BEIJING, Aug. 18 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lotus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: LTUS) ("Lotus" or the "Company"), a pharmaceutical company in the People’s Republic of China ("PRC"), today announced financial results for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2008.
Second Quarter 2008 Highlights
-- Total revenues increased to $19.4 million, up 51.4% from the second
quarter of 2007
-- Gross profit was $9.7 million, up 76.4% from the second quarter of 2007,
and gross margin was 50.0% compared to 42.9% in the second quarter of
2007
-- Net income was $2.2 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared to
$3.0 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2007
-- Excluding non-cash financing costs, adjusted net income was $2.5
million, or $0.06 per fully diluted share, compared to adjusted net
income of $3.4 million, or $0.08 per fully diluted share, in the second
quarter of 2007
-- Obtained the patent and the exclusive production rights for
Laevo-Bambutero, an asthma drug
-- Placed a down payment for land rights in Inner Mongolia and plan to
build a new manufacturing facility
"We are pleased with our revenue and gross margin results in the second quarter and first six months of 2008. Wholesale distribution was strong throughout the first half of 2008 for products which we produce and pharmaceutical products which we distribute that are produced by third-party manufacturer. Much of our revenue growth last quarter was the result of a sales incentive program that temporarily offered our sales people higher than usual sales commissions," said Dr. Zhongyi Liu, Chairman and CEO of Lotus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "We continued to develop and acquire new pharmaceutical products throughout the second quarter and first six months of 2008 while supporting our current products and growing distribution network."
Second Quarter 2008 Results
Lotus Pharmaceutical’s net revenue was $19.4 million in the second quarter of 2008, an increase of 51.4% from $12.8 million in the second quarter of 2007. Wholesale distribution and manufacturing revenue was $18.4 million in the second quarter of 2008, 94.8% of total revenues, an increase of 55.2% from the second quarter of 2007. This increase was because of increased sales of third-party pharmaceuticals and increased sales of the Company’s Brimonidine Tartrate Eyes Drops (sold under the brand name "Mu Xin") used in the treatment of glaucoma. Retail revenue was $903,404 in the second quarter of 2008, a 28.8% increase from $701,421 in the second quarter of 2007. The Company increased its sales of pharmaceutical products through its ten retail pharmacies. Other revenues were $99,876 in the second quarter of 2008 compared to $258,487 in the second quarter of 2007 which was attributable to a decrease in research and development services.
Gross profit in the second quarter of 2008 was $9.7 million, an increase of 76.4% compared to the second quarter of 2007. Gross margin was 50.0%, up from 42.9% in the second quarter of 2007 and up from 33.7% in the first quarter of 2008. Gross margin in the year ago period benefited from the collection of $1.8 million in previously reserved allowance for sales return that lowered cost of sales and increased gross margin by 9.3%.
Operating expenses were $6.9 million in the second quarter of 2008, a 264.6% increase from $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2007. Most of the increase was because of an increase in selling expenses, which were $5.9 million in the second quarter of 2008 compared to $791,784 in the second quarter of 2007. Selling expenses increased because of a short term sales incentive program that provided higher sales commissions to sales representatives and bonuses paid to improve collections of accounts receivable. Research and development expenses were $471,243 in the second quarter of 2008, compared to $109,153 in the second quarter of 2007. General and administrative expenses were $542,043, down from $988,233 in the second quarter of 2007.
Operating income was $2.8 million in the second quarter of 2008 compared to $3.6 million in the second quarter of 2007.
Net income for the second quarter of 2008 was $2.2 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared to $3.0 million, or $0.07 per fully diluted share, in the second quarter of 2007.
Adjusting net income for non-cash financing costs associated with its convertible notes and convertible preferred stock, adjusted net income was $2.5 million, or $0.06 per fully diluted share, in the second quarter of 2008, compared to adjusted net income of $3.4 million, or $0.08 per fully diluted share, in the second quarter of 2007.
Six Month Financial Results
Revenues for the first six months of 2008 were $31.1 million, up 47.4% from revenues of $21.1 million in the first six months of 2007. Gross profit was $13.6 million, up 67.8% from gross profit of $8.1 million for the six months of 2007. Gross margin was 43.8%, compared to 38.5% for the first six months of 2007. Operating income was $4.3 million, compared to $4.8 million for the first six months of fiscal 2007.
Net income was $3.2 million, or $0.07 per fully diluted share, compared to $3.9 million, or $0.09 per fully diluted share, for the first six months of fiscal 2007.
Adjusting net income for non-cash financing costs associated with its convertible notes and convertible preferred stock, adjusted net income was $3.9 million, or $0.08 per fully diluted share, for the first six months of 2008, compared to adjusted net income of $4.4 million, or $0.10 per fully diluted share, for the first six months of 2007.
Financial Condition
As of June 30, 2008, Lotus had $3.4 million in cash and equivalents, and $27.0 million of working capital. Total assets were $49.0 million compared to $36.9 million as of December 31, 2007. Total liabilities were $14.0 million compared to $10.3 million as of December 31, 2007. Stockholders’ equity as of June 30, 2008 was $35.0 million, up 31.5% from $26.6 million as of December 31, 2007. The Company generated $4.7 million in net cash flow from operating activities in the first half of 2008, down from $4.9 million in the same quarter of 2007.
Recent Events
In May 2008, Lotus signed a technology transfer agreement with Dongguan Kaifa Biomedicine, Inc. ("Dongguan Kaifa") for the patent and exclusive production rights to Laevo-Bambutero in China. Laevo-Bambutero is a more effective asthma drug than a number of alternative drugs that currently are on the market. Lotus plans to launch the drug by 2012, pending approval from the SFDA. Lotus agreed to pay RMB 48 million (about $6.9 million) in cash and a 3% royalty on products sales to Dongguan Kaifa for Laevo-Bambutero. The Company has already paid RMB 20 million (about $2.9 million) to Dongguan Kaifa.
In June 2008, Lotus entered into an agreement with the Cha You Qian Qi Economy Commission ("Cha You"), Inner Mongolia, to purchase land rights to property on which it plans to construct a facility for developing and manufacturing pharmaceutical products. The property is approximately 400,200 square meters. Plans call for construction of a 40,000 square meter manufacturing facility. The cost of land rights was RMB 108 million (approximately $15.5 million), of which RMB 39 million (approximately $5.8 million) has been paid to Cha You.
The agreement through which Liang Fang acquired land rights to the property stipulates that construction of a manufacturing facility on the property must start by September 3, 2008. The cost of construction is an estimated RMB 160 million (approximately $22.9 million). The cost of purchasing production machinery is an estimated RMB 182 million (approximately $26.0 million). Working capital for development of the project is an estimated RMB 50 million (approximately $7.1 million).
2008 Outlook
"We recently obtained the patent and exclusive production rights to a new asthma drug, Laevo-Bambutero, which we plan to launch in 2012 after we receive approval from the SFDA. We currently have fourteen drugs for which we are seeking SFDA approval, and plans for manufacturing a number of new pharmaceutical products," said Dr. Liu. "In 2008, we expect strong revenue growth to be led by our distribution of pharmaceutical products manufactured by third-parties and our best selling branded products. For the full year 2008, because of our growing distribution network, we remain confident that we will meet our ‘make good’ net income target of $13.1 million."
"As part of our longer term growth strategy, we began the process of acquiring land use rights on which to construct a product development and manufacturing facility that will allow us produce a wide range of new pharmaceutical products. We hope to have the facility completed by the end of 2010. However, we may adjust the time line depending on our availability of working capital and external funds. We obtained the land use rights at a favorable price and may be able to monetize a portion of them in the future."
Conference Call
Lotus’ management will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, August 18, 2008 to discuss results for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. To participate in this live conference call, please dial the following number five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time: 888-481-7939. International callers should call 617-847-8707. The Conference Pass Code is 306 650 22.
Replay of the conference call will be available from 12 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, August 18 for fourteen days. To access the replay, call 888-286-8010. International callers should call 617-801-6888. The Conference Pass Code is 939 152 01.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information
GAAP results for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008 and June 30, 2007 include certain non-cash debt financing expenses related to the Company’s convertible notes and convertible mandatorily redeemable preferred stock. To supplement the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements presented on a GAAP basis, the Company has provided non-GAAP financial information, which are adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share, excluding the impact of these items in this release. The Company’s management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide investors with a better understanding of how the results relate to the Company’s historical performance. A reconciliation of adjustments to GAAP results appears below. This additional non-GAAP information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financials. The non-GAAP financial information that the Company provides also may differ from the non-GAAP information provided by other companies.
About Lotus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Lotus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Lotus") controls and operates Liangfang Pharmaceutical, Ltd. ("Liangfang") and Enze Jiashi Pharmaceutical, Ltd. ("En ze"), two Chinese pharmaceutical companies located in Beijing (together "Lotus East"). Lotus East is a comprehensive enterprise, which deals in an integration of the production, trade, sales and marketing of pharmaceuticals. The Company possesses some of the most advanced pharmaceutical-production equipment used in China, workshops authenticated by the National GMP, a suite of various medicines produced by Lotus East, and a number of high-tech personnel. Lotus East has business and office facilities of 2,000 square meters, warehouse of 1,000 square meters and operates ten retail pharmacies in the Beijing area. Lotus East performs scientific research on new medicines, and the production, wholesale and retail sale of medicines through 10 retail pharmacy locations through Beijing.
Safe Harbor Statement
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Any statements set forth above that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain the words "estimate," "project," "intend," "forecast," "anticipate," "plan," "planning," "expect," "believe," "will likely," "should," "could," "would," "may" or words or expressions of similar meaning. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results and financial position to differ materially from those included within the forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, the Company’s limited operating history, the limited financial resources, domestic or global economic conditions -- especially those relating to China, activities of competitors and the presence of new or additional competition, and changes in Federal or State laws, restrictions and regulations on doing business in a foreign country, in particular China, and conditions of equity markets. More information about the potential factors that could affect the Company’s business and financial results is included in the Company’s filings, available via the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
-- Financial Tables Follow --
LOTUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
For the Three Months For the Six Months
Ended Ended
June 30, June 30,
2008 2007 2008 2007
(As Restated) (As Restated)
NET REVENUES:
Wholesale $17,161,230 $9,819,373 $26,931,327 $14,993,316
Retail 718,645 516,594 1,402,393 893,014
Other revenues 1,505,737 2,469,485 2,761,069 5,208,657
Total Net
Revenues 19,385,612 12,805,452 31,094,789 21,094,987
COST OF SALES 9,696,718 7,311,471 17,465,143 12,974,387
GROSS PROFIT 9,688,894 5,493,981 13,629,646 8,120,600
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling expenses 5,875,549 791,784 6,997,886 1,422,796
Research and
development 471,243 109,153 1,181,468 200,975
General and
administrative 542,043 988,233 1,168,460 1,718,810
Total Operating
Expenses 6,888,835 1,889,170 9,347,814 3,342,581
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 2,800,059 3,604,811 4,281,832 4,778,019
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Debt issuance
costs (99,517) (58,680) (162,403) (88,020)
Registration
rights penalty -- (56,000) (110,000)
Interest income 2,027 -- 2,588 --
Interest expense (522,660) (448,606) (946,009) (701,173)
Total Other
Income
(Expense) (620,150) (563,286) (1,105,824) (899,193)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME
TAXES 2,179,909 3,041,525 3,176,008 3,878,826
INCOME TAXES -- -- -- --
NET INCOME $2,179,909 $3,041,525 $3,176,008 $3,878,826
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
NET INCOME $2,179,909 $3,041,525 $3,176,008 3,878,826
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME:
Unrealized foreign
currency translation
gain 1,587,538 248,403 $3,041,741 371,920
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $3,767,447 $3,289,928 $6,217,749 $4,250,746
NET INCOME PER COMMON
SHARE:
Basic $0.05 $0.07 $0.08 $0.09
Diluted $0.05 $0.07 $0.07 $0.09
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON
SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic 42,352,139 41,389,362 42,194,048 41,297,531
Diluted 48,099,257 44,389,262 47,941,166 44,297,531
See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements
F-4
LOTUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
June 30, December 31,
2008 2007
ASSETS (Unaudited)
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash $3,401,444 $4,557,957
Accounts receivable, net of
allowance for doubtful accounts
and sale returns 20,786,631 20,430,827
Inventories, net of reserve for
obsolete inventory 7,086,895 3,410,739
Prepaid expenses 284,819 1,009,382
Deferred debt costs 398,067 29,340
Total Current Assets 31,957,856 29,438,245
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - Net 6,551,138 6,169,966
OTHER ASSETS
Deposit on patent license 2,910,446 --
Deposit on land use right 6,033,353 --
Intangible assets, net of
accumulated amortization 1,298,038 1,291,322
Deferred debt costs 265,377 --
Total Assets $49,016,208 $36,899,533
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Convertible debt, net of debt
discount $-- $2,561,645
Accounts payable and accrued
expenses 1,027,999 764,491
Value-added and service taxes
payable 2,030,543 572,200
Advances from customers -- 34,531
Unearned revenue 641,162 530,063
Due to related parties 1,272,153 323,178
Total Current Liabilities 4,971,857 4,786,108
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
Due to related parties 654,850 738,300
Notes payable - related parties 5,043,500 4,738,508
Series A convertible redeemable
preferred stock, $.001 par
value; 10,000,000 shares
authorized; 5,747,118 and - 0 -
shares issued and outstanding
at June 31, 2008 and
December 31, 2007, respectively 3,305,813 --
Total Liabilities 13,976,020 10,262,916
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common stock ($.001 par value;
200,000,000 shares authorized;
42,420,239 and 41,794,200
shares issued and outstanding
at June 30, 2008 and December 31,
2007, respectively) 42,420 41,794
Additional paid-in capital 11,277,143 8,095,848
Statutory reserves 2,616,019 2,161,505
Retained earnings 16,081,308 14,355,913
Other comprehensive gain -
cumulative foreign currency
translation adjustment 5,023,298 1,981,557
Total Shareholders’ Equity 35,040,188 26,636,617
Total Liabilities and
Shareholders’ Equity $49,016,208 $36,899,533
See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements
F-3
LOTUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
For the Six Months Ended
June 30,
2008 2007
(As Restated)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $3,176,008 $3,878,826
Adjustments to reconcile net income
from operations to net cash
provided by (used in) operating
activities:
Depreciation and amortization 307,713 275,197
Amortization of deferred debt
issuance costs 162,029 88,020
Amortization of debt discount 208,355 433,735
Amortization of discount on
convertible redeemable preferred
stock 338,838
Stock base compensation 270,245 55,650
Warrant repricing 74,593
Decrease in allowance for
doubtful accounts and sales
returns (14,101) (1,567,166)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 946,083 (524,467)
Inventories (3,358,488) 1,201,912
Prepaid expenses and other
current assets 986,132 113,540
Other receivable -- --
Accounts payable and accrued
expenses 224,627 78,398
Value-added and service taxes
payable 1,381,155 921,996
Unearned revenue 74,796 132,461
Advances from customers (35,710) (145,138)
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY
OPERATING ACTIVITIES 4,742,275 4,942,964
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Collections from related party
advances -- 521,930
Deposit on patent right (2,827,814)
Deposit on land use right (5,862,059)
Purchase of property and
equipment (217,982) (376,201)
NET CASH (USED IN) INVESTING
ACTIVITIES (8,907,855) 145,729
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net proceeds (payments) from
convertible debt (2,520,000) 2,950,000
Proceeds from sale of convertible
redeemable peferred stocks 5,000,000 --
Payment of debt issuance costs (468,568) (231,526)
Proceeds from related party
advances 774,571 2,866
Repayments of related party
advances -- (719,302)
Repayments of notes payable -
related parties -- (846,781)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING
ACTIVITIES 2,786,003 1,155,257
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE ON CASH 223,064 107,929
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH (1,156,513) 6,351,879
CASH - beginning of period 4,557,957 2,089,156
CASH - end of period $3,401,444 $8,441,035
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW
INFORMATION:
Cash paid for:
Interest $56,557 $267,438
Income taxes $-- $--
Non-cash operating, investing and
financing activities:
Warrants issued for prepaid
financing costs $327,565 $--
Warrants issued for consulting
expenses $178,187
Common stock issued for
compensation $318,551
Common stock issued for
conversion of convertible debt $250,000 $--
Debt discount for grant of
warrants and beneficial
conversion feature $2,033,025 $--
See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
F-5
LOTUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL DATA
For the Three Months For the Three Months
Ended Ended
Adjusted Net income June 30, 2008 June 30, 2007
($ in thousands except per
share data) Diluted Diluted
Net Income (Loss) Diluted EPS Net Income EPS Net Income EPS
Adjusted Amount 2,533,555 0.06 3,389,362 0.08
Adjustments
Non cash debt financing
costs (1) 353,646 0.01 347,837 0.01
Amount per consolidated
statement of operations 2,179,909 0.05 3,041,525 0.07
(1) Non cash debt financing costs for Q2 2008 includes amortization of
debt issuance costs of $99,517 and amortization of discount on
convertible redeemable preferred stock of $254,129; Non cash debt
financing costs for Q2 2007 includes amortization of debt issuance
costs of $58,680 amortization of debt discount of $289,157.
For the Six Months For the Six Months
Ended Ended
Adjusted Net income June 30, 2008 June 30, 2007
($ in thousands except per
share data) Diluted Diluted
Net Income (Loss) Diluted EPS Net Income EPS Net Income EPS
Adjusted Amount 3,885,230 0.08 4,400,581 0.10
Adjustments
Non cash debt financing
costs (2) 709,222 0.01 521,755 0.01
Amount per consolidated
statement of operations 3,176,008 0.07 3,878,826 0.09
(2) Non cash debt financing costs for the first half year 2008 includes
amortization of debt issuance costs of $162,029, amortization of debt
discount of $208,355 and amortization of discount on convertible
redeemable preferred stock of $338,838; Non cash debt financing costs
for the first half year 2007 includes amortization of debt issuance
costs of $88,020 amortization of debt discount of $433,735.
For more information, please contact:
Lotus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Mr. Adam Wasserman, CFO
Tel: +1-877-801-0344
Email: info@LotusEast.com
Web: http://www.lotuseast.com
CCG Investor Relations Inc.
Mr. Crocker Coulson, President
Tel: +1-646-213-1915 (New York)
Email: crocker.coulson@ccgir.com
Web: http://www.ccgir.com