Axsome Therapeutics Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

November 12, 2024

Total 3Q 2024 net product revenue of $104.8 million, representing 81% year-over-year growth

Auvelity® 3Q 2024 net product sales of $80.4 million, representing 113% year-over-year growth

Sunosi® 3Q 2024 net product revenue of $24.4 million representing 21% year-over-year growth

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 January 31, 2025

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 November 2024

Company to host conference call today at 8:00 AM Eastern

NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AXSM), a biopharmaceutical company leading a new era in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2024 and provided a general business update.

“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 Herriot Tabuteau, MD, Chief Executive Officer. “In response to continued strong demand growth, a second expansion of the Auvelity sales force is planned for the first quarter of 2025. In addition, with the January 31, 2025, PDUFA date for our AXS-07 product candidate for migraine fast approaching, commercial preparations are underway for a timely and successful launch, if approved.”

“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,” Dr. Tabuteau added. “Our growth as an organization positions us well to potentially deliver multiple innovative new medicines to the millions of individuals living with central nervous system disorders in the U.S. Importantly, we have the resources in hand to execute our operating plans and create substantial value for shareholders.”

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 at September 30, 2024, compared to $386.2 million at December 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 at Psych Congress 2024 and NEI 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 with Sandoz 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)
  • 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 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its third quarter 2024 financial results and provide a business update. To participate in the live conference call, please dial (877) 405-1239 (toll-free domestic) or +1 (201) 389-0851 (international). A live webcast of the conference call can be accessed on the “Webcasts & Presentations” page of the “Investors” section of the Company’s website at axsome.com. A replay of the conference call will be available for approximately 30 days following the live event.

About Axsome Therapeutics

Axsome Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company leading a new era in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) conditions. We deliver scientific breakthroughs by identifying critical gaps in care and develop differentiated products with a focus on novel mechanisms of action that enable meaningful advancements in patient outcomes. Our industry-leading neuroscience portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for major depressive disorder and excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea and multiple late-stage development programs addressing a broad range of serious neurological and psychiatric conditions that impact over 150 million people in the United States. Together, we are on a mission to solve some of the brain’s biggest problems so patients and their loved ones can flourish.

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 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) or other regulatory authority approval of, or other action with respect to, the Company’s product candidates, including statements regarding the timing of any NDA submission; whether issues identified by FDA in the complete response letter may impact the potential approvability of the Company’s NDA for AXS-07 for the acute treatment of migraine in adults with or without aura, pursuant to the Company’s special protocol assessment for the MOMENTUM clinical trial; the Company’s ability to successfully defend its intellectual property or obtain the necessary licenses at a cost acceptable to the Company, if at all; the successful implementation of the Company’s research and development programs and collaborations; the success of the Company’s license agreements; the acceptance by the market of the Company’s products and product candidates, if approved; the Company’s anticipated capital requirements, including the amount of capital required for the continued commercialization of Sunosi and Auvelity and for the Company’s commercial launch of its other product candidates, if approved, and the potential impact on the Company’s anticipated cash runway; the Company’s ability to convert sales to recognized revenue and maintain a favorable gross to net sales; unforeseen circumstances or other disruptions to normal business operations arising from or related to domestic political climate, geo-political conflicts or a global pandemic and other factors, including general economic conditions and regulatory developments, not within the Company’s control. The factors discussed herein could cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed in or implied by such statements. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstance.


Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.
Selected Consolidated Financial Data

Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
    September 30,
2024
    December 31,
2023
 
    (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  
Goodwill     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, $0.0001 par value per share (10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding)            
Common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (150,000,000 shares authorized, 48,436,108 and 47,351,363 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)     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  


Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
    Three months ended
September 30,
    Nine months ended
September 30,
 
    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:
Mark Jacobson
Chief Operating Officer
(212) 332-3243
mjacobson@axsome.com

Media:
Darren Opland
Director, Corporate Communications
(929) 837-1065
dopland@axsome.com


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Source: Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.