Heron Therapeutics Announces Financial Results for the Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019 and Highlights Recent Corporate Updates

March 2, 2020 |

13 min read

Heron Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: HRTX), today announced financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019

SAN DIEGO, March 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Heron Therapeutics (Nasdaq: HRTX), a commercial-stage biotechnology company focused on improving the lives of patients by developing best-in-class treatments to address some of the most important unmet patient needs, today announced financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019 and highlighted recent corporate updates.

Recent Corporate Updates

Pain Management Franchise

New Drug Application for HTX-011: In September 2019, Heron resubmitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for HTX-011, an investigational agent for the management of postoperative pain. In February 2020, Heron announced that the FDA has extended the review period for the NDA for HTX-011 by up to three months. The new Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date is June 26, 2020.
Contract Manufacturing Site for HTX-011: In February 2020, Heron announced that the contract manufacturing site used to manufacture HTX-011 has been reinspected by the FDA with no Form 483 observations issued and with a recommendation by the FDA inspector for approval of the site. Heron has not been informed of any other manufacturing concerns.
Marketing Authorisation Application for HTX-011 in the European Union: In March 2019, Heron’s Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) for HTX-011 for the management of postoperative pain was validated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for review under the Centralised Procedure. An opinion from the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) is anticipated in the second quarter of 2020.
New Drug Submission for HTX-011 in Canada: In December 2019, Heron’s New Drug Submission (NDS) for HTX-011 for the management of postoperative pain was granted Priority Review status and accepted by Health Canada. Health Canada’s Priority Review status provides an accelerated 6-month review target for the NDS. A decision by Health Canada is anticipated in the third quarter of 2020.

CINV Franchise

CINV 2019 Net Product Sales: For the three months ended December 31, 2019, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) franchise net product sales were $35.1 million, up 22% from the same period in 2018. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, CINV franchise net product sales were $146.0 million, up 88% from the same period in 2018.
- CINVANTI^® Net Product Sales: Net product sales of CINVANTI (aprepitant) injectable emulsion for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019 were $34.6 million and $132.2 million, respectively, compared to $23.4 million and $56.2 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2018.
- SUSTOL^® Net Product Sales: Net product sales of SUSTOL (granisetron) extended-release injection for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019 were $0.5 million and $13.8 million, respectively, compared to $5.4 million and $21.3 million for the same periods in 2018. On October 1, 2019, the Company made a business decision to discontinue all discounting of SUSTOL, which resulted in significantly lower SUSTOL net product sales.
2020 Net Product Sales Guidance: Heron expects 2020 net product sales for the CINV franchise of $70 million to $80 million and the CINV franchise to return to growth in 2021 and beyond.

“We have made important advances in 2019 in both our pain management and CINV franchises, highlighted by the advancement of HTX-011 toward marketing approvals and strong sales for our CINV franchise,” said Barry Quart, Pharm.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Heron Therapeutics. “We look forward to launching HTX-011 for postoperative pain management in the second half of 2020, pending FDA approval.”

Financial Results

Net product sales for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019 were $35.1 million and $146.0 million, respectively, compared to $28.8 million and $77.5 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2018.

Heron’s net loss for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was $57.9 million and $204.7 million, or $0.65 per share and $2.50 per share, respectively, compared to $49.6 million and $178.8 million, or $0.63 per share and $2.44 per share, respectively, for the same periods in 2018. Net loss for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019 included non-cash, stock-based compensation expense of $11.1 million and $51.4 million, respectively, compared to $9.8 million and $33.4 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2018.

As of December 31, 2019, Heron had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $391.0 million compared to $332.4 million as of December 31, 2018. Net cash used for operating activities for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was $124.6 million, compared to $191.8 million for the same period in 2018. Heron expects that its current cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund its operations into 2022.

About HTX-011 for Postoperative Pain

HTX-011, an investigational agent, is a dual-acting, fixed-dose combination of the local anesthetic bupivacaine with a low dose of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam. It is the first and only extended-release local anesthetic to demonstrate in Phase 3 studies significantly reduced pain and opioid use through 72 hours compared to bupivacaine solution, the current standard-of-care local anesthetic for postoperative pain control. HTX-011 was granted Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the fourth quarter of 2017 and Breakthrough Therapy designation in the second quarter of 2018. Heron submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA for HTX-011 in October of 2018 and received Priority Review designation in December of 2018. A Complete Response Letter (CRL) was received from the FDA regarding the NDA for HTX-011 on April 30, 2019 relating to chemistry, manufacturing and controls and non-clinical information. No issues related to clinical efficacy or safety were noted. Heron resubmitted an NDA to the FDA for HTX-011 in September 2019. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date is June 26, 2020. A Marketing Authorisation Application (MMA) for HTX-011 was validated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in March 2019 for review under the Centralised Procedure. Heron’s New Drug Submission (NDS) for HTX-011 for the management of postoperative pain was granted Priority Review status by Health Canada in October 2019 and accepted by Health Canada in November 2019.

About CINVANTI (Aprepitant) Injectable Emulsion

CINVANTI, in combination with other antiemetic agents, is indicated in adults for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (HEC) including high-dose cisplatin as a single-dose regimen, delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (MEC) as a single-dose regimen, and nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of MEC as a 3-day regimen. CINVANTI is an IV formulation of aprepitant, a substance P/neurokinin-1 (NK₁) receptor antagonist (RA). CINVANTI is the first IV formulation to directly deliver aprepitant, the active ingredient in EMEND^® capsules. Aprepitant (including its prodrug, fosaprepitant) is the only single-agent NK₁ RA to significantly reduce nausea and vomiting in both the acute phase (0–24 hours after chemotherapy) and the delayed phase (24–120 hours after chemotherapy). The FDA-approved dosing administration included in the United States prescribing information for CINVANTI is a 30-minute IV infusion or a 2-minute IV injection.

Please see full prescribing information at www.CINVANTI.com.

About SUSTOL (Granisetron) Extended-Release Injection

SUSTOL is indicated in combination with other antiemetics in adults for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) or anthracycline and cyclophosphamide (AC) combination chemotherapy regimens. SUSTOL is an extended-release, injectable 5-HT₃ receptor antagonist that utilizes Heron’s Biochronomer^® drug delivery technology to maintain therapeutic levels of granisetron for ≥5 days. The SUSTOL global Phase 3 development program was comprised of two, large, guideline-based clinical studies that evaluated SUSTOL’s efficacy and safety in more than 2,000 patients with cancer. SUSTOL’s efficacy in preventing nausea and vomiting was evaluated in both the acute phase (0–24 hours after chemotherapy) and delayed phase (24–120 hours after chemotherapy).

Please see full prescribing information at www.SUSTOL.com.

About Heron Therapeutics, Inc.

Heron Therapeutics, Inc. is a commercial-stage biotechnology company focused on improving the lives of patients by developing best-in-class treatments to address some of the most important unmet patient needs. Heron is developing novel, patient-focused solutions that apply its innovative science and technologies to already-approved pharmacological agents for patients suffering from pain or cancer.

For more information, visit www.herontx.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Heron cautions readers that forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this news release and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to, those associated with: whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the New Drug Application (NDA) for HTX-011; the timing of the commercial launch of HTX-011; the timing of the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) review process for HTX-011; whether the European Commission (EC) authorizes the Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) for HTX-011; the timing of Health Canada’s New Drug Submission (NDS) review process for HTX-011; whether Health Canada issues a Notice of Compliance for the NDS for HTX-011; the expected future balances of Heron’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments; the expected duration over which Heron’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments balances will fund its operations; and other risks and uncertainties identified in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements reflect our analysis only on their stated date, and Heron takes no obligation to update or revise these statements except as may be required by law.

HERON THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except par value amounts)

	December 31, 2019		December 31, 2018

ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	71,898	$	31,836
Short-term investments		319,074		300,535
Accounts receivable, net		39,879		64,652
Inventory		24,968		39,032
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		23,245		11,193
Total current assets		479,064		447,248
Property and equipment, net		19,618		14,677
Right-of-use lease assets		13,754		—
Other assets		346		254
Total assets	$	512,782	$	462,179
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	2,758	$	16,863
Accrued clinical and manufacturing liabilities		34,614		24,470
Accrued payroll and employee liabilities		15,248		13,397
Other accrued liabilities		36,535		32,715
Current lease liabilities		1,926		—
Convertible notes payable to related parties, net of discount		5,624		4,574
Total current liabilities		96,705		92,019
Non-current lease liabilities		12,242		—
Total liabilities		108,947		92,019
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: 2,500 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 2018		—		—
Common stock, $0.01 par value: 150,000 shares authorized; 90,304 and 78,174 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively		903		782
Additional paid-in capital		1,568,317		1,330,186
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		85		(87)
Accumulated deficit		(1,165,470)		(960,721)
Total stockholders’ equity		403,835		370,160
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	512,782	$	462,179

HERON THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended December 31,		Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2019	2018	2019	2018
	(unaudited)
Revenues:
Net product sales	$ 35,083	$ 28,844	$ 145,968	$ 77,474
Operating expenses:
Cost of product sales	15,874	11,572	61,619	27,512
Research and development	48,277	39,891	167,382	140,032
General and administrative	9,874	8,738	37,897	29,263
Sales and marketing	20,420	19,957	89,764	64,604
Total operating expenses	94,445	80,158	356,662	261,411

Loss from operations	(59,362)	(51,314)	(210,694)	(183,937)

Other income, net	1,442	1,755	5,945	5,097

Net loss	$ (57,920)	$ (49,559)	$ (204,749)	$ (178,840)

Basic and diluted net loss per share	$ (0.65)	$ (0.63)	$ (2.50)	$ (2.44)

Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share	89,112	78,086	81,779	73,193

HERON THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2017

Operating activities:
Net loss	$	(204,749)	$	(178,840)	$	(197,484)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used for operating activities:
Stock-based compensation expense		51,411		33,367		30,538
Depreciation and amortization		2,044		1,513		1,531
Amortization of debt discount		1,050		890		773
Accretion of discount on short-term investments		(3,730)		(3,412)		(278)
Realized gain on available-for-sale investments		(8)		—		—
Impairment of property and equipment		107		72		—
Loss on disposal of property and equipment		62		29		39
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		24,773		(22,778)		(39,914)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(12,052)		(7,482)		3
Inventory		14,064		(29,122)		(4,768)
Accounts payable		(14,105)		(1,906)		11,955
Accrued clinical and manufacturing liabilities		10,144		(3,614)		13,713
Accrued payroll and employee liabilities		1,851		4,537		446
Deferred revenue		—		—		1,664
Other accrued liabilities		4,558		14,941		11,482
Net cash used for operating activities		(124,580)		(191,805)		(170,300)
Investing activities:
Purchases of short-term investments		(477,035)		(497,104)		(121,570)
Maturities and sales of short-term investments		462,406		227,700		131,783
Purchases of property and equipment		(7,154)		(9,171)		(2,553)
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment		—		25		78
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities		(21,783)		(278,550)		7,738
Financing activities:
Net proceeds from sale of common stock and/or pre-funded warrants		162,151		363,128		306,279
Proceeds from purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan		2,109		1,179		989
Proceeds from stock option exercises		22,164		18,301		11,463
Proceeds from warrant exercises		1		—		—
Repayment of promissory note payable to related party		—		(25,000)		(25,000)
Net cash provided by financing activities		186,425		357,608		293,731
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		40,062		(112,747)		131,169
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		31,836		144,583		13,414
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	71,898	$	31,836	$	144,583
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid	$	—	$	1,183	$	2,789
Cumulative effect of adoption of new accounting standard	$	—	$	1,574	$	—

Investor Relations and Media Contact:
David Szekeres
Chief Legal, Business and Administrative Officer
Heron Therapeutics, Inc.
dszekeres@herontx.com
858-251-4447

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SOURCE Heron Therapeutics, Inc.

Company Codes: NASDAQ-SMALL:HRTX

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