Stellar Biotechnologies Reports Second Quarter 2015 Financial Results


PORT HUENEME, CA--(Marketwired - May 11, 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, today announced its financial results for the second fiscal quarter and six months ended March 31, 2015.

"Stellar is pleased to issue this mid-year report which shows increased demand for our products, continued financial prudence, and the positive effect of continued focus on our core KLH business," said Frank Oakes, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. "As KLH-based technologies advance through clinical development, we are excited to be in this strong position as the opportunities in the KLH market continue to grow."

Second Quarter and Six Months Ended March 31, 2015 Results:

Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2015 were $11.1 million, compared to $13.8 million at September 30, 2014. Net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended March 31, 2015 was $2.6 million, compared to $2.6 million for the same period in 2014. The Company believes current cash will be sufficient to meet estimated working capital requirements and fund planned program development expenditures for at least the next 12 months. 

Shareholders' Equity: As of March 31, 2015, Stellar had positive shareholders' equity of $8.9 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.

Revenue: Stellar generated revenue of $187,627 and $400,288 for the second quarter and six months ended March 31, 2015, respectively, compared to $114,371 and $173,196 for the same periods in 2014. Revenue includes product sales of $142,627 and $295,288 for the second quarter and six months ended March 31, 2015, respectively, compared to $42,371 and $58,456 for the same periods in 2014. The increase in product sales was due to an increase in customers and associated greater product sales volume. Contract services revenue was $45,000 and $105,000 for the second quarter and six months ended March 31, 2015, respectively, compared to $72,000 and $87,000 for the same periods in 2014. Contract services revenue fluctuated due to new services performed under a collaboration agreement beginning mid-December 2013 and completion of services in December 2014 related to a supply agreement. 

R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $281,584 in the second quarter and $700,405 for the six months ended March 31, 2015, compared to $733,096 and $1.3 million in the same periods in 2014. The decreases in R&D expenses were primarily 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 core Stellar KLH™ products in response to increased demand. 

Other Operating Expenses: Other operating expenses, which include cost of revenues and general and administration, totaled $1.1 million for the second quarter and $2.2 million for the six months ended March 31, 2015, compared to $821,910 and $2.0 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 caused by 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, partially offset by decreases in share-based compensation expense.

Net Loss: The net loss for the second quarter ended March 31, 2015 was $426,164, or ($0.01) per basic share, compared to a net loss of $1.4 million, or ($0.02) per basic share, for the quarter ending March 31, 2014. The net loss for the six months ended March 31, 2015 was $1.8 million, or ($0.02) per basic share, as compared to a net loss of $7.0 million, or ($0.09) per basic share, for the six months ended March 31, 2014. The decrease in net loss reported in the quarter and six months ended March 31, 2015 compared to the same periods in 2014 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 general and administrative expenses and increased noncash foreign exchange loss.

Stellar Biotechnologies will file its Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2015 with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Monday, May 11, 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.

             
Condensed Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Expressed in US Dollars)
             
    March 31,   September 30,   August 31,
    2015   2014   2014
                   
Assets:                  
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 11,145,555   $ 13,769,953   $ 13,427,404
  Other current assets     296,728     653,522     643,266
  Noncurrent assets     384,332     404,240     403,292
                   
    Total Assets   $ 11,826,615   $ 14,827,715   $ 14,473,962
                   
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:                  
  Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred revenue   $ 413,941   $ 671,714   $ 541,626
  Warrant liability, including current portion     2,489,934     3,691,266     6,231,703
  Shareholders' equity     8,922,740     10,464,735     7,700,633
                   
    Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity   $ 11,826,615   $ 14,827,715   $ 14,473,962
                   
                         
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations        
(Expressed in US Dollars)        
                         
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
    2015     2014     2015     2014  
                                 
Revenues:                                
  Contract services revenue   $ 45,000     $ 72,000     $ 105,000     $ 87,000  
  Product sales     142,627       42,371       295,288       58,456  
  Grant revenue     -       -       -       27,740  
                                 
    Total Revenues     187,627       114,371       400,288       173,196  
                                 
Expenses:                                
  Costs of revenues     309,996       175,240       487,097       360,317  
  Research and development     281,584       733,096       700,405       1,281,321  
  General and administration     785,681       646,670       1,727,834       1,667,800  
                                 
    Total Expenses     1,377,261       1,555,006       2,915,336       3,309,438  
                                 
Other Income (Loss):                                
  Foreign exchange gain (loss)     (307,546 )     (182,321 )     (468,658 )     (198,829 )
  Increase (decrease) in fair value of warrant liability     1,061,776       185,607       1,201,332       (3,694,588 )
  Other income     18,240       14,895       31,533       30,815  
                                 
Income tax expense     9,000       11,400       18,800       12,200  
                                 
Net Loss   $ (426,164 )   $ (1,433,854 )   $ (1,769,641 )   $ (7,011,044 )
                                 
Loss per common share - basic and diluted   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.09 )
                                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding     79,546,650       76,237,455       79,503,361       76,299,105  
                                 
             
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  
(Expressed in US Dollars)  
             
    Six Months Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2015     2014  
                 
Cash Flows Used In Operating Activities:                
  Net loss   $ (1,769,641 )   $ (7,011,044 )
  Items not affecting cash:                
    Depreciation and amortization     77,602       79,057  
    Share-based payments     198,927       614,312  
    Foreign exchange (gain) loss     468,658       198,829  
    Change in fair value of warrant liability     (1,201,332 )     3,694,588  
  Changes in working capital items     (355,672 )     (135,919 )
                 
Net cash used in operating activities     (2,581,458 )     (2,560,177 )
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities     367,119       (250,666 )
                 
Net cash provided by financing activities     28,719       2,963,162  
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents     (438,778 )     (205,712 )
                 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents     (2,624,398 )     (53,393 )
                 
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period     13,769,953       15,478,038  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period   $ 11,145,555     $ 15,424,645  
                 

Contact Information:

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

www.stellarbiotech.com