Q4 2024 Halozyme Therapeutics Inc Earnings Call

In This Article:

Participants

Tram Bui; Vice President - Investor Relations and Corporate Communications; Halozyme Therapeutics Inc

Helen Torley; President, Chief Executive Officer, Director; Halozyme Therapeutics Inc

Nicole Labrosse; Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President; Halozyme Therapeutics Inc

Sean Laaman; Analyst; Morgan Stanley

Brendan Smith; Analyst; TD Cowen

Mohit Bansal; Analyst; Wells Fargo

Jessica Fye; Analyst; JP Morgan

Michael DiFiore; Analyst; Evercore ISI

Jason Butler; Analyst; Citizens JMP

Daniel Smith; Analyst; H.C. Wainwright

Presentation

Operator

Good afternoon. My name is Karen, and I will be your conference moderator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to the Halozyme fourth-quarter and full-year 2024 financial and operating results conference call. Please note, this event is being recorded.
I will now turn the call over to Tram Bui, Halozyme's Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications. Please go ahead.

Tram Bui

Thank you, operator. Good afternoon and welcome to our fourth quarter and full-year 2024 financial and operating results conference call.
In addition to the press release issued today after the market closed, you could find a supplementary slide presentation that will be referenced during today's call in the Investor Relations section of our website. Leading the call will be Dr. Helen Torley, Halozyme's President and Chief Executive Officer who will provide an update in our business; and Nicole Labrosse, our Chief Financial Officer, will review our financial results as well as our outlook.
On today's call, we will be making forward-looking statements as outlined on slide 2. I would also refer you to our SEC filings for a full list of risks and uncertainties.
During the call, both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures will be discussed. Certain non-GAAP or adjusted financial measures are reconciled with the comparable GAAP financial measures in our earnings press release and slide presentation.
I will now turn the call over to Dr. Helen Torley.

Helen Torley

Thank you, Tram, and good afternoon, everyone. Our strong fourth quarter results concluded what proved to be an exceptional year for Halozyme. I will start by recapping our record-breaking performance in 2024. Total revenue exceeded $1 billion for the first time, growing 22% over prior year. We also raised our financial guidance twice during the year, and I'm pleased to report that full year results exceeded our raised guidance for royalty revenue, adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP EPS.
We estimate that one million patients have now received drugs delivered subcutaneously with ENHANZE, establishing unsurpassed and we believe unsurpassable safety database to inform regulators and new partners. Importantly, multiple impressive milestones were achieved in 2024 that will accelerate our near-term and long-term growth and extend the durability of the royalty revenue streams.
Four major products or new indications with ENHANZE received approval in a major region, adding future growth. Current partners nominated five new targets to advance into the clinic for subcutaneous development expanding opportunity. We extended the patent protection of ENHANZE in Europe out to 2029 with issuance of a new patent with the effect of maintaining our royalty rate for DARZALEX subcutaneous and amivantamab subcutaneous unchanged at the mid-single-digit rate for the next five years until March of 2029.
And we also remain confident in the opportunity for the U.S. patent reissue, which will have the same effect of extending full royalty rate, in this case, from September of 2027 to March of 2029, noting that this is currently not reflected in our five-year financial outlook. This remarkable financial and operational performance plus our continued business expansion will deliver strong revenue and earnings growth for many years to come.
Moving now to slide 4. I'll just call out a few financial highlights before I provide more details on the key business drivers.
Our strong fourth quarter performance resulted in record full year 2024 results. Strong royalty revenue growth of 27% in 2024 resulted in $571 million in royalty revenue, exceeding our raised guidance, and that was a key driver of total revenues exceeding $1 billion. And this strong revenue performance, coupled with our careful management of expenses resulted in 2024 net income, increasing an impressive 58% year over year to $444 million.
As we discussed in January on our 2025 and multiyear guidance call, the momentum and opportunity we have across our business gives us confidence that we are firmly on track to deliver another record year and to meet our targets in 2025 and beyond.
I'm pleased to reiterate our 2025 guidance, including for total revenue, where we project $1.15 billion to $1.225 billion, representing growth of 13% to 21% year over year. his continued strong growth will be primarily driven by three products, DARZALEX subcutaneous, Phesgo, and VYVGART Hytrulo.
Let me begin with DARZALEX on slide 5. For the fourth quarter of 2024, Johnson & Johnson reported worldwide sales of DARZALEX grew almost 24% on an operational basis to $3.1 billion with full year revenue reaching $11.7 billion. We are delighted that DARZALEX's growth and total revenue was driven by demand for DARZALEX subcutaneous with ENHANZE, which represents 95% share of total DARZALEX sales in the United States and has a similar high share of sales outside the United States too.
DARZALEX growth was driven by share gains of over three points across all lines of therapy, and importantly, by 6 points of growth in the longer treatment duration frontline setting. DARZALEX now represents J&J's largest product with strong continued growth projected for many years. This growth is a result of investments Johnson & Johnson has made in new studies to increase access to DARZALEX subcutaneous with ENHANZE for more early stage and frontline patients, further expanding the commercial opportunity.
As examples, in 2024, DARZALEX subcutaneous with ENHANZE in US and European regulatory approval for newly diagnosed patients who are eligible for autologous stem cell transplant in a combination regimen. A supplemental BLA has also been submitted for FDA approval for DARZALEX subcutaneous with ENHANZE as part of a quadruplet regimen for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients for whom autologous stem cell transplant is deferred or they are ineligible. And we're also anticipating US and European approval for smoldering multiple myeloma. Each of these represents a compelling growth opportunity for DARZLEX subcutaneous.
These advancements support analyst projections of more than $17 billion in total revenue for DARZALEX in 2028 with virtually all of this coming from DARZALEX subcutaneous with ENHANZE. And recall, we predict earning royalties in DARZALEX subcutaneous until 2032.
I'll now move to our second key driver, which is Roche's Phesgo, shown on slide 6. Phesgo is a combined therapy of Perjeta, Herceptin, and ENHANZE, which is given in a single seven-minute subcutaneous injection for the treatment of breast cancer. We believe Phesgo is an underappreciated asset that has been garnering growing adoption globally. In the fourth quarter, Roche reported that Phesgo grew to CHF500 million representing an increase of 72% year over year and reached CHF1.7 billion or approximately USD2 billion for full year 2024. Phesgo had strong uptake across all regions with conversion climbing to 46% in the 55 launched countries.
Roche commented that they project conversion will continue to increase and will exceed 50% in 2025. With these strong results and expectations for continued growth, analysts project Phesgo will reach $3.4 billion in revenue in 2028, all of which is subcutaneous with ENHANZE. And recall, we project earning mid-single-digit royalties on Phesgo until 2030.
Let me now transition to argenx's VYVGART and VYVGART Hytrulo with ENHANZE on slide 7. Argenx preannounced preliminary results in January, with total VYVGART, including VYVGART Hytrulo with ENHANZE, fourth quarter sales reaching $737 million for full year revenue of $2.2 billion. This remarkable on success is driven predominantly by continued growth and adoption in generalized myasthenia gravis, where VYVGART Hytrulo with ENHANZE was approved in 2023. VYVGART Hytrulo with ENHANZE is playing a key role in VYVGART growth by expanding the number of physicians using VYVGART, adding those who do not wish to or who cannot administer IV infusions.
The ease of use subcutaneous delivery is also enabling VYVGART to move earlier in the treatment paradigm, expanding the addressable population. And note that we project earning royalties in VYVGART Hytrulo through the early 2040. Further innovation that will expand the VYVGART Hytrulo with ENHANZE opportunity is projected in the United States in April of 2025 with the potential FDA approval of a prefilled syringe treatment option for VYVGART Hytrulo with ENHANZE for all of the currently approved indications.
Halozyme co-created the prefilled syringe with argenx, which may allow patients self-administration in just 20 seconds. argenx is also expecting the prefilled syringe to be approved in Europe, Japan and Canada in 2025. Halozyme will receive the same royalty rate on the prefilled syringe delivery as we receive on the file, also through the early 2040s.
Let me move now to the second indication with a chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, or CIDP, which is a subcutaneous VYVGART Hytrulo with ENHANZE-only indication. This is an exciting new growth driver that is really just beginning, following the mid-2024 approval in the United States and the end of 2024 approval in Japan.
argenx has seen strong interest and adoption with more than 1,000 CIDP patients already receiving VYVGART Hytrulo. The patient testimonial shared by argenx tell a powerful story of how VYVGART Hytrulo is helping CIDP patients regain their lives. Strong progress has been made in gaining that all important coverage and access, with now 90% of covered lives having access to VYVGART Hytrulo for CIDP under favorable or highly favorable policies. The brand is also benefiting from a halo effect of argenx being able to promote CIDP next to generalized myasthenia gravis to open up new prescribers. Already, 25% of prescribers for CIDP were physicians who had not previously been seen by argenx.
In 2025, argenx projects to continue on this powerful trajectory and also to expand the number of global approvals in CIDP. And not only are we just at the beginning in terms of these two indication launches. As you can see on slide 8, Halozyme's journey with argenx on their next wave of innovation for VYVGART highlights the many exciting opportunities for many years to come, with multiple active subcutaneous programs with ENHANZE in development, including in thyroid eye disease and ocular myasthenia gravis.
And as we look out even further, our journey with argenx was enhanced in 2024 with four new nominations with ENHANZE which creates new opportunity and reinforces our leadership position as argenx's rapid, large volume subcutaneous delivery technology of choice.
I'll move now to slide 9. We had three additional significant approvals in 2024 for OCREVUS Zunovo, TECENTRIQ Hybreza, and OPDIVO Qvantig. Based on benchmarks, we assume it will take six to nine months in the United States and more than 12 months in Europe to achieve robust access coverage and reimbursement.
Given the recent approvals, we have projected minimal contribution from these products in our 2025 revenues, with contributions becoming more meaningful in 2026 and beyond. Let me begin with Roche's OCREVUS Zunovo, which received EMA and FDA approval for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in 2024.
OCREVUS Zunovo with ENHANZE allows for an approximately 10 minutes subcutaneous injection, which compares with multiple infusion that is typically required for the IV administration time. Roche has been very consistent with their comments that we believe the subcutaneous formulation with ENHANZE will expand the addressable market and grow the brand, adding prescribers and patients who did not have access to an infusion suite.
In its most recent earnings call, Roche commented that the launch is progressing very much as planned with more than 2,500 patients on OCREVUS Zunovo globally. In the United States, they are seeing positive signals with 50% share of new OCREVUS subcutaneous patients being naive to OCREVUS. This is great news for two reasons.
Firstly, it demonstrates market expansion and growth for OCREVUS, which is being driven by subcutaneous Zunovo. Secondly, the remaining 50% is coming from early conversion to subcutaneous OCREVUS from the very large patient pool who are on intravenous OCREVUS. Focusing on market expansion and growth, Roche commented that they are seeing accounts that have not used OCREVUS IV in the past for now prescribing subcutaneous Ocrevus.
With the permanent J code expected in April and projected to accelerate uptake, Roche further commented that they are confident that OCREVUS Zunovo represents an incremental CHF2 billion or more than $2 billion opportunity for the brand. With full year 2024 sales reaching CHF6.7 billion or approximately USD7.7 billion, this represents a very attractive growth opportunity for Halozyme. We predict receiving mid-single-digit royalties on OCREVUS Zunovo until 2030 and at a step-down rate until at least 2034.
We're also excited that Roche's TECENTRIQ Hybreza with ENHANZE in FDA approval in September of 2024. The approval was for all of the IV indications and offers patients and providers with a more convenient treatment option with an approximately seven-minute subcutaneous injection. Total TECENTRIQ revenue represented CHF3.6 billion or approximately USD4 billion in 2024. Roche plans to drive IV to subcu conversion and believe that subcutaneous formulation will be protective of the brand. And recall that we project receiving royalties on TECENTRIQ Hybriza until 2040.
Moving now to Bristol-Myers Squibb's OPDIVO Qvantig which was approved by the FDA in December of 2024 and represents our ninth approved product with ENHANZE. I will also note that the European submission is currently under review. Bristol-Myers Squibb commented recently that they are excited for the launch and what it could mean for patients, physicians, and the durability of their immuno-oncology business, with the new subcutaneous formulation helping to extend the reach and impact of our immuno-oncology franchise into the next decade. With our sales team out in the field, relaying the benefits of OPDIVO Qvantig, Bristol shares that the early feedback has been positive for the shorter injection time compared to IV nivolumab.
Initial positive feedback they highlighted is in use in the adjuvant patients. And in patients who are treated in combination with [urofit], such as in first-line metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma. Bristol expects that 30% to 40% of OPDIVO IV could be converted to subcutaneous. Similar to any launch, reimbursement dynamics are going to take time, and BMS projects conversion will accelerate in the second half of 2025 after they transition to our permanent J code in July. OPDIVO Qvantig represents another very attractive conversion opportunity for Halozyme.
OPDIVO, which is a brand name for IV nivolumab, grew 7%, excluding FX in the fourth quarter to $2.5 billion and reached $9.3 billion in annual sales in 2024. Now let me also take this opportunity to comment on amivantamab subcutaneous which would represent our tenth approved partner product. Recall, amivantumab is included in our longer-term projections as we consider it derisk following its strong Phase 3 data. Recently, Johnson & Johnson announced that they have received a positive opinion from the Committee for medicinal products of human use of the European Medicines Agency, recommending an extension of marketing authorization for the subcutaneous formulation of amivantamab with ENHANZE in combination with elasefrinib in the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
The European Commission approval is typically granted 67 days after the recommendation, which would support approval in the April 2025 time frame. We're excited for the amivantimab/subcu potential approval and what this could mean for patients. The subcutaneous formulation of amivantimab offers an improved treatment experience for patients reducing administration time to approximately five minutes compared to anything from two to four hours for the IV. Importantly, there is also a fivefold reduction in infusion-related reactions.
Moving now to the US timeline. In December, Johnson & Johnson and that they had received a complete response letter for amivantamab subcutaneous, which was related to observations as part of a standard preapproval inspection at a manufacturing facility. J&J highlighted that the CRL is unrelated to the product formulation or the efficacy and safety data submitted in the regulatory application and that the FDA is not requesting any additional clinical studies. They are working closely with the FDA to bring subcutaneous amavantimab to patients as quickly as possible and are confident in a path to resolution. J&J has possibly commented that they believe amivantamab has a $5 billion revenue potential.
Moving now to slide 10. We are confident in reaching our $1 billion royalty revenue projected in 2027. And indeed, we project we will exceed that. This confidence is driven by the expectation for the continued strong growth of our two lead assets, DARZALEX and Phesgo, which represent a $20 billion total opportunity; and the layering of the four recent launches of VYVGART Hytrulo, TECENTRIQ Hybreza, OCREVUS Zunovo, and OPDIVO Qvantig; plus the upcoming detention of abuzantumab subcutaneous. Analysts predict these five products represent an even greater opportunity in 2028 of $35 billion.
I know that you agree that the near-term revenue growth in 2020 is very strong. And I often get the question, what's next? The good news is that the launched and launching products that we've just reviewed continue to provide very strong revenue post 2028. And we project several current pipeline products will contribute additional meaningful revenue post 2028 too.
Let me walk you through some of the specifics, which are shown on slide 11. Phesgo is projected to continue to grow post 2028 and earn Halozyme royalties at its full unchanged mid-single-digit rate until 2030. DARZALEX, FASPRO and subcutaneous is projected to remain our largest revenue driver until 2032.
In Europe earning Halozyme royalties at its full unchanged mid-single rate until March of 2029. And to continue to earn as royalties at half that rate until 2032. In the United States, we are confident that the pending new manufacturing IP will be issued which would also result in Halozyme earning royalties at the unchanged mid-single-digit rate until March of 2029 and continue to earn as royalties at half that rate until 2032.
This is not currently reflected in our long-term guidance. VYVGART Hytrulo is projected to earn Halozyme royalties for all of its indications sold either in the vial or through the prefilled syringe at its full unchanged current mid-single-digit royalty rate until March of 2029, and then to continue to earn royalties until 2033 at a mid-single-digit rate even after a step down in the royalty rate. Royalties will continue until the 2040s after further step down in rate.
Moving to OCREVUS Zunovo. This is projected to earn Halozyme royalties at the full mid-single-digit rate until 2030 and as a step-down rate until at least 2034.
And with TECENTRIQ Hybreza projected to earn Halozyme royalties at its full mid-single-digit rate until the 2040s and OPDIVO Qvantig projected to earn Halozyme royalties until at least 2034. You can see why we project continued strong revenue from the current launch products beyond 2028.
In addition, we are confident that the more advanced derisked products from our pipeline will contribute revenue post 2028. For example, OPDIVO fixed-dose combination with relatlimab, and TAK-881 are two additional derisk revenue growth drivers post 2028. And we also anticipate additional products from our current Phase 1 pipeline, new nominations from existing partners and from new deals will add additional royalty revenue streams.
Now let me turn to the very important topic of new deals and new nominations. Our discussions continue with multiple companies regarding enhanced new nominations, enhance new deals, our high-volume ultra injector, and our small volume auto-injector. I'm going to start with some very exciting news on our small volume auto-injector. I'm pleased to announce that yesterday, we signed a development agreement for our small volume auto injector with one of our current partners for a commercial product.
Moving to ENHANZE, recall, we have two paths for growth. The first is gaining new nominations by current partners and the second is through signing new deals. Beginning with the new nominations, in 2024, we made excellent progress with current partners, selecting five new targets for ENHANZE. In 2025, we will continue to work closely with partners to identify opportunities to select new nominations from the currently available open slot. Recall these additional new nominations, together with our current expanded pipeline, drive durability of revenue post 2029.
And moving to the new enhanced deals, we are in active discussions with multiple companies. In 2025, our goal is to advance the collaboration and licensing agreements with at least one. And moving to our high-volume auto-injector, our goal is to advance to a development agreement this year.
I'm often asked why we have not yet signed a deal with a high-volume auto-injector. What's the holdup? Our high-volume auto injector is a real innovation, which means some components are not available off the self. Some parts needed to be invented and designed. In 2024, we made progress with this, securing an exclusive supply for a high-volume primary container. This accomplishment has significantly derisked the high volume of injector for partners, and we're actively engaged in discussions with several parties.
With that, let me now turn the call over to Nicole, who will discuss our financial results in more detail.