On August 7, 2018 Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SUPN), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases, reported record financial results for the second quarter of 2018 and related Company developments (Press release, Supernus, AUG 7, 2018, View Source [SID1234528934]).

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Progress of Product Pipeline

SPN-812 — Novel non-stimulant for the treatment of ADHD

·The program consists of four three-arm, placebo-controlled trials: P301 and P302 trials in patients 6-11 years old, and P303 and P304 trials in adolescent patients.

·Enrollment is complete in the P301 trial, with data expected in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The remaining three trials are at approximately 89% enrollment, with data expected in the first quarter of 2019.

·Roll-over from the four Phase III trials to the open label extension study is approximately 90%.

SPN-810 — Treatment of Impulsive Aggression in patients with ADHD

· Enrollment in the Phase III pediatric trials, P301 and P302, is approximately 91% and 77%, respectively.

· The Company anticipates having data from P301 by the first quarter of 2019 and data from P302 by mid-2019.

· Roll-over from the two Phase III trials to the open label extension study continues at approximately 90%.

·Patient screening has been initiated in the Phase III trial treating adolescents.

Oxtellar XR —Treatment of Bipolar Disorder

The Company is planning to initiate pivotal Phase III studies for treatment of bipolar disorder in the second half of 2019.

"As we enter the second half of 2018, we remain focused on the successful completion of our clinical programs and look forward to providing top-line data from the first Phase III trial for SPN-812 in the fourth quarter of 2018," said Jack Khattar.

Operating Expenses

Research and development expenses in the second quarter of 2018 were $20.0 million, as compared to $10.8 million in the same quarter last year. The increase was due primarily to the initiation of the four Phase III clinical trials for SPN-812 in the second half of 2017 and to a lesser extent, the open-label extension trials for SPN-812 and SPN-810.

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the second quarter of 2018 were $40.1 million, as compared to $35.1 million in the same quarter last year. The increase was due to the expansion of the salesforce by 40 salespeople, which were fully deployed in the fourth quarter of 2017; marketing programs to support the Company’s commercial products; and an increase in share-based compensation.

Operating Earnings and Earnings Per Share

Operating earnings in the second quarter of 2018 were $35.7 million, a 37.0% increase over $26.1 million in the same period the prior year. The improvement in operating earnings was primarily due to increased net product sales, partially offset by increased operating expenses.

GAAP net earnings in the second quarter of 2018 were $30.7 million, as compared to $17.4 million in the same period last year. In addition to higher operating income, GAAP net earnings for the second quarter of 2018 benefited from the reduction in the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate and from stock option exercises.

GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) were $0.57 in the second quarter of 2018, compared to $0.32 in the second quarter of 2017. Net interest expense and non-cash deferred financing costs associated with the sale of $402.5 million of convertible senior notes in March 2018 had the effect of reducing GAAP net earnings by approximately $4.3 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2018.

Weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding were approximately 54.2 million in the second quarter of 2018, as compared to approximately 53.2 million in the second quarter of 2017.

As of June 30, 2018, the Company had $677.7 million in cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and long term marketable securities, as compared to $273.7 million at December 31, 2017. This increase reflects net proceeds of $364.9 million from the issuance of convertible senior notes and warrants, partially offset by purchases of convertible note hedges in March 2018, as well as increased cash from operations in the six months ended June 30, 2018.

Financial Guidance

For full year 2018, the Company is updating its prior guidance as set forth below:

Net product sales in the range of $385 million to $400 million, compared to the previously expected range of $375 million to $400 million.

·Research and development expenses of approximately $80 million.

·Operating earnings in the range of $130 million to $140 million, compared to the previously expected range of $125 million to $135 million. The Company continues to expect approximately $7 million of licensing and non-cash royalty revenue.

· The Company expects an effective tax rate of approximately 23% to 25% for the third and fourth quarters of 2018.

Conference Call Details

The Company will hold a conference call hosted by Jack Khattar, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Greg Patrick, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, to discuss these results at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, on Wednesday, August 8, 2018. An accompanying webcast also will be provided.

Please refer to the information below for conference call dial-in information and webcast registration. Callers should dial in approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.

Conference dial-in:

(877) 288-1043

International dial-in:

(970) 315-0267

Conference ID:

7484048

Conference Call Name:

Supernus Pharmaceuticals Second Quarter 2018 Earnings Conference Call