Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.
Point Richmond Tech Center
501 Canal Boulevard
Richmond, CA 94804
[SANGAMO LOGO] 510-970-6000 o 510-236-8951(Fax)
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SANGAMO BIOSCIENCES REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR
2009 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Company Ends Year with Cash and Investments of $85.3 Million
Richmond, California - February 3, 2010 - Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:
SGMO) today reported fourth quarter and full year 2009 financial results and
accomplishments and provided an outlook for 2010.
For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009, Sangamo reported a consolidated
net loss of $2.4 million, or $0.05 per share, compared to a net loss of $2.6
million, or $0.06 per share, for the same period in 2008. As of December 31,
2009, the company had cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and interest
receivable of $85.3 million.
Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $10.2 million, compared to $6.8
million for the same period in 2008. Fourth quarter 2009 revenues were from the
Company's collaboration agreements with Sigma-Aldrich Corporation and Dow
AgroSciences, enabling technology agreements and research grants. The revenue
recognized for the fourth quarter of 2009 consisted of $10.2 million in
collaboration agreements and $70,000 in research grants. The increase in
revenues was primarily due to the license payment of $15.0 million received from
Sigma-Aldrich as part of its expanded agreement with the Company which provides
Sigma exclusive rights to develop and distribute zinc finger DNA-binding protein
(ZFP)-modified cell lines for commercial production of protein pharmaceuticals
and ZFP-engineered transgenic animals. The payment is being recognized as
revenue over the remaining period of the Company's original research
collaboration with Sigma-Aldrich.
Research and development expenses were $8.7 million for the fourth quarter of
2009, compared to $6.7 million for the same period in 2008. The increase in
research and development expenses was primarily due to expenses related to the
initiation of new clinical trials, including a Phase 2b clinical study of SB-509
in moderately severe diabetic neuropathy (DN) and Sangamo's ZFP Therapeutic for
the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma, as well as the prosecution of clinical
trials for Sangamo's ZFP Therapeutic for HIV/AIDS and increased personnel costs,
including non-cash employee stock-based compensation.
General and administrative expenses were $4.0 million for the fourth quarter of
2009, compared to $2.3 million for the same period in 2008. The increase in
general and administrative expenses was primarily due to increased personnel
costs, including non-cash employee stock-based compensation, and professional
fees.
Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $12.7 million,
compared to $9.0 million for the same period in 2008.
Net interest income and other income / expense were recorded as income of
$22,000 for the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to an expense of $375,000 for
the same period in 2008. The increase was due to a foreign currency translation
loss during the prior year quarter.
Full Year Results
For the year ended December 31, 2009, the consolidated net loss was $18.6
million, or $0.44 per share, compared to a net loss of $24.3 million, or $0.60
per share, for the year ended December 31, 2008. Revenues were $22.2 million for
2009, compared to $16.2 million in 2008. The increase in revenues for 2009 was
primarily attributable to revenues from the Company's expanded agreement with
Sigma-Aldrich. Total operating expenses were $41.6 million in both 2009 and
2008.
2009 Accomplishments and Recent Highlights
Therapeutic Programs and Research
o Clinical Development Progress in Sangamo's Lead Therapeutic Program in
DN and Renewed Program Support from JDRF: In January 2010, Sangamo
initiated a Phase 2b trial of SB-509 in subjects with moderately severe
DN. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) also
renewed its support for this program and will provide up to $3.0
million of funding for the trial. Sangamo's double blind,
repeat-dosing, placebo controlled Phase 2b study, SB-509-901, is
designed to finalize dose, schedule and primary and secondary
approvable endpoints for pivotal Phase 3 trials. Inclusion criteria for
the trial are based upon accumulated data from Sangamo's earlier Phase
1 and Phase 2 clinical trials in subjects with DN that defined a
drug-responsive population. The data included top-line, statistically
significant data from the company's Phase 2 trial, SB-509-601, that
established a mechanistic proof of concept for the neuroregenerative
effects of SB-509 treatment as demonstrated by statistically
significant increases in intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD). In
addition, improvements in clinically relevant outcomes were observed in
Neurologic Impairment Score of the Lower Limb (NIS-LL), a
quantification of the neurologic exam, and sural nerve conduction
velocity (sNCV).
o Presentation of Preliminary Data from Phase 2 Trial to Evaluate SB-509
for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): In December
2009, preliminary data were presented from the first subjects enrolled
in Sangamo's Phase 2 clinical trial, SB-509-801. The data demonstrated
an approximate doubling of the frequency of improved muscle function at
day 120 post-treatment in subjects with ALS who received two treatments
of SB-509 (32%) compared to matched historic controls (17%).
o Initiation of Two Clinical Trials of a ZFP Nuclease (ZFN)-based
Therapeutic for HIV and Presentation of Preliminary Data From a Treated
Subject: In February 2009, Sangamo and its collaborators at the
University of Pennsylvania Medical School initiated the first Phase 1
safety trial of SB-728-T for the treatment of HIV/AIDS and in September
2009, the Company announced the initiation of a second
Sangamo-sponsored Phase 1 trial. Preliminary data from the University
of Pennsylvania investigator-sponsored study were presented in January
2010. The data were from a single HIV- positive subject treated with
SB-728-T who, as part of the study, began a defined structured
treatment interruption (STI). During the study, the subject's CD4+
T-cell count, number of circulating ZFN-modified cells and viral load
were measured periodically. In addition, rectal biopsies were taken
prior to treatment and at the end of the STI period to monitor levels
of CD4+ and ZFN-modified T-cells in the gut associated lymphoid tissue
(GALT), a major reservoir of immune cells and a critical reservoir of
HIV infection. As expected, the subject's viral load increased during
the STI period; however, the return of the virus was delayed. CD4+
T-cells and ZFN-modified T-cells were found to be stable and were
observed in the GALT. The data suggest that the modified cells were
able to expand and were circulating and trafficking normally in the
body.
o Initiation of Phase 1 Clinical Trial to Evaluate ZFN-Therapeutic for
the Treatment of Glioblastoma: Sangamo announced in January 2010 that
the US Food and Drug Administration had reviewed and accepted an
Investigational New Drug application to initiate this open-label,
multi-dosing Phase 1 clinical trial. The Phase 1 glioblastoma trial is
being initiated by Sangamo's collaborators at City of Hope and is
designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of a modified CD8+
cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) product that has been made resistant to
glucocorticoid steroids using Sangamo's ZFN-based technology. The study
will accrue subjects with recurrent/refractory malignant glioblastoma
multiforme.
o Sangamo Scientists and Collaborators Receive Grant Funding from Several
Sources to Develop ZFP Therapeutic Candidates:
o Grand Challenges Explorations Grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation was awarded to Sangamo scientists in May 2009. The
grant of $100,000 supports an innovative global health research
project conducted by Sangamo scientists and titled "Zinc Finger
Nucleases for In Vivo Treatment of HIV Infection."
o Doris Duke Innovations in Clinical Research Award from the Doris
Duke Charitable Foundation was awarded to Donald B. Kohn, M.D.,
Professor of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics
(MIMG) and Pediatrics, the Director of the UCLA Human Gene
Medicine Program and member of the Broad Stem Cell Research
Center and Philip Gregory, D. Phil., Sangamo's chief scientific
officer and vice president, research in September 2009. The
$486,000 grant, which will be paid over three years, will support
an innovative research project conducted by Dr. Kohn and Sangamo
scientists and titled "Beta-globin Gene Correction in
Hematopoietic Stem Cells for Sickle Cell Disease."
o California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) granted a
$14.5 million Disease Team Research Award to develop an
AIDS-related lymphoma therapy based on the application of its ZFN
gene-editing technology in stem cells. The four year grant
supports an innovative research project conducted by a
multidisciplinary team of investigators led by John Zaia, M.D.
the Aaron D. and Edith Miller Chair in Gene Therapy and chair of
virology, City of Hope. The grant application entitled, "Zinc
Finger Nuclease-Based Stem Cell Therapy for AIDS," won the
highest score of all grants CIRM received in this first round of
Disease Team Research Award funding.
o Sangamo Scientists and Their Collaborators Published Groundbreaking
Science in Major Journals: Published work included the demonstration of
ZFN-mediated gene-editing in plant agriculture, transgenic animals,
human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells and cell lines for
the production of protein pharmaceuticals.
Business
o Major Expansion of ZFP Technology License Agreement with Sigma-Aldrich:
In October 2009, Sigma-Aldrich Corporation and Sangamo announced a
major expansion of their existing license agreement to include the
exclusive rights to develop and distribute ZFP-modified cell lines for
commercial production of protein pharmaceuticals. Additionally,
Sigma-Aldrich licensed rights to certain ZFP-engineered transgenic
animals for commercial applications. Sigma made initial payments of
$20.0 million to Sangamo, consisting of an upfront license payment of
$15.0 million and $5.0 million through the purchase of 636,133 shares
of Sangamo common stock at the then current market price ($7.86 per
share). Sangamo is eligible to earn additional contingent commercial
license fees of up to $5.0 million based on certain conditions, and
thereafter a royalty based upon a percentage of net sales and
sublicensing revenue. Sangamo is also eligible to receive commercial
milestone payments ranging from $2.0 million to $10.0 million, up to a
total of $25.0 million, based upon cumulative product sales.
Financials and Operations
o In October 2009, the Company completed an underwritten public offering
of 3.0 million shares of common stock priced at $7.20 per share that
resulted in net proceeds of $20.9 million.
o In January 2010, the Company expanded its senior clinical development
team, appointing Shirley M. Clift to serve as Vice President of
Regulatory Affairs and Winson W. Tang, M.D., as Vice President of
Clinical Research.
2010 Objectives
In today's conference call members of Sangamo's management team will discuss the
company's plans and objectives for 2010 that include:
Therapeutic Programs
o Prosecution of Sangamo's ongoing Phase 2b Trial SB-509-901 in
moderately severe DN.
o Prosecution of a Phase 1 clinical trial of a ZFN-based therapeutic in
subjects with recurrent or refractory glioblastoma by Sangamo's
collaborators at City of Hope.
o Continued prosecution of Sangamo's Phase 1 trial of SB-728-T for
HIV/AIDS and of the SB-728-T Phase 1 study by collaborators at the
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
o Data Presentations from the Company's Phase 2 clinical trials of SB-509
for ALS (SB-509-801) and for severe DN (SB-509-701B).
o Data Presentation from the SB-728-T- HIV / AIDS program.
Business - Strategic Collaborations & Enabling Technology Agreements
o Achievement of milestones and royalties in agreement with
Sigma-Aldrich.
o Achievement of commercial sublicenses and milestones in agreement with
Dow AgroSciences.
o Pursue strategic partnerships in ZFP Therapeutics including SB-509.
o Continue to present and publish data from research collaborations in
ZFP-platform enabled biology.
Financials and Operations
o Maintain year-end 2010 cash and investments balance of at least $60.0
million.
Conference Call
Sangamo will host a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. ET, which will be open to
the public. The call will also be webcast live and can be accessed via a link on
the Sangamo BioSciences website in the Investor Relations section under "Events
and Presentations" http://investor.sangamo.com/events.cfm. A replay of the
webcast will also be available for two weeks after the call. During the
conference call, the company will review these results, discuss other business
matters, and provide guidance with respect to 2010.
The conference call dial-in numbers are 888-819-8046 for domestic callers and
913-312-0671 for international callers. The passcode for the call is 7172741.
For those unable to listen in at the designated time, a conference call replay
will be available for one week following the conference call, from approximately
8:00 p.m. ET on February 3, 2010 to 11:59 p.m. ET on February 10, 2010. The
conference call replay numbers for domestic and international callers are
888-203-1112 and 719-457-0820 respectively. The conference ID number for the
replay is 7172741.
About Sangamo
Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. is focused on the research and development of novel
DNA-binding proteins for therapeutic gene regulation and modification. The most
advanced ZFP TherapeuticTM development program is currently in a Phase 2b
clinical trial for evaluation of safety and clinical effect in patients with
diabetic neuropathy and a Phase 2 trial in ALS. Sangamo also has two Phase 1
clinical trials to evaluate safety and clinical effect of a treatment for
HIV/AIDS and another Phase 1 trial to evaluate safety and clinical effect of a
treatment for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. Other therapeutic development
programs are focused on neuropathic pain, nerve regeneration, Parkinson's
disease and monogenic diseases. Sangamo's core competencies enable the
engineering of a class of DNA-binding proteins known as zinc finger DNA-binding
proteins (ZFPs). By engineering ZFPs that recognize a specific DNA sequence
Sangamo has created ZFP transcription factors (ZFP TFs) that can control gene
expression and, consequently, cell function. Sangamo is also developing
sequence-specific ZFP Nucleases (ZFNs) for gene modification. Sangamo has
established strategic partnerships with companies in non-therapeutic
applications of its technology including Dow AgroSciences and Sigma-Aldrich
Corporation. For more information about Sangamo, visit the company's web site at
http://www.sangamo.com/.
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Sangamo's
current expectations. These forward looking statements include, without
limitation, references to the research and development of ZFP TFs and ZFNs,
clinical trials and therapeutic applications of Sangamo's ZFP technology
platform, achievement of research milestones and objectives, strategic
partnership and commercial license agreements with collaborators, presentation
of data from research collaborations and anticipated cash and investments
balance. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are
subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to
predict. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not
limited to, the early stage of ZFP Therapeutic development, uncertainties
related to the timing of initiation and completion of clinical trials, whether
clinical trial results will validate and support the safety and efficacy of ZFP
Therapeutics, and the ability to establish strategic partnerships. Further,
there can be no assurance that the necessary regulatory approvals will be
obtained or that Sangamo will be able to develop commercially viable gene based
therapeutics. Actual results may differ from those projected in forward-looking
statements due to risks and uncertainties that exist in the company's operations
and business environments. These risks and uncertainties are described more
fully in the company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking
statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date and will not
be updated.
Contact
Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.
Elizabeth Wolffe, Ph.D.
510-970-6000, x271
-more-
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
December 31, December 31,
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2009 2008 2009 2008
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Revenues:
Collaboration agreements $ 10,171 $ 6,834 $ 21,553 $ 14,492
Research grants 70 -- 634 1,694
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Total revenues 10,241 6,834 22,187 16,186
Operating expenses:
Research and development 8,685 6,737 28,984 31,229
General and administrative 3,971 2,296 12,605 10,332
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Total operating expenses 12,656 9,033 41,589 41,561
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Loss from operations (2,415) (2,199) (19,402) (25,375)
Interest and other income / expense, net 22 (375) 815 1,073
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Net loss $ (2,393) $ (2,574) $ (18,587) $ (24,302)
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Basic and diluted net loss per common share $ (0.05) $ (0.06) $ (0.44) $ (0.60)
Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss
per common share 44,780 41,018 42,048 40,825
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SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA
December 31, 2009 December 31, 2008
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Cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and
interest receivable $ 85,281 $ 65,025
Total assets 87,439 67,850
Total stockholders' equity 71,782 55,396
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