NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Senesco Technologies, Inc. (“Senesco” or the “Company”) today reported financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2009.
Net loss for the three month period ended September 30, 2009 was $189,296, or $0.01 per share, compared with a net loss of $1,181,406, or $0.06 per share, for the three month period ended September 30, 2008. This decrease in net loss was primarily the result of an increase in non-cash income related to the change in fair value of a warrant liability, which was partially offset by an increase in operating expenses and non-cash expenses associated with the outstanding convertible notes and a decrease in revenue and interest income.
Quarterly and Recent Highlights
“SNS-01 continues to demonstrate potential as a possible treatment for multiple myeloma, most recently being the subject of a poster presentation at one of the most important oncology conferences of the year, the annual AACR-NCI-EORTC Conference,” said Jack Van Hulst, President and Chief Executive Officer of Senesco.
The Company did not record any revenue for the three month period ended September 30, 2009. Total revenues of $200,000 for the three month period ended September 30, 2008 consisted of a milestone payment in connection with an agricultural license agreement.
Research and development expenses during the three month period ended September 30, 2009 were $575,291, compared with $504,386 during the three month period ended September 30, 2008, an increase of 14.1%. This increase was primarily a result of an $89,000 loss on the extinguishment of debt in connection with the issuance of common stock and warrants to Cato Holding Company in exchange for debt that was owed by Senesco to Cato Research Ltd. in the amount of $175,000, which was slightly offset by decrease in the cost of the research performed at the University of Waterloo as a result of the stronger U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar.
General and administrative expenses were $494,955 for the three month period ended September 30, 2009, compared with $529,865 during the three month period ended September 30, 2008, a decrease of 6.6%. This decrease was due primarily to a $34,000 decrease in stock based compensation, and a $20,000 decrease in professional fees, which were a result of a decrease in legal and accounting fees related to the review of our securities filings. These decreases were slightly offset by a $15,000 increase in director fees associated with an increase in the size of the board of directors from eight to ten.
At September 30, 2009, Senesco had cash, cash equivalents and investments of $1,075,295, and working capital of $1,596,515, which the Company estimates will cover its expenses for approximately the next three months from September 30, 2009.
About Senesco Technologies, Inc.
Senesco Technologies, Inc. is a U.S. biotechnology company, headquartered in New Brunswick, NJ. Senesco has initiated preclinical research to trigger or delay cell death in mammals (apoptosis) to determine if the technology is applicable in human medicine. Accelerating apoptosis may have applications to development of cancer treatments. Delaying apoptosis may have applications to certain diseases inflammatory and ischemic diseases. Senesco takes its name from the scientific term for the aging of plant cells: senescence. Delaying cell breakdown in plants extends freshness after harvesting, while increasing crop yields, plant size and resistance to environmental stress. The Company believes that its technology can be used to develop superior strains of crops without any modification other than delaying natural plant senescence. Senesco has partnered with leading-edge companies engaged in agricultural biotechnology and earns research and development fees for applying its gene-regulating platform technology to enhance its partners’ products.
Certain statements included in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from such statements expressed or implied herein as a result of a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: the ability of the Company to successfully transition to new management; the ability of the Company to consummate additional financings; the development of the Company’s gene technology; the approval of the Company’s patent applications; the successful implementation of the Company’s research and development programs and joint ventures; the success of the Company’s license agreements; the acceptance by the market of the Company’s products; success of the Company’s preliminary studies and preclinical research; competition and the timing of projects and trends in future operating performance, the Company’s ability to meet its funding milestones under its financing transaction, the Company’s ability to comply with the continued listing standards of the AMEX, as well as other factors expressed from time to time in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). As a result, this press release should be read in conjunction with the Company’s periodic filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
CONTACT: Joel Brooks, Chief Financial Officer, Senesco Technologies, Inc.,
+1-732-296-8400, jbrooks@senesco.com; or Investor Relations Brian Ritchie,
FD, +1-212-850-5600, brian.ritchie@fd.com
Web site: http://www.senesco.com/
