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Avigen Reports Second Quarter 2009 Financial Results

Mon. August 10, 2009; Posted: 12:59 PM
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ALAMEDA, Calif., Aug 10, 2009 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- AVGN | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Avigen, Inc. (Nasdaq:AVGN) a biopharmaceutical company, today reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2009. At June 30, 2009, Avigen had approximately $41.6 million in financial assets, including cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities and restricted investments, compared with approximately $56.8 million at December 31, 2008 before repaying $7.0 million of outstanding bank borrowings in March 2009. More complete financial results are detailed in the financial tables below.

"During the second quarter, we focused on winding down our research and development activities and satisfying outstanding financial obligations, as can be seen in the significant reduction in net loss during the quarter," stated Andrew Sauter, Avigen's Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer.

Financial Results

Avigen reported a net loss of $1.3 million, or $0.04 per share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, compared to $7.3 million, or $0.25 per share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. For the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, Avigen reported a net loss of $8.5 million, or $0.29 per share, and $14.8 million, or $0.50 per share, respectively.

During the six months ended June 30, 2009, Avigen's Board of Directors and management have focused on reducing costs and preserving the value of the company's assets. On March 26, 2009, the Board of Directors announced that it intended to develop a plan that would maximize the liquidation value of the company.

Second Quarter Results

Research and development expenses for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 were $562,000 and $5.9 million, respectively. This decrease reflects the wind down of most of Avigen's research and development activities and savings from the corporate restructuring initiated in November 2008. The company continues to support the ongoing clinical trial of AV411 that is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) for the treatment of opioid withdrawal.

General and administrative expenses for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 were $1.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively. Approximately half of the expenses for the 2009 period represent costs for Avigen's remaining building lease, which is partially offset by sublease income.

Sublease income rose to $224,000 for the second quarter of 2009, reflecting the impact of entering into a new sublease agreement effective March 1, 2009.

Net interest income and other income were $347,000 and $703,000 for the quarters ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. This decrease primarily reflects the lower outstanding balances of interest-bearing cash and securities, as well as a general decline in market interest rates that have led to a lower average yield earned on Avigen's portfolio.

Six-Month Results

Research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 were $3.3 million and $12.2 million, respectively. This decrease reflects the wind down of most of Avigen's research and development activities and savings from the corporate restructuring initiated in November 2008.

General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 were $6.4 million and $4.6 million, respectively. The expenses for the 2009 period include a one-time severance charge of approximately $1.6 million in connection with the staff reduction announced during the first quarter, and approximately $2.1 million in legal and other professional services expenses, primarily in connection with Avigen's response to a proxy fight and unsolicited tender offer during the first quarter, as well as support for Avigen's review of strategic merger and acquisition opportunities.

Sublease income was $362,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to $173,000 for the same period in 2008.

Net interest income and other expenses were $771,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to $1.5 million for the same period in 2008.

About Avigen

Avigen is a biopharmaceutical company that has focused on identifying and developing differentiated products to treat patients with serious neurological and other disorders. For more information about Avigen, consult the company's website at www.avigen.com.

The Avigen, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2981



                             AVIGEN, INC.

                    SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 (In thousands, except shares
 and per share information)
 (unaudited)

                      Three months ended         Six months ended
                            June 30                  June 30
                   ------------------------  ------------------------
                      2009          2008        2009          2008
                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
 Revenue           $       100  $        --  $       100  $        --
 Operating
  expenses
   Research and
    development            562        5,901        3,340       12,163
   General and
    administrative       1,436        2,261        6,414        4,550
   Impairment loss
    related to
    long-lived
    assets                  --           --           --         (274)
                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
   Total operating
    expenses             1,998        8,162        9,754       16,439

 Loss from
  operations            (1,898)      (8,162)      (9,654)     (16,439)
 Sublease income           224          118          362          173
 Net interest
  income and
  other expense            347          703          771        1,514
                   -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
 Net loss          $    (1,327) $    (7,341) $    (8,521) $   (14,752)
                   ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

 Basic and diluted
  net loss per
  common share     $     (0.04) $     (0.25) $     (0.29) $     (0.50)
                   ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

 Shares used in
  basic and
  diluted net loss
  per common share
  calculation       29,820,895   29,769,115   29,795,148   29,762,148
                   ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========



CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                                               June 30,     Dec. 31,
                                                 2009         2008
                                             -----------  -----------
(In thousands)                               (unaudited)      (1)

 Cash, cash equivalents and
  available-for-sale securities              $    36,243  $    47,803
 Restricted investments - current            $     3,392  $     7,036
 Accrued interest and other current assets   $       548  $       914
                                             -----------  -----------
   Total current assets                      $    40,183  $    55,753
 Restricted investments                      $     2,000  $     2,000
 Property and equipment, net                 $        33  $        52
 Deposits and other assets                   $       217  $       241
                                             -----------  -----------
 Total assets                                $    42,433  $    58,046
                                             ===========  ===========


 Current liabilities                         $     2,555  $    10,240

 Long-term obligations                       $       525  $       602
 Stockholders' equity                        $    39,353  $    47,204
                                             -----------  -----------

 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $    42,433  $    58,046
                                             ===========  ===========

 (1) Derived from audited financial statements.

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: Avigen, Inc.

Avigen, Inc.
Andrew Sauter,Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief
Financial Officer
510-748-7172
Fax: 510-748-7155
ir@avigen.com
1301 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, CA 94502
For full details for AVGN click here.

    


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