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Zymeworks Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 4 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue fell to $4.6 million: Revenue was $4.6 million against $48.7 million a year earlier; royalty revenue is expected to grow as Ziihera sales increase. Source
  • Net loss of $45.0 million: Net loss was $45.0 million, against net income of $2.3 million a year earlier; the six-month net loss was $89.2 million. Source
  • Royalties rose to $1.8 million: Royalties from Jazz and BeOne were $1.8 million, up from $1.6 million in the first quarter, mainly from Jazz's U.S. Ziihera sales. Source
  • Deal expected accretive at closing: The Theravance acquisition is expected to be accretive to earnings and to generate positive cash flow upon closing in 2H 2026. Source
  • Cash resources $322.5 million: Cash, equivalents and marketable securities were $322.5 million at June 30, 2026, down from $403.8 million at March 31, 2026. Source
  • Buybacks reach $49.4 million: Under the 2026 program, $49.4 million was used by August 4, 2026; cumulative buybacks since August 2024 total $213.6 million. Source
  • Separate Pan-RAS ADC entity under study: The company is evaluating a separate entity with third-party capital for the Pan-RAS ADC platform, retaining equity and royalties if completed. Source

“The first half of 2026 has been a transformative period for Zymeworks, demonstrating the continued evolution of our business into a diversified, revenue-generating biotechnology business.”

Kenneth Galbraith, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Zymeworks

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Zanidatamab U.S. approval milestone Sourceon U.S. approval, first-line HER2+ GEA$250 millionKept
Additional global regulatory milestones Sourceon approvals outside the U.S.up to $190 million (up to $440 million in total)
Theravance acquisition note financing Sourceat closing, expected 2H 2026$350 million non-recourse noteNew
Theravance net cash at closing Sourceat closing$360 millionNew
YUPELRI cash flow Sourceannualized, at current run-rates~$60 millionNew
TRELEGY ELLIPTA milestones SourceQ1 2027, if milestone conditions are met$100 millionNew
Pasritamig Phase 3 planned enrollment (J&J) Sourcenot dated1,203 participantsRaised from approximately 663 participants
Pasritamig Phase 3 primary completion (J&J) SourceestimatedDecember 2027

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Proposed Theravance Biopharma acquisition, not in the prior-quarter release; closing expected in 2H 2026. Source
  • Guidance withdrawn: Cash runway guidance, previously stated as funding planned operations beyond 2028, is no longer provided. Source
  • New: Engaged MTS Healthcare to evaluate partnering to fund further development of ZW191. Source
  • New: Evaluating a separate entity for the Pan-RAS ADC platform, using third-party capital. Source
  • New: New 2026 share repurchase program authorized in May 2026, for up to $125.0 million of common stock. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue fell to $4.6 million: Revenue was $4.6 million against $48.7 million a year earlier; royalty revenue is expected to grow as Ziihera sales increase. Source
  • Net loss of $45.0 million: Net loss was $45.0 million, against net income of $2.3 million a year earlier; the six-month net loss was $89.2 million. Source
  • Diluted loss per share $0.62: Diluted loss per share was $0.62 for the quarter against $0.03 of diluted income a year earlier; six-month diluted loss was $1.21. Source

Zanidatamab and royalty revenue

  • Royalties rose to $1.8 million: Royalties from Jazz and BeOne were $1.8 million, up from $1.6 million in the first quarter, mainly from Jazz's U.S. Ziihera sales. Source
  • FDA grants BTD in colorectal: FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to zanidatamab for previously treated HER2-positive colorectal cancer. Source
  • NEJM publication and ASCO subgroups: Phase 3 HERIZON-GEA-01 results were published in NEJM; ASCO subgroup analyses showed improved outcomes regardless of PD-L1 expression. Source

“We believe this disciplined approach to compounding capital and innovation is what will differentiate Zymeworks over the long term.”

Kenneth Galbraith, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Zymeworks

Pipeline and partnered programs

  • ZW191 response rates by FRα level: Dose-escalation data at ESMO GCC 2026 in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, across all dose levels, by FRα status. Source
  • ZW251 Phase 1b still recruiting: The Phase 1b study of ZW251, a GPC3-targeting ADC, continues to recruit in three tumor types. Source
  • Pasritamig Phase 1b data due 2H 2026: J&J plans to present Phase 1b data for pasritamig combined with JNJ-9401 in advanced prostate cancer during the second half of 2026. Source
  • EmpowHER-303 enrollment and data timing: EmpowHER-303 is expected to complete enrollment in mid-2027, with top-line data by the end of 2027 or early 2028. Source

Operating costs

  • R&D spending lower on program mix: R&D expense was $27.4 million against $34.4 million, from less spending on later-stage and discontinued programs and on earlier-stage and platform work. Source
  • G&A up on stock-based pay: G&A was $19.3 million against $15.0 million, mainly from higher non-cash stock-based compensation, partly offset by lower software costs. Source
  • Adjusted gross operating expense $35.4 million: Excluding stock-based compensation of $11.3 million, adjusted gross operating expense was $35.4 million, against $43.5 million a year earlier. Source

Theravance deal and diversification

  • Deal expected accretive at closing: The Theravance acquisition is expected to be accretive to earnings and to generate positive cash flow upon closing in 2H 2026. Source
  • Deal adds royalties and tax attributes: The deal adds royalty interests, milestones, an early-stage I&I portfolio and $2.5 billion of Irish tax attributes beyond YUPELRI. Source
  • Cash share of price paid at closing: Zymeworks pays the remainder of the purchase price in cash at closing, after the note and Theravance net cash. Source

Cash, capital and buybacks

  • Cash resources $322.5 million: Cash, equivalents and marketable securities were $322.5 million at June 30, 2026, down from $403.8 million at March 31, 2026. Source
  • Buybacks reach $49.4 million: Under the 2026 program, $49.4 million was used by August 4, 2026; cumulative buybacks since August 2024 total $213.6 million. Source
  • About 71.0 million shares outstanding: Common shares outstanding were about 71.0 million as of August 4, 2026, against about 73.0 million at May 6, 2026. Source
  • Long-term liabilities rose sharply: Long-term liabilities were $269.4 million at June 30, 2026, against $35.7 million at December 31, 2025; stockholders' equity was $80.4 million. Source

Strategy and partnering

  • Separate Pan-RAS ADC entity under study: The company is evaluating a separate entity with third-party capital for the Pan-RAS ADC platform, retaining equity and royalties if completed. Source
  • ZW191 partnering process started: The company engaged MTS Healthcare to evaluate partnering to fund ZW191 development, with long-term value as the stated objective. Source
  • Diversified revenue as stated aim: Management describes the acquisition as supporting the transition to a diversified, revenue-generating business. Source

Coming up, as management said on 6 August 2026

  • Zanidatamab U.S. decision date: FDA target action date for zanidatamab in first-line HER2+ GEA; approval is the trigger for the U.S. milestone. Source
  • Interim survival readout in Q3 2026: Top-line results from the second interim overall survival analysis of the HERIZON-GEA-01 doublet regimen are expected in the third quarter of 2026. Source
  • Updated financials after Theravance closing: Following closing, the company expects to provide an updated set of financial figures reflecting the combined business. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Royalty revenue (Jazz and BeOne) Source$1.8 million (2Q-2026)
R&D expense (GAAP) Source$27.4 million (2Q-2026)
Adjusted R&D expense (non-GAAP) Source$24.0 million (2Q-2026)
ZW191 cORR, platinum-resistant ovarian (Phase 1) Source78.6% FRα-positive; 47.4% FRα-negative
Breakthrough Therapy Designation, zanidatamab SourceGranted, HER2-positive colorectal cancer

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: Zanidatamab milestone and the Theravance closing both depend on regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. Source
  • Financial: Net other expense was $3.1 million, including $6.6 million of interest on the Royalty Pharma royalty-backed note. Source
  • Demand: Revenue fell on a non-recurring prior-year item and lower Jazz support revenue; the company also cites milestone conditions on TRELEGY sales. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Second-quarter R&D expense was 20% lower than the prior-year quarter, which management describes as consistent with the planned 2026 reduction. Source
  • Not stated: Management continues to expect disciplined R&D and G&A investment until the Theravance closing. Source
  • Not stated: Prior release expected the analysis in mid-2026; the current release gives the third quarter of 2026.

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.