Intercept Pharmaceuticals Reports First Quarter 2019 Financial Results and Provides Business Update
Positive results from pivotal Phase 3 REGENERATE study of OCA in patients with liver fibrosis due to NASH
New Drug Application (NDA) filing in the U.S. for OCA in NASH projected in the third quarter of 2019
Worldwide Ocaliva net sales of
Increasing 2019 Ocaliva net sales guidance range to between
Updating2019 non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses guidance range to between
Conference call scheduled for
“Our Phase 3 REGENERATE readout demonstrating OCA’s anti-fibrotic benefit in patients with NASH has been a watershed moment for the liver community and underscores our unique competitive opportunity to become the first approved NASH therapy,” said
OCA in NASH
In
REGENERATE is the only successful Phase 3 study in NASH with liver fibrosis to date and will serve as the basis for our NDA filing with the
Ocaliva® (obeticholic acid) Commercial Highlights
We recognized
Ocaliva was approved in
Ocaliva was granted conditional approval by the
Selected First Quarter 2019 Financial Results
Revenues
We recognized
Operating Expenses
Our cost of sales was
Our selling, general and administrative expenses increased to
Our research and development expenses increased to
In the quarters ended
References in this press release to “non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses” mean our total operating expenses, as calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), adjusted for the effects of two non-cash items: stock-based compensation and depreciation and amortization. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below. A reconciliation of non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses to total operating expenses for all historical periods presented is included below under the heading “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Expenses to Total Operating Expenses.”
Interest Expense
Interest expense in the quarters ended
Net Loss
In the first quarter of 2019, we reported a net loss of
Cash Position
As of
2019 Financial Guidance
Based on our first quarter results and our current outlook for the remainder of 2019, we are increasing our 2019 Ocaliva net sales guidance range to between
Conference Call on
We are hosting our first quarter 2019 financial results conference call and webcast on
About Intercept
Intercept is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics to treat progressive non-viral liver diseases, including primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Founded in 2002 in
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release presents non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses on a historical and projected basis. For the periods presented, non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses exclude from total operating expenses, as calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, the effects of two non-cash items: stock-based compensation and depreciation and amortization. Non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses is a financial measure that has not been prepared in accordance with GAAP. Accordingly, investors should consider non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses in addition to, but not as a substitute for, total operating expenses that we calculate and present in accordance with GAAP. Among other things, our management uses non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses to establish budgets and operational goals and to manage our business. Other companies may define or use this measure in different ways. We believe that the presentation of non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses provides investors and management with helpful supplemental information relating to operating performance and trends. A table reconciling non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses to total operating expenses for all historical periods presented is included below under the heading “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Expenses to Total Operating Expenses”. A quantitative reconciliation of projected non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses to total operating expenses is not available without unreasonable effort primarily due to our inability to predict with reasonable certainty the amount of future stock-based compensation expense.
About Ocaliva®(obeticholic acid)
Ocaliva is indicated in
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on a reduction in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as a surrogate endpoint which is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit, including an improvement in liver transplant free-survival. An improvement in survival or disease-related symptoms has not been established. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. We are conducting a Phase 4 clinical outcomes trial, which we refer to as our COBALT trial, of OCA in patients with PBC with the goal of confirming clinical benefit on a post-marketing basis.
In
U.S. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR OCALIVA IN PBC
WARNING: HEPATIC DECOMPENSATION AND FAILURE IN INCORRECTLY DOSED PBC PATIENTS WITH CHILD-PUGH CLASS B OR C OR DECOMPENSATED CIRRHOSIS
- In postmarketing reports, hepatic decompensation and failure, in some cases fatal, have been reported in patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) with decompensated cirrhosis or Child-Pugh Class B or C hepatic impairment when OCALIVA was dosed more frequently than recommended.
- The recommended starting dosage of OCALIVA is 5 mg once weekly for patients with Child-Pugh Class B or C hepatic impairment or a prior decompensation event.
Contraindications
OCALIVA is contraindicated in PBC patients with complete biliary obstruction.
Warnings and Precautions
Hepatic Decompensation and Failure in Incorrectly-Dosed PBC Patients with Child-Pugh Class B or C or Decompensated Cirrhosis
In postmarketing reports, hepatic decompensation and failure, in some cases fatal, have been reported in PBC patients with decompensated cirrhosis or Child-Pugh B or C hepatic impairment when OCALIVA was dosed more frequently than the recommended starting dosage of 5 mg once weekly. Reported cases typically occurred within 2 to 5 weeks after starting OCALIVA and were characterized by an acute increase in total bilirubin and/or ALP concentrations in association with clinical signs and symptoms of hepatic decompensation (e.g., ascites, jaundice, gastrointestinal bleeding, worsening of hepatic encephalopathy).
Routinely monitor patients for progression of PBC disease, including liver-related complications, with laboratory and clinical assessments. Dosage adjustment, interruption or discontinuation may be required. Close monitoring is recommended for patients at an increased risk of hepatic decompensation. Severe intercurrent illnesses that may worsen renal function or cause dehydration (e.g., gastroenteritis), may exacerbate the risk of hepatic decompensation. Interrupt treatment with OCALIVA in patients with laboratory or clinical evidence of worsening liver function indicating risk of decompensation, and monitor the patient’s liver function. Consider discontinuing OCALIVA in patients who have experienced clinically significant liver-related adverse reactions. Discontinue OCALIVA in patients who develop complete biliary obstruction.
Liver-Related Adverse Reactions
Dose-related, liver-related adverse reactions including jaundice, worsening ascites and primary biliary cholangitis flare have been observed in clinical trials, as early as one month after starting treatment with OCALIVA 10 mg once daily up to 50 mg once daily (up to 5-times the highest recommended dosage). Monitor PBC patients during treatment with OCALIVA for elevations in liver biochemical tests and for the development of liver-related adverse reactions.
Severe Pruritus
Severe pruritus was reported in 23% of PBC patients in the OCALIVA 10 mg arm, 19% of PBC patients in the OCALIVA titration arm, and 7% of PBC patients in the placebo arm in a 12-month double-blind randomized controlled trial of 216 PBC patients. Severe pruritus was defined as intense or widespread itching, interfering with activities of daily living, or causing severe sleep disturbance, or intolerable discomfort, and typically requiring medical interventions. Consider clinical evaluation of PBC patients with new onset or worsening severe pruritus. Management strategies include the addition of bile acid resins or antihistamines, OCALIVA dosage reduction, and/or temporary interruption of OCALIVA dosing.
Reduction in HDL-C
Patients with PBC generally exhibit hyperlipidemia characterized by a significant elevation in total cholesterol primarily due to increased levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). Dose-dependent reductions from baseline in mean HDL-C levels were observed at 2 weeks in OCALIVA-treated PBC patients, 20% and 9% in the 10 mg and titration arms, respectively, compared to 2% in the placebo arm. Monitor PBC patients for changes in serum lipid levels during treatment. For PBC patients who do not respond to OCALIVA after 1 year at the highest recommended dosage that can be tolerated (maximum of 10 mg once daily), and who experience a reduction in HDL-C, weigh the potential risks against the benefits of continuing treatment.
Adverse Reactions
The most common adverse reactions from subjects taking OCALIVA for PBC were pruritus, fatigue, abdominal pain and discomfort, rash, oropharyngeal pain, dizziness, constipation, arthralgia, thyroid function abnormality, and eczema.
Drug Interactions
Bile Acid Binding Resins
Bile acid binding resins such as cholestyramine, colestipol, or colesevelam adsorb and reduce bile acid absorption and may reduce the absorption, systemic exposure, and efficacy of OCALIVA. If taking a bile acid binding resin, take OCALIVA at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after taking the bile acid binding resin, or at as great an interval as possible.
Warfarin
The International Normalized Ratio (INR) decreased following coadministration of warfarin and OCALIVA. Monitor INR and adjust the dose of warfarin, as needed, to maintain the target INR range when coadministering OCALIVA and warfarin.
CYP1A2 Substrates with Narrow Therapeutic Index
Obeticholic acid, the active ingredient in OCALIVA, may increase the exposure to concomitant drugs that are CYP1A2 substrates. Therapeutic monitoring of CYP1A2 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g. theophylline and tizanidine) is recommended when coadministered with OCALIVA.
Inhibitors of Bile Salt Efflux Pump
Avoid concomitant use of inhibitors of the bile salt efflux pump (BSEP) such as cyclosporine. Concomitant medications that inhibit canalicular membrane bile acid transporters such as the BSEP may exacerbate accumulation of conjugated bile salts including taurine conjugate of obeticholic acid in the liver and result in clinical symptoms. If concomitant use is deemed necessary, monitor serum transaminases and bilirubin.
Please see Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING and Medication Guide for OCALIVA.
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the progress, timing and results of our clinical trials, including our clinical trials for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (“NASH”), the safety and efficacy of our approved product, Ocaliva (obeticholic acid or “OCA”) for primary biliary cholangitis (“PBC”), and our product development candidates, including OCA for NASH, the timing and acceptance of our potential regulatory filings and potential approval of OCA for NASH or any other indications in addition to PBC, the timing and potential commercial success of OCA and any other product candidates we may develop and our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenue, projected costs, financial guidance, prospects, plans, objectives of management and expected market growth.
These statements constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “possible,” “continue” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement except as required by law. These forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions by our management that, although believed to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain and subject to a number of risks. The following represent some, but not necessarily all, of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated or predicted by our forward-looking statements: our ability to successfully commercialize Ocaliva for PBC; our ability to maintain our regulatory approval of Ocaliva for PBC in
Contact
For more information about Intercept, please contact:
Justine O’Malley
+1-646-931-1180
investors@interceptpharma.com
+1-646-757-2371
media@interceptpharma.com
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||
2019 | 2018 | ||||||||
Revenue: | |||||||||
Product revenue, net | $ | 51,847 | $ | 35,158 | |||||
Licensing revenue | 405 | 805 | |||||||
Total revenue | 52,252 | 35,963 | |||||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||||
Cost of sales | 574 | 280 | |||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 77,227 | 62,467 | |||||||
Research and development | 58,396 | 48,672 | |||||||
Total operating expenses | 136,197 | 111,419 | |||||||
Operating loss | (83,945) | (75,456) | |||||||
Other income (expense): | |||||||||
Interest expense | (7,839) | (7,509) | |||||||
Other income, net | 1,514 | 1,375 | |||||||
(6,325) | (6,134) | ||||||||
Net loss | $ | (90,270) | $ | (81,590) | |||||
Net loss per common and potential common share: | |||||||||
Basic and diluted | $ | (3.03) | $ | (3.22) | |||||
Weighted average common and potential common shares outstanding: | |||||||||
Basic and diluted | 29,760 | 25,309 |
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Information
(In thousands)
March 31, 2019 |
December 31, 2018 (1) |
|||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and investment debt securities | $ | 353,542 | $ | 436,160 | ||
Total assets | $ | 438,258 | $ | 509,167 | ||
Deferred revenue, total | $ | 3,122 | $ | 2,432 | ||
Total liabilities (2) | $ | 493,259 | $ | 490,037 | ||
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity | $ | (55,001) | $ | 19,130 |
––––––––––––
(1) Derived from the audited financial statements included in Intercept’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
(2) Includes
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Expenses to Total Operating Expenses
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||
2019 | 2018 | ||||
Total operating expenses | $ | 136,197 | $ | 111,419 | |
Adjustments: | |||||
Stock-based compensation | 14,897 | 12,305 | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 2,400 | 1,290 | |||
Non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses | $ | 118,900 | $ | 97,824 |
Source: Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.