Stellar Biotechnologies Reports Fiscal Year-End 2015 Financial Results and Operational HighlightsPORT HUENEME, CA -- (Marketwired - December 14, 2015) - Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. ("Stellar" or "the Company") (NASDAQ: SBOT) (TSX VENTURE: KLH), the leader in sustainable manufacture of Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin ("KLH"), reported financial results for the year ended September 30, 2015.
Operational Highlights for Fiscal Year 2015
- Revenue Increase: Revenue for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 increased 104%, over the comparable period in 2014 driven primarily by an increase in product sales period-over-period.
- Listing on Nasdaq Capital Market: On November 5, 2015, Stellar's common shares began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market ("Nasdaq") under the symbol "SBOT." Stellar believes that the Nasdaq uplisting will enhance the Company's visibility to the broader investment community and institutional investors, and may provide shareholders an opportunity for increased liquidity. The Company's common shares will continue to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada under the symbol "KLH."
- Reverse Stock Split: On September 2, 2015, the Company executed a reverse stock split which consolidated the Company's issued and outstanding common shares on the basis of one (1) post-consolidated common share for every ten (10) pre-consolidated shares. The reverse stock split was conducted to fulfill one of the quantitative requirements of becoming a Nasdaq-listed company.
- Collaboration and KLH Supply Agreements: In July 2015, Stellar entered into a collaboration with Ostiones Guerrero SA de CV to secure an exclusive, strategic site in Baja California, Mexico for the potential development of an additional aquaculture locale and future expansion of Stellar KLH™ production to meet increasing market demand for the protein, subject to a three-year site suitability study. The Company expects demand for reliable sources of KLH to grow, both from existing customers and the broader biotech industry, as the clinical use of immunotherapies increases.
In April 2015, Stellar executed an expanded supply agreement with Neovacs S.A (ALTERNEXT PARIS: ALNEV) ("Neovacs"). Stellar KLH™ is a component of Neovacs' Kinoid immunotherapy technology, which is being developed for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus ("lupus") and Crohn's disease. The new agreement is intended to ensure continued supply of Stellar KLH™ to Neovacs to meet requirements for Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH) as a key component of Neovacs proprietary Kinoid immunotherapy drug for the treatment of Lupus.
"This has been a successful year of strengthening and expansion for Stellar," said Frank Oakes, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. "Our sales growth is a reflection of the increasing market demand for KLH in immunotherapy and, we believe, the growing recognition that Stellar is the leader in sustainable manufacture of GMP grade KLH products. Our Stellar KLH™ products are now being used in multiple clinical-stage immunotherapies. Our expanded supply agreement with Neovacs SA is an example of the scale-up that immunotherapy developers will require as they advance through clinical trials and to potential commercialization. We believe that our collaboration with Ostiones Guerrero to secure a new, strategic site for potential expansion of Stellar KLH™ aquaculture operations will help to position us to ensure long-term, scalable supply of KLH for our current and future customers. I am particularly proud of our continued strengthening and maturation as a public company, as evidenced by our uplisting to the Nasdaq Capital Market."
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2015 Financial Results:
As previously reported, on June 3, 2014, the Company's Board of Directors approved a change in the Company's fiscal year end from August 31 to September 30 of each year, with effect from September 1, 2014.
Revenue: Stellar generated revenue of $758,689 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, compared to $372,132 for fiscal 2014. The increase in revenue resulted from an increase in the number of customers and associated increase in sales volume including sales under supply agreements and custom manufactured products.
Expenses: Expenses for fiscal 2015 decreased to $5.1 million, as compared to $6.1 million incurred in fiscal 2014. Costs of sales and contract services increased to $580,824 for fiscal 2015, as compared to $469,149 for the prior year, consistent with increased sales and contract services revenue. Due to the early stage of our development in fiscal 2014, all manufacturing costs of production were expensed during this period. There were no grant expenses for fiscal 2015 as compared to $36,579 in the prior year due to the close out of NSF Phase II/IIB grants in November 2013. Research and development expense was $1.0 million for fiscal 2015, as compared to $2.5 million for the prior year period. The decrease 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 customer demand. General and administration expenses increased to $3.2 million for fiscal 2015, as compared to $2.9 million in the prior year. The increase was affected by the net impact of increased corporate expenses, including legal and audit fees related to our transition to reporting as a U.S. domestic issuer rather than a foreign private issuer, our Nasdaq application and listing process, increased business development activity and investor relations activity, partially offset by a decrease in share-based compensation.
Net Income (Loss): The net loss for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 was $2.8 million, or ($0.36) per share, as compared to a net loss of $8.4 million, or ($1.11) per share, for the fiscal year 2014. The period-over-period decrease in net loss of approximately $5.6 million for fiscal year 2015 was primarily due to significant noncash gains in the fair value of warrant liability, increased revenues and decreased research and development expenses.
Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of September 30, 2015 were $9.0 million, compared to $13.9 million at August 31, 2014. Net cash used in operating activities during fiscal 2015 was $4.4 million, compared to $4.3 million for the same period in 2014. We expect our current cash position will continue to fund our operating and development programs as well as upgrades to our facilities in the coming months; however, we may seek additional capital through debt or equity raises to accelerate the development of our programs in response to market demand and/or to exploit new opportunities to expand our business.
Shareholders' Equity: As of September 30, 2015, Stellar had positive shareholders' equity of $8.0 million and approximately 7.98 million shares outstanding, compared to shareholders' equity of $7.7 million and approximately 7.83 million shares outstanding at August 31, 2014.
Conference Call and Webcast Information:
Date: Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Time: 1:30 PM ET/10:30 AM PT
Participant Dial-in: 1-913-312-9309
Conference Call Participant Passcode: 153648
Webcast Link: http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=103067
Q&A submission: Questions for management may be submitted via the chat feature of the live online webcast.
Please log in at least 10 minutes before the start time to ensure timely participation and appropriate web interface platform.
For the live and archived webcast link, please visit the investor presentation section on Stellar Biotechnologies' website at: http://ir.stellarbiotechnologies.com/events-calendar
A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the live call through December 29, 2015. To access the replay, dial (888) 203-1112 (U.S. and Canada) or (719) 457-0820 (international) and entering passcode 153648. The webcast replay will be available shortly after the conference call; to review visit the "Investors" section of the Stellar's Company website at: http://ir.stellarbiotechnologies.com/events-calendar.
Stellar Biotechnologies filed its Form 10-K for the period ending September 30, 2015 with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Monday, December 14, 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/edgar). 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. (NASDAQ: SBOT) (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 B.C. Securities Commission 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.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Expressed in US Dollars )
September 30, September 30, August 31,
2015 2014 2014
------------- ------------- -------------
Assets:
Cash, cash equivalents and
short-term investments $ 8,970,674 $ 14,218,585 $ 13,885,502
Other current assets 895,945 204,890 185,168
Noncurrent assets 519,308 404,240 403,292
------------- ------------- -------------
Total Assets $ 10,385,927 $ 14,827,715 $ 14,473,962
============= ============= =============
Liabilities and Shareholders'
Equity:
Accounts payable, accrued
liabilities and deferred
revenue $ 830,018 $ 671,714 $ 541,626
Warrant liability, including
current portion 1,550,630 3,691,266 6,231,703
Shareholders' equity 8,005,279 10,464,735 7,700,633
------------- ------------- -------------
Total Liabilities and
Shareholders' Equity $ 10,385,927 $ 14,827,715 $ 14,473,962
============= ============= =============
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Expressed in US Dollars )
One Month
Year Ended Ended Year Ended
September 30, September 30, August 31, August 31,
2015 2014 2014 2013
------------- ------------- ------------ ------------
Revenues:
Contract
services
revenue $ 195,000 $ 20,000 $ 192,000 $ 60,000
Product sales 563,689 32,786 143,553 76,055
Grant revenue - - 36,579 409,414
------------- ------------- ------------ ------------
Total Revenues 758,689 52,786 372,132 545,469
Expenses:
Costs of
revenues 840,247 33,699 760,259 604,215
Research and
development 1,029,489 178,280 2,458,934 2,018,554
General and
administration 3,227,545 293,130 2,871,455 1,770,619
------------- ------------- ------------ ------------
Total Expenses 5,097,281 505,109 6,090,648 4,393,388
Other Income
(Loss):
Foreign exchange
gain (loss) (653,333) (97,866) (222,437) (95,842)
Increase
(decrease) in
fair value of
warrant
liability 2,131,062 1,680,040 (2,533,305) (10,556,208)
Other income 54,634 1,853 61,935 4,990
Income tax expense 36,800 3,800 27,200 800
------------- ------------- ------------ ------------
Net Income (Loss) $ (2,843,029) $ 1,127,904 $ (8,439,523) $(14,495,779)
============= ============= ============ ============
Income (Loss) per
common share -
basic $ (0.36) $ 0.14 $ (1.11) $ (2.81)
Income (Loss) per
common share -
diluted $ (0.36) $ 0.13 $ (1.11) $ (2.81)
Weighted average
number of common
shares
outstanding -
basic 7,956,962 7,867,575 7,582,664 5,161,194
Weighted average
number of common
shares
outstanding -
diluted 7,956,962 8,714,045 7,582,664 5,161,194
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed in US Dollars )
One Month
Year Ended Ended Year Ended
September 30, September 30, August 31, August 31,
2015 2014 2014 2013
------------- ------------- ------------ ------------
Cash Flows Used In
Operating
Activities:
Net income
(loss) $ (2,843,029) $ 1,127,904 $ (8,439,523) $(14,495,779)
Items not
affecting cash:
Depreciation
and
amortization 159,521 12,529 158,313 124,833
Share-based
payments 267,222 36,509 956,634 786,585
Foreign
exchange
(gain) loss 653,333 97,866 222,437 95,842
Change in fair
value of
warrant
liability (2,131,062) (1,680,040) 2,533,305 10,556,208
Other - - 94,146 491,408
Changes in
working capital
items (518,380) 108,540 207,981 (354,920)
------------- ------------- ------------ ------------
Net cash used in
operating
activities (4,412,395) (296,692) (4,266,707) (2,795,823)
Net cash provided
by (used in)
investing
activities 122,470 (13,147) (5,745,730) (9,541)
Net cash provided
by financing
activities 106,777 739,292 10,787,975 9,730,826
Effect of exchange
rate changes on
cash and cash
equivalents (629,808) (84,083) (212,338) (64,571)
------------- ------------- ------------ ------------
Net change in cash
and cash
equivalents (4,812,956) 345,370 563,200 6,860,891
Cash and cash
equivalents -
beginning of
period 8,768,459 8,423,089 7,859,889 998,998
------------- ------------- ------------ ------------
Cash and cash
equivalents - end
of period $ 3,955,503 $ 8,768,459 $ 8,423,089 $ 7,859,889
============= ============= ============ ============
Stellar Biotechnologies Company Contact:
Mark A. McPartland
Vice President of Corporate Development and Communications
Phone: +1 (805) 488-2800 ext. 103
markmcp@stellarbiotech.com
www.stellarbiotech.com
Investor Inquiries:
Joseph Green
The Ruth Group
Phone: +1 (646) 536-7013
jgreen@theruthgroup.com
Media Inquiries:
Joanna Zimmerman
The Ruth Group
Phone: +1 (646) 536-7006
jzimmerman@theruthgroup.com
