Westaim Announces 2009 Year-end Results

TORONTO, March 8 /CNW/ - The Westaim Corporation announced today that for the year ended December 31, 2009, it recorded net income of $0.5 million, or 1 cent per share compared to a net loss of $10.2 million, or 11 cents per share in the previous year. For the three months ended December 31, 2009, the Company posted net income of $4.7 million, or 5 cents per share, compared to net income of $2.7 million, or 3 cents per share, in the same period in the previous year.

At December 31, 2009, Westaim had $62.4 million in consolidated cash and cash equivalents, compared to $46.8 million at December 31, 2008. In addition, Westaim held ABCP with a book value of $4.0 million.

"Westaim is transforming into a company with a new focus on the Canadian property and casualty insurance business," said Cameron MacDonald, President & CEO of Westaim. "Westaim has a strong balance sheet, cash resources, and the acquisition of JEVCO Insurance Company is expected to serve as the foundation for creating greater shareholder value over the long term."

In the first quarter of 2010, Westaim announced completion of an amalgamation involving NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals Corp. (formerly a 75% subsidiary of Westaim) pursuant to which NUCRYST shareholders (other than Westaim) received US$1.77 in cash (US$8.2 million in the aggregate) and Westaim received all of the shares of the amalgamated company.

Also in the first quarter of 2010, Westaim announced an agreement to purchase JEVCO Insurance Company from Kingsway Financial Services Inc. The purchase of JEVCO is subject to a number of conditions including the receipt of all required consents, authorizations and regulatory approval and is expected to take place on or about March 26, 2010 but in any event prior to April 30, 2010 (unless such date has been extended by the parties). To finance the acquisition, Westaim issued and sold, on a private placement basis, an aggregate of 550 million subscription receipts for aggregate gross proceeds of $275 million. Such funds, less certain expenses, are being held in escrow pending the completion of the acquisition. Further details regarding the acquisition and the related financing are available in Westaim's management information circular dated February 26, 2010.

A more detailed discussion of Westaim's 2009 consolidated year end results can be found in the 2009 audited consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis, which will be available at www.westaim.com and www.sedar.com.

About Westaim

Westaim invests, directly and indirectly, through acquisitions, joint ventures and other arrangements, with the objective of providing its shareholders with capital appreciation and real wealth preservation. Westaim's common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol WED.

Certain portions of this press release as well as other public statements by Westaim, contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements concerning the transactions described herein; investment strategies and expected rates of return; and strategic alternatives to maximize value for shareholder. These statements are based on current expectations that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and Westaim can give no assurance that these expectations are correct. Westaim's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by forward-looking statements for various reasons generally beyond our control, including but not limited to: (i) failure to complete the acquisition referred to herein; (ii) changes in market conditions or deterioration in underlying investments; (iii) general economic, market, financing, regulatory and industry developments and conditions; and (iv) other risk factors set forth in Westaim's Annual Report or Annual Information Form. Westaim disclaims any intention or obligation to revise forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise except as required by law. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

    
    THE WESTAIM CORPORATION
    Financial Highlights
    (unaudited)
    (thousands of Canadian dollars except per share data)

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended
                                         December 31          December 31
    Consolidated Statements          ------------------  -------------------
    of Operations                      2009       2008       2009       2008
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Loss) income from continuing
     operations                    $ (3,729)  $ (2,304)  $ (5,732)   $ 1,318
    Net income (loss)                 4,663      2,746        519    (10,235)

    Income (loss) per common share -
     basic and diluted
      Continuing operations           (0.04)     (0.02)     (0.06)      0.01
      Net income (loss)                0.05       0.03       0.01      (0.11)

    Weighted average number of common
     shares outstanding (thousands)
      Basic                          94,220     94,215     94,220     94,207
      Diluted                        94,487     94,215     94,487     94,207
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------


    --------------------------------------------------------------
    Consolidated
    Balance Sheets        December 31, 2009     December 31, 2008
    --------------------------------------------------------------

    Cash and cash equivalents      $ 62,423              $ 46,768
    Current assets                   68,600                59,783
    Long term assets                  3,967                17,494
    Current liabilities               9,039                10,091
    Shareholders' equity             49,419                50,002
    

%SEDAR: 00002793E

For further information: Jeffrey Sarfin, Chief Financial Officer, The Westaim Corporation, [phone], [email protected]