AbbVie Reports Third-Quarter 2020 Financial Results

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Oct. 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020.

"We continue to be very well positioned for the long-term. Results from key growth products – including Skyrizi, Rinvoq and Ubrelvy – continue to track ahead of our expectations, our aesthetics portfolio is demonstrating a strong V-shaped recovery, our hematologic-oncology franchise is delivering double-digit growth and we're advancing numerous attractive late-stage pipeline programs," said Richard A. Gonzalez, chairman and chief executive officer, AbbVie. "We are also executing effectively on Allergan integration initiatives with synergy and accretion targets tracking well."

Third-Quarter Results

• Worldwide GAAP net revenues were $12.902 billion, an increase of 52.1 percent on a reported basis. Worldwide adjusted net revenues of $12.882 billion increased 4.1 percent on a comparable operational basis.
• Global net revenues from the immunology portfolio were $5.790 billion, an increase of 14.8 percent on a reported basis, or 15.0 percent on an operational basis.
  • Global Humira net revenues of $5.140 billion increased 4.1 percent on a reported basis, or 4.4 percent on an operational basis. U.S. Humira net revenues were $4.189 billion, an increase of 7.7 percent. Internationally, Humira net revenues were $951 million, a decrease of 9.3 percent on a reported basis, or 8.0 percent on an operational basis, due to biosimilar competition.
  • Global Skyrizi net revenues were $435 million.
  • Global Rinvoq net revenues were $215 million.
• Global net revenues from the hematologic oncology portfolio were $1.722 billion, an increase of 16.5 percent on a reported basis, or 16.4 percent on an operational basis.
  • Global Imbruvica net revenues were $1.370 billion, an increase of 9.0 percent, with U.S. net revenues of $1.119 billion and international profit sharing of $251 million.
  • Global Venclexta net revenues were $352 million, an increase of 59.0 percent on a reported basis, or 58.3 percent on an operational basis.
• Global net revenues from the aesthetics portfolio were $967 million, a decrease of 3.1 percent on a comparable operational basis.
  • Global Botox Cosmetic net revenues were $393 million, a decrease of 2.2 percent on a comparable operational basis.
• Global net revenues from the neuroscience portfolio were $1.249 billion, an increase of over 100.0 percent on a reported basis, or 12.1 percent on a comparable operational basis.
  • Global Botox Therapeutic net revenues were $523 million, a decrease of 1.8 percent on a comparable operational basis.
  • Global Vraylar net revenues were $358 million, an increase of 48.4 percent on a comparable operational basis.
  • Global Ubrelvy net revenues were $38 million.
• On a GAAP basis, the gross margin ratio in the third quarter was 60.9 percent. The adjusted gross margin ratio was 81.7 percent.
• On a GAAP basis, selling, general and administrative expense was 22.1 percent of net revenues. The adjusted SG&A expense was 21.1 percent of net revenues.
• On a GAAP basis, research and development expense was 13.2 percent of net revenues. The adjusted R&D expense was 11.7 percent of net revenues, reflecting funding actions supporting all stages of our pipeline.
• On a GAAP basis, the operating margin in the third quarter was 25.2 percent. The adjusted operating margin was 48.8 percent.
• On a GAAP basis, net interest expense was $620 million.
• On a GAAP basis, the tax rate in the quarter was 7.5 percent. The adjusted tax rate was 11.7 percent.
• Diluted EPS in the third quarter was $1.29 on a GAAP basis. Adjusted diluted EPS, excluding specified items, was $2.83.

Note: "Comparable Operational" comparisons include full-quarter current year and prior year results for Allergan, which was acquired on May 8, 2020, as if the acquisition closed on January 1, 2019, and are presented at constant currency rates and reflect comparative local currency net revenues at the prior year's foreign exchange rates. Refer to the Key Product Revenues schedules for further details. "Operational" comparisons are presented at constant currency rates and reflect comparative local currency net revenues at the prior year's foreign exchange rates.  

Recent Events

• AbbVie announced that it has submitted an application for a new indication to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Rinvoq (upadacitinib), a selective and reversible JAK inhibitor, for the treatment of adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). AbbVie also submitted an application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for Rinvoq for the treatment of adult patients with active AS who have responded inadequately to conventional therapy. The applications are supported by data from SELECT-AXIS 1, a Phase 2/3 study in which Rinvoq demonstrated significant improvements in signs and symptoms in patients with active AS. In the study, twice as many patients receiving Rinvoq (52 percent) met the primary endpoint of Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) 40 response versus placebo (26 percent) at week 14. The safety profile of Rinvoq in AS was consistent with previously reported studies across therapeutic areas, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), with no new significant safety risks detected.
• AbbVie announced that it submitted applications to the FDA and EMA seeking approval for Rinvoq for the treatment of adults (15 mg and 30 mg, once daily) and adolescents (15 mg, once daily) with moderate to severe AD. The applications are supported by data from three pivotal Phase 3 studies. In all three studies, Rinvoq met the co-primary and all secondary endpoints, demonstrating significant improvement in skin clearance and reduction in itch in adults and adolescents with moderate to severe AD compared to placebo. No new safety risks of Rinvoq were observed in these studies compared to the safety profile observed in patients with RA, PsA or AS receiving Rinvoq.
• AbbVie announced the FDA full approval of Venclexta (venetoclax) in combination with azacitidine, or decitabine, or low-dose cytarabine (LDAC) for the treatment of newly-diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults who are age 75 years or older, or who have comorbidities that preclude the use of intensive induction chemotherapy. The FDA had previously granted accelerated approval to Venclexta for this indication in 2018. The approval is supported by data from a series of trials including two Phase 3 trials - VIALE-A and VIALE-C. The VIALE-A trial showed that significantly more patients treated with Venclexta in combination with azacitidine achieved complete remission and lived longer versus patients treated with azacitidine alone. Additionally, The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend the Venclexta and azacitidine combination as a Category 1 Preferred AML treatment regimen for patients ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. Venetoclax is being developed by AbbVie and Roche and is jointly commercialized by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in the U.S. and by AbbVie outside of the U.S.
• AbbVie and I-Mab signed a broad, global collaboration agreement for the development and commercialization of lemzoparlimab, an innovative anti-CD47 monoclonal antibody internally discovered and developed by I-Mab for the treatment of multiple cancers. The collaboration provides AbbVie with an exclusive global license, excluding greater China, to develop and commercialize lemzoparlimab and both companies will have the potential to expand the collaboration to additional transformative therapies. Under the terms of the agreement, AbbVie will pay I-Mab $180 million in an upfront payment to exclusively license lemzoparlimab, along with $20 million in a milestone payment based on Phase 1 lemzoparlimab trial results. I-Mab will be eligible to receive up to an additional $1.74 billion in success-based milestone payments.
• At the 2020 Virtual Migraine Trust International Symposium (MTIS) AbbVie presented 15 abstracts evaluating the safety, efficacy, and impact on patients and the healthcare system of AbbVie's migraine treatment and prevention portfolio. Presentations included new data from the Phase 3 ADVANCE trial evaluating investigational medicine atogepant for the preventive treatment of migraine; real-world evidence assessing safety, tolerability, and potential benefits of treatment with Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) in combination with calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for chronic migraine prevention; and Phase 3 data measuring the efficacy and safety of Ubrelvy (ubrogepant) for the acute treatment of migraine with mild pain.
• At the 2020 International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders AbbVie presented 18 abstracts that highlighted new and updated data evaluating AbbVie's neuroscience portfolio and pipeline. Presentations included final data from the Phase 3 12-week DYSCOVER study, the first randomized trial of Duodopa (levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel) (LCIG) on the duration and severity of dyskinesia in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). Overall, the results of this pivotal study demonstrated clinically meaningful benefit with LCIG treatment in reducing dyskinesia compared to optimized medical treatment in patients with advanced PD.
• AbbVie announced that the FDA granted Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations for elezanumab (ABT-555), an investigational treatment for patients following spinal cord injury. Elezanumab is currently in phase 2 studies for the treatment of spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and acute ischemic stroke.
• Allergan Aesthetics presented 4 abstracts at the annual American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) virtual meeting. Presentations included data on patient satisfaction following chin augmentation with hyaluronic acid fillers as well as patient satisfaction and the efficacy of treatment of upper facial lines with Botox.
• Allergan Aesthetics entered into an agreement with Luminera, a privately held aesthetics company based in Israel, to acquire Luminera's full dermal filler portfolio and R&D pipeline further enhancing Allergan Aesthetics' leading dermal filler portfolio. Luminera's key value driver for the future is HArmonyCa, an innovative dermal filler intended for facial soft tissue augmentation comprised of a combination of cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) with embedded calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) microspheres that is highly differentiated in the dermal filler category. HArmonyCa is currently commercially available in Israel and Brazil and Allergan Aesthetics will continue to develop this product for its International and U.S. markets.
• Allergan Aesthetics and Skinbetter Science announced the launch of a new long-term, educational initiative – DREAM: Driving Racial Equity in Aesthetic Medicine. The DREAM Initiative is committed to furthering the principles of racial and ethnic diversity, inclusion, respect and understanding in the fields of dermatology and plastic surgery.
• AbbVie announced positive top-line results from the Phase 3 GEMINI 1 and GEMINI 2 trials evaluating AGN-190584, an ophthalmic solution of pilocarpine 1.25%, for the treatment of symptoms associated with presbyopia. In both studies, AGN-190584 met the primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in near vision. The majority of secondary endpoints were also met in both Phase 3 studies. Additional details from the GEMINI 1 and GEMINI 2 studies will be presented at future medical meetings and will serve as the basis for a New Drug Application (NDA) submission to the FDA in the first half of 2021.
• AbbVie and Harvard University announced a collaborative research alliance, launching a multi-pronged effort at Harvard Medical School to study and develop novel therapies against emergent viral infections, with a focus on those caused by coronaviruses and by viruses that lead to hemorrhagic fever. AbbVie will provide $30 million over three years and additional in-kind support leveraging AbbVie's scientists, expertise and facilities to advance collaborative research and early-stage development efforts across five program areas that address a variety of therapeutic modalities including immunity and immunopathology, host targeting for antiviral therapies, antibody therapeutics, small molecules and translational development.

Full-Year 2020 Outlook

AbbVie is updating its GAAP diluted EPS guidance for the full-year 2020 from $4.12 to $4.22 to $3.89 to $3.91, which includes the results of Allergan from May 8, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

AbbVie is updating its adjusted diluted EPS for the full-year 2020 from $10.35 to $10.45 to $10.47 to $10.49, which includes the results of Allergan from May 8, 2020 through December 31, 2020, representing annualized net accretion from the Allergan transaction of 12 percent. The combined company's 2020 adjusted diluted EPS guidance excludes $6.58 per share of intangible asset amortization expense, non-cash charges for contingent consideration adjustments and other specified items.

Company Declares Dividend Increase of 10.2 Percent

AbbVie is announcing today that its board of directors declared an increase in the company's quarterly cash dividend from $1.18 per share to $1.30 per share beginning with the dividend payable on February 16, 2021 to shareholders of record as of January 15, 2021. This reflects an increase of approximately 10.2 percent, continuing AbbVie's strong commitment to returning cash to shareholders through a growing dividend. Since the company's inception in 2013, AbbVie has increased its quarterly dividend by 225 percent. AbbVie is a member of the S&P Dividend Aristocrats Index, which tracks companies that have annually increased their dividend for at least 25 consecutive years.

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

Conference Call

AbbVie will host an investor conference call today at 8:00 a.m. Central time to discuss our third-quarter performance. The call will be webcast through AbbVie's Investor Relations website at investors.abbvie.com. An archived edition of the call will be available after 11:00 a.m. Central time.

Non-GAAP Financial Results

Financial results for 2020 and 2019 are presented on both a reported and a non-GAAP basis. Reported results were prepared in accordance with GAAP and include all revenue and expenses recognized during the period. Non-GAAP results adjust for certain non-cash items and for factors that are unusual or unpredictable, and exclude those costs, expenses, and other specified items presented in the reconciliation tables later in this release. AbbVie's management believes non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors regarding AbbVie's results of operations and assist management, analysts, and investors in evaluating the performance of the business. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The company's 2020 financial guidance is also being provided on both a reported and a non-GAAP basis.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on AbbVie's operations, results and financial results, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, failure to realize the expected benefits of the Allergan acquisition, failure to promptly and effectively integrate Allergan's businesses, significant transaction costs and/or unknown or inestimable liabilities, potential litigation associated with the Allergan acquisition, challenges to intellectual property, competition from other products, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, and changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). AbbVie undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.

SOURCE AbbVie