Questcor second quarter net sales increase to $112.5 million

Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: QCOR) today reported financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2012. 

Net sales for the second quarter were $112.5 million, reflecting expanded physician usage of H.P. Acthar^® Gel (repository corticotropin injection) in the treatment of serious, difficult-to-treat autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, most notably idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and MS exacerbations.  Net sales in the second quarter 2011 were $46.0 million. 

GAAP net income for the second quarter was $41.5 million or $0.65 per diluted common share, compared to $13.9 million, or $0.21 per diluted common share for last year's comparable quarter.  Non-GAAP net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 was $44.2 million or $0.69 per diluted common share. Non-GAAP net income excludes non-cash share-based compensation expense and depreciation and amortization expense. Non-GAAP net income for the year ago quarter was $15.2 million, or $0.23 per diluted common share.

The Company used $156.1 million in cash to repurchase 3,730,069 shares of its common stock in open market transactions, at an average price of $41.85 per share, during the second quarter. Shares outstanding were 59.7 million at June 30, 2012 and 62.3 million at June 30, 2011.

Questcor shipped 4,710 vials of Acthar during the second quarter 2012, up 94% compared to 2,430 vials in the year ago quarter.  Quarterly vial shipments are subject to significant variation due to the size and timing of individual orders received from Questcor's distributor.  The timing of when these orders are received and filled can significantly affect net sales and net income in any particular quarter.  Channel inventory at the end of the second quarter appears to be in the normal range. At the end of the first quarter 2012, channel inventory was higher than normal. Questcor believes that investors should consider the Company's results over several quarters when analyzing its performance. 

"In the second quarter, we surpassed $100 million in quarterly net sales for the first time in our history," said Don M. Bailey, President and CEO of Questcor.  "Our strong financial results were driven by increasing usage of Acthar among nephrologists and neurologists.  With the expansion of our Nephrology Sales Force now complete, the expansion of our Neurology Sales Force nearing completion, and the initial detailing effort of a small sales force in Rheumatology just getting started, we are optimistic about the potential for Acthar to help an increasing number of patients with serious, difficult-to-treat autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. We also continue to support our free drug program and have provided free drug with a commercial value of over $183 million to patients and hospitals through these programs since September 2007."

"We completed the expansion of our Nephrology Sales Force to 58 from 28 representatives during the second quarter, with all of the new representatives trained and in the field by early June," noted Steve Cartt, Chief Operating Officer.  "At the same time, we expect the expansion of our Neurology Sales Force to 107 from 77 representatives to be complete in August.  In addition, our Rheumatology pilot effort is off to an encouraging start focusing on dermatomyositis (polymyositis). We expect to see the benefit from these three sales forces during the remainder of this year and into 2013."

Year-to-Date Financial Results

Net sales for the first six months of 2012 were $208.4 million, compared to $82.8 million in the first six months of 2011.  GAAP Net income for the first six months of 2012 was $80.0 million, or $1.23 per diluted common share, and compared with $25.1 million, or $0.38 per diluted common share, for the comparable period of 2011.  Non-GAAP net income for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was $84.5 million or $1.29 per diluted common share excluding non-cash share-based compensation expense and depreciation and amortization expense.  Non-GAAP net income for the comparable period of 2011 was $28.0 million, or $0.43 per diluted common share.