Neptune Reports Fiscal Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results

Consolidated revenues for fiscal 2023 totaled $52.6 million, an increase of $3.8 million or 7.8% as compared to $48.8 million for fiscal 2022

Q4 net sales $12.1 million, up 5% from last year's $11.5 million

Sprout maintained a top 3 brand position on Amazon in fiscal 2023 and strong sales levels in all periods nationally¹

Sprout was available in 90% of footprint the Organic Baby Food market across all 50 U.S. states and Canada

Company to host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, July 18, 2023

LAVAL, QC, July 17, 2023 /CNW/ - Neptune Wellness Solutions Inc. ("Neptune" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: NEPT), a consumer-packaged goods company focused on plant-based, sustainable and purpose-driven lifestyle brands, today announced its financial and operating results for the three-month and twelve-month periods ending March 31, 2023.

"Neptune Wellness Solutions has made significant strides in fiscal 2023, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to growth and innovation in the consumer-packaged goods space. Our brands, Sprout and Biodroga, have been instrumental in propelling our platform this year," said Michael Cammarata, CEO and President of Neptune Wellness Solutions. "With Sprout's expansion into the Organic Baby Food market across all 50 U.S. states and Canada, we are strategically focused on delivering high-quality, sustainable products to our customers. We're excited about the cost savings and efficiencies we've achieved, but we acknowledge there's more work to be done. As we transition into fiscal 2024, we remain dedicated to further optimizing our operations and improving our financial position. We recognize there are risks ahead, but we are confident that the platform we are building is the right move for our future."

Raymond P. Silcock, Chief Financial Officer of Neptune added, "As well as growing our key focus business areas of Sprout and Biodroga, Neptune is focused on further reducing corporate costs, managing expenses and improving its liquidity position into fiscal 2024. We are focused on further optimizing the supply chain for Sprout, and we have restructured production planning with $2.6 million in cost savings for the remainder of fiscal 2023 expected."

__________________________

¹ Nielsen data from 52 weeks to 4/22/23.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Highlights:

• Fiscal fourth quarter revenue totaled $12.1 million, as compared to $11.5 million for the same period last year.
• Fiscal year 2023 revenue totaled $52.6 million, an increase of $3.8 million or 7.8% as compared to $48.8 million for fiscal 2022.
• Reported gross profit (loss) of $(2.5) million for fiscal 2023, compared to $(7.5) million for fiscal 2022, an improvement of $5.0 million or 67%.
• Reported gross profit (loss) for the fourth fiscal quarter of $(2.6) million compared to $(5.7) million for the prior corresponding period, an improvement of $3.1 million or 55%.
• Reported fourth quarter net profit (loss) of $(44.5) million compared to a reported net profit (loss) of $(36.7) million in the comparable period in fiscal 2022 and reported fiscal year 2023 net profit (loss) of $(88.8) million compared to a net profit (loss) of $(84.4) million for the fiscal year 2022.
• Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)¹ profit (loss) for fiscal year 2023 was $(39.7) million compared to an Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)¹ profit (loss) of $(53.3) million for the fiscal year 2022, an improvement of 26%.
• Cash and cash equivalents were $2.0 million, as of March 31, 2023.

Fourth Quarter & Recent Business Highlights:

• Expanded Sprout Organics CoComelon co-branded organic baby food into Target stores.
• Sprout extended distribution so its products are now available in 90% of Organic Baby Food footprint in the market, all 50 U.S. states and Canada, with recent launch into Loblaws, the largest grocer in Canada and shipping direct-to-consumers through the Sprout website.
• Sprout continued to optimize its supply chain and expects to achieve $2.6 million in cost savings for the remainder of calendar 2023 due to restructured production planning.
• Sprout's sales are maintaining a top 3 brand position on Amazon in fiscal 2023 and strong sales levels in all periods nationally, according to Nielsen data.
• On a fiscal year to date basis, Sprout's fill rate has improved to 90%, compared to 73% for the same period last year.
• At +12%, Sprout's sales growth outperformed the Total Shelf Stable Baby Food category².
• Biodroga reported gross margins of 28%, up from 25% the same period year prior. Revenue for fiscal 2023 totaled $14.9 million, an increase of 18% as compared to fiscal 2022.

Fourth Quarter & Recent Corporate Highlights:

• Announced closing of debt financing for $4 million, improving the Company's capital position.
• Announced an accounts receivable factoring facility of up to $7.5 million for its Sprout Organics baby food brand.
• Extended the maturity of its existing $13 million secured promissory note for Sprout with Morgan Stanley Expansion Capital.

Conference Call Details:
The Company will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, to discuss these results. The conference call will be webcast live and can be accessed by registering on the Events and Presentations portion of Neptune's Investor Relations website at www.investors.neptunewellness.com. The webcast will be archived for approximately 90 days.

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² Nielsen data from 13 weeks to 4/1/23

ADJUSTED EBITDA

Although the concept of Adjusted EBITDA is not a financial or accounting measure defined under US GAAP and it may not be comparable to other issuers, it is widely used by companies. Neptune obtains its Adjusted EBITDA measurement by adding to net loss, net finance costs (income) and depreciation and amortization, and income tax expense (recovery). Other items such as stock-based compensation, non-employee compensation related to warrants, litigation provisions, business acquisition and integration costs, signing bonuses, severances and related costs, impairment losses on non-financial assets, write-downs of non-financial assets, revaluations of derivatives, system migration, conversion and implementation, and other changes in fair values are also added back. The exclusion of net finance costs (income) eliminates the impact on earnings derived from non-operational activities. The exclusion of depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, non-employee compensation related to warrants, litigation provisions, impairment losses, write-downs revaluations of derivatives and other changes in fair values eliminates the non-cash impact, and the exclusion of acquisition costs, integration costs, signing bonuses, severance and related costs, costs. From time to time, the Company may exclude additional items if it believes doing so would result in a more effective analysis of underlying operating performance. Adjusting for these items does not imply they are non-recurring.

About Neptune Wellness Solutions Inc.

Neptune is a consumer-packaged goods company that aims to innovate health and wellness products. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Laval, Quebec, the Company focuses on developing a portfolio of high-quality, affordable consumer products that align with the latest market trends for natural, sustainable, plant-based and purpose-driven lifestyle brands. The Company's products are available in more than 27,000 retail locations and include well-known organic food and beverage brands such as Sprout Organics, Nosh, and Nurturme, as well as nutraceuticals brands like Biodroga and Forest Remedies. With its efficient and adaptable manufacturing and supply chain infrastructure, the Company can quickly respond to consumer demand, and introduce new products through retail partners and e-commerce channels. Please visit neptunewellness.com for more details.

Disclaimer – Safe Harbor Forward–Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates, and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements with respect to the ability to achieve cost savings and efficiencies and optimizing supply chains.

Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In U.S. dollars)

		As at		As at
		March 31, 2023		March 31, 2022
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$1,993,257		$8,726,341
Short-term investment		17,540		19,255
Trade and other receivables		7,507,333		7,599,584
Prepaid expenses		1,025,969		3,983,427
Inventories		13,006,074		17,059,406
Total current assets		23,550,173		37,388,013
Property, plant and equipment		1,403,264		21,448,123
Operating lease right-of-use assets		1,941,347		2,295,263
Intangible assets		1,607,089		21,655,035
Goodwill		2,426,385		22,168,288
Total assets		$30,928,258		$104,954,722
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Trade and other payables		$27,051,561		$22,700,849
Current portion of operating lease liabilities		339,620		641,698
Loans and borrowings		7,538,369		—
Deferred revenues		—		285,004
Provisions		2,948,340		1,118,613
Liability related to warrants		3,156,254		5,570,530
Total current liabilities		41,034,144		30,316,694
Operating lease liabilities		2,017,888		2,063,421
Loans and borrowings		15,412,895		11,648,320
Other liability		24,000		88,688
Total liabilities		58,488,927		44,117,123
Shareholders' Equity (Deficiency):
Share capital - without par value (11,996,387 shares issued and outstanding as of      March 31, 2023; 5,560,829  shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2022)		321,946,102		317,051,125
Warrants		6,155,323		6,079,890
Additional paid-in capital		58,138,914		55,980,367
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(14,538,830)		(7,814,163)
Deficit		(383,641,363)		(323,181,697)
Total equity (deficiency) attributable to equity holders of the Company		(11,939,854)		48,115,522
Non-controlling interest		(15,620,815)		12,722,077
Total shareholders' equity (deficiency)		(27,560,669)		60,837,599
Commitments and contingencies
Subsequent events
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity (deficiency)		$30,928,258		$104,954,722

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss
(In U.S. dollars)

			Years ended
			March 31, 2023		March 31, 2022
Revenue from sales, net of excise taxes      of $643,476 (2022 - $1,877,543)			$51,744,817		$47,695,828
Royalty revenues			818,584		1,019,861
Other revenues			51,937		81,435
Total revenues			52,615,338		48,797,124
Cost of sales other than impairment loss on inventories,      net of subsidies of nil (2022 - $924,644)			(49,591,156)		(52,561,404)
Impairment loss on inventories			(5,498,347)		(3,772,066)
Total Cost of sales			(55,089,503)		(56,333,470)
Gross profit (loss)			(2,474,165)		(7,536,346)
Research and development expenses			(484,224)		(880,151)
Selling, general and administrative expenses, net of subsidies      of nil (2022 - $99,840 )			(46,424,295)		(60,538,424)
Impairment loss related to intangible assets			(17,979,060)		(1,527,000)
Impairment loss related to property, plant and equipment			—		(14,765,582)
Impairment loss on assets held for sale			(15,346,119)		—
Impairment loss on right of use assets			(424,454)		—
Impairment loss related to goodwill			(19,542,436)		(3,288,847)
Net gain (loss) on sale of property, plant and equipment			(172,945)		6,469
Loss from operating activities			(102,847,698)		(88,529,881)
Finance income			1,445		7,123
Finance costs			(3,824,030)		(2,143,978)
Loss on issuance of derivatives			(3,156,569)		—
Foreign exchange gain (loss)			6,434,510		(685,708)
Change in revaluation of marketable securities			—		(107,203)
Gain on revaluation of derivatives			14,709,805		7,035,118
Loss on settlement of liability			(120,021)		—
			14,045,140		4,105,352
Loss before income taxes			(88,802,558)		(84,424,529)
Income tax recovery			—		—
Net loss			(88,802,558)		(84,424,529)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Net change in unrealized foreign currency gains (losses)      on translation of net investments in foreign operations      (tax effect of nil for all periods)			(6,724,667)		750,248
Total other comprehensive income (loss)			(6,724,667)		750,248
Total comprehensive loss			$(95,527,225)		$(83,674,281)
Net loss attributable to:
Equity holders of the Company			$(60,459,666)		$(74,971,745)
Non-controlling interest			(28,342,892)		(9,452,784)
Net loss			$(88,802,558)		$(84,424,529)
Total comprehensive loss attributable to:
Equity holders of the Company			$(67,184,333)		$(74,218,802)
Non-controlling interest			(28,342,892)		(9,455,479)
Total comprehensive loss			$(95,527,225)		$(83,674,281)
Basic loss per share attributable to:
Common Shareholders of the Company			$(5.12)		$(15.54)
Diluted loss per share attributable to:
Common Shareholders of the Company			$(5.12)		$(15.54)
Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares			11,812,337		4,824,336

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following table sets out selected consolidated financial information and are prepared in accordance with US GAAP.

		Three-month periods ended				Twelve-month periods ended
		March 31, 2023		March 31, 2022		March 31, 2023		March 31, 2022
				Recasted				Recasted
		$		$		$		$
Total revenues		12.147		11.532		52.615		48.797
Adjusted EBITDA^1		(12.963)		(12.762)		(39.660)		(53.258)
Net loss		(44.513)		(36.662)		(88.803)		(84.425)
Net loss attributable to equity holders of the      Company		(26.566)		(31.942)		(60.460)		(74.972)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest		(17.947)		(4.720)		(28.343)		(9.453)
Basic and diluted loss per share		(3.74)		(7.47)		(7.52)		(17.50)
Basic and diluted loss attributable      to common shareholders of the Company		(2.23)		(6.51)		(5.12)		(15.54)

		As at March 31, 2023		As at March 31, 2022		As at March 31, 2021
		$		$		$
Total assets		30.928		104.955		186.948
Working capital^2		(17.484)		7.071		54.718
Non-current financial liabilities		17.455		13.800		14.593
(Deficiency) equity attributable to equity holders of the Company		(11.940)		48.116		115.368
(Deficiency) equity attributable to non-controlling interest		(15.621)		12.722		22.178

¹  The Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. It is not a standard measure endorsed by US GAAP requirements. A reconciliation to the Company's net loss is presented below. In the quarter ended September 30, 2022, the Company recasted comparative Adjusted EBITDA to conform to its current definition. As a result, the following adjustments were removed in the current and comparative quarters: litigation provisions, business acquisition and integration costs, signing bonus, severance and related costs, and write-down of inventories and deposits.

² Working capital is calculated by subtracting current liabilities from current assets. Because there is no standard method endorsed by US GAAP, the results may not be comparable to similar measurements presented by other public companies. Current assets as at March 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were $23.550, $37.388 and $89.528 respectively, and current liabilities as at March 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were $41.034, $30.317 and $34.809 respectively.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES

The Company uses one adjusted financial measure, Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA") to assess its operating performance. This non-GAAP financial measure is presented in a consistent manner, unless otherwise disclosed. The Company uses this measure for the purposes of evaluating its historical and prospective financial performance, as well as its performance relative to competitors. The measure also helps the Company to plan and forecast for future periods as well as to make operational and strategic decisions. The Company believes that providing this information to investors, in addition to its GAAP financial statements, allows them to see the Company's results through the eyes of Management, and to better understand its historical and future financial performance. Neptune's method for calculating Adjusted EBITDA may differ from that used by other corporations.

A reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA is presented below.

ADJUSTED EBITDA

Although the concept of Adjusted EBITDA is not a financial or accounting measure defined under US GAAP and it may not be comparable to other issuers, it is widely used by companies. Neptune obtains its Adjusted EBITDA measurement by excluding from its net loss the following items: net finance costs (income), depreciation and amortization, and income tax expense (recovery). Other items such as equity classified stock-based compensation, non-employee compensation related to warrants, impairment losses on non-financial assets, revaluations of derivatives, costs related to conversion from IFRS to US GAAP and other changes in fair values are also added back to Neptune's net loss. The exclusion of net finance costs (income) eliminates the impact on earnings derived from non-operational activities. The exclusion of depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, non-employee compensation related to warrants, impairment losses, revaluations of derivatives and other changes in fair values eliminates the non-cash impact of such items, and the exclusion of costs related to conversion from IFRS to US GAAP, together with the other exclusions discussed above, present the results of the on-going business. From time to time, the Company may exclude additional items if it believes doing so would result in a more effective analysis of underlying operating performance. Adjusting for these items does not imply they are non-recurring. For purposes of this analysis, the Net finance costs (income) caption in the reconciliation below includes the impact of the revaluation of foreign exchange rates.

In the quarter ended September 30, 2022, the Company recast comparative Adjusted EBITDA to conform to the current definition. As a result, the following adjustments were removed in the current and comparative quarters: litigation provisions, business acquisition and integration costs, signing bonus, severance and related costs, D&O insurance and write-down of inventories and deposits.

Adjusted EBITDA¹ reconciliation, in millions of dollars

		Three-month periods ended				Twelve-month periods ended
		March 31, 2023		March 31, 2022		March 31, 2023		March 31, 2022
		0		Recasted				Recasted
Net loss for the year		$(44.513)		$(36.662)		$(88.803)		$(84.425)
Add (deduct):
Depreciation and amortization		0.843		1.656		3.234		6.791
Revaluation of derivatives		1.374		1.672		(14.710)		(7.035)
Net finance costs		1.166		1.266		3.823		2.823
Equity classified stock-based compensation		0.671		1.565		3.504		7.817
Non-employee compensation related to warrants		—		—		—		0.179
System migration, conversion, implementation		—		(0.001)		—		0.327
Impairment loss on long-lived assets		27.511		17.177		53.292		19.581
Costs related to conversion from IFRS to US GAAP		—		0.577		—		0.577
Change in revaluation of marketable securities		—		—		—		0.107
Income tax recovery		(0.015)		(0.012)		—		—
Adjusted EBITDA^1		$(12.963)		$(12.762)		$(39.660)		$(53.258)

¹ The Adjusted EBITDA is not a standard measure endorsed by US GAAP requirements. In the quarter ended September 30, 2022, the Company recasted comparative Adjusted EBITDA to conform to its current definition. As a result, the following adjustments were removed in the current and comparative quarters: litigation provisions, business acquisition and integration costs, signing bonus, severance and related costs, and write-down of inventories and deposits

SOURCE Neptune Wellness Solutions Inc.

Media Contacts: [email protected]; Investor Contacts: Valter Pinto, Managing Director, KCSA Strategic Communications, [email protected], 212.896.1254