Full Press Release Details
Nektar Therapeutics Reports Second Quarter 2021
SAN FRANCISCO, August 5, 2021 -- Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq:
NKTR) today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021.
Cash and investments in marketable securities at June 30, 2021
were approximately $1.1 billion as compared to $1.2 billion at December 31, 2020.
"We continue to execute on our clinical development strategy, setting the stage for a steady cadence of upcoming data readouts that
will highlight the value of our novel cytokine portfolio," said Howard W. Robin, President and CEO of Nektar. "For bempegaldesleukin
plus nivolumab, the first three of our five registrational studies in melanoma, renal cell carcinoma and bladder cancer remain on track
for top line data in the first half of 2022. We are also evaluating the combination of bempegaldesleukin plus pembrolizumab and look forward
to presenting data from the PROPEL study in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in the second half of 2021."
Mr. Robin continued, "We also have a
robust development program for NKTR-255, our second major cytokine candidate in oncology. Our initial efforts include two Phase 1
clinical studies in combination with ADCC antibodies, one in hematological malignancies and one in solid tumors, and we look forward
to sharing data from these studies before the end of the year. Finally, as part of the broad development program for NKTR-358, our
T regulatory cell IL-2 agent, our partner Eli Lilly is conducting Phase 2 studies in both lupus and ulcerative colitis and plans to
initiate additional Phase 2 studies in two different immune-mediated diseases."
Summary of Financial Results
Revenue in the second quarter of 2021 was $28.3 million as compared
to $48.8 million in the second quarter of 2020. The decrease in revenue relative
to 2020 was due to the recognition in the second quarter of 2020 of the $25.0 million milestone from Bristol-Myers Squibb for the initiation
of the registrational trial of bempegaldesleukin plus Opdivo in adjuvant melanoma. Revenue for the first half of 2021
was $52.0 million as compared to $99.4 million in the first half of 2020. Revenue was lower relative to 2020 due to
the recognition in the first half of 2020 of $50.0 million in total milestones from Bristol-Myers Squibb for the initiation of registrational
trials of bempegaldesleukin plus Opdivo in adjuvant melanoma and muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Total operating costs and expenses in the second quarter of 2021 were
$138.5 million as compared to $126.6 million in the second quarter of 2020. The increase was due to increases in research and development
(R&D) expense and general and administrative (G&A) expense in the second quarter of 2021. Total operating costs and expenses in
the first half of 2021 were $271.6 million as compared to $310.8 million in the first half of 2020. Operating
costs and expenses decreased relative to 2020 primarily due to the recording of $45.2 million in impairment charges in the first quarter
of 2020 resulting from the discontinuation of the NKTR-181 program.
R&D expense in the second quarter of 2021 was $101.3 million as
compared to $96.4 million for the second quarter of 2020. For the first half of 2021, R&D expense was $196.9 million as
compared to $205.4 million in the first half of 2020.
G&A expense was $29.6 million in the second quarter of 2021 and $24.3
million in the second quarter of 2020. For the first half of 2021, G&A expense was $61.2 million compared to $50.6
million in the first half of 2020. G&A expense increased primarily due to an increase in pre-commercial costs for bempegaldesleukin.
Net loss for the second quarter of 2021 was $125.5 million or
$0.69 basic and diluted loss per share as compared to a net loss of $80.0 million or $0.45 basic and diluted loss
per share in the second quarter of 2020. Net loss in the first half of 2021 was $248.5 million or $1.37 basic and
diluted loss per share as compared to a net loss of $218.7 million or $1.23 basic and diluted loss per share in the
Second Quarter 2021 and Recent Business Highlights:
Nektar also announced upcoming presentations at the following scientific
2021 European Society of Medical Oncology
September 16-21, 2021 (Virtual)
Conference Call to Discuss Second Quarter
2021 Financial Results
Nektar management will host a conference call to review the results
beginning at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time/2:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Thursday, August 5, 2021.
This press release and a live audio-only Webcast of the conference
call can be accessed through a link that is posted on the home page and Investors section of the Nektar website: https://ir.nektar.com/.
The web broadcast of the conference call will be available for replay through September 5, 2021.
To access the conference call, follow these instructions:
Dial: (877) 881-2183 (U.S.); (970) 315-0453 (International)
Conference ID: 4576644 (Nektar Therapeutics is the host)
In the event that any non-GAAP financial measure is discussed on the
conference call that is not described in this press release, or explained on the conference call, related information will be made available
on the Investors section of the Nektar website as soon as practical after the conclusion of the conference call.
Nektar Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company with a robust, wholly
owned R&D pipeline of investigational medicines in oncology, immunology, and virology as well as a portfolio of approved partnered
medicines. Nektar is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with additional operations in Huntsville, Alabama and Hyderabad, India.
Further information about the company and its drug development programs and capabilities may be found online at http://www.nektar.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains
forward-looking statements which can be identified by words such as: "will," "may," "design,"
"potential," "initiate," "plan", "on track for" and similar references to future
periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding the therapeutic potential of,
and future development plans for, bempegaldesleukin, NKTR-358 and NKTR-255, and the timing of the initiation of clinical studies and
the data readouts for our drug candidates. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future
performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business,
future plans and strategies, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking
statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult
to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the
forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could
cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others: (i) our
statements regarding the therapeutic potential of bempegaldesleukin, NKTR-358 and NKTR-255 are based on preclinical and
clinical findings and observations and are subject to change as research and development continue; (ii) bempegaldesleukin, NKTR-358
and NKTR-255 are investigational agents and continued research and development for these drug candidates is subject to substantial
risks, including negative safety and efficacy findings in ongoing clinical studies (notwithstanding positive findings in earlier
preclinical and clinical studies); (iii) bempegaldesleukin, NKTR-358 and NKTR-255 are in various stages of clinical development and
the risk of failure is high and can unexpectedly occur at any stage prior to regulatory approval; (iv) the timing of the
commencement or end of clinical trials and the availability of clinical data may be delayed or unsuccessful due to regulatory
delays, slower than anticipated patient enrollment, manufacturing challenges, changing standards of care, evolving regulatory
requirements, clinical trial design, clinical outcomes, competitive factors, or delay or failure in ultimately obtaining regulatory
approval in one or more important markets; (v) patents may not issue from our patent applications for our drug candidates, patents
that have issued may not be enforceable, or additional intellectual property licenses from third parties may be required; and (vi)
certain other important risks and uncertainties set forth in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on May 7, 2021. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on
information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to update any
forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information,
future developments or otherwise.
Vivian Wu of Nektar Therapeutics
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except par value)
| June 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 (1) | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 152,345 | $ | 198,955 | ||||
| Short-term investments | 847,720 | 862,941 | ||||||
| Accounts receivable | 28,871 | 38,889 | ||||||
| Inventory | 14,616 | 15,292 | ||||||
| Other current assets | 12,596 | 21,928 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 1,056,148 | 1,138,005 | ||||||
| Long-term investments | 57,397 | 136,662 | ||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 58,599 | 59,662 | ||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 122,362 | 126,476 | ||||||
| Goodwill | 76,501 | 76,501 | ||||||
| Other assets | 344 | 1,461 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 1,371,351 | $ | 1,538,767 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | 19,701 | 22,139 | ||||||
| Accrued compensation | 28,665 | 14,532 | ||||||
| Accrued clinical trial expenses | 41,085 | 44,207 | ||||||
| Accrued contract manufacturing expenses | 8,392 | 11,310 | ||||||
| Other accrued expenses | 16,404 | 9,676 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, current portion | 16,776 | 13,915 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 131,023 | 115,779 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, less current portion | 131,658 | 136,373 | ||||||
| Development derivative liability | 11,607 | - | ||||||
| Liability related to the sale of future royalties, net | 188,072 | 200,340 | ||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | 4,016 | 8,980 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 466,376 | 461,472 | ||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
| Stockholders' equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock | - | - | ||||||
| Common stock | 18 | 18 | ||||||
| Capital in excess of par value | 3,466,001 | 3,388,730 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (3,400 | ) | (2,295 | ) | ||||
| Accumulated deficit | (2,557,644 | ) | (2,309,158 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 904,975 | 1,077,295 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 1,371,351 | $ | 1,538,767 |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share information)
| Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Revenue: | ||||||||||||||||
| Product sales | $ | 7,846 | $ | 5,485 | $ | 12,641 | $ | 8,929 | ||||||||
| Royalty revenue | - | 9,403 | - | 19,122 | ||||||||||||
| Non-cash royalty revenue related to sale of future royalties | 20,456 | 7,684 | 39,254 | 17,579 | ||||||||||||
| License, collaboration and other revenue | 28 | 26,275 | 82 | 53,790 | ||||||||||||
| Total revenue | 28,330 | 48,847 | 51,977 | 99,420 | ||||||||||||
| Operating costs and expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | 7,667 | 5,773 | 13,423 | 9,584 | ||||||||||||
| Research and development | 101,313 | 96,436 | 196,917 | 205,423 | ||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 29,555 | 24,347 | 61,234 | 50,564 | ||||||||||||
| Impairment of assets and other costs for terminated program | - | - | - | 45,189 | ||||||||||||
| Total operating costs and expenses | 138,535 | 126,556 | 271,574 | 310,760 | ||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (110,205 | ) | (77,709 | ) | (219,597 | ) | (211,340 | ) | ||||||||
| Non-operating income (expense): | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-cash interest expense on liability related to sale of future royalties | (13,089 | ) | (6,691 | ) | (26,385 | ) | (13,659 | ) | ||||||||
| Change in fair value of development derivative liability | (2,713 | ) | - | (4,312 | ) | - | ||||||||||
| Interest income and other income (expense), net | 845 | 5,191 | 2,257 | 13,543 | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | - | (647 | ) | - | (6,851 | ) | ||||||||||
| Total non-operating income (expense), net | (14,957 | ) | (2,147 | ) | (28,440 | ) | (6,967 | ) | ||||||||
| Loss before provision for income taxes | (125,162 | ) | (79,856 | ) | (248,037 | ) | (218,307 | ) | ||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 357 | 144 | 449 | 344 | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (125,519 | ) | $ | (80,000 | ) | $ | (248,486 | ) | $ | (218,651 | ) | ||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per share | $ | (0.69 | ) | $ | (0.45 | ) | $ | (1.37 | ) | $ | (1.23 | ) | ||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share | 182,698 | 178,327 | 182,038 | 177,755 |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (248,486 | ) | $ | (218,651 | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Non-cash royalty revenue related to sale of future royalties | (39,254 | ) | (17,579 | ) | ||||
| Non-cash interest expense on liability related to sale of future royalties | 26,385 | 13,659 | ||||||
| Change in fair value of development derivative liability | 4,312 | - | ||||||
| Non-cash research and development expense | 5,795 | - | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 47,612 | 48,607 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 7,090 | 7,692 | ||||||
| Impairment of advance payments to contract manufacturers and equipment for terminated program | - | 20,351 | ||||||
| Amortization of premiums (discounts), net and other non-cash transactions | 4,090 | (782 | ) | |||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | 10,018 | (10,443 | ) | |||||
| Inventory | 676 | 81 | ||||||
| Operating leases, net | 2,260 | 4,245 | ||||||
| Other assets | 11,585 | (27,214 | ) | |||||
| Accounts payable | (2,101 | ) | 425 | |||||
| Accrued compensation | 14,133 | 12,469 | ||||||
| Other accrued expenses | (3,496 | ) | 8,952 | |||||
| Deferred revenue | (605 | ) | (3,790 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (159,986 | ) | (161,978 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
| Purchases of investments | (527,887 | ) | (543,631 | ) | ||||
| Maturities of investments | 612,419 | 860,330 | ||||||
| Sales of investments | 5,035 | 41,700 | ||||||
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment | (6,157 | ) | (3,594 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided by investing activities | 83,410 | 354,805 | ||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
| Proceeds from shares issued under equity compensation plans | 28,523 | 19,120 | ||||||
| Cash receipts from development derivative liability | 1,500 | - | ||||||
| Repayment of senior notes | - | (250,000 | ) | |||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 30,023 | (230,880 | ) | |||||
| Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents | (57 | ) | (104 | ) | ||||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (46,610 | ) | (38,157 | ) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 198,955 | 96,363 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 152,345 | $ | 58,206 | ||||
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | ||||||||
| Cash paid for interest | $ | - | $ | 9,742 | ||||
| Operating lease right-of-use asset recognized in exchange for lease liabilities | $ | 1,057 | $ | 2,133 |