Eton Pharmaceuticals Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results


  • Reported total revenue of $10.3 million and GAAP Net Income of $0.6 million, or $0.02 per diluted share
  • Entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire Increlex® (mecasermin injection)
  • Q3 2024 product sales increased 40% over Q3 2023, representing 15th straight quarter of sequential product sales growth
  • Produced positive quarterly GAAP net income from product sales for first time in company history
  • Generated cash from operations of $2.9 million in Q3 2024
  • Granted additional patent for ET-400
  • Management to hold conference call today at 4:30pm ET

DEER PARK, Ill., Nov. 12, 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 September 30, 2024.

“Our strong product revenue growth in the third quarter allowed us to achieve positive GAAP net income from product revenue for the first time in the Company’s history and we’re pleased to reach this important milestone one quarter ahead of our original goal. We are proud of our ability to continue delivering exceptional growth, as demonstrated by our 15th straight quarter of sequential growth in product revenue, while managing the bottom line,” said Sean Brynjelsen, CEO of Eton Pharmaceuticals.

“This milestone is just the beginning of Eton’s growth story. With the upcoming close of the Increlex acquisition and our ET-400 PDUFA date approaching, 2025 is shaping up to be a transformational year for Eton. We are very excited about what we can achieve in the coming quarters and years,” concluded Brynjelsen.

Third Quarter and Recent Business Highlights

Delivered 15th straight quarter of sequential growth in product sales and reported positive GAAP net income. Eton reported third quarter 2024 product sales of $9.8 million, representing 40% growth over the prior year period, and 8% over the second quarter of 2024, driven primarily by the ongoing growth of ALKINDI SPRINKLE® and Carglumic Acid. During the quarter, Eton produced positive GAAP net income for the first time in Company history from product revenue alone.

Entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire Increlex® (mecasermin injection) from Ipsen S.A. The transaction, which was announced in October, will add a high-value biologic product to the Company’s commercial portfolio. The product is synergistic with Eton’s existing pediatric endocrinology call point, and the acquisition is expected to be accretive to 2025 earnings. The Company anticipates the transaction closing near year-end 2024.

New Drug Application (NDA) for ET-400 accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In July, the FDA accepted Eton’s NDA for ET-400, its proprietary patented formulation of hydrocortisone oral solution and assigned the application a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of February 28, 2025. Eton expects to manufacture product inventory in the fourth quarter of 2024 to enable a commercial launch promptly after the expected approval in 2025. The Company believes the introduction of ET-400 will enable it to capture a greater percentage of the oral hydrocortisone market and, together with ALKINDI SPRINKLE, the two products are expected to achieve combined peak sales of more than $50 million annually.

Granted additional patent for ET-400. On November 5, Eton was granted an additional patent for ET-400 by the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO), further strengthening the IP protection for the product. The patent, which expires in 2043, covers hydrocortisone oral liquid formulations and is expected to be listed in the FDA’s Orange Book upon ET-400’s approval.

Strong growth of ALKINDI SPRINKLE and the Company’s metabolic portfolio. ALKINDI SPRINKLE reported 55% year-over-year revenue growth in Q3 2024. Carglumic Acid also reported another quarter of strong sequential and year-over-year growth. The commercial availability of Betaine Anhydrous, Nitisinone, and PKU GOLIKE® has helped increase the frequency of the Company’s interactions with potential Carglumic Acid prescribers.

Initiation of ET-600 pivotal study. ET-600’s pivotal bioequivalence study has been initiated. ET-600 is under development for the treatment of the pediatric endocrinology condition diabetes insipidus. If the study results are positive, Eton anticipates submitting an NDA for the product in the first quarter of 2025.

Third Quarter Financial Results

Net Revenue: Net sales for the third quarter of 2024 were $10.3 million compared to $7.0 million in the prior year period. Net sales in the current year period included $0.5 million of licensing payments received from out-licensing of the company’s DS-200 product.

Product sales and royalty revenue were $9.8 million for the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 40% compared to $7.0 million in the prior year period, and an increase of 8% over the second quarter of 2024. The year-over-year increase in product sales revenue was primarily driven by growth in ALKINDI SPRINKLE and Carglumic Acid.

Gross Profit: Gross profit for the third quarter of 2024 was $6.3 million compared to $4.4 million in the prior year period.

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses for the third quarter of 2024 were $0.5 million compared to $0.6 million in the prior year period as a result of decreased expenses associated with ET-400 project development activities.

General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses for the third quarter of 2024 were $5.3 million compared to $4.3 million in the prior year period, mainly due to increased sales and marketing activities, legal expenses, and employee-related expenses.

Net Income: Net income for the third quarter of 2024 was $0.6 million or $0.02 per basic and diluted share. In the prior year period, net loss was $0.6 million, or $0.02 per basic and diluted share.

Cash Position: As of September 30, 2024, Eton had cash and cash equivalents of $20.3 million. The Company generated $2.9 million of operating cash flow during the quarter. The Company expects to generate positive cash flow in the fourth quarter and to fund its acquisition of Increlex with cash on hand and an expansion of its existing credit facility.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

As previously announced, Eton Pharmaceuticals will host a its third quarter 2024 conference call as follows:

Date  November 12, 2024
Time  4:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. CT)
Dial in Toll-free: 888-596-4144
  Non-toll free: 646-968-2525
  Access Code: 1144771
Webcast: 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: investorrelations@etonpharma.com.

The live webcast can also 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.

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: lwilson@insitecony.com


Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Condensed Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
  For the three months ended  For the nine months ended 
  September 30,  September 30,  September 30,  September 30, 
  2024  2023  2024  2023 
Revenues:                
Licensing revenue $500  $  $500  $5,500 
Product sales and royalties  9,824   7,028   26,864   18,829 
Total net revenues  10,324   7,028   27,364   24,329 
                 
Cost of sales:                
Licensing revenue  270      270    
Product sales and royalties  3,752   2,625   10,159   6,898 
Total cost of sales  4,022   2,625   10,429   6,898 
                 
Gross profit  6,302   4,403   16,935   17,431 
                 
Operating expenses:                
Research and development  505   615   4,126   2,275 
General and administrative  5,288   4,336   16,035   14,355 
Total operating expenses  5,793   4,951   20,161   16,630 
                 
Income (loss) from operations  509   (548)  (3,226)  801 
                 
Other income (expense):                
Other income           800 
Interest expense, net  (8)  (31)  (71)  (281)
Total other income (expense)  (8)  (31)  (71)  519 
                 
Income (loss) before income tax expense  501   (579)  (3,297)  1,320 
                 
Income tax expense (benefit)  (126)     (72)   
                 
Net income (loss) $627  $(579) $(3,225) $1,320 
Net income (loss) per share, basic $0.02  $(0.02) $(0.12) $0.05 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic  25,900   25,719   25,814   25,613 
Net income (loss) per share, diluted $0.02  $(0.02) $(0.12) $0.05 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted  26,550   25,719   25,814   26,002 
 


Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Condensed Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
  September 30, 2024  December 31, 2023 
  (Unaudited)     
Assets        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $20,261  $21,388 
Accounts receivable, net  5,591   3,411 
Inventories  1,938   911 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  1,959   1,129 
Total current assets  29,749   26,839 
         
Property and equipment, net  33   58 
Intangible assets, net  5,854   4,739 
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net  193   92 
Other long-term assets, net  12   12 
Total assets $35,841  $31,740 
         
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $2,684  $1,848 
Debt, net of unamortized discount  4,125   5,380 
Accrued Medicaid rebates  8,047   3,627 
Other accrued liabilities  4,878   5,386 
Total current liabilities  19,734   16,241 
         
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion  126   22 
         
Total liabilities  19,860   16,263 
         
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)        
         
Stockholders’ equity        
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 25,836,204 and 25,688,062 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively  26   26 
Additional paid-in capital  123,250   119,521 
Accumulated deficit  (107,295)  (104,070)
Total stockholders’ equity  15,981   15,477 
         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $35,841  $31,740 
 



Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
  Nine months ended Nine months ended
  September 30, 2024 September 30, 2023
Cash flows from operating activities        
Net Income (loss) $(3,225) $1,320 
         
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities:        
Stock-based compensation  2,383   2,387 
Depreciation and amortization  791   576 
Non-cash lease expense  53   50 
Debt discount amortization  70   90 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
Accounts receivable  (2,179)  (1,643)
Inventories  (1,027)  (494)
Prepaid expenses and other assets  171   749 
Accounts payable  836   (52)
Accrued Medicaid rebates  4,420   2,342 
Other accrued liabilities  (559)  1,103 
Net cash from operating activities  1,734   6,428 
         
Cash flows from investing activities        
Purchases of product license rights  (1,868)   
Purchases of property and equipment  (14)   
Net cash from investing activities  (1,882)   
         
Cash flows from financing activities        
Repayment of long-term debt  (1,155)  (770)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan and stock option exercises  176   288 
Payment of tax withholding related to net share settlement of stock option exercises     (181)
Net cash from financing activities  (979)  (663)
         
Change in cash and cash equivalents  (1,127)  5,765 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  21,388   16,305 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $20,261  $22,070 
         
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information        
Cash paid for interest $525  $638 
Cash paid for income taxes $181  $ 
Right-of-use assets and liabilities obtained due to lease renewal $153  $29 
         
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash transactions in investing and financing activities        
Relative fair value of warrants issued in connection with debt $1,170  $