Lipocine Announces Financial and Operational Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lipocine Inc. (NASDAQ: LPCN), a specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Third Quarter and Recent Corporate Highlights

    --  Completed enrollment of 138 subjects in the ongoing ambulatory blood
        pressure ("ABPM") clinical study for TLANDO(TM), the Company's oral
        testosterone product candidate for testosterone replacement therapy
        ("TRT") in adult males for conditions associated with a deficiency of
        endogenous testosterone, also known as hypogonadism. The ABPM study is
        designed to address a deficiency identified in the FDA's Complete
        Response Letter ("CRL") issued May 2018. Results from the study are
        expected in the first quarter of 2019.
    --  Conducting a definitive phlebotomy study to evaluate the extent, if any,
        of clinically meaningful ex vivo conversion of testosterone undecanoate
        ("TU") to testosterone ("T") in serum blood collection tubes to confirm
        the reliability of TLANDO data results. Results are expected in the
        fourth quarter of 2018.
    --  Announced a late-breaking presentation highlighting LPCN 1144 data in
        potential non-alcoholic fatty liver disease ("NAFLD") / non-alcoholic
        steatohepatitis ("NASH") patients, at The Liver Meeting®, to take place
        in San Francisco November 9-13, 2018. The presentation will highlight
        data from multiple clinical trials of LPCN 1144 in potential NAFLD/NASH
        patients.
    --  Conducting a Proof-Of-Concept ("POC") study with LPCN 1144 in a
        biopsy-confirmed NASH in-vivo pre-clinical model. Results are expected
        in the first quarter of 2019.
    --  Completed enrollment of 36 subjects in the LPCN 1144 POC clinical study
        to assess liver fat changes in hypogonadal men at risk of developing
        non-alcoholic steatohepatitis ("NASH") using magnetic resonance imaging,
        proton density fat fraction ("MRI-PDFF") technique. Results are expected
        in the first quarter of 2019.

"We continue to believe there is a path forward for TLANDO and anticipate a resubmission of our NDA for TLANDO in the first half of 2019 based on results from on-going clinical studies," said Dr. Mahesh Patel, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lipocine. "We are also excited about our new product candidate, LPCN 1144, for NASH and look forward to receiving clinical trial results in the near term that will further support the use of an oral androgen for this important indication."

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Financial Results

Lipocine reported a net loss of $2.5 million, or ($0.12) per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared with a net loss of $4.7 million, or ($0.22) per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Research and development expenses were $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared with $2.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease in research and development expenses year over year was primarily due to reduced contract manufacturing organization costs for TLANDO and LPCN 1107 and reduced personnel costs, offset by increased contract research organization costs for TLANDO for the ABPM study. We expect research and development costs to increase through the first quarter of 2019 while we conduct the ABPM study for TLANDO and complete the POC liver imaging study for LPCN 1144.

General and administrative expenses were $930,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared with $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease in general and administrative expenses year over year was primarily due to lower professional fees related to legal, intellectual property and commercial activities as well as decreased personnel costs related to reduced headcount.

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had unrestricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $16.9 million, compared to cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $21.5 million at December 31, 2017.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Financial Results

Lipocine reported a net loss of $8.4 million, or ($0.40) per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared with a net loss of $15.7 million, or ($0.80) per diluted share, in the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Research and development expenses were $4.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared with $9.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease in research and development expenses year over year was primarily due to reduced contract research organization costs for TLANDO as the DV and DF studies were complete in 2017 while the ABPM study was being initiated in 2018, lower personnel costs, and lower contract manufacturing costs for LPCN 1107. This was offset by increased outside service and other costs primarily related to the Company's preparation for and participation in the meeting of the Bone, Reproductive and Urologic Drugs Advisory Committee ("BRUDAC") of the FDA related to TLANDO that was held in January 2018.

General and administrative expenses were $4.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared with $6.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease in general and administrative expenses year over year was primarily due to decreased personnel costs related to reduced headcount. Additionally, professional fees related to legal, intellectual property and commercial activities also decreased in 2018.

About Lipocine
Lipocine Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company developing innovative pharmaceutical products for use in men's and women's health using its proprietary drug delivery technologies. Lipocine's clinical development pipeline includes four development programs TLANDO, LPCN 1144, LPCN 1111 and LPCN 1107. TLANDO, a novel oral prodrug of testosterone containing testosterone undecanoate, is designed to help restore normal testosterone levels in hypogonadal men. TLANDO received a Complete Response Letter from the FDA on May 8, 2018. LPCN 1144, an oral prodrug of bioidentical testosterone, is being developed as a treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis ("NASH") and is currently being studied in two proof-of-concept clinical studies. LPCN 1111, a novel oral prodrug of testosterone, originated and is being developed by Lipocine as a next-generation oral testosterone product with potential for once-daily dosing and is currently in Phase 2 testing. LPCN 1107 is potentially the first oral hydroxyprogesterone caproate product candidate indicated for the prevention of recurrent preterm birth and has been granted orphan drug designation by the FDA. An End of Phase 2 meeting with the FDA has been completed. For more information, please visit www.lipocine.com

Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward looking statements" that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include statements that are not historical facts regarding Lipocine's product candidates and related clinical trials and the FDA review process relating to its product candidates, the timing of completion of clinical trials including the ABPM study for TLANDO as well as ongoing LPCN 1144 clinical trials, the path to approvability by the FDA of Lipocine's development programs, the potential uses and benefits of our product candidates, and our product development efforts. Investors are cautioned that all such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the risks that the FDA will not approve any of our products, risks related to our products, expected product benefits not being realized, clinical and regulatory expectations and plans not being realized, new regulatory developments and requirements, risks related to the FDA approval process including the receipt of regulatory approvals, the results and timing of clinical trials, patient acceptance of Lipocine's products, the manufacturing and commercialization of Lipocine's products, and other risks detailed in Lipocine's filings with the SEC, including, without limitation, its Form 10-K and other reports on Forms 8-K and 10-Q, all of which can be obtained on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Lipocine assumes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements contained in this release, except as required by law.


                                                                        
            
              LIPOCINE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                                                          
            Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets


                                                                                       
            (Unaudited)




                                                                                                              
            
       September 30,    
     
     December 31,


                                                                                                                                       2018                 2017



                                                        
            
              Assets



     Current assets:


                   
            Cash and cash equivalents                                                                            $4,802,806           $3,210,749


                   
            Restricted cash                                                                                       5,000,000                    -


                            Marketable investment securities                                                                     12,077,016           18,257,321


                   
            Accrued interest income                                                                                  29,892               23,067


                   
            Litigation insurance recovery                                                                                             3,319,927


                            Prepaid and other current assets                                                                        728,482              408,227




                   
            Total current assets                                                                                 22,638,196           25,219,291




      Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,120,256 and $1,121,080,
       respectively                                                                                                                23,442               75,070



     Other assets                                                                                                                 23,753               30,753




                   
            Total assets                                                                                        $22,685,391          $25,325,114







                                         
            
              Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity



     Current liabilities:


                   
            Accounts payable                                                                                       $239,922             $598,070


                   
            Litigation settlement payable                                                                                             4,250,000


                   
            Accrued expenses                                                                                        488,632            1,497,056


                   
            Debt - current portion                                                                                2,341,054                    -


                   
            Total current liabilities                                                                             3,069,608            6,345,126





     Debt - non-current portion                                                                                                7,853,844                    -




                   
            Total liabilities                                                                                    10,923,452            6,345,126








     Commitments and contingencies





     Stockholders' equity:


                            Preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per
                             share, 10,000,000 shares authorized;
                             zero issued and outstanding                                                                                                      -


                            Common stock, par value $0.0001 per
                             share, 100,000,000 shares authorized;
                             21,340,017 and 21,270,249 issued and
                             21,334,307 and 21,264,539 outstanding                                                                    2,134                2,127


                   
            Additional paid-in capital                                                                          146,638,736          145,423,012


                            Treasury stock at cost, 5,710 shares                                                                   (40,712)            (40,712)


                            Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                                    (3,853)             (4,616)


                   
            Accumulated deficit                                                                               (134,834,366)       (126,399,823)




                   
            Total stockholders' equity                                                                           11,761,939           18,979,988






                   
            Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                          $22,685,391          $25,325,114


                                                                                      
              
                LIPOCINE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                                                        
              Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss


                                                                                                      
              (Unaudited)




                                                                  Three Months Ended September 30,                                         Nine Months Ended September 30,



                                                                                              2018                                                                     2017           2018                 2017






     Revenues:


                            License revenue                            
              $              -                                             
              $              -      $428,031   
     $              -


                 
              Total revenues                                                                                                                                       428,031






     Operating expenses:


                            Research and
                             development                                                 1,422,919                                                                2,046,533      4,282,823            9,237,169


                            General and
                             administrative                                                930,137                                                                2,719,526      4,299,659            6,578,423



                 
              Total operating expenses                                     2,353,056                                                                4,766,059      8,582,482           15,815,592





                 
              Operating loss                                             (2,353,056)                                                             (4,766,059)   (8,154,451)        (15,815,592)






     Other income (expense):


                            Interest and
                             investment income                                             112,561                                                                   65,811        343,145              165,018


                            Interest expense                                             (218,577)                                                                             (622,537)                   -



                            Total other income (expense), net                            (106,016)                                                                  65,811      (279,392)             165,018




                            Loss before income tax expense                             (2,459,072)                                                             (4,700,248)   (8,433,843)        (15,650,574)





     Income tax expense                                                                       -                                                                                 (700)               (700)




                 
              Net loss                                                  $(2,459,072)                                                            $(4,700,248)  $(8,434,543)       $(15,651,274)





      Basic loss per share attributable to
       common stock                                                                      $(0.12)                                                                 $(0.22)       $(0.40)             $(0.80)

                                                                                                                                                                                                       ===

      Weighted average common shares
       outstanding, basic                                                             21,266,639                                                               20,890,580     21,265,247           19,666,131





      Diluted loss per share attributable to
       common stock                                                                      $(0.12)                                                                 $(0.22)       $(0.40)             $(0.80)

                                                                                                                                                                                                       ===

      Weighted average common shares
       outstanding, diluted                                                           21,266,639                                                               20,890,580     21,265,247           19,666,131






     Comprehensive loss:


                 
              Net loss                                                  $(2,459,072)                                                            $(4,700,248)  $(8,434,543)       $(15,651,274)


                            Net unrealized gain on available-for-
                             sale securities                                                 7,756                                                                       79            763                7,960



                 
              Comprehensive loss                                        $(2,451,316)                                                            $(4,700,169)  $(8,433,780)       $(15,643,314)

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lipocine-announces-financial-and-operational-results-for-the-three-and-nine-months-ended-september-30-2018-300744408.html

SOURCE Lipocine Inc.