On July 28, 2016 Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) reported financial results for the second quarter of 2016 (Press release, Alexion, JUL 28, 2016, View Source [SID:1234514086]). Total revenues grew to $753 million, an 18 percent increase, compared to $636 million for the same period in 2015. In the second quarter, the negative impact of currency on total revenue was 3 percent or $18 million, net of hedging activities, compared to the same quarter last year. On a GAAP basis, diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the second quarter of 2016 was $0.51 per share, compared to $0.83 per share in the second quarter of 2015. Non-GAAP diluted EPS for the second quarter 2016 was $1.13 per share, reflecting a reduction of $0.12 per share attributable to the modification of reported non-GAAP income tax expense; prior to this modification non-GAAP diluted EPS would have been reported at $1.25 per share (Table 2). Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $1.30 per share in the second quarter 2015, reflecting a reduction of $0.14 per share attributable to the tax modification.
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Alexion has modified the definition of its non-GAAP income tax expense to align with the Compliance & Disclosure Interpretations (C&DIs) issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on May 17, 2016, and has reflected this modification in 2015 and 2016 non-GAAP interim period results. Alexion’s modified definition no longer includes the cash tax benefits the Company realizes during the year from net operating losses and income tax credits, and now includes other deferred taxes. The modification does not change the amount of cash taxes the Company will pay in 2016, or in the future, or have any impact on cash flow. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial results (Table 2) and supplemental effective tax rate information for financial guidance (Table 6) are provided later in the press release.
"In Q2 2016, we delivered strong financial performance as we served an increasing number of patients with PNH, aHUS, HPP and LAL-D. We are pleased with the sustained growth in our core Soliris business, the strong launch of Strensiq, and the continued progress with our Kanuma launch," said David Hallal, Chief Executive Officer of Alexion. "In the second half of 2016, we will continue to leverage our rare disease expertise to reach more patients with Soliris, Strensiq and Kanuma while advancing multiple milestones in our robust pipeline."
Second Quarter 2016 Financial Highlights
Soliris (eculizumab) net product sales were $701 million, compared to $636 million in Q2 2015, representing a 10 percent increase. Soliris volume increased 15 percent year-on-year.
Strensiq (asfotase alfa) net product sales were $45 million.
Kanuma (sebelipase alfa) net product sales were $6 million.
GAAP R&D expense was $179 million, compared to $132 million in the same quarter last year. Non-GAAP R&D expense was $165 million, compared to $117 million in the same quarter last year.
GAAP SG&A expense was $232 million, compared to $221 million in the same quarter last year. Non-GAAP SG&A expense was $200 million, compared to $169 million in the same quarter last year.
GAAP diluted EPS was $0.51 per share, compared to $0.83 per share in the same quarter last year. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $1.13 per share, reflecting a reduction of $0.12 per share attributable to the modification of reported non-GAAP income tax expense, compared to $1.30 per share, reflecting a reduction of $0.14 per share attributable to the modification of non-GAAP income tax expense in the same quarter last year. GAAP and non-GAAP EPS in the second quarter of 2016 includes the impact of a full quarter of Synageva operations, shares issued for the acquisition and interest expense on related borrowings.
Product and Pipeline Updates
Complement Portfolio
Eculizumab- Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG): Data from the REGAIN study, a single, multinational, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial of eculizumab in patients with refractory gMG, were presented at the International Congress on Neuromuscular Diseases (ICNMD) meeting. Alexion expects to provide an update on discussions with regulators by the end of the year.
Eculizumab- Relapsing Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD): Alexion expects to complete enrollment this year in the PREVENT study, a single, multinational, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial of eculizumab in patients with relapsing NMOSD.
Eculizumab- Delayed Graft Function (DGF): Enrollment is complete in the PROTECT study, a single, multinational, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial of eculizumab in the prevention of DGF, and data are expected in the second half of 2016.
ALXN1210: New data from the Phase 1/2 study of ALXN1210, a highly innovative longer-acting C5 antibody, in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) were presented at the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) Congress. Alexion expects to present additional PNH data later this year. Alexion also expects to initiate a clinical program with ALXN1210 in patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) later this year. The European Commission granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to ALXN1210 for the treatment of patients with PNH.
ALXN1007: New data from the Phase 2 study of ALXN1007, a complement inhibitor that targets C5a, in patients with graft-versus-host disease involving the lower gastrointestinal tract (GI-GVHD) were presented at EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) and Alexion is now evaluating higher doses of ALXN1007 in patients with GI-GVHD.
Metabolic Portfolio
SBC-103: New Phase 1/2 data of SBC-103, a recombinant form of the NAGLU enzyme, in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB, or MPS IIIB, were presented at the International Symposium on MPS and Related Diseases meeting. Alexion has now completed the planned dose escalation, with all patients now randomized to either a 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg dose. A natural history study to characterize the course of disease progression in patients with MPS IIIB is ongoing.
cPMP Replacement Therapy (ALXN1101): Alexion is enrolling patients in a pivotal study to evaluate ALXN1101 in neonates with Molybdenum Cofactor Deficiency (MoCD) Type A. A study to characterize the natural history of MoCD type A was completed in Q2.
Preclinical Portfolio
Alexion has more than 30 diverse preclinical programs across a range of therapeutic modalities, with four of these programs expected to enter the clinic in 2016.
2016 Financial Guidance
Alexion is reiterating its total revenue and Soliris guidance ranges provided on the first quarter of 2016 earnings call on April 28, 2016, and based on the strength of the Strensiq launch is increasing its Metabolic revenue guidance to $200 to $220 million. Alexion is reiterating its non-GAAP operating expense guidance and is updating its non-GAAP tax rate and non-GAAP EPS guidance. Alexion is also issuing 2016 GAAP financial guidance.
2016 financial guidance is as follows:
GAAP Guidance
Updated Non-GAAP Guidance
Prior Non-GAAP Guidance
Total revenues $3,050 to $3,100 million $3,050 to $3,100 million Low end of $3,050 to $3,100 million
Soliris revenues $2,835 to $2,875 million $2,835 to $2,875 million $2,835 to $2,875 million
Metabolic revenues $200 to $220 million $200 to $220 million $180 to $200 million
Cost of sales 8% to 9% 8% to 9% 8% to 9%
Research and development expense $708 to $779 million High end of $650 to $680 million
High end of $650 to $680 million
Selling, general and administrative expense
$883 to $935 million
High end of $760 to $790 million High end of $760 to $790 million
Interest expense $100 million $100 million $100 million
Effective tax rate 32% to 34% 15.5% to 16.5% (1) 7% to 8%
Earnings per share
$1.91 to $2.26
$4.50 to $4.65
Low end of $5.00 to $5.20
Diluted shares outstanding 228 million 230 million 230 million
Alexion’s 2016 financial guidance is based on current foreign exchange rates net of hedging activities, and does not include the effect of business combinations, license and collaboration agreements, asset acquisitions, intangible asset impairments, changes in fair value of contingent consideration or restructuring activity that may occur after the day prior to the date of this press release.
(1) Alexion has modified the definition of its non-GAAP income tax expense. The modified definition no longer includes the cash tax benefits the Company realizes during the year from net operating losses and income tax credits, and now includes other deferred taxes. The modification does not change the amount of cash taxes the Company will pay in 2016, or in the future, or have any impact on cash flow. Refer to the reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial guidance (Table 3) and the supplemental effective tax rate information for financial guidance (Table 6) provided later in the press release.