HeartWare International Reports Q3 Revenues of $7.5M

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. and SYDNEY, Nov. 4 -- HeartWare International, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTWR) , a leading innovator and provider of less invasive, miniaturized circulatory support technologies revolutionizing the treatment of advanced heart failure, today announced a significant increase in revenues to $7.5 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009. This compares to approximately $3.0 million in revenues in the second quarter ended June 30, 2009, and approximately $4.4 million in revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2009.

HeartWare President and Chief Executive Officer Doug Godshall said that both European selling efforts and U.S. trial progress are tracking well to date and he noted, "Physician feedback has been positive and consistently supportive as we commence the early phases of marketing our device in approved countries."

Total operating expenses for the 2009 third quarter were $6.8 million as compared to $8.7 million in the prior year comparative period. For the first nine months of 2009, total operating expenses were $21.7 million compared to $22.8 million in the equivalent 2008 period. The decreases are attributable to the re-allocation of production related costs to cost of revenues following the commencement of commercial sales and are also partially offset by expansion of commercialization activities in Europe following the receipt of CE Marking in January 2009, costs associated with the proposed Thoratec merger and the expansion of the Company's U.S. clinical trial.

Net loss for the 2009 third quarter was $5.9 million, or a $0.60 loss per basic and diluted share, compared to a $4.9 million net loss, or a loss of $0.57 per basic and diluted share, in the 2008 third quarter. For 2009 year to date, net loss was $19.0 million, or a loss of $2.07 per basic and diluted share, compared to a $19.8 million net loss, or a loss of $2.61 per basic and diluted share, in the prior year nine-month period. These figures include a $2.2 million (non-cash) charge recorded during the 2009 period associated with a change in the fair value of a derivative instrument embedded in the $20 million loan facility provided by Thoratec Corporation.

Godshall continued, "We are making the necessary investments in our operating infrastructure, staffing and clinical trials so as to lay the foundation for our continued growth."

The balance sheet was strengthened during the third quarter as a result of a $60 million private placement of common stock entered into in mid August 2009. At September 30, 2009 the balance sheet showed $31.4 million in cash and cash equivalents, with the outstanding $30.7 million of the $60 million private placement having been released from escrow to the Company following stockholder approval of the private placement on October 26, 2009.

The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern time (being 12:00 a.m. Australian Eastern Daylight Time between November 5 and 6, 2009) to discuss its third quarter results. The call may be accessed by dialing 1-877-407-4018 five minutes prior to the scheduled start time and referencing "HeartWare." For callers outside the United States, dial +1-201-689-8471. Doug Godshall, Chief Executive Officer, President and Executive Director, and David McIntyre, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, will host the conference call.

A live web cast of the call will also be available at the Company's website (www.heartware.com) by selecting "HeartWare Third Quarter and Nine Months Conference Call" under the section titled "Corporate Presentations" on the HOME page. A replay of the conference call will be available through the above weblink immediately following completion of the call.

About HeartWare International

HeartWare International develops and manufactures miniaturized implantable heart pumps, or ventricular assist devices, to treat Class IIIb and Class IV patients suffering from advanced heart failure. The HeartWare® Ventricular Assist System features the HVAD(TM) pump, a small full-output circulatory support device (up to 10L/min flow) designed to be implanted next to the heart, avoiding the abdominal surgery generally required to implant competing devices. HeartWare has received CE Marking for the HeartWare® Ventricular Assist System in the European Union. The device is currently the subject of a 150-patient clinical trial in the United States for a Bridge-to-Transplant indication. For additional information, please visit the company's website at www.heartware.com.