argenx Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Provides Business Update
argenx SE reported $398 million in first quarter global net product sales, with FDA review ongoing for CIDP sBLA and a PDUFA target action date of June 21, 2024. The company is on track to submit a filing for a pre-filled syringe in the second quarter of 2024. VYVGART SC played a significant role in driving growth, expanding prescriber base and reaching new patients. Multiple regulatory decisions are expected in 2024 for VYVGART and VYVGART SC, with plans for further expansion and development of the pipeline.
argenx SE reported $398 million in first quarter global net product sales, showcasing strong performance in the market.
The FDA review for CIDP sBLA is ongoing, with a PDUFA target action date set for June 21, 2024, indicating progress in the regulatory process.
The company is set to submit a filing for a pre-filled syringe in the second quarter of 2024, signaling advancements in product development.
VYVGART SC contributed significantly to growth, expanding the prescriber base and reaching new patients, highlighting the success of the product in the market.
Multiple regulatory decisions expected in 2024 for VYVGART and VYVGART SC, showcasing a strong pipeline and expansion strategy.
Operating loss reported by argenx SE in the first quarter 2024 was $(93.4) million, indicating a financial setback for the company.
Although the company showed growth in product sales, the net loss for the period was $(61.6) million, reflecting a negative financial outcome.
Decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and current financial assets compared to previous years indicate potential financial challenges for the company.
Insights
The financial performance of argenx, as indicated by the reported first-quarter net product sales of $398 million, represents a significant increase from the previous year. This growth is a reflection of the company's strategic expansion in product offerings, notably VYVGART and VYVGART SC. The expanded approval of VYVGART in Japan for ITP and the anticipation of further approvals signify the potential for continued revenue growth. The company's liabilities and expenses have also escalated, aligning with the increased commercialization efforts and research and development activities.
As a retail investor, the uptick in product sales alongside the company's commitment to expanding its product offerings can be seen as positive. However, the increased operating expenses and reported net loss of $62 million, up from $29 million in the previous year, might raise concerns about the current profitability and efficiency in managing growth-related expenses.
argenx's portfolio, particularly the FcRn antagonist VYVGART, shows promise with a broad spectrum of applications in various autoimmune diseases. The company's focus on expanding the label of VYVGART into seronegative gMG and their progress towards a PDUFA date for CIDP are pivotal steps in addressing unmet medical needs. The pipeline expansion, including the decision to progress efgartigimod into Phase 3 for Sjogren’s disease, underscores a robust clinical development strategy.
For stakeholders, the advancements in the pipeline suggest potential for long-term growth. Nevertheless, the discontinuation of efgartigimod's development in AAV following risk assessment indicates the challenges faced in drug development and the importance of strategic focus on viable indications.
The global approval footprint of argenx's products, particularly in the competitive space of immunology, is expanding. The swift adoption and regulatory momentum in key markets such as the U.S., Europe and Japan bodes well for the company's market share and penetration strategy. The foray into the pre-filled syringe market should appeal to patient convenience and could improve adherence and satisfaction.
From an investor's perspective, the company's efforts to streamline administration and improve the patient experience may enhance competitive positioning and create barriers to entry for competitors. However, the dependency on the success of VYVGART and its pipeline extension poses inherent risks should any regulatory setbacks occur.
FDA review ongoing for CIDP sBLA with PDUFA target action date of June 21, 2024
On track to submit filing for pre-filled syringe (PFS) in second quarter 2024
Management to host conference call today at 2:30 PM CET (8:30 AM ET)
May 9, 2024, 7:00 AM CET
Amsterdam, the Netherlands – argenx SE (Euronext & Nasdaq: ARGX), a global immunology company committed to improving the lives of people suffering from severe autoimmune diseases, today announced its first quarter 2024 results and provided a business update.
“The team at argenx has made significant progress executing across the ambitious plan we set out at the beginning of the year,” said Tim Van Hauwermeiren, Chief Executive Officer of argenx. “We are driven by our commitment to provide patients with the broadest gMG product offering that consistently delivers on safety and efficacy. VYVGART SC played a key role in our growth over the quarter, expanding the breadth of our prescriber base and reaching new patients. The relationships we have built and key market learnings in gMG position us for success as we scale the organization and prepare for CIDP. After generating the data required for filing, we are also excited to advance the development of our pre-filled syringe, which should further enhance the patient experience.”
“The clinical opportunity ahead is expansive – we are preparing for registrational trials across multiple programs including empasiprubart in MMN and efgartigimod in Sjogren's disease, in addition to those already underway in TED and seronegative gMG. We look forward to deepening our understanding of FcRn with additional Phase 2 data points expected this year, while rapidly working to deliver on our promise of innovation by bringing the next wave of molecules to the clinic.”
FIRST QUARTER 2024 AND RECENT BUSINESS UPDATE
Reaching More Patients with VYVGART
VYVGART (efgartigimod alfa-fcab) is a first-in-class antibody fragment targeting the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), and is now the first FcRn antagonist approved in two indications. VYVGART is approved in more than 30 countries globally for the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) and is approved in Japan for the treatment of primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). VYVGART subcutaneous (SC) (efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase-qvfc) is approved in the U.S. (as VYVGART® Hytrulo), Japan (as VYVDURA®) and Europe, making VYVGART the only gMG treatment available as both an IV and simple SC injection.
- Generated global net product sales (inclusive of both VYVGART and VYVGART SC) of
$398 million in the first quarter of 2024 - VYVGART approved in Japan for treatment of ITP on March 26, 2024, marking first global approval for ITP
- Additional VYVGART and VYVGART SC regulatory decisions on approval expected for gMG in 2024, including VYVGART in Switzerland, Australia, Saudi Arabia and South Korea, and VYVGART SC in China through Zai Lab
- Multiple VYVGART SC regulatory submissions under review or planned for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), including:
- FDA review of Supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) ongoing with Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of June 21, 2024
- Regulatory submissions completed in China and Japan
- Regulatory submissions expected in Europe and Canada by end of 2024
- Registrational study of VYVGART in seronegative gMG patients ongoing with aim to expand label into broader MG populations
- FDA submission for VYVGART SC prefilled syringe for gMG and CIDP expected in second quarter of 2024, following positive data outcomes from bioequivalence and human factor studies
Advancing Current Pipeline
argenx continues to demonstrate breadth and depth within its immunology pipeline and is advancing multiple pipeline-in-a-product candidates. argenx is solidifying its leadership in FcRn biology and expects that efgartigimod will be approved or under evaluation in at least 15 indications by 2025. argenx is also advancing its earlier stage pipeline programs, including empasiprubart (C2 inhibitor) with Phase 2 studies ongoing in multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN), delayed graft function (DGF) and dermatomyositis (DM). In addition, argenx is evaluating ARGX-119, a muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) agonist in both congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
- Decision announced to advance development of efgartigimod in primary Sjogren’s disease (SjD) to Phase 3 following analysis of topline data from Phase 2 RHO study
- Topline data from Phase 2 ALPHA study of efgartigimod in post-COVID-19 postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PC-POTS) expected in second quarter of 2024
- Topline data from seamless Phase 2/3 ALKIVIA study evaluating efgartigimod across three myositis subsets (immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), anti-synthetase syndrome (ASyS), and DM expected in second half of 2024
- Update on BALLAD study development plan evaluating efgartigimod in bullous pemphigoid (BP) expected by end of 2024
- Registrational studies ongoing of efgartigimod in thyroid eye disease (TED)
- Decision made to discontinue planned development of efgartigimod in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) following risk assessment of all ongoing studies based on learnings from ADDRESS (pemphigus) and ADVANCE SC (ITP) studies
- Proof-of-concept studies ongoing with efgartigimod in membranous nephropathy (MN) and lupus nephritis (LN) with studies expected to start this year in antibody mediated rejection (AMR) and newly nominated indication, systemic sclerosis (SSc)
- Full Phase 2 topline data (cohorts 1 and 2) from ARDA study of empasiprubart in MMN expected in 2024; cohort 2 ongoing to determine dose response ahead of Phase 3 study start
- Phase 1b/2a trials of ARGX-119 to assess early signal detection in patients with CMS and ALS expected to start in 2024
Leveraging Repeatable Innovation Playbook to Drive Long-Term Pipeline Growth
argenx continues to invest in its discovery engine, the Immunology Innovation Program (IIP), to drive long-term sustainable pipeline growth. Through the IIP, four new pipeline candidates have been nominated, including: ARGX-213 targeting FcRn and further solidifying argenx’s leadership in this new class of medicine; ARGX-121 and ARGX-220, which are first-in-class targets broadening argenx’s focus across the immune system; and ARGX-109, targeting IL-6, which plays an important role in inflammation. Investigational new drug (IND) applications for each program are expected to be filed by end of 2025.
Appointment of Brian L. Kotzin, MD as Non-executive Director to Board of Directors
Dr. Brian Kotzin has been appointed as non-executive director to the Board of Directors and Chair of the Research & Development Committee for a term of four years. He is currently a consultant for companies developing therapeutics for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. His prior roles include Chief Medical Officer for Nektar Therapeutics and Vice President of Global Clinical Development, Head of the Inflammation Therapeutic Area and Vice President and Head of Medical Sciences at Amgen.
FIRST QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS
argenx SE
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PROFIT OR LOSS
| Three months ended | |||||||||
| March 31, | |||||||||
| (in thousands of $ except for shares and EPS) | 2024 | 2023 | Variance | ||||||
| Product net sales | $ | 398,283 | $ | 218,022 | $ | 180,261 | |||
| Collaboration revenue | 2,718 | 1,118 | (1,600) | ||||||
| Other operating income | 11,512 | 10,740 | 772 | ||||||
| Total operating income | 412,513 | 229,880 | 182,633 | ||||||
| Cost of sales | (43,178) | (18,335) | (24,843) | ||||||
| Research and development expenses | (224,969) | (165,855) | (59,114) | ||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | (235,995) | (149,172) | (86,823) | ||||||
| Loss from investment in joint venture | (1,792) | (261) | (1,531) | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | (505,934) | (333,623) | (172,311) | ||||||
| Operating loss | $ | (93,421) | $ | (103,743) | $ | 10,322 | |||
| Financial income | 38,895 | 16,588 | 22,307 | ||||||
| Financial expense | (512) | (188) | (324) | ||||||
| Exchange gains/(losses) | (19,312) | 11,165 | (30,477) | ||||||
| Loss for the period before taxes | $ | (74,350) | $ | (76,178) | $ | 1,828 | |||
| Income tax benefit/(expense) | $ | 12,753 | $ | 47,307 | $ | (34,554) | |||
| Loss for the period | $ | (61,597) | $ | (28,871) | $ | (32,726) | |||
| Loss for the period attributable to: | |||||||||
| Owners of the parent | $ | (61,597) | $ | (28,871) | $ | (32,726) | |||
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding | 59,309,996 | 55,555,186 | 3,754,810 | ||||||
| Basic and diluted (loss) per share (in $) | (1.04) | (0.52) | (0.52) | ||||||
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and current financial assets compared to year-end 2023 and 2022 | (75,378) | (185,035) | 109,657 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and current financial assets at the end of the period | 3,104,466 | 2,007,513 | |||||||
DETAILS OF THE FINANCIAL RESULTS
Total operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was
- Product net sales of VYVGART and VYVGART SC for the three months ended March 31, 2024, were
$398 million compared to$218 million for the same period in 2023. - Collaboration revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was
$3 million compared to$1 million for the same period in 2023. Collaboration revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2024, includes$2 million in royalty revenue from VYVGART sales in China. - Other operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was
$12 million compared to$11 million for the same period in 2023. The other operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, primarily relates to research and development tax incentives.
Total operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024, were
- Cost of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was
$43 million compared to$18 million for the same period in 2023. The cost of sales was recognized with respect to the sale of VYVGART and VYVGART SC. - Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024, were
$225 million compared to$166 million for the same period in 2023. The research and development expenses mainly relate to external research and development expenses and personnel expenses incurred in the clinical development of efgartigimod in various indications and the expansion of other clinical and preclinical pipeline candidates. - Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024, were
$236 million compared to$149 million for the same period in 2023. The selling, general and administrative expenses mainly relate to professional and marketing fees linked to the commercialization of VYVGART and VYVGART SC, and personnel expenses.
Financial income for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was
Exchange losses for the three months ended March 31, 2024, were
Income tax for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was
Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was
Cash, cash equivalents and current financial assets totalled
FINANCIAL GUIDANCE
Based on its current operating plans, argenx expects its combined Research and development and Selling, general and administrative expenses in 2024 to be less than
EXPECTED 2024 FINANCIAL CALENDAR
- July 25, 2024: Q2 2024 financial results and business update
- October 31, 2024: Q3 2024 financial results and business update
CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS
The first quarter 2024 financial results and business update will be discussed during a conference call and webcast presentation today at 2:30 PM CET/8:30 AM ET. A webcast of the live call may be accessed on the Investors section of the argenx website at argenx.com/investors. A replay of the webcast will be available on the argenx website.
Dial-in numbers:
Please dial in 15 minutes prior to the live call.
Belgium 32 800 50 201
France 33 800 943355
Netherlands 31 20 795 1090
United Kingdom 44 800 358 0970
United States 1 800 715 9871
Japan 81 3 4578 9081
Switzerland 41 43 210 11 32
About argenx
argenx is a global immunology company committed to improving the lives of people suffering from severe autoimmune diseases. Partnering with leading academic researchers through its Immunology Innovation Program (IIP), argenx aims to translate immunology breakthroughs into a world-class portfolio of novel antibody-based medicines. argenx developed and is commercializing the first approved neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) blocker, globally in the U.S., Japan, Israel, the EU, the UK, China and Canada. The Company is evaluating efgartigimod in multiple serious autoimmune diseases and advancing several earlier stage experimental medicines within its therapeutic franchises. For more information, visit www.argenx.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
For further information, please contact:
Media:
Ben Petok
bpetok@argenx.com
Investors:
Alexandra Roy (US)
aroy@argenx.com
Lynn Elton (EU)
lelton@argenx.com
Forward-looking Statements
The contents of this announcement include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “aim,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “continue,” “expects,” “will,” “plan,” “prepare,” or “should” and include statements argenx makes regarding its commitment to provide patients with the broadest generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) product offerings; the ability to scale the organization and prepare for CIDP; the preparation for registrational trials across multiple programs including empasiprubart in MMN and efgartigimod in Sjogren's disease; the pending regulatory decisions for gMG in Switzerland, Australia, Saudi Arabia and South Korea, and VYVGART SC in China through Zai Lab; regulatory submissions in Europe and Canada; its plans to expand label for VYVGART in seronegative gMG patients into broader MG populations; the planned FDA submission for VYVGART SC prefilled syringe for gMG and CIDP in second quarter of 2024; its aim to solidify its Fc receptor (FcRn) leadership and expectation that efgartigimod will be approved or under evaluation in at least 15 autoimmune diseases by 2025; its advancement of earlier stage pipeline programs; its evaluation of ARGX-119; its expected updates on BALLAD study development plan by end of 2024; data readouts and regulatory milestones and plans, including the timing of planned clinical trials and expected data readouts; its investigational new drug applications for four new pipeline candidates through the Immunology Innovation Program expected to be filed by the end of 2025; and its 2024 research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses and operating expenses. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. argenx’s actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the results of argenx's clinical trials; expectations regarding the inherent uncertainties associated with the development of novel drug therapies; preclinical and clinical trial and product development activities and regulatory approval requirements in products and product candidates; the acceptance of argenx's products and product candidates by patients as safe, effective and cost-effective; the impact of governmental laws and regulations on our business; disruptions caused on our reliance of third parties suppliers, service provides and manufacturing; inflation and deflation and the corresponding fluctuations in interest rates; the results of the PDUFA review; and regional instability and conflicts. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other risks can be found in argenx’s U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings and reports, including in argenx’s most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC as well as subsequent filings and reports filed by argenx with the SEC. Given these uncertainties, the reader is advised not to place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of publication of this document. argenx undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise the information in this press release, including any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.
FAQ
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