fgen-8k_20170509.htm

 

 

 

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): May 9, 2017

 

FibroGen, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

 

001-36740

 

77-0357827

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

FibroGen, Inc.

409 Illinois Street

San Francisco, CA 94158

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(415) 978-1200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

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))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company  

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 


 

 

 

 

Item 2.02

Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On May 9, 2017, FibroGen, Inc. (“FibroGen”) issued a press release announcing financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. A copy of such press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, 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 in this Item 2.02 and in Exhibit 99.1 shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission made by FibroGen, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)

Exhibits

 

 

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

 

 

99.1

  

Press Release titled “FibroGen Reports First Quarter 2017 Financial Results,” dated May 9, 2017



 

 

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIBROGEN, INC.

 

 

 

Dated: May 9, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Pat Cotroneo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pat Cotroneo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer



 

 

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

 

 

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

 

 

99.1

  

Press Release titled “FibroGen Reports First Quarter 2017 Financial Results,” dated May 9, 2017

 

fgen-ex991_6.htm

Exhibit 99.1

FIBROGEN REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2017 FINANCIAL RESULTS

–Conference Call and Webcast to be Held Today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time/1:30 p.m. Pacific Time–

 

SAN FRANCISCO, May 9, 2017 -- FibroGen, Inc. (NASDAQ: FGEN), a science-based biopharmaceutical company, today reported financial results for the first quarter of 2017 and provided an update on the company’s recent developments.

 

“This is an exciting time for FibroGen, as we prepare for an eventful second half of the year across our pipeline. In the third quarter of 2017, we anticipate reporting topline Phase 2 clinical trial results for pamrevlumab in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients, and we are preparing to complete submission of the roxadustat China NDA for the treatment of anemia in non-dialysis and dialysis CKD patients ,” said Thomas B. Neff, FibroGen’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are gratified by the support we received from new and current investors in our recent equity offering, which raised $115.1 million in net proceeds. This financing will support our plans to increase the number of studies and accelerate development in other anemia categories in China, including for roxadustat in anemias in certain oncology settings.”

 

Recent Developments AND HIGHLIGHTS

U.S. Roxadustat for Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

The independent data safety monitoring board (DSMB) recommended in April that all trials continue with no modifications to current protocols.

On track to submit the NDA for roxadustat in the U.S. in 2018.

 

U.S. Roxadustat for Anemia in Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

Received approval from FDA to conduct Phase 3 study for the treatment of anemia in MDS.

This study is planned to start in the third quarter of 2017.

 

China Roxadustat Anemia in CKD: Dialysis and Non-Dialysis

Positive Phase 3 results from two pivotal trials in China were announced on January 30, 2017.

On target for NDA submission in China in the third quarter of 2017.

 

China Roxadustat for Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

Received approval from the CFDA to undertake a Phase 2/3 study for the treatment of anemia in MDS.

We plan to start this study in the fourth quarter of 2017.

 

Pamrevlumab in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

On track to report topline Phase 2 study results from a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, and a double-blind, active-controlled sub-study for the treatment of IPF in the third quarter of 2017.

 

Pamrevlumab in Pancreatic Cancer

Positive findings from an ongoing open-label, randomized Phase 1/2 study in locally advanced pancreatic cancer were presented at the 2017 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium in January.

Positive results from a prior Phase 1/2 trial were published online in January 2017 in the Journal of Cancer Clinical Trials.

 

Corporate and Financial Highlights

Net loss per basic and diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 was $0.52, as compared to $0.45 a year ago.

At March 31, 2017, FibroGen had $314.2 million of cash, restricted time deposits, cash equivalents, investments, and receivables.

In addition, we completed an equity financing on April 11, 2017 that generated $115.1 million in net proceeds.

 


Conference Call Details

FibroGen will host a conference call and webcast today, May 9, 2017, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (1:30 p.m. Pacific Time), to discuss financial results and provide a business update. Interested parties may access a live audio webcast of the conference call via the investor section of the FibroGen website, www.fibrogen.com. To access the conference call by telephone, please dial 1 (888) 771-4371 (U.S. and Canada) or 1 (847) 585-4405 (international), reference the FibroGen First Quarter 2017 conference call, and use the confirmation number 44595888. It is recommended that listeners register 15 minutes before the scheduled start time to ensure a timely connection. A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the call for a period of two weeks. To access the replay, please dial (888) 843-7419 (domestic) or (630) 652-3042 (international), and use the confirmation number 4459 5888#.

 

About Roxadustat

Roxadustat (FG-4592) is a first-in-class, orally administered small molecule currently in global Phase 3 clinical development as a potential therapy for anemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Roxadustat is a hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor (HIF-PHI) that promotes erythropoiesis through increasing endogenous erythropoietin, improving iron regulation, and reducing hepcidin. Administration of roxadustat has been shown to induce coordinated erythropoiesis – increasing red blood cell count while maintaining plasma erythropoietin levels within or near normal physiologic range in multiple subpopulations of CKD patients – including in the presence of inflammation and without a need for supplemental intravenous iron. 

 

Roxadustat is currently advancing through Phase 3 clinical trials worldwide, supported by extensive Phase 2 clinical data demonstrating correction and maintenance of hemoglobin levels in multiple subpopulations of CKD anemia patients. To date, roxadustat has been evaluated in Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies involving more than 1,400 subjects. Globally, a total of 17 studies are currently underway involving a total of more than 11,000 patients. Of these, 15 are Phase 3 pivotal studies comprising 10,400 patients, and are currently being conducted to support independent regulatory approvals of roxadustat in both non-dialysis and dialysis CKD patients in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and China. Later this year, roxadustat will also enter a Phase 3 clinical trial in the U.S., and a Phase 2/3 trial in China, for the treatment of anemia in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). For information about roxadustat studies currently recruiting patients, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.

 

About Pamrevlumab

Pamrevlumab (FG-3019) is an investigational therapeutic antibody developed by FibroGen to inhibit the activity of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a common factor in chronic fibrotic and proliferative disorders characterized by persistent and excessive scarring that can lead to organ dysfunction and failure. FibroGen is currently conducting clinical studies of pamrevlumab in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pancreatic cancer, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In desmoplastic or fibrotic cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, CTGF in the extensive fibrous stroma associated with the tumor promotes abnormal proliferation of stromal cells and tumor cells. Studies in a transgenic mouse model of pancreatic cancer indicate that treatment with pamrevlumab in combination with chemotherapy may enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy and improve survival. For information about pamrevlumab studies currently recruiting patients, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.

 

About FibroGen, Inc.

FibroGen, Inc., headquartered in San Francisco with subsidiary offices in Beijing and Shanghai, PRC, is a leading science-based biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing a pipeline of first-in-class therapeutics. The company applies its pioneering expertise in fibrosis and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) biology and clinical development to advance innovative medicines for the treatment of anemia, fibrotic disease, and cancer. Roxadustat, the company’s most advanced product candidate, is an oral small molecule inhibitor of HIF prolyl hydroxylase activity in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is entering Phase 3 development for anemia in lower risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Pamrevlumab, a fully-human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the activity of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), is in Phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), pancreatic cancer, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). FibroGen is also developing a biosynthetic cornea in China. For more information, please visit www.fibrogen.com

 


Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements regarding our strategy, future plans and prospects, including statements regarding the development of the Company's product candidates, roxadustat and pamrevlumab, the potential safety and efficacy profile of our product candidates, the timelines for reporting of our clinical data reporting, potential milestones, and regulatory submissions, our clinical plans and our financial projections. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, representations and contentions and are not historical facts and typically are identified by use of terms such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. Our actual results may differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties related to the continued progress and timing of our various non-clinical and clinical programs, including enrollment of our Phase 3 trials and other clinical trials, and our collaboration partners’ clinical trials for roxadustat in anemia associated with CKD, the continued progress of our plans and programs in China, clinical development of and regulatory filing outcomes for anemia associated with myelodysplastic syndrome, the enrollment and results from ongoing clinical trials for pamrevlumab in IPF, and pancreatic cancer, and other matters that are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors set forth therein. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in this press release, except as required by law.



Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

 

March 31, 2017

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

(1)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

170,598

 

 

$

173,782

 

Short-term investments

 

72,824

 

 

 

79,397

 

Accounts receivable

 

7,248

 

 

 

10,448

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

5,911

 

 

 

2,889

 

Total current assets

 

256,581

 

 

 

266,516

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted time deposits

 

6,217

 

 

 

6,217

 

Long-term investments

 

53,155

 

 

 

71,010

 

Property and equipment, net

 

122,818

 

 

 

123,657

 

Other assets

 

2,985

 

 

 

2,152

 

Total assets

$

441,756

 

 

$

469,552

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities, stockholders' equity and non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

2,950

 

 

$

6,223

 

Accrued liabilities

 

49,179

 

 

 

50,914

 

Deferred revenue

 

7,984

 

 

 

7,988

 

Total current liabilities

 

60,113

 

 

 

65,125

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term portion of lease financing obligations

 

97,536

 

 

 

97,352

 

Product development obligations

 

15,152

 

 

 

14,854

 

Deferred rent

 

4,075

 

 

 

4,212

 

Deferred revenue, net of current

 

108,068

 

 

 

106,709

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

5,840

 

 

 

6,191

 

Total liabilities

 

290,784

 

 

 

294,443

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

131,701

 

 

 

155,838

 

Non-controlling interests

 

19,271

 

 

 

19,271

 

Total equity

 

150,972

 

 

 

175,109

 

Total liabilities, stockholders' equity and non-controlling interests

$

441,756

 

 

$

469,552

 

 

(1)

The condensed consolidated balance sheet amounts at December 31, 2016 are derived from audited financial statements.

 



Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

License and milestone revenue

$

 

19,581

 

 

$

 

19,738

 

Collaboration services and other revenue

 

 

7,310

 

 

 

 

8,544

 

Total revenue

 

 

26,891

 

 

 

 

28,282

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

 

46,732

 

 

 

 

43,650

 

General and administrative

 

 

11,530

 

 

 

 

11,417

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

58,262

 

 

 

 

55,067

 

Loss from operations

 

 

(31,371

)

 

 

 

(26,785

)

Interest and other, net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(2,375

)

 

 

 

(2,777

)

Interest income and other, net

 

 

645

 

 

 

 

1,416

 

Total interest and other, net

 

 

(1,730

)

 

 

 

(1,361

)

Loss before income taxes

 

 

(33,101

)

 

 

 

(28,146

)

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

 

 

60

 

 

 

 

(305

)

Net loss

$

 

(33,161

)

 

$

 

(27,841

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share - basic and diluted

 

$

(0.52

)

 

 

$

(0.45

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares used to calculate net loss per share - basic and diluted

 

 

64,037

 

 

 

 

62,184

 

 

Contact

FibroGen, Inc.

Karen L. Bergman

VP, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

+1 (415) 978-1433

kbergman@fibrogen.com

(415) 978-1433