Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX, FSE: "HBP"), Aurora, Ont.,
Canada, has announced financial results for the first quarter of fiscal
2007, ended October 31, 2006.
Highlights
- Initiated enrollment in Phase II clinical trial with Topical
Interferon Alpha-2B in patients with ano-genital warts
- Announced the completed enrollment and treatment of the Phase II
clinical study with Topical Interferon Alpha-2b in patients with
low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and the expected timing of
when the results will be reported (early 2007).
- Completed a private placement financing for gross proceeds of
$7,044,500.
Results From Operations
Three month period ended October 31, 2006 compared to the same
period in the previous year
During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, the company recorded a
loss of $1,342,000 or $0.04 per common share, resulting in a decrease of
$109,000 or 7.5% when compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2006, when
the company recorded a loss of $1,451,000, or $0.05 per common share.
Revenues were marginally lower in the first quarter of fiscal 2007
when compared to the first quarter of 2006 with slightly lower margins.
Excluding the foreign exchange loss for the quarter and net interest
income, overall expenses were relatively flat in the first quarter of
fiscal 2007 compared to fiscal 2006, with higher operating, general and
administration costs along with research and development costs being
offset by the reduction in the amortization expense of intangible
assets.
Cost of sales totalled $290,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2007
(2006 - $313,000). Margins were mainly impacted by product mix, while
the Canadian dollar remained relatively unchanged in the comparative
quarters. On a percentage basis, margins in the first quarter of fiscal
2007 were 58.3% (2006 - $57.5%).
Research and development costs in the first quarter of fiscal 2007
totalled $871,000 (2006 - $640,000) for an increase of $231,000. Higher
research and development costs in the first quarter of fiscal 2007
mainly reflect L-DOS47 initiatives currently underway and preparatory
work for the Phase II trial in Sweden, for an additional therapeutic
application of Topical Interferon Alpha-2b. The company expects to
increase its spending through the remainder of fiscal 2007, as its
Topical Interferon Alpha-2b and L-DOS47 product candidates continue to
be developed.
Operating, general and administration expenses in the first quarter
of fiscal 2007 totalled $906,000 (2006 - $866,000), for an increase of
$40,000. Higher premiums on Director's and Officers insurance along
with increased investor relations and regulatory filing fees were offset
by a reduction in marketing promotional expenditures.
Amortization of intangible assets in the first quarter of fiscal
2007 totalled $40,000 (2006 - $301,000). The variance is due to a
certain intangible asset which is now fully amortized. Amortization of
capital assets in first quarter of fiscal 2007 totalled $77,000 (2006 -
$81,000) or relatively unchanged when compared to the first quarter of
2006.
Stock-based compensation expense in the first quarter of fiscal
2007 totalled $12,000 (2006 - $43,000). The company granted an
additional 20,000 stock options in the first quarter of fiscal 2006,
with a fair value of $29,000. The stock-based compensation expense
relates to the ongoing amortization of stock options granted on June 30,
2005, over their vesting period.
Interest income in the first quarter of fiscal 2007 totalled
$102,000 (2006 - $29,000). The increase in interest income is the result
of higher cash balances during the first quarter of fiscal 2007 versus
2006.
Foreign exchange losses in the first quarter of fiscal 2007
totalled $45,000 (2006 - $112,000). The variance is mainly due to the
foreign currency translation of the company's integrated foreign
operation in Ireland. The higher net assets of the company's Irish
operations, coupled with the dramatic appreciation of the Canadian
dollar versus the Euro in fiscal 2006, are the main reasons behind the
variance in the comparative first quarters. The net assets of the
company's integrated foreign operation in Ireland consists mainly
of cash and cash equivalents, denominated in Euro currency and are used
to fund its Phase II Topical Interferon Alpha-2b clinical program in
Europe.
Income tax expense in the first quarter of fiscal 2007 totalled
$29,000 (2006 - $30,000). All income taxes are attributable to the
company's operations in Europe.
Cash Flow
Net loss from operations totalled $1,342,000 in the first quarter
of fiscal 2007 (2006 - $1,451,000) for a decrease of $109,000. Adjusting
for non-cash and working capital items, the cash used in the first
quarter of fiscal 2007 totalled $1,421,000 (2006 - $707,000) and
represents an increase of $714,000. Of this amount, approximately
$220,000 is attributable to higher working capital for Rivex Pharma and
more specifically an increase in inventory balances, just prior to the
end of the first quarter, with the remainder attributable mostly to
ongoing research and development activity.
Financing activities in the first quarter of fiscal 2007 provided
additional cash of $6,473,000 (2006 - $3,696,000), an increase of
$2,777,000. In both first quarters of fiscal 2007 and 2006, the company
completed private placements with net proceeds of $6,480,000 and
$3,700,000 respectively. The company also made debt repayments in both
first quarters of fiscal 2007 and 2006 of $7,000 and $4,000,
respectively.
Investing activities in the first quarter of fiscal 2007 provided
additional cash of $6,625,000 (2006- $986,000), an increase of
$5,639,000. The company maintains excess funds in short term investments
and redeems these funds as required, for its daily operating
requirements. The increase in investing activity is mainly reflected in
the company redeeming $6,640,000 of short term investments in the first
quarter of fiscal 2007 compared to $990,000 in the first quarter of
fiscal 2006. Capital purchases in the first quarter of fiscal 2007
totalled $15,000 (2006 - $4,000), a decrease of $11,000.
Liquidity And Capital Resources
Since inception, the company has financed its operations from
public and private sales of equity, the exercise of warrants and stock
options, interest income on funds available for investment, government
grants, investment tax credits and revenues from distribution, licensing
and contract services.
On October 11, 2006, the company announced the completion of a
private placement, issuing 3,650,000 units at $1.93 per unit, for gross
proceeds of $7,044,500. Each unit consists of one common share and one
common share purchase warrant. Each common share purchase warrant
entitles the holder to purchase one common share at a price of $2.70
until March 31, 2008. Of the gross proceeds amount, $1,168,000 was
allocated to the share purchase warrants based on fair value and the
residual amount of $5,876,500 was allocated to common stock. Share issue
costs totalling $565,000 were proportionately allocated to the share
purchase warrants ($94,000) and common stock ($471,000), respectively.
At October 31, 2006, the company had cash and cash equivalents,
along with short-term investments totalling $16,024,000 (2006 -
$11,032,000), an increase of $4,992,000. The total number of common
shares issued at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2007 was
36,335,335 (2006 - 29,522,906).
After taking into consideration the improved working capital
resulting from the successful completion of the private placements, the
decrease in royalty rate from the Helsinn-Birex license, planned
expenditures for research and development for the Phase II clinical
program of the company's Topical Interferon Alpha-2b, research
expenditures relating to the company's novel anti-cancer
therapeutic, L-DOS47, and marketing expenditures relating primarily to
Orthovisc(R), the company expects that its working capital will be
sufficient to finance operations to July 2008. The company will continue
to seek additional funding, primarily by way of equity offerings, to
carry out its business plan and to minimize risks to its operations. The
market, however, for equity financings for companies such as Helix is
challenging, and there can be no assurance that additional funding by
way of equity financing will be available. The failure of the company to
obtain additional funding on a timely basis may result in the company
reducing or delaying one or more of its planned research, development
and marketing programs and reducing related personnel, any of which
could impair the current and future value of the business. Any
additional equity financing, if secured, may result in significant
dilution to the existing shareholders at the time of such financing. The
company may also seek additional funding from other sources, including
technology licensing, co-development collaborations, and other strategic
alliances, which, if obtained, may reduce the company's interest in
its projects or products. There can be no assurance, however, that any
alternative sources of funding will be available.
About Helix BioPharma Corp.
Helix BioPharma Corp. is a biopharmaceutical company specializing
in the field of cancer therapy. The company is actively developing
innovative products for the prevention and treatment of cancer based on
its proprietary technologies. Helix's product development
initiatives include its Topical Interferon Alpha-2b and its novel
L-DOS47 new drug candidate. Helix is listed on the TSX under the symbol
"HBP".
For more information, call 800/385-5451 or 416/815-0700, ext. 269.
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