UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Form 10-Q
OR
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(914) 347-7000
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common stock as of April 30, 2003:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.Table of ContentsMarch 31, 2003
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS AT MARCH 31, 2003 AND DECEMBER 31, 2002 (Unaudited)(In thousands, except share data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
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REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)(In thousands, except per share data)
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REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.CONDENSED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (Unaudited)For the three months ended March 31, 2003(In thousands)
[Additional columns below]
[Continued from above table, first column(s) repeated]
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REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)(In thousands)
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1. Interim Financial Statements
2. Stock-based Employee Compensation
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3. Statement of Cash Flows
4. Inventories
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5. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
6. Comprehensive Loss
7. Collaboration and License Agreement
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8. Per Share Data
9. Segment Reporting
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10. Legal Matters
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Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
General
Overview. The discussion below contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties relating to the future financial performance of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and actual events or results may differ materially. These statements concern, among other things, the possible therapeutic applications of our product candidates and research programs, the timing, nature, and success of the clinical and research programs now underway or planned, and the future uses of capital and our financial needs. These statements are made by us based on managements current beliefs and judgment. In evaluating such statements, stockholders and potential investors should specifically consider the various factors identified under the caption Factors That May Affect Future Operating Results which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and intends to commercialize therapeutic products for the treatment of serious medical conditions. Our clinical and pre-clinical pipeline includes product candidates for the treatment of obesity, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, cancer and related disorders, allergies, asthma, and other diseases and disorders. Developing and commercializing new medicines entails risk and significant expense. Since inception, we have not generated any sales or profits from the commercialization of any of our product candidates.
Our core business strategy is to combine our strong foundation in basic scientific research and discovery-enabling technology with our manufacturing and clinical development capabilities to build a successful, integrated biopharmaceutical company. Our efforts have yielded a diverse pipeline of product candidates that have the potential to address a variety of unmet medical needs. We believe that our ability to develop product candidates is enhanced by the application of our technology platforms, which are designed to discover specific genes of therapeutic interest for a particular disease or cell type and validate targets through high-throughput production of mammalian models in which a specific gene is removed (referred to as knock-out) or is overproduced (referred to as transgenic). We will continue to invest in the development of enabling technologies to assist in our efforts to identify, develop, and commercialize new product candidates.
Below is a summary of our leading clinical and pre-clinical research programs. With the exception of the IL-1 Trap, which we are developing in collaboration with15Table of Contents Novartis Pharma AG, we retain sole ownership and marketing rights for each of these programs and currently are developing them independently of any corporate partners. AXOKINE®: Acts on the brain region regulating food intake and energy expenditure and is being developed for the treatment of obesity. In March 2003, we reported data from the 12-month treatment period of our initial Phase III pivotal trial of AXOKINE. This trial enrolled approximately 2000 patients and involved a 12-month treatment period in which subjects received daily subcutaneous self-injections of placebo or AXOKINE. The study demonstrated that subjects receiving AXOKINE experienced a greater average weight loss than those receiving placebo (6.2 lbs. vs. 2.6 lbs, p<.001) and that a greater proportion of AXOKINE-treated subjects lost at least 5 percent of their initial body weight compared with placebo-treated subjects (25.1 percent vs. 17.6 percent, p<.001). The study also showed that AXOKINE had a favorable safety and tolerability profile. The treatment period in this study is being followed by a twelve-month open-label extension phase, during which all study subjects receive AXOKINE. Although the results of the Phase III study were statistically significant, the average weight loss for the entire treatment group was small. AXOKINE-associated weight loss was limited by the development of antibodies in approximately two-thirds of the AXOKINE-treated subjects beginning after about three months of treatment. In the patients who did not become resistant to AXOKINE treatment through the development of antibodies, the weight loss appeared in line with currently available treatments for obesity. In April 2003, we announced the results of a 12-week Phase II clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of AXOKINE in overweight and obese individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study showed that treatment with AXOKINE resulted in statistically significant and dose-dependent weight loss, which was in line with the Phase III pivotal trial at the same 12-week time point. This trial currently is in a 12-week open-label extension phase. We intend to discuss the data from the completed AXOKINE trials with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration before determining the future development plan for AXOKINE. We are also evaluating a pegylated version of AXOKINE, which is in pre-clinical development. We are working to develop a suitable formulation of pegylated AXOKINE. INTERLEUKIN-1 CYTOKINE TRAP (IL-1 Trap): Protein-based product candidate designed to bind the interleukin-1 (called IL-1) cytokine and prevent its interaction with cell surface receptors. IL-1 is thought to play a major role in rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. In July 2002, we announced the initiation of a dose-ranging Phase II trial that will involve approximately 200 participants to study the safety and efficacy of the IL-1 Trap in16Table of Contents people with rheumatoid arthritis. This trial was fully enrolled in the first quarter of 2003. Subjects in the study are receiving, in a double-blind manner, either placebo or one of three different dose levels of the IL-1 Trap. The results from this trial are expected to be available mid-year 2003. In March 2003, we entered into an agreement with Novartis to jointly develop and commercialize the IL-1 Trap throughout the world, with the exception of Japan, where product rights remain with Regeneron. VEGF TRAP: Protein-based therapeutic candidate designed to bind Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (called VEGF, also known as Vascular Permeability Factor or VPF) and prevent its interaction with cell surface receptors. VEGF is required for the growth of blood vessels that are needed for tumors to grow and is a potent regulator of vascular permeability and leak. In 2001, we initiated a dose-escalation Phase I clinical trial designed to assess the safety and tolerability of the VEGF Trap in subjects with solid tumor malignancies and/or non-Hodgkins lymphoma. This trial continues to test increasing doses of the product candidate as per the protocol and is expected to end in the first half of 2004. Additional studies of the VEGF Trap in cancer are being planned. We are also evaluating the VEGF Trap in preclinical studies as a potential treatment for diseases of the eye. INTERLEUKIN-4/INTERLEUKIN-13 CYTOKINE TRAP (IL-4/13 Trap):Protein-based product candidate designed to bind the interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 (called IL-4 and IL-13) cytokines and prevent their interaction with cell surface receptors. IL-4 and IL-13 are thought to play a major role in diseases such as asthma, allergic disorders, and other inflammatory diseases. In October 2002, we initiated a Phase I trial for the IL-4/13 Trap in adult subjects with mild to moderate asthma. This placebo-controlled, double-blind, dose escalation study is designed to assess the safety and tolerability of the IL-4/13 Trap. The trial is expected to end in the second half of 2003. We are continuing our research on IL-4 and IL-13 in other inflammatory conditions beyond asthma, which may lead to new potential indications for the IL-4/13 Trap. ANGIOPOIETINS: A new family of growth factors that act specifically on the endothelium cells that line blood vessels. Angiopoietins may be useful for growing blood vessels in diseased hearts and other tissues with decreased blood flow and for repairing blood vessel leaks that cause swelling and edema in many different diseases such as stroke, diabetic retinopathy, and inflammatory diseases. We have an active pre-clinical research program covering this family of growth factors. We have not yet selected a specific molecule to advance into clinical development or a specific indication for development. In addition, we have formed collaborations to advance other research and development efforts. We are conducting research with The Procter & Gamble Company in muscle diseases and other fields. We are also collaborating with Medarex, Inc. to discover, develop, and commercialize certain human antibodies as therapeutics. In partnership with Amgen Inc., we have development rights to Neurotrophin-3, or NT-3, a clinical compound for the treatment of constipating conditions, although there are no17Table of Contentsongoing development activities for NT-3 at this time. In all of these research collaborations, we retain 50% of the commercialization rights.Discussion of First Quarter 2003 Activities In July 2001, we initiated a Phase III clinical program of AXOKINE in overweight and obese subjects. The initial pivotal Phase III trial was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study that enrolled approximately 2,000 subjects at 65 sites across the United States. In March 2003, we reported data from the 12-month treatment period of the trial during which subjects received daily subcutaneous self-injections of placebo or AXOKINE at a dose of 1.0 microgram per kilogram of body weight (mcg/kg). The study demonstrated that subjects receiving AXOKINE experienced a greater average weight loss than those receiving placebo (6.2 pounds vs. 2.6 pounds, p<.001) and that a greater proportion of AXOKINE-treated subjects lost at least 5 percent of their initial body weight compared with placebo-treated subjects (25.1 percent vs. 17.6 percent, p<.001). AXOKINE also achieved statistically significant results in two of the three secondary endpoints, including the proportion of subjects losing at least 10% of their initial body weight. The study also showed that AXOKINE had a favorable safety and tolerability profile. The treatment period is being followed by a twelve-month open-label extension phase, during which all study subjects receive AXOKINE. As of March 31, 2003, the average treatment period for people in this trial was 17 months. Although the results of the Phase III study were statistically significant, the average weight loss for the entire treatment group was small. AXOKINE-associated weight loss was limited by the development of antibodies in approximately two-thirds of the AXOKINE-treated subjects beginning after about three months of treatment. In the patients who did not become resistant to AXOKINE treatment through the development of antibodies, the weight loss appeared in line with currently available treatments for obesity. A more complete discussion of the results of this trial is contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002. In April 2003, we announced the results of a 12-week Phase II clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of AXOKINE in 157 overweight and obese individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were treated with placebo or AXOKINE at doses of 1.0 mcg/kg and 0.5 mcg/kg per day. Subjects who were treated with AXOKINE at the 1.0 mcg/kg dose with dietary counseling lost 6.5 pounds on average, while those treated with placebo and dietary counseling lost only 2.5 pounds (p<.01). Trends toward improvements in blood glucose and other metabolic parameters were also observed during this small, short-term study. AXOKINE was generally well tolerated with no AXOKINE-related serious adverse events. Approximately 90 percent of study participants completed the 12-week study. This trial currently is in a 12-week open-label extension phase. In this trial, approximately one-third of the subjects who were treated with the 1.0 mcg/kg dose of AXOKINE developed antibodies to AXOKINE at the 12-week time point. In the recently completed Phase III study of AXOKINE in non-diabetic subjects,18Table of Contentsabout half of AXOKINE-treated participants developed antibodies at the 12-week time point. This lower incidence of antibodies observed in the Phase II study will need to be explored in a larger Phase III study in the diabetic population. In the Phase III one-year study, further weight loss beyond 12 weeks appeared to be limited in those people who developed antibodies. In addition, in July 2002, we completed enrollment for two trials, each of which includes approximately 300 subjects, which are evaluating the safety of intermittent treatment with AXOKINE and studying maintenance of weight loss following short-term treatment regimens. In January 2003, we announced that AXOKINE had received fast track designation from the FDA for the treatment of severely obese people who are unresponsive to, intolerant of, or unsuitable candidates for certain FDA-approved medicines for the long-term treatment of obesity. We plan to discuss the data from the completed AXOKINE studies with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration before determining the future development plan for AXOKINE. We are also evaluating a pegylated version of AXOKINE, which is in pre-clinical development. We are working to develop a suitable formulation of pegylated AXOKINE. In July 2002, we announced the initiation of a dose-ranging Phase II study of the IL-1 Trap in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis. This trial enrolled approximately 200 subjects who will receive weekly self-injections of one of three fixed doses of IL-1 Trap or placebo for 12 weeks, followed by 10 weeks of open-label follow-up. The results from this trial are expected to be available mid-year 2003. The IL-1 Trap is also being evaluated for potential uses in treating other inflammatory diseases. In March 2003, we entered into a Collaboration, License and Option Agreement with Novartis Pharma AG to jointly develop and commercialize the IL-1 Trap in rheumatoid arthritis and other indications throughout the world with the exception of Japan, where product rights remain with Regeneron. We and Novartis will share equally in all profits from future sales of the IL-1 Trap in North America and Europe. In other markets, Novartis will be entitled to receive 75 percent of the profits and we will be entitled to 25 percent of the profits. We may co-promote the IL-1 Trap in all territories under the agreement. As part of the agreement, Novartis purchased $48.0 million of Regenerons common stock and made a non-refundable up-front payment of $27.0 million. The agreement is described in greater detail in the section of this report titled Liquidity and Capital Resources. Antagonists for IL-4 and IL-13 may be therapeutically useful in a number of allergy and asthma-related conditions, including as an adjunct to vaccines where blocking IL-4 and IL-13 may help to elicit more of the desired type of immune response to the vaccine. We have developed both an IL-4 Trap and an IL-4/13 Trap, which is a single molecule that can block both interleukin-4 and interleukin-13. In October 2002, we19Table of Contentsinitiated a Phase I clinical trial of a dual IL-4/13 Trap to assess the safety and tolerability of increasing dose levels in subjects with mild to moderate asthma. The Phase I trial is expected to end in the second half of 2003. We are continuing our research of IL-4 and IL-13 in other inflammatory conditions beyond asthma, which may lead to new potential indications for the IL-4/13 Trap. In November 2001, we initiated a Phase I clinical trial designed to assess the safety and tolerability of VEGF Trap in patients with solid tumor malignancies and subjects with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The Phase I trial is an open-label study in subjects with advanced tumors and will evaluate the VEGF Trap in increasing dose levels. The study is being conducted at three clinical sites in the United States. Higher doses of VEGF Trap are expected to be studied as the trial progresses and we anticipate the study to end in the first half of 2004. Additional studies of the VEGF Trap in cancer are also being planned. We are also evaluating the VEGF Trap in preclinical studies as a potential treatment for diseases of the eye. A minority of all research and development programs ultimately results in commercially successful pharmaceutical drugs; it is not possible to predict whether any program will succeed until it actually produces a medicine that is commercially marketed for a significant period of time. In addition, in each of the areas of our independent and collaborative activities, other companies and entities are actively pursuing competitive paths toward similar objectives. The results of Regenerons and its collaborators past activities in connection with the research and development of AXOKINE, Cytokine Traps, Angiopoietins, cancer, abnormal bone growth, muscle atrophy, small molecules, NT-3, and other programs or areas of research or development do not necessarily predict the results or success of current or future activities including, but not limited to, any additional preclinical or clinical studies. We cannot predict whether, when, or under what conditions any of our research or product candidates, including without limitation AXOKINE, IL-1 Trap, VEGF Trap, or IL-4/13 Trap will be shown to be safe or effective to treat any human condition or be approved for marketing by any regulatory agency. The delay or failure of current or future studies to demonstrate the safety or efficacy of its product candidates to treat human conditions or to be approved for marketing could have a material adverse impact on Regeneron. We discuss the risks associated with pharmaceutical drug development in the section of this report titled Factors That May Affect Future Operating Results. We have not received revenue from the commercialization of our product candidates and may never receive such revenues. Before revenues from the commercialization of our product candidates can be realized, we (or our collaborators) must overcome a number of hurdles which include successfully completing our research and development efforts and obtaining regulatory approval from the FDA or regulatory authorities in other countries. In addition, the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are rapidly evolving and highly competitive, and new developments may render our products and technologies noncompetitive or obsolete. From inception on January 8, 1988 through March 31, 2003, we had a cumulative loss of $454.2 million. In the absence of revenues from the commercialization of our20Table of Contents
15
Novartis Pharma AG, we retain sole ownership and marketing rights for each of these programs and currently are developing them independently of any corporate partners.
16
In addition, we have formed collaborations to advance other research and development efforts. We are conducting research with The Procter & Gamble Company in muscle diseases and other fields. We are also collaborating with Medarex, Inc. to discover, develop, and commercialize certain human antibodies as therapeutics. In partnership with Amgen Inc., we have development rights to Neurotrophin-3, or NT-3, a clinical compound for the treatment of constipating conditions, although there are no
17
ongoing development activities for NT-3 at this time. In all of these research collaborations, we retain 50% of the commercialization rights.
Discussion of First Quarter 2003 Activities
In July 2001, we initiated a Phase III clinical program of AXOKINE in overweight and obese subjects. The initial pivotal Phase III trial was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study that enrolled approximately 2,000 subjects at 65 sites across the United States. In March 2003, we reported data from the 12-month treatment period of the trial during which subjects received daily subcutaneous self-injections of placebo or AXOKINE at a dose of 1.0 microgram per kilogram of body weight (mcg/kg). The study demonstrated that subjects receiving AXOKINE experienced a greater average weight loss than those receiving placebo (6.2 pounds vs. 2.6 pounds, p<.001) and that a greater proportion of AXOKINE-treated subjects lost at least 5 percent of their initial body weight compared with placebo-treated subjects (25.1 percent vs. 17.6 percent, p<.001). AXOKINE also achieved statistically significant results in two of the three secondary endpoints, including the proportion of subjects losing at least 10% of their initial body weight. The study also showed that AXOKINE had a favorable safety and tolerability profile. The treatment period is being followed by a twelve-month open-label extension phase, during which all study subjects receive AXOKINE. As of March 31, 2003, the average treatment period for people in this trial was 17 months.
Although the results of the Phase III study were statistically significant, the average weight loss for the entire treatment group was small. AXOKINE-associated weight loss was limited by the development of antibodies in approximately two-thirds of the AXOKINE-treated subjects beginning after about three months of treatment. In the patients who did not become resistant to AXOKINE treatment through the development of antibodies, the weight loss appeared in line with currently available treatments for obesity. A more complete discussion of the results of this trial is contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.
In April 2003, we announced the results of a 12-week Phase II clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of AXOKINE in 157 overweight and obese individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were treated with placebo or AXOKINE at doses of 1.0 mcg/kg and 0.5 mcg/kg per day. Subjects who were treated with AXOKINE at the 1.0 mcg/kg dose with dietary counseling lost 6.5 pounds on average, while those treated with placebo and dietary counseling lost only 2.5 pounds (p<.01). Trends toward improvements in blood glucose and other metabolic parameters were also observed during this small, short-term study. AXOKINE was generally well tolerated with no AXOKINE-related serious adverse events. Approximately 90 percent of study participants completed the 12-week study. This trial currently is in a 12-week open-label extension phase.
In this trial, approximately one-third of the subjects who were treated with the 1.0 mcg/kg dose of AXOKINE developed antibodies to AXOKINE at the 12-week time point. In the recently completed Phase III study of AXOKINE in non-diabetic subjects,
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about half of AXOKINE-treated participants developed antibodies at the 12-week time point. This lower incidence of antibodies observed in the Phase II study will need to be explored in a larger Phase III study in the diabetic population. In the Phase III one-year study, further weight loss beyond 12 weeks appeared to be limited in those people who developed antibodies.
In addition, in July 2002, we completed enrollment for two trials, each of which includes approximately 300 subjects, which are evaluating the safety of intermittent treatment with AXOKINE and studying maintenance of weight loss following short-term treatment regimens. In January 2003, we announced that AXOKINE had received fast track designation from the FDA for the treatment of severely obese people who are unresponsive to, intolerant of, or unsuitable candidates for certain FDA-approved medicines for the long-term treatment of obesity.
We plan to discuss the data from the completed AXOKINE studies with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration before determining the future development plan for AXOKINE.
We are also evaluating a pegylated version of AXOKINE, which is in pre-clinical development. We are working to develop a suitable formulation of pegylated AXOKINE.
In July 2002, we announced the initiation of a dose-ranging Phase II study of the IL-1 Trap in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis. This trial enrolled approximately 200 subjects who will receive weekly self-injections of one of three fixed doses of IL-1 Trap or placebo for 12 weeks, followed by 10 weeks of open-label follow-up. The results from this trial are expected to be available mid-year 2003. The IL-1 Trap is also being evaluated for potential uses in treating other inflammatory diseases.
In March 2003, we entered into a Collaboration, License and Option Agreement with Novartis Pharma AG to jointly develop and commercialize the IL-1 Trap in rheumatoid arthritis and other indications throughout the world with the exception of Japan, where product rights remain with Regeneron. We and Novartis will share equally in all profits from future sales of the IL-1 Trap in North America and Europe. In other markets, Novartis will be entitled to receive 75 percent of the profits and we will be entitled to 25 percent of the profits. We may co-promote the IL-1 Trap in all territories under the agreement. As part of the agreement, Novartis purchased $48.0 million of Regenerons common stock and made a non-refundable up-front payment of $27.0 million. The agreement is described in greater detail in the section of this report titled Liquidity and Capital Resources.
Antagonists for IL-4 and IL-13 may be therapeutically useful in a number of allergy and asthma-related conditions, including as an adjunct to vaccines where blocking IL-4 and IL-13 may help to elicit more of the desired type of immune response to the vaccine. We have developed both an IL-4 Trap and an IL-4/13 Trap, which is a single molecule that can block both interleukin-4 and interleukin-13. In October 2002, we
19
initiated a Phase I clinical trial of a dual IL-4/13 Trap to assess the safety and tolerability of increasing dose levels in subjects with mild to moderate asthma. The Phase I trial is expected to end in the second half of 2003. We are continuing our research of IL-4 and IL-13 in other inflammatory conditions beyond asthma, which may lead to new potential indications for the IL-4/13 Trap.
In November 2001, we initiated a Phase I clinical trial designed to assess the safety and tolerability of VEGF Trap in patients with solid tumor malignancies and subjects with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The Phase I trial is an open-label study in subjects with advanced tumors and will evaluate the VEGF Trap in increasing dose levels. The study is being conducted at three clinical sites in the United States. Higher doses of VEGF Trap are expected to be studied as the trial progresses and we anticipate the study to end in the first half of 2004. Additional studies of the VEGF Trap in cancer are also being planned. We are also evaluating the VEGF Trap in preclinical studies as a potential treatment for diseases of the eye.
A minority of all research and development programs ultimately results in commercially successful pharmaceutical drugs; it is not possible to predict whether any program will succeed until it actually produces a medicine that is commercially marketed for a significant period of time. In addition, in each of the areas of our independent and collaborative activities, other companies and entities are actively pursuing competitive paths toward similar objectives. The results of Regenerons and its collaborators past activities in connection with the research and development of AXOKINE, Cytokine Traps, Angiopoietins, cancer, abnormal bone growth, muscle atrophy, small molecules, NT-3, and other programs or areas of research or development do not necessarily predict the results or success of current or future activities including, but not limited to, any additional preclinical or clinical studies. We cannot predict whether, when, or under what conditions any of our research or product candidates, including without limitation AXOKINE, IL-1 Trap, VEGF Trap, or IL-4/13 Trap will be shown to be safe or effective to treat any human condition or be approved for marketing by any regulatory agency. The delay or failure of current or future studies to demonstrate the safety or efficacy of its product candidates to treat human conditions or to be approved for marketing could have a material adverse impact on Regeneron. We discuss the risks associated with pharmaceutical drug development in the section of this report titled Factors That May Affect Future Operating Results.
We have not received revenue from the commercialization of our product candidates and may never receive such revenues. Before revenues from the commercialization of our product candidates can be realized, we (or our collaborators) must overcome a number of hurdles which include successfully completing our research and development efforts and obtaining regulatory approval from the FDA or regulatory authorities in other countries. In addition, the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are rapidly evolving and highly competitive, and new developments may render our products and technologies noncompetitive or obsolete.
From inception on January 8, 1988 through March 31, 2003, we had a cumulative loss of $454.2 million. In the absence of revenues from the commercialization of our
20
product candidates or other sources, the amount, timing, nature, or source of which cannot be predicted, our losses will continue as we conduct our research and development activities. Our activities may expand over time and may require additional resources and we expect our operating losses to be substantial over at least the next several years. Our losses may fluctuate from quarter to quarter and will depend, among other factors, on the timing of certain expenses and on the progress of our research and development efforts.
Results of Operations
Three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002. Our total revenue increased to $10.1 million for the first quarter of 2003 from $4.9 million for the same period of 2002. Contract research and development revenue increased to $9.4 million for the first quarter of 2003 from $2.7 million for the same period of 2002, as we recognized $6.7 million of revenue related to our IL-1 Trap collaboration with Novartis. We recognize revenue in connection with the collaboration using the percentage of completion method in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements. In addition, we recognized $2.6 million of contract research and development revenue from Procter & Gamble in both the first quarter of 2003 and 2002 in connection with our long-term collaboration agreement. Contract manufacturing revenue, related primarily to our long-term agreement with Merck & Co., Inc. to manufacture a vaccine intermediate at our Rensselaer, New York facility, decreased to $0.7 million for the first quarter of 2003 from $2.3 million for the same period of 2002, because product in inventory during the first quarter of 2003 will not be shipped to Merck until later this year. Contract manufacturing revenue and the related manufacturing expense are recognized as product is accepted and shipped.
Our total operating expenses increased to $38.5 million for the first quarter of 2003 from $30.1 million for the same period of 2002. Research and development expenses increased to $34.4 million for the first quarter of 2003 from $25.5 million for the comparable period of 2002, as activity in our clinical research programs increased, especially related to our Phase III clinical program for AXOKINE and our Phase II clinical study for the IL-1 Trap. Research and development expenses were 89% of total operating expenses in the first quarter of 2003, compared to 85% for the same period of 2002. Contract manufacturing expenses related to our long-term agreement with Merck decreased to $0.7 million for the first quarter of 2003 from $1.3 million for the same period of 2002, because product in inventory during the first quarter of 2003 will not be shipped to Merck until later this year. General and administrative expenses remained relatively unchanged at $3.5 million for the first quarter of 2003 compared to $3.4 million for the same period of 2002.
Investment income decreased to $1.2 million for the first quarter of 2003 from $2.8 million for the same period of 2002 due to lower effective interest rates on investment securities and lower levels of interest-bearing investments in the first quarter of 2003 as the Company funded its operations. Interest expense, incurred primarily on $200.0 million of convertible notes issued in October 2001, declined slightly to $2.9
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million for the first quarter of 2003 from $3.0 million for the same period of 2002. The notes, which mature in 2008, bear interest at 5.5% per annum.
Our net loss for the first quarter of 2003 was $30.1 million, or $0.68 per share (basic and diluted), compared to a net loss of $25.4 million, or $0.58 per share (basic and diluted), for the same period of 2002.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Since our inception in 1988, we have financed our operations primarily through offerings of equity securities, a private placement of convertible debt, revenue earned under our agreements with Amgen, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals Company, Ltd., Merck & Co., Inc., Procter & Gamble, and Novartis, and investment income.
In March 2003, we entered into a collaboration agreement with Novartis to jointly develop and commercialize the IL-1 Trap. Novartis made a non-refundable up-front payment of $27.0 million and purchased $48.0 million of newly issued unregistered shares of our common stock. Initially, Regeneron issued 2,400,000 shares of common stock to Novartis; however, the final number of shares issued to Novartis totaled 7,527,050 based upon the average closing price of the common stock for the 20 consecutive trading days ending May 12, 2003.
Development expenses incurred during 2003 will be shared equally by Regeneron and Novartis. We may fund our share of 2003 expenses through a loan from Novartis that will be forgiven, together with accrued interest, should certain pre-clinical and clinical milestones be reached and is otherwise payable on July 1, 2004. As of March 31, 2003, we have not drawn on this loan facility. In addition, at March 31, 2003, $4.5 million was receivable from Novartis for their share of IL-1 Trap development expenses incurred by Regeneron during the first quarter of 2003.
After 2003, Novartis will be responsible for any additional pre-Phase III development expenses, and the companies will share Phase III development expenses and pre-launch expenses. Our share of these expenses may be funded through two additional loans from Novartis. The loan and accrued interest for our share of Phase III development expenses is repayable in full five years after the initial product launch of the IL-1 Trap or five years after termination of Novartis rights to the IL-1 Trap under the agreement, whichever occurs first. The loan and accrued interest for our share of pre-launch expenses is repayable in full three years after the initial product launch of the IL-1 Trap or three years after termination of Novartis rights to the IL-1 Trap under the agreement, whichever occurs first. Novartis has the right to terminate the collaboration agreement without cause with at least nine months advance notice.
We and Novartis will share co-promotion rights and profit on sales, if any, of the IL-1 Trap. In addition, we may receive up to $275.0 million in milestone payments upon receipt of specified regulatory approvals in the United States and the European Union and
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the achievement of certain product revenues targets. Under the agreement, each company also has the right to elect to collaborate on the development and commercialization of certain other pre-clinical/early development IL-1 antagonists that we and Novartis currently are developing independently. Regeneron will continue to manufacture clinical supplies of the IL-1 Trap at our plant in Rensselaer, New York. Novartis will be responsible for providing commercial scale manufacturing capacity for the IL-1 Trap.
Under a long-term collaboration agreement, Procter & Gamble provides funding through December 2005 of $2.5 million per quarter, plus adjustments for inflation, in support of our research efforts.
At March 31, 2003, we had $323.6 million in cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, and restricted marketable securities. We have no off-balance sheet financing arrangements and do not guarantee the obligations of any other entity. As of March 31, 2003, we had no established banking arrangements through which we could obtain short-term financing or a line of credit. We may seek additional funding through, among other things, future collaboration agreements and public or private financing. We cannot assure you that additional financing will be available to us or, if available, that it will be available on acceptable terms.
Our additions to property, plant, and equipment totaled $8.1 million and $4.6 million for the first three months of 2003 and 2002, respectively.
We expect to incur substantial funding requirements for, among other things, research and development activities (including preclinical and clinical testing), expansion and validation of manufacturing facilities, and the acquisition of equipment. We currently anticipate that for the remainder of 2003, approximately 30-50% of our expenditures will be directed toward the pre-clinical and clinical development of product candidates, including AXOKINE, IL-1 Trap, IL-4/13 Trap, VEGF Trap, and the angiopoietins; approximately 5-15% of our expenditures will be invested in expansion of our manufacturing facilities; approximately 10-20% of our expenditures will cover our basic research activities; approximately 5-15% of our expenditures will be directed toward the continued development of our novel technology platforms, including potential efforts to commercialize these technologies; and the remainder of our expenditures will be for general corporate purposes, including working capital. For the remainder of 2003, we expect to incur approximately $15 million in capital expenditures for our expanded manufacturing and research and development activities.
We expect that expenses related to the filing, prosecution, defense, and enforcement of patent and other intellectual property claims will continue to be substantial as a result of patent filings and prosecutions in the United States and foreign countries.
The amount we need to fund operations will depend on various factors, including the status of competitive products, the success of our research and development programs, the potential future need to expand our professional and support staff and facilities, the status of patents and other intellectual property rights, the delay or failure of23Table of Contents
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a clinical trial of any of our drug candidates, and the continuation, extent, and success of any collaborative research arrangements (including those with Procter & Gamble, Novartis, Medarex, Emisphere Technologies, Inc., and Amgen). Clinical trial costs are dependent, among other things, on the size and duration of trials, fees charged for services provided by clinical trial investigators and other third parties, the costs for manufacturing the product candidate for use in the trials, supplies, laboratory tests, and other expenses. The amount of funding that will be required for our clinical programs depends upon the results of our research and preclinical programs and early-stage clinical trials, regulatory requirements, the clinical trials underway plus additional clinical trials that we decide to initiate, and the various factors that affect the cost of each trial as described above. We believe that our existing capital resources will enable us to meet operating needs through at least the end of 2004. However, this is a forward-looking statement based on our current operating plan, and we cannot assure you that there will be no change in projected revenues or expenses that would lead to our capital being consumed significantly before such time. If there is insufficient capital to fund all of our planned operations and activities, we believe we would prioritize available capital to fund preclinical and clinical development of our product candidates. In the event we need additional financing for the operation of our business, we will consider collaborative arrangements and additional public or private financing, including additional equity financing. Factors influencing the availability of additional financing include our progress in product development, investor perception of our prospects, and the general condition of the financial markets.
Factors That May Affect Future Operating Results
We caution shareholders and potential investors that the following important factors, among others, in some cases have affected, and in the future could affect, our actual results and could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us. The statements under this caption are intended to serve as cautionary statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following information is not intended to limit in any way the characterization of other statements or information under other captions as cautionary statements for such purpose:
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As our scientific efforts lead to potentially promising new directions, both outside of recombinant protein therapies and into conditions or diseases outside of our current areas of experience and expertise, we will require additional internal expertise or external collaborations in areas in which we currently do not have substantial resources and personnel.
Other parties could allege to have blocking patents covering any of our product candidates in clinical and/or pre-clinical development. For example, we are aware of certain United States and foreign patents held by third parties relating to particular IL-4 and IL-13 receptors. In addition, we are aware of a European patent that pertains to the use of CNTF for the treatment of obesity.
We seek to obtain licenses to patents when, in our judgment, such licenses are needed. If any licenses are required, we may not be able to obtain such licenses on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. The failure to obtain any such license could prevent us from developing or commercializing one or more of our product candidates, which could severely harm our business.
Defense and enforcement of our intellectual property rights can be expensive and time consuming, even if the outcome is favorable to us. It is possible that patents issued or licensed to us will be successfully challenged, that a court may find that we are infringing validly issued patents of third parties, or that we may have to alter or27Table of Contents
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discontinue the development of our products or pay license fees or royalties to take into account patent rights of third parties.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.
Our earnings and cash flows are subject to fluctuations due to changes in interest rates primarily from our investment of available cash balances in investment grade corporate and U.S. government securities. We do not believe we are materially exposed to changes in interest rates. Under our current policies, we do not use interest rate derivative instruments to manage exposure to interest rate changes. We estimate that a one percent change in interest rates would result in an approximately $0.4 million change in the fair market value of our investment portfolio at March 31, 2003.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Within the 90 days prior to the date of this report (the Evaluation Date), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as such term is defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Based upon the evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer along with our Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to Regeneron required to be included in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act. There have been no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the Evaluation Date.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
In May 2003, securities class action lawsuits were commenced against Regeneron and certain of its officers and directors in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The complaints, which purport to be brought on behalf of a class consisting of investors in the Companys publicly traded securities between March 28, 2000 and March 30, 2003, allege that the defendants misstated or omitted material information concerning the safety and efficacy of AXOKINE, in violation of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. Damages are sought in an unspecified amount. We believe that the lawsuits are without merit.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits
(b) Reports
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SIGNATURE
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Certifications
I, Leonard S. Schleifer, certify that:
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I, Murray A. Goldberg, certify that:
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