Heidelberg Pharma AG
WILEX AG: Interim management statement for the first nine months of 2017
DGAP-News: WILEX AG / Key word(s): Interim Report WILEX AG: Interim management statement for the first nine months of 2017 – Exclusive multi-target research agreement signed with Takeda for the development of Antibody Targeted Amanitin Conjugates – General Meeting adopts resolution to relocate registered office and change company name – Financing commitment received from main shareholder dievini – Guidance adjusted Ladenburg, 09 October 2017 – WILEX AG (ISIN DE000A11QVV0 / WL6 / FSE) today reported on the first nine months of fiscal year 2017 (1 December 2016 – 31 August 2017) and the Group’s financial figures. Dr. Jan Schmidt-Brand, CEO and CFO of WILEX AG, commented: “In addition to making good progress with our internal development programs over the past nine months, we also entered into an important collaboration with a major pharmaceutical company. In June, we signed an exclusive research agreement with Takeda for the development of Antibody Targeted Amanitin Conjugates. The collaboration with this renowned global pharmaceutical company provides valuable external validation of our ATAC technology. Despite having made considerable progress at operational level, WILEX has adjusted its guidance for the current fiscal year published in March 2017. We have revised our forecast for sales revenue downward on the one hand due to deferred revenue arising under the Takeda agreement, as the first payment had to be split in favor of coming quarters. On the other hand, there is a postponement of milestone payments from Link Health. Although we have trimmed our operating expenses to match the current situation, the effects of these changes will also impact our operating result.” Dr. Schmidt-Brand added: “We also were very pleased to be awarded second place in the Best New Drug Developer category at the World ADC Awards in San Diego in September. This shows that, even though our programs are still in preclinical development, we already are well respected and recognized in the ADC world.” Important events in the reporting period – General Meeting votes in favor of relocation and name change – Research and option agreement with Takeda – Worldwide license agreement signed for REDECTANE(R) diagnostic antibody – License agreement signed with the MDC for BCMA antibodies – Financing commitment and corporate action – Legal dispute with Siemens Corporation Results of operations, financial position and net assets The WILEX Group – as of the reporting date comprising WILEX AG and subsidiary Heidelberg Pharma Research GmbH – reports consolidated figures. The reporting period referred to below concerns the period from 1 December 2016 to 31 August 2017 (9M 2017). In the first nine months of the 2017 fiscal year, the WILEX Group generated sales revenue and income totaling EUR 1.6 million (previous year: EUR 2.3 million). This figure includes sales revenue of EUR 1.4 million (previous year: EUR 1.1 million), which stems from the ATAC technology and the service business (EUR 1.1 million) and income from license agreements signed by the parent company (EUR 0.3 million). Other income of EUR 0.2 million was significantly lower than the previous year’s figure of EUR 1.2 million and mainly includes income of EUR 0.1 million each from a grant from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for research projects and the reversal of accrued liabilities that were not needed in the projected amount. The prior-year figures for these two items were EUR 0.6 million and EUR 0.4 million, respectively. In addition, income of EUR 0.2 million was recorded in 2016 from the 2013 sale of former subsidiary WILEX Inc. to Nuclea Biotechnologies Inc. Operating expenses including depreciation and amortization amounted to EUR 9.1 million in the reporting period (previous year: EUR 6.4 million). Cost of sales includes costs directly related to sales revenue that were incurred for customer-specific research and amounted to EUR 0.6 million (previous year: EUR 0.5 million). Research and development costs rose year-over-year to EUR 6.4 million (previous year: EUR 4.3 million) due to the advancement of the proprietary platform technology and the ongoing CMC (chemistry, manufacturing and controls) development of HDP-101. At 71% of operating expenses, this expense category remained the largest cost item. Administrative costs of EUR 2.0 million, which included the costs for holding company activities and the stock exchange listing, increased year-over-year (previous year: EUR 1.4 million) in the first nine months of 2017 as a result of financing efforts, increased investor relations activities and license negotiations. Administrative costs accounted for 22% of operating expenses. Other expenses for business development, marketing and commercial market supply activities in the current reporting period totaled EUR 0.1 million (previous year: EUR 0.2 million). The WILEX Group’s net loss for the first nine months of the fiscal year increased to EUR 7.6 million, as expected (previous year: EUR 4.1 million). Earnings per share was EUR -0.55 (previous year: EUR -0.35), considering the increase in the average number of issued shares. Total assets as of 31 August 2017 decreased to EUR 15.1 million compared to the 30 November 2016 reporting date (EUR 15.2 million) due to a decrease in cash and cash equivalents. At EUR 7.2 million, equity was also down compared to the end of fiscal year 2016 (EUR 9.8 million). This corresponds to an equity ratio of 47.7% (30 November 2016: 64.0%). Cash and cash equivalents as of the end of the third quarter amounted to EUR 4.5 million (30 November 2016: EUR 4.6 million). Excluding funding from capital increases in 2017 and 2016, WILEX’s average monthly cash outflow in the first nine months thus was EUR 0.56 million (previous year: EUR 0.51 million). Financial outlook for 2017 WILEX has adjusted its guidance for the current fiscal year, which was published in March 2017. Sales revenues are downward on the one hand due to deferred revenue arising under the Takeda agreement, as the first payment had to be split in favor of coming quarters. On the other hand there is a postponement of milestone payments from Link Health. The WILEX Group expects to generate between EUR 2.0 million and EUR 3.0 million in sales revenue and other income (previously: EUR 4.0 million to EUR 6.0 million) for the 2017 fiscal year. Operating expenses are now expected to be in the range of EUR 12.0 million to EUR 14.0 million (previously: EUR 11.0 million to EUR 15.0 million). This forecast has been adjusted to match the now much clearer detailed planning, which projects that some costs will not be incurred until next year. Based on these adjustments, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) is now expected to be between EUR -9.0 and EUR -11.0 million (previously: EUR -6.0 million to EUR -10.0 million). WILEX expects to require funds of EUR 8.0 million to EUR 10.0 million in 2017 (previously: EUR 6.0 million to EUR 10.0 million). Monthly cash use thus is expected to be in the range of EUR 0.6 million to EUR 0.8 million (previously: EUR 0.5 million to EUR 0.8 million). WILEX will require additional funds to implement the activities planned in connection with its proprietary ATAC projects. An amount of EUR 5.6 million is still available from the financing commitment from dievini, which can be accessed by the Company as part of corporate actions or in the form of loans. WILEX is evaluating a variety of financing options, taking into account the Company’s research advances and business performance, as well as the market environment. Based on the updated planning and the remaining funds from the financing commitment, the above-mentioned facts will reduce the Company’s cash reach (previously: end of the second quarter 2018). The Company believes it has sufficient funds to finance operations into the second quarter of 2018. WILEX will not host a conference call on this interim management statement. The complete figures for the interim financial statements can be downloaded from www.wilex.com “Press+Investors > Financial Reports > Interim Management Statement of 09 October 2017”. Key figures for the WILEX Group
1 The reporting period begins on 1 December and ends on 31 August
About WILEX and Heidelberg Pharma This communication contains certain forward-looking statements relating to the Company’s business, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “estimates”, “believes”, “expects”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “future”, “potential” or similar expressions or by a general discussion of the Company’s strategy, plans or intentions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause our actual results of operations, financial position, earnings, achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, earnings or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors and partners are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. We disclaim any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.
09.10.2017 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP – a service of EQS Group AG. |
Language: | English |
Company: | WILEX AG |
Grillparzerstr. 18 | |
81675 München | |
Germany | |
Phone: | +49 (0)89 41 31 38 – 0 |
Fax: | +49 (0)89 41 31 38 – 99 |
E-mail: | info@wilex.com |
Internet: | www.wilex.com |
ISIN: | DE000A11QVV0 |
WKN: | A11QVV |
Listed: | Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange |
End of News | DGAP News Service |