REYKJAVIK, ICELAND, March 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- deCODE genetics (NASDAQ:DCGN) today announced its consolidated financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2007. A conference call to discuss the year's results and operating highlights will be webcast live tomorrow, Thursday, March 13, at 8:00am EDT/12 noon GMT (details below).
Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $95.5 million, compared to $85.5 million for the full year 2006. Basic and diluted net loss per share was $1.57 for the full year 2007, compared to $1.49 for the full year 2006. At the close of 2007, the company had approximately 61.7 million shares outstanding.
Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $40.4 million, versus $40.5 million for the full year 2006. At December 31, 2007, the company had $15.4 million in deferred revenue, which will be recognized over future reporting periods.
Research and development expense for proprietary programs was $53.8 million for the full year 2007, compared to $57.1 million for the full year 2006. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the full year 2007 were $27.1 million, compared to $25.2 million for 2006.
At December 31, 2007, the company had $94.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash equivalents and current and non-current investments, compared to $152.0 million at December 31, 2006. As discussed below, the year end 2007 figure includes temporary and other-than-temporary impairment charges resulting from an independent, third-party estimate of the current value of certain auction-rate securities (ARS) held by the company.
"Over the past year we have made steady progress in both our near-term and long-term strategy to capitalize on our leadership in human genetics. We have brought to market pioneering DNA-based risk assessment tests for type 2 diabetes, early-onset heart attack, atrial fibrillation/stroke, prostate cancer, and glaucoma, and launched the world's first personal genome analysis service, deCODEme(TM). With these diagnostics and personal genome products on the market, and others to be launched in the months ahead, deCODE is focused on capturing the potential of our competitive advantage in human genetics, at the same time as we seek partnerships to advance our therapeutics programs and to most efficiently allocate spending and spread risk. We are committed to executing on this strategy and to ensuring we have the cash resources to maximize the creation of value for the company and its shareholders," said Kari Stefansson, CEO of deCODE.
Fourth quarter 2007 results Revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 was $13.3 million, compared to $11.5 million for the fourth quarter 2006. Net loss for the fourth quarter 2007 was $32.4 million, compared to $23.2 million for the same period a year ago. $7.8 million of the fourth quarter net loss figure is due to ARS- related impairment charges. Research and development expense for proprietary programs decreased to $12.6 million for the fourth quarter 2007 from $14.2 million for the same period in 2006. For the fourth quarter 2007, selling, general and administrative expenses were $7.7 million versus $8.6 million for the fourth quarter 2006.
Key highlights over the past year include: Product Development -- Diagnostics. Over the past year deCODE has brought to market its first
DNA-based reference laboratory diagnostic tests for gauging risk of
several major diseases. These pioneering tests are based upon deCODE's
discoveries of major genetic risk factors for many of the major
challenges to public health, and provide a new means for assessing
individual risk and optimizing measures to prevent these diseases. deCODE's growing list of tests include deCODE T2(TM), for assessing
inherited risk of type 2 diabetes; deCODE AF(TM), for assessing risk of
atrial fibrillation, a common precursor of stroke; deCODE MI(TM), a
test for a major genetic risk factor for early-onset heart attack as
well as abdominal aortic and intracranial aneurysms; deCODE ProCa(TM),
which detects several significant genetic risk variants for prostate
cancer; and we have recently completed work on a test for assessing
inherited risk of a major type of glaucoma.
-- deCODEme(TM). Bringing together deCODE's leadership in human genetics
and recent advances in genotyping technology, in November 2007 deCODE
launched the first personal genome analysis service: deCODEme(TM). The
service takes advantage of deCODE's leadership in human genetics and
its whole-genome genotyping capabilities. Through deCODEme(TM),
subscribers can put themselves in the context of the latest discoveries
in genetics, learning what their own DNA says about their ancestry,
certain physical traits, as well as whether they have genetic variants
that have been associated with higher or lower than average risk of a
range of common diseases. This information is continually updated as
new discoveries are made, and is presented in the subscriber's secure
individual web page.
-- Arterial thrombosis: DG041. DG041 is deCODE's novel, first-in-class
antagonist of the EP3 receptor for prostaglandins E2, being developed
as a next-generation oral anti-platelet therapy for preventing arterial
thrombosis without increasing bleeding time. In a Phase II clinical
trial and additional clinical pharmacology studies completed in 2007,
DG041 was shown to dramatically inhibit platelet aggregation as well as
platelet activation mediated specifically through vasodilator
stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), a biomarker useful for measuring
platelet activity. These effects were concentration-dependent and were
seen irrespective of whether patients were receiving concomitant
therapy with aspirin. The company is building upon these successful
results with a second clinical pharmacology study of the effects of
DG041 when taken with aspirin and Plavix(TM). deCODE is also working on
a once-daily formulation for DG041.
-- Heart attack: DG051 & DG031. In 2007 deCODE completed Phase I and phase
IIa clinical testing of DG051, the company's developmental compound for
the prevention of heart attack. DG051, discovered by deCODE chemists,
is designed to counter risk of heart attack by reining in the activity
of the leukotriene pathway, reducing the production of leukotriene B4
(LTB4). LTB4 is a pro-inflammatory molecule that deCODE's gene
discovery and functional biology work identified as a one of the
factors modulating risk of heart attack. deCODE's clinical studies to
date have showed DG051 to reduce LTB4 production in a dose-dependent
manner, even in cardiovascular patients taking concomitant medications. deCODE has also completed the reformulation of DG031, its other
compound targeting the leukotriene pathway for the prevention of heart
attack, and is actively seeking a partner with whom to take the next
step in development of its leukotriene program. Target Discovery -- deCODE has continued to lead the world in the discovery of common
genetic variants linked to significantly increased risk of common
diseases. Since the beginning of 2007, deCODE has discovered novel
variants conferring risk of type 2 diabetes, prostate cancer, early
onset heart attack, breast cancer, atrial fibrillation and stroke,
restless leg syndrome, glaucoma, and two types of aneurysm. The company
has also used its unique capabilities in human genetics to make
breakthrough discoveries shedding light on human evolution, fertility,
and pigmentation. Cash position and ARS -- At December 31, 2007 the company held investments in ARS with original
purchase principal values totalling $38.5 million. As part of deCODE's
cash management program and in line with its treasury policy, the
company had invested in investment-grade ARS. These securities are
private placement securities with long-term nominal maturities, for
which the interest rates have historically been reset through active
monthly auctions. Recent uncertainties in the credit markets have
prevented us and other investors from liquidating holdings of our
remaining ARS in recent auctions because the amount of securities
submitted for sale has exceeded the amount of purchase orders. As
liquidity will be limited until there is a successful auction or until
such time as other markets for these ARS investments develop, the
company has classified as non-current investments totalling $33.5
million of the company's ARS holdings previously reported as current
assets on our December 31, 2007 balance sheet. Based upon an
independent, third-party valuation, the estimated market value of our
non-current investments in ARS at December 31, 2007 amounted to $24.8
million. This is an $8.7 million adjustment to the principal value of
$33.5 million, of which we believe $0.9 million is temporary. Although
the ARS held by deCODE are still investment-grade and continue to pay
interest according to their stated terms, after an analysis of other
than-temporary impairment factors we have recorded an impairment charge
of $7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. This charge is
included in Other Income (Expense) in our Statements of Operations, net
principally against payments received as part of the favourable
settlement of the intellectual property suit filed by deCODE in 2006. About deCODE
deCODE is a biopharmaceutical company applying its discoveries in human genetics to the development of drugs and diagnostics for common diseases. deCODE is a global leader in gene discovery - our population approach and resources have enabled us to isolate key genes contributing to major public health challenges from cardiovascular disease to cancer, genes that are providing us with drug targets rooted in the basic biology of disease. deCODE is also leveraging its expertise in human genetics and integrated drug discovery and development capabilities to offer innovative products and services in personal genome analysis, DNA-based diagnostics, bioinformatics, genotyping, structural biology, drug discovery and clinical development. deCODE is delivering on the promise of the new genetics.(SM) Visit us on the web at http://www.decode.com/; on our diagnostics website at http://www.decodediagnostics.com/; and, for our pioneering personal genome analysis service, at http://www.decodeme.com/.
Conference Call Information A conference call, during which deCODE President and CEO Kari Stefansson and CFO Lance Thibault will discuss the past year's financial results and operating highlights, will be webcast tomorrow, Thursday, March 13, at 8:00am EDT/12 noon GMT. The webcast can be accessed via the Investors section of deCODE's website, http://www.decode.com/, or through http://www.fulldisclosure.com/. A replay of the call will be available on these websites for at least one week following the call. A digitized telephone replay of the call can be accessed for the week following the call by dialing 1 800 475 6701 from the US, or +1 320 365 3844 from outside the US. The access code is 914354.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations For the three months For the full-year
ended December 31, ended December 31,
2007 2006 2007 2006
in thousands, except per share amounts (unaudited) Revenue $13,343 $11,451 $40,403 $40,510
OPERATING EXPENSES
Cost of revenue 14,968 10,994 47,018 42,660
Research and development 12,552 14,206 53,825 57,108
Selling, general and
administrative 7,744 8,609 27,139 25,206
Total operating expense 35,264 33,809 127,982 124,974
Operating loss (21,921) (22,358) (87,579) (84,464)
Interest income 1,386 1,803 6,541 6,685
Interest expense (4,153) (2,673) (15,641) (7,808)
Other non-operating income
and (expense), net (7,737) 3 1,153 114
Net loss $(32,425) $(23,225) $(95,526) $(85,473)
Basic and diluted net loss
per share: $(0.53) $(0.38) $(1.57) $(1.49)
Shares used in computing
basic and diluted net
loss per share 61,085 60,826 61,018 57,465 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data At December 31, At December 31,
2007 2006
in thousands (unaudited) Cash and investments* $94,058 $152,016
Total
assets 156,208 215,609
Total
liabilities 301,858 270,988
Total shareholders'
equity (145,650) (55,379) * cash and investments include cash equivalents, restricted cash
equivalents and current and non-current investments
Any statements contained in this presentation that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, and the timing of events, to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, those relating to our ability to obtain financing and to form collaborative relationships, uncertainty regarding potential future deterioration in the market for auction rate securities which could result in additional permanent impairment charges, our ability to develop and market diagnostic products, the level of third party reimbursement for our products, risks related to preclinical and clinical development of pharmaceutical products, including the identification of compounds and the completion of clinical trials, the effect of government regulation and the regulatory approval processes, market acceptance, our ability to obtain and protect intellectual property rights for our products, dependence on collaborative relationships, the effect of competitive products, industry trends and other risks identified in deCODE's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, the risk factors identified in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any updates to those risk factors filed from time to time in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K. deCODE undertakes no obligation to update or alter these forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contacts:
deCODE genetics
Joy Bessenger Berglind Olafsdottir Edward Farmer
+354 570 1900 +354 570 1900 +1 212 343 2819
+1 (212) 481 3891 DATASOURCE: deCODE genetics CONTACT: Joy Bessenger, +354-570-1900, +1-212-481-3891, , Berglind Olafsdottir, +354-570-1900, , Edward Farmer, +1-212-343-2819, , all of deCODE genetics Web site: http://www.decode.com/ http://www.decodediagnostics.com/ http://www.decodeme.com/ http://www.fulldisclosure.com/
|