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 2014 Third Quarter Financial Results

11/03/14
PDF Version

VALENCIA, Calif., Nov. 3, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MannKind Corporation (Nasdaq:MNKD) today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014.

For the third quarter of 2014, total operating expenses were $38.3 million, compared to $44.8 million for the third quarter of 2013, a decrease of $6.5 million. Research and development (R&D) expenses decreased $8.1 million from $27.3 million for the third quarter of 2013 to $19.2 million for the same quarter in 2014. This 30% decrease in R&D expense was primarily due to decreased non-cash stock compensation expense of $8.2 million resulting from the settlement value of modified performance awards and an overall decrease in stock-based compensation expense related to performance milestones substantially recorded in 2013 but were achieved and settled in 2014. General and administrative (G&A) expenses increased by $1.6 million to $19.1 million for the third quarter of 2014 compared to $17.5 million in the third quarter of 2013. This 9% increase in G&A expense was primarily due to increased professional fees of $13.6 million associated with the closing of the collaboration and license agreement with Sanofi partially offset by a decrease in non-cash stock compensation expense of $12.5 million resulting from the reduced settlement value of modified performance awards and an overall decrease in stock-based compensation expense related to performance milestones substantially recognized in 2013 but were achieved and settled in 2014.

For the first nine months of 2014, operating expenses totaled $149.5 million, compared to $122.8 million for the first nine months of 2013, an increase of $26.7 million. Total R&D expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased by $2.0 million, or 2%, to $82.7 million compared to $80.7 million for the same period in 2013, primarily due to increased non-cash stock compensation expense of $7.3 million and increased spending on commercial readiness of $5.7 million partially offset by decreased clinical expenses of $10.3 million due to the completion of the Affinity studies in 2013. G&A expenses increased by $24.7 million, or 59%, to $66.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to $42.1 million in the same period in 2013, primarily due to an $8.2 million increase in non-cash stock compensation expense, increased professional fees of $13.6 million associated with the closing of the collaboration and license agreement with Sanofi, and an increase of $1.5 million in professional fees related to financing transactions and associated filings.

The net loss applicable to common stockholders for the third quarter of 2014 was $36.5 million, or $0.09 per share based on 394.2 million weighted average shares outstanding, compared to a net loss applicable to common stockholders for the third quarter of 2013 of $50.8 million, or $0.17 per share based on 296.4 million weighted average shares outstanding. The number of common shares outstanding at September 30, 2014 was 405,469,034.

Cash and cash equivalents were $172.5 million at September 30, 2014, compared to $41.2 million in the second quarter of 2014. In the third quarter of 2014, the Company received:

  • $150.0 million in an upfront payment from Sanofi in connection with the closing of the collaboration and licensing agreement;
  • $40.0 million from the Tranche 4 notes purchased by Deerfield in July 2014; and
  • $17.3 million in proceeds from warrant and stock option exercises.

Currently, up to $70.0 million of additional sales of Tranche B notes may be made to Deerfield and $30.1 million of borrowings remain available under the amended loan arrangement with The Mann Group.

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 (800) 708-4540 or (847) 619-6397 and use the participant passcode: 36435007. 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: 3643 5007#. A replay will also be available on MannKind's website for 14 days.

About MannKind Corporation

MannKind Corporation (Nasdaq:MNKD) focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic products for patients with diseases such as diabetes. MannKind maintains a website at 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 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, 2013 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.

(Tables to follow)

MannKind Corporation
(A Development Stage Company)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
         Cumulative period
         from February 14,
         1991 (date of
 Three months endedNine months endedinception) to
 September 30,September 30,September 30,
 20142013201420132014
           
Revenue   $ —    $ —    $ —    $ —    $ 3,166
           
Operating expenses:          
Research and development   19,178  27,281  82,684  80,731  1,659,976
General and administrative   19,088  17,481  66,840  42,053  552,226
In-process research and development costs   —    —    —    —    19,726
Goodwill impairment   —    —    —    —    151,428
           
Total operating expenses   38,266  44,762  149,524  122,784  2,383,356
           
Loss from operations   (38,266)  (44,762)  (149,524)  (122,784)  (2,380,190)
Other income (expense)   7,898  10  1,638  48  (1,264)
Interest expense on note payable to related party   (729)  (1,745)  (2,164)  (5,123)  (47,298)
Interest expense on senior convertible notes   (5,424)  (4,323)  (11,895)  (10,052)  (66,981)
Interest income   1  2  4  4  37,008
           
Loss before benefit for income taxes   (36,520)  (50,818)  (161,941)  (137,907)  (2,458,725)
Income tax benefit   —    —    —    —    382
           
Net loss   (36,520)  (50,818)  (161,941)  (137,907)  (2,458,343)
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   $ (36,520)  $ (50,818)  $ (161,941)  $ (137,907)  $ (2,481,555)
           
Net loss per share applicable to common stockholders — basic and diluted   $ (0.09)  $ (0.17)  $ (0.42)  $ (0.48)  
           
Shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share applicable to common stockholders   394,163  296,386  381,332  286,889  
           
MannKind Corporation
(A Development Stage Company)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
 September 30, 2014December 31, 2013
     
Assets    
Cash and cash equivalents  $ 172,465  $ 70,790
Prepaid expenses and other assets  23,430  11,299
Property and equipment — net  190,923  176,557
Total  $ 386,818  $ 258,646
     
     
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)    
Deferred up-front due to collaboration agreement  $ 150,000  $ — 
Senior convertible notes (due August 2015)  99,120  98,439
Facility financing obligation  72,625  102,300
Note payable to related party  49,521  49,521
Other liabilities  56,230  39,099
Stockholders' equity (deficit)  (40,678)  (30,713)
Total  $ 386,818  $ 258,646
CONTACT: Company Contact:

         Matthew J. Pfeffer

         Chief Financial Officer

         661-775-5300

         mpfeffer@mannkindcorp.com