SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:OPTR), today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2006. Optimer reported a net loss applicable to common stockholders in the fourth quarter and the full year ended December 31, 2006 of $4.1 million, or $1.56 per share, and $12.2 million, or $4.81 per share, respectively. This compares with a net loss applicable to common stockholders in the fourth quarter and the full year ended December 31, 2005 of $2.1 million, or $0.88 per share, and $7.7 million, or $3.22 per share, respectively. The increase in the net loss in 2006 over 2005 is primarily attributable to increased clinical development expenses for the Company’s two lead anti-infective product candidates, Difimicin and Prulifloxacin. The results for the year ended December 31, 2006 included approximately $553,000, or $0.22 per share, in employee stock-based compensation expense as a result of the adoption of FAS 123R. The net loss per share amounts do not reflect the conversion of all outstanding shares of the Company’s redeemable preferred stock into common stock that occurred upon the close of the Company’s initial public offering (IPO) in February 2007.
