On November 2, 2020 Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) reported financial results for the third quarter of 2020 and updated its 2020 financial guidance (Press release, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, NOV 2, 2020, View Source [SID1234569719]).

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"We delivered strong financial results this quarter, with increasingly diversified revenues fueled by the recent launch of Zepzelca, an innovative new treatment for relapsed small cell lung cancer, which we expect to be a catalyst for significant growth in our oncology portfolio. During 2020, we are demonstrating our operational agility as we navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic and deliver on a set of critically important objectives," said Bruce Cozadd, chairman and chief executive officer of Jazz Pharmaceuticals. "This is a transformative year for Jazz and today marks our third product launch in 2020, keeping us on track to execute up to five key launches through 2020 and 2021. We continue to build upon our strong foundation by investing in assets to further diversify and expand our innovative neuroscience and oncology pipelines. We are excited about the opportunities ahead to deliver life-changing therapies for patients and drive enhanced shareholder value."

Robert Iannone, M.D., M.S.C.E., executive vice president, research and development, of Jazz Pharmaceuticals added, "We achieved multiple key R&D objectives in the third quarter, highlighted by FDA approval of Xywav in narcolepsy. We are encouraged by compelling top-line data for JZP-258 in idiopathic hypersomnia and are preparing to submit our supplemental NDA in the first quarter of 2021. With the significant progress and successes in our regulatory and R&D operations this year, we are poised to bring multiple new and highly differentiated treatment options to patients in areas of high unmet medical need."

The company successfully executed on multiple prioritized objectives for 2020 across its business, including commercial, regulatory and R&D operations, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights of these achievements year-to-date include:

Launched Xywav in early November 2020 for the treatment of cataplexy or excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in narcolepsy;
Announced positive top-line results in the JZP-258 Phase 3 study in idiopathic hypersomnia (IH); received U.S. Fast Track designation;
Launched Zepzelca in the U.S. in early July 2020, six months after acquiring the U.S. licensing rights;
Rapidly added clinical sites and enrolled patients into the Phase 2/3 pivotal study of JZP-458 in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or lymphoblastic lymphoma with a potential launch in mid-2021 following Biologics License Application (BLA) submission and approval; and
Initiated the European rolling launch for Sunosi in May 2020.
Business Updates

Neuroscience

Xyrem:

Xyrem net product sales increased 5% to $447.8 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
For the quarter, revenue bottle volume growth was 4% and average active patients on therapy grew 2% compared to the third quarter of 2019.
Xywav (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium oxybates) oral solution:

On November 2, 2020, the company commenced its U.S. launch of Xywav, the first and only lower sodium oxybate therapy for the treatment of cataplexy or EDS in narcolepsy patients 7 years of age and older.
The company has robust patient access programs in place and is focused on obtaining broad commercial payer coverage for Xywav, which has been priced at parity to Xyrem.
In October 2020, the company announced positive top-line results from its Phase 3 pivotal study of JZP-258 for the treatment of IH. The company expects to submit a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) in the first quarter of 2021, with an objective of launching in the fourth quarter of 2021. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Fast Track designation for JZP-258 in IH in September 2020.
Sunosi:

Sunosi net product sales were $9.1 million in the third quarter of 2020, compared to $1.0 million in the same period of 2019. The company launched Sunosi in the U.S. in July 2019.
In the third quarter of 2020, U.S. prescriptions increased 7% compared to the second quarter of 2020.
At the end of the third quarter of 2020, more than 90% of commercially insured U.S. patients had access to coverage for Sunosi.
JZP-385:

JZP-385, a highly selective modulator of T-type calcium channels, is in clinical development for the potential treatment of essential tremor.
The company completed its healthy volunteer study in September 2020 to evaluate a modified release formulation.
Study start-up activities will begin in the fourth quarter of 2020 to enable initiation of a Phase 2b study in the first half of 2021.
Oncology

Zepzelca:

In July 2020, the company launched Zepzelca in the U.S. for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC) with disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy.
Zepzelca net product sales were $36.9 million in the third quarter of 2020, reflecting the significant unmet need in metastatic SCLC and Zepzelca’s product profile. There was strong physician interest and uptake of Zepzelca across academic and community settings.
Erwinaze:

Erwinaze/Erwinase net product sales decreased to $20.1 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $34.0 million for the same period in 2019 due to ongoing supply and manufacturing issues at the owner and sole manufacturer of the product, Porton Biopharma Limited (PBL). The company continues to expect inter-quarter variability in Erwinaze net product sales due to timing and availability of supply.
The company’s current agreement with PBL will terminate on December 31, 2020. The company has the right to sell certain Erwinaze inventory post-termination and expects to distribute available Erwinaze supply during the first half of 2021.
JZP-458 (recombinant Erwinia asparaginase):

The company continues to prioritize development of JZP-458 to ensure that ALL patients have access to a reliable, high-quality recombinant product, given the ongoing supply issues with Erwinaze.
The pivotal Phase 2/3 study is continuing, and patient enrollment is progressing well.
In September 2020, FDA granted Rare Pediatric Disease designation for JZP-458 for the treatment of pediatric ALL.
The company continues to target a mid-2021 launch in the U.S. and expects to submit a BLA as early as year-end 2020.
Defitelio:

Defitelio/defibrotide net product sales increased 34% to $50.2 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Late in the second quarter of 2020, the company observed an increase in hematopoietic stem cell transplants that had previously been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and this trend continued through the third quarter.
The top-line results from the Phase 2 proof-of-concept study for prevention of acute graft-versus-host disease demonstrated a modest trend toward a benefit with Defitelio. The safety profile was consistent with previously reported clinical studies. Following an evaluation of the full data, a decision will be made about any further research for the prevention of acute graft-versus-host disease.
Vyxeos:

Vyxeos net product sales increased 4% to $30.8 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
Vyxeos clinical data has been submitted for presentation at the upcoming American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) virtual meeting in December 2020, including preliminary data from a Phase 2 clinical study being conducted by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center evaluating Vyxeos in combination with venetoclax in relapsed/refractory or de novo acute myeloid leukemia.
Corporate

In September 2020, the company entered into a new research collaboration agreement with Redx Pharma plc (Redx) to discover and develop drug candidates for two cancer targets in the Ras/Raf/MAP kinase pathway.
In October 2020, the company entered into an asset purchase and exclusive license agreement with SpringWorks Therapeutics, Inc. (SpringWorks) for a fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor (FAAH) program. The company will initially focus on developing the FAAH inhibitor, PF-04457845 (PF-‘845), for the potential treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and associated symptoms.
GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2020 was $148.2 million, or $2.64 per diluted share, compared to $102.3 million, or $1.78 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2019.

Non-GAAP adjusted net income for the third quarter of 2020 was $242.1 million, or $4.31 per diluted share, compared to $235.3 million, or $4.10 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2019. Reconciliations of applicable GAAP reported to non-GAAP adjusted information are included at the end of this press release.

Total revenues increased 12% in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.

Oncology net product sales in the third quarter of 2020 increased 37% to $138.2 million compared to the same period in 2019 led by strong initial Zepzelca net sales of $36.9 million and a $12.6 million increase in Defitelio net product sales, partially offset by a decrease in Erwinaze net product sales of $13.9 million.
Neuroscience net product sales in the third quarter of 2020 increased 7% to $456.9 million compared to the same period in 2019 led by continued strong growth in Xyrem net product sales.
Operating expenses increased over the prior year period primarily due to the following:

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 on a GAAP and on a non-GAAP adjusted basis primarily due to increased investment in sales, marketing and launch activities related to certain of the company’s products.
Research and development (R&D) expenses decreased in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, on a GAAP and on a non-GAAP adjusted basis, primarily due to an $11.0 million milestone payable to Pfenex, Inc. in the third quarter of 2019, partially offset by an increase in expenses in the third quarter of 2020 related to the progress made on the company’s clinical and pre–clinical development programs, including JZP-458 and JZP-385.
Cash Flow and Balance Sheet

As of September 30, 2020, cash, cash equivalents and investments were $1.9 billion, and the outstanding principal balance of the company’s long-term debt was $2.4 billion.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the company generated $713.4 million of cash from operations, made upfront and milestone payments totaling $300.0 million to Pharma Mar, S.A. (PharmaMar) under a license agreement and used $146.5 million to repurchase shares under the company’s share repurchase program.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the company repurchased approximately 1.2 million ordinary shares under the company’s share repurchase program at an average cost of $121.98 per ordinary share. As of September 30, 2020, the remaining amount authorized for share repurchases under the company’s share repurchase program was $431.2 million.

2020 Financial Guidance

Jazz Pharmaceuticals is updating its full year 2020 financial guidance. This guidance reflects the company’s current and future expected operational performance, including COVID-19 related impacts, the durability of its products, the strength of its underlying operations and the prioritization of new and ongoing value creating development projects.

As a result of the company’s strong commercial performance and successful adaptation to the COVID-19 environment, the company is increasing its total 2020 revenue guidance. The company is increasing its oncology net product sales guidance driven by the significant momentum of Zepzelca, and is raising the lower end of its neuroscience net sales guidance.

The company is raising the lower end of its guidance for GAAP and non-GAAP adjusted net income and EPS while continuing to invest significantly in the diversification of its pipeline and increasing investment in the company’s most important products and product launches, as reflected in the increased acquired IPR&D expense and GAAP and non-GAAP adjusted SG&A guidance.

Conference Call Details

Jazz Pharmaceuticals will host an investor conference call and live audio webcast today at 4:30 p.m. EST (9:30 p.m. GMT) to provide a business and financial update and discuss its 2020 third quarter results. The live webcast may be accessed from the Investors section of the company’s website at www.jazzpharmaceuticals.com. Please connect to the website prior to the start of the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software downloads that may be necessary. Investors may participate in the conference call by dialing +1 855 353 7924 in the U.S., or +1 503 343 6056 outside the U.S., and entering passcode 2756835.

A replay of the conference call will be available through November 9, 2020 by dialing +1 855 859 2056 in the U.S., or +1 404 537 3406 outside the U.S., and entering passcode 2756835. An archived version of the webcast will be available for at least one week in the Investors section of the company’s website at www.jazzpharmaceuticals.com.