HLS Therapeutics Announces Q3 Fiscal 2023 Financial Results and Renewal of Normal Course Issuer Bid

In this article:

TORONTO, Nov. 9, 2023 /CNW/ - HLS Therapeutics Inc. ("HLS" or the "Company") (TSX: HLS), a pharmaceutical company focused on addressing unmet needs in the treatment of psychiatric disorders and cardiovascular disease, announces its financial results for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023. All amounts are in thousands of United States ("U.S.") dollars unless otherwise stated.

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

  • Q3 2023 revenue was $16.0 million, Adjusted EBITDA1 was $5.1 million and cash from operations was $5.4 million, compared to $15.7 million, $6.0 million and $4.2 million, respectively, in Q3 2022.

  • Updated the Vascepa promotional services agreement with Pfizer which should increase salesforce productivity in primary care and reduce costs starting in 2024.

  • Re-entered discussions with British Columbia on a path forward to a Vascepa Product Listing Agreement. HLS is currently working through coverage implementation with the province.

  • Amended credit agreement to extend term and increase borrowing capacity.

"Growth from Vascepa and ongoing consistent performance from Clozaril drove product sales of $13.4 million in Q3, which is the most ever for HLS in a quarter," said Craig Millian, CEO of HLS. "We also made significant progress on our key commercial imperatives to drive greater salesforce effectiveness and to improve access and reimbursement. We recently amended our promotional services agreement with Pfizer and will implement by year-end what we believe is an improved primary care go-to-market model for Vascepa. In addition, we are seeing some improvement with access and reimbursement in Ontario as well as making progress in finalizing a product listing agreement for British Columbia."

Q3 & YEAR-TO-DATE ("YTD") 2023 FINANCIAL & OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • Q3 2023 Vascepa net revenue was C$4.7 million, up 44% compared to C$3.2 million in Q3 2022.

  • Vascepa total prescriptions in Q3 2023 increased by 89% year-over-year from Q3 2022.

  • Vascepa prescribers in Q3 2023 increased 86% year-over-year from Q3 2022.

  • Vascepa consistent prescribers2 in Q3 2023 increased by 97% year-over-year from Q3 2022.

  • Clozaril YTD 2023 Canadian net revenue was C$26.0 million, down 2% compared to C$26.6 million in the same period last year.

  • Clozaril's YTD 2023 patient growth rate was 1%.

Mr. Millian added: "We continue to see strong growth in Vascepa prescribing along with an increase in the base of total prescribers and consistent prescribers. While Q3 includes some seasonality during the slower summer months, we saw a strong uptick in new and total prescriptions in September - reaching 2,000 prescriptions per week for the first time."

OUTLOOK
Vascepa
Supported by progress against its key commercial imperatives and positive prescribing trends, HLS believes that it is on track to achieve its fiscal 2023 revenue guidance for Vascepa of C$18-20 million. The Company is also taking necessary actions to achieve the goal of Vascepa making a positive contribution to Adjusted EBITDA starting in the second half of 2024.

Royalty Portfolio
The royalties related to Boston Scientific's Emblem S-ICD, currently the largest royalty interest in the Company's portfolio, will complete its contracted term during Q4 2023. This impact will be partially offset by the expected growth of royalties from Sanofi's Xenpozyme, which had its commercial launch in the second half of 2022. The net effect of the transition from four to three products is that revenue from the royalty portfolio will be lower in fiscal 2024. The Company expects royalty revenue to grow in subsequent years.

Q3 & YTD 2023 FINANCIAL REVIEW
The Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and Consolidated Financial Statements for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 are available at the Company's website and at its profile at SEDAR+.

Revenue

Three months ended

September 30,

Nine months ended

September 30,


2023

2022

2023

2022






Product sales





   Canada

10,153

9,570

28,755

27,500

 United States

3,289

3,590

9,680

10,751


13,442

13,160

38,435

38,251

Royalty revenue

2,595

2,544

8,776

7,541


16,037

15,704

47,211

45,792

Q3 2023 revenue increased 2% compared to Q3 2022. Q3 2023 revenue increased 4% in constant currency terms, compared to Q3 2022, as the decline in the Canadian dollar had an impact on the reported values, which are in U.S. dollars.

Product sales – Canada

000's of CAD

Three months ended

September 30,

Nine months ended.

September 30,


2023

2022

% change

2023

2022

% change







Clozaril

8,946

9,244

(3.2) %

26,029

26,581

(2.1) %

Vascepa

4,665

3,247

43.7 %

12,661

8,720

45.2 %

Other

16

16


13,627

12,491

9.1 %

38,706

35,301

9.6 %

Q3 2023 product sales in Canada increased 9% in Canadian dollars, compared to Q3 2022, led by increased sales of Vascepa, which grew 44% in Q3 2023 in Canadian dollars compared to Q3 2022. The Vascepa net revenue growth rate trails the growth rate in prescriptions as net pricing adjusts to increased public sector volumes.

Clozaril revenue in Canada declined 3% in Q3 2023 in Canadian dollars, compared to Q3 2022, but increased 3% sequentially from Q2 2023. Clozaril remains the leading medication for treatment resistant schizophrenia in Canada and for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, the number of patients taking Clozaril increased 1%.

In the U.S., Q3 2023 Clozaril net sales increased 3% sequentially from Q2 2023 but decreased $0.3 million compared to Q3 2022. The year-over-year decline in unit volumes was partially offset by small annual price increases.

Royalty revenues
Royalty revenues were $2.6 million in Q3 2023, up 2% from Q3 2022, reflecting contribution from all four products in the portfolio. The year-to-date results include a one-time milestone receipt of $0.6 million included in Q2 2023 related to the approval of Xenpozyme in 2022.

Operating Expenses

Three months ended

September 30,

Nine months ended

September 30,


2023

2022

2023

2022






Cost of product sales

1,870

1,357

5,091

3,464

Selling and marketing

5,048

4,306

15,180

12,677

Medical, regulatory and patient support

1,675

1,498

4,188

4,121

General and administrative

2,316

2,527

7,040

7,040


10,909

9,688

31,499

27,302

Q3 2023 operating expenses increased 13% compared to Q3 2022. This was driven by an increase in cost of product sales due to the growth in shipments and sales of Vascepa, as well as higher selling and marketing costs for Vascepa related to increased selling activity in primary care. General and administrative expenses decreased 8% in Q3 2023 compared to Q3 2022 as the Company maintains prudent management of expenses.

Support costs and strong gross margins remain stable across the Company's key Clozaril franchises in Canada and the United States.

Adjusted EBITDA1

Three months ended

September 30,

Nine months ended

September 30,


2023

2022

2023

2022






Net loss for the period

(6,901)

(4,410)

(22,130)

(17,169)

Stock-based compensation

(19)

125

63

2,170

Amortization and depreciation

8,207

8,834

24,892

25,710

Finance and related costs, net

4,223

1,489

9,128

2,852

Other costs

42

69

4,106

4,956

Income tax recovery

(424)

(91)

(347)

(29)

Adjusted EBITDA

5,128

6,016

15,712

18,490

Q3 2023 Adjusted EBITDA was $5.1 million compared to $6.0 million in Q3 2022. The decrease was due primarily to the increase in operating expenses for Vascepa and was partially offset by the growth in sales of Vascepa. Clozaril and royalty revenues continue to generate strong Adjusted EBITDA and cash flow for the business.

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, the direct contribution to Adjusted EBITDA from the Clozaril franchise was $21.7 million, while the direct contribution of Vascepa to Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $7.0 million.

Net Loss
Net loss for Q3 2023 was ($6.9) million, or ($0.21) per share, compared to a net loss of ($4.4) million, or ($0.14) per share, in Q3 2022. Revenue growth was offset by the increase in cost of product sales and selling and marketing expenses related to the selling and marketing of Vascepa, and higher finance and related costs, net, including fair value adjustments on financial instruments and the effect of higher interest rates, including fair value adjustments on the interest rate swap, resulting in higher net loss for the quarter and year-to-date period.

Cash from Operations and Financial Position
Cash generated from operations was $5.4 million in Q3 2023, compared to $4.2 million in Q3 2022. Cash was $21.8 million at September 30, 2023 up from $20.7 million at December 31, 2022.

Credit Agreement Amendment
On August 14, 2023, HLS announced an extension to its credit agreement, which comprises a senior secured term loan, a revolver facility and an expansion facility, (the "Amended Agreement") with a syndicate of bank lenders led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

Under the terms of the Amended Agreement, the maturity date has been extended to August 11, 2026. The balance on the revolver facility at the time of the amendment was combined with the principal amount remaining on the existing senior secured term loan for a new senior secured term loan balance of $93.8 million. In addition, there is a new revolving facility of $30.0 million and an expansion facility of up to $70.0 million to support acquisitions and other growth opportunities.

As a result, at September 30, 2023 HLS had a strong financial position consisting of $21.8 million in cash, a $30.0 million undrawn revolving facility and a $70.0 million expansion facility. The principal amount of the senior secured term loan outstanding at September 30, 2023 was $91.7 million.

RENEWAL OF NORMAL COURSE ISSUER BID
HLS has filed with the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX"), and the TSX has accepted, the Company's notice of intention to renew its Normal Course Issuer Bid (the "NCIB") for its issued and outstanding common shares (each a "Common Share"). Pursuant to the NCIB, HLS may, if considered advisable, purchase for cancellation through the facilities of the TSX and/or alternative Canadian trading systems, from time to time over the next 12 months, up to an aggregate of 1,607,892 Common Shares, representing 5% of the 32,157,854 issued and outstanding Common Shares as of October 31, 2023.

HLS may commence purchases of Common Shares under the NCIB on November 14, 2023, and the NCIB will remain in effect until the earliest of: (i) the close of trading on November 13, 2024, (ii) the date upon which HLS acquires the maximum number of Common Shares permitted under the NCIB, and (iii) the date upon which HLS provides written notice of termination of the NCIB to the TSX. Daily purchases pursuant to the NCIB will be limited to 5,307 Common Shares, other than purchases made pursuant to the block purchase exception, based on the applicable average daily trading volume on the TSX for six months ending October 31, 2023 of 21,229 Common Shares.

Purchases of Common Shares under the NCIB will be made by Haywood Securities Inc. ("Haywood") based on the parameters prescribed by the TSX, the provisions of the Company's credit agreement and applicable Canadian securities laws at a price per Common Share equal to the market price at the time of acquisition. All Common Shares acquired by the Company under the NCIB will be cancelled.

The Company also intends to renew the automatic share purchase plan (the "ASPP") with Haywood to allow for the purchase of Common Shares under the NCIB at times when the Company would ordinarily not be permitted to purchase shares due to regulatory restrictions or self-imposed blackout periods.

HLS believes that any purchases pursuant to the NCIB, if considered advisable, will be in the best interests of the Company and will be a desirable use of corporate funds. HLS previously sought and received approval of the TSX to purchase up to 1,620,365 Common Shares in a normal course issuer bid (the "Previous Bid") that commenced on November 14, 2022 and will expire on November 13, 2023. As of October 31, 2023, HLS had purchased 334,869 Common Shares on the open market at an average purchase price of C$5.96 per Common Share under the Previous Bid.

Q3 FISCAL 2023 CONFERENCE CALL
HLS will hold a conference call today at 8:30 am Eastern Time to discuss its Q3 2023 financial results. The call will be hosted by Mr. Craig Millian, CEO, and Mr. Tim Hendrickson, CFO. To view the slides that accompany management's discussion, please use the webcast link.

CONFERENCE ID: 52567994

DATE: Thursday, November 9, 2023

TIME: 8:30 a.m. ET

WEBCAST LINK: https://app.webinar.net/a9kpB2jB7nW

TRADITIONAL DIAL-IN NUMBER: 1-888-664-6392 or 416-764-8659

RAPIDCONNECT: To instantly join the conference call by phone, please use the following URL to easily register and be connected into the conference call automatically: https://emportal.ink/3ZK16TS

TAPED REPLAY:  1-888-390-0541 or 416-764-8677

REPLAY CODE: 864357#

The taped replay will be available for 14 days and the archived webcast will be available for 365 days.

A link to the live audio webcast of the conference call will also be available on the events page of the investors section of HLS Therapeutics' website at www.hlstherapeutics.com. Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be required to hear the webcast.

ABOUT HLS THERAPEUTICS INC.
Formed in 2015, HLS is a pharmaceutical company focused on the acquisition and commercialization of late-stage development, commercial stage promoted and established branded pharmaceutical products in the North American markets. HLS's focus is on products targeting the central nervous system and cardiovascular therapeutic areas. HLS's management team is composed of seasoned pharmaceutical executives with a strong track record of success in these therapeutic areas and at managing products in each of these lifecycle stages. For more information visit: www.hlstherapeutics.com

1CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING NON-IFRS MEASURES
This press release refers to certain non-IFRS measures. These measures are not recognized measures under IFRS, do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these measures are provided as additional information to complement those IFRS measures by providing further understanding of HLS's results of operations from management's perspective. Accordingly, they should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of HLS's financial information reported under IFRS. HLS uses non-IFRS measures to provide investors with supplemental measures of its operating performance and thus highlight trends in its core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS financial measures. HLS also believes that securities analysts, investors and other interested parties frequently use non-IFRS measures in the evaluation of issuers. HLS's management also uses non-IFRS measures in order to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period, prepare annual operating budgets and assess HLS's ability to meet its future debt service, capital expenditure and working capital requirements.

In particular, management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of HLS's performance.  To reconcile net income (loss) for the period with Adjusted EBITDA, each of (i) "stock-based compensation", (ii) "amortization and depreciation", (iii) "finance and related costs, net", (iv) "other costs", and (v) "income tax recovery" appearing in the Consolidated Statement of Net Income (Loss) are added to net income (loss) for the period to determine Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and is not necessarily comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.  Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income (loss) prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.

2CONSISTENT PRESCRIBER
A consistent prescriber is a physician that has prescribed Vascepa in at least 4 of the past 5 weeks.

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding HLS and its business. Such statements are based on the current expectations and views of future events of HLS's management. In some cases the forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "potential", "estimate", "believe" or the negative of these terms, or other similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements, including, among others, statements with respect to HLS's pursuit of additional product and pipeline opportunities in certain therapeutic markets, statements regarding growth opportunities, expectations regarding financial performance, and the NCIB and ASPP. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting HLS, including risks relating to the specialty pharmaceutical industry, risks related to the regulatory approval process, economic factors and many other factors beyond the control of HLS. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause HLS's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. A discussion of the material risks and assumptions associated with this release can be found in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 15, 2023, and Management's Discussion and Analysis dated November 8, 2023, both of which have been filed on SEDAR and can be accessed at www.sedarplus.ca. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and HLS undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

HLS THERAPEUTICS INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Unaudited

[in thousands of U.S. dollars]






As at

As at



September 30, 2023

December 31, 2022





ASSETS




Current




Cash


21,808

20,723

Accounts receivable


10,625

10,999

Inventories


8,753

8,902

Income taxes recoverable


93

195

Other current assets


2,174

3,555

Total current assets


43,453

44,374

Property, plant and equipment


1,101

1,127

Intangible assets


168,867

195,018

Deferred tax asset


1,152

465

Other non-current assets


655

668

Total assets


215,228

241,652





LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current




Accounts payable and accrued liabilities


14,011

12,785

Provisions


3,867

2,934

Debt and other liabilities


7,101

15,471

Income taxes payable


324

Total current liabilities


25,303

31,190

Debt and other liabilities


87,673

84,578

Deferred tax liability


450

566

Total liabilities


113,426

116,334





Shareholders' equity




Share capital


263,586

265,206

Contributed surplus


14,175

13,821

Accumulated other comprehensive loss


(5,024)

(5,260)

Deficit


(170,935)

(148,449)

Total shareholders' equity


101,802

125,318

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

215,228

241,652






 

HLS THERAPEUTICS INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS

Unaudited

[in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts]




Three months ended

September 30,

Nine months ended

September 30,



2023

2022

2023

2022







Revenue


16,037

15,704

47,211

45,792







Expenses






Cost of product sales


1,870

1,357

5,091

3,464

Selling and marketing


5,048

4,306

15,180

12,677

Medical, regulatory and patient support


1,675

1,498

4,188

4,121

General and administrative


2,316

2,527

7,040

7,040

Stock-based compensation


(19)

125

63

2,170

Amortization and depreciation


8,207

8,834

24,892

25,710

Finance and related costs, net


4,223

1,489

9,128

2,852

Other costs


42

69

4,106

4,956

Loss before income taxes


(7,325)

(4,501)

(22,477)

(17,198)

Income tax recovery


(424)

(91)

(347)

(29)

Net loss for the period


(6,901)

(4,410)

(22,130)

(17,169)





Net loss per share:




Basic and diluted


$(0.21)

$(0.14)

$(0.68)

$(0.53)




 

HLS THERAPEUTICS INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

Unaudited

[in thousands of U.S. dollars]




Three months ended

September 30,

Nine months ended

September 30,


2023

2022

2023

2022






Net loss for the period

(6,901)

(4,410)

(22,130)

(17,169)






Item that may be reclassified subsequently to net loss





   Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment

(2,154)

(7,578)

236

(9,564)

Comprehensive loss for the period

(9,055)

(11,988)

(21,894)

(26,733)




 

HLS THERAPEUTICS INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Unaudited

[in thousands of U.S. dollars]








Share

capital

Contributed

surplus

Accumulated other
comprehensive
income (loss)

Deficit

Total








Balance, December 31, 2022


265,206

13,821

(5,260)

(148,449)

125,318

Stock options exercised


178

(44)

134

Shares repurchased


(1,798)

826

(972)

Share purchase obligation


(295)

(295)

Stock option expense


693

693

Net loss for the period


(22,130)

(22,130)

Dividends declared


(1,182)

(1,182)

Unrealized foreign currency    translation adjustment


236

236

Balance, September 30, 2023


263,586

14,175

(5,024)

(170,935)

101,802








Balance, December 31, 2021


265,917

11,717

2,959

(119,857)

160,736

Stock options exercised


251

(67)

184

Shares repurchased


(539)

(109)

(648)

Share purchase obligation


(255)

(255)

Stock option expense


1,930

1,930

Net loss for the period


(17,169)

(17,169)

Dividends declared


(3,768)

(3,768)

Unrealized foreign currency    translation adjustment


(9,564)

(9,564)

Balance, September 30, 2022


265,629

13,325

(6,605)

(140,903)

131,446








 

HLS THERAPEUTICS INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Unaudited

[in thousands of U.S. dollars]




Three months ended

September 30,

Nine months ended

September 30,


2023

2022

2023

2022






OPERATING ACTIVITIES





Net loss for the period

(6,901)

(4,410)

(22,130)

(17,169)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided

by operating activities



Stock-based compensation

(19)

125

63

2,170

Amortization and depreciation

8,207

8,834

24,892

25,710

Impairment charge

2,352

3,051

Accreted interest

199

200

580

612

Fair value adjustment on financial assets and liabilities

2,030

(397)

3,151

(2,567)

Deferred income taxes

(541)

(196)

(803)

233

Net change in non-cash working capital balances related to operations

2,392

(5)

3,950

1,381

Cash provided by operating activities

5,367

4,151

12,055

13,421






INVESTING ACTIVITIES





Additions to property, plant and equipment

(12)

(27)

(36)

Royalty milestone payment

(10,000)

(10,000)

Additions to intangible assets

(40)

(148)

(92)

Cash used in investing activities

(40)

(10,012)

(175)

(10,128)






FINANCING ACTIVITIES





Stock options exercised

12

134

184

Shares repurchased

(603)

(270)

(972)

(648)

Dividends paid

(1,220)

(2,398)

(3,769)

Repayment of credit agreement borrowing

(2,173)

(1,389)

(5,683)

(7,389)

Drawdown under credit agreement

10,000

10,000

Debt costs

(1,360)

(639)

(1,360)

(639)

Lease payments

(155)

(162)

(474)

(501)

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

(4,291)

6,332

(10,753)

(2,762)






Net increase in cash during the period

1,036

471

1,127

531

Foreign currency translation

(160)

(352)

(42)

(431)

Cash, beginning of period

20,932

21,160

20,723

21,179

Cash, end of period

21,808

21,279

21,808

21,279




 

SOURCE HLS Therapeutics Inc.

CisionCision
Cision

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