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IRIDEX Corporation (IRIX) Q4 2011 Earnings Report, Transcript and Summary

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IRIDEX Corporation (IRIX)

Q4 2011 Earnings Call· Thu, Mar 1, 2012

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IRIDEX Corporation Q4 2011 Earnings Call Key Takeaways

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IRIDEX Corporation Q4 2011 Earnings Call Transcript

Operator

Operator

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for standing by. Welcome to the 4Q11 earnings release conference call. [Operator Instructions] This conference is being recorded today, Thursday, March 1, 2012. I would now like to turn the conference over to Dominik Beck. Please go ahead, sir.

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Welcome to IRIDEX Corporation's Fourth Quarter 2011 Conference Call. I am Dominik Beck, President and Chief Executive Officer. I am joined by Jim Mackaness, our CFO. Before we get started, Susan Bruce, our Executive Administrator, will read the required Safe Harbor statement and then I will begin with a recap of our progress to date and an outline of the good things we see ahead of us. Susan?

Susan Bruce

Analyst

This conference call will contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, relating to the company's growth strategy including acquisition technology investments, and the strategic relationship, global and domestic market conditions, healthcare spending, market direction and trend, product demand and market acceptance of new products, gross margins, operating expense control, and the company's 2012 financial outlook. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. Please see a detailed description of these and other risks contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2011, and the quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for this quarterly period ended April 2, 2011, July 2, 2011, and October 1, 2011, each of which are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements contained in this conference call are made as of this date and will not be updated.

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Thank you, Susan. On the last quarter's call, I had just arrived at the company. Since that time, I have been able to spend a large part of my time with employees, customers, partners and suppliers in an effort to get a read on where we need to improve our services and focus our efforts. While that work has never completed, the past weeks and months had been valuable in validating and refining our strategic plans. And most importantly, we executed on a number of key elements. Specifically, by selling our Aesthetics Laser business, we can now focus solely on our ophthalmology business. By entering into a distribution agreement with Alcon, we have taken the next big step in making consumable products a key part of our growth plan. And since the American Academy of Ophthalmology, when we first introduced MicroPulse as an upcharge option for all our laser platforms, we have fast-growing affirmation that vision-preserving MicroPulse laser therapy is the way of the future beyond treatment of diabetic macular edema. It makes more economic sense to healthcare systems, it is more profitable for physicians and healthcare providers, and it has improved clinical outcomes for the patient compared to the current standard care. We now have 10 year data and a pronouncement from the UK's National institute of Health and Clinical Excellence to support our assertion. With those initiatives behind us, it is time to focus solely on growth and efficiency. And I will begin to outline those plans today and will continue to drive those 2 areas as essential focus of IRIDEX. This afternoon we presented the fourth quarter results for our continuing ophthalmology business. Before reviewing those results, I want to spend a moment explaining our rationale for the sale of our Aesthetics business. As you can see from the results, the Aesthetics business was a contributing asset, but the contribution was diminishing over time because we were keeping investment in this business to a minimum for a number of years. To maximize the revenue potential of the product portfolio, we would have needed to make significant investments in both market and product development. Strategically, I thought this would take our company in the wrong direction and so the timing was right to find a befitting home for the product portfolio and the associated employees. Finally, a potentially flattered declining Aesthetics business would have mass growth in our core ophthalmology as our new initiatives kick in and we believe that an increasing top line is key in growing shareholder interest and participation. We see Cutera as a perfect home and we are pleased to have executed this transaction that is specifically true for our Aesthetic customers, as I am convinced that they will continue to experience excellent product and service delivered by Cutera. I would like to thank all our Aesthetics employees for the contributions over the last couple of years and the support and the smooth transition. Even though the Aesthetics field closed in February 12, in accordance with accounting guidance, we have reported our financial results for our continuing Ophthalmology business, which gives investive clarity on the business as it stands now and I will focus my comments on our Ophthalmology performance for the fourth quarter and for the year 2011 and Jim will go into more details later on. Revenue for the fourth quarter 2011 were $8.6 million, down 5% from $9 million for the fourth quarter 2010. In Q4 2011, we saw a very strong domestic equipment sales, as some of our targeting marketing programs kicked in and we have $200,000 of international sales per show [ph] due to delay in registration. Our recurring revenue were flat compared to the prior year. However, we are looking forward to our relationship with Alcon having a positive impact of these revenues in, 2012. Overall, a mix performance for the quarter but many reasons to look forward to a positive year of growth in 2012. For the year, our revenues were up $33.2 million compared to $32.3 million in 2010. But this was below our expectations. We will be rolling out marketing programs and introducing new products in, 2012 to drive increased revenue growth in, 2012. And I will return to this topic in my closing remarks. When we presented to investors price through divestiture of Aesthetics business, we indicated that we believe that gross margins would improve, presuming the Aesthetics business were sold. And I am pleased to announce that our gross margins have taken a step up. Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2011 was 49.6%, compared to 49.4% for 2010. And gross margin for the year 2011 was 49.1%, compared to 50.1% in 2010. One of the items that I have identified to move the company forward and generate higher gross margin is a lean manufacturing initiative. We intend to move forward that initiative immediately. I believe that with lean manufacturing, we can remove costs from our manufacturing processes, which will move our gross margins above 50%. It is also worth noting that our gross margin is 50% with 25% less revenue flowing through the factory as a result of the sale of Aesthetics business. As we see revenues grow, we should experience improved margins due to increased overhead efficiencies. We did invest more in research and development and marketing in the fourth quarter to accelerate certain product development programs and to drive customer adoption of MicroPulse. And we benefited from receiving the upfront payment from Alcon that was part of our distribution licensing agreement. Without the Alcon payment, our operating expenses were $4.4 million. With a plan to continue our investments in R&D, marketing and sales, $4.4 million is indicative of what we are targeting for an average quarterly investment in operating expenses going forward. For 2012, our goal is to generate our fourth consecutive year of profits. Although the first quarter 2012 may be around breakeven. Let me spend a minute describing the Alcon deal because we see that as a good win for our consumable strategy. As part of the RetinaLabs acquisition, we completed in April 2010, we acquired certain products and patents. One was a GreenTip Soft Tip Cannula. A cannula is used during a vitrectomy when an approximately 6% of the cases of gas fluid exchange performance procedure is performed. A soft tip is used for the removal of intraocular fluids and is green for better visualization and safety. These are the logical product addition to our EndoProbe line of product that are also used in the same procedure. Alcon is a dominant force in the vitrectomy surgery suite, and by joining forces with them, we have generated substantial new revenue opportunities. This one simple product, with an ASP of less than $20 has a possibility of contributing more than $1 million in sales annually. We continue to work on the other product and IP we acquired from RetinaLabs and intend to launch related products in 2012. We will also explore other opportunities to work together with Alcon in the consumable side of the business. The other 2 pieces of news that highlighted the quarter positively impact our MicroPulse initiative. As many of you are aware, the company pioneered a vision preserving laser therapy for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy using our MicroPulse technology. With the recent publication of the seminal study by Dr. Latrell, we now have 10 year data supporting the effectiveness and safety of MicroPulse. In addition, there is growing global sentiment that physicians and health care system need to find more cost-effective ways to treat an ever-increasing population of patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy. In the U.K. the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence has rejected the use of Lucentis in favor of conventional laser photocoagulation. We see this trend only becoming stronger as the benefit of vision preserving laser therapy over conventional laser photocoagulation become more widely accepted. So now, I will turn the call over to Jim to go over more of the details of our financial results. And then I will have a few you concluding remarks. Jim?

James Mackaness

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Thanks, Dominik. As Dominik mentioned, you will notice that we presented our fourth quarter results from our continuing Ophthalmology business. I want to draw your attention to the fact we did include a supplemental schedule in the press release for your reference showing the results of our continuing Ophthalmology business for all 4 quarters of 2011 and for the year 2011. Turning back to this quarter, revenues for the fourth quarter 2011 from continuing ophthalmology operations were $8.6 million up 4% from $8.3 million from Q3, but down 5% from $9.0 million reported for the fourth quarter 2010. Our recurring revenues were $4.1 million representing 47.6% of October revenues. This was up $0.2 million sequentially from Q3 and level with the $4.1 million reported in Q4 2010. Gross margins have reset as a result of carving of our Aesthetics business. Gross margins for Q4 2011 was 49.6%, improved from 48.3% for Q3 2011 and from 49.4% for Q4 2010. Operating expenses, including the credit for Alcon were $3.1 million, adding back the Alcon impact, the expenses were $4.4 million. Operating expenses were $3.7 million for Q3 and $3.9 million for Q4 2010. We added 2 key employees with the Ocunetics acquisition, focused on marketing and product development. We do traditionally have higher expenses in our fourth quarter due to our attendance with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, which occurred in October. We use this event as an opportunity to invest in additional sales collateral and marketing programs in support of the launch of MicroPulse on our green laser platform, and we accelerated certain product development program. In addition to the $1.3 million credit to operating expense for the Alcon agreement, we also recorded $0.3 million of other expense because we increased the amount of the earn out we anticipate paying RetinaLabs as a result of the deal. Taking all of these into consideration, our income from continued operations was $0.8 million for the fourth quarter or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to $0.3 million or $0.02 per diluted share for Q3 and $0.2 million or $0.02 for Q4 2010. For the year, revenues were up 2.6% or $33.2 million from $32.3 million. Recurring revenues were $16.2 million for both 2011 and 2010. Gross margin was 49.1% compared to 50.1% and operating expenses, excluding the impact of Alcon, was $15.6 million compared to $15.0 million. Income from continued operations were $2.1 million or $0.21 per diluted share for 2011 compared with $1.7 million or $0.16 per diluted share. Looking to the first quarter of fiscal 2012. Historically, the company has provided quarterly revenue, margin, operating expense guidance for the coming 3-month period. We intend to continue that practice in the future. However, given the complexity surrounding the closing of the sale of the Aesthetics business and related organizational changes in the first quarter, providing an accurate assessment of margin and operating expense is not possible at this time. Revenues are expected to be in the range of $8.5 million to $8.8 million. In closing, with the Alcon deal, we ended the year with $10.8 million in cash. The sale of the Aesthetics business in Q1 2012 is added to our cash balance. It is our intention to use our cash position to return value to our shareholders both through possible acquisition and through purchasing our own shares if we feel the price is below what management believes to be the intrinsic value of the company. The company continues to execute its share repurchase program. Although we are limited by SEC regulation in how active we can be in the market. Since the beginning of 2011, approximately 168,000 shares have been repurchased at an average price of $3.86. Yesterday, the Board of Directors approved an extension of the company's shares repurchase program through May 2013 and an increase in the amount of cash available for the program to a total of $4 million. And with that, I'll turn the call back over to Dominik.

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Thank you, Jim. I am excited by the opportunity that we have. Our target markets of retinal diseases primarily diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma, are large growing markets demanding improvements in the therapy, improvement in the clinical outcomes of the patience and improvement in efficiencies and cost savings of the physicians, as well as improvements in the overall costs to healthcare systems. The company's focus is to leverage the existing product portfolio through targeted marketing programs and to introduce product line extensions to capture more share in these markets, while working determined on the paradigm shift that MicroPulse brings to laser therapy. As we expand our market focus to include comprehensive and glaucoma specialist, we are all -- we're also enlarging our total addressable market opportunity by threefold. Let me briefly address how we are simulating growth in probe sales going forward. As we speak, we are developing new sales programs which will be put in place in the short term designed to leverage our key product discriminators in both the OR and ASC. For those programs and our program with Alcon, we're determined to defend our market share and gain additional momentum in consumable probe sales in the near term, while at the same time addressing our market manufacturing capabilities to drive better margin. These internal efforts will be supplemented by additional Business Development activities. We have concluded 2 acquisitions, one sale and one distribution alliance for the last 2 years and intend to remain active in this area. In summary, our goal is to grow the company as a pure player in ophthalmology and increase shareholder value by rolling out a steady stream of new products and services while implementing internal programs to improve efficiencies and productivity. Success for us will be to grow revenues to above $50 million by the end of 2014, with gross margins larger than 55% and an income before taxes of about 15%. I will now open the lines up for questions. Operator?

Operator

Operator

[Operator Instructions] Our first question comes from the line of Larry Haimovitch.

Larry Haimovitch

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

Dominik, you referenced manufacturing changes or cost potentials, could you discuss that a little more?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

I can give you an example. If you look at our current probe manufacturing, we touch those probes with in and out of the factory about 4 to 5 times too often. So by reducing those touches, we will eventually enhance our efficiency and productivity, reduce our cost and therefore grow our margin.

Larry Haimovitch

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

And so I'm assuming there are some studies and initiatives underway to figure out the best way to do that?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

It is correct, yes.

Larry Haimovitch

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

Okay. And then right at the end of the call, you mentioned something which I thought was very interesting that concern your goals for, I think it was for 2014?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Right.

Larry Haimovitch

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

Was it $50 million in revenue?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

This is correct. Target is beyond $50 million, 5-0 million in 2014.

Larry Haimovitch

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

Okay. And then but I think it was 15% net after taxes?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Before taxes.

Larry Haimovitch

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

Okay. So a 15% pretax margin?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Correct.

Larry Haimovitch

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

Okay. So that would imply growing roughly 50% in the next 3 years it's accumulatively. That -- so roughly being the company being 50% larger in 2014 versus 2011, if my math is correct?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Yes.

Larry Haimovitch

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

Okay. And does that include the benefit of acquisitions? Or is that all internal growth?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

It has both components included, but predominantly internal growth.

Larry Haimovitch

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

Okay, fair enough. And then question both for you or Jim, I guess. On the repurchase, $4 million repurchase has been authorized by the Board, that would be about 1 million shares, at current -- roughly current prices and -- but I'm assuming, Jim, that you couldn't get anywhere near doing 1 million shares this year unless the trading volume significantly ticked up?

James Mackaness

Analyst · Richard Lynn

That's correct. Until we are able to take blocks.

Larry Haimovitch

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

You are. Okay. And then finally Jim, with the closing of the Cutera deal, my understanding was that there would be a fairly significant tax loss carry forward that you could employ now that, that asset has been disposed of? Do you have any more detail on that?

James Mackaness

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Yes, and we're still refining it. But to your point, we had created in the past an intangible tax asset of about $7 million. And as a result of the disposal, that will effectively rollover to be a net operating loss. So the advantage is that we would be able to use it for cash tax purposes for about - to shelter 100%.

Larry Haimovitch

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

So are you saying the net credit is -- net tax loss credit for future use is only $7 million? Because that -- my understanding was it was going to be in the mid to high teens?

James Mackaness

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Well, mid to high teens in the sense of the amount of income if you like. The actual cash benefit. Tax affects that.

Larry Haimovitch

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

Okay. So your tax is affecting the benefit? So the pretax benefit is what, something in the high teens then?

James Mackaness

Analyst · Richard Lynn

$15 million.

Operator

Operator

Our next question comes from the line of Greg Cole [ph].

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Couple of quick questions. First, were the legal expenses related to Cutera buying the Aesthetics unit -- are those in discontinuing operations?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

The direct legal costs, yes, they're included in the discontinued ops line.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay. So there's no -- there are no onetime items in quarter four that are kind of skewing anything in one direction other than the Alcon settlement or payment?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Correct to that, yes.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay. And -- all right. So I guess -- or can you give me a little bit of an idea of, kind of a, cost from switching over to a little bit more than lean manufacturing in I guess these first couple quarters and, I guess, how long you expect that transition to take?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Some of the programs will have immediate impact, however the extent of the impact is very difficult to calculate at that point. As I point out, I believe we will move beyond the 50% margin through those plans within this year. Their impact however is sustained. So year-by-year we'll have the benefit of those plans eventually and they will grow in size as well. To give you an idea initially, we will target more our disposable and consumable product line and eventually we will look into our console manufacturing as well.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay. And so with the consumable, I assume that's different than your systems which are a lot of that is outsourced and then you compile it. Do you do pretty much all of the consumables internally?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

No. There is actually a large amount of the value created outside IRIDEX's doors, at this point. Part of the lean program is to identify what additional value can be either brought in or brought under control.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay. All right. And I guess from what I'm looking at kind of the capital equipment market. There seems like there was a lot of spending in December to try and meet a tax deadline. And you mentioned that U.S. sales were pretty strong internally. Is there -- I guess do you -- did you see that? And did you see that kind of weakening in this first quarter?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

The $71 -- $79 million tax, is -- was a very strong closing tool in the year end. So far, we have just seen a little bit of an impact eventually on Q1 on that. Nothing to worry about on our end.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay. So it wasn't that big of an impact, but just a small, a little bit? Okay. All right. And then with the consume -- the recurring revenue, I think you mentioned it was $4.1 million and I think it was $3.9 million last quarter. Is most of that increase from Alcon? Or was there -- I guess can you -- from organically, can you talk a little bit about the changes there?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

There was a little bit of impact from Alcon, not much doesn't really come on stream until this quarter. So the rest was just the regular set of ebbs and flows that we see. We do often see international because it goes through distribution, tends to buy in bulk, so the timing of particular distribution orders can improve things back support. But it was up, but I don't know that it's indicative necessarily of specific items other than just timing.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay. So that, I guess -- so do you see a lot of that the million dollars potentially in -- is that for this year?

James Mackaness

Analyst · Richard Lynn

It should play up through 2012, correct.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay. So do you see that more in the back half -- than the next quarter or 2?

James Mackaness

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Well, we'll see how it plays out. We think it should come on stream pretty quickly.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay. And I guess, do you have the manufacturing capability to, I guess to fully handle them yet?

James Mackaness

Analyst · Richard Lynn

The way the deal was structured is the initial deal calls for a royalty. And then there's a transition to IRIDEX branded GreenTips as we come up to production capacity. So that's the thing that may just have a timing on how the revenue flows in. But we will be receiving royalties in the get-go.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay. And just as a quick question on the, I guess, their royalty payment. Was that taxable? I was just trying to see if there's anything kind of effecting the tax rate and going forward with that, should that stay around 13% or so?

James Mackaness

Analyst · Richard Lynn

It is taxable income. The tax for us gets a little -- Larry touched this growth, it's going to get a little bit interesting as we're through. So where we were in 2011 was we would be if you like in the P&L we have 2 impacts. We had a regular tax rate that we've been mitigated by a reduction in the valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets, so you saw a net 13% in the P&L. Going into 2012, as Larry identified as well, we anticipate that a large part of that deferred tax asset now becomes a net operating loss. So the moment I'm thinking is the fact that on a cash tax payment for federal, we may be able to get to effect a zero payment. While we're able to maintain the valuation allowance against that, as we grow the tax -- deferred tax asset down our P&L rate will similarly benefit. So going into next year we could be -- we should have a low tax rate in the P&L and it may be as low as 0. But we’re still working through all the permutations.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay. All right. And I guess can you talk a little bit about, I guess, how well you've been received with the, I guess, with your green laser -- or sorry your yellow laser, what's the most recent one to come out?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

We have seen an increase in yellow laser sales, although we do not go into detail there, we see that retina physician quite like the idea. And specifically off the combine in MicroPulse, we have had quite a few successes here and we see a growth in our yellow sales.

Operator

Operator

Our next question comes from the line of Richard Lynn.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Couple of clarifying questions and a one more broad question. So on -- first of all, I really appreciate you giving a 2014 guidance, that's very much appreciated. Is that a run rate at the end of 2014? Or your number for the end of calendar year? Or the beginning run rate of 2014? Can you just clarify those?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

I think that's a year-end number.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay, a year end number. So at the end of 2014, in terms of run rate, it should be somewhat higher than what you're guiding to that, is that fair?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Yes.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay. And then on the buyback, you said $4 million, is that additional $4 million or have some of that been spent in the past?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Some of that has been spent. So we will try -- we originally announced the plan as of May of this year -- 2011. And it was a $2 million authorization. And the Board approved up to $4 million. We have bought probably under the plan itself, something in the order of 90,000 shares. So 90 x 4 will get you the number of dollars we spent out already.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay. But it sounds like you -- a big bulk of that you still can spend?

James Mackaness

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Correct. Yes.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay. And then on the operating expenses you announced it was $3.7 million a few quarter ago, $4.4 million last quarter, what's the right number to model for the next couple of quarters, assuming -- now that you don't have the conference and stuff? Can you give us some guidance on that?

James Mackaness

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Well, we don't want to get into too much specific guidance, but we said, we kind of anticipate, and we do want to keep those investments in R&D and marketing and sales to some extent going forward. So for us, somewhere in the getting towards the $4.4 million would not be unreasonable on average. It's going to move quarter-to-quarter, as you said sometimes you have sometimes you have AAO in your counter sometimes we have less marketing programs that will move in and around there. But just to give you some sort of feel of quantity, that's the way we're targeting on average.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay, great. And then the last question is more a general question on the MicroPulse. Is there any where -- way to -- or can you point to any metrics -- well, I guess first question is of your revenue, is there any way to know what percent is due to MicroPulse? And are there any metrics to kind of follow that adoption curve in the market floor at all? Or how you're doing in terms of that specific category?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

At this point there is none and we are not breaking that out either. And we might look at changing that approach in the future.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

All right. Would you be -- is it fair to say that is helping drive a lot of your assumptions going forward? Or what's really driving the organic growth, I guess in your mind? Or is it more of the Alcon kind of relationship?

James Mackaness

Analyst · Richard Lynn

There's multiple elements too, and MicroPulse is one important one of them. In terms of capital equipment sales, it's been eventually a metric that will somehow be tied into how we did with MicroPulse as well, because every MicroPulse unit will pull a new laser console through as well.

Operator

Operator

Our next question comes from the line of Stan Ennie [ph].

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

I'm trying to understand the -- in the future where we're going between -- is the growth really going to be in consumables or in a MicroPulse machine -- machinery units, in your opinion?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

That is both. And the consumable as we said, we want to grow our current 50% contribution of consumables to our top line to a more 60% number. So, therefore, it will participate a little bit faster in top line growth than capital equipment.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay. The Alcon deal, I know you probably can't talk about the size of the deal, but can you talk about the potential for the Alcon product distribution, what potential is out there, U.S. and outside U.S.?

James Mackaness

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Well, I think, perhaps to help you understand, we mentioned that we're currently -- we're just talking about the one real product, the GreenTip, and as Dominik referenced it, it goes for about a $20 ASP. We think that through the Alcon channel that we -- once we get up to full rate, expect the north of $1 million coming our way on an annual basis.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

$1 million. And that's the potential for them. Will you be selling that product?

James Mackaness

Analyst · Richard Lynn

We will sell IRIDEX branded GreenTips as well, yes, different skews, different sizes and different variations. That's the opportunities for platform extensions around that, sort of singular product that they are currently offering.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Do you think that sequential of the equivalent size, in your opinion, the potential?

James Mackaness

Analyst · Richard Lynn

It's hard for us to match Alcon's channel muscle. So we would -- I would anticipate that we would, success for us will be some discount off their number. But given that is, again, a relatively small straightforward piece of our overall product portfolio, we'll be very excited by that type of result.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay. A question on the Alcon. The yield that Alcon drove was -- were competitive Synergetics involved an upfront payment for the goods will save them once again or shift against it and supposedly deleted. Is your deal different than that with Alcon?

James Mackaness

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Yes. The payment you saw at Q4 was recognized for settlement due to historical items. No, there is no -- if you like, there's no balance sheet item for any prepayments. We're now just on a -- ultimately our goal is to -- it'll start up as a royalty, but the ultimate goal is for it to transition to a very classic distribution relationship where they would buy from us and sell through the distributor and they'd be buying an IRIDEX branded product.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay. [indiscernible] will be competing against you on your branded product?

James Mackaness

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Yes.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay. Second question, on consumables again, our consumable line, the potential and growth through 2014, is that going to be significant? What I'm trying to get at just you know is to understand is there going to be new consumables of a major contributor or our existing line of consumables sold in an improved marketing mode, et cetera?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

We see that this is probably also a 50-50 new consumables, that are currently on a drawing board or targeted to be on the drawing board. Some might be completely new. And we look at acquisition, this is definitely a target for us as well, but also any strategic alliance or distributor agreements consumables. And then there is internal growth of our current products that we see eventually grow as well. Maybe not at the same pace, but definitely growth in there.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay. Are consumables higher gross margin than machines?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

In general, yes.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

In general, yes. Okay, just a last question is, you talked about growing through acquisitions and product growth and the Alcon deal. Would you say that you could see acquisitions in the -- in this year, 2012, have you been looking -- can you give us a little more color on where you stand on acquisitions and size that you're looking at?

James Mackaness

Analyst · Richard Lynn

We do -- in terms of growth with Alcon, Alcon is opening doors for additional growth in the consumable fees, but just fast as Alcon. and in terms of acquisition targets, they're anywhere between IP and the low number, million number of sales of our revenue eventually. But in 2012, I do see that we focus on smaller tuck-ins.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Meaning several million is your smaller tuck-in?

James Mackaness

Analyst · Richard Lynn

At maximum.

Unknown Analyst

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Okay. And that would be for acquisitions that would add product sales?

James Mackaness

Analyst · Richard Lynn

That's correct. For several million, we would expect sales.

Operator

Operator

[Operator Instructions] We do have a follow-up question from the line of Larry Haimovitch.

Larry Haimovitch

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

I just wanted to follow up on Stan's questions and my earlier question. So I just did a little back of the envelope, and if my math is correct, and I'm not too terribly jet lagged, it looks like you're looking for roughly 14% compounded annual growth over the next 3 years, getting you to roughly $15 million. I don't know if that sort of fits with your Math, but that's kind of what I came up with just literally back of the envelope.

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

That's my number.

Larry Haimovitch

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

Okay, great. So as you well know, Dominik, although I know you haven't been on board a long time, as you well know that is considerably faster than the company has grown in the past. And I want to understand that a little bit more. I mean, would you want to give us a little more help in understanding how much you think comes out accelerating internal growth versus acquisitions? You touched on it a little bit with Stan. Any other color or any other thoughts on that would be helpful.

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

In the past, we guided that internal will be just above 10%, and that will continue to be so.

Larry Haimovitch

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

Well you haven't been growing really 10% recently have you?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

This is correct.

Larry Haimovitch

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

Okay. But you view the business as now, particularly with Aesthetics out of the way, as kind of a 10% growth on its own without any acquisitions?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

Correct.

Larry Haimovitch

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

Okay. And the difference between 14% and 10% thus would be the acquisition side?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

Correct.

Larry Haimovitch

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

Okay. So obviously you're very bullish that internally things can really, really pick up because you just haven't -- you have not been doing that recently?

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Larry Haimovitch

Without a doubt, Larry. I'm also very excited and convinced that we have a very good technology on hand that's now ready. And if we do execute in our commercialization plans as we build them up, I do see that 10% is achievable.

Operator

Operator

At this time, I show no further questions in the queue. You may continue with any closing remarks.

Dominik Beck

Analyst · Richard Lynn

Thank you for participating in this call and for your interest in IRIDEX. We look forward to sharing our progress with you at our next call. Goodbye.

Operator

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes the 4Q11 earnings release conference call. If you'd like to listen to a replay of this conference, please dial 1 (800) 406-7325 and enter the code 4517801. We would like to thank you for your participation, and you may now disconnect.