Unassociated Document
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): February 24, 2009
 
NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
 
Delaware
 
0-24006
 
94-3134940
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
 
201 Industrial Road
San Carlos, California 94070
(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (650) 631-3100
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
 
¨
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 

 
Item 2.02
Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On February 24, 2009, Nektar Therapeutics issued a press release (the “Press Release”) announcing its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2008.  A copy of the Press Release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

The information in this report, including the exhibit hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section or Sections 11 and 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The information contained herein and in the accompanying exhibit shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission made by Nektar Therapeutics, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

Item 9.01
 
Financial Statements and Exhibits
     
Exhibit No.
 
Description
99.1
 
Press release titled “Nektar Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2008 Financial Results” issued on February 24, 2009.


 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
By:
/s/ Gil M. Labrucherie
 
Gil M. Labrucherie
 
General Counsel and Secretary
   
Date:
February 24, 2009
 

Unassociated Document
 
     

News Release

Nektar Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter
 And Year-End 2008 Financial Results
 
SAN CARLOS, Calif., February 24, 2009 — Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2008.
 
“2008 was a transformational year for Nektar,” said Howard W. Robin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nektar.  “Using our unique polymer conjugation chemistry platform, we advanced numerous proprietary drug candidates into clinical and preclinical development.  Further, we significantly strengthened our financial position with the sale of pulmonary delivery assets and the buy-back of $100 million of convertible debt at a substantial discount.  Nektar is exceptionally well-positioned as we enter 2009.”

Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2008 Financial Results

Nektar completed two significant transactions during the fourth quarter of 2008:

- - The company repurchased $100.0 million of its 3.25% convertible subordinated notes for $47.8 million.  As a result, the company recognized a gain of $50.1 million in the fourth quarter, net of transaction costs of $1.0 million and accelerated amortization of our deferred financing costs of $1.1 million.

- - Nektar completed the divestiture of certain of its pulmonary delivery assets to Novartis for $115.0 million on December 31, 2008.  As a result of the completion of this transaction, the company recognized a gain of $69.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments at December 31, 2008 were $379.0 million.
 
Revenue for the three month period ended December 31, 2008 was $28.4 million compared to revenue of $65.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2007.  For the twelve months of 2008, revenue was $90.2 million as compared to $273.0 million in the same period of 2007.  This decrease in revenue is primarily the result of lower product manufacturing revenues due to the termination of the company’s inhaled insulin collaboration with Pfizer in late 2007.
 
Research and development expense was $154.4 million in 2008 as compared to $153.6 million for 2007. Included in the $154.4 million of overall research and development spending is approximately $82.0 million of new investments in Nektar preclinical and clinical development programs.
 

 
Nektar has also continued to make improvements to its operating efficiencies as compared to a year ago. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, the company's general and administrative expense was $51.5 million as compared to $57.3 million for the same period a year ago.
 
Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2008 was $76.8 million or $0.83 per share, compared to net income of $39.0 million or $0.42 per share in the fourth quarter of 2007.   For the year 2008, the company reported a net loss of $34.3 million or $0.37 per share, compared to a net loss of $32.8 million or $0.36 per share for 2007.
 
Conference Call to Discuss Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2008 Financial Results
 
The company also announced that due to scheduling considerations, the conference call to review results will now be held on March 2, 2009 at 2 PM Pacific Time.  Details are below:

Howard Robin, president and chief executive officer, and John Nicholson, chief financial officer, will host a conference call beginning at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)/2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (PT) on Monday, March 2, 2009.

A live audio-only Webcast of the conference call can be accessed through a link that is posted on the home page and Investor Relations section of the Nektar website: http://www.nektar.com.
 
To access the conference call, follow these instructions:
Dial: 800.561.2718 (U.S.); 617.614.3525 (international)
Participant Passcode: 32041145 (Howard Robin is the host)
 
An audio replay will also be available shortly after the call and will remain so through March 16, 2009.

To access the replay, follow these instructions:
Dial: 888-286-8010 (U.S.); 617-801-6888 (international)
Participant Passcode: 44161634

About Nektar

Nektar Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics based on its PEGylation and advanced polymer conjugate technology platforms. Nektar’s technology and drug development expertise have enabled nine approved products for partners, which include leading biopharmaceutical companies. Nektar is also developing a robust pipeline of its own high-value therapeutics that addresses unmet medical needs by leveraging and expanding its technology platforms to improve and enable molecules. For more information on Nektar Therapeutics, please visit http://www.nektar.com.
 

 
This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the company's current views regarding the potential of the company's pipeline of proprietary drug candidates, the value and potential of the company's technology, and the company’s financial position.  These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: (i) the company's proprietary product candidates and those of its collaboration partners are in various stages of clinical development and the risk of failure is high and can unexpectedly occur at any stage of development prior to regulatory approval for numerous reasons including safety and efficacy findings; (ii) the timing or success of the commencement or end of clinical trials and commercial launch of partnered products may be delayed or unsuccessful due to slower than anticipated patient enrollment, drug manufacturing challenges, changing standards of care, clinical trial design, clinical outcomes, or delay or failure in obtaining regulatory approval in one or more important markets; (iii) the company's patent applications for its proprietary or partner product candidates may not issue, patents that have issued may not be enforceable, or intellectual property licenses from third parties may be required in the future; and (iv) the outcome of any future intellectual property or other litigation related to the company's proprietary product candidates or complex commercial agreements.  Other important risks and uncertainties are detailed in the company's reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. The company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Jennifer Ruddock, 650-631-4954
Nektar Therapeutics

Susan Noonan, 212-966-3650
SAN Group
 
 

 
NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share information)
(unaudited)

   
Three-Months Ended
December 31,
   
Twelve-Months Ended
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Revenue:
                       
Product sales and royalties
  $ 12,400     $ 26,702     $ 41,255     $ 180,755  
Collaboration and other
    15,952       39,071       48,930       92,272  
Total revenue
    28,352       65,773       90,185       273,027  
                                 
Operating costs and expenses:
                               
Cost of goods sold
    10,196       17,387       28,216       137,696  
Other cost of revenue
    -       6,661       6,821       9,821  
Research and development
    45,279       39,310       154,417       153,575  
General and administrative
    13,835       14,233       51,497       57,282  
Impairment of long lived assets
    1,458       28,396       1,458       28,396  
Gain on sale of pulmonary assets
    (69,572 )     -       (69,572 )     -  
Gain on termination of collaborative agreements, net
    -       (79,178 )     -       (79,178 )
Litigation settlement
    -       1,583       -       1,583  
Total operating costs and expenses
    1,196       28,392       172,837       309,175  
                                 
Income (Loss) from operations
    27,156       37,381       (82,652 )     (36,148 )
                                 
Non-operating income (expense):
                               
Interest income
    1,917       5,757       12,495       22,201  
Interest expense
    (3,357 )     (4,230 )     (15,192 )     (18,638 )
Other income (expense), net
    (425 )     944       58       1,133  
Gain on extinguishment of debt
    50,149       -       50,149       -  
Total non-operating income
    48,284       2,471       47,510       4,696  
                                 
Income (Loss) before provision for income taxes
    75,440       39,852       (35,142 )     (31,452 )
                                 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    (1,342 )     809       (806 )     1,309  
                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 76,782     $ 39,043     $ (34,336 )   $ (32,761 )
                                 
Basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per share
  $ 0.83     $ 0.42     $ (0.37 )   $ (0.36 )
                                 
Shares used in computing basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per share (1)
    92,473       92,211       92,407       91,876  

Notes to Consolidated Statements of Operations
(1)  For the three-months ended December 31, 2008, there were approximately 81 dilutive shares which did not change earnings per share.
 

 
NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
(unaudited)

   
December 31, 2008
   
December 31, 2007 (1)
 
ASSETS
           
             
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 155,584     $ 76,293  
Short-term investments
    223,410       406,060  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance
    11,161       21,637  
Inventory
    9,319       12,187  
Other current assets
    6,746       7,106  
Total current assets
    406,220       523,283  
                 
Property and equipment, net
    73,578       114,420  
Goodwill
    76,501       78,431  
Other assets
    4,237       8,969  
Total  assets
  $ 560,536     $ 725,103  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
                 
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 13,832     $ 3,589  
Accrued compensation
    11,570       14,680  
Accrued clinical trial expenses
    17,622       2,895  
Accrued expenses to contract manufacturers
    -       40,444  
Accrued expenses
    9,923       9,551  
Deferred revenue, current portion
    10,010       19,620  
Other current liabilities
    5,417       7,313  
Total current liabilities
    68,374       98,092  
                 
Convertible subordinated notes
    214,955       315,000  
Capital lease obligations
    20,347       21,632  
Deferred revenue
    55,567       61,349  
Deferred gain
    5,901       8,680  
Other long-term liabilities
    5,238       5,911  
Total liabilites
    370,382       510,664  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Stockholders' equity:
               
Preferred stock
    -       -  
Common stock
    9       9  
Capital in excess of par value
    1,312,796       1,302,541  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    1,439       1,643  
Accumulated deficit
    (1,124,090 )     (1,089,754 )
Total stockholders' equity
    190,154       214,439  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 560,536     $ 725,103  

(1) The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2007 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for complete financial statements. Certain 2007 amounts have been reclassified between line items to conform with the 2008 presentation.

 
 

 

NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(unaudited)

   
Twelve-Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
           
Net loss
  $ (34,336 )   $ (32,761 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
Gain on sale of pulmonary assets
    (69,572 )     -  
Gain on extinguishment of debt
    (50,149 )     -  
Depreciation and amortization
    22,489       29,028  
Stock-based compensation
    9,871       14,779  
Impairment of long lived assets
    1,458       28,396  
Other non-cash transactions
    1,251       109  
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Decrease (increase) in trade accounts receivable
    10,476       24,318  
Decrease (increase) in inventories
    2,868       1,503  
Decrease (increase) in other assets
    1,166       7,443  
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable
    6,181       (3,147 )
Increase (decrease) in accrued compensation
    (3,382 )     986  
Increase (decrease) in accrued clinical trial expenses
    14,727       907  
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses to contract manufacturers
    (40,444 )     40,444  
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses
    (1,332 )     (5,200 )
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue
    (15,392 )     40,863  
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities
    (1,662 )     (1,366 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (145,782 )     146,302  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Proceeds from sale of pulmonary assets, net of transaction costs
    114,831       -  
Investment in Pearl Therapeutics
    (4,236 )     -  
Purchases of property and equipment
    (18,855 )     (32,796 )
Maturities of investments
    587,832       591,202  
Sales of investments
    70,396       2,057  
Purchases of investments
    (475,316 )     (593,118 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    274,652       (32,655 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs
    384       3,780  
Payments of loan and capital lease obligations
    (2,368 )     (2,895 )
Repayments of convertible subordinated notes
    (47,757 )     (102,653 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (49,741 )     (101,768 )
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
    162       654  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
  $ 79,291     $ 12,533  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    76,293       63,760  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 155,584     $ 76,293