GILEAD SCIENCES ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER 2018 FINANCIAL RESULTS

On July 25, 2018 Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) reported its results of operations for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 (Press release, Gilead Sciences, JUL 25, 2018, View Source [SID1234527863]). The financial results that follow represent a year-over-year comparison of the second quarter 2018 to the second quarter 2017. Total revenues were $5.6 billion in 2018 compared to $7.1 billion in 2017. Net income was $1.8 billion or $1.39 per diluted share in 2018 compared to $3.1 billion or $2.33 per diluted share in 2017. Non-GAAP net income was $2.5 billion or $1.91 per diluted share in 2018 compared to $3.4 billion or $2.56 per diluted share in 2017. Non-GAAP diluted EPS in the second quarter of 2018 benefited $0.15 from a favorable settlement of a tax examination.

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Product Sales
Total product sales for the second quarter of 2018 were $5.5 billion compared to $7.0 billion for the same period in 2017. Product sales for the second quarter of 2018 were $4.1 billion in the United States, $1.0 billion in Europe and $466 million in other locations. Product sales for the second quarter of 2017 were $5.0 billion in the United States, $1.4 billion in Europe and $665 million in other locations.
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Note: Non-GAAP financial information excludes acquisition-related, up-front collaboration, stock-based compensation and other expenses, fair value adjustments of marketable equity securities and measurement period adjustments relating to the enactment of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Reform). A reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP financial information is provided in the tables on page 8, 9 and 10.

HIV product sales(1) were $3.7 billion for the second quarter of 2018 compared to $3.2 billion for the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily due to the continued uptake of products containing emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), which include Biktarvy (bictegravir 50 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg), Descovy (emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg), Genvoya (elvitegravir 150 mg/cobicistat 150 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 10 mg) and Odefsey (emtricitabine 200 mg/rilpivirine 25 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg).

Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) product sales, which consist of Epclusa (sofosbuvir 400 mg/velpatasvir 100 mg), Harvoni (ledipasvir 90 mg/sofosbuvir 400 mg), Vosevi (sofosbuvir 400 mg/velpatasvir 100 mg/voxilaprevir 100 mg) and Sovaldi (sofosbuvir 400 mg), were $1.0 billion for the second quarter of 2018 compared to $2.9 billion for the same period in 2017. The decline was primarily due to lower sales of Harvoni, Epclusa and Sovaldi across all major markets as a result of increased competition.

Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel), which was launched in the United States in October 2017, generated $68 million in sales during the second quarter of 2018.

Other product sales, which include products from Gilead’s chronic hepatitis B (HBV), cardiovascular, oncology and other categories inclusive of Vemlidy (tenofovir alafenamide), Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), Letairis (ambrisentan), Ranexa (ranolazine), Zydelig (idelalisib) and AmBisome (amphotericin B liposome for injection), were $807 million for the second quarter of 2018 compared to $932 million for the same period in 2017.

During the second quarter of 2018, compared to the same period in 2017:

R&D expenses increased primarily due to up-front collaboration expenses related to Gilead’s collaboration agreement with Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc., expense associated with Gilead’s purchase of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Priority Review Voucher and stock-based compensation expenses associated with Gilead’s acquisition of Kite Pharma, Inc. (Kite).

Non-GAAP R&D expenses increased primarily due to expense associated with Gilead’s purchase of an FDA Priority Review Voucher.

SG&A expenses increased primarily due to stock-based compensation expenses associated with Gilead’s acquisition of Kite and higher costs to support the growth of Gilead’s business following the acquisition of Kite.

Non-GAAP SG&A expenses increased primarily due to higher costs to support the growth of Gilead’s business following the acquisition of Kite.

Excludes sales of Viread as Viread is primarily used for treatment of chronic hepatitis B (HBV).

Effective Tax Rate
The effective tax rate and non-GAAP effective tax rate in the second quarter of 2018 were 12.8% and 13.4% compared to 24.3% and 22.8% in the first quarter of 2018, respectively. The effective tax rate and non-GAAP effective tax rate were lower in the second quarter of 2018 primarily due to a favorable settlement of a tax examination. For the full year 2018, Gilead has revised its non-GAAP effective tax rate to be in the range of 19.0% – 21.0%.

Gilead is unable to project potential measurement period adjustments during 2018 relating to Tax Reform. As a result, Gilead is unable to project an effective tax rate on a GAAP basis.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
As of June 30, 2018, Gilead had $31.7 billion of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities compared to $32.1 billion as of March 31, 2018. During the second quarter of 2018, Gilead generated $1.6 billion in operating cash flow, including tax-related payments of $1.5 billion, and also paid cash dividends of $740 million and utilized $450 million on stock repurchases.

Revised Full Year 2018 Guidance
Gilead revised its full year 2018 guidance, initially provided on February 6, 2018

Corporate Highlights

Announced the promotion of Andrew Dickinson to Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy, with responsibility for Gilead’s corporate development, alliance management, competitive intelligence and corporate strategy and planning functions. Martin Silverstein, Executive Vice President, Strategy, has decided to leave Gilead at the end of August.

Announced that Harish M. Manwani has been appointed to Gilead’s Board of Directors.
Product and Pipeline Updates announced by Gilead during the Second Quarter of 2018 include:
HIV and Liver Diseases Programs

Announced that the European Commission has granted Marketing Authorization for Biktarvy for the treatment of HIV-1 infection.

Announced a research collaboration and license agreement with Hookipa Biotech AG (Hookipa) that grants Gilead exclusive rights to Hookipa’s TheraT and Vaxwave arenavirus vector-based immunization technologies for HBV and HIV.

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July 25, 2018

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Announced that the China Drug Administration (CDA) has approved Epclusa for the treatment of adults with genotype 1-6 HCV infection. The CDA also approved Epclusa in combination with ribavirin for adults with HCV and decompensated cirrhosis.

Announced that FDA has approved Truvada- in combination with safer sex practices – to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 in at-risk adolescents.

Presented data at The International Liver Congress 2018, which included the announcement of:

The completion of enrollment, ahead of schedule, of STELLAR-3 and STELLAR-4, two ongoing Phase 3 trials evaluating the apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 inhibitor selonsertib in patients with F3 and F4 stages of fibrosis due to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Results from a proof-of-concept study of investigational combination therapies for patients with NASH, combining selonsertib with either the Acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitor GS-0976 or the selective, non-steroidal Farnesoid X receptor agonist GS-9674. Based on this 12-week study, these combination therapies were well tolerated and offered additional benefits for improving NASH by reducing liver fat content, liver cell injury and fibrosis. Gilead has initiated a larger 350-patient Phase 2b study of combinations of selonsertib, GS-0976 or GS-9674 in patients with advanced fibrosis due to NASH.

Results from two studies utilizing machine learning techniques which suggest that noninvasive tests perform as effectively as liver biopsy for predicting clinical outcomes in patients with advanced fibrosis due to NASH.
Oncology and Cell Therapy Programs

Announced that the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has issued a positive opinion on Gilead’s Marketing Authorization Application for Yescarta as a treatment for adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma and primary mediastinal large B‑cell lymphoma, after two or more lines of systemic therapy.

Presented data at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncologists Annual Meeting, which included the announcement of:

Results from an ongoing Phase 1 study conducted by the National Cancer Institute showing that clinical responses were observed with investigational T cell receptor cell therapy targeting human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 E7 in solid tumor cancers caused by HPV.

Analyses of the ZUMA-1 study of Yescarta in adult patients with refractory large B-cell lymphoma showing that response status may predict rates of progression-free survival and that treatment responses were consistent across prior lines of therapy.

An analysis of the ZUMA-3 study evaluating investigational KTE-C19 for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia showed that patients experienced manageable safety and encouraging efficacy irrespective of prior blinatumomab use.

Announced new worldwide facilities to advance manufacturing of cell therapies for people with cancer and a new cooperative research and development agreement with the National Cancer Institute to develop adoptive cell therapies targeting patient-specific tumor neoantigens.
Inflammation Programs

Announced that the randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 EQUATOR study of filgotinib, an investigational, selective JAK1 inhibitor, in 131 adults with moderate to severe psoriatic arthritis, achieved its primary endpoint of improvement in the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis at week 16, as assessed by the American College of Rheumatology 20 percent improvement score.

Announced that an independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) conducted a planned interim futility analysis of the filgotinib Phase 2b/3 ulcerative colitis study, SELECTION, after 350 patients completed the induction period in the Phase 2b portion of the study. The DMC recommended that the study proceed into

Phase 3 as planned at both the 100 mg and 200 mg once daily dose level in biologic-experienced and biologic-naïve patients.

Announced a scientific collaboration with Verily Life Sciences LLC (Verily), an Alphabet company, using Verily’s Immunoscape platform to identify and better understand the immunological basis of three common and serious inflammatory diseases: rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and lupus-related diseases.
Non-GAAP Financial Information

The information presented in this document has been prepared by Gilead in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), unless otherwise noted as non-GAAP. Management believes non-GAAP information is useful for investors, when considered in conjunction with Gilead’s GAAP financial information, because management uses such information internally for its operating, budgeting and financial planning purposes. Non-GAAP information is not prepared under a comprehensive set of accounting rules and should only be used to supplement an understanding of Gilead’s operating results as reported under GAAP. Non-GAAP measures may be defined and calculated differently by other companies in the same industry. A reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP financial information is provided in the tables on pages 8, 9 and 10.
Conference Call

At 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time today, Gilead’s management will host a conference call and a simultaneous webcast to discuss results from its second quarter 2018 and a general business update. To access the webcast live via the internet, please connect to the company’s website at www.gilead.com/investors 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be needed to hear the webcast. Alternatively, please call (877) 359-9508 (U.S.) or (224) 357-2393 (international) and dial the conference ID 8988927 to access the call.

A replay of the webcast will be archived on the company’s website for one year and a phone replay will be available approximately two hours following the call through July 27, 2018. To access the phone replay, please call (855) 859-2056 (U.S.) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and dial the conference ID 8988927.

Endocyte Announces Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results and Operational Update Call

On July 25, 2018 Endocyte, Inc. (Nasdaq:ECYT), a biopharmaceutical company developing targeted therapeutics for personalized cancer treatment, reported that the company will host a conference call on Tuesday, July 31st, at 8:30 a.m. EDT to discuss its second quarter financial results and provide an operational update (Press release, Endocyte, JUL 25, 2018, View Source [SID1234527862]).

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Investors and the general public are invited to listen to a live webcast of the call, which can be accessed in the Investors & News section of the Company’s website at www.endocyte.com or by dialing (877) 845-0711 (U.S./Canada) or (760) 298-5081 (International).

The webcast will be recorded and available on the Company’s website for 90 days following the call.

Website Information

Endocyte routinely posts important information for investors on its website, www.endocyte.com, in the "Investors & News" section. Endocyte uses this website as a means of disclosing material information in compliance with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the "Investors & News" section of Endocyte’s website, in addition to following its press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, Endocyte’s website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

Conatus Pharmaceuticals to Report Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results

On July 25, 2018 Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:CNAT) reported that it will report financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018, after the market close on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 (Press release, Conatus Pharmaceuticals, JUL 25, 2018, View Source [SID1234527861]). Conatus will host a conference call and audio webcast at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, August 1, 2018, to discuss the financial results and provide a corporate update.

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To access the conference call, please dial 877-312-5857 (domestic) or 970-315-0455 (international) at least five minutes prior to the start time and refer to conference ID 9853049. A live and archived audio webcast of the call will also be available in the Investors section of the Conatus website at www.conatuspharma.com.

Blueprint Medicines to Report Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results on Wednesday, August 1, 2018

On July 25, 2018 Blueprint Medicines Corporation (NASDAQ: BPMC), a leader in discovering and developing targeted kinase medicines for patients with genomically defined diseases, reported that it will host a live conference call and webcast at 8:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 to report its second quarter 2018 financial results and provide a corporate update (Press release, Blueprint Medicines, JUL 25, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2359898 [SID1234527860]).

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To access the live conference call, please dial 1-855-728-4793 (domestic) or 1-503-343-6666 (international), and refer to conference ID 5597837. A webcast of the call will also be available under "Events and Presentations" in the Investors section of Blueprint Medicines’ website at View Source The archived webcast will be available on Blueprint Medicines’ website approximately two hours after the conference call and will be available for 30 days following the call.

LabCorp Announces 2018 Second Quarter Results and Updates 2018 Guidance

On July 25, 2018 LabCorp (or the Company) (NYSE: LH) reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018, and updated 2018 guidance (Press release, LabCorp, JUL 25, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2359858 [SID1234527857]).

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"We delivered another quarter of strong growth and disciplined capital deployment across our integrated enterprise, with double-digit increases in revenue and adjusted EPS over last year," said David P. King, chairman and CEO. "The Drug Development business drove continued organic revenue growth and strong margin improvement, while winning and expanding strategic partnerships that will contribute to future study awards. The Diagnostics business expanded opportunities with key partners, and achieved solid results despite the negative impact from the implementation of PAMA. As a global leader in the expanding life sciences industry, our differentiated offering strengthens our ability to overcome segment-specific challenges, and create significant value for stakeholders now and for years to come."

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the FASB-issued converged standard on revenue recognition (ASC 606), using the full retrospective method. Unless otherwise indicated, all financial results in 2017 and comparisons to financial results in 2017 have been restated in this press release as if the Company had adopted ASC 606 on January 1, 2017.

Consolidated Results

Second Quarter Results

Revenue for the quarter was $2.87 billion, an increase of 13.4% compared to $2.53 billion in the second quarter of 2017. The increase in revenue was due to growth from acquisitions of 10.5%, organic growth of 2.1%, and the benefit from foreign currency translation of approximately 80 basis points.

Operating income for the quarter was $369.2 million, or 12.9% of revenue, compared to $329.8 million, or 13.0%, in the second quarter of 2017. The increase in operating income was primarily due to acquisitions, organic revenue growth, and the Company’s LaunchPad business process improvement initiative, partially offset by lower Medicare pricing as a result of the implementation of PAMA and personnel costs. The Company recorded restructuring charges, special items, and amortization which together totaled $94.3 million in the quarter, compared to $101.3 million during the same period in 2017. Adjusted operating income (excluding amortization, restructuring charges, and special items) for the quarter was $463.5 million, or 16.2% of revenue, compared to $431.1 million, or 17.1%, in the second quarter of 2017. The decline in adjusted operating margin was due to the implementation of PAMA, and the mix impact from the acquisition of Chiltern.

Net earnings in the quarter were $233.8 million, compared to $184.8 million in the second quarter of 2017. Diluted EPS were $2.27 in the quarter, an increase of 28.0% compared to $1.78 in the same period in 2017. Adjusted EPS (excluding amortization, restructuring charges and special items) were $2.98 in the quarter, an increase of 22.6% compared to $2.43 in the second quarter of 2017.

Operating cash flow for the quarter was $367.2 million, compared to $310.5 million in the second quarter of 2017, due to higher cash earnings and favorable working capital. Capital expenditures totaled $87.2 million, compared to $69.3 million a year ago. As a result, free cash flow (operating cash flow less capital expenditures) was $280.0 million, compared to $241.2 million in the second quarter of 2017.

At the end of the quarter, the Company’s cash balance and total debt were $221.4 million and $6.5 billion, respectively. During the quarter, the Company invested $79.1 million in acquisitions, paid down a net of $310.0 million of debt, and repurchased $75.0 million of stock representing approximately 0.5 million shares. The Company had $993.5 million of authorization remaining under its share repurchase program at the end of the quarter.

Year-To-Date Results

Revenue was $5.71 billion, an increase of 15.6% over last year’s $4.94 billion. The increase in revenue was due to growth from acquisitions of 11.9%, organic growth of 2.6%, and the benefit from foreign currency translation of approximately 110 basis points.

Operating income was $674.6 million, or 11.8% of revenue, compared to $647.9 million, or 13.1%, in the first half of 2017. The increase in operating income was primarily due to acquisitions, organic revenue growth, and the Company’s LaunchPad initiative, partially offset by the implementation of PAMA and personnel costs. The Company recorded restructuring charges, special items, and amortization which together totaled $224.7 million in the first half of the year, compared to $159.9 million during the same period in 2017. This increase was primarily due to higher amortization expense, and the payment of a one-time bonus to non-bonus-eligible employees following the implementation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). Adjusted operating income (excluding amortization, restructuring charges, and special items) was $899.3 million, or 15.7% of revenue, compared to $807.8 million, or 16.3%, in the first half of 2017. The decline in adjusted operating margin was due to the impact from the implementation of PAMA, and the mix impact from the acquisition of Chiltern.

Net earnings in the first half of 2018 were $407.0 million, or $3.94 per diluted share, compared to $367.8 million, or $3.54 per diluted share, last year. Adjusted EPS (excluding amortization, restructuring and special items) were $5.75, an increase of 25.8% compared to $4.57 in the first half of 2017.

Operating cash flow was $522.0 million, compared to $536.4 million in the first half of 2017. The reduction in operating cash flow was due to the one-time bonus payment related to the TCJA and higher working capital to support growth, partially offset by higher cash earnings. Capital expenditures totaled $159.7 million, compared to $141.5 million during the same period in 2017. As a result, free cash flow (operating cash flow less capital expenditures) was $362.3 million, compared to $394.9 million in the first half of 2017.

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The following segment results reflect the Company’s retrospective adoption of ASC 606 on January 1, 2017, and exclude amortization, restructuring charges, special items and unallocated corporate expenses.

Second Quarter Segment Results

LabCorp Diagnostics

Revenue for the quarter was $1.81 billion, an increase of 5.4% over $1.72 billion in the second quarter of 2017. The increase in revenue was primarily driven by acquisitions, organic volume (measured by requisitions), and the benefit from foreign currency translation of approximately 30 basis points, partially offset by the impact from the implementation of PAMA. Total volume (measured by requisitions) increased by 5.8%, of which organic volume was 2.8% and acquisition volume was 3.0%. Revenue per requisition decreased by 0.7%.

Adjusted operating income (excluding amortization, restructuring charges and special items) for the quarter was $376.0 million, or 20.7% of revenue, compared to $375.5 million, or 21.8%, in the second quarter of 2017. Operating income benefited from organic volume growth and acquisitions, which were essentially offset by the negative impact from PAMA and personnel costs. The decline in operating margin was primarily due to the negative impact from PAMA.

Covance Drug Development

Revenue for the quarter was $1.05 billion, an increase of 30.5% over $808 million in the second quarter of 2017. The increase was primarily due to acquisitions, as well as organic growth and the benefit from foreign currency translation of approximately 180 basis points.

Adjusted operating income (excluding amortization, restructuring charges and special items) for the quarter was $123.4 million, or 11.7% of revenue, compared to $88.5 million, or 11.0%, in the second quarter of 2017. The increase in operating income and margin were primarily due to organic demand, LaunchPad savings and acquisitions, partially offset by personnel costs. The Company expects to deliver $150 million of net savings from LaunchPad by the end of 2020, and $30 million of cost synergies from the integration of Chiltern by the end of 2019.

Net orders and net book-to-bill during the trailing twelve months were $4.87 billion and 1.22, respectively. Backlog at the end of the quarter was $8.97 billion, and the Company expects approximately $3.7 billion of this backlog to convert into revenue in the next twelve months.

Outlook for 2018

In the following guidance, all financial results in 2017 and comparisons to financial results in 2017 have been restated in this press release as if the Company had adopted ASC 606 on January 1, 2017. The guidance assumes foreign exchange rates effective as of June 30, 2018 for the remainder of the year, and includes capital allocation.

Revenue growth of 10.5% to 11.5% over 2017 revenue of $10.31 billion, which includes the benefit of approximately 50 basis points of foreign currency translation. This is in-line with the prior guidance of 10.0% to 12.0%, as the increased revenue guidance in Covance Drug Development is offset by the previously-announced divestiture of the Food Solutions business.
Revenue growth in LabCorp Diagnostics of 3.0% to 4.5% over 2017 revenue of $6.86 billion, which includes the negative impact of PAMA as well as the benefit of approximately 20 basis points of foreign currency translation. This is lower than the prior guidance of 3.5% to 5.5% due to the previously-announced divestiture of the Food Solutions business.
Revenue growth in Covance Drug Development of 23.0% to 26.0% over 2017 revenue of $3.45 billion, which includes the benefit of approximately 110 basis points of foreign currency translation. This is an increase over the prior guidance of 21.0% to 25.0% due to higher investigator and other pass-through revenues, partially offset by the change in foreign currency translation.
Adjusted EPS of $11.35 to $11.65, which is an increase of approximately 22.7% to 25.9% over 2017 adjusted EPS of $9.25, and a narrowing of the range compared to prior guidance of $11.30 to $11.70.
Free cash flow (operating cash flow less capital expenditures) of $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion, compared to $1.1 billion in 2017, unchanged from prior guidance.
Use of Adjusted Measures

The Company has provided in this press release and accompanying tables "adjusted" financial information that has not been prepared in accordance with GAAP, including adjusted EPS, adjusted operating income, free cash flow, and certain segment information. The Company believes these adjusted measures are useful to investors as a supplement to, but not as a substitute for, GAAP measures, in evaluating the Company’s operational performance. The Company further believes that the use of these non-GAAP financial measures provides an additional tool for investors in evaluating operating results and trends, and growth and shareholder returns, as well as in comparing the Company’s financial results with the financial results of other companies. However, the Company notes that these adjusted measures may be different from and not directly comparable to the measures presented by other companies. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures are included in the tables accompanying this press release.

The Company today is furnishing a Current Report on Form 8-K that will include additional information on its business and operations. This information will also be available in the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.labcorp.com. Analysts and investors are directed to the Current Report on Form 8-K and the website to review this supplemental information.

A conference call discussing LabCorp’s quarterly results will be held today at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time and is available by dialing 844-634-1444 (615-247-0253 for international callers). The access code is 8281087. A telephone replay of the call will be available through August 8, 2018 and can be heard by dialing 855-859-2056 (404-537-3406 for international callers). The access code for the replay is 8281087. A live online broadcast of LabCorp’s quarterly conference call on July 25, 2018, will be available at View Source or at View Source beginning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. This webcast will be archived and accessible through July 18, 2019