SEATTLE, Feb 09, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Targeted Genetics Corporation (Pink Sheets:TGEN) (the "Company") today
announced that it has completed the technology transfer portion of the
September 2009 asset sale transaction executed between the Company and
Genzyme Corporation ("Genzyme") and has received the full $7.0 million
provided for in the asset purchase agreement. As previously announced,
the Company received $3.5 million from Genzyme at the closing of the
transaction and was eligible to receive up to an additional $3.5 million
upon the achievement of seven technology transfer milestones. The
Company completed all seven technology transfer milestones and received
aggregate payments from Genzyme of $2.5 million in the fourth quarter of
2009 and $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2010 for a total of $3.5
million.
In addition, the Company reported today that it received a $750,000
milestone payment from Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics B.V. ("AMT").
This milestone payment was received pursuant to a patent license
agreement between the Company and AMT and was triggered by AMT's filing
for marketing approval of Glybera(R), a product candidate for the
treatment of lipoprotein lipase deficient patients. AMT announced the
regulatory filing with the European Medicines Agency on January 11, 2010.
The Company estimates it finished 2009 with cash and cash equivalents of
approximately $4.9 million. The Company intends over the next year to
utilize its resources to support continued efforts to monetize certain
assets, to realize value from milestone and royalty licensing
relationships, and to support product development programs currently
underway with commercial and academic partners. Accordingly, based on
its current business plans the Company expects its net use of cash
during 2010 will not exceed $2 million. The Company's use of cash in
2010 could be greater if the Company decides to increase spending during
the year on new or current programs or other operating activities.
Under the September 2009 asset purchase agreement, the Company sold
manufacturing technologies and other adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector
technology to Genzyme. Under the agreement, Genzyme agreed to pay up to
$7 million for the assets and the successful transfer of the technology
and also agreed to pay a portion of sublicensing revenue received during
a specified timeframe and royalties on net product sales of products if
Genzyme successfully commercializes products utilizing the acquired
Targeted Genetics technology. The Company entered into a non-exclusive
patent license agreement with AMT in 2006 which covers Glybera(R). The
license agreement provides for AMT to pay royalties on net product
sales, milestone payments upon the achievement of certain product
development targets and annual maintenance payments.
"As a result of our significant expense reduction efforts, resolution of
liabilities and payments received from partners, the Company has a
stable financial footing as we continue to work to maximize the value of
existing assets and consider alternatives for advancing the Company,"
said B.G. Susan Robinson, President and Chief Executive Officer.
About Targeted Genetics Corporation
Targeted Genetics Corporation is a biotechnology company committed to
the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the
prevention and treatment of diseases with significant unmet medical
need. To learn more about Targeted Genetics, visit its website at www.targetedgenetics.com.
CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE
RESULTS
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements
concerning the Company's financial position, results of operations,
business strategy, and plans and objectives of management for future
operations. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks
and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations
reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable
assumptions, readers are cautioned that no assurance can be given that
such expectations will prove correct and that actual results and
developments may differ materially from those conveyed in such
forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from the expectations reflected in the forward-looking
statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, the
risk that the Company will not be able to monetize its assets or enter
into one or more strategic transactions, the risk that the Company's
current financial resources and future financial resources (if any) will
be insufficient to enable the Company to fund continuing operations, the
risk that the Company will not receive anticipated future revenue
streams, the risk that the Company will run out of cash earlier than
expected, the risk that the Company will not receive anticipated
milestones or other payments from the Company's product development
partners and collaborators or that the Company's product development
efforts will be unsuccessful, the risks of accomplishing our business
plan, the risks associated with the conduct and outcome of the LCA
candidate clinical trial and the risk of unforeseen events compromising
our cash management plans, as well as those factors described in the
Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
30, 2009, filed November 16, 2009 with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

SOURCE: Targeted Genetics Corporation
Investors and Media:
Targeted Genetics Corporation
David J. Poston, Chief Financial Officer, 206-521-7881