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PPD Reports Third Quarter 2010 Financial Results

^{Published on 2010-10-26 13:40:53 - Market Wire}
 

WILMINGTON, N.C.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--PPD, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPDI) today reported its financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010.

"We believe the demand for PPDa™s clinical development and laboratory services continues to be strong, and we will continue to focus on best-in-class quality and performance to create sustained shareholder value."

PPD recorded net revenue of $365.4 million for the third quarter of 2010, an increase of 7.3 percent over net revenue of $340.4 million for the third quarter of 2009. Third quarter 2010 operating income was $56.8 million, an increase of 10.1 percent compared to income from operations of $51.6 million for the same period in 2009. Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2010 were $0.32, compared to $0.32 for the third quarter of 2009.

aWe were pleased to deliver on our commitment to our shareholders during the third quarter,a said David Grange, chief executive officer of PPD. aGross authorizations continued to be strong, and operating margin expanded significantly on a sequential basis due to improved performance in emerging markets and our focus on overall company spending. Our strong performance demonstrates our organizational focus and drive aimed at achieving our 2010 objectives and creating long-term value for our shareholders.a

As described in more detail below, beginning with the third quarter of 2010, PPD will report its financial and operating results in two segments: Clinical Development Services and Laboratory Services. These two business segments comprise what had previously been the companya™s Development segment. A slide presentation related to these new business segments will be available on the Presentations and Events page in the Investors section of the PPD web site at [ www.ppdi.com ].

Clinical Development Services

PPDa™s Clinical Development Services segment includes global Phase II-IV clinical trial management services. Clinical Development Services segment net revenue for the third quarter of 2010 was $260.3 million, compared to $250.0 million for the third quarter of 2009. Third quarter 2010 income from operations for this segment was $43.7 million, compared to $39.2 million for the third quarter of 2009.

Laboratory Services

PPDa™s Laboratory Services segment includes Phase I clinic, cGMP, bioanalytical, central laboratory, vaccines and biologics, and BioDuro/discovery services. Laboratory Services segment net revenue for the third quarter of 2010 was $79.0 million, compared to $65.9 million for the third quarter of 2009. Third quarter 2010 income from operations for this segment was $13.2 million, compared to $12.8 million for the third quarter of 2009.

Other Financial Information

Gross authorizations for the third quarter of 2010 totaled $663.8 million. Backlog at September 30, 2010, was $3.4 billion. Contract cancellations and adjustments for the quarter were $220.9 million, including two large project cancellations that together totaled $92.8 million.

Cash flow from operations for the third quarter of 2010 was $47.9 million, benefiting from continued strong working capital management. At September 30, 2010, PPD had $613.0 million in cash and investments, after giving effect to the payment of the companya™s third quarter dividend. The effective tax rate for continuing operations in the third quarter of 2010 was 28.5 percent.

aWe continued to make great strides in positioning PPD for long-term growth, and we are pleased with our operational and sales execution during the third quarter,a said Fred Eshelman, executive chairman of PPD. aWe believe the demand for PPDa™s clinical development and laboratory services continues to be strong, and we will continue to focus on best-in-class quality and performance to create sustained shareholder value.a

PPD will conduct a live conference call and webcast tomorrow, October 27, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss its third quarter 2010 results. A Q&A session will follow. All interested parties can access the webcast through the Presentations & Events link in the Investors section of the PPD web site at [ www.ppdi.com ]. The webcast will be archived shortly after the call for on-demand replay. The conference call will be broadcast live over the internet, and the live call may be accessed via the following direct dial numbers:

PPD is a leading global contract research organization, celebrating 25 years of providing drug discovery, development and lifecycle management services. Our clients and partners include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, academic and government organizations. With offices in 42 countries and more than 10,500 professionals worldwide, PPD applies innovative technologies, therapeutic expertise and a commitment to quality to help clients and partners accelerate the delivery of safe and effective therapeutics and maximize the returns on their R&D investments. For more information, visit [ www.ppdi.com ].

Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations and assumptions contained in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Although PPD attempts to be accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based. In addition, other important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially include the following: success in sales growth; loss of or delay in large contracts; high cancellation rates; negative impact from accounting changes; competition within the outsourcing industry; reliance on economic conditions and outsourcing trends in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries and academic and government-sponsored research sectors; overall global economic conditions; rapid technological advances that make our products and services less competitive; risks associated with acquisitions and investments, such as integration and impairments; the ability to attract, integrate and retain key personnel; risks that we may not continue our dividend policy; and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in the SEC filings for PPD, copies of which are available free of charge upon request from the PPD investor relations department.