What exactly is the Technosphere® Platform?

One of the largest organs in your body are the lungs. Picture the size of a full tennis court and that is roughly the surface area of both lungs in a typical adult. Running through those lungs are airways whose total length measures 1,500 miles – that’s the distance between Chicago and Las Vegas, New York to Albuquerque, and Los Angeles to Nashville.

Simply put, the lungs create a wonderful platform for effective drug delivery. MannKind’s Technosphere technology recognizes this and provides the distinct advantage of rapid, deep lung drug delivery. The effect is similar to intravenous delivery (I.V.; within a vein) and has the added benefit of bypassing the liver which can be especially helpful in reducing systemic side effects.

Examining it closer, it helps to look at inhalation, air flow travel, and the exhale. When you breathe in, air is drawn into the lung and flows down curving, narrowing airways that end in the air sacs or alveoli. When air is exhaled, the flow is reversed. Between the end of an inhalation and the start of exhalation, the air in the lung is stationary. To reach the deep lung, inhaled particles must be carried by the air stream and have enough momentum to continue through the stationary air to collide with the lung surface.

Particles that can reach the lung have aerodynamic diameters between 0.5 µm and 5-6 µm (1 µm is 1 micro-meter or about 0.00004 inches). Particles that are larger than 6 µm will leave the air stream and hit the back of your mouth and throat; smaller than 0.5 µm wouldn’t have the ability to reach the lungs and would simply get exhaled.

“The average Technosphere particle is about 2-2.5 µm which is in the middle of the respirable range,” explains Marshall Grant, PhD, MSc, Executive Director, Clinical Pharmacology & Research for MannKind Corporation. “The particle size distribution is a major reason Technosphere powders are highly efficient in delivering drug to the lungs than other dry powder inhalers (DPIs).”

The Technosphere particles in FDA-approved Afrezza® (insulin human) Inhalation Powder and Tyvaso DPI™ (treprostinil) Inhalation Powder are manufactured by different processes and possess different characteristics. But both are made up of small crystals of FDKP (fumaryl diketopiperazine), MannKind’s proprietary molecule. FDKP provides high solubility and fast dissolution at physiologic pH – and more importantly – can crystallize and form particles in the range appropriate for optimum delivery to the lungs.

When Technosphere powder reaches the lung surface, the FDKP and drug dissolve. The FDKP is then rapidly cleared from the lung into systemic circulation. The FDKP is not metabolized, but rather excreted primarily in the urine. Another value of Technosphere powders has been their versatility – they are compatible with a wide range of doses with different types of drugs.

MannKind’s Technosphere powders are delivered into the lung’s airstream via an inhalation device or DPI (dry powder inhaler). The breath-powered inhalers (Dreamboat® being the most common version) provide excellent delivery efficiency and are proven to deliver up to 70% of the dry-powder dose deep into the lungs. Our DPI are designed to be simple, easy to use and discreet. For patients, imagine having a drug in the convenient form of an inhaler that fits in the palm of your hand. This approach allows patients to not only take control of their health but do it while going about their day and enjoying life more humann.

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NTM Lung Disease on the Rise

“I cough every morning upon waking, so I don’t feel rested.” “Imagine not being able to breathe.” “Anxiety ruins everything about you – it’s not a normal life.” “You just exist from day to day and week to week.” These are a sampling of comments about the most bothersome symptoms from living with Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) shared in a study from NTM Info & Research, Inc. The statements are unfortunately typical and those with NTM often have unpredictable day-to-day health functioning and reduced quality of life.

NTM lung disease is a serious infection that is caused by bacteria that are common in the environment and can cause lung damage. The reality is that we are all exposed to these bacteria in our day-to-day lives – more than 120 species of mycobacteria have been identified. These common bacteria exist in water and soil particles that are in the air, wet places like hot tubs, steamy bathrooms, dishwashers, and even the dewy ground we walk on at the park. But not everyone is at risk of getting NTM lung disease just because they are exposed.

Those predisposed often have underlying conditions such as asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis, which makes them prone to NTM infection. NTM is not considered to be contagious. Women over the age of 65 make up the majority of those impacted, with a predominance in those of Caucasian and Asian descent.

A rare disease, NTM can often be difficult to diagnose. Many will experience coughing, fatigue, weight loss and shortness of breath – all of which are common with other lung disease symptoms and other conditions like tuberculosis. With NTM, symptoms often worsen, and that is a marker not to be ignored.

It is estimated that some 86,000 individuals are living with NTM lung diseases, and it is on the rise growing 8% each year. Coastal regions including Gulf States have higher rates of infection accounting for 70% of annual NTM cases.

While no cure is available, treatments to manage NTM are available. Treatment for NTM involves antibiotic and multidrug regimens with duration lasting from months to years with tolerability and adverse reactions to treatment which often leads to a lack of adherence to therapy.

There is a valuable need to develop medicines that are well tolerated and effective that lends to consistent patient use and alleviates symptoms of NTM lung disease. MannKind continues to progress MNKD-101 (Clofazimine) for the treatment of NTM.

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Release Details

MannKind Corporation Reports 2015 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results

03/14/16
PDF Version

VALENCIA, Calif., March 14, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MannKind Corporation (Nasdaq:MNKD) (TASE:MNKD) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2015.

For the fourth quarter of 2015, research and development expenses decreased 64.8%, from $17.6 million to $6.2 million, reflecting effects of our restructuring measures taken in 2015 and the transition from development to commercial activities.  General and administrative costs declined 33.6%, from $12.5 million to $8.3 million, mainly due to a decrease in non-cash stock compensation expense.  Sales of Afrezza continued to be lower than expected during the fourth quarter of 2015, culminating in a decision by Sanofi on January 4, 2016 to return the Afrezza rights to MannKind after a notice period, all of which impacted the value and recoverability of long-lived assets in accordance with accounting guidance.  As a result, non-cash impairment charges of $206.6 million were recorded for the fourth quarter of 2015, of which $140.4 million related to impairment of fixed assets and $66.2 million related to loss on future purchase commitments, primarily for insulin.  No such impairment charge was recognized in 2014.  Product manufacturing costs for the fourth quarter of 2015 were $51.8 million related to under absorbed labor and overhead and inventory write-offs. We did not recognize any product manufacturing costs in the fourth quarter of 2014 as we had not yet commenced commercialization of Afrezza.

For the full year 2015, our total operating expenses, excluding fixed asset impairment and loss on purchase commitments, were $138.1 million compared to $179.6 million for the full year 2014, a decrease of 23.1%. Total research and development costs for 2015 were $29.7 million compared $100.2 million for 2014, a decrease of 70.4%, primarily due to decreased development expenses resulting from the shift to commercial production of Afrezza, decreased clinical trial-related expenses and the effects of restructuring measures, in addition to reduced non-cash stock compensation expense resulting from the non-recurring achievement of performance and modification events in 2014 and the first quarter of 2015. General and administrative expenses for 2015 were $41.0 million compared to $79.4 million in 2014, a decrease of 48.4%, primarily due to reduced non-cash stock compensation expense resulting from the modification and achievement of performance-based awards in 2014 and in the first quarter of 2015 and the effects of restructuring measures, in addition to the non-recurrence of professional fees incurred in the third quarter of 2014 associated with the entry into the Sanofi License Agreement.  Product manufacturing costs for 2015 were $67.4 million related to under absorbed labor and overhead and inventory write-offs. We did not recognize any product manufacturing costs in 2014 as we had not yet commenced commercialization of Afrezza.

The net loss for 2015 was $368.4 million, including total non-cash impairment charges of $206.6 million, or $0.91 per share based on 406.2 million weighted average shares outstanding, higher than the net loss of $198.4 million, or $0.51 per share on 385.2 million weighted average shares outstanding in 2014.  The number of common shares outstanding at December 31, 2015 was 428.7 million.

Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2015 were $59.1 million, compared to $32.9 million in the third quarter of 2015. During the fourth quarter of 2015, we received $34.7 million in net proceeds from sale of stock on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, $0.7 million in proceeds from warrants and options exercised, $2.6 million in payments from Sanofi for product shipments, and $13.6 million in net proceeds from the sale of stock pursuant to our at-the-market sales facility. Currently, $30.1 million remains available to borrow under our amended loan arrangement with The Mann Group.

"Our financial results for 2015 were not what we expected going into the year, but we are looking forward to the next twelve months with optimism and great excitement," said Matthew Pfeffer, Chief Executive Officer of MannKind Corporation.  "Afrezza will soon be back under our control and we are all energized about the opportunity to launch a lean, focused commercial effort that highlights the differentiating qualities of our lead product.  With Michael Castagna now on board as our Chief Commercial Officer, as announced earlier today, we have taken another tangible step in building our commercial infrastructure.  Other activities are planned to follow quickly, as we finalize additional hires and line up assets for a variety of roles.  There is still much to do in the coming months, but we are all highly motivated by the positive feedback we have received from enthusiastic Afrezza patients and we want to do all we can to ensure that more adults with diabetes have an opportunity to receive the same benefits."

Conference Call

MannKind management will host a conference call to discuss these results today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.  To participate in the call please dial (888) 771-4371 or (847) 585-4405 and use the participant passcode: 4201 4510.  Those interested in listening to the conference call live via the Internet may do so by visiting the Company's website at http://www.mannkindcorp.com. 

A telephone replay will be accessible for approximately 14 days following completion of the call by dialing (888) 843-7419 or (630) 652-3042 and use the participant passcode: 4201 4510#.  A replay will also be available on MannKind's website for 14 days.

About MannKind Corporation

MannKind Corporation (Nasdaq and TASE: MNKD) focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic products for patients with diseases such as diabetes.  MannKind maintains a website at http://www.mannkindcorp.com to which MannKind regularly posts copies of its press releases as well as additional information about MannKind. Interested persons can subscribe on the MannKind website to e-mail alerts that are sent automatically when MannKind issues press releases, files its reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission or posts certain other information to the website.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as "believes", "anticipates", "plans", "expects", "intend", "will", "goal", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, the successful transition with Sanofi for the return of Afrezza, the ability to directly commercialize Afrezza, the ability to generate significant product sales for MannKind, difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory feedback or completing and analyzing the results of clinical studies, MannKind's ability to manage its existing cash resources or raise additional cash resources, stock price volatility and other risks detailed in MannKind's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and subsequent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and MannKind undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

(Tables to follow)

MannKind Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 Three months ended
December 31,
Twelve months ended
December 31,
  2015  2014  2015  2014 
Revenue$— $— $— $— 
             
Operating expenses:    
Research and development 6,218  17,560  29,674  100,244 
General and administrative 8,311  12,543  40,960  79,383 
Product manufacturing 51,754  —  67,442  — 
     
Property and equipment impairment 140,412  —  140,412  — 
Loss on purchase commitments 66,167  —  66,167  — 
     
             
Total operating expenses 272,862  30,103  344,655  179,627 
             
Loss from operations (272,862) (30,103) (344,655) (179,627)
Other income (expense) (106) 42  1,366  1,679 
Interest expense on note payable to principal stockholder (729) (729) (2,894) (2,894)
Loss on extinguishment of debt —  —  (1,049) — 
Interest expense on notes (3,331) (5,654) (21,231) (17,549)
Interest income 10  5  18  9 
             
Net loss$(277,018)$(36,439)$(368,445)$(198,382)
             
Net loss per share— basic and diluted$(0.66)$(0.09)$(0.91)$(0.51)
             
Shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share 419,314  396,793  406,165  385,229 


 

MannKind Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
 December 31, 
2015  		December 31,
2014 
   
Assets  
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents$    59,074 $    120,841 
Receivables from collaboration   23    50,436 
Inventory — current    -    9,670 
Deferred product costs from collaboration     13,539      - 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     4,018      20,206 
Total current assets   76,654    201,153 
Property and equipment — net   48,749    192,127 
Other assets     1,009      1,159 
Total$    126,412 $    394,439 
       
Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit      
Current liabilities$    268,324 $    403,353 
Senior convertible notes — long term   27,613    - 
Note payable to principal stockholder   49,521    49,521 
Sanofi loan facility and loss share obligation     62,371    3,034 
Purchase commitments   53,692    - 
Other liabilities 15,225    12,301 
Stockholders' deficit     (350,334)     (73,770)
Total$    126,412 $    394,439 


 

Company Contact:                                                          
Matthew J. Pfeffer                                                            
Chief Executive Officer 
661-775-5300
mpfeffer@mannkindcorp.com