Mela Sciences (NSDQ:MELA) boosted its cash position in the 1st quarter, raising $21.5 million from a combination of sources.

The Irvington, N.Y.-based company raised $15.7 million in public offerings of company stock and an additional $6 million in debt financing during the start of its fiscal year.

Mela officials reported that the funds will be enough to support product development and operations through the end of 2013.

The company posted losses of $6.5 million, or 17¢ per share, on sales of $144,100 for the 3 months ended March 31, 2013. This compares to the same quarter last year, when Mela posted a loss of $5.8 million, or 19¢ per dilute share, on sales of only $11,250.

According to SEC filings, the company attributed a net loss to "selling, general and administrative expenses related to the expansion of the company’s sales force and the company’s incremental marketing costs as well as the increase in direct costs associated with the placement of MelaFind systems in dermatologists’ office."

In 2012, Mela announced an expanded 3-year manufacturing contract with long-time supplier Askion GmbH for production of the MelaFind devices.