Home » Posts tagged 'investment' (Page 3)
Tag Archives: investment
#HVO hVIVO – Trading update
EBITDA significantly ahead of expectations
Orderbook growth and improved operational delivery lays strong foundations for future growth
· Record revenue, up 30% year-on-year to £50.6 million
· EBITDA margins of no less than 17%, significantly ahead of guidance
· Cash of £28.4 million as at 31 December 2022
· Strong contracted orderbook of £76m, up 65% year-on-year
· Board intention to declare shareholder distribution on publication of full audited accounts
· Over 95% of 2023 revenue guidance contracted and visibility into 2024
hVIVO plc (AIM & Euronext: HVO) (formerly Open Orphan plc), a rapidly growing specialist contract research organisation (CRO) and world leader in testing infectious and respiratory disease products using human challenge clinical trials, announces a trading update for the period ended 31 December 2022.
Significant double-digit revenue growth
The Group expects to report record full year revenues of £50.6 million (2021: £39 million), a 30% increase year-on-year. The significant growth in revenue provides further validation of the long-term sustainable growth in the human challenge trial market, for which hVIVO is the world leader.
EBITDA margins and cash ahead of expectations
The Group expects to report EBITDA margins of not less than 17% (2021: 7.4%), significantly ahead of previous guidance of 13-15%. The increase in EBITDA is driven by strong trading in H2 2022 and operational efficiencies leveraged on the concurrent conduct of multiple challenge trials. In addition, recognition of postponement and cancellation fees for an aggregate of over £1 million had a one-time positive impact on EBITDA. The advanced fees from orderbook growth and efficient operational delivery has resulted in a cash position of £28.4 million as at 31 December 2022 (2021: £15.7 million).
Capital distribution
The Board intends to make a shareholder distribution in respect of the financial performance achieved in FY22, details of which will be announced alongside publication of the Group’s audited results for FY22. The distribution reflects the Group’s exceptional cash generation in the year, in addition to its robust balance sheet.
Further contracted orderbook growth enhances revenue visibility
In 2022, the trend of larger contracts with biopharma clients continued, increasing the size of the Group’s orderbook to £76 million as at 31 December 2022, up 65% year-on-year (2021: £46 million), and over sixfold since 2020 (2020: £12 million).
There has been increased demand for hVIVO’s unique full-service human challenge offering (with three contracts signed in 2022) which also involves the manufacture of bespoke challenge agents to test products against specific infectious disease variants, including subvariants that are circulating in the population. There has also been an increase in average challenge trial contract value driven by client demand for larger volunteer cohorts as the biopharma market increasingly recognises the value of human challenge data to accelerate drug development timelines and de-risk later stage clinical trial programmes.
Current year outlook
The Group has entered 2023 well capitalised, debt free, and with record visibility into the current financial year. hVIVO is firmly placed to build on the growth in the human challenge trial market and further strengthen its position as the world leader in the field. The growing orderbook from new and existing Big Pharma and biotech clients provides excellent forward visibility with over 95% of forecasted revenue for 2023 contracted, and further revenue visibility into 2024. The Board is confident that the Group will continue to leverage its competitive position amidst favourable market dynamics and maintain its strong operational execution, orderbook revenue conversion and focus on profit generation into 2023 and beyond.
Yamin ‘Mo’ Khan, Chief Executive Officer of hVIVO, said: “The record numbers we have been able to announce today is the result of the hard work by everyone at hVIVO over the last 12 months. The goal for hVIVO has always been to establish a long-term sustainable growth model. We now have excellent profitable momentum, with full year 2022 EBITDA margin and cash significantly ahead of market expectations, while revenue shows substantial year-on-year growth. These results signify our successes of 2022 and also lay the foundations for FY23 and beyond. The record contracted orderbook not only covers over 95% of the FY23 revenue targets but also gives us visibility well into 2024.
“With the increasing prevalence and severity of infectious and respiratory diseases, there is a vital need for new vaccines and antivirals; as the human challenge partner of choice to the global biopharma industry, hVIVO is well placed to continue to help accelerate the development of these important new medicines.”
Investor presentation
Yamin ‘Mo’ Khan, Chief Executive Officer, and Stephen Pinkerton, Chief Financial Officer, will provide a live presentation via the Investor Meet Company platform on 25 January 2023 at 18:00 BST.
The presentation is open to all existing and potential shareholders. Investors can sign up to Investor Meet Company for free and add to meet hVIVO here.
UK Investor Magazine Podcast- CEO Alan Green discusses Burberry, Argo Blockchain, and AB Dynamics
Alan Green joins the Podcast as we discuss key market themes and a selection of UK equities.
We discuss:
- Burberry (LON:BRBY)
- Argo Blockchain (LON:ARB)
- AB Dynamics (LON:ABDP)
UK inflation has began to fall and the FTSE 100 continues to flirt with all time highs. We look at what could derail a rally and the key influences on stocks.
Burberry has been a major beneficiary of Chinese economic expansion over the past 20 years. We run through this morning’s update as China reopens.
Argo Blockchain have secured financing to avoid a worst case scenario in the short term, we look at whether the recent jump in Argo shares is a dead cat bounce, or can be sustained.
We finish by looking at AB Dynamics.
#TEK Tekcapital PLC – Investee Company MicroSalt Partners with Hannaford Brothers
Tekcapital Plc (AIM: TEK), (OTCQB: TEKCF) the UK intellectual property investment group focused on creating valuable products that can improve people’s lives, is pleased to announce that Hannaford Brothers one of the most respected food retailers in the north-eastern United States has agreed to stock both sizes of MicroSalt’s new table-top shakers.
MicroSalt® provides a much-needed option that allows food manufacturers and consumers to slash the sodium content of their food without impacting the flavour. With 31% of adults worldwide suffering from high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases – and with efforts mounting around the globe to lower the sodium content in prepared and packaged foods – MicroSalt® is offering a truly timely solution.
“We are extremely excited that Hannaford Brothers has joined with us to provide low sodium solutions to its customers. This is a tremendous step in our march toward reducing excess sodium in the average diet. Our take-home shakers will let people salt their food to taste without excess sodium,” said Rick Guiney, CEO of MicroSalt®.
About Hannaford Supermarkets
Hannaford Supermarkets operates 185 stores in the Northeast, most with full-service pharmacies. Stores are located in Maine, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. All are committed to offering great fresh food, convenient experiences and everyday low prices. Hannaford also is an active and committed community partner-focusing on fighting hunger, supporting youth development, and helping people live healthier lives. Hannaford is an industry leader in sustainability with a strong commitment to reducing waste and protecting the environment. Hannaford diverts or donates all food at risk of going to waste-sending no food to landfills. In 2020, Hannaford donated more than 25 million pounds of food to hunger relief organizations and prevented 65 million pounds of food waste from reaching landfills. Hannaford employs nearly 30,000 associates and is based in Scarborough, Maine. Additional information can be found at www.hannaford.com.
About MicroSalt®
MicroSalt, is the developer and manufacturer of a proprietary low-sodium salt called MicroSalt®. We are passionate about improving peoples’ lives with better-for-you seasonings and snacks by taking the lead in the industry by providing the best low-sodium salt solution, based on the mechanical transformation of the salt particle itself. This solution is the only one that delivers real salt flavour because it is salt. Our new patented technology produces salt crystals that are approximately one hundred times smaller than typical table salt, delivering a powerful saltiness as the micro-grains dissolve in the mouth, with approximately 50% less sodium consumption. Additionally, the ultra-small particle size enhances product adhesion, which reduces waste and provides improved flavor consistency. MicroSalt® and SaltMe® are registered trademarks of MicroSalt Inc.
To learn more about MicroSalt please visit https://www.microsaltinc.com
Tekcapital owns 97.2% of the share capital of MicroSalt Ltd. and 73% of MicroSalt Inc. its U.S. subsidiary.
About Tekcapital plc
Tekcapital creates value from investing in new, university-developed discoveries that can enhance people’s lives and provides a range of technology transfer services to help organisations evaluate and commercialise new technologies. Tekcapital is quoted on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: symbol TEK) and is headquartered in the UK. For more information, please visit www.tekcapital.com.
LEI: 213800GOJTOV19FIFZ85
For further information, please contact:
Tekcapital Plc |
Via Flagstaff IR |
|
Clifford M. Gross, Ph.D. |
||
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nominated Adviser and Broker) |
+44 (0) 20 3470 0470 |
|
Richard Morrison / Charlie Bouverat (Corporate Finance) Rob Rees (Corporate Broking)
|
Flagstaff Strategic and Investor Communications +44 (0)207 129 1474
Tim Thompson/Andrea Seymour/Fergus Mellon
#TEK TEKCAPITAL PLC – NOMAD and Broker appointed for MicroSalt AIM IPO
Portfolio Company Update: MicroSalt, Ltd. (“MicroSalt”)
Appointment of Nominated Adviser and Broker for Proposed AIM IPO
Tekcapital Plc (AIM: TEK), (OTCQB: TEKCF) the UK intellectual property investment group focused on creating valuable products that can improve people’s lives, is pleased to announce that Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) has been appointed by portfolio company MicroSalt as its Nominated Adviser and Broker for its proposed IPO on the AIM Market in 2023.
“We are very pleased to appoint Zeus as our Nominated Adviser and Broker, to assist MicroSalt in effectuating an AIM listing and to provide capital market guidance for our global growth strategy,” said Rick Guiney, CEO of MicroSalt®.
About MicroSalt®
MicroSalt, is the developer and manufacturer of a proprietary low-sodium salt called MicroSalt®. We are passionate about improving peoples’ lives with better-for-you seasonings and snacks by taking the lead in the industry by providing the best low-sodium salt solution, based on the mechanical transformation of the salt particle itself. This solution is the only one that delivers real salt flavour because it is salt. Our new patented technology produces salt crystals that are approximately one hundred times smaller than typical table salt, delivering a powerful saltiness as the micro-grains dissolve in the mouth, with approximately 50% less sodium consumption. Additionally, the ultra-small particle size enhances product adhesion, which reduces waste and provides improved flavor consistency. MicroSalt® and SaltMe® are registered trademarks of MicroSalt Inc.
To learn more about MicroSalt please visit https://www.microsaltinc.com
Tekcapital owns approximately 97% of the share capital of MicroSalt Ltd. and approximately 73% of MicroSalt Inc. its U.S. subsidiary.
About Tekcapital plc
Tekcapital creates value by investing in new, university-developed discoveries that can enhance people’s lives and provides a range of technology transfer services to help organisations evaluate and commercialise new technologies. Tekcapital is quoted on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: symbol TEK) and is headquartered in the UK. For more information, please visit www.tekcapital.com.
LEI: 213800GOJTOV19FIFZ85
For Further Information please contact:
Tekcapital Plc |
Via Flagstaff |
|
Clifford M. Gross, Ph.D. |
||
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nominated Adviser and Broker) |
+44 (0) 20 3470 0470 |
|
Richard Morrison/Charlie Bouverat (Corporate Finance) Abigail Wayne/Rob Rees (Corporate Broking)
|
||
Flagstaff Strategic and Investor Communications |
|
+44 (0) 20 7129 1474 |
Tim Thompson/Andrea Seymour/Fergus Mellon |
|
This press release is for informational purposes only. The information herein does not constitute investment advice nor an offer to invest and may contain statements related to our future business and financial performance and future events or developments involving MicroSalt that may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by words such as “expect,” “look forward to,” “anticipate” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “will,” “project” or words of similar meaning. We may also make forward-looking statements in other reports, in presentations, in material delivered to customers, stakeholders and in press releases. In addition, our representatives may from time to time make oral forward-looking statements. Such statements may be based on the current expectations and certain assumptions of MicroSalt’s and/or Tekcapital’s management. Please note that these are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and factors, including, but not limited to those described in various disclosures. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying expectations not occur or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements of MicroSalt or Tekcapital may vary materially from those described explicitly or implicitly in the relevant forward-looking statement. Neither MicroSalt nor Tekcapital intends, nor assumes any obligation, to update or revise these forward-looking statements in light of developments which differ from those anticipated.
#HVO hVIVO plc – Investors’ Chronicle
Building on decades of experience, hVIVO is currently the only CRO focused on challenge studies, providing world class expertise and capabilities in challenge agent manufacture, a unique portfolio of established human challenge models to test a broad range of infectious and respiratory disease products, and specialist drug development and clinical consultancy services through its Venn Life Sciences subsidiary.
hVIVO contract awards Since the release of interim results in early September, hVIVO has announced a massive £13.4mn contract with a US biotechnology client, a repeat customer, to test its respiratory syncytial virus antiviral candidate using hVIVO’s established RSV Human Challenge Study Model.
Although difficult to assess the challenge study market, Liberum Capital estimates there are around 20 challenge studies conducted each year.
Using the prevailing average contract size of £6.7mn, this indicates £100mn-£135mn of challenge study work each year, excluding any additional income through manufacturing and validating bespoke challenge agent.
Around 60 per cent of hVIVO’s current order book relates to biotech customers and the balance relates to big pharma, with the group carrying out three active challenge studies for big pharma in the first half of 2022 and two full-service challenge studies with values exceeding £25mn. Moreover, hVIVO has signed up eight challenge studies with big pharma companies since 2018, 12 and all the big pharma clients are repeat customers.
Improving financials Backed by a bumper order book and having booked £9mn of group revenue in July and August 2022, house broker FinnCap expects the group’s hVIVO division, which carries out the challenge studies, to grow revenue from £29.4mn last year to £42.5mn in 2022 and account for 82 per cent of its total revenue estimate of £51.1mn. Furthermore, taking account of challenge study contract wins, revenue from Venn Life, laboratory services and non-challenge studies, the brokerage estimates that £53mn of its 2023 revenue estimate of £56mn is already covered.
SGS’s expertise is in performing influenza challenge studies, but it also has Malaria challenge, and RSV challenge models.
#TEK Tekcapital Plc – Appointment to the Board of MicroSalt
Tekcapital Plc (AIM: TEK), (OTCQB: TEKCF) the UK intellectual property investment group focused on creating valuable products that can improve people’s lives, is pleased to announce that Judith Batchelar OBE has joined the board of MicroSalt.
Judith currently serves as Deputy Chair of the U.K. Environment Agency, sits on UK Research and Innovation’s Natural Environment Research Council and is a Trustee of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. She has worked in the food and drink industry for over 35 years. From 2004 to 2021, she worked for Sainsbury’s as Director of Sainsbury’s Brand with responsibility for all aspects of Sainsbury’s product offer.
Prior to Sainsbury’s, Judith held a similar role at Safeway, spent twelve years in the Food Division at Marks & Spencer, and prior to this worked in manufacturing for Mars and Bass.
Judith is a biochemist and a nutritionist, has an Honorary Doctorate in Agriculture from Harper Adams University, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), and the Royal Society of Arts and Manufactures (RSA).
Judith was awarded an OBE in 2015 for services to Farming and the Food Industry, and serves on the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission.
“We are very excited to have Judith join our team. Her deep industry experience in improving the nutritional profile of foods will be enormously helpful with our go-to-market efforts in the U.K.,” said Rick Guiney, CEO of MicroSalt®.
Commenting on her appointment Judith Batchelar said, “I’m really excited to join the board of MicroSalt, I am passionate about their mission to help combat cardiovascular disease by reducing sodium levels in the foods we eat, and I know we can make a difference. “
About MicroSalt®
MicroSalt, is the developer and manufacturer of a proprietary low-sodium salt called MicroSalt®. We are passionate about improving peoples’ lives with better-for-you seasonings and snacks by taking the lead in the industry by providing the best low-sodium salt solution, based on the mechanical transformation of the salt particle itself. This solution is the only one that delivers real salt flavour because it is salt. Our new patented technology produces salt crystals that are approximately one hundred times smaller than typical table salt, delivering a powerful saltiness as the micro-grains dissolve in the mouth, with approximately 50% less sodium consumption. Additionally, the ultra-small particle size enhances product adhesion, which reduces waste and provides improved flavor consistency. MicroSalt® and SaltMe® are registered trademarks of MicroSalt Inc.
To learn more about MicroSalt please visit https://www.microsaltinc.com
Tekcapital owns 97.2% of the share capital of MicroSalt Ltd. and 73% of MicroSalt Inc. its U.S. subsidiary.
About Tekcapital plc
Tekcapital creates value from investing in new, university-developed discoveries that can enhance people’s lives and provides a range of technology transfer services to help organisations evaluate and commercialise new technologies. Tekcapital is quoted on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: symbol TEK) and is headquartered in the UK. For more information, please visit www.tekcapital.com.
LEI: 213800GOJTOV19FIFZ85
For further information, please contact:
Tekcapital Plc |
Via Flagstaff IR |
|
Clifford M. Gross, Ph.D. |
||
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nominated Adviser and Broker) |
+44 (0) 20 3470 0470 |
|
Richard Morrison / Charlie Bouverat (Corporate Finance) Rob Rees (Corporate Broking)
|
Flagstaff Strategic and Investor Communications +44 (0)207 129 1474
Tim Thompson/Andrea Seymour/Fergus Mellon
#POLB Poolbeg Pharma PLC – Upcoming Events
21 October 2022 – Poolbeg Pharma (AIM: POLB, OTCQB: POLBF), a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical company with a capital light clinical model, announces that its management and business development team will be attending and presenting at a number upcoming partnering and investor events from October 2022 to January 2023.
Partnering events
• |
BIO-Europe from 24-26 October 2022 at Leipzig Messe, Leipzig, Germany 04356 |
• |
Jefferies London Healthcare Conference from 15-17 November 2022 in London |
• |
JP Morgan 41st Annual Healthcare Conference from 9-12 January 2023 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel, San Francisco, CA |
Investor events
• |
London South East Webinar (virtual) on 8 November 2022. Register here |
• |
LSX Inv€$tival ShowcaseTM on 14 November 2022 at Old Billingsgate, London EC3R 6DX. Poolbeg CEO, Jeremy Skillington, will present at 14:15 on Stage 4: Biotech Late Growth. Register here |
Event details may be subject to change – further information and updates are available on the Poolbeg Pharma website here.
– Ends –
Enquiries
Poolbeg Pharma Plc Jeremy Skillington, CEO Ian O’Connell, CFO
|
+44 (0) 20 7183 1499 |
finnCap Ltd (Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker) Geoff Nash, James Thompson, Charlie Beeson Nigel Birks, Harriet Ward (ECM)
|
+44 (0) 20 7220 0500 |
Singer Capital Markets (Joint Broker) Phil Davies, Sam Butcher
|
+44 (0) 20 7496 3000 |
J&E Davy (Joint Broker) Anthony Farrell, Niall Gilchrist
|
+353 (0) 1 679 6363 |
Instinctif Partners Melanie Toyne Sewell, Rozi Morris, Tim Field
|
+44 (0) 20 7457 2020
|
About Poolbeg Pharma
Poolbeg Pharma is a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical company, with a unique capital light clinical model which aims to develop multiple products faster and more cost effectively than the conventional biotech model. The Company, headquartered in London, is led by a team with a track record of creation and delivery of shareholder value and aspires to become a “one-stop shop” for pharma and biotech seeking mid-stage products to license or acquire.
The Company is targeting the growing infectious disease market. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, infectious disease has become one of the fastest growing pharma markets and is expected to exceed $250bn by 2025.
With its initial assets from Open Orphan plc, an industry leading infectious disease and human challenge trials business, Poolbeg has access to knowledge, experience, and clinical data from over 20 years of human challenge trials. The Company is using these insights to acquire new assets as well as reposition clinical stage products, reducing spend and risk. Amongst its portfolio of exciting assets, Poolbeg has a small molecule immunomodulator for severe influenza (POLB 001) which has commenced its LPS human challenge trial with initial results expected by year end 2022; a first-in-class, intranasally administered RNA-based immunotherapy for respiratory virus infections (POLB 002); and a vaccine candidate for Melioidosis (POLB 003). The Company is also developing an oral vaccine delivery platform and is progressing two artificial intelligence (AI) programmes to accelerate the power of its human challenge model data and biobank, with results from the first programme expected by year end 2022.