On March 2, 2020 Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: EGRX) ("Eagle" or the "Company") reported financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019 (Press release, Eagle Pharmaceuticals, MAR 2, 2020, View Source [SID1234555063]).
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Business and Recent Highlights:
On a non-GAAP basis, invested $14 million, or $0.63 per diluted share in Q4 2019, to advance the Company’s pipeline, bringing total R&D, plus legal expenses related to Vasopressin and PEMFEXY, for the full year to $43 million, or $2.30 per diluted share.
Received final approval from FDA for its novel product, PEMFEXY (ready-to-dilute pemetrexed for injection), a branded alternative to ALIMTA. This approval follows the Company’s settlement agreement with Eli Lilly and Company in December 2019 and allows for an initial entry of PEMFEXY (equivalent to approximately a three-week supply of current ALIMTA utilization) on February 1, 2022, and a subsequent uncapped entry on April 1, 2022.
Entitled to a milestone payment from Japanese licensing partner SymBio, upon approval of its ready-to-dilute bendamustine product, TREAKISYM, expected in September; future royalties and milestones could range from $10 million to $25 million per year for launches of the 500 ml bag and then the 50 ml bag.
Announced collaboration and agreement on terms for an exclusive worldwide license with the University of Pennsylvania ("UPenn") for the development of dantrolene sodium for the potential treatment of people living with Alzheimer’s disease. At the 2019 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in July, Eagle and UPenn shared results from a proof-of-concept preclinical study documenting that intranasal administration of dantrolene sodium provided therapeutic effects on memory and cognition in an animal model.
Resubmitted New Drug Application ("NDA") for RYANODEX for the treatment of exertional heat stroke ("EHS"), in conjunction with body cooling, to FDA. Eagle anticipates approval by its PDUFA date of July 8, 2020, with the potential to be commercially available for the upcoming heat season.
Announced a strategic collaboration with TYME Technologies to advance pivotal trials and commercialization of SM-88, an investigational oral tyrosine derivative that is believed to interrupt the metabolic processes of cancer cells, leading to cell death through oxidative stress and exposure to the body’s immune system. Eagle will be responsible for 25% of the promotional sales efforts of SM-88 and will receive 15% of net revenues of SM-88 in the United States. TYME retains all commercial rights to SM-88 outside the U.S. and reserves the right to repurchase Eagle’s U.S. co-promotion right for $200 million.
Entered into a research agreement with NorthShore University HealthSystem to study dantrolene sodium for the treatment of traumatic brain injury ("TBI"), including concussion, for which there are currently no drug treatments. A readout of data on the current animal studies is expected later this year. After completion of the study, Eagle plans to meet with the FDA and discuss the path forward, including the design of human studies.
Granted Orphan Drug Designation by FDA for RYANODEX for the treatment of exposure to organophosphates, a class of chemicals that includes potent pesticides and chemical weapons, known as nerve agents ("NA").
Eagle is currently working on the design of a second study for RYANODEX for the treatment of brain damage secondary to NA exposure. This indication is being developed under the FDA’s "Animal Rule," which requires that efficacy studies are conducted in two animal species. The Company expects to commence the study this year, with the intention to file an NDA for this indication before year-end 2020.
Completed dosing in pilot clinical study of its innovative fulvestrant product candidate, a novel therapeutic that has the potential to enhance estrogen receptor ("ER") inhibition and improve patient outcomes in ER positive breast cancer patients. Initial data from the pilot study has not yielded the anticipated results. The Company has additional clinical work under way and remains encouraged about the outcome of this important program.
Financial Highlights
Fourth Quarter 2019
Total revenue for Q4 2019 was $48.3 million, compared to $56.1 million in Q4 2018, primarily reflecting lower product sales of BENDEKA and RYANODEX and lower argatroban royalty revenue, partially offset by higher product sales of BELRAPZO and higher BENDEKA royalty revenue following an increase in the royalty rate effective October 1, 2019.
Q4 2019 net income was $1.0 million, or $0.07 per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $12.6 million, or $0.88 per basic and $0.86 per diluted share in Q4 2018.
Q4 2019 adjusted non-GAAP net income was $6.7 million, or $0.49 per basic and $0.48 per diluted share, compared to adjusted non-GAAP net income of $17.7 million, or $1.23 per basic and $1.20 per diluted share, in Q4 2018.
Cash and cash equivalents were $109.8 million, net accounts receivable was $48.0 million, and debt was $39.0 million as of December 31, 2019.
Full Year 2019
Total revenue for the 12 months ended December 31, 2019 was $195.9 million, compared to $213.3 million in 2018. 2019 included a $9.0 million milestone payment for BENDEKA.
2019 net income was $14.3 million, or $1.04 per basic and $1.01 per diluted share, compared to net income of $31.9 million, or $2.16 per basic and $2.09 per diluted share in 2018.
2019 adjusted non-GAAP net income was $36.9 million, or $2.68 per basic and $2.61 per diluted share, compared to adjusted non-GAAP net income of $59.2 million, or $4.01 per basic and $3.87 per diluted share in 2018.
From August 2016 through December 31, 2019, Eagle has repurchased $171.9 million of its common stock.
"Based on the current strength of our marketed products, and assuming an on-time approval for RYANODEX for exertional heat stroke and an affirmation of our orphan drug decision by the Appellate Court for BENDEKA, we believe that 2020 could be the best year in Eagle’s history in terms of total revenue and gross profit. We believe we are at the start of what could be a period of accelerated growth for Eagle," stated Scott Tarriff, Chief Executive Officer of Eagle Pharmaceuticals.
"We have multiple product candidates underway that have the potential to expand treatment options and provide first-in-class therapies to bridge significant care gaps across CNS/critical care and oncology patient populations. With a number of exciting studies under way in our critical care and oncology pipeline, we look forward to multiple data readouts this year, all of which will help us progress these important initiatives. We remain focused on realizing the full potential of our pipeline assets and creating value for our stakeholders," concluded Tarriff.
Fourth Quarter 2019 Financial Results
Total revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2019 was $48.3 million, as compared to $56.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018.
Q4 2019 BELRAPZO product sales were $7.6 million, compared to $6.8 million in Q4 2018.
Q4 2019 RYANODEX product sales were $3.5 million, compared to $5.1 million in Q4 2018.
Royalty revenue was $32.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $35.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. BENDEKA royalties were $32.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $31.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. A summary of total revenue is outlined below:
Three Months Ended December 31,
2019
2018
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Revenue (in thousands):
Product sales
$15,421
$20,343
Royalty revenue
32,837
35,711
Total revenue
$48,258
$56,054
Gross Margin was 76% during the fourth quarter of 2019, as compared to 67% in the fourth quarter of 2018. The expansion in gross margin in the fourth quarter of 2019 was primarily driven by a decrease in BENDEKA product sales to our marketing partner, on which Eagle earns no profit, and the increase in BENDEKA royalty revenue.
R&D expense was $11.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to $5.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. The increase is largely attributable to spending on fulvestrant and payroll expenses. Excluding stock-based compensation and other non-cash and non-recurring items, R&D expense during the fourth quarter of 2019 was $9.1 million.
SG&A expense in the fourth quarter of 2019 increased to $22.5 million compared to $15.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. External legal spend associated with litigation on pemetrexed and vasopressin, as well as payroll costs, account for the year-over-year increase. Excluding stock-based compensation and other non-cash and non-recurring items, fourth quarter 2019 SG&A expense was $17.8 million.
Net income for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $1.0 million, or $0.07 per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $12.6 million, or $0.88 per basic and $0.86 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2018, due to the factors discussed above.
Adjusted non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $6.7 million, or $0.49 per basic and $0.48 per diluted share, compared to adjusted non-GAAP net income of $17.7 million or $1.23 per basic and $1.20 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2018. For a full reconciliation of adjusted non-GAAP net income to the most comparable GAAP financial measures, please see the tables at the end of this press release.
Full Year 2019 Financial Results
Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $195.9 million, as compared to $213.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. A summary of total revenue is outlined below:
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2019
2018
Revenue (in thousands):
Product sales
$73,989
$70,835
Royalty revenue
112,903
142,927
License and other income
9,000
—
Total revenue
$195,892
$213,312
Product sales increased $3.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily driven by increases in sales of BELRAPZO and BENDEKA. The increased sales were partially offset by decreases in product sales of RYANODEX due to lower volume on a low reorder cycle period and the discontinuation of Non-Alcohol Docetaxel Injection in September 2018. Royalty revenue totaled $112.9 million in 2019 compared to $142.9 million in 2018. BENDEKA royalties were $111.2 million in 2019, compared to $134.4 million in 2018. In 2019, Eagle received a milestone payment of $9 million for BENDEKA.
Gross margin was 69% in 2019, as compared to 71% in 2018. The compression in gross margin in 2019 was primarily driven by an increase in product sales of BELRAPZO, an increase in BENDEKA product sales to our marketing partner, on which Eagle earns no profit, the decrease in RYANODEX product sales, and the decrease in BENDEKA royalty revenue.
R&D expense decreased to $36.8 million in 2019, compared to $44.4 million in 2018, primarily reflecting a decrease in project spending for the Company’s fulvestrant formulation, partially offset by the cost of bringing vasopressin to market. Excluding stock-based compensation and other non-cash and non-recurring items, R&D expense in 2019 was $31.1 million.
SG&A expenses increased by $15.9 million to $76.4 million in 2019, compared to $60.5 million in 2018. External legal spend associated with litigation on pemetrexed and vasopressin, as well as payroll costs, account for the year-over-year increase. Excluding stock-based compensation and other non-cash and non-recurring items, SG&A expense in 2019 was $56.4 million.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $14.3 million or $1.04 per basic and $1.01 per diluted share as compared to net income of $31.9 million or $2.16 per basic and $2.09 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2018, as a result of the factors discussed above.
Adjusted non-GAAP net income for 2019 was $36.9 million, or $2.68 per basic and $2.61 per diluted share, compared to adjusted non-GAAP net income of $59.2 million, or $4.01 per basic and $3.87 per diluted share in 2018.
2020 Expense Guidance
R&D spend in 2020, on a non-GAAP basis, is expected to be $46-$50 million, as compared to $31.1 million in 2019.
SG&A spend in 2020, on a non-GAAP basis, is expected to be $61-$64 million, as compared to $56.4 million in 2019.
The guidance provided in this section represents forward-looking information, and actual results may vary. Please see the risks and assumptions referred to in the Forward-Looking Statements section of this press release.
Liquidity
As of December 31, 2019, the Company had $109.8 million in cash and cash equivalents plus $48.0 million in net accounts receivable, $38.3 million of which was due from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. The Company had $39.0 million in outstanding debt. Therefore, at December 31, 2019, the Company had net cash plus receivables of $118.8 million.
In the fourth quarter of 2019, we purchased $3.0 million of Eagle’s common stock as part of our $150.0 million Share Repurchase Program. From August 2016 through December 31, 2019, we have repurchased $171.9 million of our common stock.
Conference Call
As previously announced, Eagle management will host its fourth quarter 2019 conference call as follows:
Date
Monday, March 2, 2020
Time
8:30 A.M. EDT
Toll free (U.S.)
877-876-9173
International
785-424-1667
Webcast (live and replay)
www.eagleus.com, under the "Investor + News" section
A replay of the conference call will be available for one week after the call’s completion by dialing 800-839-3020 (US) or 402-220-7234 (International) and entering conference call ID EGRXQ419. The webcast will be archived for 30 days at the aforementioned URL.