Shire Pharmaceuticals has posted a strong set of results for the first quarter, with its old and new attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder drugs driving growth.
Net income came in at $211.3 million, up 27%, while revenues increased 19% to $972 million. Turnover was driven by the ADHD drug Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate), which grew 31% to $202.3 million, and its now-genericised predecessor Adderall XR (mixed amphetamine salts). The latter brought in $111.2 million, up 21%. Another ADHD drug, Intuniv (guanfacine), had sales of $41.9 million (+21%).
Shire rare diseases portfolio also fared particularly well, with Replagal (agalsidase alfa) for Fabry disease rocketing 55% to $105.4 million. Vpriv (velaglucerase alfa) for Gaucher’s disease, brought in $59 million, up 917%, and both these treatments are still benefitting from Genzyme Corp’s manufacturing problems with its rival therapies Cerezyme (imiglucerase) and Fabrazyme (agalsidase beta). The Hunter Syndrome therapy Elaprase (idursulfase) rose 3% to $103.5 million.
As for Shire’s other products, Pentasa (mesalamine) climbed 11% to $64.5 million, and the firm’s newer ulcerative colitis drug Lialda/Mezavant brought in $87.1 million, a leap of 37%.
The company also unveiled positive Phase II data looking at Vyvanse as a potential adjunctive treatment in negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Also there are plans for a study in binge eating disorder as well as the continuing Phase III programme looking at Vyvanse for major depressive disorder.
