DURHAM, N.C., Aug. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Triangle Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIRS) today reported financial
results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2002.
For the quarter ended June 30, 2002, the Company reported a net loss of
$14,934,000, or ($0.19) per share, compared to a net loss of $21,163,000, or
($0.45) per share in the second quarter of 2001. For the six months ended
June 30, 2002, the Company reported a net loss of $16,720,000, or ($0.22) per
share, compared to a net loss of $44,021,000, or ($0.99) per share for the
same six-month period in 2001. Cash, cash equivalents and total investments
were $82,190,000 on June 30, 2002, compared to $108,155,000 on
December 31, 2001.
Revenues for the second quarter of 2002 were $1,035,000 compared to
$1,744,000 for the second quarter of 2001, both periods reflecting
collaborative revenue recognized under the Company's strategic alliance with
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) which was terminated on July 30, 2002. Total
operating expenses were $16,529,000 for the second quarter of 2002 as compared
to $23,907,000 for the second quarter of 2001.
For the six months ended June 30, 2002, the Company reported revenues of
$2,070,000, and operating expenses of $30,004,000, yielding a net loss of
$16,720,000, compared to revenue and operating expenses of $3,489,000 and
$49,550,000, yielding a net loss of $44,021,000 for the six months ended
June 30, 2001. The significant reduction in Triangle's 2002 net loss is
primarily the result of significantly reduced operating expenses due to the
August 2001 corporate restructuring, and the receipt of a $10,000,000 key-man
insurance policy payment.
Daniel G. Welch, newly appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Triangle commented, "This is a very exciting time for Triangle. The position
of the Company has significantly strengthened as a result of several important
and recent developments:
* On July 30, we announced the early unblinding of Study FTC-301 in which
Coviracil(R), our lead compound, demonstrated a significant advantage
over the comparator, Zerit(R) (stavudine);
* We made excellent progress during the quarter on the preparation of our
regulatory submissions for Coviracil in HIV and plan to submit our NDA
in September and make our European submission before the end of this
year;
* We successfully reacquired the rights to all of our compounds from
Abbott Laboratories, a development that we view as strongly positive for
our future."
Mr. Welch continued, "The Triangle management team is very enthusiastic
about our recent progress and we will focus our time to capitalize on the
opportunities presented by these positive developments and prepare Triangle
for the commercialization of Coviracil."
Chris A. Rallis, President and Chief Operating Officer, commenting on the
results said, "We are pleased that we have curtailed the Company's six-month
operating expenses by 40% compared to the first two quarters of 2001, yet are
steadily advancing the Company's development programs. The cost reduction
efforts implemented in the third quarter of last year have helped us conserve
cash and put Triangle in a much more favorable financial position to
commercialize Coviracil." He added, "Although the increased expenses we
expect to incur as a result of the termination of the strategic alliance with
Abbott Laboratories will increase our cash usage projection for fiscal 2002 to
approximately $64 million, the benefits of reacquiring all rights to our drug
candidates, including all profits, have created an excellent opportunity for
the Company and its shareholders."
A conference call to discuss the information contained in this press
release will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. EDT.
Interested parties in the U.S. may join the call toll free by dialing
1-877-679-9051. International callers may join the call by dialing 1-952-556-
2804. The call will be Webcast on the Triangle Pharmaceuticals website at
http://www.tripharm.com and archived for replay on our site for one week after the
call.
Triangle Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company
engaged in the development of new antiviral drug candidates, with a particular
focus on therapies for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the
hepatitis B virus. Triangle's proprietary drug candidates under development
for HIV and/or hepatitis B include Coviracil(R) (emtricitabine), amdoxovir
(formerly DAPD), and clevudine (formerly L-FMAU). Triangle is also developing
immunotherapies for hepatitis B in collaboration with Dynavax Technologies
Corporation (Dynavax) utilizing Dynavax' immunostimulatory sequence (ISS)
technology. More information about Triangle's portfolio, management and
product development strategy is available on Triangle's website.
Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are
forward-looking statements and are subject to numerous risks and
uncertainties, including the risk that we may not be able to obtain adequate
funding or support to optimally progress our development programs or that we
may not submit our Coviracil NDA and other submission packages as planned.
Moreover, future events or changes in our drug development strategies may
impact the timing and degree of actual spending. Additionally, other risks
include the fact that clinical trials for our drug candidates may not proceed
as planned and regulatory submissions for those drug candidates may be
delayed, the Company may be unable to successfully complete pivotal clinical
trials or its trials could be halted or terminated by regulatory authorities,
its inability to commercialize amdoxovir and ISS-based therapies due to patent
rights held by third parties, its ability to obtain additional funding
(including the ability to access the Abbott lines of credit), its ability to
obtain patent protection and required regulatory approvals for its drug
candidates, the development of competitive products by others, the cost of
coactive therapy and the extent to which coactive therapy achieves market
acceptance, the Company's success in identifying new drug candidates,
acquiring rights to the candidates on favorable terms and developing any
candidates to which the Company acquires any rights, and that the Company's
collaborations with third parties may not prove successful. These and other
risks are discussed in detail from time to time in the Company's filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result of these and other risks
and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those predicted
in this press release. The Company disclaims any obligations to update any
forward-looking statements in this press release.
- Financial chart follows -
TRIANGLE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(A Development Stage Company)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
2002 2001 2002 2001
Total revenues $1,035 $1,744 $2,070 $3,489
Operating expenses:
License fees 109 858 218 1,953
Development 14,808 20,798 26,771 42,638
Selling, general and
administrative 1,612 2,251 3,015 4,959
Total operating
expenses 16,529 23,907 30,004 49,550
Loss from operations (15,494) (22,163) (27,934) (46,061)
Gain (Loss) on
investments, net 2 (13) 5 67
Interest income, net 558 1,013 1,209 1,973
Other income -- -- 10,000 --
Net loss $(14,934) $(21,163) $(16,720) $(44,021)
Basic and diluted net loss
per common share $(0.19) $(0.45) $(0.22) $(0.99)
Shares used in computing basic and
diluted net loss per
common share 76,855 47,331 76,846 44,326
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
(In Thousands)
June 30, 2002 December 31, 2001
(Unaudited)
Cash, cash equivalents and investments $82,190 $108,155
Working capital 48,797 54,148
Total assets 87,215 114,165
Total stockholders' equity 47,245 63,953
Shares of common stock outstanding 76,862 76,829
SOURCE Triangle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.tripharm.com
CONTACT:
Mr. Daniel G. Welch, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, +1-919-493-5980, or Mr. Chris A. Rallis,
President and Chief Operating Officer, +1-919-493-5980, both of
Triangle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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