Gene Logic Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2006 Financial Results
Gene Logic Inc. today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2006.
Strategic Update and 2006 Highlights:
We are transforming Gene Logic into a biopharmaceutical company through drug development partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies. We believe this focus is the best way to create value for our shareholders. To date, our partnerships include Pfizer, Hoffmann-La Roche, Eli Lilly, and Organon.
Our partners provide Gene Logic with drug candidates that have been assessed as safe in human clinical trials, and for which development for their original indications has been discontinued. We are building a clinical-stage therapeutic pipeline by applying our proprietary drug indication platform that includes both comprehensive biological screening techniques and extensive genomics assets we previously developed and commercialized. Together, these combined assets represent a competitive advantage for Gene Logic and allow us to seek new therapeutic uses for our partners' discontinued candidates. We expect to earn milestones and royalties on repositioned drugs that our partners return to their development pipelines, and/or, in some cases, ownership positions in repositioned candidates that our partners choose not to pursue.
In 2006, we began to explore new avenues of value for our Genomics Division, including capitalizing on our commercially demonstrated expertise in biomarker development as a potential platform for molecular diagnostics development. We have reduced our expenses while we continue to serve new and existing Genomics customers. We have engaged outside financial advisors to consider strategic alternatives to further develop this business. This effort could include a spin-off entity with a retained equity position or other alternative structures to capture value for Gene Logic.
In summary, during 2006 we took a number of steps to support the new direction of our business:
-- Signed drug development partnership agreements with Eli Lilly and Organon.
-- Acquired certain rights from Millennium Pharmaceuticals to a drug candidate for which we have identified potential new indications.
-- Began evaluating more than 40 clinical-stage drug candidates for new therapeutic use. These compounds originate through our partnerships with Pfizer, Hoffman-La Roche, Eli Lilly, and Organon.
-- Expanded our good laboratory practice ("GLP") Genomics Services in support of our pharmaceutical customers' clinical trials while continuing to add new customers to our Genomics information business.
-- Began to seek to apply our Genomics Division assets toward molecular diagnostics development, and lowered expenses by reducing our workforce and closing the Berkeley, California office.
-- Completed the sale of our Pre-Clinical Division, which included four of our leased facilities and the transfer of approximately 200 employees.
As a result of these changes, we have reduced the number of employees from 434 at the end of 2005 to 151 as of year-end 2006.
Gene Logic is reporting the following for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2006:
Revenue from Continuing Operations
Revenue from Gene Logic's continuing operations is derived primarily from its Genomic Services Division. To date, meaningful revenue from the Drug Repositioning Division has not been recorded. Total revenue from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2006 was $7.2 million compared to $17.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2005, a decrease of $10.6 million. This decline in sales for the Company's subscription-based database services reflects our customers' continuing shift in their research activities from early-stage drug discovery into later stage development and validation efforts.
Total revenue from continuing operations for the full year 2006 was $24.3 million compared to $57.2 million for 2005, a decrease of $32.8 million due to the decline in demand for the company's Genomics subscription-based database services described above.
Operating Expenses from Continuing Operations
Operating expenses from our continuing operations consist of costs for services and adding content to the Company's Genomics databases, costs for developing and providing our Drug Repositioning Division services and sales, marketing, and general and administrative expenses associated with all of our businesses, as well as restructuring expenses.
For the fourth quarter of 2006, total operating expenses from continuing operations were $13.5 million and $17.1 million for the same period of 2005, a decrease of $3.5 million or 21%. This reduction reflects the favorable impact of the restructuring of the Genomics Division and lower amounts spent on additional Genomics database content.
For all of 2006, total operating expenses from continuing operations, excluding Genomics Division restructuring expenses of $5.3 million, were $59.7 million compared to $65.3 million for 2005, a decrease of $5.6 million or 9%. This reduction reflects the favorable impact of the restructuring of the Genomics Division and lower amounts spent on additional Genomics database content, partially offset by $1.8 million in increased spending for our Drug Repositioning Division due to the previously anticipated higher costs associated with evaluating compounds under the terms of Gene Logic's various Drug Repositioning agreements.
Segment Operating Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
Note: Management uses operating income to evaluate segment performance. To arrive at operating income, the Company has included all direct costs for providing its services and an allocation for corporate overhead applied on a consistent and reasonable basis. The Company has excluded the cost of income taxes and interest income or expense and could also exclude certain unusual or corporate related costs in the future.
Drug Repositioning Division:
For the fourth quarter and twelve months of 2006, the Company's operating losses in the Drug Repositioning Business were $3.8 million and $15.1 million, respectively, compared to $3.6 million and $13.7 million for the prior year periods, respectively. These results reflect the continuing scale-up and development of the Company's Drug Repositioning Business over the past 12 months. Spending increased largely due to additional expenses related to evaluating increased numbers of compounds as a result of more agreements with its partners. The Company expects to continue its investment in the Drug Repositioning Business.
Genomics Services Division:
For the fourth quarter of 2006, Genomics Services Division reported an operating loss of $2.5 million compared to an operating profit of $4.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2005. For the twelve months of 2006, Genomics Services Division reported an operating loss of $25.5 million compared to an operating profit of $5.6 million for the twelve months of 2005. The results for both the fourth quarter and full year continue the recent trend of significantly lower year-over-year performance caused primarily by sales shortfalls due to the continuing loss of revenue for the Company's subscription-based database services, partially offset by the favorable impact of the restructuring and lower amounts spent on additional Genomics database content.
Discontinued Operations
On December 15, 2006 we announced the closing of the sale of Gene Logic Laboratories, Inc., our Pre-Clinical Division, for a sales price of $15.0 million, including $13.5 million paid at closing and $1.5 million held in escrow for 12 months to guarantee certain obligations under the agreement. The sales price is subject to final adjustment for certain changes in working capital and the assumption of certain liabilities associated with the business. At September 30, 2006 we estimated an $11.0 million impairment for our Pre-Clinical Division which has been adjusted to $10.9 million at December 31, 2006, to reflect the terms and conditions of sale, and to reserve against remaining expenses and liabilities. Further adjustments to the impairment could become necessary in 2007 to reflect actual fees and expenses incurred, final adjustments to the purchase price, or if valid claims are made against the amount held in escrow.
In addition, $3.7 million and $4.2 million in costs for 2006 and 2005 respectively, that were previously allocated to the Pre-Clinical Division have been re-allocated to the Genomics and Drug Repositioning Division. Of these amounts, $0.9 million and $1.0 million for 2006 and 2005, respectively, are attributed to the fourth quarter. These amounts represent costs that, as a result of the actual terms of sale, we have now determined will not be eliminated as a result of the sale of the Pre-Clinical Division.
Net Loss
For the fourth quarter of 2006, total consolidated net loss was $5.0 million or $0.16 per share, compared to a net loss of $2.1 million, or $0.07 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2005. For the twelve months of 2006, total consolidated net loss was $54.7 million or $1.72 per share, compared to a net loss of $48.3 million, or $1.52 per share, for the twelve months of 2005. Total net loss for the twelve months of 2006 includes a $10.9 million impairment charge associated with the Pre-Clinical Division and $5.3 million in restructuring charges for the Genomics Services Division. Total net loss for the twelve months of 2005 included a $32.8 million charge associated with recording the impairment of goodwill for the Pre-Clinical Division.
Liquidity
As of December 31, 2006, the Company had $50.1 million in combined cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities available-for-sale, compared to $82.1 million as of December 31, 2005.
Appointment of Lloyd I. Miller, III to the Board of Directors
The Company is pleased to announce it has appointed Lloyd I. Miller, III, a significant investor in the Company, to its board of directors. Mr. Miller is an independent investor and has served on numerous corporate boards, including Vulcan International, American Controlled Industries, and Denny's. He is currently a director of Pharmos Corporation, Stamps.com, and American Banknote, among others. Mr. Miller is a member of the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Stock Exchange, and is a Registered Investment Advisor.
Conference Call and Webcast
Gene Logic will host a conference call and webcast on February 23, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern to discuss the results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2006. Participants to the live call may dial (800)798-2801 or (617)614-6205 and use the passcode Gene Logic; alternatively, a webcast of the live call will be accessible from the Investors section of the Company's website at www.genelogic.com/investors/confcalls.cfm.
A replay of the call will be available beginning February 23, 2007 through March 9, 2007. Participants to the replay may dial 888/286-8010 or 617/801-6888 and use the passcode 90041714. An archived webcast of the conference call will also be available under the Investors section of the Company's website at www.genelogic.com.
Gene Logic Overview
Gene Logic is transforming into a biopharmaceutical development company through partnerships with pharmaceutical companies. Our partners provide Gene Logic with access to their drug candidates that have been assessed as safe in human clinical trials but discontinued for other reasons. Gene Logic applies its drug indication platform to find new therapeutic uses for the drug candidates. Gene Logic expects to receive milestone payments and royalties on drug candidates that our partners choose to develop based on the indications we find or, if the partner elects not to pursue such new indications, Gene Logic may receive ownership and development rights.
Gene Logic has also developed proprietary genomics databases and services to enable customers worldwide to discover and prioritize drug targets, identify biomarkers, predict toxicity and understand mechanisms of toxicity, and obtain insights into the efficacy of specific compounds. We continue to offer customers these services and licenses to the databases. Such databases, services and expertise are also a vital part of our drug indication platform. We are now seeking strategic alternatives to use our Genomics assets capabilities and expertise for molecular diagnostics.
Founded in 1994, Gene Logic is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., with additional research and development facilities in Cambridge, Mass. The Company currently has about 150 employees worldwide. For more information, visit www.genelogic.com or call toll-free - 1/800/GENELOGIC.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements," as such term is used in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements include the Company's ability to identify strategies for making its businesses successful and the impact of such strategies on our business and financial performance and on shareholder value. Forward-looking statements typically include the words "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "may," "will," and similar expressions as they relate to Gene Logic or its management. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. They are not guarantees of our future performance or results. Our actual performance and results could differ materially from what we project in forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons and circumstances, including particularly such risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company's operations, financial condition and financial results and that are discussed in detail in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. They include, but are not limited to: whether we will be able to identify and successfully implement strategies, on favorable terms or at all, for improving the performance and value of our businesses and improving the value of our Genomics business and whether repositioned compounds are successfully returned to our customers' pipelines and generate sales, and resulting milestones and royalties for the Company or whether we acquire repositioned compounds on acceptable terms and are able to derive revenue from these compounds through licensing or otherwise, whether we can enter into agreements to develop sufficient compounds to fulfill our plans for the Drug Repositioning Division, and improving the value of our businesses to shareholders; whether there will be remaining price adjustments or liabilities associated with the sale of the Pre-Clinical Division, whether we will be able successfully to manage our existing cash adequately and whether we will have access to financing on sufficiently favorable terms to maintain our businesses and effect our strategies, including development of repositioned compounds; whether we will be able to recruit and retain qualified personnel, particularly in light of our restructuring efforts; potential negative effects on our operations and financial results from workforce reductions, other restructuring activities, and the evaluation of strategic options; the potential loss of significant customers; the possibility of further write-down of the value of certain intangible assets of the Company, including goodwill associated with the Genomics Division; and the possibility of delisting from NASDAQ Global Markets, which could have an adverse effect on the value of our stock. Gene Logic undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.