Exhibit 99.1
Contact:
Vida Communication (on behalf of WaferGen)
Stephanie Diaz (investors) Tim Brons (media)
415-675-7400 415-675-7402
sdiaz@vidacommunication.com tbrons@vidacommunication.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WaferGen Announces Second Quarter 2008 Financial Results
Fremont, CA, August 13, 2008 –WaferGen Biosystems, Inc. (OTCBB: WGBS), a leading developer of state-of-the-art gene expression, genotyping, cell biology and stem cell research systems, today highlighted the company’s recent developments and milestones and announced financial results for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2008.
Recent Corporate Developments and Milestones:
· | Initiation of alpha testing of WaferGen’s SmartChip™Real-Time PCR Systemand proprietary oncology gene panel assays by the University of Pittsburgh Medical School. |
· | Close of private placement in the U.S. for a total of $3.6 million to be used for general corporate purposes including the continued advancement of the company’s SmartChip™Real-Time PCR System, as well as the expansion of the company’s global commercialization campaign for its SmartSlide™Micro-Incubation System. |
· | Initial close of private placement by WaferGen’s wholly owned Malaysian subsidiary, WaferGen Biosystems (M) Sdn. Bhd to Malaysian Technology Development Corporation Sdn. Bhdfor a total of $1 million. An additional $1 million is contingent on the subsidiary reaching certain agreed upon milestones. Proceeds will be used to support the high-volume manufacturing of the company’s SmartChip™Real-Time PCR System in Malaysia. |
· | Establishment of exclusive agreements for distribution of WaferGen’s SmartSlide™Micro-Incubation System by leading distributors of innovative products and services to cell biologists and stem cell researchers in Switzerland, Taiwan, Germany and the Nordic Region (Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland). |
“During the second quarter of this year, we made significant progress in the development of our SmartChip Real-Time PCR System as evidenced by the initiation of alpha testing by Dr. Steven Shapiro and his team at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School,”stated Alnoor Shivji, WaferGen's chairman and chief executive officer. “We look forward to working closely with Dr. Shapiro through the alpha testing process, and expect to announce results in the second half of this year.”
Second Quarter and Six Month 2008 Financial Results
At June 30, 2008, WaferGen had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $4.3 million, compared to $5.2 million at December 31, 2007. This balance includes the approximately $3.6 million in new financing secured during the quarter.
WaferGen's net revenues were $177,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, compared to $300 for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, net revenues were$358,000, compared to $61,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007. For the quarter and six-month periods, the increases resulted primarily from WaferGen’s signing of multiple international SmartSlide distributorships andthe expansion of its internal sales team.
Research and development expenses totaled $1.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, compared to $362,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. Research and development expenses totaled $2.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, compared to $762,000 for the same period of 2007. For the quarter and six-month periods, the increases resulted primarily from an increase in headcount, an increase in research and development materials and supplies used for product development and testing, the company’s move to a new facility and associated expenses, and an increase in stock-based compensation associated with the issuance ofstock options.
Sales and marketing expenses totaled $296,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, compared to $138,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. Sales and marketing expenses totaled $681,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to $290,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007. For the quarter and the six-month periods, the increases resulted primarily from an increase in stock-based compensation associated with the issuance of stock options, and additional expenses incurred as a result of an increased headcount.
General and administrative expenses totaled$634,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, compared to $384,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, general and administrative expenses totaled $1.3 million, compared to $809,000 for the sixmonth period endedJune 30, 2007. For the quarter and six-month periods, the increases resulted primarily from an increase in stock-based compensation associated with the issuance of restricted common stock and stock options, additional expenses incurred as a result of an increased headcount, and legal and professional fees.
WaferGen reported a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $2.1 million, or ($0.09) per share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, compared to a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $1.0 million, or ($0.10) per share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, WaferGen reported a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $4.0 million, or ($0.17) per share, compared to a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $2.0 million, or ($0.30) per share in the same period of 2007.
Goals for 2008
During the balance of 2008, WaferGen will continue to work toward the creation of corporate and shareholder value through the achievement of key milestones, including:
· | Completion of SmartChip™alpha testing at University of Pittsburgh Medical School. |
· | Initiation of SmartChip™beta testing and collaboration with other academic and/or genome centers and/or pharmaceutical company. |
· | Publication/presentation of SmartChip™alpha test results. |
· | Continued expansion of SmartSlide™worldwide distribution channels. |
· | Expansion of SmartSlide™distribution through strategic reagent and/or instrument partners. |
· | Development and commercialization of one or more new SmartSlide™applications such as in-vitro fertilization, cancer stem cell/chemotherapy monitoring, infectious disease monitoring, bioprocessing. |
· | Establishment of manufacturing and production in Malaysia. |
About WaferGen
WaferGen Biosystems Inc. is a leader in the development, manufacture and sale of state-of-the-art systems for gene expression, genotyping, cell biology and stem cell research for the life science and pharmaceutical industries. The company is actively developing its SmartChip™product for the gene expression and genotyping markets.
SmartChip™is being developed as the first whole genome, high throughput gene expression real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) platform and promises to deliver significant speed and cost advantages to researchers in the gene expression and genotyping markets. WaferGen currently markets its SmartSlide™family of products to companies and organizations involved in stem cell and cell biology research. SmartSlide™, which was launched in 2006, represents the first fluidics integrated micro-incubators enabling cell biology and stem cell research. Representative SmartSlide™customers include Harvard University, Mayo Clinic, California Institute of Technology (CalTech), Abbott Labs, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such statements include statements relating to the company’s goals in 2008, the intended use of any proceeds received in the company’s financings, the expected timing of any announcement of the results of the alpha testing with Dr. Shapiro and the University of Pittsburg Medical School, and other statements that are not historical facts, including statements which may be preceded by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential" or similar words. For such statements, the company claims the protection of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the company. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations contained in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences include the risks that: (i) the company may be unsuccessful in commercially developing its products or in achieving market acceptance of new and relatively unproven technologies; (ii) the company will need to raise additional capital to meet its business requirements in the future and the company may not be able to do so on reasonable terms or at all; (iii) the company’s proprietary intellectual property rights may not adequately protect its products and technologies; and (iv) the company expects intense competition in its target markets, including from companies that have much greater resources than the company, and there can be no assurance that the company will be able to compete effectively. More detailed information about the company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC onMay 15,2008. Investors and security holders are urged to read this document free of charge on the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. The company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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WAFERGEN BIO-SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(A Development Stage Company)
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 176,851 | $ | 300 | $ | 358,491 | $ | 60,760 | ||||||||
Cost of sales | 57,048 | — | 132,065 | 21,774 | ||||||||||||
Gross margin | 119,803 | 300 | 226,426 | 38,986 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing | 295,506 | 137,788 | 680,680 | 289,970 | ||||||||||||
Research and development | 1,345,621 | 361,948 | 2,298,062 | 761,706 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative | 633,764 | 384,495 | 1,322,807 | 809,156 | ||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 2,274,891 | 884,231 | 4,301,549 | 1,860,832 | ||||||||||||
Operating loss | (2,155,088 | ) | (883,931 | ) | (4,075,123 | ) | (1,821,846 | ) | ||||||||
Other income and (expenses): | ||||||||||||||||
Interest income | 18,064 | 15,781 | 49,781 | 15,781 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | (3,252 | ) | (143,724 | ) | (7,225 | ) | (186,526 | ) | ||||||||
Miscellaneous expense | (2,941 | ) | — | (2,941 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Total other income and (expenses) | 11,871 | (127,943 | ) | 39,615 | (170,745 | ) | ||||||||||
Net loss before provision for income taxes | (2,143,217 | ) | (1,011,874 | ) | (4,035,508 | ) | (1,992,591 | ) | ||||||||
Provision for income taxes | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
Net loss | (2,143,217 | ) | (1,011,874 | ) | (4,035,508 | ) | (1,992,591 | ) | ||||||||
Accretion on Series B Preferred Stock | — | (20,799 | ) | — | (51,998 | ) | ||||||||||
Net loss applicable to common stockholders | $ | (2,143,217 | ) | $ | (1,032,673 | ) | $ | (4,035,508 | ) | $ | (2,044,589 | ) | ||||
Net loss per share - basic and diluted | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | (0.17 | ) | $ | (0.30 | ) | ||||
Shares used to compute net loss per share - basic and diluted | 23,965,978 | 10,107,941 | 23,591,912 | 6,886,433 | ||||||||||||
WAFERGEN BIO-SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(A Development Stage Company)
June 30, | December 31, | |||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 4,257,597 | $ | 5,189,858 | ||||
Accounts receivables | 241,620 | 139,827 | ||||||
Inventories | 129,300 | 62,521 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 100,375 | 87,487 | ||||||
Total current assets | 4,728,892 | 5,479,693 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 829,355 | 321,159 | ||||||
Other assets | 12,788 | 54,016 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 5,571,035 | $ | 5,854,868 | ||||
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 643,233 | $ | 560,641 | ||||
Accrued rent | 30,508 | 19,340 | ||||||
Accrued payroll | 159,576 | 414,519 | ||||||
Accrued vacation | 186,554 | 156,234 | ||||||
Accrued other expenses | 123,684 | — | ||||||
Current portion of capital lease obligations | 72,472 | 32,443 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 1,216,027 | 1,183,177 | ||||||
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion | 84,423 | 73,451 | ||||||
Commitment and contingencies | — | — | ||||||
Stockholders’ equity : | ||||||||
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding | — | — | ||||||
Common Stock: $0.001 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized; 24,830,932 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2008 and December 31,2007 | 24,831 | 23,218 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 20,228,253 | 16,527,929 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (15,988,415 | ) | (11,952,907 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 5,916 | — | ||||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 4,270,586 | 4,598,240 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 5,571,035 | $ | 5,854,868 | ||||