Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.
AXSM
incurred a loss of 78 cents per share in the first quarter of 2021, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 83 cents per share and also the year-ago quarter’s loss of 88 cents.
Axsome currently does not have any approved product in its portfolio. As a result, the company is yet to generate revenues from the same.
Despite narrower-than-expected loss in the first quarter, shares of Axsome were down 2.5% on May 10, presumably tracking the decline in the broader S&P 500.In fact, Axsome’s stock has declined 31.9% so far this year compared with the
industry’s
decrease of 5.2%.
Quarter in Detail
Research and development (R&D) expenses were $16.6 million in the quarter, down 39.6% from the year-ago period owing to completion of several studies on the pipeline candidates.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $11.2 million, up 124% year over year. The significant increase was due to higher pre-commercialization activities to support the anticipated launch of AXS-05 in the second half as well as increased stock compensation expenses and personnel costs.
As of Mar 31 2021, Axsome had cash worth $164.7 million compared with $183.9 million as of Dec 31, 2020. Management believes that its cash balance as of March-end along with $225 million worth term-loan facility will be enough to fund its anticipated operations for at least through 2024.
Pipeline Updates
Axsome’s key pipeline candidates including AXS-05, AXS-07, AXS-12 and AXS-14 are currently being developed for multiple central nervous system indications.
AXS-05, one of Axsome’s lead candidates, is being developed for treating major depressive disorder (“MDD”), treatment-resistant depression (“TRD”), smoking cessation and agitation associated with Alzheimer’s disease (“AD”). During the first quarter, the FDA accepted the company’s new drug application seeking approval for AXS-05 as a potential treatment of MDD. A decision is expected by Aug 22, 2021. The company is making preparations to launch AXS-05, following a potential FDA approval.
The company is currently enrolling patients in the phase III ACCORD study, evaluating the safety and efficacy of AXS-05 for treating agitation associated with AD. The company has successfully completed a phase II/III study — ADVANCE-1 — evaluating AXS-05 for AD agitation last month.
Meanwhile, a meeting with the FDA is scheduled in the third quarter to discuss data from the previously completed phase II study and future course of development in smoking cessation indication. Meanwhile, top-line data from a phase II study evaluating AXS-05 for TRD is expected in the second half of 2021.
Axsome’s another lead candidate, AXS-07, is being developed for the acute treatment of migraine. The NDA for AXS-07 for the acute treatment of migraine is expected to be filed by the end of the second quarter of 2021.
This apart, Axsome’s AXS-12 is being developed to treat narcolepsy, a sleep disorder characterized by excessive sleepiness. A placebo-controlled, parallel-group phase III study AXS-12 for the given indication is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2021, which was previously anticipated to start in the second quarter.
Our Take
Axsome reported narrower-than-expected loss in the first quarter. Meanwhile, a potential launch of AXS-05 as a treatment for MDD is the most anticipated event for the company in 2021. The company will have its first commercial product following a potential FDA approval in August. It will likely be a major boost for Axsome as it will help the company to have a steady stream of revenues going forward.
Moreover, the company is progressing well with multiple other late-stage candidates. Investors may witness several NDA filings over the next few quarters, which, if approved, will boost the company’s prospects.
Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart
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Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. Quote
Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
Axsome currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
Some better-ranked stocks in the biotech sector include
Adaptive Biotechnologies Corporation
ADPT
,
Repligen Corporation
RGEN
and
BioNTech SE
BNTX
. While Repligen and BioNTech sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Adaptive carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see
the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here
.
Adaptive’s loss per share estimates have narrowed from $1.79 to $1.65 for 2021 and from $1.28 to $1.26 over the past 30 days. The company delivered an earnings surprise of 9.04%, on average, in the last four quarters.
Repligen’s earnings estimates have been revised upward from $1.91 to $2.21 for 2021 and from $2.23 to $2.53 over the past 30 days. The company delivered an earnings surprise of 54.69%, on average, in the last four quarters.
BioNTech’s earnings per share estimates have increased from$17.95 to $21.49 for 2021 and from $5.02 to $7.55 over the past 30 days.The company delivered an earnings surprise of 70.52%, on average, in the last four quarters.
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