On July 27, 2017 Novocure (NASDAQ: NVCR) reported financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, highlighting year-over-year and sequential growth in active patients and net revenues (Press release, NovoCure, JUL 27, 2017, View Source [SID1234519914]). Novocure is an oncology company developing a profoundly different approach to cancer treatment utilizing a proprietary therapy called TTFields, the use of electric fields tuned to specific frequencies to disrupt solid tumor cancer cell division. TTFields is an approved treatment for adults with glioblastoma. We believe the mechanism of action of TTFields shows promise for a variety of solid tumors.

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Second quarter 2017 highlights include:

Three months ended Six months ended
June 30, June 30,
2017 2016 % Change 2017 2016 % Change

Non-financial
Prescriptions received in period(1) 1,059 657 61 % 1,953 1,412 38 %
Active patients at period end(2) 1,460 891 64 %

Financial, in millions
Net revenues $ 38.4 $ 17.9 114 % $ 73.3 $ 31.0 137 %
Net loss $ (21.2 ) $ (40.6 ) 48 % $ (39.2 ) $ (76.0 ) 48 %

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period $ 80.2 $ 80.9
Short-term investments at the end of period
$ 104.2 $ 120.0

(1) A "prescription received" is a commercial order for Optune that is received from a physician certified to treat patients with Optune for a patient not previously on Optune. Orders to renew or extend treatment are not included in this total.
(2) An "active patient" is a patient who is on Optune under a commercial prescription order as of the measurement date, including patients who may be on a temporary break from treatment and who plan to resume treatment in less than 60 days.

"The second quarter of 2017 was a period of steady growth across all key commercial metrics in all key markets. At the end of the quarter, we had 1,460 active patients on therapy," said Asaf Danziger, Novocure’s Chief Executive Officer. "We believe second quarter growth benefitted from our ongoing emphasis on building prescriber confidence in Optune for the treatment of GBM, including the presentation of our EF-14 five-year survival data at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)."

"With 204 million U.S. lives under positive coverage polices as of June 30, 2017, more than 93 percent of Americans with private insurance now have access to Optune," added Mr. Danziger. "We continue to be reimbursed on a case-by-case basis in Germany and are in a constructive dialogue with government payers in the United States, Switzerland and Japan. Our second quarter 2017 revenues of $38.4 million represent 114 percent growth versus the second quarter 2016."

"While we continue to focus on bringing Optune to patients with GBM, we also remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing TTFields as a possible treatment for additional solid tumor indications," said William Doyle, Novocure’s Executive Chairman. "We are recruiting for phase 3 pivotal trials in non-small cell lung cancer and brain metastases. In April, we presented data from our phase 2 pilot trials in advanced pancreatic cancer and recurrent ovarian cancer suggesting improved patient outcomes when TTFields is added to existing standards of care. We plan to move both indications into phase 3 pivotal trials based on the strength of the pilot data."

"In May, our TTFields delivery system received a humanitarian use device (HUD) designation from the FDA for treatment of pleural mesothelioma, an initial step towards a Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) approval in the United States. In July, we announced a clinical trial collaboration with Celgene to study marizomib and temozolomide in combination with Optune for the treatment of GBM," continued Mr. Doyle. "We are encouraged to see increased interest in TTFields by independent parties and continue to believe the mechanism of action shows promise for the treatment of a variety of solid tumor types in indications with significant unmet medical needs."

Second quarter 2017 Operating Statistics and Financial Update

There were 1,460 active patients on Optune at June 30, 2017, an increase of 569 active patients, or 64 percent, compared to June 30, 2016. The increase in active patients was driven primarily by prescription growth. The proportion of Optune prescriptions written for newly diagnosed GBM continued to be more than 55 percent in the second quarter 2017.

In the United States, there were 1,083 active patients on Optune at June 30, 2017, an increase of 347 active patients, or 47 percent, compared to June 30, 2016.
In Germany and other EMEA markets, there were 376 active patients on Optune at June 30, 2017, an increase of 221 active patients, or 143 percent, compared to June 30, 2016.
In Japan, there was 1 active patient on Optune at June 30, 2017. There were no active patients on Optune in Japan during the same period in 2016.
Additionally, 1,059 prescriptions were received in the quarter ended June 30, 2017, an increase of 402 prescriptions, or 61 percent, compared to the same period in 2016. The increase in prescriptions was driven primarily by commercial activities in our currently active markets.

In the United States, 803 prescriptions were received in the quarter ended June 30, 2017, an increase of 256 prescriptions, or 47 percent, compared to the same period in 2016.
In Germany and other EMEA markets, 255 prescriptions were received in the quarter ended June 30, 2017, an increase of 145 prescriptions, or 132 percent, compared to the same period in 2016.
In Japan, there was 1 prescription received in the quarter ended June 30, 2017. There were no prescriptions received in Japan during the same period in 2016.
We continued to work with payers in the United States to expand coverage of Optune for the treatment of both newly diagnosed and recurrent GBM. As of June 30, 2017, payers administering plans for more than 204 million lives had issued positive coverage policies stating that Optune is approved for the treatment of newly diagnosed and/or recurrent GBM, an increase of approximately 17.8 million lives since March 31, 2017, including new policies with Health Care Services Corporation and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida.

For the three months ended June 30, 2017, net revenues increased to $38.4 million compared to $17.9 million for the same period in 2016, representing 114 percent growth. This growth was primarily driven by increased Optune adoption and the transition to accrual-based revenue recognition for a portion of our billings.

For the three months ended June 30, 2017, cost of revenues increased to $13.2 million compared to $9.8 million for the same period in 2016, representing an increase of 34 percent. This was primarily driven by an increase in active Optune patients, resulting in increased transducer array shipments and increased field equipment depreciation expenses, as well as increased personnel costs to establish infrastructure necessary to support an increasing volume of shipments to patients.

Research, development and clinical trials expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2017, were $9.4 million compared to $11.3 million for the same period in 2016, representing a decrease of 17 percent. This was primarily due to a decrease in clinical trial expenses resulting from the conclusion of our EF-14 phase 3 pivotal trial in newly diagnosed GBM.

Sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2017, were $16.4 million compared to $14.6 million for the same period in 2016, representing an increase of 12 percent. This was primarily due to increased personnel and shipping costs, reflecting our expanding commercial operations in the U.S. and Germany, partially offset by a decrease in advertising and professional services related to the launch of second generation Optune and the communication of Optune’s inclusion in the updated National Comprehensive Cancer (NCCN) Clinical Practice Guidelines In Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Central Nervous System Cancers.

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2017, were $15.0 million compared to $13.0 million for the same period in 2016, representing an increase of 15 percent compared to the same period in 2016. This was primarily due to increased personnel costs partially offset by a decrease in professional services and other expenses.

Personnel costs for the three months ended June 30, 2017, included $7.6 million in non-cash share-based compensation expenses, comprised of $0.1 million in cost of revenues; $0.8 million in research, development and clinical trials; $1.7 million in sales and marketing; and $4.9 million in general and administrative expenses. Total non-cash share-based compensation expenses for the second quarter 2016 were $5.6 million.

Net losses for the three months ended June 30, 2017, were $21.2 million compared to net losses of $40.6 million for the same period in 2016.

Financial Update for the Six Months ended June 30, 2017

For the six months ended June 30, 2017, net revenues increased to $73.3 million compared to $31.0 million for the same period in 2016, representing 137 percent growth. This growth was primarily driven by increased Optune adoption and the transition to accrual-based revenue recognition for a portion of our billings.

For the six months ended June 30, 2017, cost of revenues increased to $24.8 million compared to $17.8 million for the same period in 2016, representing an increase of 40 percent. This was primarily driven by an increase in active Optune patients, resulting in increased transducer array shipments and increased field equipment depreciation expenses, as well as increased personnel costs to establish infrastructure necessary to support an increasing volume of shipments to patients.

Research, development and clinical trials expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2017, were $18.8 million compared to $22.8 million for the same period in 2016, representing a decrease of 17 percent. This was primarily due to a decrease in clinical trial expenses resulting from the conclusion of our EF-14 phase 3 pivotal trial in newly diagnosed GBM.

Sales and marketing expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2017, were $31.1 million compared to $27.9 million for the same period in 2016, representing an increase of 12 percent. This was primarily due to increased personnel and shipping costs, reflecting our expanding commercial operations in the U.S. and Germany, partially offset by a decrease in advertising and professional services related to the launch of second generation Optune and the communication of our inclusion in NCCN Guidelines.

General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2017, were $27.4 million compared to $25.3 million for the same period in 2016, representing an increase of 9 percent compared to the same period in 2016. This was primarily due to increased personnel costs partially offset by a decrease in professional services and other expenses.

Personnel costs for the six months ended June 30, 2017, included $12.1 million in non-cash share-based compensation expenses, comprised of $0.3 million in cost of revenues; $1.7 million in research, development and clinical trials; $2.4 million in sales and marketing; and $7.8 million in general and administrative expenses. Total non-cash share-based compensation expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2016 were $11.1 million.

Net losses for the six months ended June 30, 2017, were $39.2 million compared to net losses of $76.0 million for the same period in 2016.

At June 30, 2017, we had $80.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and $104.2 million in short-term investments, for a total balance of $184.4 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. At June 30, 2017, we had $100.0 million of principal indebtedness outstanding under our Loan and Security Agreement with Biopharma Secured Investments III Holdings Cayman LP.

Anticipated clinical milestones

Trial initiations:

Phase 3 pivotal trial in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (2H 2017)
Phase 3 pivotal trial in recurrent ovarian cancer (2018)
Top-line data readouts:

Phase 2 pilot STELLAR trial in mesothelioma (2018)
Phase 3 pivotal METIS trial in brain metastases (2020)
Phase 3 pivotal LUNAR trial in non-small cell lung cancer (2021)