IT
Intellia Therapeutics, Inc. (NTLA)·Q2 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- NTLA reported Q2 2024 collaboration revenue of $7.0M and a net loss of $147.0M, with diluted EPS of $(1.52); cash and marketable securities ended at ~$939.9M, funding operations into late 2026 .
- Phase 2 for NTLA-2002 (HAE) met primary and all secondary endpoints; management selected 50 mg for a pivotal Phase 3 expected to start in 2H 2024 after a successful end-of-Phase 2 FDA meeting, positioning NTLA-2002 as a potential “functional cure” .
- NTLA-2001 (ATTR-CM) MAGNITUDE Phase 3 enrollment is tracking ahead of prior projections, now cleared in 12+ countries and active at 35+ sites; updated Phase 1 data (CM and PN arms) are planned for 2H 2024 .
- Platform advances: first-ever CRISPR redosing data for NTLA-2001 (55 mg follow-on dose → 90% median TTR reduction at day 28), and MHRA authorization for NTLA-3001 (AATD) with first patient dosing planned in 2H 2024 .
- Near-term stock catalysts: detailed HAE Phase 2 data (Q4), HAE Phase 3 initiation, ATTR Phase 1 update and MAGNITUDE enrollment progress; S&P Global consensus estimates were unavailable at query time (note in Estimates Context) .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- NTLA-2002 Phase 2 met primary and all secondary endpoints at both 25 mg and 50 mg; 50 mg chosen for Phase 3 after greater kallikrein reduction and more complete attack elimination vs 25 mg; successful FDA end-of-Phase 2 meeting .
- NTLA-2001 MAGNITUDE Phase 3 (ATTR-CM) enrollment is “well ahead” of projections; regulatory clearance in 12+ countries and >35 active sites; management expects ~100 sites globally .
- Platform validation: redosing proof-of-concept in NTLA-2001 showed 90% median TTR reduction at day 28 on follow-on 55 mg dosing for low-dose (0.1 mg/kg) patients; safety consistent with single-dose profile .
Management quote: “We anticipate that NTLA-2002 will be the first in vivo gene editing therapy to come to market… [and] reset the standard of care for HAE” .
What Went Wrong
- Collaboration revenue declined year-over-year ($7.0M vs $13.6M in Q2 2023), driven by lower AvenCell agreement-related revenue .
- Net loss widened year-over-year ($147.0M vs $123.7M in Q2 2023), reflecting operating loss and negative change in fair value of investments .
- Estimates comparison unavailable from S&P Global at query time; unable to quantify beat/miss vs Street for Q2 2024 (see Estimates Context) [functions.GetEstimates errors].
Financial Results
Notes: Net margin derived from reported collaboration revenue and net loss in each period .
KPIs and Operating Metrics
Segment breakdown: Not applicable; NTLA is pre-commercial with collaboration revenue only .
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We are on track to begin the Phase III [HAE] trial in the second half of this year… we anticipate that NTLA‑2002 will be the first in vivo gene editing therapy to come to market” — John Leonard, CEO .
- “We now know the size of the [HAE Phase 3] trial… fewer than 70 patients… outcomes include attack rate reduction and patients who achieve complete response over a 6‑month interval” — John Leonard, CEO .
- “Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were approximately $939.9 million as of June 30, 2024… expected to fund operating plans into late 2026” — Edward Dulac, CFO .
- “We plan to include safety and TTR reduction data from both the CM and PN arms as well as other clinical endpoints, such as NT‑proBNP, 6‑minute walk test and mNIS+7” — John Leonard, CEO .
Q&A Highlights
- Competition in HAE: management emphasized targeting a complete response and functional cure profile vs chronic prophylaxis, aiming to “reset the bar” versus competitors (e.g., Ionis) .
- Women of childbearing potential: clarified there was no partial clinical hold; inclusion planned globally in Phase 3 with full FDA alignment .
- HAE Phase 3 size/design: “fewer than 70 patients,” placebo‑controlled over six months; endpoints include complete response and attack rate reduction .
- Redosing strategy: not planned for current amyloidosis or HAE programs; platform option could matter outside the liver or where additive effect desired .
- ATTR‑CM bar vs stabilizers: NTLA‑2001 designed to achieve deeper, durable TTR reduction; management expects outcomes superior to existing agents; enrollment brisk with ~100 sites targeted .
Estimates Context
- S&P Global consensus estimates (Primary EPS Consensus Mean, Revenue Consensus Mean; Q2 2024 and prior quarters) were unavailable at query time due to rate limits; we were unable to quantify beat/miss versus Street. We will update when access is available [functions.GetEstimates errors].
- Given biotech’s collaboration‑driven revenue, Street models are likely to recalibrate timelines, Phase 3 design clarity (HAE size, 50 mg dose), and pipeline probabilities for NTLA‑2002 and NTLA‑2001 following successful EOP2 and ongoing rapid MAGNITUDE enrollment .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- HAE Phase 2 success and 50 mg selection, coupled with a small Phase 3 (<70 patients) and FDA alignment, materially de‑risk NTLA‑2002’s path to a 2026 BLA; detailed P2 data in Q4 could be a major catalyst .
- ATTR‑CM MAGNITUDE enrollment pace, breadth of global sites, and upcoming Phase 1 readouts (including clinical endpoints) support NTLA‑2001’s best‑in‑class TTR knockdown thesis; watch HELIOS‑B read‑throughs and potential monotherapy/add‑on dynamics .
- First‑ever CRISPR redosing data strengthens Intellia’s platform defensibility and optionality; while not needed for current programs, it could be leveraged for future indications requiring additive effects .
- NTLA‑3001’s MHRA authorization and planned 2H 2024 first dosing mark gene insertion entry into clinic; achieving normal AAT levels after single dose would be highly differentiated in AATD .
- Financially, NTLA’s ~$939.9M cash and runway into late 2026 enable multi‑program Phase 3 execution without near‑term financing; Street will likely focus on OpEx discipline vs expanding clinical footprint .
- Near‑term trading setup: Q4 HAE P2 detail and P3 start, ATTR Phase 1 update, and continued MAGNITUDE site adds are key narrative drivers; absence of Q2 estimate comparison doesn’t change the core pipeline‑driven story .
- Medium‑term thesis: one‑time, in vivo gene editing therapies with deep target reductions, manageable safety, and scalable delivery position NTLA for potential category leadership in HAE and ATTR; execution on pivotal trials is paramount .