SAN DIEGO, March 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARNA), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel, small molecule drugs across multiple therapeutic areas, today provided a corporate update and reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2016.

"We are very pleased with our progress in 2016 as we have positioned the Company to deliver results on multiple Phase 2 programs in 2017. In the last nine months since the arrival of the new management team, we prioritized our Phase 2 programs; strengthened our board and team to support our strategy; implemented cost reduction measures; renegotiated our agreement with Eisai; and took a methodical approach to maximizing the value of our assets," said Amit Munshi, Arena's President and CEO.

As previously disclosed, in February 2017, Arena appointed Jayson Dallas, M.D., Oliver Fetzer, Ph.D., and Garry A. Neil, M.D. as independent directors to the Company's Board of Directors.

"This year we expect to report results from all three of our proprietary Phase 2 programs, beginning with ralinepag in mid-year for pulmonary arterial hypertension," Mr. Munshi stated. "For etrasimod, we remain focused on maximizing the broad clinical utility of this compound in a time and cost effective manner. We are pleased to have initiated Phase 2 trials in both dermatologic extraintestinal manifestations in inflammatory bowel disease patients and pyoderma gangrenosum. We also plan to initiate a study in primary biliary cholangitis this year. Additionally, we have made important adjustments to the Phase 2 ulcerative colitis trial to ensure a robust data readout by year-end 2017."

Pipeline Update

Ralinepag - oral, selective IP receptor agonist targeting the prostacyclin pathway for the potential treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)


    --  Phase 2 trial in PAH
        --  Enrollment of the Phase 2 trial in pulmonary arterial hypertension
            was completed in December 2016
        --  Data readout expected in mid-year 2017
    --  Phase 1 pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic trial comparing current
        twice-daily formulation with a new once-daily formulation in healthy
        volunteers
        --  Trial initiated in March 2017
        --  Data readout expected mid-year 2017

Etrasimod - orally available next generation sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator for the potential treatment of a number of autoimmune diseases


    --  Phase 2 trial in ulcerative colitis (UC)
        --  Implementing protocol updates to the OASIS program that maintain
            study conduct, integrity, and patient safety; further the
            probability of a successful trial; and facilitate expected data
            readout in 2017
    --  Phase 2 trial in dermatological extraintestinal manifestations (EIM) in
        patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
        --  Trial initiated in March 2017
    --  Phase 2 trial in pyoderma gangrenosum (PG)
        --  Trial initiated in March 2017
    --  Phase 2 trial in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)
        --  Intend to initiate clinical study in 2017

APD371 - orally available full agonist of the cannabinoid-2, receptor for the potential treatment of visceral pain, specifically pain associated with Crohn's disease


    --  Phase 2 trial in pain associated with Crohn's disease
        --  Currently incorporating feedback related to study design and conduct
            into the clinical protocol design and selecting sites

Collaborations Update


    --  Axovant
        --  On February 13, 2017, Axovant announced preliminary results from the
            planned interim analysis of the first 11 patients to complete its
            Phase 2 study of nelotanserin in Lewy body dementia patients. 
            Axovant has stated plans to initiate a Phase 3 in the second half of
            2017
    --  Eisai
        --  On December 28, 2016, Arena and Eisai Co., Ltd. and Eisai Inc.
            (collectively, "Eisai")  amended and replaced the BELVIQ®
            (lorcaserin HCl) marketing and supply agreement. Under the revised
            agreements, Eisai acquired global commercialization rights to BELVIQ
            and is responsible for all lorcaserin development expenses going
            forward. The financial terms of the revised agreement are expected
            to provide Arena with $23 million of cash payments, including $10
            million received in the fourth quarter, and over $80 million of
            potential cost relief on lorcaserin development obligations in the
            next three years. In addition, Arena will continue to be eligible to
            receive royalty payments on net sales of BELVIQ and participate in
            the upside potential of lorcaserin from additional geographies and
            clinical trials such as the ongoing cardiovascular outcomes trial,
            CAMELLIA
        --  As a result of the Eisai transaction, a significant amount of
            non-cash items were recognized in the 2016 financial statements

Financial Update

Fourth Quarter 2016 Financial Results


    --  Revenues totaled $85.4 million, including $15.2 million in net product
        sales of BELVIQ, $1.3 million in milestone payments earned from Eisai
        and Ildong for BELVIQ, and $66.1 million of revenue associated with
        upfront BELVIQ payments
    --  Research and development expenses totaled $11.9 million
    --  General and administrative expenses totaled $7.3 million
    --  Impairment of assets totaled $21.8 million
    --  Net income was $38.3 million or $0.16 per share

Full Year 2016 Financial Results


    --  Revenues totaled $124.0 million, including $26.3 million in net product
        sales of BELVIQ, $12.3 million of milestone payments earned from Eisai
        and Ildong for BELVIQ, and $72.1 million of revenue associated with
        upfront BELVIQ payments
    --  Research and development expenses totaled $66.4 million
    --  General and administrative expenses totaled $31.2 million
    --  Restructuring charges totaled $6.3 million
    --  Impairment of assets totaled $21.8 million
    --  Net loss was $22.9 million, or $0.09 per share

At December 31, 2016, cash and cash equivalents totaled $90.7 million and approximately 243 million shares of Arena common stock were outstanding.

2017 Financial Guidance
The Company expects the full year 2017 net cash used in operating and investing activities to be $80 to $100 million, assuming no additional partnerships and no adjustment to our development plans.

Conference Call & Webcast Information
The Company will host a conference call and live webcast with the investment community today, Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss the financial results and provide a corporate update.

When: March 14, 2017, 4:30 p.m. ET
Dial-in: (877) 643-7155 (United States) or (914) 495-8552 (International)
Conference ID: 80816089

Please join the conference call at least 10 minutes early to register.

You can access the live webcast under the investor relations section of Arena's website at: www.arenapharm.com. A replay of the conference call will be archived under the investor relations section of Arena's website for 30 days shortly after the call.

About Arena Pharmaceuticals
Arena Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel, small molecule drugs with optimized receptor pharmacology designed to deliver broad clinical utility across multiple therapeutic areas. Our proprietary pipeline includes potentially first- or best-in-class programs for which we own global commercial rights. Our three most advanced investigational clinical programs are ralinepag (APD811) in Phase 2 evaluation for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), etrasimod (APD334) in Phase 2 evaluation for multiple autoimmune indications, and APD371 entering Phase 2 evaluation for the treatment of pain associated with Crohn's disease. In addition, Arena has collaborations with the following pharmaceutical companies: Eisai Co., Ltd. and Eisai Inc. (commercial stage), Axovant Sciences (Phase 2 candidate), and Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH (preclinical candidate).

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include statements about expected results, data readouts and timing relating to ongoing clinical trials; expected payments and potential cost relief under the revised agreements with Eisai; financial guidance for 2017; and Arena's focus, goals, strategy and clinical programs. For such statements, Arena claims the protection of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual events or results may differ materially from Arena's expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: the risk that we may need additional funds to advance all of our programs, and you and others may not agree with the manner we allocate our resources; risks related to developing and commercializing drugs; cash and revenues generated from BELVIQ and our revised agreements with Eisai; the risk that Arena's revenues are based in part on estimates, judgment and accounting policies, and incorrect estimates or disagreement regarding estimates or accounting policies may result in changes to Arena's guidance or previously reported results; the timing and outcome of research, development and regulatory review is uncertain, and our drug candidates may not advance in development or be approved for marketing; government and third-party payor actions, including relating to reimbursement and pricing; risks related to relying on collaborative arrangements; the entry into or modification or termination of collaborative arrangements; unexpected or unfavorable new data; nonclinical and clinical data is voluminous and detailed, and regulatory agencies may interpret or weigh the importance of data differently and reach different conclusions than Arena or others, request additional information, have additional recommendations or change their guidance or requirements before or after approval; Arena's and third parties' intellectual property rights; results of clinical trials and other studies are subject to different interpretations and may not be predictive of future results; clinical trials and other studies may not proceed at the time or in the manner expected or at all; and satisfactory resolution of litigation or other disagreements with others. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by Arena's forward-looking statements are disclosed in Arena's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent Arena's judgment as of the time of this release. Arena disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as may be required under applicable law.

Contact:
Kevin R. Lind, Chief Financial Officer
klind@arenapharm.com
858.210.3636

(Tables Follow)


                                                                                       Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

                                                                             Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

                                                                                (In thousands, except per share amounts)


                                                                                                                             Three months ended                 Year ended

                                                                                                                                December 31,                   December 31,
                                                                                                                              ------------                ------------

                                                                                                                                 2016                2015                    2016         2015
                                                                                                                                 ----                ----                    ----         ----

                                                                                                                              (unaudited)

    Revenues

    Net product sales                                                                                                         $15,245              $3,939                 $26,349      $19,726

    Other Eisai collaboration revenue                                                                                          61,546               2,091                  79,701        9,505

    Other collaboration revenue                                                                                                 7,730                 670                  13,796        4,845

    Toll manufacturing                                                                                                            853               1,051                   4,129        4,250
                                                                                                                                  ---               -----                   -----        -----

      Total revenues                                                                                                           85,374               7,751                 123,975       38,326


    Operating Costs & Expenses

    Cost of product sales                                                                                                       5,136               2,461                   9,297        8,590

    Cost of toll manufacturing                                                                                                  1,168                 787                   6,044        4,585

    Research & development                                                                                                     11,911              20,170                  66,425       88,411

    General & administrative                                                                                                    7,264               9,655                  31,243       35,966

    Restructuring charges                                                                                                           0               3,972                   6,346        3,972

    Impairment of long-living assets                                                                                           21,766                   0                  21,766            0
                                                                                                                               ------                 ---                  ------          ---

      Total operating costs & expenses                                                                                         47,245              37,045                 141,121      141,524


    Interest & Other Income (Expense)

    Interest income                                                                                                                43                  53                     290          158

    Interest expense                                                                                                          (1,605)            (1,695)                (6,512)     (6,828)

    Gain from valuation of derivative liabilities                                                                                   0                   0                       0          474

    Other                                                                                                                       1,747                 477                     472        1,415
                                                                                                                                -----                 ---                     ---        -----

      Total interest & other income (expense), net                                                                                185             (1,165)                (5,750)     (4,781)
                                                                                                                                  ---              ------                  ------       ------

    Net income (loss)                                                                                                          38,314            (30,459)               (22,896)   (107,979)

    Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in consolidated variable interest entity                                258                   0                     380            0
                                                                                                                                  ---                 ---                     ---          ---

    Net income (loss) attributable to stockholders of Arena                                                                   $38,572           $(30,459)              $(22,516)  $(107,979)
                                                                                                                              =======            ========                ========    =========


    Net income(loss) attributable to stockholders of Arena per share:

       Basic                                                                                                                    $0.16             $(0.13)                $(0.09)     $(0.45)
                                                                                                                                =====              ======                  ======       ======

       Diluted                                                                                                                  $0.16             $(0.13)                $(0.09)     $(0.45)
                                                                                                                                =====              ======                  ======       ======


    Shares used in calculating net loss attributable to stockholders of Arena per share:

       Basic                                                                                                                  243,325             242,566                 243,133      240,671
                                                                                                                              =======             =======                 =======      =======

       Diluted                                                                                                                243,495             242,566                 243,133      240,671
                                                                                                                              =======             =======                 =======      =======


                                                                             Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

                                                                      Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data

                                                                                   (In thousands)



                                                                                                                December 31, 2016          December 31, 2015
                                                                                                                -----------------          -----------------

                                                                                                                                         1                     (1)

    Assets

      Cash & cash equivalents                                                                                                      $90,712                $156,184

      Accounts receivable                                                                                                           20,162                   4,934

      Inventory                                                                                                                      6,708                   9,502

      Prepaid expenses & other current assets                                                                                        2,307                   4,218

      Land, property & equipment, net                                                                                               43,828                  71,828

      Intangibles & other non-current assets                                                                                         5,293                  10,126
                                                                                                                                     -----                  ------

           Total assets                                                                                                           $169,010                $256,792
                                                                                                                                  ========                ========


    Liabilities & Equity

      Accounts payable & accrued liabilities                                                                                       $25,073                 $25,493

      Total deferred revenues                                                                                                       37,455                 109,042

      Total lease financing obligations & other long-term liabilities                                                               66,087                  68,715

      Total equity                                                                                                                  40,395                  53,542
                                                                                                                                    ------                  ------

           Total liabilities & equity                                                                                             $169,010                $256,792
                                                                                                                                  ========                ========



    1 The Condensed Consolidated
     Balance Sheet Data has been
     derived from the audited
     financial statements as of that
     date.

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