OREANDA-NEWS. Cellular Biomedicine Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CBMG) (“CBMG” or the “Company”), a leading clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm engaged in the development of effective immunotherapies for cancer and stem cell therapies for degenerative diseases, today reported business highlights and financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2016.

“2016 was a pivotal year for Cellular Biomedicine Group which resulted in the Company’s ability to advance our immuno-oncology program with a new Phase I CAR-T clinical trial for the treatment of patients with refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) while reporting promising interim safety data from our AlloJoinTM allogeneic haMPC therapy for the treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) in China,” commented Tony (Bizuo) Liu, Chief Executive Officer of CBMG. “We continue to build momentum in 2017 with the announcement of our second Phase I CAR-T clinical trial for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory CD19+ B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) utilizing CBMG’s proprietary and optimized CD19 construct. In addition, CBMG was also awarded $2.29 million from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to support pre-clinical studies of AlloJoinTM in the U.S., which bolsters our confidence in the resources we have dedicated to the development of an off-the-shelf stem cell product and validates the previous clinical trials we have conducted in China. Our endeavor in the U.S. market will further strengthen our commercialization pipeline.

“We look forward to an exciting 2017 as we are competitively well positioned with the financial resources and talent to meet our key operational objectives, beginning with the completion of the new Shanghai and expanded Wuxi facilities, which, combined with our Beijing facility will total 70,000 square feet of GMP facilities across three key cities in China. This uniquely equips us with an in-house integrated Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) process of predominately closed and automated systems for clinical grade CAR-T cells, plasmid and viral vectors bank production. These state-of-the-art facilities with strong quality assurance will have the capacity to support product commercialization to treat approximately 10,000 cancer patients and 10,000 stem cell patients per year.  We believe our genetically engineered CAR-T technology will effectively turn a patient's own blood cells into cancer killers and look forward to publishing data from our DLBCL and ALL Phase I trials in the fourth quarter of 2017.  Given the CFDA’s imminent publication of its cell therapy regulation, one can reasonably expect that cancer patients may benefit from our clinical trial endeavors as early as 2019. We expect to increase our research and development hiring and spending as we commence additional CAR-T trials in China. We will continue to invest in new technologies and collaborate with world-leading research institutions in order to strengthen our innovative pipelines and move our clinical assets into later stage clinical development which have the potential to address large unmet medical needs especially in cancer.”

2016 and Recent Clinical Developments

Immuno-Oncology Platform

  • Commenced patient enrollment in China for its CARD-1 (“CAR-T Against DLBCL”) Phase I clinical trial utilizing CBMG’s optimized proprietary C-CAR011 construct of CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy for the treatment of patients with refractory Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL); 
  • Commenced patient enrollment in China for its CALL-1 (“CAR-T against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia”) Phase I clinical trial utilizing CBMG’s optimized proprietary C-CAR011 construct of CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) CD19+ B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).    

Stem Cell Platform

  • Announced encouraging 48-week clinical data from the Phase IIb trial of its ReJoin® haMPC therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA), revealing increase of patient’s knee cartilage volume and relief of pain;
  • Launched an investigator initiated Phase I clinical trial of an off-the-shelf allogeneic adipose-derived haMPC AlloJoinTM therapy for KOA patients in China;
    -  Reported three-month interim analysis of AlloJoinTM demonstrating a safety and tolerability profile with no serious adverse events (SAE) observed.

2016 and Recent 2017 Corporate Highlights

  • Expanded the Company’s cell manufacturing capabilities with the lease of a 113,038 square foot building located in the “Pharma Valley” in Shanghai Zhangjiang High-Tech Park;
    - The new GMP facility will consist of approximately 43,000 square feet dedicated to advanced cell manufacturing;
  • Awarded $2.29 million by California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), California’s stem cell agency, to support pre-clinical studies of AlloJoinTM, CBMG’s “off-the-shelf” allogeneic human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (haMPC) for the treatment of KOA in the United States;
  • Advanced the Company’s cash position with an investment from Wuhan Dangdai Science & Technology Industries Group Inc. of  $43.13 million for 2.27 million shares of the Company’s common stock.

Full Year 2016 Financial Results

Cash Position: The Company had working capital of $38.3 million as of December 31, 2016 compared to $13.7 million as of December 31, 2015. Cash position increased to $39.3 million at December 31, 2016 compared to $14.9 million at December 31, 2015, due to an increase in cash generated from financing activities of a private placement in 2016 for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $42.4 million, partially offset by an increase in cash used in operating and investing activities.

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities: Full-year 2016 net cash used in operating activities was $15.9 million compared to  $11.8 million in 2015. The change in operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to an increase in prepaid expenses and long-term prepaid expenses, net of the decrease in accounts receivable and inventory.

Revenue: Full-year 2016 revenue was $0.6 million compared to $2.5 million in 2015. All revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 was derived from cell therapy technology services. The drop in revenue mainly resulted from (i) the reprioritization of the Company efforts on developing CAR-T clinical trials instead of cell therapy technology services and (ii) impairment of certain legacy investments.

G&A Expenses: Full-year 2016 general and administrative expenses were $11.7 million compared to $13.1 million in 2015. Decreased expenses in 2016 were primarily attributed to a decrease in stock-based compensation expense of $1.8 million.

R&D Expenses: Full-year 2016 research and development expenses were $11.5 million compared to $7.6 million in 2015. The increase was primarily attributed to our continued investment in hiring top scientists to boost our near-term and long-term research, product development, and cell production process capabilities for CAR-T.  Our R&D headcount increased from 47 in December 31, 2015 to 81 at year-end of 2016 as result of this effort.

Net Loss: Full-year 2016 net loss allocable to common stock holders was $28.2 million compared to $19.4 million in 2015. Changes in net loss were primarily attributable to changes mentioned above.

About Cellular Biomedicine Group (CBMG)
Cellular Biomedicine Group, Inc. develops proprietary cell therapies for the treatment of cancer and degenerative diseases. We conduct immuno-oncology and stem cell clinical trials in China using products from our integrated GMP laboratory. Our GMP facilities in China, consisting of twelve independent cell production lines, are designed and managed according to both China and U.S. GMP standards.

CELLULAR BIOMEDICINE GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
             
        For the Year Ended
December 31,
       
              2016       2015       2014  
                     
Net sales and revenue           $  627,930     $  2,505,423     $  564,377  
                     
Operating expenses:                    
Cost of sales              860,417        1,880,331        242,215  
General and administrative              11,670,506        13,068,255        7,875,413  
Selling and marketing              425,040        709,151        314,894  
Research and development              11,475,587        7,573,228        3,146,499  
Impairment of investments              4,611,714        123,428        1,427,840  
Total operating expenses              29,043,264        23,354,393        13,006,861  
Operating loss              (28,415,334 )      (20,848,970 )      (12,442,484 )
                     
Other income:                    
Interest income              78,943        42,220        15,043  
Other income              132,108        630,428        71,982  
Total other income              211,051        672,648        87,025  
Loss from continuing operations before taxes              (28,204,283 )      (20,176,322 )      (12,355,459 )
                     
Income taxes (expenses) credit              (4,093 )      728,601       -  
                     
Loss from continuing operations              (28,208,376 )      (19,447,721 )      (12,355,459 )
                     
Loss on discontinued operations, net of taxes             -       -        (3,119,152 )
                     
Net loss           $  (28,208,376 )   $  (19,447,721 )   $  (15,474,611 )
Other comprehensive income (loss):                    
Cumulative translation adjustment              (743,271 )      (307,950 )      15,254  
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax              5,300,633        (1,376,540 )      1,611,045  
Reclassification adjustments, net of tax, in connection with other-than-temporary impairment of investments              (5,557,939 )     -       -  
Total other comprehensive income (loss):              (1,000,577 )      (1,684,490 )      1,626,299  
                     
Comprehensive loss           $  (29,208,953 )   $  (21,132,211 )   $  (13,848,312 )
Loss per share for continuing operations:                    
  Basic           $  (2.09 )   $  (1.70 )   $  (1.43 )
  Diluted           $  (2.09 )   $  (1.70 )   $  (1.43 )
Loss per share for discontinued operations:                    
  Basic           $ -     $ -     $  (0.36 )
  Diluted           $ -     $ -     $  (0.36 )
Net loss per share:                    
  Basic           $  (2.09 )   $  (1.70 )   $  (1.79 )
  Diluted           $  (2.09 )   $  (1.70 )   $  (1.79 )
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                    
  Basic             13,507,408       11,472,306       8,627,094  
  Diluted             13,507,408       11,472,306       8,627,094  
CELLULAR BIOMEDICINE GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
         
    December 31,   December 31,
      2016       2015  
         
 Assets      
Cash and cash equivalents $  39,252,432     $  14,884,597  
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful amounts of $10,163      
 and $nil as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively    39,974        630,332  
Other receivables    412,727        271,344  
Inventory   -        390,886  
Prepaid expenses    986,951        367,050  
Taxes recoverable   -        150,082  
Total current assets    40,692,084        16,694,291  
         
Investments    509,424        5,379,407  
Property, plant and equipment, net    4,117,739        2,768,900  
Goodwill    7,678,789        7,678,789  
Intangibles, net    14,092,581        15,949,100  
Long-term prepaid expenses and other assets    1,537,850        989,935  
Total assets $  68,628,467     $  49,460,422  
         
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity      
         
Liabilities:      
Accounts payable $  216,154     $  260,886  
Accrued expenses    1,168,787        845,087  
Taxes payable    28,875       -  
Other current liabilities    950,220        1,913,284  
Total current liabilities    2,364,036        3,019,257  
         
Other non-current liabilities    370,477        76,229  
Total liabilities    2,734,513        3,095,486  
         
         
         
Stockholders' equity:      
         
Preferred stock, par value $.001, 50,000,000 shares      
authorized; none issued and outstanding as of      
December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively   -       -  
         
Common stock, par value $.001, 300,000,000 shares authorized;      
14,281,378 and 11,711,645 issued and outstanding      
as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively    14,281        11,711  
Additional paid in capital    152,543,052        103,807,651  
Accumulated deficit    (85,546,687 )      (57,338,311 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)    (1,116,692 )      (116,115 )
Total stockholders' equity    65,893,954        46,364,936  
         
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $  68,628,467     $  49,460,422  
         
CELLULAR BIOMEDICINE GROUP, INC.
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
             
    For the Year Ended
    December 31,
      2016       2015       2014  
                     
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:            
  Net loss   $  (28,208,376 )   $  (19,447,721 )   $  (15,474,611 )
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash            
used in operating activities:            
Depreciation and amortization      2,635,001        2,094,644        1,190,505  
Loss on disposal of assets      2,156        1,444        257,672  
Stock based compensation expense      5,452,417        7,592,438        2,528,885  
Other than temporary impairment on investments      4,611,714        123,428        1,427,840  
Realized losses from sale of investments     -        5,178        5,913  
Value of stock received for services     -       -        (1,610,000 )
Impairment of goodwill     -       -        3,299,566  
(Reversal) of inventory provision      (115,391 )      123,848       -  
Allowance for doubtful account      10,163       -       -  
Decrease in fair value of accrued expenses for the acquisition of intangible assets     -        (345,882 )     -  
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:            
Accounts receivable      537,155        (497,937 )      20,645  
Other receivables      (156,672 )      (143,711 )      (25,638 )
Inventory      514,734        (142,486 )      (78,310 )
Prepaid expenses      (669,598 )      181,679        (494,057 )
Taxes recoverable      150,082        (150,082 )     -  
Other current assets     -        110,347        24,314  
Investments     -       -        7,150  
Long-term prepaid expenses and other assets      (643,673 )      (384,432 )      (504,678 )
Accounts payable      (28,205 )      (166,032 )      165,517  
Accrued expenses      356,420        396,557        409,109  
Advance payable to related party     -        (30,216 )     -  
Other current liabilities      (640,573 )      113,919        (694,131 )
Taxes payable      28,875        (814,288 )      (176,583 )
Other non-current liabilities      296,036        (371,793 )     -  
Net cash used in operating activities      (15,867,735 )      (11,751,098 )      (9,720,892 )
             
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:            
  Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired     -        (1,568,627 )      (1,485,548 )
  Proceed from sale of investments, net of issuance cost paid     -        1,480       -  
Purchases of intangible assets      (56,519 )      (4,260,420 )      (8,989 )
Purchases of property, plant and equipment      (2,676,888 )      (1,874,538 )      (311,625 )
  Net cash used in investing activities      (2,733,407 )      (7,702,105 )      (1,806,162 )
             
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:            
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock      42,399,874        18,964,849        19,121,956  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options      885,680        682,303        19,383  
Repayment of advance from affiliate     -       -        (31,745 )
  Net cash provided by financing activities      43,285,554        19,647,152        19,109,594  
             
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH      (316,577 )      (79,936 )      12,829  
             
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS      24,367,835        114,013        7,595,369  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD      14,884,597        14,770,584        7,175,215  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD   $  39,252,432     $  14,884,597     $  14,770,584  
             
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION            
             
Cash paid for income taxes   $  6,705     $  108,075     $  460,924  
             
Non-cash investing activities            
  Acquisition of intangible assets through issuance of the Company's stock   $ -     $  1,481,462     $  1,442,850  
  Acquisition of business through issuance of the Company's stock   $ -     $  -     $  14,496,256