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Merrimack (MACK) Incurs Narrower-Than-Expected Loss in Q4
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Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reported a loss of 89 cents per share in the fourth quarter of 2017, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $1.27. The company reported a loss of $2.93 in the year-ago quarter.
Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Price and Consensus
Merrimack sold Onivyde and a generic version of Doxil to Ipsen in April 2017. Merrimack did not generate any revenues in the quarter as there was no marketed product.
Merrimack’s shares lost 10.3% following the release of fourth-quarter results. Shares of Merrimack have underperformed the industry so far this year. The stock tumbled 25.7% in the last six months while the industry declined 7.7%.
In the quarter, research and development expenses were down 51.6% year over year to $12.4 million due to Merrimack's refocused clinical and preclinical pipeline.
General and administrative expenses were down 57.3% year over year to $4.7 million due to reduced headcount levels and stock-based compensation
2017 Results
Loss per share for 2017 came in at $5.66 compared with $12.33 in 2016.
Pipeline Updates
With the sale of its only marketed product, the company can now focus its resources on the development of its three pipeline candidates — MM-121/seribantumab (heregulin-positive, locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer ("NSCLC"), MM-141/istiratumab (pancreatic cancer) and MM-310 (solid tumor).
Data from the phase II CARRIE study, evaluating MM-141 in pancreatic cancer, is expected in the first half of 2018. MM-310 is being evaluated in a phase I study in solid tumors. Safety data and maximum tolerated dose is expected to be announced in the second half of 2018.
The company is conducting a phase II study, SHERLOC on MM-121 in non-small cell lung cancer. Enrollment in the study has been expanded to 100 from 80. Top-line data from the study is expected in the second half of 2018. In November 2017, the FDA granted orphan drug designation to the candidate for the treatment of heregulin-positive non-small cell lung cancer.
Merrimack announced that the first patient has been also dosed in phase II study, SHERBOC, for evaluating MM-121 in HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer.
Outlook
Per the company, cash and cash equivalents of $93.4 million as of Dec 31, 2017 and potential net milestone payments anticipated from Shire will be sufficient to fund its planned operations into the second half of 2019.
Our Take
The narrower-than-expected loss in the fourth quarter was due to lower expenses. We expect investor focus on pipeline updates from the company.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
Merrimack carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Investors interested in the health care space can consider some better-ranked stocks are Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN - Free Report) and Ligand Pharmaceuticals . While Regeneron sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Ligand carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here..
Regeneron’s earnings per share estimates have moved up from $17.13 to $18.65 and from $20.37 to $21.56 for 2018 and 2019, respectively in the last 30 days. The company pulled off a positive earnings surprise in three of the last four quarters, with an average beat of 9.15%.
Ligand’s earnings per share estimates have moved up $3.54 to $4.15 from $4.75 to $5.75 for 2018 and 2019 respectively over the last 30 days. The company delivered positive earnings surprises in three of the trailing four quarters, with an average beat of 24.88%. The company’s shares have rallied 57.2% over a year.
Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2018
In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2018?
Last year's 2017 Zacks Top 10 Stocks portfolio produced double-digit winners, including FMC Corp. and VMware which racked up stellar gains of +67.9% and +61%. Now a brand-new portfolio has been handpicked from over 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these long-term buys.
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Merrimack (MACK) Incurs Narrower-Than-Expected Loss in Q4
Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reported a loss of 89 cents per share in the fourth quarter of 2017, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $1.27. The company reported a loss of $2.93 in the year-ago quarter.
Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Price and Consensus
Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Price and Consensus | Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Quote
Merrimack sold Onivyde and a generic version of Doxil to Ipsen in April 2017. Merrimack did not generate any revenues in the quarter as there was no marketed product.
Merrimack’s shares lost 10.3% following the release of fourth-quarter results. Shares of Merrimack have underperformed the industry so far this year. The stock tumbled 25.7% in the last six months while the industry declined 7.7%.
In the quarter, research and development expenses were down 51.6% year over year to $12.4 million due to Merrimack's refocused clinical and preclinical pipeline.
General and administrative expenses were down 57.3% year over year to $4.7 million due to reduced headcount levels and stock-based compensation
2017 Results
Loss per share for 2017 came in at $5.66 compared with $12.33 in 2016.
Pipeline Updates
With the sale of its only marketed product, the company can now focus its resources on the development of its three pipeline candidates — MM-121/seribantumab (heregulin-positive, locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer ("NSCLC"), MM-141/istiratumab (pancreatic cancer) and MM-310 (solid tumor).
Data from the phase II CARRIE study, evaluating MM-141 in pancreatic cancer, is expected in the first half of 2018. MM-310 is being evaluated in a phase I study in solid tumors. Safety data and maximum tolerated dose is expected to be announced in the second half of 2018.
The company is conducting a phase II study, SHERLOC on MM-121 in non-small cell lung cancer. Enrollment in the study has been expanded to 100 from 80. Top-line data from the study is expected in the second half of 2018. In November 2017, the FDA granted orphan drug designation to the candidate for the treatment of heregulin-positive non-small cell lung cancer.
Merrimack announced that the first patient has been also dosed in phase II study, SHERBOC, for evaluating MM-121 in HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer.
Outlook
Per the company, cash and cash equivalents of $93.4 million as of Dec 31, 2017 and potential net milestone payments anticipated from Shire will be sufficient to fund its planned operations into the second half of 2019.
Our Take
The narrower-than-expected loss in the fourth quarter was due to lower expenses. We expect investor focus on pipeline updates from the company.
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
Merrimack carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Investors interested in the health care space can consider some better-ranked stocks are Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN - Free Report) and Ligand Pharmaceuticals . While Regeneron sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Ligand carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here..
Regeneron’s earnings per share estimates have moved up from $17.13 to $18.65 and from $20.37 to $21.56 for 2018 and 2019, respectively in the last 30 days. The company pulled off a positive earnings surprise in three of the last four quarters, with an average beat of 9.15%.
Ligand’s earnings per share estimates have moved up $3.54 to $4.15 from $4.75 to $5.75 for 2018 and 2019 respectively over the last 30 days. The company delivered positive earnings surprises in three of the trailing four quarters, with an average beat of 24.88%. The company’s shares have rallied 57.2% over a year.
Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2018
In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2018?
Last year's 2017 Zacks Top 10 Stocks portfolio produced double-digit winners, including FMC Corp. and VMware which racked up stellar gains of +67.9% and +61%. Now a brand-new portfolio has been handpicked from over 4,000 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these long-term buys.
Access Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2018 today >>