10-QPeriod: Q1 FY2001

ELI LILLY & Co Quarterly Report for Q1 Ended Mar 31, 2001

Filed May 15, 2001For Securities:LLY

Summary

Eli Lilly and Company reported net sales of $2,805.7 million for the first quarter of 2001, a 14% increase over the prior year. This growth was primarily driven by strong performance in key therapeutic areas like Neurosciences and Endocrinology, with notable contributions from Zyprexa, Evista, Gemzar, and diabetes care products. Despite an overall increase in net sales, net income for the quarter was $806.8 million, a slight decrease from $845.5 million in the prior year. This decrease was influenced by significant one-time events in the prior year, including a gain from the sale of an investment in Kinetra LLC. Adjusting for these unusual items, net income in Q1 2001 saw a substantial increase of 17% over the adjusted Q1 2000 results. Investors should note the ongoing legal challenges regarding Prozac and Zyprexa patents. The company faces potential generic competition for Prozac as early as August 2001, following an unfavorable appeals court ruling on one of its patents. While Lilly expects a substantial decline in Prozac sales in the U.S. post-patent expiration, management believes this will not materially impact the company's overall financial position or liquidity. The company continues to invest heavily in research and development, with an 12% increase in R&D spending, signaling a commitment to future growth.

Key Highlights

  • 1Reported net sales of $2.81 billion for Q1 2001, up 14% year-over-year, with adjusted sales growth of 10%.
  • 2Net income decreased to $806.8 million from $845.5 million in Q1 2000, but adjusted net income increased by 17% when excluding one-time gains from the prior year.
  • 3Key product sales drivers include Zyprexa (up 39%), Evista (up 48%), Gemzar (up 28%), and diabetes care products (up 19%).
  • 4Prozac and Sarafem combined sales increased 4% to $622.9 million, but the company faces significant risk from potential generic competition in August 2001 due to an invalidated patent.
  • 5Research and development expenses increased by 12% to $515.5 million, reflecting continued investment in the product pipeline.
  • 6The company repurchased approximately 4.0 million shares for $316.3 million in Q1 2001 under its $3 billion share repurchase program.
  • 7The company is addressing FDA observations regarding manufacturing quality operations and implementing company-wide improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Net income decreased from $845.5 million in Q1 2000 to $806.8 million in Q1 2001. This was largely due to a significant $214.4 million gain recognized in Q1 2000 from the sale of the company's interest in Kinetra LLC. When adjusting for this unusual item and others, Lilly's adjusted net income actually increased by 17% in Q1 2001 compared to the adjusted Q1 2000 results.

An appeals court upheld one Prozac patent but invalidated another (expiring in 2003). Lilly has filed for a rehearing. Generic competition is expected as early as August 2001, which could lead to a substantial decline in U.S. Prozac sales. However, management believes this impact will not be material to the company's overall financial position or liquidity.

As of March 31, 2001, cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaled $3.75 billion. Operating cash flow was $527.6 million. The company used cash for investment purchases ($909 million), share repurchases ($307 million), and dividend payments ($302 million). The company believes its current cash position and operating cash flow are sufficient to meet its 2001 financial obligations.

Excluding unusual items, Lilly continues to expect full-year 2001 earnings per share to be in the range of $2.75 to $2.85, assuming generic fluoxetine enters the market in August 2001. The company also expects Q2 2001 earnings per share to be between $0.73 and $0.75.