ImmuCell Corporation (NASDAQ: ICCC), Portland, Maine, has announced
the results of its operations for the three months ended March 31, 2003.
During the three months ended March 31, 2003, total revenues
decreased by 41%, or $769,000, to $1,127,000, and product sales
decreased by 43%, or $763,000, to $1,016,000, as compared to the same
period in 2002. In the fourth quarter of 2002, the company accepted a
payment of $930,000 in consideration for the early termination,
effective October 1, 2002, of a license to a product that had generated
sales of $727,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2002.
Income before taxes increased by 311%, or $892,000, to $1,179,000
during the three months ended March 31, 2003, as compared to $287,000
during the same period in 2002. In March 2003, the company recognized
$1,100,000 in other income from the sale of its interest in a joint
venture that manufactures and sells lactoferrin in the human nutritional
market. This income accounts for most, but not all, of the quarterly
profit. After deducting direct selling expenses from its gross margin,
the product that had been sold under the terminated license, described
above, contributed $96,000 to income before taxes during the three
months ended March 31, 2002. Net income of $701,000, or $0.25 per
diluted share, during the three months ended March 31, 2003, increased
by 315%, or $532,000, from $169,000, or $0.06 per diluted share, during
the same period in 2002.
"During the last two quarters, we have closed three
transactions that have added approximately $2,430,000 in cash to our
balance sheet," commented Michael F. Brigham, president and CEO.
"We move forward focused on maintaining and growing sales and
profitability from proprietary products, while investing aggressively in
the development of our Nisin-based mastitis treatment product, Mast
Out(TM)."
During the three months ended March 31, 2003, research and
development expenses increased by 58%, or $116,000, to $316,000,
comprising 28% of total revenues in 2003. Grant income increased by 17%,
or $12,000, to $81,000 in 2003, as compared to the same period in 2002.
During the first quarter of 2003, the company invested approximately
$104,000 in significant, outside laboratory expenses relating to the
development of its Nisin-based mastitis treatment product in preparation
for a clinical trial scheduled to begin later this year.
The company's cash and short-term investments increased by
39%, or $1,230,000, to $4,373,000 at March 31, 2003, as compared to
$3,143,000 at December 31, 2002. Stockholders' equity increased by
10%, or $701,000, to $7,656,000 at March 31, 2003, as compared to
$6,955,000 at December 31,
ImmuCell Corporation is a biotechnology company dedicated to
benefiting its employees and shareholders through the development,
manufacture and sales of innovative and proprietary products that
improve animal health and productivity in the dairy and beef industry.
For more information, visit http://www.ImmuCell.com or call
207/878-2770, ext. 3106.
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