Joe Ciaffoni
Analyst · Needham & Company. Please go ahead
Thank you, Alex. Good afternoon, and thank you, everyone, for joining the call. 2018 was a transformative year for Collegium, fueled by exclusive ER oxycodone payer wins and improved operational execution, Xtampza ER total prescriptions grew 233% and Xtampza ER was the fastest growing extended-release opioid in 2018. Xtampza ER net revenue grew $69.4 million in 2018, representing a 144% increase versus 2017. The acquisition of the U.S. commercialization rights to the Nucynta franchise broadened the Collegium portfolio, increased Collegium's relevance to all stakeholders and achieved the financial objectives of expanding Collegium's revenue base, being accretive in 2018 and accelerating time to profitability. Collegium achieved full-year net revenue of $280.4 million, up 885% versus 2017. Cash burn improved each quarter in 2018 and for the eighth consecutive quarter overall. Collegium ended the year with $146.6 million of cash on hand, exceeding our guidance of $145 million. The Xtampza ER patent state was strengthened with the addition of two Orange Book listed patents in 2018, bringing the total to 14. We made significant investments in personnel, systems and processes to enable Collegium to deliver on its commitment to be the leader in responsible pain management. Importantly, we completed a thorough strategic review that culminated in the strategic plan that we will be executing against moving forward. Collegium Pharmaceuticals is focused on and well-positioned to become the leader in responsible pain management. We believe that 2019 will be a breakthrough year for Collegium. We expect Xtampza ER total prescriptions to accelerate as a result of 13 new exclusive ER oxycodone payer wins that took effect on January 1, 2019. As was the case in 2018, we anticipate a faster rate of growth in the first half of the year, followed by sustained growth and a moderated rate in the second half of 2019. The amended Nucynta commercialization agreement will significantly improve Collegium's economics versus the original agreement at the level of sales that we’ve guided to in 2019. We are focused on leveraging, not adding to the cost structure of the organization and anticipate operating costs will be flat in 2019 versus 2018. Revenue growth driven by Xtampza ER and financial discipline will drive the breakthrough year that we’re striving for in 2019. The strategic plan that we developed in 2018 will guide our actions in 2019 and beyond. Our strategic vision is clear, Collegium aspires to be the leader in responsible pain management. We are focused on bringing innovative and differentiated assets to the U.S. market, including non-opioid therapies. We will leverage our strengths in developing late-stage clinical programs and commercializing products that are relevant to office-based pain specialists. This will result in Collegium being a growth stage company with a balanced portfolio of on-market and in-development pain assets. In building Collegium strategic plan, we focused on three major work streams. The first was the development of the five-year financial trajectory of the organization. At a high level, we anticipate that our current marketed portfolio will generate significant cash, driven by Xtampza ER. We believe that Xtampza ER will become the number one prescribed ER oxycodone. Second, we identified our development and commercial functions as areas of strength and competitive differentiation. Our focus will be on the U.S. market and office-based pain specialists. Third, we will strive to acquire commercial and later stage development assets post Phase 2 that we believe are innovative and/or differentiated. Our primary focus will be on novel, non-opioid program that have the potential to generate revenue as early as 2022. 2018 was a transformative year for Collegium Pharmaceutical. We are proud of the progress that we made. 2019 has the potential to be a breakthrough year for the organization. Early on, we’re encouraged by the trends but we recognize that we have a lot of work to do. I'm confident that the Collegium team is up to the challenge. Last but certainly not least, I want to take a moment to recognize the accomplishments of my colleagues at Collegium as we strive to become the leader in responsible pain management. I also want to thank them for the efforts that they put forth everyday and for their commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of people suffering from pain and the communities that we serve. I will now hand the call over to Paul.