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Veru(VERU) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-12-17 14:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The net loss from continuing operations for fiscal year 2025 was $15.7 million, or $1.07 per diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $35.3 million, or $2.61 per diluted common share in the prior year [30] - Research and development costs increased to $15.6 million in fiscal 2025 from $12.8 million in the prior year, primarily due to expenses related to the phase 2b obesity clinical study for Enobosarm [27] - Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $19.9 million in fiscal 2025 from $24.6 million in the prior year, mainly due to a reduction in share-based compensation expenses [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company sold the FC2 female condom business for $18 million in cash, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $16.5 million after adjustments, which allowed the company to focus exclusively on drug development [24][26] - The gain on the sale of ENTADFI assets was $10.8 million in fiscal 2025, compared to a gain of $1.2 million in the prior year [28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a cash balance of $15.8 million as of September 30, 2025, down from $24.9 million as of September 30, 2024, indicating a need for additional capital to support drug development [31] - The company generated cash from investing activities of $25.1 million for fiscal 2025, compared to $0.1 million from investing activities in the prior year, primarily due to proceeds from the sale of the FC2 business and enteropathy assets [32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on developing Enobosarm as a muscle-preserving agent in combination with GLP-1 receptor agonists to address obesity, particularly targeting older patients with obesity [5][19] - The planned phase 2b plateau clinical trial will evaluate the effect of Enobosarm on total body weight and physical function in patients aged 65 and older with a BMI greater than or equal to 35 [20][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the evolving regulatory landscape for muscle-preservation drugs and the potential for multiple pathways to approval based on clinical outcomes [16][17] - The company aims to address the weight loss plateau observed in patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists by combining these treatments with Enobosarm to enhance weight loss and preserve muscle [19][50] Other Important Information - The company completed a public offering on October 31, 2025, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $23.4 million, which will support ongoing clinical studies [27][23] - The company reported a loss on the sale of the FC2 business of approximately $4.1 million, reflecting the difference between estimated net proceeds and the total carrying value of the business [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Will any GLP-1 be allowed in your phase 2b, or will it be limited to just tirzepatide? - Management indicated that they will choose one GLP-1 receptor agonist to avoid variability in the study, with tirzepatide currently being the placeholder [40] Question: How does the FDA's guidance affect the phase 3 transition? - Management clarified that the phase 2b study is designed to mimic a phase 3 setting, allowing for a clear understanding of the agents' behavior and potential endpoints for the phase 3 study [43] Question: What patient population is being targeted in the plateau study? - Management explained that the focus is on patients over 65 with physical limitations, as this group is most in need and will provide informative data for functional outcomes [46][49]