Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARQT) Q3 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

Operator: Our next question comes from Vikram Purohit with Morgan Stanley. Your line is open.

Vikram Purohit: We had two. First, on ZORYVE psoriasis specifically. Could you just unpack for us in a bit more detail, what drove the quarter-to-quarter gross to net change we saw from 2Q to 3Q? And then specifically, what needs to happen from here on out to compress gross to net? From where it is now to kind of steady state and I think you mentioned second half of next year? And then secondly, on seborrheic dermatitis, apologies if you mentioned this in response to a previous question, and I missed it, but how do you think the actual uptake in script trajectory, excuse me, for Seb Derm for the initial couple of quarters could compare to what we saw with ZORYVE for psoriasis post the launch of that product?

Frank Watanabe: Yes. So I think those probably are both for Todd.

Todd Edwards: Yes, absolutely. So let me first cover off on relative to the gross to net and what drove the change in gross to net, what we need to continue to do to amplify improvement. So improvement in [coverage] (ph), as we saw in Q2, obviously accelerated in Q3. So we saw an improvement in the percentage of covered prescriptions across all the major PBMs in Q3, with CVS driving the most dramatic improvement. Also seen improvement across the other two large PBMs. If you think about it, if this translates into reduced co-pay expenses and provides us a springboard to continue to improve gross to net and leverage this progress further. We expect our field force execution and to be a continued focus on pulling through our coverage to produce approved gross to net in Q4 and beyond.

And as we roll forward, we’re going to be building and working — developing partnerships with dermatology pharmacies, which reinforces our conviction that we can achieve our target gross to net. So through coverage, through our partnerships with these independent derm pharmacies will translate into further improvements as we go forward with our gross to net. And then the other question was?

Frank Watanabe: Seb Derm uptake relative to psoriasis.

Todd Edwards: Yes. Seb Derm uptake relative to psoriasis. As mentioned, there’s a ready pool of patients that are gearing for new treatment options with Seb Derm. There’s no branded competition within the market, no innovation in the market for over two decades. And so I would anticipate a robust uptake at launch with Seb Derm, whereas compared to the psoriasis market, it’s a highly competitive market, multiple competing products within there, which Seb Derm is very much unlike that.

Frank Watanabe: And Vikram, I’d just remind you. To Todd’s point, we picked up that CVS coverage 7:1, so right at the beginning of Q3. So that was certainly major contributor but not the only contributor to the improvements in gross to net.

Operator: [Operator Instructions] Our next question comes from Uy Ear with Mizuho. Your line is open.

Uy Ear: Congrats on the good quarter and all the progress. I guess the question is for Todd. You’ve been there for a little while now. And just wondering, what are some of the changes that are different that you’re looking into executing? I know that you’ve already added some sales force, increased the sales force size. But what are some other changes that you might put in play to improve script uptakes for psoriasis and maybe as well as for the Seb Derm upcoming launch?

Todd Edwards: Yes, absolutely. Just a few things. After many years in dermatology, I see a tremendous opportunity to change the treatment of paradigm in these three largest disease areas that we’ve been talking about here today to include, psoriasis, eventually Seb Derm and atopic dermatitis. If you think about it, the dermatology communities, they’ve been yearning for nonsteroidal options that still fit with their — I call it a topical first mentality, derms are oriented towards the local treatment. You think about ZORYVE data package, especially the long-term data on PsO or Seb Derm or AD and it’s exceptional, in my view, and it really hits the outcomes of dermatologists and patients are looking for. So, I see a ready opportunity advancing our competitive share of voice.