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8-K - 8-K - ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.a8-k02162017.htm




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Alexion Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Results and Provides Financial Guidance for 2017

Total Revenues of $3.084 Billion, an 18% Increase Over 2015 and 22% Volume Increase

Global Soliris® Revenue Growth Driven by Steady Number of New Patients with PNH and aHUS

Strensiq® and Kanuma® Global Launches Progress With New Patients Starting on Treatment

Filed Regulatory Submissions for Soliris in Patients with Refractory gMG in the U.S. and Europe

ALXN1210 Phase 3 Studies Underway in Patients with PNH and aHUS

Alexion Board Increases Authorized Share Repurchase to a Total of $1 Billion


NEW HAVEN, Conn., February 16, 2017-Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2016. Total revenues for the full year of 2016 were $3.084 billion, an 18 percent increase compared to 2015. The negative impact of foreign currency on total revenue year over year was 3 percent or $74 million, net of hedging activities. On a GAAP basis, diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the full year of 2016 was $1.76 per share, compared to $0.67 per share in 2015. Non-GAAP diluted EPS for the full year of 2016 was $4.62 per share. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $4.65 per share for the full year of 2015, reflecting a reduction of $0.34 per share to conform to the current non-GAAP income tax expense definition.

Total revenues in the fourth quarter grew to $831 million, a 19 percent increase compared to the same period in 2015. The negative impact of foreign currency on total revenue in the fourth quarter was 2 percent or $12 million, net of hedging activities. On a GAAP basis, diluted EPS for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $0.41 per share, compared to $0.29 per share in the fourth quarter of 2015. Non-GAAP diluted EPS for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $1.26 per share. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $1.04 per share in the fourth quarter of 2015, reflecting a reduction of $0.09 per share to conform to the current non-GAAP income tax expense definition. Both GAAP and non-GAAP results are inclusive of legal, accounting, and other costs associated with the Audit and Finance Committee's completed investigation.

"In 2016 the global Alexion team delivered on our patient-centered objectives as we grew our leadership in complement by serving more patients with PNH and aHUS, and continued to build our metabolic franchise with the global launches of Strensiq and Kanuma. We also achieved important regulatory milestones towards new indications for Soliris and initiated two registration studies for ALXN1210 to drive our future growth," said David Brennan, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Alexion. "Our 2017 guidance reflects double-digit revenue and EPS growth as we continue to grow our complement and metabolic franchises, prepare for the potential launches of Soliris in refractory gMG, and focus on our highest priority R&D programs."








Full Year 2016 Financial Highlights

Soliris® (eculizumab) net product sales were $2,843 million, compared to $2,591 million in 2015.

Strensiq® (asfotase alfa) net product sales were $210 million, compared to $12 million in 2015.

Kanuma® (sebelipase alfa) net product sales were $29 million.

GAAP R&D expense was $757 million, compared to $709 million in 2015. Non-GAAP R&D expense was $690 million, compared to $515 million in 2015.

GAAP SG&A expense was $954 million, compared to $863 million in 2015. Non-GAAP SG&A expense was $830 million, compared to $707 million in 2015.

GAAP diluted EPS was $1.76 per share, compared to $0.67 per share in 2015. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $4.62 per share. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $4.65 per share in 2015, reflecting a reduction of $0.34 per share to conform to the current non-GAAP income tax expense definition.

Fourth Quarter 2016 Financial Highlights

Soliris® net product sales were $749 million, compared to $689 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Strensiq® net product sales were $71 million, compared to $12 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Kanuma® net product sales were $11 million.

GAAP R&D expense was $206 million, compared to $191 million in the same quarter last year. Non-GAAP R&D expense was $186 million, compared to $155 million in the same quarter last year.

GAAP SG&A expense was $259 million, compared to $242 million in the same quarter last year. Non-GAAP SG&A expense was $234 million, compared to $198 million in the same quarter last year.

GAAP diluted EPS was $0.41 per share, compared to $0.29 per share in the same quarter last year. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $1.26 per share. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $1.04 per share in the fourth quarter of 2015, reflecting a reduction of $0.09 per share to conform to the current non-GAAP income tax expense definition.

During the fourth quarter, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $85 million related to SBC-103, an early stage, clinical indefinite-lived intangible asset from the Synageva acquisition.  This charge was taken as a result of a strategic evaluation of the asset, increases in the development and commercial timelines, and updated cash flows.  In February 2017, Alexion decided to reduce its investment in SBC-103.  Patients currently enrolled in the Phase 1/2 trial will continue to receive SBC-103, and no additional Alexion studies are planned.  Alexion will reassess the value of this asset on a go forward basis.

Share Repurchase Authorization

The Company also announced that its Board of Directors has increased the size of the Company's share repurchase authorization to a total of $1 billion. The Board’s authorization is open-ended.











Product and Pipeline Updates

Complement Portfolio

Eculizumab- Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (gMG): Alexion has filed regulatory submissions for eculizumab for the treatment of patients with refractory gMG in both the United States and Europe.

Eculizumab- Relapsing Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD): Alexion expects to complete enrollment in the PREVENT study, a single, multinational, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial of eculizumab in patients with relapsing NMOSD, in 2017.

Eculizumab- Delayed Graft Function (DGF): In December 2016, Alexion announced that the PROTECT study, a single, multinational, placebo-controlled trial of eculizumab in the prevention of DGF, did not meet its primary endpoint.

ALXN1210- PNH: Patients are being dosed in a Phase 3 trial comparing ALXN1210 administered intravenously every eight weeks to Soliris in complement inhibitor treatment-naive patients with PNH. To broaden the PNH program, Alexion is also initiating a Phase 3 PNH switch study of ALXN1210 administered intravenously every eight weeks compared to patients currently treated with Soliris. Alexion expects to complete enrollment in both studies in 2017.

ALXN1210- aHUS: Recruitment is underway in a Phase 3 trial with ALXN1210 administered intravenously every eight weeks in complement inhibitor treatment-naive adolescent and adult patients with aHUS. Enrollment is expected to be complete in 2017. Alexion expects to initiate a Phase 3 trial of ALXN1210 in pediatric patients with aHUS in the second quarter of 2017.

ALXN1210- Subcutaneous: Alexion has completed enrollment in a Phase 1 study of a new formulation of ALXN1210 administered subcutaneously in healthy volunteers.


Metabolic Portfolio

SBC-103: In February 2017, Alexion decided to reduce its investment in SBC-103, a recombinant form of the NAGLU enzyme being evaluated in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB, or MPS IIIB.  Patients currently enrolled in the Phase 1/2 study will continue to receive SBC-103, and no additional Alexion studies are planned. 

cPMP Replacement Therapy (ALXN1101): Alexion is enrolling patients in a pivotal study to evaluate ALXN1101 in neonates with Molybdenum Cofactor Deficiency (MoCD) Type A.

Immuno-Oncology Program

Samalizumab (ALXN6000): Samalizumab is a first-in-class immunomodulatory humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the key immune checkpoint protein, CD200. Alexion has initiated a Phase 1 study of samalizumab in patients with advanced solid tumors. Patients are also being dosed in The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's BEAT AML Master Trial, a multi-arm clinical trial, which is evaluating samalizumab as well as other potential therapies for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).










2017 Financial Guidance




 
GAAP Guidance
 
Non-GAAP Guidance
Total revenues
$3,400 to $3,500 million
 
$3,400 to $3,500 million
Soliris revenues
$3,025 to $3,100 million
 
$3,025 to $3,100 million
Metabolic revenues
$375 to $400 million
 
$375 to $400 million
Research and development expense (% total revenues)
24% to 27%
 
22% to 23%
Selling, general and administrative expense (% total revenues)
29% to 30%
 
25% to 26%
Operating margin
25% to 28%
 
43% to 44%
Earnings per share
$2.55 to $3.05
 
$5.00 to $5.25


Alexion’s 2017 financial guidance is based on current foreign exchange rates net of hedging activities and does not include the effect of business combinations, license and collaboration agreements, asset acquisitions, intangible asset impairments, changes in fair value of contingent consideration or restructuring activity that may occur after the day prior to the date of this press release.

Conference Call/Webcast Information:

Alexion will host a conference call/audio webcast to discuss the fourth quarter and full year 2016 results, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in the call, dial 877-681-3372 (USA) or 719-325-4794(International), passcode 5877612 shortly before 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A replay of the call will be available for a limited period following the call. The replay number is 888-203-1112 (USA) or 719-457-0820 (International), passcode 5877612. The audio webcast can be accessed on the Investor page of Alexion’s website at: http://ir.alexionpharm.com.

About Alexion

Alexion is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and delivering life-transforming therapies for patients with devastating and rare disorders. Alexion is the global leader in complement inhibition and has developed and commercializes the first and only approved complement inhibitor to treat patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), two life-threatening ultra-rare disorders. In addition, Alexion’s metabolic franchise includes two highly innovative enzyme replacement therapies for patients with life-threatening and ultra-rare disorders, hypophosphatasia (HPP) and lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D). Alexion is advancing its rare disease pipeline with highly innovative product candidates in multiple therapeutic areas. This press release and further information about Alexion can be found at: www.alexion.com.

[ALXN-E]

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements related to guidance regarding anticipated financial results for 2017, assessment of the Company's commercialization efforts and commercial potential for Soliris, Strensiq and Kanuma, medical and commercial potential of each of Alexion's product candidates, launch expectations for Strensiq and Kanuma, and plans for regulatory







filings and clinical programs for our product candidates. Forward-looking statements are subject to factors that may cause Alexion's results and plans to differ from those expected, including for example, decisions of regulatory authorities regarding the adequacy of our research, marketing approval or material limitations on the marketing of our products, delays, interruptions or failures in the manufacture and supply of our products and our product candidates, failure to satisfactorily address matters raised by the FDA and other regulatory agencies, the possibility that results of clinical trials are not predictive of safety and efficacy results of our products in broader patient populations, the possibility that current rates of adoption of Soliris in PNH, aHUS or other diseases are not sustained, the possibility that clinical trials of our product candidates could be delayed, the adequacy of our pharmacovigilance and drug safety reporting processes, the risk that third party payors (including governmental agencies) will not reimburse or continue to reimburse for the use of our products at acceptable rates or at all, risks regarding government investigations, including investigations of Alexion by the SEC and DOJ, the risk that anticipated regulatory filings are delayed, the risk that estimates regarding the number of patients with PNH, aHUS, HPP and LAL-D are inaccurate, the risks of shifting foreign exchange rates, and a variety of other risks set forth from time to time in Alexion's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the risks discussed in Alexion's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2016 and in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Alexion does not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except when a duty arises under law.


In addition to financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP, this press release also contains non-GAAP financial measures that Alexion believes, when considered together with the GAAP information, provide investors and management with supplemental information relating to performance, trends and prospects that promote a more complete understanding of our operating results and financial position during different periods. The non-GAAP results exclude the impact of the following GAAP items: share-based compensation expense, fair value adjustment of inventory acquired, amortization of purchased intangible assets, changes in fair value of contingent consideration, acquisition-related costs, restructuring expenses, upfront and milestone payments related to licenses and collaborations, impairment of intangible assets and adjustments to income tax expense. These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial measures prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP and should be reviewed in conjunction with the relevant GAAP financial measures. Please refer to the attached Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP 2016 Financial Results and GAAP to non-GAAP 2017 Financial Guidance for explanations of the amounts adjusted to arrive at non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per share amounts for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 and projected twelve months ended December 31, 2017.


(Tables Follow)









ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
TABLE 1: CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

 
Three months ended
 
Twelve months ended
 
December 31
 
December 31
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Net product sales
$
831

 
$
701

 
$
3,082

 
$
2,603

Other revenue

 

 
2

 
1

Total revenues
831

 
701

 
3,084

 
2,604

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
68

 
58

 
258

 
233

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Research and development
206

 
191

 
757

 
709

Selling, general and administrative
259

 
242

 
954

 
863

Amortization of purchased intangible assets
80

 
80

 
322

 
117

Change in fair value of contingent consideration
5

 
19

 
36

 
64

Acquisition-related costs

 
3

 
2

 
39

Restructuring expenses
1

 
11

 
3

 
42

Impairment of intangible assets
85




85



Total operating expenses
636

 
546

 
2,159

 
1,834

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
127

 
97

 
667

 
537

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income and expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment income
3

 
1

 
11

 
8

Interest expense
(25
)
 
(23
)
 
(97
)
 
(48
)
Foreign currency (loss) gain
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(5
)
 
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
104

 
74

 
576

 
498

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
11

 
7

 
177

 
354

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
93

 
$
67

 
$
399

 
$
144

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.41

 
$
0.30

 
$
1.78

 
$
0.68

Diluted
$
0.41

 
$
0.29

 
$
1.76

 
$
0.67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares used in computing earnings per common share
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
225

 
225

 
224

 
213

Diluted
226

 
228

 
227

 
216












ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
TABLE 2: RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL RESULTS
(in millions, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

 
Three months ended
 
Twelve months ended
 
December 31
 
December 31
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
GAAP net income
$
93

 
$
67

 
$
399

 
$
144

Before tax adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share-based compensation
3

 
3

 
11

 
7

Fair value adjustment in inventory acquired (1)
2

 

 
11

 

Research and development expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share-based compensation
14

 
21

 
57

 
64

Upfront and milestone payments related to licenses and collaborations
6

 
15

 
10

 
130

Selling, general and administrative expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share-based compensation
25

 
44

 
124

 
156

Amortization of purchased intangible assets (2)
80

 
80

 
322

 
117

Change in fair value of contingent consideration
5

 
18

 
36

 
64

Acquisition-related costs (3)

 
3

 
2

 
39

Restructuring expenses
1

 
12

 
3

 
42

Impairment of intangible assets (4)
85




85



Adjustments to income tax expense (5) (6)
(27
)
 
(23
)
 
(6
)
 
251

Non-GAAP net income
$
287

 
$
240

 
$
1,054

 
$
1,014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP earnings per share - diluted
$
0.41

 
$
0.29

 
$
1.76

 
$
0.67

Non-GAAP earnings per share - diluted (6)
$
1.26

 
$
1.04

 
$
4.62

 
$
4.65

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares used in computing diluted earnings per share (GAAP)
226


228


227


216

Shares used in computing diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP)
228

 
230

 
228

 
218


(1) Inventory fair value adjustment associated with the amortization of Kanuma inventory step-up related to the purchase accounting for Synageva.
(2) In the third quarter of 2015, the Company initiated amortization of its purchased intangible assets due to the regulatory approvals for Strensiq and Kanuma.
(3) The following table summarizes acquisition related costs:
 
Three months ended
 
Twelve months ended
 
December 31
 
December 31
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Acquisition-related costs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transaction costs
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
27

Integration costs

 
3

 
2

 
12

 
$

 
$
3

 
$
2

 
$
39









(4)
During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company recognized an impairment charge related to SBC-103, an early stage, clinical indefinite-lived intangible asset from the Synageva acquisition.
(5)
Alexion's non-GAAP income tax expense definition excludes the tax effect of pre-tax adjustments to GAAP net income and intercompany transactions with our captive foreign partnership which would become due and payable only upon liquidation of a substantial portion of our non-US business interests.
(6)
Previously reported non-GAAP tax expense and diluted EPS have been modified to conform to the current non-GAAP income tax definition adopted in Q2 2016. Previously reported non-GAAP EPS was $1.13 and $4.99 for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2015, respectively.











ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
TABLE 3: RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL GUIDANCE
(in millions, except per share amounts and percentages)
(unaudited)




Twelve months ended


December 31, 2017


Low

High





GAAP net income

$
578


$
692






Before tax adjustments:




Share-based compensation

231


207

Fair value adjustment in inventory acquired

5


5

Upfront and milestone payments related to licenses and collaborations

51



Amortization of purchased intangible assets

320


320

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

14


14

Adjustments to income tax expense

(54
)

(36
)





Non-GAAP net income

$
1,145


$
1,202






Diluted GAAP earnings per share

$
2.55


$
3.05

Diluted Non-GAAP earnings per share

$
5.00


$
5.25

Operating expense and margin (% total revenues)




 
 
 
 
 
GAAP research and development expense

27
 %

24
 %
Share-based compensation

(3
)%

(2
)%
Upfront and milestone payments related to licenses and collaborations

(1
)%

0
 %
Non-GAAP research and development expense

23
 %

22
 %





GAAP selling, general and administrative expense

30
 %

29
 %
Share-based compensation

(4
)%

(4
)%
Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expense

26
 %

25
 %





GAAP operating margin

25
 %

28
 %
Share-based compensation

7
 %

6
 %
Fair value adjustment in inventory acquired

0
 %

0
 %
Upfront and milestone payments related to licenses and collaborations

2
 %

0
 %
Amortization of purchased intangible assets

9
 %

9
 %
Change in fair value of contingent consideration

0
 %

1
 %
Non-GAAP operating margin

43
 %

44
 %









ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
TABLE 4: NET PRODUCT SALES
(in millions)
(unaudited)



Three months ended

Twelve months ended


December 31

December 31


2016

2015

2016

2015
Soliris

$
749


$
689


$
2,843


$
2,591

Strensiq

71


12


210


12

Kanuma

11




29



Total net product sales

$
831


$
701


$
3,082


$
2,603







ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
TABLE 5: NET PRODUCT SALES BY GEOGRAPHY
(in millions)
(unaudited)



Three months ended

Twelve months ended


December 31

December 31


2016

2015

2016

2015
United States

$
354


$
273


$
1,257


$
951

Europe

244


222


961


841

Asia-Pacific

85


73


318


276

Rest of World

148


133


546


535

Total net product sales

$
831


$
701


$
3,082


$
2,603










ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
TABLE 6: CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions)
(unaudited)
 
December 31
 
December 31
 
2016
 
2015
Cash and cash equivalents
$
966

 
$
1,010

Marketable securities
327

 
375

Trade accounts receivable, net
650

 
533

Inventories
375

 
290

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
260

 
208

Property, plant and equipment, net
1,036

 
697

Intangible assets, net
4,303

 
4,708

Goodwill
5,037

 
5,048

Other assets
299

 
228

Total assets
$
13,253

 
$
13,097

 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
572

 
$
460

Deferred revenue
37

 
21

Current portion of long-term debt
167

 
166

Other current liabilities
23

 
6

Current portion of contingent consideration
24

 
56

Long-term debt, less current portion
2,888

 
3,254

Facility lease obligation
233

 
151

Contingent consideration
129

 
121

Deferred tax liabilities (1)
396

 
529

Other liabilities
90

 
74

Total liabilities
4,559

 
4,838

Total stockholders' equity (1)
8,694

 
8,259

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
13,253

 
$
13,097



(1) In March 2016, the FASB issued a new standard intended to simplify certain aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payments. We elected to early adopt this standard during the third quarter of 2016. The adoption of the new standard requires recognition of excess tax benefits regardless of whether the benefit reduces taxes payable in the current period. As a result, $238 million associated with previously unrecognized excess tax benefits was recorded as a deferred tax asset and an increase in retained earnings as of the beginning of 2016.
















Alexion Contacts:

Media
Stephanie Fagan, 475-230-3777
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications

Kim Diamond, 475-230-3775
Executive Director, Corporate Communications

Investors
Elena Ridloff, CFA, 475-230-3601
Vice President, Investor Relations