On August 6, 2019 Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SUPN), a pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases, reported financial results for the second quarter of 2019 and associated Company developments (Press release, Supernus, AUG 6, 2019, View Source [SID1234538255]).

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Commercial Update

Second quarter 2019 product prescriptions for Trokendi XR and Oxtellar XR, as reported by IQVIA, totaled 209,066, a 7.4% increase over the second quarter of 2018.

Net product sales for the second quarter of 2019 were $102.4 million, a 5.5% increase over $97.0 million in the second quarter of 2018. Net product sales by product are as follows:

"Prescription growth for Trokendi XR improved by 4.8% in the second quarter of 2019 as compared to the first quarter of 2019, but not to the degree we had expected," said Jack Khattar, President and CEO of Supernus. "Following the abnormally large seasonal decline we experienced in the first quarter of 2019, reflecting the impact of high deductible managed care programs, prescription growth for Trokendi XR has been hindered by a moderate contraction in the overall topiramate market. In addition, sales deductions, particularly rebates, have not improved in the second quarter of 2019 relative to the first quarter of 2019 as we had expected, but have remained relatively flat." Mr. Khattar added, "As a result, we are revising full year 2019 guidance for net product sales, and, to a lesser extent, operating earnings."

Progress of Product Pipeline

SPN-812 – Novel non-stimulant for the treatment of ADHD

– The Company concluded its pre-New Drug Application (NDA) clinical meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 2019, and continues to expect to submit an NDA for SPN-812 in the second half of 2019. Pending FDA approval, the Company continues to expect to launch SPN-812 in the second half of 2020.
– The Company has advanced manufacture of SPN-812 to support the NDA submission and in preparation of commercial launch.
– A Phase III program in adult patients is anticipated to start in the fourth quarter of 2019.

SPN-810 – Novel treatment of Impulsive Aggression in patients with ADHD

– Enrollment in the Phase III P301 trial is complete, with data expected in the fourth quarter of 2019.
– Enrollment in the Phase III P302 trial continues, with data now expected in the first quarter of 2020.
– The Company continues to expect to submit an NDA for SPN-810 in the second half of 2020, and to launch SPN-810, pending FDA approval, in the second half of 2021.
– Enrollment in the open label extension (OLE) study continues at 90% or higher. On average, a patient in the OLE study remains on SPN-810 treatment for approximately 10.7 months, which the Company believes is an encouraging sign of the tolerability and efficacy of SPN-810.
– Patient dosing continues in the Phase III trial (P503) in adolescent patients.

SPN-604 – Novel treatment of bipolar disorder

– The Company remains on track to start a pivotal Phase III program for the treatment of bipolar disorder in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Operating Expenses

Research and development (R&D) expenses in the second quarter of 2019 were $17.0 million, as compared to $20.0 million in the same quarter last year. This decrease is primarily due to the completion of the four Phase III clinical trials for SPN-812, three of which were completed in December 2018 and the fourth in March 2019. Decreased expenses were partially offset by costs to manufacture SPN-812 to support the Company’s upcoming submission of its NDA.

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the second quarter of 2019 were $41.1 million, essentially equivalent to $40.1 million in the same quarter last year.

Operating Earnings and Earnings Per Share

Operating earnings in the second quarter of 2019 were $42.6 million, a 19.3% increase from $35.7 million in the same quarter last year. Operating earnings increased faster than net product sales, which grew by 5.5%, demonstrating the Company’s ability to manage operating expenses and leverage its established infrastructure.

Net earnings (GAAP) in the second quarter of 2019 were $32.7 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, an increase from $30.7 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, in the same period last year. Growth in net earnings was driven primarily from the aforementioned increase in operating earnings, partially offset by the higher effective tax rate in the second quarter of 2019 compared to the year earlier period. The effective tax rate in the second quarter of 2018 benefited from employees exercising stock options.

Weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding were approximately 53.9 million in the second quarter of 2019, as compared to approximately 54.2 million in the prior year period.

Balance Sheet Highlights

As of June 30, 2019, the Company had $852.3 million in cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and long term marketable securities, compared to $774.8 million at December 31, 2018. This increase primarily reflects cash generated from operations in the first six months of 2019.

Financial Guidance

The Company is revising its full year 2019 guidance for net product sales and operating earnings, and reaffirming expectations for R&D expenses and the effective tax rate as set forth below:

– Net product sales in the range of $400 million to $410 million, compared to the previously expected range of $435 million to $455 million.
– R&D expenses in the range of $70 million to $80 million.
– Operating earnings in the range of $150 million to $160 million, compared to the previously expected range of $160 million to $180 million.
– Effective tax rate of approximately 23% to 25%.

Conference Call Details

The Company will hold a conference call hosted by Jack Khattar, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Greg Patrick, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, to discuss these results at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, on Wednesday, August 7, 2019. An accompanying webcast also will be provided.

Please refer to the information below for conference call dial-in information and webcast registration. Callers should dial in approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.

Conference dial-in: (877) 288-1043
International dial-in: (970) 315-0267
Conference ID: 1527779
Conference Call Name: Supernus Pharmaceuticals Second Quarter 2019 Earnings Conference Call
Following the live call, a replay will be available on the Company’s website, www.supernus.com, under "Investor Relations".