Derma Sciences, Inc. (DSCI) reported that net loss was $3.7 million, or $0.27 per share in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared with a net loss of $2.5 million, or $0.23 per share in the prior-year fourth quarter, reflecting incremental research and development expense of $2.0 million.
Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2012 were $20.1 million, compared with $16.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, an increase of 22%. This reflected 73% growth in sales of advanced wound care products to $7.7 million from $4.5 million in the prior-year quarter.
Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report a loss of $0.31 per share on revenues of $19.73 million for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.
In a separate press release, Derma Sciences announced that it has signed a long-term exclusive global rights agreement with New Cast Industries Co. Ltd. of Korea for the casting element within the TCC-EZ total contact casting system. Derma Sciences plans to begin sales of the system in markets throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America as soon as regional regulatory clearances allow, potentially as early as this summer in some instances.
The five-year agreement has automatic renewals and no sales minimums. Sales must commence by certain dates in certain geographies to maintain exclusivity in those geographies. Product will be supplied to Derma Sciences by New Cast at a discounted rate relative to prices for products sold into North America to account for pricing pressures known to exist in certain markets around the world. Further terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
This new agreement expands the Company's existing agreement with New Cast Industries that covers sales in North America.
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