WASHINGTON DC, April 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Bavarian Nordic, the Danish-based biopharmaceutical company, recently published its 2007 Annual Report. Below is an extract of the most significant matters in the report as well as events after the balance sheet date.
Bavarian Nordic's revenue for the year 2007 was DKK 332.1 million with a loss before tax of DKK 50.5 million, which was in line with the Company's latest guidance. For 2008, Bavarian Nordic expects revenue in the region of DKK 180 million, and a pre-tax loss in the region of DKK 225 million as the first deliveries of vaccines for the US government under the RFP-3 contract are not expected to take place before 2009.
2007 outline
The year 2007 was a busy and eventful year, but also a very successful year. With the award of the RFP-3 contract from the US authorities Bavarian Nordic fulfilled the most important milestone in the history of the Company. The contract was awarded after prolonged negotiations in which the Company succeeded, as the first in the world, in obtaining advance and milestone payments under Project BioShield. In addition to the base contract of USD 500 million for the delivery of 20 million doses of the company's third-generation smallpox vaccine, IMVAMUNE(R), the contract includes an option contract of USD 1.1 billion for the delivery of an additional 60 million doses.
After the RFP-3 contract was signed, Bavarian Nordic successfully fulfilled all the requirements relating to the development of physical safety, IT security, validation of production and test processes, etc. underlying the advance payment of USD 50 million and the two milestone payments of USD 25 million each. These payments helped make the current financial position the best ever in the Company's history.
In our pipeline, we have presented important data on IMVAMUNE(R). Three out of five Phase II studies have been completed and show very promising results. When the HIV Phase II-data package is available - expected late in 2008 - and has been accepted by the US health authorities, Bavarian Nordic can begin delivering the vaccine to the US national stockpile and thus begin invoicing.
In 2007, Bavarian Nordic refocused its HIV strategy. Against a backdrop of recommendations from international scientific committees, data from the nef program has been incorporated into the multiantigen program, which thus continues to be our future HIV project.
Important progress has also been achieved in our cancer research as Phase I/II studies of the breast cancer vaccine candidate were commenced.
Financial Review 2007
Unless otherwise stated, the financial review is based on the consolidated financial information for the year ended 31 December 2007 as included in the Annual Report 2007 with comparative figures for 2006 in brackets. The accounting policies are unchanged from the Annual Report for 2006.
A pre-tax loss of DKK 50.5 million (DKK 204.8 million) was recorded for the year, which was in line with our guidance in the nine-month interim report published on 6 November 2007.
The increase in revenue and earnings in 2007 was achieved as the Group completed two milestones of USD 25 million each as part of the RFP-3 contract awarded in June 2007.
The Group's free net liquidity was strengthened in 2007 and stood at DKK 833.6 million at the end of the year (DKK 217.7 million). The improvement was attributable to a rights issue made in March 2007 (net proceeds of DKK 443.5 million), the exercise of warrants by employees and management (net proceeds of DKK 47.7 million), and advance and milestone payments received under the RFP-3 contract (USD 100 million). By end of February 2008 the free net liquidity had increased to DKK 902 million.
Equity was DKK 1,217.7 million at 31 December 2007 (DKK 691.4 million).
Outlook for 2008
For 2008, Bavarian Nordic expects revenue in the region of DKK 180 million, and a pre-tax loss in the region of DKK 225 million.
Revenue is expected to consist of the third milestone payment under the RFP-3 contract and invoicing in continuation of the RFP-2 contract. Except for the contract with an Asian country for the delivery of IMVAMUNE(R) as mentioned below, contracts with other countries for smallpox vaccines are not included in the guidance for 2008, as this would still be too uncertain due to the long-term process involved in obtaining each contract.
Research and development costs in 2008 are expected to be approximately DKK 280 million, including the further development of IMVAMUNE(R) under the RFP-3 contract, of which DKK 70 million expectedly are capitalized in the balance sheet under intangible assets.
In 2008, the Company's cash resources will be extraordinarily affected by increased production costs in connection with the up scaling of production, build-up of vaccine stockpiles under the RFP-3 and increased costs for Phase II studies of IMVAMUNE(R). Thus the liquidity drain in 2008 will be around DKK 400 million. At the end of 2008 the Company's net free liquidity is expected to amount to around DKK 500 million.
The forecast above assumes that, as part of the RFP-3 contract, Bavarian Nordic in late 2008 files the necessary data to the FDA that has the potential to support the use of IMVAMUNE(R) in a declared emergency. Acceptance by the US authorities of this data will be the trigger to initiate delivery of vaccines to the United States. Since approval by the authorities is outside the control of the Company, the budget assumes that approval is not received in time to begin delivery of IMVAMUNE(R) in 2008. Bavarian Nordic expects that the 20 million doses of IMVAMUNE(R) under the RFP-3 contract will be delivered in 2009 - 2011.
Furthermore, the net profit forecast assumes that Bavarian Nordic obtains the necessary approvals to continue its preclinical and clinical trials.
Events after the balance sheet date
Bavarian Nordic has signed contract with Asian country for the delivery of IMVAMUNE(R)
Bavarian Nordic has signed a three-year contract with the government of an Asian country for the delivery of a small order of IMVAMUNE(R) for the country's biodefense program.
This contract, which is considered as an initial order, is Bavarian Nordic's first outside USA for delivery of IMVAMUNE(R). The extent and value of the contract are undisclosed.
Bavarian Nordic will manufacture and deliver IMVAMUNE(R) smallpox vaccines for this country before initiating the delivery of the 20 million doses of IMVAMUNE(R) for the U.S. government.
Strategy update
Since the autumn of 2007, when Anders Hedegaard joined Bavarian Nordic as the new President and CEO, the Company has undergone a strategy process which was completed in spring 2008. Conclusions from the process and derived initiatives will be implemented continuously. In the meantime, the Company is focusing strongly on streamlining its organization and on value-generating elements that can cement the position of Bavarian Nordic as an innovative, globally leading supplier of vaccines. In the short term, this means that the key focus will be on:
- Fulfilling the RFP-3 contract
- Changed prioritizing and optimization of pipeline
- Building up market demand for IMVAMUNE(R)
Fulfilling the RFP-3 contract
With a continuing strong focus on project management, a number of important milestones forward are expected in the development of IMVAMUNE(R) over the next 12-24 months:
- Completion of Phase II studies in HIV and people diagnosed with Atopic Dermatitis (2008)
- Commencement of Phase III studies (2009)
- Start-up of inventory production of vaccine (2008)
- Start-up of actual delivery of vaccine for the US strategic national stockpile (2009)
To begin delivering IMVAMUNE(R) to the United States, Bavarian Nordic must first fulfil the requirements connected with the potential use of the vaccine during a declared emergency. Provided that the HIV patient enrolment in the on-going Phase II study progresses as planned, the Company expects to be able to complete this study in late 2008 as previously announced. This Phase II HIV data package will be sent to the US health authorities as part of the evaluation of whether IMVAMUNE(R) could potentially be used in a declared emergency. Consequently, the first deliveries of vaccines are expected in 2009. With a view to optimizing the use of resources at the manufacturing facility at Kvistgard, delivery of vaccines is expected to be distributed more or less evenly over the period 2009-2011.
Changed prioritizing and optimization of pipeline
The Company's pipeline currently includes a total of six development programs in the following three areas: biodefense, cancer and infectious diseases.
Program Status Next milestone Biodefense Smallpox (IMVAMUNE(R)) Phase II Phase III (2009) Anthrax Preclinical Phase I (2008) Cancer Breast Cancer Phase I/II Safety and immunogenicity data (2008) Prostate Cancer Preclinical Phase I/II (H1,2008) Infectious HIV multiantigen Preclinical Phase I/II diseases (H1,2008) Measles and RSV Phase I Phase I in children (H2, 2008)
Biodefense
This is the Company's principal area of business. The strategy for this area focuses on handling the entire value chain, all the way from development to production and sale of vaccines.
One goal is to complete the registration of IMVAMUNE(R). The vaccine will then be commercialized via sales to the United States and other countries.
In addition, the intention is to build up a biodefense portfolio of projects that can complement IMVAMUNE(R) and ensure the Company a sustained and growing business.
As part of building up this portfolio, Bavarian Nordic has initiated a preclinical program for an anthrax vaccine. The Company sees a number of synergies - both in the development and in market approach which support the development of such a vaccine. Also, it is expected that a combined anthrax and smallpox vaccine can be developed and thus Bavarian Nordic would be able to offer one vaccine against two of the top biological threats. The anthrax program is expected to enter Phase I in 2008.
Cancer
In the short term, the goal is to complete the Phase I/II studies of the vaccine candidate for breast cancer and to initiate Phase I/II studies of the vaccine candidate for prostate cancer.
As and when positive clinical data are obtained, partnering of the projects will be considered and the Company will also keep an eye on potential in-licensing opportunities.
The cancer business area has been given a higher priority and it is the Company's goal to expand the cancer portfolio. Later in 2008 the Company expects to announce initiatives to strengthen this area.
Infectious diseases
The Company has a number of projects in infectious diseases, all of which are at an early development stage: HIV, measles and RSV, dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis. The goal with the first two projects is to complete early-stage clinical trials. If supported by the data obtained, the option of placing these projects in external partnerships will be explored. Alternatively, the Company will seek other external funding. For the latter two projects, discussions with a potential external partner on clinical development and funding are pending.
The program for measles and RSV will be tested up to and through clinical Phase I, where it is expected that proof of concept will be obtained.
As for HIV multiantigen, Phase I/II clinical studies will be completed, and partnering negotiations will be initiated as and when the project progresses.
Building market demand for IMVAMUNE(R)
As part of the process of taking the Bavarian Nordic organization to new and professional levels, a new commercial organization was established in 2007 in order to strengthen the Company's commercial activities and build market demand for IMVAMUNE(R) and future vaccines, including HIV and cancer vaccines.
Changes in management
During the past year the Executive Management of Bavarian Nordic has been strengthened with new CEO and an Executive Vice President Commercial Affairs. To implement the new strategic initiatives, the Executive Management will be further strengthened with two new people and the appointment of a new member.
Rene Djurup, Executive Vice President Technical Operations, has decided to resign from his position as of 31 May 2008 in order to dedicate himself to private business activities. The build-up of the Company's production facility - the world's first MVA production plant, was a fantastic achievement headed by Rene, and the Company wishes to thank him for his great effort and contribution to the industrial development of Bavarian Nordic.
Anders Gram (48) has been appointed as new Executive Vice President Technical Operations. Anders holds an M.Sc. degree in chemical engineering and a Ph.D. in industrial biochemistry. He currently holds the position as Managing Director and Vice President, Biopharma Operations in Novozymes. Previously he worked in various management positions within product supply in the enzyme business area at Novo Nordisk. He will take up position on 1 June 2008 at the latest.
Furthermore, Bavarian Nordic has appointed a new CFO. Ole Larsen (42) will join the company as Executive Vice President Finance on 1 October 2008 at the latest. He currently holds the position as Finance Director and member of the management in Nordisk Film. Previously amongst others he worked as Finance Director at Berlingske Tidende.
Reiner Laus, MD., President & CEO of Bavarian Nordic's US subsidiary, BN ImmunoTherapeutics Inc., will also join the Executive Management. Reiner Laus was previously Vice President of Research and Development at Dendreon Corporation in Seattle, Washington where he was responsible for discovery, pre-clinical and development functions.
Executive Management hereafter consists of the following:
Anders Hedegaard, President & CEO
Nicolai Buhl Andersen, EVP Commercial Affairs
Paul Chaplin, EVP Research & Development
Reiner Laus, EVP, and CEO of BN ImmunoTherapeutics Inc.
Morten Max Rasmussen, EVP Transactions, Legal & IPR
Anders Gram, EVP Technical Operations
Ole Larsen, EVP Finance
Annual Report 2007
The full 2007 Annual Report was published on March 31, 2008 and is available for download on the company's website: http://www.bavarian-nordic.com
About Bavarian Nordic:
Bavarian Nordic, headquartered in Denmark, is a leading international biopharmaceutical company developing and producing innovative vaccines to prevent and treat infectious diseases and cancer.
In the U.S., Bavarian Nordic operates subsidiary companies, BN ImmunoTherapeutics, in Mountain View, California developing vaccines against cancers, and Bavarian Nordic Inc. in Washington, D.C. focused on business development, marketing, and government relations for the Bavarian Nordic Group.
For more information on Bavarian Nordic visit: http://www.bavarian-nordic.com
"Safe Harbour" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995": Except for the historical information contained herein, this release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. No "forward-looking statement" can be guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Bavarian Nordic undertakes no obligation to publicly update any "forward-looking statement", whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Additional information regarding risks and uncertainties is set forth in the current Annual Report and in Bavarian Nordic's periodic reports, if any, which we incorporate by reference.
Contact: Anders Hedegaard, President & CEO; +45-33-26-83-83
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