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Subject: ERN

Biohaven Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results and Recent Business Developments


NEW HAVEN, Conn., Feb. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Biohaven Ltd. (NYSE: BHVN) (Biohaven or the Company), a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of life-changing therapies to treat a broad range of rare and common diseases, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023, and provided a review of recent accomplishments and anticipated upcoming developments.

Vlad Coric, M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Biohaven, commented, "We embarked on a bold execution plan after completing our spin-off, re-emerging as a separate entity focused on immunology, neuroscience, and oncology. In just over a year's time, we made tremendous strides in progressing our programs, providing impressive and supportive pre-clinical and clinical outcomes for our key stakeholders, including patients, who may gain access to differentiated drugs for difficult to treat medical conditions.

Today we are focused on delivering outcomes across five platforms spanning inflammation and immunology, ion channel modulation, myostatin inhibition, glutamate modulation, and oncology. In the year ahead, we expect to deliver potentially groundbreaking data across three distinct programs. In the near-term, we expect to report first-in-human Phase 1 IgG lowering data with our pan-IgG degrader, BHV-1300, with broad potential application. Given the profoundly deep and rapid reduction in IgG levels observed in non-human primate studies, unique ability to co-administer with Fc-containing biologics, ease of self-administration, and favorable toxicology profile observed to date, we are eagerly awaiting the proof-of-concept human data. We also plan to report OCD Phase 3 topline data in the second quarter of 2024 from an interim analysis with our glutamate modulating agent, troriluzole.  There has been little to no innovation in advancing treatments for this disorder in decades and a win in this Phase 3 trial would be a substantial clinical success for the three million patients across the OCD community, many of whom are plagued by debilitating intrusive thoughts and compulsions. And finally, we're expecting Phase 3 topline data in the second half of the year with our anti-myostatin compound, taldefgrobep alfa, for patients with SMA.

Dr. Coric continued, "Beyond data expectations, we are excited with the progress made across the balance of our portfolio, starting with our Kv7 ion channel activation program, where we have operationalized over 110 clinical trial sites in our focal epilepsy trials and are advancing development programs in generalized epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. Excitement is also mounting for the potential of taldefgrobep alfa in weight loss, a compound that we believe will maintain and grow muscle mass as a means of helping to address the global obesity crisis. We also expect to deliver additional trial initiations across our broad IgG degrader program targeting both large indications and rare autoimmune/inflammatory diseases, TYK2/JAK1 inhibition in neuroinflammatory disorders, TRPM3 antagonism initially in migraine and neuropathic pain, and with our antibody drug conjugates program in an array of oncology indications. We are passionate about helping patients in need, and excited about our portfolio, the skilled drug development team we have in place, and the vast opportunity in the year ahead."

Full Year and Recent Business Highlights

Ion Channel Platform - Milestones and Next Steps:

Kv7 Ion Channel Activation: Epilepsy & Neuropsychiatric Indications
BHV-7000, the lead asset from the Kv7 platform, is a selective activator of Kv7.2/Kv7.3, a key ion channel involved in regulation of neuronal signaling and hyperexcitability.

TRPM3 Ion Channel Antagonism: Migraine & Neuropathic Pain
BHV-2100 is an oral, selective TRPM3 antagonist offering a novel, non-addictive treatment for migraine and neuropathic pain.

Inflammation and Immunology Platform - Milestones and Next Steps:

Targeted Extracellular Protein Degradation: 
Molecular Degraders of Extracellular Proteins (MoDEstm) uniquely harness the hepatic ASGPR receptor for efficient and safe removal of circulating pathogenic targets; BHV-1300, is an IgG degrader.

TYK2/JAK1 Inhibition:
BHV-8000 is an oral, brain-penetrant, selective TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor with broad potential for neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders.

Myostatin Platform - Milestones and Next Steps:
Taldefgrobep alfa is a novel myostatin inhibitor optimized to target myostatin and associated signaling pathways of muscle growth. Taldefgrobep alpha also has promise as a potential treatment for obesity and, in preclinical models as well as preliminary healthy human studies, has demonstrated meaningful reductions in fat mass, the primary pathogenic tissue in obesity, while increasing lean mass.  Biohaven is also studying taldefgrobep in a global Phase 3 study in Spinal Muscular Atrophy to enhance muscle mass and function in patients treated with standard-of-care gene therapy treatments.  

Glutamate Modulation Platform - Milestones and Next Steps:
Troriluzole is a novel glutamate modulator currently being evaluated in Phase 3 trials for obsessive-compulsive disorder as an adjunctive therapy in patients with an inadequate response to existing standard-of-care treatment. 

Next-Generation ADC Platform - Milestones and Next Steps:
Biohaven's antibody drug conjugate (ADC) technology is focused on novel conjugation chemistry with the potential to be superior to the current industry standard maleimide and lipophilic click chemistry. BHV-1510 is a TROP2 directed ADC, with a highly differentiated efficacy and safety profile providing an opportunity to broaden therapeutic margin, increase time on treatment, and improve efficacy; BHV-1500 demonstrated superior efficacy to Adcetris® (brentuximab vedotin) and improved survival in a mouse xenograft model.

Corporate Updates:

Expected Upcoming Milestones:

We believe Biohaven is well positioned to achieve significant, value-creating milestones in 2024 across numerous programs:

Selective Kv7 Activator: 

Troriluzole:

Taldefgrobep alfa:

First-in-class TRPM3 Antagonist: 

TYK2/JAK1 Inhibitor:

Extracellular protein degradation platform

Next Generation ADC Platform:

Capital Position:

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of December 31, 2023 was $385.5 million, which includes $3.7 million of restricted cash.

Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights:

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses, including non-cash share-based compensation costs, were $134.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $137.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022. The decrease of $2.2 million was primarily due to decreased non-cash share-based compensation expense during the three months ended December 31, 2023, and $5.2 million of one-time employee costs related to the Pfizer acquisition of Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd. (the Former Parent) in the fourth quarter of 2022. This was partially offset by increased costs related to advancing additional clinical development program activities, including late Phase 2/3 studies and preclinical research programs, and recognition of one-time expenses of a $10.0 million cash payment and a $21.8 million non-cash issuance of common shares to acquire rights related to our agreement with Highlightll in the three months ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in the prior year. Non-cash share-based compensation expense was $9.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $60.3 million as compared to the same period in 2022. The decrease was primarily due to $61.7 million of expense allocated from the Former Parent recognized in connection with the settlement of outstanding Former Parent stock options and restricted stock units (RSUs) upon the effectiveness of the Former Parent's distribution to holders of all outstanding common shares of Biohaven and the spin-off of Biohaven from the Former Parent (the Separation) in the fourth quarter of 2022.

General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $18.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $76.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022. The decrease of $57.5 million was primarily due to decreased non-cash share-based compensation expense during the three months ended December 31, 2023, and $8.2 million of transaction-related expenses and $8.9 million of one-time employee costs related to the Pfizer acquisition of the Former Parent in the fourth quarter of 2022. Non-cash share-based compensation expense was $6.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $39.5 million as compared to the same period in 2022. The decrease was primarily due to $39.7 million of expense allocated from the Former Parent recognized in connection with the settlement of outstanding Former Parent stock options and RSUs upon the effectiveness of the Separation in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Other Income (Expense), Net: Other income (expense), net was a net income of $7.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to a net expense of $1.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022. The increase of $9.6 million was primarily due to a $10.0 million impairment loss recognized during the fourth quarter of 2022 on our Artizan Series A-2 Preferred Stock Investment.

Net Loss: Biohaven reported a net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2023, of $144.8 million, or $1.81 per share, compared to $201.1 million, or $3.32 per share, for the same period in 2022. Non-GAAP adjusted net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was $128.9 million, or $1.61 per share, compared to $77.3 million, or $1.27 per share for the same period in 2022. These non-GAAP adjusted net loss and non-GAAP adjusted net loss per share measures, more fully described below under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures," exclude non-cash share-based compensation charges and transaction-related costs incurred relating to the Company's spin-off from Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd. A reconciliation of the GAAP financial results to non-GAAP financial results is included in the tables below.

Full Year 2023 Financial Highlights

Note: As described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, full year results for the year ended December 31, 2022 include direct and allocated expenses on a carve-out basis of accounting for the period prior to October 3, 2022, when the Company became a standalone public company.

R&D Expenses: R&D expenses, including non-cash share-based compensation, were $373.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $437.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease of $63.8 million was primarily due to a decrease of $91.5 million in personnel related costs primarily due to decreased non-cash share-based compensation expense, and reduced program spend for discontinued programs in 2023 compared to 2022. R&D expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022 also included a one-time $93.7 million expense for our Kv7 Platform acquisition, and a $25.0 million milestone relating to BHV-7000.  The decrease was partially offset by increases in direct program spend for additional and advancing clinical trials, including late Phase 2/3 studies and preclinical research programs, and recognition of one-time expenses of a $10.0 million cash payment and a $21.8 million non-cash issuance of common shares to acquire rights related to our agreement with Highlightll, as compared to the same period in the prior year. Non-cash share-based compensation expense was $16.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $100.4 million as compared to the same period in 2022. Non-cash share-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2022 included $108.7 million of expense allocated from the Former Parent, including $61.7 million of expense recognized in connection with the settlement of outstanding Former Parent stock options and RSUs upon the effectiveness of the Separation in the fourth quarter of 2022.

G&A Expenses: G&A expenses, including non-cash share-based compensation costs, were $62.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $130.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease of $68.1 million was primarily due to decreased non-cash share-based compensation costs. Non-cash share-based compensation expense was $12.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $64.4 million as compared to the same period in 2022. Non-cash share-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2022 included $70.6 million of expense allocated from the Former Parent, including $39.7 million of expense recognized in connection with the settlement of each outstanding Former Parent stock option and RSU upon the effectiveness of the Separation in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Other Income (Expense), Net: Other income (expense), net was a net income of $26.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to a net expense of $1.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022. The increase of $28.4 million was primarily due to increased net investment income of $14.5 million and increased service revenue from the Transition Service Agreement we entered into with the Former Parent of $5.2 million in 2023, as compared to the same period in the prior year, as well as a $10.0 million impairment loss recognized during the fourth quarter of 2022 on our Artizan Series A-2 Preferred Stock Investment.

Net Loss: The Company reported a net loss attributable to common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2023 of $408.2 million, or $5.73 per share, compared to $570.3 million, or $12.75 per share for the same period in 2022. Non-GAAP adjusted net loss for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $379.4 million, or $5.33 per share, compared to $362.7 million, or $8.11 per share for the same period in 2022. These non-GAAP adjusted net loss and non-GAAP adjusted net loss per share measures, more fully described below under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures," exclude non-cash share-based compensation charges and transaction-related costs incurred relating to the Company's spin-off from Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd. A reconciliation of the GAAP financial results to non-GAAP financial results is included in the tables below.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release includes financial results prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), and also certain non-GAAP financial measures. In particular, Biohaven has provided non-GAAP adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per share, which are adjusted to exclude non-cash share-based compensation, which is substantially dependent on changes in the market price of common shares, and transaction-related costs incurred relating to the Company's spin-off from Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd., which are limited to a specific period of time and related to Biohaven Ltd. being established as a standalone public company. Non-GAAP financial measures are not an alternative for financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. However, Biohaven believes the presentation of non-GAAP adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per share, when viewed in conjunction with GAAP results, provides investors with a more meaningful understanding of ongoing operating performance and can assist investors in comparing Biohaven's performance between periods.

In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are among those indicators Biohaven uses as a basis for evaluating performance, and planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation between these non-GAAP measures and the most directly comparable GAAP measures is provided later in this news release.

About Biohaven 
Biohaven is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of life-changing treatments in key therapeutic areas, including immunology, neuroscience, and oncology. The company is advancing its innovative portfolio of therapeutics, leveraging its proven drug development experience and multiple proprietary drug development platforms. Biohaven's extensive clinical and preclinical programs include Kv7 ion channel modulation for epilepsy and mood disorders; extracellular protein degradation for immunological diseases; TRPM3 antagonism for migraine and neuropathic pain; TYK2/JAK1 inhibition for neuroinflammatory disorders; glutamate modulation for OCD and SCA; myostatin inhibition for neuromuscular and metabolic diseases, including SMA and obesity; and antibody recruiting, bispecific molecules and antibody drug conjugates for cancer.

Forward-looking Statements
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The use of certain words, including "continue", "plan", "will", "believe", "may", "expect", "anticipate" and similar expressions, is intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the future development, timing and potential marketing approval and commercialization of development candidates, are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual results, developments and events may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including: the expected timing, commencement and outcomes of Biohaven's planned and ongoing clinical trials; the timing of planned interactions and filings with the FDA; the timing and outcome of expected regulatory filings; complying with applicable U.S. regulatory requirements; the potential commercialization of Biohaven's product candidates; the potential for Biohaven's product candidates to be first in class therapies; and the effectiveness and safety of Biohaven's product candidates. Additional important factors to be considered in connection with forward-looking statements are described in Biohaven's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including within the sections titled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and Biohaven does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

 

BIOHAVEN LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)




Three Months Ended December

31,


Twelve Months Ended

December 31,



2023


2022


2023


2022

Operating expenses:









Research and development


$        134,813


$        137,044


$        373,281


$        437,072

General and administrative


18,898


76,368


62,770


130,860

Total operating expenses


153,711


213,412


436,051


567,932

Loss from operations


(153,711)


(213,412)


(436,051)


(567,932)

Other income (expense), net


7,743


(1,838)


26,500


(1,909)

Loss before (benefit) provision for income taxes


(145,968)


(215,250)


(409,551)


(569,841)

(Benefit) provision for income taxes


(1,212)


(14,143)


(1,383)


438

Net loss


$      (144,756)


$      (201,107)


$      (408,168)


$      (570,279)

Net loss per share ? basic and diluted


$             (1.81)


$             (3.32)


$             (5.73)


$           (12.75)

Weighted average common shares

outstanding? basic and diluted


79,929,910


60,661,359


71,200,527


44,741,316

 

 

BIOHAVEN LTD.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)




December 31, 2023


December 31, 2022



(Unaudited)



Assets





Current assets:





Cash and cash equivalents


$                248,402


$                204,877

Marketable securities


133,417


260,464

Prepaid expenses


35,242


20,945

Income tax receivable


13,252


46,139

Restricted cash held on behalf of Former Parent


?


35,212

Other current assets


12,133


19,331

Total current assets


442,446


586,968

Property and equipment, net


17,191


17,512

Intangible assets


18,400


18,400

Goodwill


1,390


1,390

Other non-current assets


33,785


37,513

Total assets


$                513,212


$                661,783

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity





Current liabilities:





Accounts payable


$                  15,577


$                  10,703

Due to Former Parent


?


35,212

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities


39,846


44,106

Total current liabilities


55,423


90,021

Long-term operating lease liability


27,569


30,581

Other non-current liabilities


2,245


2,410

Total liabilities


85,237


123,012

Shareholders' Equity:





Preferred shares, no par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued

and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2022


?


?

Common shares, no par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized as of December

31, 2023 and 2022; 81,115,723 and 68,190,479 shares issued and outstanding

as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively


887,528


615,742

Additional paid-in capital


39,804


13,869

Accumulated deficit


(499,292)


(91,124)

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income


(65)


284

Total shareholders' equity


427,975


538,771

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity


$                513,212


$                661,783

 

 

BIOHAVEN LTD.

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)




Three Months Ended December

31,


Year Ended December 31,



2023


2022


2023


2022

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP adjusted net loss:









GAAP net loss


$   (144,756)


$   (201,107)


$   (408,168)


$   (570,279)

Add: non-cash share-based compensation expense


15,871


115,629


28,787


193,556

Add: Transaction-related costs


?


8,188


?


14,051

Non-GAAP adjusted net loss


$   (128,885)


$      (77,290)


$   (379,381)


$   (362,672)










Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP adjusted net loss per share ? basic and diluted:





GAAP net loss per share  ? basic and diluted


$          (1.81)


$          (3.32)


$          (5.73)


$        (12.75)

Add: non-cash share-based compensation expense


0.20


1.91


0.40


4.33

Add: Transaction-related costs


?


0.14


?


0.31

Non-GAAP adjusted net loss per share ? basic and diluted


$          (1.61)


$          (1.27)


$          (5.33)


$          (8.11)

 

 

MoDEs is a trademark of Biohaven Therapeutics Ltd.

Investor Contact:

Jennifer Porcelli
Vice President, Investor Relations
[email protected] 
+1 (201) 248-0741

Media Contact:

Mike Beyer
Sam Brown Inc.
[email protected] 
+1 (312) 961-2502

SOURCE Biohaven Ltd.


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