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MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE INC - Quarter Report: 2015 March (Form 10-Q)

Quarterly Report
Table of Contents

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

 

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

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2015

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 0-14902

 

 

MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE, INC.

Incorporated under the laws of Ohio

 

 

31-0888197

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3471 River Hills Drive

Cincinnati, Ohio 45244

(513) 271-3700

 

 

Indicate by a 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  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

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

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨    Smaller reporting company   ¨

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class

 

Outstanding April 30, 2015

Common Stock, no par value   41,713,985

 

 

 


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MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

 

          Page(s)  

PART I.

  

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

  
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

     1   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Three and Six Months Ended March  31, 2015 and 2014

     2   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Six Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

     3   
  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014

     4-5   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity Six Months Ended March 31, 2015

     6   
  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     7-12   

Item 2.

  

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

     12-20   

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     20   

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

     20   

PART II.

  

OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

     21   

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

     21   

Signature

     22   

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor from civil litigation for forward-looking statements accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements. Except for historical information, this report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which may be identified by words such as “estimates”, “anticipates”, “projects”, “plans”, “seeks”, “may”, “will”, “expects”, “intends”, “believes”, “should” and similar expressions or the negative versions thereof and which also may be identified by their context. All statements that address operating performance or events or developments that Meridian expects or anticipates will occur in the future, including, but not limited to, statements relating to per share diluted earnings and revenue, are forward-looking statements. Such statements, whether expressed or implied, are based upon current expectations of the Company and speak only as of the date made. Specifically, Meridian’s forward-looking statements are, and will be, based on management’s then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance. Meridian assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized. These statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including, without limitation, the following: Meridian’s continued growth depends, in part, on its ability to introduce into the marketplace enhancements of existing products or new products that incorporate technological advances, meet customer requirements and respond to products developed by Meridian’s competition, and its ability to effectively sell such products. While Meridian has introduced a number of internally developed products, there can be no assurance that it will be successful in the future in introducing such products on a timely basis. Meridian relies on proprietary, patented and licensed technologies, and the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights, as well as the potential for intellectual property litigation, would impact its results. Ongoing consolidations of reference laboratories and formation of multi-hospital alliances may cause adverse changes to pricing and distribution. Recessionary pressures on the economy and the markets in which our customers operate, as well as adverse trends in buying patterns from customers can change expected results. Costs and difficulties in complying with laws and regulations, including those administered by the United States Food and Drug Administration, can result in


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unanticipated expenses and delays and interruptions to the sale of new and existing products. The international scope of Meridian’s operations, including changes in the relative strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar and general economic conditions in foreign countries, can impact results and make them difficult to predict. One of Meridian’s growth strategies is the acquisition of companies and product lines. There can be no assurance that additional acquisitions will be consummated or that, if consummated, will be successful and the acquired businesses will be successfully integrated into Meridian’s operations. There may be risks that acquisitions may disrupt operations and may pose potential difficulties in employee retention and there may be additional risks with respect to Meridian’s ability to recognize the benefits of acquisitions, including potential synergies and cost savings or the failure of acquisitions to achieve their plans and objectives. Meridian cannot predict the possible impact of U.S. health care legislation enacted in 2010 – the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act – and any modification or repeal of any of the provisions thereof, and any similar initiatives in other countries on its results of operations. Efforts to reduce the U.S. federal deficit, breaches of Meridian’s information technology systems and natural disasters and other events could have a materially adverse effect on Meridian’s results of operations and revenues. In addition to the factors described in this paragraph, Part I, Item 1A Risk Factors of our Form 10-K contains a list and description of uncertainties, risks and other matters that may affect the Company.


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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
    Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2015     2014     2015     2014  

NET REVENUES

   $ 51,545     $ 50,134     $ 99,558     $ 94,928  

COST OF SALES

     19,024       18,541       37,800       35,328  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

GROSS PROFIT

  32,521     31,593     61,758     59,600  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

Research and development

  3,368     3,186     6,471     6,039  

Selling and marketing

  6,481     6,461     12,561     12,538  

General and administrative

  6,940     6,280     14,325     13,731  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

  16,789     15,927     33,357     32,308  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME

  15,732     15,666     28,401     27,292  

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)

Interest income

  6     6     12     10  

Other, net

  (211   (28   (793   (248
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

  (205   (22   (781   (238
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

  15,527     15,644     27,620     27,054  

INCOME TAX PROVISION

  5,457     5,344     9,649     9,328  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS

$ 10,070   $ 10,300   $ 17,971   $ 17,726  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

$ 0.24   $ 0.25   $ 0.43   $ 0.43  

DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

$ 0.24   $ 0.24   $ 0.43   $ 0.42  

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING - BASIC

  41,707     41,471     41,636     41,434  

EFFECT OF DILUTIVE STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED SHARES AND UNITS

  341     676     336     686  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING - DILUTED

  42,048     42,147     41,972     42,120  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

ANTI-DILUTIVE SECURITIES:

Common share options and restricted shares and units

  570     168     546     137  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE

$ 0.20   $ 0.20   $ 0.40   $ 0.39  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
     Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2015     2014      2015     2014  

NET EARNINGS

   $ 10,070     $ 10,300      $ 17,971     $ 17,726  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (2,138     337        (3,503     1,060  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

$ 7,932   $ 10,637   $ 14,468   $ 18,786  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

Six Months Ended March 31,

   2015     2014  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net earnings

   $ 17,971     $ 17,726  

Non-cash items included in net earnings:

    

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

     1,832       1,756  

Amortization of intangible assets

     900       1,042  

Amortization of deferred illumigene instrument costs

     754       864  

Stock-based compensation

     1,954       2,157  

Deferred income taxes

     (257     (31

Change in current assets

     (6,910     (6,656

Change in current liabilities

     3,368       (3,143

Other, net

     419       (159
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  20,031     13,556  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

  (2,561   (2,573

Purchases of intangible assets

  —        (1,677
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used for investing activities

  (2,561   (4,250
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Dividends paid

  (16,671   (16,169

Proceeds and tax benefits from exercises of stock options

  654     540  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used for financing activities

  (16,017   (15,629
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Equivalents

  (1,781   254  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Decrease in Cash and Equivalents

  (328   (6,069

Cash and Equivalents at Beginning of Period

  43,047     44,282  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and Equivalents at End of Period

$ 42,719   $ 38,213  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

ASSETS

 

     March 31,
2015
(Unaudited)
     September 30,
2014
 

CURRENT ASSETS

     

Cash and equivalents

   $ 42,719      $ 43,047  

Accounts receivable, less allowances of $220 and $272

     30,298        23,232  

Inventories

     33,043        35,495  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     6,483        7,058  

Deferred income taxes

     3,991        3,916  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

  116,534     112,748  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, at Cost

Land

  1,150     1,173  

Buildings and improvements

  29,938     29,146  

Machinery, equipment and furniture

  40,580     40,192  

Construction in progress

  895     652  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

  72,563     71,163  

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

  44,541     43,553  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net property, plant and equipment

  28,022     27,610  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

OTHER ASSETS

Goodwill

  22,090     23,193  

Other intangible assets, net

  6,591     7,813  

Restricted cash

  1,000     1,000  

Deferred illumigene instrument costs, net

  2,270     2,740  

Deferred income taxes

  1,402     1,483  

Other assets

  403     342  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other assets

  33,756     36,571  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

$ 178,312   $ 176,929  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(dollars in thousands)

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

     March 31,
2015

(Unaudited)
    September 30,
2014
 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

Accounts payable

   $ 6,110     $ 4,966  

Accrued employee compensation costs

     4,899       4,761  

Other accrued expenses

     3,138       3,149  

Income taxes payable

     1,079       859  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

  15,226     13,735  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

  1,988     2,165  

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued

  —       —    

Common shares, no par value, 71,000,000 shares authorized, 41,713,675 and 41,622,216 shares issued, respectively

  —       —    

Additional paid-in capital

  114,123     111,851  

Retained earnings

  50,169     48,869  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

  (3,194   309  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

  161,098     161,029  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$ 178,312   $ 176,929  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)

(dollars and shares in thousands)

 

     Common
Shares
Issued
     Additional
Paid-In
Capital
     Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 

Balance at September 30, 2014

     41,622      $ 111,851      $ 48,869     $ 309     $ 161,029  

Cash dividends paid

     —          —          (16,671     —         (16,671

Exercise of stock options

     65        318        —         —         318  

Conversion of restricted stock units

     27        —          —         —         —    

Stock compensation expense

     —          1,954        —         —         1,954  

Net earnings

     —          —          17,971       —         17,971  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     —          —          —         (3,503     (3,503
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2015

  41,714   $ 114,123   $ 50,169   $ (3,194 $ 161,098  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts

(Unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Presentation

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of Management, the interim financial statements include all normal adjustments and disclosures necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2015, the results of its operations for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, and its cash flows for the six month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s fiscal 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Financial information as of September 30, 2014 has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements.

The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year.

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies

 

(a) Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable –

Revenue is generally recognized from sales when product is shipped and title has passed to the customer. Revenue for the Diagnostics segment is reduced at the date of sale for product price adjustments due certain distributors under local contracts. Management estimates accruals for distributor price adjustments based on local contract terms, sales data provided by distributors, estimates of inventories of certain of our products held by distributors, historical statistics, current trends, and other factors. Changes to the accruals are recorded in the period that they become known. Such accruals were $4,650 at March 31, 2015 and $4,220 at September 30, 2014, and have been netted against accounts receivable.

Revenue for our Diagnostics segment includes revenue for our illumigene® molecular test system. This system includes an instrument, instrument accessories and test kits. In markets where the test system is sold via multiple deliverable arrangements, the cost of the instrument and instrument accessories is deferred upon placement at a customer and amortized on a straight-line basis into cost of sales over the expected utilization period, generally three years.

We evaluate whether each deliverable in the arrangement is a separate unit of accounting. The significant deliverables are an instrument, instrument accessories (e.g., printer) and test kits. An instrument and instrument accessories are delivered to the customer prior to the start of the customer utilization period, in order to accommodate customer set-up and installation. There is de minimis consideration received from the customer at the time of instrument placement. We have determined that the instrument and instrument accessories are not a separate unit of accounting because such equipment can only be used to process and read the results from our illumigene diagnostic tests (i.e., our instrument and test kits function together to deliver a diagnostic test result), and therefore the instrument and instrument accessories do not have standalone value to the customer. Consequently, there is no revenue allocated to the placement of the instrument and instrument accessories. Test kits are delivered to the customer over the utilization period of the instrument, which we estimate has a useful life of three years. Our average customer contract period, including estimated renewals, is at least equal to the estimated three-year utilization period. Revenue for the sale of test kits is recognized upon shipment and transfer of title to the customers.

 

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In markets where the test system is not sold via multiple deliverable arrangements, the cost of the instrument and instrument accessories is charged to cost of sales at the time of shipment and transfer of title to the customer. Revenue for the sales of instruments and instrument accessories and test kits is recognized upon shipment and transfer of title to the customers. In these markets, our illumigene molecular test system is sold to independent distributors who inventory the instruments, instrument accessories and test kits for resale to end-users.

Our products are generally not subject to a customer right of return except for product recall events under the rules and regulations of the Food and Drug Administration or equivalent agencies outside the United States. In this circumstance, the costs to replace affected products would be accrued at the time a loss was considered to be probable and estimable.

Life Science revenue for contract services may come from research and development services or manufacturing services, including process development work, or a combination of both. Revenue is recognized based on each of the deliverables in a given arrangement having distinct and separate customer pricing. Depending on the nature of the arrangement, revenue is recognized as services are performed and billed, upon completion and acceptance by the customer, or upon delivery of product and acceptance by the customer.

Trade accounts receivable are recorded in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at invoiced amounts less provisions for distributor price adjustments under local contracts and doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts represents our estimate of probable credit losses and is based on historical write-off experience and known conditions that would likely lead to non-payment. The allowance for doubtful accounts and related metrics, such as days’ sales outstanding, are reviewed monthly. Accounts with past due balances over 90 days are reviewed individually for collectibility. Customer invoices are charged off against the allowance when we believe it is probable that the invoices will not be paid.

 

(b) Comprehensive Income (Loss) –

As reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, our comprehensive income or loss is comprised of net earnings and foreign currency translation.

Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated using period-end exchange rates with gains or losses resulting from translation included as a separate component of comprehensive income or loss. Revenues and expenses are translated using exchange rates prevailing during the period. We also recognize foreign currency transaction gains and losses on certain assets and liabilities that are denominated in the non-functional currencies of the Company or its subsidiaries. These gains and losses are included in other income and expense in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

(c) Income Taxes –

The provision for income taxes includes federal, foreign, state and local income taxes currently payable and those deferred because of temporary differences between income for financial reporting and income for tax purposes. We prepare estimates of permanent and temporary differences between income for financial reporting purposes and income for tax purposes. These differences are adjusted to actual upon filing of our tax returns, typically occurring in the third and fourth quarters of the current fiscal year for the preceding fiscal year’s estimates.

We account for uncertain tax positions using a benefit recognition model with a two-step approach: (i) a more-likely-than-not recognition criterion; and (ii) a measurement attribute that measures the position as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being ultimately realized upon settlement. If it is not more likely than not that the benefit will be sustained on its technical merits, no benefit is recorded. We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a portion of our income tax provision in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

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In September 2013, the Internal Revenue Service issued Treasury Decision 9636, which enacted final tax regulations regarding the capitalization and expensing of amounts paid to acquire, produce, or improve tangible property. The regulations also include guidance regarding the retirement of depreciable property. Our adoption of these regulations on October 1, 2014 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

 

(d) Stock-Based Compensation –

We recognize compensation expense for all share-based awards made to employees, based upon the fair value of the share-based award on the date of the grant. Awards are expensed over their requisite service periods.

 

(e) Cash and Cash Equivalents –

Cash and cash equivalents include the following components:

 

     March 31, 2015      September 30, 2014  
     Cash and
Equivalents
     Other
Assets
     Cash and
Equivalents
     Other
Assets
 

Overnight repurchase agreements

   $ 21,294      $ —        $ 26,407      $ —    

Cash on hand -

           

Restricted

     —          1,000        —          1,000  

Unrestricted

     21,425        —          16,640        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 42,719   $ 1,000   $ 43,047   $ 1,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(f) Recent Accounting Pronouncements –

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which supersedes and replaces nearly all currently-existing U.S. GAAP revenue recognition guidance including related disclosure requirements. This guidance will be effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2017. The Company has not yet completed its assessment of the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on its financial statements.

 

(g) Reclassifications –

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior fiscal period financial statements to conform to the current fiscal period presentation. Such reclassifications had no impact on net earnings or shareholders’ equity.

 

3. Inventories

Inventories are comprised of the following:

 

     March 31,
2015
     September 30,
2014
 

Raw materials

   $ 7,005      $ 5,674  

Work-in-process

     9,302        10,591  

Finished goods - illumigene instruments

     1,337        1,710  

Finished goods - kits and reagents

     15,399        17,520  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 33,043   $ 35,495  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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4. Reportable Segment and Major Customers Information

Meridian was formed in 1976 and functions as a fully-integrated research, development, manufacturing, marketing and sales organization with primary emphasis in the fields of in vitro diagnostics and life science. Our principal businesses are (i) the development, manufacture and distribution of diagnostic test kits primarily for gastrointestinal, viral, respiratory and parasitic infectious diseases; and (ii) the manufacture and distribution of bulk antigens, antibodies, PCR/qPCR reagents, nucleotides, competent cells and bioresearch reagents used by researchers and other diagnostic manufacturers, and the contract development and manufacture of proteins and other biologicals for use by biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies engaged in research for new drugs and vaccines.

Our reportable segments are Diagnostics and Life Science, both of which are headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, which also serves as the Diagnostics segment’s base of manufacturing operations and research and development. The Diagnostics segment has sales and distribution facilities in the United States, Europe and Australia. The Life Science segment consists of manufacturing operations in Memphis, Tennessee; Boca Raton, Florida; London, England; Luckenwalde, Germany; and Sydney, Australia, and the sale and distribution of bulk antigens, antibodies, PCR/qPCR reagents, nucleotides, competent cells and bioresearch reagents domestically and abroad, including sales and business development offices in Singapore and Beijing, China to further pursue growing revenue opportunities in Asia. The Life Science segment also includes the contract development and manufacture of cGMP clinical grade proteins and other biologicals for use by biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies engaged in research for new drugs and vaccines.

Amounts due from two Diagnostics distributor customers accounted for 20% and 15% of consolidated accounts receivable at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. Revenues from these two distributor customers accounted for 32% and 35% of the Diagnostics segment third-party revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and 36% during each of the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. These distributors represented 24% and 26% of consolidated revenues for the fiscal 2015 and 2014 second quarters, respectively, and 27% for each of the respective year-to-date six month periods. In addition, approximately $2,100 and $2,700 of our consolidated accounts receivable at March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively, was due from Italian hospital customers whose funding ultimately comes from the Italian government, representing 7% and 12% of consolidated accounts receivable in each of the respective periods.

Within our Life Science segment, two diagnostic manufacturing customers accounted for 16% and 23% of the segment’s third-party revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and 17% during each of the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

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Segment information for the interim periods is as follows:

 

     Diagnostics      Life Science      Eliminations(1)      Total  

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015

           

Net revenues -

           

Third-party

   $ 38,662      $ 12,883      $ —        $ 51,545  

Inter-segment

     84        226        (310      —    

Operating income

     11,951        3,728        53        15,732  

Goodwill (March 31, 2015)

     1,250        20,840        —          22,090  

Other intangible assets, net (March 31, 2015)

     2,542        4,049        —          6,591  

Total assets (March 31, 2015)

     115,470        63,116        (274      178,312  

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014

           

Net revenues -

           

Third-party

   $ 37,061      $ 13,073      $ —        $ 50,134  

Inter-segment

     154        225        (379      —    

Operating income

     12,301        3,306        59        15,666  

Goodwill (September 30, 2014)

     1,250        21,943        —          23,193  

Other intangible assets, net (September 30, 2014)

     2,756        5,057        —          7,813  

Total assets (September 30, 2014)

     109,350        67,834        (255      176,929  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2015

           

Net revenues -

           

Third-party

   $ 75,248      $ 24,310      $ —        $ 99,558  

Inter-segment

     189        522        (711      —    

Operating income

     21,878        6,574        (51      28,401  

Six Months Ended March 31, 2014

           

Net revenues -

           

Third-party

   $ 71,898      $ 23,030      $ —        $ 94,928  

Inter-segment

     263        484        (747      —    

Operating income

     21,685        5,567        40        27,292  

 

(1) Eliminations consist of inter-segment transactions.

Transactions between segments are accounted for at established intercompany prices for internal and management purposes, with all intercompany amounts eliminated in consolidation.

 

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5. Intangible Assets

A summary of our acquired intangible assets subject to amortization, as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 is as follows:

 

     March 31, 2015      September 30, 2014  
     Gross
Carrying
Value
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Gross
Carrying
Value
     Accumulated
Amortization
 

Manufacturing technologies, core products and cell lines

   $ 11,550      $ 10,677      $ 11,685      $ 10,568  

Trademarks, licenses and patents

     6,280        2,969        6,463        2,766  

Customer lists and supply agreements

     12,020        9,613        12,378        9,379  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
$ 29,850   $ 23,259   $ 30,526   $ 22,713  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The actual aggregate amortization expense for these intangible assets was $431 and $516 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $900 and $1,042 for the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The estimated aggregate amortization expense for these intangible assets for each of the fiscal years through fiscal 2020 is as follows: remainder of fiscal 2015 – $766, fiscal 2016 – $1,326, fiscal 2017 – $1,110, fiscal 2018 – $1,090, fiscal 2019 – $1,049 and fiscal 2020 – $877.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Refer to “Forward Looking Statements” following the Table of Contents in front of this Form 10-Q. In the discussion that follows, all dollar amounts are in thousands (both tables and text), except per share data.

Following is a discussion and analysis of the financial statements and other statistical data that management believes will enhance the understanding of Meridian’s financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto beginning on page 1.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Quarterly Highlights

As more fully detailed below, the second quarter of fiscal 2015 was highlighted by our Diagnostics segment’s launch of four new products outside of the U.S. and our Life Science segment’s continued successful expansion into China and launch of five new RNA tests. The Diagnostics products launched during the quarter include tests for two additional diseases to be performed on our illumigene® molecular testing platform (Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhea) and two new immunoassay products to test for Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumo) and H. pylori – TRU STREP PNEUMOTM and ImmunoCard STAT!® HpSA HD, respectively. During the second quarter of fiscal 2015, our Life Science segment’s revenue from sales of immunoassay component products into China increased to approximately $500 compared to less than $50 in the fiscal 2014 second quarter.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015

Net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 decreased 2% to $10,070, or $0.24 per diluted share, from net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 of $10,300, or $0.24 per diluted share. This decrease reflects the combined effects of increased revenues, slightly increased gross profit margins and increased operating expenses. Consolidated revenues increased 3% to $51,545 for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to the same period of the prior year, increasing 6% on a constant-currency basis.

 

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Included within the second quarter 2015 results were revenues from our illumigene® molecular platform of products totaling $10,192, representing a 5% increase over the fiscal 2014 second quarter. Also contributing to the increase in consolidated revenues were increased revenues in three of our diagnostic focus product families (H. pylori, foodborne and respiratory). Serving to partially offset these increases were decreased revenues in our C. difficile focus product family and both of our Life Science segment’s business lines (i.e., molecular component and immunoassay component).

Revenues for the Diagnostics segment for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 increased 4% compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2014 (7% on a constant-currency basis), reflecting the following for each of our focus product families: 7% growth in our respiratory products, 9% growth in our H. pylori products, 27% growth in our foodborne products, and 10% decline in our C. difficile products. As it relates to our respiratory products, the growth is substantially driven by our molecular respiratory products (illumigene Group A Strep, illumigene Mycoplasma and illumigene Pertussis products), which were launched into the market over the past two-plus years and represent an increasing percentage of our respiratory product family revenues. With declines in both its molecular component and immunoassay component business, revenues of our Life Science segment decreased by 1% during the second quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2014, increasing 1% on a constant-currency basis.

Six Months Ended March 31, 2015

For the six month period ended March 31, 2015, net earnings increased 1% to $17,971, or $0.43 per diluted share, from net earnings for the comparable fiscal 2014 period of $17,726, or $0.42 per diluted share. This increase reflects the combined effects of increased revenues, decreased gross profit margins and increased operating expenses. Consolidated revenues increased 5% to $99,558 for the first six months of fiscal 2015 compared to the same period of the prior fiscal year, increasing 7% on a constant-currency basis.

Included within the six month year-to-date fiscal 2015 results were revenues from our illumigene molecular platform of products totaling $20,100, representing a 10% increase over the first six months of fiscal 2014. Also contributing to the consolidated revenues increase were increased revenues in three of our diagnostic focus product families (H. pylori, foodborne and respiratory) and both of our Life Science segment’s business lines (i.e., molecular component and immunoassay component). Serving to partially offset these increases were decreased revenues in our C. difficile focus product family.

During the first six months of fiscal 2015, revenues for the Diagnostics segment increased 5% from the comparable fiscal 2014 period (7% on a constant-currency basis), reflecting the following for each of our focus product families: 10% growth in our H. pylori products, 16% growth in our foodborne products, 18% growth in our respiratory products, and 11% decline in our C. difficile products. As it relates to our respiratory products, the growth is substantially driven by our molecular respiratory products (illumigene Group A Strep, illumigene Mycoplasma and illumigene Pertussis products), which were launched into the market over the past two-plus years and represent an increasing percentage of our respiratory product family revenues. With growth in both its molecular component and immunoassay component business, revenues of our Life Science segment increased 6% during the six months ended March 31, 2015 over the comparable fiscal 2014 period, increasing 8% on a constant-currency basis.

REVENUE OVERVIEW

Below are analyses of the Company’s revenue, provided for each of the following:

 

    By Reportable Segment & Geographic Region

 

    By Product Platform/Type

 

    By Disease Family (Diagnostics only)

Revenue Overview- By Reportable Segment & Geographic Region

Our reportable segments are Diagnostics and Life Science. The Diagnostics segment consists of manufacturing operations in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the sale and distribution of diagnostic test kits in the countries comprising North, Central and South America (the “Americas”); Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”); and other countries outside of

 

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the Americas and EMEA (rest of the world, or “ROW”). The Life Science segment consists of manufacturing operations in Memphis, Tennessee; Boca Raton, Florida; London, England; Luckenwalde, Germany; and Sydney, Australia, and the sale and distribution of bulk antigens, antibodies, PCR/qPCR reagents, nucleotides, competent cells and bioresearch reagents domestically and abroad, including a sales and business development location in Singapore. Additionally, in order to further pursue growing revenue opportunities in Asia, and China in particular, our Life Science segment has opened a business development office in Beijing, China. The Life Science segment also includes the contract development and manufacture of cGMP clinical grade proteins and other biologicals for use by biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies engaged in research for new drugs and vaccines.

Revenues for the Diagnostics segment, in the normal course of business, may be affected from quarter to quarter by buying patterns of major distributors, seasonality and strength of certain diseases, and foreign currency exchange rates. Revenues for the Life Science segment, in the normal course of business, may be affected from quarter to quarter by the timing and nature of arrangements for contract services work, which may have longer production cycles than bioresearch reagents and bulk antigens and antibodies, as well as buying patterns of major customers, and foreign currency exchange rates. We believe that the overall breadth of our product lines serves to reduce the variability in consolidated revenues due to these factors.

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,     Six Months Ended March 31,  
     2015     2014     Inc (Dec)     2015     2014     Inc (Dec)  

Diagnostics-

            

Americas

   $ 32,179     $ 30,312       6   $ 63,092     $ 58,573       8

EMEA

     5,530       5,952       (7 )%      10,533       11,325       (7 )% 

ROW

     953       797       20     1,623       2,000       (19 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Diagnostics

  38,662     37,061     4   75,248     71,898     5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Life Science-

Americas

  5,910     5,102     16   11,209     9,415     19

EMEA

  5,002     6,199     (19 )%    8,760     10,009     (12 )% 

ROW

  1,971     1,772     11   4,341     3,606     20
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Life Science

  12,883     13,073     (1 )%    24,310     23,030     6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated

$ 51,545   $ 50,134     3 $ 99,558   $ 94,928     5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

% of total revenues-

Diagnostics

  75   74   76   76

Life Science

  25   26   24   24
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

  100   100   100   100
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Ex-Americas

  26   29   25   28
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Revenue Overview- By Product Platform/Type

The revenues generated by each of our reportable segments result primarily from the sale of the following segment-specific categories of products:

Diagnostics

 

  1) Molecular tests that operate on our illumigene platform

 

  2) Immunoassay tests

Life Science

 

  1) Molecular components

 

  2) Immunoassay components

 

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Revenues for each product platform/type, as well as its relative percentage of segment revenue, are shown below.

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,     Six Months Ended March 31,  
     2015     2014     Inc (Dec)     2015     2014     Inc (Dec)  

Diagnostics-

            

Molecular

   $ 10,192     $ 9,737       5   $ 20,100     $ 18,287       10

Immunoassay

     28,470       27,324       4     55,148       53,611       3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Diagnostics

$ 38,662   $ 37,061     4 $ 75,248   $ 71,898     5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Life Science-

Molecular components

$ 4,893   $ 5,023     (3 )%  $ 9,905   $ 9,893     —  

Immunoassay components

  7,990     8,050     (1 )%    14,405     13,137     10
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Life Science

$ 12,883   $ 13,073     (1 )%  $ 24,310   $ 23,030     6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

% of Diagnostics revenues-

Molecular

  26   26   27   25

Immunoassay

  74   74   73   75
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Diagnostics

  100   100   100   100
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

% of Life Science revenues-

Molecular components

  38   38   41   43

Immunoassay components

  62   62   59   57
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total Life Science

  100   100   100   100
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Following is a discussion of the revenues generated by each of these product platforms/types:

Diagnostics Products

illumigene Molecular Platform Products

Following our launch outside the U.S. of illumigene® Chlamydia trachomatis and illumigene® Neisseria gonorrhea during the second quarter of fiscal 2015, we now have just over 1,400 customer account placements. Of these account placements, approximately 1,240 accounts have completed evaluations and validations and are regularly purchasing product, with the balance of our account placements being in some stage of product evaluation and/or validation. Of our account placements, we have approximately 400 accounts that are regularly purchasing, evaluating and/or validating two or more assays.

We continue to invest in new product development for our molecular testing platform, illumigene. This platform now has seven commercialized tests, with one additional test expected to be available for sale in fiscal 2015:

 

  1. illumigene® C. difficile – commercialized in August 2010

 

  2. illumigene® Group B Streptococcus (Group B Strep or GBS) – commercialized in December 2011

 

  3. illumigene® Group A Streptococcus (Group A Strep) – commercialized in September 2012

 

  4. illumigene® Mycoplasma (M. pneumonia; walking pneumonia) – commercialized in June 2013

 

  5. illumigene® Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough) – commercialized in March 2014

 

  6. illumigene® Chlamydia trachomatis – commercialized outside of U.S. in February 2015

 

  7. illumigene® Neisseria gonorrhea – commercialized outside of U.S. in February 2015

 

  8. illumigene® Herpes Simplex Virus I & II – expected fiscal 2015

Additional illumigene tests in early-stage research and development include foodborne pathogens such as Campylobacter jejuni, and bloodborne pathogens such as the causative agents for malaria.

 

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We believe that the diagnostic testing market is continuing to move away from culture and immunoassay testing to molecular testing for diseases where there is a favorable cost/benefit position for the total cost of health care. While this market is competitive, with molecular companies such as Cepheid and Becton Dickinson and more recent entrants such as Quidel, Great Basin, Nanosphere, and others, we believe we are well positioned to capitalize on the migration to molecular testing. Our simple, easy-to-use, illumigene platform, with its expanding menu, requires no expensive equipment purchase and little to no maintenance cost. We believe these features, along with its small footprint and the performance of the illumigene assays, make illumigene an attractive molecular platform to any size hospital or physician office laboratory that runs moderately-complex tests.

Immunoassay Products

Having launched our TRU STREP PNEUMOTM and ImmunoCard STAT!® HpSA HD products outside the U.S. during the second quarter of fiscal 2015, our Diagnostics segment’s revenues from immunoassay products increased 4% for the quarter and increased 3% on a six month, year-to-date basis. As described in the product discussions below, the quarterly and year-to-date increases both result primarily from the revenue growth of our H. pylori, foodborne and respiratory products, partially offset by the decline in revenues from our C. difficile products.

Life Science Products

During the second quarter of fiscal 2015, revenues from our Life Science segment decreased 1%, with revenues from molecular component sales decreasing 3% from the comparable fiscal 2014 quarter and revenues from immunoassay component sales decreasing 1%. For the first six months of fiscal 2015, revenues from our Life Science segment increased 6%, with revenues from molecular component sales increasing less than 1% over the comparable prior year period and revenues from immunoassay component sales increasing 10%. Our molecular component business’ growth was negatively impacted by the movement in currency exchange rates since the 2014 second quarter, with revenues increasing 5% and 6% on a constant-currency basis for the quarterly and year-to-date periods, respectively. The revenue level of our immunoassay component business faced a difficult prior year comparison (i.e., in fiscal 2014, certain shipments were delayed and shifted from the first quarter to the second quarter). The effects of the timing of these prior year shipments were partially offset by the sales into China of approximately $500 for the quarter (approximately $1,100 for the year-to-date period).

Diagnostic Revenue Overview- By Disease Family

Revenues from our focus families (C. difficile, foodborne, H. pylori, and respiratory) comprised 74% of our Diagnostics segment’s revenue during the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2015, and 73% for both of the comparable fiscal 2014 periods. Following is a discussion of the revenues generated by each product family:

C. difficile Products

Revenues for our C. difficile product family decreased 10% to $8,200 for the fiscal 2015 second quarter, and decreased 11% to $15,800 for the six month, year-to-date period. This decrease reflects the combined effects of revenue from new illumigene customers, the loss of several larger illumigene customers in fiscal 2014 and reduced revenues from our immunoassay products, which now represent less than 25% of this product category. The C. difficile test market continues to be highly competitive, with over 10 suppliers in the United States, certain of which choose to compete solely on price. We believe that the following factors will help us respond to these challenging market conditions: (i) our marketing programs emphasize that we are the only company that can offer a full range of high performing, FDA cleared, C. difficile testing formats, including toxin, GDH and molecular tests; (ii) our illumigene molecular platform, with its expanding differentiated menu, affords both an opportunity to grow the platform utilization within the hospital, as well as protect against competitive threats; and (iii) our illumigene molecular platform requires no expensive equipment purchase or maintenance contract, which we believe makes it an attractive and affordable option for any size hospital.

Foodborne Products

Revenues for our foodborne products (Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (“EHEC”) and Campylobacter), all of which are immunoassay products, totaled $6,900 during the fiscal 2015 second quarter, a 27% increase from the fiscal 2014 second quarter. During the six months ended March 31, 2015, foodborne revenues totaled $12,800, a 16% increase from the fiscal 2014 year-to-date period. These quarterly and year-to-date increases reflect the positive effects of a large distributor order made in connection with our inside and field sales programs designed to protect and expand upon our current customer base through the addition of new customers adopting rapid tests and competitive

 

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takeaways. Excluding the effects of this order, fiscal 2015 second quarter and first six month revenues increased 17% and 11%, respectively, over the comparable fiscal 2014 periods. We are continuing to re-emphasize the benefits of increased sensitivity and faster turnaround time versus culture methods in our marketing programs. The primary competition for our foodborne products is laboratory culture methods and an immunoassay shiga toxin test from one of our competitors. We believe that our test offers better workflow, less hands-on time and quicker results, in addition to being fully compliant with CDC-recommended testing methods.

H. pylori Products

During the second quarter of fiscal 2015, revenues from our H. pylori products, all of which are immunoassay products, grew 9% to $7,700. These revenues grew 10% to $15,000 during the first six months of fiscal 2015. These increases continue to reflect the benefits of our partnerships with managed care companies in promoting (i) the health and economic benefits of a test and treat strategy; (ii) changes in policies that discourage the use of traditional serology methods and promote the utilization of active infection testing methods; and (iii) moving physician behavior away from serology-based testing and toward direct antigen testing. A significant amount of the H. pylori product revenues are to reference labs, whose buying patterns may not be consistent period to period.

The patents for our H. pylori products are owned by us and expire in 2016 in the U.S. and in 2017 in countries outside the U.S. We expect competition with respect to our H. pylori products to increase upon the expiration of these patents in 2016 and 2017 as we currently market the only FDA-cleared test to detect H. pylori antigen in stool samples. Such competition may have an adverse impact on our selling prices for these products, or our ability to retain business at prices acceptable to us, and consequently, adversely affect our future results of operations and liquidity, including revenues and gross profit. In order to mitigate any loss in revenues upon patent expiration, among other things, we are researching and experimenting with new products (e.g., detection of H. pylori in samples other than stool and detection of H. pylori on molecular platforms). We are unable to provide any assurances that we will be successful with any mitigation strategy or that any mitigation strategy will prevent an adverse effect on our future results of operations and liquidity, including revenues and gross profit.

Respiratory Products

Total respiratory revenues from our Diagnostics segment increased 7% to $5,800 during the fiscal 2015 second quarter; and increased 18% to $12,000 for the six month year-to-date period. Our molecular respiratory products (illumigene Group A Strep, illumigene Mycoplasma and illumigene Pertussis products), which were launched into the market over the past two-plus years, experienced 94% and 149% growth during the second quarter of fiscal 2015 and the six months ended March 31, 2015, respectively. Serving to partially offset these increases were declines in our immunoassay respiratory products of 15% and 11% for the quarterly and six month year-to-date periods, respectively, reflecting both the decline in revenues from sales of such products in Japan due to continuing issues related to our Japanese distributor having been acquired last year and lower influenza sales.

Foreign Currency

During the second quarter of fiscal 2015, currency exchange rates had a $1,400 unfavorable impact on revenue; $1,000 unfavorable within the Diagnostics segment and $400 unfavorable within the Life Science segment. On a six month year-to-date basis, currency exchange rates had a $2,000 unfavorable impact on revenue; $1,400 unfavorable within the Diagnostics segment and $600 unfavorable within the Life Science segment.

Significant Customers

Two U.S. distributors accounted for 32% and 35% of our Diagnostics segment’s total revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively, and 36% during each of the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These distributors represented 24% and 26% of consolidated revenues for the fiscal 2015 and 2014 second quarters, respectively, and 27% for each of the respective year-to-date six month periods.

Within our Life Science segment, two diagnostic manufacturing customers accounted for 16% and 23% of the segment’s total revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively, and 17% during each of the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

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Gross Profit

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,     Six Months Ended March 31,  
     2015     2014     Change     2015     2014     Change  

Gross Profit

   $ 32,521     $ 31,593       3   $ 61,758     $ 59,600       4

Gross Profit Margin

     63     63     None        62     63     -1 point   

Our overall operations consist of the sale of diagnostic test kits for various disease states and in alternative test formats, as well as bioresearch reagents, bulk antigens and antibodies, PCR/qPCR reagents, nucleotides, competent cells, proficiency panels, and contract research and development, and contract manufacturing services. Product revenue mix shifts, in the normal course of business, can cause the consolidated gross profit margin to fluctuate by several points.

Due to our growing illumigene platform, we have invested approximately $4,000 in new molecular manufacturing facilities, which will provide additional manufacturing capacity, as well as improved manufacturing efficiency and quality. We believe that we will begin to realize these efficiencies late in fiscal 2015.

Operating Expenses

 

     Three Months Ended March 31, 2015  
     Research &
Development
    Selling &
Marketing
    General &
Administrative
    Total Operating
Expenses
 

2014 Expenses

   $ 3,186     $ 6,461     $ 6,280     $ 15,927   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

% of Revenues

  6   13   13   32

Fiscal 2015 Increases (Decreases):

Diagnostics

  4     178     874     1,056  

Life Science

  178     (158   (214   (194
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

2015 Expenses

$ 3,368   $ 6,481   $ 6,940   $ 16,789   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

% of Revenues

  7   13   13   33

% Increase (Decrease)

  6   —     11   5

 

     Six Months Ended March 31, 2015  
     Research &
Development
    Selling &
Marketing
    General &
Administrative
    Total Operating
Expenses
 

2014 Expenses

   $ 6,039     $ 12,538     $ 13,731     $ 32,308   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

% of Revenues

  6   13   14   34

Fiscal 2015 Increases (Decreases):

Diagnostics

  185     298     889     1,372  

Life Science

  247     (275   (295   (323
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

2015 Expenses

$ 6,471   $ 12,561   $ 14,325   $ 33,357   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

% of Revenues

  6   13   14   34

% Increase (Decrease)

  7   —     4   3

 

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Overall, total operating expenses increased during both the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2015 relative to the comparable prior fiscal year periods, increasing slightly as a percentage of quarterly consolidated revenues and remaining relatively flat as a percentage of year-to-date consolidated revenues. These levels of operating expenses result in large part from the combined effects of our (i) ongoing efforts to control spending in each of our segments while investing the necessary resources in our strategic areas of growth, including increased investment in Research & Development for our molecular platform products and increased investment is Sales and Marketing personnel and programs; (ii) overall increased compensation-related expenses; and (iii) favorable effects of currency rates.

Operating expenses for the Diagnostics segment increased $1,056 for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to the fiscal 2014 second quarter, and in the first six months of fiscal 2015, increased $1,372 over the comparable prior year period. These overall Diagnostics segment increases result largely from the combined effects of the following:

Research & Development

Overall increase in spending on new product development activities (during the six month period), related primarily to the previously noted products for our illumigene molecular platform, as well as immunoassay products in development.

Selling & Marketing

Increased personnel costs resulting from increased Sales and Marketing headcount, and increased sales commission expenses on increased revenues.

General & Administrative

An increase in profit sharing expense as a result of the previously noted increases in operating profits, partially offset by a decrease in stock-based compensation resulting in large part from the decline in our stock price relative to the fiscal 2014 periods. In addition to these compensation-related factors, legal spending increased over the prior year related largely to a foreign distributor matter.

Operating Income

Operating income increased less than 1% to $15,732 for the second quarter of fiscal 2015, and increased 4% to $28,401 for the first six months of fiscal 2015, as a result of the factors discussed above.

Income Taxes

The effective rate for income taxes remained stable at 35% for both the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2015, increasing slightly from the 34% effective rate in each of the comparable fiscal 2014 periods. For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015, we expect the effective tax rate to approximate 34%-35%.

In September 2013, the Internal Revenue Service issued Treasury Decision 9636, which enacted final tax regulations regarding the capitalization and expensing of amounts paid to acquire, produce, or improve tangible property. The regulations also include guidance regarding the retirement of depreciable property. Our adoption of these regulations on October 1, 2014 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Comparative Cash Flow Analysis

Our cash flow and financing requirements are determined by analyses of operating and capital spending budgets, consideration of acquisition plans, and consideration of common share dividends. We have historically maintained a credit facility to augment working capital requirements and to respond quickly to acquisition opportunities. Our investment portfolio presently consists of overnight repurchase agreements.

We have an investment policy that guides the holdings of our investment portfolio. Our objectives in managing the investment portfolio are to (i) preserve capital; (ii) provide sufficient liquidity to meet working capital requirements and fund strategic objectives such as acquisitions; and (iii) capture a market rate of return commensurate with market conditions and our policy’s investment eligibility criteria. As we look forward, we will continue to manage the holdings of our investment portfolio with preservation of capital being the primary objective.

 

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We do not expect current conditions in the financial markets, or overall economic conditions, to have a significant impact on our liquidity needs, financial condition, or results of operations, although no assurances can be made in this regard. We intend to continue to fund our working capital requirements and dividends from current cash flows from operating activities and cash on hand. If needed, we also have an additional source of liquidity through our $30,000 bank credit facility, which has been renewed through April 21, 2018. Approximately $2,100 of our consolidated accounts receivable at March 31, 2015 is due from Italian hospital customers whose funding ultimately comes from the Italian government, which is down from approximately $2,700 at September 30, 2014. Our liquidity needs may change if overall economic conditions worsen and/or liquidity and credit within the financial markets tightens for an extended period of time, and such conditions impact the collectibility of our customer accounts receivable or impact credit terms with our vendors, or disrupt the supply of raw materials and services.

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $20,031 for the first six months of fiscal 2015, a 48% increase over the $13,556 provided during the first six months of fiscal 2014. While reflecting the effects of the timing of federal income tax payments, and the timing of payments from and to customers and suppliers, respectively, this $6,475 increase primarily results from approximately $5,500 of incentive bonus payments related to fiscal 2013 being made in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, with no such payments having been made during the fiscal 2015 year-to-date period. Net cash flows from operating activities and cash on hand are anticipated to be adequate to fund working capital requirements, capital expenditures and dividends during the next 12 months.

Capital Resources

We have a $30,000 credit facility with a commercial bank that expires on April 21, 2018. As of April 30, 2015, there were no borrowings outstanding on this facility and we had 100% borrowing capacity available to us. We have had no borrowings outstanding under this facility during the first six months of fiscal 2015 or during the full year of fiscal 2014.

Our capital expenditures are estimated to be approximately $4,000 for fiscal 2015, with the actual amount depending upon actual operating results and the phasing of certain projects. Such expenditures may be funded with cash and equivalents on hand, operating cash flows, and/or availability under the $30,000 credit facility discussed above.

We do not utilize any special-purpose financing vehicles or have any undisclosed off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes in the Company’s exposure to market risk since September 30, 2014.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As of March 31, 2015, an evaluation was completed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on that evaluation, our management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2015. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation of internal control that occurred during the second fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, or in other factors that could materially affect internal control subsequent to March 31, 2015.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The following information regarding factors that could affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity is being expanded in the risk factors discussion provided under Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014:

We may face increased competition upon expiration of our H. pylori patents in 2016 and 2017.

Our patents related to our H. pylori products expire in 2016 in the U.S. and in 2017 in countries outside the U.S. Revenues from our H. pylori products were $15,000 during the first six months of fiscal 2015. We expect competition with respect to our H. pylori products to increase upon the expiration of these patents in 2016 and 2017 as we currently market the only FDA-cleared test to detect H. pylori antigen in stool samples. Such competition may have an adverse impact on our selling prices for these products or our ability to retain business at prices acceptable to us, and consequently, adversely affect our future results of operations and liquidity, including revenues and gross profit. In order to mitigate any loss in revenues upon patent expiration, among other things, we are researching and experimenting with new products (e.g., detection of H. pylori in samples other than stool and detection of H. pylori on molecular platforms). We are unable to provide any assurances that we will be successful with any mitigation strategy or that any mitigation strategy will prevent an adverse effect on our future results of operations and liquidity, including revenues and gross profit.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The following exhibits are being filed or furnished as a part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

  31.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
  31.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
  32 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101 The following financial information from Meridian Bioscience Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 filed with the SEC on May 11, 2015, formatted in XBRL includes: (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014; (v) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity for the six months ended March 31, 2015; and (vi) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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SIGNATURE

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.

 

MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE, INC.
Date:

May 11, 2015

By:

/s/ Melissa A. Lueke

Melissa A. Lueke

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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