Enanta Pharmaceuticals Reports Financial Results for its Fiscal Third Quarter

Rhea-AI Summary

Enanta Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ENTA) reported financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended June 30, 2024. Total revenue was $18.0 million, consisting of royalty revenue from AbbVie's HCV regimen MAVYRET/MAVIRET. The company reported a net loss of $22.7 million, or $1.07 per diluted share. Enanta's cash and marketable securities totaled $272.6 million as of June 30, 2024.

Key highlights include:

• Completion of enrollment for RSVPEDs, a Phase 2 study of zelicapavir in pediatric RSV patients
• Completion of EDP-323 Phase 2a Challenge Study in RSV
• Advancement of KIT inhibitors for chronic spontaneous urticaria
• Expected cash runway through Q3 2027

Positive

• Completed enrollment for RSVPEDs Phase 2 study of zelicapavir in pediatric RSV patients
• Completed EDP-323 Phase 2a Challenge Study in RSV
• Strong cash position of $272.6 million as of June 30, 2024
• Expected cash runway through Q3 2027
• Reduced research and development expenses from $43.0 million to $28.7 million year-over-year

Negative

• Total revenue decreased from $18.9 million to $18.0 million year-over-year
• Net loss of $22.7 million for the quarter
• 54.5% of ongoing royalty revenue from MAVYRET/MAVIRET is paid to OMERS due to royalty sale transaction
• Increased general and administrative expenses from $12.6 million to $13.4 million year-over-year

Insights

Financial Analyst

Enanta's Q3 2024 results present a mixed financial picture. Revenue decreased slightly to $18.0 million from $18.9 million in Q3 2023, primarily from HCV regimen royalties. The company's net loss narrowed to $22.7 million ($1.07 per share) from $39.1 million ($1.86 per share) year-over-year, mainly due to reduced R&D expenses.

The company's cash position remains strong at $272.6 million, projected to fund operations through Q3 2027. However, the 54.5% royalty sale to OMERS impacts future revenue potential. The $28.0 million pending tax refund is a positive, but ongoing legal expenses are a concern.

While Enanta's pipeline progress is promising, the company remains unprofitable. Investors should monitor upcoming clinical data releases for potential catalysts.

Medical Research Analyst

Enanta's RSV pipeline shows significant progress. The completion of enrollment in the RSVPEDs Phase 2 study for zelicapavir in pediatric patients is a important milestone, with topline data expected in Q4 2024. This could potentially address a critical unmet need in pediatric RSV treatment.

The EDP-323 Phase 2a challenge study completion is another important step, with data expected in late Q3 2024. These two candidates, targeting different viral proteins (N-protein and L-protein), represent a diversified approach to RSV treatment.

The ongoing RSVHR study in high-risk adults further broadens the potential patient population. The company's focus on high-risk groups aligns with areas of significant medical need in RSV treatment. The upcoming data readouts will be critical in assessing the potential of these candidates.

Market Research Analyst

Enanta's strategic shift away from COVID-19 to focus on RSV and immunology programs demonstrates adaptability to market dynamics. The RSV market presents a significant opportunity, with high unmet needs in both pediatric and adult populations.

The company's dual-pronged approach in RSV, targeting both N-protein and L-protein, could potentially capture a larger market share if successful. The expansion into immunology, particularly with the KIT inhibitor for CSU, shows promise for diversification.

However, Enanta faces intense competition in the RSV space from larger pharmaceutical companies. The upcoming data readouts will be important for investor sentiment and potential partnership opportunities. The company's cash runway until 2027 provides a buffer for development, but sustained losses may concern investors in the long term.

• Announces Completion of Enrollment of RSVPEDs, a Phase 2 Study of Zelicapavir in Pediatric Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Patients; On Track to Report Topline Data in Q4 2024
• Announces Completion of EDP-323 Phase 2a Challenge Study in RSV; On Track to Report Topline Data in Late Q3 2024
• Operations Supported by Cash and Marketable Securities Totaling $272.6 Million at June 30, 2024, as well as Continuing Retained Royalties

WATERTOWN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENTA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to creating small molecule drugs for virology and immunology indications, today reported financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended June 30, 2024.

“We are thrilled to announce that we have completed enrollment of RSVPEDs, our first-in-pediatrics study of zelicapavir, an N-protein inhibitor, and anticipate reporting topline data next quarter. We thank all the patients, caregivers and investigators involved in this important study for pediatric health,” said Jay R. Luly, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer at Enanta Pharmaceuticals. “This is a key milestone in the ongoing advancement of our robust clinical RSV portfolio, aimed at addressing the significant unmet need in populations at high risk for severe outcomes from RSV. As we advance two potentially first-in-class oral antiviral replication inhibitors with differentiated mechanisms of action, our potent L-protein inhibitor, EDP-323, has completed the Phase 2a human challenge study and we remain on track to announce topline data this quarter.”

Fiscal Third Quarter Ended June 30, 2024 Financial Results

Total revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was $18.0 million and consisted of royalty revenue from worldwide net sales of AbbVie’s hepatitis C virus (HCV) regimen MAVYRET^®/MAVIRET^® (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir), compared to $18.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023.

A portion (54.5%) of Enanta’s ongoing royalty revenue from AbbVie’s net sales of MAVYRET^®/MAVIRET_® is paid to OMERS, one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans, pursuant to a royalty sale transaction affecting royalties earned after June 2023. For financial reporting purposes, the transaction was treated as debt, with the upfront purchase payment of $200.0 million recorded as a liability. Each quarter, Enanta records 100% of the royalty earned as revenue and then amortizes the debt liability proportionally as 54.5% of the cash royalty payments are paid to OMERS through June 30, 2032 subject to a cap of 1.42 times the purchase payment, after which point 100% of the cash royalty payments will be retained by Enanta. Interest expense from the royalty sale was $2.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024.

Research and development expenses totaled $28.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $43.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in costs associated with Enanta’s COVID-19 program, as the company announced previously that plans to pursue any future COVID-19 efforts would be in the context of a collaboration. This decrease was partially offset by increased costs associated with Enanta’s immunology programs.

General and administrative expenses totaled $13.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $12.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was primarily due to an increase in legal expenses related to the company’s patent infringement lawsuit against Pfizer.

Enanta recorded income tax benefit of $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, due to interest earned on a pending $28.0 million federal income tax refund, compared to an income tax expense of $4.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023, driven by the receipt of the $200.0 million from the royalty sale agreement in April 2023 which was taxable for federal and state purposes.

Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was $22.7 million, or a loss of $1.07 per diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $39.1 million, or a loss of $1.86 per diluted common share, for the corresponding period in 2023.

Enanta’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-term marketable securities totaled $272.6 million at June 30, 2024. Enanta expects that its current cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities and its continuing portion of cash from future royalty revenue, should be sufficient to meet the anticipated cash requirements of its existing business and development programs through the third quarter of fiscal 2027.

Virology

RSV

• Enanta is progressing multiple clinical programs comprising a robust antiviral portfolio aimed at treating populations at high-risk for serious outcomes from RSV infection. This includes zelicapavir, Enanta’s lead, oral N-protein inhibitor, and EDP-323, its oral L-protein inhibitor.
  • Zelicapavir is being evaluated in two Phase 2 clinical trials in high-risk pediatric and adult populations.
    • Enrollment is now complete in RSVPEDs, a first-in-pediatrics Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of zelicapavir in hospitalized and non-hospitalized RSV patients that are 28 days to three years of age. Enanta anticipates reporting topline data in the fourth quarter of 2024.
    • RSVHR is a Phase 2b, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of zelicapavir in adults with RSV infection who are at high risk of complications, including the elderly and/or those with congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma. Enrollment in RSVHR is progressing, and the company is targeting enrollment completion in the upcoming Northern Hemisphere RSV season.
  • Enanta completed its Phase 2a challenge study of EDP-323 and is on track to announce topline data in late third quarter. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, human challenge study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and changes in viral load measurements and symptoms in healthy adult subjects who were infected with RSV.

Immunology

• Enanta continues to advance its initial immunology program aimed at developing KIT inhibitors to treat chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), a highly debilitating inflammatory skin disease characterized by severe and recurrent hives that can last for years. Enanta's goal is to address the significant unmet need in CSU treatment by developing an oral KIT inhibitor therapy that targets mast cells, which play a crucial role in the disease, and potentially other mast cell driven diseases.
  • Preclinical optimization of Enanta’s potent and selective oral KIT inhibitors is ongoing. The company continues to evaluate multiple compounds with the goal of nominating a best-in-class clinical candidate in the fourth quarter of 2024.
• Enanta plans to expand its presence in immunology with the introduction of a second program in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Corporate

• Enanta will not be holding a conference call with today’s quarterly update. The company will provide its next update with the release of the EDP-323 challenge study results, expected in late third quarter of 2024.

Upcoming Events and Presentations

• H.C. Wainwright Annual Global Investment Conference, September 10, 2024
• Baird Global Healthcare Conference, September 11, 2024
• Cantor Global Healthcare Conference, September 17, 2024
• Enanta plans to issue its full year and fiscal fourth quarter financial results press release on November 25, 2024.

About Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Enanta is using its robust, chemistry-driven approach and drug discovery capabilities to become a leader in the discovery and development of small molecule drugs with an emphasis on indications in virology and immunology. Enanta’s research and development programs are currently focused on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and the company has previously advanced clinical-stage compounds for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

Glecaprevir, a protease inhibitor discovered by Enanta, is part of one of the leading treatment regimens for curing chronic hepatitis c virus (HCV) infection and is sold by AbbVie in numerous countries under the tradenames MAVYRET^® (U.S.) and MAVIRET^® (ex-U.S.) (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir). A portion of Enanta’s royalties from HCV products developed under its collaboration with AbbVie contribute ongoing funding to Enanta’s operations. Please visit www.enanta.com for more information.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to the prospects for advancement of Enanta’s clinical programs in RSV and its preclinical program in CSU. Statements that are not historical facts are based on management’s current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about Enanta’s business and the industry in which it operates and management’s beliefs and assumptions. The statements contained in this release are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in such forward-looking statements. Important factors and risks that may affect actual results include: the impact of development, regulatory and marketing efforts of others with respect to vaccines and competitive treatments for RSV and CSU; the discovery and development risks of Enanta’s programs in virology and immunology; Enanta’s lack of clinical development experience; Enanta’s need to attract and retain senior management and key research and development personnel; Enanta’s need to obtain and maintain patent protection for its product candidates and avoid potential infringement of the intellectual property rights of others; and other risk factors described or referred to in “Risk Factors” in Enanta’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, and any other periodic reports filed more recently with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Enanta cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. These statements speak only as of the date of this release, and Enanta undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, except as may be required by law.

ENANTA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
UNAUDITED
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

					Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
					June 30,								June 30,
						2024				2023				2024				2023
Revenue					$	17,971			$	18,892			$	53,028			$	60,272
Operating expenses
	Research and development					28,742				42,987				100,698				127,357
	General and administrative					13,414				12,618				44,167				39,092
	Total operating expenses					42,156				55,605				144,865				166,449
Loss from operations						(24,185	)			(36,713	)			(91,837	)			(106,177	)
Interest expense						(2,355	)			(1,997	)			(8,359	)			(1,997	)
Interest and investment income, net						3,487				3,866				11,594				6,696
Loss before income taxes						(23,053	)			(34,844	)			(88,602	)			(101,478	)
Income tax benefit (expense)						395				(4,221	)			1,380				(4,231	)
Net loss					$	(22,658	)		$	(39,065	)		$	(87,222	)		$	(105,709	)
Net loss per share
	Basic				$	(1.07	)		$	(1.86	)		$	(4.12	)		$	(5.05	)
	Diluted				$	(1.07	)		$	(1.86	)		$	(4.12	)		$	(5.05	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding
	Basic					21,180				21,054				21,145				20,939
	Diluted					21,180				21,054				21,145				20,939

ENANTA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
UNAUDITED
(in thousands)

				June 30,			September 30,
				2024			2023
Assets
Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents			$	35,775		$	85,388
	Short-term marketable securities				194,310			284,522
	Accounts receivable				8,176			8,614
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets				15,260			13,263
	Income tax receivable				32,455			31,004
	Short-term restricted cash				608			—
		Total current assets			286,584			422,791
Long-term marketable securities					42,510			—
Property and equipment, net					25,051			11,919
Operating lease, right-of-use assets					41,211			22,794
Long-term restricted cash					3,360			3,968
Other long-term assets					105			803
		Total assets		$	398,821		$	462,275
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
	Accounts payable			$	10,675		$	4,097
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities				12,830			18,339
	Liability related to the sale of future royalties				32,295			35,076
	Operating lease liabilities				2,431			5,275
		Total current liabilities			58,231			62,787
Liability related to the sale of future royalties, net of current portion					141,889			159,429
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion					48,136			21,238
Series 1 nonconvertible preferred stock					1,423			1,423
Other long-term liabilities					227			663
		Total liabilities			249,906			245,540
Total stockholders' equity					148,915			216,735
		Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	398,821		$	462,275

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240805540412/en/

Media and Investors:

Jennifer Viera

jviera@enanta.com

Source: Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

FAQ

What were Enanta Pharmaceuticals' (ENTA) financial results for Q3 2024?

Enanta reported total revenue of $18.0 million and a net loss of $22.7 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, for the fiscal third quarter ended June 30, 2024.

What is the status of Enanta's (ENTA) RSV clinical trials?

Enanta completed enrollment for RSVPEDs, a Phase 2 study of zelicapavir in pediatric RSV patients, and completed the EDP-323 Phase 2a Challenge Study in RSV. Topline data for both studies are expected in Q4 2024 and late Q3 2024, respectively.

How much cash does Enanta Pharmaceuticals (ENTA) have as of June 30, 2024?

Enanta reported cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaling $272.6 million as of June 30, 2024, with an expected cash runway through the third quarter of fiscal 2027.

What are Enanta's (ENTA) key development programs?

Enanta is advancing clinical programs for RSV, including zelicapavir and EDP-323, as well as developing KIT inhibitors for chronic spontaneous urticaria. The company plans to introduce a second immunology program in Q4 2024.