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BIO-TECHNE Corp - Quarter Report: 2021 March (Form 10-Q)

tech20210331_10q.htm
 

 

Table of Contents

 


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 


FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 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 Exchange 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

 

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 (§232.405 of this chapter) 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 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.

 

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 Exchange Act Rule 12b- 2).    ☐  Yes    ☒  No

 

At May 3rd, 2021, 38,891,663 shares of the Company's Common Stock (par value $0.01) were outstanding.

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

19

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

26

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

27

 

 

 

PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

28

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

28

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

29

 

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

29

 

 

 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

29

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

29

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

30

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

32

  

 

 
 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Bio-Techne Corporation and Subsidiaries

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

  

Quarter Ended

March 31,

  

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

 
  

2021

  2020  2021  2020 

Net sales

 $243,552  $194,680  $672,004  $562,857 

Cost of sales

  75,278   64,617   215,098   192,977 

Gross margin

  168,274   130,063   456,906   369,880 

Operating expenses:

                

Selling, general and administrative

  82,596   66,318   238,310   203,358 

Research and development

  17,052   15,954   49,882   48,413 

Total operating expenses

  99,648   82,272   288,192   251,771 

Operating income

  68,626   47,791   168,714   118,109 

Other (expense) income

  (23,272

)

  (970)  (27,652)  96,843

 

Earnings before income taxes

  45,354   46,821   141,062   214,952 

Income taxes

  (48)  10,389   16,121   44,501 
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interest  45,402   36,432   124,941   170,451 
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest  (380)  -   (509)  - 
Net earnings attributable to Bio-Techne $45,782  $36,432  $125,450  $170,451 

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

                

Foreign currency translation adjustments

  (1,142

)

  (19,403)  27,700

 

  (15,138

)

Derivative instruments - cash flow hedges

  1,288

 

  (5,702

)

  5,490

 

  (4,798

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

  146

 

  (25,105)  33,190

 

  (19,936

)

Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest  (69)  -   14   - 
Other comprehensive income attributable to Bio-Techne  215   (25,105)  33,176   (19,936)

Comprehensive income attributable to Bio-Techne

 $45,997  $11,327  $158,626  $150,515 

Earnings per share attributable to Bio-Techne:

                

Basic

 $1.18  $0.95  $3.24  $4.46 

Diluted

 $1.12  $0.92  $3.11  $4.33 
                 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

                

Basic

  38,856   38,303   38,693   38,167 

Diluted

  40,676   39,435   40,305   39,354 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Bio-Techne Corporation and Subsidiaries

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

  

March 31,
2021
(unaudited)

  

June 30,
2020

 

ASSETS

        

Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

 $186,136  $146,625 

Short-term available-for-sale investments

  90,108   124,268 

Accounts receivable, net of $1,428 and $775 of reserves, respectively

  157,790   122,534 

Inventories

  109,990   103,152 

Other current assets

  22,582   24,341 

Total current assets

  566,606   520,920 
         

Property and equipment, net

  198,975   176,829 

Right of use asset

  71,830   71,465 

Goodwill

  746,460   728,308 

Intangible assets, net

  489,178   516,545 

Other assets

  11,593   13,522 

Total assets

 $2,084,642  $2,027,589 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

        

Current liabilities:

        

Trade accounts payable

 $25,842  $23,090 

Salaries, wages and related accruals

  43,268   31,087 

Accrued expenses

  15,689   9,093 

Contract liabilities

  18,714   13,049 

Income taxes payable

  3,562   2,376 

Operating lease liabilities - current

  10,414   9,535 

Contingent consideration payable

  5,070   5,938 

Current portion of long-term debt obligations

  12,500   12,500 

Other current liabilities

  2,581   - 

Total current liabilities

  137,640   106,668 
         

Deferred income taxes

  98,401   101,090 

Long-term debt obligations

  202,931   344,243 

Long-term contingent consideration payable

  7,100   199 

Operating lease liabilities

  66,816   67,248 

Other long-term liabilities

  23,812   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 per share; authorized 100,000,000; issued and outstanding 38,854,000 and 38,453,046, respectively

  389   385 

Additional paid-in capital

  514,299   420,536 

Retained earnings

  1,088,788   1,057,470 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  (64,023

)

  (97,199

)

Total Bio-Techne shareholders' equity

  1,539,453   1,381,192 

Noncontrolling interest

  8,489   - 

Total shareholders’ equity

  1,547,942   1,381,192 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 $2,084,642  $2,027,589 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Bio-Techne Corporation and Subsidiaries

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

 
  

2021

  2020 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

        

Net earnings

 $124,941  $170,451 

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

        

Depreciation and amortization

  63,075   61,746 

Costs recognized on sale of acquired inventory

  91   - 

Deferred income taxes

  (6,023)  8,641

 

Stock-based compensation expense

  39,174   26,350 
Contingent consideration payments  (155)   

Fair value adjustment to contingent consideration payable

  6,188

 

  (605

)

Fair value adjustment on available for sale investments

  10,234   (111,267

)

Leases, net  83   191 

Other operating activity

  (608

)

  (865)

Change in operating assets and operating liabilities, net of acquisition:

        

Trade accounts and other receivables, net

  (32,710)  2,692

 

Inventories

  (4,115

)

  (10,009

)

Other current assets

  414   (1,995

)

Trade accounts payable, accrued expenses, contract liabilities, and other

  12,198   10,031 

Salaries, wages and related accruals

  13,829   (5,090

)

Income taxes payable

  3,528   10,155

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  230,144   160,426 
         

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

        

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

  66,377   122,667 

Purchases of available-for-sale investments

  (39,684

)

  (50,728

)

Additions to property and equipment

  (32,985

)

  (34,371

)

Investment in unconsolidated entity  (556)  - 

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

  (9,765)  -

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

  (16,613)  37,568

 

         

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

        

Cash dividends

  (37,174

)

  (36,644

)

Proceeds from stock option exercises

  54,992   38,490 

Re-purchase of common stock

  (43,178

)

  (50,112

)

Proceeds from long-term debt

  -   40,000 

Repayments of long-term debt

  (141,375

)

  (125,375

)

Other financing activity

  (13,504

)

  (5,441

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

  (180,239

)

  (139,082)
         

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

  6,219

 

  (3,582)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

  39,511   55,330

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

  146,625   100,886 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 $186,136  $156,216 
         

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

        

Cash paid for income taxes

 $17,957  $24,851 

Cash paid for interest

 $10,729  $14,196 

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Bio-Techne Corporation and Subsidiaries

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Note 1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

 

The interim consolidated financial statements of Bio-Techne Corporation and subsidiaries, (the Company) presented here have been prepared by the Company and are unaudited. They have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. They reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.

 

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. These interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2020. A summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Company is detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2020. The Company follows these policies in preparation of the interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

During the nine months ended March 31, 2021, the Company operated under two operating segments, Protein Sciences and Diagnostics and Genomics. The operating segments the Company operated under were consistent with the Company's operating segments disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2020. 

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

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. 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.  

 

Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted

 

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 would impact contract modifications and other changes that occur while LIBOR is phased out. The Company is in the process of evaluating the optional relief guidance provided within these ASUs and is also reviewing its debt and derivative instrument that utilizes LIBOR as the reference rate. The Company will continue to evaluate and monitor developments and our assessment of ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01 during the LIBOR transition period.

 

 

 

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 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 were not material as of March 31, 2021.

  

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 a period of less than one year. Contract assets as of March 31, 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  March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020 were approximately $19.7 million and $14.2 million, respectively. Contract liabilities as of June 30, 2020 subsequently recognized as revenue during the quarter and nine month period ended March 31, 2021 were approximately $1.6 million and $9.7 million, respectively. Contract liabilities in excess of one year are included in Other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

 

5

 

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 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.

 

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

 

Revenue by type is as follows:

 

  

Quarter Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

  

March 31,

 
  

2021

  2020  2021  2020 

Consumables

 $198,818  $161,958  $542,909  $462,660 

Instruments

  24,748   16,405   70,849   53,381 

Services

  14,503   11,426   45,142   32,917 

Total product and services revenue, net

 $238,069  $189,789  $658,900  $548,958 

Royalty revenues

  5,483   4,891   13,104   13,899 

Total revenues, net

 $243,552  $194,680  $672,004  $562,857 

 

Revenue by geography is as follows:

 

  

Quarter Ended

March 31,

  

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

 
  2021  2020  2021  2020 

United States

 $131,586  $109,797  $359,586  $311,815 

EMEA, excluding United Kingdom

  54,552   39,108   147,622   115,993 

United Kingdom

  11,213   9,166   29,599   24,619 

APAC, excluding Greater China

  19,002   17,193   52,744   46,982 

Greater China

  20,467   13,781   63,685   49,655 

Rest of World

  6,732   5,635   18,768   13,793 

Total revenues, net

 $243,552  $194,680  $672,004  $562,857 

  

 

 

Note 3. Selected Balance Sheet Data:

 

Inventories:

 

Inventories consist of (in thousands):

 

  

March 31,

  

June 30,

 
  

2021

  

2020

 

Raw materials

 $51,664  $51,530 

Finished goods(1)

  63,370   56,268 

Inventories, net

 $115,034  $107,798 

 

(1) Finished goods inventory of $5,044 and $4,646 included within other long-term assets in the respective March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020, consolidated balance sheet. The inventory is included in long-term assets as it is 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):

 

  March 31,  

June 30,

 
  2021  

2020

 

Land

 $8,596  $8,516 

Buildings and improvements

  189,443   184,430 

Machinery and equipment

  187,855   153,704 

Property and equipment, cost

  385,894   346,650 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

  (186,919

)

  (169,821

)

Property and equipment, net

 $198,975  $176,829 

 

Intangible Assets:

 

Intangible assets consist of (in thousands):

 

  March 31,  

June 30,

 
  2021  

2020

 

Developed technology

 $444,664  $434,653 

Trade names

  145,421   146,713 

Customer relationships

  219,575   211,750 

Patents and other intangibles(1)

  8,158   2,475 

Intangible assets

  817,818   795,591 

Accumulated amortization

  (328,640

)

  (279,046

)

Intangible assets, net

 $489,178  $516,545 

 

 

(1)

Increase in patents and other intangible 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. $4.0 million of the third party patented technology acquired was a non-cash activity within the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows as a cash payment was not made within the nine months ended March 31, 2021.

 

7

 

Changes to the carrying amount of net intangible assets for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 consist of (in thousands):

 

Beginning balance

 $516,545 

Acquisitions

  8,917 

Other additions

  5,750 

Amortization expense

  (46,237

)

Currency translation

  4,203 

Ending balance

 $489,178 

 

The estimated future amortization expense for intangible assets as of March 31, 2021 is as follows (in thousands):

 

2021 remainder

 $15,060 

2022

  59,539 

2023

  57,647 

2024

  55,016 

2025

  51,959 

Thereafter

  249,957 

Total

 $489,178 

 

Goodwill:

 

Changes to the carrying amount of goodwill for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 consist of (in thousands):

 

  

Protein Sciences

  

Diagnostics and

Genomics

  

Total

 

Beginning balance

 $373,081  $355,229  $728,310 

Acquisitions

  7,848   -   7,848 

Currency translation

  10,186   116   10,302 

Ending balance

 $391,115  $355,345  $746,460 

 

We evaluate the carrying value of goodwill in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year and between annual evaluations if events occur or circumstances change that would indicate a possible impairment. The Company performed a goodwill impairment assessment for all of its reporting units during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. No indicators of impairment were identified as part of our assessment. 

 

No triggering events were identified during the quarter ended March 31, 2021. 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.

 

 

 

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 the results of operations of each acquired business are included in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income from their respective dates of acquisition. Acquisition costs are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses as incurred.

 

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 will require additional funding through a subsequent equity investment, which will be used to fund Eminence’s expansion and GMP manufacturing capabilities within China. Both at the initial time of our investment and at March 31, 2021, the Company expects to participate in one or more rounds of additional equity funding, with a total additional investment in the range of $6 million to $12 million which will likely result in an increase in the Company’s ownership percentage of Eminence. 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 March 31, 2021, the Company’s investment at risk is limited to the initial investment of $9.8 million, net of cash acquired and an additional $0.8 million loan made from the Company to Eminence in the third fiscal quarter of 2021. The Company’s investment at risk is expected to increase in subsequent periods given the additional financing expected to be provided as further discussed above. 

 

As Eminence was considered a variable interest entity with the Company being the primary beneficiary, 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. 

 

Certain estimated fair values are not yet finalized and are subject to change, which could be significant. The Company expects to finalize our purchasing accounting by the end of fiscal year 2021 when we have finalized our intangible assets valuations and income tax assessment of acquired net operating losses (NOLs). Amounts for intangible assets, deferred tax liabilities, acquired NOLs, and goodwill remain subject to change. The preliminary estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the updated preliminary amounts as of March 31, 2021 are as follows (in thousands): 

 

  

Preliminary

Allocation at

Acquisition

Date

  Adjustments to Fair Value  

Adjusted Preliminary

Allocation at

March 31, 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 preliminary calculation of acquired NOLs.

 

 

 

Note 5. Fair Value Measurements:

 

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

 
  

March

31,

2021

  

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

 

Assets

                

Equity securities (1)

 $77,608  $71,104  $6,504  $- 

Certificates of deposit (2)

  12,500   12,500   -   - 

Total assets

 $90,108  $83,604  $6504  $- 
                 

Liabilities

                

Contingent consideration

 $12,170  $-  $-  $12,170 

Derivative instruments - cash flow hedges

  10,281   -   10,281   - 

Total liabilities

 $22,451  $-  $10,281  $12,170 

 

  

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 ChemoCentryx Inc (CCXI) at March 31, 2021 was $6.6 million and on June 30, 2020 it was $6.6 million. The Company has a warrant to purchase additional CCXI equity shares which was valued at $6.5 million and $8.0 million as of March 31, 2021 and  June 30 2020, respectively.

 

(2)

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

 

10

 

Fair value measurements of available for sale securities

Our available for sale securities are measured at fair value using quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and are therefore classified as Level 1 assets.

 

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. The fair value of the portion of the de-designated derivative was $1.4 million as of March 31, 2021. The Company recognized a loss in other non-operating income on a portion of the de-designated derivative as it was considered probable that a portion of the variable interest debt payments related to the derivative would not occur. The remaining variable interest payments for the portion of the de-designated derivative are considered probable of occurring and therefore remain in accumulated other comprehensive income as of March 31, 2021.  

 

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 $6.7 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 $1.7 million during the nine months ended March 31, 2021. The Company reclassified $2.1 million to interest expense and a related tax benefit of $0.5 million during the nine months ended March 31, 2020. The liability related to the derivative instrument was recorded within other current and long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The instrument was valued using observable market inputs in active markets and therefore classified as a Level 2 liability.

 

11

 

Fair value measurements of contingent consideration

In connection with the QT Holdings Corporation (Quad) and B-MoGen Biotechnologies Inc. (B-MoGen) acquisitions the Company is required to make contingent consideration payments of up to $51.0 million and $38.0 million, respectively. The contingent consideration payments are subject to Quad and B-Mogen meeting certain product development milestones and revenue thresholds. The preliminary fair value of the liabilities for the contingent payments recognized upon the acquisition as part of the purchase accounting opening balance sheet totaled $10.8 million ($5.3 million for Quad and $5.5 million for B-MoGen). The preliminary fair value of the development milestone payments was estimated by discounting to present value the probability-weighted contingent payments expected to be made. Assumptions used in these calculations were probability of success, duration of the earn-out, and discount rate. The preliminary fair value for the revenue milestone payments was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation based model discounted to present value. Assumptions used in these calculations included units sold, expected revenue, discount rate and various probability factors. The ultimate settlement of contingent consideration could deviate from current estimates based on the actual results of these financial measures. 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) for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021 (in thousands):

 

  

Quarter Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

2021

  

March 31,

2021

 

Fair value at the beginning of period

 $10,582  $6,137 

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

  1,588   6,188 

Payments

  -

 

  (155

)

Fair value at the end of period

 $12,170  $12,170 

 

The use of different assumptions, applying different judgment to matters that inherently are subjective and changes in future market conditions could result in different estimates of fair value of our securities or contingent consideration, currently and in the future. If market conditions deteriorate, we may incur impairment charges for securities in our investment portfolio. 

 

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 approximates fair value because our interest rate is variable and reflects current market rates.

  

 

 

Note 6. Debt and Other Financing Arrangements:

 

On August 1, 2018, the Company entered into a new 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 from 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 20 basis points.

 

The Credit Agreement matures on August 1, 2023 and contains customary restrictive and financial covenants and customary events of default. As of March 31, 2021, the outstanding balance under the Credit Agreement was $215.6 million.

  

 

 

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 Bio-Techne’s incremental borrowing rate or, if available, the rate implicit in the lease. Bio-Techne 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 the nine months ended March 31, 2021, the Company recognized $2.4 million in variable lease expense and $9.9 million relating to fixed lease expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income. 

 

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

 

 

Balance Sheet

Classification

 

As of: March

31, 2021

 

Operating leases:

     

Operating lease right of use assets

Right of Use Asset

 $71,830 
      

Current operating lease liabilities

Operating lease liabilities current

 $10,414 

Noncurrent operating lease liabilities

Operating lease liabilities

  66,816 

Total operating lease liabilities

 $77,230 
      

Weighted average remaining lease term (in years):

  8.35 
      

Weighted average discount rate:

  4.15

%

 

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 nine months ended (in thousands):

 

  

Nine months

ended March

31, 2021

 

Cash amounts paid on operating lease liabilities

 $9,898 
     

Right of use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities

  7,793 

 

 

The following table summarizes the fair value of the lease liability by payment date for the Company’s operating leases by fiscal year (in thousands):

 

  

Operating

Leases

 

Remainder of 2021

 $4,498 

2022

  13,081 

2023

  12,138 

2024

  11,202 

2025

  10,278 

Thereafter

  41,544 

Total

 $92,741 

Less: Amounts representing interest

  15,511 

Total Lease obligations

 $77,230 

 

Certain leases include one or more options to renew, with terms that extend the lease term up to five years. Bio-Techne 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, Bio-Techne is not reasonably certain to exercise such options.

 

13

  
 

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

 

Supplemental Equity

 

The Company has declared cash dividends per share of $0.32 and $ 0.96 in both the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. 

 

Consolidated Changes in Equity (amounts in thousands)

 

  

Bio-Techne Shareholders

         
                  

Accumulated

         
          

Additional

      

Other

         
  

Common Stock

  

Paid-in

  

Retained

  

Comprehensive

  

Noncontrolling

     
  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

Earnings

  

Income(Loss)

  

Interest

  

Total

 

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

              (276

)

          (276

)

Net earnings

              33,395           33,395 

Other comprehensive income

                  14,057       14,057 

Common stock issued for exercise of options

  117   1   13,727               13,728 

Common stock issued for restricted stock awards

  25   0   (0

)

  (4,890

)

          (4,890

)

Cash dividends

              (12,336

)

          (12,336

)

Stock-based compensation expense

          12,667               12,667 

Common stock issued to employee stock purchase plan

  6   0   1,463               1,463 

Employee stock purchase plan expense

          286               286 

Balances at September 30, 2020

  38,601  $386  $448,679  $1,073,362  $(83,142

)

 $-  $1,439,285 

Non-controlling interest in Eminence

                      8,985   8,985 

Net earnings

              46,274       (130

)

  46,144 

Other comprehensive income

                  18,904   83   18,987 

Common stock issued for exercise of options

  161   2   16,748   (2,482

)

          14,268 

Common stock issued for restricted stock awards

  3   0   (0

)

  0           0 

Cash dividends

              (12,392

)

          (12,392

)

Stock-based compensation expense

          15,471               15,471 

Employee stock purchase plan expense

          106               106 

Balances at December 31, 2020

  38,765  $388  $481,004  $1,104,762  $(64,238

)

 $8,938  $1,530,854 
Net earnings              45,782       (380)  45,402 
Other comprehensive income                  215   (69)  146 
Share repurchases  (120)  (1)      (43,177)          (43,178)
Common stock issued for exercise of options  195   2   21,324   (4,332)          16,994 
Common stock issued for restricted stock awards  10   0   (0)  (1,801)          (1,801)
Cash dividends              (12,446)          (12,446)
Stock-based compensation expense          10,232               10,232 
       Common Stock issued to employee stock purchase plan  4   0   1,328               1,328 

Employee stock purchase plan expense

          411               411 
Balances at March 31, 2021  38,854  $389  $514,299  $1,088,788  $(64,023) $8,489  $1,547,942 

 

14

 
                  

Accumulated

     
          

Additional

      

Other

     
  

Common Stock

  

Paid-in

  

Retained

  

Comprehensive

     
  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

Earnings

  

Income(Loss)

  

Total

 

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

              14,398       14,398 

Other comprehensive loss

                  (8,106

)

  (8,106

)

Common stock issued for exercise of options

  94   1   7,854           7,855 

Common stock issued for restricted stock awards

  50   0   (0

)

  (1,926

)

     (1,926

)

Cash dividends

              (12,169

)

     (12,169

)

Stock-based compensation expense

          8,267           8,267 

Common stock issued to employee stock purchase plan

  6   0   1,096           1,096 

Employee stock purchase plan expense

          99           99 

Balances at September 30, 2019

  38,084  $381  $334,112  $931,358  $(91,627

)

 $1,174,224 

Net earnings

              119,622       119,622 

Other comprehensive loss

                  13,275   13,275 

Common stock issued for exercise of options

  195   2   18,293           18,295 

Common stock issued for restricted stock awards

  4   0   (0

)

          0 

Cash dividends

              (12,197

)

      (12,197

)

Stock-based compensation expense

          10,017           10,017 

Common stock issued to employee stock purchase plan

                        

Employee stock purchase plan expense

          112           112 

Balances at December 31, 2019

  38,283  $383  $362,534  $1,038,783  $(78,352

)

 $1,323,348 
Net earnings              36,432       36,432 
Other comprehensive income (loss)                  (25,105)  (25,105)
Share Repurchases  (279)  (3)   0   (50,109)      (50,112)
Common stock issued for exercise of options  100   1   10,026           10,027 
Common stock issued for restricted stock awards  1   0   (0)  (114)      (114)
Cash dividends              (12,279)      (12,279)
Stock-based compensation expense          7,745           7,745 
Common stock issued to employee stock purchase plan  8   0   1,216           1,216 
Employee stock purchase plan expense          110           110 
Balances at March 31, 2020  38,112  $381  $381,632  $1,012,713  $(103,458) $1,291,268 

 

15

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

 

The components of other comprehensive income (loss) consist of changes in foreign currency translation adjustments and changes in net unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges. The Company reclassified $5.5 million, net of taxes, from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings during the nine months ended March 31, 2021. The Company reclassified $1.6 million, net of taxes, from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings during the nine months ended March 31, 2020.

 

The accumulated balances related to each component of other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Bio-Techne, net of tax, are summarized as follows:

 

  

Unrealized

Gains

(Losses) on

Derivative

Instruments

  

Foreign

Currency

Translation

Adjustments

  

Total

 

Balance as of June 30, 2020 attributable to Bio-Techne

 $(13,253

)

 $(83,946

)

 $(97,199

)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of taxes, attributable to Bio-Techne

  (13)  27,686   27,673 

Reclassification from loss on derivatives to earnings, net of taxes, attributable to Bio-Techne(1)

  5,503   -   5,503 

Balance as of March 31, 2021 attributable to Bio-Techne(3)

 $(7,763

)

 $(56,260

)

 $(64,023

)

 

 

  

Unrealized

Gains

(Losses) on

Derivative

Instruments

  

Foreign

Currency

Translation

Adjustments

  

Total

 

Balance as of June 30, 2019 attributable to Bio-Techne

 $(9,537

)

 $(73,983

)

 $(83,521

)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax before reclassifications, attributable to Bio-Techne

  (6,413)  (15,138)  (21,551)

Reclassification from loss on derivatives to interest expense, net of taxes, attributable to Bio-Techne(2)

  1,614   -   1,614 

Balance as of March 31, 2020 attributable to Bio-Techne(3)

 $(14,336

)

 $(89,121

)

 $(103,458

)

 

(1) Gains (losses) on the interest swap are reclassified into interest expense as payments on the derivative agreement are made. The Company reclassified $6,662 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 in the nine months ended March 31, 2021. The Company also recorded a related tax benefit of $1,670 during the nine months ended March 31, 2021.

(2) The Company reclassified ($2,102) to interest expense and a related tax benefit tax of $488 during the nine months ended  March 31, 2020.

(3) The Company had deferred tax benefits of $2,394 and $4,390 included in the accumulated other comprehensive income loss as of March 31, 2021 and  March 31, 2020, respectively.

 

16

  
 

Note 9. Earnings Per Share:

 

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

 

  

Quarter Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

  

March 31,

 
  

2021

  2020  2021  2020 

Earnings per share – basic:

                
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interest $45,402  $36,432  $124,941  $170,451 
Less net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest  (380)  -   (509)  - 

Net earnings attributable to Bio-Techne

 $45,782  $36,432  $125,450  $170,451 

Income allocated to participating securities

  (27

)

  (26

)

  (77

)

  (126

)

Income available to common shareholders

 $45,755  $36,406  $125,373  $170,325 

Weighted-average shares outstanding – basic

  38,856   38,303   38,693   38,167 

Earnings per share – basic

 $1.18  $0.95  $3.24  $4.46 
                 

Earnings per share – diluted:

                
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interest $45,402  $36,432  $124,941  $170,451 

Less net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest

  (380)  -   (509)  - 

Net earnings attributable to Bio-Techne

 $45,782  $36,432  $125,450  $170,451 

Income allocated to participating securities

  (27

)

  (26

)

  (77

)

  (126

)

Income available to common shareholders

 $45,755  $36,406  $125,373  $170,325 

Weighted-average shares outstanding – basic

  38,856   38,303   38,693   38,167 

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units

  1,820   1,132   1,612   1,187 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted

  40,676   39,435   40,305   39,354 

Earnings per share – diluted

 $1.12  $0.92  $3.11  $4.33 

 

The dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units 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 1.8 million and 1.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively and 1.6 million and 1.2 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 respectively.

  

 

 

Note 10. Share-based Compensation:

 

During the nine months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company granted 0.7 million and 0.8 million stock options at weighted average grant prices of $269.64 and $190.80 and weighted average fair values of $57.50 and $37.01, respectively. During the nine months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company granted 23,367 and 30,858 restricted stock units at a weighted average fair value of $269.87 and $192.08, respectively. During the nine months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company granted 11,803 and 15,398 shares of restricted common stock shares at a weighted average fair value of $264.73 and $193.48.

 

Stock options for 505,137 and 398,320 shares of common stock with total intrinsic values of $108.0 million and $48.6 million were exercised during the nine months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

Stock-based compensation expense, inclusive of employer payroll tax, of $11.1 million and $7.6 million was included in selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense, inclusive of employer payroll tax, of $36.0 million and $26.1 million was included in selling, general, and administrative expenses for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Additionally, the company recognized $0.4 million and $1.5 million in cost of goods sold in the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021 respectively. As of March 31, 2021, there was $35.4 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options, non-vested restricted stock units and non-vested restricted stock. The weighted average period over which the compensation cost is expected to be recognized is 2.0 years.

  

 

 

Note 11. Other Income / (Expense): 

 

The components of other income (expense) in the accompanying Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income are as follows (in thousands): 

 

  

Quarter Ended

  

Nine Months

 
  

March 31,

  

March 31,

 
  

2021

  2020  2021  2020 

Interest expense

  (2,660

)

 $(4,486

)

  (10,661

)

 $(14,580

)

Interest income

  114   144   306   486 

Other non-operating income (expense), net(1)

  (20,726)  3,372   (17,297)  110,937 

Total other income (expense)

  (23,272

)

 $(970)  (27,652) $96,843

 

 

(1) The changes in other non-operating income (expense) were driven by changes in the fair value of our CCXI investment as further described in Note 5 above. 

 

17

  
 

Note 12. Income Taxes:

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 and 2020 was (0.1)% and 22.2% of consolidated earnings before income taxes, and 11.4% and 20.7% for the first nine months of fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively. The change in the company’s tax rate for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2020 were driven by changes in discrete tax items and changes in the composition and amount of the Company’s taxable income.

 

The Company recognized total net benefits related to discrete tax items of $11.6 million and $19.5 million during the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021, respectively, compared to $1.4 million and $8.1 million during the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2020, respectively. Share-based compensation excess tax benefit contributed $11.7 million and $19.7 million in the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021, respectively, compared to $1.5 million and $8.5 million in the quarter and nine months, ended March 31, 2020, respectively. The Company recognized total other immaterial net discrete tax expense of $0.1 million and $0.2 million in the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021, respectively, compared to other net discrete tax expenses of $0.1 million and $0.4 million in the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2020, respectively.

 

The Company continues to monitor changes in interpretations, assumptions guidance, and additional regulations regarding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), which was enacted on December 22, 2017. The Company recognizes potential changes to these items could have a material impact on our effective tax rate in future periods.

  

 

 

Note 13. Segment Information:

 

The Company's management evaluates segment operating performance based on operating income before certain charges to cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses, principally associated with acquisition accounting related to inventory, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and other acquisition-related expenses.  The Protein Sciences and Diagnostics and Genomics segments both include consumables, instruments, services and royalty revenue.

 

The following is financial information relating to the Company's reportable segments (in thousands):

 

  

Quarter Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

  

March 31,

 
  

2021

  2020  2021  2020 

Net sales:

                

Protein Sciences

 $185,623  $145,509  $512,248  $428,021 

Diagnostics and Genomics

  58,093   49,411   160,687   135,808 

Intersegment

  (164

)

  (240

)

  (931

)

  (972

)

Consolidated net sales

 $243,552  $194,680  $672,004  $562,857 

Operating income:

                

Protein Sciences

 $88,392  $65,046  $238,991  $185,456 

Diagnostics and Genomics

  10,417   7,062   27,197   8,937 

Segment operating income

 $98,809  $72,108  $266,188  $194,393 

Costs recognized on sale of acquired inventory

  (68)  -

 

  (91)  -

 

Amortization of acquisition related intangible assets

  (15,222

)

  (15,459

)

  (45,750

)

  (45,467

)

Acquisition related expenses

  (1,731)  322   (6,289

)

  (107

)

Stock based compensation, inclusive of employer taxes

  (11,968

)

  (8,088

)

  (41,525

)

  (27,505

)

Restructure costs  -   -   (142)  - 

Corporate general, selling, and administrative expenses

  (1,194)  (1,092

)

  (3,677

)

  (3,205

)

Consolidated operating income

 $68,626  $47,791  $168,714  $118,109 

 

  

 

 

Note 14. Subsequent Events:

 

On April 6, 2021, the Company acquired Asuragen, Inc. for approximately $215 million, plus contingent consideration of up to $105 million upon the achievement of certain future milestones.

 

On April 2, 2021, the Company invested approximately $6 million of additional funding into Eminence, increasing our percentage of outstanding equity shares to 57.42%. 

  

 

 

ITEM 2. 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 both the unaudited consolidated financial information and related notes included in this Form 10-Q, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2020. 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” and “Forward-Looking Information and Cautionary Statements” located at the end of Item 2 of this report.

 

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 biotechnology reagents, instruments and services for the research and clinical diagnostic markets worldwide. With our deep product portfolio and application expertise, we strive to provide the life sciences community with innovative, high-quality scientific tools to better understand biological processes and drive discovery of diagnostic and therapeutic products.

 

Consistent with the above, we have operated with two segments – our Protein Sciences segment and our Diagnostics and Genomics segment - during fiscal year 2021. 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(IntelliScore) test for prostate cancer diagnosis. This segment also manufactures and sells advanced tissue-based in-situ hybridization assays (ISH) for research and clinical use.

 

RECENT ACQUISITIONS

 

A key component of the Company's strategy is to augment internal growth at existing businesses with complementary acquisitions. The Company obtained a controlling interest in Eminence as disclosed in Note 4 during the nine months ended March 31, 2021. Refer to the prior year Annual Report on form 10-K for additional disclosure regarding the Company's recent acquisitions.

 

On April 6, 2021, the Company acquired Asuragen, Inc. for approximately $215 million, plus contingent consideration of up to $105 million upon the achievement of certain future milestones.

   

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Operational Update

 

Consolidated net sales increased 25% and 19% for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the same prior year periods. Organic growth for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021 was 22% and 17%, respectively, compared to the same prior year periods. Foreign currency translation having a favorable impact of 3% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and a 2% favorable impact for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the same prior year periods. Acquisitions contributed an immaterial amount in both the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021. 

 

Consolidated net earnings attributable to Bio-Techne was $45.8 million and $125.5 million for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021, respectively, as compared to $36.4 million and $170.5 million in the same prior year periods. The increase in net earnings attributable to Bio-Techne for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 is primarily due to an increase in net sales and operating margin expansion, as a result of volume leverage and cost management. The decrease in net earnings attributable to Bio-Techne for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 is driven by non-recurring gains from our CCXI investment during the nine month period ended March 31, 2020 as further described in Note 5.

 

 

COVID-19 Business Update 

 

During the last several weeks of the quarter ended March 31, 2020, we experienced numerous customer site shutdowns due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which negatively impacted sales growth by approximately 3%. During the first nine months of fiscal year 2021, we experienced a significant increase in the number of customer sites that were either fully or partially opened when compared to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The reopening of our customer sites, the development of a robust COVID-19 product and service offering, and the Company's ongoing efforts to utilize and expand upon our portfolio of products and services to enable solutions for this evolving pandemic have helped the Company achieve record growth in both the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021. COVID-19 product offerings favorably impacted the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021 by approximately 3% and 4%, respectively.  We are currently unable to forecast future short-term impacts related to COVID-19 due to the ongoing and evolving nature of the pandemic, but 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.

 

Adjusted EPS for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021 was favorably impacted by our COVID-19 product offerings due to increased sales volumes as described above. The adjusted EPS in the prior year comparative periods was negatively impacted by a reduction in sales volume due to the customer site shutdowns experienced. We anticipate the short- and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on adjusted 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 March 31, 2021 Balance Sheet resulting from COVID-19 for items such as additional reserves or asset impairments.

 

The Company remains fully operational as we abide by local COVID-19 safety regulations across the world. To achieve this, certain employees are currently working remotely and the Company has adopted protective measures for our employees on site, including staggered shifts, social distancing and hygiene best practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Additionally, we are educating employees on the importance of vaccination, offering paid time off to be vaccinated and cope with any health effects, sponsoring on-site vaccine clinics in key locations, and are beginning to plan for our employees working remotely to return to site in various locations as vaccinations become more widely available. In addition to our safety measures implemented, the Company has also taken additional steps to monitor and strengthen our supply chain to maintain an uninterrupted supply of our critical products and services.

 

Net Sales

 

Consolidated net sales for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021 were $243.6 million and $672.0 million, respectively, an increase of 25% and 19% from the same prior year periods. Organic growth for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021 was 22% and 17%, respectively, compared to the same prior year periods. Foreign currency translation having a favorable impact of 3% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and a 2% favorable impact for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the same prior year periods. Acquisitions contributed an immaterial amount in the three months and nine months ended March 31, 2021. For the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021 the Company experienced broad based revenue growth with each major region achieving double digit organic growth. 

 

 

 

 

Gross Margins

 

Consolidated gross margins for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021 were 69.1% and 68.0% respectively, compared to 66.8% and 65.7% for the same prior year periods. Under purchase accounting, inventory is valued at fair value less expected selling and marketing costs, resulting in reduced margins in future periods as the inventory is sold. Excluding the impact of acquired inventory sold, stock compensation expense, and amortization of intangibles, adjusted gross margins quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021 were 72.9% and 72.1% , respectively compared to 71.5% and 70.6% for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2020, respectively. Both consolidated gross margins and non-GAAP adjusted gross margins were positively impacted by volume leverage as compared to the prior year.

 

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:

 

   

Quarter Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

   

March 31,

 
    2021     2020     2021     2020  

Consolidated gross margin percentage

    69.1

%

    66.8

%

    68.0

%

    65.7

%

Identified adjustments:

                               

Costs recognized upon sale of acquired inventory

    0.0 %     -

 

    0.0 %     -

 

Amortization of intangibles

    3.6

%

    4.5

%

    3.9

%

    4.7

%

Stock compensation expense - COGS

    0.2

%

    0.2 %     0.2

%

    0.2 %

Non-GAAP adjusted gross margin percentage

    72.9

%

    71.5

%

    72.1

%

    70.6

%

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $16.3 million (25%) and $35.0 million (17%) for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021, respectively, from the same prior year periods. Selling, general, and administrative expense for both the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021 was impacted by additional stock compensation expense and increases in the number of employees to support sales growth.

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

Research and development expenses were $17.1 million and $49.9 million for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021, respectively, compared to $16.0 million and $48.4 million for the comparative prior year periods. The expense remained relatively consistent across periods due to similar investments into new products and services made in each comparative period.

 

Segment Results

 

Protein Sciences

 

   

Quarter Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

   

March 31,

 
   

2021

    2020     2021     2020  

Net sales (in thousands)

  $ 185,623     $ 145,509     $ 512,248     $ 428,021  

Operating income margin percentage

    47.6

%

    44.7

%

    46.7

%

    43.3

%

 

 

Protein Science’s net sales for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021 were $185.6 million and $512.2 million, respectively, with reported growth of 28% and 20% compared to the same prior year periods. Organic growth for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021 were 24% and 17%, respectively, with acquisitions contributing an immaterial amount and currency exchange having a favorable impact of 4% and 3% respectively. Segment growth was broad-based across all regions and product categories for both the quarter and nine months ended March 31,2021.

 

The operating margin for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021 were 47.6% and 46.7%, respectively, compared to 44.7% and 43.3% for the same prior year periods. Operating income margin was positively impacted by volume leverage and cost management.

 

 

 

Diagnostics and Genomics

 

   

Quarter Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

   

March 31,

 
    2021     2020     2021     2020  

Net sales (in thousands)

  $ 58,093     $ 49,411     $ 160,687     $ 135,808  

Operating income margin percentage

    17.9

%

    14.3

%

    16.9

%

    6.6

%

 

Diagnostics and Genomics’ net sales for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021 were $58.1 million and $160.7 million, respectively, compared to $49.4 million and $135.8 million for the same prior year period. Organic growth for both the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021 was 17%, with currency exchange having a 1% impact in both periods. Segment growth was broad-based and especially strong in our RNAscope products for both the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021.

 

The operating margin for the segment was 17.9% and 16.9% for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021, respectively, compared to 14.3% and 6.6%, respectively, for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2020. Operating income margin was positively impacted by volume leverage and cost management.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes were at an effective rate of (0.1)% and 11.4% of consolidated earnings for the quarter and nine month period ended March 31, 2021, respectively, compared to 22.2% and 20.7% for the same prior year periods. The change in the Company’s tax rate for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021 was driven by the composition and amount of net income across periods and the impact of discrete tax items of $11.6 million and $19.5 million, respectively, compared to prior year net discrete tax benefits of $1.4 million and $8.1 million as further discussed in Note 12. 

 

The annual forecasted tax rate as of the third fiscal quarter of 2021 before discrete items is 25.2% compared to the prior year forecasted tax rate before discrete items of 26.2%. Excluding the impact of discrete items, the Company expects the consolidated income tax rate for the remainder of fiscal 2021 to range from 24% to 28%.

 

Net Earnings

 

Non-GAAP adjusted consolidated net earnings are as follows:

 

   

Quarter Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

   

March 31,

 
   

2021

    2020     2021     2020  
Net earnings before taxes - GAAP   $ 45,354     $ 46,821     $ 141,062     $ 214,952  

Identified adjustments attributable to Bio-Techne:

                               
Costs recognized upon sale of acquired inventory     68       -       91       -  
Amortization of intangibles     15,222       15,459       45,750       45,467  

Acquisition related expenses

    1,825

 

    (228 )     6,571       389  
Stock-based compensation, inclusive of employer taxes     11,968       8,088       41,525       27,505  

Restructuring costs

    -       87       142       87  
(Gain) loss on investments and Other     16,590

 

    (410

)

    10,232

 

    (110,458

)

Impact of non-controlling interest (pre-tax)     445

 

    -

 

    598       -

 

Non-GAAP adjusted net earnings attributable to Bio-Techne

  $ 91,472     $ 69,817     $ 245,971     $ 177,942  

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

     

 

Non-GAAP tax rate     20.2 %     21.3 %     20.2 %     21.6 %
Non-GAAP tax expense     18,541       14,847       49,511       38,462  
                                 
Non-GAAP adjusted net earnings attributable to Bio-Techne   $ 72,931     $ 54,970     $ 196,460     $ 139,480  
Non-GAAP adjusted net earnings growth attributable to Bio-Techne     32.7 %     16.8 %     40.9 %     10.3 %

 

 

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 quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020.

 

   

Quarter Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

   

March 31,

 
    2021     2020     2021     2020  
GAAP effective tax rate     (0.1

)%

    22.2

%

    11.4

%

    20.7

%

Discrete items     25.7       3.1       13.8       3.8  
Annual tax forecast update     (0.4

)

    (0.8

)

    -

 

    -

 

Long-term GAAP tax rate     25.2

%

    24.5

%

    25.2

%

    24.5

%

                                 
Rate impact items                                
Stock based compensation     (5.6 )%     (2.6 )%     (5.6 )%     (2.5 )%
Acquisition costs     0.0       0.0       0.0       0.0  
Change in fair value of investments     0.0       (0.5 )     0.0       (0.3 )
Other(1)     0.6       (0.1 )     0.6       (0.1 )
Total rate impact items     (5.0 )%     (3.2 )%     (5.0 )%     (2.9 )%
                                 
Non-GAAP tax rate     20.2 %     21.3 %     20.2 %     21.6 %

 

(1) For the quarter ended March 31, 2021, the other rate impact items includes a normalization of non-GAAP tax rate, which was included in our non-GAAP tax rate as the return to historical growth patterns seen prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic occurred on a more condensed timeline than previously forecasted. The impact of re-casting the Non-GAAP tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 increased the non-GAAP tax rate by 0.6%.

 

The difference between the reported GAAP tax rate and non-GAAP tax rate applied to the identified non-GAAP adjustments for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 is primarily a result of discrete tax items, including the tax benefit of stock option exercises.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Cash and cash equivalents and available-for-sale investments were $186.1 million and $90.1 million as of March 31, 2021, respectively, compared to $146.6 million and $124.3 million as of June 30, 2020. Included in available-for-sale-investments was the fair value of the Company's investment in ChemoCentryx, Inc. (CCXI) which was $77.6 million as of March 31, 2021 and $87.8 million as of June 30, 2020.

 

The Company has a line-of-credit and term loan governed by a Credit Agreement dated August 1, 2018. See Note 6 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the Credit Agreement.

 

The Company has remaining potential contingent consideration payments of up to $47 million and $38 million relating to the Quad and B-MoGen acquisitions, respectively, as of March 31, 2021. The fair value of the remaining payments is $12.2 million as of March 31, 2021.

 

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 cash, cash generated from operations, and remaining credit available on its existing revolving line of credit.

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

 

The Company generated cash of $230.1 million from operating activities in the nine months ended March 31, 2021 compared to $160.4 million in the nine months ended March 31, 2020. The increase from the prior year was primarily due to the timing of cash payments on operating assets and liabilities.

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

 

We continue to make investments in our business, including capital expenditures. The Company received $66.4 million from the maturities of certificates of deposit compared to $42.1 million from proceeds from the maturity of certificates of deposit in the nine months ended March 31, 2020. Additionally, the Company received $78.7 million relating to the selling a portion of our CCXI shares during the nine months ended March 31, 2020. The Company made cash payments of $9.8 million net of cash acquired for the Eminence acquisition in the first three quarters of fiscal 2021 and did not make any cash payments for acquisitions during the prior year period.

 

Capital expenditures for fixed assets for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020 were $33.0 million and $34.3 million, respectively. Capital expenditures for the remainder of fiscal 2021 are expected to be approximately $10.8 million. Capital expenditures are expected to be financed through currently available funds and cash generated from operating activities.

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

 

During the nine months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, the Company paid cash dividends of $37.2 million and $36.6 million, respectively, to all common shareholders.

 

During the nine months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, the Company repurchased $43.2 million and $50.1 million, respectively, in share repurchases included as a cash outflow within Financing Activities. 

 

On May 6, 2021, the Company announced the payment of a $0.32 per share cash dividend, or approximately $12.4 million, which will be payable on May 28, 2021 to all common shareholders of record as of May 17, 2021.

 

Cash of $55.0 million and $38.5 million was received during the nine months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, from the exercise of stock options.

 

During the nine months ended March 31, 2021,  the Company made payments of $141.4 million towards the balance of its line-of-credit facility and term loan. During the nine months ended March 31, 2020 the Company made payments of $125.4 million towards the balance of its line-of-credit facility and term loan and withdrew $40.0 million on the line-of-credit facility.

 

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

The Company has no reportable off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K.

 

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

 

Other than the contingent consideration associated with the Quad and B-MoGen and acquisitions, there were no material changes outside the ordinary course of business in the Company's contractual obligations during the quarter or nine months ended March  31, 2021.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The Company's significant accounting policies are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2020 and are incorporated herein by reference. The application of certain of these policies requires judgments and estimates that can affect the results of operations and financial position of the Company. Judgments and estimates are used for, but not limited to, valuation of available-for-sale investments, inventory valuation and allowances, valuation of intangible assets and goodwill and valuation of investments in unconsolidated entities. There have been no significant changes in estimates in the quarter or nine months ended March 31, 2021 that would require disclosure nor have there been any material changes to the Company's policies.

 

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” in Item 2, 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 net earnings
  Adjusted tax rate

 

Adjusted gross margin

 

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 preceding 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 and adjusted net earnings exclude the costs recognized upon the sale of acquired inventory, amortization of acquisition intangibles, and acquisition related expenses, inclusive of the changes in the fair value of contingent consideration, and other non-recurring items including non-recurring costs and gains. 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 net earnings and adjusted gross margin also excludes, in total and on a per share basis, 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. Stock-based compensation is excluded from non-GAAP adjusted net earnings and adjusted gross margin 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. 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. For the Eminence acquisition, amortization expense and costs of acquired inventory were adjusted in the net earnings calculation based on the Company's ownership percentage to calculate the adjusted net earnings per share attributable to Bio-Techne.  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.

 

 

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

 

This quarterly report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include those regarding the Company's expectations as to the effect of changes to accounting policies, the amount of capital expenditures for the remainder of the fiscal year, the source of funding for capital expenditure requirements, the sufficiency of currently available funds for meeting the Company's needs, the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, and expectations regarding gross margin fluctuations, increasing research and development expenses, increasing selling, general and administrative expenses and income tax rates. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the actual results of operations. The following important factors, among others, have affected and, in the future, could affect the Company's actual results: integration of newly acquired businesses, the introduction and acceptance of new products, general national and international economic conditions,  customer site closures or supply chain issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, increased competition, the reliance on internal manufacturing and related operations, the impact of currency exchange rate fluctuations, the recruitment and retention of qualified personnel, the impact of governmental regulation, maintenance of intellectual property rights, credit risk and fluctuation in the market value of the Company's investment portfolio, and unseen delays and expenses related to facility construction and improvements. For additional information concerning such factors, see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2020 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and Part II. Item 1A below. 

  

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

As of March 31, 2021, the Company held an investment in the common stock of CCXI. The investment was included in short-term available-for-sale investments at its fair value of $77.6 million. As of March 31, 2021, the potential loss in fair value due to a 10% decrease in the market value of CCXI was $7.8 million.  

 

The Company operates internationally, and thus is subject to potentially adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates. For the quarter ended March 31, 2021, approximately 31% of consolidated net sales were made in foreign currencies, including 13% in euros, 5% in British pound sterling, 6% in Chinese yuan and the remaining 7% in other currencies. The Company is exposed to market risk mainly from foreign exchange rate fluctuations of the euro, British pound sterling, the Chinese yuan, and the 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 average exchange rates between the British pound sterling, euro, Chinese yuan and the Canadian dollar, which have not been weighted for actual sales volume in the applicable months in the periods, to the U.S. dollar were as follows:

 

   

Quarter Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

   

March 31,

 
   

2021

    2020     2021     2020  

Euro

  $ 1.20     $ 1.10     $ 1.19     $ 1.11  

British pound sterling

    1.38       1.28       1.33       1.27  

Chinese yuan

    0.15       0.14       0.15       0.14  

Canadian dollar

    0.79       0.74       0.77       0.75  

 

The Company's exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations also arises from trade receivables, trade payables and intercompany payables denominated in one currency in the financial statements, but receivable or payable in another currency. The effects of a hypothetical simultaneous 10% appreciation in the U.S. dollar from March 31, 2021 levels against the euro, British pound sterling, Chinese yuan and the Canadian dollar are as follows (in thousands):

 

Decrease in translation of earnings of foreign subsidiaries (annualized)

  $ 4,391  

Decrease in translation of net assets of foreign subsidiaries

    54,183  

Additional transaction losses

    2,485  

  

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

 

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)). The Company's management has evaluated, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2021, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

(b) Changes in internal controls over financial reporting.

 

As previously announced, we acquired 47.6% of the outstanding equity interest in Eminence on October 20, 2020 and are accounting for the investment in accordance with ASC 805 Business Combinations as disclosed in Note 4. We have not fully evaluated any changes in internal control over financial reporting associated with this acquisition and therefore any material changes that may result from this acquisition have not been disclosed in this report. We intend to disclose all material changes resulting from this acquisition within or prior to the time of our first annual assessment of internal control over financial reporting that is required to include this entity.

 

Other than the acquisition discussed above, there were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

As of May 7, 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 1A. RISK FACTORS

During the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021, there have been no material changes from the risk factors found in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2020.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

During the nine months ended March 31, 2021, the Company only repurchased shares during the month of March 2021. During the nine months ended March 31, 2021, the Company repurchased 120,000 shares for $43.2 million at an average share price of $359.81. The Company repurchased 26,000 shares in February 2020 at an average share price of $186.99 and repurchased 253,381 shares in March 2020 at an average share price of $178.58. In total, the Company purchased 279,381 shares during the third quarter of fiscal 2020 for $50.1 million at an average share price of  $179.37. The Company's repurchase plan approved by the Board granted management the discretion to mitigate the dilutive effect of stock option exercises for fiscal 2018, which then increases in each period subsequent to June 30, 2018 for additional dilutive impacts of stock option exercised in those future periods.  As of March 31, 2021, we have authorization of approximately $67 million to purchase additional shares under the Company's previously disclosed share repurchase plan.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULT ON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

  

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

TO

FORM 10-Q

 

BIO-TECHNE CORPORATION

 

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 Company’s Form 8-K dated February 1, 2018*

 

 

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 Restricted Stock Award Agreement for Second Amended and Restated 2010 Equity Incentive Plan--incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company's Form 8-K dated October 26, 2017*

 

 

10.4**

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Second Amended and Restated 2010 Equity Incentive Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Form 10-K dated August 28, 2019*

 

 

10.5**

Form of the Performance Unit Award Agreement for Second Amended and Restated 2010 Equity Incentive Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Form 10-K dated August 28, 2019*

 

 

10.6**

Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement for Second Amended and Restated 2010 Equity Incentive Plan-- incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s Form 10-K dated August 28, 201*9

 

 

10.7**

Form of Employee Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Second Amended and Restated 2010 Equity Incentive Plan--incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company’s Form 10-K dated August 28, 2019*

 

 

10.8**

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*

 

 

10.9**

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

10.10**

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*

 

 

10.11

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*

 

 

10.12**

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*

 

 

10.13

Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Company, Aero Merger Sub Inc., Advanced Cell Diagnostics, Inc. and Fortis Advisors, LLC as the Securityholders’ Representative, dated July 6, 2016--incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company's Form 8-K dated July 7, 2016*

 

 

10.14

Agreement and Plan of Merger between the Company, Enzo Merger Sub. Inc., Exosome Diagnostics, Inc. and The Securityholders Representative, dated July 25, 2018--incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company's Form 8-K dated June 25, 2018*

 

 

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*

 

 

21

Subsidiaries of the Company - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21 of the Company's Form 10-K dated August 28, 2019* 

 

 

31.1

Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

31.2

Certificate 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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (iv) Notes to the Condensed 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

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements 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

 

 

 

    (Company)

 

 

 

 

 

Date: May 7, 2021  

 

/s/ Charles R. Kummeth

 

 

 

     Charles R. Kummeth

 

 

 

Principal Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Date: May 7, 2021  

 

/s/ James T. Hippel

 

 

 

     James T. Hippel

 

 

 

Principal Financial Officer

 

  

 

32