On August 8, 2018 Stellar Biotechnologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBOT), a leading manufacturer of a key protein utilized in multiple immunotherapy development pipelines targeting Alzheimer’s, lupus and cancer, among other diseases, reported financial results for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018 and provided an update on its business (Press release, Stellar Biotechnologies, AUG 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234528534]).

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During the third fiscal quarter, Stellar reported positive research results from viral clearance and glycosylation studies associated with its manufacturing scale-up initiatives. The company also completed equity financings and warrant exercises resulting in net cash proceeds of approximately $8.8 million.

Stellar’s President and Chief Executive Officer Frank R. Oakes said, "We are delivering on a number of initiatives. We achieved positive research results and a quality assurance milestone, advanced key operational programs designed to support our customers, and significantly strengthened our financial position. Additionally, with third-party clinical results now available, Stellar has the opportunity to support an anticipated pivotal Phase 3 clinical study of a KLH-conjugated vaccine candidate."

Stellar Chief Financial Officer Kathi Niffenegger said, "With a stronger balance sheet, which includes $11.2 million in working capital and no debt, we are well positioned to complete planned upgrades to our core aquaculture infrastructure, continue our optimization work, and advance our initiatives to develop additional market opportunities for our technology and products."

Financial Results

Three months ended June 30, 2018

Total revenues increased by $0.05 million to $0.07 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $0.02 million for the same period last year due to an increase in product sales.

Total expenses decreased by $0.08 million to $1.23 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $1.31 million for the same period last year:

Cost of sales and contract services decreased by $0.03 million to $0.05 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $0.08 million for the same period last year. The decrease was primarily due to reduced expenses related to sales of KLH that was produced as a byproduct of the company’s research and development activities.
Research and development expenses decreased by $0.07 million to $0.47 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $0.54 million for the same period last year. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in KLH product inventory utilized for internal research and development activities.
General and administrative expenses increased by $0.02 million to $0.65 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $0.64 million for the same period last year primarily due an increased noncash share-based compensation expenses, which were partially offset by reduced professional fees and travel expenses.
For the third quarter of fiscal year 2018, Stellar reported a net loss of $1.16 million, or $0.38 per basic share, compared to a net loss of $ 1.22 million, or $ 0.84 per basic share, for the third quarter of the prior year.

Nine months ended June 30, 2018

Total revenues decreased by $0.07 million to $0.16 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $0.23 million for the same period last year due to a decrease in product sales.

Total expenses decreased by $0.03 million to $4.05 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $4.08 million for the same period last year:

Cost of sales and contract services decreased by $0.12 million to $0.11 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $0.23 million for the same period last year primarily due to decreased product sales volume as well as reduced expenses related to sales of KLH that was produced as a byproduct of the company’s research and development activities.
Research and development expenses increased by $0.26 million to $1.59 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $1.33 million for the same period last year. The increase was primarily due to an increase in research and development activities intended to increase the scalability and throughput capacity of existing manufacturing systems, including engineering lots of KLH produced under the company’s optimization initiative.
General and administrative expenses decreased by $0.21 million to $2.10 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $2.31 million for the same period last year primarily due to reduced professional fees and travel expenses.
For the nine months ended June 30, 2018, Stellar reported a net loss of $3.91 million, or $1.93 per basic share, compared to a net loss of $3.81 million, or $2.63 per basic share, for the nine months ended June 30, 2017.

Working Capital

At June 30, 2018, the company had working capital of $11.2 million. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $11.3 million.

Stellar will file its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about August 8, 2018. To view the company’s filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), visit the CSA’s SEDAR website.