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FibroGen Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results

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FibroGen, Inc. (NASDAQ: FGEN) reported a revenue increase from $176.3 million in 2020 to $235.3 million in 2021. The company completed the enrollment for the LAPIS Phase 3 study in pancreatic cancer and the LELANTOS-1 Phase 3 study in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. FibroGen's net loss widened to $134.1 million in Q4 2021 from $58.6 million the previous year. Roxadustat achieved $186.1 million in total sales in China for 2021, up from $72.5 million in 2020. The company plans to reduce projected expenses by $100 million annually over the next three years.

Positive
  • Total revenue increased from $176.3 million in 2020 to $235.3 million in 2021.
  • Completion of enrollment in LAPIS and LELANTOS-1 Phase 3 studies.
  • Roxadustat sales in China reached $186.1 million for 2021, compared to $72.5 million in 2020.
Negative
  • Q4 2021 net loss was $134.1 million, significantly higher than $58.6 million in Q4 2020.
  • Net loss for the year was $290 million, up from $189.3 million in 2020.
  • Completed enrollment in LAPIS Phase 3 study of pamrevlumab in locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer
  • Completed enrollment in LELANTOS-1 Phase 3 study of pamrevlumab in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
  • Total company revenue increased from $176.3 million in 2020 to $235.3 million in 2021

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FibroGen, Inc. (NASDAQ: FGEN) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2021 and provided an update on the company’s recent developments.

“We are excited to advance pamrevlumab in three high value indications - completing enrollment in our LAPIS and LELANTOS-1 Phase 3 studies, and expecting to complete enrollment of the ZEPHYRUS-1 Phase 3 study in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in the next few weeks,” said Enrique Conterno, Chief Executive Officer, FibroGen. “In China, roxadustat had a strong 2021 performance and after inclusion in the updated NRDL, we are off to a good start in 2022.”

Recent Developments and Key Events:

  • Following the European Commission approval of EVRENZO™ (roxadustat) for the treatment of adult patients with symptomatic anemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), Astellas has launched EVRENZO™ in Germany, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Austria, and the Nordic countries.
  • Completed enrollment of the LAPIS Phase 3 clinical trial of pamrevlumab in patients with locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer (LAPC).
  • Completed enrollment of the LELANTOS-1 Phase 3 clinical trial of pamrevlumab in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
  • Exercised option to exclusively license HiFiBiO’s CCR8 drug program to advance next-generation therapies for patients with solid tumors.

China:

  • Roxadustat net transfer price from sales to the distribution entity (JDE) jointly owned by FibroGen and AstraZeneca was $12.2 million for the fourth quarter. From the net transfer price, FibroGen defers a certain portion for revenue recognition purposes under U.S. GAAP. FibroGen reported $5.5 million in roxadustat net product revenue for the quarter.
    • In the fourth quarter of 2021, China’s National Healthcare Security Administration renewed the listing of roxadustat on the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL).
    • Due to the price reduction associated with the NRDL listing renewal, we have updated our estimates and reflected a cumulative adjustment in our revenue in the fourth quarter.
  • Fourth quarter total roxadustat net sales in China1 of $32.0 million2 by FibroGen and the JDE compared to $29.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.
  • Full year 2021 total roxadustat net sales in China1 of $186.1 million by FibroGen and the JDE compared to $72.5 million in the full year 2020.
  • Roxadustat continues to be the number one brand based on value share in the anemia of CKD market in China.

Upcoming Milestones:

  • Expect to complete enrollment in the ZEPHYRUS-1 Phase 3 study of pamrevlumab in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in the next few weeks.
  • Interim analysis of event free survival of the LAPIS Phase 3 study of pamrevlumab in LAPC expected to be conducted in 2Q 2022.
  • Topline data from the LELANTOS-1 Phase 3 study of pamrevlumab in DMD expected 1H 2023.
  • Topline data from the ZEPHYRUS-1 Phase 3 study of pamrevlumab in IPF expected mid-2023.
  • Topline data from the MATTERHORN Phase 3 study of roxadustat in anemia of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) expected 2H 2022 / 1H 2023.

Corporate:

  • Implemented a plan to reduce our projected expenses by approximately $100 million per year, for each of the next 3 years, compared to our previous internal plans.

Financial:

  • Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $16.5 million, as compared to $65.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2020.
  • Total revenue for 2021 was $235.3 million as compared to $176.3 million in 2020.
  • Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $134.1 million, or $1.45 net loss per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $58.6 million, or $0.64 net loss per basic and diluted share one year ago.
  • Net loss for the year was $290.0 million, or $3.14 net loss per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $189.3 million, or $2.11 net loss per basic and diluted share one year ago.
  • At December 31, 2021, FibroGen had $590.4 million in cash - defined as cash, cash equivalents, investments, and accounts receivable.
  • Based on our latest forecast, we estimate our 2022 ending cash to be in the range of $270 to $300 million.

1 Total roxadustat net sales in China includes sales made by the distribution entity as well as FibroGen China’s direct sales, each to its own distributors. The distribution entity jointly owned by AstraZeneca and FibroGen is not consolidated into FibroGen’s financial statements.
2 As a result of the price reduction associated with the NRDL listing renewal, the roxadustat net sales for the fourth quarter of 2021 reflected a one-time adjustment driven by a revaluation of channel inventory.

Conference Call and Webcast Details
FibroGen will host a conference call and webcast today, Monday, February 28, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time) to discuss financial results and provide a business update. A live audio webcast of the call may be accessed in the investor section of the Company’s website, www.fibrogen.com. To participate in the conference call by telephone, please dial 1 (877) 658-9081 (U.S. and Canada) or 1 (602) 563-8732 (international), reference the FibroGen fourth quarter 2021 financial results conference call, and use confirmation number 1795663. A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the call for a period of 7 days. To access the replay, please dial 1 (855) 859-2056 (domestic) or 1 (404) 537-3406 (international) and use passcode 1795663.

About Pamrevlumab
Pamrevlumab is a first-in-class antibody developed by FibroGen that inhibits the activity of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), an important biological mediator in fibrotic and proliferative disorders. Pamrevlumab is in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer (LAPC), and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). For information about pamrevlumab studies currently recruiting patients, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About Roxadustat
Roxadustat, an oral medication, is the first in a new class of medicines comprising HIF-PH inhibitors that promote erythropoiesis, or red blood cell production, through increased endogenous production of erythropoietin, improved iron absorption and mobilization, and downregulation of hepcidin. Roxadustat is in clinical development for anemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and anemia associated with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and for chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA).

Roxadustat is approved in European Union (EU) member states, including the European Economic Area (EEA) countries, as well as in Japan, China, Chile, and South Korea for the treatment of anemia of CKD in adult patients on dialysis (DD) and not on dialysis (NDD). Several other licensing applications for roxadustat have been submitted by partners, Astellas and AstraZeneca to regulatory authorities across the globe, and are currently under review.

Astellas and FibroGen are collaborating on the development and commercialization of roxadustat for the potential treatment of anemia in territories including Japan, Europe, Turkey, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Middle East, and South Africa. FibroGen and AstraZeneca are collaborating on the development and commercialization of roxadustat for the potential treatment of anemia in the U.S., China, other markets not licensed to Astellas.

About FibroGen
FibroGen, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing, and commercializing a pipeline of first-in-class therapeutics. The Company applies its pioneering expertise in connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) biology and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) to advance innovative medicines for the treatment of unmet needs. Pamrevlumab, an anti-CTGF human monoclonal antibody, is in clinical development for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer (LAPC), and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The Company is currently developing and commercializing roxadustat, an oral small molecule inhibitor of HIF prolyl hydroxylase activity for anemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), anemia associated with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and for chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA). FibroGen recently expanded its research and development portfolio to include product candidates in the immuno-oncology and autoimmune space. For more information, please visit www.fibrogen.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements regarding our strategy, future plans and prospects, including statements regarding the development and commercialization of the company’s product candidates, the potential safety and efficacy profile of our product candidates, our clinical programs and regulatory events, and those of our partners. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, representations and contentions and are not historical facts and typically are identified by use of terms such as “may,” “will”, “should,” “on track,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. Our actual results may differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties related to the continued progress and timing of our various programs, including the enrollment and results from ongoing and potential future clinical trials, and other matters that are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors set forth therein. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in this press release, except as required by law.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)

 December 31, 2021  December 31, 2020 
 (Unaudited)  (1) 
Assets       
Current assets:       
Cash and cash equivalents$171,223  $678,393  
Short-term investments 233,967   8,144  
Accounts receivable, net 17,401   41,883  
Inventory 31,015   16,530  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 20,453   10,160  
Total current assets 474,059   755,110  
        
Restricted time deposits 2,072   2,072  
Long-term investments 167,796   244  
Property and equipment, net 28,277   33,647  
Finance lease right-of-use assets 761   29,606  
Equity method investment in unconsolidated variable interest entity 3,825   2,728  
Operating lease right-of-use assets 91,112   2,043  
Other assets 5,919   1,390  
Total assets$773,821  $826,840  
        
Liabilities, stockholders’ equity and non-controlling interests       
Current liabilities:       
Accounts payable$26,097  $24,789  
Accrued and other liabilities 172,588   118,333  
Deferred revenue 15,857   6,547  
Finance lease liabilities, current 11   12,330  
Operating lease liabilities, current 10,944   1,188  
Total current liabilities 225,497   163,187  
        
Product development obligations 17,613   18,697  
Deferred revenue, net of current 186,801   138,474  
Finance lease liabilities, non-current 3   25,391  
Operating lease liabilities, non-current 88,776   853  
Other long-term liabilities 26,018   38,789  
Total liabilities 544,708   385,391  
        
Total stockholders’ equity 209,146   422,178  
Non-controlling interests 19,967   19,271  
Total equity 229,113   441,449  
Total liabilities, stockholders’ equity and non-controlling interests$773,821  $826,840  

(1) The condensed consolidated balance sheet amounts at December 31, 2020 are derived from audited financial statements.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)

 Three Months Ended December 31,  Years Ended December 31, 
 2021  2020  2021  2020
 
 (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)  (1) 
Revenue:               
License revenue$  $14,323  $116,434  $14,323 
Development and other revenue 9,951   21,527   70,275   80,592 
Product revenue, net 5,463   29,167   47,638   72,498 
Drug product revenue 1,129   (17)  962   8,906 
Total revenue 16,543   65,000   235,309   176,319 
                
Operating costs and expenses:               
Cost of goods sold 3,125   2,615   12,871   8,869 
Research and development 113,920   78,132   387,043   252,924 
Selling, general and administrative 34,739   42,249   123,925   106,406 
Total operating costs and expenses 151,784   122,996   523,839   368,199 
Loss from operations (135,241)  (57,996)  (288,530)  (191,880)
                
Interest and other, net:               
Interest expense (110)  (538)  (1,075)  (2,402)
Interest income and other income (expenses), net 1,042   261   (1,078)  5,553 
Total interest and other, net 932   (277)  (2,153)  3,151 
                
Loss before income taxes (134,309)  (58,273)  (290,683)  (188,729)
Provision for income taxes 112   171   347   360 
Investment income (loss) in unconsolidated
variable interest entity
 342   (190)  1,007   (202)
Net loss$(134,079) $(58,634) $(290,023) $(189,291)
                
Net loss per share - basic and diluted$(1.45) $(0.64) $(3.14) $(2.11)
                
Weighted average number of common shares used to
calculate net loss per share - basic and diluted
 92,774   91,166   92,349   89,854 

(1) The condensed consolidated statement of operations amounts for the year ended December 31, 2020 are derived from audited financial statements.

Contacts:
FibroGen, Inc.

Investors:
Michael Tung, M.D.
Corporate Strategy / Investor Relations
415.978.1434
mtung@fibrogen.com

Media:
Meichiel Keenan
Public Affairs
mkeenan@fibrogen.com


FAQ

What were FibroGen's total revenues for 2021?

FibroGen's total revenue for 2021 was $235.3 million.

What was the net loss for FibroGen in the fourth quarter of 2021?

FibroGen reported a net loss of $134.1 million for Q4 2021.

How much did Roxadustat sell in China in 2021?

Roxadustat sales in China totaled $186.1 million for 2021.

What key studies has FibroGen completed enrollment in?

FibroGen completed enrollment in the LAPIS Phase 3 study for pancreatic cancer and the LELANTOS-1 Phase 3 study for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

What cost reduction plan has FibroGen implemented?

FibroGen plans to reduce projected expenses by approximately $100 million annually for the next three years.

FibroGen, Inc

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