Overview

Amarin Corp (AMRN) is a biopharmaceutical company with expertise in lipid science focused on the commercialization and development of therapeutics to improve cardiovascular health.

The company's lead product, Vascepa® (icosapent ethyl) capsules, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, for use as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglyceride levels in adult patients with severe (TG >500 mg/dL) hypertriglyceridemia. This FDA-approved indication for Vascepa, known as the MARINE indication, is based primarily on the successful results from the MARINE study of Vascepa in this approved patient population. In considering this approval, FDA also reviewed the successful results from its study of Vascepa in patients with high triglyceride levels (TG >200 mg/dL and <500 mg/dL) who are also on statin therapy for elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDL-C, levels which condition the company refer to as mixed dyslipidemia or persistently high triglycerides. This study is known as the ANCHOR study. Safety data from both the MARINE and ANCHOR studies are reflected in FDA-approved labeling for Vascepa. In January 2013, the company began selling and marketing Vascepa in the United States based on the FDA-approved MARINE indication. In August 2015, the company began communicating promotional information beyond the MARINE indication to healthcare professionals in the United States based on the federal court declaration described below. In March 2016, the company reached agreement with the FDA and U.S. government under which they agreed to be bound by the terms of the August 2015 judicial declaration. Vascepa is available in the United States by prescription only.

The company sell Vascepa principally to a limited number of major wholesalers, as well as selected regional wholesalers and specialty pharmacy providers, or collectively, its Distributors or its customers, that in turn resell Vascepa to retail pharmacies for subsequent resale to patients and healthcare providers. The company market Vascepa in the United States through its direct sales force. In March 2014, the company entered into a co-promotion agreement in the United States with Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. under which Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. began to co-promote Vascepa in conjunction with its promotion of its primary product, a branded statin for patients with high cholesterol, which commenced in May 2014 and extends until the end of 2018. The company's direct sales force consists of approximately 170 sales professionals, including sales representatives and their managers. The company anticipate increasing its direct sales force to approximately 400 to 500 sales professionals after REDUCE-IT™ results, assuming success. The company also intend to expand medical education and market awareness initiatives, including, in advance of REDUCE-IT results being known, pilot testing of new promotional initiatives for potential broader applications following REDUCE-IT results.

In February 2015, the company entered into an exclusive agreement with Eddingpharm (Asia) Macao Commercial Offshore Limited, or Eddingpharm, to develop and commercialize Vascepa capsules in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, or the China Territory. In March 2016, the company entered into an agreement with Biologix FZCo, or Biologix, to register and commercialize Vascepa in countries within the Middle East and North Africa. In September 2017, the company entered into an agreement with HLS Therapeutics Inc., or HLS, to register, commercialize and distribute Vascepa in Canada.

In June 2018, the company entered into a collaboration with Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., or Mochida, related to development and potential subsequent commercialization of drug products and indications based on the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Vascepa, the omega-3 acid, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). The potential new product and indication opportunities contemplated under this agreement are currently in early stages of development.

The company continue to assess other collaboration opportunities to maximize the value of the Vascepa franchise globally.

Triglycerides are the main constituent of body fat in humans. Hypertriglyceridemia refers to a condition in which patients have high levels of triglycerides in the bloodstream. It is estimated that greater than one in four adults in the United States, or more than 50 million people, have elevated triglyceride levels. This data is based upon the most recent review of patient demographics, including the impact of patients on statin therapy, as published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology in April 2018. Many patients with high triglyceride levels also have diabetes and other lipid level abnormalities such as high cholesterol. The patient condition of having more than one lipid level abnormality is referred to as mixed dyslipidemia. According to The American Heart Association Scientific Statement on Triglycerides and Cardiovascular Disease (2011), triglycerides provide important information as a marker associated with the risk for heart disease and stroke, especially when an individual also has low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or HDL-C (often referred to as “good” cholesterol), and elevated levels of LDL-C (often referred to as “bad” cholesterol). Guidelines for the management of very high triglyceride levels suggest that reducing triglyceride levels is the primary goal in patients to reduce the risk of acute pancreatitis. The effect of Vascepa on cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, or the risk for pancreatitis, in patients with hypertriglyceridemia has not been determined.

Amarin Corp is currently focused on completing the ongoing REDUCE-IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events with EPA—Intervention Trial) cardiovascular outcomes study of Vascepa, which the company started in December 2011. REDUCE-IT, a multinational, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, is the first prospective cardiovascular outcomes study of any drug in a population of patients who, despite stable statin therapy, have elevated triglyceride levels. Based on the results of REDUCE-IT, the company plan to seek additional indicated uses for Vascepa. In REDUCE-IT, cardiovascular event rates for patients on stable statin therapy plus 4 grams per day of Vascepa will be compared to cardiovascular event rates for patients on stable statin therapy plus placebo. In 2016, the company completed patient enrollment and randomization of 8,175 individual patients into the REDUCE-IT study, exceeding the 8,000 patients targeted for the trial.

The REDUCE-IT study is nearly complete with top-line results expected to be available and made public before the end of the third quarter of 2018, followed by broader reporting of results targeted for a scientific conference in the fourth quarter of 2018. Between reaching the estimated onset of the target 1,612 aggregate primary cardiovascular events and study data being unblinded and disclosed, final data will be accumulated in the study and will be rolled-up into a study report in preparation for final efficacy and safety data review by the independent review committees and the REDUCE-IT operational team. Final clinical site visits for patients enrolled in the REDUCE-IT study commenced on March 1, 2018 and, in June 2018, the company announced that the last patient study visit had occurred.

The REDUCE-IT study, since its inception in 2011, has been conducted under a special protocol assessment, or SPA, agreement with the FDA. This SPA, as amended, provides for periodic safety reviews by the study’s DMC. In addition, the SPA, as amended, provided for interim efficacy and safety analyses by the study’s DMC at approximately 60% and at approximately 80% of the target aggregate number of primary cardiovascular events. The periodic safety reviews and interim efficacy and safety analyses were conducted confidentially by the study’s DMC. The company remain blinded to all data from the study that would enable it to assess the study outcome. Until the study is completed or the study is halted due to a patient safety concern (not expected), Amarin personnel will remain blinded to the efficacy and safety data from the REDUCE-IT study as it relates to, for example, which patients have been dosed with placebo or Vascepa. Since patient enrollment commenced in 2011, over 35,000 patient years of study experience have been accumulated in the REDUCE-IT study. Following each periodic review of safety data to date, which has occurred quarterly since 2013, and following each of two interim efficacy and safety analyses, the DMC communicated to it that the company should continue the study as planned. The p-value used to assess the primary endpoint in REDUCE-IT at completion, assuming 1,612 aggregate primary cardiovascular events, is p<0.0436.

In the successful Phase 3 MARINE and ANCHOR clinical trials, Vascepa was studied at a daily dose of 2 grams and 4 grams. The company sought approval of Vascepa at the more efficacious 4-gram dose for use in each patient population. These trials demonstrated favorable results in their respective patient populations, particularly with the 4-gram dose of Vascepa, in reducing triglyceride levels without increasing LDL-C levels in the MARINE trial and with a statistically significant decrease in LDL-C levels in the ANCHOR trial, in each case, relative to placebo. These trials also showed favorable results, particularly with the 4-gram dose of Vascepa, in other important lipid and inflammation biomarkers, including apolipoprotein B (apo B), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), total-cholesterol (TC), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). In these trials, the most commonly reported adverse reaction (incidence >2% and greater than placebo) in Vascepa-treated patients was arthralgia (joint pain) (2.3% for Vascepa vs. 1.0% for placebo).

In April 2015, the company received a Complete Response Letter, or CRL, from the FDA in response to its supplemental new drug application, or sNDA, that sought approval of Vascepa for use in patients with mixed dyslipidemia, based on the successful ANCHOR study. The CRL followed an October 2013 rescission by the FDA of a special protocol assessment, or SPA, agreement and three failed attempts by it to appeal that rescission at FDA. The FDA has acknowledged the success of the ANCHOR study, which met all primary and secondary endpoints. However, FDA determined that there were insufficient data to conclude that drug-induced changes in serum triglycerides could be recognized by the FDA as a valid surrogate for reducing cardiovascular risk in the ANCHOR population for the purpose of regulatory approval of a drug targeted at a triglyceride-lowering indication in this population. The FDA has acknowledged that the standard of proof required by the FDA for approval of a new drug indication is higher than that generally used to inform patient treatment guidelines and that used by physicians in clinical practice. The FDA did not determine that the drug-induced effects of Vascepa, which go beyond triglyceride-lowering, would not actually reduce cardiovascular risk in this population and the FDA has encouraged it to complete the REDUCE-IT outcomes study. Based on its communications with the FDA, the company expect that final positive results from the REDUCE-IT outcomes study will be required for FDA-approved label expansion for Vascepa.

In May 2015, the company and a group of independent physicians filed a lawsuit in federal court to permit it to promote to healthcare professionals the use of Vascepa in patients with mixed dyslipidemia so long as the promotion is truthful and non-misleading. This use reflects recognized medical practice but is not covered by current FDA-approved labeling for the drug. Historically, FDA has considered promotion of drug uses not covered by FDA-approved labeling to be illegal off-label promotion, even if such promotion is truthful and non-misleading. In August 2015, the company were granted preliminary relief in the form of a declaratory judgment in this lawsuit. The court declaration permits it to promote to healthcare professionals the FDA-reviewed and agreed effects of Vascepa demonstrated in the ANCHOR clinical trial and presentation of the current state of scientific research related to the potential of Vascepa to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease including through use of peer-reviewed scientific publications of available data. In August 2015, the company began to communicate promotional information beyond the MARINE indication to healthcare professionals in the United States as permitted by this court declaration and, in March 2016, the parties obtained court approval of negotiated settlement terms under which the FDA and the U.S. government agreed to be bound by the court’s conclusions from the August 2015 declaration that the company may engage in truthful and non-misleading speech promoting the off-label use of Vascepa and that certain statements and disclosures that the company proposed to make to healthcare professionals were truthful and non-misleading. While the company believe Amarin Corp is now permitted under applicable law to more broadly promote Vascepa, the FDA-approved labeling for Vascepa did not change as a result of this litigation and settlement, and neither government nor other third-party coverage or reimbursement to pay for the off-label use of Vascepa promoted under the court declaration was required.

Commercialization – United States

The company commenced the commercial launch of 1-gram size Vascepa capsules in the United States in January 2013. The company commenced sales and shipments of Vascepa at that time to its network of U.S.-based wholesalers. The company currently market Vascepa in the United States through its direct sales force of approximately 170 sales professionals, including sales representatives and their managers. The company anticipate increasing its sales force to a total of approximately 400 to 500 sales professionals after REDUCE-IT results, assuming success. Commencing in May 2014, in addition to Vascepa promotion by its sales representatives, Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. began co-promoting Vascepa in conjunction with its promotion of its primary product, a branded statin for patients with high cholesterol. The company also employ various medical affairs and marketing personnel to support its commercialization of Vascepa. The company intend to expand medical education and market awareness initiatives, including, in advance of REDUCE-IT results being known, pilot testing of new promotional initiatives for potential broader applications following REDUCE-IT results.

In October 2016, in addition to the original 1-gram capsule size for Vascepa, the company introduced a smaller 0.5-gram capsule size, the first and only 0.5-gram prescription omega-3 alternative available on the market, for the subset of patients who prefer a smaller capsule. The FDA-approved dosing for Vascepa continues to be 4 grams per day, and, as expected, the majority of new and existing patients taking Vascepa continue to be prescribed the 1-gram size Vascepa capsule.

Under its co-promotion agreement with Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., both parties have agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to promote, detail and optimize sales of Vascepa in the United States and have agreed to specific performance requirements detailed in the related agreement. The performance requirements include a negotiated minimum number of sales details to be delivered by each party in the first and second position, the use of a negotiated number of minimum sales representatives from each party, and the achievement of minimum levels of Vascepa revenue in 2015 and beyond. First position refers to when a sales representative’s primary purpose in detailing is related to Vascepa, while second position refers to when a sales representative’s primary purpose in detailing is to promote another product, but they also devote time in the same sales call to promote Vascepa. Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. has also agreed to bear the costs incurred for its sales force associated with the commercialization of Vascepa and to pay for certain incremental costs associated with the use of its sales force, such as sample costs and costs for promotional and marketing materials. The company will continue to recognize all revenue from sales of Vascepa. In exchange for Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc.’s co-promotional services, Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. is entitled to a quarterly co-promotion fee based on a percentage of aggregate Vascepa gross margin that varies during the term. The percentage of aggregate Vascepa gross margin earned by Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. was, as amended, approximately eighteen percent (18%) in 2017, partially offset by certain other refinements. During 2018, which is the last year of the agreement, as amended, Amarin Corp is incurring expense for both the annual co-promotion fee, which in 2018 is again calculated as a percentage of Vascepa gross margin at a modestly higher rate than in 2017, plus accrual for co-promotion tail payments which are calculated as a percentage of the 2018 co-promotion fee. Assuming Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. fulfills its obligations in accordance with the terms of the agreement, as amended, after expiration of the agreement, Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. is eligible to receive up to three years of co-promotion tail payments equal to declining percentages of the co-promotion fee amount earned in the final year of the agreement with the sum of the three years of co-promotion tail payments totaling less than the co-promotion fee amount earned in the final year of the agreement.

Based on monthly compilations of data provided by a third party, Symphony Health, the estimated number of normalized total Vascepa prescriptions for the three months ended June 30, 2018 was approximately 430,000 compared to 391,000 and 353,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2017, respectively. According to data from another third party, IQVIA, the estimated number of normalized total Vascepa prescriptions for the three months ended June 30, 2018 was approximately 430,000 compared to 392,000 and 346,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2017, respectively. Normalized total prescriptions represent the estimated total number of Vascepa prescriptions dispensed to patients, calculated on a normalized basis (i.e., one month’s supply, or total capsules dispensed multiplied by the number of grams per capsule divided by 120 grams). Inventory levels at wholesalers tend to fluctuate based on seasonal factors, prescription trends and other factors.

The data reported above is based on information made available to it from third-party resources and may be subject to adjustment and may overstate or understate actual prescriptions. Timing of shipments to wholesalers, as used for revenue recognition purposes, and timing of prescriptions as estimated by these third parties may differ from period to period. Although the company believe these data are prepared on a period-to-period basis in a manner that is generally consistent and that such results can be generally indicative of current prescription trends, these data are based on estimates and should not be relied upon as definitive. While the company expect to be able to grow Vascepa revenues over time, no guidance should be inferred from the operating metrics described above. The company also anticipate that such sales growth will be inconsistent from period to period. The company believe that investors should view the above-referenced operating metrics with caution, as data for this limited period may not be representative of a trend consistent with the results presented or otherwise predictive of future results. Seasonal fluctuations in pharmaceutical sales, for example, may affect future prescription trends of Vascepa, as could changes in prescriber sentiment, quarterly changes in Distributor purchases, and other factors. The company believe investors should consider its results over several quarters, or longer, before making an assessment about potential future performance.

The commercialization of pharmaceutical products is a complex undertaking, and its ability to effectively and profitably commercialize Vascepa will depend in part on its ability to generate market demand for Vascepa through education, marketing and sales activities, its ability to achieve market acceptance of Vascepa, its ability to generate product revenue and its ability to receive adequate levels of reimbursement from third-party payers. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Commercialization and Development of Vascepa.”

In August 2015, the company and its co-promotion partner began communicating promotional information beyond MARINE clinical trial data to targeted healthcare professionals. Such qualified communications are being made pursuant to the August 2015 federal district court declaration and related March 2016 settlement allowing truthful and non-misleading promotion of the FDA-reviewed and agreed effects of Vascepa demonstrated in the ANCHOR clinical trial and presentation of the current state of scientific research related to the potential of Vascepa to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease including through use of peer-reviewed scientific publications of available data.

Commercialization – Outside the United States

In February 2015, the company announced an exclusive agreement with Eddingpharm to develop and commercialize Vascepa capsules in what the company refer to as the China Territory, consisting of the territories of Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, for uses that are currently commercialized and under development by it in the United States based on the MARINE, ANCHOR and ongoing REDUCE-IT clinical trials of Vascepa. Under the agreement, Eddingpharm is responsible for development and commercialization activities in the China Territory and associated expenses. The company will provide development assistance and be responsible for supplying the product. Terms of the agreement include up-front and milestone payments to it of up to $169.0 million, including a non-refundable $15.0 million up-front payment received at closing, a non-refundable milestone payment of $1.0 million received upon successful submission of a clinical trial application, or CTA, with respect to the MARINE indication for Vascepa to the Chinese regulatory authority in March 2016. In March 2017, the CTA was approved by the Chinese regulatory authority and, in December 2017, Eddingpharm commenced a pivotal clinical trial aimed to support the regulatory approval of the first indication of Vascepa in a patient population with severe hypertriglyceridemia in Mainland China. Amarin Corp is also entitled to receive future regulatory and sales-based milestone payments of up to an additional $153.0 million. The regulatory milestone events relate to the submission and approval of certain applications to the applicable regulatory authority, such as a clinical trial application, clinical trial exemption, or import drug license application. The amounts to be received upon achievement of the regulatory milestone events relate to the submission and approval for three indications, and range from $1.0 million to $15.0 million for a total of $33.0 million. The sales-based milestone events occur when annual aggregate net sales of Vascepa in the territory equals or exceeds certain specified thresholds, and range from $5.0 million to $50.0 million for a total of $120.0 million. Eddingpharm will also pay it tiered double-digit percentage royalties on net sales of Vascepa in the China Territory escalating to the high teens. The company will supply finished product to Eddingpharm under negotiated terms.

In March 2016, the company entered into an agreement with Biologix FZCo, or Biologix, to register and commercialize Vascepa in several Middle Eastern and North African countries. Under the terms of the distribution agreement, the company granted to Biologix a non-exclusive license to use its trademarks in connection with the importation, distribution, promotion, marketing and sale of Vascepa in the Middle East and North Africa territory. Upon closing of the agreement, the company received a non-refundable up-front payment, which will be recognized as revenue over 10 years commencing upon first marketing approval of Vascepa in the territory. The company receive all payments based on total product sales and pay Biologix a service fee in exchange for its services, whereby the service fee represents a percentage of gross selling price which is subject to a minimum floor price. In March 2018 and July 2018, the company received approval for Vascepa as a prescription medication for use in Lebanon and United Arab Emirates, respectively, as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglyceride levels in adult patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia.

In September 2017, the company entered into an agreement with HLS to register, commercialize and distribute Vascepa in Canada. Under the agreement, HLS will be responsible for regulatory and commercialization activities and associated costs. The company will be responsible for providing assistance towards local filings, supplying finished product under negotiated supply terms, maintaining intellectual property, and continuing the development and funding of REDUCE-IT. Terms of the agreement include up-front and milestone payments to it of up to $65.0 million. These payments include a non-refundable $5.0 million up-front payment received in two equal installments, the first of which was received at closing with the second received upon the six-month anniversary of the closing. In addition to the non-refundable, up-front payment, Amarin Corp is entitled to receive certain regulatory and sales-based milestone payments of up to an additional $60.0 million, the timing and achievability of which cannot be determined at least until discussions with Canadian regulatory authorities have commenced, as well as tiered double-digit royalties on net sales of Vascepa in Canada.

The company continue to assess other partnership opportunities for licensing Vascepa to partners outside of the United States.

Research and Development

REDUCE-IT is the first prospective cardiovascular outcomes study of any drug in a population of patients who, despite stable statin therapy, have elevated triglyceride levels. REDUCE-IT is a multinational, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to assess the cumulative effect on the rate of cardiovascular events for patients treated with Vascepa as an add-on to statin therapy compared to the corresponding rate of cardiovascular events for patients treated with placebo on top of statin therapy. REDUCE-IT is not designed to demonstrate that lowering triglycerides alone in the study population is sufficient to lower the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events compared to placebo. Rather, it is designed to test the hypothesis that the clinical effects of Vascepa, including its impact on triglyceride lowering, are effective in lowering the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events compared to placebo in patients who despite statin therapy have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including elevated triglyceride levels. Based on the results of REDUCE-IT, the company may seek additional indications for Vascepa beyond the indications studied in the ANCHOR or MARINE trials.

In 2016, the company completed patient enrollment and randomization of 8,175 individual patients into the REDUCE-IT study, exceeding the 8,000 patients targeted for the trial.

The REDUCE-IT study is nearly complete with top-line study results expected to be available and made public before the end of the third quarter of 2018, followed by broader reporting of results targeted for a scientific conference in the fourth quarter of 2018. Between reaching the estimated onset of the target 1,612 aggregate primary cardiovascular events and study data being unblinded and disclosed, final data will be accumulated in the study and will be rolled-up into a study report in preparation for final efficacy and safety data review by the independent review committees and the REDUCE-IT operational team. Final clinical site visits for patients enrolled in the REDUCE-IT study commenced on March 1, 2018 and, in June 2018, the company announced that the last patient study visit had occurred.

The REDUCE-IT study, since its inception in 2011, has been conducted under a SPA agreement with the FDA. This SPA, as amended, provides for periodic safety reviews by the study’s DMC. In addition, the SPA, as amended, provided for interim efficacy and safety analyses by the study’s DMC at approximately 60% and at approximately 80% of the target aggregate number of primary cardiovascular events. The periodic safety reviews and interim efficacy and safety analyses were conducted confidentially by the study’s DMC. The company remain blinded to all data from the study that would enable it to assess the study outcome. Until the study is completed or the study is halted due to a patient safety concern (not expected), Amarin personnel will remain blinded to the efficacy and safety data from the REDUCE-IT study as it relates to, for example, which patients have been dosed with placebo or Vascepa. Since patient enrollment commenced in 2011, over 35,000 patient years of study experience have been accumulated in the REDUCE-IT study. Following each periodic review of safety data to date, which have occurred quarterly since 2013, and following each of two interim efficacy and safety analyses, the DMC communicated to it that the company should continue the study as planned. The p-value used to assess the primary endpoint in REDUCE-IT at completion, assuming 1,612 aggregate primary cardiovascular events, is p<0.0436. The company's scientific rationale for the REDUCE-IT study is supported by  epidemiological data that suggests elevated triglyceride levels correlate with increased cardiovascular disease risk, (ii) genetic data that suggests triglyceride and/or triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (as well as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol), known as bad cholesterol) are independently in the causal pathway for cardiovascular disease and (iii) clinical data that suggest substantial triglyceride reduction in patients with elevated baseline triglyceride levels correlates with reduced cardiovascular risk. The company's scientific rationale for the REDUCE-IT study is also supported by research on the putative cardioprotective effects of EPA as presented in scientific literature. It is possible that the effects of EPA may be due not to a single mode of action, such as triglyceride lowering, but rather to multiple mechanisms working together. Studies in the scientific literature explore potentially beneficial effects of EPA on multiple atherosclerosis processes, including endothelial function, oxidative stress, foam cell formation, inflammation/cytokines, plaque formation/progression, platelet aggregation, thrombus formation, and plaque rupture. The REDUCE-IT study is needed to determine the clinical benefit, if any, of Vascepa therapy in statin-treated patients with controlled levels of LDL cholesterol, elevated triglyceride levels and other cardiovascular risk factors.

In June 2018, the company entered into a multi-faceted collaboration with Mochida related to the development and commercialization of drug products and indications based on the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Vascepa, the omega-3 acid, EPA. Among other terms in the agreement, the company obtained an exclusive license to certain Mochida intellectual property to advance its interests in the United States and certain other territories and the parties will collaborate to research and develop new products and indications based on EPA for its commercialization in the United States and certain other territories. The potential new product and indication opportunities contemplated under this agreement are currently in early stages of development. Upon closing of the collaboration agreement, Amarin Corp is required to make a non-refundable, non-creditable upfront payment of approximately $2.7 million. In addition, the agreement provides for milestone payments from it upon the achievement of certain product development milestones and royalties on net sales of future products arising from the collaboration, if any. The company expect that expenditures related to research and development activities for product candidates under the collaboration agreement will be immaterial in 2018 and less than $5.0 million in 2019.

Commercial and Clinical Supply

The company manage its supply chain internally but rely on contract manufacturers in each step of its commercial and clinical product supply, namely, active pharmaceutical ingredient, or API, manufacturing, encapsulation, packaging and supply-related logistics. The company's approach to product supply seeks to mitigate risk of supply interruption and maintain an environment of cost competition and supply chain diversification. API for Vascepa is manufactured by three independent FDA-approved suppliers: Nisshin Pharma, Inc., or Nisshin, Finorga SAS, or Novasep, and Chemport, Inc., or Chemport. The company encapsulate Vascepa through three independent FDA-approved commercial API encapsulators: Patheon, Inc. (formerly Banner Pharmacaps, now part of Thermo Fisher Scientific), Catalent Pharma Solutions, and Capsugel Plöermel SAS, (now a Lonza company), or Capsugel. The amount of supply the company seek to purchase in future periods will depend on the level of growth of Vascepa revenues and minimum purchase commitments with certain suppliers. While its current supply chain is scalable, the company continue efforts to expand, diversify and further enhance it.

Financial Position

The company believe that its cash and cash equivalents of $102.3 million as of June 30, 2018 will be sufficient to fund its projected operations through results of the REDUCE-IT study, which the company anticipate will be available before the end of the third quarter of 2018 and, assuming positive results of the REDUCE-IT study, through subsequent public presentation of such results at a medical congress before the end of 2018. Depending on the level of cash generated from operations, additional capital may be required to expand promotion of Vascepa as contemplated following anticipated successful results of the REDUCE-IT study. If additional capital is required and Amarin Corp is unable to obtain additional capital, the company may be forced to delay, limit or eliminate all or a portion of the expanded promotional activities planned following successful results of the REDUCE-IT study. The company anticipate that quarterly net cash outflows in future periods will be variable.

Financial Operations Overview

Product Revenue, net. All of its product revenue is derived from product sales of 1-gram and 0.5-gram size capsules of Vascepa, net of allowances, discounts, incentives, rebates, chargebacks and returns. The company sell product to a limited number of major wholesalers, as well as selected regional wholesalers and specialty pharmacy providers, or collectively, its Distributors or its customers, who resell the product to retail pharmacies for purposes of their reselling the product to fill patient prescriptions. The company commenced its commercial launch of 1-gram size Vascepa capsules in the United States in January 2013, and introduced a smaller 0.5-gram capsule size in October 2016. Revenues from product sales are recognized when the Distributor obtains control of its product, which occurs at a point in time, typically upon delivery to the Distributor.

Licensing revenue. Licensing revenue currently consists of revenue attributable to receipt of up-front, non-refundable payments and milestone payments related to license and distribution agreements for Vascepa outside the United States. The company recognize revenue from licensing arrangements as the company fulfill the performance obligations under each of the agreements.

Cost of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold includes the cost of API for Vascepa on which revenue was recognized during the period, as well as the associated costs for encapsulation, packaging, shipment, supply management, quality assurance, insurance, and other indirect manufacturing, logistics and product support costs. The cost of the API included in cost of goods sold reflects the average cost method of inventory valuation and relief. This average cost reflects the actual purchase price of Vascepa API.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense. Selling, general and administrative expense consists primarily of salaries and other related costs, including stock-based compensation expense, for personnel in its sales, marketing, executive, business development, finance and information technology functions, as well as co-promotion fees payable to Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. Other costs primarily include facility costs and professional fees for accounting, consulting and legal services.

Research and Development Expense. Research and development expense consists primarily of fees paid to professional service providers in conjunction with independent monitoring of its clinical trials and acquiring and evaluating data in conjunction with its clinical trials, fees paid to independent researchers, costs of qualifying contract manufacturers, services expenses incurred in developing and testing products and product candidates, salaries and related expenses for personnel, including stock-based compensation expense, costs of materials, depreciation, rent, utilities and other facilities costs. In addition, research and development expenses include the cost to support current development efforts, costs of product supply received from suppliers when such receipt by it is prior to regulatory approval of the supplier, as well as license fees related to its strategic collaboration with Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. The company expense research and development costs as incurred.

Interest and Other (Expense) Income, Net. Interest expense consists of interest incurred under lease obligations, interest incurred under its December 2012 royalty-bearing instrument financing arrangement, and interest incurred under its 3.5% exchangeable notes. Interest expense under its royalty-bearing instrument financing arrangement is calculated based on an estimated repayment schedule. Interest expense under its exchangeable notes includes the amortization of the conversion option related to its exchangeable debt, the amortization of the related debt discounts and debt obligation coupon interest. Interest income consists of interest earned on its cash and cash equivalents. Other (expense) income, net, consists primarily of foreign exchange losses and gains.

(Provision for) Benefit from Income Taxes. (Provision for) benefit from income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and reserves for unrecognized tax benefits reflect management’s best assessment of estimated future taxes to be paid. Amarin Corp is subject to income taxes in both the United States and foreign jurisdictions. In applying the estimated annual effective tax rate approach prescribed under ASC 740-270 and based on present evidence and conclusions around the realizability of deferred tax assets, the company determined that any tax benefit related to the pretax losses generated during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 is neither more likely than not to be realized in the current year nor realizable as a deferred tax asset at the end of the year. Therefore, the appropriate amount of income tax benefit to recognize during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 is zero.