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Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (ACOR)·Q3 2023 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Q3 2023 total revenues were $27.7M; GAAP net loss improved to $8.9M with EPS of $(7.16); operating loss narrowed to $(2.52)M vs $(4.99)M in Q3 2022 .
  • INBRIJA U.S. net revenue rose 4% YoY to $8.1M; ex-U.S. INBRIJA was $1.4M (Spain); AMPYRA net revenue fell 26% YoY to $15.7M; FAMPYRA royalties were $2.5M .
  • 2023 guidance reaffirmed: INBRIJA U.S. net revenue $34–$38M, Adjusted OPEX $93–$98M, ending cash $39–$44M, AMPYRA $65–$70M .
  • Catalysts: stronger INBRIJA PRF trends (+32% YoY Q3; +38% YTD), Biopas filings in six LATAM countries with up to five approvals expected in 2024; 2024 convertible notes and capital structure remain watch items .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

What Went Well

  • INBRIJA momentum: U.S. net revenue +4% YoY to $8.1M; worldwide $9.5M (+7% YoY), with PRFs up 32% YoY in Q3 and +38% YTD—“This is an encouraging sign for the long-term growth of the brand” (Ron Cohen) .
  • International expansion: Biopas filed for approval of INBRIJA in six LATAM countries; expects up to five approvals in 2024; filings in Chile (2023) and Brazil/Mexico (2024) targeted .
  • Cost discipline: Total operating expenses down to $30.2M from $38.5M; Adjusted OPEX steady at ~$24.4M YoY, supporting guidance .

What Went Wrong

  • AMPYRA decline: Net revenue down 26% YoY to $15.7M, with management continuing to expect declines post-2018 LOE .
  • Profitability headwinds: Interest expense remained elevated ($7.8M), contributing to GAAP net loss of $8.9M despite improved operating trends .
  • Cash drawdown: Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash fell to $33.6M vs $44.7M at YE 2022; capital structure/2024 notes remain a risk highlighted in Q&A .

Financial Results

Summary Financials vs Prior Quarters

MetricQ1 2023Q2 2023Q3 2023
Total Revenues ($USD Millions)$22.258 $29.675 $27.715
Operating Income (Loss) ($USD Millions)$(11.476) $(3.632) $(2.519)
GAAP Net Income (Loss) ($USD Millions)$(16.824) $(9.381) $(8.888)
EPS (Basic/Diluted) ($)$(0.69) $(7.55) $(7.16)
Total Operating Expenses ($USD Millions)$33.734 $33.307 $30.234
Interest Expense, net ($USD Millions)$(7.477) $(7.715) $(7.827)

Operating Margin Trend (computed from reported metrics)

MetricQ1 2023Q2 2023Q3 2023
Operating Margin (%)-51.6% (Op. loss/Rev.) -12.2% -9.1%

Product/Segment Revenues

SegmentQ1 2023Q2 2023Q3 2023
INBRIJA U.S. Net Revenue ($USD Millions)$5.6 $8.3 $8.1
INBRIJA ex-U.S. Net Revenue ($USD Millions)$0.5 $0.8 $1.4
AMPYRA Net Revenue ($USD Millions)$12.6 $16.9 $15.7
FAMPYRA Royalty Revenue ($USD Millions)$2.9 $2.9 $2.5

Non-GAAP and Cash Metrics

MetricQ1 2023Q2 2023Q3 2023
Adjusted OPEX ($USD Millions)$23.900 $23.375 $24.359
Cash, Cash Equivalents & Restricted Cash ($USD Millions)$37.8 $26.4 $33.6

KPIs

KPIQ1 2023Q2 2023Q3 2023
INBRIJA PRFs change vs prior year+45% YoY PRFs (Q1) +42% 1H vs 2022 +32% YoY PRFs; +38% YTD
New prescribers attributionStreaming TV and digital campaign impact noted 165 first-time prescribers linked to campaign Continued PRF momentum

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
INBRIJA U.S. Net RevenueFY 2023$38–$42M (Q1 guidance) $34–$38M (revised in Q2) ; reaffirmed Q3 Lowered in Q2; Maintained in Q3
Adjusted OPEXFY 2023$93–$103M (Q1) $93–$98M (Q2) ; reaffirmed Q3 Lowered upper bound in Q2; Maintained in Q3
Ending Cash BalanceFY 2023$43–$47M (Q1) $39–$44M (Q2) ; reaffirmed Q3 Lowered in Q2; Maintained in Q3
AMPYRA Net RevenueFY 2023$65–$70M (Q1) $65–$70M (Q2) ; reaffirmed Q3 Maintained

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q1 & Q2)Current Period (Q3)Trend
INBRIJA commercial strategyLaunch of streaming TV and digital campaign; strong early engagement ; campaign drove 165 first-time prescribers in 1H PRFs +32% YoY in Q3; +38% YTD; management reiterates growth confidence Improving demand indicators
International expansion (LATAM, EU)Spain launch contributing to ex-U.S. revenue Biopas filed in six LATAM countries; up to five approvals expected 2024; Chile filing 2023; Brazil/Mexico 2024 Pipeline of approvals building
AMPYRA trajectory post-LOE“Flattening of attrition curve” in Q2 commentary Revenue down 26% YoY; management continues to expect ongoing decline Structural decline continues
Cost structure/Adjusted OPEXAdjusted OPEX lowered in Q2 guidance Adjusted OPEX reiterated; total OPEX down YoY Cost control sustained
Capital structure/Convertible notes 2024Continued communication with bondholders noted in Q2 CEO: constructive relationship with bondholders; will pursue best solution on 2024 notes Financing overhang persists

Management Commentary

  • “We were pleased to see a 32% increase in new INBRIJA prescription requests in Q3 2023 over Q3 2022…This is an encouraging sign for the long-term growth of the brand, and we are reiterating our 2023 INBRIJA guidance.” — Ron Cohen, M.D., President & CEO .
  • “Biopas has filed for the approval of INBRIJA in six countries in Latin America and expects to have up to five approvals in 2024. They also expect to file in Chile by the end of 2023 and in Brazil and Mexico in 2024.” — Ron Cohen .
  • “U.S. net revenue in the first half of the year increased less quickly than we projected, and we are therefore revising our guidance for 2023 INBRIJA U.S. net revenue to $34 million-$38 million…we do not expect to be cash flow neutral this year.” — Ron Cohen (Q2) .

Q&A Highlights

  • Convertible Notes (2024): CEO emphasized constructive engagement with bondholders and intent to collaborate on a best solution for stakeholders .
  • Accountability and incentives: Management and board use incentive compensation tied to goals; management owns stock, aligning outcomes with shareholder value .
  • Demand normalization post-COVID: Company expects better projection accuracy with more typical environment data .
  • Webcast logistics and investor access: Company hosted a Q3 2023 update call on Nov. 13, 2023; replay and details provided .

Estimates Context

  • S&P Global consensus estimates for Q3 2023 were unavailable due to missing CIQ mapping for ACOR; as a result, we cannot provide a standardized Wall Street consensus comparison for revenue or EPS. Values retrieved from S&P Global were unavailable for ACOR (mapping error).
  • Given the lack of consensus data, no beat/miss determination vs Street estimates is provided; consider using alternative sources only as directional checks, but we anchor on company-reported figures per policy [GetEstimates error].

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • INBRIJA demand indicators strengthened (PRFs +32% YoY; +38% YTD), supporting the reiterated 2023 INBRIJA guidance; focus remains on converting PRFs into sustained prescription revenue .
  • International optionality improving: Biopas regulatory submissions across LATAM with potential 2024 approvals could add ex-U.S. contribution over time .
  • AMPYRA decline is structural post-LOE; portfolio mix increasingly reliant on INBRIJA growth and royalties; monitor attrition pace and pricing dynamics .
  • Cost control sustained: Operating expenses down YoY; Adjusted OPEX consistent with guidance, aiding cash preservation amid high interest expense .
  • Capital structure remains the overhang: 2024 convertible notes discussions underway; outcome will be pivotal for liquidity and equity value trajectory .
  • Near-term trading implications: Headlines around LATAM approvals and sustained INBRIJA PRF growth can be positives; any updates on note negotiations could drive volatility; absence of Street estimate comparisons reduces clear beat/miss signaling .
  • Medium-term thesis: Execution on U.S. INBRIJA conversion, international approvals, and a resolved capital structure are key to de-risking the story; continued OPEX discipline necessary given interest costs .

Additional sources used:

  • Q3 2023 press release and financial statements embedded in 8-K .
  • Q2 2023 press release and financial statements embedded in 8-K .
  • Q1 2023 press release and financial statements embedded in 8-K .
  • Business Wire Q3 2023 press release and webcast scheduling .
  • Earnings call transcript references .