GW Pharmaceuticals plc Reports Financial Results and Operational Progress for the Quarter Ended December 31, 2018

GlobeNewswire - finance.yahoo.com Posted 5 years ago

– Epidiolex® (cannabidiol) oral solution (CV), first FDA-approved plant-derived cannabinoid medicine, launched in the U.S. in November to high awareness and demand –

– GW moves to a new fiscal year-end beginning January 1, 2019 –

– Conference call today at 4:30 p.m. EST –

LONDON and CARLSBAD, Calif., Feb. 26, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GW Pharmaceuticals plc (NASDAQ: GWPH, GW, the Company or the Group), the world leader in the development and commercialization of cannabinoid prescription medicines, announces financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2018.

“We are pleased by the high level of physician and patient demand for Epidiolex, and by the number of payors that have already made favorable coverage determinations for the product. With US launch taking place part way through the quarter, the two month selling period at the end of 2018 was primarily aimed at setting the commercial wheels in motion for the 2019 launch year. As we move into the New Year, prescription growth trajectory has been highly encouraging and we believe that we are on track to deliver a successful market introduction of this important new treatment,” stated Justin Gover, GW’s Chief Executive Officer. “In addition to the US launch, we look forward to a positive regulatory decision in Europe in the next few months, results of a Phase 3 trial in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, and a number of advances in the pipeline.”

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Epidiolex® (cannabidiol)

  • U.S. launch progressing to plan
    - First plant-derived cannabinoid pharmaceutical ever approved by FDA and first ever approved medicine in the U.S. for Dravet syndrome
    - Net sales for Nov 1 - Dec 31 launch period of $4.7m
    - Approximately 4,500 new patient enrolment forms in first two month selling period
    - Over 500 physicians have generated dispensed prescriptions in first two month selling period
    - Filled prescription growth trend in January 2019 shows approximately 150 percent growth over December 2018
    - Demand coming from major centers of excellence and local epilepsy clinics
    - Pharmacy distribution network expanded from initial 5 specialty pharmacies to over 130 distribution points
    - Approximately 900 expanded access program and open label extension patients expected to migrate to commercial product by end of Q2 2019
  • Rapid and encouraging payor coverage decisions
    - Over 80 percent of all commercial lives (145 million) now have a coverage determination with 60 percent of these lives covered with either no Prior Authorization (PA) or PA to label
    - 99 percent of State Fee for Service Medicaid lives now have a coverage determination
    - Approximately 90 percent of Managed Medicaid lives have a coverage determination
  • Target physician coverage
    - The sales organization has to date interacted with about 70 percent of the 5,000 target physicians including all Level 3 and 4 epilepsy centers
  • European progress
    - European submission under review by the EMA with a CHMP recommendation expected in Q2 2019
    - Commercial footprint in place in initial 5 major European markets and active preparations well underway for pricing and reimbursement to support 2019 European launches
  • Manufacturing
    - Commercial manufacturing and supply chain running smoothly
    - Production capacity sufficient to meet expected demand in both U.S. and Europe
    - Continued investment in manufacturing expansion program to meet anticipated long-term demand
  • Clinical trials
    - Second Dravet syndrome Phase 3 trial successful and incorporated into EMA regulatory process
    - Phase 3 trial in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex fully recruited with data expected in Q2 2019
         â™¦ sNDA expected in Q4 2019
    - IND open for pivotal Phase 3 trial in Rett Syndrome. Expected start 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, 6-month pediatric extension expected. 10 years of orphan exclusivity in Europe with 2 year pediatric extension
    - Key favorable patent grants by USPTO related to the use of CBD in epilepsy, including claims for the treatment of relevant seizure types associated with LGS and Dravet syndrome, as well as the use of CBD with clobazam
         â™¦ Patents align directly with new Epidiolex FDA label and listed in “Orange Book”
         â™¦ Patent expiry dates to 2035
    - Additional patent applications under review and being filed as new data is generated

• Pipeline progress

  • Sativex® (nabiximols)
    - FDA meeting in December resulted in regulatory pathway in the U.S.
         â™¦ Initial U.S. target indication: Multiple Sclerosis spasticity
         â™¦ Single Phase 3 pivotal study expect to commence in Q4 2019
    - U.S. development and commercialization rights wholly owned by GW
    - 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 to commence in H1 2019
    - Open label study in Rett syndrome and seizures due to commence H1 2019

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • Fiscal year now changed to begin January 1, 2019
  • Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2018 were $591.5 million compared to $354.9 million as of September 30, 2018
  • Revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 was $6.7 million compared to $4.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2017
  • Net loss for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 was $71.9 million compared to $61.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2017

Conference Call and Webcast Information
GW Pharmaceuticals will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the quarter ending December 31, 2018 financial results today at 4:30 pm EST. 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: 44354.

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 and currently has an ongoing clinical trial in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). 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-K filed on 29 November 2018. 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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GW PHARMACEUTICALS PLC
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited; in thousands)

    December 31,     September 30,  
    2018     2018  
Assets                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 591,497     $ 354,913  
Accounts receivable, net     4,192       2,122  
Inventory     33,030       19,061  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     17,903       14,615  
Total current assets     646,622       390,711  
Property and equipment, net     90,832       82,381  
Goodwill     6,959       6,959  
Deferred tax assets     8,720       7,334  
Other assets     2,935       3,150  
Total assets   $ 756,068     $ 490,535  
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity                
Accounts payable   $ 9,796     $ 9,741  
Accrued liabilities     52,477       46,739  
Current tax liabilities     2,384       1,385  
Other current liabilities     1,559       804  
Total current liabilities     66,216       58,669  
Long-term liabilities                
Capital lease liabilities     1,454       1,535  
Build-to-suit financing obligation     4,236       4,378  
Other liabilities     10,082       10,794  
Total long-term liabilities     15,772       16,707  
Total liabilities     81,988       75,376  
Stockholders’ equity:                
Ordinary shares par value £0.001; 366,616,688 shares outstanding as                
of December 31, 2018; 340,246,840 shares outstanding as of                
September 30, 2018     564       530  
Additional paid-in capital     1,581,144       1,246,857  
Accumulated deficit     (828,940 )     (757,034 )
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income     (78,688 )     (75,194 )
Total stockholders’ equity     674,080       415,159  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 756,068     $ 490,535  


GW PHARMACEUTICALS PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited; in thousands, except per share amounts)

    Three Months Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017  
Revenues                
Product net sales   $ 6,617     $ 2,220  
Other revenue     37       1,772  
Total revenues     6,654       3,992  
Operating expenses                
Cost of product sales     1,829       1,171  
Research and development     29,086       36,195  
Selling, general and administrative     49,083       25,174  
Total operating expenses     79,998       62,540  
Loss from operations     (73,344 )     (58,548 )
Interest income     2,449       604  
Interest expense     (295 )     (314 )
Foreign exchange (loss) gain     (982 )     160  
Loss before income taxes     (72,172 )     (58,098 )
Income tax (benefit) expense     (266 )     3,718  
Net loss   $ (71,906 )   $ (61,816 )
                 
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted   $ (0.20 )   $ (0.20 )
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and                
diluted     366,458       313,730  


GW PHARMACEUTICALS PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited; in thousands)

    Three Months Ended December 31,  
    2018     2017  
Cash flows from operating activities                
Net loss   $ (71,906 )   $ (61,816 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating
  activities:
               
Foreign exchange loss (gain)     742       (180 )
Stock-based compensation     9,683       5,592  
Depreciation and amortization     2,534       2,163  
Deferred income taxes     (1,265 )     (1,152 )
Other     —       8  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable, net     (2,125 )     (223 )
Inventory     (14,460 )     378  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     (3,635 )     (516 )
Other assets     (47 )     (166 )
Accounts payable     (1,211 )     (1,802 )
Current tax liabilities     878       4,898  
Accrued liabilities     5,942       3,004  
Other current liabilities     93       (2,071 )
Long-term liabilities     317       325  
Net cash used in operating activities     (74,460 )     (51,558 )
Cash flows from investing activities                
Additions to property, plant and equipment     (18,687 )     (7,748 )
Additions to capitalized software     (63 )     (993 )
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment     —       —  
Net cash used in investing activities     (18,750 )     (8,741 )
Cash flows from financing activities                
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares, net of issuance costs     324,638       297,932  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options     —       1  
Payments on build-to-suit financing obligation     —       (26 )
Payments on capital leases     (40 )     (39 )
Payments on landlord financing obligation     (130 )     (125 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     324,468       297,743  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash     5,326       (551 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     236,584       237,073  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     354,913       322,154  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 591,497     $ 559,227  
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