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Exelixis, Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 new, 8 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Total revenues rose to $610.8 million: Total revenues were $610.8 million, against $555.4 million a year earlier. Net product revenues were $555.0 million and collaboration revenues were $55.8 million. Source
  • GAAP diluted EPS $0.79, non-GAAP $0.87: GAAP net income was $210.5 million, or $0.79 per diluted share. Non-GAAP net income, which excludes stock-based compensation, was $232.8 million, or $0.87 per diluted share. Source
  • CABOMETYX drove U.S. franchise sales: U.S. cabozantinib franchise net product revenues were $555.0 million. That comprised $552.8 million from CABOMETYX and $2.2 million from COMETRIQ. Source
  • Zanzalintinib NDA under FDA review: The first zanzalintinib NDA, for previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer, was accepted by U.S. regulatory authorities and is under active review. Source
  • STELLAR-303 met overall survival endpoint: The NDA rests on STELLAR-303, where zanzalintinib with atezolizumab showed a statistically significant overall survival gain versus regorafenib in the intention-to-treat population. Source
  • New $750 million buyback through 2027: The Board authorized up to an additional $750 million of share repurchases by December 31, 2027. The company describes it as the sixth such program since March 2023. Source
  • Full-year 2026 guidance maintained: Management kept its previously provided fiscal 2026 financial guidance without change to the ranges. Source

“Exelixis made significant progress in the first quarter of 2026 as we remain focused on our goal of building next-generation oncology franchises”

Michael M. Morrissey, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, Exelixis

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total revenues Sourcefiscal year 2026$2.525 billion - $2.625 billionKept
Net product revenues Sourcefiscal year 2026$2.325 billion - $2.425 billionKept
Cost of goods sold, % of net product revenues Sourcefiscal year 20263.5% - 4.5%Kept
Research and development expenses Sourcefiscal year 2026$875 million - $925 millionKept
Selling, general and administrative expenses Sourcefiscal year 2026$575 million - $625 millionKept
Effective tax rate Sourcefiscal year 202621% - 23%Kept
Share repurchases Sourcethrough December 31, 2027up to $750 millionNew
Completion of October 2025 repurchase program SourceMay 2026$750 million total under the October 2025 program
STELLAR-304 topline results Sourcesecond half of 2026second half of 2026
STELLAR-303 final analysis of OS in patients without liver metastases Sourcemid-2026mid-2026Kept
STELLAR-316 initiation Sourcemid-2026mid-2026Kept
STELLAR-202 and STELLAR-002 expansion cohort Sourcesecond half of 2026second half of 2026New

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: Management maintained the previously provided fiscal 2026 financial guidance, the same ranges as the prior release. Source
  • New: The Board authorized a new stock repurchase program of up to $750 million, to be completed by December 31, 2027. The company calls it the sixth such program since March 2023. Source
  • New: STELLAR-201, a phase 2 study of zanzalintinib in recurrent meningioma, has been initiated. The prior release listed its initiation as planned for mid-2026. Source
  • New: Merck initiated LITESPARK-034 in April 2026, a second phase 3 pivotal trial of zanzalintinib with WELIREG in renal cell carcinoma. The prior release said details would come later. Source
  • New: Two additional zanzalintinib studies were announced: STELLAR-202, a planned phase 2 trial, and an expansion cohort within STELLAR-002. Source
  • New: The company completed the expansion of its GI sales team. The prior release described an expedited buildout that was still underway. Source

Revenue and earnings results

  • Total revenues rose to $610.8 million: Total revenues were $610.8 million, against $555.4 million a year earlier. Net product revenues were $555.0 million and collaboration revenues were $55.8 million. Source
  • Sales volume lifted product revenue: Net product revenues rose from $513.3 million a year earlier. The company attributed the increase primarily to higher sales volume. Source
  • GAAP diluted EPS $0.79, non-GAAP $0.87: GAAP net income was $210.5 million, or $0.79 per diluted share. Non-GAAP net income, which excludes stock-based compensation, was $232.8 million, or $0.87 per diluted share. Source
  • Buybacks lowered the share count: Management said lower weighted-average shares from the repurchase programs favorably affected GAAP per-share results. Diluted weighted-average shares were 267.3 million, against 288.2 million. Source

Cabozantinib franchise sales

  • CABOMETYX drove U.S. franchise sales: U.S. cabozantinib franchise net product revenues were $555.0 million. That comprised $552.8 million from CABOMETYX and $2.2 million from COMETRIQ. Source
  • Partner royalties reached $45.9 million: Exelixis earned $45.9 million in royalties on cabozantinib sales by its partners Ipsen and Takeda during the quarter. Source
  • Collaboration revenue rose on royalties: Collaboration revenues were $55.8 million, against $42.2 million. The increase came from higher Ipsen royalties and milestones, partly offset by lower development cost reimbursements. Source

“Our R&D organization is on track to deliver multiple milestones this year across our zanzalintinib pivotal development program.”

Michael M. Morrissey, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, Exelixis

Zanzalintinib regulatory and trial progress

  • Zanzalintinib NDA under FDA review: The first zanzalintinib NDA, for previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer, was accepted by U.S. regulatory authorities and is under active review. Source
  • STELLAR-303 met overall survival endpoint: The NDA rests on STELLAR-303, where zanzalintinib with atezolizumab showed a statistically significant overall survival gain versus regorafenib in the intention-to-treat population. Source
  • STELLAR-311 enrollment continues: The company is continuing to enroll patients in STELLAR-311, a phase 2/3 trial of zanzalintinib against everolimus in advanced neuroendocrine tumors. Source
  • STELLAR-201 meningioma trial started: STELLAR-201, a phase 2 study of zanzalintinib in recurrent meningioma, was recently initiated. Its primary endpoint is objective response rate. Source
  • Merck started second pivotal trial: Merck began LITESPARK-034 in April 2026, a second phase 3 trial of zanzalintinib with WELIREG in advanced renal cell carcinoma under the clinical collaboration. Source

Operating costs and tax

  • R&D spending fell year over year: R&D expense was $199.9 million, against $212.2 million. The decrease came from lower clinical trial and manufacturing costs, partly offset by higher license and collaboration costs. Source
  • SG&A rose on marketing and legal costs: SG&A was $139.6 million, against $137.2 million. Higher marketing, legal and advisory fees, and personnel costs were partly offset by lower corporate giving. Source
  • Tax provision rose year over year: The provision for income taxes was $57.2 million, against $46.1 million in the comparable prior-year quarter. Source

“As the cabozantinib franchise continues to grow and we execute across seven ongoing or soon-to-start pivotal studies for zanzalintinib, we remain committed to strengthening our leadership in GU and GI oncology”

Michael M. Morrissey, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, Exelixis

Share repurchases and capital returns

  • $590.6 million repurchased under October program: As of March 31, 2026, the company had repurchased $590.6 million of stock at an average $43.14 per share under the October 2025 program. Source
  • Remaining October program due in May: Management expects to complete the remainder of the October 2025 program in May 2026, fulfilling its $750 million commitment before the end of 2026. Source
  • New $750 million buyback through 2027: The Board authorized up to an additional $750 million of share repurchases by December 31, 2027. The company describes it as the sixth such program since March 2023. Source
  • Cumulative buybacks since 2023: Since March 2023 the company has repurchased $2.59 billion of stock, retiring 86.8 million shares. Source

2026 guidance and pricing

  • Full-year 2026 guidance maintained: Management kept its previously provided fiscal 2026 financial guidance without change to the ranges. Source
  • Guidance excludes zanzalintinib launch revenue: Guidance does not reflect revenue from a potential U.S. approval and launch of zanzalintinib for previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer. Source
  • 3.0% list price increase included: Net product revenue guidance includes a 3.0% U.S. wholesale acquisition cost increase for CABOMETYX and COMETRIQ effective January 1, 2026. Source

Partnerships and corporate events

  • Natera collaboration on STELLAR-316: The January 2026 collaboration with Natera covers STELLAR-316, a planned Exelixis-sponsored phase 3 trial in resected stage II/III colorectal cancer. Source
  • Natera assay identifies trial patients: Natera's Signatera assay will identify MRD-positive patients for enrollment in STELLAR-316. Source
  • Merck's first trial began in December: LITESPARK-033 was the first of two Merck-sponsored phase 3 trials of zanzalintinib with WELIREG. It compares the combination with cabozantinib in first-line renal cell carcinoma. Source
  • GI sales team expansion completed: The company completed its GI sales team expansion, aimed at cabozantinib in neuroendocrine tumors and future zanzalintinib indications. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 May 2026

  • ASCO 2026 presentations: Zanzalintinib and cabozantinib presentations at ASCO 2026 in Chicago include an atezolizumab contribution analysis of STELLAR-303 and a CABINET hormone-status subgroup. Source
  • FDA action date for zanzalintinib: The FDA standard review of the zanzalintinib NDA has a target action date of December 3, 2026. Source
  • STELLAR-303 final analysis mid-2026: The final analysis of overall survival in patients without liver metastases is expected mid-2026, depending on event rates. Source
  • STELLAR-304 topline in second half: Topline results from the STELLAR-304 trial are expected in the second half of 2026, depending on event rates. Source
  • STELLAR-316 start mid-2026: Initiation of the STELLAR-316 pivotal trial is expected mid-2026, with Natera's assay used to identify enrollees. Source
  • STELLAR-202 and expansion cohort in second half: Management expects to start STELLAR-202 and open the STELLAR-002 expansion cohort in the second half of 2026. Source
  • October program completion in May: Management expects to complete the remaining October 2025 repurchase program in May 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
CABOMETYX U.S. net product revenues, first quarter 2026 Source$552.8 million
COMETRIQ U.S. net product revenues, first quarter 2026 Source$2.2 million
Cabozantinib franchise U.S. net product revenues, first quarter 2026 Source$555.0 million
Royalty revenues from partner cabozantinib sales Source$45.9 million
Research and development expenses, first quarter 2026 Source$199.9 million
Zanzalintinib NDA PDUFA target action date SourceDecember 3, 2026
STELLAR-303 final analysis of OS in patients without liver metastases Sourcemid-2026
STELLAR-304 topline results timing Sourcesecond half of 2026

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: The zanzalintinib NDA is under FDA review, so the outcome is pending. Guidance excludes any revenue tied to a potential approval and launch. Source
  • Operational: The timing of the STELLAR-303 final analysis and STELLAR-304 topline results depends on event rates. Source
  • Financial: Repurchase programs are not obligations and may be changed at any time. Timing depends on capital needs, alternative investment uses, and market price. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The company had repurchased $590.6 million under the program by March 31, 2026, and expects to complete the remainder in May 2026. Source
  • On track: Management stated the R&D organization is on track for multiple zanzalintinib pivotal milestones this year. Source
  • Met: The prior release described an expedited buildout. This release says the GI sales team expansion was completed. Source
  • Not stated: The prior release planned STELLAR-201 initiation for mid-2026. This release says the trial was recently initiated. Source
  • Not stated: The prior release expected topline results in mid-2026. This release gives the timing as the second half of 2026. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.