8-K

 

 

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): May 9, 2019

 

 

COHERUS BIOSCIENCES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-36721   27-3615821
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (IRS Employer
Identification Number)

333 Twin Dolphin Drive, Suite 600

Redwood City, CA 94065

(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (650) 649-3530

 

 

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:

 

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

 

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

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

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  ☐

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.  ☐

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share   CHRS   The Nasdaq Global Market

 

 

 


Item 2.02

Results of Operations and Financial Conditions

On May 9, 2019, Coherus BioSciences, Inc. issued a press release regarding its financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2019. The full text of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.

This information in this Item 2.02 of this Form 8-K and the Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)

Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

99.1    Press release dated May 9, 2019


SIGNATURES

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

 

Date: May 9, 2019     COHERUS BIOSCIENCES, INC.
    By:  

/s/ Jean-Frédéric Viret

    Name:   Jean-Frédéric Viret
   

Title:

 

Chief Financial Officer

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Coherus BioSciences Reports Corporate Highlights and

First Quarter 2019 Financial Results

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., May 9, 2019 – Coherus BioSciences, Inc. (“Coherus” or “the Company”, Nasdaq: CHRS), today reviewed corporate highlights and reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

First Quarter 2019 Company Highlights

 

   

UDENYCA® (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) Launch Performance Consistent with Plan

 

   

Net product revenue for the first quarter of 2019 was $37.1 million following Coherus’ successful launch of UDENYCA® in the U.S. marketplace on January 3, 2019.

 

   

Uptake of UDENYCA® in 340B hospitals, non-340B hospitals and community oncology clinics is in line with the Company’s expectations.

 

   

UDENYCA® launch performance validates its broad value proposition approach and the commercial strategy Coherus implemented. This comprehensive branded biosimilar approach leverages Coherus’ robust commercial infrastructure and its comprehensive support services program, Coherus Complete www.coheruscomplete.com.

 

   

The Company secured transitional pass-through status in 340B hospitals from CMS effective April 1, 2019, granted for a period of 36 months, incentivizing access to UDENYCA® for Medicare patients.

 

   

The Company secured a $75 million credit financing with Healthcare Royalty Partners to accelerate the manufacturing and launch of UDENYCA®.

 

   

Legal Developments

 

   

Coherus and Amgen settled the trade secret action brought by Amgen and Coherus continues to commercialize UDENYCA® across all segments.

 

   

The Company announced a global settlement with AbbVie securing rights to commercialize its adalimumab biosimilar candidate, CHS-1420, affording a U.S. market entry date of December 15, 2023.

 

   

The Company announced the filing of a patent infringement suit against Amgen directed to Amgen’s Humira® biosimilar formulation.

First Quarter 2019 Financial Results

 

   

Net product revenue for the first quarter of 2019 was $37.1 million. Cost of goods sold for the first quarter of 2019 was $2.2 million, resulting in a gross profit margin of 94 percent for the first quarter of 2019.

 

   

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the first quarter of 2019 were $18.8 million, as compared to $25.5 million for the same period in 2018. The decreases in R&D expenses were mainly due to the capitalization of UDENYCA® manufacturing in the first quarter of 2019.

 

   

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the first quarter of 2019 were $32.7 million, as compared to $16.6 million for the same period in 2018. The increase in SG&A expenses in 2019, which was mainly attributable to the costs associated with commercializing UDENYCA® in the U.S.


   

Total operating expenses decreased by $6.8 million from $60.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 to $53.7 million in the first quarter of 2019 primarily as a result of a reduction in UDENYCA® manufacturing pre-approval activities.

 

   

Cash and cash equivalents and investments in marketable securities for the first quarter totaled $96.4 million as of March 31, 2019, as compared to $95.2 million as of March 31, 2018, and $72.4 million as of December 31, 2018.

 

   

Net loss attributable to the Company for the first quarter of 2019 was ($20.0) million, or ($0.29) per share, compared to a net loss of ($44.3) million, or ($0.74) per share, for the same period in 2018.

Guidance for the Next Nine Months from March 31, 2019

 

   

UDENYCA® (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) biosimilar to Neulasta® (pegfilgrastim)

 

   

Increase the breadth and depth of adoption across all market segments.

 

   

Secure reimbursement coverage among remaining national and regional payers.

 

   

CHS-1420, biosimilar candidate to Humira® (adalimumab)

 

   

Pursue manufacturing objectives in support of the anticipated filing of a 351(k) biologic license application (BLA) in the U.S.

 

   

CHS-3351, biosimilar candidate to Lucentis® (ranibizumab) and CHS-2020, biosimilar candidate to Eylea® (aflibercept)

 

   

Complete manufacturing technology transfer to support clinical development of CHS-3351.

 

   

Continue preclinical development of CHS-2020.

 

   

CHS-131, small molecule, PPAR-g modulator drug candidate in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (“NASH”)

 

   

Initiate clinical phase program in NASH.

Conference Call Information

When: Thursday, May 9, 2019 starting at 4:30 p.m. ET

Dial-in: (844) 452-6826 (toll free) or (765) 507-2587 (international)

Conference ID: 2969536

Webcast: http://investors.coherus.com

You will be asked to register when you join the call. The webcast will be archived on the Coherus website.

About UDENYCA®

UDENYCA® (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) is a PEGylated growth colony-stimulating factor indicated to decrease the incidence of infection, as manifested by febrile neutropenia, in patients with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti-cancer drugs associated with a clinically significant incidence of febrile neutropenia. UDENYCA® drug substance manufacturing is located in Boulder, Colorado. Pegfilgrastim is one of the largest selling oncology biologics with worldwide revenues in excess of $4.5 billion in 2017.

Indication

UDENYCA® is a leukocyte growth factor indicated to decrease the incidence of infection, as manifested by febrile neutropenia, in patients with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti-cancer drugs associated with a clinically significant incidence of febrile neutropenia.


Limitations of Use

UDENYCA® is not indicated for the mobilization of peripheral blood progenitor cells for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Contraindication

Patients with a history of serious allergic reaction to human granulocyte colony-stimulating factors such as pegfilgrastim or filgrastim products.

Warnings and Precautions

 

   

Fatal splenic rupture: Evaluate patients who report left upper abdominal or shoulder pain for an enlarged spleen or splenic rupture.

 

   

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): Evaluate patients who develop fever, lung infiltrates, or respiratory distress. Discontinue UDENYCA® in patients with ARDS.

 

   

Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis: Permanently discontinue UDENYCA® in patients with serious allergic reactions.

 

   

Fatal sickle cell crises: Have occurred.

 

   

Glomerulonephritis: Evaluate and consider dose-reduction or interruption of UDENYCA® if causality is likely.

Adverse Reactions

Most common adverse reactions (³ 5% difference in incidence compared to placebo) are bone pain and pain in extremity.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Coherus BioSciences, Inc. at 1-800-4-UDENYCA (1-800-483-3692) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Full Prescribing Information available at www.UDENYCA.com

About Coherus BioSciences, Inc.

Coherus BioSciences is a leading biosimilar company that develops and commercializes high-quality therapeutics for major regulated markets. Biosimilars are intended for use in place of existing, branded biologics to treat a range of chronic and often life-threatening diseases, with the potential to reduce costs and expand patient access. Composed of a team of proven industry veterans with world-class expertise in process science, analytical characterization, protein production, sales and marketing and clinical-regulatory development, Coherus BioSciences is positioned as a leader in the global biosimilar marketplace. Coherus BioSciences commercializes UDENYCA® (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) in the U.S. and has received regulatory approval for UDENYCA® in the European Union. Coherus BioSciences is advancing two late-stage clinical products towards commercialization, CHS-1420 (adalimumab biosimilar) and CHS-0214 (etanercept biosimilar), and developing a robust pipeline of future products in ophthalmology (including CHS-3351, a ranibizumab biosimilar, and CHS-2020, an aflibercept biosimilar), as well as CHS-131, a small molecule for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and multiple sclerosis. For additional information, please visit www.coherus.com.


Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, transitional pass-through status in 340B hospitals from CMS incentivizing access to UDENYCA®; being able to accelerate the manufacturing of UDENYCA®; Coherus’ expectations regarding its ability to increase the breadth and depth of UDENYCA’s adoption across all market segments and to secure reimbursement coverage among remaining national and regional payers for UDENYCA®; Coherus’ ability to pursue manufacturing objectives of CHS-1420 in support of an anticipated BLA; Coherus’ plan to complete the manufacturing technology transfer to support the clinical development of CHS-3351; Coherus’ expectation to continue the preclinical development of CHS-2020; and Coherus’ plan to initiate a clinical phase program for CHS-131 in NASH. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause Coherus’ actual results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the risks and uncertainties inherent in the clinical drug development process; the risks and uncertainties of the regulatory approval process, including the timing of Coherus’ regulatory filings; the risk that Coherus is unable to complete commercial transactions and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of Coherus’ biosimilar drug candidates; and the risks and uncertainties of possible patent litigation. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Coherus undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to Coherus’ business in general, see Coherus’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2019, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2019 and its future periodic reports to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our results for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of our operating results for any future periods.

UDENYCA® is a trademark of Coherus BioSciences, Inc.

Neulasta® is a registered trademark of Amgen Inc.

Humira® is a registered trademark of AbbVie Inc.

Lucentis® is a registered trademark of Genentech, Inc.

Eylea® is a registered trademark of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


Coherus BioSciences, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2019     2018  
     (unaudited)  

Revenue:

    

Net product revenue

   $ 37,098     $ —    

Operating expenses:

    

Cost of goods sold

     2,225       —    

Research and development

     18,789       25,455  

Selling, general and administrative

     32,683       16,577  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     53,697       42,032  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (16,599     (42,032

Interest expense

     (4,216     (2,408

Other income, net

     811       138  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

     (20,004     (44,302

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest

     —         5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to Coherus

   $ (20,004   $ (44,297
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to Coherus, basic and diluted

   $ (0.29   $ (0.74
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to Coherus, basic and diluted

     69,140,697       60,122,050  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 


Coherus BioSciences, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

 

     March 31,
2019
    December 31,
2018
 
     (unaudited)        

Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 81,515     $ 72,356  

Investments in marketable securities - short-term

     14,918       —    

Trade receivables, net

     46,476       —    

Other assets

     43,206       27,111  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 186,115     $ 99,467  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit

    

Convertible notes

   $ 77,614     $ 77,319  

Convertible notes - related parties

     25,872       25,773  

Term loan

     73,124       —    

Other liabilities

     48,020       34,966  

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (38,515     (38,591
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

   $ 186,115     $ 99,467  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Contact

David S. Arrington

VP, Investor Relations & Corporate Affairs

Coherus BioSciences, Inc.

darrington@coherus.com

+1 (650) 395-0196