— Zai Lab to Host Conference Call and Webcast Today at 8:30 a.m. ET–
SHANGHAI, China, May 02, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zai Lab Limited (NASDAQ:ZLAB), a Shanghai-based innovative biopharmaceutical company, today will provide an overview of financial results for the year ended December 31, 2017 and Zai Lab’s recent progress and potential upcoming milestones.
“2017 was a year of consistent and dynamic execution at Zai Lab,” said Zai Lab’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Samantha Du. “We meaningfully advanced our clinical programs and further expanded our therapeutic pipeline, completing three important business development transactions over the past twelve months. We also completed two equity financings, increased our manufacturing capabilities, and substantially expanded our team. For the remainder of 2018, we anticipate data or milestones from many of our clinical programs and are planning to launch our first commercial product in Hong Kong. We look forward to continuing our momentum towards becoming a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company, by progressing and expanding our R&D pipeline and in-house discovery efforts.”
Recent Highlights and Upcoming Milestones
ZL-2306
Recently submitted market registration application for ZL-2306 in Hong Kong, relying on approval status in the US and EU. Zai Lab plans to commercialize ZL-2306 in Hong Kong in the second half of 2018, and in Macau thereafter.
In September 2017, Zai Lab dosed the first patient in its Phase 3 China registration trial of ZL-2306 as a second-line maintenance therapy in patients with recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer. Zai Lab also expects to initiate a second Phase 3 China registration trial of ZL-2306 as a first-line maintenance therapy in patients with platinum-responsive ovarian cancer in mid-2018.
In November 2017, Zai Lab initiated a pharmacokinetic (PK) study to establish the PK profile of ZL-2306 in Chinese patients. Enrollment is completed, with data anticipated by mid-2018.
FPA 144
In December 2017, Zai Lab in-licensed exclusive regional rights to FPA 144 from Five Prime Therapeutics. FPA 144 is a targeted immuno-therapy for tumors that overexpress FGFR2b, such as gastric and gastro-esophageal junction cancer. Zai Lab has submitted the CTA and plans to conduct the China portion of the global Phase I/III registrational program later this year.
ZL-2301
In the second quarter of 2017, Zai Lab initiated a Phase II trial of ZL-2301 as a second-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular cancer patients in China. To date, preliminary anti-tumor activity has been observed in patients treated with ZL-2301, and the drug appears to be generally well-tolerated. Phase II data from the trial are expected in the second half of 2018. Pending positive results, Zai Lab plans to start a Phase III registration trial thereafter.
ZL-2401
In April 2017, Zai Lab in-licensed exclusive regional rights to ZL-2401, a broad spectrum antibiotic, from Paratek Pharmaceuticals. Zai Lab has completed the technology transfer and is engaged in discussions with the SDA and key opinion leaders on Zai Lab’s planned China development strategy in preparation for an NDA filing. In the US, an NDA was submitted for ZL-2401 in February 2018, and the drug is under priority review with a PDUFA date in October 2018.
ETX2514
Zai Lab entered in to an exclusive licensing agreement and collaboration with Entasis Therapeutics for ETX2514 on April 25, 2018. ETX2514 is a novel broad-spectrum β-lactamases inhibitor and is expected to move into global Phase III clinical trials in the first quarter of 2019. Zai Lab will manage the China portion of the Phase III clinical trials.
ZL-3101
Zai Lab initiated a Phase II study of ZL-3101 in eczema patients in China during the second quarter of 2017. Topline results from the Phase II study are expected to be available in the second half of 2018. Pending positive results, Zai Lab plans to start a Phase III registration trial thereafter.
Internal Discovery Programs
With its in-house discovery efforts over the past two years, Zai Lab continues to focus on exploring immunotherapy and targeted approaches to treating cancer.
Corporate Development
Zai Lab continued to strengthen its financial position. In June 2017, Zai Lab completed a $30 million Series C financing and in September 2017, Zai Lab completed its upsized public offering of American depositary shares, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $172.5 million. This additional capital, in addition to other cash on hand, is expected to provide Zai Lab with at least a 24-month runway.
In anticipation of commercialization of ZL-2306 in Hong Kong and other territories, Zai Lab has built a small molecule commercial drug production facility in Suzhou, China. Zai Lab is also nearing completion of a biologic pilot plant using GE’s FlexFactory Platform that is capable of producing product at 1,000L scale.
Since the date of the initial public offering last September, Zai Lab has doubled its personnel size, including several senior and key hires, and expects to have over 200 employees by the end of 2018.
Full Year 2017 Financial Results
As of December 31, 2017, cash and cash equivalents totaled $229.7 million.
Research and development expenses were $39.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $32.1 million for the same period in 2016. The increase was primarily due to higher clinical and preclinical costs, and expansion of research efforts to support internal programs.
General and administrative expenses were $12.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $6.4 million for the same period in 2016. The increase was primarily due to the increase in payroll and payroll-related expenses due to increased headcount as Zai Lab expanded its operations, and increased costs associated with operating as a public company.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, Zai Lab reported a net loss of $50.4 million, or basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders of $2.32, compared to a net loss of $37.5 million, or basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders of $3.97, for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Conference Call and Webcast Information
Zai Lab will host a live conference call and webcast today, May 2, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to review its financial results and provide a general business update.
The live webcast can be accessed by visiting the Investors section of Zai Lab’s website at http://ir.zailaboratory.com. Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the live webcast to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be needed to access the webcast. Alternatively, please call 866-394-4355 (U.S.); 314-888-4344 (International); or 4006828609 to listen to the live conference call. The conference ID number for the live call is 5836799. A replay of the webcast will be available for on Zai Lab’s website for two weeks following the live conference call.
About Zai LabZai Lab (NASDAQ:ZLAB) is a Shanghai-based innovative biopharmaceutical company focused on bringing transformative medicines for cancer, autoimmune and infectious diseases to patients in China and around the world. Zai Lab’s experienced team has secured partnerships with leading global biopharma companies, generating a broad pipeline of innovative drug candidates targeting the fast-growing segments of China’s pharmaceutical market and global unmet medical needs. Zai Lab’s vision is to become a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company, discovering, developing, manufacturing and commercializing its partners’ and its own products in order to impact human health worldwide.
Zai Lab Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes certain disclosures which contain “forward-looking statements,” including, without limitation, statements regarding the timing of the initiation, progress and scope of the clinical trial of ZL-2306, FPA 144, ZL-2301 and ZL-3101, the commercial plans for ZL-2306, the timing of results from clinical studies of our product candidates, the ability to obtain regulatory approval for Zai Lab’s product candidates and Zai Lab’s cash runway. You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “anticipate” and “expected.” Forward-looking statements are based on Zai Lab’s current expectations and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements, which are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are set forth in Zai Lab’s Annual Report on From 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Zai Lab undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
ZAI LAB CONTACTS:Zai LabBilly Cho
+86 21 6163 7322billy.cho@zailaboratory.com
Media: Justin Jackson
Burns McClellan, on behalf of Zai Lab
212-213-0006, ext. 327, jjackson@burnsmc.com
Investors: Jill Steier
Burns McClellan, on behalf of Zai Lab
212-213-0006, ext. 367, jsteier@burnsmc.com
Zai Lab Limited
Consolidated balance sheets (U.S. GAAP)
(In U.S. dollars (“$”) except for number of shares)
As of December 31,
2016
2017
$
$
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
83,948,770
229,660,148
Prepayments and other current assets
143,527
954,506
Total current assets
84,092,297
230,614,654
Investments in equity investees
500,000
1,650,348
Prepayments for equipment
1,417,029
126,411
Property and equipment
1,246,058
11,853,764
Other non-current assets
1,651,901
5,389,051
Total assets
88,907,285
249,634,228
Liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders’ (deficit) equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
523,338
8,967,685
Warrant liabilities
3,900,000
—
Other payables
750,118
3,101,459
Total current liabilities
5,173,456
12,069,144
Deferred income
778,434
2,394,124
Total liabilities
5,951,890
14,463,268
Total mezzanine equity
134,507,144
—
Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity
(51,551,749
)
235,170,960
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders’ (deficit) equity
88,907,285
249,634,228
Zai Lab Limited
Consolidated statements of operations (U.S. GAAP)
(In U.S. dollars (“$”) except for number of shares)
Year ended December 31,
2016
2017
$
$
Operating expenses:
Research and development
(32,149,157
)
(39,341,518
)
General and administrative
(6,380,144
)
(12,049,518
)
Loss from operations
(38,529,301
)
(51,391,036
)
Interest income
403,266
527,351
Changes in fair value of warrants
(1,920,000
)
200,000
Other income, net
2,533,823
529,161
Share of loss from equity method investment
—
(249,652
)
Net loss
(37,512,212
)
(50,384,176
)
Loss per share – basic and diluted
(3.97
)
(2.32
)
Weighted-average shares used in calculating net
loss per ordinary share – basic and diluted
9,439,028
21,752,757
Zai Lab Limited
Consolidated statements of comprehensive loss (U.S. GAAP)
(In U.S. dollars (“$”) except for number of shares)
Year ended December 31,
2016
2017
$
$
Net loss
(37,512,212
)
(50,384,176
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax of nil:
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(594,912
)
1,148,440
Comprehensive loss
(38,107,124
)
(49,235,736
)
Source: Zai Lab Limited