News Release Details

Supernus Announces Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results and Topline Data from Phase III Study of SPN-810 for Treatment of Impulsive Aggression (IA) in ADHD Patients

November 5, 2019 at 4:55 PM EST
  • Total revenue of $102.1 million, compared to $103.0 million in third quarter 2018
  • Net product sales of $100.0 million, compared to $100.2 million in third quarter 2018
  • Operating earnings of $39.7 million, compared to $37.5 million in third quarter 2018
  • NDA submission for SPN-812 expected in November 2019
  • Phase III P301 trial of SPN-810 for the treatment of IA in ADHD patients 6 to 11 years old did not meet its primary endpoint

ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 05, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SUPN), a pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases, today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2019, results from the Phase III P301 trial for SPN-810 and associated Company developments.


Commercial Update

Third quarter 2019 product prescriptions for Trokendi XR® and Oxtellar XR®, as reported by IQVIA, totaled 215,033, a 6.4% increase over the third quarter of 2018.

  Prescriptions    
  Q3 2019   Q3 2018   Change %
Trokendi XR 172,981   164,689   5.0%
Oxtellar XR 42,052   37,476   12.2%
Total 215,033   202,165   6.4%

Source: IQVIA

Net product sales for the third quarter of 2019 were $100.0 million, compared to $100.2 million in the third quarter of 2018. Net product sales by product are as follows:

Net Product Sales
($ in thousands)
  Q3 2019   Q3 2018   Change %
Trokendi XR $ 77,332   $ 79,834   (3.1)%
Oxtellar XR 22,702   20,393   11.3%
Total $ 100,034   $ 100,227   (0.2)%

“For the quarter and year to date periods, the beneficial impact of volume growth and price increases has been offset by continued pressure on gross-to-net sales deductions,” said Jack Khattar, President and CEO of Supernus. “Going forward, we believe that competitive dynamics and pressure on gross-to-net deductions are not likely to abate; consequently, we believe that net product sales growth will essentially be flat, even with moderate growth in prescriptions.”


Progress of Product Pipeline

SPN-812 - Novel non-stimulant for the treatment of ADHD

  • The Company expects to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for SPN-812 for the treatment of ADHD in November 2019.
  • A Phase III program in adult patients was initiated during the third quarter of 2019.

SPN-810 - Novel treatment of Impulsive Aggression (IA) in patients with ADHD

  • Phase III P301 trial in patients 6 to 11 years old did not meet its primary endpoint. The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, multicenter, parallel group clinical trial in patients diagnosed with ADHD. Patients receiving SPN-810 36mg showed a median percent reduction of 58.6% in the average weekly frequency of impulsive aggression episodes from baseline that was not statistically significant (p= 0.092) compared to placebo. These results are based on the combined analysis of data from stages 1 and 2 in the study. In stage 1 (interim analysis stage), the median percent reduction was 60%, which was statistically significant (p= 0.029) compared to placebo. However, in stage 2 of the study, post the interim analysis, the increase in variability in the 36mg treatment arm seems to have adversely impacted the results in the combined analysis.
Percent Change from Baseline (CFB) in the Frequency of IA Behaviors
Treatment Period - Primary Analysis (ITT Population)
 
Stage 1 - % CFB Placebo SPN-810
18mg
SPN-810
36mg
N 52 49 45
Mean (SD) -42.9 (35.9) -45.8 (33.5) -56.6 (34.1)
Median -48.6 -47.8 -60.0
P-value   0.651 0.029
Stage 2 - % CFB      
N 73 16 90
Mean (SD) -43.8 (36.3) -44.5 (34.6) -44.0 (43.5)
Median -47.2 -45.6 -58.5
P-value     0.102
Stages 1 & 2 Combined - % CFB      
N 125 65 135
Mean (SD) -43.4 (36.0) -45.5 (33.5) -48.2 (40.9)
Median -48.2 -47.9 -58.6
P-value   0.714 0.092
  • The median percent reduction in frequency of IA behavior in this Phase III study is consistent with the range of percent improvement in the retrospective modified aggression scale (58% - 62%) we saw in the two positive treatment arms in the Phase IIb study. The Company will continue its analysis of the results to better understand the reasons behind the increased variability in the 36mg treatment arm in the P301 study.
  • Overall, the trial exhibited favorable tolerability and safety profiles with low incidence of adverse events (AEs) across all doses. AEs were mild leading to low discontinuation rates of 0%, 7% and 5% for the 18mg, 36mg and combined treatment arms, respectively.
Adverse Event (AE)
N (%)
Placebo
(N=126)
SPN-810 18mg
(N=65)
SPN-810 36mg
(N=137)
SPN-810 Combined
(N=202)
Fatigue 1 (0.8) 2 (3.1) 10 (7.3) 12 (5.9)
Headache 2 (1.6) 2 (3.1) 7 (5.1) 9 (4.5)
Increased Appetite 6 (4.8) 0 9 (6.6) 9 (4.5)
Blood Prolactin Increased 1 (0.8) 4 (6.2) 2 (1.5) 6 (3.0)
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection 8 (6.3) 2 (3.1) 2 (1.5) 4 (2.0)
         
Discontinuation Rate due to AE’s 4 (3.1) 0 (0) 10 (7.2) 10 (4.9)
  • Enrollment in the Phase III P302 trial in patients 6 to 11 years old is at 98% of the target. The Company will cease enrollment in the P302 trial and analyze the data, which are expected to be available by the end of 2019. In the meantime, enrollment in the P503 Phase III trial (adolescents) is on hold until data from the P302 study are available and a final decision is reached regarding the SPN-810 program in IA. Mr. Khattar added, “We are obviously disappointed with the efficacy results from our Phase III P301 trial with SPN-810. I thank all our employees for working diligently to complete the studies and believing in what we do for our patients. I also thank all our patients, their families, and our investigators for participating in our studies.”

SPN-604 - Novel treatment of bipolar disorder

  • The Company initiated a pivotal Phase III monotherapy trial for the treatment of bipolar disorder in the fourth quarter of 2019.


Operating Expenses

Research and development (R&D) expenses in the third quarter of 2019 were $16.9 million, lower than the $20.4 million in the same quarter last year. This decrease is due to the completion of the four Phase III clinical trials for SPN-812, three of which were completed in December 2018 and one of which was completed in March 2019. These reductions were partially offset by SPN-812 manufacturing costs in support of the Company’s NDA submission.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses in the third quarter of 2019 were $40.6 million, essentially unchanged from $40.9 million in the same quarter last year.


Operating Earnings and Earnings Per Share

Operating earnings in the third quarter of 2019 were $39.7 million, a 5.9% increase from $37.5 million in the same quarter last year. The increase in operating earnings was primarily due to lower R&D expenses in the third quarter of 2019.

Net earnings (GAAP) in the third quarter of 2019 were $28.9 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, compared to $28.0 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, in the same period last year. Growth in operating earnings was offset by a modestly higher effective tax rate in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the year earlier period (27.1% compared to 23.0%), resulting in net earnings in the third quarter of 2019 that were comparable to net earnings in third quarter 2018.

Weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding were approximately 53.8 million in the third quarter of 2019, as compared to approximately 54.2 million in the prior year period.


Balance Sheet Highlights

As of September 30, 2019, the Company had $893.1 million in cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and long term marketable securities, compared to $774.8 million at December 31, 2018. This increase primarily reflects cash generated from operations in the first nine months of 2019.


Financial Guidance

The Company is revising its full year 2019 guidance for net product sales, R&D expenses and operating earnings, and reaffirming expectations for the effective tax rate as set forth below:

  • Net product sales in the range of $390 million to $395 million, compared to the previously expected range of $400 million to $410 million.
  • R&D expenses of approximately $70 million, compared to the previously expected range of $70 million to $80 million.
  • Operating earnings in the range of $150 million to $155 million, compared to the previously expected range of $150 million to $160 million.
  • Effective tax rate of approximately 23% to 25%.

Looking forward to 2020, the Company expects that the combined impact of product unit volume growth and price increases will be offset by continued pressure on gross-to-net sales deductions. In addition, the Company expects to launch SPN-812 in the second half of 2020. As such, the Company expects SG&A expenses to exceed $200 million for 2020, driven by pre-launch and launch marketing expenses, as well as the impact of fielding the psychiatry sales force in the second half of the year. Finally, R&D expenses are expected to be comparable to 2019.


Conference Call Details

The Company will hold a conference call hosted by Jack Khattar, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Greg Patrick, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, to discuss these results at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, on Wednesday, November 6, 2019.

Please refer to the information below for conference call dial-in information and webcast registration. Callers should dial in approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.

Conference dial-in: (877) 288-1043
International dial-in: (970) 315-0267
Conference ID: 8278897
Conference Call Name: Supernus Pharmaceuticals Third Quarter 2019 Earnings Conference Call

Following the live call, a replay will be available on the Company's website, www.supernus.com, under “Investor Relations”.


About Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. The Company currently markets Trokendi XR® (extended-release topiramate) for the prophylaxis of migraine and the treatment of epilepsy, and Oxtellar XR® (extended-release oxcarbazepine) for the treatment of epilepsy. The Company is also developing several product candidates to address large market opportunities in the CNS market, including SPN-812 for the treatment of ADHD and SPN-604 for the treatment of bipolar disorder.


Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements do not convey historical information, but relate to predicted or potential future events that are based upon management's current expectations. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. In addition to the factors mentioned in this press release, such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company’s ability to sustain and increase its profitability; the Company’s ability to raise sufficient capital to fully implement its corporate strategy; the implementation of the Company’s corporate strategy; the Company’s future financial performance and projected expenditures; the Company’s ability to increase the number of prescriptions written for each of its products; the Company’s ability to increase its net revenue; the Company’s ability to enter into future collaborations with pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions or to obtain funding from government agencies; the Company’s product research and development activities, including the timing and progress of the Company’s clinical trials, and projected expenditures; the Company’s ability to receive, and the timing of any receipt of, regulatory approvals to develop and commercialize the Company’s product candidates; the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and operate its business without infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others; the Company’s expectations regarding federal, state and foreign regulatory requirements; the therapeutic benefits, effectiveness and safety of the Company’s product candidates; the accuracy of the Company’s estimates of the size and characteristics of the markets that may be addressed by its product candidates; the Company’s ability to increase its manufacturing capabilities for its products and product candidates; the Company’s projected markets and growth in markets; the Company’s product formulations and patient needs and potential funding sources; the Company’s staffing needs; and other risk factors set forth from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission made pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company undertakes no obligation to update the information in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.


Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share data)

    September 30,   December 31,
    2019   2018
    (unaudited)    
Assets        
Current assets        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 116,889     $ 192,248  
Marketable securities   179,808     163,770  
Accounts receivable, net   86,699     102,922  
Inventories, net   25,504     25,659  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   18,182     8,888  
Total current assets   427,082     493,487  
Long term marketable securities   596,442     418,798  
Property and equipment, net   9,977     4,095  
Intangible assets, net   26,101     31,368  
Lease assets   18,780      
Deferred income taxes   27,953     29,683  
Other assets   574     380  
         
Total assets   $ 1,106,909     $ 977,811  
         
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity        
Current liabilities        
Accounts payable   $ 3,090     $ 3,195  
Accrued product returns and rebates   98,050     107,063  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   40,800     36,535  
Income taxes payable   4,818     12,377  
Nonrecourse liability related to sale of future royalties, current portion   2,959     2,183  
Total current liabilities   149,717     161,353  
Convertible notes, net   341,163     329,462  
Nonrecourse liability related to sale of future royalties, long term   20,305     22,575  
Lease liabilities, long term   27,256      
Other liabilities   11,211     11,398  
Total liabilities   549,652     524,788  
         
Stockholders’ equity        
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 130,000,000 shares authorized; 52,462,936 and 52,316,583 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively   52     52  
Additional paid-in capital   383,525     369,637  
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax   7,261     (3,158 )
Retained earnings   166,419     86,492  
Total stockholders’ equity   557,257     453,023  
         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 1,106,909     $ 977,811  


Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

  Three Months ended
September 30,
  Nine Months ended
September 30,
  2019   2018   2019   2018
  (unaudited)   (unaudited)
Revenues              
Net product sales $ 100,034     $ 100,227     $ 285,491     $ 286,377  
Royalty revenues 2,106     2,769     6,818     5,836  
Licensing revenues             750  
Total revenues 102,140     102,996     292,309     292,963  
               
Costs and expenses              
Cost of goods sold 4,819     4,207     12,547     11,168  
Research and development 16,943     20,422     49,307     59,368  
Selling, general and administrative 40,649     40,892     122,700     117,838  
               
Total costs and expenses 62,411     65,521     184,554     188,374  
               
Operating earnings 39,729     37,475     107,755     104,589  
               
Other income (expenses), net (139 )   (1,104 )   (1,180 )   (3,180 )
               
Earnings before income taxes 39,590     36,371     106,575     101,409  
               
Income tax expense 10,730     8,360     26,648     16,309  
Net earnings $ 28,860     $ 28,011     $ 79,927     $ 85,100  
               
Earnings per share              
Basic $ 0.55     $ 0.54     $ 1.53     $ 1.64  
Diluted $ 0.54     $ 0.52     $ 1.48     $ 1.57  
               
Weighted-average shares outstanding              
Basic 52,453,384     52,227,630     52,392,232     51,897,240  
Diluted 53,805,838     54,239,847     53,898,486     54,098,330  


CONTACTS:

Jack A. Khattar, President and CEO
Gregory S. Patrick, Senior Vice President and CFO
Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Tel: (301) 838-2591

or

INVESTOR CONTACT:
Peter Vozzo
Westwicke, an ICR Company
Office: (443) 213-0505
Mobile: (443) 377-4767
Email: peter.vozzo@westwicke.com

Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Source: Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.