On December 2, 2020 Avid Bioservices, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDMO) (NASDAQ:CDMOP), a dedicated biologics contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) working to improve patient lives by providing high quality development and manufacturing services to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, reported financial results for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2021, ended October 31, 2020 (Press release, Avid Bioservices, DEC 2, 2020, View Source [SID1234572083]).

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Highlights Since July 31, 2020

"During the second quarter, we recorded strong revenues, expanded our customer base and project pipeline, and advanced the company’s expansion plans," stated Nicholas Green, president and chief executive officer of Avid Bioservices. "Driven by growth in customer demand, the company achieved higher-than-expected revenues and margins, and generated operating cash flow and income from operations during the period. In consideration of these results combined with our substantial backlog and our visibility into customer demand, we are raising revenue guidance for fiscal 2021 from between $76 and $81 million to between $84 and $88 million.

"On the business development front, our team continues to execute, signing new business orders and project expansion orders with existing customers for $28 million during the quarter and increasing backlog to $67 million, our highest level since becoming a pure-play CDMO.

"With respect to operations, we have completed a comprehensive review of our options and have initiated a phased approach plan for expansion. Phase 1, which is currently underway, is focused on the streamlining of existing facilities. We are confident that this work will allow us to optimize capacity, increase revenue, minimize near-term expense, and best align our expansion with growth in customer demand.

"And finally, it is important to note that we continue to execute our business and achieve growth without interruption to our operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This resilience is due largely to the diligence and dedication of our employees. Despite these challenging times, Avid’s incredible workforce remains committed to excellence to ensure the highest quality product for our clients."

Financial Highlights and Guidance

The company is increasing revenue guidance for the full fiscal year 2021 from between $76 million and $81 million to between $84 million and $88 million.

Revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 were $21.1 million, a 15% increase compared to revenues of $18.3 million recorded during the second quarter of fiscal 2020. The year-over-year increase in revenue was primarily attributable to the growth in the number and scope of in-process and/or completed manufacturing runs during the quarter. In addition, the increase in manufacturing revenues included the recognition of $1.7 million from changes in estimated variable revenue consideration as a result of completing performance obligations for certain projects during the quarter, therefore increasing revenue recognized for those projects during the period. For the first six months of fiscal 2021, revenues were $46.5 million, a 38% increase as compared to revenues of $33.6 million in the prior year period. The increase in revenues can be attributed to a $13.6 million increase in manufacturing revenues primarily due to an increase in the number and scope of in-process and/or completed manufacturing runs during the first six months of fiscal 2021, partially offset by a $0.7 million decrease in process development revenues.

As of October 31, 2020, revenue backlog was $67 million, an increase of 12% compared to $60 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2021, and an increase of 3% compare to $65 million at the end of last fiscal year. The company expects to recognize the majority of this backlog over the next twelve months.

Gross margin for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 was 30%, a significant increase compared to a gross margin of 18% for the second quarter of fiscal 2020. The increase in gross margin for the 2021 quarter was primarily attributable to the growth in manufacturing revenues, including the $1.7 million in additional manufacturing revenue recognized, as previously discussed. Excluding the $1.7 million in additional variable revenue consideration, gross margin for the second quarter was approximately 24%. Gross margin for the first six months of fiscal 2021 was 32%, a significant increase compared to 13% in the prior year period. This increase was also primarily due to the growth in manufacturing revenues.

Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 were $4.2 million, an increase compared to $3.5 million recorded for the second quarter of fiscal 2020. The increase during the 2021 quarter was due primarily to increases in payroll related costs, including stock-based compensation. For the first six months of fiscal 2021, SG&A expenses were $8 million, consistent with $8 million for the prior year period.

For the second quarter of fiscal 2021, the company recorded a consolidated net income attributable to common stockholders of $0.8 million or $0.01 per basic and diluted share, as compared to a consolidated net loss attributable to common stockholders of $1.9 million or $0.03 per basic and diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2020. For the first six months of fiscal 2021, the company recorded a consolidated net income attributable to common stockholders of $4.5 million or $0.08 per basic and diluted share, compared to a consolidated net loss attributable to common stockholders of $6.1 million or $0.11 per basic and diluted share, for fiscal 2020.

Avid reported $35.7 million in cash and cash equivalents as of October 31, 2020, an increase of $7.5 million compared to cash of $28.2 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2021, and consistent with $36.3 million in cash as of the prior fiscal year ended April 30, 2020. The company also generated cash flows from operating activities of $8.1 million during the six months ended October 31. 2020.
More detailed financial information and analysis may be found in Avid Bioservices’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission today.

Recent Corporate Developments

Signed orders for $28 million during the quarter with new and existing customers, driving Avid’s backlog to its highest level since transitioning to a dedicated CDMO.
Developed plans for a two-phased expansion of our Myford facility. The first phase, which has commenced, expands the production capacity of our existing Myford North facility by adding a second downstream processing suite. The second phase, the timing of which will be dictated by revenue growth and projected customer demand, will further expand capacity through the build out of a second manufacturing train, including both upstream and downstream processing suites within Myford South.

The company estimates the first phase will take approximately 12 to 15 months to complete at an estimated cost of approximately $15 million and may increase the company’s annual revenue generating capacity by up to $50 million, bringing the combined annual revenue generating capacity of our Franklin and Myford North facilities to up to $170 million.
Conference Call

Avid will host a conference call and webcast this afternoon, December 2, 2020, at 4:30 PM EST (1:30 PM PST).

To listen to the conference call, please dial (877) 312-5443 or (253) 237-1126 and request the Avid Bioservices conference call. To listen to the live webcast, or access the archived webcast, please visit: View Source