3rd Quarter Results

Cambridge Antibody Tech Group PLC 08 September 2004 04/CAT/10 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 07.00 BST, 02:00 EST Wednesday 8 September 2004 For further information contact: Cambridge Antibody Technology Weber Shandwick Square Mile (Europe) Tel: +44 (0) 1223 471 471 Tel: +44 (0) 20 7067 0700 Peter Chambre, Chief Executive Officer Kevin Smith John Aston, Chief Financial Officer Sarah MacLeod Rowena Gardner, Director of Corporate Communications BMC Communications/The Trout Group (USA) Tel: +1 212 477 9007 Brad Miles, ext 17 (media) Brandon Lewis, ext 15 (investors) CAMBRIDGE ANTIBODY TECHNOLOGY ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2004 Cambridge, UK Cambridge Antibody Technology (LSE: CAT; NASDAQ: CATG) today announces financial results for the nine months ended 30 June 2004 and a business update for the period since the interim results on 17 May 2004. Summary: Completed enrolment of 236 patients in US clinical trial of Trabio (R) Regulatory approval received to commence a Phase I clinical trial with CAT-354 Wyeth progressing MYO-029, licensed from CAT, into a Phase I clinical trial Abbott increased 2004 sales expectations for HUMIRA(TM) to more than $800 million Continued progress of licensed product candidates by partners HGSI and Abbott New Non-Executive Director appointed; Professor Christopher Marshall Net cash and liquid resources of £101.0 million at 30 June 2004 (£112.8 million at 30 June 2003) Net cash outflow before management of liquid resources and financing: £20.7 million for the nine months ended 30 June 2004 compared with £19.0 million for the nine months ended 30 June 2003 CAT Product Candidates The treatment phases of two pivotal trials with CATs lead proprietary product Trabio (lerdelimumab), a human anti-TGFbeta2 monoclonal antibody being developed for improving outcomes in glaucoma filtration surgery (trabeculectomy), have been completed. Preliminary results are expected during the next six months. In the Phase II/III European clinical trial of Trabio in 344 patients undergoing first time trabeculectomy, preliminary data at one year follow-up remain on schedule for release in the fourth quarter of 2004. Enrolment is complete in the Phase III International clinical trial of Trabio in 393 patients undergoing first time trabeculectomy. Data from this trial are expected in early 2005 when all patients have completed at least one year of follow-up post surgery. In the US clinical trial of Trabio compared to 5-fluorouracil (5FU), enrolment has now been completed, with 236 patients randomised. One year follow-up data are expected to be available towards the end of 2005. In the collaboration between CAT and Genzyme, substantial research and analysis has been carried out in the last six months with the objective of finalising future clinical development plans for anti-TGFbeta antibodies by the end of 2004. In August, results from the Phase I/IIa clinical trial of CAT-192 (metelimumab), a human anti-TGFbeta1 monoclonal antibody, were presented at the International Scleroderma Workshop in Cambridge, UK. CAT and Genzyme are currently considering the development of GC-1008, a pan-specific human anti-TGFbeta monoclonal antibody, for oncology indications. Meanwhile pre-clinical safety studies of GC-1008 are continuing prior to initiating a clinical trial in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Further pre-clinical work in other potential indications is also under way. Regulatory approval to commence a clinical trial has been granted for CAT-354, a human anti-IL13 monoclonal antibody being developed as a potential treatment for severe asthma. The Phase I clinical trial is expected to begin shortly in the UK. The objective of the trial is to evaluate safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of a single intravenously administered dose of CAT-354. HUMIRA HUMIRA(TM) (adalimumab) is a human anti-TNFalpha monoclonal antibody which was isolated and optimised by CAT in collaboration with Abbott Laboratories. Abbott has reported that HUMIRA is now approved for sale in 51 countries for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and achieved sales for the first half of 2004 of $351 million. Abbott is currently forecasting sales of HUMIRA of more than $800 million in 2004 and more than $1.2 billion in 2005. Abbott has recently presented data on HUMIRA at two major international conferences. At the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) meeting in Berlin in June 2004, positive data from three studies were presented: a ten-patient study in ankylosing spondylitis, a 15-patient study in psoriatic arthropathy and the 2,000 patient ReAct (Research in Active rheumatoid arthritis) study. At the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) meeting in New York in July 2004, encouraging data from a Phase II, 137-patient study in chronic plaque psoriasis were also presented. In August 2004, Abbott announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved an expanded indication for HUMIRA to include improvement in physical function for adult patients with moderately to severely active RA. In November 2003, CAT commenced legal proceedings against Abbott Biotechnology Limited and Abbott GmbH in the High Court in London concerning the level of royalties due to CAT. The Court has ordered that the trial will commence in late November 2004, with an estimated length of three weeks. Licensed Product Candidates ABT-874, a human anti-IL12 monoclonal antibody isolated and optimised by CAT in collaboration with Abbott, and licensed by CAT to Abbott under the same 1995 agreement between CAT and Knoll Aktiengesellschaft as HUMIRA, is in Phase II clinical trials. In June 2004, Abbott announced the initiation of a Phase II study evaluating the potential of ABT-874 in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease characterised by the bodys immune system attacking the brain and spinal cord. In July 2004, Human Genome Sciences, Inc (HGSI) announced that it had completed enrolment in its two Phase II clinical trials of LymphoStat-B(TM) (belimumab), a human monoclonal antibody which modulates the activities of B-lymphocytes. The first, a double-blind, placebo-controlled multi-centre trial in 283 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis who have failed prior therapy, will evaluate safety, optimal dosing and efficacy of LymphoStat-B. The second is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centre Phase II clinical trial of LymphoStat-B in 449 patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In June 2004, HGSI presented interim results of ongoing Phase I clinical trials to evaluate the safety and pharmacology of HGS-ETR1 (previously known as TRAIL-R1 mAb) in patients with advanced solid tumours or non-Hodgkins lymphoma at the 40th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in New Orleans, USA. The interim results demonstrate the safety and tolerability of HGS-ETR1 and support its further evaluation in Phase II trials. HGSI plans to initiate Phase II clinical trials in 2004. HGSI continues to enrol patients with advanced tumours in two Phase I open-label, dose-escalating clinical trials of HGS-ETR2 (previously known as TRAIL-R2 mAb) and plans to complete enrolment of one of the Phase I trials in 2004. Wyeth announced in June 2004 that it has filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for MYO-029, a human monoclonal antibody discovered by CAT in collaboration with Wyeth and licensed to Wyeth. MYO-029 neutralises the effects of a protein called GDF-8 which is associated with reduced skeletal muscle mass, is being studied as a potential therapy for muscle-wasting diseases, including muscular dystrophy and sarcopenia. Wyeth is now moving forward with a Phase I clinical trial. People CAT is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Christopher Marshall as a Non-Executive Director of CAT. He will take up his position as a Non-Executive Director on 24 September 2004 and is expected to join CATs Scientific Advisory Board at the same time. Professor Marshall is Director of the Cancer Research UK Centre for Cell and Molecular Biology at the Institute of Cancer Research London, UK and a Fellow of the Royal Society. He brings a new perspective and scientific breadth to the Board of CAT and the Company looks forward to working with him. Financial Results The financial results for the nine months ended 30 June 2004 are set out below. The comparative figures in brackets are for the corresponding period in the prior financial year unless otherwise stated. Commentary is included on significant factors in the third quarter trading. CAT made a loss after taxation for the nine months ended 30 June 2004 of £28.4 million (£26.5 million). Net cash outflow before management of liquid resources and financing for the nine month period was £20.7 million (£19.0 million). Net cash and liquid resources at 30 June 2004 were £101.0 million (£112.8 million). Turnover in the nine month period was £10.1 million (£6.4 million). In the three months to 30 June 2004, licence fees of £1.2 million were recognised as revenue, principally licence fees released from deferred income carried forward from prior financial years, and revenues of £0.4 million were generated from contract research fees under collaborations with Amgen and Pfizer. Operating costs for the nine month period amounted to £40.0 million (£38.8 million) of which research and development costs were £32.0 million (£32.3 million). External development costs were £13.8 million in the nine months to 30 June 2004 (£10.0 million), reflecting increased activity on the Trabio clinical trials and the CAT-354 programme. The small decrease in research and development costs between the second quarter and the third quarter reflects slightly lower levels of external development spend. General and administration expenses for the nine month period were £8.0 million (£6.5 million). The increase in cost in the third quarter as compared to the second quarter was primarily due to a rise in spend on litigation. The cost of litigation for the nine month period was £1.5 million (£0.2 million). During the nine month period the Group accrued interest receivable on its cash deposits of £3.1 million (£3.5 million) reflecting the reduced level of cash and liquid resources held in interest bearing securities during the period. The net increase in deferred income balances in the three month period was £1.2 million. This includes the receipt of a licence fee from Genzyme which will be recognised over the relevant future period, in accordance with CATs established accounting policy. CAMBRIDGE ANTIBODY TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC Results for the NINE MONTHS ended 30 JUNE 2004 CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT (unaudited) Nine months Nine months Nine months Year ended ended ended ended 30 September 30 June 2004 30 June 2004 30 June 2003 2003 Convenience translation US$000 £000 £000 £000 Turnover 18,340 10,118 6,394 8,743 Direct costs (2,768) (1,527) (232) (690) Gross profit 15,572 8,591 6,162 8,053 Research and development expenses (58,056) (32,029) (32,318) (44,981) General and administration expenses (14,537) (8,020) (6,515) (9,196) Operating loss (57,021) (31,458) (32,671) (46,124) Interest receivable (net) 5,577 3,077 3,494 4,360 Loss on ordinary activities before taxation (51,444) (28,381) (29,177) (41,764) Tax on loss on ordinary activities - - 2,700 2,573 Loss for the financial period (51,444) (28,381) (26,477) (39,191) Loss per share - basic and diluted (pence) 69.6p 72.8p 107.5p Consolidated Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses Nine months Nine months Nine months Year ended ended ended ended 30 September 30 June 2004 30 June 2004 30 June 2003 2003 Convenience translation US$000 £000 £000 £000 Loss for the financial period (51,444) (28,381) (26,477) (39,191) Gain on foreign exchange translation 2,110 1,164 515 606 Total recognised losses relating to the period (49,334) (27,217) (25,962) (38,585) The losses for all periods arise from continuing operations. This financial information has been prepared in accordance with UK GAAP. The dollar translations are solely for the convenience of the reader. CAMBRIDGE ANTIBODY TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC Results for the NINE MONTHS ended 30 JUNE 2004 Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited) As at As at As at As at 30 June 2004 30 June 2004 30 June 2003 30 September 2003 Convenience translation US$000 £000 £000 £000 Fixed assets Intangible assets 11,048 6,095 7,145 6,883 Tangible assets 23,198 12,798 14,450 14,366 Investments 5,333 2,942 215 3,373 39,579 21,835 21,810 24,622 Current assets Debtors 8,606 4,748 3,757 4,526 Short term investments 181,807 100,302 112,385 108,347 Cash at bank and in hand 5,209 2,874 1,328 1,056 195,622 107,924 117,470 113,929 Creditors Amounts falling due within one year (24,949) (13,764) (14,097) (12,657) Net current assets 170,673 94,160 103,373 101,272 Total assets less current liabilities 210,252 115,995 125,183 125,894 Creditors Amounts falling due after more than one year (38,607) (21,299) (14,194) (18,152) Net assets 171,645 94,696 110,989 107,742 Capital and reserves Called-up share capital 7,448 4,109 3,653 3,834 Share premium account 411,060 226,779 203,688 212,883 Other reserve 24,390 13,456 13,456 13,456 Profit and loss account (271,253) (149,648) (109,808) (122,431) Shareholders funds - all equity 171,645 94,696 110,989 107,742 This financial information has been prepared in accordance with UK GAAP. The dollar translations are solely for the convenience of the reader. CAMBRIDGE ANTIBODY TECHNOLOGY GROUP PLC Results for the NINE MONTHS ended 30 JUNE 2004 Consolidated Cash Flow Statement (unaudited) Nine months Nine months Nine months Year ended ended ended ended 30 September 30 June 2004 30 June 2004 30 June 2003 2003 Convenience translation US$000 £000 £000 £000 Net cash outflow from operations (41,512) (22,902) (21,213) (35,819) Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 5,501 3,035 4,497 5,095 Interest element of finance leases (111) (61) (28) (46) 5,390 2,974 4,469 5,049 Taxation - - 5,337 5,210 Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of intangible fixed assets - - (2,673) (2,673) Purchase of tangible fixed assets (1,321) (729) (4,948) (5,413) Sale of tangible fixed assets 2 1 4 4 (1,319) (728) (7,617) (8,082) Net cash outflow before management of liquid resources and financing (37,441) (20,656) (19,024) (33,642) Management of liquid resources 14,972 8,260 14,309 18,778 Financing Issue of ordinary share capital 25,686 14,171 1,186 10,562 Proceeds from new finance lease commitment - - 1,076 1,389 Capital elements of finance lease rental payments (468) (258) (161) (221) 25,218 13,913 2,101 11,730 Increase/(decrease) in cash 2,749 1,517 (2,614) (3,134) This financial information has been prepared in accordance with UK GAAP. The dollar translations are solely for the convenience of the reader. Notes to the financial information Accounting policies This financial information has been prepared in accordance with the policies set out in the statutory financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2003. Convenience translation The consolidated financial statements are presented in Sterling. The consolidated financial statements as of and for the period ended 30 June 2004 are also presented in US Dollars as a convenience translation. The Dollar amounts are presented solely for the convenience of the reader and have been calculated using an exchange rate of £1:US$1.8126, the noon buying rate as of 30 June 2004. No representation is made that the amounts could have been or could be converted into US Dollars at this or any other rates. Loss per share The loss per ordinary share and diluted loss per share are equal because share options are only included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share if their issue would decrease the net profit per share or increase the net loss per share. The calculation is based on information in the table shown below. Nine months Nine months Year ended ended ended 30 September 30 June 2004 30 June 2003 2003 Losses (£000) 28,381 26,477 39,191 Weighted average number of shares 40,787,824 36,369,209 36,440,993 The Company had ordinary shares in issue of 41,094,936 and a total of 2,115,999 ordinary shares under option as of 30 June 2004. Reconciliation of operating loss to operating cash outflow Nine months Nine months Nine months Year ended ended ended ended 30 September 30 June 2004 30 June 2004 30 June 2003 2003 Convenience translation US$000 £000 £000 £000 Operating loss (57,021) (31,458) (32,671) (46,124) Depreciation charge 3,883 2,142 2,263 2,989 Amortisation of intangible fixed assets 1,428 788 788 1,050 Amounts written off fixed asset 390 215 - - investments Loss on disposal of fixed assets - - 94 94 Shares received from MorphoSys - - - (3,589) Increase in debtors (219) (121) (812) (1,285) Increase in deferred income 8,184 4,515 6,665 10,597 Increase in creditors (excluding deferred 1,843 1,017 2,460 449 income) (41,512) (22,902) (21,213) (35,819) Analysis and reconciliation of net funds 1 October Cash flow Exchange 30 June 2004 2003 movement £000 £000 £000 £000 Cash at bank and in hand 1,056 1,858 (40) 2,874 Overdrafts (1,144) (341) - (1,485) 1,517 (40) Liquid resources 107,916 (8,260) - 99,656 Net cash and liquid resources 107,828 (6,743) (40) 101,045 Finance leases (1,168) 258 - (910) Net funds 106,660 (6,485) (40) 100,135 Liquid resources shown above is included within short term investments on the Balance Sheet, which also includes a part of the investment in MorphoSys shares. Reconciliation of movements in group shareholders funds Nine months Year ended ended 30 September 30 June 2004 2003 £000 £000 Loss for the financial period (28,381) (39,191) Other recognised gains and losses relating to the period 1,164 606 (27,217) (38,585) New shares issued 14,171 10,562 Net decrease in shareholders funds (13,046) (28,023) Opening shareholders funds 107,742 135,765 Closing shareholders funds 94,696 107,742 Financial Statements The preceding information, comprising the Consolidated Profit and Loss Account, Consolidated Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses, Consolidated Balance Sheet, Consolidated Cash Flow Statement and associated notes, does not constitute the Companys statutory financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2003 within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985, but is derived from those financial statements. Results for the nine month periods ended 30 June 2004 and 30 June 2003 have not been audited. The results for the year ended 30 September 2003 have been extracted from the statutory financial statements which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies and upon which the auditors reported without qualification. The annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2003 are available from the Corporate Communications Department at the Companys registered office: Cambridge Antibody Technology Group plc Milstein Building Granta Park Cambridge CB1 6GH, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1223 471471 Quarterly financial information Three Three Three months months months ended 30 ended 31 ended 31 March 2004 December June 2004 2003 £000 £000 £000 Consolidated profit and loss account (unaudited): Turnover 1,650 4,650 3,818 Direct costs (4) (1,275) (248) Gross profit 1,646 3,375 3,570 Research and development expenses (10,543) (11,066) (10,420) General and administration expenses (2,540) (2,283) (3,197) Operating loss (11,437) (9,974) (10,047) Interest receivable (net) 1,024 1,070 983 Loss on ordinary activities before taxation (10,413) (8,904) (9,064) Taxation on loss on ordinary activities - - - Loss for the financial period (10,413) (8,904) (9,064) Consolidated cash flow statement (unaudited): Net cash outflow from operations (7,138) (8,355) (7,409) Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 798 1,032 1,205 Interest paid (18) (21) (22) 780 1,011 1,183 Taxation - - - Capital expenditure and financial investment Purchase of tangible fixed assets (130) (226) (373) Sale of tangible fixed assets 1 - - (129) (226) (373) Net cash outflow before management of liquid resources and financing (6,487) (7,570) (6,599) Management of liquid resources 7,705 5,241 (4,686) Financing Issue of ordinary share capital 56 235 13,880 Proceeds from new finance lease commitments - - - Capital elements of finance lease rental payments (88) (86) (84) (32) 149 13,796 Increase/(decrease) in cash 1,186 (2,180) 2,511 Notes to Editors Cambridge Antibody Technology (CAT): CAT is a biopharmaceutical company using its proprietary technologies and capabilities in human monoclonal antibodies for drug discovery and drug development. Based near Cambridge, UK, CAT currently employs around 270 people. CAT is a leader in the discovery and development of human therapeutic antibodies and has an advanced proprietary platform technology for rapidly isolating human monoclonal antibodies using phage display and ribosome display systems. CAT has extensive phage antibody libraries, currently incorporating more than 100 billion distinct antibodies. These libraries form the basis for the Companys strategy to develop a portfolio of antibody-based drugs. Four CAT human therapeutic antibody products are now at various stages of clinical development, with one further product candidate in pre-clinical development. HUMIRA, the leading CAT-derived antibody, isolated and optimised in collaboration with Abbott, has been approved for marketing as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in 51 countries. Six further licensed CAT-derived human therapeutic antibodies are in clinical development, with four further licensed product candidates in pre-clinical development. CAT has alliances with a number of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to discover, develop and commercialise human monoclonal antibody-based products. In particular, CAT has a broad collaboration with Genzyme for the development and commercialisation of antibodies directed against TGFbeta, a family of proteins associated with fibrosis and scarring. This collaboration has so far given rise to one antibody product candidate at clinical development stage, and one at pre-clinical development stage. CAT has also licensed its proprietary technologies to several companies. CATs licensees include: Abbott, Amgen, Chugai, Genzyme, Human Genome Sciences, Merck & Co, Pfizer and Wyeth Research. CAT is listed on the London Stock Exchange and on NASDAQ. CAT raised £41m in its IPO in March 1997 and £93m in a secondary offering in March 2000. Application of the Safe Harbor of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains statements about Cambridge Antibody Technology Group plc ("CAT") that are forward looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release may be forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the companys present and future business strategies and the environment in which the company will operate in the future. Certain factors that could cause the companys actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements include: market conditions, CATs ability to enter into and maintain collaborative arrangements, success of product candidates in clinical trials, regulatory developments and competition. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on the forward looking statements contained in this press release. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise the statements. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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