The clock is ticking for MannKind
MannKind plans to meet with the FDA on Wednesday to discuss Afrezza's fate. Without any other drugs on the market, and Afrezza being the company’s primary focus, it has an awful lot riding in the hands of the FDA, which can make or break a company’s ability to sell its products. Executives weren’t able to provide much clarity about its discussions with regulators, which may have rattled investors.
MannKind is burning through cash, months after laying off 41% of its workforce to slim down costs while the company focused primarily on obtaining FDA approval. Last quarter, it consumed roughly $39.2 million in operating expenses, including $30.3 million that went to R&D. Management is optimistic that it can fund operations through the first quarter of 2012 when including its existing credit facilities.
Although the company hasn’t announced plans to raise additional equity capital, it may not have much choice if it continues to run into delays. With the stock’s price so low, the company would have to sell a large number of shares to raise the cash it needs, which could substantially dilute existing shareholders.
Because of that, there are better places to invest in biotech. Bellwether Pfizer
Small pharmaceutical companies are notoriously volatile due to the regulatory hurdles they face. Even if MannKind hits it big with Afrezza, the risks are likely to outweigh the rewards. In my opinion, your money is better off somewhere else.