Attached files
| file | filename |
|---|---|
| EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - LA JOLLA PHARMACEUTICAL CO | exhibit321fy2017q3.htm |
| EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - LA JOLLA PHARMACEUTICAL CO | exhibit312fy2017q3.htm |
| EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - LA JOLLA PHARMACEUTICAL CO | exhibit311fy2017q3.htm |
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017
OR
o | 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: 1-36282
LA JOLLA PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
California | 33-0361285 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
10182 Telesis Court, 6th Floor, San Diego, CA | 92121 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (858) 207-4264
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)
Large accelerated filer | o | Accelerated filer | x |
Non-accelerated filer | o | Smaller reporting company | o |
Emerging growth company | o | ||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.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 x
As of October 20, 2017, La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company had 22,145,243 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, outstanding.
LA JOLLA PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
LA JOLLA PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and par value amounts)
September 30, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | ||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||
ASSETS | |||||||
Current assets: | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 120,840 | $ | 65,726 | |||
Restricted cash | 911 | 200 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,772 | 1,505 | |||||
Total current assets | 123,523 | 67,431 | |||||
Property and equipment, net | 6,534 | 3,145 | |||||
Other assets | — | 219 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 130,057 | $ | 70,795 | |||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||
Current liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 6,239 | $ | 6,652 | |||
Accrued clinical and other expenses | 795 | 1,029 | |||||
Accrued payroll and related expenses | 3,228 | 2,077 | |||||
Total current liabilities | 10,262 | 9,758 | |||||
Shareholders’ equity: | |||||||
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 22,145,243 and 18,261,557 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively | 2 | 2 | |||||
Series C-12 Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value; 11,000 shares authorized, 3,906 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and liquidation preference of $3,906 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 | 3,906 | 3,906 | |||||
Series F Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000 shares authorized, 2,737 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and liquidation preference of $2,737 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 | 2,737 | 2,737 | |||||
Additional paid-in capital | 796,118 | 661,103 | |||||
Accumulated deficit | (682,968 | ) | (606,711 | ) | |||
Total shareholders’ equity | 119,795 | 61,037 | |||||
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | 130,057 | $ | 70,795 | |||
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
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LA JOLLA PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||
Revenue | |||||||||||||||
Contract revenue - related party | $ | — | $ | 44 | $ | — | $ | 531 | |||||||
Total revenue | — | 44 | — | 531 | |||||||||||
Expenses | |||||||||||||||
Research and development | 19,093 | 16,992 | 57,666 | 42,111 | |||||||||||
General and administrative | 7,390 | 4,349 | 18,915 | 11,868 | |||||||||||
Total expenses | 26,483 | 21,341 | 76,581 | 53,979 | |||||||||||
Loss from operations | (26,483 | ) | (21,297 | ) | (76,581 | ) | (53,448 | ) | |||||||
Other income, net | 195 | 46 | 324 | 150 | |||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (26,288 | ) | $ | (21,251 | ) | $ | (76,257 | ) | $ | (53,298 | ) | |||
Basic and diluted net loss per share | $ | (1.19 | ) | $ | (1.23 | ) | $ | (3.65 | ) | $ | (3.10 | ) | |||
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted | 22,125 | 17,211 | 20,900 | 17,211 | |||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
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LA JOLLA PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||
2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Operating activities | |||||||
Net loss | $ | (76,257 | ) | $ | (53,298 | ) | |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used for operating activities: | |||||||
Share-based compensation expense | 14,429 | 10,804 | |||||
Third party share-based compensation expense | 747 | 167 | |||||
Depreciation expense | 899 | 510 | |||||
Loss on disposal of equipment | — | 75 | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||
Restricted cash | (711 | ) | 37 | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (267 | ) | (660 | ) | |||
Other assets | 219 | (149 | ) | ||||
Accounts payable | (413 | ) | (508 | ) | |||
Accrued clinical and other expenses | (234 | ) | 2,693 | ||||
Accrued payroll and related expenses | 1,151 | 231 | |||||
Net cash used for operating activities | (60,437 | ) | (40,098 | ) | |||
Investing activities | |||||||
Purchase of property and equipment | (4,288 | ) | (1,419 | ) | |||
Net cash used for investing activities | (4,288 | ) | (1,419 | ) | |||
Financing activities | |||||||
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock | 117,480 | — | |||||
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options for common stock | 2,359 | 85 | |||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 119,839 | 85 | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 55,114 | (41,432 | ) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 65,726 | 126,467 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 120,840 | $ | 85,035 | |||
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
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LA JOLLA PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2017
1. Business
La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company (collectively with its subsidiaries, the Company) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies intended to significantly improve outcomes in patients suffering from life-threatening diseases. The Company has several product candidates in development. LJPC-501 is the Company’s proprietary formulation of synthetic human angiotensin II for the potential treatment of hypotension in adult patients with distributive or vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluid and vasopressor therapy. LJPC-401 is the Company’s proprietary formulation of synthetic human hepcidin for the potential treatment of conditions characterized by iron overload, such as hereditary hemochromatosis, beta thalassemia, sickle cell disease and myelodysplastic syndrome. The Company was incorporated in 1989 as a Delaware corporation and reincorporated in California in 2012.
As of September 30, 2017, the Company had $120.8 million in cash and cash equivalents. Based on our current operating plans and projections, management believes that available cash and cash equivalents are sufficient to fund operations for at least one year from the date this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, there have been no changes to the Company’s significant accounting policies as described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.
Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of the SEC Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2016 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2017. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal recurring accruals and adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the condensed consolidated balance sheet of the Company at September 30, 2017, the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Estimates were made relating to useful lives of fixed assets, valuation allowances, impairment of assets, share-based compensation expense and accruals for clinical studies and research and development expenses. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Certain amounts previously reported in the financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Such reclassifications did not affect net loss, shareholders’ equity or cash flows. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any future interim periods. The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016 has been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016 contained in the above referenced Form 10-K.
Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive loss for the periods reported was comprised solely of the Company’s net loss. The comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $26.3 million and $76.3 million, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $21.3 million and $53.3 million, respectively. There were no other changes in equity that were excluded from net loss for all periods presented.
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Net Loss per Share
Basic net loss per share is calculated based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, excluding unvested restricted stock awards. Diluted net loss per share is calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus common stock equivalents. Convertible preferred stock, stock options, warrants and unvested restricted stock awards are considered common stock equivalents and are included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share using the treasury stock method when their effect is dilutive. Common stock equivalents are excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share when their effect is anti-dilutive. As of September 30, 2017 and 2016, there were common stock equivalents of 11.9 million shares and 11.2 million shares, respectively, which were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share because they were anti-dilutive.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Scope of Modification Accounting. The new standard clarifies when to account for a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award as a modification. ASU 2017-09 will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The Company plans to adopt the ASU in the first quarter of 2018 and expects the standard to have no material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The new standard update clarifies the presentation of restricted cash and cash equivalents, and requires companies to include restricted cash and cash equivalents in the beginning and ending cash and cash equivalents on the statement of cash flows. Additional disclosures will be required to describe the amount and detail of the restriction by balance sheet line item. ASU 2016-18 will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. The Company plans to adopt the ASU in the first quarter of 2018.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The new standard requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets as lease liabilities with corresponding right-of-use assets and eliminates certain real estate-specific provisions. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2019 and will be adopted on a modified retrospective transition basis for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The Company currently plans to implement ASU 2016-02 in the first quarter of 2019. By 2019, all of the Company’s active existing leases will have ended. Those leases will not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption in 2019, and there will be no requirement for modified retrospective application to the years prior to adoption. In December 2016, the Company entered into a 10-year lease agreement for its corporate headquarters. The expected lease commencement date is November 1, 2017. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-02, this lease will be recognized on the balance sheet as a lease liability with a corresponding right-of-use asset, which would require modified retrospective application upon adoption in 2019 back to the fourth quarter of 2017.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The new standard is based on the principle that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Since its initial release, the FASB has issued several amendments to the standard, which include clarification of accounting guidance related to identification of performance obligations and principal versus agent considerations. Topic 606 will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018 and allows for full retrospective or a modified retrospective adoption approach. We currently do not have any products or revenues from customers. Accordingly, the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. The Company plans to implement the requirements prospectively upon recognition of the first revenue from customers, and there will not be any retrospective impact to our financial statements. The Contract Revenue - Related Party reported in our results of operations for 2015 and 2016, which represents expense reimbursements from a related party, will not be impacted by the adoption of the new guidance.
3. Contract Revenue - Related Party
During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company entered into a services agreement with a related party. Pursuant to the services agreement, the Company provides certain services to this related party, including, but not limited to, research and development and clinical study design and management for projects undertaken. In exchange for providing such services, the Company receives payments at a negotiated, arms-length rate. As a result, the consideration received by the Company for its services is considered to be no less favorable to the Company than comparable terms that the Company could
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obtain from an unaffiliated third party in an arms-length transaction. The services agreement may be canceled by either party upon 60-days’ written notice to the other party. In addition, the Company has a non-voting profit interest in the related party, which provides the Company with the potential to receive a portion of the future distributions of profits, if any.
No contract revenue was recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recognized approximately $44,000 and $531,000, respectively, in contract revenue for services provided and reimbursement of costs incurred under the services agreement.
4. Shareholders’ Equity
2017 Common Stock Offering
In March 2017, the Company offered and sold an aggregate of 3,731,344 shares of common stock in an underwritten public offering at a price of $33.50 per share, with gross proceeds of approximately $125.0 million. The Company received proceeds of approximately $117.5 million, net of approximately $7.5 million in underwriting commissions, discounts and other issuance costs.
Share-Based Compensation Expense
Total share-based compensation expense related to all share-based awards for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was comprised of the following (in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||
Research and development: | |||||||||||||||
Stock options | $ | 3,068 | $ | 1,678 | $ | 8,083 | $ | 4,154 | |||||||
Restricted stock | — | — | — | 30 | |||||||||||
Warrants | 24 | 10 | 58 | 25 | |||||||||||
Research and development share-based compensation expense | 3,092 | 1,688 | 8,141 | 4,209 | |||||||||||
General and administrative: | |||||||||||||||
Stock options | 2,203 | 1,666 | 6,151 | 4,934 | |||||||||||
Restricted stock | — | 516 | 409 | 1,645 | |||||||||||
Warrants | 187 | 56 | 475 | 183 | |||||||||||
General and administrative share-based compensation expense | 2,390 | 2,238 | 7,035 | 6,762 | |||||||||||
Total share-based compensation expense included in expenses | $ | 5,482 | $ | 3,926 | $ | 15,176 | $ | 10,971 | |||||||
Share-based compensation expense recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, was reduced by actual forfeitures in the period that the forfeiture occurred.
As of September 30, 2017, there was $55.3 million of total unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock options. The Company expects to recognize this expense over a weighted-average period of 3.0 years.
Stock Option Valuation
The fair value of each stock option award is estimated on the grant date using a Black-Scholes option pricing model (Black-Scholes model), which uses the assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. In determining the expected life of employee stock options, the Company uses the “simplified” method. The expected life assumptions for non-employee options are based upon the contractual term of the stock options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield for a period consistent with the expected term of the stock options in effect at the time of the grants. The dividend yield assumption is based on the expectation of no future dividend payments by the Company.
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The Company estimated the fair value of each stock option grant on the grant date using the Black-Scholes model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||
2017 | 2016 | ||||
Expected volatility | 143 | % | 141 | % | |
Expected life | 6.19 years | 5.74 years | |||
Risk-free interest rate | 2.0 | % | 1.3 | % | |
Dividend yield | — | — | |||
Stock Option Activity
The Company’s 2013 Equity Plan stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was comprised of the following:
Outstanding Stock Options and 2013 Equity Plan | ||||||
Shares Underlying Stock Options | Weighted- Average Exercise Price per Share | |||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2016 | 2,627,462 | $ | 21.07 | |||
Granted | 1,879,925 | $ | 22.97 | |||
Exercised | (152,342 | ) | $ | 15.48 | ||
Forfeited | (93,608 | ) | $ | 21.77 | ||
Outstanding at September 30, 2017 | 4,261,437 | $ | 22.09 | |||
As of September 30, 2017, there were 3,673,883 shares of common stock available for future grants under the 2013 Equity Plan, and the Company has reserved an additional 4,201,437 shares of common stock for future issuance upon exercise of all outstanding stock options granted under the 2013 Equity Plan.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, stock options to purchase 152,342 shares of common stock were exercised with an intrinsic value of $2.9 million.
Restricted Stock Award Activity
The Company’s restricted stock award activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was comprised of the following:
Number of Shares | Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Market Value | |||||
Unvested at December 31, 2016 | 542,680 | $ | 13.22 | |||
Vested | (542,680 | ) | $ | 13.22 | ||
Unvested at September 30, 2017 | — | $ | — | |||
Warrants
At September 30, 2017, the Company had outstanding warrants to purchase 93,013 shares of common stock. In January 2017, the Company issued a warrant to purchase up to 25,013 shares of the Company’s common stock to an outside third party at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the grant date.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
In this report, all references to “we,” “our,” “us,” “La Jolla” and the “Company” refer to La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company, a California corporation, and its subsidiaries.
Forward-Looking Statements
The forward-looking statements in this report involve significant risks, assumptions and uncertainties, and a number of factors, both foreseen and unforeseen, which could cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations. Forward-looking statements include those that express a plan, belief, expectation, estimation, anticipation, intent, contingency, future development or similar expression. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding risks relating to: the timing and prospects for approval of LJPC-501 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or other regulatory authorities; risks relating to the scope of product label(s) (if approved) and potential market sizes, as well as the broader commercial opportunity for the Company's product candidates; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States; the success of future development activities; potential indications for which the Company’s product candidates may be developed; the timing, costs, conduct and outcome of clinical studies; the anticipated treatment of future clinical data by the FDA, EMA and other regulatory authorities, including whether such data will be sufficient for approval; and the expected duration over which the Company’s cash balances will fund our operations. The outcomes of the events described in these forward-looking statements are subject to the risks, uncertainties and other factors described in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in the “Risk Factors” section contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 23, 2017, and in other reports and registration statements that we file with the SEC from time to time. We expressly disclaim any intent to update forward-looking statements.
Introduction
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is provided as a supplement to the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes, which are included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, to help provide an understanding of our financial condition, the changes in our financial condition and our results of operations. Our discussion is organized as follows:
• | Business Overview. This section provides a general description of our business and significant events and transactions that we believe are important in understanding our financial condition and results of operations. |
• | Program Overview. This section provides a current status overview for each of our product candidates in development. |
• | Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates. This section provides a description of our significant accounting policies, including the critical accounting policies and estimates, which are summarized in Note 2 to the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. |
• | Results of Operations. This section provides an analysis of our results of operations presented in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations by comparing the results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 to the results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. |
• | Liquidity and Capital Resources. This section provides an analysis of our historical cash flows, as well as our future capital requirements. |
Business Overview
La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies intended to significantly improve outcomes in patients suffering from life-threatening diseases. We have several product candidates in development. LJPC-501 is our proprietary formulation of synthetic human angiotensin II for the potential treatment of hypotension in adult patients with distributive or vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluid and vasopressor therapy. LJPC-401 is our proprietary formulation of synthetic human hepcidin for the potential treatment of conditions characterized by iron overload, such as hereditary hemochromatosis, beta thalassemia, sickle cell disease and myelodysplastic syndrome.
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Program Overview
LJPC-501
LJPC-501 is our proprietary formulation of synthetic human angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is the major bioactive component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). The RAAS is one of three central regulators of blood pressure. LJPC-501 is a first in class vasopressor that leverages the RAAS. LJPC-501 is being developed for the treatment of hypotension in adult patients with distributive or vasodilatory shock (dangerously low blood pressure with adequate cardiac function) who remain hypotensive despite fluid and vasopressor therapy (catecholamines and/or vasopressin).
Distributive or vasodilatory shock can become life-threatening when a patient is unable to achieve or maintain target mean arterial pressure (MAP) despite treatment with the currently available standard of care (fluids and vasopressors). This life-threatening syndrome has been described as clinically refractory hypotension, catecholamine resistant hypotension, high-dose vasopressor-dependent shock, catecholamine or vasopressor refractory shock or catecholamine-resistant vasodilatory shock. There are approximately 500,000 distributive or vasodilatory shock patients in the United States per year with an estimated 200,000 patients failing standard therapy. Approximately 50% of these patients die within 30 days.
In March 2015, we initiated a Phase 3 study of LJPC-501 in adult patients with distributive or vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluid and vasopressor therapy, called the ATHOS-3 (Angiotensin II for the Treatment of High-Output Shock) Phase 3 study. Prior to commencing ATHOS-3, we reached agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) for this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 study. ATHOS-3 was conducted without any amendment to any part of the clinical protocol subject to the SPA agreement, including the primary endpoint and all other endpoints. In ATHOS-3, patients were randomized in a 1:1 fashion to receive either: (i) LJPC-501 plus standard-of-care vasopressors; or (ii) placebo plus standard-of-care vasopressors. Randomized patients received their assigned treatment via continuous IV infusion for up to seven days. The primary efficacy endpoint was the percentage of patients with a MAP ≥ 75 mmHg or a 10 mmHg increase from baseline MAP at 3 hours following the initiation of study treatment without an increase in standard-of-care vasopressors. Secondary endpoints include comparison of changes in cardiovascular Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores and the safety and tolerability of LJPC-501.
The ATHOS-3 Phase 3 study completed enrollment of 344 patients in the fourth quarter of 2016. In February 2017, we reported positive top-line results from ATHOS-3. In May 2017, the results of ATHOS-3 were published by The New England Journal of Medicine.
The analysis of the primary efficacy endpoint, defined as the percentage of patients achieving a pre-specified target blood pressure response, was highly statistically significant: 23% of the 158 placebo-treated patients had a blood pressure response compared to 70% of the 163 LJPC-501-treated patients (p<0.00001). In addition, a trend toward longer survival was observed: 22% reduction in mortality risk through day 28 [hazard ratio=0.78 (0.57-1.07), p=0.12] for LJPC-501-treated patients.
Throughout ATHOS-3, safety outcomes were followed by an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB). The DSMB recommended that the study continue as originally planned. In this critically ill patient population: 92% of placebo-treated patients compared to 87% of LJPC-501-treated patients experienced at least one adverse event, and 22% of placebo-treated patients compared to 14% of LJPC-501-treated patients discontinued treatment due to an adverse event.
In August 2017, the FDA accepted for review our NDA for LJPC-501 for the treatment of hypotension in adult patients with distributive or vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluid and vasopressor therapy. The review classification for the NDA is Priority, and the user fee goal date under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) is February 28, 2018. In its letter to us, the FDA stated that it does not currently plan to hold an advisory committee meeting to discuss this application.
In August 2017, we initiated an expanded access program in the United States to provide LJPC-501 to adult patients with distributive or vasodilatory shock who remain hypotensive despite fluid and vasopressor therapy. Expanded access, sometimes known as compassionate use, is an option facilitated by the FDA to make available prior to regulatory approval investigational medicine(s) for the treatment of serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions where there are no ongoing clinical trials and there is a lack of satisfactory therapeutic alternatives.
In September 2017, an analysis from ATHOS-3 entitled, “Baseline angiotensin levels and ACE effects in patients with vasodilatory shock treated with angiotensin II,” was presented during the 30th European Society of Intensive Care Medicine
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Annual Congress. The pre-specified analysis showed that a relatively low angiotensin II state (as measured by the ratio of angiotensin I to angiotensin II) predicted increased mortality in patients with vasodilatory shock, suggesting that a low angiotensin II state is a negative prognostic indicator of outcomes. Furthermore, the analysis showed a statistically significant treatment effect of LJPC-501 compared to placebo on mortality in these patients with a relatively low angiotensin II state (relative risk reduction of 36%; HR=0.64; 95% CI: 0.41-1.00; p=0.047).
In September 2017, we reported that the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) issued favorable Scientific Advice regarding the EU regulatory pathway for LJPC-501. Based on this Advice, we intend to submit a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for LJPC-501 in the third quarter of 2018.
LJPC-401
LJPC-401 is our proprietary formulation of synthetic human hepcidin. Hepcidin, an endogenous peptide hormone, is the body’s naturally occurring regulator of iron absorption and distribution. In healthy individuals, hepcidin prevents excessive iron accumulation in vital organs, such as the liver and heart, where it can cause significant damage and even result in death.
We are developing LJPC-401 for the potential treatment of iron overload, which occurs as a result of diseases such as hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), beta thalassemia, sickle cell disease (SCD) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). HH is a disease characterized by a genetic deficiency in hepcidin. HH is the most common genetic disease in Caucasians and causes liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, heart disease and/or failure, diabetes, arthritis and joint pain. Beta thalassemia, SCD and MDS are genetic diseases of the blood that can cause life-threatening anemia and usually require frequent and life-long blood transfusions. These blood transfusions cause excessive iron accumulation in the body, which is toxic to vital organs, such as the liver and heart. In addition, the underlying anemia causes excessive iron accumulation independent of blood transfusions.
In 2015, the EMA Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) designated LJPC-401 as an orphan medicinal product for the treatment of beta thalassemia intermedia and major. In 2016, the EMA COMP designated LJPC-401 as an orphan medicinal product for the treatment of SCD.
In September 2016, we reported positive results from a Phase 1 study of LJPC-401 in patients at risk of iron overload suffering from HH, thalassemia and SCD. Single, escalating doses of LJPC-401 were associated with a dose-dependent, statistically significant reduction in serum iron. LJPC-401 was well-tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicities. Injection-site reactions were the most commonly reported adverse event and were all mild or moderate in severity, self-limiting and fully resolved.
Also in September 2016, we announced that we reached agreement with the EMA on the design of a pivotal study of LJPC-401. The pivotal study will be a randomized, controlled, multicenter study in beta thalassemia patients suffering from iron overload, a major unmet need in an orphan patient population. The primary endpoint will be a clinically relevant measurement directly related to iron overload. We plan to initiate this study in the fourth quarter of 2017. If this study is successful, we would anticipate filing an MAA for LJPC-401 in Europe.
LJPC-30S
LJPC-30S is our next-generation gentamicin derivative program. Despite kidney toxicity, gentamicin has become one of the most commonly prescribed hospital antibiotics due to its broad spectrum of antimicrobial efficacy. Gentamicin consists primarily of a mixture of four distinct but closely related chemical entities that may contribute differentially to the product’s toxicity profile.
Our LJPC-30S program has been focused on therapeutics derived from purified components of the currently marketed gentamicin product that retain the biologic activity of gentamicin, yet appear to lack the traditional kidney toxicity associated with its use. Based on a recent reprioritization of our research pipeline, which took into account competitive developments in the antibiotic field together with the status of our other programs, we have decided to no longer dedicate resources to this program.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and
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liabilities. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
There have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies as previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which was filed on February 23, 2017.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent accounting pronouncements are disclosed in Note 2 to the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Results of Operations
The following summarizes the results of our operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||
Contract revenue - related party | $ | — | $ | 44 | $ | — | $ | 531 | |||||||
Research and development expense | (19,093 | ) | (16,992 | ) | (57,666 | ) | (42,111 | ) | |||||||
General and administrative expense | (7,390 | ) | (4,349 | ) | (18,915 | ) | (11,868 | ) | |||||||
Other income, net | 195 | 46 | 324 | 150 | |||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (26,288 | ) | $ | (21,251 | ) | $ | (76,257 | ) | $ | (53,298 | ) | |||
Contract Revenue - Related Party
During the year ended December 31, 2015, we entered into a services agreement with a related party. Pursuant to the services agreement, we provide certain services to this related party, including, but not limited to, research and development and clinical study design and management for projects undertaken. Contract revenue is a function of the availability of potential projects identified by our customer and our ability and willingness to take on such projects. As such, this revenue may be significantly reduced in future periods, as has happened for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. In exchange for providing such services, we receive payments at a negotiated, arms-length rate. As a result, the consideration received by us for our services is considered to be no less favorable to us than comparable terms that we could obtain from an unaffiliated third party in an arms-length transaction. The services agreement may be canceled by either party upon 60-days’ written notice to the other party. In addition, we have a non-voting profit interest in the related party, which provides us with the potential to receive a portion of the future distributions of profits, if any.
No contract revenue was recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, we recognized approximately $44,000 and $531,000, respectively, in contract revenue for services provided and reimbursement of costs incurred under the agreement.
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Research and Development Expense
The following summarizes our research and development expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||
Clinical development costs | $ | 6,744 | $ | 9,438 | $ | 24,895 | $ | 22,740 | |||||||
Personnel and related costs | 6,955 | 3,690 | 17,659 | 9,067 | |||||||||||
Share-based compensation expense | 3,092 | 1,688 | 8,141 | 4,209 | |||||||||||
Technology in-licensing costs | 181 | 199 | 451 | 384 | |||||||||||
Other research and development costs | 2,121 | 1,977 | 6,520 | 5,711 | |||||||||||
Total research and development expense | $ | 19,093 | $ | 16,992 | $ | 57,666 | $ | 42,111 | |||||||
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, research and development expense increased to $19.1 million and $57.7 million, respectively, from $17.0 million and $42.1 million for the same periods in 2016, respectively. The increase was primarily driven by personnel costs and share-based compensation as a result of increased headcount associated with the development of LJPC-501 and LJPC-401. We anticipate research and development expense to increase during the remainder of 2017 due to planned increases in personnel to support the ongoing development for our product candidates and pre-commercialization activities for LJPC-501.
General and Administrative Expense
The following summarizes our general and administrative expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||
Personnel and related costs | $ | 1,971 | $ | 1,008 | $ | 4,765 | $ | 2,707 | |||||||
Share-based compensation expense | 2,390 | 2,238 | 7,035 | 6,762 | |||||||||||
Other general and administrative expense | 3,029 | 1,103 | 7,115 | 2,399 | |||||||||||
Total general and administrative expense | $ | 7,390 | $ | 4,349 | $ | 18,915 | $ | 11,868 | |||||||
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, general and administrative expense increased to $7.4 million and $18.9 million, respectively, from $4.3 million and $11.9 million for the same periods in 2016, respectively. The increase was primarily due to increased personnel costs and professional and outside services associated with our increased development and pre-commercialization activities. We anticipate general and administrative expense to increase throughout 2017 due to planned increases in personnel and professional and outside services to support ongoing development for our product candidates and pre-commercialization activities for LJPC-501.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Since January 2012, when the Company was effectively restarted with new assets and a new management team, through September 30, 2017, our cash used in operating activities was $164.0 million. From inception through September 30, 2017, we have incurred a cumulative net loss of $683.0 million and have financed our operations through public and private offerings of securities, revenues from collaborative agreements, equipment financings and interest income on invested cash balances. From inception through September 30, 2017, we have raised $706.0 million in net proceeds from the sales of equity securities.
In March 2017, we completed a common stock offering and received proceeds of approximately $117.5 million, net of issuance costs.
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As of September 30, 2017, we had $120.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, compared to $65.7 million of cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2016. Based on our cash and working capital as of September 30, 2017 and our current operating plans and projections, we believe that the available cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund operations for at least one year from the date this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is filed with the SEC.
Cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $60.4 million, compared to $40.1 million for the same period in 2016. The increase was primarily due to increased research and development activities. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we used $4.3 million of cash for investing activities related to purchases of property and equipment, compared to $1.4 million for the same period in 2016. Cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $119.8 million, compared to $0.1 million for the same period in 2016. The increase was due to $117.5 million of proceeds from the March 2017 common stock offering and $2.4 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options for common stock. As of September 30, 2017, we had positive working capital of $113.3 million, compared to positive working capital of $57.7 million at December 31, 2016. The increase in our cash and cash equivalents and working capital was primarily due to the cash provided by financing activities offset by cash used for operating and investing activities.
To fund future operations to the point where we are able to generate positive cash flow from the sales or out-licensing of our drug candidates, we will need to raise additional capital. The amount and timing of future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including the timing and prospects for approval of LJPC-501 by the FDA, the timing and results of our ongoing development efforts, the potential expansion of our current development programs, potential new development programs and related general and administrative support, as well as the overall condition of capital markets, including capital markets for development-stage and clinical-stage biopharmaceutical companies. We anticipate that we will seek to fund our operations through public and private equity and debt financings or other sources, such as potential collaboration agreements. Although we have previously been successful in obtaining financing through equity securities offerings, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so in the future.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in our financial condition, expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. There were no material changes to our market risks in the nine months ended September 30, 2017, when compared to the disclosures in Item 7A of our Annual Report Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2017.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports, filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information 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. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In reaching a reasonable level of assurance, management was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. In addition, the design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, a control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
As required by the SEC Rule 13a-15(b), we carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on the foregoing,
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our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In the ordinary course of business, we may face various claims brought by third parties. Any of these claims could subject us to costly litigation. As of the date of this report, we are not currently a party to any legal proceedings
that we believe could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. However, litigation is inherently uncertain, and any judgment or injunctive relief entered against us or any adverse settlement could negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
No material changes to risk factors have occurred as previously disclosed in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2017, as supplemented by those risk factors set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Prospectus Supplement, dated March 22, 2017, filed with the SEC on March 24, 2017 pursuant to Rule 424(b), which are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Incorporated by Reference Herein | ||||
Exhibit Number | Description | Form | Date | |
Filed herewith | ||||
Filed herewith | ||||
Filed herewith | ||||
101.INS | XBRL Instance Document | Filed herewith | ||
101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | Filed herewith | ||
101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | Filed herewith | ||
101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | Filed herewith | ||
101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | Filed herewith | ||
101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | Filed herewith | ||
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company | ||
Date: | October 26, 2017 | /s/ George F. Tidmarsh |
George F. Tidmarsh, M.D., Ph.D. | ||
President, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary | ||
(Principal Executive Officer) | ||
/s/ Dennis M. Mulroy | ||
Dennis M. Mulroy | ||
Chief Financial Officer | ||
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | ||
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