Amicus Therapeutics Announces Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results and Strategic Business Updates

Amicus Therapeutics Announces Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results and Strategic Business Updates
Amicus Reacquires Global Development and Commercialization Rights to Amigal(TM), Plicera(TM) and AT2220 Through a Mutual Termination Agreement with Shire
Amicus Identifies Strategic Priorities and Implements Workforce Reduction

CRANBURY, N.J., Oct 29, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Amicus Therapeutics (Nasdaq: FOLD) today announced financial results for the third quarter 2009. Additionally, Amicus also today announced that it has reacquired all global development and commercialization rights from its partner, Shire, for its lead lysosomal storage disease programs as a result of the parties' mutual termination of their collaboration. The Company also announced a workforce reduction of approximately 20 percent and provided cash guidance into the second half of 2011.

Amicus/Shire Collaboration Mutual Termination:

Amicus and Shire have reached a mutual termination agreement with respect to their collaboration to jointly develop Amicus' three lead pharmacological chaperone compounds for the treatment of lysosomal storage disorders, effective immediately. As a result of this agreement, Amicus has regained exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize Amigal(TM) (migalastat hydrochloride), Plicera(TM) (afegostat tartrate) and AT2220 (1-deoxynojirimycin HCl) outside of the United States (U.S.) and now owns worldwide rights for these programs. Shire will pay Amicus $5.2 million in the fourth quarter as full and final payment for any amounts that may be due to the Company under the collaboration, and both parties will be relieved of all other future obligations, financial or otherwise.

John F. Crowley, President and CEO of Amicus Therapeutics stated, "Shire has been an excellent partner to work with during the past two years. However, reacquiring the ex-U.S. commercial rights to Amigal furthers our desire to enhance the value of that program for our shareholders. Since Shire and Amicus mutually concluded that Plicera will not move forward to Phase 3 development in Gaucher disease, having global rights to Amigal was of critical importance to Amicus."

Amicus will continue to manage global clinical operations for Amigal Phase 3 development and expects to initiate more than thirty investigational sites worldwide. As previously announced, the first global Phase 3 Amigal study is a 60 patient randomized, double-blind placebo controlled six month study intended to support U.S. registration. The primary surrogate endpoint agreed to with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a histological evaluation of the change in GL-3 levels in the interstitial capillary cells of the kidney. The first patient was randomized into this study in mid-October. The Company estimates it will complete enrollment for this trial by the end of 2010 and expects to have data available in mid-2011. A separate Phase 3 study for registration in the European Union comparing Amigal with Fabrazyme(R) is required by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA). Amicus expects to provide a further update on that proposed study for the EMEA in 2010 as the supply constraints with Fabrazyme become clearer.

Key Strategic Priorities and Workforce Reduction:

As part of its strategic business plan, Amicus will focus its resources in three key areas:

    --  The Phase 3 development of Amigal for Fabry disease;
    --  Advancement of its lead pre-clinical programs that utilize its
        pharmacological chaperone technology for the treatment of diseases of
        neurodegeneration.  The Company has an advanced pre-clinical program in
        Parkinson's disease, as well as an earlier stage pre-clinical program in
        an as yet undisclosed neurodegenerative target disease; and

    --  Advancement of pharmacological chaperones used in combination with
        enzyme replacement therapies (ERT) for the treatment of lysosomal
        storage diseases.

"By focusing our resources on these three value creating centers within Amicus, we will balance the execution of our global late stage clinical program in Fabry disease with continued significant investment with the chaperone platform in diseases of neurodegeneration, which continue to yield very exciting near-term and long-term potential value for the Company. The chaperone-ERT combination approach is also one of potentially significant value for Amicus shareholders as a further extension of our technology," said John F. Crowley.

The Company also announced today a work-force reduction of approximately 20 percent, or 26 employees, as a part of a corporate restructuring, with reductions occurring across all levels and organizations within the Company. In addition, Amicus is terminating its relationship with approximately 17 contractors currently working at the Company. Amicus is taking this step to reduce costs and to align its resources with its key strategic priorities. The Company estimates that it will record charges of approximately $0.9 million during the fourth quarter of 2009 for employment termination costs payable in cash in connection with the workforce reduction.

"After extensive review of our business plan, we have made some very difficult decisions to restructure our workforce to best enable us to align the Company around the three key strategic priorities for Amicus going forward," said John F. Crowley. "Specifically, we expect that these changes will enable our current cash to last into the second half of 2011. It is exceptionally difficult to implement these employee changes as so many remarkably dedicated and talented persons, including Jim Dentzer, our Chief Financial Officer, will be leaving Amicus. All of them have contributed significantly to the Company, and I cannot thank them enough for all of their tireless efforts, passion and contributions."

"We are highly confident that with this restructuring and strategic repositioning, we are well poised to maximize shareholder value while ensuring that we deliver on our mission to provide innovative and high quality therapies to people afflicted with these diseases. We remain fully committed to the success of Amicus," concluded John F. Crowley.

Financial Guidance:

Based on current projections of net operating expense, the Company reiterates its expectation to end 2009 with approximately $70-$80 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. Additionally, the Company expects that its current cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities together with the fourth quarter $5.2 million payment from Shire will be sufficient to fund operations and capital expenditure requirements into the second half of 2011.

Third Quarter 2009 Results Summary

On a reported basis calculated in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Amicus announced a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $0.59 per share ($0.51 per share on a non-GAAP basis) for the three months ended September 30, 2009. As of September 30, 2009, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $89.3 million.

Clinical Program Updates

Amigal(TM) (migalastat hydrochloride) for the treatment of Fabry disease

In the second quarter of 2009, Amicus announced that the Company reached agreement with the FDA on the key protocol design elements of its pivotal trial, including the use of the surrogate primary endpoint of the change in the amount of kidney interstitial capillary GL-3, the substrate that accumulates in the cells of Fabry patients. In addition, the FDA is in agreement that the Company is eligible to seek Accelerated Approval for Amigal according to Subpart H regulations. Amicus began submitting the Phase 3 protocol to investigational sites worldwide in June 2009 and patient enrollment and dosing are now underway.

Furthermore, Amicus previously reported that it completed a series of discussions with the EMEA regarding the clinical study required for Amigal registration in Europe. The Company will provide an update on the timing of the initiation of this study in 2010.

Plicera(TM) (afegostat tartrate) for the treatment of Gaucher Disease

The Company previously reported preliminary results from its Phase 2 randomized, open-label study to assess the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of its investigational drug, Plicera, in treatment-naive adult patients with type 1 Gaucher disease. Two dose regimens of Plicera (225 mg three days on/four days off and seven days on/seven days off) were studied during this six month trial. While all patients enrolled experienced an increase in the level of the target enzyme (GCase) as measured in white blood cells, clinically meaningful improvements in key measures of disease were observed in just one of the eighteen patients who completed the study. The preliminary results suggest that treatment with Plicera was generally well tolerated, with no serious adverse events (SAEs) reported. Nineteen subjects were enrolled and 18 subjects completed the study. One subject discontinued treatment because of an adverse event (conjunctivitis-related symptoms).

The Company plans to further analyze and evaluate the results of this Phase 2 study. However, Amicus no longer plans to advance Plicera into Phase 3 development.

AT2220 (1-deoxynojirimycin HCl) for the treatment of Pompe Disease

Late in the third quarter, the Company announced its plans to initiate a Phase 1 study of AT2220 (1-deoxynojirimycin HCl), its investigational drug in development for the treatment of Pompe Disease. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of AT2220 in muscle tissue in healthy adult subjects. The FDA agreed to Amicus' proposal for the Phase 1 study and subsequently converted the clinical hold of AT2220 to a partial hold to allow the conduct of this study.

This open label, single dose Phase 1 study was initiated in early October and the Company expects to announce results from the trial in the first half of 2010.

Additionally, Amicus continues to be encouraged by the results of preclinical studies designed to evaluate the use of AT2220 in combination with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). The Company expects to report additional data from these studies at scientific conferences in 2010.

Preclinical Chaperone Programs

Amicus continues to invest in research to assess the potential for applying its versatile chaperone technology platform to the treatment of a broad range of human genetic diseases. As part of this effort, Amicus continues to conduct preclinical studies in Parkinson's disease and is investing in new research aimed at evaluating disease targets for other neurodegenerative and genetic disorders.

Additional Financial Results & Notes

On a reported basis, the net loss attributable to common stockholders for the three months ended September 30, 2009, was $13.4 million as compared to $8.2 million for the same period in 2008. On a non-GAAP basis, the net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2009, was $11.5 million as compared to $6.6 million in the same period in 2008.

Amicus recorded revenue during the third quarter of 2009 representing two different revenue streams from the Shire collaboration agreement. Upon signing the collaboration agreement, Amicus received an upfront payment of $50 million that had been recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over 18 years from the date of the agreement. In the third quarter of 2009, Amicus recognized $0.7 million of the Shire upfront payment and $4.2 million of research revenue on reimbursed research and development costs.

The differences between U.S. GAAP and non U.S. GAAP financial results are itemized in Tables 2 and 3 and are primarily due to pre-tax stock compensation expense.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Amicus' "non-GAAP net loss" and "non-GAAP diluted net loss per common share" financial measures are defined as reported, or GAAP, net loss and diluted net loss per common share excluding certain items further discussed below. Amicus' management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to establish financial goals and to gain an understanding of the comparative financial performance of Amicus from year to year and quarter to quarter. Accordingly, Amicus believes investors' understanding of Amicus' financial performance is enhanced as a result of disclosing these non-GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP net loss and diluted net loss per common share should not be viewed in isolation or as a substitute for reported, or GAAP net loss and diluted net loss per common share.

(1) Stock option expense -- Non-GAAP net loss and diluted net loss per common share exclude the impact of the stock option expense recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 123R. Amicus believes that excluding the impact of expensing stock options better reflects the recurring economic characteristics of its business.

Conference Call and Webcast

Amicus will host a conference call to discuss financial and operational results for the third quarter 2009, today, October 29, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. EDT. Interested participants and investors may access the conference call by dialing 877-440-5807 (U.S./Canada) or 719-325-4915 (international). A telephonic replay of the call will be available for seven days beginning at 8 p.m. EDT. Access numbers for this replay are 888-203-1112 (U.S./Canada) and 719-457-0820 (international); participant code 6603470.

An audio webcast can also be accessed via the investor section of the Amicus Therapeutics Web site at www.amicustherapeutics.com under Investors: Events and Presentations. Web participants are encouraged to go to the Web site 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download and install any necessary software. After the live webcast, an audio webcast replay will remain available in the Investors section of the Amicus Therapeutics Web site for 30 days.

Amicus' press releases are available at www.amicustherapeutics.com.

About Amicus Therapeutics

Amicus Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel, oral therapeutics known as pharmacological chaperones for the treatment of a range of human genetic diseases. Pharmacological chaperone technology involves the use of small molecules that selectively bind to and stabilize proteins in cells, leading to improved protein folding and trafficking, and increased activity. Amicus is initially targeting lysosomal storage disorders, which are severe, chronic genetic diseases with unmet medical needs.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains and the accompanying conference call will contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 relating to preclinical and clinical development of Amicus' candidate drug products, the timing and reporting of results from preclinical studies and clinical trial evaluating Amicus' candidate drug products, and the projected cash position for the Company. Words such as, but not limited to, "look forward to," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "targets," "likely," "will," "would," "should" and "could," and similar expressions or words identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations that involve risks, changes in circumstances, assumptions and uncertainties. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Amicus that any of its plans will be achieved. Any or all of the forward-looking statements in this press release may turn out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions Amicus might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. For example, with respect to statements regarding the goals, progress, timing and outcomes of ongoing discussions with regulatory authorities and the potential goals, progress, timing and results of preclinical studies and clinical trials, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in this release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in the business of Amicus, including, without limitation: the potential that results of clinical or pre-clinical studies indicate that the product candidates are unsafe or ineffective; the potential that it may be difficult to enroll patients in our clinical trials; the potential that preclinical and clinical studies could be delayed because we identify serious side effects or other safety issues; and, our dependence on third parties in the conduct of our clinical studies. Further, the results of earlier preclinical studies and/or clinical trials may not be predictive of future results. Additionally, with respect to statements regarding projections of the Company's cash position, actual results may differ based on market factors and the Company's ability to execute its operational and budget plans. Additionally, all forward looking statements are subject to other risks detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and our other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Amicus undertakes no obligation to revise or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.