Allion Healthcare Reports First Quarter Net Sales of $59.0 Million, Up 43%

First Quarter Earnings per Diluted Share of $0.01 and
Adjusted Earnings per Diluted Share of $0.03
MELVILLE, N.Y., May 9, 2007
Allion Healthcare, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALLI), a national provider of specialty pharmacy and disease management services focused on HIV/AIDS patients, today announced financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2007.
First Quarter 2007 Highlights:
  • Growth of 42.8% in net sales to $59.0 million.
     
  • Net income of $185,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, including a previously disclosed impairment charge of $599,000.  Adjusted net income of $549,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, excluding the impairment charge.  An explanation and reconciliation of net income and earnings per diluted share under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share is provided below.
     
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $1.7 million for the first quarter of 2007, which excludes impairment expense, compared with adjusted EBITDA of $733,000 for the first quarter of 2006, which excludes retroactive premium reimbursement.  An explanation and reconciliation of net income under GAAP to adjusted EBITDA excluding impairment expense and adjusted EBITDA excluding retroactive premium adjustments is provided below.
     
  • Filled over 237,000 prescriptions in the first quarter 2007 and serviced a total of 15,775 patients in the month of March.
     
  • An increase in cash and short-term investments to $25.0 million at March 31, 2007, from $23.5 million at December 31, 2006.
     
  • Renewal of premium reimbursement in New York for HIV Specialty Pharmacy services as part of successful passage of the New York State 2007-2008 budget.

First Quarter 2007 Financial Results
Net sales increased 42.8% to $59.0 million for the first quarter of 2007 from $41.3 million for the first quarter of 2006.  Net sales for the first quarter of 2006 included retroactive premium reimbursement from prior periods of $858,000, reducing the growth rate by 310 basis points.
 
Allion’s gross profit was $8.4 million, or 14.3% of net sales, for the first quarter of 2007, compared with $6.7 million, or 16.1% of net sales, for the first quarter last year.  For the first quarter of 2006, retroactive premium reimbursement contributed 180 basis points to the gross margin.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $7.7 million, or 13.0% of net sales, for the first quarter of 2007 compared with $5.8 million, or 14.0% of net sales, for the first quarter of 2006. 
As previously disclosed, Allion recorded a non-cash impairment to intangible assets for the first quarter of 2007, totaling $599,000, related to termination of the LabTracker software license agreement.
 
Net income for the first quarter of 2007 was $185,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, including the impairment expense of $599,000.  Excluding the impairment expense, adjusted net income for the first quarter of 2007 was $549,000 and adjusted earnings per diluted share was $0.03.  Net income for the first quarter of 2006 was $1.1 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, including the retroactive premium reimbursement of $858,000.  Excluding the retroactive premium reimbursement, adjusted net income for the first quarter of 2006 was $364,000 and adjusted earnings per diluted share was $0.02.  An explanation and reconciliation of net income and earnings per diluted share under GAAP to adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share is provided below.
 
“Allion produced solid results for the first quarter,” remarked Michael Moran, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Allion Healthcare. “In addition to strong revenue growth, which exceeded our guidance for the quarter, we achieved continued stability in our gross margin, and we met our earnings guidance.  We also generated substantial cash flow from operations of $2.2 million for the quarter, which contributed to the strengthening of our financial position.
 
“Beyond our financial results, Allion continued to expand its prospects for growth during the first quarter.  We announced our plans in mid-March to establish a pharmacy in Oakland, CA, and we are progressing as anticipated toward opening the pharmacy this summer.  The support this pharmacy has received from Oakland’s Mayor, Ron Dellums, and his staff, has had a positive impact on our ongoing discussions with key decision makers in the Oakland market.  As a result, we are encouraged about the Oakland pharmacy serving as a model for our ability to enter new markets in a low-cost manner and with the support of city government.  The first-quarter release of the Bamberger evaluation has also supported the momentum of these discussions.
 
“Our discussions regarding expansion into new markets are consistent with our primary focus on organic growth during 2007.  We also expect to drive organic growth through our sales efforts within markets served by our existing pharmacy network, as well as from our initiatives to expand the number of our patients using our Oris electronic prescription writing system.  For the first quarter, we added 191 Oris patients subject to earn-out payments to the previous owners of Oris. At the end of the first quarter of 2007, a total of 533 Oris patients were subject to earn-out payments. Although we no longer have an exclusive relationship with LabTracker, we are looking forward to having a working relationship with them in the future.”

Guidance
The Company today provided financial guidance for the second quarter of 2007.  This guidance assumes a 38-42% tax rate and does not include any future acquisitions. 

Three Months Ending
June 30, 2007
(Guidance) 
Net sales (millions)
$59.0 – 61.0
Earnings per diluted share
$0.03 – 0.05
Operating Data
The following table sets forth the net sales and operating data for each of Allion’s distribution regions for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 (dollars in thousands):

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2007

 

2006

Distribution Region

Net Sales

Prescriptions

Patient Months(1)

Net Sales

Prescriptions

Patient Months(1)

California

$37,630

 

155,903

 

 34,037

 

$27,731

 

117,319

 

25,730

New York

$19,824

 

74,118

 

 11,208

 

$12,310

 

45,834

 

6,333

Florida

$538

 

2,448

 

      393

 

$414

 

2,484

 

325

Seattle

$975

 

           5,177

 

      969

 

$830

 

 4,936

 

890

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

$58,967

 

237,646

 

 46,607

 

$41,285

 

170,573

 

33,278

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


1)  Patient months represent a count of the number of months during a period that a patient received at least one prescription. If an individual patient received multiple medications during each month for a quarterly period, a count of three would be included in patient months irrespective of the number of prescriptions filled each month.

Summary
Mr. Moran concluded, “We believe New York’s recent decision to maintain favorable reimbursement rates for HIV specialty pharmacies in its 2007-2008 budget further validates the benefits we provide HIV/AIDS patients and healthcare payors, as well as Allion’s potential for long-term growth.  We are confident that the need for our services among the urban poor living with HIV is growing and that governmental authorities at all levels are becoming increasingly aware of the tremendous cost this population potentially represents.  At the same time, we are continuing to work toward further third-party validation of the clinical and financial efficacy of our programs, consistent with and expanding on the Bamberger evaluation. Because of this growing market need and the demonstrated strength of our solutions, we expect continued opportunities to leverage our experience and performance in our existing markets to expand our business.”

Conference Call Information
A conference will be held at 5:00 p.m. EDT; 2:00 p.m. PST on May 9, 2007.  To join the call, please dial (913) 981-5525 from the U.S. or abroad.  The call will also be webcast on Allion’s website at www.allionhealthcare.com.  To join the webcast, please go to the web site at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the conference call to register, download, and install any necessary audio software. An audio replay of the call will be available from 8:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 9, 2007 through May 16, 2007 by dialing (719) 457-0820 from the U.S. or abroad and entering confirmation code 7422015.  The audio webcast will also be available on the Company's website for one year. 

About Allion Healthcare, Inc.
Allion Healthcare, Inc. is a national provider of specialty pharmacy and disease management services focused on HIV/AIDS patients. Allion Healthcare sells HIV/AIDS medications, ancillary drugs and nutritional supplies under the trade name MOMS Pharmacy.  Allion offers nationwide pharmacy care from its pharmacies in California, New York, Washington, and Florida. Allion Healthcare works closely with physicians, nurses, clinics, AIDS Service Organizations, and with government and private payors, to improve clinical outcomes and reduce treatment costs.

Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements included in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, such as comments by our CEO and statements about our future growth and increased stockholder value, acquisitions, expansion into new markets, plans to open a new pharmacy, and guidance regarding our possible future financial performance.  Such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent our expectations or beliefs and involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include those set forth in Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006; and also include, but are not limited to, competitive pressures and our ability to compete successfully, demand for our products and services, changes in reimbursement and other changes in customer mix, changes in third party reimbursement rates or our qualification for preferred reimbursement rates in California and New York, changes in government regulations or the interpretation of these regulations, our ability to manage growth successfully, our ability to effectively market our services, our ability to successfully identify and integrate acquisitions, any or all of which could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws, we are under no obligation, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.  You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date herein.
Company Contact: 
Allion Healthcare, Inc. 
Jim Spencer, Chief Financial Officer
(631) 870-5126         
Corporate Communications Inc.
Scott Brittain
(615) 254-3376
scott.brittain@cci-ir.com
ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

  

As of March 31, 2007

At December 31, 2006

Assets

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$16,659

$17,062

Short term investments

8,302

6,450

Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $135 in 2007 and $425 in 2006)

17,676

18,297

Inventories

6,508

5,037

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

447

634

Deferred tax asset

425

402

Total current assets

50,035

47,882

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

808

890

Goodwill

42,068

42,067

Intangible assets, net

29,424

30,683

Other assets

80

81

Total assets

$122,415

$121,603

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

Accounts payable

$16,914

$16,339

Accrued expenses

1,805

1,262

Notes payable-subordinated

-

700

Current portion of capital lease obligations

46

46

Total current liabilities

18,765

18,347

 

 

 

Long Term Liabilities:

 

 

Capital lease obligations

36

  47

Deferred tax liability

1,418

1,343

Other

55

  59

Total liabilities

20,274

  19,796

 

 

 

Commitments & Contingencies

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

Preferred stock, $.001 par value, shares authorized 20,000; issued and outstanding –0- at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006

-

 -

Common stock, $.001 par value; shares authorized 80,000; issued and outstanding 16,204 at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006

16

16

Additional paid-in capital

111,696

111,549

Accumulated deficit

(9,562)

(9,747)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(9)

(11)

Total stockholders' equity

122,415

101,807

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$124,759

$121,603


ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

Three months ended

March 31,

2007

2006

Net sales

$58,967

$41,285

Cost of goods sold.

50,539

34,631

Gross profit

8,428

6,654

Operating expenses:

 Selling, general and administrative expenses.

7,690

5,800

Impairment of long-lived asset

599

Operating income

139

854

Interest income

166

411

Income from operations before taxes

305

1,265

Provision for taxes

120

132

Net income

$185

$1,133

Basic earnings per common share

$0.01

$0.07

Diluted earnings per common share

$0.01

$0.07

Basic weighted average of common shares outstanding

16,204

15,192

Diluted weighted average of common shares outstanding

17,003

16,649


ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)

Six months ended

June 30,

 

2007

2006

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

Net income

$185

$1,133

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

965

737

Impairment of long-lived asset

599

-

Deferred rent

(4)

18

Provision for doubtful accounts

50

49

Amortization of debt discount on acquisition notes

-

4

Non-cash stock compensation expense

93

39

Deferred income taxes

52

86

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

Accounts receivable

571

1,624

Inventories

(1,471)

274

Prepaid expenses and other assets

188

(353)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

941

(331)

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities:

2,169

32

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment

(20)

(265)

Purchases of short term securities

(18,028)

(31,332)

Sales of short term securities

16,160

38,756

Payments for acquisition of North American

-

(17)

Payments for acquisition of Specialty Pharmacy
-
(9)

Payments for acquisition of Oris Medical’s Assets

(26)

(153)

Payments for acquisition of Priority’s Assets

-

(1,317)

Payments for acquisition of Maiman’s Assets

-

(5,243)

Payments for acquisition of H&H’s Assets

-

(3)

Payments for acquisition of Whittiers Assets

(1)

(27)

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

(1,915)

(390)

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

Net proceeds from secondary public offering

-

28,987

Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options and warrants

-

1,816

Tax benefit realized from non-cash compensation related to employee stock options

54

46

Repayment of notes payable and capital leases

(711)

(711)

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

(657)

30,138

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

(403)

30,560

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

17,062

3,845

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

$16,659

$34,405


ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC.
Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (excluding Oris legal expense, impairment of long-lived asset and retroactive premium reimbursement) (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)

Three months ended

March 31,

2007

2006

Net income

$185

$1,133

Provision for taxes

120

132

Interest income

(166)

(411)

Depreciation and amortization

965

737

EBITDA

$1,104

$1,591

Impairment of long-lived asset

599

Retroactive Premium Reimbursement

(858)

Adjusted EBITDA

$1,703

$733


ALLION HEALTHCARE, INC.
Reconciliation of Diluted EPS and Adjusted Diluted EPS (excluding Impairment of long-lived asset and retroactive premium reimbursement) (UNAUDITED) (in thousands except per share data)

Three months ended

March 31,

2007

2006

Diluted earnings per common share

$17,003

$16,649

Diluted weighted average of common shares outstanding

185

1,133

Net income

599

-

Impairment of long-lived asset

-

(858)

Retroactive premium reimbursement

39.3%

10.4%

Effective tax rate

364

(769)

After-tax adjustments

549

364

Adjusted net income

$0.03

$0.02

Adjusted diluted earnings per share