DEER PARK, Ill., May 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc (“Eton” or “the Company”) (Nasdaq: ETON), an innovative pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing treatments for rare diseases, today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
“We have had a very productive start to 2024. In addition to reporting record product sales and our 13th straight quarter of sequential product sales growth, we acquired PKU GOLIKE which adds a compelling new commercial growth asset to our metabolic portfolio. We also launched Nitisinone and submitted an NDA for our highly anticipated ET-400 product candidate,” said Sean Brynjelsen, CEO of Eton Pharmaceuticals.
“It’s an exciting time for Eton as we continue to execute on our vision. With strong growth expected from our existing products, plus the additions of PKU GOLIKE and Nitisinone, we are positioned for a very strong 2024 as we gear up for the potential launch of ET-400 in early 2025,” concluded Brynjelsen.
First quarter and Recent Business Highlights
13th straight quarter of sequential growth in product sales and royalty revenue. Eton reported first quarter 2024 product sales of $8.0 million, representing 50% growth over the prior year, driven primarily by the ongoing momentum of ALKINDI SPRINKLE® and Carglumic Acid. The Company expects sequential quarter-over-quarter growth of product sales to continue throughout 2024 and beyond.
Acquired U.S. rights to PKU GOLIKE, a medical formula for patients with phenylketonuria (PKU). An estimated 8,000 PKU patients in the U.S. rely on medical formulas such as PKU GOLIKE. The condition is managed by metabolic geneticists and their support staff, the same healthcare professionals that Eton is actively engaged with on its other metabolic products. The U.S. market for PKU medical formulas is estimated to be approximately $100 million annually. With GOLIKE’s attractive product benefits and Eton’s commercial infrastructure, the Company’s goal is to capture at least 10% market share, or $10 million annually, in the coming years.
Submitted NDA to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ET-400. In April, Eton submitted an NDA for ET-400, its proprietary patented formulation of hydrocortisone oral solution. The anticipated 10-month review would allow for potential approval in the first quarter of 2025. The Company continues to see strong interest in the product candidate and believes that ET-400 and ALKINDI SPRINKLE can combine to achieve peak sales of over $50 million annually.
Continued growth in ALKINDI SPRINKLE and Carglumic Acid. In the first quarter, the Company launched an ALKINDI SPRINKLE sampling program, which allows physicians to hold product and immediately start a patient on treatment. The Company estimates that Carglumic Acid has now captured over 50% of the patient population and continues to see new patient additions. The launches of Betaine and Nitisinone have further strengthened Eton’s relationships with the metabolic community and have helped increase the frequency of interactions with Carglumic Acid prescribers.
Launched rare disease product Nitisinone. The product was launched in February 2024 with full patient and provider support services. The Nitisinone market is estimated to be $50 million annually, split across multiple participants. Eton expects to capture a share of the existing market and the Nitisinone launch should provide the Company with additional opportunities to cross-sell Carglumic Acid and PKU GOLIKE.
First Quarter Financial Results
Net Revenue: Net revenues for the first quarter of 2024 were $8.0 million compared with $5.3 million in the prior year period, an increase of 50%. The increase was driven primarily by growth in ALKINDI SPRINKLE and Carglumic Acid.
Gross Profit: Gross profit for the first quarter of 2024 was $5.0 million compared with $3.3 million in the prior year period, with the increase also driven primarily by growth in ALKINDI SPRINKLE and Carglumic Acid.
Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses for the first quarter of 2024 were $0.7 million compared to $0.5 million in the prior year period due to increased development costs associated with product candidate ET-400 and other products in the Company’s R&D pipeline. While the Company expects an increase in second quarter R&D expenses with a $2.0 million ET-400 filing fee, R&D spend for 2024 is forecasted to be approximately $4.0 million excluding the one-time filing fee.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses for the first quarter of 2024 were $5.2 million compared to $5.3 million in the prior year period, with the decrease due to a slight reduction in employee related expenses and logistics costs.
Net Income: Net loss for the first quarter of 2024 was $0.8 million or $0.03 per basic and diluted share compared to a net loss of $2.7 million or $0.10 per diluted share in the prior year period.
Cash Position: As of March 31, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $16.7 million and expects continued sales growth to result in positive operating cash flow throughout the remainder of 2024.
Conference Call and Webcast Information
As previously announced, Eton Pharmaceuticals will host a its first quarter 2024 conference call as follows:
| Date | May 9, 2024 |
| Time | 4:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. CT) |
| Register* (Audio Only) | Click here |
In addition to taking live questions from participants on the conference call, management will be answering emailed questions from investors. Investors can email questions to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The live webcast can be accessed on the Investors section of Eton’s website at https://ir.etonpharma.com/. An archived webcast will be available on Eton’s website approximately two hours after the completion of the event and for 30 days thereafter.
* Conference call participants should register to obtain their dial-in and passcode details. Please be sure to register using a valid email address.
About Eton Pharmaceuticals
Eton is an innovative pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing treatments for rare diseases. The Company currently has five commercial rare disease products: ALKINDI SPRINKLE®, PKU GOLIKE®, Carglumic Acid, Betaine Anhydrous, and Nitisinone. The Company has three additional product candidates in late-stage development: ET-400, ET-600, and ZENEO® hydrocortisone autoinjector. For more information, please visit our website at www.etonpharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements associated with the expected ability of Eton to undertake certain activities and accomplish certain goals and objectives. These statements include but are not limited to statements regarding Eton’s business strategy, Eton’s plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates, the safety and efficacy of Eton’s product candidates, Eton’s plans and expected timing with respect to regulatory filings and approvals, and the size and growth potential of the markets for Eton’s product candidates. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “goal,” “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Eton’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks associated with the process of discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics, and in the endeavor of building a business around such drugs. These and other risks concerning Eton’s development programs and financial position are described in additional detail in Eton’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Eton undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.
Investor Relations:
Lisa M. Wilson, In-Site Communications, Inc.
T: 212-452-2793
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
| Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Statements of Operations (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| For the three months ended | ||||||||
| March 31, | March 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||
| Licensing revenue | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
| Product sales and royalties | 7,966 | 5,304 | ||||||
| Total net revenues | 7,966 | 5,304 | ||||||
| Cost of sales: | ||||||||
| Licensing revenue | — | — | ||||||
| Product sales and royalties | 2,959 | 1,958 | ||||||
| Total cost of sales | 2,959 | 1,958 | ||||||
| Gross profit | 5,007 | 3,346 | ||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development | 651 | 535 | ||||||
| General and administrative | 5,156 | 5,345 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 5,807 | 5,880 | ||||||
| Loss from operations | (800 | ) | (2,534 | ) | ||||
| Other income (expense): | ||||||||
| Other income | — | — | ||||||
| Interest expense, net | (11 | ) | (126 | ) | ||||
| Total other income (expense) | (11 | ) | (126 | ) | ||||
| Loss before income tax expense | (811 | ) | (2,660 | ) | ||||
| Income tax expense | — | — | ||||||
| Net loss | $ | (811 | ) | $ | (2,660 | ) | ||
| Net loss per share, basic | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.10 | ) | ||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic | 25,763 | 25,525 | ||||||
| Net loss per share, diluted | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.10 | ) | ||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted | 25,763 | 25,525 | ||||||
| Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Balance Sheets (In thousands, except share and per share amounts) | ||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 16,655 | $ | 21,388 | ||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 4,240 | 3,411 | ||||||
| Inventories | 2,318 | 911 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,050 | 1,129 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 24,263 | 26,839 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 57 | 58 | ||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 6,388 | 4,739 | ||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | 74 | 92 | ||||||
| Other long-term assets, net | 12 | 12 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 30,794 | $ | 31,740 | ||||
| Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 2,263 | $ | 1,848 | ||||
| Current portion of debt, net of discount | 5,020 | 5,380 | ||||||
| Accrued liabilities | 8,017 | 9,013 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 15,300 | 16,241 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion | — | 22 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 15,300 | 16,263 | ||||||
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 11) | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Common stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 25,690,562 and 25,688,062 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively | 26 | 26 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 120,349 | 119,521 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (104,881 | ) | (104,070 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 15,494 | 15,477 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 30,794 | $ | 31,740 | ||||
| Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| Three months ended | Three months ended | |||||||
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (811 | ) | $ | (2,660 | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 821 | 872 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 252 | 213 | ||||||
| Debt discount amortization | 25 | 29 | ||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | (829 | ) | (1,022 | ) | ||||
| Inventories | (1,407 | ) | 120 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | 79 | 191 | ||||||
| Accounts payable | 414 | (530 | ) | |||||
| Accrued liabilities | (1,017 | ) | 1,239 | |||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (2,473 | ) | (1,548 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||
| Purchases of product license rights | (1,868 | ) | — | |||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (14 | ) | — | |||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (1,882 | ) | — | |||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
| Repayment of long-term debt | (385 | ) | — | |||||
| Proceeds from stock option exercises | 7 | 132 | ||||||
| Payment of tax withholding related to net share settlement of stock option exercises | — | (181 | ) | |||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (378 | ) | (49 | ) | ||||
| Change in cash and cash equivalents | (4,733 | ) | (1,597 | ) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 21,388 | 16,305 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 16,655 | $ | 14,708 | ||||
| Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information | ||||||||
| Cash paid for interest | $ | 190 | $ | 216 | ||||
| Cash paid for income taxes | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
| Last Trade: | US$12.57 |
| Daily Change: | 0.29 2.36 |
| Daily Volume: | 281,955 |
| Market Cap: | US$324.810M |
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