Nearly 293% growth of product sales, 235% growth of prescriptions and 87% increase in new prescribers for Gimoti


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New notice of allowance from USPTO to expand Gimoti patent estate

SOLANA BEACH, Calif., May 12, 2021 (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, 2021 and recent corporate developments.

“Our commercialization efforts continue to lay the foundation to generate increased sales revenue through our focused strategies with targeted gastroenterologist offices,” stated David A. Gonyer, R.Ph., President and CEO of Evoke Pharma. “The feedback from physicians and the many anecdotal stories of patient satisfaction remain strong. This reinforces our message with health care providers that Gimoti offers an important advantage in treating patients that have erratic absorption of oral medications, as it is currently the only outpatient non-oral treatment option to help improve the quality of life for patients suffering with diabetic gastroparesis.”

First Quarter 2021 Developments and Recent Progress:

• Expanded revenue, marketing campaigns and prescriber base for GIMOTI with our commercial partner, EVERSANA
  • Completed Medicaid registration process to allow claims submissions for Gimoti
  • Government payer coverage makes up nearly 40% of filled prescriptions in Q1, 2021
• New prescribers continue to expand rapidly
  • 4Q 2020:         45
  • 1Q 2021:         84 (87% increase)
  • April 2021:       44 (Single month comparable to entire Q4, 2020)
• Of the patients who had been prescribed Gimoti and had the opportunity, 73% receive a refill
• In January 2021, we announced positive data from market research study which indicated 79% and 89% of target and non-target gastroenterologists, respectively, intend to prescribe Gimoti
• Bolstered capital position through a $14.4 million capital raise
• Notice of Allowance from United States Patent and Trademark Office for a Method of Use Patent with Claims Covering Gimoti
  • Expected to be granted and Orange Book listable at FDA in near term

First Quarter 2021 Financial Review

For the first quarter of 2021, net sales were approximately $90,000 and the net loss was approximately $2.6 million, or $0.08 per share, compared to a net loss of approximately $1.8 million, or $0.07 per share for the first quarter of 2020. This increase was primarily due to costs associated with the commercial launch of GIMOTI.

Research and development expenses totaled approximately $0.3 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared to approximately $0.5 million for the first quarter of 2020.

For the first quarter of 2021, selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $2.3 million compared to approximately $1.3 million for the first quarter of 2020.

We expect that selling, general and administrative expenses will 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 2021 were approximately $2.7 million compared to total operating expenses of approximately $1.8 million for the same period of 2020.

As of March 31, 2021, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were approximately $18.2 million, which includes approximately $13.1 million in net proceeds raised from our common stock offering in January 2021. We expect sufficient runway to fund our operations into the first quarter of 2022.

Evoke will host a conference call today, May 12, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss the results. The dial-in numbers for the conference call are (877) 473-1186 for domestic callers and (918) 922-6138 for international callers. The conference ID number is 7196028.

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.

About GIMOTI


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(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
  
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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
  
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• 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.

About EVERSANA Life Science Services, LLC

EVERSANA™ is a leading provider of global services to the life science industry. The company’s integrated solutions are rooted in the patient experience and span all stages of the product lifecycle to deliver long-term, sustainable value for patients, prescribers, channel partners and payers. The company serves more than 500 organizations, including innovative start-ups and established pharmaceutical companies to advance life science solutions for a healthier world.

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: Evoke’s commercialization plans, including potential reimbursement from government payors and its plans to increase the number of new prescribers; potential future prescribing trends for GIMOTI based on the market research survey of healthcare professionals or the Company’s marketing efforts; the size of the gastroparesis market; and the possibility that gastroenterologists will agree that GIMOTI offers distinct advantages over other treatments for diabetes gastroparesis. 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 results of the market survey may not predict prescribing trends by doctors or acceptance by patients, and are not intended to reflect or imply actual prescriptions or sales to date; 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 any 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 obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for GIMOTI; and other risks 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:

The Ruth Group

Christine Petraglia / James Salierno

Tel: 917-633-8980 /973-255-8361


[email protected]

/

[email protected]

Media Contact:

The Ruth Group

Annika Parrish

Tel: 720-412-9042


[email protected]

(Financial Statements to Follow)