Incyte Corporation (NASDAQ:INCY) Q4 2022 Earnings Call Transcript

Every expectation of substantial efficacy, given the mechanism of action and also, we know this will be likely be treated as an oral JAK inhibitor in “inflammatory condition” from a safety perspective. And so, we’ve eyes-wide-open on that. So again, substantial efficacy expected. The safety labelling, we’ll deal with at the end.

Barry Flannelly : Yes. So Steven mentioned the commercial opportunity for children that are younger than 12, about 2 million. So when we think about pediatric patients overall, the percentage of pediatric patients that have eczema or atopic dermatitis is greater than adults, but there’s many, many more adults. So therefore, even at lower percentage, you end up with a higher number of patients that potentially have eczema. So we think it’s an exciting opportunity. We also think it’s just great for patients because we believe that Opzelura is going to improve the lives of some of these patients with eczema who are younger than 12.

Operator: Your next question today is coming from Kripa Devarakonda from Truist.

Kripa Devarakonda : Thank you so much for taking my question and congrats on the quarter. I had questions regarding the survey results that you have for — I think it’s a doctor survey and they talked about patient candidacy. Is that growth in what the doctors are saying about patient candidacy being reflected in new patient starts? Or is there a lag? And also if you compare new prescriptions for atopic derm versus vitiligo, are you seeing the patients’ candidacy stats being reflected? It seems like there’s more enthusiasm in the vitiligo. I mean, granted, it’s the only drug approved. And just — I know you don’t give Opzelura guidance, but I was just wondering if in the future, there is any plan to provide some sort of visibility or guidance for Opzelura?

Barry Flannelly : Sure. Kripa, this is Barry. So again, in terms of patient candidacies or surveys that we do of dermatologists, of healthcare professionals who treat these diseases, we think it does rapidly turn into increased prescription volume. For vitiligo, it just may take a little bit longer because remember, we’re encouraging patients to come back because now there is a treatment for vitiligo where there never was. So to go back and see their dermatologist so that might take a little longer period of times in patients who are actively being treated for eczema but aren’t getting results that they expect. So is there more enthusiasm in vitiligo? I think there’s enthusiasm for patients who are suffering with atopic dermatitis to use a drug that’s as effective, particularly in terms of itch and inflammation as Opzelura.

And, obviously, there’s people who are very excited about using Opzelura for vitiligo and potentially changing how they feel potentially about themselves. In terms of the guidance, I’ll turn it over to Christiana.

Christiana Stamoulis : Sure. So Kripa, we would like to see a few more quarters of uptake before we provide any guidance on Opzelura, which would also include vitiligo and especially around vitiligo. As Barry indicated, we are looking at the inactive patient population and how quickly they will get activated and will come to seek treatment. So we would like to see that before we are in a position to provide any guidance on Opzelura.

Operator: Next question today is coming from Eva Privitera from Cowen and Company.

Eva Privitera : Congrats on the quarter. And thanks for taking our questions. So for Opzelura, based on the press release numbers for total units and the Q4 net sales, we calculated a gross to net of 62% to 63%. Can you maybe help us understand what may account for the discrepancy between that and your Q4 57% gross to net number?

Christiana Stamoulis : So the 57% is the average Q4 gross to net rate.

Eva Privitera : How is free drug accounted in that calculation?