Ocaliva® net sales of $68.0 million, representing 15% growth over the prior year quarter

Gastrointestinal Drugs Advisory Committee (GIDAC) Meeting set for May 19, 2023, to review obeticholic acid (OCA) as a treatment for pre-cirrhotic fibrosis due to NASH; PDUFA Target Action Date set for June 22, 2023

Company updates progress of OCA-bezafibrate fixed-dose combination development program in PBC, including acceptance of new Phase 2 data at EASL Congress 2023

Company to host conference call today from 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. ET; call to include information about commercial launch strategy for OCA in NASH

MORRISTOWN, N.J., April 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ICPT), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics to treat progressive non-viral liver diseases, today announced its financial results for the quarter ended on March 31, 2023.

"We are confident in the strength of Ocaliva's market position and the long-term opportunity with our foundational PBC business, as evidenced by double-digit sales growth for the third consecutive quarter and clinical development progress for the OCA-bezafibrate fixed-dose combination," said Jerry Durso, President and Chief Executive Officer of Intercept. "In NASH, we are very focused on the upcoming Advisory Committee Meeting to review our new drug application in pre-cirrhotic fibrosis due to NASH. We look forward to this important step to discuss the strong and confirmed antifibrotic effect of OCA, as well as its monitorable and manageable safety profile. In parallel, we continue to make significant progress as we prepare to successfully launch a potential first-to-market therapy for NASH."

"Our strong financial position gives us the optionality to execute on upcoming milestones, drive long-term growth and develop innovative new medicines such as the OCA-bezafibrate combination, which we believe has the potential to establish new best-in-class clinical benefits for patients living with PBC," Durso continued.

Company Highlights

Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)

Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC)

Pipeline

Selected First Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Revenue

Operating Expenses

Interest Expense

Net Loss

Cash Position

Conference Call on April 27, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. ET

The conference call and webcast discussing the Company's first quarter 2023 financial results and commercial launch strategy for NASH will take place on April 27, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. ET. The conference call will be available via a listen-only webcast on the investor page of our website at http://ir.interceptpharma.com. Participants who wish to ask a question may register here to receive dial-in numbers and a unique pin to join the call. A replay of the call will be available on our website shortly following the completion of the call and will be available for one year.

About Intercept

Intercept is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics to treat progressive non-viral liver diseases, including primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and severe alcohol-associated hepatitis (sAH). For more information, please visit www.interceptpharma.com or connect with the Company on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release presents non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses on a historical and projected basis. For the periods presented, non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses exclude from total operating expenses, as calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, the effects of two non-cash items: stock-based compensation and depreciation. Non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses is a financial measure that has not been prepared in accordance with GAAP. Accordingly, investors should consider non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses in addition to, but not as a substitute for, total operating expenses that we calculate and present in accordance with GAAP. Among other things, our management uses non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses to establish budgets and operational goals and to manage our business. Other companies may define or use this measure in different ways. We believe that the presentation of non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses provides investors and management with helpful supplemental information relating to operating performance and trends. A table reconciling non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses to total operating expenses for all historical periods presented is included below under the heading "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Expenses to Total Operating Expenses". A quantitative reconciliation of projected non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses to total operating expenses is not available without unreasonable effort primarily due to our inability to predict with reasonable certainty the amount of future stock-based compensation expense.

About the Investigational OCA-Bezafibrate Fixed-Dose Combination

Intercept is investigating a fixed-dose combination of OCA and bezafibrate for the potential treatment of individuals with PBC. OCA, a farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist, is marketed by Intercept as Ocaliva in the United States for the treatment of PBC (see below for full indication and Important Safety Information). Bezafibrate, a pan-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (pan-PPAR) agonist, is not approved in the United States for any indication.

FXR and PPAR are distinct pathways that each play a role in PBC. Simultaneously targeting both pathways may offer the greatest potential to impact bile acid synthesis, metabolism, and clearance that underly cholestatic liver diseases. Published studies establish a clinical proof-of-concept that suggests that the combination of OCA and bezafibrate may provide additive clinical efficacy and tolerability benefits in the treatment of PBC. OCA-bezafibrate combination therapy is investigational; safety and efficacy have not been established.

About Liver Fibrosis due to NASH

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a serious progressive liver disease caused by excessive fat accumulation in the liver that induces chronic inflammation, resulting in progressive fibrosis (scarring) that can lead to cirrhosis, eventual liver failure, cancer and death. Advanced fibrosis is associated with a substantially higher risk of liver-related morbidity and mortality in patients with NASH. There are currently no medications approved for the treatment of NASH.

About Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a rare, progressive and chronic autoimmune disease that affects the bile ducts in the liver and is most prevalent (approximately 1 in 10,000) in women over the age of 40. PBC causes bile acid to build up in the liver, resulting in inflammation and scarring (fibrosis), which, if left untreated, can lead to cirrhosis, a liver transplant, or death.

About Ocaliva® (obeticholic acid)

OCALIVA, a farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)

This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on a reduction in alkaline phosphatase (ALP). An improvement in survival or disease-related symptoms has not been established. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: HEPATIC DECOMPENSATION AND FAILURE IN PRIMARY BILIARY CHOLANGITIS PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS

Contraindications

OCALIVA is contraindicated in patients with:

Warnings and Precautions

Hepatic Decompensation and Failure in PBC Patients with Cirrhosis

Hepatic decompensation and failure, sometimes fatal or resulting in liver transplant, have been reported with OCALIVA treatment in PBC patients with cirrhosis, either compensated or decompensated. Among post-marketing cases reporting it, median time to hepatic decompensation (e.g., new onset ascites) was 4 months for patients with compensated cirrhosis; median time to a new decompensation event (e.g., hepatic encephalopathy) was 2.5 months for patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Some of these cases occurred in patients with decompensated cirrhosis when they were treated with higher than the recommended dosage for that patient population; however, cases of hepatic decompensation and failure have continued to be reported in patients with decompensated cirrhosis even when they received the recommended dosage.

Hepatotoxicity was observed in the OCALIVA clinical trials. A dose-response relationship was observed for the occurrence of hepatic adverse reactions including jaundice, worsening ascites, and primary biliary cholangitis flare with dosages of OCALIVA of 10 mg once daily to 50 mg once daily (up to 5-times the highest recommended dosage), as early as one month after starting treatment with OCALIVA in two 3-month, placebo-controlled clinical trials in patients with primarily early stage PBC.

Routinely monitor patients for progression of PBC, including hepatic adverse reactions, with laboratory and clinical assessments to determine whether drug discontinuation is needed. Closely monitor patients with compensated cirrhosis, concomitant hepatic disease (e.g., autoimmune hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease), and/or with severe intercurrent illness for new evidence of portal hypertension (e.g., ascites, gastroesophageal varices, persistent thrombocytopenia), or increases above the upper limit of normal in total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, or prothrombin time to determine whether drug discontinuation is needed. Permanently discontinue OCALIVA in patients who develop laboratory or clinical evidence of hepatic decompensation (e.g., ascites, jaundice, variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy), have compensated cirrhosis and develop evidence of portal hypertension (e.g., ascites, gastroesophageal varices, persistent thrombocytopenia), experience clinically significant hepatic adverse reactions, or develop complete biliary obstruction. If severe intercurrent illness occurs, interrupt treatment with OCALIVA and monitor the patient's liver function. After resolution of the intercurrent illness, consider the potential risks and benefits of restarting OCALIVA treatment.

Severe Pruritus

Severe pruritus was reported in 23% of patients in the OCALIVA 10 mg arm, 19% of patients in the OCALIVA titration arm, and 7% of patients in the placebo arm in a 12-month double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial of 216 patients. Severe pruritus was defined as intense or widespread itching, interfering with activities of daily living, or causing severe sleep disturbance, or intolerable discomfort, and typically requiring medical interventions. Consider clinical evaluation of patients with new onset or worsening severe pruritus. Management strategies include the addition of bile acid binding resins or antihistamines, OCALIVA dosage reduction, and/or temporary interruption of OCALIVA dosing.

Reduction in HDL-C

Patients with PBC generally exhibit hyperlipidemia characterized by a significant elevation in total cholesterol primarily due to increased levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). Dose-dependent reductions from baseline in mean HDL-C levels were observed at 2 weeks in OCALIVA-treated patients, 20% and 9% in the 10 mg and titration arms, respectively, compared to 2% in the placebo arm. Monitor patients for changes in serum lipid levels during treatment. For patients who do not respond to OCALIVA after 1 year at the highest recommended dosage that can be tolerated (maximum of 10 mg once daily), and who experience a reduction in HDL-C, weigh the potential risks against the benefits of continuing treatment.

Adverse Reactions

The most common adverse reactions (≥5%) are: pruritus, fatigue, abdominal pain and discomfort, rash, oropharyngeal pain, dizziness, constipation, arthralgia, thyroid function abnormality, and eczema.

Drug Interactions

Please click here for Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-844-782-ICPT or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding:

These statements constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "target," "potential," "will," "would," "could," "should," "possible," "continue" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement except as required by law.

These forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions by our management that, although believed to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain and subject to a number of risks.

The following represent some, but not necessarily all, of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated or predicted by our forward-looking statements:

Contact

For more information about Intercept, please contact:

For investors:

Nareg Sagherian, Executive Director, Global Investor Relations

investors@interceptpharma.com 

For media:

Karen Preble, Executive Director, Global Corporate Communications

media@interceptpharma.com



Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)
  
  Three Months Ended

March 31,
  2023   2022 
Revenue:  
Product revenue, net$67,958  $59,146 
Total revenue 67,958   59,146 
   
Operating expenses:  
Cost of sales 222   223 
Selling, general and administrative 57,657   37,768 
Research and development 41,711   47,583 
Total operating expenses 99,590   85,574 
Operating loss (31,632)  (26,428)
   
Other income (expense):  
Interest expense (2,809)  (6,673)
Other income (expense), net 2,560   (334)
Loss from continuing operations$(31,881) $(33,435)
(Loss) Income from discontinued operations$(254) $16,151 
Net loss$(32,135) $(17,284)
   
Net income/(loss) per common and potential common share:  
Net loss from continuing operations$(0.77) $(1.13)
Net income from discontinued operations$( 0.01) $0.54 
Net loss$(0.77) $(0.58)
   
Weighted average common and potential common shares outstanding:  
Basic and diluted  41,670   29,696 

    

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Information

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)   
     
 March 31,

2023
   December 31,

2022 (1)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and investment debt securities, available for sale

$


435,215
  

$


490,909
Total assets$504,085  $553,711
Total liabilities (2)$436,900  $    460,634
Stockholders' equity$      67,185  $             93,077

                             

(1)   Derived from the financial statements included in Intercept's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2022.

(2)   Includes $333.0 million and $332.7 million related to the 2023 Convertible Notes, 2026 Convertible Notes and the 2026 Secured Convertible Notes (together, the "Convertible Notes") as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Convertible Notes was $336.3 million as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.



Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Expenses to Total Operating Expenses

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)
    
   Three Months Ended

March 31,
 
    2023  2022  
Total operating expenses  $99,590 $85,574  
          
Adjustments:         
Stock-based compensation   5,864

89
  5,381

341
  
Depreciation     
Non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses  $93,637 $79,852  

 



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