NuVasive Reports Second Quarter 2004 Financial Results Second Quarter Highlights: SAN DIEGO, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NuVasive, Inc. (NASDAQ:NUVA), a medical device company focused on developing products for minimally disruptive surgical treatments for the spine, announced today second quarter financial results for the period ended June 30, 2004. The Company reported second quarter revenues of $8.8 million, a 60% increase over the $5.5 million for the second quarter of 2003 and a 16% increase over the $7.6 million for the first quarter of 2004. Maximum Access Surgery (MAS) revenues for the second quarter were $6.2 million, an increase of 134% from the second quarter of 2003, and up 28% from the first quarter of 2004. Gross profit for the second quarter of 2004 was $6.3 million with a gross margin of 71.8%, compared with a gross profit of $3.9 million with a gross margin of 70.5% in the second quarter of 2003. For the first quarter of 2004, the gross profit was $5.4 million with a gross margin of 71%. Research and development expense was $2.1 million for the second quarter of 2004, compared with $1.3 million in the second quarter of 2003 and $2.0 million in the first quarter of 2004. The year-over-year increase reflects investment in the enhancement of the Company's MAS platform, specifically its SpheRx(TM) pedicle screw system scheduled for launch in the third quarter, and for the development of its total disc replacement (TDR) product with an investigational device exemption (IDE) submission anticipated in the first quarter of 2005. On a GAAP basis for the three-month period ended June 30, 2004, the Company reported a net loss of $4.5 million, or $0.34 per share. On a pro forma basis, second quarter net loss excluding stock based compensation was $2.6 million, or $0.20 per share. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $67.6 million at the end of the second quarter 2004. In the second quarter of 2004, NuVasive completed its initial public offering of approximately 6.9 million common shares at $11 per share, for net proceeds of $70.4 million. For the second quarter the weighted average shares, which includes conversion of preferred stock into common stock in connection with NuVasive's initial public offering, were 13,188,000. At the end of the quarter, the total common shares outstanding were 23,738,166. Alexis V. Lukianov, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are pleased to report our second quarter results, which are on track with the growth strategy outlined during our initial public offering process. Of particular significance in the quarter was the strong momentum in the adoption of our MAS products, which resulted in a 70% MAS - 30% Classic Fusion product mix. We see this mix as a key milestone along with the continuing increase in the number of surgical procedures performed, which totaled 3,800 up 16% from the first quarter of 2004." For the full year 2004, the Company's guidance for revenue is in the range of $36 million to $37 million. NuVasive will host a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. EDT / 2:00 p.m. PDT to discuss second quarter results. A live Webcast of the conference call will be available online from the investor relations page of NuVasive's corporate website at http://www.nuvasive.com/. The dial-in numbers are (800) 921-9431 for domestic callers, and (973) 935-8505 for international. The reservation number for both is 4956743. The call will remain available on NuVasive's website, http://www.nuvasive.com/, through August 25, 2004. A telephonic replay of the call will be available until August 11, 2004. The replay dial-in numbers are (877) 519-4471 for domestic callers and (973) 341-3080 for international callers. Please use reservation code 4956743. About NuVasive NuVasive is a medical device company focusing on the design, development and marketing of products for use in minimally disruptive surgical treatments for the spine. NuVasive's Maximum Access Surgery (MAS(TM)) product platform includes the NeuroVision(R) nerve avoidance system, MaXcess(TM) spine access system, and specialized implants. NuVasive also offers classic fusion implant products for use in spine surgery and has an R&D pipeline emphasizing motion preservation products such as total disc replacement. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which, if they do not materialize or prove correct, could cause NuVasive's results to differ materially from historical results or those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including statements containing the words "planned," "expects," "believes," "strategy," "opportunity," "anticipates" and similar words. These statements may include, among others, plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements regarding proposed new products, services or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or financial or operating performance; statements of belief and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual growth and results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the rapidly changing and competitive nature of the medical device industry, NuVasive's ability to convince surgeons to use its products, the ability of patients to obtain third-party reimbursement for surgical procedures employing NuVasive's products, risks related to government regulation of medical devices, risks related to NuVasive's ability to effectively manage the growth of its business, risks related to ownership and enforcement of intellectual property rights, NuVasive's ability to successfully develop new products, and other risks and uncertainties more fully described in NuVasive's Prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 2004. NuVasive's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available at http://www.sec.gov/. NuVasive assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which it was made. NUVASIVE, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands) June 30, December 31, 2004 2003 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 28,994 $ 5,631 Short-term investments 38,619 4,017 Accounts receivable, net 4,910 3,728 Inventory, net 4,853 5,048 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 943 428 Total current assets 78,319 18,852 Property and equipment, net 3,685 3,390 Notes receivable from employee -- 21 Other assets 66 108 Total Assets $ 82,070 $ 22,371 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 4,503 $ 5,036 Accrued payroll and related expenses 2,685 2,242 Current portion of notes payable -- 3,493 Current portion of obligations under capital leases 172 306 Total current liabilities 7,360 11,077 Notes payable, less current portion 1,202 Obligations under capital leases, less current portion 22 Stockholders equity: Preferred stock -- 32 Common stock 24 4 Additional paid-in capital 152,859 75,044 Notes receivable from stockholders -- (188) Deferred compensation (5,226) (566) Accumulated deficit (72,947) (64,256) Total stockholders' equity 74,710 10,070 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 82,070 $ 22,371 NUVASIVE, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2004 2003 2004 2003 Revenues: MAS $ 6,171 $ 2,636 $10,974 $ 4,700 Classic Fusion 2,638 2,859 5,423 5,244 Total revenues 8,809 5,495 16,397 9,944 Cost of goods sold 2,481 1,624 4,685 3,257 Gross profit 6,328 3,871 11,712 6,687 Operating expenses: Research and development 2,129 1,335 4,082 2,825 Sales and marketing 4,691 2,856 8,282 5,117 General and administrative 2,118 1,565 3,972 3,284 Stock-based compensation 1,845 93 3,978 144 Total operating expenses 10,783 5,849 20,314 11,370 Interest income 77 22 103 57 Interest expense net (88) (71) (182) (108) Other income (expense), net -- 4 (11) 7 Net loss $(4,466) $(2,023) $(8,692) $(4,727) Historical net loss per share: Basic and diluted $ (0.34) $ (1.26) $ (1.17) $ (2.93) Weighted average shares- basic and diluted 13,188 1,609 7,418 1,613 Pro-forma per share information: Pro-forma basic and diluted net loss per share excluding stock-based compensation $ (0.20) $ (1.20) $ (0.64) $ (2.84) Weighted average shares- basic and diluted 13,188 1,609 7,418 1,613 Contacts: Investors/Media: Kevin C. O'Boyle Stephanie Carrington/Greg Tiberend Chief Financial Officer The Ruth Group NuVasive, Inc. 646-536-7017/7005 858-271-7070 DATASOURCE: NuVasive, Inc. CONTACT: Kevin C. O'Boyle, Chief Financial Officer of NuVasive, Inc., +1-858-271-7070, ; or Investors/Media - Stephanie Carrington, +1-646-536-7017, , or Greg Tiberend, +1-646-536-7005, , both of The Ruth Group, for NuVasive, Inc. Web site: http://www.nuvasive.com/

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