BioLineRx Reports Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results

TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BioLineRx Ltd. (NASDAQ/TASE: BLRX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on oncology and immunology, today reports its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017.

Highlights and achievements during the second quarter 2017 and to date:

Continued execution on multiple clinical development programs for the Company's lead project, BL-8040:

    --  Announced plans to initiate Phase 3 pivotal study with BL-8040 as novel
        stem cell mobilization treatment for autologous bone-marrow
        transplantation in H2 2017, following successful meeting with the FDA;
    --  Reported regulatory submissions of three Phase 1b/2 trials for BL-8040
        in combination with atezolizumab, Genentech's anti-PDL1 cancer
        immunotherapy agent, in pancreatic, gastric and non-small cell lung
        cancers, under immunotherapy collaboration with Genentech, a member of
        the Roche Group. All three studies will be conducted as part of
        MORPHEUS, Roche's Novel Cancer Immunotherapy Development Platform, and
        are expected to commence in H2 2017;
    --  Reported filing of regulatory submissions to commence Phase 1b/2 trial
        for BL-8040 in combination with Genentech's atezolizumab in acute
        myeloid leukemia (AML), to be led by BioLineRx. This study is expected
        to commence in H2 2017;
    --  Announced initiation of first Phase 1b/2 trial under immunotherapy
        collaboration with Genentech - in pancreatic cancer;

The Company also announced an additional, direct investment by BVF Partners, L.P., its largest shareholder, increasing its economic interest in the Company to 24.9%. The $9.6 million investment was priced at $1.13 per unit, each unit consisting of 1 ordinary share, 0.35 of Series A warrant with an exercise price of $2.00 per share, and 0.35 of Series B warrant with an exercise price of $4.00 per share. The warrants are exercisable for a period of 4 years.

Expected significant upcoming milestones for 2017 and 2018:

    --  Partial results from immuno-oncology Phase 2a study in pancreatic cancer
        for BL-8040 in combination with Merck's KEYTRUDA(®) expected in H2
        2017; top line results expected in H2 2018;
    --  Initiation of Phase 3 pivotal study for BL-8040 in stem-cell
        mobilization for autologous transplantation planned for H2 2017;
    --  Initiation of Phase 1b/2 immuno-oncology studies for BL-8040 in
        combination with Genentech's atezolizumab in gastric cancer and
        non-small cell lung cancer, as well as AML, all expected in H2 2017;
        partial results expected in H2 2018;
    --  Initiation of Phase 1 immuno-oncology study for AGI-134 in several solid
        tumor indications expected in H1 2018;
    --  Top-line results of Phase 2 study for BL-8040 in stem-cell mobilization
        for allogeneic transplantation expected by mid-2018.

Philip A. Serlin, Chief Executive Officer of BioLineRx, remarked, "We are pleased to report second quarter-to-date activities that reinforce our focus to deliver on our objectives. This included timely initiation of our cancer immunotherapy collaboration with Genentech for pancreatic cancer, as well as regulatory advancements for additional indications in other solid tumors, AML, and stem cell mobilization. Thus, by the end of the year, we remain poised to have one Phase 3 and seven Phase 2 or 1b/2 clinical trials up and running, in addition to announcing partial results in our Phase 2 study in pancreatic cancer under our immunotherapy collaboration with Merck."

"We are also pleased to have received a strong vote of confidence from BVF Partners last month. The $9.6 million direct investment we received will allow us to accelerate the development of our clinical programs. With over $60 million in cash on a pro forma basis, including BVF's investment, as of June 30(th), we have a strong balance sheet which will enable us to fully execute on our current operating plans," Mr. Serlin concluded.

Financial Results for the Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2017

Research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2017 were $4.0 million, an increase of $1.3 million, or 48.2%, compared to $2.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. The increase resulted primarily from spending on AGI-134 and BL-8040 in the 2017 period. Research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2017 were $7.7 million, an increase of $2.4 million, or 45.0%, compared to $5.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The reason for the increase is the same as that presented in the three-month comparison above.

Sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2017 were $0.3 million, similar to the comparable period in 2016. Sales and marketing expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2017 were $1.0 million, an increase of $0.5 million, or 86.3%, compared to $0.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increase resulted primarily from market research activities and one-time professional fees related to business development activities.

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2017 were $0.8 million, similar to the comparable period in 2016. General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2017 were $1.8 million, similar to the comparable period in 2016.

The Company's operating loss for the three months ended June 30, 2017 amounted to $5.2 million, compared with an operating loss of $3.9 million for the corresponding 2016 period. The Company's operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2017 amounted to $10.5 million, compared with an operating loss of $7.6 million for the corresponding 2016 period.

Non-operating income (expenses) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 were not material, and primarily relate to fair-value adjustments of warrant liabilities on the balance sheet.

Net financial income amounted to $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to net financial income of $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. Net financial income amounted to $0.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to net financial income of $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increase in net financial income relates primarily to gains recorded on foreign currency hedging transactions and investment income earned on our bank deposits.

The Company's net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2017 amounted to $4.9 million, compared with a net loss of $3.7 million for the corresponding 2016 period. The Company's net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2017 amounted to $9.8 million, compared with a net loss of $7.2 million for the corresponding 2016 period.

The Company held $52.6 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits as of June 30, 2017. In July 2017, the Company completed a direct placement of its securities for net proceeds of $9.5 million.

Net cash used in operating activities was $8.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared with net cash used in operating activities of $7.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The $0.5 million increase in net cash used in operating activities during the six-month period in 2017, compared to the six-month period in 2016, was primarily the result of an increase in the Company's operating loss in the 2017 period.

Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was $16.0 million, compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $4.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The changes in cash flows from investing activities relate primarily to investments in, and maturities of, short-term bank deposits, as well as the investment in Agalimmune.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was $28.3 million, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $1.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The increase in cash flows from financing activities primarily reflects the public offering completed in April 2017.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

BioLineRx will hold a conference call today, August 8, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. To access the conference call, please dial 1-888-668-9141 from the U.S. or +972-3-918-0609 internationally. The call will also be available via webcast and can be accessed through the Investor Relations page of BioLineRx's website. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download any necessary software to listen to the live broadcast.

A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after completion of the live conference call at the Investor Relations page of BioLineRx's website. A dial-in replay of the call will be available until August 11, 2017; please dial 1-877-456-0009 from the U.S. or +972-3-925-5946 internationally.

(Tables follow)

About BioLineRx

BioLineRx is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on oncology and immunology. The Company in-licenses novel compounds, develops them through pre-clinical and/or clinical stages, and then partners with pharmaceutical companies for advanced clinical development and/or commercialization.

BioLineRx's leading therapeutic candidates are: BL-8040, a cancer therapy platform, which has successfully completed a Phase 2a study for relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), is in the midst of a Phase 2b study as an AML consolidation treatment and a Phase 1b/2 study in pancreatic cancer, and is expected to initiate a Phase 3 study in stem cell mobilization for autologous transplantation; and AGI-134, an immunotherapy treatment in development for multiple solid tumors, which is expected to initiate a first-in-man study in the first half of 2018. In addition, BioLineRx has a strategic collaboration with Novartis Pharma AG for the co-development of selected Israeli-sourced novel drug candidates; a collaboration agreement with MSD (known as Merck in the US and Canada), on the basis of which the Company has initiated a Phase 2a study in pancreatic cancer using the combination of BL-8040 and Merck's KEYTRUDA®; and a collaboration agreement with Genentech Inc., a member of the Roche Group, to investigate the combination of BL-8040 and Genentech's atezolizumab in several Phase 1b/2 studies for multiple solid tumor indications and AML.

For additional information on BioLineRx, please visit the Company's website at www.biolinerx.com, where you can review the Company's SEC filings, press releases, announcements and events. BioLineRx industry updates are also regularly updated on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Various statements in this release concerning BioLineRx's future expectations constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include words such as "may," "expects," "anticipates," "believes," and "intends," and describe opinions about future events. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of BioLineRx to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these risks are: changes in relationships with collaborators; the impact of competitive products and technological changes; risks relating to the development of new products; and the ability to implement technological improvements. These and other factors are more fully discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of BioLineRx's most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 23, 2017. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent BioLineRx's views only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. BioLineRx does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements unless required by law.


                                                   BioLineRx Ltd.

                          CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

                                                    (UNAUDITED)


                                                           December 31,                   June 30,
                                                           ------------                   --------

                                                                               2016                     2017
                                                                               ----                     ----

                                                         in USD thousands
                                                         ----------------

    Assets

    CURRENT ASSETS

    Cash and cash
     equivalents                                                              2,469                    6,946

    Short-term bank deposits                                                 33,154                   45,616

    Prepaid expenses                                                            255                      560

    Other receivables                                                           223                      541
                                                                                ---                      ---

              Total current assets                                           36,101                   53,663
                                                                             ------                   ------


    NON-CURRENT ASSETS

    Long-term prepaid
     expenses                                                                    52                       53

    Property and equipment,
     net                                                                      2,605                    2,463

    Intangible assets, net                                                      181                    6,869
                                                                                ---                    -----

              Total non-current
               assets                                                         2,838                    9,385
                                                                              -----                    -----

              Total assets                                                   38,939                   63,048
                                                                             ======                   ======


    Liabilities and equity

    CURRENT LIABILITIES

    Current maturities of
     long-term bank loan                                                         93                       93

    Accounts payable and accruals:

         Trade                                                                2,590                    4,262

         Other                                                                  978                    1,059
                                                                                ---                    -----

              Total current
               liabilities                                                    3,661                    5,414
                                                                              -----                    -----

    NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

    Long-term bank loan,
     net of current
     maturities                                                                 250                      203

    Warrants                                                                      1                        1
                                                                                ---                      ---

              Total non-current
               liabilities                                                      251                      204
                                                                                ---                      ---

    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

         Total liabilities                                                    3,912                    5,618
                                                                              -----                    -----


    EQUITY

    Ordinary shares                                                           1,513                    2,570

    Share premium                                                           199,567                  231,368

    Other comprehensive loss                                                (1,416)                 (1,416)

    Capital reserve                                                          10,569                    9,866

    Accumulated deficit                                                   (175,206)               (184,958)
                                                                           --------                 --------

              Total equity                                                   35,027                   57,430
                                                                             ------                   ------

              Total liabilities and
               equity                                                        38,939                   63,048
                                                                             ======                   ======


                                         BioLineRx Ltd.

                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

                                          (UNAUDITED)


                                                      Three months ended June
                                                                30,               Six months ended June 30,
                                                     ------------------------     -------------------------

                                                               2016          2017          2016            2017
                                                               ----          ----          ----            ----

                                                         in USD thousands          in USD thousands
                                                         ----------------          ----------------

    RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
     EXPENSES                                               (2,740)      (4,062)      (5,279)        (7,652)

    SALES AND MARKETING EXPENSES                              (272)        (288)        (520)          (969)

    GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
     EXPENSES                                                 (854)        (844)      (1,843)        (1,874)
                                                               ----          ----        ------          ------

    OPERATING LOSS                                          (3,866)      (5,194)      (7,642)       (10,495)

    NON-OPERATING INCOME
     (EXPENSES)                                                  48           (4)          196             (9)

    FINANCIAL INCOME                                             88           304           232             761

    FINANCIAL EXPENSES                                          (5)          (3)          (9)            (9)
                                                                ---           ---           ---             ---


    NET LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE
     LOSS                                                   (3,735)      (4,897)      (7,223)        (9,752)
                                                             ======        ======        ======          ======


                                                              in USD                    in USD
                                                              ------                    ------

    LOSS PER ORDINARY SHARE -
     BASIC AND DILUTED                                       (0.07)       (0.05)       (0.13)         (0.13)
                                                              =====         =====         =====           =====


    WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF
     SHARES USED IN CALCULATION
     OF LOSS PER ORDINARY SHARE                          56,423,601    94,487,470    55,651,371      76,571,351
                                                         ==========    ==========    ==========      ==========


                                                                                       BioLineRx Ltd.

                                                                      CONDENSED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

                                                                                         (UNAUDITED)


                                                Ordinary                      Share                       Other             Capital           Accumulated

                                                 shares                      premium                     reserves           reserve             deficit               Total
                                                 ------                      -------                     --------           -------             -------               -----

                                                         in USD thousands
                                                         ----------------

    BALANCE AT JANUARY 1, 2016                             1,455                       196,201                      (1,416)           10,735               (159,365)            47,610

    CHANGES FOR SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2016:

    Issuance of share capital, net                             4                         1,591                            -                -                      -             1,595

    Employee stock options forfeited and
     expired                                                   -                           66                            -             (66)                      -                 -

    Share-based compensation                                   -                            -                           -              582                       -               582

    Comprehensive loss for the period                          -                            -                           -                -                (7,223)           (7,223)
                                                             ---                          ---                         ---              ---                 ------             ------

    BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2016                               1,459                       197,858                      (1,416)           11,251               (166,588)            42,564
                                                           =====                       =======                       ======            ======                ========             ======


                                                Ordinary                      Share                       Other             Capital           Accumulated

                                                 shares                      premium                     reserves           reserve             deficit               Total
                                                 ------                      -------                     --------           -------             -------               -----

                                                         in USD thousands
                                                         ----------------

    BALANCE AT JANUARY 1, 2017                             1,513                       199,567                      (1,416)           10,569               (175,206)            35,027

    CHANGES FOR SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017:

    Issuance of share capital, net                         1,056                        30,241                            -                -                      -            31,297

    Employee stock options exercised                           1                           320                            -            (321)                      -                 -

    Employee stock options forfeited and
     expired                                                   -                        1,240                            -          (1,240)                      -                 -

    Share-based compensation                                   -                            -                           -              858                       -               858

    Comprehensive loss for the period                          -                            -                           -                -                (9,752)           (9,752)
                                                             ---                          ---                         ---              ---                 ------             ------

    BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 2017                               2,570                       231,368                      (1,416)            9,866               (184,958)            57,430
                                                           =====                       =======                       ======             =====                ========             ======


                           BioLineRx Ltd.

         CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

                             (UNAUDITED)


                                                           Six months ended
                                                               June 30,
                                                          -----------------

                                                            2016         2017
                                                            ----         ----

                                                        in USD thousands
                                                        ----------------


    CASH FLOWS - OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    Comprehensive loss for the period                    (7,223)     (9,752)

    Adjustments required to reflect net cash used
     in operating activities (see appendix below)          (223)       1,746
                                                            ----        -----

    Net cash used in operating activities                (7,446)     (8,006)
                                                          ------       ------


    CASH FLOWS - INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    Investments in short-term deposits                  (19,804)    (36,422)

    Maturities of short-term deposits                     24,182       24,233

    Purchase of property and equipment                     (164)        (90)

    Purchase of intangible assets                           (24)     (3,721)
                                                             ---       ------

    Net cash provided by (used in) investing
     activities                                            4,190     (16,000)
                                                           -----      -------


    CASH FLOWS - FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    Issuances of share capital, net                        1,595       28,312

    Repayments of bank loan                                 (48)        (47)
                                                             ---          ---

    Net cash provided by financing activities              1,547       28,265
                                                           -----       ------


    INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH
     EQUIVALENTS                                         (1,709)       4,259

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING                  5,544        2,469

       OF PERIOD

    EXCHANGE DIFFERENCES ON CASH AND CASH
     EQUIVALENTS                                              42          218
                                                             ---          ---

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD              3,877        6,946
                                                           =====        =====


                           BioLineRx Ltd.

    APPENDIX TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM CASH FLOW STATEMENTS

                            (UNAUDITED)


                                                             Six months
                                                             ended June
                                                               30,
                                                          -----------

                                                           2016       2017
                                                           ----       ----

                                                             in USD
                                                           thousands
                                                          ----------



    Adjustments required to reflect net cash used in operating
     activities:

    Income and expenses not involving cash flows:

    Depreciation and amortization                           245        250

    Long-term prepaid expenses                                4        (1)

    Interest and exchange rate differences on short-
     term deposits                                        (204)     (273)

    Share-based compensation                                582        858

    Exchange differences on cash and cash
     equivalents                                           (42)     (218)

    Gain on adjustment of warrants to fair value          (193)         -
                                                           ----        ---

                                                            392        616
                                                            ---        ---


    Changes in operating asset and liability items:

    Increase in prepaid expenses and other
     receivables                                          (352)     (623)

    Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and
     accruals                                             (263)     1,753
                                                           ----      -----

                                                          (615)     1,130
                                                           ----      -----

                                                          (223)     1,746
                                                           ====      =====



    Supplementary information on interest received
     in cash                                                192        258
                                                            ===        ===


    Supplementary non-cash investment (see Note 4b)               2,985
                                                                  =====

Contact:
PCG Advisory
Vivian Cervantes
Investor Relations
212-554-5482
vivian@pcgadvisory.com

or

Tsipi Haitovsky
Public Relations
+972-52-598-9892
tsipihai5@gmail.com

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SOURCE BioLineRx Ltd