Dyax announces fourth-quarter and full-year 2009 financial results

Dyax Corp. (NASDAQ: DYAX) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009. Dyax will host a webcast and conference call at 10 a.m. (ET) this morning to review the financial results and corporate progress for the quarter.

“The year ended with a landmark accomplishment for Dyax, the approval of our first product, KALBITOR, which was discovered and developed by Dyax. The recent market launch of KALBITOR transitions our company into a new and exciting stage – a fully integrated biopharmaceutical organization”

Financial Results

Total revenues for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009 were $6.3 million, as compared to $31.5 million for the comparable quarter in 2008. Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009 were $21.6 million, as compared to $43.4 million for the 2008 year. The higher 2008 revenue was primarily due to revenue recognized in relation to new license and collaboration agreements entered into during 2008, for which there was no corresponding revenue recognized in 2009. Quarterly revenues are expected to fluctuate due to the timing and amount of future milestone payments, the clinical activities of collaborators and licensees, and the timing and completion of contractual commitments.

Research and development expenses for the fourth quarter of 2009 decreased to $8.8 million, as compared to $16.4 million for the comparable quarter in 2008. For the year ended December 31, 2009, research and development expenses decreased to $46.6 million, as compared to $68.1 million for the comparable period in 2008. Research and development expenses decreased during the 2009 quarter due to cost savings resulting from the restructuring in March 2009, as well as decreases in manufacturing and other external research and development expenses. For the twelve month 2009 period, the decrease in research and development expenses was primarily due to lower clinical trials costs, the closure of the Company’s Liege, Belgium research facility in mid-2008, and cost savings resulting from the March 2009 restructuring. These decreases were offset by an increase of approximately $5.8 million in 2009 costs associated with the manufacture of DX-88 prior to FDA approval. With this supply of DX-88, the Company has sufficient commercial product for KALBITOR^® (ecallantide) sales well into 2011.

General and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $6.9 million, as compared to $7.0 million for the comparable quarter in 2008. For the year ended December 31, 2009, general and administrative costs increased to $25.8 million, as compared to $22.7 million for the 2008 year. The higher general and administrative costs in 2009 were primarily due to increased infrastructure to support plans for commercialization of KALBITOR, a treatment for acute attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in patients 16 years of age and older, which was recently made commercially available in the United States.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2009, Dyax reported a net loss of $10.9 million or $0.14 per share, as compared to a net income of $6.4 million or $0.10 per share for the comparable quarter in 2008. Net income in the 2008 quarter was due to the timing of recognition of previously deferred revenue from license and collaboration agreements entered into during 2008. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the net loss was $62.4 million or $0.90 per share, as compared to $66.5 million or $1.08 per share for the 2008 year.

As of December 31, 2009, Dyax had cash, cash equivalents, and investments totaling $52.4 million, exclusive of restricted cash.

Corporate Progress and Guidance

“The year ended with a landmark accomplishment for Dyax, the approval of our first product, KALBITOR, which was discovered and developed by Dyax. The recent market launch of KALBITOR transitions our company into a new and exciting stage – a fully integrated biopharmaceutical organization,” stated Gustav Christensen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dyax. “We are now focused on ensuring its commercial success, while continuing to advance the other research and development activities that support Dyax as a fully integrated company.”

Continued, Mr. Christensen, “Looking ahead into 2010, we anticipate reporting on several achievements including: progress with the launch of KALBITOR; finalizing one or more ex-North America partnerships for addressing its commercial success abroad; advancements with DX-88 clinical programs for other indications; and completing additional strategic partnerships under our Licensing and Funded Research Program. Our exciting achievement of recent regulatory and commercial milestones was made possible because of the dedication of our employees and the commitment from our shareholders and the HAE network of patients and physicians. We look forward to building upon this momentum over the next year.”

2010 Guidance

George Migausky, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Dyax, stated, “The financial results of 2009 demonstrate how we have effectively managed costs while concurrently building the commercial infrastructure for the U.S. launch of KALBITOR. Where appropriate, we have strengthened the balance sheet in order to have available the financial resources to carry out our business plan. At this time, we believe we have the cash and resources to support ongoing operations into 2011.”