On February 4, 2019 Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2018 (Press release, Alexion, FEB 4, 2019, View Source [SID1234533046]). Total revenues for the full year of 2018 were $4,131.2 million, a 16 percent increase compared to 2017. The positive impact of foreign currency on total revenues year-over-year was less than one percent, or $5.9 million, inclusive of hedging activities. On a GAAP basis, diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the full year of 2018 was $0.35, an 82 percent decrease versus the prior year, inclusive of $1,183.0 million of expense related to the value of the in-process research and development assets acquired in 2018. Non-GAAP diluted EPS for the full year of 2018 was $7.92, a 35 percent increase versus the prior year.
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Total revenues in the fourth quarter were $1,128.8 million, a 24 percent increase compared to the same period in 2017. The negative impact of foreign currency on total revenues year-over-year was 1 percent, or $5.5 million, inclusive of hedging activities. On a GAAP basis, diluted EPS in the quarter was $(0.20), a 254 percent decrease versus the prior year, inclusive of $379.3 million of expense related to the value of the in-process research and development asset acquired in connection with our acquisition of Syntimmune. Non-GAAP diluted EPS for the fourth quarter of 2018 was $2.14, a 45 percent increase versus the fourth quarter of 2017.
"2018 was a transformational year for Alexion. I am proud of our many accomplishments, including entering rare neurology and making SOLIRIS for gMG Alexion’s best launch ever, completing the Phase 3 program and launching ULTOMIRIS for PNH in the U.S., delivering groundbreaking Phase 3 data and submitting regulatory filings for SOLIRIS in NMOSD and rebuilding our pipeline through disciplined business development, all while continuing to grow our base business," said Ludwig Hantson, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Alexion. "As we look at 2019 and beyond, I am confident that this strong foundation positions us well to achieve our Four Pillars of growth, building durable, blockbuster franchises in PNH/aHUS, metabolics, neurology and FcRn."
Full Year 2018 Financial Highlights
Total net product sales were $4,130.1 million, compared to $3,549.5 million in 2017.
SOLIRIS (eculizumab) net product sales were $3,563.0 million, compared to $3,144.1 million in 2017, representing a 13 percent increase. SOLIRIS volume increased 16 percent year-over-year.
STRENSIQ (asfotase alfa) net product sales were $475.1 million, compared to $339.8 million in 2017, representing a 40 percent increase. STRENSIQ volume increased 47 percent year-over-year.
KANUMA (sebelipase alfa) net product sales were $92.0 million, compared to $65.6 million in 2017, representing a 40 percent increase. KANUMA volume increased 60 percent year-over-year.
GAAP cost of sales was $374.3 million, compared to $454.2 million in 2017. Non-GAAP cost of sales was $352.5 million, compared to $285.8 million in 2017.
GAAP R&D expense was $730.4 million, compared to $878.4 million in 2017. Non-GAAP R&D expense was $646.2 million, compared to $736.3 million in 2017.
GAAP SG&A expense was $1,111.8 million, compared to $1,094.4 million in 2017. Non-GAAP SG&A expense was $953.3 million, compared to $927.8 million in 2017.
GAAP income tax expense was $164.6 million, compared to $104.5 million in 2017. Non-GAAP income tax expense was $310.0 million, compared to $186.7 million in 2017.
GAAP diluted EPS was $0.35, inclusive of $1,183.0 million of expense related to the value of the in-process research and development assets acquired in 2018, compared to $1.97 in 2017. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $7.92, compared to $5.86 in 2017.
GAAP net income includes total restructuring and related expenses of $50.7 million in 2018, compared to $286.5 million in 2017. GAAP cost of sales includes restructuring related expenses of $5.8 million in 2018, compared to $152.1 million in 2017, GAAP R&D expense includes $0.1 million in 2018, compared to $16.3 million in 2017 and GAAP SG&A expense includes $19.4 million in 2018, compared to $10.9 million in 2017.
Fourth Quarter 2018 Financial Highlights
Total net product sales were $1,128.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to $909.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.
SOLIRIS net product sales were $976.7 million, compared to $791.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, representing a 23 percent increase. SOLIRIS volume increased 28 percent year-over-year.
STRENSIQ net product sales were $126.1 million, compared to $95.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, representing a 32 percent increase. STRENSIQ volume increased 43 percent year-over-year.
KANUMA net product sales were $25.7 million, compared to $21.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, representing a 17 percent increase. KANUMA volume increased 51 percent year-over-year.
GAAP cost of sales was $96.8 million, compared to $144.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP cost of sales was $93.0 million, compared to $72.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.
GAAP R&D expense was $205.6 million, compared to $265.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP R&D expense was $164.0 million, compared to $188.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.
GAAP SG&A expense was $318.7 million, compared to $296.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP SG&A expense was $278.0 million, compared to $245.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.
GAAP income tax expense was $12.1 million, compared to $59.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP income tax expense was $88.5 million, compared to $46.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.
GAAP diluted EPS was $(0.20), inclusive of $379.3 million of expense related to the value of the in-process research and development asset acquired in connection with our acquisition of Syntimmune, compared to $0.13 in the fourth quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $2.14, compared to $1.48 in the fourth quarter of 2017.
GAAP net income includes total restructuring and related expenses of $0.5 million in 2018, compared to $95.1 million in 2017. The 2017 statement of operations includes restructuring related expenses of $69.1 million in GAAP cost of sales, $15.3 million in GAAP R&D expense and $4.5 million in GAAP SG&A expense.
Research and Development
PHASE 3
ULTOMIRIS (ravulizumab-cwvz) – Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH): In December 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ULTOMIRIS for adults with PNH. Applications for approval in the European Union (EU) and Japan are currently under review. In addition, a Phase 3 study of ULTOMIRIS in children and adolescents with PNH is currently underway.
ULTOMIRIS – Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS): In January 2019, Alexion announced positive topline results from a Phase 3 study of ULTOMIRIS in complement inhibitor naïve patients with aHUS. The study met its primary objective with 53.6 percent of patients demonstrating complete thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) response. The safety profile of ULTOMIRIS was generally consistent with that seen in Phase 3 studies in PNH. No cases of meningococcal infection were observed. Based on these results, Alexion plans to file for regulatory approval in the U.S. in the first half of 2019 followed by the EU and Japan. In addition, a Phase 3 study of ULTOMIRIS in adolescents and children with aHUS is currently underway.
ULTOMIRIS – Subcutaneous: In late 2018, Alexion initiated a single, PK-based Phase 3 study of ULTOMIRIS delivered subcutaneously once per week to support registration in PNH and aHUS. Data are expected in early 2020.
ULTOMIRIS – Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG): Alexion plans to initiate a Phase 3 study of ULTOMIRIS in gMG in the first quarter of 2019.
ULTOMIRIS – Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD): Alexion plans to initiate a Phase 3 study of ULTOMIRIS in NMOSD.
SOLIRIS – NMOSD: Alexion has submitted applications in the U.S. and the EU for the approval of eculizumab for NMOSD. These submissions are based on previously announced results from the Phase 3 PREVENT study, in which 97.9 percent of patients with anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) auto antibody-positive NMOSD receiving SOLIRIS on top of stable standard-of-care therapy were free of relapse at 48 weeks compared to 63.2 percent of patients receiving placebo. Alexion also plans to file for regulatory approval in Japan later this year.
ALXN1840 (WTX101) – Wilson Disease: Enrollment is underway in a Phase 3 study of ALXN1840 (WTX101) in Wilson disease, a rare genetic disorder with devastating hepatic and neurological consequences. The study is now powered for superiority versus standard-of-care therapy. ALXN1840 is a first-in-class oral copper-binding agent with a unique mechanism of action to access and bind to serum copper and promote its removal from the liver.
PHASE 1/2
ALXN1830 (SYNT001): In the fourth quarter of 2018, Alexion announced the completion of its acquisition of Syntimmune. The acquisition added anti-FcRn antibody ALXN1830 (SYNT001) to the company’s clinical pipeline. ALXN1830 is currently in Phase 1b/2a development in patients with warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (WAIHA) and in patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) or pemphigus foliaceus (PF). In 2019, the company plans to initiate two pivotal trials – one in WAIHA following successful completion of the current Phase 1b/2a study and one in gMG.
ALXN1810 – Subcutaneous: A Phase 1 study of subcutaneous ALXN1210 co-administered with Halozyme’s ENHANZE drug-delivery technology, PH20, is underway. Pending co-formulation data, this next-generation subcutaneous formulation will be called ALXN1810 and has the potential to further extend the dosing interval to once every two weeks or once per month.
ULTOMIRIS – Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Alexion plans to initiate a proof-of-concept study for ULTOMIRIS in ALS.
ULTOMIRIS – Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS): Alexion plans to initiate a proof-of-concept study for ULTOMIRIS in PPMS.
Caelum Biosciences – CAEL101 – Light Chain (AL) Amyloidosis: In January 2019, Alexion entered into a collaboration with Caelum Biosciences to develop CAEL101 for AL amyloidosis, a rare systemic disorder that causes misfolded immunoglobulin light chain protein to build up in and around tissues, resulting in progressive and widespread organ damage. CAEL101 is a first-in-class amyloid fibril targeted therapy designed to improve organ function by reducing or eliminating amyloid deposits in patients with AL amyloidosis. In a Phase 1a/1b study, CAEL101 demonstrated improved organ function, including cardiac and renal function, in patients with relapsed and refractory AL amyloidosis.
PRE-CLINICAL
Dicerna – GalXC: Alexion is collaborating with Dicerna Pharmaceuticals to jointly discover and develop up to four subcutaneously delivered GalXC RNA interference (RNAi) candidates, currently in pre-clinical development, for the treatment of complement-mediated diseases.
Complement Pharma – CP010: Alexion is collaborating with Complement Pharma to co-develop CP010, a pre-clinical C6 inhibitor that has the potential to treat multiple neurological disorders.
2019 financial guidance assumes a GAAP effective tax rate of 13 to 15 percent and non-GAAP effective tax rate of 14 to 16 percent.
Alexion’s financial guidance is based on current foreign exchange rates net of hedging activities and does not include the effect of acquisitions, license and collaboration agreements, intangible asset impairments, litigation charges, changes in fair value of contingent consideration or restructuring and related activity outside of the previously announced activities that may occur after the issuance of this press release.
Conference Call/Webcast Information:
Alexion will host a conference call/audio webcast to discuss the fourth quarter and full year 2018 results today at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in the call, dial 866-762-3111 (USA) or 210-874-7712 (International), conference ID 5972194 shortly before 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A replay of the call will be available for a limited period following the call. The audio webcast can be accessed on the Investor page of Alexion’s website at: View Source