$478 million in second quarter global net product
sales
First CIDP patients treated with VYVGART® Hytrulo
following June 21st FDA approval
On track to begin four additional registrational
studies across efgartigimod and empasiprubart by end of 2024
Management to host conference call today at 2:30
PM CET (8:30 AM ET)
Regulated Information – Inside
Information
July 25, 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 announced its half year 2024
results and provided a second quarter business update.
“We were excited to unveil our ambition for the
future of argenx – Vision 2030 – last week, outlining our plan to
develop and deliver continued and sustainable innovation for
patients,” said Tim Van Hauwermeiren, Chief Executive Officer of
argenx. “We are already delivering on this promise with impressive
commercial execution throughout the first half of the year,
expanding our patient reach in MG, and launching in CIDP with our
broad FDA label. Our development pipeline is stronger than ever,
driven by our unique innovation engine. And we are well-positioned
to capture the sizeable growth opportunity before us as we seek to
reach earlier-line MG patients over the next 12-18 months with
potential label expansions and a pre-filled syringe.”
Vision 2030
During its R&D Day on July 16, 2024, argenx
unveiled its ‘Vision 2030’ as part of its long-term commitment to
transform the treatment of autoimmune diseases by strengthening its
leadership in neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) biology, investing in its
continuous pipeline of differentiated antibody candidates, and
scaling in a disciplined way to ensure innovation remains core to
the argenx mission. ‘Vision 2030’ includes the following goals:
- 50,000 patients globally on
treatment with an argenx medicine
- 10 labeled indications across all
approved assets, including VYVGART and potentially empasiprubart
and ARGX-119
- Five new molecules in Phase 3
development indicating ongoing investment in internal discovery
engine, the Immunology Innovation Program
Reaching 50,000 Patients
Globally
VYVGART (efgartigimod alfa-fcab) is a
first-in-class antibody fragment targeting FcRn and is now approved
for both intravenous use and subcutaneous injection (SC)
(efgartigimod alfa and hyaluronidase-qvfc) in three indications,
including generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) globally, primary
immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in Japan, and chronic inflammatory
demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) in the U.S.
- Generated global net product sales
(inclusive of both VYVGART and VYVGART SC) of $478 million in
second quarter of 2024
- National Medical Products
Administration (NMPA) approved VYVGART SC for treatment of gMG in
China through Zai Lab on July 16, 2024
- Additional VYVGART regulatory
decisions on approval expected for gMG in 2024, including in
Switzerland, Australia, and Saudi Arabia
- Launched VYVGART Hytrulo in CIDP in
U.S. with first patients injected in July
- Multiple VYVGART SC regulatory
submissions under review or planned for CIDP, including:
- Regulatory submissions completed in
China, Japan, and Europe with decisions on approval expected in
2025
- Regulatory submission filing in
Canada by end of 2024
- Announced plan to evaluate VYVGART
in ocular MG with registrational study (ADAPT OCULUS) to start by
end of year; OCULUS to support label-expansion strategy into
broader MG populations along with ongoing ADAPT SERON study in
seronegative MG
- Regulatory submission filed and
under review for VYVGART SC pre-filled syringe (PFS) for gMG and
CIDP
Advancing Pipeline to Achieve 10 Labeled
Indications by 2030
argenx continues to demonstrate breadth and
depth within its immunology pipeline, advancing multiple
pipeline-in-a-product candidates. argenx is solidifying its
leadership in FcRn biology, with efgartigimod currently in
development in 15 indications. argenx is also advancing its
first-in-class C2 inhibitor, empasiprubart, which is being
evaluated in multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN), delayed graft
function (DGF), dermatomyositis (DM), and CIDP. In addition, argenx
is evaluating ARGX-119, a muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) agonist in
both congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) and amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis (ALS).
- Registrational studies ongoing of
efgartigimod in thyroid eye disease (TED)
- Advancing development of
efgartigimod in primary Sjogren’s disease (SjD) with Phase 3 study
to begin by end of 2024
- Following alignment meeting with
FDA, confirmatory study of VYVGART (IV) in primary ITP to start by
end of 2024 to enable registration in U.S.
- 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 fourth quarter
of 2024
- Update on BALLAD study development
plan evaluating efgartigimod in bullous pemphigoid (BP) expected by
end of 2024
- Proof-of-concept studies ongoing
with efgartigimod in membranous nephropathy (MN) and lupus
nephritis (LN) with studies expected to initiate this year in
antibody mediated rejection (AMR) and systemic sclerosis (SSc)
- Phase 3 study of empasiprubart for
MMN to initiate in fourth quarter of 2024
- CIDP nominated as fourth
empasiprubart indication, recognizing opportunity to bring multiple
innovative treatments to patients
- Phase 1b/2a studies of ARGX-119 to
assess early signal detection in patients with CMS and ALS to start
by end of 2024
Investing in Immunology Innovation
Program to Support Five New Molecules in Phase 3 by
2030
argenx continues to invest in its 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, a first-in-class molecule targeting IgA; ARGX-109,
targeting IL-6, which plays an important role in inflammation, and
ARGX-220, a first-in-class sweeping antibody for which the target
has not yet been disclosed.
- Phase 1 studies of ARGX-213 and
ARGX-121 expected to start in second half of 2025
- Investigational new drug (IND)
applications for ARGX-220 and ARGX-109 on track to be filed by end
of 2025
SECOND QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL
RESULTS
argenx SEUNAUDITED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PROFIT OR LOSS
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
Six Months Ended |
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
(in thousands of $ except for shares and EPS) |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
Product net sales |
|
$ |
477,635 |
|
$ |
269,313 |
|
$ |
875,918 |
|
$ |
487,335 |
Collaboration revenue |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,237 |
|
|
2,718 |
|
|
2,355 |
Other operating income |
|
|
11,793 |
|
|
10,485 |
|
|
23,305 |
|
|
21,225 |
|
Total operating
income |
|
$ |
489,428 |
|
$ |
281,035 |
|
$ |
901,941 |
|
$ |
510,915 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales |
|
$ |
(52,383) |
|
$ |
(24,024) |
|
$ |
(95,561) |
|
$ |
(42,359) |
Research and development
expenses |
|
|
(225,286) |
|
|
(195,509) |
|
|
(450,255) |
|
|
(361,364) |
Selling, general and
administrative expenses |
|
|
(255,699) |
|
|
(161,977) |
|
|
(491,694) |
|
|
(311,149) |
Loss from investment in joint
venture |
|
|
(1,521) |
|
|
(1,619) |
|
|
(3,313) |
|
|
(1,880) |
Total operating
expenses |
|
$ |
(534,889) |
|
$ |
(383,129) |
|
$ |
(1,040,823) |
|
|
(716,752) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
loss |
|
$ |
(45,461) |
|
$ |
(102,094) |
|
$ |
(138,882) |
|
$ |
(205,837) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial income |
|
$ |
38,933 |
|
$ |
20,441 |
|
$ |
77,828 |
|
$ |
37,029 |
Financial expense |
|
|
(572) |
|
|
(207) |
|
|
(1,084) |
|
|
(395) |
Exchange gains/(losses) |
|
|
(7,903) |
|
|
(2,001) |
|
|
(27,215) |
|
|
9,164 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss for the period
before taxes |
|
$ |
(15,003) |
|
$ |
(83,861) |
|
$ |
(89,353) |
|
$ |
(160,039) |
Income tax
benefit/(expense) |
|
$ |
44,069 |
|
$ |
(10,507) |
|
$ |
56,822 |
|
$ |
36,800 |
Profit/(loss) for the
period |
|
$ |
29,066 |
|
$ |
(94,368) |
|
$ |
(32,531) |
|
$ |
(123,239) |
Profit/(loss) for the
period attributable to: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Owners of the parent |
|
$ |
29,066 |
|
$ |
(94,368) |
|
$ |
(32,531) |
|
$ |
(123,239) |
Weighted average number of
shares outstanding |
|
|
59,490,437 |
|
|
55,828,239 |
|
|
59,400,217 |
|
|
55,690,873 |
Basic profit/(loss) per share
(in $) |
|
|
0.49 |
|
|
(1.69) |
|
|
(0.55) |
|
|
(2.21) |
Diluted profit/(loss) per
share (in $) |
|
|
0.45 |
|
|
(1.69) |
|
|
(0.55) |
|
|
(2.21) |
Net increase/(decrease) in
cash, cash equivalents and current financial assets compared to
year-end 2022 and 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(77,497) |
|
$ |
(195,580) |
Cash and cash equivalents and
current financial assets at the end of the period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,102,347 |
|
$ |
1,996,968 |
DETAILS OF THE FINANCIAL
RESULTS
Total operating income for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was $489 million and $902
million compared to $281 million and $511 million for the same
periods in 2023, and mainly consists of:
- Product net sales
of VYVGART and VYVGART SC for the three and six months ended June
30, 2024 were $478 million and $876 million compared to $269
million and $487 million for the same periods in 2023.
- Other operating
income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024
was $12 million and $23 million compared to $10 million and $21
million for the same periods in 2023. The other operating income
for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023,
primarily relates to research and development tax incentives.
Total operating expenses for
the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 were $535 million and
$1,041 million compared to $383 million and $717 million for the
same periods in 2023, and mainly consists of:
- Cost of sales for
the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 was $52 million and
$96 million compared to $24 million and $42 million for the same
periods in 2023. The cost of sales was recognized with respect to
the sale of VYVGART and VYVGART SC.
- Research and development
expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024
were $225 million and $450 million compared to $196 million and
$361 million for the same periods in 2023. 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.
- Selling, general and
administrative expenses for the three and six months ended
June 30, 2024 were $256 million and $492 million compared to $162
million and $311 million for the same periods in 2023. 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 three
and six months ended June 30, 2024 was $39 million and $78 million
compared to $20 million and $37 million for the same periods in
2023. The increase in financial income is mainly due to an increase
in interest income coming from an increase of cash, cash
equivalents and current financial assets as a result of the July
2023 financing round.
Exchange losses for the three
and six months ended June 30, 2024 were $8 million and $27 million
compared to $2 million exchange losses and $9 million of exchange
gains for the same periods in 2023. 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 three and
six months ended June 30, 2024 was $44 million and $57 million of
income tax benefit, respectively, compared to $11 million of income
tax expense and $37 million of income tax benefit for the same
periods in 2023.
Net Result for the three and
six months ended June 30, 2024 was $29 million profit and $33
million loss compared to $94 million and $123 million loss for the
same periods in 2023. On a per weighted average share basis, the
basic profit was $0.49 and diluted profit was $0.45 for the three
months ended June 30, 2024, compared to a basic and diluted loss of
$1.69 for the same period in 2023. On a per weighted average share
basis, the basic and diluted loss was $0.55 for the six months
ended June 30, 2024, compared to a basic and diluted loss of $2.21
for the same period in 2023.
Cash, cash equivalents and current
financial assets totalled $3.1 billion as of June 30,
2024, compared to $3.2 billion as of December 31, 2023. The
decrease in cash and cash equivalents and current financial assets
result from a 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 updated its cash burn guidance and now expects to utilize
less than $500 million of net cash1 in 2024 on anticipated
operating expenses as well as working capital and capital
expenditures.
EXPECTED 2024 FINANCIAL
CALENDAR
- October 31, 2024: 3Q 2024 financial
results and business update
- February 27, 2025: Full-year 2024
financial results and 4Q 2024 business update
CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS The
half-year 2024 financial results and second 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 and
replay may be accessed on the Investors section of the argenx
website at argenx.com/investors.
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, X/Twitter, Instagram,
Facebook, and YouTube.
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
“advance,” “aim,” “anticipates,” “continue,” “expect,” “expand,”
“plan,” or “seek” and include statements argenx makes regarding its
Vision 2030 plan to develop and deliver continued and sustainable
innovation for patients; its long-term commitments; its Vision 2030
goals, including having 50,000 patients globally on treatment with
an argenx medicine, 10 labeled indications across all approved
assets, including VYVGART franchise and potentially empasiprubart
and ARGX-119, and five new molecules in Phase 3 development
indicating ongoing investment in the immunology innovation program;
its growth opportunity; its plans to reach earlier-line MG patients
over the next 12-18 months with potential label expansions and a
pre-filled syringe; the advancement of, and anticipated clinical
development, data readouts and regulatory milestones and plans,
including the anticipated timing of four additional Phase 3
registrational studies across efgartigimod and empasiprubart, the
expected timing of additional VYVGART regulatory decisions on
approval for gMG, including in Switzerland, Australia, and Saudi
Arabia, the expected timing of additional VYVGART SC regulatory
submissions under review or planned for CIDP, including decisions
on approval in China, Japan, and Europe and a regulatory submission
filing in Canada, the anticipated timing of the initiation of a
Phase 3 study for efgartigimod in primary Sjogren’s disease (SjD),
the anticipated timing of a confirmatory study of VYVGART (IV) in
primary ITP, the anticipated timing of topline data from Phase 2/3
ALKIVIA study evaluating efgartigimod across three myositis
subsets, the anticipated timing of an update on BALLAD study
development plan evaluating efgartigimod in BP, the anticipated
timing of proof-of-concept studies for efgartigimod in AMR and SSc,
the anticipated timing of the initiation of a Phase 3 study of
empasiprubart for MMN, the anticipated timing of the initiation of
Phase 1b/2a studies of ARGX-119 to assess early signal detection in
patients with CMS and ALS, the anticipated timing of the initiation
of Phase 1 studies of ARGX-213 and ARGX-121; its investigational
new drug applications for ARGX-2220 and ARGX-109 expected to be
filed by the end of 2025; its 2024 research and development and
selling, general and administrative expenses and operating
expenses; its 2024 cash burn; and its 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 the
results of argenx's clinical trials; expectations regarding the
inherent uncertainties associated with the development of novel
drug therapies; preclinical and clinical trial and product
development activities and regulatory approval requirements in
products and product candidates; the acceptance of argenx's
products and product candidates by patients as safe, effective and
cost-effective; the impact of governmental laws and regulations on
our business; disruptions caused on our reliance of third parties
suppliers, service provides and manufacturing; inflation and
deflation and the corresponding fluctuations in interest rates; and
regional instability and conflicts. 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.
1 reflects cash, cash equivalents and current financial
assets
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