SILVER SPRING, Md. and RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Feb. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ: UTHR) today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2016.

"Our annual 2016 financial results reflect continued growth as net revenues reached $1.6 billion and earnings exceeded $700 million," said Martine Rothblatt, Ph.D., United Therapeutics' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "These financial results strengthen our ability to develop and advance our growing product pipeline, which includes seven phase III programs and multiple second generation Remodulin drug delivery systems."

Key financial highlights include (in millions, except per share data):



                                             Three Months Ended              Year Ended
                                                December 31,                December 31,
                                                ------------                ------------

                                            2016                2015    2016             2015
                                            ----                ----    ----             ----


    Revenues                                        $409.0           $404.9                   $1,598.8 $1,465.8

    Net income                                      $110.3           $104.6                     $713.7   $651.6

    Non-GAAP earnings(1)                            $187.2           $189.1                     $748.6   $631.7

    Net income, per diluted share                    $2.43            $2.10                     $15.25   $12.72

    Non-GAAP earnings, per diluted share(1)          $4.12            $3.80                     $16.00   $12.33



    (1)              See definition
                     of non-GAAP
                     earnings, a
                     non-GAAP
                     financial
                     measure, and
                     a
                     reconciliation
                     of net income
                     to non-GAAP
                     earnings
                     below.

Revenues

The table below summarizes the components of total revenues (dollars in millions):



                       Three Months Ended         Percentage               Year Ended                         Percentage
                          December 31,                                    December 31,
                          ------------                                    ------------

                            2016             2015            Change                2016                 2015                      Change
                            ----             ----            ------                ----                 ----                      ------

    Net product sales:

    Remodulin(R)                     $151.2          $140.5          7.6%                  $602.3                          $572.8        5.2%

    Tyvaso(R)               93.6            119.2    (21.5)%        404.6          470.1              (13.9)%

    Adcirca(R)             112.7             91.5      23.2%        372.2          278.8                33.5%

    Orenitram(R)            38.3             37.2       3.0%        157.2          118.4                32.8%

    Unituxin(R)             13.2             15.8    (16.5)%         62.5           20.5               204.9%

    Other                      -             0.7   (100.0)%            -           5.2             (100.0)%
                             ---             ---    -------           ---           ---              -------

    Total revenues                   $409.0          $404.9          1.0%                $1,598.8                        $1,465.8        9.1%
                                     ======          ======           ===                 ========                        ========         ===

Revenues for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 increased by $4.1 million as compared to the same period in 2015. The growth in revenues primarily resulted from: (1) a $21.2 million increase in Adcirca net product sales; (2) a $10.7 million increase in Remodulin net product sales; and (3) a $1.1 million increase in Orenitram net product sales, partially offset by: (1) a $25.6 million decrease in Tyvaso net product sales; and (2) a $2.6 million decrease in Unituxin net product sales.

Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased by $133.0 million as compared to the same period in 2015. The growth in revenues primarily resulted from the following: (1) a $93.4 million increase in Adcirca net product sales; (2) a $42.0 million increase in Unituxin net product sales; (3) a $38.8 million increase in Orenitram net product sales; and (4) a $29.5 million increase in Remodulin net product sales, partially offset by a $65.5 million decrease in Tyvaso net product sales.

Expenses

Cost of product sales. The table below summarizes cost of product sales by major category (dollars in millions):



                                        Three Months Ended       Percentage                Year Ended                       Percentage
                                           December 31,                                   December 31,
                                           ------------                                   ------------

                                             2016           2015            Change                     2016            2015                   Change
                                             ----           ----            ------                     ----            ----                   ------

    Category:

    Cost of product sales                             $19.5          $19.3          1.0%                      $72.1                    $60.2         19.8%

    Share-based compensation expense(1)       8.9            6.0      48.3%          0.6                 8.8         (93.2)%
                                              ---            ---       ----           ---                 ---          ------

    Total cost of product sales                       $28.4          $25.3         12.3%                      $72.7                    $69.0          5.4%
                                                      =====          =====          ====                       =====                    =====           ===



                    Refer to
                     Share-based
                     compensation
                     expense below
                     for
    (1)              discussion.

Cost of product sales. The increase in cost of product sales of $11.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to the same period in 2015, was primarily attributable to increased sales.

Research and development expense. The table below summarizes research and development expense by major category (dollars in millions):



                                                  Three Months Ended       Percentage                  Year Ended                           Percentage
                                                     December 31,                                     December 31,
                                                     ------------                                     ------------

                                                       2016           2015            Change                       2016               2015                     Change
                                                       ----           ----            ------                       ----               ----                     ------

    Project and non-project:

    Research and development expense                            $46.6          $45.6            2.2%                      $157.6                       $157.4            0.1%

    Share-based compensation expense (benefit)(1)      20.3           30.3    (33.0)%         (10.0)               87.7           (111.4)%
                                                       ----           ----     ------           -----                ----            -------

    Total research and development expense                      $66.9          $75.9         (11.9)%                      $147.6                       $245.1         (39.8)%
                                                                =====          =====          ======                       ======                       ======          ======



                    Refer to
                     Share-based
                     compensation
                     expense below
                     for
    (1)              discussion.

Selling, general and administrative expense. The table below summarizes selling, general and administrative expense by major category (dollars in millions):



                                                      Three Months Ended        Percentage                 Year Ended                         Percentage
                                                         December 31,                                     December 31,
                                                         ------------                                     ------------

                                                           2016            2015            Change                      2016             2015                     Change
                                                           ----            ----            ------                      ----             ----                     ------

    Category:

    General and administrative                                       $45.9          $42.9           7.0%                      $210.7                     $174.6           20.7%

    Sales and marketing                                    17.5            24.7    (29.1)%          84.6                94.3          (10.3)%

    Share-based compensation expense(1)                    76.1            81.1     (6.2)%          21.5               183.8          (88.3)%
                                                           ----            ----      -----           ----               -----           ------

    Total selling, general and administrative expense               $139.5         $148.7         (6.2)%                      $316.8                     $452.7         (30.0)%
                                                                    ======         ======          =====                       ======                     ======          ======



                    Refer to
                     Share-based
                     compensation
                     expense below
                     for
    (1)              discussion.

General and administrative. The increase in general and administrative expenses of $36.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to the same period in 2015, primarily resulted from: (1) a $20.0 million increase in grants to a non-affiliated, non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to patients with PAH; and (2) $9.3 million in expenses in connection with the disposition and write-down of various properties.

Share-based compensation expense. The table below summarizes share-based compensation expense (benefit) by major category (dollars in millions):



                                           Three Months Ended        Percentage                  Year Ended                         Percentage
                                              December 31,                                      December 31,
                                              ------------                                      ------------

                                                2016            2015            Change                       2016             2015                      Change
                                                ----            ----            ------                       ----             ----                      ------

    Category:

    Share tracking awards plan                           $101.3         $114.6         (11.6)%                      $(15.2)                    $274.2          (105.5)%

    Stock options                                3.1             2.4      29.2%           24.8                 4.9           406.1%

    Other(1)                                     0.9             0.4     125.0%            2.5                 1.2           108.3%
                                                 ---             ---      -----             ---                 ---            -----

    Total share-based compensation expense               $105.3         $117.4         (10.3)%                        $12.1                     $280.3           (95.7)%
                                                         ======         ======          ======                         =====                     ======            ======



    (1)              Includes expense
                     related to restricted
                     stock units for the
                     year ended December
                     31, 2016 and employee
                     stock purchase plan
                     for the years ended
                     December 31, 2016 and
                     2015.

Share-based compensation. The decrease of $12.1 million and $268.2 million, respectively, during the quarter and year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to the same periods in 2015, was primarily due to changes in our stock price and number of share tracking awards and stock options outstanding during the periods.

Gain on Sale of Intangible Asset

In September 2015, we sold for $350.0 million in cash the Rare Pediatric Priority Review Voucher (PPRV) that we received from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in connection with the approval of Unituxin. The proceeds from the sale of the PPRV were recognized as a gain on the sale of an intangible asset, as the PPRV did not have a carrying value on our consolidated balance sheet at the time of sale.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was $346.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $392.8 million for the same period in 2015. The decrease in the provision for income taxes corresponded primarily to a decrease in non-deductible compensation related to our share tracking awards plan, which in turn resulted from the decrease in our stock price. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the effective tax rates were approximately 33 percent and 38 percent, respectively.

Non-GAAP Earnings

Non-GAAP earnings is defined as net income, adjusted for: (1) interest expense; (2) license fees; (3) depreciation and amortization; (4) impairment charges; (5) share-based compensation expense (benefit), net (including expenses relating to stock options, share tracking awards, restricted stock units and our employee stock purchase plan); and (6) tax impact on non-GAAP earnings adjustments. For 2015, we also adjusted non-GAAP earnings to eliminate the gain resulting from the sale of the PPRV in September 2015.

A reconciliation of net income to non-GAAP earnings is presented below (in millions, except per share data):



                                                             Three Months Ended             Year Ended December 31,
                                                                December 31,
                                                                ------------

                                                            2016                   2015     2016                      2015
                                                            ----                   ----     ----                      ----

    Net income, as reported                                         $110.3               $104.6                            $713.7 $651.6

    Adjust for the following charges:

    Interest expense                                         2.2                    0.5      3.9                       4.7

    Depreciation and amortization                            7.8                    8.0     31.6                      32.9

    Impairment charges                                       4.3                      -     4.3                         -

    Share-based compensation expense                       105.3                  117.4     12.1                     280.3

    Gain on sale of intangible asset                           -                     -       -                  (350.0)

    Tax (benefit) expense(1)                              (42.7)                (41.4)  (17.0)                     12.2
                                                           -----                  -----    -----                      ----

    Non-GAAP earnings                                               $187.2               $189.1                            $748.6 $631.7
                                                                    ======               ======                            ====== ======

    Non-GAAP earnings per share:

    Basic                                                            $4.44                $4.14                            $17.09 $13.73
                                                                     =====                =====                            ====== ======

    Diluted                                                          $4.12                $3.80                            $16.00 $12.33
                                                                     =====                =====                            ====== ======

    Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

    Basic                                                   42.2                   45.7     43.8                      46.0
                                                            ====                   ====     ====                      ====

    Diluted                                                 45.4                   49.7     46.8                      51.2
                                                            ====                   ====     ====                      ====



    (1)  Non-GAAP earnings adjustments are presented net of the impact of our actual effective income tax rates of
         approximately 36
         percent and 33 percent for the quarters ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively and 33 percent and
         38 percent for the
         years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We changed the presentation of our non-GAAP
         earnings in the first
         quarter of 2015 for all periods presented to reflect the impact of our estimated effective income tax
         rates on each component.
         The sum of non-GAAP earnings in each of the quarters in 2016 and 2015, respectively, will not equal non-
         GAAP earnings for
         the full year if there are differences between the estimated effective income tax rate applied to each
         quarter and the actual
        effective tax rate for the full year.

Conference Call

We will host a half-hour teleconference on Wednesday, February 22, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The teleconference is accessible by dialing 1-877-351-5881, with international callers dialing 1-970-315-0533. A rebroadcast of the teleconference will be available for one week by dialing 1-855-859-2056, with international callers dialing 1-404-537-3406 and using access code 59599305.

This teleconference is also being webcast and can be accessed via our website at http://ir.unither.com/events.cfm.

About United Therapeutics

United Therapeutics Corporation is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative products to address the unmet medical needs of patients with chronic and life-threatening conditions.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

This press release contains a financial measure, non-GAAP earnings, which does not comply with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This measure supplements our financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP as reported below.

We use non-GAAP earnings to assist us in: (1) planning, including the preparation of our annual operating budget; (2) allocating resources in an effort to enhance the financial performance of our business; (3) evaluating the effectiveness of our operational strategies; and (4) assessing our capacity to fund capital expenditures and expand our business. We believe this non-GAAP financial measure improves investors' understanding of our financial results by excluding certain expenses that we do not consider when evaluating and comparing the performance of our core operations and making operating decisions. However, there are limitations in the use of this non-GAAP financial measure in that it excludes certain operating expenses that are recurring in nature. In addition, our calculation of this non-GAAP financial measure may differ from the methodology used by other companies. The presentation of this non-GAAP financial measure should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for our financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to non-GAAP earnings can be found in the table above under the heading, Non-GAAP Earnings.

Forward-looking Statements

Statements included in this press release that are not historical in nature are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements relating to our ability to develop and advance products within our pipeline. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as those described in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. Consequently, such forward-looking statements are qualified by the cautionary statements, cautionary language and risk factors set forth in our periodic reports and documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. We claim the protection of the safe harbor contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for forward-looking statements. We are providing this information as of February 22, 2017, and assume no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events or any other reason. [uthr-g]

Orenitram, Remodulin, Tyvaso and Unituxin are registered trademarks of United Therapeutics Corporation.

Adcirca is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company.



                                                UNITED THERAPEUTICS CORPORATION

                                             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                                              (In millions, except per share data)



                                                          Three Months Ended December 31,          Year Ended December 31,
                                                          -------------------------------          -----------------------

                                                               2016                       2015      2016                      2015
                                                               ----                       ----      ----                      ----

    Revenues:

    Net product sales                                                    $409.0                  $404.2                            $1,598.8 $1,460.6

    Other                                                         -                       0.7         -                      5.2
                                                                ---                       ---       ---                      ---

    Total revenues                                            409.0                      404.9   1,598.8                   1,465.8

    Operating expenses:

    Cost of product sales                                      28.4                       25.3      72.7                      69.0

    Research and development                                   66.9                       75.9     147.6                     245.1

    Selling, general and administrative                       139.5                      148.7     316.8                     452.7
                                                              -----                      -----     -----                     -----

    Total operating expenses                                  234.8                      249.9     537.1                     766.8

    Operating income                                          174.2                      155.0   1,061.7                     699.0

    Other (expense) income:

    Interest expense                                          (2.2)                     (0.5)    (3.9)                    (4.7)

    Gain on sale of intangible asset                              -                         -        -                    350.0

    Other, net                                                (0.5)                       1.5       2.4                       0.1
                                                               ----                        ---       ---                       ---

    Total other (expense) income, net                         (2.7)                       1.0     (1.5)                    345.4

    Income before income taxes                                171.5                      156.0   1,060.2                   1,044.4

    Income tax expense                                       (61.2)                    (51.4)  (346.5)                  (392.8)
                                                              -----                      -----    ------                    ------

    Net income                                                           $110.3                  $104.6                              $713.7   $651.6
                                                                         ======                  ======                              ======   ======

    Net income per common share:

    Basic                                                                 $2.61                   $2.29                              $16.29   $14.17
                                                                          =====                   =====                              ======   ======

    Diluted                                                               $2.43                   $2.10                              $15.25   $12.72
                                                                          =====                   =====                              ======   ======

    Weighted average number of common shares
         outstanding:

    Basic                                                      42.2                       45.7      43.8                      46.0
                                                               ====                       ====      ====                      ====

    Diluted                                                    45.4                       49.7      46.8                      51.2
                                                               ====                       ====      ====                      ====



                        SELECTED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA

                                      (In millions)



                                                     December 31,
                                                     ------------

                                                 2016                2015
                                                 ----                ----

    Cash, cash
     equivalents and
     marketable
     securities                                         $1,053.1          $991.8

    Total assets                              2,325.6             2,184.4

    Total liabilities
     and temporary
     equity                                     474.3               595.8

    Total stockholders'
     equity                                   1,851.3             1,588.6

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SOURCE United Therapeutics Corporation