Jazz Pharmaceuticals Announces Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

On November 6, 2024 Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) reported financial results for the third quarter of 2024 and updated guidance for 2024 (Press release, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, NOV 6, 2024, View Source [SID1234647819]).

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"Jazz once again delivered record revenues of more than $1.05 billion and a 14% year-over-year increase in revenue from our key growth drivers combined. We continue to see robust patient demand for Xywav with approximately 400 net patient additions in the third quarter, supported by physician and patient appreciation of a low-sodium treatment option. Strong sleep1 performance coupled with continued Epidiolex performance gives us confidence in maintaining our total revenue guidance of $4.0 to $4.1 billion for 2024," said Bruce Cozadd, chairman and chief executive officer, Jazz Pharmaceuticals. "We’re preparing for the anticipated launch of zanidatamab in the fourth quarter in 2L BTC, where there remains a high unmet medical need. We expect to provide the first chemotherapy-free dual HER2-targeted bispecific antibody indicated for BTC as well as an opportunity for HCPs to gain important experience ahead of future indications. In addition, results from the Phase 3 IMforte trial were highly encouraging, and we plan to submit an sNDA for Zepzelca in the first half of 2025 to support expansion into the 1L maintenance setting in ES-SCLC."

Key Highlights

•Key growth drivers grew 14% combined year-over-year.
•Combination of Zepzelca and atezolizumab demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in OS and PFS primary endpoints, demonstrating the potential of the regimen to delay disease progression in ES-SCLC and extend survival for patients.
•Zanidatamab:
◦PDUFA date of November 29; expect 2L BTC commercial launch in 4Q24, following approval.
◦Top-line PFS data from zanidatamab in Phase 3 1L GEA estimated to be 2Q25.
◦Initiated a Phase 2 pan-tumor trial to evaluate HER2-positive solid tumors.
•2024 Financial Guidance:
◦Affirming 2024 total revenue guidance of $4.0 to $4.1 billion.
◦Affirming neuroscience revenue guidance of $2.825 to $2.925 billion.
◦Lowering oncology revenue guidance to $1.08 to $1.13 billion.
◦Lowering GAAP R&D expense guidance to $862 to $908 million and non-GAAP R&D expense guidance to $790 to $830 million,2 primarily driven by strategic pipeline prioritization.
◦Raising GAAP EPS guidance range to $6.70 to $8.50 and non-GAAP EPS guidance range to $19.50 to $20.60.

Business Updates

Commercial Updates
Xywav (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium oxybates) oral solution:
•Xywav net product sales were $388.5 million in 3Q24, an increase of 17% compared to the same period in 2023.
•There were approximately 400 net patient adds for a total of approximately 13,625 active Xywav patients exiting 3Q24 comprised of:
◦Approximately 10,075 narcolepsy patients.
◦Approximately 3,550 idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) patients, with 250 net patient adds.
•As the only low-sodium oxybate and the only therapy approved to treat IH, expect Xywav to remain the oxybate of choice.
•Presented top-line results from the Phase 4 DUET (Develop hypersomnia Understanding by Evaluating low-sodium oxybate Treatment) trial at the Psych Congress 2024, which demonstrated efficacy and safety consistent with narcolepsy and IH Phase 3 data. The prospective trial assesses the effect of Xywav treatment on excessive daytime sleepiness, polysomnography parameters and functional outcomes in adults with narcolepsy or IH.

Xyrem (sodium oxybate) oral solution and high-sodium oxybate authorized generic (AG) royalties:
•Xyrem net product sales were $58.1 million in 3Q24, a decrease of 54% compared to the same period in 2023.
•Royalties from high-sodium oxybate AGs were $58.2 million in 3Q24, an increase of $29.2 million compared to the same period in 2023.

Epidiolex/Epidyolex (cannabidiol):
•Epidiolex/Epidyolex net product sales were $251.6 million in 3Q24, an increase of 18% compared to the same period in 2023.
•Outside of the U.S., Epidyolex is approved in more than 35 countries.
•Presented data at the European Epilepsy Congress 2024 demonstrating clinically meaningful reductions in drop seizures in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and subgroup analyses from the BECOME Caregiver Survey showing most caregivers reported patient improvements in seizure and non-seizure outcomes.
•Ongoing data generation of the seizure and non-seizure benefits of Epidiolex, including from the EpiCom study in tuberous sclerosis complex, to be presented at American Epilepsy Society 2024.

Rylaze/Enrylaze (asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi (recombinant)-rywn):
•Rylaze/Enrylaze net product sales were $98.8 million in 3Q24, a decrease of 6% compared to the same period in 2023.
•There is a temporary impact to Rylaze revenue due to a recent update to pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) protocols regarding timing of asparaginase administration. The Company does not expect this impact will affect ongoing demand and expects revenue will normalize by early 2025.

Zepzelca (lurbinectedin):
•Zepzelca net product sales were $85.8 million in 3Q24, an increase of 10% compared to the same period in 2023.
•The Company announced statistically significant and clinically meaningful overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) results from the Phase 3 clinical trial, conducted in partnership with Roche, evaluating Zepzelca in combination with Tecentriq (atezolizumab) in first-line (1L) extensive-stage (ES) small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Based on positive results from the trial, the Company plans to submit a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Zepzelca in 1L ES-SCLC in the first half of 2025.

Key Pipeline Highlights
Zanidatamab:
•In 2Q24, the U.S. FDA accepted and granted Priority Review of the Biologics License Application for zanidatamab with a target action date of November 29, 2024. If approved, zanidatamab would be the first HER2-targeted treatment specifically approved for biliary tract cancer (BTC) in the U.S. A confirmatory trial in 1L metastatic BTC is ongoing.
•The pivotal HERIZON-GEA-01 trial, evaluating zanidatamab in 1L gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA), is expected to read out in 2Q25.
•Data presented at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2024 demonstrated sustained clinical antitumor activity in HER2-positive metastatic GEA. Updated results from the Phase 2 trial included a confirmed objective response rate of 84%, duration of response of 18.7 months, median PFS of 15.2 months and a Kaplan-Meier–estimated OS of 59% at 30 months.
•The Phase 3 EmpowHER-BC-303 trial to evaluate zanidatamab plus chemotherapy or trastuzumab plus chemotherapy in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer whose disease has progressed on previous trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) treatment is enrolling patients.
•The Company initiated a Phase 2 DiscovHER-Pan-206 pan-tumor trial in HER2-positive solid tumors.

Senior Notes Offering and Concurrent Share Repurchases
In the third quarter of 2024, the Company completed a private placement of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.125% exchangeable senior notes due 2030, or 2030 Notes. The Company intends to use a portion of the proceeds from the private placement to make a payment on the Term Loan B following the mid-January 2025 expiration of the 1% prepayment premium period in place after the recent repricing. Concurrently with this transaction, the Company repurchased approximately $150.0 million of its ordinary shares. The Company paid for such repurchases with existing cash on hand, and such share repurchases were effected as part of the Company’s share repurchase program announced in July 2024.

Financial Highlights
Three Months Ended
September 30, Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts) 2024 2023 2024 2023
Total revenues $ 1,054,969 $ 972,140 $ 2,980,777 $ 2,822,269
GAAP net income $ 215,055 $ 146,820 $ 369,005 $ 320,678
Non-GAAP adjusted net income $ 416,924 $ 340,148 $ 963,866 $ 950,538
GAAP earnings per share $ 3.42 $ 2.14 $ 5.63 $ 4.67
Non-GAAP adjusted EPS $ 6.61 $ 4.84 $ 14.42 $ 13.29

GAAP net income for 3Q24 was $215.1 million, or $3.42 per diluted share, compared to $146.8 million, or $2.14 per diluted share, for 3Q23.
Non-GAAP adjusted net income for 3Q24 was $416.9 million, or $6.61 per diluted share, compared to $340.1 million, or $4.84 per diluted share, for 3Q23.
Reconciliations of applicable GAAP reported to non-GAAP adjusted information are included at the end of this press release.
Total Revenues
Three Months Ended
September 30, Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(In thousands) 2024 2023 2024 2023
Xywav $ 388,466 $ 331,633 $ 1,072,238 $ 935,958
Xyrem 58,114 125,110 184,526 463,009
Epidiolex/Epidyolex 251,558 213,711 697,376 604,846
Sativex 4,586 4,627 13,704 14,531
Total Neuroscience 702,724 675,081 1,967,844 2,018,344
Rylaze/Enrylaze 98,780 104,859 309,359 292,479
Zepzelca 85,843 77,994 241,990 215,523
Defitelio/defibrotide 65,818 47,730 158,915 132,917
Vyxeos 34,313 29,827 109,348 100,583
Total Oncology 284,754 260,410 819,612 741,502
Other 2,229 2,907 8,497 9,758
Product sales, net 989,707 938,398 2,795,953 2,769,604
High-sodium oxybate AG royalty revenue 58,157 28,921 162,268 36,531
Other royalty and contract revenues 7,105 4,821 22,556 16,134
Total revenues $ 1,054,969 $ 972,140 $ 2,980,777 $ 2,822,269

Total revenues increased 9% in 3Q24 compared to the same period in 2023.
Total neuroscience revenue, including high-sodium oxybate AG royalty revenue, was $760.9 million in 3Q24, an increase of 8% compared to $704.0 million in 3Q23, primarily due to increased Xywav and Epidiolex/Epidyolex net product sales and increased high-sodium oxybate AG royalty revenue partially offset by decreased Xyrem revenues.
Oncology net product sales were $284.8 million in 3Q24, an increase of 9% compared to the same period in 2023, and included higher net product sales from Defitelio/defibrotide which increased 38% to $65.8 million primarily due to timing of orders and Zepzelca which increased 10% to $85.8 million. In 3Q24, Rylaze net product sales were negatively affected by a recent update to pediatric ALL protocols regarding timing of asparaginase administration.

Viracta Therapeutics Announces Reprioritization of Resources to Enhance Focus on Nana-val Development Program in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory EBV-Positive Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma

On November 6, 2024 Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIRX), a clinical-stage precision oncology company focused on the treatment and prevention of virus-associated cancers that impact patients worldwide, reported that the company has implemented a reprioritization of resources intended to enhance the company’s focus on its Nana-val development program in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) EBV-positive peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) (Press release, Viracta Therapeutics, NOV 6, 2024, View Source [SID1234647835]).

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To further align resources with current pipeline priorities, Viracta is announcing today that it has implemented a further reduction in force that impacts approximately 42% of the company’s employees. Viracta expects to recognize approximately $0.7 million in total expenses for severance and related benefits for employees impacted by the reduction in force.

"The initiatives that we are announcing today will enable us to conserve resources as we efficiently advance our Nana-val program towards a potential NDA submission for R/R EBV-positive PTCL, our lead indication," stated Mark Rothera, President and Chief Executive Officer of Viracta. "While these actions are necessary, they unfortunately impact our team. I would like to express my gratitude to the employees who are affected by this very difficult decision for their unwavering dedication to Viracta and its mission."

Viracta also announced a reduction in the size of its Board of Directors, from ten seats to six following the voluntary resignation of four directors, Jane F. Barlow, M.D., Jane Chung, R.Ph., Sam Murphy, Ph.D. and Stephen Rubino, Ph.D., effective October 31, 2024. The resizing followed discussion among such directors and the remaining members of the Board and is intended to reduce costs, streamline operations, and bring the size of Viracta’s Board more in line with the Boards of other similarly sized companies. Following the downsizing, Viracta’s Board will consist of Roger J. Pomerantz, M.D. (Chairman), Flavia Borellini, Ph.D., Thomas E. Darcy, CPA, Mark Rothera, Ivor Royston, M.D. and Barry J. Simon, M.D.

Roger J. Pomerantz, M.D., Chairman of Viracta’s Board, stated, "Viracta has adjusted its organization to further focus on the advancement of Nana-val in EBV-positive cancers while reducing cash burn. In line with these actions, I have worked with my fellow Board members to right-size Board membership, while ensuring strong continued governance and maintaining the appropriate capabilities and experience for our journey ahead. I would like to acknowledge the departing directors – Jane, Stephen, Sam and Jane – and thank them for their invaluable insights and contributions."

QureBio Ltd. to Present its Q-1802 Clinical PhaseⅡ Data at 2024 SITC 39th Annual Meeting

On November 6, 2024 QureBio Ltd., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on development of bispecific antibodies and other engineered Biopharmaceuticals for the treatment of cancer, inflammation, and other serious disorders, reported that Phase Ⅱ Clinical Data of its Q-1802 program will be presented at SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) 39th annual meeting hold at Houston on November 8–9, 2024 (Press release, QureBio, NOV 6, 2024, View Source [SID1234647864]). The abstract will be found in 39th SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) annual meeting abstract (#1500), meanwhile the poster will be presented on November 9 at George R. Brown Convention Center level 1 exhibit Halls AB, Houston. A brief of the abstract information is shown as below:

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A phase II trial of bispecific antibody Q-1802 in patients with relapsed or refractory solid tumors

Authors: Yakun Wang, Jifang Gong, Xiangdong Qu, Lin Shen

Q-1802 can target both the tumor-specific antigen Claudin18 isoform 2 (CLDN18.2) and the immune checkpoint PD-L1.
The objective response rate (ORR) is approximately 70.0% (14/20) in the 10 mg/kg group.
The proportion of Grade 3 and above adverse events in the 10 mg/kg group is approximately 55%, with good safety profile. There is no adverse events above Grade 3 and Q-1802 related death.
Clinical Data shows that Q-1802 has significant anti-tumor activity.
About Q-1802

Q-1802, a humanized bispecific antibody, is the first FDA-approved and the first enter clinical trial Claudin18.2/PD-L1 bispecific antibody. It recruits multiple immune mechanisms to kill tumor cells, such as antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cell-mediated phagocytosis (ADCP), offering a novel therapeutic opportunity for Claudin18.2 positive solid tumors. Q-1802 exhibits high affinity and selectivity, and patients with low or high expression of CLDN18.2 can benefit from it. The molecular design of Q-1802 is rational and effective, the production process is robust with high yield.

Also in this conference, QureBio revealed its T-cell engage and T cell engager enhancer platforms, which can be used to develop bispecific antibodies to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases.

BIO-TECHNE TO PRESENT AT THE SOCIETY FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER (SITC) 39TH ANNUAL MEETING

On November 6, 2024 Bio-Techne Corporation (NASDAQ: TECH) reported it will showcase its market-leading portfolio to advance cancer research from target discovery to personalized medicine and cell therapy development at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) 39th Annual Meeting, taking place November 6-10, 2024, in Houston, Texas (Press release, Bio-Techne, NOV 6, 2024, View Source [SID1234647804]).

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Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

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Bio-Techne’s spatial biology brands, Advanced Cell Diagnostics (ACD) and Lunaphore, are revolutionizing spatial biology research with their pioneering innovations that are advancing the development of tailored immunotherapies to improve patient outcomes.

At booth #613, ACD will present its wide range of spatial multiomics products. These products leverage the precise RNAscope technology and an advanced protease-free workflow for same-section RNA and protein detection assays. In combination, these capabilities empower drug discovery research, accelerate cell and gene therapy workflows, enable the characterization of key soluble factors and the immune landscape, and support the development of improved diagnostic tools for an accelerated path from translational research to clinical applications.

At booth #701, Lunaphore will showcase its fully-automated, end-to-end COMET suite, designed to provide innovative solutions in spatial biology for the translational research community. The complete portfolio will be showcased through product demonstrations. Furthermore, attendees can test the HORIZON image analysis software, tailored for COMET hyperplex images, offering new features for intuitive multiomics data and neighborhood analysis.

"Bio-Techne’s spatial biology solutions lead the way in developing groundbreaking innovations, shaping the future of scientific discovery," said Dr. Matt McManus, President of Bio-Techne’s Diagnostics & Spatial Biology Segment. "Our mission is to empower scientists with cutting-edge technologies to accelerate research and develop the next-generation therapies. We are excited to feature our spatial portfolio at this prestigious conference."

Several scientists from the company and its partners will present posters at the conference highlighting how the industry-leading capabilities of Bio-Techne’s solutions enable key research and clinical applications.

Bio-Techne poster presentations:

Multiomic mapping of the brain: same-section, fully-automated spatial RNA and protein detection on mouse frozen tissues
Friday, November 8 at 12:15 – 13:45 & 17:30 – 19:00
Presenter: Alice Comberlato, Ph.D., Lunaphore, a Bio-Techne Brand
Poster number: #81

Novel fully-automated multiomics assay for profiling immune cell landscape and activation states
Friday, November 8 at 12:15 – 13:45 & 17:30 – 19:00
Presenter: Anushka Dikshit, Ph.D, Advanced Cell Diagnostics, a Bio-Techne Brand
Poster number: #85

Qualification of immune checkpoint biomarker antibodies in glioblastoma with multiplex immunofluorescence
Friday, November 8 at 12:15 – 13:45 & 17:30 – 19:00
Presenter: Ruha Adelkar, Bio-Techne
Poster number: #69

High throughput spatial mulitomic assay for assessing immune cell phenotype and function in the tumor microenvironment
Saturday, November 9 at 12:15- 13:45 & 19:00 – 20:30
Presenter: Anushka Dikshit, Ph.D., Advanced Cell Diagnostics, a Bio-Techne Brand
Poster number: #86

Fully automated, novel protease-free workflow for co-detection of protein-protein interaction, individual proteins and mRNA using RNAscope Multiomic LS assay
Saturday, November 9 at 12:15 -13:45 & 19:10 – 20:30
Presenters: Ge-Ah Kim, Advanced Cell Diagnostics, a Bio-Techne Brand
Poster number: #106

A new automated RNAscopeTM assay for the fluorescent co-detection of multiple RNA and protein biomarkers on Roche DISCOVERY ULTRA
Saturday, November 9 at 12:15- 13:45 & 19:10 – 20:30
Presenters: Renzo Adilardi, Advanced Cell Diagnostics, a Bio-Techne Brand
Poster number: #206

Poster presentations, in collaboration

Application of a novel multiplex imaging-based immunotherapy panel and AI-powered analysis solution for spatial biomarker identification on immunotherapy-treated melanoma patients [research conducted in collaboration with Prof. Paolo Ascierto, National Tumor Institute Fondazione G. Pascale and Nucleai]
Friday, November 8 at 12:15 – 13:45 & 17:30 – 19:00
Presenter: Ettai Markovits, Ph.D., Nucleai
Poster number: #117

Enhanced analysis of tumor microenvironment and immune regulation via an automated adjustable signal amplification technique for multiplex immunofluorescence [research conducted in collaboration with Prof. Janis Taube, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine]
Saturday, November 9 at13:45 & 19:10 – 20:30
Presenter: François Rivest, Ph.D., Lunaphore, a Bio-Techne Brand
Poster number: #124

Keros Therapeutics Reports Recent Business Highlights and Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

On November 6, 2024 Keros Therapeutics, Inc. ("Keros" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: KROS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapeutics to treat a wide range of patients with disorders that are linked to dysfunctional signaling of the transforming growth factor-beta ("TGF-ß") family of proteins, reported a business update and announced financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 (Press release, Keros Therapeutics, NOV 6, 2024, View Source [SID1234647820]).

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"This continues to be a year of clinical execution for Keros. In the third quarter, we completed enrollment ahead of schedule in our Phase 2 TROPOS trial of cibotercept (KER-012) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension," said Jasbir S. Seehra, Ph.D., Chair and Chief Executive Officer. "This has set the stage for upcoming clinical data updates from our three clinical assets, which are expected over the next nine months."

Recent Corporate Highlights

•Executive leadership update: In October 2024, the Company announced that Yung H. Chyung, M.D., has been appointed to serve as the Company’s Chief Medical Officer, effective as of November 1, 2024.
•Cash position strengthened: The Company has utilized its existing at-the-market offering ("ATM") to sell additional shares of common stock, which strengthened its cash position. The Company expects that its cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2024, together with the net proceeds from the ATM through October 31, 2024, will enable the Company to fund its planned operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the third quarter of 2027.

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Keros reported a net loss of $53.0 million in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to a net loss of $39.4 million in the third quarter of 2023. The increase of $13.5 million for the third quarter was largely due to increased research and development efforts as well as additional investments to support the achievement of Keros’ clinical and corporate goals.

Research and development expenses were $49.2 million for the third quarter of 2024 as compared to $34.1 million for the same period in 2023. The increase of $15.1 million was primarily due to additional research and development efforts, manufacturing activities and personnel expenses to support the advancement of Keros’ pipeline.

General and administrative expenses were $9.8 million for the third quarter of 2024 as compared to $9.1 million for the same period in 2023. The increase of $0.7 million was primarily due to increase in personnel expenses and other external expenses to support Keros’ organizational growth.

Keros’ cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2024 was $530.7 million compared to $331.1 million as of December 31, 2023. Keros expects that its cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2024, together with the net proceeds from the ATM through October 31, 2024, will enable Keros to fund its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the third quarter of 2027.