SOLANA BEACH, Calif., May 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evoke Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ:EVOK), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused primarily on treatments for gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022, and recent corporate developments.

"We are encouraged by the incremental improvement in net GIMOTI sales and prescriptions and continue to receive positive feedback from patients and physicians. Working closely with our strategic commercial partner, Eversana, we continue to implement and execute strategies as we seek continued improvement in the quarters ahead," said David A. Gonyer, R.Ph., President and CEO of Evoke Pharma. "We have achieved four consecutive quarters of increased revenue with an additional 16% this quarter, to $418,000. In addition, the number of GIMOTI prescribers increased by approximately 41%, to 538 cumulative new healthcare providers (HCPs) through March 31, 2022. Finally, prescriptions received into our specialty pharmacies increased by 22% in the first quarter. More patients than ever – as well as their healthcare providers – are experiencing the benefits of GIMOTI's novel nasal solution for diabetic gastroparesis."

First Quarter 2022 Developments and Recent Progress:

GIMOTI was added to two state Medicaid Programs

New York Medicaid; Coverage allows for more rapid utility of GIMOTI
Texas Medicaid Preferred Drug List (PDL); Effective April 12, 2022, approximately 5 million additional patients are able to quickly access GIMOTI
Medicaid and Medicare made up approximately 51% of the filled prescriptions for GIMOTI in the first quarter of 2022

New drug product exclusivity granted by the FDA for GIMOTI nasal spray

Company now has Hatch-Waxman Act exclusive marketing rights for three years from approval date

Piloted strategic collaboration with vitaCare (subsidiary of GoodRx.com)

Quick and convenient electronic submission of prescriptions by doctors to pharmacies online
More effective and accelerated insurance approval of prescriptions by pharmacies, state Medicaid agencies and private insurance companies
Commercial patients may receive trial samples while awaiting insurance reimbursement

Abstract on association between tardive dyskinesia (TD) and potential risk factors accepted as poster of distinction at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) on May 21, 2022 in San Diego

Data will update TD incidence in metoclopramide which may have been previously overestimated
Additional medical subgroups analyzed to inform physicians of possible additional treatment factors

Extends cash runway into Q2, 2023

ATM program accessed for additional sales runway

First Quarter 2022 Financial Review

For the first quarter of 2022, net product sales were approximately $418,000 compared to approximately $90,000 during the first quarter of 2021, and the net loss was approximately $2.2 million, or $0.07 cents per share compared with $2.6 million, or $0.08 per share, for the first quarter of 2021. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by increased educational and promotional activities of the Eversana sales force.

For the first quarter of 2022, selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $2.4 million compared with $2.3 million for the first quarter of 2021. We expect that selling, general and administrative expenses may increase in the future as we continue to progress with the commercialization of GIMOTI and we reimburse Eversana from the net profits attained from the sales of GIMOTI.

Total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2022 were approximately $2.5 million compared with $2.7 million for the same period of 2021.

As of March 31, 2022, cash and cash equivalents were approximately $7.7 million. We also received net proceeds of approximately $7.1 million from sales under our ATM program after March 31, 2022. We believe, based on our current operating plan, that our existing cash and cash equivalents, as well as future cash flows from net product sales of GIMOTI, will be sufficient to fund our operations into the second quarter of 2023.

About Evoke Pharma, Inc.

Evoke is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused primarily on the development of drugs to treat GI disorders and diseases. The company developed, commercialized and markets GIMOTI, a nasal spray formulation of metoclopramide, for the relief of symptoms associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis in adults.

Diabetic gastroparesis is a GI disorder affecting millions of patients worldwide, in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents resulting in serious GI symptoms as well as other systemic complications. The gastric delay caused by gastroparesis can compromise absorption of orally administered medications. Prior to FDA approval to commercially market GIMOTI, metoclopramide was only available in oral and injectable formulations and remains the only drug currently approved in the United States to treat gastroparesis. Visit www.EvokePharma.com for more information.

Follow GIMOTI on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GIMOTI-metoclopramide-nasal-spray-104672345100289

Follow Evoke Pharma on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Evoke-Pharma-Inc-131313647029724

Follow Evoke Pharma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/evoke-pharma/

About Gimoti® (metoclopramide) nasal spray

GIMOTI is indicated for the relief of symptoms in adults with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis.

Important Safety Information

WARNING: TARDIVE DYSKINESIA

Metoclopramide can cause tardive dyskinesia (TD), a serious movement disorder that is often irreversible. The risk of developing TD increases with duration of treatment and total cumulative dosage.
Discontinue GIMOTI in patients who develop signs or symptoms of TD. In some patients, symptoms may lessen or resolve after metoclopramide is stopped.
Avoid treatment with metoclopramide (all dosage forms and routes of administration) for longer than 12 weeks because of the increased risk of developing TD with longer-term use.

GIMOTI is not recommended for use in:

Pediatric patients due to the risk of developing tardive dyskinesia (TD) and other extrapyramidal symptoms as well as the risk of methemoglobinemia in neonates.
Moderate or severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B or C), moderate or severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance less than 60 mL/minute), and patients concurrently using strong CYP2D6 inhibitors due to the risk of increased drug exposure and adverse reactions.

GIMOTI is contraindicated:

In patients with a history of tardive dyskinesia (TD) or a dystonic reaction to metoclopramide.
When stimulation of gastrointestinal motility might be dangerous (e.g., in the presence of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, mechanical obstruction, or perforation).
In patients with pheochromocytoma or other catecholamine-releasing paragangliomas. Metoclopramide may cause a hypertensive/pheochromocytoma crisis, probably due to release of catecholamines from the tumor.
In patients with epilepsy. Metoclopramide may increase the frequency and severity of seizures.
In patients with hypersensitivity to metoclopramide. Reactions have included laryngeal and glossal angioedema and bronchospasm.

Potential adverse reactions associated with metoclopramide include: Tardive dyskinesia (TD), other extrapyramidal effects (EPS), parkinsonism symptoms, motor restlessness, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), depression, suicidal ideation and suicide, hypertension, fluid retention, hyperprolactinemia, effects on the ability to drive and operate machinery. Most common adverse reactions (≥5%) for GIMOTI are: dysgeusia, headache, and fatigue. These are not all of the possible side effects of GIMOTI. Call your doctor for medical advice about whether you should take GIMOTI and the possible risk factors and side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Safe Harbor Statement

Evoke cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "could," "intend," "target," "project," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or the negatives of these terms or other similar expressions. These statements are based on the company's current beliefs and expectations. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding: potential future prescribing trends and sales for GIMOTI based on Evoke's or EVERSANA's marketing efforts; Evoke's commercialization plans, including its plans to increase awareness of and access to GIMOTI; and Evoke's future capital requirements. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Evoke that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Evoke's business, including, without limitation: Evoke's and EVERSANA's ability to successfully drive market demand for GIMOTI; Evoke's ability to obtain additional financing as needed to support its operations; the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to disrupt Evoke's and EVERSANA's business operations impairing the ability to commercialize GIMOTI and Evoke's ability to generate product revenue; Evoke's dependence on third parties for the manufacture of GIMOTI; Evoke is entirely dependent on the success of GIMOTI; inadequate efficacy or unexpected adverse side effects relating to GIMOTI that could result in recalls or product liability claims; Evoke's ability to maintain intellectual property protection for GIMOTI; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in Evoke's prior press releases and in the periodic reports it files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and Evoke undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Investor Contact:

Daniel Kontoh-Boateng

DKB Partners

Tel: 862-213-1398

dboateng@dkbpartners.net

Source: Evoke Pharma, Inc.

(Financial Statements to Follow)

Evoke Pharma, Inc. Condensed Balance Sheets

	March 31, 2022			December 31, 2021
	(Unaudited)
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,701,201		$	9,144,710
Accounts receivable, net		418,910			295,193
Prepaid expenses		615,832			923,746
Inventory		278,776			185,534
Other current assets		11,551			11,551
Total current assets		9,026,270			10,560,734
Operating lease right-of-use asset		—			12,428
Total assets	$	9,026,270		$	10,573,162

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	944,478		$	874,028
Accrued compensation		412,198			519,317
Operating lease liability		—			12,428
Total current liabilities		1,356,676			1,405,773
Long-term liabilities
Note payable		5,000,000			5,000,000
Accrued interest payable		735,583			612,295
Total long-term liabilities		5,735,583			5,612,295
Total liabilities		7,092,259			7,018,068

Stockholders' equity:
Common stock		3,292			3,266
Additional paid-in capital		111,527,397			110,974,841
Accumulated deficit		(109,596,678	)		(107,423,013	)
Total stockholders' equity		1,934,011			3,555,094
Total liabilities and stockholders' (deficit) equity	$	9,026,270		$	10,573,162

Evoke Pharma, Inc. Condensed Statements of Operations

	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2022			2021

Net product sales	$	418,380		$	90,421
Operating expenses:
Cost of goods sold		22,760			64,751
Research and development		41,717			277,825
Selling, general and administrative		2,405,075			2,338,295
Total operating expenses		2,469,552			2,680,871
Loss from operations		(2,051,172	)		(2,590,450	)
Other income (expense):
Forgiveness of paycheck protection loan and accrued interest		—			105,130
Interest income		795			3,164
Interest expense		(123,288	)		(123,339	)
Total other income (expense)		(122,493	)		(15,045	)
Net loss	$	(2,173,665	)	$	(2,605,495	)

Net loss per share of common stock, basic and diluted	$	(0.07	)	$	(0.08	)

Weighted-average shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share		32,777,294			31,158,065