Venture Life has developed significant momentum through 2020, reflected in the strong share performance over the year. Building on this momentum, the company has announced it is conditionally raising £34m via an equity raise to help it secure additional M&A opportunities. At this time, Venture Life has identified three opportunities, which we estimate could deliver significant earnings accretion if all are completed. We have updated our forecasts to reflect the raise but at this time have left our underlying assumptions unchanged. We expect Venture Life to maintain the momentum it has developed, supported by the proposed raise and M&A opportunities; we re-iterate our Buy recommendation.
Companies: Venture Life Group Plc
Venture Life aims to become a global leader in the self-care branded product market, where there are a number of structural growth drivers. It has a unique and scalable platform to develop, manufacture and distribute products, including its own brands and international customers’ brands. What is already a high margin business is poised to deliver a compelling mixture of top line growth with significant operating leverage. Performance in H1 (EBITDA +347%) highlights the potency of VLG’s model. Acquisitions can also leverage the platform to drive growth, and management has a very strong track record here. On top of this exciting growth play, there is also a chance that its Dentyl dual-action mouthwash could have applications to slow/reduce CV19 transmission, adding to the upside potential.
Venture Life Group has reported on a very strong H1/20A period. Revenues were up 80% with operational leverage delivering c100% growth in gross profit and +350% adjusted EBITDA growth. Performance was supported by the acquisition of PharmaSource, strong sales to China, sales of new brand, DISINPLUS, and the group's ability to maintain production at its Italian manufacturing facility. With this report we have introduced FY21E forecasts, expecting the company to maintain its growth momentum and deliver 10% revenue growth. Venture Life is delivering a strong performance, we maintain our Buy recommendation.
Venture Life Group has provided a trading update for the six months to June 2020. In the period, the company grew revenues by 80% to £16.9m, including 65% organic growth, while PharmaSource revenues (acquired Dec-19) increased 43% versus H1/19A. Supported by the new hand-sanitising brand, DISINPLUS, and organic growth, Venture Life Brands contributed 53% of revenues in the period, versus ~30% in H1/19A. During the half, Venture Life signed several new agreements, including an exclusive 15-year agreement with its Chinese partner and additional business with Alliance Pharma, providing a solid foundation for longer term revenue growth. Amid a global pandemic, these results clearly demonstrate the strength and agility of Venture Life Group, we maintain our Buy recommendation.
Continuing its exceptionally strong year, Venture Life has announced it expects to ‘comfortably exceed market expectations' for FY20E. This outperformance stems from all areas of the business, supported by an enlarged order book, €168m multi-year Chinese agreement (+€7m in 2020) and demand for its new branded hand sanitising gel. Venture Life has announced an extension to its Alliance Pharma manufacturing agreement. On top of our March upgrade, we are today, significantly increasing our revenue and EBITDA forecasts for FY20E (+19% and +24%, respectively). We reiterate our Buy recommendation.
Venture Life Group has announced the signing of a new, exclusive 15-year agreement with its Chinese partner on key products, including Dentyl. Significantly, the minimum purchase obligations over the 15-year period amount to €168m. This equates to, on average, £10m of revenues and potentially £4m of EBITDA, per year, to 2034, which we estimate has a present value of ~£21m or 25p per share. Further, we believe the agreement significantly improves the Group's long-term financial position. The deal clearly validates Venture Life's Chinese strategy and its partner's commitment to the long-term development of these key products. We reiterate our Buy recommendation.
Following its strong Trading Update in December 2019, Venture Life has announced its audited results for the year ending December 2019. Revenues were up 7% to £20.2m and gross margin increased to 39.6% from 38.8% in 2018. Adjusted EBITDA for the year was £3.0m and adjusted EPS was 2.18p, up 6% YoY. The results were supported by a number of product launches, partnering agreements and development and manufacturing agreements. Post year end, the company completed the acquisition of PharmaSource BV and as announced in March has received significant orders from China. We upgraded our forecasts in March and maintain our Buy recommendation.
In line with the recent FCA announcement, Venture Life, in conjunction with its auditor has taken the decision to delay the release of its FY19 results, though the company notes it was in position to release them. Also, with this announcement, the group has provided a strong trading update, noting that all business units are still operating as of now. Specifically, Venture Life points to orders of over €7m from its Dentyl partner in China for 2020 (versus €0.5m for 2019), with at least €2m for delivery in H1/20. Overall, the order book stands at over twice the level at this time last year. While remaining cautious, we have upgraded our forecasts for FY20E and maintain our BUY recommendation.
Abal Group (formerly on AIM) to relist as Supply@Me, a growing innovative "inventory monetisation" platform, having originated more than EUR300m of prospective "inventory monetisation deals" in its first six months of operating (to June 2018). In the first half of 2019, an additional prospective EUR300m was originated. As at the date of the publication of the Prospectus and Circular to Abal shareholders, dated 4 March 2020 , EUR972m of prospective contracts have been originated. Raising £2.2m. Due 23 March. The Proof Of Trust has announced its intention to list on the Standard Market. The Blockchain based business, owns patents to a protocol which facilitates dispute resolution based upon smart contract disputes. Transaction details TBC.
Companies: LVCG MSYS MRL SIM SQZ ORPH VLG
Venture Life Group announced it has agreed to acquire PharmaSource BV, a company which operates in similar markets to Venture Life and is based in the Netherlands. Venture Life will pay an initial consideration of €5.23m and a deferred contingent consideration of up to €1.27m, funded entirely from the company's cash reserves. We see a number of strong benefits from the acquisition, including wider distribution, potential cross-selling, future manufacturing benefits and operational cost synergies. The company has also announced a trading update, noting its results for FY19 have been affected by previously noted issues with its Chinese distribution partners. We maintain our Buy recommendation.
Venture Life Group (VLG.L): Acquisition of PharmaSource BV | Amryt Pharma (AMYT.L): Market update
Companies: Venture Life Group Plc (VLG:LON)Amryt Pharma PLC (AMYT:LON)
Companies: SDI B90 AQX VLG TWD PHC TUNE CIR WSG BIDS
Venture Life Group has announced its results for the 6 months to 30 June 2019, reporting double-digit revenue growth and strong cash generation. While the Brands business faced a tough trading environment in the UK, the company has made significant commercial progress which positions the business well for future growth. Revenues from customer brands grew 10% supported by both existing and new customers. Venture Life delivered strong operating cash flow of £1.3m and free cash flow of £0.85m. We maintain our Buy recommendation.
Venture Life Group Plc has reported strong commercial developments across all three strands of its business - UK direct, international distributors and customer manufacturing. This announcement has seen the growth of UK distribution points for the newly acquired Dentyl and UltraDEX, new international product launches take place and new manufacturing agreements signed. This clearly demonstrates Venture Life delivering strong commercial progress in-line with the its organic strategy. This announcement is also timed with the commencement of a 10-day UltraDEX sampling campaign in London. We maintain our Buy recommendation.
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Although 2020 will probably go down in history as one of the most challenging years experienced during our lifetime, it will also likely be chronicled as one of the best years for the recognition and appreciation of science. As we entered 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was in its infancy. However, it rapidly evolved through the exponential rise in infections and mortality globally. Much has been achieved during the past 12 months in the fight against COVID-19, but, as we enter 2021, there are considerable concerns about the emergence of a mutant version of the virus and the second wave that we are now facing.
Companies: AVO ARBB ARIX BBGI CLIG DNL FLTA ICGT OCI PCA PIN PHP RECI STX SCE TRX SHED VTA YEW
Q4 trading has led sales to guidance being raised 8%. This has been driven by better than expected UK sales, incl. success with new customers like Wilko/Tesco. Some of the benefit is offset by a non-cash FX debit, but it still leads to an upgrade and higher net cash. As a result of successful trials in Tesco Express, W7 is also being rolled out to 469 more stores. This, and previously announced distribution gains, bodes well for incremental sales/PBT in 2021, and underlines the appeal of its value-for-money brands. On 11x 2019 cash-adjusted EV/EBITDA, valuation is undemanding, particularly with the added attraction of dividends/income.
Companies: Warpaint London PLC
Foresight Group , the award-winning infrastructure and private equity investment manager to IPO on the Main Market (premium). The Offer will primarily comprise a sale of shares by existing shareholders (c.80% of the Offer) with a smaller offering of new shares (c.20% of the Offer) to be issued by the Company. Details TBA. Cornish Metals (TSX-V: CUSN) intends to list on AIM. The Company is proposing to raise £5 million by way of private placement of new Common Shares (the "Fundraising") to advance the United Downs copper-tin project. The Company expects that Admission will become effective in February 2021. The Company's Common Shares will continue to be listed and trade on the TSX-V in Canada. VH Global Sustainable Energy Opportunities plc, a closed-ended investment Company focused on making sustainable energy infrastructure investments, today announces intends to launch an initial public offering of shares on the Official List (Premium) of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. Due by Early Feb.
Companies: TYM W7L BEG CRPR EUZ IRR CMCL FARN KETL AUG
Ongoing strength in the key China market has prompted a positive trading update, indicating FY21 revenues and EBITDA will be significantly ahead of (already upgraded) expectations. Demand for Aivlosin in China in particular has remained strong throughout Q3 and is expected to remain so in Q4. We upgrade our FY21 revenue forecasts by 12% to £91.9m, which flows through to a 30% PBT upgrade to £10.1m. Whilst there is some caution expressed over the sustainability of this demand, we now forecast a flat performance YoY in FY22, but this is still 10% ahead of our previous estimates at the PBT level. The shares remain suspended pending the publication of the delayed FY20 results, which will be released as soon as possible alongside the H1’21 interims.
Companies: ECO Animal Health Group plc
Synairgen (SNG.L): Completion of recruitment for at home trial | Sensyne Health (SENS.L): Research agreement with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
Companies: Synairgen plc (SNG:LON)Sensyne Health Plc (SENS:LON)
After an eventful 2020, ReNeuron released updated 12-month Phase ll data in January on its lead human retinal progenitor cell (hRPC) project. This continues to show a consistent and robust, sustained average gain in visual acuity in retinitis pigmentosa (RP). A continuation study in nine patients using two million cells is underway with three- and six-month data due over H2 CY21 and the first three patients treated. This will facilitate partnering negotiations. A pivotal hRPC study may start in 2022. Deals are possible in CY21 on the exosome genetic drug delivery platform, which could be very valuable. The valuation remains at £190m with strong cash.
Companies: ReNeuron Group plc
Cambridge Cognition provided a positive FY 2020 trading update, with revenues (+34%), net losses and cash all ahead of expectations, and delivering an EBITDA-positive Q4. After a year of record order intake (£12.7m) and with a year-end order book of £11.2m (+96% on the prior year), the company is positioned to deliver another year of strong growth. This update provides further evidence of (i) the commercial focus that the CEO has instigated, (ii) the cross-selling opportunities for its newer digital solutions, and (iii) the prospect of a period of sustained strong growth in what are large (c.£1.2bn) and high growth (c.20%) addressable markets for digital solutions for clinical trials. We increase FY 2021 revenues by 18% to £8.5m, implying 26% growth and raise our target price 31% to 105p.
Companies: Cambridge Cognition Holdings Plc
Robust FY21 performance forecast, despite pandemic
Companies: SDI Group plc
Cambridge Cognition ("COG") has provided a trading update for the year ended 31 December 2020 that is ahead of our expectations. Group Revenues grew +34% to £6.7m (2019: £5.0m) and were +7% ahead of DCe of £6.3m. COG delivered significant revenue growth from digital solutions for clinical trials as it increased its focus on commercialisation. The strong beat in Revenue is due to an improved commercial execution across a wider portfolio of products as the Group has placed a key emphasis on crossselling CANTAB with newer electronic Clinical Outcome Assessment (eCOA) and digital solutions for frequent, remote testing of patients outside of the clinic setting. The Group's order intake for the year closed at a record £12.7m, up +158% on the previous year's order intake of £4.9m and maintaining the growth trajectory reported in the interim results. The Group experienced a mixed effect due to Covid-19 as some orders and revenue recognition was delayed in the year. However, the pandemic has provided an impetus for an industry shift towards evaluating virtual clinical trials, which opened new opportunities for the Group. We move our target price to 89p (from 80p).
ANGLE raised £19.6m (gross) to capitalise on the first-mover advantage that the FDA clearance for Parsortix will create, catalysing ANGLE’s ability to exploit the emerging multi-billion dollar liquid biopsy market. It will enable ANGLE to pursue multiple parallel revenue streams: (i) as a service provider to the pharma industry particularly looking to improve on immunotherapy patient outcomes (companion diagnostics) and (ii) to develop a number of specific clinical applications. Not only does it strengthen the balance sheet ahead of partner discussions but it provides the resources to develop in parallel relevant laboratory developed tests and fund the necessary clinical utility studies that will accelerate clinical adoption. We re-introduce forecasts and raise our target price to 150p (c.£310m EV), which is supported by risk-adjusted DCF and peer group analyses.
Companies: ANGLE plc
On 30th December 2020, RUA reported that shareholders had approved resolutions regarding the placing along with a strongly oversubscribed Open Offer. RUA now start 2021 with the resources and mandate to accelerate the development of its products, where we anticipate reports of progress during the year. We have slightly increased our R&D and CapEx spend for FY 2022 to reflect this investment and the cash utilization. RUA’s issued share capital now comprises 22,184,797 shares and the increases in FY 2022 investment in its products, modestly change our valuation by about £2.0m to £113.2m for the Company, equating to 510p per share.
Companies: RUA Life Sciences Plc
STX is a commercial-stage company delivering specialty products that address patients’ unmet medical needs, with an initial focus on treating iron deficiency (ID). Feraccru®/Accrufer® has been approved by the regulators in both Europe and the US. For various reasons, STX has been unable to secure a commercial partner for Accrufer in the US. Consequently, the board is now considering an STX-led launch option, thereby retaining all the US profits. Financial modelling shows the logic of this option, but it would necessitate financing the working capital requirements covering the next two years in the region of £25m-£30m.
Companies: Shield Therapeutics Plc
Ongoing strong demand for EKF’s products, both in the core business and the Primestore MTM Covid-19 sample collection device, means the FY20 outturn will be “comfortably ahead” of already upgraded expectations. This pattern is expected to persist throughout Q1’21 and beyond and management is confident that the performance in Q1 will be materially ahead of expectations. Having previously left FY21 estimates untouched, we are today putting through the first in what we expect to be a series of material upgrades. Given the dynamic situation around Covid-19, we expect regular updates throughout the course of the year and will adjust our forecasts accordingly as visibility over ordering patterns increases.
Companies: EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc
Novacyt Initiation of Coverage: Through the rapid commercialisation of a COVID-19 test, Novacyt has transformed its financial position. Demand for the Group's COVID-19 test and other COVID-19 reagents are expected to make up the majority of revenue generated until FY22E, whereupon the Group is looking to drive long-term growth across its business via the development of high-margin clinical diagnostics and establish itself as a leader in infectious disease testing.
Companies: Novacyt SAS
Interim results were in line with the 28 October trading update, reflecting the impact of the pandemic, with sales down 27% and LBITDA of £1.3m. However, c.10% LFL growth for Health & Nutrition (HN) in October and November is encouraging and points to long-term growth. Together with confirmation that first shipments against the initial 1m order for AbC-19 rapid antibody tests have taken place as well as first shipments of VISITECT CD4 Advanced Diseases tests to Africa, we expect a strong H2 (c.75% of FY sales), with potential upside driven by a currently poorly visible, yet anticipated long-term opportunity from its three key value drivers: Food Detective in China, VISITECT CD4 and COVID-19 lateral flow devices (LFDs). We leave our forecasts unchanged until we have further clarity on the unfolding COVID-19 opportunities. Whilst this implies c.£9.4m sales in H2, this is still eminently achievable given that supply has the ability to generate in excess of £9m of sales in Q4 FY 2021, should the demand materialise.
Companies: Omega Diagnostics Group PLC
