FRAMINGHAM, Mass., Feb. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- HeartWare International, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTWR), a leading innovator of less-invasive, miniaturized circulatory support technologies that are revolutionizing the treatment of advanced heart failure, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2015.

The company reported revenue of $68.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, a 7% decrease from revenue of $73.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. Fourth quarter revenue reflected a decline of $6.4 million relative to the same period in 2014 due to completion of patient enrollment in the company's ENDURANCE2 Destination Therapy (DT) clinical trial of the HVAD(®) System during the third quarter of 2015 and unfavorable currency changes of $3.4 million. Fourth quarter 2015 revenue decreased 2.4 percentage points on a constant-currency basis compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. For fiscal-year 2015, the company generated revenue of $276.8 million, which was a 1% decrease compared to revenue of $278.4 million in 2014. Fiscal-year 2015 revenue increased 6.3 percentage points on a constant-currency basis compared to fiscal-year 2014.

During the fourth quarter, 720 HVAD Systems were sold globally, contributing to a total of 2,903 units sold in 2015, and representing a 5% increase compared to 2,751 units in 2014. U.S. revenue, generated through the sale of 376 units during the fourth quarter of 2015, was $41.2 million, compared to $41.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. Revenue from international markets, derived from the sale of 344 units sold during the fourth quarter of 2015, was $26.9 million, compared to $31.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2014, an increase of 4.3% after adjusting for foreign currency.

"We made substantial progress in expanding our commercial footprint in the past year, adding 55 new hospital centers globally. With a presence in 47 countries, and more than 300 commercial centers, we have an established network of customers from which to grow our business well into the future," said Doug Godshall, President and Chief Executive Officer. "In 2015, we initiated enrollment in LATERAL, our clinical trial to evaluate the thoracotomy implant technique, and we are working toward enrollment completion of this 145-patient study; we presented results from our first DT clinical trial, ENDURANCE, in which our HVAD System achieved the primary endpoint, and soon after, completed enrollment in our supplemental DT cohort, ENDURANCE2, setting the stage for us to submit for the DT indication in mid-2016; we initiated the first human implants of the MVAD(®) System; and we performed significant upgrades to our quality system.

"In 2016, our priorities include fortifying our HVAD System by working toward rollout of new, competitive enhancements and seeking an expanded DT indication; completing our remediation efforts related to the warning letter from FDA; and understanding and resolving the early clinical challenges experienced with our next-generation MVAD System," said Mr. Godshall.

Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2015 Financial Results
Gross margin percentage was 66.2% in the fourth quarter of 2015, as compared to 68.1% in the fourth quarter of 2014. The decrease compared to the fourth quarter of 2014 was primarily due to the effect of foreign currency exchange rates during the quarter. For the year ended December 31, 2015, gross margin was 62.7%, compared to 66.9% for full-year 2014, primarily as a result of charges aggregating $8.5 million for field actions during the third quarter of 2015.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $25.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, compared to $21.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. The increase over the prior year comprised $1.2 million in growth-related expenses, $1.6 million of Valtech transaction expenses, and a $1.0 million lease abandonment charge for the former headquarters of CircuLite, Inc., which HeartWare acquired in 2013.

Research and development expense was $27.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, compared to $30.8 million in the same period in 2014. The decrease from the prior year was primarily due to a reduction in aggregate project spending.

Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2015 was $0.9 million, or $0.05 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $0.9 million, or $0.05 per basic and diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2014. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the company recorded a net loss of $72.8 million, or a loss of $4.21 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $19.4 million, or a loss of $1.14 per basic and diluted share, for fiscal-year 2014.

The increase in fiscal 2015 net loss, compared to the fiscal 2014 net loss, primarily included foreign currency effects of $18.1 million, increased impairment and fair value accounting adjustments of $16.0 million, debt extinguishment charges of $16.6 million and $3.4 million of various operating changes.

Non-GAAP net loss for the fourth quarter of 2015 was $9.2 million, or $0.53 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $6.9 million, or $0.41 per basic and diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2014. Non-GAAP net loss for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $49.8 million, or $2.89 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $34.6 million, or $2.03 per basic and diluted share, for fiscal-year 2014. The increased non-GAAP net loss in the fourth quarter and fiscal-year 2015 periods, compared to their respective periods in 2014, was due primarily to the impact of foreign currency changes. See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Net Loss Per Common Share."

At December 31, 2015, HeartWare had approximately $244 million of cash, cash equivalents and investments, compared to approximately $249 million at September 30, 2015. Subsequent to the close of 2015, HeartWare extended to Valtech Cardio, Ltd. convertible loans of $31 million, including $30 million pursuant to the termination of the acquisition agreement between the two companies.

Conference Call and Webcast Information
HeartWare will host a conference call and live webcast on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss its financial results and provide a business commentary. The conference call may be accessed by dialing 1-877-407-0789 five minutes prior to the scheduled start time and referencing "HeartWare." Callers outside the U.S. should dial +1-201-689-8562.

The live webcast will be available in the Investors section of the company's website (http://ir.heartware.com/). A replay of the conference call will be available through the above link immediately following completion of the call.

About HeartWare International
HeartWare International develops and manufactures miniaturized implantable heart pumps, or ventricular assist devices, to treat patients suffering from advanced heart failure. The HeartWare(®) Ventricular Assist System features the HVAD(®) pump, a small full-support circulatory assist device designed to be implanted next to the heart, avoiding the abdominal surgery generally required to implant competing devices. The HeartWare System is approved in the United States for the intended use as a bridge to cardiac transplantation in patients who are at risk of death from refractory end-stage left ventricular heart failure, has received CE Marking in the European Union and has been used to treat patients in 47 countries. The device is also currently the subject of a U.S. clinical trial for destination therapy. For additional information, please visit www.heartware.com.

HeartWare International, Inc. is a member of the Russell 2000(®), and its securities are publicly traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
HeartWare management supplements its GAAP financial reporting with certain non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision making. For example, we use "non-GAAP net loss" and "non-GAAP net loss per common share" to refer to GAAP loss per share excluding certain adjustments such as amortization of intangible assets, impairment charges, purchase accounting and acquisition-related transaction costs, loss on extinguishment of long-term debt, and restructuring and severance costs. These are non-GAAP financial measures under Section 101 of Regulation G under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Management believes that providing this additional information enhances investors' understanding of the financial performance of the company's operations and increases comparability of its current financial statements to prior periods. Non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for measures of financial performance in accordance with GAAP, and they should be reviewed in comparison with their most directly comparable GAAP financial results. Reconciliations of HeartWare's GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are provided at the end of this news release under "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Net Loss Per Common Share."

Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements that are based on management's beliefs, assumptions and expectations and on information currently available to management. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future are forward-looking statements, including without limitation our expectations with respect to: HeartWare's core ventricular assist device business; commercialization of the HeartWare HVAD System; restarting clinical investigation of the MVAD System; submission for U.S. approval of a destination therapy indication; resolution of our Warning Letter; timing, progress and outcomes of clinical trials; regulatory and quality compliance; research and development activities and our ability to take advantage of acquired and pipeline technology. Management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made. However, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they speak only as of the date when made. HeartWare does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. HeartWare may not actually achieve the plans, projections or expectations disclosed in forward-looking statements, and actual results, developments or events could differ materially from those disclosed in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those described in Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in HeartWare's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. HeartWare may update risk factors from time to time in Part II, Item 1A "Risk Factors" in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, or other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

HEARTWARE, HVAD, MVAD, PAL, SYNERGY, CIRCULITE and HeartWare logos are trademarks of HeartWare, Inc. or its affiliates.

For additional information:
Christopher Taylor
HeartWare International, Inc.
Email: ctaylor@heartware.com
Phone: +1 508 739 0864

- Tables to Follow-



                                 HEARTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                        CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                             (in thousands, except per share data)

                                          (unaudited)


                           Three Months Ended                            Years Ended

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

                               2015                        2014                        2015         2014
                               ----                        ----                        ----         ----


    Revenue, net            $68,087                     $73,209                    $276,843     $278,420

    Cost of revenue          23,030                      23,349                     103,287       92,195
                             ------                      ------                     -------       ------

    Gross profit             45,057                      49,860                     173,556      186,225


    Operating expenses:

    Selling, general
     and administrative      25,247                      21,412                      94,594       87,177

    Research and
     development             27,414                      30,801                     120,769      119,782

    Impairment of
     intangible assets       26,849                       2,650                      26,849        2,650

    Change in fair
     value of
     contingent
     consideration         (38,110)                    (9,080)                   (31,410)    (23,260)
                            -------                      ------                     -------      -------

    Total operating
     expenses                41,400                      45,783                     210,802      186,349


    Income (loss) from
     operations               3,657                       4,077                    (37,246)       (124)


    Other expense, net      (4,378)                    (5,096)                   (34,520)    (18,682)
                             ------                      ------                     -------      -------

    Loss before taxes         (721)                    (1,019)                   (71,766)    (18,806)

    Income tax
     (benefit) expense          205                       (103)                      1,014          560
                                ---                        ----                       -----          ---

    Net loss                 $(926)                     $(916)                  $(72,780)   $(19,366)
                              =====                       =====                    ========     ========


    Net loss per common
     share - basic and
     diluted                $(0.05)                    $(0.05)                    $(4.21)     $(1.14)
                             ======                      ======                      ======       ======


    Weighted average
     shares outstanding
     - basic and
     diluted                 17,327                      17,037                      17,274       16,992
                             ======                      ======                      ======       ======




                                             HEARTWARE INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                         CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                    (in thousands)

                                                      (unaudited)


                                                        December 31,             December 31, 2014

                                                                            2015
                                                                            ----


    ASSETS

    Current assets:

    Cash and cash equivalents                                           $175,047                   $102,946

    Short-term investments                                                68,531                     75,535

    Accounts receivable, net                                              35,570                     38,041

    Inventories                                                           47,686                     54,046

    Prepaid expenses and other current
     assets                                                                2,868                      5,975
                                                                           -----                      -----

    Total current assets                                                 329,702                    276,543

    Property, plant and equipment, net                                    15,098                     19,036

    Other assets, net                                                    112,776                    128,234
                                                                         -------                    -------

    Total assets                                                        $457,576                   $423,813


    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current liabilities:

    Accounts payable                                                     $15,249                    $13,322

    Other accrued liabilities                                             45,889                     36,589
                                                                          ------                     ------

    Total current liabilities                                             61,138                     49,911

    Convertible senior notes, net                                        191,062                    114,803

    Other long-term liabilities                                           16,884                     50,565

    Stockholders' equity                                                 188,492                    208,534
                                                                         -------                    -------

    Total liabilities and
     stockholders' equity                                               $457,576                   $423,813
                                                                        ========                   ========



    Reconciliation to Constant-Currency
     Revenue Growth (unaudited) (see
     explanation below)

    (in thousands)


                            Three Months Ended
                               December 31,        Reported $ chg          Reported % chg           FX impact           Constant Currency $ chg       Constant Currency % chg
                           -------------------     --------------          --------------           ---------           -----------------------       -----------------------


                              2015          2014
                              ----          ----

    Total U.S. Revenue      41,160        41,534                   (374)                   -0.9%                   -                         (374)                         -0.9%

    Total Int'l Revenue     26,927        31,675                 (4,748)                  -15.0%               3,377                        (1,371)                         -4.3%
                            ------        ------                  ------                    -----                -----                         ------                           ----

    Total Revenue           68,087        73,209                 (5,122)                   -7.0%               3,377                        (1,745)                         -2.4%
                            ======        ======                  ======                     ====                =====                         ======                           ====


                         Years Ended December
                                  31,            Reported $ chg          Reported % chg           FX impact           Constant Currency $ chg       Constant Currency % chg
                        ---------------------    --------------          --------------           ---------           -----------------------       -----------------------


                              2015          2014
                              ----          ----

    Total U.S. Revenue     161,848       151,335                  10,513                     6.9%                   -                        10,513                           6.9%

    Total Int'l Revenue    114,995       127,085                (12,090)                   -9.5%              19,226                          7,136                           5.6%
                           -------       -------                 -------                     ----               ------                          -----                            ---

    Total Revenue          276,843       278,420                 (1,577)                   -0.6%              19,226                         17,649                           6.3%
                           =======       =======                  ======                     ====               ======                         ======                            ===


    Constant-currency changes in the
     tables above take into
     consideration the foreign
     exchange rates in effect during
     the three- and twelve-month
     periods ended December 31, 2015
     and 2014.



     Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Net
      Loss Per Common Share (unaudited) (see
      explanation of adjustments below)

     (in thousands, except per share data)


                                      Three Months Ended           Years Ended

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

                                          2015                2014               2015         2014
                                          ----                ----                           ----


    GAAP net loss                       $(926)             $(916)         $(72,780)   $(19,366)

    GAAP net loss per
     common share - basic
     and diluted                       $(0.05)            $(0.05)           $(4.21)     $(1.14)


    Adjustments:

      Amortization of
       purchased intangible
       assets and goodwill        (a)

            -Selling, general and
             administrative                 84                  84              5,136          337

            -Research and
             development                   327                 348              1,309        1,069

      Impairment of
       intangible assets          (b)   26,849               2,650             26,849        2,650

      Acquisition-related
       transaction costs          (c)    1,557                   -             5,623            -

      Contingent
       consideration
       adjustments                (d) (38,110)            (9,080)          (31,410)    (23,260)

      Loss on
       extinguishment of
       long-term debt             (e)        -                  -            16,588            -

      Restructuring costs         (f)

            -Selling, general and
             administrative              1,001                (27)             1,437        2,962

            -Research and
             development                     -                  -             2,212        1,053
                                           ---                ---             -----        -----

    Total adjustments                  (8,292)            (6,025)            22,945     (15,189)


    Non-GAAP net loss                 $(9,218)           $(6,941)         $(49,835)   $(34,555)
                                       =======             =======           ========     ========


    Non-GAAP net loss
     per common share -
     basic and diluted                 $(0.53)            $(0.41)           $(2.89)     $(2.03)


    Shares used in
     computing non-GAAP
     net loss per common
     share - basic and
     diluted                            17,327              17,037             17,274       16,992
                                        ======              ======             ======       ======


    (a)               Represents amortization of purchased
                      intangible assets related to
                      CircuLite and WorldHeart during the
                      three and twelve months ended
                      December 31, 2015 and 2014.

    (b)               Represents impairment of purchased
                      intangible assets related to
                      CircuLite.

    (c)               Represents transaction costs
                      associated with the terminated
                      business combination with Valtech.

    (d)               Represents the change in fair value
                      of contingent consideration
                      associated with the acquisition of
                      CircuLite in December 2013.

    (e)               Represents the loss on
                      extinguishment of 3.5% convertible
                      notes.

    (f)               Represents certain restructuring
                      costs incurred during the three and
                      twelve months ended December 31,
                      2015 and 2014 as follows (in
                      thousands):



                      Three Months Ended         Years Ended

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

                         2015              2014              2015    2014
                         ----              ----              ----    ----

    Charges
     related to
     CircuLite
     acquisition:

      Lease exit
       charge for
       former N.J.
       corporate
       offices         $1,001               $15            $1,465  $1,725

      Lease exit
       charge for
       Aachen,
       Germany
       office               -                -              139       -

      Contract
       termination
       costs                -                -              338     688

      Employee
       severance            -             (29)              598     588

      Abandoned
       fixed assets         -                -            1,137     655
                          ---              ---            -----     ---

          Total         1,001              (14)            3,677   3,656


    Lease exit
     charge for
     HeartWare's
     former
     Massachusetts
     corporate
     offices        $       -            $(13)            $(28)   $359


    Total
     restructuring
     costs             $1,001             $(27)           $3,649  $4,015
                       ======              ====            ======  ======


    The terms "non-GAAP net loss" and "non-GAAP
     net loss per common share" refer to GAAP net
     (loss)/income and GAAP net (loss)/income per
     common share excluding certain adjustments
     such as amortization of purchased intangible
     assets, impairment charges, purchase
     accounting and acquisition-related
     transaction costs, loss on extinguishment of
     long-term debt, and restructuring and
     severance costs as follows:


    1)             We exclude amortization of purchased
                   intangible assets and periodic
                   impairment charges related to long-
                   lived assets from this measure
                   because such charges do not
                   represent what our management
                   believes are the costs of
                   developing, producing, supporting
                   and selling our products and the
                   costs to support our internal
                   operating structure.

    2)             We exclude purchase accounting
                   adjustments and acquisition-
                   related costs from this measure
                   because they occur as a result of
                   specific events and are not
                   reflective of our internal
                   investments and the ongoing costs
                   to support our operating structure.
                    Purchase accounting adjustments
                    include contingent consideration
                   fair market value adjustments.

    3)             We exclude restructuring and
                   severance costs from this measure
                   because they tend to occur as a
                   result of specific events such as
                   acquisitions, divestitures,
                   repositioning our business or other
                   unusual events that could make
                   comparisons of long-range trends
                   difficult and are not reflective of
                   our internal investments and the
                   costs to support our operating
                   structure.

    4)             We exclude loss on extinguishment of
                   long-term debt from this measure
                   because these charges, unlike other
                   core business costs, are the result
                   of infrequent and irregular events.

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