Vanda Pharmaceuticals Reports Third Quarter 2008 Results

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Reports Third Quarter 2008 Results

ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: VNDA), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of clinical-stage product candidates for central nervous system disorders, today announced financial and operational results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2008.

Vanda reported research and development (R&D) expenses in the third quarter of 2008 of $3.8 million, compared to $5.5 million in the second quarter of 2008 and $13.9 million in the third quarter of 2007. The decrease in R&D expenses in the third quarter of 2008 relative to the second quarter of 2008 is primarily attributable to lower costs in the Phase III tasimelteon (VEC-162) chronic primary insomnia clinical trial for which Vanda announced top-line results in June of 2008. The decrease in R&D expenses in the third quarter of 2008 relative to the third quarter of 2007 is attributable to lower clinical trial costs in 2008 compared to costs from trials conducted in 2007, and the $5.0 million milestone charge recorded in the third quarter of 2007 resulting from the submission of the New Drug Application (NDA) for iloperidone.

Net loss was $10.9 million for the third quarter of 2008, compared to $13.5 million for the second quarter of 2008 and $21.9 million for the third quarter of 2007. Net loss per common share for the third quarter of 2008 was $0.41, compared to $0.51 for the second quarter of 2008 and $0.82 for the third quarter of 2007.

As of September 30, 2008, Vanda's cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaled approximately $51.7 million. As of September 30, 2008, Vanda had a total of approximately 26.7 million shares of common stock outstanding.

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

On September 10, 2008, Vanda met with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to discuss the not-approvable action letter that the FDA issued to Vanda on July 25, 2008 regarding iloperidone. The FDA asked Vanda to provide a complete response to the not-approvable letter highlighting arguments made during the meeting. Vanda expects to submit the complete response within the next few weeks. The timing or outcome of any FDA review of the response is uncertain at this time.

Vanda has suspended all commercial and development activities pending further review. Vanda has also reduced its cash burn and is reviewing a number of options to further reduce expenses and cash burn.

FINANCIAL DETAILS

Operating Expenses. Third quarter 2008 R&D expenses, primarily consisting of salaries and related costs of R&D personnel, stock-based compensation, and the costs of consultants, materials and supplies associated with clinical trials and research initiatives, totaled $3.8 million, compared to $5.5 million in the second quarter of 2008 and $13.9 million in the third quarter of 2007. The decrease in R&D expenses in the third quarter of 2008 relative to the second quarter of 2008 is primarily attributable to lower costs in the Phase III tasimelteon chronic primary insomnia clinical trial for which Vanda reported top-line results in June of 2008. The decrease in R&D expenses in the third quarter of 2008 relative to the third quarter of 2007 is primarily attributable to lower clinical trial costs in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the costs from trials conducted in the third quarter of 2007 and the $5.0 million milestone charge recorded in the third quarter of 2007 resulting from the submission of the NDA for iloperidone.

-- General and administrative (G&A) expenses totaled $7.4 million in the third quarter of 2008, compared to $8.5 million in the second quarter of 2008 and $9.6 million in the third quarter of 2007. The decrease in G&A expenses in the third quarter of 2008 relative to the second quarter of 2008 is primarily due to lower iloperidone pre-commercial launch expenses. The decrease in G&A expenses in the third quarter of 2008 relative to the third quarter of 2007 is primarily due to lower employee stock-based compensation expense and lower iloperidone pre-commercial launch expenses.

-- Employee stock-based compensation expense recorded in the third quarter of 2008 totaled $3.6 million. Of these non-cash charges, $0.5 million was recorded as R&D expense and $3.1 million was recorded as G&A expense. In the second quarter of 2008 and the third quarter of 2007, total stock-based compensation was $4.0 million and $5.2 million, respectively. The decrease in stock-based compensation in the third quarter of 2008 relative to the second quarter of 2008 and the third quarter of 2007 is primarily due to the lower fair market value of options granted in 2008.

-- Net loss for the third quarter of 2008 was $10.9 million, compared to a net loss of $13.5 million for the second quarter of 2008 and $21.9 million for the third quarter of 2007.

-- Net loss per common share for the third quarter of 2008 was $0.41, compared to $0.51 for the second quarter of 2008 and $0.82 for the third quarter of 2007.

-- Cash and marketable securities decreased by $13.9 million during the third quarter of 2008. Changes included $10.9 million of net losses, decreases in accrued R&D expenses and accounts payable of $5.2 million, net increases in prepaid expenses of $0.9 million, fixed asset purchases of $0.5 million offset by $3.7 million in non-cash depreciation, amortization, and stock-based compensation expenses and net increases in other working capital of $0.1 million.

-- Vanda's cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as of September 30, 2008 totaled approximately $51.7 million, compared to approximately $93.2 million as of December 31, 2007.

FINANCIAL GUIDANCE

Net loss for the year is expected to be approximately $56 million, or approximately $2.10 per share. Non-cash charges for 2008, consisting primarily of stock-based compensation expense and depreciation and amortization, are expected to total approximately $16.5 million. The total cash balance at December 31, 2008 is expected to be approximately $44 million.

Fourth quarter cash expenditures, consisting primarily of administrative overhead, personnel costs, costs to complete ongoing carcinogenicity studies, costs to complete stability studies for iloperidone, regulatory consulting fees, and commercial discontinuation costs, are expected to total approximately $7.5 million. To reduce expenses, Vanda has taken the following actions:

    -- Reduced headcount from 52 full-time employees as of June 30, 2008 to 44
       full-time employees as of October 30, 2008.  In addition, Vanda has
       eliminated four full-time contract commercial positions.
    -- Discontinued all commercial activities.
    -- Suspended all non-essential manufacturing and pre-clinical activities.

As a result of these initiatives, Vanda expects its operating cash burn to decrease to approximated $3.6 million per quarter beginning in the first quarter of 2009. These expenditures will consist primarily of administrative overhead, personnel costs, costs to complete an ongoing carcinogenicity study and regulatory consulting fees.

Vanda is also evaluating its development pipeline and a number of options to further reduce expenses and cash burn. Vanda will provide additional guidance as soon as its plans are more definitive.

ABOUT VANDA PHARMACEUTICALS INC.:

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of clinical-stage product candidates for central nervous system disorders. For more on Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc., please visit http://www.vandapharma.com.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Various statements in this release are "forward-looking statements" under the securities laws. Words such as, but not limited to, "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "targets," "likely," "will," "would," and "could," and similar expressions or words, identify forward- looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations that involve risks, changes in circumstances, assumptions and uncertainties. Vanda is at an early stage of development and may not ever have any products that generate significant revenue. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the company's forward-looking statements include, among others: delays in the completion of Vanda's clinical trials; a failure of Vanda's product candidates to be demonstrably safe and effective; Vanda's failure to obtain regulatory approval for its products or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements; a lack of acceptance of Vanda's product candidates in the marketplace, or a failure to become or remain profitable; Vanda's inability to obtain the capital necessary to fund its research and development activities; Vanda's failure to identify or obtain rights to new product candidates; Vanda's failure to develop or obtain sales, marketing and distribution resources and expertise or to otherwise manage its growth; a loss of any of Vanda's key scientists or management personnel; losses incurred from product liability claims made against Vanda; a loss of rights to develop and commercialize Vanda's products under its license and sublicense agreements and other factors that are described in the "Risk Factors" section (Part II, Item 1A) of Vanda's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 (File No. 000-51863). In addition to the risks described above and in Part II, Item 1A of Vanda's quarterly report on Form 10-Q, other unknown or unpredictable factors also could affect Vanda's results. There can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by Vanda will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Vanda. Therefore, no assurance can be given that the outcomes stated in such forward-looking statements and estimates will be achieved.

All written and verbal forward-looking statements attributable to Vanda or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to herein. Vanda cautions investors not to rely too heavily on the forward-looking statements Vanda makes or that are made on its behalf. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and Vanda undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines any obligation, to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

                          VANDA PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
                       (A Development Stage Enterprise)

         CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)


                            Three Months Ended          Nine Months Ended
                       September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
                              2008          2007          2008          2007


    Revenues from
     services                    $-            $-            $-            $-

    Operating expenses:
      Research and
       development        3,792,424    13,874,248    20,375,998    34,660,132
      General and
       administrative     7,400,263     9,647,646    24,814,462    23,330,570
        Total operating
         expenses        11,192,687    23,521,894    45,190,460    57,990,702

    Loss from
     operations         (11,192,687)  (23,521,894)  (45,190,460)  (57,990,702)

    Interest income         323,476     1,514,708     1,630,238     4,608,143
    Other income                  -        71,345             -        71,345
        Total other
         income, net        323,476     1,586,053     1,630,238     4,679,488

    Loss before tax
     provision          (10,869,211)  (21,935,841)  (43,560,222)  (53,311,214)

      Tax provision               -         7,660             -        10,070

    Net loss           $(10,869,211) $(21,943,501) $(43,560,222) $(53,321,284)

    Basic and diluted
     net loss per share
     attributable to
     common
     stockholders            $(0.41)       $(0.82)       $(1.63)       $(2.03)

    Shares used in
     calculation of
     basic and diluted
     net loss per share
     attributable to
     common
     stockholders        26,650,534    26,612,853    26,649,439    26,223,151



                          VANDA PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
                       (A Development Stage Enterprise)

              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)


                                        September 30, 2008  December 31, 2007

    ASSETS
      Current assets:
        Cash and cash equivalents              $41,438,719        $41,929,533
        Marketable securities                   10,224,854         43,243,960
        Prepaid expenses, deposits and
         other current assets                    2,942,703          1,781,881
          Total current assets                  54,606,276         86,955,374

      Marketable securities, long-term                 -            7,979,331
      Property and equipment, net                1,885,775          1,345,845
      Deposits                                     150,000            150,000
      Restricted cash                              430,230            430,230
          Total assets                         $57,072,281        $96,860,780


    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
      Current liabilities:
        Accounts payable                          $899,035         $2,988,069
        Accrued expenses                         3,082,442          9,789,738
          Total current liabilities              3,981,477         12,777,807

      Long-term liabilities:
        Deferred rent                              496,774            354,042
          Total liabilities                      4,478,251         13,131,849

      Stockholders' equity:
        Common stock                                26,653             26,653
        Additional paid-in capital             270,279,679        257,600,368
        Accumulated other comprehensive
         income (loss)                            (241,814)            12,176
        Deficit accumulated during the
         development stage                    (217,470,488)      (173,910,266)
          Total stockholders' equity            52,594,030         83,728,931

          Total liabilities and
           stockholders' equity                $57,072,281        $96,860,780



                          VANDA PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
                       (A Development Stage Enterprise)

         CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)


                                                    Nine Months Ended
                                              September 30,   September 30,
                                                    2008            2007

    Cash flows from operating activities:
      Net loss                               $(43,560,222)   $(53,321,284)
      Adjustments to reconcile net income
       to net cash used in operating
       activities:
        Depreciation and amortization             403,141         446,806
        Stock-based compensation               12,679,311      14,480,108
        Loss on disposal of assets                   (173)         27,017
        Accretion of discount on investments     (212,664)     (1,315,609)
        Changes in assets and liabilities:
          Prepaid expenses and other
           current assets                      (1,160,103)     (1,414,371)
          Accounts payable                     (2,089,044)        660,697
          Accrued expenses                     (6,708,552)      5,544,227
          Deferred grant revenue                      -          (140,599)
          Other liabilities                       142,732          13,258
            Net cash used in operating
             activities                       (40,505,574)    (35,019,750)

    Cash flows from investing activities:
      Purchases of property and equipment        (943,659)       (249,728)
      Proceeds from sales of property and
       equipment                                      -           119,054
      Purchases of marketable securities      (11,491,577)   (107,570,370)
      Proceeds from sales of marketable
       securities                              10,373,251               -
      Maturities of marketable securities      42,060,000      60,395,000
            Net cash provided by (used in)
             investing activities              39,998,015     (47,306,044)

    Cash flows from financing activities:
      Proceeds from exercise of stock
       options and warrants                           -           103,176
      Proceeds from issuance of common
       stock, net of issuance costs                   -       111,254,850
            Net cash provided by financing
             activities                               -       111,358,026

      Effect of foreign currency translation       16,745          (6,654)

    Net increase (decrease) in cash and
     cash equivalents                            (490,814)     29,025,578

    Cash and cash equivalents, beginning
     of period                                 41,929,533      30,928,895

    Cash and cash equivalents, end of
     period                                   $41,438,719     $59,954,473

 

SOURCE Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.