24.07.2014
Vita 34 AG DE000A0BL849
DGAP-News: Vita 34 AG Publishes Financial Figures for the First Half-Year 2014
DGAP-News: Vita 34 AG / Key word(s): Half Year Results
Vita 34 AG Publishes Financial Figures for the First Half-Year 2014
24.07.2014 / 07:35
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Vita 34 AG Publishes Financial Figures for the First Half-Year 2014
- Period result increases 67 percent to EUR 114k
- EBITDA of EUR 0.8 million nearly at the prior year's level; EBITDA
margin 13.4 percent
- Market introduction of "VitaPlusCord" [VitaPlusNabelschnur] additional
product advanced further
Leipzig, 24 July 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 for the first six months
of fiscal year 2014 today. Vita 34 was able to continue the successful
development of the company, and reported a 67 percent increase in its
period result as compared with the prior year.
In the reporting period Vita 34 continued with the introduction of its
"VitaPlusCord" [VitaPlusNabelschnur] additional product, and was able to
obtain numerous official permits in Germany by the end of the reporting
period. The new offer was met with growing demand in the international
markets such as Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Romania, Bulgaria,
Macedonia and Croatia, as well. In addition, Spanish subsidiary Secuvita
S.L. has prepared the storage of umbilical cord tissue in the reporting
period.
At the same time it has not yet been possible to provide the new offering
for the cryo-preservation of umbilical cord tissue comprehensively
throughout Germany, since the official permitting process is proving more
time consuming than expected. The number of storages of umbilical cord
blood and tissue in the reporting period was 3,395 new storages (first
half-year 2013: 3,570 new storages). Correspondingly, Vita 34 AG earned
operating income in the amount of EUR 6.6 million in the first half-year
2014 (prior year's period: EUR 6.9 million). In comparison with the prior
year revenues decreased by 6.3 percent from EUR 6.5 million to EUR 6.1
million. According to business segment in the first six months of 2014 some
EUR 5.8 million in revenue was attributable to the Stem Cell Banking
segment (first half-year 2013: EUR 6.2 million). Revenues in the
Biotechnology segment of some EUR 0.3 million were at the level of the same
period the prior year (first half-year 2013: EUR 0.3 million).
The development of Vita 34 was shaped successfully with the cost reduction
measures introduced in 2013. In particular, the selling expenses were
reduced by EUR 0.2 million to EUR 2.2 million by means of more efficient
marketing. Costs incurred in the stellacure subsidiary and remuneration
expense vis-a-vis a former Management Board member led to a one-time
increase in administrative costs to EUR 1.4 million (prior year: EUR 1.3
million). Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
(EBITDA) were EUR 0.8 million in the first half-year 2014, nearly the prior
year's level (first half-year 2013: EUR 0.9 million). Measured on revenues
Vita 34 earned an EBITDA margin of 13.4 percent (first half-year 2013: 13.8
percent). EBIT was also stable as compared with the prior year at EUR 0.3
million, and the group result was increased by 67 percent to EUR 114k in
the first half-year 2014 (first half-year 2013: EUR 68k).
Dr. André Gerth, Chairman of the Management Board of Vita 34 AG, commented:
"Even if we have not yet attained the planned increase in profits in the
reporting period, we consider ourselves to be well positioned to shape the
development of Vita 34 in a positive and sustainably profitable manner on
an ongoing basis. In the long term, we will energetically pursue the
development from an umbilical cord blood bank to a service provider and
supplier of cell products for pharmaceutical manufacturing. For the second
half-year of 2014 Vita 34 is faced, in particular, with the challenge of
increasing the number of new storages and the associated revenues. We have
already initiated corresponding measures, and will implement them
consistently."
Vita 34 will approach expecting parents in an even more targeted manner
using efficient marketing and sales measures. The new Internet presence
that is optimized for mobile devices, the introduction of the Vita 34 "Our
Baby" app, as well as the "Thanks Mama" advertising campaign are examples
of a series of measures undertaken in the area of marketing and sales. Vita
34 expects a contribution to the expansion of our market position in the
German-speaking countries from the newly hired Managing Director for our
Austrian subsidiary. Vita 34 has further expanded activities in the
Biotechnology segment during the reporting period with research projects
involving the cryo-preservation of autologous fatty tissue, as well as the
development of processes for the optimized extraction of plant agents. This
opens the potential to Vita 34 of participating in new discoveries and
product innovations, and expanding our own product range.
Following the first half-year, the company is confident of being able to
achieve its targets for the full year 2014.
The complete six-month report 2014 is available for download as of today on
the website at www.vita34group.de 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 tissue. The basis for
its successful work is an outstanding position in the technological segment
of cryo-preservation. Here, cells and tissues are preserved alive at
temperatures around minus 190 degrees Celsius, and can be used if needed in
the context of medical treatment. Parents of nearly 106,000 children are
already taking advantage of this offering and have provided for their
children with a stem cell deposit at Vita 34. To date, 26 therapeutic
applications have been performed with stem cell preparations stored at Vita
34.
End of Corporate News
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24.07.2014 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a
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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
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