Targacept, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRGT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing NNR Therapeutics™, today reported its financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014.
Targacept reported a net loss of $4.9 million for the third quarter of 2014, compared to $12.9 million for the third quarter of 2013. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, Targacept reported a net loss of $28.0 million compared to $33.3 million for the corresponding 2013 period. As of September 30, 2014, cash and investments in marketable securities totaled $114.5 million.
“We remain focused on assessing strategic opportunities that can provide substantial value for our stakeholders and lead to meaningful treatment options for patients. While we cannot predict with certainty when this effort will conclude, we are pleased with our progress to date and are appreciative of the cooperation and valuable input we have received from our major shareholders,” said Dr. Stephen A. Hill, Targacept’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “In addition, we have been working to ensure high-quality execution of our ongoing exploratory trial of TC-6499 in diabetic gastroparesis, for which we expect to report top-line results in the first half of 2015.”
Financial Results
Targacept reported a net loss of $4.9
million for the third quarter of 2014, compared to a net loss of $12.9
million for the third quarter of 2013, a decrease of $8.0 million. The
lower net loss was primarily due to a decrease of $7.7 million in
research and development expenses. For the nine months ended September
30, 2014, Targacept reported a net loss of $28.0 million compared to net
a net loss of $33.3 million for the corresponding 2013 period. The net
loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 included a non-cash
income tax adjustment of $3.4 million recorded as a result of an IRS
review of our 2010 federal income tax return completed in the first
quarter of 2014. Targacept believes its loss before income taxes of
$24.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is more
representative of its operating results for that period. The lower net
loss before income taxes for the 2014 period was principally due to a
decrease of $12.3 million in operating expenses, partially offset by a
decrease of $3.5 million in revenue recognized for payments received
from collaborations. Non-cash, stock-based compensation charges of
$807,000 and $1.3 million were recorded for the third quarters of 2014
and 2013, respectively, and $2.6 million and $4.2 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Net Operating Revenues
Net operating revenues totaled
$25,000 for the third quarter of 2014, compared to no net operating
revenues for the third quarter of 2013. For the nine months ended
September 30, 2014, net operating revenues totaled $148,000, compared to
$3.5 million for the corresponding 2013 period. The decrease for the
nine-month period was primarily attributable to deferred revenue
recognized during the 2013 period associated with Targacept’s
recently-terminated collaboration with AstraZeneca AB. The remaining
balance of payments received under that collaboration became fully
recognized in the first quarter of 2013.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development
expenses totaled $2.7 million for the third quarter of 2014, compared to
$10.3 million for the third quarter of 2013. For the nine months ended
September 30, 2014, research and development expenses totaled $17.1
million, compared to $28.1 million for the corresponding 2013 period.
The lower research and development costs for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2014 were principally due to decreases of $6.7
million and $8.7 million, respectively, for charges related to
Targacept’s clinical programs. The company’s clinical program costs for
the 2014 periods reflected lower costs related to its Phase 2b study of
TC-5619 in schizophrenia, which was completed in the fourth quarter of
2013, and lower costs related to its Phase 2b studies of TC-5214 in
overactive bladder and TC-1734 in Alzheimer’s disease, both of which
were completed in the third quarter of 2014, and which were partially
offset by increased costs related to the ongoing exploratory study of
TC-6499 in diabetic gastroparesis, which Targacept initiated in the
second quarter of 2014. The lower research and development expenses were
also attributable to decreases, as compared to the corresponding 2013
period, of $767,000 for the third quarter and $2.3 million for the
nine-month period in research and development-related operating costs,
including infrastructure and compensation-related expenses for research
and development personnel.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and
administrative expenses totaled $2.4 million for the third quarter of
2014, compared to $2.8 million for the third quarter of 2013. For the
nine months ended September 30, 2014, general and administrative
expenses totaled $8.0 million, compared to $9.4 million for the
corresponding 2013 period. The decreased general and administrative
expenses for both 2014 periods were primarily a result of lower
compensation related expenses due to fewer general and administrative
employees and a lower value assigned to stock-based compensation awards
that vested during the periods. The lower general and administrative
expenses for the nine-month period also reflects the non-recurrence of
severance related charges in connection with the departure of an
executive officer in 2013, which totaled $776,000.
Conference Call
As previously announced, Targacept
will be hosting a conference call and webcast today, November 5, 2014,
at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. Participants may access the
conference call by dialing 866.825.3209 for domestic callers and 617.213.8061
for international callers (reference passcode 66014811). A live
audio webcast of the conference call will be accessible from the
Investor Relations page of Targacept’s website, www.targacept.com.
To ensure a timely connection to the webcast, it is recommended that
users register at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. An
archived version of the webcast will also be available on the Investor
Calendar section of the Investor Relations page of our website for at
least two weeks following the call.
About Targacept
Targacept is dedicated to building health
and restoring independence for patients. For more information, please
visit www.targacept.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes
"forward-looking statements" made under the provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements
include statements, other than statements of historical fact, regarding
without limitation Targacept's plans, expectations or future operations,
financial position, revenues, costs or expenses. Actual results,
performance or experience may differ materially from those expressed or
implied by any forward-looking statement as a result of various
important factors, including without limitation Targacept's critical
accounting policies and risks and uncertainties relating to: the conduct
and results of clinical trials and non-clinical studies and assessments
of any Targacept product candidate, including the performance of third
parties engaged to execute such trials, studies and assessments, delays
resulting from any changes to the applicable protocols and difficulties
or delays in the completion of subject enrollment or data analysis;
Targacept’s ability to establish additional strategic alliances,
collaborations or licensing or other comparable arrangements on
favorable terms; Targacept's ability to protect its intellectual
property; and the timing and success of submission, acceptance and
approval of regulatory filings. Risks and uncertainties that Targacept
faces are described in greater detail under the heading "Risk Factors"
in Targacept's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other
filings that it makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a
result of the risks and uncertainties, the results or events indicated
by the forward-looking statements may not occur. Targacept cautions you
not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement.
In addition, any forward-looking statement in this press release represents Targacept’s views only as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Targacept disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable law.
NNR Therapeutics™ and Building Health, Restoring Independence® are trademarks or service marks of Targacept, Inc. Any other service marks, trademarks and trade names appearing in this press release are the properties of their respective owners.
TARGACEPT, INC | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Unaudited Condensed Statements of Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net operating revenues | $ | 25 | $ | - | $ | 148 | $ | 3,536 | ||||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Research and development | 2,655 | 10,312 | 17,143 | 28,086 | ||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative | 2,358 | 2,834 | 7,988 | 9,358 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 5,013 | 13,146 | 25,131 | 37,444 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating loss | (4,988 | ) | (13,146 | ) | (24,983 | ) | (33,908 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Other income, net | 139 | 244 | 456 | 569 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss before income taxes | (4,849 | ) | (12,902 | ) | (24,527 | ) | (33,339 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | (11 | ) | - | (3,468 | ) | - | ||||||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (4,860 | ) | $ | (12,902 | ) | $ | (27,995 | ) | $ | (33,339 | ) | ||||||||||
Net loss per share - basic and diluted | $ | (0.14 | ) | $ | (0.38 | ) | $ | (0.83 | ) | $ | (0.99 | ) | ||||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted | 33,793,735 | 33,644,256 | 33,775,951 | 33,629,295 | ||||||||||||||||||
TARGACEPT, INC | ||||||||||
Unaudited Condensed Balance Sheets | ||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and investments | $ | 114,546 | $ | 143,777 | ||||||
Receivables and other current assets | 1,073 | 1,277 | ||||||||
Property and equipment, net | 483 | 682 | ||||||||
Other assets, net | 19 | 137 | ||||||||
Total assets | $ | 116,121 | $ | 145,873 | ||||||
Current liabilitites | $ | 3,212 | $ | 10,979 | ||||||
Long-term debt, net of current portion | - | 283 | ||||||||
Total stockholders' equity | 112,909 | 134,611 | ||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 116,121 | $ | 145,873 |
Contacts:
Alan Musso, 336-480-2186
SVP, Finance and
Administration and CFO
alan.musso@targacept.com