$374 million in fourth quarter and $1.2 billion
in full year global net product sales
sBLA for VYVGART® Hytrulo for CIDP accepted for
priority review by FDA with PDUFA target action date of June 21,
2024
On track to report data from six Phase 2
proof-of-concept trials by end of 2024
Management to host conference call today at 2:30
pm CET (8:30 am ET)
February 29, 2024, 7:00 am
CET
Amsterdam, the Netherlands –
argenx SE (Euronext & Nasdaq: ARGX), a global immunology
company committed to improving the lives of people suffering from
severe autoimmune diseases, today reported financial results for
the full year 2023 and provided a fourth quarter business
update.
“argenx reached thousands of new patients and
their families in 2023 by delivering on our commitment to make
VYVGART available to the global MG community,” said Tim Van
Hauwermeiren, Chief Executive Officer of argenx. “This expansion
demonstrates that VYVGART has the potential to address the high
unmet need for innovation in patients suffering from MG, and moves
us closer to sustainability as we build an integrated immunology
company. Clinically, we generated significant data through multiple
study readouts, achieving key milestones for both the CIDP and MMN
patient communities and importantly advancing our second molecule,
empasiprubart. Looking forward to 2024, we will act with a
continued sense of purpose to expand our patient reach. We will use
the learnings and momentum from our gMG launch to strategically lay
the groundwork for a potential CIDP approval, leveraging our
current infrastructure and deep relationships in the neurology
community to position VYVGART SC for success. CIDP patients have
been waiting for innovation, and we are eager to translate the
transformative ADHERE data into potential benefit for patients as
quickly as possible.”
FOURTH QUARTER 2023 AND RECENT BUSINESS
UPDATE
Reaching More Patients with
VYVGART
VYVGART® (efgartigimod alfa-fcab) is a
first-in-class antibody fragment targeting the neonatal Fc receptor
(FcRn), and is now approved in more than 30 countries globally for
the treatment of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). VYVGART
subcutaneous (SC) (efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase-qvfc) is
approved in the U.S. (as VYVGART Hytrulo), Japan (as VYVDURA®) and
Europe, making VYVGART the only gMG treatment available as both an
IV and simple SC injection. argenx is planning to reach more
patients commercially through its multi-dimensional expansion
efforts, including patients earlier in the MG treatment paradigm
and new patient populations through global regulatory approvals for
MG and the expansion of use to treat additional autoimmune
indications.
- Generated global net product
revenues (inclusive of both VYVGART and VYVGART SC) of $374 million
in the fourth quarter and $1.2 billion in the full year of
2023
- Medicines and Healthcare products
Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved VYVGART SC in the United Kingdom
for the treatment of adult patients with gMG on February 6, 2024,
with self-administration
- Ministry of Health, Labour and
Welfare (MHLW) approved VYVDURA in Japan for the treatment of adult
patients with gMG, inclusive of seronegative patients, on January
18, 2024, with self-administration
- Decisions on regulatory approvals
of VYVGART for gMG expected in Switzerland, Australia, Saudi Arabia
and South Korea by end of 2024
- Decision on approval of VYVGART SC
for gMG in China through Zai Lab expected by end of 2024
- Decision on approval of VYVGART for
primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in Japan expected in first
quarter of 2024
- Supplemental Biologics License
Application (sBLA) for VYVGART Hytrulo accepted for priority review
by FDA for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
(CIDP); Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date
of June 21, 2024
- Regulatory submissions of VYVGART
SC for CIDP in Japan, Europe, China and Canada expected in
2024
- Registrational studies to expand
VYVGART label into broader MG populations, including in
seronegative patients, expected to start in 2024
- Update on pre-filled syringe
development expected in first half of 2024; ongoing clinical
studies expected to support potential approval in gMG and CIDP in
2024
Advancing Current Pipeline
argenx continues to demonstrate breadth and
depth within its immunology pipeline and is advancing multiple
pipeline-in-a-product candidates. With efgartigimod, argenx is
solidifying its leadership in FcRn and is on track to be approved
or in development in 15 autoimmune indications by 2025. Beyond
efgartigimod, argenx is advancing its earlier stage pipeline
programs, including empasiprubart (C2 inhibitor) with Phase 2
studies ongoing in multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN), delayed graft
function (DGF) and dermatomyositis (DM). In addition, argenx is
evaluating ARGX-119, a muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) agonist in
both congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) and amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis (ALS).
- Evaluation ongoing to determine
path forward in BALLAD study evaluating efgartigimod in bullous
pemphigoid (BP), with an update expected in 2024
- Topline data from Phase 2 RHO study evaluating efgartigimod in
primary Sjogren’s syndrome expected in first half of 2024
- Topline data from Phase 2 ALPHA study evaluating efgartigimod
in post-COVID-19 postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
(PC-POTS) expected in first half of 2024
- Topline data from seamless Phase
2/3 ALKIVIA study evaluating efgartigimod across three myositis
subsets (immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM),
anti-synthetase syndrome (ASyS), and DM) expected in second half of
2024
- Full Phase 2 topline data from ARDA
study evaluating empasiprubart in MMN expected to be shared in
2024; cohort 2 is ongoing to determine dose response ahead of Phase
3 study start
- Phase 1 study of ARGX-119 ongoing
in healthy volunteers; subsequent Phase 1b/2a trials planned to
assess early signal detection in patients with CMS and ALS in
2024
Leveraging Repeatable Innovation
Playbook to Drive Long-Term Pipeline Growth
argenx continues to invest in its discovery
engine, the Immunology Innovation Program (IIP), to drive long-term
sustainable pipeline growth. Through the IIP, four new pipeline
candidates have been nominated, including: ARGX-213 targeting FcRn
and further solidifying argenx’s leadership in this new class of
medicine; ARGX-121 and ARGX-220, which are first-in-class targets
broadening argenx’s focus across the immune system; and ARGX-109,
targeting IL-6, which plays an important role in inflammation.
- On track to file four
investigational new drug (IND) applications by end of 2025
- Received $30M milestone from AbbVie
for advancement of ABBV-151 (ARGX-115) to Phase 2
FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2023
FINANCIAL RESULTS
argenx SE
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF PROFIT OR LOSS
|
|
Three Months Ended December
31, |
|
Twelve Months Ended December
31, |
(in thousands of $ except for shares and EPS) |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
|
2023 |
|
2022 |
Product net sales |
|
$ |
374,351 |
|
$ |
173,396 |
|
$ |
1,190,783 |
|
$ |
400,720 |
Collaboration revenue |
|
|
32,486 |
|
|
764 |
|
|
35,533 |
|
|
10,026 |
Other operating income |
|
|
11,003 |
|
|
7,956 |
|
|
42,278 |
|
|
34,520 |
Total operating
income |
|
$ |
417,840 |
|
$ |
182,116 |
|
$ |
1,268,594 |
|
$ |
445,267 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales |
|
$ |
(39,477) |
|
$ |
(12,786) |
|
$ |
(117,835) |
|
$ |
(29,431) |
Research and development
expenses |
|
|
(306,373) |
|
|
(147,798) |
|
|
(859,492) |
|
|
(663,366) |
Selling, general and
administrative expenses |
|
|
(208,826) |
|
|
(135,287) |
|
|
(711,905) |
|
|
(472,132) |
Loss from investment in joint
venture |
|
|
(1,788) |
|
|
(677) |
|
|
(4,411) |
|
|
(677) |
Total operating
expenses |
|
|
(556,464) |
|
|
(296,548) |
|
|
(1,693,643) |
|
|
(1,165,607) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
loss |
|
$ |
(138,624) |
|
$ |
(114,432) |
|
$ |
(425,049) |
|
$ |
(720,341) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial income |
|
$ |
40,308 |
|
$ |
13,925 |
|
$ |
107,386 |
|
$ |
27,665 |
Financial expense |
|
|
(280) |
|
|
(990) |
|
|
(906) |
|
|
(3,906) |
Exchange gains/(losses) |
|
|
37,418 |
|
|
60,259 |
|
|
14,073 |
|
|
(32,732) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss for the period
before taxes |
|
$ |
(61,178) |
|
$ |
(41,238) |
|
$ |
(304,496) |
|
$ |
(729,314) |
Income tax benefit /
(expense) |
|
$ |
(37,994) |
|
$ |
2,625 |
|
$ |
9,443 |
|
$ |
19,720 |
Loss for the
period |
|
$ |
(99,172) |
|
$ |
(38,613) |
|
$ |
(295,053) |
|
$ |
(709,594) |
Loss for the year
attributable to: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Owners of the parent |
|
$ |
(99,172) |
|
$ |
(38,613) |
|
$ |
(295,053) |
|
$ |
(709,594) |
Weighted average number of
shares outstanding |
|
|
59,118,827 |
|
|
55,364,124 |
|
|
57,169,253 |
|
|
54,381,371 |
Basis and diluted (loss) per
share (in $) |
|
|
(1.68) |
|
|
(0.70) |
|
|
(5.16) |
|
|
(13.05) |
Net increase/(decrease) in
cash, cash equivalents and current financial assets compared to
year-end 2022 and 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
987,296 |
|
$ |
(144,180) |
Cash and cash equivalents and
current financial assets at the end of the period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,179,844 |
|
$ |
2,192,548 |
DETAILS OF THE FINANCIAL
RESULTS
Total operating income for the
fourth quarter and full year in 2023 was $418 million and $1,269
million, respectively, compared to $182 million and $445 million
for the same periods in 2022, and mainly consists of:
- Product net sales
of VYVGART and VYVGART SC for the fourth quarter and full year in
2023, were $374 million and $1,191 million, respectively, compared
to $173 million and $401 million for the same periods in 2022.
- Collaboration
revenue for the fourth quarter and full year in 2023 was
$32 million and $36 million, respectively, compared to $1 million
and $10 million for the same periods in 2022. The increase is
mainly related to the clinical development milestone argenx
achieved with AbbVie following the dosing of the first patient in
the Phase 2 trial for ABBV-151. Collaboration revenue for full year
in 2023 also includes $1 million in royalty revenue from VYVGART
sales in China.
- Other operating
income for the fourth quarter and full year in 2023 was
$11 million and $42 million, respectively, compared to $8 million
and $35 million for the same periods in 2022. The other operating
income for the fourth quarter and full year in 2023, primarily
relates to research and development tax incentives and payroll tax
rebates.
Total operating expenses for
the fourth quarter and full year in 2023 were $556 million and
$1,694 million, respectively, compared to $297 million and $1,166
million for the same periods in 2022, and mainly consists of:
- Cost of sales for
the fourth quarter and full year in 2023 was $39 million and $118
million, respectively, compared to $13 million and $29 million for
the same periods in 2022. The cost of sales was recognized with
respect to the sale of VYVGART and VYVGART SC.
- Research and development
expenses for the fourth quarter and full year in 2023 were
$306 million and $859 million, respectively, compared to $148
million and $663 million for the same periods in 2022. The research
and development expenses mainly relate to external research and
development expenses and personnel expenses incurred in the
clinical development of efgartigimod in various indications and the
expansion of other clinical and preclinical pipeline candidates.
The research and development expenses for the fourth quarter and
the full year in 2023, includes the amortization of the priority
review voucher submitted with the sBLA filling for VYVGART Hytrulo
for the treatment of CIDP, which resulted in an expense of $102
million.
- Selling, general and
administrative expenses for the fourth quarter and full
year in 2023 were $209 million and $712 million, respectively,
compared to $135 million and $472 million for the same periods in
2022. The selling, general and administrative expenses mainly
relate to professional and marketing fees linked to the
commercialization of VYVGART and VYVGART SC, and personnel
expenses.
Financial income for the fourth
quarter and full year in 2023 was $40 million and $107 million,
respectively, compared to $14 million and $28 million for the same
periods in 2022. The increase in financial income is mainly due to
an increase in interest income which results from higher interest
rates and a higher amount of current financial assets, cash and
cash equivalents as a result of the financing round in July
2023.
Exchange gains for the fourth
quarter and full year in 2023 were $37 million and $14 million
respectively, compared to $60 million of exchange gains and $33
million of exchange losses for the same periods in 2022. Exchange
gains/losses are mainly attributable to unrealized exchange rate
gains or losses on the cash, cash equivalents and current financial
assets denominated in Euro.
Income tax for the fourth
quarter and full year in 2023 was $38 million of tax expense and $9
million of tax benefit, respectively, compared to $3 million and
$20 million of tax benefit for the same periods in 2022. Tax
expense for the fourth quarter in 2023, consists of $12 million of
income tax benefit and $50 million of deferred tax expense,
compared to $12 million of income tax expense and $15 million of
deferred tax benefit for the comparable prior period.
Net loss for the fourth quarter
and full year in 2023, was $99 million and $295 million,
respectively, compared to $39 million and $710 million over the
prior year periods. On a per weighted average share basis, the net
loss was $5.16 and $13.05 for the twelve months ended December 31,
2023 and 2022, respectively.
Cash, cash equivalents and current
financial assets totalled $3.2 billion as of December 31,
2023, compared to $2.2 billion as of December 31, 2022. The
increase in cash and cash equivalents and current financial assets
resulted primarily from the closing of a global offering of shares,
including a U.S. offering, which resulted in the receipt of $1.2
billion in net proceeds in July 2023, partially offset by net cash
flows used in operating activities.
FINANCIAL GUIDANCE
Based on its current operating plans, argenx
expects its combined Research and development and Selling, general
and administrative expenses in 2024 to be less than $2 billion.
argenx expects to utilize up to $500 million of net cash in 2024 on
these anticipated operating expenses as well as working capital and
capital expenditures.
EXPECTED 2024 FINANCIAL
CALENDAR
- May 9, 2024: Q1 2024 financial
results and business update
- July 25, 2024: Q2 2024 financial
results and business update
- October 31, 2024: Q3 2024 financial
results and business update
CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS The
full year 2023 financial results and fourth quarter business update
will be discussed during a conference call and webcast presentation
today at 2:30 pm CET/8:30 am ET. A webcast of the live call may be
accessed on the Investors section of the argenx website at
argenx.com/investors. A replay of the webcast will be available on
the argenx website.
Dial-in numbers: Please dial in
15 minutes prior to the live call.
Belgium 32
800 50
201France 33
800
943355Netherlands 31
20 795 1090United
Kingdom 44 800 358
0970United States
1
888 415
4250Japan 81
3 4578
9081Switzerland 41
43 210 11 32
About argenx
argenx is a global immunology company committed
to improving the lives of people suffering from severe autoimmune
diseases. Partnering with leading academic researchers through its
Immunology Innovation Program (IIP), argenx aims to translate
immunology breakthroughs into a world-class portfolio of novel
antibody-based medicines. argenx developed and is commercializing
the first approved neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) blocker, globally in
the U.S., Japan, Israel, the EU, the UK, China and Canada. The
Company is evaluating efgartigimod in multiple serious autoimmune
diseases and advancing several earlier stage experimental medicines
within its therapeutic franchises. For more information,
visit www.argenx.com and follow us
on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
For further information, please
contact:
Media:Ben
Petokbpetok@argenx.com
Investors:Alexandra Roy
(US)aroy@argenx.com
Lynn Elton (EU)lelton@argenx.com
Forward-looking Statements
The contents of this announcement include
statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking
statements.” These forward-looking statements can be identified by
the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms
“plans,” “aims,” “continues,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “will,” or
“commitment” and include statements argenx makes concerning its
utilization of its learnings and momentum from its gMG launch for a
potential CIDP approval and to position VYVGART SC for success; its
plans to expand its patient reach, including through its
multidimensional expansion efforts aimed at including patients
earlier in the MG treatment paradigm and pursuing global regulatory
approvals for MG as well as additional autoimmune indications; our
goal to translate the ADHERE data into potential benefit for
patients; the advancement of, and anticipated clinical development,
data readouts and regulatory milestones and plans, including: (1)
expected decisions on regulatory approvals of VYVGART for gMG in
Switzerland, Australia, Saudi Arabia and South Korea by end of
2024, (2) expected decisions on approval of VYVGART SC for gMG in
China through Zai Lab by end of 2024, (3) expected decisions on
approval of VYVGART for ITP in Japan in the first quarter of 2024,
(4) expected regulatory submissions of VYVGART SC of CIDP in Japan,
Europe, China and Canada in 2024, (5) the expansion of our VYVGART
registrational studies into broader MG populations, including in
seronegative patients, expected to start in 2024, (6) the update on
pre-filled syringe development expected in the first half of 2024,
(7) clinical studies expected to support potential approval in gMG
and CIDP in 2024, (8) expected update on the path forward for
BALLAD study in 2024, (9) expected topline data from Phase 2 RHO in
the first half of 2024, (10) expected topline data from Phase 2
ALPHA study in the first half of 2024, (11) expected topline data
from Phase 2/3 ALKIVIA in the second half of 2024, (12) the full
Phase 2 topline data from ARDA study expected in 2024, (13) planned
Phase 1b/2a clinical trials of ARGX-119 in 2024, (14) four IND
applications expected to be filed by end of 2025, (15) expected
data from six Phase 2 proof-of-concept trials by the end of 2024,
and (16) the expected approval or development in 15 autoimmune
indications by 2025; the potential of its continued investment in
its IIP to drive long-term sustainable pipeline growth; its future
financial and operating performance, including its anticipated
operating expenses and utilization of net cash for 2024; and our
goal of translating immunology breakthroughs into a world-class
portfolio of novel antibody-based medicines. By their nature,
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and
readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are
not guarantees of future performance. argenx’s actual results may
differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking
statements as a result of various important factors, including but
not limited to, the results of argenx’s clinical trials,
expectations regarding the inherent uncertainties associated with
development of novel drug therapies, preclinical and clinical trial
and product development activities and regulatory approval
requirements, the acceptance of our products and product candidates
by our patients as safe, effective and cost-effective, and the
impact of governmental laws and regulations on our business. A
further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and
other risks can be found in argenx’s U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) filings and reports, including in argenx’s most
recent annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC as well as
subsequent filings and reports filed by argenx with the SEC. Given
these uncertainties, the reader is advised not to place any undue
reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date of publication of this
document. argenx undertakes no obligation to publicly update or
revise the information in this press release, including any
forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.
Grafico Azioni Argen X (EU:ARGX)
Storico
Da Ott 2024 a Nov 2024
Grafico Azioni Argen X (EU:ARGX)
Storico
Da Nov 2023 a Nov 2024