Gen-Probe Reports Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2010

  • Solid Growth in Women's Health, Acquisitions of Tepnel and Prodesse Drive 16% Increase in Product Sales, Total Revenues of $135.4 Million
  • Company Posts Non-GAAP and GAAP EPS(1)of $0.48(2)
  • Strong Cash Generation Continues, with $32.9 Million of Free Cash Flow(3) in Quarter

SAN DIEGO, April 29, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --Gen-Probe Incorporated (Nasdaq: GPRO) today reported financial results for the first quarter of 2010, highlighted by $135.4 million of total revenues and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.48 on both a non-GAAP and GAAP basis.

"Gen-Probe posted strong financial results in the first quarter of 2010 based on balanced performance across our key product areas: women's health, infectious diseases, blood screening and transplant diagnostics," said Carl Hull, the Company's president and chief executive officer.

Key financial results for the first quarter of 2010 were ($ in millions, except EPS):

                            Non-GAAP                    GAAP
                            --------                    ----
                       2010    2009  Change     2010   2009  Change
                       ----    ----             ----   ----  ------
    Product sales    $130.6  $112.5      +16% $130.6 $112.5      +16%
    Total revenues   $135.4  $116.2      +17% $135.4 $116.2      +17%
    Operating profit  $33.7   $34.6       -3%  $31.4  $33.0       -5%
    Net income        $24.0   $27.0      -11%  $24.2  $25.7       -6%
    EPS               $0.48   $0.51       -6%  $0.48  $0.49       -2%



In the prior year period, Gen-Probe's financial results benefited from $8.2 million of non-recurring revenue and pre-tax income associated with the renegotiation of the Company's blood screening collaboration with Novartis. Excluding this benefit, non-GAAP total revenues and EPS would have increased by 25% and 17%, respectively, in the first quarter of 2010.

Revenue Detail

Clinical diagnostics sales growth in the first quarter of 2010 was driven by transplant diagnostics and influenza products, which were not part of Gen-Probe in the prior year period, and by the APTIMA Combo 2(R) assay for detecting Chlamydia and gonorrhea. Clinical diagnostics sales also benefited from the weaker US dollar, which added an estimated $0.9 million, or 1%, to growth.(4)

In blood screening, sales declined compared to the first quarter of 2009 due to the $8.2 million of non-recurring revenue that was recorded in the prior year period. Excluding this benefit, blood screening sales would have increased by 11%, mainly due to the contractual increase in the share of revenues received from Novartis, the Company's blood screening collaborator, and increased sales of TIGRIS instruments to Novartis. These instrument sales are generally a precursor to future assay sales. Blood screening sales also benefited from the weaker US dollar, which added an estimated $1.2 million, or more than 2%, to growth.

Sales of research products and services in the first quarter of 2010 were $4.1 million. These sales, resulting from the Tepnel acquisition, were not included in Gen-Probe's prior year results.

First quarter product sales were ($ in millions):

                    Three Months Ended March
                              31,                       Change
                 -------------------------              ------
                                                              Constant
                         2010           2009 As Reported      Currency
                         ----           ---- -----------     ---------
    Clinical
     Diagnostics        $76.9          $59.6          +29%           +28%
    Blood
     Screening          $49.6          $52.9           -6%            -9%
    Research
     Products
     and
     Services            $4.1            N/A          N/A            N/A
    ---------            ----            ---          ---            ---
    Total
     Product
     Sales             $130.6         $112.5          +16%           +14%



Collaborative research revenues in the first quarter of 2010 were $3.3 million, compared to $1.7 million in the prior year period, an increase of 94% that resulted primarily from increased funding from Novartis associated with the development of the fully automated PANTHER(TM) instrument for the blood screening market.

Royalty and license revenues in the first quarter of 2010 were $1.6 million, compared to $2.0 million in the prior year period, a decrease of 20% that resulted mainly from lower royalties from Novartis associated with the use of Gen-Probe's technologies in the plasma screening market.

Expense Detail

Gross margin on product sales in first quarter of 2010 was 67.4% on a non-GAAP basis, compared to 70.4% in the prior year period. This decrease resulted mainly from the 2.3% gross margin benefit associated with the $8.2 million of non-recurring blood screening revenue in the prior year period, and from increased sales of low-margin TIGRIS instruments to Novartis in the first quarter of 2010. On a GAAP basis, including $0.1 million of acquisition-related depreciation expense, gross margin on product sales was 67.3% in the first quarter of 2010.

Acquisition-related amortization expenses were $2.2 million in the first quarter of 2010, compared to $0 in the prior year period.

Research and development (R&D) expenses in the first quarter of 2010 were $29.7 million, compared to $25.0 million in the prior year period, an increase of 19% that resulted primarily from expenses associated with the Company's development programs for PANTHER, HPV, PCA3 and trichomonas, and from the addition of Tepnel's and Prodesse's R&D activities.

Marketing and sales expenses in the first quarter of 2010 were $14.8 million, compared to $11.1 million in the prior year period, an increase of 33% that resulted primarily from the addition of Tepnel's cost structure, and European sales force expansion and market development efforts.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses in the first quarter of 2010 were $14.7 million on a non-GAAP basis, compared to $12.2 million in the prior year period, an increase of 20% that resulted primarily from the addition of Tepnel's cost structure and costs associated with the Company's patent infringement litigation against Becton, Dickinson. On a GAAP basis, including acquisition-related costs, G&A expenses were $14.7 million in the first quarter of 2010, compared to $13.8 million in the prior year period.

Total other income in the first quarter of 2010 was $3.2 million on a non-GAAP basis, compared to $4.6 million in the prior year period, a decrease of 30% that resulted primarily from lower yields on the Company's municipal bond portfolio, and lower investment balances due to share repurchases and the acquisitions of Tepnel and Prodesse. Other income for the first quarter of 2010 did, however, benefit from $2.2 million of net realized gains on sales of marketable securities. On a GAAP basis, including a $1.7 million non-cash gain on a change in the fair value of potential contingent payments related to the acquisition of Prodesse, total other income was $4.9 million in the first quarter of 2010.

In the first quarter of 2010, Gen-Probe generated net cash of $40.7 million from operating activities, substantially higher than GAAP net income of $24.2 million. The Company spent $7.8 million on property, plant and equipment in the quarter, leading to free cash flow of $32.9 million, and repurchased 233,200 shares of its stock for $11.0 million.

Gen-Probe continues to have a strong balance sheet. As of March 31, 2010, the Company had $534.3 million of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, and $240.8 million of short-term debt. The Company pays interest on substantially all this debt at a rate 0.6% above the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), which was recently below 0.3%.

Updated 2010 Financial Guidance

                                                          Previous
                                       Current            Guidance
                                      Guidance            --------
                                     (non-GAAP)          (non-GAAP)
                                      ----------         ----------
    Total revenues            $545 to $565 million  $540 to $565 million
    Product gross margins               68% to 69%           68% to 70%
    Acquisition-related
     amortization                       N/A                   N/A
    Fair value adjustment of
     acquisition-related
     contingent
     consideration                      N/A                   N/A
    Operating margin                    27% to 28%           27% to 28%
    Tax rate                            34% to 35%           34% to 35%
    Diluted shares                 ~ 50 million          ~ 50 million
    EPS                             $2.12 to $2.25        $2.10 to $2.25


                                     Current              Previous
                                     Guidance              Guidance
                                     --------                --------
                                      (GAAP)                (GAAP)
                                      ------                ------
    Total revenues            $545 to $565 million  $540 to $565 million
    Product gross margins            68% to 69%           68% to 70%
    Acquisition-related
     amortization                $9 to $10 million     $9 to $10 million
    Fair value adjustment of
     acquisition-related
     contingent
     consideration                 ~ $1 million         $4 to $5 million
    Operating margin                24.5% to 25.5%       24.5% to 25.5%
    Tax rate                            34% to 35%           34% to 35%
    Diluted shares                 ~ 50 million          ~ 50 million
    EPS                             $1.99 to $2.12        $1.90 to $2.05

Webcast Conference Call

A live webcast of Gen-Probe's first quarter 2010 conference call for investors can be accessed at http://www.gen-probe.com beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time today. The webcast will be archived for at least 90 days. A telephone replay of the call also will be available for approximately 24 hours. The replay number is 866-423-4833 for domestic callers and 203-369-0845 for international callers.

About Gen-Probe

Gen-Probe Incorporated is a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of rapid, accurate and cost-effective molecular diagnostic products and services that are used primarily to diagnose human diseases, screen donated human blood, and ensure transplant compatibility. Gen-Probe has approximately 27 years of expertise in nucleic acid testing, and received the 2004 National Medal of Technology, America's highest honor for technological innovation, for developing NAT assays for blood screening. Gen-Probe is headquartered in San Diego and employs approximately 1,300 people. For more information, go to www.gen-probe.com.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement Gen-Probe's financial results for the first quarter of 2010 and its 2010 financial guidance, in each case presented in accordance with GAAP, Gen-Probe uses the following financial measures defined as non-GAAP by the SEC: non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP marketing and sales expenses, non-GAAP G&A expenses, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP income tax rate, and non-GAAP EPS. Gen-Probe's management does not, nor does it suggest that investors should, consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. Gen-Probe's management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company's performance by excluding certain expenses that may not be indicative of core business results. Gen-Probe believes that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing Gen-Probe's performance and when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management's internal comparisons to Gen-Probe's historical performance and our competitors' operating results. Gen-Probe believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision making. Further, our reconciliations of non-GAAP to GAAP operating results, which are included on the attached tables, are presented in the format of consolidated statements of income solely to assist a reader in understanding the impact of the various adjustments to our GAAP operating results, individually and in the aggregate, and are not intended to place any undue prominence on our non-GAAP operating results.

Trademarks

APTIMA, APTIMA COMBO 2, TIGRIS and PANTHER are trademarks of Gen-Probe. All other trademarks are the property of their owners.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements in this news release about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance, including those under the heading "Updated 2010 Financial Guidance," are not historical facts and are forward-looking statements. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as believe, will, expect, anticipate, estimate, intend, plan and would. For example, statements concerning Gen-Probe's financial condition, possible or expected results of operations, regulatory approvals, future milestones, growth opportunities, and plans of management are all forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Some of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions include but are not limited to: (i) the risk that we may not achieve our expected 2010 financial targets, (ii) the risk that we may not integrate acquisitions, such as Tepnel and Prodesse, successfully, (iii) the possibility that the market for the sale of our new products, such as our PANTHER instrument system and PROGENSA PCA3, APTIMA HPV and APTIMA trichomonas assays, may not develop as expected, (iv) the enhancement of existing products and the development of new products may not proceed as planned, (v) the risk that investigational products, including those now in US clinical trials, may not be approved by regulatory authorities or become commercially available in the time frame we anticipate, or at all, (vi) the risk that we may not be able to compete effectively, (vii) the risk that we may not be able to maintain our current corporate collaborations and enter into new corporate collaborations or customer contracts, (viii) our dependence on Novartis and other third parties for the distribution of some of our products, (ix) our dependence on a small number of customers, contract manufacturers and single source suppliers of raw materials, (x) changes in third-party reimbursement policies regarding our products could adversely affect sales, (xi) changes in government regulation or tax policy affecting our diagnostic products could harm our sales, increase our development costs or increase our taxes, (xii) the risk that our intellectual property may be infringed by third parties or invalidated, and (xiii) our involvement in patent and other intellectual property and commercial litigation could be expensive and could divert management's attention. This list includes some, but not all, of the factors that could affect our ability to achieve results described in any forward-looking statements. For additional information about risks and uncertainties we face and a discussion of our financial statements and footnotes, see documents we file with the SEC, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and all subsequent periodic reports. We assume no obligation and expressly disclaim any duty to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect the occurrence of subsequent events.

(1) In this press release, all per share amounts are calculated on a fully diluted basis. Some totals may not foot due to rounding.

(2) Non-GAAP EPS for the first quarter of 2010 excludes $2.3 million of operating expenses related to the acquisitions of Tepnel and Prodesse, and a $1.7 million non-cash gain on contingent consideration associated with the acquisition of Prodesse. Taken together, these adjustments result in non-GAAP EPS of $0.48 for the quarter, identical to GAAP EPS.

(3) Cash from operations less purchases of property, plant and equipment.

(4) In this press release, estimates of "constant currency" growth exclude currency fluctuations associated with revenues from acquired companies, which were not part of Gen-Probe in the first quarter of 2009.

    Contact:
    --------
    Michael Watts
    Vice president, investor relations and
    corporate communications,
    858-410-8673


                              Gen-Probe Incorporated
                        Consolidated Balance Sheets - GAAP
                  (In thousands, except share and per share data)


                                                     March 31,  December 31,
                                                           2010          2009
                                                           ----          ----
                                                   (Unaudited)
    Assets
    Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents, including
       restricted cash of $16 and $17 at March 31,
       2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively        $187,277       $82,616
      Marketable securities                             273,606       402,990
      Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance
       for doubtful accounts of $443 and $516 at
       March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009,
       respectively                                      46,860        55,305
      Accounts receivable - other                         5,177         4,707
      Inventories                                        59,826        61,071
      Deferred income tax                                14,582        13,959
      Prepaid income tax                                      -         7,317
      Prepaid expenses                                   16,910        14,747
      Other current assets                                4,771         4,708
                                                          -----         -----
    Total current assets                                609,009       647,420

    Marketable securities, net of current portion        73,404        15,472
    Property, plant and equipment, net                  158,140       157,437
    Capitalized software, net                            12,996        12,560
    Goodwill                                            122,171       122,680
    Purchased intangibles, net                          105,090       108,015
    Licenses, manufacturing access fees and other
     assets, net                                         64,036        64,601
    Total assets                                     $1,144,846    $1,128,185
                                                     ==========    ==========

     Liabilities and stockholders' equity
    Current liabilities:
      Accounts payable                                  $18,218       $26,750
      Accrued salaries and employee benefits             21,748        27,093
      Other accrued expenses                             22,359        18,460
      Income tax payable                                  2,744             -
      Short-term borrowings                             240,796       240,841
      Deferred revenue                                    2,833         3,527
                                                          -----         -----
    Total current liabilities                           308,698       316,671

    Non-current income tax payable                        6,103         5,958
    Deferred income tax                                  22,522        23,220
    Deferred revenue, net of current portion              1,723         1,978
    Other long-term liabilities                           5,077        13,183

    Commitments and contingencies

    Stockholders' equity:
    Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share,
     20,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and
     outstanding                                              -             -
    Common stock, $0.0001 par value per share;
     200,000,000 shares authorized, 49,520,437 and
     49,143,798 shares issued and outstanding at
     March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009,
     respectively                                             5          5
    Additional paid-in capital                          256,026       242,615
    Accumulated other comprehensive income                  560         4,616
    Retained earnings                                   544,132       519,939
    Total stockholders' equity                          800,723       767,175
                                                        -------       -------
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity       $1,144,846    $1,128,185
                                                     ==========    ==========



                                 Gen-Probe Incorporated
                        Consolidated Statements of Income - GAAP
                         (In thousands, except per share data)
                                      (Unaudited)


                                                     Three Months Ended
                                                          March 31,
                                                          ---------
                                                        2010         2009
                                                        ----         ----
    Revenues:
      Product sales                                 $130,569     $112,522
      Collaborative research revenue                   3,264        1,675
      Royalty and license revenue                      1,586        1,986
                                                       -----        -----
    Total revenues                                   135,419      116,183

    Operating expenses:
      Cost of product sales (excluding acquisition-
       related intangible amortization)               42,661       33,314
      Acquisition-related intangible amortization      2,216            -
      Research and development                        29,681       24,998
      Marketing and sales                             14,781       11,055
      General and administrative                      14,679       13,846
                                                      ------       ------
    Total operating expenses                         104,018       83,213
                                                     -------       ------
    Income from operations                            31,401       32,970
    Other income/(expense):
      Investment and interest income                   3,898        4,882
      Interest expense                                  (546)        (151)
      Gain on contingent consideration                 1,745            -
      Other expense, net                                (159)        (142)
                                                        ----         ----
    Total other income, net                            4,938        4,589
                                                       -----        -----
    Income before income tax                          36,339       37,559

    Income tax expense                                12,146       11,812
    Net income                                       $24,193      $25,747
                                                     =======      =======

    Net income per share:
      Basic                                            $0.49        $0.49
                                                       =====        =====
      Diluted                                          $0.48        $0.49
                                                       =====        =====

    Weighted average shares outstanding:
      Basic                                           49,233       52,157
                                                      ======       ======
      Diluted                                         49,739       52,833
                                                      ======       ======




                                         Gen-Probe Incorporated
                                    Consolidated Statements of Income
                                  (In thousands, except per share data)


                                       Three Months Ended
                                            March 31, 2010
                                Non-GAAP    Adjustments       GAAP
                                --------    -----------       ----
    Revenues:
      Product sales               $130,569            $-      $130,569
      Collaborative research
       revenue                       3,264             -         3,264
      Royalty and license
       revenue                       1,586             -         1,586
                                     -----           ---         -----
    Total revenues                 135,419             -       135,419

    Operating expenses:
      Cost of product sales
       (excluding
       acquisition- related
       intangible
       amortization)                42,570            91        42,661
      Acquisition-related
       intangible
       amortization                      -         2,216         2,216
      Research and
       development                  29,681             -        29,681
      Marketing and sales           14,781             -        14,781
      General and
       administrative               14,652            27        14,679
                                    ------           ---        ------
    Total operating
     expenses                      101,684         2,334       104,018
                                   -------         -----       -------
    Income from operations          33,735        (2,334)       31,401
    Other income/
     (expense):
      Investment and
       interest income               3,898             -         3,898
      Interest expense                (546)            -          (546)
      Gain on contingent
       consideration                     -         1,745         1,745
      Other expense, net              (159)            -          (159)
                                      ----           ---          ----
    Total other income,
     net                             3,193         1,745         4,938
                                     -----         -----         -----
    Income before income
     tax                            36,928          (589)       36,339

    Income tax expense              12,957          (811)       12,146
    Net income                     $23,971          $222       $24,193
                                   =======          ====       =======

    Net income per share:
      Basic                          $0.49            $-         $0.49
                                     =====           ===         =====
      Diluted                        $0.48            $-         $0.48
                                     =====           ===         =====

    Weighted average
     shares outstanding:
      Basic                         49,233             -        49,233
                                    ======           ===        ======
      Diluted                       49,739             -        49,739
                                    ======           ===        ======



                                          Three Months Ended
                                            March 31, 2009
                                Non-GAAP    Adjustments       GAAP
                                --------    -----------       ----
    Revenues:
      Product sales               $112,522            $-      $112,522
      Collaborative research
       revenue                       1,675             -         1,675
      Royalty and license
       revenue                       1,986             -         1,986
                                     -----           ---         -----
    Total revenues                 116,183             -       116,183

    Operating expenses:
      Cost of product sales
       (excluding
       acquisition- related
       intangible
       amortization)                33,314             -        33,314
      Acquisition-related
       intangible
       amortization                      -             -             -
      Research and
       development                  24,998             -        24,998
      Marketing and sales           11,055             -        11,055
      General and
       administrative               12,244         1,602        13,846
                                    ------         -----        ------
    Total operating
     expenses                       81,611         1,602        83,213
                                    ------         -----        ------
    Income from operations          34,572        (1,602)       32,970
    Other income/
     (expense):
      Investment and
       interest income               4,882             -         4,882
      Interest expense                (151)            -          (151)
      Gain on contingent
       consideration                     -             -             -
      Other expense, net              (142)            -          (142)
                                      ----           ---          ----
    Total other income,
     net                             4,589             -         4,589
                                     -----           ---         -----
    Income before income
     tax                            39,161        (1,602)       37,559

    Income tax expense              12,187          (375)       11,812
    Net income                     $26,974       $(1,227)      $25,747
                                   =======       =======       =======

    Net income per share:
      Basic                          $0.51        $(0.02)        $0.49
                                     =====        ======         =====
      Diluted                        $0.51        $(0.02)        $0.49
                                     =====        ======         =====

    Weighted average
     shares outstanding:
      Basic                         52,157             -        52,157
                                    ======           ===        ======
      Diluted                       52,833             -        52,833
                                    ======           ===        ======




                                 Gen-Probe Incorporated
                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - GAAP
                                     (In thousands)
                                       (Unaudited)


                                                    Three Months Ended
                                                         March 31,
                                                         ---------
                                                       2010          2009
                                                       ----          ----
    Operating activities:
    Net income                                      $24,193       $25,747
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
     cash provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization                  11,308         8,748
      Amortization of premiums on investments, net
       of accretion of discounts                      2,216         1,523
      Stock-based compensation charges                5,902         5,758
      Stock-based compensation income tax benefits    1,156           126
      Excess tax benefit from employee stock-based
       compensation                                  (1,596)         (127)
      Deferred revenue                                 (833)          147
      Deferred income tax                            (1,360)        1,305
      Gain on contingent consideration               (1,745)            -
      Loss on disposal of property and equipment         47             -
      Changes in assets and liabilities:
       Trade and other accounts receivable            7,696          (784)
       Inventories                                    1,110         2,223
       Prepaid expenses                              (2,200)          945
       Other current assets                             (95)          436
       Other long-term assets                          (257)       (1,161)
       Accounts payable                              (8,065)         (219)
       Accrued salaries and employee benefits        (5,256)       (5,657)
       Other accrued expenses                        (1,630)        2,217
       Income tax payable                            10,671        10,709
       Other long-term liabilities                     (575)           82
    Net cash provided by operating activities        40,687        52,018
                                                     ------        ------

    Investing activities:
    Proceeds from sales and maturities of
     marketable securities                          139,425        84,008
    Purchases of marketable securities              (71,390)      (37,124)
    Purchases of property, plant and equipment       (7,828)       (7,525)
    Additions to capitalized software                (1,089)            -
    Purchases of intangible assets, including
     licenses and manufacturing access fees            (722)         (205)
    Other assets                                       (310)          (13)
    Net cash provided by investing activities        58,086        39,141
                                                     ------        ------

    Financing activities:
    Excess tax benefit from stock-based
     compensation                                     1,596           127
    Repurchase and retirement of restricted stock
     for payment of taxes                               (39)          (34)
    Repurchase and retirement of common stock       (10,961)      (35,627)
    Proceeds from issuance of common stock and
     ESPP                                            16,912           534
    Borrowings under credit facility                      -       170,000
    Net cash provided by financing activities         7,508       135,000
                                                      -----       -------
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and
     cash equivalents                                (1,620)          (86)
                                                     ------           ---
    Net increase in cash and cash equivalents       104,661       226,073
    Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of
     period                                          82,616        60,122
    Cash and cash equivalents at the end of
     period                                        $187,277      $286,195
                                                   ========      ========




SOURCE Gen-Probe Incorporated



Gen-Probe Incorporated
10210 Genetic Center Drive
San Diego, CA 92121

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