Conference Call/Webcast to be Held Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 10:00 AM EDT
CEDAR KNOLLS, N.J., May 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Emisphere
Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: EMIS) today announced its financial results for
the first quarter ended March 31, 2008.
Emisphere will host a conference call to discuss first quarter results
at 10:00 AM EDT Wednesday, May 7, 2008. A live Webcast of the conference
call can be accessed through the company's Web site at: http://www.emisphere.com.
The live conference call dial-in number is: 1-800-895-0198 (United States
and Canada) or 1-785-424-1053 (International). In addition, an archive of
the Webcast can be accessed through the same link; an audio replay of the
call will be available following the conference call by calling
1-800-688-7036 (United States and Canada) or 1-402-220-1346
(International).
Emisphere will conduct its Annual Stockholders Meeting on Thursday, May
8, 2008, at the Westin Governor Morris Inn, Two Whippany Road, Morristown,
New Jersey at 10:00 AM EDT.
FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS
Emisphere reported a net loss of $3.9 million, or $0.13 per basic share
and $0.13 per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, compared
to a net loss of $3.9 million, or $0.14 per basic share and $0.26 diluted
share for the quarter ended March 31, 2007. The first quarter operating
loss was $6.5 million, compared to an operating loss of $7.1 million for
the same period last year.
Total operating expenses were $6.6 million for the quarter ended March
31, 2008, a decrease of $3.3 million, or 33%, compared to the same period
last year. Total operating expenses include research and development costs
of $3.8 million and general and administrative expenses of $2.7 million
compared to $5.5 million and $4.1 million respectively, in the period
ending March 31, 2007. Other income for the first quarter of 2008 was $2.5
million, compared to other income of $3.2 million in the first quarter of
2007.
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments as of March 31, 2008 were $9.9
million compared to $13.9 million at March 31, 2007.
The Company anticipates that its existing capital resources are
sufficient to enable it to continue operations through August 2008.
"Emisphere continues to implement aggressive cost controls to conserve our
cash," said Michael V. Novinski, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We
believe that by mid-year we will be able to announce partnerships that will
enable us to fund the company for some time going forward."
CORPORATE AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENTS
Emisphere recently announced that preclinical studies using dogs
further demonstrate that its proprietary eligen(R) technology enhances the
absorption of oral B12. These data confirm in a second animal species
Emisphere's earlier reported proof of concept studies conducted in rats.
"These additional studies are an important milestone in our plans to
commercialize our eligen(R) technology," said Novinski. "Most importantly,
the data is useful to us as we move forward with clinical human trials,
which should begin in June 2008. A safe, effective, and better-absorbed
oral formulation of vitamin B12 will enable us to move towards commercial
success and, ultimately, profits."
There are at least five million people in the United States receiving
40 million B12 injections annually to treat a variety of debilitating
medical conditions, and over 600 million tablets of B12 of various
strengths are sold in the United States annually. The company believes that
40 million injections suggests a need for an oral B12 preparation that can
deliver therapeutic levels of B12, and that the megadoses being consumed as
tablets are further evidence of this need.
Emisphere has two Phase III product candidates based on the compound
salmon calcitonin in collaboration with Novartis Pharma AG and its
development partner, Nordic Bioscience. One product is being tested for the
prevention of osteoporosis and the other product for the prevention of
osteoarthritis. The osteoarthritis product has the potential to be the
first disease-modifying drug that could halt progression of the illness,
rather than treating symptoms. Both product candidates use Emisphere's
eligen(R) delivery technology to provide salmon calcitonin as a convenient
oral medication. There will be over 5000 patients enrolled in Phase III
trials for these products by mid-year.
Emisphere has two product candidates in Phase II, oral heparin and oral
insulin, about which the Company is conducting an ongoing evaluation of
strategic options. The Company will provide updates as more information
emerges.
Emisphere has six product candidates in Phase I:
-- Genta Incorporated began a Phase I clinical study of oral gallium in
the third quarter of 2007;
-- A research partner has conducted Phase I studies of acyclovir; we and
our partner are reviewing the data from that program to determine
future steps;
-- Satiety and oral glucose challenge studies for both GLP-1 and PYY were
started in humans with data expected during the second quarter of this
year; and
-- Parathyroid hormone and human growth hormone are in development in
collaboration with Novartis Pharma AG
Emisphere conducts a variety of preclinical research and development
programs, both in collaboration with pharmaceutical and biotechnology
companies and independently. These programs are subject to ongoing review
to determine whether the projects should continue and whether the
independent projects are appropriate for further development or licensing.
ABOUT EMISPHERE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Emisphere Technologies, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that
focuses on a unique and improved delivery of therapeutic molecules and
pharmaceutical compounds using its eligen(R) Technology. Some of these
molecules or compounds can only be given by injection; when combined with
our technology; convenient oral versions may be safe, effective and provide
significant advantages. The benefits of other compounds are limited due to
poor bioavailability, slow on-set of action or variable absorption. In
those cases, use of Emisphere's technology can improve the therapeutic
effectiveness of the compounds. The eligen(R) technology can be applied to
the oral route of administration as well other delivery pathways, such as
buccal, per rectum, pulmonary, intra-vaginal or transdermal. The web site
is: http://www.emisphere.com.
Safe Harbor Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The statements in this release and oral statements made by
representatives of Emisphere relating to matters that are not historical
facts (including without limitation those regarding potential third party
collaborations, future performance or financial results, the timing or
potential outcomes of research collaborations or clinical trials, any
market that might develop for any of Emisphere's product candidates and the
sufficiency of Emisphere's cash and other capital resources) are
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including,
but not limited to, the likelihood that one or more potential third party
collaborations may not be consummated, that actual performance or results
could materially differ, that future research will prove successful, the
likelihood that any product in the research pipeline will receive
regulatory approval in the United States or abroad, the ability of
Emisphere and/or its partners to develop, manufacture and commercialize
products using Emisphere's drug delivery technology, or Emisphere's ability
to fund such efforts with or without partners. Emisphere undertakes no
obligation to update any of these statements. Readers are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only
as to the date hereof. Accordingly any forward-looking statements should be
read in conjunction with the additional risks and uncertainties detailed in
Emisphere's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including
those factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in Emisphere's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, filed
on May 7, 2008.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)
For the three months ended
March 31,
2008 2007
Revenue $154 $2,809
Costs and expenses:
Research and development 3,832 5,451
General and administrative expenses 2,693 4,145
Gain on disposal of fixed assets (135) -
Depreciation and amortization 226 315
Total costs and expenses 6,616 9,911
Operating income (loss) (6,462) (7,102)
Other income (expense):
Other income 99 314
Sale of patents 1,500 -
Change in fair value of
derivative instruments 1,493 3,524
Interest expense, net (572) (624)
Total other income 2,520 3,214
Net loss $(3,942) $(3,888)
Net loss per share, basic $(0.13) $(0.14)
Net loss per share, diluted $(0.13) $(0.26)
Weighted average shares
outstanding, basic 30,336,928 28,311,744
Weighted average shares
outstanding, diluted 30,336,928 28,618,574
EMISPHERE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
March 31, December 31,
2008 2007
(unaudited)
Assets:
Current assets:
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments $9,858 $13,854
Accounts receivable 127 240
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 828 1,035
Total current assets 10,813 15,129
Equipment and leasehold improvements, net 1,946 2,074
Purchased technology, net 1,495 1,555
Restricted cash 246 246
Other assets 465 477
Total assets $14,965 $19,481
Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit:
Current liabilities $3,832 $5,507
Notes payable 28,013 27,320
Other long term liabilities 357 328
Stockholders' deficit (17,237) (13,674)
Total liabilities and
stockholders' deficit $14,965 $19,481
SOURCE Emisphere Technologies, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.emisphere.com/
CONTACT:
Bob Madison, Senior Director Corporate
Communications, +1-973-532-8001, bmadison@emisphere.com; or Adam
Friedman, Adam Friedman Associates, +1-212-981-2529, ext. 18,
adam@adam-friedman.com
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