Adaptimmune Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Financial Results

– Opened two new INDs for wholly-owned SPEAR® T-cell therapies; Company now has four open INDs in 11 indications –

– Received orphan designation, PRIME regulatory support and Breakthrough Therapy designation for NY-ESO SPEAR T-cell –

– Received FDA notification of permission to proceed with new cell manufacturing process –

– Conference call to be held today at 8:00 a.m. EDT (12:00 p.m. GMT) –

 

PHILADELPHIA and OXFORD, United Kingdom, March 13, 2017 -- Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq:ADAP), a leader in T-cell therapy to treat cancer, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2016.

 

“2016 was an important year for Adaptimmune during which we established substantial clinical momentum and significantly advanced our commercial-ready cell manufacturing process,” commented James Noble, Adaptimmune’s Chief Executive Officer.

 “We now have four open INDs, including three for our wholly-owned SPEAR T-cells, for studies in 11 indications, 10 of which are solid tumors. This illustrates the breadth of our proprietary platform and marks further progress since the end of 2015 when we had two open INDs and studies ongoing in four indications. Given this progress, we are increasing our focus on our wholly-owned SPEAR T-cells, in particular the multi-tumor studies with our wholly-owned MAGE-A10 and MAGE-A4 SPEAR T-cell therapies, and we intend to deliver initial data from these studies beginning later this year.”

 

Mr. Noble continued, “With respect to our NY-ESO program, I am delighted to confirm that the FDA has completed its review of our commercial-ready manufacturing process and permitted us to proceed with implementation of the process in our existing NY-ESO trials.  We plan to implement this new process in our pilot clinical trials this year. And, we also continue to plan for initiation of the first registration study with a SPEAR T-cell therapy in sarcoma. In doing so, we will move ever closer to our goal of transforming the treatment of patients with serious diseases.”

 

Full Year 2016 and Recent Highlights:

 

Opened two new INDs for wholly-owned SPEAR T-cell therapies (AFP, MAGE-A4); four INDs are now open, enabling a total of nine studies across 11 indications; 

Opened two new clinical studies of SPEAR T-cell therapies (MAGE-A10 triple tumor study and a pilot study of NY-ESO in myxoid/round cell liposarcoma [MRCLS])

Received orphan designation in the United States (US) and European Union (EU), and EU Priority Medicines (PRIME) regulatory support for NY-ESO SPEAR T-cell in soft tissue sarcoma; and US Breakthrough Therapy Designation for NY-ESO SPEAR T-cell in synovial sarcoma;

Received FDA notification of permission to proceed with new cell manufacturing process for NY-ESO phase I/II studies;

Presented clinical data including updated median survival data for synovial sarcoma Cohort 1 (~18 months [80 weeks]), compared to ~13 months (56 weeks) as previously reported (CTOS 2016); Fludarabine requirement for preconditioning (ESMO 2016); and responses in synovial sarcoma patients with low NY-ESO expression (ESMO 2016);

Formed strategic alliance with MD Anderson Cancer Center to develop SPEAR T-cell therapies, including clinical studies of MAGE-A10 and MAGE-A4 SPEAR T-cell therapies;

Entered strategic collaboration with Merck to evaluate KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in combination study with NY-ESO SPEAR T-cell therapy in multiple myeloma, with first site initiation anticipated in the first half of 2017;

Initiated strategic collaboration with Bellicum Pharmaceuticals to evaluate Bellicum’s GoTCR technology (inducible MyD88/CD40 co-stimulation) with Adaptimmune’s affinity-optimized SPEAR T-cells; and

Expanded strategic immunotherapy collaboration with GSK and announced GSK’s nomination of a second target, PRAME.                                                                

Financial Results for the Three and Twelve Month Period ended December 31, 2016

 

Cash / liquidity position: As of December 31, 2016, Adaptimmune had $158.8 million of cash and cash equivalents, and $22.7 million of short-term deposits representing a total liquidity position1 of $181.5 million. For the three months ended December 31, 2016, the increase in cash and cash equivalents was $18.3 million and the decrease in short-term deposits was $24.3 million, representing a decrease in total liquidity position of $6.0 million.

Revenue: Revenue represents the upfront and milestone payments, which are recognized over the period the Company delivers services to GSK. Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2016 was $8.5 million compared to $4.0 million in the same quarter of the prior year. The increase in revenue was driven by achieving $17.4 million of milestones in the fourth quarter, which are recognized over the period the Company delivers services to GSK. Revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 was $14.2 million compared to $14.5 million in the prior year.

Research and development (“R&D”) expenses: R&D expenses for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016 were $16.8 million and $63.8 million, respectively, compared to $16.6 million and $40.5 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2015. The increases compared to both prior periods were primarily due to increased period-over-period costs associated with ongoing clinical trials of the Company’s NY-ESO and MAGE-A10 SPEAR T-cell therapies; preparation for studies with the Company’s SPEAR T-cell therapy targeting AFP and MAGE-A4; and increased personnel expenses.

General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses: G&A expenses for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016 were $6.3 million and $23.2 million, respectively, compared to $5.5 million and $17.2 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2015. The increases compared to both prior periods were primarily due to increased personnel costs.

Net loss: Net loss attributable to holders of the Company’s ordinary shares for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016 was $15.4 million ($(0.04) per ordinary share or $(0.22) per American Depositary Share) and $71.6 million ($(0.17) per ordinary share or $(1.01) per American Depositary Share), respectively.

1 Total liquidity position is a non GAAP financial measure, which is explained and reconciled to the most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP below.

 

Financial Guidance

As of December 31, 2016, Adaptimmune had a total liquidity position1 of $181.5 million, made up of $158.8 million of cash and cash equivalents and $22.7 million of short-term deposits. The Company believes that this balance will fund operations through mid-year 2018. This guidance excludes the effect of any potential new business development activities.

 

Conference Call Information

The Company will host a live teleconference and webcast to provide an overview of its financial results and a business update at 8:00 a.m. EDT (12:00 p.m. GMT) today, March 13, 2017. The live webcast of the conference call will be available via the events page of Adaptimmune’s corporate website at www.adaptimmune.com. An archive will be available after the call at the same address. To participate in the live conference call, if preferred, please dial (877) 280-2296 (U.S.) or +44(0)20 3427 1912 or 0800 279 4992 (United Kingdom).  After placing the call, please ask to be joined into the Adaptimmune conference call and provide the confirmation code (7287304). 

 

About Adaptimmune

Adaptimmune is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel cancer immunotherapy products. The Company’s unique SPEAR® (Specific Peptide Enhanced Affinity Receptor) T‑cell platform enables the engineering of T-cells to target and destroy cancer, including solid tumors. Adaptimmune has a number of proprietary clinical programs, and is also developing its NY-ESO SPEAR T-cell program under a strategic collaboration and licensing agreement with GlaxoSmithKline. The Company is located in Philadelphia, USA and Oxfordshire, U.K. For more information, please visit http://www.adaptimmune.com

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA). These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, and include, without limitation: the success, cost and timing of our product development activities and clinical trials and our ability to successfully advance our TCR therapeutic candidates through the regulatory and commercialization processes. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to our business in general, we refer you to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 10, 2016, and our other SEC filings. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date the statements were made and we do not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. 

Total Liquidity Position (a non-GAAP financial measure)
Total liquidity position (a non-GAAP financial measure) is defined as cash and cash equivalents plus short-term deposits. Each of these components appears in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The U.S. GAAP financial measure most directly comparable to total liquidity position is cash and cash equivalents as reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(in thousands)		December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Cash and cash equivalents		$	158,779		$	194,263
Short-term deposits		22,694			54,620
Total Liquidity Position		$	181,473		$	248,883

The Company believes that the presentation of total liquidity position provides useful information to investors because management reviews total liquidity position as part of its management of overall liquidity, financial flexibility, capital structure and leverage.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations			Three months ended December 31,								Twelve months ended  December 31,
(unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)				2016				2015				2016			2015(1)
Revenue			$	8,536			$	4,031			$	14,198			$	14,490
Research and development(2)				(16,847	)			(16,619	)			(63,789	)			(40,457		)
General and administrative(2)				(6,345	)			(5,513	)			(23,208	)			(17,156		)
Total operating expenses				(23,192	)			(22,132	)			(86,997	)			(57,613		)
Operating loss				(14,656	)			(18,101	)			(72,799	)			(43,123		)
Interest income				271				254				1,110				787
Other income (expenses), net				(593	)			1,015				1,002				2,967
Loss before income taxes				(14,978	)			(16,832	)			(70,687	)			(39,369		)
Income taxes				(436	)			75				(892	)			(143		)
Net loss				(15,414	)			(16,757	)			(71,579	)			(39,512		)
Deemed dividend on convertible preferred shares				-				-				-				(8,663		)
Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders			$	(15,414	)		$	(16,757	)		$	(71,579	)		$	(48,175		)
Net loss per ordinary share, basic and diluted (3)			$	(0.04	)		$	(0.04	)		$	(0.17	)		$	(0.14		)
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding,
Basic and diluted				424,720,404				424,711,900				424,713,997					337,375,528

(1) The statement of operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 has been recast from our prior period financial statements to conform with our newly adopted calendar year end for comparative purposes

(2) Certain costs have been reclassified in prior periods to conform to the current period presentation.  The net effect is to reduce G&A and increase R&D by $651,000 and $1,833,000 in the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2015, respectively.

(3) The dilutive effect of the following potentially dilutive equity instruments have been excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation because they would have an antidilutive effect on the loss per share for the period

			Three months ended December 31,				Year  ended December 31,
			2016		2015		2016		2015
Weighted average number of Share options			45,882,791		31,280,588		48,707,123		27,448,649

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets			December 31,				December 31,
(unaudited, in thousands)			2016				2015
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents			$	158,779			$		194,263
Short-term deposits			22,694				54,620
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for  doubtful accounts of $- and $-			1,480				744
Other current assets and prepaid expenses (including current portion of clinical materials)			15,798				13,420
Total current assets			198,751				263,047
Restricted cash			4,017				4,508
Clinical materials			2,580				4,736
Property, plant & equipment, net			27,899				13,225
Intangibles, net			1,268				305
Total assets			$	234,515			$		285,821
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable			$	11,350			$	7,884
Accrued expenses and other accrued liabilities			17,528				7,518
Deferred revenue			11,392				12,487
Total current liabilities			40,270				27,889
Deferred revenue, non-current			24,962				22,939
Accrued expenses, non-current			3,141				-
Total liabilities			68,373				50,828
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock - Ordinary shares par value £0.001, 574,711,900 authorized and 424,775,092 issued and outstanding (2015: 574,711,900 authorized and 424,711,900 issued and outstanding)			683				682
Additional paid in capital			341,200				332,363
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(14,249		)		(8,139			)
Accumulated deficit			(161,492		)		(89,913			)
Total stockholders’ equity			161,142				234,993
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity			$	234,515			$	285,821

 

Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow Statement		Twelve months ended December 31,
(unaudited, in thousands)		2016				2015
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss		$	(71,579	)		$	(39,512	)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation		3,126				1,539
Amortization		160				71
Loss on disposal		122				-
Share-based compensation expense		8,821				9,858
Unrealized foreign exchange (gains) losses		(1,314		)		(632		)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in receivables and other operating assets		(6,533		)		(9,231		)
Decrease (increase) in non-current operating assets		2,221				(4,736		)
Increase in payables and deferred revenue		16,808				11,036
Net cash used in operating activities		(48,168		)		(31,607		)
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of property, plant & equipment		(11,506		)		(12,745		)
Acquisition of intangibles		(1,279		)		(210		)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment		-				122
Maturity of short-term deposits		73,377				-
Investment in short-term deposits		(42,837		)		(28,594		)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		17,755				(41,427		)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon initial public offering		-				175,989
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		17				-
Net cash used in financing activities		17				175,989
Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash		(5,579		)		(5,848		)
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(35,975		)		97,107
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at start of period		198,771				101,664
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period		$	162,796			$	198,771

Adaptimmune Contacts

Investor Relations
Will Roberts
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Juli P. Miller, Ph.D.
T: (215) 825-9310
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Media Relations
Margaret Henry 
T: +44 (0)1235 430036 
Mobile: +44 (0)7710 304249 
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