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Assertio Therapeutics Announces Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Financial Results

March 6, 2019 4:02 PM

-- Reports Neurology Franchise Annual Net Sales of $110.3 million, at the High End of Guidance Range --

-- Files NDA for Long-Acting Cosyntropin and Receives FDA Notification of Acceptance --

-- Issues Full-Year 2019 Guidance for Earnings and Neurology Franchise Net Sales --

LAKE FOREST, Ill., March 06, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Assertio Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASRT) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2018, and provided an update on its business performance and strategic initiatives.

Financial Highlights:(unaudited)
Fourth-Quarter 2018Full-Year 2018
(in millions, except earnings per share)GAAPNon-GAAP (3)GAAPNon-GAAP (3)
Total Revenues (1) (2)42.662.8311.8278.0
Net Income/(Loss)(24.1)23.136.993.2
Earnings/(Loss) Per Share$(0.38)$0.30$0.57$1.22
Adjusted EBITDA41.0155.3
(1) Fourth-quarter 2018 includes a $21.3 million adjustment reversal for the non-cash value assigned to inventory transferred to Collegium.
(2) Full-year 2018 includes a ($25.2) million adjustment reversal for the non-cash value assigned to inventory transferred to Collegium.
(3) All non-GAAP measures included in this earnings news release are reconciled to the corresponding GAAP measures in the schedules attached.

“Assertio’s 2018 financial performance met, or exceeded, our goals for the full year,” said Arthur Higgins, President and CEO of Assertio. “We delivered adjusted EBITDA at the high end of our current guidance range, and ahead of our original target, as well as neurology franchise sales at the high end of our current guidance range. In addition, we made significant progress throughout the year advancing our strategic, financial and operational goals, including the NDA filing of our long-acting cosyntropin. We look forward to another productive year ahead as we continue the transformation of Assertio into a biopharma company with sustainable growth and a promising pipeline."

Business Highlights:

Revenue Summary(in thousands, unaudited)
Three Months EndedDecember 31, Twelve Months EndedDecember 31,
2018 2017 2018 2017
Product sales, net:
Gralise$14,805 $20,208 $58,077 $77,034
CAMBIA10,933 7,749 35,803 31,597
Zipsor3,212 4,415 16,387 16,700
Total neurology product sales, net28,950 32,372 110,267 125,331
Nucynta products (1)162 60,018 18,944 239,539
Lazanda (2)227 1,770 755 15,010
Total product sales, net29,339 94,160 129,966 379,880
Commercialization agreement: (3)
Commercialization rights and facilitation services, net12,983 100,038
Revenue from transfer of inventory 55,705
Royalties and milestone revenue277 248 26,061 844
Total revenues$42,599 $94,408 $311,770 $380,724

___________________

(1) The Company transitioned the commercial rights to sell NUCYNTA to Collegium on January 9, 2018. NUCYNTA product sales for the three months ended December 31, 2018 relate to sales reserve estimate adjustments. NUCYNTA product sales for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 reflect the Company's sales of NUCYNTA during a stub period between January 1st and January 8th, and also includes a $12.5 million benefit related to the release of sales reserves for which the Company is no longer financially responsible.

(2) The Company divested Lazanda in November 2017. Product sales for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 relate to sales reserve estimate adjustments.

(3) The Commercialization Agreement revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 includes $100.0 million related to the commercialization rights and facilitation services provided to Collegium and $55.7 million related to the fair value of inventory transferred to Collegium. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company amended the Commercialization Agreement and agreed upon a variable revenue stream to take the place of the existing fixed revenue stream. As such, as of the date of the amendment, on November 8, 2018, the Company ceased recognition of fixed revenues and will begin recognition of variable revenues when they become due beginning in January 2019. Cash collected during the fourth quarter remained in-line with the pre-modification agreement amount of $33.8 million.

2019 Financial GuidanceThe Company is providing the following 2019 financial guidance:

2019 Guidance
Neurology Franchise Net SalesLow-to Mid-Single Digit Growth
GAAP Net (Loss)/Income(1)($71) to ($61) million
Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA(1)$115 to $125 million
(1) Guidance includes: (a) $2.8 million of non-cash Collegium warrant-related income and excludes (b) any future mark-to-market adjustments related to those warrants, which cannot be estimated at this time.

Conference Call and WebcastAssertio will host a conference call today, Wednesday, March 6, 2019 beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss its results. This event can be accessed in three ways:

About Assertio Therapeutics, Inc.Assertio Therapeutics is committed to providing responsible solutions to advance patient care in the Company’s core areas of neurology, orphan and specialty medicines. Assertio currently markets three FDA-approved products and continues to identify, license and develop new products that offer enhanced options for patients that may be under served by existing therapies. To learn more about Assertio, visit www.assertiotx.com.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995The statements that are not historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the commercialization of Gralise, CAMBIA, and Zipsor, royalties associated with Collegium’s commercialization of NUCYNTA and NUCYNTA ER, regulatory approval and clinical development of long-acting cosyntropin, loan agreements, including our senior secured debt facility, Assertio’s financial outlook for 2019 and expectations regarding financial results and potential business opportunities and other risks detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation that any of the Company’s plans or objectives will be achieved. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Investor and Media Contact:John B. ThomasSenior Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications[email protected]

Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresTo supplement the Company’s financial results presented on a U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis, the Company has included information about non-GAAP revenue, non-GAAP adjusted earnings, non-GAAP adjusted diluted earnings per share, non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA and other non-GAAP financial measures as useful operating metrics. The Company believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures, when viewed with results under GAAP and the accompanying reconciliation, provides supplementary information to analysts, investors, lenders, and the Company’s management in assessing the Company’s performance and results from period to period. The Company uses these non-GAAP measures internally to understand, manage and evaluate the Company’s performance, and in part, in the determination of bonuses for executive officers and employees. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not a substitute for, or superior to, net income or other financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures used by us may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, non-GAAP measures used by other companies.

Specified ItemsNon-GAAP measures presented within this release exclude specified items. The Company considers specified Items to be significant income/expense items not indicative of current operations, including the related tax effect. Specified items include non-cash adjustment to Collegium agreement revenue and cost of sales, release of NUCYNTA and Lazanda sales reserves for products the Company is no longer selling, interest income, interest expense, amortization, acquired in-process research and development and non-cash adjustments related to product acquisitions, stock-based compensation expense, non-cash interest expense related to debt, depreciation, taxes, transaction costs, CEO transition, restructuring costs, adjustments to net sales related to reserves recorded prior to the Company’s exit of opioid commercialization activities, legal costs and expenses incurred in connection with opioid-related litigation, investigations and regulations pertaining to the company’s historical commercialization of opioid products, certain types of legal settlements, disputes, fees and costs, and to adjust for the tax effect related to each of the non-GAAP adjustments.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS(in thousands, except per share amounts)(unaudited)
Three Months Ended December 31, Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2018 2017 2018 2017
(unaudited) (unaudited)
Revenues:
Product sales, net$29,339 $94,160 $129,966 $379,880
Commercialization agreement, net12,983 155,743
Royalties and milestones277 248 26,061 844
Total revenues42,599 94,408 311,770 380,724
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales (excluding amortization of intangible assets)704 17,704 18,476 72,598
Research and development expenses2,207 1,259 8,042 13,718
Acquired in-process research and development 24,900 24,900
Selling, general and administrative expenses25,468 48,318 119,218 195,696
Amortization of intangible assets25,443 25,541 101,774 102,745
Restructuring charges1,859 9,372 20,601 13,247
Total costs and expenses55,681 127,094 268,111 422,904
Income/(loss) from operations(13,082) (32,685) 43,659 (42,180)
Litigation settlement 62,000
Gain on divestiture of Lazanda 17,064 17,064
Interest and other income224 77 1,197 681
Loss on prepayment of Senior Notes (573) (5,938)
Interest expense(16,613) (17,857) (68,881) (73,552)
Income tax (expense) benefit5,333 870 (1,067) 1,429
Net income/(loss)$(24,138) $(33,104) $36,908 $(102,496)
Basic net (loss) income per share$(0.38) $(0.52) $0.58 $(1.63)
Diluted net income (loss) per share$(0.38) $(0.52) $0.57 $(1.63)
Basic shares used in calculation64,004 63,137 63,794 62,702
Diluted shares used in calculation64,004 63,137 64,208 62,702

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS(in thousands)(unaudited)
December 31,2018 December 31,2017
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities$110,949 $128,089
Accounts receivable, net37,211 72,482
Inventories3,396 13,042
Property and equipment, net13,064 13,024
Intangible assets, net692,099 793,873
Investments11,784
Prepaid and other assets64,363 18,107
Total assets$932,866 $1,038,617
Accounts payable$6,138 $14,732
Income tax payable 126
Interest payable11,645 13,220
Accrued liabilities31,361 60,496
Accrued rebates, returns and discounts75,759 135,828
Senior notes278,309 357,220
Convertible notes287,798 269,510
Contingent consideration liability1,038 1,613
Other liabilities20,483 16,364
Shareholders’ equity220,335 169,508
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$932,866 $1,038,617

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME (LOSS) TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTED EBITDA(in thousands)(unaudited)
Three Months Ended December 31, Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2018 2017 2018 2017
(unaudited) (unaudited)
GAAP net income/(loss)$(24,138) $(33,104) $36,908 $(102,496)
Commercialization agreement revenues (1)21,262 (25,164)
Commercialization agreement cost of sales (2) 6,200
Nucynta sales reserve (3) (10,711)
Nucynta and Lazanda revenue reserves (4)(1,024) (1,562)
Expenses for opioid-related litigation, investigations and regulations (5)3,537 7,897
Intangible amortization related to product acquisitions25,443 25,541 101,774 102,745
Contingent consideration related to product acquisitions143 (104) (515) (6,629)
Stock-based compensation2,549 3,095 10,439 12,965
Purdue litigation settlement (62,000)
Interest and other income(224) (77) (1,197) (410)
Interest expense16,613 18,361 68,881 78,190
Depreciation254 918 1,931 2,757
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes(5,333) (870) 1,067 (1,429)
Restructuring and related costs (6)1,881 9,817 21,264 16,834
Acquired in process research and development 24,900 24,900
Gain on divestiture of Lazanda (17,064) (17,064)
Managed care dispute reserve 4,742
Transaction and other costs 1,435 123 1,435
Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA$40,963 $32,848 $155,335 $116,540

___________________

(1) For the period from January 8, 2018 through November 8, 2018, the adjustment relates to the non-cash value assigned to inventory transferred to Collegium. As of the date of the amendment, on November 8, 2018, the Company ceased recognition of fixed revenues and will begin recognition of variable revenues when they become due beginning in January 2019. Cash collected during the fourth quarter remained in-line with the pre-modification agreement amount of $33.8 million. The adjustment for the three months ended December 31, 2018 relates to the cash received in excess of the GAAP revenue recognized. The Company has consistently shown non-GAAP revenue for the Commercialization Agreement on a cash basis.

(2) Represents the cash received for inventory transferred to Collegium at the commencement of the Commercialization Agreement.

(3) Represents a $12.5 million benefit related to the release of sales reserves for which the Company is no longer financially responsible, net of $1.8 million in royalties payable to a third party.

(4) Removal of the impact of revenue adjustment estimates related to products that we are no longer commercializing.

(5) Legal costs/expenses related to opioid-related litigation, investigations and regulations pertaining to the Company’s historical commercialization of opioid products.

(6) Restructuring and other costs represents non-recurring costs associated with the Company’s restructuring, reincorporation, headquarters relocation and CEO transition.

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME/(LOSS) TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTED EARNINGS(in thousands, except per share amounts)(unaudited)
Three Months Ended December 31, Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2018 2017 2018 2017
(unaudited) (unaudited)
GAAP net income/(loss)$(24,138) $(33,104) $36,908 $(102,496)
Commercialization agreement revenues (1)21,262 (25,164)
Commercialization agreement cost of sales (2) 6,200
Nucynta sales reserve (3) (10,711)
Nucynta and Lazanda revenue reserves (4)(1,024) (1,562)
Expenses for opioid-related litigation, investigations and regulations (5)3,537 7,897
Intangible amortization related to product acquisitions25,443 25,541 101,774 102,745
Contingent consideration related to product acquisitions143 (104) (515) (6,629)
Stock-based compensation2,549 3,095 10,439 12,965
Restructuring and related costs (6)1,881 9,817 21,264 16,834
Acquired in process research and development 24,900 24,900
Gain on divestiture of Lazanda (17,064) (17,064)
Purdue litigation settlement (62,000)
Non-cash interest expense on debt5,579 5,340 21,877 20,953
Managed care dispute reserve 4,742
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets 11,017 30,291
Other costs 123
Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments (7)(12,147) (18,626) (13,305) (56,875)
Non-GAAP adjusted earnings$23,085 $10,813 $93,225 $30,366
Add interest expense of convertible debt, net of tax (8)1,704 1,348 6,814 5,390
Numerator$24,789 $12,160 $100,039 $35,756
Shares used in calculation (8)81,935 81,360 82,139 81,619
Non-GAAP adjusted earnings per share$0.30 $0.15 $1.22 $0.44

___________________

(1) For the period from January 8, 2018 through November 8, 2018, the adjustment relates to the non-cash value assigned to inventory transferred to Collegium. As of the date of the amendment, on November 8, 2018, the Company ceased recognition of fixed revenues and will begin recognition of variable revenues when they become due beginning in January 2019. Cash collected during the fourth quarter remained in-line with the pre-modification agreement amount of $33.8 million. The adjustment for the three months ended December 31, 2018 relates to the cash received in excess of the GAAP revenue recognized. The Company has consistently shown non-GAAP revenue for the Commercialization Agreement on a cash basis.

(2) Represents the cash received for inventory transferred to Collegium at the commencement of the Commercialization Agreement.

(3) Represents a $12.5 million benefit related to the release of sales reserves for which the Company is no longer financially responsible, net of $1.8 million in royalties payable to a third party.

(4) Removal of the impact of revenue adjustment estimates related to products that we are no longer commercializing.

(5) Legal costs/expenses related to opioid-related litigation, investigations and regulations pertaining to the Company’s historical commercialization of opioid products.

(6) Restructuring and other costs represents non-recurring costs associated with the Company’s restructuring, reincorporation, headquarters relocation and CEO transition.

(7) Calculated by taking the pre-tax non-GAAP adjustments and applying the statutory tax rate.

(8) The Company uses the if-converted method to compute diluted earnings per share with respect to its convertible debt.

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE TONON-GAAP ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER SHARE(unaudited)
Three Months Ended December 31, Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2018 2017 2018 2017
GAAP net income/(loss) per share(0.38) (0.52) 0.57 (1.63)
Conversion from basic shares to diluted shares0.09 0.12 (0.13) 0.38
Commercialization agreement revenues0.26 (0.30)
Commercialization agreement cost of sales 0.08
Nucynta sales reserve (0.13)
Non-cash interest expense on debt0.07 0.07 0.27 0.26
Nucynta and Lazanda revenue reserves (0.01)
Managed care dispute reserve 0.06
Expenses for opioid-related litigation, investigations and regulations0.04 0.09
Purdue litigation settlement (0.75)
Intangible amortization related to product acquisitions0.31 0.31 1.23 1.25
Contingent consideration related to product acquisitions(0.01) (0.01) (0.08)
Stock based compensation0.03 0.04 0.13 0.16
Restructuring and related costs0.03 0.12 0.26 0.21
Acquired in process research and development 0.30 0.30
Gain on divestiture of Lazanda (0.21) (0.21)
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets 0.14 0.37
Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments(0.16) (0.23) (0.16) (0.70)
Add interest expense of convertible debt, net of tax0.02 0.02 0.08 0.07
Non-GAAP adjusted diluted earnings per share0.30 0.15 1.22 0.44

RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP REPORTED TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTED INFORMATIONFor the three months ended December 31, 2018(in thousands)(unaudited)
Commercializationagreement revenues Product Sales Royalties andmilestones Total Revenue Cost of sales Research anddevelopmentexpense Selling, general andadministrativeexpense
GAAP as reported $12,983 $29,339 $277 $42,599 $704 $2,207 $25,468
Commercialization agreement revenues and cost of sales 21,262 21,262
Nucynta sales reserve
Third party royalties (82) (82) 82
Nucynta and Lazanda revenue reserves (1,024) (1,024)
Expenses for opioid-related litigation, investigations and regulations (3,537)
Contingent consideration related to product acquisitions (143)
Stock based compensation (109) (2,440)
Restructuring and other costs (22)
Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA $34,163 $28,315 $277 $62,755 $786 $2,098 $19,326

For non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA purposes, the company adjusts the full costs of restructuring, amortization of intangible assets, interest expense and taxes.

RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP REPORTED TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTED INFORMATIONFor the twelve months ended December 31, 2018(in thousands)(unaudited)
Commercializationagreement revenues Product Sales Royalties andmilestones Total Revenue Cost of sales Research anddevelopmentexpense Selling, general andadministrativeexpense
GAAP as reported $155,743 $129,966 $26,061 $311,770 $18,476 $8,042 $119,218
Commercialization agreement revenues and cost of sales (25,164) (25,164)
Nucynta sales reserve (10,711) (10,711)
Third party royalties 3,659 3,659 (3,659)
Nucynta and Lazanda revenue reserves (1,562) (1,562)
Expenses for opioid-related litigation, investigations and regulations (7,897)
Contingent consideration related to product acquisitions 515
Stock based compensation (30) (446) (9,963)
Restructuring and other costs (661)
Other costs (123)
Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA $134,238 $117,693 $26,061 $277,992 $14,787 $7,596 $101,089

For non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA purposes, the company adjusts the full costs of restructuring, amortization of intangible assets, interest expense and taxes.

FULL-YEAR 2019 NON-GAAP GUIDANCE RECONCILIATION(in millions)(unaudited)
Earnings(1)
Low End High End
GAAP($71) ($61)
Specified Items(2)$186 $186
Non-GAAP$115 $125

___________________

(1) GAAP net income guidance refers to GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings guidance refers to non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA.

(2) For purposes of this forward-looking reconciliation, a description of the categories of specified items included in this reconciliation are detailed in the tables above.

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Source: Assertio Therapeutics, Inc.

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