FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., March 29, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- SenesTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNES), a developer of proprietary technologies for managing animal pest populations through fertility control, today announced its fourth quarter and year end 2017 financial and operational results.

"2017 laid the base for 2018 commercial success," said Dr. Loretta P. Mayer, Chair, CEO and Co-Founder of SenesTech.

SenesTech will hold a conference call today at 5:00pm ET (2:00 PT) to discuss these results and expectations for the coming year.

Key commercial milestones and recent highlights:

• Partnered with national pest management professional (PMP), Pestmaster Services, to deploy ContraPest in January 2018;
• Established relationships with 5 additional regional PMPs;
• Appointed 20-year Orkin executive Joe Malinowski as Vice President of Sales in February 2018;
• Signed national distribution agreements with Univar for ContraPest^® in October 2017 and Target Specialty Products in November 2017;
• Supplied PMPs in two large metropolitan cities for the expansion of infrastructure projects, with additional proposals to several other key municipal markets;
• EPA approved label change that expands use of ContraPest^® in broader settings, including agricultural applications; and
• Exhibited at numerous pest trade shows showcasing the innovative ContraPest technology for managing animal pest populations through fertility control.

Management Discussion

"We spent much of 2017 focused on building an organization that has the ability to effectively market and sell our innovative ContraPest^® technology for managing animal pest populations through fertility control. We believe much of the hard work required to position the organization for success was accomplished during 2017, and now 2018 is all about sales execution," said Dr. Mayer.

"During 2017, we established key distribution agreements with Univar and Target Specialty Products to create market access to many of the leading pest management professionals (PMPs) around the United States. In conjunction with providing this expanded distribution access, we have continued to develop relationships with key PMPs, who are now expanding their deployment of ContraPest^®. These PMP relationships are just the tip of the iceberg for what we believe will be the opportunity for ContraPest^®. In addition to establishing these initial distributor and PMP relationships, we are significantly expanding our marketing campaigns to build a strong brand and to share how ContraPest^® can support Integrated Pest Management protocols, while also learning how we can best support them as they fight their toughest rodent infestations. In addition to our distributor and PMP focus, we continue to progress the science and work with municipal and government customers to support their moves from trial to commercial deployment."

Dr. Mayer concluded, "While we are still early in the sales and marketing process and only a few months into 2018, the last couple of quarters have seen a doubling of customers and revenue. We expect to demonstrate the commercial potential of ContraPest^® in 2018, in terms of revenue growth and a trajectory to profitability."

2017 Annual Financial Results

Revenues from product sales during 2017 were $52,000, compared to less than $1,000 of revenue from product sales during 2016. During 2016, the company received $132,000 in NIH grants, and $186,000 in licensing fees under our former license agreement with Neogen.

Operating expenses during 2017 were $12.3 million, compared to $10.8 million during 2016. Operating expenses during 2017 included non-cash equity compensation of $3.7 million. The increase in operating expense was attributable largely to expansion of product commercialization activities. The Company anticipates that operating cash utilization will continue at or below $750,000 per month.

Net loss during 2017 was $12.3 million or $1.12 per share, compared to $11.0 million, or $1.71 per share, during 2016.

Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure of operating performance, was $(8.2) million during 2017, compared to $(6.0) million during 2016.

Cash, cash equivalents and highly liquid investments at the end of the year were $7.1 million.

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2017 Conference Call Details

Date and Time: 5:00 pm ET (2:00 pm PT) on Thursday, March 29, 2018.

Call-in Information: Interested parties can access the conference call by dialing (844) 308-3351 or (412) 317-5407.

Live Webcast Information: Interested parties can access the conference call via a live Internet webcast, which is available in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://senestech.investorroom.com/.

To Ask a Question: The conference call will be moderated by Lytham Partners, an investor relations firm. There will be three options to ask a question during the call:

1. Questions can be asked live during the call-in portion of the conference call.
2. The live webcast will feature an option to submit questions in writing during the event.
3. If you are unable to attend the event, you can submit a question in advance to Senestech@LythamPartners.com.

Replay: A teleconference replay of the call will be available for three days at (877) 344-7529 or (412) 317-0088, confirmation #10118418. A webcast replay will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://senestech.investorroom.com/ for 90 days. 

Use of Non-GAAP Measure

Adjusted EBITDA is presented herein and is a non-GAAP measure. However, this measure is not intended to be a substitute for those financial measures reported in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA has been included because management believes that, when considered together with the GAAP figures, it provides meaningful information related to our operating performance and liquidity and can enhance an overall understanding of financial results and trends. See our attached financials for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to the nearest GAAP measure.

About SenesTech 

SenesTech is changing the paradigm of pest management by targeting the root cause of the problem: reproduction.

ContraPest^® is an innovative technology that targets the reproductive capabilities of Norway and roof rats. As a highly palatable liquid bait, the formulation promotes sustained consumption, bringing populations down and keeping them down. ContraPest® is dispensed inside tamper resistant bait stations, and our delivery system is designed to minimize handler exposure and the risks to non-target species.

As a versatile tool, ContraPest® can be used within your Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program to help reduce reproduction and magnify the success of your IPM protocols, or as a standalone, non-lethal solution for customers that are looking to reduce or eliminate their use of lethal methodologies.

ContraPest® is a Restricted Use Pesticide, due to applicator expertise. Please read and comply with all label instructions. For more information visit the SenesTech website at www.senestech.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
This release 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 and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may," "future," "plan" or "planned," "will" or "should," "expected," "anticipates," "believe," "eventually" or "projected." You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and other risks identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, our expectation regarding 2018 commercial success, our expectations regarding sales commitments and execution, our expectation regarding the conversion of sales commitments and programs to revenue, our expectation regarding revenue growth and profitability, and our belief that ContraPest will establish a new paradigm in rodent control, resulting in a decreased reliance on lethal options without environmental effects of rodenticides.  All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management's assumptions and estimates as of such date. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events or otherwise.

SOURCE SenesTech, Inc.