On August 1, 2024 Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGIO), a leader in cellular metabolism and pyruvate kinase (PK) activation pioneering therapies for rare diseases, reported business highlights and financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 (Press release, Agios Pharmaceuticals, AUG 1, 2024, View Source [SID1234645245]).

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"Based on the positive data generated in the Phase 3 ENERGIZE and ENERGIZE-T studies, mitapivat is the first therapy to demonstrate efficacy in all subtypes of thalassemia, and we look forward to filing for FDA review by the end of the year," said Brian Goff, chief executive officer at Agios. "This morning, we were pleased to report topline data in the Phase 3 ACTIVATE-KidsT study of mitapivat, which is the first study to report safety and efficacy data in children with PK deficiency. We continue to make significant progress toward our vision of becoming a leading rare disease company with a potential multi-billion-dollar franchise in PK activation. Finally, we were pleased to bolster our cash position through a purchase agreement with Royalty Pharma for our vorasidenib royalty, with Agios now positioned to receive a total of $1.1 billion in payments upon FDA approval of vorasidenib."

Second Quarter 2024 and Recent Highlights

PYRUKYND Revenues: Generated $8.6 million in net revenue for the second quarter of 2024, a 5 percent sequential increase from the first quarter of 2024, primarily driven by increased patient demand. A total of 201 unique patients have completed prescription enrollment forms, representing an increase of 7 percent over the first quarter of 2024. A total of 128 patients are on PYRUKYND therapy, a 7 percent increase from the first quarter of 2024.
Thalassemia:
Met the primary and all key secondary endpoints in the Phase 3 ENERGIZE-T study of mitapivat in adults with transfusion-dependent alpha- or beta-thalassemia.
Presented positive results from the Phase 3 ENERGIZE study of mitapivat in adults with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia in a plenary session at the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) 2024 (EHA2024) Hybrid Congress.
Pediatric PK Deficiency:
Announced topline data from the Phase 3 ACTIVATE-KidsT study of mitapivat in children with PK deficiency who are regularly transfused. Agios plans to present a more detailed analyses of the results at an upcoming medical meeting.
Completed enrollment of the Phase 3 ACTIVATE-Kids study of mitapivat in children with PK deficiency who are not regularly transfused. Topline data from this study are expected in 2025.
Corporate Development:
Announced a $905 million purchase agreement with Royalty Pharma for Agios’ rights to its vorasidenib royalty. Under the agreement, Agios will receive a payment of $905 million upon approval of vorasidenib by the FDA and Royalty Pharma will receive the entirety of the 15% royalty on annual U.S. net sales of vorasidenib up to $1 billion, and a 12% royalty on annual U.S. net sales greater than $1 billion. Agios retains a 3% royalty on annual U.S. net sales greater than $1 billion. Agios retains rights to a $200 million milestone payment from Servier upon FDA approval of vorasidenib.
Entered into a distribution agreement with NewBridge Pharmaceuticals to advance commercialization of PYRUKYND in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. NewBridge, a leading specialty company headquartered in Dubai, will commercialize PYRUKYND in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Key Upcoming Milestones & Priorities

Agios expects to execute on the following additional key milestones and priorities by the end of 2024:

Thalassemia: File sNDA for mitapivat in thalassemia based on the positive results from the Phase 3 ENERGIZE and ENERGIZE-T trials (year-end).
Sickle Cell Disease: Complete enrollment in the Phase 3 portion of the RISE UP study of mitapivat (year-end).
Lower-risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Dose first patient in Phase 2b study of tebapivat (AG-946) (mid-year).
Other: Potential approval of Servier’s vorasidenib for the treatment of IDH-mutant diffuse glioma. The FDA has assigned a PDUFA action date of August 20, 2024.
Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Revenue: Net product revenue from sales of PYRUKYND for the second quarter of 2024 was $8.6 million, compared to $6.7 million for the second quarter of 2023.

Cost of Sales: Cost of sales for the second quarter of 2024 was $1.5 million.

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses were $77.4 million for the second quarter of 2024, compared to $68.9 million for the second quarter of 2023. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to an increase in costs associated with the in-licensed siRNA TMPRSS6 program for polycythemia vera.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses: SG&A expenses were $35.5 million for the second quarter of 2024 compared to $30.4 million for the second quarter of 2023. The year-over-year increase was primarily attributable to an increase in commercial-related activities as we prepare for the potential approval of PYRUKYND in thalassemia.

Net Loss: Net loss was $96.1 million for the second quarter of 2024 compared to $83.8 million for the second quarter of 2023.

Cash Position and Guidance: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of June 30, 2024, were $645.3 million compared to $806.4 million as of December 31, 2023. Agios expects that its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities together with anticipated product revenue, interest income and payments upon FDA approval of vorasidenib, will provide the financial independence to prepare for potential PYRUKYND launches in thalassemia and sickle cell disease, and to opportunistically expand our pipeline through both internally and externally discovered assets.

Conference Call Information

Agios will host a conference call and live webcast with slides today at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss second quarter 2024 financial results and recent business highlights. The live webcast can be accessed under "Events & Presentations" in the Investors section of the company’s website at www.agios.com. The archived webcast will be available on the company’s website beginning approximately two hours after the event.