NEWARK, Calif., March 13, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StemCells, Inc. (Nasdaq:STEM - News), 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 fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011 and provided a business update.

"The StemCells team made significant progress in 2011 with regard to two critical goals for the Company, namely accelerating and broadening our HuCNS-SC neural stem cell clinical trial agenda for diseases of, and injuries to, the central nervous system, while at the same time reducing our operating cash burn. We are now uniquely positioned as the only stem cell company pursuing clinical trials for disorders of all three organs of the CNS, the brain, spinal cord and eye," said Martin McGlynn, President and CEO of StemCells, Inc. "We have strong preclinical data underlying all our clinical trials, much of which has already been published in peer-reviewed journals, but we realize that the true test of our proprietary cell-based technology will be in the clinic. In this regard, I am pleased to confirm StemCells remains on track to report safety and efficacy data from our recently completed Phase I Pelizeaus-Merzbacher disease trial at the European Leukodystrophy Association meeting to be held in Paris, March 31-April 1. We are confident that executing our clinical trial agenda, while controlling our cash burn, is the best way to build lasting shareholder value."

Fourth Quarter and Recent Business Highlights

Therapeutic Product Development

Tools and Technologies Programs

Other Business Activities

Fourth Quarter 2011 Financial Results

For the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company reported a net loss of $7,212,000, or $(0.47) per share, compared with a net loss of $8,957,000, or $(0.70) per share, for the fourth quarter of 2010. Loss from operations in the fourth quarter of 2011 was $7,313,000, which was 5% lower when compared to the $7,706,000 loss from operations in the fourth quarter of 2010. Included in net loss and loss from operations in the fourth quarter of 2011 is a charge of $655,000 for the write-off of an acquired intangible asset.

Total revenue during the fourth quarter of 2011 was $541,000, compared to $699,000 in the same period of 2010. The decrease of 23% from 2010 to 2011 was due to both lower product sales and lower licensing and grant revenues. Total revenues in the fourth quarter of 2010 were higher due to a particularly strong quarter in our SC Proven business as well as the receipt of a milestone payment under a licensing agreement of approximately $438,000 in 2010.

Total operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2011 were $7,807,000, compared to $8,341,000 in the fourth quarter of 2010. Excluding the impairment of the intangible asset, which is included as an operating expense, total operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2011 were $7,152,000, or 14% lower than the same period in 2010. In the fourth quarter of 2011, research and development expenses totaled $4,834,000, or 18% less than in the same period of 2010, while selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $2,290,000, or 8% lower. The significant reduction in operating expenses was primarily attributable to the Company's cost containment efforts, including the reduction in force effected in May 2011.

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StemCells, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2011 Financial Results and Provides Business Update