Virage Reports Continued Improvement in Fiscal Q3


SAN MATEO, Calif., Jan. 16, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Virage, Inc. (Nasdaq:VRGE), a leading provider of video and rich media communication software, today reported operating results for its third fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2002.

Total revenues for the company's third fiscal quarter increased slightly to just over $3.3 million, versus total revenues of just under $3.3 million in the prior quarter ended September 30, 2002. Net loss in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) was $3.3 million, or $0.16 per share, for the third quarter in comparison to a net loss of $4.7 million, or $0.23 per share, in the prior quarter. Net loss for the third quarter included non-cash, stock-based charges of $305,000. For the nine months ended December 31, 2002, total revenues were $9.8 million and net loss was $13.5 million, or $0.65 per share.

"We've made definite improvements in our business this past quarter," said Paul G. Lego, chairman and CEO of Virage. "I'm pleased with the continued adoption of our software applications by blue-chip corporations, particularly our new webcasting solution. I'm also pleased that we significantly reduced cash usage for the third quarter in a row, especially given a business environment in which our revenues have been relatively flat. We will continue to focus our efforts on both revenue growth and expense control in an effort to close the gap further."

Cash and short-term investments totaled $18.9 million as of December 31, 2002 versus $21.6 million as of September 30, 2002. Accounts receivable totaled $2.0 million, representing 56 days sales outstanding. The company had no debt as of December 31, 2002.

Reduced Facility Costs

In December 2002, the company amended its lease agreement for its headquarters facility. This amendment will result in a significant reduction of cash outflow for rent and overall lease liability in exchange for a warrant to purchase up to 200,000 shares of the company's common stock and the forfeiture of certain deposits and collateral.

New and Repeat Customers

During the third quarter, Virage added 18 new customers worldwide. In the U.S., first-time customers included Electronic Arts, Halliburton Company, Honeywell, Inc., QUALCOMM Incorporated, and Whirlpool Corporation. New international customers in the third quarter included Athens Olympic Broadcasting, Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF), Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Saint-Gobain, and Yokohama University. Virage also generated repeat business from existing customers including Discovery Communications, Inc., E! Networks, Forrester Research, Kansas State University, and Toshiba Corporation. Additionally, in the third quarter, Virage received a significant order from a classified U.S. government customer.

Other Third Quarter Highlights


 -- The U.S. Senate deployed Virage software to capture, record and
    stream Senate proceedings daily for viewing by all Senators and
    their staffs, significantly improving on-demand access to the
    discussions and debates in the various hearings.
 -- University of Iowa's Information Technology Services implemented
    Virage publishing software for two significant streaming video
    projects designed to give faculty and students instant access to
    large video collections from a web browser.
 -- Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) renewed its application services
    contract, under which PBS and Virage will continue to deliver
    video from several popular PBS television programs onto the award-
    winning website, PBS.org.
 -- The Commissioners Office in Hillsborough County, Florida selected
    Virage to digitally record, manage, and distribute all of the
    Board of County Commissioners' public meetings.
 -- Virage was ranked as one of the fastest-growing technology
    companies in the United States and Canada by Deloitte & Touche.
    The ranking was based on a five-year percentage increase in
    revenues from 1997 to 2001.

Business Outlook

"We aren't yet seeing a significant improvement in the business climate, and thus we expect revenues to remain relatively flat this quarter," said Lego. "Nevertheless, we believe that the early traction of our corporate applications, combined with our continued investment in them, will eventually translate into revenue growth. In the meantime, we will continue to focus on reducing our cash usage through expense controls, including the recently completed restructuring of our facility lease. We believe these efforts position Virage to capitalize on the continued emergence of the rich media communications market."

Virage Third Quarter Webcast

Virage management will host a webcast to discuss third quarter financial performance, operating and strategic developments, lease amendment details, and forward-looking guidance at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time (6:00 p.m. Eastern Time) today, Thursday, January 16, 2003. The webcast will be available live at http://investor.virage.com and will be available for replay at the same URL through February 28, 2003.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about our future sales growth, expense controls, cash usage and market opportunity. Our forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, which management has assessed, but which is subject to rapid change due to risks and uncertainties that affect our business, including the unpredictability of future revenues due to limited visibility into future demand; the current uncertainty in our marketplace, which may impact expected demand, customer selection criteria and sales cycle; variability in the amount and timing of expenses and cash usage; our ability to execute on service and software deliverables; slower economic growth; increased competition; and other factors beyond our control. Our forward-looking statements should be considered in the context of these and other risk factors disclosed from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings.

About Virage

Established in 1995, Virage is a leading provider of video and rich media communication software. Virage builds integrated rich media business solutions for corporations, media & entertainment companies, universities and government agencies worldwide. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, Virage has offices throughout the United States and Europe.

Virage is a registered trademark of Virage, Inc. The Virage logo is a trademark of Virage, Inc. Other company product and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others, and are hereby acknowledged.


 Virage, Inc.
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (a)
 In thousands, except per share data

                         Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended
                            December 31,            December 31,
                       ---------------------  -----------------------
                           2002       2001        2002          2001
                       ---------------------  -----------------------
                       (unaudited)(unaudited) (unaudited)  (unaudited)
 Revenues:
  License revenues      $  1,339   $  1,478     $  4,623     $  6,292
  Service revenues         1,975      3,290        5,203        7,000
  Other revenues             --          20          --           232
                         -------    -------      -------      ------- 
   Total revenues          3,314      4,788        9,826       13,524
 Cost of revenues:
  License revenues           195        202          542          534
  Service revenues         1,090      2,122        3,308        7,059
  Other revenues             --           5          --           153
                         -------    -------      -------      ------- 

   Total cost of
    revenues               1,285      2,329        3,850        7,746
                         -------    -------      -------      ------- 

 Gross profit              2,029      2,459        5,976        5,778
 Operating expenses:
  Research and
   development             1,781      2,117        6,607        6,934
  Sales and marketing      2,357      3,858        9,104       12,720
  General and
   administrative            963      1,284        3,174        3,946
  Stock-based
   compensation              291        719        1,026        2,257
                         -------    -------      -------      ------- 

   Total operating
    expenses               5,392      7,978       19,911        25,857
                         -------    -------      -------      ------- 

 Loss from operations     (3,363)    (5,519)     (13,935)     (20,079)
 Interest and other
  income, net                101        315          429        1,295
                         -------    -------      -------      ------- 

 Net loss               $ (3,262)  $ (5,204)    $(13,506)    $(18,784)
                         =======    =======      =======      =======


 Basic and diluted net
  loss per share        $  (0.16)  $  (0.26)    $  (0.65)    $  (0.93)
                         =======    =======      =======      =======


 Shares used in per
  share amounts           20,899     20,366       20,786       20,249
                         =======    =======      =======      =======

 (a) The company's results of operations include non-cash, stock-based
     charges of $305 and $1,081 for the three months ended December
     31, 2002 and 2001, respectively, and $1,151 and $3,464 for the
     nine months ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.


 Virage, Inc.
 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 In thousands


                                              December 31,  March 31,
                                                  2002        2002
                                              ------------ ----------
                              ASSETS          (unaudited) (unaudited)

 Current assets:
   Cash, cash equivalents and
     short-term investments                     $18,872       $30,694
   Accounts receivable, net                       2,037         2,366
   Prepaid expenses and
     other current assets                           498           220
                                                -------       -------
       Total current assets                      21,407        33,280
 Property and equipment, net                      1,931         3,701
 Other assets                                     2,389         2,571
                                                -------       -------
       Total assets                             $25,727       $39,552
                                                =======       =======

               LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable                           $     444    $      831
   Accrued payroll and related expenses           1,455         2,376
   Accrued expenses                               2,645         2,946
   Deferred revenue                               3,235         3,050
                                              ---------    ---------
           Total current liabilities              7,779         9,203

 Deferred rent                                     --             290

 Stockholders' equity:
   Common stock                                      21            21
   Additional paid-in capital                   121,427       121,387
   Deferred compensation                         (1,070)       (2,425)
   Accumulated deficit                         (102,430)      (88,924)
                                              ---------     ---------
       Total stockholders' equity                17,948        30,059
                                              ---------     ---------
       Total liabilities and 
        stockholders' equity                  $  25,727     $  39,552
                                              =========     =========


            

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