Zai Lab Announces First Quarter 2026 Financial Results and Recent Corporate Updates
– Total revenues of
– Zocilurtatug pelitecan (zoci) delivered standout data at AACR 2026, with a 62.5% confirmed intracranial ORR in SCLC patients with brain metastases, and clinically meaningful activity (38.2% confirmed ORR) across epNECs; registrational DLLEVATE trial ongoing with enrollment expected to complete in the first half of 2027
– Collaborations with Amgen and
– ZL-1503 (IL-13/IL-31Rα) demonstrated rapid, durable dual-pathway activity in preclinical data presented at IMMUNOLOGY2026, supporting less frequent dosing and broad potential across atopic diseases, including asthma; Phase 1/1b study underway with initial data expected in 2026
– KarXT launch preparations are underway and TIVDAK remains under regulatory review; positive Phase 3 readouts for povetacicept in IgAN and elegrobart in TED providing additional growth opportunities for our regional business
Conference call and webcast today,
“We continue to accelerate the development of our global pipeline, with numerous clinical trials underway across oncology and immunology,” said Dr.
“We are deepening our presence in key markets to capitalize on underlying demand for VYVGART and are expanding our regional footprint as we prepare for the launch of KarXT in
First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
-
Total revenue was
$99.6 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared to$106.5 million for the same period in 2025, representing a decrease of 6% y-o-y. Product revenue, net was$95.6 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared to$105.7 million for the same period in 2025, representing a 10% y-o-y decrease, 12% y-o-y decrease at constant exchange rate (CER). This decrease was primarily driven by decreased sales for ZEJULA, partially offset by increased sales for XACDURO and NUZYRA:
– ZEJULA was
– VYVGART was
– XACDURO, was
– NUZYRA was
-
Research and Development (R&D) expenses were
$65.6 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared to$60.7 million for the same period in 2025. This increase was primarily due to increased clinical trial-related expenses and licensing fees. -
Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses were
$65.1 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared to$63.4 million for the same period in 2025. This increase was primarily driven by higher general selling expenses. -
Loss from operations was
$69.4 million in the first quarter of 2026,$51.9 million when adjusted to exclude certain non-cash expenses including depreciation, amortization, and share-based compensation. A reconciliation of loss from operations (GAAP) to adjusted loss from operations (non-GAAP) is included at the end of this release. -
Net loss was
$51.0 million in the first quarter of 2026, or a loss per ordinary share attributable to stockholders of$0.05 (or loss per American Depositary Share (ADS) of$0.46 ), compared to a net loss of$48.4 million for the same period in 2025, or a loss per ordinary share of$0.04 (or loss per ADS of$0.45 ). These increases in net loss were primarily due to lower product revenue and higher research and development expenses, partially offset by foreign currency gains. -
Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and current restricted cash totaled
$761.3 million as ofMarch 31, 2026 , compared to$789.6 million as ofDecember 31, 2025 .
Recent Corporate Updates
-
In
April 2026 , we appointedYizhe Wang , Ph.D., as Operating Partner, to strengthen Zai Lab’s commercial capabilities and execution.Dr. Wang brings extensive experience in global oncology and immunology commercial operations, having led commercial teams acrossChina , theU.S. , and theU.K. at GSK and Eli Lilly.
Recent Pipeline Highlights
Below are key product candidate updates since our last earnings release:
Oncology Pipeline
- Zocilurtatug Pelitecan (zoci, DLL3-Targeting ADC) (formerly ZL-1310):
– In
-
SCLC with Brain Metastases: Zoci showed a 53.7% confirmed intracranial objective response rate (iORR) with 62.5% (10/16) at the 1.6 mg/kg dose, including complete responses. Notably, responses were observed in patients without prior brain radiotherapy (9/15, 60%), highlighting the net drug effect on the intracranial lesions. Zoci was well tolerated, with Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) in 19.9% (27/136) of the overall population and in 16.4% (9/55) of patients who received 1.6mg/kg.
- epNECs: Encouraging activity was observed with a 38.2% confirmed objective response rate across epNEC tumors of different primary origins. The safety profile in epNEC was consistent with that previously observed in SCLC with Grade ≥3 TRAEs in 15.2% of patients in Phase 1b.
– In
Immunology, Neuroscience, and Infectious Disease Pipeline
-
ZL-1503 (IL-13/IL-31Rα): In
April 2026 ,Zai Lab announced new data from a preclinical study of ZL-1503, demonstrating that the company’s internally developed IL-13/IL-31Rα bispecific antibody may lead to sustained suppression of intense pruritus (itch) and inflammation caused by atopic diseases. The findings reinforce the potential of ZL-1503 to be a first-in-class treatment option for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and other IL-13 and IL-31-driven diseases. A global Phase 1/1b study is ongoing andZai Lab expects to report the first-in-human data from the global Phase 1 portion in the second half of 2026.
- Povetacicept (APRIL/BAFF):
– IgA nephropathy (IgAN): In
– Primary membranous nephropathy (pMN):
-
Elegrobart (anti-IGF-1R, subcutaneous):
Zai Lab partner Viridian Therapeutics announced positive topline data in both REVEAL-1 and REVEAL-2, elegrobart’s two pivotal phase 3 clinical trials for active and chronic TED, respectively. Elegrobart was generally well tolerated across both studies.Zai Lab holds an exclusive license from Zenas BioPharma to develop and commercialize elegrobart inGreater China and is currently conducting a Phase 3 bridging study in the region.
– REVEAL-1 in active TED: met its primary endpoint with a highly statistically significant treatment effect. Both elegrobart Q4W and Q8W treatment arms showed rapid onset of treatment effect and achieved clinically meaningful 54% and 63% proptosis responder rates, respectively, versus 18% placebo at week 24. The Q4W treatment arm additionally provided meaningful diplopia benefit to patients with active TED.
– REVEAL-2 in chronic TED: met its primary endpoint with a highly statistically significant treatment effect. Both elegrobart Q4W and Q8W treatment arms achieved statistically significant and clinically meaningful 50% and 54% proptosis responder rates, respectively, versus 15% placebo at week 24. The Q4W treatment arm additionally provided meaningful diplopia benefit to patients with chronic TED.
Anticipated Major Milestones in 2026
Expected Clinical Developments and Data Readouts
Global Pipeline
Zocilurtatug Pelitecan (zoci, DLL3-Targeting ADC) (formerly ZL-1310)
-
First-Line ES-SCLC:
Zai Lab to provide data readout from the Phase 1 study evaluating zoci combination therapy (with atezolizumab and/or chemotherapy) in the second half of 2026 and advance zoci into a registrational study in 2026 based on emerging data.
-
Extrapulmonary NECs:
Zai Lab to complete the enrollment for the global Phase 2 portion of the ongoing Phase 1b/2 study evaluating zoci in patients with selected solid tumors and advance into registrational development in 2026.
ZL-1503 (IL-13/IL-31Rα)
-
Zai Lab to provide the first-in-human data readout from the global Phase 1/1b study in 2026.
Regional Pipeline
Upcoming Potential NMPA Approvals
- TIVDAK (Tisotumab Vedotin, Tissue Factor ADC) in recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer following progression on or after chemotherapy
- Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) in locally advanced pancreatic cancer
Expected Data Readouts
Efgartigimod (FcRn)
-
Myositis:
Zai Lab partner argenx to provide topline results from the global Phase 2/3 ALKIVIA study evaluating autoimmune inflammatory myopathies (AIM or myositis) in the third quarter of 2026.Zai Lab participated in the study inGreater China .
Elegrobart (Anti-IGF-1R, subcutaneous)
-
Zai Lab to complete the enrollment for the Phase 3 registrational study inChina in the third quarter of 2026.
Conference Call and Webcast Information
Details are as follows:
- Registration link for webcast (preferred): https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/s7q4ox5h
- Registration link for dial-in: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI802954894429400baf012f775762af29
All participants must use the link provided above to complete the online registration process in advance of the conference call. Dial-in details will be in the confirmation email which the participant will receive upon registering.
A replay will be available shortly after the call and can be accessed by visiting the Company’s website.
About
For additional information about
Non-GAAP Measures
In addition to results presented in accordance with GAAP, we disclose growth rates that have been adjusted to exclude the impact of changes due to the translation of foreign currencies into
Zai Lab Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements relating to our strategy and plans; potential of and expectations for our business, commercial products, and pipeline programs; our goals, objectives, and priorities and our expectations under our growth strategy (including our expectations regarding our commercial products and launches, clinical stage products, revenue growth, profitability, and cash flow); clinical development programs and related clinical trials; clinical trial data, data readouts, and presentations; risks and uncertainties associated with drug development and commercialization; regulatory discussions, submissions, filings, and approvals and the timing thereof; the potential benefits, safety, and efficacy of our products and product candidates and those of our collaboration partners; the anticipated benefits and potential of investments, collaborations, and business development activities; our profitability and timeline to profitability; our future financial and operating results; and financial guidance, including with respect to our capital allocation and investment strategy and our expected path to profitability. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this press release are forward-looking statements, and can be identified by words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “poised,” “positioned,” “possible,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” and other similar expressions. Such statements constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees or assurances of future performance. Forward-looking statements are based on our expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. We may not actually achieve the plans, carry out the intentions, or meet the expectations or projections disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including but not limited to (1) our ability to successfully commercialize and generate revenue from our approved products; (2) our ability to obtain funding for our operations and business initiatives; (3) the results of our clinical and pre-clinical development of our product candidates; (4) the content and timing of decisions made by the relevant regulatory authorities regarding regulatory approvals of our product candidates; (5) risks related to doing business in
Our
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|
||||||
| Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||||
|
(in thousands of |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
651,316 |
|
|
679,573 |
|
|
Restricted cash, current |
|
100,000 |
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
Short-term investments |
|
10,000 |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for credit losses of |
|
54,069 |
|
|
106,116 |
|
|
Notes receivable |
|
7,929 |
|
|
12,169 |
|
|
Inventories, net |
|
85,961 |
|
|
74,745 |
|
|
Prepayments and other current assets |
|
35,454 |
|
|
36,683 |
|
|
Total current assets |
|
944,729 |
|
|
1,019,286 |
|
|
Restricted cash, non-current |
|
1,117 |
|
|
1,116 |
|
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
47,067 |
|
|
47,389 |
|
|
Operating lease right-of-use assets |
|
17,585 |
|
|
19,152 |
|
|
Land use rights, net |
|
2,868 |
|
|
2,853 |
|
|
Intangible assets, net |
|
75,759 |
|
|
76,144 |
|
|
Deferred tax assets |
|
3,444 |
|
|
3,390 |
|
|
Other non-current assets |
|
3,168 |
|
|
3,054 |
|
|
Total assets |
|
1,095,737 |
|
|
1,172,384 |
|
|
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Accounts payable |
|
126,169 |
|
|
141,608 |
|
|
Current operating lease liabilities |
|
5,983 |
|
|
6,344 |
|
|
Short-term debt |
|
213,819 |
|
|
204,530 |
|
|
Other current liabilities |
|
47,011 |
|
|
63,684 |
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
392,982 |
|
|
416,166 |
|
|
Deferred income |
|
28,627 |
|
|
27,333 |
|
|
Non-current operating lease liabilities |
|
12,107 |
|
|
13,385 |
|
|
Other non-current liabilities |
|
40 |
|
|
— |
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
433,756 |
|
|
456,884 |
|
|
Commitments and contingencies |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Shareholders’ equity |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Ordinary shares (par value of |
|
7 |
|
|
7 |
|
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
3,357,826 |
|
|
3,343,469 |
|
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
(2,679,636 |
) |
|
(2,628,620 |
) |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
15,105 |
|
|
29,697 |
|
|
Treasury Stock (at cost, 8,602,570 and 7,433,210 shares as of |
|
(31,321 |
) |
|
(29,053 |
) |
|
Total shareholders’ equity |
|
661,981 |
|
|
715,500 |
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity |
|
1,095,737 |
|
|
1,172,384 |
|
|
|
||||||
| Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations | ||||||
| (in thousands of $, except for number of shares and per share data) | ||||||
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
||||
|
|
|
2026 |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Product revenue, net |
|
95,556 |
|
|
105,650 |
|
|
Collaboration revenue |
|
4,055 |
|
|
837 |
|
|
Total revenues |
|
99,611 |
|
|
106,487 |
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Cost of product revenue |
|
(38,315 |
) |
|
(38,452 |
) |
|
Cost of collaboration revenue |
|
(20 |
) |
|
(195 |
) |
|
Research and development |
|
(65,591 |
) |
|
(60,729 |
) |
|
Selling, general, and administrative |
|
(65,070 |
) |
|
(63,422 |
) |
|
Loss from operations |
|
(69,385 |
) |
|
(56,311 |
) |
|
Interest income |
|
6,447 |
|
|
8,606 |
|
|
Interest expenses |
|
(1,637 |
) |
|
(1,187 |
) |
|
Foreign currency gains |
|
14,837 |
|
|
651 |
|
|
Other income (expense), net |
|
162 |
|
|
(197 |
) |
|
Loss before income tax |
|
(49,576 |
) |
|
(48,438 |
) |
|
Income tax expense |
|
(1,440 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
Net loss |
|
(51,016 |
) |
|
(48,438 |
) |
|
Loss per share - basic and diluted |
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
(0.04 |
) |
|
Weighted-average shares used in calculating net loss per ordinary share - basic and diluted |
|
1,107,390,590 |
|
|
1,080,825,300 |
|
|
|
||||||
|
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss |
||||||
|
(in thousands of $) |
||||||
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
||||
|
|
|
2026 |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
Net loss |
|
(51,016 |
) |
|
(48,438 |
) |
|
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax of nil: |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
|
(14,592 |
) |
|
(1,212 |
) |
|
Comprehensive loss |
|
(65,608 |
) |
|
(49,650 |
) |
|
|
||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP Measures | ||||||||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands) | ||||||||||||
| Growth on a Constant Exchange Rate (CER) Basis | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
Year over Year %
|
||||||||
|
|
|
2026 |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
As reported |
|
At CER* |
||
|
Product revenue, net |
|
95,556 |
|
|
105,650 |
|
|
(10 |
)% |
|
(12 |
)% |
|
Loss from operations |
|
(69,385 |
) |
|
(56,311 |
) |
|
23 |
% |
|
22 |
% |
* The growth rates at CER were calculated assuming the same foreign currency exchange rates were in effect for the current and prior year period
Reconciliation of Loss from Operations (GAAP) to Adjusted Loss from Operations (Non-GAAP)
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
||||
|
|
|
2026 |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
GAAP loss from operations |
|
(69,385 |
) |
|
(56,311 |
) |
|
Plus: Depreciation and amortization expenses |
|
3,944 |
|
|
3,458 |
|
|
Plus: Share-based compensation |
|
13,524 |
|
|
15,800 |
|
|
Adjusted loss from operations |
|
(51,917 |
) |
|
(37,053 |
) |
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260507022619/en/
For more information:
Investor Relations:
+1 (917) 886-6929 / +86 195 3130 8895
christine.chiou1@zailaboratory.com / cyan.liu@zailaboratory.com
Media:
+1 (415) 317-7255 / +86 185 0015 5011
shaun.maccoun@zailaboratory.com / xiaoyu.chen@zailaboratory.com
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