Digirad Corporation Reports Financial Results for First-Quarter 2008

POWAY, Calif., April 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Digirad Corporation (Nasdaq: DRAD), a leading provider of medical diagnostic imaging systems and services to physicians' offices, hospitals and imaging centers, today reported financial results for first quarter ended March 31, 2008.

Consolidated revenues were higher, compared to the same time period in 2007, due to an increase in mobile imaging services revenues within Digirad Imaging Solutions. The Company's product division experienced a downturn in large part due to the difficult market conditions during the quarter. Operating expenses were relatively unchanged from the year ago period, but the effects of weaker margins and lower product sales contributed to the loss in the quarter.

Chief Executive Mark Casner commented: "We are clearly disappointed with the performance of our product division during first quarter, but we remain cautiously optimistic that these results reflect more of an acute phase than a systemic problem. And while it can be difficult to predict future results, early indications show that bookings and shipments have picked up during the first few weeks of April.

"In late third-quarter 2007, we launched labor-retention initiatives to reduce turnover in the DIS division," Casner continued. "I am pleased to report that these initiatives have produced some positive results, but they have also contributed to the squeeze on margins this quarter. As a result, we are evaluating these initiatives and will likely refine them this quarter to address this issue."

Growth of DIS services revenues in first quarter, compared to first-quarter 2007, was the result of incremental revenue from ultrasound imaging that in second-quarter 2007 Digirad added to its line of mobile imaging services. According to Casner, ultrasound business is progressing well according to plan.

DIS now accounts for more than 75 percent of total revenues, and the Company's centers of influence are beginning to produce higher bookings and revenue each quarter. Also during the quarter, Digirad added Johns Hopkins Medical Center, one of the nation's premiere academic medical centers, to its centers of influence. The Company began this program less than a year ago, now has working relationships with six centers of influence, and expects to sign at least four additional centers by the end of 2008.

Casner added: "The results of our centers of influence strategy are encouraging, but we feel it is too early to offer a definitive outlook. However, as this expansion continues to gain traction, we'll be able to better understand and predict not only the revenue implications but also the timing of those revenue flows."

The Company's plan to stabilize growth of services revenues and reduce the effects of the economy and other market pressures includes not only continuing to drive the centers of influence strategy to augment direct sales and marketing to physicians but also a broader range of imaging services and, therefore, revenue sources. During first quarter Digirad began a pilot program to evaluate a new diagnostic ultrasound procedure to complement its current imaging services.

Physicians enrolled with DIS who are participating in the pilot program are finding that additional vascular imaging can enhance patient care. All primary-care physicians using DIS ultrasound services may soon be able to offer this new service to their patients.

Casner stated: "We will continue to pilot this program during the next few quarters and, if indications remain positive, anticipate rolling out this new service to the larger number of our DIS physicians who lease our ultrasound imaging services. Due to the way the new procedure easily fits into our current process, we would also be able to leverage our existing ultrasound infrastructure."

Management Updates Guidance for Full-Year 2008

Considering current economic pressures, the early-growth phase of the Company's centers of influence, and continued volatility with its business, management anticipates consolidated revenues in a range of $75 million to $81 million, consisting of DIS revenue of $56 million to $60 million and product-related revenue of $19 million to $21 million. Management expects a consolidated net loss in a range of $2.0 million to $4.5 million, including estimated stock-based compensation expense of $1 million.

Conference Call Information

A conference call is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. EDT today to discuss the results and management's outlook. A simultaneous web cast of the call may be accessed online from the Events & Presentations link on the Investor Relations page at http://www.digirad.com; an archived replay of the webcast will be available within 15 minutes of the end of the conference call.

About Digirad

Digirad Corporation provides diagnostic nuclear and ultrasound imaging systems and services to physicians' offices, hospitals and other medical services providers for cardiac, vascular, and general imaging applications. Digirad's Cardius XPO line of nuclear imaging cameras use patented solid-state technology and unique multi (dual, triple) head design for superior performance and advanced features for sharper digital images, faster processing, compact size, lighter weight for portability, ability to handle patients up to 500 pounds, and improved patient comfort compared to standard nuclear cameras. Digirad's 2020tc general-purpose nuclear imager has a small footprint and may also be configured for fixed or mobile use to supplement primary imaging. Digirad's installed base of equipment exceeds 500 systems; in addition, a mobile fleet of more than 143 nuclear and ultrasound imaging systems is being used in 22 states and the District of Columbia, primarily in the eastern, midwestern and southwestern United States. For more information, please visit http://www.digirad.com. Digirad(R), Digirad Imaging Solutions(R), and Cardius(R) are registered trademarks of Digirad Corporation.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and use words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe" and other words and terms of similar meaning. Examples of such forward looking statements include statements regarding revenues, gross margins, operating expenses, performance and cost benefits from the ongoing upgrade of the mobile imaging fleet, anticipated revenue in 2008 from the Company's centers of influence strategy, potential acquisitions, and, in general, anticipated financial results for 2008. Actual performance and benefits results may differ materially from those set forth in this press release due to risks and uncertainties inherent in Digirad's business including, without limitation, changes in business conditions, technology, customers' business conditions, work force, suppliers, business prospects, economic outlook, operational policy or structure, acceptance and use of Digirad's camera systems and services, reliability, recalls, and other risks detailed in Digirad's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Form 8-K and other reports. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Digirad undertakes no obligation to revise or update the forward-looking statements contained herein.

SOURCE Digirad Corporation