Press Release
Gen-Probe Reports Strong Financial Results for Third Quarter 2004, Raises Full-Year Guidance
- Earnings Per Share Increase to $0.22, 22% Above Prior Year Period - - Product Sales Increase to $56.4 Million, New Quarterly Record and 18% Above Prior Year Period - - Company Increases Full-Year Earnings Per Share Guidance to $1.02-$1.03 -
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gen-Probe Incorporated (Nasdaq: GPRO) today reported strong financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2004. Net income for the third quarter of 2004 was $11.1 million ($0.22 per share), compared to net income of $8.9 million ($0.18 per share) in the prior year period, an increase of 22% per share. All per share amounts are calculated on a diluted basis. Total revenues for the third quarter of 2004 were $63.5 million, compared to $52.3 million in the prior year period, an increase of 21%. Product sales for the third quarter of 2004 were $56.4 million, compared to $47.9 million in the prior year period, an increase of 18%. For the first nine months of 2004, net income was $42.6 million ($0.83 per share), compared to net income of $25.7 million ($0.53 per share) in the prior year period, an increase of 57% per share. Total revenues in the first nine months of 2004 were $201.2 million, compared to $149.1 million in the prior year period, an increase of 35%. Product sales in the first nine months of 2004 were $164.1 million, compared to $137.8 million in the prior year period, an increase of 19%. "Both our clinical diagnostic and blood screening products established new quarterly sales records in the third quarter of 2004, driven by growth of the APTIMA Combo 2(R) and Procleix(R) assays," said Henry L. Nordhoff, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Gen-Probe. "In addition, we continued to hit key development timelines that will drive future growth, with regulatory filings for the Procleix UltrioTM assay in the United States and the TIGRIS(R) instrument for blood screening in Europe." Detailed Results Sales of the APTIMA Combo 2 assay, Gen-Probe's amplified nucleic acid test (NAT) for simultaneously detecting Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC), grew by more than 50% in the third quarter compared to the prior year period. This sales growth was driven by market share gains on both the semi-automated instrument platform and on the high-throughput, fully automated TIGRIS system. Revenue from the PACE(R) product line, the Company's non-amplified tests for the same microorganisms, declined compared to the prior year period, but increased compared to the second quarter of 2004, exceeding Gen-Probe's expectations again. Product sales also benefited from continued growth of the Procleix blood screening assay, which is marketed worldwide by Gen-Probe's blood screening partner, Chiron, and from early adoption of the Procleix Ultrio assay in Europe. The original Procleix assay simultaneously detects HIV-1 and hepatitis C virus in donated blood, while the new Procleix Ultrio assay includes an additional test for the detection of the hepatitis B virus. Third quarter blood screening sales also benefited from the sale of approximately $1.5 million of TIGRIS instruments to Chiron. Product sales for the third quarter and first nine months of 2004 and 2003 were, in millions:
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30, Sept. 30,
2004 2003 Increase 2004 2003 Increase
Clinical diagnostics $32.2 $28.1 15% $94.3 $82.9 14%
Blood screening $24.2 $19.8 22% $69.8 $54.9 27%
Total product sales $56.4 $47.9 18% $164.1 $137.8 19%
Collaborative research revenues for the third quarter of 2004 were $5.5 million, compared to $3.7 million in the prior year period, an increase of 49%. This increase resulted primarily from U.S. cost recovery revenue from the West Nile virus (WNV) blood screening assay, which has been shipped under an investigational new drug (IND) application since the third quarter of 2003. For the first nine months of 2004, collaborative research revenues were $19.3 million, compared to $9.5 million in the prior year period, an increase of 103% that also resulted primarily from WNV cost recovery revenue. Royalty and license revenues for the third quarter of 2004 were $1.5 million, compared to $0.6 million in the prior year period, an increase of 150% that resulted primarily from higher royalties from Bayer and Becton Dickinson. For the first nine months of 2004, royalty and license revenues were $17.9 million, compared to $1.8 million in the prior year period. This dramatic increase resulted primarily from a $6.5 million milestone payment arising from our contract with Chiron and a $7 million license fee earned in connection with Gen-Probe's cross-licensing agreement with Tosoh. Gross margin on product sales was 73% in the third quarter of 2004, compared to 77% in the prior year period. Gross margin was negatively affected by the amortization of capitalized software costs related to the TIGRIS system, and by the sale to Chiron of an unexpectedly large number of TIGRIS instruments. In addition, gross margin in the prior year period was unusually high because fixed overhead costs used in the production of pre-commercial development lots were recorded as research and development expense. For the first nine months of 2004, gross margin on product sales was 74%, compared to 75% in the prior year period. Research and development (R&D) expenses were $15.6 million in the third quarter of 2004, compared to $16.9 million in the prior year period, a decrease of 8%. R&D expenses were lower than in the prior year period primarily because development lot production in the third quarter of 2004 was nominal. However, R&D expense is expected to increase in the fourth quarter based on development lot production of our WNV blood screening assay. For the first nine months of 2004, R&D expenses were $50.0 million, compared to $44.6 million in the prior year period, an increase of 12% that was driven primarily by clinical trial expenses for the Procleix Ultrio and WNV assays. Marketing and sales expenses were $6.6 million in the third quarter of 2004, compared to $5.9 million in the prior year period, an increase of 12%. For the first nine months of 2004, marketing and sales expenses were $20.0 million, compared to $16.5 million in the prior year period, an increase of 21%. These increases resulted primarily from costs associated with launching the TIGRIS system. General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $9.1 million in the third quarter of 2004, compared to $5.7 million in the prior year period, an increase of 60%. This increase was due primarily to higher legal expenses, the consolidation of Molecular Light Technology, which had not occurred in the third quarter of 2003, and investments in the Company's business development and strategic planning functions. In addition, approximately $0.7 million of the increase was due to a non-cash compensation charge related to the departure of a former executive. For the first nine months of 2004, G&A expenses were $23.8 million, compared to $15.8 million in the prior year period, an increase of 51% that resulted primarily from the factors described above. Gen-Probe continues to have a strong balance sheet. As of September 30, 2004, the Company had $180.1 million of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and no debt. Gen-Probe's cash balance declined during the quarter as a result of the $22.5 million payment made to Vysis, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Abbott Laboratories, for a fully paid-up license on future amplified product sales. Chiron paid Gen-Probe $5.5 million of the gross amount in October. In the first nine months of 2004, Gen-Probe generated net cash of $46.4 million from its operating activities.
Recent Events
* Procleix Ultrio BLA. Gen-Probe submitted a Biologics License
Application (BLA) for the Procleix Ultrio assay to the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration on schedule in the third quarter. Gen-Probe and
Chiron intend to seek approval to run the test on both the
semi-automated Procleix system and on the fully automated TIGRIS
system.
* Procleix Ultrio on TIGRIS in Europe. Gen-Probe submitted a
regulatory application to European officials to run the Procleix
Ultrio assay on the fully automated TIGRIS instrument. The assay is
already approved in Europe to run on the Company's semi-automated
instrument platform.
* Procleix WNV clinical trials. The pivotal clinical trial of the WNV
assay is substantially complete, and the Company remains on track to
file a BLA for the assay in the first quarter of 2005. So far this
mosquito season, the assay has intercepted approximately 250
WNV-infected blood donations through ongoing national screening under
an IND. In addition, the high-throughput TIGRIS instrument was used
by several blood centers to screen both individual donor and pooled
blood donations for WNV.
* bioMerieux Cross-License Agreement. Gen-Probe signed non-exclusive
licensing agreements that provide bioMerieux access to Gen-Probe's
ribosomal RNA technologies for certain uses, and that give Gen-Probe
access to bioMerieux's intellectual property for detecting genetic
mutations that predispose people to blood clotting disorders. Under
the terms of the agreements, Gen-Probe may receive license fees of up
to $7.75 million through 2006.
* Vysis Settlement. Gen-Probe withdrew its patent litigation against
Vysis and paid $22.5 million (gross) for a fully paid-up license on
future sales of amplified products for clinical diagnostics and blood
screening. The agreement eliminates Gen-Probe's obligation to pay
Vysis royalties on any current or future products, and will be
accretive to Gen-Probe's earnings starting in the fourth quarter of
2004. Chiron has reimbursed Gen-Probe $5.5 million of the
$22.5 million payment.
* American Association of Blood Banks meeting. Scientists from
Gen-Probe and several blood bank customers presented research that
demonstrated the excellent sensitivity and specificity of the Procleix
Ultrio and WNV blood screening assays, and the potential of the TIGRIS
instrument to increase laboratory productivity and enable individual
donor testing.
Updated Financial Guidance
Based on Gen-Probe's continued strong performance in the third quarter of 2004, the Company is raising its 2004 financial guidance. For the full year, Gen-Probe now expects:
* Total revenues of $262 to $264 million, based on continued strong
demand in both clinical diagnostics and blood screening. Because
Gen-Probe sold an unexpectedly large number of TIGRIS instruments to
Chiron in the third quarter, and because the Company's fourth quarter
will have 11% fewer shipping days than the third quarter based on
holidays and preparation for SAP implementation, the Company expects
fourth quarter product sales to be flat to down slightly compared to
the third quarter, but up solidly compared to the prior year.
* Product gross margins in the low- to mid-70s range. Gen-Probe expects
fourth quarter gross margins to be roughly equivalent to the
year-to-date level.
* R&D expenses approximating 26% to 27% of total revenues. R&D expenses
are expected to increase in the fourth quarter, based on the
previously disclosed production of a development lot of our WNV assay,
and additional investments in key programs such as our prostate cancer
initiative.
* Marketing and sales expenses approximating 10% to 11% of total
revenues.
* General and administrative expenses approximating 11% to 12% of total
revenues.
* Earnings per diluted share of between $1.02 and $1.03.
Gen-Probe also announced that it plans to give full 2005 financial guidance in early 2005, by which time certain customer contracts and business development discussions are expected to be finalized. The Company expects 2005 to be another year of strong product sales growth, consistent with its long-term goals. Webcast Conference Call A live webcast of Gen-Probe's third quarter 2004 conference call for investors can be accessed at http://www.gen-probe.com beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on November 4, 2004. The webcast will be archived for at least 90 days. A telephone replay of the call also will be available until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 8, 2004. The replay number is (866) 513-1233 for domestic callers and (203) 369-1976 for international callers. About Gen-Probe Gen-Probe Incorporated is a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of rapid, accurate and cost-effective nucleic acid testing products for diagnosing human diseases and screening donated human blood. Using its patented NAT technologies, Gen-Probe has received FDA approvals or clearances for a broad portfolio of products that detect a variety of infectious microorganisms, including those causing sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, strep throat, pneumonia and fungal infections. Additionally, the Company developed and manufactures the only FDA-approved blood screening assay for the simultaneous detection of HIV-1 and HCV, which is marketed by Chiron Corporation. Gen-Probe has more than 20 years of nucleic acid detection research and product development experience, and its products are used daily in clinical laboratories and blood collection centers throughout the world. Gen-Probe is headquartered in San Diego, California and employs nearly 900 people. For more information, go to www.gen-probe.com. TIGRIS, APTIMA, APTIMA COMBO 2 and PACE are trademarks of Gen-Probe Incorporated. ULTRIO and PROCLEIX are trademarks of Chiron Corporation. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Any statements in this press release about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance, including those under the heading "Updated Financial Guidance," are not historical facts and are forward-looking statements. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "believe," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," and "would." For example, statements concerning financial condition, possible or assumed future results of operations, growth opportunities, industry ranking, plans and objectives of management, markets for our common stock and future management and organizational structure are all forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. Some of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in the forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: (i) the risk that we may not achieve our expected 2004 or 2005 growth, revenue or earnings targets, (ii) the possibility that the market for the sale of our new products, such as our TIGRIS system, APTIMA Combo 2 assay and Procleix Ultrio assay, may not develop as expected, (iii) the enhancement of existing products and the development of new products may not proceed as planned, (iv) the risk that our Procleix Ultrio assay and West Nile virus clinical trials may not proceed as planned and may not be successful, (v) the risk that our Procleix Ultrio assay and West Nile virus products may not be commercially available in the time frames we anticipate, or at all, (vi) we may not be able to compete effectively, (vii) we may not be able to maintain our current corporate collaborations and enter into new corporate collaborations or corporate contracts, (viii) we are dependent on Chiron Corporation, Bayer Corporation and other third parties for the distribution of some of our products, (ix) we are dependent on a small number of customers, contract manufacturers and single source suppliers of raw materials, (x) changes in third-party reimbursement policies regarding our products could adversely affect sales of our products, (xi) changes in government regulation affecting our diagnostic products could harm our sales and increase our development costs, and (xii) our involvement in patent and other intellectual property and commercial litigation could be expensive and could divert management's attention. The foregoing list sets forth some, but not all, of the factors that could affect our ability to achieve results described in any forward-looking statements. For additional information about risks and uncertainties we face and a discussion of our financial statements and footnotes, see documents we have filed with the SEC, including our Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 and all our periodic filings made with the SEC. We assume no obligation and expressly disclaim any duty to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect the occurrence of subsequent events.
Contact:
Michael Watts
Sr. director, investor relations and
corporate communications
858-410-8673
Gen-Probe Incorporated
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
September 30, December 31,
2004 2003
(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $19,346 $35,973
Short-term investments 160,737 120,333
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance
for doubtful accounts of $713 and $717
at September 30, 2004 and December 31,
2003, respectively 18,690 15,158
Accounts receivable - other 10,836 2,555
Inventories 29,390 13,676
Deferred income taxes 8,789 10,979
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 15,840 10,203
Total current assets 263,628 208,877
Property, plant and equipment, net 70,147 65,478
Capitalized software, net 24,094 24,872
Goodwill 18,621 18,621
Intangible and other assets 23,238 6,893
Total assets $399,728 $324,741
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $13,950 $9,250
Accrued salaries and employee benefits 12,646 11,670
Other accrued expenses 6,403 6,085
Income taxes payable 2,760 6,191
Deferred revenue 9,649 6,681
Total current liabilities 45,408 39,877
Deferred income taxes 7,425 6,850
Deferred revenue 5,167 5,667
Deferred rent 313 323
Minority interest 1,702 1,649
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.0001 par value per share,
20,000,000 shares authorized, none issued
and outstanding -- --
Common stock, $.0001 par value per share;
200,000,000 shares authorized, 49,778,731
and 48,721,560 shares issued and outstanding
at September 30, 2004 and December 31,
2003, respectively 5 5
Additional paid-in capital 239,751 212,586
Deferred compensation (1,194) (538)
Accumulated other comprehensive income 573 343
Retained earnings 100,578 57,979
Total stockholders' equity 339,713 270,375
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $399,728 $324,741
Gen-Probe Incorporated
Consolidated Statements of Income
(in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2004 2003 2004 2003
Revenues:
Product sales $56,447 $47,927 $164,077 $137,846
Collaborative research revenue 5,532 3,737 19,270 9,474
Royalty and license revenue 1,508 617 17,851 1,811
Total revenues 63,487 52,281 201,198 149,131
Operating expenses:
Cost of product sales 15,272 10,828 42,300 34,802
Research and development 15,646 16,921 49,961 44,576
Marketing and sales 6,568 5,943 19,958 16,490
General and administrative 9,058 5,740 23,817 15,757
Total operating expenses 46,544 39,432 136,036 111,625
Income from operations 16,943 12,849 65,162 37,506
Other income (expense):
Minority interest (103) -- (282) --
Interest income 855 564 1,881 1,447
Interest expense (20) (14) (33) (57)
Other income (expense), net 37 55 (99) 121
Total other income (expense) 769 605 1,467 1,511
Income before income taxes 17,712 13,454 66,629 39,017
Income tax expense 6,602 4,604 24,030 13,364
Net income $11,110 $8,850 $42,599 $25,653
Net income per share (1):
Basic $0.22 $0.18 $0.86 $0.54
Diluted $0.22 $0.18 $0.83 $0.53
Weighted average shares outstanding
(1):
Basic 49,654 47,987 49,284 47,745
Diluted 51,516 49,974 51,302 48,697
(1) All share and per share amounts reflect the 2-for-1 stock split
implemented as a 100% stock dividend in September 2003.
SOURCE Gen-Probe Incorporated -0- 11/04/2004
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