On May 5, 2021 Horizon Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: HZNP) reported first-quarter 2021 financial results (Press release, Horizon Pharma, MAY 5, 2021, View Source [SID1234579256]). The Company updated its full-year 2021 net sales guidance and its adjusted EBITDA guidance to incorporate Viela Bio, Inc., which was acquired on March 15, 2021.
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
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
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
"We continued to advance our position as one of the fastest-growing biotechs, completing the milestone acquisition of Viela with its strong biologics pipeline, R&D capabilities and rare disease medicine, UPLIZNA," said Tim Walbert, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Horizon. "We were very pleased with our performance in a quarter challenged by the supply disruption of TEPEZZA due to U.S. government-mandated COVID-19 vaccine orders. With the resumption of TEPEZZA supply, our expanded pipeline and our strong ability to execute, we are well positioned to continue to drive significant value for our patients, shareholders and all of our stakeholders."
First-Quarter and Recent Company Highlights
Completed Acquisition of Viela: On March 15, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of Viela, representing a significant step forward in advancing the Company’s strategy to expand its pipeline to accelerate long-term sustainable growth. The acquisition advances the Company’s strategy in four ways: it adds a deep, mid-stage biologics pipeline with four candidates in nine development programs; it expands the capabilities of the Company’s R&D organization with Viela’s early-stage research and translational capabilities and deep scientific knowledge in autoimmune and severe inflammatory diseases; it supports the Company’s global expansion strategy; and it diversifies the Company’s on-market medicine portfolio with the addition of UPLIZNA, an infused biologic medicine indicated for the rare disease NMOSD.
Resumed TEPEZZA Supply: In March 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a prior approval supplement giving the Company authorization to manufacture an increased scale of TEPEZZA drug product, resulting in a greater number of vials per manufacturing slot at its third-party manufacturer, Catalent. The Company resumed supplying the market in April following a supply disruption that began in December 2020 due to U.S. government-mandated COVID-19 vaccine orders. The Company continues to make progress on adding a second drug product manufacturer by the end of 2021.
Advancing the Company’s Global Expansion with European UPLIZNA Launch Preparations: Today, the Company announced additional plans for its global expansion, preparing to build out its European infrastructure to support the potential approval by the first quarter of 2022 of UPLIZNA for NMOSD, which has been granted orphan designation by the European Commission. The Company is adding key infrastructure to support the potential launch of UPLIZNA in Europe in the near term as well as to support the potential launch of additional medicines over the long term. The Company anticipates building a global presence over time in several other markets outside of Europe, including Japan, one of the markets the Company is pursuing for TEPEZZA, where the Company is engaging with the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency and the Japanese medical community.
UPLIZNA Approved in Japan for NMOSD: In March 2021, the Company’s strategic partner Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation received manufacturing and marketing approval of UPLIZNA for the prevention of relapses of NMOSD from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Presented New UPLIZNA Data at Medical Meetings: New UPLIZNA data were presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 73rd Annual Meeting in April, including end-of-study data from the open-label extension period (OLP) of the pivotal N-MOmentum trial in patients with NMOSD. The data showed UPLIZNA was generally well-tolerated for at least four years, and that long-term UPLIZNA treatment provided a sustained reduction in NMOSD attack risk from baseline, regardless of when treatment was initiated. Data from the OLP were also recently presented at the American Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) 2021 Forum, including a poster featuring data demonstrating the safety and efficacy of UPLIZNA in those with previous rituximab exposure. Additionally, a new analysis of the N-MOmentum trial demonstrating that the medicine consistently reduced the risk of worsening disability in people living with NMOSD was published in the May issue of Neurology Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation.
Initiated Enrollment in KRYSTEXXA Monthly Dosing Trial: In March 2021, the first patient was enrolled in an open-label trial to evaluate a monthly dosing regimen of KRYSTEXXA with methotrexate to treat people with uncontrolled gout. The goal of the trial is to explore whether a monthly dosing regimen can provide similar outcomes as the current dosing schedule, which is every other week.
Completed Enrollment in KRYSTEXXA PROTECT Trial: In January 2021, the Company completed enrollment in its PROTECT open-label trial. The trial, which is evaluating KRYSTEXXA to improve the management of uncontrolled gout for adults with a kidney transplant, enrolled a total of 20 patients. Results are expected in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Progressed the TEPEZZA Subcutaneous Administration Clinical Program: The Company completed dosing in late March for its first trial exploring a subcutaneous (SC) formulation of TEPEZZA. The trial is a small, single-dose Phase 1 pharmacokinetic trial which includes evaluating the use of the Halozyme ENHANZE drug-delivery technology for a SC formulation, which could potentially shorten drug administration time, reducing healthcare practitioner time and offering additional flexibility and convenience for patients.
Received Multiple Best Workplace Awards: The Company continued to be recognized as a best workplace. In March 2021, the Company ranked No. 1 on the "Fortune Best Workplaces in Biopharma 2021" list and was named to the "Best Workplaces in Ireland 2021" list. In April 2020, the Company was named one of Fortune’s "100 Best Companies to Work For" in the United States and placed on Crain’s Chicago Business’ 2021 "Best Places to Work in Chicago" list for the sixth consecutive year.
Key Clinical Development Programs
TEPEZZA: an insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor (IGF-1R) antagonist monoclonal antibody.
Chronic Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) Trial: Phase 4 randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating TEPEZZA in chronic TED expected to initiate in mid-2021.
Subcutaneous Administration: Phase 1 pharmacokinetic trial exploring SC administration of TEPEZZA.
Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis (dcSSc) Exploratory Trial: Phase 1 exploratory trial in dcSSc expected to initiate in mid-2021.
KRYSTEXXA: a recombinant uricase enzyme that converts urate into a water-soluble liquid, allantoin, that can be easily excreted from the body.
MIRROR Randomized Controlled Trial: Phase 4 randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating KRYSTEXXA with methotrexate to increase the complete response rate in patients with uncontrolled gout.
PROTECT Trial: Phase 4 open-label trial evaluating KRYSTEXXA to improve management of uncontrolled gout in kidney transplant patients.
Shorter Infusion Duration Trial: Phase 4 open-label trial evaluating the impact of administering KRYSTEXXA with methotrexate over a shorter infusion duration in patients with uncontrolled gout.
Monthly Dosing Trial: Phase 4 open-label trial evaluating monthly dosing of KRYSTEXXA with methotrexate in patients with uncontrolled gout.
Retreatment Trial: Phase 4 open-label trial evaluating KRYSTEXXA with methotrexate in patients who have previously failed KRYSTEXXA monotherapy; expected to initiate in the second quarter of 2021.
UPLIZNA: an anti-CD19 humanized monoclonal antibody that depletes B cells and the pathogenic cells that produce autoantibodies.
Myasthenia Gravis Trial: Phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating UPLIZNA in patients with myasthenia gravis, a chronic, rare, autoimmune neuromuscular disease that affects voluntary muscles, especially those that control the eyes, mouth, throat and limbs.
IgG4-Related Disease Trial: Phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating UPLIZNA in patients with IgG4-related disease, which is a group of disorders marked by tumor-like swelling and fibrosis of affected organs, such as the pancreas, salivary glands and kidneys.
Kidney Transplant Desensitization Trial: Phase 2 open-label trial evaluating UPLIZNA, HZN-4920, or both in highly-sensitized patients waiting for a kidney transplant, which is paused due to COVID-19.
HZN-825: an oral lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPAR1) antagonist that prevents gene activation.
dcSSc Trial: Pivotal Phase 2b trial in dcSSc expected to initiate in the second quarter of 2021.
Interstitial Lung Disease Trial: Pivotal Phase 2b trial in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the most common form of interstitial lung disease, expected to initiate in mid-2021.
HZN-4920: a CD40 ligand antagonist that blocks T cell interaction with the CD40-expressing B cells, disrupting the overactivation of the CD40 ligand co-stimulatory pathway. Several autoimmune diseases are associated with the overactivation this pathway.
Sjögren’s Syndrome Trial: Phase 2b randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating HZN-4920 in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome, a chronic, systemic autoimmune condition that impacts exocrine glands, including the salivary and tear glands.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Trial: Phase 2 randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating HZN-4920 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Kidney Transplant Rejection Trial: Phase 2 open-label trial evaluating HZN-4920 in kidney transplant rejection patients.
HZN-7734: an anti-ILT7 human monoclonal antibody that depletes certain dendritic cells. Depleting these cells may interrupt the cycle of inflammation that causes tissue damage in diseases such as lupus, dermatomyositis and a variety of other autoimmune conditions.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Trial: Phase 2 trial in SLE, a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs, expected to initiate in mid-2021.
COVID-19-Related Acute Lung Injury Trial: Phase 1 trial in COVID-19-related acute lung injury.
HZN-1116 Autoimmune Disease Trial: Phase 1 trial in autoimmune diseases expected to initiate in mid-2021.
First-Quarter Financial Results
Note: For additional detail and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, please refer to the tables at the end of this release.
Net Sales: First-quarter 2021 net sales were $342.4 million. First-quarter 2020 net sales were $355.9 million.
Gross Profit: Under U.S. GAAP, the first-quarter 2021 gross profit ratio was 70.7 percent compared to 72.6 percent in the first quarter of 2020. The non-GAAP gross profit ratio in the first quarter of 2021 was 90.9 percent compared to 90.0 percent in the first quarter of 2020.
Operating Expenses: Research and development (R&D) expenses were 16.8 percent of net sales and selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were 97.0 percent of net sales. Non-GAAP R&D expenses were 14.3 percent of net sales, and non-GAAP SG&A expenses were 63.8 percent of net sales.
Income Tax Expense: On a GAAP basis in the first quarter of 2021, income tax benefit was $47.8 million. First-quarter non-GAAP income tax expense was $25.8 million.
Net (Loss) Income: On a GAAP basis, first-quarter 2021 net loss was $123.4 million. First-quarter 2021 non-GAAP net income was $7.4 million.
Adjusted EBITDA: First-quarter 2021 adjusted EBITDA was $45.8 million.
(Loss) Earnings per Share: On a GAAP basis, diluted loss per share in the first quarter of 2021 and 2020 were $0.55 and $0.07, respectively. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share in the first quarter of 2021 and 2020 were $0.03 and $0.40, respectively. Weighted average shares outstanding used for calculating GAAP and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share in the first quarter of 2021 were 223.9 million and 234.1 million, respectively.
First-Quarter Segment Results
Management uses net sales and segment operating income to evaluate the performance of the Company’s two segments, the orphan segment and the inflammation segment. While segment operating income contains certain adjustments to the directly comparable GAAP figures in the Company’s consolidated financial results, it is considered to be prepared in accordance with GAAP for purposes of presenting the Company’s segment operating results.
Orphan Segment
First-quarter 2021 net sales of the orphan segment, the Company’s strategic growth segment, were $257.5 million, an increase of 5 percent over the prior year’s quarter, driven by strong performance of KRYSTEXXA, RAVICTI, PROCYSBI and ACTIMMUNE. First-quarter 2021 net sales include a partial quarter of UPLIZNA net sales. First-quarter 2021 TEPEZZA net sales were negatively impacted by a short-term supply disruption due to U.S. government-mandated COVID-19 vaccine orders.
First-quarter 2021 net sales of the inflammation segment were $84.9 million, and segment operating income was $42.7 million.
Cash Flow Statement and Balance Sheet Highlights
On a GAAP basis in the first quarter of 2021, cash used in operating activities was $3.7 million. Non-GAAP operating cash flow was $63.5 million.
As of March 31, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $811.6 million.
As of March 31, 2021, the total principal amount of debt outstanding was $2.618 billion. As of March 31, 2021, the gross-debt-to-last-12-months adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio was 2.8 times.
2021 Guidance
The Company now expects full‐year 2021 net sales to range between $2.75 billion and $2.85 billion, updated from the previous range of $2.70 billion and $2.80 billion. Full-year 2021 adjusted EBITDA is now expected to range between $1.02 billion and $1.06 billion, updated from the previous guidance of $1.14 billion and $1.18 billion. The updated guidance ranges incorporate Viela, which was acquired on March 15, 2021. The Company continues to expect TEPEZZA full-year 2021 net sales of greater than $1.275 billion and KRYSTEXXA full-year 2021 net sales of greater than $500 million.
Webcast
At 8 a.m. EST / 1 p.m. IST today, the Company will host a live webcast to review its financial and operating results and provide a general business update. The live webcast and a replay may be accessed at View Source Please connect to the Company’s website at least 15 minutes prior to the live webcast to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be needed to access the webcast. A replay of the webcast will be available approximately two hours after the live webcast.