Type C meeting completed with FDA for OTIVIDEX™ in Ménière’s disease
Consistent with prior guidance, pivotal trial for OTIVIDEX to start mid-2018
Conference call and webcast today at 4:30 p.m. EST
SAN DIEGO, March 08, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Otonomy, Inc. (NASDAQ:OTIC), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of innovative therapeutics for otology, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017 and provided an update on its corporate activities and product pipeline. The company will host a conference call and webcast today at 4:30 p.m. EST to discuss recent highlights and financial results.
Fourth Quarter 2017 and Subsequent Highlights
- Announced Positive Results for the AVERTS-2 Phase 3 Trial of OTIVIDEXä in Ménière’s Disease and Completed a Type C Meeting with FDA: In November 2017, Otonomy announced that the AVERTS-2 trial achieved its primary endpoint, count of definitive vertigo days (DVD) by Poisson Regression analysis in Month 3 (p value = 0.029), based on analysis of all 174 patients enrolled in the trial. Previously, the company announced that the AVERTS-1 trial missed the primary endpoint (p value = 0.62). Otonomy recently completed a Type C meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that included a review of the AVERTS and other clinical trial results. Based on FDA feedback, and consistent with the company's prior guidance, we believe that one additional successful pivotal trial is sufficient to support the U.S. registration of OTIVIDEX in Ménière’s disease. Otonomy expects to initiate this trial in mid-2018.
- Obtained FDA Approval of OTIPRIO® for the Treatment of Acute Otitis Externa: In March 2018, the FDA approved OTIPRIO (ciprofloxacin otic suspension) for the treatment of patients with acute otitis externa (AOE). Approval of the Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) significantly increases the potential market opportunity for OTIPRIO with approximately 4 million episodes of AOE occurring each year in the United States. In November 2017, the company announced the discontinuation of promotional support for OTIPRIO in order to significantly reduce operating expenses related to the product. OTIPRIO continues to be available for purchase by customers while Otonomy evaluates commercial partnering options for the product including divestiture.
- Advancing Multiple Programs for Sensorineural Hearing Loss: In January 2018, Otonomy announced the advancement of three distinct programs for hearing loss that address different pathologies and broad patient populations. OTO-413 is a sustained exposure formulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in development for the repair of cochlear synaptopathy and the treatment of speech-in-noise hearing difficulties. The company has initiated nonclinical studies and manufacturing for OTO-413 to support an Investigational New Drug (IND) application, with a Phase 1/2 clinical trial expected to begin in hearing loss patients in the first half of 2019. OTO-5XX is an otoprotectant in development for the prevention of cisplatin-induced hearing loss. OTO-6XX induces hair cell regeneration and is being developed for the treatment of severe hearing loss. The company expects to select a candidate for clinical development for both the OTO-5XX and OTO-6XX programs in the second half of 2018.
- Developing OTO-313, an Improved Formulation of Gacyclidine, for the Treatment of Tinnitus: Gacyclidine is a potent and selective N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, a molecular class with potential for treating tinnitus based on both nonclinical and clinical studies. A Phase 1 clinical safety trial has been successfully completed using OTO-311, a poloxamer-based formulation of gacyclidine, with no safety concerns observed. Otonomy has shifted development to OTO-313, an alternative formulation of gacyclidine that has improved properties compared to OTO-311. The company expects to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for OTO-313 in tinnitus patients in the first half of 2019.
- Presented Data for Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Programs at International Otology Research Conference: In February 2018, company scientists and research collaborators delivered multiple data presentations at the Association for Research in Otolaryngology (ARO) Annual MidWinter Meeting. These presentations included data supporting the therapeutic potential of OTO-413 for the repair of cochlear synaptopathy. In addition, David A. Weber, Ph.D., president and CEO of Otonomy, delivered an invited presentation during the conference's Presidential Symposium.
“The fourth quarter of 2017 was a transformational period for Otonomy as we repositioned the company to focus on advancing our broad pipeline of development programs including OTIVIDEX for Ménière’s disease, OTO-313 for tinnitus, and multiple programs for hearing loss,” said Dr. Weber. “Furthermore, our recent positive regulatory updates position us for a very productive year ahead. Approval of OTIPRIO for AOE is an important accomplishment that will support our ongoing commercial partnering discussions, and the recent FDA feedback on OTIVIDEX provides clarity on our path forward for registration in Ménière’s disease."
Anticipated Upcoming Milestones
- Initiate Phase 3 clinical trial for OTIVIDEX in Ménière’s disease in mid-2018.
- Complete commercial partnership or divestiture of OTIPRIO in mid-2018.
- In second half of 2018, select a candidate for clinical development for both OTO-5XX and OTO-6XX hearing loss programs.
- In first half of 2019, initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of OTO-313 in tinnitus patients.
- In first half of 2019, initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of OTO-413 in hearing loss patients.
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Financial Highlights
- Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaled $120.0 million as of December 31, 2017, compared to $196.4 million as of December 31, 2016.
- Revenue: Net sales of OTIPRIO totaled $0.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 and the fourth quarter of 2016. For the full year 2017, net sales totaled $1.2 million compared to $0.7 million for 2016. Despite the discontinuation of promotional support in the fourth quarter of 2017, OTIPRIO monthly shipments for the first two months of 2018 have continued at approximately the same monthly level as during the prior two quarters.
- Operating Expenses: GAAP operating expenses were $17.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $26.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. For the full year 2017, GAAP operating expenses were $89.5 million compared to $110.5 million for 2016. Non-GAAP operating expenses, which exclude stock-based compensation and rent abatement expense, were $14.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $22.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. For the full year 2017, non-GAAP operating expenses were $73.8 million compared to $97.7 million for 2016.
- Research and Development Expenses: GAAP research and development (R&D) expenses for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $6.0 million, compared to $14.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. The decrease was primarily a result of decreased clinical trial activities for OTIPRIO and OTIVIDEX versus the prior year period. For the full year 2017, GAAP R&D expenses were $42.7 million compared to $60.7 million for 2016.
- Selling, General and Administrative Expenses: GAAP selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses in the fourth quarter of 2017 were $11.5 million, compared to $12.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. For the full year 2017, GAAP SG&A expenses were $46.8 million compared to $49.8 million for 2016.
- Financial Guidance: Otonomy reaffirms its expectations that GAAP operating expenses for 2018 will be in the range of $52-$57 million, and that non-GAAP operating expenses for 2018 will be in the range of $40-$45 million.
Webcast and Conference Call
Otonomy management will host a webcast and conference call regarding this announcement at 4:30 p.m. EST/1:30 p.m. PST today. The live call may be accessed by dialing (877) 305-6769 for domestic callers and (678) 562-4239 for international callers with conference ID code number: 1898244. A live webcast of the call will be available online in the investor relations section of Otonomy’s website at www.otonomy.com and will be archived there for 30 days.
Non-GAAP Operating Expenses
In this press release, Otonomy’s operating expenses are provided in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States and also on a non-GAAP basis. Non-GAAP operating expenses exclude stock-based compensation and rent abatement expense. Non-GAAP operating expenses are provided as a complement to operating expenses provided in accordance with GAAP because management believes non-GAAP operating expenses help indicate underlying trends in the company’s business, are important in comparing current results with prior period results and provide additional information regarding the company’s financial position. Management also uses non-GAAP operating expenses to establish budgets and operational goals that are communicated internally and externally and to manage the company’s business and to evaluate its performance. The attached financial information includes a reconciliation of the GAAP operating expenses to non-GAAP operating expenses and a reconciliation of GAAP operating expense guidance to non-GAAP operating expense guidance.
About Otonomy
Otonomy is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of innovative therapeutics for otology. The company pioneered the application of drug delivery technology to the ear in order to develop products that achieve sustained drug exposure from a single local administration. This approach is covered by a broad patent estate and is being utilized to develop a pipeline of products addressing important unmet medical needs including Ménière’s disease, hearing loss, and tinnitus. For additional information please visit www.otonomy.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or the future financial or operating performance of Otonomy. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, the market size for OTIPRIO in AOE, the company’s expectations regarding its commercial partnering options for OTIPRIO, including divestiture and timing of any such transaction, timing of a Phase 3 trial for OTIVIDEX, timing of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for OTO-413, timing of candidate selection for OTO-5XX and OTO-6XX programs, timing of Phase 1/2 clinical trial for OTO-313, financial guidance for 2018, and statements by Otonomy’s president and CEO. Otonomy's expectations regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results in future periods are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: Otonomy's limited operating history and its expectation that it will incur significant losses for the foreseeable future; Otonomy's ability to obtain additional financing; Otonomy's dependence on the regulatory success and advancement of its product candidates; the uncertainties inherent in the clinical drug development process, including, without limitation, Otonomy's ability to adequately demonstrate the safety and efficacy of its product candidates, the nonclinical and clinical results for its product candidates, which may not support further development, and challenges related to patient enrollment in clinical trials; Otonomy's ability to obtain regulatory approval for its product candidates; side effects or adverse events associated with Otonomy's product candidates; Otonomy's ability to successfully commercialize its product candidates, if approved; competition in the biopharmaceutical industry; Otonomy's dependence on third parties to conduct nonclinical studies and clinical trials; Otonomy's dependence on third parties for the manufacture of its product candidates; Otonomy's dependence on a small number of suppliers for raw materials; Otonomy's ability to protect its intellectual property related to its product candidates in the United States and throughout the world; expectations regarding potential market size, opportunity and growth; Otonomy's ability to manage operating expenses; implementation of Otonomy's business model and strategic plans for its business, products and technology; and other risks. Information regarding the foregoing and additional risks may be found in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Otonomy's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 8, 2018, and Otonomy's future reports to be filed with the SEC. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Otonomy as of the date hereof. Otonomy disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Contacts:
Media Inquiries
Canale Communications
Heidi Chokeir, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President
619.849.5377
heidi@canalecomm.com
Investor Inquiries
Westwicke Partners
Robert H. Uhl
Managing Director
858.356.5932
robert.uhl@westwicke.com
| Otonomy, Inc. | ||||||||
| Condensed Balance Sheet Data | ||||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||||
| As of December 31, | As of December 31, | |||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 18,456 | $ | 24,156 | ||||
| Short-term investments | 101,548 | 172,222 | ||||||
| Total assets | 128,364 | 208,596 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 11,085 | 15,859 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (364,850 | ) | (274,720 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 117,279 | 192,737 | ||||||
| Otonomy, Inc. | ||||||||||||||||
| Condensed Statements of Operations | ||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share data) | ||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Years Ended | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||||
| Product sales, net | $ | 270 | $ | 273 | $ | 1,236 | $ | 683 | ||||||||
| Costs and operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
| Cost of product sales | 1,948 | 909 | 3,098 | 1,664 | ||||||||||||
| Research and development | 6,041 | 14,165 | 42,701 | 60,723 | ||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 11,451 | 12,052 | 46,838 | 49,777 | ||||||||||||
| Total costs and operating expenses | 19,440 | 27,126 | 92,637 | 112,164 | ||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (19,170 | ) | (26,853 | ) | (91,401 | ) | (111,481 | ) | ||||||||
| Other income | 337 | 281 | 1,271 | 898 | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (18,833 | ) | $ | (26,572 | ) | $ | (90,130 | ) | $ | (110,583 | ) | ||||
| Net loss per share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.62 | ) | $ | (0.88 | ) | $ | (2.97 | ) | $ | (3.69 | ) | ||||
| Weighted-average shares used to compute net loss per share, | ||||||||||||||||
| basic and diluted | 30,375,053 | 30,215,162 | 30,304,158 | 29,962,781 | ||||||||||||
| Otonomy, Inc. | ||||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Years Ended | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||||
| GAAP operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 6,041 | $ | 14,165 | $ | 42,701 | $ | 60,723 | ||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 11,451 | 12,052 | 46,838 | 49,777 | ||||||||||||
| Total GAAP operating expenses | 17,492 | 26,217 | 89,539 | 110,500 | ||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP adjustments | ||||||||||||||||
| R&D stock-based compensation expense | (597 | ) | (781 | ) | (3,763 | ) | (2,996 | ) | ||||||||
| SG&A stock-based compensation expense | (2,592 | ) | (2,540 | ) | (9,878 | ) | (9,574 | ) | ||||||||
| Rent abatement | - | (232 | ) | (2,084 | ) | (232 | ) | |||||||||
| Total non-GAAP adjustments | (3,189 | ) | (3,553 | ) | (15,725 | ) | (12,802 | ) | ||||||||
| Non-GAAP operating expenses | $ | 14,303 | $ | 22,664 | $ | 73,814 | $ | 97,698 | ||||||||
| Otonomy, Inc. | ||
| Reconciliation of 2018 GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Expense Guidance | ||
| (in millions) | ||
| GAAP operating expenses | $52 - $57 | |
| Non-GAAP adjustments | ||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 12 | |
| Non-GAAP operating expenses | $40 - $45 | |