Gentium third quarter total revenues increase to EUR 5.91 million

Nov 8 2010

• Profitability achieved for the second consecutive quarter.
• Cash flow positive for the fourth consecutive quarter.
• Total revenues and net income for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 were EUR 18.44 (US$25.17) million and EUR 3.44 (US$4.69) million, respectively.

Gentium S.p.A. (Nasdaq:GENT) (the "Company") today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. The Company reports its financial condition and operating results using U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The Company's financial statements are prepared using the Euro as its functional currency. On September 30, 2010, EUR 1.00 = $1.3648.

"We are pleased to report that for the second consecutive quarter the Company achieved profitability, posting net income of EUR 3.44 million (US$4.69 million) for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010," stated Salvatore Calabrese, Senior Vice President, Finance of Gentium S.p.A. "The Company remains cash flow positive for the fourth consecutive quarter and has strengthened its cash position. We remain on target with our revised projected revenues of EUR 23-25 million for 2010."

"We are delighted that now more than 200 clinics worldwide are using the expanded access programs. In the previous quarters, we have seen a marked increase in the prophylactic use of Defibrotide for prevention of VOD, constituting some 25-30% of Defibrotide use in ex-U.S. clinics," stated Dr. Khalid Islam, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gentium S.p.A. "We remain on track for the completion of the on-going preclinical and clinical studies and aim to file for marketing authorization with U.S. and European regulatory authorities by the end of the second quarter in 2011."

Dr. Islam also provided an update on activities following the close of the quarter, "In the last month the company was present at two major conferences, International Society of Hematology (ISH) and Asia Pacific Blood and Marrow Transplant (APBMT). Results presented at the ISH meeting in Jerusalem demonstrated that prophylactic use of Defibrotide also significantly reduced the incidence (47% versus 65%;Defibrotide for the Prevention and Treatment of endothelial complications following Stem Cell Transplantation."

Financial Highlights

For the nine-months ended September 30, 2010 compared with the prior year's period:

• Total revenues increased 201% to EUR 18.44 million, compared with EUR 6.12 million.
• Operating costs and expenses, which include restructuring charges of EUR 0.95 million, were EUR 14.83 million, compared with EUR 10.66 million.
• Research and development expenses, which are included in operating costs and expenses, were EUR 4.63 million, compared with EUR 2.66 million. 2009 research and development expenses were net of EUR 0.76 million of government grants in the form of a tax credit, accrued as a reduction of expenses. Excluding such grants, 2009 research and development expenses would have been EUR 3.42 million.
• Operating income/(loss) was EUR 3.62 million, compared with EUR (4.54) million.
• Net income/(loss) was EUR 3.44 million, compared with EUR (4.48) million.
• Basic and diluted net income/(loss) per share was EUR 0.23, compared with EUR (0.30) per share.

For the third quarter ended September 30, 2010 compared with the prior year's third quarter:

• Total revenues were EUR 5.91 million, compared with EUR 2.50 million. Product sales for the three-month period ended September 30, 2010 increased 97% to EUR 4.85 million compared to EUR 2.46 million in the third quarter of 2009. Defibrotide net sales through named-patient and cost recovery programs were EUR 3.36 million, or 69% of total product sales, an increase of 142% compared to EUR 1.39 million for the same period in 2009. Sales of the Company's API amounted to 1.49 million, or 31% of total product sales, an increase of 39% compared to EUR 1.07 million for the same period in 2009.
• Operating costs and expenses were EUR 4.36 million, compared with EUR 3.49 million.
• Research and development expenses, which are included in operating costs and expenses, were EUR 1.17 million, compared with EUR 0.85 million.
• Operating income/(loss) was EUR 1.55 million, compared with EUR (0.99) million.
• Net income/(loss) was EUR 1.12 million, compared with EUR (1.02) million.
• Basic and diluted net income/(loss) per share was EUR 0.08, compared with EUR (0.07) per share.

Net cash generated by operating activities for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 was EUR 8.19 million compared to the net cash expenditure from operating activities of EUR 5.81 for the same period in 2009. Cash and cash equivalents were EUR 9.29 million as of September 30, 2010, compared to EUR 1.39 million as of December 31, 2009.

Operating Results

Product sales for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 were EUR 14.87 million compared to EUR 5.99 million for the same period in 2009, more than doubling. The increase was primarily due to the distribution of Defibrotide through the named-patient and cost recovery programs, which were initiated in April and October 2009, respectively. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, named-patient and cost recovery programs sales amounted to EUR 9.96 million (or 67% of total product sales), which are net of EUR 1.59 million in service fees, compared to EUR 2.43 million, net of related service fees, for the same period in 2009.

API revenues increased to EUR 4.91 million (or 33% of total product sales) for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 from EUR 3.56 million for the same period in 2009, reflecting the increase of 1.35 million or 38%.

Other revenues were EUR 3.57 million for the nine-month-period ended September 30, 2010 compared to EUR 0.13 million for the same period in 2009. Fluctuation versus the prior period is primarily attributable to an increase in activities that were reimbursed from Sigma-Tau under a cost sharing arrangement with the Company, which amounted to EUR 0.86 million and EUR 0.06 million as of September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and a ratable recognition of EUR 2.56 million ($3.50 million) of the EUR 5.11 million ($7.0 million) up-front payment made by Sigma-Tau in connection with the amendment of the existing license and supply agreement with the Company. The up-front payment is being recognized ratably through the second quarter of 2011, which is when the Company expects to file an NDA for Defibrotide.

Cost of goods sold was EUR 4.29 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to EUR 3.13 million for the same period in 2009.  Cost of goods sold as a percentage of product sales was 29% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to 52% for the same period in 2009. The percentage decrease is primarily due to higher margins on Defibrotide sold through the named-patient and cost recovery programs.

The Company incurred research and development expenses of EUR 4.63 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to EUR 2.66 million for the same period in 2009. 2009 research and development expenses were net of EUR 0.76 million of government grants in the form of a tax credit, accrued as a reduction of expenses. Research and development expenses were primarily for the development of Defibrotide to treat and prevent VOD. The increase from the comparable period in 2009 was primarily due to the completion of a technology transfer and preclinical and safety studies that are required for regulatory filings.

General and administrative expenses were EUR 4.07 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010 compared to EUR 3.96 million for the same period in 2009. 2010 and 2009 general and administrative expenses reflect a reduction of a reserve for doubtful accounts for EUR 0.25 million and EUR 0.41 million, respectively, due to the deemed payment of accounts receivable through the elimination of the same amount of account payables due to the same counterparty. The slight increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase in stock-based compensation expenses.

Corporate restructuring charges resulting from a strategic decision to close the Company's New York office amounted to EUR 0.95 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010.

The Company has not accounted for certain corporate taxes in Italy due to the existing prior-year operating losses. Such losses have resulted in a tax benefit amounting to EUR 15.45 million. This amount will be carried forward to off-set future corporate tax payments, if any. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of the deferred tax accounting on its financial statements in light of the Company's long term development plans. Current tax expense amounting to EUR 0.22 million represent an Italian state tax on productive activities at a rate of 3.9%. 

Our net income was EUR 3.44 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010, compared to a net loss of EUR (4.48) million for the comparable period in 2009. The difference was primarily due to higher sales and margin on Defibrotide sold through the named-patient and cost recovery programs and an increase in other income and revenues (including the ratable recognition as revenue of a portion of the up-front payment made by Sigma-Tau in connection with the amendment of the existing license and supply agreement with the Company), offset by an increase in research and development expenses, general and administrative expenses and restructuring charges.