Threshold Pharmaceuticals Reports Second Quarter 2010 Financial and Operational Results

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Aug. 5, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:THLD), today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010.

The net loss for the second quarter of 2010 was $0.3 million compared to $6.2 million for the second quarter of 2009. Research and development expenses were $5.0 million for the second quarter of 2010 compared to $4.2 million for the second quarter of 2009. The increase in research and development expenses primarily reflects an increase in clinical trial expenses related to TH-302. General and administrative expenses were $1.0 million for the second quarter of 2010 versus $1.2 million for the second quarter of 2009. This decrease was primarily due to lower employee stock-based compensation. Total non-cash stock compensation expense for the Company was $0.2 million for the second quarter of 2010 versus $0.5 million for the second quarter of 2009. The decrease in stock-based compensation expense is due to the amortization of options with lower valuations. Other income (expense) for the second quarter of 2010 was non-cash income of $5.7 million compared to non-cash expense of $0.7 million for the second quarter of 2009. This non-cash income was due to a decline in the fair value of the Company's outstanding warrants to purchase 10.9 million shares of common stock, which are classified as a liability, in the second quarter of 2010.

For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the net loss was $6.2 million, compared to $12.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. Research and development expenses were $9.4 million in the first half of 2010 compared to $7.7 million in the first half of 2009, and increased primarily due to clinical trial expenses related to TH-302. General and administrative expenses decreased to $2.3 million in the first half of 2010 from $2.8 million in the first half of 2009, primarily due to lower employee stock-based compensation. Total non-cash stock compensation expense for the Company was $0.3 million for the first half of 2010 versus $1.1 million for the first half of 2009. This decrease was primarily due to the amortization of options with lower valuations. Other income (expense) for the first half of 2010 was non-cash income of $5.5 million compared to non-cash expense of $2.1 million for the first half for 2009. This non-cash income was due to a decline in the fair value of the Company's outstanding warrants to purchase 10.9 million shares of common stock, which are classified as a liability, in the second quarter of 2010.

As of June 30, 2010, Threshold had $26.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Company's cash requirements were $11.2 million. The Company expects existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities to last through the second quarter of 2011.

Recent Highlights

• Commenced a Phase 2 randomized controlled clinical trial of TH-302 in combination with gemcitabine in advanced pancreatic cancer (trial 404)
• Commenced a Phase 1 open label clinical trial of TH-302 in advanced leukemias (trial 407)
• Presented top-line results from Phase 1/2 clinical trials in conjunction with ASCO Annual meeting (trials 402 and 403)
• Presented preclinical data at AACR Translational Cancer Medicine meeting highlighting mechanism of action and anti-tumor activity of TH-302 when combined with two approved antiangiogentic agents

Key Milestones

The Company currently anticipates the following clinical milestones related to TH-302:

• Report top line results from the Phase 1 monotherapy clinical trial (401) and Phase 1/2 combination clinical trials (402, 403) in the second half of 2010
• Report top line results from the Phase 1 open label clinical trial in advanced leukemias (407) in the second half of 2010
• Report limited interim results from the Phase 2 randomized controlled clinical trial (404) in the first half of 2011

About Threshold Pharmaceuticals

Threshold is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of drugs targeting the tumor microenvironment. This approach offers broad potential to treat most solid tumors. By selectively targeting tumor cells, we are building a pipeline of drugs that hold promise to be more effective and less toxic to healthy tissues than conventional anticancer drugs. For additional information, please visit our website (www.thresholdpharm.com).

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for statements of historical fact, the statements in this press release are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding Threshold's product candidates and approach to developing new product candidates, pre-clinical testing of TH-302, clinical trials and anticipated results and announcements, potential therapeutic uses and benefits of TH-302 and financial results, estimates, projections and requirements, including the need for additional cash. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, Threshold's ability to attract and retain employees, commence, enroll or complete its anticipated clinical trials, the time and expense required to conduct such clinical trials and analyze data, issues arising in the regulatory or manufacturing process and the results of such clinical trials (including product safety issues and efficacy results). Further information regarding these and other risks is included under the heading "Risk Factors" in Threshold's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which was filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on August 5, 2010 and is available from the SEC's website (www.sec.gov) and on our website under the heading "Investors". We undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement made in this news release.