Accelerated Revenue Growth, Lower Per Gram
Costs to Produce and Sell, Continued Expansion, Diversification and
Differentiation
TSX:ACB
EDMONTON, Feb. 8, 2018
/CNW/ - Aurora Cannabis Inc. (the "Company" or "Aurora") (TSX: ACB)
(OTCQX: ACBFF) (Frankfurt: 21P;
WKN: A1C4WM) today announced its financial and operational results
for the second quarter of fiscal 2018, ended December 31, 2017.
Q2 2018 Financial Highlights
|
|
Q2 2018
|
Q1 2018
|
Change %
|
Q2 2017
|
Change %
|
|
#
|
#
|
|
|
|
Active registered
patients
|
21,718
|
19,280
|
12.6%
|
12,200
|
78.0%
|
Grams sold
|
1,161,809
|
889,965
|
30.5%
|
538,045
|
115.9%
|
Grams
produced
|
1,204,259
|
1,009,585
|
19.3%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In CDN $000's
unless otherwise noted)
|
$
|
$
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
11,700
|
8,249
|
41.8%
|
3,884
|
201.2%
|
Average selling price
per gram
|
8.36
|
8.22
|
1.7%
|
5.96
|
40.3%
|
Gross margins on
Aurora-produced cannabis (1)
|
73.8%
|
67.6%
|
|
|
|
Cash cost of sales
per gram (1)
|
1.74
|
2.16
|
-19.4%
|
|
|
Cash cost to produce
per gram (1)
|
1.41
|
1.87
|
-24.6%
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
350,841
|
127,915
|
174.3%
|
|
|
(1) Gross margins on
Aurora-produced cannabis, cash cost of sales per gram, and cash
cost to produce per gram are non-IFRS financial measures that do
not have a standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be
comparable to other companies. See definitions later in this
document under "Non-IFRS Measures."
|
Continued Strong Patient and Revenue Growth
- As at the date of this release, the Company has over 23,000
active registered patients, up 5.9% from Q2 2018.
- Recorded $11.7 million in
revenues, up 201% from Q2 2017 and up 41.8% sequentially from Q1
2018. Revenues were generated as follows:
|
|
-Dried cannabis sold
in Canada
|
$5.8 million, up
23.9% sequentially from Q1 2018;
|
|
|
-Dried cannabis sold
in Germany
|
$2.5 million, up
101.1% sequentially;
|
|
|
-Service and other
revenues
|
$2.0 million, up
109.7% sequentially, and
|
Management commentary
"Exceptional, high-paced execution has delivered another quarter
with strong growth, as well as further expansion, vertical
integration and diversification," said Terry Booth, CEO. "With three production
licenses, over 240,000 kg per annum in pro-forma funded capacity,
multiple distribution channels, and the pending acquisition of
CanniMed, we are well positioned to pursue accelerated growth in
the domestic and international medical markets. Finally, our
partnership with Liquor Stores N.A. shortens our time to market in
creating a large bricks-and-mortar cannabis retail network in
preparation for the adult consumer use market."
Q2 2018 and Subsequent Operational Highlights
Aurora continues to build a vertically integrated, and
geographically and horizontally diversified cannabis company.
During and subsequent to the quarter, the Company entered into a
number of strategic transactions and partnerships to drive
accelerated growth.
Accelerating Growth - CanniMed Transaction
- On January 24, 2018, Aurora and
CanniMed Therapeutics announced that the companies had agreed on a
revised offer, supported by the CanniMed Board, the Special
Committee to the CanniMed Board and key management and locked-up
shareholders. The Company had submitted its initial offer to the
CanniMed Board on November 14, 2017,
and filed a notice of variation on February
5, 2018. Aurora anticipates the acquisition to be materially
completed, subject to regulatory approval, in March 2018.
The combination with CanniMed would add in excess of an additional
20,000 patients and 19,000 kg per annum in funded capacity, as well
as new drug delivery technologies and high-margin cannabis
products. The combination furthermore would benefit from an
expanded international network, an exclusive supply arrangement
with national pharmacy chain PharmaChoice, as well as a strong
domestic and international medical cannabis brands, and the
addition of a team of over 200 people, including additional depth
in scientific research.
Capacity Expansion
Aurora continues to expand its domestic and international
production footprint with a growing number of high-technology,
purpose-built, low production cost facilities. The Company owns
facilities with capacities expected to exceed 240,000 kilograms of
high quality cannabis per year. Aurora also has long term supply
agreements expected to provide a further 23,000 kilograms of
high-quality organic cannabis per year, and is working to close the
acquisition of CanniMed Therapeutics Inc. which would bring a
further 7,000 kilograms of immediate annual capacity.
Total current, fully-funded capacity is expected to exceed
270,000 kilograms annually, including all of Aurora Nordic
capacity.
Facility overview
Facility
|
Location
|
Square
Feet
|
Full Scale
Annual Capacity
(kilograms per
annum)
|
License
Status
|
Comments
|
In
Operation
|
Aurora
Mountain
|
Mountain View County,
Alberta, Canada
|
55,200
|
4,800
|
Licensed by Health
Canada for the cultivation and sale of dried cannabis and
oils.
|
EU GMP certified.
Facility, providing access to EU markets.
Alberta is an ideal production location due to low energy, labor
and tax costs.
|
Aurora
Vie
|
Pointe Claire,
Quebec, Canada
|
40,000
|
4,000
|
License to cultivate
received from Health Canada on October 27, 2017.
|
State-of-the-art next
generation purpose-built to EU GMP standards.
|
Under
Construction
|
Aurora
Sky
|
Edmonton
International Airport, Alberta, Canada
|
800,000
|
>100,000
|
License to cultivate
received from Health Canada on January 26, 2018.
|
Expected to be
world's most technologically advanced cannabis facility, utilizing
state-of-the-art cultivation technologies. First bays planted as at
February 1, 2018. Built to EU GMP standards. Full completion on
track for mid 2018.
|
Lachute
|
Lachute Quebec,
Canada
|
48,000
|
4,500
|
Pre-license
|
Acquired in November
2017 through the acquisition of H2 Biopharma Inc. To be completed
to EU GMP standards.
|
In
Design
|
Aurora
Nordic
|
Odense,
Denmark
|
1,000,000
|
>120,000
|
Partner company
received cannabis cultivation license from Denmark's Medicines
Agency effective January 1, 2018.
|
51% ownership
"Sky-type" facility (Aurora Larssen build).
Construction to be phased. Cultivation following the completion of
first 200,000 square feet expected in calendar Q3 2018.
|
|
|
100,000
|
8,000
|
Subject to
licensing
|
Retrofit of existing
greenhouse. First harvest expected in calendar Q3 2018.
|
- Aurora is participating in the tender process in Germany to obtain a cultivation license, which
would allow the Company to construct a facility in the country. The
outcome of the tender process is anticipated for March 2018.
- The Company acquired a 17.62% strategic interest in The Green
Organic Dutchman ("TGOD"). In addition, the companies signed a
supply agreement providing Aurora with up to 20% of TGOD's
production capacity at its Ancaster and Valleyfield facilities that, once completed,
should add approximately 23,000 kg per annum of premium organic
cannabis to Aurora's portfolio of products.
International
The Company continues to execute on its international expansion
strategy. The countries Aurora already operates in are
characterized by strong barriers to entry, providing an early mover
advantage in these populous markets.
- Aurora's Mountain facility received its EU GMP certification
(Good Manufacturing Practices), making it one of few companies
globally with this pharma-grade designation. Having EU GMP
certification is mandatory to sell into EU medical cannabis
markets, providing Aurora with a strong early mover advantage to
capture significant market share.
- Germany
-
- Received all the required permits to import medical cannabis
products into Germany through
Pedanios, which has supplied cannabis to over 2,200 pharmacies to
date, making it the EU's largest distributor of cannabis.
- The Company continues to ship product to Germany. To date, Pedanios has supplied in
excess of 2,200 pharmacies, with German sales more than doubling
over the previous quarter to $2.5
million.
- Growth of the German medical cannabis market, with over 82
million people broad national insurance coverage of medically
prescribed cannabis, continues to accelerate. December applications
for insurance reimbursement were roughly equal to the cumulative
applications for the period March-November.
- Pedanios received EU GMP certification for the import, release
and distribution of cannabis, making it one of only a few
organizations in Germany with such
certification, enabling the company to commence exports to other EU
countries.
- Italy
-
- Pedanios won the first ever public tender to supply medical
cannabis to the Italian Ministry of Defense, who control supply of
the Italian market.
- Pedanios was one of only two companies allowed to tender in the
final round of the process, winning all lots, totalling 100kg.
- The Company believes that having won this first tender provides
a distinct early mover advantage in a market with over 60 million
people.
- Australia
-
- Aurora investee, Cann Group, was granted a license to import
and/or export cannabis genetics and medicinal cannabis products by
the Australian government's Department of Health, through the
Office of Drug Control (ODC). The license enables Cann Group to
import genetics from Aurora to help broaden the company`s portfolio
of medical cannabis products, pending Aurora's receipt of an export
permit from Health Canada.
- In January 2018, Aurora increased
its ownership interest in Cann Group to 22.9%
- Denmark
-
- The Company's Aurora Nordic joint venture will be accelerating
its time to market in Denmark
through the retrofit of an existing 100,000 square foot greenhouse
in Odense, Denmark, owned by the
Company's Danish partner Alfred
Pedersen & Søn. Subject to licensing by
Lægemiddelstyrelsen, Denmark's
Medicines Agency, this will enable Aurora Nordic to commence the
cultivation of cannabis during the summer of 2018, while the
company is constructing its new purpose-built high-technology
1,000,000 square foot production facility, adding approximately
8,000 kg per annum in capacity.
Horizontal Diversification - Product Line
Expansion
Aurora is developing a broadly diversified portfolio of
high-margin, high-quality products for the cannabis, ancillary, and
adjacent markets.
- Completed the acquisition of BC Northern Lights and Urban
Cultivator, leading companies, respectively, in the production and
sale of proprietary systems for the safe, efficient and high-yield
indoor cultivation of cannabis, and in state-of-the-art indoor
gardening appliances for the cultivation of organic microgreens,
vegetables and herbs in home kitchens, endorsed, among others, by
highly visible lifestyle celebrity Martha
Stewart.
- Entered into an exclusive hardware supply agreement for the
Canadian market with Namaste Technologies Inc. ("Namaste") whereby
Aurora, through its website and mobile application, offers a
specially curated selection of industry-leading vaporizers sourced
through Namaste.
- Is in the process of completing an agreement with CannaRoyalty
through which Aurora will obtain an exclusive license on the IP to
produce and market proprietary drug delivery technologies.
- Aurora announced the launch of its proprietary and
patent-pending live plant transporter, the Aurora Envoy™
("Envoy"), which possesses several features that promote the
health, vigor and vegetative growth of live plant cuttings during
shipment, leading to increased transplant success rates. The Envoy
is anticipated to launch commercially in the coming months and
targets the home garden market.
Vertical Integration
Aurora increasingly is becoming the trusted partner of choice
for a growing constellation of companies, through a vertically
integrated offering of B2B and B2C products and services.
- In preparation for the commencement of sales into the adult
consumer market, once legalized, Aurora announced a strategic
investment in Liquor Stores N.A. Ltd. by way of a private
placement, acquiring an initial 19.9% ownership interest, with an
option to increase this to up to approximately 40%. Liquor Stores
intends to use the proceeds from the placement to establish and
launch a leading brand of cannabis retail outlets. Liquor Stores
will convert a number of existing locations into cannabis retail
outlets, as well as establish new locations. The transaction will
thereby create one of Canada's
largest non-government cannabis retail networks. Liquor Stores
currently operates over 220 outlets, and has deep expertise in the
operation and branding of a controlled substance retail
network.
- The Company also launched its Aurora PRO offering
(https://pro.auroramj.com), creating a quick, seamless, and
scalable platform to facilitate wholesale B2B transactions, while
at the same time offering a broad range of operational support
services and market intelligence to private retailers.
- CanvasRx, which now operates 26 facilities nationwide, remains
the leading Canadian network of cannabis counseling and outreach
centres, with more than 37,969 registered patients. Over 9,500
medical doctors across Canada have
referred patients to CanvasRx or its affiliated medical clinics.
Since the acquisition of CanvasRx, 12,821 patients have registered
with Aurora.
- In November, Aurora and Radient Technologies Inc. announced
that they had finalized a Master Services Agreement, pursuant to
which Radient will perform certain services for the development,
commercialization and supply of standardized cannabis extracts.
Radient's technology was found to yield significantly reduced
processing time and substantially higher throughput of cannabis oil
production compared to industry benchmark technologies. At the same
time, the technology retains the cannabinoid and terpene quality
profile of the original plant material.
- The Company acquired greenhouse consulting firm, Larssen Ltd.,
now part of Aurora Larssen Projects, Ltd., responsible for the
design of Aurora Sky, further diversifying the Company's vertical
offering in the cannabis sector.
- Signed a private-label software agreement with Namaste
Technologies, pursuant to which Namaste will provide Aurora's
wholly-owned subsidiary, CanvasRx, with a customized version of
NamasteMD, an online telemedicine platform for patient consultation
and registration, providing an innovative and efficient extension
to Aurora`s in-person cannabis counseling and education
services.
- The Company made a strategic investment in Micron Waste
Technologies Inc. pursuant to which the companies will work jointly
on the optimization of Micron's digestor technology for application
within the cannabis sector. While currently organic waste disposal
is costly and time consuming, Micron's technology, which has been
proven in the food sector, promises to deliver a cost-effective
solution that converts organic waste into effluent meeting
municipal effluent discharge criteria.
Fueling Growth - Financings
- Strengthened the balance sheet and liquidity position during
the second quarter of 2018 with $316.8
million in new financings via two private placements, as
well as the exercise of warrants, options and compensation options,
as well as the conversion of convertible notes into common
shares.
- On January 11, 2018, the Company
entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by
Canaccord Genuity Corp. ("Canaccord") pursuant to which Canaccord
has agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis, 200,000 convertible
debentures at $1,000 per initial
convertible debenture for gross proceeds of $200 million. The debentures are convertible into
common shares of Aurora at a price of $13.05 per common share. The Company anticipates
the placement to close within the coming weeks.
- As of February 7, 2018,
approximately $115 million in
additional gross cash proceeds remain available from the future
exercise of warrants and stock options.
Management Team Expansion and Director Change
Aurora continues to attract top talent, strengthening its senior
management team to ensure the Company has the leadership to further
grow and build shareholder value.
- Mr. Darryl Vleeming was
appointed as Chief Information Officer
- Mr. Cam Battley was promoted to
Chief Corporate Officer
- Mr. Savior Joseph was appointed as SVP Global Marketing
- Ms. Jillian Swainson was
appointed as SVP and General Counsel.
- Ms. Diane Jang, CEO of Hempco
Food and Fiber, was appointed to the Aurora Board of
Directors.
Financial review Q2 2018
A comprehensive discussion of Aurora's financials and operations
are provided in the Company's Management Discussion & Analysis
and Financial Statements to be filed with SEDAR today and will be
published on www.sedar.com.
Revenues
|
|
Dec 31,
2017
|
Sep 30,
2017
|
Jun 30,
2017
|
Mar 31,
2017
|
Dec 31,
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Revenue
(1)
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
Canadian dried
cannabis
|
5,750
|
4,641
|
4,384
|
4,336
|
3,207
|
Canadian cannabis
oils
|
1,508
|
1,439
|
804
|
-
|
-
|
Germany dried
cannabis
|
2,483
|
1,235
|
439
|
-
|
-
|
Service
revenue
|
874
|
934
|
309
|
839
|
678
|
Other
revenue
|
1,085
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Total consolidated
net revenue
|
11,700
|
8,249
|
5,936
|
5,175
|
3,885
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quantity
sold
|
#
|
#
|
#
|
#
|
#
|
Dried cannabis
(grams)
|
1,048,882
|
802,250
|
710,155
|
653,008
|
538,045
|
Cannabis oils
(bottles)
|
18,239
|
17,853
|
8,302
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average selling price
per gram
|
$8.36
|
$8.22
|
$7.45
|
$6.64
|
$5.96
|
Revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2018 were $11.7 million, up 201% from the same quarter in
the prior year and up 41.8% sequentially from the previous
quarter. Revenue growth was attributable mainly to higher
patient numbers, combined with a higher average sales price for
dried cannabis in Canada, exports
to Germany where the Company
recorded 101% sequential growth, and the consolidation of BC
Northern Lights, Urban Cultivator and Hempco Food and Fiber. The
average price of product sold increased by 40.3% over Q2 2017 from
$5.96 to $8.36 per gram, attributable mainly to increases
in cannabis oils sold and sales through Pedanios in Germany.
Total product sold for the period was 1,161,809 grams of dried
cannabis and cannabis oils, up 115.9% as compared to 538,045 grams
of dried cannabis in the second quarter of 2017, and up 30.5% from
889,965 grams in Q1 2018.
Cost of sales
Included in cost of sales for the three months ended
December 31, 2017 were cost of goods
sold of $4.8 million, unrealized gain
on changes in fair value of biological assets of $3.6 million, and unrealized loss on changes in
fair value of inventory of $4.0
million.
The increase in cost of goods sold during the period under
review was largely attributable to increases in production and
production yields, as well as contribution from the Company's new
subsidiaries BCNL, UCI and Hempco.
Cash costs of sales per gram of dried cannabis produced during
the quarter continued to decline, coming in at $.1.74 for Q2 2018, as compared to $2.16 for Q1 2018.
Gross Profit
Gross profit, before the effect of changes in fair value, came
in at $6.9 million, a 374% increase
from Q2 2017, attributable mainly to higher business volume related
to a strong increase in registered patient numbers and an increase
in the average price per gram of product sold, revenues generated
in Germany through the Company`s
subsidiary Pedanios, as well as the contribution from the Company`s
subsidiaries BCNL, UCL and Hempco.
The gross margin on Aurora-produced cannabis improved from 67.6%
to 73.8%.
Gross profit after the effect of changes in fair value was
$6.5 million for the three months
ended December 31, 2017, as compared
to $4.4 million for the three months
ended December 31, 2016. The increase
was primarily attributable to the increase in revenues as described
above.
General & Administrative Costs
General and administration costs increased by $6.0 million to $7.6
million for the quarter, as compared to Q2 2017,
attributable primarily to increases in corporate and general
administrative activities as Aurora continues to invest in growth
in Canada and Germany, and expand its operations through its
newly acquired subsidiaries.
Sales & Marketing
Sales and marketing costs were $5.1
million in Q2 2018, up $2.7
million compared to Q2 2017, attributable mainly to
increased service fees paid in relation to significant growth in
patient volumes serviced by CanvasRx, as well as higher selling and
client care expenses related to a substantial increase in
registered patients and resulting business volume.
Acquisition and Project Evaluation Costs
Acquisition and project evaluation costs for the quarter
increased by $1.8 million as
comparted to the same quarter in the prior year. The Company
incurred legal, consulting and advisory fees relating to business
acquisitions and due diligence activities as part of its aggressive
domestic and international expansion strategy, with $1.4 million attributable to the CanniMed
Offer.
Other Income
Other income was $26.1 million in
Q2 2018, up $27.8 million from Q2
2017, due mainly from an unrealized gain on derivatives of
$22.8 million related to the exercise
of warrants held in Radient Technologies.
Net Income
Net income before taxes of $10.0
million was recorded, as compared to a net loss before taxes
of $4.1 million for the same quarter
in the prior year. The improvement was due predominantly to revenue
growth and a $22.8 million unrealized
gain on derivative related to the Company's strategic investment in
Radient mentioned above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Strengthened Capital Position
Aurora strengthened its balance sheet and liquidity position
during the second quarter of 2018 with $316.8 million:
- On November 2, 2017, the Company
completed a bought deal financing and concurrent private placement
for a total of 25,000,000 units at $3.00 per unit for gross proceeds of $75,000.
- On November 28, 2017, the Company
completed an offering of 115,000 special warrants for gross
proceeds of $115,000. Each special
warrant is exercisable into a $1,000
principal amount of convertible debentures of the Company following
the Company obtaining a receipt from the applicable securities
regulatory authorities in Canada
for a final short form prospectus qualifying the distribution of
the debentures.
- During the three months ended December
31, 2017, the Company raised $126,774 through the exercise of warrants,
options and compensation options.
- During the quarter, the Company also converted $79,470 of convertible notes into common
shares.
Cash Position, Cash Flows, and Working Capital
For the six-month period, net cash and cash equivalents on hand
increased from $159.8 million as at
June 30, 2017 to $350.8 million as at December 31, 2017, attributable mainly to net
cash generated from financing activities of $309.3 million, offset by net cash used for
operations of $9.6 million,
investments and capital expenditures of $108.4 million, and adjusted by $0.2 million from the effect of foreign exchange
on cash flows.
Subsequent to the quarter, the Company announced a bought deal
private placement with a consortium of underwriters led by
Canaccord Genuity Corp, for gross proceeds of $200 million.
Working capital as of December 31,
2017 was $302.5 million, as
compared to $170.1 million at
June 30, 2017. The increase in
working capital of $132.4 million was
largely attributable to the increase in cash and cash equivalents
of $191.0 million and an increase in
the fair value of marketable securities of $61.6 million. The Company held marketable
securities of $76.4 million at
December 31, 2017, which primarily
consisted of 37,643,431 common shares of Radient at a market price
of $1.76 per share, representing a
17.02% interest in that entity. The Company also held 28,762,314
common shares in Cann Group representing a 21.8% interest in the
entity. The Company obtained significant influence over Cann Group
due to its increase in interest ownership among other things, and
accounted for these investments under the equity method. At
December 31, 2017, the market value
of these shares based on Cann Group's closing price of A$2.74 per share was $77.2
million.
The Company anticipates that it has sufficient funds to cover
future operating cash flows for at least the next twelve months, to
complete the construction of its Aurora Sky, Lachute and Aurora Nordic facilities, the cash
portion of the proposed CanniMed acquisition, the investment in
Liquor Stores N.A., and to execute its growth strategy for domestic
and international expansion based on the current capital resources
available.
Outstanding Share Data
As of the date of the MD&A, the Company had the following
securities issued and outstanding:
|
Securities
|
February 7,
2018
|
|
#
|
Issued and
outstanding shares
|
489,922,167
|
Options
|
23,205,223
|
Warrants
|
8,787,516
|
Restricted share
units 50,000
|
2,150,000
|
Convertible
debentures
|
428,462
|
Financial and Strategic Outlook
While production
capacity at our Mountain View facility in Cremona is materially fully optimized, we
anticipate further growth throughout 2018 through cultivation and
sales from the Company's Aurora Vie and Aurora Sky facilities, as
well as from increased shipments to our international markets, the
growth of cannabis oil production and sales, increased product
availability through strategic wholesale supply relationships,
growth at BC Northern Lights and Urban Cultivator, as well as from
CanniMed, once the acquisition, which is subject to regulatory
approval, will have been completed. Further growth throughout the
year is anticipated from the Lachute facility, once completed and licensed,
as well as from our initiatives in Denmark.
Aurora's business strategy is to:
Continue accelerating its penetration of the Canadian medical
cannabis market, leverage its Health Canada sales license for
derivative products (cannabis oils), ramp up cultivation at its
Aurora Sky and Aurora Vie facilities, fully complete the Aurora Sky
and Lachute (H2) facilities in
Alberta and Quebec, commence the construction of the new
1,000,000 square foot Aurora Nordic facility in Denmark, and retrofit existing greenhouse
capacity in Denmark to commence
cultivation and revenue generation in Denmark while the Aurora Nordic facility is
under construction. Upgrades are also being undertaken to the
Company's first facility in Cremona,
Alberta, to further enhance production. Aurora is also in
the process of completing the acquisition of CanniMed therapeutics,
through which it will have access to additional capacity,
registered patients and international markets.
In preparation for the anticipated mid-2018 Canadian federal
legalization of adult consumer use of cannabis, the Company is
building organizational and production capacity to capture a share
of the adult use market.
Innovation and integration of technology are key components in
Aurora's growth strategy. Going forward, Aurora will continue
to leverage new technologies, aimed at:
- Improving the customer experience, e.g. via further
enhancements to Aurora's unique mobile application - the world's
only mobile app for ordering legal medical cannabis;
- Make available to its patient base novel drug delivery
technologies;
- Delivering industry-leading per square foot production
capacity, while reducing operational expenses at its production
facilities, and
- Substantially increasing the production of cannabis
concentrates through the Company's collaboration with Radient.
The Company is also focusing on delivering further product
differentiation, including through Aurora's intended strategic
investment in Hempco, its partnership with Namaste Technologies,
the acquisition of homegrow and urban garden companies BC Northern
Lights and Urban Cultivator, and the acquisition from CannaRoyalty
of licenses for the exclusive use of IP related to the production
of novel, proprietary drug delivery technologies.
Finally, the Company is executing a significant international
expansion, as evidenced by the lead participation in the
May 2017 Cann Group IPO in
Australia, the May 2017 acquisition of Pedanios, Germany's largest distributor of medical
cannabis, its partnership with Alfred
Pedersen in Denmark for the
construction of the new Aurora Nordic facility. The Company is
actively pursuing further international opportunities.
Non-IFRS Financial Measures
The Company has included the following non-IFRS performance
measures in this press release:
- Cash cost of sales of dried cannabis sold is calculated by
taking the cost of sales, which excludes the effect of changes in
fair value of biological assets and inventory, and removing
non-cash production costs, oil conversion costs, cost of
accessories, cost of products purchased from other Licensed
Producers that were sold, and cost of sales from non-cannabis
production subsidiaries, all divided by the total grams of dried
cannabis sold in the period that was produced by Aurora. Cash cost
to produce dried cannabis sold per gram is equal to cash cost of
sales of dried cannabis sold less packaging costs (post-production
cost) divided by the total grams of dried cannabis sold in the
period that was produced by Aurora.
- Grams produced in the period refers to the grams of dried
cannabis harvested from plants in the period. The Company
calculates grams produced in the period based on the weight of
dried harvested buds that have completed the drying stage, which is
adjusted for the weight change from the drying process.
Gross margin for Aurora-produced cannabis is calculated by
taking gross profit for Aurora-produced cannabis divided by net
revenue for Aurora-produced cannabis. Gross profit for
Aurora-produced cannabis is calculated by taking net revenue less
cost of sales on Aurora-produced cannabis. Net revenue on
Aurora-produced cannabis is calculated by taking consolidated net
revenue less net revenue from non-cannabis production operations
and net revenue from products sourced from other Licensed
Producers. Cost of sales on Aurora-produced cannabis is calculated
by taking consolidated cost of sales, excluding the effects of
changes in fair value of biological assets and inventory, less cost
of sales from non-cannabis production operations and cost of sales
from products sourced from other Licensed Producers.
Milestone Payment
The Company issued 118.898 common shares at a price of
$10.51 per share to the vendors of
CanvasRx Inc. based on the achievement of certain performance
milestones for the period ended December 31,
2017, pursuant to a share purchase agreement announced on
August 10, 2016.
About Aurora
Aurora's wholly-owned subsidiary, Aurora Cannabis Enterprises
Inc., is a licensed producer of medical cannabis pursuant to Health
Canada's Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations
("ACMPR"). Aurora operates a 55,200 square foot production
facility in Mountain View County, Alberta, known as "Aurora Mountain", a 40,000
square foot production facility known as "Aurora Vie" in
Pointe-Claire, Quebec, and an
800,000 square foot production facility, known as "Aurora Sky", at
the Edmonton International
Airport. Aurora is also completing a fourth facility of 48,000
square feet in Lachute, Quebec,
and will shortly begin construction on a 1,000,000 square foot
production facility in Odense,
Denmark, to be known as "Aurora Nordic", via a joint venture
with Alfred Pedersen & Søn
ApS.
Aurora also owns Berlin-based
Pedanios GmbH, the leading wholesale importer, exporter, and
distributor of medical cannabis in the European Union. Aurora
offers further differentiation through its wholly owned
subsidiaries BC Northern Lights Ltd. and Urban Cultivator Inc.,
industry leaders, respectively, in the production and sale of
proprietary systems for the safe, efficient and high-yield indoor
cultivation of cannabis, and in state-of-the-art indoor gardening
appliances for the cultivation of organic microgreens, vegetables
and herbs in home and professional kitchens.
In addition, Aurora holds approximately 17.23% of the issued
shares in leading extraction technology company, Radient
Technologies Inc., and has a strategic investment in Hempco Food
and Fiber Inc., with options to increase ownership stake to over
50%. Aurora is also the cornerstone investor in two other licensed
producers, with a 22.9% stake in Cann Group Limited, the first
Australian company licensed to conduct research on and cultivate
medical cannabis, and a 17.62% stake in Canadian producer The Green
Organic Dutchman Ltd., with options to increase to majority
ownership.
Aurora's common shares trade on the TSX under the symbol
"ACB".
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
AURORA CANNABIS INC.
Terry Booth
CEO
This news release includes statements containing certain
"forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable
securities law ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking
statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan",
"continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate",
"estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other
similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions
"may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions.
Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making
the projections contained in the forward-looking statements
throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based
on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the
statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and
uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or
results to differ materially from those projected in the
forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation, and
expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or
revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly
required by applicable law.
Neither TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that
term is defined in the policies of Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release.
AURORA CANNABIS INC.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial
Position
December 31, 2017 and
June 30, 2017
(Unaudited – In thousands of Canadian dollars)
|
|
|
December 31,
2017
|
June 30,
2017
|
|
|
$
|
$
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
|
350,841
|
159,796
|
|
Short-term
investments
|
|
908
|
-
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
6,991
|
2,312
|
|
Marketable
securities
|
|
76,400
|
14,845
|
|
Inventory
|
|
15,310
|
7,703
|
|
Biological
assets
|
|
5,871
|
4,088
|
|
Promissory notes
receivable
|
|
-
|
1,222
|
|
Loans
receivable
|
|
3,384
|
2,096
|
|
Prepaid and other
current assets
|
|
1,328
|
1,544
|
|
|
461,033
|
193,606
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and
equipment
|
|
117,251
|
45,523
|
Convertible
debenture
|
|
-
|
11,071
|
Derivatives
|
|
3,942
|
292
|
Investment in
associates and joint venture
|
|
24,152
|
-
|
Intangible
assets
|
|
59,552
|
31,087
|
Goodwill
|
|
65,868
|
41,100
|
Deposits
|
|
596
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
732,394
|
322,679
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities
|
|
22,030
|
8,753
|
|
Deferred
revenue
|
|
1,563
|
1,421
|
|
Special warrant
subscriptions
|
|
111,009
|
-
|
|
Finance
lease
|
|
73
|
69
|
|
Contingent
consideration payable
|
|
23,832
|
13,221
|
|
|
158,507
|
23,464
|
|
|
|
|
Finance
lease
|
|
244
|
282
|
Convertible
notes
|
|
-
|
63,536
|
Deferred gain on
convertible debenture
|
|
-
|
10,206
|
Deferred gain on
derivatives
|
|
1,777
|
321
|
Deferred tax
liability
|
|
16,280
|
5,937
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
176,808
|
103,746
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders'
equity
|
|
|
|
|
Share
capital
|
|
532,673
|
221,447
|
|
Reserves
|
|
32,834
|
25,912
|
|
Deficit
|
|
(16,714)
|
(28,426)
|
Total equity
attributable to shareholders of Aurora
|
|
548,793
|
218,933
|
Non-controlling
interest
|
|
6,793
|
-
|
Total
equity
|
|
555,586
|
218,933
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and
equity
|
|
732,394
|
322,679
|
AURORA CANNABIS INC.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Loss)
Three and six months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
(Unaudited – In thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per
share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months
ended
December 31,
|
Six months ended
December 31,
|
|
|
2017
|
2016
|
2017
|
2016
|
|
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
Revenues
|
|
11,700
|
3,884
|
19,949
|
6,956
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of
sales
|
|
4,837
|
2,436
|
7,909
|
4,613
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit before
fair value adjustments
|
|
6,863
|
1,448
|
12,040
|
2,343
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized (gain)
loss on changes in fair value on sale of inventory
|
|
4,015
|
538
|
6,587
|
973
|
Unrealized (gain)
loss on changes in fair value of biological assets
|
|
(3,638)
|
(3,450)
|
(9,844)
|
(3,077)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
profit
|
|
6,486
|
4,360
|
15,297
|
4,447
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and
administration
|
|
7,568
|
1,550
|
10,561
|
2,597
|
|
Sales and
marketing
|
|
5,136
|
2,411
|
8,804
|
3,981
|
|
Research and
development
|
|
172
|
99
|
279
|
139
|
|
Acquisition and
project evaluation costs
|
|
1,756
|
4
|
2,096
|
169
|
|
Share of loss from
investment in associate
|
|
52
|
-
|
452
|
-
|
|
Depreciation and
amortization
|
|
460
|
163
|
1,094
|
322
|
|
Share-based
payments
|
|
7,456
|
2,510
|
9,942
|
2,890
|
|
|
22,600
|
6,737
|
32,828
|
10,098
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from
operations
|
|
(16,114)
|
(2,377)
|
(17,531)
|
(5,651)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income
(expenses)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and other
income
|
|
765
|
99
|
1,355
|
127
|
|
Finance and other
costs
|
|
(1,660)
|
(1,800)
|
(3,676)
|
(4,841)
|
|
Foreign
exchange
|
|
511
|
-
|
264
|
-
|
|
Unrealized gain on
debenture
|
|
-
|
-
|
6,937
|
-
|
|
Unrealized gain on
marketable securities
|
|
3,700
|
-
|
3,700
|
-
|
|
Unrealized gain on
derivatives
|
|
22,786
|
-
|
23,603
|
-
|
|
|
26,102
|
(1,701)
|
32,183
|
(4,714)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before
income taxes
|
|
9,988
|
(4,078)
|
14,652
|
(10,365)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax recovery
(expense)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
(38)
|
11
|
(38)
|
19
|
|
Deferred,
net
|
|
(2,756)
|
1,389
|
(3,859)
|
2,055
|
|
|
(2,794)
|
1,400
|
(3,897)
|
2,074
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
(loss)
|
|
7,194
|
(2,678)
|
10,755
|
(8,291)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
attributable to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders of
Aurora
|
|
7,721
|
(2,678)
|
11,282
|
(8,291)
|
|
Non-controlling
interests
|
|
(527)
|
-
|
(527)
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings (loss) per
share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
0.02
|
(0.01)
|
0.03
|
(0.04)
|
|
Diluted
|
|
0.02
|
(0.01)
|
0.03
|
(0.04)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average
number of shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
394,025,544
|
263,865,017
|
392,386,415
|
223,737,570
|
|
Diluted
|
|
406,580,775
|
263,865,017
|
398,670,592
|
223,737,570
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
(loss)
|
|
7,194
|
(2,678)
|
10,755
|
(8,291)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive
income (loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
tax
|
|
(99)
|
-
|
(1,731)
|
-
|
|
Unrealized gain on
marketable securities
|
|
274
|
-
|
12,825
|
-
|
|
Foreign currency
translation
|
|
29
|
-
|
25
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income
(loss)
|
|
7,398
|
(2,678)
|
21,874
|
(8,291)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income
(loss) attributable to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders of
Aurora
|
|
7,925
|
(2,678)
|
22,401
|
(8,291)
|
|
Non-controlling
interests
|
|
(527)
|
-
|
(527)
|
-
|
AURORA CANNABIS INC.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Six
months ended December 31, 2017 and
2016
(Unaudited – In thousands of Canadian dollars)
|
|
|
2017
|
2016
|
|
|
$
|
$
|
Cash provided by
(used in)
|
|
|
|
Operating
activities
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) for
the period
|
|
11,282
|
(8,291)
|
|
Adjustments for
non-cash items
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized gain on
changes in fair value of biological assets
|
|
(9,844)
|
(1,168)
|
|
|
Changes in fair value
included in inventory sold
|
|
6,587
|
-
|
|
|
Depreciation of fixed
assets
|
|
886
|
471
|
|
|
Amortization of
intangible assets
|
|
569
|
-
|
|
|
Share-based
payments
|
|
9,942
|
2,890
|
|
|
Share of loss from
investment in associate
|
|
52
|
-
|
|
|
Unrealized gain on
debentures
|
|
(6,937)
|
-
|
|
|
Unrealized gain on
derivatives
|
|
(23,603)
|
-
|
|
|
Unrealized gain on
marketable securities
|
|
(3,700)
|
-
|
|
|
Accrued interest and
accretion expense
|
|
2,569
|
1,503
|
|
|
Financing
fees
|
|
-
|
2,121
|
|
|
Interest and other
income
|
|
(59)
|
(2,055)
|
|
|
Deferred tax
recovery
|
|
3,859
|
-
|
Changes in non-cash
working capital
|
|
|
|
|
GST
recoverable
|
|
(2,573)
|
(85)
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
46
|
(1,500)
|
|
Inventory
|
|
(2,653)
|
(228)
|
|
Prepaid and other
current assets
|
|
450
|
(541)
|
|
Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities
|
|
3,440
|
175
|
|
Deferred
revenue
|
|
56
|
699
|
|
|
(9,631)
|
(6,009)
|
|
|
|
|
Investing
activities
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term
investments
|
|
(397)
|
-
|
|
Marketable securities
and derivatives
|
|
(39,748)
|
-
|
|
Notes
receivable
|
|
(4,236)
|
-
|
|
Purchase of property,
plant and equipment
|
|
(53,936)
|
(4,842)
|
|
Acquisition of
businesses, net of cash acquired
|
|
(8,522)
|
(3,418)
|
|
Acquisition of
assets, net of cash acquired
|
|
(955)
|
-
|
|
Deposits
|
|
(596)
|
-
|
|
|
(108,390)
|
(8,260)
|
|
|
|
|
Financing
activities
|
|
|
|
|
Finance
lease
|
|
(34)
|
64
|
|
Proceeds of
convertible notes
|
|
-
|
40,000
|
|
Proceeds (repayment)
of short term loans
|
|
-
|
(5,549)
|
|
Proceeds (repayment)
of long term loans
|
|
-
|
(4,000)
|
|
Financing
fees
|
|
-
|
(1,610)
|
|
Special warrants
subscriptions
|
|
111,009
|
-
|
|
Shares issued for
cash, net of share issue costs
|
|
197,421
|
40,951
|
|
Acquisition of
non-controlling interest
|
|
862
|
-
|
|
|
309,258
|
69,856
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of foreign
exchange on cash and cash equivalents
|
|
(192)
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease)
in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
191,045
|
55,587
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents, beginning of period
|
|
159,796
|
259
|
Cash and cash
equivalents, end of period
|
|
350,841
|
55,846
|
SOURCE Aurora Cannabis Inc.