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Pin to quick picksPlant Health Regulatory News (PHC)

Share Price Information for Plant Health (PHC)

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Share Price: 3.90
Bid: 3.60
Ask: 3.84
Change: -0.09 (-2.36%)
Spread: 0.24 (6.667%)
Open: 3.60
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Trading Statement

24 Jan 2018 07:00

RNS Number : 7257C
Plant Health Care PLC
24 January 2018
 

 

 

PLANT HEALTH CARE plc

 

("Plant Health Care" or the "Company")

 

 

Trading Update

 

Plant Health Care®, a leading provider of novel patent-protected biological products to global agriculture markets, issues the following post year-end trading update ahead of the announcement of the Company's audited full year financial results for the year ended 31st December 2017, which is expected to be announced by early April. All results provided are preliminary and subject to completion of the 2017 audit.

 

 

Financial and Commercial Highlights

- Revenue increased by 22% to $7.7million (2016: $6.3m); in constant currency, sales increased by 23%. Strong sales growth in Europe/Africa (up 100%; 107% in constant currency) was offset by weaker sales in Mexico due to low produce prices in the first half of the year; sales in North America grew 8%.

- Initial sales to Brazil were delayed due to importation issues; these sales will now occur in 1Q 2018, with the launch into sugar cane.

- Sales of core HarpinTM αβ products increased by 42% (44% in constant currency), driven by broadly based growth in all geographies. Harpin αβ and Myconate® products represented 69% of sales in 2017 (2016: 59%).

- Gross Margin was steady at 62%.

- Cash and cash equivalents at 31st December 2017 were $3.9m.

 

New Technology Highlights

- All five of the top agricultural/seeds companies and a number of other companies tested InnatusTM 3G in the field in 2017.

- Four of these majors are running field trials of Innatus 3G added to chemical sprays for the control of Asian Soybean Rust (ASR) in Brazil, a devastating fungal disease of soybeans. Farmers spent US$1.7 billion on soybean fungicides in 2016 in Brazil*; in spite of that investment, there are increasing concerns about disease resistance.

- Data from these ASR trials are due in 2Q 2018. Exclusive rights to Innatus 3G for use in South American soybeans are expected to be auctioned thereafter.

- PHC's lead peptide for control of ASR (PHC279) is being produced by high yield fermentation at pilot scale.

- PHC expanded its programme of specialist trials. Results continued to show good performance for Innatus 3G under disease and drought stress, and for T-Rex 3G against nematodes. Y-Max 3G peptides increased yields even under optimal growing conditions.

- Discussions continue with partners about future licensing of T-Rex 3G and Y-Max 3G.

 

 

Chris Richards, Interim CEO, commented:

"In 2017, Plant Health Care continued to show strong progress in implementing our key strategic objectives.

 

We have continued to make exciting progress with our PREtec peptide platforms and are now working with all five of the top agricultural/seeds companies, as well as four other partners. Evaluation continues on all three platforms - Innatus 3G, T-Rex 3G and Y-Max 3G - in a wide range of crops. We have focused resources on trials of Innatus 3G for control of ASR in Brazil, with our lead peptide PHC279; successful conclusion of those trials is expected to lead to a competitive auction of exclusive rights to this platform in South America soybeans in 2018. Due to this focus, we de-prioritised other areas in 2017 but will resume work towards other licensing opportunities during 2018.

 

On the commercial side, we are pleased to report the resumption of revenue growth. We are particularly pleased that this growth is broadly based, with targeted marketing programmes delivering strong growth in a wide range of countries. This is also delivering a more even distribution of sales through the year. In the USA, sales through Sym-Agro in the Pacific North West were affected by weather but sales into other sectors grew; channel inventory is now back on target. Sales in Southern Africa doubled, as our distributor Dux Agri entered new markets. Sales in Spain continue to grow strongly by 60%. In Mexico, sales improved in the second half of the year but failed to make up for the 19% fall in the first half. In Brazil, we are ready to launch in sugar cane; while import delays mean that first revenue slipped from the end of December 2017 and will now take place in early 2018. New distribution agreements currently in advanced negotiation show potential for further growth in Commercial sales during 2018."

 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014.

 

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Plant Health Care plc

Chris Richards, Interim Chief Executive Officer Tel: +1 919 926 1600

Jeffrey Hovey, Chief Financial Officer

 

Liberum Capital - Nomad and Broker

Clayton Bush / Chris Clarke Tel: +44 (0) 20 3100 2000

 

Company website: www.planthealthcare.com

 

 

*Source: Phillips McDougall

 

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
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14th Dec 20167:00 amRNSNew Commercial Distribution Agreements
30th Nov 20167:00 amRNSDirectorate Change
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16th Aug 201611:41 amRNSResult of General Meeting, Placing & Open Offer
29th Jul 20167:00 amRNSProposed Placing, Subscription and Open Offer
7th Jun 20167:00 amRNSProgress on New Technology Builds Momentum
23rd May 20163:09 pmRNSResult of AGM
17th May 20163:45 pmRNSChange of Registered Office Address
25th Apr 20167:00 amRNSAnnual Financial Report
8th Apr 20167:00 amRNSAnnual Financial Report
22nd Feb 20167:00 amRNSBlocklisting Interim Review
2nd Feb 20167:00 amRNSReduced Disclosure Framework
29th Jan 20167:00 amRNSTrading Statement
2nd Dec 20157:00 amRNSPHC Expands Distribution Agreement with Sym-Agro
1st Dec 20157:00 amRNSPHC notification of major interest in shares
30th Nov 20157:00 amRNSPHC and Arysta LifeScience Terminate Agreement
30th Oct 20151:21 pmRNSTotal Voting Rights
30th Sep 20153:47 pmRNSTotal Voting Rights
25th Sep 20157:00 amRNSRe Agreement
14th Sep 20157:00 amRNSHalf Yearly Report
19th Aug 20157:00 amRNSBlocklisting Interim Review
13th Jul 20157:00 amRNSPHC Granted Product Registration in Brazil
18th Jun 20157:00 amRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
17th Jun 20152:20 pmRNSResult of AGM
2nd Jun 20157:00 amRNSRe Agreement
6th May 20157:01 amRNSPlant Health Care Hires Jeff Tweedy
30th Apr 20153:02 pmRNSTotal Voting Rights
22nd Apr 20153:05 pmRNSTR1: Notificiation of Major Interest in Shares
17th Apr 20157:00 amRNSDIRECTORS' DEALING
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8th Apr 20157:00 amRNSRe Agreement
30th Mar 20157:00 amRNSAnnual Financial Report
27th Mar 20157:00 amRNSDirectorate Change
5th Mar 201512:30 pmRNSPlant Health Care signs Distribution Agreement
20th Feb 20155:48 pmRNSBlocklisting Interim Review
17th Feb 20154:03 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
30th Jan 20157:00 amRNSBoard changes and trading update
15th Dec 20141:51 pmRNSTR-1: Notification of Major Interest in Shares
5th Dec 20147:00 amRNSPHC Signs Agreement With Arysta LifeScience
19th Nov 20147:00 amRNSPlant Health Care Hires LHA
11th Nov 20144:05 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company

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