Good morning. My name is Regina, and I will be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to the Biogen's 2nd Quarter 2020 Financial Results and Business Update. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speakers' remarks, there will be a question and answer Thank you.
I would now like to turn the conference over to Mr. Joe Mara, Vice President, Investor Relations. You may begin your conference.
Good morning, and welcome to Biogen's 2nd quarter 2020 earnings Before we begin, I encourage everyone to go to the Investors section of Biogen dot com to find the earnings release and related financial including a reconciliation of the 12 and Table 3 includes a reconciliation of our GAAP non GAAP financial results and our GAAP to non GAAP financial guidance. We believe non GAAP financial results better represent the ongoing economics of our business and reflect how we manage the business internally. We've also posted slides on our website as follows discussions later. We'd like to point out that we will be making forward looking statements, which are based on our current expectations of the lease These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and our actual results may differ materially. I encourage you to consult the risk factors discussed in our SEC filings for on today's and our CFO, Jeff Capello.
Now, I will
turn the call over to Michhem. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us. With a focus on strong execution, we have continued to serve patients, advanced our strategic priorities, and delivered another strong financial quarter. Let me begin with some important developments. 1st, we have completed our submission for U.
S. Approval of aducanumab and unprecedented opportunity for patients and for Biogen to potentially bring to market the first therapy to reduce the device facing clinical decline and meaningfully change the cost of Alzheimer's team. I am incredibly proud of the Biogen team for the dedication and silent work leading to the completion of our regulatory submission on July 7. This submission follows ongoing collaboration with the FDA and includes data from a comprehensive clinical development program, including IMerge. The first positive Phase III study ever in this space.
Together with supporting data from the Phase III Engage study, and positive results from the phase 1b PRIME study. Our data show that aducanumab may help to both reduce the decline of cognitive function and help patients' ability to perform certain activities of daily living which for some patients may result in independence for a longer period of time. In terms of next steps, we anticipate receiving a response from the FDA within 60 days from the submission date notifying us if the submission has been accepted and if accepted whether we have been granted priority review We plan to communicate to both of these decisions via a press release. We have progressed in our U. S.
Launch readiness including increasing our medical engagement with experts and thought leaders to better assess how aducanumab could potentially impact clinical practice. We have started to make progress engaging with payers and defining aducanumab's value proposition and we have now established a cross functional team dedicated to site readiness which is currently operational Outside the US, we made significant progress this quarter. We had formal meetings with the EU regulators as we prepare to submit the filing and we are beginning to ramp up our launch readiness efforts in Europe. In Japan, we had informal regulatory interaction and are preparing for formal consultation with the PMDA. Overall, together with our collaboration partner SI, we remain optimistic about the prospect of bringing aducanumab to market as the first therapy to meaningfully change the course of Alzheimer's disease and we have continued to progress in our market preparation and launch readiness with an initial focus on the of new potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease and we aim to build a broad franchise across multiple targets and modalities.
This includes BAN2401 in phase 3 which we are collaborating on with SI including a new study in preclinical Alzheimer's multiple programs targeting tau and our collaboration with Sangamo to develop gene regulation is for a range of neurological indications including Alzheimer's disease. We believe Biogen to lead the fights in Alzheimer's disease over both the short and the long term. 2nd We are disappointed in the recent COB decision in West Virginia regarding our patent for TECFIDERA. We are appealing the decision and intend to vigorously defend our IP. No matter what the final outcome will be, we still believe Biogen is well positioned for shareholder value creation as we work to capitalize on growth opportunities uniquely and at the time is now for Biogen to lead in the evolution of this space.
We have a deep pipeline of 29 clinical assets including 7 in Phase III or Filed and 7 mid to late stage data readouts by the end of 2021. With near term value creation opportunities beyond Alzheimer's disease, in other important areas such as ALS, ophthalmology, lupus and stroke. 3rd, As we announced yesterday, Jeff will be stepping down as CFO in August. I'd like to thank Jeff for his many contributions to the company including establishing a very strong team strengthening our finance processes and operations and creating a disciplined cost management future. We are pleased that Jeff will be staying on for a brief period to ensure a seamless transition.
We wish him well in his future endeavor. I will now review our Q2 performance and progress against compared to the same period a year ago, 2nd quarter revenues grew 2 percent to $3,700,000,000 2nd quarter GAAP earnings per share grew 22 percent to $9.59 and non GAAP EPS grew 12 percent to $10.28 Importantly, we saw improved momentum in June following an impact from COVID-nineteen Q2 MS revenues including OCREVIS royalties were $2,300,000,000. The number of patients on our MS product globally increased 3% versus the prior year and our business continue to demonstrate resilience. We saw strong market share performance our MS portfolio this quarter with increased share of new prescriptions in the US and stabilize market share in Europe. Overall, our fumarate products had a strong quarter as we focused on maximizing the potential for TECFIDERA and VUMERITY combined.
Although we were disappointed in the performance for VUMERITY, it's important to note that the MS market in the US has been significantly impacted by lower new patient starts and switches due to COVID-nineteen as well as reduced engagement with physicians, which have both impacted the launch of EMRITY. Importantly, we believe the market is increasingly aware that VUMERITY is clearly differentiated in terms of better GI tolerability and may represent better treatment for focus is now on VUMERITY and we are increasing our resource allocation to maximize this next generation fumarate. We are hopeful that this approach combined with the potential recovery in the dynamic portion of the market will help improve Emeritus trajectory in the second half of the year. Outside of the U. S, This quarter, we were very pleased to have submitted regulatory filing for VUMERITY in Canada and Switzerland.
And we plan to file in the EU by the end of this year. A critical part of our strategy in MS is and will continue to be investing in life cycle management and innovative new approaches to help address the remaining unmet medical needs. We look forward to the readout of opicinumab this year which could represent a transformative new approach to slowing or even potentially reversing disability progression through remuneration. In addition to opicinumab, we continue to advance BIIB-sixty one and oral remuneration therapy and BIIB-ninety one an oral BTK inhibitor with a potentially best in class profile. And we believe this important asset could bolster our broad portfolio of treatments for MS going forward.
Across our current MS products, our focus on lifecycle management is a high priority. We recently filed for approval of a subcutaneous formulation of Both the US and EU to offer a competitive dosing profile in the high efficacy space. We continue to advance the potential use of extended interval dosing for discovery. We are advancing an formulation of integrity to potentially improve its tolerability profile. And we are leveraging label updates regarding the use of interference during pregnancy.
We remain committed to MS and regardless of the outcome of the TECFIDERA litigation, we are focused on maximizing the broad opportunities we have with both present and future product offerings. 2nd, SPINRAZA. SPINRAZA generated 2nd quarter global revenues of $495,000,000 a 1% increase versus the prior year. We are pleased with this performance in light of dosing delays due to COVID-nineteen which peaked in mid April and began to normalize in May June. Including the expanded access program in clinical trials over 11,000 patients are being treated with SPINRAZA.
An increase of 30% versus the prior year. This quarter we presented important new data at the virtual cure SMA meeting showing an unprecedented benefit on survival for presymptomatic SMA patients treated with SPINRAZA. Data from the neutral study continue to demonstrate the compelling benefits SPINRAZA can provide to patients. This follows the publication of independent real world data earlier this year demonstrating the clinically meaningful benefits SPINRAZA can deliver for teens and adults which represent the largest portion of the market. SPINRAZA to be the identification across all age groups.
We recently announced our plans to initiate a new clinical study evaluating the safety and efficacy of SPINRAZA when administered to infants following gene therapy. We believe there is a strong rational and a high need to evaluate the potential added benefit of SPINRAZA in this population. We have seen real world demand for SPINRAZA in this setting with 40% of patients in the long term extension the phase 1 study of gene therapy going on to receive SPINRAZA. Further, in our life cycle management in SMA, we are also investigating whether higher dose of SPINRAZA could result in even greater efficacy through the devote study. 3rd, biosimilars revenues for the 2nd quarter were $172,000,000, as we observed an impact from COVID-nineteen particularly early in the quarter.
We estimate that our biosimilars generated of savings to the European Healthcare Systems in 2019, which we expect will continue to increase in 2020. This is important as we work to create financial headroom for innovation and contribute to the long term sustainability of the healthcare systems. In addition, Samsung BioEP recently initiated a Phase III study for our potential biosimilar referencing Eylea as we work to expand into ophthalmology and additional geographies including Japan and the US. 4th, beyond Alzheimer's disease, we continue to progress our pipeline. We initiated a new phase 1 study in movement disorders we presented positive first in class data for BIIB59 in Cutaneous Leprociatosis and the positive Phase III results for tofersen in SOD1 ALS were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
5th
Our cash flow generation remains strong and continue to provide us with significant optionality and flexibility to allocate capital in Q2, we generated approximately $2,000,000,000 in cash flow from operations. We have $5,300,000,000 in cash and marketable security on the balance As we have demonstrated in the past, we are committed to maximizing returns for our shoulders as we aim to bring innovative therapies to patients. Something that demands a thoughtful approach towards all our investment over both the short and the long term. In summary, Biogen has continued to execute well on our strategy including the recent BLA submission for aducanumab in the US. While we are mindful of the potential risk to TECFIDERA, we believe we are well positioned as we continue to be limited franchise portfolio leveraging the interconnectivity of our deep neuroscience pipeline.
We expect 7 important mid to late stage readouts by endofnextyear, and we have several opportunities for meaningful value creation in areas of high unmet medical need beyond Alzheimer's including ALS, ophthalmology, lupus and stroke as well as continued innovation in MS and SMA. I will now turn the call over to Al for a more detailed update on our recent progress in
I would like to start Although some uncertainty remains on the impact that COVID-nineteen is having on our studies, I'm pleased that the majority of our clinical trials are currently on track or only slightly delayed with 7 mid to late stage readouts expected by the end of next year. Let me now turn to the advances we made across our pipeline in the second quarter. Starting with Alzheimer's disease, as Michelle mentioned, we have completed the BLA submission for aducanumab to the FDA. This submission is based upon IMerge, the 1st positive phase 3 study for a therapy to reduce clinical decline in Alzheimer's disease. Supporting data from ENGAGE, although this study did not meet its primary endpoint and positive results from the phase 1b PRIME study.
We participated in a pre BLA meeting with the FDA during which the agency reiterated that submitting a BLA based on data from Engage and Prime was reasonable. We look forward to working with the FDA during their review and continuing our engagement with other regulators around in the midst of the COVID 19 crisis. We also continue to develop a broader Alzheimer's disease portfolio and believe we are well positioned for sustained leadership in this disease area. Part of this strategy includes expanding into even earlier patient populations with the goal of delaying or perhaps even preventing the clinical onset of the disease. To that end, our collaboration partner ESI in conjunction with the Alzheimer's clinical trial consortium announced initiation of the AHEAD 345 clinical study to evaluate BAN2401 in individuals with preclinical Alzheimer's disease.
These individuals have intermediate for elevated levels of amyloid in their brain. Together, the A3 and A45 studies will evaluate whether early administration of Bantou 401 can suppress the progression of amyloid and tau pathology and reduce cognitive decline in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease. The results of the BAN2401 phase 2 study as well as the similarities between BAN2401 and aducanumab give us reason to be optimistic regarding the ongoing phase 3 study for BAN2401 in early Alzheimer's disease. Beyond amyloid beta, we continue to advance several programs aimed at different drug targets, including tau, which when misfolded is the principal constituent of neurofibrillary tangles, a hallmark of Alzheimer's pathology. The accumulation and spread of misfolded tau in the brain correlates with disease progression and may make it amenable to clearance via antibody based approaches which we believe target extracellular forms of the protein.
Our lead tau asset is gosuranumab and monoclonal antibody currently in a Phase 2 study in Alzheimer's disease. This study is fully enrolled with data expected in the first half of next year. Addition to Gosuranimab, we also have BIIB076, a distinct anti tau antibody in phase 1. We're also advancing our ASO targeting tau BIIB080 which may reduce the synthesis of all forms of the protein, both intracellular and extracellular. Moving to our MS portfolio.
We continue to advance a number of initiatives aimed at further unlocking the value of our existing Among the data presented were new data on Tysabri, which supported previous findings that extended interval dose is associated with a lower incidence of PML and may maintain comparable efficacy as assessed by serum neurofilament light biomarkers. The efficacy of extended interval dosing as compared to the In addition, we are pursuing what we hope will be transformative approaches in MS the most advanced asset in our MS pipeline is opicinimab or anti lingo, which is a potential 1st in class remylination agent to promote neuronal repair and potentially reverse disability in MS. The safety and efficacy of opicinimab as an add on to existing disease modifying therapies in MS is currently being evaluated in the phase 2b affinity trial. Affinity takes advantage of data from the prior synergy phase II study in MS and a subsequent post hoc analysis to identify what we believe are additional criteria needed to identify the right patients, the right dose, the right measurements to assess the therapeutic potential of opicinimab. We also have an oral remylination patient BIB08-sixty one in phase 1 that has a target distinct from that of anti lingo.
Additionally, we have BIIB 91, a small molecule BTK inhibitor in phase 1. We believe that BIIB 91 is highly potent selective non covalent inhibition of BTK may make it a best in class molecule. Turning to neuromuscular disorders, we presented an update on the ongoing NURTURE study at the Cure SMA meeting this last month. NURTURE, which is the longest study ever done on the treatment of presymptomatic patients with SMA evaluates nuisance and infants who had initiated treatment shortly after birth and prior to the onset of symptoms. The new analysis showed that all 25 or 100% children up to four point eight years of age were alive and remained free of permanent ventilation with 88% walking independently and 96% able to walk with assistance.
We are pleased to report that the U. S. Label of Nusinersen was recently updated to include in patients with genetic A at last due to mutations in SOD1 were published in the New England Journal of Medicine this month. This study showed promising signs of efficacy across multiple clinical and biomarker endpoints. We are encouraged by these results and look forward to We believe that the Taferson results have positive implications for our other assets for ALS, including BIIB78 for ALS due to mutations in C9 Orf, the most common genetic cause of the disease, as well as our program targeting ATAX and 2.
Next, I would like to turn rheumatology meeting, we presented results from our phase 2 lilac study evaluating the safety and efficacy of BIIB05959 a fully humanized monoclonal antibody targeting BDCA2 in individuals with active cutaneous lupus arithimatosis or CLE with or without systemic manifestations. BIIB59 treatment resulted in a dose response on the Class E A score a well defined and reliable outcome measure to detect showed statistically significant reductions in Class A score at week 16 versus Placebo with the P value on the primary endpoint of less than 0.001. The 59 was discovered and developed by Biogen Scientists, and has the potential to be the 1st anti BDCA2 antibody for the treatment of lupus. We plan to initiate a Phase III program for BIIB059 in the first half of next year. In collaboration with our partner UCB, we aim to start in Q3 of this year the phase 3 program for dapirolizumab Pegol in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus despite being treated by standard of care therapies.
This phase 3 program follows promising results from the phase IIb clinical trial, of which interim results were presented at UR in June of 2019. Together with BIIB059 and DEParelizumab, both in late stage development, we are well positioned to potentially build a meaningful franchise in lupus. The disease in which patients need better treatment options. Turning to ophthalmology, we continue to advance our gene therapy programs for inherited retinal disorders, including BID-one hundred and eleven for choroideremia and BID-one hundred and twelve for ex linked ret retinitis pigmentosa, both diseases with no approved treatments. We expect data from the phase 3 study of BIIB-one hundred and eleven in the first half of next year.
Importantly, this represents our next pivotal readout and our next potential commercial product after aducanumab. We also expect data from We are pleased to have entered into a licensing agreement with Massachusetts Eye and Ear infirmary to develop a potential treatment for inherited retinal degeneration due to mutations in the PRP F31 gene, which are among the most common causes for autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. In summary, we continue to progress a broad and deep pipeline focused on neuroscience aimed at capitalizing on the breaking science including the advancements in imaging, CSF and blood based biomarkers and the significant unmet need in this space as we work create a multi franchise portfolio. Stage readouts across a diverse set of important therapeutic areas, including MS, ALS, ophthalmology, Parkinson's disease, stroke and Alzheimer's disease. We believe that our pipeline will be a source of sustained innovation to help drive long term growth I will now pass the call to Jeff.
Thanks, Elle. Good morning, everyone. We are pleased that Biogen had another strong quarter despite the COVID-nineteen challenges as we continue to execute well. We remain in a very strong financial position with significant cash and financial capacity to continue to grow the business over the long term. I will now review our financial performance in the quarter and provide an update Total revenues for the second quarter grew 2 percent year over year to $3,700,000,000.
As a reminder, we believe that the Q1 2020 revenues a benefit of approximately $100,000,000, attributed to accelerated sales due to the COVID 19 pandemic, of which we believe $75,000,000 approximately was utilized in the quarter of this quarter, including OCREVUS royalties of $208,000,000 declining 2% versus the prior year. Global MS revenues in the 2nd to prior year without OCREVUS royalties. Importantly, in the current COVID 19 environment, we believe our MS products are well positioned versus the competition based on treatment guidelines from the MS International Federation. US MS revenues excluding OCREVUS were approximately flat versus the prior year. We were very encouraged to see growth and share of new prescriptions, improvements, discovery and interferons within the quarter, despite the recent increase in competition.
Outside the U. S, our MS revenues were $615,000,000, a decline of 11% versus the prior year, due in part to a negative effect of foreign exchange rates of approximately $35,000,000. In addition, we believe that the first quarter 2020 MS revenues outside the U. S. Included a benefit of approximately $59,000,000 attributed to accelerate sales due to the COVID 19 pandemic, of which we believe approximately $37,000,000 was utilized in the second quarter.
Importantly, outside the U. S, we drove strong patient growth of 7% as our leading MS therapies continued to be very well received. Global Second quarter fumeet revenues, including both Tech Vidaire and VUMERITY, increased 3% versus the prior year, driven by revenue growth in the U. S. In the by an increase in channel inventory of approximately $15,000,000 in the second quarter of 2020 compared to a decrease of approximately $15,000,000 in the second quarter of last year.
2nd quarter VUMERITY revenue was $9,000,000, and we now have access and reimbursement for the vast majority of commercial lives covered. Within the U S, we were pleased to see strong execution with growth in our share of both new and total prescriptions for the fumarate versus the prior quarter. As Michelle mentioned, we are increasing our resource allocation for RUMERITY, and it's important to note that COVID 19 is impacting overall new prescription volumes in the U. S. Making new product launches more challenging, including for VUMERITY.
Outside the U. S, TECFIDERA 2nd quarter 2020 revenues declined by 4%, with demand growth offset by price and unfavorable foreign exchange rates. We believe that Q1 2020 TECFIDER revenues outside the U. S. Included a benefit of approximately $28,000,000 attributed to accelerated sales due to COVID-nineteen pandemic, of which we believe approximately $17,000,000 was utilized in Q2 2020.
Importantly, the number of TECFIDERA patients outside the U S grew by approximately 12% versus prior year, driven by approximately double digit patient growth across Europe and approximately 38% patient growth in Latin America And Asia Pacific combined. Q2 global interferon revenues, including both Avinex and PLEGRITY, decreased 13% versus Q2 2019. Due to continued shift from the injectable platforms to oral or high efficacy therapies. In the U. S, interferon revenues decreased 9% versus the prior year.
However, we were pleased to see growth in share of new prescriptions and stable share of total prescriptions in the second quarter, something we have not seen in some time as we have continued to see increased interest in the interferons since the COVID-nineteen pandemic began. Outside the U. S, interference revenues decreased by 22% versus the prior year. We believe that the first quarter 2020 interferon revenues out the U. S.
Included a benefit of approximately $21,000,000 attributed to accelerate sales due to the COVID-nineteen pandemic. Of which we believe approximately $15,000,000 was utilized in the second quarter of this year. Tysabri worldwide revenues decreased by 9% versus the second quarter of 20 18. In the U. S, discovery revenues decreased 8% versus the prior year, which we estimate is equally impacted by inventory dynamics, and the impact of stable adjusted volumes and share of new prescriptions versus the prior quarter.
Outside the U. S, Tysabri revenues decreased by 11% versus the prior year, negatively impacted by approximately $12,000,000 due to unfavorable foreign exchange rate as well as channel dynamics. In addition, we believe that Q1 2020 to Savary revenues outside the U. S. Included a benefit of approximately 7,000,000 attributed to accelerated sales due to the COVID 19 pandemic, of which we believe approximately $5,000,000 was utilized in the second quarter of 2020.
Importantly, outside the U. S, we were pleased to see continued patient growth of 5% for TESSABRI versus the prior year. We believe the Sarbhi is well positioned to play an increasingly important role in MS treatment with several important initiatives including pursuing Tysabri subcutaneous administration, the potential for extended interval dosing, and an option for home infusion. Overall, we were pleased with the execution of our MS franchise and the continued strong performance of our MS business in the second quarter. We remain focused on maximizing the resilience of our market leading franchise.
Let me now move on to SPINRAZA. Global Second quarter spin revenues increased 1% versus the prior year to $495,000,000. In the U. S, revenues decreased 9% versus the second quarter of 2019 and decreased 11% versus the first quarter of 2020. A number of patients on Therapy in the U.
S. Increased by 6% as compared to the prior year and decreased slightly versus the prior quarter as we COVID-nineteen had an impact on new patient starts. Although the U. S. SPINRAZA business was impacted by COVID-nineteen in second quarter, we were pleased with our overall execution, we saw more centers come back online and most patients continued to receive their therapy, though with some dosing delays.
We saw a strong second quarter of 2019, demonstrating strong performance despite the impact of COVID-nineteen. Broad growth across all major regions of the world with an increased number of countries contributing as we continue this very successful product launch. Importantly, we are encouraged that the recently published independent real world data on the use of pen rods in adults has helped us to secure broader reimbursement for older patients in certain European markets. Overall, we were pleased with SPINRAZA's performance in the second quarter, despite the challenges of COVID-nineteen. Importantly, we estimate of 45,000.
We see continued opportunities for growth for the swale established product given the efficacy of SPINRAZA the strength of our real world evidence coupled with a significant number of untreated patients across many established and emerging markets. Let me now move on to our biosimilars business, which generated $172,000,000 in this quarter, decreasing by 7% partially due to market dynamics due to COVID-nineteen. We believe that the first quarter 2020 biosimilar revenues included a benefit of approximately 15,000,000 attributed to accelerate sales due to COVID-nineteen pandemic, of which we believe approximately $9,000,000 was utilized in Q2 2020. Q2 biosimilars revenues were also negatively impacted by a relatively higher slowdown in new treatment for immunoemology pay year over year There are now approximately 215,000 patients using our biosimilars in Europe. Santa Poly remained the number 1 prescribed Enbrel biosimilar across the major EU5 markets.
Luxabi volumes grew 58% versus the prior year. And immorality volumes grew 46% versus the prior to continue to grow both in Europe as well as potentially within the U. S. And other geographies with our additional assets. Total anti CD20 revenues in the second quarter decreased by 17% versus the prior year, with increased OCREVUS royalties offset by decreased revenues from due to COVID-nineteen dynamics and continued erosion from biosimilars.
Total other revenues in the 2nd quarter increased 155% versus the prior year due primarily to approximately $330,000,000 in revenues related to the license of certain manufacturing related intellectual to one of our corporate partners, which impacted contract manufacturing revenues. Note this was a previously anticipated transaction in 2020. Let me now turn to gross margins. Q2 twenty twenty gross margin was 89%, an improvement versus 87% in the prior year, due to higher margin contract manufacturing revenue and improved versus the prior quarter. Q2 GAAP R and D expense was 18% of revenue and non GAAP was 15 percent of revenue.
In the 2nd quarter, we recorded a GAAP expense of $208,000,000 and non GAAP R and D expense of $125,000,000 both related to our collaboration with Sangamo Therapeutics. Q2 GAAP and non GAAP SG and A were both 15% of revenue. We still expect SG and A to increase in the second half of the year as we ramp up our commercial preparations for aducanumab. Q2 GAAP other income was $63,000,000, which included $103,000,000 in unrealized gains on investments, principally driven by an increase in the fair value of our equity investments Iona's Pharmaceuticals and Sangamo. Q2 non GAAP other expense was $30,000,000.
In Q2 of this year, our effective GAAP tax rate was approximately 22%, an increase from approximately 14% in the second quarter of 2019. This is due to a non recurring prior year income tax benefit on a change in our of non GAAP tax rate was approximately 19%, an increase from approximately 14% in the second quarter of 2019, primarily due to the non recurring benefit of the prior year change our tax profile. We repurchased approximately 9,000,000 shares in the second quarter at an average price of $3.13, for a total value of approximately $2,800,000,000. As of the end of the second quarter, approximately $1,300,000,000 was remaining under the share repurchase program authorized in December 2019. Which now brings us to our diluted earnings per share.
22% versus the prior year and non GAAP earnings per share of $10.26, a 12% increase versus the prior year. We generated approximately $1,950,000,000 in net cash flows from operations in the 2nd quarter. We ended the quarter with $5,300,000,000 in cash and marketable securities and $7,000,000,000 in debt. Let me now turn to our updated full year guidance for 2020. Due to the manufacturers potentially impacting the intellectual property situation for TECFIDERA, our updated guidance does not include any operational impact from potential generic entry this year.
With that assumption in mind, we expect revenues of approximately $13,800,000,000 to 14.2000000000. We anticipate GAAP R and D expense to be approximately 16% to 17% of total revenues. We expect GAAP and non GAAP SG and A expense to be approximately 17.5 percent to 18.5 percent of total revenues. We anticipate our GAAP tax rate to be approximately 18.5% to 19.5% and our non GAAP tax rate to be approximately 18% to 19%. We anticipate full year 2020 GAAP diluted earnings per share results of $32 to $34 and non GAAP diluted earnings per share to be between $34 $36.
It's important to note that this guidance does not include any impact from potential acquisitions or large business development transactions as both are very hard to predict. Our guidance assumes a stable share count off the second quarter of 2020 and no change to foreign exchange rates. Before I conclude, I would like to say that I have truly enjoyed working as a CFO, Biogen. I'm proud of what I have been able to contribute, and I believe Biogen is in a stronger position for long term shareholder value creation with multiple opportunities ahead of it. I wish the best of luck to the entire Biogen team moving forward.
I'll now like to turn the call back over to Michelle for his closing comments.
Thank you so much, Jeff. Biogen continued to demonstrate strong execution this quarter. We again delivered solid financial results made strong progress advancing our strategy of building a multi franchise portfolio and importantly, a one step closer to a potential approval for aducanumab as the first therapy to reduce clinical decline in Alzheimer's disease. I want to reiterate our commitment to maximizing returns to our shareholders and bringing innovative therapies to patients now and over the long term. This requires that we continue to locate capital efficiently effectively and appropriately as we have demonstrated in the past we will always strive to have an optimal Finally, our organization takes very seriously the recent racial injustice events and the considerable health inequity that still exists as highlighted by the COVID 19 crisis.
Now more than ever, we are focused on advancing our broader purpose as an organization as we aim to pioneer our employees, the environment and the community, all of which we believe contribute to long term sustainable shareholder value. This also includes accelerating our efforts in diversity and inclusion across organization and area where Biogen was already taking a leading position from hiring to the way we conduct clinical trials and working to ensure that the most vulnerable have access to our therapies. I am proud of what Biogen stands for, and I believe this approach positions us well to be a sustainable organization over the long term as we remain focused on being the leader in neuroscience to address the tremendous societal needs to making a positive impact on patients' lives including ensuring access to our therapies during these challenging times. With that, we will open the call Thank you.
Our first question will from the line of Cory Kasimov with JP Morgan.
Hey, great. Good morning guys. Thanks for taking the questions. Let me just say, Jeff, been great working with them while you've been in Biogen. So my question is for the recently announced Phase III symptomatic Alzheimer study.
Can you elaborate now for choosing VAN2401 over aducanumab. I guess what about that asset made it more attractive to initially move into the setting? Is it the lack of required Citrations or something else. Thanks a lot.
Corey, this is Al Sandrock. I actually heard every third word of your question. So I'm not sure, but I think you were asking about BAN2401, in preclinical Cyber's disease and perhaps comparisons to aducanumab. If that's true, then I would say that, yes, BAN2401 and aducanumab are very similar antibodies. They both prefer to bind to aggregated forms of a beta and they both show robust effect, on amyloid pet imaging and also both, have shown a reduction and clinical decline in phase 2 or phase 1 and phase 3 trials.
We have we're very excited that that our partners at Eisai are initiating this clinical study with the Alzheimer's disease clinical trial consortium I believe that starting earlier is the best approach for it turns out for all these neurological diseases. And so, we look forward to seeing the results of that. I'm not sure I heard your question, but I hope I answered it.
So we did support the preclinical study with BAN2401 while we focused on the filing for aducanumab. We will revert back on life cycle management opportunities during the entire continuum of the disease for patients once we have a readout and answer from the FDA on how we move forward.
Our next question comes from the line of Geoff Meacham with Bank of America.
Also wanted to say it's been great working with you. Another one on educating you, Matt, but I know the next decision is it is the next step is a decision from FDA. But when you look at Engage versus the merge, I just wondered if you can go into any detail of the the analysis over, say, the past 6 to 9 months that you guys have done, with FDA, whether that could be, published or at a medical conference or anything that you can share with us in terms of what the developments have been over the past pretty much since the beginning of this year. Thank you.
So, Jeff, just to make sure we got the gist of your question, you're asking more about the timing over the next few months?
No, no, just the quality of the analysis and the details of the data analysis for edutimab, in support of the filing?
Well, I I'm not sure I heard your question, Jeff, but I think, look, we the filing is based on these 3 studies emerge Engage and Prime. Emerge is the first study to show, an effect, not only on the primary endpoint, but all three pre specified secondary endpoint. We believe that data from Engage, that portions of the data from Engage, a negative study that portions of it do support the analysis that we did with, with immer emerge. And then also and also PRIME, which was published shows a, even though the clinical endpoints were exploratory endpoints, on the highest dose, there was, an effect on MMSE as well as CBRs on those boxes. And again, very similar that the lower doses did not show much of an effect.
So, consistent with the findings from engage and emerge, you really need to get to the higher dose. And I think our data are all consistent with that.
Our next question comes from the line of Umer Raffat with Evercore.
I guess if I may focus on Tecnotherapy Meriden for a second, Michelle, you mentioned you're working on 2 life cycle management programs. For PLEGRITY and Tysabri, but I feel like the most important life cycle management program that's been on the market for but has been a complete laggard has been VUMERITY. And my question is, why is that? And why is almost every single precedent on lifecycle management, capturing well above 25% share and up to 80% I would just love to hear your take on commercial perspective on what happened on this.
And and I share the disappointment for the performance to date on VUMERITY and you can anticipate that based on the life that we have, we are working on life cycle management opportunities for the long run. We did launch VUMERITY in December and we had encouraging start forms and then COVID came. And this impacted the patients, new starts and the switches. So we did not anticipate when we launched in December that 3 months down the road, they will be COVID. And at that time, you will remember because you asked few times the question, the strategy was not a switch strategy.
It was a fumarate strategy to enhance the share of the fumarate. And the results are not bad, but this is not an excuse for the lack of performance to date of VUMERITY for which the US organization is all over it. So what it shows is that it difficult. It's challenging to launch when there is a shutdown. It is challenging to change your behavior when you cannot meet the prescriber.
Having said that, now the entire focus is pivoting on VUMERITY. And this is a good time because we have very good access close to 90%. We increased significantly the resource allocation This is a next generation fumarate with good data. Fumarate is differentiated, as you know, in terms of GI tolerability, it doesn't mean that all the patients on TECFIDERA could benefit from VUMERITY because those who are stable should stay on TECFIDERA. But there is a significantly enhanced focus of the organization on 1 brand, Vumerity, the new generation fumerate, and the next month should speak.
Our next question comes from the line of Mark Goodman with SVB Leerink.
Jeff, I was wondering if
you could talk about the SG and A guidance. It looks like $300,000,000 less than it was for there's been no change in the ramp up in your spend commitment for ADU in the second half of the year. So where the cuts come from?
Thanks, Mark. So, you know, in this pandemic, we've found that, obviously, there's much less travel going on, less, much less is, meetings and another discretionary spend. And so the vast majority of that, difference in guidance is due to the fact that we have significant in the second quarter. And we anticipate that those savings will continue in the back half of the year.
Our next question comes from the line of Jay Olson with Oppenheimer.
Since you submitted the aducatumab BLA in a modular fashion, can you comment on whether the FDA began a rolling review of those modules? Or if they waited until the entire BLA submission was completed before initiating the review. Thank you.
Well, I don't want to comment on FDA's internal processes. It's true that we did submit modules as they became available to submit. And so they've had some modules for some months now. But, whether or they reviewed them. I don't that's in FDA internal processes, and I can't comment on it.
Thanks.
Your next question comes from the line of Michael Yee with Jefferies.
Hey, good morning and thanks and congrats on the progress, particularly Al with the filing. I know it was unprecedented Maybe Al, can you just comment on a simple question about how you think about prior to review and whether or not there's any reason it would not be and whether or not you guys logically used a voucher. And then you made a nice comment about Europe, how you're preparing there to file So is that actually you've had a discussion with them and you've gotten sort of a similar agreement, just comment there on Europe? Thank you so much.
Bakers you may be on mute?
I'm not on mute.
And our next question will come from the line of Terence Flynn with Goldman Sachs.
Thanks for taking the question. Maybe a 2 part for me. I was just wondering, Jeff, if you can comment on what drove the change to the revenue guidance anything more specifically? And are you assuming SPINRAZA is going to grow in the back half of the year? And then I was wondering more broadly, maybe a question for Ale.
If you can confirm that IQVIA was the CRO for the ADU Phase III trials. I'm just wondering how involved the company was in the filing process and if they were party to the discussions with the FDA? Thank you.
Hi, this is Al Sandrock. I not sure Michael heard my answer previously, so I'm going to repeat it. On the priority review question, we do have a voucher. We received one when we got Nucy Nursing approved, but we haven't, commented on on how we're going to use it, when we're going to use it. We do expect to hear about whether or not we have review at the time the FDA notifies us of the acceptance of the filing.
And so we'll leave it at that. In terms of the ex U. S. Regulators, I think that was the second part of your question. We have engaged formally with the EMA.
And, we, we're in the process of preparing a filing for the European submission. And we have had also informal interactions with the Japanese regulators, and we're preparing that filing as well.
So maybe moving to, Terence's question on kind of what drove the difference in guidance. I'd point you back to first quarter where we, we left guidance the way it was before, even in light of the COVID pandemic and with the view that we wanted to see how things played out. Now as we sit here, at the end of July, we've got a better sense of what the impact was. On the second quarter. And there was both the unwind of the activity from the first quarter, which we described plus some headwinds in some businesses, still like SPINRAZA and, Tysabri.
We expect some of those headwinds to continue into the back half of the year. So the vast majority of the difference in guidance is due to kind of continued COVID impact, which was difficult to predict. We did the guidance. But I would also point out that we did see a significant strengthening of the business through the months of the second quarter, particularly if you look at, U. S.
SMA business where April was a very challenging month, and then we saw strengthening in May and then significant strengthening in June. So another comment would be we went with a fairly wide range because we're still kind of assessing how quickly comes back. So big differences to COVID impact, for the full year, that pulls the guidance down, but we did see a strengthening in SPINRAZA, which was encouraging. So see how all that plays out.
And then I think there was a question on IQVIA. Yes, IQVIA was the CRO that helped us conduct the Phase III trials of aducanumab. However, they were not involved in any of the regulatory interactions that we've had with FDA.
Our next question will
Great. Good morning. Thanks for taking the question. 1, Al, could you just clarify on the comment you just made around prior to review voucher? It sounds like you're not willing to say whether or not you used it to file for ADU.
And then secondly, can you just comment on anti lingo what will you view as a positive result from that study or what do you need to see to move that into phase 3? Thanks.
In terms of the prior, that's right. We're not, we're not willing to comment on whether or not we've used our priority voucher. In terms of anti lingo, the primary endpoint is the overall response score, which looks, which is a 4 component score, looking at, walking EDSS and 9 hole peg tests in the dominant arm and 9 hole peg test in the non dominant arm. The 4 components. And we're looking at whether or not patients, overall improve because as you know, MS affects different parts of the central system and at times you can have improvement in one area and worsening in another.
So we wanted to know whether or not overall the patients improved In addition to that, of course, we're going to be looking at imaging measures related to myelination. So for example, magnetization transfer ratio and TR is a good measure of a myelination and we'll be looking at that. So in addition to the clinical, we'll be looking to see if we have biological measurements that are consistent with myelination.
Your next question comes from the line of Ronny Gal with Bernstein.
Hey, good morning, everybody. Congratulations. Nice results and thank you for taking the question. You have presented before the submission is there, hydrokhanomavirus cut off the patients. And you discussed with us the idea that you've done the same and even more than that with the FDA.
I was wondering if you can share with us what is the primary patient cut used for the reviews, the total sort of patient, all those who received a certain number of high doses versus Placebo. And did you expect you can answer that? I was wondering if you can share anything said, if you're using co pay and rebate differences to drive the adoption of Comerity going forward, or is it just the difference in the educational focus of the organization?
So Ronnie, I'll take the first part. So we submitted all the data from those 3 studies that I mentioned emerge engage in Prime. And what the FDA chooses to look at is that's their purview. We I will say that in terms of the negative study Engage, we do we have analyses that show that those who received the highest dose, over a sustained period of time do show, evidence of efficacy similar to what we found in IMerge. And so that's the data we presented at CTAD and at ADPD, and that's why we believe there's supportive evidence coming from Engage.
So concerning the second part of the question or any on VUMERITY, since the focus now is on VUMERITY not on the fibrates, I can tell you that all levels are aligned. At the payer level, at the patient services level, at the Salesforce level including incentive schemes to shape the behavior at the medical affairs level. So the organization is absolutely align and focused on all those levers. Next 5 months will be critical.
Your next question comes from the line of Bill Nadeau with Cowen and Company.
Good morning. Thanks for taking my question. Jeff, let me add my well wishes as we move on to your opportunity. Thanks for the help over the years. Question for you, Al, in the prepared remarks, you suggested that the FDA and the pre BLA meeting noted that the submission of aducanumab based on the 3 studies is reasonable.
I'm curious whether you can provide any more detail on the pre BLA meeting, what topics were discussed What feedback did you receive and maybe in particular did the FDA indicate whether an advisory committee would be likely? Thanks.
Hi, Phil. Yeah. So, you know, it's our policy not to talk about the content of our regulatory interaction. So, I'm not, I'm I'm not prepared to go any further than what I said in my prepared remarks. In terms of the advisory committee, it would not be unusual for the 1st disease modifying therapy of this type to be, reviewed at an advisory committee.
So we are starting to prepare for 1. Whether or not we have 1 and when it will be will be up to the FDA and we expect to hear that at around the time that we are notified of whether or not the file has been accepted. Great.
Thank you.
Your next question comes from the line of Tim Anderson with Wolfe Research.
I have a question on aducanumab, on Cal as a biomarker, which in Alzheimer's has really risen in prominence over the last few years either measured as PET or interim or CFF. The amount of cow biomarker data you collected and engage and emerge is quite low in the context of the size of those 2 trials. And I'm wondering what FDA's feedback has been to you on this in terms of potentially wanting more tau biomarker data. My understanding is that the new IMBART study you are capturing Cow on everyone. I think that includes Cow imaging.
So any commentary on that would be helpful. And then you guys have been willing to disclose you've asked for prior to review. What I haven't heard you talk about is whether you've requested breakthrough therapy designation which is arguably a better litmus test for how FDA views the data we have.
So Sam, you're right that TAO has risen in prominence as an important biomarker and perhaps drug target. In Alzheimer's disease. And that's because if you look at what correlates best with clinical progression, tile accumulation seems to do so. However, our and our belief is that there's an interaction between amyloid beta and tau, and it's possible that tau can be triggered tau misfolding and spreading could be triggered by a number of factors, trauma for 1, but it could be that amyloid beta also does. And our data would be consistent with that in the sense that when we lowered, we use aducanumab, which is specific for amyloid data, and we see downstream effects on tau, both by imaging and by CSF.
And the reason why it's not that many patients is that First of all, it's hard to convince patients to undergo lumbar puncture twice, or, or, and also, we were introducing a new tile pet imaging ligand and we're already imaging patients with, for amyloid. So having to do 2 pet scans, 2 different types of pet scans is a lot to ask for patients. But we do think we have adequate data to show a convincing effect And I now I've now forgotten the second part of your question. On the break. Oh, breakthrough.
Yeah. Well, we do have fast track status. And we expect to hear about a priority review. And with the Fast Track status, we have the opportunity to engage with FDA. And I'll say that we've we very much appreciate the level of engagement we've had essentially last June where we've had a number of constructive, collaborative interactions with FDA.
Your next question comes from the line of Brian Abrahams with RBC Capital Markets.
Hi, there. Thanks so much for taking my question. A question on SPINRAZA and SMA dynamics. What will you guys be looking for out of the new study in combination with gene therapy. Is there any sort of bar from a reimbursement perspective that one might expect for combo use And then can you comment on any additional commercial prep or evolution and strategy ahead of potential entry of an oral?
Thanks.
Well, the reason for doing I'll take the first part, Brian, the reason for doing the study are, are, is mainly because A, clinicians are already doing it, but there's no data from the study on whether or not it's helpful to patients. In fact, the European Journal of pediatric neurologists just published a consensus statement of European experts in SMA and they point out that there's a real lack of data on the use of this combination therapy and they called for more, more studies on it. And so we're happy to be doing one And the key question is, do you see improvement beyond what you see with just one therapy alone? When you add SPINRAZA to Zolgensma or Zolgensma to SPINRAZA. And so it's really looking a motor milestones, whether you maintain them better, whether you gain more and more motor milestones.
So it's really mostly about efficacy.
And I think that it's very good to help clinicians prioritize which therapeutic option to use based on research and not based on speculation or claims. If you look at the competitive landscape for risdiplans, it's still hard to speculate because there is no labor yet. Firefish was pretty consistent. The sunfish was underwhelming in terms of achieving the objectives. When I speak to scientific leaders, the position is going to wait for the long term safety and efficacy profile of the product.
And for the gene therapy, I think we have a profile that starts to be well characterized. And I refer back to the latest consensus published in the European Journal of pediatric neurology, there is still uncertainty for older population, the behavior, the infant ease. And they see a link with the potential risk to the weight. So the scientific leaders basically encourage at looking at all the options. For Biogen, we are we stand behind the efficacy and safety of SPINRAZA in all age groups.
And we have a larger body of evidence the product is approved now in 50 countries. So we believe that SPINRAZA will continue to be really a very good treatment and alternative in this context, where there is a bit more, you know, a treatment in this market, which is good for the patients. So we are working to enhance the efficacy by increasing the dose. I'm not sure others can do that. And last but not least, there is a response study after gene therapy.
So I think it's good in order to best educate the market. So we are confident.
I have time about 2 more questions.
Your next question will come from the line of Evan Seagerman with Credit Suisse.
Hi, all. Thank you very much for taking my question and congrats on the progress. So in the press release that last night for Mike's appointment, it was clear that you emphasized his expertise in value creating strategic financial considerations. Should we read this as an evolution to more or larger transformative business development as under Jeff's leadership, there was only really one major deal, which was the Nightstar acquisition.
Well, together with Jeff, we we delivered on 18 deals. And, remember, we believe we have an inequity in the space where we are specialized. So the sweet spot is early stage. This is where we can add most value. And I am delighted to see this portfolio maturing extremely well with very important readouts in the coming 12 months and beyond that will start to impact the market 2024, 2025.
And in between now and this 2020 2045, there is one big hope, which is aducanumab. So, I can tell you that we continue to be very active on the BD M and A front, but at the same time, we are very careful while we approach aducanumab potentially. And we will always invest in the interest of the long term shareholder value creation.
Great. Thank you.
Our final question will come from the line of Robin Karnauskas with SunTrust Robinson Humphrey.
Great. Thanks for taking my question. And thanks, Evan, for the, the segway. So I want to ask about the phase 3 DAR trial for, Cora Corodiemia. You've got data coming up.
You'll be first, and walk us through what the bar is. And then what would be the best case scenario to secure the best reimbursement for the drug? And then what would be the next step to be able treat, even younger patients with the disease as many people get it when they're very, very young. Thank you.
Hi, Robin. This is Al. Yes, so the BIVON11, which is our gene therapy for choroideremia. The phase 3 trial is about 160 patients. And the primary endpoint or the bar, as you point out, is the proportion of patients who have a greater than 15 letter increase from baseline in the best corrected visual acuity.
That's the FDA standard. It's a it's a 2 arm trial, placebo. And so we just need to have a better improvement in visual acuity in the treated patients versus the non treated patients. This trial was initiated in December of 2017. We announced our last patient in November of 2019.
And so we do expect to read out in first quarter of next year. And the phase 3 trial is on the heels of a phase 1 trial, which was a single arm study and it compared the proportion of patients who had an improvement in best corrected visual acuity relative to a natural history study And the drug did show some very encouraging results on that endpoint. So we're just basically using the same endpoint for phase 3 and trying to hit the standard set by the FDA.
Thank you. I'd like to hand it over to Michelle just for some closing comments please.
Thank you so much, Joe, and thank you for attending. I want to thank Jeff again for his many contribution to our company. At Biogen, it's all about pioneering in neuroscience. So we are approaching a very exciting phase of our 40 years plus of development. Our pipeline and all the many allocation of capital in that space is maturing.
We have very important readouts in the coming 10 months. We have 7 phase 3 and we are very close to open a new page if FDA allows with aducanumab Thank you all for your attention.