ChromaDex Corporation Reports First Quarter 2020 Financial Results

May 11, 2020 04:01 pm
LOS ANGELES -- 

ChromaDex Corp. (NASDAQ:CDXC) today reported first quarter 2020 financial results.

“We had a strong first quarter with total net sales of $14.3 million and further global expansion,” says ChromaDex CEO Rob Fried. “We made swift, targeted adjustments to the business, streamlining costs, updating marketing messages, and prioritizing scientific research focused on viral stress on immune response at the cellular level.”

Results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020

For the three months ended March 31, 2020 (“Q1 2020”), ChromaDex reported net sales of $14.3 million, up 43% compared to $10.0 million in the first quarter of 2019 ("Q1 2019"). The increase in Q1 2020 revenues was driven by growth in sales of Tru Niagen and Niagen ingredient revenues.

Gross margin increased by 520 basis points to 57.9% in Q1 2020 compared to 52.8% in Q1 2019. The increase in gross margin was largely driven by the positive impact of increased Tru Niagen consumer product sales and product cost saving initiatives, while Q1 2019 gross margin had a negative impact of 250 basis points with a charge related to the wind down of Purple Corn ingredient sales.

Operating expenses increased by $0.5 million to $14.2 million in Q1 2020, compared to $13.7 million in Q1 2019. The increase in operating expenses was driven by an increase of $0.5 million in general and administrative expense, and an increase of $0.3 million of selling and marketing expense, partially offset by $0.2 million of lower R&D expense. The increase in general and administrative expense was driven by $1.0 million of severance and restructuring costs related to organizational realignment initiatives.

The net loss for Q1 2020 was ($5.9) million or ($0.10) per share compared to a net loss of ($8.3) million or ($0.15) per share for Q1 2019.

Adjusted EBITDA excluding total legal expense, a non-GAAP measure, was a loss of ($0.3) million for Q1 2020, compared to a loss of ($2.7) million for Q1 2019, a $2.4 million improvement.

ChromaDex defines Adjusted EBITDA excluding total legal expense as net income or (loss) which is adjusted for interest, income tax, depreciation, amortization, non-cash stock compensation costs, severance and restructuring expense, bad debt expense related to Elysium Health and total legal expense.

For Q1 2020, the net cash used in operating activities was ($5.2) million versus ($3.0) million in Q1 2019. In Q1 2019, the net cash used in operating activities was partially offset by $4.0 million upfront payment received from Nestlé Health Science for the supply of Niagen ingredient.

2020 Outlook

Looking forward, the impact of COVID-19 on revenues is difficult to predict and the Company is managing expenses to mitigate the bottom-line impact. The Company does not expect any supply chain disruption at this time and, based on trends-to-date, expects continued revenue growth this year. Based on the Company’s current financial outlook, revenue growth will be driven by its U.S. ecommerce business, new international market launches with its partners and distributors, such as in the U.K. and Australia, new online platforms, including Persona, a Nestlé Health Science company, and our new product launch, Tru Niagen® Beauty. The Company expects continued gross margin improvement driven by a higher mix of Tru Niagen® sales, product design changes implemented in late 2019, and additional supply chain cost savings initiatives in 2020. The Company expects lower selling, marketing and advertising as well as general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales driven by strong growth from returning customers and scale on our fixed overhead costs driven by organizational realignment initiatives, as well as new systems and processes.

Investor Conference Call

ChromaDex management will host an investor conference call to discuss the first quarter results and provide a general business update on Monday, May 11, at 4:30pm ET.

Participants should call in at least 10 minutes prior to the call. The dial-in information is as follows:

Date: Mon., May 11, 2020
Time: 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (1:30 p.m. Pacific time)
Toll-free dial-in number: (833) 979-2703

International dial-in number: (236) 714-2223
Conference ID: 8259009
Webcast link: ChromaDex First Quarter 2020 Earnings Conference Call

The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay here and via the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.chromadex.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available after 7:30 p.m. ET.

Toll-free replay number: 800-585-8367
Replay ID: 8259009

The earnings press release, and its accompanying financial exhibits, will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company website, www.chromadex.com.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures:

Adjusted EBITDA excluding total legal expense excludes interest, income tax, depreciation, amortization, non-cash share-based compensation costs, severance and restructuring expense, bad debt expense related to Elysium Health, and total legal expense for Adjusted EBITDA excluding total legal expense. ChromaDex used these non-GAAP measures when evaluating its financial results as well as for internal resource management, planning and forecasting purposes. ChromaDex believes the presentation of its non-GAAP financial measures enhances the overall understanding of the company’s historical financial performance. These non-GAAP measures should not be viewed in isolation from or as a substitute for ChromaDex’s financial results in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures are attached to this press release.

About ChromaDex:

ChromaDex Corp. is a science-based integrated nutraceutical company devoted to improving the way people age. ChromaDex scientists partner with leading universities and research institutions worldwide to discover, develop and create solutions to deliver the full potential of NAD and its impact on human health. Its flagship ingredient, NIAGEN® nicotinamide riboside, sold directly to consumers as TRU NIAGEN®, is backed with clinical and scientific research, as well as extensive IP protection. TRU NIAGEN® is helping the world AGE BETTER®. ChromaDex maintains a website at www.chromadex.com to which ChromaDex regularly posts copies of its press releases as well as additional and financial information about the Company.

Important Note on Forward-Looking Statements:

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include the quotation from ChromaDex’s Chief Executive Officer, and statements related to the impact of COVID-19 on revenues and supply chain and ChromaDex’s management of expenses to mitigate the bottom-line impact; future revenue growth being driven by ChromaDex’s U.S. ecommerce business, new international markets and online platforms, including Persona, a Nestle Health Science company, and new product launch, Tru Niagen Beauty; the expectations of gross margin improvement driven by a by a higher mix of Tru Niagen® sales, product design changes implemented in late 2019, and additional supply chain cost savings initiatives in 2020; and the expectations of lower selling, marketing and advertising expenses and lower general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales driven by strong growth from returning customers and scale on fixed overhead costs driven by organizational realignment initiatives, as well as new systems and processes. Other risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements are reported in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and actual results may differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and ChromaDex undertakes no obligation to revise or update this release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

ChromaDex Corporation and Subsidiaries
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Three Month Periods Ended March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
Mar. 31, 2020 Mar. 31, 2019
 
Sales, net

$

14,345

 

$

10,048

 

Cost of sales

 

6,034

 

 

4,747

 

 
Gross profit

 

8,311

 

 

5,301

 

 
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing

 

4,447

 

 

4,174

 

Research and development

 

919

 

 

1,168

 

General and administrative

 

8,835

 

 

8,331

 

Operating expenses

 

14,201

 

 

13,673

 

 
Operating loss

 

(5,890

)

 

(8,372

)

 
Nonoperating expense:
Interest income (expense), net

 

(12

)

 

35

 

Nonoperating income (expense)

 

(12

)

 

35

 

 
Net loss

$

(5,902

)

$

(8,337

)

 
Basic and diluted loss per common share

$

(0.10

)

$

(0.15

)

 
 
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

 

59,782

 

 

55,325

 

 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I of ChromaDex's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ChromaDex Corporation and Subsidiaries
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Mar. 31, 2020 Dec. 31, 2019
Assets
 
Current Assets
Cash, including restricted cash of $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively

$

13,608

 

$

18,812

 

Trade receivables, net of allowances of $0.1 million and $2.8 million, respectively; Receivables from Related Party: $0.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively

 

3,558

 

 

2,175

 

Inventories

 

11,280

 

 

11,535

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

701

 

 

996

 

Total current assets

 

29,147

 

 

33,518

 

 
Leasehold Improvements and Equipment, net

 

3,613

 

 

3,765

 

Intangible Assets, net

 

1,249

 

 

1,311

 

Right of Use Assets

 

799

 

 

891

 

Other Long-term Assets

 

802

 

 

762

 

 
Total assets

$

35,610

 

$

40,247

 

 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable

$

8,159

 

$

9,626

 

Accrued expenses

 

5,249

 

 

4,415

 

Current maturities of operating lease obligations

 

614

 

 

595

 

Current maturities of finance lease obligations

 

206

 

 

258

 

Customer deposits

 

238

 

 

169

 

Total current liabilities

 

14,466

 

 

15,063

 

 
Deferred Revenue

 

3,873

 

 

3,873

 

Operating Lease Obligations, Less Current Maturities

 

687

 

 

848

 

Finance Lease Obligations, Less Current Maturities

 

36

 

 

18

 

 
Total liabilities

 

19,062

 

 

19,802

 

 
Commitments and Contingencies
 
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized 150,000 shares; issued and outstanding March 31, 2020, 59,605 shares and December 31, 2019, 59,562 shares

 

60

 

 

60

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

144,290

 

 

142,285

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(127,802

)

 

(121,900

)

Total stockholders' equity

 

16,548

 

 

20,445

 

 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

35,610

 

$

40,247

 

 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I of ChromaDex's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ChromaDex Corporation and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA
 
 
Q3 2018 Q4 2018 Q1 2019 Q2 2019 Q3 2019 Q4 2019 Q1 2020
(In thousands)
Net loss, as reported

$

(8,605

)

$

(8,218

)

$

(8,337

)

$

(7,755

)

$

(7,202

)

$

(8,853

)

$

(5,902

)

Adjustments:
Interest (income) expense

 

9

 

 

(22

)

 

(35

)

 

575

 

 

314

 

 

(7

)

 

12

 

Depreciation

 

169

 

 

171

 

 

173

 

 

190

 

 

196

 

 

203

 

 

214

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

59

 

 

60

 

 

61

 

 

61

 

 

62

 

 

62

 

 

62

 

Amortization of right of use assets

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

138

 

 

141

 

 

144

 

 

92

 

 

92

 

Share-based compensation

 

1,317

 

 

1,985

 

 

2,029

 

 

1,759

 

 

1,687

 

 

1,697

 

 

1,873

 

Severance and restructuring

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

200

 

 

953

 

Elysium-related bad debt expense

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

2,233

 

 

-

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

(7,051

)

$

(6,024

)

$

(5,971

)

$

(5,029

)

$

(4,799

)

$

(4,373

)

$

(2,696

)

 
Total legal expense

 

2,723

 

 

2,045

 

 

3,250

 

 

2,926

 

 

2,944

 

 

2,226

 

 

2,380

 

 
Adjusted EBITDA excluding total legal expense

$

(4,328

)

$

(3,979

)

$

(2,721

)

$

(2,103

)

$

(1,855

)

$

(2,147

)

$

(316

)

 

ChromaDex Investor Relations Contact:
Brianna Gerber, Vice President of FP&A and Investor Relations
949-419-0288 ext. 127
[email protected]

ChromaDex Media Contact:
Alex Worsham, Senior Director of Global Corporate Communications
310-388-6706 ext. 689
[email protected]