RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Talecris Biotherapeutics Holdings Corp. ("Talecris") (Nasdaq: TLCR) today announced its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and filed its 2010 Form 10-Q with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Second quarter 2010 net revenue increased by $27.3 million or 7.3% to $402.8 million from $375.6 million in the second quarter of 2009.  Higher revenues from Talecris' principal products Gamunex®, Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human), 10% Caprylate/Chromatography Purified (IGIV) and Prolastin® Alpha-1 Proteinase Inhibitor (Human) (A1PI) as well as albumin and Koate® DVI Factor VIII (Human) in the second quarter of 2010 were partially offset by lower sales of hyperimmunes and contract manufacturing compared to the second quarter of 2009.  Second quarter 2010 gross margin was 44.6% compared to 40.4% in the second quarter of 2009.  Second quarter 2010 income from operations was $87.7 million versus $70.5 million for the second quarter of 2009, a 24.4% increase.  Net income was $47.6 million for the second quarter of 2010, a decrease of $35.6 million compared to net income of $83.3 million for the second quarter of 2009.  Diluted earnings per share were $0.37 in the second quarter of 2010, including an after-tax charge of $5.2 million ($0.04 per diluted share) for costs associated with Talecris' definitive merger agreement with Grifols S.A. and Grifols, Inc. (Grifols), compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.89 (pro forma diluted EPS of $0.68) for the second quarter of 2009.  Talecris' second quarter 2009 results included the after-tax income from the CSL merger termination fee of $48.8 million ($0.52 per diluted share), which was partially offset by an after-tax charge of $2.1 million ($0.02 per diluted share) for CSL merger-related expenses.  

On a non-GAAP basis excluding merger-related items in both periods, Talecris' net income was $52.8 million for the second quarter of 2010, an increase of 44.3% compared to $36.6 million for the second quarter of 2009.  On the same basis, diluted earnings per share for the 2010 second quarter were $0.41, an increase of 41.4% from $0.29 for the second quarter of 2009.  Additional information regarding the computation of non-GAAP financial measures is included in Exhibit B.

For the first six months of 2010, Talecris' net revenue increased by $36.4 million or 4.9% to $783.8 million compared to $747.4 million for the prior year driven by the same sales factors cited above.  The first six months 2010 gross margin was 43.8% compared to 42.0% in the first six months of 2009, an increase of 180 basis points.  Net income for the first six months of 2010 was $93.0 million, a decrease of $23.7 million compared to net income of $116.7 million for the first six months of 2009.  Diluted EPS for the first half of 2010 was $0.73 compared to $1.24 (pro forma diluted EPS of $0.96) for the first six months of 2009.  Talecris' first six months 2010 results included an after-tax charge of $5.2 million ($0.04 per diluted share) for costs associated with the Grifols acquisition.  The first six months 2009 diluted EPS included the $48.8 million after-tax benefit of the CSL merger termination fee ($0.52 per diluted share) which was partially offset by an after-tax charge of $7.8 million ($0.08 per diluted share) for CSL merger-related expenses.

On a non-GAAP basis excluding merger-related items in both periods, Talecris' net income was $98.1 million for the first six months of 2010, a 29.4% increase compared to $75.8 million for the first six months of 2009.  On the same basis, diluted EPS was $0.77 for the first six months of 2010 compared to $0.61 for the first six months of 2009, a 26.2% increase.  Additional information regarding the computation of non-GAAP financial measures is included in Exhibit B.

"During the quarter, we announced the next step in our company's transformation - our proposed combination with Grifols to create a world-leading provider of plasma protein therapies," said Lawrence D. Stern, Talecris' chairman and chief executive officer.  "The combined company will have a more diversified and balanced product portfolio, a global footprint to provide more life saving and life enhancing therapies to the patients we serve and an innovative R&D pipeline that will provide continued value to our shareholders well into the future."

Mr. Stern continued, "For the second quarter, our performance was driven primarily by the solid demand for both Gamunex and Prolastin in the U.S. market.  Despite our results, we believe U.S. and international volumes for the IGIV industry grew below our long term view of 6-8%.  We expect that the combination of lower IGIV demand growth rate, Canadian Blood Services' multi-source strategy and increased global competitive pressures will result in the deceleration of Gamunex growth.  These factors combined with lower demand for intermediate products that support the production of albumin and Factor VIII may curb our near term growth rate."

Talecris' Form 10-Q is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on Talecris' website at http://ir.talecris.com

Discussion of Second Quarter 2010 Financial and Operating Results

Net revenue for the 2010 second quarter was $402.8 million compared to $375.6 million in the second quarter of 2009, an increase of $27.3 million or 7.3%.  Gamunex IGIV revenue increased $9.8 million or 4.8%, which consisted primarily of $9.6 million in higher volumes partially offset by unfavorable foreign exchange.  Gamunex experienced higher volumes of $17.7 million in the U.S. and Europe, which were partially offset by lower volumes of $8.1 million in Canada and other international regions.  U.S. Gamunex revenue grew 11.8% for the second quarter of 2010 compared to the second quarter of 2009.  During the period, pull through continued to grow faster than sales into the distribution channel which led to the continued decline in days-on-hand of channel inventories for Gamunex in the U.S.  Canadian Gamunex volumes were negatively impacted by lower sales to Canadian Blood Services due to their IGIV multi-source strategy.  Pricing was essentially flat for the period as price improvements in the U.S. were mostly offset by lower pricing in Europe and other international regions resulting from country mix, competitive pressures as well as unfavorable foreign exchange.  U.S. pricing was also impacted by increased Medicaid rebates as a result of the healthcare reform legislation enacted in the first quarter of 2010, higher Medicaid utilization and GPO administration fees during the second quarter of 2010 compared to the second quarter of 2009.  

Prolastin A1PI revenues increased $11.2 million or 14.5%, which primarily consisted of $10.2 million in higher volumes partially offset by $1.8 million of unfavorable foreign exchange.  Growth in volume was driven by increased number of patients on Prolastin A1PI in both the U.S. and European markets.  Koate Factor VIII revenues increased $5.7 million or 59.3% and albumin revenue increased by $2.6 million or 12.5%. These increases were offset primarily by reduced contract manufacturing for Canadian Blood Services due to their multi-source strategy and lower sales of hyperimmunes due to a customer system issue.  Revenues were also negatively impacted by competitive pressures, lingering effects of internal FCPA investigations and political tensions with Iran.  

Gross profit increased to $179.6 million for the 2010 second quarter compared to $151.6 million in the second quarter of 2009.  This increase was primarily due to lower unabsorbed infrastructure and start-up costs related to Talecris Plasma Resources, Inc. (TPR), which is Talecris' plasma collection platform, and higher Gamunex IGIV and Prolastin A1PI revenue.  Unabsorbed TPR infrastructure and start-up costs declined by $9.3 million or 84.5% to $1.7 million for the second quarter of 2010 compared to $11.0 million for the second quarter of 2009.  This improvement in gross profit was partially offset by a $4.2 million increase in non-capitalizable project expenses principally related to construction of the new fractionation facility in the second quarter of 2010 as well as single product fractionation.  Gross margin was 44.6% during the second quarter of 2010 compared to 40.4% for the 2009 second quarter, an increase of 420 basis points.  

Operating expenses for the second quarter of 2010 were $91.9 million which represented an increase of $10.9 million or 13.4% versus $81.0 million incurred during the prior year period.  The increase was largely due to $14.0 million in higher selling, general and administrative expenses driven by $6.4 million of unfavorable foreign exchange during the second quarter of 2010 compared to favorable foreign exchange of $4.0 million during the same prior year period, as well as $4.6 million in higher sales and marketing expense in the second quarter of 2010 as the result of the sales force expansion implemented in the second half of 2009.  In addition, the company incurred $8.4 million in expenses related to the company's merger agreement with Grifols in the second quarter of 2010 compared to $2.1 million in CSL merger-related expenses in the second quarter of 2009.  These increases were partially offset by a $5.2 million reduction in share-based compensation expense and a $3.1 million decrease in R&D due in large part to the cancellation of the A1PI aerosol project.

Operating income was $87.7 million during the second quarter of 2010, which represents a 24.4% increase over the $70.5 million reported during the second quarter of 2009.  Operating margin was 21.8% in the 2010 second quarter compared to 18.8% in the 2009 second quarter, an increase of 300 basis points.

Net interest expense was $12.1 million in the 2010 second quarter compared to $20.5 million in the prior year period, a decrease of $8.4 million primarily due to lower debt levels.  Income tax expense during the second quarter of 2010 was $28.2 million resulting in a 37.2% effective tax rate compared to $41.8 million for the second quarter of 2009 or a 33.4% effective tax rate.

Net income was $47.6 million for the 2010 second quarter including an after-tax charge of $5.2 million for costs associated with the announced acquisition of the company by Grifols.  This compares to $83.3 million in the second quarter of 2009, which includes the after-tax income from the CSL merger termination fee of $48.8 million which was partially offset by an after-tax charge of $2.1 million for CSL merger-related expenses.

Diluted EPS for the 2010 second quarter was $0.37 compared to $0.89 (pro forma diluted EPS of $0.68) for the 2009 second quarter.  The 2010 period included an after-tax charge of $0.04 per share related to costs associated with the Grifols acquisition, while the 2009 period included income of $0.52 per diluted share related to the after-tax effect of the CSL merger termination fee, as well as a charge of $0.02 per diluted share for merger-related expenses. Total diluted shares outstanding were 127,875,232 for the 2010 second quarter and 93,873,032 for the 2009 second quarter.

On a non-GAAP basis excluding merger-related expenses in both periods, Talecris' net income of $52.8 million for the second quarter of 2010 increased 44.3% compared to $36.6 million for the second quarter of 2009.  On the same basis, earnings per diluted share, excluding merger-related expenses, for the 2010 second quarter were $0.41, an increase of 41.4% from $0.29 for the second quarter of 2009.  Additional information regarding the computation of non-GAAP financial measures is included in Exhibit B.

The 2010 second quarter EBITDA was $96.7 million compared to $152.8 million in the 2009 second quarter.  Adjusted EBITDA was $108.7 million in the 2010 second quarter compared to adjusted EBITDA of $169.2 million in the 2009 second quarter.  Both 2009 EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA included the $75.0 million CSL termination fee.

Discussion of First Six Months of 2010 Financial and Operating Results

Net revenue was $783.8 million for the first six months of 2010 compared to $747.4 million during the same period of 2009, representing an increase of $36.4 million or 4.9%.  The increase was mainly due to $15.3 million in higher Gamunex IGIV revenue, consisting of $18.2 million in higher volumes, partially offset by $2.9 million in lower pricing.  Gamunex revenue growth was driven primarily by U.S. sales which grew 8.4% in the first half of 2010 compared to the first half of 2009.  The first six months 2010 results also reflected $18.8 million in higher Prolastin sales and higher revenues related to albumin, Koate Factor VIII and Thrombate III, partially offset by reduced contract manufacturing for Canadian Blood Services due to their multi-source strategy and lower sales of hyperimmunes.

Gross profit during the first six months 2010 totaled $343.2 million compared to $314.2 million during the first six months of 2009, an increase of $29.1 million or 9.3%, driven primarily by higher Gamunex IGIV revenue and reduced unabsorbed TPR infrastructure and start-up costs, partially offset by increases in inventory impairment provisions and non-capitalizable capital expenditures.  Unabsorbed TPR infrastructure and start-up costs decreased $21.7 million or 85.4% to $3.7 million in the first six months of 2010 compared to $25.4 million for the same period of 2009.  Inventory impairment provisions during the first six months of 2010 increased $6.8 million to $22.9 million primarily driven by higher provisions for work-in-process inventories.  Non-capitalizable capital expenditures during the first six months of 2010 were $23.0 million compared to $13.2 million during the first six months of 2009.  Gross margin was 43.8% during the period, an increase of 180 basis points from the gross margin of 42.0% for the first half of 2009.

Operating expenses totaled $175.8 million for the first six months of 2010, a 3.4% increase over the $170.0 million incurred during the first six months of 2009.  The $5.8 million increase included $9.2 million in higher selling, general and administrative expenses driven by $10.3 million of unfavorable foreign exchange during the first six months of 2010 compared to favorable foreign exchange of $0.2 million during the first six months of 2009, as well as higher sales and marketing expenses of $10.7 million due to the sales force expansion.  The company also incurred $8.4 million in expenses related to the Grifols merger agreement.  These increases were partially offset by lower share-based compensation expense of $8.5 million and the absence of $10.0 million in legal and retention expenses related to the company's merger termination agreement with CSL which occurred in the first six months of 2009.  R&D spending decreased $3.4 million during the first six months of 2010 due in large part to the cancellation of the A1PI aerosol project.

Operating income during the first six months of 2010 was $167.4 million compared to $144.2 million during the first six months of 2009, representing an increase of $23.3 million or 16.1%.  Operating margin was 21.4% in the first six months of 2010 compared to 19.3% in the first six months of 2009.

Net interest expense was $23.4 million in the first six months of 2010 compared to $41.9 million in the prior year period, a decrease of $18.5 million due largely to lower debt levels.  Income tax expense during the first six months of 2010 was $51.4 million resulting in a 35.6% effective tax rate compared to $60.8 million for the first six months of 2009 or a 34.2% effective tax rate.

Net income for the first six months 2010 was $93.0 million, a decrease of $23.7 million compared to net income of $116.7 million for the first six months of 2009.  The 2010 period includes an after-tax charge of $5.2 million for costs associated with the Grifols acquisition, while the 2009 period includes the after-tax income from the CSL merger termination fee of $48.8 million which was partially offset by an after-tax charge of $7.8 million for CSL merger-related expenses.

Diluted EPS for the first six months of 2010 was $0.73 including an after-tax charge of $0.04 per diluted share for costs associated with the Grifols acquisition.  This compares to $1.24 (pro forma diluted EPS of $0.96) in the first six months of 2009, which includes income of $0.52 per diluted share related to the after-tax effect of the CSL merger termination fee as well as a charge of $0.08 per diluted share for merger-related expenses.  Total diluted shares outstanding were 127,829,089 for the first six months of 2010 compared to diluted shares outstanding of 93,862,960 for the first six months of 2009.

On a non-GAAP basis excluding merger-related items in both periods, Talecris' net income of $98.1 million for the first six months of 2010 increased 29.4% compared to $75.8 million for the first six months of 2009.  On the same basis, earnings per diluted share, excluding merger-related expenses, for the first six months of 2010 were $0.77, an increase of 26.2% from $0.61 for the first six months of 2009.  Additional information regarding the computation of non-GAAP financial measures is included in Exhibit B.

EBITDA for the first six months of 2010 was $184.6 million, a decrease of $48.7 million from $233.3 million in the first six months of 2009 including income of $75.0 million related to the CSL merger termination. Adjusted EBITDA was $205.3 million in the first six months of 2010 compared to $267.9 million in the first six months of 2009, including income of $75.0 million related to the CSL merger termination fee, a decrease of $62.6 million.

Recent Events

Talecris achieved a number of financial and commercial milestones in the second quarter of 2010 and since the conclusion of the second quarter.  These include:

• On June 15, 2010, Talecris entered a co-promotion arrangement with Novartis Vaccines to jointly market and sell their respective post-exposure rabies products;

• On June 6, 2010, Talecris entered into a definitive merger agreement with Grifols under which Grifols will acquire, through merger transactions, all of the common stock of Talecris for a combination of $19.00 in cash and 0.641 of a newly-issued non-voting Grifols' (Class B) ordinary share for each outstanding Talecris share (the merger consideration). The 0.641 exchange ratio is subject to revision under specific circumstances.  The Grifols non-voting shares will be listed on the NASDAQ in the form of American Depositary Shares and the Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia stock exchanges and quoted on the Automated Quotation System of the Spanish Stock Exchanges.  Grifols non-voting shares will carry the same economic rights as Grifols ordinary shares. Additionally, Talecris share-based compensation will generally be converted into the right to receive the merger consideration, or, in the case of employee stock options, the right to acquire the merger consideration, as described in the merger agreement in lieu of Talecris common stock. The leading shareholders of Grifols have entered into an agreement with Talecris, subject to conditions, to vote their Grifols shares in favor of the transaction and, separately, an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., which owns approximately 49% of the outstanding Talecris common stock, has entered into an agreement with Grifols, subject to conditions, to vote its Talecris shares in favor of the transaction.  Under the terms of the agreement, completion of the transaction is subject to obtaining certain regulatory approvals, shareholder approvals, as well as other customary conditions;

• On May 24, 2010, Talecris common stock (Nasdaq: TLCR) was added to the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (Nasdaq: NBI).  The Index is designed to track the performance of a set of NASDAQ listed securities that are classified as either biotechnology or pharmaceutical according to the Industry Classification Benchmark;

• On May 13, 2010, Talecris received approval from Health Canada to launch Gamunex for subcutaneous administration in Canada, giving Gamunex the broadest set of indications for any approved subcutaneous product in Canada.  The company anticipates launching subcutaneous administration in Canada in the second half of 2010;

• Talecris is essentially complete with the conversion of U.S. patients to Prolastin-C A1PI (its next generation A1PI product) which the company launched in the U.S. in March 2010.  Talecris plans to launch Prolastin-C A1PI in Canada in the 2010 third quarter.  

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release and the accompanying tables include non-GAAP financial measures including adjustments for merger-related items, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and Consolidated Cash Flow.  For a description of these non-GAAP financial measures, including the reasons management uses these measures and reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, please see the section of the accompanying tables titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures," in Exhibit B.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements include, but are not limited to, quotations from management, statements regarding strategic and operation plans, expected charges and pro forma financial information. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties.  You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.  Although Talecris believes that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are reasonable, there is no assurance that expectations will be fulfilled.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements: impact of the announcement of the company's definitive merger agreement with Grifols and the potential impact of completion, termination or delay of the proposed merger with Grifols; the impact of competitive products and pricing; the impact of recently enacted and proposed additional U.S. healthcare reform legislation, legal proceedings or regulatory action affecting, among other things, the U.S. healthcare system, pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement, including Medicaid and Medicare; Talecris' ability to procure adequate quantities of plasma and other materials which are acceptable for use in manufacturing processes from the company's own plasma collection centers or from third-party vendors; Talecris' ability to maintain compliance with government regulations and licenses, including those related to plasma collection, production and marketing; Talecris' ability to identify growth opportunities for existing products and Talecris' ability to identify and develop new product candidates through the company's research and development activities; and the timing of, and Talecris' ability to, obtain and/or maintain regulatory approvals for new product candidates, the rate and degree of market acceptance, and the clinical utility of the company's products; unexpected shut-downs of Talecris' manufacturing and storage facilities or delays in opening new planned facilities; and other risks identified in the company's most recent filing on Form 10-Q and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings, all of which are available on the company's website.  Talecris undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement.

Exhibits

Matters Affecting Comparability (Exhibit A)

Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Exhibit B)

About Talecris Biotherapeutics: Inspiration. Dedication. Innovation.

Talecris Biotherapeutics is a global biotherapeutic and biotechnology company that discovers, develops and produces critical care treatments for people with life-threatening disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas including immunology, pulmonology, neurology, critical care, and hemostasis.

EXHIBIT A:  MATTERS AFFECTING COMPARABILITY

Talecris believes that the comparability of the financial results between the periods presented is significantly impacted by the following items:

Definitive Merger Agreement with Grifols

Talecris has entered into agreements with investment bankers related to the definitive merger agreement with Grifols.  Talecris incurred fees totaling $2.5 million under these agreements during the three months ended June 30, 2010.  The company is obligated to pay additional fees totaling $21.3 million upon successful closing of the merger transaction.  During the three months ended June 30, 2010, Talecris also incurred legal, accounting and other fees of $5.9 million associated with the definitive merger agreement.  Talecris expects to incur significant costs related to the retention of key employees, which is currently estimated at $10.5 million.  Retention amounts will likely be recognized ratably through the second quarter of 2011.      

Financial Impact of IPO and Refinancing Transactions

As discussed in Talecris' 2009 Form 10-K, the company completed IPO and refinancing transactions during the fourth quarter of 2009, which has resulted in lower average borrowings during the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, and correspondingly lower interest expense during the 2010 periods.  For the three months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, interest expense was $11.7 million and $19.6 million, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, interest expense was $23.9 million and $40.5 million, respectively.    

Comparability of Outstanding Common Shares and Pro Forma Diluted Earnings per Common Share

As discussed in Talecris' 2009 Form 10-K, the company completed IPO and refinancing transactions during the fourth quarter of 2009.  Talecris' IPO consisted of 56,000,000 shares of common stock, of which 28,947,368 shares were newly issued and sold by Talecris and 27,052,632 shares were sold by the selling stockholder, Talecris Holdings, LLC.  The net primary proceeds to Talecris of $519.7 million were used to repay amounts outstanding under Talecris' then existing First and Second Lien Term Loans.  In connection with the IPO, Talecris also converted 1,000,000 shares of the company's Series A preferred stock and 192,310 shares of Series B preferred stock into 85,846,320 shares of common stock and issued 2,381,548 shares of common stock to settle $45.3 million of accrued dividends upon the conversion of Series A and B preferred stock.  The issuance of new common shares has resulted in a significant increase in the number of common shares used in Talecris' computation of diluted earnings per common share.  The application of the net primary proceeds to Talecris from the IPO to repay the company's then existing indebtedness has resulted in a significant reduction in interest expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to the prior year periods.  

Talecris believes that the comparability of its financial results for the periods presented is enhanced by the following pro forma presentation of diluted earnings per common share.  In the table below, the pro forma diluted earnings per common share computation for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 reflects an adjustment to net income for reduced interest expense as if the net primary proceeds to Talecris from the IPO of $519.7 million had been applied to repay debt at the beginning of 2009, net of interest rate differences from the issuance of the 7.75% Notes.  The pro forma adjustment to the denominator reflects the impacts for the issuance of common shares to convert preferred stock, settle accrued dividends on the preferred stock and complete the IPO as if these events occurred at the beginning of 2009.

Definitive Merger Agreement with CSL

Talecris entered into a definitive merger agreement with CSL on August 12, 2008, which was subject to the receipt of certain regulatory approvals as well as other customary conditions. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission filed an administrative complaint before the Commission challenging the merger and a complaint in Federal district court seeking to enjoin the merger during the administrative process.  On June 8, 2009, the merger parties agreed to terminate the definitive merger agreement and as a result, CSL paid Talecris a merger termination fee of $75.0 million during the 2009 second quarter.  The U.S. Federal Trade Commission's complaints were subsequently dismissed.  Talecris incurred retention expense, including fringe benefits, of $3.0 million and $6.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, and legal costs associated with the regulatory review process of $0.3 million and $6.0 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively.  All retention amounts were paid during 2009.

EXHIBIT B:  NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Description of Adjustments and Reconciliations of U.S. GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Merger-related Expenses

Talecris believes a meaningful comparison of its results for the periods presented is enhanced by a quantified presentation of the impact of the CSL merger termination fee and CSL merger-related expenses and the Grifols merger-related expenses.  The impacts of these items on net income and diluted earnings per share are illustrated in the table below.

In addition, the 2010 diluted earnings per share reflects a significant increase in the number of common shares used in the computation of diluted earnings per share as discussed below and in "Exhibit A: Matters Affecting Comparability."   

The adjusted net income and diluted earnings per share amounts in the table below are non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered a substitute for any performance measure determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  Additional information regarding the use of these non-GAAP financial measures is included in Talecris' Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on July 29, 2010, which is available on SEC's website at www.sec.gov and Talecris' website at http://ir.talecris.com

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

Talecris believes that a meaningful analysis of its operating performance is enhanced by the use of adjusted EBITDA, as defined in Talecris' Revolving Credit Facility and Consolidated Cash Flow, as defined in its 7.75% Notes.

Both adjusted EBITDA and Consolidated Cash Flow are financial measures that are not defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (U.S. GAAP).  A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's financial performance that (i) excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in a comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP in the statement of operations, such as net income, or the statement of cash flows, such as operating cash flow, or (ii) includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the comparable measures so calculated and presented.  The non-GAAP financial measures that Talecris uses should not be considered a substitute for any performance measure determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  Talecris does not rely solely on these non-GAAP financial measures and also considers U.S. GAAP results.  Because the non-GAAP financial measures that are used are not calculated in the same manner by all companies, they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.  To properly and prudently evaluate Talecris' business, the company encourages you to also review its U.S. GAAP unaudited interim consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this press release, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate its business.  These non-GAAP financial measures have material limitations as analytical tools and you should not consider these measures in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of Talecris' results as reported under U.S. GAAP.  Additional information regarding the use of adjusted EBITDA is included in Talecris' Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on July 29, 2010, which is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and Talecris' website at http://ir.talecris.com.

In addition to the adjustments made in computing adjusted EBITDA and Consolidated Cash Flow, Talecris also considers the impact of other items when evaluating operating performance.  Certain of these items, which impact the comparability of Talecris' historical financial results, are included in the section titled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Matters Affecting Comparability," in the company's Form 10-Q.

In the following table, Talecris has presented a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA and Consolidated Cash Flow to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure, net income:

SOURCE Talecris Biotherapeutics Holdings Corp.