Amortization expense was $0.6 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and $1.9 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. This expense was solely related to the amortization of Recro’s royalties and contract manufacturing relationships intangible asset over its estimated useful life.
Interest expense, net, was $2.1 million and $1.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and $6.1 million and $3.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increase in both periods was primarily due to the higher principal balance on the Athyrium senior secured term loan and amortization of the related financing costs, which was partially offset by a lower interest rate on the Athyrium senior secured term loan versus Recro’s previous loan with OrbiMed.
Income tax benefit was $2.4 million and $2.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related exclusively to our United States operations. The decrease of $0.4 million was primarily due to a reduction in our federal statutory income rate pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act offset in part by increased losses in the United States. Income tax benefit was $7.4 million and $4.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related exclusively to our U.S. operations. The increase of $2.6 million was primarily due to increased losses in the United States.
For the three months ended September 30, 2018, Recro reported a net loss of $13.3 million, or $0.64 diluted loss per share, compared to net loss of $9.1 million, or $0.48 diluted loss per share, for the comparable period in 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, Recro reported a net loss of $38.4 million, or $1.91 diluted loss per share, compared to net loss of $26.0 million, or $1.36 diluted loss per share, for the comparable period in 2017.
Financial Guidance
The Company is increasing its 2018 CDMO guidance and currently believes it will generate approximately $75 million in revenue taking into consideration existing contracts and timing of customer order patterns, as well as our experience with customer’s product market estimations.
Conference Call and Webcast
Recro Pharma management will be hosting a conference call and webcast today beginning at 8:00 a.m. ET. To access the conference call, please dial (844)243-4691 (local) or (225)283-0379 (international) at least 10 minutes prior to the start time and refer to conference ID 6186717. A webcast will be available in the investor relations section of the Company’s website, www.recropharma.com. A live audio webcast of the call will be available under “Events” in the Investor section of the Company’s website, https://ir.recropharma.com/events. An archived webcast will be available on the Company’s website approximately two hours after the event and will be available for 30 days.
About IV/IM Meloxicam
Meloxicam is a long-acting, preferentialCOX-2 inhibitor that possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities, which are believed to be related to the inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) and subsequent reduction in prostaglandin biosynthesis. IV meloxicam was designed using the NanoCrystal® platform, a technology that enables enhanced bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drug compounds. NanoCrystal® is a registered trademark of Alkermes Pharma Ireland Limited (APIL).