Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:PRTK) Q4 2022 Earnings Call Transcript

Evan Loh: Bert, it’s Evan. Thank you for the question. I think your estimates here are actually very consistent with how we’re looking at it. We think that the R&D programs in BARDA will continue forward with our animal studies continuing to progress and the expansion of our animal studies into the nonhuman primate sector, as we’ve already shared with you as well. Because of the modest delay that we’ve talked about with regards to the enrollment for the NTM Phase 2b study, we believe that the current efforts will continue in a fairly consistent manner through the balance of this year. And as you said, will start to decline in the early part of 2024.

Robert Hazlett: Okay. Great. Thank you. And then one other quick question on the kind of the size, structure and emphasis of the sales force. Any evolution in terms of thinking is with the commercial sales now expected to be above $100 million in ’23. And just how are you thinking about how that is comprised in terms of size or structure, any additional evolution there? Thank you.

Evan Loh: Yes. One of the things that we’ve been very excited about is the community expansion. We continue to see, I think, very, very positive metrics that have reinforced our confidence in our long-term forecast and growth as we continue to invest in the community expansion. As we look at 2023, we currently do not have plans for community expansion and — but that continues to be within our revenue guidance of $125 million to $135 million. And as we evaluate progress over time, we will evaluate the right time for future expansion in the context of our broader strategic business priorities.

Robert Hazlett: Okay. Thank you for that. Congrats on the results. Thank you.

Evan Loh: Thank you, Bert.

Operator: And our next question comes from Ed Arce with H.C. Wainwright.

Ed Arce: Great. Thanks for taking my questions. And congrats on the continued progress and growth in NUZYRA. I wanted to ask about the NTM program. As you just mentioned now and before in your prepared remarks, that program now looks to read out Phase 2b data sometime in the first half of next year. I’m just wondering, as you look towards the longer term for that program, once you get the data, what would be sort of the next steps? I would imagine you would want to meet with the agency. But in terms of time lines and structure of the eventual pivotal program, assuming it’s positive, would you expect to have one or two trials? And just general thoughts about the time lines going forward out to market of the drug?

Randall Brenner: Yes. Ed, it’s Randy. So I’ll take your question. There were a couple of components and pieces to it. Just to reiterate, ultimately what our goal of our Phase 2b study, it’s continued to be is really what I refer to as a 3-tiered approach. The first tier is to generate and publish important data on the potential of NUZYRA to affect symptom response in patients with NTM. That’s — as the — as you and I have spoken in the past, as the FDA continues to focus much stronger on symptom response than they do microbiological response for the broader NTM population. So that sort of publication and scientific exchanges continues to be an important component of our study planning. The second piece of that is really the guideline inclusion.