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Zymeworks Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 9 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised, 1 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose on Jazz milestone: Revenue was $256.5 million against $27.6 million a year earlier. The increase was mainly the $250.0 million Jazz milestone, partly offset by a $25.0 million J&J milestone recognized in 3Q 2025. Source
  • Net income reflected the milestone: Net income was $173.7 million, against a net loss of $19.6 million in 3Q 2025. Diluted EPS was $2.28. Management attributed the increase mainly to the milestone. Source
  • Jazz $250 million milestone received: The $250 million milestone from Jazz, tied to Ziihera's U.S. approval, was earned in August and is described as received in October 2026. Source
  • Roche deal economics for ZW209: Under the Roche agreement, the company is eligible for a $55 million upfront payment, a $40 million payment at Phase 1b start, up to $718 million in milestones, and royalties. Source
  • ZW191 confirmed response rate: Confirmed objective response rate of 64.5% at 6.4 mg/kg in high-grade serous platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Median response duration was not yet reached at 7 months' median follow-up. Source
  • Non-recourse financing of $600 million: Management said $600 million of non-dilutive financing was accessed in 2026 through non-recourse notes at a weighted average cost below 10%, supporting the Theravance acquisition and buybacks. Source
  • Q3 and nine-month buybacks: The company repurchased 534,381 shares for $14.0 million in 3Q 2026. Nine-month repurchases totaled 5,737,790 shares for $140.4 million. Source

“We are entering the next phase of Zymeworks growth with a fundamentally stronger and more diversified business.”

Kenneth Galbraith, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Zymeworks

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total revenue Source2026$337 million to $351 millionRaised from $278 million to $292 million
Adjusted EBITDA Source2026$176 million to $190 millionRaised from $114 million to $128 million
Overhead and corporate costs Sourceannualized, after Theravance Biopharma closing$13 million to $15 million of annualized overhead and corporate costs eliminatedNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: 2026 total revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance were raised to new ranges. Source
  • New guidance: Management started guidance on a post-closing reduction of $13 million to $15 million in annualized overhead and corporate costs. Source
  • New: Theravance Biopharma became part of Zymeworks after the transaction completed on September 23, 2026. Source
  • New: Zymeworks announced an exclusive global license and collaboration with Roche for ZW209 development, subject to HSR clearance. Source
  • New: Jazz received U.S. FDA approval for two Ziihera regimens in first-line HER2-positive GEA and began U.S. commercialization. Source
  • New: Stuart Knight (EVP, Chief Information Officer) and Jesse Fecker (VP, Intellectual Property), both from Theravance Biopharma, were appointed. Source
  • New: Suzanne Monahan was appointed Senior Vice President and General Manager of Theravance Biopharma. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose on Jazz milestone: Revenue was $256.5 million against $27.6 million a year earlier. The increase was mainly the $250.0 million Jazz milestone, partly offset by a $25.0 million J&J milestone recognized in 3Q 2025. Source
  • Net income reflected the milestone: Net income was $173.7 million, against a net loss of $19.6 million in 3Q 2025. Diluted EPS was $2.28. Management attributed the increase mainly to the milestone. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA reached $215.3 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $215.3 million in 3Q 2026, compared with negative $13.5 million in 3Q 2025. Source

Products and royalties

  • YUPELRI net sales up 0.2%: U.S. net sales of YUPELRI, recognized by Viatris, were $71.5 million in 3Q 2026. YUPELRI collaboration revenue rose 4% year-over-year. Source
  • Hospital-channel doses grew double digits: Doses of YUPELRI pulled through the hospital channel grew at a double-digit rate year-over-year, which management said reflects continued underlying momentum. Source
  • Ziihera royalty revenue reported: Royalty revenue from Jazz and BeOne was $2.3 million in the quarter, driven mainly by U.S. net product sales of Ziihera by Jazz. Source
  • Theravance added $1.5 million revenue: Theravance Biopharma added about $1.5 million of revenue, covering seven days of ownership after its September 23, 2026 acquisition date. Source

“The transformation of Zymeworks is becoming increasingly visible in our financial profile and in the breadth of opportunities available to us,”

Kenneth Galbraith, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Zymeworks

Partnered programs and milestones

  • Jazz $250 million milestone received: The $250 million milestone from Jazz, tied to Ziihera's U.S. approval, was earned in August and is described as received in October 2026. Source
  • Mature survival data for GEA: Mature HERIZON-GEA-01 data showed the three-drug regimen reduced the risk of death by 35%, improving from a 0.72 hazard ratio at the first interim analysis. Source
  • Roche deal economics for ZW209: Under the Roche agreement, the company is eligible for a $55 million upfront payment, a $40 million payment at Phase 1b start, up to $718 million in milestones, and royalties. Source

Wholly-owned pipeline

  • ZW191 confirmed response rate: Confirmed objective response rate of 64.5% at 6.4 mg/kg in high-grade serous platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Median response duration was not yet reached at 7 months' median follow-up. Source
  • ZW191 partnering route: Management said the ZW191 tolerability profile supports continued clinical development in partnership or through a strategic collaboration. Source
  • PD1xVEGFxIL-7 preclinical data: A SITC poster presented preclinical data on a PD1xVEGFxIL-7 multispecific antibody, described as a mechanistically distinct approach to durability of anti-tumor responses. Source

Operating costs

  • R&D spend near prior year: R&D expense was $36.1 million against $35.6 million a year earlier. Lower ZW171 spending and completed preclinical work were offset by acquisition-related employee costs. Source
  • SG&A rose on acquisition costs: SG&A was $42.7 million against $14.1 million, mainly from acquisition severance, transaction fees and higher stock-based compensation on 2026 awards. Source
  • Integration costs drove earnings impact: Management said the primary earnings effect of the acquisition came from integration and transaction-related costs. Source

Adjusted EBITDA and stock compensation

  • Stock compensation included settlement awards: Stock-based compensation was $23.1 million, including $10.6 million for settling Theravance equity awards attributable to the post-combination period. Source
  • Severance and restructuring costs rose: Restructuring and severance costs were $9.0 million, including severance of $8,994 thousand tied to the Theravance acquisition. Source
  • Nine-month adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months was $153.0 million, against negative $21.3 million a year earlier. Source

Cash and financing

  • Cash balance at quarter-end: Cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities were $100.5 million at September 30, 2026, versus $228.8 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Non-recourse financing of $600 million: Management said $600 million of non-dilutive financing was accessed in 2026 through non-recourse notes at a weighted average cost below 10%, supporting the Theravance acquisition and buybacks. Source
  • No plans for new equity: The company said it currently has no plans for additional equity issuances. Source
  • Interest on royalty-backed note: Net other expense was $4.4 million, mainly interest on the Royalty Pharma note executed in March 2026 and lower interest income. Source

Share repurchases

  • Q3 and nine-month buybacks: The company repurchased 534,381 shares for $14.0 million in 3Q 2026. Nine-month repurchases totaled 5,737,790 shares for $140.4 million. Source
  • Cumulative buybacks since August 2024: Since August 2024 the company has used $279.8 million to repurchase 12,940,827 shares at an average price of $21.63 per share. Source
  • Shares outstanding near 69 million: Approximately 69.0 million common shares were outstanding as of November 6, 2026. Source

Strategy and business model

  • Diversified revenue-generating model: Management said the Theravance acquisition further advances the strategy to build a diversified revenue-generating biotechnology company. Source
  • Capital matched to each asset: Management said the company can match capital and ownership structure to each asset, including acquiring, partnering, licensing or bringing in venture capital. Source
  • Milestones and royalties as value pathways: Management listed milestones, royalties, licensing proceeds and other long-term value from R&D and business development as pathways. Source

Coming up, as management said on 9 November 2026

  • R&D Day in New York: The company plans to host an R&D Day in New York on February 11, 2027. Source
  • Roche HSR waiting period: The Roche collaboration and related guidance are subject to expiry or termination of the HSR waiting period, expected in Q4 2026. Source
  • ZW1953 data at ASH: Preclinical data for a penta-specific antibody, ZW1953, will be presented at the American Society of Hematology meeting on December 13, 2026. Source
  • ZW209 Phase 1 start in 2026: The company anticipates starting a Phase 1 global study of ZW209 with Roche in 2026. Source
  • Ex-U.S. Ziihera milestones pending: The company remains eligible for up to $190 million in additional global regulatory milestones tied to ex-U.S. Ziihera approvals in HER2-positive GEA. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
YUPELRI U.S. net sales, 3Q 2026 Source$71.5 million, up 0.2% YoY
Royalty revenue, Jazz and BeOne Source$2.3 million, three months ended September 30, 2026
R&D expenses, 3Q 2026 Source$36.1 million vs $35.6 million in 3Q 2025
ZW191 confirmed objective response rate Source64.5% at 6.4 mg/kg, high-grade serous platinum-resistant ovarian cancer
ZW209 regulatory status SourceInvestigational New Drug clearance from the FDA
HERIZON-GEA-01 hazard ratio, three-drug regimen SourceHR 0.65 (95% CI 0.52 - 0.80)

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Severance costs of about $9.0 million tied to the Theravance acquisition were recorded within restructuring and severance costs. Source
  • Financial: Interest on the royalty-backed note financing raised net other expense in the quarter. Source
  • Regulatory: The Roche collaboration remains subject to expiry or termination of the HSR waiting period. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management said recent advancements demonstrate the strategy set out a year earlier to build a durable financial foundation. Source
  • Met: Management reported the previously announced acquisition of Theravance Biopharma was completed on September 23, 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.