On April 28, 2022 Novocure (NASDAQ: NVCR) reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 (Press release, NovoCure, APR 28, 2022, View Source [SID1234613170]). Novocure is a global oncology company working to extend survival in some of the most aggressive forms of cancer by developing and commercializing its innovative therapy, Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields).
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"The first quarter was another period of solid execution for Novocure," said Asaf Danziger, Novocure’s Chief Executive Officer. "Our core glioblastoma business continues to provide the financial strength for significant investment in future growth drivers. We believe these investments, especially the expansion of our clinical pipeline and product enhancements, ultimately will enable many more cancer patients to benefit from TTFields therapy."
"2022 marks the beginning of what we expect to be a transformational period for our company and patients," said William Doyle, Novocure’s Executive Chairman. "In 2022, we expect to release clinical data from multiple studies, complete enrollment of our third pivotal study in less than 12 months, and initiate a limited release of next generation arrays in Europe. After many years building to this point, we are excited to kick off what should be a fruitful year for Novocure."
Financial updates for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022:
Total net revenues for the quarter were $137.5 million, an increase of 2% compared to the same period in 2021.
The United States, EMEA and Japan contributed $97.4 million, $27.0 million, and $8.8 million in quarterly net revenues, respectively.
Revenue in Greater China from Novocure’s partnership with Zai Lab totaled $4.4 million.
Gross margin for the quarter was 80%.
Research, development and clinical studies expenses for the quarter were $42.2 million, a decrease of 8% from the same period in 2021. Direct clinical trial costs can fluctuate quarter-to-quarter depending on the clinical research organization services delivered and clinical trial materials procured, and we are investing aggressively in future growth and development initiatives.
Sales and marketing expenses for the quarter were $37.9 million, an increase of 21% compared to the same period in 2021. This reflects increased investments in market access capabilities as well as early commercial capabilities in anticipation of potential future approvals and launches in new indications.
General and administrative expenses for the quarter were $30.5 million, a decrease of 2% compared to the same period in 2021.
Net loss for the quarter was $4.6 million with loss per share of $0.04.
Adjusted EBITDA* for the quarter was $26.8 million.
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $932.3 million as of March 31, 2022.
Operational updates for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022:
As of March 31, 2022, there were 3,549 active patients on therapy. Active patients from North America, EMEA and Japan contributed 2,257, 965 and 327 active patients, respectively.
1,384 prescriptions were received in the quarter. Prescriptions from North America, EMEA and Japan contributed 935, 347 and 102 prescriptions, respectively.
Quarterly achievements:
In February, Novocure founder and TTFields inventor Yoram Palti won the 2022 Israel Prize in Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation. This prize is regarded as the State of Israel’s highest cultural honor and recognizes Israeli citizens who have shown special excellence and a breakthrough in their field or who have made a special contribution to Israeli society.
In March, an independent data monitoring committee ("DMC") conducted a pre-specified interim analysis of the phase 3 pivotal INNOVATE-3 study for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Following completion of the interim analysis, the DMC recommended that the study should continue to final analysis as planned. Data will be reviewed in 2023, following an 18 month follow-up period.
2022 Outlook:
We expect to achieve active patient growth between 2% to 5% in 2022, in-line with the growth rate experienced in the first quarter of 2022. Longer term, the company continues to expect further adoption in its core GBM business.
Anticipated clinical milestones:
Data from phase 2 pilot EF-31 study in gastric cancer (2022)
Data from phase 2 pilot EF-33 study with high-intensity arrays in recurrent GBM (2022)
Last patient enrollment in phase 3 pivotal METIS study in brain metastases (2022)
Data from phase 3 pivotal LUNAR study in NSCLC (2022)
Last patient enrollment in phase 3 pivotal PANOVA-3 study in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (2023)
Data from phase 3 pivotal INNOVATE-3 study in recurrent ovarian cancer (2023)
Data from phase 3 pivotal METIS study in brain metastases (2023)
Data from phase 3 pivotal PANOVA-3 study in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (2024)
Conference call details
Novocure will host a conference call and webcast to discuss first quarter 2022 financial results at 8 a.m. EDT today, Thursday, April 28, 2022. Analysts and investors can participate in the conference call by dialing 855-442-6895 for domestic callers and 509-960-9037 for international callers, using the conference ID 1476184.
The webcast, earnings slides presented during the webcast and the corporate presentation can be accessed live from the Investor Relations page of Novocure’s website, www.novocure.com/investor-relations, and will be available for at least 14 days following the call. Novocure has used, and intends to continue to use, its investor relations website, as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.