Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Biotech / Medical : VVUS: VIVUS INC. (NASDAQ) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Linda Kaplan who wrote (3316)	12/10/1997 5:49:00 PM
From: blankmind	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 23519

-- Did you read the "Arsenio" release? Or just the headline? -- Was it readable to you or pretty much garbled? -- For instance, "Vivus failed to provide any of the requested information. Asensio & Company believes Vivus' 25% sales drop is a result of poor product performance and early nonrecurring sales to undisclosed sources." You have to ask what in the world they're basing their assumptions on? -- Sorry, but if the product didn't work, how come sales are going thru the roof? And demand outstrip supply? -- Also, I have a friend in the pharm industry. Making a drug in quantity is tough. Plant delays are not uncommon. Their product just started shipment in 12/96; and sales already over $100 mill for the year. -- Out.

To: Linda Kaplan who wrote (3316)	12/10/1997 5:56:00 PM
From: RT	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 23519

Linda, One quick comment. If sales were in fact so soft why would they have just started building a plant in Ireland. I would think they would put that project on hold immediately. Either we are being lied too or they are just plain incompetant. WHAT'S YOUR OPINION? RT

To: Linda Kaplan who wrote (3316)	12/10/1997 5:57:00 PM
From: DR. BOND	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 23519

A quick note from my recent conversations with Nina at VVUS. 1. The shortfall in production was attributed to mgmt. moving their most experienced personel over from the old plant to the new plant (along with some production equipment) in order to facilitate a speedy approval process by the MCA (who inspected the new plant last week). As a result of this personel and equipment move, the old plant suffered in productivity mainly due to new hires lack of experience and the fact that some of the new equipment was different and required specific training. Mgmt. thought they could make this shortfall up but realized this Monday in a Board Meeting that capacity would fall short and hence today's announcement. 2. Mgmt believes that production will be back to 100% by mid January. 3. The new plant which was inspected last week could be online by early January, but given the approval process, mid-Feb. is more likely. 4. No conference call is planned at the present time but an interview was done by Bloomberg and is available on Bloomberg Radio. 5. As for Arsenio and the Lancet, mgmt. discredits their accounts and stands by their positon that MUSE not only works well (approx. 65% ethicasy) and that IMS data does not reflect the true picture (Arsenio). 6. Mgmt. indicated the they are active in the market buying their own stock back and mgmt. also will not be selling any stock at this time as per their systematic 90 day stock sale plan. I was able to get through today to Nina who seemed eager to defend the companies postion, but I am very disappointed by mgmts. decision not to conduct a conference call. I am tired, so I am signing off for now. Hanging Tough..Good Luck to ALL, DB