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): March 1, 2011
 
 
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.)
 
455 Mission Bay Boulevard South
San Francisco, California 94158
(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (415) 482-5300
 
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 March 1, 2011, Nektar Therapeutics, a Delaware corporation (“Nektar”), issued a press release (the “Press Release”) announcing its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2010.  A copy of the Press Release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

On February 17, 2011, Nektar announced that its management would hold a Webcast conference call on March 1, 2011 to review its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2010.  This conference call will be accessible through a link posted on the Investor Relations, Events Calendar section of the Nektar website: http://www.nektar.com.

On this conference call, management expects to make certain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding pre-clinical and clinical development plans and the potential for certain of Nektar’s proprietary drug development programs, the value and potential of Nektar’s advanced polymer chemistry technology platform, the expected start dates for clinical trials to be conducted by Nektar and its partners including NKTR-102, NKTR-118 partnered with AstraZeneca AB, and Amikacin Inhale partnered with Bayer AG, the timing and availability of future clinical results, the potential for submitting a New Drug Application (“NDA”) on an accelerated basis to the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) pending the outcome of future results from an expanded Phase 2 clinical study which is currently in progress for NKTR-102 in platinum-resistant/refractory ovarian cancer, the estimated market potential for our drug candidates, management’s financial guidance for 2011, and certain other future events.  This information and these forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties including but not limited to:

 
1.  
Nektar’s proprietary drug candidates, including NKTR-118, NKTR-102, Amikacin Inhale, and NKTR-105, are in early to mid-stage clinical development and the risk of failure remains high and can unexpectedly occur at any time prior to regulatory approval due to lack of efficacy, safety issues, manufacturing challenges or other factors that can impact drug development.

 
2.  
The preliminary Phase 2 results for NKTR-102 in ovarian and breast cancer announced or presented by Nektar to date remain subject to final data gathering and audit confirmation procedures.  Therefore, the final results for the ovarian and breast cancer trials may differ materially and adversely from previously reported data after these audit and verification procedures are completed.  In addition, there are patients still enrolled in both of these studies and as these studies progress, final results may change and new data will become available, and the final results could be materially and adversely different from results previously announced.

 
3.  
The expanded Phase 2 study in women with platinum-resistant/refractory ovarian cancer could change the efficacy results (e.g. overall response rates, progression-free survival, overall survival etc.) and safety observations (e.g., frequency and severity of serious adverse events).  As such, the overall results from the Phase 2 study for platinum-resistant/refractory ovarian cancer remain subject to change and the final results could be materially and adversely different from results previously announced.

 
4.  
Approval of an NDA by the FDA almost always requires the sponsor to conduct Phase 3 clinical studies prior to consideration and approval of an NDA and, as a result, review and/or approval of an NDA by the FDA based on Phase 2 results for NKTR-102 in platinum-resistant/refractory ovarian cancer prior to completion of Phase 3 clinical studies would be unusual and is highly unlikely.

 
5.  
The timing and/or success of the commencement or end of clinical trials, including without limitation the anticipated Phase 3 commencement for NKTR-118, NKTR-102 and Amikacin Inhale, may be delayed or unsuccessful due to regulatory delays, clinical trial design (and the need to obtain regulatory concurrence for such designs), slower than anticipated patient enrollment, manufacturing challenges, changing standards of care or clinical outcomes.  For example, Nektar has experienced significant delays in finalizing the commercial device design for Amikacin Inhale and successful completion of this device design and commercial scale-up effort is an essential element to meeting the targeted start of the Phase 3 trial in the second half of 2011 and these activities are ongoing and remain subject to a substantial risk of failure until such activities are successfully completed.

 
6.  
Scientific discovery of new medical breakthroughs is an inherently uncertain process and the future success of the application of Nektar’s technology platforms to potential new drug candidates is therefore very uncertain and unpredictable and one or more research and development programs could fail.

 
7.  
Nektar’s patent applications for its proprietary or partner product candidates may not issue, patents that have issued may not be enforceable, or additional intellectual property licenses from third parties may be required in the future.

 
8.  
The outcome of any intellectual property or other litigation related to Nektar’s proprietary product candidates or partner product candidates where Nektar has indemnification responsibility is unpredictable and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 
 

 
 
 
9.  
The market sizes for Nektar’s proprietary and partnered product programs are based on management’s (and in some cases estimates of our collaboration partners) current estimates only and actual market sizes may differ materially and adversely.

 
10.  
Management’s financial projections for Nektar’s 2011 annual revenue, certain annual expense category estimates, and year-end cash position are subject to the significant risk of unplanned revenue short-fall, unplanned expenses, and expenses being higher than planned which could adversely affect Nektar’s actual 2011 annual financial results and end of year cash position.

 
11.  
Other important risks and uncertainties set forth in Nektar’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2011.

Actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements and Nektar undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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 2010 Financial Results” issued by Nektar Therapeutics on March 1, 2011.
 
 
 

 
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:
 
March 1, 2011
 
 
 

 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit
No.
  
Description
   
99.1  
  
Press release titled “Nektar Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2010 Financial Results” issued by Nektar Therapeutics on March 1, 2011.
 
 
 

 

Nektar Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2010 Financial Results

SAN FRANCISCO, March 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2010.

Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments at December 31, 2010 were $315.9 million.  The cash balance at December 31, 2010 does not include proceeds of $220.4 million received from the completion of a public equity offering in January 2011.  

Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2010 increased to $45.3 million as compared to $39.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2009.  Revenue for the full year 2010 increased to $159.0 million as compared to $71.9 million for the full year 2009.  The increase in revenue year over year is the result of amortization of a $125.0 million milestone payment received from AstraZeneca in September 2009 under the partnership agreement for NKTR-118.  

Total operating costs and expenses in the fourth quarter of 2010 were $65.9 million compared to $44.5 million in the fourth quarter 2009.  The increase in total operating costs and expenses in fourth quarter 2010 was primarily due to increased research and development expenses and a non-cash facilities impairment charge of $12.6 million.

Research and development expenses increased to $31.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 as compared to $24.7 million for the same quarter in 2009.  For the full year 2010, research and development expenses increased to $108.1 million as compared to $95.1 million in 2009.  General and administrative expense was $11.6 million in the fourth quarter 2010 as compared to $11.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2009.  For the full year 2010, general and administrative expense was flat year-over-year at $41.0 million.

"2010 was a year of great advancement for Nektar,” said Howard W. Robin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nektar.  “Our lead oncology program, NKTR-102, demonstrated positive results in Phase 2 studies in both ovarian and breast cancers, and we plan to move into Phase 3 in 2011.  NKTR-118, partnered with AstraZeneca, and NKTR-061, partnered with Bayer, are both planned to move into Phase 3 this year as well.  Lastly, Nektar’s research pipeline is on track to deliver one new clinical candidate each year, and we are looking forward to starting Phase 1 clinical studies of NKTR-181, our novel opioid analgesic, this month."

Net loss for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010 was $22.6 million or $0.24 per share, as compared to a net loss of $7.7 million or $0.08 per share in the fourth quarter of 2009.  The fourth quarter 2010 net loss includes a non-cash impairment charge of $12.6 million, or $0.13 per share, for the write-down related to the move to Nektar’s new San Francisco, California Mission Bay R&D center from its San Carlos facility.  Net loss for the full year 2010 improved to $37.9 million, or $0.40 per share, as compared to a net loss of $102.5 million, or $1.11 per share, in 2009.  

Conference Call to Discuss Fourth Quarter and Year End 2010 Financial Results

A conference call to review the financial results will be held today, Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 2 PM Pacific Time/5 PM Eastern time.  

Details are below:

The press release and 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: 1-866-713-8307; 617-597-5307 (international)


Passcode: 79375407 (Nektar Therapeutics is the host)



An audio replay will also be available shortly following the call through Tuesday, March 29, 2011 and can be accessed by dialing (888) 286-8010 (U.S.); or (617) 801-6888 (international) with a passcode of 10590598.

In the event that any non-GAAP financial measure is discussed on the conference call that is not described in the press release, or explained on the conference call, related information will be made available on the Investor Relations page at the Nektar website as soon as practical after the conclusion of the conference call.

About Nektar

Nektar Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics based on its PEGylation and advanced polymer conjugation technology platforms. Nektar has a robust R&D pipeline of potentially high-value therapeutics in oncology, pain and other areas. In the area of pain, Nektar has an exclusive worldwide license agreement with AstraZeneca for Nektar's oral NKTR-118 late-stage development program to treat opioid-induced constipation and its NKTR-119 earlier stage development program for the treatment of pain without constipation side effects.  NKTR-181, a novel mu-opioid analgesic molecule, is scheduled to enter Phase 1 clinical studies in the first part of 2011.  In oncology, NKTR-102, a novel topoisomerase I-inhibitor, is being evaluated in Phase 2 clinical studies for the treatment of breast, ovarian and colorectal cancers. NKTR-105, a novel anti-mitotic agent, is in a Phase 1 clinical study in cancer patients with refractory solid tumors.

Nektar's technology has enabled seven approved products in the U.S. or Europe through partnerships with leading biopharmaceutical companies, including UCB's Cimzia(R) for Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis, Roche's PEGASYS(R) for hepatitis C and Amgen's Neulasta(R) for neutropenia.

Nektar is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with additional R&D operations in Huntsville, Alabama and Hyderabad, India. Further information about the company and its drug development programs and capabilities may be found online at http://www.nektar.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current views regarding the value and potential of Nektar's drug candidate pipeline and the plan to move new drug candidates into clinical development, the planned start of the Phase 3 programs for NKTR-118 and Amikacin Inhale, and the timing of the commencement of the Phase 1 clinical trial for NKTR-181.  These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: (i) Nektar's 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 prior to regulatory approval for numerous reasons including safety and efficacy findings even after positive findings in preclinical and clinical studies; (ii) the timing of the commencement or end of clinical trials and the successful commercial launch of our drug candidates may be delayed or unsuccessful due to slower than anticipated patient enrollment, manufacturing challenges, changing standards of care, regulatory delay, evolving regulatory requirements, clinical trial design, clinical outcomes, competitive factors, or delay or failure in ultimately obtaining regulatory approval in one or more important markets; (iii) scientific discovery of new medical breakthroughs is an inherently uncertain process and the future success of the application of Nektar's technology platform to potential new drug candidates is therefore highly uncertain and unpredictable and one or more research and development programs could fail; (iv) Nektar's patent applications for its proprietary or partner product candidates may not issue, patents that have issued may not be enforceable, or additional intellectual property licenses from third parties may be required in the future; (v) the outcome of any future intellectual property or other litigation related to Nektar's proprietary product candidates or complex commercial agreements; and (vi) certain other important risks and uncertainties set forth in Nektar's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2011.  Actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.  Nektar undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Nektar Investor Inquiries:

Jennifer Ruddock/Nektar Therapeutics

(415) 482-5585


Susan Noonan/SA Noonan Communications, LLC

(212) 966-3650


Nektar Media Inquiries:

Karen Bergman/BCC Partners

(650) 575-1509


Michelle Corral/BCC Partners

(415) 794-8662



NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)






ASSETS

December 31, 2010


December 31, 2009

(1)

Current assets:






Cash and cash equivalents

$                 17,755


$                 49,597



Short-term investments

298,177


346,614



Accounts receivable

25,102


4,801



Inventory

7,266


6,471



Other current assets

5,679


6,183




Total current assets

353,979


413,666









Property and equipment, net

89,773


78,263


Goodwill

76,501


76,501


Other assets

972


7,088



Total  assets

$               521,225


$               575,518









LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY












Current liabilities:






Accounts payable

$                   7,194


$                   3,066



Accrued compensation

9,252


10,052



Accrued expenses

8,540


4,354



Accrued clinical trial expenses

12,144


14,167



Deferred revenue, current portion

20,584


115,563



Other current liabilities

6,394


5,814




Total current liabilities

64,108


153,016









Convertible subordinated notes

214,955


214,955


Capital lease obligations

17,014


18,800


Deferred revenue

124,763


76,809


Deferred gain

4,152


5,027


Other long-term liabilities

5,571


4,544




Total liabilities

430,563


473,151









Commitments and contingencies












Stockholders' equity:






Preferred stock

-


-



Common stock

9


9



Capital in excess of par value

1,354,232


1,327,942



Accumulated other comprehensive income

968


1,025



Accumulated deficit

(1,264,547)


(1,226,609)




Total stockholders' equity

90,662


102,367



Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$               521,225


$               575,518









(1) The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2009 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.



NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share information)

(Unaudited)












Three Months Ended


Twelve Months Ended



December 31,


December 31,



2010


2009


2010


2009



















Revenue:








Product sales and royalties

$  12,699


$ 10,832


$  34,667


$    35,288

License, collaboration and other

32,615


28,177


124,372


36,643

Total revenue

45,314


39,009


159,039


71,931










Operating costs and expenses:








Cost of goods sold

10,237


8,809


25,667


30,948

Research and development

31,455


24,713


108,065


95,109

General and administrative

11,585


10,982


40,986


41,006

Impairment of long-lived assets

12,576


-


12,576


-

Total operating costs and expenses

65,853


44,504


187,294


167,063










Loss from operations

(20,539)


(5,495)


(28,255)


(95,132)










Non-operating income (expense):








Interest income

320


528


1,545


3,688

Interest expense

(2,488)


(2,963)


(11,174)


(12,176)

Other income, net

391


480


827


848

Total non-operating expense

(1,777)


(1,955)


(8,802)


(7,640)










Loss before provision (benefit) for income taxes

(22,316)


(7,450)


(37,057)


(102,772)










Provision (benefit) for income taxes

264


226


881


(253)










Net loss

$ (22,580)


$ (7,676)


$ (37,938)


$ (102,519)










Basic and diluted net loss per share

$     (0.24)


$   (0.08)


$     (0.40)


$       (1.11)










Weighted average shares outstanding used in









computing basic and diluted net loss per









share

94,398


93,219


94,079


92,772



NEKTAR THERAPEUTICS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)






Twelve Months Ended December 31,


2010


2009

Cash flows from operating activities:




Net loss

$ (37,938)


$ (102,519)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:




Depreciation and amortization

16,551


14,881

Stock-based compensation

17,399


10,326

Other non-cash transactions

198


(657)

Impairment of long-lived assets

12,576


-

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:




Accounts receivable

(20,301)


6,034

Inventory

(795)


2,848

Other assets

577


(200)

Accounts payable

4,274


(8,046)

Accrued compensation

(800)


(1,518)

Accrued expenses

1,683


(4,191)

Accrued clinical trial expenses

(2,023)


(3,455)

Deferred revenue

(47,025)


126,795

Other liabilities

(247)


(559)

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

(55,871)


39,739





Cash flows from investing activities:




Purchases of investments

(443,122)


(451,918)

Sales of investments

15,479


17,318

Maturities of investments

475,813


310,707

Purchases of property and equipment

(31,457)


(16,390)

Advance payments for property and equipment

-


(4,312)

Transaction costs from Novartis pulmonary asset sale

-


(4,440)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

16,713


(149,035)





Cash flows from financing activities:




Payments of loan and capital lease obligations

(1,356)


(1,285)

Proceeds from issuances of common stock

8,891


4,820

Net cash provided by financing activities

7,535


3,535

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

(219)


(226)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

$ (31,842)


$ (105,987)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

49,597


155,584

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$  17,755


$    49,597





CONTACT:  Investor Inquiries, Jennifer Ruddock of Nektar Therapeutics, +1-415-482-5585; or Susan Noonan of SA Noonan Communications, LLC, +1-212-966-3650, for Nektar Therapeutics; or Media Inquiries, Karen Bergman, +1-650-575-1509, or Michelle Corral, +1-415-794-8662, both of BCC Partners, for Nektar Therapeutics