Neptune first-quarter 2010 revenue up by 45% to $4,162,000

Jul 14 2010

Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. ("Neptune") (Nasdaq:NEPT) (TSX-V:NTB) today reports its consolidated financial results for the three-month period ended May 31, 2010, appoints IR firm and updates on options and warrants.

Three-month Ended May 31, 2010 Financial Results

Consolidated Results

• Revenue increased by 45% to $4,162,000 for the three-month period ended May 31, 2010, up from $2,878,000 achieved during the corresponding period ended May 31, 2009.
• Consolidated EBITDA for the three-month period ended May 31, 2010 amounted to $676,000, compared to negative $284,000 obtained during the corresponding period ended May 31, 2009.
• Net earnings increased by $1,883,000 and reached a net income of $476,000, or $0.01 per share for the three-month period ended May 31, 2010, compared to a net loss of $1,407,000, or $0.04 per share, for the corresponding period ended May 31, 2009.

Nutraceutical Business Results

• Nutraceutical revenue increased by 45% to $4,145,000, for the three-month period ended May 31, 2010, up from $2,859,000 achieved during the corresponding period ended May 31, 2009.
• EBITDA from nutraceutical business for the three-month period ended May 31, 2010 was $1,084,000, compared to $36,000 obtained during the corresponding period ended February 29, 2009.
• Earnings from nutraceutical business improved by $2,489,000 and reached a net income of $886,000 for the three-month period ended May 31, 2010, compared to a net loss of $1,603,000, for the corresponding period ended May 31, 2009.

"We are extremely pleased with the revenue and profitability level reached during this first quarter, especially with net income from the nutraceutical segment, which amounts to 21% of our sales. We now see the impact of the investment we made last year in Neptune's manufacturing plant, which has translated into increased and improved production performance and led to these results," stated Xavier Harland, Director, Finance.

"This strong growth in revenue along with the consolidated net income generated during the first quarter represents an achievement and reinforces Neptune's business strategy of generating cash flow in order to finance research & development programs, which should contribute to building Neptune's fundamental value," stated André Godin, Vice-President, Finance & Administration.

Neptune Appoints The Howard Group ("HG") as Investor Relation ("IR") Firm for Canada

Neptune has entered into an IR agreement with HG to develop and implement a capital markets program for Canada (the "Agreement"). The Agreement is subject to TSX-Venture approval.  Traditional and new online initiatives will be directed at the investment community and investing public to increase the following and participation of the market in Neptune.

Since 1988, HG has provided comprehensive investor and capital markets programs, business development solutions, strategic planning and financing services to public companies. HG is associated with the Insight Limited Partnerships I & II, which invest in micro and small cap companies. Insight LP II currently owns 100,000 shares of Neptune.

The term of the IR Agreement is for an initial period of 12 months. In addition to a fee of $6,000 per month, HG has been granted options to purchase an aggregate total of 50,000 common shares of Neptune at a price of $1.50 per share.  The options will vest in equal amounts at the rate of 25% per quarter and have a three-year term expiring on July 31, 2013.

In addition, HG will receive 150,000 warrants in Acasti Pharma Inc., with an exercise price of $0.50 per common share, expiring December 31, 2010.

Update on Warrants, Call-Option and Incentive Stock Options

From the beginning of the first quarter to date, 1,098,000 Debenture Warrants, 1,086,400 Debenture Call-Options and 870,000 incentive stock options have been exercised, representing total proceeds of $1,861,600. Pursuant to theses exercises, management and employees have acquired 978,000 shares of Neptune and 106,400 shares of Acasti in less than four months.

As of July 13, 2010, the Board of Directors of Neptune has decided, after nearly 2 years without a general incentive option grant to employees and management, to grant a total of 790,000 incentive stock options of Neptune, 760,000 rights on Acasti series 4 warrants held by Neptune and 760,000 rights on Neurobiopharm series 4 warrants held by Neptune to insiders and employees. Neptune incentive stock options have an exercise price of $1.50 and a 3 year maturity. Rights on Acasti series 4 warrants and rights on Neurobiopharm series 4 warrants have an aggregate exercise price of $0.50 and $0.25 and maturities of October 9, 2013 and December 24, 2013, respectively, and are subject to shareholder approval. Insiders have been granted a total of 450,000 Neptune incentive stock options, 550,000 Rights on Acasti series 4 warrants and 550,000 rights on Neurobiopharm series 4 warrants.