EX-99.1 2 exhibit_99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Evogene Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results
 
Conference call and webcast: today, March 10, 2022, 9:00 am ET
 
Rehovot, Israel – March 10, 2022 – Evogene Ltd. (NASDAQ: EVGN, TASE: EVGN), a leading computational biology company targeting to revolutionize life-science product discovery and development across multiple market segments, announced today its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2021, ended December 31, 2021.
 
Mr. Ofer Haviv, Evogene's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “With 2022 well on its way and our subsidiaries successfully advancing on their developmental activities, we believe that we are progressing to significant value enhancing milestones. Moreover, we are very proud that our subsidiaries, Lavie Bio and Canonic, recently began commercializing their products in target markets. The rapid advancement from concept to marketable product indicates the invaluable contribution Evogene’s technological engines MicroBoost AI, ChemPass AI and GeneRator AI have on life-science product development.
 
“As the activities of our subsidiaries mature, we continue to develop our engines with the goal of further improving their offering and potential, as engines underpinning and empowering the development of life-science products. In the years to come we intend to expand the eco-system of each of our technological engines, with the goal of expanding into new areas and new product types. Over the year, we hope to discuss this in more detail.
 
“It is important for us to state that we believe that our strong cash position of approximately $54 million is a demonstration of financial strength, which is particularly important in current times of instability in the financial markets. Still, to support our subsidiaries’ growth and to strengthen their position as independent companies, we are currently evaluating different funding options for the group and are in different levels of discussions with potential strategic and financial investors,” - Mr. Haviv concluded.
 
2021 Achievements & 2022 Milestones:
 
Biomica Ltd.
 
Immuno-oncology program – Biomica recently received clearance from the Israeli Ministry of Health to proceed to a first-in-human phase I study, which is set to be held at the  Rambam Healthcare Campus in Israel, following the completion of  a series of pre-clinical trials with BMC128 given in combination with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors immunotherapy, indicating significant improvement in anti-tumor activity. Biomica is currently advancing towards the initiation of the study.
 

Milestone for 2022 – readout from proof of concept, first in human study.
 
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) program – During 2021, Biomica achieved positive results from a series of pre-clinical studies, indicating reduction of intestinal tissue damage resulting from inflammation. These results provided the evidential groundwork to proceed to the scale up development process of BMC333.
 
Milestone for 2022 – initiate scale-up for GMP production of BMC333 as preparation for clinical trials.
 
Canonic Ltd.
 
MetaYield program – During October 2021, Canonic began initial commercial sales in Israel of G200 and G150, cannabis inflorescence products marketed under the T20/C4 and T15/C3 categories, respectively1.
 
Milestone for 2022 – commercial launch of second-generation products in Israel and preparations towards commercialization in Europe in 2023.
 
Precise program – During 2021, Canonic conducted pre-clinical trials, identifying cannabis varieties with pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties, for which Canonic recently filed a patent application.
 
Milestone for 2022 – collect user data for clinical indications to support commercial launch in 2023 in Israel.
 
AgPlenus Ltd.
 
New Mode-of-Action (MoA) herbicides – In 2021, the company gathered additional information regarding its leading new MoA target protein, APTH1, for herbicide development and reached proof-of-concept regarding a seed trait presenting crop resistance to APH1 (a chemical compound that is the basis for the development of a herbicide).

The collaboration with Corteva, which is focused on other modes-of-action, is progressing according to plan.

Milestones for 2022 –
 

-
enter an additional collaboration agreement.
 

1 According to the product categories established by the Israeli Ministry of Health, T20/C4 category means 17%-24% THC & 1%-7% CBD and T15/C3 category means 11%-19% THC & 0.5%-5.5% CBD.

2


-
expand data package for APTH1, AgPlenus’ leading new MoA protein for the development of novel herbicides.
 
Lavie Bio Ltd.
 
Inoculant (bio-stimulant) for spring wheat – During late 2021, Lavie Bio began the commercialization of its inoculant result™ aiming at the improvement of yield based on microbes.  The product’s initial market penetration for spring wheat is planned for the upcoming 2022 sowing season and will be limited to target regions in North Dakota.
 
Milestone for 2022 – build infrastructure for scale-up in result™ sales in 2023.
 
Bio-fungicide fruit rot program – Following the completion of three consecutive years of vineyard trials, conducted in Europe and in the U.S., Lavie Bio has prioritized LAV311 as its lead candidate for final development and submission of a regulatory dossier, expected to be filed with the federal U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California EPA during 2022.
 
Milestone for 2022 – file for regulatory approval for leading product candidate LAV311 targeting fruit rot, as preparation for commercialization in 2024.
 
Consolidated Financial Results Summary
 
Cash position: Evogene maintains a strong financial position for its activities with $53.9 million in consolidated cash, cash related accounts, bank deposits and marketable securities as of December 31, 2021, of which $7.8 million is appropriated to its subsidiary, Lavie Bio.
 
During 2021, the consolidated cash usage was approximately $25.8 million, or $20.6 million, excluding Lavie Bio. These sums in 2021 are before giving effect to $29.6 million net raised through Evogene’s at-the-market, or ATM, programs and exclude $1.8 million of proceeds from non-refundable grants and exercises of options. This is in comparison to 2020, during which the consolidated cash usage was $19.3 million, or $14.7 million, excluding Lavie Bio.  The cash usage in 2020 was unusually low due to certain measures, regarding salary expenses, that the Company initiated to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during that year.
 
During the fourth quarter of 2021, the consolidated cash usage was approximately $8.4 million, or $7.0 million, excluding Lavie Bio. This is in comparison to the fourth quarter of 2020, during which the consolidated cash usage was approximately $6.1 million, or $5.1 million, excluding Lavie Bio.
 
3


The cash burn rate during 2021 and in the fourth quarter was higher than during the same periods in 2020, due to the following reasons:


-
During the second and third quarters of 2020 the burn rate was significantly lower due to certain measures the Company initiated to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as mentioned above.


-
During 2021, Evogene’s subsidiaries significantly expanded product development activities, including:
 

Biomica’s ongoing preparations, including the GMP production of microbes, for the initiation of its first-in-human proof-of-concept study in the immuno-oncology program,
 

Lavie Bio's activities supporting the commercial launch of its inoculant product branded as result™ in 2022,
 

Canonic’s product commercialization in Israel during the fourth quarter of 2021.
 

-
Expenses related to accelerating and expanding Evogene’s technological engines.
 
The Company’s management estimates that the cash usage for the full year of 2022 will be within the range of $26-$28 million. These guidelines include the cash usage of Evogene’s subsidiary Lavie Bio, which is estimated at approximately $8 million.
 
Research and Development (“R&D”) expenses:
 
R&D expenses for the fourth quarter of 2021, which are reported net of non-refundable grants received, were $6.0 million, in comparison to $4.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. For the full year 2021, these expenses were $21.1 million, in comparison to $17.3 million in 2020.
 
The increase in R&D expenses was mainly attributed to an increase in expenses due to an expansion in product development activities of the Company and its subsidiaries, as mentioned above.
 
Business Development (“BD”) expenses:
 
BD expenses were approximately $720 thousand for the fourth quarter of 2021, in comparison to $670 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2020.  Such expenses remained stable for the full year 2021 in comparison to 2020 and were approximately $2.7 million.
 
General and Administrative (“G&A”) expenses:
 
G&A expenses for the fourth quarter of 2021 were $2.0 million, in comparison to $1.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. G&A expenses for the full year 2021 were $7.3 million, in comparison to $5.3 million in 2020. The increase was mainly attributed to the increase of the costs of directors' and officers' insurance policies, an increase in salary-based expenses and an increase in other professional services.
 
4

 
Operating loss:
 
Operating loss for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $8.7 million in comparison to $7.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Operating loss for the full year 2021 was $31.0 million in comparison to $24.8 million in 2020. The operating loss increased due to an increase in overall operating expenses, as described above, as well as due to an increase in salary-based expenses in comparison to 2020, mainly for the following reasons:
 

-
relatively low salary-based expenses in 2020 due to measures taken by the company to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
 

-
an increase in salaries in 2021 due to an increase in the market demand for highly skilled workers.
 
Loss:
 
The loss for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $8.1 million in comparison to a loss of $8.8 million during the fourth quarter of 2020. The loss for the full year 2021 was $30.4 million in comparison to a loss of $26.2 million for 2020. The increase in loss is attributed mainly to the increase in operating expenses, as described above, which was partially offset by net financing income for 2021 in comparison to net financing expenses for 2020.
 
***

Conference Call & Webcast Details:
 
Date: March 10, 2022
 
Time: 9:00 am EST; 16:00 Israel time
 
Dial-in number:1-888-281-1167 toll free from the United States, or +972-3-918-0609 internationally
 
Webcast: Link available at https://www.evogene.com/investor-relations/presentations-and-webcasts/
 
Replay Information: A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours following the completion of the call.
 
To access the replay, please dial 1-888-326-9310 toll free from the United States, or +972-3-925-5901 internationally. The replay will be accessible through March 11, 2022, and an archive of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website.
 
The Company filed an updated presentation which can be viewed here: http://www.evogene.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Evogene-Presentation_March_-2022_FINAL.pdf
 
5

 
About Evogene Ltd.:
 
Evogene (NASDAQ: EVGN, TASE: EVGN) is a computational biology company aiming to revolutionize the development of life-science based products by utilizing cutting edge technologies to increase probability of success while reducing development time and cost. Evogene established three unique technological engines - MicroBoost AI, ChemPass AI and GeneRator AI – leveraging Big Data and Artificial Intelligence and incorporating deep multidisciplinary understanding in life sciences. Each technological engine is focused on the discovery and development of products based on one of the following core components: microbes (MicroBoost AI), small molecules (ChemPass AI), and genetic elements (GeneRator AI). Evogene uses its technological engines to develop products through subsidiaries and with strategic partners. Currently, Evogene’s main subsidiaries utilize the technological engines to develop human microbiome-based therapeutics by Biomica Ltd., medical cannabis products by Canonic Ltd., ag-chemicals by AgPlenus and ag-biologicals by Lavie Bio Ltd.  For more information, please visit: www.evogene.com.

Forward Looking Statements
 
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" relating to future events. These statements may be identified by words such as may”, “could”, “expects”, “hopes” “intends”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “believes”, “scheduled”, “estimates” or words of similar meaning. For example, Evogene is using forward-looking statement in this press release when it discusses its expectations with respect to value creation, potential funding options, the expansion of the eco-system of is technological engines into new areas and product types, its and its’ subsidiaries expected trials, studies, product advancements, pipelines, commercializations, sales, launches, milestones, target markets, cash usage and other plans for 2022 and on, and the potential advantages of its technology. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions, describe opinions about future events, involve certain risks and uncertainties which are difficult to predict and are not guarantees of future performance. Therefore, actual future results, performance or achievements of Evogene and its subsidiaries may differ materially from what is expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, many of which are beyond the control of Evogene and its subsidiaries, including, without limitation, those risk factors contained in Evogene’s reports filed with the applicable securities authority. In addition, Evogene and its subsidiaries rely, and expect to continue to rely, on third parties to conduct certain activities, such as their field-trials and pre-clinical studies, and if these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties, comply with regulatory requirements or meet expected deadlines, Evogene and its subsidiaries may experience significant delays in the conduct of their activities. Evogene and its subsidiaries disclaim any obligation or commitment to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments or changes in expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions.
 
Evogene Investor Contact:
   
Kenny Green
GK Investor Relations
Email: evogene@gkir.com
Tel: +1 212 378 8040
   

6

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)

   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Audited)
 
CURRENT ASSETS:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
32,325
   
$
46,229
 
Short-term bank deposits
   
3,000
     
2,000
 
Marketable securities
   
18,541
     
-
 
Trade receivables
   
281
     
222
 
Other receivables and prepaid expenses
   
2,651
     
3,372
 
Inventories
   
92
     
-
 
                 
     
56,890
     
51,823
 
LONG-TERM ASSETS:
               
Long-term deposits
   
25
     
9
 
Right-of-use-assets
   
2,109
     
1,872
 
    Property, plant and equipment, net
   
2,073
     
2,072
 
Intangible assets, net
   
15,207
     
16,139
 
                 
     
19,414
     
20,092
 
                 
   
$
76,304
   
$
71,915
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Trade payables
 
$
1,463
   
$
863
 
Employees and payroll accruals
   
2,662
     
2,535
 
Lease liability
   
974
     
777
 
Liabilities in respect of government grants
   
89
     
72
 
Pre-funded warrants
   
-
     
4,144
 
Deferred revenues and other advances
   
175
     
47
 
Other payables
   
1,519
     
1,238
 
                 
     
6,882
     
9,676
 
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
               
Lease liability
   
1,695
     
1,663
 
Liabilities in respect of government grants
   
4,307
     
3,694
 
                 
     
6,002
     
5,357
 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
               
Ordinary shares of NIS 0.02 par value:
Authorized - 150,000,000 ordinary shares; Issued and outstanding - 41,170,168 shares on December 31, 2021 and 35,600,088 shares on December 31, 2020
   
234
     
200
 
Share premium and other capital reserve
   
260,866
     
225,121
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(207,069
)
   
(179,276
)
                 
Equity attributable to equity holders of the Company
   
54,031
     
46,045
 
                 
Non-controlling interests
   
9,389
     
10,837
 
                 
Total equity
   
63,420
     
56,882
 
                 
   
$
76,304
   
$
71,915
 

7

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PROFIT OR LOSS

U.S. dollars in thousands (except share and per share data)

   
Year ended
December 31,
   
Three months ended
December 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
   
2021
   
2020
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Audited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
                         
Revenues
 
$
930
   
$
1,040
   
$
311
   
$
351
 
Cost of revenues
   
767
     
574
     
267
     
346
 
                                 
Gross profit
   
163
     
466
     
44
     
5
 
                                 
Operating expenses:
                               
                                 
Research and development, net
   
21,125
     
17,287
     
6,016
     
4,811
 
Business development
   
2,738
     
2,672
     
720
     
670
 
General and administrative
   
7,253
     
5,321
     
2,000
     
1,701
 
                                 
Total operating expenses
   
31,116
     
25,280
     
8,736
     
7,182
 
                                 
Operating loss
   
(30,953
)
   
(24,814
)
   
(8,692
)
   
(7,177
)
                                 
Financing income
   
1,935
     
1,591
     
938
     
733
 
Financing expenses
   
(1,414
)
   
(2,951
)
   
(336
)
   
(2,294
)
                                 
Financing income (expenses), net
   
521
     
(1,360
)
   
602
     
(1,561
)
                                 
Loss before taxes on income
   
(30,432
)
   
(26,174
)
   
(8,090
)
   
(8,738
)
Taxes on income (tax benefit)
   
13
     
32
     
(6
)
   
25
 
                                 
Loss
 
$
(30,445
)
 
$
(26,206
)
 
$
(8,084
)
 
$
(8,763
)
                                 
Attributable to:
                               
Equity holders of the Company
   
(27,793
)
   
(23,374
)
   
(7,371
)
   
(8,122
)
Non-controlling interests
   
(2,652
)
   
(2,832
)
   
(713
)
   
(641
)
                                 
   
$
(30,445
)
 
$
(26,206
)
 
$
(8,084
)
 
$
(8,763
)
                                 
Basic and diluted loss per share, attributable to equity holders of the Company
 
$
(0.69
)
 
$
(0.83
)
 
$
(0.18
)
 
$
(0.25
)
                                 
Weighted average number of shares used in computing basic and diluted loss per share
   
40,433,303
     
28,158,779
     
41,169,222
     
34,111,012
 

8


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

U.S. dollars in thousands

   
Year ended
December 31,
   
Three months ended
December 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
   
2021
   
2020
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Audited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
Cash flows from operating activities
                       
                         
Loss
 
$
(30,445
)
 
$
(26,206
)
 
$
(8,084
)
 
$
(8,763
)
                                 
Adjustments to reconcile loss to net cash used in operating activities:
                               
                                 
Adjustments to the profit or loss items:
                               
                                 
Depreciation
   
1,302
     
1,792
     
317
     
392
 
Amortization of Intangible assets
   
932
     
935
     
235
     
236
 
Share-based compensation
   
2,609
     
4,097
     
737
     
617
 
Pre-funded warrants issuance expenses
   
-
     
211
     
-
     
211
 
Net financing expenses (income)
   
(886
)
   
967
     
(735
)
   
1,224
 
Decrease (increase) in accrued bank interest
   
11
     
64
     
(4
)
   
27
 
Taxes on income (tax benefit)
   
13
     
32
     
(6
)
   
25
 
                                 
     
3,981
     
8,098
     
544
     
2,732
 
                                 
Changes in asset and liability items:
                               
                                 
Increase in trade receivables
   
(59
)
   
(150
)
   
(130
)
   
(188
)
Decrease (increase) in other receivables
   
653
     
(1,300
)
   
(791
)
   
(1,441
)
Increase in inventories
   
(92
)
   
-
     
(92
)
   
-
 
Increase in long-term deposits
   
(16
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Increase (decrease) in trade payables
   
625
     
(29
)
   
(362
)
   
122
 
Increase in employees and payroll accruals
   
127
     
456
     
301
     
805
 
Increase (decrease) in other payables
   
290
     
(87
)
   
266
     
6
 
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues and other advances
   
128
     
(339
)
   
175
     
(85
)
                                 
     
1,656
     
(1,449
)
   
(633
)
   
(781
)
                                 
Cash received (paid) during the period for:
                               
                                 
Interest received
   
297
     
294
     
52
     
3
 
Interest paid
   
(315
)
   
(238
)
   
(90
)
   
(56
)
Taxes (paid) received, net
   
(13
)
   
(13
)
   
6
     
(6
)
                                 
Net cash used in operating activities
 
$
(24,839
)
 
$
(19,514
)
 
$
(8,205
)
 
$
(6,871
)

9


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
U.S. dollars in thousands

   
Year ended
December 31,
   
Three months ended
December 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
   
2021
   
2020
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Audited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
Cash flows from investing activities
                       
                         
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
 
$
(724
)
 
$
(682
)
 
$
(137
)
 
$
(103
)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities
   
4,395
     
2,097
     
3,378
     
-
 
Purchase of marketable securities
   
(23,114
)
   
-
     
(1,710
)
   
-
 
Withdrawal from (investment in) bank deposits, net
   
(1,000
)
   
8,000
     
600
     
-
 
                                 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
   
(20,443
)
   
9,415
     
2,131
     
(103
)
                                 
Cash flows from financing activities
                               
                                 
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares, net of issuance expenses
   
29,582
     
18,658
     
-
     
8,857
 
Proceeds from issuance of pre-funded warrants
   
-
     
1,989
     
-
     
1,989
 
Proceeds from advances for pre-funded warrants
   
-
     
9
     
-
     
9
 
Proceeds from exercise of options
   
484
     
59
     
8
     
46
 
Repayment of lease liability
   
(580
)
   
(639
)
   
(143
)
   
(155
)
Proceeds from government grants
   
824
     
320
     
32
     
-
 
Repayment of government grants
   
(34
)
   
(22
)
   
-
     
-
 
                                 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
   
30,276
     
20,374
     
(103
)
   
10,746
 
                                 
Exchange rate differences - cash and cash equivalent balances
   
1,102
     
1,206
     
869
     
963
 
                                 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
(13,904
)
   
11,481
     
(5,308
)
   
4,735
 
                                 
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of the period
   
46,229
     
34,748
     
37,633
     
41,494
 
                                 
Cash and cash equivalents end of the period
 
$
32,325
   
$
46,229
   
$
32,325
   
$
46,229
 
                                 
Significant non-cash activities
                               
                                 
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment
 
$
32
   
$
57
   
$
32
   
$
57
 
Increase (decrease) of right-of-use-asset recognized with corresponding lease liability
 
$
794
   
$
(41
)
 
$
53
   
$
(18
)
Exercise of options
 
$
-
   
$
57
   
$
-
   
$
57
 
Exercise of pre-funded warrants
 
$
4,356
    $
-
    $
-
    $
-
 

10