AGM Information • Feb 26, 2024
AGM Information
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This explanatory note has been prepared on behalf of the Board of Directors of Biotalys NV in connection with the various items on the agenda of the shareholders meeting of the Company, to be held on Friday 29 March 2024.
Pursuant to Article 7:129, §3, 4° of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations, this note contains for each of the items on the agenda of the aforementioned shareholders meeting a proposed resolution or, if the item does not require a resolution, a commentary on behalf of the Board of Directors.
For further information on date, hour and venue of the shareholders meeting, the manner in which the holders of securities issued by the Company can participate in the meeting and background documentation regarding the meeting, reference can be made to the notice convening the shareholders meeting.
The agenda and the proposed resolutions are as follows:
Explanation: This agenda items relates to the submission of the special report of the Board of Directors in accordance with article 7:228 of the Belgian Code on Companies and Associations in relation to the proposal to continue the operations of the Company, as set out in item 2 of the agenda of the shareholders meeting. A copy of the special report is available on the Company's website and at the Company's registered office, as indicated in the notice convening the shareholders meeting.
This agenda item does not require a vote.
Explanation: This agenda items relates to the proposal to continue the operations of the Company. For more information on the proposal, reference is made to the special report referred to in item 1 of the agenda of the shareholders meeting.
In accordance with Article 7:228 of the Belgian Code on Companies and Associations, a general meeting of shareholders of a company must be convened when, as a result of losses incurred, a company's net assets have fallen to less than half of the company's capital. The general meeting of shareholders shall be held within two months after the loss has been determined or should have been determined under legal or statutory provisions in order to decide on the dissolution of the company or on measures announced in the agenda to preserve the continuity of the company.
At its meeting held on 21 February 2024, the Board of Directors determined that, based on statutory (non-consolidated) accounts (non-audited) made in Belgian GAAP a loss of EUR 20,014,723.17 was incurred during the accounting year 2023. Taking into account the carry-forward losses over the accounting year 2022, this results in a total carry forward loss of EUR 41,585,512.06 at the end of December 2023.
Consequently, the Board of Directors also determined that due to these losses incurred, the Company's net assets amounted to EUR 22,751,230.29 as of 31 December 2023, compared to a capital on that date of EUR 46,198,455.95. The net assets are therefore less than half of the capital (49.25%).
The aforementioned net asset situation is due to the losses incurred by the Company which are typical of the research and development phase in which the Company finds itself. Investments are being made in research and development, which entails the necessary costs, while there are currently no commercial revenues. This is in line with the business plan of the Company and typical for an Agtech company such as the Company which is in the research and development phase.
From the start of its operations, the Company is aware that research and development costs will increase for a number of years before any prospect of commercial revenues is possible.
The Board of Directors reviewed and approved the necessary budgets and cash planning prepared by the Executive Committee for the operation of the Company in 2024 and 2025, taking into account available financial resources.
The Board of Directors believes that the restructuring measures that have already been adopted in 2023 combined with potentially obtaining additional financing through equity, grants, partnerships and/or other sources of financing should enable the Company to continue its operations.
In this regard, the Board of Directors points out the following elements:
The Company's current situation is in line with the Company's proposed business plan. Furthermore, the Board of Directors has implemented a number of measures during 2023 to extend the financial runway of the Company. Based on this, the Company expects cash burn
in 2024 to be lower than last year (2023: effective cash burn of €19.5 million), in view of the focus on the development of the platform and the pipeline, and the prudent managing of costs. Together with the cash and cash equivalents balance of €21.6 million at the end of 2023, the Company expects the financial runway to extend to end of April 2025 without considering any additional financing through equity, newly awarded grants, partnerships or other sources of financing.
into a research collaboration with the University of Aberdeen within which the Company will sponsor a three-year PhD project in the Oomycete Laboratory of Prof. Pieter van West, Chair in Mycology, a leader in the field, to deepen its expertise in Oomycetes on the molecular level. This fits well with Biotalys' highly targeted strategy as the core of its AGROBODY™ 2.0 technology platform.
In the current circumstances, it is reasonable to expect further progress in the pipeline development, the AGROBODY™ platform and the regulatory approval process of EVOCA™ and the development of existing partnerships or entering into new partnerships during 2024.
This progress should continue to help building an attractive business case and thereby attract investors or industry players for collaborations that can support the Company's operation in the following years.
Consequently, the Board of Directors proposes to continue the operations of the Company.
Proposed resolution: The shareholders meeting resolves to approve the proposal set out in the special report of the Board of Directors, prepared in accordance with Article 7:228 of the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations, to continue the operations of the Company.
Explanation : This agenda item related to the confirmation of the appointment of Mr Kevin Helash as director of the Company.
Mr. Keving Helash was appointed as a director by the Board of Directors with effect from 24 October 2023 pursuant to Article 13 of the Company's Articles of Association. In accordance with Article 7:88 of the Belgian Code on Companies and Associations, this appointment is submitted to the Shareholders Meeting for confirmation.
The Board of Directors, taking into account the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, recommends that the shareholders confirm the appointment of Mr Kevin Helash as a director of the Company. Unless renewed, this mandate will expire immediately after the Company's annual general meeting to be held in 2025. This directorship is unremunerated.
Kevin Helash (59) was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Biotalys in October 2023. He is a results-driven corporate executive who brings more than 30 years of international experience in agriculture and biological products to the company. His experience spans commercializing numerous breakthrough technologies in the agricultural industry on a global scale, including in positions as CEO of EnviroKure, Marrone Bio Innovations - previously listed on Nasdaq - and Agrinos. He built his career at Agrium (now Nutrien) where he became vice president and corporate officer. Kevin Helash grew up on a farm in Canada and his family was active in farming until a couple of years ago. Kevin is Canadian but residing in the United States of America.
Proposed resolution: The shareholders meeting confirms the appointment of Mr Kevin Helash, residing at 242 Capellan St., Wake Forest, North Carolina 27587, United States of America, as a director of the Company. Subject to renewal, this mandate expires immediately after the Company's annual general meeting to be held in 2025. This directorship is unremunerated.
Ghent 26 February 2024.
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