LINZESS growth lifts Ironwood (Nasdaq: IRWD) to strong Q1 2026 profit
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals reported a strong turnaround in the first quarter of 2026, with total revenue of $106,506 (thousands), up from $41,143 (thousands) a year earlier. GAAP net income was $40,773 (thousands) versus a prior-year loss, and adjusted EBITDA reached $76,671 (thousands).
Growth was driven by LINZESS, with U.S. net sales of $272,525 (thousands), reflecting 97% year-over-year growth and 5% demand growth. The company maintained 2026 guidance, including U.S. LINZESS net sales of $1.125–$1.175 billion and adjusted EBITDA above $300 million.
Ironwood highlighted a planned confirmatory Phase 3 trial of apraglutide in short bowel syndrome and an FDA priority review of a LINZESS sNDA in younger pediatric patients, with a PDUFA date set for May 24. Management expects strong first-quarter revenue to support repayment of 2026 convertible notes at maturity in June.
Positive
- Sharp improvement in profitability: Q1 2026 GAAP net income was $40,773 (thousands) versus a $37,386 (thousands) loss a year earlier, and adjusted EBITDA improved to $76,671 (thousands) from a negative $4,742 (thousands), reflecting both revenue growth and lower operating expenses.
Negative
- None.
Insights
Q1 2026 shows a sharp swing to profitability fueled by LINZESS growth and operating leverage.
Ironwood delivered total revenue of $106,506 (thousands) and GAAP net income of $40,773 (thousands) in Q1 2026, reversing a loss a year earlier. LINZESS U.S. net sales nearly doubled, rising 97% year-over-year to $272,525 (thousands), helped by improved net price and 5% demand growth.
Costs and expenses fell to $33,933 (thousands) from $70,251 (thousands), boosting income from operations to $72,573 (thousands). Adjusted EBITDA climbed to $76,671 (thousands), and commercial margin on LINZESS reached 76% versus 52% a year earlier, underscoring strong collaboration economics with AbbVie.
For 2026, guidance calls for U.S. LINZESS net sales of $1.125–$1.175 billion, total revenue of $450–$475 million, and adjusted EBITDA above $300 million. The balance sheet shows $220,471 (thousands) in cash and a revolving credit facility of $385,000 (thousands) plus $199,855 (thousands) of convertible notes current, so execution on cash generation—especially in Q2 2026 to support note repayment—and clinical progress for apraglutide remain key dependencies.
8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
Adjusted EBITDA financial
Non-GAAP net income (loss) financial
Commercial Margin financial
sNDA regulatory
PDUFA date regulatory
short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure (SBS-IF) medical
Earnings Snapshot
2026 guidance: U.S. LINZESS net sales $1.125–$1.175 billion, total revenue $450–$475 million, adjusted EBITDA >$300 million.
UNITED STATES
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FORM
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Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On May 7, 2026, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. issued a press release containing an update on its recent business activities as well as those for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
The press release is being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall such document be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
| (d) | Exhibits. |
| Exhibit No. | Description | |||
| 99.1 | Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Press Release dated May 7, 2026 | |||
| 104 | The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | |||
| Dated: May 7, 2026 | By: | /s/ Gregory Martini | |
| Name: Gregory Martini | |||
| Title: Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer | |||
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Reports Strong First Quarter 2026 Results with 97% year-over-year LINZESS U.S. Net Sales Growth; Maintains Full-Year 2026 Financial Guidance
– LINZESS® (linaclotide) U.S. net sales of $273 million in Q1 2026, primarily driven by improved net price and 5% EUTRx demand growth year-over-year –
– Total revenue of $107 million, GAAP net income of $41 million and adjusted EBITDA of $77 million in Q1 2026 –
– On track to begin site initiations for Phase 3 confirmatory trial of apraglutide in short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure (SBS-IF) in the second quarter of 2026 –
– sNDA for LINZESS treatment of functional constipation (FC) in patients 2 to 5 years of age accepted and granted priority review by FDA; PDUFA date set for May 24th –
BOSTON, Mass., May 7, 2026 — Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IRWD), a biotechnology company developing and commercializing life-changing therapies for people living with gastrointestinal (GI) and rare diseases, today reported its first quarter 2026 results and recent business performance.
“Our first quarter of 2026 delivered strong financial performance, driven by significantly improved net price and mid-single digit prescription growth for LINZESS, positioning us well to achieve our full-year 2026 financial guidance,” said Tom McCourt, chief executive officer of Ironwood. “We expect strong first quarter revenue to result in significant operating cash flows in the second quarter of 2026, which will help support repayment of our 2026 convertible notes at maturity in June.”
“We remain on track for site initiation for the confirmatory STARS-2 Phase 3 clinical trial in the second quarter,” said Michael Shetzline, chief medical officer, senior vice president and head of research and drug development at Ironwood. “Building on the positive results from STARS, we believe that the highly potent, selective, and long-acting pharmacologic properties of apraglutide have the potential to drive best-in-class efficacy and tolerability with once-weekly dosing and redefine the standard of care in SBS-IF. Importantly, the long-term data generated to date show compelling enteral autonomy outcomes, with rapid and sustained reductions in parenteral support over time.”
First Quarter 2026 Financial Highlights1
(in thousands, except for per share amounts)
| Q1 2026 | Q1 2025 | |||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 106,506 | $ | 41,143 | ||||
| Total costs and expenses | 33,933 | 70,251 | ||||||
| GAAP net income (loss) | 40,773 | (37,386 | ) | |||||
| GAAP net income (loss) – per share basic | 0.25 | (0.23 | ) | |||||
| GAAP net income (loss) – per share diluted | 0.24 | (0.23 | ) | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA2 | 76,671 | (4,742 | ) | |||||
| Non-GAAP net income (loss) | 40,945 | (23,228 | ) | |||||
| Non-GAAP net income (loss) per share – basic | 0.25 | (0.14 | ) | |||||
| Non-GAAP net income (loss) per share – diluted | 0.24 | (0.14 | ) | |||||
1 Refer to the Reconciliation of GAAP Results to Non-GAAP Financial Measures table and to the Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA table at the end of this press release. Refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional information.
2 Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by subtracting stock-based compensation, net restructuring expenses, net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, from GAAP net income (loss).
First Quarter and Full Year 2026 Corporate Highlights
U.S. LINZESS
| · | In January 2026, the FDA accepted and granted priority review of a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for LINZESS for the treatment of functional constipation (FC) in patients 2 to 5 years of age. The FDA assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of May 24th. |
| · | Prescription Demand: Total LINZESS prescription demand in the first quarter of 2026 was 56.0 million LINZESS capsules, a 5% increase compared to the first quarter of 2025, per IQVIA. |
| · | U.S. Brand Collaboration: LINZESS U.S. net sales are provided to Ironwood by its U.S. partner, AbbVie Inc. (“AbbVie”). LINZESS U.S. net sales were $272.5 million in the first quarter of 2026, a 97% increase compared to $138.5 million in the first quarter of 2025. Ironwood and AbbVie share equally in U.S. brand collaboration profits. |
| · | Q1 2026 LINZESS U.S. net sales growth year-over-year was driven by 5% demand growth and significantly improved net price due to elimination of inflationary rebates and favorable time-phasing of gross-to-net rebate reserves in the first quarter of 2026 relative to 2025. |
| · | LINZESS commercial margin was 76% in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 52% in the first quarter of 2025. See the U.S. LINZESS Full Brand Collaboration table at the end of this press release. |
| · | Net profit for the LINZESS U.S. brand collaboration, net of commercial and research and development (“R&D”) expenses, was $204.7 million in the first quarter of 2026, a 211% increase compared to $65.9 million in the first quarter of 2025. See the U.S. LINZESS Full Brand Collaboration table at the end of this press release. |
| · | Collaboration Revenue to Ironwood: Ironwood recorded $104.2 million in collaboration revenue in the first quarter of 2026 related to sales of LINZESS in the U.S., a 169% increase compared to $38.8 million for the first quarter of 2025. See the U.S. LINZESS Commercial Collaboration table at the end of the press release. |
Apraglutide
| · | Apraglutide is a once weekly, long-acting synthetic glucagon-like peptide-2 (“GLP-2”) analog with the potential to treat a range of rare gastrointestinal diseases where GLP-2 can play a central role in addressing disease pathophysiology. |
| · | Ironwood is advancing apraglutide for short bowel syndrome (“SBS”) patients dependent on parenteral support (“PS”), a severe chronic malabsorptive condition. Ironwood believes apraglutide has the potential to improve the standard of care for adult patients with SBS who are dependent on PS as the first and only GLP-2 to achieve a statistically significant reduction in weekly PS volume with once-weekly administration. |
| · | Ironwood expects to begin initiating clinical sites in the second quarter of 2026, for STARS-2, a confirmatory Phase 3 clinical trial of apraglutide for patients with SBS-IF. STARS-2 is planned to be a 24-week global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The primary endpoint is relative change from baseline in actual weekly PS volume, with additional key secondary endpoints also planned. |
| · | In May, during the 2026 Digestive Disease Week (DDW), Ironwood presented data pooled from the STARS clinical program - including the Phase 2 STARS Nutrition study, STARS Phase 3 randomized placebo-controlled study, and the ongoing open-label extension study STARS Extend - apraglutide showed a safety profile consistent with previous studies. These findings build on the positive data previously announced in 2024. |
First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
| · | Total Revenue. Total revenue in the first quarter of 2026 was $106.5 million, compared to $41.1 million in the first quarter of 2025. |
| · | Total revenue in the first quarter of 2026 consisted of $104.2 million associated with Ironwood’s share of the net profits from the sales of LINZESS in the U.S., and $2.3 million in royalties and other revenue. Total revenue in the first quarter of 2025 consisted of $38.8 million associated with Ironwood’s share of the net profits from the sales of LINZESS in the U.S., and $2.3 million in royalties and other revenue. |
| · | Total Costs and Expenses. Total costs and expenses in the first quarter of 2026 were $33.9 million, compared to $70.3 million in the first quarter of 2025. |
| · | Total costs and expenses in the first quarter of 2026 consisted of $21.9 million in R&D expenses, $12.0 million in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses, and reversal of an insignificant amount in restructuring expenses. Total costs and expenses in the first quarter of 2025 consisted of $27.4 million in R&D expenses, $24.3 million in SG&A expenses, and $18.6 million in restructuring expenses. |
| · | Interest Expense. Interest expense was $9.1 million in the first quarter of 2026, in connection with Ironwood’s convertible senior notes and revolving credit facility. Interest expense was $8.1 million in the first quarter of 2025 in connection with Ironwood’s convertible senior notes and revolving credit facility. |
| · | Interest and Investment Income. Interest and investment income was $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2026 and $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2025. |
| · | Other. Other income was insignificant in the first quarter of 2026 and in the first quarter of 2025 and pertained to a gain recorded for pension-related activities. |
| · | Income Tax Expense. Ironwood recorded $24.4 million of income tax expense in the first quarter of 2026, the majority of which was non-cash, as Ironwood continues to utilize net operating losses to offset taxable income for federal purposes and in many states. Ironwood recorded $1.1 million of income tax expense in the first quarter of 2025, the majority of which was non-cash, as Ironwood continued to utilize net operating losses to offset taxable income for federal purposes and in many states. |
| · | GAAP Net Income (Loss). GAAP net income was $40.8 million, or $0.25 per share (basic) and $0.24 per share (diluted) in the first quarter of 2026, compared to GAAP net loss of $37.4 million, or ($0.23) per share (basic and diluted) in the first quarter of 2025. |
| · | Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss). Non-GAAP net income was $40.9 million, or $0.25 per share (basic) and $0.24 per share (diluted), in the first quarter of 2026, compared to non-GAAP net loss of $23.2 million, or ($0.14) per share (basic and diluted), in the first quarter of 2025. |
| · | Non-GAAP net income (loss) excludes the impact of amortization of acquired intangible assets, and net restructuring expenses, all net of tax effect. See Non-GAAP Financial Measures below. |
| · | Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA was $76.7 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared to ($4.7) million in the first quarter of 2025. |
| · | Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by subtracting stock-based compensation, net restructuring expenses, net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, from GAAP net income (loss). See Non-GAAP Financial Measures below. |
| · | Cash Flow Highlights. Ironwood ended the first quarter of 2026 with $220.5 million of cash and cash equivalents, compared to $215.5 million of cash and cash equivalents at the end of 2025. |
| · | The outstanding principal balance on the revolving credit facility was $385.0 million as of March 31, 2026. |
| · | Ironwood generated $5.1 million in cash from operations in the first quarter of 2026, compared to $20.0 million in cash from operations in the first quarter of 2025. |
| · | Ironwood had $105.8 million in accounts receivable as of March 31, 2026, primarily related to first quarter 2026 collaboration revenues. |
| · | Ironwood 2026 Financial Guidance. Ironwood continues to expect: |
| 2026 Guidance (May 2026) | |
| U.S. LINZESS Net Sales | $1.125 - $1.175 billion Driven by improved net price and low-single digit percentage demand growth |
| Total Revenue1 | $450 - $475 million |
| Adjusted EBITDA2 | >$300 million |
1 Ironwood’s U.S. collaborative arrangements revenue includes reimbursement from AbbVie for a portion of Ironwood’s commercial expenses related to sales of LINZESS in the U.S.
2 Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by subtracting stock-based compensation, net restructuring expenses, net interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization from GAAP net income (loss). For purposes of this guidance, we have assumed that Ironwood will not incur material expenses related to business development activities in 2026. Ironwood does not provide guidance on GAAP net income or a reconciliation of expected adjusted EBITDA to expected GAAP net income because, without unreasonable efforts, it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the non-GAAP adjustments used to calculate adjusted EBITDA. These adjustments are uncertain, depend on various factors and could have a material impact on GAAP net income for the guidance period. Management believes this non-GAAP information is useful for investors, taken in conjunction with Ironwood’s GAAP financial statements, because it provides greater transparency and period-over-period comparability with respect to Ironwood’s operating performance. These measures are also used by management to assess the performance of the business. Investors should consider these non-GAAP measures only as a supplement to, not as a substitute for or as superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are unlikely to be comparable with non-GAAP information provided by other companies.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Ironwood presents non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP net income (loss) per share to exclude amortization of acquired intangible assets, and net restructuring expenses, all net of tax effect. Non-GAAP adjustments are further detailed below:
| · | Amortization of acquired intangible assets are non-cash expenses arising in connection with the acquisition of VectivBio and are considered to be non-recurring. |
| · | Restructuring expenses are considered to be a non-recurring event as they are associated with distinct operational decisions. Restructuring expenses include costs associated with exit and disposal activities. |
| · | Ironwood also presents adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, as well as guidance on adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by subtracting stock-based compensation, net restructuring expenses, net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization from GAAP net income (loss). The adjustments are made on a similar basis as described above related to non-GAAP net income (loss), as applicable. |
Management believes this non-GAAP information is useful for investors, taken in conjunction with Ironwood’s GAAP financial statements, because it provides greater transparency and period-over-period comparability with respect to Ironwood’s operating performance. These measures are also used by management to assess the performance of the business. Investors should consider these non-GAAP measures only as a supplement to, not as a substitute for or as superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are unlikely to be comparable with non-GAAP information provided by other companies. For a reconciliation of non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP net income (loss) per share to GAAP net income (loss) and GAAP net income (loss) per share, respectively, and for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to GAAP net income (loss), please refer to the tables at the end of this press release.
Ironwood does not provide guidance on GAAP net income or a reconciliation of expected adjusted EBITDA to expected GAAP net income because, without unreasonable efforts, it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the non-GAAP adjustments used to calculate adjusted EBITDA. These adjustments are uncertain, depend on various factors and could have a material impact on GAAP net income for the guidance period.
Conference Call Information
Ironwood will host a conference call and webcast at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 7th, 2026 to discuss its first quarter results and recent business activities. Individuals interested in participating in the call should dial (888) 596-4144 (U.S. and Canada) or (646) 968-2525 (international) using conference ID number and event passcode 3647053. To access the webcast, please visit the Investors section of Ironwood’s website at www.ironwoodpharma.com. The call will be available for replay via telephone starting Thursday, May 7th, 2026, at approximately 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, running through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 21st, 2026. To listen to the replay, dial (800) 770-2030 (U.S. and Canada) or (609) 800-9909 (international) using conference ID number 3647053. The archived webcast will be available on Ironwood’s website for 1 year beginning approximately one hour after the call has completed.
About Ironwood Pharmaceuticals
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: IRWD) is a biotechnology company developing and commercializing life-changing therapies for people living with gastrointestinal (GI) and rare diseases. Ironwood is advancing apraglutide, a next-generation, long-acting synthetic GLP-2 analog being developed for short bowel syndrome patients who are dependent on parenteral support. In addition, Ironwood has been a pioneer in the development of LINZESS® (linaclotide), the U.S. branded prescription market leader for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) or chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). Building upon our history of innovation, we keep patients at the heart of our R&D and commercialization efforts to reduce the burden of diseases and address significant unmet needs.
Founded in 1998, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with a site in Basel, Switzerland.
We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.ironwoodpharma.com. In addition, follow us on X and on LinkedIn.
About LINZESS (Linaclotide)
LINZESS® is the #1 prescribed brand in the U.S. for the treatment of patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (“IBS-C”) or chronic idiopathic constipation (“CIC”), based on IQVIA data. LINZESS is a once-daily capsule that helps relieve the abdominal pain and constipation, associated with IBS-C in adults and pediatric patients 7 years of age and older. LINZESS has also been shown to relieve constipation, infrequent stools, hard stools, straining, and incomplete evacuation associated with CIC in adult patients. LINZESS relieves constipation in children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years with functional constipation.
LINZESS is not a laxative; it is the first medicine approved by the FDA in a class called GC-C agonists. LINZESS contains a peptide called linaclotide that activates the GC-C receptor in the intestine. Activation of GC-C is thought to result in increased intestinal fluid secretion and accelerated transit and a decrease in the activity of pain-sensing nerves in the intestine. The clinical relevance of the effect on pain fibers, which is based on nonclinical studies, has not been established.
In the United States, Ironwood and AbbVie co-develop and co-commercialize LINZESS for the treatment of adults with IBS-C or CIC. In Europe, AbbVie markets linaclotide under the brand name CONSTELLA® for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe IBS-C. In Japan, Ironwood's partner, Astellas, markets linaclotide under the brand name LINZESS for the treatment of adults with IBS-C or CIC. Ironwood also has partnered with AstraZeneca for development and commercialization of LINZESS in China, and with AbbVie for development and commercialization of linaclotide in all other territories worldwide.
LINZESS Important Safety Information
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
LINZESS® (linaclotide) is indicated for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in adults and pediatric patients 7 years of age and older, and for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults, and for the treatment of functional constipation (FC) in pediatric patients 6 years of age and older.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
|
WARNING: RISK OF SERIOUS DEHYDRATION IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OF AGE
LINZESS is contraindicated in patients less than 2 years of age. In nonclinical studies in neonatal mice, administration of a single, clinically relevant adult oral dose of linaclotide caused deaths due to dehydration. |
Contraindications
| · | LINZESS is contraindicated in patients less than 2 years of age due to the risk of serious dehydration. |
| · | LINZESS is contraindicated in patients with known or suspected mechanical gastrointestinal obstruction. |
Warnings and Precautions
Risk of Serious Dehydration in Pediatric Patients Less Than 2 Years of Age
| · | LINZESS is contraindicated in patients less than 2 years of age. In neonatal mice, linaclotide increased fluid secretion as a consequence of age-dependent elevated guanylate cyclase (GC-C) agonism, which was associated with increased mortality within the first 24 hours due to dehydration. There was no age dependent trend in GC-C intestinal expression in a clinical study of children 2 to less than 18 years of age; however, there are insufficient data available on GC-C intestinal expression in children less than 2 years of age to assess the risk of developing diarrhea and its potentially serious consequences in these patients. |
Diarrhea
| · | In adults, diarrhea was the most common adverse reaction in LINZESS-treated patients in the pooled IBS-C and CIC double-blind placebo-controlled trials. The incidence of diarrhea was similar in the IBS-C and CIC populations. Severe diarrhea was reported in 2% of 145 mcg and 290 mcg LINZESS-treated patients and in <1% of 72 mcg LINZESS-treated CIC patients. |
| · | In pediatric patients, diarrhea was also the most common adverse reaction of LINZESS-treated patients in IBS-C and FC clinical trials. In two double-blind trials, diarrhea was reported in 4% of pediatric patients 6 to 17 years of age with FC treated with LINZESS 72 mcg once daily, and 7% and 8% of pediatric patients 7 to 17 years of age with IBS-C treated with LINZESS 145 mcg and 290 mcg once daily, respectively. In clinical trials, severe diarrhea was reported in one pediatric patient with FC treated with LINZESS 72 mcg once daily and in one pediatric patient with IBS-C treated with LINZESS at a dosage higher than the recommended 145 mcg once daily dosage for IBS-C. |
| · | In post-marketing experience, severe diarrhea associated with dizziness, syncope, hypotension and electrolyte abnormalities (hypokalemia and hyponatremia) requiring hospitalization or intravenous fluid administration have been reported in patients treated with LINZESS. |
| · | If severe diarrhea occurs, suspend dosing and rehydrate the patient. |
Common Adverse Reactions (incidence ≥2% and greater than placebo)
| · | In IBS-C or CIC adult patients: diarrhea, abdominal pain, flatulence, and abdominal distension. |
| · | Most common adverse reaction reported in pediatric patients with FC or IBS-C is diarrhea. |
Please see full Prescribing Information including Boxed Warning:
https://www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/linzess_pi.pdf
LINZESS® and CONSTELLA® are registered trademarks of Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Any other trademarks referred to in this press release are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, including statements about Ironwood’s ability to execute on its mission; Ironwood’s strategy, business, financial position and operations; Ironwood’s ability to drive growth and profitability; the commercial potential of LINZESS; Ironwood’s financial performance and results, and guidance and expectations related thereto; LINZESS prescription demand growth, LINZESS U.S. net sales, total revenue and adjusted EBITDA in 2026; our expectation that the first quarter revenue will result in significant operating cash flows in the second quarter of 2026, which will help support repayment of the senior convertible notes at maturity; the planned confirmatory STARS-2 Phase 3 clinical trial design, endpoints and timing to initiate such trial; and our belief that highly potent, selective, and long-acting pharmacologic properties of apraglutide have the potential to drive best-in-class efficacy and tolerability with once-weekly dosing and redefine the standard of care in SBS-IF. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Ironwood undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Applicable risks and uncertainties include those related to the effectiveness of development and commercialization efforts by us and our partners; preclinical and clinical development, manufacturing and formulation development of linaclotide, apraglutide, and our other product candidates; the risk of uncertainty relating to pricing and reimbursement policies in the U.S., which, if not favorable for our products, could hinder or prevent our products’ commercial success; the risk that clinical programs and studies, including for linaclotide pediatric programs and apraglutide, may not progress or develop as anticipated, including that studies are delayed or discontinued for any reason, such as safety, tolerability, enrollment, manufacturing, economic or other reasons; the risk that findings from our completed nonclinical studies and clinical trials may not be replicated in later trials and earlier-stage clinical trials may not be predictive of the results we may obtain in later-stage clinical trials or of the likelihood of regulatory approval; the risk that apraglutide will not be approved by the FDA or other regulatory agencies; the risk of competition or that new products may emerge that provide different or better alternatives for treatment of the conditions that our products are approved to treat; the risk that healthcare reform and other governmental and private payor initiatives may have an adverse effect upon or prevent our products’ or product candidates’ commercial success; the efficacy, safety and tolerability of linaclotide and our product candidates; the risk that the commercial and therapeutic opportunities for LINZESS, apraglutide or our other product candidates are not as we expect; decisions by regulatory and judicial authorities; the risk we may never get additional patent protection for linaclotide, apraglutide and other product candidates, that patents for linaclotide, apraglutide or other products may not provide adequate protection from competition, or that we are not able to successfully protect such patents; the risk that we are unable to manage our expenses or cash use, or are unable to commercialize our products as expected; the risk that the development of any of our linaclotide pediatric programs and/or apraglutide is not successful or that any of our product candidates does not receive regulatory approval or is not successfully commercialized; outcomes in legal proceedings to protect or enforce the patents relating to our products and product candidates, including abbreviated new drug application litigation; the risk that financial and operating results may differ from our projections; developments in the intellectual property landscape; challenges from and rights of competitors or potential competitors; the risk that our planned investments do not have the anticipated effect on our company revenues; developments in accounting guidance or practice; Ironwood’s or AbbVie’s accounting practices, including reporting and settlement practices as between Ironwood and AbbVie; the risk that our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition or restrict our future operations; and the risks listed under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and in our subsequent Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Company contact:
Greg Martini
Chief Financial Officer
gmartini@ironwoodpharma.com
Investors:
Precision AQ
Stephanie Ascher
Stephanie.Ascher@precisionaq.com
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
| March 31, 2026 |
December 31, 2025 |
|||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 220,471 | $ | 215,456 | ||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 105,842 | 46,745 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 5,979 | 11,977 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 332,292 | 274,178 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 3,166 | 3,408 | ||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 8,896 | 9,340 | ||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 1,838 | 2,040 | ||||||
| Deferred tax assets | 84,237 | 103,433 | ||||||
| Other assets | 4,137 | 4,502 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 434,566 | $ | 396,901 | ||||
| Liabilities and stockholders’ deficit | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 3,237 | $ | 2,898 | ||||
| Accrued research and development costs | 2,044 | 3,149 | ||||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 27,903 | 33,239 | ||||||
| Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 3,268 | 3,252 | ||||||
| Current portion on convertible senior notes | 199,855 | 199,680 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 236,307 | 242,218 | ||||||
| Operating lease obligations, net of current portion | 9,233 | 9,870 | ||||||
| Revolving credit facility | 385,000 | 385,000 | ||||||
| Other liabilities | 21,170 | 21,648 | ||||||
| Total stockholders’ deficit | (217,144 | ) | (261,835 | ) | ||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit | $ | 434,566 | $ | 396,901 | ||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 106,506 | $ | 41,143 | ||||
| Costs and expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development | 21,940 | 27,432 | ||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 12,033 | 24,260 | ||||||
| Restructuring, net | (40 | ) | 18,559 | |||||
| Total costs and expenses | 33,933 | 70,251 | ||||||
| Income from operations | 72,573 | (29,108 | ) | |||||
| Other income (expense): | ||||||||
| Interest expense and other financing costs | (9,141 | ) | (8,070 | ) | ||||
| Interest and investment income | 1,698 | 869 | ||||||
| Other | 42 | 37 | ||||||
| Other income (expense), net | (7,401 | ) | (7,164 | ) | ||||
| Income before income taxes | 65,172 | (36,272 | ) | |||||
| Income tax expense | (24,399 | ) | (1,114 | ) | ||||
| GAAP net income (loss) | $ | 40,773 | $ | (37,386 | ) | |||
| GAAP net income (loss) per share—basic | $ | 0.25 | $ | (0.23 | ) | |||
| GAAP net income (loss) per share—diluted | $ | 0.24 | $ | (0.23 | ) | |||
Reconciliation of GAAP Results to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(In thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited)
A reconciliation between net income (loss) on a GAAP basis and on a non-GAAP basis is as follows:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| GAAP net income (loss) | $ | 40,773 | $ | (37,386 | ) | |||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||
| Amortization of acquired intangible assets | 202 | 202 | ||||||
| Restructuring expenses, net | (40 | ) | 18,559 | |||||
| Tax effect of adjustments | 10 | (4,603 | ) | |||||
| Non-GAAP net income (loss)1 | $ | 40,945 | $ | (23,228 | ) | |||
A reconciliation between basic net income (loss) per share on a GAAP basis and on a non-GAAP basis is as follows:
| Three Months
Ended March 31, |
||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| GAAP net income (loss) per share – basic | $ | 0.25 | $ | (0.23 | ) | |||
| Plus: Net income (loss) per share – basic | ||||||||
| Adjustments to GAAP net income (loss) per share (as detailed above) | - | 0.09 | ||||||
| Non-GAAP net income (loss) per share – basic | $ | 0.25 | $ | (0.14 | ) | |||
| Weighted average number of common shares used to calculate net income (loss) per share — basic | 163,451 | 160,974 | ||||||
A reconciliation between diluted net income (loss) per share on a GAAP basis and on a non-GAAP basis is as follows:
| Three Months
Ended March 31, |
||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| GAAP net income (loss) per share – diluted | $ | 0.24 | $ | (0.23 | ) | |||
| Plus: Net income (loss) per share – diluted | ||||||||
| Adjustments to GAAP net income (loss) per share (as detailed above) | - | 0.09 | ||||||
| Non-GAAP net income (loss) per share – diluted | $ | 0.24 | $ | (0.14 | ) | |||
| Weighted average number of common shares used to calculate net income (loss) per share — diluted | 166,690 | 160,974 | ||||||
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
A reconciliation of GAAP net income (loss) to adjusted EBITDA:
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| GAAP net income (loss) | $ | 40,773 | $ | (37,386 | ) | |||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 3,653 | 5,291 | ||||||
| Restructuring expenses, net | (40 | ) | 18,559 | |||||
| Interest expense | 9,141 | 8,070 | ||||||
| Interest and investment income | (1,698 | ) | (869 | ) | ||||
| Income tax expense | 24,399 | 1,114 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 443 | 479 | ||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA1 | $ | 76,671 | $ | (4,742 | ) | |||
1 Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by subtracting restructuring expenses, net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and stock-based compensation, from GAAP net income.
U.S. LINZESS Commercial Collaboration1
Revenue/Expense Calculation
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| LINZESS U.S. net sales as reported by AbbVie2 | $ | 272,525 | $ | 138,477 | ||||
| AbbVie & Ironwood commercial costs, expenses and other discounts3 | 64,627 | 66,907 | ||||||
| Commercial profit on sales of LINZESS | $ | 207,898 | $ | 71,570 | ||||
| Commercial Margin4 | 76 | % | 52 | % | ||||
| Ironwood’s share of net profit | 103,949 | 35,785 | ||||||
| Reimbursement for Ironwood’s commercial expenses5 | 273 | 2,983 | ||||||
| Ironwood’s U.S. collaborative arrangements revenue | $ | 104,222 | $ | 38,768 | ||||
1 The purpose of this table is to present calculations of Ironwood’s share of net profit (loss) generated from the sales of LINZESS in the U.S. and Ironwood’s collaboration revenue/expense; however, the table does not present the research and development expenses related to LINZESS in the U.S. that are shared equally between the parties under the collaboration agreement. Please refer to the table at the end of this press release for net profit for the U.S. LINZESS brand collaboration with AbbVie.
2 LINZESS net sales are recognized using AbbVie’s revenue recognition accounting policies and reporting conventions. As a result, certain rebates and discounts are classified as LINZESS U.S. commercial costs, expenses and other discounts within Ironwood’s calculation of collaborative arrangements revenue.
3 Includes certain discounts recognized and cost of goods sold incurred by AbbVie; also includes commercial costs incurred by AbbVie and Ironwood that are attributable to the cost-sharing arrangement between the parties.
4 Commercial margin is defined as commercial profit on sales of LINZESS as a percent of total LINZESS U.S. net sales.
5 Year-over-year decrease reflects impact of the reduction to Ironwood’s commercial expenses and corresponding reimbursement from AbbVie due to Ironwood’s strategic reorganization announced in January 2025.
US LINZESS Full Brand Collaboration1
Revenue/Expense Calculation
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | |||||||
| LINZESS U.S. net sales as reported by AbbVie2 | $ | 272,525 | $ | 138,477 | ||||
| AbbVie & Ironwood commercial costs, expenses and other discounts3 | 64,627 | 66,907 | ||||||
| AbbVie & Ironwood R&D Expenses4 | 3,202 | 5,678 | ||||||
| Total net profit on sales of LINZESS | $ | 204,696 | $ | 65,892 | ||||
1 Ironwood collaborates with AbbVie on the development and commercialization of linaclotide in North America. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Ironwood receives 50% of the net profits and bears 50% of the net losses from the commercial sale of LINZESS in the U.S. The purpose of this table is to present calculations of the total net profit (loss) generated from the sales of LINZESS in the U.S., including the commercial costs and expenses and the research and development expenses related to LINZESS in the U.S. that are shared equally between the parties under the collaboration agreement.
2 LINZESS net sales are recognized using AbbVie’s revenue recognition accounting policies and reporting conventions. As a result, certain rebates and discounts are classified as LINZESS U.S. commercial costs, expenses and other discounts within Ironwood’s calculation of collaborative arrangements revenue.
3 Includes certain discounts recognized and cost of goods sold incurred by AbbVie; also includes commercial costs incurred by AbbVie and Ironwood that are attributable to the cost-sharing arrangement between the parties.
4 Expenses related to LINZESS in the U.S. are shared equally between Ironwood and AbbVie under the collaboration agreement.