Oculus Innovative Sciences Reports FY 2009 Financial Results and Discusses Worldwide Revenue Growth Prospects

PETALUMA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Oculus Innovative Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:OCLS):

Q4 & FY 2009:

    --  Q4 2009 (Ending March 31, 2009) Revenue of $1.5 Million, Up 59% over Q4
        2008
    --  Total FY 2009 Revenue of $5.4 million, Up 42% over FY 2008

Projections:

    --  Projected Q1 2010 (Ending June 30, 2009) Revenue of $1.8 Million
    --  Projected Quarterly Revenue of $2.8 -$3.0 Million Required for Targeted
        March 2010 Cash Breakeven
    --  Projected $45-$60 Million in Annual Revenues by FY 2013 with 20%
        Operating Profitability
    --  Expect to Receive Two Additional FDA Clearances on New Microcyn Product
        Formulations

Milestones:

    --  Secured FDA Clearances for Two Microcyn(R) Products including New
        Reimbursable Wound HydroGel
    --  Conference Call Begins at 4:30 p.m. (EDT) Today

Oculus Innovative Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:OCLS) today announced financial and operating results for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009, ended March 31 2009. During the quarter the company increased Microcyn(R)-based product revenue by 63% with increases in Europe, Mexico, India, China and the United States. As a result of the cost reduction programs implemented earlier in the year, operating expenses declined $3.0 million in the fourth quarter, compared to the same period last year. Oculus is targeting cash breakeven by the month of March 2010.

Oculus reported total revenue of $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, an increase of 59% over $926,000 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Product revenue was $1.2 million, up 63% from $736,000 in the prior year primarily due to higher sales in Mexico, China and Europe. Service revenue was $278,000, up 46% from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.

The company's Microcyn-based product sales growth of 63% for the quarter reflects strong growth in Europe, India, Mexico, China and the United States. The sales growth rate in Mexico in local currency was 90%; however due to the 33% drop in the value of the peso, this resulted in a dollar-translated sales growth in Mexico of 42%. This devaluation in the peso also reduced Oculus' overall fourth quarter product revenue growth from 99% to 63%. European and rest-of-world revenue growth of 160% reflects increases in China, India, Slovakia, Middle East and Singapore. In China, initial sales represent a product commercialization strategy that included sampling and introductory pricing.

"With the introduction of new products, such as the Microcyn Skin & Wound HydroGel, which recently received FDA clearance, we expect global revenues to continue to grow at a 50% to 100% annual rate. Our objective is to achieve cash breakeven by March of this coming year and annual revenue of $45 to $60 million by fiscal year 2013 with operating profitability of 20%," said Hoji Alimi, founder and CEO of Oculus. "We are also targeting additional growth as the result of opportunities for the Microcyn Technology in markets outside of wound care including dermatology, ophthalmology, respiratory infections and animal health care."

The gross margin on product revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was 60%, up from 34% in the comparable quarter a year ago, primarily due to lower expenses in Europe as well as increased sales volume worldwide. The gross margins were 75% and 44% in Mexico and Europe respectively. To reduce costs and improve gross margins, Oculus intends to consolidate its European manufacturing facility into its U.S. operations, while maintaining a sales office in Europe. Oculus management believes the consolidation of manufacturing will increase overall gross margins from 60% to approximately 75% in the second half of this fiscal year.

Operating expenses in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2009 were $3.0 million, down $3.0 million or 50%, compared with $6.0 million in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2008. This decrease was partially due to $600,000 in lower outside clinical costs and reduced staffing in the United States. As a result of this cost reduction program, Oculus lowered its U.S. headcount from 56 people as of June 30, 2008, to 26 as of March 31, 2009. During the fourth quarter of 2009, these cost reductions were partially offset by higher expenses of $290,000 related to the company's product launch into the U.S. wound care markets.

The net loss for the fiscal 2009 fourth quarter was $2.2 million, or $0.13 per share, compared with the net loss for the fiscal 2008 fourth quarter of $4.5 million, or $0.34 per share. Non-cash stock-compensation expenses for the quarter were $151,000, compared with $422,000 in the same quarter last year.

As of March 31, 2009, Oculus had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $1.9 million, compared with $18.8 million as of March 31, 2008. Pursuant to the previously announced strategic agreement with Vetericyn, Inc. entered into in February of this year, Oculus received an additional $2 million of the Vetericyn investment on June 1, 2009.

Commercial and Regulatory Progress

Oculus has made significant progress in its commercial operations and regulatory efforts, including the following highlights:

    --  Received FDA 510(k) clearances for both a) Microcyn Skin & Wound
        HydroGel, which is reimbursable by both Medicare and Medicaid, and b)
        the Microcyn Skin & Wound Cleanser with preservatives (in liquid form,
        allowing the company to market this formulation for its in vitro
        activity against a broad spectrum of gram-positive, gram-negative and
        yeast species) with rapid 30-secondin vitro time kill method results in
        solution. Pathogens killed include MRSA, VRE and E coli, among others.
    --  Initiated revenue-sharing partnership with Vetericyn, Inc. for North
        American sales of animal healthcare products in February. Oculus has
        developed a family of unique Vetericyn(TM) animal healthcare products
        based upon the Microcyn Technology to be launched this summer.
    --  Expanded U.S. sales effort beyond initial podiatry target to include
        wound care centers, hospitals, urgent care clinics, nursing homesand
        home health care via a dedicated sales force obtained through a
        partnership with a specialty contract sales organization, Advocos,
        whichis highly experienced in the sales of medical products to the U.S.
        healthcare community.
    --  Announced a second-generation Microcyn Technology with increased shelf
        life and potency to be submitted to regulatory bodies for review. The
        new technology is biocompatible and can be delivered through various
        media including devices, fluids and air.
    --  Developed a family of Microcyn-based personal healthcare products under
        the brand name "Microcyn Science" that company intends to commercialize
        in the United States by July 2009. The first three products include a
        nasal care solution, oral care rinse and a skin care hydrogel.
    --  Pursuing large Mexican over-the-counter antiseptic market with
        introduction of consumer-sized 120 mL Microdacyn60(TM) product in June
        2009.

Results for the 12 Months ended March 31, 2009

For the twelve months ended March 2009, Oculus reported total revenue of $5.4 million, up $1.6 million from the $3.8 million in the twelve months ended March 31, 2008. The company reported product revenue of $4.4 million in fiscal year 2009, up 53% from the same period last year. The gross margin on product revenue in the fiscal year 2009 was 62%, compared with 38% in the fiscal year 2008. Operating expenses for the twelve months ending March 31, 2009 were $20.1 million, compared with $23.5 million in the same period last year.

The net loss in the fiscal year 2009 was $17.7 million, or $1.09 per share, compared with the net loss of $20.3 million, or $1.60 per share, in the fiscal year 2008. The non-cash stock-compensation expense for the fiscal year 2009 was $2.3 million, compared with $1.3 million for the same period last year. Also, the fiscal year 2009 included severance costs of $737,000 associated with the significant reduction in the headcount in the U.S. operations.

Outlook

Oculus expects to continue achieving strong growth in sales of Microcyn-based products over the coming years through international and domestic sales, although quarterly rates of growth are difficult to forecast accurately as the company's international revenues are subject to currency fluctuations. Additionally, some marketing approvals and distribution agreements are recent, and as a result the timing of sales and deliveries will be variable during these introductory stages.

Last quarter Oculus provided guidance that the net loss, minus non-cash expenses for the fourth quarter would be less than $2.0 million, and in fact it was $1.9 million.

Conference Call

Oculus management will hold a conference call today to discuss fourth quarter results and to answer questions, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Individuals interested in participating in the conference call may do so by dialing 877-397-0292 for domestic callers or 719-325-4907 for international callers. Those interested in listening to the conference call live via the Internet may do so at http://ir.oculusis.com/events.cfm. Please log on approximately 30 minutes prior to the presentation in order to register and download the appropriate software.

A telephone replay will be available for 48 hours following the conclusion of the call by dialing (888) 203-1112 for domestic callers, or (719) 457-0820 for international callers, and entering reservation code 2591974. A webcast replay will be available on the site at http://ir.oculusis.com/events.cfm for one year following the call.

About Oculus

Oculus Innovative Sciences develops, manufactures and markets a family of products based upon the Microcyn(R) Technology platform, which includes new formulations designed to significantly reduce the need for antibiotics as it reduces infections. The Microcyn Technology platform features a biocompatible, shelf-stable solution that is currently commercialized in the United States, Europe, India, China and Mexico and select Middle East countries. Several solutions derived from this platform have demonstrated, in a variety of research and investigational studies, the ability to treat a wide range of pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria (including MRSA and VRE), viruses, fungi and spores, increase blood flow to the wound site, reduce both inflammation and pain while assisting in faster wound closure. The company's headquarters are in Petaluma, California, with operations in Europe and Latin America. More information can be found at www.oculusis.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information herein, matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about the Company's commercial and technology progress and future financial performance. These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of words such as "expects," "intends," "targeting," "believes," and "will be," among others. Forward-looking statements in this press release are subject to certain risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company's business that could cause actual results to vary, including such risks that regulatory clinical and guideline developments may change, scientific data may not be sufficient to meet regulatory standards or receipt of required regulatory clearances or approvals, clinical results may not be replicated in actual patient settings, protection offered by the Company's patents and patent applications may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented by its competitors, the available market for the Company's products will not be as large as expected, the Company's products will not be able to penetrate one or more targeted markets, revenues will not be sufficient to fund further development and clinical studies, the Company may not meet its future capital needs, and its ability to obtain additional funding, as well as uncertainties relative to varying product formulations and a multitude of diverse regulatory and marketing requirements in different countries and municipalities, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009. Oculus Innovative Sciences disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Oculus, Vetericyn and Microcyn are trademarks or registered trademarks of Oculus Innovative Sciences, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.


Oculus Innovative Sciences, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

                                      For the Three Months  For the Year Ended

                                      Ended March 31,       March 31,

                                      2009      2008        2009       2008

REVENUE

Product                               $1,197    $736        $4,415     $2,881

Service                               278       190         973        954

Total revenues                        1,475     926         5,388      3,835

COST OF REVENUES

Product                               476       487         1,673      1,774

Service                               269       216         913        977

Total cost of revenues                745       703         2,586      2,751

Gross profit                          730       223         2,802      1,084

OPERATING EXPENSES

Research and development              631       2,708       6,252      9,778

Selling, general and administrative   2,347     3,291       13,857     13,731

Total operating expenses              2,978     5,999       20,109     23,509

Loss from operations                  (2,248)   (5,776)     (17,307)   (22,425)

Interest expense                      (13)      (172)       (437)      (1,016)

Interest income                       3         74          152        630

Other income (expense), net           33        1,399       (64)       2,472

Net loss                              (2,225)   (4,475)     (17,656)   (20,339)

Preferred stock dividends             -         -           -          -

Net loss available to common          $(2,225)  $(4,475)    $(17,656)  $(20,339)
stockholders

Net loss per common share: basic and  $(0.13)   $(0.34)     $(1.09)    $(1.60)
diluted

Weighted-average number of shares
used in per common share              17,130    13,271      16,221     12,737
calculations: Basic and diluted




OCULUS INNOVATIVE SCIENCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

                                                       Pro forma

                            March 31,     Pro forma    March 31,     March 31,

                            2009          Adjustments  2009 (a)      2008

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,921       $ 2,000      $ 3,921       $ 18,823

Accounts receivable, net      923           --           923           770

Inventory                     340           --           340           259

Prepaid expenses and other    758           --           758           1,098
current assets

Total current assets          3,942       2,000          5,942         20,950

Property and equipment,       1,432         --           1,432         2,303
net

Other assets                  73            --           73            359

Total assets                $ 5,447       $ 2,000      $ 7,447       $ 23,612

LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable            $ 1,565       $ --         $ 1,565       $ 2,977

Accrued expenses and other    853           --           853           2,460
current liabilities

Current portion of
long-term debt and capital    261           --           261           2,013
lease obligations

Total current liabilities     2,679         --           2,679         7,450

Deferred revenue              425           --           425           523

Long-term debt and capital
lease obligations, less       74            --           74            211
current portion

Total liabilities             3,178         --           3,178         8,184

Commitments and
Contingencies

Stockholders' Equity:

Common stock, $0.0001 par
value; 100,000,000 shares
authorized, 18,402,820,
and 20,112,222 and
15,905,708 shares issued      2             --           2             2
and outstanding at March
31, 2008 and March 31,
2009 (pro forma) and March
31, 2008, respectively.

Additional paid-in capital    113,803       2,000        115,803       109,027

Accumulated other             (3,054   )    --           (3,054   )    (2,775  )
comprehensive loss

Accumulated deficit           (108,482 )    --           (108,482 )    (90,826 )

Total stockholders' equity    2,269         2,000        4,269         15,428

Total liabilities and       $ 5,447       $ 2,000      $ 7,447       $ 23,612
stockholders' equity

(a) The pro forma balance sheet for March 31, 2009 is adjusted to reflect a
$2,000,000 investment received on June 1, 2009. This investment represents the
final installment related to a private placement transaction we entered into on
February 24, 2009. This transaction is described in more detail in our 8-K on
file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on June 4, 2009.




    Source: Oculus Innovative Sciences, Inc.