Acorda Therapeutics Reports Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20091103005544/en

* Positive Vote by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Advisory Committee
for Fampridine-SR on October 14
* FDA Extends Fampridine-SR PDUFA Goal Date to January 22, 2010

HAWTHORNE, N.Y.--(Business Wire)--
Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOR) today announced its financial results
for the third quarter of 2009.

"The positive vote from the FDA Advisory Committee was an important step toward
making Fampridine-SR available to people with multiple sclerosis who may benefit
from this novel therapy, if approved," said Ron Cohen, M.D., Acorda
Therapeutics` President and CEO. "We look forward to continuing to work with the
FDA as it completes its review of the Fampridine-SR submission."

Financial Results and Product Update

Zanaflex Capsules® (tizanidine hydrochloride) and Zanaflex® (tizanidine
hydrochloride) Tablets gross sales - For the quarter ended September 30, 2009,
the Company reported combined gross sales of Zanaflex Capsules and Zanaflex
tablets of $14.5 million, compared to combined gross sales of $13.7 million for
the same quarter in 2008. Gross sales are recognized using a deferred revenue
recognition model, meaning Zanaflex Capsules and Zanaflex tablet shipments to
wholesalers are recorded as deferred revenue and only recognized as revenue when
end-user prescriptions of Zanaflex Capsules and Zanaflex tablets are reported.
There has been a slight downward trend in prescriptions over the first three
quarters of 2009.

Zanaflex Capsules and Zanaflex Tablets shipments - Total Zanaflex Capsules and
Zanaflex tablet shipments for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 were $15.3
million, compared to total shipments of $15.7 million for the same quarter in
2008.

License Revenue - For the quarter ended September 30, 2009, the Company reported
license revenue of $2.4 million, a portion of the $110 million received from
Biogen Idec for the collaboration agreement entered into on June 30, 2009. The
balance of this payment will be recognized as revenue ratably over the remainder
of the estimated term of the collaboration agreement. The Company currently
estimates the revenue recognition period to be approximately 12 years.

Cost of License Revenue - For the quarter ended September 30, 2009, the Company
recorded cost of license revenue of $0.2 million related to the $7.7 million
payment made to Elan as a result of the collaboration agreement the Company
entered into with Biogen Idec. This payment will be recognized as expense
ratably over the estimated 12 year term of the collaboration agreement as the
related revenue is recognized.

Research and development expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 were
$8.2 million, including $0.9 million of share-based compensation, compared to
$8.7 million including $0.6 million of share-based compensation for the same
quarter in 2008. The decrease in research and development expenses for the
quarter ended September 30, 2009 was primarily due to a decrease in regulatory
and clinical development program expenses relating to Fampridine-SR partially
offset by increased expenses related to the development of the Company`s
preclinical pipeline products.

Sales, general and administrative expenses for the quarter ended September 30,
2009 were $23.3 million, including $2.3 million of share-based compensation,
compared to $20.4 million including $2.1 million of share-based compensation for
the same quarter in 2008. This increase in expenses was primarily due to
increases in Fampridine-SR pre-launch activities, medical affairs educational
programs and SG&A staff and compensation. Sales, general and administrative
expenses will continue to increase in 2009 compared to 2008, primarily due to an
increase in the Company`s expected pre-launch costs.

The Company reported a net loss of $19.4 million for the quarter ended September
30, 2009, or $0.51 per diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $18.9
million, or $0.53 per diluted common share, for the same quarter in 2008.

As of September 30, 2009 Acorda held cash, cash equivalents, and short-term
investments of $292.4 million. The Company expects this balance will provide a
year-end 2009 cash, cash equivalents and short-term investment balance in excess
of $250 million.

Fampridine-SR Update

* On October 14, the Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Advisory
Committee appointed by the FDA voted 12 to 1 that clinical data on Fampridine-SR
10 mg twice daily demonstrated substantial evidence of effectiveness as a
treatment to improve walking in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and voted 10
to 2 (1 abstention) that it is clinically meaningful and can be safe for use.
* The Advisory Committee voted that lower doses of Fampridine-SR be studied as
part of a post-marketing commitment. In addition, the Committee recommended
against mandatory electroencephalography (EEG) screenings for prospective
Fampridine-SR patients.
* On October 22, the FDA notified the Company that the October 22 Prescription
Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date for the Fampridine-SR New Drug Application
(NDA) was being extended to January 22, 2010. The Company had submitted
additional information on its proposed Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy
(REMS) program following the Advisory Committee meeting and evolution of its
commercial distribution plan, which the FDA accepted as a solicited major
amendment.
* In September, data on safety, efficacy and retention rates from up to two
years of participation in the Fampridine-SR extension studies were presented at
the 25th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in
Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) and the 13th Congress of the European Federation of
Neurological Societies (EFNS).

Corporate Update

* Acorda and the FDA held a pre-IND meeting regarding the development plan for
GGF2 in congestive heart failure. Based on feedback from the FDA, the Company
expects to file an IND in early 2010.
* Ruhi Khan was promoted to Vice President, Business Development.
* Anthony Caggiano, M.D., Ph.D., was promoted to Vice President, Preclinical
Development.
* CEO Ron Cohen was named one of the 100 Most Inspiring People in the Life
Sciences Industry in the July/August edition of PharmaVOICE.

Webcast and Conference Call

Ron Cohen, President and Chief Executive Officer, and David Lawrence, Chief
Financial Officer, will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET to review
the Company`s third quarter 2009 results.

To participate in the conference call, please dial 800-561-2718 (domestic) or
617-614-3525 (international) and reference the access code 47843550. The
presentation will be available via a live webcast at:

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?p=irol-eventDetails&c=194451&eventID=2517249

A replay of the call will be available from 12:00 p.m. ET on November 3, 2009
until midnight on December 3, 2009. To access the replay, please dial
888-286-8010 (domestic) or 617-801-6888 (international) and reference the access
code 54903294. The archived webcast will be available for 30 days in the
Investor Relations section of the Acorda website at http://www.acorda.com.

About Fampridine-SR

Fampridine-SR is a sustained-release tablet formulation of the investigational
drug fampridine

(4-aminopyridine or 4-AP). In laboratory studies, fampridine has been found to
improve impulse conduction in nerve fibers in which the insulating layer, called
myelin, has been damaged.

About Acorda Therapeutics

Acorda Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing therapies for spinal
cord injury, multiple sclerosis and related nervous system disorders. The
Company's marketed products include Zanaflex Capsules® (tizanidine
hydrochloride), a short-acting drug for the management of spasticity. The
Company's pipeline includes a number of products in development for the
treatment, regeneration and repair of the spinal cord and brain.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than
statements of historical facts, regarding management's expectations, beliefs,
goals, plans or prospects should be considered forward-looking. These statements
are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially, including delays in obtaining or failure to obtain FDA approval of
Fampridine-SR, the risk of unfavorable results from future studies of
Fampridine-SR, Acorda Therapeutics' ability to successfully market and sell
Fampridine-SR, if approved, and Zanaflex Capsules, competition, failure to
protect its intellectual property or to defend against the intellectual property
claims of others, the ability to obtain additional financing to support Acorda
Therapeutics' operations, and unfavorable results from its preclinical programs.
These and other risks are described in greater detail in Acorda Therapeutics'
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Acorda Therapeutics may not
actually achieve the goals or plans described in its forward-looking statements,
and investors should not place undue reliance on these statements. Acorda
Therapeutics disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking
statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this press
release.

Financial Statements

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)

September 30, December 31,
2009 2008

Assets
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments $ 292,414 $ 246,049
Trade receivable, net 4,386 4,762
Other current assets 8,745 5,094
Finished goods inventory 5,775 6,144
Property and equipment, net 3,344 2,348
Intangible assets, net 15,603 16,565
Other assets 7,330 539
Total assets $ 337,597 $ 281,501

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities $ 21,932 $ 24,119
Deferred product revenue 27,126 24,304
Current portion of deferred license revenue 9,429 -
Current portion of revenue interest liability 6,402 6,181
Long term notes payable 7,060 6,905
Non-current portion of revenue interest liability 11,157 12,835
Non-current portion of deferred license revenue 98,214 -
Stockholders' equity 156,277 207,157
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 337,597 $ 281,501

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2009 2008 2009 2008

Gross sales - Zanaflex $ 14,463 $ 13,667 $ 43,835 $ 39,442
Less: discounts and allowances (1,606 ) (1,224 ) (5,959 ) (4,153 )
Net sales 12,857 12,443 37,876 35,289
License revenue 2,357 - 2,357 -
Grant revenue - 23 - 76
Total net revenue 15,214 12,466 40,233 35,365
Cost of sales (2,602 ) (2,701 ) (8,112 ) (8,517 )
Cost of license revenue (165 ) - (165 ) -
Gross profit 12,447 9,765 31,956 26,848

Operating expenses:
Research and development 8,198 8,651 23,982 25,758
Sales and marketing 15,551 14,420 44,107 36,349
General and administrative 7,699 5,948 23,091 17,392
Total operating expenses 31,448 29,019 91,180 79,499

Operating loss $ (19,001 ) $ (19,254 ) $ (59,224 ) $ (52,651 )

Other income (expense), net (429 ) 398 (2,243 ) (1,458 )
Net loss $ (19,430 ) $ (18,856 ) $ (61,467 ) $ (54,109 )

Net loss per common share - basic and diluted $ (0.51 ) $ (0.53 ) $ (1.63 ) $ (1.65 )

Weighted average per common share - basic and diluted 37,750 35,265 37,701 32,724

Acorda Therapeutics
Tierney Saccavino, 914-347-4300 ext. 104
tsaccavino@acorda.com
or
Jeff Macdonald, 914-347-4300 ext. 232
jmacdonald@acorda.com

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