Fortress Biotech (NASDAQ: FBIO) reported Q1 EPS of $0.02, $0.60 better than the analyst estimate of ($0.58). Revenue for the quarter came in at $6.48 million versus the consensus estimate of $6.41 million.

• As of March 31, 2019, Fortress’ consolidated cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments (certificates of deposit), and restricted cash totaled $137.5 million, compared to $99.2 million as of December 31, 2018, an increase of $38.3 million for the quarter.
• Fortress’ net revenue totaled $6.5 million for the first quarter of 2019, compared to $5.9 million for the first quarter of 2018.
• Research and development expenses were $23.3 million for the first quarter of 2019, of which $22.6 million was related to Fortress partner companies. This compares to $25.0 million for the first quarter of 2018, of which $22.8 million was related to Fortress partner companies. Non-cash, stock-based compensation expenses included in research and development were $0.6 million for the first quarter of 2019, compared to $2.3 million for the first quarter of 2018.
• Research and development expenses from license acquisitions totaled $0.5 million for the first quarter of 2019, compared to $0.1 million for the first quarter of 2018.
• General and administrative expenses were $13.5 million for the first quarter of 2019, of which $8.9 million was related to Fortress partner companies. This compares to $13.5 million for the first quarter of 2018, of which $8.4 million was related to Fortress partner companies. Non-cash, stock-based compensation expenses included in general and administrative expenses were $2.7 million for the first quarter of 2019, compared to $2.4 million for the first quarter of 2018.
• Net income attributable to common stockholders was $1.4 million, or $0.03 per share, for the first quarter of 2019, compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $21.0 million, or $0.49 per share, for the first quarter of 2018.

Lindsay A. Rosenwald, M.D., Fortress’ Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We enjoyed a strong start to 2019, with compelling data recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine pertaining to our partner company Mustang’s lentiviral gene therapy for infants under the age of two diagnosed with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (“XSCID”), and the closing of two promising partnership deals with Alexion Pharmaceuticals and InvaGen Pharmaceuticals (a subsidiary of Cipla Limited) in the first quarter. These significant achievements demonstrate how our business model is designed to drive value for our shareholders. We have several opportunities to increase economics and decrease risk for our shareholders with multiple possible near-term revenue streams due to our specialty pharmaceutical business; large equity stakes in our partner companies; strategic, flexible potential exits; and potential royalties on product sales.”

Dr. Rosenwald continued, “We look forward to advancing our and our partner companies’ development programs and achieving numerous milestones during the remainder of 2019, including important data readouts and the potential for the first New Drug Application (“NDA”) filing by a Fortress partner company later this year. Our sizable business development team continues to source and in-license high-potential marketed and development-stage programs to enhance the growing, diversified portfolio of seven commercial products and over 25 product candidates in development across our partner companies.”

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