Alexion Pharmaceuticals (ALXN) 1Q Earnings Call

Tuesday, April 24^th, ALXN announced financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2012. ALXN continues to beat Street expectations, beating revenue estimates by roughly $3 million and $0.08 in earnings. ALXN reported net sales from their revolutionary drug, Soliris, of $244.7 million, representing a 47% increase year-over-year. Revenue performance is a reflection of added PNH patients in the U.S., Western Europe, Japan and in other countries, augmented by a steady increase in new patients from the aHUS indication. GAAP net income also increased 69% to $45.4 million or simply $0.23 per share, compared to $26.8 million and $0.29 year-over-year. Furthermore, ALXN recognized $359 million in cash compared to $541 million at year end 2011. This change reflects positive cash flow from operations during the quarter and acquisition-related debt, offset by the outflows from the Enobia purchase. In addition, GAAP operating expenses increased to $146.4 million, compared to $106.7 million year-over-year, primarily due to an increase in R&D, SG&A, and acquisition-related expenses. Management also gave optimistic forecasting by increasing and narrowing 2012 revenue guidance, previously in the range of $1.04-1.07 billion to $1.065-1.085 billion. With this increased forecast, combined with the control of expenses within previously guided ranges, ALXN is also raising non-GAAP earnings from the range of $1.60-1.70 to a higher range of $1.65-1.75.  However, despite positive earnings, the stock dipped due to the lack of expected quantitative results and forecasts on the developing pipeline. That being said, ALXN’s annual shareholder meeting is set for May, 7^th, where additional insight is anticipated to be visible.