GW Pharmaceuticals plc Reports Financial Results and Operational Progress for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2019

GlobeNewswire - finance.yahoo.com Posted 5 years ago

- Epidiolex U.S. Q1 net sales of $33.5m -
- Positive Phase 3 pivotal results in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, sNDA submission expected in Q4 2019 -
- Conference call today at 4:30 p.m. EDT -

CARLSBAD, Calif., May 06, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GW Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ: GWPH, GW, the Company or the Group), the world leader in the science, development and commercialization of cannabinoid prescription medicines, announces financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019.

“We are pleased to report a strong launch of Epidiolex in the US and continue to be encouraged by the level of support for this medicine from patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals. As the first and only plant-derived CBD medicine approved by the FDA, Epidiolex offers a novel treatment option for patients with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and Dravet syndrome, two highly treatment-resistant forms of childhood-onset epilepsy”, stated Justin Gover, GW’s Chief Executive Officer. “In addition, we are delighted to report today positive results from a Phase 3 trial in patients with seizures associated with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, and are excited at the prospect of expanding the use of Epidiolex to these high need patients in the future.”

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • Darren Cline appointed U.S. Chief Commercial Officer
  • Epidiolex® (cannabidiol)
    • U.S. commercial update
      • Q1 Net sales of $33.5m
      • Over 7,600 patients have received Epidiolex prescriptions since launch
      • Over 1,900 physicians have generated dispensed prescriptions since launch
      • Pharmacy distribution network now includes over 145 distribution points
      • Approximately 75 percent of 900 patients in expanded access program and open label extension now transitioned to commercial product. Remaining patients expected to transition by end of Q2.
    • Rapid and encouraging payor coverage decisions
      • Over 90 percent of all U.S. lives now covered – 65 percent of which have either Prior Authorization (PA) to indication or less restrictive
      • New commercial coverage determination recently announced by United HealthCare, OptumRx and Prime Therapeutics
      • 99 percent of State Fee-for-Service Medicaid lives now have a coverage determination with 67 percent of covered lives having either PA to indication or less restrictive 
        • 7 States covering Epidiolex without restrictions
      • Approximately 90 percent of Managed Medicaid lives have a coverage determination with 40 percent having a PA to indication or less restrictive
    • Target physician coverage
      • The sales organization has to date interacted with about 70 percent of the over 5,000 target healthcare professionals including all Level 3 and 4 epilepsy centers
    • European regulatory and pre-launch progress  
      • CHMP opinion expected mid-2019
      • Launches expected in major five European markets by end of 2019
    • Manufacturing
      • Commercial manufacturing and supply chain running smoothly
      • Production capacity sufficient to meet expected demand in both U.S. and Europe
    • Clinical trials
      • Positive results in Phase 3 trial in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
        • Primary efficacy measure achieved with both Epidiolex doses compared to placebo
        • sNDA submission expected in Q4 2019
      • IND open for pivotal Phase 3 trial in Rett Syndrome with expected start in Q2 2019
    • Life-cycle management
      • Several new formulations of CBD in development including modified oral solution, capsule and intravenous formulation
        • PK data expected in 2019
    • Exclusivity
      • 7 years of orphan exclusivity confirmed by FDA, plus 6-month pediatric extension expected. 10 years of orphan exclusivity in Europe plus 2 year pediatric extension
      • Key favorable patent grants by USPTO related to the use of CBD in epilepsy
        • Patents align directly with new Epidiolex FDA label and listed in “Orange Book”
        • Patent expiry dates to 2035
      • Additional patent applications under review, including patents related to the use of Epidiolex in TSC
  • Pipeline progress
    • Sativex® (nabiximols)
      • FDA meeting in December 2018 resulted in regulatory pathway in the U.S.
        • Initial U.S. target indication: Multiple Sclerosis spasticity
        • Single Phase 3 pivotal study expect to commence in Q4 2019
      • Over 10 placebo-controlled trials already completed in other indications, representing significant U.S. lifecycle management opportunities
    • CBDV
      • Initial data from 5 patient expanded access program in patients with seizures and autism presented at American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting suggest that CBDV is well tolerated and has potential as an AED/behavioral/cognitive medicine in the autism/epilepsy population
      • Company sponsored IND open for 30-patient open label study in autism
      • Investigator-led 100 patient placebo-controlled trial in autism spectrum disorder has commenced recruitment
      • Open label study in Rett syndrome and seizures has commenced

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2019 were $521.7 million compared to $591.5 million as of December 31, 2018
  • Revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 was $39.2 million compared to $3.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018
  • Net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 was $50.1 million compared to $69.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018
  • Closed transaction to sell Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher for $105 million on April 5, 2019. The sale will be reflected in our Q2 2019 results

Conference Call and Webcast Information
GW Pharmaceuticals will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the quarter ending March 31, 2019 financial results today at 4:30 pm EDT. To participate in the conference call, please dial 877-407-8133 (toll free from the U.S. and Canada) or 201-689-8040 (international). Investors may also access a live audio webcast of the call via the investor relations section of the Company’s website at http://www.gwpharm.com. A replay of the call will also be available through the GW website shortly after the call and will remain available for 90 days. Replay Numbers: (toll free):1-877-481-4010 or 919-882-2331 (international). For both dial-in numbers please use conference Replay ID: 47716.

About GW Pharmaceuticals plc and Greenwich Biosciences, Inc.
Founded in 1998, GW is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel therapeutics from its proprietary cannabinoid product platform in a broad range of disease areas. GW, along with its U.S. subsidiary Greenwich Biosciences, has received U.S. FDA approval for EPIDIOLEX (cannabidiol) oral solution for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) or Dravet syndrome in patients two years of age or older and which is now available by prescription in the U.S. The Company has submitted a regulatory application in Europe for the adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with LGS and Dravet syndrome. The company continues to evaluate EPIDIOLEX in additional rare epilepsy conditions including Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) andRett syndrome. GW commercialized the world’s first plant-derived cannabinoid prescription drug, Sativex® (nabiximols), which is approved for the treatment of spasticity due to multiple sclerosis in numerous countries outside the United States and for which the company is now planning a U.S. Phase 3 trial. The Company has a deep pipeline of additional cannabinoid product candidates which includes compounds in Phase 1 and 2 trials for epilepsy, glioblastoma, and schizophrenia. For further information, please visit www.gwpharm.com.

Forward-looking statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements that reflect GW's current expectations regarding future events, including statements regarding financial performance, the timing of clinical trials, the timing and outcomes of regulatory or intellectual property decisions,  the relevance of GW products commercially available and in development, the clinical benefits of EPIDIOLEX (cannabidiol) oral solution and Sativex (nabiximols) and the safety profile and commercial potential of EPIDIOLEX and Sativex. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors, including (inter alia), the success of GW’s research strategies, the applicability of the discoveries made therein, the successful and timely completion and uncertainties related to the regulatory process, and the acceptance of Sativex, EPIDIOLEX and other products by consumer and medical professionals. A further list and description of risks and uncertainties associated with an investment in GW can be found in GW’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the most recent Form 10-KT filed on 26 February 2019. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. GW undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

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Enquiries:

GW Pharmaceuticals plc  
Stephen Schultz, VP Investor Relations (U.S.) 917 280 2424 / 401 500 6570
   
U.S. Media Enquiries:
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Christy Curran
Mike Beyer
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EU Media Enquiries:
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GW PHARMACEUTICALS PLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)

    March 31,     December 31,  
    2019     2018  
Assets                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 521,669     $ 591,497  
Accounts receivable, net     19,251       4,192  
Inventory     48,559       33,030  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     19,389       17,903  
Total current assets     608,868       646,622  
Property, plant, and equipment, net     102,029       90,832  
Operating lease assets     20,077       —  
Goodwill     6,959       6,959  
Deferred tax assets     8,584       8,720  
Other assets     3,040       2,935  
Total assets   $ 749,557     $ 756,068  
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity                
Accounts payable   $ 10,794     $ 9,796  
Accrued liabilities     59,782       52,477  
Current tax liabilities     1,730       2,384  
Other current liabilities     5,651       1,559  
Total current liabilities     77,957       66,216  
Long-term liabilities:                
Finance lease liabilities     5,801       5,690  
Operating lease liabilities     16,374       —  
Other liabilities     9,696       10,082  
Total long-term liabilities     31,871       15,772  
Total liabilities     109,828       81,988  
Commitments and contingencies                
Stockholders’ equity:                
Ordinary shares par value £0.001; 368,613,440 shares                
outstanding as of March 31, 2019; 366,616,688 shares
outstanding as of December 31, 2018
    567       564  
Additional paid-in capital     1,593,056       1,581,144  
Accumulated deficit     (879,004 )     (828,940 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (74,890 )     (78,688 )
Total stockholders’ equity     639,729       674,080  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 749,557     $ 756,068  
                 
                 

GW PHARMACEUTICALS PLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(unaudited)

    Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2019     2018  
Revenues                
Product net sales   $ 38,974     $ 2,812  
Other revenue     273       229  
Total revenues     39,247       3,041  
Operating expenses                
Cost of product sales     5,131       1,625  
Research and development     30,375       43,485  
Selling, general and administrative     55,078       26,173  
Total operating expenses     90,584       71,283  
Loss from operations     (51,337 )     (68,242 )
Interest income     2,087       759  
Interest expense     (265 )     (325 )
Foreign exchange loss     (1,114 )     (640 )
Loss before income taxes     (50,629 )     (68,448 )
Income tax (benefit) expense     (565 )     1,013  
Net loss   $ (50,064 )   $ (69,461 )
                 
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted   $ (0.14 )   $ (0.20 )
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted     369,823       340,252  
                 
                 

GW PHARMACEUTICALS PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

    Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2019     2018  
Cash flows from operating activities                
Net loss   $ (50,064 )   $ (69,461 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:                
Foreign exchange loss     797       873  
Stock-based compensation     11,142       6,859  
Depreciation and amortization     2,417       2,307  
Deferred income taxes     —       2,128  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable, net     (14,998 )     (320 )
Inventory     (14,295 )     672  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     (874 )     (492 )
Other assets     659       (3 )
Accounts payable     1,998       652  
Current tax liabilities     (654 )     (2,684 )
Accrued liabilities     6,328       (7,005 )
Other current liabilities     191       1,103  
Long-term liabilities     (1,029 )     (30 )
Net cash used in operating activities     (58,382 )     (65,401 )
Cash flows from investing activities                
Additions to property, plant and equipment     (12,087 )     (6,056 )
Additions to capitalized software     (199 )     (338 )
Net cash used in investing activities     (12,286 )     (6,394 )
Cash flows from financing activities                
Proceeds from exercise of stock options     773       1  
Payments on finance leases     (179 )     (72 )
Payments on landlord financing obligation     (138 )     (137 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     456       (208 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash     384       11  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     (69,828 )     (71,992 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     591,497       559,227  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 521,669     $ 487,235  
                 
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