ZL
Zai Lab Ltd (ZLAB)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 2025 revenue rose 14% y/y to $116.1M, but missed S&P Global consensus of $138.0M; EPS (ADS) was -$0.33 vs -$0.27 consensus, reflecting a softer-than-expected top line and continued investment; FY25 revenue guidance cut to at least $460M from $560–$590M. *
- Commercial highlights: VYVGART revenue grew sequentially to $27.7M despite a one-time $2.4M price adjustment ahead of NRDL; ZEJULA declined y/y amid PARPi competition; NUZYRA and XACDURO grew, with the latter constrained by supply.
- Operating loss improved 28% y/y to $48.8M and adjusted operating loss improved 42% y/y to $28.0M; cash and equivalents were $817.2M at quarter end, providing operational flexibility.
- Pipeline remains the key medium-term catalyst: DLL3 ADC “zoci” (ZL-1310) entered a global registrational study in 2L+ ES-SCLC with best-in-class potential; KarXT added to China’s schizophrenia guidelines with launch prep underway.
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Zoci (DLL3 ADC) advanced to a global registrational trial with compelling Phase 1 data (ORR 68% at 1.6 mg/kg; 80% intracranial ORR in untreated brain metastases; Grade ≥3 TRAEs 13%), supporting first- and best-in-class potential. “We are demonstrating the speed, scientific rigor, and global ambition of our R&D engine.”
- VYVGART commercial durability improved: average vials per patient increased >30% YTD; nearly 21,000 patients treated to date; updated MG guidelines catalyzing movement toward maintenance therapy.
- Cost discipline: R&D down to $47.9M (from $66.0M y/y) and adjusted operating loss improved 42% y/y to $28.0M.
What Went Wrong
- Top-line miss vs consensus: Total revenue $116.1M vs $138.0M consensus, driven by VYVGART price adjustment (-$2.4M) and measured adoption curve; ZEJULA continued y/y pressure from competitive dynamics. *
- Profitability timing pushed out: Management now expects profitability beyond Q4 2025 given a lower revenue base, from prior “on track to Q4 profitability” stance in Q2.
- XACDURO supply constraints limited upside despite robust demand; ZEJULA share gains delayed as VBP timing and generics dynamics remained choppy.
Financial Results
Summary P&L (Actuals)
Note: Adjusted loss excludes depreciation, amortization, and share-based compensation.
Q3 2025 vs S&P Global Consensus
Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.
Operating Expenses and Cash
Product Sales Breakdown
KPIs and Commercial Indicators
Guidance Changes
Management also signaled profitability (non-GAAP) now expected beyond Q4 2025 vs “on track for Q4” in Q2.
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Zai Lab is entering the next phase of our growth, powered by the rapid advancement of our global pipeline and supported by a commercially profitable and scalable business in China.” — Dr. Samantha Du, CEO
- “In gMG, we are seeing steady new patient starts and increasing treatment duration… While adoption is building gradually, physician confidence continues to grow and reinforces the long-term potential of VYVGART.” — Josh Smiley, President/COO
- “Loss from operations improved 28%... adjusted loss from operations… was $28 million… While we expect meaningful quarter-over-quarter improvement… we now expect profitability to shift beyond the fourth quarter.” — Yajing Chen, CFO
- “At the 1.6 mg/kg dose, we observed an overall response rate of 68%… and 80% in untreated brain metastases… Grade ≥3 TRAEs 13%… positioning zoci as an ideal candidate for first-line combinations.” — Dr. Rafael Amado, President & Head of Global R&D
Q&A Highlights
- Guidance reset and path to profitability: Lower revenue base (slower VYVGART treatment duration ramp; ZEJULA dynamics; XACDURO supply) pushes profitability beyond Q4; China business remains commercially profitable; 2026 update forthcoming.
- VYVGART trajectory: Focus on moving patients to at least three cycles with guidelines support; expecting low-teens sequential volume growth into 2026.
- ZL-1503 (IL-13/IL-31R) expectations: First-in-human program across healthy volunteers and AD patients; potential for brisk, sustained efficacy; initial data in 2026.
- KarXT launch setup: Concentrated institutional deployment; significant unmet need given no new mechanisms in ~70 years; approval hoped near term, launch in 2026, NRDL in 2027.
- Bema (bemarituzumab) update: After Amgen disclosures, management views China approval path as “very challenging”; evaluating resource reallocation.
Estimates Context
- Q3 2025 missed S&P Global consensus on revenue ($116.10M vs $138.00M*) and EPS (ADS) (-$0.33 vs -$0.27*), with limited estimate coverage (Rev: 1; EPS: 3), suggesting potential model dispersion. *
- Factors behind the miss: one-time -$2.4M VYVGART Hytrulo price adjustment, measured ramp to maintenance dosing, ZEJULA class pressures, and XACDURO supply constraints.
- Forward adjustments: Consensus likely to move lower for FY25 and modestly for early FY26; offset by rising conviction in zoci timelines (registrational underway) and KarXT launch trajectory.
Values marked with * retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Near-term: The guidance cut and Q3 miss are likely overhangs; watch for Q4 execution on VYVGART duration, ZEJULA share gains post-VBP, and XACDURO supply normalization.
- Medium-term: Zoci’s registrational progression and strong efficacy/safety profile are central to the bull case; 2026 should be “catalyst-heavy” across oncology and immunology.
- China commercial engine: Underlying VYVGART durability metrics (patients, duration, guidelines) are improving and should compound, albeit on a measured slope.
- Profitability: Non-GAAP profitability slips beyond Q4, but loss trajectory continues to improve; cash of $817.2M supports pipeline and launch readiness.
- Launch pipeline: KarXT inclusion in guidelines de-risks positioning; focus on targeted institutional deployment and NRDL path.
- Portfolio optimization: Expect disciplined resource reallocation (e.g., bemarituzumab) toward higher-ROI internal assets.
Appendices
Additional Detail: Year-over-Year and Sequential Dynamics (Select)
- Total revenues: +14% y/y to $116.10M; sequential +5.6% vs Q2’s $109.98M.
- VYVGART: $27.7M vs $26.5M in Q2; underlying volume mid-teens growth; -$2.4M price effect in Q3.
- R&D: $47.9M vs $66.0M y/y; SG&A: $70.1M vs $67.2M y/y.
Upcoming Milestones and Regulatory Items
- Zoci: 1H26 updates on intracranial activity; first-line combo data; NEC expansion; first-line and NEC registrational plans in 2026.
- China submissions: TTFields pancreatic cancer, efgartigimod PFS in gMG & CIDP in Q4 2025.
- Potential China approvals: KarXT (schizophrenia), Tisotumab Vedotin (cervical cancer), Repotrectinib (NTRK+ tumors).