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BIO-TECHNE Corp - Annual Report: 2021 (Form 10-K)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, or

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period

from                      to                    

 

Commission file number 0-17272

 

 


 

BIO-TECHNE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Minnesota

 

41-1427402

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

  

614 McKinley Place N.E.

Minneapolis, MN 55413

 

(612) 379-8854

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 


 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value

TECH

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes ☒  No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.   Yes ☐  No ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes ☒  No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes ☒  No ☐

 

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

    

 Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

    
  

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes ☐  No ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 USC. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. Yes ☒  No ☐

 

As of December 31, 2020 the aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was $12.4 billion based upon the closing sale price as reported on The Nasdaq Stock Market ($317.55 per share). Shares of Common Stock held by each officer and director and by each person who owns 5% or more of the outstanding Common Stock have been excluded.

 

As of August 20, 2021, 39,079,539 shares of the Company’s Common Stock ($0.01 par value) were outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.

 


 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

   

Page

PART I

     

Item 1.

Business

1

     

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

9

     

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

17

     

Item 2.

Properties

17

     

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

17

     

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

17

     

PART II

     

Item 5.

Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

18

     

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

20

     

Item 7.

Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

21

     

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

33

     

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

34

     

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

69

     

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

69

     

Item 9B.

Other Information

70

     

PART III

     

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers

71

     

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

71

     

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters

71

     

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

71

     

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

71

     

PART IV

 

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

72

     
 

SIGNATURES

74

 

3

 

In this Annual Report, the terms “Bio-Techne” or the “Company” refer to Bio-Techne Corporation, Bio-Techne Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, or the consolidated subsidiaries of Bio-Techne Corporation, as the context requires.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

 

Certain statements included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report, in other documents we file with or furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), in our press releases, webcasts, conference calls, materials delivered to shareholders and other communications, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. All statements other than historical factual information are forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding: projections of revenue, expenses, profit, profit margins, pricing, tax rates, tax provisions, cash flows, our liquidity position or other projected financial measures; management’s plans and strategies for future operations, including statements relating to anticipated operating performance, cost reductions, new product and service developments, competitive strengths or market position, acquisitions and the integration thereof, strategic opportunities, dividends and executive compensation; growth, declines and other trends in markets we sell into; new or modified laws, regulations and accounting pronouncements; future regulatory approvals and the timing and conditionality thereof; outstanding claims, legal proceedings, tax audits and assessments and other contingent liabilities; future foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates; the potential or anticipated direct or indirect impact of COVID-19 on our business, results of operations and/or financial condition; general economic and capital markets conditions; the anticipated timing of any of the foregoing; assumptions underlying any of the foregoing; and any other statements that address events or developments that Bio-Techne intends or believes will or may occur in the future. Terminology such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “should,” “could,” “intend,” “will,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “target,” “may,” “possible,” “potential,” “forecast” and “positioned” and similar references to future periods are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements are accompanied by such words. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the risks and uncertainties set forth below and under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this Annual Report.

 

Forward-looking statements are not guaranties of future performance and actual results may differ materially from the results, developments and business decisions contemplated by our forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the report, document, press release, webcast, call, materials or other communication in which they are made. Except to the extent required by applicable law, we do not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise.

 

Investment in our securities involves risk and uncertainty and you should carefully consider all information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K prior to making an investment decision regarding our securities. Below is a summary of material risks and uncertainties we face, which are discussed more fully in “Item 1A. Risk Factors”:

 

Business and Strategic Risks

 

 

Conditions in the global economy, the particular markets we serve and the financial markets brought about by material global crises may adversely affect our business and financial statements.

 

 

U.S. and international political, economic, compliance and business factors, including the United Kingdom’s recent withdrawal from the European Union, can negatively impact our operations and financial results.

 

 

The healthcare and life sciences industries that we serve face constant pressures and changes in an effort to reduce healthcare costs or increase their predictability, all of which may adversely affect our business and financial results.

 

Acquisition and Investment Risks

 

 

Our inability to complete acquisitions at our historical rate and at appropriate prices, and to make appropriate investments that support our long-term strategy, could negatively impact our growth rate and stock price.

 

 

Our acquisition of businesses, investments, joint ventures and other strategic relationships, if not properly implemented or integrated, could negatively impact our business and financial statements.

 

 

We may be required to record a significant charge to earnings if our goodwill and other amortizable intangible assets, or other investments may become impaired, which could negatively impact our financial statements or stock price.

 

4

 

Operational Risks

 

 

Our success will be dependent on recruiting and retaining highly qualified personnel and creating and maintaining a culture that includes the employees joining through acquisition.

 

 

Our growth depends in part on the timely development and commercialization of new and enhanced products and services that meet our customers’ needs.  Our growth can also be negatively impacted if our customers do not grow as anticipated.  

 

 

We face intense competition, and if we are unable to compete effectively, we may experience decreased demand and decreased market share or need to reduce prices to remain competitive.

 

 

A significant disruption in, or breach of security of, our information technology systems or data, or violation of data privacy laws, could result in damage to our reputation, data integrity, and/or subject us to costs, fines, or lawsuits under data privacy or other laws or contractual requirements.  

 

 

If we suffer a loss to our facilities, supply chains, distribution systems or information technology systems due to catastrophe or other events, our operations could be seriously harmed.

 

 

The manufacture of many of our products is a complex process, and if we directly or indirectly encounter problems manufacturing products, our business and financial statements could suffer.

 

 

If we cannot adjust our manufacturing capacity or purchases required for our manufacturing activities to reflect changes in market conditions or customer demand, our business and financial statements may suffer.  In addition, our reliance upon sole or limited sources of supply for certain materials, components and services can cause production interruptions, delays and inefficiencies.

 

 

The Company relies heavily on internal manufacturing and related operations to produce, package and distribute its products which, if disrupted, could materially impair our business operations.  Our business could be adversely affected by disruptions at our sites.

 

 

Defects, unanticipated use of or inadequate disclosure with respect to our products, or allegations thereof, can adversely affect our business and financial statements.  

 

 

Because we rely heavily on third-party package-delivery services, a significant disruption in these services or significant increases in prices may disrupt our ability to ship products, increase our costs and lower our profitability.

 

Intellectual Property Risks

 

 

We are dependent on maintaining our intellectual property rights. If we are unable to adequately protect our intellectual property, or if third parties infringe our intellectual property rights, we may suffer competitive injury or expend significant resources enforcing our rights.  

 

 

We may be involved in disputes to determine the scope, coverage and validity of others' proprietary rights, or to defend against third-party claims of intellectual property infringement, any of which could be time-intensive and costly and may adversely impact our business.

 

Financial and Tax Risks

 

 

We have entered into and drawn on a revolving credit facility, and we may incur additional debt in the future. The burden of this additional debt could adversely affect us, make us more vulnerable to adverse economic or industry conditions, and prevent us from funding our expansion strategy.

 

 

Our business and financial statements can be adversely affected by foreign currency exchange rates, changes in our tax rates and tax liabilities and assessments (including as a result of changes in tax laws).

 

 

Dividends on our common stock could be reduced or eliminated in the future.

 

Legal, Regulatory, Compliance and Reputational Risks 

 

 

Our business is subject to extensive regulation; failure to comply with these regulations could adversely affect our business and financial results.  

 

 

Significant developments or changes in U.S. laws or policies, including changes in U.S. trade policies and tariffs and the reaction of other countries thereto, particularly in China, can have an adverse effect on our business and financial statements.

 

 

Our business and financial statements can be impaired by improper conduct of any of our employees, agents, or business partners.

 

 

Certain of our businesses are subject to extensive regulation by the U.S. FDA and by comparable agencies of other countries, as well as laws regulating fraud and abuse in the healthcare industry and the privacy and security of health information. Failure to comply with those regulations could adversely affect our business and financial statements.

 

 

Failure to comply with privacy and security laws and regulations could result in fines, penalties and damage to the Company’s reputation and have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s business, a risk that has been elevated with the acquisition of Exosome Diagnostics, whose laboratory testing service is a healthcare provider that obtains and uses protected health information.

 

 

5

 

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

 

OVERVIEW

 

Bio-Techne and its subsidiaries, collectively doing business as Bio-Techne Corporation (Bio-Techne, we, our, us or the Company), develop, manufacture and sell life science reagents, instruments and services for the research, diagnostics and bioprocessing markets worldwide. With our broad product portfolio and application expertise, we sell integral components of scientific investigations into biological processes and molecular diagnostics, revealing the nature, diagnosis, etiology and progression of specific diseases. Our products aid in drug discovery efforts and provide the means for accurate clinical tests and diagnoses.

 

We manage the business in two operating segments – our Protein Sciences segment and our Diagnostics and Genomics segment. Our Protein Sciences segment is a leading developer and manufacturer of high-quality biological reagents used in all aspects of life science research, diagnostics and cell and gene therapy. This segment also includes proteomic analytical tools, both manual and automated, that offer researchers and pharmaceutical manufacturers efficient and streamlined options for automated western blot and multiplexed ELISA workflow. Our Diagnostics and Genomics segment develops and manufactures diagnostic products, including controls, calibrators, and diagnostic assays for the regulated diagnostics market, exosome-based molecular diagnostic assays, advanced tissue-based in-situ hybridization assays for spatial genomic and tissue biopsy analysis, and genetic and oncology kits for research and clinical applications.    

 

We are a Minnesota corporation with our global headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We were founded forty-five years ago, in 1976, as Research and Diagnostic Systems, Inc. We became a publicly traded company in 1985 through a merger with Techne Corporation, now Bio-Techne Corporation. Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol “TECH.” We operate globally, with offices in many locations throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Today, our product lines extend to over 350,000 products, most of which we manufacture ourselves in multiple locations in North America, as well as the U.K. and China.

 

Our historical focus was on providing high quality proteins, antibodies and immunoassays to the life science research market and hematology controls to the diagnostics market. Over the last eight years, we have been implementing a disciplined strategy to accelerate growth in part by acquiring businesses and product portfolios that leveraged and diversified our existing product lines, filled portfolio gaps with differentiated high growth businesses, and expanded our geographic scope. From fiscal years 2013 through 2021 we have acquired or made investments in seventeen companies that have expanded the product offerings and geographic footprint of both operating segments. Recognizing the importance of an integrated, global approach to meeting our mission and accomplishing our strategies, we have maintained many of the brands of the companies we have acquired, but unified under a single global brand -- Bio-Techne. 

 

We are committed to providing the life sciences community with innovative, high-quality scientific tools that allow our customers to make extraordinary discoveries. We intend to build on Bio-Techne’s past accomplishments, high product quality reputation and sound financial position by executing strategies that position us to serve as the standard for biological content in the research market, and to leverage that leadership position to enter the diagnostics and other adjacent markets. Our strategies include:

 

Continued innovation in core products. Through collaborations with key opinion leaders, participation in scientific discussions and societies, and leveraging our internal talent we expect to be able to convert our continued significant investment in our research and development activities to be first-to-market with quality products that are at the leading edge of life science researchers’ needs.

 

Market and geographic expansion. We will continue to expand our sales staff and distribution channels globally in order to increase our global presence and make it easier for customers to transact with us. We will also leverage our existing portfolio to expand our product offerings into novel research fields and further into diagnostics and therapeutics markets.

 

Culture development and talent recruitment and retention. As we continue to grow both organically and through acquisition, we are intentionally fostering an “EPIC” culture based on the ideals of Empowerment, Passion, Innovation and Collaboration.  We strive to recruit, train and retain the most talented staff, who will live out these EPIC ideals and implement our strategies effectively.

 

Targeted acquisitions and investments. We will continue to leverage our strong balance sheet to gain access to new and differentiated technologies and products that improve our competitiveness in the current market, meet customers’ expanding workflow needs and allow us to enter adjacent markets. 

 

 

 

6

 

PROTEIN SCIENCES SEGMENT

 

Protein Sciences Segment Products and Markets

 

The Protein Sciences segment is the larger of our two segments, representing about 75% of our net sales in fiscal 2021. It is comprised of two divisions with complementary product offerings serving many of the same customers – the Reagent Solutions division and the Analytical Solutions division.

 

The Reagent Solutions division consists of specialized proteins, such as cytokines and growth factors, antibodies, small molecules, tissue culture sera and cell selection technologies traditionally used by researchers to further their life science experimental activities and by companies developing next generation diagnostics and therapeutics, including companies developing cell and gene-based therapeutics. Key product brands include R&D Systems, Tocris Biosciences and Novus Biologicals. Our combined chemical and biological reagents portfolio provides high quality tools that customers can use in solving complex biological pathways and glean knowledge that may lead to a more complete understanding of biological processes, and, ultimately, to the development of novel therapeutic strategies to address different pathologies.  With the 2019 acquisitions of Quad Technologies, which has novel Quickgel™ technologies for cell separation and activation, and B-MoGen Technologies, which has a non-viral, transposon-based technology for gene editing called TcBuster, we have expanded our product offerings for the cell and gene therapy market. Through a collaborative marketing venture with two other companies, we have leveraged these and other products we have or are developing to provide a more complete offering for the cell and gene therapy market.

 

The Analytical Solutions division includes manual and automated protein analysis instruments and immunoassays that are used in quantifying proteins in a variety of biological fluids. Products in this division include traditional manual plate-based immunoassays, fully automated multiplex immunoassays on various instrument platforms, and automated western blotting and isoelectric focusing analysis of complex protein samples. Key product brands include R&D Systems and ProteinSimple. A number of our products have been demonstrated to have the potential to serve as predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets for a variety of human diseases and conditions including cancer, autoimmunity, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, inflammation, neurological disorders, and kidney failure. Immunoassays can also be useful in clinical diagnostics. In fact, we have received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) marketing clearance for a few of our immunoassays for use as in vitro diagnostic devices. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we partnered with Mount Sinai Hospital and its commercial entity, Kantaro Biosciences, to rapidly develop and commercialize an immunoassay kit intended to test for antibodies to COVID-19, which has received regulatory clearance in several jurisdictions, including an Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA.

 

Protein Sciences Segment Customers and Distribution Methods

 

Our customers for this segment include researchers in academia, government and industry (chiefly pharmaceutical and biotech companies), as well as diagnostic/companion diagnostic and therapeutic customers, especially customers engaged in the development of cell and gene based therapies. Our biologics line of products in the Analytical Solutions division is used primarily by production and quality control departments at biotech and pharmaceutical companies. We sell our products directly to customers who are primarily located in North America, Europe and China, as well as through a distribution agreement with Fisher Scientific. We also sell through third party distributors in China, Japan, certain eastern European countries and the rest of the world. Our sales are widely distributed, and no single end-user customer accounted for more than 10% of the Protein Sciences segment's net sales during fiscal 2021, 2020 or 2019.

 

DIAGNOSTICS AND GENOMICS SEGMENT

 

The Diagnostics and Genomics segment, representing about 25% of our net revenues in fiscal 2021, is focused primarily on the diagnostics market and includes diagnostics reagents, genomics, our Exosome acquisition, and our Asuragen acquisition.

 

Diagnostics and Genomics Segment Products

 

The Diagnostic Reagents division consists of regulated products traditionally used as calibrators and controls in the clinical setting. Also included are instrument and process control products for hematology, blood chemistry, blood gases, coagulation controls and reagents used in various diagnostic applications. Often we manufacture these reagents on a custom basis, tailored to a customer's specific diagnostic assay technology. We supply these reagents in various formats including liquid, frozen, or in lyophilized form. Most of these products are sold on an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) basis to instrument manufacturers, with most products being FDA-cleared.

 

The Genomics division includes products using nucleic acid (RNA or DNA) analysis that can be used for diagnostic or research applications. Key product brands include Advanced Cell Diagnostics, or ACD, Exosome Diagnostics, and Asuragen. ACD products are aimed at tissue biopsy and spatial analysis.  Exosome Diagnostics focuses on exosome-based liquid biopsy techniques that analyze genes or their transcripts. The first commercialized test from Exosome Diagnostics is a urine-based assay for early detection of high-grade prostate cancer used as an aid in deciding the need for an initial biopsy.  Our most recent acquisition is Asuragen, which makes and sells products for genetic carrier screening, oncology diagnostics, molecular controls, and research.

 

7

 

Diagnostics and Genomics Segment Customers and Distribution Methods

 

The majority of Diagnostic Reagents Division's sales are through OEM agreements, but we sell some of our diagnostics reagents products directly to customers and, in Europe and Asia, also through distributors. The customers for the ACD research products include researchers in academia as well as investigators in pharmaceutical and biotech companies. We sell our products directly to those customers who are primarily located in North America, Europe and China, and through distributors elsewhere. In addition to being useful research tools, our DNA and RNA in situ hybridization assays have diagnostics applications as well, and several are cleared or currently under review by the FDA in partnership with diagnostics instrument manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. In the United States, we offer test services to physicians using our lab-developed non-invasive urine-based assay for prostate cancer detection.  Our diagnostic laboratory is certified under and regulated by the State of Massachusetts pursuant to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, or CLIA. Customers are physicians prescribing such tests for their patients.  Finally, the Asuragen products are sold primarily to laboratories for use in lab-developed tests or in kit form as regulated diagnostic tests. 

 

No customers accounted for 10% or more of the reporting segment's consolidated net sales during fiscal years 2021, 2020 or 2019.

 

MANUFACTURING AND MATERIALS

 

Our manufacturing operations use a wide variety of raw materials and components, including electronic components, chemicals and biological materials.  No single supplier is material, although for some components that require particular specifications or regulatory or other qualifications there may be a single supplier or a limited number of suppliers that can readily provide such components. We utilize a number of techniques to address potential disruption in and other risks relating to our supply chain, including in certain cases the use of safety stock, alternative materials and qualification of multiple supply sources.  

 

The majority of our products are shipped within one day of receipt of the customers' orders, other than our instruments and related cartridges, which are typically shipped within one to two weeks of receipt of an order.  There was no significant backlog of orders for our products as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or as of a comparable date for fiscal 2021.  For additional discussion of risks relating to supply chain and manufacturing, refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”  

 

COMPETITION

 

Although our segments both generally operate in highly competitive markets, it is difficult to determine our competitive position, either in the aggregate or by segment, since none of our competitors offer all of the same product and service lines or serve all of the same markets as the Company, or any of its segments, does. Because of the range of the products and services we sell, we encounter a wide variety of competitors, including a number of large, global companies or divisions of such companies with substantial capabilities and resources, as well a number of smaller, niche competitors with specialized product offerings.  We have increased competition in a number of our markets as a result of the entry of new companies into certain markets, the entry of competitors based in low-cost manufacturing locations, and increasing consolidation in particular markets. The number of competitors varies by product line. Key competitive factors vary among the Company’s businesses, but include the specific factors noted above with respect to each particular business and typically also include price, quality and safety, performance, delivery speed, application expertise, service and support, technology and innovation, distribution network, breadth of product, service and software offerings and brand name recognition.  We believe our competitive position is strong due to the unique aspects of many of our products and our product quality.   For a discussion of risks related to competition, refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

 

SEASONALITY OF BUSINESS

 

Bio-Techne believes there is some seasonality as a result of vacation and academic schedules of its worldwide customer base, particularly for the Protein Sciences segment. A majority of Diagnostics Reagents division products are manufactured in large bulk lots and sold on a schedule set by the customer. Consequently, sales for that segment can be unpredictable, and not necessarily based on seasonality. As a result, we can experience material and sometimes unpredictable fluctuations in our revenue from the Diagnostics and Genomics segment.

 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

 

Bio-Techne is engaged in continuous research and development in all of our major product lines. We believe that our future success depends, to a large extent, on our ability to keep pace with changing technologies and market needs. In response to the global pandemic that emerged in early 2020, we diverted some of our development resources to new and existing products to meet the needs associated with COVID-19, including a major effort by the development teams in our Protein Sciences Segment to develop a diagnostic immunoassay for testing antibodies to COVID-19. That immunoassay product has thus far had limited sales.  However, there is no assurance that any of the products in the research and development phase can be successfully completed or, if completed, can be successfully introduced into the marketplace.

 

8

 

HUMAN CAPITAL

 

Through its subsidiaries, Bio-Techne employed approximately 2,600 full-time and part-time employees as of June 30, 2021, of whom approximately 2,000 were employed in the United States and approximately 600 outside the United States. None of the United States employees are unionized. Outside the United States, the Company has government-mandated collective bargaining arrangements or work councils in certain countries. 

 

Bio-Techne is committed to attracting, developing, engaging and retaining the best people possible from around the world to sustain and grow our leadership position in life sciences tools and diagnostics. Our human capital strategy spans multiple key dimensions, including the following:

 

Culture and Governance

 

Our commitment to our people is reflected in our four EPIC values of Empowerment, Passion, Innovation and Collaboration. Those four values (together with their 12 supporting EPIC behaviors) are the backbone for the way we approach the leadership and direction of our work force.  Employees are empowered to realize their potential. Our culture supports and encourages a collaborative approach to working with each other and with our customers. We encourage innovation to continually improve our products, services and processes, and our passion for science and the missions of our customers is our guiding light. 

 

Our EPIC values are embedded in our culture and practices. By way of example, our performance management system and annual review processes incorporate our EPIC values.  Each employee is measured against the behaviors and attributes that support those values. To further amplify our desired behaviours, we have an annual employee recognition program in which we ask for nominations and recognize winning individuals and teams form across our business who have best demonstrated our EPIC values during the previous year.    

 

Bio-Techne’s Board of Directors reviews management succession planning annually, and its Executive Compensation Committee reviews the Company’s human capital strategy periodically in connection with significant initiatives and acquisitions, as well as part of its oversight of our executive and equity compensation programs. At the management level, our Vice President of Human Resources, who reports directly to our President and CEO, is responsible for the development and execution of the Company’s human capital strategy.

 

Engagement; Diversity and Belonging

 

Our engagement strategy focuses on developing the best workplace and best people leaders to meet our employees’ needs. We believe that strong employee engagement helps enable higher retention and better business performance. We assess our engagement performance through regular consultation with our managers and more formally via an annual engagement survey that assesses our employees’ overall experience.

 

This feedback informs and shapes our future employee-focused initiatives.  These initiatives in the past have resulted in changes in programs and policies, including expansion of our management and leadership development programs, addition of a parental leave program, expansion of our incentive programs to include annual cash bonuses to all professional employees and above, introduction of flexible working and expanding the breadth of our Diversity & Belonging Council and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).

 

We believe a diverse workforce and culture of inclusion is essential to drive innovation, fuel growth and help ensure our technologies and products effectively serve a global customer base. The Company’s executive-sponsored Diversity and Belonging initiative is focused on providing a welcoming working environment for all employees, continued education, broadening our candidate pools, and implementing and sustaining programs. Our ERGs, coordinated under the guidance of our executive-sponsored Employee Resource Group Council, offer mentorship, support and engagement to help our employees, including those from underrepresented groups, succeed and thrive. As of June 30, 2021, we had 8 ERGs operating globally. Furthermore, as of June 30, 2021, 50% of our total employee population was female, and 44% of our managerial employees were female.  In the United States, 33% of our total employee population identified as nonwhite and 28% of our managerial employees identified as nonwhite.

 

Talent Development and Learning and Development

 

Bio-Techne invests in people development in the belief that growing and promoting employees from within the Company creates a more sustainable organization. High potential and promotable employees are identified through our annual Talent Management program, and are then equipped with a personal development and career advancement plan. These plans involve training and development from internal and external programs, together with mentoring and coaching.

 

Our global Learning and Development program delivers a wide range of initiatives including a validated suite of compliance training, soft skills, technical skills, business skills, interpersonal skills and career skills. Many of these programs are assigned to individuals specifically, but in addition, there is an expansive menu available to employees in order to accelerate their own development. As a company that regularly acquires other businesses, we believe it is important for employees to be trained in the skills and mindsets that enable them to respond positively to change. This initiative allows individuals to deal with change easily and reduces the need to run large scale change management programs.

 

Community

 

The Company believes in giving back and in supporting the local communities in which we live and work. Most sites or departments engage in local charitable causes and activities. In some of our sites, employees are encouraged to give through regular payroll deductions and through the annual campaign week where employee contributions are matched by the Company. United States employees receive a paid day off to participate in local opportunities to give back to the community.

 

9


INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Our success depends in part upon our ability to protect our core technologies and intellectual property. To accomplish this, we rely on a combination of intellectual property rights, including patents, trade secrets and trademarks, as well as customary contractual protections in our terms and conditions and other sales-related documentation.

 

As of June 30, 2021, we had rights to approximately 350 granted patents and approximately 250 pending patent applications.  In particular, products in the Analytical Solutions and Genomics divisions are protected primarily through pending patent applications and issued patents. In addition, certain of our products are covered by licenses from third parties to supplement our own patent portfolio.  Patent protection, if granted, generally has a life of 20 years from the date of the patent application or patent grant. We cannot provide assurance that any of our pending patent applications will result in the grant of a patent, whether the examination process will require us to narrow our claims, and whether our claims will provide adequate coverage of our competitors' products or services.

 

In addition to pursuing patents on our products, we also preserve much of our innovation as trade secrets, particularly in the Reagent Solutions division of our Protein Sciences segment. We have taken steps to protect our intellectual property and proprietary technology, in part by entering into confidentiality agreements and intellectual property assignment agreements with our employees, consultants, corporate partners and, when needed, our advisors. See the description of risks associated with the Company's intellectual property in “Item 1A.  Risk Factors.”

 

We can give no assurance that Bio-Techne's products do not infringe upon patents or proprietary rights owned or claimed by others. Bio-Techne has not conducted a patent infringement study for each of its products. Where we have been contacted by patent holders with certain intellectual property rights, Bio-Techne typically has entered into licensing agreements with patent holders under which it has the exclusive and/or non-exclusive right to use patented technology as well as the right to manufacture and sell certain patented products to the research and/or diagnostics markets.

 

 

LAWS AND REGULATIONS

 

Our operations, and some of the products we offer, are subject to a number of complex laws and regulations governing the production, marketing, handling, transportation and distribution of our products and services.  The following sections describe certain significant regulations pertinent to the Company. These are not the only laws and regulations applicable to the Company’s business.  For a description of risks related to laws and regulations to which we are subject, refer to Item 1.A. Risk Factors.”

 

Medical Device Regulations 

 

A number of our products are classified as medical devices and are subject to restrictions under domestic and foreign laws, rules, regulations, self-regulatory codes and orders, including but not limited to the U.S. Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (the “FDCA”).  The FDCA requires these products, when sold in the United States, to be safe and effective for their intended uses and to comply with the regulations administered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”).  The FDA regulates the design, development, testing, manufacture, advertising, labeling, packaging, marketing, distribution, import and export and record keeping for such products.  Many medical device products are also regulated by comparable agencies in non-U.S. countries in which they are produced or sold.

 

Any medical devices we manufacture and distribute are subject to pervasive and continuing regulation by the FDA and certain state and non-U.S. agencies.  As a medical device manufacturer, our manufacturing facilities are subject to inspection on a routine basis by the FDA.  We are required to adhere to the Current Good Manufacturing Practices (“GMP”) requirements, as set forth in the Quality Systems Regulation (“QSR”), which require manufacturers, including third-party manufacturers, to follow stringent design, testing, control, documentation and other quality assurance procedures during all phases of the design and manufacturing process.

 

We must also comply with post-market surveillance regulations, including medical device reporting, or MDR, requirements which require that we review and report to the FDA any incident in which our products may have caused or contributed to a death or serious injury.  We must also report any incident in which our product has malfunctioned if that malfunction would likely cause or contribute to a death or serious injury it if were to recur.

 

Labeling and promotional activities are subject to scrutiny by the FDA and, in certain circumstances, by the Federal Trade Commission.  Medical devices approved or cleared by the FDA may not be promoted for unapproved or uncleared uses, otherwise known as “off-label” promotion.  The FDA and other agencies actively enforce the laws and regulations prohibiting the promotion of off-label uses.

 

In the European Union (“EU”), our products are subject to the medical device laws of the various member states, which are currently based on a Directive of the European Commission.  However, the EU has adopted the In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (the “EU IVDR”), which imposes stricter requirements for the marketing and sale of in vitro diagnostic medical devices, including in the area of clinical evaluation requirements, quality systems and post-market surveillance.  Manufacturers of currently approved in vitro diagnostics medical devices have until May 2022 to meet the EU IVDR.  Complying with EU IVDR, the regulation applicable to the Company, requires material modifications to our quality management systems, additional resources in certain functions, updates to technical files and additional clinical data in some cases, among other changes.

 

One of our products under our Exosome Diagnostics brand is offered as a test by a certified laboratory under CLIA. Our Asuragen business also maintains a CLIA certification. Consequently, we must comply with state licensing regulations applicable to laboratories regulated under CLIA, governing laboratory practices and procedures.

 

Other Healthcare Laws

 

Several of the products sold in our Diagnostics and Genomics segment are subject to various health care related laws regulating fraud and abuse, research and development, pricing and sales and marketing practices, and the privacy and security of health information, including, among others:

 

 

U.S. federal regulations regarding quality and cost by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”), as well as comparable state and non-U.S. agencies responsible for reimbursement and regulation of healthcare goods and services, including laws and regulations related to kickbacks, false claims, self-referrals and healthcare fraud.

 

 

U.S. Federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits persons from knowingly and willfully soliciting, offering, receiving or providing remuneration (including any kickback or bribe), directly or indirectly, in exchange for or to induce either the referral of an individual, or the furnishing or arranging for a good or service, for which payment may be made in whole or in part under a federal health care program, such as Medicare or Medicaid.

 

 

Comparable laws and regulations similar to, and in some cases more stringent than, the U.S. federal regulations discussed above and below, including the UK Bribery Act and similar anti-bribery laws.

 

 

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”), which prohibits knowingly and willfully (1) executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme to defraud any health care benefit program, including private payors, or (2) falsifying, concealing or covering up a material fact or making any materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement in connection with the delivery of or payment for health care benefits, items or services. In addition, HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009, also restricts the use and disclosure of patient identifiable health information, mandates the adoption of standards relating to the privacy and security of patient identifiable health information and requires the reporting of certain security breaches with respect to such information.

 

 

The False Claims Act, which imposes liability on any person or entity that, among other things, knowingly presents, or causes to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment by a federal health care program, knowingly makes, uses or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim, or knowingly makes a false statement to avoid, decrease or conceal an obligation to pay money to the U.S. federal government.

 

 

The Open Payments Act requires manufacturers of medical devices covered under Medicare to, in certain circumstances,   record payments and other transfers of value to a broad range of healthcare providers and teaching hospitals and to report this data as well as ownership and investment interests held by the physicians described above and their immediate family members to HHS for subsequent public disclosure, as well as similar reporting requirements in some states and in other countries.

 

For a discussion of risks related to regulation by the FDA and comparable agencies of other countries, and the other regulatory regimes referenced above, please refer to section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

 

11

 

Data Privacy and Security Laws

 

As a global organization, we are subject to data privacy and security laws, regulations, and customer-imposed controls in numerous jurisdictions as a result of having access to and processing confidential, personal and/or sensitive data in the course of our business.  In addition to the U.S. HIPAA privacy and security rules mentioned above, which impact some parts of our business, individual states also regulate data breach and security requirements and multiple governmental bodies assert authority over aspects of the protection of personal  privacy.  In particular, a broad privacy law in California, the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), came into effect in January 2020.  The CCPA has some of the same features as the GDPR (discussed below), and has already prompted several other states to follow with similar laws.  The EU General Data Protection Regulation that became effective in May 2018 (“GDPR”) has imposed significantly stricter requirements in how we collect, transmit, process and retain personal data, including, among other things, in certain circumstances a requirement for almost immediate notice of data breaches to supervisory authorities and prompt notice to data subjects with significant fines for non-compliance.  Several other countries such as China and Russia have passed, and other countries are considering passing, laws that require personal data relating to their citizens to be maintained on local servers and impose additional data transfer restrictions.  For a discussion of risks related to improper disclosure of private information particularly as a result of cyber security incidents, please refer to section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

 

Environmental Health and Safety Laws

 

We are also subject to various environmental health and safety laws and regulations both within and outside the U.S. Like other companies in our industry, our manufacturing and research activities involve the use and transportation of substances regulated under environmental health and safety laws including those relating to the transportation of hazardous materials.

 

Other Laws and Regulations Governing Our Sales, Marketing and Shipping Activities.

 

We are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and various other similar anti-corruption and anti-bribery acts, which are particularly relevant to our operations in countries where the customers are government entities or are controlled by government officials.  Both we directly, and indirectly through our distributors, must comply with such laws when interacting with those entities.

 

As Bio-Techne’s businesses also include export and import activities, we are subject to pertinent laws enforced by the U.S. Departments of Commerce, State and Treasury.  Other nations’ governments have implemented similar export/import control and economic sanction regulations, which may affect the Company’s operations or transactions subject to their jurisdictions.

 

In addition, under U.S. laws and regulations, U.S. companies and their subsidiaries and affiliates outside the United States are prohibited from participating or agreeing to participate in unsanctioned foreign boycotts in connection with certain business activities, including the sale, purchase, transfer, shipping or financing of goods or services within the United States or between the United States and countries outside of the United States. If we, or certain third parties through which we sell or provide goods or services, violate anti-boycott laws and regulations, we may be subject to civil or criminal enforcement action and varying degrees of liability.

 

We are subject to laws and regulations governing government contracts, and failure to address these laws and regulations or comply with government contracts could harm our business by a reduction in revenue associated with these customers. We have agreements relating to the sale of our products to government entities and, as a result, we are subject to various statutes and regulations that apply to companies doing business with the government. We are also subject to investigation for compliance with the regulations governing government contracts. A failure to comply with these regulations could result in suspension of these contracts, criminal, civil and administrative penalties or debarment.

 

For a discussion of risks related to the above-referenced regulations, particularly with respect to our international operations, please refer to section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

 

 

INVESTOR INFORMATION

 

We are subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act). Therefore, we file periodic reports, proxy statements, and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC maintains an internet site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically.

 

Financial and other information about us is available on our web site (https://investors.bio-techne.com/). We make available on our web site copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such material electronically or otherwise furnishing it to the SEC.

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

 

Currently, the names, ages, positions and periods of service of each executive officer of the Company are as follows:

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position

 

Officer Since

             

Charles Kummeth

 

61

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

2013

James Hippel

 

50

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

2014

David Eansor

 

60

 

President, Protein Sciences

 

2014

Kim Kelderman

 

54

 

President, Diagnostics and Genomics

 

2018

Brenda Furlow

 

63

 

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

2014

 

Set forth below is information regarding the business experience of each executive officer. There are no family relationships among any of the officers named, nor is there any arrangement or understanding pursuant to which any person was selected as an officer.

 

Charles Kummeth has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since April 1, 2013. Prior to joining the Company, he served as President of Mass Spectrometry and Chromatography at Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. from September 2011. He was President of that company's Laboratory Consumables Division from 2009 to September 2011. Prior to Thermo Fisher, Mr. Kummeth served in various roles at 3M Corporation, most recently as the Vice President of the company's Medical Division from 2006 to 2008.

 

James Hippel has been Chief Financial Officer of the Company since April 1, 2014. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hippel served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Mirion Technologies, Inc., a global company that provided radiation detection and identification products. Prior to Mirion, Mr. Hippel served as Vice President, Finance at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., leading finance operations for its Mass Spectrometry & Chromatography division and its Laboratory Consumables division. In addition, Mr. Hippel's experience includes nine years of progressive financial leadership at Honeywell International, within its Aerospace Segment. Mr. Hippel started his career with KPMG LLP.

 

David Eansor has been President of the Protein Sciences segment since July 1, 2018. Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President, Biotechnology Division and as Senior Vice President, Novus Biologicals since the Company completed its acquisition of Novus on July 2, 2014. From January 2013 until the date of the acquisition, Mr. Eansor was the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development of Novus Biologicals. Prior to joining Novus Biologicals, Mr. Eansor was the President of the Bioscience Division of Thermo Fisher Scientific. Mr. Eansor was promoted to Division President in early 2010 after 5 years as President of Thermo Fisher's Life Science Research business.

 

Kim Kelderman joined Bio-Techne on April 30, 2018 as President, Diagnostics and Genomics. Prior to Bio-Techne, Mr. Kelderman was employed at Thermo Fisher Scientific where he led three different businesses of increasing scale and complexity. For the last three years, Mr. Kelderman managed the Platforms and Content of the Genetic Sciences Division, where he was responsible for the Instrumentation, Software, Consumables and Assays businesses, and brands such as Applied Biosystems and legacy Affymetrix. Before joining Thermo Fisher, Kim served as Senior Segment Leader at Becton Dickinson, managing the global Blood Tubes “Vacutainer” business.

 

Brenda Furlow joined the Company as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary on August 4, 2014. Prior to joining Bio-Techne, Ms. Furlow served as general counsel to emerging growth technology companies. Ms. Furlow was General Counsel for TomoTherapy, a global, publicly traded company that manufactured and sold radiation therapy equipment, from 2007 to 2011. From 1998 to 2007, Ms. Furlow served as General Counsel for Promega Corporation, a global life sciences company.

 

 

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

Set forth below are risks and uncertainties we believe are material to our investors. You should refer to the explanation of the qualifications and limitations on forward-looking statements in the section titled Information Relating to Forward-Looking Statements at the beginning of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Economic and Industry Risks

 

Conditions in the global economy, the particular markets we serve and the financial markets brought about by material global crises may adversely affect our business and financial statements.

 

Our global operations expose us to risks associated with many types of crises, whether political, social, economic, climate or otherwise.  In particular, given our industry, we have exposure to public health crises, including epidemics and pandemics such as COVID-19. Most recently, COVID-19 has had, and likely will continue to have, an adverse impact on our employees, operations, supply chains, and sales and distribution systems, including as a result of impacts associated with protective health measures that we, other businesses and governments are taking or might have to take again in the future. For example, as the world has grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments issued “stay-at-home” orders which restricted business and personal activities, and many employers required employees to work from home and cease all travel. While many of these travel and activity restrictions have been partially or fully lifted in certain countries where the pandemic has been controlled, they may be reinstituted in the future and jurisdictions may continue to close borders, impose prolonged quarantines and further restrict travel and other activities. 

 

In the past eighteen months, we have introduced new products or modified existing products to serve the research and healthcare markets as they address the global pandemic through novel diagnostic and therapeutic products. The direct impact of COVID-19 and the preventive and precautionary measures implemented as a result thereof have adversely affected, and are expected to continue to adversely affect, certain elements of our Company (including to a different degree our operations, commercial organizations, supply chains and distribution systems) and the future impact may be material, though the impact on our different businesses and the different elements of our businesses varies (please see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for a discussion of how COVID-19 impacted our results of operations and financial position in fiscal 2021). Without limiting the foregoing, we have experienced and/or may in the future experience:

 

 

adverse impacts on customer orders and purchases and unpredictable reductions in demand for many of our products;

 

 

constraints on the movement of our products through the supply chain;

 

 

adverse impacts on our collections of accounts receivable, including delays in collections and increases in uncollectible receivables;

 

 

supply chain capacity constraints and price increases, including with respect to freight services;

 

 

failure of COVID-19 related products to be adopted in the market as anticipated;

 

 

adverse impacts on our workforce and/or key employees;

 

 

unpredictable increases in demand for certain products; and

 

 

increased cybersecurity attack activity.

 

Any of these developments may adversely affect our business and financial statements.

 

14

 

U.S. and international political, economic, compliance and business factors, including the United Kingdoms recent withdrawal from the European Union, can negatively impact our operations and financial results.

 

Changes, potential changes or uncertainties in U.S. social, political, regulatory and economic conditions or laws and policies governing foreign trade, manufacturing, and development and investment in the territories and countries where we or our customers operate, or governing the health care system, can adversely affect our business and financial statements. For example, the current U.S. administration has continued to keep in place many of the significant tariff increases for goods imported into the United States, particularly from China, imposed by the prior administration. Congress and the U.S. administration is also considering significant changes to healthcare in the United States, including government negotiation/regulation of drug prices paid by government programs.

 

Additionally, the UK’s exit from the European Union at the end of calendar year 2020 has created political and economic uncertainty, particularly in the UK and the EU, and has disrupted the free flow of goods and people between the UK and the EU.  In addition, our business could be negatively affected by new trade agreements between the UK and other countries, including the United States, and by the possible imposition of trade or other regulatory barriers in the UK. Any of these factors have affected and could continue to adversely affect customer demand, our relationships with customers and suppliers, and our business and financial results, particularly since our European headquarters and primary shipping facilities have been located in the UK. Additionally, attracting and retaining qualified employees who are citizens of EU countries to our UK facilities may be more difficult given the uncertainties resulting from the UK's withdrawal.

 

We engage in business globally, with approximately 46% of our sales revenue in fiscal 2021 coming from outside the U.S. In addition, one of our strategies is to expand geographically, particularly in China, India and in developing countries, both through distribution and through direct operations. This subjects us to a number of risks, including international economic, political, and labor conditions; currency fluctuations; tax laws (including U.S. taxes on foreign subsidiaries); increased financial accounting and reporting burdens and complexities; unexpected changes in, or impositions of, legislative or regulatory requirements; failure of laws to protect intellectual property rights adequately; inadequate local infrastructure and difficulties in managing and staffing international operations; delays resulting from difficulty in obtaining export licenses for certain technology; tariffs, quotas and other trade barriers and restrictions; transportation delays; operating in locations with a higher incidence of corruption and fraudulent business practices; and other factors beyond our control, including terrorism, war, natural disasters, climate change and diseases.

 

The application of laws and regulations impacting global transactions is often unclear and may at times conflict. Compliance with these laws and regulations may involve significant costs or require changes in our business practices that result in reduced revenue and profitability. Non-compliance could also result in fines, damages, criminal sanctions, prohibited business conduct, and damage to our reputation. We incur additional legal compliance costs associated with our global operations and could become subject to legal penalties in foreign countries if we do not comply with local laws and regulations, which may be substantially different from those in the U.S.

 

We continue to expand our operations in countries with developing economies, where it may be common to engage in business practices that are prohibited by U.S. regulations applicable to the Company, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Although we implement policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with these laws, there can be no assurance that all of our employees, contractors, and agents, as well as those companies to which we outsource certain aspects of our business operations, including those based in foreign countries where practices which violate such U.S. laws may be customary, will comply with our internal policies. Any such non-compliance, even if prohibited by our internal policies, could have an adverse effect on our business and result in significant fines or penalties.

 

The healthcare and life sciences industries that we serve face constant pressures and changes in an effort to reduce or increase the predictability of healthcare costs, all of which may adversely affect our business and financial results.

 

Our Protein Sciences segment products are sold primarily to research scientists at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and at university and government research institutions. In addition to the impacts described above relating to COVID-19, research and development spending by our customers and the availability of government research funding can fluctuate due to changes in available resources, mergers of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, spending priorities, general economic conditions and institutional and governmental budgetary policies. We carry essentially no backlog of orders and changes in the level of orders received and filled daily can cause fluctuations in quarterly revenues and earnings.

 

Our Genomics and Diagnostics segment products are intended primarily for the medical diagnostics market, which relies largely on government healthcare-related policies and funding. Changes in government reimbursement for certain diagnostic tests or reductions in overall healthcare spending could negatively impact us directly or our customers and, correspondingly, our sales to them. For example, our Exosome Diagnostics business develops and sells novel exosome-based diagnostic tests.  While we received public payer coverage for certain uses, we are currently seeking expanded coverage from public payors as well as coverage decisions regarding reimbursement from additional private payers. However, the process and timeline for obtaining coverage decisions is uncertain and difficult to predict. Further, reimbursement reductions due to changes in policy regarding coverage of tests or other requirements for payment (such as prior authorization, diagnosis code and other claims edits, or a physician or qualified practitioner’s signature on test requisitions) may be implemented from time to time. All of these payor actions and changes may have a material adverse effect on revenue and earnings associated with our diagnostics products. 

 

15

 

Acquisition and Investment Risks

 

Our inability to consummate acquisitions at our historical rate and at appropriate prices, and to make appropriate investments that support our long-term strategy, could negatively impact our growth rate and stock price.

 

We routinely explore acquiring other businesses and assets, and have completed seventeen acquisitions and investments in the last nine years.  Our ability to grow revenues, earnings and cash flow at or above our historic rates depends in part upon our ability to identify and successfully acquire and integrate businesses at appropriate prices and realize anticipated synergies, and to make appropriate investments that support our long-term strategy. We may not be able to consummate acquisitions at rates similar to the past, which could adversely impact our growth rate and our stock price. Promising acquisitions and investments are difficult to identify and complete for a number of reasons, including high valuations, competition among prospective buyers or investors, the availability of affordable funding in the capital markets and the need to satisfy applicable closing conditions and obtain applicable antitrust and other regulatory approvals on acceptable terms. Changes in accounting or regulatory requirements or instability in the credit markets could also adversely impact our ability to consummate acquisitions and investments.

 

Our acquisition of businesses, investments, joint ventures and other strategic relationships, if not properly implemented or integrated, could negatively impact our business and financial statements.

 

As part of our business strategy we acquire businesses, make investments and enter into joint ventures and other strategic relationships in the ordinary course, and we also from time to time complete more significant transactions. We joined with two partners to establish a collaborative marketing venture, ScaleReady LLC, to address the needs of the rapidly expanding cell and gene therapy market.  While we believe this joint venture provides a competitive advantage in addressing this market, we may have interests that diverge from those of our joint venture partners, and we may not be able to direct or influence the management and operations of the joint venture in the manner we believe is most appropriate, exposing us to additional risk.  More generally, acquisitions, investments, joint ventures and strategic relationships involve a number of additional financial, accounting, managerial, operational, legal, compliance and other risks and challenges, including but not limited to the following, any of which could adversely affect our business and our financial statements:

 

 

businesses, technologies, services and products that we acquire or invest in sometimes under-perform relative to our expectations and the price that we paid, fail to perform in accordance with our anticipated timetable or fail to achieve and/or sustain profitability;

 

 

we from time to time incur or assume significant debt in connection with our acquisitions and investments, which can result in increased borrowing costs and interest expense and diminish our future access to the capital markets;

 

 

acquisitions, investments, joint ventures or strategic relationships can cause our financial results to differ from our own or the investment community’s expectations in any given period, or over the long-term;

 

 

acquisitions, investments, joint ventures or strategic relationships can create demands on our management, operational resources and financial and internal control systems that we are unable to effectively address;

 

 

we can experience difficulty in integrating cultures, personnel, operations and financial and other controls and systems and retaining key employees and customers;

 

 

we may be unable to achieve cost savings or other synergies anticipated in connection with an acquisition, investment, joint venture or strategic relationship;

 

 

we have assumed and may assume unknown liabilities, known contingent liabilities that become realized, known liabilities that prove greater than anticipated, internal control deficiencies or exposure to regulatory sanctions resulting from the acquired company’s or investee’s activities and the realization of any of these liabilities or deficiencies can increase our expenses, adversely affect our financial position or cause us to fail to meet our public financial reporting obligations;

 

 

in connection with acquisitions and joint ventures, we often enter into post-closing financial arrangements such as purchase price adjustments, earn-out obligations and indemnification obligations, which can have unpredictable financial results; and

 

 

investing in or making loans to early-stage companies often entails a high degree of risk, and we do not always achieve the strategic, technological, financial or commercial benefits we anticipate; we may lose our investment or fail to recoup our loan; or our investment may be illiquid for a greater-than-expected period of time.

 

We may be required to record a significant charge to earnings if our goodwill and other amortizable intangible assets, or other investments become impaired, which could negatively impact our financial statements or stock price.

 

We are required under generally accepted accounting principles to test goodwill for impairment at least annually and to review our goodwill, amortizable intangible assets, and other assets acquired through merger and acquisition activity, for impairment when events or changes in circumstance indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors that could lead to impairment of goodwill, amortizable intangible assets, and other assets acquired via acquisitions include significant adverse changes in the business climate and actual or projected operating results (affecting our company as a whole or affecting any particular segment) and declines in the financial condition of our business. We may be required in the future to record additional charges to earnings if our goodwill, amortizable intangible assets or other investments become impaired. Any such charge would adversely impact our financial results.

 

In addition, the Company's expansion strategies include collaborations and investments in joint ventures and companies developing new products related to the Company's business. These strategies carry risks that objectives will not be achieved and future earnings will be adversely affected. For example, the Company has an approximate 2% equity investment in publicly traded ChemoCentryx, Inc. (Nasdaq: CCXI) that is valued at $20.0 million as of June 30, 2021. The ownership of CCXI shares is very concentrated, the share price is highly volatile and there is limited trading of the shares.

 

 

 

Strategic and Operational Risks

 

Our success will be dependent on recruiting and retaining highly qualified personnel and creating and maintaining a culture that includes the employees joining through acquisition.

 

Recruiting and retaining qualified scientific, production, sales and marketing, and management personnel are critical to our success. Our anticipated growth and its expected expansion into areas and activities requiring additional expertise will require the addition of new personnel and the development of additional expertise by existing personnel. In general, we have been experiencing turnover at higher rates than usual and have had some difficulties filling certain positions.  In particular, we operate in several geographic locations where competition for talent is strong, making employee retention even more challenging. For example, some of our fastest growing businesses are located in California and Massachusetts, both of which generally have low unemployment and a competitive environment for finding and retaining talent. Our growth by acquisition also creates challenges in retaining employees. As we integrate past and future acquisitions and evolve our corporate culture to incorporate the new workforces, some employees may not find such integration or cultural changes appealing. Finally, as the geographies in which we operate recover from the recent pandemic and we return employees who had been working from home back to our sites, we may not be able to retain people who prefer continuing to work from home. The failure to attract and retain such personnel could adversely affect our business.

 

Our growth depends in part on the timely development and commercialization of new and enhanced products and services that meet our customers needs.  Our growth can also be negatively impacted if our customers do not grow as anticipated. 

 

We generally sell our products and services in industries that are characterized by rapid technological change, frequent new product introductions and new market entrants and competitors. If we do not develop innovative new and enhanced products and services on a timely basis, our offerings will become obsolete over time and our business and financial statements will suffer. Our success will depend on several factors, including our ability to:

 

 

correctly identify and or predict customer needs and preferences;

 

 

allocate our research funding to products with higher growth prospects;

 

 

anticipate and respond to our competitors’ development of new products and technological innovations;

 

 

differentiate our offerings from our competitors’ offerings and avoid our products becoming commodities;

 

 

innovate and develop new technologies and applications, and acquire or obtain rights to third-party technologies that may have valuable applications in the markets we serve;

 

 

obtain adequate intellectual property rights with respect to key technologies;

 

 

successfully commercialize new technologies in a timely manner, price them competitively and cost-effectively manufacture and deliver sufficient volumes of new products of appropriate quality on time;

 

 

obtain necessary regulatory approvals of appropriate scope (including with respect to certain diagnostic medical device products by demonstrating satisfactory clinical results where applicable, as well as achieving third-party reimbursement); and

 

 

stimulate customer demand for and convince customers to adopt new technologies.

 

If we fail to accurately predict future customer needs and preferences or fail to produce viable technologies, we may invest heavily in research and development of products that do not lead to significant revenue, which would adversely affect our business and financial statements. Even when we successfully innovate and develop new and enhanced products, we often incur substantial costs in doing so, and our profitability may suffer.

 

We face intense competition, and if we are unable to compete effectively, we may experience decreased demand and decreased market share or need to reduce prices to remain competitive.

 

We face intense competition across most of our product lines. Competitors include companies ranging from start-up companies, which may be able to more quickly respond to customers' needs, to large multinational companies, which may have greater financial, marketing, operational, and research and development resources than us. In addition, consolidation trends in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostics industries have served to create fewer customer accounts and to concentrate purchasing decisions for some customers, resulting in increased pricing pressure on us. Moreover, customers may believe that consolidated businesses are better able to compete as sole source vendors, and therefore prefer to purchase from such businesses. The entry into the market by manufacturers in China, India and other low-cost manufacturing locations is also creating increased pricing and competitive pressures, particularly in developing markets.  In order to compete effectively, we must retain longstanding relationships with major customers and continue to grow our business by establishing relationships with new customers, continually developing new products and services to maintain and expand our brand recognition and leadership position in various product and service categories and penetrating new markets, including high-growth markets. Our ability to compete can also be impacted by changing customer preferences and requirements (for example increased demand for more environmentally-friendly products and supplier practices).  Our failure to compete effectively and/or pricing pressures resulting from competition may adversely impact our business and financial statements, and our expansion into new markets may result in greater-than-expected risks, liabilities and expenses.

 

17

 

A significant disruption in, or breach of security of, our information technology systems or data, or violation of data privacy laws, could result in damage to our reputation, data integrity and/or subject us to costs, fines, or lawsuits under data privacy or other laws or contractual requirements.

 

The integrity and protection of our own data, and that of our customers and employees, is critical to our business. We rely on information technology systems, some of which are provided and/or managed by third parties, to process, transmit and store electronic information (including sensitive data such as confidential business information and personally identifiable data relating to employees, customers, other business partners and patients), and to manage or support a variety of critical business processes and activities (such as receiving and fulfilling orders, billing, collecting and making payments, shipping products, providing services and support to customers and fulfilling contractual obligations). These systems, products and services (including those we acquire through business acquisitions) can be damaged, disrupted or shut down due to attacks by computer hackers, computer viruses, ransomware, human error or malfeasance, power outages, hardware failures, telecommunication or utility failures, catastrophes or other unforeseen events, and in any such circumstances our system redundancy and other disaster recovery planning may be ineffective or inadequate. Attacks can also target hardware, software and information installed, stored or transmitted in our products after such products have been purchased and incorporated into third-party products, facilities or infrastructure. Security breaches of systems provided or enabled by us, regardless of whether the breach is attributable to a vulnerability in our products or services, or security breaches of third party systems we rely on to process, store or transmit electronic information, can result in the misappropriation, destruction or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information or personal data belonging to us or to our employees, partners, customers, patients or suppliers. These attacks, breaches, misappropriations and other disruptions and damage can interrupt our operations or the operations of our customers and partners, delay production and shipments, result in theft of our and our customers’ intellectual property and trade secrets, result in disclosure of personally identifiable information, damage customer, patient, business partner and employee relationships and our reputation and result in defective products or services, legal claims and proceedings, liability and penalties under privacy laws and increased costs for security and remediation, in each case resulting in an adverse effect on our business and financial statements.

 

In addition, our information technology systems require an ongoing commitment of significant resources to maintain and enhance existing systems and develop new systems to keep pace with continuing changes in information processing technology, evolving legal and regulatory standards, evolving customer expectations, changes in the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access to data and information systems, and the information technology needs associated with our changing products and services. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully maintain, enhance and upgrade our systems as necessary to effectively address these requirements.

 

If we are unable to maintain reliable information technology systems and appropriate controls with respect to global data privacy and security requirements and prevent data breaches, we may suffer regulatory consequences in addition to business consequences. As a global organization, we are subject to data privacy and security laws, regulations, and customer-imposed controls in numerous jurisdictions as a result of having access to and processing confidential, personal and/or sensitive data in the course of our business. For example, in the United States, certain of our businesses are subject to HIPAA.  Entities that are found to be in violation of HIPAA as the result of a breach of unsecured patient health information, a complaint about privacy practices or an audit by the HHS, may be subject to significant civil, criminal and administrative fines and penalties and/or additional reporting and oversight obligations if required to enter into a resolution agreement and corrective action plan with HHS to settle allegations of HIPAA non-compliance. Individual states regulate data breach and security requirements and multiple governmental bodies assert authority over aspects of the protection of personal privacy. Most notably, in the last several years, some states, including California and Virginia, have passed broad privacy legislation that could result in more material impacts as implementing regulations are issued. European laws require us to have an approved legal mechanism to transfer personal data out of Europe.  Failure to comply with the requirements of GDPR and the applicable national data protection laws of the EU member states may result in fines of up to €20 million or up to 4% of the total worldwide annual turnover of the preceding financial year, whichever is higher, and other administrative penalties. Several other countries such as China and Russia have passed, and other countries are considering passing, laws that require personal data relating to their citizens to be maintained on local servers and impose additional data transfer restrictions., Government enforcement actions can be costly and interrupt the regular operation of our business, and data breaches or violations of data privacy laws can result in fines, reputational damage and civil lawsuits, any of which may adversely affect our business, reputation and financial statements.

 

If we suffer loss to our facilities, supply chains, distribution systems or information technology systems due to catastrophe or other events, our operations could be seriously harmed.

 

Our facilities, supply chains, distribution systems and information technology systems are subject to catastrophic loss due to fire, flood, earthquake, hurricane, power shortage or outage, public health crisis (including epidemics and pandemics) and the reaction thereto, war, terrorism, riot or other natural or man-made disasters, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. If any of these facilities, supply chains or systems were to experience a catastrophic loss, it could disrupt our operations, delay production and shipments, result in defective products or services, diminish demand, damage customer relationships and our reputation and result in legal exposure and significant repair or replacement expenses. The third-party insurance coverage that we maintain varies from time to time in both type and amount depending on cost, availability and our decisions regarding risk retention, and may be unavailable or insufficient to protect us against such losses.

 

18

 

The manufacture of many of our products is a complex process, and if we directly or indirectly encounter problems manufacturing products, our business and financial statements could suffer.

 

The manufacture of many of our products is a complex process, due in part to strict regulatory requirements for some of our products. Problems can arise during manufacturing for a variety of reasons, including equipment malfunction, failure to follow specific protocols and procedures, problems with reliable sourcing of raw materials or components, natural disasters and environmental factors, and if not discovered before the product is released to market can result in recalls and product liability exposure. Because of the quality requirements of some of our customers as well as stringent regulations of the FDA and similar agencies regarding the manufacture of certain of our products, alternative manufacturing or sourcing is not always available on a timely basis to replace such production capacity. Any of these manufacturing problems could result in significant adverse impacts to our business and financial statements.

 

If we cannot adjust our manufacturing capacity or the purchases required for our manufacturing activities to reflect changes in market conditions and customer demand, our business and financial statements may suffer. In addition, our reliance upon sole or limited sources of supply for certain materials, components and services can cause production interruptions, delays and inefficiencies.

 

We purchase materials, components and equipment from third parties for use in many of our manufacturing operations. Our profitability could be adversely impacted if we are unable to adjust our purchases to reflect changes in customer demand and market fluctuations, including those caused by seasonality or cyclicality. During a market upturn, suppliers from time to time extend lead times, limit supplies or increase prices. If we cannot purchase sufficient products at competitive prices and quality and on a timely enough basis to meet increasing demand, we may not be able to satisfy market demand, product shipments may be delayed, our costs may increase or we may breach our contractual commitments and incur liabilities. Conversely, in order to secure supplies for the production of products, we sometimes enter into noncancelable purchase commitments with vendors, which can impact our ability to adjust our inventory to reflect declining market demands. If demand for our products is less than we expect, we may experience additional excess and obsolete inventories and be forced to incur additional charges and our business and financial statements may suffer.

 

In addition, some of our businesses purchase certain requirements from sole or limited source suppliers for reasons of quality assurance, regulatory requirements, cost effectiveness, availability or uniqueness of design. If these or other suppliers encounter financial, operating or other difficulties or if our relationship with them changes, we might not be able to quickly establish or qualify replacement sources of supply. The supply chains for our businesses can also be disrupted by supplier capacity constraints, bankruptcy or exiting of the business for other reasons, decreased availability of key raw materials or commodities and external events such as natural disasters, pandemic health issues, war, terrorist actions, governmental actions (such as trade protectionism) and legislative or regulatory changes. Any of these factors can result in production interruptions, delays, extended lead times and inefficiencies. Because we cannot always immediately adapt our production capacity and related cost structures to changing market conditions, at times our manufacturing capacity exceeds or falls short of our production requirements. Any or all of these problems can result in the loss of customers, provide an opportunity for competing products to gain market acceptance and otherwise adversely affect our business and financial statements.

 

 

The Company relies heavily on internal manufacturing and related operations to produce, package and distribute its products which, if disrupted, could materially impair our business operations. Our business could be adversely affected by disruptions at our sites. 

 

The Company's internal quality control, packaging and distribution operations support the majority of the Company's sales. Since certain Company products must comply with FDA regulations and because in all instances, the Company creates value for its customers through the development of high-quality products, any significant decline in quality or disruption of operations for any reason could adversely affect sales and customer relationships, and therefore adversely affect the business. While we have taken certain steps to manage these operational risks, the Company's future sales growth and earnings may be adversely affected by perceived disruption risks or actual disruptions.

 

We rely upon our manufacturing operations to produce many of the products we sell and our warehouse facilities to store products, pending sale. Any significant disruption of those operations for any reason, such as strikes or other labor unrest, power interruptions, fire, hurricanes or other events beyond our control could adversely affect our sales and customer relationships and therefore adversely affect our business. We have significant operations in California, near major earthquake faults, which make us susceptible to earthquake risk. Although most of our raw materials are available from a number of potential suppliers, our operations also depend upon our ability to obtain raw materials at reasonable prices. If we are unable to obtain the materials we need at a reasonable price, we may not be able to produce certain of our products or we may not be able to produce certain of these products at a marketable price, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

Defects and unanticipated use or inadequate disclosure with respect to our products, or allegations thereof, can adversely affect our business and financial statements.

 

Certain of our products and services are sold for use in diagnostics.  For those products and services in particular, manufacturing or design defects in, unanticipated use of, safety or quality issues (or the perception of such issues) with respect to, “off label” use of, or inadequate disclosure of risks relating to the use of products and services that we make or sell (including items that we source from third-parties) can lead to personal injury, death, and/or property damage and adversely affect our business and financial statements. These events can lead to recalls or safety alerts, result in the removal of a product or service from the market and result in product liability or similar claims being brought against us. Recalls, removals and product liability and similar claims (regardless of their validity or ultimate outcome) result in significant costs, as well as negative publicity and damage to our reputation that could reduce demand for our products and services. Our business can also be affected by studies of the utilization, safety and efficacy of medical device products and components that are conducted by industry participants, government agencies and others. Any of the above can result in the discontinuation of marketing of such products in one or more countries and give rise to claims for damages from persons who believe they have been injured as a result of product issues, including claims by individuals or groups seeking to represent a class.

 

Because we rely heavily on third-party package-delivery services, a significant disruption in these services or significant increases in prices may disrupt our ability to ship products, increase our costs and lower our profitability.

 

Most of our reagent products need to be stored and shipped at certain cold temperatures.  Consequently, we ship a significant portion of our products to our customers by express mail or air delivery through package delivery companies, such as FedEx in the U.S. and DHL in Europe. If one or more of these third-party package-delivery providers were to experience a major work stoppage, preventing our products from being delivered in a timely fashion or causing us to incur additional shipping costs we could not pass on to our customers, our costs could increase and our relationships with certain of our customers could be adversely affected. In addition, if one or more of these third-party package-delivery providers were to increase prices, and we were not able to find comparable alternatives or make adjustments in our delivery network, our profitability could be adversely affected.

 

19

 

Intellectual Property Risks

 

We are dependent on maintaining our intellectual property rights. If we are unable to adequately protect our intellectual property, or if third parties infringe our intellectual property rights, we may suffer competitive injury or expend significant resources enforcing our rights.

 

Many of the markets we serve are technology-driven, and as a result intellectual property rights play a significant role in product development and differentiation. We own numerous patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and other intellectual property and licenses to intellectual property owned by others, which in aggregate are important to our business. The intellectual property rights that we obtain, however, are not always sufficiently broad and do not always provide us a significant competitive advantage, and patents may not be issued for pending or future patent applications owned by or licensed to us. In addition, the steps that we and our licensors have taken to maintain and protect our intellectual property do not always prevent it from being challenged, invalidated, circumvented, designed-around or becoming subject to compulsory licensing. In some circumstances, enforcement is not available to us because an infringer has a dominant intellectual property position or for other business reasons. We also rely on nondisclosure and noncompetition agreements with employees, consultants and other parties to protect, in part, trade secrets and other proprietary rights. There can be no assurance that these agreements adequately protect our trade secrets and other proprietary rights and will not be breached, that we will have adequate remedies for any breach, that others will not independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information or that third parties will not otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or other proprietary rights.

 

These risks are particularly pronounced in countries in which we do business that do not have levels of protection of corporate proprietary information, intellectual property, technology and other assets comparable to the United States. We operate globally, with manufacturing operations in China and the UK, and approximately 46% of our revenue from outside the United States.   The laws, regulations and enforcement mechanisms in other countries may in some cases be less protective of our intellectual property rights. Our failure to obtain or maintain intellectual property rights that convey competitive advantage, adequately protect our intellectual property or detect or prevent circumvention or unauthorized use of such property and the cost of enforcing our intellectual property rights can adversely impact our business and financial statements.

 

We may be involved in disputes to determine the scope, coverage and validity of others' proprietary rights, or to defend against third-party claims of intellectual property infringement, any of which could be time-intensive and costly and may adversely impact our business.

 

Our success depends in part on its ability to operate without infringing the proprietary rights of others, and to obtain licenses where necessary or appropriate. We have obtained and continue to negotiate licenses to produce a number of products claimed to be owned by others. Since we have not conducted a patent infringement study for each of our products, it is possible that some of our products may unintentionally infringe patents of third parties.

 

We have been and may in the future be sued by third parties alleging that we are infringing their intellectual property rights. These lawsuits are expensive, take significant time, and divert management's focus from other business concerns. If we are found to be infringing the intellectual property of others, we could be required to cease certain activities, alter our products or processes or pay licensing fees. This could cause unexpected costs and delays which may have a material adverse effect on us. If we are unable to obtain a required license on acceptable terms, or unable to design around any third party patent, we may be unable to sell some of our products and services, which could result in reduced revenue. In addition, if we do not prevail, a court may find damages or award other remedies in favor of the opposing party in any of these suits, which may adversely affect our earnings.

 

20

 

Financial and Tax Risks

 

We have entered into and drawn on a revolving credit facility, and we may incur additional debt in the future.  The burden of this additional debt could adversely affect us, make us more vulnerable to adverse economic or industry conditions, and prevent us from funding our expansion strategy.

 

We currently have a Credit Agreement that provides for a revolving credit facility of $600 million, which can be increased by an additional $200 million subject to certain conditions, and a term loan of $250 million. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a variable rate. As of August 20, 2021, the Company had drawn $335 million under the Credit Agreement.

 

The terms of the Credit Agreement and the burden of the indebtedness incurred thereunder could have negative consequences for us, such as:

 

 

limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to fund our working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, expansion strategy, or other needs;

 

 

increasing our vulnerability to, and reducing our flexibility in planning for, adverse changes in economic, industry and competitive conditions; and

 

 

increasing our vulnerability to increases in interest rates.

 

The Credit Agreement also contains negative covenants that limit our ability to engage in specified types of transactions. These covenants limit our ability to, among other things, sell, lease or transfer any properties or assets, with certain exceptions; and enter into certain merger, consolidation or other reorganization transactions, with certain exceptions.

 

A breach of any of these covenants could result in an event of default under our credit facility. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the lender could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under such facility to be immediately due and payable and terminate all commitments to extend further credit. In addition, the Company would be subject to additional restrictions if an event of default exists under the Credit Agreement, such as a prohibition on the payment of cash dividends.

 

Our business and financial statements can be adversely affected by foreign currency exchange rates, changes in our tax rates and tax liabilities and assessments (including as a result of changes in tax laws).

 

International markets contribute a substantial portion of our revenues, and we intend to continue expanding our presence in these regions. The exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates takes on different forms. International revenues and costs are subject to the risk that fluctuations in exchange rates could adversely affect our reported revenues and profitability when translated into U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes. These fluctuations could also adversely affect the demand for products and services provided by us. As a multinational corporation, our businesses occasionally invoice third-party customers in currencies other than the one in which they primarily do business (the "functional currency"). Movements in the invoiced currency relative to the functional currency could adversely impact our cash flows and our results of operations. As our international sales grow, exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates could have a larger effect on our financial results. In fiscal 2021, currency translation had an unfavorable effect of $5.2 million on revenues due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies in which the company sells products and services.

 

As a global company, we are subject to taxation in numerous countries, states and other jurisdictions. In particular, we are affected by the impact of changes to tax laws or related authoritative interpretations in the United States, including tax reform under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which became effective in late 2017, which included broad and complex changes to the United States tax code.  Interpretations, assumptions and guidance regarding the Tax Act that have been issued subsequently have had a material impact on our effective tax rate, and we anticipate that there may be additional changes to the U.S. tax code under a new Administration.

 

In preparing our financial statements, we record the amount of tax that is payable in each of the countries, states and other jurisdictions in which we operate. Our future effective tax rate, however, may be lower or higher than experienced in the past due to numerous factors, including a change in the mix of our profitability from country to country, changes in accounting for income taxes and recently enacted and future changes in tax laws in jurisdictions in which we operate. Any of these factors could cause us to experience an effective tax rate significantly different from previous periods or our current expectations, which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and cash flows.

Dividends on our common stock could be reduced or eliminated in the future.

For many years, our Board has declared quarterly dividends ranging from of $0.25 to $0.32 cents per share. In the future, our Board may determine to reduce or eliminate our common stock dividend in order to fund investments for growth, repurchase shares or conserve capital resources.

 

21

 

Legal, Regulatory, Compliance and Reputational Risks 

 

Our business is subject to extensive regulation; failure to comply with these regulations could adversely affect our business and financial results.   

 

As referenced in more detail above, we and our customers must comply with a wide array of federal, state, local and international regulations, in such areas as medical device, healthcare, import and export, anticorruption, and privacy. We develop, configure and market our products to meet customer needs created by those regulations. Any significant change in regulations could reduce demand for our products or increase our expenses. For example, many of our instruments are marketed to the pharmaceutical industry for use in discovering and developing drugs and diagnostic products. Changes in the U.S. FDA’s regulation of drug or medical device products could have an adverse effect on the demand for these products.

 

We have agreements relating to the sale of our products to government entities in the U.S. and elsewhere and, as a result, we are subject to various statutes and regulations that apply to companies doing business with the government (less than 2% of our fiscal 2021 sales were made to the U.S. federal government). The laws governing government contracts differ from the laws governing private contracts and government contracts may contain pricing terms and conditions that are not applicable to private contracts. We are also subject to investigation for compliance with the regulations governing government contracts. A failure to comply with these regulations could result in suspension of these contracts, criminal, civil and administrative penalties or debarment.

 

We are subject to various local, state, federal, foreign and transnational laws and regulations, which include the operating and security standards of the U.S. FDA, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (the DEA), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (the DHHS), and other comparable agencies and, in the future, any changes to such laws and regulations could adversely affect us. In particular, we are subject to laws and regulations concerning current good manufacturing practices. Our subsidiaries may be required to register for permits and/or licenses with, and may be required to comply with the laws and regulations of, the DEA, the FDA, the DHHS, foreign agencies and/or comparable state agencies as well as certain accrediting bodies depending upon the type of operations and location of product distribution, manufacturing and sale. The manufacture, distribution and marketing of many of our products and services, including medical devices and pharma services, are subject to extensive ongoing regulation by the FDA, the DEA, and other equivalent local, state, federal and non-U.S. regulatory authorities. In addition, we are subject to inspections by these regulatory authorities. For example, the EU has adopted the In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (the “EU IVDR”), which imposes stricter requirements for the marketing and sale of in vitro diagnostic medical devices, including in the area of clinical evaluation requirements, quality systems and post-market surveillance.  Manufacturers of currently approved in vitro diagnostics medical devices have until May 2022 to meet the EU IVDR. Complying with EU IVDR, the regulation applicable to the Company, requires material modifications to our quality management systems, additional resources in certain functions, updates to technical files and additional clinical data in some cases, among other changes. Failure by us or by our customers to comply with the requirements of the EU IVDR, or other requirements imposed by these or similar regulatory authorities, including without limitation, remediating any inspectional observations to the satisfaction of these regulatory authorities, could result in warning letters, product recalls or seizures, monetary sanctions, injunctions to halt manufacture and distribution, restrictions on our operations, civil or criminal sanctions, or withdrawal of existing or denial of pending approvals, including those relating to products or facilities. In addition, such a failure could expose us to contractual or product liability claims, contractual claims from our customers, including claims for reimbursement for lost or damaged active pharmaceutical ingredients, as well as ongoing remediation and increased compliance costs, any or all of which could be significant. We are the sole manufacturer of a number of products for many of our customers and a negative regulatory event could impact our customers' ability to provide products to their customers.

 

We are also subject to a variety of federal, state, local and international laws and regulations that govern, among other things, the importation and exportation of products, the handling, transportation and manufacture of substances that could be classified as hazardous, and our business practices in the U.S. and abroad such as anti-competition laws. Any noncompliance by us with applicable laws and regulations or the failure to maintain, renew or obtain necessary permits and licenses could result in criminal, civil and administrative penalties and could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. 

 

Significant developments or changes in U.S. laws or policies, including changes in U.S. trade policies and tariffs and the reaction of other countries thereto can have an adverse effect on our business and financial statements.

 

Significant developments or changes in U.S. laws and policies (including as a result of the new U.S. administration), such as laws and policies governing foreign trade, manufacturing, and development and investment in the territories and countries where we or our customers operate, or governing the health care system and drug prices, can adversely affect our business and financial statements. For example, the previous U.S. administration increased tariffs on certain goods imported into the United States and trade tensions between the United States and China escalated, with each country imposing significant, additional tariffs on a wide range of goods imported from the other country. The U.S. and China could impose other types of restrictions such as limitations on government procurement or technology export restrictions, which could affect our access to markets. These factors have adversely affected, and in the future could further adversely affect, our business and financial statements.

 

Our business and financial statements can be impaired by improper conduct by any of our employees, agents or business partners.

 

We cannot provide assurance that our internal controls and compliance systems, including our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, protect us from acts committed by employees, agents or business partners of ours (or of businesses we acquire or partner with) that violate U.S. and/or non-U.S. laws, including the laws governing payments to government officials, bribery, fraud, kickbacks and false claims, pricing, sales and marketing practices, conflicts of interest, competition, employment practices and workplace behavior, export and import compliance, economic and trade sanctions, money laundering and data privacy. In particular, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK Bribery Act and similar anti-bribery laws in other jurisdictions generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business, and we operate in many parts of the world that have experienced governmental corruption to some degree. Any such improper actions or allegations of such acts could damage our reputation and subject us to civil or criminal investigations in the United States and in other jurisdictions and related shareholder lawsuits, could lead to substantial civil and criminal, monetary and non-monetary penalties and could cause us to incur significant legal and investigatory fees. In addition, the government may seek to hold us liable for violations committed by companies in which we invest or that we acquire. We also rely on our suppliers to adhere to our supplier code of conduct, and material violations of such code of conduct could occur that could have a material effect on our business and financial statements.

 

22

 

Certain of our businesses are subject to extensive regulation by the U.S. FDA and by comparable agencies of other countries, as well as laws regulating fraud and abuse in the healthcare industry and the privacy and security of health information. Failure to comply with those regulations could adversely affect our business and financial statements.

 

Certain of our products are medical devices, diagnostics tests and other products that are subject to regulation by the U.S. FDA or state CLIA regulations, by other federal and state governmental agencies, by comparable agencies of other countries and regions and by regulations governing hazardous materials and drugs-of abuse (or the manufacture and sale of products containing any such materials). The global regulatory environment has become increasingly stringent and unpredictable. Several countries that did not have regulatory requirements for medical devices have established such requirements in recent years, and other countries have expanded, or plan to expand, their existing regulations, including implementation of IVDR regulations in Europe. Failure to meet these requirements adversely impacts our business and financial statements in the applicable geographies.

 

Government authorities may conclude that our business practices do not comply with current or future statutes, regulations, agency guidance or case law. Failure to obtain required regulatory clearances before marketing our products (or before implementing modifications to or promoting additional indications or uses of our products), other violations of laws or regulations, failure to remediate inspectional observations to the satisfaction of these regulatory authorities, real or perceived efficacy or safety concerns or trends of adverse events with respect to our products (even after obtaining clearance for distribution) and unfavorable or inconsistent clinical data from existing or future clinical trials can lead to FDA Form 483 Inspectional Observations, warning letters, notices to customers, declining sales, loss of customers, loss of market share, remediation and increased compliance costs, recalls, seizures of adulterated or misbranded products, fines, expenses, injunctions, civil penalties, criminal penalties, consent decrees, administrative detentions, refusals to permit importations, partial or total shutdown of production facilities or the implementation of operating restrictions, narrowing of permitted uses for a product, refusal of the government to grant 510(k) clearance, suspension or withdrawal of approvals, pre-market notification rescissions and other adverse effects.  Further, defending against any such actions can be costly and time-consuming and may require significant personnel resources. Therefore, even if we are successful in defending against any such actions brought against us, our business may be impaired. Ensuring that our internal operations and business arrangements with third parties comply with applicable laws and regulations also involves substantial costs.

 

More specifically, as a healthcare provider, the Company’s Exosome Diagnostics’ ExoDx Prostate business is subject to extensive regulation at the federal, state, and local levels in the U.S. and other countries where it operates. The Company’s failure to meet governmental requirements under these regulations, including those relating to billing practices and financial relationships with physicians, hospitals, and health systems, could lead to civil and criminal penalties, exclusion from participation in Medicare and Medicaid, and possibly prohibitions or restrictions on the use of its laboratories. While the Company believes that it is in material compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements, there is a risk that government authorities might take a contrary position. Such occurrences, regardless of their outcome, could damage the Company’s reputation and adversely affect important business relationships it has with third parties. 

 

Failure to comply with privacy and security laws and regulations could result in fines, penalties and damage to the Companys reputation and have a material adverse effect upon the Companys business, a risk that has been elevated with the acquisition of Exosome Diagnostics, whose laboratory testing service is a healthcare provider that obtains and uses protected health information.

 

If the Company does not comply with existing or new laws and regulations related to protecting the privacy and security of personal or health information, it could be subject to monetary fines, civil penalties or criminal sanctions. In the U.S., the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) privacy and security regulations, including the expanded requirements under U.S. Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH), establish comprehensive standards with respect to the use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI) by covered entities, in addition to setting standards to protect the confidentiality, integrity and security of PHI. HIPAA restricts the Company’s ability to use or disclose PHI, without patient authorization, for purposes other than payment, treatment or healthcare operations (as defined by HIPAA), except for disclosures for various public policy purposes and other permitted purposes outlined in the privacy regulations. If the laboratory operations for the Company’s business use or disclose PHI improperly under these privacy regulations, they may incur significant fines and other penalties for wrongful use or disclosure of PHI in violation of the privacy and security regulations, including potential civil and criminal fines and penalties.

 

23

 

 

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

There are no unresolved staff comments as of the date of this report.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

 

The Company owns the facilities that its headquarters and R&D Systems subsidiary occupy in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Minneapolis facilities are utilized by both the Company's Protein Sciences and Diagnostics and Genomics segments.

 

The Minneapolis complex includes approximately 800,000 square feet of space in several adjoining buildings. Bio-Techne uses approximately 625,000 square feet of the complex for administrative, research, manufacturing, shipping and warehousing activities. The Company is currently leasing the remaining space in the complex as retail and office space. The Company also owns a 54,000 square foot facility in Saint Paul, Minnesota that will be utilized for additional manufacturing capabilities and activities.

 

The Company also owns a 34,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia. This facility is utilized by the Company’s Protein Sciences segment.

 

The Company owns a 17,000 square foot facility that its Bio-Techne Europe subsidiary occupies in Abingdon, England. This facility is utilized by the Company's Protein Sciences and Diagnostics and Genomics segments.

 

The Company owns a 9,000 square foot facility that its Canada subsidiaries occupy in Toronto, Canada. This facility is utilized by the Company's Protein Sciences and Diagnostics and Genomics segments.

 

The Company owns a 52,700 square foot manufacturing facility in Wallingford, Connecticut. This facility is utilized by the Company's Protein Sciences segment.

 

The Company leases the following material facilities, all of which are primarily utilized by the Company's Protein Sciences segment with the exception of the locations used by the Company's ProteinSimple and CyVek subsidiaries, which support both the Protein Sciences segment and the Diagnostics & Genomics segment). Certain locations are not named because they were not significant individually or in the aggregate as of the date of this report.

 

Subsidiary

 

Location

 

Type

 

Square Feet

 
               

Bio-Techne Europe

 

Langley, United Kingdom

 

Warehouse

 

14,300

 

Bio-Techne China

 

Shanghai and Beijing, China

 

Office/warehouse

 

17,000

 

Boston Biochem

 

Cambridge, Massachusetts

 

Office/lab

 

7,400

 

Tocris

 

Bristol, United Kingdom

 

Office/manufacturing/lab/warehouse

 

30,000

 

PrimeGene

 

Shanghai, China

 

Office/manufacturing/lab

 

20,600

 

Bionostics

 

Devens, Massachusetts

 

Office/manufacturing

 

70,000

 

Novus Biologicals

 

Centennial, Colorado

 

Office/warehouse

 

22,500

 

ProteinSimple

 

San Jose, California

 

Office/manufacturing/warehouse

 

167,000

 
ProteinSimple Ltd.   Ottawa, Canada   Office/manufacturing/warehouse   10,800  

CyVek

 

Wallingford, Connecticut

 

Office/manufacturing/warehouse

 

17,500

 

Cliniqa

 

San Marcos, California

 

Office/manufacturing/warehouse

 

62,200

 

Advanced Cell Diagnostics

 

Newark, California

 

Office/manufacturing/warehouse

 

55,900

 

Bio-Techne France

 

Rennes, France

 

Office/warehouse

 

11,000

 

Exosome Diagnostics

 

Waltham, Massachusetts

 

Office/manufacturing/warehouse

 

28,000

 
R&D Systems   Minneapolis, Minnesota   Office/manufacturing/warehouse   10,700  
Asuragen   Austin, Texas   Office/manufacturing/warehouse   47,400  

 

The Company entered into a definitive agreement to lease a 25,000 square foot facility in Dublin, Ireland. Construction is currently underway and once complete, the commencement of the lease will occur. The Company believes the owned and leased properties, inclusive of the leased property in Ireland, are adequate to meet its occupancy needs in the foreseeable future.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

As of August 20, 2021, the Company is not a party to any legal proceedings that, individually or in the aggregate, are reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER

MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Holders of Common Stock and Dividends Paid

 

As of August 20, 2021 there were over 55,000 beneficial shareholders of the Company's common stock and over 90 shareholders of record. The Company paid annual cash dividends totaling $49.6 million, $48.9 million, and $48.4 million in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. The Board of Directors periodically considers the payment of cash dividends, and there is no guarantee that the Company will pay comparable cash dividends, or any cash dividends, in the future. 

 

In connection with the acquisition of Exosome Diagnostics, Inc. on August 1, 2018, the Company entered into a new credit facility that provides for a revolving credit facility of $600 million, which can be increased by an additional $200 million subject to certain conditions, and a term loan of $250 million.  The credit facility is governed by a Credit Agreement dated August 1, 2018 and matures on August 1, 2023.  The Credit Agreement that governs the revolving line of credit contains customary events of default and would prohibit payment of dividends to Company shareholders in the event of a default thereunder.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

During the years ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020, the Company repurchased 120,000 shares of its common stock at an average share price of $359.82 and 279,381 shares at an average share price of $179.37, respectively. During fiscal 2019, the Board implemented a new repurchase plan, which grants management the discretion to mitigate the dilutive effect of stock option exercises by authorizing repurchase of shares up to the amount of stock returned to the corporation through stock option exercises, beginning with those option exercises occurring in fiscal year 2018. As of June 30, 2021, we have authorization of approximately $63 million that may yet be used to purchase additional shares under our current stock repurchase program. 

 

 

Stock Performance Graph

 

The following chart compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company's common stock with the S&P Midcap 400 Index and the S&P 400 MidCap Life Sciences Tools and Services Index.  The comparison assumes $100 was invested on the last trading day before July 1, 2016 in the Company's common stock and in each of the foregoing indices and assumes reinvestment of dividends.

 

 

 
grph01.jpg

 

     
 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

RESERVED

 

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

The following management discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) provides information that we believe is useful in understanding our operating results, cash flows and financial condition. We provide quantitative information about the material sales drivers including the effect of acquisitions and changes in foreign currency at the corporate and segment level. We also provide quantitative information about discrete tax items and other significant factors we believe are useful for understanding our results. The MD&A should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial information and related notes included in this Form 10-K. This discussion contains various “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and also contains various “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We refer readers to the statements entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” located at the end of this MD&A and “Forward-Looking Information and Cautionary Statements” and “Risk Factors” within Items 1 and 1A of this Form 10-K.

 

OVERVIEW

 

Bio-Techne develops, manufactures and sells life science reagents, instruments and services for the research and clinical diagnostic markets worldwide. With our deep product portfolio and application expertise, we sell integral components of scientific investigations into biological processes and molecular diagnostics, revealing the nature, diagnosis, etiology and progression of specific diseases. Our products aid in drug discovery efforts and provide the means for accurate clinical tests and diagnoses.

 

During our fiscal year 2021, we operated with two operating segments – our Protein Sciences segment and our Diagnostics and Genomics segment. Our Protein Sciences segment is a leading developer and manufacturer of high-quality purified proteins and reagent solutions, most notably cytokines and growth factors, antibodies, immunoassays, biologically active small molecule compounds, tissue culture reagents and T-Cell activation technologies. This segment also includes protein analysis solutions that offer researchers efficient and streamlined options for automated western blot and multiplexed ELISA workflow. Our Genomics and Diagnostics segment develops and manufactures diagnostic products, including FDA-regulated controls, calibrators, blood gas and clinical chemistry controls and other reagents for OEM and clinical customers, as well as a portfolio of clinical molecular diagnostic oncology assays, including the ExoDx® Prostate test (EPI) for prostate cancer diagnosis. This segment also manufactures and sells advanced tissue-based in-situ hybridization assays (ISH) for spatial genomics research and clinical use.    

 

OVERALL RESULTS

 

Operational Update

 

For fiscal 2021, consolidated net sales increased 26% as compared to fiscal 2020. Organic growth was 22%, with currency translation and acquisitions having a 3% and 1% impact on revenue respectively. Organic revenue growth was broad based and driven by accelerated momentum of the Company's long-term growth strategy as well as customer site closures in the latter half of fiscal 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

For fiscal 2021, consolidated earnings, including non-controlling interest, decreased 39% compared to fiscal 2020. The decrease in earnings was primarily due to a non-operating loss of approximately $67.9 million on our ChemoCentryx investment, compared to a gain on investment of $137 million in the last fiscal year. After adjusting for acquisition related costs, intangibles amortization, stock-based compensation, restructuring costs, the loss on investment, certain income tax items in both years, and non-controlling interest, adjusted net earnings increased 52% in fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020. Adjusted earnings growth was driven by volume leverage, operational productivity, and product mix.

 

For fiscal 2020, consolidated net sales increased 4% as compared to fiscal 2019. Organic growth was 4%, with currency translation and acquisitions having an immaterial impact on revenue. The Company experienced broad-based organic revenue growth in most major geographic regions and end-markets prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This broad-based organic growth was partially offset by the negative impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic experienced by the Company in the latter half of fiscal year 2020.

 

For fiscal 2020, consolidated earnings, including non-controlling interest, increased 139% compared to fiscal 2019. The increase in earnings was primarily due to a non-operating gain of approximately $137 million on our ChemoCentryx investment and a gain of approximately $7 million on the settlement of the escrow balance associated with the Exosome acquisition. After adjusting for acquisition related costs, stock-based compensation, and certain income tax items in both years, adjusted net earnings increased 2% in fiscal 2020 as compared to fiscal 2019. Adjusted earnings growth was driven by volume leverage, which was partially offset by business impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

27

 

COVID-19 Business Update

 

The global spread of COVID-19 in the past 18 months has led to unprecedented restrictions on, and disruptions in, business and personal activities, including as a result of preventive and precautionary measures that we, other businesses, our communities and governments have taken and are taking to mitigate the spread of the virus and to manage its impact. While a number of vaccines developed in response to the pandemic appear to be effective in mitigating spread of the disease, we continue to actively monitor the pandemic on a global scale.  We have taken and intend to continue taking steps to identify and mitigate the adverse impacts on, and risks to, our business (including but not limited to our employees, customers, business partners, manufacturing capabilities and capacity, and supply and distribution channels) posed by the spread of COVID-19 and the governmental and community responses thereto.

 

The Company has responded to the pandemic by leveraging our deep product portfolio and scientific expertise to develop robust COVID-19 product and service offerings providing critical support for both clinical care and therapeutic development. While our sales related to COVID-19 specific products have been modest, fiscal 2021 growth benefited from the reopening of customer sites initially closed in the latter half of fiscal 2021 and our ongoing efforts to utilize our portfolio of products and services to enable solutions for this evolving pandemic.

 

We are unable to forecast the impact of COVID-19 on future revenue given the uncertainty that some customer sites may close again due to increases in COVID-19 cases occurring in their region and over the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially if current vaccines prove to be ineffective against new strains of the Coronavirus that may develop over time. We anticipate a positive long-term outlook for sales growth resulting from expected future funding increases within life-science research in response to the current pandemic. Similar to current periods, we anticipate the impact on EPS to be similar to that of sales growth.

 

The Company remains in a strong financial position with sufficient available cash as well as access to additional funding, if necessary, through our long-term debt agreement. We did not experience any material changes to our June 30, 2021 nor our June 30, 2020 Balance Sheet, resulting from COVID-19 for items such as additional reserves or asset impairments resulting from the pandemic.

 

The Company has remained fully operational as we abided by local COVID-19 safety regulations across the world this past year. As the pandemic has eased, in most locations we will be returning all employees to on site work, although in certain instances we will continue to operate with appropriate safety measures, including staggered shifts, social distancing and hygiene best practices recommended by public health officials.  In addition, the Company has taken and will continue to take additional steps to monitor and strengthen our supply chain to maintain an uninterrupted supply of our critical products and services.

 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Net Sales

 

Consolidated organic net sales exclude the impact of companies acquired during the first 12 months post-acquisition and the effect of the change from the prior year in exchange rates used to convert sales in foreign currencies (primarily the euro, British pound sterling, and Chinese yuan) into U.S. dollars.

 

Consolidated net sales growth was as follows:

 

   

Year Ended June 30,

 
   

2021

    2020     2019  
                         

Organic sales growth

    22

%

    4

%

    10

%

Acquisitions sales growth

    1

%

    0

%

    2

%

Impact of foreign currency fluctuations

    3

%

    0

%

    (1

)%

Consolidated net sales growth

    26

%

    4

%

    11

%

 

Consolidated net sales by segment were as follows (in thousands): 

 

   

Year Ended June 30,

 
   

2021

    2020     2019  
                         

Protein Sciences

  $ 704,564     $ 555,352     $ 543,159  

Diagnostics and Genomics

    227,744       184,549       171,674  

Intersegment

    (1,276

)

    (1,210

)

    (827

)

Consolidated net sales

  $ 931,032     $ 738,691     $ 714,006  

 

In fiscal 2021, Protein Sciences segment net sales increased 27% compared to fiscal 2020. Organic growth for the segment was 24% for the fiscal year, with foreign currency translation having a favorable impact of 3%, and acquisitions contributing an immaterial amount. 

 

Overall segment growth was driven by continued market acceptance of our portfolio of productivity enhancing solutions across end-markets and geographies combined with the reopening of customer sites that were closed in the latter half of fiscal 2020 due to COVID-19. 

 

In fiscal 2021, Diagnostics and Genomics segment net sales increased 23% compared to fiscal 2020. Organic growth was 18% with acquisitions and foreign currency having a favorable impact of 4% and 1% impact on revenue, respectively.

 

Overall segment revenue growth was broad based across product lines and geographies.  RNAscope products had an exceptional year in both the Academia and Bio-Pharma end markets, while the Exosome product line also provided year over year growth despite navigating limitations and/or customer avoidance of non-essential medical procedures throughout fiscal 2021 associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.   

 

In fiscal 2020, Protein Sciences segment net sales increased 2% compared to fiscal 2019. Organic growth for the segment was 3% for the fiscal year, with foreign currency translation having an unfavorable impact of 1%, and acquisitions contributing an immaterial amount. 

 

Overall segment growth was driven by strong Bio-Pharma sales in North America and strong overall performance in China, which was partially offset by the disruption in research markets due to numerous customer site closures relating to the COVID-19 pandemic that occurred in the second half of fiscal 2020.

 

In fiscal 2020, Diagnostics and Genomics segment net sales increased 8% compared to fiscal 2019. Organic growth was 8% with acquisitions and foreign currency having an immaterial impact on revenue.

 

Overall segment revenue growth was driven by strong performance in our ExoDx Prostate Test, RNAscope, hematology, and assay development products lines prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure of academic site labs and limitation of non-essential medical procedures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted sales of our RNAscope product line and our ExoDx Prostate Test, respectively, in the latter portion of the fiscal year. These negative sales impacts were partially offset through growth in supplying specialty diagnostic antibodies and other raw materials to COVID-19 testing manufacturers.

 

 

Gross Margins

 

Consolidated gross margins were 68.0%, 65.4%, and 66.3% in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019. Consolidated gross margins were positively impacted as a result of broad based revenue growth and cost management. Excluding the impact of acquired inventory sold, amortization of intangibles, and stock compensation expense, adjusted gross margins were 72.2%, 70.3%, and 71.5% in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 respectively. Fiscal 2021 adjusted gross margin was positively impacted by volume leverage and product mix when compared to fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019.

 

A reconciliation of the reported consolidated gross margin percentages, adjusted for acquired inventory sold and intangible amortization included in cost of sales, is as follows:

 

   

Year Ended June 30,

 
   

2021

    2020     2019  
                         

Consolidated gross margin percentage

    68.0

%

    65.4

%

    66.3

%

Identified adjustments:

                       

Costs recognized upon sale of acquired inventory

    0.2

%

    -

%

    0.5

%

Amortization of intangibles

    3.8

%

    4.7

%

    4.7

%

Stock compensation expense - COGS

    0.2

%

    0.2

%

    -

%

Non-GAAP adjusted gross margin percentage

    72.2

%

    70.3

%

    71.5

%

 

Fluctuations in adjusted gross margins, as a percentage of net sales, have primarily resulted from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and changes in product mix. We expect that, in the future, gross margins will continue to be impacted by the mix of our portfolio growing at different rates as well as future acquisitions.

 

Management uses adjusted operating results to monitor and evaluate performance of the Company’s two segments. Segment gross margins, as a percentage of net sales, were as follows: 

 

   

Year Ended June 30,

 
   

2021

    2020     2019  
                         

Protein Sciences

    76.0

%

    75.0

%

    76.8

%

Diagnostics and Genomics

    60.5

%

    55.6

%

    54.4

%

 

The changes in the Protein Sciences segment’s gross margin percentage for fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020 and 2019 was primarily attributable to mix of product sales within the segment. 

 

The increase in Diagnostics and Genomics in gross margin for fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020 was primarily due to volume leverage. The increase in Diagnostics and Genomics in gross margin for fiscal 2020 as compared to fiscal 2019 was primarily due to volume leverage, operational productivity, and revenue growth against a similar cost base in recent acquisitions.

 

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $64.4 million (25%) in fiscal 2021 when compared to fiscal 2020. Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased primarily due to investments made by the Company to support volume growth within each of the segments as well as additional expenses related to the acquisition of Asuragen, Inc.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $3.8 million (1%) in fiscal 2020 when compared to fiscal 2019. Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased primarily due to a reduction in corporate expenses and a gain resulting from a settlement of amounts held in escrow from the ExosomeDx acquisition between the Company and the former shareholders. These reductions to our selling, general, and administrative expenses were partially offset by an increase in expense within the segments. 

 

Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses were composed of the following (in thousands):

 

   

Year Ended June 30,

 
   

2021

    2020     2019  
                         

Protein Sciences

  $ 159,489     $ 138,792     $ 135,513  

Diagnostics and Genomics

    75,160       65,407       61,646  

Total segment expenses

    234,649       204,199       197,159  

Amortization of intangibles

    27,788       26,358       25,210  

Acquisition related expenses

    7,097       415       2,282  

Gain on escrow litigation

    -

 

    (7,159 )     -  

Restructuring costs

    142       87       -  

Stock-based compensation

    50,200       32,667       33,057  

Corporate selling, general and administrative expenses

    5,075       4,016       6,651  

Total selling, general and administrative expenses

  $ 324,951     $ 260,583     $ 264,359  

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

Research and development expenses increased $5.4 million (8%) and $2.8 million (4%) in fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively, as compared to prior year periods. The increase in research and development expenses in fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020 was primarily attributable to continued investment in future growth platforms of the Company and recent acquisitions. The increase in research and development expenses in fiscal 2020 as compared to fiscal 2019 was primarily attributable to continued investment in future growth platforms of the Company, recent acquisitions, and the development of new COVID-19 products.

 

   

Year Ended June 30,

 
   

2021

    2020     2019  
                         

Protein Sciences

  $ 46,361     $ 43,022     $ 40,735  

Diagnostics and Genomics

    24,242       22,170       21,678  

Total segment expenses

    70,603       65,192       62,413  

Unallocated corporate expenses

    -       -       -  

Total research and development expenses

  $ 70,603     $ 65,192     $ 62,413  

 

 

Net Interest Income / (Expense)

 

Net interest income/(expense) for fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 was $(13.5) million, $(18.6) million, and $(21.1) million, respectively. Net interest expense in fiscal 2021 decreased when compared to fiscal 2020 due to a reduction in our average long-term debt, which coincided with a reduction in the notional amount on our variable interest derivative. Net interest expense in fiscal 2020 decreased when compared to fiscal 2019 due to a reduction in our average long-term debt.

 

Other Non-Operating Expense, Net

 

Other non-operating expense, net, consists of foreign currency transaction gains and losses, rental income, building expenses related to rental property and the Company's gains and losses on investments as follows (in thousands):

 

   

Year Ended June 30,

 
   

2021

    2020     2019  
                         

Foreign currency gains (losses)

  $ (6,650 )   $ 1,703

 

  $ (455

)

Rental income

    1,036       1,140       1,141  

Real estate taxes, depreciation and utilities

    (1,845

)

    (1,915

)

    (1,897

)

Gain (loss) on investment

    (68,047 )     137,508

 

    (12,370 )

Miscellaneous (expense) income

    (136

)

    (786 )     13

 

Other non-operating income (expense), net

  $ (75,642 )   $ 137,650

 

  $ (13,568

)

 

During fiscal 2021, the Company recognized losses of $67.9 million related to changes in fair value associated with changes in the stock price of our ChemoCentryx, Inc. (CCXI) investment.

 

During fiscal 2020, the Company recognized gains of $137.5 million related to changes in fair value associated with changes in the stock price of our ChemoCentryx, Inc. (CCXI) investment.

 

During fiscal 2019, the Company recognized losses of $16.1 million related to changes in fair value associated with changes in the stock price of our ChemoCentryx, Inc. (CCXI) investment, which were partially offset by a $3.7 million gain realized upon acquisition from our historical investment in B-MoGen.

 

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes for fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 were at effective rates of 5.8%, 17.1%, and 14.2%, respectively, of consolidated earnings before income taxes. The change in the effective tax rate was driven by discrete tax items. The Company's discrete tax benefits in fiscal 2021 primarily related to share-based compensation excess tax benefits of $28.1 million. The Company's discrete tax benefits in fiscal 2020 primarily related to share-based compensation excess tax benefits of $17.7 million. The Company's discrete tax benefits in fiscal 2019 primarily related to share-based compensation excess tax benefits of $7.2 million, $3.2 million related to deductible acquisition payments made to employees and third parties, and $2.0 million for tax refunds relating to certain state apportionments.

 

 

Net Earnings

 

Non-GAAP adjusted consolidated net earnings and earnings per share are as follows (in thousands):

 

   

Year Ended June 30,

 
   

2021

    2020     2019  
                         

Earnings before taxes - GAAP

  $ 148,175     $ 276,477     $ 112,015  

Identified adjustments attributable to Bio-Techne:

                       

Costs recognized upon sale of acquired inventory

    1,565       -       3,739  

Amortization of intangibles

    64,239       60,865       58,550  

Acquisition related expenses

    7,489       793       2,656  

Gain on escrow settlement

    -

 

    (7,170 )     -  

Restructuring costs

    142       87       -  

Stock-based compensation, inclusive of employer taxes

    51,846       34,262       33,057  

Realized (gain) loss on investments and other

    68,391       (136,716 )     12,370

 

Impact of non-controlling interest (pre-tax)

    680       -       -

 

Earnings before taxes - Adjusted

  $ 342,527     $ 228,598     $

222,387

 
                         
Non-GAAP tax rate     20.2 %     21.6 %     21.1 %
Non-GAAP tax expense     69,334       49,280       46,931  

 

                       
Non-GAAP adjusted net earnings attributable to Bio-Techne   $ 273,193       179,318       175,456  
                         
Earnings per share - diluted - Adjusted     6.75       4.55       4.51  

 

Depending on the nature of discrete tax items, our reported tax rate may not be consistent on a period to period basis. The Company independently calculates a non-GAAP adjusted tax rate considering the impact of discrete items and jurisdictional mix of the identified non-GAAP adjustments. The following table summarizes the reported GAAP tax rate and the effective Non-GAAP adjusted tax rate for the periods ended June 30, 2021, 2020, and 2019.

 

   

Year Ended June 30,

 
   

2021

    2020     2019  
                         

GAAP effective tax rate

    5.8 %     17.1

%

    14.2

%

Discrete items

    19.0       7.0       11.2  

Long-term GAAP tax rate

    24.8 %     24.1 %     25.4  
                         

Rate impact items

                       
Stock based compensation     (5.7 )%     (2.4 )%     (4.8 )%
Acquisition costs     (0.2 )     0.4       0.5  
Change in fair value of investments     0.5       (0.4 )     -  
Other     0.8       (0.1 )     -  
Total rate impact items     (4.6 )%     (2.5 )%     (4.3 )%
                         
Non-GAAP tax rate     20.2 %     21.6 %     21.1 %

 

Refer to Note 11 for additional discussion relating to the change in discrete tax items between fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020.

 

 

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale investments at June 30, 2021 were $231.6 million compared to $270.9 million at June 30, 2020. Included in available-for-sale investments at June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020 was the fair value of the Company's investment in CCXI of $20.0 million and $87.8 million, respectively.

 

At June 30, 2021, approximately 12% of the Company's cash and equivalent account balances of $199.1 million were located in the U.S., with the remainder located in primarily in Canada, China, the U.K. and other European countries.

 

At June 30, 2021, approximately 61% of the Company's available-for-sale investment account balances of $32.5 million were located in the U.S., with the remaining 39% in China.

 

The Company has either paid U.S. taxes on its undistributed foreign earnings or intends to indefinitely reinvest the undistributed earnings in the foreign operations or expects the earnings will be remitted in a tax neutral transaction. Management of the Company expects to be able to meet its cash and working capital requirements for operations, facility expansion, capital additions, and cash dividends for the foreseeable future, and at least the next 12 months, through currently available funds, including funds available through our line-of-credit and cash generated from operations.

 

Future acquisition strategies may or may not require additional borrowings under the line-of-credit facility or other outside sources of funding.

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

 

The Company generated cash from operations of $352.2 million, $205.2 million, and $181.6 million in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 respectively. The increase in cash generated from operating activities in fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020 was mainly a result of an increase in year over year operating income of $79.9 million and a $29.3 million benefit to operating cash from year-over-year changes in operating assets and liabilities as well as a non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $16.6 million. The increase in cash generated from operating activities in fiscal 2020 as compared to fiscal 2019 was mainly a result of higher GAAP earnings and lower accounts receivable balances in fiscal 2020, which were partially offset by the gain on investments included within earnings.

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

 

We continue to make investments in our business, including capital expenditures. The Company acquired Eminence Biotechnology and Asuragen, Inc. during fiscal year 2021 for a total of approximately $225.4 million, net of cash acquired. The Company did not make any acquisitions in fiscal 2020. Net cash paid for acquisitions of Quad, Exosome, and B-MoGen was $289.5 million in fiscal 2019.

 

The Company's net proceeds (outflow) from the purchase, sale and maturity of available-for-sale investments in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 were $26.7 million, $76.9, and ($21.9 million) million, respectively. The decrease in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 was driven by the sale of a portion of the CCXI investment in fiscal year 2020, which did not reoccur in fiscal year 2021. The increase in fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019 was driven by the sale of a portion of the Company’s investment in CCXI in fiscal 2020.The Company's investment policy is to place excess cash in certificates of deposit with the objective of obtaining the highest possible return while minimizing risk and keeping the funds accessible.

 

Capital additions in fiscal year 2021, 2020, and 2019 were $44.3 million, $51.7 million, and $25.4 million. Fiscal 2021 capital expenditures related to investments in new buildings, in particular, the Company's GMP manufacturing facility. Capital additions planned for fiscal 2022 are approximately $68.4 million and are expected to be financed through currently available cash and cash generated from operations. Increase in expected additions in fiscal 2022 is related to increasing capacity to meet expected sales growth across the Company and reduced expenditures in the comparable period, fiscal year 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

34

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

 

In fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, the Company paid cash dividends of $49.6 million, $48.9 million, $48.4 million, respectively. The Board of Directors periodically considers the payment of cash dividends.

 

The Company received $65.1 million, $71.0 million, $38.0 million, for the exercise of options for 627,000, 743,000, 382,000 shares of common stock in fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. 

 

During fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, the Company repurchased $43.2 million, $50.1 million, and $15.4 million, respectively, in share repurchases included as a cash outflow within Financing Activities.

 

During fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, the Company drew $256.0 million, $40.0 million, and $580.0 million, respectively, under its revolving line-of-credit facility. Repayments of $271.5 million, $188.5 million, and $413.5 million were made on its line-of-credit in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. 

 

During fiscal 2021, there were no payments related to contingent consideration classified as financing activities. The Company made $0.3 million in contingent consideration payments, which were classified within operating activities. During fiscal 2020, the Company made $4.4 million ($4 million for Quad and $0.4 million for B-MoGen) in cash payments towards the Quad, Exosome, and B-MoGen contingent consideration liabilities. Of the $4.4 million in total payments, $3.4 million is classified as financing on the statement of cash flows. The remaining $1 million is recorded as operating on the statement of cash flows as it represents the consideration liability that exceeds the amount of the contingent consideration liability recognized at the acquisition date. During fiscal 2019, the Company made no cash payments towards the Quad, Exosome, and B-MoGen contingent consideration liabilities.

 

During fiscal 2021 and 2020, the Company paid $19.3 million and $3.8 million, respectively, for net share settlements. During fiscal 2019, other financial activities includes payments for net share settlements as well as the final payment of $1.4 million related to Eurocell. This is included as a cash outflow within the other financing activities line of the consolidated statements of cash flows. 

 

 

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Management's discussion and analysis of the Company's financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

The Company has identified the policies outlined below as critical to its business operations and an understanding of results of operations. The listing is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all accounting policies; investors should also refer to Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Business Combinations

 

We allocate the purchase price of acquired businesses to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of the acquisition. The calculations used to determine the fair value of the long-lived assets acquired, primarily intangible assets, can be complex and require significant judgment. We weigh many factors when completing these estimates including, but not limited to, the nature of the acquired company’s business; its competitive position, strengths, and challenges; its historical financial position and performance; estimated customer retention rates; discount rates; and future plans for the combined entity. We may also engage independent valuation specialists, when necessary, to assist in the fair value calculations for significant acquired long-lived assets.

 

The fair value of acquired technology is generally the primary asset identified and therefore estimated using the multi-period excess earnings method. The multi-period excess earnings method model estimates revenues and cash flows derived from the primary asset and then deducts portions of the cash flow that can be attributed to supporting assets, such as Trade Names and in-process research and development, that contributed to the generation of the cash flows. The resulting cash flow, which is attributable solely to the primary asset acquired, is then discounted at a rate of return commensurate with the risk of the asset to calculate a present value. The Trade Name is generally calculated using the relief from royalty method, which calculates the cost savings associated with owning rather than licensing the technology. Assumed royalty rates are applied to the projected revenues for the remaining useful life of the technology to estimate the royalty savings. In-process research and development assets are valued using the multi-period excess earnings method when the cash flows from the in-process research and development assets are separately identifiable from the primary asset. In circumstances that Customer Relationship assets are identified that are not the primary asset, they are valued using the distributor model income approach, which isolates revenues and cash flow associated with the sales and distribution function of the entity and attributable to customer-related assets, which are then discounted at a rate of return commensurate with the risk of the asset to calculate a present value.  

 

We estimate the fair value of liabilities for contingent consideration by discounting to present value the probability weighted contingent payments expected to be made. For potential payments related to financial performance based milestones, projected revenue and/or EBITDA amounts, volatility and discount rates assumptions are included in the estimated amounts. For potential payments related to product development milestones, the fair value is based on the probability of achievement of such milestones. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to impairment testing on at least an annual basis.

 

We are also required to estimate the useful lives of the acquired intangible assets, which determines the amount of acquisition-related amortization expense we will record in future periods. Each reporting period, we evaluate the remaining useful lives of our amortizable intangibles to determine whether events or circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization.

 

While we use our best estimates and assumptions, our fair value estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, we may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Any adjustments required after the measurement period are recorded in the consolidated statements of earnings.

 

The judgments required in determining the estimated fair values and expected useful lives assigned to each class of assets and liabilities acquired can significantly affect net income. For example, different classes of assets will have useful lives that differ. Consequently, to the extent a longer-lived asset is ascribed greater value than a shorter-lived asset, net income in a given period may be higher. Additionally, assigning a lower value to amortizable intangibles would result in a higher amount assigned to goodwill. As goodwill is not amortized, this would benefit net income in a given period, although goodwill is subject to annual impairment analysis.

 

36

Impairment of Goodwill

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill was $843.1 million as of June 30, 2021, which represented 37.3% of total assets. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change that could indicate a possible impairment.

 

To analyze goodwill for impairment, we must assign our goodwill to individual reporting units. Identification of reporting units includes an analysis of the components that comprise each of our operating segments, which considers, among other things, the manner in which we operate our business and the availability of discrete financial information. Components of an operating segment are aggregated to form one reporting unit if the components have similar economic characteristics. We periodically review our reporting units to ensure that they continue to reflect the manner in which we operate our business.

 

There has been no impairment of goodwill since the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 350 guidance for goodwill and other intangibles on July 1, 2002.

 

2021 Goodwill Impairment Analyses

 

In completing our 2021 annual goodwill impairment analyses, we elected to perform a quantitative assessment for each of our five reporting units. A quantitative assessment involves comparing the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, to its estimated fair value. Carrying value is based on the assets and liabilities associated with the operations of the reporting unit, which often requires the allocation of shared or corporate items among reporting units. In accordance with ASU 2017-04, a goodwill impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit. In determining the fair values of our reporting units, we utilized the income approach. The income approach is a valuation technique under which we estimated future cash flows using the reporting unit's financial forecast from the perspective of an unrelated market participant. Using historical trending and internal forecasting techniques, we projected revenue and applied our fixed and variable cost experience rates to the projected revenue to arrive at the future cash flows. A terminal value was then applied to the projected cash flow stream. Future estimated cash flows were discounted to their present value to calculate the estimated fair value. The discount rate used was the value-weighted average of our estimated cost of capital derived using both known and estimated customary market metrics. In determining the estimated fair value of a reporting unit, we were required to estimate a number of factors, including projected operating results, terminal growth rates, economic conditions, anticipated future cash flows, the discount rate and the allocation of shared or corporate items.

 

Because our 2021 quantitative analyses included all of our reporting units, the summation of our reporting units' fair values, as indicated by our discounted cash flow calculations, were compared to our consolidated fair value, as indicated by our market capitalization, to evaluate the reasonableness of our calculations. This impairment assessment is sensitive to changes in forecasted cash flows, as well as our selected discount rate. Changes in the reporting unit's results, forecast assumptions and estimates could materially affect the estimation of the fair value of the reporting units.

 

The quantitative assessment completed as of April 1, 2021 indicated that all of the reporting units had a substantial amount of headroom. Accordingly, the Company determined there was no indication of impairment of goodwill in our annual goodwill impairment analysis. Further, no triggering events were identified in the year ended June 30, 2021 that would require an additional goodwill impairment assessment beyond our required annual goodwill impairment assessment.

 

2020 Goodwill Impairment Analyses

 

In completing our 2020 annual goodwill impairment analyses, we elected to perform a quantitative assessment for all of our reporting units. A quantitative assessment involves comparing the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, to its estimated fair value. Carrying value is based on the assets and liabilities associated with the operations of the reporting unit, which often requires the allocation of shared or corporate items among reporting units. In accordance with ASU 2017-04, a goodwill impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit. In determining the fair values of our reporting units, we utilized the income approach. The income approach is a valuation technique under which we estimated future cash flows using the reporting unit's financial forecast from the perspective of an unrelated market participant. Using historical trending and internal forecasting techniques, we projected revenue and applied our fixed and variable cost experience rates to the projected revenue to arrive at the future cash flows. A terminal value was then applied to the projected cash flow stream. Future estimated cash flows were discounted to their present value to calculate the estimated fair value. The discount rate used was the value-weighted average of our estimated cost of capital derived using both known and estimated customary market metrics. In determining the estimated fair value of a reporting unit, we were required to estimate a number of factors, including projected operating results, terminal growth rates, economic conditions, anticipated future cash flows, the discount rate and the allocation of shared or corporate items.

 

Because our 2020 quantitative analyses included all of our reporting units, the summation of our reporting units' fair values, as indicated by our discounted cash flow calculations, were compared to our consolidated fair value, as indicated by our market capitalization, to evaluate the reasonableness of our calculations. This impairment assessment is sensitive to changes in forecasted cash flows, as well as our selected discount rate. Changes in the reporting unit's results, forecast assumptions and estimates could materially affect the estimation of the fair value of the reporting units.

 

The quantitative assessment completed as of April 1, 2020 indicated that all of the reporting units had a substantial amount of headroom. Accordingly, the Company determined there was no indication of impairment of goodwill in our annual goodwill impairment analysis. Further, no triggering events were identified in the year ended June 30, 2020 that would require an additional goodwill impairment assessment beyond our required annual goodwill impairment assessment.

 

2019 Goodwill Impairment Analyses

 

At the beginning of the quarter ended March 31, 2019, the Company realigned the management of certain business processes between reporting units within the same segment. A goodwill allocation was performed between the impacted reporting units based on the relative fair value of the processes realigned. In conjunction with the realignment, a quantitative goodwill impairment assessment was performed both prior to and subsequent to the realignment. The quantitative impairment assessments performed utilized a consistent process with our fiscal 2021 quantitative goodwill impairment assessment described above. The quantitative assessment indicated that all of the impacted reporting units had substantial headroom both prior to and subsequent to the realignment. This impairment assessment performed was sensitive to changes in forecasted cash flows, as well as our selected discount rate. Changes in the reporting unit's results, forecast assumptions and estimates could materially affect the estimation of the fair value of the reporting units.

 

In conducting our annual goodwill impairment test as of April 1, 2019, we elected to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether changes in events or circumstances since our most recent quantitative test for goodwill impairment indicated that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Based on its annual analysis, the Company determined there was no indication of impairment of goodwill. 

 

 

37

 

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

Information regarding the accounting policies adopted during fiscal 2021 and those not yet adopted can be found under caption “Note 1: Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements appear in Item 8 of this report. 

 

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

None

 

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7, contains financial measures that have not been calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (GAAP). These non-GAAP measures include:

 

Organic growth

Adjusted gross margin

Adjusted operating margin

Adjusted net earnings

Adjusted effective tax rate

 

We provide these measures as additional information regarding our operating results. We use these non-GAAP measures internally to evaluate our performance and in making financial and operational decisions, including with respect to incentive compensation. We believe that our presentation of these measures provides investors with greater transparency with respect to our results of operations and that these measures are useful for period-to-period comparison of results.

 

Our non-GAAP financial measure of organic growth represents revenue growth excluding revenue from acquisitions within the preceeding 12 months as well as the impact of foreign currency. Excluding these measures provides more useful period-to-period comparison of revenue results as it excludes the impact of foreign currency exchange rates, which can vary significantly from period to period, and revenue from acquisitions that would not be included in the comparable prior period.

 

Our non-GAAP financial measures for adjusted gross margin, adjusted operating margin, and adjusted net earnings, in total and on a per share basis, exclude stock-based compensation, the costs recognized upon the sale of acquired inventory, amortization of acquisition intangibles, acquisition related expenses inclusive of the changes in fair value of contingent consideration, and other non-recurring items including non-recurring costs and gains. Stock-based compensation is excluded from non-GAAP adjusted net earnings because of the nature of this charge, specifically the varying available valuation methodologies, subjective assumptions, variety of award types, and unpredictability of amount and timing of employer related tax obligations. The Company excludes amortization of purchased intangible assets, purchase accounting adjustments, including costs recognized upon the sale of acquired inventory and acquisition-related expenses inclusive of the changes in fair value contingent consideration, and other non-recurring items including gains or losses on legal settlements and one-time assessments from this measure because they occur as a result of specific events, and are not reflective of our internal investments, the costs of developing, producing, supporting and selling our products, and the other ongoing costs to support our operating structure. Additionally, these amounts can vary significantly from period to period based on current activity.

 

The Company’s non-GAAP adjusted operating margin and adjusted net earnings, in total and on a per share basis, also excludes stock-based compensation expense, which is inclusive of the employer portion of payroll taxes on those stock awards, restructuring, impairments of equity method investments, gain and losses from investments, and certain adjustments to income tax expense. Impairments of equity investments are excluded as they are not part of our day-to-day operating decisions. Additionally, gains and losses from other investments that are either isolated or cannot be expected to occur again with any predictability are excluded.   Costs related to restructuring activities, including reducing overhead and consolidating facilities, are excluded because we believe they are not indicative of our normal operating costs. The Company independently calculates a non-GAAP adjusted tax rate to be applied to the identified non-GAAP adjustments considering the impact of discrete items on these adjustments and the jurisdictional mix of the adjustments. In addition, the tax impact of other discrete and non-recurring charges which impact our reported GAAP tax rate are adjusted from net earnings. We believe these tax items can significantly affect the period-over-period assessment of operating results and not necessarily reflect costs and/or income associated with historical trends and future results.

 

The Company periodically reassesses the components of our non-GAAP adjustments for changes in how we evaluate our performance, changes in how we make financial and operational decisions, and considers the use of these measures by our competitors and peers to ensure the adjustments are still relevant and meaningful.

 

Readers are encouraged to review the reconciliations of the adjusted financial measures used in management's discussion and analysis of the financial condition of the Company to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures provided within the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES

ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The Company operates internationally, and thus is subject to potentially adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates. Approximately 31% of the Company's consolidated net sales in fiscal 2021 were made in foreign currencies, including  13% in euro, 5% in British pound sterling, 7% in Chinese yuan and the remaining 6% in other currencies. The Company is exposed to market risk primarily from foreign exchange rate fluctuations of the euro, British pound sterling, Chinese yuan and Canadian dollar as compared to the U.S. dollar as the financial position and operating results of the Company's foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars for consolidation.

 

Month-end exchange rates between the euro, British pound sterling, Chinese yuan, Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar, which have not been weighted for actual sales volume in the applicable months in the periods, were as follows:

 

   

Year Ended June 30,

         
   

2021

    2020     2019  

Euro:

                       

High

  $ 1.23     $ 1.12     $ 1.17  

Low

    1.16       1.09       1.12  

Average

    1.20       1.11       1.14  

British pound sterling:

                       

High

  $ 1.42     $ 1.32     $ 1.32  

Low

    1.29       1.22       1.27  

Average

    1.35       1.26       1.29  

Chinese yuan:

                       

High

  $ 0.16     $ 0.15     $ 0.15  

Low

    0.14       0.14       0.14  

Average

    0.15       0.14       0.15  

Canadian dollar:

                       

High

  $ 0.83     $ 0.77     $ 0.77  

Low

    0.75       0.71       0.74  

Average

    0.78       0.74       0.76  

 

The Company's exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations also arises from trade receivables and intercompany payables denominated in one currency in the financial statements, but receivable or payable in another currency.

 

The Company does not enter into foreign currency forward contracts to reduce its exposure to foreign currency rate changes on forecasted intercompany sales transactions or on intercompany foreign currency denominated balance sheet positions. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in "Other non-operating expense, net" in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. The effect of translating net assets of foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as part of "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)."

 

The effects of a hypothetical simultaneous 10% appreciation in the U.S. dollar from June 30, 2021 levels against the euro, British pound sterling, Chinese yuan and Canadian dollar are as follows (in thousands):

 

Decrease in translation of 2021 earnings into U.S. dollars

  $ 4,456  

Decrease in translation of net assets of foreign subsidiaries

    56,008  

Additional transaction losses

    1,755  

 

 

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Bio-Techne Corporation and Subsidiaries
(in thousands, except per share data)

 

  

Year Ended June 30,

 
  

2021

  

2020

  2019 
             

Net sales

 $931,032  $738,691  $714,006 

Cost of sales

  298,182   255,497   240,515 

Gross margin

  632,850   483,194   473,491 
             

Operating expenses:

            

Selling, general and administrative

  324,951   260,583   264,359 

Research and development

  70,603   65,192   62,413 

Total operating expenses

  395,554   325,775   326,772 

Operating income

  237,296   157,419   146,719 
             

Other income (expense):

            

Interest expense

  (13,952

)

  (19,197

)

  (21,705

)

Interest income

  473   605   569 

Other non-operating income (expense), net

  (75,642)  137,650

 

  (13,568

)

Total other income (expense), net

  (89,121)  119,058

 

  (34,704

)

Earnings before income taxes

  148,175   276,477   112,015 

Income taxes (benefit)

  8,590   47,181   15,943

 

Net earnings, including noncontrolling interest  139,585   229,296   96,072 
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest  (825)  -   - 
Net earnings attributable to Bio-Techne  140,410   229,296   96,072 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

            

Foreign currency translation adjustments

  32,951

 

  (9,963

)

  (4,487

)

Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments - cash flow hedges, net of tax amounts disclosed in Note 8.

  7,060

 

  (3,715

)

  (9,537)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

  40,011

 

  (13,678

)

  (14,024)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest  103   -   - 
   39,908   (13,678)  (14,024)
Comprehensive income attributable to Bio-Techne $180,318   215,618  $82,048 
             

Earnings per share:

            

Basic

 $3.62  $6.00  $2.54 

Diluted

 $3.47  $5.82  $2.47 
             

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

            

Basic

  38,747   38,201   37,781 

Diluted

  40,483   39,401   38,892 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Bio-Techne Corporation and Subsidiaries
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

  

June 30,

 
  

2021

  2020 

ASSETS

        

Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

 $199,091  $146,625 

Short-term available-for-sale investments

  32,463   124,268 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,229 and $775, respectively

  145,385   122,534 

Inventories

  116,748   103,152 

Other current assets

  16,919   24,341 

Total current assets

  510,606   520,920 
         

Property and equipment, net

  207,907   176,829 

Right of use asset

  73,834   71,465 

Goodwill

  843,067   728,308 

Intangible assets, net

  615,968   516,545 

Other assets

  11,575   13,522 

Total assets

 $2,262,957  $2,027,589 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

        

Current liabilities:

        

Trade accounts payable

 $29,384  $23,090 

Salaries, wages and related accruals

  51,294   31,087 

Accrued expenses

  15,282   9,093 

Contract liabilities

  18,995   13,049 

Income taxes payable

  5,336   2,376 

Operating lease liabilities - current

  11,602   9,535 

Contingent consideration payable

  4,000   5,938 

Current portion of long-term debt obligations

  12,500   12,500 
Other current liabilities  3,891   - 

Total current liabilities

  152,284   106,668 
         

Deferred income taxes

  93,125   101,090 

Long-term debt obligations

  328,827   344,243 

Long-term contingent consideration payable

  25,400   199 

Operating lease liabilities

  67,625   67,248 

Other long-term liabilities

  24,462   26,949 
Bio-Techne's shareholders' equity:        
         

Undesignated capital stock, no par; authorized 5,000,000 shares; none issued or outstanding

  -   - 

Common stock, par value $.01 a share; authorized 100,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 38,955,484 and 38,453,046 shares, respectively

  390   385 

Additional paid-in capital

  534,411   420,536 

Retained earnings

  1,085,461   1,057,470 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  (57,291

)

  (97,199

)

Total Bio-Techne shareholders' equity  1,562,971   1,381,192 
Noncontrolling interest  8,263   - 

Total shareholders' equity

  1,571,234   1,381,192 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 $2,262,957  $2,027,589 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Bio-Techne Corporation and Subsidiaries
(in thousands) 

 

  

Common Stock

  

Additional
Paid-in

  

Retained

  

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

   

Noncontrolling

Interest

     
  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

Earnings

  

Income(Loss)

      

Total

 
                             

Balances at June 30, 2018

  37,608  $376  $246,568  $876,931  $(44,814

)

 $-  $1,079,061 

Cumulative effect adjustments due to adoption of new accounting standards and other

            25,276   (24,682

)

     594 

Net earnings

            96,072         96,072 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

               (14,024

)

     (14,024

)

Share repurchases

  (95

)

  (1

)

     (15,404

)

        (15,405

)

Common stock issued for exercise of options

  382   4   36,272            36,276 

Common stock issued for restricted stock awards

  29   -      (2,575

)

        (2,575

)

Cash dividends

            (48,366

)

        (48,364

)

Stock-based compensation expense

         31,775            31,775 

Common stock issued to employee stock purchase plan

  10   -   1,676            1,676 

Employee stock purchase plan expense

         505            505 
Balances at June 30, 2019  37,934  $379  $316,797  $931,934  $(83,521) $-  $1,165,589 

Cumulative effect adjustments due to adoption of new accounting standards and other

            (879

)

        (879

)

Net earnings

            229,296         229,296 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

               (13,678

)

     (13,678

)

Share repurchases

  (279

)

  (3

)

     (50,109

)

        (50,112

)

Surrender and retirement of stock to exercise option

  (2

)

  -   (400

)

           (400

)

Common stock issued for exercise of options

  730   7   69,461   (1,642

)

        67,826 

Common stock issued for restricted stock awards

  56   1   (1

)

  (2,229

)

        (2,228

)

Cash dividends

            (48,902

)

        (48,902

)

Stock-based compensation expense

         31,932            31,932 

Common stock issued to employee stock purchase plan

  14   -   2,312            2,312 

Employee stock purchase plan expense

         435            435 
Balances at June 30, 2020  38,453  $385  $420,536  $1,057,470  $(97,199) $-  $1,381,192 
Cumulative effect adjustments due to adoption of new accounting standards and other            (276)        (276)
Non-controlling interest in Eminence                  8,985   8,985 
Net earnings            140,410    

 

 

(825

)  139,585 
Other comprehensive income (loss)               39,908   103   40,011 
Share repurchases  (120)  (1)     (43,177)        (43,178)
Common stock issued for exercise of options  573   6   62,102   (12,287)        49,821 
Common stock issued for restricted stock awards  38   0   (0)  (7,057)        (7,057)
Cash dividends            (49,622)        (49,622)
Stock-based compensation expense         48,065            48,065 
Common stock issued to employee stock purchase plan  11   0   2,791            2,791 
Employee stock purchase plan expense         917            917 
Balances at June 30, 2021  38,955  $390  $534,411  $1,085,461  $(57,291) $8,263  $1,571,234 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Bio-Techne Corporation and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 

  

Year Ended June 30,

 
  

2021

  2020  2019 

Cash flows from operating activities:

            

Net earnings, including non-controlling interest

 $139,585  $229,296  $96,072 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

            

Depreciation and amortization

  87,747   82,737   78,171 

Costs recognized on sale of acquired inventory

  1,565   -   3,739 

Deferred income taxes

  (27,431)  13,130

 

  (13,582

)

Stock-based compensation expense

  48,982   32,367   32,280 

Fair value adjustment to contingent consideration payable

  5,300

 

  (905

)

  (2,000)

Contingent consideration payments

  (337

)

  (958)  -

 

(Gain) Loss on investment, net

  -   -

 

  (3,702

)

Fair value adjustment on available for sale investments

  67,879   (137,527)  16,067 

Leases, net

  75   225   - 

Gain on escrow settlement

  -

 

  (7,170)  - 

Other operating activity

  (464

)

  (732)  2,325 

Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

            

Trade accounts and other receivables

  (15,549)  6,556

 

  (15,000

)

Inventories

  (7,140

)

  (14,861

)

  (13,647

)

Prepaid expenses

  (1,101

)

  (2,605

)

  (698)

Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses

  19,091   10,343   6,101 

Salaries, wages and related accruals

  20,536   2,552   5,013

 

Income taxes payable

  13,426

 

  (7,231

)

  (9,520

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

  352,164   205,217   181,619 
             

Cash flows from investing activities:

            

Proceeds from sale and maturities of available-for-sale investments

  66,377   147,120   21,579 

Purchase of available-for-sale investments

  (39,684

)

  (70,187

)

  (43,475

)

Additions to property and equipment

  (44,301

)

  (51,744

)

  (25,411

)

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

  (225,352)  -

 

  (289,492

)

Investment in unconsolidated entity, net

  (556)  1,906   - 

Other investing activities

  -   -   - 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

  (243,516)  27,095

 

  (336,799

)

             

Cash flows from financing activities:

            

Cash dividends

  (49,622

)

  (48,902

)

  (48,364

)

Proceeds from stock option exercises

  65,092   70,983   37,950 

Re-purchases of common stock

  (43,178

)

  (50,112

)

  (15,405)

Borrowings under line-of-credit agreement

  256,000   40,000   580,000 

Payments on line-of-credit

  (271,500

)

  (188,500

)

  (413,500

)

Contingent consideration payments

  -

 

  (3,400)  -

 

Other financing activities

  (19,343

)

  (3,872

)

  (6,297

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

  (62,551

)

  (183,802)  134,384

 

             

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

  6,369

 

  (2,771

)

  (308

)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

  52,466   45,739

 

  (21,104)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

  146,625   100,886   121,990 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 $199,091  $146,625  $100,886 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Bio-Techne Corporation and Subsidiaries

 

Years ended June 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019

 

 

 

Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

 

Description of business: Bio-Techne and its subsidiaries, collectively doing business as Bio-Techne Corporation (the Company), develop, manufacture and sell life science reagents, instruments and services for the research and clinical diagnostic markets worldwide. With our deep product portfolio and application expertise, we sell integral components of scientific investigations into biological processes and molecular diagnostics, revealing the nature, diagnosis, etiology and progression of specific diseases. Our products aid in drug discovery efforts and provide the means for accurate clinical tests and diagnoses.

 

Use of estimates: The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates include the valuation of accounts receivable, available-for-sale investments, inventory, intangible assets, contingent consideration, stock-based compensation and income taxes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

Principles of consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The Company consolidated our partial acquisition of Eminence in our consolidated financial statements on a one month lag. Refer to Note 4 for additional discussion regarding Eminence.

 

Translation of foreign financial statements: Assets and liabilities of the Company's foreign operations are translated at year-end rates of exchange and the resulting gains and losses arising from the translation of net assets located outside the U.S. are recorded as other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income. The cumulative translation adjustment is a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheets. Foreign statements of earnings are translated at the average rate of exchange for the year. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in other non-operating expense in the consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income.

 

Revenue recognition: The Company adopted ASC 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers on July 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition approach. ASC 606 provides revenue recognition guidance for any entity that enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of non-financial assets, unless those contracts are within the scope of other accounting standards. The core principle of ASC 606 is that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Refer to Note 2 for additional information regarding our revenue recognition policy under ASC 606.

 

Research and development: Research and development expenditures are expensed as incurred. Development activities generally relate to creating new products, improving or creating variations of existing products, or modifying existing products to meet new applications.

 

Advertising costs: Advertising expenses were $4.7 million, $4.2 million, and $4.1 million for fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 respectively. The Company expenses advertising expenses as incurred.

 

Income taxes: The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized to record the income tax effect of temporary differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return are recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. A recognized tax position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Refer to Note 11 for additional information regarding income taxes.

 

Comprehensive income: Comprehensive income includes charges and credits to shareholders' equity that are not the result of transactions with shareholders. Our total comprehensive income consists of net income, unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges, and foreign currency translation adjustments. The items of comprehensive income, with the exception of net income, are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheets and statements of shareholders' equity.

 

Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and highly-liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

 

Available-for-sale investments: Available-for-sale investments consist of debt instruments with original maturities of generally three months to six months and equity securities. Available-for-sale investments are recorded based on trade-date. The Company considers all of its marketable securities available-for-sale and reports them at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are included within other income (expense) in accordance with ASU 2018-02, which the Company adopted on  July 1, 2018. 

 

44

 

Trade accounts receivable and allowances: Trade accounts receivable are initially recorded at the invoiced amount upon the sale of goods or services to customers, and they do not bear interest. They are stated net of allowances for doubtful accounts, which represent estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make the required payments. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 on July 1, 2020, which reflects the expected credit losses on financial instruments within its scope, including trade receivables. When determining the allowances for doubtful accounts, we take several factors into consideration, including the overall composition of accounts receivable aging, our prior history of accounts receivable write-offs, the type of customer and our day-to-day knowledge of specific customers. Changes in the allowances for doubtful accounts are included in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense in our consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income. The point at which uncollected accounts are written off varies by type of customer. The Company does not have material long-term customer receivables. Refer to the Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements section of Note 1 for further details.

 

Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value. The Company regularly reviews inventory on hand for slow-moving and obsolete inventory, inventory not meeting quality control standards and inventory subject to expiration.

 

For certain proteins, antibodies, and chemically based manufactured products, the Company produces larger batches of established products than current sales requirements due to economies of scale through a highly controlled manufacturing process. Accordingly, the manufacturing process for these products has and will continue to produce quantities in excess of forecasted usage. The Company forecasts usage for its products based on several factors including historical demand, current market dynamics, and technological advances. The Company forecasts product usage on an individual product level for a period that is consistent with our ability to reasonably forecast inventory usage for that product. There have been no material changes to the Company’s estimates of the net realizable value for excess and obsolete inventory or other types of inventory reserves and inventory cost adjustments in the fiscal years presented. Additionally, current and historical reserves recorded to reduce the cost of inventory to its net realizable value become part of the new cost basis for the inventory item in accordance with ASC 330 - Inventory.

 

Property and equipment: Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life of 3 to 5 years. Buildings, building improvements and leasehold improvements are amortized over estimated useful lives of 5 to 40 years.

 

Contingent Consideration: Contingent Consideration relates to the potential payment for an acquisition that is contingent upon the achievement of the acquired business meeting certain product development milestones and/or certain financial performance milestones. The Company records contingent consideration at fair value at the date of acquisition based on the consideration expected to be transferred. For potential payments related to financial performance milestones, we use a real option model in calculating the fair value of the contingent consideration liabilities. The assumptions utilized in the calculation based on financial performance milestones include projected revenue and/or EBITDA amounts, volatility and discount rates. For potential payments related to product development milestones, we estimated the fair value based on the probability of achievement of such milestones. The assumptions utilized in the calculation of the acquisition date fair value include probability of success and the discount rates. Contingent consideration involves certain assumptions requiring significant judgment and actual results may differ from assumed and estimated amounts. Contingent consideration is remeasured each reporting period, and subsequent changes in fair value, including accretion for the passage of time, are recognized within selling, general and administrative in the consolidated statement of earnings and comprehensive income.

 

Intangible assets: Intangible assets are stated at historical cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization expense is generally determined on the straight-line basis over periods ranging from 1 year to 20 years. Each reporting period, we evaluate the remaining useful lives of our amortizable intangibles to determine whether events or circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization. If our estimate of an asset's remaining useful life is revised, the remaining carrying amount of the asset is amortized prospectively over the revised remaining useful life.

 

In conjunction with the Asuragen acquisition that occurred in fiscal year 2021, the Company reassessed the useful life of a tradename from a previous acquisition due to the planned integration and cobranding strategy developed with the most recent transaction.  As a result, the Company accelerated the amortization of the trade name to be consistent with the life used for the Asuragen trade name.  The accelerated amortization resulted in a $1.4 million impact in fiscal 2021, a $5.7 million impact in fiscal years 2022 through 2025, and a $4.3 impact in fiscal year 2026.

 

In fiscal year 2020, the Company accelerated the amortization of a certain trade name based on the Company's planned integration of the products under that acquired trade name into a legacy brand. The accelerated amortization resulted in $1.3 million in additional amortization expense in fiscal 2020 and $0.6 million in fiscal 2021.

 

Impairment of long-lived assets and amortizable intangibles: We evaluate the recoverability of property, plant, equipment and amortizable intangibles whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset's carrying amount may not be recoverable. Such circumstances could include, but are not limited to, (1) a significant decrease in the market value of an asset, (2) a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used or in its physical condition, or (3) an accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of an asset. We compare the carrying amount of the asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows associated with it. If the sum of the expected future net cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset being evaluated, an impairment loss would be recognized. The impairment loss would be calculated as the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. As quoted market prices are not available for the majority of our assets, the estimate of fair value is based on various valuation techniques, including the discounted value of estimated future cash flows.

 

The evaluation of asset impairment requires us to make assumptions about future cash flows over the life of the asset being evaluated. These assumptions require significant judgment and actual results may differ from assumed and estimated amounts. No other triggering events were identified and no impairments were recorded for property, plant, and equipment or amortizable intangibles during fiscal years 2019, 2020, and 2021.

 

45

 

Impairment of goodwill: We evaluate the carrying value of goodwill during the fourth quarter each year and between annual evaluations if events occur or circumstances change that would indicate a possible impairment. Such circumstances could include, but are not limited to, (1) a significant adverse change in legal factors or in business climate, (2) unanticipated competition, (3) an adverse action or assessment by a regulator, or (4) an adverse change in market conditions that are indicative of a decline in the fair value of the assets.

 

To analyze goodwill for impairment, we must assign our goodwill to individual reporting units. Identification of reporting units includes an analysis of the components that comprise each of our operating segments, which considers, among other things, the manner in which we operate our business and the availability of discrete financial information. Components of an operating segment are aggregated to form one reporting unit if the components have similar economic characteristics. We periodically review our reporting units to ensure that they continue to reflect the manner in which we operate our business. The Company had five reporting units for our 2021, 2020, and 2019 goodwill impairment assessment performed on April 1 of each of the respective fiscal years, the date of our annual goodwill impairment assessment. Further, the Company elected April 1 as the annual goodwill impairment assessment date for the Asuragen acquisition, acquired on April 6, 2021.

 

2021 Goodwill Impairment Analyses

 

In completing our 2021 annual goodwill impairment analyses, we elected to perform a quantitative assessment for all of our reporting units. A quantitative assessment involves comparing the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, to its estimated fair value. Carrying value is based on the assets and liabilities associated with the operations of the reporting unit, which often requires the allocation of shared or corporate items among reporting units. In accordance with ASU 2017-04, a goodwill impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit. In determining the fair values of our reporting units, we utilized the income approach. The income approach is a valuation technique under which we estimated future cash flows using the reporting unit’s financial forecast from the perspective of an unrelated market participant. Using historical trending and internal forecasting techniques, we projected revenue and applied our fixed and variable cost experience rates to the projected revenue to arrive at the future cash flows. A terminal value was then applied to the projected cash flow stream. Future estimated cash flows were discounted to their present value to calculate the estimated fair value. The discount rate used was the value- weighted average of our estimated cost of capital derived using both known and estimated customary market metrics. In determining the estimated fair value of a reporting unit, we were required to estimate a number of factors, including projected operating results, terminal growth rates, economic conditions, anticipated future cash flows, the discount rate and the allocation of shared or corporate items.

 

The result of our quantitative assessment indicated that all of the reporting units had a substantial amount of headroom as of April 1, 2021. This impairment assessment is sensitive to changes in forecasted cash flows, as well as our selected discount rate. Changes in the reporting unit’s results, forecast assumptions and estimates could materially affect the estimation of the fair value of the reporting units. The Company did not identify any triggering events after our annual goodwill impairment through June 30, 2021, the date of our consolidated balance sheet, that would require an additional goodwill impairment assessment to be performed. 

 

2020 Goodwill Impairment Analyses

 

The Company elected to perform a quantitative assessment for all of our reporting units in our 2020 goodwill impairment analysis. The quantitative assessment completed utilized a consistent process and methodology to the 2021 goodwill impairment assessment. The result of our quantitative assessment, where we compared the discounted cash flows of each reporting unit to its carrying value, indicated that all of the reporting units had a substantial amount of headroom as of April 1, 2020. This impairment assessment is sensitive to changes in forecasted cash flows, as well as our selected discount rate. Changes in the reporting unit’s results, forecast assumptions and estimates could materially affect the estimation of the fair value of the reporting units. The Company did not identify any triggering events after our annual goodwill impairment through June 30, 2020, the date of our consolidated balance sheet, that would require an additional goodwill impairment assessment to be performed. 

 

2019 Goodwill Impairment Analyses

 

At the beginning of the quarter ended March 31, 2019, the Company realigned the management of certain business processes between reporting units within the same segment. A goodwill allocation was performed between the impacted reporting units based on the relative fair value of the processes realigned. In conjunction with the realignment, a quantitative goodwill impairment assessment was performed both prior to and subsequent to the realignment. The quantitative assessment indicated that all of the impacted reporting units had substantial headroom both prior to and subsequent to the realignment.

 

Because our quantitative analysis performed as of January 1, 2019 included all of our reporting units, except for Exosome a recent acquisition that was a separate reporting unit that was not impacted by the business process realignment, the summation of the calculated reporting units’ fair values combined with the fair value of the Exosome acquisition, was compared to our consolidated fair value, as indicated by our market capitalization, to evaluate the reasonableness of our calculations.

 

The quantitative assessments completed as of January 1, 2019 indicated that all tested reporting units had a substantial amount of headroom. Changes in the reporting unit’s results, forecast assumptions and estimates could materially affect the estimation of the fair value of the reporting units.

 

In conducting our annual goodwill impairment test on April 1, we elected to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether changes in events or circumstances since our most recent quantitative test for goodwill impairment indicated that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.

 

Based on its annual analysis, the Company determined there was no indication of impairment of goodwill. Further, no triggering events or items beyond the realignment discussed above were identified in the year ended June 30, 2019 that would require an additional goodwill impairment assessment beyond our required annual goodwill impairment assessment.

 

 

46

 

Other Significant Accounting Policies

 

The following table includes a reference to additional significant accounting policies that are described in other notes to the financial statements, including the note number:

 

Policy

 

Note

 

Fair value measurements

  5 

Earnings per share

  9 

Share-based compensation

  10 

Operating segments

  12 

 

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

In  February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which amends the existing guidance to require lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities from operating leases on the balance sheet. The FASB has issued narrow codification improvements to Leases (Topic 842) through ASU No. 2018-10 and ASU 2019-01. Additionally, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, allowing an entity to elect a transition method where they do not recast prior periods presented in the financial statements in the period of adoption. The Company has elected the transition method allowed for under ASU 2018-11 when adopting Leases (Topic 842). The Company adopted the standard effective  July 1, 2019 and correspondingly recorded incremental operating lease liabilities of $80.6 million, a right-of-use lease asset of $79.5 million, retained earnings of $0.8 million and a deferred tax adjustment of $0.3 million. Additionally, the Company reclassified $4.0 million of deferred rent recorded within accrued expenses under ASC 840 - Leases into operating lease liabilities upon adoption of Topic 842. In adopting ASC 842, the Company elected the package of available practical expedients and to use hindsight in determining the lease term for all existing leases. Further, as part of our adoption of ASC 842, the Company also made the accounting policy elections to not capitalize short term leases (defined as a lease with a lease term that is less than 12 months) and to combine lease and non-lease components for all asset classes in determining the lease payments. Refer to Note 7 for additional information on leases.

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendment in this update replaced the previous incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses on financial instruments within its scope, including trade and loan receivables and available-for-sale debt securities. This update is intended to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses. The Company adopted this standard on July 1, 2020 using a modified retrospective transition approach with a cumulative impact of $0.3 million to retained earnings. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements as the Company's primary financial instruments impacted by the ASU were trade accounts receivable, where we have high historical and expected future collections due to the length of receivables and the credit quality of our customers.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. The standard aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The accounting for the service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by the new standard. The Company adopted this standard on a prospective basis on July 1, 2020. Accordingly, as of July 1, 2020, the Company will record eligible costs to be capitalized within prepaid assets or other non-current assets depending on the nature of the duration of the asset.

 

In  March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting and in January 2021 issued ASU No. 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope. These ASUs provide expedients and exceptions to existing guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting that is optional to facilitate the market transition from a reference rate, including LIBOR which is being phased out in 2021, to a new reference rate. The provisions of the ASUs impact contract modifications and other changes that occur while LIBOR is phased out. The Company adopted the optional relief guidance provided within these ASUs in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 and continues to monitor its debt and derivative instruments that utilize LIBOR as the reference rate. The adoption of the standard did not impact our financial results for fiscal 2021.

 

47

 
 

Note 2. Revenue Recognition:

 

Consumables revenues consist of single-use products and are recognized at a point in time following the transfer of control of such products to the customer, which generally occurs upon shipment. Instruments revenues typically consist of longer-lived assets that, for the substantial majority of sales, are recognized at a point in time in a manner similar to consumables. Service revenues consist of extended warranty contracts, post contract support (“PCS”), and custom development projects that are recognized over time as either the customers receive and consume the benefits of such services simultaneously or the underlying asset being developed has no alternative use for the Company at contract inception and the Company has an enforceable right to payment for the portion of the performance completed. Service revenues also include laboratory services recognized at a point in time. Prior to fiscal year 2021, the Company has not recognized revenue upon completion of the performance obligation for laboratory services, but rather upon cash receipt, which was subsequent to the performance obligation being satisfied. The Company accounted for these services based on cash receipts as we did not have significant historical experience collecting payments from Medicare or other insurance providers and considered the variable consideration for such services to be constrained as it would not be probable that a significant amount of revenue would not need to be reversed in future periods for the services provided. Given Medicare coverage for our laboratory services became effective on December 1, 2019, the Company considered that it had sufficient data to estimate variable consideration as of July 1, 2020 for laboratory services that are reimbursed by Medicare. The amount of cash received in fiscal year 2021 for laboratory services reimbursed by Medicare that were performed prior to July 1, 2020 was approximately $0.5 million. The Company continues to record revenue based on cash receipts for laboratory services not reimbursed by Medicare, as the variable consideration remains constrained. We recognize royalty revenues in the period the sales occur using third party evidence. The Company elected the "right to invoice" practical expedient based on the Company's right to invoice a customer at an amount that approximates the value to the customer and the performance completed to date.

 

The Company elected the exemption to not disclose the unfulfilled performance obligations for contracts with an original length of one year or less and the exemption to exclude future performance obligations that are accounted under the sales-based or usage-based royalty guidance.  The Company's unfulfilled performance obligations for contracts with an original length greater than one year were not material as of June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020.

 

Contracts with customers that contain instruments may include multiple performance obligations. For these contracts, the Company allocates the contract’s transaction price to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. Allocation of the transaction price is determined at the contracts’ inception.

 

Payment terms for shipments to end-users are generally net 30 days. Payment terms for distributor shipments may range from 30 to 90 days. Service arrangements commonly call for payments in advance of performing the work (e.g. extended warranty and service contracts), upon completion of the service (e.g. custom development manufacturing) or a mix of both.

 

Contract assets include revenues recognized in advance of billings. Contract assets are included within other current assets in the accompanying balance sheet as the amount of time expected to lapse until the company's right to consideration becomes unconditional is less than one year. We elected the practical expedient allowing us to expense contract costs that would otherwise be capitalized and amortized over the contract period. Contract assets as of June 30, 2021 are not material.

 

Contract liabilities include billings in excess of revenues recognized, such as those resulting from customer advances and deposits and unearned revenue on warranty contracts. Contract liabilities as of June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020 were approximately $20.0 million and $14.2 million, respectively. Contract liabilities as of June 30, 2020 subsequently recognized as revenue during the year ended June 30, 2021 were approximately $10.6 million. Contract liabilities in excess of one year are included in Other long-term liabilities on the balance sheet. 

 

Any claims for credit or return of goods must be made within 10 days of receipt. Revenues are reduced to reflect estimated credits and returns. Although the amounts recorded for these revenue deductions are dependent on estimates and assumptions, historically our adjustments to actual results have not been material.

 

Taxes collected from customers relating to product sales and remitted to governmental authorities are excluded from revenue. Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling are included in revenue, while the related shipping and handling costs are reflected in cost of products. We have elected the practical expedient that allows us to account for shipping and handling activities that occur after the customer has obtained control of a good as a fulfillment cost, and we accrue costs of shipping and handling when the related revenue is recognized.

 

48

 

The following tables present our disaggregated revenue for the periods presented.

 

Revenue by type is as follows:

 

  

Year ended June 30,

     
  

2021

  2020  2019 

Consumables

 $751,985  $602,642  $588,979 

Instruments

  93,782   71,462   67,538 

Services

  66,416   47,459   38,050 

Total product and services revenue, net

  912,183  $721,563   694,567 

Royalty revenues

  18,849   17,128   19,439 

Total revenues, net

 $931,032  $738,691  $714,006 

 

Revenue by geography is as follows:

 

  

Year Ended June 30,

 
  2021  2020  2019 

Net sales:

            

United States

 $502,080  $404,407  $391,191 

EMEA, excluding U.K.

  204,264   155,289   155,821 

U.K.

  40,945   30,411   34,975 

APAC, excluding Greater China

  69,013   60,362   52,913 

Greater China

  87,556   68,792   57,799 

Rest of world

  27,174   19,430   21,307 

Total external sales

 $931,032  $738,691  $714,006 

 

49

 
 

Note 3. Supplemental Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Information:

 

Available-For-Sale Investments:

 

The fair value of the Company's available-for-sale equity investments as of June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020 were $20.0 million and $87.8 million, respectively. The decrease was due to year-over-year decrease in the stock price of CCXI, which was $13.39 per share at June 30, 2021 compared to $57.54 per share at June 30, 2020. The amortized cost basis of the Company's investment in CCXI was $6.6 million and $6.6 million as of June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company's available-for-sale debt securities as of June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020 were $12.5 million and $36.4 million, respectively. The decrease is due to the timing of debt maturities and cash balances at the balance sheet date. 

 

Inventories:

 

Inventories consist of (in thousands):

 

  

June 30,

 
  

2021

  2020 
         

Raw materials

 $55,096  $51,530 

Finished goods(1)

  67,108   56,268 

Inventories, net

 $122,204  $107,798 

 

(1) Finished goods inventory of $5,456 and $4,646 is included within other long-term assets in the June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020 Balance Sheets, respectively, as it forecasted to be sold after the 12 months subsequent to the consolidated balance sheet date.  

 

Property and Equipment:

 

Property and equipment consist of (in thousands):

 

  

June 30,

 
  

2021

  2020 

Cost:

        

Land

 $8,612  $8,516 

Buildings and improvements

  190,661   184,430 

Machinery, equipment and other

  198,483   153,704 

Property and equipment

  397,756   346,650 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

  (189,849

)

  (169,821

)

Property and equipment, net

 $207,907  $176,829 

 

50

 

Intangibles assets were comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

        

June 30,

 
  

Useful Life

(years)

  

2021

  2020 
               

Developed technology

  9-15  $552,160  $434,653 

Trade names

  2-20   147,640   146,713 

Customer relationships

  7-16   232,493   211,750 

Patents

   10    2,926   2,475 
Other intangibles(1)  5-15   6,316   - 

Definite-lived intangible assets

        941,535   795,591 

Accumulated amortization

        (348,267

)

  (279,046

)

Definite-lived intangibles assets, net

        593,268   516,545 
In process research and development        22,700   - 
Total intangible assets, net       $615,968  $516,545 

 

(1) Increase in other intangibles assets is primarily due to $5.0 million recognized in intangible assets in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 for certain third party patented technology acquired.

 

Changes to the carrying amount of net intangible assets consist of (in thousands):

 

   

June 30,

 
   2021  2020 
          

Beginning balance

  $516,545  $579,429 

Acquisitions (Note 4)

   153,311   - 

Other additions

   5,912   311 

Amortization expense

   (64,940

)

  (61,095

)

Currency translation

   5,140

 

  (2,100

)

Ending balance

  $615,968  $516,545 

 

Amortization expense related to developed technologies included in cost of sales was $36.5 million, $34.5 million, and $33.3 million in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Amortization expense related to trade names, customer relationships, non-compete agreements, and patents included in selling, general and administrative expense was $28.4 million, $26.6 million, and $25.4 million, in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 respectively.

 

The estimated future amortization expense for intangible assets as of June 30, 2021, excluding any possible future amortization associated with acquired IPR&D which has not met technological feasibility, is as follows (in thousands):

 

2022

 $74,482 

2023

  72,649 

2024

  69,780 

2025

  66,523 

2026

  62,739 

Thereafter

  247,095 

Total

 $593,268 

 

51

 

Changes in goodwill by segment and in total consist of (in thousands):

 

  

Protein

Sciences

  

Diagnostics &

Genomics

  

Total

 

June 30, 2019

 $377,407  $355,260  $732,667 

Acquisitions (Note 4)

  (326

)

  -   (326

)

Currency Translation

  (4,000

)

  (31

)

  (4,031

)

June 30, 2020

 $373,081  $355,229  $728,310 
Acquisitions (Note 4)  7,848   94,970   102,818 
Currency translation  11,788   151   11,939 
June 30, 2021 $392,717  $450,350  $843,067 

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

 

Supplemental cash flow information was as follows (in thousands):

 

  

Year Ended June 30,

 
  

2021

  2020  2019 

Income taxes paid

 $20,952  $41,992  $36,814 

Interest paid

  13,576   18,615   21,497 

Non-cash activities:

            

Acquisition-related liabilities(1)

  23,600

 

  (2,105)  12,600 
Other intangibles(2)  4,000   -   - 

 

 

(1) Consists of holdback payments due at future dates and liabilities for contingent consideration. Amounts disclosed above represent the total non-cash change in the liability from the prior fiscal year. Further information regarding liabilities for contingent consideration can be found in Notes 4 and 5.

(2) $4.0 million of the third party patented technology acquired in fiscal 2021 was a non-cash activity within the consolidated statement of cash flows as a cash payment was not made within the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021. 

 

52

 
 

Note 4. Acquisitions:

 

We periodically complete business combinations that align with our business strategy. Acquisitions are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires, among other things, that assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at fair value as of the acquisition date and that the results of operations of each acquired business be included in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income from their respective dates of acquisitions. Acquisition costs are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses as incurred.

 

2021 Acquisitions

 

Eminence Biotechnology

 

On October 20, 2020, the Company acquired 47.6% of the outstanding equity shares of Changzhou Eminence Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (Eminence) for approximately $9.8 million, net of cash acquired. The fair value of the noncontrolling interest of $9.0 million included in the consolidated balance sheet was a non-cash activity within the statement of cash flows. Eminence is considered a variable interest entity as it is an early stage biotechnology company that required additional funding through a subsequent equity investment, which was used to fund Eminence’s expansion and GMP manufacturing capabilities within China. On April 2, 2021, the Company invested approximately $6 million of additional funding into Eminence, increasing our percentage of outstanding equity shares to 57.4%. The Company was considered the primary beneficiary at the time of initial acquisition given the Company was the largest shareholder coupled with its ability to exercise significant influence over the entity. As of June 30, 2021, the Company’s investment at risk is limited to its $15.8 million in investments.

 

As Eminence met the criteria for consolidation, the transaction was accounted for in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. In applying ASC 805 to the transaction, the Company has elected to include Eminence in our consolidated financial statements on a one month lag.

 

The goodwill recorded as result of the acquisition represents the strategic benefits of growing the Company’s product portfolio and the expected revenue growth from increased market penetration. The fair value of the noncontrolling interest in Eminence was calculated utilizing cash flow projections discounted to the acquisition date and control premiums calculated using market data. Acquired goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes. The business became part of the Protein Sciences reportable segment in the second quarter of fiscal year 2021.

 

The allocation of purchase consideration related to Eminence was completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021. The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at acquisition date and the updated final amounts as of June 30, 2021 are as follows (in thousands):

 

  

Preliminary
Allocation at
Acquisition
Date

  

Adjustments to Fair Value

  

Final Allocation at June 30, 2021

Current assets, net of cash

 $3,145  $-  $3,145

Equipment and other long-term assets

  1,639   -   1,639
Intangible assets:           

Developed technology

  6,778   -   6,778

Customer relationships

  2,133   -   2,133

Goodwill

  8,811   (963)  7,848

Total assets acquired

  22,506   (963)  21,543

Liabilities

  1,436   -   1,436

Deferred income taxes, net

  2,320   (963)  1,357

Net assets acquired

 $18,750  $-  $18,750
            

Cash paid, net of cash acquired

  9,765   -   9,765
Fair value of noncontrolling interest in Eminence  8,985   -   8,985

Net assets acquired

 $18,750  $-  $18,750

 

As summarized in the table, there were adjustments totaling $1.0 million to goodwill during the measurement period. These adjustments relate to refinements within our deferred tax amounts based on factors existing on the acquisition date.


Tangible assets and liabilities acquired were recorded at fair value on the date of close based on management's preliminary assessment. The purchase price allocated to developed technology and customer relationships was based on management's preliminary forecasted cash inflows and outflows and using a multiperiod excess earnings method to calculate the fair value of assets purchased. The amount recorded for developed technology is being amortized with the expense reflected in cost of goods sold in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. The amortization period for developed technology is estimated to be 13 years. Amortization expense related to customer relationships is reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. The amortization period for customer relationships is estimated to be 10 years. The net deferred income tax liability represents the net amount of the estimated future impact of adjustments for costs to be recognized as intangible asset amortization, which is not deductible for income tax purposes offset by the deferred tax asset for the calculation of acquired NOLs.

 

53

 
Asuragen, Inc.
 

On April 6, 2021, the Company acquired all of the ownership interests of Asuragen, Inc. for approximately $216 million, net of cash acquired, plus contingent consideration of up to $105.0 million, subject to certain revenue thresholds. The Asuragen acquisition adds a leading portfolio of best in-class molecular diagnostic and research products, including genetic screening, oncology testing kits, molecular controls, a GMP compliant manufacturing facility, and a CLIA-certified laboratory. The transaction was accounted for in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. The goodwill recorded as a result of the acquisition represents the strategic benefits of growing the Company’ product portfolio and the expected revenue growth from increased market penetration. The goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes. The business became part of the Diagnostics and Genomics operating segment in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021. 

 

The allocation of purchase consideration related to Asuragen Inc is considered preliminary with provisional amounts primarily rel ated to goodwill and income tax assessment of acquired net operating losses. The Company expects to finalize the allocation of purchase price within the one-year measurement-period following the acquisition. Net sales and operating loss of this business included in Bio-Techne's consolidated results of operations in fiscal year 2021 were approximately $7.1 million and $ 3.4 million, respectively. The preliminary estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and at June  30, 2021 are as follows (in thousands):

 

    

Preliminary allocation at acquisition date and at June 30, 2021

Current assets, net of cash

   $10,422

Equipment and other long-term assets

    3,762
Intangible assets:     

Developed technology

    107,000
In-process research and development    22,700

Customer relationships

    11,700
Tradenames    2,000
Non-competition agreement    1,000

Goodwill

    94,970

Total assets acquired

    253,554
      

Liabilities

    4,003

Deferred income taxes, net

    15,664

Net assets acquired

   $233,887
      

Cash paid, net of cash acquired

    215,587
Contingent consideration payable    18,300

Net assets acquired

   $

233,887

 

Tangible assets and liabilities acquired were recorded at fair value on the date of close based on management's preliminary assessment. The purchase price allocated to developed technology, in-process research and development, and customer relationships was based on management's preliminary forecasted cash inflows and outflows and using a multiperiod excess earnings method to calculate the fair value of assets purchased. The amount recorded for developed technology is being amortized with the expense reflected in cost of goods sold in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. The amortization period for developed technology is estimated to be 14 years. Amortization expense related to customer relationships is reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. The amortization period for customer relationships is estimated to be 16 years.  The amount recorded for tradenames and the non-competition agreement is being amortized with the expense reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. The amortization period for tradenames and the non-competition agreement is estimated to be 5 years and 3 years, respectively. The net deferred income tax liability represents the net amount of the estimated future impact of adjustments for costs to be recognized as intangible asset amortization, which is not deductible for income tax purposes offset by the deferred tax asset for the preliminary calculation of acquired NOLs.

 

 

54

2019 Acquisitions

 

Quad Technologies

 

On July 2, 2018, the Company acquired QT Holdings Corporation (Quad) for approximately $20.5 million, net of cash acquired, plus contingent consideration of up to $51.0 million, subject to certain product development milestones and revenue thresholds. The goodwill recorded as a result of the acquisition represents the strategic benefits of growing the Company’s product portfolio and the expected revenue growth from increased market penetration. The goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes. The business became part of the Protein Sciences operating segment in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. Purchase accounting was finalized during fiscal 2019.

 

Tangible assets and liabilities acquired were recorded at fair value on the date of close based on management's assessment. The purchase price allocated to developed technology was estimated based on management's forecasted cash inflows and outflows using a multi-period excess earnings method to calculate the fair value of assets purchased. The developed technology asset is being amortized with the expense reflected in cost of goods sold in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. The amortization period for the developed technology intangible assets acquired in fiscal 2019 is 14 years. The net deferred income tax liability represents the net amount of the estimated future impact of adjustments for costs to be recognized as intangible asset amortization, which is not deductible for income tax purposes offset by the deferred tax asset for our calculation of acquired net operating losses (NOLs).

 

Exosome Diagnostics

 

On August 1, 2018, the Company acquired Exosome Diagnostics, Inc. (ExosomeDx) for approximately $251.6 million, net of cash acquired, plus contingent consideration of up to $325.0 million, subject to certain EBITA thresholds. The goodwill recorded as a result of the acquisition represents the strategic benefits of growing the Company’s product portfolio and the expected revenue growth from increased market penetration. The goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes. The business became part of the Diagnostics and Genomics operating segment in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. Purchase accounting was finalized during fiscal 2019. 

 

Tangible assets and liabilities acquired were recorded at fair value on the date of close based on management's assessment. The purchase price allocated to developed technology, trade names, and customer relationships was based on management's forecasted cash inflows and outflows and using either a relief-from-royalty or a multiperiod excess earnings method to calculate the fair value of assets purchased. The developed technology asset is being amortized with the expense reflected in cost of goods sold in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. Amortization expense related to trade names, and customer relationships is reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. The amortization periods for intangible assets acquired in fiscal 2019 are 15 years for developed technology and trade names, and 14 years for customer relationships. The net deferred income tax liability represents the net amount of the estimated future impact of adjustments for costs to be recognized as intangible asset amortization, which is not deductible for income tax purposes offset by the deferred tax asset for the calculation of acquired NOLs.

 

Note: As part of the ExosomeDx acquisition, a certain amount of the cash payment was held in escrow. As part of the finalization of the outstanding amounts held in escrow, the Company recognized a gain of $7.2 million during fiscal year 2020 related to returned proceeds and a relief of any future contingent payments as described in Note 5. The gain was recorded within selling, general, and administrative costs in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. 

 

B-MoGen Biotechnologies

 

On June 4, 2019, the Company acquired the remaining interest in B-MoGen Biotechnologies Inc. (B-MoGen) for approximately $17.5 million, net of cash acquired, plus contingent consideration of up to $38.0 million, subject to certain product development milestones and revenue thresholds. The Company previously held an investment of $1.4 million in B-MoGen and recognized a gain of approximately $3.7 million on the transaction within other non-operating income fiscal year 2019 in the consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income, which represented the adjustment of our historical investment to its fair value. 

 

The goodwill recorded as result of the acquisition represents the strategic benefits of growing the Company’s product portfolio and the expected revenue growth from increased market penetration. The goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes. The business became part of the Protein Sciences segment in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019. Purchase accounting remained opened as disclosed in our prior year 10-K/A for working capital adjustments and our income tax assessment of acquired net operating losses (NOLs) with the completion of the stub period tax returns. Our purchase accounting was finalized in fiscal 2020 with an immaterial adjustment of $0.3 million to deferred tax amounts and goodwill. 

 

Tangible assets and liabilities acquired were recorded at fair value on the date of close based on management's assessment. The purchase price allocated to developed technology was estimated based on management's forecasted cash inflows and outflows and using a multi-period excess earnings method to calculate the fair value of assets purchased. The developed technology asset is being amortized with the expense reflected in cost of goods sold in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. The amortization period for the developed technology intangible asset acquired in fiscal 2019 is 14 years. The net deferred income tax liability represents the net amount of the estimated future impact of adjustments for costs to be recognized as intangible asset amortization, which is not deductible for income tax purposes offset by the deferred tax asset for the calculation of acquired NOLs.

 

55

 
  

B-MoGen

Biotechnologies

  

Exosome

Diagnostics

  

Quad

Technologies

Current assets, net of cash

 $504  $2,611  $36

Equipment and other long-term assets

  269   2,212   228
Intangible assets:           

Developed technology

  14,000   105,000   12,256

Trade name

  -   58,000   -

Customer relationships

  400   2,300   -

Goodwill

  16,131   105,362   14,481

Total assets acquired

  31,304   275,485   27,001
            

Liabilities

  211   3,716   296

Deferred income taxes, net

  3,051   16,346   943

Net assets acquired

 $28,042  $255,423  $25,762
            

Cash paid, net of cash acquired

  17,448   251,623   20,462

Additional consideration(1)

  10,594   3,800   5,300

Net assets acquired

 $28,042  $255,423  $25,762

 

(1)Additional consideration for the B-MoGen acquisition includes a previously held investment of $1.4 million and a gain of approximately $3.7 million recorded on the transaction. The remaining additional consideration for B-MoGen, ExosomeDx, and Quad relate to the opening balance sheet value of contingent consideration.  

 

Tangible assets acquired, net of liabilities assumed, were stated at fair value at the date of acquisition based on management's assessment. The purchase price allocated to developed technology, trade names, non-compete agreements and customer relationships was based on management's forecasted cash inflows and outflows and using a relief-from-royalty and multi-period excess earnings method to calculate the fair value of assets purchased. The developed technology is being amortized with the expense reflected in cost of good sold in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. Amortization expense related to trade names, the non-compete agreement and customer relationships is reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. The deferred income tax liability represents the estimated future impact of adjustments for the cost to be recognized upon the sale of acquired inventory that was written up to fair value and intangible asset amortization, both of which are not deductible for income tax purposes, and the future tax benefit of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards which will be deductible by the Company in future periods. 

 

56

 
 

Note 5. Fair Value Measurements:

 

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, available for sale investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable, contingent consideration obligations, derivative instruments, and long-term debt.

 

Fair value is defined as the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. This standard also establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value. This standard maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect our assumptions about the factors market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability based upon the best information available in the circumstances.

 

The categorization of financial assets and liabilities within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs (other than quoted prices) that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable for the asset or liability and their fair values are determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies or similar techniques and at least one significant model assumption or input is unobservable. Level 3 may also include certain investment securities for which there is limited market activity or a decrease in the observability of market pricing for the investments, such that the determination of fair value requires significant judgment or estimation.

 

The following tables provide information by level for financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

 

  

Total

carrying

value as of

  

Fair Value Measurements Using

Inputs Considered as

 
  

June 30,

2021

  

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

 

Assets

                

Equity securities (1)

 $19,963  $18,581  $1,382  $- 

Certificates of deposit (2)

  12,500   12,500   -   - 
Derivative instruments - cash flow hedges  275   -   275   - 

Total Assets

 $32,738  $31,081  $1,657  $- 
                 

Liabilities

                

Contingent consideration

 $29,400  $-  $-  $29,400 

Derivative instruments - cash flow hedges

  8,376   -   8,376   - 

Total Liabilities

 $37,776  $-  $8,376  $29,400 

 

 

  

Total

carrying

value as of

  

Fair Value Measurements Using

Inputs Considered as

 
  

June 30,

2020

  

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

 

Assets

                

Equity securities (1)

 $87,842  $79,846  $7,996  $- 

Certificates of deposit (2)

  36,426   36,426   -   - 

Total Assets

 $124,268  $116,272  $7,996  $- 
                 

Liabilities

                

Contingent consideration

  6,137  $-   -   6,137 

Derivative instruments - cash flow hedges

  17,331   -   17,331   - 

Total Liabilities

 $23,468  $-  $17,331  $6,137 

 

 

(1) Included in available-for-sale investments on the balance sheet. The cost basis in the Company's investment in CCXI at June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020 was $6.6 million and $6.6 million respectively. The Company has a warrant to purchase additional CCXI equity shares which was valued at $1.4 million as of June 30, 2021. The fair value of the warrant as of  June 30, 2020 was $8.0 million 

 

(2) Included in available-for-sale investments on the balance sheet.  The certificate of deposits have contractual maturity dates within one year.

 

57

 

Fair value measurements of available for sale securities

 

Available for sale securities excluding warrants are measured at fair value using quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and are therefore classified as Level 1 assets. The Company's warrant to purchase additional shares at a specified future price was valued using a Black-Scholes model with observable inputs in active markets and therefore was classified as a Level 2 asset. 

 

Fair value measurements of derivative instruments

 

In October 2018, the Company entered into forward starting swaps designated as cash flow hedges on outstanding debt. The forward starting swaps reduce the variability of cash flow payments for the Company by converting the variable interest rate on the Company’s long-term debt described in Note 6 to that of a fixed interest rate. Accordingly, as part of the forward starting swaps, the Company exchanges, at specified intervals, the difference between floating and fixed interest amounts based on an initial $380 million of notional principal amount. The notional amount decreased by $100 million in   October 2020 and will further decrease by $80 million in   October 2021 and $200 million in   October 2022. In   June 2020, the Company de-designated $80 million of the notional amount set to expire in  October 2020. The net loss associated with the  June 2020 de-designated portion of the derivative instrument was not reclassified into earnings based on the amount of probable variable interest payments to occur within a two month time period of the forecasted hedged transaction. In  December 2020, the Company de-designated an additional $80 million of notional amount set to expire in  October 2021. During fiscal year 2021, the Company recorded a loss in other non-operating income related to variable interest debt payments in certain months on a portion of the de-designated derivative that is not expected to occur. The remaining variable interest payments for the portion of the de-designated derivative were considered probable of occurring and therefore remain in accumulated other comprehensive income as of  June 30, 2021. The fair value of the portion of the de-designated derivative was $0.8 million as of  June 30, 2021, which is recorded within short-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The fair value of the designated derivative instrument is $7.6 million as of June 30, 2021 and is recorded within other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. 

 

In May 2021, the Company entered into a new forward starting swap designated as a cash flow hedge on forecasted debt. The forward starting swap reduces the variability of cash flow payments for the Company by converting the variable interest rate on the Company’s forecasted variable interest long-term debt to that of a fixed interest rate. Accordingly, as part of the forward starting swap, the Company exchanges, at specified intervals, the difference between floating and fixed interest amounts based on $200 million of notional principal amount. The effective date of the swap is November 2022 with the full swap maturing in November 2025. The fair value of the derivative instrument was $0.3 million as of June 30, 2021 which is recorded within other long-term assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

Changes in the fair value of the designated hedged instrument are reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into interest expense over the corresponding term of the cash flow hedge. The Company reclassified $8.6 million to interest expense, $0.5 million to non-operating income for the portion of de-designated variable payments considered probable to not occur, and related tax benefits of $2.1 million during the fiscal year ended  June 30, 2021 relating to the cash flow hedge entered into in October 2018. No amounts were reclassified relating to the cash flow hedge entered into in May 2021 as they will be recorded within the effective period of the cash flow hedge.

 

The Company reclassified $3.5 million, net of taxes, to interest expense during the fiscal year ended  June 30, 2020. The change in the fair value of the de-designated notional hedged amount was not material as of June 30, 2020. The instruments were valued using observable market inputs in active markets and therefore are classified as Level 2 liabilities.

 

The Company did not reclassify any amounts out of other comprehensive income into interest expense during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019.

 

58

Fair value measurements of contingent consideration

 

The Company has $29.4 million, which is the fair value, of contingent consideration related to the Asuragen, Quad, and B-MoGen acquisitions. The Company is required to make contingent consideration payments of up to $105.0 million, $51.0  million, and $38.0 million, respectively, as part of these acquisition agreements. The contingent agreement with Asuragen was based on achieving certain revenue thresholds, the contingent agreement with Quad is based on meeting certain product development milestones and revenue thresholds, and the contingent agreement with B-MoGen is based on meeting certain product development milestones and revenue thresholds. The preliminary fair value of the liabilities for the Asuragen acquisition was $18.3 million as discussed in Note 4. The preliminary fair value of the revenue milestone payments was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation-based model discounted to present value. Assumptions used in these calculations are units sold, expected revenue, expected expenses, discount rate, and various probability factors.   

 

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company's obligation for potential contingent consideration payments related to the ExosomeDx acquisition were relieved as part of the Company's escrow settlement with the former shareholders of ExosomeDx. As the result of this settlement, the Company reversed an accrual for the fair value of the contingent liability at the date of settlement.

 

The ultimate settlement of contingent consideration liabilities for the Asuragen, Quad, and B-Mogen acquisitions could deviate from current estimates based on the actual results of the financial measures described above. This liability is considered to be a Level 3 financial liability that is re-measured each reporting period. The change in fair value of contingent consideration for these acquisitions is included in general and administrative expense.

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of the liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in thousands):

 

  

June 30,

 
  

2021

  2020 
         

Fair value at the beginning of period

 $6,137  $12,600 

Purchase price contingent consideration (Note 4)

  18,300   - 

Payments

  (337

)

  (4,358)

Gain on escrow settlement

  -

 

  (1,200)

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

  5,300

 

  (905

)

Contingent consideration payable

 $29,400  $6,137 

 

Fair value measurements of other financial instruments – The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument for which it is practicable to estimate fair value.

 

Cash and cash equivalents, certificates of deposit, accounts receivable, and accounts payable – The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these items.

 

Long-term debt – The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for the amount drawn on our line-of-credit facility  and long-term debt approximates fair value because our interest rate is variable and reflects current market rates. 

 

59

 
 

Note 6. Debt and Other Financing Arrangements: 

 

On August 1, 2018, the Company entered into a new uncollateralized revolving line-of-credit and term loan governed by a Credit Agreement (the Credit Agreement). The Credit Agreement provides for a revolving credit facility of $600.0 million, which can be increased by an additional $200.0 million subject to certain conditions, and a term loan of $250.0 million. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement may be used for working capital and expenditures of the Company and its subsidiaries, including financing permitted acquisitions. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a variable rate. The current outstanding debt is based on the Eurodollar Loans term for which the interest rate is calculated as the sum of LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin is determined for the total leverage ratio of the Company and updated on a quarterly basis. The annualized fee for any unused portion of the credit facility is currently 12.5 basis points. The Company has recorded $12.5 million of our outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement as a current liability in our Consolidated Balance sheet, which represents our required quarterly debt payments to be made in fiscal year 2022.

 

The Credit Agreement matures on August 1, 2023 and contains customary restrictive and financial covenants and customary events of default. At the closing on August 1, 2018 the company borrowed $250.0 million under the term loan and $330.0 million under the revolving credit facility. As of June 30, 2021 and 2020, the outstanding balance under the Credit Agreement was $341 million and $357 million respectively. 

 

 

 

Note 7. Leases: 

 

As a lessee, the company leases offices, labs, and manufacturing facilities, as well as vehicles, copiers, and other equipment. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02 and related standards (collectively ASC 842, Leases), which replaced previous lease accounting guidance, on July 1, 2019. 

 

The Company recognizes operating lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The discount rate used to calculate present value is the Company’s incremental borrowing rate or, if available, the rate implicit in the lease. The Company determines the incremental borrowing rate for each lease based primarily on its lease term and the economic environment of the applicable country or region. During fiscal year 2021, the Company recognized $3.6 million in variable lease expense in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income.  During fiscal year 2021, the Company also recognized $32.5 million relating to fixed lease expense in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. 

 

The following table summarizes the balance sheet classification of the Company’s operating leases, amounts of right of use assets and lease liabilities, the weighted average remaining lease term, and the weighted average discount rate for the Company’s operating leases (asset and liability amounts are in thousands):

 

  Balance Sheet Classification 

As of:

June 30,

2021

 

Operating leases:

      

Operating lease right of use assets(1)

 Right of Use Asset $73,834 
       

Current operating lease liabilities(1)

 Operating lease liabilities current $11,602 

Noncurrent operating lease liabilities(1)

 Operating lease liabilities  67,625 

Total operating lease liabilities

   $79,227 
       

Weighted average remaining lease term (in years):

    7.97 
       

Weighted average discount rate:

    3.93

%

(1) The right of use asset, current operating lease liabilities, and noncurrent lease liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet exclude a definitive agreement entered into by the Company in June 2021 for a 25,000 square foot facility in Dublin, Ireland for the next 25 years with annual rental impact of $0.3 million. The lease will commence during fiscal 2022 after construction is completed by the landlord. As the lease has not commenced as of June 30, 2021, the related asset and liability were not recorded.

 

The following table summarizes the cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities and right of use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities for the year ended  June 30, 2021 (in thousands):

 

  

For the year

ended June

30, 2021

 

Cash amounts paid on operating lease liabilities(1)

 $13,492 
     

Right of use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities

  12,144 

 

(1) Total cash paid for the Company's operating leases during the year ended June 30, 2021 include cash amounts paid on operating lease liabilities and variable lease expenses. Cash flow impacts from right of use assets and lease liabilities are presented net on the cash flow statement in changes in other operating activity.  

 

60

 

The following table summarizes payments by date for the Company’s operating leases, which is then reconciled to our total lease obligation (in thousands):

 

  

June 30, 2021

Operating

Leases

 

2022

 $14,349 

2023

  13,371 

2024

  11,840 

2025

  10,780 

2026

  10,120 

Thereafter

  32,331 

Total

 $92,791 

Less: Amounts representing interest

  13,564 

Total lease obligations

  79,227 

 

Certain leases include one or more options to renew, with terms that extend the lease term up to five years. The Company includes option to renew the lease as part of the right of use lease asset and liability when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise the option. In addition, certain leases contain fair value purchase and termination options with an associated penalty. In general, the Company is not reasonably certain to exercise such options.

 

 

 

 

 

Note 8. Supplemental Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss): 

 

Supplemental Equity

 

The Company has declared cash dividends per share of $1.28 in each of the full fiscal years ended  June 30, 2021, June 30, 2020, and June 30, 2019. During the years ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020, the Company repurchased 120,000 shares at an average share price of $359.81 and 279,381 shares at an average share price of $179.37, respectively. The Company's accounting policy is to record the portion of share repurchases in excess of the par value entirely in retained earnings. During fiscal year 2021, 2020 and 2019, the amounts within the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the surrender and retirement of stock to exercise options due to net settlement stock options exercises were not material.

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) 

 

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Bio-Techne, net of tax, are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

  

Unrealized

Gains

(Losses)

on

Available-

for-Sale

Investments

  

Foreign

Currency

Translation

Adjustments

  

Unrealized

Gains

(Losses) on

Derivatives

Instruments

  

Total

 

Balance June 30, 2018 

 $24,682  $(69,496

)

 $-  $(44,814

)

Cumulative effect adjustment for adoption for ASU 2018-02

  2,371   -   -   2,371 

Cumulative effect adjustment for adoption for ASU 2016-01

  (27,053

)

  -   -   (27,053

)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

  -   (4,487

)

  (9,537

)

  (14,024

)

Balance June 30, 2019

 $-  $(73,983

)

 $(9,537

)

 $(83,521

)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

  -   (9,963

)

  (7,179

)

  (17,142

)

Reclassification from loss on derivatives to interest expense, net of taxes

  -   -   3,464   3,464 

Balance June 30, 2020

 $-  $(83,946

)

 $(13,253

)

 $(97,199

)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications(2)  -   32,848   100   32,948 
Reclassification from loss on derivatives to interest expense, net of taxes(1)  -   -   6,960   6,960 
Balance June 30, 2021 $-  $(51,098) $(6,193) $(57,291)

 

(1) Gains (losses) on the interest swap will be reclassified into interest expense as payments on the derivative agreement are made. The Company reclassified $8,598 to interest expense and $512 to non-operating income relating to variable interest payments that were probable not to occur as further discussed in Note 5 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021. The Company also recorded a related tax benefit of $2,150 during fiscal 2021. The Company had deferred tax benefits of $1,908 and $4,058 included in the accumulated other comprehensive income loss as of June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020, respectively.

(2) Other comprehensive income related to foreign currency translation adjustments in the table above includes the amount attributable to Bio-Techne and excludes the $103 attributable to the non-controlling interest in Eminence. 

 

62

 
 

Note 9. Earnings Per Share:

 

The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

  

Year Ended June 30,

 
  

2021

  

2020

  

2019

 

Earnings per share – basic:

            
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interest  139,585   229,296   96,072 
Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest  (825)  -   - 

Net income

 $140,410  $229,296  $96,072 

Income allocated to participating securities

  (86

)

  (224

)

  (105

)

Income available to common shareholders

 $140,324  $229,072  $95,967 

Weighted-average shares outstanding – basic

  38,747   38,201   37,781 

Earnings per share – basic

 $3.62  $6.00  $2.54 
             

Earnings per share – diluted:

            

Net income

 $140,410  $229,296  $96,072 

Income allocated to participating securities

  (86

)

  (224

)

  (105

)

Income available to common shareholders

 $140,324  $229,072  $95,967 

Weighted-average shares outstanding – basic

  38,747   38,201   37,781 

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units

  1,736   1,200   1,111 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted

  40,483   39,401   38,892 

Earnings per share – diluted

 $3.47  $5.82  $2.47 

 

Basic net income per common share is calculated based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common and potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive common shares of our stock result from dilutive common stock options and restricted stock units. We use the treasury stock method to calculate the weighted-average shares used in the diluted earnings per share computation. Under the treasury stock method, the proceeds from exercise of an option, the amount of compensation cost, if any, for future service that we have not yet recognized, and the amount of estimated tax benefits that would be recorded in paid-in capital, if any, when the option is exercised are assumed to be used to repurchase shares in the current period.

 

The dilutive effect of stock options in the above table excludes all options for which the aggregate exercise proceeds exceeded the average market price for the period. The number of potentially dilutive option shares excluded from the calculation was 0.6 million, 0.9 million, and 1.3 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

63

 
 

Note 10. Share-based Compensation and Other Benefit Plans:

 

The cost of employee services received in exchange for the award of equity instruments is based on the fair value of the award at the date of grant. Compensation cost is recognized using a straight-line method over the vesting period and is net of estimated forfeitures. Stock option exercises and stock awards are satisfied through the issuance of new shares. 

 

Equity incentive plan: The Company's Second Amended and Restated 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the Second A&R 2010 Plan) provides for the granting of incentive and nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and stock appreciation rights. There were 7.5 million shares of common stock authorized for grant under the Second A&R 2010 Plan. In October 2020, the shareholders approved an amended and restated incentive plan - the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan. The maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock reserved and available for awards under the Amended Plan is 2,484,202 shares, which includes an additional 1,300,000 shares authorized by the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan. Shares issued after the shareholder meeting are issued under the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan. At June 30, 2021, there were 1.1 million shares of common stock available for grant under the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan. The maximum term of incentive options granted under the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan is ten years. The 2020 Equity Incentive Plan replaced the Company's second A&R 2010 Plan, which had previously amended and restated the Company's Amended and Restate 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the A&R 2010 Plan). The A&R 2010 Plan had previously replaced the Company's 1998 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan (the 1998 Plan). The Second A&R 2010 Plan and the 1998 Plan (collectively, the Plans) are administered by the Board of Directors and its Executive Compensation Committee, which determine the persons who are to receive awards under the Plans, the number of shares subject to each award and the term and exercise price of each award. The number of shares of common stock subject to outstanding awards as of  June 30, 2021 under the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan were 3.7 million.

 

The fair values of options granted under the Plans were estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions used:

 

  

Year Ended June 30,

 
  

2021

  2020  2019 
                   

Dividend yield

   0.24%     0.67%     0.74%  

Expected volatility

  25%-30%   22%-24%   20%-23% 

Risk-free interest rates

  0.2%-0.7%   1.3%-1.9%   2.5%-3.0% 

Expected lives (years)

   4.4     4.0     4.1  

 

The dividend yield is based on the Company's historical annual cash dividend divided by the market value of the Company's common stock. The expected annualized volatility is based on the Company's historical stock price over a period equivalent to the expected life of the option granted. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury constant maturity interest rates with a term consistent with the expected life of the options granted.

 

Stock option activity under the Plans for the three years ended June 30, 2021, consists of the following (shares in thousands): 

 

  

Number of

Shares (in

thousands)

  

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

  

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

(millions)

  

Weighted

Average

Contractual

Life (years)

 
                 

Outstanding at June 30, 2018

  3,452  $105.17         

Granted

  917   173.89         

Forfeited

  (330

)

  129.93         

Exercised

  (383

)

  95.29         

Outstanding at June 30, 2019

  3,656  $121.16         

Granted

  752   190.80         

Forfeited

  (56

)

  95.97         

Exercised

  (743

)

  157.45         

Outstanding at June 30, 2020

  3,609  $140.28         
Granted  763   277.75         
Forfeited  (28)  214.33         
Exercised  (627)  112.53         
Outstanding at June 30, 2021  3,717  $172.63  $1,031.9   4.1 
                 

Exercisable at June 30, 2019:

  1,467   98.70         

Exercisable at June 30, 2020:

  1,564   112.60         
Exercisable at June 30, 2021:  1,764   126.44  $571.3   3.0 

 

The weighted average fair value of options granted during fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 was $59.75, $37.01, and $34.66 respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 were $145.6 million, $99.3 million, and $159.0 million, respectively. The total fair value of options vested during fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 were $70.5 million, $71.1 million, and $31.7 million, respectively.

 

64

 

Restricted common stock activity under the Plans for the three years ended June 30, 2021, consists of the following (units in thousands):

 

  

Number of

Shares (in

thousands)

  

Weighted

Average Grant

Date Fair

Value

  

Weighted

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Term

(years)

 

Unvested at June 30, 2018

  35  $117.39     

Granted

  15   177.93     

Vested

  (20

)

  116.76     

Forfeited

  -   -     

Unvested at June 30, 2019

  30  $147.94     

Granted

  15   193.48     

Vested

  (18

)

  142.12     

Forfeited

  -   -     

Unvested at June 30, 2020

  28  $177.20     
Granted  12   264.73     
Vested  (17)  171.64     
Forfeited  -   -     
Unvested at June 30, 2021  23  $226.07   6.07 

 

The total fair value of restricted shares that vested was $2.8 million for fiscal 2021, $2.5 million for fiscal 2020, and $2.3 million for fiscal 2019.

 

Restricted stock unit activity under the Plans for the three years ended June 30, 2021, consists of the following (units in thousands):

 

  

Number of

Units

(in thousands)

  

Weighted

Average Grant

Date Fair

Value

  

Weighted

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Term

(years)

 

Outstanding at June 30, 2018

  148  $117.95     

Granted

  56   170.96     

Vested

  (28

)

  110.86     

Forfeited

  (36

)

  143.72     

Outstanding at June 30, 2019

  139  $134.17     

Granted

  31   192.08     

Vested

  (51

)

  111.07     

Forfeited

  (3

)

  155.60     

Outstanding at June 30, 2020

  116  $159.25     
Granted  31   300.78     
Vested  (51)  130.18     
Forfeited  -   -     
Outstanding at June 30, 2021  96  $220.53   5.36 

 

The total fair value of restricted stock units that vested was $6.7 million for fiscal 2021, $5.7 million for fiscal 2020, and $3.1 million for fiscal 2019. The restricted stock units vest over a three-year period.

 

Stock-based compensation cost, inclusive of payroll taxes, of $46.4 million, $32.4 million, and $32.3 million was included in selling, general and administrative expense in fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Additionally, stock-based compensation costs, inclusive of payroll taxes, of $1.6 million was included in cost of goods sold in 2021. As of June 30, 2021, there was $37.1 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options, non-vested restricted stock units and non-vested restricted stock which will be expensed in fiscal 2022 through 2024 using a 4.6% forfeiture rate. The weighted average period over which the compensation cost is expected to be recognized is 2.1 years.

 

Employee stock purchase plan: In fiscal year 2015, the Company established the Bio-Techne Corporation 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), which was approved by the Company's shareholders on October 30, 2014, and which is designed to comply with IRS provisions governing employee stock purchase plans. 200,000 shares were allocated to the ESPP. The Company recorded expense of $0.9 million, $0.4 million, and $0.5 million for the ESPP in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

 

Profit sharing and savings plans: The Company has profit sharing and savings plans for its U.S. employees, which conform to IRS provisions for 401(k) plans. The Company makes matching contributions to the Plan. The Company has recorded an expense for contributions to the plans of $3.4 million, $3.2 million, and $2.8 million for the years ended June 30, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. The Company operates defined contribution pension plans for its U.K. employees. The Company has recorded an expense for contributions to the plans of $1.6 million for year ended June 30, 2021 and $1.4 million for each of the years ended June 30,  2020 and 2019.

 

Performance incentive programs: In fiscal 2021, under certain employment agreements, a Management Incentive Plan, and a business incentive plan, available to executive officers, certain management personnel, and certain other professional employees, the Company recorded cash bonuses of $21.1 million, granted options for 762,761 shares of common stock, issued 11,803 restricted common shares and 30,823 restricted stock units. In fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, the Company recorded cash bonuses of $10.5 million and $9.3 million, granted options for 751,499 and 618,898 shares of common stock, and issued 15,398 and 11,279 restricted common stock shares and 30,858 and 25,903 restricted stock, respectively.

 

65

 
 

Note 11. Income Taxes:

 

Income before income taxes was comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

   

Year Ended June 30,

 
   

2021

    2020     2019  

Domestic

  $ 95,662     $ 245,365     $ 64,081  

Foreign

    52,513       31,112       47,934  

Income before income taxes

  $ 148,175     $ 276,477     $ 112,015  

 

The provision for income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

   

Year Ended June 30,

 
    2021     2020     2019  

Taxes on income consist of:

                       

Currently tax provision:

                       

Federal

  $ 15,179     $ 18,976     $ 16,090  

State

    6,681       6,018       544  

Foreign

    14,743       8,580       13,329  

Total current tax provision

    36,603       33,574       29,963  

Deferred tax provision:

                       

Federal

    (20,812 )     14,074

 

    (6,903

)

State

    (4,962 )     2,055

 

    (3,977

)

Foreign

    (2,239 )     (2,522

)

    (3,142

)

Total deferred tax provision

    (28,013 )     13,607

 

    (14,021

)

Total income tax provision

  $
8,590
    $ 47,181     $ 15,943

 

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate for fiscal 2021 was 5.8% vs 17.1% in the prior year. The change in the effective tax rate for fiscal 2021 and 2020 was driven by changes in net discrete tax benefits of $28.1 million and $19.4 million for fiscal year 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

The Company's effective income tax rate for fiscal 2020 was 17.1% for fiscal 2020 vs 14.2% in the prior year. The change in the effective tax rate for fiscal 2020 and 2019 were driven by the changes in the net discrete tax benefits $19.4 million and $12.7 million, respectively. 

 

The Company's discrete tax benefits in fiscal 2021 primarily related to share-based compensation excess tax benefits of $28.1 million.

 

The Company's discrete tax benefits in fiscal 2020 primarily related to share-based compensation excess tax benefits of $17.7 million.

 

The Company's discrete tax benefits in fiscal 2019 primarily related to share-based compensation excess tax benefits of $7.2 million, $3.2 million related to fiscal 2019 acquisitions, and $2.0 million for tax refunds relating to certain state apportionments. 

 

The Company continues to monitor newly enacted regulations, clarifications, and changes in guidance the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act “Tax Act”, which was enacted on  December 22, 2017. The Company recognizes changes in legislation in the period enacted, which may have a material impact on our effective tax rate in future periods.

 

66

 

The following is a reconciliation of the federal tax calculated at the statutory rate of to the actual income taxes provided:

 

   

Year Ended June 30,

 
   

2021

    2020     2019  
                         

Income tax expense at federal statutory rate

    21.0

%

    21.0

%

    21.0

%

State income taxes, net of federal benefit

    0.6

 

    2.3

 

    (1.5

)

Research and development tax credit

    (1.8

)

    (0.7

)

    (1.6

)

Contingent consideration adjustment

    0.8

 

    (0.2

)

    (0.4

)

Foreign tax rate differences

    0.8

 

    (0.2

)

    0.2

 

Option exercises

    (16.9

)

    (5.7

)

    (5.8

)

U.S. taxation of foreign earnings

    (0.1 )     0.9

 

    3.7

 

Foreign derived intangible income

    (5.1 )     (0.9

)

    (2.0 )

Executive compensation limitations

    6.5       1.6

 

    0.4  

Other, net

    0.0       (1.0

)

    0.2

 

Effective tax rate

    5.8

%

    17.1

%

    14.2

%

 

Deferred taxes on the Consolidated Balance Sheets consisted of the following temporary differences (in thousands):

 

   

June 30

 
   

2021

    2020  
                 

Inventory

  $ 6,730     $ 7,769  

Net operating loss carryovers

    31,345       25,707  

Tax credit carryovers

    14,486       9,568  

Excess tax basis in equity investments

    2,429       2,423  

Deferred compensation

    11,108       10,755  

Derivative - cash flow hedge

    1,908       4,058  

Lease liability

    17,016       16,256  

Other

    8,526       4,340  

Valuation allowance

    (6,665

)

    (7,523

)

Deferred tax assets

    86,883       73,353  
                 

Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments

    (3,159

)

    (19,102

)

Intangible asset amortization

    (150,765

)

    (128,279

)

Depreciation

    (9,099

)

    (10,764

)

Right of use asset

    (15,868

)

    (15,118 )

Other

    (1,117

)

    (1,180

)

Deferred tax liabilities

    (180,008

)

    (174,443

)

Net deferred tax liabilities

  $ (93,125 )   $ (101,090

)

 

67

 

A deferred tax valuation allowance is required when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. The valuation allowance as of June 30, 2021 was $6.7 million compared to $7.5 million in the prior year. 

 

As of June 30, 2021, the $6.7 million valuation allowance relates to certain foreign and state tax net operating loss and state credit carryforwards that existed at the date the Company acquired Quad, ExosomeDx, ACD, Novus, ProteinSimple and CyVek as well as immaterial amounts generated after the acquisitions. The Company believes it is more likely than not that these tax carryovers will not be realized.

 

As of June 30, 2021, the Company has federal operating loss carryforwards of approximately $92.1 million and state operating loss carryforwards of $129.6 million from its acquisitions of Asuragen (refer to note 4), Quad, ExosomeDx, ACD, ProteinSimple and CyVek, which are not limited under IRC Section 382. As of June 30, 2021, the Company has foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $13.9 million. The net operating loss carryforwards expire between fiscal 2022 and 2036. The Company has a deferred tax asset of $26.6 million, net of the valuation allowance discussed above, related to the net operating loss carryovers. As of June 30, 2021, the Company has federal and state tax credit carryforwards of $10.1 million and $4.4 million, respectively. The federal tax credit carryforwards expire between 2028 and 2038. The majority of the state credit carryforwards have no expiry date. The Company has a deferred tax asset of $12.6 million, net of the valuation allowance discussed above, related to the tax credit carryovers.

The Company has not recognized a deferred tax liability for unremitted foreign earnings of approximately $223 million from its foreign operations because its subsidiaries have invested or will invest the undistributed earnings indefinitely. The transition tax included as part of the Tax Act resulted in the previously untaxed foreign earnings being included in the federal and state fiscal 2018 taxable income. The one-time transition tax was based on certain foreign earnings for which earnings have been previously indefinitely reinvested as well as the amount of earnings held in cash and other specified assets.   No additional income taxes have been provided for cumulative unremitted foreign earnings as at this time our intention with respect to unremitted foreign earnings is to continue to indefinitely reinvest outside the U.S. those earnings needed for working capital or additional foreign investment. If there are policy changes, we would record applicable taxes at that time.

We continue to analyze our global working capital requirements and the potential tax liabilities that would be incurred if the non-U.S. subsidiaries distribute cash to the U.S. parent, which include local country withholding tax and potential U.S. state taxation.  In addition, we anticipate that further guidance from the IRS and US Treasury related to the Tax Act could impact the amount of any related taxes. Therefore, it is not practical to estimate the amount of the deferred income tax liabilities related to investments in these foreign subsidiaries.

The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of unrecognized tax benefits (in thousands):

 

   

Year Ended June 30,

 
   

2021

    2020     2019  

Beginning balance

  $ 4,297     $ 5,032     $ 1,947  

Additions due to acquisitions

    -       -       900  

Additions for tax positions of prior year

    4,038       306       2,185  

Decrease in unrecognized tax benefits for prior year positions

    (778

)

    (1,041 )     -  
Settlements     (286 )     -       -  

Ending balances

  $ 7,271     $ 4,297     $ 5,032  

 

Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at June 30, 2021 are potential benefits of $5.2 million that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate on income from continuing operations. The amount of interest and penalties recognized on the balance sheet as of June 30, 2021 is not material. The Company does not believe it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase in the next twelve months. It is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by $2.6 million as a result of ongoing discussions with the German tax authorities regarding a historical local matter. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal and certain state tax jurisdictions, and several jurisdictions outside the U.S. The Company's federal returns are subject to tax assessment for 2017 and subsequent years. State and foreign income tax returns are generally subject to examination for a period of three to five years after filing of the respective return. The state impact of any federal changes remains subject to examination by various states for a period of up to one year after formal notification to the states.

 

68

 
 

Note 12. Segment Information:

 

The Company operates under two operating segments, Protein Sciences and Diagnostics and Genomics.

 

The Company's Protein Sciences segment is comprised of the reagent solutions and analytical solutions. These businesses manufacture consumables used for conducting laboratory experiments by both industry and academic scientists within the biotechnology and biomedical life science fields. No customer in the Protein Sciences segment accounted for more than 10% of the segment’s net sales for the years ended June 30, 2021, 2020, and 2019.

 

The Company's Diagnostics and Genomics segment is comprised of diagnostics reagents, genomics, and our Exosome and Asuragen acquisitions. Diagnostics reagents develops and manufactures a range of controls and calibrators used with diagnostic equipment and as proficiency testing tools, as well as other reagents incorporated into diagnostic kits. Genomics, Exosome, and Asuragen consists of Genomics and Exosome products and sells a portfolio of clinical molecular diagnostic oncology assays, as well as tissue-based in-situ hybridization assays for research in clinical use. No customer in the Diagnostics and Genomics segment accounted for more than 10% of the segment’s net sales for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2021, 2020, and 2019. 

 

There are no concentrations of business transacted with a particular customer or supplier or concentrations of revenue from a particular product or geographic area that would severely impact the Company in the near term.

 

Following is financial information relating to the operating segments (in thousands):

 

  

Year Ended June 30,

 
  

2021

  2020  2019 

Net sales:

            

Protein Sciences

 $704,564  $555,352  $543,159 

Diagnostics and Genomics

  227,744   184,549   171,674 

Intersegment

  (1,276

)

  (1,210

)

  (827

)

Consolidated net sales

 $931,032  $738,691  $714,006 
             

Operating Income:

            

Protein Sciences

 $328,837  $234,929  $240,919 

Diagnostics and Genomics

  38,425   14,965   10,079 

Segment operating income

  367,262   249,894   250,998 

Costs recognized upon sale of acquired inventory

  (1,565)  -

 

  (3,739

)

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

  (64,239

)

  (60,865

)

  (58,550

)

Gain on escrow settlement

  -   7,169   - 

Acquisition related expenses

  (7,114

)

  (416

)

  (2,282

)

Restructuring costs

  (142

)

  (87)  -

 

Stock-based compensation, inclusive of employer taxes

  (51,846

)

  (34,262

)

  (33,057

)

Corporate general, selling and administrative expenses

  (5,060

)

  (4,015

)

  (6,651

)

Consolidated operating income

 $237,296  $157,419  $146,719 

 

69

 

The Company has some integrated facilities that serve multiple segments. As such, asset and capital expenditure information by operating segment has not been provided and is not available, since the Company does not produce or utilize such information internally. In addition, although depreciation and amortization expense is a component of each operating segment’s operating results, it is not discretely identifiable.

 

The Company has disclosed sales by geographic area based on the location of the customer or distributor in Note 2. The Company has disclosed dis-aggregated product and service revenue by consumables, instruments, and services in Note 2. The Company considers total instrument and total service revenue to represent similar groups of products in the fiscal years presented. The Company considered our consumables sold in the Protein Sciences and Diagnostics and Genomics segments to represent different groups of products and therefore have separately disclosed the related consumables revenue (in thousands) :

 

  

Year Ended June 30,

 
  

2021

  2020  2019 

Consumables revenue - Protein Sciences

 $557,037  $431,052  $430,655 

Consumables revenue - Diagnostics and Genomics

  194,948   171,590   158,324 

Total consumable revenue

 $751,985  $602,642  $588,979 

 

The following is financial information relating to geographic areas (in thousands):

 

  

Year ended June 30,

 

Long-lived assets:

 

2021

  2020 

United States and Canada

 $190,501  $162,039 

Europe

  13,949   13,120 

Asia

  3,457   1,670 

Total long-lived assets

 $207,907  $176,829 

Intangible assets:

        

United States and Canada

 $594,512  $499,875 

Europe

  9,369   12,349 

Asia

  12,087   4,321 

Total intangible assets

 $615,968  $516,545 

 

Long-lived assets are comprised of land, buildings and improvements and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and other assets.

 

 

 

Note 13. Subsequent Events:

 

None

 

70

 
 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors

Bio-Techne Corporation:

 

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Bio-Techne Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of June 30, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2021, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated August 25, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Change in Accounting Principle

 

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for leases as of July 1, 2019, due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and related amendments.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Critical Audit Matters

 

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

 

Goodwill impairment analysis for the Exosome reporting unit

 

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the goodwill balance as of June 30, 2021 was $843.1 million, of which $105.4 million related to the Exosome reporting unit. The Company performs goodwill impairment testing on an annual basis and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit likely exceeds its fair value. This involves estimating the fair value of the reporting units using a discounted cash flow model.

 

We identified the evaluation of the goodwill impairment analysis for the Exosome reporting unit as a critical audit matter. There was a high degree of subjectivity in applying and evaluating certain key assumptions used in the discounted cash flow model to estimate the fair value of the Exosome reporting unit. Specifically, the revenue growth rates and the discount rate were challenging to test as they represented subjective determinations of future market and economic conditions. Changes to those assumptions could have had a significant effect on the Company’s assessment of the fair value of the Exosome reporting unit.

 

The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the goodwill impairment process. This included controls related to the Company’s determination of the estimated fair value of the Exosome reporting unit, including controls related to the development of the assumptions for the revenue growth rates and discount rate. We performed sensitivity analyses over the revenue growth rate and discount rate assumptions to assess their impact on the Company’s determination that the fair value of the Exosome reporting unit exceeded its carrying value. We evaluated the reasonableness of the Company’s forecasted revenue growth rates for the Exosome reporting unit by comparing the growth rate assumptions to industry related third-party data. We also compared the Company’s historical revenue forecasts to actual results to assess the Company’s ability to accurately forecast. In addition, we involved valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in evaluating the discount rate used in the valuation, by comparing it against a discount rate range that was independently developed using publicly available market data for comparable entities.

 

71

 

Fair value measurement of the developed technology and in-process research and development intangible assets acquired in the Asuragen acquisition

 

As discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company acquired Asuragen, Inc. (Asuragen) in April 2021, for total consideration of $233.9 million, net of cash acquired. As a result of the acquisition, the Company recognized intangible assets of $144.4 million, including developed technology of $107.0 million and in-process research and development (IPR&D) of $22.7 million. 

 

We identified the assessment of the fair value measurement of the acquired developed technology and IPR&D as a critical audit matter. There was a high degree of subjectivity in applying and evaluating certain key assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the acquired developed technology and IPR&D. Specifically, the revenue growth rates and the discount rates were challenging to test as they represented subjective determinations of future market and economic conditions. Changes to those assumptions could have had a significant effect on the determination of the fair value measurements.

 

The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the Company’s acquisition-date valuation process, including controls related to the development of the assumptions for the revenue growth rates and discount rates. We performed sensitivity analyses over the revenue growth rates to assess the impact of changes in those assumptions on the Company’s determination of the fair value of the developed technology and IPR&D. We evaluated the reasonableness of the Company’s forecasted revenue growth rates used to determine forecasted revenues by comparing them to historical results and industry related third-party data. In addition, we involved valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in:

 

 

evaluating the discount rates used by the Company by comparing them against discount rate ranges that were independently developed using publicly available market data for comparable entities

 

 

testing the estimate of the fair value of the intangible assets acquired using the Company’s cash flow forecasts and discount rates, and comparing the results to the Company’s fair value estimates.

 

Initial fair value measurement of the contingent consideration liability related to the Asuragen acquisition

 

As discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the initial fair value of the contingent consideration liability for the Asuragen acquisition was $18.3 million. The contingent consideration liability is recorded at fair value and remeasured each reporting period, with a maximum payout of $105.0 million upon achievement of certain revenue targets through calendar year 2023.

 

We identified the assessment of the initial fair value measurement of the contingent consideration liability as a critical audit matter. There was a high degree of subjectivity in applying and evaluating certain key assumptions used to estimate the initial fair value of the contingent consideration liability. Specifically, the revenue growth rates, volatility, and discount rate were challenging to test as they represented subjective determinations of future market and economic conditions. Changes to those assumptions could have had a significant effect on the determination of the initial fair value of the contingent consideration liability.

 

The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the Company’s acquisition-date valuation process, including controls related to the development of the assumptions for the revenue growth rates, volatility, and discount rate. We performed sensitivity analyses over the future revenue growth rates to assess the impact of changes in those assumptions on the Company’s determination of the initial fair value of the contingent consideration liability. We evaluated the reasonableness of the Company’s forecasted revenue growth rates used to determine forecasted revenues by comparing them to historical results and industry related third-party data. In addition, we involved valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in:

 

 

evaluating the Company’s volatility and discount rate, by comparing the Company’s inputs to the volatility and the discount rate to publicly available market data for comparable entities, and assessing the resulting volatility and discount rate

 

 

testing the estimate of the initial fair value of the contingent consideration liability using the Company’s forecasted revenues, volatility, and the discount rate, and comparing the results to the Company’s initial fair value estimate.

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002.

 

Minneapolis, Minnesota
August 25, 2021

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Bio-Techne Corporation:

 

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

We have audited Bio-Techne Corporation and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of June 30, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2021,and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated August 25, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

 

The Company acquired Asuragen, Inc. and a controlling interest in Eminence Biotechnology during 2021, and management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2021, Eminence Biotechnology and Asuragen, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting associated with 12.0% of total assets and 0.8% of total revenues included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended June 30, 2021. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also excluded an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Eminence Biotechnology and Asuragen, Inc.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

Minneapolis, Minnesota
August 25, 2021

 

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

None.

 

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

 

(a)

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). The evaluation was based upon reports and certifications provided by a number of executives.  Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of June 30, 2021, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

(b)

Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

The Company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting also includes those policies and procedures that:

 

(i)

Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;

 

(ii)

Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and

 

(iii)

Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company's annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

 

We acquired a controlling interest in Eminence Biotechnology (Eminence) on October 20, 2020 and acquired Asuragen, Inc. (Asuragen) on April 6, 2021. Eminence and Asuragen represented approximately 12.0% of our total assets and 0.8% of our total revenues as of and for the year ended June 30, 2021. We excluded internal control over financial reporting associated with Eminence and Asuragen from our assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2021.

 

Under the supervision of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting using the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on our assessment and those criteria, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of June 30, 2021.

 

The attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting issued by KPMG LLP appears in Item 8 of this report.

 

 

(c)

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

As previously announced, we acquired Eminence Biotechnology on October 20, 2020 and Asuragen, Inc on April 6, 2021. We have not fully evaluated any changes in internal control over financial reporting associated with these acquisitions and therefore any material changes that may result from these acquisitions have not been disclosed in this report. We intend to disclose all material changes resulting from the acquisitions within or prior to the time of our first annual assessment of internal control over financial reporting that is required to include these entities. 

 

There were no other changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during fiscal year 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

 

 

PART III

 

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Other than "Executive Officers of the Registrant" which is set forth at the end of Item 1 in Part I of this report, the information required by Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled "Election of Directors," "Principle Shareholders" and "Additional Corporate Governance Matters" in the Company's Proxy Statement for its 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year for which this report is filed.

 

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The information required by Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled "Election of Directors" and "Executive Compensation" in the Company's Proxy Statement for its 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year for which this report is filed.

 

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL

OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

 

The information required by Item 12 is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled "Principal Shareholders" and "Management Shareholdings" in the Company's Proxy Statement for its 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year for which this report is filed.

 

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

The information required by Item 13 is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled "Election of Directors" and "Additional Corporate Governance Matters" in the Company's Proxy Statement for its 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year for which this report is filed.

 

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

 

The information required by Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled "Audit Matters" in the Company's Proxy Statement for its 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year for which this report is filed.

 

 

 

PART IV

 

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

A. (1) List of Financial Statements.

 

The following Consolidated Financial Statements are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended June 30, 2021, 2020, and 2019

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2021 and 2020

 

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Years Ended June 30, 2021, 2020, and 2019

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended June 30, 2021, 2020, and 2019

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended June 30, 2021, 2020, and 2019

 

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm          

 

 

A. (2) Financial Statement Schedules.

 

All financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, not material or the required information is shown in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto.

 

A. (3) Exhibits.

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

for Form 10-K for the 2021 Fiscal Year

 

 

Exhibit

Number  

Description

3.1

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company--incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company's Form 10-Q dated February 9, 2015*

   

3.2

Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company--incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Companys Form 8-K dated February 1, 2018*

   

4.1

Description of Capital Stock -- attached as Exhibit 4.1 hereto

   

10.1**

Management Incentive Plan--incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2013*

   

10.2**

Second Amended and Restated 2010 Equity Incentive Plan--incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Form 8-K dated October 26, 2017*

   

10.3**

Form of Time Vesting Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

   

10.4**

Form of Performance Vesting Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

   

10.5**

Form of Time Vesting Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.

   

10.6**

Form of Performance Vesting Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.

   

10.7**

Form of the Time Vesting Performance Unit Award Agreement.

   

10.8**

Form of Performance Vesting Performance Unit Award Agreement. 

 

10.9**

Form of Time Vesting Incentive Stock Option Agreement. .

   

10.10**

Form of Performance Vesting Incentive Stock Option Agreement. 

   

10.11**

Form of Employee Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement.

   

10.12**

Form of Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Second Amended and Restated 2010 Equity Incentive Plan--incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Form 8-K dated October 26, 2017*

   

10.13**

Employment Agreement by and between the Company and Charles Kummeth--incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Company's Form 10-K dated September 7, 2017*

 

 

Exhibit

Number 

Description

10.14**

Form of Employment Agreement by and between the Company and Executive Officers of the Company other than the CEO--incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of the Company's Form 10-K dated September 7, 2017*

   

10.15**

Form of Amendment No. 1 to Executive Employment Agreement  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the Companys Form 10-Q dated May 11, 2020. 

   

10.16

Credit Agreement by and among the Company, the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, and BMO Harris Bank N.A., as Administrative Agent, dated August 1, 2018--incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Form 8-K dated August 2, 2018*

   

10.17**

Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into with each director and executive officer of the Company--incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Form 10-Q dated February 8, 2018*

   

10.20

Development, Supply and Commercialization Agreement by and between the Company and Kantaro Biosciences, LLC dated May 18, 2020 (portions of which have been redacted as noted, subject to confidential treatment)  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Form 8-K dated May 19, 2020*

 

21

Subsidiaries of the Company

   

23

Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

   

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

   

32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

   

32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

   

101

The following financial statements from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income, (ii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

   

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

-------------

*     Incorporated by reference; SEC File No. 000-17272

**   Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

 

 

 

 

Exhibits for Form 10-K have not been included in this report. Exhibits have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Upon request to the Investor Relations Department, Bio-Techne Corporation will furnish, without charge, any such exhibits as well as copies of periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

BIO-TECHNE CORPORATION

 
       
       

Date: August 25, 2021

 

/s/ Charles Kummeth

 
   

 By: Charles Kummeth

 
   

 Its: President and CEO

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Date    

Signature and Title

   
August 25, 2021

/s/ Robert V. Baumgartner

 

Robert V. Baumgartner

 

Chairman of the Board and Director

   
August 25, 2021

/s/ Julie Bushman

 

Julie Bushman, Director

   
August 25, 2021

/s/ Rupert Vessey

 

Dr. Rupert Vessey, Director

   
August 25, 2021

/s/ Joseph Keegan, Ph.D.

 

Dr. Joseph Keegan, Director

   
August 25, 2021

/s/ John L. Higgins

 

John L. Higgins, Director

   
August 25, 2021

/s/ Roeland Nusse, Ph.D.

 

Dr. Roeland Nusse, Director

   
August 25, 2021

/s/ Alpna Seth, Ph.D.

 

Dr. Alpna Seth, Director

   
August 25, 2021

/s/ Randolph C. Steer, Ph.D., M.D.

 

Dr. Randolph C. Steer, Director

   
August 25, 2021

/s/ Charles Kummeth

 

Charles Kummeth, Director and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)

   

August 25, 2021 

/s/ James Hippel

 

James Hippel, Chief Financial Officer

 

(principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)

 

79