Apellis Q4 Loss Wider Than Expected, Revenues Decline Y/Y

Core Insights - Apellis Pharmaceuticals reported a fourth-quarter 2025 loss of 47 cents per share, which was wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 39 cents, compared to a loss of 29 cents in the same quarter last year [1][7] Financial Performance - Total revenues for the fourth quarter were $199.9 million, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $194 million, but down 6% year-over-year from $212.5 million in the previous year [2] - Revenues included product sales from Empaveli and Syfovre, along with licensing and other revenues from a collaboration agreement with Sobi [3] - Syfovre sales were $155.2 million, an 8% decline year-over-year, although it slightly surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $154.2 million [4] - Empaveli recorded sales of $35.1 million, a 50% increase from the previous year, driven by early launch momentum in C3G and IC-MPGN, and also beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $28.5 million [9] Market Position and Product Performance - Syfovre holds approximately 60% market share in geographic atrophy treatment, with total injections growing about 17% year-over-year despite the revenue decline attributed to increased use of free goods [5] - Apellis delivered over 89,000 commercial vials and nearly 13,000 samples of Syfovre to doctors in the reported quarter [5] Cost Management - Research and development expenses decreased by 3% year-over-year to $74.2 million, attributed to lower program-specific external costs and personnel costs [10] - Selling, general, and administrative expenses rose by 21% year-over-year to $147.1 million, driven by higher professional fees and personnel costs [11] Cash Position - As of December 31, 2025, Apellis had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaling $466.2 million, down from $479.2 million as of September 30, 2025, with expectations that this will fund operations to profitability [12] Annual Performance - For the full year 2025, Apellis reported total revenues of $1.0 billion, a 28% increase year-over-year, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $998.3 million, which included a one-time $275 million upfront payment from a royalty repurchase agreement [14] - The company reported earnings per share of 20 cents for 2025, compared to a loss of $1.60 per share in 2024, although it missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 24 cents [14] Pipeline Developments - Apellis has initiated two pivotal phase III studies of Empaveli for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and delayed graft function, both of which are rare kidney diseases with no approved therapies [16] - A mid-stage multi-dose study of siRNA candidate APL-3007 in combination with Syfovre is ongoing, with top-line data expected in 2027 [17]