On August 5, 2024 BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ: BMRN) reported financial results for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2024 (Press release, BioMarin, AUG 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234645331]).
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"Strong execution across our business resulted in record double-digit revenue growth in the second quarter and first half of 2024. These top-line results, along with a focus on operational efficiency, resulted in a 78% year-over-year improvement in quarterly non-GAAP earnings per share," said Alexander Hardy, President and Chief Executive Officer of BioMarin. "Strong global demand for VOXZOGO led to nearly 900 new patient starts in the first half of 2024, the highest in VOXZOGO’s history. Record VOXZOGO contributions in the quarter, driven by patient growth in all geographies, combined with double-digit growth from our enzyme therapies drove today’s increased 2024 full-year guidance."
Mr. Hardy added, "During the quarter, global demand for VOXZOGO continued to increase as more families sought treatment with the only approved and genetically-targeted medicine for achondroplasia. Approximately 3,500 children were receiving VOXZOGO by the end of the second quarter, with more than half of new treatment starts in the United States for children under the age of 5. We are seeing strong interest from families in the United States seeking VOXZOGO treatment for their children and we expect this market to continue to drive significant expansion over the coming quarters." Mr. Hardy continued, "With VOXZOGO’s safety and efficacy well-established, based on nearly 6,000 patient years of demonstrated and durable evidence, we are confident in our rapidly expanding leadership. Enrollment in our pivotal study with VOXZOGO for the treatment of hypochondroplasia is proceeding well, and enrollment in our separate studies for idiopathic short stature, Noonan Syndrome, Turner Syndrome and SHOX deficiency are advancing this year as planned, following alignment with health authorities."
Financial Highlights:
•Total Revenues for the second quarter of 2024 were $712.0 million, an increase of 20%, compared to the same period in 2023, driven by strong VOXZOGO contributions from new patient starts, high compliance rates, and customer stock levels normalizing facilitated by ample supply. In the quarter, demand across BioMarin’s enzyme therapies (VIMIZIM, NAGLAZYME, ALDURAZYME, BRINEURA and PALYNZIQ) drove 15% growth compared to the second quarter of 2023. This increase was partially driven by NAGLAZYME product revenues due to the timing of large government orders in certain regions outside the United States and higher PALYNZIQ revenues in the United States driven by new patient starts. Partially offsetting the increase were lower KUVAN product revenues attributed to continued generic competition as a result of the loss of market exclusivity.
•GAAP Net Income increased by $51.2 million to $107.2 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily due to higher gross profit driven by the factors noted above. The increase was partially offset by higher spend in Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A), primarily due to severance and other restructuring costs associated with the Company’s portfolio strategy review and the associated organizational redesign efforts announced in the second quarter of 2024.
•Non-GAAP Income increased by $83.7 million to $188.9 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The increase in Non-GAAP Income was primarily due to higher gross profit, partially offset by higher SG&A expenses primarily related to sales and marketing activities for VOXZOGO, higher partner distribution fees, incremental administrative expenses, as well as higher Research and Development (R&D) expenses related to expansion into new VOXZOGO indications and our prioritized pipeline products.
2Q Update on 2024 Strategic Priorities
In the second quarter, BioMarin continued to deliver on its four strategic priorities, first outlined in January, and focused on value creation through accelerating growth, optimizing efficiencies and driving operational excellence.
Accelerate and maximize the VOXZOGO opportunity
•During the second quarter, the number of children with achondroplasia benefiting from VOXZOGO treatment increased to approximately 3,500 across 44 countries. Global access to VOXZOGO from infancy had a significant impact on uptake as families pursued maximum therapeutic benefit by starting treatment early.
•In the U.S., the largest potential market, the majority of new patient starts in the quarter were for children under the age of 5 years. VOXZOGO’s extensive safety and efficacy profile led more families to begin therapeutic intervention early to potentially impact greater improvements in craniofacial growth, foramen magnum compression, body proportionality and quality of life, in addition to durable increases in growth velocity.
•During the quarter, new, multi-year data demonstrating that treating achondroplasia with VOXZOGO improved health related quality of life and proportionality, which are important benefits, beyond height, for affected children and their families. These results were presented at the Pediatric Endocrine Society (PES) annual meeting (press release), and the 2024 International Conference on Children’s Bone Health (ICCBH) (press release). In addition, positive results with VOXZOGO from Phase 2 in children with Noonan Syndrome, idiopathic short stature and other growth-related conditions were presented.
◦At PES on May 4, results from a Phase 3 extension study in children with achondroplasia who began VOXZOGO treatment at 10 years of age or older, demonstrated that meaningful height gains were observed despite the age of participants at treatment initiation. Results from a Phase 2 extension study showed that VOXZOGO maintained positive effects on linear growth over 4 years in children who began treatment under age five. Results from an investigator-sponsored Phase 2 in children 3-11 years old with several genetic growth-related conditions demonstrated marked improvement in annualized growth velocity and height standard deviation across all conditions studied.
◦At ICCBH on June 17, a new investigator-led study showed VOXZOGO significantly increased bone length while maintaining bone strength through 5 years of observation in children with achondroplasia, an essential functional outcome for children receiving multi-year treatment. Phase 2 and Phase 3 data on VOXZOGO demonstrated durable safety and efficacy, and improvements on proportionality and health-related quality of life in children with achondroplasia.
•Building on its leadership in achondroplasia, BioMarin’s clinical programs across multiple new growth-related conditions are underway. The pivotal study with VOXZOGO for hypochondroplasia is actively enrolling. Clinical programs in idiopathic short stature, Noonan Syndrome, Turner Syndrome and SHOX deficiency are all on track for enrollment later this year.
•During the second quarter, through extensive supply chain efforts, BioMarin secured ample VOXZOGO supply to support patient demand worldwide. As of the end of the quarter, the company was able to provide VOXZOGO supply to new patients immediately, as identified. Additionally, the company has ample supply capacity to support all ongoing VOXZOGO clinical programs in hypochondroplasia, idiopathic short stature, Noonan Syndrome, Turner Syndrome and SHOX deficiency, as well as expected commercial demand.
Establish ROCTAVIAN opportunity
•Today, the company announced its updated strategy for ROCTAVIAN. The strategy will enable ROCTAVIAN to contribute to BioMarin’s long-term profitability. By focusing commercial, research and manufacturing programs in three prioritized countries, including the United States, Germany and Italy, BioMarin anticipates reducing annual direct ROCTAVIAN expenses to approximately $60 million, beginning in 2025. The company has already begun to operationalize the reduction of ROCTAVIAN expenses this year to achieve $60 million in expenses beginning in full-year 2025. As a result of these changes, the company expects ROCTAVIAN to be profitable by the end of 2025.
•During the quarter, BioMarin treated 3 patients in the U.S. and 2 in Italy, generating $7 million in revenue. BioMarin’s global commercial team will continue to focus on key elements critical to supporting ROCTAVIAN uptake in with the U.S., Germany and Italy.
Focus R&D on the most promising assets
•During the quarter, BioMarin progressed development of its prioritized pipeline products: BMN 351, BMN 349, and BMN 333. BMN 351, BioMarin’s next generation oligonucleotide for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, has completed enrollment of the first dose cohort, with data expected by year-end. With BMN 349, a potential best-in-class, oral therapeutic for Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD)-associated liver disease, the company will begin enrolling its first-in-human study with healthy volunteers later this year. BMN 333, a long-acting C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) for multiple growth disorders, is completing IND-enabling activities and is expected to enter the clinic in early 2025.
•During the quarter, the company chose to discontinue development of BMN 293, a gene therapy for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Applying its focused approach to investing in only those assets that have the highest potential impact for patients, the time and resources anticipated to bring BMN 293 through development and to market no longer met BioMarin’s high bar for advancement.
Accelerate EPS growth and expand margins
•Sustained strong performance in the second quarter highlighted BioMarin’s ongoing execution of its financial strategy to drive year-over-year Non-GAAP Operating Margin expansion and Non-GAAP EPS growth faster than revenues.
•The company raised full-year 2024 guidance for Total Revenues, Non-GAAP Operating Margin, and Non-GAAP Diluted EPS. The improved guidance reflects the underlying strength of enzyme products and continued high demand for VOXZOGO, along with BioMarin’s commitment to accelerate profitability while continuing to invest in innovation. BioMarin’s updated full-year 2024 guidance does not reflect the impact of potential additional future business decisions that may result from its ongoing strategic business review.
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