Australia is a powerhouse for medical science innovations, and nobody understands that better than Scott Power of Morgans Financial Ltd. Power watched the weaker Australian firms go the way of the dodo bird during the downturn in the biotech sector earlier this year, leaving only the fittest for investors to choose from. In this interview with The Life Sciences Report, he identifies a promising selection of survivors—biotechs with the power to rejuvenate an evolving portfolio.
The Life Sciences Report: The latest Scientific American Worldview Scorecard has ranked Australia No. 7 in biotechnology in the world, up from No. 10 last year. What is Australia's secret sauce?
Scott Power: In Australia, we have about 100 listed life science medical device/diagnostic companies. The sector is maturing. The weaker companies have disappeared. Well-established, sustainable businesses with approved products are generating more than enough sales to cover their operating costs. One of the keys to the maturation of biotech is that the Australian government directly funds early-stage research programs at universities. Spinouts from the university programs are attracting private money.
TLSR: Are there tax incentives?
SP: A couple of years ago, Australia introduced a research and development (R&D) tax incentive program. Companies undertaking R&D activities across the technology sector receive cash refunds on research expenditures. If a firm spends $1 on research, it gets about $0.30 back on its tax return. The credits fund clinical programs without having to tap investors.
TLSR: Do you think Australia will continue to be a leader in biotech?
SP: Australian science is very strong compared to many countries. But the challenge going forward is that Singapore, Ireland and the United Kingdom (U.K.) are using patent box incentives to attract foreign firms. These programs provide tax breaks for companies that deliver profits on patented technologies. Australia is considering providing similar patent incentives for revenue-generating companies. We do not want to see good firms moving their manufacturing operations to Singapore. Recently, an Australian company named Mesoblast Ltd. (MSB:ASE; MBLTY:OTCPK) set up a stem cell factory in Singapore. We need to lure the company back with better incentives.
TLSR: Colorectal cancer is one of the most ferocious cancers. Are there any promising drug treatments in the Australian pipeline?
SP: Alchemia Ltd. (ACL:ASX) is conducting a Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with about 415 colorectal cancer patients. The topline results are due to be released this month. We have a high level of confidence that the results will be positive. Alchemia had very good Phase 2 results. The Phase 3 trial recruited 18 months ago. Alchemia is waiting for the final event to report the data. The primary endpoints are progression-free survival greater than six weeks and a positive trend in overall survival. Alchemia has been listed for more than 10 years. Its promise will be uncovered during the next couple of weeks.
TLSR: What is the drug and how does it work?
SP: The drug is a hyaluronic acid directed into the tumor site. It is used with the FOLFIRI regime, a cocktail of drugs that is the standard therapy for second- and third-line colorectal cancer patients. Alchemia has added its particular compound, HyACT, to the FOLFIRI cocktail. This drug is a platform technology suitable for treating other types of solid tumors. The company is also starting a non-small cell lung cancer trial, which is an investigator-sponsored trial. In addition, Alchemia has an arrangement with Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK:NYSE) and Erbitux (cetuximab).
TLSR: Does Alchemia have any other products?
SP: It has a generic drug on the market sold by Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd. (RDY:NYSE) in the U.S., an anticoagulant based on the Arixtra (fondaparinux sodium) brand. Alchemia markets the generic version, which generates revenue of AU$10 million (AU$10M) in a profit-sharing arrangement with Dr. Reddy's.
TLSR: How do Alchemia's financials look? Is it in debt?
SP: There is no debt in Alchemia's business. It has a cash balance of around AU$10M. Subject to the positive outcome of the clinical program, Alchemia will license the new drug. The patent runs through 2024. If it wants to fund more trials, it can use the Dr. Reddy's revenue.
TLSR: How has Alchemia's stock been faring?
SP: The share price has been around AU$0.60/share. Our price target is AU$0.89/share. We ascribe a 70% probability of success to the entire clinical program. If the first Phase 3 trial is successful, we will move that to a 90% probability. That will push the price target up to over $1/share.
TLSR: What is the situation in Australia for medical devices for use in cancer treatment?
SP: We like ImpediMed Ltd. (IPD:ASX), which has an early detection device for lymphedema. Typically, a percentage of breast cancer survivors develop lymphedema. Detecting lymphedema at an early stage means preventing its progression by using massage therapy and pressure bandages. The trick is to get a baseline reading. The ImpediMed technology measures small changes in fluid levels within the body, which can indicate the early stage of lymphedema. Detection at this point can prevent onset of later-stage symptoms. The technology is already approved in the U.S. Recently, ImpediMed received a descriptor from the American Medical Association that allows the product to be used for all cancer-related lymphedema: the whole body, not just breast cancer, but pelvic cancers as well. The company has a Category 1 coding effective on Jan. 1, 2015, which enables the product to receive a reimbursement rate from Medicare and Medicaid in the U.S. The exact amount will be determined in November. A key inflection point is to work out the reimbursement for each reading. Typically, breast cancer survivors, over a period of five years, will have between 15 to 20 readings.
TLSR: How does the company's device make the reading? Is it invasive?
SP: It is totally noninvasive. The patient is hooked up to six electrodes, and then to the device. The test takes about 10 minutes to perform. The readout is called an L-Dex reading, which tells the doctor whether the patient is moving into a treatment zone for onset of lymphedema. Before surgery, a baseline is established. Post-surgery, the patient receives regular, three-month readings until the surgeon clears the issue. The technology has multiple applications. It measures changes in body fluid levels so potential applications include other lymphatic cancers, as well as dialysis and general nutrition.
TLSR: How do ImpediMed's financials look?
SP: Strong. The company has AU$10M sitting on its balance sheet. There is no debt. The product is approved, and it is selling. Once the Category 1 code reimbursement amount is determined, the current revenue stream will rapidly accelerate.
TLSR: Does the Category 1 reimbursement perk just apply in the U.S., or does it also apply in Australia, the U.K. and other places?
SP: It is U.S.-centric. Each country has different reimbursement categorizations, but the processes to get coded are similar. Since the U.S. is the biggest market for most pharmaceuticals and medical devices, Australian companies concentrate their efforts there.
TLSR: How is ImpediMed's share value holding up?
SP: When ImpediMed received notification that this technology is applicable for all lymphedema-related cancers, its share price rallied from AU$0.30/share to AU$0.50/share. Our target price is AU$0.72, which is a 50% upside.
TLSR: What other new products are coming out of Australia?
SP: We have followed Tissue Therapies Limited for years. It is working through the European approval process for a new wound treatment product called VitroGro. The treatment is applied to chronic wounds, including diabetic and venous ulcers. There were a few regulation delays, but approval is expected before the end of this calendar year.
TLSR: What has caused the delays?
SP: VitroGro is a medical device, but there was debate among the regulators about whether it should be approved as a pharmaceutical. That hiccup was resolved, and it is slated to be approved as a medical device.
TLSR: How does the product work?
SP: It is a combination of proteins that is applied to the wound as a topical treatment. A growth factor helps the wound to heal and close. The clinical trials were performed on severe wounds, and the results are sufficient for product approval. Once VitroGro is approved in the European Union (EU), it will generate good sales in Europe. The company plans to get the product approved in the U.S., too.
TLSR: Does having EU approval make it easier to get U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval?
SP: Not really. The company will still have to do clinical trials in the U.S. But the fact that it is already approved and on the market in Europe will certainly help its case with the FDA.
TLSR: Do you have a target price on Tissue Therapies stock?
SP: The stock is sitting at AU$0.30/share. Because we are approaching the key inflection point of approval, our target price is $0.44/share.
TLSR: To wrap things up, can you tell us the most important elements you look for in a junior life sciences firm?
SP: It is all about the quality of the people behind the business. When companies are looking to expand into the U.S., or if the U.S. is the primary market, the key people must have expertise in that area. Both Alchemia and ImpediMed have a number of U.S.-based directors. ImpediMed has Scott Ward, who is ex-Medtronic Inc. (MDT:NYSE). Alchemia's chairman is Sandy Kosta, and Susan Kelley, a very well-respected American oncologist is a director.
TLSR: Thank you, Scott.
