EI
EXELIXIS, INC. (EXEL)·Q4 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q4 2025 results and 8‑K 2.02 filing are not yet available; this recap synthesizes the most recent primary sources (Q3 2025 call and materials, Q2 2025 press release) and FY25 guidance to frame the setup into Q4 .
- Q3 2025 was solid: total revenues ≈$598M, Cabozantinib franchise net product revenues ≈$543M, gross‑to‑net 30.4%, collaboration revenues ≈$54.8M (royalties ≈$46.3M); non‑GAAP diluted EPS $0.78; cash and marketable securities ≈$1.6B .
- NET launch continues to outperform: >40% new‑patient share in 2L+ oral segment; NET demand +50% q/q; management expects >$100M 2025 revenue from NET .
- Zanzalintinib (Zanza) momentum: STELLAR‑303 achieved statistically significant OS benefit in non‑MSI‑H CRC (median OS 10.9 months ITT); NDA filing planned “ASAP” when government reopens; commercial GI build‑out underway to prepare for CRC and accelerate Cabo NET growth .
- Capital allocation supportive: $99M buybacks in Q3; new $750M program authorized through 2026; FY25 guidance narrowed upward (TR and net product), R&D cut by ~$75M, tax rate lowered to 17–18% heading into Q4 .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
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What Went Well
- Cabozantinib execution: US Cabo franchise net product revenue grew ≈14% YoY to ≈$543M; Cabo remained #1 TKI in RCC with record 1L share .
- NET launch outperformance: >40% NET 2L+ oral new‑patient share; +50% demand q/q; trajectory “vectoring towards exceeding $100M” 2025 revenue .
- Guidance/returns: TR and net product ranges tightened to the upper end; R&D and tax rate lowered; incremental $750M repurchase authorization .
- Management quote: “The Cabozantinib business has never been stronger, and we’re pleased to see Zanzalintinib move to center stage with our first big clinical success in CRC.” .
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What Went Wrong
- Gross‑to‑net headwind: gross‑to‑net 30.4% in Q3 with higher 340B discounts; management still projects ~30% for the year .
- Opex uptick from restructuring: Q3 opex ≈$361M included a $19.8M restructuring charge (partially offset by lower SG&A) .
- Pipeline pruning/uncertainties: head & neck (STELLAR‑305) discontinued earlier in 2025; STELLAR‑303 NLM endpoint awaits final analysis (target mid‑2026), leaving some investors focused on “contribution of components” risk until full data mature .
Financial Results
Recent quarters (oldest → newest). Q4 2025 not yet reported.
Revenue mix
Commercial and operating KPIs
Notes: Q4 2025 estimates unavailable from S&P Global due to access limits at this time; management does not provide quarterly guidance, but FY25 guidance was tightened in Q3 .
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “The Cabozantinib business has never been stronger, and we’re pleased to see Zanzalintinib move to center stage with our first big clinical success in CRC.” — Mike Morrissey, CEO .
- “We are narrowing our total revenue and net product revenue guidance to the upper end… lowering our R&D expense guidance… and lowering our full‑year effective tax rate to 17%–18%.” — Chris Senner, CFO .
- “Zanza + atezo had the first clinical success in a non‑MSI‑H 3L+ CRC population… median OS 10.9 months (ITT).” — Dana Aftab, EVP R&D .
- “Cabometyx has rapidly become the market leader in [NET] 2L+ oral segment, with >40% new patient share… NET demand contributed ~6% of total demand in Q3.” — P.J. Haley, EVP Commercial .
Q&A Highlights
- CRC launch positioning: Market is fragmented (~⅓ SUNLIGHT, ~⅓ TKIs, ~⅓ other); research suggests share gains from all competitors if approved; GI sales force expansion aims to maximize uptake .
- STELLAR‑303 endpoints: ITT OS positive; NLM dual primary endpoint to final analysis mid‑2026; filing can proceed based on ITT hit; ITT is entire population, not a subgroup .
- Comparator rationale (STELLAR‑304 nccRCC): Sunitinib is a relevant SOC comparator, widely used, including ex‑US .
- Merck combo plans: Company confident belzutifan combinations with Zanza will proceed; no clinical‑trial sales in Q3 .
- Capital allocation: Company expects to fund R&D, BD, and buybacks concurrently given revenue growth and prudent cost management .
Estimates Context
- S&P Global consensus estimates for Q4 2025 EPS and revenue were not retrievable due to access limits at this time; we will update when available. Management does not guide quarterly figures but tightened FY25 ranges to the upper end in Q3, implying confidence into year‑end .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Cabo remains a durable growth engine with expanding 1L RCC presence and a successful NET launch that is already >40% new‑patient share and likely >$100M in 2025 revenue — a tangible growth driver into 2026 .
- Zanza’s positive OS in non‑MSI‑H CRC is a differentiated data point; an NDA filing “ASAP” when government reopens is a near‑term catalyst, with commercial groundwork underway (GI sales build) .
- FY25 guidance tightened toward the high end while R&D and tax rate were lowered, supporting operating leverage and capital returns (new $750M authorization) .
- Gross‑to‑net remains a manageable headwind (~30% full‑year) given rising 340B mix; watch mix and rebate dynamics through Q4 .
- Medium‑term optionality from wave‑two Zanza trials (meningioma, adjuvant/post‑adjuvant CRC) and early‑stage biotherapeutics (e.g., XB371, XB628) can broaden the franchise beyond Cabo .
- Upcoming catalysts: Zanza NDA submission and R&D Day (Dec 10) for pipeline prioritization — both potential stock movers ahead of Q4 print .
Appendix: Source Availability
- Q4 2025 8‑K 2.02 and earnings call transcript were not yet available in the document set searched (through 11/20/2025). We incorporated Q3 2025 earnings call (11/4/2025) and Q2 2025 press release (7/28/2025) for trend analysis – –.