Valneva Reports Full Year 2022 Results and Provides Corporate Updates

Total revenues of €361.3 million in 2022 compared to €348.1 million in 2021

  • Driven by product sales of €114.8 million (82.3% increase compared to 2021), including €85.2 million of travel vaccine sales and €29.6 million of COVID-19 vaccine sales
  • €246.5 million of Other Revenues, primarily driven by revenue recognition related to previous COVID-19 vaccine supply agreements

Strong cash position of €289.4 million at December 31, 2022

  • Raised over €190 million in equity:
    • €102.9 million of gross proceeds from an upsized global offering[1] in a challenging economic environment
    • €90.5 ($95) million equity investment by Pfizer
  • Included drawing a total of $40 million from the Deerfield & OrbiMed loan agreement[2]

2023 financial guidance

  • Expected total revenues and other income between €220 million and €260 million:
    • €130 million to €150 million of product sales, including marginal COVID-19 vaccine sales under an existing supply agreement with the Kingdom of Bahrain
    • Between €90 million and €110 million of other income
  • R&D expenses expected between €70 million and €90 million

Financial Information

(Audited[3] 2022 results, consolidated per IFRS)

€ in million12 months ending December 31 20222021Total revenues361.3348.1Product sales114.863.0Net profit/(loss)(143.3)(73.4)Adjusted EBITDA (loss)(69.2)(47.1)Cash289.4346.7

Saint-Herblain (France), March 23, 2023 – Valneva SE (Nasdaq: VALN; Euronext Paris: VLA) a specialty vaccine company, today reported its consolidated financial results for the year ending December 31, 2022[4] and provided corporate updates.

Valneva will provide a live webcast of its full-year 2022 results conference call beginning at 3 p.m. CET/10 a.m. EDT today. This webcast will also be available on the Company’s website. Please refer to this link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/n2f4om2y

Peter Bühler, Valneva’s Chief Financial Officer, commented, “In 2022, Valneva successfully executed on key strategic objectives despite a difficult economic environment. After achieving clinical and regulatory success, we decided to wind-down our COVID-19 activities and focus on our lead programs. We were agile in reactivating production of our commercial vaccines to capitalize on the travel industry recovery. We also managed to strengthen our cash level and shareholder base, attracting leading investors and maintaining the support of existing shareholders. With close to €290 million in cash, we entered 2023 in a strong position to support expected commercial growth and R&D programs.”

Clinical Stage Vaccine Candidates

Chikungunya Vaccine Coandidate – VLA1553

FDA Priority Review of vaccine license application granted

VLA1553 is a live-attenuated, single-dose vaccine candidate against the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a mosquito-borne virus that has spread to more than 100 countries with the potential to rapidly expand further. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an epidemiological alert last month as the number of cases and deaths due to chikungunya continues to rise in the Americas[5]. With no preventive vaccine or specific treatment yet available, chikungunya is considered a major public health threat.

Valneva announced last month that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted the filing of a Biologics License Application (BLA)[6] for approval of VLA1553 in persons aged 18 years and above and granted priority review for the application[7]. Under this priority review, VLA1553 has currently been assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) review goal date at the end of August 2023, which is the date by which the FDA intends to take action on the application subject to progress of the BLA review. VLA1553 is currently the only chikungunya vaccine candidate worldwide for which a regulatory review process is underway[8] and, if approved, it could become the first chikungunya vaccine available to address this unmet medical need.

Valneva’s BLA application follows final pivotal Phase 3 data in March 2022[9], final lot-to-lot consistency results in May 2022[10] and positive twelve-month persistence data in December 2022[11]. A clinical study of VLA1553 in adolescents is ongoing in Brazil[12], for which Valneva reported enrollment and vaccination completion in February 2023[13]. This trial, conducted by Valneva’s partner Instituto Butantan and funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), may support future regulatory submissions in this age group, if VLA1553 is initially approved in adults, as well as licensure of the vaccine in Europe and Brazil, which would be the first potential approval for use in an endemic population. Topline results are expected mid-2023.

The program received FDA Fast Track and Breakthrough Therapy designations in 2018 and 2021, respectively. VLA1553 was also granted PRIority MEdicine (PRIME) designation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2020. Valneva currently plans to make additional regulatory submissions for VLA1553 in the second half of 2023. The sponsor of the first chikungunya vaccine approved in the U.S. is eligible to receive a Priority Review Voucher (PRV)[14].

Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidate – VLA15

Phase 3 study initiated

Valneva and Pfizer are developing VLA15, a Lyme disease vaccine candidate that targets the outer surface protein A (OspA) of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. VLA15 is a multivalent recombinant protein vaccine that targets six serotypes of Borrelia representing the most common strains found in North America and Europe. VLA15 is the only Lyme disease vaccine program in advanced clinical development today and has received Fast Track designation from the FDA.

Valneva and Pfizer reported results for three Phase 2 clinical trials of VLA15 in both adult and pediatric populations, in which high levels of antibodies against all six strains were observed[15],[16],[17]. In August 2022, the companies initiated a Phase 3 clinical study, “Vaccine Against Lyme for Outdoor Recreationists (VALOR)”, to investigate the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of VLA15 in participants five years of age and older in highly endemic regions in the United States and Europe[18].

In February 2023, Pfizer, as the study sponsor, decided to discontinue half of the total enrolled participants in the trial following violations of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) at certain clinical trial sites run by a third-party clinical trial site operator[19]. The clinical trial remains ongoing at sites not operated by the third party. The companies intend to work with regulatory authorities and, as previously announced, aim for Pfizer to potentially maintain the original submission timelines, pending successful completion of the Phase 3 studies and subject to the agreement of these regulatory agencies to proposed modifications of the clinical trial plan.

According to the terms of Valneva’s collaboration with Pfizer, Pfizer leads late phase development of VLA15 and, if approved, Pfizer will have sole control over its commercialization with Valneva eligible to receive up to $408 million in milestones, plus royalty payments. In June 2022, the terms of this collaboration were updated, and Pfizer invested €90.5 ($95) million in Valneva as part of an equity subscription agreement[20]. As per the terms of the collaboration agreement, Valneva received a $25 million milestone payment from Pfizer in 2022 following initiation of the Phase 3 study.

Pre-Clinical Vaccine Candidates

Valneva continues to progress select pre-clinical assets and focus on strengthening its future clinical pipeline. The Company is currently focused on VLA2112, a vaccine candidate targeting the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is one of the most common human viruses. EBV can cause infectious mononucleosis[21] and is strongly associated with the development of several types of cancer[22] and multiple sclerosis[23]. Valneva has also been working on a vaccine candidate targeting the human metapneumovirus (hMPV), which is a major worldwide respiratory pathogen that causes acute upper and lower respiratory tract infection[24] and is currently exploring potential partnering opportunities. Additionally, Valneva initiated pre-clinical work on vaccine candidates targeting parvovirus B19, a virus most commonly causing fifth disease[25], and Campylobacter, a bacterium often associated with food poisoning[26].

Commercial Vaccines

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine (IXIARO®/JESPECT®)

IXIARO® is an inactivated Vero cell culture-derived Japanese encephalitis that is the only Japanese encephalitis vaccine licensed and available in the United States, Canada and Europe. IXIARO® is indicated for active immunization against Japanese encephalitis, the most prevalent cause of viral encephalitis in Asia, for adults, adolescents, children and infants aged two months and older.

IXIARO®/JESPECT® sales were €41.3 million in 2022 compared to €45.1 million in 2021. This decrease was the result of lower sales to the U.S. Department of Defense. The significant recovery of the private travel markets partly offset this impact, with IXIARO®/JESPECT® private sales reaching €28.8 million in 2022 compared to €7.1 million in 2021.

Cholera/ETEC[27]-Diarrhea Vaccine (DUKORAL®)

DUKORAL® is an oral vaccine for the prevention of diarrhea caused by Vibrio cholerae and/or heat-labile toxin producing ETEC[28], the leading cause of travelers’ diarrhea. DUKORAL® is authorized for use in the European Union and Australia to protect against cholera, and in Canada, Switzerland, New Zealand and Thailand to protect against cholera and ETEC.

DUKORAL® sales increased to €17.3 million in 2022 compared to €2.4 million in 2021, also benefitting from the significant recovery in the private travel markets.

Sars-CoV-2 inactivated whole-virus vaccine

Valneva’s COVID-19 vaccine, VLA2001, is the only inactivated whole-virus COVID-19 vaccine approved in Europe[29] and was the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive a full marketing authorization from the EMA. In addition to its marketing approval in Europe, Valneva’s COVID-19 vaccine received conditional marketing authorization in the United Kingdom[30] and emergency use authorization in the United Arab Emirates[31] and the Kingdom of Bahrain[32]. In 2022, sales of VLA2001 to the Kingdom of Bahrain and certain EU Member States amounted to €29.6 million. Valneva will provide additional doses to the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2023 pursuant to the advance purchase agreement signed in December 2021.

In July 2022, Valneva entered into an amendment to the purchase agreement originally entered into in November 2021 with the European Commission.[33] In light of the reduced order volume of 1.25 million doses, which were delivered to Germany, Austria, Denmark, Finland, and Bulgaria in 2022, Valneva suspended manufacturing of the vaccine in August 2022 and has been reshaping the Company to increase efficiency and focus on its operational and strategic business objectives. The Company is continuing to explore potential additional supply agreements to deploy the remaining eight to ten million doses of inventory. However, these inventories were fully written down as of December 31, 2022. Earlier this month, Valneva provided clinical and regulatory updates for VLA2001[34]. VLA2001’s shelf life was notably extended to 21 months compared to 18 months previously. The Company will continue to submit data to further extend it.

Third-Party Distribution

Valneva distributes certain third-party vaccines in countries where it operates its own marketing and sales infrastructure. In September 2022, Valneva announced a partnership with VBI Vaccines for the marketing and distribution of the only 3-antigen Hepatitis B vaccine, PreHevbri®, in select European markets[35].

In 2022, Valneva’s third party product sales increased by 72.1% to €26.5 million from €15.4 million in 2021.

Full Year 2022 Financial Review
(Audited[36], consolidated under IFRS)

Revenues

Valneva’s total revenues were €361.3 million in 2022 compared to €348.1 million in 2021, an increase of 3.8%.

Valneva’s total product sales reached €114.8 million in 2022 compared to €63.0 million in 2021, an increase of 82.3%. This was driven by a continued recovery of travel vaccine sales that surpassed expectations (€85.2 million versus guidance of €70 to €80 million) complemented by COVID-19 vaccine sales in Europe and Bahrain (€29.6 million). On a constant exchange rate (CER) basis, product sales increased by 66.7% in 2022 as compared to 2021.

IXIARO®/JESPECT® sales were €41.3 million in 2022 compared to €45.1 million in 2021, a decrease of 8.4% (18.6% at CER), driven by lower sales to the U.S. Department of Defense. This decrease was partly offset by the significant recovery of the private travel markets, with IXIARO®/JESPECT® private sales reaching €28.8 million in 2022 compared to €7.1 million in 2021.

DUKORAL® sales were €17.3 million in 2022 compared to €2.4 million in 2021, an increase of 610.3% (629.2% at CER), also benefitting from the significant recovery in the private travel markets.

Third-party product sales grew to €26.5 million in 2022 compared to €15.4 million in 2021, an increase of 72.1%. This increase was primarily due to the marketing and distribution partnership with Bavarian Nordic.

Other Revenues, including revenues from collaborations, licensing and services, amounted to €246.5 million in 2022 compared to €285.1 million in 2021. These were mainly driven by revenue recognition related to previous COVID-19 vaccine supply agreements.

Operating Result and adjusted EBITDA

Costs of goods and services sold (COGS) were €324.4 million in 2022. The gross margin on commercial product sales amounted to 45.5% compared to 36.5% in 2021. COGS of €15.6 million related to IXIARO® product sales, yielding a product gross margin of 62.2%. COGS of €14.2 million related to DUKORAL® product sales, yielding a product gross margin of 18.2%. The DUKORAL® gross margin was impacted by €8.3 million of impairment charges for Valneva Sweden’s manufacturing facilities following suspension of the COVID-19 vaccine fill and finish activities at that site. Of the remaining COGS in 2022, €16.7 million related to the third-party products distribution business, €267.1 million to the COVID-19 vaccine business and €9.7 million to cost of services. COGS of the COVID-19 vaccine program included effects from the significant reduction of sales volumes to the European Union Member States which resulted in impairment of fixed assets and inventories. In 2021, overall COGS were €187.9 million, of which €162.9 million related to cost of goods and €25.1 million related to cost of services. Research and development expenses amounted to €104.9 million in 2022, compared to €173.3 million in 2021. This decrease was mainly driven by lower clinical trial costs for Valneva’s chikungunya vaccine program advancing towards licensure as well as reduced spend on the COVID-19 program. Marketing and distribution expenses in 2022 amounted to €23.5 million compared to €23.6 million in 2021. Marketing and distribution expenses in 2022 notably included €7.3 million of expenses related to launch preparation costs for Valneva’s chikungunya vaccine candidate, VLA1553, compared to €3.8 million in 2021. In 2022, general and administrative expenses declined to €34.1 million from €47.6 million in 2021. COGS, research and development, marketing and distribution as well as general and administrative expenses benefited from a non-cash accrual adjustment related to the positive effect of the Company’s share price development on employee share-based compensation programs. This income compares to an expense in 2021.

Other income, net of other expenses, reduced to €12.2 million in 2022 from €23.0 million in 2021. This decrease was mainly driven by reduced R&D tax credits directly resulting from lower R&D spending and an increase of other expenses related to the provision for the ongoing Vivalis/Intercell merger litigation proceedings.

Valneva recorded an operating loss of €113.4 million in 2022 compared to an operating loss of €61.4 million in 2021, of which the COVID-19 program contributed a loss of €42.8 million in 2022 and a profit of €3.9 million in 2021. The other segments represented an operating loss of €70.6 million in 2022 compared to an operating loss of €65.3 million in 2021. Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) loss in 2022 was €69.2 million compared to an adjusted EBITDA loss of €47.1 million in 2021.

Net Result

In 2022, Valneva generated a net loss of €143.3 million compared to a net loss of €73.4 million in 2021.

Finance expense and foreign currency effects in 2022 resulted in a net finance expense of €31.4 million, compared to a net finance expense of €8.6 million in 2021. This was mainly a result of a foreign exchange loss amounting to €12.6 million in 2022, primarily driven by non-cash revaluation results of non-Euro denominated balance sheet positions, compared to a net foreign exchange gain of €8.1 million in 2021. Interest expenses net of interest income were €18.8 million in 2022 compared to €16.7 million in 2021.

Cash Flow and Liquidity

Net cash used in operating activities amounted to €245.3 million in 2022 compared to €76.9 million of cash generated by operating activities in 2021. Cash outflows in 2022 were mainly related to the operating loss generated in the period and non-cash revenues (cash received in previous periods), while during 2021 cash inflows mainly resulted from pre-payments received under the vaccine supply agreement signed with the UK government.

Cash outflows from investing activities amounted to €29.1 million in 2022 compared to €93.1 million in 2021, both mainly a result of COVID-19-related construction activities across production sites in Scotland and Sweden, as well as equipment purchases.

Net cash generated from financing activities amounted to €215.1 million in 2022, which was mainly a result of proceeds from the equity subscription agreement with Pfizer, proceeds from a global offering as well as a draw-down of the credit facility provided by Deerfield Management Company & OrbiMed[37]. Cash inflows in 2021 amounted to €154.5 million which was mainly a result of proceeds from issuance of new shares in the U.S. initial public offering and European private placement in May as well as an additional global offering in November 2021.

Cash and cash equivalents amounted to €289.4 million as at December 31, 2022, compared to €346.7 million as at December 31, 2021. This included €102.9 million of gross proceeds from an upsized global offering completed in October 2022, €90.5 ($95) million from an equity investment by Pfizer completed in June 2022 as well as drawing of a total $40 million from the Deerfield Management Company & OrbiMed loan agreement.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

Management uses and presents IFRS results, as well as the non-IFRS measure of Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate and communicate its performance. While non-IFRS measures should not be construed as alternatives to IFRS measures, management believes non-IFRS measures are useful to further understand Valneva’s current performance, performance trends, and financial condition.

Adjusted EBITDA is a common supplemental measure of performance used by investors and financial analysts. Management believes this measure provides additional analytical tools. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings (loss) for the period before income tax, finance income/expense, foreign exchange gain/(loss), results from investments in associates, amortization, depreciation, and impairment.

A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss for the period, which is the most directly comparable IFRS measure, is set forth below:

€ in millionTwelve months ending December 31(consolidated per IFRS)20222021Loss for the period(143.3)(73.4)Add:

Income tax expense(1.5)3.4Total Finance income(0.3)(0.2)Total Finance expense19.117.0Foreign exchange gain/(loss) – net12.6(8.1)Result from investments in associates––Amortization7.06.6Depreciation14.07.7Impairment23.2–Adjusted EBITDA(69.2)(47.1)

About Valneva SE

Valneva is a specialty vaccine company focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of prophylactic vaccines for infectious diseases with significant unmet medical need. The Company takes a highly specialized and targeted approach to vaccine development and then applies its deep understanding of vaccine science to develop prophylactic vaccines addressing these diseases. Valneva has leveraged its expertise and capabilities both to commercialize three vaccines and to rapidly advance a broad range of vaccine candidates into and through the clinic, including candidates against Lyme disease and the chikungunya virus.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to the business of Valneva, including with respect to expected total revenues and product sales for full fiscal year 2023. In addition, even if the actual results or development of Valneva are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, those results or developments of Valneva may not be indicative of future results. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “could,” “should,” “may,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “aims,” “targets,” or similar words. These forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of Valneva as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In particular, the expectations of Valneva could be affected by, among other things, uncertainties involved in the development and manufacture of vaccines, unexpected clinical trial results, unexpected regulatory actions or delays, competition in general, currency fluctuations, the impact of the global and European credit crisis, the ability to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection, the cancellation of existing contracts, including but not limited to the HMG Supply Agreement, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the occurrence of any of which could substantially harm Valneva’s business, financial condition, prospects and results of operations. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements made during this presentation will in fact be realized. Valneva is providing the information in this press release as of the date hereof and disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

[1] Valneva Announces Closing of Upsized €102.9 Million Global Offering – Valneva
[2] Valneva Announces Upsized Financing Arrangement with Leading US Healthcare Funds Deerfield and OrbiMed – Valneva
[3]The audit procedures on the consolidated financial statements have been performed. The audit report will be issued upon finalization of procedures regarding the filing.
[4] The audit procedures on the consolidated financial statements have been performed. The audit report will be issued upon finalization of procedures regarding the filing.
[5]www.paho.org/en/documents/epidemiological-alert-chikungunya-increase-region-americas
[6] FDA Accepts Valneva’s Chikungunya Vaccine License Application for Priority Review – Valneva
[7] FDA Accepts Valneva’s Chikungunya Vaccine License Application for Priority Review – Valneva
[8] Valneva Initiates Rolling Submission of FDA Biologics License Application for its Single-Shot Chikungunya Vaccine Candidate – Valneva
[9] Valneva Successfully Completes Pivotal Phase 3 Trial of Single-Shot Chikungunya Vaccine Candidate
[10] Valneva Successfully Completes Lot-to-Lot Consistency Trial for its Single-Shot Chikungunya Vaccine Candidate
[11] Valneva Reports Positive 12-Month Antibody Persistence Data for Single-Shot Chikungunya Vaccine Candidate – Valneva
[12] Valneva Announces Initiation of Adolescent Phase 3 Trial for its Single-Shot Chikungunya Vaccine Candidate – Valneva
[13] Valneva Completes Enrollment for Adolescent Phase 3 Trial of Single-Shot Chikungunya Vaccine Candidate – Valneva
[14] Tropical Disease Priority Review Voucher Program | FDA
[15] Valneva and Pfizer Report Six-Month Antibody Persistence Data in Children and Adults for Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidate – Valneva
[16]Pfizer and Valneva Initiate Phase 3 Study of Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidate VLA15 – Valneva
[17] Valneva and Pfizer Report Further Positive Phase 2 Results, Including Booster Response, for Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidate – Valneva
[18] Pfizer and Valneva Initiate Phase 3 Study of Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidate VLA15 – Valneva
[19] Pfizer and Valneva Issue Update on Phase 3 Clinical Trial Evaluating Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidate VLA15 – Valneva
[20] Valneva and Pfizer Enter into an Equity Subscription Agreement and Update Terms of Collaboration Agreement for Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidate VLA15
[21] https://www.cdc.gov/epstein-barr/index.html#:~:text=EBV%20can%20cause%20infectious%20mononucleosis,common%20among%20teens%20and%20adults.
[22] https://www.cancer.org/healthy/cancer-causes/infectious-agents/infections-that-can-lead-to-cancer/viruses.html#:~:text=EBV%20infection%20increases%20a%20person’s,some%20cases%20of%20stomach%20cancer.
[23] https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/study-suggests-epstein-barr-virus-may-cause-multiple-sclerosis#:~:text=Infection%20with%20Epstein%2DBarr%20virus,could%20help%20prevent%20multiple%20sclerosis
[24] https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/human-metapneumovirus.html
[25] Parvovirus B19 and Fifth Disease | CDC
[26]https://www.cdc.gov/campylobacter/faq.html
[27] Indications differ by country – Please refer to Product / Prescribing Information (PI) / Medication Guide approved in your respective countries for complete information, incl. dosing, safety and age groups in which this vaccine is licensed, ETEC = Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (E. Coli) bacterium.
[28] Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a type of Escherichia coli and one of the leading bacterial causes of diarrhea in the developing world, as well as the most common cause of travelers’ diarrhea.
[29] Valneva Receives Marketing Authorization in Europe for Inactivated Whole-Virus COVID-19 Vaccine VLA2001
[30] Valneva Receives Conditional Marketing Authorization from UK MHRA for its Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine – Valneva
[31] Valneva Receives Emergency Use Authorization from the United Arab Emirates for its Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine
[32] Valneva Receives Emergency Use Authorization from Bahrain for its Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine VLA2001 – Valneva
[33] Valneva Confirms Amendment of Advance Purchase Agreement with European Commission for Valneva’s Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccine – Valneva
[34]Valneva Provides Clinical and Regulatory Updates for its COVID-19 Vaccine VLA2001 – Valneva
[35] Valneva and VBI Vaccines Announce European Partnership for Marketing and Distribution of PreHevbri® – Valneva
[36] The audit procedures on the consolidated financial statements have been performed. The audit report will be issued upon finalization of procedures regarding the filing.
[37] Valneva Announces Upsized Financing Arrangement with Leading US Healthcare Funds Deerfield and OrbiMed – Valneva

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