Kensey Nash announces financial results for second quarter of fiscal year 2010

Kensey Nash Corporation (Nasdaq: KNSY), a leading medical technology company that provides innovative solutions and technologies for a wide range of medical procedures, today reported the results for its three and six months ended December 31, 2009. All references in this press release to preliminary second quarter results are to those provided in the Company's January 15, 2010 press release.

Second Quarter Snapshot and Recent Developments

• Expanded cost reduction plan resulting in estimated annual savings of $1.8 million and a one-time pre-tax severance and unabsorbed overhead expense charge of approximately $1.9 million.
• Revenue of $19.1 million, including net sales of $12.5 million and royalty income of $6.6 million, as indicated in the Company's announcement of preliminary second quarter results.
• Adjusted EPS (excluding pre-tax severance and unabsorbed overhead expense charges) of $0.43*, in line with guidance range of $0.42-$0.45.
• EPS of $0.32, within the preliminary second quarter results range of $0.31 to $0.34.
• EBITDA* of $7.7 million.

President and CEO Commentary

"During the quarter we took action to reduce our costs and overall inventory levels through the implementation of a cost reduction plan that included headcount reductions and reduced work schedules.  These actions are expected to generate annual pre-tax cost savings of approximately $1.8 million.  As discussed in our January 15, 2010 press release, our original revenue guidance was based on the expectation that we would see an acceleration in revenue as the healthcare environment improved, resulting in a higher growth rate in orthopaedic procedures in the second half of fiscal 2010.  Although we are experiencing an increase in orders, the rate of improvement has been lower than previously expected.  Consequently, we have adjusted our revenue expectations to reflect the ongoing challenging economic climate and taken the necessary steps to reduce inventories and control our costs. The cost reductions will not impact our new endeavors with the ECM and cartilage technologies, as both programs are key to the long term growth prospects for our Company.  We are excited about the progress we are making; we anticipate launching the ECM product in fiscal 2010 and receiving CE Mark for our cartilage repair device in the current quarter," commented Joe Kaufmann, President and CEO of the Company.

Second Quarter Ended December 31, 2009 (Second Quarter Fiscal 2010) Results

Revenues: Sales and Royalties.  Total revenues for the quarter of $19.1 million decreased 8% from total revenues of $20.8 million in the prior fiscal year second quarter.

Net sales of $12.5 million decreased 11% from $14.0 million in the prior fiscal year comparable period.  Net sales of biomaterials products were $11.6 million compared to $13.1 million in the comparable prior fiscal year period.  Cardiovascular sales of $4.3 million, consisting primarily of vascular closure product components to St. Jude Medical (NYSE: STJ), decreased $1.0 million from $5.3 million in the prior fiscal year period.  Fiscal year 2009 cardiovascular sales included a one-time cancellation fee of $0.8 million for a research and development project.  Additionally, the decline in Cardiovascular sales is partially attributed to variations in ordering patterns of components used in the manufacture of the Angio-Seal device by St. Jude Medical.  Orthopaedic sales, consisting primarily of sports medicine and spine products, decreased from $7.1 million to $6.0 million. As anticipated and previously disclosed the Company's sales growth in the orthopaedic market, particularly related to sports medicine products, has been negatively affected in the short-term.  Net sales of spine products decreased $0.5 million to $2.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2010 from $3.3 million in the prior fiscal year comparable quarter.  Net sales of sports medicine products decreased $0.6 million to $3.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2010 from $3.7 million in the prior fiscal year comparable quarter.  

Endovascular sales during the quarter were $0.8 million compared to $0.9 million in the prior fiscal year second quarter. As planned, the QuickCat manufacturing was transferred to Spectranetics in December 2009; therefore, the second quarter of fiscal 2010 will be the last quarter reflecting sales of the QuickCat device.  Following the second quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company expects its manufacturing of endovascular products will be limited to the ThromCat product.  

Royalty income for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 was $6.6 million, compared to $6.8 million in the comparable prior fiscal year period.  Royalty income in the second quarter of fiscal 2010 included $5.0 million in Angio-Seal™ royalties and $1.5 million in royalties from Orthovita, Inc. ( VITA).  Angio-Seal™ royalties decreased by approximately $0.4 million in the quarter over the prior fiscal year comparable quarter. The decline in Angio-Seal™ royalties from the prior year was primarily due to fewer shipping days in December 2009 as compared to December 2008.  Royalties from Orthovita increased $0.2 million compared to the same prior fiscal year quarter.

Earnings Per Share.  Second quarter adjusted diluted earnings per share* (which exclude the charges described below) were $0.43, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.44 for the same period of fiscal 2009.  Second quarter fiscal 2010 diluted earnings per share were $0.32.  As previously disclosed, in the second quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company implemented a cost reduction plan. Originally, this plan was estimated to result in charges of approximately $0.9 million; however, the cost reduction plan was expanded and, as a result, the total charges increased to $1.9 million.  The $1.9 million in charges includes a pre-tax severance charge of approximately $1.0 million and a pre-tax unabsorbed overhead expense charge of approximately $0.9 million. Adjusted diluted earnings per share* exclude these $1.9 million in charges.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company's total tax-effected equity compensation expense was $0.6 million, an increase of $0.6 million from the comparable prior year period.  Second quarter fiscal 2010 tax-effected equity compensation expense was higher than the comparable prior year period because the fiscal 2010 expense included an additional $0.3 million of amortized expense related to three years of equity grants, while second quarter fiscal 2009 equity compensation expense primarily included amortized expense for only two years of equity grants, due to the fiscal 2008 acceleration of stock awards. Furthermore, fiscal 2009 included an additional $0.3 million favorable mark-to-market adjustment on cash-settled stock appreciation rights.  Also negatively affecting earnings per share was a $0.2 million decrease in interest income in the second quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to the prior fiscal year comparable quarter, due to the significant decrease in interest rates.

Six Months Ended December 31, 2009 Results

Revenues: Sales and Royalties.  Total revenues for the six months ended December 31, 2009 of $38.8 million decreased 5% from total revenues of $40.9 million in the prior fiscal year period.

Net sales of $25.9 million decreased 6% from $27.4 million in the prior fiscal year comparable period.  Net sales of biomaterials products were $24.2 million compared to $25.8 million in the comparable prior fiscal year period.  Orthopaedic sales, consisting primarily of sports medicine and spine products, decreased from $15.1 million to $12.5 million. Net sales of spine products decreased $1.4 million to $5.6 million in the six months ended December 31, 2009 from $7.0 million in the prior fiscal year comparable period. Fiscal year 2009 spine sales included a one-time cancellation fee of $0.8 million for a research and development project.  Net sales of sports medicine products decreased $1.0 million to $6.7 million in the six months ended December 31, 2009 from $7.7 million in the prior fiscal year comparable period.  Cardiovascular sales of $9.3 million, consisting primarily of vascular closure product components to St. Jude Medical, increased slightly in the six months ended December 31, 2009 from $9.2 million in the prior fiscal year period.  

Endovascular sales during the six months ended December 31, 2009 remained constant, at $1.7 million compared to the same amount in the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to the increase in milestone revenue recognized under the Company's research and development agreement with Spectranetics, offset by a decrease in SafeCross product sales.

Royalty income for the six months ended December 31, 2009 was $12.9 million, compared to $13.5 million in the comparable prior fiscal year period. Royalty income in the six months ended December 31, 2009 included $9.9 million in Angio-Seal™ royalties and $2.9 million in royalties from Orthovita, Inc.  Angio-Seal™ royalties decreased by approximately $0.8 million in the six months ended December 31, 2009 over the prior fiscal year comparable period primarily due to fewer shipping days in December 2009, in combination with product mix changes and the effects of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Royalties from Orthovita increased modestly compared to the prior fiscal period.

Earnings Per Share.  For the six months ended December 31, 2009, adjusted diluted earnings per share* (which exclude the second quarter charges described above) were $0.86, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.87 for the same period of fiscal 2009.  For the six months ended December 31, 2009, diluted earnings per share were $0.75.

During the six months ended December 31, 2009, the Company's total tax-effected equity compensation expense was $1.0 million, an increase of $0.8 million from $0.2 million in the prior year comparable period.  Tax-effected equity compensation expense for the six months ended December 31, 2009 was higher than the comparable prior year period because fiscal 2010 equity expense included an additional $0.5 million due to an additional year of amortized expense and fiscal 2009 included an additional $0.3 million favorable mark-to-market adjustment on cash-settled stock appreciation rights. Also negatively affecting earnings per share was a $0.5 million decrease in interest income in the six months ended December 31, 2009 compared to the prior fiscal year comparable period, due to the significant decrease in interest rates.

During the six month period ended December 31, 2009, the Company generated cash from operations of $9.2 million, and at December 31, 2009, the Company had $82.0 million of cash and investment balances and total debt of $32.1 million.

Supplemental Sales Data.  Details of the Company's net sales for the three and six months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 are summarized below.  

Three Months Six Months Ended Year over Ended Year over December 31, Year % December 31, Year % 2009 2008 Change 2009 2008 Change ---- ---- ------- ---- ---- ------ ($ millions) Biomaterials Products Orthopaedic Products Sports Medicine Products $3.1 $3.7 (16%) $6.7 $7.7 (13%) Spine Products 2.8 3.3 (14%) 5.6 7.0 (21%) Other Orthopaedic Products 0.1 0.2 (30%) 0.2 0.4 (46%) Total Orthopaedic Products $6.0 $7.1 (16%) $12.5 $15.1 (18%) Cardiovascular Products 4.3 5.3 (17%) 9.3 9.2 0% General Surgery 1.1 0.5 102% 2.2 1.1 108% Other Biomaterial Products 0.2 0.2 12% 0.2 0.4 (30%) Biomaterials Products $11.6 $13.1 (11%) $24.2 $25.8 (6%) Endovascular Products $0.8 $0.9 (5%) $1.7 $1.7 1% Total Net Sales - $12.5 $14.0 (11%) $25.9 $27.4 (6%)

Fiscal 2010 Guidance

The Company is reiterating its revenues and earnings guidance provided in its January 15, 2010 news release. Total revenues for fiscal year 2010 are expected to be in the range of $79.0 to $81.0 million, including net sales and royalties in the ranges of $52.0 to $53.5 million and $27.0 to $27.5 million, respectively. Adjusted diluted earnings per share* are expected to be in the range of $1.81 to $1.85 and diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $1.70 to $1.74. The Company currently expects that its operating margins will continue to exceed 35% in fiscal 2010 and that its balance sheet will continue to be strengthened by adding cash from operations of approximately $16.0 million in the second half of the fiscal year.

Fiscal 2010 will include a significant investment in research and development, with total spending for fiscal 2010 estimated to be approximately $18.0 to $18.5 million.  The Company plans to continue to invest in its cartilage repair technology during the remainder of fiscal 2010, including costs associated with the expected initiation of its U.S. clinical trials. In addition, the Company currently expects to launch with its partner Synthes, an extracellular matrix (ECM) product line in the second half of the fiscal year.  Also included in the EPS estimate for fiscal 2010 is an expected increase in stock-based compensation expense, compared to fiscal 2009, by an estimated $1.5 million.  This higher stock-based compensation expense is primarily due to the fiscal 2008 acceleration of stock-based awards.

The Company is currently estimating that third quarter fiscal 2010 total revenues will be in the range of $19.5 to $20.2 million.  Net sales are currently expected to be in the range of $12.7 to $13.0 million, and royalties are currently expected to be in the range of $6.8 to $7.2 million.  The Company currently expects third quarter fiscal 2010 diluted earnings per share of $0.43 to $0.45.

Stock Repurchase Update. On December 10, 2009, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program allowing the Company to repurchase up to an additional 400,000 of its issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock.  During the six months ended December 31, 2009, the Company repurchased 247,977 shares of Common Stock at a total cost of approximately $6.0 million, or an average market price of $24.16 per share, under both the current 400,000 share repurchase program and the previous stock repurchase program, using available cash.  As of December 31, 2009, there were 343,228 shares remaining for repurchase under the current 400,000 stock repurchase program. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had 10,975,384 shares of Common Stock outstanding.  

Income taxes.  The Company currently estimates that its fiscal 2010 effective tax rate will be approximately 33%, the same as the Company's effective tax rate for fiscal 2009.  In the course of estimating the Company's annual effective tax rate and recording its quarterly income tax provision, the Company considers many factors including its expected earnings, state income tax apportionment, estimated manufacturing and research and development tax credits, non-taxable interest income and other estimates. Material changes in, or differences from, these estimates could have a significant impact on the Company's effective tax rate.

* EBITDA and adjusted diluted earnings per share excluding after-tax severance and unabsorbed overhead charges are non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered replacements for GAAP results or guidance.  For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, see the accompanying table to this release.  

Conference Call and Webcast.  The Company will be hosting a teleconference discussing the earnings results on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 9:00 A.M. Eastern Time. To participate in the teleconference call, dial 1-612-234-9960. The teleconference call will also be available for replay starting Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time through Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time by dialing 1-800-475-6701 with an access code of 140560.

Individuals interested in listening to the teleconference may also do so over the Internet at www.kenseynash.com.  To listen to the live teleconference call, please go to the www.kenseynash.com website and choose the Investor Relations page.  Please allow 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register and download and/or install any necessary software.  A replay of the teleconference will be archived on the www.kenseynash.com website and may be accessed following the teleconference.