NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:SGYP), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel gastrointestinal (GI) therapies, today reported its financial results and business update for the full year and the three months ended December 31, 2017.
"2017 was a transformative year for Synergy with the FDA approval and launch of our first product, TRULANCE, which saw impressive early adoption and uptake in our first few quarters as a commercial organization and resulted in solid operating results for 2017," said Troy Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer of Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. "Strong customer demand was recognized by payors with TRULANCE coverage more than doubling its access on the largest commercial plans since launch. During 2017, we also successfully submitted a sNDA for TRULANCE that led to the second FDA approval in IBS-C in January 2018, expanding our opportunity to bring this important new treatment option to more patients in need."
"As we execute the long-term growth strategy of our business, we are continuing to prioritize investments in key areas that deliver the highest return and growth to the company's top-line," added Mr. Hamilton. "We are continuing to explore all strategic and business development opportunities that align with our core mission to deliver long-term value to our patients, customers and shareholders. The licensing deal we just entered into with Cipher Pharmaceuticals for TRULANCE in Canada is just the first example of our commitment to provide the potential benefit of TRULANCE to patients globally. To this end, we are pleased to announce the amendment of our CRG term loan agreement to provide enhanced strategic and financial flexibility. We are very encouraged by what we accomplished in 2017 as we established a strong foundation for future growth and success."
Fourth Quarter 2017 and Recent Highlights
- TRULANCE U.S. net sales were $9.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, totaling $16.8 million for the full year 2017.
- Total TRULANCE prescription volume in the fourth quarter of 2017 included 42,486 TRULANCE 30-count packs, per IQVIA. For the full year 2017, more than 88,360 TRULANCE 30-count packs were dispensed, increasing 70% on average month-over-month since launch on March 20, 2017, per IQVIA.
- On January 25, 2018, we announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved TRULANCE® (plecanatide) 3 mg tablet for the once-daily treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in adults. This is the second indication for TRULANCE, which was first approved for the treatment of adults with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in January 2017.
- Since launch, TRULANCE commercial coverage has more than doubled to over 85% of all lives covered as of the end of February 2018. In addition, TRULANCE coverage on Medicare Part D and Managed Medicaid plans has grown to over 54% of lives covered.
- In February 2018, we completed our field force integration plan by successfully transitioning our former contract sales representatives over to Synergy to coincide with our IBS-C approval and launch.
- On February 27, 2018 we entered into a definitive licensing agreement with Cipher Pharmaceuticals under which we granted Cipher the exclusive right to develop, market, distribute and sell TRULANCE in Canada. Under the terms of the licensing agreement, Synergy received an upfront payment of $5.0 million and is eligible for an additional milestone payment, as well as royalties from product sales in Canada. We are continuing to evaluate other potential ex-US business development opportunities for TRULANCE.
Financial Results
- As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately $137.0 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand as compared to approximately $82.4 million of cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2016.
- Net cash used in operating activities was $212.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to $129.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2016.
- Research and development expenses in the fourth quarter of 2017 were approximately $2.0 million, as compared to $16.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. These decreased expenses were primarily a result of reduced clinical trial spend associated with TRULANCE as well as pre-commercial inventory costs which are recorded as cost of goods sold in 2017.
- Selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $41.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, as compared to approximately $26.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. These increased expenses primarily reflect the cost of our commercial organization to launch TRULANCE.
- On November 13, 2017, we entered into an underwriting agreement to issue and sell 21,705,426 shares of our common stock together with accompanying warrants (“Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of 21,705,426 shares of Common Stock in an underwritten offering. The net proceeds from the Offering were approximately $52.2 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by us.
- As of December 31, 2017 the principal balance on our senior secured term loan ("Term Loan") was $103.2 million. In February 2018 we amended the Term Loan agreement. The amended Term Loan provides for future borrowings of $25 million, $25 million and $50 million on or before June 30, 2018, September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Additionally, the total amount of the commitment was reduced from $300 million to $200 million (excluding PIK loans) and the Minimum Market Capitalization covenant of $300 million was revised to be 200% of the outstanding principal amount of loan (excluding PIK loans).
- We had 246.7 million and 202.7 million common shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, which reflects primarily an increase in the issuance of shares from the conversion of Notes, and equity offerings in January and November 2017.
- Net loss in the fourth quarter of 2017 was $37.0 million, as compared to a net loss of $59.9 million incurred in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Fourth Quarter Conference Call and Webcast
Synergy will host
a conference call and webcast to discuss its financial and operating
results for the fourth quarter and full year ending December 31, 2017
today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Participants may access the conference
call by dialing 877-407-3978 (US and Canada) or 412-902-0039
(International). Please let the operator know you would like to join the
Synergy Pharmaceuticals call.
To access the webcast as well as a PDF copy of the presentation, please visit the Investors section of Synergy's website at www.synergypharma.com. An audio replay of the conference call will also be available beginning approximately two hours after the call's conclusion, and will remain available through March 15, 2018. The replay may be accessed by dialing 877-660-6853 (U.S. and Canada) or 201-612-7415 (International) and entering conference ID number 13668774. A replay of the webcast will also be available on the Investors section of Synergy's website at www.synergypharma.com.
About Synergy Pharmaceuticals
Synergy is a biopharmaceutical
company focused on the development and commercialization of novel
gastrointestinal (GI) therapies. The company has pioneered discovery,
research and development efforts around analogs of uroguanylin, a
naturally occurring human GI peptide, for the treatment of GI diseases
and disorders. Synergy’s proprietary GI platform includes one commercial
product TRULANCE® (plecanatide) and a second product candidate -
dolcanatide. For more information, please visit www.synergypharma.com.
About Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C)
Irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder
characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and associated with two or
more of the following: related to defecation, associated with a change
in the frequency of stool, or associated with a change in the form
(appearance) of the stool. IBS can be subtyped by the predominant stool
form: constipation (IBS-C), diarrhea (IBS-D) or mixed (IBS-M). Those
within the IBS-C subtype experience hard or lumpy stools more than 25
percent of the time they defecate, and loose or watery stools less than
25 percent of the time. It is estimated that the prevalence
of IBS-C in the U.S. adult population is approximately 4 to 5 percent.
About Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC)
CIC affects
approximately 14 percent of the global population, disproportionately
affecting women and older adults. People with CIC have persistent
symptoms of difficult-to-pass and infrequent bowel movements. In
addition to physical symptoms including abdominal bloating and
discomfort, CIC can adversely affect an individual’s quality of life,
including increasing stress levels and anxiety.
About TRULANCE®
TRULANCE®
(plecanatide) is a once-daily tablet approved for adults with CIC or
IBS-C. With the exception of a single amino acid substitution for
greater binding affinity, TRULANCE is structurally identical to
uroguanylin, a naturally occurring and endogenous human GI peptide.
Uroguanylin activates GC-C receptors in a pH-sensitive manner primarily
in the small intestine, stimulating fluid secretion and maintaining
stool consistency necessary for regular bowel function.
Indications and Usage
TRULANCE (plecanatide) 3 mg tablets is
indicated in adults for the treatment of Chronic Idiopathic Constipation
(CIC) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C).
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING: RISK OF SERIOUS DEHYDRATION IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS
TRULANCE®
is contraindicated in patients less than 6 years of age; in nonclinical
studies in young juvenile mice administration of a single oral dose of
plecanatide caused deaths due to dehydration. Use of TRULANCE should be
avoided in patients 6 years to less than 18 years of age. The safety and
efficacy of TRULANCE have not been established in pediatric patients
less than 18 years of age.
Contraindications
- TRULANCE is contraindicated in patients less than 6 years of age due to the risk of serious dehydration.
- TRULANCE is contraindicated in patients with known or suspected mechanical gastrointestinal obstruction.
Warnings and Precautions
Risk of Serious Dehydration in Pediatric Patients
- TRULANCE is contraindicated in patients less than 6 years of age. The safety and effectiveness of TRULANCE in patients less than 18 years of age have not been established. In young juvenile mice (human age equivalent of approximately 1 month to less than 2 years), plecanatide increased fluid secretion as a consequence of stimulation of guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C), resulting in mortality in some mice within the first 24 hours, apparently due to dehydration. Due to increased intestinal expression of GC-C, patients less than 6 years of age may be more likely than older patients to develop severe diarrhea and its potentially serious consequences.
- Use of TRULANCE should be avoided in patients 6 years to less than 18 years of age. Although there were no deaths in older juvenile mice, given the deaths in young mice and the lack of clinical safety and efficacy data in pediatric patients, use of TRULANCE should be avoided in patients 6 years to less than 18 years of age.
Diarrhea
- Diarrhea was the most common adverse reaction in the four placebo-controlled clinical trials for CIC and IBS-C. Severe diarrhea was reported in 0.6% of TRULANCE-treated CIC patients, and in 1% of TRULANCE-treated IBS-C patients.
- If severe diarrhea occurs, the health care provider should suspend dosing and rehydrate the patient.
Adverse Reactions
- In the two combined CIC clinical trials, the most common adverse reaction in TRULANCE-treated patients (incidence ≥2% and greater than in the placebo group) was diarrhea (5% vs 1% placebo).
- In the two combined IBS-C clinical trials, the most common adverse reaction in TRULANCE-treated patients (incidence ≥2% and greater than in the placebo group) was diarrhea (4.3% vs 1% placebo).
Please also see the full Prescribing Information, including Box Warning, for additional risk information.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press
release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the
use of forward- looking words such as "anticipate," "planned,"
"believe," "forecast," "estimated," "expected," and "intend," among
others. These forward-looking statements are based on Synergy's current
expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a
number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially
from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors
include, but are not limited to, substantial competition; our ability to
continue as a going concern; our need for additional financing;
uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of
government or third party payer reimbursement; limited sales and
marketing efforts and dependence upon third parties; and risks related
to failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with
FDA regulations. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are
significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and
commercialization of new products. There are no guarantees that future
clinical trials discussed in this press release will be completed or
successful or that any product will receive regulatory approval for any
indication or prove to be commercially successful. Investors should read
the risk factors set forth in Synergy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2017 and other periodic reports filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. While the list of factors
presented here is considered representative, no such list should be
considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and
uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional
obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements included herein are made as of the date
hereof, and Synergy does not undertake any obligation to update publicly
such statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
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Synergy Pharmaceutical Inc. |
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Consolidated Balance Sheets |
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| ($ in thousands) | December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | ||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 136,986 | $ | 82,387 | ||||||
| Accounts receivable | 6,491 | — | ||||||||
| Inventories | 17,214 | 5,640 | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 4,469 | 889 | ||||||||
| Total Current assets | 165,160 | 88,916 | ||||||||
| Other assets | 1,446 | 936 | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 166,606 | $ | 89,852 | ||||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders' (Deficit)/Equity | ||||||||||
| Total Current Liabilities | $ | 38,147 | $ | 29,430 | ||||||
| Senior convertible notes, net | 17,302 | 22,665 | ||||||||
| Long term debt, net | 98,660 | — | ||||||||
| Derivative financial instruments – warrants | 17,582 | 216 | ||||||||
| Other long term liabilities | 433 | — | ||||||||
| Total Liabilities | 172,124 | 52,311 | ||||||||
| Total Stockholders’ (Deficit)/Equity | (5,518 | ) | 37,541 | |||||||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders' (Deficit)/Equity | $ | 166,606 | $ | 89,852 | ||||||
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Synergy Pharmaceutical Inc. |
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Consolidated Statement of Operations |
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| ($ in thousands except share and per share data) |
Three Months |
Three Months |
Year Ended |
Year Ended |
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| 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) | (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Sales | $ | 9,400 | $ | — | $ | 16,820 | $ | — | |||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | 3,820 | — | 8,811 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 5,580 | — | 8,009 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 1,990 | 16,406 | 48,346 | 87,056 | |||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 41,779 | 25,992 | 181,862 | 58,230 | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss from Operations | (38,189 | ) | (42,398 | ) | (222,199 | ) | (145,286 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Other Income/(Loss): | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (2,909 | ) | (3,007 | ) | (5,270 | ) | (13,390 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Debt conversion expense | — | (14,543 | ) | (1,209 | ) | (40,158 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| State R&D tax credits | — | 126 | — | 121 | |||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of financial instruments | 4,124 | (45 | ) | 4,340 | 106 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Other Income/(Loss) | 1,215 | (17,469 | ) | (2,139 | ) | (53,321 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Net Loss | $ | (36,974 | ) | $ | (59,867 | ) | $ | (224,338 | ) | $ | (198,607 | ) | |||||||||
| Net Loss per Common Share, Basic and Diluted | $ | (0.16 | ) | $ | (0.31 | ) | $ | (1.00 | ) | $ | (1.21 | ) | |||||||||
| Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding | 235,924,350 | 190,093,786 | 225,439,121 | 164,437,548 | |||||||||||||||||
