fgen-8k_20181108.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): November 8, 2018

 

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 November 8, 2018, FibroGen, Inc. (“FibroGen”) issued a press release announcing financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. 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 Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results,” dated November 8, 2018



 

 

 

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: November 8, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Pat Cotroneo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pat Cotroneo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

 

fgen-ex991_6.htm

Exhibit 99.1

FIBROGEN REPORTS third QUARTER 2018 FINANCIAL RESULTS

—Roxadustat New Drug Applications under Review in China and Japan—

Phase 3 Clinical Trials in IPF and Pancreatic Cancer to Initiate in First Quarter 2019—

Conference Call Today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time/2:00 p.m. Pacific Time—

 

SAN FRANCISCO, November 8, 2018 -- FibroGen, Inc. (NASDAQ: FGEN), a leading biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing a pipeline of first-in-class therapeutics, today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2018 and provided an update on the company’s recent developments.

 

“With new drug applications for roxadustat in anemia associated with chronic kidney disease supported by positive Phase 3 results and under review in China and Japan, we look forward to the upcoming reporting of topline clinical results, pooled safety data and submitting our U.S. NDA.” said Thomas B. Neff, FibroGen’s Chief Executive Officer. “For pamrevlumab, our proprietary anti-fibrotic and anti-fibroproliferative therapeutic candidate, we are initiating Phase 3 studies in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and in unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer, in the first quarter of 2019.”

 

Recent Developments and Highlights

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

Topline Phase 3 clinical results anticipated for the fourth quarter of this year

Pooled MACE analysis results and submission of New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) anticipated in the first half of 2019

Astellas reported positive topline efficacy and safety results from the first global trial, ALPS, a Phase 3 placebo-controlled study evaluating roxadustat in non-dialysis-dependent CKD anemia patients in September 2018

Astellas also completed its global trial, PYRENEES, a Phase 3 study in dialysis patients

 

Roxadustat for Anemia in CKD in China

Roxadustat NDA approval for the treatment of dialysis-dependent CKD is anticipated by year-end 2018, followed by approval in CKD non dialysis

Clinical results from two Phase 3 studies conducted in China were presented at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week 2018 annual meeting in October

 

Roxadustat for Anemia in CKD in Japan

Astellas NDA for roxadustat was filed with the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) for anemia associated with dialysis-dependent CKD, triggering a $15 million milestone payment to FibroGen

Astellas announced positive topline results from the four Phase 3 dialysis-dependent studies that support the Japan NDA

Clinical results from two of the four Japan Phase 3 trials in dialysis-dependent patients were presented at the ASN Kidney Week 2018:

 

o

A Phase 3 trial in peritoneal dialysis patients was presented in an oral session

 

o

A Phase 3 darbepoetin alfa controlled study in stable hemodialysis patients previously treated with ESA was presented in a clinical late-breaking poster session

One of two non-dialysis-dependent Phase 3 studies supporting approval for non-dialysis is now completed

 

Pamrevlumab for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

Clinical and preclinical data presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress (ERS) 2018 and 20th International Colloquium on Lung and Airway Fibrosis (ICLAF) 2018

Fast Track designation received from the FDA

Plan to start a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 clinical trial with a primary endpoint of change in forced vital capacity (FVC) from baseline in approximately 500 patients, in the first quarter of 2019

 



Pamrevlumab for Pancreatic Cancer

On track to start a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study evaluating pamrevlumab in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel as a neoadjuvant therapy for unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) in approximately 260 patients in the first quarter of 2019

 

Corporate and Financial

Net loss for the third quarter was $42.6 million, or ($0.50) per share, compared to $24.5 million, or ($0.32) per share, for the same period in 2017

At September 30, 2018, FibroGen had $722.6 million of cash, cash equivalents, investments, restricted time deposits, and receivables

The weighted average number of common shares used to calculate net loss per share was 84.5 million shares and 75.9 million shares for the third quarters of 2018 and 2017, respectively

Total shares outstanding as of September 30, 2018 were 84.8 million shares

 

Conference Call and Webcast Details  

FibroGen will host a conference call and webcast today, Thursday, November, 8, 2018, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time) to discuss financial results and provide a business update. A live audio webcast of the call may be accessed in the investor section of the company’s website, www.fibrogen.com. To participate in the conference call by telephone, please dial 1 (888) 771-4371 (U.S. and Canada) or 1 (847) 585-4405 (international), reference the FibroGen third quarter 2018 financial results conference call, and use passcode 47780296. A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the call for a period of two weeks. To access the replay, please dial 1 (888) 843-7419 (domestic) or 1 (630) 652-3042 (international), and use passcode 4778 0296#.

 

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. 

 

FibroGen and collaboration partners are pursuing four approval pathways in major jurisdictions to prepare for commercialization worldwide:

 

Astellas and FibroGen are collaborating on the development and commercialization of roxadustat for the treatment of anemia in territories including Japan, Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Middle East, and South Africa.

 

AstraZeneca and FibroGen are collaborating on the development and commercialization of roxadustat for the treatment of anemia in the U.S., China, and other markets in the Americas and in Australia/New Zealand as well as Southeast Asia.

 

FibroGen and its partners have completed 35 Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies. The Phase 2 clinical studies have consistently demonstrated anemia correction and maintenance of hemoglobin levels in multiple subpopulations across a wide spectrum of CKD patients.

 

Globally, the Phase 3 program encompasses a total of 15 Phase 3 studies of roxadustat in both non-dialysis-dependent and dialysis-dependent CKD patients to support independent regulatory approvals in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and China. To date, positive topline results have been announced for seven of the Phase 3 studies, with two supporting the China NDA for treatment of anemia in CKD patients on dialysis and not on dialysis, four supporting the Japan NDA for treatment of anemia in CKD patients on dialysis, and one supporting the U.S./EU submissions. The China and Japan NDAs are both under review by the respective regulatory agencies.

 

Roxadustat is currently in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of anemia associated with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in the U.S. and in Phase 2/3 development for MDS in China.

 



About Pamrevlumab

Pamrevlumab is a first-in-class antibody developed by FibroGen to inhibit the activity of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a common factor in fibrotic and proliferative disorders characterized by persistent and excessive scarring that can lead to organ dysfunction and failure. Pamrevlumab is advancing towards Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and pancreatic cancer, has been granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) in each of these indications, and is currently in a Phase 2 trial for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Pamrevlumab has received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer. Across all trials, pamrevlumab has consistently demonstrated a good safety and tolerability profile to date. For information about pamrevlumab studies currently recruiting patients, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.

 

About FibroGen
FibroGen, Inc., headquartered in San Francisco, California, with subsidiary offices in Beijing and Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, is a leading biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing a pipeline of first-in-class therapeutics. The company applies its pioneering expertise in hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) 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, completing worldwide Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD), with a New Drug Application (NDA) currently under review by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China. Our partner Astellas submitted a NDA for the treatment of anemia in CKD patients on dialysis in Japan and currently under review by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). Roxadustat is in Phase 3 clinical development in the U.S. and Europe and in Phase 2/3 development in China for anemia associated with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Pamrevlumab, an anti-CTGF human monoclonal antibody, is advancing towards Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and pancreatic cancer, and is currently in a Phase 2 trial for 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 pamrevlumab and roxadustat, the potential safety and efficacy profile of our product candidates, and our clinical, regulatory plans, and those of our partners. 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,” “will”, “should,” “on track,” “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 programs, including the enrollment and results from ongoing and potential future clinical trials, and other matters that are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2018 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)

 

September 30, 2018

 

 

December 31, 2017 (1)

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

566,722

 

 

$

673,658

 

Short-term investments

 

86,009

 

 

 

62,060

 

Accounts receivable

 

23,187

 

 

 

8,452

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

2,865

 

 

 

4,800

 

Total current assets

 

678,783

 

 

 

748,970

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted time deposits

 

5,181

 

 

 

5,181

 

Long-term investments

 

40,602

 

 

 

10,506

 

Property and equipment, net

 

127,908

 

 

 

129,476

 

Other assets

 

3,167

 

 

 

4,517

 

Total assets

$

855,641

 

 

$

898,650

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities, stockholders’ equity and non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

10,131

 

 

$

5,509

 

Accrued liabilities

 

52,598

 

 

 

63,781

 

Deferred revenue

 

37,697

 

 

 

16,670

 

Total current liabilities

 

100,426

 

 

 

85,960

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term portion of lease financing obligations

 

97,323

 

 

 

97,763

 

Product development obligations

 

16,948

 

 

 

17,244

 

Deferred rent

 

3,197

 

 

 

3,657

 

Deferred revenue, net of current

 

136,874

 

 

 

138,241

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

10,291

 

 

 

8,047

 

Total liabilities

 

365,059

 

 

 

350,912

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

471,311

 

 

 

528,467

 

Non-controlling interests

 

19,271

 

 

 

19,271

 

Total equity

 

490,582

 

 

 

547,738

 

Total liabilities, stockholders’ equity and non-controlling interests

$

855,641

 

 

$

898,650

 

(1)

The condensed consolidated balance sheet amounts at December 31, 2017 are recast from audited financial statements to reflect the adoption of the new revenue standards as of January 1, 2018.

 



Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2018

 

 

2017 (1)

 

 

2018

 

 

2017 (1)

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

License revenue

$

 

 

$

9,933

 

 

$

14,323

 

 

$

9,933

 

Development and other revenue

 

29,027

 

 

 

30,617

 

 

 

90,580

 

 

 

90,327

 

Total revenue

 

29,027

 

 

 

40,550

 

 

 

104,903

 

 

 

100,260

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

56,443

 

 

 

50,336

 

 

 

165,555

 

 

 

144,049

 

General and administrative

 

15,356

 

 

 

12,953

 

 

 

45,961

 

 

 

37,908

 

Total operating expenses

 

71,799

 

 

 

63,289

 

 

 

211,516

 

 

 

181,957

 

Loss from operations

 

(42,772

)

 

 

(22,739

)

 

 

(106,613

)

 

 

(81,697

)

Interest and other, net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(2,739

)

 

 

(2,769

)

 

 

(8,257

)

 

 

(7,901

)

Interest income and other, net

 

3,079

 

 

 

1,106

 

 

 

7,796

 

 

 

2,783

 

Total interest and other, net

 

340

 

 

 

(1,663

)

 

 

(461

)

 

 

(5,118

)

Loss before income taxes

 

(42,432

)

 

 

(24,402

)

 

 

(107,074

)

 

 

(86,815

)

Provision for income taxes

 

124

 

 

 

57

 

 

 

299

 

 

 

166

 

Net loss

$

(42,556

)

 

 

(24,459

)

 

$

(107,373

)

 

$

(86,981

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share - basic and diluted

$

(0.50

)

 

$

(0.32

)

 

$

(1.28

)

 

$

(1.24

)

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

 

84,508

 

 

 

75,891

 

 

 

83,713

 

 

 

69,899

 

(1)

The condensed consolidated statements of operations amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are recast from unaudited financial statements to reflect the adoption of the new revenue standards as of January 1, 2018.

 

# # #

Contact

FibroGen, Inc.

Karen L. Bergman

Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

1 (415) 978-1433

kbergman@fibrogen.com