QUEBEC CITY, May 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Atrium Biotechnologies Inc. today announced that it had revenues of US$76 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, up 58% from US$48 million for the corresponding quarter in 2005. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for the first quarter 2006 were US$11.4 million, up 71% from US$6.6 million for the same period last year. Net earnings increased 112% to US$6.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, compared to US$3.3 million for the same quarter last year.
"We are very pleased with these results as they reflect the organic growth from our two divisions combined with our eighth strategic and accretive acquisition. The contribution of all of our acquired entities is included for the first time for a full quarter," said Luc Dupont, President and Chief Executive Officer of Atrium.
Earnings per share were US$0.23 per share for the first quarter 2006 compared to US$0.14 per share for the same period last year. The significant increase in net earnings allowed the Company to increase earnings per share even though the weighted average number of shares outstanding increased to 30.0 million during the first quarter 2006 compared to 23.8 million during the first quarter 2005. The increase in shares outstanding is mainly due to the issuance of shares for the initial public offering completed on April 6, 2005, the issuance of shares related to the Douglas Laboratories acquisition and the acquisition of the minority interest in its subsidiary Unipex.
Cash flows from operations (before changes in non-cash working capital items) for the first quarter 2006 were US$8.1 million, up 56% from US$5.1 million for the same period last year. On November 8, 2005, the Company modified its existing US$65 million revolving credit facility to increase the authorized amount to US$107 million with the flexibility to increase it up to US$171 million. As of March 31, 2006, US$93 million was drawn under the existing facility.
"The increase in the EBITDA margin from 10.0% in the fourth quarter 2005 to 14.9% this quarter clearly demonstrates that our operations are focused on increasing profitability throughout the Company and that we are starting to generate more and more synergies," added John Dempsey, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer.
Active Ingredients & Specialty Chemicals Division
Revenues from the Active Ingredients & Specialty Chemicals Division were US$48.1 million for the first quarter 2006, representing an increase of 18.1% over revenues of US$40.7 million for the same period in 2005. EBITDA was US$4.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, representing an increase of 4.7% over 2005 EBITDA of US$3.9 million. This increase is attributable essentially to an increased contribution from proprietary products, organic growth and the acquisition of MultiChem in January 2005.
Health & Nutrition Division
Revenues from the Health & Nutrition Division were US$27.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, representing an increase of 276.4% over revenues of US$7.4 million for the same period last year. EBITDA was US$7.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 representing an increase of 165.9% over the same period last year where the EBITDA was US$2.7 million. Most of this increase came from the acquisition of Douglas Laboratories in December 2005, as well as from organic growth.
Financial Results Reported in U.S. Dollars
Effective with the fourth quarter 2005, the Company changed its reporting currency from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars. The financial statements will more accurately reflect the Company's true operating results and financial position since a majority of Atrium's business is conducted in U.S. dollars.
About Atrium
Atrium Biotechnologies Inc. is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of science-based products for the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, chemical and nutrition industries. Atrium focuses primarily on growing segments of the health and personal care markets which are benefiting from the trends towards healthy living and the ageing of the population. Atrium markets a broad portfolio of active ingredients, specialty chemicals and health and nutrition finished products through its highly specialized sales and marketing network in more than 40 countries, primarily in North America, Europe and Asia. Atrium has close to 500 employees and operates three manufacturing facilities. Additional information about Atrium is available on its Web site at www.atrium-bio.com.
Conference Call and Webcast
Atrium will hold its quarterly conference call and webcast to discuss its First Quarter 2006 on May 2, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time. Participants may access the call by using the following numbers: 416-644-3427, 514-807-8791 or 1-866-250-4910. A live webcast is also available via the Company's website at www.atrium-bio.com in the "Investors" section. A replay of the webcast will also be available on our website for a period of 30 days.
Caution Regarding Non-GAAP Measures
This press release is based on reported earnings in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). It is also based on earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). This measure is directly derived from the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2005 but does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP; therefore, other issuers using these terms may calculate them differently. Management believes that a significant portion of the users of its Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2005 and MD&A analyze the Company's results based on these performance measures.
Cautionary Note and Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the Company. These forward-looking statements, by their nature, necessarily involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements. The Company considers the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based to be reasonable, but cautions the reader that these assumptions regarding future events, many of which are beyond its control, may ultimately prove to be incorrect since they are subject to risks and uncertainties that affect the Company. For additional information with respect to these and other factors, see the Prospectus for our Initial Public Offering (Management Discussion and Analysis) filed with Canadian securities commissions. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.
Attachment: Financial summary << Atrium Biotechnologies Inc. Summary of Consolidated Financial Statements (in millions of US dollars except per share amounts) Consolidated Results for the 3-month periods ended March 31 2006 2005 Change (unaudited) (unaudited) Revenues 76.0 48.2 57.9% Gross Margin(1) 21.5 13.3 61.1% 28.2% 27.7% EBITDA(2) 11.4 6.6 71.1% 14.9% 13.8% Net Earnings 6.9 3.3 111.5% Net earnings per share Basic 0.23 0.14 Diluted 0.21 0.12 Cash flow from operating activities before 8.1 5.1 56.4% changes in non-cash operating working capital items Consolidated Results for the 3-month periods ended March 31 2006 2005 Change (unaudited) (unaudited) Active Ingredients & Speciality Chemicals --------------------- Revenues 48.1 40.7 18.1% EBITDA(2) 4.1 3.9 4.7% 8.5% 9.6% Health & Nutrition ------------------ Revenues 27.9 7.4 276.4% EBITDA (2) 7.3 2.7 165.9% 26.1% 36.9% Atrium Biotechnologies Inc. Summary of Consolidated Financial Statements (in millions of US dollars except per share amounts) Consolidated Balance Sheet As at As at Mar. 31, Dec. 31, 2006 2005 (unaudited) (audited) Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments 15.9 17.8 -------------------------- Current assets 109.6 109.3 Goodwill 109.6 109.0 Intangible assets and deferred charges 69.1 69.7 Total assets 298.2 298.2 Total debt 104.6 105.9 Shareholders' equity 132.2 124.4 (1) Gross margin means sales less cost of goods sold; cost of goods sold does not include depreciation of production equipment. (2) EBITDA means earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. >>
ATRIUM BIOTECHNOLOGIES INC.CONTACT: Investor Relations: John Dempsey, Vice President, Finance andChief Financial Officer, (418) 652-1116 ext. 287, jdempsey@atrium-bio.com;Media Relations: Frederic Tremblay, HKDP, (514) 395-0375 ext. 234,ftremblay@hkdp.qc.ca
