Zalicus Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter 2013

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--()--Zalicus Inc. (Nasdaq Capital Market: ZLCS), a biopharmaceutical company that discovers and develops novel treatments for patients suffering from pain, today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2013.

“During the quarter we completed dosing in two Phase 2 clinical trials of Z160, a first-in-class, oral, state dependent, selective N-type calcium channel modulator for the potential treatment of chronic neuropathic pain. Z160 also received designation as an orphan drug from the FDA for the management of postherpetic neuralgia. In addition, we initiated and completed a Phase 1b clinical study of Z944, a novel, oral, T-type calcium channel modulator, in an experimental model of pain,” commented Mark H.N. Corrigan, MD, President and CEO of Zalicus. “We remain on track to report top-line data for the two Phase 2 clinical trials of Z160, including lumbosacral radiculopathy and postherpetic neuralgia, in the fourth quarter of 2013. In addition, based on the positive results of the Z944 Phase 1b Laser-Evoked-Potentials (LEP) study, we are planning to initiate a Phase 2 clinical study in an appropriate pain indication with a modified release formulation of Z944 next year.”

Third Quarter 2013 and Recent Accomplishments:

  • Z944. Initiated and completed a Phase 1b clinical study of Z944, a novel, oral, T-type calcium channel modulator. The Phase 1b study is an experimental clinical model utilizing Laser-Evoked-Potentials (LEP) to provide both subjective and objective assessments of the activity of Z944 in induced neuropathic and inflammatory pain states. Results from the LEP study will further inform Zalicus’s development plans for Z944 in a variety of potential pain indications. Zalicus is planning to advance a modified-release formulation of Z944 into Phase 2 clinical development for an appropriate pain indication in 2014.

    In addition, a second United States patent (U.S. Patent number 8,569,344) for Z944 covering methods of treating pain was issued on October 29, 2013, providing additional patent protection for Z944 in the United States until at least 2029.
  • Z160. Received Orphan Drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the management of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Orphan drug designation is granted by the FDA Office of Orphan Drug Products to novel drugs that treat a rare disease or condition affecting fewer than 200,000 patients in the U.S. The designation provides the drug developer with a seven-year period of marketing exclusivity in the United States. PHN is a painful neuropathic condition resulting from an outbreak of the herpes zoster virus, otherwise known as shingles. The FDA’s designation of Z160 as having orphan drug status is an important milestone for Zalicus as we continue the clinical development work required for potential FDA approval of Z160.

    Completed patient dosing in two Phase 2 clinical studies of Z160 for chronic neuropathic pain indications including postherpetic neuralgia and lumbosacral radiculopathy. Top-line results of both studies are expected in the fourth quarter of 2013.
  • ZLCS Common Stock. Effected a 1-for-6 reverse stock split of Zalicus common stock, effective October 3, 2013. As a result of the reverse stock split, effective October 14, 2013, Zalicus regained compliance with the $1.00 per share minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market. Zalicus currently has approximately 26.1 million shares outstanding.

Third Quarter Financial Results (Unaudited):

As of September 30, 2013, Zalicus had cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments of $20.0 million compared to $20.8 million as of June 30, 2013.

For the three months ended September 30, 2013, revenue was $3.4 million compared to $3.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2012. Zalicus recognized $1.5 million in royalty revenue from Mallinckrodt plc based on Exalgo® net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 and Zalicus has recognized a total of $14.0 million in royalty revenue from Exalgo through September 30, 2013 since its commercial launch in April 2010.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2013, research and development expense was $9.3 million compared to $12.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2012. Research and Development expense in the quarter ended September 30, 2013 included approximately $5.5 million devoted to the execution of two Phase 2 clinical studies for Z160 and approximately $0.5 million in development expenses related to Z944.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2013, net loss was $10.5 million, or ($0.46) per share, compared to a net loss of $12.2 million, or ($0.59) per share, in the quarter ended September 30, 2012. The net loss per share amounts for each quarter have been adjusted for the 1-for-6 reverse stock split effected on October 3, 2013. In addition, the net loss amounts include $2.2 million and $1.0 million of non-cash Exalgo intangible amortization expense in the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.

General and administrative expenses were $2.1 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2013 compared to $2.2 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2012.

About Zalicus

Zalicus Inc. (Nasdaq Global Market: ZLCS) is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers and develops novel treatments for patients suffering from pain. Zalicus has a portfolio of proprietary clinical-stage product candidates targeting pain such as Z160 and Z944 and has entered into multiple revenue-generating collaborations with large pharmaceutical companies relating to other products, product candidates and drug discovery technologies. Zalicus applies its expertise in the discovery and development of selective ion channel modulators and its combination high throughput screening capabilities to discover innovative therapeutics for itself and its collaborators in the areas of pain, inflammation, oncology and infectious disease. To learn more about Zalicus, please visit www.zalicus.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning Zalicus, its product candidates, including Z160 and Z944, their potential, and its plans for clinical development for Z160 and Z944, the Zalicus selective ion channel modulation technology, and related preclinical product candidates and intellectual property, Zalicus’s combination drug discovery technology, cHTS, and its financial condition, results of operations, and other business plans. These forward-looking statements about future expectations, plans, objectives and prospects of Zalicus and its product candidates may be identified by words like "believe," "expect," "may," "will," "should," "seek," “plan,” “project” or “could” and similar expressions and involve significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including risks related to the formulation and clinical development of its product candidates Z160 and Z944, the unproven nature of the Zalicus ion channel drug discovery technology, risks related to the sale and marketing of Exalgo by Mallinckrodt, Zalicus’s ability to obtain additional financing or funding for its research and development, and those other risks that can be found in the "Risk Factors" section of Zalicus' annual report on Form 10-K on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the other reports that Zalicus periodically files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from those Zalicus contemplated by these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s current views and Zalicus does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect a change in its views or events or circumstances that occur after the date of this release except as required by law.

(c) 2013 Zalicus Inc. All rights reserved.

Zalicus Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

         
Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
2013 2012 2013 2012
Revenue:
Royalties $ 1,510 $ 1,386 $ 4,655 $ 3,755
cHTS services and other collaborations   1,890     2,132     6,310     5,007  
 
Total revenue   3,400     3,518     10,965     8,762  
 
Operating expenses:
Research and development 9,343 12,050 26,267 32,493
General and administrative 2,077 2,201 6,178 7,172
Amortization of intangible 2,180 974 6,541 2,920
Restructuring       (17 )       1,112  
 
Total operating expenses   13,600     15,208     38,986     43,697  
 
Loss from operations (10,200 ) (11,690 ) (28,021 ) (34,935 )
Interest income 6 35 43 120
Interest expense (342 ) (532 ) (1,175 ) (1,686 )
Other income   7     13     15     20  
 
Net loss before provision for income taxes (10,529 ) (12,174 ) (29,138 ) (36,481 )
Income tax benefit               441  
 
Net loss $ (10,529 ) $ (12,174 ) $ (29,138 ) $ (36,040 )
 
Net loss per share—basic and diluted $ (0.46 ) $ (0.59 ) $ (1.33 ) $ (1.90 )
 
Weighted average number of common shares used in net loss per share calculation—basic and diluted   22,931,109     20,760,483     21,952,913     19,011,523  
 
Comprehensive loss $ (10,528 ) $ (12,171 ) $ (29,148 ) $ (36,022 )
 

Zalicus Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

     
September 30,
2013
December 31,
2012
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents

$

9,923

$ 4,531
Restricted cash 50 50
Short-term investments 8,194 30,059
Accounts receivable 2,019 3,045
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   667     684  
 
Total current assets 20,853 38,369
Property and equipment, net 2,690 3,535
Intangible asset, net 11,112 17,654
Restricted cash and other assets   1,802     1,817  
 
Total assets $ 36,457   $ 61,375  
 
 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 1,222 $ 3,261
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 5,199 4,841
Deferred revenue 2,819 4,918
Current portion of term loan payable 6,731 6,327
Current portion of lease incentive obligation   284     284  
 
Total current liabilities 16,255 19,631
Term loan payable, net of current portion 3,695 8,772
Deferred revenue, net of current portion 600
Deferred rent, net of current portion 346 457
Lease incentive obligation, net of current portion 662 875
Other long-term liabilities 14
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 200,000 shares authorized; 24,424 and 21,170 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively 24 21
Additional paid-in capital 385,636 372,018
Accumulated other comprehensive income 10
Accumulated deficit   (370,161 )   (341,023 )
 
Stockholders’ equity   15,499     31,026  
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 36,457   $ 61,375  

Contacts

Zalicus Inc.
Justin Renz, 617-301-7575
CFO
JRenz@zalicus.com
or
Gina Nugent, 617-460-3579
gnugent@zalicus.com

Release Summary

Zalicus Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter 2013

Contacts

Zalicus Inc.
Justin Renz, 617-301-7575
CFO
JRenz@zalicus.com
or
Gina Nugent, 617-460-3579
gnugent@zalicus.com