Petaluma biotech startup Oculus narrows margin of loss

<p>Biotech startup Oculus Innovative Sciences cut its losses in the third quarter as it reduced expenses and grew sales of its infection-fighting liquid, the company said Thursday.</p><p>Oculus lost $3.3 million on $1.2 million in sales for the quarter ending Dec. 31. A year ago, it lost $5.3 million on $1.1 million in revenue during the same period.</p><p>Oculus has been cutting costs in a campaign to reach fiscal break-even within 12 months, company president Hoji Alimi said Thursday.</p><p>Oculus consolidated its manufacturing operations, reducing its work force in Petaluma from 36 last year to 26 today. The company has 44 employees worldwide.</p><p>Oculus also has raised $4.75 million from investors in recent weeks.</p><p>-- Steve Hart</p>