GW Pharmaceuticals plc Reports Second Quarter 2020 Financial Results and Operational Progress

  • Total revenue increased 68 percent to $121.3 million
  • Epidiolex approved in the U.S. for seizures associated with TSC, launch expected this month
  • Conference call today at 4:30 p.m. EDT

LONDON and CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GW Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: GWPH), a world leader in the science, development, and commercialization of cannabinoid prescription medicines, today announced financial results and operating progress for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020.

“We were pleased with the strength of U.S. Epidiolex sales in the second quarter in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the recent approval and imminent launch of Epidiolex for the treatment of seizures associated with TSC provides a meaningful new opportunity to accelerate momentum through the second half of 2020 and beyond,” stated Justin Gover, GW’s CEO. “We also continue to be excited about the potential of our product pipeline, in particular nabiximols, for which we recently outlined our accelerated US development strategy in the treatment of spasticity in patients with MS and other conditions. We look forward to commencing the nabiximols Phase 3 program as well as multiple other pipeline clinical trials in the second half of the year.”

FINANCIAL RESULTS

  • Total revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 was $121.3 million compared to $72.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2019
  • Net loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 was $8.8 million compared to net income of $79.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2019. The prior year quarter included net proceeds of $104.1 million from the sale of a Rare Pediatric Priority Review Voucher.
  • Cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2020 were $477.6 million

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • Epidiolex (cannabidiol) progress:
    • Total Q2 net product sales of Epidiolex of $117.7 million
    • U.S. commercial update
      • U.S. Epidiolex Q2 net product sales of $111.1 million
      • TSC indication approved by FDA, August commercial launch planned
      • TSC payer reimbursement anticipated quickly following launch
    • European commercial update
      • Ex-U.S. Epidyolex Q2 net product sales of $6.6 million
      • Pricing & reimbursement progress in Germany, France and Italy
      • TSC EMA submission under review
    • Clinical progress with additional indications
      • Phase 3 trial in Rett Syndrome expected to re-commence in H2 2020
    • Strengthening commercial exclusivity
      • Orphan exclusivity in both the U.S. and EU
      • 3 new patents granted and listed in Orange Book, bringing total of 13 patents listed in Orange Book, 12 of which expire in 2035
        • One recent patent listed is a non-use patent directed to the oral formulation
      • Epidiolex composition patent application in process
      • TSC patent applications under review
  • Nabiximols
    • MS Spasticity Clinical program
      • Three positive Phase 3 MS spasticity trials already completed outside of the U.S.
      • Five new MS Spasticity Phase 3 trials expected to commence in H2 2020 (2) and H1 2021 (3), any one of which could enable a NDA submission
        • Phase 3 muscle tone studies – placebo-controlled cross-over design
          • N=52; Expected start: Q4 2020
          • N=190; Expected start: Q1 2021
          • N=36 (nabiximols responders); Expected start: Q1 2021
        • Phase 3 spasm frequency studies – placebo-controlled parallel group
          • N=450; Expected start: Q4 2020
          • N=~200 (nabiximols responders); Expected start: Q2 2021
    • Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) spasticity clinical program
      • Three SCI trials expected to be initiated in 2020 and 2021
      • N=~100 (observational clinical discovery study); Expected start: Q4 2020
      • N=~100 (muscle tone in nabiximols responders); Placebo-controlled parallel group design. Expected start: Q2 2021
      • N=~400 (spasm frequency); Placebo-controlled parallel group design. Expected start: H2 2021
    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) clinical program
      • Phase 2/3 study in PTSD (N=~ 325); Expected start: H1 2021
  • Additional pipeline programs
    • Schizophrenia (GWP42003)
      • Phase 2b trial expected to commence H2 2020
    • CBDV in autism trials expected to recommence in H2 2020
      • 30-patient open label study in autism
      • Investigator-led 100 patient placebo-controlled trial in autism
    • Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (NHIE) intravenous CBD program
      • Phase 1b safety study in patients continues to recruit
      • Orphan Drug and Fast Track Designations granted from FDA and EMA

Conference Call and Webcast Information

GW Pharmaceuticals will host a conference call and webcast today at 4:30 pm EDT. To participate in the conference call, please dial 833-937-1050 (toll free from the U.S. and Canada) or 845-403-8302 (international). Investors may also access a live audio webcast of the call via the investor relations section of the Company’s website at http://www.gwpharm.com. A replay of the call will also be available through the GW website shortly after the call and will remain available for 90 days. Replay Numbers: (toll free):1-877-481-4010 or 919-882-2331 (international). For both dial-in numbers please use conference Replay ID: 35770.

About GW Pharmaceuticals plc and Greenwich Biosciences, Inc.

Founded in 1998, GW is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel therapeutics from its proprietary cannabinoid product platform in a broad range of disease areas. The Company’s lead product, EPIDIOLEX® (cannabidiol) oral solution, is commercialized in the U.S. by its U.S. subsidiary Greenwich Biosciences for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in patients one year of age and older. This product has received approval in the European Union under the tradename EPIDYOLEX® for the adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with LGS or Dravet syndrome in conjunction with clobazam in patients two years and older and is under EMA review for the treatment of TSC. GW is currently carrying out a Phase 3 trial in Rett syndrome. The Company has a deep pipeline of additional cannabinoid product candidates, in particular nabiximols, for which the Company is advancing multiple late-stage clinical programs in order to seek FDA approval in the treatment of spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury, as well as for the treatment of PTSD. The Company has additional cannabinoid product candidates in Phase 2 trials for autism and schizophrenia. For further information, please visit www.gwpharm.com.

Forward-looking statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements that reflect GW's current expectations regarding future events, including statements regarding financial performance, the timing of clinical trials, the timing and outcomes of regulatory or intellectual property decisions, the relevance of GW products commercially available and in development, the clinical benefits of EPIDIOLEX®/EPIDYOLEX® (cannabidiol) oral solution and Sativex® (nabiximols), and the safety profile and commercial potential of both medicines,and those associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors, including (inter alia), the success of GW’s research strategies, the applicability of the discoveries made therein, the successful and timely completion and uncertainties related to the regulatory process, and the acceptance of EPIDIOLEX®/EPIDYOLEX®, Sativex® and other products by consumer and medical professionals. A further list and description of risks and uncertainties associated with an investment in GW can be found in GW’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. GW undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

Enquiries:

GW Pharmaceuticals plc  
Stephen Schultz, VP Investor Relations 917 280 2424 / 401 500 6570
   
U.S. Media Enquiries:
Sam Brown Inc. Healthcare Communications
 
Christy Curran
Mike Beyer
615 414 8668
312 961 2502
   
Ex-U.S. media enquiries  
Ben Atwell, FTI Consulting +44 (0)203 727 1000

 

GW PHARMACEUTICALS PLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)

    June 30,     December 31,  
    2020     2019  
Assets                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 477,557     $ 536,933  
Accounts receivable, net     80,357       48,883  
Inventory     99,620       85,528  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     30,183       28,292  
Total current assets     687,717       699,636  
Property, plant, and equipment, net     125,106       127,765  
Operating lease assets     22,333       24,916  
Intangible assets     5,627        
Goodwill     6,959       6,959  
Deferred tax assets     18,123       18,123  
Other assets     4,715       4,850  
Total assets   $ 870,580     $ 882,249  
Liabilities and stockholders equity                
Accounts payable   $ 16,238     $ 9,990  
Accrued liabilities     93,313       99,374  
Current tax liabilities     2,004       437  
Other current liabilities     6,947       7,760  
Total current liabilities     118,502       117,561  
Long-term liabilities:                
Finance lease liabilities     5,066       5,573  
Operating lease liabilities     19,659       21,650  
Other liabilities     10,416       11,431  
Total long-term liabilities     35,141       38,654  
Total liabilities     153,643       156,215  
Commitments and contingencies                
Stockholders’ equity:                
Common stock - Ordinary shares par value £0.001; 373,709,720 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2020; 371,068,436 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2019     575       570  
Additional paid-in capital     1,655,500       1,632,046  
Accumulated deficit     (854,752 )     (837,959 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (84,386 )     (68,623 )
Total stockholders’ equity     716,937       726,034  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 870,580     $ 882,249  

GW PHARMACEUTICALS PLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

    Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
    2020     2019     2020     2019  
Revenues                                
Product net sales   $ 121,230     $ 71,489     $ 241,762     $ 110,463  
Other revenue     67       549       168       822  
Total revenues     121,297       72,038       241,930       111,285  
Operating expenses                                
Cost of product sales     8,708       6,620       19,477       11,751  
Research and development     45,734       32,467       91,608       62,842  
Selling, general and administrative     75,894       62,273       147,077       117,351  
Total operating expenses     130,336       101,360       258,162       191,944  
Loss from operations     (9,039 )     (29,322 )     (16,232 )     (80,659 )
Interest income     250       2,310       1,519       4,397  
Interest expense     (297 )     (268 )     (581 )     (533 )
Other income     -       104,117       -       104,117  
Foreign exchange gain     1,386       2,026       1,366       912  
(Loss) income before income taxes     (7,700 )     78,863       (13,928 )     28,234  
Income tax expense (benefit)     1,128       (885 )     2,865       (1,450 )
Net (loss) income   $ (8,828 )   $ 79,748     $ (16,793 )   $ 29,684  
                                 
Net loss per share:                                
Basic   $ (0.02 )   $ 0.21     $ (0.04 )   $ 0.08  
Diluted   $ (0.02 )   $ 0.21     $ (0.04 )   $ 0.08  
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:                                
Basic     375,525       371,712       374,680       370,776  
Diluted     375,525       377,435       374,680       376,674  

GW PHARMACEUTICALS PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2020     2019  
Cash flows from operating activities                
Net loss   $ (16,793 )   $ 29,684  
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:                
Foreign exchange (gain) loss     (488 )     882  
Share-based compensation     24,677       23,330  
Depreciation and amortization     5,514       4,808  
Gain from sale of priority review voucher           (104,117 )
Other     27       21  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable, net     (31,794 )     (27,924 )
Inventory     (19,669 )     (27,070 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     (4,312 )     (6,819 )
Other assets     1,884       1,542  
Accounts payable     6,625       3,488  
Current tax liabilities     2,732       619  
Accrued liabilities     (599 )     13,887  
Other liabilities     (2,145 )     (2,192 )
Net cash used in operating activities     (34,341 )     (89,861 )
Cash flows from investing activities                
Proceeds from sale of priority review voucher           104,117  
Additions to property, plant and equipment     (11,362 )     (22,515 )
Additions to capitalized software     (1,455 )     (1,017 )
Additions to intangible assets     (6,404 )      
Net cash (used) provided by in investing activities     (19,221 )     80,585  
Cash flows from financing activities                
Proceeds from exercise of stock options     5       2,878  
Payments in connection with common stock withheld for employee tax obligation     (1,223 )      
Payments on finance leases     (146 )     (250 )
Payments on landlord financing obligation     (283 )     (273 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities     (1,647 )     2,355  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash     (4,167 )     (893 )
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents     (59,376 )     (7,814 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     536,933       591,497  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 477,557     $ 583,683  
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:                
Income taxes paid     251       3,907  
Interest paid     581       533  
Supplemental disclosure of noncash information:                
Property and equipment purchases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities     1,727       856  
Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for operating liabilities     275        

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