ASTC Astrotech Corporation

- iONTRAC 1st Detect Patents Strengthen Competitive Position -

Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC) reported its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, the first quarter of fiscal year 2016.

“Astrotech continues to execute our plan to commercialize the breakthrough technologies of our three subsidiaries,” said Thomas B. Pickens III, Chairman and CEO of Astrotech Corporation. “1st Detect is positioned to turn the corner from a research and development (R&D) focus to an operating company. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2016, we increased investment in R&D and sales. In October, we launched our next generation process chemical analyzer, and the quantity and quality of interest received at the premier petrochemical and refining industry conference confirmed 1st Detect is developing the right suite of products.

“We believe ongoing successes of our current subsidiaries and future technologies will bear significant value for our shareholders,” concluded Pickens.

Highlights

• Astrotech’s first quarter of fiscal year 2016 loss from continuing operations was $3.5 million, compared to $1.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015. The increase reflects 1st Detect’s larger sales team and R&D investment.
• At September 30, 2015, the company had $28.6 million in cash, short term investments, and an indemnity receivable; there was no debt.
• 1st Detect develops, manufactures, and sells chemical analyzers for applications like explosive trace detection, food processing plants, and clean-room manufacturing lines, among others. Recent 1st Detect highlights are as follows:
  • Unveiled the next generation iONTRAC Process Chemical Analyzer that delivers cost effective laboratory performance and improves industrial processing efficiencies while providing customers with “All the Data, All the Time.”
  • Received very positive feedback from the petrochemical and refining industry at the Gulf Coast Conference which took place October 20th – 22nd.
  • Received two U.S. patents during the third quarter bringing the total issued to 11 U.S. and nine international and pending to 11 U.S. and 17 international.
• Astral Images, which is setting the standard for film digital conversion, advanced conversations with leaders in digital media and entertainment.
• Astrogenetix, which is using the power of the unique microgravity environment of space to develop novel therapeutic products, continued in conjunction with NASA the pursuit of an investigational new drug (“IND”) application with the Food and Drug Administration for salmonella.

About Astrotech Corporation

Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC) identifies and commercializes emerging, disruptive technologies through its closely held subsidiaries. Management employs creativity in execution as well as sources investment opportunities from various government laboratories, agencies, universities, and corporations, as well as through its own internal research. Sourced from Oak Ridge Laboratory’s mass spectrometer research, 1st Detect develops, manufactures, and sells chemical analyzers that streamline processes for industrial use in the food and beverage, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, research, and environmental markets as well as for government applications used in explosive and chemical warfare detection for the Department of Homeland Security and the military. Sourced from decades of image research from the laboratories of IBM and Kodak and combined with classified satellite technology from government laboratories, Astral Images sells film to digital image enhancement, defect removal and color correction software, and post processing services providing economically feasible conversion of television and feature 35mm and 16mm films to the new 4K ultra-high definition (“UHD”), high-dynamic range (“HDR”) format necessary for the new generation of digital distribution. Sourced from NASA’s extensive microgravity research, Astrogenetix is applying a fast-track on-orbit discovery platform using the International Space Station to develop vaccines and other therapeutics. Demonstrating its entrepreneurial strategy, Astrotech management sold its state-of-the-art satellite servicing operations to Lockheed Martin in August 2014. Astrotech has operations throughout Texas and is headquartered in Austin. For information please visit www.astrotechcorp.com.

“Safe Harbor” Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, trends, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from the forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to, whether we are able to commercialize our products, whether the market will accept our products, whether our products will perform as expected and whether we will obtain the approvals and licenses necessary to commercialize our products, as well as other risk factors and business considerations described in Astrotech’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings including the annual report on Form 10-K. Any forward-looking statements in this document should be evaluated in light of these important risk factors. Astrotech assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Tables follow

     

ASTROTECH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

  Three Months Ended September 30,     2015     2014 Revenue $ — $ 320 Cost of revenue —   277   Gross profit —   43   Operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative 2,286 1,960 Research and development 1,264   692   Total operating expenses 3,550   2,652   Loss from operations (3,550 ) (2,609 ) Interest and other expense, net 99   12   Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (3,451 ) (2,597 ) Income tax (expense) benefit (2 ) 1,325   Loss from continuing operations (3,453 ) (1,272 ) Discontinued operations Income from discontinued operations — 1,303 Income tax expense — (2,378 ) Gain on sale of discontinued operations —   25,630   Income from discontinued operations —   24,555   Net (loss) income (3,453 ) 23,283 Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (89 ) —   Net (loss) income attributable to Astrotech Corporation (3,364 ) 23,283 Less: Deemed dividend to State of Texas —   531   Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders $ (3,364 ) $ 22,752     Amounts attributable to Astrotech Corporation: Loss from continuing operations, net of tax $ (3,364 ) $ (1,272 ) Income from discontinued operations, net of tax —   24,555   Net (loss) income attributable to Astrotech Corporation $ (3,364 ) $ 23,283     Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic and diluted 20,705 19,548   Basic and diluted net (loss) income per common share: Net loss attributable to Astrotech Corporation from continuing operations $ (0.16 ) $ (0.09 ) Net income from discontinued operations —   1.25   Net (loss) income attributable to Astrotech Corporation $ (0.16 ) $ 1.16          

ASTROTECH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

September 30,2015

June 30, 2015

  Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,356 $ 2,330 Short-term investments 21,193 23,161 Accounts receivable, net of allowance 221 198 Inventory 783 509 Indemnity receivable 6,100 6,100 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 580   296   Total current assets 30,233 32,594 Property and equipment, net 3,631 3,108 Long-term investments 6,257   8,516   Total assets $ 40,121   $ 44,218     Liabilities and stockholders’ equity Current liabilities Accounts payable $ 261 $ 398 Accrued liabilities and other 1,501 1,801 Income tax payable —   190   Total current liabilities 1,762 2,389 Other liabilities 146   101   Total liabilities 1,908   2,490     Commitments and contingencies   Stockholders’ equity Preferred stock, no par value, convertible, 2,500,000 authorized shares; no issued and outstanding shares, at September 30, 2015 and June 30, 2015 — — Common stock, no par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized; 21,864,548 shares issued at September 30, 2015 and June 30, 2015; 20,700,673 and 20,743,973 shares outstanding at September 30, 2015 and June 30, 2015, respectively 189,096 189,007 Treasury stock, 1,163,875 and 1,120,575 shares at cost at September 30, 2015 and June 30, 2015, respectively (2,789 ) (2,672 ) Additional paid-in capital 1,193 1,139 Accumulated deficit (149,386 ) (146,022 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (111 ) (23 ) Equity attributable to stockholders of Astrotech Corporation 38,003 41,429 Noncontrolling interest 210   299   Total stockholders’ equity 38,213   41,728   Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 40,121   $ 44,218    

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151109005496/en/

Company ContactAstrotech CorporationEric Stober, 512-485-9530Chief Financial OfficerorInvestor Relations ContactLHACathy Mattison and Kirsten Chapman415-433-3777ir@astrotechcorp.com