TIDMVLG
RNS Number : 3575R
Venture Life Group PLC
21 September 2017
VENTURE LIFE GROUP PLC
("Venture Life" or the "Group")
Half yearly report
Unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June
2017
Venture Life Group plc (AIM: VLG), the international consumer
self-care group focused on developing, manufacturing and
commercialising products for the ageing population, presents its
unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June
2017.
Financial highlights:
-- Revenues increased 28% to GBP7.8 million (H1 2016: GBP6.1 million)
-- Gross profit increased 27% to GBP2.9 million (H1 2016: GBP2.3 million)
-- EBITDA increased to GBP0.3 million (H1 2016: GBP0.1 million)
-- Loss before tax, amortisation and exceptional items reduced
to GBP0.1 million (H1 2016: loss of GBP0.3 million)
-- Adjusted loss per share reduced to 0.3p (H1 2016: adjusted loss of 0.8p)
-- Cash at period end of GBP1.3 million (31 December 2016: GBP2.0 million)
Commercial highlights:
-- Two successful UK advertising campaigns completed for
UltraDEX, leading to the highest monthly UK sales for the UltraDEX
brand since 2012 recorded in June 2017
-- Four new long-term distribution agreements signed across
UltraDEX and Procto-eze in two countries
-- Successful launch of Original Bioscalin in India and market sales uptake positive so far
-- Continued growth in Lubatti sales in the China market
-- Highest ever monthly revenue recorded for Biokosmes in June 2017
-- European patent granted over the UltraDEX sensitive product
-- Two new medical device products, Myco Clear and RosaCalma,
received European registration approval, commenced human clinical
studies on Myco Clear
Post-period end highlights:
-- New long term distribution agreements signed for UltraDEX in
five new EU markets (Italy and the Nordics)
-- First two deals signed on Myco Clear
-- Highest recorded sales out in China for the Lubatti brand in July 2017
Commenting on the results, Jerry Randall, Chief Executive
Officer of Venture Life, said: "I am delighted with the revenue
growth across the Group for the period. UltraDEX is now fully
integrated into the Group and has contributed to our revenue growth
in the first half of the year, as it continues to deliver on the
promises we made at the time of the acquisition. Outside of the
UltraDEX revenue contribution, organic revenue growth of 23% was
delivered by the rest of the business, demonstrating the robust
nature of our sales model. We have invested heavily in the first
half in the UK revitalisation of UltraDEX, and this was rewarded in
June with our highest level of monthly sales of the brand since at
least 2012. I am also particularly pleased with the continued
progress of Biokosmes, which delivered its highest month of revenue
ever in June.
"We have chosen to invest significantly in support of the Brands
business, which includes the marketing support for UltraDEX, as we
believe there is significant unlocked value in this asset. This
expenditure in the Brands business, and delays in orders from some
international distributors, means that our margins and sales mix is
expected to differ from our original projections for the full year.
We expect full year revenues to be in line with market
expectations, however, we now anticipate that whilst EBITDA for the
year will show a significant improvement of at least 50% on the
prior year EBITDA of GBP0.8m, it will not meet current market
expectations.
"Continued progress in signing new distribution partners also
demonstrates the strong international appeal of our portfolio. Our
robust business model is delivering excellent organic growth, and
the success of the UltraDEX acquisition is demonstrating our
ability to acquire and assimilate interesting products. In this
regard, I expect us to continue to explore M&A opportunities to
complement our core organic growth, and drive sustainable
profitability for the Group over the long term."
+44 (0) 1344
Venture Life Group PLC 578 004
Jerry Randall, Chief Executive Officer
Adrian Crockett, Chief Financial Officer
Northland Capital Partners Limited (Nominated Adviser +44 (0) 20
and Joint Broker) 3861 6625
Matthew Johnson / Edward Hutton (Corporate
Finance)
Bob Pountney / John Howes (Corporate
Broking)
+44 (0) 20
Turner Pope Investments (TPI) Ltd (Joint Broker) 3621 4120
James Pope / Ben Turner
Walbrook PR venturelife@walbrookpr.com
or + 44 (0) 20 7933 8780
Anna Dunphy / Paul McManus +44 (0) 7876 741 001 /
+44 (0) 7980 541 893
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes
of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (MAR)
Non-Executive Chair's and Chief Executive Officer's
Statement
Overview
The first half of 2017 has been another period of strong revenue
growth for the Group, with revenues of GBP7.8m (H1 2016: GBP6.1m),
delivering 28% headline growth over the previous year, 18% growth
on a like-for-like basis, as Periproducts was acquired part way
through the previous period. This growth was experienced across all
three main areas of business, UK Brands (UltraDEX only at present),
International Brands and Development and Manufacturing.
We have also grown our EBITDA profit for the first half of 2017
to GBP0.3m (H1 2016: GBP0.1m), despite investing heavily in the
relaunch of UltraDEX in the UK with two full advertising campaigns
being run in this first half, compared to none in the first half of
2016.
Brands
The Brands business revenues were up 42% to GBP1.8m over 2016,
of which GBP1.42m was UltraDEX UK, and the balance International
Brands.
UK
Currently the UK Brands business comprises only the UltraDEX
brand. The product range is designed to eliminate bad breath
instantly, is clinically proven and includes oral rinses,
toothpastes and a spray as well as other dental accessories. The
range is sold through the larger retail pharmacy chains, including
Boots and Superdrug, as well as many supermarkets and retail
outlets such as Waitrose, Sainsbury, Tesco and Amazon.
When we acquired the brand in March 2016, its revenues had been
in decline for four years, despite the products having been on sale
in the UK market for over 20 years. This was as a direct result of
new competition into the market in 2012 (CB12) and an ineffective
marketing response by the previous owners against this new
competitor. There were also a number of legacy issues that needed
to be resolved, such as addressing the out-dated branding and
packaging of the product, and re-engaging with many retailers that
had not been involved with the brand properly for some time. Our
main task was to halt the revenue slide and reverse it into growth
by introducing a completely new sales and marketing growth plan for
the brand.
The first year in our ownership has had its challenges but
nevertheless has seen a turnaround in fortunes. Whilst we have seen
some store listings lost in the first 12 months of our ownership,
which had already been initiated by certain retailers before we
acquired the business, we now have increased points of distribution
compared with the same time last year. A point of distribution
comprises one product in one store and excludes the pharmacy
channel. Compared with 30 June 2016, the points of distribution had
grown by 16% by the end of June 2017. The increase in listings has
been phased over many months and some only began during July 2017.
Interdental brush sales have come under pressure from the launch of
a new range of competitive brushes from TePe, a market leader in
this field, but we will be responding to this.
UltraDEX UK revenues for H1 2017 were GBP1.42m in the first
half, up 1% on H1 2016 on a like for like basis. Revenues have been
growing in the first half, resulting in June 2017 being the highest
level of monthly gross revenues for UltraDEX in the UK since
2012.
Innovation and product development are key to growing a brand
and we have invested in this area for UltraDEX as follows:
- Packaging redesign was launched in Boots in July 2017, and
will roll out to the rest of the trade thereafter
- Patented sensitive range re-launched in July 2017, in new
packaging and with a new brand positioning
- New one litre pack sizes launched for the original and sensitive ranges in Boots
Whilst it is early days for these new products in stores, the
initial signs are encouraging.
We have received further patent grants in this period for the
UltraDEX sensitive range, which contains additional components to
help users with sensitive teeth. The patent over this product is
now granted in the EU, USA, Japan, Mexico, Indonesia, Australia and
New Zealand.
International
Despite a continued challenging environment and customer order
timings, the International Brands business has delivered revenues
in the first half of 2017 of GBP0.33m. As is common with our
international trading patterns and partners in Venture Life, the
second half of 2017 is expected to be significantly higher than the
first half, and some orders, which we had originally expected in
the first half have now fallen into the second half.
In the first half of the year, we have signed a number of new
long term partner deals, as well as seeing growth and re-ordering
from a number of our existing partners. Whilst the economic
environment is challenging at the moment, there is good interest in
partnering our products, particularly our new Myco Clear and
PhotoAll products, as well as a number of our existing products,
including UltraDEX.
It is an important part of our strategy that we focus on key
brands and delivering growth in these, and as such there are seven
key brands (a more detailed update on each of these is given below)
that we focus on. The remaining brands are still in our portfolio
but will be partnered only on a more opportune basis rather than a
proactive partner search.
For some of the seven key brands, we are investing in further
clinical data this year and next, as set out below, to strengthen
the offering of the product and enhance both the attractiveness and
the value of the products. The costs of this additional data is low
and will be covered within our normal budgets.
Key products
Benecol
In the first half of 2017, we have seen the first registration
approval of the Benecol 'once-a-day' liquid sachet in Jordan. This
is the first market that will launch the sachets; the purchase
order has been received, production will complete at the end of
2017, ready for a Q1 2018 market launch. We had previously signed a
partner in Turkey to launch the 'once a day' liquid sachets, and
they completed almost all of the registration process in the spring
of this year, before a change of internal management occurred at
the partner, which has led to a change in strategy. It has been
agreed that the agreement will be terminated and although
disappointing, we will widen our search for a new partner in Turkey
given that the registration is almost complete. This means that
once identified, any new partner should be able to bring the
product to market within six to nine months. In other territories,
discussions continue with interested parties, but these take some
time as introducing Benecol as a food supplement into the pharmacy
channel is a new idea in most countries.
UltraDEX
The internationalisation of the brand began soon after the
acquisition in 2016. The first deal in Europe was in Spain with a
partner called Serra Pamies, and this marked the re-launch of the
brand in Europe under our ownership, as international sales were
previously minimal. Serra Pamies launched the product in early
2017, and initially faced headwinds from the previous distributor
for CB12 in Spain that very recently lost its distributorship of
the product and so flooded the market with low priced product to
get rid of its stock. This issue is still on-going, and although
this has hampered the launch of UltraDEX somewhat, our partner's
marketing campaign has started in earnest.
UltraDEX was partnered in Malaysia in 2016 with our partner
Rigel Pharma and the product launch took place earlier this year
following a successful registration and the product is being rolled
out into the market place. In China, registration will take a
number of months and an update on progress will be given with the
full year results.
Post period end, we signed a new long term partnering agreement
for four countries in the Nordics with Karo Pharma AB, a publicly
listed Swedish pharma company. They have an experienced management
and executive team in the oral care space and we are excited about
the prospects of launching the product in the Nordic region. We
expect the first order to be shipped in 2017, and public launch in
Q1 2018.
Also in July 2017, we signed a new long term distribution
agreement for UltraDEX in Italy with Polipharama Benessere Srl.
This agreement is for five years and further extends the presence
of the UltraDEX brand into key markets across Europe.
Lubatti
The rate of in-market sales of the Lubatti range through our
partner Gialen in China has continued to grow from the level seen
in 2016, as the products roll out to more of the regions and we see
an increase in consumer uptake. This growth in sales has been
reflected in us receiving our first re-orders of product from
Gialen in this first half of 2017, and reflects the growing
confidence we have for these products in the Chinese market. The
sales out data has been received for July 2017 and shows the
highest monthly sales out for Lubatti in China so far.
NeuroAge
Sales of NeuroAge continue to grow across the markets where it
is sold, and in the first half of 2017 we have added to the
distributor network with our first long term partnering agreement
in Canada. The product is currently in registration and we expect
it to be launched to consumers in 2018, subject to registration
approval.
The NeuroAge product is now well used in a number of countries
but we believe that additional clinical data will enhance the
opportunity in other markets. We will complete this additional work
over the next 12 months.
Procto-eze
This product has been licensed in a number of territories, and
is presented in the form of a cream and a cleanser. We are
achieving varying levels of success with this brand, depending on
market and SKU. We are developing a further line extension to this
range (ready end of 2017) and will be further strengthening the
Procto-eze clinical data package in the next 12 months.
Vonalei
There is demand for women's intimate health products that offer
ease of use, efficacy and no known side effects. As a medical
device, the vonalei range offers a natural alternative to drugs
that can be used in short, medium or longer term, without any known
side effects. The Vonalei range has just begun to launch in a small
number of countries and we will be investing in further clinical
studies on some of the products within the portfolio over the next
12 months to strengthen this range.
Myco Clear
This is the first of the three new products developed by the
business in 2016. This product is for the treatment of
onychomycosis (nail fungal infections), which causes the
deformation and discoloration of the nail. The market for this
condition in the five main EU markets is in excess of EUR84m per
annum.
It is a particularly difficult condition to treat and we have
developed a unique new product that deals with both the aesthetic
issues as well as the underlying cause of the condition.
Post period end we have filed a patent application for the
product, which we believe will protect the unique mode of activity
of this product. The product received approval in the EU as a Class
IIa Medical Device in April this year, and upon receipt of that
approval we began a series of clinical studies in humans to
replicate the efficacy seen in our in-vitro studies. Despite the
fact that the studies are not yet complete, we have already
received a high level of interest from potential partners and are
in many active discussions. Post period end, we have already
completed our first two deals in smaller markets.
Photo All
The second of our newly developed products, this is for the
treatment of drug induced photo sensitivity, which affects between
3-7% of patients using a wide range of drug treatments, including
antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and anti-tumorals amongst others.
This is a particularly relevant area for the elderly patient. The
condition results from the interaction of the drug compound with
UVA light, and there is currently no specifically designed product
on the market to treat this condition. Presented as a topical
cream, this product is protected by a recently granted EU patent
and we are in active discussion with many parties to partner this
product.
Rosacalma
The last of our three new products, this is for the treatment of
the inflammatory skin disease rosacea. This condition affects 30-50
year olds mostly and up to 10% of the general population. It is
generally treated initially with strong drug products on a short
term basis. This product has been recently approved as a Class IIa
Medical Device in the EU, and has been developed in three
presentations for the longer term treatment of the condition. Now
approval has been received, we are conducting some human clinical
studies to verify the efficacy of the product before launch to
potential partners.
Development and Manufacturing
Since the merger with Biokosmes in 2014, the business in Italy
has gone from strength to strength, delivering consistent revenue
and profit growth each year. The first half of 2017 was no
exception, with revenues of GBP6.1m up 24% on H1 2016
(GBP4.9m).
This growth has been seen across a number of our existing long
term customers, as well as growth in new business in 2017, with new
customers such as Menarini Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite Srl and
Almirall SA.
The business has within it an in-depth knowledge, expertise and
accreditation to develop and manufacture medical device products,
that can be sold into all the major world markets. The medical
device regulations are strict and complex, and this ability is
greatly valued by new and existing customers alike. In April 2017
the new EU Medical Device Regulations (Regulation (EU) 2017/745)
came into force, with a transitional period between now and May
2020 for all EU registered medical device products to comply with
the new rules. The main change is that class 1 medical device
products will be required either to upgrade to class II medical
devices, or to downgrade to cosmetic registrations with weaker
claims. This will impact a number of our customers, but Biokosmes
has the requisite knowledge and experience to help all its
customers with this process. Also for the key products for our
international brands business the impact of these new changes has
already been anticipated and our key products with medical device
registrations will retain them post 2020.
We continue to see strong demand from new and existing customers
for the expertise provided by Biokosmes, and expect growth in this
part of the business to continue. We have significant operational
leverage at the facility and can materially increase volumes
through the plant without a significant increase in cost base. This
will provide a consequent positive impact on gross margins, and an
even greater effect on net margins, as we move forward. With the
growth that we are seeing at Biokosmes, we have already begun plans
to increase the footprint of the factory (we can double the size of
the existing footprint on the current site). The buildings and site
are leased, and so the landlord will incur the cost of building the
additional premises, and our only cost will be the equipment. We
would not expect the new buildings to come on line for at least two
years, and any cash requirements for equipment are within our
current resources. This expansion in capacity would allow us to
potentially deliver more than treble our 2016 revenues.
Financial review
Statement of comprehensive income
Group revenue for the six month period was GBP7.8 million an
increase of 28% on the GBP6.1 million reported for the same period
in 2016. The growth was throughout all areas of the business. H1
2016 included nearly four months of UltraDEX revenue from 4 March
2016, the date of acquisition. On a like-for-like basis, Group
revenue increased 18% in the six month period compared to the first
six months of 2016.
The Brands segment showed strong growth up 42% on H1 2016, with
revenues for the six month period of GBP1.8 million compared to
GBP1.2 million reported in H1 2016. UltraDEX contributed to this
growth with revenues of GBP1.4 million for the six month period, up
by 55% against H1 2016 reported revenues of GBP0.9 million (for the
four months from acquisition). Revenue is reported after
promotional discounts. On a like-for-like basis UltraDEX revenue
for H1 2017 was up 1% on H1 2016. We expect this segment to
continue to grow with investment in advertising and the launch of
new lines. UltraDEX revenue is reported within the Group's Brands
segment.
Our Development and Manufacturing segment continues to represent
the larger proportion of Group revenue. Revenues were GBP6.1
million in H1 2017 compared to GBP4.9 million for H1 2016 up 24%,
and benefited from a stronger Euro in 2017.
The Group generated gross profit of GBP2.9 million, representing
a gross margin of 37%. This compares to a gross margin of 37% for
the same period in 2016 on a reported basis. This is an increase in
gross profit of 27% compared with H1 2016 resulting from the higher
revenues in the period.
Administrative expenses increased in the period to GBP3.2
million from GBP2.7 million in H1 2016. This was largely due to the
investment in UK advertising and promotion driving the additional
UltraDEX sales in the period, continuing to build the brand and
supporting our key retail accounts in the UK.
H1 2017 generated a positive EBITDA of GBP0.3 million up 128%
compared to H1 2016 of GBP0.1 million.
The loss before tax, amortisation and exceptional costs for the
period decreased to GBP0.1 million (H1 2016: loss of GBP0.3
million). This and the improvement of EBITDA were largely due to
the increase in revenues.
Loss per share was 1.9p (H1 2016: loss of 2.8p).
Adjusted loss per share was 0.3p (H1 2016: adjusted loss of
0.8p).
Statement of financial position and cash flow
Cash and cash equivalents were GBP1.3 million at 30 June 2017
(31 December 2016: GBP2.0 million). Total debt stood at GBP7.4
million (30 June 2016: GBP6.3 million, 31 December 2016: GBP7.1
million). The increase in debt since 31 December 2016 arose in part
as a result of the strengthening Euro on the Group's Euro
denominated debt.
Net cash outflows totalled GBP0.7 million (six months to 30 June
2016: outflow of GBP1.3m). The principal components of the net cash
outflow are as follows:
- cash used in operations GBP0.4 million (six months to 30 June 2016: GBP0.6 million)
- investment in tangible and intangible assets GBP0.3 million
(six months to 30 June 2016: GBP0.2 million)
Summary and outlook
The first half of 2017 has seen a continuation of the momentum
built in previous years, and consequently the outlook for the Group
continues to improve. The UltraDEX acquisition is now fully
embedded in the Group and delivering the expected synergies,
demonstrating the Group's ability to acquire and successfully
integrate this type of asset. Our Brands business offers a
significant opportunity to deliver shareholder value both through
new deals, as demonstrated during 2017, and further organic growth,
as more of our products reach the market. The operational leverage
developed in the Group means we are well positioned for these
additional revenues to translate to improved profitability as they
flow through our fixed manufacturing cost base.
We have chosen to invest significantly in support of the Brands
business, which includes the marketing support for UltraDEX, as we
believe there is significant unlocked value in this asset. This
expenditure in the Brands business, and delays in orders from some
international distributors, means that our margins and sales mix is
expected to differ from our original projections for the full year.
We expect full year revenues to be in line with market
expectations, however, we now anticipate that whilst EBITDA for the
year will show a significant improvement of at least 50% on the
prior year EBITDA of GBP0.8m, it will not meet current market
expectations.
The organic revenue growth in the first half is set to continue
through the second half, and with a good order book in hand, we
expect to see the momentum continuing to build in the business, and
we remain optimistic about the future prospects for the Group.
Lynn Drummond - Non-Executive Chair
Jerry Randall - Chief Executive Officer
Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement of
Comprehensive Income
For the six months ended 30 June 2017
Six months Six months Year
ended ended ended
30 June 30 June 31 December
Note 2017 2016 2016
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Revenue 4 7,811 6,121 14,280
Cost of sales (4,954) (3,868) (8,789)
------------ --------------------- -------------
Gross profit 2,857 2,253 5,491
Operating expenses (2,761) (2,263) (4,979)
Amortisation of intangible
assets 5 (446) (409) (862)
------------ --------------------- -------------
Total administrative
expenses (3,207) (2,672) (5,841)
Other income 17 28 65
Operating loss before
exceptional items (333) (391) (285)
------------ --------------------- -------------
Exceptional items 6 - (142) (180)
Operating loss (333) (533) (465)
------------ --------------------- -------------
Finance costs (240) (321) (644)
Loss before tax (573) (854) (1,109)
------------ --------------------- -------------
Tax 7 (143) (155) (260)
Loss for the period attributable
to the equity shareholders
of the parent (716) (1,009) (1,369)
------------ --------------------- -------------
Other comprehensive income
which may be subsequently
reclassified to the income
statement 8 102 293 317
Total comprehensive loss
for the period attributable
to equity shareholders
of the parent (614) (716) (1,052)
------------ --------------------- -------------
Basic and diluted loss
per share (pence) attributable
to equity shareholders
of the parent 9 (1.94) (2.81) (3.76)
Adjusted loss per share 9 (0.31) (0.80) (1.28)
Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial
Position
As at 30 June 2017
Note 30 June 30 June 31 December
2017 2016 2016
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
ASSETS GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 11 16,053 16,500 16,272
Property, plant and
equipment 1,383 1,229 1,279
17,436 17,729 17,551
------------ ------------ ------------
Current assets
Inventories 3,436 3,352 3,141
Trade and other receivables 4,984 4,448 4,656
Cash and cash equivalents 1,323 1,583 1,998
------------ ------------ ------------
9,743 9,383 9,795
------------ ------------ ------------
TOTAL ASSETS 27,179 27,112 27,346
------------ ------------ ------------
EQUITY & LIABILITIES
Capital and reserves
Share capital 12 111 110 111
Share premium account 12 13,289 13,289 13,289
Merger reserve 12 7,656 7,656 7,656
Convertible bond reserve 109 109 109
Foreign currency translation
reserve 215 89 113
Share-based payment
reserve 460 381 409
Retained earnings (8,060) (6,969) (7,329)
------------ ------------
Total equity attributable
to equity holders of
the parent 13,780 14,665 14,358
------------ ------------ ------------
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 4,363 4,570 4,347
Taxation 484 275 195
Interest bearing borrowings 771 615 687
Convertible bond 171 171 171
Vendor loan notes 65 50 54
------------ ------------ ------------
5,854 5,681 5,454
------------ ------------ ------------
Non-current liabilities
Interest bearing borrowings 3,026 2,399 2,986
Convertible bond 1,587 1,506 1,546
Vendor loan notes 1,740 1,562 1,700
Statutory employment
provision 823 677 795
Deferred tax liability 369 622 507
------------ ------------ ------------
7,545 6,766 7,534
------------ ------------ ------------
Total liabilities 13,399 12,447 12,988
------------ ------------ ------------
TOTAL EQUITY & LIABILITIES 27,179 27,112 27,346
------------ ------------ ------------
Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in
Equity
As at 30 June 2017
Foreign
Share Convertible currency Share-based
Share premium Merger bond translation payment Retained Total
capital account reserve reserve reserve reserve earnings equity
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Balance at 1
January 2016
(Audited) 103 11,826 7,656 - (204) 367 (5,946) 13,802
Loss for the
period - - - - - - (1,009) (1,009)
Foreign exchange
for period - - - - 293 - - 293
Total
comprehensive
income/(expense) - - - - 293 - (1.009) (716)
Transactions with
shareholders:
Issue of share
capital 7 1,463 - - - - - 1,470
Issue of
convertible bond - - - 109 - - - 109
Share options
charge - - - - - 14 - 14
Dividends - - - - - - (14) (14)
Balance at 30
June 2016
(Unaudited) 110 13,289 7,656 109 89 381 (6,969) 14,665
Loss for the
period - - - - - - (360) (360)
Foreign exchange
for period - - - - 24 - - 24
Total
comprehensive
income/(expense) - - - - 24 - (360) (336)
Transactions with
shareholders:
Issue of share
capital 1 - - - - - - 1
Share options
charge - - - - - 28 - 28
Balance at 31
December 2016
(Audited) 111 13,289 7,656 109 113 409 (7,329) 14,358
Loss for the
period - - - - - - (716) (716)
Foreign exchange
for period - - - - 102 - - 102
Total
comprehensive
income/(expense) - - - - 102 - (716) (614)
Transactions with
shareholders:
Share options
charge - - - - - 51 - 51
Dividends - - - - - - (15) (15)
Balance at 30
June 2017
(Unaudited) 111 13,289 7,656 109 215 460 (8,060) 13,780
Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash
Flows
For the six months ended 30 June 2017
Six months Six months Year
ended ended ended
30 June 30 June 31 December
2017 2016 2016
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash flow from operating
activities:
Loss before tax (573) (854) (1,109)
Finance cost 240 321 644
Operating loss (333) (533) (465)
Adjustments for:
- Depreciation of property,
plant and equipment 100 83 176
- Amortisation of intangible
assets 446 409 862
- Finance costs (127) (87) (212)
- Share-based payment expense 51 14 42
------------- ------------- -------------
Operating cash flow before
movements in working capital 137 (114) 403
Taxation received/(paid) - 42 (251)
Increase in inventories (251) (518) (263)
Increase in trade and other
receivables (190) (99) (251)
(Decrease)/increase in trade
and other payables (104) 107 (95)
------------- ------------- -------------
Net cash used in operating
activities (408) (582) (457)
------------- ------------- -------------
Cash flow from investing
activities:
Acquisition of subsidiary
- net cash payment - (4,258) (4,258)
Purchases of property, plant
and equipment (98) (79) (185)
Development expenditure in
respect of intangible assets (189) (139) (355)
Proceeds on disposal of tangible
assets - 7 7
------------- -------------
Net cash used by investing
activities (287) (4,469) (4,791)
------------- ------------- -------------
Cash flow from financing
activities:
Net proceeds from issue of
ordinary shares - 1,471 1,471
Net proceeds from issue of
convertible bond - 1,750 1,750
Movements in interest-bearing
borrowings 10 504 1,099
Dividends paid (15) (14) (14)
------------- -------------
Net cash from financing activities (5) 3,711 4,306
------------- ------------- -------------
Net decrease in cash and
cash equivalents (700) (1,340) (942)
Net foreign exchange difference 25 66 83
Cash and cash equivalents
at beginning of period 1,998 2,857 2,857
------------- ------------- -------------
Cash and cash equivalents
at end of period 1,323 1,583 1,998
------------- ------------- -------------
Notes to the Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements for the six months ended 30 June 2017
1. Corporate information
The Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of
Venture Life Group plc and its subsidiaries (collectively, the
Group) for the six months ended 30 June 2017 ("the Interim
Financial Statements") were approved and authorised for issue in
accordance with a resolution of the directors on 19 September
2017.
Venture Life Group plc ("the Company") is domiciled and
incorporated in the United Kingdom, and is a public company whose
shares are publicly traded. The Group's principal activities are
the development, manufacture and distribution of healthcare and
dermatology products.
2. Basis of preparation
The Interim Financial Statements have been prepared in
accordance with IAS 34, 'Interim financial reporting' as adopted by
the European Union. The Interim Financial Statements do not include
all the information and disclosures required in the annual
financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the
Group's Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 31
December 2016 ("the 2016 Consolidated Financial Statements") which
have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the
European Union.
The financial information contained in the Interim Financial
Statements, which are unaudited, does not constitute statutory
accounts in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. The financial
information for the year ended 31 December 2016 is extracted from
the statutory accounts for that year which have been delivered to
the Registrar of Companies and on which the auditor issued an
unqualified opinion that did not include an emphasis of matter
reference or statement made under section 498(2) or (3) of the
Companies Act 2006.
3. Accounting policies
The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the
Interim Financial Statements are consistent with those followed in
the preparation of the 2016 Consolidated Financial Statements.
Foreign currencies
The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated
into sterling at exchange rates ruling at the balance sheet date.
Revenues generated and expenses incurred in currencies other than
sterling are translated into sterling at rates approximating to the
exchange rates ruling at the dates of the transactions. Foreign
exchange differences arising on retranslation of assets and
liabilities of foreign operations are recognised directly in the
foreign currency translation reserve.
The sterling/euro exchange rates used in the Interim Financial
Statements and prior reporting periods are as follows:
Six months Six months
ended ended Year ended
Sterling/euro exchange 30 June 30 June 31 December
rates 2017 2016 2016
Average exchange rate
for the period 1.169 1.301 1.234
Exchange rate at the
period end 1.137 1.209 1.167
4. Segmental Information
Management has determined the operating segments based on the
reports reviewed by the Group Board of Directors (Chief Operating
Decision Maker) that are used to make strategic decisions. The
Board considers the business from a line-of-service perspective and
uses operating profit/(loss) as its profit measure. The operating
profit/(loss) of operating segments is prepared on the same basis
as the Group's accounting operating profit/(loss).
In line with the 2016 Consolidated Financial Statements, the
operations of the Group are segmented as Brands, which includes
sales of healthcare and skin care products under distribution
agreements and direct to UK retailers, and Development and
Manufacturing. The Periproducts business which was acquired during
the prior period is included within the Brands reporting
segment.
4.1 Segment Revenue and Results
The following is an analysis of the Group's revenue and results
by reportable segment.
Development Consolidated
Brands and Manufacturing Eliminations Group
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Six months to 30 June
2017
Revenue
External sales 1,747 6,064 - 7,811
Inter-segment sales - 855 (855) -
-------- ------------------- ------------- -------------
Total revenue 1,747 6,919 (855) 7,811
-------- ------------------- ------------- -------------
Results
Operating (loss)/profit
before exceptional
items and excluding
central administrative
costs (248) 959 - 711
-------- ------------------- ------------- -------------
Development Consolidated
Brands and Manufacturing Eliminations Group
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Six months to 30 June
2016
Revenue
External sales 1,234 4,887 - 6,121
Inter-segment sales - 192 (192) -
-------- ------------------- ------------- -------------
Total revenue 1,234 5,079 (192) 6,121
-------- ------------------- ------------- -------------
Results
Operating (loss)/profit
before exceptional
items and excluding
central administrative
costs (106) 679 - 573
-------- ------------------- ------------- -------------
Development Consolidated
Brands and Manufacturing Eliminations Group
Year to 31 December
2016 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Revenue
External sales 3,764 10,516 - 14,280
Inter-segment sales - 826 (826) -
-------- ------------------- ------------- -------------
Total revenue 3,764 11,342 (826) 14,280
-------- ------------------- ------------- -------------
Results
Operating (loss)/profit
before exceptional
items and excluding
central administrative
costs (139) 1,665 - 1,526
-------- ------------------- ------------- -------------
The reconciliation of segmental operating loss to the Group's
operating loss before exceptional items excluding central
administrative costs is as follows:
Six months Six months Year ended
ended
30 June ended 31 December
2017
(Unaudited) 30 June 2016
2016
(Unaudited) (Audited)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Operating profit before exceptional items
and excluding central administrative costs 711 573 1,526
Central administrative costs (1,044) (964) (1,811)
Exceptional expenses - (142) (180)
Operating loss (333) (533) (465)
Net finance cost (240) (321) (644)
------------ ------------ -------------
Loss before tax (573) (854) (1,109)
------------ ------------ -------------
5. Amortisation of intangible assets
Six months Six months Year ended
ended
30 June ended 31 December
2017
(Unaudited) 30 June 2016
2016
(Unaudited) (Audited)
Amortisation of: GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Acquired intangible assets
(a) (284) (284) (568)
Acquired intangible assets
(b) (80) (53) (133)
Patents, trademarks and
other intangible assets (35) (37) (71)
Capitalised development
costs (47) (35) (90)
------------ ------------ -------------
(446) (409) (862)
------------ ------------ -------------
(a) Customer relationship and product formulation intangible
assets acquired as part of the acquisition of Biokosmes Srl in
March 2014. These intangible assets are being amortised over five
years to 31 March 2019.
(b) Customer relationships, patents and trademark intangible
assets acquired as part of the acquisition of Periproducts Limited
in March 2016. The customer relationships and trademark intangible
assets are being amortised over five years to 28 February 2021. The
patent intangible assets are being amortised over ten years to 28
February 2026.
6. Exceptional items
Six months Six months Year ended
ended
30 June ended 31 December
2017
(Unaudited) 30 June 2016
2016
(Unaudited) (Audited)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Costs incurred in acquisitions - (142) (180)
Total exceptional items - (142) (180)
------------ ------------ -------------
During the year to 31 December 2016 the Group incurred legal and
professional fees in relation to the Periproducts acquisition, as
well as certain restructuring costs.
7. Taxation
The Group calculates the income tax expense for the period using
the tax rate that would be applicable to the expected total annual
earnings. The major components of income tax expense in the Interim
Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income are as follows:
Six months Six months Year ended
ended ended 31 December
30 June 30 June 2016
2017 2016
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Current income tax 279 222 455
Adjustment in respect
of earlier periods - - (21)
Deferred income tax expense
related to origination
and reversal of timing
differences (136) (67) (174)
------------ ------------ -------------
Income tax expense recognised
in statement of comprehensive
income 143 155 260
------------ ------------ -------------
The current income tax expense is based on the profits of the
Development and Manufacturing business based in Italy. The UK based
businesses on a combined basis are currently loss making and so
there are no UK income tax charges due in respect of trading for
the first six months to 30 June 2017.
The Group has not recognised the deferred tax asset on losses
made by the UK based businesses on a combined basis as although
management are expecting the UK based businesses on a combined
basis to become profitable, it is not currently certain when there
will be sufficient taxable profits against which to offset such
losses.
At the period end the estimated tax losses amounted to
GBP8,352,000 (30 June 2016: GBP6,690,000; 31 December 2016:
GBP7,195,000).
8. Other comprehensive income/(expense)
Other comprehensive income/(expense) represents the foreign
exchange difference on the translation of the assets, liabilities
and reserves of Biokosmes which has a functional currency of Euros.
The movement is shown in the foreign currency translation reserve
between the date of acquisition of Biokosmes, when the GBP/EUR rate
was 1.193 and the balance sheet date rate at 30 June 2017 of 1.137
(at 31 December 2016 of 1.167 and at 30 June 2016 of 1.209), and is
an amount that may subsequently be reclassified to profit and
loss.
9. Loss per share
Six months Six months Year ended
ended ended 30 December
30 June 30 June 2016
2017 2016
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
Weighted average number
of ordinary shares in
issue 36,837,106 35,968,571 36,409,340
Loss attributable to
equity holders of
the Company (GBP'000) (716) (1,009) (1,369)
Basic and diluted loss
per share (pence) (1.94) (2.81) (3.76)
Adjusted loss per share
(pence) (0.31) (0.80) (1.28)
The loss attributable to ordinary shareholders and weighted
average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of calculating
the diluted earnings per ordinary share are identical to those used
for basic earnings per share. This is because the exercise of share
options would have the effect of reducing the loss per ordinary
share and is therefore not dilutive under the terms of IAS 33.
10. Dividends
Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the
period:
Six months Six months Year ended
ended ended 31 December
2016
30 June 30 June (Audited)
2017 2016
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Final dividend 15 14 14
------------- ------------ -------------
11. Intangible assets
The intangible assets of the group of GBP16.1 million (31
December 2016: GBP16.3m) include goodwill, development costs,
patents and trademarks and customer relationships.
At the reporting date goodwill generated from the acquisitions
of Biokosmes Srl in March 2014 and Periproducts Limited in March
2016 accounted for GBP13.1 million of the intangible assets of the
Group (GBP13.1 million at 31 December 2016). There were no
movements in goodwill during the period (increase in goodwill of
GBP3.3 million in the 6 months to June 2016), nor have there been
any impairment of goodwill during this time (6 months to June 2016:
Nil million).
12. Share capital and share premium
Ordinary Ordinary Share Merger
shares Shares premium reserve
of 0.3p
each
No. GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Audited at 1 January 2016 34,403,534 103 11,826 7,656
Share issue 2,428,572 7 1,463 -
---------- -------- -------- --------
Unaudited at 30 June 2016 36,832,106 110 13,289 7,656
Share issue 5,000 - - -
---------- -------- -------- --------
Audited at 31 December 2016 36,837,106 110 13,289 7,656
Unaudited at 30 June 2017 36,837,106 110 13,289 7,656
---------- -------- -------- --------
There were no movements in share capital or share premium
between 31 December 2016 and 30 June 2017.
13. Related party transactions
The following transactions with related parties are considered
by the Directors to be significant for the interpretation of the
Interim Condensed Financial Statements for the six month period to
30 June 2017 and the balances with related parties at 30 June 2017
and 31 December 2016:
In March 2014 the Company issued 3% convertible loan notes with
a nominal amount of EUR2,000,000 to the vendors of Biokosmes
including Gianluca Braguti, a Director of the Company. Interest
accrued on the loan notes was increased from 3% to 4% per year
effective 1 August 2017 and is paid in October and April each
year.
Under the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement dated 28
November 2013 and signed between the Company and the vendors of
Biokosmes, one of whom was Gianluca Braguti, the vendors agreed to
indemnify the Company in full for any net liability arising from
certain litigation cases which had not settled at the time of
completion of the acquisition on 27 March 2014. At the period end
the amount due to the Company under the indemnity totalled
EUR250,935, of which Gianluca Braguti's liability is EUR248,426.
Settlement of this liability will be made when the final
outstanding case is concluded.
Key transactions with other related parties
Braguts' Real Estate Srl (formally known as Biokosmes
Immobiliare Srl), a company 100% owned by Gianluca Braguti, a
director and shareholder of the Group provided property lease
services to the Development and Manufacturing business totalling
EUR230,000 in the six months to 30 June 2017 (EUR230,000 in the six
months to 30 June 2016). At 30 June 2017, the Group owed Braguts'
Real Estate Srl EUR622,000 (EUR692,000 at 31 December 2016).
14. Financial instruments
Set out below is an overview of financial instruments held by
the Group as at:
30 June 2017 30 June 2016 31 December 2016
------------------------ ------------------------
Loans Total Loans and Total Loans and Total
and receivables financial receivables financial receivables financial
assets assets assets
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Financial
assets:
Trade and
other receivables
(a) 4,888 4,888 4,290 4,290 4,564 4,564
Cash and
cash equivalents 1,323 1,323 1,583 1,583 1,998 1,998
Total 6,211 6,211 5,873 5,873 6,562 6,562
---------------- ---------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ----------
30 June 2017 30 June 2016 31 December 2016
------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------
Liabilities Total Liabilities Total Liabilities Total
(amortised financial (amortised financial (amortised financial
cost) liabilities cost) liabilities cost) liabilities
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Financial
liabilities:
Trade and
other payables
(b) 4,363 4,363 4,534 4,534 4,434 4,434
Convertible
bond 1,758 1,758 1,677 1,677 1,717 1,717
Vendor loan
notes 1,805 1,805 1,612 1,612 1,754 1,754
Interest
bearing
debt 3,797 3,797 3,014 3,014 3,673 3,673
----------- ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
Total 11,723 11,723 10,837 10,837 11,578 11,578
----------- ------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
(a) Trade and other receivables excludes prepayments
(b) Trade and other payables excludes deferred revenue
15. Post balance sheet events
There were no post balance sheet events.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
IR LLFLDAAIIFID
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