NewLink Genetics Corp. ended its fourth quarter and 2014 in the black. The Ames-based biopharmaceuticals company today reported fourth-quarter net income of $126.9 million, or $4.05 per share, compared with a net loss of $8 million or 31 cents per share, for the year-ago quarter. Full-year net income was $102.9 million, or $3.32 per share for the year ended Dec. 31, 2014, compared with a net loss of $31.2 million or $1.23 per share, for 2013.

“2014 was a pivotal year for our company, and we advanced significantly across all areas of our business and most importantly toward our goal to bring new cancer therapies to patients,” Dr. Charles Link, chairman, CEO and chief scientific officer, said in a release.

In October the company entered into an exclusive global contract with Genentech Inc. for development of its cancer vaccine products in which it received an upfront payment of $150 million, plus potential milestone payments that could exceed $1 billion, royalties and co-promotion rights.

NewLink also said it received gross proceeds of approximately $27.7 million in 2014 from its at-the-market offering of shares and ended the year with more than 27.98 million shares outstanding. The company ended the year with a cash position of approximately $202.8 million. 

“We finished the year with a strong cash position and the capacity to make the necessary investments to become a commercial biopharmaceutical company,” said Jack Henneman, executive vice president and chief financial officer. “Significant investments in 2015 will include increasing our manufacturing capacity, developing our commercial sales and marketing teams, and investments in broadening our pipeline of drug candidates.”