HeartWare revenues for fiscal 2011 increase to $82.8 million

HeartWare International, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTWR; ASX: HIN), a leading innovator of less invasive, miniaturized circulatory support technologies that are revolutionizing the treatment of advanced heart failure, announced revenue of $23.1 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011, as compared to $20.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2010.  For the fiscal year 2011, the Company generated revenues of $82.8 million as compared with $55.2 million in the fiscal year 2010.

"Our results for 2011 reflect increasing confidence in the HVAD® System, as sales of the HeartWare® Ventricular Assist System increased to 932 units worldwide, nearly a 50% increase over 2010.  In the fourth quarter, we sold 266 pumps, the largest number in any quarter to date," explained Doug Godshall, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "The international markets accounted for approximately $14.7 million of revenue for the quarter, as we have increased the number of implanting sites by 70%, from 47 at the start of 2011 to 80 sites today.

"In the fourth quarter we utilized the remaining 31 slots in the 94-patient allotment granted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Continued Access Protocol (CAP) for our U.S. bridge-to-transplant (BTT) clinical study.  We are intensely focused on preparing for our April 25, 2012 advisory committee panel meeting for our BTT Premarket Approval (PMA) application," Mr. Godshall added.  "In our 450-patient destination therapy study, we concluded the year with 311 patients randomized and enrolled in the study.  With 350 patients enrolled at the end of January, we remain on track to complete enrollment in the destination therapy study by mid-2012.  Based on this momentum in the clinic and continued favorable feedback, we have increased investment related to U.S. launch readiness and for preparation to commence human clinical trials of our next generation platform, the MVAD® System, in 2012."

Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2011 were $30.8 million, as compared to $18.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.  Research and development expense was $17.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, as compared to $11.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, primarily attributable to the Company's ongoing PMA application process and increased expenditure on HeartWare's pipeline technologies, including the MVAD platform.  Selling, general and administrative expenses were $12.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, as compared to $7.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, reflecting an increase in expenses related to anticipated commercialization in the U.S. in 2012.  For the fiscal year 2011, total operating expenses were $92.5 million, as compared to $59.8 million for the fiscal year 2010.  The increases described above also reflect ongoing expansion of commercialization activities in Europe and other countries outside the U.S., and additional investment in HeartWare's technology pipeline, including external development partnerships. The Company also continues to increase headcount to support clinicians in a larger number of centers and to meet rising demand for the Company's products.

Total interest and other expense of $12.4 million for 2011 included $10.7 million in net interest expense.  Included in net interest expense for 2011 was $5.0 million in cash interest expense, as well as $5.7 million in non-cash deferred financing costs on the convertible debt issued in December of 2010, which is due in 2017.

Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $21.6 million, or a loss of $1.53 per basic and diluted share, compared to a $7.0 million net loss, or a loss of $0.51 per basic and diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2010.  For the fiscal year 2011, the Company recorded a net loss of $55.1 million, or a loss of $3.94 per basic and diluted share, compared to a $29.4 million net loss, or a loss of $2.17 per basic and diluted share, for the fiscal year 2010.

"In 2011, in addition to the continuing enrollment of patients in our ENDURANCE destination therapy trial, we made significant strides to advance some of our most exciting and promising R&D programs, including completing animal studies of our next generation, miniaturized MVAD pump and introducing enhancements such as the sintered inflow cannula, shower bag, new apical coring tool and redesigned packaging," added Mr. Godshall.  "In 2012, we expect to continue to work toward obtaining FDA approval of the HVAD system and expect to begin the human clinical trials of the MVAD system, as well as advance the development of a fully implantable device through our collaboration with Dualis using its proprietary wireless energy transfer technology."

At December 31, 2011, the Company's balance sheet showed approximately $163.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments.  This compares to approximately $217.5 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments at December 31, 2010.