Vita 34 : improves total operating revenue, profitability, and dividend

Vita 34 AG improvestotal operating revenue, profitability, and dividend

- Vita 34 improves total operating revenue by about 22 percent to EUR 18.5 million compared to previous year

- Clearly increased profitability: EBITDA margin of 27.5 percent

- Earnings per share improved by roughly 81 percent to EUR 0.67

- Dividend improves by roughly 7 percent to EUR 0.16

Leipzig, March 30, 2016 -Vita 34 AG (WKN A0BL84), the largest private stem cell bank in the German-speaking countries continues previous year's success story. The financial figures published today confirm the company's positive development during the business year 2015, which was characterized by the consistent implementation of the planned buy and build strategy. With altogether four takeovers, Vita 34 has clearly strengthened its position as the second largest private cord blood bank in Europe and expanded its international presence to 22 countries. At the same time, Vita 34 succeeded in continuing its profitable growth rate. The total operating revenue in the business year 2015 improved to EUR 18.5 million and was thus 22.1 percent above previous year's value of EUR 15.2 million. Sales revenues increased to from EUR 13.8 million in 2014 to EUR 14.2 million in 2015.

The results of operations were marked by a series of special effects, in particular by the evaluation of the taken over storage contracts and the primary consolidation of the acquired companies. The earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) therefore improved from EUR 2.8 million in 2014 to EUR 3.9 million in the reporting period. That corresponds to an EBITDA margin of 27.5 percent compared to previous year's 20.1 percent. The earnings before interest and taxes, (EBIT) of EUR 1.6 million were on previous year's level (2014: EUR 1.7 million). The profit result for the business year 2015 increased to EUR 1.7 million from EUR 1.0 million in the previous year. The earnings per share increased by 81.1 percent to EUR 0.67 (2014: EUR 0.37).

The balance sheet total at the closing date amounts to EUR 43.8 million (previous year: EUR 37.1 million). The equity ratio dropped from 59.8 percent to 54.3 percent, mainly due to the consolidation of liabilities of the new participations and an increase in interest-bearing loans.

In the fiscal year 2015, Vita 34 has acquired the assets of Vivocell Biosolutions, the Austrian market leader in the storage of umbilical cord blood. In addition, Vita 34 has taken over the shares in the longtime Serbian partner Bio Save and the Lithuanian AS 'Imunolita'. By taking over the Danish StemCare ApS, Vita 34 is also present in the Scandinavian countries with their high birth rates. The new product 'VitaPlusCord' was accepted very well on the market. The opportunity of combining the storage of umbilical cord blood and tissue and the stem cell units of the taken over companies elevate the number of storages to altogether 145,000 stem cell units, influencing the turnover development accordingly.

Given the positive, development, Dr. André Gerth, CEO of Vita 34 AG, appears very pleased: 'In the reporting period, we implemented our strategy successfully and reached important milestones with a total of four takeovers. Enhancing our product and service range and continuing the international expansion into promising growth markets will be our focus in 2016 as well.' Already in the first quarter 2016, Vita 34 has made new partners in Dubai and the Lebanon. Currently, Vita 34 plans to expand its business activities to Albania.

Vita 34 has identified the introduction of new services and products as a decisive growth factor. By means of the collection of stem cells from various tissues and their safe storage and use for cell therapies, Vita 34 is further going to strengthen its position as a leading stem cell bank. 'Through our own research and development activities, we pursue the goal of expanding our value-added chain by developing and introducing new products for pharmaceutical manufacture and supporting therapies based on stem cells', adds Dr. André Gerth.

In view of the current business year, Dr. André Gerth explains: '2016 will be characterized by the further expansion of our position on the market. This includes in particular measures to integrate the acquired companies into the Group as well as initiating measures to increase efficiency. We are absolutely convinced that these future investments will pay and our growth strategy is the right way towards a long-term positive business development.'

The management expects the solid increase in turnover in the current business year to continue. Non-recurrent expenses to integrate and restructure the companies acquired in 2015 will burden the EBITDA in 2016. Therefore, the management expects an EBITDA margin of 8 to 12 percent for the current business year. The future use of synergies with the acquired companies will increase profitability considerably as of 2017.

Key Financial Figures 2015:

The complete annual report for 2015 is available for download on the internet at www.vita34group.de in the Investor Relations section.

Company profile

Vita 34 was founded in 1997 as the first private umbilical cord blood bank in Europe and, as a complete provider, offers collection logistics, preparation and storage of umbilical cord blood and tissue. The basis for its successful work is an outstanding position in the technological segment of cryo-preservation. Here, cells and tissue are preserved alive at some -190ºC for long periods of time, and can be used if needed in the context of medical treatment. More than 145,000 families are already taking advantage of this offering and have provided for their children with a stem cell unit at Vita 34.

VITA 34 AG issued this content on 30 March 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 30 March 2016 05:12:05 UTC

Original Document: http://ir.vita34.de/websites/vita34/English/3210/corporate-news.html?newsID=1546639