Achillion second-quarter net loss increases to $6.4 million

Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACHN), a leader in the discovery and development of small molecule drugs to combat the most challenging infectious diseases, today reported financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010. For the second quarter of 2010, the Company reported a net loss of $6.4 million, compared with a net loss of $6.1 million for the same period last year. Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of June 30, 2010 were $19.5 million.

"The past six months have seen the most robust research and development activity in Achillion's history, and we expect this increased activity level to continue for the remainder of this year and into next year as we begin phase 2 clinical trials for ACH-1625 and prepare to file investigational new drug (IND) applications for our other HCV candidates," said Michael Kishbauch, President and CEO of Achillion. "Our lead protease inhibitor, ACH-1625, continued to demonstrate excellent potency, safety and tolerability in the final two dosing cohorts we just completed. We are on target to begin phase 2 dosing next month, and expect to announce 28-day dosing results at the end of the first quarter next year, followed by 12-week results by the end of next year."

"Having recently announced the nomination of clinical candidate ACH-2928, our NS5A inhibitor, we have the opportunity, with four distinct HCV compounds and three different mechanisms, to create significant value for our shareholders over both the near and longer term. Each of our HCV assets has the potential to be a category leader due to its profile, and collectively, these assets provide compelling combination possibilities," added Kishbauch. 

Second Quarter Results

For the three months ended June 30, 2010, total revenues were $187,000, compared with negative $7,000 during the same period in 2009. Revenues relate to the Company's collaboration agreement with Gilead Sciences, Inc. to develop compounds for use in treating chronic hepatitis C, as well as revenue under a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health related to the Company's antibacterial research. Revenues increased as the result of this SBIR grant whose term began April 1, 2010, as well as increased amounts due from Gilead. Under the collaboration arrangement, certain legal costs associated with intellectual property incurred by Achillion are reimbursed by Gilead.   Achillion did not recognize any revenue during either quarter related to amortization of its up-front, milestone and FTE payments previously received under the agreement, as the collaboration does not have a lead compound upon which it can accurately estimate its future performance obligations.

Research and development expenses were $4.8 million in the second quarter of 2010, compared with $4.4 million for the same period of 2009. The increase in research and development expenses resulted from increased clinical trial costs associated with Achillion's most advanced HCV clinical candidate, ACH-1625, as well as increased preclinical costs associated with HCV compounds ACH-2684 and ACH-2928. 

For the three months ended June 30, 2010, general and administrative expenses were $1.7 million, increased slightly from the $1.6 million incurring during the same period in 2009.

Non-cash stock compensation expense totaled $467,000 for the second quarter of 2010 as compared with $490,000 for the second quarter of 2009, and is included in both research and development and general and administrative expenses.

Six Month Results

For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Company reported a net loss of $12.0 million, decreased from a net loss of $12.8 million in the same period in 2009. Total revenues were $261,000, compared with negative $300,000 in the prior year period. Revenues increased primarily as a result of recognizing revenue under the SBIR grant described above, as well as increased cost reimbursement from Gilead under the collaboration. 

For the six months ended June 30, 2010, research and development expenses totaled $8.8 million, compared with $9.1 million during the same period in 2009. Research and development expenses decreased primarily as the result of clinical trial costs incurred in the prior period for phase 2 clinical development of elvucitabine which has now been completed. General and administrative expenses were $3.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, increased from $3.2 million in the same period in 2009. 

Non-cash stock compensation expense totaled $938,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2010 as compared with $976,000 for the same period in 2009, and is included in both research and development and general and administrative expenses.