NEW YORK, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company today reported financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and updated earnings guidance for the full year.
Bristol-Myers Squibb posted third quarter 2007 net sales of $5.1 billion, an increase of 22% over the same period in 2006. The company reported third quarter 2007 net earnings of $858 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), compared to $338 million, or $0.17 per diluted share for the same period in 2006. The 2007 results include a one-time pre-tax gain of $247 million ($144 million net of tax, or $0.07 per diluted share) on the sale of the BUFFERIN(R) and EXCEDRIN(R) brands in Japan. On a non-GAAP basis excluding specified items, third quarter 2007 net earnings were $764 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, compared to $438 million, or $0.22 per diluted share for the same period in 2006. The increase in net earnings in 2007 as compared to 2006 is due to strong sales growth of key and newer products in 2007 and reflects the adverse impact of generic competition for PLAVIX(R) in the third quarter of 2006.
“We remain focused on developing breakthrough medicines for patients worldwide, while also delivering shareholder value,” said James M. Cornelius, chief executive officer, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “We’re making significant progress in identifying ways to operate more efficiently and reduce costs companywide as we maintain investments in our productive pipeline, which continues to yield important new therapies, including the recent addition of IXEMPRA(R) for breast cancer. We’re also boosting our presence in biologics with the announced acquisition of Adnexus Therapeutics. Our key products continue to demonstrate solid growth as we move forward with the transformation of our pharmaceutical business to help even more people prevail in their fight against serious diseases.”
For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, net sales increased 5%, including a 2% favorable foreign exchange impact, to $14.5 billion compared to the same period in 2006. Net earnings in the first nine months of 2007 on a GAAP basis were $2.3 billion, or $1.14 per diluted share, compared to $1.7 billion, or $0.88 per diluted share for the same period last year. On a non- GAAP basis, excluding specified items, Bristol-Myers Squibb reported net earnings of $2.2 billion, or $1.13 per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, compared to $1.8 billion, or $0.89 per diluted share for the same period last year.
NEW PRODUCT AND PIPELINE DEVELOPMENTS
In October, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval of IXEMPRA(TM) (ixabepilone) as monotherapy for the treatment of patients with metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer in patients whose tumors are resistant or refractory to anthracyclines, taxanes and capecitabine. The FDA has also granted approval of IXEMPRA(TM) in combination with capecitabine for the treatment of patients with metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer resistant to treatment with an anthracycline, and a taxane, or whose cancer is taxane resistant and for whom further anthracycline therapy is contraindicated. In September, the company submitted a Marketing Application Authorization (MAA) for ixabepilone to the European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA).
In October, ATRIPLA(TM) was approved in Canada as the first once-daily single-tablet regimen for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults. In addition, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the EMEA issued a positive opinion on the MAA for ATRIPLA(TM).
In October, the company, ImClone and Merck KGaA entered into an agreement for the co-development and co-commercialization of ERBITUX(R) in Japan. Under the terms of the agreement, the parties will collaborate on a joint effort to develop and market ERBITUX(R) in Japan for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, as well as for the treatment of other cancers the parties agree to pursue. ERBITUX(R) was submitted to the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency for approval in February 2007.
In October, the company acquired privately held Adnexus Therapeutics, Inc. (Adnexus), developer of a new therapeutic class of biologics called ADNECTINS(TM). ADNECTINS(TM) are a proprietary class of targeted biologics based on a naturally occurring protein found in human serum. The company expects to record an in-process research and development charge in connection with the acquisition in the fourth quarter.
In September, ImClone Systems Incorporated (ImClone) and the company announced that a Phase III study of ERBITUX(R) in combination with platinum- based chemotherapy, conducted by Merck KGaA, met its primary endpoint of increasing overall survival compared with chemotherapy alone in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. As previously disclosed, an earlier study conducted by ImClone and the company evaluating the use of ERBITUX(R) in combination with a different platinum-based therapy did not meet its primary endpoint of increasing progression free survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Key secondary endpoints of this study, however, were statistically significant and favored the ERBITUX(R)-containing arm.
In August, the European Commission approved an update to the SPRYCEL(TM) label to include 100 mg once daily, from 70 mg twice daily, as a starting dose for patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia resistant or intolerant to imatinib. The FDA is reviewing a sNDA on the 100 mg starting dose, with a target action date in mid-November.
In August, the FDA accepted, for filing and review, the supplemental biologics license application for ORENCIA(R) for the treatment of pediatric patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
The company remains in discussions with the FDA regarding vinflunine. Based on FDA feedback, the company does not expect to file a New Drug Application for the treatment of bladder cancer.
INCOME TAXES
The effective income tax rate on earnings before minority interest and income taxes was 24.2% in the third quarter of 2007 compared to 31.3% in the third quarter of 2006. The 2006 effective tax rate included a $39 million change in estimate on a prior year specified item.
SPECIFIED ITEMS
In the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, the company recorded specified income and expense items that affected the comparability of the results. For information on specified items, see Appendix 1. Details reconciling these non-GAAP amounts with GAAP amounts including specified items are provided in supplemental materials available on the company’s website.
PHARMACEUTICALS
Worldwide pharmaceutical sales increased 24% to $3.9 billion in the third quarter of 2007, including a 3% favorable foreign exchange impact, compared to the same period in 2006.
U.S. pharmaceutical sales increased 42% to $2.3 billion in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006, primarily due to increased PLAVIX(R) sales, as well as the continued growth of key products and sales of newer products ORENCIA(R), BARACLUDE(R) and SPRYCEL(TM).
International pharmaceutical sales increased 6% to $1.6 billion in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006, due to a favorable 6% foreign exchange impact. Sales growth in ABILIFY(R) and newer products BARACLUDE(R) and SPRYCEL(TM) was offset by increased generic competition for PRAVACHOL(R) and TAXOL(R). The company’s reported international sales do not include copromotion sales reported by its alliance partner, sanofi-aventis, for PLAVIX(R) and AVAPRO(R)/AVALIDE(R), which continue to show growth in the third quarter of 2007.
HEALTH CARE GROUP
The combined third quarter 2007 revenues from the Health Care Group increased 12%, including a 4% favorable foreign exchange impact, to $1.1 billion compared to the same period in 2006.
OUTLOOK FOR 2007 AND 2008
Bristol-Myers Squibb revises its 2007 earnings guidance for fully diluted earnings per share on a GAAP basis to be between $1.28 and $1.33 from $1.35 to $1.45. The revised GAAP guidance reflects a fourth quarter charge for in-process research and development related to the company’s recent acquisition of Adnexus. The guidance does not include restructuring and other charges that cannot be reasonably estimated at this time in connection with the company’s comprehensive cost reduction programs, including charges related to workforce reductions and the rationalization of some facilities. While the amount and timing of these charges cannot be reasonably estimated at this time, the company expects that the charges are likely to be incurred over the next three years and are reasonably likely to be material.
The company raises its 2007 fully diluted earnings per share guidance on a non-GAAP basis to be between $1.42 and $1.47 from $1.35 to $1.45. The non- GAAP guidance excludes specified items as discussed under “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information.” Details reconciling adjusted non-GAAP amounts with the amounts reflecting specified items are provided in supplemental materials available on the company’s website.
The company continues to estimate its 2008 earnings per share guidance on a fully diluted basis to be between $1.60 and $1.70, subject to certain assumptions, and excluding the impact of restructuring and other charges related to the company’s comprehensive cost reduction programs discussed above and specified items discussed below. This guidance assumes, compared to 2007:
The financial guidance for 2008 further assumes no significant acquisitions or divestitures and that the company and its product partner, sanofi-aventis, maintain exclusivity for the PLAVIX(R) patent through at least 2008.
Further, the 2008 guidance excludes other specified items such as gains or losses from sale of businesses and product lines; from sale of equity investments and from discontinuations of operations; restructuring items that meet the requirements of SFAS 112 for severance and SFAS 146 for other exit costs; accelerated depreciation charges under SFAS 144 related to restructuring items described above; asset impairments; charges and recoveries relating to significant legal proceedings; upfront and milestone payments for in-licensing of products that have not achieved regulatory approval that are immediately expensed; copromotion or alliance charges and payments for in- process research and development which under GAAP are immediately expensed rather than amortized over the life of the agreement; income from upfront and milestone payments that is immediately recognized for out-licensing of products, including deferred income recognized upon termination; and significant tax events.
As previously disclosed, the composition of matter patent for PLAVIX(R), which expires in 2011, is subject to litigation in the U.S. with Apotex Inc. and Apotex Corp. (Apotex). Apotex’s appeal of the U.S. District Court decision upholding the validity and enforceability of the main patent protection for PLAVIX(R) is still pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Activities relating to the damages phase of the litigation in the U.S. District Court continue to proceed.
Even though the company and its alliance partner, sanofi-aventis, prevailed in the U.S. District Court, if Apotex were to prevail on appeal, the company could expect to face renewed generic competition for PLAVIX(R) promptly thereafter. There are other pending PLAVIX(R) patent litigations in the United States and in other less significant markets for the product. The company continues to believe that the PLAVIX(R) patents are valid and infringed, and with its alliance partner, sanofi-aventis, is vigorously pursuing these cases.
It is not possible at this time reasonably to assess the ultimate outcome of the appeal by Apotex of the patent litigation or of the other PLAVIX(R) patent litigations, or the timing of any renewed generic competition for PLAVIX(R) from Apotex or additional generic competition for PLAVIX(R) from other generic pharmaceutical companies. Loss of market exclusivity of PLAVIX(R) and/or the development of sustained generic competition would be material to the company’s sales of PLAVIX(R), results of operations and cash flows, and could be material to the company’s financial condition and liquidity. PLAVIX(R) is the company’s largest product by net sales, and U.S. net sales for PLAVIX(R) were $2.7 billion and $3.2 billion in 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information
This press release contains non-GAAP earnings and earnings per share information adjusted to exclude certain costs, expenses, gains and losses and other specified items. Among the items in GAAP earnings but excluded for purposes of determining adjusted earnings are: gains or losses from sale of businesses and product lines; from sale or write-down of equity investments and from discontinuations of operations; restructuring items that meet the requirements of SFAS 112 for severance and SFAS 146 for other exit costs; accelerated depreciation charges under SFAS 144 related to restructuring items described above; asset impairments; charges and recoveries relating to significant legal proceedings; upfront and milestone payments for in-licensing of products that have not achieved regulatory approval that are immediately expensed; co promotion or alliance charges and payments for in-process research and development which under GAAP are immediately expensed rather than amortized over the life of the agreement; income from upfront and milestone payments that is immediately recognized for out-licensing of products, including deferred income recognized upon termination; costs of early debt retirement; and significant tax events. This information is intended to enhance an investor’s overall understanding of the company’s past financial performance and prospects for the future. For example, non-GAAP earnings per share information is an indication of the company’s baseline performance before items that are considered by the company to be not reflective of the company’s ongoing results. In addition, this information is among the primary indicators the company uses as a basis for evaluating company performance, allocating resources, setting incentive compensation targets, and planning and forecasting of future periods. This information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for diluted earnings per share prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Statement on Cautionary Factors
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, statements relating to goals, plans and projections regarding the company’s financial position, results of operations, market position, product development and business strategy. These statements may be identified by the fact that they use words such as “anticipate”, “estimates”, “should”, “expect”, “guidance”, “project”, “intend”, “plan”, “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. These factors include, among other things, market factors, competitive product development, pricing controls and pressures (including changes in rules and practices of managed care groups and institutional and governmental purchasers), economic conditions such as interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations, judicial decisions and governmental laws and regulations related to Medicare, Medicaid and healthcare reform, pharmaceutical rebates and reimbursement, claims and concerns that may arise regarding the safety and efficacy of in-line products and product candidates, changes to wholesaler inventory levels, variability in data provided by third parties, changes in, and interpretation of, governmental regulations and legislation affecting domestic or foreign operations, including tax obligations, difficulties and delays in product development, manufacturing or sales, patent positions and the ultimate outcome of any litigation matter, including whether Apotex will prevail in its appeal of the District court’s decision in the PLAVIX(R) patent litigation. These factors also include the company’s ability to execute successfully its strategic plans, including its comprehensive cost reduction programs, the expiration of patents on certain other products, and the impact and result of governmental investigations. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline products that future clinical studies will support the data described in this release, that the products will receive necessary regulatory approvals, or that they will prove to be commercially successful; nor are there guarantees that regulatory approvals will be sought, or sought within currently expected timeframes, or that contractual milestones will be achieved. For further details and a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see the company’s periodic reports, including current reports on Form 8-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and the annual report on Form 10-K, furnished to and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Company and Conference Call Information
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global pharmaceutical and related health care products company whose mission is to extend and enhance human life.
There will be a conference call on October 25, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. (EDT) during which company executives will address inquiries from investors and analysts. Investors and the general public are invited to listen to a live web cast of the call at www.bms.com/ir or by dialing 913-981-4911. Materials related to the call will be available at the same website prior to the call.
For more information, contact: Tony Plohoros, 212-546-4379, Communications, Jeff Macdonald, 212-546-4824, Communications, John Elicker, 212-546-3775, Investor Relations, or Suketu Desai, 609-252-5796, Investor Relations.
ABILIFY(R) is the trademark of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
ATRIPLA(TM) is a trademark of both Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and Gilead Sciences, Inc.
The following table sets forth worldwide and U.S. reported net sales for selected products for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006. In addition, the table includes, where applicable, the estimated total U.S. prescription change for the retail and mail-order channels for the comparative periods presented for certain of the company’s U.S. pharmaceutical products based on third-party data. A significant portion of the company’s U.S. pharmaceutical sales is made to wholesalers. Where changes in reported net sales differ from prescription growth, this change in net sales may not reflect underlying prescriber demand.
CONTACT: Media, Tony Plohoros, Communications, +1-212-546-4379,
tony.plohoros@bms.com, or Jeff Macdonald, Communications, +1-212-546-4824,
jeffrey.macdonald@bms.com, or Investors, John Elicker, Investor Relations,
+1-212-546-3775, or john.elicker@bms.com, or Suketu Desai, Investor
Relations, +1-609-252-5796, suketu.desai@bms.com, all of Bristol-Myers
Squibb Company
Web site: http://www.bms.com/
