Press Releases Details

Cerus Announces Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2009 Results

02/23/2010
  • Annual Revenues Up 9% and Quarterly Revenues Up 51% from 2008
  • Annual Operating Expenses Down 22%

CONCORD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cerus Corporation (NASDAQ:CERS) announced today financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009.

Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009, was $18.0 million, an increase of 9% from $16.5 million for 2008. Product revenue for the INTERCEPT Blood System increased to $16.8 million during 2009, up 8% from $15.5 million during 2008 when approximately $1.5 million in previously deferred product revenue was recognized. Growth in 2009 was driven by increased penetration in new and existing markets, primarily France, Belgium and Southern Europe. The Company also recognized $1.2 million in government grant revenue supporting the ongoing development of the red blood cell system during 2009, slightly more than the $1.0 million recognized during 2008.

Cost of product revenue was $12.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, up from $9.7 million for 2008. Gross margins on product sales were 25% in 2009, down from 38% in 2008. Lower manufacturing volumes added approximately 15% to the cost of product revenue for 2009. Although reduced manufacturing volumes temporarily eroded margins, the Company has been able to tighten inventory levels and conserve cash.

Total operating expenses for 2009 were $29.2 million, down 22% from $37.4 million in 2008. The decrease in our 2009 operating expenses from 2008 is due to operating under a lower cost structure as a result of implementing the previously announced restructuring plan. Operating expenses in 2009 included non-recurring restructuring charges of $0.8 million, non-cash impairment charges of $2.3 million associated with a write-down of the Company's investment in BioOne Corporation, gains of $0.8 million associated with the disposition of the Company's investment in Anza Therapeutics, Inc. and gains of $1.4 million resulting from a settlement reached with Baxter regarding the 2006 transition of the commercialization rights associated with the Company's INTERCEPT Blood System.

Net loss for 2009 was $24.1 million, or $0.69 per share, compared to $29.2 million, or $0.90 per share in 2008.

Total revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2009, was $5.5 million, up from $3.6 million during the same period in 2008. Fourth quarter 2009 product revenue was $5.2 million, up 48% from the $3.5 million recognized during the fourth quarter of 2008, driven primarily by an increase in disposable kit sales. Fourth quarter 2009 product revenue represented the most successful quarter that the Company has had since commercializing the INTERCEPT platelet and plasma systems. Government grant revenue for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $0.2 million, compared to $0.1 million recognized during the same period in 2008.

Cost of product sales was $3.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to $3.0 million during the same period in 2008. Gross margins from product sales were 29% during the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to 16% during the same period in 2008.

Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $6.7 million, down 15% from $7.8 million during the fourth quarter of 2008. In addition to the non-recurring charges, fourth quarter 2009 operating expenses included research and development expenses of $1.5 million and selling, general and administrative expenses of $5.0 million, compared to research and development expenses of $2.3 million and selling, general and administrative expenses of $5.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. The decrease in R&D and SG&A operating expenses is due to the effects of the Company's 2009 restructuring plan.

Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $4.9 million, compared to a net loss of $6.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2008. Net loss per share was $0.13 for the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to a loss of $0.20 per share for the same period of 2008.

At December 31, 2009, the Company had cash and marketable securities of $19.9 million. Net cash used during the fourth quarter of 2009 was $2.7 million, consistent with net cash used during the second and third quarters of 2009. Net cash used during 2009 was $2.6 million, compared to $34.3 million in 2008.

"We closed the year strong with our best quarter of INTERCEPT revenue ever, achieving our fourth consecutive year of sales growth," said Claes Glassell, president and chief executive officer of Cerus Corporation.

Recent Developments:

  • Positive outcome from the TESSI study demonstrating that INTERCEPT-treated platelets remain therapeutically effective at seven days of storage, confirming the logistical advantages of INTERCEPT-treated platelets over conventional platelets;
  • Successful completion of the Phase I clinical trial of the red blood cell system, which met its primary endpoint; and
  • Collaboration agreement for the development of the INTERCEPT red blood cell system with the French National Blood Service, the Etablissement Francais du Sang.

Quarterly Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call and webcast at 4:15 p.m. Eastern time today to discuss its financial results and provide a general business overview. To access the live webcast, please visit the Investor Relations page of the Cerus web site at http://cerus2013.q4web.com. Alternatively, you may access the live conference call by dialing 877-407-0782 (U.S.) or 201-689-8567 (international).

A replay will be available on the Cerus web site, or by dialing 877-660-6853 (U.S.) or 201-612-7415 (international) and entering account number 286 and conference ID number 300292. The replay will be available approximately two hours after the call through March 9, 2010.

ABOUT CERUS
Cerus Corporation
is a biomedical products company focused on commercializing the INTERCEPT Blood System to enhance blood safety. The INTERCEPT system is designed to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted diseases by inactivating a broad range of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and parasites that may be present in donated blood. The nucleic acid targeting mechanism of action allows INTERCEPT treatment to inactivate both established transfusion threats, such as hepatitis, HIV, West Nile virus and bacteria, as well as emerging pathogens such as influenza, malaria and dengue. Cerus currently markets and sells the INTERCEPT Blood System for both platelets and plasma in Europe, Russia, the Middle East and selected countries in other regions around the world. The INTERCEPT red blood cell system is in clinical development. See http://www.cerus.com for more information.

INTERCEPT and the INTERCEPT Blood System are trademarks of Cerus Corporation.

CERUS CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF OPERATION

(In thousands except per share information)

                                Three Months Ended      Twelve Months Ended

                                December 31,            December 31,

                                2009        2008        2009         2008

Revenue

Product revenue                 $ 5,228     $ 3,541     $ 16,751     $ 15,518

Government grant and              246         85          1,231        989
cooperative agreements

Total Revenue                     5,474       3,626       17,982       16,507

Cost of product revenue           3,724       2,964       12,580       9,668

Gross profit                      1,750       662         5,402        6,839

Operating expenses

Research and development          1,505       2,268       6,372        10,205

Selling, general and              5,017       5,557       21,867       27,164
administrative

Restructuring                     (15    )    --          841          --

Loss of long-term investments,    1,536       --          1,536        --
net

Gain on settlement                (1,381 )    --          (1,381  )    --

Total operating expenses          6,662       7,825       29,235       37,369

Loss from operations              (4,912 )    (7,163 )    (23,833 )    (30,530 )

Interest and other income         23          649         (302    )    1,349
(expense), net

Net loss                        $ (4,889 )  $ (6,514 )  $ (24,135 )  $ (29,181 )

Net loss per share - basic and  $ (0.13  )  $ (0.20  )  $ (0.69   )  $ (0.90   )
diluted

Weighted average common shares
outstanding used for basic and
diluted loss per share

Basic                             38,680      32,540      34,750       32,430

Diluted                           38,680      32,540      34,750       32,430



Cerus Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

                                                    December 31,  December 31,

                                                    2009          2008

Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments  $ 19,931      $ 22,578

Accounts receivable and other current assets          4,721         8,356

Inventories                                           7,707         11,109

Property and equipment, net                           1,217         1,844

Other assets                                          915           3,452

Total Assets                                        $ 34,491      $ 47,339

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities            $ 9,709       $ 12,453

Deferred revenue                                      345           445

Warrant liability                                     2,737         --

Accrued restructuring                                 113           --

Other current liabilities                             9             --

Other long-term liabilities                           130           163

Total liabilities                                     13,043        13,061

Stockholders' equity                                  21,448        34,278

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity          $ 34,491      $ 47,339



    Source: Cerus Corporation