BioSpecifics Technologies third quarter net loss increases to $0.5 million

BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: BSTC) (the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company developing first in class collagenase-based products, today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010.

"We are thrilled that our continued efforts to develop collagenase have been recognized by the grants awarded to us by the government under the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Program, which provides funding to companies whose projects show the greatest potential to result in new treatments for unmet medical needs," commented Thomas L. Wegman, President of BioSpecifics. "These additional resources will assist us in our ongoing effort to move collagenase through the clinic in new promising indications including human and canine lipomas."

Financial Results:

The Company reported a net loss of $0.5 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010, or $0.08 per basic and diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $0.4 million, or $0.06 per basic and diluted common share, for the same period in 2009.

Total revenue for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010 was $1.0 million as compared to $0.8 million for the same period in 2009. The increase in revenue was mainly due to royalty revenues recognized under the Company's agreements with DFB Biotech, Inc. and its affiliates and the Company's strategic partner Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Auxilium"), partially offset by lower licensing revenues. The royalty revenues recognized in the third quarter of 2010 from the net sales of XIAFLEX were from the sales that occurred in the first and second quarters of 2010. For future periods, revenues from XIAFLEX royalties and mark-up on cost of goods sold will generally be recognized in the quarter that Auxilium provides written reports and related information to BioSpecifics - generally the quarter following the quarter in which sales by Auxilium occurred.

Research and development expenses for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010 were $0.2 million, compared to $0.1 million for the same period in 2009. The increase in research and development expenses was primarily due to preclinical expenses and consulting services.

General and administrative expenses for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010 were $1.3 million, compared to $1.2 million for the same period in 2009. The increase in general and administrative expenses was due to legal expenses and stock based compensation, partially offset by lower consulting services.

As of September 30, 2010, BioSpecifics held cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $8.7 million, compared to $9.9 million on June 30, 2010.  

Recent Corporate Highlights:

• In November, Auxilium stated that XIAFLEX sales in the third quarter ended September 30, 2010 were $4.6 million. Auxilium also stated that it expects sales of XIAFLEX for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010 to be in the range of $5.9 million to $6.4 million.
• In November, Auxilium reported that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced that, effective January 1, 2011, J0775 will be the code used to identify XIAFLEX when billed to Medicare, Medicaid and commercial health plans for reimbursement. The XIAFLEX specific CPT code is expected to be effective in 2012.
• In November, Auxilium reported the following leading indicators of the XIAFLEX launch as of October 31, 2010:
• 2,093 physicians and 1,516 sites have completed the training and enrollment process and are eligible to use XIAFLEX for the treatment of adult patients with Dupuytren's contracture with a palpable cord;
• 3,915 insurance verification requests and 2,097 referrals to specialty pharmacies have been received by the Auxilium call center;
• 578 sites in the U.S. have prescribed XIAFLEX and approximately 323 sites (56%) have treated two or fewer patients, 198 sites (34%) have treated 3-10 patients and 57 sites (10%) have treated more than 11 patients.
• Auxilium believes that approximately 91% of insured lives have access to XIAFLEX.
• In November, BioSpecifics announced that it received a total of $426,000 in grant funding under the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Program. The program, funded through the U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, supports therapeutic discovery programs. The grant funding will support the Company's clinical development of injectable collagenase in human lipomas and of improved collagenase for tissue disassociation.
• In October, BioSpecifics announced that Auxilium had dosed the first subject in the global Phase 3 program of XIAFLEX for Peyronie's disease, a condition in which scar tissue develops on the shaft of the penis that can cause the penis to curve during erection, often interfering with or preventing intercourse and resulting in psychological distress or bother for the patient. The two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 studies are expected to enroll at least 600 patients at approximately 70 sites in the U.S. and Australia. There is also one open label study, which is expected to enroll at least 250 patients, at approximately 30 sites in the U.S., E.U. and New Zealand, and one pharmacokinetic study, which should enroll approximately 16 patients.

Upcoming Milestones:

Looking forward, BioSpecifics expects to announce the following milestones:

• Pfizer, Inc., Auxilium's strategic partner for XIAFLEX in Europe, continues its efforts to achieve registration of XIAFLEX for Dupuytren's contracture in Europe. Auxilium believes that Pfizer will gain approval for XIAFLEX in Europe in 2011. If approved, Pfizer will market XIAFLEX under the trademark name XIAPEX in Europe.
• Auxilium anticipates that it will complete enrollment for the Phase 3 double-blind studies of XIAFLEX for Peyronie's disease in the first quarter of 2011 and will report top-line results in the first half of 2012.
• BioSpecifics plans to initiate a trial for XIAFLEX in canine lipomas by the end of 2010.  
• Auxilium plans to prioritize new pipeline indication(s) for XIAFLEX by the end of 2010.