Astrotech Reports Fiscal Year 2017 Financial Results

Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC) reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2017.

Thomas B. Pickens III, Chairman and CEO of Astrotech Corporation, stated, “Fiscal 2017 was an extraordinary year in terms of product development at both 1^st Detect and Astral Images. At 1^st Detect, along with our partner, we delivered an instrument to the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA). By incorporating mass spectrometry (MS) into explosives trace detectors (ETDs), we expect to significantly reduce the number of false positives, as well as enable a more expansive library of compounds compared to the current generation of ETDs.

“1^st Detect also developed the BreathDetect 1000, an instrument that uses our core technology to analyze human breath in real time. In collaboration with UT Health San Antonio, we entered pre-clinical trials with cystic fibrosis patients, focusing on identifying hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). HAP is one of the biggest and most expensive problems in hospitals, with over 150,000 cases reported in the U.S. annually. In June, we announced successful preliminary results from these pre-clinical trials. We aim to reduce HAP diagnosis time from days to minutes.

“At Astral Images, we are positioned to lead the digital conversion from High Definition resolution (2K HD) to 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (4K HDR) for feature films, film-based television series, sporting events shot on film, film libraries, and archives. Astral offers content owners a significant value proposition by dramatically reducing the cost and time required to upgrade to the new 4K standard. Several major film studios have provided excellent feedback on our technology, and we expect 4K HDR conversions to accelerate in parallel with consumer demand for high-quality content as 4K HDR televisions become ubiquitous.”

Regarding Astrotech Corporation, in May, management announced that it engaged Chardan Capital Markets to explore strategic alternatives regarding 1^st Detect; these discussions are ongoing. From a financial perspective, gross profit more than doubled year-over-year. Combined with the effective corporate realignment and decreased operating expenses, the company’s fiscal 2017 bottom line improved $1.5 million compared to the previous year.

Mr. Pickens concluded, “Our technology continues to be validated by industry leaders. We are committed to innovation and, in particular, we are focused on furthering product development with the goal of expediting our time to market. Overall, we are excited about our ongoing improvements and opportunities in fiscal 2018.”

Fiscal Year Financial Highlights

Revenue, costs of goods sold, SG&A, and R&D are expected to continue to fluctuate based on the timing of contract revenue.

• Revenue was $2.3 million for the year ended June 30, 2017, reflecting 1^st Detect's income from research-based, fixed-price, government-related subcontracts. This is compared to $2.7 million for the year ended June 30, 2016, which included revenue of $0.2 million associated with revenue from a legacy business.
• Gross profit was $1.0 million for the year ended June 30, 2017, compared to $0.3 million for the year ended June 30, 2016, due to lower prototype costs.
• The July 2016 corporate realignment saved approximately $3.7 million for fiscal year 2017, $0.2 million better than originally anticipated.
• Loss from operations was $12.1 million for the year ended June 30, 2017, compared to $13.8 million for the year ended June 30, 2016, reflecting increased gross profit and reduced expenses.
• Cash and investments at June 30, 2017 were $15.1 million.
• Astrotech Corporation had no debt at June 30, 2017.

About Astrotech Corporation

Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC) is an innovative science and technology company that invents, acquires, and commercializes technological innovations sourced from research institutions, laboratories, universities, and internally, and then funds, manages, and builds proprietary, scalable start-up companies for profitable divestiture to market leaders to maximize shareholder value. Sourced from Oak Ridge Laboratory’s chemical analyzer research, 1^st Detect develops, manufactures, and sells chemical analyzers for use in the security, defense, healthcare, food and beverage, and environmental markets. Sourced from decades of image research from the laboratories of IBM and Kodak, Astral Images sells film-to-digital image enhancement, defect removal and color correction software, and post processing services providing economically feasible conversion of television and feature 35mm and 16mm films to the new 4K ultra-high definition (UHD), high-dynamic range (HDR) format necessary for the new generation of digital distribution. Sourced from NASA’s extensive microgravity research, Astrogenetix is applying a fast-track, on-orbit discovery platform using the International Space Station to develop vaccines and other therapeutics. Demonstrating its entrepreneurial strategy, Astrotech management sold its state-of-the-art satellite servicing operations to Lockheed Martin in August 2014. Astrotech has operations throughout Texas and is headquartered in Austin. For information, please visit www.astrotechcorp.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, trends, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from the forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to, whether we can successfully develop our proprietary technologies and whether the market will accept our products and services, as well as other risk factors and business considerations described in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings including the annual report on Form 10-K. Any forward-looking statements in this document should be evaluated in light of these important risk factors. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

ASTROTECH CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In thousands, except per share data)
			June 30,
			2017					2016
Revenue			$	2,328				$	2,671
Cost of revenue				1,293					2,332
Gross profit				1,035					339
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative				7,508					7,708
Research and development				5,587					6,469
Total operating expenses				13,095					14,177
Loss from operations				(12,060	)				(13,838	)
Interest and other income, net				306					379
Loss from operations before income taxes				(11,754	)				(13,459	)
Income tax (expense) benefit				(2	)				25
Net loss				(11,756	)				(13,434	)
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest				(174	)				(339	)
Net loss attributable to Astrotech Corporation			$	(11,582	)			$	(13,095	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted				20,418					20,388
Basic and diluted net loss per common share:
Net loss attributable to Astrotech Corporation			$	(0.57	)			$	(0.64	)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Available-for-sale securities
Net unrealized losses			$	(20	)			$	(92	)
Reclassification adjustment for realized losses included in net loss				60					14
Total comprehensive loss attributable to Astrotech Corporation			$	(11,542	)			$	(13,173	)

ASTROTECH CORPORATION
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share data)
			June 30,
			2017					2016
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents			$	2,184				$	4,399
Short-term investments				10,900					17,102
Accounts receivable				146					156
Costs and estimated revenues in excess of billings				—					451
Inventory:
Raw materials				109					327
Work-in-process				57					75
Finished goods				—					94
Prepaid expenses and other current assets				269					319
Total current assets				13,665					22,923
Property and equipment, net				3,180					3,392
Long-term investments				1,990					4,208
Total assets			$	18,835				$	30,523
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable			$	259				$	237
Payroll related accruals				907					1,000
Accrued and other liabilities				641					509
Income tax payable				2					—
Total current liabilities				1,809					1,800
Other liabilities				256					96
Total liabilities				2,065					1,896
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, no par value, convertible, 2,500,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding, at June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016				—					—
Common stock, no par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized; 22,512,544 and 21,811,153 shares issued at June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016, respectively; 20,571,403 and 20,627,511 shares outstanding at June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016, respectively				190,382					189,294
Treasury stock, 1,986,141 and 1,183,642 shares at cost at June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016, respectively				(4,121	)				(2,828	)
Additional paid-in capital				1,483					1,419
Accumulated deficit				(170,913	)				(159,117	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss				(61	)				(101	)
Equity attributable to stockholders of Astrotech Corporation				16,770					28,667
Noncontrolling interest				—					(40	)
Total stockholders’ equity				16,770					28,627
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity			$	18,835				$	30,523

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