VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 29, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX-V: AQS, OTCQB: AQSZF) (“Aequus” or the “Company”), a specialty pharmaceutical company with a focus on developing, advancing and promoting differentiated products, today reported financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and associated Company developments. Unless otherwise noted, all figures are in Canadian currency.
Q3 2018 Key Highlights
- Largest quarterly revenue in company history with $420,158 in reported revenues for Q3 2018, an increase of 44% compared to the three months ended September 31, 2017 (“Q3 2017”);
- Year to date revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 of $1,173,013, a 52% increase over the same period in 2017.
- Decrease in net losses of 31% over the same quarter last year, and an overall 34% decrease in losses for nine months ended September 30 when compared to the same time period in 2017.
- The Company successfully closed two financings with total gross proceeds of $1,575,000.
- Subsequent to the end of the quarter, The Company formed a Strategic Advisory Board in Ophthalmology comprised of clinical, commercial, and regulatory expertise.
“Our strong promotional efforts across Canada continue to yield positive results with our largest quarterly revenue in company history,” said Ian Ball, CCO of Aequus. “Our position within Canada continues to strengthen, with our commercial team consistently building relationships with key contacts in the industry. These relationships, along with the formation of our Strategic Advisory Board in Ophthalmology will be paramount as we continue to expand our product portfolio moving forward.”
Commercial Activities
The Company’s commercial activity generated revenues of $420,158 in Q3 2018, representing 44% growth as compared to the same period in 2017. On a year-to-date basis, the Company recorded $1,173,013 in revenues in the nine-month period ending September 30, 2018, an increase of 52% compared to the same period in 2017. The increase in revenues were primarily attributable to increased promotional activities being focused in markets with positive market access and reimbursement listings.
Subsequent to the end of the quarter, Aequus has formed a Strategic Advisory Board in Ophthalmology to assist in assessing and rationalizing the many ophthalmology pipeline opportunities, both in therapeutics and medical devices, available to the Company. The Advisory Board will help Aequus in determining whether a product can improve patient outcomes, integrate into a clinician’s workflow, and navigate the Canadian reimbursement and commercial landscape.
Development Program Activities
Aequus announced an expanded market opportunity for its reformulated anti-nausea transdermal patch, AQS1303, into the European market with the approval of Diclectin®, the oral reference product for AQS1303 for the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, having recently received marketing authorization in the United Kingdom under the brand name Xonvea®. Aequus plans to launch AQS1303 in countries where an original oral form has been approved and an accelerated path to approval may exist for reformulated products.
Operating Expenses
Sales and marketing expenses for Q3 2018 were $449,932 and $310,163 in the same period last year. The 45% increase was primarily the result of higher marketing costs related to Zepto and staff vacancies in Q3 2017 that were no longer vacant in Q3 2018. The expenses include non-cash expenses of $54,720 related to amortization and share based payments expenses. Depreciation and amortization, and share-based payments for Q3 2018 were $44,555 and $10,165, respectively, compared to $45,918 and $15,053, respectively, in Q3 2017. The amortization costs were primarily related to the acquisition costs of TeOra. As the sales and marketing infrastructure is now established, new products, like Zepto, can be marketed to the same customer base without material impact to overall sales related costs.
The Company incurred research and development expenses of $76,275 in Q3 2018 as compared to $415,173 in Q3 2017. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower subcontractor research costs and reduced regulatory consulting for AQS1301 and AQS1303 pre-IND related work, which completed in Q3 2017. The main development work in Q3 2018 was the advancement and optimization of AQS1303 in preparation for clinical studies. The costs of which are being realized by its partner, Corium, in exchange for exclusive manufacturing of the product. This resulted in a $328,383 decrease in Q3 2018 cost relative to Q3 2017.
General administration expenses were consistent with prior quarters at $546,827 during Q3 2018 as compared to $532,085 in Q3 2017.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND MD&A
Investors are encouraged to review Aequus’ complete Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, which are available on the Company’s website at www.aequuspharma.ca and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
ABOUT AEQUUS PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX-V: AQS, OTCQB: AQSZF) is a growing specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing high quality, differentiated products. Aequus has grown its pipeline to include several commercial products in ophthalmology and transplant, and a development stage pipeline in neurology and psychiatry with a goal of addressing the need for improved medication adherence through enhanced delivery systems. As a complement to its focus in neurology, our most recent addition to the development pipeline was a long-acting form of medical cannabis, where there is a high need for a consistent, predictable and pharmaceutical-grade delivery of products for patients. Aequus intends to commercialize its internal programs in Canada alongside its current portfolio of marketed established medicines and will look to form strategic partnerships that would maximize the reach of its product candidates worldwide. Aequus plans to build on its Canadian commercial platform through the launch of additional products that are either created internally or brought in through an acquisition or license; remaining focused on highly specialized therapeutic areas. For further information, please visit www.aequuspharma.ca.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT DISCLAIMER
This release may contain forward-looking statements or forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation that may not be based on historical fact, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “believe”, “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “potential” and similar expressions. Forward- looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as the factors we believe are appropriate. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements relating to: the implementation of our business model and strategic plans; the Company’s expected revenues; Aequus’ sales and marketing efforts; the Company’s potential regional partnerships for its internal programs; the regulatory requirements for its transdermal pyridoxine/doxylamine program. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Aequus, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In making the forward looking statements included in this release, the Company has made various material assumptions, including, but not limited to: obtaining positive results of clinical trials; obtaining regulatory approvals; general business and economic conditions; the Company’s ability to successfully outlicense or sell its current products and in-license and develop new products; the assumption that the Company’s current good relationships with its manufacturer and other third parties will be maintained; the availability of financing on reasonable terms; the Company’s ability to attract and retain skilled staff; market competition; the products and technology offered by the Company’s competitors; and the Company’s ability to protect patents and proprietary rights. In evaluating forward looking statements, current and prospective shareholders should specifically consider various factors set out herein and under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated April 30, 2018, a copy of which is available on Aequus’ profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com, and as otherwise disclosed from time to time on Aequus’ SEDAR profile. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties, or a risk that is not currently known to us materialize, or should assumptions underlying those forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and we do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are inherently uncertain. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward looking statements.
VistitanTM: Trademark owned or used under license by Sandoz Canada Inc.
Zepto® is a registered trademark of Mynosys Cellular Devices.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Aequus Investor Relations
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 604-336-7906
