Axsome Therapeutics Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Provides Business Update
Total 3Q 2024 net product revenue of
Auvelity® 3Q 2024 net product sales of
Sunosi® 3Q 2024 net product revenue of
Second expansion of Auvelity psychiatry sales force planned for 1Q 2025
NDA resubmission for AXS-07 for the treatment of migraine accepted by the FDA with PDUFA goal date of
Topline results of ADVANCE-2 and ACCORD-2 Phase 3 trials of AXS-05 in Alzheimer’s disease agitation on track for 4Q 2024
Topline results of ENCORE Phase 3 trial of AXS-12 in narcolepsy on track for 4Q 2024
Topline results of FOCUS Phase 3 trial of solriamfetol in ADHD anticipated 1Q 2025
Topline results of PARADIGM Phase 3 trial of solriamfetol in MDD anticipated 1Q 2025
NDA submission for AXS-14 for the management of fibromyalgia anticipated
Company to host conference call today at
“In the third quarter, we continued our strong commercial performance and advanced our innovative, industry-leading, late-stage development pipeline towards important near-term milestones,” said
“We expect a busy end to the year with several clinical catalysts anticipated, including a planned simultaneous release of topline results from the ongoing Phase 3 ADVANCE-2 and ACCORD-2 trials of AXS-05 in Alzheimer’s disease agitation in the fourth quarter,”
Third Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights
- Total net product revenue for the third quarter of 2024 was
$104.8 million , representing 81% year-over-year growth. Total net product revenue for the comparable period in 2023 was$57.8 million . - Auvelity net product sales were
$80.4 million for the third quarter of 2024, representing 113% year-over-year growth. Auvelity net product sales for the comparable period in 2023 were$37.7 million . - Sunosi net product revenue was
$24.4 million for the third quarter of 2024, representing 21% year-over-year growth, which consisted of$23.4 million in net product sales and$1.0 million in royalty revenue associated with sales in out-licensed territories. Sunosi net product revenue for the comparable period in 2023 was$20.1 million , consisting of$19.4 million in net product sales and$0.7 million in royalty revenue. - Total cost of revenue was
$8.4 million for the third quarter of 2024. Total cost of revenue for the comparable period in 2023 was$6.5 million . - Research and development (R&D) expenses were
$45.4 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to$28.8 million for the comparable period in 2023. The increase was primarily related to the Company’s ongoing Phase 3 trials of solriamfetol in four new indications and of AXS-05 in Alzheimer’s disease agitation, chemistry, manufacturing, and controls costs associated with pipeline products, and higher personnel costs, including non-cash stock-based compensation, associated with organizational growth. - Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses were
$95.6 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to$83.2 million for the comparable period in 2023. The increase was primarily related to commercialization expenses for Auvelity and Sunosi and higher personnel costs, including non-cash stock-based compensation, associated with organizational growth. - Net loss for the third quarter of 2024 was
$64.6 million or$(1.34) per share, compared to a net loss of$62.2 million or$(1.32) per share for the comparable period in 2023. The net loss in the third quarter of 2024 reflects$40.9 million in non-cash charges, including a fair market value adjustment for contingent consideration of$16.4 million . - Cash and cash equivalents totaled
$327.3 million atSeptember 30, 2024 , compared to$386.2 million atDecember 31, 2023 . - Shares of common stock outstanding were 48,436,108 at
September 30, 2024 .
Financial Guidance
- Axsome believes that its current cash is sufficient to fund anticipated operations into cash flow positivity, based on the current operating plan.
Commercial Highlights
Auvelity
- Approximately 144,000 prescriptions were written for Auvelity in the third quarter of 2024, representing an increase of 108% compared to the same period in 2023, and an increase of 17% compared to the second quarter of 2024.
- Payer coverage for Auvelity across all channels is at approximately 78% of all covered lives. The proportion of lives covered for Auvelity in the commercial and government (Medicare and Medicaid) channels are approximately 63% and 100%, respectively.
- In response to demand growth and in anticipation of continued expansion and evolution of covered lives, Axsome is planning a second expansion of its Auvelity psychiatry sales force to approximately 300 sales representatives. The expansion is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2025.
Sunosi
- Approximately 47,000 prescriptions were written for Sunosi in the
U.S. in the third quarter of 2024, representing an increase of 15% compared to the same period in 2023, and an increase of 5% compared to the second quarter of 2024. - Payer coverage for Sunosi across all channels is at approximately 83% of all covered lives. The proportion of lives covered for Sunosi in the commercial and government channels are approximately 95% and 60%, respectively.
Development Pipeline
Axsome is advancing an industry-leading neuroscience pipeline encompassing five innovative, late-stage, patent-protected product candidates for nine serious psychiatric and neurological conditions. Recent and anticipated progress for key pipeline programs is summarized below.
AXS-05
AXS-05 (dextromethorphan-bupropion) is Axsome’s novel, oral, investigational NMDA receptor antagonist, sigma-1 agonist, and aminoketone CYP2D6 inhibitor being developed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) agitation and smoking cessation. AXS-05 has been granted FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for AD agitation.
- Alzheimer’s Disease Agitation: The comprehensive development program of AXS-05 in AD agitation consists of four pivotal, Phase 3, placebo-controlled efficacy trials, including the completed, positive ADVANCE-1 and ACCORD-1 trials, and the ongoing ADVANCE-2 and ACCORD-2 trials.
ADVANCE-2 is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial. ACCORD-2 is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized withdrawal trial. Target enrollment in both trials has been reached. The Company remains on track to report topline results from the ADVANCE-2 and ACCORD-2 trials in the fourth quarter and anticipates doing so simultaneously.
Smoking Cessation: Axsome plans to initiate a pivotal Phase 2/3 trial of AXS-05 in smoking cessation in 2025.
AXS-07
AXS-07 (MoSEIC™ meloxicam-rizatriptan) is Axsome’s novel, oral, rapidly absorbed, multi-mechanistic, investigational selective COX-2 inhibitor and 5-HT1B/1D agonist being developed for the acute treatment of migraine.
- Migraine: Axsome’s New Drug Application (NDA) for AXS-07 for the acute treatment of migraine is currently under review by the FDA with a PDUFA goal date of
January 31, 2025 .
Axsome is conducting the EMERGE study, a Phase 3, single-group, multicenter trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of AXS-07 for the acute treatment of migraine headache in adults with a prior inadequate response to an oral CGRP inhibitor. The Company remains on track to announce topline results from the EMERGE trial in the fourth quarter of 2024.
AXS-12
AXS-12 (reboxetine) is Axsome’s novel, oral, potent, highly selective investigational norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and cortical dopamine modulator being developed for the treatment of narcolepsy. AXS-12 has been granted FDA Orphan Drug designation for narcolepsy.
- Narcolepsy: Axsome is conducting the ENCORE study, a two-period Phase 3 trial evaluating the long-term efficacy and safety of AXS-12 in narcolepsy, consisting of a 24-week open-label period followed by a 3-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized withdrawal period. Enrollment in the ENCORE trial is complete, and the Company remains on track to report topline results from the trial in the fourth quarter of 2024.
AXS-14
AXS-14 (esreboxetine) is Axsome’s novel, oral, potent, highly selective investigational norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor being developed for the management of fibromyalgia. Esreboxetine, the SS-enantiomer of reboxetine, is more potent and selective than racemic reboxetine.
- Fibromyalgia: Axsome is completing preparations for the submission of the NDA for AXS-14 for the management of fibromyalgia and expects to submit the NDA to the FDA in
November 2024 .
Solriamfetol
Solriamfetol is Axsome’s dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (DNRI), TAAR1 agonist, and 5-HT1A agonist being developed for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), major depressive disorder (MDD), binge eating disorder (BED), and excessive sleepiness associated with shift work disorder (SWD).
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Axsome is conducting the FOCUS study, a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of solriamfetol in ADHD in adults. The Company anticipates completion of enrollment in the FOCUS trial in
December 2024 and topline results in the first quarter of 2025. - Major Depressive Disorder: Axsome is conducting the PARADIGM study, a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of solriamfetol in MDD. The study will examine the effect of solriamfetol in MDD patients with and without excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). The Company anticipates completion of enrollment in the PARADIGM trial in the fourth quarter of 2024 and topline results in the first quarter of 2025.
- Binge Eating Disorder: Axsome is conducting the ENGAGE study, a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of solriamfetol in BED. The Company anticipates topline results from the trial in 2025.
- Shift Work Disorder: Axsome is conducting the SUSTAIN study, a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of solriamfetol in SWD in adults. The Company anticipates topline results from the trial in 2026.
Scientific Presentations
- In
September 2024 , the Company presented multiple data analyses at Sleep Europe 2024, including results from the SYMPHONY Phase 3 trial of AXS-12 in narcolepsy and findings from the CRESCENDO patient survey underscoring the unmet needs of patients with type 1 narcolepsy. - In October and
November 2024 , the Company presented multiple data analyses atPsych Congress 2024 andNEI Congress 2024, respectively, including new findings from a pooled analysis of the GEMINI and ASCEND clinical trials of Auvelity supporting its differentiated safety and tolerability profile.
Corporate Update
- In
August 2024 , Axsome announced that the patent litigation withSandoz Inc. (Sandoz) related to Sunosi (solriamfetol) was dismissed following Sandoz’s withdrawal of its ANDA for a generic equivalent of Sunosi. As a result, the litigation with Sandoz has been dismissed without prejudice.
Anticipated Milestones
- Regulatory:
- AXS-14 for fibromyalgia, NDA submission (
November 2024 ) - AXS-07 for migraine, PDUFA goal date (
January 31, 2025 )
- AXS-14 for fibromyalgia, NDA submission (
- Clinical Trial Topline Results:
- Phase 3 ADVANCE-2 trial of AXS-05 in Alzheimer’s disease agitation (4Q 2024)
- Phase 3 ACCORD-2 trial of AXS-05 in Alzheimer’s disease agitation (4Q 2024)
- Phase 3 ENCORE trial of AXS-12 in narcolepsy (4Q 2024)
- Phase 3 EMERGE trial of AXS-07 in patients with migraine with inadequate response to oral CGRP inhibitors (4Q 2024)
- Phase 3 FOCUS trial of solriamfetol in ADHD in adults (1Q 2025)
- Phase 3 PARADIGM trial of solriamfetol in major depressive disorder (1Q 2025)
- Phase 3 ENGAGE trial of solriamfetol in binge eating disorder (2025)
- Phase 3 SUSTAIN trial of solriamfetol in shift work disorder (2026)
- Clinical Trial Initiations and Progress:
- Pivotal Phase 2/3 trial of AXS-05 in smoking cessation, initiation (2025)
Conference Call Information
Axsome will host a conference call and webcast today at
About
Forward Looking Statements
Certain matters discussed in this press release are “forward-looking statements”. The Company may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. In particular, the Company’s statements regarding trends and potential future results are examples of such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the continued commercial success of the Company’s Sunosi® and Auvelity® products and the success of the Company’s efforts to obtain any additional indication(s) with respect to solriamfetol and/or AXS-05; the Company’s ability to maintain and expand payer coverage; the success, timing and cost of the Company’s ongoing clinical trials and anticipated clinical trials for the Company’s current product candidates, including statements regarding the timing of initiation, pace of enrollment and completion of the trials (including the Company’s ability to fully fund the Company’s disclosed clinical trials, which assumes no material changes to the Company’s currently projected revenues or expenses), futility analyses and receipt of interim results, which are not necessarily indicative of the final results of the Company’s ongoing clinical trials, and/or data readouts, and the number or type of studies or nature of results necessary to support the filing of a new drug application (“NDA”) for any of the Company’s current product candidates; the Company’s ability to fund additional clinical trials to continue the advancement of the Company’s product candidates; the timing of and the Company’s ability to obtain and maintain
Selected Consolidated Financial Data Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except share and per share amounts) |
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2024 |
2023 |
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(Unaudited) | ||||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 327,341 | $ | 386,193 | ||||
Accounts receivables, net | 124,096 | 94,820 | ||||||
Inventories, net | 14,265 | 15,135 | ||||||
Prepaid and other current assets | 13,411 | 8,115 | ||||||
Total current assets | 479,113 | 504,263 | ||||||
Equipment, net | 683 | 846 | ||||||
Right-of-use asset - operating lease | 5,730 | 6,772 | ||||||
12,042 | 12,042 | |||||||
Intangible asset, net | 48,501 | 53,286 | ||||||
Non-current inventory and other assets | 15,389 | 11,027 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 561,458 | $ | 588,236 | ||||
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 64,253 | $ | 40,679 | ||||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 122,176 | 90,501 | ||||||
Operating lease liability, current portion | 1,627 | 1,267 | ||||||
Contingent consideration, current | 8,131 | 6,407 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 196,187 | 138,854 | ||||||
Contingent consideration, non-current | 82,980 | 73,300 | ||||||
Loan payable, long-term | 180,002 | 178,070 | ||||||
Operating lease liability, long-term | 6,440 | 7,035 | ||||||
Finance lease liability, long-term | 2,951 | — | ||||||
Total liabilities | 468,560 | 397,259 | ||||||
Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
Preferred stock, |
— | — | ||||||
Common stock, |
5 | 5 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 1,140,768 | 1,026,543 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (1,047,875 | ) | (835,571 | ) | ||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 92,898 | 190,977 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 561,458 | $ | 588,236 |
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (In thousands, except share and per share amounts) |
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Three months ended |
Nine months ended |
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2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Product sales, net | $ | 103,736 | $ | 57,127 | $ | 264,352 | $ | 131,713 | ||||||||
License revenue | — | — | — | 65,735 | ||||||||||||
Royalty revenue | 1,026 | 667 | 2,575 | 1,622 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | 104,762 | 57,794 | 266,927 | 199,070 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenue (excluding amortization and depreciation) | 8,437 | 6,532 | 22,789 | 18,687 | ||||||||||||
Research and development | 45,388 | 28,767 | 132,071 | 67,141 | ||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 95,564 | 83,188 | 298,088 | 236,314 | ||||||||||||
Loss (Gain) in fair value of contingent consideration | 16,391 | (180 | ) | 17,139 | 5,711 | |||||||||||
Intangible asset amortization | 1,606 | 1,607 | 4,785 | 4,768 | ||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 167,386 | 119,914 | 474,872 | 332,621 | ||||||||||||
Loss from operations | (62,624 | ) | (62,120 | ) | (207,945 | ) | (133,551 | ) | ||||||||
Interest expense, net | (1,978 | ) | (757 | ) | (4,359 | ) | (5,751 | ) | ||||||||
Loss before income taxes | (64,602 | ) | (62,877 | ) | (212,304 | ) | (139,302 | ) | ||||||||
Income tax benefit (expense) | — | 678 | — | (1,285 | ) | |||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (64,602 | ) | $ | (62,199 | ) | $ | (212,304 | ) | $ | (140,587 | ) | ||||
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted | $ | (1.34 | ) | $ | (1.32 | ) | $ | (4.45 | ) | $ | (3.14 | ) | ||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 48,140,519 | 47,117,196 | 47,703,508 | 44,783,380 | ||||||||||||
Investors:
Chief Operating Officer
(212) 332-3243
mjacobson@axsome.com
Media:
Director, Corporate Communications
(929) 837-1065
dopland@axsome.com
Source: Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.