argenx Reports Full Year 2021 Financial Results and Provides Fourth Quarter Business Update
argenx reported a transformational year in 2021, highlighted by the FDA approval and U.S. launch of VYVGART, the first FcRn blocker for generalized myasthenia gravis. Full-year revenue soared to $497.3 million, a substantial increase from $41.2 million in 2020, primarily due to collaboration agreements. However, operating losses decreased to $348.7 million from $477.6 million the previous year. The company anticipates utilizing up to half of its cash reserves in 2022 to support the global launch of VYVGART and expand its pipeline with new indications.
- FDA approval of VYVGART, leading to U.S. and Japan market entry.
- Full-year 2021 revenue increased by $456 million to $497.3 million.
- Reduced operating losses from $477.6 million in 2020 to $348.7 million in 2021.
- Anticipated completion of multiple registrational trial readouts in 2022.
- Research and development expenses rose significantly by $209.6 million to $580.5 million.
- Increased selling, general, and administrative expenses totaling $307.6 million, up from $171.6 million.
- VYVGART® (efgartigimod alfa-fcab) approved in the U.S. and Japan as the first-and-only neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) blocker; U.S. commercial launch underway
- Topline results from Phase 3 bridging study of subcutaneous (SC) efgartigimod in generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) on track for first quarter 2022
- Malini Moorthy appointed as General Counsel
- Management to host conference call today at 2:30 pm CET (8:30 am ET)
March 3, 2022
Breda, the Netherlands – argenx (Euronext & Nasdaq: ARGX), a global immunology company committed to improving the lives of people suffering from severe autoimmune diseases, today reported financial results for the full year 2021 and provided a fourth quarter business update.
“2021 was a transformational year for argenx, culminating with the FDA approval of VYVGART, our first-in-class FcRn blocker, in December. We carried this momentum into 2022 with the official U.S. launch of VYVGART and the Japan approval. We were well-prepared to launch VYVGART at the time of approval and are encouraged by the early response of the medical community, the engagement from patients, and the coverage decisions that have been made by payers. We continue to expect steady launch progress in 2022 as we aim to deliver this new therapy to patients living with generalized myasthenia gravis,” said Tim Van Hauwermeiren, Chief Executive Officer of argenx.
“In addition to executing the global commercial launch of VYVGART, we are primed to deliver several upcoming catalysts through our development pipeline in high-value autoimmune indications. We expect multiple registrational trial readouts for efgartigimod in the next four quarters, the first of which is the SC bridging study in gMG this month. We are expanding the scope of development for efgartigimod to 10 indications and ARGX-117 to two indications by the end of this year, and will also advance ARGX-119 into first-in-human studies. We remain focused on all components of our integrated business so that we can continue to redefine immunology on behalf of patients and deliver shareholder value,” continued Mr. Van Hauwermeiren.
FOURTH QUARTER 2021 AND RECENT BUSINESS UPDATE
U.S. commercial launch ongoing for VYVGART, the first FDA-approved FcRn blocker for adult gMG patients who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody positive
- VYVGART U.S. salesforce launched in early January; team interacted with over
60% of the 1,000 top priority neurologist targets as of end of February - VYVGART-specific payer policies have been published in plans covering approximately
25% of U.S. commercial lives; expected to have broad coverage in place by end of second quarter 2022 - Commercial launch preparedness enabled immediate activation of key launch activities
- My VYVGART Path, a personalized patient support system, was active at time of approval; approximately
90% of enrollment forms have come in through this program - Distribution channels stocked within one week following FDA approval
- My VYVGART Path, a personalized patient support system, was active at time of approval; approximately
On track with global launch strategy to make VYVGART available in Japan, Europe, China and Canada, as well as additional regions through license and distribution agreements
- VYVGART approved for adult patients with gMG on January 20, 2022 by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare with expected launch to occur in second quarter 2022
- Decision from European Medicines Agency on Marketing Authorization Application expected in second half of 2022
- argenx Canada established in preparation for potential Health Canada approval and commercial launch
- Medison to file for approval in Israel in second quarter of 2022
- Zai Lab to file for approval in China in mid-2022
- Entered into commercial and distribution agreement with GenPharm for VYVGART commercialization in the Middle East
- Additional license and distribution agreements expected in 2022 to expand global patient reach
Topline data expected from five ongoing efgartigimod registrational trials by end of first quarter of 2023
- Neuromuscular franchise
- ADAPT-SC: Topline data from bridging study of SC efgartigimod for gMG expected in first quarter of 2022
- ADHERE: Topline data of SC efgartigimod for chronic inflammatory demyelinating
polyneuropathy expected in first quarter of 2023
- Hematology franchise
- ADVANCE: Topline data of intravenous efgartigimod for primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) expected in second quarter of 2022
- ADVANCE-SC: Topline data of SC efgartigimod for primary ITP expected in first quarter of 2023
- Dermatology franchise
- ADDRESS: Timing of topline data of SC efgartigimod for pemphigus foliaceous and vulgaris is currently under review given geopolitical events in Ukraine
- ADDRESS: Timing of topline data of SC efgartigimod for pemphigus foliaceous and vulgaris is currently under review given geopolitical events in Ukraine
argenx’s leadership position in FcRn blockade to be solidified through expansion of efgartigimod development portfolio into ten total autoimmune conditions by end of 2022
- BALLAD: Registrational trial ongoing of SC efgartigimod for bullous pemphigoid with interim analysis planned of first 40 patients
- ALKIVIA: Registrational trial on track to start in first quarter of 2022 for idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (myositis); interim analysis planned of first 30 patients of each subtype (immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, anti-synthetase syndrome and dermatomyositis)
- Zai Lab to launch proof-of-concept trials in lupus nephritis and membranous nephropathy in 2022 with argenx to lead global registrational programs for each potential indication
- Entered strategic collaboration with IQVIA to leverage its global clinical development capabilities and accelerate expansion of efgartigimod into additional potential indications
- Proof-of-concept trials in primary Sjogren’s syndrome expected to initiate in second half of 2022 and COVID-19-mediated postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) in mid-2022
- Proof-of-concept trials in primary Sjogren’s syndrome expected to initiate in second half of 2022 and COVID-19-mediated postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) in mid-2022
ARGX-117, a novel C2 inhibitor, has potential to be second pipeline-in-a-product for multiple autoimmune indications
- Ongoing proof-of-concept trial to evaluate safety, tolerability, and potential dosing regimen in multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN)
- Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial expected to start in 2022 for prevention of delayed graft function and/or allograft failure after kidney transplantation
Continued investment in Immunology Innovation Program (IIP) to broaden autoimmune pipeline for sustained value creation opportunities
- Phase 1 dose-escalation trial of ARGX-119, an agonist SIMPLE Antibody™ to muscle-specific kinase (MuSK), expected to start after Clinical Trial Application filing in fourth quarter of 2022
- Trial will evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in healthy volunteers, and also early signal detection in patients
Strengthened leadership team with appointment of Malini Moorthy as General Counsel
- Ms. Moorthy brings to argenx over 20 years of global legal and compliance experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries
Yvonne Greenstreet to step down from argenx Board of Directors in order to focus on her transition to Chief Executive Officer at Alnylam
FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2021 FINANCIAL RESULTS
| Year Ended | |||||||||||
| December 31, | |||||||||||
| (in thousands of $ except for shares and EPS) | 2021 | 2020 | Variance | ||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 497,277 | $ | 41,243 | $ | 456,034 | |||||
| Other operating income | 42,141 | 23,668 | 18,473 | ||||||||
| Total operating income | 539,418 | 64,911 | 474,507 | ||||||||
| Research and development expenses | (580,520) | (370,885) | (209,635) | ||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | (307,644) | (171,643) | (136,001) | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | (888,164) | (542,528) | (345,636) | ||||||||
| Operating loss | $ | (348,746) | $ | (477,617) | $ | 128,871 | |||||
| Financial income/(expenses) | (944) | (1,501) | 557 | ||||||||
| Exchange gains/(losses) | (50,053) | (126,234) | 76,181 | ||||||||
| Loss before taxes | $ | (399,743) | $ | (605,352) | $ | 205,609 | |||||
| Income tax expense | $ | (8,522) | $ | (3,103) | $ | (5,419) | |||||
| Loss for the year | $ | (408,265) | $ | (608,455) | $ | 200,190 | |||||
| Loss for the year attributable to: | |||||||||||
| Owners of the parent | $ | (408,265) | $ | (608,455) | $ | 200,190 | |||||
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding | 51,075,827 | 45,410,442 | 5,665,385 | ||||||||
| Basic and diluted loss per share (in $) | (7.99) | (13.40) | |||||||||
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and current financial assets compared to year-end 2020 and 2019 | $ | 340,276 | $ | 495,791 | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and current financial assets at the end of the period | $ | 2,336,728 | $ | 1,996,452 | |||||||
DETAILS OF THE FINANCIAL RESULTS
Cash, cash equivalents and current financial assets totaled
Revenue increased by
Other operating income increased by
Research and development expenses increased by
Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled
Exchange losses totaled
FINANCIAL GUIDANCE
Based on current plans to fund anticipated operating expenses and capital expenditures, argenx expects to utilize up to half of its available cash, cash equivalents and current financial assets in 2022. The increased spend will support the global VYVGART launches, clinical development of efgartigimod in 10 indications and ARGX-117 in two indications, investment in the global supply chain, and continued focus on pipeline expansion through the Immunology Innovation Program.
US SEC AND STATUTORY FINANCIAL REPORTING
argenx’s primary accounting standard for quarterly earnings releases and annual reports is International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). Quarterly summarized statements of profit or loss based on IFRS as issued by the IASB are available on www.argenx.com.
In addition to reporting financial figures in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB, argenx also reports financial figures in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU for statutory purposes. The consolidated statements of financial position, the consolidated statements of profit or loss, the consolidated statements of comprehensive income / loss, the consolidated statements of cash flows, and the consolidated statements of changes in equity are not affected by any differences between IFRS as issued by the IASB and IFRS as adopted by the EU.
The consolidated statements of profit or loss of argenx SE for the year ended December 31, 2021, as presented in this press release are unaudited.
EXPECTED 2022 FINANCIAL CALENDAR:
- May 5, 2022: Q1 2022 financial results and business update
- July 28, 2022: HY 2022 financial results and business update
- October 27, 2022: Q3 2022 financial results and business update
CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS
The full year 2021 results and fourth quarter 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 1 888 415 4250
Japan 81 3 4578 9752
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-and-only approved neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) blocker in the U.S. and Japan. 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, Twitter, and Instagram.
For further information, please contact:
Media:
Kelsey Kirk
kkirk@argenx.com
Joke Comijn (EU)
jcomijn@argenx.com
Investors:
Beth DelGiacco
bdelgiacco@argenx.com
Michelle Greenblatt
mgreenblatt@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 “believes,” “hope,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” or “should” and include statements argenx makes concerning execution of its global launch strategy and expected therapy delivery to patients in Japan, Europe, China and Canada; its expectation concerning its development pipeline and ability to deliver shareholder value as a result thereof; expected registrational trial readouts in 2022; development of efgartigimod in up to ten indications and ARGX-117 in up to two indications by end of 2022; expected advancement of ARGX-119 into first-in-human studies; expected broad U.S. policy coverage of VYVGART by the end of second quarter 2022; the estimated number of covered patients in the U.S.; anticipated pathway for approval in Japan and launch in the second quarter of 2022; expected approval by European Medicines Agency of MAA in the second half of 2022; establishment of argenx Canada in the first quarter of 2022 and preparation for potential Health Canada approval and commercial launch; plans for Medison to file for approval in Israel in second quarter of 2022; expected partnership with GenPharm for commercialization in the Middle East; partnership agreements expected to be announced in 2022; the timing and its expectations with respect to reporting data from registrational trials; expectations with respect to leadership potential through expansion of efgartigimod portfolio into ten indications by end of 2022; expected launch and timing of proof of concept trials, including by Zai Labs and IQVIA, and dose escalation trials in 2022; and its expectations with respect to its use of available cash and liquidity needs for 2022. 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.
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