Hydron Technologies, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter Results POMPANO BEACH, Fla., April 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hydron Technologies, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: HTEC) announced today that the Company had net sales of $257,961 for the quarter ended December 31, 2003, a decrease of 31.3% over net sales $375,266 for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. The Company also reported a net loss of $407,897 ($.05 per share) for the quarter ended December 31, 2003, representing an increase of 32.3% from the net loss of $308,289 ($.05 per share) for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. Net sales for 2003 were $1,219,710; a decrease of 27.0%, from net sales of $1,671,641 for 2002. The Company also reported a net loss for 2003 of $936,856 ($.13 per share) representing an increase of 3.5% from the net loss of $904,840 ($.17 per share) for 2002. During 2003, direct marketing catalog sales decreased by $164,499 or 14.3% from $1,146,989 in 2002 to $982,490 in 2003. The Company did not promote to historical customer lists from QVC and HSN as it did in 2002. These activities were part of the termination agreements that expired in 2002. As a result, the promotional costs as well as the sales dollars were below those seen in 2002. Private label sales in 2003 were $57,056, a decrease of $74,152 or 56.5% from such sales of $131,208 in 2002. These sales tend to fluctuate from year to year as purchase orders cover more than one year's supply and every product in the line is not purchased every year. In addition, new product introductions are not necessarily made by the private label customers every year. A new product was introduced in 2002, but not in 2003. Sales to retail stores were less than 1% of sales in 2003. Retail store sales decreased $194,584 or 96.8% from $201,010 in 2002 to $6,426 in 2003, primarily reflecting minimal follow-up orders by retail stores after heavily discounted introductory offers in 2002. The Company's overall gross profit margin decreased slightly to 52.0% of net sales for 2003 versus 54.3% for 2002. This reflects changes to the relative mix of higher margin catalog sales versus lower margin private label sales. Selling, general and administrative expenses in 2003 were $1,178,211, representing a decrease of $251,959 or 17.6% from SG&A expenses of $1,430,170 in 2002. Costs were reduced associated with sales commissions, legal fees, employee expenses, warehousing and marketing expenses. The Company had a net loss of $936,856, representing an increase of $32,016 or 3.5% from the net loss of $904,840 for 2002, primarily a result of the reduced sales for the year. Mr. Terrence McGrath, the Company's Chief Operating Officer, said, "Throughout 2003, the Company continued to shift its primary focus to the development of its tissue oxygenation technology. In November 2003 Hydron received a US patent for the method of oxygenating skin and tissue topically, using microbubbles of pure oxygen suspended in fluid. This technology has important medical applications for improving medical treatments and quality of life for burn victims, chronic wound care, radiation-induced injury, decubitus and pressure ulcers (bed sores), skin grafts and frostbite." McGrath added, "The Company continues to develop its oxygenation property. Additional patent applications have been filed related to the method of topical tissue oxygenation and related devices. Further, the Company has also added expert clinical and regulatory consultants and will pursue approval from the FDA to allow the use of its oxygenation technology for a number of medical applications." McGrath further added, "In December, Hydron completed a private placement offering, raising $1.1 million, to accelerate its research and development program surrounding this oxygenation technology. Hydron's chairman, Richard Banakus, director Ronald J. Saul and fifteen accredited investors demonstrated their confidence in the future of the Company and its technology through their investment." Financial Highlights Three months Twelve months ended December 31 ended December 31 2003 2002* 2003 2002* Net Sales $257,961 $375,266 $1,219,710 $1,671,641 Gross profits 25,151 74,559 634,524 908,283 Selling, general & administrative expenses 331,468 383,100 1,469,818 1,814,151 Net loss (407,897) (308,289) (936,856) (904,840) Net loss per share $(0.05) $(0.05) $(0.13) $(0.17) Weighted average shares outstanding 8,203,179 5,699,593 7,340,766 5,201,369 * Restated to reflect shipping amounts billed to customers in sales and shipping cost incurred in cost of sales. In prior years these amounts were reflected as a net cost in selling, general and administrative expenses Hydron Technologies, Inc. conducts research and development of products and medical applications associated with its proprietary tissue oxygenation technology. The Company also markets skin care products through Hydron's direct-to-consumer catalog and on the Internet at http://www.hydron.com/. Catalogs are available by calling 1-800-4-HYDRON (1-800-449-3766). Except for historical information, all of the expectations and assumptions contained in the foregoing are forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties. For additional information regarding the risks associated with the Company's business, refer to Hydron Technologies, Inc. reports filed with the SEC. DATASOURCE: Hydron Technologies, Inc. CONTACT: Terrence S. McGrath, Chief Operating Officer, Hydron Technologies, Inc., +1-954-861-6416, or Web site: http://www.hydron.com/

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