Ligand ups guidance

 Ligand is increasing 2023 revenue and EPS guidance provided on its fourth quarter earnings call held on February 22, 2023. We now expect 2023 royalties of $78 million to $82 million (previously $74 million to $78 million), sales of Captisol of $21 million (unchanged) and contract revenue of $25 million (unchanged).These revenue components result in total revenue of $124 million to $128 million (previously $120 million to $124 million). We now expect 2023 diluted EPS of $4.60 to $4.75 (previously $3.30 to $3.45). The increase in EPS guidance is related to gains from the sale of Viking Therapeutics stock as well as the increased revenue guidance. Due to the unpredictable nature of COVID-19 and related Captisol sales, Ligand excludes Captisol for remdesivir from guidance and will update investors if and when orders are received and shipped each quarter.

First Quarter 2023 and Recent Business Highlights

Travere Therapeutics (Nasdaq: TVTX) received FDA accelerated approval for FILSPARI™ (sparsentan) for the treatment of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) on February 17, 2023, with commercial availability beginning in the last week of February. A review decision on sparsentan for the treatment of IgAN in Europe by the EMA is expected in the second half of 2023. On April 1, Travere announced publication in The Lancet of the interim analysis of efficacy and safety data from the ongoing pivotal, Phase 3 PROTECT Study evaluating sparsentan in adults with IgAN. The data were simultaneously presented in a late-breaking trials session at the World Congress of Nephrology 2023. On May 1, Travere announced that the pivotal Phase 3 DUPLEX Study evaluating sparsentan in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) did not achieve the primary efficacy eGFR slope endpoint over 108 weeks of treatment compared to the active control irbesartan. Secondary and topline exploratory endpoints trended favorably and a reduction of proteinuria was sustained through 108 weeks of treatment. Travere plans to engage with regulators to explore a potential path forward for sparsentan as a treatment for FSGS in the U.S. and Europe.

Viking Therapeutics (Nasdaq: VKTX) completed enrollment in its Phase 2b clinical trial of VK2809 in patients with biopsy-confirmed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with topline data on the primary endpoint expected in 1H 2023. Separately, Ligand sold 3.2 million shares of Viking stock during the quarter resulting in $43 million of net proceeds following Viking’s announcement of positive data on their VK2735 obesity program. Ligand does not have any direct economic interest in VK2735. As of March 31, 2023, Ligand owned 3.6 million shares of VKTX stock.

Novan (Nasdaq: NOVN) submitted an NDA to the U.S. FDA seeking marketing approval for berdazimer gel, 10.3% (SB206) for the topical treatment of molluscum contagiosum. The NDA has been accepted and assigned a PDUFA date of January 5, 2024.

Palvella Therapeutics (private) announced positive topline results from its Phase 2 study of QTORIN™ rapamycin in microcystic lymphatic malformations; 100% of participants were rated by physicians as being "Much Improved" or "Very Much Improved" as measured on the Clinician Global Impression of Change following 12-weeks of dosing with QTORIN rapamycin. Results showed that QTORIN was generally well-tolerated with no drug-related severe adverse events. QTORIN rapamycin has the potential to become the first FDA-approved treatment for this serious, rare genetic skin disease and has been granted Fast Track and Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA for this indication. Pavella anticipates initiation of a pivotal Phase 3 study in the second half of 2023.

Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) announced that the FDA granted approval for a liquid form of TAFINLAR® (dabrafenib) + MEKINIST® (trametinib) for the treatment of pediatric patients one year of age and older with low-grade glioma (LGG) with a BRAF V600E mutation and who require systemic therapy. This is the first approval of an oral Captisol-enabled product.

Sermonix (private) announced the initiation of a registrational Phase 3 clinical study comparing targeted lasofoxifene in combination with the CDK 4/6 inhibitor abemaciclib to fulvestrant plus abemaciclib in pre- and post-menopausal subjects with locally advanced or metastatic ER+/HER2- breast cancer with an ESR1 mutation. Additionally, Sermonix announced that lasofoxifene improved vaginal/vulvar symptoms relative to fulvestrant in a study of postmenopausal women with locally advanced or metastatic estrogen receptor-positive ER+/HER2- breast cancer with an ESR1 mutation.

Anebulo Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ANEB) announced completion of dosing in its randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating ANEB-001 as a potential treatment for acute cannabinoid intoxication. The preliminary data showed ANEB-001 reduced effects of a 30 mg dose of THC, and that delayed dosing of ANEB-001 rapidly reversed pre-existing THC effects. Anebulo is targeting an End of Phase 2a meeting with FDA in the second quarter 2023.

Ligand management will host a conference call today beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (1:30 p.m. Pacific time) to discuss this announcement and answer questions. To participate via telephone, please dial (888) 350-3452 (U.S. toll-free) or 1 (646) 960-0369 (ex-U.S. toll dial-in number) using the conference ID 6501694. To participate via live or replay webcast, a link is available at www.ligand.com.

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