DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Horizon Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: HZNP) today announced its second-quarter 2019 financial results and increased its full-year 2019 net sales and adjusted EBITDA guidance.

“The second quarter was another quarter of outstanding execution and strategic progress,” said Timothy Walbert, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Horizon. “We generated double-digit net sales growth in our orphan and rheumatology segment, driven by continued momentum from KRYSTEXXA, our medicine for uncontrolled gout and our main growth driver. In addition, we recently submitted teprotumumab for U.S. FDA approval, another milestone toward delivering the first FDA-approved treatment to people living with active thyroid eye disease.”

Financial Highlights

Second-Quarter and Recent Company Highlights

• Submitted BLA for Teprotumumab for Active TED: In early July, the Company submitted a BLA for its investigational medicine teprotumumab for the treatment of active TED to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The submission included results from the Phase 3 clinical trial, OPTIC (Treatment of Graves’ Orbitopathy (Thyroid Eye Disease) to Reduce Proptosis with Teprotumumab Infusions in a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Study), as well as the positive Phase 2 results.
  
  Teprotumumab has Breakthrough Therapy, Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the FDA. Horizon has requested Priority Review for the application, which, if granted, could result in a six-month review process. The FDA has a 60-day filing review period to determine whether the BLA is complete and acceptable for filing. If approved, teprotumumab would be the first and only approved treatment for active TED.
  
  In April, additional results from OPTIC were presented at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) Scientific and Clinical Congress, which included measurements of improvement in proptosis, the major driver of morbidity in TED. These data showed that after the full course of treatment for 24 weeks, patients treated with teprotumumab demonstrated a mean proptosis reduction of 3.32 mm compared with 0.53 mm for patients on placebo (p<0.001).
   
• Announced Teprotumumab Expanded Access Program (EAP): The Company recently announced the availability of an expanded access program for teprotumumab. The expanded access program will be available for people living with active TED while the FDA reviews the teprotumumab BLA.
   
• Initiated KRYSTEXXA Immunomodulation Trial: In June, the Company initiated its registrational clinical trial MIRROR (Methotrexate to Increase Response Rates in Patients with Uncontrolled GOut Receiving KRYSTEXXA). The trial is evaluating administration of KRYSTEXXA in combination with methotrexate to determine the potential for dampening anti-drug antibody formation and increasing response rates with KRYSTEXXA, allowing more patients living with uncontrolled gout to fully benefit from treatment. The randomized placebo-controlled study is expected to enroll approximately 135 patients to receive either KRYSTEXXA and methotrexate or KRYSTEXXA and placebo. The primary endpoint will assess the proportion of serum uric acid (sUA) responders (sUA <6 mg/dL) at Month 6.
   
• FDA Accepted New Drug Application (NDA) for PROCYSBI^® Oral Granules: In July, the FDA accepted the NDA for PROCYSBI Delayed-Release Oral Granules in Packets. If approved, this new dosage form would provide another administration option for patients, in addition to the currently available PROCYSBI delayed-release capsules, which are FDA-approved for children one year of age and older and adults living with nephropathic cystinosis. The submission is part of the Company’s ongoing investment in the cystinosis community.
   
• Appointed Sue Mahony to the Board of Directors: The Company recently appointed Sue Mahony, Ph.D., MBA, to its board of directors. Dr. Mahony brings more than 30 years of diverse industry experience to the Board, including an 18-year tenure at Eli Lilly and Company, where she served in a variety of global and domestic leadership roles of increasing responsibility, including helping oversee the development of an innovative pipeline. Before Lilly, Dr. Mahony spent five years at Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
   
• Changed Company Name to Horizon Therapeutics plc: In May, shareholders approved the change of the Company’s name to Horizon Therapeutics Public Limited Company at the Annual General Meeting. The new name captures the Company’s long-term strategy to develop and commercialize innovative new medicines that address rare and rheumatic diseases with very few effective treatment options. The Company believes the new name also better reflects its work with patients, caregivers, physicians and communities that goes well beyond its medicines.
   
• Improved the Company’s Capital Structure: In May, the Company repaid $250 million of its outstanding debt, reducing it to $1.443 billion as of June 30, 2019. In May, the Company also refinanced its senior secured term loans, lowering the interest rate by 25 basis points and extending the final maturity date to May 22, 2026. Additionally, in July, the Company issued $600 million of 5.5 percent Senior Notes due 2027 and is using the proceeds along with cash on hand to repay $625 million of its outstanding debt. These actions serve to reduce interest expense and extend the maturity of the debt, furthering the Company’s strategy to improve its capital structure.

Research and Development Programs

Orphan Disease Candidate and Program:

• Teprotumumab: Teprotumumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) inhibitor candidate for the treatment of active TED, a serious, progressive, vision-threatening autoimmune disease in which the muscles and fatty tissue behind the eye become inflamed and expand. This can lead to proptosis (eye bulging) and diplopia (double vision) and impact activities of daily living and quality of life. The development program for teprotumumab in TED includes positive Phase 2 results published in The New England Journal of Medicine, as well as positive results from the confirmatory Phase 3 OPTIC clinical trial, announced in February 2019. The OPTIC study met its primary endpoint of a ≥2 mm reduction in proptosis (p<0.001), the main cause of morbidity in TED, with 82.9 percent of patients treated with teprotumumab demonstrating a significant improvement in proptosis compared to 9.5 percent of placebo patients. In addition, all secondary endpoints were met (p≤0.001), and the safety profile was consistent with the Phase 2 study.

Rheumatology Pipeline Candidates and Programs:

• KRYSTEXXA Immunomodulation Trial: The Company is evaluating the use of methotrexate to increase the response rate with KRYSTEXXA through its MIRROR study. Methotrexate is the immunomodulator most used by rheumatologists, and has been shown to reduce anti-drug antibody formation to biologic therapies when combined with these therapies. The MIRROR trial is designed to support the potential for registration and commenced in June.

• KRYSTEXXA Study in Kidney Transplant Patients with Uncontrolled Gout: The Company plans to initiate a clinical trial in the second half of 2019 evaluating the effect of KRYSTEXXA on serum uric acid levels in kidney transplant patients with uncontrolled gout. Kidney transplant patients have more than a tenfold increase in the prevalence of gout when compared to the general population, and literature suggests that persistently high serum uric acid levels can be associated with organ rejection. Managing uncontrolled gout is one of the most common and significant unmet needs of kidney transplant patients.

• Next-generation Biologic Programs for Uncontrolled Gout: The Company is pursuing several development programs for next-generation biologics for uncontrolled gout to support and sustain the Company’s market leadership in this area. These include HZN-003, HZN-007 and a discovery and development collaboration with HemoShear Therapeutics, LLC.

Second-Quarter Financial Results

Note: For additional detail and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, please refer to the tables at the end of this release.

• Net Sales: Second-quarter 2019 net sales were $320.6 million, an increase of 6 percent.
   
• Gross Profit: Under U.S. GAAP, the second-quarter 2019 gross profit ratio was 72.2 percent compared to 69.8 percent in the second quarter of 2018. The non-GAAP gross profit ratio in the second quarter of 2019 was 90.9 percent compared to 90.2 percent in the second quarter of 2018.
   
• Operating Expenses: Research and development (R&D) expenses were 8.8 percent of net sales and selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were 52.1 percent of net sales. Non-GAAP R&D expenses were 6.9 percent of net sales, and non-GAAP SG&A expenses were 45.4 percent of net sales.
   
• Income Tax Rate: In the second quarter of 2019, the income tax benefit rate on a GAAP basis was 48.8 percent and the income tax expense rate on a non-GAAP basis was 11.3 percent.
   
• Net Income (Loss): On a GAAP basis in the second quarter of 2019, net loss was $5.1 million. Second-quarter 2019 non-GAAP net income was $95.6 million.
   
• Adjusted EBITDA: Second-quarter 2019 adjusted EBITDA was $124.1 million.
   
• Earnings (Loss) per Share: On a GAAP basis diluted loss per share in the second quarter of 2019 and 2018 was $0.03 and $0.15, respectively. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share in the second quarter of 2019 and 2018 was $0.49 and $0.48, respectively. Weighted average shares outstanding used for calculating GAAP and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share in the second quarter of 2019 were 185.3 million and 193.2 million, respectively.

Second-Quarter Segment Results

Management uses net sales and segment operating income to evaluate the performance of the Company’s two segments. While segment operating income contains certain adjustments to the directly comparable GAAP figures in the Company’s consolidated financial results, it is considered to be prepared in accordance with GAAP for purposes of presenting the Company’s segment operating results.

Orphan and Rheumatology Segment

• Second-quarter 2019 net sales of the orphan and rheumatology segment, the Company’s strategic growth segment, were $223.5 million, an increase of 11 percent over the prior year’s quarter, driven by growth of KRYSTEXXA, RAYOS, PROCYSBI and ACTIMMUNE.

• Second-quarter 2019 orphan and rheumatology segment operating income was $74.5 million, which includes the impact of investment in teprotumumab pre-launch activities.

Inflammation Segment⁽¹⁾

• Second-quarter 2019 net sales of the inflammation segment were $97.1 million and segment operating income was $49.7 million.

Cash Flow Statement and Balance Sheet Highlights

• On a GAAP basis in the second quarter of 2019, operating cash flow was $91.3 million. Non-GAAP operating cash flow was $95.7 million.
   
• The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $866.0 million as of June 30, 2019.
   
• As of June 30, 2019, the total principal amount of debt outstanding was $1.443 billion. As of June 30, 2019, net debt was $577 million and net-debt-to-last-12-months adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio was 1.1 times, compared to 3.6 times at June 30, 2018.
  
  In May, the Company repaid $250 million of its outstanding debt, reducing it to $1.443 billion as of June 30, 2019. In May, the Company also refinanced its senior secured term loans, lowering the interest rate by 25 basis points and extending the final maturity date to May 22, 2026. In July, the Company issued $600 million of 5.5 percent Senior Notes due 2027 and is using the proceeds along with cash on hand to repay $625 million of its outstanding debt. Following the refinancing transactions, the Company expects the total principal amount of debt outstanding to be $1.418 billion, consisting of $418 million in senior secured term loans due 2026, $600 million of Senior Notes due 2027 and $400 million of Exchangeable Senior Notes due 2022.

New 2019 Guidance

The Company now expects full-year 2019 net sales to range between $1.28 billion to $1.30 billion, an increase from the previous guidance range of $1.26 billion to $1.28 billion. Full-year 2019 adjusted EBITDA is now expected to range between $460 million to $475 million, an increase from the previous guidance range of $450 million to $465 million.

Webcast

At 8 a.m. EDT / 1 p.m. IST today, the Company will host a live webcast to review its financial and operating results and provide a general business update. The live webcast and a replay may be accessed at http://ir.horizontherapeutics.com. Please connect to the Company's website at least 15 minutes prior to the live webcast to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be needed to access the webcast. A replay of the webcast will be available approximately two hours after the live webcast.

About Horizon

Horizon is focused on researching, developing and commercializing medicines that address critical needs for people impacted by rare and rheumatic diseases. Our pipeline is purposeful: we apply scientific expertise and courage to bring clinically meaningful therapies to patients. We believe science and compassion must work together to transform lives. For more information on how we go to incredible lengths to impact lives, please visit https://www.horizontherapeutics.com/, follow us @HorizonNews on Twitter, like us on Facebook or explore career opportunities on LinkedIn.

Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

EBITDA, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and adjusted EBITDA are used and provided by Horizon as non-GAAP financial measures. Horizon provides certain other financial measures such as non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, non-GAAP gross profit and gross profit ratio, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP tax rate, non-GAAP operating cash flow, net leverage ratio and net debt, each of which include adjustments to GAAP figures. These non-GAAP measures are intended to provide additional information on Horizon’s performance, operations, expenses, profitability and cash flows. Adjustments to Horizon’s GAAP figures as well as EBITDA exclude acquisition and/or divestiture-related expenses, charges related to the discontinuation of ACTIMMUNE development for Friedreich’s ataxia, gain or loss from divestiture, gain or loss from sale of assets, upfront, progress and milestone payments related to license and collaboration agreements, litigation settlements, loss on debt extinguishment, costs of debt refinancing, drug manufacturing harmonization costs, restructuring and realignment costs, as well as non-cash items such as share-based compensation, depreciation and amortization, non-cash interest expense, long-lived asset impairment charges and other non-cash adjustments. Certain other special items or substantive events may also be included in the non-GAAP adjustments periodically when their magnitude is significant within the periods incurred. Horizon maintains an established non-GAAP cost policy that guides the determination of what costs will be excluded in non-GAAP measures. Horizon believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with the GAAP figures, can enhance an overall understanding of Horizon’s financial and operating performance. The non-GAAP financial measures are included with the intent of providing investors with a more complete understanding of the Company’s historical and expected 2019 financial results and trends and to facilitate comparisons between periods and with respect to projected information. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are among the indicators Horizon’s management uses for planning and forecasting purposes and measuring the Company's performance. For example, adjusted EBITDA is used by Horizon as one measure of management performance under certain incentive compensation arrangements. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Horizon has not provided a reconciliation of its full-year 2019 adjusted EBITDA outlook to an expected net income (loss) outlook because certain items such as acquisition/divestiture-related expenses and share-based compensation that are a component of net income (loss) cannot be reasonably projected due to the significant impact of changes in Horizon’s stock price, the variability associated with the size or timing of acquisitions/divestitures and other factors. These components of net income (loss) could significantly impact Horizon’s actual net income (loss).

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements related to Horizon’s full-year 2019 net sales and adjusted EBITDA guidance; expected financial performance and operating results in future periods, including potential growth in net sales of certain of Horizon’s medicines; expected impact of refinancing transactions; expected timing of clinical trials and regulatory submissions and decisions, including related to the BLA submission for teprotumumab and the NDA for PROCYSBI Delayed-Release Oral Granules in Packets; expected expansion of Horizon’s rare disease medicine pipeline and the impact thereof; potential market opportunity for Horizon’s medicines and medicine candidates; and business and other statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are based on Horizon’s current expectations and inherently involve significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks that Horizon’s actual future financial and operating results may differ from its expectations or goals; Horizon’s ability to grow net sales from existing medicines; the availability of coverage and adequate reimbursement and pricing from government and third-party payers; risks relating to Horizon’s ability to successfully implement its business strategies; risks inherent in developing novel medicine candidates, such as teprotumumab, and existing medicines for new indications; risks associated with regulatory approvals; risks in the ability to recruit, train and retain qualified personnel; competition, including potential generic competition; the ability to protect intellectual property and defend patents; regulatory obligations and oversight, including any changes in the legal and regulatory environment in which Horizon operates and those risks detailed from time-to-time under the caption "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in Horizon’s filings and reports with the SEC. Horizon undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information.