RedHill Biopharma Reports 2012 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results

Key Planned Milestones for 2013 Include Commencement of Phase III and Phase II/III Studies With RHB-104 (Crohn's Disease) and RHB-105 (H. pylori), Respectively, and New Drug Application (NDA) Filings With RHB-102 (Oncology Support Antiemetic) and RHB-103 (Acute Migraine)

TEL-AVIV, Israel, Feb. 19, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RedHill Biopharma Ltd. (Nasdaq:RDHL) (TASE:RDHL), an Israeli biopharmaceutical company focused primarily on the acquisition and development of late clinical-stage, patent-protected, new formulations and combinations of existing drugs, released its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2012.

2012 was characterized by significant milestones for the Company, including:

(i)     Positive results in a pivotal comparative bioequivalence clinical trial with RHB-102, a proprietary once-daily formulation of a leading oncology support drug for the prevention of nausea and vomiting,

(ii)    Positive results in a pivotal bioequivalence clinical trial and a successful pre-NDA meeting with the FDA with RHB-103, a proprietary oral thin film formulation of a leading drug for the treatment of acute migraine,

(iii)   Filing of a new U.S. composition patent covering RHB-104 (Crohn's disease) through 2029, and

(iv)   NASDAQ (ADR) listing in December 2012.

Financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2012:

Research and Development Expenses for the year ended December 31, 2012 were approximately $6.5 million, an increase of $1.1 million (approximately 20%), compared to $5.4 million in the previous year. This increase was mainly attributed to the clinical trials conducted with RHB-102 and RHB-103 and advanced clinical trial preparations with RHB-104 and RHB-105.

General and Administrative Expenses for the year ended December 31, 2012 were approximately $2.6 million, an increase of $0.1 million (approximately 4%) compared to $2.5 million in the previous year. This increase was due in part to an increase in professional service fees in connection with the NASDAQ listing, partly offset by a decrease in share based payments.

Operating Loss for the year ended December 31, 2012 was approximately $9.0 million, an increase of $1.1 million (approximately 14%) compared to $7.9 million in the previous year. This increase was due in part to an increase in research and development expenses.

Financing Expenses (net) for the year ended December 31, 2012 were approximately $1.3 million, a decrease of $6.3 million (approximately 83%), compared to $7.6 million in the previous year. This decrease was mainly due to a non-cash financing expense of $7.9 million resulting from the conversion of mandatory convertible loans into equity prior to the 2011 IPO in Tel-Aviv, compared to non-cash expenses of $1.5 million resulting from the acquisition of royalty obligations from investors in 2012.

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities was $6.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, an increase of $2.1 million (approximately 47%), compared to $4.7 million in the previous year. This increase was mainly due to the clinical trials and clinical trial preparations referred to above and increased professional services expenses.

Net Cash Resulting from Investment Activities was $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to cash used for investment activities of $4.8 million in the previous year. The change was mainly due to long term investments during 2011 which became short term investments (with a term of less than three months) during 2012.

Cash Balance¹ on December 31, 2012 was approximately $16.8 million, an increase of $2.7 million (or 19%), compared to a cash balance of $14.1 million in the previous year. This increase was mainly due to a November 2012 private placement of approximately $6.5 million, offset largely by the cash used in operating activities.

¹  Including cash, bank deposits and short term investments. 

Key operational highlights for the year ended December 31, 2012:

1. In April 2012, the Company reported positive results in a pivotal comparative bioequivalence trial with RHB-102, a once-daily oral formulation of ondansetron for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in cancer patients.
    
2. In August 2012, the Company and its Canadian co-development partner IntelGenx Corp. announced positive results in a pivotal bioequivalence clinical trial with RHB-103, an oral thin-film rizatriptan for the treatment of migraine. On November 7, 2012, the Company and IntelGenx concluded a pre-New Drug Application (pre-NDA) meeting with the FDA related to RHB-103 and, given the positive outcome of the pre-NDA meeting, the Company estimates that an NDA will be filed during the first quarter of 2013.
    
3. In October 2012, the Company reported that as a result of discussions held with the FDA regarding the Company's IND (Investigational New Drug) amendment with RHB-104, for the treatment of Crohn's disease, there were no regulatory restrictions to commence a clinical trial. As of January 2013, a multi-site initiation process is underway in the U.S., Canada and Israel for a first multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group initial Phase III study (the MAP US Study) to assess the efficacy and safety of fixed-dose combination RHB-104 in subjects with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease. The MAP US Study patient recruitment is planned to commence in the second quarter of 2013.
    
4. In October 2012, the Company reported advanced preparations for a Phase II/III clinical trial in the U.S. and Canada with RHB-105 for the treatment of H. pylori bacterial infection. The clinical trial is designed to test the safety and efficacy of RHB-105 in eradication of H. pylori bacteria which have been implicated in causing ulcers and are associated with gastric cancer. Subject to regulatory discussions and other preparations, the trial is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2013.
    
5. In October 2012, the Company entered into a term sheet with SCOLR Pharma, Inc. (OTCBB:SCLR) under which, subject to a definitive agreement, necessary corporate approvals and successful completion of due diligence, the Company will acquire exclusive, world-wide rights to two patent-protected 12 hour extended release drugs (based on SCOLR's patent-protected CDT® controlled release technology) in advanced stages of clinical development. The first drug is ibuprofen, an analgesic for the treatment of pain and inflammation. The second drug is pseudoephedrine, a decongestant for the treatment of cough and cold.
    
6. In October 2012, the Company reported positive results in three Multiple Sclerosis (MS) pre-clinical studies using the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model and is in advanced preparations for a Phase IIa proof of concept clinical trial in Israel to assess the efficacy and safety of its fixed dose oral drug combination, RHB-104, as an add-on therapy in patients treated for Relapsing Remitting MS. The Phase IIa clinical trial is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2013.
    
7. In January 2013, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued a new patent for "Methods and Compositions for Treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease" expiring no earlier than in 2029, for RHB-104, intended primarily for the treatment of Crohn's disease.
    
8. As of December, 2012, the Company had received a total of approximately $6.5 million in connection with a private placement of shares and warrants, increasing its cash balance to approximately $18.5 million.
    
9. On December 27, 2012, the Company listed its ADS for trading on NASDAQ. Following the NASDAQ listing, the Company's securities are traded both on NASDAQ and on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE). The Bank of New York Mellon was appointed as the Company's depository bank. Each ADS represents 10 ordinary shares of the Company.

Ori Shilo, Deputy CEO Finance and Operations said:  "As a result of the significant progress made by the Company in 2012, we are preparing marketing approval applications (NDA) for RHB-102 for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in cancer patients and for RHB-103 for the treatment of migraine, in parallel with commercialization efforts with potential partners. We completed our NASDAQ listing which provides us exposure to the U.S. financial markets and successfully completed a pre-listing private financing of approximately $6.5 million. Our cash position remains strong with $18.5 million at the end of the year and no debt. The strong balance sheet is expected to allow us to execute our plans in 2013, including the commencement of the Phase III MAP US Study with RHB-104 for Crohn's disease and a Phase II/III trial with RHB-105 for H. pylori bacteria causing ulcers."

Conference Call and Webcast Information:

The Company will host a conference call and an audio webcast at 09:00am EST on Wednesday, February 20, 2013.

To participate in the conference call please dial 1-866-966-9439 (domestic U.S., toll free) or +1-631-510-7498 (International) and use access code: 11015754 #.

The conference call will be broadcasted simultaneously and archived on the Company's website, http://ir.redhillbio.com/. To participate, please access the Company's website at least 15 minutes ahead of the conference to register, download, and install any necessary audio software. The webcast replay will be available on RedHill's website for 30 days.

About RedHill Biopharma Ltd.:

RedHill Biopharma is an emerging Israeli biopharmaceutical company focused primarily on the acquisition and development of late clinical-stage, patent protected, new formulations and combinations of existing drugs. The Company's current product pipeline includes a once-daily formulation of a leading congestive heart failure and high blood pressure drug, a once-daily formulation of a leading chemotherapy and radiotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting prevention drug, an oral thin film formulation drug for the treatment of acute migraine, a combination therapy for the treatment of Crohn's disease as well as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) disease, a combination therapy for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori bacteria causing ulcers, and an encapsulated formulation for bowel preparation ahead of certain gastro procedures. For more information please visit: www.redhillbio.com.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such statements may be preceded by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential" or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and the Company's current and best understanding of the regulatory status and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, and cannot be predicted or quantified and consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with  (i) the initiation, timing, progress and results of the Company's preclinical studies, clinical trials, and other therapeutic candidate development efforts; (ii) the Company's ability to advance its therapeutic candidates into clinical trials or to successfully complete its preclinical studies or clinical trials; (iii) the extent and number of additional studies that the Company may be required to conduct and the Company's receipt of regulatory approvals for its therapeutic candidates, and the timing of other regulatory filings and approvals; (iv) the clinical development, commercialization, and market acceptance of the Company's therapeutic candidates; (v) the Company's ability to establish and maintain corporate collaborations; (vi) the interpretation of the properties and characteristics of the Company's therapeutic candidates and of the results obtained with its therapeutic candidates in preclinical studies or clinical trials; (vii) the implementation of the Company's business model, strategic plans for its business and therapeutic candidates; (viii) the scope of protection the Company is able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights covering its therapeutic candidates and its ability to operate its business without infringing the intellectual property rights of others; (ix) estimates of the Company's expenses, future revenues capital requirements and the Company's needs for additional financing; (x) competitive companies, technologies and the Company's industry; and (xi) statements as to the impact of the political and security situation in Israel on the Company's business. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company's Registration Statement on From 20-F filed with the SEC on December 26, 2012, and its Reports on Form 6-K. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements included in this Press Release are made only as of the date of this Press Release. We assume no obligation to update any written or oral forward-looking statement made by us or on our behalf as a result of new information, future events or other factors.

CONTACT: IR contact (US):
         Lauren Glaser
         Vice President
         The Trout Group
         +1-646-378-2972
         lglaser@troutgroup.com
         
         Company contact:
         Adi Frish
         Senior VP Business Development & Licensing
         RedHill Biopharma
         +972-54-6543-112
         adi@redhillbio.com