On May 9, 2023 Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SUPN), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases, reported financial results for the first quarter of 2023, and associated Company developments (Press release, Supernus, MAY 9, 2023, View Source [SID1234631298]).

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"We are pleased with the strong revenue and earnings performance despite the entry of generic Trokendi XR in the first quarter of 2023," said Jack Khattar, President and CEO of Supernus. "Excluding Trokendi XR, first quarter 2023 net product sales increased 25%, driven by the continued adoption of Qelbree across both pediatric and adult patients and growing demand for GOCOVRI. We remain well-positioned to drive strong revenue and operating earnings growth in 2024 and beyond."

Qelbree Launch Update

Total IQVIA prescriptions were 134,530 in the first quarter of 2023, an increase of 14% compared to total prescriptions of 117,635 in the fourth quarter of 2022. In March 2023, the most recent month available, total prescriptions reached 49,789.
Qelbree continues to expand its base of prescribers, with approximately 19,197 prescribers in the first quarter of 2023, up from 16,822 prescribers from the fourth quarter of 2022.
As previously disclosed, the Company executed a second significant pharmacy benefit manager contract, effective January 2023. We continue making progress in securing and improving managed care coverage.
Product Pipeline Update

SPN-830 (apomorphine infusion device) – Continuous treatment of motor fluctuations ("off" episodes) in Parkinson’s disease (PD)

In April 2023, the Company had a constructive meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to discuss the Complete Response Letter received in October 2022. Based on this meeting, the Company expects to resubmit the New Drug Application for SPN-830 in the fourth quarter of 2023.
SPN-820 – Novel first-in-class activator of mTORC1 for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression

The Phase II multi-center randomized double-blind placebo-controlled parallel design study of SPN-820 in adults with treatment-resistant depression is ongoing. The study will examine the efficacy and safety of SPN-820 over a course of five weeks of treatment in approximately 270 patients. The primary outcome measure is the change from baseline to end of treatment period on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Total Score, a standard depression rating scale.
SPN-817 – A novel product candidate for the treatment of epilepsy

The open-label Phase II clinical study of SPN-817 in patients with treatment-resistant seizures is ongoing. Depending on the rate of enrollment, the Company expects to have data in the first half of 2024.
R&D Day

Supernus will host an R&D Day in New York City in the Fall of 2023. The management team plans to provide an overview of the Company’s pipeline, including SPN-830, SPN-820, SPN-817 and new clinical candidates from the Company’s discovery program. Further details are forthcoming.
Financial Highlights

Total revenues

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, total revenues were $153.8 million, compared to total revenues of $152.5 million for the same period in 2022. Net product sales were $140.6 million, compared to net product sales of $147.5 million for the same period in 2022. The decrease in net product sales was primarily due to a decrease in net product sales of Trokendi XR, partially offset by an increase in net product sales of both Qelbree and GOCOVRI. Excluding net product sales of Trokendi XR, first quarter 2023 total net product sales increased 25% compared to the same quarter last year.

The following table provides information regarding total revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in millions):

Three Months Ended March 31,
2023 2022 Change %
Net product sales
Trokendi XR $ 34.8 $ 62.8 (45)%
Oxtellar XR 28.9 27.5 5%
GOCOVRI 26.0 22.6 15%
Qelbree 25.8 8.3 **
APOKYN 17.2 18.5 (7)%
Other(1) 7.9 7.8 1%
Total net product sales $ 140.6 $ 147.5 (5)%
Royalty revenues 13.2 5.0 **
Total revenues $ 153.8 $ 152.5 1%
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(1) Includes net product sales of MYOBLOC, XADAGO and Osmolex ER.
** Indicates calculation result is greater than 100%.

Operating earnings (GAAP and non-GAAP)

First quarter 2023 operating earnings (GAAP) was $5.2 million, as compared to operating earnings (GAAP) of $2.0 million for the same period in 2022. The increase was primarily due to growth in net product sales of Qelbree and GOCOVRI and an increase in royalty revenues, partially offset by a decrease in net product sales of Trokendi XR, as well as a decrease in operating expenses.

First quarter 2023 adjusted operating earnings (non-GAAP) were $30.5 million, as compared to $28.0 million for the first quarter of 2022.

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Adjustments

An itemized reconciliation between operating earnings on a GAAP basis and operating earnings on a non-GAAP basis is as follows (dollars in millions):

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2023 Three Months Ended
March 31, 2022
Operating earnings – As Reported (GAAP) $ 5.2 $ 2.0
Adjustments:
Amortization of intangible assets 20.0 20.6
Share-based compensation 6.3 4.0
Contingent consideration expense (gain) (1.6 ) 0.7
Depreciation 0.6 0.7
Operating earnings – As Adjusted (non-GAAP) $ 30.5 $ 28.0
Non-GAAP operating earnings adjusts for non-cash items including amortization of intangible assets, share-based compensation expense, change in fair value of contingent consideration, and depreciation.

Net earnings (GAAP)

First quarter 2023 net earnings (GAAP) and diluted earnings per share (GAAP) were $16.9 million and $0.29, respectively, as compared to $25.6 million, or $0.43, in the same period in 2022.

Balance sheet

At March 31, 2023, the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, current and long-term marketable securities were approximately $686.5 million, compared to $555.2 million as of December 31, 2022. This increase was primarily due to cash generated from operations and the net amount drawn from the line of credit.

On April 1, 2023, the Company paid the total principal amount of $402.5 million due under its 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (2023 Notes), in addition to payment of the remaining outstanding interest due of $1.3 million. Following the repayment, the 2023 Notes are no longer outstanding. The repayment of the 2023 Notes at maturity was financed primarily with available cash on hand and, to a lesser extent, through borrowing under the Company’s existing credit line agreement. The outstanding balance under the credit line as of March 31, 2023 of $78.4 million is expected to be fully repaid by the end of the second quarter 2023.

Full Year 2023 Financial Guidance (GAAP)

For the full year 2023, the Company is increasing prior financial guidance for GAAP operating loss and non-GAAP operating earnings, lowering financial guidance for combined R&D and SG&A expenses, and maintaining its financial guidance for total revenues as set forth below (dollars in millions).

Amount
Total revenues (1) (Includes $60 million to $80 million of Trokendi XR(2)) $580 – $620
Combined R&D and SG&A expenses $450 – $480
Operating loss (3) $(30) – $(10)
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(1) Includes net product sales and royalty revenue.
(2) Reflects generic entry on Trokendi XR in 2023.
(3) Includes amortization of intangible assets and contingent consideration expense (gain).

Full Year 2023 Financial Guidance – GAAP to Non-GAAP Adjustments

An itemized reconciliation between projected operating loss on a GAAP basis and projected operating earnings on a non-GAAP basis is as follows (dollars in millions):

Amount
Operating loss – GAAP $(30) – $(10)
Adjustments:
Amortization of intangible assets $80
Share-based compensation $20 – $24
Contingent consideration $0 – $1
Depreciation $5
Operating earnings – non-GAAP $75 – $100
Non-GAAP Financial Information

This press release contains a financial measure, non-GAAP operating earnings, which does not comply with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The non-GAAP financial measure should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or in isolation from, or superior to measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP operating earnings adjusts for non-cash share-based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization, and accretion of contingent consideration, and for factors that are unusual, non-recurring or unpredictable, and excludes those costs, expenses, and other specified items presented in the reconciliation tables in this press release. We believe the use of non-GAAP operating earnings is useful supplemental information to investors regarding the Company’s results of operations and assist management, analysts, and investors in evaluating the performance of the business. There are limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures. Including such measures may not be entirely comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies, may not reflect all items of income and expense, as applicable, that affect our operations, potential differences among calculation methodologies, may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore comparability may be limited. We mitigate these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measure to the most comparable GAAP financial measure. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation. The Company’s 2023 financial guidance is also being provided on both a reported and a non-GAAP basis.

Conference Call Details

Supernus will host a conference call and webcast today, May 9, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss these results. A live webcast will be available in the Events & Presentations section of the Company’s Investor Relations website www.supernus.com/investors.

Participants may also pre-register any time before the call here. Once registration is completed, participants will be provided a dial-in number with a personalized conference code to access the call. Please dial 15 minutes prior to the start time.

Following the live call, a replay will be available on the Company’s Investor Relations website www.supernus.com/investors. The webcast will be available on the Company’s website for 60 days following the live call.