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8-K - FORM 8-K - Kite Pharma, Inc.d10812d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

Kite Pharma Reports Third Quarter 2015 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

Santa Monica, Calif., November 12, 2015 (GLOBENEWSWIRE) – Kite Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq:KITE), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing engineered autologous T cell therapy (eACT™) products for the treatment of cancer, today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2015.

“Over the past few months, we have achieved many significant corporate and clinical development milestones, including the initiation of two pivotal Phase 2 studies of our lead product candidate, KTE-C19,” noted Arie Belldegrun, M.D., FACS, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. “Our ZUMA-1 trial is enrolling patients with aggressive, refractory non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, while our ZUMA-2 trial is enrolling patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma. We also plan to initiate two additional pivotal studies of KTE-C19 in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia prior to the end of this year. We look forward to reporting data from these trials in 2016 with the goal of filing our first Biologics License Application by the end of 2016.”

Recent Highlights

 

    Completed the Phase 1 portion of the KTE-C19 study in aggressive, refractory non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and recently opened enrollment in the pivotal Phase 2 (ZUMA-1) multi-center trial to support registration and potential commercial launch of KTE-C19 in 2017.

 

    Initiated the second pivotal Phase 2 KTE-C19 study (ZUMA-2) in patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) to support registration in this indication.

 

    Obtained Orphan Drug Designations in the EU for KTE-C19 in leading hematological malignancies including designation for the treatment of primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma, MCL, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

 

    Four abstracts were accepted for presentation at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting, including an abstract on the safety and efficacy data from the Company’s KTE-C19 Phase 1 study in patients with aggressive, refractory NHL.

 

    Expanded our collaboration with the Netherlands Cancer Institute for an exclusive option to license multiple T cell receptor (TCR) gene sequences for the development and commercialization of immunotherapy candidates targeting solid tumors.

 

    Secured an exclusive, worldwide license with the National Institutes of Health to IP related to TCR-based product candidates that target MAGE A3 and A3/A6 antigens.

 

    Secured an exclusive license to Alpine Immune Sciences’ transmembrane immunomodulatory protein (TIP™) technology for chimeric antigen receptor and TCR-based products.

 

    Appointed Dr. Franz B. Humer, former Chairman and Chief Executive of Roche Holding Ltd., to our Board of Directors.

 

    Strengthened our Scientific Advisory Board with the addition of Drs. James Allison and Padmanee Sharma, recognized leaders from MD Anderson Cancer Center.

 

    Held the official inauguration for Kite EU, our European headquarters in Amsterdam.

 

    Completed construction of our clinical supply manufacturing facility in Santa Monica.


Third Quarter 2015 Financial Results

 

    Cash Position: As of September 30, 2015, Kite had $368.6 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, compared to $367.0 million as of December 31, 2014.

 

    Cash Burn: Cash burn was $24.3 million for the third quarter of 2015, compared to $8.0 million for the third quarter of 2014. This increase was primarily due to the ramp up of our operations supporting the KTE-C19 program, including costs to build out our clinical manufacturing and commercial manufacturing facilities.

 

    Net Loss: GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders was $27.4 million, or $0.63 per share, for the third quarter of 2015, compared to $9.1 million, or $0.24 per share, for the third quarter of 2014. Non-GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders for the third quarter of 2015 was $16.6 million, or $0.38 per share. Non-GAAP net loss for the third quarter of 2015 excludes non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $10.8 million for the third quarter of 2015. Please see “Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of GAAP net loss to non-GAAP net loss.

 

    Revenue: Revenue was $5.1 million for the third quarter of 2015 compared to $0 for the third quarter of 2014. The increase was primarily due to revenue recognized under the Amgen collaboration.

 

    Total Operating Expenses: Total GAAP operating expenses for the third quarter of 2015 were $32.9 million, compared to $9.1 million for the third quarter of 2014.

 

    R&D Expenses: GAAP research and development (R&D) expenses were $21.7 million for the third quarter of 2015, compared to $5.7 million for the third quarter of 2014, an increase of $16.0 million. This increase was primarily attributable to a $9.1 million increase in research and clinical development expenses supporting the advancement of our KTE-C19 studies and our additional development programs, $3.2 million in expenses related to increased personnel and consulting costs, and $3.7 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense.

 

    G&A Expenses: GAAP general and administrative (G&A) expenses were $11.1 million for the third quarter of 2015, compared to $3.4 million for the third quarter of 2014, an increase of $7.7 million. This increase was primarily attributable to a $3.0 million increase in personnel related expenses, $0.9 million for license obligations, and $3.8 million of non-cash stock-based compensation.

 

    2015 Financial Guidance: Kite’s guidance remains unchanged. Kite expects to burn between $100 million and $125 million in cash for the full year 2015, which includes both operating expenses and capital expenditures. This guidance does not include cash inflows or outflows for business development activities.

About Kite Pharma, Inc.

Kite Pharma, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of novel cancer immunotherapy products, with a primary focus on engineered autologous cell therapy (eACT™) designed to restore the immune system’s ability to recognize and eradicate tumors. Kite is


based in Santa Monica, CA. For more information on Kite Pharma, please visit www.kitepharma.com. Sign up to follow @KitePharma on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/kitepharma.

Kite Pharma, Inc. Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The press release may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current expectations concerning, among other things: the timing of initiating two additional pivotal KTE-C19 studies in ALL, the timing and ability to obtain regulatory approval based on the studies of KTE-C19 and to commercially launch KTE-C19, and Kite’s 2015 financial guidance. Various factors may cause differences between Kite’s expectations and actual results as discussed in greater detail in Kite’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation in its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015. Any forward-looking statements that are made in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Kite assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

Kite will host a live conference call and webcast today at 4:30pm Eastern Time to discuss its financial results and provide a general business update. The live webcast and subsequent replay may be accessed by visiting the Company’s website at ir.kitepharma.com. Please connect to the Company’s website at least 5-10 minutes prior to the live webcast to ensure adequate time for any necessary software download. Alternatively, please call (844) 856-8656 (U.S.) or (443) 877-4062 (international) to listen to the live conference call. The conference ID number for the live call is 57896657. Please dial in approximately 10 minutes prior to the call. The webcast will be available on the Company’s website for two weeks following the event.


KITE PHARMA, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

 

     SEPTEMBER 30, 2015      DECEMBER 31,  
     (unaudited)      2014  

ASSETS

     

Current assets

     

Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities

   $ 368,561       $ 367,040   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     12,911         1,330   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     381,472         368,370   

Property and equipment, net

     20,329         2,256   

Intangible assets and goodwill, net

     38,951         —     

Other assets

     10,062         127   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 450,814       $ 370,753   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     

Current liabilities

     

Accounts payable

   $ 5,148       $ 2,320   

Deferred revenue

     15,333         —     

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     8,789         4,405   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     29,270         6,725   

Deferred revenue, less current portion

     35,884         —     

Contingent consideration

     16,383         —     

Other non-current liabilities

     6,866         1,439   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     88,403         8,164   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     362,411         362,589   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 450,814       $ 370,753   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 


KITE PHARMA, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

     THREE MONTHS     NINE MONTHS  
     ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,     ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,  
     2015     2014     2015     2014  

Revenue:

        

Revenue

   $ 5,087      $ —        $ 12,371      $ —     

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development

     21,727        5,716        47,576        15,232   

General and administrative

     11,135        3,385        30,080        8,172   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     32,862        9,101        77,656        23,404   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (27,775     (9,101     (65,285     (23,404

Other income (expense):

        

Interest income

     342        61        1,307        129   

Interest expense

     (451     —          (456     (6,266

Other income (expense)

     (49     (11     521        (10
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     (158     50        1,372        (6,147
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (27,933     (9,051     (63,913     (29,551

Benefit from income taxes

     491        —          491        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

     (27,442     (9,051     (63,422     (29,551

Series A preferred stock dividend

     —          —          —          (1,089
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (27,442   $ (9,051   $ (63,422   $ (30,640
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share, basic and diluted

   $ (0.63   $ (0.24   $ (1.47   $ (1.76
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic and diluted

     43,818        38,330        43,172        17,384   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Kite provides non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per share that include adjustments to GAAP figures. These adjustments to GAAP net loss exclude non-cash stock-based compensation expense. Kite believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with the GAAP figures, can enhance an overall understanding of Kite’s financial performance. The non-GAAP financial measures are included with the intent of providing investors with a more complete understanding of Kite’s operating results. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are among the indicators Kite’s management uses for planning purposes and measuring Kite’s performance. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures used by Kite may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Please refer below for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures.


KITE PHARMA, INC.

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Net Loss

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

     THREE MONTHS     NINE MONTHS  
     ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,     ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,  
     2015     2014     2015     2014  

Net loss attributable to common stockholders - GAAP

   $ (27,442   $ (9,051   $ (63,422   $ (30,640

Adjustments:

        

Non-cash stock-based compensation expense

     10,845        3,394        26,903        10,635   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders – Non-GAAP

   $ (16,597   $ (5,657   $ (36,519   $ (20,005
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted - GAAP

   $ (0.63   $ (0.24   $ (1.47   $ (1.76

Adjustments:

        

Non-cash stock-based compensation per share

     0.25        0.09        0.62        0.61   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted – Non-GAAP

   $ (0.38   $ (0.15   $ (0.85   $ (1.15
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted

     43,818        38,330        43,172        17,384   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CONTACT: Kite Pharma, Inc.

Cynthia M. Butitta

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

310-824-9999

For Media: Justin Jackson

For Investor Inquiries: Lisa Burns

Burns McClellan

212-213-0006

jjackson@burnsmc.com

lburns@burnsmc.com