SAN DIEGO, Jan. 7, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- An in-depth interview with Women First HealthCare, Inc. (Nasdaq:WFHC) chairman, president and CEO Edward F. Calesa has been published in The Wall Street Transcript today. The interview is part of a comprehensive Needham & Company Growth Conference issue featuring thirteen Needham analysts and top management from ninety-five firms.
During the interview -- which can be accessed online at womenfirst.com (Investor Relations, Interviews/Presentations area, http://www.irconnect.com/wfhc/pages/presentations.html) -- Calesa discusses the company's history, specialty pharmaceutical model and future. The interview underscores Women First's financial turnaround and the company's continuing success with the acquisition and in-license strategy it has been operating under since July 2000 when Calesa resumed the President/CEO roles. "Women First acquired seven products in the first eleven months of 2001, three of them without any upfront cash payment," observes Calesa, "and we intend to acquire additional products and/or companies that complement or expand our current offerings."
Looking forward, Women First's CEO emphasizes the company's continuing focus on building shareholder value and on profitability. "We'll be somewhere between $25-$30 million in revenue in 2001 and expect that in 2002 we'll have revenue of somewhere between $40-$50 million. We have a proven business model, an experienced management team, favorable market dynamics, demonstrated ability in acquisition and deal making, and a growing revenue base in our core pharmaceutical products. We have said publicly that we expect to break even in the fourth quarter of 2001. We are on the road to profitability and expect to be profitable in 2002 and each year thereafter."
About Women First HealthCare, Inc.
Women First HealthCare, Inc. (Nasdaq:WFHC) is a San Diego-based specialty pharmaceutical company. Founded in 1996, its mission is to help midlife women make informed choices regarding their health care and to provide pharmaceutical products -- the Company's primary emphasis -- and lifestyle products to meet their needs. Women First HealthCare is specifically targeted to women age 40+ and their clinicians. An internationally recognized Health Advisory Board of experts in women's health guides Women First HealthCare in the development of information and products for women and clinicians as women transition from perimenopause through postmenopause. The Company operates in three segments: Pharmaceuticals; Consumer Business; and Corporate Marketing. Product focus currently includes estrogen replenishment, headache/pain management, antibacterial/urinary tract infection management, dietary supplementation and self-care/lifestyle. Further information about Women First HealthCare can be found online at www.womenfirst.com, About Us and Investor Relations. Information about the Company's As We Change(r) national mail order catalog and Internet retailer can also be found online at www.aswechange.com.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, and Women First HealthCare, Inc. cautions you that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance. Women First HealthCare, Inc. disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including (i) we have incurred significant losses since we were founded in November 1996, and if midlife women do not use, and their clinicians do not recommend, the products we offer, we will continue to experience losses; (ii) there is a limited market awareness of our Company and the products and services we offer; (iii) we may not be able to identify appropriate licensing, co-promotion or acquisition candidates in the future or to take advantage of the opportunities we identify; (iv) we and our products face significant competition; (v) if we do not successfully manage any growth we experience, we may experience increased expenses without corresponding revenue increases; (vi) we are dependent on single sources of supply for all of the products we offer; (vii) reduced consumer confidence could adversely affect sales by our Consumer Business Division; and (viii) additional factors set forth in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2000 and its Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2001.