Senomyx has reported that, in first quarter ended March 31, 2017, commercial revenues increased 26% and direct sales increased 250% over the first quarter of 2016.

Taste science technologies company Senomyx has reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017.

Highlights from the first quarter include commercial revenues increased 26% and direct sales increased 250% over the first quarter of 2016; natural high intensity sweetener, siratose, introduced; and regulatory authorization received for commercialization of a new cooling flavor ingredient

"Senomyx is off to a good start in 2017," said John Poyhonen, President and Chief Executive Officer of the company. "We exceeded our financial guidance for the first quarter of 2017 and are well-positioned to meet key commercial revenue, business development and R&D goals. During the first quarter, we grew direct sales to well over twice that of our previous highest quarter, we advanced business development discussions on siratose, our lead natural high intensity sweetener, and we received regulatory authorization to commercialize a new cooling flavor ingredient."

In March, the company introduced its new natural high intensity sweetener under the common or usual name of siratose and made important disclosures related to the plant source, the expected manufacturing process and anticipated development timeline for siratose. The siratose disclosures have facilitated the companys pursuit of new non-exclusive collaborative relationships for its natural sweet taste program that maximize the commercial potential and provide its collaborators with access to siratose and future natural product discoveries.

"We have built a pipeline of about 20 excellent collaboration candidates and we remain confident in our ability to begin adding collaborators to our syndicate during 2017," said Poyhonen. "On the development front, our newest cooling flavor ingredient, Coolmyx CL19, was determined Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the Expert Panel of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association of the United States (FEMA) during the first quarter. The GRAS determination allows Senomyx to pursue commercialization in the U.S. and a number of other countries. Coolmyx CL19 provides a clean, long lasting cooling taste profile and we will initially pursue beverages, confectionary, and oral healthcare products as the target market. Third parties are currently evaluating this cooling flavor and we are considering a broad range of strategic options for commercialization.”

"Direct sales of Senomyxs Complimyx® flavor ingredient offerings grew to record levels during the first quarter with revenues increasing by over 250% compared to the same quarter of the prior year," said Sharon Wicker, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Development Officer. "We continue to earn new business with world-class flavor house customers and their forecasts for future use of our flavor ingredients is promising. During the first quarter, we announced that we had filled a newly created position, senior director of sales, to lead our sales organization in the field and we have added an experienced flavor ingredient broker with a proven track record to represent Senomyx in Asia and Oceania. We remain enthusiastic about the positive impact we anticipate these steps will have on our direct sales efforts going forward."

Increased revenues primarily resulted from higher direct sales of flavor ingredients to flavor houses and higher royalties from sweet taste boosting ingredients. These increases were partially offset by a $500,000 one-time commercial milestone earned in the first quarter of 2016 related to the cooling taste program.

Development revenues decreased to $1.8 million in the first quarter ended March 31, 2017. This decrease was primarily due to the July 2016 contractual conclusion of the research and development funding period under the sweet taste program collaboration with Firmenich.

Research, development and patent expenses decreased $1 million to $4.4 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017. The reduction in expenses is primarily due to lower personnel-related expenses partially offset by higher outsourced development activities associated with Sweetmyx FS22, the Companys next generation sweet taste booster. Selling, general and administration expenses were consistent with prior year at $3.1 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017. Included in these first quarter 2017 R&D and SG&A expenses were approximately $800,000 in non-cash, stock-based compensation expenses.

The net loss for the first quarter 2017 was $3.4 million or $0.07 per share.

For the second quarter of 2017, the company expect revenues to be at least $4.6 million, of which at least $2.7 million are commercial revenues; and a net loss not to exceed $3.3 million or $0.07 per share.