This conference call transcript was computer generated and almost certianly contains errors. This transcript is provided for information purposes only.EarningsCall, LLC makes no representation about the accuracy of the aforementioned transcript, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the information provided by the transcript.
spk03: Thank you for standing by. My name is Rani, and I will be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to Q1 2024 of WANDA Pharmaceuticals Incorporated earnings conference call. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speakers remarks, there will be a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question during this time, simply press star followed by the number one on your telephone keypad. If you would like to withdraw your question, press star one again. I would now like to turn the call over to WANDA's Chief Financial Officer, Kevin Moran. Please go ahead.
spk02: Thank you, Hermione. Good afternoon, and thank you for joining us to discuss WANDA Pharmaceuticals first quarter 2024 performance. Our first quarter 2024 results were released this afternoon and are available on the SEC's EGR system and on our website, .wandapharma.com. In addition, we are providing live and archived versions of this conference call on our website. Joining me on today's call is Dr. Mahalas Polymeropoulos, our President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board, and Tim Williams, our General Counsel. Following my introductory remarks, Mahalas will update you on our ongoing activities. I will then comment on our financial results before we open the lines for your questions. Before we proceed, I would like to remind everyone that various statements that we make on this call will be forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. Our forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions that involve risks, changes in circumstances, and uncertainties. These risks are described in the cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements, risk factors, and management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations sections of our most recent annual report on Form 10-K as updated by our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and other filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC's EDGAR system and on our website. We encourage all investors to read these reports and our other filings. The information we provide on this call is provided only as of today, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements we may make on this call on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. With that said, I would now like to turn the call over to our CEO, Dr. Mahalas Palamouropoulos.
spk05: Thank you very much, Kevin, and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you all for joining us to discuss BANDES First Quarter 2024 Results. Let me start by providing details on the progress for our psychiatry portfolio of compounds. FNAPT was approved on April 2nd as a first-line therapy for the acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults, which for this discussion, I will refer to as bipolar I disorder. The results of the study supporting this approval were published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry earlier this year. This approval for bipolar I disorder significantly expands the addressable patient population for FNAPT, where patent exclusivity is expected to last at least through late 2027. For mild subparidone, the active metabolite of FNAPT, a new drug application, NDA, is expected to be submitted to the Food and Drug Administration in early 2025. If approved for marketing for schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder, the patent applications that he issued could extend exclusivity into the 2040s. We're currently planning clinical programs to test the efficacy of FNAPT and mild subparidone in the treatment of depressive symptoms, which if successful, will significantly further expand the addressable patient population. In addition, we're planning to initiate a registration study of the FNAPT long-acting injectable, or FNAPT LAI formulation, by the end of 2024. FNAPT LAI in earlier studies has demonstrated a profile compatible with a -a-month administration, offering a significant tool to address compliance issues in this disease population. FNAPT LAI could reach the US market after 2026, and the pending patent applications that he issued could extend exclusivity into the 2040s. This is a key differentiation from some currently marketed branded antipsychotics for which physical chemical properties or dosing requirements prevent the development of long-acting injectables. FNAPT LAI could potentially address a large patient population with chronic psychiatric conditions, where compliance is a significant treatment challenge. We're also evaluating the use of FNAPT LAI in the treatment of major depression, for which there is currently no approved long-acting injectable treatment. In addition to FNAPT, mild subparidone has further differentiated physical chemical properties that beyond the oral formulation could permit the additional development of long-acting injectables with variable duration that could extend up to several months. It is worth underscoring that most currently approved drugs in this atypical and psychotic class have not been formulated as long-acting injectables, making FNAPT and mild subparidone differentiated in this greater than a billion dollar estimated commercial opportunity. It is our vision to develop a multi-product psychiatry portfolio that will address multiple psychiatric indications and will expand the estimated addressable patient population to over 20 million people
spk04: across these indications. Turning now to Hetlius. Hetlius, our circadian
spk05: rhythm regulator approved in 2014 for non-24 hour sleep wake disorder, is the first and only treatment approved for this disorder that disproportionately affects totally blind people. Hetlius, with its unique mechanism of action, has revolutionized treatment for this disorder and has significantly impacted patients' lives. Hetlius LQ was approved in 2020 for the treatment of nighttime sleep disturbances in Smith-Magheny syndrome, again offering the first ever approved treatment for symptoms of this rare orphan disorder. The FDA application for Hetlius in insomnia received a complete response letter from the FDA in March, 2024, and the final agency action of our application for the treatment of jet lag disorder is being challenged in the US Court of Appeals for the DC circuit. A study of Hetlius in the late sleep phase disorder and indication with no approved treatments is ongoing in the US and Germany. We're currently evaluating the initiation of a clinical program with Hetlius LQ in pediatric insomnia for children with or without neurodevelopmental comorbidities. Hetlius LQ is not subject to a generic challenge at this time. Although exact estimates of prevalence of insomnia in children are difficult to quantify, it is estimated that 20 to 40% of children experience significant sleep problems. There are currently no approved treatments for pediatric insomnia. If ultimately approved for marketing, the addressable patient population for Hetlius LQ will be significantly expanded and market exclusivity will be expected to last in the 2040s. The Hetlius capsule formulation commercial opportunity is subject to the launch of the three generic formulations. Banda is currently challenging all three products on the grounds of unlawful FTA approval, patent infringement, and other statutory violations in US federal courts. We believe that the exceptional mechanism of action of Hetlius can be leveraged to address the needs of millions of people that suffer with disorders where the circadian rhythm circuitry is perturbed. Turning now to Ponvori. With the December 2023 acquisition of Ponvori, this makes the third commercial states product for Banda. Currently approved as a once a day oral treatment for people with multiple sclerosis, Ponvori has a differentiated profile from other drugs in the class with high specificity and rapid reversibility, making for a versatile use to address the needs of people with multiple sclerosis. The transition from Janssen, a Johnson & Johnson company is progressing well with the completion expected in the coming months. In preparation for the US commercial launch, Banda is planning a host of commercial activities, including the creation of a specialty sales force, a prescriber awareness program, and a comprehensive marketing program. In addition, Banda is evaluating Ponvori in additional autoimmune disorders, including psoriasis and ulcerative colitis. Prior to our acquisition, Ponvori was tested in patients with psoriasis and demonstrated significant effects in both induction and maintenance of response. If approved in this indication, Ponvori will be the first oral -4-sphate analog in treating psoriasis and would significantly expand the addressable patient population of Ponvori with over eight million people diagnosed with psoriasis in the US alone. Additionally, this class of drugs has proven to be effective in treating ulcerative colitis where Ponvori with its differentiated profile could have a competitive advantage and significantly expand the addressable patient population with an estimated prevalence in the US of approximately two million individuals with ulcerative colitis. Our vision is to increase awareness for Ponvori as an option for patients with multiple sclerosis in need of a specific and versatile agent. In addition, we intend to explore the application of Ponvori in a host of autoimmune disorders in which its mechanism of action could be therapeutically desirable. Finally, an update on Tredipitent. Tredipitent, our neurokinogen one receptor antagonist, is currently being developed for the treatment of gastroparesis with a new drug application under review by the FDA and an expected target action date in September of 2024. Gastroparesis prevalence is estimated to be over six million individuals in the US and there has been no approved treatment in over 40 years. In addition to the FDA review, a clinical study is ongoing with over 600 patients to examine the safety and the exposure response relationship of Tredipitent in patients with gastroparesis. Close to 40 people have also been approved for treatment in the expanded access program with some of them having now been treated for a duration in excess of two years. Approval in this indication, gastroparesis, if received, will address a serious and mathematical need and bring a new therapeutic option to these patients for the first time in over 40 years. Tredipitent is also now completing the clinical program studying its effects in motion sickness with an NDA filing expected by year end. Results from the second and final phase three clinical study are expected in the coming months. The efficacy of Tredipitent in motion sickness has previously been demonstrated in two clinical studies where Tredipitent was effective in preventing vomiting associated with motion in traveling in the coastal waters of the United States. An eventual approval for this indication if received will significantly expand the addressable patient population with approximately 30% of the US population reported to suffer from motion sickness under ordinary travel conditions that include sea, air, and land. Our vision is to evaluate and commercialize Tredipitent for a host of indications, including gastroparesis, motion sickness, and other disorders where this mechanism of action is desirable. Vanda also has earlier clinical programs which seek to address and met medical needs for common and rare disorders ranging from dry eye, performance anxiety, and onychomycosis, to polycythemia vera, and sarcoma retut disease. We have been able to accomplish all this with a small but efficient organization that is enthusiastic to continue developing and commercializing treatments for people who need them. We expect several significant milestones in the coming months, including the launch of FNAPT in bipolar one disorder, the launch of PONVORI in multiple sclerosis, the potential approval of Tredipitent and gastroparesis, the phase three results of Tredipitent and motion sickness, the upcoming NDA filings of Milsaperidone in psychiatric disorders and of Tredipitent and motion sickness, and the initiation of clinical programs in depression, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, and pediatric insomnia. We're confident that our robust revenue, strong cost position, and efficient operations position as well for significant growth and value creation in the years to come. Before I turn to Kevin to walk you through our business and financial performance for the quarter, I want to take a minute to cover some other recent developments at Vanda. Yesterday, we issued a press release announcing that we are in receipt of a revised, unsolicited takeover proposal. The board and management team are dedicated to acting in the best interest of our shareholders, and we would consider any ideas that would drive long-term shareholder value. To that end, our board of directors alongside our independent financial and legal advisors is in the process of reviewing and evaluating this revised unsolicited proposal. We will not comment further on this unsolicited takeover proposal before the board has completed its review. With that, I'll turn now to Kevin to discuss our financial results. Kevin?
spk02: Thank you, Mahas. I'll begin by summarizing our first quarter 2024 financial results. Total revenues for the first quarter of 2024 were 47.5 million, a 24% decrease compared to 62.5 million for the first quarter of 2023. This decrease was primarily due to the launch of generic versions of Hetlios, which we've discussed in detail. Notably, total revenues for the first quarter of 2024 increased by 5% as compared to 45.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Hetlios net product sales were 20.1 million for the first quarter of 2024, a 49% decrease compared to 39.6 million in the first quarter of 2023. Hetlios net product sales in the first quarter decreased by 5% as compared to 21.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. The decrease to net product sales relative to the first quarter of 2023 was attributable to a decrease in volume partially offset by an increase in price net of deductions. Our Hetlios net product sales as reported for the first quarter of 2024 and 2023 included transactions that resulted in higher unit sales as compared to recent prior periods. The higher unit sales during the first quarter of 2024 and 2023 resulted in a significant increase of inventory stocking at certain specialty pharmacy customers. Hetlios net product sales during the first quarter of 2024 reflect lower unit sales as compared to the first quarter of 2023, which was partially attributable to lower demand and the continued reduction of the elevated inventory levels at certain of our specialty pharmacy customers during the first quarter of 2024. Turning to FNAPT. FNAPT net product sales were 20.6 million for the first quarter of 2024, a 10% decrease compared to 22.9 million in the first quarter of 2023. FNAPT net product sales in the first quarter of 2024 decreased by 9% as compared to 22.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. This decrease was partially attributable to inventory de-stocking at wholesalers in the first quarter of 2024 relative to elevated inventory stocking levels at the end of 2023. FNAPT prescriptions in the first quarter of 2024 as reported by Equivia Exponent decreased by approximately 4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Penvori net product sales were 6.8 million for the first quarter of 2024. As a reminder, we purchased the right to market and sell Ponvori in the US and Canadian markets in December of 2023. As such, this represents the first full quarter of Ponvori revenue recognition at Vanda and a positive step in diversifying our product mix with innovative and value generating products. For the first quarter of 2024, Vanda recorded net loss of 4.1 million compared to net income of 3.3 million for the first quarter of 2023 and a net loss of 2.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. The net loss for the first quarter of 2024 included an income tax benefit of 0.5 million as compared to an income tax provision of 2.3 million for the same period in 2023 and an income tax provision of 0.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Operating expenses in the first quarter of 2024 were 56.7 million compared to 60.5 million in the first quarter of 2023. The 3.8 million decrease was primarily driven by lower SG&A expenses related to spending on sales activities for our commercial products and other corporate activities, partially offset by an increase in R&D expenses related to spending on our CFTR development program. Operating expenses in the first quarter of 2024 increased by 4.3 as compared to 52.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. This increase was primarily driven by additional spend on legal and other corporate activities, a portion of which are not expected to continue in future periods, partially offset by a decrease in R&D spend due to one-time activities in the fourth quarter of 2023, including 2.4 million of expense recorded for the triptan NDA filing fee, 2 million for the associated NDA milestone payment to Eli Lilly, and 3 million of Milsa Peridone manufacturing costs. SG&A expenses may increase in future periods as a result of the upcoming commercial launches of Phenaphtin Bipolar I disorder and Pneumorium Multiple Sclerosis. Vandis Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities referred to as cash as of March 31st, 2024 was 394.1 million, representing an increase of 5.9 million to cash compared to December 31st, 2023, and a decrease of 107.4 million compared to March 31st, 2023. The change in cash during the first quarter of 2024 benefited from the timing of cash in from customers for revenue and related payments of rebates to payers as compared to recent prior periods. The change in cash as compared to the first quarter of 2023 is driven by the acquisition of Ponvori from Janssen for 100 million upfront payment. Given uncertainty surrounding the US market for Hetlios for the treatment of non-24 as a result of the continued generic competition in the US and the upcoming commercial launches of Phenaphtin Bipolar I disorder and Pneumorium Multiple Sclerosis, Vanda is unable to provide 2024 financial guidance at this time. Vanda will continue to evaluate its ability to provide financial guidance in future periods. Hetlios net product sales will likely decline in future periods potentially significantly related to the launch of generic versions of Hetlios in the US. Additionally, the company constrained Hetlios net product sales for the full year 2023 and the first quarter of 2024 to an amount not probable of significant revenue reversal. As a result, Hetlios net product sales could experience variability in future periods as the remaining uncertainties associated with variable consideration are resolved and depending on inventory levels at specialty pharmacy customers. We are highly focused on sustainable long-term value creation. In regards to the upcoming Q3 launches of Phenaphtin Bipolar I disorder and Pneumorium Multiple Sclerosis, we have initiated a host of commercial activities on both products, including an expansion of our neuroscience sales force detailing Phenap to psychiatrists, PCPs and other prescribers, the creation of a targeted specialty sales force detailing Pneumorium to neurologists, as well as prescriber awareness programs and comprehensive marketing programs for both products. We believe these commercial investments in Phenap for Bipolar I disorder and Pneumorium for Multiple Sclerosis will result in near-term revenue growth. Our goal is efficient revenue generation, ultimately resulting in profitability and cash flow generation. Vanda has a proven and long track record of fiscal responsibility and successfully commercializing products in an efficient manner, leading to seven consecutive years of positive cash flow, removing for the impact of capital offerings and acquisitions, which results in our current strong cash position. With that, I'll now turn the call back to Mahalas.
spk05: Thank you very much, Kevin. At this point, we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
spk03: Thank you. We will now begin the question and answer session. If you have dialed in and would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad to raise your hand and join the queue. If you would like to answer a question, simply press star one again. If you are called upon to ask a question and are listening via loudspeaker on your device, please pick up your handset and ensure that your phone is not on mute when asking your question. Again, press star one to join the queue, and your first question comes from the line of Andrew Desai with Jeffreys. Please go ahead.
spk01: Hey, team. This is AJ for Andrew. First of all, congrats on all the progress, especially FNAP's approval and bipolar. And thanks for taking our questions. So I guess firstly for FNAP, what kind of expenses will you need to launch this effectively? And how are you thinking about the peak sales potential ahead of IPXBRI?
spk05: I will let Kevin address some of the parts of this question. But what we do know about this class of drugs is that bipolar one disorder it presents a significantly larger opportunity than the one in schizophrenia for which FNAP was approved up to now. We also know that despite the availability of a number of atypical and psychotics, there remains a significant unmet medical need where patients are cycling very frequently from one drug to another seeking control of their symptoms. And in terms of the marketing, we know that this class of drugs is significantly sensitive to promotion and increased awareness among prescribers. So it is very important to make significant but efficient investments before you drive growth. But Kevin?
spk02: Yep, and AJ, thanks for the question. Obviously we haven't provided guidance at this time, but I'll give you some kind of general direction on where we see things going. So as a reminder, FNAP already was approved and in the market for schizophrenia for quite some time. So we had established commercial infrastructure and personnel, but that being said, we are in the process of expanding our sales force to meet the opportunity that this bipolar one disorder indication presents as well as support it with the appropriate marketing and awareness programs. Some of those activities and increased spend is reflected in the first quarter financial results. And some of it would be expected to be seen progressing throughout this year beginning with the second quarter.
spk01: Got it, okay. So maybe shifting gears a little bit. So for Ponvori, how have sales trended to your expectations and where could they go in 24?
spk05: Yeah, so just to say that and Kevin can give you more detail. This is the first quarter that we are booking sales without of course having any marketing activity. There was no marketing activity from J&J or Vanda because we're in the midst of this transition. But Kevin, go ahead.
spk02: Yep, and E.J. on that side, as a bit of a reminder on background here, J&J had kind of decreased their commercial activities towards the end of 2022, beginning of 2023 around Ponvori such that there was limited commercial support for the product during 2023. And so in the audited financial statements for Ponvori that we filed subsequent to the acquisition, the annualized run rate of Ponvori was in the neighborhood of 30 million a year, which is in line also with the portion of revenue that we recognized in the fourth quarter. And so the, you know, approximately 7 million of revenue that was recognized in the first quarter as we're transitioning the product in-house and as Mahalak mentioned, you know, towards the third quarter, beginning our commercial activities in full force is essentially flat with what we saw, kind of the trajectory being last year with J&J, you know, not providing any support. So it's essentially maintaining at where it was. And, you know, we'll look to as we initiate activities, resume patients being added and revenue growth in future periods.
spk01: Okay, got it. So is it fair to, I guess, expect, you know, potentially a sales inflection Q3 or... When will those marketing activities really start?
spk02: Yeah, so those activities, AJ, will start, you know, some of them have already commenced some of the commercial support activities and some of them will commence in, you know, full effect in the beginning of the third quarter, such that I would expect to see, you know, sales inflection in the back half of the year, but it may take, you know, a quarter or so to see the results of the activities in the third quarter.
spk01: Okay, understood. And then maybe on -a-bit for gastroparesis, can you speak to how your FDA discussions have been going? Or, you know, what's your level of confidence here in an approval and how would you expect label to look?
spk05: Yeah, I would say the FDA is very good not to give you a signal on this or any other product. However, I would admit that the interactions are continuous and very significant with a very large number of requests for additional information that we're responding to. So I would characterize it that the review team is very engaged.
spk01: Okay, that's very helpful. And then, you know, that last question here, I just, I have to ask. So on the shareholder activism front, are you able to summarize your communications to date? And, you know, how do you think you can unlock more value as a standalone company?
spk05: Yeah, you know, the backend of your question, I think, you know, what we discussed today presents a good summary of the value proposition. A company with three commercial assets, a significant revenue stream, financially very prudent of how we make investments, and a very deep pipeline with very late stage assets, some of them that can address very quickly multi-billion market opportunities. And in terms of the unsolicited offer, as we've expressed already, the Vanda board of directors considers any and all offers with our independent financial legal advisors. And in this case, as we said earlier, we had concluded that the offer presented was not in the best interest of the company and its shareholders as it significantly undervalued the company. And as you know, there was a second or an additional revised offer publicly communicated yesterday. And as I expressed a minute ago, this is again an offer that the board will carefully evaluate with our financial and legal advisors. And that is all we can say for now.
spk01: Understood, thanks so much. And congrats again on all the good work.
spk04: Thank you very much, AJ.
spk03: That concludes our Q&A session. I will now turn the conference back over to Vinus Management for closing remarks.
spk04: Thank you, everyone, for joining us on this first quarter call. And we look forward to talking to you in future periods.
spk03: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes today's call. Thank you all for joining. You may now disconnect.
Disclaimer