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EB

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (EBS)·Q4 2024 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Q4 revenue fell 30% to $194.7M on sharp declines in NARCAN (-41%) and Anthrax MCM (-71%), partially offset by a 565% surge in Smallpox MCM; GAAP diluted EPS was $(0.58) and Adjusted EBITDA was $21.0M, with total segment adjusted gross margin improving to 40% .
  • Management initiated conservative FY2025 guidance: revenue $750–$850M, Adjusted EBITDA $150–$200M, net income $16–$66M, and total segment adjusted gross margin 48–51%; Q1 2025 revenue guided to $200–$240M, with a strong start expected and a margin expansion focus despite lower top line .
  • Balance sheet and liquidity improved: YE 2024 cash ~$100M, net debt ~$600.5M (3.3x TTM Adjusted EBITDA), and total liquidity of ~$200M (cash + undrawn revolver); going concern qualification removed, and ratings upgraded (Moody’s B3, S&P B-) .
  • Strategic catalysts: exclusive U.S./Canada commercial rights to 8mg KLOXXADO (naloxone) to complement OTC NARCAN 4mg; potential WHO Emergency Use Listing for ACAM2000 for mpox; visibility into future U.S./international MCM procurements .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

What Went Well

  • Smallpox MCM momentum: Q4 Smallpox MCM sales jumped 565% YoY to $76.5M, driven by higher ACAM2000 non-U.S. sales and USG timing on VIGIV CNJ-016 .
  • Cost discipline and margins: Q4 total segment adjusted gross margin rose 800 bps YoY to 40%; R&D and SG&A were down $49M (41%) YoY, reflecting restructuring and cost actions (CFO) .
  • Balance sheet repair: YE 2024 net leverage fell to 3.3x Adjusted EBITDA with ~$200M liquidity; going concern qualification removed; both Moody’s and S&P raised ratings (CFO) .

Management quotes:

  • “We completed our first phase [stabilization] ahead of schedule… In 2025, we'll be executing our turnaround phase” (CEO) .
  • “Total segment adjusted gross margin of 40% improved 800 basis points year over year… expense levels now represent a dollar run rate that incorporates the full impact of our cost savings efforts” (CFO) .
  • “We believe that this year may represent a trough in adjusted EBITDA going forward as we expect to grow our profitability from here” (CFO) .

What Went Wrong

  • NARCAN revenue pressure: Q4 NARCAN fell 41% YoY to $65.1M on lower OTC sales and Canada retail; pricing declined in 1H’24 and stabilized in 2H, but lower pricing will still weigh on 2025 (CFO) .
  • Anthrax MCM timing: Q4 Anthrax MCM revenue dropped 71% YoY to $32.5M due to timing of USG purchases/options (lumpy procurement) .
  • Bioservices reset: Q4 Bioservices revenue fell 64% YoY (Camden sale; Bayview compares to prior-year resolution); full-year Services gross margin was deeply negative due to Janssen settlement accounting (net $110.2M) and lower Canton production .

Financial Results

Headline results – Q4 2024 vs prior quarter and prior year

MetricQ4 2023Q3 2024Q4 2024
Total Revenues ($M)$276.6 $293.8 $194.7
GAAP Diluted EPS ($)$(0.95) $2.06 $(0.58)
Adjusted EBITDA ($M)$3.4 $105.3 $21.0
Total Segment Adjusted Gross Margin %32% 59% 40%

Notes: Q4 composition skewed away from Anthrax and toward Smallpox MCM; sequential step-down from Q3 reflects procurement timing and weaker NARCAN .

Segment and revenue mix

($M)Q4 2023Q3 2024Q4 2024
NARCAN$111.0 $95.3 $65.1
Anthrax MCM$111.6 $11.4 $32.5
Smallpox MCM$11.5 $132.7 $76.5
Other Products$15.0 $30.1 $7.8
Total Product Sales$249.1 $269.5 $181.9
Bioservices (Services+Leases)$20.8 $14.3 $7.4
Contracts & Grants$6.7 $10.0 $5.4
Total Revenues$276.6 $293.8 $194.7

Drivers: NARCAN down on OTC and Canada; Anthrax lumpy USG options; Smallpox up on ACAM2000 non-U.S. and VIGIV timing; Bioservices down on Camden sale and Bayview compare .

Operating expense and capex snapshot

($M)Q4 2023Q3 2024Q4 2024
R&D$29.4 $13.8 $9.1
SG&A$89.7 $76.6 $60.8
Total Operating Expenses$320.4 $229.3 $204.2
Capital Expenditures$11.4 $5.8 $1.7

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
Total RevenuesFY 2025N/A$750–$850M Initiated
Adjusted EBITDAFY 2025N/A$150–$200M Initiated
Net IncomeFY 2025N/A$16–$66M Initiated
Adjusted Net IncomeFY 2025N/A$20–$70M Initiated
Total Segment Adjusted GM %FY 2025N/A48%–51% Initiated
MCM Products RevenueFY 2025N/A$435–$485M Initiated
Commercial Products RevenueFY 2025N/A$265–$315M Initiated
Total RevenuesQ1 2025N/A$200–$240M Initiated
Total RevenuesFY 2024 (as of 11/6/24)$1,065–$1,125M Actual $1,043.6M Outcome: Below range

Key assumptions for 2025 include interest expense ~$55M, R&D ~6–7% of revenue, SG&A ~27–28%, capex ~$17M, D&A ~$100M; weighted average diluted shares ~54M .

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q-2 and Q-1)Current Period (Q4)Trend
NARCAN pricing/volumeQ2: price mix pressure, OTC ramp; Q3: pricing stabilized in 2H’24; public interest channel strength Pricing stabilization continues; 2025 guidance reflects lower pricing carryover; maintain majority share; public interest ~75% of business Pricing pressure easing; share leadership maintained
MCM visibilityQ2/Q3: ~$500–$550M of contract mods; strong ACAM2000/VIGIV timing; raised 2024 MCM guide 2025 MCM guide $435–$485M; emphasis on USG/ally demand and contract options execution Solid visibility; timing remains lumpy
Bioservices resetQ2: Janssen settlement and write-downs; Services GM deeply negative; asset sales (Camden) Lower revenue/costs post-Camden sale; Services GM still negative but improved YoY Rightsized footprint; de-emphasized
Cost actions & marginsQ2: restructuring; Q3: SG&A and R&D down; 2024 adj GM +1,200 bps YoY 2025 adj GM % guided +~500 bps vs 2024; OpEx down 41% YoY in Q4 (CFO) Structural margin expansion
Liquidity/LeverageQ3: refinanced term loan, new $100M ABL; net leverage 3.3x; liquidity ~$200M YE’24 cash ~$100M; 3.3x leverage confirmed; going concern removed; ratings upgraded (CFO) Improved and stable
KLOXXADO integrationN/ASecured exclusive U.S./CAN rights; integrate into NARCANDirect in 30–60 days (from call date) Incremental commercial lever
Mpox/ACAM2000Q3: FDA approval for mpox indication; WHO EUL submission Expect WHO EUL; not baked into 2025 guide (potential upside) Optionality/upside

Management Commentary

  • Strategic focus: “This strong foundation enables Emergent to focus on profitable revenue growth and cash generation as we move forward with turnaround activities” (CEO) .
  • Turnaround cadence: “We completed [stabilization] ahead of schedule… In 2025, we'll be executing our turnaround phase” (CEO) .
  • NARCAN leadership: “NARCAN remains the market leader… approximately 75% share of the market” (CEO) .
  • Profitability trajectory: “We believe that this year may represent a trough in adjusted EBITDA… expect to grow our profitability from here” (CFO) .
  • 2025 guide posture: “We are being conservative due to the transitions anticipated in the new administration” (CFO) .

Q&A Highlights

  • NARCAN dynamics: Pricing stabilized in 2H’24; 2025 ranges reflect carryover of lower price; maintain majority share in public interest (~75% of NARCAN business) .
  • 2025 EBITDA outlook: Midpoint roughly flat YoY; viewed as a trough with growth expected thereafter via portfolio diversification (MCM, NARCAN, KLOXXADO) and potential biz dev (CEO/CFO) .
  • OpEx trajectory: Full benefit of cost actions in Q4 run-rate; opportunity to further scale SG&A with growth (CFO) .
  • KLOXXADO positioning: Distribution-led synergy via NARCANDirect; addresses higher-dose needs (8mg) amid fentanyl exposure; integration expected within 30–60 days (CEO) .
  • USG procurement cadence: Expect 2024 pattern as a marker; timing of option exercises may shift intra-year; strong Q1 anticipated (CFO/CEO) .

Estimates Context

  • Wall Street consensus (S&P Global) for Q4 2024 revenue/EPS/EBITDA was unavailable at time of retrieval due to access limits, so we cannot assess beats/misses. Values would be sourced from S&P Global if accessible. Values retrieved from S&P Global.

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Revenue volatility is driven by USG procurement timing and NARCAN pricing; Q4 mix shifted away from Anthrax and toward Smallpox MCM, with NARCAN down 41% YoY and Anthrax down 71% YoY, but Smallpox up 565% YoY .
  • Margins are structurally improving: Q4 total segment adjusted GM reached 40% (+800 bps YoY) and FY2025 guided to 48–51% despite lower revenue guidance (mix, footprint optimization) .
  • Liquidity and credit profile materially improved: YE’24 cash ~$100M, net leverage 3.3x, liquidity ~$200M, rating upgrades, and removal of going concern—supporting turnaround execution .
  • 2025 guide is conservative (new administration timing risk), but management expects a strong Q1 and views 2025 as an EBITDA trough with growth beyond (potential catalysts: WHO EUL for ACAM2000, KLOXXADO rollout, international MCM) .
  • Commercial naloxone strategy now spans OTC NARCAN 4mg and Rx KLOXXADO 8mg to address broader use cases; integration into NARCANDirect should enhance reach and ordering simplicity .
  • Services is de-emphasized and right-sized after Camden sale and Janssen settlement; focus is on core MCM and naloxone franchises .
  • Watch procurement updates (Anthrax/Smallpox/BAT/Ebanga) and NARCAN price/mix trends intra-year for estimate revisions and stock catalysts (CFO says pattern similar to 2024) .