EX-99.1 2 altair_8k-ex9901.htm PRESS RELEASE altair_8k-ex9901.htm
EXHIBIT 99.1

 

ALTAIR NAN0TECHNOLOGIES REPORTS
THIRD QUARTER 2007 FINANCIAL RESULTS
 
RENO, Nev. – Nov. 8, 2007 – Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (Nasdaq: ALTI) today reported financial results for its third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007.

For the quarter, the company reported a substantial increase in revenues to a record $3.37 million, up from $0.75 million for the comparable period in 2006. The net loss was $6.13 million, or 9 cents per share, compared to a net loss of $4.05 million, or 7 cents per share, for the third quarter of 2006. The basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the quarter were 70,023,935 compared to 59,461,244 for the same period a year ago.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the company reported record revenues of $7.58 million, a $5.23 million increase from $2.35 million for the comparable period in 2006. Operating expenses increased to $9.62 million during the quarter from $4.91 million in the comparable quarter of 2006.  The net loss was $17.89 million, or 24 cents per share, compared to a net loss of $12.80 million, or 21 cents per share, for the comparable period in 2006. The basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were 69,741,148 compared to 59,325,488 for the same period a year ago.

The rise in operating expenses in the third quarter of 2007 as compared to the comparable period in 2006 is primarily associated with increased efforts in research and development associated with the expansion of our Power and Energy Systems business.  General and Administrative costs increased primarily due to employee benefit and stock option compensation increases as a result of growth in the number of Altairnano employees.

As of September 30, 2007, Altairnano’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $14.76 million. Long-term debt is $1.20 million at September 30, 2007, which represents the remaining mortgage obligation used to purchase the company’s facilities in Reno, NV.

“Altairnano’s cutting-edge, nanomaterials-based products continue to gain commercial acceptance in our target markets: power & energy storage, performance materials and life science,” said Alan J. Gotcher, Ph.D., Altairnano’s president and chief executive officer. “The commercial acceptance is illustrated by our ongoing revenue growth, and the progress made with key partners.   Phoenix Motorcars continues to be one of our key partners and has placed firm purchase orders through September for $3.25 million for Altairnano battery packs. We are committed to providing current and future partners with unique, high-performance products to address unmet market needs.”
 
Recent Highlights
·  
A purchase and joint-development agreement with a division of the AES Corporation, AES Power Storage LLC. Together, the companies are developing a suite of energy storage product solutions to help AES better manage demands on the electrical grid. On August 3, 2007, AES placed a $1 million purchase order for a 2.0 megawatt-hour energy storage product, expected to ship by the end of the fourth quarter of 2007.
·  
Congressional support for the funding of two key Altairnano projects, including the development of a 2.4-megawatt stationary power supply for the U.S. Navy to replace diesel fuel powered generators on the Navy’s largest ships.


ALTAIRNANO REPORTS 2007 THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
Page 2
 
·  
A successful public demonstration of the medium-duty All-Electric Fiat Doblo to government officials and potential customers in Oslo, Norway. On October 2, half-way through an ongoing 60-day demonstration,  the vehicle, powered by a custom 18 kWh Altairnano battery pack, traveled 300 kilometers (186 miles) in an urban delivery circuit. The custom battery pack was fully recharged in less than ten minutes a total of three times. The vehicle is a joint-development effort by Altairnano,  AeroVironment, Inc., Micro-Vett, SPA and Go Green Holding AS.
·  
Phoenix Motorcars (PMI) has announced their plans to move to a “Gen 2” vehicle design, their goal being to reduce vehicle costs, begin production and shipping of their all electric vehicles next quarter, the first quarter of 2008.   Altairnano continues to be encouraged that Phoenix will close their financing round this quarter, however it is possible that projected minimum 2007 orders of $16 million required to maintain PMI’s exclusivity rights in the United States for Altairnano’s lithium Titanate battery technology may not be achieved, which will result in the loss of those rights.

Third Quarter 2007 Conference Call
 
Altairnano will hold a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2007 results on Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Shareholders and members of the investment community are invited to participate in the conference call. The dial-in number for both U.S. and international callers is 719-325-2427. Please dial in to the conference five minutes before the call is scheduled to begin. Ask the operator for the Altair Nanotechnologies call.

An audio replay of the conference call will be available from 2:00 p.m. through 11:59 p.m. EST, Thursday, November 15, 2007, and can be accessed by dialing 719-457-0820 and entering conference number 2427291. Additionally, the conference call is available online, and can be accessed by visiting Altairnano's web site, www.altairnano.com.

ABOUT ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC.
Altairnano is an innovator and supplier of advanced novel, ceramic nanomaterials. Altairnano’s leading edge scientists are complemented by a seasoned management team with substantial experience in commercializing innovative, disruptive technologies. The company has developed nanomaterials for the alternative energy, life sciences and performance materials markets based on its proprietary manufacturing process. This process also provides the foundation for its innovative AHP pigment process. For more information visit: www.altairnano.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements as well as historical information. Forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, may involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Altairnano’s actual results and performance in future periods to be materially different from any future results or performance suggested by the forward-looking statements in this release. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the risks that development of the development-stage products referred to in this release will not be completed because for technical, business or other reasons; that any products under development or in the early commercial stages will not perform as expected in future testing or commercial applications; that one or more of the joint development partners may proceed slowly with, or abandon, development or commercialization efforts for any of various reasons, including concerns with the feasibility of the product or the financial viability of continuing with the product; that sales of commercialized Altairnano products may not reach expected levels for one or more reasons, including the inability of a purchaser to fund product purchases, failure of end products to perform as expected or the introduction of a superior product; and that costs associated with the proposed products may exceed revenues.  In general, Altairnano is, and expects to be in the immediate future, dependent upon funds generated from sales of securities, grants, testing agreements, and licensing agreements to fund its testing, development and ongoing operations. In addition, other risks are identified in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. The company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements found herein to reflect any changes in company expectations or results or any change in events.

For Additional Information:
 

Institutional Investors:
Retail Investors:
Fleishman-Hillard
McCloud Communications, LLC
Tom Laughran
Marty Tullio
Senior Vice President
Managing Member
312.751.3519
949.553.9748
laughrant@fleishman.com
marty@mccloudcommunications.com
   
Media Relations:
Company Information:
Fleishman-Hillard
Altair Nanotechnologies Inc.
Terry Banks
Ed Dickinson
Senior Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
202.828.9710
775.858.3750 
bankst@fleishman.com
edickinson@altairnano.com
 
 
Tables Follow


ALTAIRNANO REPORTS 2007 THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
Page 4
 
 
ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
 
(Unaudited)
 
             
     
   
September 30, 
   
December 31, 
 
   
2007 
   
2006 
 
ASSETS
           
Current Assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $
10,847,392 
    $
12,679,254 
 
Investment in available for sale securities
   
3,907,733 
     
14,541,103 
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
1,244,378 
     
1,129,825 
 
Accounts receivable from related party, net
   
361,499 
     
495,000 
 
Notes receivable from related party, current portion
   
1,235,479 
     
 
Product inventories
   
1,234,319 
     
169,666 
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
542,998 
     
413,390 
 
Total current assets
   
19,373,798 
     
29,428,238 
 
                 
Investment in Available for Sale Securities
   
1,012,800 
     
1,306,420 
 
                 
Property, Plant and Equipment, net
   
13,108,022 
     
11,229,406 
 
                 
Patents, net
   
741,637 
     
805,248 
 
                 
Notes Receivable from related party, long-term portion
   
356,957 
     
330,000 
 
                 
Other Assets
   
122,718 
     
21,261 
 
                 
Total Assets
  $
34,715,932 
    $
43,120,573 
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities
               
Trade accounts payable
  $
2,065,900 
    $
1,533,047 
 
Accrued salaries and benefits
   
1,821,910 
     
840,219 
 
Accrued liabilities
   
876,917 
     
526,596 
 
Note payable, current portion
   
600,000 
     
600,000 
 
Total current liabilities
   
5,364,727 
     
3,499,862 
 
                 
Note Payable, Long-Term Portion
   
1,200,000 
     
1,800,000 
 
                 
Minority Interest in Subsidiary
   
1,605,802 
     
 
                 
Stockholders' Equity
               
Common stock, no par value, unlimited shares authorized;
               
70,148,787 and 69,079,270 shares issued and
               
outstanding at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006
   
119,417,717 
     
115,989,879 
 
Additional paid in capital
   
4,348,533 
     
2,002,220 
 
Accumulated deficit
    (97,095,447)       (80,353,188)  
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income
    (125,400)      
181,800 
 
                 
Total Stockholders' Equity
   
26,545,403 
     
37,820,711 
 
                 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
  $
34,715,932 
    $
43,120,573 
 


ALTAIRNANO REPORTS 2007 THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
Page 5
 

 
ALTAIR NANOTECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
   
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
   
 
(Expressed in United States Dollars)
   
 
(Unaudited)
   

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
Revenues
                       
Product sales
  $
1,864,330 
    $
22,940 
    $
3,797,333 
    $
33,598 
 
License fees
   
     
     
     
364,720 
 
Commercial collaborations
   
980,478 
     
339,116 
     
2,062,550 
     
1,058,622 
 
Contracts and grants
   
525,326 
     
387,842 
     
1,717,051 
     
895,082 
 
Total revenues
   
3,370,134 
     
749,898 
     
7,576,934 
     
2,352,022 
 
Operating Expenses
                               
Cost of product sales
   
2,083,729 
     
28,237 
     
4,486,467 
     
30,953 
 
Research and development
   
4,423,159 
     
2,763,566 
     
  10,659,356
     
6,917,218 
 
Sales and marketing
   
519,464 
     
423,615 
     
1,309,230 
     
1,384,787 
 
General and administrative
   
2,385,871 
     
1,288,191 
     
7,597,903 
     
5,746,759 
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
506,970 
     
405,072 
     
1,412,019 
     
1,085,190 
 
Total operating expenses
   
9,619,193 
     
4,908,681 
     
25,464,975 
     
15,164,907 
 
Loss from Operations
    (6,549,059)       (4,158,783)       (17,888,041)       (12,812,885)  
Other Income (Expense)
                               
Interest expense
    (33,402)       (42,000)       (99,902)       (129,500)  
Interest income
   
214,841 
     
146,235 
     
850,879 
     
539,060 
 
Gain/(Loss) on foreign exchange
   
892 
      (138)      
607 
      (444)  
Total other income, net
   
182,331 
     
104,097 
     
751,584 
     
409,116 
 
                                 
Loss from Continuing Operations Before
                               
  Minority Interest Share
    (6,366,728)       (4,054,686)       (17,136,457)       (12,403,769)  
                                 
Minority Interest Share
   
236,518 
     
     
394,198 
     
 
                                 
Net Loss
  $ (6,130,210)     $ (4,054,686)     $ (16,742,259)     $ (12,403,769)  
                                 
Loss per common share - Basic and diluted
  $ (0.09)     $ (0.07)     $ (0.24)     $ (0.21)  
                                 
Weighted average shares - Basic and diluted
   
70,023,935 
     
59,461,244 
     
69,741,148 
     
59,325,488 
 


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