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Neurocrine Biosciences

nbix · NASDAQ Healthcare
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Employees 501-1000
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FY2007 Annual Report · Neurocrine Biosciences
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2007 ANNUAL REPORT

 A Pipeline of 

OPPORTUNITY

President’s Message

DEAR SHAREHOLDERS,

2007 was a year of challenge and change 

for Neurocrine, our employees, and you, our 

sources. Our research and development teams 

or other side effects associated with current 

are focusing their skills and expertise on our 

treatments for endometriosis. 

shareholders. The requirements put before us by 

three Phase II programs; gonadotropin-releasing 

the FDA related to indiplon were both unexpected 

hormone (GnRH) antagonists for endometriosis 

and unforeseen. As a result of this significant 

and benign prostatic hyperplasia; corticotropin-

obstacle, we took immediate and decisive steps 

releasing factor (CRF) antagonist for anxiety, 

to reduce our work force, refocus our priorities, 

depression and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); and 

and to begin reshaping the Company. It has been 

Urocortin 2 for congestive heart failure. 

In addition to these completed studies, we 

have three ongoing Phase IIb clinical trials with 

elagolix. We recently completed enrollment in the 

first of these studies in which 252 patients with 

 endometriosis will be treated over a 6-month 

period. This study will evaluate the effect of elagolix 

a difficult chapter in our history, but we now look 

forward to building a new Neurocrine. 

The pipeline will be strengthened as the research 

on bone mineral density through DXA scan (X-Ray) 

group continues to advance our programs in 

as well as assess the impact of the drug on 

As we begin 2008, I am honored to take on the 

neurologic and endocrine disorders. Additionally, 

endometriosis symptoms. We’re looking forward to 

role of President and CEO. In this industry changes 

our business development group is evaluating a 

top-line results from this study in the third quarter 

do not happen overnight. I firmly believe that with 

number of products and technologies to compli-

of 2008. The two other studies were launched in 

a fresh strategy, coupled with lessons learned from 

ment our internal efforts and grow our early stage 

late 2007 and early 2008. One study is designed 

the past, and a renewed strength and determina-

pipeline.

tion, you will see a new Neurocrine emerge. 

We are fortunate to have a deep and diversified 

pipeline, a strong financial base, and most 

ELAGOLIX

There are an estimated 6 million women who suffer 

importantly, a group of talented and committed 

from endometriosis. Our lead product, elagolix, 

to determine the full dose range for elagolix, the 

other will serve as a head to head comparison 
against Lupron®. These studies will read out in 

early 2009. With these studies completed we will 

be in a position to meet with the FDA to agree 

employees. I am truly excited about the future and 

an orally active GnRH antagonist, was discovered 

upon a Phase III program.

look forward to the challenges and opportunities 

and developed by Neurocrine scientists and is 

that lay before us. 

currently in Phase II studies. We have completed 

CRF

Our success is dependent upon three factors; 

advancing our current clinical pipeline into the 

next stages of development, research bringing 

additional compounds into the clinic and finally, 

supplementing our pipeline through external 

two 3-month Phase II studies that demonstrated 

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has three CRF compounds 

the ability of elagolix to lower estrogen levels and 

from our collab oration currently in the clinic for 

reduce pain in endometriosis patients. This was 

mood disorders and IBS. Two of these compounds 

achieved without causing menopausal symptoms, 

are in Phase II and one is in Phase I trials. Recruiting 

apparent adverse effects on bone metabolism, 

was recently completed for a Phase II “proof of 

Kevin C. Gorman, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer

Neurocrine 2007 Annual Report

concept” clinical trial in IBS with compound 

have successfully dosed patients for up to four 

FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE

876008. This study will evaluate safety and efficacy 

hours of continuous i.v. infusion, but prior to 

in approximately 130 patients who have met the 

moving into longer durations of infusion we must 

established diagnostic criteria for IBS. We anticipate 

complete longer-term preclinical studies. We were 

data results from this study in the second half of 

challenged with developing a preclinical formu-

2008. In early 2008, we received top-line results 

lation that gave high enough exposure in in vivo 

from 876008 in a social anxiety trial. This trial 

models, but we believe that we have solved this 

showed that there was no statistical difference 

problem and are now working on completing the 

between 876008 and placebo in social anxiety.

preclinical program in 2008. This effort will 

essentially conclude all of the preclinical tasks 

required by the FDA. 

RESEARCH

From a financial perspective Neurocrine remains 

strong; we ended 2007 with approximately 

$180 million in cash, essentially the same amount 

of funds that we started 2007. This was accom-

plished primarily through a controlled burn and the 

sale-leaseback of our corporate head-quarters. We 

will be managing our funds carefully while we move 

our clinical programs forward.

We’ve weathered adversity, change, and chal-

lenges and now we are moving forward and 

are committed to creating a new and stronger 

Despite this finding with 876008, we and GSK are 

rapidly advancing our second CRF lead compound 

561679 (which is a distinct structural class from 

867008) and plan to start a large Phase II trial in 

depression in 2008. The third CRF compound in the 

clinic, 586529, initiated a single escalating dose trial 

in early 2008.

We are excited about the progress that our CRF 
program is making, and have increased this 

program’s probability of success through the clinical 

data that we have gathered and by having three 

distinct compounds in the clinic.

UROCORTIN 2

Our Urocortin 2 program has shown encouraging 

efficacy and safety in the clinical setting, but we 

have been delayed in the preclinical setting. We 

The streamlined interface between biology, 

Neurocrine.

chemistry and preclinical development has allowed 

We thank our employees, collaborators and 

us to more efficiently select drug targets, validate 

shareholders for their continued trust and support. 

the underlying mechanism and rapidly generate 

lead compounds to establish in vivo proof of 

concept, including safety and pharmacokinetic 

profiling. Our research team is working on a 

number of novel neuroendocrine targets ranging 

from insulin regulation to neuropathic pain. The 

goal of the research and development group is to 

effectively move these programs through preclinical 

development and into proof of concept studies in 

the clinic. 

Kevin C. Gorman, Ph.D.

President and Chief Executive Officer

From top to bottom: Timothy P. Coughlin, CPA, Vice 
President and Chief Financial Officer; Dimitri E. Grigoriadis, 
Ph.D., Vice President of Research; Margaret E. Valeur-
Jensen, Ph.D., J.D., Executive Vice President, General 
Counsel and Corporate Secretary; Christopher F. O’Brien, 
M.D., Chief Medical Officer; Hernand W. Wilson, Vice 
President of Information Technology; Richard J. Ranieri, 
Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer; 
Haig Bozigian, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of 
Pharmaceutical and Preclinical Development 

ELAGOLIX- GONADATROPIN-RELEASING 
HORMONE (GnRH) ANTAGONIST

Our orally active small molecule GnRH 

antagonist for endometriosis has completed 

12 Phase I studies, and two exploratory 

Phase IIa trials. The studies have shown that 

elagolix is generally safe, well tolerated and 

has shown a reduction in the pain associated 

with endometriosis. Based on these results, 

we entered into three Phase IIb trials to further 

evaluate elagolix. The trials are designed to 

assess pelvic pain reduction offered by elagolix 

through our intellectual property portfolio and 

in cardiac output without serious adverse 

extensive knowledge of the CRF system. Since 

events. Preclinical studies are currently being 

our CRF program was partnered with GSK in 

completed to support a longer infusion period 

2001, this collaboration has generated three 

(up to 72 hours) for the next segment of 

promising compounds with distinct chemical 

clinical trials.

characteristics that are currently in clinical 

development. The first compound, 876008, is 

in a Phase II IBS study that is fully enrolled. The 

GnRH-BENIGN PROSTATIC 
HYPERPLASIA (BPH)

second CRF compound, 561679, will enter a 

BPH is characterized by the enlargement in 

Phase II depression study during 2008. The 

the prostate gland where the prostate growth 

third compound in the CRF program, 586529, 

impinges on the urethra. Researchers have 

has recently started a Phase I single escalating 

determined that dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a 

as well as the impact of longer term treatment 

dose study.

of elagolix on bone mineral density. These 

three trials are currently underway and data will 

be available beginning in Q3 2008. 

CORTICOTROPIN RELEASING FACTOR 
(CRF) RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST

We are developing CRF receptor antagonists 

for depression and stress related disorders to 

provide a novel mechanism of action that we 

believe offers the advantage of being more 

effective than currently available therapies. 

We have a strategic position in the CRF field 

UROCORTIN 2 (CRF-2 RECEPTOR 
PEPTIDE AGONIST)

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is a condition 

that requires over one million hospitalizations 
a year in the United States. We have capital-

ized on our extensive CRF knowledge to 

develop our Urocortin 2 program. We have 

completed several clinical trials in patients 

and these trials demonstrated that our drug 

candidate was generally well tolerated with 

positive hemo dynamic effects and increases 

derivative of testosterone, is the primary cause 

of prostate enlargement. We completed a 

Phase I study and the results of this two week 

dosing study demonstrated that a dose related 

reduction of testosterone was achieved and 

was generally safe and well tolerated.

Clinical Program Update

NEUROCRINE’S CLINICAL 

DEVELOPMENT TEAM FOCUSES 

ON PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT 

IN HIGH POTENTIAL AND HIGH 

VALUE MARKETS WITH UNDER-

SERVED MEDICAL NEEDS. 

Our clinical development team 

consists of Medical Doctors, Clinical 

Management, Clinical Research 

Associates, Biostatisticians, and 

Project Managers. They are respon-

sible for all of our programs in various 

stages of clinical development.

Neurocrine 2007 Annual Report 

The Neurocrine Spirit  Through challenge comes opportunity, through adversity 

comes strength, and through change comes new thinking. The team environment at 

Neurocrine was tested this year, yet the Neurocrine spirit continues to shine as our 

employees embrace the change and refocus their efforts to bring our four Phase II drug 

candidates and our other clinical and research compounds forward. We believe our 

experience and spirit will help us to continue to develop novel therapies that will benefit 

patients worldwide and build shareholder value in the years to come.

PRODUCT PIPELINE 

Products Under Development

Elagolix

GnRH Antagonist

RESEARCH

Indication: Endometriosis
Commercial Rights: Neurocrine

Indication: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Commercial Rights: Neurocrine

Orally active small molecule

21 million BPH sufferers in the US

CRF1 Antagonist (561679)

Indication: Anxiety/Depression
Commercial Rights: Neurocrine/GlaxoSmithKline

 Partnered with GlaxoSmithKline

CRF1 Antagonist (876008)

Indication: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Commercial Rights: Neurocrine/GlaxoSmithKline

Partnered with GlaxoSmithKline

CRF1 Antagonist (586529)

Indication: Anxiety/Depression
Commercial Rights: Neurocrine/GlaxoSmithKline

Partnered with GlaxoSmithKline

CRF2 Peptide Agonist (Urocortin 2)

Indication: Cardiovascular
Commercial Rights: Neurocrine

5 million people with congestive heart failure (CHF) in US

Research Programs

sNRI

Indication: Neuropathic Pain 

Commercial Rights: Neurocrine

Glucose Dependent Insulin Secretagogues

Indication: Type II Diabetes 

Commercial Rights: Neurocrine

GnRH Antagonist

Ion Channel Blocker

Indiplon

5mg and 10mg capsules

15mg tablets

Indication: Women’s and Men’s Health  Commercial Rights: Neurocrine

Indication: Chronic Pain 

Commercial Rights: Neurocrine

Indication: Insomnia 

Commercial Rights: Neurocrine/Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co. (Japan)

Indication: Insomnia 

Commercial Rights: Neurocrine 

FDA approvable letter 
received December 12, 2007.

FDA not-approvable letter 
received May 15, 2006.

“Research” indicates identification and evaluation of compound(s) in laboratory 

and preclinical models.

PHASE 1 

PHASE 2 

PHASE 3

 70 million women worldwide are stricken with endometriosis
1 in 10 women in the US suffer from endometriosis

  Costs of endometriosis in US = $20 billion

40% of men over the age of 60 suffer from symptoms of BPH

US has 20 million major depressive disorder sufferers

121 million sufferers worldwide

 22-45 million people in the US suffer 
from gastrointestinal disorders

Costs of IBS in US = $25 billion

 US has 20 million anxiety sufferers

 660,000 new CHF cases each year

Costs of CHF in US = $35 billion

Neurocrine’s Research team has expertise in identifying small molecule clinical candidates aimed at GPCRs, transporters and ion 
channels. Our in-depth understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in ligand/protein interactions offers us a unique and 
opportunistic advantage with a variety of protein targets involved in multiple disease states. This effort has translated into identifying new 
chemical entities with distinct pharmacological profiles that demonstrate proof of concept in in vivo models of disease, allowing us to 
advance into preclinical testing and clinical trials with these distinct molecules. In addition to utilizing this technology in our existing later 
stage programs, we are applying this knowledge to novel targets within our portfolio. With the goal of delivering one new drug candidate 
into the clinic every 12 months, the Research group continues to advance novel small molecule compounds into development focusing 
on diseases and disorders of the central nervous and endocrine systems.

“Phase 1” indicates that clinical trials are being conducted with a smaller 

“Phase 2” indicates that clinical trials are being conducted on groups of 

“Phase 3” indicates that large-scale 

number of subjects to determine early safety profile, maximally tolerated 

patients afflicted with a specific disease in order to determine preliminary 

dose and pharmacological properties of the compound.

efficacy, optimal dosages and expanded evidence of safety.

clinical trials are being completed 

to provide primary support for 

FDA approval.

Corporate Information

CORPORATE MANAGEMENT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

Kevin C. Gorman, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer

Margaret E. Valeur-Jensen, Ph.D., J.D.
Executive Vice President, General Counsel 
and Corporate Secretary

Richard J. Ranieri
Senior Vice President and 
Chief Administrative Officer

Timothy P. Coughlin, CPA
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Christopher F. O’Brien, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer

Haig Bozigian, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President of Pharmaceutical 
and Preclinical Development

Dimitri E. Grigoriadis, Ph.D.
Vice President of Research

Hernand W. Wilson
Vice President of Information Technology

Designed and produced by Mentus, San Diego, CA  www.mentus.com

Joseph A. Mollica, Ph.D.
Chairman of the Board, 
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. and 
Chairman of the Board, Pharmacopeia Inc. 

Gary A. Lyons
Former President and Chief Executive Officer, 
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

Kevin C. Gorman, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer, 
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

Corinne Lyle
President, Global Operations, 
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

W. Thomas Mitchell
Former Chairman of the Board and Chief 
Executive Officer of Genencor International

Richard F. Pops
Chairman of the Board, Alkermes, Inc.

Stephen A. Sherwin, M.D.
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive 
Officer, Cell Genesys, Inc.

Wylie W. Vale, Ph.D.
Professor & Head, The Clayton Foundation 
Laboratories for Peptide Biology 
The Salk Institute

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
12790 El Camino Real
San Diego, CA 92130
Phone: (858) 617-7600
Fax: (858) 617-7602
www.neurocrine.com

AUDITORS

Ernst & Young LLP

TRANSFER AGENT

American Stock Transfer

SEC FORM 10-K

A copy of the Company’s annual report to 
the Securities and Exchange Commission on 
Form 10-K is available without charge, upon 
written request to:

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
12790 El Camino Real
San Diego, CA 92130

Any statements in this report about our expectations, 
beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or 
performance that are not historical facts are forward-
 looking statements. You can identify these forward-
 looking statements by the use of words or phrases such 
as “believe,” “may,” “could,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” 
“anticipate,” “intend,” “seek,” “plan,” “expect,” “should” 
or “would.” Among the factors that could cause actual 
results to differ materially from those indicated in the 
forward-looking statements are risks and uncertainties 
inherent in our business including, without limitation, 
statements about our ability to create market demand for 
and generate revenues from our products; unexpected 
adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of 
our products that could delay or prevent product develop-
ment or commercialization, or that could result in product 
recalls or product liability claims; the scope and validity 
of patent protection for our products and our ability to 
commercialize our products without infringing the patent 
rights of others; competition from other pharmaceutical or 
biotechnology companies; the progress and timing of our 
clinical trials; other difficulties or delays in development, 
testing, obtaining regulatory approvals, manufacturing and 
marketing of our products; our ability to obtain additional 
financing to support our operations; and other risks 
detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K 
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, which 
accompanies this report.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected 
in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, 
we cannot guarantee future results, events, levels of 
activity, performance or achievement. We undertake no 
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking 
statements, whether as a result of new information, future 
events or otherwise, unless required by law. This caution 
is made under the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E 
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.  12790 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA 92130  Phone: (858) 617-7600  Fax: (858) 617-7602  www.neurocrine.com