Revenue and Gross Profit Increase
LOVELAND, Colo., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Heska Corporation today reported financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2008.
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Heska Corporation (“Heska” or the “Company”) generated Core Companion Animal Health product revenue of $18.9 million, an increase of 21% from the prior year period.
“Revenue from Heska’s blood chemistry instrument, the DRI-CHEM(R) Veterinary Chemistry Analyzer, and associated consumables, were a key factor in the strong revenue growth we posted this quarter,” said Robert Grieve, Heska’s Chairman and CEO. “Investors should note the accounting change in the way Heska is reporting income tax expense in 2008 as compared to 2007. This is the primary reason for the large increase in income tax expense. We have included pro forma information for additional clarity. Heska will continue to furnish pro forma information until the Company begins to report 2009 results with comparable income tax accounting treatment to 2008.”
Total Revenue
Total revenue for the third quarter of 2008 was $21.7 million, an increase of 11% compared to the third quarter of 2007. Total revenue consists of product revenue and research, development and other revenue, both of which are discussed below.
Segment Product Revenue
Total product revenue for the third quarter of 2008 was $21.4 million, up 12% from $19.0 million in the third quarter of 2007. Heska Corporation’s business is comprised of two reportable segments -- Core Companion Animal Health and Other Vaccines, Pharmaceuticals and Products. Product revenue from these segments is as follows:
Core Companion Animal Health This segment includes revenue from the Company’s diagnostic instruments and supplies as well as single use, point-of-care tests, vaccines and pharmaceuticals, primarily for canine and feline use. In the third quarter of 2008, this segment generated product revenue of $18.9 million, up 21% as compared to $15.6 million in the third quarter of 2007.
Other Vaccines, Pharmaceuticals and Products This segment includes revenue from private label vaccine and pharmaceutical production, primarily for cattle but also for other animals including small mammals and fish. In the third quarter of 2008, this segment generated product revenue of $2.4 million, down 29% as compared to $3.4 million in the third quarter of 2007. Results for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 include approximately $1.6 million in revenue recognized in the first quarter upon receipt of a payment for product previously shipped and “take-or-pay” minimums for 2005 and 2006 which previously had not been paid as part of a now settled dispute with United Vaccines, Inc. (“United”), a former customer.
Research, Development and Other Revenue
Research, development and other revenue was $316 thousand in the third quarter of 2008, a decrease of approximately $175 thousand when compared to $491 thousand in the prior year period.
Investor Conference Call
Management will conduct a conference call on Monday, November 10, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. MST (11:00 a.m. EST) to discuss the third quarter 2008 financial results. To participate, dial (800) 240-2134 (domestic) or (303) 262-2125 (international); the conference call access number is 11121827. The conference call will also be broadcast live over the Internet at http://www.heska.com. To listen, simply log on to the web at this address at least ten minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. Telephone replays of the conference call will be available for playback until November 24, 2008. The telephone replay may be accessed by dialing (800) 405-2236 (domestic) or (303) 590-3000 (international). The webcast replay may be accessed from Heska’s home page at www.heska.com until November 24, 2008.
About Heska
Heska Corporation sells advanced veterinary diagnostic and other specialty veterinary products. Heska’s state-of-the-art offerings to its customers include diagnostic instruments and supplies as well as single use, point-of-care tests, pharmaceuticals and vaccines. The company’s core focus is on the canine and feline markets where it strives to provide high value products and unparalleled customer support to veterinarians. For further information on Heska and its products, visit the company’s website at www.heska.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements regarding Heska’s future financial and operating results. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Investors should note that there is an inherent risk in using past results to predict future outcomes. Revenue generated in the past related to customers, technology or products may not recur in future periods. For example, in the nine months ended September 30, 2007, Heska recognized approximately $1.6 million in revenue upon receipt of a payment from United for product previously shipped and “take or pay” minimums for 2005 and 2006. As United has ceased operations, Heska does not expect to generate any future revenue from United. In addition, factors that could affect the business and financial results of Heska generally include the following: risks related to the ultimate commercial success of the Heska’s recently launched chemistry instrument; risks related to Heska’s ability to maintain financial covenants under its credit facility agreement, which is essential to fund the Company’s ongoing operations; uncertainties related to Heska’s ability to project future financial results; risks regarding Heska’s reliance on third-party suppliers, which is substantial and could have significant negative consequences if Heska were to lose exclusive rights or access to a product due to a failure to meet minimum sales requirements or for other reasons; risks regarding Heska’s ability to successfully market, sell and distribute its products; risks related to the loss of large or significant customers; competition, including uncertainties regarding the impact of new products competitors have recently launched or may launch in the future; uncertainties regarding Heska’s reliance on third parties to whom Heska has granted substantial marketing rights to certain of Heska’s existing products; uncertainties regarding potential changes in accounting standards, which could affect the manner in which Heska’s financial statements are reported; uncertainties surrounding Heska’s ability to maintain its listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market; and the risks set forth in Heska’s filings and future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in Heska’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008.
Pro Forma Financial Information Statement of Utility
The following estimated pro forma financial information is presented assuming Heska had reduced its valuation allowance related to its domestic net operating loss on December 31, 2006 rather than December 31, 2007. In this circumstance, the Company would have recognized Net Operating Loss Usage as Income Tax Expense, as outlined below. The Company believes the pro forma information may be valuable to investors as an additional tool to benchmark future periods versus historical results on a consistently reported basis. The Company does not suggest that investors should consider such pro forma financial information in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.
CONTACT: Jason Napolitano, Executive Vice President & CFO of Heska
Corporation, +1-970-493-7272, ext. 4105
Web site: http://www.heska.com/
