MeaTech Reports Financial Results for Q1 2022 and Provides Business Update
The company continued to develop the technology, R&D and marketing infrastructure necessary to accelerate toward commercialization of cultured meat
Rehovot, Israel, May 31, 2022 –MeaTech 3D Ltd. (Nasdaq: MITC) (“MeaTech”) today reported its financial results for Q1 2022 and provided a business update. MeaTech is an international group of deep-tech food companies at the forefront of the cultured meat industry. MeaTech group uses science and technology to develop high-quality real meat products made from cells rather than farm-raised animals that are delicious, nutritious and safer than conventional meat.
Q1 2022 Financial Results Summary
- Research and development expenses totaled $2.1 million in the three months ending March 31, 2022, compared to $1.1 million in the same period in 2021. The 90% increase is mainly due to the addition of the company’s Belgian subsidiary and reflects MeaTech Group’s growing investment in research and development as it achieves its milestones and expands its cultured meat technology capabilities.
- General and administrative expenses totaled $2.1 million in the three months ending March 31, 2022, compared to $2.7 million in the same period in 2021. The 23% decrease is driven by lower share-based payment expenses, partially offset by higher D&O insurance expenses in the three months ending March 31, 2022.
- Marketing expenses totaled $1.1 million in the three months ending March 31, 2022, compared to $0.3 million in the same period in 2021. The 228% increase is mainly the result of share-based payment expenses of $0.5 million, and the company’s growing investment in marketing activities.
- Operating loss totaled $5.3 million in the three months ending March 31, 2022, compared to $4.2 million in the same period in 2021. The 26% increase in the operating loss reflects the growing investment of MeaTech Group in research and development as well as marketing activities.
- Total comprehensive loss totaled $5.7 million in the three months ending March 31, 2022, or 40 cents per ordinary share ($4.00 per ADS), compared to $4.4 million, or 40 cents per ordinary share ($4.00 per ADS), in the same period in 2021.
- Cash flow used in operating activities totaled $2.8 million in the three months ending March 31, 2022, compared to $1.2 million in the same period in 2021, reflecting a 137% increase, driven mainly by increased research and development expenditures of MeaTech Group.
- Cash flow used in investment activities totaled $1.0 million in the three months ending March 31, 2022, compared to $5.4 million in the same period in 2021, reflecting an 81% decrease. This resulted mainly from the $4.8 million cash component paid in the acquisition of Peace of Meat in Q1 2021.
- Cash flow from financing activities was $0.0 million in the three months ending March 31, 2022, compared to $28.2 million in the same period in 2021, during which the company completed its Nasdaq initial public offering.
- Cash and cash equivalents were $15.3 million on March 31, 2022, compared to $19.2 million at year-end 2021, a decrease of 20%. The decrease was mainly due to the company’s ongoing operations.
- Current assets decreased by 23% to $16.9 million on March 31, 2022 from $22.1 million at year-end 2021, as a result of its ongoing operations.
- Non-current assets increased by 25% to $23.2 million on March 31, 2022 from $18.5 million at year-end 2021, due mainly to a $4.1 million long-term lease asset of its new premises, offset by the recognition of a lease liability in the same amount in accordance with IFRS requirements.
- Total capital decreased 13% to $32.6 million on March 31, 2022, down from $37.6 million at year-end 2021. The decrease was mainly the result of ongoing operations.
Arik Kaufman, MeaTech’s Chief Executive Officer: “In just the first quarter of 2022, we have shown our rapid pace of progress toward commercialization. Our recent technological and scientific advancements and business activities have put us firmly on a path toward scaling our unique solution for the sustainable production of a wide variety of cultured meat products.“
Business highlights and developments during Q1 2022
-
- Promising results with muscle stem cell differentiation: In February, MeaTech announced the successful development of a novel technology process in which muscle cells are fused into significant muscle fibers that better resemble those in whole cuts of meat. Bovine stem cells were isolated, proliferated in the lab, and differentiated into matured muscle cells with improved muscle fiber density, thickness and length. Based on these improvements, MeaTech has filed a provisional patent application with the USPTO.
- New headquarters to widen R&D activity: In March, the company moved to new, more spacious headquarters with state-of-the-art laboratories in Rehovot, Israel, the epicenter of the country’s food-tech sector. The new space allows the company to enhance its cultured meat R&D and 3D bioprinting technology and continue growing the biology and engineering teams with a more expansive lab facility. The new headquarters also features a tasting kitchen.
- Promising results with muscle stem cell differentiation: In February, MeaTech announced the successful development of a novel technology process in which muscle cells are fused into significant muscle fibers that better resemble those in whole cuts of meat. Bovine stem cells were isolated, proliferated in the lab, and differentiated into matured muscle cells with improved muscle fiber density, thickness and length. Based on these improvements, MeaTech has filed a provisional patent application with the USPTO.
- Expansion of cultivated meat operation into the US to accelerate go-to-market strategy: In March 2022, MeaTech announced that it will be opening a US office. The new space will include activities in research and development, investor relations, and business development. MeaTech US will be another indication of the company’s rapid growth and scaling efforts.
- Peace of Meat pilot plant and R&D facility in Belgium: In March, MeaTech announced that its wholly owned Belgian subsidiary, Peace of Meat, will build an R&D facility and pilot plant in Belgium, with construction expected to commence in 2022. The new facility will expand and accelerate the MeaTech Group’s cultured avian technology and R&D capabilities and help propel the company’s market entry.
- First-of-its-kind tasting event with Israeli anchor investors: In March, MeaTech hosted a
tasting event at the company’s headquarters with its Israeli anchor investors, including prominent food industry investors. Guests toured the labs and R&D facilities, observed the company’s 3D printing capabilities, and tasted hybrid chicken nuggets made with plant protein combined with cultured chicken developed by Peace of Meat. - Breakthrough in 3D bioprinting capabilities: In May, MeaTech announced the development of a unique, multi-nozzle 3D bioprinting system for industrial scale production of complex cultured meat products without impacting cell viability. The company plans to offer the technology to third parties via a wholly owned private MeaTech subsidiary as an additional revenue stream and to accelerate commercialization.
- Strategic agreement between Peace of Meat and ENOUGH: In May, Peace of Meat signed a strategic agreement with ENOUGH, a leader in the field of mycoprotein, a fungi-based fermented food ingredient, to accelerate commercialization. This innovative initiative is expected to create game-changing hybrid alternative meat products that better resemble the flavor, aroma, texture, and even nutritional value of conventional meat.
- MeaTech joins the United Nations Global Compact: In May, the company joined the UN Global Compact initiative, committing to ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption and to act in support of UN goals and issues embodied in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Peace of Meat pilot plant and R&D facility in Belgium: In March, MeaTech announced that its wholly owned Belgian subsidiary, Peace of Meat, will build an R&D facility and pilot plant in Belgium, with construction expected to commence in 2022. The new facility will expand and accelerate the MeaTech Group’s cultured avian technology and R&D capabilities and help propel the company’s market entry.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Information on the Financial Position
|
|
As of March 31 |
|
|
As of March 31 |
|
|
As of December 31 |
|
|
|||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|||
|
|
USD thousands |
|
|
USD thousands |
|
|
USD thousands |
|
|
|||
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
15,257 |
|
|
|
35,971 |
|
|
|
19,176 |
|
|
Other investment |
|
|
151 |
|
|
|
144 |
|
|
|
154 |
|
|
Receivables and prepaid expenses |
|
|
1,513 |
|
|
|
391 |
|
|
|
2,782 |
|
|
Total current assets |
|
|
16,921 |
|
|
|
36,506 |
|
|
|
22,112 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted deposits |
|
|
415 |
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
405 |
|
|
Other investment |
|
|
1,333 |
|
|
|
1,259 |
|
|
|
1,355 |
|
|
Right-of-use asset |
|
|
4,050 |
|
|
|
294 |
|
|
|
407 |
|
|
Intangible assets |
|
|
13,196 |
|
|
|
9,805 |
|
|
|
13,453 |
|
|
Fixed assets, net |
|
|
4,183 |
|
|
|
1,797 |
|
|
|
2,922 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total non-current assets |
|
|
23,177 |
|
|
|
13,205 |
|
|
|
18,542 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets |
|
|
40,098 |
|
|
|
49,711 |
|
|
|
40,654 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade payables |
|
|
746 |
|
|
|
1,357 |
|
|
|
382 |
|
|
Other payables |
|
|
2,628 |
|
|
|
1,419 |
|
|
|
2,239 |
|
|
Current maturities of lease liabilities |
|
|
488 |
|
|
|
207 |
|
|
|
165 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
3,862 |
|
|
|
2,983 |
|
|
|
2,786 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term lease liabilities |
|
|
3,595 |
|
|
|
96 |
|
|
|
246 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total non-current liabilities |
|
|
3,595 |
|
|
|
96 |
|
|
|
246 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share capital and premium on shares |
|
|
70,059 |
|
|
|
67,243 |
|
|
|
69,610 |
|
|
Capital reserves |
|
|
4,026 |
|
|
|
2,004 |
|
|
|
3,708 |
|
|
Currency translation differences reserve |
|
|
515 |
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
1,275 |
|
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
(41,959 |
) |
|
|
(22,607 |
) |
|
|
(36,971 |
|
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Equity |
|
|
32,641 |
|
|
|
46,632 |
|
|
|
37,622 |
|
|
Total liabilities and Equity |
|
|
40,098 |
|
|
|
49,711 |
|
|
|
40,654 |
|
|
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Information on Comprehensive Income
|
|
3-month period ended March 31, |
|
|
3-month period ended March 31, |
|
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|||
|
|
2022 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2021 |
|
|||
|
|
USD thousands, except share data |
|
|
USD thousands, except share data |
|
|
USD thousands, except share data |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Research and development expenses |
|
|
2,142 |
|
|
|
1,126 |
|
|
|
7,594 |
|
Marketing expenses |
|
|
1,051 |
|
|
|
320 |
|
|
|
1,628 |
|
General and administrative expenses |
|
|
2,118 |
|
|
|
2,760 |
|
|
|
8,010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating loss |
|
|
5,311 |
|
|
|
4,206 |
|
|
|
17,232 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing expenses (income), net |
|
|
(323 |
) |
|
|
(548 |
) |
|
|
790 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss for the period |
|
|
4,988 |
|
|
|
3,658 |
|
|
|
18,022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Currency translation differences loss (income) that might be transferred to profit or loss over ILS |
|
|
515 |
|
|
|
551 |
|
|
|
(1,942 |
) |
Currency translation differences loss that might be transferred to profit or loss over EUR |
|
|
245 |
|
|
|
237 |
|
|
|
1,447 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive loss for the period |
|
|
5,748 |
|
|
|
4,446 |
|
|
|
17,527 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss per ordinary share, no par value (USD) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted loss per share (USD) |
|
|
0.040 |
|
|
|
0.040 |
|
|
|
0.155 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding – basic and diluted (shares) |
|
|
126,235,376 |
|
|
|
90,346,518 |
|
|
|
115,954,501 |
|
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Information on Changes in Equity (Deficit)
|
|
Share and capital premium |
|
|
Fair value of financial assets reserve |
|
|
Transactions with related parties reserve |
|
|
Currency translation differences reserve |
|
|
Share-based payments reserve |
|
|
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
Total |
|
|||||||
|
|
USD thousands |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2022 |
|
|
69,610 |
|
|
|
(334 |
) |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
1,275 |
|
|
|
4,028 |
|
|
|
(36,971 |
) |
|
|
37,622 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based payments |
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
714 |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
714 |
|
Exercise of options |
|
|
449 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(396 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
53 |
|
Other comprehensive (loss) |
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
(760 |
) |
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
(760 |
) |
Loss for the period |
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
(4,988 |
) |
|
|
(4,988 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of March 31, 2022 |
|
|
70,059 |
|
|
|
(334 |
) |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
515 |
|
|