DUBLIN, Ireland, Oct. 16, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trinity Biotech plc (Nasdaq: TRIB), a leading developer and manufacturer of diagnostic products for the point-of-care and clinical laboratory markets, today announced results for the quarter ended September 30, 2019.
Quarter 3 ResultsTotal revenues for Q3, 2019 were $24.6m, which is broken down as follows:Point-of-Care revenues for Q3, 2019 increased from $3.0m to $3.9m. This was due to higher HIV sales in Africa, partially offset by a reduction in U.S. HIV revenues.Meanwhile, Clinical Laboratory sales for the quarter were $20.7m which is flat compared to the same period last year.  However, excluding the impact of currency movements, due to the strength of the U.S. dollar versus a basket of currencies in which the company invoices, Q3 Clinical Laboratory revenues would have increased by over 1%. During the quarter, both Premier and Autoimmunity revenues continued to increase, though this was offset by lower Infectious Diseases revenues in the USA, including Lyme revenues. The gross margin for the quarter was 41.0%, which compares to 42.1% in Q3, 2018. This decrease was due to the impact of the higher number of instruments sold during the quarter, in addition to the strengthening of the US dollar, in particular against the Brazilian Real.Research and Development expenses decreased from $1.3m in Q3, 2018 to $1.2m in Q3, 2019. Meanwhile, Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses increased from $7.1m to $7.3m in Q3, 2019. The increase in SG&A expenses was due to higher sales and marketing expenditure, particularly in relation to trade shows and other marketing activities plus higher professional fees associated with the settlement of the Company’s recent tax audit.Operating profit increased by $0.1m for the quarter to $1.3m when compared to the same period last year. This was due to the impact of higher revenues being offset by a lower gross margin, whilst total indirect expenses remained flat during the quarter.
The cash based interest expense increased by $0.2m to $1.2m this quarter. Of this $1.0m was related to interest due on the Company’s Exchangeable Notes with the remaining $0.2m being financing charges arising on leased assets following the introduction of the new accounting standard for leases, IFRS 16 earlier this year.  Meanwhile, non-cash income of $0.1m was recognised in this quarter’s income statement, again in relation to the Exchangeable Notes.  This was due to a non-cash interest charge of $0.2m which was offset by a gain of $0.1m arising on a decrease in the fair value of the derivatives embedded in these notes.Financial income for the quarter saw a reduction of less than $0.1m due to the lower level of cash deposits.Overall, the Company recorded a profit of $25,000 for the quarter, which equates to a profit per share of 0.1 cents.  Fully diluted EPS for the quarter was 4.3 cents compared to 5.1 cents in Q3, 2018.EBITDA before share option expense (EBITDASO) for the quarter was $3.1m.CommentsCommenting on the results, Kevin Tansley, Chief Financial Officer, said “Operating profit this quarter, at $1.3m was $0.1m higher than the equivalent period last year. Whilst revenues were 4% higher, this was largely offset by the impact of a lower gross margin. Overall indirect costs for the quarter were flat quarter on quarter with an increase in SG&A expenses being offset by lower R&D and share option expense. Meanwhile our cash balance for the quarter increased by $0.1m to $25.1m.”Ronan O’Caoimh, CEO said “As anticipated revenues were stronger this quarter, being 4% higher than the equivalent period last year and over 9% higher than quarter 2 of this year.  Point-of-care revenues were higher due to increased sales of HIV products in Africa. Meanwhile, Autoimmune and Diabetes revenues also grew, with the latter being driven by particularly strong instrument placements during the quarter.  Further revenue growth will be derived from our entry into to the HIV screening market with our TrinSreen product, which we expect to submit to the WHO in January next, with approval to follow during 2020.  Given the quality of this product and our knowledge and experience of the African HIV market, we are ideally positioned to take a meaningful share of this substantial market.”Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the results of research and development efforts, the effect of regulation by the United States Food and Drug Administration and other agencies, the impact of competitive products, product development commercialisation and technological difficulties, and other risks detailed in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Trinity Biotech develops, acquires, manufactures and markets diagnostic systems, including both reagents and instrumentation, for the point-of-care and clinical laboratory segments of the diagnostic market. The products are used to detect infectious diseases and to quantify the level of Haemoglobin A1c and other chemistry parameters in serum, plasma and whole blood. Trinity Biotech sells direct in the United States, Germany, France and the U.K. and through a network of international distributors and strategic partners in over 75 countries worldwide. For further information please see the Company’s website: www.trinitybiotech.com.
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