Onyx Pharmaceuticals Reports Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results; Nexavar Global Net Sales Top $229 Million, 27% Increase Over

Non-GAAP Net Income of $22 Million, 34% Increase Over Third Quarter 2008


EMERYVILLE, Calif., Nov. 3  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ONXX) today reported its financial results for the third quarter 2009. Global Nexavar net sales as reported by Onyx's collaborator Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, or Bayer, were $229.2 million for the third quarter 2009, a 27% increase compared to $180.9 million in the same period in 2008. Onyx and Bayer are marketing and developing Nexavar® (sorafenib) tablets, an anticancer therapy currently approved for the treatment of liver cancer and advanced kidney cancer in the U.S., European Union, Japan and other territories.

Onyx reported non-GAAP net income of $22.2 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, for the third quarter 2009 compared to non-GAAP net income of $16.6 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the same period in 2008. Non-GAAP net income excludes employee stock-based compensation expense, non-cash imputed interest expense related to the application of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Subtopic 470-20 (formerly known as Financial Accounting Standards Board Staff Position, or FSP APB, 14-1), acquisition related transaction costs and a payment to BTG International Limited in connection with the achievement of a development milestone in the ONX 0801 program. Net income for the third quarter 2009 reflected growth in Nexavar sales and lower Nexavar commercial expenses, offset by expanded clinical development efforts, lower investment income and interest expense on the convertible senior notes issued in August 2009. On a GAAP basis, Onyx reported net income of $8.2 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, for the third quarter 2009 compared to net income of $12.2 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, in the same period in 2008. A description of the non-GAAP calculations and reconciliation to comparable GAAP measures is provided in the accompanying table entitled "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Net Income."

"Delivering another quarter of strong financial performance points to our success in building Nexavar as an oncology blockbuster and demonstrates our commitment to executing on our strategic priorities," said N. Anthony Coles, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Onyx.  "As the next step in our plans to grow the company strategically, we recently announced our intention to acquire Proteolix Inc., a leader in the science of proteasome inhibition. Through continued investigation of Nexavar in a broad array of additional tumor types and investment in a growing number of pipeline candidates, we are creating multiple opportunities for additional value creation."

Revenue from Collaboration Agreement

For the third quarter 2009, Onyx reported revenue from its Nexavar collaboration agreement of $69.1 million compared to $50.8 million for the same period in 2008. The 36% increase in revenue from collaboration agreement between periods resulted from an increase in Nexavar sales and royalty revenue and a decrease in Nexavar commercial expenses.

Operating Expenses

Onyx recorded research and development expenses of $35.6 million in the third quarter 2009, compared to $21.8 million for the same period in 2008. Higher research and development expenses in the third quarter 2009 were primarily due to planned increases in the development program for Nexavar across additional tumor types, such as thyroid, colorectal and adjuvant liver cancer and Onyx's costs to further develop ONX 0801, including a milestone payment of $7.0 million to BTG International Limited. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $23.4 million in the third quarter 2009, compared to $19.3 million for the same period in 2008.  Higher selling, general and administrative expenses were primarily due to headcount-related expenses to support Onyx's growth.

Investment Income

Investment income was $1.0 million for the third quarter 2009 compared to $2.8 million in the same period in 2008. The decrease was primarily due to lower effective interest rates as a result of market conditions as well as a change in the asset allocation of Onyx's investment portfolio.

Interest Expense

Interest expense of $2.3 million for the third quarter 2009 relates to the 4.0% convertible senior notes due 2016 issued in August 2009, and includes non-cash imputed interest expense of $1.0 million as a result of the application of ASC Subtopic 470-20 (formerly known as FSP APB 14-1).

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

At September 30, 2009, cash, cash equivalents, and current and noncurrent marketable securities were $843.1 million, compared to $458.0 million at December 31, 2008. This increase was primarily due to net proceeds of debt and equity financings in August 2009 and cash generated from operations.

Nine-Month Results

Nexavar net sales, as recorded by Bayer, were $608.3 million and $501.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Non-GAAP net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $45.6 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, compared to non-GAAP net income of $45.9 million, or $0.81 per diluted share for the same period in 2008, excluding employee stock-based compensation expense, non-cash imputed interest expense related to the application of ASC Subtopic 470-20 (formerly known as FSP APB 14-1), acquisition related transaction costs and a payment to BTG International Limited in connection with the achievement of a development milestone in the ONX 0801 program. A description of the non-GAAP calculations is provided below in the accompanying table entitled "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Net Income."  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, on a GAAP basis Onyx recorded net income of $21.7 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, compared with a net income of $32.1 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, for the same period in 2008.

Management Conference Call Today

Onyx will host a teleconference and webcast to provide a general business overview and discuss financial results. The event will begin at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time) on November 3, 2009. The live webcast will be available at:

http://www.onyx-pharm.com/view.cfm/32/Event-Calendar

or by dialing 847-619-6547 and using the passcode 25674242. A replay of the presentation will be available on the Onyx website or by dialing 630-652-3044 and using the passcode 25674242 approximately one hour after the teleconference concludes. The replay will be available through December 3, 2009.

About Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company committed to improving the lives of people with cancer. The company, in collaboration with Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, is developing and marketing Nexavar® (sorafenib) tablets, a small molecule drug.  Nexavar is currently approved for the treatment of liver cancer and advanced kidney cancer.  Additionally, Nexavar is being investigated in several ongoing trials in a variety of tumor types.  For more information about Onyx, visit http://www.onyx-pharm.com/.

Nexavar® (sorafenib) tablets is a registered trademark of Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" of Onyx within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding sales trends and commercial activities, the timing, progress and results of clinical development, regulatory filings and actions and Onyx's anticipated acquisition of Proteolix, Inc. and its lead product candidate, carfilzomib. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those anticipated, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to: Nexavar being our only approved product; competition; failures or delays in our clinical trials; dependence on our collaborative relationship with Bayer; market acceptance and the rate of adoption of our products; pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement pressures; serious adverse side effects, if they are associated with Nexavar; government regulation; possible failure to realize the anticipated benefits of business acquisitions or strategic investments; protection of our intellectual property; the indebtedness incurred through the sale of our 4.0% convertible senior notes due 2016; product liability risks; and the consummation and anticipated benefits of the proposed acquisition of Proteolix.  Reference should be made to Onyx's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the heading "Risk Factors" for a more detailed description of these and other risks, as well as the company's subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10Q.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date of this release.  Onyx undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events, or circumstances after the date of this release except as required by law.

                         (See attached tables.)


                      ONYX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                  CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
               (In thousands, except per share amounts)
                              (unaudited)

                                   Three Months
                                      Ended       Nine Months Ended
                                  September 30,     September 30,
                                  --------------  ------------------
                                    2009     2008     2009      2008
                                    ----     ----     ----      ----
  Revenue:
      Revenue from collaboration
       agreement                 $69,137  $50,766 $183,074  $144,693
                                 -------  ------- --------  --------
        Total operating revenue   69,137   50,766  183,074   144,693
  Operating expenses:
      Research and
       development (1)            35,635   21,792   92,478    63,845
      Selling, general and
       administrative (1)         23,440   19,319   68,899    58,985
                                  ------   ------   ------    ------
        Total operating expenses  59,075   41,111  161,377   122,830
                                  ------   ------  -------   -------
  Income from operations          10,062    9,655   21,697    21,863
  Investment income                1,015    2,763    3,108    10,696
  Interest expense                (2,255)       -   (2,255)        -
                                  ------    -----   ------     -----
  Income before provision
   for income taxes                8,822   12,418   22,550    32,559
  Provision for income taxes         589      175      878       424
                                     ---      ---      ---       ---
  Net income                      $8,233  $12,243  $21,672   $32,135
                                  ======  =======  =======   =======

  Net income per share:
      Basic                        $0.14    $0.22    $0.37     $0.58
                                   =====    =====    =====     =====

      Diluted (2)                  $0.14    $0.21    $0.37     $0.57
                                   =====    =====    =====     =====

  Shares used in
   computing net income
   per share:
      Basic                       60,248   56,197   58,201    55,755
                                  ======   ======   ======    ======

      Diluted (2)                 60,624   57,194   58,511    56,773
                                  ======   ======   ======    ======

  (1) Includes employee
   stock-based compensation
   charges of:
      Research and development      $517     $694   $2,286    $2,083
      Selling, general, and
       administrative              4,455    3,646   12,647    11,726
                                   -----    -----   ------    ------
        Total employee stock-
         based compensation       $4,972   $4,340  $14,933   $13,809
                                  ======   ======  =======   =======

  (2) Computation of
   diluted net income
   per share:
      Net income                  $8,233  $12,243  $21,672   $32,135
      Add: Interest and
       issuance costs related
       to dilutive convertible
       senior notes (3)                -        -        -         -
                                   -----    -----    -----     -----
        Net income - diluted      $8,233  $12,243  $21,672   $32,135
                                  ======  =======  =======   =======

      Basic shares                60,248   56,197   58,201    55,755
      Dilutive effect of
       options and
       restricted stock              376      997      310     1,018
      Dilutive effect of
       convertible senior
       notes (3)                       -        -        -         -
                                   -----    -----    -----     -----
        Diluted shares            60,624   57,194   58,511    56,773
                                  ======   ======   ======    ======

  (3) Under the "if-converted" method, potential common shares related
  to the Company's convertible senior notes were not included in diluted
  net income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30,
  2009 because their effect would be anti-dilutive.



                       ONYX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
          CALCULATION OF REVENUE FROM COLLABORATION AGREEMENT
                       (In thousands, unaudited)

                                     Three Months      Nine Months
                                    Ended September   Ended September
                                          30,              30,
                                   ----------------  ----------------
                                      2009     2008     2009     2008
                                      ----     ----     ----     ----
  Nexavar product revenue, net
   (as recorded by Bayer)         $229,243 $180,887 $608,295 $501,303
                                  ======== ======== ======== ========

  Revenue subject to
   profit sharing (as
   recorded by Bayer)             $199,774 $168,141 $548,093 $476,584
  Combined cost of goods sold,
   distribution, selling, general
   and administrative expenses      76,309   79,362  222,531  222,200
                                    ------   ------  -------  -------
  Combined collaboration
   commercial profit              $123,465  $88,779 $325,562 $254,384
                                  ========  ======= ======== ========
  Onyx's share of
   collaboration commercial
   profit                          $61,732  $44,390 $162,781 $127,192
  Reimbursement of Onyx's
   shared marketing expenses         5,342    5,484   16,079   15,771
  Royalty revenue                    2,063      892    4,214    1,730
                                     -----      ---    -----    -----
  Revenue from
   collaboration
   agreement                       $69,137  $50,766 $183,074 $144,693
                                   =======  ======= ======== ========



                         ONYX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP NET INCOME
                  (In thousands, except per share amounts)
                                 (unaudited)

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

  GAAP net income per share - basic          $0.14   $0.22   $0.37   $0.58
  GAAP net income per share - diluted (4)    $0.14   $0.21   $0.37   $0.57

  GAAP net income                           $8,233 $12,243 $21,672 $32,135
  Non-GAAP adjustments:
    Employee stock-based compensation        4,972   4,340  14,933  13,809
    Imputed interest related to the
     application of ASC 470-20               1,027       -   1,027       -
    Acquisition related transaction costs    1,011       -   1,011       -
    Milestone payments                       7,000       -   7,000       -
                                             -----   -----   -----   -----
      Non-GAAP net income (5)              $22,243 $16,583 $45,643 $45,944
                                           ======= ======= ======= =======

  Computation of non-GAAP
   diluted net income
  Non-GAAP net income (5)                  $22,243 $16,583 $45,643 $45,944
  Add:
    Interest and issuance costs related to
     dilutive convertible senior notes (6)   1,228       -   1,228       -
                                             -----   -----   -----   -----
      Non-GAAP net income - diluted (5)    $23,471 $16,583 $46,871 $45,944
                                           ======= ======= ======= =======

  Computation of non-GAAP diluted shares
  Basic shares                              60,248  56,197  58,201  55,755
  Adjustments for dilutive effects:
    Dilutive effect of options
     and restricted stock                      376     997     310   1,018
    Dilutive effect of
     convertible senior notes
     (6)                                     5,801       -   5,801       -
                                             -----   -----   -----   -----
      Non-GAAP diluted shares (5)           66,425  57,194  64,312  56,773
                                            ======  ======  ======  ======

  Non-GAAP net income per share (5)          $0.37   $0.30   $0.78   $0.82
  Non-GAAP net income per
   share - diluted (5)                       $0.35   $0.29   $0.73   $0.81

  (4) Under the "if-converted" method, dilutive potential common shares
  related to the Company's convertible senior notes were not included in
  GAAP diluted net income per share for the three and nine months ended
  September 30, 2009 because their effect would be anti-dilutive.

  (5) This press release includes the following non-GAAP financial measures:
  non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share. The foregoing table
  reconciles these non-GAAP measures to the most comparable financial
  measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.



Onyx management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to monitor and evaluate our operating results and trends on an on-going basis and internally for operating, budgeting and financial planning purposes. Onyx management believes the non-GAAP information is useful for investors by offering them the ability to better identify trends in our business and better understand how management evaluates the business. These non-GAAP measures have limitations, however, because they do not include all items of income and expense that affect Onyx. These non-GAAP financial measures that management uses are not prepared in accordance with, and should not be considered in isolation of, or an as alternative to, measurements required by GAAP.

These non-GAAP financial measures exclude the following items from GAAP net income and diluted EPS:

Employee stock-based compensation: Onyx management excludes the effects of employee stock-based compensation because of varying available valuation methodologies, subjective assumptions and the variety of award types; such exclusion facilitates comparisons of Onyx's operating results to peer companies.

Imputed interest related to the application of ASC Subtopic 470-20: Onyx management excludes the effects of imputed interest related to the Company's convertible senior notes due 2016 because this expense is non-cash; such exclusion facilitates comparisons of Onyx's cash operating results to peer companies.

Milestone payments and acquisition related transaction costs: Onyx management excludes the effects of milestone payments and acquisition related transaction costs as they do not relate to the normal and recurring transactions of our business; such exclusions allow for a better representation of the ongoing economics of the business, facilitates comparison to peer companies and is reflective of how Onyx management internally manages the business.

  (6) Under the "if-converted" method, potential common shares related to
  the Company's convertible senior notes were included in non-GAAP net
  income per share - diluted for the three and nine months ended September
  30, 2009 because their effect is dilutive.



                       ONYX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
                        CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                                                     (In thousands)
                                               Sep. 30,           Dec. 31,
                                                  2009              2008
                                              (unaudited)           (7)
                                              ------------       --------
  Assets
  Cash, cash equivalents and
   marketable securities                         $804,670        $418,424
  Other current assets                             58,833          43,635
                                                   ------          ------
  Total current assets                            863,503         462,059
  Property and equipment, net                       3,124           3,363
  Marketable securities,
   non-current                                     38,410          39,622
  Other assets                                      9,014           4,723
                                                    -----           -----
  Total assets                                   $914,051        $509,767
                                                 ========        ========
  Liabilities and stockholders'
   equity
  Current liabilities                              22,888          33,304
  Convertible senior notes due
   2016                                           141,559               -
  Other long-term liabilities                         986           1,263
  Stockholders' equity                            748,618         475,200
                                                  -------         -------
  Total liabilities and
   stockholders' equity                          $914,051        $509,767
                                                 ========        ========

  (7) Derived from the audited financial statements included in the
  Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31,
  2008.


DATASOURCE: Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.



CONTACT:  Julie Wood, Vice President, Investor Relations of Onyx

Pharmaceuticals, Inc., [phone]



Web Site:  http://www.onyx-pharm.com/ 

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