ACADIA Pharmaceuticals (ACAD) FY Conference Transcript

Summary of Acadia Pharmaceuticals (ACAD) FY Conference Call - June 09, 2025 Company Overview - Company: Acadia Pharmaceuticals (ACAD) - Industry: Biotechnology, specifically focusing on neurology and rare diseases Key Points and Arguments Management Changes and Strategic Priorities - Katherine Owen Adams has been with Acadia for eight months, implementing changes in the commercial structure, including the appointment of Tom Garner as CCO and Alison McMillan as head of the debut franchise [2][3] - Focus on accelerating clinical trial programs, with notable progress in the Prada Woolley trial, which is expected to complete earlier than anticipated [4] - Emphasis on both organic and inorganic growth strategies, including a deal signed with San Arena in December [5] Intellectual Property and Market Exclusivity - Acadia won a recent appeal on its composition of matter patent, extending exclusivity for NUPLAZID until October 2030, with total exclusivity lasting until February 2038 [8] - The company is prepared to compete with any potential generic formulations that may enter the market [10] Sales and Marketing Strategies - A new strategy to raise awareness of Parkinson's disease symptoms has been successful, leading to increased patient inquiries and the highest number of new prescriptions (NBRxs) since 2020 [14][15] - Direct-to-consumer campaigns have also contributed to patient growth, with a current market share of 20% for NUPLAZID [16] Patient Retention and Compliance - Over 50% of patients remain on NUPLAZID therapy after one year, with a reported 35% discontinuation rate in Q1, showing improvement in patient retention [30][32] - Management strategies have been enhanced to address gastrointestinal side effects, leading to better patient compliance [33] Pipeline Developments - ACP 204, a new five HT2A inverse agonist, is being developed to address limitations of NUPLAZID, with ongoing studies in Alzheimer's disease psychosis and Lewy body dementia psychosis [22][24][55] - Upcoming phase two data for ACP 204 is expected mid-next year, with a focus on efficacy and safety in a complex patient population [46][51] Regulatory and Geographic Expansion - Acadia has submitted for regulatory approval of debut in the EU, with potential approval expected in Q1 next year [34] - Plans for a phase III study in Japan are underway, indicating a strategic focus on international markets [35] Financial Position and Business Development Strategy - The company has a strong financial position with over $680 million in cash, allowing for continued investment in business development and pipeline funding [60][61] - Acadia aims to expand its focus from neurology to other rare diseases, leveraging management's experience in rare disease markets [59] Upcoming Events - An R&D Day is scheduled to showcase early data from pipeline molecules, indicating a commitment to transparency and stakeholder engagement [57] Additional Important Insights - The company is optimistic about the future growth of NUPLAZID, citing potential for increased market penetration and awareness among healthcare providers and caregivers [17][18] - The unmet need in the Alzheimer's and Lewy body dementia populations is significant, with no approved therapies currently available, highlighting the potential impact of Acadia's pipeline [53][54]