CryoLife Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2005 Financial Results

February 22, 2006 at 8:47 AM EST
Fourth quarter 2005 revenues increased 13% over fourth quarter 2004 Gross margins for full year 2005 increased to 53% compared to 40% in 2004

Feb 22, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- CryoLife, Inc. (NYSE: CRY), a biomaterials and biosurgical device company, announced today that revenues for the fourth quarter of 2005 increased 13% to $18.0 million compared to $15.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2004. The net loss in the fourth quarter of 2005 was $681,000, or $0.04 per basic common share and $0.06 per fully diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $2.4 million, or $0.10 per basic and fully diluted common share in the fourth quarter of 2004.

Excluding a $512,000, or $0.02 per fully diluted common share, non-cash gain for the change in the value of the derivative related to the Company's 6% convertible preferred stock, and a $558,000, or $0.02 per fully diluted common share, favorable adjustment to the product liability accrual, the adjusted net loss in the fourth quarter of 2005 was $1.8 million, or $0.10 per fully diluted common share.

Revenues for the full year of 2005 increased 11% to $69.3 million compared to $62.4 million in 2004. The net loss for the full year of 2005 was $19.5 million, or $0.85 per basic and fully diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $18.7 million, or $0.81 per basic and fully diluted common share for 2004.

Excluding an $11.6 million, or $0.49 per fully diluted common share, charge for settlement of the shareholder class action lawsuit, a $702,000, or $0.03 per fully diluted common share, favorable adjustment to the product liability accrual, and a $851,000, or $0.04 per fully diluted common share, charge related to post employment benefits, the adjusted net loss for the full year of 2005 was $7.8 million, or $0.36 per fully diluted common share.

Steven G. Anderson, President and CEO of CryoLife, Inc., stated, "We are pleased with the Company's top-line performance in the fourth quarter of 2005. We believe that the recent FDA approvals of our 10 milliliter BioGlue(R) syringe applicator and our BioGlue spreader tip, and recent enhancements in our tissue processing operations will serve as catalysts for continued operating improvement during 2006."

BioGlue sales in the fourth quarter of 2005 increased 5% to $9.6 million compared to $9.2 million in the same period in 2004. BioGlue sales for the full year of 2005 increased 6% to $38.0 million compared to $35.7 million in 2004. U. S. BioGlue sales were $7.2 million and $7.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2005 and 2004, respectively, and $28.7 million and $27.9 million for the full year of 2005 and 2004, respectively. International BioGlue sales were $2.4 million and $2.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2005 and 2004, respectively, and $9.3 million and $7.8 million for the full year of 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Tissue processing revenues in the fourth quarter of 2005 increased 26% to $8.1 million compared to $6.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2004. Tissue processing revenues for the full year of 2005 increased 18% to $30.3 million compared to $25.7 million in 2004. Tissue processing revenues increased primarily due to an increase in tissue procurement and an improvement in processing yields, which resulted in an increased number of allografts available for distribution. The Company continues to experience strong growth in tissue processing revenues during the first quarter of 2006.

Total product and tissue processing gross margins in the fourth quarter of 2005 were 54% compared to 49% in the fourth quarter of 2004. Total product and tissue processing gross margins for the full year of 2005 were 53% compared to 40% for 2004. Tissue processing gross margins in the fourth quarter of 2005 were 21% compared to 6% in the fourth quarter of 2004. Tissue processing gross margins for the full year of 2005 were 20% compared to negative (16%) for 2004. Tissue processing gross margins improved in 2005 compared to 2004, primarily as a result of the improvement in tissue processing yields and price increases.

General, administrative and marketing expenses in the fourth quarter of 2005 were $10.5 million compared to $10.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2004. General, administrative and marketing expenses for the full year of 2005 were $53.2 million compared to $42.6 million for 2004. General, administrative and marketing expenses for the full year of 2005 include an $11.6 million charge related to the settlement of securities litigation, $851,000 related to post employment benefits and a $702,000 favorable adjustment to the product liability accrual.

R&D expenses were approximately $1 million and $1.2 million in the fourth quarters of 2005 and 2004, respectively, and approximately $3.7 million and $3.9 million for the full years of 2005 and 2004, respectively.

As of December 31, 2005, the Company had approximately $12.2 million in cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities (at market), and restricted securities.

2006 Guidance

The Company reaffirms its revenue guidance from early January 2006. The Company expects tissue processing and product revenues to increase to between $74.0 and $77.0 million for the full year 2006. The Company expects BioGlue revenues to be $39.0 to $41.0 million and tissue processing revenues to be $34.0 to $35.0 million for the full year 2006. Bioprosthetic cardiovascular and vascular device revenues are expected to be approximately $1.0 million in 2006.

The Company expects an increase in tissue processing gross margins during 2006 as compared to 2005 as a result of tissue processing improvement initiatives implemented during early 2006.

General, administrative and marketing expenses are expected to be $44.0 to $48.0 million for the full year of 2006. Research and development expenses are expected to be approximately $5 to $6 million for the full year 2006.

The Company adopted SFAS 123 Revised "Share-Based Payment" in the fourth quarter of 2005. The guidance for 2006 includes expenses associated with the adoption of SFAS 123 Revised.

The Company will hold a teleconference call and live webcast at 11:15 a.m. Eastern Time, February 22, 2006, to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2005 financial results, followed by a question and answer session hosted by Steven G. Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer.

To listen to the live teleconference, please dial 201-689-8349 a few minutes prior to 11:15 a.m. A replay of the teleconference will be available February 22 through February 28 and can be accessed by calling (toll free) 877-660-6853 or 201-612-7415. The account number for the replay is 244 and the conference number is 191738.

The live webcast and replay can be accessed by going to the Investor Relations section of the CryoLife web site at http://www.cryolife.com and selecting the heading Webcasts & Presentations.

About CryoLife, Inc.

Founded in 1984, CryoLife, Inc. is a leader in the processing and distribution of implantable living human tissues for use in cardiovascular, vascular, and orthopaedic surgeries throughout the United States and Canada. The Company's BioGlue(R) Surgical Adhesive is FDA approved as an adjunct to sutures and staples for use in adult patients in open surgical repair of large vessels and is CE marked in the European Community and approved in Canada for use in soft tissue repair and approved in Australia for use in vascular and pulmonary sealing and repair. The Company also distributes the CryoLife- O'Brien(R) stentless porcine heart valve and the SG Model #100 vascular graft, which are CE marked for distribution within the European Community.

Statements made in this press release that look forward in time or that express management's beliefs, expectations or hopes are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include the Company's belief that the recent FDA approvals of our 10 milliliter BioGlue(R) syringe applicator and our BioGlue spreader tip, and recent enhancements in our tissue processing operations will serve as catalysts for continued operating improvement, its anticipated revenues and expenses for 2006, anticipated increases in tissue processing gross margins during 2006, and expected results and timing of planned tissue process improvement initiatives. These future events may not occur as and when expected, if at all, and, together with the Company's business, are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include that the Company's efforts to reinvigorate revenue growth may not be effective, since their effectiveness is subject to such factors as competitive pressures and tissue availability, that the Company's efforts to develop and introduce new products outside the U.S. may be unsuccessful, that the Company's efforts to improve procurement and tissue processing yields may not prove effective, the possibility that the FDA could impose additional restrictions on the Company's operations, require a recall, or prevent the Company from processing and distributing tissues or manufacturing and distributing other products, that products and services under development may not be commercially feasible, that the Company may not have sufficient borrowing or other capital availability to fund its business, that pending litigation cannot be settled on terms acceptable to the Company, that the Company may not have sufficient resources to pay punitive damages (which are not covered by insurance) or other liabilities in excess of available insurance, the possibility of severe decreases in the Company's revenues and working capital, that to the extent the Company does not have sufficient resources to pay the claims against it, it may be forced to cease operations or seek protection under applicable bankruptcy laws, changes in laws and regulations applicable to CryoLife, the possible accumulation of additional shares by existing significant stockholders or by others which may hinder the ability of the Company and its stockholders to realize the benefits of the rights; other efforts by existing stockholders or others to gain influence or control over CryoLife; existing or other potential litigation initiated by stockholders or others; possible litigation by CryoLife if stockholders or others make proposals or statements which CryoLife does not believe to be fair or accurate or in the best interests of its other shareholders and other risk factors detailed in CryoLife's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including CryoLife's Form 10-K filing for the year ended December 31, 2004, its registration statement on Form S-3 (Reg. No. 333-121406), its most recent Form 10-Q, and the Company's other SEC filings, including the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 which the Company expects to file shortly. The Company does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.

CRYOLIFE, INC.
                             Financial Highlights
                      (In thousands, except share data)

                                   Three Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended
                                       December 31,            December 31,
                                    2005        2004        2005        2004
                                (Unaudited) (Unaudited)  (Unaudited) (Audited)

    Revenues:
      Products                    $9,830      $9,424     $38,932     $36,637
      Human tissue preservation
       services                    8,088       6,442      30,307      25,676
      Research grants                 43          --          43          71
        Total revenues            17,961      15,866      69,282      62,384

    Costs and expenses:
      Products                     1,930       1,979       8,065       7,818
      Human tissue preservation
       services                    6,373       6,037      24,357      29,807
      General, administrative,
       and marketing              10,499      10,672      53,225      42,640
      Research and development       980       1,222       3,724       3,938
      Interest expense               126          40         346         196
      Interest income               (123)        (61)       (531)       (262)
      Change in valuation of
       derivative                   (512)         --        (140)         --
      Other expense (income), net    (13)        (14)        199          13
        Total costs and expenses  19,260      19,875      89,245      84,150


      Loss before income taxes    (1,299)     (4,009)    (19,963)    (21,766)
      Income tax benefit            (618)     (1,646)       (428)     (3,017)
    Net loss                       $(681)    $(2,363)   $(19,535)   $(18,749)

    Effect of preferred stock       (244)         --        (777)         --
    Net loss applicable to
     common shares                 $(925)    $(2,363)   $(20,312)   $(18,749)

    Loss per common share:
      Basic                       $(0.04)     $(0.10)     $(0.85)     $(0.81)
      Diluted                     $(0.06)     $(0.10)     $(0.85)     $(0.81)

    Weighted average common
     shares outstanding:
      Basic                       24,314      23,386      23,959      23,043
      Diluted                     26,992      23,386      23,959      23,043


    Revenues from:
      BioGlue                     $9,645      $9,226     $37,985     $35,745
      Bioprosthetic devices          185         198         947         892
      Total Products               9,830       9,424      38,932      36,637

    Cardiovascular                 3,355       2,767      13,762      12,504
      Vascular                     3,172       2,522      11,453      10,293
      Orthopaedic                  1,561       1,153       5,092       2,879
      Total preservation services  8,088       6,442      30,307      25,676

    Other                             43          --          43          71
        Total revenues           $17,961     $15,866     $69,282     $62,384

    Domestic revenues            $15,275     $13,489     $58,869     $53,244
    International revenues         2,686       2,377      10,413       9,140
        Total revenues           $17,961     $15,866     $69,282     $62,384



                                CRYOLIFE, INC.
                Unaudited Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Loss
                      (In thousands, except share data)

                                    Three Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended
                                       December 31,            December 31,
                                    2005        2004        2005        2004
                                (Unaudited) (Unaudited)  (Unaudited) (Audited)

    Net loss - as reported        $(681)     $(2,363)    $(19,535)   $(18,749)

    Add back adjustments to
     net loss:
      Settlement of class
       action lawsuit                --           --       11,625          --
      Product liability accrual    (558)          --         (702)         --
      Post employment benefits       --           --          851          --
      Change in valuation of
       derivative                  (512)          --           --          --

    Adjusted net loss           $(1,751)     $(2,363)     $(7,761)   $(18,749)

    Effect of preferred stock      (244)          --         (777)         --
    Adjusted net loss applicable
     to common shares           $(1,995)     $(2,363)     $(8,538)   $(18,749)

    Adjusted loss per common share:
      Basic                      $(0.08)      $(0.10)      $(0.36)     $(0.81)
      Diluted                    $(0.10)      $(0.10)      $(0.36)     $(0.81)

    Weighted average common
     shares outstanding:
      Basic                      24,314       23,386       23,959       23,043
      Diluted                    26,992       23,386       23,959       23,043



                                CRYOLIFE, INC.
                             Financial Highlights
                                (In thousands)

                                                 December 31,   December 31,
                                                        2005           2004
                                                  (Unaudited)      (Audited)

    Cash and cash equivalents, marketable
     securities, at market, and restricted
     securities                                      $12,159         $9,232
    Trade receivables, net                            10,153          8,293
    Other receivables                                  1,934          3,957
    Deferred preservation costs, net                  13,959          8,822
    Inventories                                        4,609          4,767
    Total assets                                      76,809         73,261
    Shareholders' equity                              50,621         49,660

For additional information about the Company, visit CryoLife's web site: http://www.cryolife.com

Media Contacts:

     D. Ashley Lee
     Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
     Chief Operating Officer
     Phone: 770-419-3355

     Katie Brazel
     Fleishman Hillard
     Phone: 404-739-0150

SOURCE CryoLife, Inc.

D. Ashley Lee
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of CryoLife, Inc.
+1-770-419-3355
or Katie Brazel of Fleishman Hillard
+1-404-739-0150