Alimera reports first-quarter net loss of nearly $4.4 million

ATLANTA — In the first quarter of 2012, Alimera Sciences reported a net loss of $4.361 million, an improvement of about $300,000 compared with the same quarter last year, according to a company press release.

The company reported reductions in research and development expenses — to $1.6 million from $1.8 million in the same quarter last year — and general and administrative expenses — to $1.4 million from $1.5 million, the release said.

Marketing expenses were stable at about $1.1 million, according to the release, after a sharp drop in U.S. marketing expenses due to the cancellation of the planned commercial launch of Iluvien (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant) for the treatment of diabetic macular edema coupled with an increase related to prelaunch activities in Europe for the implant.

"We believe we are on track with our previously stated plan to have Iluvien available for a commercial launch in Europe by the end of the year," Dan Myers, president and chief executive officer of Alimera, said in the release. "During the past few weeks, we have received marketing authorizations from the United Kingdom and Austria and anticipate receiving additional marketing authorizations in the coming months."

Alimera will meet with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration near the end of this quarter to discuss the FDA’s November response to Alimera’s new drug application for Iluvien.