The Morrisville company reported $2.3 million in profit for the three months ended March 31, down from $3.8 million a year ago, excluding one-time charges and payments.

Revenue from Fuzeon sales decreased nearly 36 percent to $5.6 million. Trimeris co-developed Fuzeon with its Swiss partner Roche, which also manufactures and markets the drug.

The partners share the profits from Fuzeon sales in North America. Trimeris receives royalties on Fuzeon sales elsewhere.

The company has gone through several rounds of layoffs in the past 18 months and now employs about 10.

As part of the quarterly earnings report today, Trimeris also announced a special cash dividend of $1.50 per share. The dividend payments will reduce the company's $80 million in cash reserves by $33 million.

Trimeris reported that it has plans to return up to $50 million to shareholders by the end of the year.

The company reported earnings after the market closed. Shares closed at $6.98 Thursday, down 1 cent.