EANS-News: Epigenomics AG Presents Mid-Year Results and Announces Restructuring
Plan Heightening Focus on the Key U.S. Market
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Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely
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Restructuring & Recapitalisations/6-month report/molecular diagnostic
Subtitle: Focus to be on near term product opportunities and key markets;
streamlining of operations
Berlin, Germany, and Seattle, WA, U.S.A., August 10, 2011 (euro adhoc) -
Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt Prime Standard: ECX), the cancer molecular diagnostic
company, today announced financial results for the second quarter and first half
of 2011 ending June 30, 2011. The Company also released plans to restructure its
organization, with the goal of maximizing shareholder value through an increased
focus on the key U.S. market.
Epigenomics´ second generation blood test for colorectal cancer ("CRC")
detection, Epi proColon® 2.0, remains on track to be submitted to the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration ("FDA") for Premarket Approval ("PMA") in Q4 2011. Epi
proColon® 2.0 is specifically designed to meet FDA requirements and show
improved clinical performance, simplified handling and better automation
capabilities compared to the currently marketed version of the product.
Crucially, Epi proColon® 2.0 prototypes demonstrated higher test sensitivity at
comparable specificity compared to earlier versions, which is a key
differentiator and should underpin a successful launch in the U.S.
Following a strategic review of the opportunity presented by Epi proColon® 2.0,
plans for developing a commercial operation in the U.S. are being accelerated.
The Company will relocate its U.S. headquarters from Seattle, WA, to the East
Coast in 2012 and step up efforts to prepare for a commercial launch. Early
stage product and technology research will be discontinued and clinical research
scaled down. Going forward, European commercialization will be mainly focused on
key accounts. Epigenomics will reduce its total workforce by approximately 39
employees targeting a company size of 45 employees by year-end 2011.
Geert Nygaard, Chief Executive Officer of Epigenomics said: "Given the
significant opportunity with the improved test, our efforts are now focused
squarely on the approval and launch of our second generation Epi proColon®
product, particularly in the U.S. As a result, we have brought forward the
necessary operational changes to prepare for our U.S. product launch and focus
the resources of the company on this key goal."
Key Financials H1 2011
H1 2011 (unaudited)| H1 2010 (unaudited)| % change
Revenue |in mill. EUR| 0.99 | 0.97 | 1% |
EBIT |in mill. EUR| (5.7) | (5.4) | -5% |
Net Loss|in mill. EUR| (5.9) | (5.4) | -10% |
At Jun 30, 2011 (unaudited)| At Dec 31, 2010(audited)|
Liquid Assets|in mill. EUR| 20.7 | 26.4 |
Employees | 84 | 82 |
Revenue for the half year of EUR 0.99 million (2010: EUR 0.97 million)
generated from out-licensing and partnering activities and increasingly, from
product sales
Costs of sales amounted to EUR 0.25 million (H1 2010: EUR 0.31 million); gross
margin improved to 75% from 68% in H1 2010
Operating cost of EUR 6.6 million comparable to H1 2010 (EUR 6.6 million)
R&D costs significantly decreased from EUR 3.6 million in H1 2010 to EUR 3.0
million in the reporting period
Operating (EBIT) loss increased marginally by 5% to EUR 5.7 million (H1 2010:
loss of EUR 5.4 million)
Net loss for H1 2011 amounted to EUR 5.9 million (H1 2010: EUR 5.4 million)
Cash consumption increased from EUR 4.4 million in H1 2010 to EUR 5.7 million
in the reporting period due to a significant non-recurrent cash inflow from a
collaboration partner in H1 2010 with no comparable inflow in H1 2011
Cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2011 were EUR 20.7 million (December 31,
2010: EUR 26.4 million)
Update on Products
Patient preference for a blood-based test for CRC is confirmed by the continued
fast adoption of ColoVantage, a laboratory-developed Septin9 blood test aiding
the detection of CRC, which is offered in the U.S. by Epigenomics´ partner,
Quest Diagnostics. ColoVantage testing volume continued to show strong growth
during Q2 2011. With this positive backdrop, Epigenomics is increasingly excited
by the potential for an FDA-approved IVD version of the test with broader claims
for more widespread adoption.
The development of the Company´s second generation blood test for CRC, Epi
proColon® 2.0 for the U.S. and European markets remains on track. The Company
has planned two key studies: a case control study with about 200 patient samples
for CE-marking of the product in Europe followed by the pivotal clinical trial
for FDA approval with prospectively collected blood samples of a screening
cohort of about 8,000 subjects. The studies are expected to be finalized in Q4
2011. The launch of the CE-marked version of the product in Europe and a
submission to the FDA for PMA review are planned before year-end 2011. In
parallel, Epigenomics´ licensee Abbott is working towards U.S. regulatory
approval of their Septin9-based blood test for CRC screening.
For the European market, Epigenomics´ second generation test is being validated
for use with the Roche "LightCycler® 480" and Life Technologies´ "AB 7500 Fast"
real-time PCR systems. For the U.S. market, Epi proColon 2.0 is designed for use
with Life Technologies´ "AB7500 Fast Dx" real-time PCR instrument. An agreement
with Life Technologies granting Epigenomics access to this FDA-cleared,
real-time PCR instrument for the U.S. market was signed in July 2011.
With the U.S. being Epigenomics´ key strategic market for CRC screening based on
Septin9 blood tests going forward, the Company and its partners have intensified
the dialogue with health care providers, payers and further stakeholders. Guided
by this dialogue, Epigenomics and its partners have embarked on numerous
activities targeting the timely provision of evidence demonstrating the test´s
accurate clinical performance, cost-effectiveness, and ability to increase
screening compliance.
Based on already generated data with prototype tests, the planned clinical
validation studies with Epi proColon® 2.0 are expected to provide improved
performance data. Already, cost-effectiveness has been clearly demonstrated in a
recent study presented at this year´s "Digestive Disease Week" conference in
Chicago. The study concluded that screening for CRC using Septin9 tests was a
medically beneficial and cost-effective strategy from the health economical
perspective when addressing the currently unscreened population in the U.S.
Results from several surveys on patient behavior in the U.S. and Europe have
demonstrated that blood tests for CRC screening have the potential to encourage
more people to participate in screening. Sponsored by Epigenomics or its U.S.
partners ARUP Laboratories and Quest Diagnostics, the studies were conducted by
the University of Utah and the Huntsman Cancer Institute, The Colorectal Cancer
Alliance, and europacolon. In these surveys, more than two out of three
participating screening-eligible patients indicated that they would prefer a
blood test and would be more likely to adhere to screening guidelines if such a
test was offered as a screening method.
To further strengthen its position in the U.S. market, Epigenomics has started
building a dedicated commercial team. This effort is being headed up by Noel
Doheny, who recently joined Epigenomics as CEO of the Company´s U.S. subsidiary
Epigenomics Inc.
European market penetration of Epi proColon®, which currently addresses the
self-payer segment in selected EU countries, continues to make progress, albeit
at a moderate pace. Revenue derived from the first generation Epi proColon® test
in the German and Swiss self-payer market remained on a low level and developed
slower than expected. The slow market adoption emphasizes the importance of
obtaining reimbursement of the test in key markets going forward, which is also
a focus of the Company´s accelerated U.S. market development plans.
Epigenomics continues working towards establishing its second product, Epi
proLung®, as an aid in the diagnosis of lung cancer. To this end, Epigenomics is
sponsoring investigator-driven studies directed at demonstrating the benefits of
Epi proLung® in clinical practice. These studies are progressing as planned and
are a key prerequisite for generating meaningful revenues from this product in
the years to come.
Organizational Development & Restructuring
With the U.S. product development of Epi proColon® 2.0 fully on track, the
Company will increase its focus on this key market. As European sales in the
self-payer segment are ramping up slower than expected, the Company will adapt
its marketing and sales strategy to a key account approach. The Company -
directly and increasingly through distributors - will mainly target payers and
large institutional customers with deep reach into the healthcare system in
select markets in Europe and beyond. At the same time, R&D efforts will be
concentrated on existing and near term product opportunities. The planned
restructuring measures are expected to further sharpen the focus of the
organization. Specifically, the Company will implement the following key changes
to the organization:
From 2012 onwards, the U.S. headquarters will be relocated to a new business
site, strategically located on the East Coast, as the nucleus for building and
growing the U.S. commercial operations while retaining key Seattle staff in a
satellite office.
Direct commercialization in the European self-payer segment will be
de-emphasized and a key account approach for Epi proColon® and Epi proLung®
directed towards institutions such as healthcare providers, health insurers and
further large institutional customers will be implemented to generate
sustainable revenues in the mid to long term. The European sales and marketing
team will be adjusted accordingly.
Early stage product and technology research will be discontinued and clinical
research scaled down and remaining R&D resources will be concentrated on second
generation product development and support of existing products.
Biomarker discovery and development capabilities will be maintained for
collaborations with pharmaceutical companies in the area of personalized
medicine.
Further cost savings will be realized through scaling down administration and
management in proportion to new company structure.
These measures are expected to be fully implemented by the end of 2011 and to be
mainly reflected in the annual accounts of 2011. The Company intends to reduce
its total workforce from 84 employees at the end of H1 2011 to approximately 45
employees by year-end 2011. Starting in 2012, the company expects to further
grow its U.S. commercial operations to prepare for an Epi proColon® 2.0 product
launch after the potential Premarket Approval by the FDA. Going forward,
Epigenomics expects to realize annual savings on a comparable operational cost
basis of approximately EUR 3.5-4.0 million. One-time restructuring costs are
expected to be in the range of EUR 3 million, of which approximately EUR 0.7
million will not affect liquidity. The measures in connection with the
restructuring plan will accelerate cash outflows in 2011 and the Company expects
to end the year with around EUR 13 million in liquid assets. However, net cash
outflows in 2012 will decrease accordingly. The management estimates that the
existing liquid assets will fund the Company´s operations well into 2013.
An updated financial guidance reflecting the full effects of the restructuring
and cost saving measures will be provided at the time of the 9-Months Financial
Report.
-Ends-
Contact Epigenomics AG
Dr. Achim Plum
Sen. VP Corporate Development
Epigenomics AG
Tel +49 (0) 30 24345 368
pr@Epigenomics.comwww.epigenomics.com
Media inquiries can also be directed at:
Dr. Robert Mayer
Account Manager
Tel +49 (0)89 5238 8030
robert.mayer@collegehill.com
Conference call for press and analysts
The full 6-Months Financial Report 2011 can be obtained from Epigenomics´
website at:
http://www.epigenomics.com/en/news-investors/investors/financial-reports.html
Epigenomics´ management will host a conference call and an audio webcast at 3pm
CET/9am ET today, Wednesday 10th August 2011. The dial-in numbers for the
conference call are:
Dial-in number (within Germany): +49 30 86871428
Dial-in number (within the UK): +44 203 3679216
Dial-in number (within the U.S.): +1 408 9169838
Participants are kindly requested to dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of
the call.
The presentation accompanying the conference call and dial-in details for the
audio webcast will be available on Epigenomics´ website:
http://www.epigenomics.com/en/news-investors.html
A webcast of the conference call will be provided on Epigenomics´ website
subsequently: http://www.epigenomics.com/en/news-investors.html
About Epigenomics
Epigenomics (www.epigenomics.com) is a molecular diagnostics company developing
and commercializing a pipeline of proprietary products for cancer. The Company´s
products enable doctors to diagnose cancer earlier and more accurately, leading
to improved outcomes for patients. Epigenomics´ lead product, Epi proColon®, is
a blood-based test for the early detection of colorectal cancer, which is
currently marketed in Europe and is in development for the U.S.A. The Company´s
technology and products have been validated through multiple partnerships with
leading global diagnostic companies including Abbott, QIAGEN, Sysmex, and Quest
Diagnostics. Epigenomics is an international company with operations in Europe
and the U.S.A.
Epigenomics legal disclaimer
This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking
statements concerning Epigenomics AG and its business. Such statements involve
certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could
cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of
Epigenomics AG to be materially different from any future results, performance
or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Epigenomics AG is providing this communication as of this date and does not
undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise.
The information contained in this communication does not constitute nor imply an
offer to sell or transfer any product, and no product based on this technology
is currently available for sale by Epigenomics in the United States or Canada.
The analytical and clinical performance characteristics of any Epigenomics
product based on this technology which may be sold at some future time in the
U.S. have not been established.
Further inquiry note:
Dr. Achim Plum
Sen. VP Corporate Development
Epigenomics AG
Tel: +49 30 24345 368
achim.plum@epigenomics.com
end of announcement euro adhoc
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company: Epigenomics AG
Kleine Präsidentenstraße 1
D-10178 Berlin
phone: +49 30 24345-0
FAX: +49 30 24345-555
mail: ir@epigenomics.com
WWW: www.epigenomics.com
sector: Biotechnology
ISIN: DE000A0BVT96, DE000A0XFWF2
indexes: Prime All Share, Technology All Share
stockmarkets: regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt, free trade: Berlin,
Hamburg, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, München
language: English