On February 24, 2022 Novocure (NASDAQ: NVCR) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021 (Press release, NovoCure, FEB 24, 2022, View Source [SID1234609008]). Novocure is a global oncology company working to extend survival in some of the most aggressive forms of cancer by developing and commercializing its innovative therapy, Tumor Treating Fields ("TTFields").

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"We founded Novocure to exploit the novel observation that electric fields can be harnessed to disrupt cancer cell division," said William Doyle, Novocure’s Executive Chairman. "More than two decades later, we continue to build our knowledge and capabilities to optimize the Tumor Treating Fields therapy platform and to bring Tumor Treating Fields therapy to cancer patients. Last year, we generated over half a billion dollars in net revenues and invested two hundred million dollars in R&D. With multiple pivotal clinical studies set to read out in the coming 24 months, we are nearing a key inflection point for cancer patients and our business."

Financial updates for the full year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2021:

Total net revenues for the year were $535.0 million, an increase of 8% year-over-year.
Total net revenues for the quarter were $133.2 million. The company did not recognize material revenue from its Medicare backlog in the quarter. This compares to $11 million received from the successful appeal of previously denied Medicare claims in the fourth quarter of 2020.
The United States, EMEA and Japan contributed $92.0 million, $26.5 million, and $8.8 million in quarterly net revenues, respectively. Revenue in Greater China from Novocure’s partnership with Zai Lab totaled $5.8 million.
Gross margin for the quarter was 78%.
Research, development and clinical studies expenses for the quarter were $56.9 million.
Sales and marketing expenses for the quarter were $39.0 million.
General and administrative expenses for the quarter were $31.0 million.
Net loss for the quarter was $26.5 million with loss per share of $0.25.
Adjusted EBITDA* for the quarter was $1.7 million.
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $937.7 million as of December 31, 2021.
Operational updates for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2021:

As of December 31, 2021, there were 3,587 active patients on therapy, an increase of 5% year-over-year. Active patients from North America, EMEA and Japan contributed 2,272, 1,008 and 307 active patients, respectively.
1,430 prescriptions were received in the quarter, an increase of 1% year-over-year. Prescriptions from North America, EMEA and Japan contributed 966, 349 and 115 prescriptions, respectively.
Quarterly achievements:

In November, we announced the last patient had been enrolled in our phase 3 pivotal LUNAR study for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer ("NSCLC"). Patients will be followed for 12 months, with top-line data expected by year-end 2022.
In November, Dr. David Tran, Chief of the Division of Neuro-Oncology at the McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Florida, released updated data from the phase 2 pilot 2-THE-TOP study testing the safety and efficacy of TTFields together with pembrolizmuab and temozolomide for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma ("GBM"). In patients with greater than 9 months of follow-up, median progression-free survival was at least 11.2 months compared to 6.7 months from Novocure’s pivotal EF-14 study, in which patients received TTFields and temozolomide, and 4.0 months from the control arm of EF-14, where patients received temozolomide alone.
In December, we announced the acquisition and construction of an office building in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The property will provide space for our growing employee base and house a world-class training and development center.
2022 Outlook:

The company expects to achieve active patient growth between 2% to 5% in 2022, in-line with the growth rate experienced in the fourth quarter of 2021. Longer term, the company continues to expect further adoption in its core GBM business.
Anticipated clinical milestones:

Data from phase 2 pilot EF-31 study in gastric cancer (2022)
Data from phase 2 pilot EF-33 study with high-intensity arrays in recurrent GBM (2022)
Last patient enrollment in phase 3 pivotal METIS study in brain metastases (2022)
Data from phase 3 pivotal LUNAR study in NSCLC (2022)
Last patient enrollment in phase 3 pivotal PANOVA-3 study in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (2023)
Data from phase 3 pivotal INNOVATE-3 study in recurrent ovarian cancer (2023)
Data from phase 3 pivotal METIS study in brain metastases (2023)
Data from phase 3 pivotal PANOVA-3 study in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (2024)
Conference call details

Novocure will host a conference call and webcast to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2021 financial results at 8 a.m. EST today, Thursday, February 24, 2022. Analysts and investors can participate in the conference call by dialing 855-442-6895 for domestic callers and 509-960-9037 for international callers, using the conference ID 8879093.

The webcast, earnings slides presented during the webcast and the corporate presentation can be accessed live from the Investor Relations page of Novocure’s website, www.novocure.com/investor-relations, and will be available for at least 14 days following the call. Novocure has used, and intends to continue to use, its investor relations website, as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.