UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC  20549

 

 

 

 

FORM 8-K 

 

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 9, 2012

 

 

 

PEREGRINE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   0-17085   95-3698422
(State of other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer
Identification No.)
         
14282 Franklin Avenue, Tustin, California 92780
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
         
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (714) 508-6000
 
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):

 

o            Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425).

o            Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14A-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR.14d-2(b))

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 

 
 

 

ITEM 2.02 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

On March 9, 2012, Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. issued a press release to report the Company’s financial results for the third quarter ended January 31, 2012. A copy of the press release is attached to this current report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1. No additional information is included in this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

The information included in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including the exhibit hereto, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in, any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

ITEM 7.01 REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

 

On March 9, 2012, at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT, the Company hosted a conference call to discuss its third quarter fiscal year 2012 financial results. The webcast of the conference call will be archived on the Company’s website for approximately 30 days.

 

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

 

(d) Exhibits. The following material is filed as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K:

 

 

Exhibit

Number

 

99.1 Press Release issued March 9, 2012

 

2
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

  PEREGRINE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
   
   
   
Date: March 9, 2012 By: /s/ Paul J. Lytle
         Paul J. Lytle
         Chief Financial Officer

 

3
 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit  
Number Description
   
99.1 Press Release issued March 9, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

 

 

Contact:

Christopher Keenan or Jay Carlson

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(800) 987-8256

info@peregrineinc.com

 

peregrine pharmaceuticals reports THIRD quarter Fiscal YEAR 2012 financial results and recent developments

 

-- Data From Seven Ongoing Bavituximab Clinical Trials Expected Throughout 2012 --

 

TUSTIN, CA, March 9, 2012 - Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: PPHM), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended January 31, 2012 of fiscal year (FY) 2012 and provided an update on its advancing clinical pipeline and other corporate developments.

 

“This quarter we continued to advance our clinical programs toward a number of significant milestones with the potential to build considerable value in our bavituximab clinical programs, our Cotara clinical program and at our contract manufacturing subsidiary Avid Bioservices,” said Steven W. King, president and chief executive officer of Peregrine. “We expect the remainder of 2012 to yield a significant number of clinical data points from our Phase II trials in front and second-line non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and preliminary results from all four investigator-sponsored trials in various cancers, including data from three of these studies that will be presented at the upcoming AACR meeting in early April. We are also continuing our discussions regarding possible registration trial designs for Cotara with the FDA and we expect FY 2012 to be a record revenue year for our Avid Bioservices business, an indicator of the success of our highly-valued customers. As such, we are increasing our revenue guidance to within the range of $14 to $16 million for the full fiscal year.”


ONCOLOGY PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Bavituximab Phase II NSCLC Trials

This morning, Peregrine announced top-line overall response rate (ORR) and current median progression free survival (PFS) estimates from its phase II trial comparing bavituximab plus carboplatin and paclitaxel versus carboplatin and paclitaxel alone in patients with front-line Stage IIIb and Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Based on these reported data, the next important data points that will allow us to plan the next steps in our clinical development strategy of bavituximab for NSCLC include, but are not limited to median overall survival (“OS”) data from the front-line NSCLC study which is expected in the second half of calendar year 2012, data from our second-line NSCLC study which is expected in the first half of calendar year 2012 and data from an ongoing investigator sponsored trial (IST) evaluating bavituximab in combination with pemetrexed and carboplatin in front-line NSCLC which is expected during calendar year 2012.

 

Peregrine is also conducting a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial in 121 second-line NSCLC patients evaluating bavituximab in combination with docetaxel versus placebo plus docetaxel. The trial is expected to be unblinded in the first half of 2012 to assess the trial’s primary endpoint, overall response rates, according to RECIST criteria. Secondary endpoints, including PFS and OS will be reported once these data-driven events are reached.

 

Bavituximab Phase II Pancreatic Cancer Trial

Patient enrollment is progressing in a randomized Phase II trial in up to 70 advanced pancreatic cancer patients evaluating bavituximab plus gemcitabine versus gemcitabine alone. Patient enrollment is expected to be completed this year and interim data reported during 2012.

 

 
 

 

Bavituximab Investigator-Sponsored Trials (IST)

Patient enrollment is continuing in four ISTs evaluating bavituximab plus standard therapies in patients with HER-2 negative advanced metastatic breast cancer, advanced NSCLC, advanced liver cancer, and castration resistant advanced prostate cancer. These trials are designed to explore bavituximab’s broad potential in additional treatment combinations and oncology indications. Peregrine is scheduled to present initial data from the breast cancer, NSCLC and liver cancer trials at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) being held March 31-April 4, 2012.


Cotara® Clinical Program

Peregrine’s single-administration approach to treating recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) has shown encouraging 9.3 month median overall survival data from a Phase II trial in 41 patients. Discussions between Peregrine and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are ongoing with the goal of negotiating a pivotal trial which can be executed in 2 years or less in this orphan indication. Once a final protocol has been designed, Peregrine intends to seek partners both in the U.S. and internationally to support the development of Cotara for this deadly form of brain cancer.

 

ANTIVIRAL PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Bavituximab Phase II HCV Program

In December, Peregrine announced preliminary data from a randomized Phase II trial evaluating bavituximab plus ribavirin versus pegylated interferon alpha-2A, plus ribavirin in patients infected with genotype-1 chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). Analysis of data from the 12-week trial indicated that the combination of bavituximab and ribavirin appeared safe and well tolerated, with patients reporting fewer side effects than in the interferon-containing arm. The trial also indicated that both dose levels of bavituximab with ribavirin demonstrated antiviral activity, with a higher early viral response (EVR) rate in patients receiving the 0.3 mg/kg dosing level. While the EVR rate was greatest in the interferon-containing group by the end of the study, based on the nature of late EVR development in the bavituximab containing arms, a longer-term evaluation is needed to adequately compare the effectiveness of bavituximab versus interferon. Peregrine is seeking a partner to further advance the program.

 

CORPORATE

Last week, Peregrine announced that seven posters were accepted for presentation at the AACR Annual Meeting being held March 31- April 4, 2012. These posters include initial clinical data from three ISTs of bavituximab in NSCLC, liver and breast cancers, as well as preclinical work in the areas of prostate cancer and tumor imaging.

 

FINANCIAL RESULTS

Total revenues for the third quarter of FY 2012 were $3,281,000, compared to $2,883,000 for the same quarter of the prior fiscal year. This increase was primarily attributable to higher contract manufacturing revenue generated by Peregrine’s biomanufacturing subsidiary Avid Bioservices. Contract manufacturing revenue was $3,203,000 for the third quarter of FY 2012, compared to $1,922,000 for the same quarter of the prior fiscal year. Based on services underway and expected to complete during the remainder of FY 2012, Peregrine is revising its guidance for contract manufacturing revenue to between $14 and $16 million for FY 2012. Avid will also continue to utilize available capacity and resources as it prepares for future clinical development and potential commercialization of bavituximab and Cotara, while also seeking to grow its services from third-party clients.

 

Total costs and expenses in the third quarter of FY 2012 were $14,374,000, compared to $11,726,000 in the third quarter of FY 2011. The increase primarily was attributable to higher research and development expenses to advance Peregrine’s multiple randomized Phase II bavituximab clinical trials in addition to increased manufacturing costs as we prepare bavituximab and Cotara for commercial scale manufacturing. For the third quarter FY 2012, research and development expenses were $9,180,000 compared to $7,053,000 for the third quarter of FY 2011.

 

Peregrine's consolidated net loss was $11,093,000, or $0.13 per basic and diluted share, for the third quarter of FY 2012, compared to a net loss of $8,929,000, or $0.14 per basic and diluted share, for the same quarter of the prior year.

 
 

 

Peregrine reported $19,761,000 in cash and cash equivalents at January 31, 2012, compared to $18,055,000 at October 31, 2011.

 

More detailed financial information and analysis may be found in Peregrine's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission today.

 

Conference Call

Peregrine will host a conference call and webcast today, March 9, 2012, at 4:30 PM ET (1:30 PM PT).

 

-- To listen to the conference call, please dial (877) 312-5443 or (253) 237-1126 and request the Peregrine Pharmaceuticals call. A replay of the call will be available starting approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call through March 16, 2012 by calling (855) 859-2056, or (404) 537-3406 and using passcode 52089710.

-- To listen to the live webcast, or access the archived webcast, please visit: http://ir.peregrineinc.com/events.cfm

 

About Peregrine Pharmaceuticals

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of innovative monoclonal antibodies in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. The company is pursuing multiple clinical programs in cancer and hepatitis C virus infection with its lead product candidate bavituximab and novel brain cancer agent Cotara®. Peregrine also has in-house cGMP manufacturing capabilities through its wholly-owned subsidiary Avid Bioservices, Inc. (www.avidbio.com), which provides development and biomanufacturing services for both Peregrine and outside customers. Additional information about Peregrine can be found at www.peregrineinc.com.

 

Safe Harbor Statement: Statements in this press release which are not purely historical, including statements regarding Peregrine Pharmaceuticals' intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations, representations, projections, plans or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the risk the company may experience delays in reporting data from clinical trials, the risk that the results of the Phase II clinical trials may not correlate with the results from prior clinical and preclinical studies, the risk that the company may not have or be able to raise sufficient financial resources to complete the Phase II trials, the risk that Avid's revenue growth may slow or decline, the risk that Avid may experience technical difficulties in processing customer orders which could delay delivery of products to customers and receipt of payment, and the risk that one or more existing Avid customers terminates its contract prior to completion. It is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, uncertainties associated with completing preclinical and clinical trials for our technologies; the early stage of product development; the significant costs to develop our products as all of our products are currently in development, preclinical studies or clinical trials; obtaining additional financing to support our operations and the development of our products; obtaining regulatory approval for our technologies; anticipated timing of regulatory filings and the potential success in gaining regulatory approval and complying with governmental regulations applicable to our business. Our business could be affected by a number of other factors, including the risk factors listed from time to time in the company's SEC reports including, but not limited to, the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2011 and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 2012. The company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. disclaims any obligation, and does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this press release.

 

 
 

 

PEREGRINE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

 

  THREE MONTHS ENDED
JANUARY 31,
  NINE MONTHS ENDED
JANUARY 31,
 
  2012  2011  2012  2011 
  Unaudited  Unaudited  Unaudited  Unaudited 
REVENUES:                
Contract manufacturing revenue $3,203,000  $1,922,000  $12,796,000  $6,532,000 
Government contract revenue  -   882,000   -   3,959,000 
License revenue  78,000   79,000   372,000   272,000 
    Total revenues  3,281,000   2,883,000   13,168,000   10,763,000 
                 
COSTS AND EXPENSES:                
Cost of contract manufacturing  2,484,000   1,726,000   9,219,000   5,885,000 
Research and development  9,180,000   7,053,000   26,758,000   21,464,000 
Selling, general and administrative  2,710,000   2,947,000   8,371,000   8,147,000 
    Total costs and expenses  14,374,000   11,726,000   44,348,000   35,496,000 
                 
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS  (11,093,000)  (8,843,000)  (31,180,000)  (24,733,000)
                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                
Interest and other income  9,000   20,000   31,000   1,034,000 
Interest and other expense  (6,000)  (106,000)  (88,000)  (438,000)
                 
NET LOSS $(11,090,000) $(8,929,000) $(31,237,000) $(24,137,000)
                 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:  

 

 

       

 

 

     
Basic and Diluted  87,149,770   64,374,282   78,443,114   58,497,756 
                 
BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER COMMON SHARE $(0.13) $(0.14) $(0.40) $(0.41)

 

 
 

 

PEREGRINE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

  JANUARY 31,
2012
  APRIL 30,
2011
 
  Unaudited    
ASSETS        
CURRENT ASSETS:        
Cash and cash equivalents $19,761,000  $23,075,000 
Trade and other receivables, net  2,078,000   1,389,000 
Government contract receivables  -   93,000 
Inventories, net  2,744,000   5,284,000 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net  1,238,000   974,000 
Total current assets  25,821,000   30,815,000 
Property, net  2,659,000   2,209,000 
Other assets  960,000   1,742,000 
TOTAL ASSETS $29,440,000  $34,766,000 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Accounts payable $3,940,000  $4,046,000 
Accrued clinical trial and related fees  3,042,000   2,292,000 
Accrued payroll and related costs  2,098,000   1,455,000 
Notes payable, current portion and net of discount  -   1,321,000 
Deferred revenue  2,552,000   5,617,000 
Customer deposits  2,463,000   1,759,000 
Other current liabilities  1,104,000   1,189,000 
Total current liabilities  15,199,000   17,679,000 
Deferred revenue  523,000   632,000 
Other long-term liabilities  813,000   1,037,000 
Commitments and contingencies        
         
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:        
Preferred stock-$0.001 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares; non-voting; nil shares outstanding  -   - 
Common stock-$0.001 par value; authorized 325,000,000 shares; outstanding – 93,146,226 and 69,837,142, respectively  93,000   70,000 
Additional paid-in capital  340,054,000   311,353,000 
Accumulated deficit  (327,242,000)  (296,005,000)
Total stockholders’ equity  12,905,000   15,418,000 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $29,440,000  $34,766,000 

 

 

 

 

 

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