VKNG other news item -- qtly results. Growth, but this isn't news as they pre-released some of this a month or two ago. The real question is whether demand will ramp up. They claim NO COMPETITION in their price range and 'niche'. I've been on following VKNG for about 4 years now. They almost went belly-up when funds dried up, then they got recapitalized and the price dropped to a penny or so. No one knew or cared about them in the investing world. I almost bought then..dang..then they announced the military contract and suddenly volume soared. It has since dropped in price but dollar interest has remained fairly strong. Anyway, have always thought their market potential is vast if they can just do it right. Looks like they are making the right moves now and the big commercialization has begun.
WESTBOROUGH, Mass., May 6, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Viking Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:VKNG - News), a leading worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of 3D and 2D visualization solutions for complex minimally invasive surgery, today announced results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011.
Jed Kennedy, President and CEO of Viking Systems, said, "We are very pleased with the progress we made this quarter, which represents the first full quarter of sales of our new 3DHD Vision System since its launch in October 2010. Not only did we experience 63% growth in sales in this quarter but we now also have twenty 3DHD demonstration systems deployed which we believe is essential to ramping up sales later in the year."
Financial Highlights for the Quarter
* Sales increased 63% to $3.1 million in the first quarter of 2011 from $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2010, with the increase attributed to increased sales of Vikings' 3D vision systems.
* The Company sold 21 3D systems during the quarter compared with one 3D system in the first quarter of 2011.
* Due to the increase in sales, gross profit for the quarter was $0.7 million compared with $0.5 million in the same period in 2010. Gross profit as a percent of sales declined due to the number of the 3DHD distributor demonstration systems sold at a discounted price.
* Operating expenses increased to $1.2 million during the quarter from $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2010 primarily due to increased sales and marketing expense and the promotional costs related to the new 3DHD system.
* Net loss for the quarter was $0.4 million or $0.01 per share, compared with $0.3 million or $0.01 per share in the first quarter of 2010.
Business Update
During the quarter, Viking processed orders for 22 of its recently-released 3DHD Vision Systems as well as for four of its previous generation 3Di systems. Of the 22 3DHD systems, the Company has shipped 19 of them, with the other 3 units being delayed due either to financing or regulatory delays in the receiving countries. Of the 19 shipped systems, 7 were sold to customers, 10 were sold to distributors as demonstration systems, and the 2 others were shipped at no charge -- one for research and the other for market development. The 4 previous-generation 3Di systems had been sold in an order that had been in process prior to the launch of Viking's new system.
The Company, along with its distributors, continues to actively present the 3DHD Vision System at various industry events around the world. These presentations are a critical part of developing the early interest in and ultimate adoption of the technology.
The Company plans to exhibit its 3DHD Vision System at the Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) May 14-19 in Washington D.C, the largest gathering of urologists in the world.
The Company's 3DHD Vision System is scheduled to be used in the first human surgery utilizing Terumo's Kymerax Precision Drive Articulating Surgical System. The surgery is to be performed in Austria by Professor Gunter Janetschek, Medical University Salzburg, Department of Urology, on May 10, 2011. The combination of these technologies, which was presented in Viking's booth at the recent European Association of Urology Congress in Vienna, demonstrated the enabling value 3D vision brings to surgeons using articulating instrumentation and drew a tremendous amount of attention from surgeons interested in alternatives to more expensive robotic solutions.
During the quarter, the Company reached agreement with Medychny Komplex-MK Ltd. to distribute the Company's 3DHD Vision Systems in Russia and the Ukraine and certain other countries that are part of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The Company raised $160,473 from the sale of its common stock in the first quarter of 2011, and an additional $211,479 in April 2011.
About Viking Systems, Inc.
Viking Systems, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of 3D and 2D visualization solutions for complex minimally invasive surgery. It actively markets and sells the only stand alone, cost-effective 3D system for use in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. Viking partners with medical device companies and healthcare facilities to provide surgeons with proprietary visualization systems enabling minimally invasive surgical procedures, which reduce patient trauma and recovery time. Viking, through its OEM products business, also designs and manufactures surgical vision systems and components for several leading medical instrument companies worldwide. For more information, please visit our website at www.vikingsystems.com. |
