Bioscience company Metabolix has reported a net loss of $8.9 million or $0.40 per share for the fourth quarter of 2008 as compared to a net loss of $7.2 million or $0.33 per share for the fourth quarter of 2007.

For the full year 2008, the company reported a net loss of $36 million compared to a net loss of $27.8 million for 2007. The net loss per share for 2008 was $1.58 compared to a net loss per share of $1.27 for 2007.

The company’s net cash used for operating activities during the fourth quarter of 2008 was $3.7 million, which compares to net cash used of $3.7 million for the comparable quarter in 2007. Net cash used in operating activities for the full year 2008 was $18.4 million compared to $10.9 million for 2007. Unrestricted cash and short-term investments at December 31, 2008 totaled $91.1 million. The company has no long-term debt.

Total revenue in the quarter was $0.4 million, which included revenue recognized from delivery of Mirel sample product and government research grants. This compared to $0.9 million in the same period of 2007.

For the full year 2008 the company generated revenue of $1.6 million, primarily in the form of grant revenue. For the full year 2007 revenue was $1.7 million. The slight year over year decrease in revenue was attributed to less license fee and royalty revenue in 2008 compared to 2007, partially offset by higher grant revenue in 2008.