Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

SGP Reports 3Q06 Results

[Vytorin/Zetia sales for the quarter hit $1B for the first time, +60% year-over-year. (SGP gets 50% of the net profits from the JV with MRK.) Other sales increases year-over-year were Remicade +34%, Nasonex +30%, and Peg-Intron +11%. See the end of this post for a list of all products.]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/061020/nyf036.html?.v=72

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Friday October 20, 7:01 am ET

Transformation Advances to Next Phase of Action Agenda

KENILWORTH, N.J., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- "Schering-Plough today enters a new period in the transformation of this company -- the Build the Base phase of our Action Agenda," said Fred Hassan, chairman and CEO of Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP ). "The Turnaround phase we announced a year ago set a strong foundation. Now the company is operating from a position of growing strength."

Describing the Build the Base phase, Hassan said, "We will be honing our edge -- in people, products and processes. We will be getting even more from what we have. And we will be extending our core -- to new patients, new customers, new markets. We will be investing to advance important new treatments in our pipeline through phases II and III. We have built a strong engine. Now we're going to let it run."

Hassan made these comments in conjunction with the company's announcement of third quarter 2006 sales and earnings results. He referred to the five- phase Action Agenda, which is the six- to eight-year plan for transforming Schering-Plough announced in the spring of 2003.

"Three years ago, this company was facing severe challenges," said Hassan. "Today, we are achieving solid growth across a broad front. We have been the fastest-growing company in our peer group for the past year. Our people are motivated and engaged. They are building toward our goal of sustainable high performance."

For the 2006 third quarter, the company reported net income available to common shareholders of $287 million or 19 cents per share on a GAAP basis. For the 2005 third quarter, the company reported net income of $43 million or 3 cents per share on a GAAP basis.

GAAP net sales for the 2006 third quarter totaled $2.6 billion, up 13 percent versus the 2005 third quarter. Schering-Plough does not record sales of its cholesterol joint venture with Merck & Co., Inc., as the venture is accounted for under the equity method. Including an adjustment of an assumed 50 percent of global cholesterol joint venture net sales (see table below), Schering-Plough's adjusted net sales for the 2006 third quarter would have totaled $3.1 billion, a 19 percent increase compared to $2.6 billion on a similar adjusted basis in the 2005 third quarter.

Hassan added, "We are building strength and depth across our product lines. While our cholesterol franchise has been pivotal to our success, we are also pleased with the important contributions from other key products, such as our rejuvenated NASONEX allergy treatment and REMICADE with its expanded range of indications."

Hassan stated that as the company shifts into the Build the Base phase, building excellence in drug development will be a priority. "In today's difficult environment, development excellence is critical for our industry," said Hassan. "We are determined to become a leader in this area."

Hassan also commented on the critical importance of organizational health to performance. "We recently did a benchmarked diagnostic of our organizational health with the people who know it best -- our own employees, worldwide. On measures of engagement, on trust in management, on recommending Schering-Plough as a good place to work, we benchmarked strongly against high-performance companies across all global industries. This is very important information, because organizational health is a leading indicator of future performance." Added Hassan, "We also learned that our people see business integrity as a competitive advantage. This is what we mean when we say we are forging a high-performance culture."

The company highlighted several significant developments in the 2006 third quarter and more recently, including:

-- U.S. approval of NOXAFIL Oral Suspension, a novel triazole antifungal agent, for the prevention (prophylaxis) of invasive Aspergillus and Candida infections in severely immunocompromised patients 13 years of age and older. NOXAFIL proved more effective than other agents in preventing these infections.

-- U.S. approval to include new data in the VYTORIN product label showing VYTORIN to be more effective than Crestor at lowering LDL "bad" cholesterol at all doses compared, ranging from the usual recommended starting doses (VYTORIN 10/20 mg, Crestor 10 mg) to the maximum approved doses (VYTORIN 10/80 mg, Crestor 40 mg).

-- Launching TEMODAL (marketed as TEMODAR in the United States) in Japan for the treatment of malignant glioma. Japanese approval followed a priority review of the New Drug Application (J-NDA) submission, which was granted in September of 2005 in order to satisfy an unmet medical need in Japanese patients.

-- Gaining EU approval for SUBOXONE Sublingual Tablets for the substitution treatment of opioid dependence, within a framework of medical, social and psychological treatment. SUBOXONE is the only centrally-approved product for treatment of opioid dependence in the EU.

-- Reaching an agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts and the U.S. Department of Justice to settle a previously disclosed investigation involving the company's sales, marketing and clinical trial practices and programs. The agreement resolves that investigation, which began prior to the arrival of the new management team.

"We are pleased that sales of our cholesterol joint venture have continued to grow this year, even with the U.S. introduction of new generic statins," said Hassan. The company noted that VYTORIN has been shown to be the most effective medicine for lowering LDL cholesterol in head-to-head clinical trials versus Crestor, Lipitor and Zocor, with VYTORIN being able to get more patients to goal at the usual starting dose.

Third Quarter 2006 Results

For the 2006 third quarter, the company reported net income available to common shareholders of $287 million or 19 cents per common share on a GAAP basis. Included in net income is an unfavorable impact of 4 cents per share related to the actions announced in the 2006 second quarter to streamline the company's manufacturing operations. Also included is a favorable impact of 4 cents per share related to the reversal of previously accrued rebate amounts for a U.S. Government prescription pharmaceutical program (TRICARE Retail Pharmacy Program) that a U.S. Federal court ruled pharmaceutical manufacturers are not obligated to pay.

For the 2005 third quarter, the company reported net income of $43 million or 3 cents per share on a GAAP basis. Included in the 2005 results was a charge of $124 million before a tax benefit of $6 million, or 8 cents per share, related to an R&D payment for exercising rights to develop and commercialize golimumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody in development that is expected to extend the company's anti-inflammatory franchise. Also included in 2005 third quarter net income was a favorable impact of 3 cents per share, or $42 million, related to a reduction in tax expense associated with a tax charge taken in the 2004 fourth quarter related to the American Jobs Creation Act based on additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury in August 2005.

GAAP net sales for the 2006 third quarter totaled $2.6 billion, up 13 percent as compared to the third quarter of 2005. The sales increase was driven by growth in Prescription Pharmaceuticals, including higher sales of REMICADE, NASONEX and TEMODAR. The sales growth versus 2005 includes a 2 percent favorable impact from foreign exchange and a 2 percent favorable adjustment related to the TRICARE program. Schering-Plough does not record sales of its cholesterol joint venture with Merck as the venture is accounted for under the equity method. Including an adjustment of an assumed 50 percent of the global cholesterol joint venture net sales, Schering-Plough's adjusted net sales for the 2006 third quarter would have been $3.1 billion, a 19 percent increase, compared to $2.6 billion on a similar adjusted basis in the 2005 third quarter.

Global cholesterol joint venture net sales, which include VYTORIN and ZETIA, totaled $1.010 billion in the 2006 third quarter compared to net sales of $616 million in the comparable 2005 period.

The company utilizes the equity method of accounting for its cholesterol joint venture with Merck. Overall, the company shares in approximately 50 percent of the profits of the joint venture with Merck, although there are different profit-sharing arrangements for the cholesterol products in countries around the world. There is a separate co-marketing agreement with Bayer for ZETIA in Japan, where the product is currently under regulatory review. Under the equity method, the company records its share of the income from operations in "Equity income from cholesterol joint venture," which totaled $390 million in the 2006 third quarter versus $215 million in the third quarter of 2005. The increase in equity income reflected the strong sales of VYTORIN and ZETIA in the 2006 third quarter. The company noted that it incurs substantial costs such as selling, general and administrative costs that are not reflected in "Equity income from cholesterol joint venture" and are borne by the overall cost structure of Schering-Plough.

Among prescription products posting higher sales in the 2006 third quarter was REMICADE, up 34 percent to $317 million. REMICADE is a treatment for immune-mediated inflammatory disorders that Schering-Plough markets in countries outside the United States (except in Japan and certain other Asian markets) for rheumatoid arthritis, early rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, plaque psoriasis and ulcerative colitis. REMICADE sales were higher primarily due to expanded indications and continued market growth.

Global NASONEX sales rose 30 percent to $221 million, with U.S. sales climbing 41 percent to $153 million, primarily due to greater market share as compared to the 2005 period. International sales increased 11 percent to $68 million.

Sales of the company's PEG-INTRON hepatitis C product rose 11 percent to $206 million in the 2006 third quarter due to higher U.S. sales and a modest increase in Japan. PEG-INTRON sales in Japan are expected to decline going forward as new patient enrollment moderates. Global CLARINEX sales in the third quarter of 2006 were $171 million, up 9 percent, primarily due to growth in international markets. International sales of prescription CLARITIN were $74 million in the third quarter, compared to sales in the 2005 period of $76 million.

Sales of TEMODAR, a treatment for certain types of brain tumors, grew 18 percent to $179 million due to increased utilization outside the United States for treating newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which is the most prevalent form of brain cancer. The growth rates for TEMODAR may moderate going forward, as significant market penetration has already been achieved in the treatment of GBM, especially in the United States. Also reporting higher sales in the quarter was CAELYX, up 14 percent to $52 million, largely as a result of increased use in treating ovarian and breast cancer.

Consumer Health Care sales were $259 million in the third quarter of 2006, up 10 percent versus the 2005 period primarily reflecting increased sales of COPPERTONE CONTINUOUS SPRAY sun care products and DR. SCHOLL'S and other foot care products. Sales of OTC CLARITIN increased 4 percent, to $95 million, due to growth in CLARITIN products that do not contain the decongestant pseudoephedrine (PSE). Sales of CLARITIN-D products with PSE were lower, reflecting the continued adverse impact of restrictions on retail sales of PSE-containing OTC products.

Animal Health sales increased 9 percent to $228 million, reflecting growth of core brands across most geographic and species areas.

The company incurs substantial costs such as selling, general and administrative costs that are not reflected in "Equity income from cholesterol joint venture" and are borne by the overall cost structure of Schering-Plough. As a result, the company's gross margin and ratios of selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses and R&D expenses as a percentage of sales do not reflect the impact of the cholesterol joint venture's operating results.

On a GAAP basis, the company's gross margin was 65.6 percent for the 2006 third quarter as compared to 66.0 percent in the 2005 period.

SG&A expenses were $1.2 billion in the third quarter of 2006, up 9 percent versus $1.1 billion in the prior year period. SG&A in the third quarter of 2006 reflected ongoing investments in emerging markets and field support for new launches as well as higher promotional spending.

Research and development spending for the 2006 third quarter decreased 5 percent to $536 million compared to the third quarter of 2005. The decrease was due to a one-time charge in the third quarter of 2005 of $124 million resulting from the exercise of the rights to develop and commercialize golimumab. The decrease was offset by higher costs associated with clinical trials and to support the company's expanding pipeline. The company expects R&D spending to continue to reflect the progression of the early-stage pipeline and increased clinical trial activity.

Recent Developments

The company also offered the following summary of recent significant developments, including:

-- Received European Commission approval for the use of REMICADE as monotherapy in the treatment of active and progressive psoriatic arthritis in patients who show intolerance to methotrexate or for whom methotrexate is contraindicated. (Announced July 26)

-- Received approval in Japan for TEMODAL (marketed as TEMODAR in the United States) for the treatment of malignant glioma. Japanese approval followed a priority review of the New Drug Application (J-NDA) submission, which was granted in September of 2005 in order to satisfy an unmet medical need in Japanese patients. (Announced July 31)

-- Announced a global collaboration with Novartis AG to develop and commercialize a once-daily inhaled fixed-dose combination therapy for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Schering-Plough's once-daily inhaled corticosteroid mometasone (the active ingredient in ASMANEX) and Novartis' once-daily beta2- agonist indacaterol (QAB149) are to be combined in a single inhalation device. (Announced Aug. 14)

-- Reported Phase II clinical trial results showing vicriviroc, an investigational CCR5 receptor antagonist, demonstrated potent and sustained viral suppression after 24 weeks of therapy in 118 treatment- experienced HIV patients, when administered in once-daily doses in combination with an optimized ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor (PI)-containing antiretroviral regimen. (Announced Aug. 17)

-- Reached an agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts and the U.S. Department of Justice to settle a previously disclosed investigation involving the company's sales, marketing and clinical trial practices and programs. (Announced Aug. 29)

-- Gained U.S. approval of NOXAFIL Oral Suspension, a novel triazole antifungal agent, for the prevention (prophylaxis) of invasive Aspergillus and Candida infections in severely immunocompromised patients 13 years of age and older. (Announced Sept. 18)

-- Received recommendation for approval of NOXAFIL Oral Suspension for prophylaxis (prevention) of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in patients at high risk of developing these infections from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA). The CHMP also recommended approval of NOXAFIL as first- line therapy for patients with oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC), a fungal infection of the mouth and throat. (Announced Sept. 22)

-- Gained EU approval for SUBOXONE Sublingual Tablets for the substitution treatment of opioid dependence, within a framework of medical, social and psychological treatment. (Announced Oct. 6)

-- Schering-Plough Chairman/ CEO Fred Hassan named president of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) at its biennial statutory meeting in Geneva. (Announced Oct. 12)

Third Quarter 2006 Conference Call and Webcast

Schering-Plough will conduct a conference call today at 8 a.m. (EDT) to review the third quarter 2006 results. To listen live to the call, dial 1- 877-565-9664 or 1-706-634-5003 and enter conference ID #4125165. A replay of the call will be available starting at approximately 11 a.m. on Oct. 20 through 5 p.m. on Oct. 27. To listen to the replay, dial 1-800-642-1687 or 1- 706-645-9291 and enter the conference ID #4125165.

A live audio webcast of the conference call also will be available by going to the Investor Relations section of the Schering-Plough corporate Web site, www.schering-plough.com, and clicking on the "Presentations/Webcasts" link. A replay of the webcast will be available starting at approximately 11 a.m. on Oct. 20 through 5 p.m. on Nov. 20.
The company incurs substantial costs related to the cholesterol joint venture, such as selling, general and administrative costs, that are not reflected in the "Equity income from cholesterol joint venture" and are borne by the overall cost structure of Schering-Plough.


GAAP Net Sales by Key Product:

(Dollars in millions) Third Quarter Nine Months
2006 2005 % 2006 2005 %

GLOBAL PHARMACEUTICALS $2,087 $1,840 13% $6,350 $5,660 12%
REMICADE 317 237 34% 902 691 31%
NASONEX 221 170 30% 691 552 25%
PEG-INTRON 206 185 11% 629 537 17%
TEMODAR 179 152 18% 513 428 20%
CLARINEX /
AERIUS 171 157 9% 557 507 10%
INTEGRILIN 82 86 (5%) 244 244 -
CLARITIN RX 74 76 (2%) 279 287 (3%)
REBETOL 72 82 (12%) 237 237 -
AVELOX 63 41 55% 201 159 26%
INTRON A 57 72 (21%) 180 220 (18%)
CAELYX 52 46 14% 156 135 15%
SUBUTEX 51 44 14% 152 148 2%
ELOCON 36 34 6% 108 113 (4%)
CIPRO 28 41 (32%) 86 114 (24%)
Other
Pharmaceuticals 478 417 15% 1,415 1,288 10%

CONSUMER HEALTH CARE 259 235 10% 918 895 3%

OTC 138 129 7% 440 453 (3%)
OTC CLARITIN 95 92 4% 318 340 (7%)

Foot Care 92 85 8% 270 258 5%

Sun Care 29 21 38% 208 184 13%

ANIMAL HEALTH 228 209 9% 676 629 7%

CONSOLIDATED NET SALES a/ $2,574 $2,284 13% $7,944 $7,184 11%
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