BioCryst Announces Preliminary Full Year 2023 ORLADEYO® (berotralstat) Net Revenue of $325 Million, Provides 2024 Guidance and Accelerated Path to Profitability

Rhea-AI Summary

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCRX) announced preliminary, unaudited ORLADEYO net revenue for the fourth quarter and full year 2023, with a 29% year-over-year increase to $325 million. The company expects net revenue to be between $380-$400 million in 2024, aiming for $1 billion in peak sales. Operating expenses are projected to remain flat at $365-$375 million in 2024, with an expected operating profit in 2024 and positive cash flow in 2H 2025.

Positive

• 29% year-over-year increase in net revenue for 2023
• Expected net revenue of $380-$400 million in 2024
• Flat operating expenses of $365-$375 million in 2024
• Expected operating profit in 2024
• Approaching positive EPS and positive cash flow in 2H 2025
• Profitable on an EPS basis with positive cash flow for full year 2026

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The projected increase in ORLADEYO net revenue to $380-$400 million in 2024, representing a solid growth trajectory, suggests a robust demand for BioCryst's hereditary angioedema treatment. The company's ability to maintain flat operating expenses, while simultaneously increasing revenue, indicates effective cost management and could signal an improved operating margin. The anticipated operating profit in 2024 and positive cash flow in the second half of 2025 are significant milestones for investors, as they reflect a transition from a growth phase to profitability. It is important to note that the company's decision not to draw on additional debt underscores a strong balance sheet and financial prudence. However, investors should consider the potential impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on the pharmaceutical industry, which may introduce pricing pressures and affect future revenue growth.

Medical Research Analyst

The success of ORLADEYO in the market is a testament to its efficacy and the unmet need in hereditary angioedema management. The company's strategic decision to out-license BCX10013, if proof-of-concept trials are successful, could allow for more efficient allocation of R&D resources and potentially bring in additional revenue streams through licensing deals. However, the reduction of the R&D organization size could raise concerns about the company's long-term innovation pipeline. Investors should weigh the immediate benefits of cost reduction against the potential risks associated with a smaller R&D footprint.

Market Research Analyst

With the global expansion of ORLADEYO and a lower rate of patient discontinuations, BioCryst is strengthening its market position. The company's focus on maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation is crucial in the highly competitive pharmaceutical industry. The expected increase in SG&A expenses to support growth is a calculated investment to achieve the $1 billion peak sales target. However, the pharmaceutical market is sensitive to regulatory changes and competitive pressures, which could influence BioCryst's performance. Continuous monitoring of market trends and competitor activities will be essential to sustain the growth trajectory.

—ORLADEYO preliminary 2023 full year net revenue of $325 million (+29 percent y-o-y)—

—ORLADEYO net revenue expected to be between $380-$400 million in 2024, on trajectory for
$1 billion in peak sales—

—Operating expenses expected to remain flat ($365-$375 million) in 2024—

—Company expects operating profit in 2024, approaching positive EPS and positive cash flow in 2H 2025—

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Jan. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCRX) today announced preliminary, unaudited ORLADEYO^® (berotralstat) net revenue for the fourth quarter and full year 2023. The company also provided guidance for full year 2024 ORLADEYO net revenue, full year 2024 operating expenses, expected peak ORLADEYO sales and an accelerated path to profitability.

“After three years on the market, ORLADEYO continues on a steady growth trajectory to achieve $1 billion at peak. This commercial success, alongside our proven discovery platform that is producing additional first-in-class or best-in-class molecules, uniquely positions BioCryst to achieve financial independence from the capital markets and accelerate our path to profitability,” said Jon Stonehouse, president and chief executive officer of BioCryst.

The company also announced that, if its ongoing proof-of-concept trial produces best-in-class data, it plans to out-license late-stage development and commercialization of BCX10013, its potential once-daily, oral Factor D inhibitor, to a partner that can drive the speed and breadth of investment required to accelerate BCX10013 for patients across multiple complement-mediated diseases and maximize the commercial potential of the program. As a result, the company has reduced the size of its R&D organization and accelerated its timeline to profitability.

Preliminary Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 ORLADEYO Revenue and 2024 ORLADEYO Outlook
Preliminary, unaudited ORLADEYO net revenue in the fourth quarter of 2023 was $89.9 million (+27 percent y-o-y). Preliminary, unaudited ORLADEYO net revenue for full year 2023 was $325 million (+29 percent y-o-y).

The company expects full year 2024 global net ORLADEYO revenue to be between $380 million and $400 million. The general pattern of revenue throughout 2024 is expected to be similar to past years, with the seasonal impact of prescription reauthorizations and the potential impact of the Inflation Reduction Act in the first quarter driving a quarter-over-quarter revenue decline in the first quarter, followed by a strong return to growth in the second quarter.

“ORLADEYO growth remained strong in the fourth quarter of 2023 as hereditary angioedema patients gain the excellent attack control they expect. Comparing U.S. patient trends year over year (y-o-y), we had more new patient prescriptions and a lower average rate of monthly discontinuations in 2023 compared to 2022. U.S. performance combined with continued global expansion keep ORLADEYO on track for $1 billion in peak sales,” said Charlie Gayer, chief commercial officer of BioCryst.

Operating Expense and Profitability Outlook
The company expects full year 2024 operating expenses to be between $365 million and $375 million, flat to expected full year 2023 operating expenses. The company now expects that R&D expenses in 2024 will be reduced by $20 million versus 2023. This represents a $45 million to $55 million reduction from the 2024 R&D expense guidance it provided at its R&D Day in November 2023, and reflects both the R&D restructuring and the postponement of previously planned capital expenditures at its Discovery Center in Alabama. SG&A expenses are expected to increase by $20 million in 2024, primarily to support the continued U.S. and global growth of ORLADEYO to $1 billion in peak sales.

This operating expense outlook does not reflect non-cash stock compensation expense, or one-time expenses related to the reduction of 59 jobs (10 percent of total organization) in the first quarter of 2024.

Based on the company’s disciplined approach to capital allocation, and the revenue expected from ORLADEYO, the company expects to achieve a full-year operating profit in 2024 (not including non-cash stock compensation), be approaching quarterly positive earnings per share (EPS) and positive cash flow in the second half of 2025 (not including non-cash stock compensation), and be profitable on an EPS basis, with positive cash flow, for full year 2026. The company expects it can achieve these financial milestones without raising additional funds and does not intend to draw the additional $150 million of debt available to it from Pharmakon.

Presentation Tuesday at 42^nd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference
On Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET, the company will present at the 42^nd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco. Links to a live audio webcast and replay of the presentation may be accessed in the Investors section of BioCryst’s website at https://www.biocryst.com/.

About BioCryst Pharmaceuticals
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company with a deep commitment to improving the lives of people living with complement-mediated and other rare diseases. BioCryst leverages its expertise in structure-guided drug design to develop first-in-class or best-in-class oral small-molecule and protein therapeutics to target difficult-to-treat diseases. BioCryst has commercialized ORLADEYO^® (berotralstat), the first oral, once-daily plasma kallikrein inhibitor, and is advancing a pipeline of small-molecule and protein therapies. For more information, please visit www.biocryst.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding preliminary, unaudited net revenue results and future results, performance or achievements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause BioCryst’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any preliminary, unaudited net revenue results and future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that could affect the forward-looking statements contained herein include: BioCryst’s completion of its customary closing, review and audit procedures for the fourth quarter and full year 2023, which may cause actual net revenue results for these periods to differ materially from the preliminary, unaudited revenue results; the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which could create challenges in all aspects of BioCryst’s business, including without limitation delays, stoppages, difficulties and increased expenses with respect to BioCryst’s and its partners’ development, regulatory processes and supply chains, negatively impact BioCryst’s ability to access the capital or credit markets to finance its operations, or have the effect of heightening many of the risks described below or in the documents BioCryst files periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission; BioCryst’s ability to successfully implement its commercialization plans for, and to commercialize, ORLADEYO, which could take longer or be more expensive than planned; BioCryst’s ability to successfully implement its plans for BCX10013, including any out-licensing of late-stage development and commercialization of BCX10013 as described herein; risks related to the reduction in size of BioCryst’s R&D organization; the results of BioCryst’s partnerships with third parties may not meet BioCryst’s current expectations; risks related to government actions, including that decisions and other actions, including as they relate to pricing, may not be taken when expected or at all, or that the outcomes of such decisions and other actions may not be in line with BioCryst’s current expectations; the commercial viability of ORLADEYO, including its ability to achieve market acceptance; the FDA or other applicable regulatory agency may require additional studies beyond the studies planned for products and product candidates, may not provide regulatory clearances which may result in delay of planned clinical trials, may impose certain restrictions, warnings, or other requirements on products and product candidates, may impose a clinical hold with respect to product candidates, or may withhold, delay or withdraw market approval for products and product candidates; BioCryst’s ability to successfully manage its growth and compete effectively; risks related to the international expansion of BioCryst’s business; timing for achieving profitability and positive cash flow may not meet management’s expectations; statements and projections regarding financial guidance and goals and the attainment of such goals may differ from actual results based on market factors and BioCryst’s ability to execute its operational and budget plans; and actual financial results may not be consistent with expectations, including that revenue, operating expenses and cash usage may not be within management's expected ranges. Please refer to the documents BioCryst files periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically BioCryst’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, which identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in BioCryst’s projections and forward-looking statements.

BCRXW

Contact:
John Bluth
+1 919 859 7910
jbluth@biocryst.com

 

FAQ

What is the preliminary full year net revenue for BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCRX) in 2023?

The preliminary, unaudited ORLADEYO net revenue for the full year 2023 was $325 million, representing a 29% year-over-year increase.

What is the expected net revenue for BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCRX) in 2024?

The company expects net revenue to be between $380-$400 million in 2024, aiming for $1 billion in peak sales.

What are the projected operating expenses for BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCRX) in 2024?

Operating expenses are projected to remain flat at $365-$375 million in 2024.

When does BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCRX) expect to achieve operating profit?

The company expects to achieve operating profit in 2024.

When does BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCRX) expect to have positive cash flow?

BioCryst expects to have positive cash flow in the second half of 2025.