WATERTOWN - Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENTA), a clinical stage biotechnology company dedicated to creating small molecule drugs for viral infections and liver diseases, today reported financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter and year ended September 30, 2020.
'2020 was marked by significant progress for Enanta. We initiated four clinical trials between our hepatitis B and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis programs, and we announced two new discovery programs for respiratory viruses SARS-CoV-2 and human metapneumovirus. Additionally, we remain on schedule to initiate our adult transplant Phase 2b study in RSV by year-end 2020, which will be followed shortly thereafter with the initiation of our pediatric Phase 2 study in RSV in early 2021,' commented Jay R. Luly, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Enanta. 'I am grateful to the entire Enanta team for rising to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and advancing our existing pipeline. Our commitment has laid the groundwork for a strong 2021, with multiple catalysts anticipated next year, including clinical data in our lead disease areas. If positive, these data will strengthen Enanta as a leader in the discovery and development of small molecule drugs for viral infections and liver diseases, and position us well to progress further our wholly-owned pipeline of clinical and preclinical programs to bring meaningful new treatments to patients.'
FISCAL FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Total revenue of $23.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 consisted of royalty revenue derived primarily from worldwide net sales of AbbVie's hepatitis C virus (HCV) regimen MAVYRET/MAVIRET (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir). Total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2019, was $51.3 million. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2020, total revenue was $122.5 million compared to $205.2 million for the same period in 2019. The decrease in royalty revenue quarter over quarter was driven by lower HCV product sales as treated patient volumes have remained below pre-COVID levels, as reported by AbbVie.
Research and development expenses were $36.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $38.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2020, research and development costs were $136.8 million compared to $142.2 million in 2019. The decrease in research and development expenses was primarily due to the timing of the company's clinical studies year over year and COVID-19-related delays in two clinical studies that are now ongoing.
General and administrative expenses totaled $6.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $6.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2020, general and administrative costs were $27.4 million compared to $26.2 million in 2019.
Enanta recorded income tax expense of $10.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, despite a net operating loss, compared to an income tax benefit of $0.5 million for the same period in 2019. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2020, Enanta recorded income tax expense of $1.1 million, compared to an income tax benefit of $0.8 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2019. The income tax expense in 2020 was due to a tax valuation allowance charge of $18.3 million recorded against the company's deferred tax assets in the three months ended September 30, 2020. This is a non-cash charge based on an assessment that it is more likely than not that Enanta's deferred tax assets will not be fully realized. The tax valuation allowance charge, which is recorded in income tax expense, was partially offset by a federal net operating loss carryback under the CARES Act, research and development credits generated during the year, and a release of an uncertain tax position reserve related to the close of a Massachusetts Department of Revenue Audit. In 2019, the company's income tax benefit was the result of a federal tax benefit on foreign derived royalty income and tax deductions from employee stock-award-related activity during 2019.
Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was $29.3 million, or a loss of $1.46 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $9.2 million, or $0.44 per diluted common share, for the corresponding period in 2019. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2020, net loss was $36.2 million, or a loss of $1.81 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $46.4 million, or $2.21 per diluted common share for the twelve months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in net income in both 2020 periods was due to a decrease in HCV royalties earned under the AbbVie agreement and a non-cash tax valuation allowance charge of $18.3 million recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2020.
Enanta's cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled approximately $419 million at September 30, 2020. This compares to a total of approximately $400 million at September 30, 2019. Enanta expects that its current cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, as well as its continuing royalty revenue, will be sufficient to meet the anticipated cash requirements of its existing business and development programs for the foreseeable future.
ABOUT ENANTA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Enanta is using its robust, chemistry-driven approach and drug discovery capabilities to become a leader in the discovery and development of small molecule drugs for the treatment of viral infections and liver diseases. Enanta's research and development efforts have produced clinical candidates for the following disease targets: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). Enanta is also conducting research in human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
Enanta's research and development activities are funded by royalties from hepatitis C virus (HCV) products developed under its collaboration with AbbVie. Glecaprevir, a protease inhibitor discovered by Enanta, is sold by AbbVie in numerous countries as part of its leading treatment for chronic HCV infection under the tradenames MAVYRET (U.S.) and MAVIRET (ex-U.S.) (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir).
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to the prospects for advancement of Enanta's clinical programs in RSV, NASH and HBV, as well as Enanta's projections of its expenses in fiscal 2021, and its prospects for future royalty revenue from sales of AbbVie's MAVYRET/MAVIRET regimen for HCV. Statements that are not historical facts are based on management's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about Enanta's business and the industry in which it operates and management's beliefs and assumptions. The statements contained in this release are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed in such forward-looking statements. Important factors and risks that may affect actual results include: the dependence of Enanta's revenues in the short-term upon the continued success of AbbVie's sales of its MAVYRET/MAVIRET HCV regimen; the impact of development, regulatory and marketing efforts of others with respect to competitive treatments for RSV, NASH, HBV, hMPV and SARS-CoV-2; treatment rates, competitive pricing, and reimbursement rate actions affecting MAVYRET/MAVIRET compared to competitive HCV products on the market; the discovery and development risks of Enanta's programs in RSV, NASH, HBV, hMPV and SARS-CoV-2; the competitive impact of development, regulatory and marketing efforts of others in those disease areas; any continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Enanta's HCV royalties, business operations and clinical trials; Enanta's lack of clinical development experience; Enanta's need to attract and retain senior management and key research and development personnel; Enanta's need to obtain and maintain patent protection for its product candidates and avoid potential infringement of the intellectual property rights of others and other risk factors described or referred to in 'Risk Factors' in Enanta's most recent Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, and other periodic reports filed more recently with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Enanta cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. These statements speak only as of the date of this release, and Enanta undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, except as may be required by law.
Contact:
Jennifer Viera
Tel: 617-744-3848
Email: jviera@enanta.com
ENANTA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. 
