On November 12, 2024 Biohaven Ltd. (NYSE: BHVN) (Biohaven or the Company), a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of life-changing therapies to treat a broad range of rare and common diseases, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, and provided a review of recent accomplishments and anticipated upcoming developments (Press release, Biohaven Pharmaceutical, NOV 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234648213]).
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Vlad Coric, M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Biohaven, commented, "The team at Biohaven continues to advance multiple late and early stage assets that have the potential to change the current standard of care treatment paradigm across a number of diseases. Last quarter we announced positive topline results in our RWE trial assessing troriluzole for the treatment of spinocerebellar ataxia. Troriluzole (200 mg dosed orally) met the study’s primary endpoint on the change from baseline in the f-SARA at 3 years in all study population genotypes, showed statistically significant superiority after both 1 and 2 years of treatment, and achieved statistically significant superiority on 9 consecutive, prespecified primary and secondary endpoints. This was truly a watershed moment for the Company, given the implications of potentially bending the arc of one of the most intractable neurological diseases with no currently approved treatment options. SCA robs patients of their ability to speak, walk, and take care of themselves, and often shortens lifespans and has unfortunate intergenerational implications. We were encouraged by the robust dataset gathered to date and look forward to submitting an NDA to the FDA."
Dr. Coric continued, "We continue to execute across our broad pipeline including the recent initiation of our Phase 2 trial with BHV-2100 in acute migraine. Migraine burden and disability remain high despite advances in treatment; we believe our TRPM3 antagonistic approach has the potential to be a highly-effective, non-sedating, non-opioid treatment for pain and migraine. In the final months of 2024, we expect to report on a number of updates including SMA topline data and data across our MoDE platform including a SAD/MAD update and multiple INDs spanning β1AR for the potential treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy, galactose deficient IgA for IgA nephropathy and a further optimized IgG degrader for use in rare diseases."
Third Quarter 2024 and Recent Business Highlights
Achieved positive topline results in pivotal study of troriluzole in SCA – In September 2024, the Company announced positive topline results from pivotal Study BHV4157-206-RWE demonstrating the efficacy of troriluzole on the mean change from baseline in the f-SARA after 3 years of treatment. The study achieved the primary endpoint and showed statistically significant improvements on the f-SARA at years 1 and 2. Additionally, troriluzole achieved statistically significant superiority on 9 consecutive, prespecified primary and secondary endpoints. SCA patients treated with troriluzole showed a 50-70% slowing of disease progression, representing 1.5-2.2 years delay in disease progression over the 3-year study period. The Company intends to submit an NDA to the FDA for troriluzole in the treatment of all SCA genotypes in 4Q 2024. The development program for troriluzole has been granted orphan and fast track designations, and is eligible for priority review. European Medicines Agency marketing authorization remains under review and Biohaven completed a clarification meeting with CHMP Rapporteurs in 4Q 2024. MAA documents are being updated to include the new positive BHV4157-206-RWE study data with broader indication to include all SCA genotypes.
Initiated Phase 2 trial evaluating BHV-2100 in the acute treatment of migraine – In September 2024, the Company initiated a Phase 2 study of an orally administered TRPM3 antagonist, BHV-2100, in the acute treatment of migraine. The study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessing the efficacy and safety of two doses (75 mg and 150 mg) of BHV-2100 in the acute treatment of migraine. The trial is designed to support registration with FDA-accepted co-primary endpoints of pain freedom and freedom from most bothersome symptom at 2 hours and is expected to enroll approximately 575 patients across 60 sites in the United States.
Public offering – On October 2, 2024, the Company closed its previously announced underwritten public offering of 6,052,631 of its common shares, which included the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, at the public offering price of $47.50 per share. The net proceeds raised in the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated expenses of the offering payable by the Company, were approximately $269.9M. As of November 8, 2024, we had 101,122,246 common shares outstanding.
Expected Upcoming Milestones:
We believe Biohaven is well positioned to achieve significant milestones in 2024 and 2025 across numerous programs:
Selective Kv7 Activator:
Continue 5 ongoing Phase 2/3 trials with BHV-7000 in focal epilepsy, idiopathic generalized epilepsy, MDD, and bipolar disorder
Troriluzole:
NDA submission to FDA on track for 4Q 2024, following release of pivotal topline results in SCA in September 2024
Two Phase 3 trials with troriluzole in OCD; expect to conduct interim analysis of the second Phase 3 OCD trial in 4Q 2024 and report topline data from first Phase 3 OCD trial in 1H 2025
Taldefgrobep alfa:
Report topline data from Phase 3 trial with taldefgrobep in SMA in 4Q 2024
Initiate Phase 2 trial with taldefgrobep in obesity in 4Q 2024 or early 2025
First-in-class TRPM3 Antagonist:
Continue advancing enrollment in Phase 2 trial with BHV-2100 in acute migraine and neuropathic pain (laser-evoked potential experimental pain paradigm)
TYK2/JAK1 Inhibitor:
Complete SAD/MAD studies with BHV-8000 and advance to Phase 2 in the coming months
MoDE Platform
Submit a total of 4 INDs in 2024
Continue to advance Phase 1 SAD and MAD studies with subcutaneous BHV-1300, with a further study update in 4Q 2024
Next Generation ADC Platform:
Advance Phase 1 Trop-2 directed program BHV-1510 in multiple tumor types
Capital Position:
Cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and restricted cash as of October 2, 2024 totaled approximately $642 million, which includes net proceeds of $269.9 million from the public offering of 6,052,631 common shares completed on October 2, 2024.
Third Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights:
Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses, including non-cash share-based compensation costs, were $157.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $95.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase of $62.1 million was due to additional and advancing clinical trials, including late Phase 3 and Phase 2/3 studies, and preclinical research programs in 2024, as compared to the same period in the prior year. Non-cash share-based compensation expense was $7.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $5.0 million as compared to the same period in 2023. Non-cash share-based compensation expense was higher in the third quarter of 2024, primarily due to our annual equity incentive awards granted in the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses were $20.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $15.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase of $5.5 million was partly due to increased non-cash share-based compensation expense, which was $5.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, an increase of $2.7 million as compared to the same period in 2023. Non-cash share-based compensation expense was higher in the third quarter of 2024 primarily due to our annual equity incentive awards granted in the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024.
Other Income, Net: Other income, net was $17.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to other income, net of $4.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase of $13.1 million was primarily due to non-cash changes in the fair value of our derivative liabilities recorded in connection with the amendment to our Membership Interest Purchase Agreement with Knopp Biosciences LLC in May 2024 (the Knopp Amendment), as well as increased investment income, partially offset by changes in the fair value of our forward contract liability recorded in connection with the Knopp Amendment.
Net Loss: Biohaven reported a net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2024 of $160.3 million, or $1.70 per share, compared to $102.6 million, or $1.50 per share, for the same period in 2023. Non-GAAP adjusted net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $164.1 million, or $1.74 per share, compared to $98.1 million, or $1.44 per share for the same period in 2023. These non-GAAP adjusted net loss and non-GAAP adjusted net loss per share measures, more fully described below under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures," exclude non-cash share-based compensation charges and losses from the change in fair value of derivatives. A reconciliation of the GAAP financial results to non-GAAP financial results is included in the tables below.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release includes financial results prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), and certain non-GAAP financial measures. In particular, Biohaven has provided non-GAAP adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per share, which are adjusted to exclude non-cash share-based compensation, which is substantially dependent on changes in the market price of common shares, and changes in the fair value of derivative liabilities, which do not correlate to actual cash payment obligations in the relevant periods. Non-GAAP financial measures are not an alternative for financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. However, Biohaven believes the presentation of non-GAAP adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per share, when viewed in conjunction with GAAP results, provides investors with a more meaningful understanding of ongoing operating performance and can assist investors in comparing Biohaven’s performance between periods.
In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are among those indicators Biohaven uses as a basis for evaluating performance, and planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation between these non-GAAP measures and the most directly comparable GAAP measures is provided later in this news release.