Auriga Laboratories, Inc., (OTCBB:ARGA), Los Angeles, a specialty
pharmaceutical company with products for the treatment of Xerostomia,
dermatological conditions, and acute respiratory diseases, has reported
its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2007.
Q1 2007 Highlights
Gross revenue increased 179% to a record $8.9 million; gross
revenue exceeded guidance by $2.7 million and was up 422% sequentially
from Q4 2006.
First quarter of positive income from operations. Sale force
totaled 200 associates, up from 50 reported in previous quarter.
Successful launch of two new product lines: Zinx and Aquoral. Total
monthly prescriptions exceeded 26,000 in January 2007, up 324% from
January 2006.
Q1 2007 Financial Results
As compared to the previous quarter and same period a year ago:
Gross Revenue totaled a record $8.9 million, an increase of 179% from
$3.2 million in the year-earlier period. The increase was primarily due
to a growing product line being sold by a rapidly expanding national
sales force.
Net Revenue totaled a record $6.8 million, an increase of 673% from
$875,000 in the previous quarter and up 124% from $3.0 million a year
ago.
Income from operations was $110,000, as compared to a loss of $3.7
million in the previous quarter and a loss of $1.0 million a year ago.
Net loss per common share totaled ($0.02), as compared to a loss of
($0.11) per share in the previous quarter and a loss of ($0.10) per
share in the same period a year ago. The loss per common share includes
$1.8 million of non-cash share-based compensation costs and $157,000 of
non-cash depreciation and amortization expenses. Earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and share
based-compensation ("EBITDAS") was a gain of $1.8 million, as
compared to a loss of $1.8 million reported in the previous quarter, and
up from a loss of $928,000 reported the same period a year ago. A
reconciliation of EBITDAS is included at the end of this release.
Other Significant Events
During the first quarter, independently generated IMS data
indicated Auriga's total dispensed prescriptions reached a record
26,004 in January 2007, which represented an increase of 324% from 6,141
in January 2006. By the end of the first quarter, the company sales
force exceeded 200 associates nationwide, doubling from the number
reported mid-January. The company also introduced two new product lines
in the first quarter: The Zinx line of products for relief of cold and
allergy symptoms, and Aquoral, a FDA-approved oral spray for the
treatment of Xerostomia or "Dry Mouth." Aquoral targets a
condition affecting 25 million Americans and a market opportunity
estimated to exceed $1 billion.
"While we made great strides during this first quarter in both
sales force recruitment and new product introductions, these results
still far exceeded our expectations," said Philip S. Pesin,
Auriga's founder, chairman and CEO. "The key to our success
has been an innovative, commission-only sales force structure that
allows us to retain a highly-motivated workforce at a minimal
investment. These factors, combined with positive cash flow from
operations and an improving balance sheet, have encouraged us to
increase our growth objectives for 2007." Added Auriga's CFO,
Charles Bearchell, "Subsequent to the end of the first quarter we
completed a private equity offering that resulted in aggregate gross
proceeds of $2 million. We believe that our cash and investment balances
are now sufficient to fund working capital needs for the foreseeable
future. In fact, based on our improving financial position and operating
results, our auditors have concurred that we can remove the 'going
concern' qualification on our financial statements, including this
quarter's Form 10-QSB to be filed later today."
2007 Business Outlook
Based upon greater than anticipated first quarter results, the
company has raised its forecast for gross revenue to exceed $29 million
in 2007, up from the previously issued guidance of $26 million. This
compares to gross revenue of $7.4 million for the company's first
full year of operations in 2006.
The company plans to achieve this with a sales force that will
exceed 275 by the end of 2007, as well as new product introductions.
Before the end of 2007, the company expects to enter the $5 billion
dermatology marketplace with the introduction of several newly-branded
prescription dermatology products under the trade names Akurza and
Xyralid.
About Auriga Laboratories
Auriga Laboratories is a specialty pharmaceutical company building
an industry changing commission based-sales model. The company's
high-growth business model combines driving revenues through a variable
cost commission-based sales structure, acquisition of proven brand
names, introduction of new brands, and a strategic development pipeline,
all of which is designed to enhance its growing direct relationships
with physicians nationwide. Auriga's exclusive prescription and
over-the-counter product portfolio includes Aquoral for the treatment of
Xerostomia, Akurza and Xyralid dermatology products, and the Zinx,
Extendryl, and Levall families of products for relief of symptoms
associated with a range of acute respiratory diseases.
For more information, visit http://www.aurigalabs.com or call
310/461-3606.
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