Aerocrine (STO:AEROB):
January - March 2011
- Net sales rose by 24% to SEK 22.2m (17.8). Adjusted for currency fluctuations, net sales rose by 38%
- Sales of NIOX MINO® refill tests rose in total by 48% and in the US sales of repeat tests for clinical use rose by 135%
- The loss after tax amounted to SEK 26.9m (28.7), corresponding to a loss per share before dilution of SEK 0.3 (0.4)
- The German superior court has confirmed the ruling by the federal court that Medisoft is in infringement of two of Aerocrine's patents. A ruling regarding Medisoft's appeal of its infringement of a third Aerocrine patent will be forthcoming. The federal patent court in Munich recently issued a ruling where this Aerocrine patent was found to be valid
- Aerocrine acquires all assets related to FENO testing from FILT GmbH and initiates cooperation on technical development
Significant events after the end of the period
- Dr. Kathleen Rickard was appointed Chief Medical Officer
AEROCRINE IN BRIEF
Comment by the CEO
"Sales of NIOX MINO and refill tests continue to develop reasonably well, particularly in the US, based on current market conditions and are related to increasing clinical use rather than use in research and pharmaceutical development.
To date, the company has penetrated only a fraction of the potential market for inflammation monitoring. The single most important parameter in accelerating sales growth is positive decisions regarding cost reimbursement in major markets. These decisions are affected by the extent and growth of the routine clinical use of the method and related reimbursement requests from physicians, clinical data and the inclusion of the method in leading clinical guidelines. During the period, the company has reinforced its organisation focusing on cost reimbursement and clinical development.
The company's sales in Europe and Asia are showing a certain degree of recovery. The competitive situation in Europe is expected to become more favourable over the year as a consequence of the company's successful defence of its patents and the acquisition of FENO assets from FILT of Germany.
The somewhat weaker gross margin for the period was due to a negative currency exchange development, competition on price in Europe and certain discounted sales of the previous generation of NIOX MINO instruments.
The cooperation with Panasonic to develop the next generation of products for both clinical use and for home use by patients is progressing as planned," says Aerocrine's CEO, Paul de Potocki.