Novocure Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Financial Results and Provides Company Update

Full year 2022 net revenues of $538 million and fourth quarter net revenues of $128 million

Pivotal LUNAR study in non-small cell lung cancer met primary overall survival endpoint and a key secondary overall survival endpoint

Novocure completes enrollment of pivotal PANOVA-3 study in pancreatic cancer

ROOT, Switzerland--()--Novocure (NASDAQ: NVCR) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2022. Novocure is a global oncology company working to extend survival in some of the most aggressive forms of cancer by developing and commercializing its innovative therapy, Tumor Treating Fields (“TTFields”).

“2022 was a year of solid execution for Novocure,” said William Doyle, Novocure’s Executive Chairman. “In 2022, we generated over half a billion dollars in net revenues, expanded our international footprint, introduced our next generation arrays and announced results from multiple, successful pilot studies; and we have excellent momentum to start 2023. We announced that our pivotal LUNAR study met its primary overall survival endpoint and we have now completed enrollment in our pivotal PANOVA-3 study in pancreatic cancer and are just two patients away from completing enrollment in our pivotal METIS study in brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer. Our teams are executing well and their achievements are building the foundations for the future of Novocure. We are looking forward to an eventful 2023.”

“In my time at Novocure, I have never felt more engaged or excited,” said Asaf Danziger, Novocure’s Chief Executive Officer. “The positive top-line readout from the pivotal LUNAR study marked the beginning of a transformational 24 months for Novocure. LUNAR is the first of four pivotal studies we expect to read out in the next two years which could dramatically increase the number of patients eligible for Tumor Treating Fields.”

Financial updates for the full year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2022:

  • Total net revenues for the year were $537.8 million, an increase of 1% year-over-year.
  • We recorded $32 million in revenue from the successful appeal of previously denied claims for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries billed prior to established coverage. We believe collections from previously denied claims were largely exhausted in 2022 and the remaining outstanding claims will take time to collect. As such, we expect future net revenue to more closely reflect core drivers of net revenue: number of active patients on therapy, duration of therapy, and net released price per month.
  • Total net revenues for the quarter were $128.4 million, a decrease of 4% year-over-year.
    • The United States, EMEA and Japan contributed $98.6 million, $17.0 million, and $7.9 million in quarterly net revenues, respectively.
    • Net revenues were impacted by the volume of cash collections from aged claims in the U.S., the ongoing impact of German coverage updates and foreign exchange fluctuations.
    • Revenue in Greater China from Novocure’s partnership with Zai Lab totaled $4.9 million.
  • Gross margin for the quarter was 78%.
  • Research, development and clinical studies expenses for the quarter were $54.8 million, a decrease of 4% from the same period in 2021.
  • Sales and marketing expenses for the quarter were $49.6 million, an increase of 27% from the same period in 2021.
  • General and administrative expenses for the quarter were $38.1 million, an increase of 23% from the same period in 2021.
  • Net loss for the quarter was $37.3 million with loss per share of $0.36.
  • Adjusted EBITDA* for the quarter was $(10.5) million.
  • Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $969.4 million as of December 31, 2022.

Operational updates for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2022:

  • As of December 31, 2022, there were 3,430 active patients on therapy, a decrease of 4% year-over-year. Active patients from North America, EMEA and Japan contributed 2,191, 870 and 369 active patients, respectively.
  • 1,373 prescriptions were received in the quarter, a decrease of 4% year-over-year. Prescriptions from North America, EMEA and Japan contributed 956, 312 and 105 prescriptions, respectively.

Quarterly updates and achievements:

  • In February 2023, we announced that the final patient has been enrolled in the pivotal PANOVA-3 study in locally advanced pancreatic cancer.
  • In January 2023, we announced the top-line results for our pivotal LUNAR study in NSCLC. The LUNAR study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival over standard therapies (either immune checkpoint inhibitors or docetaxel) alone. The LUNAR study also showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival when patients were treated with TTFields and immune checkpoint inhibitors (“ICI”), as compared to those treated with ICI alone, and a positive trend in overall survival when patients were treated with TTFields and docetaxel versus docetaxel alone.
  • Today, we are announcing the election of Dr. Allyson J. Ocean to the Board of Directors. Dr. Ocean serves as a medical oncologist and Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine.
  • Following receipt of CE Mark for its new array in November 2022, Novocure successfully began treating patients through the company’s European limited market release. The new thinner and lighter arrays are designed for more efficient TTFields delivery and greater comfort for patients with glioblastoma.

Anticipated clinical milestones:

  • Data from the pivotal LUNAR study in non-small cell lung cancer (1H 2023)
  • Data from the pivotal INNOVATE-3 study in recurrent ovarian cancer (2H 2023)
  • Top-line data from the pivotal METIS study in brain metastases (Q1 2024)
  • Data from the pivotal PANOVA-3 study in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (2024)

Conference call details

Novocure will host a conference call and webcast to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2022 financial results at 8:00 a.m. EST today, Thursday, February 23, 2023. Analysts and investors can participate in the conference call by using the following registration link, and dial-in details will be provided..

The webcast, earnings slides presented during the webcast and the corporate presentation can be accessed live from the Investor Relations page of Novocure’s website, www.novocure.com/investor-relations, and will be available for at least 14 days following the call. Novocure has used, and intends to continue to use, its investor relations website, as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.

About Novocure

Novocure is a global oncology company working to extend survival in some of the most aggressive forms of cancer through the development and commercialization of its innovative therapy, Tumor Treating Fields. Novocure’s commercialized products are approved in certain countries for the treatment of adult patients with glioblastoma, malignant pleural mesothelioma and pleural mesothelioma. Novocure has ongoing or completed clinical studies investigating Tumor Treating Fields in brain metastases, gastric cancer, glioblastoma, liver cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and ovarian cancer.

Headquartered in Root, Switzerland and with a growing global footprint, Novocure has regional operating centers in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Tokyo, as well as a research center in Haifa, Israel. For additional information about the company, please visit Novocure.com and follow @Novocure on LinkedIn and Twitter.

*Non-GAAP Financial Measurements

We measure our performance based upon a non-U.S. GAAP measurement of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and shared-based compensation ("Adjusted EBITDA"). We believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance because it helps investors compare the results of our operations from period to period by removing the impact of earnings attributable to our capital structure, tax rate and material non-cash items, specifically share-based compensation.

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical facts or statements of current condition, this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide Novocure’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. These may include statements regarding anticipated scientific progress on its research programs, clinical study progress, development of potential products, interpretation of clinical results, prospects for regulatory approval, manufacturing development and capabilities, market prospects for its products, coverage, collections from third-party payers and other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts. You may identify some of these forward-looking statements by the use of words in the statements such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” or other words and terms of similar meaning. Novocure’s performance and financial results could differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements due to general financial, economic, environmental, regulatory and political conditions as well as issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and other more specific risks and uncertainties facing Novocure such as those set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 23, 2023, and subsequent flings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these risks and uncertainties, any or all of these forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Therefore, you should not rely on any such factors or forward-looking statements. Furthermore, Novocure does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. Any forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date hereof. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits this discussion.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

USD in thousands (except share and per share data)

 

 

Three Months Ended
December 31,

 

Twelve months ended
December 31,

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

Net revenues

$

128,429

 

 

$

133,213

 

 

$

537,840

 

 

$

535,031

 

Cost of revenues

 

28,888

 

 

 

29,687

 

 

 

114,867

 

 

 

114,877

 

Gross profit

 

99,541

 

 

 

103,526

 

 

 

422,973

 

 

 

420,154

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research, development and clinical studies

 

54,820

 

 

 

56,931

 

 

 

206,085

 

 

 

201,303

 

Sales and marketing

 

49,629

 

 

 

38,982

 

 

 

173,658

 

 

 

137,057

 

General and administrative

 

38,070

 

 

 

31,011

 

 

 

132,753

 

 

 

126,127

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

142,519

 

 

 

126,924

 

 

 

512,496

 

 

 

464,487

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(42,978

)

 

 

(23,398

)

 

 

(89,523

)

 

 

(44,333

)

Financial (expenses) income, net

 

10,420

 

 

 

(2,175

)

 

 

7,677

 

 

 

(7,742

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income tax

 

(32,558

)

 

 

(25,573

)

 

 

(81,846

)

 

 

(52,075

)

Income tax

 

4,745

 

 

 

885

 

 

 

10,688

 

 

 

6,276

 

Net income (loss)

$

(37,303

)

 

$

(26,458

)

 

$

(92,534

)

 

$

(58,351

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net income (loss) per ordinary share

$

(0.36

)

 

$

(0.25

)

 

$

(0.88

)

 

$

(0.56

)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing basic net income (loss) per share

 

105,026,945

 

 

 

103,884,288

 

 

 

104,660,476

 

 

 

103,433,274

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net income (loss) per ordinary share

$

(0.36

)

 

$

(0.25

)

 

$

(0.88

)

 

$

(0.56

)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing diluted net income (loss) per share

 

105,026,945

 

 

 

103,884,288

 

 

 

104,660,476

 

 

 

103,433,274

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

USD in thousands (except share data)

 

 

December 31,

 

2022

 

2021

Assets

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

115,326

 

$

208,802

Short-term investments

 

854,099

 

 

728,898

Restricted cash

 

508

 

 

807

Trade receivables, net

 

86,261

 

 

93,567

Receivables and prepaid expenses

 

25,959

 

 

17,025

Inventories

 

29,376

 

 

24,427

Total current assets

 

1,111,529

 

 

1,073,526

Long-term assets:

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

32,678

 

 

22,693

Field equipment, net

 

12,684

 

 

12,923

Right-of-use assets, net

 

23,596

 

 

18,267

Other long-term assets

 

11,161

 

 

12,086

Total long-term assets

 

80,119

 

 

65,969

Total assets

$

1,191,648

 

$

1,139,495

Consolidated Balance Sheets

USD in thousands (except share data)

 

 

December 31,

 

2022

 

2021

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

Trade payables

$

85,197

 

 

$

72,600

 

Other payables, lease liabilities and accrued expenses

 

73,580

 

 

 

70,002

 

Total current liabilities

 

158,777

 

 

 

142,602

 

Long-term liabilities:

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net

 

565,509

 

 

 

562,216

 

Deferred revenues

 

2,878

 

 

 

6,477

 

Employee benefit liabilities

 

4,404

 

 

 

4,543

 

Long term leases

 

18,762

 

 

 

12,997

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

148

 

 

 

166

 

Total long-term liabilities

 

591,701

 

 

 

586,399

 

Total liabilities

 

750,478

 

 

 

729,001

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

Share capital -

 

 

 

Ordinary shares - No par value, Unlimited shares authorized; Issued and outstanding: 105,049,411 shares and 103,971,263 shares at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 respectively;

 

 

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

1,222,063

 

 

 

1,099,589

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(2,433

)

 

 

(3,169

)

Accumulated deficit

 

(778,460

)

 

 

(685,926

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

441,170

 

 

 

410,494

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

1,191,648

 

 

$

1,139,495

 

Non-U.S. GAAP financial measures reconciliation

USD in thousands

 

 

Three months ended December 31,

 

Twelve months ended December 31,

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

 

% Change

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

 

% Change

Net income (loss)

$

(37,303

)

 

$

(26,458

)

 

41

%

 

$

(92,534

)

 

$

(58,351

)

 

59

%

Add: Income tax

 

4,745

 

 

 

885

 

 

436

%

 

$

10,688

 

 

$

6,276

 

 

70

%

Add: Financial expenses (income), net

 

(10,420

)

 

 

2,175

 

 

(579

) %

 

$

(7,677

)

 

$

7,742

 

 

(199

) %

Add: Depreciation and amortization

 

2,700

 

 

 

2,667

 

 

1

%

 

$

10,624

 

 

$

10,251

 

 

4

%

EBITDA

$

(40,278

)

 

$

(20,731

)

 

94

%

 

$

(78,899

)

 

$

(34,082

)

 

131

%

Add: Share-based compensation

 

29,782

 

 

 

22,398

 

 

33

%

 

$

106,955

 

 

$

94,900

 

 

13

%

Adjusted EBITDA

$

(10,496

)

 

$

1,667

 

 

(730

) %

 

$

28,056

 

 

$

60,818

 

 

(54

) %

 

Contacts

Investors:
Ingrid Goldberg
investorinfo@novocure.com
610-723-7427

Media:
Leigh Labrie
media@novocure.com
610-723-7428

Release Summary

Novocure Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Financial Results and Provides Company Update

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Contacts

Investors:
Ingrid Goldberg
investorinfo@novocure.com
610-723-7427

Media:
Leigh Labrie
media@novocure.com
610-723-7428