-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Fe3St6lJjH++SkeGpMHVfajL9FJ1YZPGq9rHqNDH7uDAmIosNmXoOd1oa9p344E2 JajmeD0K0h4Qm+xjqXjlAQ== 0000837490-01-500007.txt : 20010521 0000837490-01-500007.hdr.sgml : 20010521 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000837490-01-500007 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 424B3 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20010518 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AQUASEARCH INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000837490 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-COMMERCIAL PHYSICAL & BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH [8731] IRS NUMBER: 330034535 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CO FISCAL YEAR END: 1031 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 424B3 SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-41980 FILM NUMBER: 1642916 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 73-4460 QUEEN KA AHUMANU HWY STREET 2: STE 110 CITY: KAILUA KONA STATE: HI ZIP: 96740 BUSINESS PHONE: 6194580011 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 73-4460 QUEEN KA AHUMANU HWY STREET 2: STE 110 CITY: KAILUA KONA STATE: HI ZIP: 96740 424B3 1 aqse424b3-051701.htm Aquasearch, Inc. Prospectus Supplement

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424 (b) (3)
Registration No. 333-41356

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
DATED MAY 17, 2001

(To Prospectus dated February 6, 2001)

 

 

AQUASEARCH, INC.

 

20,000,000 Shares

Common Stock

 

 

This Prospectus Supplement together, with the Prospectus listed above, is to be used by certain holders of the above-referenced securities or by their transferees, pledgees, donees or their successors in connection with the offer and sale of the above referenced securities.

 

 

 


The following information is added to the Prospectus:

Aquasearch, Inc.
(A Development Stage Enterprise)

Condensed Balance Sheets

 

January 31,
2001

(Unaudited)

October 31,
2000

  (Audited)  

Assets

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

     Cash

$   26,153       

$ 509,492       

     Accounts receivable

39,316       

12,356       

     Inventories

194,864       

-       

     Prepaid expenses and other

        25,636       

       14,936       

Total current assets

285,969       

536,784       

 

 

 

Notes receivable

50,000       

50,000       

Plant and equipment:

 

 

     Plant

3,237,218       

3,015,319       

     Equipment

1,096,177       

1,093,952       

     Less accumulated depreciation

      (723,466)      

      (662,002)      

Net plant and equipment

    3,609,929       

    3,447,269       

Total assets

$ 3,945,898       

$ 4,034,053       

=========        =========       

Liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

     Accounts payable

$ 1,465,843       

$ 1,171,965       

     Due to officer

297,000       

297,000       

     Short-term advance

348,213       

500,000       

     Notes payable

1,427,087       

710,000       

     Notes payable to officer

       854,362       

       757,419       

Total current liabilities

4,392,505       

3,436,384       

 

  

  

Stockholders' equity (deficit)

 

 

     Preferred stock (5,000,000 shares authorized)

-       

-       

     Common stock ($0.0001 par value, 150,000,000 shares
       authorized, 106,457,451 and 105,589,076 shares issued
       and outstanding at January 31, 2001 and October 31,
       2000, respectively)

  


11,767       




11,679       

     Additional paid-in capital

17,154,448       

16,970,990       

     Notes receivable

(29,179)      

(29,179)      

     Deficit accumulated during the development stage

(17,583,643)      

(16,355,821)      

Total stockholders' equity (deficit)

     (446,607)      

       597,669       

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)

$ 3,945,898       

$ 4,034,053       

=========        =========       

2


Aquasearch, Inc.
(A Development Stage Enterprise)

Condensed Statements of Operations

 

From
Inception to January 31,
 2001
 
(Unaudited)  

For the Three Months Ended January 31,
2001
 
(Unaudited)  

For the Three Months Ended January 31,
2000
 
(Unaudited)  

Revenues

 

 

 

Products

$  108,795     

$   97,718     

$              - -     

Contract services

          30,053     

          30,053     

                   - -     

Total revenues

138,848     

127,771     

-     

 

  

 

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

Cost of products sold

23,464     

-     

-     

Cost of contract services

30,053     

30,053     

-     

Research and development costs

7,657,396     

433,747     

557,810     

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     8,145,676     

        786,081     

       397,098     

Total costs and expenses

   15,856,589     

     1,249,881     

       954,908     

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations

(15,717,741)    

(1,122,110)    

(954,908)    

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

Interest

(1,969,125)    

(102,678)    

(145,880)    

Other

264,821     

(3,034)    

53,532     

Investment in joint venture

       (147,096)    

                   - -     

                  - -     

Total other income (expense)

    (1,851,400)    

      (105,712)    

       (92,348)    

Loss before income taxes and extraordinary
     item


(17,569,141)    


(1,227,822)    


(1,047,256)    

Extraordinary item - loss on write down of
     assets to liquidation basis


         (14,502)
    


                   - -     


                  - -      

Net loss

$ (17,583,643)    

$ (1,227,822)    

$ (1,047,256)    

 

==========    

 =========    

=========    

Loss per share

$ (0.43)    

$ (0.01)    

$ (0.01)    

 

======    

======     

======    

Weighted average shares outstanding

41,043,855     

106,325,702     

80,870,601     

========      =========     ========    

3


Aquasearch, Inc.
(A Development Stage Enterprise)

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

 

From
Inception to January 31,
2001

  (Unaudited)  

For the Three Months Ended January 31,
2001

  (Unaudited)  

For the Three Months Ended January 31,
2000

  (Unaudited)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

Net loss

$ (17,583,643)  

$ (1,227,822)  

$ (1,047,256)  

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
     used in operating activities:

 

 

 

     Depreciation

723,466   

61,464   

61,687   

     Allowance on note receivable

108,500   

10,500   

10,500   

     Expenses paid with common stock

1,238,653   

16,193   

119,600   

     Discount on convertible notes payable

1,515,734   

50,347   

92,647   

     Changes in:

 

 

 

          Receivables

(39,316)  

(26,960)  

(18,021)  

          Inventories

(194,864)  

(194,864)  

-   

          Other current assets

(25,636)  

(10,700)  

350   

          Accounts payable

1,465,844   

293,878   

27,391   

          Due to officer

       297,000   

                - -   

       27,600   

Cash used in operating activities

(12,494,262)  

(1,027,964)  

(725,502)  

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

Purchases of fixed assets

(4,333,395)  

(224,124)  

18,188   

Increase in notes receivable

     (127,983)  

    (10,500)  

     (10,500)  

Cash used in investing activities

(4,461,378)  

(234,624)  

7,688   

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

6,076,033   

-   

250,000   

Proceeds from short-term advance

500,000   

-   

-   

Proceeds from notes payable

11,044,163   

845,300   

485,000   

Repayment of notes payable

(105,285)  

-   

-   

Offering costs

     (533,118)  

     (66,051)  

                - -   

Cash provided by financing activities

  16,981,793   

    779,249   

     735,000   

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

26,153   

(483,339)  

17,186   

Cash, beginning of the period

                  - -   

      509,492   

       90,522   

Cash, end of the period

$     26,153   

$   26,153   

$  107,708   

 

=========   

========   

========   

Supplemental non-cash information:

 

 

 

Conversion of convertible notes payable to
     common stock


$ 8,393,863   


$ 180,000   


$ 1,345,000   

Reduction in notes payable to officer and related
     interest for exercise of stock options


531,000   


18,000   


- -   

4


Aquasearch, Inc.
(A Development Stage Enterprise)

Notes To Condensed Financial Statements

January 31, 2001
(Unaudited)

 

1. General

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-QSB. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended October 31, 2000.

2. Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The Company intends to determine cost on a first-in, first-out basis. At January 31, 2001, inventories consisted of $85,514 of work in process and $109,350 of finished goods and are stated at net realizable value.

3. Revenue Recognition

Product revenue is recognized upon shipment to customers. For the quarter ended January 31, 2001, cost associated with the Company's product revenue are indistinguishable from research and development costs. Contract services revenue is recognized as services are performed on a cost reimbursement basis.

4. Notes Payable

Notes payable consisted of the following:

 

January 31,
     2001     

October 31,
      2000     

One-year convertible notes, unsecured, bearing interest a 10%
     per annum payable at the earlier of conversion or maturity


$ 195,300     


$  90,000     

90 day short-term bridge financing notes, unsecured, bearing
     interest at 10% per annum


- -     


370,000     

Short-term bridge financing notes due June 30, 2001, unsecured,
     bearing interest at 10% per annum


551,787     


- -     

One-year promissory notes, unsecured, bearing interest at 10%
     per annum


410,000     


250,000     

5


Aquasearch, Inc.
(A Development Stage Enterprise)

Notes To Condensed Financial Statements

January 31, 2001
(Unaudited)

 

4. Notes Payable (continued)

 

January 31,
     2001     

October 31,
     2000     

One-year bank loan, unsecured, bearing interest at 2.5% above
     the bank's prime rate (11.5% at January 31, 2001)


100,000     


- -     

One-year bank loan, guaranteed by two of the Company's officers,
     bearing interest at 3.0% above the bank's prime rate (12% at
     January 31, 2001)



     170,000
     



              -
     

Total notes payable

$ 1,427,087     

$ 710,000     

 

========     

=======     

Six-month note payable to an officer of the Company, unsecured,
     bearing interest at 10% per annum


$ 100,000     


$ 100,000     

One-year notes payable to an officer of the Company, unsecured,
     bearing interest at 10% per annum


   754,362     


   657,419     

Total notes payable to officer

$ 854,362     

$ 757,419     

=======      =======     

5. Common Stock and Common Stock Purchase Warrants

An analysis of the changes in stockholders' equity (deficit) is as follows:

 


Shares of
Common
  Stock  



Common
  Stock  


Additional
Paid-In
  Capital  



Notes
Receivable



Accumulated
    Deficit    

Total
Stockholders'
Equity
    (Deficit)   

Balance, October 31, 2000

105,589,076   

$ 11,679    

$16,970,990   

$ (29,179)   

$ (16,355,821) 

$ 597,669    

Issuance of stock upon
   conversion of convertible
   notes payable ($0.17 to
   $0.44 per share)




818,375   




83    




115,116   




- -    




- -  




115,199    

Issuance of stock upon
   exercise of stock options
   ($0.36 per share)



50,000   



5    



17,995   



- -    



- -  



18,000    

Discount on convertible
   notes payable


- -   


- -    


50,347   


- -    


- -  


50,347    

Loss for the three months
   ended January 31, 2001


                    - -
   


             -    


                    - -   


             -
    


     (1,227,822) 


(1,227,822)   

Balance, January 31, 2001

106,457,451   

$ 11,767    

$17,154,448   

$ (29,179)   

$ (17,583,643) 

$ (446,607)   

=======    =====    =======    =====    ========  ======   

Discount on convertible notes payable of $50,347 results from the difference between the conversion price and the fair value of the common stock underlying the convertible notes on their respective issuance dates for convertible notes issued during the quarter ended January 31, 2001.

6


Aquasearch, Inc.
(A Development Stage Enterprise)

Notes To Condensed Financial Statements

January 31, 2001
(Unaudited)

 

5. Common Stock and Common Stock Purchase Warrants (continued)

The following is a summary of our common stock purchase warrants for the quarter ended January 31, 2001:


Exercise Price

Outstanding at
October 31, 2000


   Issued   


Exercised

Outstanding at
January 31, 2001

$0.375

45,000       

155,000        

-         

200,000       

$0.40

1,100,000       

-         

-         

1,100,000       

$0.50

6,778,425       

-         

-         

6,778,425       

$0.75

568,086       

59,389        

-         

627,475       

$1.00

489,249       

-         

-         

489,249       

$1.50

154,599       

-         

-         

154,599       

$2.00

     79,491       

            - -         

      -         

     79,491       

 

9,214,850       

214,389        

-         

9,429,239       

=======        ======         ====         =======       

At January 31, 2001, we had reserved a sufficient number of shares of our common stock for issuance upon exercise of the warrants.


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S PLAN OF OPERATION

This Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements that include the words "believes", "expects", "anticipates" or similar expressions. These statements are denoted by an asterisk (*). Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Risk factors include, but are not limited to, our ability to raise or generate additional capital; our ability to cost-effectively manufacture our products on a commercial scale; the concentration of our current customer base; competition; our ability to comply with applicable regulatory requirements; potential need for expansion of our production facility; the potential loss of a strategic relationship; inability to attract and retain key personnel; a lack of time commitment by our Scientific Advisory Board; management's ability to effectively manage our growth; difficulties and resource constraints in developing new products; protection and enforcement of our intellectual property; compliance with environmental laws; climate uncertainty; currency fluctuations; exposure to product liability lawsuits; and control of our management and affairs by principal shareholders.

The reader should carefully consider, together with the other matters referred to herein, the information contained under the caption "Factors That May Affect Future Operating Results" in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for a more detailed description of these significant risks and uncertainties. We caution the reader, however, that these factors may not be exhaustive.

7


 

Management's Plan of Operation for the Next Twelve Months

During the next twelve months we will focus on sales and marketing, product development, and drug discovery, specifically:

- expanding sales of our first nutraceutical product, The AstaFactor™;
- -
developing compound libraries for drug discovery; and
- -
formulating more nutraceutical products.*

(1) The AstaFactor- Nutraceutical Astaxanthin

The AstaFactor™, our first major nutraceutical product, is a dietary supplement rich in astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is a powerful, bioactive anti-oxidant (approximately 100 times more potent than Vitamin E), with anti-inflammatory properties. Astaxanthin has demonstrated efficacy in animal or human models of:

- Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases: major neurodegenerative diseases
- -
Macular degeneration: the leading cause of blindness in the U.S.
- -
Cholesterol disease: ameliorates the effects of LDL (the "bad" cholesterol)
- -
Stroke: repairs damage caused by lack of oxygen
- -
Cancer: protects against several types of cancer

We believe a strong market could develop for The AstaFactor™ among persons afflicted with these ailments because of:

- Large size of potential market: millions of Americans are affected
- -
Poor prognosis: some of these diseases have ineffective or no approved treatments
- -
Promising data: quality of data in relevant human and animal models is promising*

We believe our current production capacity would satisfy approximately 1% of the estimated U.S. market for persons affected by just one of the illnesses mentioned above.* We estimate this would generate retail sales of more than $5 million per year.* We can expand most cost-effectively by adding only finishing ponds. We estimate that this would allow a five-fold expansion of astaxanthin production at a cost of approximately $1.8 million.*

We believe there is a market for our natural astaxanthin at all levels in the value chain.* We began selling The AstaFactor™ directly to consumers. As demand in Hawaii increased we started selling to more than 40 retail outlets, and we are pursuing similar distribution channels on the U.S. mainland. We have recently added a commission-based sales force to increase sales in Hawaii.

(2) Drug Development

The Drug Discovery Process. The average cost of discovering one new drug and bringing it to market now exceeds $320 million. Surprisingly, half those costs are incurred in "discovery." Pharmaceutical companies may spend more than $150 million before the drug even goes into clinical trials.

The Discovery Process: Most new drugs are based on substances discovered in nature. The crude extract of a plant, for example, is shown to have antibacterial activity. The extract is repeatedly purified and tested until the antibacterial activity can be attributed to a single molecule. After pre-clinical testing, this "bioactive" molecule may become a drug candidate for clinical trials. The cost of discovering and identifying a bioactive molecule from natural sources is not large, by itself. The real cost of discovery lies in:

8


"Rediscovery": For every 250 compounds taken to discovery - only 1 is patentable. The remainder are "rediscoveries" - compounds that are already known, and therefore not patentable. The cost of rediscovery can be significant. Rediscoveries are common because biopharmaceutical companies continue to mine the common natural sources - terrestrial plants and microbes. The rediscovery rate among the microalgae is very low. Among certain groups of microalgae, most of the bioactive compounds are new, and therefore patentable. Why have biopharmaceutical companies not exploited this resource? The answer lies in:

Cultivation of Sufficient Quantity: Bioactive compounds from natural sources typically occur in very small amounts. Laboratory cultivation might provide enough pure compound for identification. But clinical trials must rely on large-scale cultivation or chemical synthesis. If cultivation cannot supply enough compound for pre-clinical trials, then the discovery process usually stops. Synthesis is expensive and, in 1 out of 5 cases, either prohibitively expensive or impossible.

Aquasearch Photobioreactor Technology - its Role in Drug Development. We believe that our photobioreactor technology, the Aquasearch Growth Module, (AGM), is a revolutionary achievement.* First, it is 1,000 times larger than the average laboratory cultivation system. Second, the level of computerized process control is greater than traditional biotechnology manufacturing processes. These two achievements allow large quantities of microalgae to be produced under highly controlled conditions. Solving these problems means that compounds long stalled in the discovery process may now be developed to yield viable drugs.

Aquasearch Compound Libraries - Magnifying Opportunities for Drug Discovery. In August 2000, we made our first "compound library." We began with pure astaxanthin - a known bioactive compound - and, in collaboration with Albany Molecular Research (NASDAQ: AMRI), we created a number of closely related "derivative" compounds. This collection of compounds is a compound library. Many of our new compounds are patentable.

Compound libraries like ours are attracting growing interest in the pharmaceutical industry because they are based on bioactive natural compounds, modified by a biological (enzymatic) process. Our first compound library has been under investigation by the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) for the past nine months. Compounds are being screened for activity against approximately 60 types of cancer cells. We expect results from the NCI shortly.*

Our Agreement with University of Hawaii - Accelerating Drug Discovery. A significant part of our drug development program is our agreement with University of Hawaii (UH), entered into in January 2001. This gives Aquasearch exclusive rights to more than 100 unique, bioactive compounds from microalgae. These compounds were derived from a remarkable collection of approximately 2,000 strains of microalgae. One of the compounds is now in Phase II clinical trials for treatment of cancer.

Most importantly, the bioactive compounds have never been tested in any disease other than cancer. Other compounds may prove active against other diseases.

We believe our agreement with UH is a significant opportunity.* We estimate that in order to isolate from nature 100 bioactive compounds from traditional sources, a biopharmaceutical company would have to isolate and identify approximately 25,000 compounds.* We are starting with these compounds and have the technology to supply sufficient quantities for further testing and pre-clinical trials.

9


The compounds remaining in the collection may prove active against other diseases. We plan to increase the probability of success by making compound libraries from selected bioactive molecules.* This approach can create thousands of lead compounds for pre-clinical screening.

Our Drug Development Business Plan. Our business model is designed to reduce the risks inherent in drug development. Our proprietary cultivation technology, coupled with exclusive access to dozens of unique molecules in the UH collection, enables us to proceed rapidly to pre-clinical studies. We expect to offer to larger biopharmaceutical companies a significant number of new, bioactive chemical structures for their pipelines.*

We plan to develop patentable molecules in the UH collection into compound libraries over the next several years.* The molecules in these libraries would then be screened against numerous diseases in a variety of pre-clinical trials. We believe that compounds which survive the pre-clinical study process may have considerable value.* Our strategy is to focus on strategic partnerships with biopharmaceutical companies that have an interest in acquiring new drug candidates.

We believe the potential sources of revenue from this approach may include the following:

1) Library Access Fee

- access time: limited to 3-12 months
- -
application: limited to certain diseases or disease areas
- -
multiple customers allowed

2) Licensing Fee

- $3 million to $15 million per compound per indication
- -
activated by decision to begin clinical trials

3) Milestone Payments

- $500,000 to $25 million per event
- -
activated by the results of pre-clinical and clinical trials

4) Royalties

- activated by FDA approval and full commercialization*

(3) Expanding our Nutraceutical Product Pipeline

We have identified many potential nutraceutical products among the microalgae, mostly through the published scientific literature. Our nutritional supplement pipeline has recently received a major boost from the federal government. In October 2000 we began work on a $2.4 million project, with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), to develop proprietary "high-value products from microalgae." We expect to receive $1.2 million over three years pursuant to a subcontract with Physical Sciences, Inc. for our work on the project. To the DOE, these high-value products would cut the cost of removing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, from Earth's atmosphere. To Aquasearch, this contract dramatically cuts our cost of product development. We expect our new nutritional supplement products to follow the process proven by The AstaFactorÔ , nine to twelve months of product development, followed by human clinical safety trials, and FDA approval.*

10


We are focused on markets for high-value products that, like those for natural astaxanthin, have potential sales of more than $100 million, and few or no known competitors. At our research and development/production facility, we can directly measure economic feasibility from data gathered during a six-month production run in our commercial-scale Ultra-AGM.

We are well aware that nutraceutical products, because they are not highly regulated, have caused concern among some consumers. Our goal is to self-regulate at a higher standard than required by law.* We are implementing a variety of testing procedures designed to maximize product safety and product efficacy.

Our marketing approach may determine many aspects of product development. We would prefer to sell products directly to the consumer. However, if a strategic partner can contribute significantly to product development or marketing, then we will consider an alliance that could accelerate or maximize the process.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Since inception, our primary operating activities have consisted of basic research and development and production process development; recruiting personnel; purchasing operating assets; and raising capital. From inception through January 31, 2001, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $17.6 million. Our losses to date have resulted primarily from costs incurred in research and development and from general and administrative expenses associated with operations. We expect to continue to incur operating losses for at least the next year as we increase the expansion of our product pipeline.* We expect to have quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year fluctuations in revenues, expenses and losses, some of which could be significant.*

We have a limited operating history. Your assessment of our prospects should include the technology risks, market risks, expenses and other difficulties frequently encountered by development stage companies, and particularly companies attempting to enter competitive industries with significant technology risks and barriers to entry. We have attempted to address these risks by, among other things, hiring and retaining highly qualified persons and forging strategic alliances with companies and universities that complement and leverage our technical strengths. However, our best efforts cannot guarantee that we will overcome these risks in a timely manner, if at all.

We are in the process of transition to a full-scale commercial producer of microalgae products. These changes in our business have placed and will continue to place significant demands on our management, working capital and financial and management control systems.

Results of Operations

Revenues. In July 1999 we began to ship our natural astaxanthin product, Aquaxan™. During the quarters ended January 31, 2001 and 2000, we had revenues of approximately $13,000 and $54,000, respectively, in connection with these shipments. The amount for the quarter ended January 31, 2000 was classified as other income in the accompanying financial statements, since it was considered to be incidental to our ongoing research and development activities. We began sales of The AstaFactor™, our nutraceutical astaxanthin product, on March 30, 2000. Sales of The AstaFactor™ for the quarter ended January 31, 2001 were approximately $84,000. In October 2000, we began work on a $2.4 million project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We expect to receive $1.2 million over three years on a cost reimbursement basis pursuant to a subcontract with Physical Sciences, Inc. for our work on the project.* We recognized approximately $30,000 of revenues related to the subcontract during the quarter ended January 31, 2001.

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Research and Development Costs. Research and development costs include salaries, research supplies and materials, and expenses related to product development and our compound drug discovery library. Research and development costs totaled approximately $434,000 for the quarter ended January 31, 2001 compared with approximately $558,000 for the quarter ended January 31, 2000. The decrease reflects the transition from product development to production of our nutraceutical astaxanthin product, The AstaFactor™. From inception through January 31, 2001, research and development costs have totaled approximately $7.7 million. We expect to incur significant research and development costs in the future.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses consist principally of salaries, fees for professional services, and promotional and marketing expenses related to The AstaFactor ™. Selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $786,000 for the quarter ended January 31, 2001 compared with approximately $397,000 for the quarter ended January 31, 2000. The increase was primarily due to personnel additions, additional legal fees incurred in protecting our intellectual property, investor relations consulting costs, and sales and marketing efforts of The AstaFactor™. From inception through January 31, 2001, selling, general and administrative expenses have totaled approximately $8.1 million. We anticipate that selling, general and administrative expenses will increase over time as we expand production capacity, develop more new products, increase our intellectual property protection, and raise additional capital.*

Interest Expense. Interest expense for the quarters ended January 31, 2001 and 2000 included approximately $50,000 and $93,000, respectively, for the discount resulting from the difference between the conversion price and the fair value of the common stock underlying the convertible notes issued during those quarters. Interest on notes payable were approximately $44,000 and $21,000 for the quarters ended January 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have financed our operations until now through public and private sales of debt and equity securities. During the quarters ended January 31, 2001 and 2000, we raised approximately $661,000 and $735,000, respectively, of net proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock and/or the issuance of debt in private placement transactions. During the quarter ended January 31, 2001 we received a total of $270,000 of one-year term loan financing from a bank. From inception through January 31, 2001, we raised total net proceeds of approximately $16.7 million through public and private sales of equity and debt securities.

During the quarter ended January 31, 2001, cash used in operating activities were approximately $1.0 million compared with $726,000 during the quarter ended January 31, 2000. From inception through January 31, 2001, cash used in operating activities have totaled approximately $12.5 million.

Capital expenditures for the quarter ended January 31, 2001 totaled approximately $224,000. From inception through January 31, 2001, capital expenditures have totaled approximately $4.3 million.

As of January 31, 2001, we had approximately $26,000 in cash.

Subsequent to January 31, 2001, we obtained an additional $30,000 of one-year term loan financing from a bank and a total of $165,000 of debt financing from individuals.

On February 21, 2001, we made a $560,000 draw under our equity line with Alpha Venture Capital for the purchase of 3,500,000 shares of our common stock.

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We estimate a need for approximately $4.0 million in operating capital over the next twelve months.* We anticipate that projected product sales will begin to pay some operating costs.* In the near term, we believe that existing capital resources including the $10 million financing commitment from Alpha Venture Capital, Inc., funds raised through public and/or private offerings of equity and/or debt securities and bank financing will be sufficient for continued operations through the next twelve months.*

We cannot guarantee success in raising the future capital necessary to sustain or expand our operations, nor are we certain that such capital will be available on terms that prevent substantial dilution to existing investors. If we cannot raise sufficient capital, then we might be forced to significantly curtail operations.* Any reduction in operating activity could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and relationships with corporate partners .

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