Hamilton Thorne Announces 2012 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Financial Results

The Company Reports Record Revenues and Positive Net Income in Q4

BEVERLY, MA and TORONTO--(Marketwired - April 29, 2013) - Hamilton Thorne Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: HTL), a leading provider of precision laser devices and advanced image analysis systems for the fertility, stem cell and developmental biology research markets, today reported operational and financial results for the fourth quarter and year-ended December 31, 2012.

Sales for the year were $6.3 million on the strength of a record fourth quarter of $2.06 million, which was up 2% over the prior year, and up 41% versus the third quarter of 2012. In addition, the Company generated a fourth quarter net income of $18,000 and positive cash flow from operations of $159,000. For the year-ended December 31, 2012, Hamilton Thorne sales decreased 12% versus the $7.15 million in the prior year, as the Company experienced a deep downturn in sales in the second quarter and to a lesser extent, the third quarter.

"2012 was a mixed year for Hamilton Thorne. While we were disappointed to see a decline in sales, particularly in the second quarter, we were pleased to see a strong rebound in Q4 resulting in the first period of positive net income and positive cash flow since the Company went public on the TSX Venture Exchange in 2009," said David Wolf, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hamilton Thorne Ltd.

Michael Bruns, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, commented, "At the beginning of the third quarter we made strategic cost cutting moves that trimmed almost $200,000 per quarter from our expense structure. This cost cutting, along with the sales growth in the fourth quarter, enabled us to generate positive cash flow for the quarter and dramatically reduce our use of cash for operations for the year."

Mr. Wolf added, "We continue to focus our efforts on the human clinical IVF market as well as the animal fertility and research markets where Hamilton Thorne has an established leadership position, strong brand recognition and quality products. The introduction of our updated, industry-leading computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) hardware and software in the second half of the year positively contributed to our sales growth in Q4. We see continued opportunity for strong growth in these markets and we plan to invest judiciously in both R&D and sales and marketing activities to accelerate revenue growth, as we work to move Hamilton Thorne towards continued profitability and positive cash flow."

2012 Business Highlights

• In March 2012, Hamilton Thorne launched its leading-edge XYRCOS ® laser system for advanced research applications. The XYRCOS® laser offers a significant advance in integrated laser optics, providing additional functionality, increased resolution and compatibility with all major microscope models. The XYRCOS®, which is engineered to have the laser and RED-i ® target locator built directly inside the objective, offers benefits for cutting-edge embryo micromanipulation applications such as transgenic animal production, gene targeting, stem cell research and laser-assisted animal IVF.
  
  
• In July 2012, Hamilton Thorne commercially launched its IMSI-Strict™ imaging and analysis software at the 28th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). IMSI-Strict™ is the only automated software solution for live sperm morphology analysis under high magnification, combining Tygerberg Strict Criteria with motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME).
  
  
• In the third quarter, the Company shipped the first of its IVOS II best-in-class CASA systems, the first product introduction in its refreshed CASA hardware line. During the quarter, the Company also made a number of sales of its IMSI-Strict™ software system.
  
  
• In November 2012, the Company shipped the first of its updated CASA II software products targeted for the animal breeding market. The software features a new, up to date user interface, multi-language support, advanced morphometry and a host of features targeted to specific markets.
  
  
• The Company received FDA clearance for its Multi-Pulse software for performing embryo biopsy in clinical settings. The Multi-Pulse software, which comes standard on the LYKOS® laser, provides rapid, repeated firing of the laser to facilitate the trophectoderm biopsy process for IVF patients undergoing pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). The Company also received a CE Mark for its new LYKOS® assisted clinical reproductive laser system. The CE Mark provides conformity to European Medical Device Directive 93/42/EEC, which allows a company to market and sell products in the European Economic Area (EEA).
  
  
• Hamilton Thorne received US patent approval covering its RED-i® target locator for the Company's line of lasers systems. The new patent further strengthens Hamilton Thorne's IP position, and its innovative technology can be widely used for important clinical and research applications.
  
  
• In 2012, Hamilton Thorne's products were referenced in over 97 new peer-reviewed scientific articles by customers at world-leading research labs and academic institutions. Hamilton Thorne's image analysis products accounted for 68 articles and publications referencing our advanced laser systems appearing in many of the most prestigious scientific journals such as Nature, Fertility and Sterility, Stem Cells & Development, Journal of Cell Biology and Cell.
  
  

Financing Highlights:

• In May 2012, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement of $450,000 of equity units to insiders for the price of Cdn $0.115 per unit (each unit consisting of one common share and one half warrant), and issued 4,006,668 common shares and 2,003,332 common share warrants expiring one year from the date of issue.
  
  
• In August 2012, the Company exercised its option to convert the remaining $345,000 of principal amount of 10% convertible unsecured subordinated debentures issued in March 2011 into a total of 1,411,766 common shares. In addition, the Company issued 31,077 common shares upon the conversion of $2,282 of accrued interest thereon.
  
  
• On August 29, 2012, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement to insiders of $300,000 of unsecured subordinated debentures (the "Debentures"). The Debentures are denominated in United States Dollars and will mature on October 1, 2013. The Debentures bear interest at a rate of 10% per annum until April 29, 2013 and 18% per annum thereafter until the maturity date. The interest is to be accrued and paid only upon maturity of the Debentures or the earlier redemption by the Corporation in accordance with the terms thereof. The net proceeds from the sale of the Debentures were used for working capital purposes.
  
  

Financial Results

All amounts are in US dollars, unless specified otherwise, and results expressed in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS").

Full Year 2012

The Company total sales were $6,326,006 for the year-ended December 31, 2012, a decrease of $833,156, or 11.6% from $7,159,162 during the previous year. This decrease was attributable to laser sales being down slightly, while CASA sales were off substantially, in part due to cyclical fluctuations in demand, and in part due to purchase deferrals in anticipation of new product announcements which began to be fulfilled in the fourth quarter.

Gross profit for the year decreased 18.4% to $3,687,749 in the year-ended December 31, 2012, compared to $4,518,797 in the previous year. Gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased from 63.1% to 58.38% for the year-ended December 31, 2012, due primarily to an increase in sales through distribution channels, two large sales of a low margin product formerly distributed by the Company, product mix and decreased sales spread over a relatively constant overhead base.

Operating expenses were $5,028,761 for the year-ended December 31, 2012, reduced 14.6% from $5,889,239 for the previous year, and also, as a percentage of sales, down to 79.5% versus 82.3% for the prior year. The substantial reduction in operating expenses of $860,478 (14.6%) was a result of significant cost cutting, particularly in the second half of the year, and to a lesser extent, lower variable costs on a lower sales volume. Research and development expenses decreased $243,444 from $1,220,316 to $976,872 for the year-ended December 31, 2012, as the Company refocused on products serving existing markets and substantially reduced investment in products serving unproven markets. Sales and marketing expenses decreased $228,541 (19.9%) from $2,634,452 to $2,405,911 for the year-ended December 31, 2012 due to the reduction of our sales and marketing staff, commissions, reduced travel, and lower variable costs of selling. General and administrative (G&A) expenses were reduced $388,493 (19.1%) from $2,034,471 to $1,645,978 for the year-ended December 31, 2012 due primarily to a reduction in staffing, strong expense controls, reduced consulting fees, and lower share-based compensation costs.

Net interest expense decreased from $521,178 to $297,318 for the year-ended December 31, 2012. The decrease of $223,860 was due primarily to the significant reduction of the Company's debt as a result of the conversion of approximately $1.6 million of convertible debentures to equity and the reduction of the Company's bank loan by $1.5 million, both of which were completed in the quarter ended September 30, 2011.

The net loss for the year-ended December 31, 2012 was $1,638,330, reduced from $1,891,620 in the previous year, an improvement of $253,290, as revenue decreases were offset by operating expense reductions, with the resulting savings attributable to reduced interest expense.

Fourth Quarter Results

The Company total sales increased 2.1% to $2,064,340 during the quarter ended December 31, 2012, which was up $42,167 from $2,022,173 during the previous year quarter. Gross profit was down 9.5% to $1,183,322, and gross profit as a percentage of sales declined to 57.3% from 64.7% in the previous year, due primarily to an increase in sales through distribution channels and two large sales of a low margin product formerly distributed by the Company.

Operating expenses were reduced $461,139 or 29.6% to $1,096,973 due primarily to a refocus of R&D priorities, decreases in staffing levels, particularly in administrative functions, and across the board spending restraint.

The net profit for the fourth quarter was $18,299, an improvement of $347,303 from the net loss of $329,003 for the same period of the previous year. The improvement was due primarily to increased sales, the substantial reduction in operating expenses, as well as reduced interest expenses.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had 52,064,876 common shares, 2,127,767 warrants, and 6,591,906 options outstanding.

The financial statements are available on www.sedar.com.

About Hamilton Thorne Ltd. (www.hamiltonthorne.com)

Hamilton Thorne designs, manufactures and distributes precision laser devices and advanced imaging systems for the fertility, stem cell and development biology research markets. It provides novel solutions for Life Science that reduce cost, increase productivity, improve results and enable research breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, stem cell research and fertility markets. Hamilton Thorne's laser products attach to standard inverted microscopes and operate as robotic micro-surgeons, enabling a wide array of scientific applications and IVF procedures. Its imaging systems improve outcomes in human IVF clinics and animal breeding facilities and provide high-end toxicology analyses.

Hamilton Thorne's growing customer base includes pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, fertility clinics, university research centers, and other commercial and academic research establishments worldwide. Current customers include world-leading research labs such as Harvard, MIT, Yale, McGill, DuPont, Monsanto, Charles River Labs, Jackson Labs, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, and Oxford and Cambridge.

Neither the Toronto Venture Exchange, nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the exchange), accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to the Company. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the Company with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com.

Financial results included below:

Hamilton Thorne Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
As at December 31, 2012 and 2011
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
			December 31, 2012				December 31, 2011
Assets
Current
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	369,773			$	484,421
	Accounts receivable			794,600				1,021,326
	Inventories			570,331				809,731
	Prepaid expenses			64,220				67,393
	Total current assets			1,798,924				2,382,871
	Property and equipment			136,701				214,204
	Other assets			110,748				110,784
	Total assets		$	2,046,373			$	2,707,859
Liabilities
Current
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	1,590,430			$	1,393,090
	Notes payable			358,937				338,961
	Capital lease obligations, current			37,368				30,860
	Deferred revenue			60,597				84,066
	Total current liabilities			2,047,332				1,846,977
	Capital lease obligations, non-current			37,765				80,202
	Deferred revenue, long-term			29,900				28,000
	Long-term debt			3,500,000				3,500,000
	Total liabilities			5,614,997				5,455,179
Shareholders' Equity (Deficiency)
	Common shares			29,351,663				28,699,248
	Warrants			102,383				280,213
	Contributed surplus			1,138,786				798,623
	Accumulated other comprehensive income			2,278				---
	Accumulated deficit			(34,163,734	)			(32,525,404	)
	Total Shareholders' (deficiency)			(3,568,624	)			(2,747,320	)
	Total Liabilities and shareholders' equity (deficiency)		$	2,046,373			$	2,707,859

Hamilton Thorne Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
For the years ended December 31,2012 and 2011
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
			2012				2011
Sales			$	6,326,006			$	7,159,162
Cost of sales				2,638,257				2,640,365
Gross profit				3,687,749				4,518,797
Expenses
	Research and development			976,872				1,220,316
	Sales and marketing			2,405,911				2,634,452
	General and administrative			1,645,978				2,034,471
Total expenses				5,028,761				5,889,239
Loss from operations				(1,341,012	)			(1,370,442	)
Other income (expense)
	Interest expense including accretion			(297,318	)			(521,178	)
Net Loss				(1,638,330	)			(1,891,620	)
	Foreign currency translation gain as foreign operations			2,278				---
Comprehensive loss for the year			$	(1,636,052	)		$	(1,891,620	)
Loss per share:
	Basic		$	(0.03	)		$	(0.06	)
	Diluted		$	(0.03	)		$	(0.06	)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
	Basic			49,685,124				31,069,879
	Diluted			49,685,124				31,069,879

Hamilton Thorne Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31,2012 and 2011
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
				2012				2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss for the year				$	(1,638,330	)		$	(1,891,620	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
	Depreciation and amortization				80,910				71,889
	Non-cash interest expense/accretion				26,569				189,146
	Share-based compensation expense				77,534				167,254
	Changes in non-cash operating assets and liabilities:
		Accounts receivable			226,726				(49,920	)
		Inventories			239,400				(265,561	)
		Prepaid expenses			3,173				(9,152	)
		Other assets			36				1,184
		Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			197,340				(19,741	)
		Deferred revenue			(21,569	)			(58,506	)
Net cash flows used in operating activities					(808,211	)			(1,865,027	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
	Purchase of property and equipment				(3,407	)			(70,016	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
	Proceeds from notes payable				68,743				60,959
	Payments on debt				(102,608	)			(1,579,905	)
	Proceeds from issuance of debentures				300,000				---
	Proceeds from issuance of convertible debentures				---				574,890
	Issuance of common share units - net of expenses				430,835				2,649,022
Net cash flows provided by financing activities					696,970				1,704,966
Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents					(114,648	)			(230,077	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year					484,421				714,498
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year				$	369,773			$	484,421
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
	Interest			$	260,998			$	242,451
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities:
	Equipment acquired under capital lease			$	---			$	81,415
	Conversion of debentures to equity				313,067				1,577,359
	Conversion of subordinated notes to equity				---				54,145