FibroGen Reports Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results


  • Completed enrollment of LELANTOS-2 Phase 3 study of pamrevlumab in ambulatory patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

  • 2Q 2022 revenue of $29.8 million, growth of 22% vs. 2Q 2021

  • Continued significant roxadustat volume growth in China

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FibroGen, Inc. (NASDAQ: FGEN) today reported financial results for the second quarter 2022 and provided an update on the company’s recent developments.

“We continue making excellent progress with pamrevlumab across all our high value indications and are pleased to have recently completed enrollment of the LELANTOS-2 Phase 3 study in ambulatory patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We now expect topline data from three pivotal pamrevlumab Phase 3 trials in 2023: the ZEPHYRUS-1 trial in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and the LELANTOS-1 and LELANTOS-2 trials in non-ambulatory and ambulatory Duchenne muscular dystrophy, respectively,” said Enrique Conterno, Chief Executive Officer, FibroGen. “We are delighted with our roxadustat sales in China, showing significant year-over-year volume growth. In Europe, our partner Astellas continues with additional roxadustat launches.”

Recent Developments:

  • Completed enrollment of the LELANTOS-2 Phase 3 clinical trial of pamrevlumab in ambulatory patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
  • Completed interim analysis of event free survival in the LAPIS Phase 3 study of pamrevlumab in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC), and the study will continue to its primary endpoint of overall survival.
  • Roxadustat continues to be approved in additional countries, most recently in Mexico and South Africa. It is now approved in China, Europe, Japan, and numerous other territories for the treatment of CKD patients on dialysis and patients not on dialysis.

China Performance:

  • FibroGen’s net product revenue under U.S. GAAP from sale of roxadustat in China was $23.3 million compared to $13.4 million in the second quarter of 2021.
  • Second quarter total roxadustat net sales in China1 by FibroGen and the distribution entity (JDE) jointly owned by FibroGen and AstraZeneca was $53.1 million, compared to $52.8 million in the second quarter of 2021. This result was driven by an increase in volume of over 80% benefitting from the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) price reduction.
  • Roxadustat continues to be the number one brand based on value share in the anemia of CKD market in China.

Upcoming Milestones:

  • Topline data from the LELANTOS-1 Phase 3 study of pamrevlumab in non-ambulatory DMD patients expected 1H 2023.
  • Topline data from the MATTERHORN Phase 3 study of roxadustat in anemia of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) expected 1H 2023.
  • Topline data from the ZEPHYRUS-1 Phase 3 study of pamrevlumab in IPF expected mid-2023.
  • Topline data from the LELANTOS-2 Phase 3 study of pamrevlumab in ambulatory DMD patients expected 2H 2023.
  • Topline data from the LAPIS Phase 3 study of pamrevlumab in LAPC expected 1H 2024.

Financial:

  • Total revenue for the second quarter of 2022 was $29.8 million, as compared to $24.4 million for the second quarter of 2021.
  • Net loss for the second quarter of 2022 was $72.6 million, or $0.78 net loss per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $134.0 million, or $1.45 net loss per basic and diluted share one year ago.
  • At June 30, 2022, FibroGen had $517.6 million in cash - defined as cash, cash equivalents, investments, and accounts receivable.
  • Based on our latest forecast, we estimate a 2022 ending cash balance of $330-$360 million.

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1 Total roxadustat net sales in China includes sales made by the distribution entity as well as FibroGen China’s direct sales, each to its own distributors. The distribution entity jointly owned by AstraZeneca and FibroGen is not consolidated into FibroGen’s financial statements.

Conference Call and Webcast Details
FibroGen will host a conference call and webcast today, Monday, August 8, 2022, 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 access the call by phone, please go to this link (registration link), and you will be provided with dial in details. To avoid delays, we encourage participants to dial into the conference call fifteen minutes ahead of the scheduled start time. A replay of the webcast will also be available for a limited time at the following link (webcast replay).

About Pamrevlumab
Pamrevlumab is a potential first-in-class antibody being 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 in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer (LAPC), and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and in Phase 2/3 for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD), and Fast Track designation to pamrevlumab for the treatment of patients with IPF, LAPC, and DMD. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also granted Rare Pediatric Disease Designation to pamrevlumab for the treatment of patients with DMD. Pamrevlumab has demonstrated a safety and tolerability profile that has supported ongoing clinical investigation in IPF, LAPC, and DMD. Pamrevlumab is an investigational drug and not approved for marketing by any regulatory authority. For information about pamrevlumab studies currently recruiting patients, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About Roxadustat
Roxadustat, an oral medication, is the first in a new class of medicines comprising HIF-PH inhibitors that promote erythropoiesis, or red blood cell production, through increased endogenous production of erythropoietin, improved iron absorption and mobilization, and downregulation of hepcidin. Roxadustat is in clinical development for anemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and anemia associated with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and for chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA).

Roxadustat is approved in China, Europe, Japan, and numerous other countries for the treatment of anemia of CKD in adult patients on dialysis (DD) and not on dialysis (NDD). Several other licensing applications for roxadustat have been submitted by partners, Astellas and AstraZeneca to regulatory authorities across the globe, and are currently under review.

Astellas and FibroGen are collaborating on the development and commercialization of roxadustat for the potential treatment of anemia in territories including Japan, Europe, Turkey, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Middle East, and South Africa. FibroGen and AstraZeneca are collaborating on the development and commercialization of roxadustat for the potential treatment of anemia in the U.S., China, other markets not licensed to Astellas.

About FibroGen
FibroGen, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing, and commercializing a pipeline of first-in-class therapeutics. The Company applies its pioneering expertise in connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) biology and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) to advance innovative medicines for the treatment of unmet needs. Pamrevlumab, an anti-CTGF human monoclonal antibody, is in clinical development for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer (LAPC), metastatic pancreatic cancer, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Roxadustat (爱瑞卓®, EVRENZOTM) is currently approved in China, Europe, Japan, and numerous other countries for the treatment of anemia in CKD patients on dialysis and patients not on dialysis. Roxadustat is in Phase 3 clinical development in the U.S. and Europe for anemia associated with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and in Phase 3 clinical development in China for treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA). FibroGen recently expanded its research and development portfolio to include product candidates in the immuno-oncology and autoimmune space. 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 and commercialization of the company’s product candidates, the potential safety and efficacy profile of our product candidates, and our clinical programs. 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, 2021 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, each as 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)
     
 June 30, 2022  December 31, 2021
 
 (Unaudited)  (1) 
Assets    
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents$167,758  $171,223 
Short-term investments 270,375   233,967 
Accounts receivable, net 33,573   17,401 
Inventory 40,899   31,015 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 8,038   20,453 
Total current assets 520,643   474,059 
     
Restricted time deposits 2,072   2,072 
Long-term investments 45,920   167,796 
Property and equipment, net 24,505   28,277 
Equity method investment in unconsolidated variable interest entity 4,494   3,825 
Operating lease right-of-use assets 84,654   91,112 
Other assets 4,501   6,680 
Total assets$686,789  $773,821 
     
Liabilities, stockholders’ equity and non-controlling interests    
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable$29,360  $26,097 
Accrued and other liabilities 193,099   172,599 
Deferred revenue 6,897   15,857 
Operating lease liabilities, current 10,984   10,944 
Total current liabilities 240,340   225,497 
     
Product development obligations 16,439   17,613 
Deferred revenue, net of current 205,351   186,801 
Operating lease liabilities, non-current 83,080   88,776 
Other long-term liabilities 17,832   26,021 
Total liabilities 563,042   544,708 
     
Total stockholders’ equity 103,780   209,146 
Non-controlling interests 19,967   19,967 
Total equity 123,747   229,113 
Total liabilities, stockholders’ equity and non-controlling interests$686,789  $773,821 

(1)   The condensed consolidated balance sheet amounts at December 31, 2021 are derived from audited financial statements.

 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
      
 Three Months Ended June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30, 
 2022  2021  2022  2021 
 (Unaudited) 
Revenue:           
License revenue$  $  $22,590  $ 
Development and other revenue 5,457   19,641   17,219   34,228 
Product revenue, net 23,256   13,371   42,137   28,733 
Drug product revenue 1,093   (8,648)  8,687   (168)
Total revenue 29,806   24,364   90,633   62,793 
            
Operating costs and expenses:           
Cost of goods sold 6,809   3,078   11,048   6,479 
Research and development 70,963   122,567   159,981   197,243 
Selling, general and administrative 30,258   32,554   60,820   63,334 
Total operating costs and expenses 108,030   158,199   231,849   267,056 
Loss from operations (78,224)  (133,835)  (141,216)  (204,263)
            
Interest and other, net:           
Interest expense (141)  (355)  (238)  (856)
Interest income and other income (expenses), net 5,199   (363)  4,876   (817)
Total interest and other, net 5,058   (718)  4,638   (1,673)
            
Loss before income taxes (73,166)  (134,553)  (136,578)  (205,936)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes 23   (3)  136   130 
Investment income in unconsolidated variable interest entity 565   562   885   323 
Net loss$(72,624) $(133,988) $(135,829) $(205,743)
            
Net loss per share - basic and diluted$(0.78) $(1.45) $(1.46) $(2.24)
            
Weighted average number of common shares used to calculate net loss per share - basic and diluted 93,475   92,276   93,260   91,983 
                

Contacts:

FibroGen, Inc.
Investors:
Michael Tung, M.D.
Corporate Strategy / Investor Relations
415.978.1434
mtung@fibrogen.com

Media:
Meichiel Keenan
Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
mkeenan@fibrogen.com