Eton Pharmaceuticals Reports Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results


  • Total Q2 2022 revenue of $7.4 million, up 139% from prior year
  • Recently launched ALKINDI SPRINKLE® and Carglumic Acid continue to show robust growth
  • Divestiture of hospital products division to focus on rare disease strategy
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Approval of Zonisade™ (zonisamide oral suspension)

DEER PARK, Ill., Aug. 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc (Nasdaq: ETON), an innovative pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing treatments for rare diseases, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022.

“The second quarter of 2022 was a critical inflection point for the company. With the completion of the hospital products divestiture, we are now 100% focused on our rare disease strategy and are well capitalized to execute on our mission to be a leading rare disease company. Sales of our recently launched ALKINDI SPRINKLE® remain strong, with 293% year-over-year revenue growth, and feedback from the patient and physician communities continues to be overwhelmingly positive. Carglumic Acid also delivered another impressive quarter, with sales growing 100% sequentially. Physicians and patients appreciate the convenience of the room-temperature-stable product as well as the significant financial savings to the healthcare system compared to the competing product. We believe both products have long runways ahead of them and we are excited about the opportunities to add additional rare disease products to our portfolio this year,” said Sean Brynjelsen, CEO of Eton Pharmaceuticals.

Second Quarter and Recent Business Highlights

  • Sold hospital products for up to $50 million, finalizing Eton’s transition to a dedicated rare disease company. In June, Eton sold Biorphen®, Rezipres®, and Cysteine Hydrochloride to Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, allowing Eton to focus solely on its rare disease product portfolio.

  • Reported sixth straight quarter of sequential growth in product sales and royalty revenue. For the second quarter of 2022, Eton reported total revenue of $7.4 million, an increase of 139% over the prior year period. Product sales and royalty revenue were $2.4 million during the quarter, an increase of 316% over the prior year period.

  • Continued growth in ALKINDI SPRINKLE®. ALKINDI SPRINKLE sales grew 293% over the second quarter of 2021 and 34% over the first quarter of 2022, demonstrating a strong desire for the low-dose treatment options that ALKINDI SPRINKLE offers.

  • Strong adoption of Carglumic Acid tablets. Carglumic Acid sales in the second quarter of 2022 grew 100% over the first quarter of 2022. Physicians and patients continue to appreciate the convenience of Eton’s room-temperature-stable product and the significant financial savings that the product delivers to the U.S. healthcare system relative to the competing product.

  • FDA Approval of Zonisade™ (zonisamide oral suspension). In July, Zonisade was approved by the FDA. Azurity Pharmaceuticals will be solely responsible for commercializing the product and Eton will receive a $5 million milestone payment upon launch and an ongoing royalty on commercial sales.

  • Progressed R&D pipeline to support additional new product launches in coming years. During the quarter, the company made progress addressing the FDA’s requests on dehydrated alcohol injection and expects to resubmit the application for the product later this year, which could allow for approval and launch of the product in 2023. The company continues to progress development of ZENEO® hydrocortisone autoinjector, which could be filed with the FDA in 2023. In addition, the company has initiated development of two additional high-value rare disease products.

Second Quarter Financial Results

Net Sales: Net sales for the second quarter of 2022 were $7.4 million compared with $3.1 million in the prior year period. Net sales included $5.0 million of licensing payments related to the sale of the hospital products division to Dr Reddy’s Laboratories during the quarter, and $2.5 million of licensing payments related to the Azurity Pharmaceuticals transaction in the second quarter of 2021.

Product sales and royalty revenue were $2.4 million for the second quarter of 2022 compared with $0.6 for the second quarter of 2021. Product sales and royalty revenue in the second quarter of 2022 were negatively impacted by a $0.2 million inventory allowance adjustment resulting from the divestiture of Rezipres®. Excluding the impact of this adjustment, product sales and royalty revenue would have increased 351% over the prior year period and 18% over the first quarter of 2022. The increase in product sales and royalty revenue was primarily driven by growth in ALKINDI SPRINKLE and the launch of Carglumic Acid tablets.

Gross Profit: Gross profit for the second quarter of 2022 was $4.6 million compared with $2.9 million in the prior year period. Gross profit for the second quarter of 2022 included $1.8 million of non-cash expenses related to the divestment of the hospital products. The growth was primarily due to increased licensing income, growth in ALKINDI SPRINKLE, and the launch of Carglumic Acid tablets.

General, and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses for the second quarter of 2022 were $5.3 million compared to $3.2 million in the prior year period. Cash G&A expenses for the second quarter of 2022 were $3.9 million, compared to $2.9 million in the prior year period. The increase in cash SG&A expenses was primarily driven by increased employee expenses and increased sales and marketing expenses to support the growth of the company’s commercial products.

Research & Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses for the second quarter of 2022 were $0.7 million compared to $2.0 million in the prior year period. The prior year period included a $0.5 million milestone payment related to the company’s ZENEO hydrocortisone autoinjector.

Net Income/Loss: Net income for the second quarter of 2022 was a loss of $1.6 million or $0.06 per basic and diluted share compared to a loss of $2.0 million or $0.08 per basic and diluted share in the prior year period.

Cash Position: As of June 30, 2022, the company had cash of $17.0 million. The company is entitled to receive an additional $5.0 million milestone payment upon the launch of the recently approved Zonisade™ product.

Conference Call and Webcast Information:
As previously announced, Eton Pharmaceuticals will host its second quarter 2022 conference call as follows:

DateAugust 11, 2022
  
Time4:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. CT)
  
Toll Free (U.S).) 1-800-715-9871
  
International1-646-307-1963
  
Conference ID9229889
  

The webcast can be accessed under “Events & Presentations” in the Investors section of the company’s website at https://ir.etonpharma.com. The webcast will be archived and made available for replay on the company’s website approximately two hours after the call and will be available for 30 days.

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.

About Eton Pharmaceuticals
Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an innovative pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing treatments for rare diseases. The company currently commercializes ALKINDI SPRINKLE® and Carglumic Acid tablets and has two additional rare disease products under development, dehydrated alcohol injection and the ZENEO® hydrocortisone autoinjector. In addition, the company is entitled to receive milestone payments or royalties on seven different products.


Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Condensed Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

      
 For the three months ended  For the six months ended 
 June 30,  June 30,  June 30,  June 30, 
 2022  2021  2022  2021 
Revenues:               
Licensing revenue$5,000  $2,500  $5,000  $14,000 
Product sales and royalties 2,358   567   4,534   964 
Total net revenues 7,358   3,067   9,534   14,964 
                
Cost of sales:               
Licensing revenue 990      990   1,500 
Product sales and royalties 1,755   174   2,604   301 
Total cost of sales 2,745   174   3,594   1,801 
                
Gross profit 4,613   2,893   5,940   13,163 
                
Operating expenses:               
Research and development 690   1,990   2,308   2,876 
General and administrative 5,263   3,228   10,059   7,249 
Total operating expenses 5,953   5,218   12,367   10,125 
                
(Loss) income from operations (1,340)  (2,325)  (6,427)  3,038 
                
Other (expense) income:               
Interest and other expense, net (218)  (237)  (461)  (484)
Gain on PPP loan forgiveness    365      365 
Gain on equipment sale    181      181 
                
(Loss) income before income tax expense (1,558)  (2,016)  (6,888)  3,100 
                
Income tax expense           
                
Net (loss) income $(1,558) $(2,016) $(6,888) $3,100 
Net loss (income) per share, basic $(0.06) $(0.08) $(0.28) $0.12 
Net loss (income) per share, diluted$(0.06) $(0.08) $(0.28) $0.12 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic 25,126   25,211   24,915   25,133 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted 25,126   25,211   24,915   26,486 
                
                

Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Condensed Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

      
 June 30, 2022  December 31, 2021 
 (Unaudited)    
Assets       
Current assets:       
Cash and cash equivalents$17,046  $14,406 
Accounts receivable, net 834   5,471 
Inventories 531   550 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,365   3,177 
Total current assets 19,776   23,604 
        
Property and equipment, net 87   115 
Intangible assets, net 3,108   3,621 
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net 63   104 
Other long-term assets, net 12   21 
Total assets$23,046  $27,465 
        
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity       
Current liabilities:       
Accounts payable$1,299  $1,774 
Current portion of long-term debt 364   1,418 
Accrued liabilities 2,149   1,366 
Total current liabilities 3,812   4,558 
        
Long-term debt, net of discount and including accrued fees 5,992   5,262 
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion    15 
        
Total liabilities 9,804

   9,835 
        
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)       
        
Stockholders’ equity       
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 25,272,037 and 24,626,004 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively 25   25 
Additional paid-in capital 114,218   111,718 
Accumulated deficit (101,001)  (94,113)
Total stockholders’ equity 13,242   17,630 
        
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$23,046  $ 27,465 
        
        

Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

      
 Six months ended June 30, 2022  Six months ended
June 30, 2021
 
Cash flows from operating activities       
Net (loss) income$(6,888) $3,100 
        
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:       
Stock-based compensation 2,383   1,509 
Depreciation and amortization 1,352   240 
Debt discount amortization 66   73 
Gain on forgiveness of debt    (365)
Gain on sale of equipment    (181)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:       
Accounts receivable 4,637   (255)
Inventories 19    
Prepaid expenses and other assets 1,827   419 
Accounts payable (475)  (822)
Accrued liabilities 763   (372)
Net cash provided by operating activities 3,684   3,346 
        
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities       
Proceeds from sale of equipment    700 
Purchase of product license rights (750)   
Purchases of property and equipment (26)  (3)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (776)  697 
        
Cash flows from financing activities       
Repayment of long-term debt (385)   
Proceeds from employee stock option exercises and ESPP 117   464 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (268  464 
        
Change in cash and cash equivalents 2,640   4,507 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 14,406   21,295 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$17,046  $25,802 
        
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information       
Cash paid for interest$378  $424 
        
        

Investor Contact:
David Krempa
dkrempa@etonpharma.com
612-387-3740