Oxygen Biotherapeutics first quarter net loss increases to $3.6 million

Sep 20 2012

Oxygen Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OXBT), a development stage biomedical company focused on developing intravenous and topical oxygen-carrier products, today announced results for the fiscal year (FY) 2013 first quarter ended July 31, 2012. The company also announced that management will host a conference call regarding these results on Friday, September 21, 2012 at 11:00 AM EDT.

Company Highlights for the First Quarter

• Completed GLP-validated bioanalytical method for detection of FtBu in models.
• Completed studies to determine the pharmacokinetics of FtBu following intravenous delivery of Oxycyte in models.
• Secured long-term clinical supply of GMP-grade Oxycyte^® to be used in ongoing clinical trials.
• Raised $2.5 million in second installment of Registered Direct Series A Convertible Preferred Stock financing.
• Signed a research agreement with the U.S. Navy to study using Oxycyte to treat hemorrhagic shock.

"Due to our commitment to focus on our core programs, over the last five quarters we steadily moved closer to reaching our most important objectives. We have advanced the important and required preclinical trial work that will address the FDA's concerns about Oxycyte's safety with the goal of having our NDA hold lifted. Important methods for the required pharmacokinetics analysis were completed, and now the PK analysis is underway. Early in the quarter, we secured our GMP-grade supply of Oxycyte and initiated the steps necessary to hire a new contract research organization to resume our Phase IIb trials by the end of this year. As importantly, we lowered our monthly burn rate 38 percent by eliminating non-essential expenses and curtailing spending on non-core programs," said President and Chief Financial Officer Michael Jebsen.

"We believe the above mentioned accomplishments are vitally important to the long-term success of this company. In an effort to build value, our strategy for fiscal 2013 is to efficiently conduct our trials, advance the perfluorocarbon therapeutic modality, expand our intellectual property portfolio, and seek development partners or licensing agreements in our non-core areas. We plan to continue to identify and eliminate spending on non-core programs to ensure all of our resources are focused on executing this strategy and achieving our objectives."

Financial Results

Oxygen Biotherapeutics reported a net loss of approximately $3.6 million, or $0.12 per share, for the three months ended July 31, 2012, compared to a net loss of approximately $2.9 million, or $0.12 per share for the same period in the prior fiscal year.

Product revenue for the quarter ended July 31, 2012 decreased to $11,458 compared to $59,477 in the same quarter in 2011 primarily due to the reduction in our internal sales force and termination of existing distribution agreements in the prior year. During the three months ended July 31, 2011, we recorded $26,000 in revenue from sales to our distributor that did not recur in the current period.

Gross profit as a percent of revenue was 48% and 42% for the three months ended July 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The increase for the first quarter of fiscal year 2013 primarily was due to a greater proportion of total sales through retail regional sales versus wholesale and distributor channels as compared to the same period in the prior year.

Government and grant revenue for the three months ended July 31, 2012 was $266,549 compared to zero for the same period in the prior year. We earn revenues for the direct costs of labor, travel and supplies as well as pass through costs of subcontracts with third-party contract research organizations for preclinical studies through a cost-reimbursement grant sponsored by the U.S. Army.

Marketing and sales expenses decreased to approximately $38,605 for the quarter ended July 31, 2012 compared to $229,333 for the same period in 2011. This 83% decrease was driven primarily by fewer costs incurred for compensation and direct advertising. Other savings during this quarter were due to decreases in travel and marketing sample expenses as a result of our regional market focus and a reduction in overall headcount compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

General and Administrative (G&A) expenses decreased by $347,471 for the period ended July 31, 2012 compared to the comparable period in 2011. For the period ended July 31, 2012, legal and professional fees decreased by $140,386; personnel costs decreased by $95,102; others costs such as travel, supplies and insurance decreased by $23,539; and facilities and depreciation and amortization costs decreased by $88,444; compared to the same period in the prior year. These decreases were offset by an increase in legal fees associated with the Tenor matter and fees associated with the second closing of the Series A Preferred Stock financial transaction. The decrease in consulting fees was primarily related to Board of Director recruiting fees in the prior period, and the decrease in investor relations costs was the result of terminating existing agreements with Swiss-based public relations firms and the decision to withdraw our listing from the SIX Swiss Exchange.

Research and development expenses were $637,272 during the period ended July 31, 2012 compared to $651,961 during the same period in 2011. The overall decrease was due primarily to a reduction in personnel costs, consulting fees, and facilities costs. However, clinical and preclinical development costs for the three months ended July 31, 2012 increased $130,000 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to increases of $218,000 and $50,000 in costs associated with the preclinical studies designed to respond to the existing clinical hold, and costs associated with our Phase IIb STOP TBI trials, respectively. These development costs were offset by decreases of $123,000 and $15,000 in development costs incurred for our products, Dermacyte^® and Oxycyte^®, respectively. Personnel and consulting fees were down $71,000 and $79,000 respectively for the three months ended July 31, 2012 compared to same quarter in the prior year.

For the quarter ended July 31, 2012 we recorded restructuring expenses of $47,476 as a result of our decision to close the Costa Mesa, CA facility. We expect to record an additional $175,000 in restructuring costs in the second quarter for the fair-value of severance and benefits related charges, relocation costs, and remaining lease liabilities.

As of July 31, 2012, the company had cash and cash equivalents totaling approximately $2.7 million.

Source: Oxygen Biotherapeutics, Inc.