Heron Therapeutics Announces Financial Results for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and Highlights Recent Corporate Updates

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Heron Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: HRTX), a commercial-stage biotechnology company focused on improving the lives of patients by developing best-in-class treatments to address some of the most important unmet patient needs, today announced financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and highlighted recent corporate updates.

Recent Corporate Updates

Pain Management Franchise

    --  Positive CHMP Opinion Received for ZYNRELEF(TM) for the Management of
        Postoperative Pain: In July 2020, the European Medicines Agency's (EMA)
        Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive
        opinion, recommending the granting of a marketing authorisation for
        ZYNRELEF (formerly known as HTX-011), intended for the treatment of
        postoperative pain. The CHMP's positive opinion will now be reviewed by
        the European Commission (EC), with a final decision on the Marketing
        Authorisation Application expected in the coming months. An EC marketing
        authorisation through the centralized procedure is valid in all 27
        European Union (EU) member countries as well as the European Economic
        Area countries. The CHMP recommended that ZYNRELEF be indicated for
        treatment of somatic postoperative pain from small- to medium-sized
        surgical wounds in adults.

    --  Complete Response Letter Received from the FDA Regarding the NDA for
        HTX-011 for the Management of Postoperative Pain: In June 2020, Heron
        received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the U.S. Food and Drug
        Administration (FDA) regarding the New Drug Application (NDA) for
        HTX-011. The CRL stated that the FDA is unable to approve the NDA in its
        present form based on the need for additional non-clinical information.
        Based on the complete review of the NDA, the FDA did not identify any
        clinical safety or efficacy issues or chemistry, manufacturing and
        controls (CMC) issues. There are four non-clinical issues in the CRL,
        none of which relate to any observed toxicity. Three relate to
        confirming exposure of excipients in preclinical reproductive toxicology
        studies, and the fourth relates to changing the manufacturing release
        specification of the allowable level of an impurity based on animal
        toxicology coverage. We do not believe that any of the issues are
        significant barriers to ultimate approval, as all of the excipients have
        extensive histories of use in pharmaceuticals and the specification can
        be revised.
    --  Initiation of Phase 1b/2 Clinical Study of HTX-034 for the Treatment of
        Postoperative Pain: In May 2020, Heron initiated a Phase 1b/2 clinical
        study in patients undergoing bunionectomy of HTX-034, Heron's
        next-generation product for the treatment of postoperative pain. The
        study initiation followed clearance from the FDA of Heron's
        Investigational New Drug (IND) application for HTX-034 for the treatment
        of postoperative pain.

CINV Franchise

    --  Initiation of Phase 2 Clinical Study of CINVANTI(® )for the Treatment
        of COVID-19: In July 2020, Heron initiated the GUARDS-1 Study, a Phase 2
        clinical study evaluating CINVANTI (aprepitant) injectable emulsion in
        early hospitalized patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
        The study initiation followed clearance from the FDA of Heron's IND
        application for CINVANTI for the treatment of COVID-19.

    --  CINV Net Product Sales: For the three and six months ended June 30,
        2020, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) franchise net
        product sales were $22.7 million and $48.1 million, respectively,
        compared to $36.7 million and $68.3 million, respectively, for the same
        periods in 2019.

        --  CINVANTI Net Product Sales: Net product sales of CINVANTI for the
            three and six months ended June 30, 2020 were $22.6 million and
            $47.8 million, respectively, compared to $33.2 million and $61.2
            million, respectively, for the same periods in 2019. Heron expects
            the impact of the generic arbitrage to be resolved in 2020, with a
            return to growth in 2021 and beyond.

        --  SUSTOL(®) Net Product Sales: Net product sales of SUSTOL
            (granisetron) extended-release injection for the three and six
            months ended June 30, 2020 were $0.1 million and $0.3 million,
            respectively, compared to $3.5 million and $7.1 million,
            respectively, for the same periods in 2019. On October 1, 2019, the
            Company discontinued all discounting of SUSTOL, which resulted in
            significantly lower SUSTOL net product sales. Heron expects SUSTOL
            to return to growth in 2021 and beyond.
    --  2020 Net Product Sales Guidance: Although Heron anticipates a decrease
        in new diagnoses and chemotherapy patient starts because of the onging
        COVID-19 pandemic, the Company is maintaining its 2020 guidance for net
        product sales for the CINV franchise of $70 million to $80 million.

"We are pleased with the CHMP's recent positive opinion for ZYNRELEF in the EU, and we remain committed to bringing this important non-opioid analgesic to patients in the U.S. as soon as possible. We have submitted a request for a Type A meeting with the FDA and look forward to working with the FDA to achieve this goal," said Barry Quart, Pharm.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Heron. "In our CINV franchise, we are encouraged by the continued performance of CINVANTI during both a generic arbitrage period and the COVID-19 pandemic and are maintaining our 2020 net product sales guidance of $70 million to $80 million."

Financial Results

Net product sales for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 were $22.7 million and $48.1 million, respectively, compared to $36.7 million and $68.3 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2019.

Heron's net loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 was $55.2 million and $106.8 million, or $0.61 per share and $1.18 per share, respectively, compared to $50.2 million and $113.2 million, or $0.63 per share and $1.43 per share, respectively, for the same periods in 2019. Net loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 included non-cash, stock-based compensation expense of $11.1 million and $23.1 million, respectively, compared to $12.7 million and $30.6 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2019.

As of June 30, 2020, Heron had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $300.8 million, compared to $391.0 million as of December 31, 2019. Net cash used for operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $90.2 million, compared to $72.1 million for the same period in 2019. Heron expects that its current cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund its operations into 2022.

About HTX-011 (ZYNRELEF in the European Union) for Postoperative Pain

HTX-011 (ZYNRELEF in the European Union), an investigational non-opioid analgesic, is a dual-acting, fixed-dose combination of the local anesthetic bupivacaine with a low dose of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam. It is the first and only extended-release local anesthetic to demonstrate in Phase 3 studies significantly reduced pain and opioid use through 72 hours compared to bupivacaine solution, the current standard-of-care local anesthetic for postoperative pain control. HTX-011 was granted Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the fourth quarter of 2017 and Breakthrough Therapy designation in the second quarter of 2018. Heron submitted a new drug application (NDA) to the FDA for HTX-011 in October 2018 and received Priority Review designation in December 2018. A complete response letter (CRL) was received from the FDA regarding the NDA for HTX-011 on June 26, 2020 relating to non-clinical information. No clinical safety or efficacy issues and no chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) issues were identified. The European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion for ZYNRELEF in July 2020. Heron's New Drug Submission (NDS) for HTX-011 for the management of postoperative pain was granted Priority Review status by Health Canada in October 2019 and accepted by Health Canada in November 2019. Heron is working to respond to a list of questions received from Health Canada in July 2020.

About CINVANTI (Aprepitant) Injectable Emulsion

CINVANTI, in combination with other antiemetic agents, is indicated in adults for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (HEC) including high-dose cisplatin as a single-dose regimen, delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy (MEC) as a single-dose regimen, and nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of MEC as a 3-day regimen. CINVANTI is an IV formulation of aprepitant, a substance P/neurokinin-1 (NK(1)) receptor antagonist (RA). CINVANTI is the first IV formulation to directly deliver aprepitant, the active ingredient in EMEND(®) capsules. Aprepitant (including its prodrug, fosaprepitant) is the only single-agent NK(1) RA to significantly reduce nausea and vomiting in both the acute phase (0-24 hours after chemotherapy) and the delayed phase (24-120 hours after chemotherapy). The FDA-approved dosing administration included in the United States prescribing information for CINVANTI is a 30-minute IV infusion or a 2-minute IV injection.

CINVANTI is under investigation for the treatment of COVID-19 as a daily 2-minute IV injection when added to the current standard of care.

Please see full prescribing information at www.CINVANTI.com.

About SUSTOL (Granisetron) Extended-Release Injection

SUSTOL is indicated in combination with other antiemetics in adults for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC) or anthracycline and cyclophosphamide (AC) combination chemotherapy regimens. SUSTOL is an extended-release, injectable 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist that utilizes Heron's Biochronomer(®) drug delivery technology to maintain therapeutic levels of granisetron for >=5 days. The SUSTOL global Phase 3 development program was comprised of two, large, guideline-based clinical studies that evaluated SUSTOL's efficacy and safety in more than 2,000 patients with cancer. SUSTOL's efficacy in preventing nausea and vomiting was evaluated in both the acute phase (0-24 hours after chemotherapy) and delayed phase (24-120 hours after chemotherapy).

Please see full prescribing information at www.SUSTOL.com.

About HTX-034 for Postoperative Pain

HTX-034, an investigational non-opioid, is a fixed-dose combination, extended-release solution of the local anesthetic bupivacaine, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam and an additional agent that further potentiates the activity of bupivacaine. HTX-034 is formulated in the same proprietary polymer as HTX-011. By combining two different mechanisms that each enhance the activity of the local anesthetic bupivacaine, HTX-034 is designed to provide superior and prolonged analgesia. Local administration of HTX-034 in a validated preclinical postoperative pain model resulted in sustained analgesia for 7 days.

About Heron Therapeutics, Inc.

Heron Therapeutics, Inc. is a commercial-stage biotechnology company focused on improving the lives of patients by developing best-in-class treatments to address some of the most important unmet patient needs. Heron is developing novel, patient-focused solutions that apply its innovative science and technologies to already-approved pharmacological agents for patients suffering from pain or cancer. For more information, visit www.herontx.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Heron cautions readers that forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations and assumptions as of the date of this news release and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to, those associated with: whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the new drug application (NDA) for HTX-011; the timing of the commercial launch of HTX-011 in the U.S.; the timing of the European Commission's (EC) review process for ZYNRELEF; whether the EC authorizes the Marketing Authorisation Application for ZYNRELEF; the timing of the commercial launch of ZYNRELEF in Europe; the timing of Health Canada's NDS review process for HTX-011; whether Health Canada issues a Notice of Compliance for the NDS for HTX-011; the full-year 2020 net product sales guidance for the CINV franchise; the expected future balances of Heron's cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments; the expected duration over which Heron's cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments balances will fund its operations; the extent of the impact of the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on our business; and other risks and uncertainties identified in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements reflect our analysis only on their stated date, and Heron takes no obligation to update or revise these statements except as may be required by law.


                                                                                                  
       
             HERON THERAPEUTICS, INC.

                                                                                                    
        Consolidated Balance Sheets

                                                                                                       
           (In thousands)




                                                                                                                                           June 30,                  December 31,

                                                                                                                                                2020                          2019



                                                                                                                                         (Unaudited)


                                                        
            
              ASSETS



     Current assets:



     Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                       $
          80,728                $
            71,898



     Short-term investments                                                                                                                                 220,114                         319,074



     Accounts receivable, net                                                                                                                                37,502                          39,879



     Inventory                                                                                                                                               41,442                          24,968



     Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                                                               13,109                          23,245




     Total current assets                                                                                                                                   392,895                         479,064



     Property and equipment, net                                                                                                                             21,886                          19,618



     Right-of-use lease assets                                                                                                                               17,594                          13,754



     Other assets                                                                                                                                               346                             346




     Total assets                                                                                                                                   $
          432,721               $
            512,782



                                         
            
              LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY



     Current liabilities:



     Accounts payable                                                                                                                                $
          18,458                 $
            2,758



     Accrued clinical and manufacturing liabilities                                                                                                          30,173                          34,614



     Accrued payroll and employee liabilities                                                                                                                11,193                          15,248



     Other accrued liabilities                                                                                                                               23,728                          36,535



     Current lease liabilities                                                                                                                                2,830                           1,926



     Convertible notes payable to related parties, net of discount                                                                                            6,269                           5,624




     Total current liabilities                                                                                                                               92,651                          96,705



     Non-current lease liabilities                                                                                                                           16,012                          12,242




     Total liabilities                                                                                                                                      108,663                         108,947




     Stockholders' equity:



     Common stock                                                                                                                                               908                             903



     Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                                           1,594,436                       1,568,317



     Accumulated other comprehensive income                                                                                                                     953                              85



     Accumulated deficit                                                                                                                                (1,272,239)                    (1,165,470)




     Total stockholders' equity                                                                                                                             324,058                         403,835




     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                                                                     $
          432,721               $
            512,782


                                                
              
                HERON THERAPEUTICS, INC.

                                           
              Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

                                              
              (In thousands, except per share amounts)




                                                                                                     Three Months Ended                       Six Months Ended

                                                                                                     June 30,                        June 30,

                                                                                                                           ---

                                                                                     2020                        2019           2020                       2019

                                                                                                                                                         ---

                                                                                               
              (unaudited)



     
                Revenues:



         Net product sales                                                       $22,668                     $36,659        $48,068                    $68,261



     
                Operating expenses:



         Cost of product sales                                                     9,005                      13,588         19,627                     28,550



         Research and development                                                 44,004                      41,425         80,898                     84,397



         General and administrative                                                9,819                       9,778         20,241                     19,426



         Sales and marketing                                                      15,589                      23,647         35,785                     52,367

                                                                                                                                                         ---


               Total operating expenses                                           78,417                      88,438        156,551                    184,740

                                                                                                                                                         ---




     Loss from operations                                                       (55,749)                   (51,779)     (108,483)                 (116,479)





     Other income, net                                                               559                       1,557          1,714                      3,245

                                                                                                                                                         ---




     Net loss                                                                  $(55,190)                  $(50,222)    $(106,769)                $(113,234)






     Basic and diluted net loss per share                                        $(0.61)                    $(0.63)       $(1.18)                   $(1.43)





      Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share                90,753                      79,548         90,581                     78,987

                                                                                                                                                         ===


                                                                       
     
                HERON THERAPEUTICS, INC.

                                                                       
     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

                                                                         
              (In thousands)




                                                                                                                                Six Months Ended

                                                                                                               
          
               June 30,



                                                                                                                 2020                            2019



                                                                                                                        
             (Unaudited)



     
                Operating activities:



     Net loss                                                                                                            $
              (106,769)       $
        (113,234)



     Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used for operating


        activities:



     Stock-based compensation expense                                                                                                   23,088                 30,608



     Depreciation and amortization                                                                                                       1,366                    959



     Amortization of debt discount                                                                                                         645                    507



     Realized gain on available-for-sale securities                                                                                                              (8)



     Accretion of discount on short-term investments                                                                                      (82)               (2,437)



     Impairment of property and equipment                                                                                                   53                     54



     Loss on disposal of property and equipment                                                                                                                   53



     Change in operating assets and liabilities:



     Accounts receivable                                                                                                                 2,377                (2,169)



     Inventory                                                                                                                        (16,474)                 9,762



     Prepaid expenses and other assets                                                                                                  10,136                  2,454



     Accounts payable                                                                                                                   15,700                (8,866)



     Accrued clinical and manufacturing liabilities                                                                                    (4,441)                   913



     Accrued payroll and employee liabilities                                                                                          (4,055)               (4,415)



     Other accrued liabilities                                                                                                        (11,756)                13,687




     Net cash used for operating activities                                                                                           (90,212)              (72,132)



     
                Investing activities:



     Purchases of short-term investments                                                                                              (66,915)             (204,358)



     Maturities and sales of short-term investments                                                                                    166,825                284,606



     Purchases of property and equipment                                                                                               (3,687)               (4,299)



     Net cash provided by investing activities                                                                                          96,223                 75,949



     
                Financing activities:



     Proceeds from stock option exercises                                                                                                1,309                 16,215



     Proceeds from purchases under Employee Stock Purchase Plan                                                                          1,507                  1,170



     Proceeds from warrant exercises                                                                                                         3



     Net cash provided by financing activities                                                                                           2,819                 17,385




     Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                                                                                           8,830                 21,202



     Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                                                                                     71,898                 31,836




     Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                                                             $
              80,728          $
         53,038

Investor Relations and Media Contact:
David Szekeres
Chief Legal, Business and Administrative Officer
Heron Therapeutics, Inc.
dszekeres@herontx.com
858-251-4447

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/heron-therapeutics-announces-financial-results-for-the-three-and-six-months-ended--june-30-2020-and-highlights-recent-corporate-updates-301106977.html

SOURCE Heron Therapeutics, Inc.