Bio-Techne revenue increases 16% to $92.5 million in fourth quarter 2014

Techne Corporation (NASDAQ: TECH), (d/b/a Bio-Techne) today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended June 30, 2014.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2014 Highlights

• Increased fourth quarter revenue by 16% to $92.5 million, and full year revenue by 15% to a record $357.8 million.
• Grew fourth quarter adjusted earnings per share (EPS) by 7% to $0.88, and full year adjusted EPS by 6% to a record $3.39.
• Generated free cash flow of $123.0 million for the full year.
• Achieved 25% revenue growth in the China region for the year by leveraging investments to expand commercial capabilities. For the fourth quarter, China achieved 37% revenue growth year-over-year.
• Broadened our product portfolio through a number of acquisitions including:
  • Bionostics – expands our Clinical Controls Segment to include control solutions that verify the proper operation of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) devices primarily utilized in point of care blood glucose and blood gas testing.
  • Cyvek – an initial investment, made with a commitment to fully acquire if certain future milestones are met, expected to complement Bio-Techne's existing antibodies and reagents by providing access to a transformative immunoassay platform, CyPlex™, which will integrate an innovatively designed microfluidic cartridge with a state-of-the-art analyzer to deliver the most advanced and efficient bench top immunoassay system.
  • PrimeGene – provides manufacturing capabilities in China of recombinant proteins for research and diagnostic applications for the China and global market.
  • Novus – closed July 2, 2014, complements our expanding portfolio of products and overall goal of providing customers the most comprehensive product line for their research needs, by providing more than 250,000 high-quality antibodies and other reagents delivered through an innovative digital commerce platform that creates a unique, one-stop shopping experience for customers.
  • ProteinSimple – closed July 31, 2014, serves many of the same customers as Bio-Techne, by providing them with tools that have revolutionized the analysis of proteins and provide a level of reliability, ease of use and performance that improves overall productivity and consistency in lab results.
• Began operating under the new trade name, Bio-Techne, which brings the company's R&D Systems, BiosPacific, Tocris, Bionostics, PrimeGene, Novus, and ProteinSimple products under one common brand name. The name solidifies the new strategic direction for the company along with unifying and positioning all of our brands under one complete portfolio.
• Strengthened our commercial reach in North America by executing a distribution agreement with Fisher Scientific, who has a leading customer channel position in the life sciences market and represents broad customer reach and a proven record of customer service and support.
• Added experienced, industry professionals to Bio-Techne's leadership team including a new CTO, CFO, and VP of Sales & Marketing.

"I am very pleased with the results for Q4 and even more pleased with the results for the full year," said Chuck Kummeth, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bio-Techne. "The results demonstrate tremendous progress with our plan to expand in our core, regionally and with new platforms. The acquisitions and investments into our channels will lay a foundation for improvements in sustainable long term organic growth. I am very proud of the team and their achievements. "

Financial Results

Net sales as reported for the fourth quarter increased 16% to $92.5 million. Organic growth was 2% in the quarter. Net sales as reported for the full year 2014 increased 15% to $357.8 million, with organic growth at 3%. Organic sales exclude the impact of acquisitions completed in fiscal 2014 (Bionostics, PrimeGene) and the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

Adjusted earnings for the fourth quarter were $32.5 million (an increase of 7% from the prior fiscal year period) or $0.88 per diluted share. Adjusted earnings for the full year 2014 were $125.3 million (an increase of 6% from the prior fiscal year period) or $3.39 per diluted share. Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share exclude intangible asset amortization, costs recognized upon the sale of inventory that was written-up to fair value as part of acquisitions and professional fees related to acquisition activity in fiscal 2014 and the impact of certain tax events. GAAP earnings were $26.8 million or $0.72 per diluted share for the fourth quarter and were $110.9 million or $3.00 per diluted share for the full year 2014.

Adjusted gross margins were 73.4% and 76.6% for the fourth quarter ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and 73.5% and 76.8% for the full year ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The decrease in adjusted gross margins for the quarter and full year was primarily caused by a change in product mix from higher margin Biotechnology segment sales to Clinical Controls segment sales as a result of the Bionostics acquisition. Adjusted gross margins exclude the costs recognized upon sale of acquired inventory and amortization of intangible assets. GAAP gross margin was 68.7% and 74.4% for the quarters ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and 70.3% and 74.4% for the full year ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter and full year ended June 30, 2014 increased $5.0 million and $17.3 million, respectively, from the previous year. This increase in expenses for both the fourth quarter and full year ended June 30, 2014 included the acquired run-rate expenses from recent acquisitions, intangible asset amortization from recent acquisitions, and professional fees associated with on-going acquisitions. The remaining increase includes investments made in commercial resources and administrative infrastructure.

The effective tax rates for the fourth quarter and full year ended June 30, 2014, were 32.0% and 31.3% compared to 30.3% and 29.9% for the same prior-year periods. Included in the effective tax rate for the full year ended June 30, 2013 was a credit for research and development expenditures for the period of January 2012 to June 2013. The U.S. federal credit for research and development expenditures expired on December 31, 2011, was reinstated in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 and expired again on December 31, 2013. Also included in the fourth quarter and full year 2013 income taxes was a reduction in U.S. tax expense due to changes in estimates related to foreign source income.

Cash generated from operations for the fourth quarter and full year ended June 30, 2014 was $37.9 million and $136.8 million, respectively. Capital expenditures for the fourth quarter and full year ended June 30, 2014 were $2.1 million and $13.8 million, respectively.

Segment Results

Biotechnology Segment

The Company's Biotechnology segment provides proteins, antibodies, immunoassays, flow cytometry products, intracellular cell signaling products, and chemical compounds used in biological research. Biotechnology Segment's fourth quarter 2014 net sales were $76.7 million, an increase of 4% from $73.7 million for the fourth quarter ended June 30, 2013. For the 2014 full year, Biotechnology sales were $300.6 million, also an increase of 4% from $288.2 million for the 2013 full year. Organic growth for the Biotechnology Segment was 1% and 3% for the fourth quarter and full year ended June 30, 2014, respectively.

Clinical Controls Segment

The Company's Clinical Controls Segment provides a range of hematology controls, calibrators, and products used as proficiency testing tools by laboratory certifying authorities. Clinical Controls Segment's fourth quarter 2014 net sales were $15.8 million, an increase of 176% from $5.7 million for the fourth quarter ended June 30, 2013. For the 2014 full year, Clinical Controls Segment sales were $57.2 million, an increase of 155% from $22.4 million for the full year 2013. Both fourth quarter and full year 2014 increases include the acquisition of Bionostics in the current year. Organic growth for the Clinical Controls Segment was 8% and 7% for the fourth quarter and full year ended June 30, 2014, respectively.