UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 26, 2015
NewLink Genetics Corporation | ||
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) | ||
Delaware | 001-35342 | 42-1491350 |
(State or other jurisdiction | (Commission | (IRS Employer |
of incorporation) | File Number) | Identification No.) |
2503 South Loop Drive Ames, IA | 50010 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (515) 296-5555 | ||
Not applicable | ||
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.) | ||
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Section 2 - Financial Information
Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On February 26, 2015, NewLink Genetics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), issued a press release reporting financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2014.
The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, which is furnished under Item 2.02 of this report and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.
Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit Number | Description | |
99.1 | Press Release, dated February 26, 2015, entitled “NewLink Genetics Corporation Provides Operational Update and Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2014 Financial Results” | |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: February 26, 2015
NewLink Genetics Corporation | |
By: | /s/ John B. Henneman III |
John B. Henneman III | |
Its: | Chief Financial Officer |
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number | Description | |
99.1 | Press Release, dated February 26, 2015, entitled “NewLink Genetics Corporation Provides Operational Update and Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2014 Financial Results” | |
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NewLink Genetics Corporation Provides Operational Update and Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2014 Financial Results
-Management to Host Conference Call Today at 8:30 a.m. ET-
AMES, Iowa - February 26, 2015 -- NewLink Genetics Corporation (NASDAQ: NLNK), a biopharmaceutical company focused on bringing novel immunotherapeutic medicines to cancer patients globally, today announced operational, clinical and financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014.
“2014 was a pivotal year for our company, and we advanced significantly across all areas of our business and most importantly toward our goal to bring new cancer therapies to patients,” said Charles J. Link, Jr., M.D., Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of NewLink Genetics. “Our pivotal, Phase 3 IMmunotherapy for Pancreatic RESectable cancer Study, called ‘IMPRESS,’ is nearing the second interim readout, and we will report when available. We are preparing to commercialize this innovative immunotherapy in the United States ourselves, and we are starting to lay the commercial groundwork that will allow us to accelerate access to algenpantucel-L, if approved by the FDA,” said Dr. Link.
“Also, in 2014, we partnered our IDO inhibitor platform with Genentech and received an upfront payment of $150 million and have launched both preclinical drug discovery and clinical development teams that are already hard at work on this collaboration,” said Nick Vahanian, M.D., President and Chief Medical Officer. “In the infectious disease area, we entered into a collaboration agreement with Merck with our Ebola vaccine candidate licensed from the Public Health Agency of Canada, which included a $30 million upfront payment. Within this collaboration, which includes multiple U.S. and international agencies, we have conducted multiple clinical trials, developed the capacity to manufacture it in quantity, and received substantial support from both the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services.”
Program Updates:
HyperAcute® Cancer Immunotherapy Programs
NewLink Genetics’ proprietary cancer immunotherapy programs may prove to have broad potential across a spectrum of cancer indications. NewLink Genetics has multiple HyperAcute immunotherapy programs in various stages of development, including pancreatic and lung cancer.
Algenpantucel-L for Patients with Pancreatic Cancer
The Phase 3 pivotal trial, known as IMPRESS, is designed to study standard adjuvant therapy alone or in combination with algenpantucel-L in patients who have undergone surgical resection for pancreatic cancer. This study is fully enrolled, and the first interim analysis previously has been reported.
• | The Company revised its timing expectations and stated today that it expects to report on the second interim analysis in the first or second quarter of 2015. The possible outcomes for the second interim |
Exhibit 99.1
look include confirmation of continuing the study as designed to the pre-planned endpoint. The alternative outcome is a decision to proceed with filing with the FDA on the basis of the interim data due to improvement in overall survival rate as determined by the early stopping rules in the trial’s Special Protocol Assessment.
The Phase 3 pivotal trial, known as Pancreatic Immunotherapy with algenpantucel-L for Locally Advanced non-Resectable disease or PILLAR is currently enrolling patients.
• | The Company reported that it expects to complete enrollment in the second half of 2015. When enrollment is completed, NewLink Genetics will provide guidance on the reporting of the preliminary results. |
Tergenpumatucel-L for Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer
Tergenpumatucel-L, NewLink Genetics’ HyperAcute Lung Immunotherapy, is being tested in a randomized, Phase 2b study in advanced lung cancer. An update on this program will be provided in the second half of 2015.
IDO/TDO Pathway Inhibitor Programs
In October 2014, the Company announced that it entered into an exclusive, worldwide license agreement with Genentech for the development and commercialization of NLG919, a clinical stage IDO (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase) pathway inhibitor, and collaboration for the discovery of the next generation IDO/TDO (tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase) inhibitors to be developed and commercialized under the agreement. This alliance with Genentech brought NewLink Genetics $150 million in an upfront payment, plus potential milestone payments that exceed $1 billion, royalties and co-promotion rights as well as financial support for NewLink Genetics’ work in the collaboration.
• | Since announcing this alliance, NewLink Genetics and Genentech have launched both preclinical drug discovery and clinical development teams, which are already hard at work on the collaboration. |
• | In addition, the Company confirmed that it will continue the development of indoximod, including studies in combination with HyperAcute product candidates. The Company expects to complete enrollment of four different oncology trials by the first half of 2016. |
Ebola Vaccine Program with Merck
In addition to the $30 million received in an upfront payment from Merck in November 2014, last week, the Company announced that it earned a $20 million milestone payment relating to the initiation of a pivotal clinical trial in Africa and it has the ability to earn royalties on future potential sales of the vaccine, if approved by regulatory agencies in specified countries based on certain economic criteria.
• | The Company is currently collaborating with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the National Institutes of Health, the Center for Disease Control, the United States Department of Defense, and multiple international agencies and is conducting multiple clinical trials around the world. |
• | In 2014, the Company announced that it received significant funding from the Department of Defense and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to support the manufacturing of the vaccine at various dose levels as well as early clinical trials and important groundwork needed to move the candidate to effectiveness trials. |
• | Dr. Thomas P. Monath, a top vaccine expert was hired to lead NewLink Genetics’ infectious disease effort and is building its organization in the Boston area to support this important initiative. |
Exhibit 99.1
Financial Results
Cash Position: NewLink Genetics ended the year on December 31, 2014, with cash, cash equivalents, and certificates of deposit totaling $202.8 million compared to $61.5 million for the year ending December 31, 2013. The increase was attributable primarily to the upfront payments for the Genentech and Merck alliances, net of taxes, and amounts received under government contracts.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses in the fourth quarter of 2014 were $11.9 million and $35.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $5.2 million and $22.7 million during the comparable periods in 2013. The increase is primarily due to increases in clinical trial and manufacturing expenses.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses in the fourth quarter of 2014 were $8.3 million and $19.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $3.0 million and $9.5 million during the comparable periods in 2013. The increase was primarily due to an increase in share-based compensation expense, as well as increases in consulting and legal fees, travel expenses, and medical affairs and marketing.
Net Income/Loss: NewLink Genetics reported net income of $126.9 million or $4.05 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2014 and $102.9 million or $3.32 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to a net loss of $8.0 million or $0.31 per diluted share and $31.2 million or $1.23 per diluted share for the comparable periods in 2013.
NewLink Genetics received gross proceeds from sales under its at-the-market offering (ATM) of approximately $27.7 million in 2014 and ended 2014 with 27,980,849 shares outstanding.
Financial Guidance
NewLink Genetics expects to end the year on December 31, 2015 with approximately $160 million in cash, cash equivalents and certificates of deposit. The Company anticipates that this is enough cash to fund current operations near and medium term, but will file a new shelf registration statement to give the company the option to react quickly to market conditions. This also recognizes that an early halt in the IMPRESS trial for effectiveness would require the need to accelerate organizational development and spending levels.
“We finished the year with a strong cash position and the capacity to make the necessary investments to become a commercial biopharmaceutical company,” said Jack Henneman, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. “Significant investments in 2015 will include increasing our manufacturing capacity, developing our commercial sales and marketing teams, and investments in broadening our pipeline of drug candidates.”
Conference Call
The Company has scheduled a conference call for 8:30 a.m. ET today to discuss the results and to give an update on clinical and business development activities.
NewLink's senior management team will host the conference call, which will be open to all listeners. There will also be a question and answer session following the prepared remarks.
Access to the live call is available by dialing (855) 469-0612 (U.S.) or (484) 756-4268 (international) five minutes prior to the start of the call. The call can also be accessed through a webcast via a link provided on the Investors and Media homepage of NewLink's website at www.NewLinkGenetics.com. A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the completion of the call and can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 (U.S.) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and using the passcode 88421787. The replay will be available for two weeks from the date of the call, and the webcast will also be archived on the website.
Exhibit 99.1
About NewLink Genetics Corporation
NewLink Genetics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel immunotherapeutic products to improve treatment options for patients with cancer. NewLink's portfolio includes biologic and small molecule immunotherapy product candidates intended to treat a wide range of oncology indications. NewLink Genetics’ product candidates are designed to harness multiple components of the immune system to combat cancer without significant incremental toxicity, either as a monotherapy or in combination with other treatment regimens.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements of NewLink that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, intend, may plan, target, potential, will could, should, seek” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements about: NewLink Genetics’ financial guidance for 2015; enrollment in its clinical trials for product candidates based on NewLink's HyperAcute and IDO platform technologies; its timing of release of clinical data from ongoing clinical studies; its plans related to moving additional indications into clinical development; NewLink Genetics’ future financial performance, results of operations, cash position and sufficiency of capital resources to fund its operating requirements; and any other statements other than statements of historical fact. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that NewLink makes due to a number of important factors, including those risks discussed in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in NewLink Genetics’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, Form S-3 Registration Statement filed December 28, 2012 and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent NewLink's views as of the date of this press release. NewLink anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. However, while it may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing NewLink Genetics’ views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
******
Corporate Contact:
Jack Henneman
Chief Financial Officer, NewLink Genetics
515-598-2561
Investor@linkp.com
Investors:
Donna LaVoie
LaVoieHealthScience
617-374-8800, ext. 107
dlavoie@lavoiehealthscience.com
Media:
David Connolly
LaVoieHealthScience
617-374-8800, ext. 108
dconnolly@lavoiehealthscience.com
Exhibit 99.1
NewLink Genetics Corporation | |||||||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations | |||||||||||||||
(unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended Dec. 31, | Year Ended Dec. 31, | ||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||
Grant revenue | $ | 3,295 | $ | 294 | $ | 6,642 | $ | 1,093 | |||||||
Licensing revenue | 165,950 | — | 165,950 | — | |||||||||||
Total revenue | 169,245 | 294 | 172,592 | 1,093 | |||||||||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||
Research and development | 11,931 | 5,208 | 35,691 | 22,713 | |||||||||||
General and administrative | 8,284 | 2,999 | 19,328 | 9,521 | |||||||||||
Income (loss) from operations | 149,030 | (7,913 | ) | 117,573 | (31,141 | ) | |||||||||
Other income (expense), net | 13 | (3 | ) | 60 | 91 | ||||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | 149,043 | (7,916 | ) | 117,633 | (31,050 | ) | |||||||||
Income tax expense | (22,188 | ) | (130 | ) | (14,775 | ) | (130 | ) | |||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 126,855 | $ | (8,046 | ) | $ | 102,858 | $ | (31,180 | ) | |||||
Basic earnings per share | $ | 4.54 | $ | (0.31 | ) | $ | 3.69 | $ | (1.23 | ) | |||||
Diluted earnings per share | $ | 4.05 | $ | (0.31 | ) | $ | 3.32 | $ | (1.23 | ) | |||||
Basic average shares outstanding | 27,956,055 | 25,890,638 | 27,838,873 | 25,275,179 | |||||||||||
Diluted average shares outstanding | 31,345,654 | 25,890,638 | 31,025,099 | 25,275,179 | |||||||||||
Exhibit 99.1
NewLink Genetics Corporation | |||||||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||||||
(unaudited) | |||||||
(In thousands, except share and per share data) | |||||||
Year Ended | |||||||
December 31, | December 31, | ||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Assets | |||||||
Current assets: | |||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and certificates of deposit | $ | 202,797 | $ | 61,540 | |||
Prepaid expenses, advance payments to vendors and other current assets | 12,062 | 2,430 | |||||
Income tax receivable | 15,604 | — | |||||
Total current assets | 230,463 | 63,970 | |||||
Property and equipment, net | 7,599 | 6,587 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 238,062 | $ | 70,557 | |||
Liabilities and Equity | |||||||
Current liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 11,779 | $ | 3,473 | |||
Unearned revenue | 12,966 | — | |||||
Other current liabilities | 357 | 403 | |||||
Total current liabilities | 25,102 | 3,876 | |||||
Long-term liabilities: | |||||||
Royalty obligation payable | 6,000 | 6,000 | |||||
Notes payable and obligations under capital leases | 860 | 1,033 | |||||
Deferred rent | 1,238 | 1,321 | |||||
Unearned revenue, excluding current portion | 1,085 | — | |||||
Total long-term liabilities | 9,183 | 8,354 | |||||
Total liabilities | 34,285 | 12,230 | |||||
Stockholder's equity: | |||||||
Common stock | 280 | 266 | |||||
Additional paid-in capital, net | 236,838 | 194,038 | |||||
Treasury stock, at cost | (222 | ) | — | ||||
Retained deficit | (33,119 | ) | (135,977 | ) | |||
Total equity | 203,777 | 58,327 | |||||
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 238,062 | $ | 70,557 | |||