NEWARK, Calif., Aug. 2, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StemCells, Inc. (STEM), a leading stem cell company developing and commercializing novel cell-based therapeutics and tools for use in stem cell-based research and drug discovery, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2012 and provided a business update.

"We continue to be encouraged by our progress in developing cell-based therapeutics for a broad array of disorders affecting the central nervous system," said Martin McGlynn, President and CEO of StemCells, Inc. "We have already reported top line results from our Phase I PMD trial and I am pleased to report that the manuscript with the complete PMD trial data is under peer review for publication by a top tier journal.

Our other clinical development efforts also continue to advance. We recently reported interim safety data from our chronic spinal cord injury trial, showing that our cells and the procedure have been well tolerated. We have also initiated a Phase I/II trial in dry AMD and look forward to enrolling our first patients in this study soon. Lastly, we recently reported preclinical data showing that our cells restored memory in two animal models relevant to Alzheimer's disease without having to reduce beta-amyloid or tau burden that are the pathological hallmarks of the disease. Results of this kind underscore the potential of our HuCNS-SC cells to potentially address a number of devastating CNS disorders.

Financially, we aim to do more with less and continue to carefully manage our burn rate. Last week's decision by CIRM to award us a $20 million disease team award is exciting and welcome. This award will not only provide additional resources, but is also a vote of confidence in our technology, our program and our people. Moving forward, we will continue to generate clinical data from our HuCNS-SC program in a thoughtful, cost effective manner, which is, we believe, the best pathway to grow shareholder value."

Second Quarter and Recent Business Highlights

Second Quarter Financial Results

Revenue from product sales increased 14% to $211,000 in the second quarter of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011 as our SC Proven media and reagents business continued to see increased unit volume. Total revenue in the second quarter of 2012 was $249,000, compared to $234,000 in the same period of 2011.

Our operating expenses decreased 24% to $5,535,000 in the second quarter of 2012 compared to the same quarter of 2011. Research and development expenses were 26% lower, and selling, general and administrative expenses were 16% lower, compared to the second quarter of 2011. The significant reduction in operating expenses was primarily attributable to continuing tight cost controls and a number of measures taken last year to reduce infrastructure and overhead costs, including a reduction in workforce implemented in May 2011.

Other income in the second quarter of 2012 was $6,184,000, compared to $3,055,000 in the second quarter of 2011. This increase was primarily due to a decrease in the estimated fair value of warrant liability. Our outstanding warrants are classified as a liability, with subsequent changes in the estimated fair value recorded as income or loss.

Loss from operations in the second quarter of 2012 was $5,350,000, a 25% decrease compared to the same period in 2011. Net income for the quarter was $834,000, or $0.03 per share, compared with a net loss of $4,035,000, or $(0.29) per share, for the second quarter of 2011.

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Stemcells, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2012 Financial Results and Provides Business Update