UPDATE 1-Auxilium posts wider-than-expected Q4 loss

* Q4 loss $0.29/shr wider than Street by 4 cents

* Sees 2009 revenue $150-$155 mln; below Street

Feb 18 (Reuters) - Auxilium Pharmaceuticals Inc (AUXL.O) posted a wider-than-expected quarterly loss, hurt by higher expenses, and forecast 2009 revenue below market estimates.

The company forecast 2009 revenue of $150 million to $155 million, and a net loss of $50 million to $55 million.

For the latest fourth quarter, the company posted a net loss of $12.1 million, compared with a loss of $11.9 million in the year-ago period.

Operating expenses for the quarter rose 16 percent to $47.2 million.

Shares of the company closed at $31.43 Tuesday on Nasdaq.

For the alerts, double-click [ID:nWNAB3821] (Reporting by Anand Basu in Bangalore; Editing by Pratish Narayanan)