Document




UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 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):  August 1, 2018
OPHTHOTECH CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware
 
001-36080
 
20-8185347
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
One Penn Plaza, 35th Floor
New York, NY 10119
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (212) 845-8200
 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 240.14d-2(b))
o                                    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company    o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.     o





Item 2.02.  Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On August 1, 2018, Ophthotech Corporation announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2018.  The full text of the press release issued in connection with the announcement is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
The information in this Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99.1) shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)                                 Exhibits:
The following exhibit relating to Item 2.02 shall be deemed to be furnished, and not filed:
99.1 Press Release dated August 1, 2018


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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.

 
OPHTHOTECH CORPORATION
 
 
Date: August 1, 2018
By:
/s/ David F. Carroll
 
 
David F. Carroll
 
 
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer


2



EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.
 
Description
 


3
Exhibit

https://cdn.kscope.io/ab01c0330b6c2808ceb9305835e9c2c8-ophtq218earningsresul_image1.jpg

Ophthotech Reports Second Quarter 2018
Financial and Operating Results

(Conference Call and Webcast Today, August 1, 2018, at 8:00 a.m. ET)


NEW YORK, NY, August 1, 2018 – Ophthotech Corporation (Nasdaq: OPHT) today announced financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 and provided a business update.

“During the first half of the year, we continued implementing our strategy to broaden and advance our ophthalmic portfolio as we enter the emerging field of gene therapy by securing collaborations with three leading academic institutions, and continued advancing our therapeutic portfolio with Zimura®,” stated Glenn P. Sblendorio, Chief Executive Officer and President of Ophthotech. “Looking ahead to the remainder of 2018, we expect to report data for our Phase 2a clinical trial for Zimura combination therapy with anti-VEGF in wet-age related macular degeneration (AMD), complete recruitment for our Phase 2b clinical trial for Zimura monotherapy in geographic atrophy secondary to dry AMD and potentially enter into new opportunities to further expand our portfolio in both therapeutics and gene therapies for retinal diseases.”

First Half 2018: Key Highlights

Zimura® Complement Factor C5 Inhibitor Program

In April 2018, the Company completed patient recruitment in its randomized, dose-ranging, open-label, uncontrolled, multi-center Phase 2a clinical trial of Zimura (avacincaptad pegol) in combination with the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agent Lucentis® (ranibizumab) in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who have not been previously treated with anti-VEGF therapies. This trial is designed to assess the safety of Zimura combination therapy at different dosages and to detect a potential efficacy signal. Data will be evaluated at month six and initial top-line data is expected to be available by the end of 2018.

Patient recruitment for the Company’s ongoing randomized, double-masked, sham controlled, multi-center Phase 2b clinical trial of Zimura for the treatment of geographic atrophy secondary to dry AMD is on track. The Company expects to complete recruitment in the third quarter of this year with initial top-line data expected to be available during the second half of 2019.

In January 2018, the Company started enrolling patients in a Phase 2b randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled, multi-center clinical trial assessing the efficacy and safety of Zimura in patients with autosomal recessive Stargardt disease (STGD1). Initial top-line data is expected to be available in 2020.




Gene Therapy Programs

The Company has initiated an innovative gene therapy program focused on applying novel gene therapy technology to discover and develop new therapies for ocular diseases.
 
o
In June 2018, the Company entered into an exclusive global license agreement with the University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated and the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) for rights to develop and commercialize a novel adeno-associated virus gene therapy product candidate for the treatment of rhodopsin-mediated autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RHO-adRP), an orphan monogenic disease. The construct for the RHO-adRP product candidate combines a transgene expressing a highly efficient novel short hairpin RNA (shRNA) designed to target and knock-down endogenous rhodopsin (RHO) in a mutation-independent manner with a human RHO replacement transgene made resistant to RNA interference, in a single adeno-associated viral (AAV 2/5) vector. Ophthotech and Penn have also entered into a master sponsored research agreement, facilitated by the Penn Center for Innovation, pursuant to which Ophthotech and Penn plan to conduct natural history studies in RHO-adRP patients and additional preclinical studies. In parallel with the sponsored research, Ophthotech plans to commence IND-enabling activities. Based on current timelines and subject to regulatory review, Ophthotech expects to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in RHO-adRP in 2020.

o
In February 2018, the Company entered into a series of sponsored research agreements with the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) and its Horae Gene Therapy Center to utilize their next generation “minigene” therapy approach for the potential treatment of orphan degenerative retinal diseases such as Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) type 10 due to CEP290 mutations (the most common type of LCA), and autosomal recessive Stargardt disease (STGD1) due to ABCA4 mutations. Further, the Company and UMMS are also evaluating novel gene delivery methods to target retinal diseases. UMMS has granted Ophthotech an option to obtain an exclusive license to any patent or patent applications that result from this research.

2018 Operational Update

As of June 30, 2018, the Company had $146 million in cash and cash equivalents.
The Company estimates that its year end 2018 cash and cash equivalents will range between $112 million and $117 million based on its current 2018 business plan and planned capital expenditures. This estimate includes continuation of the Company’s development programs for Zimura® and RHO-adRP gene therapy product candidate and the continuation of the Company’s collaborative gene therapy research programs as currently planned.

This estimate does not reflect any additional expenditures resulting from the potential in-licensing or acquisition of additional product candidates or technologies or associated development that the Company may pursue.


2018 Financial Highlights

Revenues: The Company did not have any collaboration revenue for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2018, compared to $1.7 million and $3.3 million for the same periods



in 2017. Collaboration revenue decreased due to the completion of the Company’s deliverables under its previous licensing and commercialization agreement with Novartis Pharma AG and the recognition of all associated deferred revenue during the third quarter of 2017.

R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $8.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, compared to $15.7 million for the same period in 2017.  For the six months ended June 30, 2018, research and development expenses were $16.2 million compared to $47.6 million for 2017. As the Company pursues its ongoing and planned Zimura and gene therapy development programs, research and development expenses decreased primarily due to decreases in expenses related to the discontinuation of the Company’s Fovista Phase 3 clinical program and decreases in costs associated with the Company’s 2017 reduction in personnel program.
                  
G&A Expenses:  General and administrative expenses were $6.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, compared to $8.6 million for the same period in 2017. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, general and administrative expenses were $12.0 million compared to $21.7 million for 2017. General and administrative expenses decreased primarily due to decreases in costs to support the Company’s operations and infrastructure and decreases in costs associated with its 2017 reduction in personnel program, which includes facilities lease termination expenses incurred during the first quarter of 2017.

Net Loss: The Company reported a net loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 of $13.2 million, or ($0.37) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $22.2 million, or ($0.62) per diluted share, for the same period in 2017. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company reported a net loss of $26.3 million, or ($0.73) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $65.3 million, or ($1.82) per diluted share, for the same period in 2017.

Conference Call/Web Cast Information
Ophthotech will host a conference call/webcast to discuss the Company’s financial and operating results and provide a business update. The call is scheduled for August 1, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in this conference call, dial 800-458-4121 (USA) or 323-794-2597 (International), passcode 3698278. A live, listen-only audio webcast of the conference call can be accessed on the Investor Relations section of the Ophthotech website at: www.ophthotech.com. A replay will be available approximately two hours following the live call for two weeks. The replay number is 888-203-1112 (USA Toll Free), passcode 3698278.

About Ophthotech Corporation
Ophthotech is a science-driven biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of novel therapies to treat ophthalmic diseases, with a focus on age-related and orphan retinal diseases. For more information, please visit www.ophthotech.com.

Forward-looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about Ophthotech’s future expectations, plans and prospects constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include any statements about Ophthotech’s strategy, future operations and future expectations and plans and prospects for Ophthotech, and any other statements containing the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend”, “goal,” “may”, “might,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” and similar expressions. In this press release, Ophthotech’s forward looking statements include statements about the implementation of its strategic plan, Ophthotech's projected use of cash and



cash balances, the timing, progress and results of clinical trials and other research and development activities, the potential utility of its product candidates and the potential for its business development strategy, including its collaborative gene therapy research programs and any potential in-license or acquisition opportunities. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause Ophthotech’s clinical development programs, future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, those related to the initiation and the conduct and design of research programs and clinical trials, availability of data from these programs, expectations for regulatory matters, need for additional financing and negotiation and consummation of in-license and/or acquisition transactions and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section contained in the quarterly and annual reports that Ophthotech files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements represent Ophthotech’s views only as of the date of this press release. Ophthotech anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. While Ophthotech may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Ophthotech specifically disclaims any obligation to do so except as required by law.


OPHT-G

Contacts: Investors
Kathy Galante
Ophthotech Corporation
Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
212-845-8231
kathy.galante@ophthotech.com

Media
Alex Van Rees, 973-442-1555 ext. 111
SmithSolve LLC on behalf of Ophthotech Corporation
alex.vanrees@smithsolve.com




Ophthotech Corporation
Selected Financial Data (unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Three Months Ended June 30,
 
 Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Statements of Operations Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collaboration revenue
 
$

 
$
1,661

 
$

 
$
3,323

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Research and development
 
8,516

 
15,657

 
16,202

 
47,636

General and administrative
 
6,332

 
8,552

 
11,977

 
21,711

Total operating expenses
 
14,848

 
24,209

 
28,179

 
69,347

Loss from operations
 
(14,848
)
 
(22,548
)
 
(28,179
)
 
(66,024
)
Interest income
 
602

 
344

 
1,075

 
722

Other expense
 

 
(1
)
 
(16
)
 
(22
)
Loss before income tax provision (benefit)
 
(14,246
)
 
(22,205
)
 
(27,120
)
 
(65,324
)
Income tax provision (benefit)
 
(1,037
)
 
(1
)
 
(838
)
 
2

Net loss
 
$
(13,209
)
 
$
(22,204
)
 
$
(26,282
)
 
$
(65,326
)
Net loss per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted
 
$
(0.37
)
 
$
(0.62
)
 
$
(0.73
)
 
$
(1.82
)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted
 
36,188

 
35,858

 
36,171

 
35,831

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Balance Sheets Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities
 
$
145,991

 
$
66,972

 
 
 
 
Total assets
 
151,661

 
175,576

 
 
 
 
Royalty purchase liability
 
125,000

 
125,000

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities
 
134,131

 
137,535

 
 
 
 
Additional paid-in capital
 
528,530

 
522,759

 
 
 
 
Accumulated deficit
 
(511,036
)
 
(484,754
)
 
 
 
 
Total stockholders' equity
 
$
17,530

 
$
38,041