Eton Pharmaceuticals Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results

• Q4 2023 revenue of $7.3 million, representing a 109% increase from Q4 2022, marking the twelfth consecutive quarter of sequential product sales growth
• Full year 2023 revenues reached $31.6 million with product sales and royalty revenues of $26.1 million, a 132% increase from 2022
• Announced successful results from ET-400’s pivotal bioequivalence study, NDA submission planned for Q2 2024
• Management to hold conference call today at 4:30pm ET

DEER PARK, Ill., March 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc (“Eton” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: ETON), an innovative pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing treatments for rare diseases, today reported financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2023.

“We finished 2023 by delivering our twelfth straight quarter of sequential product sales growth and another quarter of positive operating cash flow. The growth trajectory continues for ALKINDI SPRINKLE and Carglumic Acid, and we are excited for the Company’s prospects for 2024 and beyond,” said Sean Brynjelsen, CEO of Eton Pharmaceuticals.

“In addition to the strong performance of our commercial products, we are pleased to report favorable developments in our pipeline. In recent weeks, we received positive study results for both ET-400 and ET-600, which brings both products one step closer to NDA submission. We look forward to submitting our NDA for ET-400 in the second quarter of this year and ET-600 early next year,” concluded Brynjelsen.  

Fourth Quarter and Recent Business Highlights

Twelfth straight quarter of sequential growth in product sales. Eton reported fourth quarter 2023 product sales and royalty revenue of $7.3 million, representing a 109% year-over-year increase and 4% growth over the third quarter of 2023, driven primarily by the ongoing momentum of ALKINDI SPRINKLE and Carglumic Acid. The Company anticipates continued growth of product sales in 2024.

Recorded positive cash flow from operations. Eton generated $0.4 million of operating cash during the fourth quarter of 2023, with total cash and cash equivalents of $21.4 million as of December 31, 2023.

Passed pivotal bioequivalence study for ET-400. In February, Eton received preliminary data showing that ET-400, its proprietary formulation of oral hydrocortisone, passed its pivotal bioequivalence study. All other major filing pre-requisites have been completed, and the Company expects to submit the NDA to the FDA for ET-400 when the final clinical study report is available in the second quarter of 2024. This would allow for a potential FDA approval as early as the first quarter of 2025.

Awarded U.S. patent for ET-400. The patent, which covers the Company’s proprietary formulation, expires in 2043 and is expected to be listed in the FDA’s Orange Book upon the product’s approval. The Company has additional patent applications related to the product under review with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Passed pilot bioequivalence study for ET-600. The Company plans to run the pivotal study in the second half of 2024, which would allow for a potential NDA submission in early 2025.

Initiated ALKINDI SPRINKLE sampling program. The Company’s sampling program went live in February 2024, allowing pediatric endocrinology offices to stock ALKINDI SPRINKLE samples so that newly diagnosed or converting patients can immediately start therapy on ALKINDI SPRINKLE in the presence of their physician. Eton has already seen strong demand for samples from physicians and expects the sampling program to have a positive impact on adoption and 2024 revenue growth.

Launched ultra-rare disease product Nitisinone capsules. The product was launched in February 2024 with full patient and provider support services. Eton believes its commercial advantages, existing relationships with prescribers, and experienced sales force will allow the Company to capture a meaningful percentage of the $50 million market.

Fourth Quarter Financial Results

Net Revenue: Net product sales and royalty revenues for the fourth quarter of 2023 increased by 109% to $7.3 million compared to $3.5 million in the prior year period, driven primarily by growth in ALKINDI SPRINKLE and Carglumic Acid. Total net revenues were $7.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $8.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. The prior year period included $5.0 million in licensing revenue resulting from a milestone payment received from Azurity Pharmaceuticals.

Gross Profit: Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $3.6 million. Fourth quarter 2023 gross profit was negatively impacted by a $1.0 million one-time payment to Diurnal PLC as a result of ALKINDI SPRINKLE net sales triggering a commercial success-based milestone under terms of the product’s licensing agreement. Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2022 was $6.4 million and benefited from a $5.0 million milestone payment received from Azurity Pharmaceuticals.

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses for the fourth quarter of 2023 were $1.0 million compared to $0.9 million in the prior year period.

General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses for the fourth quarter of 2023 were $4.6 million compared to $4.4 million in the prior year period. The slight increase in G&A expenses was primarily due to personnel additions.

Net Loss: Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $2.3 million or $0.09 per basic and diluted share compared to net income of $0.9 million or $0.04 per diluted share in the prior year period.

Cash Position: As of December 31, 2023, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $21.4 million.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

As previously announced, Eton Pharmaceuticals will host its fourth quarter 2023 conference call as follows:

Date		March 14, 2024
Time		4:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. CT)
Register* (Audio Only)		Click here

In addition to taking live questions from participants on the conference call, management will be answering emailed questions from investors. Investors can email questions to: [e-mail].

The live webcast can be accessed on the Investors section of Eton’s website at https://ir.etonpharma.com/. An archived webcast will be available on Eton’s website approximately two hours after the completion of the event and for 30 days thereafter.

* Conference call participants should register to obtain their dial-in and passcode details. Please be sure to register using a valid email address.

About Eton Pharmaceuticals

Eton is an innovative pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing treatments for rare diseases. The Company currently has four FDA-approved rare disease products: ALKINDI SPRINKLE, Carglumic Acid, Betaine Anhydrous, and Nitisinone. The Company has three additional product candidates in late-stage development: ET-400, ET-600, and ZENEO hydrocortisone autoinjector. For more information, please visit our website at www.etonpharma.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements associated with the expected ability of Eton to undertake certain activities and accomplish certain goals and objectives. These statements include but are not limited to statements regarding Eton’s business strategy, Eton’s plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates, the safety and efficacy of Eton’s product candidates, Eton’s plans and expected timing with respect to regulatory filings and approvals, and the size and growth potential of the markets for Eton’s product candidates. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “goal,” “potential” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Eton’s current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks associated with the process of discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics, and in the endeavor of building a business around such drugs. These and other risks concerning Eton’s development programs and financial position are described in additional detail in Eton’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Eton undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

Investor Relations:

Lisa M. Wilson, In-Site Communications, Inc.

T: 212-452-2793

E: [e-mail]

Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share amounts)
		For the three months ended								For the years ended
		(Unaudited)
		December 31,				December 31,				December 31,				December 31,
		2023				2022				2023				2022
Revenues:
Licensing revenue		$	—			$	5,000			$	5,500			$	10,000
Product sales and royalties, net			7,313				3,498				26,142				11,251
Total net revenues			7,313				8,498				31,642				21,251
Cost of sales:
Licensing revenue			1,000				650				1,000				1,640
Product sales and royalties			2,683				1,488				9,581				5,293
Total cost of sales			3,683				2,138				10,581				6,933
Gross profit (loss)			3,630				6,360				21,061				14,318
Operating expenses:
Research and development			1,047				944				3,322				3,996
General and administrative			4,575				4,354				18,931				18,582
Total operating expenses			5,622				5,298				22,253				22,578
Income (loss) from operations			(1,992	)			1,062				(1,192	)			(8,260	)
Other (expense) income:
Interest and other (expense) income, net			(17	)			(150	)			503				(761	)
Gain on PPP loan forgiveness			—				—				—				—
Gain on equipment sale			—				—				—				—
Income (loss) before income tax expense			(2,008	)			912				(689	)			(9,021	)
Income tax expense			247				—				247				—
Net income (loss)		$	(2,256	)		$	912			$	(936	)		$	(9,021	)
Net loss per share, basic		$	(0.09	)		$	0.04			$	(0.04	)		$	(0.36	)
Net loss per share, diluted		$	(0.09	)		$	0.04			$	(0.04	)		$	(0.36	)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic			25,741				25,381				25,645				25,146
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted			25,741				25,691				25,645				25,146

Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
		December 31,				December 31,
		2023				2022
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	21,388			$	16,305
Accounts receivable, net			3,411				1,852
Inventories			911				557
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			1,129				1,290
Total current assets			26,839				20,004
Property and equipment, net			58				72
Intangible assets, net			4,739				4,754
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net			92				188
Other long-term assets, net			12				12
Total assets		$	31,740			$	25,030
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	1,848			$	1,766
Current portion of long-term debt			5,380				1,033
Accrued liabilities			9,013				3,662
Total current liabilities			16,241				6,461
Long-term debt, net of discount and including accrued fees			—				5,384
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion			22				107
Total liabilities			16,263				11,952
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 25,688,062 and 25,353,119 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively			26				25
Additional paid-in capital			119,521				116,187
Accumulated deficit			(104,070	)			(103,134	)
Total stockholders’ equity			15,477				13,078
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	31,740			$	25,030

Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands)
		December 31,				December 31,
		2023				2022
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss		$	(936	)		$	(9,021	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Stock-based compensation			3,137				4,218
Common stock issued for product candidate licensing rights			—				—
Depreciation and amortization			901				1,774
Debt discount amortization			117				127
Gain on forgiveness of PPP loan			—				—
Gain on sale of equipment			—				—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			(1,559	)			3,619
Inventories			(354	)			(7	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets			161				1,902
Accounts payable			53				(8	)
Accrued liabilities			5,295				2,217
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			6,815				4,821
Cash used in investing activities
Proceeds from sale of equipment			—				—
Purchases of property and equipment			—				(38	)
Purchase of product licensing rights			(775	)			(2,750	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(775	)			(2,788	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs			—				—
Proceeds from sales of common stock, net of offering costs			—				—
Proceeds from PPP and EIDL loans			—				—
Debt paydown			(1,155	)			(385	)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan and stock option and stock warrant exercises			198				251
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities			(957	)			(134	)
Change in cash and cash equivalents			5,083				1,899
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			16,305				14,406
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$	21,388			$	16,305
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash paid for interest		$	842			$	730
Cash paid for income taxes		$	247			$	—
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Adjustment of operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities due to tenant allowance		$	29			$	—
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities		$	—			$	188