Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd. Reports Results for the Third Quarter and First Nine Months of F...( DETROIT Jan. 29 /- Caraco Pharmac...),Health

DETROIT, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd. (NYSE Alternext US: CPD) posted net sales for the third quarter ended December 31, 2008 and first nine months of Fiscal 2009 of $55.7 million and $286.2 million, respectively, as compared to $81.9 million and $158.6 million, respectively, for the third quarter and first nine months of Fiscal 2008, reflecting a decrease of 32% in the third quarter of Fiscal 2009 and an increase of 80% in the first nine months of Fiscal 2009, as compared to the corresponding periods of Fiscal 2008. The Company earned a net pre-tax income of $6.5 million and $33.4 million, respectively, during the third quarter and first nine months of Fiscal 2009, as compared to a net pre-tax income of $10.1 million and $24.6 million during the corresponding periods of Fiscal 2008. Caraco earned net income of $5.1 million and $22.9 million, respectively, for the third quarter and first nine months of Fiscal 2009, compared to net income of $10.8 million and $23.9 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods of Fiscal 2008.

Daniel H. Movens, Caraco's Chief Executive Officer, said, "The sales decline in third quarter Fiscal 2009 was primarily due to sales of one product (oxcarbazepine), launched under our marketing agreement with Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited during the third quarter of Fiscal 2008. The sales in third quarter Fiscal 2008 were significantly higher than current sales during the third quarter of Fiscal 2009 since this product enjoyed 180 days shared exclusivity in Fiscal 2008, which allowed its higher sales. Subsequent to the end of the exclusivity period, which occurred during the first quarter of Fiscal 2009, the net realizations for this product have decreased significantly as several other competitors have entered the market for this generic product. The increase in the first nine months of Fiscal 2009 of 80% is primarily due to sales of p
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