Apellis Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGS:APLS) FY 2025 Conference December 02, 2025 02:30 PM ET Company ParticipantsCedric Francois - CEOTim Sullivan - CFOConference Call ParticipantsYigal Nochomovitz - AnalystYigal NochomovitzOkay. Ready to go. All right. So, Apellis, welcome. Great to see you. So, of course, we have Cedric Francois, CEO and also the co-founder and president of the company, and Tim Sullivan, CFO. So, welcome for those listening on the webcast and then in person. I'm Yigal Nochomovitz, biotech ana ...

Core Insights - Apellis is in a strong position with a foundational technology targeting the complement cascade, specifically C3, which is believed to optimally control complement dysregulation [2] - The company has achieved three drug approvals in approximately 3 to 3.5 years, indicating a robust pipeline and growth potential [2] Drug Approvals - The first approval was for EMPAVELI, targeting paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria [3] - The second approval was for SYFOVRE, which addresses geographic atrophy, received about 2.5 years ago [3] - Recently, EMPAVELI received a second approval for C3G and IC-MPGN, bringing the total indications to four [3]

Core Insights - Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reported a revenue of $458.58 million for the quarter ended September 2025, marking a year-over-year increase of 133% [1] - The earnings per share (EPS) for the same period was $1.67, a significant improvement from -$0.46 a year ago [1] - The reported revenue exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $366.21 million by 25.22%, while the EPS surprise was 62.14% above the consensus estimate of $1.03 [1] Revenue Breakdown - Product revenue, net was $177.76 million, slightly below the nine-analyst average estimate of $178.43 million, reflecting a year-over-year change of 0.7% [4] - Licensing and other revenue reached $280.82 million, significantly surpassing the estimated $126.67 million, representing a year-over-year increase of 1286.2% [4] - Product Revenue from EMPAVELI was $26.83 million, exceeding the average estimate of $22.06 million, with a year-over-year change of 9% [4] - Product Revenue from SYFOVRE was $150.93 million, slightly below the average estimate of $156.55 million, showing a year-over-year decrease of 0.7% [4] Stock Performance - Shares of Apellis Pharmaceuticals have returned +30.1% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.6% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q3 2025 was $459 million, including a $275 million upfront payment from Sobi related to the EMPAVELI royalty purchase agreement [21] - SYFOVRE net product revenue for the quarter was $151 million, with approximately 101,000 doses delivered, including 86,000 commercial doses and 15,000 free goods doses [21] - Operating expenses were $235 million in Q3 2025, down from $244 million in the same quarter last year [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - EMPAVELI generated total net product revenue of $27 million during Q3 2025, with a focus on C3 glomerulopathy and primary immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis [24] - SYFOVRE maintained a leading position, accounting for an estimated 52% of new patient starts during Q3 2025, with a total injection growth of 4% [15][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The addressable market for EMPAVELI expanded by approximately 5,000 patients following FDA approval for C3 glomerulopathy and primary ICMPGN [6] - Only about 10% of patients diagnosed with geographic atrophy (GA) are currently treated with complement inhibitors, indicating significant room for growth [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage its expertise in complement-mediated diseases to expand market opportunities for EMPAVELI and SYFOVRE while advancing its pipeline [8][9] - Initiatives to drive growth include targeted market education and the development of artificial intelligence tools to enhance physician understanding of GA [18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term growth potential of EMPAVELI and SYFOVRE, highlighting positive early feedback from the nephrology community regarding EMPAVELI [26] - The company anticipates steady, measured injection growth for SYFOVRE, with expectations for renewed growth driven by new tools and education initiatives [8][16] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with $475 million in cash and cash equivalents, supported by the Sobi transaction [24] - The company plans to initiate pivotal trials for FSGS and DGF by the end of the year, expanding EMPAVELI's development into other rare kidney diseases [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Regarding the launch of EMPAVELI and C3G - Management expects steady, consistent growth going into next year after the initial wave of early adopters [31] Question: On SYFOVRE sampling and market dynamics - Management is closely monitoring sampling and free goods programs to ensure they are utilized effectively [37] Question: Specifics on C3G patient demographics - Approximately 50 of the 152 start forms are from the Expanded Access Program, with positive feedback on efficacy leading to switches from competitive products [41] Question: Timeline for patient access to EMPAVELI - The typical timeframe for patients to start treatment is four to six weeks, with efforts underway to accelerate this process [52] Question: On the impact of co-pay assistance on patient treatment - The lack of co-pay support has created logistical and financial headwinds, affecting treatment discussions with patients [95] Question: Insights on physician behavior regarding biopsies for C3G - The availability of effective treatments like EMPAVELI motivates clinicians to diagnose and treat patients more aggressively [123]

Third Quarter 2025 Financial Results Conference Call October 30, 2025 Forward-looking statements Statements in this presentation about future expectations, plans and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "projec ...

Core Insights - Apellis is currently leading the field in complement therapies with two approved products, SYFOVRE and EMPAVELI, and has a promising pipeline ahead [2][3] - The company has been successfully launching EMPAVELI for PNH for a couple of years and recently received approval for C3G and IC-MPGN, presenting significant opportunities to impact patient lives [3] Company Overview - Apellis has established itself as a leader in complement therapies, focusing on complement factor C3, which plays a crucial role in controlling downstream effects of the complement cascade [2] - The company is positioned for growth with its innovative products and expanding indications, particularly in the latter part of the year [2][3]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has a strong balance sheet with a recent financing deal adding $275 million to its resources [11] - The company reported three approvals for its products in recent years, indicating significant progress in its commercial strategy [8][10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - SYFOVRE is the market leader in the geographic atrophy market, being the first product approved for this condition [9] - EMPAVELI has expanded its market by approximately 5,000 patients with recent approvals for C3G and IC-MPGN, in addition to its initial approval for PNH [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates a steady growth trajectory in the ultra-rare disease market, particularly for EMPAVELI, with about 5,000 patients in the U.S. potentially qualifying for treatment [22][31] - The market for geographic atrophy is substantial, with estimates of over a million patients, indicating significant growth potential for SYFOVRE [45] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on innovation and expanding its product pipeline, including the development of APL-3007, which aims to enhance the effectiveness of SYFOVRE [10][66] - The management emphasizes the importance of educating healthcare providers and patients about the benefits of their products to drive adoption [38][48] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the early launch of EMPAVELI in C3G and IC-MPGN, noting strong interest from key opinion leaders and positive early data [13][14] - The company believes it has a blockbuster product with the potential for significant market penetration across its indications, including PNH, C3G, and IC-MPGN [31][32] Other Important Information - The company has a differentiated approach in targeting the complement system, which is believed to be more effective than other treatments currently in development [64] - Management highlighted the challenges of demonstrating significant improvements in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in geographic atrophy studies, emphasizing the importance of lesion slowing as a key measure [57][58] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the current state of the business? - The company has made significant progress with its two commercial products and a strong balance sheet, feeling positive about its current position [11] Question: How is the launch of EMPAVELI progressing? - The launch is going well, with a broad label from the FDA and strong interest from healthcare providers [13][14] Question: What is the market opportunity for EMPAVELI? - The company believes it has a blockbuster product with a potential market of 5,000 patients in the U.S. and possibly more as awareness increases [31][32] Question: How does the company view competition in the market? - The company feels confident in its differentiated product offerings and the efficacy of its treatments compared to competitors [27][64] Question: What are the growth expectations for SYFOVRE? - Management anticipates low to mid-single-digit growth for SYFOVRE, with ongoing efforts to educate healthcare providers and patients [38][39] Question: How does the company plan to manage its patent lifecycle? - The company is focused on lifecycle management and has a solid patent strategy in place, with extensions potentially extending to 2034 or 2035 [34]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Apellis Pharmaceuticals reported a strong balance sheet following a recent royalty deal that added $275 million to its resources [11] - The company has achieved three approvals for its products in recent years, indicating significant progress in its commercial strategy [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - SYFOVRE, the company's product for geographic atrophy, is the market leader in its category and has shown substantial efficacy over four years of patient data [8][37] - EMPAVELI has expanded its market with recent approvals for C3G and IC-MPGN, increasing the potential patient base by approximately 5,000 patients [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company estimates there are about 5,000 patients in the U.S. for C3G and IC-MPGN, with potential for more patients to be diagnosed as treatment options become available [31] - The market for geographic atrophy is large, with approximately 1.5 million patients identified, but only a small percentage currently receiving treatment [45] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Apellis aims to leverage its unique position in complement biology, focusing on the central component C3 to differentiate its products from competitors [5][64] - The company is committed to innovation, with ongoing development of pipeline products like APL-3007, which aims to enhance the effectiveness of SYFOVRE [65][66] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the early launch of EMPAVELI for C3G and IC-MPGN, noting strong interest from key opinion leaders and a broad label from the FDA [13][14] - The company anticipates steady growth in the ultra-rare disease market, with a typical launch pattern expected for EMPAVELI [20] Other Important Information - Apellis is focused on educating nephrologists about the high unmet needs in pediatric and post-transplant patient populations [25] - The company has a strong competitive advantage due to its broad label and the efficacy of its products compared to oral alternatives [27][28] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the current state of the business? - Management highlighted the strong position of Apellis with two commercial products and a robust balance sheet following a recent financing deal [11] Question: How is the launch of EMPAVELI progressing? - The launch is going well, with a broad label and significant interest from healthcare providers [13][14] Question: What is the market opportunity for EMPAVELI? - The company believes it has a blockbuster product with potential for more patients to be diagnosed as treatment options expand [31] Question: How does Apellis view the competitive landscape? - Apellis sees its broad label and efficacy as key differentiators that set it apart from competitors [27][28] Question: What are the growth expectations for SYFOVRE? - Management expects low to mid-single-digit growth as the brand stabilizes and continues to educate the market [38][39] Question: How does the company plan to innovate moving forward? - Apellis is committed to ongoing innovation and development of new products to address patient needs in both the kidney and retina markets [65][66]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has a strong balance sheet with a recent financing deal adding $275 million to its resources [11] - The company reported three approvals in recent years, with SYFOVRE being the first approved product for geographic atrophy and the market leader in that segment [8][9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - SYFOVRE is stabilizing with low to mid-single-digit growth expected, driven by real-world data and disease state education [38][39] - EMPAVELI has recently launched for C3G and IC-MPGN, with a broad label that includes pediatric and adult patients, showing strong early interest and connection with key opinion leaders [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. market for C3G and IC-MPGN is estimated to have about 5,000 patients, with potential for more patients to surface as diagnosed due to the availability of treatment [31][32] - The geographic atrophy market is large, with over a million patients identified, but many remain untreated [45][46] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage its differentiated products in the complement biology space, focusing on innovation and expanding its pipeline, including APL-3007 [64][65] - The strategy includes enhancing the understanding of disease management among physicians and patients to drive adoption of treatments [47][48] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term growth potential of both SYFOVRE and EMPAVELI, emphasizing the importance of education and patient engagement [39][40] - The company believes it has a blockbuster product with EMPAVELI, supported by strong clinical data and a unique delivery method [31][28] Other Important Information - The company is committed to continuous innovation and has plans for lifecycle management of its products, ensuring they remain competitive in the market [34][65] - The management highlighted the importance of real-world data in demonstrating the efficacy of their products, which is crucial for physician adoption [42][43] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the current state of the business? - The company has two commercial products, SYFOVRE and EMPAVELI, with strong growth potential and a solid financial position [11][8] Question: How is the launch of EMPAVELI progressing? - The launch is going well, with a broad label and strong interest from key opinion leaders, although it is still early in the process [13][14] Question: What are the expectations for SYFOVRE's growth? - Management expects low to mid-single-digit growth, with ongoing efforts to educate physicians and patients about the product [38][39] Question: How does the company view the competitive landscape? - The company believes its broad label and efficacy will differentiate it from competitors, and it is focused on educating physicians about its advantages [26][28] Question: What is the market opportunity for EMPAVELI? - The company sees a significant market opportunity with approximately 5,000 diagnosed patients in the U.S. and potential for more as awareness increases [31][32] Question: How does the company plan to manage its pipeline? - The company is committed to innovation and lifecycle management, with plans to develop additional products and enhance existing ones [34][65]

Core Insights - Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reported a revenue of $178.49 million for the quarter ended June 2025, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 10.6% [1] - The earnings per share (EPS) for the same period was -$0.33, compared to -$0.28 a year ago, with a consensus EPS estimate of -$0.44, resulting in a surprise of +25% [1] Revenue Breakdown - Product revenue, net was $171.39 million, below the 10-analyst average estimate of $176.3 million, representing a year-over-year change of -4.3% [4] - Licensing and other revenue amounted to $7.11 million, significantly lower than the 10-analyst average estimate of $12.89 million, showing a year-over-year decline of 65.4% [4] - Product revenue from EMPAVELI was $20.8 million, compared to the seven-analyst average estimate of $21.74 million, indicating a year-over-year change of -15.1% [4] - Product revenue from SYFOVRE was $150.6 million, slightly below the seven-analyst average estimate of $153.77 million, with a year-over-year change of -2.6% [4] Stock Performance - Shares of Apellis Pharmaceuticals have returned +6.6% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.7% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term [3]