News Pressroom

January 24, 2002

MedImmune Reports 2001 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results

       Fourth Quarter 2001 Revenues Reach $293 Million and Net Earnings
                             Grow to $99 Million

    2001 Highlights
    *  Revenues reach $619 million and net earnings grow 34 percent
    *  Announced $1.5 billion acquisition of Aviron
    *  Reacquired U.S. marketing rights for Ethyol(R) (amifostine) effective
       October 1
    *  Gained FDA approval for industry-leading Enhanced Yield Manufacturing
       process for Synagis(R) (palivizumab)
    *  In-licensed new antibody technologies: IL-9 for asthma and EphA2 for
       cancer
    *  Nine clinical trials initiated and enrollment complete in 12 trials
GAITHERSBURG, Md., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MedImmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: MEDI) today reported that net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2001 increased 34 percent to $149 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, on total revenues of $619 million. In 2000, net earnings were $111 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, on total revenues of $540 million. Revenue growth was primarily driven by increases in worldwide sales of Synagis. During 2001, worldwide sales of Synagis to wholesalers and distributors grew 21 percent to $516 million ($480 million in the U.S.) from $427 million ($399 million in the U.S.) in 2000.

"2001 was our fourth straight record year for revenues and earnings," said David M. Mott, MedImmune's chief executive officer. "During 2001, we also made several important strategic investments in our future, including the $1.5 billion acquisition of Aviron, the acquisition of U.S. marketing rights for Ethyol, and the in-licensing of the IL-9 asthma and EphA2 cancer programs. We advanced our R&D pipeline, initiating nine new clinical trials and completing patient enrollment in 12 trials. We capitalized on an R&D breakthrough with the FDA licensure of the Enhanced Yield Process for production of Synagis. We generated over $250 million in free cashflow, and ended the year with $788 million in cash and marketable securities and more than $1.2 billion in assets. We enter 2002 with a continued passion for advancing science, improving patients' lives and creating shareholder value."

Additional Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2001

Gross margins for 2001 improved to 76 percent from 74 percent in 2000 due to a change in product mix and improved manufacturing efficiencies for Synagis. Selling, general and administrative costs increased to $195 million in 2001 from $157 million in 2000 due primarily to costs associated with the previously announced reacquisition of U.S. rights to Ethyol from ALZA Corporation in the 2001 third quarter, and an increase in sales support for Synagis. Total research and development costs increased to $83 million in 2001 from $66 million in 2000 due to a larger number of active clinical trials. Other operating expenses in both 2001 and 2000 were approximately $9 million.

Results for the Fourth Quarter Ended December 31, 2001

Total revenues for the 2001 fourth quarter grew 23 percent to $293 million from $238 million in the 2000 fourth quarter. Contributing to the increase in total revenues was a 21-percent increase in product sales, driven primarily by $250 million in worldwide sales of Synagis ($238 million in U.S.) to wholesalers and distributors. This compares to the fourth quarter of 2000 when worldwide sales of Synagis to wholesalers and distributors totaled $212 million ($201 million in U.S.). Resales of Synagis by wholesalers and distributors to end-user customers during the 2001 fourth quarter are estimated to have grown 34 percent to $254 million ($225 million in the U.S.) from an estimated $189 million ($170 million in the U.S.) for the 2000 fourth quarter.

Net earnings for the 2001 fourth quarter grew 24 percent to $99 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, from $79 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, in the 2000 fourth quarter. Gross margins in the 2001 fourth quarter increased to 77 percent from 76 percent in the 2000 quarter due to a change in product mix and improved manufacturing efficiencies for Synagis. Selling, general and administrative costs grew to $67 million for the 2001 quarter from $59 million in the 2000 quarter due to an increase in sales support for Synagis. As a result of a greater number of active research, development and clinical programs, research and development expenses increased to $21 million in the 2001 quarter from $18 million in the 2000 quarter. Other operating expenses decreased to $2 million in the 2001 quarter compared to $3 million in the 2000 quarter.

Looking Ahead in 2002

MedImmune is providing the following forward-looking information as a convenience to investors. The guidance and objectives assume both the continued growth and success of MedImmune's existing business (primarily including sales of Synagis, Ethyol and CytoGam and the regulatory approval and successful launch of FluMist(TM) in the U.S. in third-quarter 2002. FluMist was acquired as a part of MedImmune's acquisition of Aviron, a formerly public company whose 2001 financial results will be subsequently filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission through an 8-K submission. These projections are based upon numerous assumptions, many of which MedImmune cannot control and which may not develop as MedImmune expects. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from the guidance and objectives described herein. Please refer to the Disclosure Notice below. Guidance and objectives provided below refer to cash earnings per share which exclude the impact of any in-process R&D writeoffs, amortization of intangibles, transaction-related expenses and other one-time items.

    For the year ending December 31, 2002:
     *  Cash earnings per share are projected to be in the range of $0.65 to
        $0.70
     *  Total revenues are projected to reach approximately $900 million
     *  For the 2001-2002 RSV season, worldwide end-user sales of Synagis are
        projected to increase to $600 to $620 million
     *  Gross margins are projected to be approximately 74 percent
     *  Research and development expenses are projected to be in the range of
        15 to 16 percent of total revenues
     *  Selling, general and administrative expenses are projected to be in
        the range of 28 to 29 percent of total revenues
     *  Other operating expense is expected to range from $70 to $75 million
        (driven by manufacturing start-up costs for FluMist in anticipation of
        regulatory approval)
     *  The tax rate is projected to be approximately 35 percent in 2002

    For the quarter ending March 31, 2002:
     *  Cash earnings per share are projected to range from $0.27 to $0.29
     *  Total revenues are projected to range from $315 to $325 million
Webcast

MedImmune is offering a live webcast of a discussion by MedImmune management of its earnings and other business results on Thursday, January 24, 2002 at 4:30 p.m. EST. The live webcast may be accessed on MedImmune's website at http://www.medimmune.com . A replay of the webcast will also be available via our website until January 31, 2002. An audio replay of the webcast will be available beginning at 7:30 p.m. EST on January 24, 2002 until 5:00 p.m. January 31, 2002 by calling 719-457-0820. The passcode for the audio replay is 573086.

MedImmune is a leading biotechnology company focused on researching, developing and commercializing products to prevent or treat infectious disease, autoimmune disease and cancer. MedImmune currently markets three products, Synagis(R) (palivizumab), Ethyol(R) (amifostine) and CytoGam(R) (cytomegalovirus immune globulin intravenous (human)), and has 12 products in clinical testing. MedImmune employs over 1,400 people, is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and has additional operations in Frederick, Maryland, as well as Pennsylvania, California, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. For more information on MedImmune, visit the company's website at http://www.medimmune.com .

Synagis(R) is marketed for the prevention of serious lower respiratory tract disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus in pediatric patients at high risk of RSV disease, which is prominent in the Northern Hemisphere from October through May (see full prescribing information at http://www.medimmune.com ). Ethyol(R) is marketed for the reduction of both cumulative renal toxicity associated with repeated administration of cisplatin in patients with advanced ovarian cancer or non-small cell lung cancer ("NSCLC") and moderate to severe xerostomia in patients undergoing post- operative radiation treatment for head and neck cancer, where the radiation port includes a substantial portion of the parotid (see full prescribing information at http://www.medimmune.com ). CytoGam(R) is marketed for the prophylaxis against cytomegalovirus disease associated with transplantation of kidney, lung, liver, pancreas, and heart (see full prescribing information at http://www.medimmune.com ). FluMist(TM) is MedImmune's investigational live attenuated intranasal influenza vaccine currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information contained in this document is as of January 24, 2002, and will not be updated as a result of new information or future events. This document contains forward-looking statements regarding MedImmune's future financial performance and business prospects. Those statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify those statements by the fact that they contain words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "project" or other terms of similar meaning. Those statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on numerous assumptions, which MedImmune cannot control and which may not develop as MedImmune expects. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are: seasonal demand for and continued supply of our principal product; availability of competitive products in the market; availability of third-party reimbursement for the cost of our products; effectiveness and safety of our products; exposure to product liability and other types of lawsuits; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; changes in generally accepted accounting principles; growth in costs and expenses; the impact of acquisitions, divestitures and other unusual items; and the risks, uncertainties and other matters discussed in MedImmune's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 and in its periodic reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K (if any) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. MedImmune cautions that RSV disease occurs primarily during the winter months; MedImmune believes its operating results will reflect that seasonality for the foreseeable future. MedImmune sells Synagis to wholesalers and distributors. MedImmune compiles and reports estimated amounts of resales of Synagis by those wholesalers and distributors to their end-user customers (primarily hospitals and pediatricians) based on unit resale data supplied to MedImmune by its wholesalers and distributors, multiplied by the quarterly average selling price of Synagis to wholesalers and distributors. MedImmune is also developing several products for potential future marketing. There can be no assurance that such development efforts will succeed, that such products will receive required regulatory clearance or that, even if such regulatory clearance were received, such products would ultimately achieve commercial success.

    MedImmune, Inc.  Selected Financial Information
    (in thousands, except per share data)

    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

                                Three Months                 Year Ended
                              Ended December 31,            December 31,
                              2001          2000         2001          2000
    Revenues:                   (unaudited)
      Product sales       $276,021      $227,394     $579,529      $495,803
      Other revenue         16,682        10,778       39,150        44,692
                           292,703       238,172      618,679       540,495

    Costs and expenses:
      Cost of sales         62,437        54,504      138,707       127,320
      Research and
       development          21,369        17,591       82,985        66,296
      Selling, general
       and administrative   66,671        59,256      194,841       157,330
      Other operating
       expenses              1,937         3,443        9,606         9,231
                           152,414       134,794      426,139       360,177

    Interest income, net     7,955         8,589       35,926        29,095

    Earnings before
     income taxes and
     cumulative effect of
     a change in
     accounting principle  148,244       111,967      228,466       209,413
    Provision for income
     taxes                  49,738        32,525       79,506        64,436
    Earnings before
     cumulative effect of
     a change in
     accounting principle   98,506        79,442      148,960       144,977
    Cumulative effect of
     a change in accounting
     principle, net of
     tax benefit                 -             -            -       (33,821)
    Net earnings           $98,506       $79,442     $148,960      $111,156

    Basic earnings per share:
    Earnings before
     cumulative effect of
     a change in
     accounting principle    $0.46         $0.38        $0.70         $0.69
    Cumulative effect
     of a change in
     accounting principle,
     net of tax benefit          -             -            -         (0.16)
    Net earnings             $0.46         $0.38        $0.70         $0.53
    Shares used in
     computing basic
     earnings per share    214,273       211,068      213,378       209,101

    Diluted earnings per share:
    Earnings before
     cumulative effect of
     a change in
     accounting principle    $0.45         $0.36        $0.68         $0.66
    Cumulative effect of
     a change in accounting
     principle, net of tax
     benefit                     -             -            -         (0.16)
    Net earnings             $0.45         $0.36        $0.68         $0.50
    Shares used in
     computing diluted
     earnings per share    220,582       220,816      220,101       220,428


    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                                 December 31,   December 31,
                                                      2001          2000
    Assets:
      Cash and marketable securities                $787,690       $526,254
      Trade and contract receivables, net            110,491        121,294
      Inventory, net                                  52,691         48,965
      Deferred taxes, net                            163,641        217,080
      Property and equipment, net                     95,402         86,383
      Other assets                                     9,471          6,599
                                                  $1,219,386     $1,006,575
    Liabilities and shareholders' equity:
      Accounts payable                                $5,873         $3,090
      Accrued expenses                               142,685        112,712
      Other liabilities                               17,011         36,889
      Long term debt                                   9,544         10,302
      Shareholders' equity                         1,044,273        843,582
                                                  $1,219,386     $1,006,575

    Common shares outstanding                        214,484        211,348


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SOURCE MedImmune, Inc.

CONTACT:          Lori Weiman, Senior Director, Corporate Communications,
                  +1-301-527-4321, or William Roberts, Manager, Investor Relations,
                  +1-301-527-4358, both of MedImmune, Inc.

URL:              http://www.medimmune.com
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