Coherus BioSciences Reports First Quarter 2020 Financial Results

• First Quarter UDENYCA® Net Sales of $116.2 Million
• Net Income of $35.6 Million
• Non-GAAP Net Income of $49.8 Million

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., May 07, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coherus BioSciences, Inc. (“Coherus” or the “Company”, Nasdaq: CHRS), today reviewed corporate events and reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

First Quarter 2020 and Recent Corporate Highlights

• Strong financial position and performance to support pipeline development and long-term growth:
  • Coherus had cash and cash equivalents of $193.3 million as of March 31, 2020.
  • Completed a convertible notes financing for an aggregate principal amount of $230 million at a 1.500% coupon in April 2020. The net proceeds from this financing will be used for opportunistic pipeline acquisitions or licenses, working capital, and for other general corporate purposes, which may include debt repayment in the future.
  • Cash flow from operating activities was $13.5 million for the first quarter of 2020.
  • Net product revenue for the first quarter of 2020 was $116.2 million, and net income was $35.6 million, or $0.48 per share on a diluted basis.
  • Non-GAAP income during the first quarter of 2020 was $49.8 million, or $0.67 on a diluted basis.
  • Coherus has remained cash flow positive since the second quarter of 2019.
• Coherus completed a key licensing transaction in oncology to enhance its midterm product pipeline in the United States:
  • Entered into a license agreement with Innovent Biologics, (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., (“Innovent”), a leading biopharmaceutical company headquartered in China, to commercialize Innovent’s biosimilar candidate to Avastin® (bevacizumab) in the United States and Canada.

First Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Net product revenue for first quarter of 2020 was $116.2 million. Cost of goods sold for the same quarter was $6.9 million, resulting in a gross profit margin of 94%, a 213% increase compared to the net product revenue of $37.1 million for the same period in 2019. Net product revenue increased year-over-year markedly as a result of market penetration.

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the first quarter 2020 were $33.1 million, as compared to $18.8 million for the same period in 2019. The increase in R&D expenses was largely due to an upfront payment obligation of $5.0 million pursuant to the Innovent license agreement and increased expenses related to preparations for the filing of the 351(k) BLA for CHS-1420 (Humira® (adalimumab) biosimilar) and the development of other biosimilar product candidates.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the first quarter of 2020 were $35.4 million, as compared to $32.7 million for the same period in 2019. The increases in SG&A expenses were mainly attributable to an increase in salesforce personnel, related commercial functions and marketing programs to support the continued growth in UDENYCA® sales. The increases were partially offset by a decrease in legal costs attributable to the legal settlement that the Company entered into with Amgen in May 2019.

Cash, cash equivalents were $193.3 million as of March 31, 2020, as compared to $177.7 million as of December 31, 2019.

Net income (loss) for the first quarter of 2020 was $35.6 million, or $0.48 per share on a diluted basis, compared to a net loss of ($20.0) million, or ($0.29) per share on a basic and diluted basis for the same period in 2019.

Non-GAAP net income (loss) for the first quarter of 2020 was $49.8 million, or $0.67 per share on a diluted basis, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of ($10.5) million, or ($0.15) per share on a basic and diluted basis for the same period in 2019. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for a discussion on how we calculate non-GAAP net income (loss) and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Guidance for the Next Nine Months from March 31, 2020

Coherus will continue delivering on the promise of biosimilars and laying the foundation for long-term growth across its three therapeutic areas:

Oncology

• UDENYCA® (pegfilgrastim-cbqv)
  • Maintain market position as the leading pegfilgrastim biosimilar of choice leveraging the validated branded-biosimilar strategy of offering a robust value proposition across all key customer segments.
  • Increase penetration against all Neulasta® dosage forms, while maintaining average selling price (“ASP”) discipline.
• Advance the Company’s Avastin® (bevacizumab) oncology biosimilar candidate in-licensed from Innovent by initiating a planned three-way pharmacokinetic (“PK”) study using innovator Avastin® drug articles from the United States and China compared to Innovent’s biosimilar to bevacizumab, and additional analytical similarity exercises. The Company expects to submit a 351(k) BLA with the FDA in 2021, depending on the outcome of these exercises and the timing of required interactions with the FDA.
• Diligence the option to commercialize Innovent’s Rituxan® (rituximab) oncology biosimilar in the United States.

Ophthalmology

• Facilitate Bioeq’s resubmission of a 351(k) BLA with the U.S. FDA for the biosimilar candidate to Lucentis® (ranibizumab) in the second half of 2020, with expected product launch in the United States to address a $6 billion anti-VEGF ophthalmology market, if approved, enabling the Company to potentially play a key role in market formation.
• Advance the Company’s internally developed CHS-2020 Eylea® (aflibercept) ophthalmology biosimilar currently in preclinical development to an expected Phase 3 clinical trial initiation in 2021, with launch projected in 2025, if approved.

Immunology

• Advance certain manufacturing, regulatory and development activities for the Company’s internally developed CHS-1420 immunology biosimilar to Humira® (adalimumab) with an anticipated filing of a 351(k) BLA in the second half of 2020. The Company expects this timing will enable a projected competitive market entry in the United States on or after July 1, 2023, if approved.

CHS-131

• Advance previously announced strategic alternatives for the Company’s program in CHS-131, a small molecule for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (“NASH”) and multiple sclerosis.

Financial Guidance

• Anticipate that R&D and SG&A expenses combined together will range between $285 million and $310 million for the full fiscal year 2020, excluding upfront and milestone payments from entering into potential new collaborations.

Conference Call Information

When: Thursday, May 7, 2020 starting at 4:30 p.m. ET

Dial-in: (844) 452-6826 (Toll Free) or (765) 507-2587 (International)

Conference ID: 6167564

Webcast: https://investors.coherus.com/

Please join the conference call at least 10 minutes early to register. The webcast will be archived on the Coherus website.

First quarter 2020 financial results, are posted on the Coherus website at https://investors.coherus.com/.

About Coherus BioSciences, Inc.

Coherus is a leading biosimilar company that develops and commercializes its own high-quality therapeutics as well as those of others seeking capable access to the United States market. Biosimilars are intended for use in place of existing, branded biologics to treat a range of chronic and often life-threatening diseases, with the potential to reduce costs and expand patient access. Composed of a team of proven industry veterans with world-class expertise in process science, analytical characterization, protein production, sales and marketing and clinical-regulatory development, Coherus is positioned as a leader in the global biosimilar marketplace. Coherus commercializes UDENYCA® (pegfilgrastim-cbqv) in the United States and has received regulatory approval for UDENYCA® in the European Union. Coherus is advancing late-stage clinical products CHS-1420, a Humira® (adalimumab) biosimilar, Bioeq’s Lucentis® (ranibizumab) biosimilar and Innovent’s Avastin® (bevacizumab) biosimilar towards commercialization, and early-stage clinical products, CHS-2020, an Eylea® (aflibercept) biosimilar, and CHS-131, a small molecule for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and multiple sclerosis. For additional information, please visit www.coherus.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, Coherus’ ability to continue delivering on the promise of biosimilars and laying the foundation for long-term growth across its three therapeutic areas; Coherus’ ability to continue to maintain market position as the leading pegfilgrastim biosimilar of choice leveraging the validated branded-biosimilar strategy of offering a robust value proposition across all key customer segments; Coherus’ ability to continue to increase penetration in market share from both Neulasta® Onpro® and Neulasta® prefilled syringe; Coherus’ ability to maintain ASP discipline for UDENYCA®; Coherus’ ability to advance its Avastin® (bevacizumab) oncology biosimilar candidate in-licensed from Innovent by completing a three-way PK study, as well as completing additional analytical similarity exercises; Coherus’ ability to submit a 351(k) BLA with the FDA in 2021, for the Innovent biosimilar candidate to Avastin®; Coherus’ ability to launch Innovent’s biosimilar candidate to Avastin® in the United States; Coherus’ ability to facilitate Bioeq’s resubmission of a 351(k) BLA with the U.S. FDA for the biosimilar candidate to Lucentis® (ranibizumab) in the second half of 2020 and Coherus’ ability to launch the product, if approved; Coherus’ ability to advance CHS-2020 Eylea® (aflibercept) ophthalmology biosimilar currently in preclinical development by initiating an expected Phase 3 clinical trial in 2021, with launch projected in 2025, if approved; Coherus’ ability to complete certain manufacturing, regulatory and development activities for CHS-1420 with an anticipated filing of a 351(k) BLA in the second half of 2020; Coherus’ ability to have a competitive market entry in the United States on or after July 1, 2023 for CHS-1420; Coherus’ plans to pursue strategic alternatives for its program in CHS-131; and Coherus’ ability to meet its R&D and SG&A expenses guidance for the full fiscal year 2020. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause Coherus’ actual results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the risks and uncertainties inherent in the clinical drug development process; the risks and uncertainties of the regulatory approval process, including the timing of Coherus’ regulatory filings; the risk that Coherus is unable to complete commercial transactions and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of Coherus’ biosimilar drug candidates; and the risks and uncertainties of possible patent litigation. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Coherus undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to Coherus’ business in general, see Coherus’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2020, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2020 and its future periodic reports to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our results for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of our operating results for any future periods.

UDENYCA® is a trademark of Coherus BioSciences, Inc.

Neulasta® and Onpro® are registered trademarks of Amgen Inc.
Avastin®, Rituxan® and Lucentis® are registered trademarks of Genentech, Inc.
Humira® is a registered trademark of AbbVie Inc.
Eylea® is a registered trademark of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Contact

David S. Arrington
Investor Relations & Corporate Affairs
Coherus BioSciences, Inc.
darrington@coherus.com
+1 (650) 395-0196