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Avidity Biosciences, Inc. (RNA)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Avidity reported Q3 2025 collaboration revenue of $12.48M, up 435% year over year, driven by a $10.0M milestone from Lilly; net loss was $174.4M and EPS was -$1.27, with a large top-line beat versus consensus but an EPS miss .
- Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled ~$1.88B at quarter-end, extending cash runway guidance from mid-2027 to mid-2028 following an upsized equity offering and ATM proceeds .
- The company updated del-zota’s BLA timing to 2026 after a positive October pre-BLA meeting to include additional CMC data; a Managed Access Program for DMD44 patients was initiated under FDA authorization .
- Novartis agreed to acquire Avidity for $72.00/share (~$12B equity value), a 46% premium to the Oct 24 close; closing expected 1H 2026 after SpinCo separation, which will house early-stage precision cardiology programs .
- Stock reaction catalysts: merger premium and regulatory progress on del-zota, balanced by elevated R&D spend and the BLA timing push; estimates likely need upward revisions to revenue and potentially higher operating expense trajectory .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Collaboration revenue surged on milestone recognition ($12.5M in Q3), reflecting partner progress (Lilly milestone) and Bristol Myers Squibb collaboration contributions .
- Positive and clarifying regulatory interactions: “clear path forward” aligned with FDA for del-zota; BLA planned for 2026 seeking accelerated approval . As CEO Sarah Boyce stated, the transaction and del-zota data “underscore the remarkable consistency of our AOC platform” .
- Clinical momentum: del-zota one‑year data demonstrated reversal of disease progression and sustained muscle protection across multiple functional measures, with CK reductions to near-normal and ~25% of normal dystrophin production .
What Went Wrong
- EPS missed Wall Street consensus for Q3 (-$1.27 actual vs -$1.10 estimate), as operating expenses escalated with late-stage program advancement and commercial build [GetEstimates Q3 2025]*.
- Del‑zota BLA submission timing slipped from year-end 2025 to 2026 to include additional CMC data—strategically sound but a near-term timing headwind .
- Operating expenses rose sharply year over year (R&D +101% to $154.9M; G&A +99% to $46.3M), compressing operating results despite revenue strength .
Financial Results
KPIs
Q3 2025 Results vs S&P Global Consensus
*Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Segment breakdown: Not applicable; revenue consists primarily of collaboration revenue (Lilly milestone and BMS collaboration) .
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Note: A Q3 2025 earnings call was scheduled; however, a full transcript was not available in the document repository. We synthesize themes from the Q3 press release and related filings [MarketBeat link indicates call scheduling https://www.marketbeat.com/earnings/reports/2025-11-10-avidity-biosciences-inc-stock/] .
Management Commentary
- “This important transaction, alongside compelling del‑zota data and a successful pre‑BLA meeting with the FDA in the third quarter, underscores the remarkable consistency of our AOC platform and the significant potential of del‑zota, del‑desiran, and del‑brax to transform outcomes…” — Sarah Boyce, President & CEO .
- “Our recent meeting with the FDA was highly collaborative and provided a clear path forward for our BLA submission… the accelerated approval pathway in the US is the best and fastest way to bring del‑zota to people who need it.” — Sarah Boyce .
- “For the first time, we have data showing that sustained muscle protection leads to meaningful improvements across multiple key functional measures in DMD.” — Sarah Boyce .
Q&A Highlights
- A Q3 earnings call was scheduled, but a full transcript could not be located within the repository; themes inferred from press materials include BLA timing rationale (CMC completeness), revenue drivers (Lilly milestone), and cash runway extension via capital raises .
- Clarifications: BLA submission moved to 2026 for del‑zota to incorporate additional CMC data; MAP designed to enable compliant access for eligible DMD44 patients ahead of potential approval .
- Transaction context: $72.00/share cash consideration (~46% premium to Oct 24 close), closing expected 1H 2026 subject to SpinCo and approvals .
Estimates Context
- Q3 revenue beat consensus by ~$10.67M, reflecting milestone revenue recognition; EPS missed by ~$0.17–$0.22 versus estimates, as operating costs increased with late-stage trials and commercial build [GetEstimates Q3 2025]* .
- Estimate revisions: Revenue pathways now include collaboration milestones; operating expense trajectory likely higher for R&D and G&A; EPS estimates may drift lower near-term while regulatory outcomes (accelerated approval) could reset medium-term expectations .
*Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Merger premium quantifies upside ($72/share, ~46% premium), with closing anticipated in 1H 2026; SpinCo provides embedded optionality in precision cardiology .
- Near-term narrative hinges on del‑zota regulatory trajectory (accelerated approval) and MAP execution; one‑year functional data are a strong de‑risking signal for DMD44 .
- Top-line volatility: Collaboration-driven revenue can produce outsized beats; EPS likely pressured by elevated R&D/G&A into submission and commercialization phases .
- Cash runway extended to mid‑2028 post capital raises, supporting multiple filings and pre‑launch inventory build; lowers financing risk .
- Program cadence: DM1 HARBOR topline and del‑brax biomarker updates in 2026; global Ph3 for del‑brax targets 2028 submissions—multi-year catalysts .
- Trading implications: Deal spread vs $72 offer and regulatory milestones are primary drivers; watch SEC and shareholder approvals, SpinCo structuring, and FDA interactions for del‑zota .
- Estimates likely adjust higher for revenue in milestone quarters and reflect higher opex; EPS misses may persist until commercialization or deal close—position accordingly [GetEstimates Q3 2025]* .
*Values retrieved from S&P Global.