SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Aug. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: RIGL) today reported financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010.

For the second quarter of 2010, Rigel reported a net income of $27.0 million, or $0.52 and $0.51 per basic and diluted share, respectively, compared to a net loss of $29.9 million, or $0.81 per basic and diluted share, in the same period of 2009. Basic weighted average shares outstanding for the second quarters of 2010 and 2009 were 52.0 million and 36.7 million, respectively. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the second quarters of 2010 and 2009 were 52.5 million and 36.7 million, respectively.

Contract revenue in the second quarter of 2010 was $49.5 million. This was an amortization of the $100.0 million upfront payment from AstraZeneca AB (AZ) pursuant to the exclusive worldwide license agreement for fostamatinib disodium (FosD, previously referred to as R788). Rigel is recognizing the upfront payment ratably over the six-month transition period from the effective date of March 26, 2010. As of June 30, 2010, $47.3 million of the upfront payment has been deferred. Rigel expects that this deferred amount will be fully recognized as revenue during the three months ending September 30, 2010. There was no contract revenue reported in the second quarter of 2009.

Rigel reported total operating expenses of $22.5 million in the second quarter of 2010, compared to $30.0 million in the same period of 2009. The decrease in operating expenses was primarily due to the completion of two Phase 2b clinical trials (TASKi2 and TASKi3) in July 2009.

For the six months ended June 30, 2010, Rigel reported a net income of $4.7 million, or $0.09 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $59.8 million, or $1.63 per basic and diluted share, for the same period of 2009.  

As of June 30, 2010, Rigel had cash, cash equivalents and available for sale securities of $187.5 million, compared to $133.3 million as of December 31, 2009. In April 2010, Rigel received an upfront payment of $100.0 million in connection with its worldwide license agreement with AZ. Rigel expects to end 2010 with approximately $170.0 million in cash, cash equivalents and available for sale securities.

"Rigel remains focused on advancing new product candidates into clinical programs," said James M. Gower, chairman and chief executive officer of Rigel. "In addition to our partner's plan to initiate Phase 3 studies of FosD in RA patients later this year, we plan to enter a JAK3 candidate into the clinic for the treatment of transplant rejection by the end of this year and expect to add another new molecule into our pipeline for immune indications in the near future."

About Rigel (www.rigel.com)

Rigel is a clinical-stage drug development company that discovers and develops novel, small-molecule drugs for the treatment of inflammatory/autoimmune, muscle and metabolic diseases. Rigel's pioneering research focuses on intracellular signaling pathways and related targets that are critical to disease mechanisms. Rigel's productivity has resulted in strategic collaborations with large pharmaceutical partners to develop and market its product candidates. Current product development programs include FosD (previously referred to as R788), an oral syk inhibitor that is expected to enter Phase 3 clinical trials for rheumatoid arthritis in 2010, and R343, an inhaled Syk inhibitor that is in clinical trials for asthma.

This press release contains "forward-looking" statements, including, without limitation, statements related to Rigel's expectations as to the recognition of deferred revenue, its year end cash, cash equivalents and available for sale securities, clinical plans with respect to a JAK3 candidate, identification of a new molecule for immune indications and plans to pursue further clinical development of FosD, including the timing thereof. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as "expect," "plan," and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Rigel's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. There are a number of important factors that could cause Rigel's results to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, risks associated with the duration of the transition period relating to the agreement with AstraZeneca AB, Rigel's need for additional capital, the timing and success of preclinical studies and clinical trials, and other risks detailed from time to time in Rigel's SEC reports, including its Annual Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. Rigel does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements and expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein.

Contact: Ryan D. Maynard

Phone: 650.624.1284

Email: invrel@rigel.com



Media Contact: Susan C. Rogers, Alchemy Consulting, Inc.

Phone: 650.430.3777

Email: susan@alchemyemail.com

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)





                         Three Months Ended June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30,

                         2010     2009                2010     2009

                         (unaudited)

Revenues:

 Contract revenues       $ 49,457 $ -                 $ 52,718 $ -



Operating expenses:

 Research and
 development (see Note
 A)                      16,815   24,948              34,240   49,486

 General and
 administrative (see
 Note A)                 5,664    5,050               13,850   9,653

 Restructuring charges
 (see Note A)            -        -                   -        1,141

 Total operating
 expenses                22,479   29,998              48,090   60,280

Income (loss) from
operations               26,978   (29,998)            4,628    (60,280)

Interest income, net     51       90                  68       384

Income (loss) before
income taxes             27,029   (29,908)            4,696    (59,896)

Income tax benefit       -        27                  -        93

Net income (loss)        $ 27,029 $ (29,881)          $ 4,696  $ (59,803)



Net income (loss) per
share:

 Basic                   $ 0.52   $ (0.81)            $ 0.09   $ (1.63)

 Diluted                 $ 0.51   $ (0.81)            $ 0.09   $ (1.63)



Weighted average shares
used in computing

net income (loss) per
share:

 Basic                   51,974   36,704              51,969   36,701

 Diluted                 52,511   36,704              52,480   36,701







Note A



Stock-based compensation
expense included in:

 Research and
 development             $ 1,917  $ 2,528             $ 5,000  $ 3,953

 General and
 administrative          1,784    1,331               3,868    2,050

 Restructuring charges   -        -                   -        122

                         $ 3,701  $ 3,859             $ 8,868  $ 6,125

 SUMMARY BALANCE SHEET DATA

 (in thousands)



                                      June 30,    December 31,

                                      2010        2009(1)

                                      (unaudited)

 Cash, cash equivalents and available

 for sale securities                  $ 187,458   $ 133,318

 Total assets                         195,910     140,744

 Stockholders' equity                 124,433     109,867



(1) Derived from audited financial statements

SOURCE Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.