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Zymeworks Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 7 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 6 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue fell on prior-year milestones: Revenue was $2.4 million, down from $27.1 million. The decline was driven mainly by non-recurring 2025 clinical milestone payments and lower Jazz development-support and drug-supply revenue. Source
  • Net loss widened to $44.2 million: The net loss was $44.2 million, compared with $22.6 million a year earlier. Management attributed the change mainly to lower revenue from the prior-year milestones. Source
  • FDA accepted GEA filing for priority review: The FDA accepted Jazz's sBLA for first-line HER2-positive GEA under Priority Review. Jazz expects to launch in the U.S. in this indication if approved. Source
  • $250.0 million milestone on U.S. approval: Zymeworks is entitled to a $250.0 million milestone from Jazz when Ziihera is approved in GEA in the United States. Source
  • ZW191 confirmed response rate 56%: In Part 1 of the Phase 1 trial in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, ZW191 showed a 56% confirmed objective response rate across all dose levels, with disease control in 94% of patients. Source
  • Cash resources of $403.8 million: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $403.8 million at March 31, 2026, including $244.3 million in cash and equivalents and $159.6 million in marketable securities. Source
  • Buybacks reached $95.8 million: As of May 6, 2026, about $95.8 million of the program had been used to buy 3,930,734 shares at an average of $24.37 per share, excluding commissions and excise tax. Source

“Pending global approvals in GEA, we expect zanidatamab to contribute significant milestone payments and to generate long-term, high-quality royalty revenues,”

Kenneth Galbraith, Chair and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Adjusted gross operating expense, 2026 SourceCalendar 2026, compared with 2025approximately 20% lower than $170.5 millionKept
Adjusted gross operating expense, three-year framework SourceThree years ending December 31, 2028approximately $300.0 millionKept
Adjusted gross operating expense phasing Source2026 through 2028greater proportion in 2026, declining in 2027 and 2028Kept
Regulatory milestone payments from Ziihera approvals in GEA SourcePending approvals in U.S., Europe, Japan and China$440.0 millionKept
Share repurchases SourceProgram authorized November 2025up to $125.0 millionKept
Cash runway SourceBeyond 2028fund planned operations beyond 2028Kept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: The company reiterated its previously provided adjusted gross operating expense guidance, including the three-year framework and the 2026 expectation. Source
  • New: The U.S. FDA accepted Jazz's sBLA for Ziihera in first-line HER2-positive GEA, granting Priority Review. Source
  • New: China's NMPA accepted the sBLA for zanidatamab in first-line GEA, as reported by BeOne. Source
  • New: The FDA granted Fast Track designation to ZW191 for advanced or metastatic platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Source
  • New: Management presented preclinical data on an emerging RAS inhibitor antibody-drug conjugate platform at AACR. Source
  • New: Kristin Stafford was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective April 1, 2026. Source
  • New: Adam Schayowitz was appointed Executive Vice President, Head of R&D, effective April 9, 2026. Source
  • New: Scott Platshon was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer, effective April 9, 2026. Source
  • New: Paul R. Schneider was appointed Executive Vice President and General Counsel, effective May 13, 2026. Source

Results and revenue drivers

  • Revenue fell on prior-year milestones: Revenue was $2.4 million, down from $27.1 million. The decline was driven mainly by non-recurring 2025 clinical milestone payments and lower Jazz development-support and drug-supply revenue. Source
  • Net loss widened to $44.2 million: The net loss was $44.2 million, compared with $22.6 million a year earlier. Management attributed the change mainly to lower revenue from the prior-year milestones. Source
  • Loss per share of $0.59: Basic and diluted net loss per common share was $(0.59), compared with $(0.30) in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Other income fell on note interest: Other income was $0.8 million, compared with $3.5 million. Interest expense of $2.1 million on the Royalty Pharma note and lower interest income drove the change. Source

Partnered zanidatamab program

  • FDA accepted GEA filing for priority review: The FDA accepted Jazz's sBLA for first-line HER2-positive GEA under Priority Review. Jazz expects to launch in the U.S. in this indication if approved. Source
  • $250.0 million milestone on U.S. approval: Zymeworks is entitled to a $250.0 million milestone from Jazz when Ziihera is approved in GEA in the United States. Source
  • China filing accepted for zanidatamab: China's NMPA accepted the sBLA for first-line GEA. BeOne is entitled to pay $15.0 million to Zymeworks on approval in China. Source
  • Royalty revenue from Ziihera sales: Royalty revenue from Jazz and BeOne was $1.6 million for the quarter, driven mainly by Ziihera net product sales by Jazz. Source
  • Second interim survival analysis pending: The second interim overall survival analysis of the HERIZON-GEA-01 trial is expected in mid-2026. Source

“Over the past quarter, we have further strengthened our leadership team with the addition of individuals bringing extensive experience in strategic capital allocation”

Kenneth Galbraith, Chair and Chief Executive Officer

Wholly-owned pipeline progress

  • ZW191 confirmed response rate 56%: In Part 1 of the Phase 1 trial in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, ZW191 showed a 56% confirmed objective response rate across all dose levels, with disease control in 94% of patients. Source
  • ZW191 Fast Track designation in March: The FDA granted Fast Track designation to ZW191 for advanced or metastatic platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, announced in March 2026. Source
  • ZW191 Part 2 fully enrolled: Part 2 of the ZW191 Phase 1 study, evaluating 6.4 and 9.6 mg/kg, is fully enrolled with 60 patients and remains ongoing. Source
  • RAS-inhibitor ADC candidates presented: At AACR, management presented preclinical data on an ADC platform with a pan-RAS inhibitor payload, including ZW418 for non-small cell lung cancer. Source

Operating costs and spending

  • R&D spend eased on program mix: R&D expense was $34.5 million, down from $35.7 million, reflecting lower later-stage and discontinued program spending that exceeded higher early-stage and preclinical investment. Source
  • G&A fell year over year: G&A expense was $15.1 million, down from $17.0 million, mainly on lower professional, consulting and IT costs, partly offset by higher salaries tied to leadership transitions. Source
  • Adjusted gross operating expense $42.6 million: Adjusted gross operating expense, excluding stock-based compensation, was $42.6 million, compared with $46.3 million in the first quarter of 2025. Source

“In parallel, updated Phase 1 data for ZW191 continue to reinforce the differentiated profile we have seen to date, with breadth and durability of responses”

Adam Schayowitz, Ph.D., MBA., Head of R&D at Zymeworks

Cash, liquidity and buybacks

  • Cash resources of $403.8 million: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $403.8 million at March 31, 2026, including $244.3 million in cash and equivalents and $159.6 million in marketable securities. Source
  • Buybacks reached $95.8 million: As of May 6, 2026, about $95.8 million of the program had been used to buy 3,930,734 shares at an average of $24.37 per share, excluding commissions and excise tax. Source
  • Shares outstanding near 73.0 million: The company had approximately 73.0 million common shares outstanding as of May 6, 2026. Source

Leadership and governance

  • Four executive appointments this quarter: New appointments were a CFO effective April 1, a Head of R&D and Chief Business Officer effective April 9, and a General Counsel effective May 13, 2026. Source
  • Team added capital allocation experience: Management said the added leaders bring experience in capital allocation, investment execution and deal-making, to identify and maximize value for royalty and R&D portfolios. Source

Strategy and capital allocation

  • Royalty and asset aggregation strategy: Management described the strategy as building cash flows from royalties and licensed assets alongside its active R&D operations. Source

Coming up, as management said on 7 May 2026

  • FDA action date set: The FDA's PDUFA target action date for the Jazz sBLA in first-line HER2-positive GEA is August 25, 2026. Source
  • Jazz plans U.S. launch on approval: Pending approval, Jazz expects to commercially launch zanidatamab in the U.S. in this indication. Source
  • Second interim survival analysis: The second interim overall survival analysis of the HERIZON-GEA-01 trial is expected in mid-2026. Source
  • Zanidatamab data at ASCO: Jazz plans multiple zanidatamab presentations at the ASCO Annual Meeting, including a PD-L1 subgroup oral presentation. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Royalty revenue, Ziihera (Jazz and BeOne) Source$1.6 million, three months ended March 31, 2026
R&D expense Source$34.5 million (adjusted $30.6 million)
Trial readout: ZW191 confirmed objective response rate, PROC Part 1 Source56% across all dose levels
Approval: sBLA PDUFA date, first-line HER2-positive GEA SourceAugust 25, 2026 (Priority Review)
Milestone: U.S. approval of Ziihera in GEA (from Jazz) Source$250.0 million
Readout timing: HERIZON-GEA-01 second interim overall survival SourceMid-2026

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management reiterated earlier operating expense guidance rather than reporting progress against it. 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.