AMES, Iowa, Nov. 06, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NewLink Genetics Corporation (NASDAQ:NLNK) today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019 and provided an update on corporate activities.
“We are excited about the proposed merger with Lumos Pharma that we announced at the close of the third quarter and continue to advance the process required to close the transaction,” commented Brad Powers, General Counsel and member of NewLink’s Office of the CEO. “We believe this merger positions the company to improve therapeutic options for patients with pediatric growth hormone deficiency and other rare and neglected diseases, and to bring greater value to our shareholders.”
Eugene Kennedy, MD, Chief Medical Officer and member of NewLink’s Office of the CEO added, “We are also pleased by the FDA’s recent acceptance of the biologic licensing application for priority review of our partnered investigational Ebola vaccine, which we licensed to Merck in 2014. We are encouraged, as well, that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has adopted a positive opinion recommending a conditional marketing authorization for V920 Ebola Zaire vaccine. We believe these actions demonstrate the urgency with which regulatory bodies are addressing this deadly disease in order to help the affected individuals and communities.”
Proposed Merger and Related Milestones
On September 30, 2019, NewLink announced its intent to merge with Lumos Pharma, a private clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company targeting rare and neglected diseases. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Lumos and NewLink stockholders will each own approximately 50% of the combined company which will be renamed “Lumos Pharma” at the close of the transaction. Rick Hawkins, current CEO of Lumos Pharma, is expected to become CEO of the combined company. The proposed merger has been approved by the Boards of both companies and the major stockholders of Lumos Pharma and NewLink’s largest stockholder has entered into a support agreement with NewLink to vote in favor of various proposals relating to the Merger.
The combined company would focus initially on the development of Lumos Pharma’s lead product candidate, LUM-201 (ibutamoren), an oral growth hormone (GH) secretagogue targeting pediatric growth hormone deficiency (PGHD) and other rare endocrine disorders. If approved, LUM-201 has the potential to be the first orally administered growth hormone stimulating therapy for PGHD, a well-established and sizable market where daily recombinant human growth hormone injections represent current standard-of-care therapy.
The initiation of a Phase 2b trial for LUM-201 in a subset of PGHD patients meeting certain predictive enrichment markers (PEMs) is anticipated in mid-2020. The combined company is expected to have resources sufficient to support clinical development through the readout of this planned Phase 2b trial. Additional target indications are being evaluated for LUM-201 clinical development, including Turner Syndrome and children born Small for Gestational Age (SGA).
NewLink will proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) providing additional information about the proposed merger. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2020, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including approval of certain proposals by the stockholders of NewLink.
Additional Updates
The combined company may receive additional, non-dilutive financing should the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approve NewLink’s Ebola vaccine V920 partnered with Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (Merck). On September 17, 2019, Merck announced that the FDA has accepted its biologics license application (BLA) and granted priority review for the investigational Ebola vaccine V920 and the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), or target action date, is set for March 14, 2020. If the vaccine receives approval by the FDA, a priority review voucher will be issued, in which the Company owns a substantial interest and which the Company plans to monetize.
On October 18, 2019, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion recommending a conditional marketing authorization for investigational V920 Ebola Zaire vaccine (rVSV∆G-ZEBOV-GP), as confirmed by our partner, Merck (NYSE:MRK). This Committee’s recommendation will now be reviewed by the European Commission (EC) for a centralized marketing authorization of the vaccine (brand name ERVEBO®) across EU member countries.
Updated Phase 1b results for indoximod for the cohort of pediatric patients with newly diagnosed treatment-naïve diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) has been accepted for presentation at the upcoming ESMO Immuno-Oncology Congress 2019, 11-14 December 2019, Geneva, Switzerland. NewLink expects to continue to evaluate its oncology portfolio to determine value creation opportunities.
Financial Results for the Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2019
Restructuring: On September 30, 2019, NewLink Genetics announced it had adopted a restructuring plan to reduce its headcount by approximately 60% to align with future priorities and to conserve resources. In conjunction with the restructuring and the departures of our former CEO and President, the company recorded restructuring and severance charges of $4.5 million during the third quarter.
Cash Position: NewLink Genetics ended the quarter on September 30, 2019, with cash and cash equivalents totaling $98.5 million compared to $120.7 million December 31, 2018.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2019 were $7.0 million, a decrease of $546,000 from $7.6 million for the same period in 2018. The decrease was primarily due to reductions of $1.1 million in personnel-related and stock compensation expense, $255,000 in contract research and manufacturing spend, and $333,000 in legal and consulting and supplies expense, offset by increases of $1.1 million in restructuring costs and $87,000 in clinical trial and licensing expense.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses in the third quarter of 2019 were $8.3 million, an increase of $691,000 from $7.6 million for the same period in 2018. The increase was due primarily to increases of $2.0 million in restructuring and severance expense, and $1.2 million in legal and consulting expense, offset by decreases of $1.7 million in stock compensation expense, $431,000 in personnel-related expense, and $353,000 in supplies.
Net Loss: NewLink Genetics reported a net loss of $14.5 million or ($0.39) per diluted share for the third quarter of 2019 compared to a net loss of $7.4 million or ($0.20) per diluted share for the third quarter of 2018.
NewLink Genetics ended Q3 2019 with 37,314,076 shares outstanding.
Conference Call and Webcast Details
The Company has scheduled a conference call and webcast for 8:30 a.m. ET today to discuss its financial results and to give an update on clinical and business development activities.
Access to the live conference call is available five minutes prior to the start of the call by dialing (855) 469-0612 (U.S.) or (484) 756-4268 (international). The conference call will be webcast live and a link to the webcast can be accessed through the NewLink Genetics website at in the "Investors & Media" section under "Events and Presentations" or through the link . To ensure a timely connection, it is recommended that users register at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled webcast. A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the completion of the call and can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 (U.S.) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and using the passcode 3794399. The replay will be available for two weeks from the date of the call.
About NewLink Genetics Corporation
NewLink Genetics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that has historically focused on developing novel immunotherapeutic products for the treatment of patients with cancer. On September 30, 2019, NewLink announced its intent to merge with Lumos Pharma, a private clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company targeting rare and neglected diseases. At the close of the proposed merger, the combined company will operate as Lumos Pharma focused on lead product candidate LUM-201 (ibutamoren), an oral growth hormone (GH) secretagogue targeting pediatric growth hormone deficiency (PGHD) and other rare endocrine disorders. If approved, LUM-201 has the potential to represent the first orally administered growth hormone stimulating therapy for PGHD, a well-established and sizable market where daily recombinant human growth hormone injections represent the current standard-of-care treatment regimen. For more information, please visit .
Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed transaction, NewLink will be filing documents with the SEC, including preliminary and definitive proxy statements relating to the proposed transaction. The definitive proxy statement will be mailed to NewLink’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PRELIMINARY AND DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENTS AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents (when they are available) and other related documents filed with the SEC at the SEC’s web site at on NewLink’s website at or by contacting NewLink Genetics’ Investor Relations at 515-598-2555.
Participants in the Solicitation
NewLink and Lumos Pharma and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from NewLink stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about NewLink’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of NewLink’s securities is set forth in NewLink Genetics’ proxy statement for its 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 5, 2019, as modified or supplemented by any Form 3 or Form 4 filed with the SEC since the date of such filing. Other information regarding the proposed transaction, including information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the proxy statements described above and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available. These documents are or will be available free of charge at the SEC’s web site at and from other sources indicated above.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements of NewLink Genetics that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “forecast,” “projected,” "guidance," "upcoming," "will," "plan," “intend,” "anticipate," "approximate," "expect," “potential,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements about NewLink’s expectation regarding the management, strategy and development focus of the combined company post consummation of the proposed merger; results of NewLink’s and the combined company’s clinical trials for product candidates; NewLink’s and the combined company’s timing of release of data from ongoing clinical studies; NewLink’s and the combined company’s plans related to execution of clinical trials; plans related to moving additional indications into clinical development; NewLink Genetics' future financial performance; NewLink Genetics’ expectations regarding the capitalization, resources, ownership structure, management structure and operations of the combined company; NewLink Genetics’ expectations regarding the sufficiency of the combined company's resources to fund the advancement of any development program or the completion of any clinical trial; the potential benefits of the transaction; NewLink Genetics’ plan to monetize its interest in the priority review voucher; the expected economic benefit from the issuance of the priority review voucher; the expected completion and timing of the transaction and other information relating to the transaction; and any other statements other than statements of historical fact. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that NewLink Genetics makes due to a number of important factors, including (i) the risk that the transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the NewLink Genetics’ business and the price of the common stock of NewLink Genetics, (ii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the transaction, including approval of the issuance of shares of NewLink Genetics common stock in the transaction or the contemplated reverse stock split, (iii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement, (iv) the risk that the definitive merger agreement may be terminated in circumstances that require NewLink Genetics to pay a termination fee to Lumos Pharma; (v) risks related to the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the transaction, including the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully, (vi) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the transaction on NewLink Genetics’ business relationships, operating results and business generally, (vii) risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations, (viii) risks related to diverting management’s attention from NewLink Genetics’ ongoing business operations,(ix) other business effects, including the effects of industry, market, economic, political or regulatory conditions, future exchange and interest rates, and changes in tax and other laws, regulations, rates and policies, (x) the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including the ability to meet anticipated clinical endpoints, commencement and/or completion dates for clinical trials, regulatory submission dates, regulatory approval dates and/or launch dates, as well as the possibility of unfavorable new clinical data and further analyses of existing clinical data, (xi) the risk that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments by regulatory authorities; (xii) risks related to cost reduction efforts; and (xiii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against NewLink Genetics related to the merger agreement or the transaction. Further risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements are discussed in "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in NewLink Genetics' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 and other reports filed with the SEC. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent NewLink Genetics’ views as of the date of this press release. NewLink Genetics anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. However, while it may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing NewLink Genetics' views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
Investor & Media Contact:
Lisa Miller
Director of Investor Relations
NewLink Genetics
515-598-2555
lmiller@linkp.com
NewLink Genetics Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2019
2018
2019
2018
Operating Revenues:
Grant revenue
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
11,268
Licensing and collaboration revenue
246
120
503
1,004
Total operating revenues
246
120
503
12,272
Operating expenses:
Research and development
7,024
7,570
17,464
39,972
General and administrative
8,279
7,588
19,484
23,792
Total operating expenses
15,303
15,158
36,948
63,764
Loss from operations
(15,057
)
(15,038
)
(36,445
)
(51,492
)
Other income and expense:
Miscellaneous (expense) income, net
(33
)
(18
)
(38
)
16
Interest income
567
664
1,815
1,510
Interest expense
(25
)
(2
)
(50
)
(51
)
Other income, net
509
644
1,727
1,475
Net loss before taxes
(14,548
)
(14,394
)
(34,718
)
(50,017
)
Income tax benefit
—
6,991
—
6,991
Net loss
$
(14,548
)
$
(7,403
)
$
(34,718
)
$
(43,026
)
Basic and diluted loss per share
$
(0.39
)
$
(0.20
)
$
(0.93
)
$
(1.16
)
Basic and diluted average shares outstanding
37,308,523
37,214,363
37,286,930
37,178,542
NewLink Genetics Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
(In thousands)
September 30,
December 31,
2019
2018
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
98,527
$
120,738
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
3,311
5,536
Income tax receivable
76
339
Other receivables
740
459
Total current assets
102,654
127,072
Property and equipment, net
2,889
3,727
Right-of-use asset
1,042
—
Income tax receivable
69
140
Total non-current assets
4,000
3,867
Total assets
$
106,654
$
130,939
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$
145
$
555
Accrued expenses
12,125
8,139
Current portion of deferred rent
—
92
Current portion of lease liability
1,712
—
Current portion of notes payable
58
61
Total current liabilities
14,040
8,847
Long-term liabilities:
Royalty obligation payable to Iowa Economic Development Authority
6,000
6,000
Notes payable
—
43
Lease Liability
217
—
Deferred rent
—
906
Total long-term liabilities
6,217
6,949
Total liabilities
20,257
15,796
Stockholders' equity:
Blank check preferred stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares — 5,000,000 at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018; issued and outstanding shares — 0 at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018
—
—
Common stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares — 75,000,000 at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018; issued 37,426,844 and 37,343,547 at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, and outstanding 37,314,076 and 37,251,220 at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively
373
373
Additional paid-in capital
413,205
407,199
Treasury stock, at cost: 112,768 and 92,327 shares at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively
(1,451
)
(1,417
)
Accumulated deficit
(325,730
)
(291,012
)
Total stockholders' equity
86,397
115,143
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
106,654
$
130,939
