Merit Medical Announces Record Sales, Up 16%, for the Second Quarter and Six Months Ended June 30, 2010


SOUTH JORDAN, Utah, July 28, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:MMSI), a leading manufacturer and marketer of proprietary disposable medical devices used in interventional and diagnostic procedures, particularly in cardiology, radiology and gastroenterology, today announced record revenues of $74.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, an increase of 16% over revenues of $64.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2009. Revenues for the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 were a record $142.4 million, compared with $123.2 million for the corresponding period in 2009, a gain of 16%.

Net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 was $5.7 million, or $0.20 per share, compared to $5.8 million, or $0.21 per share, for the comparable quarter of 2009. Net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 was net of $697,000 (after-tax) of one-time expenses related to Merit's proposed acquisition of BioSphere Medical, Inc. ("BioSphere").

Net income for the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 was $10.2 million, or $0.36 per share, compared to $11.4 million, or $0.40 per share, for the corresponding period of 2009.  This decrease can be attributed primarily to the costs of hiring additional sales and marketing people, the proposed BioSphere acquisition, research and development of the Endotek product line and a legal settlement.

In the second quarter of 2010, compared to the second quarter of 2009, catheter sales increased 30%; stand-alone device sales rose 17%; inflation devices sales grew 15%; Endotek sales increased 10%; and custom kit and tray sales rose 8%. 

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2009, catheter sales grew 26%; stand-alone device sales rose 18%; custom kit and tray sales grew 10%; and inflation device sales increased 7%. 

Gross margins for the second quarter of 2010 were 43.3% of sales, compared to 43.4% of sales for the second quarter of 2009. Gross margins for the second quarter of 2010 improved 110 basis points sequentially compared to gross margins of 42.2% of sales for the first quarter of 2010, primarily due to a shift from negative to positive production variances in recent months. Gross margins for the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 were 42.8% of sales, compared to 43.0% of sales for the corresponding period of 2009.  

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2010 were 26.6% of sales, compared to 25.1% of sales for the second quarter of 2009. This increase can be attributed primarily to $1.1 million (pre-tax) of costs related to the proposed BioSphere acquisition. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, selling, general and administrative expenses were 27.4% of sales, compared with 25.3% of sales for the first six months of 2009. This increase can be attributed primarily to the costs of hiring additional sales and marketing people, the proposed BioSphere acquisition and a legal settlement.

Research and development costs during the second quarter of 2010 were 5.0% of sales, compared to 4.5% of sales for the second quarter of 2009. Research and development costs were 4.8% of sales for the first six months of 2010, compared to 4.0% of sales for the same period of 2009. The increase in research and development costs for both periods can be attributed primarily to development of the Endotek product line.

"We are extremely pleased with the sales results for the second quarter of 2010," said Fred P. Lampropoulos, Merit's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We believe, based on the quarter and particularly our June results, that operating leverage opportunities will be available if our sales momentum continues."

"Additionally, we have received the CE mark on our ASAP™ thrombus removal catheter and have received favorable responses from physicians in Europe. A first quarter 2011 launch, subject to FDA approval, is anticipated," Lampropoulos continued. "A number of new products, such as the Finale™ radial compression device, the Impress® hydrophilic catheter, and the Tram™ integral transducer and manifold, were all successfully launched. We are also very pleased with the Laureate™ hydrophilic guide wire which is being accepted well and gaining strength against the current market leader."

Merit's effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2010 was 35.3%, compared with 35.0% for the second quarter of 2009. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, Merit's effective tax rate was 32.6%, compared to 33.3% for the same period of 2009. The lower tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2010 was due primarily to higher profits from Merit's Irish operations, which are taxed at a lower rate in Ireland than our U.S. operations.

Management anticipates that the proposed BioSphere acquisition will close in the third quarter of 2010.           

CONFERENCE CALL

Merit invites all interested parties to participate in its conference call today, July 28th, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern (4:00 p.m. Central, 3:00 p.m. Mountain, and 2:00 p.m. Pacific). The domestic phone number is 877-941-0844, and the international number is 480-629-9645. A live webcast as well as a rebroadcast of the call can be accessed at www.merit.com or through the webcasts tab at www.fulldisclosure.com.

INCOME STATEMENT         
(Unaudited, in thousands except per share amounts)        
  Three Months Ended
June 30, 
Six Months Ended
June 30, 
  2010 2009 2010 2009
         
SALES  $ 74,948   $ 64,837   $ 142,380   $ 123,208 
         
COST OF SALES  42,490   36,694   81,487   70,257 
         
GROSS PROFIT  32,458   28,143   60,893   52,951 
         
OPERATING EXPENSES        
 Selling, general and administrative  19,939   16,287   38,971   31,116 
 Research and development  3,742   2,893   6,799   4,972 
 Total  23,681   19,180   45,770   36,088 
         
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS  8,777   8,963   15,123   16,863 
         
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)        
 Interest income  12   28   20   150 
 Other income (expense)  50   (6)  26   46 
 Total other income - net  62   22   46   196 
         
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE  8,839   8,985   15,169   17,059 
         
INCOME TAX EXPENSE  3,124   3,144   4,946   5,681 
         
NET INCOME  $ 5,715   $ 5,841   $ 10,223   $ 11,378 
         
EARNINGS PER SHARE--        
 Basic  $ 0.20   $ 0.21   $ 0.36   $ 0.41 
         
 Diluted  $ 0.20   $ 0.21   $ 0.36   $ 0.40 
         
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES--        
 Basic 28,194 27,924 28,184 27,990
         
 Diluted 28,729 28,427 28,740 28,487

Although Merit's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles which are generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), Merit's management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with useful information regarding the underlying business trends and performance of Merit's ongoing operations and can be useful for period-over-period comparisons of such operations. The following table sets forth supplemental financial data and corresponding reconciliations to GAAP financial statements for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2010. Investors should consider these non-GAAP measures in addition to, not as a substitute for, financial reporting measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Merit has reported non-GAAP adjustments for acquisition costs and a legal settlement net of tax (a 38% income tax rate was used for 2010 and 2009).

  Three Months Ended
June 30, 
Six Months Ended
June 30, 
  2010 2009 2010 2009
Non-GAAP ADJUSTMENTS         
GAAP net income   $ 5,715   $ 5,841   $ 10,223   $ 11,378 
         
 Acquisition costs 697 (a) 48 (b) 710 (a) 215 (b)
 Legal settlement      296   
         
Non-GAAP net income   $ 6,412   $ 5,889   $ 11,229   $ 11,593 
         
Non-GAAP net income per share        
 Basic  $ 0.23   $ 0.21   $ 0.40   $ 0.41 
 Diluted  $ 0.22   $ 0.21   $ 0.39   $ 0.41 
         
Shares used to compute Non-GAAP net income per share:      
 Basic  28,194   27,924   28,184   27,990 
 Diluted  28,729   28,427   28,740   28,487 

(a)    Acquisition costs related to the proposed acquisition of BioSphere

(b)    Acquisition costs related to Merit's acquisitions of Biosearch, Alveolus, Inc., and Hatch businesses during the three and six-month periods ended June 20, 2009

 BALANCE SHEET    
(Unaudited in thousands)    
     
  June 30,
2010
December 31,
2009
ASSETS    
Current Assets    
Cash and cash equivalents  $ 4,254   $ 6,133 
Trade receivables, net  37,010   30,954 
Employee receivables  145   145 
Other receivables  447   827 
Inventories  47,219   47,170 
Prepaid expenses and other assets  3,047   1,801 
Deferred income tax assets  3,289   3,289 
Income tax refunds receivable  177   295 
Total Current Assets  95,588   90,614 
     
Property and equipment, net  118,072   114,646 
Other intangibles, net  26,958   26,898 
Goodwill  33,002   33,002 
Other assets  6,592   6,353 
     
Total Assets  $ 280,212   $ 271,513 
     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    
Current Liabilities    
Trade payables  13,456   13,352 
Accrued expenses  14,309   12,196 
Advances from employees  645   212 
Line of credit    7,000 
Income taxes payable  2,246   148 
Total Current Liabilities  30,656   32,908 
     
Deferred income tax liabilities  11,068   11,251 
Liabilities related to unrecognized tax benefits  2,945   2,945 
Deferred compensation payable  3,417   3,382 
Deferred credits  1,817   1,874 
Other long-term obligation  263   344 
Total Liabilities  50,166   52,704 
     
Stockholders' Equity    
Common stock  64,724   63,690 
Retained earnings  165,427   155,204 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (105)  (85)
Total stockholders' equity  230,046   218,809 
     
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity  $ 280,212   $ 271,513 

ABOUT MERIT

Founded in 1987, Merit Medical Systems, Inc. is engaged in the development, manufacture and distribution of proprietary disposable medical devices used in interventional and diagnostic procedures, particularly in cardiology, radiology and gastroenterology. Merit serves client hospitals worldwide with a domestic and international sales force totaling approximately 125 individuals. Merit employs approximately 2,040 people worldwide with facilities in Salt Lake City and South Jordan, Utah; Angleton, Texas; Richmond, Virginia; Maastricht and Venlo, The Netherlands; Paris, France; Galway, Ireland; and Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Merit Medical Systems, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3282

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding, among other things, statements regarding Merit's proposed combination with BioSphere and estimates of Merit's future operating and financial performance after giving effect to the proposed combination. Statements contained in this release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Merit's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. Such risks and uncertainties include risks relating to Merit's proposed acquisition of BioSphere (including, without limitation, the risk that the proposed transaction will not be consummated, the risk that, if the proposed transaction is consummated, the operations of the two companies will not be integrated successfully; and the risk that Merit may be unable to successfully develop, commercialize and market new products and technology which Merit intends to acquire through the proposed transaction); uncertainties associated with potential healthcare policy changes which may have a material adverse effect on Merit; possible infringement of Merit's technology or the assertion that Merit's technology infringes the rights of other parties; downturn of the national economy and the corresponding effect on Merit's revenues, collections and supplier relations; potential termination of supplier relationships, or failure of suppliers to perform; product recalls and product liability claims; delays in obtaining regulatory approvals, or the failure to maintain such approvals; Merit's inability to successfully manage growth through acquisitions, including the inability to commercialize technology acquired through recent, proposed or future acquisitions; concentration of Merit's revenues among a few products and procedures; development of new products and technology that could render Merit's products obsolete; market acceptance of new products; introduction of products in a timely fashion; price and product competition; availability of labor and materials; cost increases; fluctuations in and obsolescence of inventory; volatility of the market price of Merit's common stock; foreign currency fluctuations; changes in key personnel; work stoppage or transportation risks; modification or limitation of governmental or private insurance reimbursement policies; changes in health care markets related to health care reform initiatives; impact of force majeure events on Merit's business, including severe weather conditions; failure to comply with applicable environmental laws; and other factors referred to in Merit's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and other materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All subsequent forward-looking statements attributable to Merit or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Actual results will differ, and may differ materially, from anticipated results. Financial estimates are subject to change and are not intended to be relied upon as predictions of future operating results, and Merit assumes no obligation to update or disclose revisions to those estimates.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED BIOSPHERE ACQUISITION AND WHERE TO FIND IT.

In connection with Merit's proposed acquisition of Biosphere, BioSphere filed preliminary proxy statements with the SEC on June 10, 2010 and July 16, 2010.  Merit believes BioSphere also intends to file a definitive proxy statement and form of proxy with the SEC and mail those to its stockholders.  BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, BIOSPHERE'S STOCKHOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ BIOSPHERE'S PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENTS AND, WHEN AVAILABLE, BIOSPHERE'S DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT CAREFULLY SINCE THOSE MATERIALS CONTAIN (OR WILL CONTAIN) IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIOSPHERE, MERIT, MERIT'S PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF BIOSPHERE AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the preliminary proxy statements and the definitive proxy statement (when available) and other documents filed with the SEC by BioSphere or Merit through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.

Merit and BioSphere, their respective officers, directors and certain of their management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of BioSphere in favor of the acquisition.  Information about the officers and directors of Merit and their ownership of Merit securities is set forth in the proxy statement for Merit Medical's 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the SEC on April 4, 2010.  Information about the officers and directors of BioSphere and their ownership of BioSphere securities is set forth in the preliminary proxy statements relating to the proposed merger filed with the SEC by BioSphere on June 10, 2010 and July 16, 2010.



            

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