Interim / Quarterly Report • Oct 22, 2014
Interim / Quarterly Report
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(Figures in brackets refer to the same period of last year)
"The strong growth in sales during the quarter is gratifying, and the rolling 12 month performance, indicating where we are going long term, shows a 19 % increase. Our ambitions are higher than that, and considering the positive signals we are seeing in essentially all markets, we should be able to reach our historically high growth numbers within a not too distant future," says Peter Rothschild, CEO of BioGaia AB.
Net sales amounted to SEK 360.4 million (225.7), an increase of SEK 134.7 million (60%). Net sales include license revenue of SEK 95.4 million from Nestlé. Excluding license revenue from Nestlé, net sales totalled SEK 265.0 million, an increase of 17% (excluding foreign exchange effects, 14%).
Net sales in the Paediatrics business area reached SEK 215.91) million (173.0), up by SEK 42.9 million (25%).
Net sales in the Adult Health business area amounted to SEK 46.4 million (51.5), a decrease of SEK 5.1 million (-10%).
Operating profit was SEK 166.3 million (57.9), an increase of SEK 108.4 million (187%). Excluding license revenue from Nestlé, operating profit was SEK 70.9 million, an increase of 22% (excluding foreign exchange effects and operating expenses for the subsidiary IBT, 20%).
Profit after tax was SEK 128.9 million (47.9), up by SEK 81.0 million (169%). Excluding license revenue from Nestlé, profit after tax was SEK 54.5 million, an increase of 14%.
Earnings per share totalled SEK 7.50 (2.63). Excluding license revenue from Nestlé, earnings per share were SEK 3.19.
The period's cash flow was SEK -11.1 million (-131.7). Cash and cash equivalents at 30 September 2014 amounted to SEK 224.1 million (243.2).
Net sales reached SEK 79.4 million (62.2), an increase of SEK 17.2 million (28%) (excluding foreign exchange effects, 23%).
Net sales in the Paediatrics business area totalled SEK 67.6 million (45.2), an improvement of SEK 22.4 million (49%).
Net sales in the Adult Health business area amounted to SEK 11.3 million (16.0), a decrease of SEK 4.7 million (-29%).
Operating profit was SEK 17.6 million (13.8), an increase of SEK 3.8 million (28%) (excluding foreign exchange effects and operating expenses for the subsidiary IBT, 29%).
Profit after tax was SEK 14.4 million (13.4), an improvement of SEK 1.0 million (7%).
Earnings per share totalled SEK 0.84 (0.78).
Launch of tablets in Brazil.
1) Excluding license revenue from Nestlé. Including license revenue from Nestlé, net sales in the Paediatrics business area amounted to SEK 311.3 million.
Teleconference: You are welcome to take part in a teleconference on the interim report that will be held today at 9:30 a.m. by CEO Peter Rothschild. To participate in the teleconference please see www.biogaia.com/agenda.
BioGaia has published this information in accordance with the Swedish Securities Act. The information was issued for publication on 22 October 2014, 8.00 a.m. CET.
This is a translation of the Swedish version of the interim report. When in doubt, the Swedish wording shall prevail.
Figures on brackets refer to the same period of last year.
We hereby present BioGaia AB's interim management statement for the period from 1 January to 31 September 2014. A description of the company's operations is provided on page 14.
The strong growth in sales during the quarter is gratifying, and the rolling 12 month performance, indicating where we are going long term, shows a 19% increase. Our ambitions are higher than that, and considering the positive signals we are seeing in essentially all markets, we should be able to reach our historically high growth numbers within a not too distant future. Even in North America we are seeing satisfying increases in the rolling 12-month figures, but there is still much to be done to capitalise on the potential we believe exists in the USA.
The paediatric health area is growing significantly and this is where we have around 80% of our sales. The increase is being driven partly by our continuing collaboration with Nestlé in new areas and partly by steady improvement in sales of our oil drops in the majority of markets.
In the adult health area we have a great deal of basic positioning work towards the target groups left to do. The new organisation gives us scope for a whole different focus on the areas where greater efforts need to be made to reach acceptable growth. In certain areas it is enough to reposition, whilst in others, complementary clinical studies are being carried out to achieve greater momentum in sales.
In Japan we have decided to discontinue our investments in yoghurt products as the margins are too low. On the other hand, during the quarter we started to launch our oil drops through a digital marketing effort. The reason for choosing the digital route is that paediatricians in Japan do not treat colic, since most mothers are at home and it is considered shameful not to be able to handle a crying child. Our hope is that Japanese parents will buy the oil drops directly online. It is far too early at this time to say anything about the results of the drive, since the marketing campaign will not be ramped up to a larger scale until the fourth quarter.
Our operating profit is improving continuously since we are holding down cost increases to a level of about 10% on a rolling 12-month basis. The increases are partly explained by our ongoing investment in medical conferences to expand our message directly to physicians. It is a costly marketing method, but we know that our sales are driven primarily by doctors' recommendations to their patients, and that this is consequently a very profitable investment. Last week such a paediatric conference was held in San Diego. BioGaia's booth raised a lot of attention and was visited by more than 900 interested doctors.
The solution of the identified quality problem, as mentioned earlier, at one of our sub-contractors is not yet fully implemented. The quality problem has caused costs of just under SEK 1.0 million during the third quarter and additional costs in the future cannot be excluded.
Our operating margin for the rolling 12-month period was 27%, and 28% if we exclude the subsidiary IBT as a separate investment. This is slightly below our medium-term target of at least 30%.
Our subsidiary IBT, which is developing a pharmaceutical to prevent the disease NEC that affects premature newborns, is continuing its efforts to develop an approved manufacturing process and plan for the clinical studies needed to achieve an approved drug. We have also initiated measures to secure financing, through
a London-based bank, for the development work after the two years that BioGaia itself is funding.
The probiotic supplement market is growing by 8-10% annually, which provides a solid ground for continued growth. If I look at our situation, there is good reason for optimism. Our existing products have continued to grow and in a number of markets we are currently in the launch process. When I then add the many opportunities in our collaboration with Nestlé and the new products we are launching and developing, this strengthens my conviction that we are only at the beginning of a strong growth phase for BioGaia.
Consolidated net sales amounted to SEK 360.4 million (225.7), which is an increase of SEK 134.7 million (60%). Net sales include license revenue from Nestlé of SEK 95.4 million.
In February 2012 BioGaia signed several new agreements with Nestlé including the acquisition of a perpetual license to use one of BioGaia's probiotic strains in infant formula during the remaining term of the patent. The purchase price was EUR 50.8 million, of which EUR 40.0 million (SEK 356 million) was received and recognised in the first quarter of 2012. The additional payments of EUR 10.8 million were to be received during the period 2014-2017 on the achievement of predefined milestones. In March 2014 BioGaia and Nestlé signed a supplementary agreement to the original, which meant among other things that BioGaia received the remaining EUR 10.8 million (SEK 95.4 million).
In connection with this, Nestlé and BioGaia further broadened and strengthened the cooperation and entered into a supplementary agreement to the original. The agreement will provide BioGaia with royalties of around SEK 92 million (EUR 10.4 million) over a threeyear period, starting in the second quarter of 2014. Following the sale of the license, culture sales to Nestlé have fallen due to considerable lower sales price.
Excluding license revenue from Nestlé, net sales amounted to SEK 265.0 million, an increase of 17% compared to the same period of last year. Most of the company's sales are denominated in foreign currency, primarily EUR but also USD and JPY. With unchanged exchange rates compared to the same period of last year, net sales (excluding license revenue) would have been SEK 8.1 million lower. Excluding foreign exchange effects, net sales (excluding license revenue) thus rose by 14%. Exchange rate fluctuations affect both revenue and expenses. Operating profit would also have been SEK 5.5 million lower in the event of unchanged exchange rates, which means an increase (excluding license revenue from Nestlé) of 13% compared to the previous year.
For the past 12-month period, total net sales increased by 19%1) (excluding foreign exchange effects, 17%).
Since the autumn of 2013 the company is divided into three business areas, Paediatrics, Adult Health and New Business. Support functions have been retained at the central level, but the business areas are responsible for product development and sales to their respective target groups. This will result in a better focus and more effective decision-making. Starting in the first quarter of 2014, the company reports sales and gross profit for these business areas. To facilitate comparison, sales and gross profit for the earlier segments, finished consumer products and component products, will also be reported during 2014.
Sales in BioGaia's core area, Paediatrics, amounted to SEK 311.3 million (173.0), an increase of SEK 138.3 million (80%). Excluding license revenue from Nestlé, sales of paediatric products reached SEK 215.9 million (173.0), representing growth of 25% (excluding foreign exchange effects, 21%). The increase is primarily attributable to sales of drops and then primarily in Europe and "Rest of world" but also in the USA and Canada. In Europe, sales of drops increased in a number of countries in Eastern Europe (Poland, Bulgaria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic) as well as in Germany, Italy and France, while sales decreased mainly in Ukraine, but also in Finland and Sweden. The decrease in Ukraine is due to current instability in the country.
In "Rest of world", sales increased in Brazil and Mexico but fell in South Africa.
Sales of digestive health tablets related to the Paediatrics business area were also up compared to the same period of last year, primarily in Brazil but also in the USA. In Ukraine, sales of digestive health tablets decreased during the period.
Sales of cultures for infant formula declined slightly during the period compared to the same period of last year. The agreement regarding infant formula now in force with Nestlé gives them the right to manufacture L. reuteri for use in infant nutrition, which would result in lower sales of cultures. BioGaia currently has no information about when, and in such case, to what extent Nestlé will exercise this right.
Revenue under the agreement with Nestlé from 2013 (regarding a product that is still classified as secret) was largely unchanged compared to the same period of last year. Launch of this product will take place in the fourth quarter of 2014.
The royalty revenue of SEK 15.3 million (0.0) from the new collaboration agreement with Nestlé (see below) was included in sales for the Paediatrics business area.
For the past 12-month period, sales in the Paediatrics business area rose by 23%1).
Activities in the Paediatrics business area during the period were focused on participation in a number of important congresses, among other things in the USA. These congresses are of vital importance, since they provide opportunity for direct contact with medical professionals from around the world to whom we can promote the BioGaia brand. Often, the company hosts satellite symposia at which researchers selected by BioGaia present BioGaia's clinical studies to between 100 and 300 doctors. The company is also preparing the launch of new packaging solutions that will be introduced in 2015.
Net sales in the Adult Heath business area amounted to SEK 46.4 million (51.5), down by SEK 5.1 million (-10%) (excluding foreign exchange effects, -13%).
The decrease is due to lower sales of digestive health tablets, above all in Finland where BioGaia's partner has been exposed to aggressive price competition. Sales of digestive health tablets also decreased in Italy.
Sales of oral health tablets grew during the period compared to the same period of last year. The increase was primarily attributable to Japan.
Sales of yoghurt products in Japan were up during the period. However, the company has decided to discontinue sales of yogurt products in Japan, since the margin has not met expectations and BioGaia's partner has not invested in consumer marketing to the extent required to reach the volumes necessary to achieve profitability.
For the past 12-month period, sales in the Adult Health business area increased by 3%.
Activities in the business area remain focused on clarifying the positioning of the new product Gastrus and on reducing costs for this product and the ORS product. Furthermore, the company is continuing its efforts to clarify the positioning of other products while at the same time studying the conditions for the launch of additional products.
Sales of finished consumer products rose over the same period of last year by SEK 27.7 million (15%) to SEK 208.8 million.
Sales of finished consumer products were up in all regions during the period.
For the past 12-month period, sales of finished consumer products rose by 15%.
Sales of component products grew by SEK 106.5 million to SEK 150.0 million (244%) compared to the same period of last year. These sales include license revenue from Nestlé of SEK 95.4 million (see above for more information). Excluding license revenue from Nestlé, sales of component products amounted to SEK 54.6 million (43.6), an increase of 25%.
Sales were up in Europe but declined in Asia. The decrease in Asia is mainly attributable to sales of cultures to a dairy in South Korea.
Sales of cultures for infant formula decreased somewhat during the period.
Sales of component products include royalties from the new collaboration agreement with Nestlé (see below) of SEK 15.3 million (0.0).
For the past 12-month period, sales of component products have increased by 38%1).
Sales in Europe grew by SEK 22.1 million (14%)1) to SEK 184.41) million. Sales of both finished consumer products and component products increased. For the past 12-month period, sales in Europe rose by 12%1).
Sales in the USA and Canada increased by SEK 3.9 million (29%). Sales of finished consumer products were up in both countries. Sales of component products were largely unchanged. For the past 12-month period, sales in the USA and Canada grew by 23%.
Sales in Asia rose by SEK 0.7 million (3%). Sales of finished consumer products increased while sales of component products decreased (see above). For the past 12-month period, sales in Asia improved by 26 %.
Sales in "Rest of world" were up by SEK 12.7 million (53%) which is due to higher sales of finished consumer products (see above). For the past 12-month period, sales in "Rest of world" increased by 57%.
Of total finished consumer products, 65% (55) were sold under the BioGaia brand, including co-branding. The target for 2014 is at least 60%.
Gross profit was SEK 178.91) million (155.1), which is an increase of SEK 23.8 million (15%) compared to the same period of last year. The total gross margin declined from 69% to 67%1).
Gross margin for the Paediatrics business area narrowed slightly from 70% to 69%1). The margin has fallen during the period primarily as a result of a further decreased margin on sales of cultures for infant formula to Nestlé starting in the third quarter of 2014, but also due to costs (about SEK 3.5 million for the 9-month period) for quality problem (please see above under CEO´s comment) but has been compensated by royalties from Nestlé with a margin of 100%.
Gross margin for the Adult Health business area fell from 64% to 62%. This is mainly due to a lower margin on yogurt products that were launched in the second half of last year. As mentioned above, these sales will be discontinued as of the fourth quarter of 2014.
Total operating expenses rose by 14% to SEK 112.0 million during the nine-month period. Excluding the subsidiary IBT, operating expenses were up by 10%. For the past 12-month period, operating expenses increased by 11% (excluding the subsidiary IBT, by 8%).
Selling expenses grew by SEK 7.0 million (12%) and amounted to SEK 63.6 million (56.6), which is equal to 24% (25) of net sales1). It was primarily expenses for samples and conferences, as well as personnel expenses, that increased compared to the same period of last year. In addition, marketing expenses were up in Japan, partly in connection with the launch of drops which took place in the third quarter. For the past 12-month period, selling expenses rose by 11%.
Administrative expenses amounted to SEK 12.4 million (10.6), which is equal to 5% (5) of net sales1). The increase of SEK 1.8 million (17%) is mainly explained by higher personnel expenses and increased administrative expenses in the subsidiary TwoPac (see below). For the past 12-month period, administrative expenses grew by 13%.
R&D expenses are reported at SEK 36.1 million (30.9), which is equal to 14% (14) of net sales. The increase of SEK 5.2 million (17%) is mainly due to costs for the subsidiary IBT (see below). Furthermore, both patent expenses and personnel expenses were higher during the period. Excluding the costs for IBT, R&D expenses were up by 3%. For the past 12-month period, R&D expenses rose by 10% (excluding IBT, 0%). The reason for the low increase is that costs for clinical studies vary over time, and that costs for the NEC project were recognised already in the previous year, but at that time in the Parent Company.
The amortisation component of R&D expenses was SEK 0.2 million (0.2). Investments in capitalised development expenses totalled SEK 3.7 million (0) and refer to the NEC project in the subsidiary IBT AB.
Other operating income/expenses refer to foreign exchange gains/losses on operating receivables and liabilities.
Operating profit was SEK 166.3 million (57.9), an increase of SEK 108.4 million (187%). Excluding license revenue from Nestlé, operating profit was SEK 70.9 million (57.9), an improvement of 22% (excluding foreign exchange effects,13%). Excluding the subsidiary IBT, operating profit rose by 30%. Operating margin for the period from January to September was 27%1) (excluding the subsidiary IBT, 28%).
For the past 12-month period, operating profit increased by 33%1).
Profit before tax was SEK 70.21) million (61.9), an increase of SEK 8.3 (13%) compared to the same period of last year. Net financial items include a foreign exchange loss of SEK -2.7 million on forward exchange contracts in EUR. Net financial items for the previous year included a foreign exchange gain of SEK 0.1 million. At 30 September 2014 the company had outstanding forward exchange contracts for EUR 13.5 million at an average exchange rate of SEK 8.96. Forward exchange contracts amounting to EUR 2.5 will mature for payment in 2014, EUR 8.0 million in 2015 and the remaining EUR 3.0 million in 2016. The actual exchange gain/loss depends on the exchange rate on the maturity date of the contracts. If the EUR rate on the maturity date is lower/higher than that at 30 September 2014 (9.20), an exchange gain/loss will be recognised in the future.
Profit after tax was SEK 128.9 million (47.9), an increase of SEK 81.0 million (69%). Excluding license revenue from Nestlé, profit after tax was SEK 54.5 million (47.9), which is SEK 6.6 million (14%) better than in the same period of last year.
The tax rate for the Group was 22% (23). The Group pays tax on profits in the Swedish companies. The loss in Japan is not deductible against the Swedish profits. Loss carryforwards in the Japanese subsidiary at 30 September 2014 amounted to SEK 56.0 million. The deferred tax asset for these has not been recognised, since a sustainable profit level has not yet been shown in the Japanese subsidiary.
The company has an ongoing tax matter related to a write-down of receivables from the Japanese subsidiary. In the event of a negative outcome, this could result in additional tax expenses of SEK 4.1 million. If the outcome is positive, there is opportunity to request additional cost deductions from previous years.
Earnings per share were SEK 7.50 (2.63). Excluding license revenue from Nestlé, earnings per share amounted to SEK 3.19.
The Group's cash and cash equivalents at 30 September 2014 totalled SEK 224.1 million (243.2). Cash flow for the period amounted to SEK -11.0 million (-131.7). Cash flow for the period included license revenue from Nestlé of SEK 95.4 million (0), dividends of SEK 120.9 million (172.7) and tax payments of SEK 51.2 million (5.5).
Consolidated equity at 30 September 2014 amounted to SEK 325.6 million (301.3). The Group's equity/assets ratio was 84% (83).
In June 2012 BioGaia carried out the warrant programme that was resolved on by the Annual General Meeting the same year. A total of 87,000 warrants were subscribed for, of which the management subscribed for 41,000. The warrants were issued at a market price of SEK 14.27 each following valuation according to the Black & Scholes formula, which provided the Parent Company with proceeds of SEK 1.3 million. Each warrant entitles the holder to subscribe for one class B share for SEK 241.90 on 1 June 2015. Volatility was estimated at 40%. If all of the subscription warrants are exercised, the company's equity will be increased by SEK 21.0 million. This represents a dilutive effect of approximately 0.5% on the share capital and 0.4% on the total number of votes upon the full exercise of warrants. In order to achieve a high level of participation, the 2012 AGM decided to pay a subsidy of SEK 10 per warrant (after 1 June 2015) to the employees who have subscribed for subscription warrants but have not exercised the right to buy shares. A provision of SEK 1.1 million for this obligation was made in the second quarter, 2014 since at the current share price there is a risk that the subsidy must be paid.
Investments in property, plant and equipment amounted to SEK 14.2 million (9.5), of which SEK 13.3 million (7.5) refers to TwoPac AB.
Investments in capitalised development expenses amounted to SEK 3.7 million (0) and refer to the NEC project in the subsidiary IBT AB.
Net sales in the wholly owned subsidiary in Japan reached SEK 13.7 million (7.9). Operating profit in the Japanese subsidiary was SEK -3.4 million (-4.9). This growth in sales is primarily attributable to yoghurt and dental products.
Net sales in the wholly owned subsidiary TwoPac amounted to SEK 31.3 million (27.1). Operating profit was SEK 6.0 million (7.8). Profit after tax was SEK 4.2 million (5.7). The drop in profit is mainly explained by higher personnel expenses as a result of more stringent quality requirements and higher costs for development of new products. The increased quality requirements are internally driven to a certain extent, but are also motivated by BioGaia's intention to have the facility approved for pharmaceutical production by the Swedish Medical Products Agency (Läkemedelsverket). Furthermore, additional resources have been devoted to qualification and validation of new machinery.
TwoPac manufactures and develops products only for BioGaia.
CapAble, which is owned 90.1% by BioGaia AB and 9.9% by the company's president, was started in November 2008 to manufacture and sell the patented LifeTop Cap. Net sales in CapAble totalled SEK 0.3 million (0.1) during the period. Operating profit amounted to SEK -2.0 million (-2.1).
In November 2013, the Board of BioGaia made a decision to invest in phase one of a long-term project aimed at developing a drug with rigorous hygiene, analysis and documentation requirements, to treat the highly fatal disease Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC), which affects premature infants. BioGaia will invest up to SEK 42 million in the project over a two-year period. The project will be driven by BioGaia's subsidiary Infant Bacterial Therapeutics (IBT), of which 9% is owned by the company's President, Staffan Strömberg, and its Research Director, Eamonn Connolly, and 0.9% by Board member Anders Ekblom, (former Global Head of R&D Science & Technology Integration and CEO of AstraZeneca AB). The remaining 90.1% is owned by BioGaia. It is the company's assessment that approximately SEK 26 million of the SEK 42 million shall be capitalised in IBT as development expenses, which will result in a cost burden of around SEK 8 million per year in 2014 and 2015.
Operating profit in IBT during the period amounted to SEK -4.3 million. The company has made investments in capitalised development expenses of SEK 3.7 million (0). The company does not yet have any revenue.
Net sales in the Parent Company reached SEK 350.1 million (221.0) and profit before tax was SEK 165.2 million (54.8).
Profit after tax amounted to SEK 129.7 million (42.5). Cash flow in the Parent Company totalled SEK -10.3 million (- 133.5).
Net sales for the third quarter amounted to SEK 79.4 million (62.2), up by SEK 17.2 million (28%) compared to the same period of last year. Excluding foreign exchange effects, the increase was 23%. Compared to the previous quarter, net sales decreased by SEK 13.0 million, which is due to lower activity among distributors and suppliers during the customary summer holiday period in Europe.
Sales in the Paediatrics business area amounted to SEK 67.6 million (45.2), an improvement of SEK 22.4 million (49%). Excluding foreign exchange effects, the increase was 44%. These sales include royalties of SEK 7.6 million from Nestlé. Excluding royalties, net sales grew by SEK 14.8 million, which is primarily attributable to sales of drops but also sales digestive health tablets. Sales of drops and digestive health tablets rose in all markets except Asia.
Sales of culture for infant formula declined somewhat.
Compared to the previous quarter, sales in the Paediatrics business fell by SEK 4.1 million.
Sales in the Adult Health business area amounted to SEK 11.3 million (16.0), a decrease of SEK 4.7 million (29%). Excluding foreign exchange effects, declined by 32%. The decrease is mainly attributable to sales of digestive health tablets in Europe and "Rest of World".
Sales of oral health tablets increased during the third quarter, compared to the same period of last year.
Compared to the previous quarter, sales in the Adult Health business area were down by SEK 8.8 million.
A minor reclassification of revenue between the Paediatrics and Adult Health business areas compared to the previous quarter took place during the quarter.
Sales of finished consumer products reached SEK 56.2 million (46.4), an increase of SEK 9.8 million (21%) compared to the same period of last year. Sales of finished consumer products grew in all regions except Asia. Compared to the previous quarter, sales of finished consumer products were down by SEK 20.6 million.
Sales of component products amounted to SEK 22.6 million (15.7), an increase of SEK 6.9 million (44%) compared to the same period of last year. This figure includes royalties from Nestlé of SEK 7.6 million. Sales of culture for infant formula declined during the quarter. Revenue from the new agreement with Nestlé (regarding a product that has not yet been publicly disclosed) was largely unchanged compared to the year-earlier period. Compared to the previous quarter, sales of component products rose by SEK 7.3 million.
Gross profit amounted to SEK 52.1 million (43.2), an increase of SEK 8.9 million (21%) compared to the same period of last year. Gross margin was 66%, compared to 70% in the same period of last year. Excluding royalties from Nestlé in the third quarter (see below), gross margin was 62%. The lower margin is mainly attributable to cultures for infant formula for Nestlé (see above), which fell further during the period but also to costs for quality problem (see above under CEO´s comment). On other products, the margin was 71%.
Total operating expenses rose by 24% in the quarter. Excluding costs for the subsidiary IBT, total operating expenses increased by 20%.
Selling expenses for the third quarter were up compared to the same quarter of last year, from SEK 17.3 million to SEK 20.8 million (20%). This is due to higher costs for samples and conferences, as well as higher costs in Japan in connection with the launch of drops. Compared to the second quarter of 2014, selling expenses were down by SEK 3.0.
Administrative expenses increased by SEK 0.8 million (29%) compared to the same period of last year and amounted to SEK 3.6 million. This is mainly attributable to higher costs for the subsidiary TwoPac (see above). Compared to the previous quarter, administrative expenses decreased by SEK 1.6 million.
R&D expenses for the third quarter amounted to SEK 11.7 million (9.0), up by SEK 2.7 million (30%) compared to the same period of last year. Excluding costs for the subsidiary IBT, R&D expenses were rose 17%. The increase is due to higher personnel and patent expenses. Compared to the second quarter, R&D expenses decreased by SEK 1.2 million.
Operating profit was SEK 17.6 million (13.8), which is an increase of SEK 3.8 million (28%) compared to the same period of last year. Excluding foreign exchange effects and operating expenses for IBT, the increase was 29%.
Profit before tax was SEK 18.6 million (16.5), which is an increase of SEK 2.1 million (13%) compared to the same period of last year. Net financial items include a foreign exchange gain of SEK 0.5 million (1.7) on forward exchange contracts in EUR (for more information see above).
Profit after tax was SEK 14.4 million (13.4), which is an increase of SEK 1.0 million (7%) compared to the same period of last year. The tax rate was 22% (19%).
Cash flow was SEK -15.4 million (-6.2). Work capital increased by SEK 11.8 million, which is mainly due to lower current liabilities.
Launches in the third quarter of 2014
| Distributor/licensee | Country | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Aché | Brazil | Digestive health tablets |
| Pediact | France | Oral rehydration product |
| George Petrou Ltd | Cyprus | Oral health tablets |
Launches in the first half of 2014
| Distributor/licensee | Country | Product |
|---|---|---|
| BG Distribution | Hungary | Drops with Vitamin D and digestive health tablets with Vitamin D |
| Cube Pharmaceutical | Greece | Drops with Vitamin D |
| EwoPharma | Slovenia | Drops with Vitamin D |
| Exeer | Libya | Drops and oral rehydration product |
| Infectopharm | Germany | Drops with Vitamin D |
| Nestlé | Ukraine, Russia and the CIS countries |
Infant formula with Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis |
| Plac Control | Greece | Oral health tablets |
| Semper | Norway | Drops and digestive health tablets with strawberry flavour |
A study on 468 healthy newborns, which was published in January 2014, shows that infants given the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis cried less than half as long as infants given a placebo. The infants given Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis also had significantly fewer daily regurgitations and were less constipated compared to infants in the placebo group.
The study was published in the highly regarded medical journal JAMA on 13 January 2014.
In May 2012 BioGaia initiated a double-blind, placebo-controlled study to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis on blood glucose in type 2 diabetics. Despite positive results from an earlier pilot study, no significant differences between the groups were seen in this study.
Continued efforts are being made to analyse if a change in some of the essential parameters in the study or in the study design may be a possible approach for a solution.
In February 2012 BioGaia sold the rights for the use of Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis in infant formula to Nestlé for the remainder of the patent lifetime. BioGaia received EUR 40 million up front and a commitment for a further EUR 10.8 million during the period from 2014 to 2017 upon the achievement of certain milestones. The first milestone payment of EUR 3.6 million was received in February this year.
Nestlé and BioGaia and have further broadened and strengthened the cooperation and in March this year entered into a supplementary agreement to the original. The agreement will provide BioGaia with royalties of around SEK 92 million (approximately EUR 10.4 million) over a three-year period, starting
in the second quarter of 2014, for which BioGaia will carry out specific clinical studies in the paediatric area. In addition, BioGaia will develop new products for Nestlé in whole new areas.
Furthermore, the agreement means that BioGaia immediately received the remaining milestone payments of EUR 7.2 million from the 2012 agreement. Consequently, the entire contingent consideration of EUR 10.8 million (SEK 95.4 million) was recognised as income and paid in the first quarter.
Healthy children attending daycare centres have a significantly lower risk of getting diarrhoea or respiratory tract infections when given a daily supplement of Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis, as shown by a study on 336 children that was conducted in Mexico.
The study confirms previously published data and proves that preventative treatment with L. reuteri Protectis in healthy children reduces episodes of diarrhoea. Furthermore, the study demonstrated a reduction in respiratory tract infections among the children given supplements of Protectis. Moreover, the children receiving Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis had fewer days with fever, used less antibiotics and had fewer days of absence from daycare.
The study was published in the medical journal Pediatrics on 17 March 2014.
In June BioGaia signed a non-exclusive agreement with Pharma Base SA for the rights to sell BioGaia's ProTectis Baby Drops in India. Pharma Base will cooperate with a local distributor for marketing and sales of the drops, which will be sold under BioGaia's own brand. Registration of the product will be started in 2014 and the launch is planned for 2015.
In June BioGaia signed an agreement with Nestlé Nutrition UK that gives its subsidiary SMA exclusive rights to sell BioGaia's ProTectis Baby Drops in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The drops will be sold under the BioGaia brand with elements of SMA's brand, which is very well known in the UK. The launch is planned to take place in 2015.
In June BioGaia made a decision for the subsidiary TwoPac to build an additional production plant in Eslöv. BioGaia will invest around SEK 16 million in the new facility during a three year period.
In 2012 a new production plant was completed in Eslöv, mainly financed by loans from BioGaia.
The number of employees in the Group at 30 September 2014 was 92 (85).
In June 2012 BioGaia carried out the subscription warrant programme for all employees in the BioGaia Group that was resolved on by the AGM the same year. For more information, see above under "Equity".
The Japanese subsidiary has operated at a loss since the start in 2006. The business model previously used was found to be unsuccessful and in 2010 a decision was made to change the business model in Japan to that which is used in the other markets. On the balance sheet date, assets in the Japanese subsidiary were reported at SEK 8.5 million in the Group. BioGaia's assessment is that there is no indication of impairment of these assets. In the Parent Company, all receivables and participations in the Japanese subsidiary have been written down to zero.
CapAble, which is 90.1% owned by BioGaia AB, was started in November 2008 to manufacture and sell the patented LifeTop Cap. The shares in the subsidiary CapAble amount to a total of SEK 6.9 million in the Parent Company. CapAble has operated at a loss since the start in 2008. BioGaia made total conditional shareholder contributions of SEK 6 million to CapAble in 2009 and 2010. BioGaia AB made total group contributions of SEK 9.8 million during the period from 2010 to 2013. Profit before tax for January – September 2014 amounted to SEK -2.1 million (-2.0). On the balance sheet date, assets in CapAble were reported at SEK 3.5 million. BioGaia's assessment is that CapAble will show profitability in coming years, for which reason there was no indication of impairment on the balance sheet date.
Infant Bacteria Therapeutics AB (IBT), which is 90.1% owned by BioGaia, was established in November 2013. At that time, the Board of BioGaia made a decision to invest in phase one of a longterm project aimed at developing a drug with rigorous hygiene, analysis and documentation requirements, to treat the highly fatal disease Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC), which affects premature infants. BioGaia will invest up to SEK 42 million in the project over a two-year period. BioGaia AB has made conditional shareholder contributions of SEK 7.0 million to IBT. On the balance sheet date, assets in IBT were reported at SEK 4.6 million in the Group. BioGaia's assessment is that IBT will show profitability in coming years, for which reason there was no indication of impairment on the balance sheet date.
For further information see the administration report and Notes 28 and 29 of the annual report for 2013.
This interim management statement has in all material aspects been prepared in accordance with NASDAQ OMX Stockholm's Guidelines for preparing interim management statements.
The financial statements and segment information for the Group have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting, and the Annual Accounts Act in order to achieve comparability in presentation between quarters.
The consolidated financial statements are presented in compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the interpretations published by the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) that have been endorsed by the European Commission for application in the EU. Unless otherwise stated below, the accounting policies applied for the Group and the Parent Company are the same as those used in preparation of the latest annual report.
BioGaia has applied IFRS 10 and 12 from 1 January 2013.
The applied accounting policies correspond to those described in the annual report for 2013, aside from a number of minor amendments to existing standards and new interpretations that are effective as of 1 January 2014. These are not assessed to have any significant impact on the profit or financial position of the Group or the Parent Company aside from increased disclosures.
Since the autumn of 2013 the company is divided into three business areas, Paediatrics, Adult Health and New Business. Starting in the first quarter of 2014 the company reports sales and gross profit for these business areas. To facilitate comparison, sales and gross profit for finished consumer products and component products will also be reported during 2014.
BioGaia's goal is to create strong value growth and a good return for the shareholders. This will be achieved through a greater emphasis on the BioGaia brand, increased sales to both existing and new customers and a controlled cost level.
The financial target is a sustainable operating margin (operating profit in relation to sales) of at least 30% with continued strong growth and increased investments in research, product development and brand building.
BioGaia's dividend policy is to pay a shareholder dividend equal to 40% of profit after tax.
In view of the Company's strong portfolio consisting of an increased number of innovative products that are sold under the BioGaia brand to a growing extent, successful clinical trials and an expanding distribution network that covers a large share of the key markets, BioGaia's future outlook is bright.
1) Excluding license revenue from Nestlé of SEK 95.4 million. Including license revenue from Nestlé, for the period from January to September 2014, operating margin amounted to 46%, total net sales to SEK 360.4 million, net sales of component products to SEK 150.0 million, net sales in the Paediatrics business area to SEK 311.3 million, net sales in Europe to SEK 279.8 million, gross profit to SEK 274.3 million, operating profit to SEK 166.3 million, profit before tax to SEK 165.6 million and profit after tax to SEK 128.9 million. Earnings per share amounted to SEK 7.50. The increase in net sales for the 12-month period was 51% including license revenue from Nestlé.
| (Amounts in SEK 000s) | Jan Sept |
Jan-Sept | July Sept |
July-Sept | Jan-Dec | Oct 2013- Sept |
Oct 2012- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2013 | 2014 | Sept 2013 | |
| Net sales | 265,031 | 225,654 | 79,434 | 62,169 | 315,875 | 355,252 | 298,057 |
| License revenue | 95,397 | - | - | - | - | 95,397 | - |
| Cost of goods sold | -86,165 | -70,600 | -27,362 | -18,959 | -101,711 | -117,276 | -94,908 |
| Gross profit | 274,263 | 155,054 | 52,072 | 43,210 | 214,164 | 333,373 | 203,149 |
| Selling expenses | -63,567 | -56,628 | -20,815 | -17,257 | -79,396 | -86,335 | -78,094 |
| Administrative expenses | -12,385 | -10,615 | -3,576 | -2,768 | -14,356 | -16,126 | -14,302 |
| Research and development expenses | -36,060 | -30,856 | -11,670 | -8,995 | -40,555 | -45,759 | -41,417 |
| Other operating income | 4,072 | 925 | 1,600 | - | 1,796 | 4,943 | 1,683 |
| Other operating expenses | - | - | - | -394 | - | - | - |
| Operating profit | 166,323 | 57,880 | 17,611 | 13,796 | 81,653 | 190,096 | 71,019 |
| Interest income | 2,136 | 3,916 | 495 | 1,026 | 5,081 | 3,301 | 5,966 |
| Foreign exchange gain/loss, forward contracts | -2,701 | 129 | 503 | 1,674 | -2,882 | -5,712 | -1,483 |
| Financial expenses | -129 | -75 | -54 | -13 | -92 | -146 | -100 |
| Profit before tax | 165,629 | 61,850 | 18,555 | 16,483 | 83,760 | 187,539 | 75,402 |
| Tax | -36,707 | -13,956 | -4,145 | -3,123 | -19,572 | -42,323 | -11,701 |
| PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD | 128,922 | 47,894 | 14,410 | 13,360 | 64,188 | 145,216 | 63,701 |
| Items that will be reclassified to profit or loss | |||||||
| Gains/losses arising on translation of the financial | |||||||
| statements of foreign operations | 697 | -722 | 117 | -164 | -1,419 | 0 | -1,409 |
| Comprehensive income for the period | 129,619 | 47,172 | 14,527 | 13,196 | 62,769 | 145,216 | 62,292 |
| Profit for the period attributable to: | |||||||
| Owners of the Parent Company | 129,517 | 45,422 | 14,546 | 13,428 | 61,722 | 145,817 | 60,277 |
| Non-controlling interests | -595 | 2,472 | -136 | -68 | 2,466 | -601 | 3,424 |
| 128,922 | 47,894 | 14,410 | 13,360 | 64,188 | 145,216 | 63,701 | |
| Comprehensive income for the period attributable to: |
|||||||
| Owners of the Parent Company | 130,214 | 44,700 | 14,663 | 13,264 | 60,303 | 145,817 | 58,868 |
| Non-controlling interests | -595 | 2,472 | -136 | -68 | 2,466 | -601 | 3,424 |
| 129,619 | 47,172 | 14,527 | 13,196 | 62,769 | 145,216 | 62,292 | |
| Earnings per share Basic earnings per share (average number of shares), |
|||||||
| SEK | 7.50 | 2.63 | 0.84 | 0.78 | 3.57 | 8.44 | 3.49 |
| Diluted earnings per share, SEK | 7.50 | 2.63 | 0.84 | 0.78 | 3.56 | 8.44 | 3.49 |
| Number of shares, thousands | 17,271 | 17,271 | 17,271 | 17,271 | 17,271 | 17,271 | 17,271 |
| Average number of shares, thousands | 17,271 | 17,271 | 17,271 | 17,271 | 17,271 | 17,271 | 17,271 |
| Number of outstanding warrants, thousands Number of outstanding warrants with a dilutive effect, thousands |
87 - |
87 - |
87 - |
87 - |
87 87 |
87 - |
87 - |
| Number of shares after dilution, thousands | 17,271 | 17,271 | 17,271 | 17,271 | 17,358 | 17,271 | 17,271 |
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION | 30 Sep | 31 Dec | 30 Sep |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Amounts in SEK 000s) | 2014 | 2013 | 2013 |
| ASSETS | |||
| Intangible assets | 3,690 | - | - |
| Property, plant and equipment | 70,512 | 60,286 | 54,880 |
| Other non-current receivables | 19 | 17 | 17 |
| Total non-current assets | 74,221 | 60,303 | 54,897 |
| Current assets excl. Cash and cash equivalents | 90,605 | 88,845 | 66,848 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 224,125 | 234,271 | 243,193 |
| Total current assets | 314,730 | 323,116 | 310,041 |
| TOTAL ASSETS | 388,951 | 383,419 | 364,938 |
| EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | |||
| Equity attributable to owners of the Parent Company | 326,658 | 317,341 | 301,739 |
| Non-controlling interests | -1,079 | -484 | -483 |
| Total equity | 325,579 | 316,857 | 301,256 |
| Provision for deferred tax | 85 | 85 | 24,649 |
| Interest-free current liabilities | 63,287 | 66,477 | 39,033 |
| TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | 388,951 | 383,419 | 364,938 |
| Pledged assets | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENTS | Jan-Sept | Jan-Sept | July-Sept | July-Sept | Jan-Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Amounts in SEK 000s) | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2013 |
| Operating activities | |||||
| Operating profit | 166,323 | 57,880 | 17,611 | 13,796 | 81,653 |
| Depreciation/amortisation | 3,972 | 3,788 | 1,284 | 1,277 | 5,541 |
| Other non-cash items | -767 | -17 | -362 | 117 | -308 |
| 169,528 | 61,651 | 18,533 | 15,190 | 86,886 | |
| Gains/losses on realised forward exchange contracts | -589 | 439 | -448 | -8 | 193 |
| Paid tax | -51,238 | -5,488 | -15,483 | -4,343 | -10,799 |
| Interest received and paid | 2,002 | 3,843 | 437 | 1,015 | 4,996 |
| Cash flow from operating activities before changes in working capital |
119,703 | 60,445 | 3,039 | 11,854 | 81,276 |
| Changes in working capital | 7,997 | 20,041 | -11,844 | 16,300 | -2,835 |
| Cash flow from operating activities | 127,700 | 80,486 | -8,805 | 28,154 | 78,441 |
| Cash flow from investing activities | -17,862 | -39,514 | -6,561 | -34,348 | -46,538 |
| Cash flow from financing activities | -120,897 | -172,710 | - | - | -172,710 |
| Cash flow for the period | -11,059 | -131,738 | -15,366 | -6,194 | -140,807 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 234,271 | 374,974 | 239,117 | 249,560 | 374,974 |
| Exchange difference in cash and cash equivalents | 913 | -43 | 374 | -173 | 104 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | 224,125 | 243,193 | 224,125 | 243,193 | 234,271 |
| (Amounts in SEK 000s) | Jan-Sept | Jan-Sept | Jan-Dec |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2013 | 2013 | |
| At beginning of period | 316,857 | 456,794 | 456,794 |
| Dividends | -120,897 | -172,710 | -172,710 |
| Purchase of 50% of TwoPac AB | - | -30,000 | -30,000 |
| Sale of 9% of IBT AB | - | - | 4 |
| Comprehensive income for the period | 129,619 | 47,172 | 62,769 |
| At end of period | 325,579 | 301,256 | 316,857 |
(Amounts in 000s
| Income by segment - business area | Jan-Sept | Jan-Sept | July-Sept | July-Sept | Jan-Dec | Oct 2013- | Oct 2012- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2013 | Sept 2014 | Sept 2013 | |
| Paediatrics | 215,922 | 172,957 | 67,562 | 45,198 | 238,586 | 281,551 | 228,165 |
| License revenue (Paediatrics) | 95,397 | - | - | - | - | 95,397 | - |
| Adult Health | 46,448 | 51,544 | 11,329 | 15,983 | 75,616 | 70,520 | 68,772 |
| Other | 2,661 | 1,153 | 543 | 988 | 1,673 | 3,181 | 1,120 |
| 360,428 | 225,654 | 79,434 | 62,169 | 315,875 | 450,649 | 298,057 | |
| Jan-Sept | Jan-Sept | July-Sept | July-Sept | ||||
| Gross profit by segment - business area | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |||
| Paediatrics | 148,191 | 121,285 | 44,202 | 32,308 | |||
| License revenue (Paediatrics) | 95,397 | - | - | - | |||
| Adult Health | 28,651 | 33,145 | 7,463 | 10,435 | |||
| Other | 2,024 | 624 | 407 | 467 | |||
| 274,263 | 155,054 | 52,072 | 43,210 | ||||
| Income by segment (old segments) | Jan-Sept | Jan-Sept | July-Sept | July-Sept | Jan-Dec | Oct 2013- | Oct 2012- |
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2013 | Sept 2014 | Sept 2013 | |
| Finished consumer products | 208,819 | 181,056 | 56,204 | 46,446 | 256,164 | 283,927 | 246,637 |
| Component products | 54,629 | 43,559 | 22,584 | 15,652 | 58,592 | 69,662 | 50,333 |
| License revenue (component products) 1) | 95,397 | - | - | - | - | 95,397 | - |
| Other products | 1,583 | 1,039 | 646 | 71 | 1,119 | 1,663 | 1,087 |
| 360,428 | 225,654 | 79,434 | 62,169 | 315,875 | 450,649 | 298,057 | |
| Jan-Sept | Jan-Sept | July-Sept | July-Sept | Jan-Dec | Oct 2013- | Oct 2012- | |
| Gross profit by segment | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2013 | Sept 2014 | Sept 2013 |
| Finished consumer products | 145,509 | 129,126 | 39,048 | 31,742 | 180,088 | 196,471 | 175,924 |
| Component products | 31,774 | 25,316 | 12,378 | 11,398 | 33,384 | 39,842 | 26,608 |
| License revenue (component products) 1) | 95,397 | - | - | - | - | 95,397 | - |
| Other products | 1,583 | 612 | 646 | 70 | 692 | 1,663 | 617 |
| 274,263 | 155,054 | 52,072 | 43,210 | 214,164 | 333,373 | 203,149 |
| Jan-Sept | Jan-Sept | July-Sept | July-Sept | Jan-Dec | Oct 2013- | Oct 2012- | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net sales | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2013 | Sept 2014 | Sept 2013 |
| Europe | 184,392 | 162,260 | 50,505 | 41,851 | 218,301 | 240,433 | 214,020 |
| License revenue (Europe) 1) | 95,397 | - | - | - | - | 95,397 | - |
| USA and Canada | 17,504 | 13,572 | 9,898 | 5,089 | 22,412 | 26,344 | 21,319 |
| Asia | 26,763 | 26,107 | 4,767 | 6,695 | 40,100 | 40,756 | 32,360 |
| Rest of world | 36,372 | 23,715 | 14,264 | 8,534 | 35,062 | 47,719 | 30,358 |
| 360,428 | 225,654 | 79,434 | 62,169 | 315,875 | 450,649 | 298,057 |
| CONSOLIDATED KEY RATIOS 2) | Jan-Sept | Jan-Sept | Jan-Sept | Jan-Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2014 2) | 2013 | 2013 | |
| Net sales, SEK 000s | 360,428 | 265,031 | 225,654 | 315,875 |
| Operating profit, SEK 000s | 166,323 | 70,926 | 57,880 | 81,653 |
| Profit after tax, SEK 000s | 128,922 | 54,512 | 47,894 | 64,188 |
| Return on | ||||
| - average equity | 40% | 17% | 12% | 16% |
| - average capital employed | 52% | 46% | 16% | 22% |
| Capital employed, SEK 000s | 325,664 | 325,664 | 325,905 | 316,942 |
| Number of shares, thousands | 17,271 | 17,271 | 17,271 | 17,271 |
| Average number of shares, thousands | 17,271 | 17,271 | 17,271 | 17,271 |
| Number of outstanding warrants, thousands | 87 | 87 | 87 | 87 |
| Average number of outstanding warrants with a dilutive effect, thousands |
- | - | - | 87 |
| Number of shares after dilution, thousands | 17,271 | 17,271 | 17,271 | 17,358 |
| Basic earnings per share, SEK | 7.50 | 3.19 | 2.63 | 3.57 |
| Diluted earnings per share, SEK | 7.50 | 3.19 | 2.63 | 3.56 |
| Basic equity per share, SEK | 18.91 | 18.91 | 17.47 | 18.37 |
| Diluted equity per share, SEK | 18.91 | 18.91 | 17.47 | 18.28 |
| Equity/assets ratio | 84% | 84% | 83% | 83% |
| Operating margin | 46% | 27% | 26% | 26% |
| Profit margin | 46% | 26% | 27% | 27% |
| Average number of employees | 89 | 89 | 81 | 82 |
1) The definitions of key ratios correspond to those in the annual report.
2) Excluding license revenue from Nestlé. License revenue is included in the Paediatrics business area, in the component products segment and in the European market.
The Parent Company holds 100% of the shares in BioGaia Biologics Inc. USA, BioGaia Japan Inc., TwoPac AB and Tripac AB. The Parent Company holds 90.1% of the shares in CapAble AB and 90.1% of the shares in Infant Bacterial Therapeutics (IBT) AB.
Annwall & Rothschild Investment AB hold 740,668 class A shares and 759,332 class B shares, which is equal to 8.7% of the share capital and 34.1% of the votes in BioGaia AB. Annwall & Rothschild Investment AB is owned by Peter Rothschild, CEO of BioGaia, and Jan Annwall, a member of the Board of BioGaia AB. The only transaction that has taken place during the period is the payment of a dividend of SEK 7 per share No other transactions between BioGaia and Annwall & Rothschild Investment AB have taken place during the period.
22 October 2014 9:30 am. Teleconference regarding the interim report by CEO Peter Rothschild. To take part in the conference, please see www.biogaia.com/agenda
7 May 2015 Annual General Meeting at 4:00 p.m. in Stockholm. Shareholders who wish to have a matter dealt with at the AGM must submit a request by 20 March 2015 to the Board Chairman, David Dangoor, BioGaia AB, Box 3242, SE-103 64 STOCKHOLM, or by e-mail to the company's Chief Legal Counsel Per Erik Andersson at [email protected]
Stockholm, 22 October 2014
Peter Rothschild Chief Executive Officer
This interim management report has not been examined by the company's independent auditor.
BioGaia is a healthcare company that develops, markets and sells probiotic products with documented health benefits. The products are primarily based on different strains of the lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri (Reuteri) in combination with unique packaging solutions that make it possible to create probiotic products with a long shelf life.
he class B share of the Parent Company BioGaia AB is quoted on the Mid Cap list of NASDAQ OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm.
BioGaia has 92 employees, of whom 33 are based in Stockholm, 25 in Lund, 23 in Eslöv, three in Raleigh, USA, six in Hiroshima, Japan and two in Shanghai, China.
BioGaia's revenue comes mainly from the sale of finished consumer products (digestive health tablets, drops, oral rehydration solution (ORS) and oral health tablets) to distributors, but also of revenue from the sale of component products such as Reuteri cultures, straws and caps.
The products are sold through nutrition, food, natural health and pharmaceutical companies in more than 80 countries worldwide. BioGaia holds patents for the use of Lactobacillus reuteri and certain packaging solutions in all major markets.
At the beginning of 2006 BioGaia launched its own consumer brand and today there are a number of distribution partners that sell finished products under the BioGaia brand in a large number of markets. One central part of BioGaia's strategy is to increase the share of sales consisting of BioGaia-branded products.
Some of BioGaia's distributors sell finished consumer products under their own brand names. For these products, the BioGaia brand is shown on the consumer package since BioGaia is both the manufacturer and licensor.
BioGaia's licensees add Reuteri culture to their products and sell these under their own brand names. On these products, the BioGaia brand is most often shown on the package as the licensor/patent holder.
BioGaia's strains of Lactobacillus reuteri are some of the world's most well researched probiotics, especially in young children. To date, 125 clinical studies using BioGaia's human strains of Lactobacillus reuteri have been performed on around 10,700 individuals of all ages. The results have been published in 101 articles in scientific journals.
Studies have been performed on:
Publication of clinical trial results is a key success factor for BioGaia. The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors has initiated a policy requiring clinical investigators to deposit information about trial design into an accepted clinical trials registry before the onset of patient enrolment, and this has now become a prerequisite for publication of trial outcomes in major medical journals. ClinicalTrials.gov is a registry of clinical trials provided by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and BioGaia encourages all clinicians working with BioGaia products to register their trials on this site. Many of the trials are registered at an early stage, which means that some of the registered trials will not be performed as planned. Consequently, BioGaia takes no responsibility for ensuring that the registered trials reach completion or are successfully reported in the register or the scientific literature. When clinical trial results of significance for the company's operations do become available, BioGaia will report these through press releases.
2014-06-18 BioGaia signs distribution agreement for India
BioGaia AB Box 3242. SE-103 64 STOCKHOLM Street address: Kungsbroplan 3A, Stockholm Telephone: +46 8 555 293 00, Corp. identity no. 556380-8723 www.biogaia.com For additional information, contact: Peter Rothschild, CEO, BioGaia AB, telephone +46 8-555 293 20 Margareta Hagman, Executive Vice President, BioGaia AB, telephone +46 8-555 293 04
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