Cyberonics Reports Fiscal 2014 First Quarter Results

HOUSTON, Aug. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cyberonics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CYBX) today announced results for the quarter ended July 26, 2013. 

Quarterly highlights

Operating results for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2013, and other achievements, include:

• Net product sales of $67.4 million, an increase of 12.4%;
• Net sales of $68.9 million (including $1.5 million of license revenue), an increase of 14.2%;
• Worldwide unit sales of 3,354, an increase of 9.8%;
• Record U.S. net product sales of $56.4 million, an increase of 10.8%;
• Strong International unit sales of 899, an increase of 20.8%;
• Adjusted non-GAAP income from operations increased by 21.9% to $21.0 million and adjusted non-GAAP income per diluted share increased by 27.9% to $0.48;¹
• Share repurchases of $13 million; and
• Significant progress in three clinical studies, E-36, E-37, and ANTHEM.

The reported results shown above for net sales, adjusted non-GAAP income from operations and adjusted non-GAAP income per diluted share for the most recent quarter reflect the impact of $1.5 million of license revenue compared to $0.4 million included in the comparable quarter of the prior year as a result of recognizing all remaining such license revenue.

Results and objectives

"Net sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 met our expectations and provides a good start to the fiscal year," commented Dan Moore, Cyberonics' President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Our U.S. sales team followed a record fourth-quarter performance with a near-record quarter in both unit sales and net product sales.  Estimates of new patient and replacement growth rates are consistent with those provided in our annual guidance.  International unit sales were well ahead of the first quarter of last year, with Europe in particular continuing the strong performance seen in fiscal 2013.

"Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter was $25.6 million, and with our available cash and short-term investments of $131 million, the company is well-positioned to continue to deliver stockholder value with investments in next-generation products and stock repurchases.

"Our AspireSR™ clinical studies, E-36 and E-37, have both progressed this quarter.  Enrollment in E-36 is now complete, and the first five patients in our U.S.-based study, E-37, have received the AspireSR generator.  Further, we completed enrollment in our ANTHEM study, assessing Autonomic Regulation Therapy for patients with chronic heart failure.  We are pleased to have achieved each of these important clinical steps while continuing to grow our global epilepsy sales," concluded Mr. Moore.

Stock Repurchase Update

During the recently completed quarter, Cyberonics repurchased 205,000 shares on the open market, completing the previously authorized program, and leaving 740,000 shares available to be repurchased under the current program, and expected to be completed in the current fiscal year.  

Fiscal 2014 guidance

Cyberonics is re-affirming guidance for fiscal 2014 as follows:

• Net sales are expected to be in the range of $279 million to $283 million.
• Adjusted non-GAAP income from operations is expected to be in the range of $85 million to $88 million.
• Adjusted non-GAAP net income for fiscal 2014 is expected to be in the range from $53 million to $56 million.
• Adjusted non-GAAP income per diluted share (EPS) will be in the range from $1.93 to $2.01.

Guidance for income from operations, net income and diluted earnings per share (EPS) has been adjusted by $7.4 million, $4.8 million (net of tax) and $0.17 cents per share, respectively, for the litigation settlement referenced above.

Additional details will be provided during today's conference call and in an investor presentation summarizing the company's first quarter results, which is available in the investor relations section of Cyberonics' corporate website at http://www.cyberonics.com.

Use of non-GAAP financial measures

In this press announcement, management has disclosed financial measurements that present financial information not in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).  These measurements are not a substitute for GAAP measurements, although company management uses these measurements as aids in monitoring the company's ongoing financial performance from quarter to quarter and year to year on a regular basis and for benchmarking against other medical technology companies.  Adjusted non-GAAP income from operations, adjusted non-GAAP net income and adjusted non-GAAP income per diluted share measure the income from operations, net income and income per diluted share of the company excluding unusual items. Management uses and presents adjusted non-GAAP income from operations, adjusted non-GAAP net income and adjusted non-GAAP income per diluted share measures because management believes that such adjustments facilitate an understanding of the financial impact of unusual items on the company's short- and long-term financial trends.  Management also uses adjusted non-GAAP items to forecast and to evaluate the operational performance of the company, as well as to compare results of current periods to prior periods on a consistent basis.  Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") measures the adjusted non-GAAP income from operations of the company and excludes the aforementioned items, as well as non-cash equity compensation and other income (expense) items.

Non-GAAP financial measures used by the company may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies.  Investors should consider non-GAAP measures in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial performance measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Please refer to the attached reconciliations between GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures.

First Quarter Results Webcast and Conference Call Instructions

Cyberonics will host a conference call today, August 22, 2013, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Central Time (9:00 a.m. Eastern Time) to review its results of operations for the fiscal year 2014 first quarter, followed by a question and answer session.

The conference call will be available to interested parties through a live audio webcast in the Investor Relations section of Cyberonics' corporate website at http://www.cyberonics.com.  To listen to the conference call live by telephone, dial 877-638-4557 (if dialing from within the U.S.) or 914-495-8522 (if dialing from outside the U.S.).  The conference ID is 19970149. 

Within 24 hours of the webcast, a replay will be available under the "Events & Presentations" section of the Investor Relations portion of the Cyberonics website, where it will be archived and accessible for approximately 12 months.

About Cyberonics, Inc. and the VNS Therapy^® System

Cyberonics, Inc. is a medical technology company with core expertise in neuromodulation.  The company developed and markets the VNS Therapy System, which is FDA-approved for the treatment of refractory epilepsy and treatment-resistant depression.  The VNS Therapy System uses an implanted medical device that delivers pulsed electrical signals to the vagus nerve.  Cyberonics offers the VNS Therapy System in selected markets worldwide.

Additional information on Cyberonics and the VNS Therapy System is available at www.cyberonics.com.

Safe harbor statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including "may," "believe," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "intend," "forecast," or other similar words.  Statements contained in this press release are based on information presently available to us and assumptions that we believe to be reasonable.  We are not assuming any duty to update this information if those facts change or if we no longer believe the assumptions to be reasonable. Investors are cautioned that all such statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, statements concerning continuing to deliver stockholder value with investments in next-generation products, completing our stock repurchase program, and financial guidance for fiscal 2014.  Our actual results may differ materially.  Important factors that may cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to: continued market acceptance of VNS Therapy™ and sales of our products; the development and satisfactory completion of clinical trials and/or market test and/or regulatory approval of new products, including VNS Therapy™ for the treatment of other indications; satisfactory completion of the post-market registry required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a condition of approval for the treatment-resistant depression indication; adverse changes in coverage or reimbursement amounts by third-parties; intellectual property protection and potential infringement claims; maintaining compliance with government regulations and obtaining necessary government approvals for new products and indications; product liability claims and potential litigation; reliance on single suppliers and manufacturers for certain components; the accuracy of management's estimates of future expenses and sales; the potential identification of material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting; and other risks detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  For a detailed discussion of these and other cautionary statements, please refer to our most recent filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 26, 2013.

Contact information

Greg Browne, CFO
Cyberonics, Inc.
100 Cyberonics Blvd.
Houston, TX 77058
Main:  (281) 228-7262
Fax:  (281) 218-9332
ir@cyberonics.com

SOURCE Cyberonics, Inc.