DGAP-News: Vita 34 AG / Key word(s): 9-month figures Vita 34 AG: Positive Development of Business in the First Nine Months of 2014 23.10.2014 / 07:58 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Vita 34 AG: Positive Development of Business in the First Nine Months of 2014 - Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rises to EUR 1.6 million; EBITDA margin improves to 16.3 percent - Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) increased by 25.8 percent to EUR 0.8 million - Introduction of umbilical cord tissue storage throughout Germany and in European markets advanced Leipzig, 23 October 2014 - 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 as of September 30, 2014 today. Overall the company was able to confirm the positive trend in fiscal year 2014 and further increase profitability. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased to EUR 1.6 million in the first nine months, following EUR 1.5 million in the prior year's period. Measured on revenues Vita 34 earned an EBITDA margin of 16.3 percent (prior year: 15.5 percent). EBIT also increased and was EUR 0.8 million (prior year: EUR 0.7 million). Among other factors, the successfully implemented optimization measures in marketing and sales contributed to the increase in profitability, such that these expenditures, which were EUR 3.5 million the prior year, were reduced to EUR 3.3 million. The period result improved to EUR 0.4 million following EUR 0.3 million in the 2013 reference period. This corresponds to earnings per share of EUR 0.16 (prior year: EUR 0.11). In the first nine months of 2014 the total operating income was EUR 10.8 million, following EUR 10.6 million in the prior year. Revenues, increased from EUR 9.9 million to EUR 10.1 million. Here, Vita 34 was able to post increases in both business segments: Whereas in the core segment Stem Cell Banking revenues increased to some EUR 9.7 million (prior year: EUR 9.6 million), the Leipzig company achieved some EUR 0.4 million in the Biotechnology segment (prior year: EUR 0.3 million). Dr. André Gerth, Chairman of the Management Board at Vita 34 AG, was pleased with the profit earned and development of the company: "With increased revenues and an optimized cost structure, we have been successful in increasing our profitability. The EBITDA margin of 16.3 percent underscores the profitability of our business activities. In addition, Vita 34 has strengthened its market position in the reporting period. To date, the parents of nearly 108,000 children have had stem cell preparations stored at Vita 34. Thus, Vita 34 is undisputedly the largest and market-leading private stem cell bank in the German-speaking countries, and numbers among the top three larges umbilical cord blood banks in Europe. We want to further expand this market position", said Dr. Gerth. The main basis for the positive development of the company was a consistent continuation of the growth strategy. The focus lay primarily in obtaining collection permits for umbilical cord tissue for more than 700 German partner clinics. As of the end of the reporting period, Vita 34 had received approval from a majority of the regionally responsible authorities. Correspondingly, Vita 34 entered into agreements in Germany and in Austria with additional clinics concerning the collection of umbilical cord tissue, which has already had its first positive effects on the number of new storages. The introduction of umbilical cord tissue was advanced with partners in further European countries. Vita 34 expects significant positive effects on group revenues and profits in the future from the storage of umbilical cord tissue. On account of the delayed issuance during the year of official approvals for the collection of umbilical cord tissue, the Management Board estimates the operating profit (EBITDA) for the entire year 2014 will be below previous expectations, however, that it will be higher than the prior year's level. With the further issuance of official permits for the collection and storage of umbilical cord tissue, an increasing positive trend with regard to the development of revenues and profits is to be expected for 2015. The complete 9-month report 2014 is available for download immediately 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. Parents of nearly 108,000 children are already taking advantage of this offering and have provided for their children with a stem cell deposit at Vita 34. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 23.10.2014 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: Vita 34 AG Deutscher Platz 5a 04103 Leipzig Germany Phone: +49(0341)48792-40 Fax: +49(0341)48792-39 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.vita34.de ISIN: DE000A0BL849 WKN: A0BL84 Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München, Stuttgart End of News DGAP News-Service --------------------------------------------------------------------- 292914 23.10.2014