NOVEN ANNOUNCES RECORD FINANCIAL RESULTS
Net Income Up 193% Over 1999 Third Quarter
Quarterly Revenues Increase 38% Over Prior Year Period
MIAMI, FL., November 1, 2000 - Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: NOVN) today announced record financial results for the quarter and nine-month period ended September 30, 2000.
For the quarter, Noven reported net income of $3.6 million, or diluted earnings of $.15 per share, compared to $1.2 million, or diluted earnings of $.06 per share, for the third quarter of 1999. Revenues were $11.2 million, compared to $8.1 million for the same quarter in 1999. Noven increased its research and development spending in the third quarter to $3.3 million from $1.6 million in the third quarter of 1999, most of which related to clinical trials for Noven's MethyPatch™ transdermal methylphenidate delivery system for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, which is in Phase III clinical trials.
For the first nine months of 2000, Noven reported net income of $8.9 million, or diluted earnings of $.39 per share, compared to $2.9 million, or diluted earnings of $.13 per share, for the first nine months of 1999. Revenues were $31.2 million compared to $23.0 million for the same period in 1999. Research and development expense for the first nine months of 2000 was $8.7 million, compared to $4.7 million in the same period in 1999.
Novogyne Pharmaceuticals, Noven's women's health joint venture with Novartis, contributed $2.7 million and $6.4 million to Noven's third quarter and first nine months financial results, respectively, which amounts are reported as "Equity in earnings of Novogyne" on Noven's Statements of Operations. Novogyne did not contribute to Noven's financial results during the first nine months of 1999.
As of September 30, 2000, Noven's cash and cash equivalents were $20.8 million, compared to $15.3 million as of December 31, 1999.
"We are pleased to have delivered record financial results for the third quarter, while significantly advancing critical corporate and clinical objectives," said Robert C. Strauss, Noven's President, CEO and Co-Chairman.
"On the corporate front, Noven is proceeding towards the international license of Vivelle-Dot™, the world's smallest estrogen replacement patch. We believe we may be in a position to announce such a license in the near-term. In addition, Novartis has now launched Estalis®, our combination estrogen/progestin transdermal delivery system, in 15 countries, with more to follow. The distribution of both Vivelle-Dot and Estalis abroad should provide Noven with meaningful international revenue growth in 2001 and beyond."
"On the clinical front, Phase III clinical trials for MethyPatch, our transdermal methylphenidate patch for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, are in progress, and we have almost completed full enrollment. MethyPatch, if approved, could greatly accelerate Noven's growth. Accordingly, we are investing heavily in R&D to optimize its chances for approval. We expect to increase R&D spending in the 2000 fourth quarter by a little more than 50% over the $3.3 million that we invested in the third quarter. A major component of this amount relates to MethyPatch clinical trials. Thereafter, with MethyPatch clinicals substantially completed, our R&D spending should return to more normal levels. We are working hard to file our New Drug Application for this product in the first quarter of 2001."
A telephone conference among management and equity analysts relating to Noven's financial results will be broadcast live via the Internet at www.noven.com beginning at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time today, November 1. Thereafter, a rebroadcast of the call will be accessible at the same site. In addition, a taped replay of the conference call will be available by telephone beginning today at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time to November 3 at 11:59 p.m. by calling 800-475-6701 (from within the U.S.) or 320-365-3844 (from outside the U.S.) and entering the access code 546035.
Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc., headquartered in Miami, Fla., is a leader in the development of transdermal and transmucosal drug delivery systems and technologies. Noven has developed and presently manufactures a series of leading-edge products, including the world's smallest estrogen transdermal delivery system, the United States' only combination estrogen/progestin transdermal delivery system, and the first transmucosal patch approved for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. With a wide range of additional products in development, Noven is committed to becoming the world's premier developer, manufacturer, and marketer of transdermal and transmucosal drug delivery systems. For additional information on Noven, visit www.noven.com. For information on Noven's Vivelle® and Vivelle-Dot™ products, visit www.vivelledot.com. |
