- Reaffirms guidance to resubmit Anaphylm™ (dibutepinephrine) sublingual film NDA in Q3 2026
- Affirms existing clinical data is sufficient for submitting regulatory applications in
Canada ,European Union , and theUnited Kingdom - Completed AQST-108 phase 1 study in subjects with androgenic alopecia with no safety issues observed
- Entered into a
$150 million debt facility withOaktree Capital Management, L.P. - Company to host investor call on
May 14, 2026 , at8:00am ET
“We made rapid and meaningful progress in the first quarter,” said
Anaphylm™ (dibutepinephrine) sublingual film
Anaphylm is a no-needle, no-device epinephrine product candidate being developed for the treatment of Type I allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. The Company believes Anaphylm has the potential to be the first and only non-invasive, orally delivered epinephrine product, if approved by the
In the first quarter of 2026, Aquestive successfully completed its Type A meeting with the FDA, aligning on the study designs for both the human factors validation and pharmacokinetics (PK) studies required to address the deficiencies identified in the Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the FDA dated
In
Aquestive continues to advance its global regulatory strategy for Anaphylm. The Company remains on track to submit regulatory applications in
Aquestive has advanced its commercial infrastructure in preparation for a potential Anaphylm approval. The Company has expanded its planned field force to approximately 75 sales representatives - a 50% increase from its prior guidance of 50 representatives - better positioning the Company to reach patients and healthcare providers across the country. Current priorities include continued engagement with healthcare professionals through our recently expanded Medical Affairs team to increase Anaphylm awareness, market access preparation ahead of a potential approval, and active collaboration with leading patient advocacy organizations in the allergy community.
AQST-108 (epinephrine) topical gel
AQST-108 is a topical epinephrine prodrug gel product candidate being evaluated for potential dermatologic indications. Aquestive made meaningful clinical development progress with AQST-108 in the first quarter of 2026. The Company recently completed its second phase 1 clinical trial, which was designed to further characterize the safety, tolerability, and pharmacologic profile of the topical epinephrine prodrug gel. There were no drug related adverse events observed in the study and the data did not indicate signs of systemic absorption. In addition, Aquestive identified a biomarker signal through the suppression of the cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) when compared to placebo. The TSLP signaling pathway involves the activation of Janus Kinase (JAK) 1 and JAK2. This signal will be explored further in upcoming studies.
Building on the IND opening and supportive FDA feedback received in
Alopecia areata remains a significant unmet need, affecting an estimated 6.7 million people in
Atopic dermatitis affects approximately 7%–10% of
Aquestive’s AdrenaVerse platform comprises approximately 20 epinephrine prodrugs designed to enable control of absorption and conversion rates across a range of dosage forms and delivery sites. The Company remains excited by the AdrenaVerse platform’s long-term potential to address multiple indications.
Debt Refinancing
Aquestive entered into a new
Commercial Collaborations and Other
Aquestive continues to manufacture products for the licensing and supply collaborations that it has established. The Company manufactured approximately 33 million doses in the first quarter 2026, compared to approximately 27 million doses in the first quarter 2025. The Company continues to manufacture Indivior’s Suboxone® Sublingual Film product and the Company's other global collaborations, including Sympazan® (clobazam) oral film product for
On
The Company, being a
Sales of royalty-based products, inclusive of Sympazan, contributed to the Company's revenue in the first quarter of 2025.
Libervant® (diazepam) buccal film remains tentatively approved until
First Quarter 2026 Financials
Total revenues increased to
License and royalty revenue increased to
Manufacture and supply revenue increased to
Research and development expenses decreased to
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to
Aquestive’s net loss for the first quarter 2026 was
Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA loss was
Cash and cash equivalents were
2026 Outlook
Aquestive's full-year 2026 financial guidance remains unchanged.
The Company expects:
| Guidance | |
| Total revenue (in millions) | |
| Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA loss (in millions) | |
Tomorrow’s Conference Call and Webcast Reminder
The Company will host a conference call at
In order to participate, please register in advance here to obtain a local or toll-free phone number and your personal pin.
A live webcast of the call will be available on Aquestive’s website at: First Quarter 2026 Earnings Call.
About Anaphylm™
Anaphylm™ (dibutepinephrine) sublingual film is a polymer matrix-based epinephrine prodrug product. Anaphylm is similar in size to a postage stamp, weighs less than an ounce, and begins to dissolve on contact. No water or swallowing is required for administration. The primary packaging for Anaphylm is thinner and smaller than an average credit card, can be carried in a pocket, and is designed to withstand weather excursions such as exposure to rain and/or sunlight. The Anaphylm trade name for AQST-109 has been conditionally approved by the FDA. Final approval of the Anaphylm proprietary name is conditioned on FDA approval of the product candidate.
About AQST-108
AQST-108 (epinephrine) topical gel is a topically delivered adrenergic agonist prodrug product candidate. Aquestive completed a first-in-human study for AQST-108 without any serious or topical adverse events observed. AQST-108 is based on Aquestive’s AdrenaVerse™ platform which contains a library of over twenty epinephrine prodrug products intended to control absorption and conversion rates across a variety of possible dosage forms and delivery sites.
About Libervant®
Libervant® (diazepam) buccal film is a buccally, or inside of the cheek, administered film formulation of diazepam, a benzodiazepine intended for the acute treatment of intermittent, stereotypic episodes of frequent seizure activity (i.e., seizure clusters, acute repetitive seizures) that are distinct from a patient’s usual seizure pattern in patients with epilepsy. Aquestive developed Libervant as an alternative to the device-based products currently available for patients with refractory epilepsy, including a rectal gel and nasal spray products. The FDA approval for U.S. market access received in
Important Safety Information
Do not give Libervant to your child between the ages of two and five if your child is allergic to diazepam or any of the ingredients in Libervant or has an eye problem called acute narrow angle glaucoma.
What is the most important information I should know about Libervant?
- Libervant is a benzodiazepine medicine. Taking benzodiazepines with opioid medicines, alcohol, or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants (including street drugs) can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems (respiratory depression), coma, and death. Get emergency help right away if any of the following happens:
- shallow or slowed breathing,
- breathing stops (which may lead to the heart stopping),
- excessive sleepiness (sedation).
Do not allow your child to drive a motor vehicle, operate heavy machinery, or ride a bicycle until you know how taking Libervant with opioids affects your child.
- Risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction. Libervant is used in children 2 to 5 years of age. The unapproved use of Libervant has a risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction, which can lead to overdose and serious side effects including coma and death.
- Serious side effects including coma and death have happened in people who have abused or misused benzodiazepines, including diazepam (the active ingredient in Libervant). These serious side effects may also include delirium, paranoia, suicidal thoughts or actions, seizures, and difficulty breathing. Call your child’s healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you get any of these serious side effects.
- Your child can develop an addiction even if your child takes Libervant as prescribed by your child’s healthcare provider.
- Give Libervant exactly as your child’s healthcare provider prescribed.
- Do not share Libervant with other people.
- Keep Libervant in a safe place and away from children.
- Physical dependence and withdrawal reactions. Libervant is intended for use if needed in order to treat higher than usual seizure activity. Benzodiazepines, including Libervant, can cause physical dependence and withdrawal reactions, especially if used daily. Libervant is not intended for daily use.
- Do not suddenly stop giving Libervant to your child without talking to your child’s healthcare provider. Stopping Libervant suddenly can cause serious and life-threatening side effects, including, unusual movements, responses, or expressions, seizures that will not stop (status epilepticus), sudden and severe mental or nervous system changes, depression, seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear, homicidal thoughts, an extreme increase in activity or talking, losing touch with reality, and suicidal thoughts or actions. Call your child’s healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if your child gets any of these symptoms.
- Some people who suddenly stop benzodiazepines have symptoms that can last for several weeks to more than 12 months including, anxiety, trouble remembering, learning, or concentrating, depression, problems sleeping, feeling like insects are crawling under your skin, weakness, shaking, muscle twitching, burning, or prickling feeling in your hands, arms, legs or feet, and ringing in your ears.
- Physical dependence is not the same as drug addiction. Your child’s healthcare provider can tell you more about the differences between physical dependence and drug addiction.
- Do not give your child more Libervant than prescribed or give Libervant more often than prescribed.
Libervant can make your child sleepy or dizzy and can slow your child’s thinking and motor skills.
- Do not allow your child to drive a motor vehicle, operate machinery, or ride a bicycle until you know how Libervant affects your child.
- Do not give other drugs that may make your child sleepy or dizzy while taking Libervant without first talking to your child’s healthcare provider. When taken with drugs that cause sleepiness or dizziness, Libervant may make your child’s sleepiness or dizziness much worse.
Like other antiepileptic medicines, Libervant may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of people, about 1 in 500.
- Call a healthcare provider right away if your child has any of these symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:
- thoughts about suicide or dying
- new or worse depression
- feeling agitated or restless
- trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- acting aggressive, being angry or violent
- other unusual changes in behavior or mood
- attempts to commit suicide
- new or worse anxiety or irritability
- an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
- new or worse panic attacks
- acting on dangerous impulses
- Pay attention to any changes, especially sudden changes in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings.
- Keep all follow-up visits with your child’s healthcare provider as scheduled.
- Call your child’s healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you are worried about symptoms. Suicidal thoughts or actions can be caused by things other than medicines. If your child has suicidal thoughts or actions, your child’s healthcare provider may check for other causes.
What are the possible side effects of Libervant?
- The most common side effects of Libervant are sleepiness and headache.
- These are not all the possible side effects of Libervant.
- Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1 800 FDA-1088.
For more information about Libervant, talk to your doctor, and see Product Information: Medication Guide and Instructions For Use.
About
Aquestive is a pharmaceutical company advancing medicines to bring meaningful improvement to patients' lives through innovative science and delivery technologies. The worldwide leader in delivering trusted, quality medications on oral film, Aquestive operates as both a developer of its own proprietary products and a
Non-GAAP Financial Information
This press release and our webcast earnings call regarding our quarterly financial results contains financial measures that do not comply with
Specifically, the Company adjusts net loss for certain non-cash expenses, including share-based compensation expenses; depreciation and amortization; and interest expense related to the sale of future revenue, interest income and other income, net and income taxes, with a result of adjusted EBITDA loss.? Similarly, manufacture and supply expense, R&D expense, and selling, general and administrative expense were adjusted for certain non-cash expenses of share-based compensation expense and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA loss and these non-GAAP expense categories are used as a supplement to the corresponding GAAP measures to provide additional insight regarding the Company’s ongoing operating performance.?
These measures supplement the Company’s financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Aquestive management uses these measures to analyze its financial results, and its future manufacture and supply expenses, gross margins, R&D expense and selling, general and administrative expense and to help make managerial decisions. In management’s opinion, these non-GAAP measures provide added transparency into the operating performance of Aquestive and added insight into the effectiveness of our operating strategies and actions. The Company may provide one or more revenue measures adjusted for certain discrete items, such as fees collected on certain licensed products, in order to provide investors added insight into our revenue stream and breakdown, along with providing our GAAP revenue. Such measures are intended to supplement, not act as substitutes for, comparable GAAP measures and should not be read as a measure of liquidity for Aquestive. Adjusted EBITDA loss and the other non-GAAP measures are also likely calculated in a way that is not comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
Non-GAAP Outlook
In providing the outlook for non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP gross margin, we exclude certain items which are otherwise included in determining the comparable GAAP financial measures. In order to inform our outlook measures of non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP gross margin, a description of the adjustments which have been applicable in determining non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP gross margin for these periods are reflected in the tables below. In providing outlook for non-GAAP gross margin, the Company adjusts for non-cash share-based compensation expense and depreciation and amortization. The Company is providing such outlook only on a non-GAAP basis because the Company is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the totality or ultimate outcome or occurrence of these adjustments for the forward-looking period such as share-based compensation expense, income tax, amortization, and certain other adjusted items, which can be dependent on future events that may not be reliably predicted. Based on past reported results, where one or more of these items have been applicable, such excluded items could be material, individually or in the aggregate, to reported results.
Forward-Looking Statement
Certain statements in this press release include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” or the negative of those terms, and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the advancement and related timing of our product candidate Anaphylm™ (dibutepinephrine) sublingual film through clinical development and approval by the FDA, including our ability to address the concerns raised by the FDA in the CRL dated
These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks associated with our development work, including any delays or changes to the timing, cost and success of our product development activities and clinical trials and plans for Anaphylm and AQST-108; risk of delays in advancement of the regulatory approval process through the FDA of our product candidates Anaphylm, Libervant and AQST-108, or failure to receive FDA approval at all of any or all of these product candidates; risk of the Company’s ability to generate sufficient clinical and other human factor data, including with respect to our submission of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) comparability data for FDA approval of Anaphylm; risks associated with our ability to address the FDA’s comments on and identified deficiencies in our NDA, including the concerns raised by the FDA in the CRL and Type A meeting for Anaphylm, and whether the FDA may request further information from us (including additional clinical studies), disagree with our protocols, study designs, and findings or otherwise undertake a lengthy review of the resubmission of our NDA; challenges regarding the following commercial launch of Anaphylm, if approved by the FDA; risk of delays in advancement of the regulatory approval process of our product candidates, including Anaphylm and Libervant, outside of the
Libervant®, PharmFilm®, Sympazan® and the Aquestive logo are registered trademarks of
Investor inquiries:
brian.korb@astrpartners.com
Condensed Balance Sheets (In thousands, except share and per share amounts) (Unaudited) | |||||||
2026 | 2025 | ||||||
| Assets | |||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 110,734 | $ | 121,169 | |||
| Trade and other receivables, net | 6,867 | 17,763 | |||||
| Inventories | 8,066 | 6,169 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 4,516 | 4,168 | |||||
| Total current assets | 130,183 | 149,269 | |||||
| Property and equipment, net | 3,839 | 3,893 | |||||
| Right-of-use assets, net | 4,468 | 4,621 | |||||
| Other non-current assets | 2,635 | 2,642 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 141,125 | $ | 160,425 | |||
| Liabilities and stockholders’ deficit | |||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 11,889 | $ | 29,862 | |||
| Accrued expenses | 3,449 | 5,029 | |||||
| Lease liabilities, current | 662 | 631 | |||||
| Deferred revenue, current | 1,092 | 1,092 | |||||
| Liability related to the sale of future revenue, current | 1,000 | 1,000 | |||||
| Loans payable, current | 13,661 | 9,994 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 31,753 | 47,608 | |||||
| Notes payable, net | 25,099 | 27,519 | |||||
| Royalty obligations, net | 26,914 | 25,941 | |||||
| Liability related to the sale of future revenue, net | 62,083 | 62,023 | |||||
| Lease liabilities | 4,159 | 4,337 | |||||
| Deferred revenue, net of current portion | 19,118 | 19,390 | |||||
| Other non-current liabilities | 6,053 | 7,269 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 175,179 | 194,087 | |||||
| Contingencies | |||||||
| Stockholders’ deficit: | |||||||
| Common stock, | 124 | 122 | |||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 420,877 | 413,214 | |||||
| Accumulated deficit | (455,055 | ) | (446,998 | ) | |||
| Total stockholders’ deficit | (34,054 | ) | (33,662 | ) | |||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit | $ | 141,125 | $ | 160,425 | |||
Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (In thousands, except share and per share data amounts) (Unaudited) | |||||||
| Three Months Ended | |||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
| Revenues | $ | 14,446 | $ | 8,720 | |||
| Costs and expenses: | |||||||
| Manufacture and supply | 3,469 | 3,652 | |||||
| Research and development | 4,204 | 5,361 | |||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 10,977 | 19,072 | |||||
| Total costs and expenses | 18,650 | 28,085 | |||||
| Loss from operations | (4,204 | ) | (19,365 | ) | |||
| Other income/(expenses): | |||||||
| Interest expense | (2,903 | ) | (2,782 | ) | |||
| Interest expense related to royalty obligations | (973 | ) | (1,437 | ) | |||
| Interest expense related to the sale of future revenue | (60 | ) | (59 | ) | |||
| Interest income and other income, net | 83 | 713 | |||||
| Net loss before income taxes | (8,057 | ) | (22,930 | ) | |||
| Net loss | $ | (8,057 | ) | $ | (22,930 | ) | |
| Comprehensive loss | $ | (8,057 | ) | $ | (22,930 | ) | |
| Loss per share attributable to common stockholders: | |||||||
| Basic and diluted (in dollars per share) | $ | (0.07 | ) | $ | (0.24 | ) | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding: | |||||||
| Basic and diluted (in shares) | 122,609,995 | 95,497,056 | |||||
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjustments - Net Loss to Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended | |||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
| GAAP net loss | $ | (8,057 | ) | $ | (22,930 | ) | |
| Share-based compensation expense | 2,318 | 1,587 | |||||
| Interest expense | 2,903 | 2,782 | |||||
| Interest expense related to royalty obligations | 973 | 1,437 | |||||
| Interest expense related to the sale of future revenue | 60 | 59 | |||||
| Interest income and other income, net | (83 | ) | (713 | ) | |||
| Depreciation and Amortization | 113 | 139 | |||||
| Total non-GAAP adjustments | $ | 6,284 | $ | 5,291 | |||
| Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA | $ | (1,773 | ) | $ | (17,639 | ) | |
| Excluding Non-GAAP adjusted R&D expenses | (3,954 | ) | (5,016 | ) | |||
| Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA excluding Non-GAAP adjusted R&D expenses | $ | 2,181 | $ | (12,623 | ) | ||
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjustments - GAAP Expenses to Non-GAAP Adjusted Expenses (In Thousands, except percentages) (Unaudited) | |||||||
| Three Months Ended | |||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
| Total costs and expenses | $ | 18,650 | $ | 28,085 | |||
| Non-GAAP adjustments: | |||||||
| Share-based compensation expense | (2,318 | ) | (1,587 | ) | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | (113 | ) | (139 | ) | |||
| Non-GAAP adjusted costs and expenses | $ | 16,219 | $ | 26,359 | |||
| Manufacture and Supply Expenses | $ | 3,469 | $ | 3,652 | |||
| Gross Margin on total revenue | 76 | % | 58 | % | |||
| Non-GAAP adjustments: | |||||||
| Share-based compensation expense | (69 | ) | (100 | ) | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | (86 | ) | (115 | ) | |||
| Non-GAAP adjusted manufacture and supply expenses | $ | 3,314 | $ | 3,437 | |||
| Non-GAAP Gross Margin on total revenue | 77 | % | 61 | % | |||
| Research and Development Expenses | $ | 4,204 | $ | 5,361 | |||
| Non-GAAP adjustments: | |||||||
| Share-based compensation expense | (236 | ) | (330 | ) | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | (14 | ) | (15 | ) | |||
| Non-GAAP adjusted research and development expenses | $ | 3,954 | $ | 5,016 | |||
| Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | $ | 10,977 | $ | 19,072 | |||
| Non-GAAP adjustments: | |||||||
| Share-based compensation expense | (2,013 | ) | (1,157 | ) | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | (13 | ) | (9 | ) | |||
| Non-GAAP adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | 8,951 | $ | 17,906 | |||
Source: