On October 31, 2018 Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACOR) reported a financial and pipeline update for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 (Press release, Acorda Therapeutics, OCT 31, 2018, View Source [SID1234530411]).

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"Acorda’s highest priority is preparing for the expected launch of Inbrija. Our market research indicates that healthcare professionals, patients and care partners consider OFF periods, or the re-emergence of Parkinson’s symptoms, to be one of the most significant unmet needs in Parkinson’s, and that they are enthusiastic about the prospect of an inhaled formulation of levodopa as a treatment option," said Ron Cohen, M.D., Acorda’s President and CEO.

"We were disappointed and disagree with the decision of the Federal appeals court regarding Ampyra, and we have filed an en banc petition requesting review by the entire court. At the same time, we were prepared for that potential outcome, and our original projections had us well capitalized to fully fund the launch of Inbrija and to develop the ARCUS pipeline. We have taken several steps over the past year both to conserve and to increase cash. Based on these, as well as greater than forecasted Ampyra sales, we are in now in an even stronger financial position, and are increasing our guidance for both cash and Ampyra sales in 2018."

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

AMPYRA (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10 mg – For the quarter ended September 30, 2018, the Company reported AMPYRA net revenue of $137.8 million compared to $132.6 million for the same quarter in 2017.

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 were $22.9 million, including $1.1 million of share-based compensation compared to $33.3 million, including $2.0 million of share-based compensation, for the same quarter in 2017.

Sales, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 were $43.6 million, including $4.0 million of share-based compensation compared to $40.7 million, including $4.6 million of share-based compensation for the same quarter in 2017.

Provision for income taxes for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 was $38.0 million, including $3.1 million of cash taxes, compared to a provision for income taxes of $18.9 million, including $3.7 million of cash taxes, for the same quarter in 2017.

The Company reported a GAAP net loss of $(13.9) million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, or $(0.29) per diluted share. GAAP net loss in the same quarter of 2017 was $(25.2) million, or $(0.55) per diluted share.

Non-GAAP net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 was $8.1 million, or $0.17 per diluted share. Non-GAAP net income in the same quarter of 2017 was $20.1 million, or $0.43 per diluted share. This quarterly non-GAAP net income measure, more fully described below under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures," excludes share-based compensation charges, non-cash interest charges on our debt, changes in the fair value of acquired contingent consideration, intangible asset impairment charges, and restructuring costs. A reconciliation of the GAAP financial results to non-GAAP financial results is included with the attached financial statements.

At September 30, 2018, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $460.9 million.

Guidance for 2018

AMPYRA 2018 net revenue guidance increased from $330-$350 million to more than $400 million.
R&D expenses for the full year 2018 reiterated and expected to be $100-$110 million including pre-launch manufacturing expenses associated with INBRIJA. This guidance is a non-GAAP projection that excludes share-based compensation, as more fully described below under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
SG&A expenses for the full year 2018 reiterated and expected to be $170-$180 million. This guidance is a non-GAAP projection that excludes share-based compensation, as more fully described below under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
The Company has increased projected 2018 year-end cash balance from more than $300 million to more than $400 million.
Third Quarter 2018 Highlights

INBRIJA (levodopa inhalation powder) in Parkinson’s disease
In September, the FDA extended the PDUFA goal date for its review of the New Drug Application (NDA) of INBRIJA from October 5, 2018 to January 5, 2019 based on submissions the Company made in response to requests from FDA for additional information on chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC). FDA determined that these submissions constituted a major amendment and will take additional time to review.
The Company reported that the inspection of its Chelsea, Massachusetts manufacturing facility and the Inbrija inhaler device manufacturer’s facility were successfully completed and closed without need for any further action by the FDA.
INBRIJA is an investigational treatment for symptoms of OFF periods in people with Parkinson’s disease taking a carbidopa/levodopa regimen.
AMPYRA (dalfampridine)
In September, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, by a 2-1 vote, upheld the United States District Court for the District of Delaware’s decision to invalidate four Ampyra patents.
In October, the Company filed a petition for en banc hearing with the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
The Company announced that it had settled with Mylan AG to market an authorized generic version of Ampyra. In mid-September, Mylan announced the U.S. launch of the authorized generic.
Webcast and Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET. To participate in the conference call, please dial (833) 236-2756 (domestic) or (647) 689-4181 (international) and reference the access code 4468928. The presentation will be available on the Investors section of www.acorda.com. A replay of the call will be available from 11:30 a.m. ET on October 31, 2018 until 11:59 p.m. ET on November 30, 2018. To access the replay, please dial (800) 585-8367 (domestic) or (416) 621-4642 (international); reference code 4468928. The archived webcast will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Acorda website at www.acorda.com.