ERES East Resources Acquisition Company

Q4 2007 Net Revenues - $28.9 million vs. $19.9 million in Q4 2006 - a 45% increase PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- eResearchTechnology, Inc. (eRT), (NASDAQ:ERES), a leading provider of centralized ECG, eClinical technology, ePRO and other services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and related industries, announced today results for the fourth quarter of 2007 and the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2007. On November 28, 2007, the Company acquired Covance Cardiac Safety Services, Inc. (CCSS) and entered into a ten-year exclusive marketing agreement with Covance, Inc. Because there is only one month of impact on its results for 2007, the Company reported key statistics with and without the CCSS acquisition. Unless otherwise noted, all growth numbers refer to changes from the same period a year ago. Highlights of the fourth quarter and the year were: -- Record quarterly net revenue of $28.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2007 (including $1.5 million from the CCSS transaction) a 45.1% increase from the prior year's quarter. Net revenues for the full year 2007 were $98.7 million. -- Gross margin percentage increased to 52.6% which would have been higher by 2.5% had we excluded the CCSS acquisition (or 55.1%); for the full year 2007, the gross margin percentage was 50.7%. -- Pre-tax margin percentage increased to 27.8% which would have been higher by 3.3% had we excluded the CCSS acquisition (or 31.1%); for the full year 2007, the pre-tax margin percentage was 24.8%. -- Diluted net income per share increased to $0.10, which would have been $0.01 higher had we excluded the CCSS acquisition (or $0.11); for the full year 2007, diluted net income per share was $0.29. -- New bookings increased to $39.2 million, an increase of 42.5%; for 2007 new bookings were a record $138.6 million. -- Backlog increased to $140.2 million as of December 31, 2007 (including the CCSS acquisition), an increase of 45.4% from the prior year. The Company reported net income of $5.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2007, a 129.9% increase from $2.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. Diluted net income per share was $0.10 in the fourth quarter of 2007 (which was negatively affected by the CCSS transaction by $0.01), compared to $0.04 in the fourth quarter of 2006. "We feel that the fourth quarter was a very successful one -- we recorded the highest level of net revenues in eRT's history, increased net income by 129.9%, recorded a near record level of new bookings, processed the highest number of ECG transactions in eRT's history and completed the acquisition of CCSS," said Dr. Michael McKelvey, President and CEO of eRT. "For the year, we grew net revenues by 14.3% and the bottom line by 83.5%, demonstrating the leverage of our operating model. We also recorded the highest level of new bookings in eRT's history. The CCSS integration is moving along as planned and will be an important factor in our long-term growth." For the full year ended December 31, 2007, the Company reported net revenues of $98.7 million compared to $86.4 million for the full year ended December 31, 2006, a 14.3% increase. The Company's gross margin percentage for 2007 was 50.7% compared to 48.4% for 2006. Pre-tax income percentage for 2007 was 24.8% compared to 15.3% for 2006. The Company reported net income of $15.3 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for 2007 compared to net income of $8.3 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for 2006, an 83.5% increase. The Company's effective tax rate was 37.6% for 2007 compared to 37.1% for 2006. Cash flow from operations for 2007 was $36.0 million, up from $16.3 million in 2006. After completing the CCSS transaction of $35.8 million, eRT ended the year with $46.9 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments. Commenting on the year as a whole, Dr. McKelvey said "Our success in 2007 gives us a strong basis for growth in 2008 and beyond. We enter 2008 with a healthy backlog, a good trajectory of revenue growth, enhanced scale and increased market share from our recent acquisition, a strong pipeline of bookings opportunities and a state-of-the-art new workflow system (EXPeRT(R) 2) that provides us with a scalable platform for operational excellence. The clinical trials industry continues to focus on the importance of cardiac safety and running Thorough QTc trials. In addition, we also invested in our eClinical line of business and launched a new line of business -- electronic patient reported outcomes (ePRO)." As for 2008, Dr. Michael McKelvey concluded: "The strong momentum that we developed throughout 2007, along with a healthy overall business environment for cardiac safety and the need for technology-based solutions for clinical trials, gives us confidence that we will have a successful 2008." 2008 Guidance The Company issued guidance for the first quarter of 2008. eRT anticipates net revenues of between $31.0 million and $33.0 million and net income per diluted share of $0.08 to $0.10 for the first quarter ending March 31, 2008. For the full year ending December 31, 2008, management anticipates net revenues of between $130 million and $137 million. Management anticipates earnings per diluted share of between $0.42 and $0.46 for the full year ending December 31, 2008. This guidance includes the costs associated with the closing of the Reno facility and other integration costs of CCSS. Costs associated with this will be more heavily skewed to the first three quarters of the year. Revenue and gross margin for the first three quarters will also include a higher percentage of lower margin backlog revenue then in the later part of the year. Conference Call Dr. McKelvey and Richard Baron, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, will hold a conference call to discuss these results. The conference call will take place at 5:00 p.m. EST on February 26, 2008. For the conference call interested participants should dial 866-578-5771 when calling within the United States or 617-213-8055 when calling internationally along with the pass code 91743845. There will be a playback available through 11:59 p.m. (Eastern) on March 4, 2008. To listen to the playback, please call 800-286-8010 when calling within the United States or 617-801-6888 when calling internationally. Please use pass code 46120621 for the replay. This call is being webcast by Thomson Financial and can be accessed at eRT's web site at http://www.ert.com/. The webcast may also be accessed at http://phx.corporate-ir.net/playerlink.zhtml?c=119164&s=wm&e=1764127. The webcast can be accessed until February 26, 2009 on either site. About eResearchTechnology, Inc. Based in Philadelphia, PA, eResearchTechnology, Inc. (http://www.ert.com/) is a provider of technology and services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries on a global basis. The Company is a market leader in providing centralized core-diagnostic electrocardiographic (ECG) technology and services to evaluate cardiac safety in clinical development. The Company is also a leader in providing technology and services to streamline the clinical trials process by enabling its customers to automate the collection, analysis, and distribution of clinical data in all phases of clinical development. Statements included in this release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements, including, but not limited to, 2008 financial guidance, involve a number of risks and uncertainties such as the Company's ability to obtain new contracts and accurately estimate net revenues due to uncertain regulatory guidance, variability in size, scope and duration of projects, and internal issues at the sponsoring client, integration of acquisitions, competitive factors, technological development, and market demand. As a result, actual results may differ materially from any financial outlooks stated herein. Further information on potential factors that could affect the Company's financial results can be found in the Company's Reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. eResearchTechnology, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended December 31, The Year Ended December 31, 2006 2007 2006 2007 (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) Net revenues: Licenses $681 $687 $3,017 $2,700 Services 13,269 21,565 55,309 69,547 Site support 5,975 6,657 28,042 26,451 Total net revenues 19,925 28,909 86,368 98,698 Costs of revenues: Cost of licenses 58 105 286 304 Cost of services 6,301 8,932 25,431 30,522 Cost of site support 4,329 4,665 18,821 17,808 Total costs of revenues 10,688 13,702 44,538 48,634 Gross margin 9,237 15,207 41,830 50,064 Operating expenses: Selling and marketing 2,364 3,143 11,051 11,222 General and administrative 2,910 3,343 14,668 12,258 Research and development 818 1,178 4,146 4,333 Total operating expenses 6,092 7,664 29,865 27,813 Operating income 3,145 7,543 11,965 22,251 Other income, net 183 503 1,250 2,206 Income before income taxes 3,328 8,046 13,215 24,457 Income tax provision 1,084 2,887 4,905 9,205 Net income $2,244 $5,159 $8,310 $15,252 Basic net income per share $0.04 $0.10 $0.17 $0.30 Diluted net income per share $0.04 $0.10 $0.16 $0.29 Shares used to calculate basic net income per share 49,988 50,618 49,474 50,476 Shares used to calculate diluted net income per share 51,364 51,929 51,485 51,743 eResearchTechnology, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except share and per share amounts) December 31, 2006 December 31, 2007 ASSETS (unaudited) Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $15,497 $38,082 Short-term investments 41,416 8,797 Accounts receivable, net 17,866 26,718 Prepaid income taxes 2,819 743 Prepaid expenses and other 2,761 3,087 Deferred income taxes 912 901 Total current assets 81,271 78,328 Property and equipment, net 31,129 33,347 Goodwill 1,212 30,908 Long-term investments 928 - Intangible assts - 3,849 Deferred income taxes - 1,011 Other assets 524 253 Total assets $115,064 $147,696 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $4,360 $3,505 Accrued expenses 3,445 12,103 Income taxes payable 781 2,352 Current portion of capital lease obligations 40 1,097 Deferred revenues 11,325 13,905 Total current liabilities 19,951 32,962 Capital lease obligations, excluding current portion - 48 Deferred income taxes 1,491 - Other liabilities - 1,174 Total liabilities 21,442 34,184 Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock-$10.00 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding - - Common stock-$.01 par value, 175,000,000 shares authorized, 58,356,546 and 58,870,291 shares issued, respectively 584 589 Additional paid-in capital 83,493 87,957 Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,510 1,679 Retained earnings 70,225 85,477 Treasury stock, 8,247,119 shares at cost (62,190) (62,190) Total stockholders' equity 93,622 113,512 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $115,064 $147,696 eResearchTechnology, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands) Year Ended December 31, 2006 2007 (unaudited) Operating activities: Net income $8,310 $15,252 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 11,253 15,129 Cost of sales of equipment 3,722 1,143 Provision for uncollectible accounts 111 30 Share-based compensation 2,975 2,004 Investment impairment charge 226 - Changes in operating assets and liabilities exclusive of CCSS acquisition: Accounts receivable (2,567) (4,192) Prepaid expenses and other 132 352 Accounts payable 950 (2,147) Accrued expenses (1,779) 2,806 Income taxes (2,104) 3,137 Deferred revenues (4,897) 2,487 Net cash provided by operating activities 16,332 36,001 Investing activities: Purchases of property and equipment (15,181) (11,073) Purchases of investments (46,425) (58,008) Proceeds from sales of investments 40,658 91,555 Payments for acquisition - (35,800) Net cash used in investing activities (20,948) (13,326) Financing activities: Repayment of capital lease obligations (153) (2,504) Proceeds from exercise of stock options 3,851 1,655 Stock option income tax benefit 3,400 760 Repurchase of common stock for treasury (5,803) - Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 1,295 (89) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 386 (1) Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (2,935) 22,585 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 18,432 15,497 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $15,497 $38,082 DATASOURCE: eResearchTechnology, Inc. CONTACT: Richard Baron of eResearchTechnology, Inc., +1-215-282-5566; or Robert East of Westwicke Partners, LLC, +1-410-321-9652, for eResearchTechnology, Inc. Web site: http://www.ert.com/

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