Earnings Labs

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (EBS)

Q2 2015 Earnings Call· Thu, Aug 6, 2015

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Transcript

Operator

Operator

Good day, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Emergent BioSolutions conference call to discuss its Q2 2015 financial results and the spin-off of the Biosciences business. [Operator Instructions] I would now like to turn the call over to the company for opening remarks.

Robert Burrows

Analyst

Thank you, Liz. Good morning, everyone. My name is Bob Burrows, Vice President of Investor Relations for Emergent. Thank you for joining us today, as we discuss our financial results for the second quarter and first six months of 2015, our outlook for the third quarter and full year 2015 and our plan to spin-off our Biosciences business. As is customary, our call today is open to all participants. In addition, the call is being recorded and is copyrighted by Emergent BioSolutions. Participating on the call with prepared comments will be Dan Abdun-Nabi, President and Chief Executive Officer; and Bob Kramer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. There will be a Q&A session at the conclusion of our prepared comments. Other members of senior management will be able to participate. Before we begin I will remind everyone that during today's call, either in our prepared comments or the Q&A session, management may make projections and other forward-looking statements related to our business, future events, our prospects or future performance. These forward-looking statements reflect Emergent's current perspective on existing trends and information. Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Please review our filings with the SEC on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K for more information on the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ. During our prepared comments or the Q&A session we may also refer to certain non-GAAP financial measures that involve adjustments to GAAP figures in order to provide greater transparency regarding Emergent's operating performance. Please refer to the tables found in today's press release, regarding our use of adjusted net loss, adjusted net income, EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation between these non-GAAP financial measures and our GAAP financial measures. For the benefit of those who may be listening to the replay of the webcast this call was held and recorded on August 6, 2015. Since then Emergent may have made announcements relating to topics discussed during today's call. So again please reference our most recent press releases and SEC filings. Emergent BioSolutions assumes no obligation to update the information in today's press release or as presented on this call, except as may be required by applicable laws or regulations. Today's press release may be found on the Investors home page of our website. With that introduction, I would now like to turn the call over to Dan Abdun-Nabi, Emergent BioSolutions' President and CEO. Dan?

Daniel Abdun-Nabi

Analyst

Thank you, Bob, and good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining our call. Today's call have three parts: first, I will highlight some of our recent business achievements; then Bob Kramer will discuss our financial performance; and lastly I will finish with an overview of today's press release, in which we announced our intent to spin-off the Biosciences business into a separate standalone publicly traded company. Now, turning to our recent business achievements, I will start with a discussion of our Biodefense division and with an update on Building 55, our large scale BioThrax manufacturing facility. We have a meeting set up next month with the FDA to discuss the CMC section of our sBLA and finalize the path for filing. With all the progress that we have made to date, we continue to target regulatory approval of Building 55 in early 2016. Moving to our latest Ebola efforts, last month we were awarded a two-year $19.7 million contract from BARDA to develop and manufacture cGMP lots of three Ebola monoclonal antibodies in cell line at a 2,000 liter scale. The monoclonal antibodies will be developed and manufactured at our Bayview Campus in Baltimore, which is our CIADM site. The last item to discuss from our Biodefense division is Emergard, the auto-injector that we acquired and announced on Monday. Emergard is a ruggedized, military-grade auto-injector device, which is designed for intramuscular self-injection of antidotes and other emergency response medical treatments that can address exposure to certain chemical agents and other similar threats. We have received preliminary interest for Emergard from countries outside the U.S. and anticipate making our first deliveries in limited quantities in Q4 of this year. We acquired rights to the device through an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Pharma Consult of Austria, which has been selling…

Robert Kramer

Analyst

Thanks, Dan, and good morning to everyone. I'd first like to make some comments about our financial results for the second quarter of 2015 compared to last year and our performance year-to-date. Then I'll comment on our balance sheet, focusing on our cash position. And finish up with details related to our 2015 full year forecast, including our thoughts on Q3 revenue guidance as well as the implications for revenues and net income in the second half of this year. Our financial performance in the second quarter and through midyear has been very strong. The second quarter total revenues were $126.1 million or $15.8 million above Q2 of last year, representing a 14% improvement. The increase in revenue is primarily due to an increase in contracts, grants and collaboration revenues related to our various product development initiatives for which we receive funding from third parties. We also experience increased BioThrax sales during the period, as we delivered a total of 14 lots to the CDC, reflecting our resumption of full manufacturing in Building 12. We continue to convert the substantial backlog of sub lots, which were produced during the investigation period earlier this year and moving them through to the process of FDA release and shipment. As a result, we remain confident that we'll be able to be fully caught up with our planned BioThrax deliveries by the end of Q3 of this year. Gross margin on a consolidated product and CMO revenue for the quarter was 70%, at the upper-end of our normal range of 60% to 70%. This again reflects the significant profit contribution of BioThrax revenues during the period. Gross research and development spend for the quarter was $40.9 million or $3.5 million higher than prior year. Taking into account the offsetting effect of our contracts, grants…

Daniel Abdun-Nabi

Analyst

Thanks Bob. I'll now walk you through the investors slide presentation that provides an overview of our Biosciences spin-off. Just a reminder on Page 2, the presentation does include forward-looking information and actual results may differ. Now, turning to Page 3. As we announced this morning, the Board of Directors has authorized management to pursue a tax-free spin-off of the company's Biosciences business into a separate, standalone publicly-traded company. For purposes of this presentation, we'll refer to that company as SpinCo. Upon separation, it's expected to create two independent public companies with distinct strategic plans, growth strategies, and operation on development priorities. Emergent will remain a global specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on providing specialty products for civilian and military populations that address intentional and naturally emerging public health threats. SpinCo will focus on advancing a portfolio of immuno-oncology therapeutics based on its proprietary ADAPTIR platform technology. It will receive a fixed cash contribution from Emergent, and also rely upon ongoing revenues from its existing commercial products sales, as well as partnership funding. And finally, it will be managed by a dedicated and separate management team as well as a separate Board of Directors. The spin-off is anticipated to be completed middle of 2016. Turning to Page 4. The spin-off has compelling rationale for both the companies as well as its shareholders. It enables each company to tailor its business strategies to best address the opportunities within its target market and enhances the business focus for both and better aligns resources to achieve their strategic priorities. It allows each company to pursue distinct capital structures as well as capital allocation strategies, as well as enabling each company to target an investor base attracted to its business profile. Turning now to the benefits to Emergent on Page 5. This spin-off will establish…

Operator

Operator

[Operator Instructions] Our first question comes from the line of Eric Schmidt with Cowen and Company.

Eric Schmidt

Analyst

Maybe for Bob, it doesn't look like that Bioscience is positioned at a particularly good quarter. Was there anything amiss amongst those more mature products that you're now hoping to spin-out? And can you give us a sense of maybe what a normalized annual sales rate would be for the products that are going with the SpinCo?

Daniel Abdun-Nabi

Analyst

So I don't think there was anything of particular note in Q2 for the Biosciences division or the revenue generating products. As we have talked about before, those commercial products are fairly mature. So we don't expect a lot of growth from those revenue generating products overtime. In terms of the annualized run rate for those products, which will go into SpinCo, I think if you go back to prior calls that we had, including the initial call on the Cangene acquisition, we refer to the fact that in the prior year with the Cangene acquisition that company had total revenues of $127 million for the last fiscal year. And we talked about how the equal parts between Biodefense, what is now the Biosciences commercial revenue and the CMO business, it was roughly a-third, a-third, a-third in that $127 million. And not much has really changed in that mix over the last year-and-a-half, and we don't except much going forward, except for the fact that now that we've launched IXINITY, we expect that revenue to contribute favorably going forward.

Eric Schmidt

Analyst

Any sense of what the gross margin is these days on those, I don't know, $40 million to $45 million or so in Bioscience sales?

Robert Kramer

Analyst

Again, I think as we talked about on a consolidated basis for the former Cangene business, their gross margin was in the 30% to 40% range. We've never really broken out the gross margin components for those three areas. So for modeling purposes, I think that's the best you can do for now.

Eric Schmidt

Analyst

And then maybe shifting back to the Emergent BioSolutions side, obviously you're on track to get Building 55 approved. And just kind of wondering if you can give us an update on your discussions either with the U.S. government or other purchasers of the incremental capacity or when you might be in position to say a little bit more about the potential demand here?

Daniel Abdun-Nabi

Analyst

So we have had initial meeting with the CDC, and we anticipate that probably in the fourth quarter further discussions will continue. And I think they'll heat up, as we get into the first and second quarters next year. So perhaps a traditional route with respect to contract negotiations with CDC, beginning usually a year ahead of expiration, and then accelerating as we approach the end of the contract.

Operator

Operator

Our next question comes from the line of Jessica Fye with JPMorgan.

Jessica Fye

Analyst · JPMorgan.

I guess, maybe first a bigger picture question on kind of Biosciences business. Why now? And then a follow-up to that, I know you mentioned potentially a dividend would be additional cash flow post-spin. Can you talk in little bit more detail about how you weigh a dividend relative to continued business development?

Daniel Abdun-Nabi

Analyst · JPMorgan.

In terms of the, why now, there has been quite a bit that's changed between then and today, I would say. First, I think there have been significant business developments in the marketplace. And what I mean by that, Biodefense has now really established itself as a growing market opportunity, with a focus not only on the traditional Biodefense arenas of anthrax and smallpox and botulinum, but really in the emerging infectious disease arena, and you've seen that with Pan Flu and Ebola and other emerging infectious disease threat. So we see the market is maturing and expanding and very attractive. And we think the investment community is recognizing that. On the business side, we significantly expanded our portfolio on the Biodefense arena to address that expanding market. So our portfolio has expanded with depth and breadth of the organization, internally is now well-positioned to take advantage of that growing market. And similarly on the Biosciences side, there is more than an increased focus now on the potential for immuno-oncology, which is really the most exciting field in immuno-oncology research. And the ADAPTIR platform has now demonstrated itself, as very well-positioned, to participate in that growing field. We now have a candidate in the clinic in partnership with MorphoSys, utilizing the RTCC mechanism of action, which we believe is very promising. And in order to realize value, associated with those operations and really create shareholder value as well as unlock the potential for each of those companies, this is an opportune time to announce and implement that spin-off. The second question with respect to the potential for dividends, really what we're looking at is proper allocation of the capital that we will generate in the business. We see growing revenues, as we continue to expand in this market. We see an improved cost structure and we see generation of increased cash flow that can be used to support R&D as well as M&A. But we anticipate the potential for additional cash to be available to be deployed for either buybacks or dividends. The Board is actively evaluating that. And we have not made a final decision as to timing or amount, but we think it's reasonable to put it out there that that's on the table for evaluation and consideration.

Operator

Operator

Our next question comes from the line of Jim Molloy with Laidlaw.

Jim Molloy

Analyst · Laidlaw.

I guess, my questions might be instead of why now, why not right now, why mid-2016? And what's sort of the reasons for that being the best time versus this current quarter or even last year. Can you talk a little bit about was there any interest from strategic acquirers instead of a spin-out?

Daniel Abdun-Nabi

Analyst · Laidlaw.

Now is the time, the process however requires a great deal of work. Documents needs to be prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There is a review process. We need to restructure the organization here internally. Assets need to be transferred in position. So there is some groundwork that needs to be undertaken before we can actually effective spin-out. At 12 month time horizon, it's really not unusual or unreasonable, and that's just how long it takes. And so the second part of your question in terms of strategic sale, so as we look at this we think the best opportunity for creating value for the companies and shareholders is through the spin. It unlocks the value associated with the ADAPTIR platform and it's potential. In a sale transaction, of course, those proceeds don't go directly to the shareholders. There are shareholders are receiving the common stock and are able to make their investment decision with respect to that enterprise. And of course, any sale transaction is subject to tax at the corporate level, so for a number of reasons we think that this is the optimal structure.

Jim Molloy

Analyst · Laidlaw.

Then can you talk a little bit, about how much will EBS own, if any, of SpinCo? And why you guys see them $50 million to $70 million, a pretty good chunk of change?

Daniel Abdun-Nabi

Analyst · Laidlaw.

The answer to the first quarter is Emergent will not retain any ownership interest in SpinCo. 100% of SpinCo will be distributed to our common stockholders. With respect to the $50 million to $70 million level, it's a really good question. I'm going to ask Bob Kramer to tackle that one for you.

Robert Kramer

Analyst · Laidlaw.

I think, Jim, when we looked at a number of factors including some very preliminary SpinCo financial projections and what they will likely do with the business, we also looked at Emergent's ongoing sources and uses of cash for the next several years. We clearly had some discussions with our advisory partner JPMorgan on the level of funding that's customary for these types of transactions and clearly centered on our belief that $50 million to $70 million cash contribution was an adequate number. It's not an overly conservative number. It's not an overly aggressive number. And it allows the appropriate level of funding to support SpinCo's path to near-term value creation. So it was a bit of an art, but we feel very comfortable that's appropriate level.

Jim Molloy

Analyst · Laidlaw.

How does this impact your announced intentions of acquiring another asset? You've been clear, you were expecting, hoping to do it near-term. Does this make that more likely or less likely? Does this increase or decrease the size of the transaction that you can now target given this will be moving off the books?

Daniel Abdun-Nabi

Analyst · Laidlaw.

It really has no impact at all on our planned strategy of growth to acquisitions or our goal for the year of completing at least one acquisition. That is consistent with the growth strategy that we've laid out, so no impact.

Jim Molloy

Analyst · Laidlaw.

The Ebola contract, good to see that that come through, and I guess there has been some talking about that and waiting on for a bit. We all have been. Is somewhat on the smaller side, is there any thinking that there maybe larger contract at some point or is this the type of contract that we should have been expecting and that's kind of it?

Daniel Abdun-Nabi

Analyst · Laidlaw.

I'll ask Adam Havey, the President of Biodefense division to answer that one.

Adam Havey

Analyst · Laidlaw.

Essentially, as you know, and as we've all been kind of looking for and waiting for these passcode requests and contracts to come out, I think this is what the government initial strategy is going to be. I think if you look at the Zmax technology as well as these monoclonal that we're going to be working on, I think they're still in the early stages. And as we work on process development work in bringing those to the clinic, I think larger contracts may come in the future. But I think in the short term given the current status of the vaccine landscape on the Ebola side as well as where these monoclonal are, I think this is what we expect for right now.

Operator

Operator

Our next question comes from the line of Shubin Jha with Southpaw.

Shubin Jha

Analyst · Southpaw.

I just wanted to ask, adjusting at the debt and the convert stays with the Emergent, with the spin is there any change in the strike price or how does the adjustment take place there?

Robert Kramer

Analyst · Southpaw.

So the convert, first of all, stays with Emergent. None of that will be allocated or transitioned over to SpinCo. There will be adjustments to the conversion rate and the conversion price. The calculation is spelled out in the bond document itself. It's really based on the post-spin value for SpinCo and its relation to the post-spin value of Emergent going forward. So that map again is spelled out in the documents, but there will be an adjustment to the conversion rate and conversion price.

Operator

Operator

We have a follow-up question from the line of Eric Schmidt with Cowen and Company.

Eric Schmidt

Analyst

Just maybe another one for Bob on the SpinCo numbers financials. You've got $40 million to $50 million in EBITDA savings on a 2014 pro forma basis. I know the company has already had some good success in bringing down the net R&D, over of course the last few quarters there. Is there much of savings on a 2015 basis? And maybe you could just help us understand, where those savings are coming from? What kind of SG&A reduction you would have after the SpinCo?

Robert Kramer

Analyst

So as Dan went through as part of the deck, there are a number of categories of cost that we expect to be reduced for Emergent post-spin, and those are identified as the R&D cost that are associated with the Seattle site; the sales and marketing expenses associated with the Berwyn, Pennsylvania site; the R&D expenses in Winnipeg. And then obviously, we're going to lose, Emergent will lose the gross margin impact of the commercial sales products post-spin. So when we look at all four of those elements plus other factors and try to give some reasonable range of EBITDA impact based on 2014, we got to the $40 million to $50 million range. Obviously, as our planning matures for execution of the spin and other factors are considered, those numbers will move around a little bit, but that's our best estimate today of what the potential benefit to EBITDA will be generated to Emergent going forward. Obviously, when we get deeper and more mature and thinking around 2016 and going forward, those estimates will be adjusted and will be incorporated into any future guidance we give, but right now that's our best estimate.

Eric Schmidt

Analyst

But Bob, you've already taken a fair bit of those cost sell on the R&D side, haven't you?

Robert Kramer

Analyst

We have to some degree. But remember, Eric, that a lot of the reduction in net R&D over the last six to nine months has been a result of some of the upfront payments that we've received from the partnerships. So the spend will continue. We expect to continue to trend down on a gross basis, but that $40 million to $50 million number does not include the roughly $16 million in revenue that we booked as part of that MorphoSys agreement last year.

Eric Schmidt

Analyst

And then, one last question on the tax rate side. Does it impact your Emergent BioSolutions' tax rate going forward? And maybe you could provide just your longer-term thinking on where that tax rate is going to lie out?

Robert Kramer

Analyst

So short-term, they won't have much of an impact, Eric, on the overall effective tax rate. Longer-term, again as we look to other M&A transactions, we are always looking for a more tax efficient way to bring new assets into the company. So we expect longer-term that that effective tax rate will trend down from the 30%, but that's going to be M&A dependent. Short-term with this transaction there won't be much of an impact on the tax rate.

Operator

Operator

I'm showing no further questions on the phone lines at this time. I'd like to turn the call back to Robert Burrows for closing remarks. End of Q&A

Robert Burrows

Analyst

Thank you, Liz. And with that, ladies and gentlemen, we now conclude the call. Thank you for your participation. Please note an archived version of the webcast of today's call will be available later today and accessible through the company website. Thank you all again, and we look forward to speaking to all of you in the future. Good bye.