DEER PARK, Ill., Aug. 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc (Nasdaq: ETON), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative drug products, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020 and provided an update on business progress.Submission of Orphan Drug DS-100 (Dehydrated Alcohol Injection). In July, Eton submitted an NDA for DS-100. The product has been granted orphan drug designation for the treatment of methanol poisoning. The incidence of methanol poisoning has increased significantly in 2020 due to COVID-19, as unprecedented demand for hand sanitizers has led some manufacturers to improperly use methanol in their products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has in fact recommended manufacturers recall more than 100 different hand sanitizers that were found to contain methanol despite being labeled as ethanol.
Submission of ET-104 (Zonisamide Oral Suspension). Eton’s patent-pending liquid formulation of zonisamide was submitted to the FDA for the treatment or partial seizures. ET-104 is one of three neurology-focused liquid products that Eton expects to launch in 2021Increased Credit Facility. Eton was able to amend and increase its existing credit facility with SWK Holdings. Under the new terms, the facility will increase from $10 million to $15 million upon FDA approval of Alkindi Sprinkle, and the interest rate will decrease when Eton achieves certain performance metrics in the future.
EM-100 UpdateEton was notified by its partner that due to a proprietary name change submission, the FDA has extended EM-100’s goal date to September 15th. The company is not aware of any deficiencies besides this labeling-related item and remains confident that the product will be approved shortly.Alkindi® Sprinkle UpdateAlkindi Sprinkle’s NDA is under review by the FDA for use as a replacement therapy for pediatric adrenal insufficiency. Eton and its development partner have been engaged in regular communication with the FDA, and Eton expects the FDA to meet the existing September 29, 2020 Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date without any disruption from COVID-19. Based on the communications received during the application’s ongoing review, Eton remains confident that the Alkindi Sprinkle application is approvable and is working aggressively on launch preparation activities. Eton has purchased initial commercial inventory and expects to be in position to launch the product shortly after the PDUFA date, if approved.Biorphen sales continue to be impacted by COVID-19. While surgical procedure volumes have rebounded from March and April lows, hospital policies continue to restrict sales representatives from visiting with pharmacy directors and hospital staff. Eton plans to implement new targeting strategies and promotional campaigns in the third quarter that are expected to drive stronger sales in the second half of 2020.Eton remains confident that there is strong demand for Biorphen in a vial presentation based on significant customer feedback. The company is on pace to submit a Prior Approval Supplement (PAS) for the vial conversion later this year, which should allow for a commercial launch of the vial in early 2021. Eton expects the vial product launch to significantly accelerate Biorphen adoption and help the company achieve its long-term goal of capturing 4 million of the estimated more than 20-million-unit market for ready-to-use phenylephrine injection.Credit Agreement.On August 11th, the company’s existing credit facility with SWK Holdings was amended to provide Eton with the option to access additional capital and reduce the facility’s interest rate. The facility will increase by $5 million to $15 million upon the FDA approval of Alkindi Sprinkle. Upon execution of the amendment, Eton agreed to draw an additional $2 million. In addition, the facility’s interest rate will be reduced in the future when certain performance metrics are achieved. The facility reductions will be: 75 basis points when Eton receives approval for its next product and achieves quarterly revenue of $2.0 million; 150 basis points when Eton receives approval for two additional products and achieves quarterly revenue of $2.5 million; and a 225 basis point reduction when the company is EBITDA positive.
ET-105 (Lamotrigine for Oral Suspension). Eton and its development partner, Aucta Pharmaceuticals, are working to resolve the Complete Response Letter received in March 2020. During the second quarter, the FDA agreed to the protocol for the required human factors study. Study participant enrollment has been impacted by COVID-19, however, the company still believes the study results can submitted to the FDA before the end of 2020.
ET-101 (Topiramate Oral Solution). Eton remains on track to submit the product’s NDA before year end.Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses were $1.6 million for the second quarter of 2020 compared to $1.4 million for the same period in 2019.General& Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses were $2.9 million for the second quarter of 2020 compared to $1.9 million for the same period in 2019. The increase was primarily driven by legal expenses related to Eton’s first-to-file paragraph IV patent challenge for its DS-300 product candidate and higher marketing and distribution expenses.Net Loss: Eton reported a net loss for the second quarter of 2020 of $4.7 million compared to a net loss of $3.2 million for the same period of 2019.Cash Position: As of June 30, 2020, Eton reported cash and cash equivalents of $10.3 million. On August 11, 2020 Eton executed an amendment to its credit facility with SWK Holdings which will add $5.0 million of additional capacity upon FDA approval of Alkindi Sprinkle. Upon closing of the amendment, Eton drew down $2.0 million and will have $8.0 million of available undrawn capacity after the approval of Alkindi Sprinkle.
Conference Call and Webcast Information:
Eton Pharmaceuticals will host a conference call and webcast today at 4:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. CT). To access the conference call, please dial 1-866-795-8473 (domestic) or 1-470-495-9161 (international) and refer to conference ID 2083737. The webcast can be accessed under “Events & Presentations” in the Investors section of the Company’s website at https://ir.etonpharma.com. The webcast will be archived and made available for replay on the company’s website approximately two hours after the call and will be available for 30 days.
Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Condensed Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Condensed Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Investor Contact:
David Krempa
[email protected]
612-387-3740
Bay Street News
