10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2002

ELI LILLY & Co Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Sep 30, 2002

Filed November 12, 2002For Securities:LLY

Summary

Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) reported a solid third quarter for 2002, with net income increasing by 20% year-over-year to $683.9 million, translating to $0.63 per diluted share. While overall net sales saw a slight decline of 3% to $2.79 billion due to the significant impact of generic competition for Prozac, the company demonstrated strong underlying growth in key products. Excluding the impact of "unusual items" such as in-process R&D charges and asset impairments, adjusted net income and EPS showed modest growth, indicating operational resilience. The nine-month period also presented challenges, with net income and EPS decreasing year-over-year, largely due to the Prozac decline and the aforementioned unusual items. However, the company highlighted that growth from key products like Zyprexa, Humalog, Evista, and Gemzar, along with international sales growth, helped to mitigate these declines. The company's financial condition remains robust, with substantial cash and investments, though total debt has increased, reflecting strategic financing activities.

Key Highlights

  • 1Reported net income for Q3 2002 increased 20% to $683.9 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, up from $570.1 million ($0.52 per share) in Q3 2001.
  • 2Total net sales for Q3 2002 decreased by 3% to $2.79 billion, primarily due to the significant impact of generic fluoxetine (Prozac) entering the U.S. market.
  • 3Excluding unusual items, adjusted net income and EPS for Q3 2002 showed modest growth, suggesting core operational strength.
  • 4Key growth products such as Zyprexa (up 20% in Q3), Humalog (up 30% in Q3), Evista (up 19% in Q3), and Gemzar (up 5% in Q3) demonstrated strong performance.
  • 5International sales showed robust growth, increasing by 13% in Q3 2002, driven by products like Zyprexa, Gemzar, and Evista.
  • 6The company is facing significant patent litigation concerning generic versions of Zyprexa and Evista, which could materially impact future results if unfavorable.
  • 7Manufacturing issues in Indianapolis facilities are noted as a contingency impacting the approval timeline for certain new products like Zyprexa Intramuscular and Cymbalta.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary driver for the net sales decline in the third quarter of 2002 was the significant impact of generic competition for Prozac (fluoxetine) in the U.S. market, which entered in August 2001. This led to a substantial decrease in sales for the fluoxetine product line.

Eli Lilly is actively defending its patents against generic manufacturers such as Zenith Goldline Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Barr Laboratories. The company believes these patent challenges are without merit and expects to prevail in the ongoing litigation, though it acknowledges the outcome is not guaranteed and an unfavorable result could have a material adverse impact.

For the full year 2002, Eli Lilly expects a slight decline in sales but anticipates fourth-quarter sales to return to mid-single-digit growth, driven by key products. Earnings per share for 2002 are projected to decline, with a revised guidance range of $2.55 to $2.57 (excluding unusual items). For 2003, the company aims for some earnings growth, but remains cautious due to uncertainties regarding new product launch timelines and manufacturing issue resolutions. More specific guidance will be provided as these uncertainties become clearer.

Yes, Eli Lilly has been implementing comprehensive improvements in its manufacturing operations following observations and a warning letter from the FDA regarding cGMP regulations at its Indianapolis facilities. The resolution of these manufacturing issues is a contingency for the approval of certain new products, including Zyprexa Intramuscular and Cymbalta. While inspections at some sites have shown improvement, the FDA has not yet issued final conclusions. The approval of Cialis is not expected to be affected as it is manufactured outside Indianapolis.