BOTHELL, Wash.-- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Helix BioMedix, Inc. (OTCBB: HXBM), a developer of bioactive peptides, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009.

Third quarter 2009 revenue was approximately $98,000 compared to revenue of approximately $138,000 in the second quarter of 2009 and approximately $157,000 in the third quarter of 2008. Gross margins improved to 46.1% in the third quarter 2009, compared to 37.0% in the same period a year ago, primarily due to an increase in higher margin licensing and development fee revenue and a reduction in administrative services revenue.

Net loss for the third quarter of 2009 was approximately $933,000, or ($0.04) per share, compared to a net loss of approximately $1.02 million, or ($0.04) per share, for the second quarter of 2009, and a net loss of approximately $768,000, or ($0.03) per share, for the same period one year ago. The year-over-year increase in net loss for the third quarter of 2009 was primarily attributable to an increase of approximately $134,000 in non-operating expenses including those associated with the company’s outstanding convertible notes payable, a decrease in revenue, and an increase in marketing-related expenses.

“As a result of the weak global economy, several of our customers delayed their product development activities during the quarter,” stated R. Stephen Beatty, President and Chief Executive Officer of Helix BioMedix. “However, customer inquiries regarding the incorporation of the Helix BioMedix SmartPeptides™ Technology into new formulations continued to increase. We anticipate that several of these offerings will be launched in the coming months. We are also on schedule to introduce a second Helix BioMedix-branded product line by year end.”

Revenue for the third quarter of 2009 does not include royalties from any sales of Rodan + Fields, LLC products or of Evonik’s TEGO® Pep 4-17, which are reported when estimable. Evonik has advised the company that they have initiated aggressive sampling in the market and begun recording initial product sales. In addition, during the first week of October, Rodan + Fields, LLC launched several new products using Helix BioMedix technology in the Soothe and Enhancements Mineral Peptides lines. Another partner, Grant Industries, has notified the company of production of a mass market product by a leading specialty brand ahead of a planned first quarter 2010 launch. This product incorporates Helix BioMedix’s recently released peptide skin lightening complex, HB-Aminobright™.

During the third quarter of 2009, the company began offering Helix BioMedix-branded Striking™ products directly to consumers through its new Striking™ Skin Care website, www.StrikingSkinCare.com. The company expects strong sales growth from this product line during 2010. In addition, three clinical studies detailing the efficacy and benefits of the individual products within the Striking Skin Care line were recently completed and demonstrated positive outcomes. These results have been submitted for peer review, and we anticipate they will be published in early 2010.

During the third quarter of 2009, Helix BioMedix completed initial proof-of-concept studies exploring the efficacy of company peptides in treating Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other challenging pathogens. The first product derived from this research is expected to be a medical wound-care therapy. The company expects to seek approval of this product using the 510(k) regulatory pathway and anticipates entering commercialization in 2010.

Beatty continued, “We expect resumed revenue growth beginning in the first quarter of 2010 based on:

• Anticipated royalties from sales of Evonik’s TEGO® Pep 4-17;
• Anticipated royalties from sales of Rodan + Fields’ Soothe and Enhancements Mineral Peptides lines;
• Sales from the fourth quarter 2009 launch of our second proprietary product line; and
• Increased web-based sales of our Striking Skin Care product line.”

As of September 30, 2009, cash and cash equivalents were approximately $2.1 million compared to approximately $985,000 as of December 31, 2008. The increase in cash and cash equivalents was due to approximately $3.5 million of gross proceeds from the company’s issuance of convertible notes payable and warrants in the first quarter of 2009, less cash used in operating activities during the first nine months of 2009.

Beatty concluded, “This is an exciting time for Helix BioMedix. In spite of a difficult economic environment, three of our partners are involved in new product launches that include Helix BioMedix technology. In addition, we launched the website for our SmartPeptide based Striking Skin Care product line and are on schedule to launch our second product line during the fourth quarter of 2009. Finally, we have successfully completed the initial studies required to introduce our technology into the Rx market. Together, these efforts reflect the potential of our multi-phased market strategy and for our proprietary peptides.”

About Helix BioMedix, Inc.

Helix BioMedix, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company with an extensive library of diverse bioactive peptides and patents covering six distinct classes and hundreds of thousands of peptide sequences. Core competencies include peptide design, synthesis and characterization together with assay development, screening, tissue culture and microbiology, leveraged through relationships with contract research organizations and peptide manufacturers. The company takes product development programs from theoretical concept to a qualified skin care active ingredient fully validated as to efficacy and safety. Applications for Helix BioMedix peptides include anti-aging cosmeceutical skin care and acne treatment as well as other topical anti-infective pharmaceuticals and wound healing applications. Striking™, SmartPeptide™ and HB-AminoBright™ are trademarks of Helix BioMedix, Inc. More information about the company and its proprietary peptides may be found on the company’s website at www.helixbiomedix.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements (statements which are not historical facts) within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding activities, events or developments that the company expects, believes or anticipates may occur in the future, including statements related to its potential growth, product development and commercialization and revenue. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, including the company's ability to successfully raise additional capital, enter into revenue generating license agreements, continue its research and development efforts, including pre-clinical and clinical studies, and continue developing marketable peptide-based products, and general economic conditions. Additional assumptions, risks and uncertainties are described in detail in the company’s reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such filings are available on the company’s website or at www.sec.gov. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.