Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Resources
  • Investor Relations
  • Journalists
  • Agencies
  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
Return to PR Newswire homepage
  • News
  • Products
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All News Releases
      • All Public Company
      • English-only
      • News Releases Overview

      • Multimedia Gallery

      • All Multimedia
      • All Photos
      • All Videos
      • Multimedia Gallery Overview

      • Trending Topics

      • All Trending Topics
  • Business & Money
      • Auto & Transportation

      • All Automotive & Transportation
      • Aerospace, Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads and Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking and Road Transportation
      • Auto & Transportation Overview

      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • All Business Technology
      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • Business Technology Overview

      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • All Entertain­ment & Media
      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • Entertain­ment & Media Overview

      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • All Financial Services & Investing
      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers and Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalization
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • Financial Services & Investing Overview

      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • All General Business
      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Overseas Real Estate (non-US)
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls and Research
      • Trade Show News
      • General Business Overview

      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • All Consumer Technology
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • Consumer Technology Overview

      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • All Energy
      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil and Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • Energy & Natural Resources Overview

      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • All Environ­ment
      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • Environ­ment Overview

      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing Overview

      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • All Telecomm­unications
      • Carriers and Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • Telecomm­unications Overview

      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • All Consumer Products & Retail
      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines and Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics and Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture and Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewelry
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • Consumer Products & Retail Overview

      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • All Entertain­ment & Media
      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • Entertain­ment & Media Overview

      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • All Health
      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • Health Overview

      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • All Sports
      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • Sports Overview

      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • All Travel
      • Amusement Parks and Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels and Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • Travel Overview

      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • All Policy & Public Interest
      • Advocacy Group Opinion
      • Animal Welfare
      • Congressional & Presidential Campaigns
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Domestic Policy
      • Economic News, Trends, Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • FDA Approval
      • Federal and State Legislation
      • Federal Executive Branch & Agency
      • Foreign Policy & International Affairs
      • Homeland Security
      • Labor & Union
      • Legal Issues
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Patent Law
      • Public Safety
      • Trade Policy
      • U.S. State Policy
      • Policy & Public Interest Overview

      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • All People & Culture
      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • People & Culture Overview

      • View All People & Culture

      • In-Language News

      • Arabic
      • español
      • português
      • Česko
      • Danmark
      • Deutschland
      • España
      • France
      • Italia
      • Nederland
      • Norge
      • Polska
      • Portugal
      • Россия
      • Slovensko
      • Suomi
      • Sverige
  • Explore Our Platform
  • Plan Campaigns
  • Create with AI
  • Distribute Press Releases
  • Amplify Content
  • All Products
  • General Inquiries
  • Editorial Bureaus
  • Partnerships
  • Media Inquiries
  • Worldwide Offices
  • Hamburger menu
  • PR Newswire: news distribution, targeting and monitoring
  • Send a Release
    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Us

      888-776-0942
      from 8 AM - 10 PM ET

  • Send a Release
  • Client Login
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • RSS
  • News in Focus
    • Browse All News
    • Multimedia Gallery
    • Trending Topics
  • Business & Money
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Send a Release
  • Client Login
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • RSS
  • Explore Our Platform
  • Plan Campaigns
  • Create with AI
  • Distribute Press Releases
  • Amplify Content
  • All Products
  • Send a Release
  • Client Login
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • RSS
  • General Inquiries
  • Editorial Bureaus
  • Partnerships
  • Media Inquiries
  • Worldwide Offices
  • Send a Release
  • Client Login
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • RSS

Velan sets the Record Straight on Progenics Pharmaceuticals' Latest Misleading Statements

Highlights the Multiple Ways Peter Crowley and Michael Kishbauch have Failed Stockholders While the Board Disingenuously Touts its "Significant Progress" and Self-Proclaimed Mastery

Implores Stockholders to Follow Velan, a True "Fellow Shareholder," and Vote the GREEN Proxy Card Today AGAINST the Re-Election of Messrs. Crowley and Kishbauch


News provided by

Velan Capital, L.P.

Jun 17, 2019, 08:30 ET

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX

ALPHARETTA, Ga., June 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Velan Capital, L.P. (together with the other participants in its solicitation, "Velan" or "we"), one of the largest stockholders of Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Progenics" or the "Company")(NASDAQ:PGNX), comprised of successful specialty pharmaceutical operators and financial services experts, today issued the following statement responding to certain misleading claims made by the Progenics Board of Directors (the "Board").

On June 13, 2019, the Board delivered a second letter to "fellow shareholder[s]" touting a commitment "to enhancing the value of [their] investment." Due to the Board's apparent desire to preserve the status quo and distract stockholders from the issues plaguing the Company – where minimal stock ownership in the boardroom, lackluster operational performance, endless stockholder dilution and hefty compensation are all acceptable under the current regime – the Board has elected to engage in a campaign of misinformation and scare tactics. Velan is here to set the record straight.

The Board's Misleading Statement

Perspective of True Stockholder

"Dear Fellow Shareholder"

Non-executive directors collectively own only ~0.06% of Progenics common stock with Peter Crowley and Michael Kishbauch owning ZERO shares of Progenics common stocki

 

The Board added insult to injury to "fellow shareholder[s]" with its decision to dilute stockholders in June 2019 by making a milestone payment in stock when it could have done so with cash

 

"…Velan Capital, L.P., an investment firm, is attempting to derail our significant progress and ultimately gain control of your Board."

Velan, a true fellow shareholder, is aligned with all stockholders – we will only make money if the value of our investment appreciates. We are not seeking control of the Board, rather we are seeking accountability for years of underperformance

 

"The Progenics Board and management team continue to make significant progress toward enhancing the value of your investment. We are working tirelessly to advance our pipeline and make a difference in the lives of patients."

 

 

 

The Board directed a failed 1404 Phase 3 trial and sat idle for more than SIX YEARS before beginning its MIP-1095 Phase 2 program in June 2019, after Velan's public involvement. Furthermore, AZEDRA was acquired in 2013 with the majority of its pivotal trial patients already recruited…it was not approved until July 2018

 

It took more than TEN YEARS of Mr. Crowley's tenure and TEN MONTHS from AZEDRA's FDA approval for the Company to treat ONE cancer patient

 

Progenics' stock price has declined over nearly every relevant period against both absolute and relative metrics. While the Board is oblivious, true stockholders have felt the lack of progress under the incumbent Board

 

"Since FDA approval of AZEDRA, Progenics has mastered this complex commercialization process"

The Board deemed AZEDRA "commercialization ready" in 2017. In the words of CEO Mark Baker at the time AZEDRA was approved, "radiopharmaceuticals, it's like baking bread, right?" The management team further stated that facility readiness, payor engagement and patient onboarding should take "a matter of weeks" – clearly these "masters" did not understand the complexities of AZEDRA's launch, with cancer patients waiting more than TEN MONTHS to be dosed

 

Compare this to two other cancer radiotherapeutics, XOFIGO and LUTATHERA, with patient dosing occurring in the same quarters as their respective FDA approvals

 

"Both of these accomplishments [FDA approval and first commercial sale of AZEDRA] created excellent value for you, our fellow shareholders."

Since AZEDRA's FDA approval in July 2018, the Company's stock has declined 51%ii

 

When the Company finally dosed an AZEDRA patient, the Board elected to pay a commercial milestone payment issuing over 1.6 million shares of common stock instead of using its ample cash balance, even though its stock price was a depressed ~$4.20 per share

 

What tangible "excellent value" can the Board identify that has benefitted stockholders?

 

"Novartis has invested many billions of dollars to acquire assets in the prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumor radiopharmaceutical spaces that are quite similar to Progenics' products."

Novartis bought two of the Company's competitors while the Progenics Board sat idle for SIX YEARS. Had the Board moved quickly on AZEDRA and MIP-1095, Progenics may have already been acquired for as much as a 17x return (which is what Endocyte, Inc. generated for its stockholders in approximately one year)

 

It is likely not a coincidence that Novartis chose to invest in assets managed or overseen by others rather than those under the direction (or lack thereof) of this Board

 

"Our three directors targeted by Velan bring indispensable experience, which is critical to the Company's continued success"

Although Mr. Baker deserves to be targeted, Velan has only recommended stockholders vote against two directors, Messrs. Crowley and Kishbauch

 

Under the direction of Chairman Crowley, the Company's stock price has declined 46%.iii As a supposed financier, Mr. Crowley has mercilessly directed excess stockholder dilution to the tune of $200+ million in equity and approved outsized compensation for missed and unambitious corporate goals (which could be because he does not own any shares of common stock)

 

During Mr. Crowley's tenure as Chairman, Mr. Baker was promoted to CEO and the Board has failed to provide proper oversight and direction needed given that Mr. Baker's prior corporate operational experience consisted of tenures in the ferry and grain industries. The Board should have used its "indispensable experience" to guide Mr. Baker rather than permitting value destruction and missed opportunities to persist

 

Mr. Kishbauch has served as a director of three other public companies in the past ten years whose stock prices declined by 76% (Achillion Pharmaceuticals), 88% (Catabasis Pharmaceuticals) and 97% (TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals), respectively, during his tenure. In addition, OraPharma, the company he founded, was sold for $7.41 per share while its IPO price was $18.00 per share, nearly a 60% decline. The Board's letter purposefully omitted this fact, instead highlighting a "63 percent premium" to a depressed stock price

 

"Mr. Kishbauch is Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. In this role, he has continued his track record of espousing best-in-class governance practices and welcoming shareholder input"

While Mr. Kishbauch has served as Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee, the Board has opposed initiatives to expand stockholder rights and deprived stockholders of the opportunity to elect representatives of their choosing, including by (i)

recommending against a stockholder proposal in 2018 to expand proxy access (a proposal ISS supported) and (ii) invalidating Velan's nomination of candidates

 

Velan's attempts to engage with the Company were rebuffed until we nominated a slate of directors…how is that "welcoming shareholder input?"

 

Your vote at the 2019 Annual Meeting, scheduled to be held on July 11, 2019, should reflect your view on the performance of the Board, particularly Messrs. Crowley and Kishbauch, whom we believe are most responsible for the lack of accountability and poor corporate governance practices at Progenics, as Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, respectively, and together who represent the sole members of the Compensation Committee.

The Board touts the independent nature of six of its directors – we agree Messrs. Crowley and Kishbauch are independent…of stockholders given their complete lack of ownership of common stock. We believe there is a clear misalignment of interests between Messrs. Crowley and Kishbauch and the Company's stockholders – the true owners of Progenics.

Under the direction of Messrs. Crowley and Kishbauch, the Company has destroyed significant stockholder value, squandered its pipeline potential and failed the needs of cancer patients. If meaningful change does not occur, stockholder value will continue to be destroyed and cancer patients will continue to be neglected. We urge stockholders to follow our call to action by voting AGAINST the re-election of Messrs. Crowley and Kishbauch on the GREEN proxy card.

It is time for accountability and stockholder alignment at Progenics – Velan urges all stockholders to vote on the GREEN proxy card today!

Investor contacts:
Deepak Sarpangal
(415) 677-7050
[email protected]  
www.savePGNX.com

Okapi Partners LLC
Pat McHugh / Jason Alexander
(212) 297-0720
[email protected]

i Excludes shares underlying exercisable options held by non-executive directors.
ii Calculated from July 30, 2018 to June 14, 2019.
iii Calculated from February 4, 2009 to June 14, 2019.

SOURCE Velan Capital, L.P.

21%

more press release views with 
Request a Demo

Modal title

Contact PR Newswire

  • Call PR Newswire at 888-776-0942
    from 8 AM - 9 PM ET
  • Chat with an Expert
  • General Inquiries
  • Editorial Bureaus
  • Partnerships
  • Media Inquiries
  • Worldwide Offices

Products

  • For Marketers
  • For Public Relations
  • For IR & Compliance
  • For Agency
  • All Products

About

  • About PR Newswire
  • About Cision
  • Become a Publishing Partner
  • Become a Channel Partner
  • Careers
  • Accessibility Statement
  • APAC
  • APAC - Simplified Chinese
  • APAC - Traditional Chinese
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Czech
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Mexico
  • Middle East
  • Middle East - Arabic
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Russia
  • Slovakia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • United Kingdom
  • Vietnam

My Services

  • All New Releases
  • Platform Login
  • ProfNet
  • Data Privacy

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via [email protected] 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact PR Newswire

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Platform Login
  • ProfNet
Call PR Newswire at
888-776-0942
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Information Security Policy
  • Site Map
  • RSS
  • Cookies
Copyright © 2025 Cision US Inc.