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| Zealand Pharma receives first FDA approval and prepares for launch of Zegalogue® (dasiglucagon) injection | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By: GlobeNewswire - 12 May 2021 | Back to overview list |
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Company announcement – No. 29/ 2021 Interim report for Q1 2021 Zealand Pharma receives first FDA approval and prepares for launch of Zegalogue® (dasiglucagon) injection Financial results for the first quarter of 2021
Business highlights for the first quarter of 2021 and subsequent events
Emmanuel Dulac, President and Chief Executive Officer at Zealand Pharma, comments: “The recent FDA approval of Zegalogue was a landmark achievement for Zealand. It marks our evolution from a research and development focused organization to a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company. This is a goal that we set ourselves and that we are delivering. This milestone would not have been possible without the scientists who discovered Zegalogue, the clinical and regulatory teams who advanced its development and ensured its full approval from the FDA, and the members of our growing commercial organization who are working to bring this treatment to the patients who need it most. The commercial launch of Zegalogue in late June, along with our noteworthy pipeline momentum, will position us well as we continue to work toward our vision of offering five commercialized products by 2025.” Financial guidance for 2021 There is no change from the financial guidance issued on March 11, 2021. Net product revenue from the sales of commercial products is expected to be DKK 220 million +/- 10%. In 2021, Zealand Pharma expects revenue from existing license agreements. However, since such revenue is uncertain in terms of size and timing, Zealand Pharma does not intend to provide guidance on such revenue. Net operating expenses in 2021 are expected to be DKK 1,250 million +/-10%. Update regarding COVID-19 Zealand Pharma continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and take precautions to keep our employees, patients, business and clinical partners safe. This is an ongoing exercise in monitoring the effects of the pandemic on all of our key stakeholders and responding appropriately. We maintain compliance with guidance from applicable government and health authorities. We have adapted the way we work to support our community’s efforts to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and protect our employees, while continuing to provide patient care and maintain business continuity. Zealand Pharma has taken measures to secure its discovery activities, which remain ongoing, while work in laboratories and offices has been organized to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. The impact of COVID-19 on our research activities has thus far been minimal. Employees who can work from home have been doing so, while those needing to work in laboratory facilities are divided into shifts to reduce the number of people gathered at one time. Business travel has been minimized and online and video conference technology is used to meet virtually rather than in person. We have continued our clinical trials while working with authorities, investigators, trial sites and contract research organizations to minimize site visits and ensure optimal trial follow-up. In late April, Zealand Pharma in Denmark commenced a gradual return to office program, which currently allows up to 60% occupancy, consistent with local health authority guidelines and practice including frequent testing, sanitizing, and other protective measures. COVID-19 restrictions have not affected our phase 3-program for dasiglucagon in congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) and we expect topline data from the second Phase 3 trial in 2021. Commercial activities ahead of the Zegalogue launch are continuing as planned and we currently do not anticipate changes to the timelines for the bi-hormonal artificial pancreas pump Phase 3 program. The pandemic impacted the speed of patient recruitment for our Phase 3 trial with glepaglutide for treatment of short bowel syndrome, and results are expected in 2022. Our research and in particular our development programs may be impacted if the pandemic continues to put increased pressure on hospital systems, slow recruitment of patients into the trials or cause lockdowns that affect our clinical trial sites if key external medical resources are diverted elsewhere. Direct engagement with health care providers and patients has been reduced and transformed by leveraging virtual meetings, training, and support. In addition to preparing for the launch of Zegalogue in late June, our commercial team is also focused on continuing to support the business for the V-Go® wearable insulin delivery device, while ensuring a continued high level of service and support for existing patients. Metabolic diseases Dasiglucagon is Zealand Pharma’s lead drug in development to improve the treatment of metabolic diseases. Dasiglucagon is a stable glucagon analog being developed in four distinct indications: Zegalogue® (dasiglucagon) for severe hypoglycemia Zegalogue (dasiglucagon) injection was approved by the U.S. FDA on March 22, 2021 for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in people with diabetes. Zegalogue will be available in both an auto injector and a prefilled syringe for patients with diabetes age 6 or older. The approval was based on results from three pivotal trials in adults and children with diabetes, showing a media time to blood glucose recovery from severe hypoglycemia of 10 minutes following injection of 0.6 mg/0.6 mL of Zegalogue. In these Phase 3 trial results the most common adverse events reported (?2%) were nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, and injection site pain in adults; and nausea, vomiting, headache and injection site pain in pediatric patients. Zegalogue is expected to launch in the U.S. in late June 2021. Dasiglucagon bi-hormonal artificial pancreas pump for automated diabetes management Zealand Pharma is developing a 1 ml cartridge containing 4 mg/ml dasiglucagon, intended for use in bi-hormonal artificial pancreas pumps. We are collaborating with Beta Bionics, developer of the iLet™, a pocket-sized, dual-chamber, autonomous, glycemic control system. The iLet mimics a biological pancreas by calculating and dosing insulin and/or glucagon (dasiglucagon) as needed, based on data from the diabetic person’s continuous glucose monitor. Top-line results from a Phase 2 trial in patients with Type 1 diabetes demonstrated that the bi-hormonal iLet using dasiglucagon provided superior glycemic control over the insulin-only iLet. During the bi-hormonal period, 90% of participants had a mean CGM glucose level of < 154 mg/dL, whereas only 50% of participants on the insulin-only iLet achieved this. Importantly these glycemic targets were achieved while time spent with blood glucose levels < 54 mg/dL was only 0.3% in the bi-hormonal and 0.6% in the insulin-only arm. We plan to initiate the pivotal Phase 3 trial in the second half of 2021. Approximately 350 adults and 350 children with type 1 diabetes will be randomized into the trials. The primary outcome measure is superiority on HbA1c of the bihormonal iLet configuration using dasiglucagon over the insulin only iLet configuration at week 26. Overall, the program has been designed to demonstrate the clinical outcome of utilizing dasiglucagon in the bihormonal iLet versus an insulin-only iLet, while also comparing these results to intensified usual care. Dasiglucagon for congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) The potential for chronic dasiglucagon infusion delivered via a pump to prevent hypoglycemia in children with CHI is being evaluated in a Phase 3-program. The aim is to reduce or eliminate the need for intensive hospital treatment, reduce the frequency of dangerous low blood glucose and need for constant feeding, and to potentially delay or eliminate the need for pancreatectomy. The FDA and the European Commission both granted orphan drug designation to dasiglucagon for the treatment of CHI. We announced data from the first Phase 3 trial in the program, trial 17109, in December 2020. This trial evaluated children from 3 months to 12 years old with more than three hypoglycemic events per week despite previous near-total pancreatectomy and/or maximum medical therapy. Dasiglucagon on top of standard of care (SOC) did not significantly reduce the rate of hypoglycemia compared to SOC alone when assessed by the primary endpoint, intermittent self-measured plasma glucose. However, hypoglycemia was reduced by 40–50% with dasiglucagon as compared to SOC alone when assessed by blinded continuous glucose monitoring. Dasiglucagon treatment was assessed to be well tolerated in the study and 31 out of 32 patients continued into the long-term extension study. We are conducting additional analyses and engaging with regulatory authorities to discuss the results of 17109 while awaiting the outcome of a second Phase 3 trial in neonates up to 12 months old with CHI. Results from the 17109 trial are expected in 2021. Dasiglucagon adjustable mini-dose We are developing a dasiglucagon mini-dose pen for potential treatment of exercise-induced hypoglycemia in people living with Type 1 Diabetes and for people that suffers from meal-induced hypoglycemia following gastric bypass surgery. Trials conducted in hospital settings have demonstrated the clinical potential for using low doses of dasiglucagon to correct moderate hypoglycemia. Top-line results of a post bariatric hypoglycemia Phase 2a dose-finding clinical proof of concept trial were reported in 2020 and demonstrate that mini doses of dasiglucagon significantly reduced meal-induced hypoglycemia compared to placebo in individuals who had undergone gastric bypass bariatric surgery. Top-line results from a Phase 2a dose-finding trial in people with type 1 diabetes will be presented at the American Diabetes Association congress in June 2021. Our patient Phase 2 trials in both indications are planned for initiation in the second quarter this year. Gastrointestinal diseases Glepaglutide Zealand Pharma is developing treatments for gastrointestinal diseases, with current focus on short bowel syndrome. One of the leading programs in Zealand Pharma’s pipeline is glepaglutide, a long-acting GLP-2 analog being developed in an auto-injector with potential for convenient weekly administration. EASE-SBS 1 is the pivotal Phase 3 trial with a planned enrolment of 129 patients with SBS that seeks to establish the efficacy and safety of once- and twice-weekly administration of glepaglutide. They will be treated for six months whereafter they are offered a further 2-year treatment with glepaglutide in an extension trial, EASE-SBS 2. The primary endpoint is the absolute reduction in parenteral support achieved by the end of the trial, with results expected in 2022. The U.S. FDA granted orphan drug designation to glepaglutide for the treatment of Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS). Dapiglutide (ZP7570) Dapiglutide (pINN) is a potential first-in-class and long-acting GLP-1R/GLP-2R dual agonist designed to improve management of SBS beyond what is achievable with mono GLP-2 treatments. Dapiglutide may represent a next level of innovation for helping SBS patients to further realize their full potential for intestinal rehabilitation. The Phase 1a single-ascending dose, safety and tolerability trial in healthy volunteers was completed in Q3 2020 and dapiglutide was found to have a good safety and tolerability profile. Results showed a plasma half-life allowing for once weekly dosing. Based on these results we initiated and dosed the first subjects in the Phase 1b (multiple ascending dose) safety and tolerability trial. This ongoing trial is evaluating once-weekly doses of dapiglutide and results of this trial expected later this year. Pre-Clinical programs Zealand Pharma is pursuing multiple pre-clinical programs in inflammatory gastrointestinal and metabolic therapeutic areas. Later this year we expect to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial with our long-acting Amylin analog ZP8396 that is being developed as a potential once-weekly treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Partner programs BI 456906: Long-acting GLP-1/GLU dual agonist for obesity and/or diabetes (with Boehringer Ingelheim) The GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist activates two key gut hormone receptors simultaneously and may offer better blood sugar and weight-loss control than current single-hormone receptor agonist treatments. The lead molecule BI 456906 is targeting treatment of diabetes, obesity and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In April 2020 we initiated a Phase 2 randomized, parallel group, dose-finding study of subcutaneously administered BI 456906, compared with placebo and open-label semaglutide in 410 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The main objective of the trial is to demonstrate a dose-relationship of BI 456906 on HbA1c from baseline to 16 weeks relative to placebo. Secondary objectives are to assess the effect of BI 456906 on change in body weight. An open-label comparator (semaglutide) will allow for comparison of the effects against a pure GLP-1R agonist. Last month, with our partner Boehringer Ingelheim, we initiated two new Phase 2 trials of BI 456906 for adults who are overweight or obese and for adults with NASH. The first Phase 2 randomized double-blind placebo-controlled dose-finding trial will evaluate BI 456906 in people with obesity or who are overweight with a BMI 27 kg/m2 or higher without diabetes. Participants will receive a subcutaneous injection of either BI 456906 or placebo once a week for the duration of the trial. The primary endpoint of this trial is the percentage change in body weight at week 46 compared to placebo. The other Phase 2 randomized double-blind placebo-controlled dose-finding trial will evaluate BI 456906 in people with NASH and liver fibrosis (F2/F3) with and without diabetes. The primary endpoint of this trial is the histological improvement of steatohepatitis without worsening of fibrosis after 48 weeks of treatment. Participants will receive a weekly subcutaneous injection of either different doses of BI 456906 or placebo for the duration of the trial. Boehringer Ingelheim is funding all research, development and commercialization activities related to the treatment. Zealand Pharma is eligible to receive up to EUR 345 million in outstanding milestone payments, and high-single to low-double digit royalties on global sales. Complement inhibitors (with Alexion Pharmaceuticals) Zealand Pharma and Alexion Pharmaceuticals announced in March 2019 that they will collaborate on the discovery and development of novel peptide therapies for complement-mediated diseases. Under the terms of the agreement, Alexion and Zealand Pharma entered an exclusive collaboration for the discovery and development of subcutaneously delivered peptide therapies directed to up to four complement pathway targets. The lead program is a long-acting inhibitor of Complement C3 which has the potential to treat a broad range of complement mediated diseases. Zealand Pharma will lead the joint discovery and research efforts through the preclinical stage, and Alexion will lead development efforts beginning with IND filing and Phase 1 trials. We are looking to initiate a Phase 1 trial of the C3 inhibitor in 2022. For the lead target, Zealand Pharma is eligible to receive up to USD 610 million in development and sales milestone payments, plus royalties on global sales in the high single to low double digits. In addition, Alexion has the option to select up to three additional targets with Zealand Pharma eligible for USD 15 million upfront per target plus development/regulatory milestones for each target selected similar to the lead target with slightly reduced commercial milestones and royalties. Conference call today at 4 pm CEST / 10 am EDT Zealand Pharma’s management will host a conference call today at 4 pm CEST to present results through the first three months of 2021. Participating in the call will be Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Dulac, Chief Financial Officer Matt Dallas, and Chief Medical and Development Officer Adam Steensberg. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session with the presenters. The conference call will be conducted in English, and the dial-in numbers are:
Upcoming events Zealand Pharma plans to publish results for the second quarter of 2021 on August 12, 2021. Total number of shares and voting rights in Zealand Pharma as of March 31, 2021 Number of shares (nominal value of DKK 1 each): 43,428,192 which as increase of 3,650,842 from 39,799,706 as reported at the end of 2020. Therefore, the current Share capital is (nominal value in DKK): 43,428,192 Number of voting rights: 43,428,192 About Zealand Pharma A/S Zealand Pharma A/S (Nasdaq: ZEAL) ("Zealand") is a biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of peptide-based medicines. More than 10 drug candidates invented by Zealand have advanced into clinical development, of which two have reached the market. Zealand’s robust pipeline of investigational medicines includes three candidates in late-stage development. Zealand markets V-Go®, a basal-bolus insulin delivery option for people with diabetes, and has received FDA approval for Zegalogue, (dasiglucagon), the first and only glucagon analogue for the treatment severe hypoglycemia in pediatric and adult patients with diabetes aged 6 and above. License collaborations with Boehringer Ingelheim and Alexion Pharmaceuticals create opportunity for more patients to potentially benefit from Zealand-invented peptide investigational agents currently in development. Zealand was founded in 1998 in Copenhagen, Denmark, and has presence throughout the U.S. that includes key locations in New York, Boston, and Marlborough (MA). For more information about Zealand’s business and activities, please visit http://www.zealandpharma.com. Zegalogue® and V-Go® are registered trademarks of Zealand Pharma A/S. Safe Harbor / Forward-Looking Statement This press release contains “forward-looking statements”, as that terms is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, that provide Zealand Pharma’s expectations or forecasts of future events regarding the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “will,” “would” and other words and terms of similar meaning. You should not place undue reliance on these statements, or the scientific data presented. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and inaccurate assumptions, which may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations set forth herein and may cause any or all of such forward-looking statements to be incorrect, and which include, but are not limited to, the occurrence of adverse safety events; risks of unexpected costs or delays; unexpected concerns that may arise from additional data, analysis or results obtained during clinical trials; failure to protect and enforce our data, intellectual property and other proprietary rights and uncertainties relating to intellectual property claims and challenges; regulatory authorities may require additional information or further studies, or may fail to approve or may delay approval of our drug candidates or expansion of product labeling; failure to obtain regulatory approvals in other jurisdictions; product liability claims; and the direct and indirect impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations and financial condition. If any or all of such forward-looking statements prove to be incorrect, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied by such statements. The foregoing sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from our expectations in any forward-looking statement. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are based on information available to Zealand Pharma as of the date of this release. We do not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof. Information concerning pharmaceuticals (including compounds under development) contained within this material is not intended as advertising or medical advice. NOTE: DKK/USD Exchange rates used: March 31, 2021 = 6.3430 and March 31, 2020 = 6.8158. For further information, please contact: Claudia Styslinger For U.S. Media David Rosen Email: media@zealandpharma.com Key figures * DKK thousand
Notes: * The acquisition of the business from Valeritas is only reflected in key figures covering the period since April 2, 2020 being the acquisition date. (1) Zealand expects to be eligible to receive up to DKK 5.5 million in Danish corporate tax benefit related to R&D expenses incurred for 2021, of which DKK 1.4 million has been recognized for the period ended March 31, 2021. (2) Equity ratio is calculated as equity at the balance sheet date divided by total assets at the balance sheet date. (3) Free cash flow is calculated as the sum of cash flows from operating activities and purchase of property, plant and equipment. (4) Market capitalization is calculated as outstanding shares at the balance sheet date times the share price at the balance sheet date. (5) Equity per share is calculated as shareholders' equity divided by total number of shares less treasury shares.
Comparative figures for the corresponding period in 2020 are shown in brackets except for the financial position, which expresses the comparative figures as of December 31, 2020. The condensed interim financial statements are prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and as adopted by the EU, and additional requirements of the Danish Financial Statements Act. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in DKK, which is also the functional currency of the Company. Financial results Revenue
Revenue for the three months was due to sales of V-Go in 2021 that were not part of the comparative period in 2020, offset by lower license and milestone revenue recognition related to our collaboration with Alexion. Gross margin
The increase in gross margin is due to sales of V-Go in 2021 that were not part of the comparative period in 2020. Research and development expenses
The decrease in research and development expenses mainly relates to capitalization of pre-launch Zegalogue inventory and Zegalogue clinical studies and regulatory efforts in 2020 that were completed by Q1 2021 and resulted in our FDA approval. Sales and marketing expenses
The increase in sales and marketing expenses is relating to our V-Go and Zegalogue sales force. This was not part of the comparative period in 2020. Administrative expenses
The primary increase in administrative expenses is a result of the increase in activities as a result of the Valeritas acquisition in April of 2020. Operating result
The operating result reflects gross margin, research and development expenses, sales and marketing and administrative expenses, as discussed above. Financial income and financial expenses
Financial income and financial expenses, which we refer to collectively as net financial items, consist of interest income and expense, dividend, banking fees and impact from adjustments from changes in currencies. The positive development is primarily driven by an increase in the USD exchange rate compared to December 31, 2020. Result before tax
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