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 4, 2015

 

PTC THERAPEUTICS, INC.

(Exact Name of Company as Specified in Charter)

 

Delaware

 

001-35969

 

04-3416587

(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)

 

(Commission
File Number)

 

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

100 Corporate Court

 

 

South Plainfield, NJ

 

07080

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Company’s telephone number, including area code:  (908) 222-7000

 

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 ( see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o            Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o            Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o            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 May 4, 2015, PTC Therapeutics, Inc. announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. The full text of the press release issued in connection with the announcement is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

The information in this Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99.1) shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)                                 Exhibits:

 

The following exhibit relating to Item 2.02 shall be deemed to be furnished, and not filed:

 

99.1 Press Release dated May 4, 2015

 

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.

 

 

PTC THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

 

 

 

Date: May 4, 2015

By:

/s/ Shane Kovacs

 

 

Shane Kovacs

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

2



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

99.1

 

Press Release dated May 4, 2015

 

3


Exhibit 99.1

 

 

PTC THERAPEUTICS REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2015
FINANCIAL RESULTS AND PROVIDES CORPORATE UPDATE

 

-Translarna™ launch accelerates with 82 DMD patients now on commercial therapy-

-First patient dosed in BMI1 cancer stem cell Phase 1 study-

 

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ – May 4, 2015 – PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTCT) today announced a corporate update and reported financial results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2015.

 

“We are off to a strong start this year. In our first full quarter since the commercial launch, we have seen strong support for access to Translarna, the first treatment for nonsense mutation Duchene Muscular Dystrophy. We now have 82 patients on commercial therapy, nearly double the number on treatment since our last earnings call,” stated Stuart W. Peltz, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, PTC Therapeutics, Inc. “Our goal is to bring Translarna to patients across the globe as quickly as possible and we are pleased to have grown our commercial footprint to approximately 25 countries to date. We are also actively establishing our US infrastructure, in preparation for our anticipated US launch.”

 

Key First Quarter 2015 Corporate Highlights

 

·                  Translarna commercial launch continues to accelerate. PTC’s lead product, TranslarnaTM (ataluren), received marketing authorization in the EU in August 2014 for the treatment of nonsense mutation Duchene muscular dystrophy, representing the first-ever treatment approved for the underlying cause of the disease. As of April 30th, PTC has 82 DMD patients on commercial therapy through either reimbursed early access programs or commercial sales.

 

·                  US commercial launch preparations are underway. In December 2014, PTC began submitting a rolling New Drug Application to the FDA for the approval of Translarna in nonsense mutation DMD. Top-line data from the company’s ongoing Phase 3 ACT DMD trial is expected in the fourth quarter of this year which should form the basis for finalizing the NDA submission. Concurrently, PTC has begun building out its US commercial team and infrastructure in preparation for a potential US launch in the first half of 2016. Most recently, PTC announced the hiring of Eric Pauwels as head of commercial operations in the Americas.

 

·                  Confirmatory Phase 3 ACT CF trial enrollment is on track. PTC initiated its global confirmatory Phase 3 ACT CF trial in nonsense mutation cystic fibrosis patients in June 2014. The trial is being conducted at approximately 90 clinical sites globally and is expected to enroll approximately 208 patients by the end of 2015. PTC intends to file for approval of Translarna for the treatment of nonsense mutation cystic fibrosis in the EU in the second half of 2015.

 

·                  Translarna pipeline will expand with a proof of concept study in aniridia.  PTC plans to initiate a Phase 2 proof of concept study in nonsense mutation aniridia by year end 2015.   Aniridia is a rare genetic disorder that results in disruption in the development of the eye. Pre-clinical data were presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) on May 3rd.  PTC is also initiating a proof-of-concept Phase 2 study of Translarna in nonsense mutation MPS I in addition to its ongoing Phase 3 trials in nonsense mutation DMD and nonsense mutation CF. Because of its mechanism of action, Translarna has the potential to address numerous disorders caused by a nonsense mutation. PTC continues to evaluate additional indications to fully capture Translarna’s potential.

 

·                  SMA Phase 1 results highlighted at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology. On April 22nd at the AAN emerging science session, clinical data from the Phase 1 SMA study demonstrated a significant and dose-dependent increase in the production of full length SMN2 mRNA. After a single dose, an

 



 

increase of approximately 80% was observed in the levels of full length SMN2 mRNA expression. Since the SMN2 gene in healthy volunteers is the same as in SMA patients, these results demonstrate proof of mechanism based on the expected pharmacodynamic effect.  The Phase 1 clinical study was completed in the spring of 2014 and was well tolerated at all dose levels studied.

 

·                  New preclinical and clinical developments in the SMA collaboration. Dosing of the first cohort in the Phase 2 MOONFISH study successfully completed. RG7800 was well tolerated and preliminary review of the blinded data indicates substantial increases in full length SMN2 mRNA. Long term preclinical animal data have recently shown an eye finding at concentrations above those explored in patients. This finding was not observed in humans. As a precautionary measure, the collaboration partners decided to temporarily suspend dosing of additional patients to evaluate this finding and confirm next steps for MOONFISH.

 

·                  Initiated cancer stem cell program Phase 1 study. An open-label Phase 1 clinical study for this program targeting BMI1, a protein linked to drug resistant cancers, began in April. In the fourth quarter of 2014, PTC completed IND-enabling studies for PTC596 and filed an investigational new drug application with the FDA.

 

Upcoming Events:

 

PTC will participate in the following conferences in the second quarter:

 

·                  Deutsche Bank 40th Annual Healthcare conference May 6th in Boston, MA

 

·                  Bank of America Merrill Lynch Healthcare conference May 12th in Las Vegas, NV

 

·                  Barclays Select West Coast Biotech conference May 28th in Napa, CA

 

First Quarter 2015 Financial Highlights:

 

·                  Total revenues for the first quarter of 2015 were approximately $7.5 million, including $5.1 million in Translarna product sales revenue and $2.4 million in grants and collaborations revenue. Total Translarna product sales in first quarter 2015 includes $1.4 million of revenue which was deferred during 2014 when we recognized revenue on a cash basis. As of January 1, 2015, we began recognizing revenue for Translarna as product is shipped, given we have established a pattern of collectability.  This compared to total revenue in the first quarter of 2014 of approximately $9.2 million. The decrease in total revenue was due to receipt of a milestone payment of $7.5 million from Roche recognized in the first quarter of 2014 related to our SMA collaboration, partially offset by Translarna product sales.

 

·                  Research and development expenses were $27.9 million for the first quarter of 2015, including $4.7 million in non-cash, stock-based compensation expense, compared to $15.9 million for the same period in 2014, including $1.9 million in non-cash, stock-based compensation expense. The increase in R&D expense for the first quarter 2015 as compared to the prior year quarter was primarily due to additional costs associated with our ongoing clinical trials and supply chain activities in support of the launch of Translarna as well as in conjunction with our expanding clinical-stage pipeline.

 

·                  Selling, general and administrative expenses were $17.6 million for the first quarter of 2015, including $5.1 million in non-cash, stock-based compensation expense, compared to $7.5 million for the same period in 2014, including $1.8 million in non-cash, stock-based compensation expense. The increase in SG&A expense for the first quarter 2015 as compared to the prior year period primarily resulted from additional costs associated with commercial activities in support of the launch of Translarna across Europe and other regions.

 

·                  Net loss for the first quarter of 2015 was $37.9 million compared to a net loss of $14.1 million for the same period in 2014.

 



 

·                  Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaled $280.5 million at March 31, 2015 compared to $315.2 million at December 31, 2014.

 

·                  Shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2015 were 33.9 million, which includes 0.4 million shares of unvested restricted stock.

 



 

PTC Therapeutics, Inc.

Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Net product revenue

 

$

5,069

 

$

 

Collaboration revenue

 

338

 

9,147

 

Grant revenue

 

2,075

 

70

 

Total revenues

 

7,482

 

9,217

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development (1)

 

27,938

 

15,889

 

Selling, general and administrative (1)

 

17,615

 

7,540

 

Total operating expenses

 

45,553

 

23,429

 

Loss from operations

 

(38,071

)

(14,212

)

Interest income

 

524

 

171

 

Other income (expense), net

 

(368

)

(57

)

Net loss

 

$

(37,915

)

$

(14,098

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares):

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted

 

33,067,752

 

24,492,487

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share - basic and diluted (in dollars per share)

 

$

(1.15

)

$

(0.58

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Non-cash share-based compensation expense included in operating expenses are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

$

4,667

 

$

1,944

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

5,081

 

1,761

 

Total share-based compensation expense

 

$

9,748

 

$

3,705

 

 

PTC Therapeutics, Inc.

Summary Balance Sheet

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities

 

$

280,467

 

$

315,241

 

Total assets

 

$

299,520

 

$

333,219

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total deferred revenue

 

373

 

3,354

 

Total liabilities

 

$

26,200

 

$

34,752

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity (33,483,306 and 32,898,392 common shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)

 

273,320

 

298,467

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

299,520

 

$

333,219

 

 



 

TODAY’S CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST REMINDER

 

The call can be accessed by dialing (877) 303-9216 (domestic) or (973) 935-8152 (international) five minutes prior to the start of the call and providing the passcode 85749873.

 

A live, listen-only webcast of the conference call can be accessed on the investor relations section of the PTC website at www.ptcbio.com. A webcast replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after completion of the call and will be archived on the company’s website for two weeks.

 

ABOUT PTC THERAPEUTICS, INC.

 

PTC is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of orally administered, proprietary small molecule drugs targeting an area of RNA biology we refer to as post-transcriptional control. Post-transcriptional control processes are the regulatory events that occur in cells during and after a messenger RNA, or mRNA, molecule is copied from DNA through the transcription process. PTC’s internally discovered pipeline addresses multiple therapeutic areas, including rare disorders, oncology and infectious diseases. PTC has discovered all of its compounds currently under development using its proprietary technologies. PTC plans to continue to develop these compounds both on its own and through selective collaboration arrangements with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. For more information on the company, please visit our website www.ptcbio.com.

 

ABOUT TRANSLARNA™ (ATALUREN)

 

Translarna, discovered and developed by PTC Therapeutics, Inc., is a protein restoration therapy designed to enable the formation of a functioning protein in patients with genetic disorders caused by a nonsense mutation. A nonsense mutation is an alteration in the genetic code that prematurely halts the synthesis of an essential protein. The resulting disorder is determined by which protein cannot be expressed in its entirety and is no longer functional, such as dystrophin in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Translarna is licensed in the European Economic Area for the treatment of nonsense mutation Duchenne muscular dystrophy in ambulatory patients aged five years and older. Translarna is an investigational new drug in the United States. The development of Translarna has been supported by grants from Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Inc. (the nonprofit affiliate of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation); Muscular Dystrophy Association; FDA’s Office of Orphan Products Development; National Center for Research Resources; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; and Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

 

Investors:

Emily Hill

+1 (908) 912-9327

ehill@ptcbio.com

 

Media:

Jane Baj
+1 (908) 912-9167
jbaj@ptcbio.com

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS:

 

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than those of historical fact, contained in this release, including statements regarding the future expectations, plans and prospects for PTC; the timing and scope of PTC’s commercial and early access program launches; the rate and degree of market acceptance and clinical utility of Translarna; PTC’s estimates regarding the potential market opportunity for Translarna, including the size of eligible patient populations and PTC’s ability to identify such patients; the timing and conduct of PTC’s clinical trials and studies of Translarna for the treatment of DMD, CF, MPS I and aniridia caused by nonsense mutation, as well its Phase 2 MOONFISH study under its SMA collaboration with Roche and the SMA Foundation and its Phase 1 study under its cancer stem cell program, including statements regarding the timing of initiation, evaluation, enrollment and completion of the trials and studies and the period during which the results of the trials and studies will become

 



 

available; our current and planned regulatory filings, including with the FDA and in the European Union; our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues or projected costs; and objectives of management, are forward-looking statements. Other forward-looking statements may be identified by the words “plan,” “guidance,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” and similar expressions.

 

PTC’s actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements it makes as a result of a variety of risks and uncertainties, including those related to its ability to commercialize Translarna in general and specifically as a treatment for nonsense mutation DMD, including its ability to successfully negotiate favorable pricing and reimbursement processes on a timely basis in the countries in which it may obtain regulatory approval, including the countries in the European Economic Area; the initiation, conduct and availability of data from clinical trials and studies; expectations for regulatory approvals; PTC’s scientific approach and general development progress; the eligible patient base and commercial potential of Translarna and PTC’s other product candidates and the factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of PTC’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K as well as any updates to these risk factors filed from time to time in PTC’s other filings with the SEC. You are urged to carefully consider all such factors. The forward-looking statements contained herein represent PTC’s views only as of the date of this press release and PTC does not undertake or plan to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in plans, prospects, assumptions, estimates or projections, or other circumstances occurring after the date of this release except as required by law.