arising from leasing agreements | 87,532 | 83,568 |
| Other current liabilities | 9,042,255 | 9,856,118 |
| Current liabilities | 11,450,102 | 11,043,208 |
| TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | 44,117,873 | 59,706,621 |
of WILEX AG in accordance with IFRS for the first nine months
| 9M 2007 | 9M 2006 | |
|---|---|---|
| in EUR | in EUR | |
| NET LOSS FOR THE YEAR | (16,023,571) | (13,550,744) |
| Adjustments for: | ||
| Valuation of stock options | 378,288 | 802,509 |
| Amortisation/depreciation | 169,985 | 137,912 |
| Increase in pension obligations | 585 | 595 |
| Interest expense | 37,663 | 1,532,232 |
| Interest income | (1,361,469) | (172,494) |
| Tax expense | 18,902 | 7,852 |
| (756,047) | 2,308,606 | |
| Changes in net working capital: | ||
| Inventories | 0 | 0 |
| Other receivables | (483,768) | (10,429) |
| Prepayments | (211,665) | (201,299) |
| Trade accounts payable | 1,216,793 | (5,481) |
| Other liabilities | (178,334) | 1,367,710 |
| Allocation to (release of) market valuation reserve | 0 | 182,696 |
| 343,028 | 1,333,197 | |
| Cash flow from operating activities | (16,436,591) | (9,908,941) |
| Interest paid | (10,829) | (221,112) |
| Interest received | 940,018 | 172,494 |
| NET CASH USED FOR OPERATING ACTIVITIES | (15,507,401) | (9,957,559) |
| Cash flow from investment activities | ||
| Purchase of property and equipment | (89,988) | (41,385) |
| Purchase of intangible assets | (434,780) | (318,604) |
| Purchase of financial assets | (30,000,000) | (10,000,000) |
| NET CASH USED FOR INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES | (30,524,768) | (10,359,989) |
| Cash flow from financing activities | ||
| Capital increase | 0 | 3,942,522 |
| Capital increase costs | (882,981) | 0 |
| Redemption of silent partnership loans (total participations/interest) | (42,964) | 0 |
| Repayment finance leasing | (62,190) | (47,013) |
| NET CASH USED FOR (PREVIOUS YEAR: GENERATED BY) | ||
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES | (988,134) | 3,895,509 |
| NET DECREASE | ||
| IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | (47,020,304) | (16,422,040) |
| Cash and cash equivalents | ||
| at beginning of year | 56,708,532 | 21,248,162 |
| after nine months | 9,688,228 | 4,826,122 |
of WILEX AG in accordance with IFRS for the first nine months
| 9M 2007 | 9M 2006 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| in EUR | in EUR | ||
| As at 1 December 2006/2005 | 47,720 | 8,679 | |
| Capital increase | 0 | 3,943 | |
| Valuation impact on securities available for sale | 0 | 183 | |
| Capital procurement costs related to the IPO | 14 | 0 | |
| Valuation of stock options | 378 | 803 | |
| Net loss for the period | (16,024) | (13,551) | |
| As at 31 August 2007/2006 | 32,089 | 56 |
The interim financial statements as at 31 August 2007 are prepared in accordance with the same accounting and valuation policies as the annual financial statements as at 30 November 2006.
WILEX has no subsidiaries. All business activities are carried out by WILEX AG. As these do not differ significantly in their risk/reward profiles, WILEX operates in one segment only and does not therefore operate a segment report.
The interim financial statements are not audited and were not subject to any review.
Other current liabilities comprise the following:
| 31.08.2007 in EUR '000 |
30.11.2006 in EUR '000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Accruals for holidays not taken | 191 | 173 |
| Accrual US Department of Defence | 1,068 | 1,145 |
| Accrual Dr. Esteve S.A.1) | 1,613 | 1,528 |
| Social security and other taxes | 83 | 758 |
| Payment obligation for licence purchased1) | 375 | 214 |
| Accruals | 5,713 | 6,037 |
| Total | 9,042 | 9,856 |
1) thereof current portion
Other operating income comprises the following items:
| 9M 2007 in EUR '000 |
9M 2006 in EUR '000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Grants provided by the US Department of Defense | 468 | 478 |
| Income realisation Dr. Esteve S.A. | 1,522 | 275 |
| Release of other accruals | 168 | 213 |
| Other operating income | 2,158 | 966 |
| 11 October 2007 | Quarterly report |
|---|---|
| 20 February 2008 |
Annual report 2007 |
| 20 February 2008 | Balance sheet press/analysts' conference |
| 10 April 2008 | Quarterly report |
| 3 June 2008 |
Annual General Meeting |
| 14 July 2008 | Interim report |
| 13 October 2008 | Quarterly report |
| Published by: | WILEX AG Grillparzerstraße 10 D-81675 Munich Tel. +49 (0) 89 413 138-0 Fax +49 (0) 89 413 138-99 www.wilex.com [email protected] |
|---|---|
| Concept, layout, text: | ergo Unternehmenskommunikation GmbH & Co. KG, Cologne/Frankfurt am Main |
| Translation: | arb limited London, [email protected] |
| Peter Llewellyn-Davies | Juliane Giese | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Financial Officer | Investor and Public Relations | ||
| Tel. | +49 (0) 89 413 138-20 | Tel. | +49 (0) 89 413 138-29 |
| Fax | +49 (0) 89 413 138-98 | Fax | +49 (0) 89 413 138-99 |
| email: [email protected] | email: [email protected] |
The quarterly report is also published in German and is available for download from our website: www.wilex.com.
The English translation of the quarterly report is provided for convenience only. The German original is definitive.
As at 10 October 2007.
WILEX AG Grillparzerstr. 10 D-81675 Munich Germany
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