research and development and corporate initiatives. Our operating activity receipts from customers for the years ended June 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016 of A$1,129,046, A$928,687 and A$1,079,549 consisted of commercial sales from Europe and Asia Pacific. Our operating activity receipts from BARDA and other income for the years ended June 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016 of A$8,141,207, A$7,094,061 and A$2,427,188. The BARDA program was received and began in the third quarter of fiscal year 2016 for the expansion of activities surrounding the Company’s PMA submission to the FDA in September 2017 for approval to market the RECELL System in the U.S.
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities was A$(498,749), A$195,245 and A$(47,849) during the years ended June 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Cash flows used for investing activities was primarily attributable to payments for the purchase of a property and equipment. During the fiscal year 2017, the Company sold the respiratory business segment and the proceeds from the sale of financial assets was A$627,837.
Net cash provided by financing activities was A$27,934,920, A$8,238,129 and A$9,360,830 for the years ended June 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016. The Company completed a series of equity transactions and received proceeds from issuance of shares and options of A$29,760,563, A$9,048,102 and A$10,025,584 for the years ended June 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016.
We realized a foreign exchange loss of A$29,106, A$257,238 and A$169,100 for the years ended June 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016. The Australian dollar depreciated against the U.S. dollar by 3%, 4% and 3% for the years ended June 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016.
Half-Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017
Net cash used in operating activities was A$10,458,479 and A$7,875,025 during the half-years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Our payments to suppliers and employees during the half-years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were A$20,305,643 and A$11,943,480, respectively. The increase in payments to suppliers and employees is as the result of investments in commercial, manufacturing, leadership and system capabilities in preparation for the planned U.S. launch of the RECELL System and related research and development and corporate initiatives. Our operating activity receipts from customers for the half-years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 of A$1,204,802 and A$367,933 consisted of commercial sales from US, Europe and Asia Pacific. Our operating activity receipts from BARDA and other income for the half-years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 of A$6,104,306 and A$3,676,182. This increase was the result of an expansion of activities related to programs conducted under the BARDA contract during the year. Funding provided by BARDA during the half-year ended December 31, 2018 focused primarily on support of the regulatory activities to support the U.S. approval of the RECELL System, the Continued Access and Compassionate Use programs which provide access to the RECELL System for U.S. patients prior to FDA approval, and two U.S. clinical trials in pediatric burn patients.
Net cash used in investing activities was A$722,472 and A$63,672 during the half-years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Cash flows used for investing activities was primarily attributable to payments for the purchase of property and equipment.
Net cash provided by financing activities was A$25,364,339 and A$15,980,605 for the half-years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. The Company completed a series of equity transactions and received proceeds from issuance of shares and options of A$28,053,762 and A$17,028,964 for the half-years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
We realized a foreign exchange gain/(loss) of A$1,333,440 and A$(55,390) for the half-years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. The Australian dollar appreciated/(depreciated) against the U.S. dollar by 8% and (3%) for the half-years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
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