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ACHN - 3Q10 results

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Achillion-Reports-Third-pz-3052566745.html?x=0&.v=1

Achillion Reports Third Quarter and Nine Month Financial Results

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Oct. 27, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACHN - News), a leader in the discovery and development of small molecule drugs to combat the most challenging infectious diseases, today reported financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010. For the third quarter of 2010, the Company reported a net loss of $7.2 million, compared with a net loss of $6.4 million for the same period last year. Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of September 30, 2010 were $62.2 million.

"With our lead protease inhibitor, ACH-1625, progressing in the clinic in Phase II, and with the completion of preclinical studies on ACH-2684, our pan-genotypic HCV inhibitor, as well as ACH-2928, our NS5A inhibitor, we are progressing well with our pipeline plans," said Michael Kishbauch, President and CEO of Achillion. "We expect to begin 2011 by realizing key milestones on all three of these important HCV compounds, namely, 28-day dosing results on ACH-1625, and the start of human clinical trials for ACH-2684 and ACH-2928. The potential best-in-class profile of ACH-1625, with its potency, safety and tolerability and once-daily dosing, makes us quite excited to be able to announce 12-week results by the end of next year, as well as proof-of-concept data on ACH-2684 and ACH-2928."

"With the recent fortification of our balance sheet via a $50 million capital raise, we are well poised to advance our HCV assets, potentially in combination with one another," added Kishbauch.

Third Quarter Results

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, total revenues were $170,000, compared with negative $54,000 during the same period in 2009. Revenues relate to the Company's collaboration agreement with Gilead Sciences, Inc. to develop compounds for use in treating chronic hepatitis C, as well as revenue under a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health related to the Company's antibacterial research. Revenues increased as the result of this SBIR grant whose term began April 1, 2010, as well as increased amounts due from Gilead. Under the collaboration arrangement, certain legal costs associated with intellectual property incurred by Achillion are reimbursed by Gilead. Achillion did not recognize any revenue during either quarter related to amortization of its up-front, milestone and FTE payments previously received under the agreement, as the collaboration does not have a lead compound upon which it can accurately estimate its future performance obligations.

Research and development expenses were $5.7 million in the third quarter of 2010, compared with $4.4 million for the same period of 2009. The increase in research and development expenses resulted from increased clinical trial costs associated with Achillion's most advanced HCV clinical candidate, ACH-1625, as well as increased preclinical costs associated with HCV compounds ACH-2684 and ACH-2928.

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, general and administrative expenses were $1.7 million, increased slightly from the $1.5 million incurring during the same period in 2009.

Non-cash stock compensation expense totaled $521,000 for the third quarter of 2010 as compared with $479,000 for the third quarter of 2009, and is included in both research and development and general and administrative expenses.

Nine Month Results

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company reported a net loss of $19.2 million, the same as the net loss in the same period in 2009. Total revenues were $431,000, compared with negative $355,000 in the prior year period. Revenues increased primarily as a result of recognizing revenue under the SBIR grant described above, as well as increased cost reimbursement from Gilead under the collaboration.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, research and development expenses totaled $14.4 million, compared with $13.6 million during the same period in 2009. Research and development expenses increased primarily as the result of increased clinical trial costs associated with protease inhibitor ACH-1625. General and administrative expenses were $5.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, increased from $4.7 million in the same period in 2009.

Non-cash stock compensation expense totaled $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, equal to the $1.5 million for the same period in 2009, and is included in both research and development and general and administrative expenses.

About Achillion

Achillion is an innovative pharmaceutical company dedicated to bringing important new treatments to patients with infectious disease. The company's proven discovery and development teams have advanced multiple product candidates with novel mechanisms of action. Achillion is focused on solutions for the most challenging problems in infectious disease -- hepatitis, resistant bacterial infections and HIV. For more information on Achillion Pharmaceuticals, please visit the company's web site at www.achillion.com or call Achillion at 1-203-624-7000.