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EX-99.1 - PDF OF SUBMISSION - WaferGen Bio-systems, Inc.submissionpdf.pdf
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EXHIBIT 99.1

November 21, 2011
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WaferGen Contacts
 
510-651-4450
   
 
Don Huffman, CFO
 
don.huffman@wafergen.com
   
 
Media:  Joyce Strand
 
joyce.strand@wafergen.com



WaferGen Reports Third Quarter 2011 Financial Results and Announces New Commercialization Strategy

Fremont, Calif., November 21, 2011 – WaferGen Biosystems, Inc. (OTCBB:WGBS), an emerging genomic analysis company, today reported financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and announced a revised plan to commercialize and increase adoption of its SmartChip System.

“During the third quarter of 2011 we implemented a new commercial strategy to address the rapidly changing needs of the Life Sciences Research Market and to better anticipate future needs of researchers.  We have decided to invest significantly in scientific resources focused on a strategy to engage an array of key opinion leaders in our target market, enabling the profiling and validation of high-value genomic targets,” said Mona Chadha, WaferGen’s Chief Operating Officer.

“With the advent of next-generation sequencing into the life science marketplace in 2007, there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of genomic content that is available to researchers beyond what other genomic technologies have generated.  However, there is an equally dramatic and rapidly growing unmet need to validate and confirm the results of this sequencing information to find clinically relevant biomarkers.  In particular, the data from RNAseq experiments, in which researchers are quantifying gene expression levels, is well suited to the high throughput

 
 

 

validation of the SmartChip platform.  This ability to accurately make quantitative genome measurements is an integral tool in enabling researchers to verify the results coming from next-generation sequencers.  Once verified, this content creates a larger, longer term opportunity for the Company as it significantly increases the ability of researchers to validate high value genomic targets for their ultimate use in developing new/improved drugs and diagnostic tests.”

“Using the SmartChip platform, we can study many genes simultaneously on multiple samples with a single chip to test the signature of interest.  This should enable greater accuracy for discovery of biomarkers and decreased time to results,” said Professor Jo Vandesompele, a professor in functional cancer genomics and applied bio-informatics at Belgium’s Ghent University and recognized leader in the field of qPCR.

Wafergen’s new strategy and organization changes will result in a reduction of approximately 24% of the Company’s total workforce, which represents a $1.3 million annual reduction in operating expenses. The Company will take a one-time charge related to the reduction in force of approximately $400,000 in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Revenue
Revenue for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011 was $89,000 compared to $633,000 for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010.  Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $485,000 compared to $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The decrease is primarily due to decreases in sales of SmartChip Real-Time PCR Systems, Real-Time PCR Chip panels and Fee-for-Service, as well as first quarter sales of SmartSlide™ products (which the Company no longer markets).


 
 

 

Net Income/Loss
WaferGen reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $3.2 million, or $0.08 per share (basic), $0.03 per share (diluted) for the third quarter of 2011, compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $5.7 million, or $(0.14) per share (basic and diluted) for third quarter 2010.  The Company reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $19.2 million, or $(0.46) per share (basic and diluted), compared to a loss attributable to common stockholders of $9.7 million, or $(0.27) (basic and diluted) for the same period in 2010.  The net loss attributable to common stockholders for the first nine months of 2011 includes non-cash charges to net income totaling $5.7 million resulting from new accounting entries related to the closing of the $30.6 million financing.

The net gain for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and the net loss for the first nine months 2011 were impacted by derivative revaluations.  The net gains from derivative revaluations of warrants and the conversion element of convertible promissory notes during the three months ended September 30, 2011 were $1.1 million and $7.5 million, respectively. These compare to a loss of $1.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2010, from warrant derivative revaluations; there were no convertible promissory notes in 2010.  The net gains from derivative revaluations during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, were $1.4 million and $5.9 million, respectively, offset by other non-cash charges to net income totaling $11.6 million resulting from new accounting entries for the closing of the $30.6 million financing.  These compare to a gain of $15,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from warrant derivative revaluations; there were no convertible promissory notes in 2010.  These gains and losses result primarily from a net decrease or increase in the Company’s stock price in the period.  These derivative liabilities are also decreasing as the remaining terms of the warrants and convertible promissory notes diminish.


 
 

 

Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses for the third quarter ending September 30, 2011 were $4.1 million compared to $3.9 million for the same quarter in 2010.  For the first nine months of 2011, the total operating expenses were $13.3 million compared to $9.9 million in 2010.

Sales and marketing expenses increased to $914,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 compared to $653,000 in the same period of 2010.  For the first nine months of 2011, sales and marketing expenses increased to $2.6 million compared to $1.4 million in the first nine months of 2010.

Research and development expenses decreased to $1.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, compared to $2.0 million for the same period in 2010.  For the first nine months of 2011, research and development expenses increased to $6.0 million compared to $5.1 million in the first nine months of 2010.

General and administrative expenses were $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 compared to $1.2 million for the same period in 2010.  For the first nine months of 2011, general and administrative expenses were $4.7 million compared to $3.5 million for 2010.

Assets
WaferGen ended the third quarter 2011 with approximately $19.8 million of cash and cash equivalents compared to $2.2 million as of December 31, 2010. The increase in cash is due to the completion of a May 2011 private placement financing of $30.6 million in equity and debt with three leading institutional life science investors and certain members of the Board of Directors and management.

About WaferGen and the SmartChip Real-Time PCR System
WaferGen Biosystems, Inc., an emerging genomic analysis company in the early stage of commercialization, offers the transformative SmartChip Real-Time PCR

 
 

 

System—a next-generation Real-Time PCR System for profiling and validation of gene expression patterns (biomarkers) on a single platform. The SmartChip System provides a range of high-throughput capabilities including microRNA and mRNA gene expression profiling and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) genotyping. WaferGen also offers Quick-Turnaround SmartChip Custom (User-Defined) Panels to enable validation studies of specific genes of interest through customization of high-throughput, real-time PCR SmartChip assay panels—all on a quick-turnaround basis.

In addition, the Company offers an innovative fee-based service for gene-expression profiling using the SmartChip System. For additional information, please see http://www.wafergen.com

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements”.  Such statements include statements relating to the expected benefit to the Company of its new commercialization strategy, the expected benefits to researchers of using the SmartChip platform, the expected amount of reduction in operating expenses to be achieved as a result of organizational changes, and other statements relating to future events are not historical facts, including statements which may be preceded by the words “will,” “believes” or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations contained in the forward-looking statements. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and the company’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2011. Security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC’s web site at

 
 

 

www.sec.gov. The company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
# # #


 
 

 

WAFERGEN BIO-SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Assets
 
(Unaudited)
       
   Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 19,810,823     $ 2,209,941  
Restricted cash
    100,916       100,651  
Accounts receivable, net
    80,334       778,769  
Inventories, net
    1,326,185       1,024,250  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    187,150       176,259  
                 
Total current assets
    21,505,408       4,289,870  
                 
   Property and equipment, net
    1,920,043       1,191,840  
   Other assets
    865,416       334,855  
                 
Total assets
  $ 24,290,867     $ 5,816,565  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
               
   Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 1,219,037     $ 1,196,861  
Accrued payroll and related costs
    512,426       440,101  
Deferred revenue
    25,000       25,000  
Other accrued expenses, current portion
    695,965       428,497  
Current portion of long-term debt
          419,384  
                 
Total current liabilities
    2,452,428       2,509,843  
                 
Other accrued expenses, non-current portion
    126,911        
Long-term debt, net of current portion
    1,142,459       1,589,468  
Fair value of conversion element of Series B redeemable convertible preference shares of subsidiary
    82,861       194,088  
Derivative liability for conversion element of convertible promissory notes
    5,009,088        
Warrant derivative liability
    561,456       2,240,962  
                 
Total liabilities
    9,375,203       6,534,361  
                 
 Series A and B redeemable convertible preference shares of subsidiary
    3,625,405       3,337,476  
                 
 Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
           
                 
 Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
               
Series C convertible preference shares of subsidiary
    4,993,728       ––  
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 2,937,499.97 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011
    9,838,569        
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized, 41,563,180 and 41,175,464 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010 respectively
    41,563       41,175  
Additional paid-in capital
    49,090,520       38,881,075  
Accumulated deficit
    (52,697,855 )     (43,265,399 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    23,734       287,877  
                 
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)
    11,290,259       (4,055,272 )
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
  $ 24,290,867     $ 5,816,565  

 
 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
   Revenue
  $ 89,088     $ 633,241     $ 485,025     $ 1,454,920  
                                 
   Cost of revenue
    492,246       312,047       647,137       583,796  
                                 
Gross profit (loss)
    (403,158 )     321,194       (162,112 )     871,124  
                                 
   Operating expenses:
                               
Sales and marketing
    913,948       653,322       2,550,107       1,378,271  
Research and development
    1,900,417       2,047,367       5,980,305       5,086,078  
General and administrative
    1,259,211       1,248,773       4,747,992       3,452,727  
                                 
Total operating expenses
    4,073,576       3,949,462       13,278,404       9,917,076  
                                 
Operating loss
    (4,476,734 )     (3,628,268 )     (13,440,516 )     (9,045,952 )
                                 
   Other income and (expenses):
                               
Interest income
    6,843       7,965       14,203       15,072  
Interest expense (including excess debt discount of $2,255,074 expensed as interest in the nine months ended September 30, 2011)
    (240,143 )     (280 )     (3,059,370 )     (1,954 )
Gain on revaluation of conversion element of Series B redeemable convertible preference shares of subsidiary, net
    35,615       124,473       111,227       124,473  
Gain on revaluation of conversion element of convertible promissory notes, net
    7,525,265             5,912,152        
Gain (loss) on revaluation of warrants, net
    1,064,096       (1,665,950 )     1,363,703       14,526  
Liquidated damages for late S-1 registration
    (532,161 )           (532,161 )      
Miscellaneous income (expense)
    214,843       (62,703 )     197,593       (135,697 )
                                 
Total other income and (expenses)
    8,074,358       (1,596,495 )     4,007,347       16,420  
                                 
Net income (loss) before provision for income taxes
    3,597,624       (5,224,763 )     (9,433,169 )     (9,029,532 )
                                 
   Provision for income taxes
    16,703             (713 )      
                                 
Net income (loss)
    3,580,921       (5,224,763 )     (9,432,456 )     (9,029,532 )
                                 
   Accretion on Series A and B redeemable convertible preference shares of subsidiary associated with premium
    (166,773 )     (79,151 )     (287,929 )     (223,464 )
   Accretion on Series B redeemable convertible preference shares of subsidiary associated with bifurcation of conversion element
          (428,787 )           (428,787 )
   Accretion on Series A-1 convertible preferred stock associated with beneficial conversion feature
                (9,250,009 )      
   Series A-1 preferred dividend
    (191,866 )           (266,119 )      
                                 
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
  $ 3,222,282     $ (5,732,701 )   $ (19,236,513 )   $ (9,681,783 )
                                 
   Net income (loss) per share - basic
  $ 0.08     $ (0.14 )   $ (0.46 )   $ (0.27 )
                                 
   Net income (loss) per share - diluted
  $ 0.03     $ (0.14 )   $ (0.46 )   $ (0.27 )
                                 
   Shares used to compute net income (loss) per share - basic
    41,549,594       39,851,627       41,378,428       35,756,913  
                                 
   Shares used to compute net income (loss) per share - diluted
    113,656,017       39,851,627       41, 378,428       35,756,913