• Net product sales increased by 94% from Q1 2022
• New cumulative prescribers up by 17% from Q4 2022
• Doubled patient enrollment since Q1 2022; 127% increase

SOLANA BEACH, Calif., May 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evoke Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVOK), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused primarily on treatments for gastrointestinal (GI) diseases with an emphasis on GIMOTI^® (metoclopramide) nasal spray, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023, and recent corporate developments.

“We are pleased to witness a solid uptick in most categories of our sales growth indicators – net revenue, fills, cumulative prescribers and patient enrollments over the course of the first quarter of 2023. Looking back at our sales metrics in Q4 2022, we returned to normal levels of upward revenue growth and recorded $810,000 in net product sales in Q1 2023, approximately a 2% increase from Q4 2022, and up 94% year-over-year. Our cumulative prescribers increased 17% from Q4 2022 and have now reached 1,189. Prescription fills also continue to rise with an 11% increase over the previous quarter,” said David A. Gonyer, R.Ph., Evoke Pharma’s CEO.

“Insights from a recent survey, market data analysis, and patient and healthcare provider anecdotes, demonstrate the need for GIMOTI in the marketplace and we believe that the incremental growth in our sales metrics confirms this sentiment. Our current sales performance coupled with the Company’s recent corporate achievements particularly on the intellectual property front, we believe in the commercial success of GIMOTI while improving the quality of life for patients living with gastroparesis,” concluded Mr. Gonyer.

First Quarter 2023 Developments and Recent Progress

• Further strengthened intellectual property estate 
  • Successfully settled Teva Pharmaceuticals lawsuit with dismissal from both parties, ending Teva’s attempt of a Paragraph IV ANDA certification
  • Granted new U.S. patent (No. 11,628,150) covering the nasal solution of metoclopramide and its characteristics when formulated
  • Newly listed U.S. patent (No. 11,628,150) in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “Orange Book”

• Presented healthcare resource utilization real-world data analyses at leading medical meetings
  • Data abstract suggesting that GIMOTI (nasal metoclopramide) patients experience a lower use of healthcare resources compared to patients receiving oral metoclopramide accepted and presented in DDW’s distinguished plenary session
  • Compelling real-world data presented at Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) 2023 also demonstrating the mitigated use of healthcare resources amongst patients treated with GIMOTI

First Quarter 2023 Financial Review

For the first quarter of 2023, net product sales were approximately $810,000 compared to approximately $418,000 during the first quarter of 2022. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by increased promotional activities of the Eversana sales force and prescription management through vitaCare.

For the first quarter of 2023, selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $2.8 million compared to $2.4 million for the first quarter of 2022. The increases were due to higher professional fees and reimbursement and profit-sharing activity with EVERSANA.

Total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2023 were approximately $3.0 million compared to $2.5 million for the same period in 2022.

As of March 31, 2023, cash and cash equivalents were approximately $8.2 million. We believe, based on our current operating plan, that our existing cash and cash equivalents, as well as future cash flows from net product sales of GIMOTI, will be sufficient to fund our operations into the fourth quarter of 2023.

About Evoke Pharma, Inc.

Evoke is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused primarily on the development of drugs to treat GI disorders and diseases. The company developed, commercialized and markets GIMOTI, a nasal spray formulation of metoclopramide, for the relief of symptoms associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis in adults.

Diabetic gastroparesis is a GI disorder affecting millions of patients worldwide, in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents resulting in serious GI symptoms as well as other systemic complications. The gastric delay caused by gastroparesis can compromise absorption of orally administered medications. Prior to FDA approval to commercially market GIMOTI, metoclopramide was only available in oral and injectable formulations and remains the only drug currently approved in the United States to treat gastroparesis. Visit www.EvokePharma.com for more information.

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About Gimoti^® (metoclopramide) nasal spray

GIMOTI is indicated for the relief of symptoms in adults with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis. Important Safety Information

WARNING: TARDIVE DYSKINESIA

• Metoclopramide can cause tardive dyskinesia (TD), a serious movement disorder that is often irreversible. The risk of developing TD increases with duration of treatment and total cumulative dosage.

• Discontinue GIMOTI in patients who develop signs or symptoms of TD. In some patients, symptoms may lessen or resolve after metoclopramide is stopped.

• Avoid treatment with metoclopramide (all dosage forms and routes of administration) for longer than 12 weeks because of the increased risk of developing TD with longer-term use.

GIMOTI is not recommended for use in:

• Pediatric patients due to the risk of developing tardive dyskinesia (TD) and other extrapyramidal symptoms as well as the risk of methemoglobinemia in neonates.

• Moderate or severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B or C), moderate or severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance less than 60 mL/minute), and patients concurrently using strong CYP2D6 inhibitors due to the risk of increased drug exposure and adverse reactions.

GIMOTI is contraindicated:

• In patients with a history of tardive dyskinesia (TD) or a dystonic reaction to metoclopramide.

• When stimulation of gastrointestinal motility might be dangerous (e.g., in the presence of gastrointestinal hemorrhage mechanical obstruction, or perforation).

• In patients with pheochromocytoma or other catecholamine-releasing paragangliomas. Metoclopramide may cause a hypertensive/pheochromocytoma crisis, probably due to release of catecholamines from the tumor.

• In patients with epilepsy. Metoclopramide may increase the frequency and severity of seizures.

• In patients with hypersensitivity to metoclopramide. Reactions have included laryngeal and glossal angioedema and bronchospasm.

Potential adverse reactions associated with metoclopramide include: Tardive dyskinesia (TD), other extrapyramidal effects (EPS), parkinsonism symptoms, motor restlessness, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), depression, suicidal ideation and suicide, hypertension, fluid retention, hyperprolactinemia, effects on the ability to drive and operate machinery. Most common adverse reactions (≥5%) for GIMOTI are: dysgeusia, headache, and fatigue. These are not all of the possible side effects of GIMOTI. Call your doctor for medical advice about whether you should take GIMOTI and the possible risk factors and side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to FDA.

Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Safe Harbor Statement

Evoke cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “project,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negatives of these terms or other similar expressions. These statements are based on the company’s current beliefs and expectations. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding: potential future prescribing trends for GIMOTI based on Evoke’s or EVERSANA’s marketing efforts; Evoke’s commercialization plans, including its plans to increase awareness of and access to GIMOTI and change the standard of care for diabetic gastroparesis; and Evoke’s future capital requirements, including whether Evoke’s cash and cash equivalents and future cash flows from net product sales will be sufficient to fund its operations into the fourth quarter of 2023 . The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Evoke that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Evoke’s business, including, without limitation: Evoke’s and EVERSANA’s ability to successfully drive market demand for GIMOTI; Evoke’s ability to obtain additional financing as needed to support its operations; the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to disrupt Evoke’s and EVERSANA’s business operations impairing the ability to commercialize GIMOTI and Evoke’s ability to generate product revenue; Evoke’s dependence on third parties for the manufacture of GIMOTI; Evoke is entirely dependent on the success of GIMOTI; inadequate efficacy or unexpected adverse side effects relating to GIMOTI that could result in recalls or product liability claims; Evoke’s ability to maintain intellectual property protection for GIMOTI; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in Evoke’s prior press releases and in the periodic reports it files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and Evoke undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Investor & Media Contact:
Daniel Kontoh-Boateng
DKB Partners
Tel: 862-213-1398
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