On February 24, 2024 Genmab A/S (Nasdaq: GMAB) reported the publication of its Annual Report for 2023 (Press release, Genmab, FEB 14, 2024, View Source [SID1234640090]). Below is a summary of business progress in 2023, financial performance for the year and the financial outlook for 2024. The full report is attached as a PDF file and in iXBRL format and can be found in the investor section of the company’s website, www.genmab.com/investors.

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Conference Call
Genmab will hold a conference call in English to discuss the full year results for 2023 today, February 14, 2024 at 6:00 pm CET, 5:00 pm GMT, 12:00 pm EST. To join the call please use the below registration link. Registered participants will receive an email with a link to access dial-in information as well as a unique personal PIN: https://register.vevent.com/register/BId9317ea1b2844573b09971b162f4d87b.

A live and archived webcast of the call and relevant slides will be available at www.genmab.com/investors.

2023 ACHIEVEMENTS

Business Progress

Multiple regulatory approvals granted to Genmab and AbbVie for EPKINLY/TEPKINLY.
Successful launch of EPKINLY (epcoritamab-bysp) in the U.S. and Japan, a first in Genmab’s history.
Regulatory submissions based on positive topline results from the follicular lymphoma (FL) cohort of the pivotal EPCORE NHL-1 epcoritamab study.
Genmab and Pfizer Inc.1 initiate discussions with regulatory authorities based on positive topline results from the innovaTV 301 and innovaTV 207 tisotumab vedotin studies.
Decision on moving to late-stage development for acasunlimab (GEN1046/BNT311).
Multiple Investigational New Drug (IND) submissions.
Entered into collaboration with argenx to jointly discover, develop and commercialize therapeutic antibodies with applications in immunology and oncology.
Continued development of Genmab’s broader organizational infrastructure with the addition of over 500 new colleagues.
Grand opening of new headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, and expansion of Genmab Research and Development Center (GRDC) with the Accelerator in Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Janssen’s TALVEY becomes 8th approved medicine applying Genmab innovation.
Financial Performance

Net sales of DARZALEX by Janssen were USD 9,744 million in 2023 compared to USD 7,977 million in 2022. The increase of USD 1,767 million, or 22%, was driven by share gains in all regions.
EPKINLY delivered USD 64 million for FY2023 with two full quarters of sales. USD 55 million were from the US market.
Royalty revenue amounted to DKK 13,705 million in 2023 compared to DKK 11,582 million in 2022. The increase of DKK 2,123 million, or 18%, was primarily driven by higher DARZALEX and Kesimpta royalties achieved under our daratumumab collaboration with Janssen and ofatumumab collaboration with Novartis, respectively, partly offset by negative foreign exchange rate impacts due to a lower average exchange rate between the USD and DKK.
Genmab’s revenue was DKK 16,474 million in 2023 compared to DKK 14,505 million in 2022. The increase of DKK 1,969 million, or 14%, was primarily driven by higher DARZALEX and Kesimpta royalties achieved under our collaborations with Janssen and Novartis, respectively, partly offset by milestones achieved in 2022 under our collaboration with AbbVie. EPKINLY net product sales, driven by a strong product launch, also contributed to increased revenue in 2023.
Genmab’s operating expenses increased by DKK 2,689 million, or 33%, from DKK 8,238 million in 2022 to DKK 10,927 million in 2023, driven by the increase and accelerated advancement of epcoritamab under our collaboration with AbbVie, advancement of acasunlimab and DuoBody-CD40x4-1BB under our collaboration with BioNTech, further progression of pipeline products, EPKINLY launch in the U.S. and Japan, the continued development of Genmab’s broader organizational capabilities, and related increase in team members to support these activities.
Operating profit was DKK 5,321 million in 2023.
2024 OUTLOOK

(DKK millions) 2023 Actual Result 2024 Guidance 2024 Guidance Mid-Point 2023 Growth % 2024 Growth %*
Revenue 16,474 18,700 – 20,500 19,600 14% 19%
Royalties 13,705 15,600 – 16,700 16,150 18% 18%
Net product sales/Collaboration revenue** 728 1,700 – 2,200 1,950 231% 168%
Milestones/Reimbursement revenue 2,041 1,400 – 1,600 1,500 -24% -27%
Gross profit 16,248 18,000 – 19,500 18,750 12% 15%
Operating expenses (10,927) (12,400) – (13,400) (12,900) 33% 18%
Operating profit 5,321 4,600 – 7,100 5,850 -15% 10%
*Mid-point of guidance range
**Net product sales and collaboration revenue consists of EPKINLY net product sales in the U.S. and Japan, and Tivdak (Genmab’s share of gross profits) in the U.S. Collaboration revenue excludes one-off payment in 2022 from Pfizer of approximately USD 15 million (DKK 112 million) related to the sublicense of rights to develop and commercialize tisotumab vedotin in China to Zai Lab Hong Kong. This amount is included in Milestone/Reimbursement revenue for this presentation.

Revenue
Genmab expects its 2024 revenue to be in the range of DKK 18.7 – 20.5 billion, compared to DKK 16.5 billion in 2023. Our revenue in 2023 was driven primarily by DARZALEX (daratumumab) royalties due to the continued strong growth of DARZALEX net sales partially offset by negative exchange rate movements between the USD and DKK and negative impact of applying the DARZALEX contractual annual Currency Hedge Rate.

Genmab’s projected revenue growth for 2024 is driven by higher royalties, net product sales and collaboration revenue. Royalty growth relates mainly to DARZALEX and Kesimpta (ofatumumab) net sales growth. Net product sales and collaboration revenue growth driven by strong performance for both Tivdak and EPKINLY. Net product sales and collaboration revenue consists of EPKINLY net product sales in the U.S. and Japan, and Tivdak (50% gross profit share) in the U.S.

Genmab’s projected revenue for 2024 primarily consists of DARZALEX royalties of DKK 12.6 – 13.3 billion. Such royalties are based on estimated DARZALEX 2024 net sales of USD 10.9 – 11.5 billion compared to actual net sales in 2023 of approximately USD 9.7 billion. DARZALEX royalties are partly offset by Genmab’s share of Janssen’s royalty payments to Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (Halozyme) in connection with subcutaneous (SC) net sales as well as royalty reduction in countries and territories where there are no Genmab patents. The remainder of Genmab’s revenue consists of royalties from Kesimpta, TEPEZZA, RYBREVANT, TECVAYLI, TALVEY and TEPKINLY, net product sales and collaboration revenue from EPKINLY and Tivdak, reimbursement revenue and milestones.

Operating Expenses
Genmab anticipates its 2024 operating expenses to be in the range of DKK 12.4 – 13.4 billion, compared to DKK 10.9 billion in 2023. The growth in operating expenses is to support Genmab’s continued portfolio advancement and investing for future product launches, including epcoritamab.

Operating Profit
Genmab expects its operating profit to be in the range of DKK 4.6 – 7.1 billion in 2024, compared to DKK 5.3 billion in 2023.

More information on the Risks and Assumptions for the 2024 Financial Guidance can be found in the 2023 Annual Report available on our website www.genmab.com/investors.

Share Buy-back Program

Repurchase of up to 190,000 shares to honor our commitments under our Restricted Stock Unit Program.
At the Annual General Meeting on March 13, 2024, the Board of Directors will propose the Annual General Meeting authorizes the Board of Directors to allow the Company to initiate a new share buyback program of up to DKK 3.5 billion.

On February 14, 2024 Flamingo Therapeutics ("Flamingo") reported that the first patient has been dosed in its PEMDA-HN trial evaluating danvatirsen in combination with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) (Press release, Flamingo Therapeutics, FEB 14, 2024, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=flamingo-therapeutics-announces-first-patient-dosed-in-phase-ii-pemda-hn-study-for-head-and-neck-squamous-cell-carcinoma-hnscc [SID1234640089]). Flamingo’s lead oncology program, danvatirsen, is an antisense oligonucleotide discovered by Ionis that selectively targets STAT3 and has shown clinical activity in HNSCC. The global study is planned to be conducted at study centers in the United States, Korea and the United Kingdom.

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"We are excited to launch this study and evaluate the combination of a STAT3 targeting agent, danvatirsen, with an established checkpoint inhibitor used in first-line therapy for this difficult-to-treat cancer population. Based on the potential synergy of the mechanisms of action, we aim to improve upon the overall response rates of pembrolizumab alone to better serve HNSCC patients," said Andrew Denker, MD, CMO of Flamingo. "We are grateful for the contribution of all participants in this study and for the support of our clinical collaborators at each site."

Recurrent/metastatic HNSCC is considered an incurable disease with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. It requires active treatment from the early stages and significantly impacts patients’ lives, causing functional disability and a high mortality rate.

"Our site is very excited about being the first enrollment on this important head and neck trial. The data is important to establish the effectiveness of the combination therapy with Danvatirsen and Pembrolizumab. We are thankful to Flamingo for giving us the opportunity to have this treatment option for our patients here in Kansas City," added Dr. Jaswinder Singh, AMR Kansas City Oncology, Kansas City.

PEMDA-HN (NCT05814666) is a multicenter, open-label, randomized study evaluating the efficacy and safety of danvatirsen in combination with pembrolizumab compared with pembrolizumab alone as first-line treatment of patients with recurrent/metastatic HNSCC whose tumor expresses PD-L1. Two-thirds of patients will be randomized to receive danvatirsen and pembrolizumab and one-third will be randomized to receive pembrolizumab alone. The primary endpoint of the study is to determine the overall response rate by RECIST 1.1 as assessed by the investigator. The secondary endpoints will include safety, duration of response, disease control rate, progression free survival and overall survival. More information on PEMDA-HN can be found here.

Dr. Nabil F. Saba, Emory Winship Cancer Institute and Chair of the PEMDA-HN Protocol Steering Committee, added, "I am enthusiastic about the PEMDA-HN trial. I believe the combination of danvatirsen and pembrolizumab has tremendous promise to treat patients with head and neck cancer. Our center is proud to be participating in this important clinical study."

On February 14, 2024 Cogent Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: COGT), a biotechnology company focused on developing precision therapies for genetically defined diseases, reported it has entered into a securities purchase agreement for a private investment in public equity financing that is expected to result in gross proceeds of approximately $225 million to the Company, before deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses (Press release, Cogent Biosciences, FEB 14, 2024, View Source [SID1234640088]).

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This financing was led by Commodore Capital and a large investment management firm and included participation from both new and existing investors, including Fairmount Funds, Redmile Group, Janus, TCGX, Adage Capital Partners LP, Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners, Deerfield and Perceptive Advisors.

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Jefferies LLC and Piper Sandler & Co. acted as placement agents.

"With this announcement, we put Cogent in an extremely strong financial position to move bezuclastinib rapidly through three ongoing registration-directed clinical trials and toward our ultimate goal of positioning it as the best-in-class KIT mutant inhibitor for patients living with systemic mastocytosis and gastrointestinal stromal tumors," said Andrew Robbins, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cogent Biosciences. "We are excited to describe our new clinical data update from Part 1b of the SUMMIT clinical trial in patients with Nonadvanced Systemic Mastocytosis at the annual American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology (AAAAI) meeting later this month."

Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Cogent will sell 17 million shares of its common stock at a price of $7.50 per share, representing a premium of approximately 37% to its closing price on February 13, 2024, along with Series B non-voting convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series B Preferred Stock") convertible into approximately 13 million shares of its common stock to a select group of institutional and accredited healthcare specialist investors in an oversubscribed private placement pursuant to the terms of the securities purchase agreement. Subject to Cogent stockholder approval, each share of Series B Preferred Stock will automatically convert into 1,000 shares of common stock, subject to certain beneficial ownership limitations set by each holder. Cogent anticipates the gross proceeds from the private placement to be approximately $225 million, before deducting any offering-related expenses. The private placement is expected to close on or about February 16, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.

Cogent intends to use the net proceeds from the proposed financing to fund research and development, activities relating to bezuclastinib and other product candidates, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes. The proceeds from this financing, combined with current cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, are expected to fund Cogent into 2027 and through all clinical readouts from SUMMIT, PEAK and APEX registration-directed trials.

The securities to be sold in the private placement have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or any state or other applicable jurisdiction’s securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state or other jurisdictions’ securities laws. Concurrently with the execution of the securities purchase agreement, Cogent and the investors entered into a registration rights agreement pursuant to which Cogent has agreed to file a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") registering the resale of the shares of common stock issued in the private placement and the shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued in the private placement no later than the 45th day after the pricing of the private placement.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Any offering of the securities under the resale registration statement will only be made by means of a prospectus.

On February 14, 2024 Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Citius" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: CTXR), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of first-in-class critical care products reported the resubmission of the Company’s Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for LYMPHIR (denileukin diftitox), an IL-2-based immunotherapy for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) after at least one prior systemic therapy (Press release, Citius Pharmaceuticals, FEB 14, 2024, View Source [SID1234640086]).

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The resubmission follows ongoing engagement with the FDA resulting from a Complete Response Letter (CRL) received on July 28, 2023. Citius believes it has addressed enhanced product testing and additional manufacturing controls noted in the letter. There were no safety or efficacy issues cited and no additional trials required. Based on Center for Drug Evaluation and Research timelines, FDA acceptance of the completed resubmission package and issuance of a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date is expected within 30 days of resubmission.

About LYMPHIR (denileukin diftitox-cxdl)

LYMPHIR is a recombinant fusion protein that combines the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor binding domain with diphtheria toxin fragments. The agent specifically binds to IL-2 receptors on the cell surface, causing diphtheria toxin fragments that have entered cells to inhibit protein synthesis. In 2011 and 2013, the FDA granted orphan drug designation to LYMPHIR for the treatment of PTCL and CTCL, respectively. In 2021, denileukin diftitox received regulatory approval in Japan for the treatment of CTCL and peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). Subsequently in 2021, Citius acquired an exclusive license with rights to develop and commercialize LYMPHIR in all markets except for Japan and certain parts of Asia.

About Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is a type of cutaneous non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that comes in a variety of forms and is the most common type of cutaneous lymphoma. In CTCL, T-cells, a type of lymphocyte that plays a role in the immune system, become cancerous and develop into skin lesions, leading to a decrease in the quality of life of patients with this disease due to severe pain and pruritus. Mycosis Fungoides (MF) and Sézary Syndrome (SS) comprise the majority of CTCL cases. Depending on the type of CTCL, the disease may progress slowly and can take anywhere from several years to upwards of ten to potentially reach tumor stage. However, once the disease reaches this stage, the cancer is highly malignant and can spread to the lymph nodes and internal organs, resulting in a poor prognosis. Given the duration of the disease, patients typically cycle through multiple agents to control disease progression. CTCL affects men twice as often as women and is typically first diagnosed in patients between the ages of 50 and 60 years of age. Other than allogeneic stem cell transplantation, for which only a small fraction of patients qualify, there is currently no curative therapy for advanced CTCL.

On February 14, 2024 Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) reported its results for the fourth-quarter and full-year 2023 and provided guidance for 2024 (Press release, Charles River Laboratories, FEB 14, 2024, View Source [SID1234640085]). For the quarter, revenue was $1.01 billion, a decrease of 7.9% from $1.10 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022.

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The impact of foreign currency translation benefited reported revenue by 1.2%, and acquisitions contributed 0.7% to consolidated fourth-quarter revenue. The addition of a 53rd week at the end of 2022, which is periodically required to align to a December 31st calendar year end, reduced reported revenue growth by approximately 4.7%, and the divestiture of the Avian Vaccine business in December 2022 reduced reported revenue by 1.6%. Excluding the effect of these items, organic revenue decreased 3.5%. On a segment basis, revenue increased in the Manufacturing segment on an organic basis, but was offset by lower revenue in the Discovery and Safety Assessment (DSA) and the Research Models and Services (RMS) business segments.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the GAAP operating margin decreased to 13.1% from 14.9% in the fourth quarter of 2022, and on a non-GAAP basis, the operating margin decreased to 19.1% from 20.4%. The GAAP and non-GAAP decreases were primarily driven by higher unallocated corporate costs.

On a GAAP basis, fourth-quarter net income attributable to common shareholders was $187.1 million, a decrease of 0.2% from $187.4 million for the same period in 2022. Fourth-quarter diluted earnings per share on a GAAP basis were $3.62, a decrease of 0.8% from $3.65 for the fourth quarter of 2022. Lower GAAP net income and earnings per share were driven primarily by lower revenue and operating income. GAAP earnings per share included gains on certain venture capital and other strategic investments of $2.04 per share in the fourth quarter of 2023, which included a gain on our original strategic investment in Noveprim Group. This compares to a loss of $0.13 per share on certain venture capital and other strategic investments for the same period in 2022. The GAAP gain related to the Noveprim investment in 2023 was more than offset by a prior-year gain on the sale of the Avian Vaccine business in the fourth quarter of 2022.

On a non-GAAP basis, net income was $127.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of 16.8% from $152.9 million for the same period in 2022. Fourth-quarter diluted earnings per share on a non-GAAP basis were $2.46, a decrease of 17.4% from $2.98 per share for the fourth quarter of 2022. The non-GAAP net income and earnings per share decreases were driven primarily by lower revenue and operating income, including an increase in unallocated corporate expenses, as well as a higher tax rate.

James C. Foster, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our 2023 performance demonstrated the resilience and stability of our strategy and business model. Despite moderating demand trends in the broader life sciences sector, we were able to deliver solid revenue growth and non-GAAP earning per share that were in the upper half of our original guidance ranges. We are focused on innovation, enhancing our portfolio to support clients from target discovery to non-clinical development, and delivering flexible solutions to respond to a changing industry and client requirements. As a result, Charles River is positioned exceptionally well to meet the evolving needs of our clients."

"We believe the current market environment is transitory. We are anticipating that some level of constrained client spending will persist in 2024, but that demand will stabilize over the course of the year. We will continue to focus on opportunities to win additional market share, and on driving efficiencies to be an even more compelling partner for our clients. The long-term industry fundamentals for drug development remain firmly intact, which supports our goals to deliver sustained revenue growth and solid operating margin improvement in 2024 and in the future," Mr. Foster concluded.

Fourth-Quarter Segment Results

Research Models and Services (RMS)

Revenue for the RMS segment was $195.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of 0.2% from $196.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The Noveprim acquisition contributed 3.1% to fourth-quarter RMS reported revenue growth, and the impact of foreign currency translation benefited revenue by 0.8% in the quarter. The addition of the 53rd week in 2022 reduced RMS revenue growth by 3.7%. Organic revenue decreased by 0.4%, due primarily to lower small research model sales, particularly in North America and Europe, and lower revenue in the Cell Solutions business, partially offset by higher revenue for NHPs in China.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the RMS segment’s GAAP operating margin of 18.9% was unchanged from the fourth quarter of 2022, and on a non-GAAP basis, the operating margin increased to 23.1% from 22.7%. The non-GAAP operating margin increase was driven primarily by product mix, specifically higher revenue for NHPs including in China and from Noveprim.

Discovery and Safety Assessment (DSA)

Revenue for the DSA segment was $625.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of 9.5% from $691.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The impact of foreign currency translation benefited revenue by 1.3%, and the SAMDI Tech acquisition contributed 0.3% to reported DSA revenue growth in the quarter. The addition of the 53rd week in 2022 reduced DSA revenue growth by 5.1%. Organic revenue decreased by 6.0%, driven by a meaningful revenue decline in the Discovery Services business, as well as lower Safety Assessment revenue, which was impacted by a difficult, prior-year growth comparison.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the DSA segment’s GAAP operating margin decreased to 20.2% from 22.7% in the fourth quarter of 2022. The GAAP operating margin decrease was primarily due to asset impairment charges related to the divestiture of a small Safety Assessment operation in Canada and other restructuring costs. On a non-GAAP basis, the operating margin decreased to 26.0% from 26.3% in the fourth quarter of 2022. The non-GAAP operating margin decrease was primarily the result of the revenue decline in the Discovery Services business.

Manufacturing Solutions (Manufacturing)

Revenue for the Manufacturing segment was $191.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease of 9.5% from $212.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The impact of the Avian Vaccine divestiture reduced revenue by 9.0%, and the addition of the 53rd week in 2022 reduced Manufacturing revenue growth by 4.4%. The impact of foreign currency translation benefited revenue by 1.6% in the quarter. Organic revenue growth of 2.3% reflected higher revenue in the CDMO business, which was largely offset by lower revenue in the Biologics Testing Solutions and Microbial Solutions businesses.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Manufacturing segment’s GAAP operating margin increased to 18.5% from 12.6% in the fourth quarter of 2022, and on a non-GAAP basis, the operating margin increased slightly to 25.4%, from 25.3% in the fourth quarter of 2022. The GAAP operating margin increase was driven primarily by higher acquisition-related adjustments in the CDMO business in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Full-Year Results

For 2023, revenue increased by 3.9% to $4.13 billion from $3.98 billion in 2022. Organic revenue growth was 6.5%.

The GAAP operating margin decreased to 14.9% in 2023 from 16.4% in 2022, and on a non-GAAP basis, the operating margin decreased to 20.3% from 21.0%.

On a GAAP basis, net income attributable to common shareholders was $474.6 million in 2023, a decrease of 2.4% from $486.2 million in 2022. Diluted earnings per share on a GAAP basis in 2023 were $9.22, a decrease of 2.7% from $9.48 in 2022.

On a non-GAAP basis, net income was $548.9 million in 2023, a decrease of 3.8% from $570.6 million in 2022. Diluted earnings per share on a non-GAAP basis in 2023 were $10.67, a decrease of 4.0% from $11.12 in 2022.

Research Models and Services (RMS)

For 2023, RMS revenue was $792.3 million, an increase of 7.2% from $739.2 million in 2022. Organic revenue growth increased 5.9%.

On a GAAP basis, the RMS segment operating margin decreased to 19.5% in 2023 from 21.7% in 2022. On a non-GAAP basis, the operating margin decreased to 23.0% in 2023 from 25.2% in 2022.

Discovery and Safety Assessment (DSA)

For 2023, DSA revenue was $2.62 billion, an increase of 6.9% from $2.45 billion in 2022. Organic revenue growth was 7.9%.

On a GAAP basis, the DSA segment operating margin increased to 23.2% in 2023 from 21.8% in 2022. On a non-GAAP basis, the operating margin increased to 27.5% in 2023 from 25.3% in 2022.

Manufacturing Solutions (Manufacturing)

For 2023, Manufacturing revenue was $721.4 million, a decrease of 8.6% from $789.6 million in 2022. Organic revenue growth was 2.0%.

On a GAAP basis, the Manufacturing segment operating margin decreased to 12.2% in 2023 from 21.2% in 2022. On a non-GAAP basis, the operating margin decreased to 21.8% in 2023 from 28.8% in 2022.

Acquisition of Noveprim Group

On November 30, 2023, Charles River Laboratories completed the acquisition of an additional 41% equity stake of Noveprim Group, a Mauritius-based provider of non-human primates (NHPs) for regulatory required biomedical, pharmaceutical, and toxicological research purposes, resulting in a 90% controlling interest. The Noveprim acquisition strengthens and diversifies the supply chain for the DSA segment. The purchase price for the additional 41% equity stake in November was $144.6 million, plus contingent payments of up to $55.0 million based on future performance and additional deferred payments of $12.0 million. In 2022, the Company had previously acquired a 49% equity stake for $90.0 million and additional future contingent payments of up to $5.0 million. Noveprim is reported as part of the RMS segment for NHPs sold to third-party clients and the DSA segment for NHPs vertically integrated into our Safety Assessment supply chain.

2024 Guidance

The Company is providing financial guidance for 2024. The 2024 revenue growth outlook reflects a continuation of the more cautious biopharmaceutical demand environment that the Company experienced throughout most of 2023. Earnings per share in 2024 are expected to benefit from higher revenue and modest operating margin improvement, as well as the acquisition of Noveprim, which is expected to contribute to the non-GAAP operating margin and at least $0.30 to non-GAAP earnings per share in 2024.

The Company’s 2024 guidance for revenue growth and earnings per share is as follows:

2024 GUIDANCE

Revenue growth, reported

1.0% – 4.0%

Impact of divestitures/(acquisitions), net

~(0.5)%

(Favorable)/unfavorable impact of foreign exchange

~(0.5)%

Revenue growth, organic (1)

0.0% – 3.0%

GAAP EPS estimate

$7.90 – $8.40

Acquisition-related amortization (2)

~$2.40

Acquisition and integration-related adjustments (3)

~$0.10

Costs associated with restructuring actions (4)

~$0.25

Other items (5)

~$0.25

Non-GAAP EPS estimate

$10.90 – $11.40

Footnotes to Guidance Table:

(1) Organic revenue growth is defined as reported revenue growth adjusted for completed acquisitions and divestitures, as well as foreign currency translation.

(2) These adjustments include amortization related to intangible assets, as well as the purchase accounting step-up on inventory and certain long-term biological assets.

(3) These adjustments are related to the evaluation and integration of acquisitions and divestitures, and primarily include transaction, advisory, certain third-party integration, and related costs.

(4) These adjustments primarily include site consolidation, severance, impairment, and other costs related to the Company’s restructuring actions.

(5) These items primarily relate to charges associated with U.S. and international tax legislation that necessitated changes to the Company’s international financing structure; and certain third-party legal costs related to investigations by the U.S. government into the NHP supply chain related to our Safety Assessment business.

Webcast

Charles River has scheduled a live webcast on Wednesday, February 14th, at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss matters relating to this press release. To participate, please go to ir.criver.com and select the webcast link. You can also find the associated slide presentation and reconciliations of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures on the website.