Guilford Pharmaceuticals Reports 2005 Second Quarter Results

BALTIMORE, Aug. 8  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Guilford Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:GLFD) today reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2005.  For the second quarter, Guilford reported a net loss of $26.5 million, or $0.58 per share, compared to a net loss of $21.3 million, or $0.63 per share, for the corresponding period in 2004.  Net loss for the second quarter of 2005 included a non-cash charge to operations of $6.1 million relating to the impairment of the intangible assets for AGGRASTAT(R) Injection (tirofiban hydrochloride) in accordance with SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets."

Total revenue in the second quarter of 2005 was $12.8 million compared to $11.1 million in the second quarter of 2004, an increase of approximately 14%. This was largely attributable to GLIADEL(R) Wafer (polifeprosan 20 with carmustine implant) net product revenue, which increased by approximately 20% to $8.5 million from $7.1 million in the second quarter of 2004.  Revenue for AGGRASTAT(R) in the second quarter increased 6.3% to $3.9 million compared to $3.6 million in the same period last year.

Total costs and expenses in the second quarter of 2005 were $39.6 million, including a one time non-cash impairment charge to operations of $6.1 million, compared to $31.5 million in the second quarter of 2004.  Cost of sales in the second quarter was $0.9 million compared to $1.2 million for the same period in 2004.  Research and development expenses in the second quarter of 2005 were $16.9 million compared to $8.9 million for the same period in 2004, an increase primarily due to costs related to the initiation of the Phase III clinical development program for AQUAVAN(R) Injection, costs associated with the Phase III clinical trial of AGGRASTAT(R) and costs related to the GPI 1485 program.

Selling, general and administrative costs were $14.7 million in the second quarter of 2005 compared to $14.4 million for the same period in 2004.  Costs incurred to market, sell and distribute GLIADEL(R) and AGGRASTAT(R) during the quarter were $8.2 million compared to $9.0 million for the same period last year, primarily as a result of lower medical education expenses.  General and administrative expenses were $6.5 million during the quarter compared to $5.4 million in the second quarter of 2004, largely as a result of $1.0 million in severance costs related to the Company's reduction in workforce as part of a strategic reorganization.

At June 30, 2005, Guilford had $59.2 million in cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and restricted investments, compared to $71.1 million as of March 31, 2005.

"During the second quarter we made substantial progress with each of our strategic objectives," remarked Dean J. Mitchell, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Growth in GLIADEL(R) revenue increased by approximately 20% compared to the same period last year.  During the quarter we also restarted the AQUAVAN(R) clinical development program, and have recently initiated enrollment in a dose ranging study of AQUAVAN(R), to be followed by two pivotal trials, one in colonoscopy and a second trial in minor surgical procedures.  Finally, we announced an organizational restructuring, which reduced the size of Guilford's workforce by approximately 20%, which should achieve an annualized expense reduction of approximately $6 million."

Mr. Mitchell continued, "Most importantly, subsequent to the end of the second quarter we announced that Guilford had signed a definitive merger agreement with MGI PHARMA, to create a leading biopharmaceutical company focused in oncology and acute care.  The company will feature three promoted products and a robust portfolio of research and development product candidates.  We believe this merger provides us the resources with which to unlock the full potential of our portfolio, creating significant near and longer-term value for our shareholders.  Moreover, the scale and expertise of the combined organization will support the development of AQUAVAN(R), as well as our other pipeline products, and also allow us to maximize the commercial potential inherent in GLIADEL(R) and AQUAVAN(R)."

About Guilford

Guilford Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a pharmaceutical company engaged in the research, development and commercialization of proprietary pharmaceutical products that target the hospital and neurology market.  Presently, Guilford markets two commercial products, GLIADEL(R) Wafer (polifeprosan 20 with carmustine implant), for the treatment of brain cancer, and AGGRASTAT(R) Injection (tirofiban hydrochloride), a glycoprotein GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist used for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Guilford's product pipeline includes a novel sedative, AQUAVAN(R) Injection. For additional information about GLIADEL(R) and AGGRASTAT(R), please see http://www.guilfordpharm.com/ under Products / Marketed Products.

Conference Call

Guilford will host a conference call to review its 2005 second quarter results.  The conference call will take place at 4:00 p.m. ET on Monday, August 8, 2005.  The dial in number for participants in the U.S. is (866) 700- 6067, and for international callers [phone].  The participant passcode is 10862875.

Conference Call Replay

An audio replay of the conference call will be available for 48 hours beginning at approximately 6:00 p.m. ET on August 8, 2005 through 6:00 p.m. ET on August 10, 2005.  To access the replay, U.S. residents should dial [phone], and international callers should dial [phone], passcode 80343638.

Webcast

Guilford will hold a live webcast of this conference call.  To access the webcast, please visit our website at http://www.guilfordpharm.com/ under the investor / conference section and follow the instructions provided.  An audio archive of the call will be available on the website until August 22, 2005.

  Contact: Stacey Jurchison, Director, Corporate Communications -
           410.631.5022
           Internet Address:   http://www.guilfordpharm.com/



This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including those described in the section entitled "Risk Factors" contained in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 9, 2005, that could cause the Company's actual results and experience to differ materially from anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. Among other things, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in its attempt to minimize the ongoing expenses related to AGGRASTAT or to implement an exit strategy for AGGRASTAT, or that the Company will complete its proposed merger with MGI PHARMA.

Important Additional Information

In connection with Guilford's proposed merger with MGI PHARMA, MGI PHARMA will file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 containing a Proxy Statement/Prospectus.  Investors are urged to read the registration statement, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus when it is available and all other relevant documents filed or to be filed with the SEC because they contain important information about MGI PHARMA, Guilford and the proposed transaction. The final Proxy Statement/Prospectus will be mailed to Guilford stockholders after the registration statement is declared effective by the SEC.  Guilford stockholders will be able to obtain the registration statement, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and any other relevant filed documents for free at the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov/).  These documents can also be obtained for free from MGI PHARMA by directing a request to MGI PHARMA Investor Relations at 952-346-4700.

Participants in Solicitation

MGI PHARMA, Guilford and their directors and officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Guilford stockholders in respect of the proposed transaction.  Information regarding MGI PHARMA's participants is available in MGI PHARMA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and its proxy statement for its 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which are filed with the SEC.  Information regarding Guilford's participants is available in Guilford's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and the proxy statement for its 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which are filed with the SEC.  Additional information regarding interests of such participants will be included in the registration statement containing the Proxy Statement/Prospectus that will be filed with the SEC.

                      GUILFORD PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
                       CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                   ($ in thousands, except share data)


                                                  June 30,      December 31,
  ASSETS                                            2005           2004
                                                 (unaudited)
    Cash and cash equivalents                      $38,878        $61,889
    Marketable securities                           18,444         27,705
    Investments - held by Symphony Neuro Development
     Company                                        23,771         32,062
    Accounts receivable, net                         5,540          4,666
    Inventories                                      3,166          2,373
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets        1,709          4,744
      Total current assets                          91,508        133,439
    Investments - restricted                         1,837         19,899
    Property and equipment, net                      1,988          1,758
    Intangibles, net                                36,069         75,943
    Other assets                                     4,980          6,096
      Total assets                                $136,382       $237,135

  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)

    Accounts payable                               $11,296        $15,333
    Current portion of long-term debt                1,941          2,916
    Accrued payroll related costs                    5,555          2,932
    Accrued contracted services                      7,665          3,929
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   5,112          6,355
      Total current liabilities                     31,569         31,465
    Long-term debt, excluding current portion       70,033         87,393
    Revenue interest obligation                     45,890         44,932
    Other liabilities                                8,899          8,320
      Total liabilities                            156,391        172,110

    Minority interest                               21,145         28,132

    Commitments and contingencies                      ---            ---

    STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT):
     Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share;
      authorized 4,700,000 shares, none issued         ---            ---
     Series A junior participating preferred stock,
      par value $0.01 per share; authorized 300,000
      shares, none issued                              ---            ---
     Common stock, par value $0.01 per share;
      authorized 125,000,000 shares, 46,638,788 and
      46,638,788 issued                                466            466
     Additional paid-in capital                    436,310        435,130
     Accumulated deficit                          (472,427)      (391,416)
     Accumulated other comprehensive loss           (1,061)        (2,130)
     Unearned compensation                          (3,830)        (3,653)
     Treasury stock, at cost; 123,415 and 304,336
      shares                                          (612)        (1,504)
       Total stockholders' (deficit) equity        (41,154)        36,893
     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
      (deficit)                                   $136,382       $237,135



                  GUILFORD PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                           (unaudited)
             ($ in thousands, except per share data)


              Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
                     2005        2004        2005        2004
  Revenue:
   Net product
    revenue         $12,384     $10,747     $22,887     $19,474
   Revenue from
    license
    fees,
    milestones
    and other           381         402         614         603
    Total
     revenue         12,765      11,149      23,501      20,077

  Costs and
   Expenses:
   Cost of sales        857       1,232       1,842       2,223
   Research and
    development      16,910       8,852      32,935      18,225
   Selling,
    general and
    administrative   14,724      14,433      29,585      26,181
   Intangible
    amortization      1,042       1,705       2,755       3,426
   Acquired in-
    process
    research and
    development         -         5,238         -         5,238
   Impairment of
    long-lived
    assets            6,093         -        37,118         -
    Total costs
     and
     expenses        39,626      31,460     104,235      55,293
  Operating Loss    (26,861)    (20,311)    (80,734)    (35,216)

  Other
   Income/(Expenses):
   Investment
    and other
    income              600         402         720         880
   Revenue
    interest
    expense          (2,107)     (2,095)     (4,203)     (4,430)
   Interest
    expense          (1,063)     (1,367)     (2,296)     (2,673)
  Loss before
   Minority
   Interest         (29,431)    (23,371)    (86,513)    (41,439)
  Minority
   Interest           2,964       2,104       5,502       2,104
  Net Loss         $(26,467)   $(21,267)   $(81,011)   $(39,335)

  Basic and
   Diluted Loss
   per Common
   Share             $(0.58)     $(0.63)     $(1.76)     $(1.16)

  Weighted-
   average
   shares used
   to calculate
   basic
   and diluted
    loss per
    share            46,015      33,954      45,969      33,938


DATASOURCE: Guilford Pharmaceuticals Inc.



CONTACT:  Stacey Jurchison, Director, Corporate Communications, Guilford,

[phone]



Web site:  http://www.guilfordpharm.com/



Company News On-Call:  http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/112882.html

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