Ultragenyx to Host Conference Call for Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results and Corporate Update

On July 27, 2018 Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ:RARE), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel products for rare and ultra-rare diseases, reported that it will host a conference call on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 5pm ET to discuss second quarter 2018 financial results and provide a corporate update (Press release, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, JUL 27, 2018, http://ir.ultragenyx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/ultragenyx-host-conference-call-second-quarter-2018-financial [SID1234527922]).

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The live and replayed webcast of the call will be available through the company’s website at View Source To participate in the live call by phone, dial 855-797-6910 (USA) or 262-912-6260 (international) and enter the passcode 2895644. The replay of the call will be available for one year.

10-Q – Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)]

LabCorp has filed a 10-Q – Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)] with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Filing, 10-Q, LabCorp, 2018, JUL 27, 2018, View Source [SID1234527935]).

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Chi-Med Reports 2018 Interim Results and Updates Shareholders on Key Clinical Programs

On July 27, 2018 Hutchison China MediTech Limited ("Chi-Med") (AIM/Nasdaq: HCM) reported its unaudited financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and updates shareholders on key clinical programs (Press release, Hutchison China MediTech, JUL 27, 2018, https://www.chi-med.com/interim-results-2018/ [SID1234527917]).

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Fruquintinib made substantial progress through China New Drug Application ("NDA") process, aiming for approval and launch for colorectal cancer ("CRC") this year; we also target to report Phase III top-line results for non-small cell lung cancer ("NSCLC") in Q4 2018;

Savolitinib has two registration studies underway, global Phase III in papillary renal cell carcinoma ("PRCC") and China registration intent Phase II in MET exon 14 mutation/deletion NSCLC; also Tagrisso/savolitinib combination studies in NSCLC indications are in planning, and set to start in late 2018 and early 2019;
Expansion of U.S. and international operations firmly underway, including recruitment of U.S. Chief Medical Officer and Head of International Operations; and
Video webcast presentation at 9:00 a.m. BST and additional conference call at 9:00 a.m. EDT.

Financial Highlights
The points below are selected financial data for the six months ended June 30, 2018. For more details, please refer to "Financial Review", "Operations Review" and "Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements" below.

Overall Group

Group revenue of $102.2 million (H1 2017: $126.6m).
Net loss attributable to Chi‑Med of $32.7 million (H1 2017: net profit $1.7m).
Cash resources of $416.9 million at Group level as of June 30, 2018 ($479.6m as of December 31, 2017), including cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and unutilized bank facilities.
Innovation Platform: increased investment in Research and Development ("R&D") driven by initiation of new trials and ongoing enrollment in existing Phase III programs

Consolidated revenue was $13.6 million mainly from service fee payments from AstraZeneca AB (publ) ("AstraZeneca"), Eli Lilly & Company ("Lilly") and Nutrition Science Partners Limited ("NSP"), our 50/50 joint venture with Nestlé Health Science S.A. ("Nestlé") (H1 2017: $22.7m, which included $9.5m in milestone payments from AstraZeneca and Lilly).
R&D expenses on an as adjusted (non-GAAP) basis increased to $66.7 million (H1 2017: $37.5m), primarily driven by rapid expansion of operations and increased clinical trial expenses on all eight clinical drug candidates.
Net loss attributable to Chi-Med of $52.9 million (H1 2017: -$14.8m).
Commercial Platform: strong net income growth amid shift in revenue model and over-the-counter ("OTC") logistics divestment

Total consolidated sales fell 15% to $88.6 million (H1 2017: $103.9m) due to the implementation of the Two-Invoice System ("TIS") in China, a new government policy that has led to a shift in our revenue recognition for certain third-party drugs from gross sales consolidation to a fee-for-service revenue model.
Total sales of non-consolidated joint ventures, on an as adjusted (non-GAAP) basis excluding the effects of the divestment of certain non-core operations, up 21% to $271.7 million (H1 2017: $224.2m). Strong growth across main product categories.
Total consolidated net income attributable to Chi-Med, unaffected by the TIS implementation, up 19% to $26.9 million (H1 2017: $22.7m), on an as adjusted (non-GAAP) basis which exclude one-time gains in H1 2017.
Innovation Platform — Operating Highlights
The points below summarize some of the pipeline development highlights so far this year. For more details, please refer to "Operations Review – Innovation Platform" below.

Fruquintinib – Highly selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor ("TKI") of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor ("VEGFR") 1/2/3:

FRESCO China Phase III in third-line CRC, potentially best-in-class in terms of both efficacy and safety:
China NDA – substantial progress towards approval: nearing the end of the pre-approval inspection of manufacturing facilities stage of the NDA process, one of the last stages of the NDA process, and aiming to receive an approval in the second half of 2018;
JAMA publication: in June 2018, the full results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association ("JAMA"), which we believe to be the first China-based novel oncology therapy trial to be published in the JAMA, another landmark achievement.
Two further analyses of FRESCO data presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) ("ASCO") in June 2018: subgroup analysis by prior anti-VEGF or anti-EGFR target therapy showed that fruquintinib had clinically meaningful benefits regardless of prior target therapy ("PTT") without observed cumulative toxicity; ad-hoc analysis of quality-adjusted time without symptoms or toxicity ("Q-TWiST") showed relative improvement of Q-TWiST with fruquintinib, representing a potentially clinically important quality-of-life benefit for patients;
FALUCA China Phase III in third-line NSCLC: completed enrollment of 527 patients; expect to reach median overall survival ("OS") endpoint maturity and report top-line results in late 2018.
FRUTIGA China Phase III in second-line gastric cancer: recruiting for clinical study in combination with Taxol (paclitaxel) proceeding as planned, with an interim analysis intended in 2019.
U.S. Phase I trial: enrolling as planned and intending to complete at the end of 2018, which would allow us to explore multiple innovative combination studies of fruquintinib and other TKIs, chemotherapy and immunotherapy agents in the U.S.
Savolitinib – Highly selective TKI of mesenchymal epithelial transition factor ("c-MET") – Global Phase III studies underway or in planning:

In MET Exon 14 mutation/deletion first-line NSCLC: while continuing to enroll patients in Phase II in China, we have reached an agreement with regulators regarding the conditions under which the existing trial could be sufficient for an NDA submission in China.
In EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC, following ongoing encouraging data in the TATTON Phase Ib/II trials of combinations with Tagrisso, AstraZeneca is proceeding to:
In third-generation EGFR TKI-refractory (principally second-line and third-line after Tagrisso) NSCLC: initiate the next stage of global clinical trials around the end of 2018;
In first-/second-generation EGFR TKI-refractory (principally second-line after Iressa/ Tarceva) NSCLC: initiate the next stage of global clinical trials in early 2019.
SAVOIR global Phase III study in c-MET-driven PRCC enrolling patients at all sites now following its initiation in June 2017.
PRCC molecular epidemiology study ("MES") progressing: 200+ patient tissue-sample diagnostic analysis likely to yield data by end of 2018, which we hope will highlight for regulatory authorities an unmet medical need in c-MET-driven PRCC.
CALYPSO Phase II combinations with Imfinzi programmed death-ligand 1 ("PD-L1") inhibitor: enrolled rapidly in H1 2018 and may complete enrollment in late 2018 and in mid-2019 in PRCC and clear cell renal cell carcinoma ("ccRCC") patients, respectively.
Sulfatinib – Unique angio-immuno kinase inhibitor of VEGFR, fibroblast growth factor receptor ("FGFR") 1, and colony stimulating factor-1 receptor ("CSF-1R"):

Phase IIIs in neuroendocrine tumor ("NET"): enrollment continuing in the two Phase III studies in NET patients in China, with interim analysis expected for 2019; if results are positive, this could potentially be our first novel drug candidate to be launched by our own commercial team.
U.S. Phase Ib/IIa expansion: enrolling pancreatic NET and biliary tract cancer ("BTC") patients, following the completion of the U.S. dose escalation stage and based on preliminary efficacy and safety data observed in these two indications in China.
Further progress in early/proof-of-concept clinical trials, including:

Epitinib Phase Ib/II in EGFR gene amplified glioblastoma: trial initiated in China in the first quarter of 2018 with epitinib, our unique EGFR inhibitor that has demonstrated the ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier.
HMPL-523 U.S. investigational new drug ("IND") clearance: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") approved our highly selective spleen TKI ("Syk") to progress into clinical trials in June 2018, which we plan to initiate in early 2019.
HMPL004-6599 Australia Phase I initiated: proprietary botanical drug being developed by our 50/50 joint venture with Nestlé initiated and completed the single ascending dose study in the first half of 2018. Phase II enabling non-clinical studies are being initiated.
Expansion of U.S. and international operations, and recruitment of key personnel:

New office in New Jersey: U.S./ex-Asia operations expanded to support our unpartnered compounds through proof-of-concept, registration trials, and market launch in territories outside of Asia.
Key personnel recruited, including the U.S. Chief Medical Officer and Head of International Operations.
Key potential pipeline milestones anticipated in the next 6-12 months

Savolitinib:
Third-generation (Tagrisso) EGFR-TKI refractory, c-MET gene amplified, NSCLC (both second-line and third-line): initiation of global study of savolitinib in combination with Tagrisso in this rapidly growing patient population.
First-/second-generation (Iressa/Tarceva) EGFR-TKI refractory, c-MET gene amplified, T790M negative NSCLC (second-line): initiation of a global randomized, controlled study of savolitinib in combination with Tagrisso along with multiple supporting clinical studies.
Presentation of preliminary Phase II data for savolitinib monotherapy in c-MET gene amplified gastric cancer and first-line MET Exon 14 mutation/deletion NSCLC.
Release of results of global PRCC MES and review of the potential Breakthrough Therapy opportunity in c-MET-driven PRCC.
Fruquintinib:
Aim to receive NDA approval in advanced CRC and launch in China, with our partner Lilly.
Release of top-line results for the FALUCA Phase III study in third-line NSCLC.
Epitinib: initiation of Phase III China registration study in first-line NSCLC patients with EGFR activating mutations and brain metastasis.
HMPL-523: presentation of preliminary safety and efficacy data from Phase I dose escalation study in hematological cancer in Australia and China.
Immunotherapy combinations: aim to take first steps to develop our VEGFR inhibitors, fruquintinib and sulfatinib, in combination with various programmed cell death protein-1 ("PD-1") antibodies in several solid tumor settings.
Commercial Platform — Operating Highlights
The points below summarize some of the operational and financial highlights of our Commercial Platform in the first half of 2018. For more details, please refer to "Operations Review — Commercial Platform" below.

Scaled, high-performance drug marketing and distribution platform covering ~300 cites/towns in China with approximately 3,400 sales personnel. Targeting multiple indications with many household-name brands:

Sales of our non-consolidated Prescription Drugs joint venture, Shanghai Hutchison Pharmaceuticals Limited ("SHPL") grew by 18% to $152.7 million (H1 2017: $129.7m). SHPL’s main product, She Xiang Bao Xin ("SXBX") pill, an oral vasodilator and pro-angiogenesis prescription therapy approved to treat coronary artery disease, saw sales increase by 18% to $129.8 million.
Our consolidated Prescription Drugs business, operated through Hutchison Whampoa Sinopharm Pharmaceuticals (Shanghai) Company Limited ("Hutchison Sinopharm"), saw sales decrease by 21% to $68.0 million (H1 2017: $85.8m) as a result of the Chinese government’s implementation of the new TIS, pursuant to which we had converted to earning service fees from the commercialization of certain third-party products instead of recognizing the gross sales from these products in our revenue as we had done prior to implementation of TIS in October 2017; despite the TIS change, service fees earned from key third-party products, such as anti-psychotic Seroquel, grew rapidly, up 75% to $9.6 million (H1 2017: $5.5m).
Sales of our non-consolidated Consumer Health joint venture, Hutchison Whampoa Guangzhou Baiyunshan Chinese Medicine Company Limited ("HBYS"), grew by 26% to $119.0m (H1 2017: $94.4m, excluding divested operations), driven by the elimination of production capacity constraints.
Our consolidated Consumer Health sales increased by 14% to $20.6 million (H1 2017: $18.1m), resulting from higher volume in infant nutrition products.

Simon To, Chairman of Chi-Med, said: "Chi-Med continues to deliver on its clear strategy of developing its broad pipeline and cultivating and growing its capabilities in global drug discovery and development, while maintaining an over a decade-and-a-half long track record of earnings growth in its Commercial Platform.

During the first half of 2018, we have focused on navigating the China NDA process for fruquintinib, which we believe is now nearing completion. We are optimistic that we will see fruquintinib approved and launched by year end. We also look forward, around year end, to reporting the top-line results for the pivotal Phase III, the FALUCA study, of fruquintinib in third-line NSCLC in China.

Our collaboration with AstraZeneca continues to gather momentum, and we are currently enrolling registration studies in both kidney and lung cancer indications for savolitinib monotherapy. We are also in the process of planning and preparing to initiate multiple additional studies in lung and gastric cancers, which we believe may ultimately serve as registration studies.

Our un-partnered assets have also made good progress, with sulfatinib in two Phase III studies in China that could produce readout next year in NETs. In addition, we have worked with key opinion leaders and the regulatory authorities in China to agree on a Phase III pathway for epitinib and aim to initiate a pivotal study around year end. On our Syk, phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta ("PI3Kδ") and FGFR compounds, all of which are in proof-of-concept, we have made meaningful progress in enrollment thereby acquiring a preliminary understanding of efficacy and safety for each compound. We expect to present some of these data at scientific conferences over the next twelve months.

We are now looking closely into multiple opportunities to combine our highly selective TKIs with both PD-1 and PD-L1 immunotherapy agents and will strive to make progress during the second half of 2018, via collaboration, in this very high potential arena.

We have expanded our U.S./ex-Asia operations, including our office in New Jersey, and continue to recruit seasoned talent to manage the progress of our unpartnered compounds through proof-of-concept, registration trials, and market launch in territories outside of Asia.

Chi-Med has a clear and ambitious aim to bring three of our drugs through approval over the next approximately three years. We believe we are adequately structured and resourced to support this aim. In the longer term, we intend to continue to emerge as a world-class innovator based in China, bringing our assets to both the China and global markets. We have confidence in our ability to achieve these aims."

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures – References in this announcement to adjusted R&D expenses, adjusted consolidated net income attributable to Chi-Med from our Commercial Platform, adjusted consolidated operating profit from our Commercial Platform, adjusted consolidated net income attributable to Chi-Med from our Prescription Drugs business and adjusted revenue of HBYS and non-consolidated joint ventures are based on non-GAAP financial measures. Please see the "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliation" below for further information relevant to the interpretation of these financial measures and reconciliations of these financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measures, respectively.

FINANCIAL GUIDANCE:
Our updated guidance for 2018, compared to the most recent guidance in our full year results announcement for the year ended December 31, 2017 dated March 12, 2018, includes a $20 million increase in expected full year Innovation Platform R&D expense to $130-140 million. This increase reflects a rise in clinical trial spending as well as broadening of organizational scale and new middle management share-based incentive grants. These costs are all driven by the heightened competitive environment in China biotech, resulting from the step-change increase interest and investment in the sector over the past two years.

Merck Announces Second-Quarter 2018 Financial Results

On July 27, 2018 Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, reported financial results for the second quarter of 2018 (Press release, Merck & Co, JUL 27, 2018, View Source [SID1234527923]).

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"Strong commercial execution globally for KEYTRUDA, GARDASIL, BRIDION and other products led the company to deliver growth in the second quarter," said Kenneth C. Frazier, Merck Chairman and CEO. "We continue to solidify our leadership in immuno-oncology and, along with our other key pillars of growth including Animal Health, we are confident in the strength of our business."

Financial Summary

Second Quarter
$ in millions, except EPS amounts 2018 2017
Sales $ 10,465 $ 9,930
GAAP net income1

1,707 1,946
Non-GAAP net income that excludes items listed below1,2 2,854 2,778
GAAP EPS 0.63 0.71
Non-GAAP EPS that excludes items listed below2

1.06 1.01
Worldwide sales were $10.5 billion for the second quarter of 2018, an increase of 5 percent compared with the second quarter of 2017, including a 1 percent positive impact from foreign exchange.

GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) earnings per share assuming dilution (EPS) were $0.63 for the second quarter of 2018. Non-GAAP EPS of $1.06 for the second quarter of 2018 excludes acquisition- and divestiture-related costs, restructuring costs and certain other items. Year-to-date results can be found in the attached tables.

Oncology Pipeline Highlights

Merck continued to expand its oncology program by further advancing the development programs for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), the company’s anti-PD-1 therapy; Lynparza (olaparib), a PARP inhibitor being co-developed and co-commercialized with AstraZeneca; and Lenvima (lenvatinib mesylate), an orally available tyrosine kinase inhibitor being co-developed and co-commercialized with Eisai.

KEYTRUDA

Merck announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted for review a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for KEYTRUDA as a first-line treatment for metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), regardless of PD-L1 expression. The sBLA, which is seeking accelerated approval for this new indication, is based on overall response rate (ORR) data from the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-407 trial, which were recently presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2018 Annual Meeting. The FDA granted Priority Review and set a PDUFA date of Oct. 30, 2018. Additional data showing a significant improvement in overall survival (OS) were also presented, making this the fifth study in advanced NSCLC in which KEYTRUDA demonstrated an improved survival benefit.
Merck announced results from KEYNOTE-042, a pivotal Phase 3 study evaluating KEYTRUDA as monotherapy for the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic nonsquamous or squamous NSCLC with PD-L1 tumor proportion score of ≥1 percent without EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations. In this study, KEYTRUDA monotherapy resulted in significantly longer OS than platinum-based chemotherapy. These results were presented in the plenary session and during the press program at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2018.
Merck announced interim data from a cohort of the Phase 2 KEYNOTE-158 study evaluating KEYTRUDA as monotherapy in patients with previously treated advanced small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Findings showed an ORR, the primary endpoint of the study, of 18.7 percent in patients in the SCLC cohort. Additionally, in a pre-specified exploratory analysis, ORR was 35.7 percent in patients whose tumors expressed PD-L1 with a combined positive score (CPS) of ≥1. These results, as well as other findings from the KEYNOTE-158 cohort in SCLC, were presented for the first time at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2018.
The company announced that the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-048 trial investigating KEYTRUDA for first-line treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), met a primary endpoint of OS as monotherapy in patients whose tumors expressed PD-L1 (CPS≥20). KEYTRUDA is the first anti-PD-1 therapy to show an OS benefit as first-line therapy for recurrent or metastatic HNSCC. At the time of the interim analysis, the dual-primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) for patients whose tumors expressed PD-L1 (CPS≥20) had not been reached. These results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and submitted to regulatory authorities worldwide.
Merck announced that KEYTRUDA has been approved by the China National Drug Administration for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma following failure of one prior line of therapy. This is the first and only approval of an anti-PD-1 therapy for advanced melanoma in China.
The FDA accepted and granted Priority Review for a new sBLA seeking approval for KEYTRUDA as a treatment for previously treated patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, based on data from the Phase 2 KEYNOTE-224 trial, which were presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2018. The FDA set a PDUFA date of Nov. 9, 2018.
Merck announced that the FDA accepted for standard review a new sBLA for KEYTRUDA as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of patients with resected, high-risk stage III melanoma and granted a PDUFA date of Feb. 16, 2019. This sBLA is based on a significant benefit in recurrence-free survival demonstrated by KEYTRUDA in the pivotal Phase 3 EORTC1325/ KEYNOTE-054 trial, which was conducted in collaboration with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer.
The FDA approved KEYTRUDA for two new indications under its accelerated approval regulations based on tumor response rate and durability of response:
For the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, or who have relapsed after two or more prior lines of therapy.
For the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Lynparza

Merck and AstraZeneca announced positive results from the randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 SOLO-1 trial of Lynparza tablets, showing women with BRCA-mutated (BRCAm) advanced ovarian cancer treated first-line with Lynparza maintenance therapy had a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS compared to placebo.
Merck and AstraZeneca announced that Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency approved Lynparza tablets for use in patients with unresectable or recurrent BRCAm, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer who have received prior chemotherapy.
Merck and AstraZeneca announced that the European Medicines Agency approved Lynparza tablets for use as a maintenance therapy for patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed high-grade, epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete response or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy, regardless of BRCA status.
Merck and AstraZeneca presented data from the Phase 2 Study 08 trial, which showed clinical improvement in median radiologic PFS with Lynparza in combination with abiraterone compared to abiraterone monotherapy, a current standard of care, in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Lenvima

Merck and Eisai announced results from presentations of new data and analyses of Lenvima in combination with KEYTRUDA in four different tumor types: unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, advanced renal cell carcinoma and advanced endometrial carcinoma. The data were included in presentations at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2018.
Other Pipeline Highlights

The company also continued to advance its vaccines and HIV pipelines.

Merck announced that the FDA accepted for review a new sBLA for GARDASIL 9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant), the company’s nine-valent HPV vaccine, for an expanded age indication for use in women and men 27 to 45 years old for the prevention of certain cancers and diseases caused by the nine human papillomavirus (HPV) types covered by the vaccine. The FDA granted Priority Review and set a PDUFA date of Oct. 6, 2018.
China’s Food and Drug Administration approved GARDASIL 9 for use in girls and women 16 to 26 years old.
Merck announced Week 96 results from the Phase 3 DRIVE-FORWARD clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of doravirine (DOR), the company’s investigational non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, in combination with other antiretroviral agents, for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adult patients with no prior antiretroviral treatment history. At Week 96, 73.1 percent of the group treated with once-daily DOR plus FTC/TDF or ABC/3TC achieved viral suppression as measured by the proportion of patients who achieved HIV-1 RNA of less than 50 copies/mL, compared to 66.0 percent of the group treated with once-daily ritonavir-boosted darunavir (DRV+r) plus FTC/TDF or ABC/3TC. These study results were presented as a late-breaking abstract at the recent 22nd International AIDS Conference.
Second-Quarter Revenue Performance

The following table reflects sales of the company’s top pharmaceutical products, as well as sales of Animal Health products.

$ in millions Second Quarter

2018 2017 Change Change
Ex-Exchange

Total Sales $ 10,465 $ 9,930 5 % 4 %
Pharmaceutical 9,282 8,759 6 % 3 %
KEYTRUDA 1,667 881 89 % 86 %
JANUVIA / JANUMET 1,535 1,511 2 % -1 %
GARDASIL / GARDASIL 9 608 469 30 % 26 %
PROQUAD,

M-M-R II and VARIVAX

426 399 7 % 6 %
ZETIA / VYTORIN 381 549 -31 % -35 %
ISENTRESS / ISENTRESS HD 305 282 8 % 6 %
BRIDION 240 163 48 % 45 %
NUVARING 236 199 18 % 17 %
SIMPONI 233 199 17 % 9 %
PNEUMOVAX 23 193 166 16 % 15 %
Animal Health 1,090 955 14 % 12 %
Livestock 633 582 9 % 7 %
Companion Animals 457 373 23 % 19 %
Other Revenues 93 216 -57 % -7 %
Pharmaceutical Revenue

Second-quarter pharmaceutical sales increased 6 percent to $9.3 billion, including a 3 percent positive impact from foreign exchange. The increase was primarily driven by growth in oncology, vaccines and hospital acute care, partially offset by lower sales in virology and the ongoing impacts of the loss of market exclusivity for several products.

Growth in oncology was driven by a significant increase in sales of KEYTRUDA, reflecting the company’s continued launches with new indications globally and the strong momentum for the treatment of patients with NSCLC, as KEYTRUDA is the only anti-PD-1 approved in the first-line setting. Additionally, oncology sales reflect alliance revenue of $44 million related to Lynparza and $35 million related to Lenvima, which represents Merck’s share of profits from product sales, net of cost of sales and commercialization costs.

Growth in vaccines was primarily driven by higher sales of GARDASIL [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16 and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant] and GARDASIL 9, vaccines to prevent certain cancers and other diseases caused by HPV, reflecting growth in Asia Pacific, primarily due to the ongoing commercial launch in China, and growth in Europe, partially offset by lower sales in the United States due to the continued transition to the two-dose regimen. Vaccines performance was negatively affected by a significant decrease in sales of ZOSTAVAX (zoster vaccine live), a vaccine for the prevention of herpes zoster, primarily due to the approval of a competitor product that received a preferential recommendation from the U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in October 2017. The company anticipates that future sales of ZOSTAVAX will continue to be unfavorably affected by this competition.

Growth in hospital acute care reflects strong global demand of BRIDION (sugammadex) Injection 100 mg/mL, a medicine for the reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium bromide or vecuronium bromide in adults undergoing surgery.

Pharmaceutical sales growth in the quarter was partially offset by lower sales in virology, largely reflecting a significant decline in ZEPATIER (elbasvir and grazoprevir), a medicine for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus genotypes 1 or 4 infection, due to increasing competition and declining patient volumes, which the company expects to continue.

Pharmaceutical sales growth for the quarter was also partially offset by the ongoing impacts from the loss of U.S. market exclusivity for ZETIA (ezetimibe) in late 2016 and VYTORIN (ezetimibe/simvastatin) in April 2017, medicines for lowering LDL cholesterol; and biosimilar competition for REMICADE (infliximab), a treatment for inflammatory diseases, in the company’s marketing territories in Europe.

Animal Health

Animal Health sales totaled $1.1 billion for the second quarter of 2018, an increase of 14 percent compared with the second quarter of 2017, including a 2 percent positive impact from foreign exchange. Growth was driven by higher sales of companion animal products, primarily from the BRAVECTO (fluralaner) line of products that kill fleas and ticks in dogs and cats for up to 12 weeks, due in part to a delayed flea and tick season and the timing of customer purchases. Growth was also driven by livestock products, including poultry, ruminants and swine products.

Animal Health segment profits were $450 million in the second quarter of 2018, an increase of 14 percent compared with $395 million in the second quarter of 2017.3

Second-Quarter Expense, EPS and Related Information

The table below presents selected expense information.

$ in millions
Second-Quarter 2018

GAAP


Acquisition- and
Divestiture-
Related Costs 4


Restructuring
Costs


Certain Other
Items

Non-GAAP 2

Materials and production $ 3,417 $733 $3 $– $2,681
Marketing and administrative 2,508 16 1 – 2,491
Research and development 2,274 1 3 344 1,926
Restructuring costs 228 – 228 – –
Other (income) expense, net (48 ) 105 – (32 ) (121 )
Second-Quarter 2017 5

Materials and production $ 3,116 $827 $33 $– $2,256
Marketing and administrative 2,500 9 2 – 2,489
Research and development 1,782 7 9 – 1,766
Restructuring costs 166 – 166 – –
Other (income) expense, net (73 ) 39 – – (112 )
GAAP Expense, EPS and Related Information

Gross margin was 67.3 percent for the second quarter of 2018 compared to 68.6 percent for the second quarter of 2017. The decrease in gross margin for the second quarter of 2018 was primarily driven by the amortization of amounts capitalized for potential future milestone payments related to collaborations, the amortization of unfavorable manufacturing variances, in part resulting from the June 2017 cyber-attack, as well as the unfavorable effects of foreign exchange. The decrease was partially offset by a lower net impact of acquisition- and divestiture-related costs and restructuring costs, which reduced gross margin by 7.1 percentage points in the second quarter of 2018 compared with 8.7 percentage points in the second quarter of 2017.

Marketing and administrative expenses were $2.5 billion in the second quarter of 2018, comparable to the second quarter of 2017, reflecting the unfavorable effects of foreign exchange and higher administrative costs, offset by lower promotion and direct selling costs.

Research and development (R&D) expenses were $2.3 billion in the second quarter of 2018 compared with $1.8 billion in the second quarter of 2017. The increase was driven primarily by a $344 million charge for the Viralytics Limited (Viralytics) acquisition, increased clinical development spending, in particular from oncology collaborations, as well as investment in early drug development.

GAAP EPS was $0.63 for the second quarter of 2018 compared with $0.71 for the second quarter of 2017.

Non-GAAP Expense, EPS and Related Information

The non-GAAP gross margin was 74.4 percent for the second quarter of 2018 compared to 77.3 percent for the second quarter of 2017. The decrease in non-GAAP gross margin was predominantly due to the amortization of amounts capitalized for potential future milestone payments related to collaborations, the amortization of unfavorable manufacturing variances, in part resulting from the June 2017 cyber-attack, as well as the unfavorable effects of foreign exchange.

Non-GAAP marketing and administrative expenses were $2.5 billion in the second quarter of 2018, comparable to the second quarter of 2017, reflecting the unfavorable effects of foreign exchange and higher administrative costs, offset by lower promotion and direct selling costs.

Non-GAAP R&D expenses were $1.9 billion in the second quarter of 2018, a 9 percent increase compared to the second quarter of 2017. The increase primarily reflects higher clinical development spending, in particular from oncology collaborations, as well as investment in early drug development.

Non-GAAP EPS was $1.06 for the second quarter of 2018 compared with $1.01 for the second quarter of 2017.

A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP net income and EPS is provided in the table that follows.

$ in millions, except EPS amounts

Second Quarter
2018 2017
EPS
GAAP EPS $0.63 $0.71
Difference6

0.43 0.30
Non-GAAP EPS that excludes items listed below2 $1.06 $1.01

Net Income
GAAP net income1 $1,707 $1,946
Difference 1,147 832
Non-GAAP net income that excludes items listed below1,2 $2,854 $2,778

Decrease (Increase) in Net Income Due to Excluded Items:
Acquisition- and divestiture-related costs4 $855 $882
Restructuring costs 235 210
Charge for Viralytics acquisition 344 –
Other (32 ) –
Net decrease (increase) in income before taxes 1,402 1,092
Estimated income tax (benefit) expense (255 ) (260 )
Decrease (increase) in net income $1,147 $832
Financial Outlook

Merck narrowed its full-year 2018 revenue range to be between $42.0 billion and $42.8 billion, including a slightly positive impact from foreign exchange at current exchange rates.

Merck narrowed and raised its full-year 2018 GAAP EPS range to be between $2.51 and $2.59. Merck narrowed and raised its full-year 2018 non-GAAP EPS range to be between $4.22 and $4.30. Both include an approximately 1 percent negative impact from foreign exchange at current exchange rates. The non-GAAP range excludes acquisition- and divestiture-related costs, costs related to restructuring programs, charges related to the formation of the Eisai collaboration and the Viralytics acquisition, and certain other items.

The following table summarizes the company’s 2018 financial guidance.


GAAP

Non-GAAP 2

Revenue $42.0 to $42.8 billion $42.0 to $42.8 billion*
Operating expenses Lower than 2017 by a low-single digit rate Higher than 2017 by a low- to mid-single digit rate
Effective tax rate 23.0% to 24.0% 18.5% to 19.5%
EPS** $2.51 to $2.59 $4.22 to $4.30

*The company does not have any non-GAAP adjustments to revenue.

**EPS guidance for 2018 assumes a share count (assuming dilution) of approximately 2.7 billion shares.

A reconciliation of anticipated 2018 GAAP EPS to non-GAAP EPS and the items excluded from non-GAAP EPS are provided in the table below.

$ in millions, except EPS amounts

Full-Year 2018

GAAP EPS $2.51 to $2.59
Difference6 1.71
Non-GAAP EPS that excludes items listed below2 $4.22 to $4.30

Acquisition- and divestiture-related costs4 $2,850
Restructuring costs 500
Aggregate charge related to the formation of a collaboration with Eisai 1,400
Charge for Viralytics acquisition 344
Net decrease (increase) in income before taxes 5,094
Estimated income tax (benefit) expense (515)
Decrease (increase) in net income

$4,579
The expected full-year 2018 GAAP effective tax rate of 23.0 percent to 24.0 percent reflects an unfavorable impact of approximately 4.5 percentage points from the above items.

AbbVie Reports Second-Quarter 2018 Financial Results

On July 27, 2018 AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) reported that financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 (Press release, AbbVie, JUL 27, 2018, View Source [SID1234527925]).

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"We are extremely pleased with the strong momentum of our business in the quarter and progress year-to-date. We’ve driven strong commercial, operational and R&D execution, resulting in top- and bottom-line results once again ahead of our expectations," said Richard A. Gonzalez, chairman and chief executive officer, AbbVie. "This outstanding performance was driven by growth from several assets across our portfolio, including significant contributions from HUMIRA, IMBRUVICA, and MAVYRET. Based on our performance in the first half of the year and the tremendous confidence we have in our business, we are raising our full year 2018 EPS guidance for the third time."

Second-Quarter Results

Worldwide GAAP net revenues were $8.278 billion in the second quarter, up 19.2 percent year-over-year. Worldwide adjusted net revenues of $8.258 billion increased 17.1 percent on an operational basis, excluding a 1.8 percent favorable impact from foreign exchange.
Global HUMIRA sales increased 10.0 percent on a reported basis, or 8.2 percent operationally, excluding a 1.8 percent favorable impact from foreign exchange. In the U.S., HUMIRA sales grew 10.0 percent in the quarter. Internationally, HUMIRA sales grew 4.4 percent, excluding a 5.4 percent favorable impact from foreign exchange.
Second-quarter global IMBRUVICA net revenues were $850 million, with U.S. sales of $693 million and international profit sharing of $157 million for the quarter, reflecting growth of 35.6 percent.
Second-quarter global HCV net revenues were $973 million.
On a GAAP basis, the gross margin ratio in the second quarter was 76.6 percent. The adjusted gross margin ratio was 80.5 percent.
On a GAAP basis, selling, general and administrative expense was 21.3 percent of net revenues. The adjusted SG&A expense was 19.9 percent of net revenues.
On a GAAP basis, research and development expense was 16.0 percent of net revenues. The adjusted R&D expense was 15.3 percent, reflecting funding actions supporting all stages of our pipeline.
On a GAAP basis, the operating margin in the second quarter was 33.4 percent. The adjusted operating margin was 45.3 percent.
On a GAAP basis, net interest expense was $272 million. On a GAAP basis, the tax rate in the quarter was 1.5 percent. The adjusted tax rate was 9.0 percent.
Diluted EPS in the second quarter was $1.26 on a GAAP basis. Adjusted diluted EPS, excluding specified items, was $2.00, up 40.8 percent.
Recent Events

AbbVie, in cooperation with Neurocrine Biosciences, announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, under Priority Review, ORILISSA (elagolix) for the management of moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis. ORILISSA represents the first FDA-approved oral treatment for the management of moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis in over a decade and is expected to be available in U.S. retail pharmacies in early August 2018.
At the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting, AbbVie, in cooperation with Neurocrine Biosciences, presented new data highlighting the company’s research in endometriosis and uterine fibroids. Presentations for elagolix included long-term safety and efficacy data from two extension Phase 3 studies, as well as new data highlighting rescue analgesic use, fatigue scores, and pain burden from pivotal Phase 3 studies of elagolix in women with moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis. New data from a Phase 2b study highlighting the impact of elagolix on productivity in women with uterine fibroids was also presented.
AbbVie announced FDA approval, under Priority Review, of VENCLEXTA in combination with rituximab as a treatment for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), with or without 17p deletion, who have received at least one prior therapy. The approval is based on data from the Phase 3 MURANO trial, which demonstrated a significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) for relapsed/refractory (R/R) CLL patients, reducing the risk of disease progression or death by 81 percent when compared to bendamustine in combination with rituximab, a standard of care chemoimmunotherapy regimen. The FDA also approved expansion of the indication of VENCLEXTA as monotherapy for CLL or SLL patients, with or without 17p deletion, who have received one prior therapy. Outside of the U.S., regulatory submissions to and reviews with health authorities are underway. VENCLEXTA is being developed by AbbVie and Roche; it is jointly commercialized by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in the U.S. and by AbbVie outside of the U.S.
AbbVie announced submission of a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) to the FDA for VENCLEXTA in combination with a hypomethylating agent (HMA) or in combination with low dose cytarabine (LDAC) for the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. VENCLEXTA has received two Breakthrough Therapy Designations from the FDA for combination treatments of patients with untreated AML not eligible for standard induction chemotherapy.
At the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) Annual Congress, AbbVie presented new data from several investigational studies of VENCLEXTA as monotherapy or in combination for the management of a number of difficult-to-treat blood cancers. Multiple studies investigating VENCLEXTA in CLL, AML, multiple myeloma (MM), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were presented, including results from a new analysis of undetectable minimal residual disease (uMRD) rates from the Phase 3 MURANO trial of VENCLEXTA in combination with rituximab in patients with R/R CLL.
At the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper), AbbVie presented data from studies evaluating IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib) and VENCLEXTA across multiple hematologic malignancies, including positive data from the Phase 2 CAPTIVATE study evaluating IMBRUVICA in combination with VENCLEXTA in previously-untreated CLL/SLL patients. Also featured at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) were data from late-stage investigational products, including rovalpituzumab tesirine (Rova-T), depatuxizumab mafodotin (Depatux-M) and veliparib, as well as data from early-stage investigational compounds, including ABBV-075 (Mivebresib) and ABT-165.
AbbVie announced the FDA has accepted for Priority Review a supplemental NDA for IMBRUVICA in combination with rituximab as a new treatment option for Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM), a rare and incurable form of blood cancer. The filing is based on data from the Phase 3 iNNOVATE study, which demonstrated a significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) with IMBRUVICA plus rituximab compared to rituximab alone. Patients taking IMBRUVICA plus rituximab also experienced an 80 percent reduction in relative risk of disease progression or death than those only treated with rituximab. If approved, the sNDA would expand the prescribing information of IMBRUVICA in WM beyond its current approved use as a single agent for all lines of therapy to include combination use with rituximab. Data from the Phase 3 iNNOVATE study was featured as an oral presentation at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper). IMBRUVICA is jointly developed and commercialized with Janssen Biotech, Inc.

AbbVie announced positive top-line results from the Phase 3 iLLUMINATE trial, which evaluated IMBRUVICA in combination with obinutuzumab in previously untreated CLL/SLL patients. The study met its primary endpoint for a clinically and statistically significant difference in PFS for patients treated with IMBRUVICA plus obinutuzumab versus those who received chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab. Regulatory submissions to health authorities are planned for the second half of 2018 based on iLLUMINATE results for this chemotherapy-free CD20 combination in first-line CLL.
AbbVie announced topline results from the Phase 3 PHOENIX trial (DBL3001) evaluating the investigational use of IMBRUVICA in the treatment of newly diagnosed non-Germinal Center B-cell (non-GCB) subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The DBL3001 study evaluated the addition of IMBRUVICA to a chemotherapy regimen consisting of five different agents used in combination – rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) – versus R-CHOP plus placebo. The DBL3001 study targeted a subtype of DLBCL disease that typically has poorer treatment outcomes. At the conclusion of the study, data collected found that IMBRUVICA plus R-CHOP, was not superior to R-CHOP alone, and that the study did not meet its primary endpoint of improving event-free survival (EFS) in the targeted patient population. Full results from this study will be submitted for presentation at a future medical meeting.

AbbVie announced positive top-line results from the Phase 3 SELECT-EARLY trial, which evaluated the company’s investigational oral JAK1-selective inhibitor, upadacitinib, as a monotherapy treatment compared to methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy in adult patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were MTX-naïve. The results showed that both once-daily doses of upadacitinib monotherapy (15mg and 30mg) met the primary endpoints of ACR50 at week 12 and clinical remission at week 24 versus MTX monotherapy. Additionally, all ranked secondary endpoints were met with both doses. Both doses of upadacitinib monotherapy also significantly inhibited radiographic progression (mTSS) from baseline at week 24 compared to MTX. The safety profile of upadacitinib was consistent with previously reported Phase 3 SELECT trials and Phase 2 studies, with no new safety signals detected. The company expects to submit regulatory applications in the fourth quarter of 2018.

AbbVie presented new patient-reported outcome data at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) from three Phase 3 trials evaluating upadacitinib in adult patients with moderate to severe RA. New data highlighted improvements in pain, physical function and morning joint stiffness after 12 weeks of treatment with upadacitinib (15 mg and 30 mg, once-daily) in SELECT-NEXT and SELECT-BEYOND and after 14 weeks of treatment in SELECT-MONOTHERAPY. Additionally, improvements were reported in fatigue and work instability in SELECT-NEXT and patients’ physical component of health-related quality of life in SELECT-NEXT and SELECT-BEYOND at 12 weeks. In SELECT-MONOTHERAPY, upadacitinib monotherapy demonstrated improvements in patients’ physical function and health-related quality of life, as well as reductions in the duration of morning joint stiffness compared to patients receiving methotrexate.

AbbVie submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the FDA and a marketing authorization application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for risankizumab for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. The BLA and MAA are supported by data from the global risankizumab Phase 3 psoriasis program evaluating more than 2,000 patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis across four pivotal Phase 3 studies: ultIMMa-1, ultIMMa-2, IMMhance and IMMvent. Risankizumab is being developed in collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim.
AbbVie announced a collaboration with Calibr, a nonprofit drug discovery division of Scripps Research, to develop T-cell therapies aimed primarily at cancer. Calibr’s novel cell therapy program is designed to enhance safety, versatility and efficacy through a proprietary modular "switchable" CAR-T cell that uses antibody-based switch molecules to control the activation and antigen specificity of CAR-T cells. Calibr’s proprietary technology may enable the development of universal CAR-T-based treatments across several types of hematological and solid tumor indications. This collaboration broadens AbbVie’s oncology research to access advanced precision medicine technology to expand the development of potentially life-changing treatments for patients with cancer.
AbbVie announced an extension of its collaboration with Calico, an Alphabet-backed life sciences company, to discover, develop and bring to market new therapies for patients with age-related diseases, including neurodegeneration and cancer. Working together with AbbVie, Calico is pursuing discovery-stage research and development. AbbVie provides scientific and clinical development support and will lend its commercial expertise to lead future development and commercialization activities. Since 2014, the collaboration between the two companies has produced more than two dozen early-stage programs addressing disease states across oncology and neuroscience and has yielded new insights into the biology of aging.
AbbVie announced patent license agreements with Mylan over its proposed biosimilar adalimumab product. Under the terms of the agreements, AbbVie will grant Mylan a non-exclusive license on specified dates to AbbVie’s intellectual property relating to HUMIRA in the United States and in various other countries around the world in which AbbVie has intellectual property, excluding Europe. Mylan’s U.S. license will begin on July 31, 2023. Mylan will pay royalties to AbbVie for licensing its HUMIRA patents once its biosimilar product is launched.
AbbVie made charitable contributions totaling $120 million in the second quarter. These donations are part of AbbVie’s plan to make an additional $350 million in charitable contributions to U.S. not-for-profit organizations in 2018. The contributions will provide AbbVie with the opportunity to support charities creating long-term impact in communities in need, including Puerto Rico, North Chicago and cities across America.
Full-Year 2018 Outlook

AbbVie is updating its GAAP diluted EPS guidance for the full-year 2018 to $6.47 to $6.57. AbbVie is raising its adjusted EPS guidance range for the full-year 2018 from $7.66 to $7.76 to $7.76 to $7.86. The midpoint of this guidance reflects year-over-year growth of 39.5 percent. The company’s 2018 adjusted diluted EPS guidance excludes $1.29 per share of intangible asset amortization expense, changes in the fair value of contingent consideration, a one-time net tax benefit related to the timing of the phase in of provisions of the U.S. tax reform legislation on certain subsidiaries, and other specified items.

AbbVie’s adjusted EPS guidance range reflects an effective tax rate approaching 9 percent in 2018. In 2018, AbbVie will experience a one-time net tax benefit related to the timing of the phase in of provisions of the new legislation on certain subsidiaries. This benefit has been excluded from the adjusted EPS guidance, and included in the GAAP guidance range.

AbbVie continues to anticipate the company’s adjusted effective tax rate to increase to 13 percent over the next five years as a result of increased domestic income and investment.