Mirati Therapeutics Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA--(Marketwired - Aug 12, 2013) - Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. ("Mirati") (MRTX) today reported financial results for the second quarter and first six months ended June 30, 2013.

Corporate Highlights

-- During the quarter progress was made on objectives in all clinical development programs: optimized formulations of MGCD265 designed to maximize exposures were moved forward toward the clinic; IND enabling work was initiated on MGCD516, on target to initiate Phase I trials in early 2014; and significant progress was made towards a refined path forward for the clinical development of mocetinostat (MGCD0103).

-- On June 28, 2013 the arrangement agreement ("Arrangement") between Mirati and MethylGene Inc. was completed in which MethylGene became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mirati, a Delaware corporation.

-- On July 15, 2013 Mirati's common stock began trading on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol MRTX.

"During the first half 2013, we have transformed the company by building a world-class management team and focusing on our three molecularly targeted oncology programs in clinical development. We are focused on execution of our development strategy in order to reach key milestones in 2013 and 2014," said Dr. Charles Baum, President and CEO.

Second Quarter and First Six Months 2013 Financial Results

The Company's financial statements for the period ended June 30, 2013 have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Net research and development expenditures for the second quarter of 2013 were $4.5 million, $858,000 higher than the second quarter of 2012. Increases were primarily due to costs relating to the ongoing formulation development for MGCD265 as well as costs associated with preparations for a potential mocetinostat study and an Investigational New Drug application for MGCD516. Increases were partially offset by reduced costs for the MGCD290 program which we are no longer actively pursuing internally, and increased investment tax credits due to a higher level of investment in research and development activities. Net research and development expenditures were $10.0 million for the first six months of 2013, compared to $5.9 million for the same period in 2012. Increases were primarily due to the factors listed above as well as costs associated with management changes implemented in the first quarter of 2013 and a reduction in investment tax credits versus the prior year. General and administrative expenses in the second quarter of 2013 were $2.4 million, $1.3 million higher than in the second quarter of 2012. General and administrative expenses were $4.9 million in the first six months, compared to $2.3 million for the same period in 2012. The increase is due primarily to costs incurred in connection with the Arrangement and NASDAQ listing as well as costs associated with management changes implemented in the first and second quarters of 2013.