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 (3939)	12/20/1997 9:52:00 AM
From: Zebra 365	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 23519

"Expedited Review" of any product by the FDA is granted if the product represents a new product in it's class for which there is not already an approved product. MUSE had expedited review, (still took nine months) for this reason and Viagra has been granted this status for the same reason. If Viagra is approved before ZONA files for Vasomax, there will be an existing drug in that category and Vasomax will not get expedited review. Joe Podolski, the CEO of ZONA discussed this in the last ZONA CC. He pretty much hinted that Vasomax would be going through regular review, i.e. he talked about the benefits of regular review vs expedited. Sorry about the ephedra being banned in NY error, I read it in a throwaway. Financials about Bradpalm's post. Blankmind is right about taxes, they are paid as an ongoing thing and do not accumulate quarter to quarter, no big end of year liability. As far as earnings, well, the water is pretty muddy for Q4. But there is a big item that should not be forgotten and that is the fact that MUSE has only now had sales for 4 quarters. In Q4 1996 VVUS lost (0.31) per share (split adjusted). This number is included in the current 12 months trailing earnings of 0.65. At 12 7/16 per share this gives VVUS a trailing P/E of 19.1 VVUS 9 month trailing earnings right now are 0.86. If earnings for the Q4 97 were ZERO, VVUS 12 month trailing earnings would rise to 0.86 and a trailing P/E of 14.5. If VVUS earnings are 0.20 (my current guesstimate) for Q4 97, then the 12 month trailing earnings rise to 1.06 for a P/E of 11.7. Well, we all know how it got there, because we have done our DD. But not all the market is so knowlegeable. I think there are a few out there who will think that much of the future uncertainty is factored into a stock like this when it's P/E is only 12. Just IMHO. Cheers Zebra