InterMune Inc.
's (
ITMN
) third-quarter loss per share of 70 cents was narrower than the
Zacks Consensus loss Estimate of 84 cents. The narrower than
expected loss was primarily attributable to higher than expected
revenues. Third quarter loss was in line with the year-ago
loss.
InterMune reported revenues of $7.5 million in the third
quarter of 2012, up almost 91% from year-ago revenues of $0.1
million. Notably, revenues in the year-ago quarter included only
negligible sales of Esbriet. The drug was launched in Germany in
September 2011. Revenues also beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate
of $6 million.
Quarterly Details
Esbriet (pirfenidone) was the sole contributor to InterMune's
total revenues in the third quarter of 2012. Esbriet is approved
for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a fatal
lung disease.
During the reported quarter, research and development
(R&D) expenses increased 54% to $26.2 million. The increase
in R&D was due to the expenses associated with the ASCEND
trial.
The ASCEND trial is supporting pirfenidone for the treatment
of IPF in the US. The company expects to complete enrollment for
the phase III study of pirfenidone by the end of the year. The
result of the ASCEND trial is expected in the first half of 2014.
We expect positive top-line data from the study will be
beneficial for the future sales growth of the company.
Selling general and administrative (SG&A) expenses almost
remained flat at $23.8 million year over year.
2012 Guidance
Apart from releasing the third quarter earnings results,
InterMune also provided guidance for Esbriet sales and operating
expenses for 2012.
The company guides Esbriet sales for 2012 in the range of
$20-$25 million. Esbriet sales for 2012 are expected to be at or
a little higher than the top end of the company's projected
range.
InterMune reaffirmed its operating expense guidance for 2012.
The company continues to expect operating expenses in the range
of $200-$235 million for 2012.
The company's 2012 R&D expense guidance is in the range of
$90-$105 million and the SG&A expense guidance is forecast in
the range of $110-$130 million. InterMune expects 2012 R&D
expenses to be at the high end of the projected range, while
SG&A expenses are expected to be on the lower end of the
current range.
Esbriet Update
In October 2012, Esbriet was approved in Canada. InterMune
expects to launch the product in the country in January 2013.
InterMune also secured pricing and reimbursement in Belgium,
which will be effective from December this year. The company
expects to launch the product there in early 2013. The product is
now successfully priced and reimbursed in a number of European
countries, namely Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany,
Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway and Sweden. The company is continuing
its pricing and reimbursement processes in other EU countries as
well.
Our Recommendation
We currently have a Neutral recommendation on InterMune. The
stock carries a Zacks #3 Rank (short-term 'Hold' rating).
We believe Esbriet has significant commercial potential as it
targets IPF which is an orphan indication. Though Esbriet is the
only approved medicine for IPF, companies like
Novartis
(
NVS
),
Sanofi
(
SNY
) and
Celgene Corporation
(
CELG
) are developing candidates for IPF treatment. We remain
concerned about the fact that InterMune is dependent on a single
product for growth.
CELGENE CORP (CELG): Free Stock Analysis
Report
INTERMUNE INC (ITMN): Free Stock Analysis
Report
NOVARTIS AG-ADR (NVS): Free Stock Analysis
Report
SANOFI-AVENTIS (SNY): Free Stock Analysis
Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment
Research