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ZALICUS

ZALICUS REPORTS FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR END 2011

Provides Key Goals for 2012

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – March 7, 2012 – Zalicus Inc. (NASDAQ: ZLCS) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011.

“In 2011, we made significant progress in advancing our product candidates in clinical development, including Synavive, Z160 and Z944,” commented Mark H.N. Corrigan, MD, President and CEO of Zalicus. “During 2012, we will see the results of those studies and make important decisions on next steps. This is evident with the successful reformulation of Z160, in which we have achieved the consistent exposure levels necessary to evaluate its efficacy in a Phase 2 clinical study for neuropathic pain later this year.”

Fourth Quarter 2011 and Recent Accomplishments:

Ion Channel Programs:

Significant progress has been made with our Ion channel programs this quarter.

·      Initiated and successfully completed a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating the pharmacokinetics and safety of a new formulation of Z160, a novel oral N-type calcium channel blocker. Z160 has been successfully reformulated to achieve substantial bioavailability and solubility improvements using a novel, proprietary formulation technology. Based on the data from this study, Zalicus plans to advance Z160 into Phase 2 clinical development for neuropathic pain in the second half of 2012.
 
·      Initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating the pharmacokinetics and safety of Z944, a novel oral T- type calcium channel blocker with demonstrated preclinical potential for the treatment of acute and inflammatory pain.
 
·      Published preclinical data in the journal Science Translational Medicine, describing the activity of Z944 to potently suppress seizures. This data reinforces the potential biologic activity of Z944, as it is generally understood that conditions of neuronal hyper-excitability, such as epilepsy and pain, are mechanistically linked.
 

Collaborations:

·      Entered into a collaboration with Hydra Biosciences. The goal of the collaboration is to advance development of Zalicus’ preclinical Ion channel modulator product candidates into clinical development for the treatment of pain. This collaboration brings together the Zalicus portfolio of novel, preclinical Ion channel product candidates, representing multiple calcium and sodium channel modulators, with Hydra’s leadership in Ion channel discovery and preclinical drug development.
 
  Hydra’s strong position in this area was recently solidified with the progression into the clinic of its novel TRPA1 modulator for acute pain in collaboration with Cubist Pharmaceuticals. Zalicus’ clinical- stage novel Ion channel modulators currently in Phase 1 clinical development for pain, including Z-
 

     245 First Street, Third Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142 Ph: 617 301 7000 Fax: 617 301 7010 www.zalicus.com


ZALICUS

160, an N-type calcium channel blocker and Z944, a novel T-type calcium channel blocker, are not included in this collaboration.

2012 Zalicus Pipeline and Business Goals:

Zalicus has set the following goals for 2012, which include internal research and development programs and collaborations:

·      Synavive®:
 
  o      Complete Phase 2b SYNERGY rheumatoid arthritis clinical trial and report top-line data in the third quarter of 2012
 
·      Ion Channel Programs:
 
  o      Complete Phase 1 PK evaluations of Z160 formulations and initiate Phase 2 clinical study in 2012
 
  o      Complete Phase 1 evaluation of Z944 and advance into Phase 2 clinical development
 
  o      Identify new sodium channel development candidate or calcium channel back-up compounds
 
·      Continue to execute on existing cHTS™ collaborations and secure new partners
 
·      Target year-end ongoing financial strength
 

Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2011 Financial Results (Unaudited):

As of December 31, 2011, Zalicus had cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments of $49.7 million compared to $46.5 million on December 31, 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2011, revenue was $8.2 million compared to $46.7 million for 2010. The decrease from the 2010 period was primarily due to the receipt of a $40.0 million milestone payment from Covidien in March 2010 related to the FDA approval of Exalgo. Zalicus recognized $0.8 million in royalty revenue from Covidien based on Exalgo™ sales for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011 and a total of $4.1 million in Exalgo royalty revenue from its commercial launch in April 2010 through December 31, 2011. We expect revenue for the year ending December 31, 2012 to be higher than that recorded in the year ended December 31, 2011, due to higher expected royalties on Covidien’s net sales of Exalgo.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, net loss was $42.0 million, or ($0.43) per share, compared to a net loss of $35.0 million, or ($0.42) per share, in the year ended December 31, 2010. Exalgo amortization expense was $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 and $18.7 million in 2010. Stock-based compensation expense was $2.2 million and $2.9 million in the years ended December 31, 2011, and 2010, respectively. Depreciation expense was $2.1 million and $2.4 million in the years ended December 31, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

Research and development expenses were $35.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $23.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2010. The $12.3 million increase from the 2010 period to the 2011 period was primarily due to an increase in clinical development expenses

245 First Street, Third Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142
Ph: 617 301 7000 Fax: 617 301 7010 www.zalicus.com


ZALICUS

related to the initiation of Synavive, Z160 and Z944 clinical trials in 2011.

General and administrative expenses were $10.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to $12.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2010. The decrease was due primarily to one-time bonuses being paid in 2010 related to the FDA approval of Exalgo.

About Zalicus

Zalicus Inc. (Nasdaq: ZLCS) is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers and develops novel treatments for patients suffering from pain and immuno-inflammatory diseases. Zalicus has a portfolio of proprietary clinical-stage product candidates targeting pain and immuno-inflammatory diseases and has entered into multiple revenue-generating collaborations with large pharmaceutical companies relating to other products, product candidates and drug discovery technologies. Zalicus applies its expertise in the discovery and development of selective Ion channel modulators and its combination high throughput screening capabilities to discover innovative therapeutics for itself and its collaborators in the areas of pain, inflammation, oncology and infectious disease. To learn more about Zalicus, please visit www.zalicus.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning Zalicus, its product candidates, their potential and the plans for their clinical development, the Zalicus selective Ion channel modulation technology, and related preclinical product candidates, Zalicus’ combination drug discovery technology, cHTS, and its financial condition, results of operations, including expected 2012 royalties on Covidien’s net sales of Exalgo, and other business plans. These forward-looking statements about future expectations, plans, objectives and prospects of Zalicus may be identified by words like "believe," "expect," "may," "will," "should," "seek," “plan” or “could” and similar expressions and involve significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including risks related to the sale and marketing of Exalgo by Covidien, risks related to the development and regulatory approval of Zalicus’ product candidates, including risks relating to formulation and clinical development of Synavive and Z160, the unproven nature of the Zalicus drug discovery technologies, the ability of Covidien and Hydra Biosciences to perform their obligations under their agreements with Zalicus, the ability of the Company or its collaboration partners to initiate and successfully complete clinical trials of its product candidates, the Company's ability to obtain additional financing or funding for its research and development and those other risks that can be found in the "Risk Factors" section of Zalicus’ annual report on Form 10-K on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the other reports that Zalicus periodically files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from those Zalicus contemplated by these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s current views and Zalicus does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect a change in its views or events or circumstances that occur after the date of this release except as required by law.

Contacts:
Justin Renz, CFO, Zalicus Inc.
617-301-7575
JRenz@zalicus.com

245 First Street, Third Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142
Ph: 617 301 7000 Fax: 617 301 7010 www.zalicus.com


ZALICUS

Gina Nugent 617-460-3579 gnugent@zalicus.com

(c) 2012 Zalicus Inc. All rights reserved.

-End-

     245 First Street, Third Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142 Ph: 617 301 7000 Fax: 617 301 7010 www.zalicus.com


ZALICUS
 
 
Zalicus Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
    Three months               Twelve months ended 
                                   ended December 31,    December 31, 


                               2011           2010           2011           2010 




Revenue:                 
           Collaborations and other    $2,553    $1,174    $7,595    $45,969 
           Government contracts and grants    84    143    589    772 




Total revenue    2,637    1,317    8,184    46,741 




Operating expenses:                 
           Research and development    9,616    5,951    35,294    23,011 
           General and administrative    2,370    2,856    10,400    12,115 
           Amortization of intangible    1,286    4,684    5,141    18,736 




Total operating expenses    13,272    13,491    50,835    53,862 




           Loss from operations    (10,635)    (12,174)    (42,651)    (7,121) 
           Interest income    36    40    136    132 
           Interest expense    (397)    (12)    (976)    (12) 
           Loss on revaluation of contingent consideration                (29,286) 
           Other income    18    177    20    32 




Net loss before provision for income taxes    (10,978)    (11,969)    (43,471)    (36,255) 
           Benefit for income taxes    211        1,428    1,210 




Net loss    $(10,767)    $(11,969)    $(42,043)    $(35,045) 




Net loss per share—basic and diluted    $(0.11)    $(0.13)    $(0.43)    $(0.42) 




Weighted average number of common shares used in net             
loss per share calculation:                 
 
           Basic    99,231,443    89,031,018    97,347,193    82,663,645 




           Diluted    99,231,443    89,031,018    97,347,193    82,663,645 





     245 First Street, Third Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142 Ph: 617 301 7000 Fax: 617 301 7010 www.zalicus.com


ZALICUS
 
 
Zalicus Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
Assets         
Current assets:         
           Cash and cash equivalents    $2,750    $2,820 
           Restricted cash    50    650 
           Short-term investments    45,124    41,799 
           Accounts receivable    1,886    1,605 
           Prepaid expenses and other current assets    1,397    965 


Total current assets    51,207    47,839 
Property and equipment, net    5,258    6,898 
Intangible asset, net    21,546    26,687 
Restricted cash and other assets    1,872    1,245 


Total assets    $79,883    $82,669 


Liabilities and stockholders’ equity         
Current liabilities:         
           Accounts payable    $1,743    $1,840 
           Accrued expenses and other current liabilities    6,133    4,269 
           Deferred revenue    3,349    2,370 
           Current portion of term loan payable    4,035    273 
           Current portion of lease incentive obligation    284    284 


Total current liabilities    15,544    9,036 
Term loan payable, net of current portion    15,099    2,523 
Deferred revenue, net of current portion    3,000    3,667 
Deferred rent, net of current portion    605    743 
Lease incentive obligation, net of current portion    1,159    1,442 
Other long-term liabilities    563    2,261 
Stockholders’ equity:         
           Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and         
outstanding         
           Common stock, $0.001 par value; 200,000 shares authorized; 99,239 and 89,113 shares         
                   issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively    99    89 
           Additional paid-in capital    340,518    317,581 
           Accumulated other comprehensive loss    (8)    (20) 
           Accumulated deficit    (296,696)    (254,653) 


Stockholders’ equity    43,913    62,997 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity    $79,883    $82,669 



     245 First Street, Third Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142 Ph: 617 301 7000 Fax: 617 301 7010 www.zalicus.com