FibroGen Reports First Quarter 2019 Financial Results
- Positive topline results from pooled safety analyses of roxadustat Phase 3 global program
- Completed one year of treatment in Phase 2 trial evaluating pamrevlumab in treatment of non-ambulatory DMD patients
Conference Call Today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time/2:00 p.m. Pacific Time
SAN FRANCISCO, May 09, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FibroGen, Inc. (NASDAQ: FGEN) today reported financial results for the first quarter of 2019 and provided an update on the company’s recent developments.
“The first quarter of 2019 saw critical execution across multiple programs. With respect to the global roxadustat anemia platform, we received positive topline results from analyses of pooled MACE and MACE+ data from our Phase 3 trials evaluating roxadustat as a treatment for dialysis and non-dialysis CKD patients. We and our partners continue to prepare for NDA submission to the FDA in the third quarter, with the EMA MAA submission to follow,” said Thomas B. Neff, Chief Executive Officer. “In our anti-CTGF antibody program, we completed the analysis of the first year of treatment with pamrevlumab, our anti-CTGF antibody, for the 21 non-ambulatory subjects in a Phase 2 trial with favorable results in lung and cardiac functions and muscle strength from our administrative analysis suggesting promise for a new treatment option for DMD patients.”
Recent Developments and Highlights
Roxadustat for Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in the U.S. and EU
- In the pooled analyses of around 4,000 dialysis patients, the upper bound of the 95% confidence interval (CI) was below the pre-specified non-inferiority margin for the time to first MACE+ analyses. Based on the MACE safety analyses of this population, we believe there is no clinically meaningful difference in risk of MACE between roxadustat and epoetin alfa.
- In the pooled analyses of about 1,500 incident dialysis patients roxadustat demonstrated superiority to epoetin alfa in the time to first MACE+ in this subpopulation. In the MACE analysis, there is a trend toward reduced risk for patients on roxadustat, compared to epoetin alfa.
- In the non-dialysis pool of approximately 4,300 patients, non-inferiority was demonstrated for roxadustat compared to placebo in the time to first MACE+, based on the upper bound of the 95% CI being below the pre-specified non-inferiority margin.
- Multiple MACE and MACE+ analyses in non-dialysis from the roxadustat global Phase 3 program are being performed in intent-to-treat (ITT) analyses that demonstrated comparability of roxadustat to placebo. ITT is among the several statistical methods that we will discuss with the FDA. In these ITT analyses, roxadustat was comparable based on a commonly applied non-inferiority margin of 1.3.
- Additional positive efficacy results from pooled analyses were observed in the areas of:
- rate of kidney function decline, as measured by eGFR, as compared to placebo
- quality of life, as measured by standard endpoints, as compared to placebo
- efficacy in the presence of inflammation, as compared to epoetin alfa
FibroGen and AstraZeneca will begin discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prepare for regulatory submission of our New Drug Application (NDA), which is anticipated in September/October 2019, with the MAA for submission to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to follow.
Roxadustat for Anemia in CKD in China
- Completed clinical site inspections by the China Food and Drug Inspection division of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for Phase 3 study evaluating roxadustat for treatment of anemia in non-dialysis-dependent CKD patients.
- Anticipate NMPA approval decision on roxadustat for treatment of anemia in non-dialysis-dependent CKD mid-year 2019.
Roxadustat for Anemia in Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
- Completed enrollment of the open-label portion of our global multi-center Phase 3 study in transfusion-dependent, lower risk MDS patients.
- Initiated patient dosing in the double-blind, placebo-controlled portion of this Phase 3 study.
- Open-label portion of China Phase 2/3 MDS study is ongoing.
Pamrevlumab for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)
- Received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA for treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
- Administrative analysis of the first year treatment in 21 non-ambulatory DMD patients shows favorable results in lung function, cardiac function, and muscle strength.
Pamrevlumab for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
- On track to initiate a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 clinical trial with a primary endpoint of change in forced vital capacity (FVC) from baseline in approximately 500 patients in Q2 2019.
Pamrevlumab for Pancreatic Cancer
- On track to initiate a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study evaluating pamrevlumab in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel as a neoadjuvant therapy versus placebo in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel for unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) in approximately 260 patients in Q2 2019.
Corporate and Financial
- Net loss for the first quarter of 2019 was $45.4 million, or $0.53 net loss per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $41.4 million, or $0.53 net loss per basic and diluted share one year ago.
- At March 31, 2019, FibroGen had $712.7 million in cash, restricted time deposits, cash equivalents, investments, and receivables, compared to $747.2 million at year-end 2018.
Conference Call and Webcast Details FibroGen will host a conference call and webcast today, Thursday, May 9, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time) to discuss financial results and provide a business update. A live audio webcast of the call may be accessed in the investor section of the company’s website, www.fibrogen.com. To participate in the conference call by telephone, please dial 1 (888) 771-4371 (U.S. and Canada) or 1 (847) 585-4405 (international), reference the FibroGen first quarter 2019 financial results conference call, and use passcode 48545313. A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the call for a period of two weeks. To access the replay, please dial (888) 843-7419 (domestic) or (630) 652-3042 (international), and use passcode 48545313#.
About RoxadustatRoxadustat (FG-4592), discovered by FibroGen, is a first-in-class, orally administered small molecule currently approved in China for the treatment of anemia in CKD patients on dialysis. Roxadustat is a HIF-PH inhibitor that promotes erythropoiesis through increasing endogenous production of erythropoietin, improving iron regulation, and overcoming the negative impact of inflammation on hemoglobin syntheses and red blood cell production by downregulating hepcidin. Administration of roxadustat has been shown to induce coordinated erythropoiesis, increasing red blood cell count while maintaining plasma erythropoietin levels within or near normal physiologic range in multiple subpopulations of CKD patients, including in the presence of inflammation and without a need for supplemental intravenous iron.
Astellas and FibroGen are collaborating on the development and commercialization of roxadustat for the treatment of anemia in territories including Japan, Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Middle East, and South Africa. AstraZeneca and FibroGen are collaborating on the development and commercialization of roxadustat for the treatment of anemia in the U.S., China, and other markets in the Americas and in Australia/New Zealand as well as Southeast Asia.
About Pamrevlumab Pamrevlumab is a first-in-class antibody developed by FibroGen to inhibit the activity of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a common factor in fibrotic and proliferative disorders characterized by persistent and excessive scarring that can lead to organ dysfunction and failure. Pamrevlumab is advancing towards Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and pancreatic cancer, has been granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) in each of these indications. Pamrevlumab has also received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with IPF and for patients with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer, and is currently in a Phase 2 trial for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Across all trials, pamrevlumab has consistently demonstrated a good safety and tolerability profile to date. For information about pamrevlumab studies currently recruiting patients, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.
About FibroGen FibroGen, Inc., headquartered in San Francisco, California, with subsidiary offices in Beijing and Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, is a leading biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing a pipeline of first-in-class therapeutics. The company applies its pioneering expertise in hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) biology, and clinical development to advance innovative medicines for the treatment of anemia, fibrotic disease, and cancer. Roxadustat, the company’s most advanced product candidate, is an oral small molecule inhibitor of HIF prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) activity, completing Phase 3 clinical development worldwide for the treatment of anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD), with a New Drug Application (NDA) now approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China. Our partner Astellas submitted a NDA for the treatment of anemia in CKD patients on dialysis in Japan in September 2018, which is currently under review by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). Roxadustat is in Phase 3 clinical development in the U.S. and Europe and in Phase 2/3 development in China for anemia associated with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Pamrevlumab, an anti-CTGF human monoclonal antibody, is advancing towards Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and pancreatic cancer, and is currently in a Phase 2 trial for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). FibroGen is also developing a biosynthetic cornea in China. For more information, please visit www.fibrogen.com.
Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements regarding our strategy, future plans and prospects, including statements regarding the development of the company’s product candidates pamrevlumab and roxadustat, our interpretation of the pooled safety analyses and other analyses of the global Phase 3 program for roxadustat, the expected endpoints and potential standards for safety assessments of such data by the FDA and the EMA, the potential for and timing of an NDA submission to the FDA and an MAA submission to the EMA for potential marketing approval for roxadustat, the potential safety and efficacy profile of our product candidates, and our clinical, regulatory plans, and those of our partners. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, representations and contentions and are not historical facts and typically are identified by use of terms such as “may,” “will”, “should,” “on track,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. Our actual results may differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties related to the continued progress and timing of our various programs, including the enrollment and results from ongoing and potential future clinical trials, and other matters that are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and our quarterly report on 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2019 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors set forth therein. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in this press release, except as required by law.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets(In thousands)
| March 31, 2019 | December 31, 2018 (1) | ||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||
| Assets | |||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 81,673 | $ | 89,258 | |||
| Short-term investments | 483,726 | 532,144 | |||||
| Accounts receivable | 6,023 | 63,684 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 7,578 | 4,929 | |||||
| Total current assets | 579,000 | 690,015 | |||||
| Restricted time deposits | 4,145 | 4,145 | |||||
| Long-term investments | 132,203 | 55,820 | |||||
| Property and equipment, net | 45,828 | 127,198 | |||||
| Finance lease right-of-use assets | 47,029 | — | |||||
| Other assets | 4,192 | 3,420 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 812,397 | $ | 880,598 | |||
| Liabilities, stockholders’ equity and non-controlling interests | |||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 3,772 | $ | 9,139 | |||
| Accrued and other liabilities | 66,278 | 66,123 | |||||
| Deferred revenue | 12,104 | 13,771 | |||||
| Finance lease liabilities, current | 11,766 | — | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 93,920 | 89,033 | |||||
| Long-term portion of lease obligations | 1,443 | 97,157 | |||||
| Product development obligations | 16,545 | 16,798 | |||||
| Deferred rent | — | 3,038 | |||||
| Deferred revenue, net of current | 135,196 | 136,109 | |||||
| Finance lease liabilities, non-current | 46,818 | — | |||||
| Other long-term liabilities | 9,981 | 9,993 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 303,903 | 352,128 | |||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 489,223 | 509,199 | |||||
| Non-controlling interests | 19,271 | 19,271 | |||||
| Total equity | 508,494 | 528,470 | |||||
| Total liabilities, stockholders’ equity and non-controlling interests | $ | 812,397 | $ | 880,598 | |||
- The condensed consolidated balance sheet amounts at December 31, 2018 are derived from audited financial statements.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations(In thousands, except per share data)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
| 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||
| Revenue: | |||||||
| License revenue | $ | — | $ | — | |||
| Development and other revenue | 23,863 | 31,925 | |||||
| Total revenue | 23,863 | 31,925 | |||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||
| Research and development | 50,496 | 56,974 | |||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 22,210 | 15,550 | |||||
| Total operating expenses | 72,706 | 72,524 | |||||
| Loss from operations | (48,843 | ) | (40,599 | ) | |||
| Interest and other, net: | |||||||
| Interest expense | (770 | ) | (2,769 | ) | |||
| Interest income and other, net | 4,177 | 2,071 | |||||
| Total interest and other, net | 3,407 | (698 | ) | ||||
| Loss before income taxes | (45,436 | ) | (41,297 | ) | |||
| Provision for (benefit from) income taxes | (25 | ) | 99 | ||||
| Net loss | $ | (45,411 | ) | $ | (41,396 | ) | |
| Net loss per share - basic and diluted | $ | (0.53 | ) | $ | (0.50 | ) | |
| Weighted average number of common shares used to calculate net loss per share - basic and diluted | 85,704 | 82,863 | |||||
ContactFibroGen, Inc.Karen L. BergmanVice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications1.415.978.1433[email protected]
