NEW YORK, May 10, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fortress Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ:FBIO) (“Fortress”), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to acquiring, developing and commercializing novel pharmaceutical and biotechnology products, today announced financial results and recent corporate highlights for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018.

Lindsay A. Rosenwald, M.D., Fortress’ Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We have made significant advancements in the four years since we created and implemented our unique and efficient business model to benefit all stakeholders. The centralization of a number of critical corporate and R&D functions at Fortress allows our subsidiaries, or “Fortress Companies,” to leverage internal synergies and minimize costs, so they can focus on getting drugs into the hands of people who need them. Our focus on continuing to build value through our strong business development engine and R&D team has led to the launch of nine development-stage subsidiaries, one specialty dermatology subsidiary and the in-licensing of more than 25 development-stage therapies since January 2014. The long-term success of our subsidiaries benefits Fortress through modest royalties on sales and annual and event-driven equity grants.”

Dr. Rosenwald added, “By offering investment opportunities to finance specific Fortress Companies, we enable investors to select more concentrated exposure in innovative therapeutic areas, like CAR-T therapy and checkpoint inhibitors. We have done just that in the 18 months since we completed a successful tender offer for the majority of shares in National Holdings Corporation. This unique relationship enables us to offer National Holdings’ clients the opportunity to invest in drug candidates across a range of developmental stages and therapeutic areas. We are pleased with our synergistic collaboration with National Holdings and the significant progress National Holdings has made in the past 18 months to transform its firm culture.”

Accomplishments since launch of Fortress business model in January 2014:

Research and development

• Established 9 development-stage Fortress Companies in areas including CAR-T therapy, checkpoint inhibitors, gene therapy, rare diseases and pain management
• Established Journey Medical Corporation, a specialty dermatology company with four marketed products (Targadox®, Ceracade®, Triderm™ and Luxamend®) and a contract sales and marketing operation of more than 30 professionals
• In-licensed more than 25 development-stage programs across multiple therapeutic areas, which are currently in development at Fortress and the Fortress Companies
• Established a 27,000 sq. foot CAR-T processing facility at UMass Medicine Science Park in Worcester, Massachusetts, to manufacture Mustang Bio’s CAR-T therapies

Corporate

• Established a business development / search and evaluate team, and expanded headcount to approximately 20 employees
• Built a corporate operations team (finance, accounting, legal, investor relations and human resources) of 15 employees and expanded manufacturing, quality, regulatory, clinical and R&D staff to 34 employees

Financial Results:

• As of March 31, 2018, Fortress’ consolidated cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments (certificates of deposit), cash deposits with clearing organizations and restricted cash totaled $179.4 million, compared to $168.3 million as of December 31, 2017, an increase of $11.1 million for the quarter.
• Net revenue totaled $55.4 million for the first quarter of 2018, compared to $44.7 million for the first quarter of 2017. Total revenue as of March 31, 2018, includes $5.9 million of Fortress revenue and $49.5 million of revenue from National Holdings. Total revenue as of March 31, 2017, included $2.8 million of Fortress revenue and $41.9 million of revenue from National Holdings.
• Research and development expenses were $25.0 million for the first quarter of 2018, of which $22.8 million was related to Fortress Companies. This compares to $7.1 million for the first quarter of 2017, of which $5.4 million was related to Fortress Companies. Non-cash, stock-based compensation expenses included in research and development were $2.3 million for the first quarter of 2018, compared to $0.8 million for the first quarter of 2017.
• Research and development expenses from license acquisitions totaled $0.1 million for the first quarter of 2018, compared to $1.3 million for the first quarter of 2017.
• General and administrative expenses were $13.5 million for the first quarter of 2018, of which $8.4 million was related to Fortress Companies. This compares to $10.3 million for the first quarter of 2017, of which $6.7 million was related to Fortress Companies. Non-cash, stock-based compensation expenses included in general and administrative expenses were $2.5 million for the first quarter of 2018, compared to $2.1 million for the first quarter of 2017.
• National Holdings’ operating expenses totaled $50.8 million for the first quarter of 2018, compared to $43.1 million for the first quarter of 2017.
• Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $21.0 million, or $0.49 per share, for the first quarter of 2018, compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $12.0 million, or $0.30 per share, for the first quarter of 2017.

Recent Fortress and Fortress Company Highlights:

Aevitas Therapeutics, Inc.

• In January 2018, Aevitas entered into a sponsored research agreement with the laboratory of Guangping Gao, Ph.D., at the University of Massachusetts Medical School to evaluate construct optimization for Aevitas’ AAV gene therapy treatment for complement-mediated diseases.

Avenue Therapeutics, Inc.

• In March 2018, Avenue received Notices of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) for three patent applications covering methods of administration for IV tramadol. Issuance of these patents is expected in the second quarter of 2018. 
• In April 2018, Avenue completed enrollment in its Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, three-arm clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of IV tramadol 50 mg and 25 mg versus placebo for the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain in patients following bunionectomy surgery. Avenue expects to report topline data in the second quarter of 2018.

Caelum Biosciences, Inc.

• In March 2018, a new analysis of data from the Phase 1b trial of Caelum’s CAEL-101 (mAb 11-1F4) for the treatment of relapsed or refractory amyloid light chain (“AL”) amyloidosis was presented at the 16th International Symposium on Amyloidosis. The data demonstrated a correlation between a sustained decrease in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels and an improvement in global longitudinal strain (“GLS”) following CAEL-101 treatment in patients with cardiac AL amyloidosis.

Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc.

• In March 2018, Checkpoint completed an underwritten public offering that raised net proceeds of $20.8 million.
• Also in March 2018, Checkpoint completed the dose escalation portion of the ongoing Phase 1 trial of CK-301, a fully human anti-PD-L1 antibody, in selected recurrent or metastatic cancers, and initiated the first dose expansion cohort, which is evaluating an 800 mg dose of CK-301 administered every two weeks.
• In April 2018, Checkpoint presented preclinical data on BET inhibitor CK-103 at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting. CK-103 demonstrated combinatorial effects in an in vivo model with anti-PD-1 antibodies, which may support the development of CK-103 as an anti-cancer agent alone and in combination with Checkpoint’s anti-PD-L1 antibody CK-301.

Mustang Bio, Inc.

• In March 2018, Mustang announced that Sadik Kassim, Ph.D., was appointed Chief Scientific Officer, and Knut Niss, Ph.D., was named Chief Technology Officer.

National Holdings Corporation:

• Fortress acquired approximately 57% of National Holdings Corporation (“National Holdings”) in September 2016.
• Accomplishments since closing the tender include:
  • Established new client-focused leadership team at National Holdings and at its wholly-owned operating companies National Securities Corporation and National Asset Management, Inc.;
  • Invested in new technology infrastructure geared toward risk management and improved client performance; and
  • Continued to increase revenues, particularly in investment banking, as described in its Q1 10-Q, filed February 14, 2018.

About Fortress Biotech
Fortress is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to acquiring, developing and commercializing novel pharmaceutical and biotechnology products. Fortress develops and commercializes products both within Fortress and through certain subsidiary companies, also known as Fortress Companies. In addition to its internal development programs, Fortress leverages its biopharmaceutical business expertise and drug development capabilities and provides funding and management services to help the Fortress Companies achieve their goals. Fortress and the Fortress Companies may seek licensing arrangements, acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures and/or public and private financings to accelerate and provide additional funding to support their research and development programs. For more information, visit www.fortressbiotech.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include, but are not limited to, any statements relating to our growth strategy and product development programs and any other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated include: risks relating to our growth strategy; our ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; risks relating to the results of research and development activities; uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing; risks relating to the timing of starting and completing clinical trials; our dependence on third-party suppliers; our ability to attract, integrate and retain key personnel; the early stage of products under development; our need for substantial additional funds; government regulation; patent and intellectual property matters; competition; as well as other risks described in our SEC filings. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as may be required by law.

Company Contact:
Jaclyn Jaffe
Fortress Biotech, Inc.
(781) 652-4500
ir@fortressbiotech.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Jeremy Feffer
Managing Director, LifeSci Advisors, LLC
(212) 915-2568
jeremy@lifesciadvisors.com

Media Relations Contact:
Laura Bagby
6 Degrees
(312) 448-8098
lbagby@6degreespr.com

FORTRESS BIOTECH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 ($ in thousands except for share and per share amounts)

		March 31,				December 31,
		2018				2017
		(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	124,020			$	113,915
Accounts receivable			8,314				7,758
Short-term investments (certificates of deposit)			37,002				36,002
Cash deposits with clearing organizations			1,041				1,041
Receivables from broker-dealers and clearing organizations			8,464				7,395
Forgivable loans receivable			1,534				1,616
Securities owned, at fair value			4,278				1,985
Inventory			222				171
Other receivables - related party			944				618
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			14,338				12,680
Total current assets			200,157				183,181
Property and equipment, net			12,278				9,513
Restricted cash			17,387				17,387
Long-term investments, at fair value			1,272				1,390
Intangible assets			14,400				15,223
Goodwill			18,645				18,645
Other assets			936				611
Total assets		$	265,075			$	245,950
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	44,725			$	36,127
Accounts payable and accrued expenses - related party			124				222
Accrued commissions and payroll payable			10,713				10,065
Deferred clearing and marketing credits			733				786
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value			-				151
Warrants issued - National			6,671				5,597
Interest payable			332				315
Interest payable - related party			657				669
Notes payable, short-term (net of debt discount of $0 and $973 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)			-				8,528
Subsidiary convertible note, short-term, at fair value			12,651				4,700
Deferred revenue			690				-
Derivative warrant liability			78				87
Other current liabilities			1,952				181
Total current liabilities			79,326				67,428
Notes payable, long-term (net of debt discount of $1,047 and $62 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)			73,444				43,222
Subsidiary convertible note, long-term, at fair value			-				10,059
Other long-term liabilities			4,759				4,739
Total liabilities			157,529				125,448
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, $.001 par value, 15,000,000 authorized, 5,000,000 designated Series A shares 1,000,000 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017; liquidation value of $25.00 per share			1				1
Common stock, $.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 52,686,537 and 50,991,285 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively			52				51
Common stock issuable, 104,958 and 158,015 shares as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively			489				500
Additional paid-in-capital			374,254				364,148
Accumulated deficit			(333,145	)			(312,127	)
Total stockholders' equity attributed to the Company			41,651				52,573
Non-controlling interests			65,895				67,929
Total stockholders' equity			107,546				120,502
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	265,075			$	245,950

FORTRESS BIOTECH, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
 ($ in thousands except for share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2018						2017
Revenue
Fortress
Product revenue, net		$	5,509					$		2,085
Revenue - from a related party			394							693
Net Fortress revenue			5,903							2,778
National
Commissions			25,618							24,506
Net dealer inventory gains			2,190							2,511
Investment banking			12,704							7,061
Investment advisory			5,333							3,385
Interest and dividends			631							716
Transfer fees and clearing services			2,297							2,498
Tax preparation and accounting			523							856
Other			226							371
Total National revenue			49,522							41,904
Net revenue			55,425							44,682
Operating expenses
Fortress
Cost of goods sold - product revenue			1,472							469
Research and development			24,958							7,110
Research and development – licenses acquired			97							1,294
General and administrative			13,548							10,252
Total Fortress operating expenses			40,075							19,125
National
Commissions, compensation and fees			43,561							37,258
Clearing fees			743							738
Communications			760							722
Occupancy			955							1,008
Licenses and registration			637							405
Professional fees			1,393							1,263
Interest			2							4
Underwriting costs			145							-
Depreciation and amortization			859							506
Other administrative expenses			1,781							1,230
Total National operating expenses			50,836							43,134
Total operating expenses			90,911							62,259
Loss from operations			(35,486			)				(17,577		)
Other income (expenses)
Interest income				284							136
Interest expense and financing fee				(2,083	)						(698	)
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities				(1,065	)						4,342
Change in fair value of subsidiary convertible note				250							(97	)
Change in fair value of investments				(118	)						(668	)
Total other income (expenses)				(2,732	)						3,015
Net loss				(38,218	)						(14,562	)
Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interests				(17,200	)						(2,580	)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders		$		(21,018	)				$		(11,982	)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share		$		(0.49	)				$		(0.30	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic and diluted				42,518,403							40,357,711