Ralph
18.10.2000, 23:23
MedImmune Posts Stronger-Than-Expected Third Quarter
By Dane Hamilton
Staff Reporter
10/18/00 5:11 PM ET
MedImmune (MEDI:Nasdaq - news) said third-quarter earnings more than doubled, surpassing analyst forecasts as a result of gains in Synagis, by far its biggest drug.
MedImmune said latest-quarter net income was $5.9 million, or 3 cents a diluted share, compared to $2.8 million, or 1 cent a diluted share, in the 1999 third quarter. The consensus analyst forecast was 2 cents a share, according to First Call/Thomson Financial.
"The third quarter was a period of tremendous progress across many areas of our business," said CEO David M. Mott.
MedImmune said revenue rose to $57.3 million from $55.6 million a year ago. Synagis sales rose 30% to $31.6 million in the quarter, exceeding analysts' forecasts of $17 million to $28 million.
Synagis treats respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, a common infection that can kill premature babies. The drug, approved in the U.S. in 1998, is most widely prescribed in colder months, so first- and fourth-quarter sales are stronger. First-quarter 2000 sales were $176.5 million, while second-quarter sales were $7 million. There are no competitors to the drug.
Gaithersburg, Md.-based MedImmune also sells Ethyol, a therapy for chemotherapy patients, with Alza (AZA:NYSE - news) and Schering-Plough (SGP:NYSE - news). Sales of Ethyol were flat at $5 million in the third quarter.
Synagis is sold in Europe by Abbott Labs (ABT:NYSE - news), which pays MedImmune between 40% and 50% of sales.
MedImmune rose $1.62 Wednesday to close at $60.31.
Nachbörslich tut sich wenig ! .... ist ja auch schon was :)
Ralph
By Dane Hamilton
Staff Reporter
10/18/00 5:11 PM ET
MedImmune (MEDI:Nasdaq - news) said third-quarter earnings more than doubled, surpassing analyst forecasts as a result of gains in Synagis, by far its biggest drug.
MedImmune said latest-quarter net income was $5.9 million, or 3 cents a diluted share, compared to $2.8 million, or 1 cent a diluted share, in the 1999 third quarter. The consensus analyst forecast was 2 cents a share, according to First Call/Thomson Financial.
"The third quarter was a period of tremendous progress across many areas of our business," said CEO David M. Mott.
MedImmune said revenue rose to $57.3 million from $55.6 million a year ago. Synagis sales rose 30% to $31.6 million in the quarter, exceeding analysts' forecasts of $17 million to $28 million.
Synagis treats respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, a common infection that can kill premature babies. The drug, approved in the U.S. in 1998, is most widely prescribed in colder months, so first- and fourth-quarter sales are stronger. First-quarter 2000 sales were $176.5 million, while second-quarter sales were $7 million. There are no competitors to the drug.
Gaithersburg, Md.-based MedImmune also sells Ethyol, a therapy for chemotherapy patients, with Alza (AZA:NYSE - news) and Schering-Plough (SGP:NYSE - news). Sales of Ethyol were flat at $5 million in the third quarter.
Synagis is sold in Europe by Abbott Labs (ABT:NYSE - news), which pays MedImmune between 40% and 50% of sales.
MedImmune rose $1.62 Wednesday to close at $60.31.
Nachbörslich tut sich wenig ! .... ist ja auch schon was :)
Ralph