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 2010 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results

02/10/11
PDF Version
MannKind Corporation Reports 2010 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results

VALENCIA, Calif., Feb 10, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- MannKind Corporation (Nasdaq:MNKD) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2010.

For the fourth quarter of 2010, total operating expenses were $32.1 million, compared to $55.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2009, a decrease of $23.7 million. Research and development (R&D) expenses were $24.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to $43.1 million for the same quarter in 2009, a decrease of $18.9 million. This 44% decrease was primarily due to the non-recurrence of a $12.8 million loss on disposal of fixed assets in 2009 as well as reduced costs associated with the clinical development of AFREZZA® after the submission of its new drug application (NDA) to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2009, partially offset by an increase in raw materials purchases. General and administrative (G&A) expenses decreased by $4.8 million to $7.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to $12.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, primarily due to reduced salary related costs.

The net loss applicable to common stockholders for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $38.3 million, or $0.33 per share based on 114.9 million weighted average shares outstanding, compared with a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $59.5 million, or $0.53 per share based on 112.9 million weighted average shares outstanding for the fourth quarter of 2009. The number of common shares outstanding at December 31, 2010 was 127,793,178.

For the year ended December 31, 2010, total operating expenses were $152.6 million, compared with $209.8 million for 2009, a decrease of $57.2 million. R&D expenses were $112.3 million in 2010, compared to $156.3 million in 2009, a decrease of $44.1 million. The 28% decrease was primarily due to the non-recurrence of the $12.8 million loss on disposal of fixed assets in 2009, decreased costs associated with the clinical development of AFREZZA and reduced salary related and other research costs as a result of a reduction in force in April 2009, partially offset by increased raw materials purchases. G&A expenses decreased by $13.1 million to $40.3 million for 2010 as compared to $53.4 million for 2009 primarily due to decreased salary related costs resulting from the April 2009 reduction in force as well as the non-recurrence of costs related to the insulin acquisition transaction with Pfizer, Inc. during the second quarter of 2009 and decreased professional fees related to market studies conducted in 2009.

The net loss applicable to common stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $170.6 million, or $1.50 per share based on 113.7 million weighted average shares outstanding, compared with a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $220.1 million, or $2.07 per share based on 106.5 million weighted averages shares outstanding for 2009.

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $70.4 million at December 31, 2010 and $32.5 million at December 31, 2009. In the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company issued and sold 2.1 million shares of common stock to Seaside 88, LP (Seaside) for net proceeds of $14.4 million in accordance with the Company's common stock purchase agreement with Seaside. Concurrently, with the Seaside closing, the Company issued and sold 2.1 million shares of common stock to The Mann Group, an entity controlled by the Company's principal stockholder, for a total purchase price of $16.7 million, which was paid by the cancellation of outstanding principal under the Company's $350.0 million loan agreement with The Mann Group. After taking into account the debt cancellation of $16.7 million during the fourth quarter, as of December 31, 2010, the principal amount outstanding under the loan agreement was $235.3 million, and the Company has $98.0 million of available borrowings under the loan agreement.

"The year ahead will be focused on the activities that are necessary to secure the approval of AFREZZA," said Alfred Mann, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MannKind. "We are requesting guidance from the FDA in order to clarify the regulatory path for AFREZZA and we will promptly implement their recommendations as soon as possible after our requested meeting. In the meantime, we are restructuring our organization to be focused on securing the approval of AFREZZA, which today resulted in the elimination of approximately 41% of our workforce. We remain committed to our goal of making AFREZZA available for the millions of patients with diabetes."

Conference Call

MannKind management will host a conference call to discuss these results today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. To participate in the call please dial (888) 282-0429 or (415) 228-3901 and use the participant passcode: MANNKIND. To listen to the call via the Internet please visit www.mannkindcorp.com. The web site replay will be available for 14 days. A telephone replay will be accessible for approximately 14 days following completion of the call by dialing (866) 445-8299 or (203) 369-1142.

Presenting from the Company will be:

  • Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alfred Mann
  • President and Chief Operating Officer Hakan Edstrom
  • Corporate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Matthew Pfeffer
  • Corporate Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer Peter Richardson

About MannKind Corporation

MannKind Corporation (Nasdaq: MNKD) focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic products for patients with diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Its lead product candidate, AFREZZA®, is in late stage clinical investigation for the treatment of adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes for the control of hyperglycemia. MannKind is also evaluating an investigational cancer immunotherapy product, MKC1106-MT, in a phase 2 clinical trial. 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, including statements related to the potential of AFREZZA and the Company's other products, 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, risks inherent in the progress, timing and results of clinical trials, difficulties or delays in seeking or obtaining regulatory approval, 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, 2009 and periodic reports on Form 10-Q and 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.

MannKind Corporation

(A Development Stage Company)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Three months ended

December 31,

Twelve months ended

December 31,

Cumulative

period from

February 14,

1991 (date of

inception) to

December 31,

2010 2009 2010 2009 2010
Revenue $ -- $ -- $ 93 $ -- $ 3,081
Operating expenses:
Research and development 24,217 43,100 112,279 156,331 1,266,092
General and administrative 7,877 12,719 40,312 53,447 339,601
In-process research and development costs -- -- -- -- 19,726
Goodwill impairment -- -- -- -- 151,428
Total operating expenses 32,094 55,819 152,591 209,778 1,776.847
Loss from operations (32,094 ) (55,819 ) (152,498 ) (209,778 ) (1,773,766 )
Other income (expense) (626 ) (451 ) (725 ) 51 (2,617 )
Interest expense on note payable to principal stockholder (2,773 ) (1,873 ) (10,249 ) (5,679 ) (17,451 )
Interest expense on senior convertible notes (2,831 ) (1,393 ) (7,128 ) (4,768 ) (17,853 )
Interest income 18 3 40 70 36,971
Loss before provision for income taxes (38,306 ) (59,533 ) (170,560 ) (220,104 ) (1,774,716 )
Income taxes -- -- -- -- (26 )
Net loss (38,306 ) (59,533 ) (170,560 ) (220,104 ) (1,774,742 )
Deemed dividend related to beneficial conversion feature of convertible preferred stock -- -- -- -- (22,260 )
Accretion on redeemable preferred stock -- -- -- -- (952 )
Net loss applicable to common stockholders $ (38,306 ) $ (59,533 ) $ (170,560 ) $ (220,104 ) $ (1,797,954 )
Net loss per share applicable to common stockholders -- basic and diluted $ (0.33 ) $ (0.53 ) $ (1.50 ) $ (2.07 )
Shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share applicable to common stockholders 114,932 112,860 113,672 106,534

MannKind Corporation

(A Development Stage Company)

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

December 31, 2010

December 31, 2009

Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 66,061 $ 30,019
Marketable securities 4,370 2,475
State research and development credit exchange receivable -- current 674 1,500
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,849 3,672
Total current assets 73,954 37,666
Property and equipment -- net 202,356 208,229
State research and development credit exchange receivable -- net of current portion 629 918
Other assets 317 584
Total $ 277,256 $ 247,397

Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit

Current liabilities

$ 18,134 $ 28,853
Senior convertible notes 209,335 112,765
Note payable to principal stockholder 235,319 165,000
Stockholders' deficit (185,532 ) (59,221 )
Total $ 277,256 $ 247,397

SOURCE: MannKind Corporation

MannKind Corporation
Matthew J. Pfeffer
Chief Financial Officer
661-775-5300
mpfeffer@mannkindcorp.com