The FINANCIAL — Sanofi Chief Executive Officer, Olivier Brandicourt commented:”Sanofi had a good start to 2015. Our businesses provide a solid foundation for our new-product cycle. Sanofi’s recent launches along with the ongoing regulatory reviews and planned submissions before year-end will drive future growth. At this important time for the company, my primary focus will be on maximizing the value of this innovative product portfolio and further establishing Sanofi as a leading biopharmaceutical company.”
In the first quarter of 2015, Sanofi generated sales of €8,810 million, an increase of 12.3% on a reported basis. Exchange rate movements had a positive effect of 9.9 percentage points reflecting mainly the weakness of the Euro against the dollar. Other currencies impacting sales in the first quarter primarily included the Chinese Yuan on the positive side and the Russian ruble on the negative side, Sanofi reported.
Pharmaceuticals
Sales for the Pharmaceuticals business increased 2.2% to €7,455 million in the first quarter, driven mainly by Genzyme, CHC and established Rx products in Emerging Markets, which were partially offset by lower sales of Diabetes.
In the first quarter, sales of the Diabetes division decreased 3.2% to €1,837 million. Sanofi recently managed to secure earlier and broader market access for Toujeo than expected due to a refined contracting strategy with payers in the U.S. As a result, Sanofi expects its global diabetes sales performance at constant exchange rates in the first quarter of 2015 to be indicative of the full year performance of this division.
Lantus sales were down 5.0% to €1,584 million over the period reflecting lower sales in the U.S., which were partially offset by strong growth in Emerging Markets. In the U.S., sales of Lantus were €1,007 million, a decrease of 13.1% due to the expected rebates required to maintain favorable formulary positions with key payers for contracts that started January 1, 2015. In Emerging Markets, Lantus sales were strong, up 18.0% to €276 million, reflecting solid growth in all regions. In Western Europe, Lantus first-quarter sales were up 6.3% to €223 million driven by growth in Germany, Portugal and Spain.
Toujeo, a next-generation basal insulin used to treat adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, was granted approval by the FDA in late February. Full launch activities in the U.S. market commenced at the end of March and included Toujeo COACH, a customized patient support program that offers tailored information and services for patients with diabetes. Sales of the product were €7 million in the first quarter which primarily reflected wholesaler demand in advance of the launch.
First-quarter sales of Amaryl were €97 million, up 1.2% sustained by Emerging Markets (+12.9% to €78 million), especially in Latin America and China.
Sales of Apidra increased 10.7% to €91 million in the first quarter driven by Emerging Markets (+31.3% to €22 million). In the U.S. and in Western Europe, sales were up 3.6% (to €35 million) and 8.7% (to €25 million), respectively.
First-quarter sales of Lyxumia were €8 million. Top-line results from the Phase IIIb ELIXA cardiovascular outcomes study of Lyxumia were announced in March and support the planned resubmission of the product in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2015.
Afrezza, a new rapid-acting inhaled insulin therapy (licensing agreement with MannKind), was launched in the U.S. in February 2015. Sales of the product were €1 million in the first quarter.
First-quarter sales of Consumer Healthcare products (CHC) were €979 million, an increase of 5.3% driven by Allegra and Enterogermina. Sales of CHC in Emerging Markets grew 6.3% to €455 million over the period led by Eastern Europe, particularly cough-and-cold products, and Latin America. In the U.S., first-quarter sales were up 5.5% to €259 million driven by Allegra which benefited from the launch of a new formulation. Sales of Nasacort were €42 million, a decrease of 16.7% impacted by an unfavorable comparison basis in the U.S. where the product was launched in the first quarter of 2014. Despite a price decrease of Doliprane in France in January 2015, CHC sales in Western Europe increased 0.5% to €202 million.
Genzyme
First-quarter sales of Genzyme increased 30.9% to €821 million reflecting the strong performance of Aubagio® and double-digit growth of Rare Diseases products. Genzyme recorded double-digit sales growth in all territories including 37.7% to €357 million in the U.S., 24.2% to €244 million in Western Europe, 35.3% to €145 million in Emerging Markets and 20.7% to €75 million in the Rest of the World.
First-quarter sales of Rare Diseases reached €613 million, an increase of 15.9%.
Sales of the Gaucher franchise grew 10.1% to €199 million. Sales of Cerezyme were up 4.8% to €189 million in the first quarter, led by strong performance in Emerging Markets (up 16.4% to €66 million) especially in Latin America. Cerdelga, the only first-line oral therapy for Gaucher disease type 1 patients, was approved by the FDA in August 2014 and recorded sales of €10 million in the U.S.. The EMA approved Cerdelga for Gaucher disease type 1 patients in January 2015 and the product was launched in its first European market, Germany, in April. Cerdelga was also approved in Japan at the end of March.
First-quarter sales of Fabrazyme increased 27.6% to €141 million driven by strong growth in the U.S. (up 15.7% to €71 million), in Emerging Markets (up 157.1% to €19 million) and in Western Europe, (up 24.0% to €31million). In Emerging Markets, sales of the product benefited from a favorable phasing effect and the addition of new patients in Brazil.
Sales of Myozyme/Lumizyme grew 19.0% to €156 million in the first quarter, largely driven by an increase in worldwide diagnosis rates and patient identification leading to new patient accruals. In the U.S. (up 29.0% to €48 million) growth was partially due to the conversion of clinical study patients in 2014. Growth in Emerging Markets (up 36.8% to €28 million) also benefited from government ordering patterns in Brazil.
First-quarter sales of Multiple Sclerosis were €208 million (up 118.1%). Aubagio continued its success with sales more than doubling to €170 million versus €78 million in the same period of 2014. In the U.S., sales of Aubagio were €123 million versus €59 million in the first quarter of 2014. In Western Europe, sales were €36 million (versus €17 million in the same period of 2014) reflecting the continued roll out and successful launch in France.
First quarter sales of Lemtrada were €38 million including €18 million in Western Europe and €16 million in the U.S. where the product was introduced late last year.
Generics
Sales of Generics increased 10.2% to €478 million in the first quarter driven by the performance in Emerging Markets (up 12.7% to €277 million) led by cough-and-cold products in Eastern Europe and the performance in Latin America. In the U.S., sales of generics were up 17.9% to €41 million due to the growth of the authorized generics of Lovenox and Taxotere. In Western Europe, generics were down 2.9% to €138 million. In Rest of the World, sales more than doubled to €22 million, driven by Allegra generics sales in Japan.
Oncology
First-quarter sales of Oncology were €357 million, a decrease of 7.3%, mainly reflecting lower sales of Taxotere.
Sales of Jevtana grew 7.6% to €77 million in the first quarter, led by the U.S. (up 15.0% to €27 million) and Japan where the product was launched in September 2014.
First-quarter sales of Thymoglobulin were €55 million, down 7.7%.
First-quarter sales of Taxotere decreased 31.9% (€53 million), mainly due to generic competition. Over the same period, sales of Eloxatin® increased 4.3% (€54 million) driven by growth in China.
First-quarter sales of Mozobil were €34 million, up 20.0% driven by growth in the U.S. (up 15.4% to €18 million) and Emerging Markets (up 66.7% to €5 million).
In the first quarter, sales of Zaltrap grew 18.8% to €20 million, led by sales in Western Europe (€13 million versus €7 million in the first quarter of 2014) which offset lower sales in the U.S.
Total sales of Established Rx Products were €2,983 million down 1.5%.
Sales of Plavix were down 9.4% to €483 million in the first quarter reflecting lower sales in Western Europe (down 30.6% to €44 million) due to generic competition and in Japan (down 12.6% to €198 million) impacted by an unfavorable comparison to the previous year resulting from buying patterns in anticipation of an increase in the consumption tax during the second quarter of 2014. In mid-2015, generic versions of Plavix are anticipated to enter the market in Japan. In Emerging Markets, sales of Plavix were €226 million, up 0.5% mainly due to lower sales in the Middle East. In China, sales of the product increased 4.4% to €142 million, according to Sanofi.
First-quarter sales of Lovenox were €438 million up 1.2%. In Emerging Markets, sales of the product grew 11.2% (€157 million) led by growth in the Middle-East and Latin America, which was partially offset by lower sales in the U.S. (down 31.3% to €26 million) due to generic competition and stable sales in Western Europe (€231 million).
Sales of Renvela/Renagel increased 13.4% to €226 million in the first quarter, driven by the U.S. (up 19.3% to €165 million). In the U.S., sales benefited from reduced competition from Impax which was granted a license to sell a limited number of bottles of an authorized generic version of Renvela tablets in the U.S. beginning in April 2014.
In the first quarter, sales of Aprovel/Avapro were stable at €201 million. The product recorded strong performance in Emerging Markets (up 18.7% to €125 million) driven by Latin America and China which was offset by lower sales in Western Europe (down 33.3% to €37 million) due to generic competition.
Vaccines
In the first quarter, consolidated sales of Sanofi Pasteur were €697 million, a decrease of 4.6% reflecting expected lower influenza vaccines sales due to the delay of the Southern Hemisphere influenza campaign which impacted the performance in Emerging Markets (down 19.4% to €228 million). Excluding influenza sales, the rest of the portfolio grew 17.2% in the first quarter. In the U.S., first-quarter sales increased 15.4% to €395 million driven by the continued recovery of Pentacel, the performance of Menactra and VaxServe (a Sanofi Pasteur company, U.S. specialty supplier of vaccines).
As the Southern Hemisphere influenza campaign was delayed by two required strain changes this year, first-quarter sales of Influenza vaccines were €22 million versus €135 million in the first quarter of 2014.
Sales of Polio/Pertussis/Hib vaccines were up 15.6% to €282 million in the first quarter. In the U.S., Polio/Pertussis/Hib vaccines sales increased 26.3% to €118 million, reflecting the continued recovery of Pentacel. In Emerging Markets sales of Polio/Pertussis/Hib vaccines grew 32.2% to €132 million led by strong performance of Pentaxim especially in China. In the Rest of the world, first-quarter sales of Polio/Pertussis/Hib vaccines decreased 43.6% to €25 million reflecting lower sales of the Polio vaccine, Imovax, and Hib vaccines in Japan.
In December 2014, Shantha was awarded an order for 37 million doses of Shan5TM, its pediatric pentavalent vaccine, to supply global health organizations in 2015 and 2016. The first 5.3 million doses of Shan5, produced by Shantha, were delivered in March and sales in the first quarter were €7 million.
First-quarter sales of Menactra grew 50.0% to €87 million reflecting 62.2% growth in the U.S. due to favorable CDC order phasing.
Sales of Adult Booster vaccines were down 1.2% to €95 million in the first quarter.
First-quarter sales of Travel and Other Endemic vaccines declined 1.3% to €82 million.
Sales of Sanofi Pasteur MSD (not consolidated), the joint venture with Merck & Co. in Europe, were €139 million, (down 11.8% on a reported basis) in the first quarter due to lower sales of Gardasil.
Animal Health
Sales of Animal Health grew 13.5% to €658 million in the first-quarter confirming the recovery that started in 2014 and supported by both Companion and Production Animal segments. In the U.S. and in Emerging Markets, Animal Health sales grew 15.2% (to €307 million) and 8.9% (to €131 million), respectively.
First-quarter sales of the Companion Animals segment were up 13.1% to €443 million, reflecting the success of NexGard(TM) as well as performance of Heartgard. NexGard, Merial’s next generation flea and tick product for dogs, was launched in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2014 and in Europe, Australia and Japan during 2014 and Brazil in the first quarter of 2015. Sales of NexGard more than doubled in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014. The Frontline family of products continued its stable performance over the period with sales up 1.2%
Sales of the Production Animals segment increased 14.5% to €215 million in the first-quarter. The Avian market, impacted last year by Avian influenza mostly in Asia, recovered in the first quarter while Merial increased its competitive response particularly in Emerging Markets. The Ruminant business was driven by the success of LongRange(TM) in the U.S. becoming a leading brand in parasite control. Sales of Veterinary Public Health products were driven by an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth disease in Korea where Merial is a key partner supporting the management of disease.
Net sales by geographic region
In the U.S., sales were €2,976 million, up 1.0% in the first quarter. The strong performance of Genzyme (up 37.7%), Vaccines (up 15.4%), and Animal Health (up 15.2%) were partially offset by lower sales of Lantus (down 13.1%).
First-quarter sales in Emerging Markets increased 7.3% to €2,859 million. Pharmaceuticals sales in Emerging Markets increased 10.4% driven by Diabetes (up 18.5%), Genzyme (up 35.3%) and Generics (up 12.7%). Vaccines sales were down 19.4% (€228 million) reflecting the delay of the Southern Hemisphere influenza campaign. Animal Health recorded good growth (up 8.9% to €131 million) driven by Avian products. Sales in China grew 7.7% to €484 million driven by vaccines, Lantus, Plavix, Aprovel and Depakine. First-quarter sales in Eastern Europe, Russia and Turkey were up 8.6% to €586 million led by good performance in Turkey, Hungary, Poland and Ukraine. Sales in Russia were €132 million, up 0.5%. In Africa and Middle-East, sales were €530 million, up 2.7%. In Latin America, sales reached €846 million, up 7.1% reflecting significantly higher sales in Venezuela that were partially offset by lower sales of vaccines (down 66.9%) in this region. Despite the strong performance of Genzyme (up 64.3%) and generics (up 9.6%), sales in Brazil decreased 20.9% to €283 million, impacted by lower sales of vaccines (down 85.3%). In Venezuela, significantly increased demand was observed in the first quarter of 2015, due to buying patterns associated with local market conditions. As a consequence, first-quarter sales in Venezuela were €200 million versus €66 million in the same period of 2014. Sanofi does not expect this increased demand to be replicated throughout 2015. This positive impact from Venezuela on Emerging Market sales was partially offset by low influenza vaccines sales (€20 million in the first quarter of 2015 versus €105 million in the same period of 2014) due to the delay of the influenza campaign.
First-quarter sales in Western Europe were €2,031 million (up 0.6%). The performance of Genzyme (up 24.2%) and Animal Health (+8.5%) was partially offset by the impact of generic competition to Aprovel and Plavix.
In Japan, sales were €569 million, a decrease of 8.2% in the first-quarter, reflecting the impact of generic competition to Taxotere®, Myslee and Amaryl, lower sales of vaccines and Plavix.
R&D update
Consult Appendix 6 for full overview of Sanofi’s R&D pipeline
Regulatory update
Regulatory updates since the publication of the 2014 results on February 5, 2015 include the following:
In April, the FDA granted Fast Track designation to GZ/SAR402671, Genzyme’s oral substrate reduction therapy, for the treatment of Fabry disease.
In March, Quadracel (Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio vaccine) was approved in the U.S. in children 4-6 years of age.
In March, Cerdelga (eliglustat), an oral treatment for certain adults living with Gaucher disease type 1, was approved in Japan and in February in Australia.
In February, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Toujeo, a next generation basal insulin used to treat adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In April, Toujeo was also approved in EU.
At the end of April 2015, the R&D pipeline contained 37 projects (excluding Life Cycle Management) and vaccine candidates in clinical development of which 12 are in Phase III or have been submitted to the regulatory authorities for approval.
Portfolio update
Phase III:
Phase III study of dupilumab in adult patients with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma was recently initiated.
In March, top-line results from the Phase IIIb ELIXA cardiovascular outcomes study, which compared lixisenatide to placebo in a high-risk population of adults with type 2 diabetes, were announced. The study showed that lixisenatide was non-inferior, although not superior, to placebo for cardiovascular safety. Full results from the ELIXA study will be presented on June 8, 2015, at the American Diabetes Association 75th Scientific Sessions. The results will also be included in the U.S. New Drug Application of lixisenatide, which is on track to be resubmitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the third quarter of 2015.
In March, 18-month results from a Phase III trial (ODYSSEY LONG TERM) of Praluent (alirocumab, in collaboration with Regeneron), an investigational therapy, involving 2,341 high risk patients with hypercholesterolemia were published online in The New England Journal of Medicine. In the ODYSSEY LONG TERM trial, Praluent 150 mg every two weeks reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by an additional 62 percent at week 24 when compared to placebo, the primary efficacy endpoint of the study, with consistent LDL-C lowering maintained over 78 weeks. In a post hoc analysis using a pre-specified endpoint that included coronary heart disease death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or unstable angina requiring hospitalization, a lower rate of adjudicated major adverse cardiac events was observed in the Praluent group (27 of 1550 patients, 1.7%) compared with the placebo group (26 of 788 patients, 3.3%; hazard ratio 0.52; 95 percent CI, 0.31 to 0.90; nominal p=0.02).
Phase II:
Phase IIb development of the IL4/IL13 bi-specific monoclonal antibody, SAR156597, in Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was initiated.
Sanofi decided to return rights to the anti-CD19 monoclonal antibody (SAR3419) to ImmunoGen. In addition, the combination of XL765 from Exelixis with Merck KGaA’s pimasertib in Phase II was stopped.
Phase I:
A myosin inhibitor (partnership with Myokardia), SAR439152, entered Phase I in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
The HDM2/p53 antagonist, SAR405838, was discontinued in monotherapy as well as in combination with Merck KGaA’s pimasertib. Sanofi also decided not to pursue the development of SAR252067, an anti-LIGHT monoclonal antibody, evaluated in Phase I for Crohn’s disease. The worldwide rights were returned to Kyowa Hakko Kirin., Ltd.
Sanofi decided not to develop further its Phase I project GZ402663 for age-related macular degeneration
Collaboration
In February, Sanofi announced that it entered into a research collaboration and license agreement with Dutch biotech Lead Pharma to discover, develop and commercialize small-molecule therapies directed against the nuclear hormone receptors called ROR gamma t to treat a broad range of autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease, which are among the most common.
In February, Genzyme and Voyager Therapeutics announced a major strategic collaboration to discover, develop and commercialize novel gene therapies for severe CNS disorders. The alliance will encompass multiple gene therapy programs, including programs for Parkinson’s disease, Friedreich’s ataxia and Huntington’s disease, as well as other CNS disorders.
First-quarter financial results
Business Net Income
In the first quarter of 2015, Sanofi generated net sales of €8,810 million, an increase of 12.3% on a reported basis (up 2.4% at constant exchange rates).
Other revenues decreased 3.6% to €80 million in the first quarter. At constant exchange rates, other revenues were down 14.5% reflecting lower royalties received on Enbrel sales in Europe.
First-quarter gross profit increased 12.8% (up 1.8% at constant exchange rates) to €6,104 million. The Gross margin ratio improved by 0.3 percentage points to 69.3% versus the first quarter of 2014, reflecting an improvement in industrial performance and a positive effect from foreign exchange rates which more than offset the impact from U.S. diabetes and ramp up of biologics.
Research and development expenses were €1,199 million, up 5.3% in the first quarter. At constant exchange rates, R&D expenses decreased by 1.8% reflecting timing of clinical programs in 2015.
First-quarter selling and general expenses (SG&A) increased 17.3% to €2,438 million. At constant exchange rates, SG&A grew 6.6% reflecting investments in new launches at Genzyme and U.S. diabetes as well as in Emerging Markets. The ratio of SG&A to net sales was 1.2 percentage points higher to 27.7% compared with the first quarter of 2014.
Other current operating income net of expenses was -€67 million in the first quarter versus -€25 million in the first quarter of 2014. This line in 2015 included a foreign exchange loss of €66 million booked in connection with our Venezuelan operations.
The share of profits from associates was €31 million in the first quarter (versus €13 million in the first quarter of 2014) and included Sanofi’s share in Regeneron profit recorded under the equity method since the beginning of April 2014 as well as Sanofi’s share of profit in Sanofi Pasteur MSD (the Vaccines joint venture with Merck & Co. in Europe).
Non-controlling interests were -€33 million in the first quarter (versus -€35 million in the first quarter of 2014)
Business operating income increased 11.8% to €2,398 million in the first quarter. At constant exchange rates, business operating income grew 2.1%. The ratio of business operating income to net sales was 0.2 percentage points lower to 27.2% versus the same period of last year, driven by higher SG&A expenses connected to investment behind launches.
Net financial expenses were €97 million in the first quarter compared to €76 million in the first quarter of 2014. This line included capital gains linked to the sales of some financial investments of €16 million in the first quarter of 2015 and €41 million in the first quarter of 2014, respectively.
The first quarter effective tax rate was 25%, which was stable versus the first quarter of 2014.
First-quarter business net income grew 11.6% to €1,726 million. At constant exchange rates, business net income increased 1.6%. The ratio of business net income to net sales was 19.6% in the first quarter versus 19.7% in the first quarter of 2014.
From business net income to consolidated net income
In the first quarter of 2015, the main reconciling items between business net income and consolidated net income attributable to equity holders of Sanofi were:
A €618 million amortization charge related to fair value remeasurement on intangible assets of acquired companies (primarily Aventis: €178 million, Genzyme: €226 million and Merial: €119 million) and to acquired intangible assets (licenses/products: €28 million). These items have no cash impact on the Group.
An impairment of intangible assets of €27 million mainly related to R&D projects in early stage. This item has no cash impact on the Group.
An income of €1 million mainly reflecting a decrease in the fair value of contingent considerations related to the CVRs (+€23 million) and an increase of Bayer contingent considerations (-€20 million) linked to Lemtrada.
Restructuring costs of €353 million mainly related to R&D in France.
A €355 million tax effect arising from the items listed above, comprising €217 million generated by amortization charged against intangible assets, €121 million associated with restructuring costs, €10 million associated with impairment of intangible assets and €7 million associated with fair value remeasurement of contingent consideration liabilities.
In “Share of profits/losses from associates”, a charge of €62 million, net of tax, mainly relating to the share of the fair-value re-measurements on assets and liabilities as part of the acquisition of associates and to the share of amortization of intangible assets of joint-ventures. This item has no cash impact on the Group.
Capital Allocation
In the first quarter of 2015, net cash generated by operating activities was €1,247 million after capital expenditures of €355 million (versus €279 million in the first quarter of 2014) driven by investment into new biologics capacities and after an increase in working capital by €379 million resulting in particular from inventory seasonality and the build-up of inventory of products. This net Cash Flow has contributed to finance a share repurchase (€794 million) partially offset by proceeds from the issuance of new shares (€247 million), acquisitions and partnerships net of disposals (€327 million) and restructuring costs (€148 million). Net debt increased from €7,171 million at December 31, 2014 to €7,571 million at March 31, 2015 (amount net of €7,740 million cash and cash equivalents) and included the translation impact of the debt held in U.S. dollars which represented €593 million.
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