February 26, 2019 Earnings News

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Financial Results

– Fourth Quarter 2018 Net Sales Grew to $59.6 Million, a 37% Increase Over 4Q17

– Full Year 2018 Net Sales Grew to $223.8 Million, a 79% Increase Over Full Year 2017

– Late Stage Pipeline Progressing with Five Clinical Programs Ongoing or Commencing in 2019

– 2019 Guidance: Net Sales $275 Million to $300 Million

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 26, 2019– ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ACAD), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative medicines to address unmet medical needs in central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2018.

“Our team successfully executed on all three of our strategic pillars in 2018. We grew NUPLAZID in Parkinson’s disease psychosis, leveraged pimavanserin in additional large market CNS indications with positive data from our Phase 2 CLARITY study in adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder, and expanded our CNS pipeline with the acquisition of the North American rights for trofinetide,” said Steve Davis, ACADIA’s Chief Executive Officer. “2019 will be a pivotal year for ACADIA. We are on track to announce top-line data from our Phase 3 pimavanserin study in adjunctive treatment of schizophrenia mid-year. In addition, we expect to realize strong NUPLAZID revenue and volume growth, while advancing our late-stage pipeline.”

Recent Highlights

  • Announced positive top-line results from the Phase 2 CLARITY trial of pimavanserin for adjunctive treatment in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) in October 2018.
  • Conducted an End-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA confirming the development plans for pimavanserin as a potential adjunctive therapy for MDD in February 2019.
  • The Company plans to initiate two Phase 3 trials for pimavanserin as an adjunctive treatment for MDD in the first half of 2019.
  • The Company has confirmed its Phase 3 study design for trofinetide in Rett syndrome with the FDA and plans to initiate this trial in the second half of 2019.
  • Completed a public offering with net proceeds of approximately $298.5 million in November 2018.
  • Appointed Serge Stankovic, M.D., M.S.P.H., as President in November 2018.

Financial Results

Revenue
Net sales of NUPLAZID® (pimavanserin) were $59.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2018, an increase of 37% as compared to $43.6 million reported for the fourth quarter of 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, ACADIA reported net product sales of $223.8 million and $124.9 million, respectively, an increase of 79%.

Research and Development
Research and development expenses for the fourth quarter of 2018 were $48.2 million, compared to $43.2 million for the same period of 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, research and development expenses were $187.2 million and $149.2 million, respectively. The increase in research and development expenses during the 2018 periods as compared to 2017 was primarily due to additional clinical study costs incurred by the Company as it continues to invest in additional pipeline programs for pimavanserin as well as an upfront payment of $10.0 million to Neuren Pharmaceuticals for trofinetide in the third quarter of 2018.

Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2018 were $74.3 million, compared to $66.7 million for the same period of 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, selling, general and administrative expenses were $265.8 million and $255.1 million, respectively. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses during the 2018 periods as compared to 2017 was primarily due to an increase in advertising expenses related to our direct-to-consumer advertising campaign.

Net Loss
For the fourth quarter of 2018, ACADIA reported a net loss of $65.5 million, or $0.50 per common share, compared to a net loss of $68.9 million, or $0.55 per common share, for the same period in 2017. The net losses in the fourth quarter of 2018 and 2017 included $20.4 million and $22.0 million, respectively, of non-cash stock-based compensation expense. For the year ended December 31, 2018, ACADIA reported a net loss of $245.2 million, or $1.94 per common share, compared to a net loss of $289.4 million, or $2.36 per common share, for the same period in 2017. The net losses for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 included $81.6 million and $75.5 million, respectively, of non-cash stock-based compensation expense.

Cash and Investments
At December 31, 2018, ACADIA’s cash, cash equivalents, and investment securities totaled $473.5 million, compared to $341.3 million at December 31, 2017.

2019 Financial Guidance

  • NUPLAZID net sales are expected to be between $275 million and $300 million.
  • GAAP R&D is expected to be between $250 million and $265 million. The increase compared to 2018 reflects the planned progression of five late-stage clinical programs in 2019.
  • GAAP SG&A is expected to be between $280 million and $295 million.
  • Non-cash stock-based compensation expense is expected to be between $80 million and $90 million.

Conference Call and Webcast Information
ACADIA management will review its fourth quarter and full year 2018 financial results and operations via conference call and webcast today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The conference call may be accessed by dialing 855-638-4820 for participants in the U.S. or Canada and 443-877-4067 for international callers (reference passcode 3094204). A telephone replay of the conference call may be accessed through March 12, 2019 by dialing 855-859-2056 for callers in the U.S. or Canada and 404-537-3406 for international callers (reference passcode 3094204). The conference call also will be webcast live on ACADIA’s website, www.acadia-pharm.com, under the investors section and will be archived there through March 26, 2019.

About NUPLAZID® (pimavanserin)
NUPLAZID is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis. NUPLAZID is a non-dopaminergic, selective serotonin inverse agonist (SSIA) preferentially targeting 5-HT2A receptors that are thought to play an important role in Parkinson’s disease psychosis. NUPLAZID is an oral medicine taken once a day with a recommended dose of 34 mg. ACADIA discovered and developed this new chemical entity and holds worldwide rights to develop and commercialize NUPLAZID.

About ACADIA Pharmaceuticals
ACADIA is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative medicines to address unmet medical needs in central nervous system disorders. ACADIA has developed and is commercializing the first and only medicine approved for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis. In addition, ACADIA has ongoing clinical development efforts in additional areas with significant unmet need, including dementia-related psychosis, schizophrenia inadequate response, schizophrenia-negative symptoms, major depressive disorder, and Rett syndrome. This press release and further information about ACADIA can be found at: www.acadia-pharm.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature are forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to: the potential opportunity for future growth in sales of NUPLAZID, including through sales of new dosages and forms; the timing of ongoing and future clinical studies for pimavanserin; the development and commercialization of trofinetide; and guidance for full-year 2019 NUPLAZID net sales and certain expense line items. These statements are only predictions based on current information and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in any of such statements due to various factors, including the uncertainty of future commercial sales and related items that would impact net sales during 2019, the risks and uncertainties inherent in drug discovery, development, approval and commercialization, and the fact that past results of clinical trials may not be indicative of future trial results. For a discussion of these and other factors, please refer to ACADIA’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 as well as ACADIA’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and ACADIA undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by law.

ACADIA PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

           
Three Months Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
2018       2017 2018       2017
Revenues
Product sales, net $ 59,571 $ 43,562 $ 223,807 $ 124,901
Total revenues 59,571 43,562 223,807 124,901
Operating expenses
Cost of product sales, license fees and royalties (1) 4,392 3,703 18,330 13,060
Research and development (1) 48,183 43,179 187,163 149,189
Selling, general and administrative (1)   74,271   66,689   265,758   255,062
Total operating expenses   126,846   113,571   471,251   417,311
Loss from operations (67,275 ) (70,009 ) (247,444 ) (292,410 )
Interest income, net 1,670 1,107 5,348 4,126
Other expense   127     (1,840 )  
Loss before income taxes (65,478 ) (68,902 ) (243,936 ) (288,284 )
Income tax expense   14   (31 )   1,256   1,119
Net loss $ (65,492 ) $ (68,871 ) $ (245,192 ) $ (289,403 )
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted $ (0.50 ) $ (0.55 ) $ (1.94 ) $ (2.36 )
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted   131,627   124,117   126,583   122,600
 
 
(1) Includes the following share-based compensation expense
 
Cost of product sales, license fees and royalties $ 838 $ 719 $ 3,863 $ 3,690
Research and development $ 8,421 $ 7,887 $ 32,038 $ 26,485
Selling, general and administrative $ 11,142 $ 13,413 $ 45,663 $ 45,357
 
ACADIA PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

           

December 31,
2018

December 31,
2017

(unaudited)
Assets
Cash, cash equivalents and investment securities $ 473,520 $ 341,342
Accounts receivable, net 26,090 17,343
Interest and other receivables 1,699 1,087
Inventory 4,070 5,248
Prepaid expenses   20,727   8,457
Total current assets 526,106 373,477
Property and equipment, net 3,309 2,662
Intangible assets, net 4,062 5,538
Restricted cash 4,826 2,475
Other assets   1,899   354
Total assets $ 540,202 $ 384,506
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Accounts payable $ 3,167 $ 8,786
Accrued liabilities   56,398   40,244
Total current liabilities 59,565 49,030
Long-term liabilities   1,558   191
Total liabilities   61,123   49,221
Total stockholders’ equity   479,079   335,285
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 540,202 $ 384,506
 

Important Safety Information and Indication for NUPLAZID (pimavanserin)

WARNING: INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS

  • Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death.
  • NUPLAZID is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis unrelated to the hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis.

Contraindication: NUPLAZID is contraindicated in patients with a history of a hypersensitivity reaction to pimavanserin or any of its components. Rash, urticaria, and reactions consistent with angioedema (e.g., tongue swelling, circumoral edema, throat tightness, and dyspnea) have been reported.

QT Interval Prolongation: NUPLAZID prolongs the QT interval. The use of NUPLAZID should be avoided in patients with known QT prolongation or in combination with other drugs known to prolong QT interval including Class 1A antiarrhythmics or Class 3 antiarrhythmics, certain antipsychotic medications, and certain antibiotics. NUPLAZID should also be avoided in patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmias, as well as other circumstances that may increase the risk of the occurrence of torsade de pointes and/or sudden death, including symptomatic bradycardia, hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, and presence of congenital prolongation of the QT interval.

Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions (≥2% for NUPLAZID and greater than placebo) were peripheral edema (7% vs 2%), nausea (7% vs 4%), confusional state (6% vs 3%), hallucination (5% vs 3%), constipation (4% vs 3%), and gait disturbance (2% vs <1%).

Drug Interactions: Coadministration with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole) increases NUPLAZID exposure. Reduce NUPLAZID dose to 10 mg taken orally as one tablet once daily. Coadministration with strong CYP3A4 inducers may reduce NUPLAZID exposure. Monitor patients for reduced efficacy and an increase in NUPLAZID dosage may be needed.

Pediatric Use: Safety and efficacy have not been established in pediatric patients.

Dosage and Administration: Recommended dose: 34 mg taken orally once daily, without titration.

Indication: NUPLAZID is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. You can also call ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-844-4ACADIA (1-844-422-2342).

NUPLAZID is available as 34 mg capsules and 10 mg tablets.

Please see the full Prescribing Information including Boxed WARNING for NUPLAZID at https://www.nuplazid.com/pdf/NUPLAZID_Prescribing_Information.pdf.

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