Full Press Release Details
Aeterna Zentaris Inc. 1405 du Parc-Technologique Blvd.
Qu bec (Qu bec) Canada G1P 4P5 T 418-652-8525
Aeterna Zentaris Reports First Quarter 2013 Financial and Operating Results
All amounts are in U.S. dollars (unless otherwise noted)
Quebec City, Canada, May 7, 2013 - Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZ) (the "Company"), a late stage drug development company specializing in oncology and endocrinology, today reported financial and operating results as at and for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013.
Key Drug Developments
AEZS-108 (Doxorubicin Peptide Conjugate)
AEZS-130 (Oral Ghrelin Agonist)
Perifosine (Oral AKT Inhibitor)
Key Corporate Developments
Appointment of New President and CEO
Cetrotide Manufacturing Rights
Cash and cash equivalents totalled $33.2 million as at March 31, 2013, compared to $39.5 million as at December 31, 2012.
David A. Dodd, Aeterna Zentaris President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "I am very proud and delighted to join Aeterna Zentaris. I believe that with our highly motivated staff, as well as our innovative pipeline augmented by business development, we can achieve long-term growth and profitability which will benefit both patients and shareholders. My short-term goals include successfully starting patient recruitment for the Phase 3 trial in endometrial cancer with AEZS-108, submitting the NDA for AEZS-130 as an oral diagnostic test for AGHD and, ensuring that we deliver on the commitments we make. We hold very highly our responsibility to delivering on these activities and demonstrating our commitment to all our stakeholders."
Dennis Turpin, CPA, CA, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Aeterna Zentaris stated, "Based on our current expectations and with $33.2 million in cash and cash equivalent as at March 31, 2013, we believe we have sufficient capital resources to fund our planned operations for at least the next twelve months."
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS AS AT AND FOR THE FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2013
Revenues were $16.6 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, compared to $9.5 million for the same period in 2012. The increase is largely attributable to comparative higher deliveries of Cetrotide to certain customers and to the recognition of unamortized deferred revenues related to upfront payments received from our licensee partners in connection with perifosine, following the Company's decision to discontinue the Phase 3 trials of perifosine.
R&D costs, net of refundable tax credits and grants were $4.4 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, compared to $5.6 million for the same period in 2012. The decrease is attributable to lower employee compensation and benefit costs due to continued cost-saving measures resulting in a lower number of employees. The decrease is also related to comparative lower third-party costs associated with the development of most of the Company's products.
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses were $3.8 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, compared to $3.2 million for the same period in 2012.
Net income (loss) for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013 was $1.9 million or $0.07 per basic and diluted share, compared to $(11.5) million or $(0.65) per basic and diluted share for the same period in 2012. The significant increase in net income is due largely to the significant increases in license fees revenues (non-cash) and in net finance income (non cash), as well as to lower net R&D costs, partly compensated by higher SG&A.
Management will be hosting a conference call for the investment community beginning at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) tomorrow, Wednesday, May 8, 2013, to discuss the 2013 first quarter results. Individuals interested in participating in the live conference call by telephone may dial, in Canada, 514-807-9895 or 647-427-7450, outside Canada, 888-231-8191. They may also listen through the Internet at www.aezsinc.com in the "newsroom" section. A replay will be available on the Company's website for 30 days following the live event.
For reference, the Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the first quarter 2013 with the associated Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements can be found at www.aezsinc.com in the Investors section.
About Aeterna Zentaris Inc.
Aeterna Zentaris is an oncology and endocrinology drug development company currently investigating treatments for various unmet medical needs. The Company's pipeline encompasses compounds at all stages of development, from drug discovery through to marketed products. For more information please visit www.aezsinc.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbour provisions of the U.S. Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the availability of funds and resources to pursue R&D projects, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies, the risk that safety and efficacy data from any of our Phase 3 trials may not coincide with the data analyses from previously reported Phase 1 and/or Phase 2 clinical trials, the ability of the Company to take advantage of business opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, uncertainties related to the regulatory process and general changes in economic conditions. Investors should consult the Company's quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian and U.S. securities commissions for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, unless required to do so by a governmental authority or by applicable law.
Ginette Beaudet Valli res
Investor Relations Coordinator
(418) 652-8525 ext. 265
Director of Communications
(418) 652-8525 ext. 406
Attachment: Financial summary
Interim Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Information
| Three months ended March 31, | ||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share data) | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
| $ | $ | |||||
| Revenues | ||||||
| Sales and royalties | 10,209 | 8,308 | ||||
| License fees and other | 6,390 | 1,202 | ||||
| 16,599 | 9,510 | |||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||
| Cost of sales | 8,684 | 7,513 | ||||
| Research and development costs, net of refundable tax credits and grants | 4,401 | 5,572 | ||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 3,794 | 3,213 | ||||
| 16,879 | 16,298 | |||||
| Loss from operations | (280 | ) | (6,788 | ) | ||
| Finance income | 2,166 | 76 | ||||
| Finance costs | - | (4,739 | ) | |||
| Net finance income (costs) | 2,166 | (4,663 | ) | |||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 1,886 | (11,451 | ) | |||
| Income tax expense | - | - | ||||
| Net income (loss) | 1,886 | (11,451 | ) | |||
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | ||||||
| Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss | ||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | 240 | (255 | ) | |||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | 2,126 | (11,706 | ) | |||
| Net income (loss) per share | ||||||
| Basic | 0.07 | (0.65 | ) | |||
| Diluted | 0.07 | (0.65 | ) | |||
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding | ||||||
| Basic | 25,329,288 | 17,669,474 | ||||
| Diluted | 25,330,128 | 17,669,474 |
Interim Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Information
| As at March 31, | As at December 31, | |||||
| (in thousands) | 2013 | 2012 | ||||
| $ | $ | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 33,183 | 39,521 | ||||
| Trade and other receivables and other current assets | 12,449 | 13,780 | ||||
| Restricted cash | 806 | 826 | ||||
| Property, plant and equipment | 1,964 | 2,147 | ||||
| Other non-current assets | 10,992 | 11,391 | ||||
| Total assets | 59,394 | 67,665 | ||||
| Payables and other current liabilities | 13,701 | 15,675 | ||||
| Long-term payable (current and non-current portions) | - | 30 | ||||
| Warrant liability | 4,419 | 6,176 | ||||
| Non-financial non-current liabilities* | 45,235 | 52,479 | ||||
| Total liabilities | 63,355 | 74,360 | ||||
| Shareholders' deficiency | (3,961 | ) | (6,695 | ) | ||
| Total liabilities and shareholders' deficiency | 59,394 | 67,665 |
_________________________
* Comprised mainly of non-current portion of deferred revenues, employee future benefits and provision.