Columbia Laboratories second quarter total net revenues decrease to $8.2 million

Aug 8 2012

Columbia Laboratories, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBRX) today reported financial results for the three- and six- month periods ended June 30, 2012. Highlights of the second quarter include:

• Net product revenues were $7.4 million in the second quarter of 2012, compared to $4.9 million in the second quarter of 2011, due to higher sales to Merck Serono S.A. ("Merck Serono") and Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Watson").
• Gross profit on net product revenues remained the same at 39% compared with the second quarter of 2011.
• Operating income was $1.7 million in the second quarter of 2012 as operating expenses were down 31% from prior year levels.
• Net income was $1.9 million, or $0.02 per basic and diluted share.
• Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $23.0 million at June 30, 2012, up slightly from the immediately preceding quarter.

"We are pleased to report positive operating cash flow for the second quarter of 2012, in line with our stated expectations," said Frank Condella, Columbia's President and CEO. "Our second quarter results reflect our streamlined operations as well as increases in net product revenues and royalties thanks to our partners, Watson and Merck Serono, who continue to generate strong in-market demand for CRINONE.

"We are encouraged that Watson continues to pursue a path to approval for progesterone vaginal gel for prevention of preterm birth. Meanwhile, we continue to explore strategic options with Cowen and Company to add additional long-term value for our stockholders," Condella concluded.

Second Quarter Financial Results

Total net revenues for the second quarter of 2012 were comprised of net product revenues primarily for domestic and international sales of CRINONE^® (progesterone gel) to Watson and Merck Serono, respectively, and royalties from Watson. In the second quarter of 2011, total net revenues also included sales of STRIANT^® (testosterone buccal system), the amortization of deferred revenue recognized from the sale of assets to Watson, and a milestone payment from Watson for the acceptance of the preterm birth New Drug Application ("NDA") for filing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA").

Total net revenues for the second quarter of 2012 were $8.2 million, compared to $19.2 million for the second quarter of 2011. The decrease in total net revenues was driven primarily by the recognition of $8.6 million in revenue related to the gain on the sale of the progesterone assets to Watson in July 2010 and the $5.0 million milestone payment from Watson for the acceptance of the NDA filing in the 2011 second quarter, offset in part by a $2.4 million increase in net product revenues and, to a lesser extent, higher royalty revenues.

Net product revenues were $7.4 million in the second quarter of 2012 compared to $4.9 million in the second quarter of 2011. The $2.4 million increase was primarily due to higher sales to Merck Serono and Watson, offset slightly by a $0.1 million decline in STRIANT revenues due to the sale of STRIANT to Actient Pharmaceuticals, LLC ("Actient") in April 2011.

Total royalty revenues were $0.8 million in the second quarter of 2012, compared to $0.7 million in the second quarter of 2011, primarily reflecting royalty revenues from Watson on CRINONE products.

There were no other revenues in the second quarter of 2012. For the second quarter of 2011, other revenues were $13.6 million, comprised of the $5.0 million milestone payment from Watson for the acceptance of the preterm birth NDA for filing by the FDA and the amortization of $8.6 million in deferred revenue recognized from the sale of assets to Watson. Amortization concluded in the second quarter of 2011.

Gross profit margin on total net revenues was 46% for the second quarter of 2012, compared to 84% in the second quarter of 2011. Gross profit on net product revenues for the second quarter of 2012 remained the same at 39% compared with the same period in 2011. The higher profit margin on net product revenues in the 2012 quarter resulted primarily from the shift in sales mix to Merck Serono in favor of higher-margin country markets.

Total net operating expenses were $2.1 million in the second quarter of 2012. This compares to $0.5 million in the prior year period, in which a one-time gain of $2.5 million on the sale of STRIANT to Actient was recognized.

• There were no selling and distribution expenses in the second quarter of 2012 as compared to $30 thousand in the second quarter of 2011, reflecting the sale of STRIANT to Actient.
• General and administrative costs were $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2012 compared to $2.5 million in the 2011 quarter. The decrease was due to lower professional fees for accounting and legal, and lower personnel costs following the 2012 workforce reduction.
• Research and development costs were $0.2 million in the second quarter of 2012, compared to $0.5 million in the 2011 quarter, primarily reflecting lower personnel costs following the 2012 workforce reduction and lower project expenses.

Operating income was $1.7 million in the second quarter of 2012, compared to operating income of $15.7 million in the prior year period. The change primarily reflects the amortization of $8.6 million in revenue related to the gain on the sale of the progesterone assets to Watson, the $5.0 million milestone from Watson, and the $2.5 million gain on the sale of STRIANT in the second quarter of 2011, offset, in part, by the $2.4 million increase in net product revenues and slight increase in royalty revenues in the second quarter of 2012.

Other income and expense aggregated to net income of $0.3 million for the second quarter of 2012, compared to $2.6 million in the second quarter of 2011, primarily reflecting the recognition of the $0.2 million change in the fair value of the warrants issued in conjunction with the October 2009 stock issuance resulting from the decrease in Columbia's stock price from March 31, 2012 to June 30, 2012.

As a result, the Company reported net income of $1.9 million, or $0.02 per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $18.3 million, or $0.21 per basic and $0.16 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2011.

Cash and Equivalents

At June 30, 2012, Columbia had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $23.0 million, compared to cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $22.7 million at March 31, 2012, and $25.1 million at December 31, 2011. The Company believes its cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will sustain its operations for the foreseeable future.

Financial Outlook

Columbia has streamlined the organization to operate as cash flow neutral-to-positive, while maintaining the potential from milestone payments and royalties if Watson is successful in gaining FDA approval and commercializing a progesterone product for the preterm birth indication. The Company is currently evaluating potential strategic transactions to add value for its stockholders. Any significant expenses resulting from pursuing a possible strategic transaction could produce a cash flow negative outcome in the quarters incurred.