e10vq
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
þ   Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007
or
     
o   Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transitional period from                     to                    
Commission file number 0-29100
eResearchTechnology, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   22-3264604
     
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
30 South 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA
  19103
     
(Address of principal executive offices)    (Zip code)
215-972-0420
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer” and “large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o      Accelerated filer þ      Non-accelerated filer o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
The number of shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value, outstanding as of July 27, 2007, was 50,593,151.
 
 

 


 

eResearchTechnology, Inc. and Subsidiaries
INDEX
         
    Page  
       
 
       
       
 
       
    3  
 
       
    4  
 
       
    5  
 
       
    6-13  
 
       
    14-27  
 
       
    27  
 
       
    27  
 
       
       
 
       
    28  
 
       
    28  
 
       
    29  
 
       
    30  
 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
 Statement of Chief Executive Officer
 Statement of Chief Financial Officer

2


Table of Contents

Part 1. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
eResearchTechnology, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
                 
    December 31,     June 30,  
    2006     2007  
            (unaudited)  
Assets
               
Current Assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 15,497     $ 19,896  
Short-term investments
    41,416       42,533  
Accounts receivable, net
    17,866       20,205  
Prepaid income taxes
    2,819       740  
Prepaid expenses and other
    2,761       3,766  
Deferred income taxes
    912       912  
 
           
Total current assets
    81,271       88,052  
Property and equipment, net
    31,129       35,731  
Goodwill
    1,212       1,212  
Long-term investments
    928       932  
Other assets
    524       381  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 115,064     $ 126,308  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 4,360     $ 2,634  
Accrued expenses
    3,445       3,838  
Income taxes payable
    781       1,249  
Current portion of capital lease obligations
    40       2,193  
Deferred revenues
    11,325       10,722  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    19,951       20,636  
 
               
Capital lease obligations, excluding current portion
          324  
Deferred income taxes
    1,491       1,900  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities
    21,442       22,860  
 
           
 
               
Commitments and contingencies
               
 
               
Stockholders’ Equity:
               
Preferred stock — $10.00 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding
           
Common stock — $.01 par value, 175,000,000 shares authorized, 58,356,546 and 58,820,938 shares issued, respectively
    584       588  
Additional paid-in capital
    83,493       86,699  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    1,510       1,739  
Retained earnings
    70,225       76,612  
Treasury stock, 8,247,119 shares at cost
    (62,190 )     (62,190 )
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    93,622       103,448  
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 115,064     $ 126,308  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

3


Table of Contents

eResearchTechnology, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2006     2007     2006     2007  
Net revenues:
                               
Licenses
  $ 1,096     $ 580     $ 1,734     $ 1,362  
Services
    12,822       17,561       27,547       31,529  
Site support
    8,900       6,593       14,936       12,927  
 
                       
Total net revenues
    22,818       24,734       44,217       45,818  
 
                       
Costs of revenues:
                               
Cost of licenses
    77       63       153       129  
Cost of services
    6,300       7,233       12,456       14,023  
Cost of site support
    5,791       4,117       9,944       8,312  
 
                       
Total costs of revenues
    12,168       11,413       22,553       22,464  
 
                       
Gross margin
    10,650       13,321       21,664       23,354  
 
                       
Operating expenses:
                               
Selling and marketing
    3,178       3,054       6,216       5,592  
General and administrative
    3,974       2,919       7,813       6,388  
Research and development
    1,034       1,102       2,348       2,027  
 
                       
Total operating expenses
    8,186       7,075       16,377       14,007  
 
                       
Operating income
    2,464       6,246       5,287       9,347  
Other income, net
    338       569       728       1,119  
 
                       
Income before income taxes
    2,802       6,815       6,015       10,466  
Income tax provision
    1,125       2,676       2,414       4,079  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 1,677     $ 4,139     $ 3,601     $ 6,387  
 
                       
Basic net income per share
  $ 0.03     $ 0.08     $ 0.07     $ 0.13  
 
                       
Diluted net income per share
  $ 0.03     $ 0.08     $ 0.07     $ 0.12  
 
                       
Shares used to calculate basic net income per share
    49,266       50,493       49,184       50,346  
 
                       
Shares used to calculate diluted net income per share
    51,515       51,782       51,600       51,606  
 
                       
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

4


Table of Contents

eResearchTechnology, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2006     2007  
Operating activities:
               
Net income
  $ 3,601     $ 6,387  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    5,772       7,139  
Cost of sales of equipment
    2,612       535  
Non-cash share-based compensation
    1,643       1,142  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    960       (2,269 )
Prepaid expenses and other
    (961 )     (833 )
Accounts payable
    1,458       (2,184 )
Accrued expenses
    (823 )     382  
Income taxes
    (2,332 )     2,847  
Deferred revenues
    (5,788 )     (647 )
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    6,142       12,499  
 
           
Investing activities:
               
Purchases of property and equipment
    (10,007 )     (7,995 )
Purchases of investments
    (18,720 )     (40,651 )
Proceeds from sales of investments
    14,640       39,530  
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
    (14,087 )     (9,116 )
 
           
Financing activities:
               
Repayment of capital lease obligations
    (75 )     (1,132 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    2,062       1,462  
Stock option income tax benefit
    2,365       578  
Repurchase of common stock for treasury
    (5,803 )      
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (1,451 )     908  
 
           
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    144       108  
 
           
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (9,252 )     4,399  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    18,432       15,497  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 9,180     $ 19,896  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

5


Table of Contents

eResearchTechnology, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
Note 1. Basis of Presentation
     The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements, which include the accounts of eResearchTechnology, Inc. (the “Company”, “eRT” or “we”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the six-month period ended June 30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2007. Further information on potential factors that could affect our financial results can be found in our Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in this Form 10-Q.
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
     The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
     The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
     We recognize revenues primarily from three sources: license fees, services and site support. Our license revenues consist of license fees for perpetual license sales and monthly and annual term license sales. Our services revenues consist of Cardiac Safety services, technology consulting and training services and software maintenance services. Our site support revenues consist of cardiac safety equipment rentals and sales along with related supplies and freight.
     We recognize software revenues in accordance with SOP 97-2, “Software Revenue Recognition,” as amended by SOP 98-9, “Modification of SOP 97-2, ‘Software Revenue Recognition’, With Respect to Certain Transactions.” Accordingly, we recognize up-front license fee revenues under the residual method when a formal agreement exists, delivery of the software and related documentation has occurred, collectability is probable and the license fee is fixed or determinable. We recognize monthly and annual term license fee revenues over the term of the arrangement. Hosting service fees are recognized evenly over the term of the service. Cardiac Safety services revenues consist of services that we provide on a fee for services basis and are recognized as the services are performed. Site support revenues are recognized at the time of sale or over the rental period. We recognize revenues from software maintenance contracts on a straight-line basis over the term of the maintenance contract, which is typically twelve months. We provide consulting and training services on a time and materials basis and recognize revenues as we perform the services.
     At the time of the transaction, management assesses whether the fee associated with our revenue transactions is fixed or determinable and whether or not collection is reasonably assured. The assessment of whether the fee is fixed or determinable is based upon the payment terms of the transaction. If a significant portion of a fee is due after our normal payment terms or upon implementation or client acceptance, the fee is accounted for as not being fixed or determinable. In these cases, revenue is recognized as the fees become due or after implementation or client acceptance has occurred.

6


Table of Contents

     Collectability is assessed based on a number of factors, including past transaction history with the client and the creditworthiness of the client. If it is determined that collection of a fee is not reasonably assured, the fee is deferred and revenue is recognized at the time collection becomes reasonably assured, which is generally upon receipt of cash. Under a typical contract for Cardiac Safety services, clients pay us a portion of our fee for these services upon contract execution as an upfront deposit, some of which is typically nonrefundable upon contract termination. Revenues are then recognized under Cardiac Safety service contracts as the services are performed.
     For arrangements with multiple deliverables where the fair value of each element is known, the revenue is allocated to each component based on the relative fair values of each element. For arrangements with multiple deliverables where the fair value of one or more delivered elements is not known, revenue is allocated to each component of the arrangement using the residual method provided that the fair value of all undelivered elements is known. Fair values for undelivered elements are based primarily upon stated renewal rates for future products or services.
Property and Equipment
     Pursuant to Statement of Position 98-1, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use,” we capitalize costs associated with internally developed or purchased software systems for new products and enhancements to existing products that have reached the application development stage and meet recoverability tests. These costs are included in property and equipment. Capitalized costs include external direct costs of materials and services utilized in developing or obtaining internal-use software, and payroll and payroll-related expenses for employees who are directly associated with and devote time to the internal-use software project.
     Amortization of capitalized software development costs is charged to cost of revenues. Amortization of capitalized software development costs was $0.4 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2007, respectively, and $0.8 million and $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2007, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2007, we capitalized $2.6 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of software development costs related to labor and consulting and $0 and $1.7 million, respectively, related to direct costs of materials. As of June 30, 2007, $2.7 million of capitalized costs have not yet been placed in service and are therefore not being amortized.
     The largest component of property and equipment is cardiac safety equipment. Our clients use the cardiac safety equipment to perform the ECG and Holter recordings to give our clients the means to send such recordings to eRT. We provide this equipment to clients primarily through rentals via cancellable agreements and, in some cases, through non-recourse equipment sales. The equipment rentals and sales are generally included in, or associated with, our Cardiac Safety services agreements with our clients and the decision to rent or buy equipment is made by our clients prior to the start of the cardiac safety study. The decision to buy rather than rent is usually predicated upon the economics to the client based upon the length of the study and the number of ECGs to be performed each month. The longer the study and the fewer the number of ECGs performed, the more likely it is that the client may request to purchase cardiac safety equipment rather than rent. Regardless of whether the client rents or buys the cardiac safety equipment, we consider the resulting cash flow to be part of our operations and reflect it as such in our statements of cash flows.
     Our Cardiac Safety services agreements contain multiple elements. As a result, significant contract interpretation is sometimes required to determine the appropriate accounting. In doing so, we consider factors, such as whether the deliverables specified in a multiple element arrangement should be treated as separate units of accounting for revenue recognition purposes and, if so, how the contract value should be allocated among the deliverable elements and when to recognize revenue for each element. We recognize revenue for delivered elements only when the fair values of undelivered elements are known, uncertainties regarding client acceptance are resolved and there are no client-negotiated refund or return rights affecting the revenue recognized for delivered elements.
     The gross cost for cardiac safety equipment was $29.2 million and $36.0 million at December 31, 2006 and June 30, 2007, respectively. The accumulated depreciation for cardiac safety equipment was $15.2 million and $17.9 million at December 31, 2006 and June 30, 2007, respectively.
     Prior to 2007, a portion of our cardiac safety equipment was obtained under operating leases. During the first quarter of 2007, we entered into an agreement to purchase all of our leased cardiac safety equipment at an established price at the end of each lease schedule’s term, rather than return the equipment at that time. As a result, in accordance with Statement of

7


Table of Contents

Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 13, “Accounting for Leases,” we re-evaluated the classification of the leases and determined that the classification should be converted from operating leases to capital leases. As a result, we recorded a non-cash addition to property, plant and equipment of $3.6 million and $3.6 million of capital lease obligations.
Long-lived Assets
     In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” when events or circumstances so indicate, we assess the potential impairment of our long-lived assets based on anticipated undiscounted cash flows from the assets. Such events and circumstances include a sale of all or a significant part of the operations associated with the long-lived asset, or a significant decline in the operating performance of the asset. If an impairment is indicated, the amount of the impairment charge would be calculated by comparing the anticipated discounted future cash flows to the carrying value of the long-lived asset. No impairment was indicated during either of the six-month periods ended June 30, 2006 or June 30, 2007.
Software Development Costs
     Research and development expenditures are charged to operations as incurred. SFAS No. 86, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed,” requires the capitalization of certain software development costs subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility. Since software development costs have not been significant after the establishment of technological feasibility, all such costs have been charged to expense as incurred.
Stock-Based Compensation
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
     On January 1, 2006, we adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS No. 123R), which requires that the costs resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements at their fair values. We adopted SFAS No. 123R using the modified prospective application method under which the provisions of SFAS No. 123R apply to new awards and to awards modified, repurchased or cancelled after the adoption date. Additionally, compensation cost for the portion of the awards for which the requisite service had not been rendered that were outstanding as of January 1, 2006 is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations over the remaining service period after such date based on the award’s original estimate of fair value. The aggregate share-based compensation expense recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 under SFAS No. 123R was $0.9 million and $1.6 million, respectively. The aggregate share-based compensation expense recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 under SFAS No. 123R was $0.7 million and $1.1 million, respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2006, this additional share-based compensation lowered pre-tax earnings by $0.9 million, lowered net income by $0.7 million and lowered basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.01. For the three months ended June 30, 2007, this additional share-based compensation lowered pre-tax earnings by $0.7 million, lowered net income by $0.5 million and lowered basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.01. For the six months ended June 30, 2006, this additional share-based compensation lowered pre-tax earnings by $1.6 million, lowered net income by $1.3 million and lowered basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.03. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, this additional share-based compensation lowered pre-tax earnings by $1.1 million, lowered net income by $0.9 million and lowered basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.02. SFAS No. 123R also amended SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows,” to require that tax benefits be reported as financing cash inflows, rather than as a reduction of taxes paid, which is included within operating cash flows.
Valuation Assumptions for Options Granted
     The fair value of each stock option granted during the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2007 was estimated at the date of grant using Black-Scholes, assuming no dividends and using the weighted-average valuation assumptions noted in the following table. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The expected life (estimated period of time outstanding) of the stock options granted was estimated using the historical exercise behavior of employees. Expected volatility was based on historical volatility for a period equal to the stock option’s expected life, calculated on a daily basis.

8


Table of Contents

                 
    2006   2007
Risk-free interest rate
    4.82 %     4.68 %
Expected dividend yield
    0.00 %     0.00 %
Expected life
  3.5 years   3.5 years
Expected volatility
    59.68 %     55.89 %
     The above assumptions were used to determine the weighted-average per share fair value of $6.15 and $3.38 for stock options granted during the first six months of 2006 and 2007, respectively.
Stock Option Plans
     In 1996, we adopted a stock option plan (the “1996 Plan”) that authorized the grant of both incentive and non-qualified options to acquire up to 3,375,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. Our Board of Directors determined the exercise price of the options under the 1996 Plan. The exercise price of incentive stock options was not below the fair value of the common stock on the grant date. Incentive stock options under the 1996 Plan expire ten years from the grant date and are exercisable in accordance with vesting provisions set by the Board, which generally are over three to five years. In May 1999, the stockholders approved an amendment to the 1996 Plan that increased the number of shares which could be acquired through option grants under the 1996 Plan by 4,050,000 to 7,425,000 and provided for an annual option grant of 5,000 shares to each outside director. In April 2001, the stockholders approved an amendment to the 1996 Plan that increased the number of shares which could be acquired through option grants under the 1996 Plan by 2,025,000 to 9,450,000. No additional options have been granted under this plan, as amended, since December 31, 2003 and no additional options may be granted thereunder in accordance with the terms of the 1996 Plan.
     In May 2003, the stockholders approved a new stock option plan (the “2003 Plan”) that authorized the grant of both incentive and non-qualified options to acquire shares of our common stock and provided for an annual option grant of 10,000 shares to each outside director. The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors determines the recipients of option grants, the exercise price and other terms of the options under the 2003 Plan. The exercise price of incentive stock options may not be set below the fair value of the common stock on the grant date. Incentive stock options under the 2003 Plan expire ten years from the grant date, or at the end of such shorter period as may be designated by the Compensation Committee, and are exercisable in accordance with vesting provisions set by the Compensation Committee, which generally are over four years. In April 2006, the stockholders approved an amendment to the 2003 Plan that increased the number of shares which could be acquired through option grants under the 2003 Plan by 3,500,000. In accordance with the terms of the 2003 Plan, there are a total of 7,318,625 shares reserved for issuance under the 2003 Plan. The Company normally issues new shares to satisfy option exercises under these plans. On February 15, 2007, the Board of Directors of the Company, based on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, adopted, subject to stockholder approval at the Annual Meeting, the Company’s Amended and Restated 2003 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2003 Equity Plan”). On April 26, 2007, the stockholders approved the adoption of the Plan. The 2003 Equity Plan amended the Company’s existing 2003 Plan in two material respects. First, it prohibits repricing of any stock options granted under the Plan unless the stockholders approve such repricing. Second, it permits awards of stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, long term performance awards and performance shares in addition to grants of stock options.
     On February 7, 2006, we entered into a new employment agreement with our former President and Chief Executive Officer in connection with the announcement of his retirement from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Company. His employment terminated on September 11, 2006 and any options not then exercisable became exercisable in full. As a result of this modification to his option terms, we revalued his options as of February 7, 2006 and amortized the resulting expense through September 11, 2006. This change resulted in additional pre-tax compensation expense of $0.1 million in the first six months of 2006.

9


Table of Contents

     Information with respect to outstanding options under our plans is as follows:
                                 
            Weighted   Remaining   Intrinsic
            Average   Contractual   Value
    Shares   Exercise Price   Term   (in thousands)
Outstanding as of January 1, 2007
    4,387,033     $ 8.56                  
Granted
    599,900       7.54                  
Exercised
    (464,392 )     3.15                  
Cancelled/forfeited
    (322,252 )     16.37                  
 
                               
 
                               
Outstanding as of June 30, 2007
    4,200,289       8.45       5.2     $ 14,754  
 
                               
 
                               
Options exercisable or expected to vest at June 30, 2007
    4,028,078       8.36       5.2     $ 14,572  
 
                               
 
                               
Options exercisable at June 30, 2007
    3,052,214       7.65       5.0     $ 13,539  
 
                               
     The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing common stock price on the last trading day of the second quarter of 2007 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on June 30, 2007. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock. The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2007 was $8.0 million and $2.2 million, respectively.
     As of June 30, 2007, there was $4.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted under the plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.5 years.
Tax Effect Related to Stock-based Compensation Expense
     SFAS No. 123R provides that income tax effects of share-based payments are recognized in the financial statements for those awards that will normally result in tax deductions under existing tax law. Under current U.S. federal tax law, we receive a compensation expense deduction related to non-qualified stock options only when those options are exercised. Accordingly, the financial statement recognition of compensation cost for non-qualified stock options creates a deductible temporary difference which results in a deferred tax asset and a corresponding deferred tax benefit in the statement of operations. We do not recognize a tax benefit for compensation expense related to incentive stock options (ISOs) unless the underlying shares are disposed of in a disqualifying disposition. Accordingly, compensation expense related to ISOs is treated as a permanent difference for income tax purposes. The tax benefit recognized in our Consolidated Statement of Operations in the six months ended June 30, 2007 related to stock-based compensation expense was approximately $0.2 million.

10


Table of Contents

Note 3. Net Income per Common Share
     Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, adjusted for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents, which consist of stock options. The dilutive effect of stock options is calculated using the treasury stock method.
     The tables below set forth the reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted net income per share computations (in thousands, except per share amounts):
                         
    Net             Per Share  
Three Months Ended June 30,   Income     Shares     Amount  
2006
                       
 
Basic net income
  $ 1,677       49,266     $ 0.03  
Effect of dilutive shares
          2,249        
 
                 
 
Diluted net income
  $ 1,677       51,515     $ 0.03  
 
                 
 
                       
2007
                       
 
Basic net income
  $ 4,139       50,493     $ 0.08  
Effect of dilutive shares
          1,289        
 
                 
 
Diluted net income
  $ 4,139       51,782     $ 0.08  
 
                 
                         
    Net             Per Share  
Six Months Ended June 30,   Income     Shares     Amount  
2006
                       
 
Basic net income
  $ 3,601       49,184     $ 0.07  
Effect of dilutive shares
          2,416        
 
                 
 
                       
Diluted net income
  $ 3,601       51,600     $ 0.07  
 
                 
 
                       
2007
                       
 
Basic net income
  $ 6,387       50,346     $ 0.13  
Effect of dilutive shares
          1,260       (0.01 )
 
                 
 
                       
Diluted net income
  $ 6,387       51,606     $ 0.12  
 
                 
     In computing diluted net income per share, options to purchase 1,744,000 and 1,366,000 shares of common stock were excluded from the computations for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2007, respectively and options to purchase 1,215,000 and 1,751,000 shares of common stock were excluded from the computations for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2007, respectively. These options were excluded from the computations because the exercise prices of such options were greater than the average market price of our common stock during the respective period.

11


Table of Contents

Note 4. Comprehensive Income
     SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income,” requires companies to classify items of other comprehensive income by their nature in the financial statements and display the accumulated balance of other comprehensive income separately from retained earnings and additional paid-in-capital in the stockholders’ equity section of the balance sheet. Our comprehensive income includes net income and unrealized gains and losses from foreign currency translation as follows (in thousands):
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2006     2007     2006     2007  
Net income
  $ 1,677     $ 4,139     $ 3,601     $ 6,387  
 
Other comprehensive income:
                               
Currency translation adjustment
    542       208       675       229  
 
                       
 
                               
Comprehensive income, net of tax
  $ 2,219     $ 4,347     $ 4,276     $ 6,616  
 
                       
Note 5. Recent Pronouncements
     In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which establishes a framework for reporting fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 becomes effective beginning with our first quarter 2008 fiscal period. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of this standard.
     In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” SFAS No. 159 allows companies to elect to measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. This standard is not expected to have any impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
Note 6. Income Taxes
     We adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (FIN 48) an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (SFAS 109), on January 1, 2007. We did not recognize any adjustment in the liability for unrecognized income tax benefits as a result of the implementation of FIN 48. At the adoption date, we had $0.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would affect our effective tax rate if recognized. At June 30, 2007, we have $0.9 million of unrecognized tax benefits under the provisions of FIN 48. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The tax years 2003 through 2006 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which we are subject.
Note 7. Commitments and Contingencies
Royalties
     In the second quarter of 2007, we entered into a long-term strategic relationship with Healthcare Technology Systems, Inc. (HTS), a leading authority in the research, development and validation of computer administered clinical rating instruments. The strategic relationship includes the exclusive licensing (subject to one pre-existing license agreement) of 57 IVR clinical assessments offered by HTS along with HTS’s IVR system. As of June 30, 2007, we paid HTS $1.5 million for the licensing and a $0.25 million advanced payment against future royalties. Royalty payments will be made to HTS based on the level of revenues received from the assessments and the IVR system. An additional $0.75 million of royalty payments are guaranteed, and will be made in two payments – the later of (i) 12 months from the date of the first EXPeRT® ePRO™ sale and (ii) when the system is validated, and 6 months after this date. Any royalties earned by HTS will be applied against these payments. After these two payments are made, all future payments to HTS will be royalty payments based on revenues received from EXPeRT® ePRO™ sales.

12


Table of Contents

Note 8. Operating Segments / Geographic Information
     We consider our operations to consist of one segment as this represents management’s view of our operations. We operate on a worldwide basis with two locations in the United States and one location in the United Kingdom, which are categorized below as North America and Europe, respectively. The majority of our revenues are allocated based upon the profit split transfer pricing methodology.
     Geographic information is as follows (in thousands of dollars):
                         
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2006  
    North              
    America     Europe     Total  
License revenues
  $ 1,096     $     $ 1,096  
Service revenues
    10,239       2,583       12,822  
Site support revenues
    6,566       2,334       8,900  
 
                 
Net revenues from external customers
  $ 17,901     $ 4,917     $ 22,818  
 
                 
Operating income
  $ 2,194     $ 270     $ 2,464  
Long-lived assets
  $ 21,725     $ 9,099     $ 30,824  
Identifiable assets
  $ 88,750     $ 15,136     $ 103,886  
                         
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2007  
    North              
    America     Europe     Total  
License revenues
  $ 580     $     $ 580  
Service revenues
    13,924       3,637       17,561  
Site support revenues
    4,426       2,167       6,593  
 
                 
Net revenues from external customers
  $ 18,930     $ 5,804     $ 24,734  
 
                 
Operating income
  $ 5,236     $ 1,010     $ 6,246  
Long-lived assets
  $ 27,384     $ 8,347     $ 35,731  
Identifiable assets
  $ 107,992     $ 18,316     $ 126,308  
                         
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2006  
    North              
    America     Europe     Total  
License revenues
  $ 1,734     $     $ 1,734  
Service revenues
    22,442       5,105       27,547  
Site support revenues
    11,087       3,849       14,936  
 
                 
Net revenues from external customers
  $ 35,263     $ 8,954     $ 44,217  
 
                 
Operating income
  $ 4,734     $ 553     $ 5,287  
Long-lived assets
  $ 21,725     $ 9,099     $ 30,824  
Identifiable assets
  $ 88,750     $ 15,136     $ 103,886  
                         
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2007  
    North              
    America     Europe     Total  
License revenues
  $ 1,362     $     $ 1,362  
Service revenues
    25,308       6,221       31,529  
Site support revenues
    8,680       4,247       12,927  
 
                 
Net revenues from external customers
  $ 35,350     $ 10,468     $ 45,818  
 
                 
Operating income
  $ 7,901     $ 1,446     $ 9,347  
Long-lived assets
  $ 27,384     $ 8,347     $ 35,731  
Identifiable assets
  $ 107,992     $ 18,316     $ 126,308  

13


Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Cautionary Statement for Forward-Looking Information
     The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. The following discussion includes a number of forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. We use words such as anticipate, believe, expect, intend and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this report. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as competitive factors, technology development, market demand and our ability to obtain new contracts and accurately estimate net revenues due to uncertain regulatory guidance, variability in size, scope and duration of projects and internal issues at the sponsoring client. These and other risk factors have been further discussed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. Such risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or future predictions. Further information on potential factors that could affect our financial results can be found throughout this Form 10-Q and our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Overview
     We were founded in 1977 to provide Cardiac Safety services to evaluate the safety of new drugs. We provide technology and services that enable the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries to collect, interpret and distribute cardiac safety and clinical data more efficiently. We are a market leader in providing centralized electrocardiographic services (Cardiac Safety services or EXPeRT® ECG services) and a leading provider of technology and services that streamline the clinical trials process by enabling our clients to evolve from traditional, paper-based methods to electronic processing using our eClinical products and services.
     Our solutions improve the accuracy, timeliness and efficiency of trial set-up, data collection from sites worldwide, data interpretation and new drug, biologic and device application submissions. We offer Cardiac Safety services, which are utilized by sponsors and clinical research organizations (CROs) during the conduct of clinical trials. These services include the centralized collection, evaluation, and reporting of electrocardiograms (ECG) and continuous Holter recordings performed in Phase I through Phase IV clinical trials. Thorough QTc studies are comprehensive studies that typically are of large volume and of short duration, with ECGs performed over a two- to six-month period. The Digital ECG Franchise program was designed to address the capacity demands for eRT’s ECG services through partnerships with sponsors that desired dedicated resources within eRT to address specific levels of cardiac safety monitoring transactions. In 2006, we decided to discontinue the offering of the Digital ECG Franchise program as we feel we can offer our clients a better value proposition in other ways in the current operating environment. Our cardiac safety services are supported by an integrated Project Assurance methodology to provide study management including logistical support to clinical sites, including the rental and sale of cardiac safety equipment along with related supplies and freight. We also offer cardiac safety consulting services through our eRT Consulting Group. Additionally, we offer the licensing and, at the client’s option, hosting of our proprietary eClinical software products and the provision of maintenance and consulting services in support of our proprietary eClinical software products. We offer the following products and services on a global basis:
EXPeRT® Cardiac Safety. EXPeRT® Cardiac Safety services provide for workflow-enabled cardiac safety data collection, interpretation and distribution of electrocardiographic (ECG) data and images as well as for analysis and cardiologist interpretation of ECGs performed on research subjects in connection with our clients’ clinical trials. In addition, we establish rules for standardized, semi-automated and automated workflow management, allowing audit trail accounting and generating safety and operational metrics reports for sponsors and investigators. Also included in EXPeRT® Cardiac Safety services is FDA XML delivery, which provides for the delivery of ECGs in a format compliant with the United States Food and Drug Administration’s XML standard for digital ECGs. We also provide ECG equipment through rental and sales to clients to perform the ECG recordings and give them means to send such recordings to us.

14


Table of Contents

eClinical™. The process of designing, implementing and managing a clinical trial requires a well defined process and set of supporting products to effectively handle the variety of tasks and information comprising a clinical trial. eRT provides a suite of products to address the capture, management and dissemination of clinical trial data. Our integrated suite is comprised of the following:
    eResearch Community(eRC™) is an easy to use portal application that provides real-time information related to monitoring clinical trial activities, data quality and safety.
 
    eData Entry™ (eDE™) technology provides a comprehensive electronic data capture (EDC) system comprised of technology and consulting services formulated to deliver rapid time to benefit for electronic trial initiatives.
 
    eData Management™ (eDM™) is a clinical data management application for collecting, cleaning and managing clinical trial data.
 
    eSafety Net™ (eSN ™ ) is an adverse event management system enabling the generation of key regulatory reports, including CIOMS and Medwatch.
 
    eStudy Conduct™ (eSC™) is a clinical trial management technology that can be used to set up clinical trials, establish standards, track study activities, plan resources, distribute supplies, manage the financial aspects of a trial and electronically view clinical trial data.
EXPeRT® ePRO™. EXPeRT® ePRO™ is an Integrated Voice Response (IVR) system that allows subjects to easily and quickly report data for a clinical trial. Because it can be accessed from a standard phone, the EXPeRT® ePRO™ system is cost effective while being extremely scalable and suitable from Phases I through Phase IV. Diaries, screening, recruitment and all clinical assessments can be completed directly by the subject without requiring clinician involvement.
Project Assurance/Implementation Assurance. We provide a full spectrum of consulting services for all of our products that augment the study management and implementation efforts of clients in support of their clinical research requirements.
     Our license revenues consist of license fees for perpetual licenses and monthly and annual term licenses. Our services revenues consist of Cardiac Safety services, technology consulting and training services and software maintenance services. Our site support revenues consist of cardiac safety equipment rentals and sales along with related supplies and freight.
     We recognize software revenues in accordance with Statement of Position (SOP) 97-2, “Software Revenue Recognition,” as amended by SOP 98-9, “Modification of SOP 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, With Respect to Certain Transactions.” Accordingly, we recognize up-front license fee revenues under the residual method when a formal agreement exists, delivery of the software and related documentation has occurred, collectability is probable and the license fee is fixed or determinable. We recognize monthly and annual license fee revenues over the term of the arrangement. Hosting service fees are recognized evenly over the term of service. Cardiac Safety services revenues consist of services that we provide on a fee for services basis and are recognized as the services are performed. Site support revenues are recognized at the time of sale or over the rental period. We recognize revenues from software maintenance contracts on a straight-line basis over the term of the maintenance contract, which is typically twelve months. We provide consulting and training services on a time and materials basis and recognize revenues as we perform the services.
     For arrangements with multiple deliverables where the fair value of each element is known, the revenue is allocated to each component based on the relative fair values of each element. For arrangements with multiple deliverables where the fair value of one or more delivered elements is not known, revenue is allocated to each component of the arrangement using the residual method provided that the fair value of all undelivered elements is known. Fair values for undelivered elements are based primarily upon stated renewal rates for future products or services.
     Cost of licenses consists primarily of application service provider (ASP) fees for those clients that choose hosting, the cost of producing compact disks and related documentation and royalties paid to third parties in connection with their contributions to our product development. Cost of services includes the cost of Cardiac Safety services and the cost of technology consulting, training and maintenance services. Cost of Cardiac Safety services consists primarily of direct costs

15


Table of Contents

related to our centralized Cardiac Safety services and includes wages, depreciation and other direct operating costs. Cost of technology consulting, training and maintenance services consists primarily of wages, fees paid to outside consultants and other direct operating costs related to our consulting and client support functions. Cost of site support consists primarily of wages, cardiac safety equipment rent and depreciation, related supplies, cost of equipment sold, shipping expenses and other direct operating costs. Selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of wages and commissions paid to sales personnel, travel expenses and advertising and promotional expenditures. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of wages and direct costs for our finance, administrative, corporate information technology, legal and executive management functions, in addition to professional service fees and corporate insurance. Research and development expenses consist primarily of wages paid to our product development staff, costs paid to outside consultants and direct costs associated with the development of our technology products.
     We conduct our operations through offices in the United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (UK). Our international net revenues represented approximately 20% and 23% of total net revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2007, respectively. The majority of our revenues are allocated among our geographic segments based upon the profit the split transfer pricing methodology, and revenues are generally attributed to the geographic segment where the work is performed.

16


Table of Contents

Results of Operations
Executive Overview
     Our revenues for the second quarter of 2007 were $24.7 million as compared to $22.8 million in revenue for the same period in 2006. We also reported net income for the second quarter of 2007 of $4.1 million, or $0.08 per diluted share as compared to $1.7 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2006. Our operating income for the second quarter of 2007 as a percentage of total net revenues was 25.3% as compared to 10.8% in the second quarter of 2006. The Company’s tax rate for the second quarter of 2007 was 39.3% compared to 40.1% in the second quarter of 2006. We ended the quarter with $63.4 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments, an increase of $5.6 million from $57.8 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2006.
     On August 2, 2007, we announced that we had signed $34.5 million in contracts which included eight new Thorough ECG study agreements valued at approximately $8.7 million. At that time, we also reported a backlog of $106.8 million, an increase of $5.4 million from the prior quarter. This represented a 23.3% annualized increase. The annualized cancellation rate was 17.6%. The book-to-bill ratio for the second quarter was 1.58 based on an average of the last three quarters revenue and 1.40 based on the second quarter revenue. During the second quarter we announced a new line of business; electronic patient reported outcomes (EXPeRT® ePRO™). The business was launched with the establishment of a long-term strategic relationship with Healthcare Technology Systems, Inc. (HTS), a leading authority in the research, development and validation of computer administered clinical rating instruments. The strategic relationship includes the exclusive licensing (subject to one pre-existing license agreement) of 57 interactive voice response (IVR) clinical assessments offered by HTS, along with HTS’s IVR system and five-year consulting agreements with the founders and principals of HTS, Drs. John Greist, James (Jeff) Jefferson, and David Katzelnick, who are pioneers in the electronic assessment of patient outcomes for new therapies in CNS diseases.

17


Table of Contents

     The following table presents certain financial data as a percentage of total net revenues:
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2006     2007     2006     2007  
Net revenues:
                               
Licenses
    4.8 %     2.3 %     3.9 %     3.0 %
Services
    56.2 %     71.0 %     62.4 %     68.8 %
Site support
    39.0 %     26.7 %     33.8 %     28.2 %
 
                       
Total net revenues
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
 
                       
Costs of revenues:
                               
Cost of licenses
    0.3 %     0.3 %     0.3 %     0.3 %
Cost of services
    27.6 %     29.2 %     28.2 %     30.6 %
Cost of site support
    25.4 %     16.6 %     22.5 %     18.1 %
 
                       
Total costs of revenues
    53.3 %     46.1 %     51.0 %     49.0 %
 
                       
Gross margin
    46.7 %     53.9 %     49.0 %     51.0 %
 
                       
Operating expenses:
                               
Selling and marketing
    13.9 %     12.3 %     14.0 %     12.2 %
General and administrative
    17.5 %     11.8 %     17.7 %     14.0 %
Research and development
    4.5 %     4.5 %     5.3 %     4.4 %
 
                       
Total operating expenses
    35.9 %     28.6 %     37.0 %     30.6 %
 
                       
Operating income
    10.8 %     25.3 %     12.0 %     20.4 %
Other income, net
    1.4 %     2.3 %     1.6 %     2.4 %
 
                       
Income before income taxes
    12.2 %     27.6 %     13.6 %     22.8 %
Income tax provision
    4.9 %     10.9 %     5.5 %     8.9 %
 
                       
Net income
    7.3 %     16.7 %     8.1 %     13.9 %
 
                       

18


Table of Contents

Three Months Ended June 30, 2007 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2006.
     The following table presents our consolidated statements of operations with product line detail (dollars in thousands):
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,        
    2006     2007     Increase (Decrease)  
Licenses:        
                               
Net revenues
  $ 1,096     $ 580     $ (516 )     (47.1 %)
Costs of revenues
    77       63       (14 )     (18.2 %)
 
                         
Gross margin
  $ 1,019     $ 517     $ (502 )     (49.3 %)
 
                         
Services:
                               
Cardiac Safety
                               
Net revenues
  $ 11,250     $ 16,018     $ 4,768       42.4 %
Costs of revenues
    5,625       6,617       992       17.6 %
 
                         
Gross margin
  $ 5,625     $ 9,401     $ 3,776       67.1 %
 
                         
Technology consulting and training
                               
Net revenues
  $ 558     $ 663     $ 105       18.8 %
Costs of revenues
    423       412       (11 )     (2.6 %)
 
                         
Gross margin
  $ 135     $ 251     $ 116       85.9 %
 
                         
Software maintenance
                               
Net revenues
  $ 1,014     $ 880     $ (134 )     (13.2 %)
Costs of revenues
    252       204       (48 )     (19.0 %)
 
                         
Gross margin
  $ 762     $ 676     $ (86 )     (11.3 %)
 
                         
Total services
                               
Net revenues
  $ 12,822     $ 17,561     $ 4,739       37.0 %
Costs of revenues
    6,300       7,233       933       14.8 %
 
                         
Gross margin
  $ 6,522     $ 10,328     $ 3,806       58.4 %
 
                         
Site support:
                               
Net revenues
  $ 8,900     $ 6,593     $ (2,307 )     (25.9 %)
Costs of revenues
    5,791       4,117       (1,674 )     (28.9 %)
 
                         
Gross margin
  $ 3,109     $ 2,476     $ (633 )     (20.4 %)
 
                         
Total
                             
Net revenues
  $ 22,818     $ 24,734     $ 1,916       8.4 %
Costs of revenues
    12,168       11,413       (755 )     (6.2 %)
 
                         
Gross margin
    10,650       13,321       2,671       25.1 %
 
                         
 
                               
Operating expenses:
                               
Selling and marketing
    3,178       3,054       (124 )     (3.9 %)
General and administrative
    3,974       2,919       (1,055 )     (26.5 %)
Research and development
    1,034       1,102       68       6.6 %
 
                         
Total operating expenses
    8,186       7,075       (1,111 )     (13.6 %)
 
                         
Operating income
    2,464       6,246       3,782       153.5 %
Other income, net
    338       569       231       68.3 %
 
                         
Income before income taxes
    2,802       6,815       4,013       143.2 %
Income tax provision
    1,125       2,676       1,551       137.9 %
 
                         
Net income
  $ 1,677     $ 4,139     $ 2,462       146.8 %
 
                         

19


Table of Contents

     The following table presents costs of revenues as a percentage of related net revenues and operating expenses as a percentage of total net revenues:
                         
    Three Months Ended June 30,   Increase
    2006   2007   (Decrease)
Cost of licenses
    7.0 %     10.9 %     3.9 %
Cost of services:
                       
Cardiac Safety
    50.0 %     41.3 %     (8.7 %)
Technology consulting and training
    75.8 %     62.1 %     (13.7 %)
Software maintenance
    24.9 %     23.2 %     (1.7 %)
Total cost of services
    49.1 %     41.2 %     (7.9 %)
Cost of site support
    65.1 %     62.4 %     (2.7 %)
Total costs of revenues
    53.3 %     46.1 %     (7.2 %)
 
Operating expenses:
                       
Selling and marketing
    13.9 %     12.3 %     (1.6 %)
General and administrative
    17.5 %     11.8 %     (5.7 %)
Research and development
    4.5 %     4.5 %     0.0 %
     License revenues decreased due to the signing of one perpetual license in 2006 as compared to none in 2007.
     The increase in Cardiac Safety service revenues was primarily due to additional transactions performed in 2007 as compared to 2006 partially offset by a decrease in average revenue per transaction that was largely due to the impact of increased activity in semi-automated processing, which generally includes lower fees per transaction than other studies, as well as competitive pricing pressure. Additionally, Cardiac Safety service revenue in the three months ended June 30, 2007 included $0.3 million of cardiac safety consulting services revenue, which was a new revenue source to eRT beginning in 2007. Beginning in 2007, we have an arrangement with a company owned by our chairman, Dr. Morganroth, whereby, we will pay Dr. Morganroth’s company between 80% to 90% of the net amounts billed to certain customers for performing a portion of the consulting services provided on our behalf to those customers.
     The increase in technology consulting and training revenues was primarily related to additional revenue from Cardiac Safety service customers for reporting configuration, which is consistent with the increase in Cardiac Safety activity.
     Software maintenance revenues decreased due to the cancellation and non-renewals of maintenance agreements and a reduction in the number of users. These declines were partially offset by maintenance on several software licenses sold during 2006.
     Site support revenues decreased primarily due to a $3.5 million decrease in the sale of cardiac safety equipment in the second quarter of 2007 as compared to the second quarter of 2006. Partially offsetting this decrease was a $0.8 million increase in the rental of cardiac safety equipment due to an increase in the number of units rented as well as an increase in freight revenue of $0.2 million related to the additional units rented.
     The increase in the cost of Cardiac Safety services was primarily due to a $0.4 million increase in depreciation expense related to the EXPeRT® 2 which was placed into production in January 2007, $0.3 million increase in bonus expense as certain bonus targets are expected to be met in 2007 while there was no bonus in 2006, $0.2 million increase in telecommunications, $0.1 million increase in labor, $0.1 million in consulting costs related to cardiac safety consulting revenue discussed above and $0.1 million in higher facilities-related and insurance costs. The decrease in the cost of Cardiac Safety services as a percentage of Cardiac Safety service revenues reflects the fact that some of the costs do not necessarily change in direct relation with changes in revenue.
     The decrease in the cost of site support, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of site support revenues, was primarily due to a $2.0 million decrease in the cost of equipment sales commensurate with the decrease in revenue from equipment sales. Partially offsetting this decrease was a $0.3 million increase in freight.
     The decrease in selling and marketing expenses, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of total net revenues, was primarily due to a number of relatively small decreases in costs such as labor, bonus and commissions.

20


Table of Contents

     The decrease in general and administrative expenses, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of total net revenues, was due primarily to $0.7 million of costs associated with management changes in the second quarter of 2006 and professional fees of $0.4 million related to project and legal matters in 2006.
     Other income, net, consisted primarily of interest income realized from our cash, cash equivalents and investments, interest expense related to capital lease obligations and foreign exchange losses. Other income, net increased primarily due to higher interest income in the second quarter of 2007 due to higher average interest rates and cash balances.
     Our effective tax rate was 40.1% and 39.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2007, respectively. The primary cause of the decrease in the effective tax rate was an increase in tax-free interest income in the second quarter of 2007 as compared to the second quarter of 2006.

21


Table of Contents

Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2006.
     The following table presents our consolidated statements of operations with product line detail (dollars in thousands):
                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,        
    2006     2007     Increase (Decrease)  
Licenses:
                               
Net revenues
  $ 1,734     $ 1,362     $ (372 )     (21.5 %)
Costs of revenues
    153       129       (24 )     (15.7 %)
 
                         
Gross margin
  $ 1,581     $ 1,233     $ (348 )     (22.0 %)
 
                         
Services:
                               
Cardiac Safety
                               
Net revenues
  $ 24,362     $ 28,449     $ 4,087       16.8 %
Costs of revenues
    11,050       12,781       1,731       15.7 %
 
                         
Gross margin
  $ 13,312     $ 15,668     $ 2,356       17.7 %
 
                         
Technology consulting and training
                               
Net revenues
  $ 1,144     $ 1,323     $ 179       15.6 %
Costs of revenues
    899       822       (77 )     (8.6 %)
 
                         
Gross margin
  $ 245     $ 501     $ 256       104.5 %
 
                         
Software maintenance
                               
Net revenues
  $ 2,041     $ 1,756     $ (285 )     (14.0 %)
Costs of revenues
    507       420       (87 )     (17.2 %)
 
                         
Gross margin
  $ 1,534     $ 1,336     $ (198 )     (12.9 %)
 
                         
Total services
                               
Net revenues
  $ 27,547     $ 31,529     $ 3,982       14.5 %
Costs of revenues
    12,456       14,023       1,567       12.6 %
 
                         
Gross margin
  $ 15,091     $ 17,506     $ 2,415       16.0 %
 
                         
Site support:
                               
Net revenues
  $ 14,936     $ 12,927     $ (2,009 )     (13.5 %)
Costs of revenues
    9,944       8,312       (1,632 )     (16.4 %)
 
                         
Gross margin
  $ 4,992     $ 4,615     $ (377 )     (7.6 %)
 
                         
Total
                               
Net revenues
  $ 44,217     $ 45,818     $ 1,601       3.6 %
Costs of revenues
    22,553       22,464       (89 )     (0.4 %)
 
                         
Gross margin
    21,664       23,354       1,690       7.8 %
 
                         
 
                               
Operating expenses:
                               
Selling and marketing
    6,216       5,592       (624 )     (10.0 %)
General and administrative
    7,813       6,388       (1,425 )     (18.2 %)
Research and development
    2,348       2,027       (321 )     (13.7 %)
 
                         
Total operating expenses
    16,377       14,007       (2,370 )     (14.5 %)
 
                         
Operating income
    5,287       9,347       4,060       76.8 %
Other income, net
    728       1,119       391       53.7 %
 
                         
Income before income taxes
    6,015       10,466       4,451       74.0 %
Income tax provision
    2,414       4,079       1,665       69.0 %
 
                         
Net income
  $ 3,601     $ 6,387     $ 2,786       77.4 %
 
                         

22


Table of Contents

     The following table presents costs of revenues as a percentage of related net revenues and operating expenses as a percentage of total net revenues:
                         
    Six Months Ended June 30,     Increase  
    2006     2007     (Decrease)  
Cost of licenses
    8.8 %     9.5 %     0.7 %
Cost of services:
                       
Cardiac Safety
    45.4 %     44.9 %     (0.5 %)
Technology consulting and training
    78.6 %     62.1 %     (16.5 %)
Software maintenance
    24.8 %     23.9 %     (0.9 %)
Total cost of services
    45.2 %     44.5 %     (0.7 %)
Cost of site support
    66.6 %     64.3 %     (2.3 %)
Total costs of revenues
    51.0 %     49.0 %     (2.0 %)
 
                       
Operating expenses:
                       
Selling and marketing
    14.0 %     12.2 %     (1.8 %)
General and administrative
    17.7 %     14.0 %     (3.7 %)
Research and development
    5.3 %     4.4 %     (0.9 %)
     License revenues decreased due to the greater value of the two licenses sold in 2006 as compared to the one sold in 2007.
     The increase in Cardiac Safety service revenues was primarily due to additional transactions performed in 2007 as compared to 2006 partially offset by a decrease in average revenues per transaction that was largely due to the impact of increased activity in semi-automated processing, which generally includes lower fees per transaction than other studies, as well as competitive pricing pressure. Additionally, Cardiac Safety service revenue in the six months ended June 30, 2007 included $0.5 million of cardiac safety consulting services revenue, which was a new revenue source to eRT beginning in 2007. There was also a $0.4 million increase in project management fees and a $0.4 million increase in miscellaneous revenue, commensurate with the increase in ECG transaction revenue.
     The increase in technology consulting and training revenues was primarily related to $0.1 million of professional services performed in connection with a late 2006 license sale. Additionally, there was an increase of $0.1 million of revenue from Cardiac Safety service customers for reporting configuration, which is consistent with the increase in Cardiac Safety activity.
     Software maintenance revenues decreased due to the cancellation and non-renewals of maintenance agreements or a reduction in the number of users. These declines were partially offset by maintenance on several software licenses sold during 2006 and 2007.
     Site support revenues decreased primarily due to a $3.6 million decrease in the sale of cardiac safety equipment for the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2006. Partially offsetting this decrease was a $1.0 million increase in the rental of cardiac safety equipment due to an increase in the number of units rented as well as an increase in freight revenue of $0.5 million related to the additional units rented.
     The increase in the cost of Cardiac Safety services was primarily due to a $0.7 million increase in depreciation expense related to the EXPeRT® 2 which was placed into production in January 2007, $0.3 million increase in bonus expense as certain bonus targets are expected to be met in 2007 while there was no bonus in 2006, $0.3 million increase in labor, $0.3 million in consulting costs related to cardiac safety consulting revenue discussed above and $0.2 million increase in telecommunications. The decrease in the cost of Cardiac Safety services as a percentage of Cardiac Safety service revenues reflects the fact that some of the costs do not necessarily change in direct relation with changes in revenue.
     The decrease in the cost of site support, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of site support revenues, was primarily due to a $2.1 million decrease in the cost of equipment sales commensurate with the decrease in revenue from equipment sales. Partially offsetting this decrease was a $0.4 million increase in freight.
     The decrease in selling and marketing expenses, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of total net revenues, was

23


Table of Contents

primarily due to $0.3 million decrease in bonus expense. In 2006, most of the selling staff was on a bonus plan that required the achievement of certain quarterly sales targets. In 2007, we implemented a commission plan under which payments are based upon a percentage of revenue earned. Payments under the commission plan will increase as signings convert into revenue (i.e. as work is performed for the contracts that were signed in the first six months of 2007). There was also a $0.2 million decrease in labor costs due to fewer employees in the six months ended June 30, 2007. The decrease was also due to decreased stock option compensation expense and employee placement fees.
     The decrease in general and administrative expenses, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of total net revenues, was due primarily to $1.2 million of costs associated with management changes in the second quarter of 2006, $0.6 million of costs in the first six months of 2006 associated with the settlement of a contract dispute and professional fees of $0.4 million related to project and legal matters in 2006, for which there were no corresponding costs in the first six months of 2007. Partially offsetting the decrease was $0.7 million in severance-related costs for employees terminated in February 2007.
     The decrease in research and development expenses, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of total net revenues, was primarily due to a $0.2 million decrease in expense for third-party consultants, $0.2 million decrease in labor, $0.2 million decrease in software license and maintenance expense. Smaller decreases occurred in expenses such as stock option compensation expense, training, placement fees and depreciation. Partially offsetting these decreases was a reduction in the capitalization of salaries for internal-use software projects of $0.5 million.
     Other income, net, consisted primarily of interest income realized from our cash, cash equivalents and investments, interest expense related to capital lease obligations and foreign exchange losses. Other income, net increased primarily due to higher interest income in the first six months of 2007 as a result of higher average interest rates and cash balances.
     Our effective tax rate was 40.1% and 39.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2007, respectively. The primary cause of the decrease in the effective tax rate was an increase in tax-free interest income in the first six months of 2007 as compared to the first six months of 2006.

24


Table of Contents

Liquidity and Capital Resources
     At June 30, 2007, we had $19.9 million of cash and cash equivalents and $43.5 million invested in short-term and long-term investments. We generally place our investments in municipal securities, bonds of government sponsored agencies, certificates of deposit with fixed rates and maturities of less than one year and A1P1 rated commercial bonds and paper.
     For the six months ended June 30, 2007, our operations provided cash of $12.5 million compared to $6.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2006. The change was primarily the result of a $0.6 million decrease in deferred revenue in the first six months of 2007 as compared to $5.8 million in the first six months of 2006. A large Digital ECG Franchise ended in 2006, which resulted in the decrease in deferred revenues in 2006 as the franchise advanced payments were recognized as revenue as services were performed. Also, there was a $2.8 million decrease in net income taxes payable in the first six months of 2007 as compared to a $2.3 million increase in net prepaid income taxes in the first six months of 2006 due to the size and timing of estimated payments. Net income before non-cash items increased $1.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2006. Partially offsetting these items was an increase in accounts receivable in the first six months of 2007 of $2.3 million as compared to a $1.0 million decrease in the first six months of 2006 largely due to the increase in revenue in 2007 and a decrease in accounts payable in the first six months of 2007 of $2.2 million as compared to a $1.5 million increase in the first six months of 2006.
     For the six months ended June 30, 2007, our investing activities used cash of $9.1 million compared to $14.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2006. The change was the result of net activity related to investments, which used $1.1 million of cash for the six months ended June 30, 2007, compared to $4.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and a $2.0 million decrease in cash used for purchases of property and equipment for the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the first six months of 2006.
     During the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, we purchased $8.0 million and $10.0 million, respectively, of property and equipment. Included in property and equipment is internal-use software associated with a data and communications management services software product (EXPeRT®) used in connection with our centralized core cardiac safety ECG services. We capitalize certain internal-use software costs in accordance with Statement of Position (SOP) 98-1, “Accounting for Costs of Computer Software for Internal Use.” The amortization is charged to the cost of Cardiac Safety services beginning at the time the software is ready for its intended use. In April 2005, we began developing enhancements to EXPeRT® which were necessary while an upgrade to EXPeRT® (EXPeRT® 2) was being developed. EXPeRT® 2 was placed into production in January 2007. Beginning in January 2007, additional capitalizable development costs of EXPeRT® 2 were incurred to develop new functionalities of and enhancements to EXPeRT® 2. In addition to the $2.7 million capitalized in the six months ended June 30, 2007, we expect to spend approximately $0.8 million for capitalizable development costs during the balance of 2007.
     In the first quarter of 2006, we began development of a data warehouse that enables centralized capture of cardiac safety data and the ability to integrate with the Food and Drug Administration’s ECG data warehouse. The data warehouse was placed into production in January 2007.
     In the second quarter of 2007, we announced that we are launching a new line of business focused on electronic patient reported outcomes (EXPeRT® ePRO™) and entered into a long-term strategic relationship with Healthcare Technology Systems, Inc. (HTS), a leading authority in the research, development and validation of computer administered clinical rating instruments. The strategic relationship includes the exclusive licensing (subject to one pre-existing license agreement) of 57 IVR clinical assessments offered by HTS along with HTS’s IVR system. We are completing validation of the IVR system and expect to place the system into production by the end of 2007. As of June 30, 2007, we paid HTS $1.5 million for the licensing and a $0.25 million advanced payment against future royalties. Royalty payments will be made to HTS based on the level of revenues received from the assessments and the IVR system. An additional $0.75 million of royalty payments are guaranteed, and will be made in two payments –the later of (i) 12 months from the date of the first EXPeRT® ePRO™ sale and (ii) when the system is validated, and 6 months after this date. Any royalties earned by HTS will be applied against these payments. After these two payments are made, all future payments to HTS will be solely based on royalty payments based on revenues received from EXPeRT® ePRO™ sales.

25


Table of Contents

     The following table presents the internal-use software costs and related amortization as of June 30, 2007 (in thousands):
                                             
                Related     Total              
        Labor and     Direct Costs     Capitalized     Monthly     Accumulated  
    Amortization Period   Consulting     Of Materials     Costs     Amortization     Amortization  
EXPeRT® enhancements
  October 2005-September 2007     463             463       20       405  
 
                                           
Semi-automated ECG processing software
                                           
Initial costs
  February 2004-January 2008     449       361       810       17       692  
Enhancements
  October 2004-September 2008     380             380       8       262  
Additional enhancements
  April 2005-March 2009     376             376       8       211  
 
                                           
EXPeRT® 2
                                           
Initial costs
  January 2007-December 2011     9,412       1,139       10,551       176       1,055  
Enhancements
  To be determined     1,010             1,010              
 
                                           
Data warehouse
  January 2007-December 2011     722             722       12       72  
 
                                           
ePRO™
  To be determined           1,658       1,658              
 
                                           
 
                                 
Total
      $ 12,812     $ 3,158     $ 15,970     $ 241     $ 2,697  
 
                                 
     For the six months ended June 30, 2007, our financing activities provided cash of $0.9 million compared to a use of cash of $1.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. The change was primarily the result of the purchase of $5.8 million of common stock under our stock buy-back program in the first quarter of 2006. There was no purchase under the stock buy-back program in the first six months of 2007. Partially offsetting the impact of this change was a reduction in the tax benefits related to stock option exercises of $1.8 million and $1.1 million of repayments of capital lease obligations related to the agreement to purchase our leased cardiac safety equipment as discussed below.
     We have a line of credit arrangement with Wachovia Bank, National Association totaling $3.0 million. To date, we have not borrowed any amounts under our line of credit. As of June 30, 2007, we had outstanding letters of credit of $0.5 million, which reduced our available borrowings under the line of credit to $2.5 million.
     During the first quarter of 2007, we entered into an agreement to purchase all of our leased cardiac safety equipment at an established price at the end of each lease schedule’s term. As a result, in addition to the scheduled minimum lease payments, we will pay $0.7 and $0.5 million in 2007 and 2008, respectively, to purchase the equipment.
     We have a commitment to purchase approximately $6.2 million of private label cardiac safety equipment from a manufacturer over the twelve-month period that ended in July 2007. This cardiac safety equipment was purchased in the normal course of business and thus did not represent a significant commitment above our expected purchases of ECG equipment during that period. As of June 30, 2007, approximately $5.3 million of equipment had been purchased under the commitment and the balance of the commitment was purchased subsequent to June 30, 2007.
     We expect that existing cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our foreseeable cash needs for at least the next year. However, there may be acquisition and other growth opportunities that require additional external financing and we may from time to time seek to obtain additional funds from the public or private issuances of equity or debt securities. There can be no assurance that any such acquisitions will occur or that such financings will be available or available on terms acceptable to us.
     In the second quarter of 2005, the stock buy-back program that was originally announced in April 2004 and extended to 2,500,000 shares in October 2004 was extended by an additional 10,000,000 shares to a total of 12,500,000 shares. The purchase of the remaining shares authorized could require us to use a significant portion of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments and could also require us to seek additional external financing. The stock buy-back authorization allows us, but does not require us, to purchase the authorized shares. During the six months ended June 30, 2006, we purchased 400,000 shares of our common stock at a cost of $5.8 million. No shares were purchased during the six months ended June 30, 2007.

26


Table of Contents

Inflation
     We believe the effects of inflation and changing prices generally do not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
     Our primary financial market risks include fluctuations in interest rates and currency exchange rates.
Interest Rate Risk
     We generally place our investments in money market funds, municipal securities, bonds of government sponsored agencies, certificates of deposit with fixed rates with maturities of less than one year and A1P1 rated commercial bonds and paper. We actively manage our portfolio of cash equivalents and short-term investments, but in order to ensure liquidity, will only invest in instruments with high credit quality where a secondary market exists. We have not held and do not hold any derivatives related to our interest rate exposure. Due to the average maturity and conservative nature of our investment portfolio, a sudden change in interest rates would not have a material effect on the value of the portfolio. Management estimates that had the average yield of our investments decreased by 100 basis points, our interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2007 would have decreased by approximately $0.3 million. This estimate assumes that the decrease occurred on the first day of 2007 and reduced the yield of each investment by 100 basis points. The impact on interest income of future changes in investment yields will depend largely on the gross amount of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Foreign Currency Risk
     We operate on a global basis from locations in the United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (UK). All international net revenues and expenses are billed or incurred in either U.S. dollars or pounds sterling. As such, we face exposure to adverse movements in the exchange rate of the pound sterling. As the currency rate changes, translation of the statement of operations of our UK subsidiary from the local currency to U.S. dollars affects year-to-year comparability of operating results. We do not hedge translation risks because any cash flows from UK operations are generally reinvested in the UK.
     Management estimates that a 10% change in the exchange rate of the pound sterling would have impacted the reported operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2007 by approximately $0.2 million.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
     We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report were designed and functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company (including our consolidated subsidiaries) in the reports we file with or submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2007 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

27


Table of Contents

Part II. Other Information
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
     We held our Annual Meeting of Stockholders on April 26, 2007. The matters submitted to the stockholders for vote were the election of three directors to each serve a three-year term until 2010, the approval and adoption of an Amended and Restated 2003 Equity Incentive Plan and ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accountants for the year ending December 31, 2007.
     At the meeting, the stockholders elected Sheldon M. Bonovitz, Gerald A. Faich, MD, MPH and Elam M. Hitchner to the Board of Directors. Mr. Bonovitz was elected with 41,914,157 shares voted for the election, or 83.4% of the 50,229,832 shares outstanding and eligible to vote, with 4,622,755 shares withholding the authority to vote for such election. Dr. Faich was elected with 46,015,907 shares voted for the election, or 91.6% of the shares outstanding and eligible to vote, with 521,005 shares withholding the authority to vote for such election. Mr. Hitchner was elected with 45,768,921 shares voted for the election, or 91.1% of the shares outstanding and eligible to vote, with 767,991 shares withholding the authority to vote for such election. With the election of the three directors, they joined David D. Gathman, Michael J. McKelvey, Ph.D, Joel Morganroth, MD, John H. Park, Stephen S. Phillips and Stephen M. Scheppmann as our directors.
     The stockholders also approved and adopted an Amended and Restated 2003 Equity Incentive Plan with 32,971,393 shares voted for ratification, or 65.6% of the shares outstanding and eligible to vote, with 1,154,739 shares voted against ratification and 89,904 shares abstained.
     In addition, the stockholders ratified the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accountants for 2007 with 46,268,763 shares voted for ratification, or 92.1% of the shares outstanding and eligible to vote, with 238,208 shares voted against ratification and 29,683 shares abstained.
Item 6. Exhibits
             
 
    31.1     Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
 
           
 
    31.2     Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
 
           
 
    32.1     Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
 
           
 
    32.2     Statement of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

28


Table of Contents

Signatures
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
             
 
          eResearchTechnology, Inc.
 
          (Registrant)
 
           
Date:
  August 6, 2007   By:   /s/ Michael J. McKelvey
 
           
 
           
 
          Michael J. McKelvey
President and Chief Executive Officer,
Director (Principal executive officer)
 
           
Date:
  August 6, 2007   By:   /s/ Richard A. Baron
 
           
 
           
 
          Richard A. Baron
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Secretary (Principal financial and accounting officer)

29


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX
     
Exhibit No.   Exhibit
31.1
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
 
   
31.2
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
 
   
32.1
  Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
 
   
32.2
  Statement of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 1350 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

30