Bausch Health Companies Inc. Announces First-Quarter 2021 Results

On May 4, 2021 Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) ("Bausch Health" or the "Company" or "we") reported its first-quarter 2021 financial results (Press release, Bausch Health, MAY 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234579066]).

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"Bausch Health entered 2021 with strong momentum as our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Our business is generating strong cash flow, many of our leading products have increased market share in key markets, and we are advancing our pipeline," said Joseph C. Papa, chairman and CEO, Bausch Health.

"We are taking action to accelerate the strategic alternatives process to expedite the spinoff of Bausch + Lomb as we remain committed to unlocking value across our two attractive businesses. We are focused on execution and growth as we position these two strong, but dissimilar businesses as attractive growth opportunities in the markets they serve," continued Mr. Papa.

Select Company Highlights

Increased total Company reported revenue by 1% compared to the first quarter of 2020
Launched Solta Medical’s Clear + Brilliant Touch laser in the United States
Launched Bausch + Lomb’s Alaway Preservative Free (ketotifen fumarate ophthalmic solution, 0.035%), antihistamine eye drops in the United States
Entered into an agreement to divest Amoun Pharmaceutical Company S.A.E. to Abu-Dhabi based ADQ; the transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2021
Repaid debt by $200 million in the first quarter of 2021 using cash generated from operations; Bausch Health has no mandatory amortization payments or debt maturities until 2024
Announced in March that Sam Eldessouky, the Company’s current Controller and Chief Accounting Officer, has been appointed to the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and will succeed Bausch Health’s current CFO Paul S. Herendeen, effective June 1, 2021. Mr. Herendeen will remain at Bausch Health in the newly created role of Advisor to the Chairman and CEO
Pipeline Advancements

VYZULTA (latanoprostene bunod ophthalmic solution), 0.024%, received regulatory approval in South Korea, Brazil and Qatar, and has launched in Taiwan
LUMIFY (brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.025%) redness reliever eye drops received regulatory approval in South Korea
BAUSCH + LOMB ULTRA ONE DAY daily disposable silicone hydrogel contact lenses received regulatory approval in Taiwan
Announced statistically significant topline results from the first Phase 3 trial evaluating the investigational NOV032 (perfluorohexyloctane) as a first-in-class eye drop with a novel mechanism of action to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease associated with meibomian gland dysfunction
Announced statistically significant topline results from the second pivotal Phase 3 trial evaluating the investigational IDP-126 gel in acne vulgaris
Progress on Planned Separation of Eye Health Business
Today, the Company announced that Joseph C. Papa and Sam Eldessouky will serve as CEO and CFO of Bausch + Lomb upon separation of the Bausch + Lomb eye health business.3 In addition, the Company continued to make progress toward internal objectives necessary for the separation, including operating in five reportable segments commencing with the first quarter of 2021.

First-Quarter 2021 Revenue Performance
Total reported revenues were $2.027 billion for the first quarter of 2021, as compared to $2.012 billion in the first quarter of 2020, an increase of $15 million. Revenue was negatively impacted by approximately $100 million in the first quarter of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Excluding the favorable impact of foreign exchange of $33 million and the impact of divestitures and discontinuations of $10 million, revenue declined organically1,4 by $8 million compared to the first quarter of 2020.

Exact Sciences Announces First Quarter 2021 Results

On May 4, 2021 Exact Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq: EXAS) reported that the company generated revenue of $402.1 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021, compared to $347.8 million for the same period of 2020 (Press release, Exact Sciences, MAY 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234579089]).

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"The first quarter demonstrated Exact Sciences is well-positioned for growth today and into the future," said Kevin Conroy, Chairman and CEO. "Our Cologuard and Oncotype tests help people in need of answers, including those who have been vulnerable during the pandemic. We plan to bring additional solutions to patients throughout the course of their diagnosis and treatment."

First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2021, as compared to the same period of 2020 (where applicable):

Total revenue was $402.1 million, an increase of 16 percent
Screening revenue was $240.3 million, an increase of 10 percent
Precision Oncology revenue was $129.4 million, an increase of 1 percent
COVID-19 testing revenue was $32.3 million
Gross margin including amortization of acquired intangible assets was 68%, and non-GAAP gross margin excluding amortization of acquired intangible assets was 73%
Income tax benefit was $242.8 million due to a change in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance resulting from the Thrive combination
Net loss was $31.2 million, or $0.18 per share, compared to a net loss of $134.6 million, or $0.91 per share
EBITDA was $(225.7) million and adjusted EBITDA was $(23.5) million
Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were $1.38 billion at the end of the quarter
Screening includes laboratory service revenue from Cologuard tests and revenue from Biomatrica products. Precision Oncology includes laboratory service revenue from global Oncotype products.

2021 Outlook

The company anticipates revenue of $1,690-$1,735 million during 2021, including Screening revenue of $1,125-$1,150 million, Precision Oncology revenue of $515-$525 million, and COVID-19 testing revenue of $50-$60 million.
The company’s guidance for revenue is a forward-looking statement. It is subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from the anticipated targets. There can be no assurance that the company will meet these financial projections. See the cautionary information about forward-looking statements in the "Forward-Looking Statements" section of this news release.

Non-GAAP Disclosure
In addition to the company’s financial results determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the company provides non-GAAP measures that it determines to be useful in evaluating its operating performance. The company presents EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, as well as non-GAAP gross margin and non-GAAP gross profit. EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA consist of net loss after adjustment for those items shown in the table below. The company defines non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin as GAAP gross profit and GAAP gross margin, respectively, excluding amortization of acquired intangible assets. The amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets used in the calculation of non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin pertain only to the amortization associated with developed technology acquired and recorded through purchase accounting transactions. The amortization of these intangible assets will recur in future periods until such intangible assets have been fully amortized. The company believes that these non-GAAP measures are useful in evaluating the company’s operating performance. The company uses this non-GAAP financial information to evaluate ongoing operations and for internal planning and forecasting purposes. Non-GAAP financial information, when taken collectively, may be helpful to investors because it provides consistency and comparability with past financial performance. However, non-GAAP financial information is presented for supplemental information purposes only, has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial information presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For example, non-GAAP gross margin and non-GAAP gross profit exclude the amortization of acquired intangible assets although such measures include the revenue associated with the acquisitions. For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to GAAP, see below "EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliations" and "Non-GAAP Gross Profit and Non-GAAP Gross Margin Reconciliations."

First Quarter Conference Call & Webcast
Company management will host a conference call and webcast on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at 5 p.m. ET to discuss first quarter 2021 results. The webcast will be available at www.exactsciences.com. Domestic callers should dial 833-235-7650 and international callers should dial +1-647-689-4171. The access code for both domestic and international callers is 5789488.

An archive of the webcast will be available at www.exactsciences.com. A replay of the conference call will be available by calling 800-585-8367 domestically or +1-416-621-4642 internationally. The access code for the replay of the call is 5789488. The webcast, conference call and replay are open to all interested parties.

About Cologuard
The Cologuard test was approved by the FDA in August 2014, and results from Exact Sciences’ prospective 90-site, point-in-time, 10,000-patient pivotal trial were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2014. The Cologuard test is included in the American Cancer Society’s (2018) colorectal cancer screening guidelines and the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2016) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2016). The Cologuard test is indicated to screen adults 45 years of age and older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer by detecting certain DNA markers and blood in the stool. Do not use the Cologuard test if you have had precancer, have inflammatory bowel disease and certain hereditary syndromes, or have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer. The Cologuard test is not a replacement for colonoscopy in high risk patients. The Cologuard test performance in adults ages 45-49 is estimated based on a large clinical study of patients 50 and older. Cologuard performance in repeat testing has not been evaluated. The Cologuard test result should be interpreted with caution. A positive test result does not confirm the presence of cancer. Patients with a positive test result should be referred for diagnostic colonoscopy. A negative test result does not confirm the absence of cancer. Patients with a negative test result should discuss with their doctor when they need to be tested again. Medicare and most major insurers cover the Cologuard test. For more information about the Cologuard test, visit www.cologuardtest.com.

About Oncotype DX
The Oncotype DX portfolio of breast, colon and prostate cancer tests applies advanced genomic science to reveal the unique biology of a tumor in order to optimize cancer treatment decisions. In breast cancer, the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score test is the only test that has been shown to predict the likelihood of chemotherapy benefit as well as recurrence in invasive breast cancer. Additionally, the Oncotype DX Breast DCIS Score test predicts the likelihood of recurrence in a pre-invasive form of breast cancer called DCIS. In prostate cancer, the Oncotype DX Genomic Prostate Score test predicts disease aggressiveness and further clarifies the current and future risk of the cancer prior to treatment intervention, and the Oncotype DX AR-V7 Nucleus Detect test helps determine which patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) are resistant to androgen receptor (AR)-targeted therapies. The Oncotype DX AR-V7 Nucleus Detect test is performed by Epic Sciences at its centralized, CLIA-certified laboratory in San Diego and offered exclusively by Exact Sciences. The Oncotype MAP Pan-Cancer Tissue test is a rapid, comprehensive tumor profiling panel that aids therapy selection for patients with advanced, metastatic, refractory, or recurrent cancer. With more than 1 million patients tested in more than 90 countries, the Oncotype tests have redefined personalized medicine by making genomics a critical part of cancer diagnosis and treatment. To learn more about Oncotype tests, visit www.OncotypeIQ.com, www.MyBreastCancerTreatment.org or www.MyProstateCancerTreatment.org.

Obsidian To Present Preclinical Data From cytoTIL15 Program at ASGCT

On May 4, 2021 Obsidian Therapeutics, a biotechnology company pioneering engineered cell and gene therapies, reported that the Company will present at the upcoming 24th American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, which will be hosted virtually May 11-14, 2021 (Press release, Obsidian Therapeutics, MAY 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234579108]).

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The abstract for the poster describes how Obsidian’s cytoTIL15 product (cytoTIL therapy engineered with mbIL15) demonstrates enhanced in vivo performance in the absence of IL-2, paving the way for more durable efficacy and improved safety in patients with solid tumor malignancies, and has been published in Molecular Therapy.

Details of the poster:

Title: cytoTIL therapy engineered with mbIL15 demonstrates enhanced in vivo persistence in the absence of IL-2, paving the way for durable efficacy and improved safety in patients with solid tumor malignancies

Abstract Number: 617

Session: Cancer – Immunotherapy, Cancer Vaccines

Session Date and Time: Tuesday May 11, 2021 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Abstract Summary: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have generated promising data in clinical trials as therapy for heavily pretreated patients with solid tumor malignancies, such as metastatic melanoma. The IL-2 regimen required for in vivo maintenance of TILs poses significant limitations on application of the therapy. Obsidian’s cytoTIL product is comprised of TILs engineered with membrane bound IL-15 (mbIL15) that is regulatable using a drug responsive domain (DRD) designed via our cytoDRiVE platform. cytoTILs demonstrate enhanced persistence in mice without IL2 compared to conventional TILs with IL2.

Paul Wotton, Chief Executive Officer of Obsidian, commented, "We expect that cytoTIL15 will pave the way for a more potent and persistent TIL product that will not require infusion of IL-2, thereby improving durable efficacy and expanding the pool of eligible patients with metastatic melanoma and other solid tumor malignancies that can be treated with this groundbreaking therapy."

Myovant Sciences to Host Fourth Fiscal Quarter and Fiscal Year 2020 Earnings Conference Call at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on May 11, 2021

On May 4, 2021 Myovant Sciences (NYSE: MYOV), a healthcare company focused on redefining care for women and for men, reported it will host a webcast and conference call to discuss corporate updates and financial results for its fourth fiscal quarter and fiscal year 2020, ended March 31, 2021 (Press release, Myovant Sciences, MAY 4, 2021, https://investors.myovant.com/news-releases/news-release-details/myovant-sciences-host-fourth-fiscal-quarter-and-fiscal-year-2020 [SID1234579124]). The webcast and conference call will be held at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time / 5:30 a.m. Pacific Time on May 11, 2021.

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Investors and the general public may access a live webcast of the call by visiting the investor relations page of Myovant’s website at investors.myovant.com. Institutional investors and analysts may also participate in the conference call by dialing 1-800-532-3746 in the U.S. or +1-470-495-9166 from outside the U.S.

A replay of the webcast, along with the earnings press release and presentation materials, will be archived on Myovant’s investor relations website.

Twoxar Pharmaceuticals rebrands as Aria Pharmaceuticals, provides pipeline update and announces new therapeutic development strategy

On May 4, 2021 twoXAR Inc., a Delaware corporation, focused on discovering and bringing first-in-class small molecules to market, reported that the company will rebrand as Aria Pharmaceuticals (Press release, Aria Pharmaceuticals, MAY 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234635533]). The name reflects the artistry and complexity that defines how the company and its scientific teams approach medicine from discovery to FDA approval in a way that is scientifically sound. Aria Pharmaceuticals also announced a pipeline update that includes novel preclinical compounds targeting fibrotic and immunological diseases.

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"We’ve built a significant and promising pipeline and assembled a team of top pharmaceutical R&D talent over the last few years, radically changing the trajectory of the company and how we approach pharmaceutical development," said Andrew Radin, CEO of Aria Pharmaceuticals. "Our name should reflect our commitment to sound science and our ability to not only discover but to develop and research novel treatments from preclinical to clinical studies."

Since its founding in 2015, the company has built its own proprietary pipeline as well as focused its partnership strategy on working with biotechnology companies on drug discovery research. With successful preclinical efficacy and safety data emerging from several of the company’s proprietary candidates, Aria Pharmaceuticals will transition from discovery collaborations with pharmaceutical companies to advancing its own pipeline into clinical research, starting with IND-enabling studies for novel candidates in chronic kidney disease, lupus and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

To help validate and progress its pipeline through to clinical testing, in March 2020 Aria Pharmaceuticals hired pharmaceutical research leaders Mark Eller, Ph.D. as the Senior Vice President of Research and Development and Anjali Pandey, Ph.D. as the Senior Vice President of Nonclinical R&D and Chemistry. Both Dr. Eller and Dr. Pandey have led multiple successful pharmaceutical research and development programs from discovery through to approval and post marketing studies.

"We have made record progress in the last year in building and developing an exciting pipeline with very promising early data," said Mark Eller, Senior Vice President of Research and Development. "With our rapid progress in identifying potential treatments, we’re now exploring not only the addition of new therapeutic areas to our pipeline but building out our research programs for our existing pipeline."

To date, Aria Pharmaceuticals has identified 18 potential novel treatment candidates for complex diseases including, lupus, glioblastoma, chronic kidney disease and glaucoma. The company has announced positive preclinical safety and efficacy data in seven of its candidates with an average timing to complete predictions, select hits and begin in vivo testing of four weeks, significantly faster than traditional drug discovery processes which typically take years to reach similar milestones. In addition, Aria Pharmaceuticals’ approach to R&D has been proven to produce a 30-fold increase in hit rates at in vivo efficacy milestones over traditional methods. For more information, please visit www.ariapharmaceuticals.com