FORM 10-Q
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
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þ |
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For
the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007
OR
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o |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 0-19034
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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New York
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13-3444607 |
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(State or other jurisdiction of
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
incorporation or organization) |
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777 Old Saw Mill River Road |
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Tarrytown, New York
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10591-6707 |
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code) |
(914) 347-7000
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
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 þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer,
or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer þ Non-accelerated filer o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act).
Yes o No þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common stock as of
October 31, 2007:
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Class of Common Stock
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Number of Shares |
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Class A Stock, $0.001 par value
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2,260,266 |
Common Stock, $0.001 par value
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63,889,481 |
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Table of Contents
September 30, 2007
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 AND DECEMBER 31, 2006 (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share data)
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September 30, |
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December 31, |
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2007 |
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2006 |
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ASSETS |
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Current assets |
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|
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Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
97,416 |
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$ |
237,876 |
|
Marketable securities |
|
|
299,566 |
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|
221,400 |
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
10,968 |
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|
7,493 |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
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|
14,070 |
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|
3,215 |
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|
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|
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Total current assets |
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422,020 |
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|
469,984 |
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|
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|
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Restricted cash |
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1,600 |
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|
1,600 |
|
Marketable securities |
|
|
98,710 |
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|
61,983 |
|
Property, plant, and equipment, at cost, net of accumulated
depreciation and amortization |
|
|
49,358 |
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|
49,353 |
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Other assets |
|
|
1,408 |
|
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|
2,170 |
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|
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Total assets |
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$ |
573,096 |
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$ |
585,090 |
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LIABILITIES and STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
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Current liabilities |
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
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$ |
27,872 |
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$ |
21,471 |
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Deferred revenue, current portion |
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68,814 |
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|
23,543 |
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Total current liabilities |
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96,686 |
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45,014 |
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Deferred revenue |
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125,013 |
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123,452 |
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Notes payable |
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200,000 |
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200,000 |
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|
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Total liabilities |
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421,699 |
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|
368,466 |
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Commitments and contingencies |
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Stockholders equity |
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Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; issued and
outstanding-none |
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Class A Stock, convertible, $.001 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized;
shares issued and outstanding - 2,260,266 in 2007 and 2,270,353 in 2006 |
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2 |
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2 |
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Common Stock, $.001 par value; 160,000,000 shares authorized;
shares issued and outstanding - 63,825,329 in 2007 and 63,130,962 in 2006 |
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|
64 |
|
|
|
63 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
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|
931,482 |
|
|
|
904,407 |
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
(780,146 |
) |
|
|
(687,617 |
) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
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|
(5 |
) |
|
|
(231 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total stockholders equity |
|
|
151,397 |
|
|
|
216,624 |
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
|
$ |
573,096 |
|
|
$ |
585,090 |
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|
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|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
3
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
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Three months ended September 30, |
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Nine months ended September 30, |
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2007 |
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2006 |
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|
2007 |
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2006 |
|
Revenues |
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Contract research and development |
|
$ |
12,311 |
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$ |
11,448 |
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|
$ |
41,873 |
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$ |
41,026 |
|
Contract manufacturing |
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4,176 |
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|
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12,075 |
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Technology licensing |
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10,000 |
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|
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18,421 |
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22,311 |
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15,624 |
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60,294 |
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53,101 |
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Expenses |
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Research and development |
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51,689 |
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|
34,808 |
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|
|
136,788 |
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|
101,290 |
|
Contract manufacturing |
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|
3,054 |
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7,716 |
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General and administrative |
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9,289 |
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6,019 |
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26,426 |
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18,264 |
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|
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|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
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|
60,978 |
|
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|
43,881 |
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|
163,214 |
|
|
|
127,270 |
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|
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|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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Loss from operations |
|
|
(38,667 |
) |
|
|
(28,257 |
) |
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|
(102,920 |
) |
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|
(74,169 |
) |
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Other income (expense) |
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|
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|
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Investment income |
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|
5,840 |
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|
3,858 |
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|
|
19,424 |
|
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|
11,023 |
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Interest expense |
|
|
(3,011 |
) |
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|
(3,011 |
) |
|
|
(9,033 |
) |
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|
(9,033 |
) |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,829 |
|
|
|
847 |
|
|
|
10,391 |
|
|
|
1,990 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
Net loss before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle |
|
|
(35,838 |
) |
|
|
(27,410 |
) |
|
|
(92,529 |
) |
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|
(72,179 |
) |
Cumulative effect of adopting Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123R (SFAS 123R) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
813 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(35,838 |
) |
|
$ |
(27,410 |
) |
|
$ |
(92,529 |
) |
|
$ |
(71,366 |
) |
|
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|
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|
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Net loss per share amounts, basic and diluted: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Net loss before cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principle |
|
$ |
(0.54 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.48 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.40 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.27 |
) |
Cumulative effect of adopting SFAS 123R |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(0.54 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.48 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.40 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.25 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted |
|
|
66,069 |
|
|
|
57,011 |
|
|
|
65,861 |
|
|
|
56,884 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial
statements.
4
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY (Unaudited)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2007
(In thousands)
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Accumulated |
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|
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Additional |
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Other |
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Total |
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Class A Stock |
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|
Common Stock |
|
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Paid-in |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
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Comprehensive |
|
|
Stockholders |
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Comprehensive |
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Shares |
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Amount |
|
|
Shares |
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|
Amount |
|
|
Capital |
|
|
Deficit |
|
|
Loss |
|
|
Equity |
|
|
Loss |
|
Balance, December 31, 2006 |
|
|
2,270 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
|
63,131 |
|
|
$ |
63 |
|
|
$ |
904,407 |
|
|
$ |
(687,617 |
) |
|
$ |
(231 |
) |
|
$ |
216,624 |
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of Common Stock in connection with
exercise of stock options, net of
shares tendered |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
619 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
5,170 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,171 |
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of Common Stock in connection with
Company 401(k) Savings Plan contribution |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
65 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,367 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,367 |
|
|
|
|
|
Conversion of Class A Stock to Common Stock |
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
|
|
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|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,538 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,538 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(92,529 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(92,529 |
) |
|
$ |
(92,529 |
) |
Change in net unrealized loss on
marketable securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
226 |
|
|
|
226 |
|
|
|
226 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, September 30, 2007 |
|
|
2,260 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
|
63,825 |
|
|
$ |
64 |
|
|
$ |
931,482 |
|
|
$ |
(780,146 |
) |
|
$ |
(5 |
) |
|
$ |
151,397 |
|
|
$ |
(92,303 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial
statements.
5
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine months ended September 30, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(92,529 |
) |
|
$ |
(71,366 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in
operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
8,588 |
|
|
|
11,196 |
|
Non-cash compensation expense |
|
|
20,538 |
|
|
|
13,542 |
|
Impairment charge on marketable securities |
|
|
803 |
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(813 |
) |
Changes in assets and liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable |
|
|
(3,475 |
) |
|
|
28,581 |
|
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets |
|
|
(11,876 |
) |
|
|
364 |
|
Decrease in inventory |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,524 |
|
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue |
|
|
46,832 |
|
|
|
(12,503 |
) |
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses,
and other liabilities |
|
|
7,674 |
|
|
|
(2,753 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total adjustments |
|
|
69,084 |
|
|
|
41,138 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
|
(23,445 |
) |
|
|
(30,228 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of marketable securities |
|
|
(478,209 |
) |
|
|
(252,037 |
) |
Sales or maturities of marketable securities |
|
|
363,739 |
|
|
|
261,749 |
|
Capital expenditures |
|
|
(7,716 |
) |
|
|
(1,603 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities |
|
|
(122,186 |
) |
|
|
8,109 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net proceeds from the issuance of Common Stock |
|
|
5,171 |
|
|
|
4,883 |
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
390 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
5,171 |
|
|
|
5,273 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
(140,460 |
) |
|
|
(16,846 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
|
237,876 |
|
|
|
184,508 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
|
$ |
97,416 |
|
|
$ |
167,662 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
6
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Unless otherwise noted, dollars in thousands, except per share data)
1. |
|
Interim Financial Statements |
The interim Condensed Financial Statements of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Regeneron or
the Company) have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10
of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all information and disclosures necessary for
a presentation of the Companys financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In the
opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of
normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the Companys financial position,
results of operations, and cash flows for such periods. The results of operations for any interim
periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year. The December 31, 2006
Condensed Balance Sheet data were derived from audited financial statements, but do not include all
disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes
thereto contained in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
The Companys basic and diluted net loss per share amounts have been computed by dividing net
loss by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock and Class A Stock outstanding. Net
loss per share is presented on a combined basis, inclusive of Common Stock and Class A Stock
outstanding, as each class of stock has equivalent economic rights. For the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, the Company reported net losses; therefore, no common stock
equivalents were included in the computation of diluted net loss per share for these periods, since
such inclusion would have been antidilutive. The calculations of basic and diluted net loss per
share are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
Net loss (Numerator) |
|
$ |
(35,838 |
) |
|
$ |
(27,410 |
) |
|
Weighted-average shares, in thousands
(Denominator) |
|
|
66,069 |
|
|
|
57,011 |
|
|
Basic and diluted net loss per share |
|
$ |
(0.54 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.48 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
Net loss (Numerator) |
|
$ |
(92,529 |
) |
|
$ |
(71,366 |
) |
|
Weighted-average shares, in
thousands (Denominator) |
|
|
65,861 |
|
|
|
56,884 |
|
|
Basic and diluted net loss per share |
|
$ |
(1.40 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.25 |
) |
7
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Unless otherwise noted, dollars in thousands, except per share
data)
Shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options, vesting of restricted stock awards, and
conversion of convertible debt, which have been excluded from the September 30, 2007 and 2006
diluted per share amounts because their effect would have been antidilutive, include the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended September 30, |
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
Stock Options: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number, in thousands |
|
|
15,153 |
|
|
|
14,082 |
|
Weighted average exercise price |
|
$ |
16.01 |
|
|
$ |
14.35 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible Debt: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number, in thousands |
|
|
6,611 |
|
|
|
6,611 |
|
Conversion price |
|
$ |
30.25 |
|
|
$ |
30.25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine months ended September 30, |
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
Stock Options: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number, in thousands |
|
|
15,308 |
|
|
|
14,220 |
|
Weighted average exercise price |
|
$ |
15.86 |
|
|
$ |
14.31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted Stock: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number, in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible Debt: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number, in thousands |
|
|
6,611 |
|
|
|
6,611 |
|
Conversion price |
|
$ |
30.25 |
|
|
$ |
30.25 |
|
3. |
|
Statement of Cash Flows |
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
Included in accounts payable and accrued expenses at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006
are $0.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively, of accrued capital expenditures. Included in
accounts payable and accrued expenses at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 are $0.4 million
and $0.2 million, respectively, of accrued capital expenditures.
Included in accounts payable and accrued expenses at December 31, 2006 and 2005 are $1.4
million and $1.9 million, respectively, of accrued Company 401(k) Savings Plan contribution
expense. In the first quarter of 2007 and 2006, the Company contributed 64,532 and 120,960 shares,
respectively, of Common Stock to the 401(k) Savings Plan in satisfaction of these obligations.
8
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Unless otherwise noted, dollars in thousands, except per share
data)
Included in marketable securities at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 are $2.5 million
and $1.5 million, respectively, of accrued interest income. Included in marketable securities at
September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 are $0.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively, of
accrued interest income.
Accounts receivable as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 consist of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Receivable from the sanofi-aventis Group |
|
$ |
7,075 |
|
|
$ |
6,900 |
|
Receivable from National Institutes of Health |
|
|
2,227 |
|
|
|
549 |
|
Receivable from Bayer HealthCare LLC |
|
|
1,387 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
279 |
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
10,968 |
|
|
$ |
7,493 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5. |
|
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 consist
of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
5,330 |
|
|
$ |
4,349 |
|
Accrued payroll and related costs |
|
|
7,837 |
|
|
|
9,932 |
|
Accrued clinical trial expense |
|
|
5,084 |
|
|
|
2,606 |
|
Accrued expenses, other |
|
|
4,579 |
|
|
|
2,292 |
|
Interest payable on convertible notes |
|
|
5,042 |
|
|
|
2,292 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
27,872 |
|
|
$ |
21,471 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive loss represents the change in net assets of a business enterprise during a
period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Comprehensive
loss of the Company includes net loss adjusted for the change in net unrealized gain (loss) on
marketable securities. The net effect of income taxes on comprehensive loss is immaterial. For
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, the components of comprehensive loss
are:
9
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Unless otherwise noted, dollars in thousands, except per share
data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended September 30, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(35,838 |
) |
|
$ |
(27,410 |
) |
Change in net unrealized gain
(loss) on marketable securities |
|
|
511 |
|
|
|
378 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive loss |
|
$ |
(35,327 |
) |
|
$ |
(27,032 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine months ended September 30, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(92,529 |
) |
|
$ |
(71,366 |
) |
Change in net unrealized gain
(loss) on marketable securities |
|
|
226 |
|
|
|
375 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive loss |
|
$ |
(92,303 |
) |
|
$ |
(70,991 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7. |
|
Accounting for Collaboration with Bayer HealthCare |
In October 2006, the Company entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Bayer
HealthCare LLC to globally develop, and commercialize outside the United States, the Companys VEGF
Trap for the treatment of eye disease by local administration (VEGF Trap-Eye). Under the terms
of the agreement, Bayer made a non-refundable up-front payment to the Company of $75.0 million. In
2007, agreed upon VEGF Trap-Eye development expenses incurred by both companies under a global
development plan will be shared as follows: Up to the first $50.0 million will be shared equally;
Regeneron is solely responsible for the next $40.0 million; over $90.0 million will be shared
equally. Through September 30, 2007, reimbursements from Bayer HealthCare of the Companys VEGF
Trap-Eye development expenses totaled $12.9 million, of which $1.4 million was receivable at
September 30, 2007. Neither party was reimbursed for any development expenses that it incurred
prior to 2007. In addition, in August 2007, the Company received a $20.0 million milestone payment
from Bayer HealthCare following dosing of the first patient in the Phase 3 study of the VEGF
Trap-Eye in the neovascular form of age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD).
The Company and Bayer HealthCare are currently formalizing the global development plans for
the VEGF Trap-Eye in wet AMD and diabetic macular edema. The plans will include estimated
development steps, timelines, and costs, as well as the projected responsibilities of and costs to
be incurred by each of the companies. Pending completion of these plans, all payments received or
receivable by the Company from Bayer HealthCare through September 30, 2007, totaling $107.9
million, have been fully deferred and included in deferred revenue for financial statement
purposes. When the plans are formalized later this year, the Company will determine the
appropriate accounting policy for payments from Bayer HealthCare and the financial statement
classifications and periods in which past and future payments (including the $75.0 million up-front
payment, development and regulatory milestone payments, and reimbursements of Regeneron development
expenses) will be recognized in the Companys Statement of Operations. In the period when the
Company commences recognizing previously deferred payments from Bayer HealthCare, the Company
anticipates recording a cumulative catch-up for the period since inception of the
collaboration in October 2006, which cannot be quantified at this time.
10
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Unless otherwise noted, dollars in thousands, except per share
data)
8. |
|
2007 License Agreements |
AstraZeneca
In February 2007, the Company entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with AstraZeneca
UK Limited that allows AstraZeneca to utilize the Companys VelocImmune® technology in its internal
research programs to discover human monoclonal antibodies. Under the terms of the agreement,
AstraZeneca made a $20.0 million non-refundable up-front payment to the Company which was deferred
and is being recognized as revenue ratably over the twelve month period beginning in February 2007.
AstraZeneca also will make up to five additional annual payments of $20.0 million, subject to its
ability to terminate the agreement after making the first three additional payments or earlier if
the technology does not meet minimum performance criteria. These additional payments will be
recognized as revenue ratably over their respective annual license periods. The Company is
entitled to receive a mid-single-digit royalty on any future sales of antibody products discovered
by AstraZeneca using the Companys VelocImmune technology. For the nine months ended September 30,
2007, the Company recognized $12.1 million of revenue in connection with the AstraZeneca license
agreement. At September 30, 2007, deferred revenue was $7.9 million.
Astellas
In March 2007, the Company entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with Astellas Pharma
Inc. that allows Astellas to utilize the Companys VelocImmune technology in its internal research
programs to discover human monoclonal antibodies. Under the terms of the agreement, Astellas made
a $20.0 million non-refundable up-front payment to the Company, which was deferred and is being
recognized as revenue ratably over the twelve month period beginning in June 2007. Astellas also
will make up to five additional annual payments of $20.0 million, subject to its ability to
terminate the agreement after making the first three additional payments or earlier if the
technology does not meet minimum performance criteria. These additional payments will be
recognized as revenue ratably over their respective annual license periods. The Company is
entitled to receive a mid-single-digit royalty on any future sales of antibody products discovered
by Astellas using the Companys VelocImmune technology. For the nine months ended September 30,
2007, the Company recognized $6.3 million of revenue in connection with the Astellas license
agreement. At September 30, 2007, deferred revenue was $13.7 million.
Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting
Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109. The implementation of FIN 48 had
11
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Unless otherwise noted, dollars in thousands, except per share
data)
no impact on the Companys financial statements as the Company has no unrecognized tax
benefits.
The Company is primarily subject to U.S. federal and New York State income tax. The Companys
1992 and subsequent tax years remain open to examination by U.S. federal and state tax authorities.
The Companys policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in
income tax expense. As of January 1 and September 30, 2007, the Company had no accruals for
interest or penalties related to income tax matters.
From time to time, the Company is a party to legal proceedings in the course of the Companys
business. The Company does not expect any such current legal proceedings to have a material
adverse effect on the Companys business or financial condition.
Through 2006, the Companys operations were managed in two business segments: research and
development, and contract manufacturing.
Research and development: Includes all activities related to the discovery of pharmaceutical
products for the treatment of serious medical conditions, and the development and commercialization
of these discoveries. Also includes revenues and expenses related to activities conducted under
contract research and technology licensing agreements.
Contract manufacturing: Includes all revenues and expenses related to the commercial
production of products under contract manufacturing arrangements. During 2006, the Company
produced a vaccine intermediate for Merck & Co., Inc. under a manufacturing agreement, which
expired in October 2006.
Due to the expiration of the Companys manufacturing agreement with Merck in October 2006,
beginning in 2007, the Company only has a research and development business segment. Therefore,
segment information has not been provided for 2007 in the table below.
The following table presents information about reported segments for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2006.
12
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Unless otherwise noted, dollars in thousands, except per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended September 30, 2006 |
|
|
Research & |
|
Contract |
|
Reconciling |
|
|
|
|
Development |
|
Manufacturing |
|
Items |
|
Total |
Revenues |
|
$ |
11,448 |
|
|
$ |
4,176 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
15,624 |
|
Depreciation and
amortization |
|
|
3,447 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
$ |
261 |
|
|
|
3,708 |
|
Non-cash
compensation
expense |
|
|
4,632 |
|
|
|
130 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,762 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,011 |
|
|
|
3,011 |
|
Net (loss) income |
|
|
(29,379 |
) |
|
|
1,122 |
|
|
|
847 |
(2) |
|
|
(27,410 |
) |
Capital expenditures |
|
|
441 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
441 |
|
|
|
|
Nine months ended September 30, 2006 |
|
|
Research & |
|
Contract |
|
Reconciling |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Development |
|
Manufacturing |
|
Items |
|
Total |
Revenues |
|
$ |
41,026 |
|
|
$ |
12,075 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
53,101 |
|
Depreciation and
amortization |
|
|
10,413 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
$ |
783 |
|
|
|
11,196 |
|
Non-cash
compensation
expense |
|
|
13,220 |
|
|
|
322 |
|
|
|
(813 |
)(3) |
|
|
12,729 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,033 |
|
|
|
9,033 |
|
Net (loss) income |
|
|
(78,528 |
) |
|
|
4,359 |
|
|
|
2,803 |
(2) |
|
|
(71,366 |
) |
Capital expenditures |
|
|
1,409 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,409 |
|
Total assets |
|
|
57,530 |
|
|
|
1,445 |
|
|
|
296,211 |
(4) |
|
|
355,186 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Depreciation and amortization related to contract manufacturing was capitalized into
inventory and included in contract manufacturing expense when the product was shipped. |
|
(2) |
|
Represents investment income, net of interest expense related primarily to
convertible notes issued in October 2001. For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, also
includes the cumulative effect of adopting Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
(SFAS) 123R, Share-Based Payment. |
|
(3) |
|
Represents the cumulative effect of adopting SFAS 123R. |
|
(4) |
|
Includes cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, restricted cash (where
applicable), prepaid expenses and other current assets, and other assets. |
12. |
|
Future Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards |
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities. SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments
and certain other items at fair value. The objective is to improve financial reporting by
providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by
measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge
accounting provisions. SFAS 159 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years
beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company will be required to adopt SFAS 159 effective
13
REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(Unless otherwise noted, dollars in thousands, except per share data)
for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008. Management is currently evaluating the
potential impact of adopting SFAS 159 on the Companys financial statements.
In June 2007, the Emerging Issues Task Force issued Statement No. 07-3, Accounting for
Non-refundable Advance Payments for Goods or Services to Be Used in Future Research and Development
Activities (EITF 07-3). EITF 07-3 addresses how entities involved in research and development
activities should account for the non-refundable portion of an advance payment made for future
research and development activities and requires that such payments be deferred and capitalized,
and recognized as an expense when the goods are delivered or the related services are performed.
EITF 07-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007, including interim
periods within those fiscal years. The Company will be required to adopt EITF 07-3 effective for
the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008. Management believes that the future adoption of EITF
07-3 will not have a material impact on the Companys financial statements.
Purchase of Building Rensselaer, New York
In June 2007, the Company exercised a purchase option on a building in Rensselaer, New York,
in which the Company leased manufacturing, office, and warehouse space in a portion of the
building. The Company completed the purchase of this property (land and building) in October 2007
at a cost of approximately $9 million.
Amendment to Operating Lease Tarrytown, New York Facilities
The Company leases laboratory and office facilities in Tarrytown, New York. In December 2006,
the Company entered into a new agreement to lease laboratory and office space that is now under
construction and expected to be completed in mid-2009 at the Companys current Tarrytown location,
plus retain a portion of the Companys existing space. In October 2007, the Company amended the
December 2006 operating lease agreement to increase the amount of new space the Company will lease.
The term of the lease is now expected to commence in mid-2008 and will expire approximately 16
years later. Other terms and conditions, as previously described in the Companys Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2006, remain unchanged.
In connection with these two subsequent events, the Companys previously disclosed total
estimated future minimum noncancelable lease commitments under operating leases, as per the
Companys Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, will decrease to $4.6 million and $9.3
million for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively, and increase to $14.2 million
and $14.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively, and to $204.2
million, in the aggregate, for years subsequent to 2011.
14
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The discussion below contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties
relating to future events and the future financial performance of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
and actual events or results may differ materially. These statements concern, among other things,
the possible success and therapeutic applications of our product candidates and research programs,
the timing and nature of the clinical and research programs now underway or planned, and the future
sources and 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
Risk Factors 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.
Overview
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and
intends to commercialize pharmaceutical products for the treatment of serious medical conditions.
We are currently focused on three development programs: rilonacept (IL-1 Trap) in various
inflammatory indications, aflibercept (VEGF Trap) in oncology, and the VEGF Trap-Eye formulation in
eye diseases using intraocular delivery. Aflibercept is being developed in oncology in
collaboration with the sanofi-aventis Group. The VEGF Trap-Eye is being developed in collaboration
with Bayer HealthCare LLC. Our preclinical research programs are in the areas of oncology and
angiogenesis, ophthalmology, metabolic and related diseases, muscle diseases and disorders,
inflammation and immune diseases, bone and cartilage, pain, and cardiovascular diseases. We expect
that our next generation of product candidates will be based on our proprietary technologies for
developing human monoclonal antibodies. Developing and commercializing new medicines entails
significant risk and 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 maintain a strong foundation in basic scientific research and
discovery-enabling technology and combine that foundation with our manufacturing and clinical
development capabilities to build a successful, integrated biopharmaceutical company. We believe
that our ability to develop product candidates is enhanced by the application of our technology
platforms. Our discovery platforms are designed to identify specific genes of therapeutic interest
for a particular disease or cell type and validate targets through high-throughput production of
mammalian models. Our human monoclonal antibody technology (VelocImmune®) and cell line
expression technologies may then be utilized to design and produce new product candidates directed
against the disease target. Based on the VelocImmune platform which we believe, in conjunction
with our other proprietary technologies, can accelerate the development of fully human monoclonal
antibodies, we plan to move our first new antibody product candidate into clinical trials in the
fourth quarter of 2007. We plan to introduce two new antibody product candidates into clinical
development each year, beginning in 2008. We continue to invest in the development of enabling
technologies to assist in our efforts to identify, develop, and commercialize new product
candidates.
15
Clinical Programs:
Below is a summary of the status of our clinical candidates:
1. |
|
Rilonacept Inflammatory Diseases |
Rilonacept (IL-1 Trap) is a protein-based product candidate designed to bind the interleukin-1
(called IL-1) cytokine and prevent its interaction with cell surface receptors. We are evaluating
rilonacept in a number of diseases and disorders where IL-1 may play an important role, including a
group of rare diseases called Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) and other diseases
associated with inflammation.
We recently submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) for rilonacept in CAPS. In August 2007, the FDA granted priority review
status to the BLA for rilonacept for the long-term treatment of CAPS. The FDA previously granted
Orphan Drug status and Fast Track designation to rilonacept for the treatment of CAPS. In July
2007, rilonacept also received Orphan Drug designation in the European Union for the treatment of
CAPS. In November 2007, we announced that we received notification from the FDA that the action
date for the FDAs priority review of the BLA for rilonacept had been extended three months to
February 29, 2008.
CAPS represents a group of rare inherited auto-inflammatory conditions, including Familial
Cold Autoinflammatory Syndrome (FCAS) and Muckle-Wells Syndrome (MWS). CAPS also includes Neonatal
Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease (NOMID). Rilonacept has not been studied, and is not
expected to be indicated, for the treatment of NOMID. The syndromes included in CAPS are
characterized by spontaneous, systemic inflammation and are termed auto-inflammatory disorders. A
novel feature of these conditions (particularly FCAS and MWS) is that exposure to mild degrees of
cold temperature can provoke a major inflammatory episode that occurs within hours. CAPS is caused
by a range of mutations in the gene CIAS1 (also known as NLRP3) which encodes a protein named
cryopyrin. Currently, there are no medicines approved for the treatment of CAPS.
We recently reported positive results from an exploratory proof of concept study of rilonacept
in ten patients with chronic active gout. In those patients, treatment with rilonacept
demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in patient pain scores in the single-blind,
placebo-controlled study. Mean patients pain scores, the key symptom measure in persistent gout,
were reduced 41% (p=0.025) during the first two weeks of active
treatment and reduced 56% (p<0.004) after six weeks of active treatment. In this study, in which safety was the
primary endpoint measure, treatment with rilonacept was generally well-tolerated. We have
initiated a Phase 2 safety and efficacy trial of rilonacept in the prevention of gout flares
induced by the initiation of uric acid-lowering drug therapy used to control the disease.
We are also evaluating the potential use of rilonacept in other indications in which IL-1 may
play a role, and are preparing to initiate exploratory proof-of-concept studies in anemia and other
indications. The first of these studies will be in the treatment of anemia associated with chronic
inflammation, which we plan to begin in the fourth quarter of 2007.
16
Under a March 2003 collaboration agreement with Novartis Pharma AG, we retain the right to
elect to collaborate in the future development and commercialization of a Novartis IL-1 antibody,
which is in clinical development. Following completion of Phase 2 development and submission to us
of a written report on the Novartis IL-1 antibody, we have the right, in consideration for an
opt-in payment, to elect to co-develop and co-commercialize the Novartis IL-1 antibody in North
America. If we elect to exercise this right, we are responsible for paying 45% of post-election
North American development costs for the antibody product. In return, we are entitled to
co-promote the Novartis IL-1 antibody and to receive 45% of net profits on sales of the antibody
product in North America. Under certain circumstances, we are also entitled to receive royalties
on sales of the Novartis IL-1 antibody in Europe.
Under the collaboration agreement, Novartis has the right to elect to collaborate in the
development and commercialization of a second generation rilonacept following completion of its
Phase 2 development, should we decide to clinically develop such a second generation product
candidate. Novartis does not have any rights or options with respect to our rilonacept currently
in clinical development.
2. |
|
Aflibercept (VEGF Trap) Oncology |
Aflibercept is a protein-based product candidate designed to bind all forms of Vascular
Endothelial Growth Factor-A (called VEGF-A, also known as Vascular Permeability Factor or VPF) and
the related Placental Growth Factor (called PlGF), and prevent their interaction with cell surface
receptors. VEGF-A (and to a less validated degree, PlGF) is required for the growth of new blood
vessels that are needed for tumors to grow and is a potent regulator of vascular permeability and
leakage.
Aflibercept is being developed in cancer indications in collaboration with sanofi-aventis. We
and sanofi-aventis began the first two trials of our global Phase 3 development program in the
third quarter of 2007. One trial will evaluate aflibercept in combination with
docetaxel/prednisone in patients with 1st line metastatic androgen independent prostate
cancer. The other trial will evaluate aflibercept in combination with docetaxel in patients with
2nd line metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. The companies plan to initiate two
additional Phase 3 trials before the end of 2007 in first-line metastatic pancreatic cancer in
combination with gemcitabine-based regimen and second-line metastatic colorectal cancer in
combination with FOLFIRI (Folinic Acid (leucovorin), 5-fluorouracil, and irinotecan). In all of
these trials, aflibercept is being combined with the current standard of chemotherapy care for the
stated development stage of the cancer type.
The collaboration is conducting a number of other trials in the global development program for
aflibercept. Five safety and tolerability studies of aflibercept in combination with standard
chemotherapy regimens are continuing in a variety of cancer types to support the Phase 3 clinical
program. Sanofi-aventis has also expanded the development program to Japan, where they are
conducting a Phase 1 safety and tolerability study in combination with S-1 in patients with
advanced solid malignancies.
The collaboration is also conducting Phase 2 single-agent studies in advanced ovarian cancer
(AOC), non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma (NSCLA), and AOC patients with symptomatic malignant
ascites (SMA). The AOC and NSCLA trials are fully enrolled and ongoing. The
17
SMA trial is
approximately 50% enrolled and continues to enroll patients. In 2004, the FDA granted Fast Track
designation to aflibercept for the treatment of SMA.
In addition, currently underway or scheduled to begin are more than 10 studies to be conducted
in conjunction with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP)
evaluating aflibercept as a single agent or in combination with chemotherapy regimens in a variety
of cancer indications.
The
development program in oncology is expected to total over $400 million over the next
several years. These expenses will be funded by sanofi-aventis in accordance with the terms of our
collaboration agreement described below.
The first registration submission to a regulatory agency for
aflibercept is possible as early as 2008, potentially as third line treatment as a single agent
in advanced ovarian cancer (AOC). However, in order for our ongoing Phase 2 study in AOC to be
sufficient to support such a submission, we believe that the final unblinded results of the study
would have to demonstrate a more robust response rate than that reported in the interim
analysis of blinded data from the study presented in June 2007 at the annual meeting of the
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Cancer is a heterogeneous set of diseases and one of the leading causes of death in the
developed world. A mutation in any one of dozens of normal genes can eventually result in a cell
becoming cancerous; however, a common feature of cancer cells is that they need to obtain nutrients
and remove waste products, just as normal cells do. The vascular system normally supplies
nutrients to and removes waste from normal tissues. Cancer cells can use the vascular system
either by taking over preexisting blood vessels or by promoting the growth of new blood vessels (a
process known as angiogenesis). VEGF is secreted by many tumors to stimulate the growth of new
blood vessels to supply nutrients and oxygen to the tumor. VEGF blockers have been shown to
inhibit new vessel growth; and, in some cases, can cause regression of existing tumor vasculature.
Countering the effects of VEGF, thereby blocking the blood supply to tumors, has demonstrated
therapeutic benefits in clinical trials. This approach of inhibiting angiogenesis as a mechanism of
action for an oncology medicine was validated in February 2004, when the FDA approved Genentech,
Inc.s VEGF inhibitor, Avastin®. Avastin® (a trademark of Genentech, Inc.)
is an antibody product designed to inhibit VEGF and interfere with the blood supply to tumors.
Collaboration with the sanofi-aventis Group
In September 2003, we entered into a collaboration agreement with Aventis Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. (predecessor to sanofi-aventis U.S.) to collaborate on the development and commercialization
of aflibercept in all countries other than Japan, where we retained the exclusive right to develop
and commercialize aflibercept. In January 2005, we and sanofi-aventis amended the collaboration
agreement to exclude, from the scope of the collaboration, the development and commercialization of
aflibercept for intraocular delivery to the eye. In
December 2005, we and sanofi-aventis amended our collaboration agreement to expand the
territory in which the companies are collaborating on the development of aflibercept to include
Japan. Under the collaboration agreement, as amended, we and sanofi-aventis will share co-promotion
rights and profits on sales, if any, of aflibercept outside of Japan for disease
18
indications
included in our collaboration. In Japan, we are entitled to a royalty
of approximately 35% on annual sales of aflibercept, subject to certain potential adjustments. We may also receive up to
$400.0 million in milestone payments upon receipt of specified marketing approvals. This total
includes up to $360.0 million in milestone payments related to receipt of marketing approvals for
up to eight aflibercept oncology and other indications in the United States or the European Union.
Another $40.0 million of milestone payments relate to receipt of marketing approvals for up to five
oncology indications in Japan.
Under the collaboration agreement, as amended, agreed upon worldwide development expenses
incurred by both companies during the term of the agreement will be funded by sanofi-aventis. If
the collaboration becomes profitable, we will be obligated to
reimburse sanofi-aventis for 50% of aflibercept development expenses in accordance with a formula based on the amount of
development expenses and our share of the collaboration profits and Japan royalties, or at a faster
rate at our option.
3. |
|
VEGF Trap Eye Diseases |
The VEGF Trap-Eye is a form of the VEGF Trap that has been purified and formulated with
excipients and at concentrations suitable for direct injection into the eye. The VEGF Trap-Eye
currently is being tested in a Phase 3 trial in patients with the neovascular form of age-related
macular degeneration (wet AMD) and has completed a small pilot study in patients with diabetic
macular edema (DME).
In the clinical development program for the VEGF Trap-Eye, we and Bayer HealthCare have
initiated a Phase 3 study of the VEGF Trap-Eye in wet AMD. This first trial, known as VIEW 1
(VEGF Trap: Investigation of Efficacy and Safety in Wet age-related
macular degeneration), is comparing the VEGF Trap-Eye and Genentech, Inc.s
Lucentisâ (ranibizumab), an anti-angiogenic agent approved for use in wet AMD.
This Phase 3 trial is evaluating dosing intervals of four and eight weeks for the VEGF Trap-Eye
compared with ranibizumab dosed according to its label every four weeks. We and Bayer HealthCare
plan to initiate a second Phase 3 trial in wet AMD in the first quarter of 2008. This second trial
will be conducted primarily in the European Union and other parts of the world outside the U.S.
In October 2007, we and Bayer HealthCare announced positive results from the full analysis of
the primary 12-week endpoint of a Phase 2 study evaluating the VEGF Trap-Eye in wet AMD. The VEGF
Trap-Eye met the primary study endpoint of a statistically significant reduction in retinal
thickness, a measure of disease activity, after 12 weeks of treatment compared with baseline (all
five dose groups combined, mean decrease of 119 microns, p<0.0001). The mean change from
baseline in visual acuity, a key secondary endpoint of the study, also demonstrated statistically
significant improvement (all groups combined, increase of 5.7 letters, p<0.0001). Preliminary
analyses at 16 weeks showed that the VEGF Trap-Eye, dosed monthly, achieved a mean gain in visual
acuity of 9.3 to 10 letters (for the 0.5 and 2 mg dose groups, respectively). In additional
exploratory analyses, the VEGF Trap-Eye, dosed monthly, reduced the proportion of
patients with vision of 20/200 or worse (a generally accepted definition for legal blindness)
from 14.3% at baseline to 1.6% at week 16; the proportion of patients with vision of
20/40 or better (part of the legal minimum requirement for an unrestricted drivers license in the
U.S.) was likewise increased from 19.0% at baseline to
49.2% at 16 weeks. These
findings were presented at the Retina Society Conference.
19
We and Bayer HealthCare are also developing the VEGF Trap-Eye in DME and expect to initiate a
Phase 3 study in DME in mid-2008. In May 2007, at the annual meeting of the Association for
Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), the companies reported results from a small pilot
study of the VEGF Trap-Eye in patients with DME. In the study, the VEGF Trap-Eye was well
tolerated and demonstrated activity in five patients, with decreases in retinal thickness and
improvement in visual acuity.
VEGF-A both stimulates angiogenesis and increases vascular permeability. It has been shown in
preclinical studies to be a major pathogenic factor in both wet AMD and diabetic retinopathy, and
it is believed to be involved in other medical problems affecting the eyes. In clinical trials,
blocking VEGF-A has been shown to be effective in patients with wet AMD, and Macugen®
(OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) and Lucentis® (Genentech, Inc.) have been approved to treat
patients with this condition.
Wet AMD and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are two of the leading causes of adult blindness in the
developed world. In both conditions, severe visual loss is caused by a combination of retinal
edema and neovascular proliferation. DR is a major complication of diabetes mellitus that can lead
to significant vision impairment. DR is characterized, in part, by vascular leakage, which results
in the collection of fluid in the retina. When the macula, the central area of the retina that is
responsible for fine visual acuity, is involved, loss of visual acuity occurs. This is referred to
as diabetic macular edema (DME). DME is the most prevalent cause of moderate visual loss in
patients with diabetes.
Collaboration with Bayer HealthCare LLC
In October 2006, we entered into a collaboration agreement with Bayer HealthCare for the
global development and commercialization outside the United States of the VEGF Trap-Eye. Under the
agreement, we and Bayer HealthCare will collaborate on, and share the costs of, the development of
the VEGF Trap-Eye through an integrated global plan that encompasses wet AMD, diabetic eye
diseases, and other diseases and disorders. Bayer HealthCare will market the VEGF Trap-Eye outside
the United States, where the companies will share equally in profits from any future sales of the
VEGF Trap-Eye. If the VEGF Trap-Eye is granted marketing authorization in a major market country
outside the United States, we will be obligated to reimburse Bayer
HealthCare for 50% of the
development costs that it has incurred under the agreement from our share of the collaboration
profits. Within the United States, we retained exclusive commercialization rights to the VEGF
Trap-Eye and are entitled to all profits from any such sales. We received an up-front payment of
$75.0 million from Bayer HealthCare. In August 2007, we received a $20.0 million milestone payment
from Bayer HealthCare following dosing of the first patient in the Phase 3 study of the VEGF
Trap-Eye in wet AMD, and can earn up to $90.0 million in additional development and regulatory
milestones related to the development of the VEGF Trap-Eye and marketing approvals in major market
countries outside
the United States. We can also earn up to $135.0 million in sales milestones if total annual
sales of the VEGF Trap-Eye outside the United States achieve certain specified levels starting at
$200.0 million.
20
General
Developing and commercializing new medicines entails significant risk and expense. Since
inception we have not generated any sales or profits from the commercialization of any 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 research and development and obtaining regulatory
approval from the FDA and 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 uncompetitive or obsolete.
From inception on January 8, 1988 through September 30, 2007, we had a cumulative loss of
$780.1 million. In the absence of revenues from the commercialization of our product candidates or
other sources, the amount, timing, nature, and source of which cannot be predicted, our losses will
continue as we conduct our research and development activities. We expect to incur substantial
losses over the next several years as we continue the clinical development of the VEGF Trap-Eye and
rilonacept; advance new product candidates into clinical development from our existing research
programs utilizing our technology for designing fully human monoclonal antibodies; continue our
research and development programs; and commercialize product candidates that receive regulatory
approval, if any. Also, our activities may expand over time and 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 on, among other factors, the progress of our
research and development efforts, the timing of certain expenses, and the amount and timing of
payments that we receive from collaborators.
The planning, execution, and results of our clinical programs are significant factors that can
affect our operating and financial results. In our clinical programs, key events for 2007 and
plans over the next 12 months are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Clinical Program |
|
2007 Events to Date |
|
2007-8 Plans |
Rilonacept (IL-1 Trap)
|
|
Completed the
24-week open-label
safety extension
phase of the Phase 3
trial in CAPS
FDA accepted
BLA submission for
CAPS
|
|
Receive FDA
review decision to
BLA submission for
CAPS (expected in
February 2008) |
|
|
Granted
Orphan Drug
designation in CAPS
in European Union
Reported
positive results in
exploratory
proof-of-concept
study in patients
with chronic active
gout
|
|
Initiate
exploratory proof-of-
concept study of
rilonacept in a new
indication
Evaluate
rilonacept in other
disease indications
in which IL-1 may
play an important
role |
|
|
Initiated
Phase 2 trial
evaluating safety and
efficacy of
rilonacept in
preventing
gout-induced flares
in patients
initiating
allopurinol therapy
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
Clinical Program |
|
2007 Events to Date |
|
2007-8 Plans |
Aflibercept (VEGF
Trap) Oncology
|
|
NCI/CTEP
initiated more than
10 studies of the
aflibercept as a
single agent
Reported
interim results
from two Phase 2
single-agent trials
in advanced
ovarian cancer and
in non-small cell
lung adenocarcinoma
|
|
Sanofi-aventis to initiate
two additional Phase 3 studies of
aflibercept in combination with
standard chemotherapy regimens in
specific cancer indications
NCI/CTEP to initiate
additional new exploratory safety
and efficacy studies
|
|
|
Initiated
Japanese Phase 1
trial of
aflibercept in
combination with
S-1 in patients
with solid
malignancies |
|
|
|
|
Sanofi-aventis
initiated two Phase
3 trials of
aflibercept in
combination with
standard
chemotherapy
regimens |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VEGF
Trap-Eye
(intravitreal injection)
|
|
Initiated
first Phase 3 trial
in wet AMD in
patients in the
U.S. and Canada
Reported
positive primary
endpoint results
and preliminary
extended treatment
results of Phase 2
trial in wet AMD
Reported
positive results in
Phase 1 trial in
DME
|
|
Initiate second Phase 3
trial in wet AMD in the European
Union and other countries around
the world
Initiate Phase 3 trial in
DME
Explore additional eye
disease indications
|
|
|
|
|
|
VelocImmune® |
|
|
|
Initiate first trial for
antibody product candidate |
|
|
|
|
Finalize plans to initiate
clinical trials for two additional
antibody candidates in 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
License Agreements
AstraZeneca
In February 2007, we entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with AstraZeneca UK
Limited that allows AstraZeneca to utilize our VelocImmune® technology in its internal
research programs to discover human monoclonal antibodies. Under the terms of the agreement,
AstraZeneca made a $20.0 million non-refundable up-front payment to us. AstraZeneca also will make
up to five additional annual payments of $20.0 million, subject to its ability to terminate the
agreement after making the first three additional payments or earlier if the technology does not
meet minimum performance criteria. We are entitled to receive a mid-single-digit royalty on any
future sales of antibody products discovered by AstraZeneca using our
VelocImmune technology.
22
Astellas
In March 2007, we entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with Astellas Pharma Inc.
that allows Astellas to utilize our VelocImmune technology in its internal research programs to
discover human monoclonal antibodies. Under the terms of the agreement, Astellas made a $20.0
million non-refundable up-front payment to us. Astellas also will make up to five additional
annual payments of $20.0 million, subject to its ability to terminate the agreement after making
the first three additional payments or earlier if the technology does not meet minimum performance
criteria. We are entitled to receive a mid-single-digit royalty on any future sales of antibody
products discovered by Astellas using our VelocImmune technology.
Accounting for Collaboration with Bayer HealthCare
As described above, in October 2006 we entered into a VEGF Trap-Eye license and collaboration
agreement with Bayer HealthCare. Under the terms of the agreement, Bayer HealthCare made a
non-refundable up-front payment to us of $75.0 million. In August 2007, we received a $20.0
million development milestone payment from Bayer HealthCare, as described above. In 2007, agreed
upon VEGF Trap-Eye development expenses incurred by both companies under a global development plan
will be shared as follows: Up to the first $50.0 million will be shared equally; Regeneron is
solely responsible for the next $40.0 million; over $90.0 million will be shared equally. Through
September 30, 2007, reimbursements from Bayer HealthCare of our VEGF Trap-Eye development expenses
total $12.9 million, of which $1.4 million was receivable at September 30, 2007. Neither party was
reimbursed for any development expenses that it incurred prior to 2007.
We and Bayer HealthCare are currently formalizing our global development plans for the VEGF
Trap-Eye in wet AMD and DME. The plans will include estimated development steps, timelines, and
costs, as well as the projected responsibilities of and costs to be incurred by each of the
companies. Pending completion of these plans, all payments received or receivable from Bayer
HealthCare through September 30, 2007, totaling $107.9 million, have been fully deferred and
included in deferred revenue for financial statement purposes. When the plans are formalized later
this year, we will determine the appropriate accounting policy for payments from Bayer HealthCare
and the financial statement classifications and periods in which past and future payments from
Bayer (including the $75.0 million up-front payment, development and regulatory milestone payments,
and reimbursements of Regeneron development expenses) will be recognized in our Statement of
Operations. In the period when we commence recognizing previously deferred payments from Bayer
HealthCare, we anticipate recording a cumulative catch-up for the period since inception of the
collaboration in October 2006, which cannot be quantified at this time.
23
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006
Net Loss:
Regeneron reported a net loss of $35.8 million, or $0.54 per share (basic and diluted), for
the third quarter of 2007 compared to a net loss of $27.4 million, or $0.48 per share (basic and
diluted), for the third quarter of 2006.
Revenues:
Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 consist of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase |
|
(In millions) |
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
Contract research & development revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The sanofi-aventis Group |
|
$ |
9.2 |
|
|
$ |
10.0 |
|
|
$ |
(0.8 |
) |
Other |
|
|
3.1 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total contract research & development revenue |
|
|
12.3 |
|
|
|
11.4 |
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
Contract manufacturing revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.2 |
|
|
|
(4.2 |
) |
Technology licensing revenue |
|
|
10.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue |
|
$ |
22.3 |
|
|
$ |
15.6 |
|
|
$ |
6.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We recognize revenue from sanofi-aventis, in connection with the companies aflibercept
collaboration, in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition (SAB 104)
and FASB Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-21, Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with
Multiple Deliverables (EITF 00-21). We earn contract research and development revenue from
sanofi-aventis which, as detailed below, consists partly of reimbursement for research and
development expenses and partly of the recognition of revenue related to a total of $105.0 million
of non-refundable, up-front payments received in 2003 and 2006. Non-refundable up-front license
payments are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized over the period over which we are
obligated to perform services. We estimate our performance period based on the specific terms of
each agreement, and adjust the performance periods, if appropriate, based on the applicable facts
and circumstances.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sanofi-aventis Contract Research & Development Revenue |
|
Three months ended September 30, |
|
(In millions) |
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Regeneron expense reimbursement |
|
$ |
7.0 |
|
|
$ |
7.0 |
|
Recognition of deferred revenue related to up-front payments |
|
|
2.2 |
|
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
9.2 |
|
|
$ |
10.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recognition of deferred revenue related to sanofi-aventis up-front payments decreased in the
third quarter of 2007 from the same period in 2006, due to an extension of the estimated
performance period over which this deferred revenue is being recognized. As of September 30, 2007,
$63.2 million of the original $105.0 million of up-front payments was deferred and will be
recognized as revenue in future periods.
Other contract research and development revenue includes $2.2 million and $0.1 million in the
third quarters of 2007 and 2006, respectively, recognized in connection with our five-year grant
from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which we were awarded in September 2006 as part of
the NIHs Knockout Mouse Project.
Contract manufacturing revenue for the third quarter of 2006 related to our long-term
agreement with Merck & Co., Inc., which expired in October 2006, to manufacture a vaccine
intermediate at our Rensselaer, New York facility. Revenue and the related manufacturing
24
expense were recognized as product was shipped, after acceptance by Merck. Included in
contract manufacturing revenue in the third quarter of 2006 was $0.4 million of deferred revenue
associated with capital improvement reimbursements paid by Merck prior to commencement of
production. We do not expect to receive any further contract manufacturing revenue from Merck.
In connection with our license agreement with AstraZeneca, as described above, the $20.0
million non-refundable up-front payment, which we received in February 2007, was deferred and is
being recognized as revenue ratably over the twelve month period beginning in February 2007. In
connection with our license agreement with Astellas, as described above, the $20.0 million
non-refundable up-front payment, which we received in April 2007, was deferred and is being
recognized as revenue ratably over the twelve month period beginning in June 2007. In the third
quarter of 2007, we recognized $10.0 million of technology licensing revenue related to these
agreements.
Expenses:
Total operating expenses increased to $61.0 million in the third quarter of 2007 from $43.9
million in the same period of 2006. Our average employee headcount in the third quarter of 2007
increased to 639 from 557 in the third quarter of 2006, primarily to support our expanded
development programs for the VEGF Trap-Eye and rilonacept, and our plans to move our first antibody
candidate into clinical trials. Operating expenses in the third quarter of 2007 and 2006 include a
total of $7.0 million and $4.7 million, respectively, of non-cash compensation expense related to
employee stock option awards (Stock Option Expense), as detailed below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended September 30, 2007 |
|
|
|
Expenses before |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
inclusion of Stock |
|
|
Stock Option |
|
|
Expenses as |
|
Expenses |
|
Option Expense |
|
|
Expense |
|
|
Reported |
|
Research and development |
|
$ |
47.6 |
|
|
$ |
4.1 |
|
|
$ |
51.7 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
6.4 |
|
|
|
2.9 |
|
|
|
9.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
$ |
54.0 |
|
|
$ |
7.0 |
|
|
$ |
61.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended September 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
Expenses before |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
inclusion of Stock |
|
|
Stock Option |
|
|
Expenses as |
|
Expenses |
|
Option Expense |
|
|
Expense |
|
|
Reported |
|
Research and development |
|
$ |
32.1 |
|
|
$ |
2.7 |
|
|
$ |
34.8 |
|
Contract manufacturing |
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
3.1 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
4.1 |
|
|
|
1.9 |
|
|
|
6.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
$ |
39.2 |
|
|
$ |
4.7 |
|
|
$ |
43.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The increase in total Stock Option Expense in the third quarter of 2007 was primarily due to the
higher fair market value of our Common Stock on the date of our annual employee option grants made
in December 2006 in comparison to the fair market value of our Common Stock on the dates of annual
employee option grants made in recent prior years.
Research and Development Expenses:
Research and development expenses increased to $51.7 million in the third quarter of 2007 from
$34.8 million in the same period of 2006. The following table summarizes the major
25
categories of our research and development expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2007
and 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Three months ended September 30, |
|
Research and development expenses |
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
Increase |
|
Payroll and benefits (1) |
|
$ |
15.2 |
|
|
$ |
11.0 |
|
|
$ |
4.2 |
|
Clinical trial expenses |
|
|
12.9 |
|
|
|
3.1 |
|
|
|
9.8 |
|
Clinical manufacturing costs (2) |
|
|
11.9 |
|
|
|
10.0 |
|
|
|
1.9 |
|
Research and preclinical development costs |
|
|
5.8 |
|
|
|
5.5 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
Occupancy and other operating costs |
|
|
5.9 |
|
|
|
5.2 |
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total research and development |
|
$ |
51.7 |
|
|
$ |
34.8 |
|
|
$ |
16.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes $3.4 million and $2.3 million of Stock Option Expense for the three months
ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. |
|
(2) |
|
Represents the full cost of manufacturing drug for use in research, preclinical
development, and clinical trials, including related payroll and benefits, Stock Option
Expense, manufacturing materials and supplies, depreciation, and occupancy costs of our
Rensselaer manufacturing facility. Includes $0.7 million and $0.5 million of Stock Option
Expense for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. |
Payroll and benefits increased primarily due to higher compensation expense due, in part, to
the increase in employee headcount, as described above and annual salary increases effective
January 1, 2007, and higher Stock Option Expense, as described above. Clinical trial expenses
increased due primarily to (i) higher costs related to our ongoing Phase 1 and 2 studies of the
VEGF Trap-Eye in wet AMD, (ii) costs related to our Phase 3 study of the VEGF Trap-Eye in wet AMD,
which we initiated in the third quarter of 2007, and (iii) higher rilonacept costs. Clinical
manufacturing costs increased primarily due to higher costs related to manufacturing rilonacept and
preclinical and clinical supplies of our first antibody drug candidate. Research and preclinical
development costs increased primarily due to higher costs related to our human monoclonal antibody
programs and utilization of our proprietary technology platforms, such as for our NIH grant, as
described above. Occupancy and other operating costs increased primarily as a result of higher
facility-related and maintenance costs.
We budget our research and development costs by expense category, rather than by project. We
also prepare estimates of research and development costs for projects in clinical development,
which include direct costs and allocations of certain costs such as indirect labor, non-cash
stock-based employee compensation expense related to stock option awards, and manufacturing and
other costs related to activities that benefit multiple projects. Our estimates of research and
development costs for clinical development programs are shown below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended September 30, |
|
(In millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase |
|
Project Costs |
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
Rilonacept |
|
$ |
12.9 |
|
|
$ |
7.7 |
|
|
$ |
5.2 |
|
Aflibercept (VEGF Trap) Oncology |
|
|
5.5 |
|
|
|
5.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
VEGF Trap- Eye |
|
|
14.1 |
|
|
|
5.8 |
|
|
|
8.3 |
|
Other research programs & unallocated costs |
|
|
19.2 |
|
|
|
15.8 |
|
|
|
3.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total research and development expenses |
|
$ |
51.7 |
|
|
$ |
34.8 |
|
|
$ |
16.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Drug development and approval in the United States is a multi-step process regulated by the
FDA. The process begins with discovery and preclinical evaluation, leading up to the submission of
an IND to the FDA which, if successful, allows the opportunity for study
in
26
humans, or clinical
study, of the potential new drug. Clinical development typically involves
three phases of study: Phase 1, 2 and 3. The most significant costs in clinical development
are in Phase 3 clinical trials, as they tend to be the longest and largest studies in the drug
development process. Following successful completion of Phase 3 clinical trials for a biological
product, a biologics license application (or BLA) must be submitted to, and accepted by, the FDA,
and the FDA must approve the BLA prior to commercialization of the drug. It is not uncommon for
the FDA to request additional data following its review of a BLA, which can significantly increase
the drug development timeline and expenses. We may elect either on our own, or at the request of
the FDA, to conduct further studies that are referred to as Phase 3B and 4 studies. Phase 3B
studies are initiated and either completed or substantially completed while the BLA is under FDA
review. These studies are conducted under an IND. Phase 4 studies, also referred to as
post-marketing studies, are studies that are initiated and conducted after the FDA has approved a
product for marketing. In addition, as discovery research, preclinical development, and clinical
programs progress, opportunities to expand development of drug candidates into new disease
indications can emerge. We may elect to add such new disease indications to our development
efforts (with the approval of our collaborator for joint development programs), thereby extending
the period in which we will be developing a product. For example, we, and our collaborators, where
applicable, continue to explore further development of rilonacept, aflibercept, and the VEGF
Trap-Eye in different disease indications.
There are numerous uncertainties associated with drug development, including uncertainties
related to safety and efficacy data from each phase of drug development, uncertainties related to
the enrollment and performance of clinical trials, changes in regulatory requirements, changes in
the competitive landscape affecting a product candidate, and other risks and uncertainties
described below in Item 1A, Risk Factors under Risks Related to Development of Our Product
Candidates, Regulatory and Litigation Risks, and Risks Related to Commercialization of
Products. The lengthy process of seeking FDA approvals, and subsequent compliance with applicable
statutes and regulations, require the expenditure of substantial resources. Any failure by us to
obtain, or delay in obtaining, regulatory approvals could materially adversely affect our business.
For these reasons and due to the variability in the costs necessary to develop a product and
the uncertainties related to future indications to be studied, the estimated cost and scope of the
projects, and our ultimate ability to obtain governmental approval for commercialization, accurate
and meaningful estimates of the total cost to bring our product candidates to market are not
available. Similarly, we are currently unable to reasonably estimate if our product candidates
will generate product revenues and material net cash inflows. In the second quarter of 2007, we
submitted a BLA for our rilonacept for the treatment of CAPS, a group of rare genetic disorders.
We cannot predict whether or when the commercialization of rilonacept in CAPS will result in a
material net cash inflow to us.
Contract Manufacturing Expenses:
Contract manufacturing expenses decreased in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the same
period of 2006 due to the expiration of our manufacturing agreement with Merck in October 2006.
27
General and Administrative Expenses:
General and administrative expenses increased to $9.3 million in the third quarter of 2007
from $6.0 million in the same period of 2006 primarily due to (i) higher Stock Option Expense, as
described above, (ii) higher compensation expense due, in part, to increases in administrative
headcount in 2007 to support our expanded research and development activities and annual salary
increases effective January 1, 2007, (iii) higher recruitment and related costs associated with
expanding our headcount in 2007, (iv) higher fees for consultants and other professional services
on various corporate matters, (v) marketing research and related expenses incurred in 2007 in
connection with our rilonacept and VEGF Trap-Eye programs, and (vi) higher administrative facility
and occupancy costs.
Other Income and Expense:
Investment income increased to $5.8 million in the third quarter of 2007 from $3.9 million in
the same period of 2006 resulting primarily from higher balances of cash and marketable securities
(due, in part, to the up-front payment received from Bayer HealthCare in October 2006, as described
above, and the receipt of net proceeds from the November 2006 public offering of our Common Stock).
This increase was partly offset by a $0.8 million charge in the third quarter of 2007 related to
marketable securities which we considered to be other than temporarily impaired. Interest expense
was $3.0 million in the third quarter of 2007 and 2006. Interest expense is attributable primarily
to $200.0 million of convertible notes issued in October 2001, which mature in October 2008 and
bear interest at 5.5% per annum.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006
Net Loss:
Regeneron reported a net loss of $92.5 million, or $1.40 per share (basic and diluted), for
the first nine months of 2007 compared to a net loss of $71.4 million, or $1.25 per share (basic
and diluted), for the same period of 2006.
Revenues:
Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 consist of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase |
|
(In millions) |
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contract research & development revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The sanofi-aventis Group |
|
$ |
34.5 |
|
|
$ |
38.7 |
|
|
$ |
(4.2 |
) |
Other |
|
|
7.4 |
|
|
|
2.3 |
|
|
|
5.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total contract research & development revenue |
|
|
41.9 |
|
|
|
41.0 |
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
Contract manufacturing revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.1 |
|
|
|
(12.1 |
) |
Technology licensing revenue |
|
|
18.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue |
|
$ |
60.3 |
|
|
$ |
53.1 |
|
|
$ |
7.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We recognize revenue from sanofi-aventis, in connection with the companies aflibercept
collaboration, in accordance with SAB 104 and EITF 00-21. We earn contract research and
development revenue from sanofi-aventis which, as detailed below, consists partly of reimbursement
for research and development expenses and partly of the recognition of revenue
28
related to a total of $105.0 million of non-refundable, up-front payments received in 2003 and
2006. Non-refundable up-front license payments are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized
over the period over which we are obligated to perform services. We estimate our performance
period based on the specific terms of each agreement, and adjust the performance periods, if
appropriate, based on the applicable facts and circumstances.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sanofi-aventis Contract Research & Development Revenue |
|
Nine months ended September 30, |
|
(In millions) |
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regeneron expense reimbursement |
|
$ |
27.8 |
|
|
$ |
29.6 |
|
Recognition of deferred revenue related to up-front payments |
|
|
6.7 |
|
|
|
9.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
34.5 |
|
|
$ |
38.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sanofi-aventis reimbursement of Regeneron aflibercept expenses decreased in the first nine
months of 2007 from the same period in 2006, primarily due to higher costs in 2006 related to the
Companys manufacture of aflibercept clinical supplies. Recognition of deferred revenue related to
sanofi-aventis up-front payments decreased for the first nine months of 2007 from the same period
in 2006, due to an extension of the estimated performance period over which this deferred revenue
is being recognized. As of September 30, 2007, $63.2 million of the original $105.0 million of
up-front payments was deferred and will be recognized as revenue in future periods.
Other contract research and development revenue includes $4.5 million and $0.1 million for the
first nine months of 2007 and 2006, respectively, recognized in connection with our five-year grant
from the NIH, which we were awarded in September 2006 as part of the NIHs Knockout Mouse Project.
Contract manufacturing revenue for the first nine months of 2006 related to our long-term
manufacturing agreement with Merck, which expired in October 2006. Revenue and the related
manufacturing expense were recognized as product was shipped, after acceptance by Merck. Included
in contract manufacturing revenue in the third quarter of 2006 was $1.2 million of deferred revenue
associated with capital improvement reimbursements paid by Merck prior to commencement of
production. We do not expect to receive any further contract manufacturing revenue from Merck.
In connection with our license agreement with AstraZeneca, as described above, the $20.0
million non-refundable up-front payment, which we received in February 2007, was deferred and is
being recognized as revenue ratably over the twelve month period beginning in February 2007. In
connection with our license agreement with Astellas, as described above, the $20.0 million
non-refundable up-front payment, which we received in April 2007, was deferred and is being
recognized as revenue ratably over the twelve month period beginning in June 2007. In the first
nine months of 2007, we recognized $18.4 million of technology licensing revenue related to these
agreements.
Expenses:
Total operating expenses increased to $163.2 million in the first nine months of 2007 from
$127.3 million in the same period of 2006. Our average employee headcount in the first nine months
of 2007 increased to 614 from 574 in the first nine months of 2006, primarily to support
our expanded development programs for the VEGF Trap-Eye and rilonacept and our plans to
29
move
our first antibody candidate into clinical trials. Operating expenses for the first nine months of
2007 and 2006 include a total of $20.5 million and $13.2 million, respectively, of Stock Option
Expense, as detailed below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the nine months ended September 30, 2007 |
|
|
|
Expenses before |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
inclusion of Stock |
|
|
Stock Option |
|
|
Expenses as |
|
Expenses |
|
Option Expense |
|
|
Expense |
|
|
Reported |
|
Research and development |
|
$ |
124.8 |
|
|
$ |
12.0 |
|
|
$ |
136.8 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
17.9 |
|
|
|
8.5 |
|
|
|
26.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
$ |
142.7 |
|
|
$ |
20.5 |
|
|
$ |
163.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
Expenses before |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
inclusion of Stock |
|
|
Stock Option |
|
|
Expenses as |
|
Expenses |
|
Option Expense |
|
|
Expense |
|
|
Reported |
|
Research and development |
|
$ |
94.0 |
|
|
$ |
7.3 |
|
|
$ |
101.3 |
|
Contract manufacturing |
|
|
7.4 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
7.7 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
12.7 |
|
|
|
5.6 |
|
|
|
18.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
$ |
114.1 |
|
|
$ |
13.2 |
|
|
$ |
127.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The increase in total Stock Option Expense in the first nine months of 2007 was primarily due to
the higher fair market value of our Common Stock on the date of our annual employee option grants
made in December 2006 in comparison to the fair market value of our Common Stock on the dates of
annual employee option grants made in recent prior years.
Research and Development Expenses:
Research and development expenses increased to $136.8 million in the first nine months of 2007
from $101.3 million in the same period of 2006. The following table summarizes the major
categories of our research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2007
and 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) |
|
Nine months ended September 30, |
|
Research and development expenses |
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
Increase |
|
Payroll and benefits (1) |
|
$ |
43.3 |
|
|
$ |
32.7 |
|
|
$ |
10.6 |
|
Clinical trial expenses |
|
|
24.8 |
|
|
|
11.0 |
|
|
|
13.8 |
|
Clinical manufacturing costs (2) |
|
|
33.8 |
|
|
|
28.3 |
|
|
|
5.5 |
|
Research and preclinical development costs |
|
|
17.9 |
|
|
|
13.3 |
|
|
|
4.6 |
|
Occupancy and other operating costs |
|
|
17.0 |
|
|
|
16.0 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total research and development |
|
$ |
136.8 |
|
|
$ |
101.3 |
|
|
$ |
35.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes $9.8 million and $6.1 million of Stock Option Expense for the nine months
ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. |
|
(2) |
|
Represents the full cost of manufacturing drug for use in research, preclinical
development, and clinical trials, including related payroll and benefits, Stock Option
Expense, manufacturing materials and supplies, depreciation, and occupancy costs of our
Rensselaer manufacturing facility. Includes $2.2 million and $1.2 million of Stock Option
Expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. |
Payroll and benefits increased primarily due to higher compensation expense due, in part, to
the increase in employee headcount, as described above and annual salary increases effective
January 1, 2007, and higher Stock Option Expense, as described above. Clinical trial expenses
30
increased due primarily to (i) higher costs related to our ongoing Phase 1 and 2 studies of the
VEGF Trap-Eye in wet AMD, (ii) costs related to our Phase 3 study of the VEGF Trap-Eye in wet AMD,
which we initiated in the third quarter of 2007, and (iii) higher rilonacept costs. Clinical
manufacturing costs increased due primarily to higher costs related to manufacturing rilonacept and
preclinical and clinical supplies of our first antibody drug candidate, which were partly offset by
lower costs related to manufacturing VEGF Trap. Research and preclinical development costs
increased primarily due to higher costs related to our human monoclonal antibody programs and
utilization of our proprietary technology platforms, such as for our NIH grant, as described above.
Occupancy and other operating costs increased primarily as a result of higher facility-related and
maintenance costs.
We budget our research and development costs by expense category, rather than by project. We
also prepare estimates of research and development cost for projects in clinical development, which
include direct costs and allocations of certain costs such as indirect labor, non-cash stock-based
employee compensation expense related to stock option awards, and manufacturing and other costs
related to activities that benefit multiple projects. Our estimates of research and development
costs for clinical development programs are shown below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine months ended September 30, |
|
(In millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase |
|
Project Costs |
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
Rilonacept |
|
$ |
28.7 |
|
|
$ |
22.0 |
|
|
$ |
6.7 |
|
Aflibercept (VEGF Trap) Oncology |
|
|
23.3 |
|
|
|
24.8 |
|
|
|
(1.5 |
) |
VEGF Trap- Eye |
|
|
28.3 |
|
|
|
13.7 |
|
|
|
14.6 |
|
Other research programs & unallocated costs |
|
|
56.5 |
|
|
|
40.8 |
|
|
|
15.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total research and development expenses |
|
$ |
136.8 |
|
|
$ |
101.3 |
|
|
$ |
35.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the reasons described above under Research and Development Expenses for the three months
ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, and due to the variability in the costs necessary to develop a
product and the uncertainties related to future indications to be studied, the estimated cost and
scope of the projects, and our ultimate ability to obtain governmental approval for
commercialization, accurate and meaningful estimates of the total cost to bring our product
candidates to market are not available. Similarly, we are currently unable to reasonably estimate
if our product candidates will generate product revenues and material net cash inflows.
Contract Manufacturing Expenses:
Contract manufacturing expenses decreased in the first nine months of 2007 compared to the
same period of 2006 due to the expiration of our manufacturing agreement with Merck in October
2006.
General and Administrative Expenses:
General and administrative expenses increased to $26.4 million in the first nine months of
2007 from $18.3 million in the same period of 2006 primarily due to (i) higher Stock Option
Expense, as described above, (ii) higher compensation expense due, in part, to increases in
administrative headcount in 2007 to support our expanded research and development activities and
annual salary increases effective January 1, 2007, (iii) higher recruitment and related costs
31
associated with expanding our headcount in 2007, (iv) higher fees for consultants and other
professional services on various corporate matters, and (v) marketing research and related expenses
incurred in 2007 in connection with our rilonacept and VEGF Trap-Eye programs.
Other Income and Expense:
Investment income increased to $19.4 million in the first nine months of 2007 from $11.0
million in the same period of 2006 resulting primarily from higher balances of cash and marketable
securities (due, in part, to the up-front payment received from Bayer HealthCare in October 2006,
as described above, and the receipt of net proceeds from the November 2006 public offering of our
Common Stock). This increase was partly offset by a $0.8 million charge in the first nine months
of 2007 related to marketable securities which, during the third quarter of 2007, we considered to
be other than temporarily impaired. Interest expense was $9.0 million in first nine months of 2007
and 2006. Interest expense is attributable primarily to $200.0 million of convertible notes issued
in October 2001, which mature in October 2008 and bear interest at 5.5% per annum.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Since our inception in 1988, we have financed our operations primarily through offerings of
our equity securities, a private placement of convertible debt, payments earned under our past and
present research and development and contract manufacturing agreements, including our agreements
with sanofi-aventis, Bayer HealthCare, and Merck, and investment income.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006
At September 30, 2007, we had $497.3 million in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and
marketable securities, compared with $522.9 million at December 31, 2006. In connection with our
new non-exclusive license agreements with AstraZeneca and Astellas, as described above, AstraZeneca
and Astellas each made an up-front payment to us of $20.0 million in February and April 2007,
respectively. In the third quarter of 2007, the Company received a $20.0 million milestone payment
from Bayer HealthCare following dosing of the first patient in the Phase 3 study of the VEGF
Trap-Eye in wet AMD.
Cash Used in Operations:
Net cash used in operations was $23.4 million in the first nine months of 2007, compared to
$30.2 million in the first nine months of 2006. Our net losses
of $92.5 million in the first nine
months of 2007 and $71.4 million in the first nine months of 2006 included $20.5 million and $13.5
million, respectively, of non-cash stock-based employee compensation costs, of which $20.5 million
and $13.2 million, respectively, represented Stock Option Expense and, in the first nine months of
2006, $0.3 million represented non-cash compensation expense from Restricted Stock awards. At
September 30, 2007, our deferred revenue balances increased by $46.8 million, compared to year end
2006, due, in part, to the unrecognized balances of the two $20.0 million up-front payments
received from each of AstraZeneca and Astellas, as described above. In addition, for the first
nine months of 2007, the $20.0 million development milestone payment received from Bayer HealthCare
in August 2007 and reimbursements from Bayer HealthCare of
our 2007 VEGF Trap-Eye development expenses, totaling $12.9 million, have been fully
32
deferred
and included in deferred revenue for financial statement purposes, as discussed above. At
September 30, 2006, accounts receivable balances decreased by $28.6 million, compared to year end
2005, primarily due to the January 2006 receipt of a $25.0 million up-front payment from
sanofi-aventis, which was receivable at December 31, 2005, in connection with an amendment to our
collaboration agreement to include Japan. Also, our deferred revenue balances at September 30,
2006 decreased by $12.5 million, compared to year end 2005, due primarily to the revenue
recognition of $9.1 million of deferred revenue related to up-front payments from sanofi-aventis
during the first nine months of 2006. The majority of our cash expenditures in both the first nine
months of 2007 and 2006 were to fund research and development, primarily related to our clinical
programs and, in the first nine months of 2007, our preclinical human monoclonal antibody programs.
Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities:
Net cash used in investing activities was $122.2 million in the first nine months of 2007
compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $8.1 million in the same period of 2006,
due primarily to an increase in purchases of marketable securities net of sales or maturities. In
the first nine months of 2007, purchases of marketable securities exceeded sales or maturities by
$114.5 million, whereas in the first nine months of 2006, sales or maturies of marketable
securities exceeded purchases by $9.7 million.
Cash Provided by Financing Activities:
Cash provided by financing activities, which in the first nine months of 2007 and 2006 is
attributable primarily to the issuance of Common Stock in connection with exercises of employee
stock options, decreased slightly to $5.2 million in the first nine months of 2007 from $5.3
million in the same period in 2006.
License Agreements with AstraZeneca and Astellas:
Under these non-exclusive license agreements, AstraZeneca and Astellas each made a $20.0
million non-refundable, up-front payment to us in February and April 2007, respectively.
AstraZeneca and Astellas also will each make up to five additional annual payments of $20.0
million, subject to each licensees ability to terminate its license agreement with us after making
the first three additional payments or earlier if the technology does not meet minimum performance
criteria.
Capital Expenditures:
Our additions to property, plant, and equipment totaled $7.9 million and $1.8 million for the
first nine months of 2007 and 2006, respectively. During the remainder of 2007, we expect to incur
approximately $10-12 million in capital expenditures (including approximately $9 million to
purchase a facility in Rensselaer, New York, as described below) primarily to support our
manufacturing, development, and research activities.
During the second quarter of 2007, we exercised a purchase option on a building in Rensselaer,
totaling approximately 270,000 square feet, in which we leased approximately 75,000 square feet of
manufacturing, office and warehouse space. We completed the purchase of
33
this property (land and
building) in October 2007 at a cost of approximately $9 million, which is included in our
anticipated capital expenditures for the remainder of 2007, as described above. The space that we
do not occupy in this building is currently leased to another tenant.
Convertible Debt:
In 2001, we issued $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior
subordinated notes, which bear interest at 5.5% per annum, payable semi-annually, and mature in
October 2008. The notes are convertible into shares of our Common Stock at a conversion price of
approximately $30.25 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. If the price per
share of our Common Stock is above $30.25 at maturity, we would expect the notes to convert into
shares of Common Stock. Otherwise, we will be required to repay the $200.0 million aggregate
principal amount of the notes or refinance the notes prior to maturity; however, we can provide no
assurance that we will be able to successfully arrange such refinancing.
Amendment to Operating Lease Tarrytown, New York Facilities:
We currently lease approximately 232,000 square feet of laboratory and office facilities in
Tarrytown, New York. In December 2006, we entered into a new lease agreement to lease
approximately 221,000 square feet of laboratory and office space at our current Tarrytown location,
which includes approximately 27,000 square feet that would be retained from our current space and
approximately 194,000 square feet in new facilities that are currently under construction and
expected to be completed in mid-2009. In October 2007, we amended the December 2006 operating
lease agreement to increase the amount of new space we will lease from approximately 194,000 square
feet to approximately 230,000 square feet, for an amended total under the new lease of 257,000
square feet. The term of the lease is now expected to commence in mid-2008 and will expire
approximately 16 years later. Other terms and conditions, as previously described in our Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2006, remain unchanged.
Funding Requirements:
We expect to continue to incur substantial funding requirements primarily for research and
development activities (including preclinical and clinical testing). Before taking into account
reimbursements from collaborators, we currently anticipate that approximately 55-65% of our
expenditures for 2007 will be directed toward the preclinical and clinical development of product
candidates, including rilonacept, aflibercept, VEGF Trap-Eye and monoclonal antibodies;
approximately 10-15% of our expenditures for 2007 will be applied to our basic research activities
and the continued development of our novel technology platforms; and the remainder of our
expenditures for 2007 will be used for capital expenditures and general corporate purposes.
In connection with the amendment to our new operating lease agreement on our Tarrytown
facilities and the purchase of a building in Rensselaer where we leased manufacturing, warehouse
and office space, each as described above, our previously disclosed funding requirements for
operating leases, as per our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, will decrease for the
two-year period beginning January 1, 2008 from $15.6 million to $13.9
34
million, increase for the
two-year period beginning January 1, 2010 from $24.0 million to $28.6 million, and increase, in the
aggregate, for fiscal years beginning January 1, 2012 and thereafter from $161.4 million to $204.2
million.
Under our collaboration with Bayer HealthCare, over the next several years we and Bayer
HealthCare are sharing agreed upon VEGF Trap-Eye development expenses incurred by both companies,
under a global development plan, as follows:
2007: Up to $50.0 million shared equally; we are solely responsible for up to the next $40.0
million; over $90.0 million shared equally.
Through September 30, 2007, cumulative shared
development expenses have exceeded $50.0 million.
2008: Up to $70.0 million shared equally, we are solely responsible for up to the next $30.0
million; over $100.0 million shared equally.
2009 and thereafter: All expenses shared equally.
In addition, under our collaboration agreements with sanofi-aventis and Bayer Healthcare, if
the applicable collaboration becomes profitable, we have contingent contractual obligations to
reimburse sanofi-aventis and Bayer Healthcare for 50% of agreed-upon development expenses incurred
by sanofi-aventis and Bayer Healthcare, respectively. Profitability under each collaboration will
be measured by calculating net sales less agreed-upon expenses. These reimbursements would be
deducted from our share of the collaboration profits (and, for sanofi-aventis, royalties on product
sales in Japan) otherwise payable to us unless we agree to reimburse these expenses at a faster
rate at our option. Given the uncertainties related to drug development (including the development
of the aflibercept in collaboration with sanofi-aventis and the VEGF Trap-Eye in collaboration with
Bayer Healthcare) such as the variability in the length of time necessary to develop a product
candidate and the ultimate ability to obtain governmental approval for commercialization, we are
currently unable to reliably estimate if our collaborations with sanofi-aventis and Bayer
Healthcare will become profitable.
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 of a clinical trial of any of our potential drug
candidates, and the continuation, extent, and success of our collaborations with sanofi-aventis and
Bayer HealthCare. 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. In the future, if we are able to successfully develop, market, and sell certain of our
product candidates, we may be required to pay royalties or otherwise share the profits generated on
such sales in connection with our collaboration and licensing agreements.
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.
35
We believe that our existing capital resources will enable us to meet operating needs through
at least early 2010, without taking into consideration the $200.0 million aggregate principal
amount of convertible senior subordinated notes, which mature in October 2008. However, this is a
forward-looking statement based on our current operating plan, and there may be a 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. Other than a $1.6 million letter of credit issued to our landlord in
connection with our new operating lease for facilities in Tarrytown, New York, we have no
off-balance sheet arrangements. In addition, we do not guarantee the obligations of any other
entity. As of September 30, 2007, we had no established banking arrangements through which we
could obtain short-term financing or a line of credit. 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. We may not be
able to secure the necessary funding through new collaborative arrangements or additional public or
private offerings. If we cannot raise adequate funds to satisfy our capital requirements, we may
have to delay, scale back, or eliminate certain of our research and development activities or
future operations. This could harm our business.
Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates
Revenue Recognition:
We recognize revenue from contract research and development and research progress payments in
accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition (SAB 104) and Emerging
Issues Task Force 00-21, Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables (EITF
00-21). We earn contract research and development revenue and research progress payments in
connection with collaboration and other agreements to develop and commercialize product candidates
and utilize our technology platforms. The terms of these agreements typically include
non-refundable up-front licensing payments, research progress (milestone) payments, and payments
for development activities. Non-refundable up-front license payments, where continuing involvement
is required of us, are deferred and recognized over the related performance period. We estimate
our performance period based on the specific terms of each agreement, and adjust the performance
periods, if appropriate, based on the applicable facts and circumstances. Payments which are based
on achieving a specific substantive performance milestone, involving a degree of risk, are
recognized as revenue when the milestone is achieved and the related payment is due and
non-refundable, provided there is no future service obligation associated with that milestone.
Substantive performance milestones typically consist of significant achievements in the development
life-cycle of the related product candidate, such as completion of clinical trials, filing for
approval with regulatory agencies, and approvals by
regulatory agencies. In determining whether a payment is deemed to be a substantive
performance milestone, we take into consideration (i) the nature, timing, and value of significant
achievements in the development life- cycle of the related development product candidate, (ii) the
relative level of effort required to achieve the milestone, and (iii) the relative level of risk in
achieving the milestone, taking into account the high degree of uncertainty in
36
successfully
advancing product candidates in a drug development program and in ultimately attaining an approved
drug product. Payments for achieving milestones which are not considered substantive are accounted
for as license payments and recognized over the related performance period. Payments for
development activities where Regeneron is not sharing costs are recognized as revenue as earned,
over the period of effort. In addition, we record revenue in connection with a government research
grant as we incur expenses related to the grant, subject to the grants terms and annual funding
approvals.
In connection with non-refundable licensing payments, our performance period estimates are
principally based on projections of the scope, progress, and results of our research and
development activities. Due to the variability in the scope of activities and length of time
necessary to develop a drug product, changes to development plans as programs progress, and
uncertainty in the ultimate requirements to obtain governmental approval for commercialization,
revisions to performance period estimates are possible, and could result in material changes to the
amount of revenue recognized each year in the future. In addition, performance periods may be
extended if we and our collaborators decide to expand our clinical plans for a drug candidate into
additional disease indications. Also, if a collaborator terminates an agreement in accordance with
the terms of the agreement, we would recognize any unamortized remainder of an up-front payment at
the time of the termination. For the year ended December 31, 2006, changes in estimates of our
performance periods, including an extension of our estimated performance period for our
collaboration with sanofi-aventis, did not have a material impact on contract research and
development revenue that we recognized. In 2007, we currently expect to recognize at least $2.4
million lower contract research and development revenue, compared to amounts recognized in 2006, in
connection with $105.0 million of non-refundable up-front payments previously received from
sanofi-aventis, due to an extension of our estimated performance period.
As described above, we and Bayer HealthCare are currently formalizing our global development
plans for the VEGF Trap-Eye in wet AMD and DME. Pending completion of these plans, all payments
received or receivable from Bayer HealthCare through September 30, 2007 have been fully deferred
and included in deferred revenue for financial statement purposes. When the plans are formalized
later this year, we will determine the appropriate accounting policy for payments from Bayer
HealthCare and the financial statement classifications and periods in which past and future
payments from Bayer (including the $75.0 million up-front payment, development and regulatory
milestone payments, and reimbursements of Regeneron development expenses) will be recognized in our
Statement of Operations. In the period when we commence recognizing previously deferred payments
from Bayer HealthCare, we anticipate recording a cumulative catch-up for the period since inception
of the collaboration in October 2006, which cannot be quantified at this time.
37
Clinical Trial Expenses:
Clinical trial costs are a significant component of research and development expenses and
include costs associated with third-party contractors. We outsource a substantial portion of our
clinical trial activities, utilizing external entities such as contract research organizations,
independent clinical investigators, and other third-party service providers to assist us with the
execution of our clinical studies. For each clinical trial that we conduct, certain clinical trial
costs are expensed immediately, while others are expensed over time based on the expected total
number of patients in the trial, the rate at which patients enter the trial, and the period over
which clinical investigators or contract research organizations are expected to provide services.
Clinical activities which relate principally to clinical sites and other administrative
functions to manage our clinical trials are performed primarily by contract research organizations
(CROs). CROs typically perform most of the start-up activities for our trials, including document
preparation, site identification, screening and preparation, pre-study visits, training, and
program management. On a budgeted basis, these start-up costs are typically 10% to 15% of the
total contract value. On an actual basis, this percentage range can be significantly wider, as
many of our contracts are either expanded or reduced in scope compared to the original budget,
while start-up costs for the particular trial may not change materially. These start-up costs
usually occur within a few months after the contract has been executed and are event driven in
nature. The remaining activities and related costs, such as patient monitoring and administration,
generally occur ratably throughout the life of the individual contract or study. In the event of
early termination of a clinical trial, we accrue and recognize expenses in an amount based on our
estimate of the remaining non-cancelable obligations associated with the winding down of the
clinical trial and/or penalties.
For clinical study sites, where payments are made periodically on a per-patient basis to the
institutions performing the clinical study, we accrue on an estimated cost-per-patient basis an
expense based on subject enrollment and activity in each quarter. The amount of clinical study
expense recognized in a quarter may vary from period to period based on the duration and progress
of the study, the activities to be performed by the sites each quarter, the required level of
patient enrollment, the rate at which patients actually enroll in and drop-out of the clinical
study, and the number of sites involved in the study. Clinical trials that bear the greatest risk
of change in estimates are typically those with a significant number of sites, require a large
number of patients, have complex patient screening requirements, and span multiple years. During
the course of a trial, we adjust our rate of clinical expense recognition if actual results differ
from our estimates. Our estimates and assumptions for clinical expense recognition could differ
significantly from our actual results, which could cause material increases or decreases in
research and development expenses in future periods when the actual results become known. No
material adjustments to our past clinical trial accrual estimates were made during the year ended
December 31, 2006 or the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
During the three months ended September 30, 2007, there were no changes to any other Critical
Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates described in our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
38
Future Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. (SFAS) 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities. SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments
and certain other items at fair value. The objective is to improve financial reporting by
providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by
measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge
accounting provisions. SFAS 159 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years
beginning after November 15, 2007. We will be required to adopt SFAS 159 effective for the fiscal
year beginning January 1, 2008. Our management is currently evaluating the potential impact of
adopting SFAS 159 on our financial statements.
In June 2007, the Emerging Issues Task Force issued Statement No. 07-3, Accounting for
Non-refundable Advance Payments for Goods or Services to Be Used in Future Research and Development
Activities (EITF 07-3). EITF 07-3 addresses how entities involved in research and development
activities should account for the non-refundable portion of an advance payment made for future
research and development activities and requires that such payments be deferred and capitalized,
and recognized as an expense when the goods are delivered or the related services are performed.
EITF 07-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007, including interim
periods within those fiscal years. We will be required to adopt EITF 07-3 effective for the fiscal
year beginning January 1, 2008. Our management believes that the future adoption of EITF 07-3 will
not have a material impact on our financial statements.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
Interest Rate 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,
asset-backed, 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
unfavorable change in interest rates would result in approximately a $2.2 million and $0.5 million
decrease in the fair market value of our investment portfolio at September 30, 2007 and 2006,
respectively. The increase in the potential impact of an interest rate change at September 30,
2007, compared to September 30, 2006, is due primarily to increases in our investment portfolios
balance and duration at the end of September 2007 versus September 2006.
Credit Quality Risk:
We have an investment policy that includes guidelines on acceptable investment securities,
minimum credit quality, maturity parameters, and concentration and diversification. Nonetheless,
deterioration of the credit quality of an investment security subsequent to purchase may subject us
to the risk of not being able to recover the full principal value of the security. In the third
quarter of 2007, we recognized a $0.8 million charge related to securities that we considered to be
other than temporarily impaired.
39
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial
officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as
such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the Exchange Act)), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this
evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer each concluded that, as of the
end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that
information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange
Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in
applicable rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and is accumulated and
communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer,
as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is
defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended September
30, 2007 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal
control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we are a party to legal proceedings in the course of our business. We do
not expect any such current legal proceedings to have a material adverse effect on our business or
financial condition.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
We operate in an environment that involves a number of significant risks and uncertainties. We
caution you to read the following risk factors, which have affected, and/or in the future could
affect, our business, operating results, financial condition, and cash flows. The risks described
below include forward-looking statements, and actual events and our actual results may differ
substantially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and
uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our
business operations. Furthermore, additional risks and uncertainties are described under other
captions in this report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006
and should be considered by our investors.
Risks Related to Our Financial Results and Need for Additional Financing
We have had a history of operating losses and we may never achieve profitability. If we continue to
incur operating losses, we may be unable to continue our operations.
From inception on January 8, 1988 through September 30, 2007, we had a cumulative loss of
$780.1 million. If we continue to incur operating losses and fail to become a profitable company,
we may be unable to continue our operations. We have no products that are available for sale and
40
do
not know when we will have products available for sale, if ever. In the absence of revenue from the
sale of products 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.
We will need additional funding in the future, which may not be available to us, and which may
force us to delay, reduce or eliminate our product development programs or commercialization
efforts.
We will need to expend substantial resources for research and development, including costs
associated with clinical testing of our product candidates. We believe our existing capital
resources will enable us to meet operating needs through at least early 2010, without taking into
consideration the $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior subordinated
notes, which mature in October 2008; however, our projected revenue may decrease or our expenses
may increase and that would lead to our capital being consumed significantly before such time. We
will likely require additional financing in the future and we may not be able to raise such
additional funds. If we are able to obtain additional financing through the sale of equity or
convertible debt securities, such sales may be dilutive to our shareholders. Debt financing
arrangements may require us to pledge certain assets or enter into covenants that would restrict
our business activities or our ability to incur further indebtedness and may contain other terms
that are not favorable to our shareholders. If we are unable to raise sufficient funds to complete
the development of our product candidates, we may face delay, reduction or elimination of our
research and development programs or preclinical or clinical trials, in which case our business,
financial condition or results of operations may be materially harmed.
We have a significant amount of debt and may have insufficient cash to satisfy our debt service and
repayment obligations. In addition, the amount of our debt could impede our operations and
flexibility.
We have a significant amount of convertible debt and semi-annual interest payment obligations.
This debt, unless converted to shares of our common stock, will mature in October 2008. We may be
unable to generate sufficient cash flow or otherwise obtain funds necessary to make required
payments on our debt. Even if we are able to meet our debt service obligations, the amount of debt
we already have could hurt our ability to obtain any necessary financing in the future for working
capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, or other purposes. In addition, our debt
obligations could require us to use a substantial portion of cash to pay principal and interest on
our debt, instead of applying those funds to other purposes, such as research and development,
working capital, and capital expenditures.
Risks Related to Development of Our Product Candidates
Successful development of any of our product candidates is highly uncertain.
Only a small minority of all research and development programs ultimately result in
commercially successful drugs. We have never developed a drug that has been approved for marketing
and sale, and we may never succeed in developing an approved drug. Even if clinical
trials demonstrate safety and effectiveness of any of our product candidates for a specific
disease and the necessary regulatory approvals are obtained, the commercial success of any of our
product candidates will depend upon their acceptance by patients, the medical community, and
41
third-party payers and on our partners ability to successfully manufacture and commercialize our
product candidates. Our product candidates are delivered either by intravenous infusion or by
intravitreal or subcutaneous injections, which are generally less well received by patients than
tablet or capsule delivery. If our products are not successfully commercialized, we will not be
able to recover the significant investment we have made in developing such products and our
business would be severely harmed.
We are studying our lead product candidates, aflibercept, VEGF Trap-Eye, and rilonacept,
in a wide variety of indications. We are studying aflibercept in a variety of cancer settings,
the VEGF Trap-Eye in different eye diseases and ophthalmologic indications, and rilonacept in a
variety of systemic inflammatory disorders. Many of these current trials are exploratory studies
designed to identify what diseases and uses, if any, are best suited for our product candidates. It
is likely that our product candidates will not demonstrate the requisite efficacy and/or safety
profile to support continued development for most of the indications that are to be studied. In
fact, our product candidates may not demonstrate the requisite efficacy and safety profile to
support the continued development for any of the indications or uses.
Clinical trials required for our product candidates are expensive and time-consuming, and their
outcome is highly uncertain. If any of our drug trials are delayed or achieve unfavorable results,
we will have to delay or may be unable to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates.
We must conduct extensive testing of our product candidates before we can obtain regulatory
approval to market and sell them. We need to conduct both preclinical animal testing and human
clinical trials. Conducting these trials is a lengthy, time-consuming, and expensive process. These
tests and trials may not achieve favorable results for many reasons, including, among others,
failure of the product candidate to demonstrate safety or efficacy, the development of serious or
life-threatening adverse events (or side effects) caused by or connected with exposure to the
product candidate, difficulty in enrolling and maintaining subjects in the clinical trial, lack of
sufficient supplies of the product candidate or comparator drug, and the failure of clinical
investigators, trial monitors and other consultants, or trial subjects to comply with the trial
plan or protocol. A clinical trial may fail because it did not include a sufficient number of
patients to detect the endpoint being measured or reach statistical significance. A clinical trial
may also fail because the dose(s) of the investigational drug included in the trial were either too
low or too high to determine the optimal effect of the investigational drug in the disease setting.
For example, we are studying higher doses of rilonacept in different diseases after a Phase 2
trial using lower doses of rilonacept in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis failed to achieve its
primary endpoint.
We will need to reevaluate any drug candidate that does not test favorably and either conduct
new trials, which are expensive and time consuming, or abandon the drug development program. Even
if we obtain positive results from preclinical or clinical trials, we may not achieve the same
success in future trials. Many companies in the biopharmaceutical industry, including us, have
suffered significant setbacks in clinical trials, even after promising results have been obtained
in
earlier trials. The failure of clinical trials to demonstrate safety and effectiveness for the
desired indication(s) could harm the development of the product candidate(s), and our business,
financial condition, and results of operations may be materially harmed.
42
The data from the Phase 3 clinical program for rilonacept in CAPS (Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic
Syndromes) may be inadequate to support regulatory approval for commercialization of rilonacept.
We recently submitted a BLA to the FDA for rilonacept in CAPS. However, the efficacy and
safety data from the Phase 3 clinical program included in the BLA may be inadequate to support
approval for commercialization of rilonacept. The FDA and other regulatory agencies may have
varying interpretations of our clinical trial data, which could delay, limit, or prevent regulatory
approval or clearance.
Further, before a product candidate is approved for marketing, our manufacturing facilities
must be inspected by the FDA and the FDA will not approve the product for marketing if we or our
third party manufacturers are not in compliance with current good manufacturing practices. Even if
the FDA and similar foreign regulatory authorities do grant marketing approval for rilonacept, they
may pose restrictions on the use or marketing of the product, or may require us to conduct
additional post-marketing trials. These restrictions and requirements would likely result in
increased expenditures and lower revenues and may restrict our ability to commercialize rilonacept
profitably.
In addition to the FDA and other regulatory agency regulations in the United States, we are
subject to a variety of foreign regulatory requirements governing human clinical trials, marketing
and approval for drugs, and commercial sales and distribution of drugs in foreign countries. The
foreign regulatory approval process includes all of the risks associated with FDA approval as well
as country-specific regulations. Whether or not we obtain FDA approval for a product in the United
States, we must obtain approval by the comparable regulatory authorities of foreign countries
before we can commence clinical trials or marketing of rilonacept in those countries.
The development of serious or life-threatening side effects with any of our product candidates
would lead to delay or discontinuation of development, which could severely harm our business.
During the conduct of clinical trials, patients report changes in their health, including
illnesses, injuries, and discomforts, to their study doctor. Often, it is not possible to determine
whether or not the drug candidate being studied caused these conditions. Various illnesses,
injuries, and discomforts have been reported from time-to-time during clinical trials of our
product candidates. Although our current drug candidates appeared to be generally well tolerated in
clinical trials conducted to date, it is possible as we test any of them in larger, longer, and
more extensive clinical programs, illnesses, injuries, and discomforts that were observed in
earlier trials, as well as conditions that did not occur or went undetected in smaller previous
trials, will be reported by patients. Many times, side effects are only detectable after
investigational drugs are tested in large scale, Phase 3 clinical trials or, in some cases, after
they are made available to patients after approval. If additional clinical experience indicates
that any of our product candidates has many side effects or causes serious or life-threatening side
effects,
the development of the product candidate may fail or be delayed, which would severely harm our
business.
Our aflibercept (VEGF Trap) is being studied for the potential treatment of certain types of
cancer and our VEGF Trap-Eye candidate is being studied in diseases of the eye. There are many
43
potential safety concerns associated with significant blockade of vascular endothelial growth
factor, or VEGF. These serious and potentially life-threatening risks, based on the clinical and
preclinical experience of systemically delivered VEGF inhibitors, including the systemic delivery
of the VEGF Trap, include bleeding, hypertension, and proteinuria. These serious side effects and
other serious side effects have been reported in our systemic VEGF Trap studies in cancer and
diseases of the eye. In addition, patients given infusions of any protein, including the VEGF Trap
delivered through intravenous administration, may develop severe hypersensitivity reactions or
infusion reactions. Other VEGF blockers have reported side effects that became evident only after
large scale trials or after marketing approval and large number of patients were treated. These
include side effects that we have not yet seen in our trials such as heart attack and stroke.
These and other complications or side effects could harm the development of aflibercept for the
treatment of cancer or the VEGF Trap-Eye for the treatment of diseases of the eye.
It is possible that safety or tolerability concerns may arise as we continue to test
rilonacept in patients with inflammatory diseases and disorders. Like cytokine antagonists such as
Kineret® (Amgen Inc.), EnbrelÒ (Immunex Corporation), and
RemicadeÒ (Centocor, Inc.), rilonacept affects the immune defense system of the
body by blocking some of its functions. Therefore, rilonacept may interfere with the bodys
ability to fight infections. Treatment with Kineret® (Amgen), a medication that works
through the inhibition of IL-1, has been associated with an increased risk of serious infections,
and serious infections have been reported in patients taking rilonacept. One subject with adult
Stills diseases in a study of rilonacept developed an infection in his elbow with mycobacterium
intracellulare. The patient was on chronic glucocorticoid treatment for Stills disease. The
infection occurred after an intraarticular glucocorticoid injection into the elbow and subsequent
local exposure to a suspected source of mycobacteria. One patient with polymayalgia rheumatica in
another study developed bronchitis/sinusitis, which resulted in hospitalization. One patient in an
open-label study of rilonacept in CAPS developed sinusitis and streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis
and subsequently died. In addition, patients given infusions of rilonacept have developed
hypersensitivity reactions or infusion reactions. These or other complications or side effects
could impede or result in us abandoning the development of rilonacept.
Our product candidates in development are recombinant proteins that could cause an immune response,
resulting in the creation of harmful or neutralizing antibodies against the therapeutic protein.
In addition to the safety, efficacy, manufacturing, and regulatory hurdles faced by our
product candidates, the administration of recombinant proteins frequently causes an immune
response, resulting in the creation of antibodies against the therapeutic protein. The antibodies
can have no effect or can totally neutralize the effectiveness of the protein, or require that
higher doses be used to obtain a therapeutic effect. In some cases, the antibody can cross react
with the patients own proteins, resulting in an auto-immune type disease. Whether antibodies
will be created can often not be predicted from preclinical or clinical experiments, and their
detection or appearance
is often delayed, so that there can be no assurance that neutralizing antibodies will not be
detected at a later date in some cases even after pivotal clinical trials have been completed.
Of the clinical study subjects who received rilonacept for rheumatoid arthritis and other
indications, fewer than 5% of patients developed antibodies and no side effects related to
antibodies were observed. Using a very sensitive test, approximately 40% of the patients in the
CAPS pivotal study tested positive at least once for low levels of antibodies to rilonacept.
44
Again, no side effects related to antibodies were observed and there were no observed effects on
drug efficacy or drug levels. However, it is possible that as we continue to test aflibercept and
VEGF Trap-Eye with more sensitive assays in different patient populations and larger clinical
trials, we will find that subjects given aflibercept and VEGF Trap-Eye develop antibodies to these
product candidates, and may also experience side effects related to the antibodies, which could
adversely impact the development of such candidates.
We may be unable to formulate or manufacture our product candidates in a way that is suitable for
clinical or commercial use.
Changes in product formulations and manufacturing processes may be required as product
candidates progress in clinical development and are ultimately commercialized. For example, we are
currently testing a new formulation of the VEGF Trap-Eye. If we are unable to develop suitable
product formulations or manufacturing processes to support large scale clinical testing of our
product candidates, including aflibercept, VEGF Trap-Eye, and rilonacept, we may be unable to
supply necessary materials for our clinical trials, which would delay the development of our
product candidates. Similarly, if we are unable to supply sufficient quantities of our product or
develop product formulations suitable for commercial use, we will not be able to successfully
commercialize our product candidates.
Risks Related to Intellectual Property
If we cannot protect the confidentiality of our trade secrets or our patents are insufficient to
protect our proprietary rights, our business and competitive position will be harmed.
Our business requires using sensitive and proprietary technology and other information that we
protect as trade secrets. We seek to prevent improper disclosure of these trade secrets through
confidentiality agreements. If our trade secrets are improperly exposed, either by our own
employees or our collaborators, it would help our competitors and adversely affect our business. We
will be able to protect our proprietary rights from unauthorized use by third parties only to the
extent that our rights are covered by valid and enforceable patents or are effectively maintained
as trade secrets. The patent position of biotechnology companies involves complex legal and factual
questions and, therefore, enforceability cannot be predicted with certainty. Our patents may be
challenged, invalidated, or circumvented. Patent applications filed outside the United States may
be challenged by third parties who file an opposition. Such opposition proceedings are increasingly
common in the European Union and are costly to defend. We have patent applications that are being
opposed and it is likely that we will need to defend additional patent applications in the future.
Our patent rights may not provide us with a proprietary position or competitive advantages against
competitors. Furthermore, even if the outcome is favorable to us, the enforcement of our
intellectual property rights can be extremely expensive and time consuming.
We may be restricted in our development and/or commercialization activities by, and could be
subject to damage awards if we are found to have infringed, third party patents or other
proprietary rights.
Our commercial success depends significantly on our ability to operate without infringing the
patents and other proprietary rights of third parties. Other parties may allege that they have
45
blocking patents to our products in clinical development, either because they claim to hold
proprietary rights to the composition of a product or the way it is manufactured or used.
Moreover, other parties may allege that they have blocking patents to antibody products made using
our VelocImmune technology, either because of the way the antibodies are discovered or produced or
because of a proprietary position covering an antibody or the antibodys target.
We are aware of patents and pending applications owned by Genentech that claim certain
chimeric VEGF receptor compositions. Although we do not believe that aflibercept or the VEGF
Trap-Eye infringes any valid claim in these patents or patent applications, Genentech could
initiate a lawsuit for patent infringement and assert its patents are valid and cover aflibercept
or the VEGF Trap-Eye. Genentech may be motivated to initiate such a lawsuit at some point in an
effort to impair our ability to develop and sell aflibercept or the VEGF Trap-Eye, which represents
a potential competitive threat to Genentechs VEGF-binding products and product candidates. An
adverse determination by a court in any such potential patent litigation would likely materially
harm our business by requiring us to seek a license, which may not be available, or resulting in
our inability to manufacture, develop and sell aflibercept or the VEGF Trap-Eye or in a damage
award.
Any patent holders could sue us for damages and seek to prevent us from manufacturing,
selling, or developing our drug candidates, and a court may find that we are infringing validly
issued patents of third parties. In the event that the manufacture, use, or sale of any of our
clinical candidates infringes on the patents or violates other proprietary rights of third parties,
we may be prevented from pursuing product development, manufacturing, and commercialization of our
drugs and may be required to pay costly damages. Such a result may materially harm our business,
financial condition, and results of operations. Legal disputes are likely to be costly and time
consuming to defend.
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 any one or more of our product candidates, which could severely harm our business.
Regulatory and Litigation Risks
If we do not obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates, we will not be able to market
or sell them.
We cannot sell or market products without regulatory approval. If we do not obtain and
maintain regulatory approval for our product candidates, the value of our company and our results
of operations will be harmed. In the United States, we must obtain and maintain approval from the
United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for each drug we intend to sell.
Obtaining FDA approval is typically a lengthy and expensive process, and approval is highly
uncertain. Foreign governments also regulate drugs distributed in their country and approval in any
country is likely to be a lengthy and expensive process, and approval is highly uncertain. None of
our product candidates has ever received regulatory approval to be marketed and sold in the United
States or any other country. We may never receive regulatory approval for any of our product
candidates.
46
Before approving a new drug or biologic product, the FDA requires that the facilities at which
the product will be manufactured be in compliance with current good manufacturing practices, or
cGMP requirements. Manufacturing product candidates in compliance with these regulatory
requirements is complex, time-consuming, and expensive. To be successful, our products must be
manufactured for development, following approval, in commercial quantities, in compliance with
regulatory requirements, and at competitive costs. If we or any of our product collaborators or
third-party manufacturers, product packagers, or labelers are unable to maintain regulatory
compliance, the FDA can impose regulatory sanctions, including, among other things, refusal to
approve a pending application for a new drug or biologic product, or revocation of a pre-existing
approval. As a result, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be
materially harmed.
If the testing or use of our products harms people, we could be subject to costly and damaging
product liability claims.
The testing, manufacturing, marketing, and sale of drugs for use in people expose us to
product liability risk. Any informed consent or waivers obtained from people who sign up for our
clinical trials may not protect us from liability or the cost of litigation. Our product liability
insurance may not cover all potential liabilities or may not completely cover any liability arising
from any such litigation. Moreover, we may not have access to liability insurance or be able to
maintain our insurance on acceptable terms.
Our operations may involve hazardous materials and are subject to environmental, health, and safety
laws and regulations. We may incur substantial liability arising from our activities involving the
use of hazardous materials.
As a biopharmaceutical company with significant manufacturing operations, we are subject to
extensive environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations, including those governing the use
of hazardous materials. Our research and development and manufacturing activities involve the
controlled use of chemicals, viruses, radioactive compounds, and other hazardous materials. The
cost of compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations is substantial. If an
accident involving these materials or an environmental discharge were to occur, we could be held
liable for any resulting damages, or face regulatory actions, which could exceed our resources or
insurance coverage.
Changes in the securities laws and regulations have increased, and are likely to continue to
increase, our costs.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which became law in July 2002, has required changes in some of
our corporate governance, securities disclosure and compliance practices. In response to the
requirements of that Act, the SEC and the NASDAQ Stock Market have promulgated new
rules and listing standards covering a variety of subjects. Compliance with these new rules
and listing standards has increased our legal costs, and significantly increased our accounting and
auditing costs, and we expect these costs to continue. These developments may make it more
difficult and more expensive for us to obtain directors and officers liability insurance.
Likewise, these developments may make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified
47
members of our board of directors, particularly independent directors, or qualified executive
officers.
In future years, if we or our independent registered public accounting firm are unable to conclude
that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, the market value of our common
stock could be adversely affected.
As directed by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the SEC adopted rules requiring
public companies to include a report of management on the Companys internal control over financial
reporting in their annual reports on Form 10-K that contains an assessment by management of the
effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, the independent
registered public accounting firm auditing our financial statements must attest to and report on
managements assessment and on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
Our independent registered public accounting firm provided us with an unqualified report as to our
assessment and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December
31, 2006, which report was included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. However, we cannot assure
you that management or our independent registered public accounting firm will be able to provide
such an assessment or unqualified report as of future year-ends. In this event, investors could
lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which could result in a decrease in
the market value of our common stock. In addition, if it is determined that deficiencies in the
design or operation of internal controls exist and that they are reasonably likely to adversely
affect our ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information, we would likely
incur additional costs to remediate these deficiencies and the costs of such remediation could be
material.
Risks Related to Our Dependence on Third Parties
If our collaboration with sanofi-aventis for aflibercept (VEGF Trap) is terminated, our business
operations and our ability to develop, manufacture, and commercialize aflibercept in the time
expected, or at all, would be harmed.
We rely heavily on sanofi-aventis to assist with the development of the aflibercept program.
Sanofi-aventis funds all of the development expenses incurred by both companies in connection with
the aflibercept program. If the aflibercept program continues, we will rely on sanofi-aventis to
assist with funding the aflibercept program, provide commercial manufacturing capacity, enroll and
monitor clinical trials, obtain regulatory approval, particularly outside the United States, and
provide sales and marketing support. While we cannot assure you that aflibercept will ever be
successfully developed and commercialized, if sanofi-aventis does not perform its obligations in a
timely manner, or at all, our ability to develop, manufacture, and commercialize aflibercept in
cancer indications will be significantly adversely affected. Sanofi-aventis has the right to
terminate its collaboration agreement with us at any time upon twelve months advance notice. If
sanofi-aventis were to terminate its collaboration agreement with us, we would not have the
resources or skills to replace those of our partner, which could cause significant delays in the
development and/or manufacture of aflibercept and result in substantial additional costs to
us. We have no sales, marketing, or distribution capabilities and would have to develop or
outsource these capabilities. Termination of the sanofi-aventis collaboration agreement would
create substantial new and additional risks to the successful development of the aflibercept
program.
48
If our collaboration with Bayer HealthCare for the VEGF Trap-Eye is terminated, our business
operations and our ability to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the VEGF Trap-Eye in the time
expected, or at all, would be harmed.
We rely heavily on Bayer HealthCare to assist with the development of the VEGF Trap-Eye. Under
our agreement with them, Bayer HealthCare is required to fund approximately half of the development
expenses incurred by both companies in connection with the global VEGF Trap-Eye development
program. If the VEGF Trap-Eye program continues, we will rely on Bayer HealthCare to assist with
funding the VEGF Trap-Eye development program, provide assistance with the enrollment and
monitoring of clinical trials conducted outside the United States, obtaining regulatory approval
outside the United States, and provide sales, marketing and commercial support for the product
outside the United States. In particular, Bayer HealthCare has responsibility for selling VEGF
Trap-Eye outside the United States using its sales force. While we cannot assure you that the VEGF
Trap-Eye will ever be successfully developed and commercialized, if Bayer HealthCare does not
perform its obligations in a timely manner, or at all, our ability to develop, manufacture, and
commercialize the VEGF Trap-Eye outside the United States will be significantly adversely affected.
Bayer HealthCare has the right to terminate its collaboration agreement with us at any time upon
six or twelve months advance notice, depending on the circumstances giving rise to termination. If
Bayer HealthCare were to terminate its collaboration agreement with us, we would not have the
resources or skills to replace those of our partner, which could cause significant delays in the
development and/or commercialization of the VEGF Trap-Eye outside the United States and result in
substantial additional costs to us. We have no sales, marketing, or distribution capabilities and
would have to develop or outsource these capabilities outside the United States. Termination of the
Bayer HealthCare collaboration agreement would create substantial new and additional risks to the
successful development of the VEGF Trap-Eye development program.
Our collaborators and service providers may fail to perform adequately in their efforts to support
the development, manufacture, and commercialization of our drug candidates.
We depend upon third-party collaborators, including sanofi-aventis, Bayer HealthCare, and
service providers such as clinical research organizations, outside testing laboratories, clinical
investigator sites, and third-party manufacturers and product packagers and labelers, to assist us
in the development of our product candidates. If any of our existing collaborators or service
providers breaches or terminates its agreement with us or does not perform its development or
manufacturing services under an agreement in a timely manner or at all, we could experience
additional costs, delays, and difficulties in the development or ultimate commercialization of our
product candidates.
Risks Related to the Manufacture of Our Product Candidates
We have limited manufacturing capacity, which could inhibit our ability to successfully develop or
commercialize our drugs.
Our manufacturing facility is likely to be inadequate to produce sufficient quantities of
product for commercial sale. We intend to rely on our corporate collaborators, as well as contract
manufacturers, to produce the large quantities of drug material needed for commercialization of
49
our
products. We rely entirely on third-party manufacturers for filling and finishing services. We will
have to depend on these manufacturers to deliver material on a timely basis and to comply with
regulatory requirements. If we are unable to supply sufficient material on acceptable terms, or if
we should encounter delays or difficulties in our relationships with our corporate collaborators or
contract manufacturers, our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be
materially harmed.
We may expand our own manufacturing capacity to support commercial production of active
pharmaceutical ingredients, or API, for our product candidates. This will require substantial
additional funds, and we will need to hire and train significant numbers of employees and
managerial personnel to staff our facility. Start-up costs can be large and scale-up entails
significant risks related to process development and manufacturing yields. We may be unable to
develop manufacturing facilities that are sufficient to produce drug material for clinical trials
or commercial use. In addition, we may be unable to secure adequate filling and finishing services
to support our products. As a result, our business, financial condition, and results of operations
may be materially harmed.
We may be unable to obtain key raw materials and supplies for the manufacture of our product
candidates. In addition, we may face difficulties in developing or acquiring production technology
and managerial personnel to manufacture sufficient quantities of our product candidates at
reasonable costs and in compliance with applicable quality assurance and environmental regulations
and governmental permitting requirements.
If any of our clinical programs are discontinued, we may face costs related to the unused capacity
at our manufacturing facilities.
We have large-scale manufacturing operations in Rensselaer, New York. We use our facilities to
produce bulk product for clinical and preclinical candidates for ourselves and our collaborations.
If our clinical candidates are discontinued, we will have to absorb one hundred percent of related
overhead costs and inefficiencies.
Certain of our raw materials are single-sourced from third parties; third-party supply failures
could adversely affect our ability to supply our products.
Certain raw materials necessary for manufacturing and formulation of our product candidates
are provided by single-source unaffiliated third-party suppliers. We would be unable to obtain
these raw materials for an indeterminate period of time if these third-party single-source
suppliers were to cease or interrupt production or otherwise fail to supply these materials or
products to us for any reason, including due to regulatory requirements or action, due to adverse
financial developments at or affecting the supplier, or due to labor shortages or disputes. This,
in turn, could materially and adversely affect our ability to manufacture our product candidates
for use in clinical trials, which could materially and adversely affect our business and future
prospects.
Also, certain of the raw materials required in the manufacturing and the formulation of our
clinical candidates may be derived from biological sources, including mammalian tissues, bovine
serum, and human serum albumin. There are certain European regulatory restrictions on using these
biological source materials. If we are required to substitute for these sources to comply
50
with
European regulatory requirements, our clinical development activities may be delayed or
interrupted.
Risks Related to Commercialization of Products
If we are unable to establish sales, marketing, and distribution capabilities, or enter into
agreements with third parties to do so, we will be unable to successfully market and sell future
products.
We have no sales or distribution personnel or capabilities and have only a small staff with
marketing capabilities. If we are unable to obtain those capabilities, either by developing our own
organizations or entering into agreements with service providers, we will not be able to
successfully sell any products that we may obtain regulatory approval for and bring to market in
the future. In that event, we will not be able to generate significant revenue, even if our product
candidates are approved. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to hire the qualified sales and
marketing personnel we need or that we will be able to enter into marketing or distribution
agreements with third-party providers on acceptable terms, if at all. Under the terms of our
collaboration agreement with sanofi-aventis, we currently rely on sanofi-aventis for sales,
marketing, and distribution of aflibercept in cancer indications, should it be approved in the
future by regulatory authorities for marketing. We will have to rely on a third party or devote
significant resources to develop our own sales, marketing, and distribution capabilities for our
other product candidates, including the VEGF Trap-Eye in the United States, and we may be
unsuccessful in developing our own sales, marketing, and distribution organization.
Even if our product candidates are approved for marketing, their commercial success is highly
uncertain because our competitors have received approval for products with the same mechanism of
action, and competitors may get to the marketplace before we do with better or lower cost drugs or
the market for our product candidates may be too small to support commercialization or sufficient
profitability.
There is substantial competition in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries from
pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and chemical companies. Many of our competitors have substantially
greater research, preclinical and clinical product development and manufacturing capabilities, and
financial, marketing, and human resources than we do. Our smaller competitors may also enhance
their competitive position if they acquire or discover patentable inventions, form collaborative
arrangements, or merge with large pharmaceutical companies. Even if we achieve product
commercialization, our competitors have achieved, and may continue to achieve, product
commercialization before our products are approved for marketing and sale.
Genentech has an approved VEGF antagonist, Avastin® (Genentech), on the market for
treating certain cancers and many different pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are working
to develop competing VEGF antagonists, including Novartis, OSI Pharmaceuticals, and Pfizer. Many of
these molecules are farther along in development than aflibercept and may offer competitive
advantages over our molecule. Novartis has an ongoing Phase 3 clinical
development program evaluating an orally delivered VEGF tyrosine kinase inhibitor in different
cancer settings. Each of Pfizer and Onyx Pharmaceuticals (together with its partner Bayer
HealthCare) has received approval from the FDA to market and sell an oral medication that targets
tumor cell growth and new vasculature formation that fuels the growth of tumors. The
51
marketing
approvals for Genentechs VEGF antagonist, Avastin® (Genentech), and their extensive,
ongoing clinical development plan for Avastin® (Genentech) in other cancer indications,
may make it more difficult for us to enroll patients in clinical trials to support aflibercept and
to obtain regulatory approval of aflibercept in these cancer settings. This may delay or impair
our ability to successfully develop and commercialize aflibercept. In addition, even if
aflibercept is ever approved for sale for the treatment of certain cancers, it will be difficult
for our drug to compete against Avastin® (Genentech) and the FDA approved kinase
inhibitors, because doctors and patients will have significant experience using these medicines.
In addition, an oral medication may be considerably less expensive for patients than a biologic
medication, providing a competitive advantage to companies that market such products.
The market for eye disease products is also very competitive. Novartis and Genentech are
collaborating on the commercialization and further development of a VEGF antibody fragment
(Lucentis®) for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) and other
eye indications that was approved by the FDA in June 2006. OSI Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer are
marketing an approved VEGF inhibitor for wet AMD. Many other companies are working on the
development of product candidates for the potential treatment of wet AMD that act by blocking VEGF,
VEGF receptors, and through the use of soluble ribonucleic acids (sRNAs) that modulate gene
expression. In addition, ophthalmologists are using off-label a third-party reformatted version of
Genentechs approved VEGF antagonist, Avastin®, with success for the treatment of wet
AMD. The National Eye Institute recently has received funding for a Phase 3 trial to compare
Lucentis® (Genentech) to Avastin® (Genentech) in the treatment of wet AMD.
The marketing approval of Lucentis® (Genentech) and the potential off-label use of
Avastin® (Genentech) make it more difficult for us to enroll patients in our clinical
trials and successfully develop the VEGF Trap-Eye. Even if the VEGF Trap-Eye is ever approved for
sale for the treatment of eye diseases, it may be difficult for our drug to compete against
Lucentis® (Genentech), because doctors and patients will have significant experience
using this medicine. Moreover, the relatively low cost of therapy with Avastin®
(Genentech) in patients with wet AMD presents a further competitive challenge in this indication.
The availability of highly effective FDA approved TNF-antagonists such as Enbrel®
(Immunex), Remicade® (Centocor), and Humira® (Abbott Biotechnology Ltd.), and
the IL-1 receptor antagonist Kineret® (Amgen), and other marketed therapies makes it
more difficult to successfully develop and commercialize rilonacept. This is one of the reasons we
discontinued the development of rilonacept in adult rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, even if
rilonacept is ever approved for sale, it will be difficult for our drug to compete against these
FDA approved TNF-antagonists in indications where both are useful because doctors and patients will
have significant experience using these effective medicines. Moreover, in such indications these
approved therapeutics may offer competitive advantages over rilonacept, such as requiring fewer
injections.
There are both small molecules and antibodies in development by third parties that are
designed to block the synthesis of interleukin-1 or inhibit the signaling of interleukin-1. For
example, Eli Lilly and Company and Novartis are each developing antibodies to interleukin-1
and Amgen is developing an antibody to the interleukin-1 receptor. It has been reported that
Novartis has commenced advanced clinical testing of its IL-1 antibody in Muckle-Wells Syndrome,
which is part of the group of rare genetic diseases called CAPS. Novartis IL-1 antibody and these
other drug candidates could offer competitive advantages over rilonacept.
52
The successful
development of these competing molecules could delay or impair our ability to successfully develop
and commercialize rilonacept. For example, we may find it difficult to enroll patients in clinical
trials for rilonacept if the companies developing these competing interleukin-1 inhibitors commence
clinical trials in the same indications.
We are developing rilonacept for the treatment of a group of rare diseases associated with
mutations in the CIAS1 gene. These rare genetic disorders affect a small group of people, estimated
to be between several hundred and a few thousand. There may be too few patients with these genetic
disorders to profitably commercialize rilonacept in this indication.
The successful commercialization of our product candidates will depend on obtaining coverage and
reimbursement for use of these products from third-party payers and these payers may not agree to
cover or reimburse for use of our products.
Our products, if commercialized, may be significantly more expensive than traditional drug
treatments. Our future revenues and profitability will be adversely affected if United States and
foreign governmental, private third-party insurers and payers, and other third-party payers,
including Medicare and Medicaid, do not agree to defray or reimburse the cost of our products to
the patients. If these entities refuse to provide coverage and reimbursement with respect to our
products or provide an insufficient level of coverage and reimbursement, our products may be too
costly for many patients to afford them, and physicians may not prescribe them. Many third-party
payers cover only selected drugs, making drugs that are not preferred by such payer more expensive
for patients, and require prior authorization or failure on another type of treatment before
covering a particular drug. Payers may especially impose these obstacles to coverage on
higher-priced drugs, as our product candidates are likely to be.
We are seeking approval to market rilonacept for the treatment of a group of rare genetic
disorders called CAPS. There may be too few patients with CAPS to profitably commercialize
rilonacept. Physicians may not prescribe rilonacept and CAPS patients may not be able to afford
rilonacept if third party payers do not agree to reimburse the cost of rilonacept therapy and this
would adversely affect our ability to commercialize rilonacept profitably.
In addition to potential restrictions on coverage, the amount of reimbursement for our
products may also reduce our profitability. In the United States, there have been, and we expect
will continue to be, actions and proposals to control and reduce healthcare costs. Government and
other third-party payers are challenging the prices charged for healthcare products and
increasingly limiting, and attempting to limit, both coverage and level of reimbursement for
prescription drugs.
Since our products, including rilonacept, will likely be too expensive for most patients to
afford without health insurance coverage, if our products are unable to obtain adequate coverage
and reimbursement by third-party payers our ability to successfully commercialize our product
candidates may be adversely impacted. Any limitation on the use of our products or any
decrease in the price of our products will have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve
profitability.
In certain foreign countries, pricing, coverage and level of reimbursement of prescription
drugs are subject to governmental control, and we may be unable to negotiate coverage, pricing,
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reimbursement on terms that are favorable to us. In some foreign countries, the proposed pricing
for a drug must be approved before it may be lawfully marketed. The requirements governing drug
pricing vary widely from country to country. For example, the European Union provides options for
its member states to restrict the range of medicinal products for which their national health
insurance systems provide reimbursement and to control the prices of medicinal products for human
use. A member state may approve a specific price for the medicinal product or it may instead adopt
a system of direct or indirect controls on the profitability of the company placing the medicinal
product on the market. Our results of operations may suffer if we are unable to market our products
in foreign countries or if coverage and reimbursement for our products in foreign countries is
limited.
Risk Related to Employees
We are dependent on our key personnel and if we cannot recruit and retain leaders in our research,
development, manufacturing, and commercial organizations, our business will be harmed.
We are highly dependent on certain of our executive officers. If we are not able to retain any
of these persons or our Chairman, our business may suffer. In particular, we depend on the services
of P. Roy Vagelos, M.D., the Chairman of our board of directors, Leonard Schleifer, M.D., Ph.D.,
our President and Chief Executive Officer, George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., our Executive Vice
President, Chief Scientific Officer and President, Regeneron Research Laboratories, and Neil Stahl,
Ph.D., our Senior Vice President, Research and Development Sciences. There is intense competition
in the biotechnology industry for qualified scientists and managerial personnel in the development,
manufacture, and commercialization of drugs. We may not be able to continue to attract and retain
the qualified personnel necessary for developing our business.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
Our stock price is extremely volatile.
There has been significant volatility in our stock price and generally in the market prices of
biotechnology companies securities. Various factors and events may have a significant impact on
the market price of our common stock. These factors include, by way of example:
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progress, delays, or adverse results in clinical trials; |
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announcement of technological innovations or product candidates by us or competitors; |
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fluctuations in our operating results; |
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public concern as to the safety or effectiveness of our product candidates; |
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developments in our relationship with collaborative partners; |
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developments in the biotechnology industry or in government regulation of healthcare; |
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large sales of our common stock by our executive officers, directors, or significant
shareholders; |
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arrivals and departures of key personnel; and |
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general market conditions. |
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The trading price of our common stock has been, and could continue to be, subject to wide
fluctuations in response to these and other factors, including the sale or attempted sale of a
large amount of our common stock in the market. Broad market fluctuations may also adversely affect
the market price of our common stock.
Future sales of our common stock by our significant shareholders or us may depress our stock price
and impair our ability to raise funds in new share offerings.
A small number of our shareholders beneficially own a substantial amount of our common stock.
As of September 30, 2007, our seven largest shareholders beneficially owned 42.3% of our
outstanding shares of Common Stock, assuming, in the case of Leonard S. Schleifer, M.D. Ph.D., our
Chief Executive Officer, and P. Roy Vagelos, M.D., our Chairman, the conversion of their Class A
Stock into Common Stock and the exercise of all options held by them which are exercisable within
60 days of September 30, 2007. As of September 30, 2007, sanofi-aventis owned 2,799,552 shares of
Common Stock, representing approximately 4.4% of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding.
Under our stock purchase agreement with sanofi-aventis, sanofi-aventis may sell no more than
500,000 of these shares in any calendar quarter. If sanofi-aventis, or our other significant
shareholders or we, sell substantial amounts of our Common Stock in the public market, or the
perception that such sales may occur exists, the market price of our Common Stock could fall. Sales
of Common Stock by our significant shareholders, including sanofi-aventis, also might make it more
difficult for us to raise funds by selling equity or equity-related securities in the future at a
time and price that we deem appropriate.
Our existing shareholders may be able to exert significant influence over matters requiring
shareholder approval.
Holders of Class A Stock, who are generally the shareholders who purchased their stock from us
before our initial public offering, are entitled to ten votes per share, while holders of Common
Stock are entitled to one vote per share. As of September 30, 2007, holders of Class A Stock held
26.2% of the combined voting power of all of Common Stock and Class A Stock then outstanding.
These shareholders, if acting together, would be in a position to significantly influence the
election of our directors and to effect or prevent certain corporate transactions that require
majority or supermajority approval of the combined classes, including mergers and other business
combinations. This may result in our company taking corporate actions that you may not consider to
be in your best interest and may affect the price of our Common Stock. As of September 30, 2007:
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our current executive officers and directors beneficially owned 12.9% of our outstanding
shares of Common Stock, assuming conversion of their Class A Stock into Common Stock and
the exercise of all options held by such persons which are exercisable within 60 days of
September 30, 2007, and 30.2% of the combined voting power of our
outstanding shares of Common Stock and Class A Stock, assuming the exercise of all options
held by such persons which are exercisable within 60 days of September 30, 2007; and |
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our seven largest shareholders beneficially owned 42.3% of our outstanding shares of
Common Stock, assuming, in the case of Leonard S. Schleifer, M.D., Ph.D., our Chief
Executive Officer, and P. Roy Vagelos, M.D., our Chairman, the conversion of their |
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Class A
Stock into Common Stock and the exercise of all options held by them which are exercisable
within 60 days of September 30, 2007. In addition, these seven shareholders held 49.6% of
the combined voting power of our outstanding shares of Common Stock and Class A Stock,
assuming the exercise of all options held by our Chief Executive Officer and our Chairman
which are exercisable within 60 days of September 30, 2007. |
The anti-takeover effects of provisions of our charter, by-laws, and of New York corporate law,
could deter, delay, or prevent an acquisition or other change in control of us and could
adversely affect the price of our common stock.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our by-laws and the New York Business
Corporation Law contain various provisions that could have the effect of delaying or preventing a
change in control of our company or our management that shareholders may consider favorable or
beneficial. Some of these provisions could discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for
you and other shareholders to elect directors and take other corporate actions. These provisions
could also limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our
common stock. These provisions include:
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authorization to issue blank check preferred stock, which is preferred stock that can
be created and issued by the board of directors without prior shareholder approval, with
rights senior to those of our common shareholders; |
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a staggered board of directors, so that it would take three successive annual meetings
to replace all of our directors; |
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a requirement that removal of directors may only be effected for cause and only upon the
affirmative vote of at least eighty percent (80%) of the outstanding shares entitled to
vote for directors, as well as a requirement that any vacancy on the board of directors may
be filled only by the remaining directors; |
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any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of shareholders may be taken
without a meeting, only if, prior to such action, all of our shareholders consent, the
effect of which is to require that shareholder action may only be taken at a duly convened
meeting; |
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any shareholder seeking to bring business before an annual meeting of shareholders must
provide timely notice of this intention in writing and meet various other requirements; and |
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under the New York Business Corporation Law, a plan of merger or consolidation of the
Company must be approved by two-thirds of the votes of all outstanding shares entitled to
vote thereon. See the risk factor immediately above captioned Our existing shareholders
may be able to exert significant influence over matters requiring shareholder approval. |
In addition, we have a Change in Control Severance Plan and our chief executive officer has an
employment agreement that provides severance benefits in the event our officers are terminated as a
result of a change in control of the Company. Many of our stock options issued under our 2000
Long-Term Incentive Plan may become fully vested in connection with a change in control of our
company, as defined in the plan.
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Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Description |
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10.1*
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- First Amendment to Lease, by and between BMR-Landmark at Eastview LLC and Regeneron
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., effective as of October 24, 2007. |
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12.1
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- Statement re: computation of ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges. |
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31.1
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- Certification of CEO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. |
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31.2
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- Certification of CFO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. |
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- Certification of CEO and CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. |
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* |
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Portions of this document have been omitted and filed separately with the Commission
pursuant to requests for confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2. |
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SIGNATURE
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 thereunto duly authorized.
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Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Date: November 7, 2007 |
By: |
/s/ Murray A. Goldberg
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Murray A. Goldberg |
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Senior Vice President, Finance & Administration, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and
Assistant Secretary
(Principal Financial Officer and
Duly Authorized Officer) |
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