Alimera Sciences posts second-quarter net loss

ATLANTA - Alimera Sciences reported a second-quarter net loss of $5.2 million, or $0.17 per common share, compared with a net loss of $4.8 million, or $0.20 per common share, in the second quarter of 2010, according to a company news release.

Research and development expenses totaled $1.8 million for the second quarter, compared with $4.1 million reported for last year's second quarter. The decrease resulted mainly from about $1.6 million in costs to file a new drug application for Iluvien (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal insert) and $1.2 million in costs related to the FAME study.

An increase in costs related to contracts with medical science liaisons on behalf of Alimera offset the decrease in research and development expenses, the release said.

Second-quarter marketing expenses totaled $1.3 million, compared with $0.4 million for the second quarter of 2010. The increase largely stemmed from continued pre-marketing expenditures related to the commercial launch of Iluvien, which was previously expected in the first half of 2011. Additional costs were related to the employment of key personnel in the second half of 2010.

Alimera anticipates further increases in marketing expenses starting in late 2011 in advance of the marketing of Iluvien, according to the release.