Premier Laser Systems Inc.: The Irvine manufacturer...

Premier Laser Systems Inc.: The Irvine manufacturer of medical lasers said it lost $12 million, or $1.11 a share, for the second fiscal quarter ended Sept. 30, which included $2.1 million in merger costs and $9.2 million from acquired research and development. That compares with a net loss of $973,188, or 20 cents a share, for the comparable period last year.

Sales climbed to $3.1 million from $1.2 million. The company said almost 90% of the quarter’s sales were from dental lasers.

For the first half, the company posted a net loss of $12.7 million, or $1.30 a share, compared with a net loss of $1.7 million, or 35 cents a share, for the first six months of the prior fiscal year. Sales advanced to $5.2 million from $2.4 million.