Human Pheremone ups research
with the University of Utah to conduct research and development
programmes on a series of compounds already identified and isolated
by scientists relating to synthesised human pheromones. The move
aims to enhance the efficacy of the substance in fragrances used by
cosmetics companies.
Although pheromone has been added to fragrances for the best part of 20 years now, ensuring that the substance remains effective once combined with a fragrance has remained a problem for many manufacturers. The effect pheromone can have on a member of the opposite sex is scientifically proven, but combining it with other substances has presented greater challenges for the scientists.
The agreement with the University of Utah will give the small but growing Human Pheromone Sciences the opportunity to combine resources and further its work in this area. The company already has established dedicated laboratories at the University, staffed by its own scientists who have been involved in the research of mood enhancing compounds for many years, and have published their results in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
"For the past fifteen years, these scientists have been conducting basic research to identify naturally-occurring mood-enhancing compounds, and the company has invested millions of dollars to conduct this basic research. We are now focused on testing these products on humans to validate the efficacy of these proprietary compounds," a company spokesperson indicated.
At the same time as the agreement, the company also announced results for the third, indicating that the company is still battling with a small loss. Net revenues of $300,000, represented a 32 per cent increase from the sales of $227,000 in the prior year period, but resulted in an operating loss from on-going operations of $131,000 as compared with an operating loss from on-going operations of $108,000 for the same period of 2003.
For the nine months ending in September, net revenues were $708,000, a 40 per cent increase from the revenues of $506,000 in the prior year period, and resulted in an operating loss from on-going operations of $494,000 compared with an operating loss from on-going operations of $406,000 for the same period of 2003.
The company said that the sales growth was attributable to increased pheromone sales domestically, higher private label business outside the United States and to the launch of its new Demeter Natural Attraction line in the US in April 2004. However, product development, package development and introduction expenses for these new products were the primary factors in the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in both periods of 2004.
