MINNEAPOLIS, May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bio-Techne Corporation (NASDAQ:TECH) today reported its financial results for the third quarter ending March 31, 2024. Third Quarter FY2024 Highlights Third quarter organic revenue increased by 2% (3% reported) to $303.4 million. GAAP earnings per share (EPS) was $0.31 versus $0.43 one year ago. Delivered adjusted EPS of $0.48 compared to $0.53 one year ago. Strong commercial execution in Diagnostics & Genomics led to 10% organic segment growth (16% reported). Continued uptake of our cell and gene therapy workflow solutions, including record sales for our GMP reagent portfolio. Cash flow generated from operations increased to $223.5 million, a 31% increase from the prior year. The Company's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). Adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted net earnings, adjusted gross margin, adjusted operating income, adjusted tax rate, organic revenue, adjusted operating margin, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures that exclude certain items detailed later in this press release under the heading "Use of non-GAAP Adjusted Financial Measures." A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures is included in this press release. "I am proud of the remarkable execution of our Bio-Techne team under challenging end market conditions, which drove solid top-line performance," said Kim Kelderman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bio-Techne. "As expected, we experienced subsiding headwinds from de-stocking but also delivered year-over-year growth in a depressed biopharma end market. This top-line performance, combined with the benefits of cost and efficiency initiatives, resulted in a 33.0% adjusted operating margin, representing a 290 basis-point sequential improvement." Kelderman added, "Our differentiated portfolio of highly bioactive core reagents, proteomic analysis, cell & gene therapy, spatial biology and diagnostic solutions, remain extremely well positioned to catalyze advances in science and medicine, while creating long-term value for our shareholders." Bio-Techne will host an earnings conference call today, May 1, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. CDT. To listen, please dial 1-877-407-9208 or 1-201-493-6784 (for international callers), and reference conference ID 13745802. The earnings call can also be accessed via webcast through the following link https://investors.bio-techne.com/ir-calendar. A recorded rebroadcast will be available for interested parties unable to participate in the live conference call by dialing 1-844-512- 2921 or 1-412-317-6671 (for international callers) and referencing Conference ID 13745802. The replay will be available from 11:00 a.m. CDT on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, until 11:00 p.m. CDT on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 Revenue Net sales for the third quarter increased 3% to $303.4 million. Organic revenue increased 2% compared to the prior year, with acquisitions contributing 1%. Foreign currency exchange and a business held-for-sale did not have a material impact. GAAP Earnings Results GAAP EPS was $0.31 per diluted share, versus $0.43 in the same quarter last year. GAAP operating income for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 decreased 16% to $67.0 million, compared to $80.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2023. GAAP operating margin was 22.1%, compared to 27.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023. Current year GAAP operating margin was impacted by restructuring and CEO transition costs, the acquisition of Lunaphore, and unfavorable volume leverage within Protein Sciences. Non-GAAP Earnings Results Adjusted EPS decreased to $0.48 per diluted share compared to $0.53 in the same quarter last year. Adjusted operating income for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 decreased 8% to $99.6 million compared to $108.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2023. Adjusted operating margin was 33.0%, compared to 37.0% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023. Adjusted operating margin was unfavorably impacted by the acquisition of Lunaphore and unfavorable volume leverage within Protein Sciences. Segment Results Management uses adjusted operating results to monitor and evaluate performance of the Company's business segments, as highlighted below. Protein Sciences Segment The Company's Protein Sciences segment is one of the world's leading suppliers of specialized proteins such as cytokines and growth factors, immunoassays, antibodies and reagents, to the biotechnology and academic research communities. Additionally, the segment provides an array of platforms useful in various areas of protein analysis. Protein Sciences segment's third quarter fiscal 2024 net sales were $214.6 million, a decrease of 2% from $218.9 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2023. As of December 31, 2023, a business within the Protein Sciences Segment met the criteria as held-for-sale; this held-for-sale business has been excluded from the segment's third quarter fiscal operating results. The exclusion of current period sales related to this held-for-sale business reduced sales by 1%. Organic revenue for the segment declined 1% and foreign currency exchange did not have a material impact. The Protein Sciences segment's operating margin was 44.2% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to 45.1% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023. The segment's operating margin decreased primarily due to unfavorable volume leverage and product mix. Diagnostics and Genomics Segment The Company's Diagnostics and Genomics segment develops and provides spatial biology products as well as exosome-based diagnostics for various pathologies, including prostate cancer. The Diagnostics and Genomics segment also provides blood chemistry and blood gas quality controls, hematology instrument controls, immunoassays and other bulk and custom reagents for the in vitro diagnostic market. The Diagnostics and Genomics segment's third quarter fiscal 2024 net sales were $87.5 million, an increase of 16% from $75.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2023. Organic revenue growth was 10% for the third quarter of fiscal 2024, with acquisitions having a 6% impact and foreign exchange not having a material impact. The Diagnostics and Genomics segment's operating margin was 9.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to 15.2% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023. The segment's operating margin decreased primarily due to the Lunaphore acquisition. Use of non-GAAP Adjusted Financial Measures: This press release 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 revenue Adjusted diluted earnings per share Adjusted net earnings Adjusted tax rate Adjusted gross margin Adjusted operating income Adjusted operating margin Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) Adjusted EBITDA 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 revenue represents revenue growth excluding revenue from acquisitions within the preceding 12 months, the impact of foreign currency, the impact of businesses held-for-sale, as well as the impact of partially-owned consolidated subsidiaries. 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. Revenues from businesses held-for-sale are excluded from our organic revenue calculation starting on the date they become held-for-sale as those revenues will not be comparative in future periods. Revenues from partially-owned subsidiaries consolidated in our financial statements are also excluded from our organic revenue calculation, as those revenues are not fully attributable to the Company. There was no revenue from partially-owned consolidated subsidiaries in fiscal year 2024 due to the sale of Changzhou Eminence Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (Eminence) in the first quarter of fiscal 2023. Revenue from partially-owned consolidated subsidiaries was $2.0 million for the year ended June 30, 2023. Our non-GAAP financial measures for adjusted gross margin, adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted net earnings, in total and on a per share basis, exclude stock-based compensation, which is inclusive of the employer portion of payroll taxes on those stock awards, the costs recognized upon the sale of acquired inventory, amortization of acquisition intangibles, restructuring and restructuring-related costs, and other non-recurring items including non-recurring costs, goodwill and long-lived asset impairments, and gains. Stock-based compensation is excluded from non-GAAP adjusted net earnings because of the nature of this charge, specifically the varying available valuation methodologies, subjection assumptions, variety of award types, and unpredictability of amount and timing of employer related tax obligations. The Company excludes amortization of purchased intangible assets, purchase accounting adjustments, including costs recognized upon the sale of acquired inventory and acquisition-related expenses inclusive of the changes in fair value contingent consideration, and other non-recurring items including gains or losses on legal settlements, goodwill and long-lived asset impairment charges, 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. Costs related to restructuring and restructuring-related activities, including reducing overhead and consolidating facilities, are excluded because we believe they are not indicative of our normal operating costs.  Additionally, these amounts can vary significantly from period to period based on current activity. The Company also excludes revenue and expense attributable to partially-owned consolidated subsidiaries as well as revenue and expense attributable to businesses held-for-sale in the calculation of our non-GAAP financial measures. The Company's non-GAAP adjusted operating margin and adjusted net earnings, in total and on a per share basis, also excludes acquisition related expenses inclusive of the changes in fair value of contingent consideration, gain and losses from investments, as they are not part of our day-to-day operating decisions (excluding our equity method investment in Wilson Wolf as it is certain to be acquired in the future), certain adjustments to income tax expense, and other non-recurring items including certain costs related to the transition to a new CEO. Additionally, gains and losses from investments that are either isolated or cannot be expected to occur again with any predictability are excluded. 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. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliations of adjusted financial measures used in this press release to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures as provided with the financial statements attached to this press release. Forward Looking Statements: Our press releases may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Such 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: the effect of new branding and marketing initiatives, the integration of new businesses and leadership, the introduction and acceptance of new products, the funding and focus of the types of research by the Company's customers, the impact of the growing number of producers of biotechnology research products and related price competition,  general economic conditions, customer site closures or supply chain issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of currency exchange rate fluctuations, and the costs and results of research and product development efforts of the Company and of companies in which the Company has invested or with which it has formed strategic relationships. For additional information concerning such factors, see the section titled "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements we make in our press releases due to new information or future events. Investors are cautioned not to place undue emphasis on these statements. Bio-Techne Corporation (NASDAQ:TECH) is a global life sciences company providing innovative tools and bioactive reagents for the research and clinical diagnostic communities. Bio-Techne products assist scientific investigations into biological processes and the nature and progress of specific diseases. They aid in drug discovery efforts and provide the means for accurate clinical tests and diagnoses. With thousands of products in its portfolio, Bio-Techne generated approximately $1.1 billion in net sales in fiscal 2023 and has approximately 3,200 employees worldwide. For more information on Bio-Techne and its brands, please visit www.bio­techne.com. Contact: David Clair, Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development 612-656-4416   BIO-TECHNE CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) QUARTER NINE MONTHS ENDED ENDED 3/31/2024 3/31/2023 3/31/2024 3/31/2023 Net Sales $ 303,428 $ 294,146 $ 852,961 $ 835,382 Cost of sales 98,829 91,984 286,584 270,265 Gross margin 204,599 202,162 566,377 565,117 Operating Expenses: Selling, general and administrative 111,840 99,238 332,839 291,624 Research and development 25,761 22,713 72,675 69,074 Total Operating Expenses 137,601 121,951 405,514 360,698 Operating income 66,998 80,211 160,863 204,419 Other income (expense) (5,914) (15) (16,835) 45,924 Earnings before income taxes 61,084 80,196 144,028 250,343 Income taxes 12,025 9,978 16,511 40,385 Net earnings, including noncontrolling interest $ 49,059 $ 70,218 $ 127,517 $ 209,958 Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest — — — 179 Net earnings attributable to Bio-Techne $ 49,059 $ 70,218 $ 127,517 $ 209,779 Earnings per share: Basic $ 0.31 $ 0.45 $ 0.81 $ 1.34 Diluted $ 0.31 $ 0.43 $ 0.79 $ 1.30 Weighted average common shares outstanding Basic 157,309 157,311 157,655 157,071 Diluted 160,496 161,615 160,817 161,768   BIO-TECHNE CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) (Unaudited) 3/31/2024 6/30/2023 ASSETS Cash and equivalents $ 139,915 $ 180,571 Short-term available-for-sale investments 5,397 23,739 Accounts receivable, net 227,887 218,468 Inventories 179,496 171,638 Current assets held-for-sale 26,669 — Other current assets 31,286 27,066 Total current assets 610,650 621,482 Property and equipment, net 243,728 226,200 Right of use asset 97,258 98,326 Goodwill and intangible assets, net 1,497,394 1,407,382 Other assets 272,140 285,302 Total assets $ 2,721,170 $ 2,638,692 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 91,014 $ 77,306 Contract liabilities 30,108 23,069 Income taxes payable 12,082 12,022 Contingent consideration payable — 3,500 Operating lease liabilities - current 12,978 11,199 Current liabilities held-for-sale 689 —