On May 7, 2019 Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) reported financial results for the first quarter of 2019 and reaffirmed 2019 financial guidance (Press release, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, MAY 7, 2019, Jazz Pharmaceuticals Announces First Quarter 2019 Financial Results [SID1234535862]).
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"In the first quarter of 2019, we delivered strong top- and bottom-line growth and continued our efforts to bring innovative and life-changing medicines to patients, with FDA approval of Sunosi for EDS associated with narcolepsy or OSA, launch of Xyrem in pediatric narcolepsy and announcement of positive top-line results from our Phase 3 study of JZP-258," said Bruce Cozadd, chairman and chief executive officer of Jazz Pharmaceuticals. "As the year progresses, we are continuing to invest in our business to support the successful launch of Sunosi in the U.S. and pre-launch activities in the EU, to generate data for our existing products and to fuel further advancement and diversification of our pipeline."
Financial Highlights
GAAP net income for the first quarter of 2019 was $85.2 million, or $1.47 per diluted share, compared to $46.0 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2018.
Adjusted net income for the first quarter of 2019 was $213.2 million, or $3.67 per diluted share, compared to $182.4 million, or $2.98 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2018. Reconciliations of applicable GAAP reported to non-GAAP adjusted information are included at the end of this press release.
Key Regulatory/R&D Updates
In March 2019, the company announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Sunosi (solriamfetol) to improve wakefulness in adult patients with EDS associated with narcolepsy or OSA. Sunosi is the first and only dual-acting dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor approved by the FDA for this indication and was approved with strengths of 75 mg and 150 mg for patients with narcolepsy and 37.5 mg, 75 mg, and 150 mg for patients with OSA.
In March 2019, the company announced positive top-line results from the global, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized-withdrawal, multi-center Phase 3 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of JZP-258 for the treatment of cataplexy and EDS in adult patients with narcolepsy. JZP-258 is a novel oxybate product candidate with a 92% reduction in sodium content compared to Xyrem.
In March 2019, positive results from DEFIFrance, an observational, multi-center, post-marketing study in adult and pediatric patients treated with defibrotide at hematopoietic stem cell transplant centers in France, were presented at the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplant (EBMT) meeting.
Select 2019 Milestones
Programs
2019 Milestones*
Xyrem (sodium oxybate) oral solution
Launched in March for the treatment of cataplexy or EDS in pediatric narcolepsy
JZP-258
Announced positive top-line results in March from the Phase 3 narcolepsy study
Expect to submit top-line results from the Phase 3 narcolepsy study to a fall medical meeting
Pre-New Drug Application (NDA) meeting with FDA
Goal to submit NDA as early as year-end
Sunosi (solriamfetol)
FDA approval on March 20 for EDS in narcolepsy or OSA
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) scheduling decision by late second quarter
Initiate Sunosi launch following DEA scheduling decision
Announce new Phase 3 development program mid-year
Obtain EU approval for EDS in narcolepsy or OSA as early as year-end
Vyxeos (daunorubicin and cytarabine) liposome for injection
Presentation by Children’s Oncology Group at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) (relapsed/refractory pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) study data)
Potential interim combination data results from MD Anderson collaboration
Finalized protocol for Phase 1/2 study (low-dose Vyxeos in combination with venetoclax); patient enrollment is expected to begin in the second half of the year
Defitelio (defibrotide sodium) / defibrotide
Presentation of positive results from DEFIFrance study at EBMT in March
Conduct interim analysis of the Phase 3 study for prevention of hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD)
Complete enrollment in prevention of acute graft-vs-host disease Phase 2 study
Initiate exploratory Phase 2 study in chimeric antigen receptor t-cell therapy associated neurotoxicity
Initiate Phase 2 study in transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy
Asparaginase
Provide informational update on early-stage recombinant crisantaspase program later this year
CombiPlex
Continue Investigational New Drug enabling activities for one solid tumor combination and progress exploratory activities for other hematology/oncology candidates
* Milestones denoted as • have been completed; all other milestones are planned or expected in 2019.
Other Developments
In March 2019, the company launched Xyrem to treat cataplexy and EDS in pediatric narcolepsy patients following receipt of FDA approval in October 2018 after completing implementation of the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy to include pediatric patients and their caregivers.
In April 2019, the company announced the finalization of the settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) related to the company’s support of charitable organizations that provide financial assistance to Medicare patients. In 2018, the company had announced an agreement in principle and recorded a total expense of $58.2 million related to this matter, including related interest. Under the settlement agreement, in April 2019, the company paid $57.0 million plus interest and entered into a five-year corporate integrity agreement with the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Total revenues increased 14% in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.
Xyrem net product sales increased 16% in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.
Erwinaze/Erwinase net product sales increased 20% in the first quarter of 2019 due to an increase in product availability compared to the same period in 2018. The company continues to expect supply disruptions throughout 2019 which will cause inter-quarter variability in Erwinaze net sales.
Defitelio/defibrotide net product sales increased 18% in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 due to increased use by transplant centers that treat adult and pediatric patients. VOD is an ultra-rare disease and, as a result, the company continues to expect inter-quarter variability in Defitelio net sales.
Vyxeos net product sales increased 10% in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to the rolling launch in the EU initiated in September 2018. The company continues its education and outreach initiatives and its efforts to generate data to support Vyxeos’ potential use across broader patient populations in AML and other hematological malignancies.
Operating expenses changed over the prior year period primarily due to the following:
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses on a GAAP basis decreased in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to a $57.0 million loss contingency recorded in 2018 related to the DOJ matter described above. SG&A expenses on a GAAP basis, excluding the impact of the loss contingency, and on a non-GAAP adjusted basis increased in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to higher expenses related to the planned launch of Sunosi in the U.S. and an increase in headcount and compensation-related expenses to support expansion of the business.
Research and development (R&D) expenses on a GAAP basis decreased in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to milestone payments of $11.0 million related to FDA acceptance for filing of the company’s solriamfetol NDA recorded in 2018. R&D expenses on a GAAP basis, excluding the impact of milestone payments, and on a non-GAAP adjusted basis increased in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to expenses related to the company’s pre-clinical and clinical development programs, including partner programs, regulatory activities and related headcount increases to support these efforts.
Cash Flow and Balance Sheet
As of March 31, 2019, cash, cash equivalents and investments were $832.5 million and the outstanding principal balance of the company’s long-term debt was $1.8 billion. During the first quarter of 2019, the company generated $202.3 million of cash from operations, made an upfront payment of $56.0 million to Codiak BioSciences, Inc. under a collaboration agreement and used $111.2 million to repurchase shares.
In the first quarter of 2019, the company repurchased approximately 858,000 ordinary shares under the company’s share repurchase program at an average cost of $129.66 per ordinary share. As of March 31, 2019, the remaining amount authorized for share repurchases was $267.9 million.
2019 Financial Guidance
Includes minimal net sales contribution from Sunosi in the U.S., assuming launch in mid-2019.
Excludes $6-$8 million of share-based compensation expense from estimated GAAP gross margin.
Excludes $82-$90 million of share-based compensation expense from estimated GAAP SG&A expenses.
Excludes $0-$34 million of milestone payments and $22-$27 million of share-based compensation expense from estimated GAAP R&D expenses.
Excludes the income tax effect of adjustments between GAAP reported and non-GAAP adjusted net income.
See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below. Reconciliations of non-GAAP adjusted guidance measures are included above and in the table titled "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Adjusted 2019 Net Income Guidance" at the end of this press release.
Conference Call Details
Jazz Pharmaceuticals will host an investor conference call and live audio webcast today at 4:30 p.m. EDT (9:30 p.m. IST) to provide a business and financial update and discuss its 2019 first quarter results. The live webcast may be accessed from the Investors section of the company’s website at www.jazzpharmaceuticals.com. Please connect to the website prior to the start of the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software downloads that may be necessary. Investors may participate in the conference call by dialing +1 855 353 7924 in the U.S., or +1 503 343 6056 outside the U.S., and entering passcode 6667859.
A replay of the conference call will be available through May 14, 2019 by dialing +1 855 859 2056 in the U.S., or +1 404 537 3406 outside the U.S., and entering passcode 6667859. An archived version of the webcast will be available for at least one week in the Investors section of the company’s website at www.jazzpharmaceuticals.com.