Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number: 001-04389

APPLERA CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware   06-1534213

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

301 Merritt 7, Norwalk, Connecticut   06851-1070
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(203) 840-2000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer  x

  

Accelerated filer  ¨

Non-accelerated filer    ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

  

Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ¨    No  x

As of the close of business on May 5, 2008, there were 168,663,895 shares of Applera Corporation-Applied Biosystems Group Common Stock and 79,980,240 shares of Applera Corporation-Celera Group Common Stock outstanding.


Table of Contents

APPLERA CORPORATION

INDEX

 

Part I. Financial Information

   Page

Item 1.

   Financial Statements – (unaudited)   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007

   1
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at
March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2007

   2
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
Nine Months Ended March 31, 2008 and 2007

   3
  

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   4-31

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
 Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  
  

Discussion of Applera Corporation

   32-46
  

Discussion of Applied Biosystems Group

   47-53
  

Discussion of Celera Group

   54-57
  

Market Risks

   58
  

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors

   58-77

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    78

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    78

Part II. Other Information

  

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings    79

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors    79-81

Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    82-83

Item 6.

   Exhibits    84


Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.    Financial Statements.

 

APPLERA CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
         Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008     2007            2008       2007  

  Products

   $460,283     $442,476          $ 1,342,425     $ 1,284,326  

  Services

   91,721     61,816            248,129       180,738  

  Other

   39,354     34,760            118,839       101,246  

  Total Net Revenues

   591,358     539,052            1,709,393       1,566,310  

  Products

   208,242     205,352            607,192       612,069  

  Services

   39,635     27,571            105,397       78,708  

  Other

   3,154     3,217            8,925       8,843  

  Total Cost of Sales

   251,031     236,140            721,514       699,620  

  Gross Margin

   340,327     302,912            987,879       866,690  

  Selling, general and administrative

   180,848     157,258            512,413       454,485  

  Research and development

   58,564     67,268            174,014       187,330  

  Amortization of purchased intangible assets

   5,111     2,841            12,439       8,420  

  Employee-related charges, asset impairments and other

   4,948                  8,233       6,013  

  Asset dispositions and legal settlements

   (1,100 )                (8,656 )     (1,058 )

  Acquired research and development

                              114,251  

  Operating Income

   91,956     75,545            289,436       97,249  

  Gain (loss) on investments, net

   (3,026 )                (415 )     209  

  Interest expense

   (2,174 )   (456 )          (7,375 )     (760 )

  Interest income

   7,933     11,070            28,197       30,932  

  Other income (expense), net

   404     2,405            2,596       4,861  

  Income before Income Taxes

   95,093     88,564            312,439       132,491  

  Provision for income taxes

   19,848     17,666            88,906       53,116  

  Net Income

   $  75,245     $  70,898          $  223,533     $   79,375  

  Applied Biosystems Group (see Note 4)

                                 

    Net Income per Share

                                 

      Basic

   $      0.49     $      0.41          $  1.32     $ 0.50  

      Diluted

   $      0.48     $      0.39          $  1.28     $ 0.48  

    Dividends Declared per Share

   $  0.0425     $  0.0850          $ 0.1275     $ 0.1700  

  Celera Group (see Note 4)

                                 

    Net (Loss) per Share

                                 

      Basic and diluted

   $     (0.09 )   $     (0.06 )        $ (0.08 )   $ (0.15 )

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the Applera Corporation unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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APPLERA CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

    

At March 31,

2008

   

At June 30,

2007

 

Assets

            

  Current assets

            

    Cash and cash equivalents

   $    426,328     $   323,203  

    Short-term investments

   276,634     732,757  

      Accounts receivable (net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $16,211 and $7,422 respectively)

   491,191     452,873  

    Inventories, net

   180,978     140,349  

    Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   174,164     179,445  

  Total current assets

   1,549,295     1,828,627  

  Property, plant and equipment, net

   383,984     390,810  

  Goodwill and intangible assets, net

   529,368     297,962  

  Other long-term assets

   587,800     635,141  

  Total Assets

   $ 3,050,447     $3,152,540  

  Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

            

  Current liabilities

            

    Loans payable

   $    125,123     $               -  

    Accounts payable

   160,379     162,665  

    Accrued salaries and wages

   94,386     108,552  

    Current deferred tax liability

   15,952     15,633  

    Accrued taxes on income

   11,242     66,701  

    Other accrued expenses

   324,974     269,623  

  Total current liabilities

   732,056     623,174  

  Other long-term liabilities

   246,129     213,312  

  Total Liabilities

   978,185     836,486  

  Stockholders’ Equity

            

    Capital stock

            

Applera Corporation–Applied Biosystems Group

   2,134     2,133  

Applera Corporation–Celera Group

   799     790  

    Capital in excess of par value

   2,279,309     2,248,372  

    Retained earnings

   1,094,817     854,721  

    Accumulated other comprehensive income

   19,183     11,363  

    Treasury stock, at cost

   (1,323,980 )   (801,325 )

  Total Stockholders’ Equity

   2,072,262     2,316,054  

  Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 3,050,447     $3,152,540  

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the Applera Corporation unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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APPLERA CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

     Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2008     2007  

  Operating Activities of Continuing Operations

                

  Net income

   $ 223,533     $ 79,375  

  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash

      provided by operating activities:

                

      Depreciation and amortization

     66,238       64,361  

      Asset impairments

     3,080       3,000  

      Employee-related charges and other

     6,610       3,013  

      Share-based compensation and pension

     22,595       14,361  

      Deferred income taxes

     61,386       7,658  

      Sale of assets and legal settlements, net

     (2,611 )     (209 )

      Acquired research and development

             114,251  

  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                

    Accounts receivable

     25,663       (22,674 )

    Inventories

     (32,185 )     (11,565 )

    Prepaid expenses and other assets

     2,552       (3,598 )

    Accounts payable and other liabilities

     (32,089 )     (36,300 )

  Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
of Continuing Operations

     344,772       211,673  

  Net Cash Provided by Discontinued Operations

     12,900          

  Investing Activities of Continuing Operations

                

  Additions to property, plant and equipment, net

     (34,087 )     (45,477 )

  Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale investments

     106,119       205,952  

  Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investments

     480,995       339,832  

  Purchases of available-for-sale investments

     (132,549 )     (714,001 )

  Acquisitions and investments, net of cash acquired

     (214,750 )     (121,673 )

  Investment in alliance activity, net

     (27 )     (1,887 )

  Proceeds from the sale of assets, net

     3,725       372  

  Net Cash Provided (Used) by Investing Activities
of Continuing Operations

     209,426       (336,882 )

  Financing Activities of Continuing Operations

                

  Net change in revolving credit line

     25,000          

  Proceeds from loan payable

     100,000          

  Payments on loans payable and debt

     (10,591 )        

  Dividends

     (22,708 )     (23,241 )

  Purchases of common stock for treasury

     (601,505 )     (68,540 )

  Proceeds from stock issued for stock plans and other

     72,824       111,135  

  Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities
of Continuing Operations

     (436,980 )     19,354  

  Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash

     (26,993 )     4,010  

  Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents

     103,125       (101,845 )

  Cash and Cash Equivalents Beginning of Period

     323,203       434,191  

  Cash and Cash Equivalents End of Period

   $ 426,328     $ 332,346  

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the Applera Corporation unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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APPLERA CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1 – Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Basis of Presentation

We prepare our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. In preparing these statements, we are required to use estimates and assumptions. While we believe we have considered all available information, actual results could affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of trends or future financial results. When used in these notes, the terms “Applera,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” mean Applera Corporation and its subsidiaries.

 

We consistently applied the accounting policies described in our 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders in preparing these unaudited interim financial statements, except for the adoption of FIN 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes–an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” and FIN 48-1, “Definition of Settlement in FASB Interpretation No 48” as discussed below. We made all adjustments that are necessary, in our opinion, for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods. These adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. We condensed or omitted from these interim financial statements several notes and other information included in our 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders. You should read these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements presented in our 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders. We have reclassified some prior year amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes for comparative purposes.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - an amendment to FASB Statement No. 133.” SFAS No. 161 is intended to help investors better understand how derivative instruments and hedging activities affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows through enhanced disclosure requirements. The provisions of SFAS No. 161 are effective for our 2010 fiscal year, beginning July 1, 2009.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations,” which replaces SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations.” SFAS No. 141R establishes the principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, the goodwill acquired and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree. SFAS No. 141R also establishes the disclosure requirements for a business combination. The provisions of SFAS No. 141R are effective for our 2010 fiscal year, beginning July 1, 2009.

 

Also in December 2007, the FASB ratified the consensus reached by the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) on Issue No. 07-1, “Accounting for Collaborative Arrangements.” EITF 07-1 defines collaborative arrangements and establishes reporting and disclosure requirements for transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement and between participants in the arrangement and third parties. The provisions of EITF 07-1 are effective for our 2010 fiscal year, beginning July 1, 2009. We are currently evaluating the provisions of EITF 07-1 and the resulting impact of adoption on our financial statements.

 

In June 2007, the FASB ratified the consensus reached by the EITF on Issue No. 06-11, “Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards.” EITF 06-11 states that an entity should recognize a realized tax benefit associated with dividends or dividend equivalents on nonvested equity shares, nonvested equity share units, and outstanding equity share options charged to retained earnings as an increase in capital in excess of par value. The amount recognized in capital in excess of par value should be included in the pool of excess tax benefits available to absorb potential future tax deficiencies on share-based payment awards. EITF 06-11 should be applied prospectively to income tax benefits of dividends on equity-classified share-based payment awards that are declared in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007. The provisions of EITF 06-11 are effective for our 2009 fiscal year, beginning July 1, 2008. We are currently evaluating the provisions of EITF 06-11 and the resulting impact of adoption on our financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

APPLERA CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

continued

 

Adoption of FIN 48

We adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. (“FIN”) 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” and FIN 48-1, “Definition of Settlement in FASB Interpretation No. 48” on July 1, 2007. FIN 48 addresses the recognition and measurement of uncertain income tax positions using a “more-likely-than-not” threshold and also requires enhanced disclosures in the financial statements. FIN 48-1 amends FIN 48 to provide guidance on how companies should determine whether a tax position is effectively settled for the purpose of recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits.

 

As a result of our adoption of FIN 48, we recognized a $36.7 million increase in our opening retained earnings relating to our uncertain tax positions. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits at July 1, 2007 was $67.9 million, of which $33.3 million would affect the effective tax rate if recognized. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in our provision for income taxes. Although our tax filings are under continual examination by the tax authorities and we regularly assess our tax uncertainties, tax examinations are inherently uncertain.

 

During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) completed its audit of our fiscal years 2001 through 2005. The decrease in our unrecognized tax benefits of $41.0 million was primarily related to the completion of the IRS audit as well as foreign audits. As a result, at March 31, 2008, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate, if recognized, was $17.4 million. The impact to our cash flow was immaterial.

 

The U.S. statutes of limitation are open for the fiscal tax years 2004 forward. Our major foreign jurisdictions are subject to examination for the tax years 2002 forward. Due to the complex and uncertain examination process, the resolution of such examinations could have a material impact on our results of operations.

 

Revenues and Accounts Receivable

In conjunction with the acquisition of Berkeley HeartLab, Inc. (“BHL”), we have updated our revenue recognition policy as follows:

 

We record revenue on entering into a final agreement with the customer that includes the specific nature and terms of the revenue-generating activity and for which collectibility is reasonably assured, which is generally at the time of shipment of products or performance of services. Concurrently, we record provisions for warranty, returns, and installation based on historical experience and anticipated product performance. Discounts are recorded as sales reductions concurrently with the applicable sale. Cash discounts are recorded as sales reductions on our receipt of the sales proceeds. Deferred revenues consist of prepayments for trade-ins and service contracts. Revenue is not recognized at the time of shipment of products in situations where risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the customer at a point other than shipment due to the shipping terms, the existence of an acceptance clause, the achievement of milestones, or some return or cancellation privileges. Revenue is recognized once customer acceptance occurs or the acceptance provisions lapse. Service revenue is recognized over the period services are performed. Amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling are included in net revenues, whereas shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales.

 

In revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables, we record revenue as the separate elements are delivered to the customer if the delivered item is determined to represent a separate earnings process, there is objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered item, and delivery or performance of the undelivered item is probable and substantially in our control. For instruments where installation is determined to be a separate earnings process, the portion of the sales price allocable to the fair value of the installation is deferred and recognized when installation is complete. We determine the fair value of the installation process based on technician labor billing rates, the expected number of hours to install the instrument based on historical experience, and amounts charged by third parties. Arrangements with multiple elements or deliverables must be segmented into individual units of accounting based on the separate deliverables only if there is objective and verifiable evidence of fair value to allocate the consideration received to the deliverables. Revenues from multiple-element arrangements involving license fees, up-front payments and milestone payments, which are received and/or billable in connection with other rights and services that represent our continuing obligations are deferred until all of the multiple elements have been delivered or until objective and verifiable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered elements has been established. On establishing objective and verifiable evidence of the fair value of the elements in multiple-element arrangements, the fair value is allocated to each element of

 

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APPLERA CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

continued

 

the arrangement, such as license fees or research collaboration projects, based on the relative fair values of the elements. We determine the fair value of each element in multiple-element arrangements based on objective and verifiable evidence of fair value, which is determined for each element based on the prices charged when the similar elements are sold separately to third parties. If objective and verifiable evidence of fair value of all undelivered elements exists but objective and verifiable evidence of fair value does not exist for one or more delivered elements, then revenue is recognized using the residual method. Under the residual method, the revenues from delivered elements are not recognized until the fair value of the undelivered element or elements has been determined. Contract interpretation is normally required to determine the appropriate accounting, including whether the deliverables specified in a multiple element arrangement should be treated as separate units of accounting for revenue recognition purposes, and if so, how the price should be allocated among the deliverable elements, when to begin to recognize revenue for each element, and the period over which revenue should be recognized.

 

We recognize royalty revenues when earned over the term of the agreement in exchange for the grant of licenses to use our products or some technologies for which we hold patents. We recognize revenue for estimates of royalties earned during the applicable period, based on historical activity, and make revisions for actual royalties received in the following quarter. For those arrangements where royalties cannot be reasonably estimated, we recognize revenue on the receipt of cash or royalty statements from our licensees. In addition, we recognize up-front nonrefundable license fees when due under contractual agreement, unless we have specific continuing performance obligations requiring deferral of all or a portion of such fees. We have adopted the provisions of Statement of Position (SOP) 97-2, “Software Revenue Recognition” for license fees with extended terms. Specifically, if it cannot be concluded that a licensee fee is fixed or determinable at the outset of an arrangement, revenue is recognized as payments from third parties become due.

 

A portion of the Celera group’s reported net product revenues include our product sales to Abbott Laboratories and equalization payments we receive from Abbott resulting from a profit and loss sharing arrangement between the Celera group and Abbott. Costs associated with our product sales to Abbott are included in cost of sales. End-user sales to third parties are recognized by Abbott. Research and development and administrative costs incurred by us in connection with the Abbott alliance are presented on a gross basis in our interim condensed consolidated statements of operations. All revenues, costs and expenses of the alliance are shared equally by both parties. At the end of each reporting period, the two companies compare a statement of revenues and expenses for alliance activities recorded by each party. A calculation is made to determine the amount that needs to be paid to evenly split both the revenue and expenses. This payment to the Celera group is referred to as the equalization payment and is recorded as revenue by the Celera group. The timing and nature of equalization payments can lead to fluctuations in both reported revenues and gross margins from period to period due to changes in end-user sales of alliance products and differences in relative operating expenses between the alliance partners.

 

Also, a portion of the Celera group’s reported net revenues include patient test service revenues associated with BHL’s operations. We recognize patient test service revenues on completion of the testing process and when the test results are sent to the ordering healthcare provider. Billings for services reimbursed by third-party payors, including Medicare, are recorded net of allowances for differences between amounts billed and the estimated receipts from these payors. These allowances are determined based on historical activity. Since the acquisition date through March 31, 2008, revenue from Medicare patients represented approximately 38% of the total BHL patient test service revenues. Payment arrangements with third parties, such as Medicare and some insurance companies, include predetermined reimbursement rates for patient tests. Adjustments to the estimated receipts, based on final settlement with the third-party payors, including Medicare, are recorded in revenue on settlement.

 

We have an established process to estimate and review the collectibility of our receivables. Bad debt expense is recorded in SG&A expenses as a percentage of aged accounts receivable considered necessary to maintain an appropriate level of allowance for doubtful accounts. Receivables are reserved based on their respective aging categories. Our process for determining the appropriate level of the allowance for doubtful accounts involves judgment, and considers the age of the underlying receivables, type of payor, historical and projected collection experience, current economic and business conditions, and other external factors that could affect the collectibility of its receivables. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed for adequacy, at a minimum, on a quarterly basis. An account is written-off against the allowance

 

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APPLERA CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

continued

 

for doubtful accounts when all reasonable collection efforts have been unsuccessful and it is probable the receivable will not be recovered or the account has been transferred to a third party collection agency.

 

Note 2 – Events Impacting Comparability

 

We are providing the following information on some actions taken by us or events that occurred in the periods indicated:

 

  Income/(charge)    Three months ended
March 31,
        Nine months ended
March 31,
 
  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008     2007         2008     2007  

  Severance and benefit costs

   $(1.3 )   $    -         $(5.0 )   $         -  

  Asset impairments

                         (3.0 )

  Excess lease space

   (0.9 )             (0.9 )      

  Other

   (2.8 )             (2.4 )   (3.6 )

  Reduction of expected costs

                         0.6  

  Total employee-related charges, asset impairments and other

   $(5.0 )   $    -         $(8.3 )   $    (6.0 )

  Other events impacting comparability:

                            

      Revenue from sale of small molecule program

   $     -     $    -         $     -     $     2.5  

      Asset dispositions and legal settlements

   1.1               8.7     1.1  

      Acquired research and development

                         (114.3 )

      Investment gains (losses)

   (3.1 )             (0.5 )      

      Tax items

   8.9     8.4         6.6     18.2  

 

Employee-Related Charges, Asset Impairments and Other

The following items have been recorded in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations in employee-related charges, asset impairments and other, except as noted.

 

Applied Biosystems group

 

Fiscal 2008

During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Applied Biosystems group recorded a pre-tax charge of $1.1 million primarily for professional fees related to the Celera group’s anticipated separation from Applera. The Applied Biosystems group and the Celera group have agreed to share equally the costs incurred for the separation.

 

During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, the Applied Biosystems group recorded a pre-tax charge of $2.9 million for severance costs for 41 employees. The charge resulted from the realignment of the Applied Biosystems group’s organization to support market dynamics and it plans on redirecting the savings into other strategic initiatives. All of the affected employees were notified as of December 31, 2007, and are expected to be terminated by June 30, 2008. During the second and third quarters of fiscal 2008, we made cash payments of $1.7 million related to this charge. Cash expenditures were funded by cash provided by operating activities. The remaining cash expenditures of $1.2 million are expected to be paid by June 30, 2008.

 

Charges prior to fiscal 2007

During the first nine months of fiscal 2008, the Applied Biosystems group made cash payments of approximately $0.9 million related to excess facility lease space charges recorded in fiscal 2005. The remaining cash payments of $0.8 million as of March 31, 2008 are expected to be disbursed by fiscal 2011. In accordance with SFAS 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities”, the excess facility lease space charge included a reduction for future estimated sublease rentals for the property. A sublease rental was not obtained for the property and over the course of the lease, additional charges of $0.6 million were recorded in operating expenses. Additionally, in the second quarter of fiscal 2007, a charge of $0.5 million was recorded in operating expenses to reserve for additional estimated costs under the lease.

 

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Celera group

 

Fiscal 2008

During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Celera group recorded a pre-tax charge of $1.3 million for severance costs for approximately 30 employees. All of the affected employees were notified by March 31, 2008, and are expected to be terminated by the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2009. During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, we made net cash payments of $0.7 million related to this charge. Cash expenditures were funded by available cash. The remaining cash expenditures of $0.6 million are expected to be paid by the third quarter of fiscal 2009. This charge resulted from the realigning of its R&D resources and other activities in line with its current business activities.

 

Also during the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Celera group recorded a pre-tax charge of $1.1 million primarily for professional fees related to the Celera group’s anticipated separation from Applera. The Celera group and the Applied Biosystems group have agreed to share equally the costs incurred for the separation.

 

During the second and third quarters of fiscal 2008, the Celera group recorded pre-tax charges totaling $1.3 million related to a reduction in the Celera group’s proteomic-based activities. These charges were in addition to a charge recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, as described below. These charges were primarily comprised of a $0.8 million charge in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 for severance costs for approximately 20 employees and an excess lease space charge of $0.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, partially offset by a gain of $0.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 from the disposal of equipment related to proteomic-based activities. All of the affected employees were notified by October 31, 2007, and are expected to be terminated by the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. During the second and third quarters of fiscal 2008, we made net cash payments of $0.7 million related to the severance charge. Cash expenditures were funded by available cash. The remaining cash expenditures of $0.1 million for the severance charge are expected to be paid by the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2009. The excess lease space charge represented the estimated cost of excess lease space less estimated future sublease income for a lease on a facility in Rockville, Maryland, which extends through April 2010. These charges resulted from the Celera group’s desire to improve its financial results, in part by lowering operating expenses.

 

Fiscal 2007

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, the Celera group recorded a pre-tax charge of $0.5 million for severance costs for approximately 20 employees. The charge resulted from a reduction in the Celera group’s proteomics-based activities. All of the affected employees were notified as of June 30, 2007, and were terminated by October 31, 2007. During the first nine months of fiscal 2008, we made cash payments of $0.5 million, which represented the remaining payments related to this charge. Cash expenditures were funded by available cash.

 

During the second quarter of fiscal 2007, the Celera group recorded a pre-tax charge of $2.5 million, which was primarily comprised of a $3.0 million pre-tax charge for the write-down of the carrying amount of an owned facility that was impaired initially in fiscal 2006, partially offset by a pre-tax benefit of $0.6 million for a reduction in anticipated employee-related costs associated with severance and benefit charges recorded in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2006.

 

During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Celera group recorded a pre-tax charge of $3.5 million for its estimated share of a damage award in continuing litigation between Abbott Laboratories, our alliance partner, and Innogenetics N.V. In September 2006, a jury found that the sale of hepatitis C virus (“HCV”) genotyping analyte specific reagents (“ASRs”) products by Abbott willfully infringed a U.S. patent owned by Innogenetics and awarded Innogenetics $7.0 million in damages. In January 2007, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin ruled in favor of Innogenetics’ request for a permanent injunction, and as such, ordered Abbott to withdraw its products from the market. The Court also reversed the jury verdict of willful infringement and ruled that Abbott did not willfully infringe Innogenetics’ patent and denied Innogenetics’ request for enhanced damages and attorneys’ fees. Innogenetics did not name the Celera group as a party in this lawsuit, but the Celera group has an interest in these products and in the outcome of the litigation because the enjoined products are manufactured by the Celera group and sold through its alliance with Abbott. Also, as these products are part of its alliance with Abbott, the Celera group agreed to share equally the cost of this litigation, including the damage award described above. Abbott appealed the judgment. On January 17, 2008, the United States

 

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Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit vacated the permanent injunction granted by the lower court for Innogenetics against Abbott in selling HCV genotyping products. Since the jury’s damage award included an upfront entry fee, the Court remanded to the lower court to determine the terms of a compulsory license for Abbott’s future sales. In addition, the Court remanded for a new trial on the validity of the Innogenetics patent in view of a prior-issued patent. The Court also affirmed the judgment of infringement and the judgment of no willful infringement. In April 2008, Abbott and Innogenetics settled the patent infringement suit and the Celera group recorded an additional pre-tax charge of $0.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. The costs to the Celera group, including the initial pre-tax charge of $3.5 million recorded in fiscal 2007, were $4.1 million. In addition, through March 31, 2008, the Celera group recorded in operating expenses approximately $2.9 million in legal fees associated with this litigation.

 

Charges prior to fiscal 2007

During fiscal 2006, the Celera group recorded pre-tax charges of $26.4 million related to its decision to exit its small molecule drug discovery and development programs and the integration of Celera Diagnostics into the Celera group. These charges consisted of $12.8 million of employee-related charges, $9.8 million of asset impairments, $1.2 million of excess lease space, and $2.6 million of other disposal costs. The remaining required cash expenditures of $0.8 million as of March 31, 2008, the majority of which related to the asset impairment of an owned facility, are expected to be disbursed by December 31, 2008.

 

During the first nine months of fiscal 2008, the Celera group made net cash payments of approximately $0.5 million related to an excess facility lease space charge that was recorded in fiscal 2005. As of March 31, 2008, the remaining net cash expenditures of approximately $2.2 million related to this charge are expected to be disbursed by fiscal 2011.

 

Other Events Impacting Comparability

 

Revenue from sale of small molecule program

In the second quarter of fiscal 2007, the Celera group recorded $2.5 million in net revenues from the sale of a small molecule drug discovery and development program to Schering AG. The Celera group had recorded an initial $2.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 when the agreement for the sale of the program was executed.

 

Asset dispositions and legal settlements

The following items have been recorded in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations in asset dispositions and legal settlements.

 

Fiscal 2008

In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Celera group recorded a $1.1 million pre-tax gain related to the settlement of a litigation matter associated with its former Online/Information Business, an information products and service business.

 

In the first quarter of fiscal 2008, the Applied Biosystems group recorded a $7.6 million pre-tax gain primarily related to a settlement and licensing agreement entered into with Stratagene Corporation and Agilent Technologies, Inc. (which acquired Stratagene), which resolved outstanding legal disputes with Stratagene.

 

Fiscal 2007

In the second quarter of fiscal 2007, the Applied Biosystems group recorded a $4.8 million pre-tax benefit related to the settlement of a patent infringement claim and a $3.0 million pre-tax benefit related to our collection from a third party of a portion of its liability relative to the settlement of a prior legal dispute. Additionally in the second quarter of fiscal 2007, the Celera group recorded a $2.4 million pre-tax benefit related to the settlement of a litigation matter associated with the former Online/Information Business.

 

In the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Applied Biosystems group recorded a $9.1 million pre-tax charge related to a settlement agreement entered into with another company which resolved outstanding legal disputes with that company.

 

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Acquired research and development

In the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Applied Biosystems group recorded a $114.3 million charge to write off the value of acquired in-process research and development (“IPR&D”) in connection with the acquisition of Agencourt Personal Genomics, Inc. (“APG”). As of the acquisition date, the technological feasibility of the acquired project had not been established, and it was determined that the acquired project had no future alternative use. The determination of the amount attributed to acquired IPR&D took into consideration an independent appraisal performed by an outside consultant.

 

Investments

The Celera group recorded a pre-tax charge of $3.1 million in gain (loss) on investments in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 for an other-than-temporary impairment of a publicly traded non-strategic minority equity investment. The impairment charge resulted from a number of factors that were assessed, including the duration of the decline in market value, the financial condition, and future prospects for the investee. The Applied Biosystems group recorded a pre-tax gain of $2.6 million in gain (loss) on investments in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 from the sale of a non-strategic minority equity investment.

 

Tax items

Fiscal 2008

In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, we recorded net tax benefits of $8.9 million, primarily resulting from net benefits related to completed IRS and foreign audits. $9.6 million of tax benefits were recorded at the Applied Biosystems group, slightly offset by a tax charge of $0.7 million recorded at the Celera group.

 

In the second quarter of fiscal 2008, the Applied Biosystems group recorded tax charges of $0.5 million primarily related to foreign tax settlements. In the first quarter of fiscal 2008, the Applied Biosystems group recorded tax charges of $1.8 million primarily related to the recalculation of deferred tax assets as a result of a decrease in the statutory tax rate in Germany.

 

Fiscal 2007

In the third quarter of fiscal 2007, we recorded a tax benefit of $8.4 million, primarily resulting from a $6.1 million valuation allowance release. The valuation allowance release was due to management’s reassessment of the future realization of foreign tax credits. Tax benefits identified during the tax return preparation accounted for the remaining tax benefits of $2.3 million. $8.0 million of the tax benefit was recorded at the Applied Biosystems group and $0.4 million was recorded at the Celera group.

 

The Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, enacted in December 2006, extended the R&D tax credit from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2007. The Celera group included the estimated benefit of the current year R&D tax credit in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 estimated annual effective tax rate. In addition, the Celera group recorded a tax benefit of $1.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 related to the R&D tax credit generated between January 1 and June 30, 2006.

 

In the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Applied Biosystems group recorded a tax benefit of $8.8 million related to a reduction in the valuation allowance for German net operating loss carryforwards.

 

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Note 3 – Acquisitions

 

Berkeley HeartLab, Inc.

In October 2007, we acquired BHL for $193.2 million in cash, including transaction costs. BHL is a cardiovascular healthcare company with a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (“CLIA”)-certified laboratory that provides a broad portfolio of clinical laboratory tests and disease management services focused on individuals who have cardiovascular disease or lipid or metabolic disorders. We believe that the acquisition provides the Celera group with a commercial infrastructure to bring its new genetic tests to the U.S. cardiovascular market. Additionally, BHL is expected to provide opportunities for the Celera group to commercialize new tests and technologies and to gain economies of scale and improve its margins as a consequence of the vertical integration with BHL’s clinical laboratory service business. The cash expenditure for this acquisition was funded by available cash. The net assets and results of operations of BHL will be allocated to the Celera group.

 

We allocated the purchase price of $193.2 million to tangible net assets and intangible assets as follows:

 

  (Dollar amounts in millions)       

  Current assets, including deferred tax asset of $5.2

   $ 43.5  

  Long-term assets

     6.2  

  Current liabilities

     (19.1 )

  Long-term liabilities, including deferred tax liability of ($42.4)

     (47.0 )

  Tangible net liabilities assumed, at approximate fair value

     (16.4 )

  Goodwill

     104.7  

  Customer relationships

     67.4  

  Trademark and trade name

     21.8  

  Existing technology

     14.9  

  Internally developed software

     0.8  

  Total intangible assets

     209.6  

  Total purchase price

   $ 193.2  

 

We are amortizing the recorded values of the intangible assets, other than the trademark and trade name, over their expected period of benefit, which on a weighted-average basis is approximately 12 years. An established client list, a recognized company name and a broad portfolio of clinical laboratory tests and disease management services focused on the secondary prevention market were among the factors that resulted in the recognition of goodwill. The goodwill, trademark and trade name are reviewed for impairment as part of our annual impairment tests. In the second quarter of fiscal 2008, we recorded a $5.2 million deferred tax asset, included in current assets, and a $42.4 million deferred tax liability, included in long-term liabilities, for net operating loss carryforwards and other temporary differences of BHL. The goodwill recognized is not deductible for federal income tax purposes. The net assets and results of operations of BHL have been included in our consolidated financial statements since the date of the acquisition.

 

In connection with the acquisition, we assumed $10.8 million of floating and fixed rate debt (see Note 9). As of March 31, 2008, $0.2 million of this debt remained outstanding.

 

Atria Genetics Inc.

In late October 2007, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Atria Genetics Inc. (“Atria”) for $33.3 million in cash, including transaction costs. Atria has a line of human leukocyte antigen (“HLA”) testing products that are used for identifying potential donors in the matching process for bone marrow transplantation. The acquisition provides the Celera group direct access to tissue typing products in the transplantation and bone marrow registry market. The cash expenditure for this acquisition was funded by available cash. The net assets and results of operations of Atria will be allocated to the Celera group.

 

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We allocated the purchase price of $33.3 million to tangible net assets and intangible assets as follows:

 

  (Dollar amounts in millions)       

  Current assets

   $ 0.6  

  Long-term assets

     0.2  

  Current liabilities

     (0.5 )

  Long-term liabilities

     (0.2 )

  Tangible net assets acquired, at approximate fair value

     0.1  

  Goodwill

     10.6  

  Customer relationships

     17.8  

  Trademark and trade name

     2.0  

  Existing technology

     2.7  

  Internally developed software

     0.1  

  Total intangible assets

     33.2  

  Total purchase price

   $ 33.3  

 

We are amortizing the recorded values of the intangible assets, other than the trademark and trade name, over their expected period of benefit, which on a weighted-average basis is approximately 12 years. The relationship with end user customers, line of HLA testing products, core technology and an established name were among the factors that resulted in the recognition of goodwill. The goodwill, trademark and trade name are reviewed for impairment as part of our annual impairment tests. The entire amount of goodwill is deductible for federal income tax purposes. The net assets and results of operations of Atria have been included in our consolidated financial statements since the date of the acquisition.

 

Pro Forma Financial Information

The following selected pro forma financial information, which includes the combined results of operations of BHL and Atria, has been prepared assuming the acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of fiscal 2007 and gives effect to purchase accounting adjustments:

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
         Nine months ended
March 31,
 
  (Dollar amounts in millions except per share amounts)    2008     2007          2008     2007  

  Applera Corporation

                             

  Net revenues

   $591.4     $564.8          $1,730.4     $1,636.3  

  Net income

   75.2     71.3          218.2     79.2  

  Celera Group

                             

  Net revenues

   $  39.5     $  35.6          $   116.9     $   103.2  

  Net loss, as allocated

   (7.4 )   (4.1 )        (11.7 )   (12.2 )

  Basic and diluted loss per share

   $ (0.09 )   $ (0.05 )        $   (0.15 )   $   (0.16 )

There was no financial impact to the Applied Biosystems group related to these acquisitions.

 

We recorded $2.5 million in the third quarter and $4.6 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 of amortization of intangible assets related to these acquisitions.

 

This pro forma data is for informational purposes only and may not be indicative of the actual results that would have occurred had the acquisitions been consummated at the beginning of fiscal 2007 or of the future operations of the combined companies.

 

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Note 4 – Earnings (Loss) per Share

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the three months ended March 31:

 

     Applied Biosystems Group          Celera Group  
  (Dollar amounts in millions, except per share amounts)    2008     2007          2008     2007  

  Net income (loss)

   $82.9     $75.5          $ (7.4 )   $ (4.5 )

  Allocated intercompany sale of assets

         0.1                       

  Allocated interperiod taxes

   (0.3 )   (0.2 )                     

  Total net income (loss) allocated

   82.6     75.4            (7.4 )     (4.5 )

  Less dividends declared on common stock

   7.1     15.7                       

  Undistributed earnings (loss)

   $75.5     $59.7          $ (7.4 )   $ (4.5 )

  Allocation of basic earnings (loss) per share

                                 

  Basic distributed earnings per share(1)

   $0.04     $0.09          $ -     $ -  

  Basic undistributed earnings (loss) per share

   0.45     0.32            (0.09 )     (0.06 )

  Total basic earnings (loss) per share

   $0.49     $0.41          $ (0.09 )   $ (0.06 )

  Allocation of diluted earnings (loss) per share

                                 

  Diluted distributed earnings per share(1)

   $0.04     $0.08          $ -     $ -  

  Diluted undistributed earnings (loss) per share

   0.44     0.31            (0.09 )     (0.06 )

  Total diluted earnings (loss) per share

   $0.48     $0.39          $ (0.09 )   $ (0.06 )

  Weighted average number of common shares

                                 

  Basic

   168.1     183.8            79.6       78.5  

  Common stock equivalents

   4.9     7.4                       

  Diluted

   173.0     191.2            79.6       78.5  

(1)

Amounts represent actual dividends per share distributed.

 

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The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the nine months ended March 31:

 

     Applied Biosystems Group          Celera Group  
  (Dollar amounts in millions, except per share amounts)    2008     2007          2008     2007  

  Net income (loss)

   $230.2     $91.6          $ (6.4 )   $ (12.0 )

  Allocated intercompany sale of assets

   (0.2 )   (0.2 )                     

  Allocated interperiod taxes

   (0.1 )                           

  Total net income (loss) allocated

   229.9     91.4            (6.4 )     (12.0 )

  Less dividends declared on common stock

   22.1     31.3                       

  Undistributed earnings (loss)

   $207.8     $60.1          $ (6.4 )   $ (12.0 )

  Allocation of basic earnings (loss) per share

                                 

  Basic distributed earnings per share(1)

   $  0.13     $0.17          $ -     $ -  

  Basic undistributed earnings (loss) per share

   1.19     0.33            (0.08 )     (0.15 )

  Total basic earnings (loss) per share

   $  1.32     $0.50          $ (0.08 )   $ (0.15 )

  Allocation of diluted earnings (loss) per share

                                 

  Diluted distributed earnings per share(1)

   $  0.12     $0.16          $ -     $ -  

  Diluted undistributed earnings (loss) per share

   1.16     0.32            (0.08 )     (0.15 )

  Total diluted earnings (loss) per share

   $  1.28     $0.48          $ (0.08 )   $ (0.15 )

  Weighted average number of common shares

                                 

  Basic

   174.2     183.1            79.4       78.2  

  Common stock equivalents

   5.4     7.5                       

  Diluted

   179.6     190.6            79.4       78.2  

(1)

Amounts represent actual dividends per share distributed.

 

Options to purchase shares at exercise prices greater than the average market prices of our two classes of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect was antidilutive. Additionally, options to purchase shares of Applera Corporation-Celera Group Common Stock (“Applera-Celera stock”) were excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share for the three months and nine months presented because the effect was antidilutive. The following table presents the number of shares excluded from the diluted earnings and loss per share computations for the three months and nine months ended March 31:

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
        Nine months ended
March 31,
  (Shares in millions)    2008    2007         2008    2007  

  Applera Corporation-Applied Biosystems Group Common Stock

   5.8    5.9         5.9    6.1  

  Applera-Celera stock

   2.6    2.7         2.6    2.6  

 

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Note 5 – Comprehensive Gain

 

The components of comprehensive gain are reflected net of tax, except for foreign currency translation adjustments, which are generally not adjusted for income taxes as they relate to indefinite investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries. Comprehensive gain was as follows:

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
         Nine months ended
March 31,
 
  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008     2007          2008     2007  

  Net income

   $ 75.2     $70.9          $223.5     $79.4  

  Other comprehensive gain (loss):

                             

     Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments

   (1.5 )   (0.7 )        1.2     2.5  

     Net unrealized (gains) losses on investments reclassified into earnings

   1.9                2.0     (0.3 )

     Net unrealized losses on hedge contracts

   (16.5 )   (0.5 )        (31.0 )      

     Net unrealized gains on hedge contracts reclassified into earnings

   4.3     0.5          8.4     1.0  

     Foreign currency translation adjustments

   10.1     0.9          25.6     7.3  

     Pension and postretirement benefits

   0.6                1.7        

  Total other comprehensive gain (loss)

   (1.1 )   0.2          7.9     10.5  

  Total comprehensive gain

   $ 74.1     $71.1          $231.4     $89.9  

 

Note 6 – Inventories

 

Inventories included the following components:

 

  (Dollar amounts in millions)    March 31,
2008
   June 30,  
2007  

  Raw materials and supplies

   $  61.7    $  49.0  

  Work-in-process

   14.4    7.2  

  Finished products

   104.9    84.1  

  Total inventories, net

   $181.0    $140.3  

 

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Note 7 – Additional Information

 

Selected Accounts

 

The following table provides the major components of selected accounts of the interim condensed consolidated statements of financial position:

 

  (Dollar amounts in millions)   

March 31,

2008

  

June 30,  

2007  

  Other Current Assets

         

  Current deferred tax asset

   $  47.3    $  26.0  

  Other

   126.9    153.4  

  Total other current assets

   $174.2    $179.4  

  Other Long-Term Assets

         

  Noncurrent deferred tax asset

   $414.6    $499.1  

  Prepaid pension benefit cost

   45.4    38.6  

  Other

   127.8    97.4  

  Total other long-term assets

   $587.8    $635.1  

  Other Accrued Expenses

         

  Deferred revenue

   $124.2    $107.9  

  Other

   200.8    161.7  

  Total other accrued expenses

   $325.0    $269.6  

  Other Long-Term Liabilities

         

  Accrued postretirement benefits

   $  56.1    $  56.3  

  Accrued pension benefits

   67.0    59.4  

  Noncurrent deferred tax liability

   0.8    0.8  

  Other

   122.2    96.8  

  Total other long-term liabilities

   $246.1    $213.3  

 

Assets Held for Sale

 

In connection with the Celera group’s decision to exit its small molecule drug discovery and development programs during fiscal 2006, the Celera group decided to pursue the sale of its South San Francisco, California facility. As a result of this decision, in fiscal 2006, we reclassified $11.5 million of property, plant and equipment into assets held for sale, which is classified in other current assets in our interim condensed consolidated statements of financial position, and recorded a $5.8 million pre-tax charge that represented the write-down of the carrying amount of this facility to its then estimated market value less estimated selling costs. In fiscal 2007, we recorded an additional $6.8 million pre-tax charge for the facility. The sale of this facility is expected to occur by December 31, 2008.

 

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continued

 

Note 8 – Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

We amortize intangible assets using the straight-line method over their expected useful lives, except for customer relationship intangibles. We amortize customer relationship intangibles on a proportionate basis as the economic benefits of the intangible assets are consumed. In determining the useful life of the customer relationship intangibles, we assumed a number of factors including the customer base, attrition rates including our ability to renew or extend our relationships with existing customers, as well as any legal, regulatory or contractual provisions that may limit the useful life. The carrying amounts of our intangible assets were as follows:

 

     March 31, 2008         June 30, 2007
  (Dollar amounts in millions)   

Gross

Carrying

Amount

   Accumulated
Amortization
        Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated  
Amortization  

  Amortized intangible assets

                        

     Acquired technology

   $  52.5    $19.4         $32.8    $13.3  

     Patents

   30.2    26.1         29.9    25.1  

     Customer relationships

   112.3    11.6         27.1    5.2  

     Other

   2.7    1.1         1.7    0.7  

  Total amortized intangible assets

   $197.7    $58.2         $91.5    $44.3  

  Unamortized intangible assets

                        

     Trade name

   28.7              4.9     

  Total

   $226.4    $58.2         $96.4    $44.3  

 

Aggregate amortization expense was as follows:

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
        Nine months ended
March 31,
  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008    2007         2008    2007  

  Applied Biosystems group

   $3.1    $3.3         $  9.2    $9.8  

  Celera group

   2.6              4.7     

  Consolidated

   $5.7    $3.3         $13.9    $9.8  

 

We record amortization expense in cost of sales, except for amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets which is recorded in the amortization of purchased intangible assets in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations. At March 31, 2008, we estimated annual amortization expense of our intangible assets for each of the next five fiscal years as shown in the following table. Future acquisitions or impairment events could cause these amounts to change.

 

  (Dollar amounts in millions)    Applied
Biosystems
Group
   Celera
Group
   Consolidated  

  Remainder of fiscal 2008

   $  3.1    $  2.6    $  5.7  

  2009

   12.0    10.2    22.2  

  2010

   9.5    10.3    19.8  

  2011

   6.2    10.2    16.4  

  2012

   5.0    10.1    15.1  

 

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The carrying amount of goodwill was as follows:

 

  (Dollar amounts in millions)    Applied
Biosystems
Group
   Celera
Group
   Consolidated  

  Balance as of June 30, 2007

   $243.2    $ 2.7    $245.9  

  Goodwill acquired

          115.3    115.3  

  Balance as of March 31, 2008

   $243.2    $ 118.0    $361.2  

Refer to Note 3 for information on the goodwill we acquired in connection with the BHL and Atria Genetics Inc. acquisitions.

Note 9 – Debt and Lines of Credit

We maintain a $250 million unsecured revolving credit agreement with four banks that matures on May 25, 2012. This amount was increased from $200 million effective August 27, 2007, at our request in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Borrowings under this agreement may be made in U.S. dollars and other currencies, and bear interest at a fluctuating rate generally equal to Citibank, N.A.’s base rate or at a periodic fixed rate equal to LIBOR plus a margin of between 15 and 32.5 basis points based on our long-term senior unsecured non-credit enhanced debt ratings. Commitment and facility fees are also based on our long-term senior unsecured non-credit enhanced debt ratings. As of March 31, 2008, there was $25 million outstanding under this agreement, classified as loans payable in the interim condensed consolidated statement of financial position. There were no borrowings outstanding under this agreement at June 30, 2007.

On August 27, 2007, we entered into a $100 million unsecured term loan agreement with Bank of America, N.A. that matures on September 4, 2008. Upon the satisfaction of various conditions, we have the option to extend the maturity date on this agreement to September 4, 2010. If we exercise this option, we would then be required to make partial repayments each quarter, commencing after the original maturity date, equal to 3 percent of the original principal amount of the loan. Borrowings under this agreement bear interest at a fluctuating rate generally equal to Bank of America, N.A.’s base rate or at a periodic fixed rate equal to LIBOR plus a margin of between 20 and 40 basis points based on our long-term senior unsecured non-credit enhanced debt ratings. As of March 31, 2008, there was $100 million outstanding under this agreement, classified as loans payable in the interim condensed consolidated statement of financial position.

Both the revolving credit agreement and the term loan agreement require that we maintain a debt to total capital ratio, as defined in each agreement, of not more than 0.50:1:00.

The amounts borrowed under these agreements were used to fund the repurchase of shares of Applera Corporation-Applied Biosystems Common Stock (“Applera-Applied Biosystems stock”) and were allocated entirely to the Applied Biosystems group. In August 2007, we entered into an agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated for the accelerated repurchase of $600 million of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock. During the first quarter of fiscal 2008, we paid Morgan Stanley approximately $602 million for this transaction, of which $275 million was funded by loans payable and the balance with cash. In October 2007, 16 million shares were delivered to us under this agreement. In January 2008, Morgan Stanley exercised its option to settle the accelerated share repurchase transaction and delivered to us an additional 1.9 million shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock, which supplements the shares that were received in October 2007.

The weighted average interest rate on all amounts outstanding under these agreements at March 31, 2008 was 4.20%.

In connection with the acquisition of BHL, we assumed approximately $10.8 million of floating and fixed rate debt, mostly secured by BHL's accounts receivable and other certain fixed assets. As of March 31, 2008, approximately $0.2 million in unsecured debt remains. See Note 3 for additional information on the BHL acquisition.

 

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Note 10 – Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

Significant non-cash financing activity for the nine months ended March 31 was as follows:

 

  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008    2007  

  Dividends declared but not paid

   $ 7.1    $ 15.7  

  Tax benefit related to employee stock options

     14.8      21.8  

  Issuances of restricted stock

     2.5      2.8  

 

Note 11 – Guarantees

 

Leases

We provide lease-financing options to our customers through third party financing companies. For some leases, the financing companies have recourse to us for any unpaid principal balance on default by the customer. The leases typically have terms of two to three years and are secured by the underlying instrument. In the event of default by a customer, we would repossess the underlying instrument. We record revenues from these transactions on the completion of installation and acceptance of products and maintain a reserve for estimated losses on all lease transactions with recourse provisions based on historical default rates and current economic conditions. At March 31, 2008, the financing companies’ outstanding balance of lease receivables with recourse to us was $6.1 million. We believe that we could recover the entire balance from the resale of the underlying instruments in the event of default by all customers.

 

Pension Benefits

As part of the divestiture of our Analytical Instruments business in fiscal 1999, the purchaser of the Analytical Instruments business is paying for the pension benefits for employees of a former German subsidiary. However, we guaranteed payment of these pension benefits should the purchaser fail to do so, as these payment obligations were not transferable to the buyer under German law. The guaranteed payment obligation, which approximated $68 million at March 31, 2008, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our interim condensed consolidated statement of financial position.

 

Indemnifications

In the normal course of business, we enter into some agreements under which we indemnify third parties for intellectual property infringement claims or claims arising from breaches of representations or warranties. In addition, from time to time, we provide indemnity protection to third parties for claims relating to past performance arising from undisclosed liabilities, product liabilities, environmental obligations, representations and warranties, and other claims. In these agreements, the scope and amount of remedy, or the period in which claims can be made, may be limited. It is not possible to determine the maximum potential amount of future payments, if any, due under these indemnities due to the conditional nature of the obligations and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each agreement. Historically, payments made related to these indemnifications have not been material to our consolidated financial position.

 

Product Warranties

We accrue warranty costs for product sales at the time of shipment based on historical experience as well as anticipated product performance. Our product warranties extend over a specified period of time ranging up to two years from the date of sale depending on the product subject to warranty. The product warranty accrual covers parts and labor for repairs and replacements covered by our product warranties. We periodically review the adequacy of our warranty reserve, and adjust, if necessary, the warranty percentage and accrual based on actual experience and estimated costs to be incurred.

 

 

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The following table provides an analysis of the warranty reserve for the nine months ended March 31:

 

  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008     2007  

  Balance beginning of period

   $ 12.1     $ 10.6  

  Accruals for warranties

     12.8       9.8  

  Usage of reserve

     (12.8 )     (10.0 )

  Other*

     0.1       0.1  

  Balance at March 31

   $ 12.2     $ 10.5  
* Other consists of accrual adjustments to reflect actual experience and currency translation.

 

Note 12 – Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

 

The components of net pension and postretirement benefit expenses for the three and nine month periods ended March 31 were as follows:

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
         Nine months ended
March 31,
 
  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008     2007          2008     2007  

  Pension

                             

  Service cost

   $   0.9     $   0.8          $   2.7     $   2.5  

  Interest cost

   11.5     11.1          34.0     32.9  

  Expected return on plan assets

   (12.2 )   (11.8 )        (36.7 )   (35.0 )

  Amortization of prior service cost

   0.2     0.2          0.7     0.6  

  Amortization of losses

   0.6     1.4          2.0     4.0  

  Net periodic expense

   $   1.0     $   1.7          $   2.7     $   5.0  

  Postretirement Benefit

                             

  Service cost

   $   0.1     $       -          $   0.2     $   0.1  

  Interest cost

   0.7     0.9          2.1     2.7  

  Amortization of gains

   (0.1 )   (0.1 )        (0.1 )   (0.3 )

  Net periodic expense

   $   0.7     $   0.8          $   2.2     $   2.5  

 

We contributed approximately $2 million to our foreign and non-qualified domestic plans during the nine months ended March 31, 2008, and expect to contribute an additional $1 million during the remainder of fiscal 2008. Based on the level of our contributions to the qualified U.S. pension plan during previous years, combined with the performance of the assets invested in the plan, we do not expect to have to fund our qualified U.S. pension plan in fiscal 2008 in order to meet minimum statutory funding requirements. We made benefit payments of approximately $4 million under the postretirement plan during the nine months ended March 31, 2008, and we expect to make approximately $2 million of additional benefit payments during the remainder of fiscal 2008.

 

Note 13 – Contingencies

 

Legal Proceedings

We are involved in various lawsuits, arbitrations, investigations, and other legal actions from time to time with both private parties and governmental entities. These legal actions currently involve, for example, commercial, intellectual property, antitrust, environmental, securities, and employment matters. The following is a description of some claims we are currently defending, including some counterclaims brought against us in response to claims filed by us against others. We believe that we have meritorious defenses against the claims currently asserted against us, including those described below, and intend to defend them vigorously.

 

The Company and some of its officers are defendants in a lawsuit brought on behalf of purchasers of Applera-Celera stock in our follow-on public offering of Applera-Celera stock completed on March 6, 2000. In the offering, we sold an aggregate of approximately 4.4 million shares of Applera-Celera stock at a public offering price of $225 per share. The

 

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lawsuit, which was commenced with the filing of several complaints in April and May 2000, is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, and an amended consolidated complaint was filed on August 21, 2001. The consolidated complaint generally alleges that the prospectus used in connection with the offering was inaccurate or misleading because it failed to adequately disclose the alleged opposition of the Human Genome Project and two of its supporters, the governments of the U.S. and the U.K., to providing patent protection to our genomic-based products. Although the Celera group has never sought, or intended to seek, a patent on the basic human genome sequence data, the complaint also alleges that we did not adequately disclose the risk that the Celera group would not be able to patent this data. The consolidated complaint seeks monetary damages, rescission, costs and expenses, and other relief as the court deems proper. On March 31, 2005, the court certified the case as a class action.

 

Enzo Biochem, Inc., Enzo Life Sciences, Inc., and Yale University filed a patent infringement action against us in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut on June 8, 2004. The complaint alleges that we are infringing six patents. Four of these patents are assigned to Yale University and licensed exclusively to Enzo Biochem, i.e., U.S. Patent No. 4,476,928, entitled “Modified Nucleotides and Polynucleotides and Complexes Formed Therefrom,” U.S. Patent No. 5,449,767, entitled “Modified Nucleotides and Polynucleotides and Methods of Preparing Same,” U.S. Patent No. 5,328,824 entitled “Methods of Using Labeled Nucleotides,” and U.S. Patent No. 4,711,955, entitled “Modified Nucleotides and Polynucleotides and Methods of Preparing and Using Same.” These four patents have since expired. The other two patents are assigned to Enzo Life Sciences, i.e., U.S. Patent No. 5,082,830 entitled “End Labeled Nucleotide Probe” and U.S. Patent No. 4,994,373 entitled “Methods and Structures Employing Compoundly – Labeled Polynucleotide Probes.” The allegedly infringing products include the Applied Biosystems group’s sequencing reagent kits, its TaqMan® genotyping and gene expression assays, and the gene expression microarrays used with its Expression Array System. Enzo Biochem, Enzo Life Sciences, and Yale University are seeking monetary damages, costs, expenses, injunctive relief, and other relief as the court deems proper. In August and September, 2007, the court issued a series of orders favorable to Applera and dismissing all of these claims, but Enzo may seek to appeal those orders to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

 

Molecular Diagnostics Laboratories filed a class action complaint against us and Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on September 23, 2004, and filed an amended complaint on July 5, 2006. The amended complaint alleges anticompetitive conduct in connection with the sale of Taq DNA polymerase. The anticompetitive conduct is alleged to arise from the prosecution and enforcement of U.S. Patent No. 4,889,818. This patent is assigned to Hoffmann-La Roche, with whom we have a commercial relationship covering, among other things, this patent and the sale of Taq DNA polymerase. The complaint seeks monetary damages, costs, expenses, injunctive relief, and other relief as the court deems proper. On July 5, 2006, the court certified the case as a class action.

 

We are involved in several legal actions with Thermo Electron Corporation and its subsidiary Thermo Finnigan LLC. These legal actions commenced when we, together with MDS, Inc. and our Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX Instruments joint venture with MDS, filed a patent infringement action against Thermo Electron in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware on September 3, 2004. The complaint alleges infringement by Thermo Electron of U.S. Patent No. 4,963,736, and seeks monetary damages, costs, expenses, and other relief as the court deems proper. Thermo Electron has answered the complaint and counterclaimed for declaratory relief that the ’736 patent is invalid, not infringed, and unenforceable, and is seeking dismissal of our complaint, a judgment that the ’736 patent is invalid, not infringed, and unenforceable, costs and expenses, and other relief as the court deems proper. After the filing of the action against Thermo Electron, on December 8, 2004, Thermo Finnigan filed a patent infringement action against us in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaint alleges that we have infringed U.S. Patent No. 5,385,654 as a result of, for example, our Applied Biosystems group’s commercialization of the ABI PRISM® 3700 Genetic Analyzer. Thermo Finnigan is seeking monetary damages, costs, expenses, and other relief as the court deems proper. We have answered the complaint and counterclaimed for declaratory relief that the ’654 patent is invalid, not infringed, and unenforceable, and are seeking dismissal of Thermo Finnigan’s complaint, a judgment that the ’654 patent is invalid, not infringed, and unenforceable, costs and expenses, and other relief as the court deems proper. Thermo Finnigan subsequently filed a second patent infringement action against us, MDS, and the Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX Instruments joint venture, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware on February 23, 2005. The complaint alleges that we and the other defendants have infringed U.S. Patent No. 6,528,784 as a result of, for example, our commercialization of the API 5000™ LC/MS/MS system. Thermo Finnigan is seeking monetary damages, costs,

 

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expenses, and other relief as the court deems proper. We have answered the complaint and counterclaimed for declaratory relief that the ’784 patent is invalid and not infringed, and are seeking dismissal of Thermo Finnigan’s complaint, a judgment that the ’784 patent is invalid and not infringed, costs and expenses, and other relief as the court deems proper.

 

We filed a complaint for patent infringement against Michigan Diagnostics LLC on March 26, 2007, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. We amended the complaint on April 5, 2007. The amended complaint alleges infringement by Michigan Diagnostics of U.S. Patent Nos. 6,514,717, 6,322,727 and 6,107,024, which are related to chemiluminescent products and methods, and seeks monetary damages, costs, expenses, injunctive, and other relief as the court deems proper. Michigan Diagnostics filed an answer and counterclaims to our complaint on January 7, 2008, seeking a declaratory judgment of non-infringement, invalidity, and unenforceability of approximately 60 patents related to chemiluminescent products and methods, and including antitrust claims based on our alleged misconduct in our alleged enforcement of those patents. Previously, on May 14, 2007, Michigan Diagnostics filed a separate complaint against Applera in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, which was transferred to U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts in November 2007. This transferred complaint made substantially the same allegations as in the answer and counterclaims described above and sought substantially the same relief. However, on January 29, 2008, the court terminated this transferred case.

 

We filed a complaint on May 31, 2007, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Illumina, Inc., Solexa Inc., and a former chief patent counsel to our company, seeking an injunction restoring to us patents and patent applications that were filed by the former chief patent counsel but are on their face assigned to Solexa, which was acquired by Illumina in January 2007. The complaint also seeks a declaration of our rights and duties regarding infringement of these patents, in addition to monetary damages, costs, expenses, and other relief as the court deems proper. We previously filed a related complaint, on December 26, 2006, in the Superior Court of the State of California (Santa Clara County), also seeking restoration of these patents and patent applications to us. Pursuant to a joint stipulation of the parties, the California state court action was dismissed on August 7, 2007. On August 13, 2007, Solexa filed its answer to the federal complaint and counterclaimed that we make, use, sell, and offer for sale DNA sequencing products that infringe the patents, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,750,341, 5,969,119, 6,306,597. Solexa is seeking monetary damages, costs, expenses, injunctive relief, and other relief as the court deems proper.

 

Other than for items deemed not material, we have not accrued for any potential losses in the legal proceedings described above because we believe that an adverse determination is not probable, and potential losses cannot be reasonably estimated, in any of these proceedings. However, the outcome of legal actions is inherently uncertain, and we cannot be sure that we will prevail in any of the proceedings described above or in our other legal actions. An adverse determination in some of our current legal actions, particularly the proceedings described above, could have a material adverse effect on us and our consolidated financial statements.

 

Note 14 – Discontinued Operations

 

During fiscal year 2008, in the first quarter, we received $12.9 million in cash related to the settlement of German tax audits related to one of our former German affiliates.

 

Note 15 – Segment and Consolidating Information

 

Business Segments

We are organized based on the products and services that we offer. We operate in the life science and healthcare industries through two reportable segments: the Applied Biosystems group and the Celera group. We collectively refer to the Applied Biosystems group and the Celera group as the groups. The Applied Biosystems group serves the life science industry and research community by developing and marketing instrument-based systems, consumables, software, and services. Its customers use these tools to analyze nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), small molecules, and proteins to make scientific discoveries and develop new pharmaceuticals. The Applied Biosystems group’s products also serve the needs of some markets outside of life science research, which we refer to as “applied markets,” such as the fields of: human identity testing (forensic and paternity testing); “biosecurity,” which refers to products needed in

 

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response to the threat of biological terrorism and other malicious, accidental, and natural biological dangers; and quality and safety testing, such as testing required for food and pharmaceutical manufacturing. The Celera group is a diagnostics business that delivers personalized disease management through a combination of products and services incorporating proprietary discoveries. BHL, a subsidiary of the Celera group, offers clinical laboratory testing services to characterize cardiovascular disease risk and optimize patient management. The Celera group also commercializes a wide range of molecular diagnostic products through its strategic alliance with Abbott Laboratories, which began in June 2002, and has licensed its diagnostic technologies to clinical laboratories to provide personalized disease management in cancer and liver diseases. The term of the strategic alliance agreement runs until June 2017.

 

Presented below is our segment and consolidating financial information, including the allocation of expenses between our segments in accordance with our allocation policies, as well as other related party transactions, such as sales of products between segments. Our board of directors approves the method of allocating earnings to each class of common stock for purposes of calculating earnings per share. This determination is generally based on net income or loss amounts of the corresponding group calculated in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied.

 

See Note 16 to our consolidated financial statements included in our 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders for the management and allocation policies applicable to the attribution of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses to the segments (which information is incorporated in this quarterly report by reference).

 

Transactions between Segments

The following table presents net revenue recorded by the Applied Biosystems group from leased instruments and sales of consumables and project materials to the Celera group:

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
        Nine months ended
March 31,
  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008    2007         2008    2007  

  Applied Biosystems Group

                        

    Sales to the Celera group

   $0.7    $0.7         $2.2    $3.1  

 

Additionally, in accordance with our tax allocation policy, the Applied Biosystems group received, without reimbursement to the Celera group, $19.3 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 and $0.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2007, some of the tax benefits generated by the Celera group.

 

In the following consolidating financial information, the “Eliminations” column represents the elimination of intersegment activity.

 

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Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

 

  (Dollar amounts in thousands)    Applied
Biosystems
Group
   Celera
Group
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

  Products

   $451,164    $   9,119     $           -     $460,283  

  Services

   69,165    22,556           91,721  

  Other

   31,575    7,779           39,354  

  Net revenues from external customers

   551,904    39,454     -     591,358  

  Intersegment revenues

   680          (680 )      

  Total Net Revenues

   552,584    39,454     (680 )   591,358  

  Products

   203,519    4,989     (266 )   208,242  

  Services

   31,562    8,170     (97 )   39,635  

  Other

   3,154                3,154  

  Cost of Sales

   238,235    13,159     (363 )   251,031  

  Gross Margin

   314,349    26,295     (317 )   340,327  

  Selling, general and administrative

   147,646    19,281     13,921     180,848  

  Corporate allocated expenses

   11,874    2,053     (13,927 )      

  Research and development

   48,607    10,192     (235 )   58,564  

  Amortization of purchased intangible assets

   2,612    2,499           5,111  

  Employee-related charges, asset impairments and other

   1,075    3,873           4,948  

  Asset dispositions and legal settlements

        (1,100 )         (1,100 )

  Operating Income (Loss)

   102,535    (10,503 )   (76 )   91,956  

  Gain (loss) on investments, net

   54    (3,080 )         (3,026 )

  Interest income (expense), net

   2,238    3,521           5,759  

  Other income (expense), net

   299    105           404  

  Income (Loss) before Income Taxes

   105,126    (9,957 )   (76 )   95,093  

  Provision (benefit) for income taxes

   22,231    (2,596 )   213     19,848  

  Net Income (Loss)

   $  82,895    $  (7,361 )   $     (289 )   $  75,245  

 

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Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations for the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2008

 

  (Dollar amounts in thousands)

  

Applied
Biosystems
Group

 

  

Celera
Group

 

  

Eliminations

 

  

Consolidated

 

 

  Products

   $1,319,364     $ 23,061     $           -     $1,342,425  

  Services

   203,299     44,830          248,129  

  Other

   90,790     28,049          118,839  

  Net revenues from external customers

   1,613,453     95,940        1,709,393  

  Intersegment revenues

   2,217          (2,217)       

  Total Net Revenues

   1,615,670     95,940     (2,217)    1,709,393  

  Products

   595,403     12,453     (664)    607,192  

  Services

   90,424     15,165     (192)    105,397  

  Other

   8,925               8,925  

  Cost of Sales

   694,752     27,618     (856)    721,514  

  Gross Margin

   920,918     68,322     (1,361)    987,879  

  Selling, general and administrative

   427,031     43,780     41,602     512,413  

  Corporate allocated expenses

   35,877     5,744     (41,621)       

  Research and development

   143,598     31,488     (1,072)    174,014  

  Amortization of purchased intangible assets

   7,835     4,604          12,439  

  Employee-related charges, asset impairments, and other

   3,953     4,280          8,233  

  Asset dispositions and legal settlements

   (7,556)    (1,100)         (8,656 )

  Operating Income (Loss)

   310,180     (20,474)    (270)    289,436  

  Gain (loss) on investments, net

   2,665     (3,080)         (415 )

  Interest income (expense), net

   5,691     15,131          20,822  

  Other income (expense), net

   2,609     (13)         2,596  

  Income (Loss) before Income Taxes

   321,145     (8,436)    (270)    312,439  

  Provision (benefit) for income taxes

   90,993     (2,048)    (39)    88,906  

  Net Income (Loss)

   $   230,152     $  (6,388)    $     (231)    $   223,533  

 

25


Table of Contents

APPLERA CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

continued

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Financial Position at March 31, 2008

 

  (Dollar amounts in thousands)    Applied
Biosystems
Group
   Celera
Group
   Eliminations     Consolidated  

  Assets

                      

  Current assets

                      

      Cash and cash equivalents

   $   364,689    $ 61,639    $         -     $   426,328  

      Short-term investments

          276,634          276,634  

      Accounts receivable, net

   458,872      32,610    (291 )   491,191  

      Inventories, net

   172,220      9,607    (849 )   180,978  

      Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   139,970      34,613    (419 )   174,164  

  Total current assets

   1,135,751      415,103    (1,559 )   1,549,295  

  Property, plant and equipment, net

   372,216      11,836    (68 )   383,984  

  Goodwill and intangible assets, net

   288,188      241,180          529,368  

  Other long-term assets

   467,472      119,998    330     587,800  

   Total Assets

   $2,263,627    $ 788,117    $(1,297 )   $3,050,447  

  Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

                      

  Current liabilities

                      

      Loans payable

   $   125,000    $ 123    $         -     $   125,123  

      Accounts payable

   155,069      5,753    (443 )   160,379  

      Accrued salaries and wages

   86,467      7,919          94,386  

      Current deferred tax liability

   15,952                 15,952  

      Accrued taxes on income

   10,021      1,221          11,242  

      Other accrued expenses

   308,645      16,663    (334 )   324,974  

  Total current liabilities

   701,154      31,679    (777 )   732,056  

  Other long-term liabilities

   239,789      6,453    (113 )   246,129  

  Total Liabilities

   940,943      38,132    (890 )   978,185  

  Total Stockholders’ Equity

   1,322,684      749,985    (407 )   2,072,262  

  Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $2,263,627    $ 788,117    $(1,297 )   $3,050,447  

 

26


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APPLERA CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

continued

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2008

 

  (Dollar amounts in thousands)    Applied
Biosystems
Group
    Celera
Group
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

  Operating Activities of Continuing Operations

                        

  Net income (loss)

   $ 230,152     $    (6,388 )   $   (231 )   $ 223,533  

  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:

                        

      Depreciation and amortization

   57,081     9,347     (190 )   66,238  

      Asset impairments

         3,080           3,080  

      Employee-related charges and other

   4,649     1,961           6,610  

      Share-based compensation and pension

   17,737     4,858           22,595  

      Deferred income taxes

   49,707     12,983     (1,304 )   61,386  

      Sale of assets and legal settlements, net

   (2,611 )   (91 )   91     (2,611 )

      Nonreimbursable utilization of intergroup tax benefits

   19,326     (19,326 )            

  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                        

    Accounts receivable

   30,716     (5,126 )   73     25,663  

    Inventories

   (33,183 )   720     278     (32,185 )

    Prepaid expenses and other assets

   8,353     3,840     (9,641 )   2,552  

    Accounts payable and other liabilities

   (37,121 )   (5,895 )   10,927     (32,089 )

  Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities
of Continuing Operations

   344,806     (37 )   3     344,772  

  Net Cash Provided by Discontinued Operations

   12,900                 12,900  

  Investing Activities of Continuing Operations

                        

  Additions to property, plant and equipment, net

   (30,966 )   (3,209 )   88     (34,087 )

  Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale investments

         106,119           106,119  

  Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investments

   213,850     267,145           480,995  

  Purchases of available-for-sale investments

   (12,553 )   (119,996 )         (132,549 )

  Acquisitions and investments, net of cash acquired

   (313 )   (214,437 )         (214,750 )

  Investment in alliance activity, net

         (27 )         (27 )

  Proceeds from the sale of assets, net

   3,331     485     (91 )   3,725  

  Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities
of Continuing Operations

   173,349     36,080     (3 )   209,426  

  Financing Activities of Continuing Operations

                        

  Net change in revolving credit line

   25,000                 25,000  

  Proceeds from loan payable

   100,000                 100,000  

  Payments on loans payable and debt

         (10,591 )         (10,591 )

  Dividends

   (22,708 )               (22,708 )

  Purchases of common stock for treasury

   (601,505 )               (601,505 )

  Proceeds from stock issued for stock plans and other

   66,673     6,151           72,824  

  Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities
of Continuing Operations

   (432,540 )   (4,440 )         (436,980 )

  Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash

   (26,993 )               (26,993 )

  Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents

   71,522     31,603           103,125  

  Cash and Cash Equivalents Beginning of Period

   293,167     30,036           323,203  

  Cash and Cash Equivalents End of Period

   $ 364,689     $   61,639     $         -     $ 426,328  

 

27


Table of Contents

APPLERA CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

continued

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007

 

  (Dollar amounts in thousands)    Applied
Biosystems
Group
   Celera
Group
   Eliminations    Consolidated  

  Products

   $436,209    $    6,267    $            -    $442,476  

  Services

   61,806    10         61,816  

  Other

   31,276    3,484         34,760  

  Net revenues from external customers

   529,291    9,761    -    539,052  

  Intersegment revenues

   682         (682)     

  Total Net Revenues

   529,973    9,761    (682)    539,052  

  Products

   200,494    5,352    (494)    205,352  

  Services

   27,648         (77)    27,571  

  Other

   3,217              3,217  

  Total Cost of Sales

   231,359    5,352    (571)    236,140  

  Gross Margin

   298,614    4,409    (111)    302,912  

  Selling, general and administrative

   137,082    5,351    14,825    157,258  

  Corporate allocated expenses

   13,111    1,720    (14,831)     

  Research and development

   54,378    13,041    (151)    67,268  

  Amortization of purchased intangible assets

   2,841              2,841  

  Operating Income (Loss)

   91,202    (15,703)    46    75,545  

  Interest income (expense), net

   3,263    7,351         10,614  

  Other income (expense), net

   2,277    128         2,405  

  Income (Loss) before Income Taxes

   96,742    (8,224)    46    88,564  

  Provision (benefit) for income taxes

   21,210    (3,772)    228    17,666  

  Net Income (Loss)

   $  75,532    $  (4,452)    $     (182)    $  70,898  

 

 

28


Table of Contents

APPLERA CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

continued

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations for the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2007

 

  (Dollar amounts in thousands)    Applied
Biosystems
Group
   Celera
Group
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

  Products

   $1,264,893    $ 19,433     $           -     $1,284,326  

  Services

   180,728    10           180,738  

  Other

   87,481    13,765           101,246  

  Net revenues from external customers

   1,533,102    33,208     -     1,566,310  

  Intersegment revenues

   3,124          (3,124 )      

  Total Net Revenues

   1,536,226    33,208     (3,124 )   1,566,310  

  Products

   599,775    13,649     (1,355 )   612,069  

  Services

   78,939          (231 )   78,708  

  Other

   8,843                8,843  

  Total Cost of Sales

   687,557    13,649     (1,586 )   699,620  

  Gross Margin

   848,669    19,559     (1,538 )   866,690  

  Selling, general and administrative

   394,856    16,555     43,074     454,485  

  Corporate allocated expenses

   38,011    5,082     (43,093 )      

  Research and development

   150,369    38,197     (1,236 )   187,330  

  Amortization of purchased intangible assets

   8,420                8,420  

  Employee-related charges, asset
impairments and other

        6,013           6,013  

  Asset dispositions and legal settlements

   1,299    (2,357 )         (1,058 )

  Acquired research and development

   114,251                114,251  

  Operating Income (Loss)

   141,463    (43,931 )   (283 )   97,249  

  Gain on investments, net

   209                209  

  Interest income (expense), net

   9,284    20,888           30,172  

  Other income (expense), net

   4,518    343           4,861  

  Income (Loss) before Income Taxes

   155,474    (22,700 )   (283 )   132,491  

  Provision (benefit) for income taxes

   63,882    (10,711 )   (55 )   53,116  

  Net Income (Loss)

   $     91,592    $(11,989 )   $     (228 )   $     79,375  

 

 

29


Table of Contents

APPLERA CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

continued

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Financial Position at June 30, 2007

 

  (Dollar amounts in thousands)    Applied
Biosystems
Group
   Celera
Group
   Eliminations     Consolidated  

  Assets

                    

  Current assets

                    

      Cash and cash equivalents

   $   293,167    $  30,036    $         -     $   323,203  

      Short-term investments

   201,297    531,460          732,757  

      Accounts receivable, net

   446,833    6,258    (218 )   452,873  

      Inventories, net

   132,094    8,826    (571 )   140,349  

      Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   161,040    20,400    (1,995 )   179,445  

  Total current assets

   1,234,431    596,980    (2,784 )   1,828,627  

  Property, plant and equipment, net

   383,594    7,386    (170 )   390,810  

  Goodwill and intangible assets, net

   295,299    2,663          297,962  

  Other long-term assets

   473,280    161,654    207     635,141  

  Total Assets

   $2,386,604    $768,683    $(2,747 )   $3,152,540  

  Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

                    

  Current liabilities

                    

      Accounts payable

   $161,440    $    3,016    $(1,791 )   $   162,665  

      Accrued salaries and wages

   99,694    8,858          108,552  

      Current deferred tax liability

   15,633               15,633  

      Accrued taxes on income

   51,212    15,489          66,701  

      Other accrued expenses

   259,743    10,463    (583 )   269,623  

  Total current liabilities

   587,722    37,826    (2,374 )   623,174  

  Other long-term liabilities

   208,550    4,959    (197 )   213,312  

  Total Liabilities

   796,272    42,785    (2,571 )   836,486  

  Total Stockholders’ Equity

   1,590,332    725,898    (176 )   2,316,054  

  Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $2,386,604    $768,683    $(2,747 )   $3,152,540  

 

30


Table of Contents

APPLERA CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

continued

 

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2007

 

  (Dollar amounts in thousands)    Applied
Biosystems
Group
    Celera
Group
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

  Operating Activities

                        

  Net income (loss)

   $   91,592     $  (11,989 )   $   (228 )   $   79,375  

  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
provided (used) by operating activities:

                        

      Depreciation and amortization

   59,294     5,302     (235 )   64,361  

      Asset impairments

         3,000           3,000  

      Employee-related charges and other

         3,013           3,013  

      Share-based compensation and pension

   12,042     2,319           14,361  

      Deferred income taxes

   20,507     (10,850 )   (1,999 )   7,658  

      Sale of assets and legal settlements, net

   (209 )               (209 )

      Acquired research and development

   114,251                 114,251  

      Nonreimbursable utilization of intergroup tax benefits

   481     (481 )            

  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                        

    Accounts receivable

   (26,139 )   3,852     (387 )   (22,674 )

    Inventories

   (12,604 )   720     319     (11,565 )

    Prepaid expenses and other assets

   2,584     (2,737 )   (3,445 )   (3,598 )

    Accounts payable and other liabilities

   (30,960 )   (11,188 )   5,848     (36,300 )

  Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities

   230,839     (19,039 )   (127 )   211,673  

  Investing Activities

                        

  Additions to property, plant and equipment, net

   (43,808 )   (1,796 )   127     (45,477 )

  Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale investments

         205,952           205,952  

  Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investments

   55,672     284,160           339,832  

  Purchases of available-for-sale investments

   (198,368 )   (515,633 )         (714,001 )

  Acquisitions and investments, net of cash acquired

   (121,673 )               (121,673 )

  Investment in alliance activity, net

         (1,887 )         (1,887 )

  Proceeds from the sale of assets, net

   372                 372  

  Net Cash Used by Investing Activities

   (307,805 )   (29,204 )   127     (336,882 )

  Financing Activities

                        

  Dividends

   (23,241 )               (23,241 )

  Purchases of common stock for treasury

   (68,540 )               (68,540 )

  Proceeds from stock issued for stock plans and other

   96,637     14,498           111,135  

  Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

   4,856     14,498           19,354  

  Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash

   4,010                 4,010  

  Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents

   (68,100 )   (33,745 )         (101,845 )

  Cash and Cash Equivalents Beginning of Period

   373,921     60,270           434,191  

  Cash and Cash Equivalents End of Period

   $ 305,821     $   26,525     $         -     $ 332,346  

 

31


Table of Contents

Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

APPLERA CORPORATION

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF

OPERATIONS

 

The purpose of the following management’s discussion and analysis is to provide an overview of the business of Applera Corporation to help facilitate an understanding of significant factors influencing our historical operating results, financial condition, and cash flows and also to convey our expectations of the potential impact of known trends, events, or uncertainties that may impact our future results. You should read this discussion in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this report and in our 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders. Historical results and percentage relationships are not necessarily indicative of operating results for future periods. When used in this management discussion, the terms “Applera,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” mean Applera Corporation and its subsidiaries.

 

We have reclassified some prior year amounts for comparative purposes.

 

Overview

We conduct business through two business segments: the Applied Biosystems group and the Celera group.

 

The Applied Biosystems group serves the life science industry and research community by developing and marketing instrument-based systems, consumables, software, and services. Its customers use these tools to analyze nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), small molecules, and proteins to make scientific discoveries and develop new pharmaceuticals. The Applied Biosystems group’s products also serve the needs of some markets outside of life science research, which we refer to as “applied markets,” such as the fields of: human identity testing (forensic and paternity testing); “biosecurity,” which refers to products needed in response to the threat of biological terrorism and other malicious, accidental, and natural biological dangers; and quality and safety testing, such as testing required for food and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

 

The Celera group is a diagnostics business that delivers personalized disease management through a combination of products and services incorporating proprietary discoveries. Berkeley HeartLab, Inc. (“BHL”), a subsidiary of the Celera group, offers clinical laboratory testing services to characterize cardiovascular disease risk and optimize patient management. The Celera group also commercializes a wide range of molecular diagnostic products through its strategic alliance with Abbott Laboratories, which began in June 2002, and has licensed its diagnostic technologies to clinical laboratories to provide personalized disease management in cancer and liver diseases. The term of the strategic alliance agreement runs until June 2017.

 

In fiscal 1999, as part of a recapitalization of our Company, we created two classes of common stock referred to as “tracking” stocks. Tracking stock is a class of stock of a corporation intended to “track” or reflect the relative performance of a specific business within the corporation.

 

Applera Corporation-Applied Biosystems Group Common Stock (“Applera-Applied Biosystems stock”) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “ABI” and is intended to reflect the relative performance of the Applied Biosystems group. Applera Corporation-Celera Group Common Stock (“Applera-Celera stock”) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “CRA” and is intended to reflect the relative performance of the Celera group. There is no single security that represents the performance of Applera as a whole.

 

Holders of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock and holders of Applera-Celera stock are stockholders of Applera. The Applied Biosystems group and the Celera group are not separate legal entities, and holders of these stocks are stockholders of a single company, Applera. As a result, holders of these stocks are subject to all of the risks associated with an investment in Applera and all of its businesses, assets, and liabilities. The Applied Biosystems group and the Celera group do not have separate boards of directors. Applera has one board of directors, which will make any decision in accordance with its good faith business judgment that the decision is in the best interests of Applera and all of its stockholders as a whole.

 

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APPLERA CORPORATION

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF

OPERATIONS continued

 

On August 8, 2007, we announced that our board of directors has retained Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated to explore alternatives to our current tracking stock structure, including the possibility of creating independent publicly-traded companies in place of our two business groups, the Applied Biosystems group and the Celera group. In January 2008, we reiterated a preference of our board of directors to dissolve the current tracking stock structure and create separate, publicly traded companies for the Applied Biosystems group and the Celera group. Although no final decision has been reached, we filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in February 2008 in an effort to finalize a separation by June 30, 2008, the end of our 2008 fiscal year. We intend to update shareholders as the analysis is completed and the decision is finalized. No assurances can be given that the board will ultimately authorize such a transaction or that, if authorized, such a transaction will be consummated.

 

More information about the risks relating to our capital structure, particularly our two classes of capital stock, is contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Our fiscal year ends on June 30. The financial information for both segments is presented in Note 15 to our interim condensed consolidated financial statements, Segment and Consolidating Information. Management’s discussion and analysis addresses the consolidated financial results followed by the discussions of our two segments.

 

Business Developments:

Listed below are significant business developments since the filing of our last Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on February 8, 2008.

 

Applied Biosystems Group

 

  ·  

In April 2008, the Applied Biosystems group announced that Baylor University had selected the SOLiD™ system, its next-generation sequencing platform, to help support their participation in the 1000 Genomes Project, a global international consortium aimed at providing a comprehensive map of genetic and structural variation to help understand the causes of disease. Also in April, the Beijing Genomics Institute (“BGI”) announced that it, too, plans to use the SOLiD System to support its participation in the project.

 

  ·  

During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Applied Biosystems group made a number of announcements related to the ongoing commercialization of the SOLiD System, which began shipping in October 2007. New chemistry, fine-tuned software, and an improved workflow, part of a significant upgrade that will be provided to current customers starting in May 2008, is enabling customers to more than double throughput while reducing run times. The Applied Biosystems group also introduced a powerful new SOLiD-optimized microRNA (“miRNA”) solution that gives customers the ability to perform digital gene expression experiments to help understand the role these small, regulatory molecules play in cancer and other diseases and pathways. Finally, the Applied Biosystems group named two new software community members who plan to add value to the SOLiD System by aligning next-generation sequence data with previous-generation sequencing data and by significantly improving data workflows.

 

  ·  

Also in April, the Applied Biosystems group announced the development of a set of tools to help researchers profile expression levels of miRNAs from trace amounts of sample, potentially advancing the study of cancer, in which miRNAs are believed to play a critical regulatory role.

 

  ·  

In March 2008, the Applied Biosystems group announced that it was expanding its presence in the fast-growing food safety and testing market and planning to provide pathogen detection kits directly to food companies. The first such kit will test for salmonella; additional pathogen test kits are under development.

 

  ·  

Also in March, the Applied Biosystems group announced that it had sequenced the Yoruban genome for under $60,000 in reagent costs, setting a new standard for experimental value and further setting the stage for consumer genomics and personalized medicine. The experimental data was posted on an NIH website so that researchers around the world could enjoy free and unfettered access to the sequence information.

 

  ·  

In February 2008, the Applied Biosystems group introduced new iTRAQ labeling chemistry for mass spectrometry-based proteomics research. The new, high-throughput chemistry lets researchers process up to eight samples in parallel, running them through a mass spectrometer to identify the proteins and then comparing the expression levels of thousands of proteins in diseased samples against control samples.

 

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APPLERA CORPORATION

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF

OPERATIONS continued

 

  ·  

Also in February, the Applied Biosystems group introduced a new forensics kit that can quickly identify low amounts of male DNA present in samples containing high quantities of female DNA, speeding up sample analysis in sexual assault cases. The Applied Biosystems group worked directly with the San Diego, California Police Department to develop and validate the new DNA analysis kit. In a related March 2008 development, a localized, Mandarin-language version of the Applied Biosystems GeneMapper Software for Identifiler and the Chinese Sinofiler kit was introduced for the Chinese human identification market.

 

Celera Group

 

  ·  

Following the publication of three papers in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in January 2008 describing the identification of a gene variant called kinesin-like protein 6 (“KIF6”) that conveys up to a 55 percent increased risk for coronary heart disease, which is virtually eliminated by statin therapy, BHL completed the development and validation of a laboratory service assay for KIF6 genotypes in March 2008 and began offering the test to a select group of physicians participating in a trial market. Uptake of the KIF6 assay to date has been strong and thus far appears to be outperforming previously successful trial markets conducted by BHL, such as Apo E, NT-proBNP, and Lp-PLA2 tests at the same stage of trial marketing. The test market is expected to refine pricing, positioning and reimbursement for the KIF6 test and is targeted to be completed by the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, in anticipation of a full scale launch of KIF6 testing service at BHL over the summer of 2008.

 

  ·  

In April 2008, the Celera group and Abbott were awarded a bone marrow registry tender by the French National Blood Service, or Etablissement Français du Sang, for high resolution human leukocyte antigen (“HLA”) typing using the Celera group’s HLA sequenced-based testing products. The term of the award is for three years and was effective immediately. It is anticipated that approximately 45,000 individuals will be tested over the coming three years, with each one tested over multiple loci for registry requirements, representing approximately 200,000 HLA tests performed on these repository samples. HLA sequenced-based testing is part of the Atria Genetics Inc. (“Atria”) product portfolio that was acquired by the Celera group in October 2007, and now is a part of the Celera group’s in vitro diagnostic product business.

 

  ·  

In April 2008, Abbott and Innogenetics N.V., Ghent, Belgium, settled a patent infringement suit covering the U.S. sale of hepatitis C virus (“HCV”) genotyping products. Innogenetics did not name the Celera group as a party in this lawsuit, but the Celera group has an interest in these products and had an interest in the outcome of the litigation because the products are manufactured by the Celera group and sold through its alliance with Abbott. The Celera group agreed to share equally the cost of this litigation, including damages, with Abbott.

 

  ·  

Also in April, the Celera group granted a two year exclusive license agreement to Merck & Co., Inc. providing Merck with access to up to ten cancer targets for the development of RNA interference-based therapeutics.

 

  ·  

In March 2008, the Celera group and researchers at the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands published a paper in the Journal of the American Medical Association describing the identification of several novel gene variants; each variant is associated with approximately 50 percent increased risk of deep vein thrombosis.

 

  ·  

In February 2008, the Celera group and Geisinger Health System entered into a research collaboration with the aim of developing a diagnostic assay for increased risk of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis by evaluating the Celera group’s numerous genetic findings in liver diseases, including the Cirrhosis Risk Score™ panel, in the Geisinger bank of more than 600 liver tissue and blood case-control samples.

 

  ·  

Within the alliance with Abbott, the Chlamydia and Gonorrhea assays that run on the m2000™ system were submitted during the third quarter of fiscal 2008 to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for 510(k) review. Also within the alliance, Abbott completed the optimization of an assay for human papillomavirus (“HPV”) in Europe. Field trials are being developed as early access partners are identified, and it is anticipated that this assay will be approved for launch in Europe in the first half of calendar 2009.

 

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Critical Accounting Estimates

There were no material changes to our critical accounting estimates during the first nine months of fiscal 2008, except for our revenue recognition policy, as described below, due to the acquisition of BHL in October 2007. For further information on our critical accounting estimates, refer to the discussion contained in the management’s discussion and analysis section of our 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders (which discussion is incorporated in this quarterly report by reference).

 

Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable

The following describes only the areas that are most subject to our judgment. Refer to Note 1, Accounting Policies and Practices, to our interim condensed consolidated financial statements for a more detailed discussion of our revenue recognition policy.

 

In the normal course of business, we enter into arrangements whereby revenues are derived from multiple deliverables. In these revenue arrangements, we record revenue in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, “Revenue Recognition” and Emerging Issues Task Force Consensus Issue 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables,” and related pronouncements. In these revenue arrangements, we record revenue as the separate elements are delivered to the customer if the delivered item is determined to represent a separate earnings process, there is objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered item, and delivery or performance of the undelivered item is probable and substantially in our control. For instruments where installation is determined to be a separate earnings process, the portion of the sales price allocable to the fair value of the installation is deferred and recognized when installation is complete. We determine the fair value of the installation process based on technician labor billing rates, the expected number of hours to install the instrument based on historical experience, and amounts charged by third parties. We continually monitor the level of effort required for the installation of our instruments to ensure that appropriate fair values have been determined. Revenues from multiple-element arrangements involving license fees, up-front payments and milestone payments, which are received and/or billable in connection with other rights and services that represent our continuing obligations, are deferred until all of the multiple elements have been delivered or until objective and verifiable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered elements has been established. We determine the fair value of each element in multiple-element arrangements based on the prices charged when the similar elements are sold separately to third parties. If objective and verifiable evidence of fair value of all undelivered elements exists but objective and verifiable evidence of fair value does not exist for one or more delivered elements, then revenue is recognized using the residual method. Under the residual method, the revenues from delivered elements are not recognized until the fair value of the undelivered element or elements has been determined. Contract interpretation is normally required to determine the appropriate accounting, including whether the deliverables specified in a multiple element arrangement should be treated as separate units of accounting for revenue recognition purposes, and if so, how the price should be allocated among the deliverable elements, when to begin to recognize revenue for each element, and the period over which revenue should be recognized.

 

We recognize royalty revenues when earned over the term of the agreement in exchange for the grant of licenses to use our products or some technologies for which we hold patents. We recognize revenue for estimates of royalties earned during the applicable period, based on historical activity, and make revisions for actual royalties received in the following quarter. Historically, these revisions have not been material to our consolidated financial statements. For those arrangements where royalties cannot be reasonably estimated, we recognize revenue on the receipt of cash or royalty statements from our licensees.

 

A portion of the Celera group’s reported net revenues include patient test service revenues associated with BHL’s operations. We recognize patient test service revenues on completion of the testing process and when the test results are sent to the ordering healthcare provider. Billings for services reimbursed by third-party payors, including Medicare, are recorded net of allowances for differences between amounts billed and the estimated receipts from such payors. These allowances are determined based on historical activity. Since the acquisition date through March 31, 2008, revenue from Medicare patients represented approximately 38% of the total BHL patient test service revenues. Payment arrangements with third parties, such as Medicare and some insurance companies, include predetermined reimbursement rates for patient tests. Adjustments to the estimated receipts, based on final settlement with the third-party payors, including Medicare, are recorded in revenue upon settlement. Historically, adjustments for Medicare have not exceeded  1/4%, and adjustments for non-Medicare payors have not exceeded  1/2%, of total BHL patient test service revenues as compared to our prior quarter estimates. As such, the Celera group estimates the potential impact of subsequent revisions to its reimbursement rates to be in the range of $150,000 to $200,000 as of March 31, 2008.

 

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We have an established process to estimate and review the collectibility of our receivables. Bad debt expense is recorded in SG&A expenses as a percentage of aged accounts receivable considered necessary to maintain an appropriate level of allowance for doubtful accounts. Receivables are reserved based on their respective aging categories. Our process for determining the appropriate level of the allowance for doubtful accounts involves judgment, and considers the age of the underlying receivables, type of payor, historical and projected collection experience, current economic and business conditions, and other external factors that could affect the collectibility of its receivables. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed for adequacy, at a minimum, on a quarterly basis. An account is written-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when all reasonable collection efforts have been unsuccessful and it is probable the receivable will not be recovered or the account has been transferred to a third party collection agency.

 

Events Impacting Comparability

We are providing the following information on some actions taken by us or events that occurred in the periods indicated. We describe the effect of these items on our reported earnings for the purpose of providing you with a better understanding of our on-going operations. You should consider these items when making comparisons to past performance and assessing prospects for future results.

 

  Income/(charge)    Three months ended
March 31,
        Nine months ended
March 31,
 
  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008     2007         2008     2007  

  Severance and benefit costs

   $(1.3 )   $    -         $(5.0 )   $         -  

  Asset impairments

                         (3.0 )

  Excess lease space

   (0.9 )             (0.9 )      

  Other

   (2.8 )             (2.4 )   (3.6 )

  Reduction of expected costs

                         0.6  

  Total employee-related charges, asset impairments and other

   $(5.0 )   $    -         $(8.3 )   $    (6.0 )

  Other events impacting comparability:

                            

     Revenue from sale of small molecule program

   $     -     $    -         $     -     $     2.5  

     Asset dispositions and legal settlements

   1.1               8.7     1.1  

     Acquired research and development

                         (114.3 )

     Investment gains (losses)

   (3.1 )             (0.5 )      

     Tax items

   8.9     8.4         6.6     18.2  

 

Acquisitions

In October 2007, we acquired BHL for $193.2 million in cash, including transaction costs. BHL is a cardiovascular healthcare company with a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (“CLIA”)-certified laboratory that provides a broad portfolio of clinical laboratory tests and disease management services focused on individuals who have cardiovascular disease or lipid or metabolic disorders. We believe that the acquisition provides the Celera group with a commercial infrastructure to bring its new genetic tests to the U.S. cardiovascular market. Additionally, BHL is expected to provide opportunities for the Celera group to commercialize new tests and technologies and to gain economies of scale and improve its margins as a consequence of the vertical integration with BHL’s clinical laboratory service business. The cash expenditure for this acquisition was funded by available cash.

 

In late October 2007, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Atria for $33.3 million in cash, including transaction costs. Atria has a line of HLA testing products that are used for identifying potential donors in the matching process for bone marrow transplantation. The acquisition provides the Celera group with direct access to tissue typing in the transplantation and bone marrow registry market. The cash expenditure for this acquisition was funded by available cash.

 

The net assets and results of operations of BHL and Atria have been included in our condensed consolidated financial statements since their respective acquisition dates, and have been allocated to the Celera group. For further information on these acquisitions, see Note 3 to our interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Acquired Research and Development

In the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Applied Biosystems group recorded a $114.3 million charge to write-off the value of acquired in-process research and development (“IPR&D”) in connection with the acquisition of Agencourt Personal Genomics, Inc. (“APG”). As of the acquisition date, in July 2006, the technological feasibility of the acquired IPR&D project had not been established, and it was determined that the project had no future alternative use. The project being developed, which consists of both an instrument and reagents, is intended for very high throughput genetic analysis applications, including DNA sequencing and expression profiling.

 

At the date of acquisition, the project was in the development stage and approximately 30% complete. The work on this project was completed in September 2007. The following table briefly describes the APG project.

 

     At Acquisition Date
  (Dollar amounts in millions)    Fair
Value
  

Estimated

Costs to
Complete

   Approximate  
Percentage  
Completed  

  Instruments

   $  66.6    $10.0    35%  

  Reagents

 

   47.7

 

   6.0

 

   25%  

 

  Total

   $114.3    $16.0     

 

In June 2007, we made our first placements of this next generation instrument system to early access customers. The initial instrument and reagents began generating revenue in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. The total project costs were approximately $29 million, an increase of $13 million from the estimate as of the acquisition date. These additional R&D expenditures were for labor and materials required to accelerate the commercial launch of the platform and optimize features to better compete with other already commercialized next generation technologies. This increase in costs was offset by reductions in other planned R&D projects. Based on the performance of the system, the level of interest shown by our potential customers, and the progress in our manufacturing scale up, we accelerated the commercial release of the system to October 2007.

 

Employee-Related Charges, Asset Impairments and Other

The following items have been recorded in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations in employee-related charges, asset impairments and other, except as noted.

 

Applied Biosystems group

 

Fiscal 2008

During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Applied Biosystems group recorded a pre-tax charge of $1.1 million primarily for professional fees related to the Celera group’s anticipated separation from Applera. The Applied Biosystems group and the Celera group have agreed to share equally the costs incurred for the separation.

 

During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, the Applied Biosystems group recorded a pre-tax charge of $2.9 million for severance costs for 41 employees. The charge resulted from the realignment of the Applied Biosystems group’s organization to support market dynamics and it plans on redirecting the savings into other strategic initiatives. All of the affected employees were notified as of December 31, 2007, and are expected to be terminated by June 30, 2008. During the second and third quarters of fiscal 2008, we made cash payments of $1.7 million related to this charge. Cash expenditures were funded by cash provided by operating activities. The remaining cash expenditures of $1.2 million are expected to be paid by June 30, 2008.

 

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Charges prior to fiscal 2007

During the first nine months of fiscal 2008, the Applied Biosystems group made cash payments of approximately $0.9 million related to excess facility lease space charges recorded in fiscal 2005. The remaining cash payments of $0.8 million as of March 31, 2008 are expected to be disbursed by fiscal 2011. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities”, the excess facility lease space charge included a reduction for future estimated sublease rentals for the property. A sublease rental was not obtained for the property and over the course of the lease, additional charges of $0.6 million were recorded in operating expenses. Additionally, in the second quarter of fiscal 2007, a charge of $0.5 million was recorded in operating expenses to reserve for additional estimated costs under the lease.

 

Celera group

 

Fiscal 2008

During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Celera group recorded a pre-tax charge of $1.3 million for severance costs for approximately 30 employees. All of the affected employees were notified by March 31, 2008, and are expected to be terminated by the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2009. During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, we made net cash payments of $0.7 million related to this charge. Cash expenditures were funded by available cash. The remaining cash expenditures of $0.6 million are expected to be paid by the third quarter of fiscal 2009. This charge resulted from the realigning of its R&D resources and other activities in line with its current business activities.

 

Also during the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Celera group recorded a pre-tax charge of $1.1 million primarily for professional fees related to its anticipated separation from Applera. The Celera group and the Applied Biosystems group have agreed to share equally the costs incurred for the separation.

 

During the second and third quarters of fiscal 2008, the Celera group recorded pre-tax charges totaling $1.3 million related to a reduction in the Celera group’s proteomic-based activities. These charges were in addition to a charge recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, as described below. These charges were primarily comprised of a $0.8 million charge in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 for severance costs for approximately 20 employees and an excess lease space charge of $0.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, partially offset by a gain of $0.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 from the disposal of equipment related to proteomic-based activities. All of the affected employees were notified by October 31, 2007, and are expected to be terminated by the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. During the second and third quarters of fiscal 2008, we made net cash payments of $0.7 million related to the severance charge. Cash expenditures were funded by available cash. The remaining cash expenditures of $0.1 million for the severance charge are expected to be paid by the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2009. The excess lease space charge represented the estimated cost of excess lease space less estimated future sublease income on a facility in Rockville, Maryland, which extends through April 2010. These charges resulted from the Celera group’s desire to improve its financial results, in part by lowering operating expenses.

 

Fiscal 2007

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, the Celera group recorded a pre-tax charge of $0.5 million for severance costs for approximately 20 employees. The charge resulted from a reduction in the Celera group’s proteomics-based activities. All of the affected employees were notified as of June 30, 2007, and were terminated by October 31, 2007. During the first nine months of fiscal 2008, we made cash payments of $0.5 million, which represented the remaining payments related to this charge. Cash expenditures were funded by available cash. This action was intended to continue to improve the Celera group’s financial results, in part due to lower operating expenses.

 

During the second quarter of fiscal 2007, the Celera group recorded a pre-tax charge of $2.5 million, which was primarily comprised of a $3.0 million pre-tax charge for the write-down of the carrying amount of an owned facility that was impaired initially in fiscal 2006, partially offset by a pre-tax benefit of $0.6 million for a reduction in anticipated employee-related costs associated with severance and benefit charges recorded in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2006.

 

During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Celera group recorded a pre-tax charge of $3.5 million for its estimated share of a damage award in continuing litigation between Abbott Laboratories, our alliance partner, and Innogenetics N.V. In September 2006, a jury found that the sale of HCV genotyping analyte specific reagents (“ASRs”) products by Abbott willfully infringed a U.S. patent owned by Innogenetics and awarded Innogenetics $7.0 million in damages. In January 2007, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin ruled in

 

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favor of Innogenetics’ request for a permanent injunction, and as such, ordered Abbott to withdraw its products from the market. The Court also reversed the jury verdict of willful infringement and ruled that Abbott did not willfully infringe Innogenetics’ patent and denied Innogenetics’ request for enhanced damages and attorneys’ fees. Innogenetics did not name the Celera group as a party in this lawsuit, but the Celera group has an interest in these products and in the outcome of the litigation because the enjoined products are manufactured by the Celera group and sold through its alliance with Abbott. Also, as these products are part of its alliance with Abbott, the Celera group agreed to share equally the cost of this litigation, including the damage award described above. Abbott appealed the judgment. On January 17, 2008, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit vacated the permanent injunction granted by the lower court for Innogenetics against Abbott in selling HCV genotyping products. Since the jury’s damage award included an upfront entry fee, the Court remanded to the lower court to determine the terms of a compulsory license for Abbott’s future sales. In addition, the Court remanded for a new trial on the validity of the Innogenetics patent in view of a prior-issued patent. The Court also affirmed the judgment of infringement and the judgment of no willful infringement. In April 2008, Abbott and Innogenetics settled the patent infringement suit and the Celera group recorded an additional pre-tax charge of $0.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. The costs to the Celera group, including the initial pre-tax charge of $3.5 million recorded in fiscal 2007, were $4.1 million. In addition, through March 31, 2008, the Celera group recorded in operating expenses approximately $2.9 million in legal fees associated with this litigation.

 

Charges prior to fiscal 2007

During fiscal 2006, the Celera group recorded pre-tax charges of $26.4 million related to its decision to exit its small molecule drug discovery and development programs and the integration of Celera Diagnostics into the Celera group. These charges consisted of $12.8 million of employee-related charges, $9.8 million of asset impairments, $1.2 million of excess lease space, and $2.6 million of other disposal costs. The remaining required cash expenditures of $0.8 million as of March 31, 2008, the majority of which related to the asset impairment of an owned facility, are expected to be disbursed by December 31, 2008.

 

During the first nine months of fiscal 2008, the Celera group made net cash payments of approximately $0.5 million related to an excess facility lease space charge that was recorded in fiscal 2005. As of March 31, 2008, the remaining net cash expenditures of approximately $2.2 million related to this charge are expected to be disbursed by fiscal 2011.

 

Other Events Impacting Comparability

 

Revenue from sale of small molecule program

In the second quarter of fiscal 2007, the Celera group recorded $2.5 million in net revenues from the sale of a small molecule drug discovery and development program to Schering AG. The Celera group had recorded an initial $2.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 when the agreement for the sale of the program was executed.

 

Asset dispositions and legal settlements

The following items have been recorded in the interim condensed consolidated statements of operations in asset dispositions and legal settlements.

 

Fiscal 2008

In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Celera group recorded a $1.1 million pre-tax gain related to the settlement of a litigation matter associated with its former Online/Information Business, an information products and service business.

 

In the first quarter of fiscal 2008, the Applied Biosystems group recorded a $7.6 million pre-tax gain primarily related to a settlement and licensing agreement entered into with Stratagene Corporation and Agilent Technologies, Inc. (which acquired Stratagene), which resolved outstanding legal disputes with Stratagene.

 

Fiscal 2007

In the second quarter of fiscal 2007, the Applied Biosystems group recorded a $4.8 million pre-tax benefit related to the settlement of a patent infringement claim and a $3.0 million pre-tax benefit related to our collection from a third party of a portion of its liability relative to the settlement of a prior legal dispute. Additionally in the second quarter of fiscal 2007, the Celera group recorded a $2.4 million pre-tax benefit related to the settlement of a litigation matter associated with the former Online/Information Business.

 

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In the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Applied Biosystems group recorded a $9.1 million pre-tax charge related to a settlement agreement entered into with another company which resolved outstanding legal disputes with that company.

 

Investments

The Celera group recorded a pre-tax charge of $3.1 million in gain (loss) on investments in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 for an other-than-temporary impairment of a publicly traded non-strategic minority equity investment. The impairment charge resulted from a number of factors that were assessed, including the duration of the decline in market value, the financial condition, and future prospects for the investee. The Applied Biosystems group recorded a pre-tax gain of $2.6 million in gain (loss) on investments in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 from the sale of a non-strategic minority equity investment.

 

Tax items

 

Fiscal 2008

In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, we recorded net tax benefits of $8.9 million, primarily resulting from net benefits related to completed Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and foreign audits. $9.6 million of tax benefits were recorded at the Applied Biosystems group, slightly offset by a tax charge of $0.7 million recorded at the Celera group.

 

In the second quarter of fiscal 2008, the Applied Biosystems group recorded tax charges of $0.5 million primarily related to foreign tax settlements. In the first quarter of fiscal 2008, the Applied Biosystems group recorded tax charges of $1.8 million primarily related to the recalculation of deferred tax assets as a result of a decrease in the statutory tax rate in Germany.

 

Fiscal 2007

In the third quarter of fiscal 2007, we recorded a tax benefit of $8.4 million, primarily resulting from a $6.1 million valuation allowance release. The valuation allowance release was due to management’s reassessment of the future realization of foreign tax credits. Tax benefits identified during the tax return preparation accounted for the remaining tax benefits of $2.3 million. $8.0 million of the tax benefit was recorded at the Applied Biosystems group and $0.4 million was recorded at the Celera group.

 

The Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, enacted in December 2006, extended the R&D tax credit from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2007. The Celera group included the estimated benefit of the current year R&D tax credit in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 estimated annual effective tax rate. In addition, the Celera group recorded a tax benefit of $1.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 related to the R&D tax credit generated between January 1 and June 30, 2006.

 

In the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the Applied Biosystems group recorded a tax benefit of $8.8 million related to a reduction in the valuation allowance for German net operating loss carryforwards.

 

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Discussion of Applera Corporation’s Consolidated Operations

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,

        

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

 
  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008     2007   

%
Increase/

(Decrease)

         2008     2007    

%
Increase/

(Decrease)

 

  Net revenues

   $591.4     $539.0    9.7%          $1,709.4     $1,566.3     9.1%  

  Cost of sales

   251.1     236.1    6.4%          721.5     699.6     3.1%  

  Gross margin

   340.3     302.9    12.3%          987.9     866.7     14.0%  

  SG&A expenses

   180.8     157.3    14.9%          512.5     454.5     12.8%  

  R&D

   58.6     67.2    (12.8% )        174.0     187.3     (7.1% )

  Amortization of purchased intangible

    assets

   5.1     2.8    82.1%          12.4     8.4     47.6%  

  Employee-related charges, asset

    impairments and other

   5.0                     8.3     6.0     38.3%  

  Asset dispositions and legal settlements

   (1.1 )                   (8.7 )   (1.1 )   690.9%  

  Acquired research and development

                               114.3     (100.0% )

  Operating income

   91.9     75.6    21.6%          289.4     97.3     197.4%  

  Gain (loss) on investments, net

   (3.0 )                   (0.4 )   0.2     (300.0% )

  Interest income (expense), net

   5.8     10.6    (45.3% )        20.8     30.2     (31.1% )

  Other income (expense), net

   0.4     2.4    (83.3% )        2.6     4.8     (45.8% )

  Income before income taxes

   95.1     88.6    7.3%          312.4     132.5     135.8%  

  Provision for income taxes

   19.9     17.7    12.4%          88.9     53.1     67.4%  

  Net income

   $  75.2     $  70.9    6.1%          $   223.5     $     79.4     181.5%  

  Percentage of net revenues:

                                        

  Gross margin

   57.5%     56.2%               57.8%     55.3%        

  SG&A expenses

   30.6%     29.2%               30.0%     29.0%        

  R&D

   9.9%     12.5%               10.2%     12.0%        

  Operating income

   15.5%     14.0%               16.9%     6.2%        

  Effective income tax rate

   20.9%     20.0%               28.5%     40.0%        

 

The following table summarizes the impact of the previously described events impacting comparability included in the financial results for fiscal 2008 and 2007:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
         Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008     2007          2008     2007  

  Income (charge) included in income before

  income taxes

   $  (7.0 )   $      -          $(0.1 )   $(116.7 )

  Benefit for income taxes

   (11.3 )   (8.5 )        (6.8 )   (19.1 )

 

Net income increased in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the prior year periods primarily due to the previously described events impacting comparability, higher net revenues and gross margin, and lower R&D expenses, partially offset by higher SG&A expenses. The net effect of foreign currency on our net income was a benefit of approximately $7 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2008 and approximately $22 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2008 as compared to the prior year periods. Read our discussion of segments for information on their financial results.

 

Net revenues, which include the favorable effects of foreign currency, increased in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared with the prior year periods. The effect of foreign currency increased net revenues by approximately 4% in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 as compared to the prior year periods. Net revenues increased in both the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 primarily due to the favorable effect of foreign currency, the acquisitions of BHL and Atria, and higher diagnostic-related licensing and royalty revenues at the Celera group.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF

OPERATIONS continued

 

In Europe, revenues increased approximately 7% during the third quarter of fiscal 2008 as compared to the prior year quarter, including the favorable effect of foreign currency of approximately 6%. Revenues increased in Europe primarily as a result of sales of TaqMan Gene Expression Assay products, API triple quad systems, Q TRAP systems, sequence detection consumables, and SOLiD Systems. This growth was partially offset by lower sales of genetic analyzers. The Europe category includes revenues from India and other countries in West Asia, which had previously been grouped into our Asia Pacific category. Revenues by geographic area for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 have been reclassified to reflect this change. Revenues in Asia Pacific, other than Japan, increased by approximately 24% as compared to the prior year quarter, including a favorable impact from foreign currency of approximately 4%. This growth was led by China, in part due to spending in applied markets. From a product perspective, revenue in Asia Pacific, other than Japan, increased due to higher sales of API triple quad systems and human identification consumables, partially offset by a decline in sales of MALDI TOF/TOF systems. Revenues in Japan during the third quarter of fiscal 2008 increased by approximately 7% relative to the prior year quarter, including a favorable impact from foreign currency of approximately 10%. Revenues decreased due to continued constrained academic and pharmaceutical spending and competition. From a product perspective, the decrease was primarily due to lower sales of API triple quad and Q TRAP systems, offset by sales of SOLiD Systems and genetic analyzers in the region. Sales in the U.S. in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 decreased compared to the prior year quarter due to lower sales of genetic analyzers, Real-Time PCR instruments, Q TRAP systems, revenues from a U.S. Department of Defense contract awarded to the Applied Biosystems group in August 2006, which were included in the third quarter of fiscal 2007, and MALDI TOF/TOF systems, partially offset by sales of SOLiD Systems and TaqMan Gene Expression Assay products.

 

During the first nine months of fiscal 2008, revenues in Europe increased approximately 10% as compared to the prior year period, including the favorable effect of foreign currency of approximately 7%. Revenues increased in Europe primarily as a result of higher sales of TaqMan Gene Expression Assay products, DNA sequencing consumables, Q TRAP systems, sequence detection consumables and human identification consumables. This growth was partially offset by lower sales of genetic analyzers, primarily low to medium throughput, and MALDI TOF/TOF and Q STAR systems. The Europe category includes revenues from India and other countries in West Asia, which had previously been grouped into our Asia Pacific category. Revenues by geographic area for the first nine months of fiscal 2007 have been reclassified to reflect this change. Revenues in Asia Pacific, other than Japan, increased by approximately 16% during the first nine months of fiscal 2008 as compared to the prior year period, including a favorable impact from foreign currency of approximately 3%. This growth was led by China and Australia. From a product perspective, revenue in Asia Pacific, other than Japan, increased due to higher sales of API triple quad systems, low to medium throughput genetic analyzers, human identification consumables, and RNA kits and reagents. These increases were partially offset by a decline in sales of MALDI TOF/TOF systems. Revenues in Japan during the first nine months of fiscal 2008 were relatively flat compared to the prior year period, including a favorable impact from foreign currency of approximately 6%. A decline in sales of API triple quad and Q TRAP systems was offset by the introduction of the SOLiD System and increases in sales of genetic analyzers, MALDI TOF/TOF systems and human identification consumables in the region. Sales in the U.S. decreased in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 primarily due to lower sales of genetic analyzers, Real-Time PCR instruments, revenues from a U.S. Department of Defense contract, which were included in the first nine months of fiscal 2007, chromatography media consumables, and DNA sequencing consumables. These decreases were partially offset by higher sales of API triple quad systems, TaqMan Gene Expression Assay products, Real-Time PCR consumables, and sales of SOLiD Systems.

 

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APPLERA CORPORATION

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF

OPERATIONS continued

 

The higher gross margin percentage for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 as compared to the prior year quarter was primarily due to lower costs for enzymes from a new supply agreement and the favorable impact of foreign currency, all at the Applied Biosystems group, and higher margin services and products due to the acquisitions of BHL and Atria and higher licensing and royalty revenues at the Celera group. Partially offsetting this increase was competitive pricing in the Mass Spectrometry product category at the Applied Biosystems group. Gross margin, as a percentage of net revenues, increased for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the prior year period primarily from lower costs for enzymes due to the new supply agreement and other improved vendor pricing and lower manufacturing costs, and the favorable impact of foreign currency, all at the Applied Biosystems group, and higher margin services and products due to the acquisitions of BHL and Atria and higher licensing and royalty revenues at the Celera group. Partially offsetting these benefits was competitive pricing in the Mass Spectrometry product category at the Applied Biosystems group.

 

SG&A expenses for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 increased compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to the inclusion of BHL expenses of approximately $13 million at the Celera group, higher employee-related costs of approximately $6 million at the Applied Biosystems group, the unfavorable impact of foreign currency of approximately $6 million, and regional investments, including additional headcount, of approximately $3 million to support growth primarily in Europe and China at the Applied Biosystems group. This increase was partially offset by lower legal expenses of approximately $2 million and lower marketing and travel expenses of approximately $1 million at the Applied Biosystems group.

 

SG&A expenses for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 increased compared to the prior year period primarily due to: the inclusion of BHL expenses of approximately $25 million at the Celera group; the unfavorable impact of foreign currency of approximately $14 million; higher employee-related costs of approximately $14 million; regional investments, including additional headcount, of approximately $9 million in fiscal 2008 to support growth primarily in Europe and China; and the reversal in the first quarter of fiscal 2007 of a $5 million accrual related to settled litigation, all at the Applied Biosystems group. This increase was partially offset by lower marketing and travel expenses of approximately $3 million at the Applied Biosystems group. The first nine months of fiscal 2007 included approximately $3 million of integration costs related to Ambion, a company the Applied Biosystems group acquired in March 2006.

 

R&D expenses decreased for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the prior year periods primarily as a result of lower employee-related costs at the Applied Biosystems group, the termination in June 2007 of a U.S. Department of Defense contract awarded to the Applied Biosystems group, the timing of expenses at the Applied Biosystems group, and reduced proteomic-based target discovery and validation related activities at the Celera group, partially offset by investments in the SOLiD System program, the next-generation DNA sequencing system, at the Applied Biosystems group.

 

Interest income, net decreased during the third quarter of fiscal 2008 compared to the same quarter in the prior year primarily due to interest expense incurred on our loans payable and lower average cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments combined with lower average interest rates. Interest income, net decreased during the first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to interest expense incurred on our loans payable and lower average cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments in fiscal 2008, partially offset by higher average interest rates in fiscal 2008. The loans, which originated in fiscal 2008, were used to fund the accelerated repurchase of shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock, as described below.

 

Other income (expense), net decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the same periods in fiscal 2007 due primarily to lower income from the Applied Biosystems group’s foreign currency risk management program.

 

The increase in the effective tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2007 was primarily due to an increase in earnings. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the prior period was primarily due to the previously described events impacting comparability, including the events described under tax items.

 

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APPLERA CORPORATION

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF

OPERATIONS continued

 

Applera Corporation

Discussion of Condensed Consolidated Financial Resources and Liquidity

 

We had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $703.0 million at March 31, 2008, and $1,056.0 million at June 30, 2007. We maintain a $250 million unsecured revolving credit agreement with four banks that matures on May 25, 2012. This amount was increased from $200 million effective August 27, 2007, at our request in accordance with the terms of the agreement. There was $25 million outstanding under this agreement at March 31, 2008. On August 27, 2007, we entered into a $100 million unsecured term loan agreement with Bank of America, N.A. that matures on September 4, 2008. Upon the satisfaction of various conditions, we have the option to extend the maturity date on this agreement to September 4, 2010. There was $100 million outstanding under this agreement at March 31, 2008. Both the revolving credit agreement and the term loan agreement require that we maintain a debt to total capital ratio, as defined in each agreement, of not more than 0.50:1:00. See Note 9 to our interim condensed consolidated financial statements for more information on our loans payable. The amounts borrowed under these agreements were used to fund the repurchase of shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems group stock and were allocated entirely to the Applied Biosystems group. Cash provided by operating activities and our debt borrowings have been our primary source of funds over the last fiscal year.

 

In April 2007, we announced that our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to 10% of the outstanding shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock. This authorization has no time restrictions and delegates to management the discretion to purchase shares at times and prices it deems appropriate through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange offers, or otherwise. We repurchased 3.4 million shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock for approximately $100 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 under this authorization. Subsequently, on August 8, 2007, we announced that our board of directors increased this authorization to $1.2 billion in the aggregate, including the $100 million discussed above, which at market prices on that date represented approximately 20% of the outstanding shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock. Pursuant to this authorization, we entered into an agreement with Morgan Stanley in August 2007 for the accelerated repurchase of $600 million of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock. During the first quarter of fiscal 2008, we paid Morgan Stanley approximately $602 million for this transaction, of which $327 million was funded by cash and $275 million was funded by bank loans. In October 2007, 16 million shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock were delivered to us under this agreement. In January 2008, Morgan Stanley exercised its option to settle the accelerated share repurchase transaction and delivered to us an additional 1.9 million shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock. See Note 9 to our interim condensed consolidated financial statements for more information on the accelerated share repurchase. These authorizations supplement the board’s standing authorization to replenish shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock issued under our employee stock benefit plans.

 

We believe that existing funds, cash generated from operations, and existing sources of debt financing are more than adequate to satisfy our normal operating cash flow needs, planned capital expenditures, acquisitions, authorized share repurchases, and dividends for the next twelve months and for the foreseeable future.

 

  (Dollar amounts in millions)   

March 31,

2008

  

June 30,  

2007  

  Cash and cash equivalents

   $426.3    $ 323.2  

  Short-term investments

   276.7      732.8  

  Total cash and cash equivalents and
short-term investments

   $703.0    $ 1,056.0  

  Total debt

   125.2       

  Working capital

   817.2      1,205.5  

  Debt to total capitalization

   5.7%       

 

The overall decrease of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 from June 30, 2007 resulted from cash expenditures for the accelerated share repurchase transaction and the acquisitions of BHL and Atria, partially offset by cash generated from operating activities. Cash and cash equivalents increased for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 from June 30, 2007, as cash generated from operating activities, proceeds from bank loans, net of repayments, sales and maturities of investments, net of purchases, and stock issuances exceeded the payment to Morgan Stanley for the accelerated share repurchase transaction, cash expenditures for the acquisitions of BHL and Atria, capital spending and dividends paid.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF

OPERATIONS continued

 

Net cash flows of continuing operations for the nine months ended March 31 were as follows:

 

  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008     2007  

  Net cash from operating activities

   $ 344.8     $ 211.7  

  Net cash from investing activities

     209.4       (336.9 )

  Net cash from financing activities

     (437.0 )     19.4  

  Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     (27.0 )     4.0  

 

Operating activities:

The increase in net cash provided from operating activities for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2007 resulted primarily from higher income-related cash flows and a higher source of cash in accounts receivable, partially offset by a higher increase in inventories. The higher source of cash in accounts receivable was primarily due to higher sales volume, partially offset by an increase in the days sales outstanding at the Applied Biosystems group, as described below, and the timing of the collection of licensing and milestone payments at the Celera group recorded in the first nine months of fiscal 2007, as well as an increase in receivables related to both royalty revenues and the sale of BHL services and Atria products. Within prepaid expenses and other assets, the higher source of cash primarily resulted from the timing of royalty receipts, as well as dividends and distributions related to our joint venture activities. Partially offsetting these sources of cash were higher payments by the Applied Biosystems group in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 under license and collaboration agreements, including approximately $37 million made in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. The higher use of cash in accounts payable and other liabilities resulted primarily from the timing of royalty payments, partially offset by tax refunds received in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 primarily due to the completion of the IRS and foreign tax audits, the timing of vendor payments at the Applied Biosystems group, and lower severance and other restructuring-related payments at the Celera group in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. The Applied Biosystems group’s days sales outstanding was 62 days at March 31, 2008, compared to 58 days at June 30, 2007 and 57 days at March 31, 2007. The increase resulted primarily from the timing of cash collections from governmental agencies, primarily in Europe, Japan and North America. Inventory on hand was 3.9 months at March 31, 2008, compared to 2.7 months at June 30, 2007. The increase was primarily related to the build up of both instruments and consumables for the SOLiD System.

 

Investing activities:

Capital expenditures, net of disposals, for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 were $11.4 million lower than in the prior year period primarily due to lower building and leasehold improvements, primarily at the Applied Biosystems group’s facilities in California, made in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Additionally, higher expenditures for the Applied Biosystems Portal in the first nine months of fiscal 2007 also contributed to the decrease. The first nine months of fiscal 2008 included higher proceeds from sales and maturities of available for sale investments and lower purchases of available for sale investments. In October 2007, we acquired BHL and Atria for $214.4 million, including transaction costs and net of cash acquired. In July 2006, we acquired APG for approximately $121 million, including transaction costs.

 

Financing activities:

During the first nine months of fiscal 2008, we paid Morgan Stanley approximately $602 million for the accelerated share repurchase transaction, of which $275 million was funded by bank loans and the balance with cash. In October 2007, 16 million shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock were delivered to us under this transaction. In January 2008, Morgan Stanley exercised its option to settle the accelerated share repurchase transaction and delivered to us an additional 1.9 million shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock. During the first quarter of fiscal 2008, we borrowed $175 million under our $250 million unsecured revolving credit agreement and $100 million under our unsecured term loan agreement. During the second and third quarters of fiscal 2008, we repaid $150 million of these borrowings. In connection with the acquisition of BHL, we assumed approximately $10.8 million of floating and fixed rate debt, of which $10.6 million was repaid in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. During the first nine months of fiscal 2007, we repurchased approximately 1.8 million shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock for $68.5 million. See Note 9 to our interim condensed consolidated financial statements for more information on our debt.

 

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APPLERA CORPORATION

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF

OPERATIONS continued

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Our significant contractual obligations at March 31, 2008, and the anticipated payments under these obligations were as follows:

 

     Payments by Period
  (Dollar amounts in millions)    Total    2008 (a)    2009 -
2010
   2011 -
2012
   Thereafter  

  Minimum operating lease payments (b)

   $139.7    $  11.5    $  68.7    $30.6    $28.9  

  Purchase obligations (c)

   135.9    86.8    36.5    9.4    3.2  

  Other long-term liabilities (d)

   37.8    1.8    3.5    2.1    30.4  

  Total

   $313.4    $100.1    $108.7    $42.1    $62.5  

 

 

(a)

Represents cash obligations for the remainder of fiscal 2008.

 

(b)

Refer to Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements in our 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders for further information.

 

(c)

Purchase obligations are entered into with various vendors in the normal course of business, and include commitments related to inventory, capital expenditures, R&D arrangements and collaborations, license agreements, and other services.

 

(d)

We have excluded deferred revenues as they have no impact on our future liquidity. We have also excluded deferred tax liabilities and obligations connected with our pension and postretirement plans and other foreign employee-related plans as they are not contractually fixed as to timing and amount. See Note 12 to our interim condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this report and Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements in our 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders for more information on these plans.

 

We adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. (“FIN”) 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” on July 1, 2007. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits at July 1, 2007 was $67.9 million. This amount has been excluded from the contractual obligations table because we are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount or timing of future tax payments. During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the IRS completed its audit for our fiscal years 2001 through 2005. The completion of the IRS audit, as well as foreign audits, primarily resulted in a decrease in our unrecognized tax benefits of $41.0 million. The impact to our cash flow was immaterial.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF

OPERATIONS continued

 

Discussion of Segments’ Operations, Financial Resources and Liquidity

 

Applied Biosystems Group

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,

        

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

 
  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008    2007   

%

Increase/

(Decrease)

         2008     2007   

%
Increase/

(Decrease)

 

  Net revenues

   $552.6    $529.9    4.3%          $1,615.7     $1,536.2    5.2%  

  Cost of sales

   238.3    231.3    3.0%          694.8     687.5    1.1%  

  Gross margin

   314.3    298.6    5.3%          920.9     848.7    8.5%  

  SG&A expenses

   159.5    150.2    6.2%          462.9     432.8    7.0%  

  R&D

   48.6    54.4    (10.7% )        143.6     150.4    (4.5% )

  Amortization of purchased intangible

    assets

   2.6    2.8    (7.1% )        7.8     8.4    (7.1% )

  Employee-related charges, asset

    impairments and other

   1.1                    4.0             

  Asset dispositions and legal settlements

                        (7.6 )   1.3    (684.6% )

  Acquired research and development

                              114.3    (100.0% )

  Operating income

   102.5    91.2    12.4%          310.2     141.5    119.2%  

  Gain on investments, net

   0.1                    2.7     0.2       

  Interest income (expense), net

   2.2    3.2    (31.3% )        5.6     9.3    (39.8% )

  Other income (expense), net

   0.3    2.3    (87.0% )        2.6     4.5    (42.2% )

  Income before income taxes

   105.1    96.7    8.7%          321.1     155.5    106.5%  

  Provision for income taxes

   22.2    21.2    4.7%          90.9     63.9    42.3%  

  Net income

   $  82.9    $  75.5    9.8%          $    230.2     $    91.6    151.3%  

  Percentage of net revenues:

                                      

Gross margin

   56.9%    56.4%               57.0%     55.2%       

SG&A expenses

   28.9%    28.3%               28.7%     28.2%       

R&D

   8.8%    10.3%               8.9%     9.8%       

Operating income

   18.5%    17.2%               19.2%     9.2%       

  Effective income tax rate

   21.1%    21.9%               28.3%     41.1%       

 

The following table summarizes the impact of the previously described events impacting comparability included in the financial results for fiscal 2008 and 2007:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
         Nine Months Ended
March 31,
  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008     2007          2008     2007 

  Income (charge) included in income before income taxes

   $  (1.1 )   $     -          $ 6.2     $(115.6)

  Benefit for income taxes

   (10.1 )   (8.1 )        (5.4 )   (17.3)

 

Net income increased at the Applied Biosystems group in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the prior year periods due to the previously described events impacting comparability, higher net revenues and gross margin, and lower R&D expenses, partially offset by higher SG&A expenses. The net effect of foreign currency on our net income was a benefit of approximately $7 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2008 and approximately $22 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2008 as compared to prior year periods.

 

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APPLERA CORPORATION

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF

OPERATIONS continued

 

Revenues – overall summary

The following table sets forth the Applied Biosystems group’s revenues by product categories for the three and nine months ended March 31:

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,

        

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

 
  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008    2007   

% Increase/

(Decrease)

         2008    2007   

% Increase/

(Decrease)

 

  DNA Sequencing

   $146.4    $140.7    4%          $   422.2    $   419.0    1%  

  % of total revenues

   27%    27%               26%    27%       

  Real-Time PCR/Applied Genomics

   200.9    183.3    10%          581.5    512.0    14%  

  % of total revenues

   36%    34%               36%    33%       

  Mass Spectrometry

   128.5    127.3    1%          387.2    379.2    2%  

  % of total revenues

   23%    24%               24%    25%       

  Core PCR & DNA Synthesis

   49.5    46.9    6%          146.3    142.3    3%  

  % of total revenues

   9%    9%               9%    9%       

  Other Product Lines

   27.3    31.7    (14% )        78.5    83.7    (6% )

  % of total revenues

   5%    6%               5%    6%       

  Total

   $552.6    $529.9    4%          $1,615.7    $1,536.2    5%  

 

The effect of foreign currency increased net revenues by approximately 4% in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 as compared to the prior year periods.

 

Real-Time PCR/Applied Genomics:

  ·  

Revenues in the Real-Time PCR/Applied Genomics product category increased in both the third quarter and nine month periods compared to the prior year periods primarily due to higher sales of consumable products, including TaqMan Gene Expression Assay products, human identification kits used in forensics, sequence detection consumables, and RNA kits and reagents.

  ·  

Revenue from other sources increased for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the same periods last year primarily due to higher royalty and license revenues, including a real-time PCR instrument license granted in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 as part of a patent infringement settlement, and higher service contract revenues.

 

Mass Spectrometry:

 

·

 

Instrument revenues in the Mass Spectrometry product category decreased in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to lower sales of the MALDI TOF/TOF and Q TRAP systems, partially offset by higher sales of the API triple quad system. Instrument revenues also decreased for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the prior year period as lower sales of the MALDI TOF/TOF and QSTAR® systems, were partially offset by higher sales of the Q TRAP system.

  ·  

Revenue from other sources increased in both the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the prior year periods primarily due to higher instrument service contract revenues.

  ·  

The Mass Spectrometry product category is facing competition and a weakening economic and budgeting climate. The Applied Biosystems group is challenged by constrained capital spending in pharmaceutical markets, particularly in Europe and Japan but also in the United States. Pharmaceutical spending has been offset somewhat by the shift to contract research organizations (“CROs”) where the Applied Biosystems group has a strong market position. Our applied markets mass spectrometry showed continued strength in North America and Asia, particularly China. The high-end Q TRAP and triple quad products exhibited strong acceptance in applied markets for applications like quality and safety monitoring in food and beverage markets and environmental testing.

 

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OPERATIONS continued

 

DNA Sequencing:

  ·  

Revenues in the DNA Sequencing product category increased for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 compared to the same quarter last year primarily due to higher consumables sales, including CE, or capillary electrophoresis, consumables and higher instrument sales. During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Applied Biosystems group recognized its first revenues from sales of the SOLiD next-generation sequencing system. Sales of the SOLiD System were partially offset by lower sales of high throughput genetic analyzers.

  ·  

Revenues increased for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the same period last year primarily due to higher consumables sales, including CE and SOLiD consumables and higher instrument service contract revenues, partially offset by lower instrument sales. Decreased sales of low to medium throughput genetic analyzers were partially offset by sales of the SOLiD System.

  ·  

As expected, overall CE instrument placements are declining in the research market as instrument funding priorities shift toward next-generation sequencing platforms. Related CE consumables volume continues to grow during this transition period. CE instrument revenues in applied markets were also up during the third quarter of fiscal 2008 for both human identification and quality and safety testing.

 

Other:

Revenues in the Other Product Lines product category decreased primarily due to revenues from a U.S. Department of Defense contract, which were included in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2007.

 

Revenues by sources

The following table sets forth the Applied Biosystems group’s revenues by sources for the three and nine month periods ended March 31:

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,

        

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

 
  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008    2007   

% Increase/

(Decrease)

         2008    2007   

% Increase/

(Decrease)

 

  Instruments

   $214.4    $215.6    (0.6% )        $   637.1    $   646.8    (1.5% )

  Consumables

   237.3    221.0    7.4%          684.1    620.5    10.2%  

  Other sources

   100.9    93.3    8.1%          294.5    268.9    9.5%  

  Total

   $552.6    $529.9    4.3%          $1,615.7    $1,536.2    5.2%  

 

Instruments

For the third quarter of fiscal 2008, instrument revenues slightly decreased from the prior year quarter primarily due to lower sales of the MALDI TOF/TOF and Q TRAP systems in the Mass Spectrometry product category and lower sales of genetic analyzers for high-throughput CE sequencing in the DNA Sequencing product category. These decreases were almost entirely offset by higher sales of the API triple quad system in the Mass Spectrometry product category, the SOLiD System in the DNA Sequencing product category, and the new Veriti™ thermal cycler in the Core PCR & DNA Synthesis product category. For the first nine months of fiscal 2008, instrument revenues decreased from the prior year period primarily due to lower sales of low to medium throughput genetic analyzers and MALDI TOF/TOF and QSTAR systems, partially offset by sales of the SOLiD System, low end Real-Time PCR instruments, and the Q TRAP system.

 

Consumables

The increase in consumables sales in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 primarily reflected the strength of Real-Time PCR/Applied Genomics consumable sales. These sales increased primarily as a result of higher sales of TaqMan Gene Expression Assay products, human identification kits used in forensics, sequence detection consumables, and RNA kits and reagents. Also, favorably impacting consumables revenues were higher sales of consumables in the DNA Sequencing product category.

 

Other sources

Revenues from other sources, which included service and support, royalties, licenses, and contract research, increased in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 primarily due to higher service contract revenues, particularly in the Mass Spectrometry and Real-Time PCR/Applied Genomics product categories, and higher royalty and license revenues, in part due to a patent infringement settlement related to a real-time instrument patent.

 

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Revenues by geographic area

The following table sets forth the Applied Biosystems group’s revenues by geographic area for the three and nine month periods ended March 31:

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,

        

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

 
  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008    2007   

% Increase/

(Decrease)

         2008    2007   

% Increase/

(Decrease)

 

  United States

   $217.2    $227.4    (4.5% )        $   656.6    $   662.4    (0.9% )

  Europe

   196.0    182.8    7.2%          581.0    528.2    10.0%  

  Asia Pacific

   111.5    97.6    14.2%          300.6    280.1    7.3%  

  Other markets

   27.9    22.1    26.2%          77.5    65.5    18.3%  

  Total

   $552.6    $529.9    4.3%          $1,615.7    $1,536.2    5.2%  

 

In Europe, the effect of foreign currency increased revenues by approximately 6% during the third quarter of fiscal 2008 as compared to the prior year quarter. Revenues increased in Europe primarily as a result of sales of TaqMan Gene Expression Assay products, API triple quad systems, Q TRAP systems, sequence detection consumables, and SOLiD Systems. This growth was partially offset by lower sales of genetic analyzers. The Europe category includes revenues from India and other countries in West Asia, which had previously been grouped into our Asia Pacific category. Revenues by geographic area for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 have been reclassified to reflect this change. Revenues in Asia Pacific, other than Japan, increased by approximately 24% as compared to the prior year quarter, including a favorable impact from foreign currency of approximately 4%. This growth was led by China, in part due to spending in applied markets. From a product perspective, revenue in Asia Pacific, other than Japan, increased due to higher sales of API triple quad systems and human identification consumables, partially offset by a decline in sales of MALDI TOF/TOF systems. Revenues in Japan during the third quarter of fiscal 2008 increased by approximately 7% relative to the prior year quarter, including a favorable impact from foreign currency of approximately 10%. Revenues decreased due to continued constrained academic and pharmaceutical spending and competition. From a product perspective, the decrease was primarily due to lower sales of API triple quad and Q TRAP systems, offset by sales of SOLiD Systems and genetic analyzers in the region. Sales in the U.S. in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 decreased compared to the prior year quarter due to lower sales of genetic analyzers, Real-Time PCR instruments, Q TRAP systems, revenues from a U.S. Department of Defense contract, which were included in the third quarter of fiscal 2007, and MALDI TOF/TOF systems, partially offset by sales of SOLiD Systems and TaqMan Gene Expression Assay products.

 

During the first nine months of fiscal 2008, the effect of foreign currency in Europe increased revenues by approximately 7% as compared to the prior year period. Revenues increased in Europe primarily as a result of higher sales of TaqMan Gene Expression Assay products, DNA sequencing consumables, Q TRAP systems, sequence detection consumables and human identification consumables. This growth was partially offset by lower sales of genetic analyzers, primarily low to medium throughput, and MALDI TOF/TOF and Q STAR systems. The Europe category includes revenues from India and other countries in West Asia, which had previously been grouped into our Asia Pacific category. Revenues by geographic area for the first nine months of fiscal 2007 have been reclassified to reflect this change. Revenues in Asia Pacific, other than Japan, increased by approximately 16% during the first nine months of fiscal 2008 as compared to the prior year period, including a favorable impact from foreign currency of approximately 3%. This growth was led by China and Australia. From a product perspective, revenue in Asia Pacific, other than Japan, increased due to higher sales of API triple quad systems, low to medium throughput genetic analyzers, human identification consumables, and RNA kits and reagents. These increases were partially offset by a decline in sales of MALDI TOF/TOF systems. Revenues in Japan during the first nine months of fiscal 2008 were relatively flat compared to the prior year period, including a favorable impact from foreign currency of approximately 6%. A decline in sales of API triple quad and Q TRAP systems was offset by the introduction of the SOLiD System and increases in sales of genetic analyzers, MALDI TOF/TOF systems and human identification consumables in the region. Sales in the U.S. decreased in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 primarily due to lower sales of genetic analyzers, Real-Time PCR instruments, revenues from a U.S. Department of Defense contract, which were included in the first nine months of fiscal 2007, chromatography media consumables, and DNA sequencing consumables. These decreases were partially offset by higher sales of API triple quad systems, TaqMan Gene Expression Assay products, Real-Time PCR consumables, and sales of SOLiD Systems.

 

Gross margin, as a percentage of net revenues, increased for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to lower costs for enzymes from a new supply agreement and the favorable impact of

 

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foreign currency, partially offset by competitive pricing in the Mass Spectrometry product category. Gross margin, as a percentage of net revenues, increased for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the prior year period primarily due to: lower costs for enzymes from the new supply agreement and other improved vendor pricing and lower manufacturing costs and the favorable impact of foreign currency. Partially offsetting these benefits was competitive pricing in the Mass Spectrometry product category. Service margin was lower in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 compared to the same quarter last year primarily due to product mix, selective parts price reductions, and timing of repair activity. Service margin was lower in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the prior year period due to product mix and timing of repair activities between contract and warranty customers.

 

SG&A expenses for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 increased compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to higher employee-related costs, of approximately $6 million, particularly in sales and marketing, the unfavorable impact of foreign currency of approximately $6 million and regional investments, including additional headcount, of approximately $3 million in fiscal 2008 to support growth primarily in Europe and China. This increase was partially offset by lower legal expenses of approximately $2 million and lower marketing and travel expenses of approximately $1 million.

 

SG&A expenses for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 increased compared to the prior year period primarily due to: the unfavorable impact of foreign currency of approximately $14 million; higher employee-related costs, of approximately $14 million, particularly in sales and marketing; regional investments, including additional headcount, of approximately $9 million in fiscal 2008 to support growth primarily in Europe and China; and the reversal in the first quarter of fiscal 2007 of a $5 million accrual related to settled litigation. This increase was partially offset by lower marketing and travel expenses of approximately $3 million. Additionally, the first nine months of fiscal 2007 included approximately $3 million of integration costs related to Ambion.

 

R&D expenses decreased in both the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 from the prior year periods primarily as a result of lower employee-related costs, the termination in June 2007 of a U.S. Department of Defense contract, and the timing of expenses, partially offset by investments in the SOLiD System program.

 

Interest income, net decreased during the third quarter of fiscal 2008 compared to the same quarter in the prior year primarily due to interest expense incurred on our loans payable and lower average cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments combined with lower average interest rates. Interest income, net decreased during the first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to interest expense incurred on our loans payable, partially offset by income from higher average cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments and higher average interest rates. The loans, which originated in fiscal 2008, were used to fund the accelerated repurchase of shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock, as described below.

 

Other income (expense), net decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the same periods in fiscal 2007 due primarily to lower income from our foreign currency risk management program.

 

The decrease in the effective tax rate for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the same period last year was primarily due to the previously described events impacting comparability, including the events described under tax items.

 

Applied Biosystems Group

Discussion of Financial Resources and Liquidity

 

The Applied Biosystems group had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $364.7 million at March 31, 2008, and $494.5 million at June 30, 2007. We maintain a $250 million unsecured revolving credit agreement with four banks that matures on May 25, 2012. This amount was increased from $200 million effective August 27, 2007, at our request in accordance with the terms of the agreement. There was $25 million outstanding under this agreement at March 31, 2008. On August 27, 2007, we entered into a $100 million unsecured term loan agreement with Bank of America, N.A. that matures on September 4, 2008. Upon the satisfaction of various conditions, we have the option to extend the maturity date on this agreement to September 4, 2010. There was $100 million outstanding under this agreement at March 31, 2008. Both the revolving credit agreement and the term loan agreement require that we maintain a debt to total capital ratio, as defined in each agreement, of not more than 0.50:1:00. See Note 9 to our interim condensed consolidated financial statements for more information on our loans payable. The amounts borrowed under these agreements were used to fund the repurchase of shares of Applera-

 

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Applied Biosystems group stock and were allocated entirely to the Applied Biosystems group. Cash provided by operating activities and our debt borrowings have been the Applied Biosystems group’s primary source of funds.

 

In April 2007, we announced that our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to 10% of the outstanding shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock. This authorization has no time restrictions and delegates to management the discretion to purchase shares at times and prices it deems appropriate through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange offers, or otherwise. We repurchased 3.4 million shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock for approximately $100 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 under this authorization. Subsequently, on August 8, 2007, we announced that our board of directors increased this authorization to $1.2 billion in the aggregate, including the $100 million discussed above, which at market prices on that date represented approximately 20% of the outstanding shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock. Pursuant to this authorization, we entered into an agreement with Morgan Stanley in August 2007 for the accelerated repurchase of $600 million of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock. During the first quarter of fiscal 2008, we paid Morgan Stanley approximately $602 million for this transaction, of which $327 million was funded by cash and $275 million was funded by bank loans. In October 2007, 16 million shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock were delivered to us under this agreement. In January 2008, Morgan Stanley exercised its option to settle the accelerated share repurchase transaction and delivered to us an additional 1.9 million shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock. See Note 9 to our interim condensed consolidated financial statements for more information on the accelerated share repurchase. These authorizations supplement the board’s standing authorization to replenish shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock issued under our employee stock benefit plans.

 

We believe that existing funds, cash generated from operations, and existing sources of debt financing are more than adequate to satisfy the Applied Biosystems group’s normal operating cash flow needs, planned capital expenditures, acquisitions, authorized share repurchases, and dividends for the next twelve months and for the foreseeable future.

 

We manage the investment of surplus cash and the issuance and repayment of short and long-term debt for the Applied Biosystems group and the Celera group on a centralized basis and allocate activity within these balances to the group that uses or generates such resources.

 

  (Dollar amounts in millions)   

March 31,

2008

  

June 30,  

2007  

  Cash and cash equivalents

   $364.7    $293.2  

  Short-term investments

        201.3  

  Total cash and cash equivalents and

    short-term investments

   $364.7    $494.5  

  Total debt

   125.0     

  Working capital

   434.6    646.7  

  Debt to total capitalization

   8.6%     

 

The overall decrease of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 from June 30, 2007 resulted from cash expenditures for the accelerated share repurchase transaction, partially offset by cash generated from operating activities. Cash and cash equivalents increased from June 30, 2007, as cash generated from operating activities, proceeds from bank loans, net of repayments, sales of investments, net of purchases, and stock issuances exceeded the payment to Morgan Stanley for the accelerated share repurchase transaction, capital spending and dividends paid.

 

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Net cash flows of continuing operations for the nine months ended March 31 were as follows:

 

  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008     2007  

  Net cash from operating activities

   $ 344.8     $ 230.8  

  Net cash from investing activities

     173.3       (307.8 )

  Net cash from financing activities

     (432.5 )     4.9  

  Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     (27.0 )     4.0  

 

Operating activities:

Net cash from operating activities of continuing operations for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 was $114.0 million higher than in the first nine months of fiscal 2007. This increase resulted primarily from higher income-related cash flows and a higher source of cash in accounts receivable, partially offset by a higher increase in inventories. The higher source of cash in accounts receivable was primarily due to higher sales volume, partially offset by an increase in the days sales outstanding, as described below. Within prepaid expenses and other assets, the higher source of cash primarily resulted from the timing of royalty receipts, as well as dividends and distributions related to our joint venture activities. Partially offsetting these sources of cash were higher payments by the Applied Biosystems group in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 under license and collaboration agreements, including approximately $37 million made in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. The higher use of cash in accounts payable and other liabilities resulted primarily from the timing of royalty payments, partially offset by tax refunds received in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 primarily due to the completion of the IRS and foreign tax audits and the timing of vendor payments. The Applied Biosystems group’s days sales outstanding was 62 days at March 31, 2008, compared to 58 days at June 30, 2007 and 57 days at March 31, 2007. The increase resulted primarily from the timing of cash collections from governmental agencies, primarily in Europe, Japan and North America. Inventory on hand was 3.9 months at March 31, 2008, compared to 2.7 months at June 30, 2007. The increase was primarily related to the build up of both instruments and consumables for the SOLiD System.

 

Investing activities:

Capital expenditures, net of disposals, for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 were $12.8 million lower than in the prior year period primarily due to lower building and leasehold improvements, primarily at facilities in California, made in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Additionally, higher expenditures for the Applied Biosystems Portal in the first nine months of fiscal 2007 also contributed to the decrease. The first nine months of fiscal 2008 included higher proceeds from sales of available for sale investments and lower purchases of available for sale investments. In July 2006, we acquired APG for approximately $121 million, including transaction costs.

 

Financing activities:

During the first nine months of fiscal 2008, we paid Morgan Stanley approximately $602 million for the accelerated share repurchase transaction, of which $275 million was funded by bank loans and the balance with cash. In October 2007, 16 million shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock were delivered to us under this transaction. In January 2008, Morgan Stanley exercised its option to settle the accelerated share repurchase transaction and delivered to us an additional 1.9 million shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock. During the first quarter of fiscal 2008, we borrowed $175 million under our $250 million unsecured revolving credit agreement and $100 million under our unsecured term loan agreement. During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, we repaid $150 million of these borrowings. See Note 9 to our interim condensed consolidated financial statements for more information on our loans payable. During the first nine months of fiscal 2007, we repurchased approximately 1.8 million shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock for $68.5 million.

 

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Celera Group

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,

        

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

 
  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008     2007    

% Increase/

(Decrease)

         2008     2007    

% Increase/

(Decrease)

 

  Net revenues

   $ 39.5     $   9.8     303.1%          $95.9     $ 33.2     188.9%  

  Cost of sales

   13.2     5.4     144.4%          27.6     13.6     102.9%  

  Gross margin

   26.3     4.4     497.7%          68.3     19.6     248.5%  

  SG&A expenses

   21.3     7.1     200.0%          49.5     21.7     128.1%  

  R&D

   10.2     13.0     (21.5% )        31.5     38.2     (17.5% )

  Amortization of purchased intangible assets

   2.5                      4.6              

  Employee-related charges, asset impairments and other

   3.9                      4.3     6.0     (28.3% )

  Asset dispositions and legal settlements

   (1.1 )                    (1.1 )   (2.4 )   (54.2% )

  Operating loss

   (10.5 )   (15.7 )   (33.1% )        (20.5 )   (43.9 )   (53.3% )

  Loss on investment, net

   (3.1 )                    (3.1 )            

  Interest income (expense), net

   3.5     7.4     (52.7% )        15.2     20.9     (27.3% )

  Other income (expense), net

   0.1     0.1     -%                0.3     (100.0% )

  Loss before income taxes

   (10.0 )   (8.2 )   22.0%          (8.4 )   (22.7 )   (63.0% )

  Benefit for income taxes

   2.6     3.7     (35.1% )        2.0     10.7     (81.3% )

  Net loss

   $  (7.4 )   $  (4.5 )   64.4%          $ (6.4 )   $(12.0 )   (46.7% )

  Effective income tax benefit rate

   26.1%     45.9%                24.2%     47.2%        

 

The following table summarizes the impact of the previously described events impacting comparability included in the financial results for fiscal 2008 and 2007:

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,

        

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

 
  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008     2007          2008     2007  

  Income (charge) included in loss before income taxes

   $(5.9 )   $     -          $(6.3 )   $(1.1 )

  Benefit for income taxes

   (1.2 )   (0.4 )        (1.4 )   (1.9 )

 

The higher net loss in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2007 resulted primarily from the previously described events impacting comparability and amortization of purchased intangible assets. The lower net loss in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the prior year period resulted primarily from higher net revenues and lower R&D expenses, partially offset by higher SG&A expenses and the previously described events impacting comparability.

 

The following table sets forth the components of our net revenues for the three and nine month periods ended March 31:

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,

       

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008    2007   

% Increase/  

(Decrease)  

        2008    2007   

% Increase/  

(Decrease)  

  Products, including alliance equalization

   $  9.1    $6.3    44.4%           $23.1    $19.4    19.1%  

  Services

   22.6                   44.8          

  Royalty, licenses, and milestones

   7.8    3.5    122.9%           28.0    13.8    102.9%  

  Total net revenues

   $39.5    $9.8    303.1%           $95.9    $33.2    188.9%  

 

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Reported revenues for the Celera group are comprised of three categories: product sales, including equalization payments from Abbott, service revenues, and royalty, licenses and milestones revenues. Product sales consist of the Celera group’s portion of sales of Atria HLA products and shipments of products manufactured by the Celera group to our alliance partner, Abbott Laboratories, at cost. Equalization payments result from an equal sharing of alliance profits and losses between the alliance partners and vary each period depending on the relative income and expense contribution of each partner. Service revenues consist primarily of clinical laboratory testing services by BHL.

 

Costs associated with our product sales to Abbott are included in cost of sales. End-user sales to third parties are recognized by Abbott. Research and development and administrative costs incurred by the Celera group in connection with the Abbott alliance are presented on a gross basis in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. All revenues, costs and expenses of the alliance are shared equally by both parties. The timing and nature of equalization payments can lead to fluctuations in both reported revenues and gross margins from period to period due to changes in end-user sales of alliance products and differences in relative operating expenses between the alliance partners.

 

Product revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 increased compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2007 primarily due to $2.5 million of net revenues from Atria and slightly higher equalization payments from Abbott. Equalization revenue, net was $4.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 compared to $3.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2007. Service revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 were primarily from BHL. Royalty, licenses and milestones revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 increased compared to the prior year quarter due to higher diagnostic-related licensing and royalty revenues, including $2.4 million from agreements with Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics, which included patent licenses for real-time PCR thermal cycling instruments and reagents in the human in vitro diagnostics field, and $2.2 million from licenses with Cepheid relating to real-time PCR thermal cycler instruments.

 

Product revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 increased compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to $4.9 million of net revenues from Atria, partially offset by lower equalization payments from Abbott and lower product sales. Equalization revenue, net was $10.9 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to $11.6 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2007. Service revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 were primarily from BHL. Royalty, licenses and milestones revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 included: $7.2 million from agreements with Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics, which included patent licenses for real-time PCR thermal cycling instruments and reagents in the human in vitro diagnostics field; $5.3 million from licenses with Cepheid relating to real-time PCR thermal cycler instruments; $3.0 million from the resale of our cathepsin S inhibitor program to a privately-held drug development company; and $2.0 million from Merck as a result of the cathepsin K inhibitor program entering a Phase III clinical trial. Also contributing to the increase in reported revenues in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to prior year period were higher royalties from other diagnostic licensees. The first nine months of fiscal 2007 included $2.5 million from the sale of a small molecule drug discovery and development program to Schering AG.

 

The increase in gross margin in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 was primarily attributable to the sales of higher margin services and products due to the acquisitions of BHL and Atria and higher licensing and royalty revenues.

 

R&D expenses decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the prior year periods primarily due to reduced proteomic-based target discovery and validation related activities. SG&A expenses increased in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the prior year periods primarily due to the inclusion of BHL expenses of approximately $13 million for the third quarter and approximately $25 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2008.

 

Interest income, net decreased during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2008 as compared to the prior year periods primarily due to lower average cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments combined with lower average interest rates.

 

The decrease in the effective tax rate for both the third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the prior year periods was primarily due to the change in relationship between nondeductible expenses, R&D credits and the forecasted lower net loss for fiscal 2008.

 

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Supplemental Information

The following supplemental information is provided for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007. The amounts disclosed below for end-user sales are not included as part of the Celera group’s revenues. End-user sales consist of products sold globally through the alliance with Abbott and are thus recognized by Abbott. A significant portion of our product revenues is derived from the alliance through our profit sharing arrangement. The discussion of end-user sales of products sold through the alliance provides a meaningful measure of market acceptance of these products and thus also a meaningful measure of the sales performance of the alliance. The reporting of this supplemental data permits comparisons of product and alliance performance on a period-to-period basis. The revenues reported in our interim consolidated statements of operations do not directly provide this or comparable information, because the reported product revenues fluctuate period to period based on factors other than product sales due to the profit sharing arrangement with Abbott. Accordingly, end-user sales are the only publicly reported measure of alliance product sales.

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,

       

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008    2007         2008    2007  

  Equalization revenue, net

   $  4.0    $  3.7         $10.9    $11.6  

  End-user sales

   30.8    24.3         87.6    73.3  

 

End-user sales, as reported to us by Abbott, include the impact of foreign currency. Increased sales of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (“HIV”), HCV, and HBV RealTime™ viral load assays used on the m2000™ system and thrombosis ASRs all contributed to the year-over-year growth for the third quarter. These increased sales were partially offset by lower sales of cystic fibrosis reagents and the removal of the HCV genotyping ASRs due to the injunction against sales of these products by Abbott previously issued in the litigation with Innogenetics N.V. Following the settlement of this litigation as previously described, these ASRs have been reintroduced onto the menu of ASRs offered through the alliance, and efforts are underway to register the HCV genotyping assays for use on the m2000 system.

 

Increased sales of HIV, HCV, and HBV RealTime™ viral load assays used on the m2000™ system and increased sales of the Atria HLA products, ViroSeq™ HIV-1 Genotyping System for genotyping HIV, fragile X ASRs, and ASRs for the detection of mutations in genes known to be involved in deep vein thrombosis all contributed to the growth in end-user sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the prior year period. These increased sales were partially offset by lower sales of cystic fibrosis reagents and the removal of the HCV genotyping ASRs due to the injunction against sales of these products by Abbott previously issued in the litigation with Innogenetics N.V.

 

Celera Group

Discussion of Financial Resources and Liquidity

 

The Celera group had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $338.3 million at March 31, 2008, and $561.5 million at June 30, 2007. We maintain a $250 million unsecured revolving credit agreement with four banks that matures on May 25, 2012. This amount was increased from $200 million effective August 27, 2007, at our request in accordance with the terms of the agreement. There was $25 million outstanding under this agreement at March 31, 2008. On August 27, 2007, we entered into a $100 million unsecured term loan agreement with Bank of America, N.A. that matures on September 4, 2008. Upon the satisfaction of various conditions, we have the option to extend the maturity date on this agreement to September 4, 2010. There was $100 million outstanding under this agreement at March 31, 2008. Both the revolving credit agreement and the term loan agreement require that we maintain a debt to total capital ratio, as defined in each agreement, of not more than 0.50:1:00. See Note 9 to our interim condensed consolidated financial statements for more information on our loans payable. None of the above borrowings or related interest expense was allocated to the Celera group.

 

We believe that existing funds and existing sources of debt financing are more than adequate to satisfy the Celera group’s normal operating cash flow needs, planned capital expenditures, and recently completed acquisitions for the next twelve months and for the foreseeable future.

 

Our board of directors has authorized the repurchase of shares of Applera-Celera stock from time to time to replenish shares issued under our employee stock benefit plans. This authorization has no set dollar or time limits

 

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and delegates to management discretion to purchase shares at times and prices it deems appropriate through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange offers, or otherwise.

 

We manage the investment of surplus cash and the issuance and repayment of short and long-term debt for the Celera group and the Applied Biosystems group on a centralized basis and allocate activity within these balances to the group that uses or generates such resources.

 

  (Dollar amounts in millions)   

March 31,

2008

  

June 30,  

2007  

  Cash and cash equivalents

   $  61.6    $  30.0  

  Short-term investments

   276.7    531.5  

  Total cash and cash equivalents and
short-term investments

   $338.3    $561.5  

  Total debt

   0.2     

  Working capital

   383.4    559.2  

 

The overall decrease of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 from June 30, 2007 resulted from cash expenditures for the acquisitions of BHL and Atria, partially offset by lower cash used by operating activities. Cash and cash equivalents increased from June 30, 2007, as proceeds from the sales and maturities of available for sale investments, net of purchases, and stock issuances exceeded the amount expended on the acquisitions of BHL and Atria, the purchase of capital assets, and the repayment of debt assumed in the BHL acquisition.

 

Net cash flows for the nine months ended March 31 were as follows:

 

  (Dollar amounts in millions)    2008     2007  

  Net cash from operating activities

   $      -     $(19.0 )

  Net cash from investing activities

   36.1     (29.2 )

  Net cash from financing activities

   (4.4 )   14.5  

 

Operating activities:

The lower use of cash from operating activities for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2007 resulted primarily from higher income-related cash flows and a lower decrease in accounts payable and other liabilities in the first nine months of fiscal 2008, partially offset by a higher increase in accounts receivable. The lower decrease in accounts payable and other liabilities primarily resulted from lower severance and other restructuring-related payments in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. The higher increase in accounts receivable was due in part to the timing of the collection of licensing and milestone payments recorded in the first nine months of fiscal 2007, as well as an increase in receivables related to both royalty revenues and the sale of BHL services and Atria products.

 

Investing activities:

Net cash from investing activities for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 increased compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2007 primarily due to lower proceeds from sales and maturities and lower purchases of available for sale investments in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. In October 2007, we acquired BHL and Atria for $214.4 million, including transaction costs and net of cash acquired.

 

Financing activities:

In connection with the acquisition of BHL, we assumed approximately $10.8 million of floating and fixed rate debt, of which $10.6 million was repaid in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. See Note 9 to our interim condensed consolidated financial statements for more information on our debt.

 

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Market Risks

 

Our foreign currency risk management strategy uses derivative instruments to hedge exposures related to various foreign currency forecasted revenues and intercompany transactions and to offset the impact of changes in currency rates on various foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities. The principal objective of this strategy is to minimize the risks and/or costs associated with our global financing and operating activities. We use forward, option, and range forward contracts to manage our foreign currency exposures. At March 31, 2008, we recorded in our interim condensed consolidated financial statements a net liability of $39.4 million related to these forward and option contracts, compared with a net asset of $2.6 million at June 30, 2007. This change was primarily attributable to the fluctuations in currency rates. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes, nor are we a party to leveraged derivatives.

 

We performed a sensitivity analysis as of March 31, 2008 based on a hypothetical 10% adverse change in foreign currency rates relative to the U.S. dollar. This analysis included the change in fair value of all derivative financial instruments used to hedge our forecasted third party and intercompany sales. In addition, this analysis excluded both the impact of translation on foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities as well as the change in fair value of all derivative financial instruments used to hedge these balance sheet items as the resulting amounts would largely offset each other. As of March 31, 2008, we calculated a hypothetical after-tax loss of $24.9 million, compared to a hypothetical after-tax loss of $21.8 million at June 30, 2007. If currency rates actually change in a manner similar to the assumed change in the foregoing calculation, the hypothetical calculated loss would be more than offset by the recognition of higher U.S. dollar equivalent foreign revenues. Actual gains and losses in the future could, however, differ materially from this analysis, based on changes in the timing and amount of currency rate movements and actual exposures and hedges.

 

For further information on our market risks, refer to the discussion contained in the management’s discussion and analysis section of our 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders (which discussion is incorporated in this quarterly report by reference).

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

See Note 1 to our interim condensed consolidated financial statements for a description of the effect of recently issued accounting pronouncements.

 

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors

 

Some statements contained in, or incorporated by reference in, this report are forward-looking and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. Similarly, the press releases we issue and other public statements we make from time to time may contain language that is forward-looking. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as “forecast,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “should,” “plan,” “estimate,” and “potential,” among others. The forward-looking statements contained in this report are based on our current expectations and those made at other times will be based on our expectations when the statements are made. We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statements will be realized.

 

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. To comply with the terms of the safe harbor, we note that a variety of factors could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from anticipated results or other expectations expressed in forward-looking statements. We also note that achievement of anticipated results or expectations in forward-looking statements is subject to the possibility that assumptions underlying forward-looking statements will prove to be inaccurate. Investors should bear this in mind as they consider forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance, development, and results of our Applied Biosystems group and Celera group businesses include, but are not limited to, those described below under the headings “Risks Relating to the Applied Biosystems Group” and “Risks Relating to the Celera Group.” We note that our businesses could be affected by other factors that we have not disclosed because we think they are immaterial. Also, there may be additional risks and uncertainties that could affect our businesses but which are not currently known to us.

 

Owners of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock and Applera-Celera stock are also subject to risks arising from their ownership of common stock of a corporation with two separate classes of common stock. The risks and uncertainties that arise from our capital structure, particularly our two separate classes of common stock, include,

 

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but are not limited to, those described in Item 1A of Part I of our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Risk Factors – Risks Relating to a Capital Structure with Two Separate Classes of Common Stock.”

 

Risks Relating to the Applied Biosystems Group

 

Rapidly changing technology in life sciences could make the Applied Biosystems group’s product line obsolete unless it continues to develop and manufacture new and improved products and services, and pursue new market opportunities. A significant portion of the net revenues for the Applied Biosystems group each year is derived from products and services that did not exist in the prior year. We sell our products in several industries that are characterized by rapid and significant technological changes, frequent new product and service introductions and enhancements, and evolving industry standards. The Applied Biosystems group’s future success depends on its ability to continually improve its current products and services, develop and introduce, on a timely and cost-effective basis, new products and services that address the evolving needs of its customers, and pursue new market opportunities that develop as a result of technological and scientific advances in life sciences. These new market opportunities may be outside the scope of the Applied Biosystems group’s proven expertise or in areas which have unproven market demand, and the utility and value of new products and services developed by the Applied Biosystems group may not be accepted in the markets served by the new products. This includes, for example, new products under development for the clinical diagnostics market, which are described in the immediately following paragraph. The inability to gain market acceptance of new products and services could harm the Applied Biosystems group’s future operating results. The Applied Biosystems group’s future success also depends on its ability to manufacture these improved and new products to meet customer demand in a timely and cost-effective manner, including its ability to resolve in a timely manner manufacturing issues that may arise from time to time as the Applied Biosystems group commences production of these complex products. Unanticipated difficulties or delays in replacing existing products and services with new products and services or in manufacturing improved or new products in sufficient quantities to meet customer demand could diminish future demand for the Applied Biosystems group’s products and services and its future operating results.

 

The Applied Biosystems group may not successfully develop instruments for use in the clinical diagnostics market, and even if it does develop these products they may not receive needed regulatory clearances or approvals and the Applied Biosystems group may not be able to manufacture these products in accordance with regulatory requirements. The Applied Biosystems group intends to commit significant resources to the development of instruments for use in the clinical diagnostics market. Although the Applied Biosystems group has experience in developing and commercializing instrumentation for the life science research market, the Applied Biosystems group has only limited prior experience with products of any type for use in the regulated clinical diagnostics market. This is an emerging business area for the Applied Biosystems group, and the Applied Biosystems group may not have or be able to obtain the necessary expertise to successfully develop instruments for use in this market. In addition, in the U.S. and other countries, instruments cannot be marketed for clinical diagnostics use until they first receive regulatory clearance or approval. The regulatory review and clearance or approval process can be time consuming and require substantial expense and may not be successful. Even if the Applied Biosystems group obtains regulatory clearance or approval for an instrument for use in the clinical diagnostics market, the manufacture, sale, and distribution of that product may be subject to ongoing regulatory requirements. The inability to comply with these requirements could cause the Applied Biosystems group to suspend the manufacture or sale of these products and delay or prevent the Applied Biosystems group from generating revenues from the sale of these products.

 

The Applied Biosystems group relies on other companies for the manufacture of some of its products and also for the supply of some components of the products it manufactures on its own. Although the Applied Biosystems group has contracts with most of these manufacturers and suppliers, their operations could be disrupted. These disruptions could be caused by conditions unrelated to the Applied Biosystems group’s business or operations, including the bankruptcy of the manufacturer or supplier. Although the Applied Biosystems group has its own manufacturing facilities, and generally believes it might be able to manufacture some of the products and components currently sourced from other companies, it also believes that it could take considerable time and resources to establish the capability to do so. Accordingly, if these other manufacturers or suppliers are unable or fail to fulfill their obligations to the Applied Biosystems group, the Applied Biosystems group might not be able to satisfy customer demand in a timely manner, and its business could be harmed.

 

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A significant portion of sales depends on customers’ capital spending policies that may be subject to significant and unexpected decreases. A significant portion of the Applied Biosystems group’s instrument product sales are capital purchases by its customers. The Applied Biosystems group’s customers include pharmaceutical, environmental, research, biotechnology, and chemical companies, and the capital spending policies of these companies can have a significant effect on the demand for the Applied Biosystems group’s products. These policies are based on a wide variety of factors, including the resources available to make purchases, the spending priorities among various types of research equipment, and policies regarding capital expenditures during recessionary periods. Any decrease in capital spending or change in spending policies of these companies could significantly reduce the demand for the Applied Biosystems group’s products.

 

A substantial portion of the Applied Biosystems group’s sales is to customers at universities or research laboratories whose funding is dependent on both the amount and timing of funding from government sources. As a result, the timing and amount of revenues from these sources may vary significantly due to factors that can be difficult to forecast. Research funding for life science research has increased more slowly during the past several years compared to previous years and has declined in some countries, and some grants have been frozen for extended periods or otherwise become unavailable to various institutions, sometimes without advance notice. Budgetary pressures may result in reduced allocations to government agencies that fund research and development activities. If government funding necessary to purchase the Applied Biosystems group’s products were to become unavailable to researchers for any extended period of time, or if overall research funding were to decrease, the Applied Biosystems group’s business could be harmed.

 

The Applied Biosystems group is currently, and could in the future be, subject to lawsuits, arbitrations, investigations, and other legal actions with private parties and governmental entities, particularly involving claims for infringement of patents and other intellectual property rights, and it may need to obtain licenses to intellectual property from others. The Applied Biosystems group believes that it has meritorious defenses against the claims currently asserted against it and intends to defend them vigorously. However, the outcome of legal actions is inherently uncertain, and the Applied Biosystems group cannot be sure that it will prevail in any of these actions. An adverse determination in some of the Applied Biosystems group’s current legal actions, particularly the cases described below, could harm our business and financial condition.

 

The Applied Biosystems group’s products are based on complex, rapidly developing technologies. These products could be developed without knowledge of previously filed patent applications that mature into patents that cover some aspect of these technologies. In addition, because patent litigation is complex and the outcome inherently uncertain, the Applied Biosystems group’s belief that its products do not infringe valid and enforceable patents owned by others could be successfully challenged. The Applied Biosystems group has from time to time been notified that it may be infringing patents and other intellectual property rights of others. Also, in the course of its business, the Applied Biosystems group may from time to time have access to confidential or proprietary information of others, and they could bring a claim against the Applied Biosystems group asserting that the Applied Biosystems group had misappropriated their technologies, which though not patented are protected as trade secrets, and had improperly incorporated those technologies into the Applied Biosystems group’s products.

 

Due to these factors, there remains a constant risk of intellectual property litigation and other legal actions, which could include antitrust claims, affecting the Applied Biosystems group. The Applied Biosystems group has been made a party to litigation and has been subject to other legal actions regarding intellectual property matters, which have included claims of violations of antitrust laws. These actions currently include the legal proceedings described in the following paragraph, some of which, if determined adversely, could harm our business and financial condition. To avoid or settle legal claims, it may be necessary or desirable in the future to obtain licenses relating to one or more products or relating to current or future technologies, and the Applied Biosystems group may not be able to obtain these licenses or other rights on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. In some situations settlement of claims may require an agreement to cease allegedly infringing activities.

 

Several legal actions have been filed against us that could affect the intellectual property rights of the Applied Biosystems group and its products and services, including the following:

 

 

 

Enzo Biochem, Inc., Enzo Life Sciences, Inc., and Yale University have filed a lawsuit against us alleging that we are infringing six patents due to the sale of sequencing reagent kits, TaqMan® genotyping and gene expression assays, and the gene expression microarrays used with the Applied Biosystems group’s Expression Array System.

 

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Michigan Diagnostics LLC has filed claims against us seeking a declaratory judgment of non-infringement, invalidity, and unenforceability of approximately 60 patents related to chemiluminescent products and methods, and asserting antitrust claims based on our alleged misconduct in our alleged enforcement of those patents.

 

   

Molecular Diagnostics Laboratories has filed a class action complaint against us and Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc. alleging anticompetitive conduct in connection with the sale of Taq DNA polymerase. The anticompetitive conduct is alleged to arise from the prosecution and enforcement of U.S. Patent No 4,889,818. This patent is assigned to Hoffmann-La Roche, with whom we have a commercial relationship covering, among other things, this patent and the sale of Taq DNA polymerase.

 

   

In response to claims made by us against Solexa, Inc., Illumina, Inc., and a former chief patent counsel to our company, Solexa has filed counterclaims against us alleging that we infringe U.S. Patent Nos. 5,750,341, 5,969,119, 6,306,597 based on our making, using, selling, and offering for sale DNA sequencing products.

 

 

 

In response to a claim that we, MDS, Inc., and our Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX Instruments joint venture with MDS filed against Thermo Electron Corporation, Thermo Electron has filed a counterclaim seeking a declaratory judgment that our U.S. Patent No. 4,963,736 is invalid. After the filing of this action against Thermo Electron, its subsidiary Thermo Finnigan LLC filed a lawsuit against us alleging that we are infringing one of its patents as a result of, for example, the Applied Biosystems group’s commercialization of the ABI PRISM® 3700 Genetic Analyzer. Thermo Finnigan subsequently filed a second lawsuit against us, MDS, and the Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX Instruments joint venture alleging that we and the other defendants have infringed one of Thermo Finnigan’s patents as a result of, for example, our commercialization of the API 5000™ LC/MS/MS system.

 

These cases are described in further detail in Part I, Item 3, of our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Legal Proceedings–Commercial Litigation,” as updated by the information in Part II, Item 1 of our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The cost of litigation and the amount of management time associated with these cases is expected to be significant. These matters might not be resolved favorably. If they are not resolved favorably, we could be enjoined from selling the products or services in question or other products or services as a result, and monetary or other damages could be assessed against us. These outcomes could harm the business or financial condition of our company, the Applied Biosystems group, or the Celera group.

 

Some of the intellectual property that is important to our business is owned by other companies or institutions and licensed to us, and legal actions against them could harm the Applied Biosystems group’s business. Even if the Applied Biosystems group is not a party to these legal actions, an adverse outcome could harm our business because it might prevent these other companies or institutions from continuing to license intellectual property that we may need for our business. Furthermore, an adverse outcome could result in infringement or other legal actions being brought directly against us. For example, on November 8, 2006, a patent interference proceeding was declared by the United States Patent and Trademark Office between Enzo Diagnostics, Inc. and the California Institute of Technology, or Caltech, concerning a patent application owned by Enzo and U.S. Patent No. 5,821,058, owned by Caltech. The ’058 patent is exclusively licensed to us and claims methods for DNA sequencing. The Patent Office has declared the interference in order to resolve competing claims to inventorship of the subject matter of the interference. Although we are not a party to this proceeding, as exclusive licensee we are involved in the prosecution of the interference, in cooperation with Caltech, and we are funding a substantial portion of the cost of the prosecution. If Enzo prevails in the interference, the Patent Office could revoke the claims of the ’058 patent from Caltech and award substantially similar claims to Enzo, which Enzo might then assert against our DNA sequencing products and possibly other products.

 

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The Applied Biosystems group may become involved in legal proceedings to enforce its intellectual property rights. The intellectual property rights of biotechnology companies, including the Applied Biosystems group, involve complex factual, scientific, and legal questions. Even though the Applied Biosystems group may believe that it has a valid patent on a particular technology, other companies have from time to time taken, and may in the future take, actions that the Applied Biosystems group believes violate its patent rights. Although the Applied Biosystems group has licensing programs to provide industry access to some of its patent rights, other companies have in the past refused to participate in these licensing programs and companies may refuse to participate in them in the future, resulting in a loss of potential licensing revenue. Legal actions to enforce these patent rights can be expensive and may involve the diversion of significant management time. In addition, these legal actions could be unsuccessful and could also result in the invalidation of some of the Applied Biosystems group’s intellectual property rights.

 

Since the Applied Biosystems group’s business is dependent on foreign sales, fluctuating currencies will make revenues and operating results more volatile. Approximately 59% of the Applied Biosystems group’s net revenues for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 of our 2008 fiscal year were derived from sales to customers outside of the U.S. The majority of these sales were based on the relevant customer’s local currency. A significant portion of the related costs for the Applied Biosystems group are based on the U.S. dollar. As a result, the Applied Biosystems group’s reported and anticipated operating results and cash flows are subject to fluctuations due to material changes in foreign currency exchange rates that are beyond the Applied Biosystems group’s control.

 

The future growth of the Applied Biosystems group depends in part on its ability to acquire complementary technologies through acquisitions, investments, or other strategic relationships or alliances, which may absorb significant resources, may be unsuccessful, and could dilute holders of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock. Acquisitions, investments and other strategic relationships and alliances, if pursued, may involve significant cash expenditures, debt incurrence, and expenses that could have a material effect on the Applied Biosystems group’s financial condition and operating results. If these types of transactions are pursued, it may be difficult for the Applied Biosystems group to complete these transactions quickly and to integrate these acquired operations efficiently into its current business operations. Potential technological advances resulting from the integration of technologies may not be achieved as successfully or rapidly as anticipated, if at all. Any acquisitions, investments or other strategic relationships and alliances by the Applied Biosystems group may ultimately harm its business and financial condition. In addition, future acquisitions may not be as successful as originally anticipated and may result in impairment charges. We have incurred these charges in recent years in relation to acquisitions. For example, since fiscal 2002 we have incurred charges for impairment of goodwill, intangibles and other assets and other charges of $30.4 million related to the Celera group’s acquisition of Paracel, Inc. and $14.9 million related to the Applied Biosystems group’s acquisition of Boston Probes, Inc. Additionally, during our 2007 and 2006 fiscal years, we incurred charges totaling $28.8 million for severance and benefit costs and asset impairments relating to the Celera group’s acquisition of Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and its subsequent decision to partner or sell its small molecule drug discovery and development programs, and the integration of Celera Diagnostics into the Celera group. In addition, acquisitions and other transactions may involve the issuance of a substantial amount of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock without the approval of the holders of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock. Any issuances of this nature could be dilutive to holders of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock.

 

The Applied Biosystems group’s businesses, particularly those focused on developing and marketing information-based products and services, depend on the continuous, effective, reliable, and secure operation of its computer hardware, software, and Internet applications and related tools and functions. The Applied Biosystems group’s business requires manipulating and analyzing large amounts of data, and communicating the results of the analysis to its internal research personnel and to its customers via the Internet. Also, the Applied Biosystems group relies on a global enterprise software system to operate and manage its business. The Applied Biosystems group’s business therefore depends on the continuous, effective, reliable, and secure operation of its computer hardware, software, networks, Internet servers, and related infrastructure. To the extent that the Applied Biosystems group’s hardware or software malfunctions or access to the Applied Biosystems group’s data by internal research personnel or customers through the Internet is interrupted, the Applied Biosystems group’s business could suffer.

 

The Applied Biosystems group’s computer and communications hardware is protected through physical and software safeguards. However, it is still vulnerable to fire, storm, flood, power loss, earthquakes, telecommunications failures, physical or software break-ins, software viruses, and similar events. In addition, the Applied Biosystems group’s online products and services are complex and sophisticated, and as such, could contain

 

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data, design, or software errors that could be difficult to detect and correct. Software defects could be found in current or future products. If the Applied Biosystems group fails to maintain and further develop the necessary computer capacity and data to support its computational needs and its customers’ access to information-based product and service offerings, it could experience a loss of or delay in revenues or market acceptance. In addition, any sustained disruption in Internet access provided by other companies could harm the Applied Biosystems group.

 

The Applied Biosystems group’s operations involve the use, manufacture, sale, and distribution of hazardous materials, and the mishandling of these hazardous materials could result in substantial liabilities and harm to the Applied Biosystems group. The Applied Biosystems group’s research and development and manufacturing activities involve the controlled use of potentially hazardous materials, including biological materials, chemicals, and various radioactive compounds. Also, some of the Applied Biosystems group’s products are hazardous materials or include hazardous materials. The Applied Biosystems group cannot completely eliminate the risk of accidental or other contamination or injury from these materials, and the Applied Biosystems group could be held liable for resulting damages, which could be substantial. Under some laws and regulations, a party can be subject to “strict liability” for damages caused by some hazardous materials, which means that a party can be liable without regard to fault or negligence. In addition, the Applied Biosystems group is subject to federal, state, local, and foreign laws, regulations, and permits governing the use, storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous materials and specified waste products, as well as the shipment and labeling of materials and products containing hazardous materials. If the Applied Biosystems group fails to comply with any of these laws, regulations, or permits, we could be subject to substantial fine or penalty, payment of remediation costs, loss of permits, and/or other adverse governmental action. Any of these events could harm the Applied Biosystems group’s business and financial condition.

 

Earthquakes could disrupt operations in California. The headquarters and principal operations of the Applied Biosystems group are located in the San Francisco Bay area, a region near major California earthquake faults. The ultimate impact of earthquakes on the Applied Biosystems group, its significant suppliers, and the general infrastructure is unknown, but operating results could be harmed if a major earthquake occurs.

 

Applera-Applied Biosystems stock price may be volatile. The market price of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock has in the past been, and may continue in the future to be, volatile due to the risks and uncertainties described in this risk factors section, as well as other factors that may have affected or may in the future affect the market price, such as:

 

   

conditions and publicity regarding the genomics, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences industries generally;

 

   

price and volume fluctuations in the stock market at large which do not relate to the Applied Biosystems group’s operating performance; and

 

   

comments by securities analysts or government officials, including with regard to the viability or profitability of the biotechnology sector generally or with regard to intellectual property rights of life science companies, or the Applied Biosystems group’s ability to meet market expectations.

 

The stock market has from time to time experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies or the industries in which they compete.

 

In addition, our ability to achieve previously announced financial targets is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors affecting our business and the genomics, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and life sciences industries generally, many of which are beyond our control. These factors may cause actual results to differ materially. We describe a number of these factors throughout this document, including in these risk factors. We cannot assure you that we will meet these targets. If we are not able to meet these targets, it could harm the market price of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock.

 

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Risks Relating to the Celera Group

Risks Relating to the Healthcare and Biotechnology Industries

The Celera group's net revenues will be negatively affected if third-party payors decide that our products and services are not approved for reimbursement or if healthcare providers do not accept our diagnostic products. Our revenues are highly dependent on our clinical laboratory tests and diagnostic products being approved for reimbursement by Medicare and other government healthcare programs, as well as private insurance companies and managed care organizations, commonly referred to, collectively, as “third-party payors.” Although most third-party payors currently have approved our clinical laboratory tests and the use of our diagnostic products for reimbursement, this could change if they determine that these tests and products are not medically necessary or otherwise not approved for reimbursement under standards independently established by these third-party payors which may take into consideration factors such as the experimental nature of a particular test or product, or whether less expensive alternatives are available. Each third-party payor makes its own decision as to whether a given diagnostic test is medically necessary and worthy of payment. If Medicare or any other significant third-party payor determines that our clinical laboratory tests are not medically necessary or are not otherwise suitable for reimbursement, healthcare providers could be reluctant to prescribe these tests. Similarly, if the use of our diagnostic products is not approved for reimbursement, purchasers of these products could decrease or eliminate their orders of these products. This could harm our operating results and financial condition. Also, there can be no assurance that third-party payors will approve for reimbursement any clinical laboratory tests or the use of diagnostic products sold by the Celera group in the future. For example, our clinical laboratory is developing a test we refer to as “KIF6,” to be used in personalized cardiovascular disease management, which has not yet been submitted for reimbursement to any third-party payors.

In addition, the growth and success of the Celera group’s sales of diagnostic products depends on market acceptance by healthcare providers and laboratories of its products as clinically useful and cost-effective. We expect that most of the Celera group’s diagnostic products will use genotyping and gene expression information to predict predisposition to diseases, disease progression or severity, or responsiveness to treatment. Market acceptance depends on the widespread acceptance and use by healthcare providers of genetic testing for these purposes. The use of genotyping and gene expression information by healthcare providers for these purposes is relatively new. Healthcare providers may not want to use the Celera group’s products designed for these purposes, which could harm its operating results and financial condition.

Efforts by third-party payors, including Medicare, to reduce utilization and reimbursement rates could decrease our net revenues and profitability. Third-party payors have increased their efforts to control the cost, utilization and delivery of healthcare services. From time to time, Congress has considered and implemented changes in the Medicare fee schedules in conjunction with budgetary legislation. A five-year moratorium on changes to the Medicare clinical laboratory fee schedule will end on December 31, 2008, which could result in the receipt of reduced Medicare reimbursements for our clinical laboratory testing services from Medicare. Reductions in the reimbursement rates of other third-party payors have occurred and may occur in the future. In the past, these reimbursement rate changes have resulted in reduced prices, added costs, and decreased test utilization for the clinical laboratory industry, and future rate reductions could have a similar impact on the industry. If the payment amount we receive for our clinical laboratory testing services is reduced, it could harm our operating results and financial condition. Also, if clinical laboratories that purchase the Celera group’s diagnostic products receive reduced payment for their testing services, the reduced payments may cause them to seek lower pricing for our diagnostic products, which could, in turn, harm our operating results and financial condition.

The Celera group may need to accept lower prices for some of its testing services in exchange for participating in provider networks. A large portion of the Celera group’s clinical laboratory testing business is currently reimbursed by non-governmental third-party payors on an out-of-network, non-participating basis. This means that we do not have contracted reimbursement rates with these companies. In order to contain medical expenses, many of these companies have requested that we become an in-network, participating provider of clinical laboratory testing services. Becoming an in-network, participating provider has the advantage of providing the Celera group with access to more patients for its clinical laboratory testing services and assuring that the Celera group’s clinical laboratory tests are reimbursable by the insurance company or managed care organization that has established the network. However, in-network, participating reimbursement rates tend to be substantially lower than those reimbursement rates currently being received by the Celera group’s clinical laboratory for its testing services. Therefore, joining these networks could reduce the Celera group's net income and harm its operating results and

 

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financial condition. On the other hand, failure to join these networks could prevent the Celera group from being reimbursed by these providers for its clinical laboratory tests altogether. In addition, reduced reimbursement rates offered to in-network, participating providers may indirectly harm the Celera group's diagnostic product business. We believe that many of the purchasers of the Celera group's diagnostic products that perform clinical laboratory testing services face similar pressure to become in-network, participating providers. Should these purchasers become in-network, participating providers, if they are not already, the reduced reimbursement rates received by these purchasers may cause them to seek lower pricing for our diagnostic products, which could, in turn, harm our operating results and financial condition.

Medicare contracting reforms could change Medicare’s reimbursement policies or rates for the Celera group’s laboratory testing services. In response to a Congressional mandate, the Department of Health and Human Services is replacing the organizations that currently administer the Medicare “fee-for-service” programs with new Medicare Administrative Contractors. The fee-for-service program is the traditional Medicare program where beneficiaries choose the physician or other healthcare provider they wish to see and pay a fee for each service used. If clinical laboratory testing services are covered by Medicare, then Medicare pays the entire bill for the services and the beneficiary is not responsible for any portion of the payment. The appointment of the new contractor for our clinical laboratory testing service will take effect on July 1, 2008. We believe that the new contractor may change coverage policies or reimbursement rates that are applicable to our laboratory tests. Also, in response to a Congressional mandate, the Department of Health and Human Services is seeking to reduce clinical laboratory service costs to the Medicare program through competitive bidding among test providers. The impact of this initiative will depend on whether and when competitive bidding is introduced for testing in jurisdictions where we derive substantial revenue. We believe that if we participate in the competitive bidding we will be forced to accept prices below Medicare’s current reimbursement rates. Conversely, if we do not participate in the bidding, we may be prohibited from providing laboratory testing services to any of the Medicare beneficiaries who reside within the applicable jurisdiction. These prohibitions or reductions of reimbursement rates in a jurisdiction from which we derive substantial revenues could harm our operating results and financial condition.

The competition in the healthcare and biotechnology industries is intensely competitive and evolving. There is intense competition among healthcare, diagnostic, and biotechnology companies attempting to develop new diagnostic products. The Celera group is aware of competitors who are engaged in research and development projects that address the same diseases that the Celera group is targeting. The Celera group’s diagnostic products business competes with companies in the U.S. and abroad that are engaged in the development and commercialization of products and services that provide genetic information. These companies may develop products or services that are competitive with, and could be more effective and/or cost-effective than, the diagnostic products offered by the Celera group or its collaborators or licensees, such as analyte specific reagents, diagnostic test kits, or diagnostic testing services that perform the same or similar purposes as the Celera group’s or its collaborators’ or licensees’ diagnostic products. Key competitors for the Celera group’s leading products include Luminex Corporation and Third Wave Technologies, Inc. for the Celera group’s cystic fibrosis products, Siemens for the Celera group’s ViroSeq™ HIV-1 Genotyping System, and Siemens and F. Hoffmann -La Roche, Ltd. for the m 2000system and assays that are sold as part of the Celera group’s alliance with Abbott. Also, clinical laboratories may offer testing services that are competitive with the diagnostic products sold by the Celera group or its collaborators or licensees. For example, a clinical laboratory can use either reagents purchased from manufacturers other than the Celera group, or their own internally developed reagents, to provide diagnostic testing services. In this manner, clinical laboratories could offer testing services for a particular disease as an alternative to purchasing diagnostic products sold by the Celera group or its collaborators or licensees for use in their testing of the same disease. The testing services offered by clinical laboratories may be easier and more cost-effective to develop and market than test kits developed by the Celera group or its collaborators or licensees because the testing services are not subject to the same clinical validation requirements that are applicable to U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared or approved diagnostic test kits. For example, clinical reference laboratories such as Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, or LabCorp, and Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, or Quest, offer laboratory developed tests that compete with the Celera group’s ViroSeq HIV-1 Genotyping System.

In addition, our clinical laboratory testing services, and our associated disease monitoring, management, and educational services, compete primarily with existing diagnostic, detection and monitoring technologies and disease management service companies. In particular, many clinical reference laboratories, including LabCorp, Sonic Healthcare Limited, Mayo Medical Laboratories, Quest, and other regional laboratory companies, offer clinical testing services using a traditional lipid panel test, which is simpler to perform and less expensive than our more extensive and proprietary lipid fractionation and related cardiovascular bio-marker tests, and which is widely

 

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accepted as an adequate test for assessing and managing risk of cardiovascular disease. Also, other companies, including Atherotech, Inc., Agilent Technologies, Inc., and LipoScience, Inc., currently provide alternative methods for lipoprotein subclass analysis using different technologies than our testing services. In addition, companies, including Healthways, Inc. and LifeMasters Supported SelfCare, Inc., and internal efforts by some healthcare payors, such as United Healthcare, compete with the Celera group’s disease monitoring and management and lifestyle modification offerings. Many of our actual or potential competitors may have longer operating histories, better name recognition and greater financial, technical, sales, marketing, and distribution capabilities than we have. These competitors also may have more experience in research and development, regulatory matters, and manufacturing. Many of these companies, particularly those selling the traditional lipid panel test, offer tests or services that have been approved for third-party reimbursement. Our current or potential competitors may use, or develop in the future, technologies that are superior to, or more effective than, ours, which could make our tests noncompetitive or obsolete. We seek to expand our service offerings to provide greater characterization of risk and associated therapeutic response. We also seek to distinguish our services by supplementing our clinical laboratory testing services with additional disease monitoring, management, and educational services that include patient education programs with respect to nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, and medication compliance.

 

The Celera group’s competitive position depends on maintaining its intellectual property protection. The Celera group’s ability to compete and to achieve and maintain profitability depends, in part, on its ability to protect its proprietary discoveries and technologies through obtaining and enforcing intellectual property rights, including patent rights, copyrights, trade secrets, and other intellectual property rights, and operating without infringing the intellectual property rights of others. The Celera group’s ability to obtain patent protection for the inventions it makes, including those relating to novel methods of diagnosing and/or treating diseases, is uncertain. The patentability of these and other types of biotechnology inventions involves complex factual, scientific, and legal questions. As a result, it is difficult to predict whether patents will issue or the breadth of claims that will be allowed in biotechnology patents. This may be particularly true with regard to the patenting of gene sequences, gene functions, genetic variations and methods of diagnosis of disease. Future changes in policies or laws, or interpretations of these policies or laws, relevant to the patenting of biotechnology inventions could harm our patent position in the U.S. or other countries. Opposition to the protection of these inventions in the U.S. or other countries could result in stricter standards for obtaining or enforcing biotechnology patent rights.

 

In some instances, patent applications in the U.S. are maintained in secrecy until a patent issues. In most instances, the content of U.S. and international patent applications is made available to the public approximately eighteen months after the initial filing from which priority is claimed. As a result, the Celera group may not be aware that others have filed patent applications for inventions covered by the Celera group’s patent applications and may incorrectly believe that the Celera group inventors were the first to make the invention. Accordingly, the Celera group’s patent applications may be preempted or the Celera group may have to participate in interference proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. These proceedings determine the priority of invention and the right to a patent for the claimed invention in the U.S. In addition, disputes may arise in the future with regard to the ownership of rights to any invention developed with collaborators, which could result in delays in, or prevent, the development of related products.

 

Patents used in the Celera group’s clinical laboratory testing services business are owned by Berkeley HeartLab, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary. Also, there are several patents and patent applications owned by Applera that are primarily used in the Celera group’s in vitro diagnostic products business. These patents and patent applications include:

 

   

a family of patents relating to HIV genotyping used in the Celera group’s ViroSeq™ HIV-1 Genotyping System, which expires in 2018,

 

   

two patents relating to human leukocyte antigen, or HLA, typing used in the Celera group’s HLA typing products, which expire in 2015, and

 

   

patent applications relating to methods of determining risk for developing specific diseases that are used in various stages of research and product development, but not yet used in commercial products; if patents issue from these applications, the terms of the patents would expire from 2023 through 2029.

 

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The Celera group also relies on trade secret protection for its confidential and proprietary information and procedures, including procedures related to sequencing genes and to searching and identifying important regions of genetic information. The Celera group protects its trade secrets through recognized practices, including access control, confidentiality and non-use agreements with employees, consultants, collaborators and customers, and other security measures. These confidentiality and non-use agreements may be breached, however, and the Celera group may not have adequate remedies for a breach. In addition, the Celera group’s trade secrets may otherwise become known or be independently developed by competitors. Accordingly, it is uncertain whether the Celera group’s reliance on trade secret protection will be adequate to safeguard its confidential and proprietary information and procedures.

 

The Celera group may become involved in expensive intellectual property legal proceedings. There has been substantial litigation and other legal proceedings regarding patents and other intellectual property rights relevant to diagnostic and biotechnology products and services. The intellectual property rights of biotechnology companies, including those held by the Celera group, are generally uncertain and involve complex factual, scientific, and legal questions. The Celera group’s success in diagnostic product development, clinical laboratory testing, and therapeutic target discovery may depend, in part, on its ability to operate without infringing the intellectual property rights of others and its ability to prevent others from infringing its intellectual property rights. Also, contractual disputes related to existing license rights to patents owned by others may affect the Celera group’s ability to develop, manufacture, and sell its products and clinical laboratory testing services.

 

The Celera group may initiate proceedings at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to determine its patent rights with respect to others. Also, the Celera group may initiate patent litigation to enforce its patent rights or invalidate patents held by others. These legal actions may similarly be initiated against the Celera group by others alleging that the Celera group is infringing their rights. The cost to the Celera group of any patent litigation or proceedings, even if the Celera group is successful, could be substantial, and these legal actions may absorb significant management time. Even if the Celera group is successful on the merits in any such proceeding, the cost of these proceedings could harm its operating results and financial condition.

 

If infringement claims against the Celera group are resolved unfavorably to the Celera group, the Celera group may be enjoined from manufacturing or selling its products or services without a license from a third party, and the Celera group may not be able to obtain a license on commercially acceptable terms, or at all. Also, the Celera group could become subject to significant liabilities to others if these claims are resolved unfavorably to the Celera group. Similarly, our business could be harmed and we could be subject to liabilities because of lawsuits brought by others against Abbott Laboratories, with whom we have a strategic alliance. For example, Abbott was previously sued by Innogenetics N.V. for patent infringement due to Abbott’s sale of hepatitis C virus, or HCV, genotyping analyte specific reagents, or ASRs, manufactured by the Celera group for Abbott. We agreed to share equally the cost of this litigation, and accordingly in our 2007 and 2008 fiscal years we recorded pre-tax charges totaling $4.1 million, including $0.6 million in the third quarter of our 2008 fiscal year, for the Celera group’s share of damages awarded by a jury to Innogenetics and in our 2006, 2007, and 2008 fiscal years we recorded approximately $2.9 million in legal fees associated with this litigation. Also, for several months during the litigation, which was settled in April 2008, we and Abbott were prevented from manufacturing or selling HCV genotyping products because of a court-ordered injunction.

 

Ethical, legal, and social issues may decrease demand for the Celera group’s diagnostic products and clinical laboratory testing business. Genetic testing has raised issues regarding confidentiality and the appropriate uses of the resulting information. For example, concerns have been expressed regarding the use of genetic test results by insurance carriers or employers to discriminate on the basis of this information, resulting in barriers to the acceptance of genetic tests by consumers. This could lead to governmental authorities calling for limits on, or regulation of the use of, genetic testing or prohibiting testing for genetic predisposition to some diseases, particularly those that have no known cure. Were any of these scenarios to occur, it could reduce the potential markets for the Celera group’s business and, therefore, harm its operating results and financial condition and net income.

 

The FDA has issued draft guidance on IVDMIAs, which may prevent others from using our diagnostic products. The FDA has issued draft guidance on a new class of laboratory developed tests called “In-Vitro Diagnostic Multivariate Index Assays,” or IVDMIAs. This draft guidance, which was issued in 2006 and 2007, represents the FDA’s first public discussion of its position on IVDMIAs, which generally are tests developed by a single clinical laboratory for use only in that laboratory, and which combine the values of multiple variables using an interpretation function to yield a single patient-specific result for use in the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of diseases or other conditions. If this draft guidance becomes final and is enforced, a laboratory-developed test that meets the definition of an IVDMIA could not be used for diagnostic purposes before the laboratory receives FDA

 

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clearance or approval for use of that test. The requirements for FDA clearance or approval are evolving, but could include the requirement that the laboratory seek clearance pursuant to Section 510(k) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, or FFDCA. The Section 510(k) clearance process generally requires the filing of notice with the FDA with clinical data demonstrating that the product and its intended purpose are “substantially equivalent” to a diagnostic device that is already cleared or approved for marketing by the FDA. If a 510(k) premarketing clearance is not obtained, the laboratory could be required to file a FDA pre-market approval or PMA application under the FFDCA, which must demonstrate that a diagnostic device is safe and effective, and must be supported by more extensive information than required for a 510(k) notification. However, because the IVDMIA guidance document sets forth a new classification, and that guidance remains in draft form, we cannot be certain how, or if, this new classification will affect the Celera group’s business, or if the clearance process will be modified from that described above.

 

We do not believe that the tests currently offered by the Celera group are IVDMIAs, as set forth in the draft guidance document, and, therefore, these tests would not be directly affected. However, clinical laboratories that license some of our intellectual property might be developing tests using our intellectual property, and these laboratory-developed tests may be considered IVDMIAs by the FDA. The requirement of FDA clearance or approval for any of these tests could discourage their development, or delay or prevent them from being used if developed, which in turn, could delay or prevent altogether payments to us from the use of these laboratory-developed tests. Also, it is possible that some of our current or future diagnostic products could be indirectly affected because other companies might want to use our diagnostic products as part of an IVDMIA, although we are not aware of any customers that currently use our diagnostic products in this manner. The requirement of FDA clearance or approval for any of these tests could discourage their development, or delay or prevent them from being used if developed, which in turn, could affect the demand for our products being used as a part of these tests. In addition, some of our future tests used in our clinical laboratory testing services could meet the definition of an IVDMIA and therefore require FDA clearance or approval.

 

Risks Relating to the Provision of Clinical Laboratory Testing Services

 

The Celera group needs to maintain federal and state operating licenses and similar clearances to conduct its clinical laboratory testing. The Celera group’s clinical laboratory is regulated by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988, or CLIA. CLIA is a federal law that regulates clinical laboratory testing performed on specimens derived from humans for the purpose of providing information for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of disease. CLIA is intended to ensure the quality and reliability of clinical laboratory testing in the United States. Our CLIA certification requires our clinical laboratory to be inspected every other year in addition to being subject to random CLIA inspections. Our clinical laboratory in Alameda, California is also subject to license requirements imposed by the State of California. California laws establish quality standards for day-to-day operation of the clinical laboratory, including the training and skills required of personnel and quality control. Our California and New York state licenses require periodic inspections by the state laboratory licensing authorities. If a CLIA or state inspector finds deficiencies, that finding could lead to the revocation or suspension of, or limitations being placed upon, our CLIA accreditation or California, New York, or other state licenses. Any revocation, suspension, or limitation could prevent us from performing all or some of our clinical laboratory testing services and could harm our operating results and financial condition.

 

The Celera group’s clinical laboratory testing services are subject to federal and state anti-kickback and anti-referral laws and regulations. Federal and state anti-kickback laws prohibit payment, or offers of payment, in exchange for referrals of products and services for which reimbursement may be made by Medicare or other federal and state healthcare programs. Some state laws contain similar prohibitions that apply without regard to the payor of reimbursement for the services. Federal and state anti-referral laws, including the Stark Law, prohibit physicians from referring their Medicare or other federally funded healthcare program patients or specimens to healthcare providers with which the physicians or their immediate family members have a financial relationship involving some types of health services. The financial relationships covered by these prohibitions include clinical laboratory services such as those provided by the Celera group. Some state laws also contain similar prohibitions that apply without regard to the payor of reimbursement for the services. Based on our analysis of publicly-disclosed government settlements and public announcements by various government officials, we believe the federal officials responsible for administering and enforcing the healthcare laws and regulations have made a priority of eliminating healthcare fraud. While we seek to conduct our business in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, many of the laws and regulations applicable to our business, particularly those relating to billing and reimbursement of tests and those relating to relationships with physicians, hospitals and patients, contain imprecise language that

 

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has not been interpreted by courts. We must rely on our interpretation of these laws and regulations based on the advice of our counsel, and regulatory or law enforcement authorities may not agree with our interpretation of these laws and regulations and may seek to enforce legal remedies or penalties against us for violations. From time to time we may need to change our operations, particularly pricing or billing practices, in response to changing interpretations of these laws and regulations or regulatory or judicial determinations with respect to these laws and regulations. These occurrences, regardless of their outcome, could damage our reputation and harm important business relationships that we have with healthcare providers, laboratories, and others. Furthermore, if a regulatory or judicial authority finds that we have not complied with applicable laws and regulations, we would be required to refund amounts that were billed and collected in violation of such laws and regulations. In addition, we may voluntarily refund amounts that were alleged to have been billed and collected in violation of applicable laws and regulations. In either case, we could suffer civil and criminal damages, fines and penalties, exclusion from participation in governmental healthcare programs and the loss of licenses, certificates and authorizations necessary to operate our business, as well as incur liabilities from third-party claims, all of which could harm our operating results and financial condition. Moreover, regardless of the outcome, if we are investigated by a regulatory or law enforcement authority we could incur substantial costs, including legal fees, and our management may be required to divert a substantial amount of time to an investigation.

 

The Celera group’s clinical laboratory testing business is subject to HIPAA and other federal and state security and privacy laws and regulations. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA and its related privacy and security regulations establish federal standards for the uses and disclosures of individually identifiable health information, which is referred to as protected health information. In addition, we are also subject to state privacy and security laws that in some cases impose more stringent requirements than HIPAA and its related regulations. In addition, we must comply with the laws of other countries that regulate the transfer of healthcare data relating to citizens of those countries. HIPAA, as well as state and foreign privacy and security regulations provide for significant fines and other penalties for the wrongful use or disclosure of protected health information, including potential civil and criminal fines and penalties. Although HIPAA and the related regulations do not expressly provide for a private right of damages, we also could incur damages under state and foreign laws to individuals claiming that we wrongfully used or disclosed their confidential health information or other private personal information.

 

The Celera group relies on independent healthcare providers, laboratories, and others to collect and process patient specimens. The Celera group has a limited internal network of specimen collection stations. We rely on healthcare providers and clinical laboratories to collect and send to our laboratory for testing most of our clinical laboratory specimens. Although the Celera group believes it pays its service providers fair market value consideration for specimen collection and processing services and in compliance with anti-kickback and anti-referral laws, legal restrictions prohibit the Celera group from paying additional consideration, such as a referral fee, for these services. Because these services are time-consuming and may not be a business priority for the companies and individuals we rely on to provide them, the fair market value consideration may not be sufficient incentive for them to continue providing these services. If we are unable to obtain or maintain needed collection and processing services, we would be unable to obtain patient samples for testing, which would harm our operating results and financial condition.

 

The Celera group’s clinical laboratory testing services depend primarily on a single courier for the delivery of its clinical specimens. Substantially all patient specimens are sent by healthcare providers and other laboratories to our clinical testing laboratory by an established international overnight shipping service. We use overnight shipping because patient specimens are biological materials that can spoil if not tested on a timely basis after collection from a patient. Therefore, any interruption in shipping, even one that is short in duration, could interfere with our services and harm our business. Our primary courier’s shipping network relies on various modes of transportation, including trucks and airplanes. The transportation of specimens could therefore be delayed or prevented by natural or man-made disasters or other events that interfere with these modes of transportation, including earthquakes, floods, power outages, inclement weather, and terrorism. If there is a delay in the delivery of patient samples that are in-transit, we would have no way to prevent these samples from spoiling. Although there are other companies that provide similar overnight courier services, many of the circumstances that could interfere with our primary courier’s services likely would interfere with the services of other similar couriers. Additionally, we do not have a guaranteed pricing arrangement with our primary courier and may be subject to unanticipated price changes. If we need to switch to a different courier because of circumstances that are unique to our primary courier or due to a change in our primary courier’s pricing, it could take us several days or longer to establish an agreement with a new courier, the shipping rates might not be as favorable to us, and our testing services would likely be

 

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interrupted. The inability to receive the specimens and perform our tests, even if only for a short period of time, or the loss of specimens due to shipping delays, could interrupt our business and harm our reputation.

 

There is a high demand for, and short supply of, key personnel needed for our clinical laboratory testing services. Our existing clinical laboratory services operations require individuals who are licensed as Clinical Laboratory Scientists in the State of California. The Celera group believes that to continue operating and to expand its clinical laboratory testing services, it must continue to attract and retain these licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientists. There is a shortage of licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientists in the State of California, and the Celera group competes for these personnel with hospitals, other clinical laboratories, and other healthcare providers. Licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientists may prefer to work for these other organizations either because of the compensation offered, the reputations of the organizations, or other personal considerations. If the Celera group is unable to attract and retain a sufficient number of licensed Clinical Laboratory Scientists, the current operations of the group’s clinical laboratory testing services could be harmed and the future growth of those services could be delayed or prevented.

 

We are changing our marketing strategy for our clinical laboratory testing services, and our new strategy could harm our revenues. To date, we have focused on actively marketing our clinical laboratory testing services solely to accounts that refer large volumes of specimens for our services. We believe that the continued growth of our clinical laboratory services requires us to change our sales strategy, moving away from our sole focus on large-volume accounts and instead developing local market territories comprised of at least one large volume account and additional lower volume accounts located near the large-volume accounts. We have already started to implement this new marketing strategy within each of our sales territories and believe that it should be implemented over the next several fiscal years. As a result of this new strategy, we expect to relocate most of our existing clinical educators and develop centrally-located sites, referred to as 4myheart Centers, for the delivery of disease management and patient education services and patient resources. These new 4myheart Centers will be developed based on market demand. Accordingly, we cannot predict the number of new 4myheart Centers that will be developed in any given year. In addition, because each new 4myheart Center is expected to have a unique service offering tailored to its particular market, and the costs of operating these centers will vary from market to market, we are unable to forecast the investment required to develop or operate these new centers. The primary duties of our clinical educators are to educate our patients in areas such as nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, and medication compliance. These marketing and organizational changes may harm the business we currently receive from our existing accounts, and under our new strategy we may not be successful in generating business from new accounts to the extent anticipated.

 

Risks Relating to our Research, Development, and Commercialization of Diagnostic Products

 

The Celera group’s research, development, and commercialization of diagnostic products are dependent in part on a strategic alliance agreement with Abbott Laboratories. The Celera group entered into a strategic alliance agreement with Abbott for the joint discovery, development, manufacture, and commercialization of molecular diagnostic products. Although this is a long-term alliance, the alliance agreement contains provisions that could result in early termination for reasons that include the following: breach of the agreement by either company; a change in control of either company; or either company’s dissatisfaction with the financial performance of the alliance based upon specifically agreed upon parameters over a measurement period set forth in the alliance agreement. In addition, the amount and timing of resources to be devoted to research, development, eventual clinical trials and commercialization activities by Abbott are generally not within the Celera group’s control. Failure by Abbott to devote sufficient resources to this alliance or the termination of this alliance altogether could harm the Celera group's operating results and financial condition.

 

The Celera group’s successful development of diagnostic products may depend on entering into other collaborations, alliances, and similar arrangements with other companies. The Celera group’s strategy for the discovery, development, clinical testing, manufacturing and/or commercialization of most of its diagnostic product candidates includes entering into collaborations and similar arrangements with other companies, in addition to its strategic alliance with Abbott Laboratories. Depending on the nature of the product candidate, the Celera group’s potential collaborators may include pharmaceutical companies, clinical reference laboratories, diagnostic imaging equipment suppliers, or other companies. The Celera group has identified some potential new collaborators, but has not yet entered into any collaboration agreements with them. Although the Celera group has expended, and continues to expend, time and money on internal research and development programs, it may be unsuccessful in

 

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creating diagnostic product candidates that would enable it to form additional collaborations and alliances and, if applicable, receive milestone and/or royalty payments from collaborators. Other companies may not be interested in entering into these relationships with the Celera group, or may not be interested in doing so on terms that we consider acceptable.

 

The Celera group’s development and commercialization of diagnostic products could be harmed if collaborators or licensees fail to perform under their agreements with the Celera group or if they terminate those agreements. Each of the Celera group’s existing collaboration, license, and similar agreements with other companies for the development and commercialization of products, including the Celera group’s alliance agreement with Abbott Laboratories, may be canceled under some circumstances. These agreements generally may be terminated under circumstances including a material breach or default of the agreement, a change in control, or the insolvency or bankruptcy of either party. In addition, the amount and timing of resources to be devoted to research, development, clinical trials, and commercialization activities by the Celera group’s collaborators and licensees are generally not within the Celera group’s control. The Celera group expects that collaboration, license, and similar agreements entered into in the future, if any, will have similar terms and limitations. Furthermore, even if these agreements contain commitments regarding these activities, the Celera group’s collaborators or licensees may not perform their obligations as expected. If collaborators or licensees terminate their agreements or otherwise fail to conduct their collaborative or licensed activities in a timely manner, or at all, the development or commercialization of diagnostic products may be delayed or prevented. If the Celera group assumes responsibility for continuing diagnostic programs on its own after termination of a collaboration, license, or similar agreement, the Celera group may be required to devote additional resources to product development and commercialization or the Celera group may need to cancel some development programs. Any reallocation of additional resources to product development and/or commercialization or cancellation of development programs may harm the Celera group's operating results and financial condition.

 

Some of the Celera group’s diagnostic research and product development programs require access to human tissue and/or blood samples, other biological materials, and related information, which may be in limited supply. The Celera group may not be able to obtain or maintain access to these materials and information on acceptable terms, or may not be able to obtain needed consents from individuals providing tissue, blood, or other samples. In addition, government regulation in the U.S. and foreign countries could result in restricted access to, or use of, human tissue or blood samples or other biological materials. If the Celera group loses access to sufficient numbers or sources of tissue or blood samples or other required biological materials, or if tighter restrictions are imposed on the use of related clinical or other information or information generated from tissue or blood samples or other biological materials, these research and development programs and the Celera group’s operating results and financial condition could be harmed.

 

Our diagnostic product candidates may never result in a commercialized product. Most of the Celera group’s diagnostic product candidates are in various stages of research and development and the ability to commercialize those product candidates, including through collaborators or licensees, is highly uncertain. Development of existing product candidates will require significant additional research and development efforts by the Celera group or its collaborators or licensees before they can be marketed. For potential diagnostic products, these efforts include extensive clinical testing to confirm the products are safe and effective and may require lengthy regulatory review and clearance or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and comparable agencies in other countries. Furthermore, even if these products are found to be safe and effective and receive necessary regulatory clearances or approvals, they may never be developed into commercial products due to considerations such as inability to obtain needed licenses to intellectual property owned by others, market and competitive conditions, and manufacturing difficulties or cost considerations. The Celera group's inability to produce commercialized products could harm its operating results and financial condition.

 

Development and commercialization of diagnostic product candidates depends on the satisfaction of regulatory requirements. In the U.S., either the Celera group or its collaborators or licensees must show through pre-clinical studies and clinical trials that each of the Celera group’s or its collaborators’ or licensees’ diagnostic product candidates is safe and effective for each indication before obtaining regulatory clearance or approval from the FDA for the commercial sale of that product as an in vitro diagnostic product with clinical claims. Outside of the U.S., the regulatory requirements for commercialization vary from country to country. This regulatory review and approval process can take many years and require substantial expense and may not be successful. If the Celera group or its collaborators or licensees fail to adequately show the safety and effectiveness of a diagnostic product candidate because, for example, the results from pre-clinical studies are different from the results that are obtained in

 

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clinical trials, regulatory clearance or approval could be delayed or denied. Without regulatory clearance or approval, the Celera group or its collaborators or licensees may be unable to complete the development or commercialization of the product for which clearance or approval was sought. The inability of the Celera group or its collaborators or licensees to commercialize products could harm our operating results and financial condition.

 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an interpretation of the regulations governing the sale of Analyte Specific Reagent products which could prevent or delay our or our collaborators’ or licensees’ sales of these products and harm our operating results and financial condition. In September 2007, the FDA, published “Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff: Commercially Distributed Analyte Specific Reagents (ASRs): Frequently Asked Questions,” clarifying the FDA’s interpretation of the regulations governing the sale of Analyte Specific Reagent, or ASR, products. ASRs are a class of products that do not require regulatory clearance or approval. The FDA’s guidance document contains an interpretation of the ASR regulations that, we believe, represents a departure from FDA practice and policy prior to the release of the FDA’s draft guidance in September 2006, regarding products that can be characterized as ASRs. We believe that all of the Celera group’s current ASR products, other than its cystic fibrosis ASR products, will meet the regulatory definition of an ASR, as set forth in the guidance document. The Celera group’s products sold as ASRs include cystic fibrosis products, HCV products, HLA products, Fragile X products, and deep vein thrombosis products, which include ASRs for detecting mutations in Factor V, Prothrombin, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. We similarly believe that all of the ASR products that Abbott Laboratories currently contributes to the Celera group’s strategic alliance with Abbott will meet the regulatory definition of an ASR, as set forth in the guidance document. In 2007, the Celera group received FDA clearance to market in vitro diagnostic versions of its cystic fibrosis products to replace the ASR versions. The Celera group is seeking to convert customers of its current cystic fibrosis ASR products to these new versions. If the FDA does not agree with the Celera group’s interpretations of its ASR products, it may need to establish an appropriate action plan for any affected product, such as reconfiguring the product to bring it into compliance with the ASR definition or seeking clearance pursuant to Section 510(k) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, or FFDCA. The Section 510(k) clearance process generally requires the filing of notice with the FDA with clinical data demonstrating that the product and its intended purpose are “substantially equivalent” to a diagnostic device that is already cleared or approved for marketing by the FDA. If a 510(k) premarketing clearance is not obtained, a FDA pre-market approval or PMA application, must be filed under the FFDCA, which must demonstrate that a diagnostic device is safe and effective, and must be supported by more extensive information than required for a 510(k) notification. The process for obtaining an FDA pre-market approval or 510(k) clearance may be time-consuming, expensive, and difficult to obtain and there is no assurance that they will be obtained. Accordingly, under the new interpretation of the ASR regulations, the FDA could require the Celera group or Abbott to discontinue marketing current non-compliant products. Any discontinuation could be indefinite or permanent, and the Celera group’s business could be harmed. Also, the interpretation of the ASR regulations contained in the guidance document might make development of new ASR products more difficult, and this could similarly harm the Celera group’s operating results and financial condition.

 

Commercialization of our products depends on satisfaction of ongoing regulatory requirements. The manufacture of our and our collaborators’ and licensees’ diagnostic products is subject to the FDA's Quality System Regulation. Manufacturing problems with respect to any product, including non-compliance with this regulation, could result in withdrawal of regulatory clearance or approval for that product, and could also force us or our collaborators or licensees to suspend manufacturing of, reformulate, conduct additional testing for, and/or change the labeling for, that product. This could delay or prevent the Celera group from generating revenues from the sale of any affected diagnostic product.

 

Clinical trials of diagnostic product candidates may not be successful. Potential clinical trials of product candidates may not begin on time, may not be completed on schedule, or at all, or may not be sufficient for registration of the products or result in products that can receive necessary clearances or approvals. Numerous unforeseen events during, or as a result of, clinical testing could delay or prevent commercialization of the Celera group’s or its collaborators’ or licensees’ diagnostic product candidates. Diagnostic product candidates that appear to be promising at early stages of development or early clinical trials may later be found to be unsafe, ineffective, or to have limited medical value. If the Celera group is unable to successfully complete clinical trials for diagnostic product candidates, our operating results and financial condition would be harmed.

 

The Celera group lacks its own sales organization to sell its diagnostic products to unaffiliated clinical testing laboratories. Because the Celera group lacks its own sales organization to sell its diagnostic products to unaffiliated clinical testing laboratories, its ability to successfully sell these products to these laboratories depends

 

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on its ability to develop a sales organization, work with Abbott Laboratories under the existing strategic alliance agreement described above, work with another distributor, or pursue a combination of these alternatives. In jurisdictions in which the Celera group uses other distributors for its diagnostic products, its success in marketing these products depends largely on the efforts of the distributors. The Celera group's inability to develop a sales organization or work with other distributors to sell its diagnostic products to unaffiliated clinical testing laboratories may harm its operating results and financial condition.

 

Risks Relating to Our Operations

 

The Celera group could encounter difficulties if it were to expand its diagnostic product manufacturing and clinical laboratory testing services. If there were a substantial increase in the demand for the Celera group's products or services, the group would have to increase the capacity of its facilities or establish alternate manufacturing or service arrangements with other companies. The Celera group may not be able to effectively manage large increases in capacity. In addition to the difficulties that are inherent in the expansion, development, or acquisition of new facilities, the Celera group’s operations are government regulated and any facility expansion or acquisition would require regulatory approvals, clearances or licenses and/or would need to meet standards specified in applicable laws and regulations. Facilities used for clinical laboratory testing services are subject, on an ongoing basis, to federal and state regulation under CLIA and California, New York, and other state laws and regulations, which is described above in these risk factors. Also, the Celera group’s diagnostic product manufacturing facilities are subject, on an ongoing basis, to the FDA's Quality System Regulation, international quality standards and other regulatory requirements, including requirements for good manufacturing practices, and the State of California Department of Health Services Food and Drug Branch requirements. The Celera group may encounter difficulties expanding its diagnostic product manufacturing operations or its laboratory testing services in accordance with these regulations and standards, which could result in a delay or termination of product manufacturing or laboratory testing services.

 

The Celera group could be harmed by disruptions to its critical manufacturing, clinical laboratory, or other facilities. The Celera group has headquarters, research and development, manufacturing, administrative, and clinical laboratory facilities in Alameda, Burlingame, and South San Francisco, California and does not have alternative facilities or manufacturing or testing backup plans. The Celera group’s California facilities are located near major earthquake faults. Although we have insurance policies covering damages to the Celera group’s operations and facilities resulting from some natural disasters, including earthquakes, flooding, windstorm and lightning, the ultimate impact of disruptions caused by earthquakes, other natural disasters or weather-related events, or other causes, such as acts of terrorism, on the Celera group, its significant suppliers, and the general infrastructure is unknown, and its operating results could be harmed if a major earthquake or other disaster occurs. In particular, all of the Celera group’s laboratory testing services are performed at its clinical laboratory facility in Alameda and it does not have access to any backup facility should there be an interruption in operations due to earthquakes or other disasters. It would be expensive and time consuming to repair or replace our laboratory facility or the equipment located at that facility. Furthermore, if operations at our Alameda facility are interrupted, it may be difficult and time-consuming for us to hire another company to perform laboratory testing services, because we would need to find a laboratory that has the required state and federal licenses and would perform our testing services on terms and conditions that are acceptable to us. An earthquake or other disaster could likewise harm the manufacturing capabilities of the Celera group. However, the impact of a manufacturing disruption would depend, in part, on factors such as customer demand and inventory levels of our products. Also, the repair or replacement of our facility or equipment may require new regulatory approvals, clearances or licenses, which would further delay operations. A prolonged or sustained interruption in our facility or equipment could harm our operating results and financial condition.

 

The Celera group relies on single suppliers or a limited number of suppliers of instruments, key components of the Celera group’s products and some test kits used in its clinical laboratory testing services. Several key components of the Celera group’s diagnostic products come from, or are manufactured for the Celera group by, a single supplier or a limited number of suppliers, including the Applied Biosystems group. This applies to components such as enzymes, fluorescent dyes, phosphoramidites, and oligonucleotides. The Celera group acquires some of these and other key components on a purchase-order basis, meaning that the supplier is not required to supply the Celera group with specified quantities over any set period of time or set aside part of its inventory for the Celera group’s forecasted requirements. The Celera group has not arranged for alternative supply sources for some of these components should suppliers become unable to meet our demand or become unwilling to do so on terms that are acceptable to us. It may be difficult, if not impossible, to find alternative suppliers,

 

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especially to replace enzymes, fluorescent dyes, phosphoramidites, and oligonucleotides. In addition, the Celera group relies on single source suppliers, particularly the Applied Biosystems group, to provide instruments, associated software, and consumables for use in the Celera group’s diagnostic products business.

 

Similarly, the Celera group obtains Lp-PLA2 test kits, known as PLAC® test kits, used in its clinical laboratory testing services from a single supplier - diaDexus, Inc., or diaDexus. To our knowledge, diaDexus is the only supplier of PLAC test kits used in clinical laboratory testing, and, therefore, no alternative supply source would be available should diaDexus become unable to provide a sufficient number of these kits to meet our demand or become unwilling to do so on acceptable terms. There can be no assurance that diaDexus will be able to meet our demand for these kits in the future.

 

The Celera group is required under FDA regulations to verify that its suppliers of key components for its diagnostic products are in compliance with all applicable FDA regulations, including the Quality System Regulation. The Celera group believes that this requirement increases the difficulty in arranging for needed alternative supply sources, particularly for components that are from “single source” suppliers, which means that they are currently the only viable supplier of custom-ordered components.

 

If any of the components of the Celera group’s products or any of the kits used for its laboratory testing services are no longer available in the marketplace, or are not available on commercially acceptable terms, we may be forced to further develop our products or testing services to use alternative components or test kits or discontinue the products or testing services. Changes in our products or services or the use of new components may require us to seek new regulatory clearances, approvals or licenses and may be costly.

 

The Celera group’s collaborations with outside experts may be subject to restriction and change. The Celera group collaborates with scientific and clinical experts at academic and other institutions that provide assistance and guidance to the Celera group’s research and development efforts. These advisors and collaborators are not employees of the Celera group and may have other commitments that limit their availability to the Celera group. Although they generally agree not to collaborate with our competitors, if a conflict of interest arises between their work for the Celera group and their work for another company or institution, the Celera group may lose the services of these experts. In addition, the Celera group’s advisors and collaborators sign confidentiality agreements that generally prohibit their use or disclosure of the Celera group’s confidential information other than in connection with the Celera group’s collaboration and, where applicable, require disclosure and assignment to the Celera group of their ideas, developments, discoveries and inventions arising under the Celera group’s collaboration. These confidentiality agreements generally have a term that lasts for so long as the collaboration is in effect, plus a specified period afterward and are generally terminable by either party upon a breach of the agreement by the other party and, in some cases, upon written notice. These agreements generally permit the Celera group to seek injunctive or other relief to prevent unpermitted use or disclosure of the Celera group’s confidential information. However, it is possible that valuable proprietary knowledge may become publicly known or otherwise available to other parties, including the Celera group’s competitors, through these experts.

 

The Celera group may be exposed to product liability or other legal claims relating to our products and services. Clinicians, patients, third-party payors, and others may at times seek damages from us based on testing or analysis errors caused by a technician’s misreading of results, mishandling of the patient samples, or similar claims. Product liability or other claims, or product recalls, regardless of the ultimate outcome, could require the Celera group to spend significant time and money in litigation and to pay significant damages. These damages, if not covered by adequate insurance, could harm our operating results and financial condition.

 

The Celera group’s operations are subject to potential exposure to environmental liabilities. The Celera group’s research and development activities, manufacturing activities, and clinical laboratory testing activities involve the controlled use of potentially hazardous materials, including biological materials, chemicals, and various radioactive compounds. Also, some of the Celera group’s diagnostic products, including products sold through its strategic alliance with Abbott Laboratories, are hazardous materials or include hazardous materials. The Celera group cannot completely eliminate the risk of accidental or other contamination or injury from these materials, and the Celera group could be held liable for resulting damages, which could be substantial. The Celera group does not maintain environmental liability insurance and any potential environmental damages for which we become liable may not be covered under our existing insurance policies. Under some laws and regulations, a party can be subject to “strict liability” for damages caused by some hazardous materials, which means that a party can be liable without regard to fault or negligence. Furthermore, the Celera group could be held indirectly responsible for contamination

 

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or injury arising from the conduct of Abbott Laboratories in manufacturing, selling, or distributing alliance diagnostic products. The Celera group could be held similarly responsible for the actions of its other collaborators or licensees. In addition, the Celera group is subject to federal, state, local, and foreign laws, regulations, and permits governing the use, storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous materials and specified waste products, as well as the shipment and labeling of materials and products containing hazardous materials. If the Celera group is found to be liable for its use of hazardous materials, or fails to comply with any of these laws, regulations, or permits, or if the Celera group is held indirectly responsible for the conduct of Abbott Laboratories or other collaborators or licensees found to be non-compliant, we could be subject to substantial fines or penalties, payment of remediation costs, loss of permits, and/or other adverse governmental action. Any of these events could harm the Celera group’s operating results and financial condition.

 

The Celera group’s business may be harmed by any disruption to its computer hardware, software, and Internet applications. The Celera group’s business requires manipulating and analyzing large amounts of data, communicating the results of the analysis to its internal research personnel and its collaborators via the Internet and tracking and communicating the results, via the Internet and other modalities, of the tests performed by its clinical laboratory testing business. Also, the Celera group relies on a global enterprise software system to operate and manage its business. The Celera group’s business, therefore, depends on the continuous, effective, reliable, and secure operation of its computer hardware, software, networks, Internet servers, and related infrastructure. To the extent that the Celera group’s hardware or software malfunctions or there is an interruption in Internet service in a way that affects access to the Celera group’s data by the Celera group’s internal research personnel or collaborators or access to the Celera group’s laboratory testing results by referring professionals or patients, the Celera group’s operating results and financial condition could be harmed.

 

The Celera group’s computer and communications hardware is protected through physical and software safeguards. However, it remains vulnerable to fire, storm, flood, power loss, earthquakes, telecommunications failures, physical or software break-ins, software viruses, and similar events. If the Celera group fails to maintain the necessary computer capacity and data to support its and its collaborators’ and licensees’ discovery, research, and development activities, including its associated computational needs, it could experience a loss of or delay in revenues. In addition, any sustained disruption in Internet access provided by other companies could harm the Celera group’s operating results and financial condition.

 

The Celera group may pursue acquisitions, investments, or other strategic relationships or alliances, which may consume significant resources, may be unsuccessful, and could dilute the holders of Applera-Celera stock. Acquisitions, investments and other strategic relationships and alliances, if pursued, may involve significant cash expenditures, debt incurrence, additional operating losses, and expenses that could have a material adverse effect on the Celera group’s financial condition and operating results. Acquisitions involve numerous other risks, including:

 

   

diversion of management time and attention from daily operations;

 

   

difficulties integrating acquired businesses, technologies and personnel into the Celera group’s business;

 

   

inability to obtain required regulatory approvals and/or required financing on favorable terms;

 

   

entry into new markets in which the Celera group has little previous experience;

 

   

potential loss of key employees, key contractual relationships, or key customers of acquired companies or of the Celera group; and

 

   

assumption of the liabilities and exposure to unforeseen liabilities of acquired companies.

 

If these types of transactions are pursued, it may be difficult for the Celera group to complete these transactions quickly and to integrate these acquired operations efficiently into its current business operations. Any acquisitions, investments or other strategic relationships and alliances by the Celera group may ultimately harm its business and financial condition. In addition, future acquisitions may not be as successful as originally anticipated and may result in impairment charges. We have incurred these charges in recent years in relation to acquisitions. For example, since fiscal 2002 we have incurred charges for impairment of goodwill, intangibles and other assets

 

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and other charges of $30.4 million related to the Celera group’s acquisition of Paracel, Inc. and $14.9 million related to the Applied Biosystems group’s acquisition of Boston Probes, Inc. Additionally, during our 2007 and 2006 fiscal years, we incurred charges totaling $28.8 million for severance and benefit costs and asset impairments relating to the Celera group’s acquisition of Axys Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and its subsequent decision to partner or sell its small molecule drug discovery and development programs, and the integration of Celera Diagnostics into the Celera group.

 

In addition, acquisitions and other transactions may involve the issuance of a substantial amount of Applera-Celera stock without the approval of the holders of Applera-Celera stock. Any issuances of this nature could be dilutive to holders of Applera-Celera stock.

 

Our recent acquisition of Berkeley HeartLab, Inc. may not be successful. Our clinical laboratory testing services business is the result of our acquisition of Berkeley HeartLab in October 2007. We are in the process of integrating the Berkeley HeartLab business and workforce into the Celera group and expect that this process will be largely completed by the end of the 2008 calendar year. However, this integration process is subject to numerous risks that could be disruptive to both the Celera group’s existing operations as well as the acquired Berkeley HeartLab operations. For example, one key employee has left and others could leave, the quality of services may not be maintained, and key customers could be lost, and management time and resources could be diverted from core operations to address these issues. This is particularly true in the case of the Berkeley HeartLab acquisition, because Berkeley HeartLab operates in a business area, regulated clinical laboratory testing services, that is new for the Celera group and the acquisition has approximately doubled the Celera group’s workforce. Furthermore, even if the Celera group is successful in integrating Berkeley HeartLab, the Celera group’s plans to operate and expand that business may not be successful, or may not proceed as quickly as intended, because of risks and uncertainties that affect Berkeley HeartLab’s clinical laboratory testing services, particularly those described above in this section.

 

Applera-Celera stock price may be volatile. The market price of Applera-Celera stock has in the past been, and may continue in the future to be, volatile due to the risks and uncertainties described in this risk factors section, as well as other factors that may have affected or may in the future affect the market price, such as:

 

   

conditions and publicity regarding the genomics, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, diagnostics, or life sciences industries generally;

 

   

price and volume fluctuations in the stock market at large which do not relate to the Celera group’s operating performance; and

 

   

comments by securities analysts or government officials, including with regard to the viability or profitability of the biotechnology sector generally or with regard to intellectual property rights of life science companies, or the Celera group’s ability to meet market expectations.

 

The stock market has from time to time experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies or the industries in which they compete.

 

In addition, our ability to achieve previously announced financial targets is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors affecting our business and the genomics, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, diagnostics, and life sciences industries generally, many of which are beyond our control. These factors may cause actual results to differ materially. We describe a number of these factors throughout this document, including in these risk factors. We cannot assure you that we will meet these targets. If we are not able to meet these targets, it could harm the market price of Applera-Celera stock.

 

Our company is subject to a class action lawsuit relating to its 2000 offering of shares of Applera-Celera stock that may be expensive and time-consuming. Our company and some of our officers are defendants in a lawsuit brought on behalf of purchasers of Applera-Celera stock in our follow-on public offering of Applera-Celera stock completed on March 6, 2000. In the offering, we sold an aggregate of approximately 4.4 million shares of Applera-Celera stock at a public offering price of $225 per share. The lawsuit was commenced with the filing of several complaints in 2000, which have been consolidated into a single case which has been certified by the court as a class action. The consolidated complaint generally alleges that the prospectus used in connection with the offering was inaccurate or misleading because it failed to adequately disclose the alleged opposition of the Human Genome Project and two of its supporters, the governments of the U.S. and the U.K., to providing patent protection to our genomic-based products. The complaint also alleges that we did not adequately disclose the risk that the Celera

 

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group would not be able to patent this data. The consolidated complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages, rescission, costs and expenses, and other relief as the court deems proper. Although we believe the asserted claims are without merit and intend to defend the case vigorously, the outcome of this or any other litigation is inherently uncertain. The defense of this case will require management's attention and resources.

 

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Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

We are exposed to potential loss from exposure to market risks represented principally by changes in foreign exchange rates, interest rates, and equity prices. Please refer to the market risks section of the management’s discussion and analysis included on page 58 of this report. Additional information can also be found in the market risk section of the management’s discussion and analysis included on pages 38-39 of our 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders (which section is incorporated in this report by reference).

 

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures.

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We are responsible for maintaining disclosure controls and procedures, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the third quarter of our 2008 fiscal year, the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to achieve their stated purpose. However, there is no assurance that our disclosure controls and procedures will operate effectively under all circumstances.

 

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

We are responsible for maintaining internal control over financial reporting, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and effected by our Board of Directors, management, and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Based on an evaluation of internal control over financial reporting by our management, we have not identified any changes made to our internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter of our 2008 fiscal year, which is our last fiscal quarter and the period covered by this report, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings.

 

We are involved in various lawsuits, arbitrations, investigations, and other legal actions from time to time with both private parties and governmental entities. These legal actions currently involve, for example, commercial, intellectual property, antitrust, environmental, securities, and employment matters. We disclosed information about some of our legal actions in Part I, Item 3, of our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We made additional disclosures regarding our legal actions in Item 1 of Part II of our previously-filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the first and second quarters of our current fiscal year, updating the information disclosed in our 2007 10-K. For additional information about our legal proceedings, refer to Note 13 to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I of this report.

 

We believe that we have meritorious defenses against the claims currently asserted against us, including the ongoing claims described in our 2007 10-K as updated by the disclosures in our subsequent reports, and we intend to defend them vigorously. However, the outcome of legal actions is inherently uncertain, and we cannot be sure that we will prevail in our defense of claims currently asserted against us. An adverse determination in the cases we are currently defending, particularly the claims against us described in Item 3 of our 2007 10-K under the heading “Commercial Litigation,” as updated by the disclosures in our subsequent reports, could have a material adverse effect on us, the Applied Biosystems group, or the Celera group.

 

Item 1A.    Risk Factors.

 

Overview

 

Some statements contained in, or incorporated by reference in, this report are forward-looking and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. Similarly, the press releases we issue and other public statements we make from time to time may contain language that is forward-looking. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as “forecast,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “should,” “plan,” “estimate,” and “potential,” among others. The forward-looking statements contained in this report are based on our current expectations, and those made at other times will be based on our expectations when the statements are made. We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statements will be realized.

 

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. To comply with the terms of the safe harbor, we note that a variety of factors could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from anticipated results or other expectations expressed in forward-looking statements. We also note that achievement of anticipated results or expectations in forward-looking statements is subject to the possibility that assumptions underlying forward-looking statements will prove to be inaccurate. Investors should bear this in mind as they consider forward-looking statements.

 

The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance, development, and results of our Applied Biosystems group and Celera group businesses include, but are not limited to, those described in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors” in Item 2 of Part I of this report. That description amends and restates the risk factors associated with our Applied Biosystems group and Celera group businesses that were previously disclosed in Item 1A of Part I of our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Set forth below is a description of changes we have made to those risk factors since they were disclosed in our 2007 10-K that may be material. Owners of our common stock are also subject to risks arising from their ownership of common stock of a corporation with two separate classes of common stock. The risks and uncertainties that arise from our capital structure, particularly our two separate classes of common stock, include, but are not limited to, those described in Item 1A of Part I of our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Risk Factors-Risks Relating to a Capital Structure with Two Separate Classes of Common Stock.” There have not been any material changes to these risk factors since they were disclosed in our 2007 10-K. We note that there may be additional risks and uncertainties that could affect us or our businesses that are not currently known to us or that we currently think are immaterial.

 

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Changes to Applied Biosystems group risk factors

 

Following is the restated text of an individual Applied Biosystems group risk factor that may have changed materially from its previous disclosure in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The Applied Biosystems group is currently, and could in the future be, subject to lawsuits, arbitrations, investigations, and other legal actions with private parties and governmental entities, particularly involving claims for infringement of patents and other intellectual property rights, and it may need to obtain licenses to intellectual property from others. The Applied Biosystems group believes that it has meritorious defenses against the claims currently asserted against it and intends to defend them vigorously. However, the outcome of legal actions is inherently uncertain, and the Applied Biosystems group cannot be sure that it will prevail in any of these actions. An adverse determination in some of the Applied Biosystems group’s current legal actions, particularly the cases described below, could harm our business and financial condition.

 

The Applied Biosystems group’s products are based on complex, rapidly developing technologies. These products could be developed without knowledge of previously filed patent applications that mature into patents that cover some aspect of these technologies. In addition, because patent litigation is complex and the outcome inherently uncertain, the Applied Biosystems group’s belief that its products do not infringe valid and enforceable patents owned by others could be successfully challenged. The Applied Biosystems group has from time to time been notified that it may be infringing patents and other intellectual property rights of others. Also, in the course of its business, the Applied Biosystems group may from time to time have access to confidential or proprietary information of others, and they could bring a claim against the Applied Biosystems group asserting that the Applied Biosystems group had misappropriated their technologies, which though not patented are protected as trade secrets, and had improperly incorporated those technologies into the Applied Biosystems group’s products.

 

Due to these factors, there remains a constant risk of intellectual property litigation and other legal actions, which could include antitrust claims, affecting the Applied Biosystems group. The Applied Biosystems group has been made a party to litigation and has been subject to other legal actions regarding intellectual property matters, which have included claims of violations of antitrust laws. These actions currently include the legal proceedings described in the following paragraph, some of which, if determined adversely, could harm our business and financial condition. To avoid or settle legal claims, it may be necessary or desirable in the future to obtain licenses relating to one or more products or relating to current or future technologies, and the Applied Biosystems group may not be able to obtain these licenses or other rights on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. In some situations settlement of claims may require an agreement to cease allegedly infringing activities.

 

Several legal actions have been filed against us that could affect the intellectual property rights of the Applied Biosystems group and its products and services, including the following:

 

 

 

Enzo Biochem, Inc., Enzo Life Sciences, Inc., and Yale University have filed a lawsuit against us alleging that we are infringing six patents due to the sale of sequencing reagent kits, TaqMan® genotyping and gene expression assays, and the gene expression microarrays used with the Applied Biosystems group’s Expression Array System.

 

   

Michigan Diagnostics LLC has filed claims against us seeking a declaratory judgment of non-infringement, invalidity, and unenforceability of approximately 60 patents related to chemiluminescent products and methods, and asserting antitrust claims based on our alleged misconduct in our alleged enforcement of those patents.

 

   

Molecular Diagnostics Laboratories has filed a class action complaint against us and Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc. alleging anticompetitive conduct in connection with the sale of Taq DNA polymerase. The anticompetitive conduct is alleged to arise from the prosecution and enforcement of U.S. Patent No 4,889,818. This patent is assigned to Hoffmann-La Roche, with whom we have a commercial relationship covering, among other things, this patent and the sale of Taq DNA polymerase.

 

   

In response to claims made by us against Solexa, Inc., Illumina, Inc., and a former chief patent counsel to our company, Solexa has filed counterclaims against us alleging that we infringe U.S. Patent Nos. 5,750,341, 5,969,119, 6,306,597 based on our making, using, selling, and offering for sale DNA sequencing products.

 

   

In response to a claim that we, MDS, Inc., and our Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX Instruments joint venture with MDS filed against Thermo Electron Corporation, Thermo Electron has filed a counterclaim seeking a declaratory judgment that our U.S. Patent No. 4,963,736 is invalid. After the filing of this action against

 

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Thermo Electron, its subsidiary Thermo Finnigan LLC filed a lawsuit against us alleging that we are infringing one of its patents as a result of, for example, the Applied Biosystems group’s commercialization of the ABI PRISM® 3700 Genetic Analyzer. Thermo Finnigan subsequently filed a second lawsuit against us, MDS, and the Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX Instruments joint venture alleging that we and the other defendants have infringed one of Thermo Finnigan’s patents as a result of, for example, our commercialization of the API 5000™ LC/MS/MS system.

 

These cases are described in further detail in Part I, Item 3, of our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Legal Proceedings–Commercial Litigation,” as updated by the information in Part II, Item 1 of our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The cost of litigation and the amount of management time associated with these cases is expected to be significant. These matters might not be resolved favorably. If they are not resolved favorably, we could be enjoined from selling the products or services in question or other products or services as a result, and monetary or other damages could be assessed against us. These outcomes could harm the business or financial condition of our company, the Applied Biosystems group, or the Celera group.

 

Changes to Celera group risk factors

 

Pages 64 through 77 of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contained in Part I, Item 2 of this report, include a restated description of the risk factors associated with the Celera group business. This description is incorporated into this Item by reference and supersedes the description of the risk factors associated with the Celera group business contained in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our restated risk factors include the following:

 

   

Risks Relating to the Healthcare and Biotechnology Industries.

 

   

Risks Relating to the Provision of Clinical Laboratory Testing Services.

 

   

Risks relating to our Research Development, and Commercialization of Diagnostic Products.

 

   

Risks Relating to our Operations.

 

The restated description of the Celera group risk factors includes material changes from the risk factors for that business as previously disclosed, reflecting among other things substantial changes to the Celera group business resulting from the October 2007 acquisition of Berkeley HeartLab, Inc. Berkeley HeartLab performs regulated clinical laboratory testing services and this is a new business area for the Celera group. The Celera group’s risk factors have been changed by adding several risks and uncertainties that are specific to this new business area. We have also expanded the description of other risks and uncertainties to reflect their particular significance to clinical laboratory testing services. We have made other changes to reflect general developments in our business and our industry.

 

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Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

This table provides information regarding our purchases of shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock during the third quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

Period    Total Number of
Shares Purchased
(1)
   Average Price
Paid per
Share (2)
   Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs (4)
   Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs (3) (5)

  January 1-January 31, 2008

   1,976,042    $33.4854    1,932,526    $500 million

  February 1-February 29, 2008

   -    -    -    $500 million

  March 1-March 31, 2008

   -    -    -    $500 million

  Total

   1,976,042    $33.4854    1,932,526    $500 million

 

  (1) Share repurchases reported in this column consist of (a) 1,932,526 shares repurchased under the accelerated share repurchase program described in footnote (4) below, and (b) 43,516 shares tendered by employees in January 2008 to pay taxes relating to the vesting of restricted stock units.

 

  (2) In computing the average price per share, we have excluded transaction costs that were payable to Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated for the accelerated share repurchase described in footnote (4) below.

 

  (3) On April 26, 2007, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 18,400,000 shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock, in addition to the authorization described in footnote (5) below. On August 8, 2007, we announced that our Board of Directors increased this authorization to $1.2 billion (in the aggregate, including approximately $100 million of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock previously repurchased under the authorization), which at market prices on that date represented approximately 20% of the outstanding shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock, or double the authorization prior to the increase. The authorization has no time restrictions and delegates to Company management discretion to purchase shares at times and prices it deems appropriate through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange offers, or otherwise. The dollar value reported in this column represents the maximum dollar value of shares that could have been repurchased under this authorization at the end of each month of the third fiscal quarter taking into account the completed Accelerated Share Repurchase Transaction as described in footnote (4) below.

 

  (4) Subsequent to the increase in the share repurchase authorization described in footnote (3) above, on August 30, 2007, we entered into an Accelerated Share Repurchase Transaction agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated. Pursuant to this agreement, in September 2007 we paid Morgan Stanley $600 million, plus transaction costs, in exchange for the right to receive a variable number of shares, subject to a minimum and a maximum. The minimum number of shares, approximately 16 million, was delivered in October 2007. Approximately 1.9 million additional shares, reflected in the table above, were delivered in January 2008, completing the Accelerated Share Repurchase Transaction. As a result, we received a total of approximately 17.9 million shares from Morgan Stanley at an average price per share of $33.5276, excluding transaction costs. We funded the accelerated share repurchase using U.S. cash reserves, funds from domestic operations, and borrowings under an existing corporate credit facility and a new $100,000,000 unsecured term loan agreement executed on August 27, 2007.

 

  (5) We previously announced that our Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of shares of Applera-Applied Biosystems stock from time to time to replenish shares issued under our various employee stock benefit plans. This authorization has no set dollar or time limits and delegates to Company management discretion to purchase shares at times and prices it deems appropriate through open market or negotiated purchases. Accordingly, the amounts in this column do not reflect this authorization. No shares were purchased under this authorization during the third quarter of our 2008 fiscal year.

 

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This table provides information regarding our purchases of shares of Applera-Celera stock during the third quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

  Period    Total Number of
Shares Purchased
(1)
   Average Price
Paid per
Share
   Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
   Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased Under
the Plans or
Program (2)

  January 1-January 31, 2008

   25,473    $15.0893    -    -

  February 1-February 29, 2008

   -    -    -    -

  March 1-March 31, 2008

   -    -    -    -

  Total

   25,473    $15.0893    -    -

 

  (1) Share repurchases reported in this column consist of 25,473 shares tendered by employees in January 2008 to pay taxes relating to the vesting of restricted stock units.

 

  (2) We previously announced that our Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of shares of Applera-Celera stock from time to time to replenish shares issued under our various employee stock benefit plans. This authorization has no set dollar or time limits and delegates to Company management discretion to purchase shares at times and prices it deems appropriate through open market or negotiated purchases. Accordingly, the amounts in this column do not reflect this authorization. No shares were purchased under this authorization during the third quarter of our 2008 fiscal year.

 

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Item 6.    Exhibits.

 

13

    

Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, to the extent incorporated herein by reference (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13 to Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007 (Commission file number 001-04389)).

31.1

    

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

    

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1

    

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2

    

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

APPLERA CORPORATION

By:

 

          /s/ Dennis L. Winger

   

    Dennis L. Winger

   

    Senior Vice President and

    Chief Financial Officer

By:

 

          /s/ Ugo D. DeBlasi

   

    Ugo D. DeBlasi

   

    Vice President and

    Controller

    (Chief Accounting Officer)

 

Dated: May 8, 2008

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number

    

31.1

  

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

  

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1

  

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2

  

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.