BioLineRx Ltd. (NASDAQ: BLRX) (TASE: BLRX), a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company dedicated to identifying, in-licensing and
developing promising therapeutic candidates, today reports its financial
results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015.
Kinneret Savitsky, Ph.D., CEO of BioLineRx, remarked, “During the first
quarter of 2015, we continued to focus on advancing our lead programs
through value-driving clinical and regulatory milestones. We recently
completed the dose escalation stage of our ongoing BL-8040 Phase 2
clinical study for treating relapsed and refractory acute myeloid
leukemia (AML), which continues to show excellent safety and
tolerability, as well as robust mobilization and apoptosis of the cancer
cells. We have begun to enroll patients in the expansion stage of the
study at the optimal chosen dose of 1.5 mg/kg. In addition, we announced
successful top-line safety and efficacy results from our Phase 1 study
of BL-8040 as a novel, single-agent stem cell mobilization treatment,
where we met all safety and efficacy endpoints. We plan to meet with the
FDA as soon as possible to discuss the results of the study and obtain
more clarity on the next steps in clinical development for this
indication. We intend to present the full Phase 1 study results at the
European Hematology Association Conference in June, which we expect will
garner significant interest from the transplant community.”
Dr. Savitsky continued, “BioLineRx has significant milestones upcoming
in the near term and over the next twelve months. In the fourth quarter
of 2015, we anticipate reporting top-line results from the complete
Phase 2 AML study, including the current expansion phase. Over the next
few months, we are also preparing to initiate several additional
clinical studies for BL-8040 that will expand the potential indications
for our lead platform. The required regulatory submissions have been
made for the first of these studies, a large Phase 2b study to evaluate
BL-8040 as a consolidation AML therapy. In addition, we plan to assess
BL-8040 as a novel treatment for hypoplastic myelodysplastic syndrome
and aplastic anemia with the initiation of a Phase 2 trial. Following
that, we expect to initiate a third AML trial for BL-8040, a Phase 2
study in combination with a FLT3 inhibitor agent, for patients with
FLT3-ITD-mutated AML. We are very excited to explore the expanded
potential for BL-8040, which we believe is poised to become a
market-leading hematological platform.”
“Beyond our BL-8040 platform, we are awaiting formal approval of the
device regulatory pathway by the EU Notified Body with regard to
BL-7010, our novel polymer for treating celiac disease. In addition, we
are finalizing additional non-clinical studies and formulation work to
support potential initiation of a pivotal CE Mark registration study in
the fourth quarter of this year.”
“Finally, at the beginning of the year, we announced that our partner
Bellerophon had completed enrollment for BL-1040, our most advanced
partnered program, in the PRESERVATION 1 pivotal CE Mark registration
study. The enrolled patients are completing the six-month follow up
period and we expect to report top-line results in mid-2015. In parallel
to the study in Europe, Bellerophon is preparing to commence a U.S.
pivotal study in the first half of 2016.”
Dr. Savitsky concluded, “From a corporate perspective, we recently
announced our intention to carry out a 1:10 reverse split of our
ordinary shares traded in Tel Aviv. The purpose of this reverse share
split is to provide for a 1:1 ratio of our ordinary shares traded in Tel
Aviv with our American Depositary Shares traded on NASDAQ, thus
preventing any confusion in the market due to the current 10:1 ratio. In
addition, we would also like to emphasize our strong balance sheet
following the successful completion of a $29 million secondary public
offering of our ADSs this quarter, which allows us to aggressively
progress the clinical development of BL-8040 and BL-7010, and continue
to screen for opportunities we hope to realize under our strategic
collaboration with Novartis. We believe we have a sufficient cash runway
to pursue all planned clinical activities for the next three years.”
Financial Results for First Quarter Ended March 31, 2015
Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31,
2015 were $3.2 million, an increase of $0.5 million, or 18%, compared to
$2.7 million for the corresponding 2014 period. The increase resulted
primarily from increased spending on BL-8040 in the 2015 period,
partially offset by decreased spending on BL-7010, BL-9020 and BL-5010.
Sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2015
were $0.3 million, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 29%, compared to $0.4
million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The decrease resulted
primarily from professional fees related to a number of significant
business development activities carried out during the 2014 period,
which resulted in collaboration and outlicensing agreements later in the
year.
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31,
2015 were $0.9 million, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 14%, compared to
$1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The small
decrease resulted primarily from exchange rate differences.
The Company’s operating loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015
amounted to $4.3 million, compared with an operating loss of $4.1
million for the corresponding 2014 period.
The Company recognized an immaterial amount of net non-operating
expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to net
non-operating income of $1.7 million for the corresponding period in
2014. Non-operating income (expenses) for both periods primarily relates
to fair-value adjustments of liabilities on account of the warrants
issued in the private and direct placements conducted in February 2012
and 2013. These fair-value adjustments were highly influenced by the
Company’s share price at each period end (revaluation date).
The Company recognized an immaterial amount of net financial income for
the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to net financial income
of $0.3 million for the corresponding period in 2014. Net financial
income (expenses) for the 2015 period primarily relates to investment
income earned on bank deposits, as well as banking fees. The 2014 period
also includes exchange rate differences primarily relating to changes in
the USD/NIS exchange rate.
The Company’s net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015
amounted to $4.3 million, compared with a net loss of $2.1 million for
the corresponding 2014 period.
The Company held $57.5 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term
bank deposits as of March 31, 2015.
Net cash used in operating activities was $3.5 million for the three
months ended March 31, 2015, compared with net cash used in operating
activities of $3.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
The $0.1 million increase in net cash used in operating activities
during the three-month period in 2015, compared to the three-month
period in 2014, was primarily the result of increased research and
development spending, partially offset by an increase in trade payables
and accruals.
Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March
31, 2015 was $20.7 million, compared to net cash used in investing
activities of $19.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
The changes in cash flows from investing activities relate primarily to
investments in, and maturities of, short-term bank deposits and other
investments during the respective periods.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended
March 31, 2015 was $26.5 million, compared to net cash provided by
financing activities of $22.6 million for the three months ended March
31, 2014. The cash flows from financing activities primarily reflect
underwritten public offerings of our ADSs in March 2015 and 2014.
Conference Call and Webcast Information
BioLineRx will hold a conference call to discuss its first-quarter end
March 31, 2015 results today, May 18, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. To access
the conference call, please dial 1-888-407-2553 from the US, or
+972-3-918-0644 internationally. The call will also be available via
live webcast through BioLineRx’s website. A replay of the conference
call will be available approximately two hours after completion of the
live conference call. To access the replay, please dial 1-877-456-0009
from the US or +972-3-925-5944 internationally. The replay will be
available through May 21, 2015.
About BioLineRx
BioLineRx is a publicly-traded, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company
dedicated to identifying, in-licensing and developing promising
therapeutic candidates. The Company in-licenses novel compounds
primarily from academic institutions and biotech companies based in
Israel, develops them through pre-clinical and/or clinical stages, and
then partners with pharmaceutical companies for advanced clinical
development and/or commercialization.
BioLineRx’s current portfolio consists of a variety of clinical and
pre-clinical projects, including: BL-1040 for prevention of pathological
cardiac remodeling following a myocardial infarction, which has been
out-licensed to Bellerophon BCM (f/k/a Ikaria) and is in the midst of a
pivotal CE-Mark registration trial scheduled for completion in mid-2015;
BL-8040, a cancer therapy platform, which is in the midst of a Phase 2
study for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and has successfully completed a
Phase 1 study in stem cell mobilization; and BL-7010 for celiac disease,
which has successfully completed a Phase 1/2 study.
In December 2014, BioLineRx entered into a strategic collaboration
with Novartis for the co-development of selected Israeli-sourced novel
drug candidates. The companies intend to co-develop a number of
pre-clinical and early clinical therapeutic projects through clinical
proof-of-concept for potential future licensing by Novartis.
For more information on BioLineRx, please visit www.biolinerx.com
or download the investor relations mobile device app, which allows users
access to the Company’s SEC documents, press releases, and events.
BioLineRx’s IR app is available on the iTunes App Store as well as the
Google Play Store.
Various statements in this release concerning BioLineRx’s future
expectations constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
statements include words such as “may,” “expects,” “anticipates,”
“believes,” and “intends,” and describe opinions about future events.
These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and
uncertainties that may cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of BioLineRx to be materially different from any future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Some of these risks are: changes in
relationships with collaborators; the impact of competitive products and
technological changes; risks relating to the development of new
products; and the ability to implement technological improvements. These
and other factors are more fully discussed in the “Risk Factors” section
of BioLineRx’s most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 23, 2015. In addition, any
forward-looking statements represent BioLineRx’s views only as of the
date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing its
views as of any subsequent date. BioLineRx does not assume any
obligation to update any forward-looking statements unless required by
law.
BioLineRx Ltd.
|
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
|
(UNAUDITED)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2014
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
in USD thousands
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
|
5,790
|
|
|
8,075
|
|
Short-term bank deposits
|
|
|
|
28,890
|
|
|
49,418
|
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
|
221
|
|
|
296
|
|
Other receivables
|
|
|
|
257
|
|
|
641
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
|
35,158
|
|
|
58,430
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted deposits
|
|
|
|
166
|
|
|
166
|
|
Long-term prepaid expenses
|
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
50
|
|
Property and equipment, net
|
|
|
|
721
|
|
|
1,111
|
|
Intangible assets, net
|
|
|
|
117
|
|
|
116
|
|
Total non-current assets
|
|
|
|
1,053
|
|
|
1,443
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
|
36,211
|
|
|
59,873
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accruals:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade
|
|
|
|
1,654
|
|
|
2,614
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
1,252
|
|
|
1,531
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
|
2,906
|
|
|
4,145
|
|
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants
|
|
|
|
1,500
|
|
|
1,540
|
|
Total non-current liabilities
|
|
|
|
1,500
|
|
|
1,540
|
|
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
|
4,406
|
|
|
5,685
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares
|
|
|
|
1,055
|
|
|
1,420
|
|
Share premium
|
|
|
|
167,331
|
|
|
193,426
|
|
Other reserves
|
|
|
|
(1,416
|
)
|
|
(1,416
|
)
|
Capital reserve
|
|
|
|
9,800
|
|
|
10,034
|
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
|
(144,965
|
)
|
|
(149,276
|
)
|
Total equity
|
|
|
|
31,805
|
|
|
54,188
|
|
Total liabilities and equity
|
|
|
|
36,211
|
|
|
59,873
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BioLineRx Ltd.
|
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
|
(UNAUDITED)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2014
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
in USD thousands
|
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES, NET
|
|
|
|
(2,719
|
)
|
|
(3,211
|
)
|
SALES AND MARKETING EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
(367
|
)
|
|
(260
|
)
|
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
(990
|
)
|
|
(856
|
)
|
OPERATING LOSS
|
|
|
|
(4,076
|
)
|
|
(4,327
|
)
|
NON-OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSES), NET
|
|
|
|
1,687
|
|
|
(40
|
)
|
FINANCIAL INCOME
|
|
|
|
355
|
|
|
73
|
|
FINANCIAL EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
(81
|
)
|
|
(17
|
)
|
NET LOSS
|
|
|
|
(2,115
|
)
|
|
(4,311
|
)
|
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENCY TRANSLATION DIFFERENCES
|
|
|
|
(136
|
)
|
|
-
|
|
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
|
|
|
|
(2,251
|
)
|
|
(4,311
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
in USD
|
LOSS PER ORDINARY SHARE - BASIC AND DILUTED
|
|
|
|
(0.008
|
)
|
|
(0.010
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES USED IN CALCULATION OF LOSS PER
ORDINARY SHARE
|
|
|
|
269,241,871
|
|
|
425,069,045
|
|
|
BioLineRx Ltd.
|
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM CASH FLOW STATEMENTS
|
(UNAUDITED)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2014
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
in USD thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS - OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive loss for the period
|
|
|
|
(2,115
|
)
|
|
(4,311
|
)
|
Adjustments required to reflect net cash used in operating
activities (see appendix below)
|
|
|
|
(1,276
|
)
|
|
843
|
|
Net cash used in operating activities
|
|
|
|
(3,391
|
)
|
|
(3,468
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS - INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments in short-term deposits
|
|
|
|
(26,240
|
)
|
|
(31,153
|
)
|
Maturities of short-term deposits
|
|
|
|
7,231
|
|
|
10,634
|
|
Purchase of property and equipment
|
|
|
|
(47
|
)
|
|
(149
|
)
|
Purchase of intangible assets
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
|
(19,056
|
)
|
|
(20,670
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS - FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuances of share capital and warrants, net
|
|
|
|
22,610
|
|
|
26,460
|
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
|
22,610
|
|
|
26,460
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
|
|
|
163
|
|
|
2,322
|
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – BEGINNING
OF PERIOD
|
|
|
|
8,899
|
|
|
5,790
|
|
EXCHANGE DIFFERENCES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
(37
|
)
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD
|
|
|
|
9,162
|
|
|
8,075
|
|
|
BioLineRx Ltd.
|
APPENDIX TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM CASH FLOW STATEMENTS
|
(UNAUDITED)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended March 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2014
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
in USD thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments required to reflect net cash used in operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income and expenses not involving cash flows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
|
71
|
|
|
102
|
|
Long-term prepaid expenses
|
|
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
(1
|
)
|
Interest on short-term deposits
|
|
|
|
(119
|
)
|
|
(9
|
)
|
Share-based compensation
|
|
|
|
286
|
|
|
234
|
|
Exchange differences on cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
|
(151
|
)
|
|
37
|
|
Loss (gain) on adjustment of warrants to fair value
|
|
|
|
(1,687
|
)
|
|
40
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,606
|
)
|
|
403
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in operating asset and liability items:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease (increase) in trade accounts receivable and
other receivables
|
|
|
|
122
|
|
|
(459
|
)
|
Increase in accounts payable and accruals
|
|
|
|
208
|
|
|
899
|
|
|
|
|
|
330
|
|
|
440
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,276
|
)
|
|
843
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplementary information on investing activities not
involving cash flows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment acquired on supplier trade credit
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
482
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplementary information on interest received in cash
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
30
|
|
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150518005610/en/
Copyright Business Wire 2015