Stellar Biotechnologies Reports First Quarter 2015 Financial Results


PORT HUENEME, CA--(Marketwired - Feb 9, 2015) - Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. ("Stellar" or "the Company") (OTCQB: SBOTF) (TSX VENTURE: KLH), the leader in sustainable manufacture of Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin ("KLH"), an important immune-stimulating protein used in wide-ranging immunotherapeutic markets, announced financial results for the first quarter period ended December 31, 2014.

"Our first quarter results demonstrate the positive impact of Stellar's sustained efforts on the commercial growth of our core KLH business," said Frank Oakes, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stellar Biotechnologies. "The increase in product sales, together with careful management of resources and projects, contributed to Stellar's continued strong financial position."

First Quarter Ended December 31, 2014 Results:

  • Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of December 31, 2014 were $12,763,533, compared to $13,769,953 at fiscal year-end September 30, 2014. Net cash used in operating activities for the first quarter of 2015 was $1,285,544, compared to $1,086,888 for the same period in the prior year. The Company believes current cash will be sufficient to meet estimated working capital requirements and fund planned program development through 2015. 

  • As of December 31, 2014, Stellar had positive shareholders' equity of $9,236,842 and approximately 79.5 million shares outstanding, compared to shareholders' equity of $10,464,735 and approximately 79.4 million shares outstanding at September 30, 2014.

  • Revenues: Revenues were $212,661 for the three months ended December 31, 2014, compared to $58,825 for the three months ended December 31, 2013. First quarter revenues included product sales of $152,661, compared to $16,085 for the same period in the prior year. The increase in product sales was due to an increase in customers and associated greater product sales volume. First quarter contract services revenue increased to $60,000, compared to $15,000 the prior year, the result of new services performed under a collaboration agreement entered into mid-December 2013.

  • R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $418,821 for the first quarter ended December 31, 2014, compared to $548,225 for the same period in the prior year. The decrease in R&D expense was a result of the decreased use of contract research organizations due to a realignment of our focus from internal research and process development to manufacturing our Stellar KLH™ products in response to increased demand. 

  • Other Operating Expenses: Other operating expenses, which include cost of revenues and general and administration, totaled $1,119,254 for the first quarter ended December 31, 2014, compared to $1,206,207 for the same period in 2013. This decrease from the prior period was due to the decrease in general and administration expenses caused by the net impact of increased corporate development expenses related to our transition to complying with Exchange Act disclosure and reporting requirements as a U.S. domestic issuer rather than a foreign private issuer, offset by certain decreases in share-based compensation. Share-based compensation is allocated to all expense types; however, the greatest portion of the expenses is recorded as general and administration expenses. Share-based compensation was recorded as $86,865 for the three months ended December 31, 2014, which was a decrease from share-based compensation of $468,717 recorded for the same period in the prior year. The fluctuations in share-based compensation relate to the timing of the grant of stock options, changes in our share price that affect the valuation model and the vesting of options granted in prior years.

  • Net Loss: Net loss for the period was $1,343,477, or ($0.02) per basic share for the period ending December 31, 2014, compared to a net loss of $5,577,190, or ($0.08) per basic share, for the period ending December 31, 2013. The decreased loss in the first quarter was primarily affected by noncash changes in fair value of warrant liability. These gains and losses occur in inverse relation to changes in our share price that affect the valuation model for warrant liability. Increases and decreases in fair value of warrant liability have no impact on cash flow. If the warrants are exercised, the warrant liability is reclassified to share capital. If the warrants expire, the decrease in warrant liability offsets the changes in fair value.

Change in Fiscal Year End:

In June 2014, Stellar's Board of Directors approved a change in the Company's fiscal year end from August 31 to September 30 of each year. As a result of the change, the Company had a one month transition period in September 2014. The unaudited results for the one month ended September 30, 2014 were included in this first quarter report.

"This change synchronizes the Company's annual and quarterly filings with calendar quarters, thereby providing shareholders with more practical reporting and improving the efficiency of the Company's operational reconciliations. This is part of our continued maturation as a public company and our commitment to increase transparency and strengthen the Company's financial reporting," stated Mr. Oakes. 

Stellar Biotechnologies anticipates filing its Form 10-Q for the period ending December 31, 2014 with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Monday, February 9, 2015. To view the Company's filings under Form 20-F, Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, please visit the U.S. SEC website (www.sec.gov). To view the Company's filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators ("CSA"), including the Management Discussion and Analysis and related consolidated financial statements, please visit the CSA's SEDAR website (www.sedar.com).

About Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc.

Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. (OTCQB: SBOTF) (TSX VENTURE: KLH) is the leader in sustainable manufacture of Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH), an important immune-stimulating protein used in wide-ranging therapeutic and diagnostic markets. KLH is both an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in many new immunotherapies (targeting cancer, immune disorders, Alzheimer's and inflammatory diseases) as well as a finished product for measuring immune status. Stellar Biotechnologies is unique in its proprietary methods, facilities, and KLH technology. We are committed to meeting the growing demand for commercial-scale supplies of GMP grade KLH, ensuring environmentally sound KLH production, and developing KLH-based active immunotherapies.

Visit www.stellarbiotech.com and the KLH knowledge base www.klhsite.org.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "might," "potential," or "continue" and variations or similar expressions. Readers should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of future performance. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as all such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results or future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but may not be limited to: general economic and business conditions; technology changes; competition; changes in strategy or development plans; governmental regulations and the ability or failure to comply with governmental regulations; the timing of anticipated results; and other factors referenced in the Company's filings with securities regulators. For a discussion of further risks and uncertainties related to the Company's business, please refer to the Company's public company reports filed with the TSX Venture Exchange and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and are subject to change. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update such statements. This press release does not constitute an offer or solicitation of an offer for sale of any securities in any jurisdiction, including the United States. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the information contained in this press release.

 
Condensed Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
             
    December 31,   September 30,   August 31,
    2014   2014   2014
                   
Assets:                  
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 12,763,533   $ 13,769,953   $ 13,427,404
  Other current assets     256,706     653,522     643,266
  Noncurrent assets     405,554     404,240     403,292
                   
    Total Assets   $ 13,425,793   $ 14,827,715   $ 14,473,962
                   
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity                  
  Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred revenue   $ 637,241   $ 671,714   $ 541,626
  Warrant liability, including current portion     3,551,710     3,691,266     6,231,703
  Shareholders' equity     9,236,842     10,464,735     7,700,633
                   
    Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity   $ 13,425,793   $ 14,827,715   $ 14,473,962
                   
                   
                   
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations  
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)  
             
    Three Months Ended     One Month Ended  
    December 31,     December 31,     September 30,  
    2014     2013     2014  
                         
Revenues:                        
  Contract services revenue   $ 60,000     $ 15,000     $ 20,000  
  Product sales     152,661       16,085       32,786  
  Grant revenue     -       27,740       -  
                         
    Total Revenues     212,661       58,825       52,786  
                         
Expenses:                        
  Costs of revenues     177,101       185,077       33,699  
  Research and development     418,821       548,225       178,280  
  General and administration     942,153       1,021,130       293,130  
                         
    Total Expenses     1,538,075       1,754,432       505,109  
                         
Other Income (Loss):                        
  Foreign exchange gain (loss)     (161,112 )     (16,508 )     (97,866 )
  Increase (decrease) in fair value of warrant liability     139,556       (3,880,195 )     1,680,040  
  Other income     13,293       15,920       1,853  
                         
Income tax expense     9,800       800       3,800  
                         
Net Income (Loss)   $ (1,343,477 )   $ (5,577,190 )   $ 1,127,904  
                         
Income (loss) per common share - basic   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.08 )   $ 0.01  
Income (loss) per common share - diluted   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.08 )   $ 0.01  
                         
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic     79,461,013       73,978,736       78,675,750  
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted     79,461,013       73,978,736       87,140,449  
                         
                         
                         
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)  
                   
    Three Months Ended     One Month Ended  
    December 31,     December 31,     September 30,  
    2014     2013     2014  
                         
Cash Flows Used In Operating Activities:                        
  Net loss   $ (1,343,477 )   $ (5,577,190 )   $ 1,127,904  
  Items not affecting cash:                        
    Depreciation and amortization     37,535       31,811       12,529  
    Share-based payments     86,865       468,717       36,509  
    Foreign exchange (gain) loss     161,112       16,508       97,866  
    Change in fair value of warrant liability     (139,556 )     3,880,195       (1,680,040 )
  Changes in working capital items     (88,023 )     93,071       108,540  
                         
Net cash used in operating activities     (1,285,544 )     (1,086,888 )     (296,692 )
                         
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities     404,062       (209,129 )     (15,968 )
                         
Net cash provided by financing activities     28,719       2,557,714       739,292  
                         
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents     (153,657 )     (14,165 )     (84,083 )
                         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents     (1,006,420 )     1,247,532       342,549  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period     13,769,953       15,478,038       13,427,404  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period   $ 12,763,533     $ 16,725,570     $ 13,769,953