Cialis responsible for ICOS profit
February 08, 2006

Erectile dysfunction (ED) drug Cialis, a competitor of ED drug Viagra had global sales of $747 million in 2005, a 35 percent increase over 2004. In December, the drug held a quarter of the U.S. market, up 5 percentage points from a year earlier. And costs for selling and marketing continued to decline. These factors contributed to a $5.6 million fourth-quarter profit, the first in the Bothell company's 15-year history.

But earnings of 9 cents a share, triple analysts' expectations, didn't distract investors from the company's forecast that Cialis sales in 2006 will reach $860 million to $900 million, a growth rate of 15 to 20 percent. The drug is sold through a joint venture with Eli Lilly. ED drugs Cialis, Viagra and Levitra are approved by FDA for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

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