Alnylam
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALNY), a leading RNAi therapeutics
company, today reported its consolidated financial results for the
fourth quarter and full year 2013, and company highlights.
“The full year 2013 and the first weeks of 2014 were transformational
for Alnylam and our continued efforts to advance RNAi therapeutics as a
whole new class of medicines. We believe our recent alliance with
Genzyme is a game changer in our efforts to bring RNAi therapeutics to
patients with rare diseases as potential breakthrough genetic medicines.
The new collaboration crystallizes Alnylam’s strategy to develop and
commercialize our products in North America and Western Europe while
Genzyme advances our products in the rest of the world. It also
solidifies our balance sheet, enabling an increased investment in an
expanded number of RNAi therapeutic programs while securing a cash
runway that we believe provides us with financial independence to
develop and launch multiple products,” said John Maraganore, Ph.D.,
Chief Executive Officer of Alnylam. “We’re also very pleased with our
continued execution on our ‘Alnylam 5x15’ product strategy over the last
several months, including initiation of new Phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical
trials across three distinct programs, with multiple data read-outs
expected in 2014. Specifically, we initiated our APOLLO Phase 3 trial
with patisiran in ATTR patients with FAP; as the company’s first Phase 3
study, this is a very significant milestone in our history and also for
the entire field of RNAi therapeutics. We’ve also advanced ALN-TTRsc –
our first GalNAc-siRNA conjugate program to enter clinical development –
into a Phase 2 trial in patients with TTR cardiac amyloidosis, with
results expected later this year. We have also now started a Phase 1
clinical trial of ALN-AT3, an RNAi therapeutic targeting antithrombin
for the treatment of hemophilia and rare bleeding disorders. ALN-AT3 is
our second GalNAc-siRNA conjugate program to enter clinical testing, and
we expect to share initial data from this Phase 1 trial later this year.
Overall, we believe that our recent business and clinical
accomplishments strengthen our efforts to build a leading, independent
biopharmaceutical company that delivers value to our shareholders.”
“In addition to highlights noted above, we also made significant
advancements with other pipeline programs and in other business
development efforts. Specifically, we advanced Development Candidates
for two ‘Alnylam 5x15’ programs in this past quarter: ALN-AS1 for the
treatment of hepatic porphyrias, and ALN-PCSsc for the treatment of
hypercholesterolemia. We also presented promising data with ALN-CC5 for
the treatment of complement-mediated diseases, and expect to have a
Development Candidate selected in early 2014. Across these three
programs, we expect to file investigational new drug applications for
two in late 2014 and one in early 2015. Further, we’re pleased to have
recently updated and expanded our original ‘Alnylam 5x15’ pipeline
guidance, where we now expect to end 2015 with six to seven programs in
clinical development, including at least two programs in Phase 3 trials,
and five to six programs having achieved human proof-of-concept
results,” said Barry Greene, President and Chief Operating Officer of
Alnylam. “Regarding additional progress in our business development
efforts, we were pleased to announce an agreement with Merck to acquire
their RNAi assets, including their Sirna Therapeutics subsidiary. We
believe that this acquisition will complement and extend our own
progress and continued focus on RNAi therapeutics, including our efforts
with GalNAc-siRNA conjugate technologies. All told, our recent progress
on pipeline advancement and business development provide what we believe
to be an unprecedented foundation for value creation through Alnylam’s
continued efforts in advancing important medicines to patients.”
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Total Marketable Securities
At December 31, 2013, Alnylam had cash, cash equivalents and total
marketable securities of $350.5 million, as compared to $226.2 million
at December 31, 2012.
Net Loss
The net loss according to accounting principles generally accepted in
the U.S. (GAAP) for the fourth quarter of 2013 was $32.4 million, or
$0.51 per share on both a basic and diluted basis (including $5.4
million, or $0.09 per share of non-cash stock-based compensation
expense), as compared to a net loss of $62.2 million, or $1.20 per share
on both a basic and diluted basis (including $2.7 million, or $0.05 per
share of non-cash stock-based compensation expense), for the same period
in the previous year. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the net loss
was $89.2 million, or $1.45 per share (including $20.7 million, or $0.34
per share of non-cash stock-based compensation expense), as compared to
a net loss of $106.0 million, or $2.11 per share (including $12.4
million, or $0.25 per share of non-cash stock-based compensation
expense), for the same period in the previous year. The decrease in net
loss for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2013 compared to the
prior periods was due primarily to a one-time charge of $65.0 million
related to the restructuring of the company’s licensing agreement with
Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation in 2012.
Revenues
Revenues were $10.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, as compared
to $8.5 million for the same period last year. Revenues for the fourth
quarter of 2013 included $5.5 million of revenues from the company’s
alliance with Takeda Pharmaceuticals Company Limited, $1.4 million in
revenues from the company’s collaboration with Monsanto, $1.3 million
related to the company’s collaboration with The Medicines Company and
$2.6 million of expense reimbursement, amortization, and/or license fee
revenues from research reagent and services licensees, and other
sources. The increase in revenues in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared
to the prior period was due to revenues under the Medicines Company
collaboration which was entered into in the first quarter of 2013.
Revenues were $47.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, as
compared to $66.7 million for the prior year. Revenues for the year
ended December 31, 2013 included $22.0 million of revenues related to
the company’s collaboration with Takeda, $9.7 million of collaboration
revenues related to the company’s former alliance with Cubist, $5.6
million of revenues related to the company’s collaboration with
Monsanto, $4.6 million of revenues related to the company’s
collaboration with The Medicines Company, and $5.3 million of expense
reimbursement, amortization, and/or license fee revenues from research
reagent licenses, and other sources. Net revenues decreased for the year
ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012
due primarily to the completion of the company’s remaining performance
obligations under the Roche/Arrowhead alliance in August 2012.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development (R&D) expenses were $32.1 million in the fourth
quarter of 2013, which included $3.3 million of non-cash stock-based
compensation, as compared to $21.7 million in the fourth quarter of
2012, which included $1.7 million of non-cash stock-based compensation.
The increase in R&D expense for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to
the fourth quarter of the prior year was due to the increase in license
fees related to the initiation of the Phase 3 trial of patisiran and an
increase in compensation related expenses, including stock-based
compensation. R&D expenses were $113.0 million for the year ended
December 31, 2013, which included $14.4 million of non-cash stock-based
compensation, as compared to $86.6 million for the prior year, which
included $8.0 million of non-cash stock-based compensation. The increase
in R&D expenses for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the
prior year was due primarily to higher clinical trial and manufacturing
expenses related to the company’s patisiran, ALN-TTRsc, and ALN-AT3
programs. In addition, compensation related expenses including
stock-based compensation increased during the year ended December 31,
2013 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012. R&D expenses are
expected to increase significantly in 2014 as the company continues to
develop its pipeline and advance its product candidates into clinical
trials.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $8.3 million in the
fourth quarter of 2013, which included $2.1 million of non-cash
stock-based compensation, as compared to $10.2 million in the fourth
quarter of 2012, which included $1.0 million of non-cash stock-based
compensation. G&A expenses were $27.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 2013, which included $6.3 million of non-cash stock-based
compensation, as compared to $44.6 million in 2012, which included $4.3
million of non-cash stock-based compensation. The G&A expenses for the
quarter and year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the prior year
periods decreased primarily due to decreased consulting and professional
services expenses related to business activities, primarily legal
activities. G&A expenses are expected to increase slightly in 2014.
Investment in Regulus Therapeutics
Equity in loss of joint venture was zero for the fourth quarter and year
ended of 2013 and $0.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $4.5
million for the year ended December 31, 2012, related to the company’s
share of the net losses incurred by Regulus. Beginning in the fourth
quarter of 2012, the company began accounting for its investment in
Regulus at fair value by adjusting the value to reflect fluctuations in
Regulus’ stock price each reporting period. At December 31, 2013, the
fair market value of the company’s investment in Regulus was $45.5
million as compared to $38.7 million at December 31, 2012.
Benefit from Income Taxes
The company had a provision for income taxes of $3.0 million for the
fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to a benefit for income taxes of
$10.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. For the year ended
December 31, 2013, the company had a benefit from income taxes of $2.7
million as compared to $10.6 million for the respective period in 2012.
The income tax benefit is associated with the corresponding change in
value of the company’s investment in Regulus that the company recorded
in other comprehensive income, net of tax.
2014 Financial Guidance
Alnylam expects that its cash, cash equivalents, and total marketable
securities balance will be greater than $825 million at December 31,
2014.
“Alnylam continues to maintain a solid balance sheet, with approximately
$350 million in cash at year-end 2013. Upon the close of our Genzyme
alliance, Alnylam will have over $1 billion in cash on a pro forma
basis,” said Michael Mason, Vice President, Finance and Treasurer of
Alnylam. “As for financial guidance this year, we expect to end 2014
with greater than $825 million in cash. We believe that this balance
sheet will allow us to invest in a broad pipeline of genetic medicines
and to maintain financial independence through to multiple product
launches.”
Fourth Quarter 2013 and Recent Significant Corporate Highlights
Key “Alnylam 5x15” Program Highlights
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Advanced Patisiran (ALN-TTR02) into Phase 3 for the Treatment of
Transthyretin (TTR)-Mediated Amyloidosis (ATTR) in Patients with
Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy (FAP).
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Initiated APOLLO Phase 3 Trial with Patisiran. The APOLLO
trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, global
study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of patisiran in
up to 200 ATTR patients with FAP. The primary endpoint of the
study is the difference in the change in neuropathy impairment
score, or “mNIS+7,” between patisiran and placebo at 18 months.
Secondary endpoints include: Norfolk Quality of Life-Diabetic
Neuropathy (QOL-DN) score; NIS-weakness; modified BMI; timed
10-meter walk; and COMPASS-31 autonomic symptom score. Patients
will be randomized 2:1, patisiran:placebo, with patisiran
administered at 0.30 mg/kg once every three weeks for 18 months.
All patients completing the APOLLO Phase 3 study will be eligible
to enroll in a Phase 3 open-label extension (OLE) study. In
addition, Alnylam announced that the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) granted Fast Track designation to patisiran
for the treatment of FAP.
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Continued Dosing in Phase 2 OLE Study with Patisiran. The
Phase 2 OLE study is an open-label study where patients that were
enrolled in the patisiran Phase 2 study are eligible to receive
continued dosing. The primary objective of this study is to
evaluate the long-term safety and tolerability of patisiran
administration. The study will also measure a number of clinical
endpoints, which are the same as those measured in the APOLLO
Phase 3 study. The company expects to present data from the Phase
2 OLE study approximately once a year, with an initial data report
in late 2014.
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Reported Positive Results from Phase 2 Trial in FAP Patients. At
the IXth International Symposium on FAP (ISFAP) in November 2013,
Alnylam presented results
showing that multiple doses of patisiran led to robust and
statistically significant knockdown of serum TTR protein levels of
up to 96%, with mean levels of TTR knockdown exceeding 85%.
Knockdown of TTR, the disease-causing protein in ATTR, was found
to be rapid, dose dependent, and durable, and similar activity was
observed toward both wild-type and mutant protein. In addition,
patisiran was found to be generally well tolerated in this study.
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Initiated Phase 2 Clinical Trial with ALN-TTRsc, a Subcutaneously
Administered RNAi Therapeutic Targeting TTR for the Treatment of ATTR
Patients with Cardiac Amyloidosis. The pilot Phase 2 trial is
aimed at evaluating the tolerability and preliminary clinical activity
of ALN-TTRsc in approximately 15 patients with familial amyloidotic
cardiomyopathy (FAC) – which is caused by autosomal dominant mutations
in the TTR gene – or senile systemic amyloidosis (SSA) – which is
caused by idiopathic accumulation of wild-type TTR in the heart. In
addition, the study will assess preliminary clinical activity as
measured by knockdown of serum TTR levels and additional exploratory
tests, such as cardiac imaging (including echocardiography and cardiac
MRI), circulating cardiac biomarkers (NT-proBNP and troponins T and
I), 6-minute walk test, New York Heart Association (NYHA)
classification, and measures of heart failure symptoms and quality of
life (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire and EQ-5D QOL). The
company expects to present data from the Phase 2 trial in late 2014.
Patients completing the Phase 2 trial will be eligible to participate
in an OLE study for further assessment of general tolerability and
clinical activity with long-term dosing; the ALN-TTRsc Phase 2 OLE
study is expected to be initiated in mid-2014. Assuming positive
results, Alnylam expects to begin a Phase 3 trial in TTR cardiac
amyloidosis patients by the end of 2014.
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Initiated Phase 1 Clinical Trial with ALN-AT3, a Subcutaneously
Administered RNAi Therapeutic Targeting Antithrombin (AT) for the
Treatment of Hemophilia and Rare Bleeding Disorders (RBD). The
Phase 1 study is being conducted in the U.K. as a single- and
multi-dose, dose-escalation study comprised of two parts. Part A will
be a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose,
dose-escalation study, enrolling up to 24 healthy volunteer subjects.
The primary objective of this part of the study is to evaluate the
safety and tolerability of a single low dose of ALN-AT3, with the
potential secondarily to show changes in AT plasma levels at
sub-pharmacologic doses. Part B of the study will be an open-label,
multi-dose, dose-escalation study enrolling up to 18 people with
moderate to severe hemophilia A or B. The primary objective of this
part of the study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of
multiple doses of subcutaneously administered ALN-AT3 in hemophilia
subjects. Secondary objectives include assessment of clinical activity
as determined by knockdown of circulating AT levels and increase in
thrombin generation at pharmacologic doses of ALN-AT3; thrombin
generation is known to be a biomarker for bleeding frequency and
severity in people with hemophilia (Dargaud, et al., Thromb Haemost;
93, 475-480 (2005)). The company expects to present initial data from
the Phase 1 study in late 2014. At the 55th Annual Meeting
of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) held in December 2013, new pre-clinical
data were presented demonstrating that ALN-AT3 has an expanded
therapeutic index in the hemophilia setting and can correct the
activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), a measure of blood
coagulation, in mice with hemophilia A.
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Advanced ALN-CC5, a Subcutaneously Administered RNAi Therapeutic
Targeting Complement Component C5 for the Treatment of
Complement-Mediated Diseases. ALN-CC5 is a subcutaneously
administered RNAi therapeutic targeting complement component C5 for
the treatment of complement-mediated diseases, such as paroxysmal
nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome
(aHUS), myasthenia gravis, neuromyelitis optica, amongst many others.
At the ASH Meeting held in December 2013, the company presented pre-clinical
data demonstrating that subcutaneous administration of ALN-CC5 in
non-human primates (NHPs) led to an up to 98% knockdown of serum C5
and an up to 94% inhibition of serum hemolytic activity. This level of
complement activity inhibition exceeds the 80% inhibition threshold
that has been validated as being associated with clinical benefit in
patients with PNH (Hillmen et al., N. Engl. J. Med.
(2004) 350:552-559). The company expects to identify its final
Development Candidate for ALN-CC5 in early 2014 and to file an
Investigational New Drug (IND) application or IND equivalent in late
2014 or early 2015.
-
Selected Development Candidate for ALN-AS1, a Subcutaneously
Administered RNAi Therapeutic Targeting Aminolevulinate Synthase-1
(ALAS-1) for the Treatment of Hepatic Porphyrias. New pre-clinical
research findings, presented at the 9th Annual Meeting
of the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society (OTS) held in October
2013, showed that subcutaneous administration of a GalNAc-siRNA
targeting ALAS-1 led to rapid, dose-dependent, and long-lasting
knockdown of the ALAS-1 mRNA and complete inhibition of the toxic
intermediates that mediate the symptoms and pathology of acute
intermittent porphyria (AIP). Based on these findings, including
results in non-human primate studies, the company has selected its
ALN-AS1 Development Candidate and expects to file an IND or IND
equivalent application for this RNAi therapeutic in late 2014 or early
2015.
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The Medicines Company and Alnylam Selected a Development Candidate
for ALN-PCSsc, a Subcutaneously Administered RNAi Therapeutic
Targeting PCSK9 for the Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia. New data
from non-human primate studies, presented at the American Heart
Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions held in November 2013, showed
that ALN-PCSsc administration results in up to 95% knockdown of plasma
PCSK9 and up to 67% lowering of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) in the absence
of statins. Pre-clinical durability data support the potential for
every-two-week dosing and possibly every-four-week dosing. Alnylam
anticipates submitting an IND or IND equivalent application for
ALN-PCSsc in late 2014 or early 2015. In addition, Alnylam and
collaborators published complete study results from a Phase 1 trial
with ALN-PCS02, an intravenously administered RNAi therapeutic
targeting PCSK9, in The Lancet. The paper
(Fitzgerald, et al., The Lancet,
doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61914-5) reports the results of a study
evaluating single intravenous dose administration of ALN-PCS02, in the
absence of concomitant lipid-lowering agents such as statins.
Specifically, ALN-PCS02 administration resulted in rapid,
dose-dependent, and durable knockdown of plasma PCSK9 of up to 84%
relative to baseline and placebo, with a corresponding reduction in
serum levels of LDL-C – a clinically validated endpoint – of up to 57%
relative to baseline and placebo. In addition, ALN-PCS02 was found to
be generally well tolerated in this study.
-
Advanced Additional “Alnylam 5x15” Programs. Alnylam continued
to advance additional programs as part of its “Alnylam 5x15” and
genetic medicine product strategy, including ALN-AAT, an RNAi
therapeutic targeting alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) for the treatment of
liver disease associated with AAT deficiency; ALN-TMP, an RNAi
therapeutic targeting TMPRSS6 for the treatment of beta-thalassemia
and iron overload disorders; and ALN-ANG, an RNAi therapeutic
targeting angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) for the treatment of genetic
forms of mixed hyperlipidemia and severe hypertriglyceridemia. New
data were presented for: ALN-AAT
at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Association for
the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD, “The Liver Meeting”) held in
November 2013; ALN-ANG
at the AHA Scientific Sessions held in November 2013; and ALN-TMP
at the ASH Meeting held in December 2013.
Business and Organizational Highlights
-
Formed Transformational Alliance with Genzyme for RNAi Therapeutics
as Genetic Medicines. Genzyme and Alnylam have formed an alliance
to accelerate and expand the development and commercialization of RNAi
therapeutics across the world. The alliance is structured as a
multi-product geographic alliance in the field of rare diseases.
Alnylam retains product rights in North America and Western Europe,
while Genzyme obtains the right to access Alnylam’s current “5x15” and
future genetic medicines pipeline in the rest of the world (ROW),
including co-development/co-commercialization and/or global product
rights for certain programs. In addition, Genzyme becomes a major
Alnylam shareholder through an upfront purchase of $700 million of
newly issued stock at approximately $80/share, representing an
approximately 12% ownership position. Upon closing, this alliance
significantly bolsters Alnylam’s balance sheet to over $1 billion in
cash, enabling an increased investment in the company’s RNAi
therapeutics pipeline and is expected to secure Alnylam’s financial
independence through to multiple product launches. This transaction
has been approved by the boards of both companies, and is subject to
customary closing conditions and clearances under the Hart-Scott
Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.
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Acquired Investigational RNAi Therapeutic Assets from Merck,
Including Sirna Therapeutics. The acquisition, which includes
Merck’s wholly owned subsidiary Sirna Therapeutics, Inc., provides
Alnylam with intellectual property and RNAi assets including
pre-clinical therapeutic candidates, chemistry, siRNA-conjugate and
other delivery technologies. Under the terms of the agreement, in
exchange for acquiring the stock of Sirna Therapeutics, Alnylam will
pay Merck an upfront payment of $175 million in cash and equity ($25
million cash/$150 million in Alnylam common stock). In addition, Merck
is eligible to receive milestones and royalties based on advancement
of certain pre-clinical candidates discovered by Merck and on Alnylam
products covered by the Sirna Therapeutics patent estate. This
transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the
requirements under the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.
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Earned Additional Milestone Payments from Genzyme for Advancement
of Patisiran. Per the terms of the original agreement entered into
in October 2012 between Alnylam and Genzyme, Alnylam earned a $7
million milestone from Genzyme for achieving Phase 2 success with
patisiran. In addition, Alnylam announced today that it has received
an additional $4 million milestone from Genzyme associated with the
initiation of dosing in the APOLLO Phase 3 trial with patisiran.
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Expanded Management Team. Alnylam announced today that Jeffrey
Cehelsky has been promoted to Vice President, Clinical Operations,
from Senior Director, Clinical Operations, a position he held since
shortly after joining the company in 2005.
Conference Call Information
Management will provide an update on the company, discuss fourth quarter
and 2013 results, and discuss expectations for the future via conference
call on Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. ET. A corporate slide
presentation will also be available on the Investors page of the
company’s website, www.alnylam.com,
to accompany the conference call. To access the call, please dial
877-312-7507 (domestic) or 631-813-4828 (international) five minutes
prior to the start time and refer to conference ID 46682151. A replay of
the call will be available beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday,
February 13, 2014. To access the replay, please dial 855-859-2056
(domestic) or 404-537-3406 (international), and refer to conference ID
46682151.
About RNA Interference (RNAi)
RNAi (RNA interference) is a revolution in biology, representing a
breakthrough in understanding how genes are turned on and off in cells,
and a completely new approach to drug discovery and development. Its
discovery has been heralded as “a major scientific breakthrough that
happens once every decade or so,” and represents one of the most
promising and rapidly advancing frontiers in biology and drug discovery
today which was awarded the 2006 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine.
RNAi is a natural process of gene silencing that occurs in organisms
ranging from plants to mammals. By harnessing the natural biological
process of RNAi occurring in our cells, the creation of a major new
class of medicines, known as RNAi therapeutics, is on the horizon. Small
interfering RNA (siRNA), the molecules that mediate RNAi and comprise
Alnylam’s RNAi therapeutic platform, target the cause of diseases by
potently silencing specific mRNAs, thereby preventing disease-causing
proteins from being made. RNAi therapeutics have the potential to treat
disease and help patients in a fundamentally new way.
About Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
Alnylam is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics
based on RNA interference, or RNAi. The company is leading the
translation of RNAi as a new class of innovative medicines with a core
focus on RNAi therapeutics as genetic medicines, including programs as
part of the company’s “Alnylam 5x15TM” product strategy.
Alnylam’s genetic medicine programs are RNAi therapeutics directed
toward genetically defined targets for the treatment of serious,
life-threatening diseases with limited treatment options for patients
and their caregivers. These include: patisiran (ALN-TTR02), an
intravenously delivered RNAi therapeutic targeting transthyretin (TTR)
for the treatment of TTR-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR) in patients with
familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP); ALN-TTRsc, a subcutaneously
delivered RNAi therapeutic targeting TTR for the treatment of ATTR in
patients with TTR cardiac amyloidosis, including familial amyloidotic
cardiomyopathy (FAC) and senile systemic amyloidosis (SSA); ALN-AT3, an
RNAi therapeutic targeting antithrombin (AT) for the treatment of
hemophilia and rare bleeding disorders (RBD); ALN-CC5, an RNAi
therapeutic targeting complement component C5 for the treatment of
complement-mediated diseases; ALN-AS1, an RNAi therapeutic targeting
aminolevulinate synthase-1 (ALAS-1) for the treatment of hepatic
porphyrias including acute intermittent porphyria (AIP); ALN-PCS, an
RNAi therapeutic targeting PCSK9 for the treatment of
hypercholesterolemia; ALN-AAT, an RNAi therapeutic targeting
alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) for the treatment of AAT deficiency liver
disease; ALN-TMP, an RNAi therapeutic targeting TMPRSS6 for the
treatment of beta-thalassemia and iron-overload disorders; ALN-ANG, an
RNAi therapeutic targeting angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) for the
treatment of genetic forms of mixed hyperlipidemia and severe
hypertriglyceridemia; and other programs yet to be disclosed. As part of
its “Alnylam 5x15” strategy, as updated in early 2014, the company
expects to have six to seven genetic medicine product candidates in
clinical development - including at least two programs in Phase 3 and
five to six programs with human proof of concept - by the end of 2015.
The company’s demonstrated commitment to RNAi therapeutics has enabled
it to form major alliances with leading companies including Merck,
Medtronic, Novartis, Biogen Idec, Roche, Takeda, Kyowa Hakko Kirin,
Cubist, GlaxoSmithKline, Ascletis, Monsanto, The Medicines Company, and
Genzyme, a Sanofi company. In January 2014, Alnylam agreed to acquire
Sirna Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck. In addition,
Alnylam holds an equity position in Regulus Therapeutics Inc., a company
focused on discovery, development, and commercialization of microRNA
therapeutics. Alnylam scientists and collaborators have published their
research on RNAi therapeutics in over 200 peer-reviewed papers,
including many in the world’s top scientific journals such as Nature,
Nature Medicine, Nature Biotechnology, Cell, the New
England Journal of Medicine, and The Lancet. Founded in 2002,
Alnylam maintains headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For more
information, please visit www.alnylam.com.
About “Alnylam 5x15™” and Genetic Medicines
The “Alnylam 5x15” strategy, launched in January 2011, establishes a
path for development and commercialization of novel RNAi therapeutics as
genetic medicines. Alnylam’s genetic medicine programs are RNAi
therapeutics directed toward genetically defined targets for the
treatment of diseases with high unmet medical need. These programs share
several key characteristics including: a genetically defined target and
disease expressed in the liver; the potential to have a major impact in
a high unmet need population; the ability to leverage the existing
Alnylam RNAi platform with clinically proven delivery to the liver; the
opportunity to monitor an early biomarker in Phase 1 clinical trials for
human proof of concept; and the existence of clinically relevant
endpoints for the filing of a new drug application (NDA) with a focused
patient database and possible accelerated paths for commercialization.
As updated in early 2014, the company expects to have six to seven
genetic medicine product candidates in clinical development - including
at least two programs in Phase 3 and five to six programs with human
proof of concept - by the end of 2015. The “Alnylam 5x15” programs
include: patisiran (ALN-TTR02), an intravenously delivered RNAi
therapeutic targeting transthyretin (TTR) in development for the
treatment of TTR-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR) in patients with familial
amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP); ALN-TTRsc, a subcutaneously delivered
RNAi therapeutic targeting TTR in development for the treatment of ATTR
in patients with TTR cardiac amyloidosis, including familial amyloidotic
cardiomyopathy (FAC) and senile systemic amyloidosis (SSA); ALN-AT3, an
RNAi therapeutic targeting antithrombin (AT) in development for the
treatment of hemophilia and rare bleeding disorders (RBD); ALN-CC5, an
RNAi therapeutic targeting complement component C5 in development for
the treatment of complement-mediated diseases; ALN-AS1, an RNAi
therapeutic targeting aminolevulinate synthase-1 (ALAS-1) in development
for the treatment of hepatic porphyrias including acute intermittent
porphyria (AIP); ALN-PCS, an RNAi therapeutic targeting PCSK9 in
development for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia; ALN-AAT, an RNAi
therapeutic targeting alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) for the treatment of AAT
deficiency liver disease; ALN-TMP, an RNAi therapeutic targeting TMPRSS6
in development for the treatment of beta-thalassemia and iron-overload
disorders; ALN-ANG, an RNAi therapeutic targeting angiopoietin-like 3
(ANGPTL3) for the treatment of genetic forms of mixed hyperlipidemia and
severe hypertriglyceridemia; and other programs yet to be disclosed. In
2014, Alnylam and Genzyme, a Sanofi company, formed a multi-product
geographic alliance on Alnylam’s genetic medicine programs.
Specifically, Alnylam will lead development and commercialization of
programs in North America and Europe, while Genzyme will develop and
commercialize products in the rest of world. In addition, Alnylam and
Genzyme will co-develop and co-commercialize ALN-TTRsc in North America
and Europe.
Alnylam Forward-Looking Statements
Various statements in this release concerning Alnylam’s future
expectations, plans and prospects, including without limitation,
Alnylam’s expectations regarding its “Alnylam 5x15” product strategy,
Alnylam’s views with respect to the potential for RNAi therapeutics,
including patisiran (ALN-TTR02) and ALN-TTRsc, ALN-AT3, ALN-CC5,
ALN-AS1, ALN-PCSsc, ALN-AAT, ALN-TMP, and ALN-ANG, its expectations with
respect to the timing, execution, and success of its clinical and
pre-clinical trials, the expected timing of regulatory filings,
including its plan to file IND or IND equivalent applications and
initiate clinical trials for ALN-TTRsc, ALN-CC5, ALN-AS1, and ALN-PCSsc,
its expectations regarding reporting of data from its clinical studies,
including its studies for patisiran, ALN-TTRsc, and ALN-AT3, as well as
other research programs and technologies, its plans regarding
commercialization of RNAi therapeutics, Genzyme’s participation in the
development and commercialization of RNAi therapeutics, Alnylam’s views
with respect to the potential value of the assets being acquired from
Merck and its ability to further its efforts to build a new class of
medicines, the potential timing of the closing of the Genzyme and Merck
transactions, its expected cash position on a pro forma basis
following the closing of the Genzyme transaction and as of December 31,
2014, and its expectations regarding available cash for its operations
through multiple product launches, constitute forward-looking statements
for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ
materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a
result of various important factors, including, without limitation,
Alnylam’s ability to manage operating expenses, Alnylam’s ability to
discover and develop novel drug candidates and delivery approaches,
successfully demonstrate the efficacy and safety of its drug candidates,
the pre-clinical and clinical results for its product candidates, which
may not support further development of product candidates, actions of
regulatory agencies, which may affect the initiation, timing and
progress of clinical trials, obtaining, maintaining and protecting
intellectual property, Alnylam’s ability to enforce its patents against
infringers and defend its patent portfolio against challenges from third
parties, obtaining regulatory approval for products, competition from
others using technology similar to Alnylam’s and others developing
products for similar uses, Alnylam’s ability to obtain additional
funding to support its business activities and establish and maintain
strategic business alliances and new business initiatives, Alnylam’s
dependence on third parties for development, manufacture, marketing,
sales and distribution of products, the outcome of litigation, and
unexpected expenditures, as well as those risks more fully discussed in
the “Risk Factors” filed with Alnylam’s most recent Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and in
other filings that Alnylam makes with the SEC. In addition, any
forward-looking statements represent Alnylam’s views only as of today
and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any
subsequent date. Alnylam explicitly disclaims any obligation to update
any forward-looking statements.
|
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
|
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
|
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
December 31,
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenues from collaborators
|
|
$
|
10,847
|
|
|
$
|
8,495
|
|
|
$
|
47,167
|
|
|
$
|
66,725
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development (1)
|
|
|
32,106
|
|
|
|
21,678
|
|
|
|
112,957
|
|
|
|
86,569
|
|
General and administrative (1)
|
|
|
8,333
|
|
|
|
10,166
|
|
|
|
27,152
|
|
|
|
44,612
|
|
Restructuring of Tekmira license agreement
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
65,000
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
65,000
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
40,439
|
|
|
|
96,844
|
|
|
|
140,109
|
|
|
|
196,181
|
|
Loss from operations
|
|
|
(29,592
|
)
|
|
|
(88,349
|
)
|
|
|
(92,942
|
)
|
|
|
(129,456
|
)
|
Other income (expense):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity in loss of joint venture (Regulus Therapeutics Inc.)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(881
|
)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
(4,522
|
)
|
Gain on issuance of stock by Regulus Therapeutics Inc.
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
16,084
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
16,084
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
285
|
|
|
|
222
|
|
|
|
1,069
|
|
|
|
977
|
|
Other (expense) income
|
|
|
(29
|
)
|
|
|
164
|
|
|
|
(47
|
)
|
|
|
331
|
|
Total other income (expense)
|
|
|
256
|
|
|
|
15,589
|
|
|
|
1,022
|
|
|
|
12,870
|
|
Loss before income taxes
|
|
|
(29,336
|
)
|
|
|
(72,760
|
)
|
|
|
(91,920
|
)
|
|
|
(116,586
|
)
|
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes
|
|
|
(3,021
|
)
|
|
|
10,572
|
|
|
|
2,695
|
|
|
|
10,572
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$
|
(32,357
|
)
|
|
$
|
(62,188
|
)
|
|
$
|
(89,225
|
)
|
|
$
|
(106,014
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per common share - basic and diluted
|
|
$
|
(0.51
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.20
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.45
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2.11
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares used to compute basic and diluted net
loss per common share
|
|
|
62,909
|
|
|
|
51,821
|
|
|
|
61,551
|
|
|
|
50,286
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$
|
(32,357
|
)
|
|
$
|
(62,188
|
)
|
|
$
|
(89,225
|
)
|
|
$
|
(106,014
|
)
|
Unrealized (loss) gain on marketable securities, net of tax
|
|
|
(7,451
|
)
|
|
|
15,554
|
|
|
|
4,055
|
|
|
|
15,827
|
|
Comprehensive loss
|
|
$
|
(39,808
|
)
|
|
$
|
(46,634
|
)
|
|
$
|
(85,170
|
)
|
|
$
|
(90,187
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Non-cash stock-based compensation expenses included in operating
expenses are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development
|
|
$
|
3,277
|
|
|
$
|
1,684
|
|
|
$
|
14,369
|
|
|
$
|
8,041
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
2,129
|
|
|
|
1,038
|
|
|
|
6,334
|
|
|
|
4,319
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
|
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
|
(In thousands, except share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
Cash, cash equivalents and total marketable securities
|
|
$350,472
|
|
$226,228
|
Billed and unbilled collaboration receivables
|
|
4,248
|
|
104
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
3,910
|
|
2,641
|
Property and equipment, net
|
|
16,448
|
|
19,799
|
Investment in equity securities of Regulus Therapeutics Inc.
|
|
45,452
|
|
38,748
|
Total assets
|
|
$420,530
|
|
$287,520
|
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
|
$20,056
|
|
$15,978
|
Total deferred revenue
|
|
126,090
|
|
132,291
|
Total deferred rent
|
|
4,037
|
|
5,198
|
Total stockholders’ equity (63.7 million and 52.5 million common
shares issued and outstanding and at December 31, 2013 and December
31, 2012, respectively)
|
|
270,347
|
|
134,053
|
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
|
|
$420,530
|
|
$287,520
|
|
|
|
|
|
This selected financial information should be read in conjunction with
the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in
Alnylam’s Annual Report on Form 10-K which includes the audited
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Copyright Business Wire 2014