Lilly Reports Strong Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Financial Results, Lowers 2019 EPS Guidance to Reflect the Pending Acquisition of Loxo Oncology

On February 6, 2019 Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2018 (Press release, Eli Lilly, FEB 6, 2019, View Source [SID1234533082]).

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Certain financial information for 2018 and 2017 is presented on both a reported and a non-GAAP basis. Some numbers in this press release may not add due to rounding. Reported results were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and include all revenue and expenses recognized during the periods. Non-GAAP measures exclude the items described in the reconciliation tables later in the release. The company’s 2019 financial guidance is also being provided on both a reported and a non-GAAP basis. The non-GAAP measures are presented to provide additional insights into the underlying trends in the company’s business. This press release does not constitute an offer of any securities for sale or exchange.

"Lilly’s performance in the fourth quarter of 2018 capped an important year for the company, as we continued to launch new medicines, invest in our pipeline and deliver solid financial results," said David A. Ricks, Lilly’s chairman and CEO. "The portfolio of medicines that we have launched over the past five years is providing a strong foundation on which to grow our business, while the pending acquisition of Loxo Oncology is the latest example of our commitment to develop new medicines that will transform the care of many serious illnesses. We are determined to raise the bar even higher in 2019 so that more people around the world can benefit from Lilly medicines."

Key Events Over the Last Three Months

Regulatory

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for a new indication for Alimta (pemetrexed for injection) in combination with Keytruda and platinum chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.
The European Commission approved EmgalityTM for the prophylaxis of migraine in adults who have at least four migraine days per month.
Clinical

The company reported that the results of the Phase 3 study of Lartruvo (olaratumab), in combination with doxorubicin in patients with advanced or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma, did not confirm the clinical benefit of Lartruvo in combination with doxorubicin as compared to doxorubicin, a standard of care treatment. The company is suspending promotion of Lartruvo and is working with global regulators to determine the appropriate next steps.
The company and Incyte Corporation announced that baricitinib met the primary endpoint in two Phase 3 studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of baricitinib monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.
The company announced that Taltz (ixekizumab) met the primary and all major secondary endpoints in a Phase 3b/4 study, which evaluated the efficacy and safety of Taltz versus Humira (adalimumab) in patients with active psoriatic arthritis who are biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD)-naive.
The company and Pfizer Inc. announced positive top-line results from a Phase 3 study evaluating tanezumab 2.5 mg or 5 mg in patients with moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis pain. Tanezumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that is part of an investigational class of non-opioid pain medications known as nerve growth factor inhibitors.
Business Development/Other Developments

Lilly plans to launch an exchange offer to Lilly shareholders in the first half of 2019 in which Lilly would tender for Lilly shares in exchange for Elanco shares in order to divest its remaining ownership interest in Elanco Animal Health. The exact timing of the company’s decision to launch the exchange offer will depend upon market conditions, but the exchange offer could begin as early as the coming days.
The company announced a definitive agreement to acquire Loxo Oncology for $235.00 per share in cash, or approximately $8.0 billion. Loxo Oncology is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of highly selective medicines for patients with genomically-defined cancers.
The company announced a research collaboration and exclusive license agreement with Aduro Biotech, Inc. for Aduro’s cGAS-STING Pathway Inhibitor program for the research and development of novel immunotherapies for autoimmune and other inflammatory diseases.
The company announced an agreement with Hydra Biosciences to acquire all assets related to Hydra’s pre-clinical program of TRPA1 antagonists, part of the Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) family of ion channels, that is currently being studied for the potential treatment of chronic pain syndromes.
The company announced a license and collaboration agreement with AC Immune SA to research and develop tau aggregation inhibitor small molecules for the potential treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Fourth-Quarter Reported Results

In the fourth quarter of 2018, worldwide revenue was $6.439 billion, an increase of 5 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2017. The increase in revenue was driven by an 11 percent increase due to volume, partially offset by a 5 percent decrease due to lower realized prices and a 1 percent decrease due to the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

Revenue in the U.S. increased 7 percent, to $3.664 billion, driven by increased volume, partially offset by lower realized prices, primarily in the diabetes portfolio. U.S. volume growth of 12 percent was driven by newer pharmaceutical products, including Trulicity, Taltz and Basaglar, partially offset by decreased volume for products that have lost exclusivity, including Cialis and Effient.

Revenue outside the U.S. increased 1 percent, to $2.774 billion, driven by increased volume of 8 percent, which was primarily from newer pharmaceutical products, including Trulicity, Olumiant and Taltz. The increase in revenue was partially offset by lower realized prices for several pharmaceutical products, the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates and decreased volume for Cialis due to loss of exclusivity.

Gross margin increased 7 percent, to $4.845 billion, in the fourth quarter of 2018 compared with the fourth quarter of 2017. Gross margin as a percent of revenue was 75.2 percent, an increase of 1.9 percentage points compared with the fourth quarter of 2017. The increase in gross margin percent was primarily due to manufacturing efficiencies and lower amortization expense, partially offset by the negative impact of price on revenue.

Operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2018, defined as the sum of research and development and marketing, selling, and administrative expenses, increased 1 percent to $3.315 billion compared with the fourth quarter of 2017. Research and development expenses decreased 2 percent to $1.454 billion, or 22.6 percent of revenue, driven by lower development expenses for lanabecestat following the discontinuation of its Phase 3 program in the second quarter of 2018, partially offset by higher development expenses for other late-stage assets. Marketing, selling, and administrative expenses increased 3 percent, to $1.861 billion, primarily due to increased expenses related to newer pharmaceutical product launches, including the U.S. launch of Emgality. Both research and development expenses and marketing, selling, and administrative expenses benefited from previously-announced actions taken to reduce the company’s cost structure.

In the fourth quarter of 2018, the company recognized acquired in-process research and development charges of $329.4 million related to previously announced business development transactions with Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, SIGA Technologies, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., LTD, NextCure, Inc. and Hydra Biosciences. In the fourth quarter of 2017, the company recognized acquired in-process research and development charges of $50.0 million associated with a strategic collaboration with CureVac.

In the fourth quarter of 2018, the company recognized asset impairment, restructuring, and other special charges of $246.0 million. The charges are primarily associated with severance costs incurred as a result of actions taken to reduce the company’s cost structure. The charges also include expenses associated with the separation of the Elanco animal health business. In the fourth quarter of 2017, the company recognized asset impairment, restructuring and other special charges of $1.003 billion, primarily associated with efforts to reduce the company’s cost structure, including the U.S. voluntary early retirement program.

Operating income in the fourth quarter of 2018 was $954.2 million, compared to $172.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. The increase in operating income was driven primarily by lower asset impairment, restructuring, and other special charges and, to a lesser extent, higher gross margin, partially offset by higher expenses related to acquired in-process research and development.

Other income (expense) was expense of $15.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared with income of $111.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. The reduction in other income (expense) was primarily driven by lower net gains on sales of investments in the fourth quarter of 2018 as compared with 2017.

During the fourth quarter of 2018, the company recorded an income tax benefit of $186.2 million despite earning $938.9 million of income before income taxes. The income tax benefit was primarily due to the impact of U.S. tax reform. During the fourth quarter of 2017, the company recorded income tax expense of $1.941 billion, which included an estimated tax charge of $1.914 billion, despite earning $284.1 million of income before income taxes. The estimated tax charge in the fourth quarter of 2017 was based on U.S. tax reform enacted in December 2017.

In the fourth quarter of 2018, net income and earnings per share were $1.125 billion and $1.10, respectively, compared with a net loss of $1.657 billion and loss per share of $1.58 in the fourth quarter of 2017. The increases in net income and earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2018 were driven by the impact of U.S. tax reform enacted in December 2017, and, to a lesser extent, higher operating income. Earnings per share growth also benefited from a reduction in weighted average shares outstanding resulting from the company’s share repurchase program.

Fourth-Quarter Non-GAAP Measures

On a non-GAAP basis, fourth-quarter 2018 gross margin increased 5 percent, to $4.931 billion compared with the fourth quarter of 2017. Gross margin as a percent of revenue was 76.6 percent, an increase of 0.5 percentage points. The increase in gross margin percent was primarily due to manufacturing efficiencies, partially offset by the negative impact of price on revenue.

Reflecting the company’s previously-announced actions to reduce its cost structure, operating expenses were 51.5 percent of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2018, a reduction of 1.9 percentage points compared with the fourth quarter of 2017.

Operating income increased $216.0 million, or 15 percent, to $1.617 billion in the fourth quarter of 2018 compared with the fourth quarter of 2017, due to higher gross margin.

The effective tax rate was 15.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared with 20.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017. The lower effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2018 was primarily due to U.S. tax reform enacted in December 2017.

In the fourth quarter of 2018, net income increased 13 percent, to $1.358 billion, and earnings per share increased 17 percent, to $1.33, compared with $1.207 billion and $1.14, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2017. The increases in net income and earnings per share were primarily driven by higher operating income. Earnings per share growth also benefited from a reduction in weighted average shares outstanding resulting from the company’s share repurchase program.

For further detail of non-GAAP measures, see the reconciliation below as well as the Reconciliation of GAAP Reported to Selected Non-GAAP Adjusted Information table later in this press release.

Fourth Quarter

2018

2017

% Change

Earnings (loss) per share (reported)

$

1.10

$

(1.58)

NM

Acquired in-process research and development

.26

.03

Asset impairment, restructuring and other special charges

.21

.75

Amortization of intangible assets

.07

.11

Income taxes(a)

(.31)

1.81

Other, net

.01

Earnings per share (non-GAAP)

$

1.33

$

1.14

17%

Numbers may not add due to rounding.

(a) Relates to adjustments for U.S. tax reform and tax expenses associated with the separation of the Elanco animal health business.

Full-Year Reported Results

For the full year 2018, worldwide revenue increased 7 percent compared with 2017 to $24.556 billion. The increase in revenue was driven by an 8 percent increase due to volume and a 1 percent increase due to the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates, partially offset by a 1 percent decrease due to lower realized prices.

Revenue in the U.S. increased 8 percent to $13.875 billion, driven by increased volume for newer pharmaceutical products, including Trulicity, Basaglar, Taltz, Verzenio and Jardiance. The increase in revenue was partially offset by decreased volume for products that have lost exclusivity, including Cialis, Effient and Strattera, as well as lower realized prices for several pharmaceutical products, including Trulicity, Basaglar, Forteo and Taltz.

Revenue outside the U.S. increased 6 percent to $10.681 billion, due to increased volume for several newer pharmaceutical products, including Trulicity, Olumiant, and Taltz and, to a lesser extent, the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates. The increase in revenue was partially offset by lower realized prices for several pharmaceutical products.

Gross margin increased 8 percent to $18.126 billion in 2018 compared with 2017. Gross margin as a percent of revenue was 73.8 percent, an increase of 0.7 percentage points. The increase in gross margin percent was primarily due to manufacturing efficiencies and lower amortization expenses, offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates on international inventories sold, the timing of manufacturing production and the negative impact of price on revenue.

Total operating expenses decreased 1 percent to $11.939 billion in 2018 compared with 2017. Research and development expenses decreased 1 percent to $5.307 billion, or 21.6 percent of revenue, driven by lower development expenses for lanabecestat following the discontinuation of its Phase 3 program in the second quarter of 2018, partially offset by higher development expenses for other late-stage assets. Marketing, selling and administrative expenses decreased 1 percent to $6.632 billion, due to lower expenses for late life-cycle products, partially offset by increased marketing expenses for newer products. Both research and development expenses and marketing, selling, and administrative expenses benefited from previously-announced actions taken to reduce the company’s cost structure.

In 2018, the company recognized acquired in-process research and development charges of $1.984 billion, primarily related to the previously announced acquisition of ARMO BioSciences and the previously announced business development transaction with Dicerna Pharmaceuticals. In 2017, the company recognized acquired in-process research and development charges of $1.113 billion resulting from business development activity, primarily related to the acquisition of CoLucid Pharmaceuticals.

In 2018, the company recognized asset impairment, restructuring and other special charges of $482.0 million. The charges are primarily associated with asset impairments related to the sale of the Posilac (rbST) brand and the related sale of the Augusta, Georgia manufacturing site, as well as the suspension of commercial activities for Imrestor. The charges also include expenses associated with the initial public offering and separation of the Elanco animal health business, as well as efforts to reduce the company’s cost structure. In 2017, the company recognized asset impairment, restructuring, and other special charges of $1.674 billion associated with efforts to reduce the company’s cost structure, including the U.S. voluntary early retirement program.

Operating income in 2018 increased 96 percent compared with 2017 to $3.721 billion, driven by lower asset impairment, restructuring, and other special charges and higher gross margin, partially offset by higher acquired in-process research and development expenses.

Other income (expense) was income of $74.8 million in 2018 compared to income of $300.5 million in 2017 driven by lower net gains on sales of investments.

During 2018, the company recorded income tax expense of $563.7 million, while earning $3.796 billion of income before income taxes, resulting in an effective tax rate of 14.9 percent. During 2017, the company recorded income tax expense of $2.402 billion, which included an estimated tax charge of $1.914 billion, despite earning $2.197 billion of income before income taxes. The estimated tax charge in 2017 was based on U.S. tax reform enacted in December 2017.

For the full year 2018, net income and earnings per share were $3.232 billion and $3.13, respectively, compared with a net loss of $204.1 million, and loss per share of $0.19, respectively, in 2017. The increases in net income and earnings per share were driven by the impact of U.S. tax reform enacted in December 2017, as well as higher operating income.

Full-Year Non-GAAP Measures

On a non-GAAP basis for the full year 2018, gross margin increased 7 percent, to $18.700 billion compared with the full year 2017. Gross margin as a percent of revenue was 76.2 percent, unchanged compared with the full year 2017.

Reflecting the company’s previously-announced actions to reduce its cost structure, operating expenses were 48.6 percent of revenue in 2018, a reduction of 4.0 percentage points compared with 2017. Operating income increased $1.365 billion, or 25 percent, to $6.766 billion driven primarily by higher gross margin and, to a lesser extent, lower operating expenses. The effective tax rate was 16.0 percent in 2018, compared with 20.5 percent in 2017. Net income increased 27 percent and earnings per share increased 30 percent to $5.735 billion and $5.55, respectively. The increases in net income and earnings per share were primarily driven by higher operating income.

For further detail of non-GAAP measures, see the reconciliation below as well as the Reconciliation of GAAP Reported to Selected Non-GAAP Adjusted Information table later in this press release.

Selected Established Pharma Products

Humalog

For the fourth quarter of 2018, worldwide Humalog revenue decreased 2 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2017, to $770.4 million. Revenue in the U.S. decreased 2 percent, to $453.6 million, driven by lower realized prices primarily due to the impact of patient affordability programs. Revenue outside the U.S. decreased 1 percent, to $316.9 million, driven primarily by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates and lower realized prices, largely offset by increased volume.

For the full year 2018, worldwide Humalog revenue increased 5 percent to $2.996 billion compared with the full year 2017. U.S. Humalog revenue for 2018 was $1.788 billion, a 4 percent increase, driven primarily by increased demand and, to a lesser extent, higher realized prices due to changes in estimates to rebates and discounts. Humalog revenue outside the U.S. was $1.209 billion, a 5 percent increase, driven by increased volume and, to a lesser extent, the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates, partially offset by lower realized prices.

Alimta

For the fourth quarter of 2018, Alimta generated worldwide revenue of $556.9 million, which increased 6 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2017. U.S. revenue increased 16 percent, to$315.9 million, driven by higher realized prices and increased demand. Revenue outside the U.S. decreased 5 percent to $241.0 million, driven by lower realized prices and, to a lesser extent, the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates partially offset by increased volume.

For the full year 2018, worldwide Alimta revenue increased 3 percent to $2.133 billion compared with the full year 2017. U.S. Alimta revenue for 2018 was $1.131 billion, a 9 percent increase, driven by increased demand and higher realized prices. Alimta revenue outside the U.S. was $1.002 billion, a 3 percent decline, driven by lower volume due to competitive pressure and the loss of exclusivity in certain European countries, including Germany, and lower realized prices, partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

Cialis

For the fourth quarter of 2018, worldwide Cialis revenue decreased 41 percent to $350.7 million. U.S. revenue was $174.2 million in the fourth quarter, a 52 percent decrease compared with the fourth quarter of 2017, driven by decreased demand due to the entry of generic tadalafil, partially offset by higher realized prices. Revenue outside the U.S. decreased 25 percent to $176.4 million, primarily driven by the loss of exclusivity in Europe.

For the full year 2018, worldwide Cialis revenue decreased 20 percent to $1.852 billion compared with the full year 2017. U.S. Cialis revenue for 2018 was $1.129 billion, a 17 percent decrease, driven by decreased demand primarily due to the entry of generic tadalafil, partially offset by higher realized prices. Cialis revenue outside the U.S. was $722.7 million, a 25 percent decline, driven by the loss of exclusivity in Europe.

Forteo

For the fourth quarter of 2018, worldwide revenue for Forteo was $437.1 million, a 15 percent decrease compared with the fourth quarter of 2017. U.S. revenue decreased 25 percent, to $228.2 million, primarily due to decreased demand, as well as lower realized prices. Revenue outside the U.S. remained flat at $208.9 million, driven by increased volume, offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates and lower realized prices.

For the full year 2018, worldwide Forteo revenue decreased 10 percent to $1.576 billion compared with the full year 2017. U.S. Forteo revenue for 2018 was $757.9 million, a 21 percent decrease driven by decreased demand, and, to a lesser extent, lower realized prices. Forteo revenue outside the U.S. was $817.7 million, a 4 percent increase driven by increased volume and the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates, partially offset by lower realized prices.

Humulin

For the fourth quarter of 2018, worldwide Humulin revenue decreased 7 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2017, to $337.4 million. U.S. revenue decreased 7 percent, to $232.9 million, driven by lower realized prices due to changes in estimates to rebates and discounts, partially offset by increased volume. Revenue outside the U.S. decreased 7 percent, to $104.6 million, primarily due to the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates and, to a lesser extent, decreased volume.

For the full year 2018, worldwide Humulin revenue remained flat at $1.331 billion compared with the full year 2017. U.S. revenue for 2018 was $910.2 million, a 3 percent increase, driven by increased volume, partially offset by lower realized prices primarily due to changes in segment mix and, to a lesser extent, the impact of patient affordability programs. Revenue outside the U.S. was $421.2 million, a 7 percent decline, driven primarily by decreased volume and, to a lesser extent, lower realized prices.

Select Products Launched Since 2014

Trulicity

Fourth-quarter 2018 worldwide Trulicity revenue was $924.7 million, an increase of 42 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2017. U.S. revenue increased 40 percent, to $729.3 million, driven by higher demand, partially offset by lower realized prices primarily due to changes in estimates to rebates and discounts and changes in segment mix. Revenue outside the U.S. was $195.5 million, an increase of 51 percent, primarily driven by increased volume and, to a lesser extent, higher realized prices, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

For the full year 2018, worldwide Trulicity revenue was $3.199 billion, an increase of 58 percent compared with the full year 2017. U.S. revenue increased 56 percent, to $2.516 billion, driven by higher demand. Revenue outside the U.S. increased 63 percent, to $683.3 million primarily driven by increased volume and, to a lesser extent, the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates, partially offset by lower realized prices.

Taltz

For the fourth quarter of 2018, worldwide Taltz revenue was $307.0 million, an increase of 78 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2017. U.S. revenue was $243.4 million, an increase of 71 percent, driven by higher demand and, to a lesser extent, the impact of specialty pharmacy and wholesaler buying patterns, partially offset by lower realized prices. Revenue outside the U.S. was $63.6 million, an increase of $33.6 million, driven by increased volume from recent launches, partially offset by lower realized prices.

For the full year 2018, Taltz generated worldwide revenue of $937.5 million, an increase of 68 percent compared with the full year 2017. U.S. revenue was $738.7 million, an increase of 52 percent primarily driven by increased demand, partially offset by lower realized prices. Revenue outside the U.S. was $198.7 million, an increase of $125.6 million, driven by increased volume from recent launches, partially offset by lower realized prices.

Cyramza

For the fourth quarter of 2018, worldwide Cyramza revenue was $220.6 million, an increase of 8 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2017. U.S. revenue was $80.8 million, an increase of 9 percent, driven by increased demand and higher realized prices. Revenue outside the U.S. was $139.8 million, an increase of 7 percent, driven by increased volume, partially offset by lower realized prices and the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

For the full year 2018, worldwide Cyramza revenue was $821.4 million, an increase of 8 percent compared with the full year 2017. U.S. revenue increased 5 percent, to $291.5 million, driven by increased demand and, to a lesser extent, higher realized prices. Revenue outside the U.S. increased 10 percent, to $529.9 million, primarily due to increased volume and, to a lesser extent, the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates, partially offset by lower realized prices.

Basaglar

For the fourth quarter of 2018, Basaglar generated worldwide revenue of $232.2 million, an increase of 51 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2017. U.S. revenue was $182.3 million, an increase of 59 percent, driven by increased demand, partially offset by lower realized prices due to increased volume in Medicare Part D. Revenue outside the U.S. was $49.9 million, an increase of 27 percent, primarily driven by increased volume, partially offset by lower realized prices and the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates. Basaglar is part of the company’s alliance with Boehringer Ingelheim, and Lilly reports total sales as revenue, with payments made to Boehringer Ingelheim for its portion of the gross margin reported as cost of sales.

For the full year of 2018, Basaglar generated worldwide revenue of $801.2 million. U.S. revenue was $622.8 million, an increase of $311.7 million compared with the full year 2017, driven by increased demand, partially offset by lower realized prices due to increased volume in Medicare Part D. Revenue outside of the U.S. was $178.5 million, an increase of $57.5 million, primarily driven by increased volume.

Jardiance

The company’s worldwide Jardiance revenue during the fourth quarter of 2018 was $193.2 million, an increase of 35 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2017. U.S. revenue increased 25 percent, to $115.4 million, driven by increased demand. Revenue outside the U.S. was $77.8 million, an increase of 52 percent, primarily driven by increased volume, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates. Jardiance is part of the company’s alliance with Boehringer Ingelheim, and Lilly reports as revenue a portion of Jardiance’s gross margin.

For the full year 2018, worldwide Jardiance revenue was $658.3 million, an increase of 47 percent compared with the full year 2017. U.S. revenue increased 38 percent, to $400.2 million, driven by increased demand. Revenue outside the U.S. increased 64 percent, to $258.1 million, primarily driven by increased volume and, to a lesser extent, the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates.

Lartruvo

The company is suspending promotion of Lartruvo and is working with global regulators to determine the appropriate next steps. For the fourth quarter of 2018, Lartruvo generated worldwide revenue of $83.5 million, an increase of 41 percent compared with fourth quarter of 2017. U.S. revenue increased 20 percent, to $49.7 million, driven by increased demand. Revenue outside the U.S. was $33.8 million, an increase of $16.3 million, driven by increased volume from recent launches, partially offset by lower realized prices.

For the full year of 2018, Lartruvo generated worldwide revenue of $304.7 million, an increase of 50 percent compared with the full year 2017. U.S. revenue was $191.4 million, an increase of 18 percent compared with 2017, driven by increased demand. Revenue outside the U.S. increased $72.0 million to $113.3 million, primarily driven by increased volume, partially offset by lower realized prices.

Verzenio

For the fourth quarter of 2018, Verzenio generated worldwide revenue of $83.1 million, a decrease of $1.4 million compared with the third quarter of 2018. U.S. revenue was $76.5 million, a decrease of $8.0 million as increased demand was more than offset by the negative impact of wholesaler buying patterns and lower realized prices. Verzenio launched in several international markets in the fourth quarter of 2018 and generated revenue outside the U.S. of $6.6 million.

For the full year of 2018, Verzenio generated worldwide revenue of $255.0 million. U.S. revenue was $248.5 million and revenue outside of the U.S. was $6.6 million.

Olumiant

For the fourth quarter of 2018, Olumiant generated worldwide revenue of $70.1 million. U.S. revenue was $4.2 million. Revenue outside the U.S. was $65.9 million, an increase of $11.1 million compared with the third quarter of 2018, reflecting uptake of new launches in Europe.

For the full year of 2018, Olumiant generated worldwide revenue of $202.5 million, reflecting strong launch uptake in Germany. U.S. revenue was $6.7 million and revenue outside of the U.S. was $195.9 million.

Emgality

Emgality was launched in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2018 and generated U.S. revenue of $4.9 million.

Animal Health

In the fourth quarter of 2018, worldwide animal health revenue totaled $816.5 million, an increase of 3 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2017, driven by increased volume and, to a lesser extent, higher prices, partially offset by the negative impact of foreign exchange rates. In terms of animal health product categories, higher sales of companion animal disease prevention products and future protein and health products were partially offset by lower sales of ruminants and swine products and, to a lesser extent, declines in companion animal therapeutics. For specific animal health product performance, refer to today’s Elanco Animal Health Incorporated press release.

For the full year of 2018, worldwide animal health revenue totaled $3.143 billion, an increase of 2 percent compared with the full year of 2017, driven by higher prices, partially offset by lower volume. In terms of animal health product categories, higher sales of companion animal disease prevention products, future protein and health products, and companion animal therapeutics were partially offset by lower sales of products that are being exited.

2019 Financial Guidance

The individual elements of the 2019 financial guidance outlined below include fully consolidated financial expectations for both the company’s human pharmaceutical business and Elanco Animal Health, with the exception of earnings per share, which excludes approximately $0.08 per share for the non-controlling interest in Elanco. Lilly plans to launch an exchange offer to Lilly shareholders in the first half of 2019 in order to divest its remaining ownership interest in Elanco. Once the exchange offer is completed, Lilly will restate 2019 financial guidance to reflect Elanco as discontinued operations.

The company has revised certain elements of its 2019 financial guidance on a reported basis and on a non-GAAP basis, primarily due to the anticipated impacts of both the pending acquisition of Loxo Oncology and the negative Phase 3 confirmatory trial for Lartruvo, partially offset by a more favorable underlying business outlook. On a reported basis, earnings per share for 2019 are now expected to be in the range of $4.57 to $4.67. On a non-GAAP basis, earnings per share are now expected to be in the range of $5.55 to $5.65.

The company now anticipates 2019 revenue between $25.1 billion and $25.6 billion. Revenue growth is still expected to be driven by volume from newer medicines including Trulicity, Taltz, Basaglar, Jardiance, Verzenio, Cyramza and Olumiant. Revenue growth is also expected to benefit from the recent launch of Emgality and the anticipated inclusion of Vitrakvi, and could benefit from the potential approval and launch of other medicines is 2019. Revenue growth is expected to be partially offset by lower revenue for Cialis and other products that have lost patent exclusivity. Revenue growth is also expected to be partially offset by the negative impact of foreign exchange rates, continued price pressures in the U.S. (including higher rebates in Medicare Part D) and some international markets, and the impact of the negative Lartruvo phase 3 study.

Gross margin as a percent of revenue rate is still expected to be approximately 75.0 percent on a reported basis and 76.5 percent on a non-GAAP basis.

Marketing, selling and administrative expenses are still expected to be in the range of $6.4 billion to $6.7 billion. Research and development expenses are now expected to be in the range of $5.8 billion to $6.0 billion, reflecting additional expenses associated with the pending acquisition of Loxo Oncology.

Other income (expense) is now expected to be expense between $150 million and $300 million, reflecting additional interest expense associated with financing of the pending acquisition of Loxo Oncology.

The 2019 effective tax rate is now expected to be approximately 16.5 percent on a reported basis and 15 percent on a non-GAAP basis.

Webcast of Conference Call

As previously announced, investors and the general public can access a live webcast of the fourth-quarter and full-year 2018 financial results conference call through a link on Lilly’s website at www.lilly.com. The conference call will be held today from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Eastern time (ET) and will be available for replay via the website.

Lilly is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We were founded more than a century ago by a man committed to creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs, and today we remain true to that mission in all our work. Across the globe, Lilly employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. F-LLY

This press release contains management’s current intentions and expectations for the future, all of which are forward- looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The words "estimate", "project", "intend", "expect", "believe", "target", "anticipate" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially due to various factors. There are significant risks and uncertainties in pharmaceutical research and development. There can be no guarantees that pipeline products will receive the necessary clinical and manufacturing regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. The company’s results may also be affected by such factors as the timing of anticipated regulatory approvals and launches of new products; market uptake of recently launched products; competitive developments affecting current products; the expiration of intellectual property protection for certain of the company’s products; the company’s ability to protect and enforce patents and other intellectual property; the impact of governmental actions regarding pricing, importation, and reimbursement for pharmaceuticals, including U.S. health care reform; regulatory compliance problems or government investigations; regulatory actions regarding currently marketed products; unexpected safety or efficacy concerns associated with the company’s products; issues with product supply stemming from manufacturing difficulties or disruptions; regulatory changes or other developments; changes in patent law or regulations related to data-package exclusivity; litigation involving current or future products; the extent to which third-party indemnification obligations relating to product liability litigation and similar matters will be performed; unauthorized disclosure of trade secrets or other confidential data stored in the company’s information systems and networks; changes in tax law and regulations, including the impact of tax reform legislation enacted in December 2017 and related guidance; changes in inflation, interest rates, and foreign currency exchange rates; asset impairments and restructuring charges; changes in accounting standards promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); acquisitions and business development transactions and related integration costs, including that there can be no guarantee that the acquisition of Loxo Oncology, Inc. will be completed in the anticipated timeframe or at all, that Lilly will realize the expected benefits of the transaction, or that the potential products will be commercially successful; the impact of exchange rates and global macroeconomic conditions; and uncertainties and risks related to timing and potential value to both Elanco and Lilly of the planned full separation of the Elanco animal health business, including business, industry, and market risks, as well as risks involving realizing the anticipated tax-free nature of the separation. For additional information about the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements, please see the company’s latest Form 10-Q and Form 10-K filed with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Except as is required by law, the company expressly disclaims any obligation to publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this release.

Additional Information Relating to the Elanco Exchange Offer and Where to Find It:
The terms and conditions of the exchange offer will be more fully described in the registration statement to be filed by Elanco with the SEC and a Schedule TO to be filed by Lilly with the SEC. The prospectus, which will be included in the registration statement, will contain important information about Lilly, Elanco, the planned separation of Elanco from Lilly and related matters. Lilly will mail the prospectus to its shareholders. Investors and security holders are urged to read carefully and in its entirety the prospectus and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC by Lilly and Elanco, if and when they become available and before making any investment decision. None of Lilly, Elanco, or any of their respective directors or officers or any dealer manager appointed with respect to the exchange offer makes any recommendation as to whether investors should participate in the exchange offer. Investors will be able to obtain a free copy of the prospectus and other related documents filed with the SEC by Lilly and Elanco at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Those documents may also be obtained for free, as applicable, from Lilly at www.lilly.com or Elanco at www.elanco.com.

Additional Information about the Loxo Acquisition and Where to Find It:
This announcement is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell shares of Loxo Oncology, nor is it a substitute for the tender offer materials that Lilly and its acquisition subsidiary filed with the SEC upon commencement of the tender offer on January 17, 2019. At the time the tender offer was commenced, Lilly and its acquisition subsidiary filed tender offer materials on Schedule TO, and Loxo Oncology filed a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 with the SEC with respect to the tender offer. THE TENDER OFFER MATERIALS (INCLUDING AN OFFER TO PURCHASE, A RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTAIN OTHER TENDER OFFER DOCUMENTS) AND THE SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. HOLDERS OF SHARES OF LOXO ONCOLOGY ARE URGED TO READ THESE DOCUMENTS CAREFULLY (AS EACH MAY BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME) BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT HOLDERS OF LOXO ONCOLOGY SECURITIES SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION REGARDING TENDERING THEIR SECURITIES. The Offer to Purchase, the related Letter of Transmittal and certain other tender offer documents, as well as the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement, are available to all holders of shares of Loxo Oncology at no expense to them. The tender offer materials and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement are available for free at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. In addition to the Offer to Purchase, the related Letter of Transmittal and certain other tender offer documents, as well as the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement, Lilly and Loxo Oncology file annual, quarterly and special reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports or other information filed by Lilly or Loxo Oncology at the SEC public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Lilly’s and Loxo Oncology’s filings with the SEC are also available to the public from commercial document-retrieval services and at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.

LIDDS adds another Scandinavian clinic to the NZ-DTX-001 clinical trial

On February 5, 2019 LIDDS AB (publ) reported that it has received approval from the Danish Medicines Agency (DKMA) to conduct its Phase I NZ-DTX-001 clinical trial (Press release, Lidds, FEB 5, 2019, View Source [SID1234555911]). The Danish study is in addition to the Phase I NZ-DTX-001 clinical trial being conducted at the Karolinska University Hospital.

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The aim of the dose escalation clinical trial is to assess the tolerability and safety of intratumoral injections of NanoZolid with docetaxel, a well established cytostatic used in the treatment of cancer with an estimated global market of over USD 1 billion.

LIDDS expects to enroll the first patients in the NZ-DTX-001 trial in Q1 2019.

-This Phase I study will be very exciting to follow. LIDDS aims to demonstrate that intratumoral injections with cytostatics are safe and we expect that following this study a wide range of different indications and NanoZolid combinations using chemotherapy drugs will emerge, says Monica Wallter, CEO.

-Our goal is to deliver drugs directly into the cancer tumor and thereby limit the severe side effects for cancer sufferers receiving systemic chemotherapy treatments which affect all cells in the body, says Monica Wallter.

LIDDS will now initiate a collaboration with a competent Phase I clinical site in Denmark.

NZ-DTX-001 study description:
A phase Ia/Ib, first-in-human, open label, multicenter, dose-escalation and dose-expansion study of a novel NanoZolid-docetaxel depot formulation (NZ-DTX Depot) given as an intratumoral injection in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Personalis to Present at the 2019 Immuno-Oncology 360 Conference in New York

On February 5, 2019 Personalis, Inc., a leader in advanced genomics for precision oncology, reported that they are scheduled to present at the upcoming Immuno-Oncology 360° Conference in New York on Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 3:50 PM, EST (Press release, Personalis, FEB 5, 2019, View Source [SID1234534800]).

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Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

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The presentation, entitled "A Universal Cancer Immunogenomics Solution for Biomarker Discovery," will discuss the current challenges facing investigators in immuno-oncology translational research and explore how the Personalis Platform overcomes the limitations associated with conventional NGS approaches that are used in translational research and the clinical development of new oncology therapeutics. The presentation will also introduce Personalis’ new ImmunoID NeXT Platform.

ImmunoID NeXT is the first and only platform to provide comprehensive analysis of both a tumor and its microenvironment from a single sample. The platform can be used to investigate the key tumor- and immune-related areas of cancer biology; consolidating multiple oncology biomarker assays into one. This maximizes the biological information that can be generated from a precious tumor specimen.

The presentation will be delivered by Kedar Hastak, PhD, Field Applications Scientist for Personalis.

PRESS RELEASE Bolt Biotherapeutics Completes $54 Million Series B Financing

On February 5, 2019 Bolt Biotherapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on unleashing the power of the immune system to achieve anti-tumor immunity in patients, reported the completion of a $54M Series B financing led by Pivotal bioVenture Partners with additional participation from Nan Fung Life Sciences (Press release, Bolt Biotherapeutics, FEB 5, 2019, View Source [SID1234533829]). Existing investors Novo Holdings and Vivo Capital also participated in the financing. The funds will be used to advance the company’s lead Boltbody Immune-Stimulating Antibody Conjugate (ISAC) into the clinic as well as to build the company’s pipeline and further develop its technology platform.

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"We have made significant progress with our Boltbody ISAC platform that harnesses the ability of toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists to convert cold tumors into immunologically hot tumors following systemic administration. We are well positioned to bring this novel technology into clinical development and look forward to sharing more about our lead program, pipeline and platform in the months ahead," stated Peter Moldt, Ph.D., of Novo Ventures and executive chairman of the board of Bolt Biotherapeutics. "We are pleased that this group of world-class biotech investors has chosen to join us on this important mission of developing a unique class of cancer immunotherapies."

"The rapid development of Bolt’s promising targeted therapeutic platform has been very impressive," noted Ash Khanna, Ph.D., venture partner at Pivotal bioVenture Partners. "Bolt’s proprietary ISAC technology is differentiated from other immuno-oncology approaches as evidenced by the strength of the preclinical safety and efficacy data, including durable systemic anti-tumor immunity and I look forward to working with the experienced team and investors to advance the company’s programs into the clinic."

Neurocrine Biosciences Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2018 Financial Results

On February 5, 2019 Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: NBIX) reported its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 and provided an update on the launch of INGREZZA (valbenazine) and its clinical development programs (Press release, Neurocrine Biosciences, FEB 5, 2019, View Source [SID1234533104]).

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"We are extremely proud of what we have accomplished since INGREZZA was approved in 2017 and the impact INGREZZA is having on the lives of many patients with tardive dyskinesia. Our field sales team expansion and educational efforts position us to further help patients struggling with tardive dyskinesia," said Kevin Gorman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Neurocrine Biosciences. "Beyond INGREZZA, we are gearing up to file an NDA for opicapone to treat Parkinson’s disease and anticipating the Phase IIa data readout for our congenital adrenal hyperplasia program. And now, our pipeline includes the collaboration programs with Voyager in Parkinson’s disease and Friedreich’s ataxia. These efforts, along with AbbVie’s anticipated mid-year NDA submission for elagolix in uterine fibroids, put Neurocrine in an exciting position to have the potential of three approved drugs in four indications in 2020 with a robust and highly diversified pipeline."

Financial Results

Total revenue was $131.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to $94.5 million for the same period in 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2018, total revenue was $451.2 million, compared to $161.6 million for the same period in 2017.

INGREZZA was made available for commercial distribution on May 1, 2017 and ORILISSA (elagolix) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of endometriosis with associated moderate to severe pain during the third quarter of 2018, with AbbVie sales beginning in August 2018. With the FDA approval of ORILISSA, the Company recognized a $40 million event-based milestone as revenue under the Company’s collaboration agreement with AbbVie during the third quarter of 2018. Total revenue for 2017 was inclusive of milestone revenue of $45 million recognized pursuant to the Company’s collaboration agreements with AbbVie and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC).

The Company reported net income of $18.1 million, or $0.19 diluted net income per share, for the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to $6.9 million, or $0.07 diluted net income per share, for the same period in 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company reported net income of $21.1 million, or $0.22 diluted net income per share, compared to a net loss of $142.5 million, or $1.62 net loss per share, for the same period in 2017. The increase in net income across both periods is primarily due to increased INGREZZA net product sales.

Research and development (R&D) expenses increased to $39.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, from $25.6 million for the same period in 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2018, R&D expenses increased to $160.5 million from $121.8 million for the same period in 2017. The increase in R&D expenses across both periods is primarily due to advancement of the Company’s clinical programs, including congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor, and a first-in-class central nervous system (CNS) compound, as well as activities to prepare for the Company’s intended opicapone new drug application (NDA) submission in the second quarter of 2019.

Sales, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased to $69.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, from $56.3 million for same period in 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2018, SG&A expenses increased to $248.9 million from $169.9 million for the same period in 2017. The increase in SG&A expenses across both periods is primarily due to the hiring of the Company’s sales force, including the third quarter 2018 sales force expansion, and commercialization activities for INGREZZA, which launched in the third quarter of 2017.

The Company’s balance sheet at December 31, 2018, reflected total assets of $993.2 million, including cash and investments of $866.9 million, compared to total assets of $817.6 million at December 31, 2017.

2019 Financial Guidance

Revenue milestones under the AbbVie agreement for 2019 are expected to be $20 million contingent on FDA’s acceptance of the NDA submission of elagolix for uterine fibroids. Ongoing SG&A and R&D expenses for 2019, excluding upfront expenses associated with the recently announced Voyager Therapeutics collaboration, should approximate $550 to $600 million. The 2019 anticipated expenses include an estimated $80 million of share-based compensation expense. The increase in expenses is largely attributable to the Voyager collaboration’s ongoing program costs, increased investment in INGREZZA patient education, sales and marketing activities, opicapone NDA submission and increased R&D pipeline activities.

Pipeline Highlights

INGREZZA (valbenazine) Update

INGREZZA received FDA approval on April 11, 2017, becoming the first medicine approved in the United States for the treatment of adults with tardive dyskinesia.

In March 2015, the Company announced that it had entered into an exclusive collaboration and licensing agreement for the development and commercialization of INGREZZA in Japan and other select Asian markets with MTPC. In 2017, MTPC initiated a pivotal trial of INGREZZA in Japan for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia.

ORILISSA (elagolix) Update

On July 24, 2018, AbbVie, in collaboration with Neurocrine, announced FDA approval and in October 2018 Health Canada approval for ORILISSA for the management of endometriosis with associated moderate to severe pain. The FDA granted priority review to ORILISSA. The FDA grants priority review designation to medicines that, if approved, would provide a significant improvement in the safety or effectiveness of treatment of a serious condition. AbbVie began commercialization of ORILISSA in the United States in August 2018.

AbbVie provided positive top-line efficacy data from two Phase III studies in women with uterine fibroids in the first quarter of 2018 and from the associated six-month safety extension during the third quarter of 2018. The ELARIS UF-I and UF-II studies of elagolix met all primary and ranked secondary endpoints at month six. These replicate Phase III studies were randomized, parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials evaluating elagolix alone or in combination with low-dose hormone (add-back) therapy in women with heavy uterine bleeding associated with uterine fibroids. The studies enrolled approximately 400 patients each for an initial six-month placebo-controlled dosing period. At the end of the six months of placebo-controlled evaluation, patients were eligible to enter an additional six-month safety extension study. The primary efficacy endpoint of the study was an assessment of the change in menstrual blood loss utilizing the alkaline hematin method comparing baseline to month six. Additional secondary efficacy endpoints were evaluated including the change in fibroid volume and hemoglobin. Bone mineral density was assessed via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan at baseline at the conclusion of dosing and at six months post-dosing. Results from these studies will form the basis for an anticipated NDA submission to the FDA for the approval of elagolix in the treatment of uterine fibroids in the middle of 2019.

Opicapone Update

In February 2017, the Company entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with BIAL – Portela & CA, S.A. (BIAL) for the development and commercialization of opicapone in the United States and Canada. Opicapone is a once-daily, oral, peripherally-acting, highly-selective catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor, being developed as an adjunct therapy to preparations of levodopa/DOPA decarboxylase inhibitors for adult patients with Parkinson’s disease and motor fluctuations. The Company met with the FDA in January 2018 and based upon the BIPARK-I and BIPARK-II pivotal Phase III studies conducted by BIAL, the FDA did not require additional Phase III trials to form an NDA submission. The Company is in the process of preparing for an NDA submission which it anticipates will occur during the second quarter of 2019.

CAH Program (NBI-74788) Update

In the second quarter of 2017, the Company successfully completed the Phase I investigational new drug (IND)-opening study of NBI-74788 in healthy volunteer participants. The study was a randomized, open-label, two-period crossover study to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, the effect of food on pharmacokinetics, and the safety of NBI-74788 in a total of 16 healthy adults.

The Company began a Phase II proof-of-concept study examining the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of NBI-74788 in adult males and females with classic 21-hydroxylase deficiency CAH in November of 2017. This study will evaluate the safety and tolerability of NBI-74788 in patients with CAH together with the relationship between exposure and specific steroid hormone levels in these patients. Initial results from this trial are expected during the first quarter of 2019.

New VMAT2 Inhibitor

The Company has filed an IND and completed dosing in the single ascending dose portion of a Phase I study designed to assess initial safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of a novel, internally discovered VMAT2 inhibitor. This compound has the potential to be used in the treatment of several neurology and/or psychiatry disorders. The multiple dosing portion of this Phase I study is ongoing and is expected to be completed during the first half of 2019.

New CNS Compound

The Company has filed an IND and completed dosing in a Phase I single ascending dose study for an internally discovered first-in-class CNS compound with potential use in the treatment of several neurology and/or psychiatry disorders. The study is a randomized, double-blind, single ascending dose study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile of the compound in healthy participants. The Company is currently analyzing the data from this study to inform the design of future clinical studies for the program.

Voyager Collaboration

Neurocrine Biosciences formed a strategic collaboration with Voyager Therapeutics focused on the development and commercialization of Voyager’s gene therapy programs, VY-AADC for Parkinson’s disease and VY-FXN01 for Friedreich’s ataxia, as well as rights to two programs to be determined. This collaboration combines Neurocrine Biosciences’ expertise in neuroscience, drug development and commercialization with Voyager’s innovative gene therapy programs targeting severe neurological diseases. This transaction is anticipated to close in the first quarter subject to standard Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting periods

Conference Call and Webcast Today at 4:30 PM Eastern Time

Neurocrine will hold a live conference call and webcast today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (1:30 p.m. Pacific Time). Participants can access the live conference call by dialing 877-876-9174 (US) or 785-424-1669 (International) using the conference ID: NBIX. The webcast can also be accessed on Neurocrine’s website under Investors at www.neurocrine.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on the website approximately one hour after the conclusion of the event and will be archived for approximately one month.

About INGREZZA (valbenazine) Capsules

INGREZZA, a selective VMAT2 inhibitor, is the first FDA-approved product indicated for the treatment of adults with tardive dyskinesia, a condition associated with uncontrollable, abnormal and repetitive movements of the face, torso, and/or other body parts.

INGREZZA is thought to work by reducing the amount of dopamine released in a region of the brain that controls movement and motor function, helping to regulate nerve signaling in adults with tardive dyskinesia. VMAT2 is a protein in the brain that packages neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, for transport and release from presynaptic neurons. INGREZZA, developed in Neurocrine’s laboratories, is novel in that it selectively inhibits VMAT2 with no appreciable binding affinity for VMAT1, dopaminergic (including D2), serotonergic, adrenergic, histaminergic, or muscarinic receptors. Additionally, INGREZZA can be taken for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia as one capsule, once-daily, together with psychiatric medications such as antipsychotics or antidepressants.

Important Safety Information

Contraindications

INGREZZA is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to valbenazine or any components of INGREZZA. Rash, urticaria, and reactions consistent with angioedema (e.g., swelling of the face, lips, and mouth) have been reported.

Warnings & Precautions

Somnolence

INGREZZA can cause somnolence. Patients should not perform activities requiring mental alertness such as operating a motor vehicle or operating hazardous machinery until they know how they will be affected by INGREZZA.

QT Prolongation

INGREZZA may prolong the QT interval, although the degree of QT prolongation is not clinically significant at concentrations expected with recommended dosing. INGREZZA should be avoided in patients with congenital long QT syndrome or with arrhythmias associated with a prolonged QT interval. For patients at increased risk of a prolonged QT interval, assess the QT interval before increasing the dosage.

Adverse Reactions

The most common adverse reaction (≥5% and twice the rate of placebo) is somnolence. Other adverse reactions (≥2% and >placebo) include: anticholinergic effects, balance disorders/falls, headache, akathisia, vomiting, nausea, and arthralgia.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.