Interim Report April - September 2023

Growth despite large impact from the global antibiotics shortage, several important MA approvals and expansion of pipeline

July - September 2023

• Consolidated sales during the second quarter, July to September amounted to SEK 59.6 (73.3) million. Adjusted for non-recurring sales the revenue amounted to 59.6 (51.2) MSEK, an increase of 16%.
• Gross profit amounted to SEK 23.9 (28.6) million for the quarter, a decrease of 16%.
• EBIT amounted to SEK 6.6 (11.9) million, a decrease of 45%. The operating margin was 11% (16%).
• EBITDA margin was 14%.
• Earnings per share before dilution were SEK 0:16 (0:26) for the quarter. Earningsper share after dilution were 0:16 (0:25).
• Cash flow from operating activities amounted to SEK -4.0 (-18.3) million for the quarter.
• Cash and cash equivalents were SEK 20.8 (28.3) million at the end of the quarter.

April - September 2023

• Consolidated sales during the period April-September amounted to SEK 115.8 (119.4) million. Adjusted for non-recurring sales the revenue amounted to 115.8 (94.2) MSEK, an increase of 23%.
• Gross profit for the same period amounted to SEK 50.1 (52.3) million, a decrease of 4%.
• EBIT for April-September amounted to SEK 14.5 (19.8) million.
• EBITDA margin was 16%.
• Earnings per share were SEK 0:40 (0:51) for the period. Earnings per share after dilution were 0:39 (0:50).
• Cash flow from operating activities amounted to SEK -23.6   (-12.9) million during April-September.
• Cash and cash equivalents were SEK 20.8 (28.3) million at the end of September.

CEO’s comments

In the second quarter of the financial year 2023/24, EQL delivers growth despite the large negative impact of the global antibiotics shortage. In addition, there was no significant sales of Covid-19 tests in the quarter. Towards the end of the year, our important antibiotics are again available for sale. The quarter is also characterized by good news linked to approvals of Mellozzan in new markets, several launches and expansion of the pipeline. The growth outlook of 30% for the full year remains fixed.

Second quarter in summary

The second quarter's total sales in 2023/24 (no sales of Covid-19 tests in Q2), amounted to SEK 59.6 (51.2) million, an increase of 16%. Operating profit (EBIT) amounted to SEK 6.6 (11.9) million. The operating margin was 11% (16%). The EBITDA margin was 14%. Margins are negatively affected in the quarter by the antibiotic shortage. In addition, the profit in the comparison quarter, Q2 2022/23 benefited from Covid-19 test sales, which is not the case in Q2 2023/24. 

Financial goals and full-year forecast 

Our long-term financial goals are fixed. So is the sales forecast for the full year 2023/24, where we see a growth of around 30%. Due to of the antibiotics shortage, the first half of the year's sales are behind plan. We assess our chances of catching up in the second half of the year as good. 

Strategic focus of EQL

• Launch the pipeline products as fast as possible
• Maximize the utility of our assets by launching products in more countries, by ourselves or through partnerships
• Continuously identify and sign new niche generics to be launched in the Nordics and elsewhere to secure long-term growth
• Outlicense and market our strategic key assets Mellozzan and Memprex
• Be cost-efficient in everything we do
• Continue to curiously explore new business models and potential revenue streams (e.g. as was done with the personal protective equipment (PPE) and the covid tests)

Products and market

Mellozzan, one of our two strategic key products, has been approved for sale in Germany and Austria. These are important milestones, on the journey to build significant sales in these markets. During the quarter, Mellozzan was also launched in Norway and Denmark. We currently do not see as much potential in these markets as we see in several Central and Southern European markets. 

For our other strategic key product, Memprex, work is underway to submit applications in Germany and France, where we have already established collaborations. We also have ongoing discussions with potential partners for other markets. 

During the quarter, we launched two new hospital products, Glyronul and Copneg, after being awarded tenders in Sweden and Denmark. Our portfolio thus grows from 26 to 28 products. 

Three new niche generics for the Nordics have been added to our pipeline, which thus grows from 36 to 37 products (two products were launched in the quarter). We are working intensively to identify new products for our pipeline and will regularly update on progress. 

Other

There is a shortage of penicillin in Europe as a result of the war in Ukraine. EQL was impacted negatively by this in Q1 and the negative impact continues into Q2. We estimate that our important antibiotics will be back in stock towards the end of the year. At the same time, we can to some extent compensate the lower penicillin sales by selling more of other products where competitors have problems with stocks. 

For more information contact:

Axel Schörling,

CEO & President EQL Pharma AB (publ)
Phone: +46 (0) 76 317 90 60
E-mail: axel.schorling@eqlpharma.com
Web: www.eqlpharma.com

EQL Pharma AB (publ) in short

EQL Pharma AB specializes in developing and selling generics, i.e., drugs that are medically equivalent to original drugs. The company currently has more than 25 niche generics (i.e., generics with limited competition apart from the original drug) approved in the Nordic markets. In addition to these, there is a significant pipeline of additional niche generics for launch in 2023 and beyond. The business is currently focused entirely on prescription drugs, including hospital products, in the Nordics and selected European markets. EQL Pharma AB has its operations in Lund and is listed on the Spotlight Stock Market. EQL Pharma AB carries out extensive development work in collaboration with leading contract manufacturers and major pharmaceutical companies in the EU and Asia, among others.