Stellar Biotechnologies Reports Third Quarter 2015 Financial Results and Operational Highlights


PORT HUENEME, CA--(Marketwired - Aug 10, 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 immunotherapy markets, today announced its financial results for the third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2015.

Operational Highlights

  • Revenues for the third quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2015 increased 117% and 127%, respectively, over the comparable periods in 2014 driven primarily by an increase in product sales period-over-period.
  • Net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 was $463,986, or $0.01 per basic and diluted share compared to a net income of $3.4 million, or $0.04 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ending June 30, 2014. Net loss for the nine months ended June 30, 2015 was $1.3 million, or ($0.02) per basic and diluted share, as compared to a net loss of $3.6 million, or ($0.05) per basic and diluted share in 2014. Net income (loss) was positively impacted by noncash gains in the fair value of warrant liability, increased revenue and decreased research and development expenses.
  • Entered into collaboration with Ostiones Guerrero SA de CV to secure an exclusive, strategic site in Baja California, Mexico for the potential development of a supplementary aquaculture locale and for the expansion of Stellar KLH™ production to meet the rising demand for the protein, subject to a three-year site suitability study.
  • Expanded supply agreement with Neovacs S.A to meet requirements for Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH) as a key component of Neovacs proprietary Kinoid immunotherapy drug for the treatment of Lupus.
  • Presented "Measuring the Properties of Different Forms of Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH) Reveals Important Differences" at 2015 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Immunologists (AAI).

"Market demand for high-quality, sustainable sources of GMP-grade KLH increases as many biotechnology companies expand their pipelines of immunotherapies based on KLH protein. These companies are seeing success in their ongoing clinical trials in a wide variety of disease indications -- like our collaborator Neovacs targeting lupus, and others in the industry such as Axon and its recent progress with a KLH-based Alzheimer's vaccine to name another," said Frank Oakes, Chief Executive Officer of Stellar Biotechnologies.

"Our strategic collaboration with Ostiones Guerreros SA de CV, which we believe has transformative potential for the Company, was spurred in part by this increasing demand. With this agreement in place, we look forward to being the only company with a reliable and scalable supply of KLH as an ever-growing roster of customers and new clients with successful therapeutic candidates approach FDA approval, and eventually, commercialization."

Third Quarter and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2015 Results:

Revenue: Stellar generated revenue of $157,748 and $558,036 for the third quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $72,538 and $245,734 for the same periods in 2014. The increase in revenue resulted from improved product sales of $112,748 and $408,036 for the third quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $12,538 and $70,994 for the same periods in 2014. The increase is due to larger order size and an increase in the number of customers. Contract services revenue was $45,000 and $150,000 for the third quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $60,000 and $147,000 for the same periods in 2014 as a result of new services performed under a collaboration agreement beginning mid-December 2013 and the completion of services related to a supply agreement which expired in December 2014.

R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $129,710 in the third quarter and $830,115 for the nine months ended June 30, 2015, compared to $543,233 and $1.8 million in the same periods in 2014. The decreases in R&D expenses were primarily the result of a shift in resources from expansion of internal research to manufacturing scale-up and marketing of our proprietary Stellar KLH™ protein in response to market demand.

Other Operating Expenses: Other operating expenses, which include cost of revenues and general and administration, totaled $903,623 for the third quarter and $3.1 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2015, compared to $801,450 and $2.8 million for the same periods in 2014. Cost of revenues increased due to additional manufacturing activities required for increased product demand. General and administration expenses increases were related to compliance with SEC domestic-issuer reporting requirements rather than those applicable to a foreign private issuer, partially offset by decreases in share-based compensation expense.

Net Income (Loss): The net income for the third quarter ended June 30, 2015 was $463,986, or $0.01 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net income of $3.4 million, or $0.04 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ending June 30, 2014. The year-over-year decrease in net income was primarily due to fluctuations in noncash gains in the fair value of warrant liability, increased revenue and decreased research and development expenses.

The net loss for the nine months ended June 30, 2015 was $1.3 million, or ($0.02) per basic and diluted share, as compared to a net loss of $3.6 million, or ($0.05) per basic and diluted share, for the nine months ended June 30, 2014. The period-over-period decrease in net loss was primarily due to significant noncash gains in the fair value of warrant liability, increased revenues and decreased research and development expenses, net of increased noncash foreign exchange loss.

Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2015 were $10.2 million, compared to $13.8 million at September 30, 2014. Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended June 30, 2015 was $3.5 million, compared to $3.7 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 June 30, 2015, Stellar had positive shareholders' equity of $9.4 million and approximately 79.55 million shares outstanding, compared to shareholders' equity of $10.5 million and approximately 79.42 million shares outstanding at September 30, 2014.

Stellar Biotechnologies will file its Form 10-Q for the period ending June 30, 2015 with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Monday, August 10, 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. (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.

             
             
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Expressed in US Dollars )
             
    June 30,   September 30,   August 31,
    2015   2014   2014
                   
Assets:                  
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 10,161,458   $ 13,769,953   $ 13,427,404
  Other current assets     563,733     653,522     643,266
  Noncurrent assets     487,827     404,240     403,292
                   
    Total Assets   $ 11,213,018   $ 14,827,715   $ 14,473,962
                   
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:                  
  Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred revenue   $ 544,533   $ 671,714   $ 541,626
  Warrant liability, including current portion     1,235,905     3,691,266     6,231,703
  Shareholders' equity     9,432,580     10,464,735     7,700,633
                   
    Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity   $ 11,213,018   $ 14,827,715   $ 14,473,962
                   
                   
                     
                     
Consolidated Statements of Operations  
(Expressed in US Dollars )  
                     
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended  
    June 30,   June 30,   June 30,     June 30,  
    2015   2014   2015     2014  
                             
Revenues:                            
  Contract services revenue   $ 45,000   $ 60,000   $ 150,000     $ 147,000  
  Product sales     112,748     12,538     408,036       70,994  
  Grant revenue     -     -     -       27,740  
                             
    Total Revenues     157,748     72,538     558,036       245,734  
                             
Expenses:                            
  Costs of revenues     285,438     188,982     772,535       549,299  
  Research and development     129,710     543,233     830,115       1,824,554  
  General and administration     618,185     612,468     2,346,019       2,280,268  
                             
    Total Expenses     1,033,333     1,344,683     3,948,669       4,654,121  
                             
Other Income (Loss):                            
  Foreign exchange gain (loss)     77,468     146,302     (391,190 )     (52,527 )
  Gain (loss) in fair value of warrant liability     1,254,029     4,528,450     2,455,361       833,862  
  Other income     17,074     14,719     48,607       45,534  
                             
Income tax expense     9,000     9,000     27,800       21,200  
                             
Net Income (Loss)   $ 463,986   $ 3,408,326   $ (1,305,655 )   $ (3,602,718 )
                             
Income (loss) per common share - basic and diluted   $ 0.01   $ 0.04   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.05 )
                             
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic     79,546,650     76,237,455     79,517,791       76,299,105  
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted     85,020,352     86,898,996     79,517,791       76,299,105  
                             
                             
             
             
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  
(Expressed in US Dollars )  
             
    Nine Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2015     2014  
                 
Cash Flows Used In Operating Activities:                
  Net loss   $ (1,305,655 )   $ (3,602,718 )
  Items not affecting cash:                
    Depreciation and amortization     119,410       120,507  
    Share-based payments     244,781       770,777  
    Foreign exchange (gain) loss     391,190       52,527  
    (Gain) loss in fair value of warrant liability     (2,455,361 )     (833,862 )
  Changes in working capital items     (491,658 )     (167,535 )
                 
Net cash used in operating activities     (3,497,293 )     (3,660,304 )
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities     216,286       (278,401 )
                 
Net cash provided by financing activities     28,719       2,963,162  
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents     (356,207 )     (60,321 )
                 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents     (3,608,495 )     (1,035,864 )
                 
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period     13,769,953       15,478,038  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period   $ 10,161,458     $ 14,442,174  
                 
                 

Contact Information:

Stellar Biotechnologies Company Contact:
Mark A. McPartland
Vice President of Corporate Development and Communications
Phone: +1 (805) 488-2800 ext. 103
markmcp@stellarbiotech.com

Investor Inquiries:
Joseph A. Green
The Ruth Group
Phone: +1 (646) 536-7013
jgreen@theruthgroup.com

Media Inquiries:
Melanie Sollid-Penton
The Ruth Group
Phone: +1 (646) 536-7023
msollid@theruthgroup.com