Paris (France), 25 July 2019 – Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY), a global specialty-driven biopharmaceutical group, today announced financial results for the first half of 2019.
David Meek, Chief Executive Officer of Ipsen, stated: “In the first half of 2019, the strong operational execution of our growth strategy led to robust double-digit sales growth, continued Core Operating margin expansion and an upgrade in our sales guidance for full year 2019. The value of our pipeline was further strengthened by the closing of the Clementia acquisition and promising interim Phase 2 data for Onivyde in first-line pancreatic cancer. Going forward, we will continue to advance our strategic priorities to deliver sustained top-line, bottom-line and pipeline growth.”
Upgraded Full Year 2019 guidance
- Group sales growth greater than +14.0% at constant currency and consolidation scope1 (versus initial guidance of greater than +13.0%)
- Impact of currencies estimated at +1.5% based on the current level of exchange rates
- Impact of consolidation scope reflecting the consolidation under the equity method for joint arrangements related to the Schwabe partnership estimated at -1.0%
- Core Operating margin at around 30.0% of net sales, including the impact of Clementia but excluding potential incremental investments in pipeline expansion initiatives
Q2 2019 Pipeline highlights
- 17 April: Completion of the Clementia Pharmaceuticals acquisition
- 24 June: U.S. FDA approval of the Somatuline New Delivery System
- 5 July: Presentation at ESMO-GI of promising interim data from the Phase 1/2 study of the investigational use of Onivyde® in combination with 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV) and oxaliplatin (OX) in study patients with previously untreated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cancer (PDAC)
H1 2019 Financial highlights
- Group sales growth of 15.5% as reported and 14.3% at constant exchange rates and consolidation scope1, driven by the strong performance of Specialty Care across all major products and geographies.
- Core Operating margin at 31.5% of net sales, up 1.2 points and Core Operating Income growth of 20.1% after higher R&D investments including Clementia
IFRS operating margin at 25.8% of net sales, up 0.5 points and IFRS Operating Income growth of 17.8%.
Refinancing update
- Full refinancing following the acquisition of Clementia Pharmaceuticals to increase debt capacity for future business development, extend the maturity horizon and diversify sources of financing.
- 24 May: Signature of a new 5-year revolving credit facility (RCF) of €1.5 billion with two possible one-year extensions to replace existing bank facilities with specific indicators linked to CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility).
- 23 July: Closing of a $300 million dual-tranche issuance of notes with 7- and 10-year maturities on the U.S. market (U.S. Private Placement – USPP) from a group of long-term U.S. investors.
First issuance in the private placement market and in the U.S. debt market for the company, illustrating the high level of confidence of investors in Ipsen and in the quality of its credit profile.
The transaction in this press release is not an offer for sale of the securities in the United States. No public offering of the securities will be made in the United States. The securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act.
1Subsidiaries involved in the partnership between Ipsen and Schwabe Group are consolidated in accordance with the equity method starting 1 January, 2019. Year-on-year growth excluding foreign exchange impact established by recalculating net sales for the relevant period at the rate used for the previous period.
Review of the first half 2019 results
Note: Unless stated otherwise, all variations of year-on-year sales are stated at constant exchange rates and consolidation scope. Subsidiaries involved in the partnership between Ipsen and Schwabe Group are consolidated in accordance with the equity method starting 1 January, 2019. Year-on-year growth excluding foreign exchange impact established by recalculating net sales for the relevant period at the rate used for the previous period.
Group sales reached €1,229.6 million, up 14.3% year-on-year.
Specialty Care sales reached €1,100.0 million, up 16.9%, driven by the growth in Oncology of +20.7% from the continuous growth of Cabometyx® and Onivyde® as well as Somatuline® and Decapeptyl® across all geographies.
Consumer Healthcare sales reached €129.6 million, down 3.7%, mainly from the competitive environment for Smecta® in China.
Core Operating Income was €387.5 million, up 20.1%, driven by the growth of Specialty Care sales, a sound management of Selling expenses and an increased investment in Research and Development (including Clementia costs from Q2 2019).
Core Operating margin reached 31.5% of sales, up 1.2 points versus the first half of 2018 despite the dilutive impact of Clementia expenses.
Core consolidated net profit was €283.0 million, compared to €237.1 million in 2018, up 19.3%, after increased financing costs mainly linked to the Clementia acquisition.
Core earnings per share fully diluted grew by 18.5% to reach €3.38, compared to €2.86 in 2018.
IFRS Operating Income was €317.8 million after amortization of intangible assets and higher Other operating expenses, mainly related to Clementia integration costs and costs arising from the Group’s transformation programs. Operating Income margin of 25.8% is up 0.5 points compared to the first half of 2018.
IFRS Consolidated net profit was €220.6 million versus €197.3 million in 2018, up 11.8% impacted by the Onivyde® revised contingent earn-out and milestones accounting following the recent publication of positive results related to the ongoing developments on Onivyde®.
IFRS Fully diluted EPS (Earnings per share) was €2.64 versus €2.38 in 2018, up 10.9%.
Free Cash Flow reached €101.0 million, down by €63.5 million versus 2018, mainly driven by a lower Operating Cash Flow combined with higher Other operating expenses and Restructuring costs.
Closing net debt reached €1,499.5 million at the end of June 2019, versus €438.0 million at the end of June 2018, notably after the impact of Clementia’s acquisition for €986 million and of IFRS16 – Leases standard implemented starting 1 January 2019 for €188 million.
The company’s auditors performed a limited review of the accounts.
The interim financial report, with regard to regulated information, is available on the Group’s website, dotm8q9wub2y8.cloudfront.netunder the Regulated Information tab in the Investor Relations section.
Conference call
Ipsen will hold a conference call Thursday, 25 July 2019 at 2:30 p.m. (Paris time, GMT+1). Participants should dial in to the call approximately five to ten minutes prior to its start. No reservation is required to participate in the conference call.
Standard International: +44 (0) 2071-928-000
France and continental Europe: + 33 (0) 1 76 70 07 94
UK: 08-445-718-892
United States: 1-6315-107-495
Conference ID: 3574629
