Puma Biotechnology Reports First Quarter 2020 Financial Results

On May 7, 2020 Puma Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ: PBYI), a biopharmaceutical company, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2020 (Press release, Puma Biotechnology, MAY 7, 2020, View Source [SID1234557285]). Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons are for the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019.

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Product revenue, net consists entirely of sales revenue from NERLYNX, Puma’s first commercial product. Net product revenue in the first quarter of 2020 was $48.6 million, compared to net product revenue of $45.6 million in the first quarter of 2019.

Based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), Puma reported a net loss of $16.9 million, or $0.43 per share, for the first quarter of 2020, compared to a net loss of $10.1 million, or $0.26 per share, for the first quarter of 2019.

Non-GAAP adjusted net loss was $8.0 million, or $0.20 per share, for the first quarter of 2020, compared to non-GAAP adjusted net income of $8.1 million, or $0.21 per basic share and $0.20 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2019. Non-GAAP adjusted net income (loss) excludes stock-based compensation expense. For a reconciliation of GAAP net loss to non-GAAP adjusted net income (loss) and GAAP net loss per share to non-GAAP adjusted net income (loss) per share, please see the financial tables at the end of this news release.

Net cash used in operating activities for the first quarter of 2020 was $11.5 million, compared to $16.1 million used in the first quarter of 2019. At March 31, 2020, Puma had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $100.6 million, compared to cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $111.6 million at December 31, 2019.

"We remain focused on providing a significant impact to cancer patients in need. The earlier-than-expected approval of the sNDA of NERLYNX in combination with capecitabine to treat adult patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti HER2-based regimens in the metastatic setting is an important step toward this goal," said Alan H. Auerbach, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Puma. "Our global partners also are working hard to bring the drug to market in their respective territories, thereby increasing global access to NERLYNX. Earlier today, we announced that our licensing partner CANbridge Pharmaceuticals received marketing approval of NERLYNX in mainland China. In addition, we are closely monitoring the changing COVID-19 situation. We are pleased to announce that we maintain a significant stock of NERLYNX and do not anticipate any disruption of supply to existing or new patients."

Mr. Auerbach added, "We anticipate the following key milestones over the next 12 months: (i) conducting a pre-NDA meeting with the FDA to discuss accelerated approval of neratinib in HER2 mutated hormone receptor positive breast cancer and HER2 mutated cervical cancer in the first quarter of 2021; (ii) reporting Phase II data from the HER-positive breast and cervical cancer cohort from the SUMMIT trial of neratinib in patients with HER2 mutations in the fourth quarter of 2020; (iii) reporting additional data from the Phase II CONTROL trial in the fourth quarter of 2020; and (iv) receiving regulatory decisions for an extended adjuvant HER2-positive early stage breast cancer indication in additional countries."

Revenue

Total revenue consists of net product revenue from sales of NERLYNX, Puma’s first commercial product, license revenue and royalty revenue. For the first quarter of 2020, total revenue was $51.2 million, of which $48.6 million was net product revenue, $2.0 million was license revenue from a Puma sub-licensee and $0.6 million was royalty revenue. This compares to total revenue of $99.1 million in the first quarter of 2019, of which $45.6 million was net product revenue and $53.5 million was license revenue from Puma’s sub-licensees.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Total operating costs and expenses were $65.5 million for the first quarter of 2020, compared to $89.2 million for the first quarter of 2019.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales was $9.1 million for the first quarter of 2020, compared to $8.0 million for the first quarter of 2019.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $30.9 million for the first quarter of 2020, compared to selling, general and administrative expenses of $45.5 million for the first quarter of 2019. The $14.6 million decrease resulted primarily from decreases in professional fees and expenses of approximately $8.7 million, stock-based compensation expense of approximately $5.2 million, payroll and payroll-related expenses of approximately $0.6 million, and travel and meetings of approximately $0.3 million. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in training expenses and compliance fees of approximately $0.2 million.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses were $25.5 million for the first quarter of 2020, compared to $35.7 million for the first quarter of 2019. The $10.2 million decrease resulted primarily from decreases in clinical trial expense of approximately $4.9 million, stock-based compensation expense of approximately $4.0 million, and consultant and contractors expenses of approximately $1.4 million.

Total Other Income (Expenses)

Total other expenses were $2.6 million for the first quarter of 2020, compared to total other expenses of $20.0 million for the first quarter of 2019. The $17.4 million decrease resulted primarily from decreases in legal verdict expense of approximately $16.3 million and interest expense of approximately $1.5 million. These decreases were partially offset by a decrease in interest income of approximately $0.5 million.

Conference Call

Puma Biotechnology will host a conference call to report its first quarter 2020 financial results and provide an update on the Company’s business and outlook at 1:30 p.m. PDT/4:30 p.m. EDT on Thursday, May 7, 2020. The call may be accessed by dialing 1-866-548-4713 (domestic) or 1-323-794-2093 (international). Please dial in at least 10 minutes in advance and inform the operator that you would like to join the "Puma Biotechnology Conference Call." A live webcast of the conference call and presentation slides may be accessed on the Investors section of the Puma Biotechnology website at View Source A replay of the call will be available shortly after completion of the call and will be archived on Puma’s website for 90 days.