EX-99.1 2 exhibit_99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 exhibit_99-1.htm


Exhibit 99.1
 

 
Evogene Reports First Quarter 2015 Financial Results

Rehovot, Israel – May 19, 2015 – Evogene Ltd. (NYSE; TASE: EVGN), a leading company for the improvement of crop productivity and economics for the food, feed and biofuel industries, announced today its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2015.
 
Ofer Haviv, Evogene's President and CEO, stated: "This past quarter, we were very pleased with our continuing progress in each of our four market oriented divisions. We saw advances in development across our individual product programs and increased recognition by the industry of our broad discovery capabilities, as demonstrated by our recent announcements regarding the incorporation of our gene optimization program into our collaboration with Monsanto following the entry of over 1,000 Evogene candidate genes into their product development pipeline, and the signing of our first collaboration with a leading multinational food company."
 
Mr. Haviv continued, “Looking at the worldwide agriculture market, demand for key crops continues to increase steadily to new record levels. For example, corn consumption during the past five years increased by 25%, and is expected to reach record levels this year. In view of the combination of continuing world-wide population growth and changing food habits, these increases in demand are certain to continue. Furthermore, due to on-going changes such as increasing resistance of insects and weeds to current pesticides and herbicides, along with negative trends in arable land and environmental pressures, it is reasonable to project that without significant technological advances,  just sustaining today's levels of production will be a major challenge, let alone meeting the continuing increases in demand.”
 
Mr. Haviv concluded, “We are confident that Evogene is uniquely qualified to address this critical need for technological advances in agriculture. For the past 10 years we have been establishing and enhancing a broadly applicable discovery platform that combines deeper understandings of plant biology with industry leading computational based 'big data' integration, analysis and prediction technologies.  And this unique capability, now being applied by us to address the key needs in four major market segments, is being recognized by an increasing number of collaborations with leading seed and other ag-bio based companies world-wide."
 
Financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2015:
 
Cash Position: As of March 31, 2015, Evogene had $113.2 million in cash, short term bank deposits and marketable securities, representing a net cash usage for the quarter of $3.1 million. Assuming regular course of business and no new revenue sources, such as additional collaborations, the Company estimates that its net cash usage for full year 2015 will be in the range of $16 to $18 million.
 
 
 

 
 
Research Revenues include mainly periodic payments for research and development activities provided under certain of the Company's collaboration agreements with seed companies. Revenues from research and development payments for the first quarter of 2015 were $2.7 million, compared to $3.8 million for the first quarter of 2014.  The decline was primarily related to the previously announced amendment to the Company’s Bayer collaboration work plan.
 
Evogene anticipates that longer term, its primary sources of revenues will be future royalties and other revenue sharing amounts, as well as castor seed sales by its wholly owned subsidiary Evofuel. In that regard, research revenues, which reflect R&D related cost reimbursement under certain of Evogene's collaboration agreements, were in the past a meaningful contributor to cash flow. Looking to the future, Evogene intends to consider, on a case by case basis, self-financing or jointly financing with potential partners, certain additional activities under future collaborations, particularly with respect to the Company's newer growth areas. Although possibly resulting in less short term R&D revenues than would otherwise be the case, the Company’s goal in negotiating the terms for future collaborations will be to maximize long term revenues, consistent with maintaining its financial strength.
 
Cost of Revenues largely includes research and development expenses related to the support of the Company’s on-going activities under collaboration agreements with seed companies, most of which provide for future milestone and royalty revenues. Cost of revenues for the first quarter of 2015 was $1.8 million, compared to $2.6 million, for the same period in 2014.
 
Research and Development Expenses for the first quarter of 2015 were $3.5 million, compared to $2.7 million for the same period in 2014. The increase in these expenses largely relates to expansion of self-funded activities, primarily focused on the development of new computational genomics and validation technologies in support of both existing and new activities, mainly in our key growth engines – insect resistance, ag-chemicals and Evofuel. As stated above, research and development expenses do not include such expenses incurred in support of on-going collaborations, which are accounted for as Cost of Revenues.
 
Operating Loss for the first quarter of 2015 was $4.1 million, compared to an operating loss of $2.6 million for the same period in 2014. This increase is mainly attributable to the decrease in revenues from research and development payments, as well as the increase in self-funded research and development expenses, and certain other operating expenses.
 
Conference call and webcast details:
 
Evogene management will host a conference call today at 09:00 am Eastern time, 16:00 Israel time to discuss the results. US-based participants are invited to access the call by dialing 1-888-668-9141, and participants from Israel and other countries are invited to access the call at 972-3-918-0609. A replay of the conference call will be available beginning at approximately 13:00 Eastern time, 20:00 Israel time today, and will be accessible through May 21, 2015.  US-based participants are invited to access the replay by dialing 1-888-782-4291, and participants from Israel and other countries are invited to access the replay at 972-3-925-5901. A replay of the call may also be accessed as a webcast via Evogene’s website at www.evogene.com and will be available for a period of ten days.
 
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About Evogene Ltd.:
 
Evogene (NYSE, TASE: EVGN) is a leading company for the improvement of crop productivity and economics for the food, feed and biofuel industries. The Company has strategic collaborations with world-leading agricultural companies to develop improved seed traits in relation to yield and a-biotic stress (such as tolerance to drought), and biotic stress (such as resistance to disease and nematodes), in key crops as corn, soybean, wheat and rice, and is also focused on the research and development of new products for crop protection (such as weed control). In addition, the Company has a wholly-owned subsidiary, Evofuel, developing seeds for second generation feedstock for biodiesel. For more information, please visit www.evogene.com and www.evo-fuel.com.
 
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" relating to future events. These statements may be identified by words such as "may",  “expects”, "intends", “anticipates”, “plans”, “believes”, “scheduled”, “estimates” or words of similar meaning. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions, describe opinions about future events, involve certain risks and uncertainties which are difficult to predict and are not guarantees of future performance. Therefore, actual future results, performance or achievements of Evogene may differ materially from what is expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, many of which beyond Evogene's control, including, without limitation, those risk factors contained in Evogene’s reports filed with the appropriate securities authority. Evogene disclaims any obligation or commitment to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments or changes in expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions.
 
Contact:
Karen Mazor, Evogene
Director, Public and Investor Relations
T: +###-##-#### 039
karen.mazor@evogene.com
 
 
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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
 
   
As of March 31,
   
As of
 December 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2014
 
   
Unaudited
   
Audited
 
CURRENT ASSETS:
                 
                   
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 10,066     $ 14,858     $ 5,213  
Restricted cash
    1,000       -       1,000  
Marketable securities
    78,916       74,740       80,040  
Short-term bank deposits
    23,186       24,000       30,046  
Trade receivables
    816       1,876       1,183  
Other receivables
    751       1,031       889  
                         
      114,735       116,505       118,371  
LONG-TERM ASSETS:
                       
                         
Long-term bank deposits
    -       10,000       -  
Long-term deposits
    20       26       21  
Plant, property and equipment, net
    8,307       6,929       8,812  
Long-term investment
    382       471       382  
Intangible assets, net
    -       33       -  
                         
      8,709       17,459       9,215  
                         
    $ 123,444     $ 133,964     $ 127,586  
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
                       
                         
Trade payables
  $ 1,181     $ 1,313     $ 1,984  
Other payables
    2,564       3,405       3,854  
Liabilities in respect of grants from the Chief Scientist
    553       614       570  
Deferred revenues and other advances
    1,499       1,205       1,511  
                         
      5,797       6,537       7,919  
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
                       
                         
Liabilities in respect of grants from the Chief Scientist
    2,937       2,718       3,103  
Deferred revenues and other advances
    995       762       453  
Severance pay liability, net
    27       19       29  
                         
      3,959       3,499       3,585  
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
                       
                         
Ordinary shares of NIS 0.02 par value:
                       
Authorized − 150,000,000 ordinary shares; Issued and outstanding – 25,359,704,  24,985,455
and 25,350,954 shares at March 31, 2015 and 2014 and December 31,2014, respectively
    140       138       140  
Share premium and other capital reserve
    176,437       170,986       175,553  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (91 )     -       (222 )
Accumulated deficit
    (62,798 )     (47,196 )     (59,389 )
                         
      113,688       123,928       116,082  
                         
    $ 123,444     $ 133,964     $ 127,586  

 
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)
 
   
Three Months Ended
March, 31
 
Year ended
December 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
2014
 
   
Unaudited
 
Audited
 
                 
Revenues:
                       
                         
Research and development payments, including up-front payments
  $ 2,660      3,775      14,198  
                         
    Share purchase related revenues
    41       82       313  
                         
Total Revenues
    2,701       3,857       14,511  
                         
Cost of revenues
    1,830       2,563       9,709  
                         
Gross profit
    871       1,294       4,802  
                         
Operating expenses:
                       
                         
Research and development, net
    3,539       2,657       14,022  
Business development
    497       374       1,851  
General and administrative
    963       888       4,185  
                         
Total operating expenses
    4,999       3,919       20,058  
                         
Operating loss
    (4,128 )     (2,625 )     (15,256 )
                         
Financing income
    946       650       2,242  
Financing expenses
    (227 )     (362 )     (1,516 )
                         
Net loss
  $ (3,409 )   $ (2,337 )   $ (14,530 )
                         
Other comprehensive loss:
                       
                         
Loss from cash flow hedges
  $ (64 )   $ -     $ (222 )
Amounts transferred to the statement of profit or loss for cash flow hedges
    195       -       -  
                         
Total comprehensive loss
  $ (3,278 )   $ (2,337 )   $ (14,752 )
                         
Basic and diluted loss per share
  $ (0.13 )   $ (0.094 )   $ (0.58 )
 
 
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
U.S. dollars in thousands
 
   
Share Capital
   
Share Premium and other capital reserve
   
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
Accumulated Deficit
   
Total
 
    (Unaudited)  
Balance as of January 1, 2015 (audited)
  $ 140     $ 175,553     $ (222 )   $ (59,389 )   $ 116,082  
Net loss
    -       -       -       (3,409 )     (3,409 )
Exercise of options
    *) -       74        -       -       74  
Other comprehensive income
    -       -       131       -       131  
Share-based  compensation
    -       810       -       -       810  
                                         
Balance as of March 31, 2015
  $ 140     $ 176,437     $ (91 )   $ (62,798 )   $ 113,688  

*) Represents an amount lower than $1 thousand

   
Share
Capital
   
Share Premium and other capital reserve
   
Accumulated Deficit
   
Total
 
    (Unaudited)  
Balance as of January 1, 2014 (audited)
  $ 137     $ 169,469     $ (44,859 )   $ 124,747  
Net and comprehensive loss
    -       -       (2,337 )     (2,337 )
Exercise of options
    1       691       -       692  
Share-based  compensation
    -       826       -       826  
                                 
Balance as of March 31, 2014
  $ 138     $ 170,986     $ (47,196 )   $ 123,928  
 
   
Share Capital
   
Share Premium and other capital reserve
   
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
Accumulated Deficit
   
Total
 
    (Audited)  
Balance as of January 1, 2014
  $ 137     $ 169,469     $ -     $ (44,859 )   $ 124,747  
Net loss
     -       -       -       (14,530 )     (14,530 )
Exercise of options
    3       2,854               -       2,857  
Other comprehensive loss
    -       -       (222 )     -       (222 )
Share-based  compensation
    -       3,230       -       -       3,230  
                                         
Balance as of December 31, 2014
  $ 140     $ 175,553     $ (222 )   $ (59,389 )   $ 116,082  
 
 
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

U.S. dollars in thousands

   
Three Months ended
March, 31
 
Year ended
December 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
2014
 
   
Unaudited
 
Audited
 
                 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
                 
                   
Net loss
  $ (3,409 )   $ (2,337 )   $ (14,530 )
                         
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
                       
                         
Adjustments to the profit or loss items:
                       
                         
Depreciation and amortization
    654       519       2,249  
Share-based compensation
    810       826       3,230  
Financing expenses (income), net
    (691 )     91       (926 )
                         
      773       1,436       4,553  
                         
Changes in asset and liability items:
                       
                         
Decrease in trade receivables
    367       37       730  
Decrease (increase) in other receivables
    (4 )     (296 )     58  
Decrease in long term deposits
    1       -       7  
Decrease in trade payables
    (394 )     (620 )     (267 )
Decrease in other payables
    (1,255 )     (958 )     (895 )
Increase (decrease) in severance pay liability, net
    (2 )     -       10  
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues
    530       (568 )     (571 )
                         
      (757 )     (2,405 )     (928 )
                         
Cash received during the period for:
                       
                         
Interest received
    821       83       2,010  
                         
Net cash used in operating activities
    (2,572 )     (3,223 )     (8,895 )
                         
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
                       
                         
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
    (553 )     (303 )     (3,564 )
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities
    7,838       4,337       31,195  
Purchase of marketable securities
    (6,481 )     (47,846 )     (80,615 )
Proceeds from (investment in) bank deposits, net
    6,860       (34,000 )     (30,046 )
Increase in restricted cash
    -       -       (1,000 )
                         
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    7,664       (77,812 )     (84,030 )
 
 
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
U.S. dollars in thousands

   
Three Months ended
March, 31
 
Year ended
December 31,
 
   
2015
 
2014
 
2014
 
   
Unaudited
 
Audited
 
                 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
                 
                   
Proceeds from exercise of  options
    74       692       2,857  
Proceeds from the Chief Scientist grants
    -       -       339  
Repayment of the Chief Scientist grants
    (233 )     (272 )     (530 )
                         
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    (159 )     420       2,666  
                         
Exchange rate differences - cash and cash equivalent balances
    (80 )     19       18  
                         
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    4,853       (80,596 )     (90,241 )
                         
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period
    5,213       95,454       95,454  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period
  $ 10,066     $ 14,858     $ 5,213  
                         
Significant non-cash transactions
                       
                         
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment
  $ 132     $ 218     $ 536  
 
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