MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- VIVUS, Inc. , a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of novel therapeutic products, today reported its highlights and financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009.
First Quarter 2009 Highlights:
“Our pivotal phase 3 trials for both Qnexa for the treatment of obesity and avanafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction are proceeding as planned and we look forward to announcing results from each of those programs later this year,” stated Leland Wilson, president and chief executive officer of VIVUS. “With recent management promotions and the continued progress on our clinical development programs, we believe we are well positioned to achieve our goals in 2009.”
First Quarter Results
Total revenue for the first quarter of 2009 was $22.2 million, as compared to $22.7 million for the first quarter of 2008. Product revenues from the sale of MUSE in the first quarter of 2009 were $1.2 million as compared to $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2008.
License and other revenue of $21 million in each of the first quarters of 2009 and 2008 primarily relates to the sale in 2007 of Evamist to K-V Pharmaceutical (“K-V”) and will continue to be significant until May 2009. Since we have received the $150 million in cash from the sale of Evamist and we have no related contingencies, the recognition of license revenue and the corresponding reduction of deferred revenue related to the Evamist sale will have no impact on our cash flows from operations in future periods.
Net loss for the first quarter of 2009 was $6.8 million, or $0.10 net loss per share, as compared to a net loss of $7.1 million, or $0.12 net loss per share, during the first quarter of 2008. The lower net loss in the first quarter of 2009 is primarily due to lower research and development expenses as a result of decreased spending related to our phase 3 clinical trials of Qnexa, our investigational product candidate for the treatment of obesity, in the first quarter of 2009, as compared to the first quarter of 2008.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Available for Sale Securities
VIVUS had cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities of $165.8 million at March 31, 2009, as compared to $189.2 million at December 31, 2008. The decrease in cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities of $23.4 million is the net result of cash used for operating and investing activities partially offset by cash provided by financing activities for the first three months of 2009. Included in these amounts is $3.3 million in cash receipts from the Deerfield financing received in the first quarter of 2009.
About VIVUS
VIVUS is a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative, next-generation therapies to address obesity, diabetes and sexual health. The company’s lead product in clinical development, Qnexa(TM), is expected to complete phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of obesity in 2009. Qnexa is also in phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In the area of sexual health, VIVUS is in phase 3 development with avanafil, a potentially best-in-class PDE5 inhibitor, and in phase 3 development of Luramist(TM) for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). For more information about the company, please visit www.vivus.com.
Note to Investors
As previously announced, VIVUS will hold a conference call to discuss the first quarter financial results today, May 11, 2009, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time. You can listen to this call by dialing 1-877-545-1402 and outside the U.S. 1-719-325-4910. A 30-day archive of the call can be accessed at http://ir.vivus.com/.
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimated” and “intend,” among others. These forward-looking statements are based on VIVUS’ current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, substantial competition; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or third party payer reimbursement; reliance on sole source suppliers; limited sales and marketing efforts and dependence upon third parties; risks related to the development of innovative products; and risks related to failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new products. There are no guarantees that future clinical studies discussed in this press release will be completed or successful or that any product will receive regulatory approval for any indication or prove to be commercially successful. VIVUS does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in VIVUS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT: Timothy E. Morris, Chief Financial Officer, VIVUS, Inc.,
+1-650-934-5200; Investor Relations: Brian Korb, The Trout Group,
+1-646-378-2923; or Media Relations: Sheryl Seapy, Pure Communications,
Inc., +1-949-608-0841
Web site: http://www.vivus.com/
