Back to top

Image: Bigstock

GW Pharma (GWPH) Posts Narrower-than-Expected Loss in Q4

Read MoreHide Full Article

Wiltshire, UK-based GW Pharmaceuticals plc is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapeutics from its proprietary cannabinoid product platform across a broad range of disease areas. The company’s key growth driver, Sativex, is approved outside the U.S. for the treatment of spasticity due to multiple sclerosis.

GW Pharma has made significant progress with its lead cannabinoid pipeline candidate, Epidiolex. Apart from Epidiolex, GW Pharma has a deep pipeline of additional cannabinoid-based candidates targeting indications like autism spectrum disorders, glioma, schizophrenia and type II diabetes.

In this scenario, investor focus remains on pipeline updates apart from the usual top-and bottom-line numbers.

GW Pharma has an impressive track record so far. In fact, in the four trailing quarters, the company has surpassed estimates every time, with an average positive surprise of 41.67%.

GW PHARMA-ADR Price and EPS Surprise

Currently, GW Pharma has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), but that could definitely change following the company’s earnings report which was just released. We have highlighted some of the key stats from this just-revealed announcement below:

Earnings: GW Pharma reported narrower-than-expected loss in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. Our consensus called for a loss of $1.48 per share and the company reported a loss of 89 cents.

Revenues: However, revenues fell short of expectations. GW Pharma posted revenues of $2.16 million, compared to our consensus estimate of $2.85 million.

Key Stats: GW Pharma presented additional positive data from phase III studies on Epidiolex in patients with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) at the annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society. Each pivotal phase III study achieved the primary endpoint of demonstrating a statistically significant difference between Epidiolex and placebo in seizure frequency reduction during the 14-week treatment period.

GW Pharma expects to file for an FDA approval of Epidiolex for both Dravet syndrome and LGS at the end of the first half of fiscal 2017. Moreover, the company plans to seek EU approval for Epidiolex in the second half of fiscal 2017. The company has already started pre-launch commercialization activities for Epidiolex in the U.S. and Europe.

Check back later for our full write up on GWPH earnings report later!

The Best Place to Start Your Stock Search

Today, you are invited to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buy" stocks – absolutely free of charge. Since 1988, Zacks Rank #1 stocks have nearly tripled the market, with average gains of +26% per year. Plus, you can access the list of portfolio-killing Zacks Rank #5 "Strong Sells" and other private research. See these stocks free >>

Published in