BioNTech SE(BNTX) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenues for Q3 2025 were EUR 1,519 million, an increase from EUR 1,245 million in Q3 2024, primarily driven by a $700 million recognition from the BMS collaboration [32] - Cost of sales decreased to approximately EUR 148 million from EUR 179 million year-over-year, attributed to lower inventory write-downs [32] - Research and development expenses rose to approximately EUR 565 million from EUR 550 million, driven by late-stage trials for immunomodulators and ADC programs [33] - The company reported a net loss of EUR 29 million for Q3 2025, compared to a net income of EUR 198 million in the same period last year, mainly due to settlement disputes [34] - Cash, cash equivalents, and security investments totaled EUR 16.7 billion at the end of Q3 2025, including a $1.5 billion upfront payment from BMS [34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The PD-L1 VEGF-A bispecific antibody pomitamic is undergoing a broad registration program in partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb, with significant progress made in Q3 [11][12] - The mRNA cancer immunotherapy platform has advanced with updates on BNT111 and autogene cevumeran, reinforcing the focus on adjuvant settings [8][24] - The HER2-targeted ADC TPEM is progressing towards its first BLA submission planned for 2026, with ongoing trials in metastatic endometrial cancer and breast cancer [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focusing on high medical need indications such as MSS-CRC and first-line gastric cancer, with a rationale for development based on the combination of VEGF-A and PD-L1 blocking [39][55] - The COVID-19 vaccine franchise remains stable, with a strong market share and stable pricing, despite lower vaccination rates compared to previous years [52] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to build a global immunotherapy powerhouse, focusing on a diversified clinical pipeline that includes mRNA immunotherapies and next-generation immunomodulators [4][5] - The strategy emphasizes capital concentration on two priority pan-tumor programs, pomitamic and mRNA cancer immunotherapies, to establish new standards of care [5][37] - The company is committed to rigorous financial discipline while pursuing long-term sustainable growth through evidence-led prioritization of clinical programs [36][37] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the potential of pomitamic to establish new standards of care across diverse tumor types, with ongoing global registration trials [6][18] - The company anticipates generating additional meaningful data for its oncology programs in the coming months, which will inform late-stage decisions [31][37] - The management highlighted the importance of maintaining flexibility in resource allocation to maximize long-term value [41] Other Important Information - The company updated its financial guidance for 2025, increasing revenue expectations to EUR 2.6 billion - EUR 2.8 billion, driven by the BMS collaboration [35] - R&D expense guidance was lowered to EUR 2 billion - EUR 2.2 billion, reflecting active portfolio management and prioritization of key programs [35] Q&A Session Summary Question: Market opportunity for MSS-CRC and first-line gastric cancer - Management highlighted that both indications are high medical need areas, with the combination of VEGF-A and PD-L1 blocking having potential for improved clinical benefit [39] Question: Delay in BLA filing for BNT323 - The delay is due to ongoing discussions with the FDA regarding additional data needs, with the submission now planned for 2026 [42][48] Question: Strategy with pomitamic - The three-wave strategy of establish, expand, and elevate is ongoing in parallel, focusing on speed to market while generating data for combination studies [43] Question: Confidence in pomitamic's phase 3 trial design - Management is continuously re-evaluating statistical analysis plans for ongoing trials, including the Rosetta 02 trial [46] Question: Collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb - The governance structure allows for collaborative decision-making, with both partners having opportunities to conduct combination trials independently [56]