News release via Canada NewsWire, Toronto 416-863-9350
Attention Business/Financial Editors:
Lorus Therapeutics reports third quarter results for fiscal year 2007
TORONTO, April 19 /CNW/ - Lorus Therapeutics Inc. ("Lorus") (TSX: LOR;
AMEX: LRP), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the research and
development of pharmaceutical products and technologies for the management of
cancer, today reported financial results for the three and nine month periods
ending February 28, 2007. Unless specified otherwise, all amounts are in
Canadian dollars.
FINANCIAL RESULTS
Net loss for the three months ended February 28, 2007 was $2.1 million
($0.01 per share) compared to a loss of $4.1 million ($0.02 per share) for the
same period last year. For the nine-month period ended February 28, 2007, the
net loss was $7.9 million ($0.04 per share) compared to $14.9 million ($0.09
per share) for the comparable period last year. The decrease in net loss for
the three months ended February 28, 2007 is primarily the result of reductions
in research and development expenses of $1.6 million, general and
administrative expenses of $76 thousand and stock based compensation expense
of $295 thousand. The year to date decrease in net loss is due largely to a
reduction of $5.7 million in research and development expenses, lower general
and administrative expenses of $576 thousand and lower stock based
compensation expense of $737 thousand.
Cash used in operating activities before changes in non-cash working
capital was $1.3 million for the three-month period ended February 28, 2007
compared to $2.7 million in the same period last year. For the nine-month
period ended February 28, 2007 cash used in operating activities before
changes in non-cash working capital totaled $5.1 million compared with
$11.0 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2006. The decrease in
cash used in operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital
during the current three and nine month period ended is due to lower research
and development and general and administrative expenditures in comparison with
the same periods last year.
During the third quarter, the Company incurred approximately
$530 thousand in deferred arrangement costs associated with negotiating a
possible financing arrangement. These negotiations are ongoing but have not
yet resulted in a definitive agreement. Management expects that it will
complete these negotiations in the near term and will provide details once an
agreement is reached or a statement that negotiations have terminated. These
deferred costs and any additional costs would be netted against proceeds from
the arrangement if completed or expensed if not completed.
Research and development expenses for the three-month period ended
February 28, 2007 decreased 70.7% to $672 thousand compared to $2.3 million
for the same period last year. For the nine-month period ended February 28,
2007, research and development expenses decreased 64.8% to $3.1 million
compared to $8.9 million for the same period last year. The decrease in
research and development costs is primarily due to a reduction in toxicity
study, clinical trial, compliance, manufacturing and regulatory costs
associated with the Phase III Virulizin(R) development program which was
ongoing during the nine-month period ended February 28, 2006 and was
subsequently completed. Upon completion of the Virulizin(R) trial, the Company
significantly reduced its research personnel and, therefore, has fewer
employees engaged in research and development activities. The ongoing research
and development costs relate to the GTI-2040 clinical development program
ongoing as well as our small molecule pre-clinical program.
General and administrative expenses for the three-month period ended
February 28, 2007 decreased to $833 thousand compared with $909 thousand in
the same period last year. General and administrative expenses for the
nine-month period ended February 28, 2007 decreased to $3.0 million compared
with $3.6 million in the same period last year. The decrease in general and
administrative costs is the result of staff reductions, and a continued focus
on lowering costs in all areas of the business. The cost savings realized
during the current nine month period are partially offset by charges incurred
under the mutual separation agreement entered into with Dr. Jim Wright.
<<
Lorus Therapeutics Inc.
Interim Consolidated Statements of Loss and Deficit (unaudited)
Three Three Nine Nine
(amounts in 000's months months months months
except for per ended ended ended ended
common share data) Feb 28, Feb 28, Feb 28, Feb 28,
(Canadian dollars) 2007 2006 2007 2006
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REVENUE $ 37 $ 5 $ 67 $ 12
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EXPENSES
Cost of sales 6 1 12 2
Research and development 672 2,296 3,125 8,884
General and administrative 833 909 3,028 3,604
Stock-based compensation 105 400 368 1,105
Depreciation and amortization
of fixed assets 98 130 298 390
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Operating expenses 1,714 3,736 6,831 13,985
Interest expense on
convertible debentures 259 224 786 631
Accretion in carrying value
of convertible debentures 236 202 682 568
Amortization of deferred
financing charges 27 23 79 62
Interest income (137) (85) (362) (295)
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Loss for the period 2,062 4,095 7,949 14,939
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Deficit, beginning of period 170,439 157,487 164,552 146,643
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Deficit, end of period $ 172,501 $ 161,582 $ 172,501 $ 161,582
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Basic and diluted loss per
common share $ 0.01 $ 0.02 $ 0.04 $ 0.09
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>>
Media, members of the financial community and shareholders are invited to
listen to the Company's quarterly earnings presentation through an audio web
cast on the Company's website at www.lorusthera.com on Wednesday, April 25,
2007.
About Lorus
Lorus is a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company focused on the
research and development of novel therapeutics in cancer. Lorus' goal is to
capitalize on its research, preclinical, clinical and regulatory expertise by
developing new drug candidates that can be used, either alone, or in
combination, to successfully manage cancer. Through its own discovery efforts
and an acquisition and in-licensing program, Lorus is building a portfolio of
promising anticancer drugs. Late-stage clinical development and marketing will
be done in cooperation with strategic partners. Lorus has completed one Phase
II and one Phase III clinical trial. Lorus has several product candidates in
multiple Phase II clinical trials. Lorus Therapeutics Inc. is listed on the
Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol LOR, and on the American Stock
Exchange under the symbol LRP.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Such statements include, but are
not limited to, statements relating to: our expectations regarding future
financings, our plans to conduct clinical trials, the successful and timely
completion of clinical studies and the regulatory approval process, our plans
to obtain partners to assist in the further development of our product
candidates, the establishment of corporate alliances, the Company's plans,
objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements including words
such as "continue", "believe", "plan", "expect", "intend", "will", "should",
"may", and other similar expressions. Such statements reflect our current
views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties
and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that,
while considered reasonable by us are inherently subject to significant
business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and
contingencies. Many factors could cause our actual results, performance or
achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance,
or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements, including, among others: our ability to obtain the capital
required for research and operations; the regulatory approval process; the
progress of our clinical trials; our ability to find and enter into agreements
with potential partners; our ability to attract and retain key personnel;
changing market conditions; and other risks detailed from time-to-time in our
ongoing quarterly filings, annual information forms, annual reports and annual
filings with Canadian securities regulators and the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should
the assumptions set out in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our Annual
Report underlying those forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual
results may vary materially from those described herein. These forward-looking
statements are made as of the date of this press release and we do not intend,
and do not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements,
except as required by law. We cannot assure you that such statements will
prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such statements. Investors are cautioned
that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and
accordingly investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on
forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
Lorus Therapeutics Inc.'s recent press releases are available through the
Company's website at www.lorusthera.com.
%SEDAR: 00002368E %CIK: 0000882361
/For further information: Lorus Therapeutics Inc., Dr. Saeid Babaei,
(416) 798-1200 ext. 490, ir(at)lorusthera.com/
(LOR. LRP)
CO: Lorus Therapeutics Inc.
CNW 10:39e 19-APR-07