Astrotech Reports Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC) has reported its third-quarter fiscal year 2021 financial results, highlighting a $50.1 million raise to enhance growth. The funds will support expected sales increases for products like the TRACER 1000™ and AgLAB-1000-D2™. Additionally, Astrotech has partnered with Sanmina Corporation for manufacturing and initiated a study with Cleveland Clinic for its BreathTest-1000™. Operating expenses have decreased by 22.3% year-over-year, while projected monthly cash outlay is around $500,000.

Positive

• Raised $50.1 million in gross proceeds to support growth initiatives.
• Operating expenses decreased by 22.3% year-over-year.
• Strategic partnership with Sanmina Corporation for efficient manufacturing.
• Initiated study with Cleveland Clinic for BreathTest-1000™, enhancing credibility.

Negative

• New product development involves significant risks and uncertainties.
• FDA approval for BreathTest-1000 is necessary and may not be timely or granted.

Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC) reported its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2021, which ended March 31, 2021.

During and subsequent to quarter end, we continued to strengthen our balance sheet for future growth by raising $50.1 million in total proceeds. As we expect to ramp up sales of our TRACER 1000™ explosives trace detector (ETD), launch the AgLAB-1000-D2™, and develop, in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (Cleveland Clinic), the BreathTest-1000™, the financings will provide capital for continued operating expenses, working capital, and capital expenditures. In addition, the capital raises have given us flexibility to think more strategically about how to grow most efficiently, whether it be through strategic partnerships, mergers, or acquisitions.

“We believe that we are now sufficiently capitalized to pursue our current business plan,” said Thomas B. Pickens III, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Astrotech Corporation. “With the resources to scale quickly and meet significant potential demand as we commercialize our products, we believe we are well positioned to explore opportunities for growth that were not available to us prior to raising this additional capital.”

In March, Astrotech announced an agreement between its Astrotech Technologies, Inc. subsidiary and Sanmina Corporation to manufacture its mass spectrometry products. As part of the relationship, Sanmina will manufacture 1st Detect’s TRACER 1000. They have also agreed to manufacture AgLAB’s AgLAB-1000 and BreathTech’s BreathTest-1000 once those products are officially released. We anticipate that the relationship will allow us to scale manufacturing quickly with an asset-light operation while also offering us the opportunity to reduce our real estate footprint and related overhead costs of our manufacturing facility in Houston. We are currently consolidating all operations into a new, small research and development facility in Austin.

In April, we also announced that our BreathTech subsidiary signed an Investigator-Initiated Study Agreement with Cleveland Clinic. Under this agreement, BreathTech’s BreathTest-1000™ will be used to compare exhaled breath from individuals who have tested positive on a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test against subjects who have had a negative COVID-19 PCR test. The goal of the pilot study will be to analyze different VOCs from the breath to evaluate the correlation with different disease states.

“We are excited to have engaged in partnerships with two leaders in their respective industries. Sanmina, as a Fortune 500 company, has demonstrated the ability to help companies scale manufacturing, reduce cost, and optimize their supply chain, giving us comfort that they will be able to keep pace with our planned and potential growth while helping us expand our profitability. With Sanmina’s level of sophistication and technical expertise, we believe that they are a great fit for Astrotech,” continued Mr. Pickens. “We are also thrilled to kick-off the study with Cleveland Clinic, one of world’s leading hospitals and one of the most experienced breath analysis institutions in the world. Due to the numerous mutations of the COVID-19 virus, we are hopeful that the BreathTest-1000 will prove to be useful as a screening tool for COVID-19 in hospitals, nursing homes, the workplace, schools, airports, sporting and performing arts events, conferences, commercial venues, and other large gatherings,” concluded Mr. Pickens.

Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Highlights

We continued efforts to add financial flexibility, optimize our resources, and position Astrotech for success as our products mature.

• Since the beginning of our third fiscal quarter, we raised $50.1 million in gross proceeds through a registered direct offering, an underwritten, firm-commitment public offering, and an at-the-market (“ATM”) offering through H.C. Wainwright.
• Year to date through March 31, 2021, our operating expenses, excluding certain one-time items, decreased 22.3%, compared to the same period last year.
• Anticipated monthly cash outlay, excluding working capital, is approximately $500 thousand.

About Astrotech

Astrotech (NASDAQ: ASTC) is a science and technology development and commercialization company that launches, manages, and builds scalable companies based on innovative technology in order to maximize shareholder value. 1^st Detect develops, manufactures, and sells trace detectors for use in the security and detection market. AgLAB is developing chemical analyzers for use in the agriculture market. BreathTech is developing a breath analysis tool to provide early detection of lung diseases. Astrotech is headquartered in Austin, Texas. For information, please visit www.astrotechcorp.com.

About AgLAB-1000™ and BreathTest-1000™

This press release contains information about our new products under development, the AgLAB-1000 and BreathTest-1000. Product development involves a high degree of risk and uncertainty, and there can be no assurance that our new products will be successfully developed, achieve their intended benefits, receive full market authorization, or be commercially successful. In addition, FDA approval will be required to market BreathTest-1000 in the United States. Obtaining FDA approval is a complex and lengthy process, and there can be no assurance that FDA approval for BreathTest-1000 will be granted on a timely basis or at all.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, trends, and uncertainties that could

FAQ

What were Astrotech's recent earnings results for Q3 FY 2021?

Astrotech reported a $50.1 million capital raise and a 22.3% decrease in operating expenses compared to the previous year.

What is the strategic significance of Astrotech's partnership with Sanmina?

The partnership aims to enhance manufacturing efficiency and reduce costs as Astrotech scales its product offerings.

What new products is Astrotech developing?

Astrotech is developing the TRACER 1000™, AgLAB-1000-D2™, and BreathTest-1000™.

What is the purpose of the study with Cleveland Clinic?

The study aims to analyze breath samples to assess correlations with COVID-19 test results.

What is Astrotech's anticipated monthly cash outlay?

Astrotech anticipates a monthly cash outlay of approximately $500,000, excluding working capital.