On November 6, 2018 Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IONS) today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2018 and highlighted its recent business and pipeline successes.
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"We enter the fourth quarter in a position of financial strength, driven by strong worldwide SPINRAZA sales. In addition, we achieved numerous successes during the quarter that advanced our pipeline, technology and business and contributed to our financial strength. In 2019 and beyond, we are positioned for continued growth bolstered by the addition of TEGSEDI commercial revenue," said Stanley T. Crooke, M.D., Ph.D., chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Ionis. "Beyond our commercial-stage drugs, we have a broad and growing pipeline of innovative programs we are advancing toward the market. We continue to advance our antisense technology, expanding its application to more diseases, both rare and common. An example of this is our LICA technology, which was further validated by the results from the Phase 2 study of AKCEA-APO(a)-LRx – our largest and longest study to date with a LICA drug – which demonstrated significant reductions in Lp(a) and an attractive safety profile. We also continue to expand our Ionis-owned pipeline and our existing relationships with partners. The successes we are achieving with our commercial-stage drugs and in advancing our pipeline have increased our financial strength and our ability to deliver innovative new drugs to patients in need."
Third Quarter 2018 Financial Highlights
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Revenues increased year-to-date by more than 15 percent compared to 2017
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Total revenue was $145 million and $408 million for the third quarter and year-to-date 2018, respectively, compared to $118 million and $346 million for the same periods in 2017
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Commercial revenue from SPINRAZA for year-to-date 2018 was $168 million, a nearly three-fold increase over year-to-date 2017
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Commercial revenue was 45 percent of Ionis’ total revenue in the first nine months of 2018 compared to less than 20 percent for the same period in 2017, reflecting Ionis’ transition to a commercial-stage company
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On track for third consecutive year of pro forma operating profitability while investing in the launches of two drugs
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GAAP operating results were a loss of $19 million and $72 million for the third quarter and year-to-date 2018, respectively, compared to operating income of $11 million and $37 million for the same periods in 2017
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Pro forma operating income was $16 million and $25 million for the third quarter and year-to-date 2018, respectively, compared to $33 million and $101 million for the same periods in 2017
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Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher SG&A expenses related to preparing to launch TEGSEDI and WAYLIVRA
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Substantial cash position of $2 billion enabling investment in commercial products and pipeline
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The increase in Ionis’ cash position was primarily due to the $1 billion Ionis received from Biogen for the 2018 strategic neurology collaboration
"Our strong third quarter financial results put us on track for our third consecutive year of pro forma operating income. In the fourth quarter, we are excited to add TEGSEDI commercial sales to our growing SPINRAZA revenue and substantial base of R&D revenue, positioning us for significant revenue growth going forward," said Elizabeth L. Hougen, chief financial officer of Ionis. "Importantly, we are in a strong financial position with sustainable profitability and $2 billion in cash even as we support the launch of TEGSEDI in multiple markets and prepare for the launch of WAYLIVRA. Further, our financial strength coupled with our business strategy provides us with the flexibility to maximize the value of our robust antisense technology platform and innovative pipeline of drugs."
All pro forma amounts referred to in this press release exclude non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards. Please refer to the reconciliation of pro forma and GAAP measures, which is provided later in this release. Additionally, Ionis has labeled its prior period financial statements "as revised" to reflect the new revenue recognition accounting standard the Company adopted on January 1, 2018.
Business Highlights
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SPINRAZA – the first and only approved treatment for people with spinal muscular atrophy
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SPINRAZA sales continued to grow in the third quarter, both in the U.S. and ex-U.S., with global sales of more than $1 billion for year-to-date 2018, as reported by Biogen.
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Nearly 6,000 SMA patients were on SPINRAZA as of the third quarter.
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In the U.S., the number of adult patients on therapy grew by over 20 percent compared to the second quarter. Adult SMA patients, which represent the largest and most undertreated patient segment, accounted for more than 50 percent of start forms in the third quarter.
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Access outside the U.S. expanded with formal reimbursement in 28 markets and continued revenue growth in the EU, Asia Pacific and Latin America.
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TEGSEDI (inotersen) – launched in multiple markets for the treatment of polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR) in adult patients
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TEGSEDI approved in the U.S., EU and Canada
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Commercial patients in Germany on TEGSEDI
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TEGSEDI prescriptions received in the U.S.
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WAYLIVRA (volanesorsen) – under regulatory review for the treatment of people living with FCS
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Preparing for launch in the EU following approval
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Planning to confirm a path forward in the U.S. and Canada
Pipeline and Business Progress
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Ionis and Akcea reported positive top-line data from a Phase 2 study of AKCEA-APO(a)-LRx in people with high levels of Lp(a) and established cardiovascular disease demonstrating robust target reductions and a favorable safety and tolerability profile
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Ionis and Roche entered a new collaboration to develop IONIS-FB-LRx for the treatment of people with complement-mediated diseases. Ionis received a $75 million upfront payment and will be eligible for development, regulatory and sales milestone payments and license fees of up to $684 million plus royalties of up to 20 percent on commercial sales
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Positive Phase 1b/2 data for danvatirsen (IONIS-STAT3-2.5Rx) in combination with durvalumab were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2018 Congress, demonstrating a response rate approximately double that of durvalumab alone, based on previous studies in patients with refractory head and neck cancer. Ionis earned a $17.5 million milestone payment because AstraZeneca is advancing the program
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Ionis completed enrollment in a Phase 2b study of IONIS-FXIRx in patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis, with data planned for mid-2019
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Ionis or its partners initiated clinical studies with IONIS-GHR-LRx (Phase 2), IONIS-C9Rx (Phase 1/2), IONIS-FXI-LRx and IONIS-AZ4-2.5-LRx (Phase 1)
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Ionis earned a $10 million milestone payment from AstraZeneca for advancing an undisclosed oncology program into development
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Ionis appointed Dr. Michael Hayden and Mr. Peter N. Reikes to its Board of Directors
Key Upcoming Events
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Potential approval and launch of WAYLIVRA in the EU
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Pivotal program initiation for IONIS-HTTRx in patients with Huntington’s disease
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Results from up to three Phase 2 studies and four Phase 1 studies
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Initiations of up to three Phase 2 studies and two Phase 1 studies
The increase in revenue in the first nine months of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily due to increasing commercial revenue from SPINRAZA royalties, which increased over 175 percent. Our R&D revenue for the first nine months of 2018 was significant and demonstrates our ability to generate sustainable revenue from our numerous partnerships.
R&D revenue from the amortization of upfront payments increased by $22 million in the first nine months of 2018, compared to the same period in 2017 primarily due to Ionis’ 2018 strategic neurology collaboration with Biogen, which started in the second quarter of 2018. In the fourth quarter of 2018, Ionis will add amortization revenue from its new collaboration with Roche to develop IONIS-FB-LRx.
Ionis’ 2018 R&D revenue from milestone payments was bolstered by two $10 million milestone payments in the third quarter, one from Biogen and one from AstraZeneca, as Ionis’ partnered programs advanced. In the same period of 2017, R&D revenue from milestone payments included $90 million of milestone payments from Biogen for SPINRAZA approval in the EU and Japan. Already in the fourth quarter, Ionis has earned nearly $30 million in milestone payments from AstraZeneca.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 on a GAAP basis were $164 million and $480 million, respectively, and on a pro forma basis were $129 million and $383 million, respectively. These amounts compare to GAAP operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 of $107 million and $309 million, respectively, and pro forma operating expenses of $86 million and $246 million, respectively. The increases in operating expenses were principally due to higher SG&A expenses as Akcea, Ionis’ affiliate, prepared to commercialize TEGSEDI and WAYLIVRA. The Company’s SG&A expenses also increased due to an increase in fees the Company owed under its in-licensing agreements related to SPINRAZA, as a result of increased SPINRAZA product sales.
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Ionis Common Stockholders
Ionis reported a net loss attributable to Ionis’ common stockholders of $5 million and $46 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, compared to a net loss of $3 million and net income of $3 million for the same periods in 2017, all on a GAAP basis. On a pro forma basis, Ionis reported net income attributable to Ionis’ common stockholders of $30 million and $51 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, compared $19 million and $67 million for the same periods in 2017.
At September 30, 2018, Ionis owned approximately 75 percent of Akcea. The shares of Akcea third parties own represent an interest in Akcea’s equity that Ionis does not control. However, because Ionis continues to maintain overall control of Akcea through its voting interest, Ionis reflects the assets, liabilities and results of operations of Akcea in Ionis’ consolidated financial statements. Ionis reflects the noncontrolling interest attributable to other owners of Akcea’s common stock in a separate line called "Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in Akcea" on Ionis’ statement of operations. Ionis’ net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in Akcea for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, was $16 million and $41 million, respectively. Ionis’ net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in Akcea for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, was $5 million.
For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, basic and diluted net loss per share were $0.03 and $0.02, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, basic and diluted net loss per share were each $0.33. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, basic and diluted net income per share were each $0.13. All amounts are on a GAAP basis.
Balance Sheet
As of September 30, 2018, Ionis had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $2 billion compared to $1 billion at December 31, 2017. The increase in Ionis’ cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments was primarily due to the $1 billion Ionis received from Biogen for the 2018 strategic neurology collaboration.
Webcast and Conference Call
Today, at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, Ionis will conduct a live webcast conference call to discuss this earnings release and related activities. Interested parties may listen to the call by dialing 877-443-5662 or access the webcast at www.ionispharma.com. A webcast replay will be available for a limited time.