SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Scios Inc. (Nasdaq: SCIO)
announced today that it has recorded net sales of $4.5 million for Natrecor(R)
(nesiritide), in the third quarter ended September 30, 2001. This sales level
indicates strong initial acceptance of Scios' recently launched flagship
product especially in light of the August 15th launch date and only six weeks
of selling activity during the 13 weeks of the quarter. Scios expects to
report its full third quarter 2001 financial results on Thursday,
October 25, 2001.
"We are very pleased with the positive experiences physicians and their
patients are having with Natrecor in hospitals across the country," said
Tom Feldman, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Scios. "Our sales force
is making an immediate impact with our target customers."
Scios began marketing Natrecor on August 15, 2001 through its 168 person
sales force, immediately after receiving FDA approval. Of the 2,000 hospitals
Scios is targeting, Natrecor is now available in approximately
500 U.S. hospitals, and the company is already receiving numerous re-orders.
"Based on what we saw in just six weeks, we are comfortable with our
Natrecor sales projections of $10 - $12 million for 2001," said
Richard B. Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Scios. "We will
continue to roll out our marketing and educational programs to support
Natrecor and believe the programs will significantly enhance our sales
penetration into 2002."
Natrecor is the first of a new class of drugs, called human B-type
natriuretic peptides (hBNP), available for use in the United States. Natrecor
is a recombinant form of hBNP, a natural protein produced by the heart.
Third Quarter Conference Call Details
Scios will host its customary quarterly conference call on Thursday,
October 25, 2001, at 7:00 a.m. PT/10:00 a.m. ET to discuss the results of the
quarter and the company's outlook. The dial-in number is 800-364-4174,
confirmation code 1933643. The call will also be broadcast live and archived
on Scios' web site at http://www.sciosinc.com until November 1, 2001.
Scios Inc.
Scios is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel treatments for
cardiovascular and inflammatory disease. The Company's disease-based
technology platform integrates expertise in protein biology with computational
and medicinal chemistry to identify novel targets and rationally design small
molecule compounds for large markets with unmet medical needs.
Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Disclaimer
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. We generally identify such forward-looking statements
using words like "believe," "intend," "expect," "may," "should," "plan,"
"project," "contemplate," "anticipate" or similar statements. Statements
that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on current
assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and
uncertainties may include the sales penetration and success of Natrecor, the
success of clinical trials of our pipeline products, including SCIO-469, as
well as other risks detailed from time to time in the reports filed by Scios
with the SEC, including the Company's quarterly reports and annual report on
Form 10-K. Actual results, performance or achievements of Scios may differ
significantly from those described in these forward-looking statements. Scios
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any financial
projections or forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
SOURCE Scios Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.sciosinc.com
CONTACT:
Wendy Carhart of Scios Inc., +1-408-616 8325;
or media, Jim Weiss of Weisscomm, +1-415-203-0328, for Scios
Inc.; or investors, Ed Bisno of Edelman PR Worldwide,
+1-212-704-8212, for Scios Inc.
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