Exhibit 99.1
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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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May 1, 2008
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CONTACTS: |
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Brent Larson,
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Tim Ryan,
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Vice President/CFO
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The Trout Group
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614 822.2330
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646.378.3924 |
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NEOPROBE ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER RESULTS
Business Update Provided and Conference Call Scheduled
DUBLIN, OHIO May 1, 2008 Neoprobe Corporation (OTCBB:NEOP News), a diversified developer of
innovative oncology and cardiovascular surgical and diagnostic products, today announced
consolidated results for the first quarter of 2008. First quarter 2008 revenues were $1.8 million
compared to $1.7 million for the first quarter of 2007. Operating expenses decreased to $1.4
million for the first quarter of 2008 from $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2007. In
addition, Neoprobe reported a net loss of $1.0 million or $0.02 per share for the quarter compared
to a loss of $1.1 million or $0.02 per share for the comparable period in 2007. Neoprobes Loss
from Operations for the first quarter of 2008 was $316,000 compared to $693,000 for the first
quarter of 2007.
Brent Larson, Neoprobes Vice President, Finance and CFO, said, Our first quarter 2008 device
revenue increased $39,000 from last years first quarter revenue. We experienced a $106,000
increase in gamma device sales which more than offset the $67,000 decline in sales from our blood
flow devices for the first quarter of 2008 compared to the first quarter of 2007. Further, first
quarter 2007 revenues included approximately $100,000 in demonstration wireless probes. Excluding
the revenue from these demonstration devices, our recurring gamma device revenues increased 13% in
first quarter 2008 compared to the prior year. Our gross margins increased for the first quarter of
2008 to 63% compared to 55% for the same period in the prior year. The recovery of our gross
margins was due to a combination of factors including the impact of the aforementioned
demonstration units, end customer price increases which offset a decrease in the revenue sharing
percentage we received on our wireless probes following their introductory period, and positive
adjustments to our warranty reserve. The combination of these factors contributed to a healthy
increase in our gross margin for the quarter.
David Bupp, Neoprobes President and CEO, said, Our operating expenses decreased for the first
quarter of 2008 compared to last year as the Phase 2 trial underway during the first quarter of
2007 was completed last year and our Phase 3 clinical trial had not been cleared to commence
patient enrollment during the first quarter of 2008. General and administrative costs increased
compared to the prior year primarily related to increased professional services costs and investor
relations activities.
The following are some of the research and development milestones achieved by Neoprobe so far in
2008:
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Obtained clearance by FDA to commence patient enrollment in a Phase 3 clinical
study to evaluate the efficacy of Lymphoseek in patients with breast cancer or
melanoma. |
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Submitted a protocol design for a Phase 3 clinical study to evaluate the efficacy
of Lymphoseek in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. |
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Completed a $3 million investment from Platinum-Montaur Life Sciences LLC. The
closing represents the second tranche received from Montaur bringing their investment
to $10 million of the total $13 million commitment made in December of last year. |
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Reviewed proposed Phase 3 Lymphoseek protocols and clinical development program
with prospective clinical investigators at March 2008 Society of Surgical Oncology
meeting. |
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Initiated the formalized scientific advice review process for Lymphoseek in the
European Union (EU). |
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NEOPROBE CORPORATION
ADD - 2
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Completed a Phase 3 clinical trial design for RIGScan CR and held pre-submission
meeting with regulatory authorities in the EU. |
In summary, our gamma device business continues to demonstrate solid overall performance despite
disappointment from our blood flow devices, Bupp continued. We expect to commence enrollment in
our first Lymphoseek Phase 3 clinical trial during the next few weeks and believe our overall
Lymphoseek development timeline remains consistent with what we have previously disclosed.
Neoprobes President and CEO, David Bupp, and Vice President and CFO, Brent Larson, will provide a
business update and discuss the companys results for the first quarter of 2008 during the
conference call scheduled for later this morning at 11:30AM ET, Thursday, May 1, 2008. The
conference call can be accessed as follows:
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| Conference Call Information |
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TO LISTEN TO A REPLAY: |
Date:
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May 1, 2008
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Available until:
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May 8, 2008
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Time:
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11:30AM ET
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Toll-free (U.S.) Dial in # :
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877-660-6853 |
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Toll-free (U.S.) Dial in # :
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877-407-9210
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International Dial in # :
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201-612-7415 |
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International Dial in # :
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201-689-8049
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Replay pass codes (both
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required for playback):
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Account # : |
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286 |
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Conference ID # : |
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283143 |
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About Neoprobe
Neoprobe is a biomedical company focused on enhancing patient care and improving patient outcome by
meeting the critical intraoperative diagnostic information needs of physicians and therapeutic
treatment needs of patients. Neoprobe currently markets the neo2000® line of gamma
detection systems that are widely used by cancer surgeons and is commercializing the
Quantix® line of blood flow measurement products developed by its subsidiary,
Cardiosonix Ltd. In addition, Neoprobe holds significant interests in the development of related
biomedical systems and radiopharmaceutical agents including Lymphoseek® and
RIGScan® CR. Neoprobes subsidiary, Cira Biosciences, Inc., is also advancing a
patient-specific cellular therapy technology platform called ACT. Neoprobes strategy is to
deliver superior growth and shareholder return by maximizing its strong position in gamma detection
technologies and diversifying into new, synergistic biomedical markets through continued investment
and selective acquisitions.www.neoprobe.com
Statements in this news release, which relate to other than strictly historical facts, such as
statements about the Companys plans and strategies, expectations for future financial performance,
new and existing products and technologies, anticipated clinical and regulatory pathways, and
markets for the Companys products are forward-looking statements The words believe, expect,
anticipate, estimate, project, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements
that speak only as of the date hereof. Investors are cautioned that such statements involve risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical or
anticipated results due to many factors including, but not limited to, the Companys continuing
operating losses, uncertainty of market acceptance of its products, reliance on third party
manufacturers, accumulated deficit, future capital needs, uncertainty of capital funding,
dependence on limited product line and distribution channels, competition, limited marketing and
manufacturing experience, risks of development of new products, regulatory risks and other risks
detailed in the Companys most recent Annual Report on Form 10-KSB and other Securities and
Exchange Commission filings. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements.
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