On May 10, 2018 Juniper Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: JNP), a diversified healthcare company with core businesses of its CRINONE (progesterone gel) franchise and fee-for-service pharmaceutical development and manufacturing business, JPS, reported financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 (Press release, Juniper Pharmaceuticals, MAY 10, 2018, View Source [SID1234526504]). Cash and equivalents were $20.7 million at March 31, 2018 compared to $21.4 million at December 31, 2017.

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"We made tremendous progress thus far this year having achieved two important strategic priorities for 2018 aimed at building shareholder value, while also driving strong growth momentum in our core businesses," said Alicia Secor, Chief Executive Officer. "At the beginning of the year, we successfully secured an extension of our supply agreement for CRINONE, and we expect to realize continued long-term growth in this important core business."

Ms. Secor added, "More recently, we executed on our goal of finding a partner for the development and commercialization of our intravaginal ring (IVR) technology. Our agreement with Daré Bioscience provides for significant milestone payments for each IVR candidate and royalties on any future sales. Our engagement with Rothschild to pursue strategic alternatives is progressing, and in parallel we remain very focused on the growth of our core businesses, JPS and CRINONE, which are on track to deliver continued double-digit growth for 2018."

First Quarter and Recent Corporate Highlights

Announced a 4.5-year extension through 2024 of the CRINONE supply agreement with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
Successfully secured an exclusive, worldwide license agreement with Daré Bioscience for the development and commercialization of the Company’s IVR technology platform, including its three preclinical IVR candidates targeting unmet needs in women’s health. Under the agreement, Daré Bioscience will be responsible for conducting all research, development and commercial activities for this program.
Rothschild continues to act as an independent financial advisor to assist the Company in the exploration of additional strategic alternatives as part of the ongoing effort to enhance shareholder value.
Appointed Richard Messina to the Company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Messina brings to the Board the perspective of a long-term shareholder.
First Quarter Financial Results

"Growth in our core businesses has continued into 2018 with CRINONE product revenues up 30% and revenues from JPS up 55% for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 versus the same quarter in 2017," said Jeff Young, Chief Financial Officer at Juniper. "We remain in a solid financial position, expect to continue to deliver double-digit growth in our core businesses, and to be cash flow positive for full year 2018."

First quarter total revenues increased 38% to $15.5 million, compared with $11.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.

Product revenues were $10.1 million compared to $7.7 million in the first quarter of 2017, driven by continued in-market growth of CRINONE (progesterone gel) by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

Service revenues from Juniper Pharma Services were $5.5 million, an increase of $1.9 million, versus the first quarter of last year, driven by new and existing customer growth.

Gross profit increased 39% to $6.5 million as compared to $4.7 million in the prior year quarter.

Total operating expenses were $5.5 million in the first quarter of 2018, a $0.7 million decrease as compared to the prior year quarter.

Juniper recorded net income of $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2018, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.4 million, or $0.13 net loss per diluted share, in the same period of 2017.

Liquidity

Cash and cash equivalents were $20.7 million as of March 31, 2018 versus $21.4 million at December 31, 2017.

Conference Call

As previously announced, Juniper’s management will hold a conference call to discuss financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018, as follows:

Date:

May 10, 2018

Time:

8:30 a.m. ET

Dial-in numbers:

Toll free: (866) 374-4635 (U.S.), (855) 669-9657 (Canada), or International: (412) 902-4218

Webcast (live and archive): www.juniperpharma.com, under "Investors" or click here.

The teleconference replay will be available approximately one hour after completion through Thursday, May 17, 2018, at (877) 344-7529 (U.S.), (855) 669-9658 (Canada) or (412) 317-0088 (International). The replay access code is 10119657.

The archived webcast will be available for one year via the aforementioned URLs.