AbCellera Reports Net Loss of $30.5M on $10.1M Revenues in Q2 2023, but Cash Liquidity Position Remains Strong ($822.9 Million)

Friday, August 4, 2023

Company Profile | Follow Company

Vancouver, BC, August 4, 2023--(T-Net)--AbCellera (Nasdaq: ABCL) today announced financial results for the second quarter of 2023. All financial information in this press release is reported in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

Carl Hansen, DIRECTOR & CEO, AbCellera

"In the second quarter we secured over $220 million in strategic financing from the Governments of Canada and British Columbia to accelerate the execution of our strategy. When combined with our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of over $800 million this brings our total available liquidity to over $1 billion," said Carl Hansen, Ph.D., founder and CEO of AbCellera. "By strengthening our liquidity position, our discovery and development engine, and our portfolio, this funding will drive value in multiple dimensions of our business, including advancing more pre-partnered programs to the clinic."

Q2 2023 Business Summary

Earned $10.1 million in total revenue.
Generated a net loss of $30.5 million, compared to a net loss of $6.8 million in Q2 2022.
Maintained a cumulative total of 177 programs under contract with 41 different partners.
Reached a cumulative total of 106 partnered program starts.
Continuing to report nine molecules cumulatively advanced to the clinic.

Key Business Metrics

Cumulative Metrics

June 30, 2022

June 30, 2023

Change %

Number of discovery partners

8 %

Programs under contract

164

177

8 %

Partnered program starts

106

20 %

Molecules in the clinic

50 %

AbCellera maintained a cumulative total of 177 programs under contract (up from 164 on June 30, 2022) that are either completed, in progress, or under contract with 41 different partners as of June 30, 2023 (up from 38 on June 30, 2022).

AbCellera started discovery on an additional five partner-initiated programs to reach a cumulative total of 106 partnered program starts in Q2 2023 (up from 88 on June 30, 2022). AbCellera's partners have advanced a cumulative total of nine molecules into the clinic (up from six on June 30, 2022).

Discussion of Q2 2023 Financial Results

Revenue - Total revenue was $10.1 million, compared to $45.9 million in Q2 2022. The partnership business generated research fees of $9.8 million, compared to $12.5 million in Q2 2022. Licensing revenue was $0.2 million.
Research & Development (R&D) Expenses - R&D expenses were $36.5 million, compared to $26.7 million in Q2 2022, reflecting continued growth in program execution and platform development.
Sales & Marketing (S&M) Expenses - S&M expenses were $3.8 million, compared to $3.1 million in Q2 2022. The increase reflects continued investments in business development.
General & Administrative (G&A) Expenses - G&A expenses were $15.5 million, compared to $14.4 million in Q2 2022, with the increase driven by investments to support the growth of the company.
Net Loss - Net loss of $30.5 million, or $(0.11) per share on a basic and diluted basis, compared to a net loss of $6.8 million, or $(0.02) per share on a basic and diluted basis in Q2 2022.
Liquidity - $822.9 million of total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities.

About AbCellera Biologics Inc.

AbCellera is breaking the barriers of conventional antibody discovery to bring better medicines to patients, sooner. AbCellera's engine integrates expert teams, technology, and facilities with the data science and automation needed to propel antibody-based medicines from target to clinic in nearly every therapeutic area with precision and speed. AbCellera provides innovative biotechs and leading pharmaceutical companies with a competitive advantage that empowers them to move quickly, reduce cost, and tackle the toughest problems in drug development.

AbCellera Biologics Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (All figures in U.S. dollars. Amounts are expressed in thousands except share and per share data) (Unaudited)
	Three months ended June 30,						Six months ended June 30,
	2022			2023			2022			2023
Revenue:
Research fees	$	12,538		$	9,830		$	21,871		$	20,400
Licensing revenue		147			226			377			598
Milestone payments		-			-			-			1,250
Royalty revenue		33,232			-			340,249			-
Total revenue		45,917			10,056			362,497			22,248
Operating expenses:
Royalty fees		5,210			-			49,847			-
Research and development(1)		26,685			36,473			53,052			89,120
Sales and marketing(1)		3,120			3,841			5,490			7,612
General and administrative(1)		14,412			15,521			28,680			30,655
Depreciation and amortization		4,886			5,610			8,875			11,124
Total operating expenses		54,313			61,445			145,944			138,511
Income (loss) from operations		(8,396	)		(51,389	)		216,553			(116,263	)
Other (income) expense
Interest (income)		(1,414	)		(10,779	)		(2,079	)		(20,537	)
Grants and incentives		(1,535	)		(4,576	)		(6,730	)		(7,951	)
Other		1,439			1,970			1,438			(1,624	)
Total other (income)		(1,510	)		(13,385	)		(7,371	)		(30,112	)
Net earnings (loss) before income tax		(6,886	)		(38,004	)		223,924			(86,151	)
Income tax (recovery) expense		(101	)		(7,476	)		62,136			(15,513	)
Net earnings (loss)	$	(6,785	)	$	(30,528	)	$	161,788		$	(70,638	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(211	)		122			296			(508	)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(6,996	)	$	(30,406	)	$	162,084		$	(71,146	)

Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders
Basic	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.11	)	$	0.57		$	(0.24	)
Diluted	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.11	)	$	0.52		$	(0.24	)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
Basic		284,686,542			288,905,587			284,292,312			288,357,081
Diluted		284,686,542			288,905,587			313,361,183			288,357,081

(1) Exclusive of depreciation and amortization

AbCellera Biologics Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (All figures in U.S. dollars. Amounts are expressed in thousands except share data) (Unaudited)
	December 31, 2022			June 30, 2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	386,535		$	179,747
Marketable securities		499,950			615,947
Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities		886,485			795,694
Accounts and accrued receivable		38,593			45,678
Restricted cash		25,000			25,000
Other current assets		75,413			64,363
Total current assets		1,025,491			930,735
Long-term assets:
Property and equipment, net		217,255			259,640
Intangible assets, net		131,502			126,747
Goodwill		47,806			47,806
Investments in and loans to equity accounted investees		72,522			58,792
Other long-term assets		46,331			113,446
Total long-term assets		515,416			606,431
Total assets	$	1,540,907		$	1,537,166
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	$	33,150		$	52,395
Contingent consideration payable		44,211			54,874
Accrued royalties payable		19,347			3,094
Deferred revenue		21,612			8,542
Total current liabilities		118,320			118,905
Long-term liabilities:
Operating lease liability		76,675			78,079
Deferred revenue		19,516			27,716
Deferred government contributions		40,801			76,354
Contingent consideration payable		16,054			5,774
Deferred tax liability		33,178			33,178
Other long-term liabilities		3,086			2,333
Total long-term liabilities		189,310			223,434
Total liabilities		307,630			342,339
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common shares: no par value, unlimited authorized shares at December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023: 286,851,595 and 289,189,469 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023, respectively		734,365			744,756
Additional paid-in capital		74,118			96,423
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)		(1,391	)		(1,899	)
Accumulated earnings		426,185			355,547
Total shareholders' equity		1,233,277			1,194,827
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,540,907		$	1,537,166

AbCellera Biologics Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) (Unaudited)
	Six months ended June 30,
	2022			2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$	161,788		$	(70,638	)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation of property and equipment		3,681			5,810
Amortization of intangible assets		5,213			5,314
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets		2,120			3,252
Stock-based compensation		24,404			31,873
Other		(298	)		(4,429	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and accrued research fees receivable		(6,963	)		(24,269	)
Accrued royalties receivable		106,583			9,260
Income taxes payable		52,251			22,884
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(1,882	)		(2,827	)
Deferred revenue		(2,979	)		(4,870	)
Accrued royalties payable		28,049			(16,253	)
Deferred grant income		5,406			25,566
Other assets		(4,139	)		(4,833	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		373,234			(24,160	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(45,817	)		(42,185	)
Purchase of marketable securities		(134,306	)		(528,891	)
Proceeds from marketable securities		145,808			422,814
Receipt of grant funding		8,098			7,693
Long-term investments and other assets		(11,657	)		(36,757	)
Investment in and loans to equity accounted investees		(15,694	)		(6,673	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(53,568	)		(183,999	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of liability for in-licensing agreement and contingent consideration		(4,133	)		(677	)
Proceeds (repayment) from long-term debt and exercise of stock options		2,175			638
Net cash used in financing activities		(1,958	)		(39	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(1,411	)		584
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		316,297			(207,614	)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period		501,142			414,651
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$	817,439		$	207,037
Restricted cash included in other assets		1,824			2,290
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown on the balance sheet	$	815,615		$	204,747
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities
Property and equipment in accounts payable		2,146			11,718
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligation		796			2,945

Definition of Key Business Metrics

We regularly review the following key business metrics to evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify trends affecting our business, formulate financial projections, and make strategic decisions. We believe that the following metrics are important to understand our current business. These metrics may change or may be substituted for additional or different metrics as our business develops.

Number of discovery partners represents the unique number of partners with whom we have executed partnership contracts. We view this metric as an indication of the competitiveness of our engine and our level of market penetration. The metric also relates to our opportunities to secure programs under contract.

Programs under contract represent the number of antibody development programs that are under contract for delivery of discovery research activities. A program under contract is counted when a contract is executed with a partner under which we commit to discover or deliver antibodies against one selected target. A target is any relevant antigen for which a partner seeks our support in developing binding antibodies. We view this metric as an indication of commercial success and technological competitiveness. It further relates to revenue from access fees. The cumulative number of programs under contract with downstream participation is related to our ability to generate future revenue from milestone payments and royalties.

Partnered program starts represent the number of unique programs under contract for which we have commenced the discovery effort. The discovery effort commences on the later of (i) the day on which we receive sufficient reagents to start discovery of antibodies against a target and (ii) the day on which the kick-off meeting for the program is held. We view this metric as an indication of our operational capacity to execute on programs under contract. It is also an indication of the selection and initiation of discovery projects by our partners and the resulting potential for near-term payments. Cumulatively, partnered program starts with downstream participation indicate our total opportunities to earn downstream revenue from milestone fees and royalties in the mid- to long-term.

Molecules in the clinic represent the count of unique molecules for which an Investigational New Drug, or IND, New Animal Drug, or equivalent under other regulatory regimes, application has been approved based on an antibody that was discovered either by us or by a partner using licensed AbCellera technology. Where the date of such application approval is not known to us, the date of the first public announcement of a clinical trial will be used for the purpose of this metric. We view this metric as an indication of our near- and mid-term potential revenue from milestone fees and potential royalty payments in the long term.

AbCellera Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. All statements contained in this release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our ability to develop, commercialize and achieve market acceptance of our current and planned products and services, our research and development efforts, and other matters regarding our business strategies, use of capital, results of operations and financial position, and plans and objectives for future operations. [ MORE ]

AbCellera Forward-looking Statements

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the words "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "project," "potential," "continue," "ongoing" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors are described under "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and elsewhere in the documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. We caution you that forward-looking statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known by us and our projections of the future, about which we cannot be certain.

As a result, the forward-looking statements may not prove to be accurate. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent our views as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements for any reason, except as required by law.

[ LESS ]

Company Snapshot

AbCellera

Vancouver (Biotech/Life Sciences)
100-499 Employees In BC (100-499 Employees Total)
Founded: 2012

AbCellera is a technology company that searches, decodes, and analyzes natural immune systems to find antibodies that its partners can develop into drugs to prevent and treat disease.

See Full Profile

Member Tools

See All News Releases From This Company

Follow Company

View Company Profile

Email To A Friend

Printer-Friendly Format

Print News

Other Recent Company News

1 - 3 of 84 Results

New Search


	AbCellera Presents New Data on Two T-Cell Engager Programs at SITC 2023 Vancouver November 28, 2023

	AbCellera and Prelude Therapeutics Enter Partnership to Develop First-in-Class Precision Antibody Drug Conjugates in Oncology Vancouver November 6, 2023

	AbCellera Reports Third Quarter 2023 Business Results, Revenue for Q3 Drops Sharply Over Prior Year but Cash Reserves Remain Strong at $813B Vancouver November 3, 2023