Isis Reports Financial Results and Highlights for Third Quart...( - Isis ends the third quarter profi...)

- Isis ends the third quarter profitable with more than $500 million in

cash

- Conference Call Webcast Monday, November 10, 8:30 a.m. EST at

http://www.isispharm.com

CARLSBAD, Calif., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISIS) today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2008. Isis' positive net income for the third quarters of 2008 and 2007 was $3.2 million and $20.0 million, respectively, driven primarily by significant revenue in each period from Isis' corporate partnerships. Additionally in the last 15 months, Isis has achieved three quarters of pro forma net income, excluding non-cash stock compensation expense.

"We maintained our financial strength, ending the third quarter profitable, while remaining on track to meet our financial guidance with a net operating loss of less than $15 million for the year on a pro forma basis and year-end cash of at least $450 million. In addition to the three quarters of pro forma net income, over the last 15 months, on a pro forma basis, we have had two quarters of net operating income, with our current quarter having a very small loss at the net operating level. Although we reported another quarter of positive net income, we are not yet at the point of sustainable profitability and our quarter-to-quarter performance will continue to fluctuate based on one-time events. However, these positive financial results reflect how we are able to create significant ongoing revenue and how close the successful execution of our business model has brought us to sustainable profitability, an important goal for
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