Codexis Reports Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Record Quarterly Total Revenue, Product Revenue and Product Gross Margin
Reiterating Total Revenue Guidance of $98-103M; Raising Product Revenue Guidance to $63-66M

REDWOOD CITY Calif., Nov. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Codexis, Inc. (Nasdaq:CDXS), a leading enzyme engineering company enabling the promise of synthetic biology, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021 and provided a business update.

“Codexis delivered another quarter of exceptional strategic and operational performance,” said John Nicols, Codexis President and CEO. “Our Sustainable Manufacturing business demonstrated remarkable growth, as we significantly executed against the large enzyme orders we received from Pfizer to support its COVID-19 antiviral therapeutic candidate. Our capacity to fulfill this order in such a rapid timeframe highlights the strength of our supply chain and the value of our deep library of performance enzymes. Also in the third quarter, with Merck and Almelo, we established our first two multi-year agreements to extend our longstanding sitagliptin product business into its generic chapter. We also delivered strong results in the faster-to-market food sector, including enzyme sales for Tate & Lyle sweeteners and a milestone from Kalsec for their newest natural hop ingredient.

“In the Life Science Tools market, we are extremely pleased to have recorded our first sales of Codex® HiFi DNA Polymerase in the third quarter. We remain on track with our groundbreaking collaboration with Molecular Assemblies (MAI) for the commercialization of enzymatic DNA synthesis. Underscoring our enthusiasm for this disruptive approach, we recently made an additional investment in MAI alongside Casdin Capital enabled by our SynBio Innovation Accelerator. Our high-value Biotherapeutics pipeline is also advancing steadily, including the recent initiation of our Phase 1 clinical trial of CDX-7108, our program co-owned with Nestlé Health Science, for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Codexis remains on the cutting edge of synthetic biology’s evolution, leveraging the near-boundless potential of our enzymes to improve the health of people and the planet.”

Key Performance Indicators and Recent Business Highlights

  • Product revenues increased 242% to $28.7 million in Q3’21, primarily driven by the sale of a proprietary Codexis enzyme to manufacture Pfizer’s clinical-stage COVID antiviral therapeutic candidate.

  • Product gross margin increased to a record 76% in Q3’21, driven by a shift in the sales mix to higher margin products.

  • In the third quarter, Codexis had 19 customers who contributed over $100,000 in revenue, seven of which contributed over $1 million in revenue.

  • In the Sustainable Manufacturing market of the Performance Enzymes segment, in August Codexis received two new purchase orders for approximately $15.0 million for a proprietary Codexis enzyme to manufacture Pfizer’s clinical-stage COVID antiviral therapeutic candidate, PF-07321332. This followed a large order of $13.9 million for this enzyme that Codexis received in June. In aggregate, the orders the Company received in June and August total approximately $29.0 million.

    Codexis amended and extended its agreement with Merck to license and supply a proprietary enzyme used in the manufacturing process for sitagliptin, the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in Merck’s JANUVIA® and JANUMET®. The Company also recently announced a tri-party collaboration agreement with Almelo Private, Ltd., an Indian producer of APIs, and RC2 Pharma Connect, LLC, a U.S.-based leading pharmaceutical manufacturing representative, to license and manufacture Codexis’ proprietary enzyme for sitagliptin to be used in the manufacture of sitagliptin for the future generic market.

    Codexis announced an expanded, exclusive commercial supply agreement with Kalsec for a novel enzyme to sustainably produce their natural, clean-label hop ingredient. The Company also earned a milestone from Kalsec in the quarter for Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) self-affirmation of this enzyme.
  • In the Life Science Tools market within the Performance Enzymes segment Codexis recorded its first commercial sale of Codex® HiFi DNA polymerase in the third quarter. The Company expects to launch Codex® Reverse Transcriptase into sequencing applications in December.

    Enabled by the SynBio Innovation Accelerator, Codexis made an additional $7.0 million investment in Molecular Assemblies (MAI), alongside a $3.0 million investment by Casdin Capital in MAI.
  • In the Novel Biotherapeutics segment, Codexis’ pipeline includes 13 programs. The Company recently announced the initiation of a Phase 1 clinical trial of CDX-7108, which is co-owned with Nestlé Health Science, for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Third Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights

  • Total revenues for the third quarter 2021 were $36.8 million, an increase of 100% from $18.4 million in the third quarter 2020. On a segment basis, $32.6 million in revenue was from the Performance Enzymes segment and $4.2 million was from the Novel Biotherapeutics segment. Product revenues for the third quarter 2021 were $28.7 million compared to $8.4 million in the third quarter 2020; the increase was the result of higher sales of enzymes used to manufacture branded pharmaceutical products, primarily Pfizer. R&D revenues were $8.0 million compared to $10.0 million last year. The decrease was driven by lower R&D revenue from several large pharmaceutical companies and a shift towards more self-funded R&D programs.

  • Product gross margin for the third quarter 2021 was 76% compared to 57% in the third quarter 2020. The increase was driven by increased sales of higher margin products.

  • R&D expenses for the third quarter 2021 were $15.2 million compared to $12.0 million in the third quarter 2020. The increase was driven by higher compensation expenses driven primarily by higher headcount, cost of lab supplies and depreciation, partially offset by lower preclinical development and regulatory expenses.

  • Selling, General & Administrative expenses for the third quarter 2021 were $13.4 million, compared to $8.8 million in the third quarter 2020. The increase was the result of higher expenses for compensation, primarily driven by higher headcount, and higher legal fees.

  • Net income for the third quarter 2021 was $2.2 million, or $0.03 per share, compared to a net loss of $6.1 million, or $0.10 per share, for the third quarter 2020. As of September 30, 2021, the Company had $119.2 million in cash and cash equivalents.

Guidance

Codexis is updating its financial guidance issued on August 5, 2021, as follows:

  • FY 2021 total revenues continue to be expected in the range of $98 - $103 million

  • FY 2021 product revenues are now expected to be in the range of $63 - $66 million compared to $59 - $63 million previously

  • FY 2021 gross margin on product revenue is expected to be in the range of 68% to 71% compared to 65% to 68% previously

Conference Call and Webcast

Codexis will hold a conference call and webcast today beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET. A live webcast and slide presentation to accompany the conference call will be available on the Investor section of Company website. The conference call dial-in numbers are (866) 682-6100 for domestic callers and (862) 298-0702 for international callers, and the passcode is 13724176.

A recording of the call will be available for 48 hours beginning approximately two hours after the completion of the call by dialing 877-660-6853 for domestic callers or 201-612-7415 for international callers. Please use the passcode 13721066 to access the recording. A webcast replay will be available on the Investors section of www.codexis.com for 30 days, beginning approximately two hours after the completion of the call.

About Codexis

Codexis is a leading enzyme engineering company leveraging its proprietary CodeEvolver® platform to discover and develop novel, high performance enzymes and novel biotherapeutics. Codexis enzymes have applications in the sustainable manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, food, and industrial products; in the creation of the next generation of life science tools; and as gene therapy and biologic therapeutics. The Company’s unique performance enzymes drive improvements such as: reduced energy usage, waste generation and capital requirements; higher yields; higher fidelity diagnostics; and more efficacious therapeutics. Codexis enzymes enable the promise of synthetic biology to improve the health of people and the planet. For more information, visit www.codexis.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

To the extent that statements contained in this press release are not descriptions of historical facts regarding Codexis, they are forward-looking statements reflecting the current beliefs and expectations of management made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among others: Codexis’ guidance on 2021 total revenues, product revenues and gross margin; prospects for product revenue and product margin growth in Codexis’ Sustainable Manufacturing business; prospects for Codexis’ self-funded programs and Life Science Tools business and growth in its project pipeline and the anticipated initiation of a first clinical trial of CDX-7108. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond Codexis’ control and that could materially affect actual results. Factors that could materially affect actual results include, among others: Codexis’ dependence on its licensees and collaborators; Codexis’ dependence on a limited number of products and customers and potential adverse effects to Codexis’ business if its customers’ products are not received well in the markets. Additional information about factors that could materially affect actual results can be found in Codexis’ Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 1, 2021, and in Codexis’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 6, 2021, including under the caption “Risk Factors,” and in Codexis’ other periodic reports filed with the SEC. Codexis expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Investor Relations Contact:
Argot Partners
Stephanie Marks/Carrie McKim
(212) 600-1902
Codexis@argotpartners.com

Financial Tables to Follow

Codexis, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

  Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2021   2020   2021   2020
Revenues:              
Product revenue $ 28,731     $ 8,401     $ 53,674     $ 18,005  
Research and development revenue 8,038     9,984     26,579     30,018  
Total revenues 36,769     18,385     80,253     48,023  
Costs and operating expenses:              
Cost of product revenue 6,867     3,642     15,403     7,882  
Research and development 15,165     12,010     39,562     33,830  
Selling, general and administrative 13,407     8,797     37,600     26,307  
Total costs and operating expenses 35,439     24,449     92,565     68,019  
Income (loss) from operations 1,330     (6,064 )   (12,312 )   (19,996 )
Interest income 41     39     424     362  
Other income (expense), net 983     (50 )   920     (125 )
Income (loss) before income taxes 2,354     (6,075 )   (10,968 )   (19,759 )
Provision for income taxes 110     19     121     331  
Net income (loss) $ 2,244     $ (6,094 )   $ (11,089 )   $ (20,090 )
               
Net income (loss) per share, basic $ 0.03     $ (0.10 )   $ (0.17 )   $ (0.34 )
               
Net income (loss) per share, diluted $ 0.03     $ (0.10 )   $ (0.17 )   $ (0.34 )
               
Weighted average common stock shares used in computing net income (loss) per share, basic 64,628     59,061     64,452     58,984  
               
Weighted average common stock shares used in computing net income (loss) per share, diluted 67,741     59,061     64,452     58,984  

Codexis, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(In Thousands)

  September 30, 
2021
  December 31, 
2020
Assets      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 119,189     $ 149,117  
Restricted cash, current 581     638  
Investment in non-marketable debt security     1,000  
Financial assets:      
Accounts receivable 25,084     13,894  
Contract assets 12,701     4,526  
Unbilled receivables 10,760     10,942  
Total financial assets 48,545     29,362  
Less: allowances (74 )   (74 )
Total financial assets, net 48,471     29,288  
Inventories 1,084     964  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 4,787     3,416  
Total current assets 174,112     184,423  
Restricted cash 1,519     1,062  
Investment in non-marketable equity securities 12,763     1,450  
Right-of-use assets - Operating leases, net 19,478     21,382  
Right-of-use assets - Finance leases, net 43     119  
Property and equipment, net 16,124     9,675  
Goodwill 3,241     3,241  
Other non-current assets 271     294  
Total assets $ 227,551     $ 221,646  
       
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity      
Current liabilities:      
Accounts payable $ 3,281     $ 2,970  
Accrued compensation 9,041     7,288  
Other accrued liabilities 15,927     10,272  
Current portion of lease obligations - Operating leases 2,782     2,627  
Deferred revenue 2,449     1,824  
Total current liabilities 33,480     24,981  
Deferred revenue, net of current portion 3,747     2,967  
Long-term lease obligations - Operating leases 20,218     22,324  
Other long-term liabilities 1,051     1,271  
Total liabilities 58,496     51,543  
       
Stockholders' equity:      
Common stock 6     6  
Additional paid-in capital 546,557     536,516  
Accumulated deficit (377,508 )   (366,419 )
Total stockholders' equity 169,055     170,103  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 227,551     $ 221,646  

Codexis, Inc.
Segmented Information
(Unaudited)
(In Thousands)

  Three months ended September 30, 2021   Three months ended September 30, 2020
  Performance
Enzymes
  Novel
Biotherapeutics
  Total   Performance
Enzymes
  Novel
Biotherapeutics
  Total
Revenues:                      
Product revenue $ 28,731     $     $ 28,731     $ 8,401     $     $ 8,401  
Research and development revenue 3,853     4,185     8,038     4,604     5,380     9,984  
Total revenues 32,584     4,185     36,769     13,005     5,380     18,385  
Costs and operating expenses:                      
Cost of product revenue 6,867         6,867     3,642         3,642  
Research and development (1) 5,670     8,850     14,520     5,184     6,433     11,617  
Selling, general and administrative(1) 3,306     831     4,137     2,675     515     3,190  
Total segment costs and operating expenses 15,843     9,681     25,524     11,501     6,948     18,449  
Income (loss) from operations $ 16,741     $ (5,496 )   11,245     $ 1,504     $ (1,568 )   (64 )
Corporate costs (2)         (8,097 )           (5,483 )
Unallocated depreciation and amortization         (794 )           (528 )
Income (loss) before income taxes         $ 2,354             $ (6,075 )
                       

(1) Research and development expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses exclude depreciation and amortization of finance leases.
(2) Corporate costs include unallocated selling, general and administrative expense, interest income, and other income (expense), net.

  Nine months ended September 30, 2021   Nine months ended September 30, 2020
  Performance
Enzymes
  Novel
Biotherapeutics
  Total   Performance
Enzymes
  Novel
Biotherapeutics
  Total
Revenues:                      
Product revenue $ 53,674     $     $ 53,674     $ 18,005     $     $ 18,005  
Research and development revenue 14,723     11,856     26,579     13,380     16,638     30,018  
Total revenues 68,397     11,856     80,253     31,385     16,638     48,023  
Costs and operating expenses:                      
Cost of product revenue 15,403         15,403     7,882         7,882  
Research and development (1) 17,172     20,649     37,821     15,877     16,848     32,725  
Selling, general and administrative(1) 9,294     2,052     11,346     7,395     1,728     9,123  
Total segment costs and operating expenses 41,869     22,701     64,570     31,154     18,576     49,730  
Income (loss) from operations $ 26,528     $ (10,845 )   15,683     $ 231     $ (1,938 )   (1,707 )
Corporate costs (2)         (24,431 )           (16,526 )
Unallocated depreciation and amortization         (2,220 )           (1,526 )
Loss before income taxes         $ (10,968 )           $ (19,759 )
                       

(1) Research and development expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses exclude depreciation and amortization of finance leases.
(2) Corporate costs include unallocated selling, general and administrative expense, interest income, and other income (expense), net.


Primary Logo

Source: Codexis, Inc.