ASTROTECH REPORTS FISCAL YEAR 2017 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Austin, TX - September 18, 2017 -
Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC) reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2017.
Thomas B. Pickens III, Chairman and CEO of Astrotech Corporation, stated, “Fiscal 2017 was an extraordinary year in terms of product development at both 1st Detect and Astral Images. At 1st Detect, along with our partner, we delivered an instrument to the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA). By incorporating mass spectrometry (MS) into explosives trace detectors (ETDs), we expect to significantly reduce the number of false positives, as well as enable a more expansive library of compounds compared to the current generation of ETDs.
“1st Detect also developed the BreathDetect 1000, an instrument that uses our core technology to analyze human breath in real time. In collaboration with UT Health San Antonio, we entered pre-clinical trials with cystic fibrosis patients, focusing on identifying hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). HAP is one of the biggest and most expensive problems in hospitals, with over 150,000 cases reported in the U.S. annually. In June, we announced successful preliminary results from these pre-clinical trials. We aim to reduce HAP diagnosis time from days to minutes.
“At Astral Images, we are positioned to lead the digital conversion from High Definition resolution (2K HD) to 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (4K HDR) for feature films, film-based television series, sporting events shot on film, film libraries, and archives. Astral offers content owners a significant value proposition by dramatically reducing the cost and time required to upgrade to the new 4K standard. Several major film studios have provided excellent feedback on our technology, and we expect 4K HDR conversions to accelerate in parallel with consumer demand for high-quality content as 4K HDR televisions become ubiquitous.”
Regarding Astrotech Corporation, in May, management announced that it engaged Chardan Capital Markets to explore strategic alternatives regarding 1st Detect; these discussions are ongoing. From a financial perspective, gross profit more than doubled year-over-year. Combined with the effective corporate realignment and decreased operating expenses, the company’s fiscal 2017 bottom line improved $1.5 million compared to the previous year.
Mr. Pickens concluded, “Our technology continues to be validated by industry leaders. We are committed to innovation and, in particular, we are focused on furthering product development with the goal of expediting our time to market. Overall, we are excited about our ongoing improvements and opportunities in fiscal 2018.”
Fiscal Year Financial Highlights
Revenue, costs of goods sold, SG&A, and R&D are expected to continue to fluctuate based on the timing of contract revenue.
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Revenue was $2.3 million for the year ended June 30, 2017, reflecting 1st Detect's income from research-based, fixed-price, government-related subcontracts. This is compared to $2.7 million for the year ended June 30, 2016, which included revenue of $0.2 million associated with revenue from a legacy business.
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Gross profit was $1.0 million for the year ended June 30, 2017, compared to $0.3 million for the year ended June 30, 2016, due to lower prototype costs.
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The July 2016 corporate realignment saved approximately $3.7 million for fiscal year 2017, $0.2 million better than originally anticipated.
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Loss from operations was $12.1 million for the year ended June 30, 2017, compared to $13.8 million for the year ended June 30, 2016, reflecting increased gross profit and reduced expenses.
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Cash and investments at June 30, 2017 were $15.1 million.
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Astrotech Corporation had no debt at June 30, 2017.
About Astrotech
Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC) is an innovative science and technology company that invents, acquires, and commercializes technological innovations sourced from research institutions, laboratories, universities, and internally, and then funds, manages, and builds proprietary, scalable start-up companies for profitable divestiture to market leaders to maximize shareholder value. Sourced from Oak Ridge Laboratory’s chemical analyzer research, 1st Detect develops, manufactures, and sells chemical analyzers for use in the security, defense, healthcare, food and beverage, and environmental markets. Sourced from decades of image research from the laboratories of IBM and Kodak, Astral Images sells film-to-digital image enhancement, defect removal and color correction software, and post processing services providing economically feasible conversion of television and feature 35mm and 16mm films to the new 4K ultra-high definition (UHD), high-dynamic range (HDR) format necessary for the new generation of digital distribution. Sourced from NASA’s extensive microgravity research, Astrogenetix is applying a fast-track, on-orbit discovery platform using the International Space Station to develop vaccines and other therapeutics. Demonstrating its entrepreneurial strategy, Astrotech management sold its state-of-the-art satellite servicing operations to Lockheed Martin in August 2014. Astrotech has operations throughout Texas and is headquartered in Austin. For information, please visit www.astrotechcorp.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, trends, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from the forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to, whether we can successfully develop our proprietary technologies and whether the market will accept our products and services, as well as other risk factors and business considerations described in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings including the annual report on Form 10-K. Any forward-looking statements in this document should be evaluated in light of these important risk factors. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Company Contact:
Eric Stober
Chief Financial Officer
Astrotech Corporation
(512) 485-9524
IR Contact:
Cathy Mattison and Kirsten Chapman
LHA Investor Relations
(415) 433-3777