Conceptus beats on EPS, but revenues light, and guides down a bit; stock back to $18 after hours. 3rd generation Essure device approved.
>>Conceptus Second Quarter Net Sales Increase 57% to $15.7 Million
Wednesday July 25, 4:05 pm ET
Revises 2007 Financial Guidance
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Conceptus, Inc. (Nasdaq: CPTS - News), developer of the Essure® procedure, the first and only non-incisional permanent birth control method available, today reported financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007.
Net sales for the second quarter of 2007 were $15.7 million, up 57% over net sales of $10.0 million for the second quarter of 2006 and up 14% over net sales of $13.8 million for the first quarter of 2007. The net loss for the second quarter of 2007 improved to $2.1 million, or $0.07 per share, compared with a net loss of $5.3 million, or $0.18 per share, for the second quarter of 2006.
Net sales growth during the 2007 second quarter was due to higher commercial sales of the Essure system worldwide, and reflects increasing numbers of physicians entering and completing training and certified physicians performing the Essure procedure in-office, the highest utilization setting. Domestic sales of the Essure system increased 54% and international sales increased 79%, both compared with the comparable prior-year period.
"During the quarter we continued to see growing support for the Essure system in the physician office setting, where the numerous benefits of the Essure procedure are most apparent. We opened 368 physician office accounts during the quarter and 40% of our unit volume went to the in-office channel. We also experienced heavy physician demand for training on the Essure system, with 531 physicians entering preceptorship and 313 physicians becoming certified during the quarter," commented Mark Sieczkarek, president and chief executive officer of Conceptus.
"However, we are about 10% behind plan on sourcing qualified sales representatives. This shortfall along with the resource-intensive activities to transition a physician from performing the procedure in a hospital setting to an office setting directly impacted our net sales volume for the quarter, with sales of $15.7 million being slightly lower than previously issued low-end guidance for net sales of $15.9 million. Nevertheless," he added, "we are pleased with the progress of moving the procedure to the office setting and the 60% improvement in net loss for the quarter to $2.1 million over the prior year, as it bettered our previous guidance range for net loss of $3.2 million to $3.5 million."
Gross profit for the second quarter of 2007 was $11.4 million, or 73% of net sales. This compares favorably with gross margin for the second quarter of 2006 of 64% and is consistent with the 73% gross margin for the first quarter of 2007. The year-over-year increase in gross margin is related to lower manufacturing costs associated with higher unit volume and to a domestic price increase implemented during the first quarter of 2007. The flat quarter-to-quarter gross margin reflects lower per-unit manufacturing costs, offset by a greater mix of international sales made at a lower selling price.
Research and development expenses were $1.1 million for the second quarter of 2007, compared with $1.1 million for the second quarter of 2006 and $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2007. R&D expenses reflect product development and clinical expenditures, which are substantially related to the ongoing development of our technology.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $13.2 million for the second quarter of 2007, compared with $10.9 million for the second quarter of 2006 and $13.0 million for the first quarter of 2007. The Company continues to increase the number of sales territories and personnel and is funding a variety of marketing programs in an effort to broaden patient awareness and refine physician skills at performing the Essure procedure in-office using minimal anesthesia.
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $95.6 million as of June 30, 2007, a reduction of $1.6 million from March 31, 2007. This net cash usage compares with $3.0 million in the second quarter of 2006 and net cash increase of $71.4 million in the first quarter of 2007, which includes the positive impact of the $74.5 million convertible debt offering in February 2007.
"Our focus remains on building out our sales force infrastructure and rolling out physician and patient awareness programs," added Mr. Sieczkarek. "Although we would prefer a faster pace of hiring, we are balancing the time-intensive needs of building our office business with our requirements for building a top-notch field organization to promote the Essure experience to our physicians and patients. Our confidence in the Essure device as the best choice among women interested in permanent birth control is unwavering, so we continue to pioneer in-office hysteroscopy and OB/GYN practice marketing until all interested women can avail themselves of our safe, fast and highly effective procedure."
For the six months ended June 30, 2007, Conceptus reported net sales of $29.4 million, up 64% over net sales of $18.0 million for the comparable six-month period in 2006. The net loss for the first half of 2007 of $6.2 million, or $0.21 per share, compares favorably with the net loss of $11.1 million, or $0.38 per share, for the first half of 2006. Included in the net loss for the first half of 2007 and 2006 are non-cash charges of $3.0 million for stock-based compensation expense.
Financial Guidance
Conceptus revised full-year 2007 financial guidance, as follows:
The Company expects net sales for the year to be in the range of $62 million to $65 million, and net loss to be in the range of $7.6 million to $10.0 million. The Company's previous guidance was for net sales of $66 million to $68 million and a net loss of $6.3 million to $7.1 million.
For the third quarter of 2007 the Company expects net sales to be in the range of $15.7 million to $16.1 million, and net loss to be in the range of $2.1 million to $2.7 million.
"The metrics for tracking the success of our business remain very strong in terms of physician interest in being trained on the Essure system and moving the procedure into the office environment where patient awareness programs increase utilization," continued Mr. Sieczkarek. "Although we expect to continue adding experienced sales personnel, we find ourselves about one calendar quarter behind in our hiring and net sales expectations and we don't believe this will change for the balance of the year."
These statements are only effective as of the date of this press release and Conceptus undertakes no duty to publicly revise or update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Conference Call
Management will host an investment-community conference call beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time today to discuss these results and to answer questions. To participate in the live call by telephone, please dial (888) 803-8296 from the U.S., or (706) 634-1250 from outside the U.S. Individuals interested in listening to the live conference call via the Internet may do so by logging onto the Company's website, www.conceptus.com. A replay will be available on the website for 14 days.
A telephone replay will be available from 6:30 p.m. Eastern time July 25, 2007 through 11:59 p.m. Eastern time July 27, 2007 by dialing (800) 642-1687 (domestic) or (706) 645-9291 (international) and entering conference ID number 7317277.<<
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Cheers, Tuck |
