Company Exceeds Sales and Earnings Guidance
Company Reiterates 2009 Earnings Guidance and Introduces Q1 2009 Guidance
FRAZER, Pa., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cephalon, Inc. today reported 2008 sales of $1.943 billion, compared to sales of $1.727 billion for 2007, exceeding the company’s previously issued guidance. Basic income per common share for the full year 2008 was $3.27. Excluding amortization expense and certain other items, basic adjusted income per common share for the full year was $5.39, compared to $4.60 for 2007 and exceeds the high end of the company’s earnings guidance range of $5.20 to $5.30.
Central nervous system (CNS) franchise sales for 2008 increased 15 percent compared to 2007 to $1.049 billion. Pain franchise sales declined to $501.2 million from $512.6 million in 2007 due primarily to generic competition for ACTIQ(R) (oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate) [C-II]. AMRIX(R) (cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules) sales continued to ramp up with an increase of 28 percent over the third quarter of 2008. Oncology sales were $185.6 million, an increase of 100 percent over 2007 driven by the launch of TREANDA(R) (bendamustine hydrochloride) for Injection. Sales of other products were $207.6 million compared to $212.4 million for 2007.
“The growth of AMRIX and the launch of TREANDA helped 2008 sales achieve a new record for the company,” said Frank Baldino, Jr., Ph.D., Chairman and CEO. “As pleased as I am with our performance in 2008, I am even more excited about our new opportunities in the field of inflammatory diseases. Recently we announced a number of deals including the worldwide license for the drug candidate LUPUZORTM, for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus and the option to acquire Ception Therapeutics including its drug candidate reslizumab for eosinophilic esophagitis. Our ability to move quickly when opportunities present themselves coupled with our internal pipeline positions Cephalon favorably for future growth.”
The company is reiterating its guidance for 2009 total sales of $2.175 - $2.225 billion, adjusted net income of $452 - $459 million and its basic adjusted income per common share guidance of $6.50 - $6.60.
Cephalon is introducing first quarter 2009 sales guidance of $510 - $530 million, adjusted net income guidance of $89.7 - $96.6 million and basic adjusted income per common share guidance of $1.30 - $1.40.
Basic adjusted income per common share guidance for both the first quarter 2009 and full-year 2009 is reconciled below and is subject to the assumptions set forth therein.
Cephalon’s management will discuss the company’s fourth quarter and full year 2008 performance in a conference call with investors beginning at 5:00 p.m. U.S. EST on Thursday, February 12, 2009. To participate in the conference call, dial +1-913-661-9178 and refer to conference code number 9540364. Investors can listen to the call live by logging on to the company’s website at www.cephalon.com and clicking on “Investor Information,” then “Webcast.” The conference call will be archived and available to investors for one week after the call.
About Cephalon, Inc.
Founded in 1987, Cephalon, Inc. is an international biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of many unique products in three core therapeutic areas: central nervous system, pain, and oncology. A member of the Fortune 1000 and the S&P 500 Index, Cephalon currently employs approximately 3,000 people in the United States and Europe. U.S. sites include the company’s headquarters in Frazer, Pennsylvania, and offices, laboratories or manufacturing facilities in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Salt Lake City, Utah, and suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company’s European headquarters are located in Maisons-Alfort, France.
The company’s proprietary products in the United States include: AMRIX, TREANDA, FENTORA(R) (fentanyl buccal tablet) [C-II], PROVIGIL(R) (modafinil) Tablets [C-IV], TRISENOX(R) (arsenic trioxide) injection, GABITRIL(R) (tiagabine hydrochloride), NUVIGIL(R) (armodafinil) Tablets [C-IV] and ACTIQ. The company also markets numerous products internationally. Full prescribing information on its U.S. products is available at http://www.cephalon.com or by calling 1-800-896-5855.
In addition to historical facts or statements of current condition, this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide Cephalon’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. These may include statements regarding our opportunities in the field of inflammatory disease, current or potential drivers for our future growth, anticipated scientific progress on its research programs, development of potential pharmaceutical products, interpretation of clinical results, prospects for regulatory approval, manufacturing development and capabilities, market prospects for its products, sales and earnings guidance, and other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts. You may identify some of these forward-looking statements by the use of words in the statements such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” or other words and terms of similar meaning. Cephalon’s performance and financial results could differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements due to general financial, economic, regulatory and political conditions affecting the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries as well as more specific risks and uncertainties facing Cephalon such as those set forth in its reports on Form 8-K, 10-Q and 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these risks and uncertainties, any or all of these forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Therefore, you should not rely on any such factors or forward-looking statements. Furthermore, Cephalon does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits this discussion.
This press release and/or the financial results attached to this press release include “Adjusted Net Income,” “Basic Adjusted Income per Common Share,” “Adjusted Net Income Guidance,” “Basic Adjusted Income per Common Share Guidance,” and “Diluted Adjusted Income Per Common Share,” amounts that are considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under SEC rules. As required, we have provided reconciliations of these measures. Additional required information is located in the Form 8-K furnished to the SEC in connection with this press release.
CONTACT: Media, Sheryl Williams, +1-610-738-6493, swilliam@cephalon.com,
or Investors: Robert (Chip) Merritt, +1-610-738-6376, cmerritt@cephalon.com
Web site: http://www.cephalon.com/
