Supernus Pharmaceuticals Q1 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

Quartr
Provided by Quartr
May 6, 2025

There are 9 speakers on the call.

Operator

Good afternoon, and welcome to Supernus Pharmaceuticals First Quarter twenty twenty five Financial Results Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen only mode. Later, we will conduct a question and answer session. Instructions will follow at that time. As a reminder, this conference call is being recorded.

Operator

I would now like to turn the conference over to Peter Vazzo of ICR Westwick, Investor Relations representative for Supernus Pharmaceuticals. You may begin.

Speaker 1

Thank you, Lauren. Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for joining us today for Supernus Pharmaceuticals first quarter twenty twenty five financial results conference call. Today, after the close of the market, the company issued a press release announcing these results. On the call with me today are Supernus' Chief Executive Officer, Jack Qatar and Chief Financial Officer, Tim Dent. Today's call is being made available via the Investor Relations section of the company's website at ir.supinis.com.

Speaker 1

During the course of this call, management may make certain forward looking statements regarding future events and the company's future performance. These forward looking statements reflect Supernus' current perspective on existing trends and information. Any such forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, including those noted in the Risk Factors section of the company's latest SEC filings. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in these forward looking statements. For the benefit of those of you who may be listening to the replay, this call is being held and recorded on 05/05/2025.

Speaker 1

Since then, the company may have made additional announcements related to the topics discussed. Please reference the company's most recent press releases and current filings with the SEC. Supernus declines any obligation to update these forward looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Amount to the call in January.

Speaker 2

Thank you, Peter. Good afternoon, everyone, and thanks for taking the time to join us on today's call. Our first quarter results reflect once again double digit revenue growth from our core products as well as solid growth in adjusted operating earnings. Total revenues excluding Trokendi XR and Oxtellar XR, increased by 26% in the first quarter compared to the same quarter last year. Driving this growth was the robust performance of both KELLY and GOCOVRI.

Speaker 2

These two products collectively accounted for 67% of total net sales, while Trokendi XR and Oxtellar XR accounted for only 97% respectively. In the first quarter, KELBRE grew by 22% in prescriptions as reported by IQVIA, and by 44% in net sales. The product ended the first quarter in a strong position with monthly prescriptions in March reaching an all time high of 75,277, up 25% compared to same period last year. In addition, we continue to expand the prescriber base for KELRI, with the number of prescribers in the first quarter reaching 34,416, which is up by 23% compared to first quarter last year. We are also excited about the new data from the open label study in adults with ADHD and mood disorders.

Speaker 2

The data from all 161 adult patients will be presented at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting later this month. The data shows significant improvement in clinician and patient rated measures of ADHD, depression, and anxiety symptoms, and the safety outcomes in the trial were consistent with the double blind pivotal trial of KELLY in adult ADHD. Regarding GOCOVRI for the first quarter of twenty twenty five, prescriptions increased by 12%, and net sales increased by 16% compared to the same quarter last year. The Medicare Inflation Reduction Act with the reduced patient out of pocket costs drove increased restrictions for GOCOVRI among Medicare patients in the first quarter compared to the same period last year. On average, GOCOVRI's Medicare's co pay declined by 42% compared to the first quarter of twenty twenty four, and by March 2025, '80 '4 percent of GOCOVRI's Medicare prescriptions were costing patients less than $25 In addition, prior authorizations and medical exception approval rates remained high in the quarter.

Speaker 2

These new dynamics and the resulting growth in the first quarter suggest that any potential negative impact from increased mandatory Medicare manufacturer payments for the year could end up being offset by increased prescriptions and gross sales in Medicare. Early in the second quarter, we launched our NAPCO Supernus Next Growth product. It is the first and only subcutaneous apomorphine infusion device for the treatment of motor fluctuations in adults with advanced Parkinson's disease. It was launched with a support team of experts, including the nurse education program and access support, and utilizes our existing Parkinson's disease sales force and infrastructure. Initial response from physicians has been encouraging based on patient enrollment forms submitted early in the launch.

Speaker 2

And only a few weeks into the launch, more than 75% of the sales territories generated one or more patient enrollment form with more than 100 prescribers submitting such forms. Switching now to our legacy products for the first quarter of twenty twenty five, combined net sales of Trokendi XR and Oxtellar XR were down 46%. For the remainder of 2025, we expect further erosion in both product sales and maintain our 2025 guidance of 65 to 75,000,000 in combined net sales. Moving on to our CNS pipeline of novel product candidates, we plan to initiate a follow on phase 2b multicenter, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial with SPN-eight twenty in approximately two hundred adults with major depressive disorder. This study will examine the safety and tolerability of SPN-eight twenty at a dose of two thousand four hundred milligrams, given intermittently twice per week as an adjunctive treatment to the current baseline antidepressant better, as well as assess the rapid onset of improvement in depressive symptoms.

Speaker 2

As we mentioned on our last call, we completed a pharmacokinetic study of two oral formulations of SPN-four forty three in healthy adults. Both formulations of SPN-four forty three showed adequate bioavailability and were well tolerated. STN443 is our new stimulant like product candidate for ADHD and other CNS disorders. The company expects to disclose a lead indication for the product by the end of twenty twenty five. Regarding corporate development, it continues to be a top priority for us looking for strategic opportunities to further strengthen our future growth with revenue generating products or late stage pipeline product candidates.

Speaker 2

And finally, given the current environment for tariffs, it is difficult to predict what impact, if any, they could potentially have on our business. We don't expect tariffs on finished products to impact KELRI, Trokendiks, or GOCOVRI, or NAPCO, or Apoquin, as they are either manufactured in The US or are under arrangements that shield us from impact of tariffs. On the other hand, Myobloc, Zydago, and Oxtellar's lower finished products are manufactured in Europe or Canada, and therefore could become subject to import tariffs. All our products, raw materials are imported from various countries outside The US. Therefore, any potential impact from tariffs will highly depend on numerous factors, including but not limited to current inventory levels of various raw materials, timing of any new orders that may be subject to the tariffs, the country of origin for the various materials, and the applicable percentage tariffs.

Speaker 2

With that, I will now turn the call over to Tim.

Speaker 3

Thank you, Jack. Good afternoon, everyone. As I review our first quarter twenty twenty five results, please refer to today's press release and 10 Q that was filed earlier today. Total revenue for the first quarter of twenty twenty five was $149,800,000 compared to $143,600,000 in the first quarter of twenty twenty four. Total revenue in the first quarter of twenty twenty five was comprised of net product sales of $142,000,000 and royalty revenues of $7,800,000 This $3,500,000 increase in net product sales was primarily due to increase in net product sales of our core products, KELRI and GOCOVRI.

Speaker 3

Excluding net product sales of Trokendi XR and Oxtellar XR in both periods, total revenues for the first quarter of twenty twenty five increased 26% compared to the first quarter of twenty twenty four. For the first quarter of twenty twenty five, combined R and D and SG and A expenses were 116,900,000.0 as compared to $111,400,000 for the prior year quarter. The increase was primarily due to higher R and D spend associated with our ongoing clinical programs as we continue to progress our pipeline. Operating loss on a GAAP basis for the first quarter of twenty twenty five was $10,300,000 as compared to an operating loss of $3,200,000 for the prior year period. This increase was primarily due to higher contingent consideration loss related to the achievement of an ABCO related milestones.

Speaker 3

GAAP net loss was 11,800,000.0 for the first quarter of twenty twenty five, or loss per diluted share of $0.21 compared to GAAP net earnings of $124,000 or earnings per diluted share of $0.00 in the prior year quarter. On a non GAAP basis, which excludes amortization, intangibles, share based compensation, contingent consideration and depreciation, adjusted operating earnings for the first quarter of twenty twenty five was $25,900,000 compared to 22,300,000.0 in the first quarter of twenty twenty four. As of 03/31/2025, the company had approximately 463,600,000.0 in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, compared to $453,600,000 as of 12/31/2024. This increase was primarily due to cash generated from operations offset by a $25,000,000 payment of the Enacto related milestones in the first quarter of twenty twenty five. The company continues to have a strong balance sheet with significant financial flexibility for potential M and A or other value creating opportunities.

Speaker 3

Now turning to guidance. For the full year 2025, the company reiterates its financial guidance for total revenue, combined R and D and SG and A expenses and non GAAP operating earnings. As such, we expect total revenues to range from $600,000,000 to $630,000,000 comprised of net product sales and royalty revenues. For the full year 2025, we expect combined R and D and SG and A expenses to range from $435,000,000 to $460,000,000 Overall, we expect full year 2025 GAAP operating earnings loss in the range of 15,000,000 GAAP operating loss to 10,000,000 GAAP operating earnings, and non GAAP operating earnings to range from 105,000,000 to 130,000,000. Please refer to the earnings press release issued prior to this call that identifies the various ranges of reconciling items between GAAP and non GAAP.

Speaker 3

With that, I will now turn the call back to the operator for Q and A. Operator?

Operator

Thank you. At this time, we will conduct the question and answer session. As a reminder, to ask a question, you will need to press 11 on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced. To withdraw your question, please press 11 again. Please stand by while we compile the Q and A roster.

Operator

Our first question comes from the line of Andrew Tsai with Jefferies. Your line is now open.

Speaker 4

Hey. This is John on for Andrew. Thanks for taking the question. Could you just please remind us the key growth drivers for KELBRE in 2025? And is it fair that 2025 will be more about volume than price?

Speaker 4

Or could sales still be driven by volume and price? And then could you just provide a little more color on your decision to move forward with A20 and MDD? Like, what kind of placebo adjusted efficacy delta do you think you could ultimately show, and then when can we expect data? Thanks.

Speaker 2

Regarding the the growth is going to be combined. I mean, and a little bit of price. We took price increase, a very small price increase in but the majority of the growth is going to be based on volume and growth, in prescriptions. As we showed, I mean, we had a really good first quarter, typically first quarter, you know, you might see some, a little bit slowdown in growth and so forth, or you can see flattish trend in the first quarter. You know, we're pretty happy with where we stand with Kelby.

Speaker 2

As I mentioned in my remarks, you know, March came in really high, all time high of 75,000 plus as far as prescriptions are concerned, which are 25% growth versus last year. So we're pretty optimistic on where the band is and the position it's in in the first quarter, and certainly look forward to more growth in the subsequent quarters. As far as SPN-eight 20, you know, regarding the expectation as far as placebo adjusted improvement in MADRS and so forth, If you remember in the open label, and it's very hard, of course, to make these comparisons because it was an open label study, we had very significant reduction in MADRS, and yet in the Phase IIb subsequently, we had placebo effect in the 12.1 to 12 reduction in MADRS, so if you account for something of that nature, and we can do a little bit more than the placebo by five to eight points, which is typically what is considered to be clinically and medically relevant and significant, that will be something that certainly we will be shooting for. So anything between, you know, around the five to eight point reduction in MADRS placebo adjusted will be a clinically significant reduction, and that certainly, we hope to get even more than that given the initial results that we had way back in the open label.

Speaker 2

And again, the reason we decided to do the follow on study on A20 is because of the different dosing regimen, so we believe the M4K1 mechanism is as such that this is a target that you don't have to hit very frequently every single day. But if you do it intermittently, as we did back in the open label, we have a much better and higher chance of showing the impact of the drug.

Speaker 4

Thanks so much. And then, when could we possibly expect data readout from the study?

Speaker 2

Yeah, at this point, we're looking, and we're not promising this yet because there is a lot of work to be done in preparation for the new study, but at best case, we'll probably start the study before year end this year, and therefore we need a good year and a half to finish the study and get data. So depending on recruitment, of course, and looking at 200 patients to be randomized, so depending on how quickly we can do that. Now it is MDD, so it should go a little bit faster than the TRD study. So that will remain to be seen. We'll certainly update folks as time goes on.

Speaker 4

Great, thanks so much.

Operator

Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Stacy Ku with TD Cowen. Your line is now open.

Speaker 5

Hey, good afternoon. Thanks for taking our questions. So, the first is on KELBRI. Just how much of the normal seasonality or Q1 dynamics impact KELBRE net pricing this quarter? And how should we think about the jump to Q2 remainder of the year in terms of gross to nets?

Speaker 5

And then maybe could you comment on the level of comfort you might have around KELPR consensus around $290,000,000 for the year? That's kind of the first question. And then the second question is on APAGO. As we think about the infrastructure required, maybe talk about the plumbing to make sure all start forms can be transformed into patient prescriptions, getting patients on drug. What are your thoughts on the timing to go from a start form to getting onepago to the patient?

Speaker 5

Thanks so much.

Speaker 2

Yeah, there's a lot of category Q1, as we always, you know, discuss typically tends to have pressure on the gross to net clearly and the total net price per prescription. So in the first quarter, gross to net went up to somewhere in the early 50s, you know, 51, 50 two, somewhere in that region, which is very expected. And then typically, if we do follow the typical trends, it should see some improvement in the second quarter and third quarter, unless there is a one time issue that pops up that is unforeseen, and that could cause quarter to quarter fluctuations. As far as, you know, the consensus of the February, you know, annual, I mean, we feel comfortable with that number, although we, again, we don't give official, you know, guidance for product, but certainly the product is doing very well and should do very well for the rest of the year. Regarding on ACCO and the infrastructure, the infrastructure is very well established clearly because of the few years now we've been in the space and Parkinson's with APIC and GOCOVRI.

Speaker 2

So the whole infrastructure from Salesforce to the hub services, nurse educators, reimbursement, health, all of that has been already established and has been improved actually over the last several years in preparation as well for ONAVCO. So it is a little bit hard right now because we just launched the product and we just started getting all the patient enrollment forms to give you a good idea as to how long the cycle would be, you know, from the patient enrollment form until the patient actually gets the product. But from our experience, you know, from GOCOVRI and APOCN and so forth, we are well within the industry average, if not a little bit better. And the same thing goes with the prior authorizations or getting the actual reimbursements. So really how many out of the patient enrollment forms end up actually translating into actual product that gets in the hands of the patients.

Speaker 2

We typically run at a little bit better than industry average with our rates, you know, it's north of, you know, the 40 to 50% that's in that range. So we feel very optimistic about the process that we have and really making sure we can process these patient enrollment forms and get the product to the patient as soon as possible.

Speaker 6

Sure, thank you so much.

Operator

Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Annabel Samimy with Stifel. Your line is now open.

Speaker 7

Hi, this is Jack on for Annabel. Thanks for taking our questions. So could you provide maybe some more details around reimbursement discussions and how we should think about the trajectory of launch for ONAPCO? Are there any points of differentiation that physicians are immediately looking towards compared to something like AbbVie's pump?

Speaker 2

Yeah, regarding reimbursement, as I mentioned earlier, you know, we expect a very good level and percentage of these enrollment forms to end up going through all the way, and fulfilled, actually fulfilled, so that the patient, ends up getting the product itself. We have complete support for that throughout the process, right from the beginning, a patient in more than four months gets written up. It's really a very high level of service in taking that form and really walking it through with the hub services all the way to make sure that the reimbursement adjudication for all that insurance and everything works out as smooth as possible. And we had actually before we really launched the product, so to speak, we had some early ones that we ran through the process to test the process and make sure it is smooth, so that when the product first, you know, became available and some of these forms started flowing through, we had the process worked out. So we feel pretty confident about that.

Speaker 2

As far as the product differentiation, I mean the product clearly, first of all, it's a very different molecule than anything that is out there, except for, of course, Apoquin. So Apomorphine is a very strong potent molecule that works very well. It's a good dopamine agonist, probably one of the best out there. And it works really well, and we know that well, you know, from the efficacy and the data that came out of the study on APCO as well as Apoquin in general, I mean, as a molecule. So it's the only pump, clearly, that provides that option to patients, continuous infusion of apomorphine.

Speaker 2

And a lot of patients out there don't have too many choices. And if you've been on levodopa carbidopa for so many years, do you really want to have, you know, another product that gives you also levodopa carbidopa, or do you want to switch to something else that could be, you know, more beneficial? So this is really a decision that clearly the movement disorder specialists, you know, would make as appropriate for each patient they have. So there is a clear differentiation for the product also from safety, tolerability, you can take a look at the label of our product versus the label of the other products out there, it will show some clear differentiation. As far as efficacy, they're fairly comparable, know, the two products, not as much of a differentiation.

Speaker 2

So that's the general framework without having obviously head to head trials, it is very difficult to make these kind of comparisons.

Speaker 7

Got it. And then if I could just ask one more. For SBN-eight 20, was there anything you were able to gather from the phase two in treatment resistant depression that could either maybe revive that program and or give you some extra comfort on the phase 2b in major depressive disorder? Do you see that indication as likely dropped at this point, or have you not finished going through that data?

Speaker 2

Yeah, we didn't see from all the data and everything that we've been doing since we announced the results, we didn't see anything that points to the fact that it's an indication driven difference that we saw between the two studies. The key difference is the dosing regimen. So what I'm saying is initially we're gonna go after MDD, you know, with the follow on study, and that doesn't mean we're giving up on TRD. So we think the product would work in both, but MDD could be quicker as far as enrollment or what have you, and that's why, you know, we chose to go with MDD at this point as a follow on study. So we're not giving up on TRD because we think that the product mechanistically, if it works in MDD, it should work in TRD.

Speaker 2

And the only reason it didn't work in the phase 2B most likely, is because of the dosing regimen.

Speaker 7

Understood. Thanks.

Operator

Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of David Amsellem with Piper Sandler. Your line is now open.

Speaker 8

Thanks. So just a couple for me. First, on APCO. I know these are early days, but what are you hearing in the field regarding competitive dynamics versus the ally of the AbbVie product? And specifically, are you getting any pushback regarding the use of apomorphine in general when there is another subcu pump available that delivers levodopa and carbidopa.

Speaker 8

So that's number one, just talk to the competitive dynamics and what you are seeing and expect to see. And then just turning to the pipeline on April, I know you're going to disclose a lead indication by the end of this year. But since it is a stimulant, is it fair to say that sleep wake could be on the table here, either narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia or both? And how are you just thinking about that in terms of its fit for what you plan to do with that asset? Thank you.

Speaker 2

Yeah, think regarding on air call, all I can say is initially, and this was again very early, you know, as I mentioned in our prepared remarks, you know, we're very encouraged actually with the reaction to the product, the receptivity, the response from physicians, and the level of activity that we've seen behind the product. So we also started to get some initial feedback regarding our circle of care, which is our support system that we give our patients, positive feedback. Again, clearly we've had this program for a number of years right now. We've kind of perfected it and improved over the year. And we've had it for GOCOVRI and APOC, and now we're applying it to ONAPCO.

Speaker 2

So, we emphasize, of course, the level of service that we're giving our patients and our physicians. And we see that as a competitive advantage actually in the marketplace. And so far, all indications are very positive and very encouraging. Apologize everybody because it's very early in the launch, of course, it's only a few weeks, but certainly, it's off to a very strong start, better than our expectations initially, and hopefully will continue to be that way. And as far as, again, Apomorphine versus levodopa carbidopa, you know, that is something that a physician will have to make that decision.

Speaker 2

I mean, if you have a patient, and these are patients that are advanced progress, and that's really the patient type that you're looking at for these infusion devices, This is a patient who's been taking levodopacarbidopa for five years, ten years, fifteen years, whatever the case might be, do you really want to put them back on levodopacarbidopa? And with the other infusion device, because it is levodopa carbidopa, you can't use it as an add on to the oral levodopa carbidopa, basically you have to replace the oral completely. But with our pump, because it is apomorphine, you can still continue to keep the patient on the oral levodopa carbidopa, while at the same time using an Apco infusion device gives you apomorphine. So that's another clear differentiation between the two products, and being an add on could prove to be a potential advantage. We will see in the marketplace.

Speaker 2

Regarding the pipeline and four forty three, we are looking at four forty three as we have presented earlier a long time before as a stimulant, potential stimulant for ADHD with potential schedule four instead of C2 scheduling. So that would be a huge advantage in the marketplace. But we're also looking at it for other indications, and that's why we haven't made the final, final selection of what indication will be the lead indication. So we could choose a lead indication and potentially other indications as well as a follow on to the lead indication. So we're still finalizing now some of the work we're doing, some animal models and so forth, and we'll make that decision before year end.

Speaker 2

But it's a pretty exciting asset, and it remains to be seen as to where we take it initially and then follow on with other indications potential.

Speaker 3

Okay. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Kristen Kluska with Cantor Fitzgerald. Your line is now open.

Speaker 6

Hi. This is Ion on the line for Kristen. Thank you for taking our questions. On CALBREE, do you have a sense of the proportion of naive patients that are getting on an ADHD medication for the first time and they're deciding on, taking Calvary. And then you previously mentioned the combination use within the adult population being around thirty five to forty percent of the prescription.

Speaker 6

Has this changed?

Speaker 2

Yeah, regarding KELLY, the split of the source of business or the source of patients, so to speak, it's around 32%, thirty three % advances around that are completely naive first line treatment on CALBRE. And then the remaining 6768% are basically switches, or most of them are switches from existing medications. The bulk of that switch typically comes from the stimulant side, products like Vyvanse, Adderall, and all of the generics in general. And then the 35% of the switches typically is coming from the other nonstimulants like Stapara, Entune, and so forth. As far as the combination use, I think it's still around, you know, between the thirty five and forty percent in adult being in combination.

Speaker 2

It will be interesting to see, you know, as the data gets more disseminated and people learn more about some of the data and label of the product and so forth, whether that would change over time. Potentially it could, especially with a lot of the adults who have a lot of comorbidities. But that remains to be seen. But at this point, it's still around that range, yeah.

Speaker 6

I got it. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. I'm showing no further questions at this time. I would now like to turn it back to Jack Qatar for closing remarks.

Speaker 2

Thank you for joining us to learn about our operating performance in the first quarter of twenty twenty five. The company has executed well through the loss of exclusivity on two of its legacy products. Excluding these legacy products, we continue to deliver robust double digit growth in revenues. Also, continue to generate strong cash flows behind the strength of our portfolio, particularly our core products and through the efficiency of our operations. We believe we are well positioned for continued growth beyond the current transition and are focused on several key areas.

Speaker 2

First, driving growth and generating strong cash flow from our core products, us to continue our investments in our pipeline. Second, the launch of Onacto and strengthening our leadership position in Parkinson's. Third, advancing our innovative R and D portfolio of differentiated first in class molecules. And finally, continuing our emphasis on corporate development as a top priority to augment our growth through external opportunities. Thanks again for joining us this afternoon.

Speaker 2

We look forward to updating you on our next call.

Operator

Thank you for your participation in today's conference. This does conclude the program. You may now disconnect.

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Supernus Pharmaceuticals Q1 2025
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