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Xeris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (XERS)
Q4Â 2019 Earnings Call
Mar 11, 2020, 8:30 a.m. ET
Contents:
- Prepared Remarks
- Questions and Answers
- Call Participants
Prepared Remarks:
Operator
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by and welcome to the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Results Conference Call. At this time, all participants' lines are in a listen-only mode. After the speakers' presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session. [Operator Instructions] Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded. [Operator Instructions]
I would now like to hand the conference over to your speaker today, Allison Wey, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications. Thank you and please go ahead, ma'am.
Allison Wey -- Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
Thank you. Good morning and welcome to the Xeris' fourth quarter and full year 2019 financial results and corporate update conference call. A press release of the company's fourth quarter 2019 results was issued earlier this morning and can be found on our website.
We are joined today by Paul Edick, Chairman and CEO; and Barry Deutsch, CFO. Paul will provide opening remarks and Barry will review the financial results, then we will open the lines for questions.
Before we begin, I would like to remind you that this call will contain forward-looking statements that concern Xeris' future expectations, plans, prospects, clinical approvals, commercialization, corporate strategy and performance, which constitute forward-looking statements for the purposes of the Safe Harbor provision under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors including those discussed in our filings with the SEC. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent our views only as of the date of this call and should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date. We specifically disclaim any obligations to update such statements.
We now turn the call over to Paul.
Paul R. Edick -- Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Thanks, Allison. Good morning, everyone. 2019 was a transformative year for Xeris. We had a number of major accomplishments and milestones, of which the most significant achievement was the FDA approval of our first product, Gvoke, the first and only approved liquid stable glucagon for rescue in severe hypoglycemia in two presentations. The Gvoke pre-filled syringe and the Gvoke HypoPen auto-injector.
It is important to note that both presentations were approved in September with the Gvoke pre-filled syringe selling now and the Gvoke HypoPen coming available in July. Since our September 10th approval and throughout the fourth quarter, the focus of our commercial team has been on the critical foundational elements needed for successful launches of both the pre-filled syringe and the HypoPen.
First, getting the salesforce hired and trained, which we completed in mid-November; second, executing all of our wholesaler agreements to enable distribution of Gvoke PFS now and HypoPen in July; third, verifying Gvoke pre-filled syringe and HypoPen availability in retail computer systems; fourth, confirming that Gvoke PFS and HypoPen are in physician's electronic health record systems as well as establishing Xeris within the endocrinology offices; and fifth, securing and executing on national payer contracts for both Gvoke PFS and HypoPen.
In addition, we have distributed in the fourth quarter and to-date over 5,000 sample units to endocrinology offices, for patients who are not yet covered by insurance or may not have insurance at all, so that that physician can meet their needs.
Essentially, the fourth quarter was all about making sure that Gvoke pre-filled syringe was made available, accessible, prescribe-able and deliverable, as well as reimbursable for patients. You will note in our financial results that we also saw some modest early prescribing and unit sales and we know that most of the sample units got into the hands of patients.
By way of an update, at the end of February, we had over 65% of commercial lives covered without restrictions, which is excellent so far. This number should continue to increase as more payers come onboard.
Since the introduction of new glucagon products, both us and Lilly last July, we have seen an approximate 25% to 30% increase in prescriptions year-over-year and an increase in the number of units dispensed per prescription from approximately 1.4 for the legacy mix kits to 2.2 for Gvoke through the end of February and even as many of 2.7 units per prescription in a given week. This points to a very underserved market.
You might remember on previous calls, our analysis suggests fewer than one in five patients that would benefit from having glucagon actually have it today.
Adoption of the new products, including Gvoke has been seamless, has not been seamless, however. Decades-long prescribing habits and payer processes still result in some prescriptions for Gvoke being rejected at the payer level or incorrectly adjudicated. And we've had several reports of pharmacy switching Gvoke prescriptions to immediately available glucagon kits which are already on their shelves rather than ordering Gvoke and stocking it in pharmacies.
So, what are we doing about that? We're working closely with the payer plans to ensure their systems and their processes are set up correctly to ensure that covered Gvoke prescriptions folds through the system properly. We're working with doctors' offices to change their standing orders from legacy kits to Gvoke PFS. We're working with local pharmacies so they know and understand the benefit Gvoke versus the legacy kit and to encourage them to fill prescriptions as written. We're also planning to implement a non-dispensing hub in an effort to ensure that prescriptions written as Gvoke are also filled as Gvoke and this should be up and running in the second quarter.
Having worked through all of these processes and hurdles, when the HypoPen launches, which is once again expected in July, it will launch into a fast-growing glucagon market with much better formulary status than the PFS had at its launch a few months ago, with many of the aforementioned issues resolved.
Turning to our pipeline. In November, we submitted our marketing authorization application to the EU for our ready-to-use glucagon for rescue. Assuming a typical EMA review timeline, we could have a CHMP opinion later this year or early next year.
We also have two ongoing Phase 2 ready-to-use glucagon programs, exercise induced hypoglycemia and post bariatric hypoglycemia that will have topline results from the outpatient portions of each study in the first half of this year. Recall that we reported positive results from the in-clinic portion of each study a few months ago.
If the outpatient data is positive, we will take the data to the FDA for discussion of a potential regulatory and clinical path forward. Our goal with these glucagon programs is to advance at least one program that will ultimately get us a non-rescue indication for our liquid stable glucagon to the market.
Now, beyond ready to use, glucagon, our XeriSol formulations of diazepam and pramlintide insulin will also have clinical study results in the first half of 2020. If we see positive results, we will assess the next steps and discuss clinical and regulatory path forward with the FDA late in 2020.
Once again, 2020 is an important year for Xeris with several catalysts for creating shareholder value. We must continue to execute commercially on the launches of Gvoke PFS and HypoPen by driving awareness in prescriptions and we will determine which of our clinical and preclinical programs should move forward based on study results and regulatory pathways.
I'll now turn the call over to Barry, who will review our financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2019. Barry?
Barry Deutsch -- Chief Financial Officer
Thanks, Paul. We generated total revenue of $1.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2019 and $2.7 million for the full year of 2019. Net sales of Gvoke PFS were $1.6 million for both the fourth quarter and full year 2019 as we launched Gvoke PFS in November of the fourth quarter.
The $1.6 million exceeded analyst consensus estimate of $600,000. Net sales represent gross product sales less estimated allowances for our co-pay assistance program, prompt pay discounts, payer rebates and chargebacks, distributor service fees and product returns.
We took a conservative approach in accordance with GAAP to estimating our potential returns. We recorded a returns reserve above the level indicated by the return history of comparable products to address the factors associated with the initial stocking of inventory for launch, this being our first product launch, the launch taking place late in the year, and our main focus in the fourth quarter being on securing formulary coverage.
Grants and other income was $0.2 million for the fourth quarter and $1.1 million for the full year 2019. In 2018, grants and other income was $0.8 million for the fourth quarter and $2.4 million for the full year. Total operating expenses were $33.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2019 and $123.5 million for the full year of 2019 compared to $21.1 million and $61.8 million for the fourth quarter and full-year 2018 respectively.
R&D expenses for the three months and full year ended December 31, 2019 were $12.4 million and $60.4 million respectively compared to $12.4 million and $40.7 million for the same periods in 2018.
The annual increase was driven by manufacturing cost for Gvoke prior to commercialization, increased expenses associated with clinical and preclinical trials, and increases in compensation and other personnel costs, partially offset by reduction in professional fees related to to Gvoke NDA in 2018.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $20.6 million and $63.1 million for the three months and full year ended December 31, 2019 respectively, compared to $8.7 million and $21.1 million for the same periods in 2018. These increases were primarily driven by increased selling and marketing expenses related to the launch of Gvoke, increased compensation and other personnel costs, including costs related to the addition of 59 sales representatives and increased legal and administrative costs.
Net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2019 was $33.1 million or $1.23 per share compared to $20.4 million or $0.98 per share for the same period in 2018. For the full year of 2019, net loss was $125.6 million or $4.81 per share compared to $60.1 million or $4.99 per share for the full year 2018. As of December 31, 2019 we held $88.8 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments.
We recently added $39.9 million to the balance sheet in a February 2020 equity offering. Total current shares outstanding after the February 2020 offering are 37.57 million. We believe that we have sufficient cash to fund our operations and capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months, not including additional debt capacity from our SVB Oxford facility based on achievement of certain revenue milestones. Revenue from Gvoke will determine when we will be cash flow breakeven.
I now will turn the call back to Paul.
Paul R. Edick -- Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Thanks, Barry. Before we open the line for questions, I'd like to address the impact of the coronavirus on our business in particular. Let me start by saying that we have no business or exposure in China, neither our API nor any components are coming from affected countries. Importantly, we have four to five months of finished goods on hand. We have four to five months of work in process, which means product currently being manufactured, and an additional six to nine months of components and API on hand.
So, we feel good about where we stand from a supply chain perspective. At minimum, we have commercial supply for the balance of 2020. In addition, the external components of the HypoPen are manufactured in Taiwan with the cartridge made in the U.S. and final assembly in the U.S. And to-date, there have been no work interruptions in our manufacturing for the HypoPen in Taiwan.
We see the only possible impact of the coronavirus is the degree to which commercial operations could be impacted in the U.S., the potential need to reduce domestic travel or otherwise curtailed sales force movement in and out of medical facilities. Being that our reps are in cars by themselves most of the time and calling on endocrinology offices only, at this time we don't see this as an issue for us. And however, we're monitoring the situation closely.
In summary, we believe the fundamentals of our enterprise are very sound. We have approved products capable of generating revenue. We are in the field calling on doctors, patient educators, and engaging with the diabetes community every day. We're growing Gvoke pre-filled syringe scripts in a growing market. We're growing Gvoke units sold and units per prescription. We have several data readouts upcoming in the first half of this year. We're on-track for a July launch of the Gvoke HypoPen. We have no supply chain issues and, importantly, we have cash.
With that, operator, if you would please open the line for questions?
Questions and Answers:
Operator
Thank you. [Operator Instructions] And our first question comes from the line of Ami Fadia with SVB Leerink. Your line is now open.
Ami Fadia -- SVB Leerink -- Analyst
Good morning. Thanks for taking my questions. Firstly, I wanted to see if you could give us some additional clarity around some of the factors that might impact the weekly prescription data that we are seeing? And you mentioned something about samples that have been distributed in the channel to-date, as well as some prescriptions that are not being filled as written. Can you elaborate on that and help us understand how that might be impacting the prescription levels?
Paul R. Edick -- Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Hi, Ami. Good questions. I appreciate it. Let me take the sample one first. When I say sample, it's a complete unit, a pre-filled syringe. And we distributed through the fourth quarter and to-date through February, just over 5,000 sample units. The reason we did that is, until such time, which I think now is getting to be that time, we have over 65% of commercial lives covered at this point. But up until now, we thought it was important that physicians have access to Gvoke PFS and that they be able to provide it to patients with either their insurance wasn't yet covering it or weren't on formulary yet, or patients who don't have insurance.
We do know that a few of the sample units were reserved in some of the endocrinology offices. We know that a couple of them have actually been used by endocrinology staff to rescue patients in their office, so -- which is a good thing. But the vast majority of those 5,000 got to patients. So, that does impact our number of prescriptions. Those 5,000 patients don't have a prescription. So, we understand that, but we thought it was in the best interest of our business and the goodwill that we get from the endocrinology community and from the diabetes community.
As far as the prescriptions that are being filled as written, there is -- early on we did see and I think we saw in one of the recent weeks, a little bit of an increase in the legacy mix kits, the GEKs. And we're finding that when patients, in some situations and it is more anecdotal than anything else, but in some situations when patients are presenting a Gvoke prescription at pharmacy level and they haven't stocked it on their shelves, they're actively working to convert that prescription to the Lilly GEK. And that's a process that we -- it is unfortunate, but we just have to work through that and our reps are calling on pharmacies as well as physicians every single day, making sure that pharmacists know about Gvoke and can find it in their computer system and make sure they have it on the shelf.
Ami Fadia -- SVB Leerink -- Analyst
Okay. If I could just follow-up with two other questions. Firstly, what can you do or why do we still have such a big proportion of the population filling the old kits? Is it lack of awareness of your -- and better products becoming available or is it that some of these scripts are just automatically being refilled with your kit without a conversation with the physicians?
Paul R. Edick -- Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Yes, there are a couple of different things going on in there and you kind of hit it on the head. Towards the end of the year, there were a lot of prescriptions just get automatically refilled because people spending accounts etc. before the end of year. And in a lot of the physician office systems, the patients have a renewable prescription that just happens automatically. And what we've got to do is office-by-office we've got to get them to change those standing orders, so to speak, in their computer systems. So, that's a process that we're going through.
And the other thing that's happening, and I think it's not necessarily a bad thing, physicians are hearing from both Lilly and Xeris about glucagon and they're remembering to prescribe glucagon for more and more of their patients. But they don't always remember the name Gvoke or the name Baqsimi for that matter. I think they remember Lilly's product better because it's Lilly. But over time, they'll remember the brand names better and we're working with every physician's office to make sure that everybody in the office, not just the physician, knows the name Gvoke. That takes time. So, that is some of what's going on.
Ami Fadia -- SVB Leerink -- Analyst
Got it. Last question and then I'll stop there. Just with regards to the diazepam, can you help us understand what data set we should be looking for and what the development part after that would look like if it is successful? Thank you.
Paul R. Edick -- Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Yes. Thanks. The diazepam study is the Phase 1b and what we're looking for is we're doing a weight-based dosing this time around. We're looking for onset of actions similar to the reference product which is the rectal suppository. We're looking for peak blood levels that are similar and we're looking for a longer tail of the drug staying around a little bit longer. The reason being is we do want to have a product that has impact on the ongoing seizure, but most products are not going to actually stop the seizure that's in progress. What we really want to do is prevent follow-on seizures and that's why we're looking for that kind of a drug profile. We saw that in the first Phase 1 study with everybody getting the same dose, but it wasn't as closely aligned to the reference product. It was very positive, but not where we'd like to see it. In the weight-based dosing, we think we're going to get a little bit better curve.
And once we have that, then it's a matter of going to the FDA with a proposed forward-looking plan. Our proposal would be for safety study only, given that there's a ton of efficacy information and data already available about diazepam used in this way. And we'll see what the FDA says, if they will allow that shortened critical path forward or if they'll require something more.
Ami Fadia -- SVB Leerink -- Analyst
Got it.
Operator
Thank you. And our next question comes from the line of Randall Stanicky with RBC Capital Markets. your line is now open.
Randall Stanicky -- RBC Capital Markets -- Analyst
Great, thanks. Paul, just given -- to start on the auto-injector, given that that July timing is important back-to-school and also in that it represents a catalyst for the stock, what's your confidence of hitting that July timing? That's number. And then number two, how are you going to approach this launch? Any change in your thinking relative to the pre-filled syringe or should just think about more DTC? And the insurance coverage I would assume should be the same.
And then finally, just a follow on to one of the prior questions, what percent of docs who've received samples have written scripts? Thanks.
Paul R. Edick -- Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
So, let me take the July question first. We remain confident that we can hit that timing. As I've said previously, all of the components are being manufactured in Taiwan during January and February. I think the last component was in the process of being manufactured, molded, so to speak, in the first part of February. They are in the process of assembling what they call subassemblies and those are being tested during March. And then it's a matter of making the subassemblies and shipping them to Florida for final subassembly and that should happen in May, early June. And we're still on that timing.
As far as launch approach, I think the most important thing for our launch of the HypoPen is, we will have had six or eight calls on every physician that's actually available that we can see. We will be in the wholesaler systems. We'll be in the retailer systems. We will be already in all of the managed care formularies. So, the ability to talk to a physician, get them to prescribe the auto-injector and have it be immediately available and reimbursed is going to be dramatically different than what we've experienced with the pre-filled syringe. The pre-filled syringe has kind of been the lead in cutting down -- cutting the path through the forest here a little bit or through the jungle. So, we think a lot of those things are going to already be behind us.
In terms of the percentage of physicians who got samples, who've actually written a prescription, I don't have that at my fingertips. I would say basic, probably a significant percentage of physicians who get a sample have eventually written a prescription.
Randall Stanicky -- RBC Capital Markets -- Analyst
Could I ask one follow-up? The 65% unrestricted coverage, where do you think you can get that to by the end of the year?
Paul R. Edick -- Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
65% is really good in terms of unrestricted. I think if you add in Medicare and Medicaid as they come online, we can get to, in terms of total commercial -- total insurance, 75% to 80% would be excellent in the pharmaceutical business period. There are some percentage of people who are going to restrict access no matter what.
And keep in mind, the primary restriction is a prior authorization that the physician office has to fill out. It's a piece of paperwork that basically says, "The patient has gotten the previously available Lilly GEK kit, the mixed kit. It's not appropriate for the patient and now they need Gvoke or the Baqsimi for that matter or eventually the auto-injector." So, the degree to which physician offices are willing to do that paperwork makes it a little bit easier. But it isn't an enormously difficult process. And I think we're seeing about half of those prior authorizations going through in under 48 hours.
So, it's not horrible. And we, the reps are talking to all the offices about making sure that they're doing those and that they're getting through. To your previous question by the way, Mary Beth just handed me a note, 68% of physicians who got samples have said they've prescribed Gvoke.
Randall Stanicky -- RBC Capital Markets -- Analyst
That's helpful. Thanks very much.
Paul R. Edick -- Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Yes. And as of March 6, just FYI, we're already at 70% of commercial covered lives. So, I was just handed an update, real-time news.
Operator
Thank you. And our next question comes from the line of David Amsellem with Piper Sandler. Your line is now open.
David Amsellem -- Piper Sandler -- Analyst
So, thanks. I have a few questions. So, first, can you walk us through your thinking on the mix between pre-filled syringe and HypoPen? Once HypoPen is in the market, I mean, do you expect there's going to be an audience for the pre-filled syringe product and will that be a meaningful part of the mix once HypoPen is launched? That's number one.
Number two, can you talk about Medicare Part D access and what your overall target is for access there? I know that there is a lag time between commercial access and Part D, but just help us understand your thinking regarding payer wins, Part D wins as the year progresses and then just steady state.
And then lastly on gross-to-net, what are your thoughts on steady state gross-to-net? How should we be thinking about that? Thanks.
Paul R. Edick -- Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Thanks, David. Let me take the Medicare question first. In terms of Medicare, we're already at about 27% preferred. We've had some really early -- keep in mind that the Medicare process is a little bit different these days than it used to be. Used to be, you had to get your company approved on the national formulary, then you had to get the product on the national formulary before any of the downstream providers would cover you.
These days, you don't necessarily need to do that. If you can get some of the downstream providers to add you to their provider formulary, there's a lot of other providers that are followers. So, once it's on one of the big formularies, then you get a lot of people who will follow on. And we've had a few wins early on. So, we're already getting some traction in Medicare.
As far as the ratio of pre-filled syringe versus HypoPen, we're seeing that there's a reasonable percentage of the population that actually prefers a needle. That they're used to needles, they're still using needles for their insulin and they like to see that the needle go in, it gives them confidence. It's a great deal of assurance.
We also have -- and it's interesting, we were just in San Diego with our keyholders, the online influencers, and several of them indicated that they actually prefer the pre-filled syringe; two, who are parents of young children with diabetes actually prefer the pre-filled syringe in conversation. So, I think there will be a percentage. Will it be 80/20, 70/30? I don't know yet. I don't think any of us know yet. That will shake out in the -- over time.
I don't think it will -- I'll tell you my -- based on the market research we've had historically and what we're seeing and what we're hearing, I don't think it will be more than probably a 60/40, 70/30 between the PFS and the HypoPen. The HypoPen taking the larger percentage.
And gross-to-net, I'll turn it over to Barry for that answer.
Barry Deutsch -- Chief Financial Officer
Yes. Hey, David. Yes. So, gross-to-net, as I mentioned in my opening remarks, includes your traditional types of deductions. And I think as we -- your question was on a steady state basis. We'll certainly envision the returns reserve that we took going way down. Again, there are a number of factors related to our launch and being our first launch why we took a conservative approach to the returns reserve.
So, moving forward, anticipate that coming down quite a bit. But then everything else should be sort of normal industry types of discounts in terms of prompt pay, wholesaler fees, government-related Medicare etc. and co-pay type of fees.
Paul R. Edick -- Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Yes. And David, there are some one-timers in the wholesaler fees that we won't experience again. A couple of the wholesalers charge a slotting fee, that's a one-time thing. So, it'll settle back in. The biggest thing is that the reserve for the potential returns of stocking merchandise in the initial stages, that will come way down, so.
David Amsellem -- Piper Sandler -- Analyst
Okay. That's helpful. I just wanted to ask a quick follow-up on the Medicare Part D question is, should we think about that 65% or more access that you cited with commercial, I mean is that a reasonable target or a reasonable floor for Part D access over time?
Paul R. Edick -- Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Yes, over the course of a year to 18 months, probably. Not in the near term. It's going to take time.
David Amsellem -- Piper Sandler -- Analyst
Okay, great. That's helpful. Thank you.
Operator
Thank you. And our next question comes from the line of Difei Yang with Mizuho Securities. Your line is now open.
Difei Yang -- Mizuho Securities -- Analyst
Hi, good morning and thanks for taking my question. Paul, just a couple of questions. First one is related to, if you would help us to understand the back-to-school phenomenon, was it mainly driven by Type 1 patients or primarily younger aged patients or do you foresee that to change as more of the Type 2 get on therapy? And then number two is related to the samples. Do you plan to give out more samples or the 5,000 is done, it's all you're planning to give out?
Paul R. Edick -- Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Yes, good question. As of the end of the first quarter, we will cut back fairly dramatically on samples. We want to have a period of time when we can see the effective sampling. And, historically, sampling in just about any therapeutic category has been positive impact on prescriptions. We'll cut back to only a small percentage of that, maybe 10%-ish of what we've done historically.
So, but over time, we'll monitor those physicians who've gotten samples and if it has a positive impact on their prescribing then we'll look at other ways of continuing that program in a modest fashion, but we're going to cut back pretty aggressively in the second quarter.
The back-to-school phenomenon; during the months of August and September, prescribing for glucagon is 40% higher than during any other period in the year, 30% to 40% higher. So, it is a real phenomenon and it is both Type 1 and Type 2.
With these new products, especially Gvoke and especially the HypoPen, we think it's going to expand into more of the Type 2 and go -- and our product goes down to two years old. So, it can go younger as well, but it is a real phenomenon. And the other thing too, in terms of the samples going back to that for a second, samples have created a lot better access to normally hard to see physicians as well, so that should benefit us down the road also.
Difei Yang -- Mizuho Securities -- Analyst
Okay, great. Thank you for taking my questions.
Operator
Thank you. And our last question comes from the line of David Steinberg with Jefferies. Your line is now open.
David Steinberg -- Jefferies & Company, Inc. -- Analyst
Okay. Thanks so much. I have three questions. The first one revolves around marketing. So, when your reps are in the doctor's office introducing themselves to doctors for the first time, what's the number one item that doctors are most excited about when they learn about the product? And conversely, what's the biggest pushback your reps are getting from endocrinologists? And related to that, what is Lilly counter-detailing, I guess? And if so, what's their message trying to blunt your launch?
And then secondly, on advertising, I think you've started a social media campaign and some DTC advertising. Could you give us some more color on the DTC effort? And finally, I believe you said you think that the HypoPen will have some sort of inflexion with expansion, kind of, how steep do you see that curve once the HypoPen is in the market this summer? Thanks.
Paul R. Edick -- Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Thanks, David. Let me take those one at a time. In terms of the reps in the field, I think physicians and staff, especially the educators in the offices are most excited about the fact that somebody is talking about glucagon again, because getting more patients to actually have glucagon handy just in case they have an issue is critically important. And for us, the convenience factor and the confidence that people have that they can actually, most importantly, self-administer.
The mix kits almost exclusively require a caregiver or a bystander. Gvoke pre-filled syringe is, it's a 2-step process. You pull off the cap and you give yourself a shot. And even when we talk to patients and we talked to the keyholders this past week, self-administration and earlier use of glucagon, not waiting until you're passing out is a tremendous upside.
In terms of pushback, I think the number one thing that we're seeing is prior authorizations. Physicians are inundated these days with prior authorizations. There are people in these offices that's pretty much their job is to just do prior authorizations. And the way we refer to it is, when we go into the office and we get that pushback what it sounds like is we don't want to do prior authorizations. What they're really saying is, we're already doing a pile of them. We're already doing them for Lilly, because they have insulin, etc. And why should we add a little bit Xeris to our pile? I mean, that's real life, and we're working through that. When we get done talking about Gvoke PFS, we have a good argument as to why they should add us to their pile, and they are.
In terms of the counter detail, the good news is Lilly isn't really talking about Gvoke very much. They're talking about their own product and they're talking about why people should have glucagon, which is good for both of us. Actually, if they were talking about us, it would probably be helpful, at this point. But we -- and we're not talking a lot about them. The counter detail is pretty much in their positioning. They're positioning their product as needle free. And for people who don't like needles or they are sick and tired of needles for their insulin, a nasal sounds really good. So, that makes sense. And for physicians, it gives them an option, it gives them more things to offer patients.
So, over time, I think one of the things we're going to see is the physicians are going to present patients with the various different options and they're going to choose for themselves.
In terms of social media, we were just with all of the online influencers or a big percentage of them this past week, in San Diego. They continue to talk about Gvoke. They were in our San Diego facility in our labs. So, we continue to engage with them. Social media, in terms of search, Facebook type stuff etc. is up and running. We're getting a lot of hits to our website. In DTC, we had running for three weeks in January. We stopped it for a couple of weeks to evaluate where we were getting uplift, getting people going to the website etc. We assessed the various markets that we were doing DTC in. We adjusted those markets to 15 or 20 that we know we're getting some impact. And then we restarted it in mid-February and it will run through at least April. And then we'll take another look at how it's doing and optimize further.
And the inflection of the HypoPen, I wish I could give you a good sense of how big an inflection we think that's going to be. We think it will be important. We will be launching in July in front of that back-to-school period. Hopefully, we'll get the same kind of reaction that Lilly got when they launched during that period.
David Steinberg -- Jefferies & Company, Inc. -- Analyst
Okay, thank you.
Operator
Thank you. And this concludes today's question-and-answer session. I would now like to turn the call back to Paul Edick for closing remarks.
Paul R. Edick -- Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Thank you. Thanks everybody for the questions. Thanks everybody for joining us today. We appreciate your time. We appreciate your interest and continued interested in Xeris and have a great day.
Operator
[Operator Closing Remarks]
Duration: 40 minutes
Call participants:
Allison Wey -- Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
Paul R. Edick -- Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Barry Deutsch -- Chief Financial Officer
Ami Fadia -- SVB Leerink -- Analyst
Randall Stanicky -- RBC Capital Markets -- Analyst
David Amsellem -- Piper Sandler -- Analyst
Difei Yang -- Mizuho Securities -- Analyst
David Steinberg -- Jefferies & Company, Inc. -- Analyst
