Vita 34 AG: Q1 2015 Confirms Expectations for the Current Year


Vita 34 AG / Key word(s): Quarter Results

2015-04-23 / 07:31


Vita 34 AG: Q1 2015 Confirms Expectations for the Current Year

– Total operating revenue of EUR 3.4 million achieved

– EBITDA margin continues to be strong at nearly 20 percent

– Expansion of geographic market presence in Europe further advanced

Leipzig, 23 April 2015 – Vita 34 AG (WKN A0BL84), a pioneer in the storage of stem cells from umbilical cord blood and tissue, and a specialist in cryo-preservation, published its financial figures for the first three months of fiscal year 2015 today. Business in Q1 was in line with expectations for the full year 2015.

In the first three months of 2015 total operating revenue was EUR 3.4 million (Q1 2014: EUR 3.5 million). Sales revenue was EUR 3.1 million (Q1 2014: EUR 3.2 million). According to business segment some EUR 3.0 million was attributable to the Stem Cell Banking segment (Q1 2014: EUR 3.1 million) and approximately EUR 0.1 million to the Biotechnology business segment (Q1 2014: EUR 0.1 million). The number of newly stored stem cell units from umbilical cord blood and tissue was 1,766 new units (Q1 2014: 1,659 new units). Increasingly, customers selected the, in the German market unique, product VitaPlusCord during the reporting period. Vita 34 intends to increase revenues per customer in the future with the combined storage of umbilical cord blood and tissue.

At the same time, Vita 34 was successful in increasing profitability as compared with the previous year. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of EUR 0.6 million were at the prior year’s level (Q1 2014: EUR 0.6 million). Measured on revenues Vita 34 earned an EBITDA margin of 19.9 percent (Q1 2014: 18.3 percent). The earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of EUR 0.3 million were stable (Q1 2014: EUR 0.3 million). In the reporting period 2015 the period result was EUR 0.2 million (Q1 2014: EUR 0.2 million). This results in a profit per share of EUR 0.09 in Q1 2015 based on an average number of issued shares of 3,026,500, (Q1 2014: EUR 0.07). This is equivalent to an increase of 28.6 percent as compared with the prior year.

Dr. André Gerth, CEO of Vita 34 AG, commented: “With an altogether stable development of business, the beginning of fiscal year 2015 is in line with our expectations for the current year as a whole. We are very satisfied that we have been able to continue the successes of fiscal year 2014 seamlessly, and have already achieved important, strategic milestones. As the undisputed market leader in the German-speaking countries with a total of some 125,000 stem cell units, we consider ourselves well positioned to shape the development of Vita 34 positively and sustainable in the long term.”

During Q1 2015, internationalization was the focal point of activities at Vita 34. The VITA 34 Slovakia, s.r.o. subsidiary received the required approval from the responsible authorities in Slovakia for the collection, distribution and export of umbilical cord blood. Based on this permit, VITA 34 Slovakia began operative business during the reporting period. Thus, Vita 34 will gain additional market share in Europe.

Thanks to a cooperation agreement with the Baltic stem cell bank AS “Imunolita,” the company’s position as one of the largest private umbilical cord blood banks in Europe has been strengthened. With this market entry into Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, Vita 34 is active in 20 countries besides Germany, in Europe as well as globally.

Effective January 2, 2015 Vita 34 acquired the assets of the Austrian market leader for umbilical cord blood storage, Vivocell Biosolutions GmbH & Co KG, Graz, thus further expanding its leading market position in the German-speaking region.

The complete interim report for the first three months of 2015 is available for download as of today on the website at www.vita34group.com in the Investor Relations section.

Company Profile

Vita 34 was founded in 1997 as the first private umbilical cord blood bank in Europe and, as a complete provider, offers collection logistics, preparation and storage of umbilical cord blood and cord tissue. The basis for its successful work is an outstanding position in the technological segment of cryo-preservation. Here, cells and tissue are preserved alive at some -190ºC for long periods of time, and can be used if needed in the context of medical treatment. Some 125,000 families are already taking advantage of this offering and have provided for their children with a stem cell unit at Vita 34.

 





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