XIANYANG, China, May 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Biostar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:BSPM - News) ("Biostar" or "the Company"), Xianyang-based manufacturer of a leading PRC over-the-counter Hepatitis B medicine, Xin Aoxing Oleanolic Acid Capsules ("Xin Aoxing Capsules"), and a variety of pharmaceutical products, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011.
Q1 2011 revenue increased 24% to $15.3 million
Q1 2011 Xin Aoxing sales increased 20% to $11.1 million
Q1 2011 gross profit increased 12% to $10.7 million
Q1 2011 cash flow from operations increased 140% to $1.4 million
Company's rural distribution network surpasses 10,000 locations; Company focused on driving incremental sales growth and market penetration through these locations in 2011
First Quarter 2011 Financial Results
Revenue for the first quarter of 2011 increased 24% to approximately $15.3 million, compared to $12.4 million for the first quarter of 2010. Sales of Xin Aoxing Capsules, Biostar's flagship product, increased by 20% from the first quarter of 2010 to $11.1 million, with a gross margin of 85.3%. Xin Aoxing represented approximately 72% of total first quarter 2011 revenues. Sales of Gan Wang Compound Paracetamol Capsules ("Gan Wang"), used to fight colds, grew by 14% to $0.8 million. Sales of other products including Tianqi Dysmenorrhea Capsule, Danshen Granule, Taohuasan Pediatrics Medicine, Tangning Capsule, Yizi Capsule, Shengjing Capsule and Aoxing ointment, totaled $3.4 million in the first quarter. The Company continued its expansion into rural communities in China with products now being sold at over 10,000 locations. $1.5 million in revenues were generated through this sales channel during the first quarter, up 88% from the year ago period.
"In our first quarter of 2011, we continue to build on our previous year's success with revenue growth across our portfolio of drug and health products in response to our broad marketing efforts in existing and new sales regions," said Ronghua Wang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Biostar. "Revenue from our rural expansion increased significantly year over year, and we expect to have 13,000 rural retail locations by the end of 2011. We believe the rural market offers a substantial growth opportunity, supported by the government, increased disposable income and improved education on personal health. We will continue to focus resources on this sales channel throughout 2011."
Cost of goods sold for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was approximately $4.6 million, as compared to $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010. Gross profit for the first quarter of 2011 increased 12% to $10.7 million from $9.5 million in the year ago period, while gross margin decrease 710 basis points to 69.9%, primarily due to a temporary increase in the costs of raw materials for certain medications, especially Taohuasan Pediatrics Medicines, Danshen Granule, and Tianqi Dysmenorrhea Capsule. In addition, several health products introduced in the middle of 2010 carried lower gross margins than those typical of drug products historically. The management expects gross margins to normalize during the second quarter.
Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2011 were approximately $7.0 million, an increase of 9% compared to $6.4 million in the same period of 2010 due to increases in business volume and advertising expenditures.
Operating income for the first quarter of 2011 totaled approximately $3.7 million, a 19% increase from $3.1 million reported for the first quarter of 2010. Operating margins were 24.4% and 25.3% for the first quarter of 2011 and 2010, respectively. Excluding non-cash equity compensation charge of $0.2 million, adjusted operating income for the first quarter of 2011 was $3.9 million with operation margins of 25.5%. (Please see "About Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.)
Net income was approximately $2.7 million for the first quarter of 2011, a 20% increase from the first quarter of 2010. Diluted earnings per share were $0.10 and 0.08 for the first quarter of 2011 and 2010, based upon 27.4 million and 27.3 million diluted common stocks outstanding, respectively. Adjusted Non-GAAP net income for the first quarter was $2.9 million, or $0.11 per diluted common share. (Please see "About Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.)
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
Cash and cash equivalents totaled $15.3 million on March 31, 2011, compared to $13.2 million on December 31, 2010. Accounts receivable balance was approximately $28.2 million on March 31, 2011, versus approximately $28.5 million on December 31, 2010. Days sales outstanding (DSO) for the first three months of 2011 increased to 145 days, compared to 128 days for the same period in 2010, and is in-line with management's target range of 130 to 150 days. The Company had a current ratio of 7.0 to 1 and stockholders' equity of $63.8 million, with total assets of $70.3 million versus total liabilities of $6.5 million on March 31, 2011. Working capital on March 31, 2011 was $39.0 million, compared to $35.8 million in the year ago period. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company generated $1.4 million in cash from operations.
Business Developments
Biostar continued to expand its reach into the rural market, which has less competition and pharmaceutical consumption per capita is almost 10% of urban areas. As of March 31, 2011, Biostar has opened 10,000 rural sales outlets in 22 provinces. The Company plans to include all 10 of its products at all rural locations, in addition to select pharmaceuticals from other producers, in order to drive incremental revenues through existing locations, while improving profitability.
Aoxing continued to grow by contributing $11.1 million of sales, a 20% increase from 2010. The Company plans to add 130 new staff to the sales team during 2011 which would bring the total number to 400 and will continue to make meaningful investments in its marketing strategy, by incorporating television, print and radio across multiple provinces. Aoxing is currently sold in 22 provinces and the management team plans to expand into four additional provinces, including Hainan, Hunan, Guangxi, and Zhejiang during 2011.
Biostar launched 5 new products during 2010, including health products such as Tangning Capsule, Yizi Capsule, Shengjing Capsule and Aoxing Ointment. Total revenue from new products was approximately $0.7 million during the first quarter of 2011. In early April 2011, the Company's Zushima Analgesic spray, a pain reliever product intended for use by military personnel passed the examination of Chinese military drug administration. Currently the Company is preparing for the additional required documents and expects to receive the final approval and license to produce in Zushima Analesic spray in late 2011.
"We are optimistic about 2011 and the ability to sell through all of our products through a robust distribution channel and rural sales network. We are confident in meeting our target for the year of 20-25% growth in revenues year-over-year.
