Volcano Reports 14 Percent Increase in Fourth Quarter Revenues; Medical Segment Revenues Grow 20 Percent

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Volcano Corporation (NASDAQ: VOLC), a leading developer and manufacturer of precision guided therapy tools designed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and peripheral vascular disease, today said revenues in the fourth quarter of 2011 increased 14 percent versus the fourth quarter of 2010.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2011, Volcano reported revenues of $92.7 million versus revenues of $81.2 million in the fourth quarter a year ago. Year-over-year medical segment revenues increased 20 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011. Industrial segment revenues in the fourth quarter declined 70 percent versus a year ago, due to reduced spending in the telecommunications sector.

The company reported net income on a GAAP basis of $29.4 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2011, versus a net loss of $1.7 million, or $0.03 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2010. The results for the fourth quarter of 2011 include a benefit of $22.0 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, related to the release of a portion of the company's deferred tax valuation allowance.

For the full year 2011, Volcano reported revenues of $343.5 million, an increase of 17 percent over revenues of $294.1 million in 2010. Medical segment revenues increased 23 percent and industrial segment revenues decreased 52 percent year-over-year.

The company reported GAAP net income of $38.1 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, in 2011. This compares with GAAP net income of $5.2 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, in 2010. The results for the full year 2011 include the benefit of $22.0 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, related to the release of a portion of the company's deferred tax valuation allowance.

"During the quarter, we continued to advance our mission of being the leading precision guided therapy company by gaining market share for our core businesses through technology innovation and our sales, distribution and market development initiatives," said Scott Huennekens, president and chief executive officer.

"Our total medical disposable business increased approximately 24 percent in the quarter, driven by a 37 percent increase in FFR (Fractional Flow Reserve) disposable revenues and a 19 percent increase in IVUS (Intravascular Ultrasound) disposable revenues.

"A number of important factors are helping to drive our growth. There is a growing volume of data portraying the improved patient outcomes and economic benefits from the use of Functional PCI, or the diagnosis and treatment of lesions with proven ischemia, based on function as defined with FFR—not angiography alone—and the use of intravascular guidance to optimize and confirm the therapy during the procedure. These outcomes are resulting in elevated practice guidelines for FFR and IVUS by leading clinical organizations. In addition, the increasing focus on documenting medical necessity for procedures is creating additional momentum for our technologies," he added.

Guidance for 2012

The company said that it expects revenues for 2012 will be in the range of $392-$399 million, or revenue growth of 14-16 percent and 15-17 percent on a constant currency basis. The company expects gross margin will be 64-65 percent and operating expenses will be 57-58 percent of revenues in 2012. The company expects a tax rate of approximately 40 percent and earnings per diluted share of $0.21-$0.24. Weighted average shares on a fully diluted basis at the end of 2012 are expected to be 55.5 million.

Conference Call Information

The company will hold a conference call at 2 p.m., Pacific Standard Time, (5 p.m., Eastern Standard Time), today. The teleconference can be accessed by calling (631) 291-4555, passcode 43635577, or via the company's website at http://www.volcanocorp.com. Please dial in or access the webcast 10-15 minutes prior to the beginning of the call. A replay of the conference call will be available through February 29 at (404) 537-3406, passcode 43635577, and via the company's website at http://www.volcanocorp.com.

About Volcano

Volcano Corporation is revolutionizing the medical device industry with a broad suite of technologies that make imaging and therapy simpler, more informative and less invasive. Our products empower physicians around the world with a new generation of analytical tools that deliver more meaningful information—using sound and light as the guiding elements. Founded in cardiovascular care and expanding into other specialties, Volcano is changing the assumption about what is possible in improving patient outcomes by combining imaging and therapy together. For more information, visit the company's website at www.volcanocorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements in this press release regarding Volcano's business that are not historical facts may be considered "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause Volcano's actual results to differ materially and adversely from statements contained herein. Some of the potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ include the risk that Volcano's revenue, expense, earnings, margin, or tax rate projections may turn out to be inaccurate or Volcano may encounter unanticipated difficulty in achieving those projections, the effect of competitive and economic factors, and the company's reaction to those factors, purchasing decisions with respect to the company's products, the pace and extent of market adoption of the company's products and technologies, the inherent uncertainty in the process of obtaining regulatory approval or clearance for Volcano's products or devices, the success of Volcano's growth strategies, risks associated with Volcano's international operations, timing and achievement of product development milestones, outcome of ongoing litigation, the impact and benefits of market development, our ability to protect our intellectual property, dependence upon third parties, product introductions, unexpected new data, safety and technical issues, market conditions and other risks inherent to medical and/or telecom device development and commercialization. These and additional risks and uncertainties are more fully described in Volcano's filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q , and other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Volcano disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date they are made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

SOURCE Volcano Corporation