Par Pharmaceutical Reports EPS of $0.71 for Second Quarter 2009

Brand & Generic Business Units Drive Strong Earnings


WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Aug. 4  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc. (NYSE:PRX) today reported results for the second quarter ended June 27, 2009.

For the second quarter ended June 27, 2009, Par reported total revenues of $404.0 million and net income of $23.8 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, which included a one-time gain related to the acquisition of certain assets of MDRNA's Hauppauge, NY facility.  Adjusting for this item, earnings per diluted share were $0.65 for the three month period ended June 27, 2009.  This is compared to reported revenues of $112.9 million and a net loss of $21.2 million, or $0.64 loss per diluted share for the same period in 2008, which included a one-time development milestone payment to a partner.  Adjusting for this item, loss per diluted share was $0.61 for the three month period ended June 28, 2008.

For the six months ended June 27, 2009, total revenue was $608.0 million with net income of $39.9 million, or $1.18 per diluted share.  This is compared to total revenues of $267.9 million and a net loss of $19.8 million, or $0.60 per diluted share in the same period of 2008.

Second Quarter Highlights

Key Product Sales (Net sales comparisons at the product level are to first quarter 2009)

  --  Metoprolol:  For the quarter ended June 27, 2009, net sales of
      metoprolol succinate reached $306 million, an increase of 173% from
      the first quarter 2009.  The increase was driven by market exclusivity
      and additional product supply which led to increased volume and price.
      Par remained the exclusive supplier of metoprolol succinate through
      the second quarter.  Par is the authorized generic for all strengths
      of AstraZeneca's Toprol  XL.


  --  Sumatriptan: Net sales of sumatriptan injection were $21.8 million for
      the quarter ended June 27, 2009 compared to $16.0 million in the first
      quarter.  The increase was principally due to trade buying patterns,
      which included the release of backorders.  Par remained the exclusive
      supplier of generic Imitrex  4mg and 6mg starter kits and 4mg
      prefilled cartridges and had one competitor in the 6mg prefilled
      cartridges throughout the second quarter.


  --  Meclizine: Net sales for the three months ended June 27, 2009 were
      $8.9 million compared to $9.8 million in the first quarter of 2009. 
      The decrease was due primarily to trade buying patterns.  Par was the
      exclusive supplier of meclizine in the first half of 2009.


  --  Dronabinol: Net sales for the second quarter 2009 were $5.5 million
      compared to $7.0 million in the first quarter.  The decrease was due
      to competitive pricing pressures.


  --  Other generic products:  For the second quarter 2009, net sales from
      all other generic products were $39.6 million compared to $43.0
      million in the first quarter. The decrease primarily reflects the
      discontinuation of fluticasone and a decline in volume and price of
      certain products, including ibuprofen, due to continued competition in
      the market, tempered by an increase in volume of certain products such
      as tramadol APAP and fluoxetine HCl, as well as the launch of
      risperidone ODT in June 2009.


  --  Megace  ES:  Net sales were $17.1 million for the three months ended
      June 27, 2009 compared to $13.5 million in the first quarter.  The
      increase in net sales was due to the increase in prescription demand
      and the return to normal trade buying patterns.


  --  Nascobal  B12 Nasal Spray:  Net sales were $2.2 million for the three
      months ended June 27, 2009.  Strativa Pharmaceutical purchased
      Nascobal from QOL Medical, LLC on March 31, 2009 and re-launched the
      product on June 15, 2009.



Total net revenues for the three months ended June 27, 2009, were $404 million, up $291 million, or nearly 258%, from the year ago period, principally driven by the lack of competition in metoprolol succinate and meclizine, as well as the launches of sumatriptan injection and dronabinol in the second half of 2008.

Gross margin for the second quarter 2009 was $86.4 million, or 21.4% of total revenue, an increase of $61.3 million from the comparable period in 2008.  Total generic gross margin in the second quarter 2009 was $70.7 million, or 18.5% of total generic revenue, compared to $9.2 million, or 9.9% of total generic revenue in the second quarter 2008.  This increase is due primarily to higher sales of metoprolol and meclizine and the launches of sumatriptan and dronabinol.  These four products contributed $52.5 million of gross margin, or 15.3% of such generic revenue.  Gross margin of all other generic products was approximately $18.2 million, or 46% of other generic revenue.  This compares to $5.4 million, or 10.0% of other generic revenue, in the second quarter of 2008.  The increase in gross margin percentage was due to the trimming of the generic product line as part of the resizing of Par's generic division in the fourth quarter of 2008.  Strativa's gross margin of $15.7 million, or 72% of total Strativa revenue, decreased compared to the second quarter of 2008 due to lower sales of Megace  ES.

Research and development (R&D) expenses decreased 63% to $5.9 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared to the second quarter 2008 due primarily to the resizing of the generic division, which included a headcount reduction and lower development and biostudy costs.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the second quarter 2009 increased to $44.1 million compared to $36.7 million in the second quarter 2008.  The increase reflects an increase of $6.8 million related to on-going expenditures supporting Strativa sales and marketing, driven primarily by an increase in the field force and other activities in preparation for the re-launch of Nascobal B12 Nasal Spray, as well as development costs of other products.

Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities aggregate balance as of June 27, 2009, was $202.3 million and reflects significant one-time cash outflows related to the purchase of Nascobal B12 Nasal Spray (approximately $55 million), the year-to-date repurchase of $13.8 million face value of Par's convertible debt at a discount and, as previously reported in the first quarter, the settlement of litigation with Pentech (approximately $66 million).

Face Value of Convertible Debt as of June 27, 2009, was $128.2 million.  An additional $35.5 million in convertible debt was repurchased subsequent to the balance sheet date at a discount.  The face value of convertible debt currently stands at $92.7 million and matures on September 30, 2010, unless earlier converted or repurchased.

Product and Pipeline Update

Strativa's New Drug Application (NDA) for ondansetron orally dissolving film strip (ODFS) has been accepted by the FDA for review.  Pursuant to Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), Strativa expects the FDA will complete its review by February 7, 2010.  If approved, ondansetron ODFS could launch by mid-2010.

BioAlliance Pharma, Strativa's development partner for miconazole, mucoadhesive bucccal tablets (MBT), which is marketed under the brand name Loramyc  in Europe, submitted its NDA to the FDA.  Pursuant to PDUFA, BioAlliance expects the FDA will complete its review by second quarter 2010.  If approved, Strativa could launch the product in the second half of 2010.

Par successfully launched five strengths of risperidone ODT, a generic version of Risperdal   M-TAB, during the second quarter, and was the exclusive supplier of .25mg, 3mg and 4mg strengths of the product during the period.  Risperdal M-TAB had $108.0 million in annual sales in 2008 according to IMS Health.

Par also launched calcitonin-salmon nasal spray, the generic version of Miacalcin , during the quarter.  Annual U.S. sales of Miacalcin were approximately $104 million in 2008, according to IMS Health.

Par currently has approximately 37 ANDAs pending with the FDA, 14 of which Par believes to be first-to-file and/or first-to-market opportunities with a brand value of approximately $5.9 billion.

Conference Call

Par has scheduled a conference call for Tuesday, August 4 at 9:00 am EDT to discuss results for the second quarter of 2009.  Par invites investors and the general public to listen to a webcast of the conference call.  Access to the live webcast can be made via the Company's website at http://www.parpharm.com/ and will be available for two weeks.  The dial-in number is 866-788-0539 for domestic callers and 857-350-1677 for international callers.  The access number is 40463383.  A replay of the conference call will be available commencing approximately one hour after the call.  The replay dial-in number is 888-286-8010 for domestic callers and 617-801-6888 for international callers.  The access number is 95297063.

Non-GAAP Measures

Par believes it prepared its condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) and pursuant to accounting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission applicable to quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.  In an effort to provide investors with additional information regarding Par's results and to provide a meaningful period-over-period comparison of Par's financial performance, the Company sometimes uses non-GAAP financial measures as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The differences between the U.S. GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures are reconciled in an attached schedule.  In presenting comparable results, the Company discloses non-GAAP financial measures when it believes such measures will be useful to investors in evaluating Par's underlying business performance.  Management uses the non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate Par's financial performance against internal budgets and targets.  In addition, management internally reviews Par's results excluding the impact of certain items, as it believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful for evaluating Par's core operating results and facilitating comparison across reporting periods.  Importantly, Par believes non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not in lieu of, U.S. GAAP financial measures.  Par's non-GAAP financial measures may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

About Par

Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets generic drugs and innovative branded pharmaceuticals for specialty markets.  For press release and other company information, visit http://www.parpharm.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  To the extent any statements made in this news release contain information that is not historical, these statements are essentially forward-looking and, as such, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those expressed herein.  Risk factors that might affect such forward-looking statements include those set forth in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, in other of the Company's filings with the SEC from time to time, including Current Reports on Form 8-K, and on general industry and economic conditions.  Any forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date hereof only, based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and, subject to any applicable law to the contrary, the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

                      PAR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES, INC.
                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                      (In Thousands, Except Share Data)
                                 (Unaudited)

                                                  June 27,    December 31,
                                                    2009          2008
                                                    ----          ----
                     ASSETS
                     ------
  Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                   $139,359      $170,629
      Available for sale marketable debt and
       equity securities                            62,980        93,097
      Accounts receivable, net                     261,950        83,408
      Inventories                                   55,072        42,504
      Prepaid expenses and other current
       assets                                       15,581        20,040
      Deferred income tax assets                    37,474        53,060
      Income taxes receivable                       22,257        35,397
                                                    ------        ------
      Total current assets                         594,673       498,135

  Property, plant and equipment, at cost
   less accumulated depreciation and
   amortization                                     79,271        79,439
  Available for sale marketable debt and
   equity securities                                 1,150         1,949
  Intangible assets, net                            78,252        35,208
  Goodwill                                          63,729        63,729
  Deferred financing costs and other
   assets                                              828         1,159
  Non-current deferred income tax assets,
   net                                              67,211        68,618
                                                    ------        ------
  Total assets                                    $885,114      $748,237
                                                  ========      ========

        LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
        ------------------------------------
  Current liabilities:
      Current portion of long-term debt                 $-      $130,141
      Accounts payable                              38,622        22,879
      Payables due to distribution agreement
       partners                                    177,103        91,451
      Accrued salaries and employee benefits        14,550        11,850
      Accrued expenses and other current
       liabilities                                  37,466        38,352
                                                    ------        ------
      Total current liabilities                    267,741       294,673

  Long-term debt, less current portion             120,038             -
  Other long-term liabilities                       41,259        41,581
  Commitments and contingencies                          -             -

  Stockholders' equity
      Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share,
       authorized 90,000,000 shares; issued
           37,560,564 and 37,392,469 shares            375           374
      Additional paid-in capital                   325,173       319,976
      Retained earnings                            199,360       159,470
      Accumulated other comprehensive gain             816           122
      Treasury stock, at cost 2,792,963 and
       2,716,010 shares                            (69,648)      (67,959)
                                                   -------       -------
      Total stockholders' equity                   456,076       411,983
                                                   -------       -------
  Total liabilities and stockholders'
   equity                                         $885,114      $748,237
                                                  ========      ========



                      PAR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES, INC.
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                     (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
                                  (Unaudited)

                                  Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended
                                  ------------------     ----------------
                                June 27,      June 28,  June 27,   June 28,
                                 2009           2008      2009       2008
                                 ----           ----      ----       ----

  Revenues:
      Net product sales        $400,149       $108,289  $600,372   $259,526
      Other product related
       revenues                   3,852          4,648     7,664      8,339
                                  -----          -----     -----      -----
  Total revenues                404,001        112,937   608,036    267,865
  Cost of goods sold            317,593         87,829   457,559    193,236
                                -------         ------   -------    -------
      Gross margin               86,408         25,108   150,477     74,629
  Operating expenses:
      Research and development    5,937         15,955    13,109     33,113
      Selling, general and
       administrative            44,117         36,690    77,077     68,037
      Settlements and loss
       contingencies, net            61              -    (3,315)         -
      Restructuring costs            81              -     1,482          -
                                     --              -     -----          -
  Total operating expenses       50,196         52,645    88,353    101,150
                                 ------         ------    ------    -------
  Gain on sale of product
   rights and other                 265            500     1,365      2,125
                                    ---            ---     -----      -----
  Operating income (loss)        36,477        (27,037)   63,489    (24,396)
  Gain on bargain purchase        3,021              -     3,021          -
  Gain on extinguishment of
   senior subordinated
   convertible notes                504              -       749          -
  Equity in loss of joint
   venture                            -           (310)        -       (330)
  Loss on marketable
   securities and other
   investments, net                   -           (433)      (55)      (433)
  Interest income                   667          2,129     1,824      5,143
  Interest expense               (2,595)        (3,544)   (5,162)    (7,054)
                                -------        -------   -------    -------
  Income (loss) from
   continuing operations
   before provision
   (benefit) for income
   taxes                         38,074        (29,195)   63,866    (27,070)
  Provision (benefit) for
   income taxes                  14,087         (8,236)   23,624     (7,495)
                                 ------        -------    ------    -------
  Income (loss) from
   continuing operations         23,987        (20,959)   40,242    (19,575)
  Discontinued operations:
  Gain from discontinued
   operations                         -              -         -        505
  Provision for income taxes        176            268       352        713
                                    ---            ---       ---        ---
  Gain (loss) from
   discontinued operations         (176)          (268)     (352)      (208)
                                   ----           ----      ----       ----
  Net income (loss)             $23,811       ($21,227)  $39,890   ($19,783)
                                =======       ========   =======   ========

  Basic earnings (loss) per
   share of common stock:
  Income (loss) from
   continuing operations          $0.71         ($0.63)    $1.20     ($0.59)
  Gain (loss) from
   discontinued operations         0.00          (0.01)    (0.01)     (0.01)
                                   ----          -----     -----      -----
  Net income (loss)               $0.71         ($0.64)    $1.19     ($0.60)
                                  =====        =======     =====    =======

  Diluted earnings (loss)
   per share of common stock:
  Income (loss) from
   continuing operations          $0.71         ($0.63)    $1.19     ($0.59)
  Gain (loss) from
   discontinued operations         0.00          (0.01)    (0.01)     (0.01)
                                   ----          -----     -----      -----
  Net income (loss)               $0.71         ($0.64)    $1.18     ($0.60)
                                  =====        =======     =====    =======

  Weighted average number of
   common shares
   outstanding:
    Basic                        33,630         33,304    33,616     33,262
                                 ======         ======    ======     ======
    Diluted                      33,771         33,304    33,772     33,262
                                 ======         ======    ======     ======



   Reconciliation Between Reported (GAAP) and Adjusted Net Income (Loss)
                   (In thousands, except per share data)
                                (Unaudited)

                                                     Three Months Ended
                                                     ------------------
                                                  June 27,         June 28,
                                                    2009             2008
                                                    ----             ----

  Reported Net Income (Loss)                      $23,811         ($21,227)
  Development Milestone Payments                        -            1,250
  Gain on Bargain Purchase                         (3,021)               -
  Restructuring Costs                                  81                -
  Estimated Tax on Adjustments                      1,094             (475)
                                                    -----             ----
  Adjusted Net Income (Loss) (non-GAAP measure)   $21,965         ($20,452)
                                                  =======         ========

  Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share:
        Reported                                    $0.71           ($0.64)
                                                    =====           ======
        Adjusted (non-GAAP measure)                 $0.65           ($0.61)
                                                    =====           ======


                                                      Six Months Ended
                                                      ----------------
                                                   June 27,         June 28,
                                                     2009             2008
                                                     ----             ----

  Reported Net Income (Loss)                      $39,890         ($19,783)
  Change in Estimate Related to Final Pentech
   Settlement                                      (3,412)               -
  Development Milestone Payments                    1,000            6,250
  Gain on Bargain Purchase                         (3,021)               -
  Restructuring Costs                               1,482                -
  Estimated Tax on Adjustments                      1,462           (2,375)
                                                    -----           ------
  Adjusted Net Income (Loss) (non-GAAP measure)   $37,401         ($15,908)
                                                  =======         ========

  Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share:
        Reported                                    $1.18           ($0.60)
                                                    =====           ======
         Adjusted (non-GAAP measure)                $1.11           ($0.48)
                                                    =====           ======


DATASOURCE: Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc.



CONTACT:  Allison Wey, Senior Director, Investor Relations and Corporate

Affairs of Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc., [phone]



Web Site:  http://www.parpharm.com/ 

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