News Release Details

- 1Q21 net sales of $106.6 million, an 18% increase over 1Q20

- Reiterating FY21 net sales guidance of $510 to $550 million

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 5, 2021-- Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ACAD), today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021.

“NUPLAZID delivered strong year-over-year performance in the first quarter of 2021. Looking ahead, we see positive signs in the Parkinson’s disease psychosis market supporting revenue growth for the remainder of the year as we anticipate continued improvements in the conditions related to the pandemic,” said Steve Davis, Chief Executive Officer. “Furthermore, we look forward to a Type A meeting with the FDA to discuss an approval path for pimavanserin in dementia-related psychosis and we continue to advance our two Phase 3 programs for Rett syndrome and the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, as well as our Phase 2 pain program and earlier pipeline opportunities.”

Company Updates

• The Company received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for NUPLAZID^® (pimavanserin) for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with dementia-related psychosis (DRP). The Company plans to conduct a Type A meeting with the FDA to discuss the CRL and potential next steps to support an approval.

• Top-line results from the Phase 3 LAVENDER study evaluating trofinetide for the treatment of Rett syndrome are expected in the fourth quarter of 2021.

• A Phase 2 study was initiated evaluating ACP-044, a novel, first-in-class, orally administered, non-opioid analgesic for the treatment of postoperative pain following bunionectomy surgery in March 2021.

• A Phase 2 study evaluating ACP-044 for the treatment of pain associated with osteoarthritis is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2021.

Financial Results

Revenue

Net sales of NUPLAZID (pimavanserin) were $106.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, an increase of 18% as compared to $90.1 million reported for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Research and Development

Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 were $57.0 million, compared to $72.6 million for the same period of 2020. This decrease was primarily due to the $10.0 million upfront payment to Vanderbilt University for the M1 PAM program incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and decreased development costs associated with pimavanserin for major depressive disorder.

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 were $111.7 million, compared to $102.0 million for the same period of 2020. This increase was primarily due to increased costs associated with preparations for the potential DRP launch, partially offset by a decrease in stock-based compensation expense.

Net Loss

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, Acadia reported a net loss of $66.4 million, or $0.42 per common share, compared to a net loss of $88.0 million, or $0.57 per common share, for the same period in 2020. The net losses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 included $13.2 million and $22.3 million, respectively, of non-cash stock-based compensation expense.

Cash and Investments

At March 31, 2021, Acadia’s cash, cash equivalents, and investment securities totaled $577.8 million, compared to $632.0 million at December 31, 2020.

2021 Financial Guidance

• Acadia is reiterating its NUPLAZID net sales guidance of $510 to $550 million.
• GAAP R&D guidance is decreased to $280 to $300 million from the previous range of $300 to $320 million. Current R&D guidance includes approximately $25 million of stock-based compensation expense.
• GAAP SG&A guidance is decreased to $385 to $415 million from the previous range of $560 to $590 million. Previous guidance included additional investments associated with the potential DRP launch in 2021 and updated guidance reflects a reduction in these expenses. Current SG&A guidance includes approximately $50 million of stock-based compensation expense.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Acadia management will review its first quarter financial results and operations via conference call and webcast today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The conference call may be accessed by dialing 855-638-4820 for participants in the United States or Canada and 443-877-4067 for international callers (reference passcode 4568937). A telephone replay of the conference call may be accessed through May 19, 2021 by dialing 855-859-2056 for callers in the United States or Canada and 404-537-3406 for international callers (reference passcode 4568937). The conference call also will be webcast live on Acadia’s website, www.acadia-pharm.com, under the investors section and will be archived there until June 2, 2021.

About NUPLAZID^® (pimavanserin)

NUPLAZID is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis. NUPLAZID is a selective serotonin inverse agonist/antagonist preferentially targeting 5-HT_2A receptors that are thought to play an important role in Parkinson’s disease psychosis. NUPLAZID is an oral medicine taken once a day with a recommended dose of 34 mg. NUPLAZID is not approved for any other neuropsychiatric disorders. Acadia discovered and developed this new chemical entity and holds worldwide rights to develop and commercialize NUPLAZID.

About Trofinetide

Trofinetide is an investigational drug. It is a novel synthetic analog of the amino‐terminal tripeptide of IGF-1 designed to treat the core symptoms of Rett syndrome by potentially reducing neuroinflammation and supporting synaptic function. In the central nervous system, IGF-1 is produced by both of the major types of brain cells – neurons and glia. IGF-1 in the brain is critical for both normal development and for response to injury and disease. Trofinetide has been granted Fast Track Status and Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. and Orphan Drug Designation in Europe for both Rett syndrome and Fragile X syndrome.

About Acadia Pharmaceuticals 

Acadia is trailblazing breakthroughs in neuroscience to elevate life. For more than 25 years we have been working at the forefront of healthcare to bring vital solutions to people who need them most. We developed and commercialized the first and only approved therapy for hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis. Our late-stage development efforts are focused on dementia-related psychosis, negative symptoms of schizophrenia and Rett syndrome, and in early-stage clinical research we are exploring novel approaches to pain management, and cognition and neuropsychiatric symptoms in central nervous system disorders. For more information, visit us at www.acadia-pharm.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature are forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to: the potential opportunity for future growth in sales of NUPLAZID; the timing of ongoing and future clinical studies for pimavanserin; the development and commercialization of trofinetide; and guidance for full-year 2021 NUPLAZID net sales for Parkinson’s disease psychosis only and certain expense line items. These statements are only predictions based on current information and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in any of such statements due to various factors, including the uncertainty of future commercial sales and related items that would impact net sales during 2021, the risks and uncertainties inherent in drug development, approval and commercialization, and the fact that past results of clinical trials may not be indicative of future trial results. For a discussion of these and other factors, please refer to Acadia’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 as well as Acadia’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and Acadia undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by law.

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Media Contact:
Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Eric Endicott
(858) 914-7161
media@acadia-pharm.com

Investor Contact:
Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Mark Johnson, CFA
(858) 261-2771
ir@acadia-pharm.com

Source: Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc.