OPKO Health Reports First Quarter 2024 Business Highlights and Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

OPKO Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: OPK) reported first quarter 2024 business highlights and financial results. Highlights include an agreement with Labcorp to sell select assets of BioReference Health for $237.5 million, as well as FDA clearance for MDX2001, a tetraspecific antibody for solid tumor cancers. The global launch of NGENLA® by Pfizer is ongoing, with OPKO entitled to profit sharing and potential milestone payments. Financially, revenue declined to $173.7 million from $237.6 million in 2023, resulting in an operating loss of $71.5 million for Q1 2024.

Positive

• Successful agreement with Labcorp to sell select BioReference Health assets for $237.5 million.

• FDA clearance for MDX2001 for solid tumor cancers, a significant milestone for the company.

• Global launch of NGENLA® by Pfizer in over 50 countries, boosting potential profit sharing and milestone payments for OPKO.

• Continued revenue from Rayaldee and other products, offsetting some declines in international sales.

Negative

• Decline in total revenue to $173.7 million from $237.6 million in the first quarter of 2023.

• Operating loss increased to $71.5 million in Q1 2024 from $30.6 million in the same period in 2023.

• Net loss for Q1 2024 was $81.8 million, or $0.12 per share, compared to $18.3 million, or $0.02 per share, in 2023.

Financial Analyst

OPKO Health's first quarter financials of 2024 depict a challenging period for the company, with a notable decrease in total revenue to $173.7 million from $237.6 million in the comparable period of 2023. This decline is partly attributed to reduced sales in international operations and currency exchange fluctuations. A significant factor was the absence of the substantial one-time milestone payments that skewed the prior year's figures, such as the $50.0 million upfront payment from Merck.

A critical strategy shift is the sale of select assets of BioReference Health to Labcorp for $237.5 million, which is a move to streamline operations and focus on core businesses such as oncology and urology diagnostics. This decision is likely an attempt to improve future profitability and growth prospects.

The operating loss increased to $71.5 million, up from $30.6 million in the previous year, reflecting these challenges. R&D expenses saw a decrease, which may indicate a narrower focus on key projects or a strategy to conserve resources amidst a financially lean period. Investors should consider the potential long-term benefits of the Labcorp transaction and streamlined R&D, against the backdrop of immediate revenue contraction and increased operating losses.

Medical Research Analyst

The FDA clearance for the IND application of MDX2001, a tetraspecific antibody for the treatment of solid tumor cancers, signals potential future growth in OPKO Health's pharmaceutical pipeline. As the first patient enrollment in a Phase 1 trial is expected in the second quarter of 2024, investors may find promise in this development stage. However, it's essential to understand that drug development is a lengthy and risky process with many potential pitfalls.

Simultaneously, the ongoing global launch of NGENLA by Pfizer, with OPKO entitled to gross profit sharing and potential milestone payments, could provide a steady revenue stream and significant future earnings if the drug continues to be successful across multiple indications.

For retail investors, these developments in the pharmaceutical division should be weighed against the current losses and understand the inherent volatility and uncertainty in the biotech sector.

Conference call begins at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time today

MIAMI, May 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OPKO Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: OPK) reports business highlights and financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

First quarter business highlights include the following:

• Entered into an agreement with Labcorp to sell select assets of BioReference Health. The transaction includes the sale of BioReference Health’s laboratory testing businesses focused on clinical diagnostics and women’s health, excluding operations in New York and New Jersey, for $237.5 million. These assets comprise patient service centers, certain customer contracts and operating assets, which account for approximately $100 million in annualized revenue. BioReference Health will continue to offer oncology and urology diagnostic services nationwide, as well as maintain its full operations in New York and New Jersey. This transaction is expected to streamline BioReference Health’s laboratory services business while retaining its core operations to better position the division for sustained growth and profitability. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and applicable regulatory approvals, including under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. The transaction is anticipated to close in the second half of 2024.
  
  
• The IND application for MDX2001, a tetraspecific antibody for the treatment of solid tumor cancers, received FDA clearance. MDX2001 is designed to optimize T-cell function while preventing tumor antigen escape. The first patient is expected to be enrolled in a Phase 1 trial to evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and anti-tumor activity in the second quarter of 2024.
  
  
• The global launch of NGENLA^® is ongoing by OPKO’s partner, Pfizer. NGENLA is approved in over 50 countries including the U.S., Japan, EU Member States, Canada and Australia. OPKO is entitled to gross profit sharing based on sales of both NGENLA and Pfizer’s daily growth hormone product, Genotropin. In addition, OPKO is entitled to an additional $100 million in potential milestone payments associated with approvals for an adult indication for growth hormone deficiency and additional pediatric indications.
  

First Quarter Financial Results

• Pharmaceuticals: Revenue from products in the first quarter of 2024 were $38.1 million compared to $40.4 million in the first quarter of 2023, resulting from lower sales in OPKO’s international operating companies and foreign currency exchange fluctuations, partially offset by an increase in sales of Rayaldee to $6.9 million from $6.6 million. Revenue from the transfer of intellectual property and other was $8.7 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared with $64.8 million in the 2023 period, which included $5.6 million in gross profit share and royalty payments for NGENLA and Pfizer's Genotropin® in the 2024 quarter compared with $3.1 million in the same period for 2023. The decrease in revenue from the transfer of intellectual property and other is primarily attributable to one-time milestone payments received in 2023 including a $50.0 million upfront payment from Merck, a $7.0 million milestone payment from Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma triggered by the German price approval for Rayaldee and a $2.5 million milestone payment from Nicoya Therapeutics for the submission of its IND application for Rayaldee to China's Center for Drug Evaluation. Total costs and expenses declined to $74.5 million in the first quarter of 2024 from $86.3 million in the prior-year period primarily due to a $10.6 million, or 33%, decrease in research and development expense as the 2023 period included a non-recurring payment to Sanofi related to our Merck collaboration, partially offset by increased activity within our ModeX development programs. Operating loss was $27.7 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared with operating income of $19.0 million in the first quarter of 2023, again with 2023 benefiting from over $59 million in milestones as described above.
  
  
• Diagnostics: Revenue from services in the first quarter of 2024 was $126.9 million compared with $132.4 million in the prior-year period, with the decline primarily due to lower clinical testing volume. Total costs and expenses were $161.3 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared with $172.4 million in the first quarter of 2023, reflecting the continued implementation of cost-reduction initiatives. Included in first quarter 2024 results were revenue from services of approximately $27.8 million and total costs and expenses of approximately $34.8 million related to assets being acquired by Labcorp. Operating loss was $34.4 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared with $40.0 million in the 2023 period.
  
  
• Consolidated: Consolidated total revenues for the first quarter of 2024 were $173.7 million compared with $237.6 million for the comparable period of 2023. Operating loss for the first quarter of 2024 increased to $71.5 million from $30.6 million for the 2023 quarter, with the 2023 quarter benefiting from the non-recurring license payments described above totaling $59.5 million. First quarter 2024 results included a non-cash, non-recurring expense of $26.3 million related to an embedded derivative as part of our convertible debt. In addition, both periods benefited from the increase of GeneDx’s stock price of $22.7 million and $8.3 million, respectively, for 2024 and 2023. As a result, net loss for the first quarter of 2024 was $81.8 million, or $0.12 per share, compared with $18.3 million, or $0.02 per share, for the 2023 quarter.
  
  
• Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents were $75.6 million as of March 31, 2024. In January, OPKO completed the sale of $230.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029 and exchanged approximately $144.4 million of the Company’s outstanding 4.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025. The Company used approximately $50.0 million of the net proceeds to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock from purchasers of the notes. Additionally, OPKO issued and sold approximately $71.1 million aggregate principal amount of its 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029 to several holders, including Company affiliates, in exchange for the outstanding 5% Convertible Promissory Notes and accrued interest.  
  

Conference Call and Webcast Information

OPKO’s senior management will provide a business update, discuss first quarter financial results, provide financial guidance and answer questions during a conference call and live audio webcast today beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. Participants are encouraged to pre-register for the conference call here. Callers who pre-register will receive a unique PIN to gain immediate access to the call and bypass the live operator. Participants may register at any time, including up to and after the call start time. Those unable to pre-register may participate by dialing 833-630-0584 (U.S.) or 412-317-1815 (International). A webcast of the call can also be accessed at OPKO’s Investor Relations page and here.

A telephone replay will be available until May 21, 2024 by dialing 877-344-7529 (U.S.) or 412-317-0088 (International) and providing the passcode 6926223. A webcast replay will be available beginning approximately one hour after the completion of the live conference call here.

About OPKO Health

OPKO is a multinational biopharmaceutical and diagnostics company that seeks to establish industry-leading positions in large, rapidly growing markets by leveraging its discovery, development, and commercialization expertise and novel and proprietary technologies. For more information, visit www.opko.com.  

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA), which statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "plans," "projects," "will," "may," "anticipates," "believes," "should," "intends," "estimates," and other words of similar meaning, including statements regarding expected financial performance and expectations regarding the market for and sales of our products, whether our products will launch in all the territories in which they have been approved for sale, the timing of such launches, whether Pfizer will obtain approvals for an adult indication for growth hormone deficiency or additional pediatric indications and accordingly, whether we will be entitled to any additional milestone payments, whether our product development efforts will be successful and whether the expected benefits of our products will be realized, including whether patients will be enrolled in a Phase 1 clinical trial for MDX2001 in the second quarter or if it all, whether the relationship with our commercial and strategic partners will be successful, whether our commercial and strategic partners will be able to commercialize our products and successfully utilize our technologies, our ability to market and sell any of our products in development, whether we will continue to successfully advance products in our pipeline and whether they can be commercialized, our expectations about RAYALDEE, whether the sale of selected BioReference assets will be completed within the second half of 2024 or at all, and if this transaction is completed, whether it will streamline BioReference Health’s laboratory services business and better position the division for sustained growth and profitability, whether BioReference’s cost-cutting initiatives and attempts at returning to its core business will be successful, as well as other non-historical statements about our expectations, beliefs or intentions regarding our business, technologies and products, financial condition, strategies or prospects. Many factors could cause our actual activities or results to differ materially from the activities and results anticipated in forward-looking statements. These factors include those described in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed and to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and under the heading “Risk Factors” in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as the continuation and success of our relationship with our commercial partners, liquidity issues and the risks inherent in funding, developing and obtaining regulatory approvals of new, commercially-viable and competitive products and treatments. In addition, forward-looking statements may also be adversely affected by general market factors, competitive product development, product availability, federal and state regulations and legislation, the regulatory process for new products and indications, manufacturing issues that may arise, patent positions and litigation, among other factors. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date the statements were made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements. We intend that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions of the PSLRA.

Contacts:
LHA Investor Relations
Yvonne Briggs, 310-691-7100
ybriggs@lhai.com
or
Bruce Voss, 310-691-7100
bvoss@lhai.com

—Tables to Follow—

OPKO Health, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in millions) Unaudited
	As of
	March 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	75.6			$	95.9
Assets held for sale		120.3				0.0
Other current assets		195.4				213.6
Total current assets		391.3				309.5
In-process research and development and goodwill		725.6				793.3
Other assets		857.1				908.9
Total Assets	$	1,974.0			$	2,011.7
Liabilities and Equity:
Accounts payable	$	71.2			$	69.7
Accrued expenses		88.8				90.1
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale		9.7				0.0
Current portion of convertible notes		0.2				0.0
Other current liabilities		34.5				40.3
Total current liabilities		204.4				200.1
Long-term portion of convertible notes		323.1				214.3
Deferred tax liabilities, net		121.6				126.8
Other long-term liabilities, principally contract liabilities, leases, contingent consideration, and lines of credit		72.1				81.3
Total Liabilities		721.2				622.5
Equity		1,252.8				1,389.2
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	1,974.0			$	2,011.7

OPKO Health, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in millions, except share and per share data) Unaudited
	For the three months ended March 31,
		2024				2023
Revenues
Revenue from services	$	126.9			$	132.4
Revenue from products		38.1				40.4
Revenue from transfer of intellectual property		8.7				64.8
Total revenues		173.7				237.6
Costs and expenses
Cost of service revenues		109.9				114.1
Cost of product revenues		21.8				24.2
Selling, general and administrative		70.2				75.7
Research and development		21.9				32.6
Contingent consideration		0.0				0.1
Amortization of intangible assets		21.4				21.5
Total costs and expenses		245.2				268.2
Operating loss		(71.5	)			(30.6	)
Other income and (expense), net		(11.7	)			13.6
Loss before income taxes and investment losses		(83.2	)			(17.0	)
Income tax benefit (provision)		1.4				(1.2	)
Net loss before investment losses		(81.8	)			(18.2	)
Loss from investments in investees		(0.0	)			(0.1	)
Net loss	$	(81.8	)		$	(18.3	)
Loss per share, basic and diluted	$	(0.12	)		$	(0.02	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted		706,882,189				751,506,257

FAQ

What was the revenue from products for OPKO in the first quarter of 2024?

Revenue from products in the first quarter of 2024 was $38.1 million.

What is the purpose of MDX2001?

MDX2001 is a tetraspecific antibody for the treatment of solid tumor cancers, designed to optimize T-cell function while preventing tumor antigen escape.

How many countries has NGENLA® been approved in for launch by Pfizer?

NGENLA® has been approved in over 50 countries including the U.S., Japan, EU Member States, Canada, and Australia.

What was the net loss for OPKO in the first quarter of 2024?

The net loss for the first quarter of 2024 was $81.8 million, or $0.12 per share.