RP
RIGEL PHARMACEUTICALS INC (RIGL)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- RIGL delivered Q1 2025 total revenue of $53.3M and diluted EPS of $0.63, materially above Wall Street consensus; revenue beat by ~$9.5M and EPS beat by ~$0.50, driven by strong net product sales and collaboration revenue strength . EPS est: $0.134*; revenue est: $43.87M*.
- Net product sales rose 68% year over year to $43.6M, with TAVALISSE $28.5M (+35% YoY), REZLIDHIA $6.1M (+25% YoY), and GAVRETO $9.0M; total collaboration revenue was $9.8M (Grifols $4.7M, Kissei $4.6M including a $3.0M milestone) .
- 2025 guidance maintained: total revenue $200–$210M (excludes ~$40M non-cash revenue expected in Q2 from Lilly collaboration accounting), net product sales $185–$192M, and collaboration revenue $15–$18M; company expects positive full-year net income .
- Management emphasized commercial execution across all three brands and advancing R289 and olutasidenib programs; non-cash ~$40M collaboration revenue expected in Q2 following decision not to opt-in to ocadusertib development costs with Lilly .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Commercial momentum: Net product sales +68% YoY; “strong start to the year” and “growing, profitable company” with $11.4M net income in Q1 .
- Product performance: TAVALISSE achieved $28.5M (+35% YoY) with record quarterly patient demand; GAVRETO $9.0M sequential +11% vs Q4; REZLIDHIA $6.1M (+25% YoY) .
- External partners/regulatory: $3.0M milestone recognized on Korea TAVALISSE approval; continued ex-U.S. expansion and partner contributions (Grifols, Medison) .
What Went Wrong
- Sequential decline in net product sales vs Q4 due to expected Q1 inventory drawdown across channels, typical seasonality; management flagged resetting dynamics early in Q1 .
- Costs and expenses rose to $40.6M (from $36.5M a year ago), primarily personnel and higher R&D for R289/olutasidenib, and higher royalties/amortization tied to sales growth .
- Potential tariff exposure: management noted uncertainty from global trade tensions affecting third-party manufacturers, not ready to quantify impact (expected modest) .
Financial Results
P&L vs Prior Quarter and Prior Year
Notes:
- Net income margin calculated: Q1 2025 = 21.5% (11.446/53.333) based on reported figures .
Segment Net Product Sales
Additional KPIs
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “With total revenue of $53.3 million for the quarter and continued financial discipline, we were able to generate $11.4 million in net income this quarter...Rigel is a growing, profitable company...” — Raul Rodriguez, CEO .
- “TAVALISSE...generated $28.5 million...GAVRETO...$9 million...REZLIDHIA...$6.1 million...We grew demand for all 3 brands.” — David Santos, CCO .
- “We switched...from once daily to twice daily dosing (R289)...to maintain a tonic suppression of inflammation...We will be seeking FDA input...aligning with Project Optimus.” — Lisa Rojkjaer, CMO .
- “In Q2, we expect to recognize approximately $40 million in collaboration revenue...noncash...related to the release of the remaining cost share liability [Lilly].” — Dean Schorno, CFO .
- “We anticipate growing our net product sales in 2025 by approximately 30% year-over-year.” — Raul Rodriguez, CEO .
Q&A Highlights
- Glioma programs: CONNECT TarGeT-D maintenance combo vs planned Rigel Phase 2 in recurrent glioma; focus on PFS and adolescent/young adult cohort in TarGeT-D; more trial details to come later in the year .
- ANDA litigation: Settlement allows generic TAVALISSE entry in Q2 2032 or earlier under certain circumstances; currently no other ANDA filers known; second filers could theoretically enter earlier only if patents are defeated .
- Q1 seasonality and IRA changes: Team prepared for Inflation Reduction Act changes; demand grew across brands; inventory drawdown impacted Q1 revenue sequentially as expected .
- R289 dosing strategy: Transition to BID dosing to sustain inflammatory suppression; FDA alignment midyear per Project Optimus for dose selection .
Estimates Context
- Q1 2025: Revenue $53.33M vs $43.87M*; Diluted EPS $0.63 vs $0.134*; both significant beats . Values with asterisks retrieved from S&P Global.
- Q4 2024: Revenue $57.596M vs $57.59M* (in line); Diluted EPS $0.80 vs $0.616* (beat) . Values with asterisks retrieved from S&P Global.
- Q1 2024: Revenue $29.534M vs $31.47M* (miss); Diluted EPS -$0.47 vs -$0.288* (miss) . Values with asterisks retrieved from S&P Global.
Values with asterisks retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Commercial engine is driving outsized beats: broad-based demand across TAVALISSE, GAVRETO, and REZLIDHIA produced significant EPS and revenue upside versus consensus in Q1, despite seasonal inventory drawdown .
- Guidance credibility enhanced: management maintained FY revenue and profitability guidance while signaling ~$40M non-cash Q2 collaboration revenue; underlying FY view excludes this accounting item, indicating confidence in core operations .
- R289 de-risking: BID dosing strategy and planned FDA alignment under Project Optimus, plus Fast Track and Orphan designations, point to disciplined development with near-term data catalysts (H2 update) .
- REZLIDHIA optionality: expanding trials across AML/MDS and planned glioma study provide medium-term pipeline catalysts; increased awareness post-venetoclax supports commercial growth .
- IP and ex-U.S. growth: TAVALISSE patent settlement sets earliest generic entry timing (Q2 2032 or earlier under circumstances) and reduces litigation overhang; ex-U.S. partner milestones (Korea) add non-dilutive revenue .
- Risk watch: potential tariffs on third-party manufacturing and ongoing royalty/intangible amortization pressure on COGS; inventory dynamics can affect quarterly cadence though demand trends remain strong .
- Trading implications: Q1 beat and maintained guidance, plus visible Q2 non-cash collaboration revenue, are positive near-term catalysts; medium-term thesis hinges on sustained commercial growth and R289/olutasidenib clinical milestones .