Olink reports fourth quarter and full year 2023 financial results

UPPSALA, Sweden, March 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Olink Holding AB (publ) (“Olink”) (Nasdaq: OLK) today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023.

Highlights

  • Fourth quarter 2023 revenue totaled $68.6 million, representing year over year growth of 18% on a reported basis and 17% on a constant currency adjusted like-for-like basis
  • Full year revenue 2023 revenue totaled $169.6 million, achieving year over year growth of 21% on a reported basis and 21% on a constant currency adjusted like-for-like basis
  • Total Explore customer installations reached 107, with 20 installations during the fourth quarter
  • Total Signature Q100 placements reached 186, with 33 placements during the fourth quarter
  • Explore revenue of $50.6 million accounted for 74% of total fourth quarter revenue, with Explore Kit revenue totaling $30.8 million, or 61% of total Explore revenues
  • Fourth quarter kits revenue and analysis services revenue represented 58% and 34% of total revenue, respectively
  • Fourth quarter 2023 net loss was $(7.6) million, with adjusted EBITDA of $13.3 million; compared to fourth quarter 2022 net profit of $5.4 million and adjusted EBITDA of $14.9 million
  • Exited fourth quarter 2023 with a cash balance of $121 million.

On March 20, 2024, Thermo Fisher Scientific received clearance from the Swedish Inspectorate of Strategic Products with respect to the proposed transaction.  The parties continue to work cooperatively with the applicable regulators and continue to expect the offer to be completed by mid-2024.

Fourth quarter and full year financial results
Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $68.6 million, as compared to $57.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, growing 18% year over year and driven primarily by strength in our kit business. Reported full year 2023 revenue grew 21% to $169.6 million, as compared to $139.8 million for 2022.

Fourth quarter 2023 kits revenue of $39.7 million represented 58% of our total revenue, compared to 53% for the fourth quarter of 2022; and grew 30% year over year as a result of continued Explore and Target revenue growth in combination with the launch of Explore HT. Full year 2023 kits revenue grew 59%, totaling $87.5 million, versus $55.1 million during 2022.

Analysis services revenue for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $23.2 million, as compared to $23.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. Full year 2023 analysis service revenue totaled $66.0 million, versus $73.0 million for 2022, representing (10%) decrease. The decrease in revenue compared to prior year follows the externalization strategy to sales of Kits.

Other revenue was $5.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to $3.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. Other revenue growth was driven by Signature Q100 placements and other hardware revenue. Full year 2023 other revenue totaled $16.1 million, versus $11.7 million for 2022.

By geography, revenue during the fourth quarter of 2023 was $33.3 million in America, $27.6 million in EMEA (including Sweden), and $7.6 million in China and RoW (including Japan). By geography, revenue during the full year 2023 was $78.8 million in America, $69.1 million in EMEA (including Sweden), and $21.7 million in China and RoW (including Japan).

Reported gross profit was $48.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to $43.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Full year 2023 gross profit totaled $114.5 million, versus 94.5 million for 2022. Adjusted gross profit was $49.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to $44.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Full year 2023 adjusted gross profit totaled $118.3 million, versus $97.9 million for 2022

Reported gross profit margin for kits was 84% for the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to 87% for the fourth quarter of 2022. Adjusted gross profit margin for kits was 85% for the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to 88% for the fourth quarter of 2022. Full year 2023 adjusted gross profit margin for kits was 84%, versus 88% for 2022; and full year 2023 reported gross profit margin for kits was 83%, versus 87% for 2022.

Reported gross profit margin for analysis services was 59% as compared to 64% in the fourth quarter of 2022. Adjusted gross profit margin for analysis services was 62% for the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to 67% in the fourth quarter of 2022. Full year 2023 adjusted gross profit margin for analysis services was 61%, versus 60% for 2022; and full year 2023 reported gross profit margin for analysis services was 57%, versus 56% for 2022.

Reported and adjusted gross profit margin for All other segments was 27% for the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to 41% for the fourth quarter of 2022. Full year 2023 adjusted and reported gross profit margin for All other segment was 25%, versus 45% for 2022.

Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2023 were $55.0 million, as compared to $34.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase was largely due to continued investments in the business, and expenses related to the proposed acquisition of Olink by Thermo Fisher. Full year 2023 total operating expenses were $164.7 million, as compared to $125.1 million for 2022. The increase in full year 2023 was largely due to continued investment in Olink’s commercial organization and research and development. The increase is also related to the overall growth of the business and expenses related to the proposed acquisition.

Net loss was $(7.6) million for the fourth quarter of 2023 and adjusted EBITDA was $13.3 million, as compared to a net income of $5.4 million and adjusted EBITDA of $14.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2022. Full year 2023 net loss was $(31.6) million and adjusted EBITDA was $(5.8) million, versus a net loss of $(12.9) million and adjusted EBITDA of $(3.9) million for 2022.

Net loss per share for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $(0.06) based on a weighted average number of outstanding shares of 124,342,715 as compared to a net profit per share of $0.05 in the fourth quarter of 2022 based on a weighted average number of outstanding shares of 119,943,003. Full year 2023 net loss per share totaled $(0.25), versus $(0.11) per share in 2022.

Webcast and conference call
Due to the pending acquisition of Olink by Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Olink will not be hosting a conference call.

Statement regarding use of non IFRS financial measures
We present certain non-IFRS financial measures because they are used by our management to evaluate our operating performance and formulate business plans. We believe that the use of these non-IFRS measures facilitates investors’ assessment of our operating performance. We caution readers that amounts presented in accordance with our definitions of adjusted EBITDA, adjusted gross profit, adjusted gross profit margin, adjusted gross profit margin by segment, and constant currency revenue growth, may not be the same as similar measures used by other companies. Not all companies and Wall Street analysts calculate the non-IFRS measures we use in the same manner. We compensate for these limitations by reconciling each of these non-IFRS measures to the nearest IFRS performance measure, which should be considered when evaluating our performance. We encourage you to review our financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

We are not able to forecast constant currency revenue on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable efforts due to the high variability and difficulty in predicting foreign currency exchange rates and, as a result, are unable to provide a reconciliation to forecasted constant currency revenue.

Investor contact
David Deuchler, CFA
Gilmartin Group
olink@gilmartinir.com

Media contact
Michael B. Gonzales
VP Global Marketing
Mobile: +1 415 308 6467
michael.gonzales@olink.com

Forward-looking statements
This press release contains express or implied “forward-looking statements” as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. All statements contained in this release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the proposed acquisition of Olink by Thermo Fisher (the “Proposed Acquisition”), our Explore externalizations, our ability to develop, commercialize and achieve market acceptance of our current and planned products and services, our research and development efforts, and other matters regarding our business strategies, use of capital, results of operations and financial position, and plans and objectives for future operations. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties relating to: the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to develop new products and adapt to significant technological change; implementation of strategies for improving growth; general economic conditions and related uncertainties; dependence on customers’ capital spending policies and government funding policies; the effect of economic and political conditions and exchange rate fluctuations on international operations; use and protection of intellectual property; the effect of changes in governmental regulations; any natural disaster, public health crisis or other catastrophic event; and the effect of laws and regulations governing government contracts; the ability of the parties to satisfy the closing conditions of the Proposed Acquisition on a timely basis, if at all; the possibility of regulatory approvals required for the Proposed Acquisition not being timely obtained, if obtained at all, or being obtained subject to conditions; uncertainties as to how many of Olink’s shareholders will tender their shares in the offer; the possibility that competing offers will be made; the occurrence of events that may give rise to a right of one or both of Thermo Fisher and Olink to terminate the Purchase Agreement; negative effects of the announcement of the Proposed Acquisition on the market price of Olink’s common stock; prior to the completion of the Proposed Acquisition, Olink’s business experiencing disruptions due to uncertainty or other factors related to the Proposed Acquisition making it more difficult to maintain relationships with employees, customers, licensees, other business partners or governmental entities; difficulty retaining key employees; the outcome of any legal proceedings related to the Proposed Acquisition; and the parties being unable to successfully implement integration strategies or to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies within the expected timeframe for completing the Proposed Acquisition, or at all. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the words “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “seek,” “plan,” “outlook,” “objective,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “currently,” “ongoing” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors are described under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (Commission file number 001-40277) and elsewhere in the documents we file or furnish with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. We caution you that forward-looking statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known by us and our projections for the future, about which we cannot be certain. As a result, the forward-looking statements may not prove to be accurate. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent our views as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements for any reason, except as required by law.

About Olink
Olink Holding AB (Nasdaq: OLK) is a company dedicated to accelerating proteomics together with the scientific community, across multiple disease areas to enable new discoveries and improve the lives of patients. Olink provides a platform of products and services which are deployed across major biopharmaceutical companies and leading clinical and academic institutions to deepen the understanding of real-time human biology and drive 21st century healthcare through actionable and impactful science. The Company was founded in 2016 and is well established across Europe, North America, and Asia. Olink is headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden.

INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

    Three months ended
December 31

  Twelve months ended
December 31

 
Amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars unless otherwise stated   2023   2022   2023   2022  
Revenue   68,553   57,885   169,597   139,848  
Cost of revenue   (19,883 ) (14,760 ) (55,136 ) (45,349 )
Gross profit   48,670   43,125   114,461   94,499  
Selling expenses   (15,593 ) (13,379 ) (54,479 ) (44,673 )
Administrative expenses   (27,761 ) (13,882 ) (75,648 ) (54,274 )
Research and development expenses   (11,482 ) (6,584 ) (34,183 ) (26,345 )
Other operating income   1,079   1   2,243   4,464  
Other operating expense   (1,242 ) (1,103 ) (2,670 ) (4,273 )
Operating (loss)/income   (6,329 ) 8,178   (50,276 ) (30,602 )
Interest income   1,377   1,119   6,514   1,159  
Interest expense   (319 ) (124 ) (858 ) (531 )
Foreign exchange, net   (4,454 ) (2,847 ) 4,137   14,059  
Other finance income     508   578   508  
(Loss)/income before tax   (9,725 ) 6,834   (39,905 ) (15,407 )
Income tax benefit/(expense)   2,175   (1,404 ) 8,305   2,556  
Net (loss)/income for the period (Attributable to shareholders of the Parent)   (7,550 ) 5,430   (31,600 ) (12,851 )
Other comprehensive (loss)/income:          
Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss:          
Exchange differences from translation of foreign operations   34,569   23,772   16,293   (60,289 )
Other comprehensive (loss)/income for the period, net of tax   34,569   23,772   16,293   (60,289 )
Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the period, net of tax   27,019   29,202   (15,307 ) (73,140 )
Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the period (Attributable to shareholders of the Parent)   27,019   29,202   (15,307 ) (73,140 )
Basic and diluted (loss)/earnings per share   (0.06 ) 0.05   (0.25 ) (0.11 )
           

INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)

Amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars   December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
ASSETS      
Non-current assets      
Goodwill and Intangible assets   258,681   257,480  
Property, plant and equipment   30,039   15,056  
Right-of-use asset   26,987   9,891  
Deferred tax assets   21,285   10,846  
Other long-term receivables   1,794   571  
Total non-current assets   338,786   293,844  
Current assets      
Inventories   66,436   44,246  
Trade receivables   62,795   52,743  
Other receivables   3,443   2,562  
Prepaid expenses and accrued income   9,835   7,786  
Cash at bank and in hand   120,957   75,109  
Total current assets   263,466   182,446  
TOTAL ASSETS   602,252   476,290  
EQUITY      
Share capital   32,221   30,988  
Other contributed capital   620,219   514,133  
Reserves/(Deficit)   (42,294 ) (58,588 )
Accumulated Deficit   (107,448 ) (75,848 )
Total equity attributable to shareholders of the Parent   502,698   410,685  
LIABILITIES      
Non-current liabilities      
Lease liabilities   22,765   7,322  
Deferred tax liabilities   21,302   22,196  
Total non-current liabilities   44,067   29,518  
Current liabilities      
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings   4,024   2,113  
Accounts payable   18,758   6,885  
Current tax liabilities   1,320   1,389  
Other current liabilities   31,385   25,700  
Total current liabilities   55,487   36,086  
Total liabilities   99,554   65,605  
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES   602,252   476,290  


INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

    Twelve months ended
December 31

 
Amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars   2023   2022  
Operating activities      
Loss before tax   (39,905 ) (15,407 )
Adjustments reconciling loss before tax to operating cash flows:      
Depreciation and amortization   19,000   17,326  
Net finance income   (10,371 ) (15,164 )
Loss on sale of assets   159   465  
Share-based compensation expense   11,060   7,907  
Other   (515 ) 233  
Changes in working capital:      
(Increase) in inventories   (19,569 ) (18,934 )
(Increase) in accounts receivable   (7,791 ) (13,867 )
(Increase) in other current receivables   (3,126 ) (1,950 )
(Decrease)/Increase in trade payables   11,759   (751 )
Increase in other current liabilities   4,745   7,643  
Interest received   6,388   1,159  
Interest paid   (858 ) (531 )
Other finance income   578   508  
Tax paid/received   (1,538 ) 1,297  
Cash flow used in operating activities   (29,984 ) (30,066 )
Investing activities      
Purchase of intangible assets   (2,268 ) (1,378 )
Purchase of property, plant and equipment   (18,991 ) (7,173 )
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment   10    
Investments in other non-current financial assets   (1,376 ) (162 )
Repayment of other non-current financial assets   191    
Cash flow used in investing activities   (22,434 ) (8,713 )
Financing activities      
Proceeds from issue of share capital   100,260   24  
Share issue costs   (5,081 )  
Payment of principal portion of lease liability   (2,683 ) (2,908 )
Cash flow from/(used in) financing activities   92,496   (2,884 )
Net cash flow during the period   40,078   (41,663 )
Cash at bank and in hand at the beginning of the period   75,109   118,096  
Net foreign exchange difference   5,770   (1,324 )
Cash at bank and in hand at the end of the period   120,957   75,109  


Reconciliations of adjusted gross profit to gross profit, the most directly comparable IFRS measure, by segment (unaudited):

  Three months ended
December 31

  Twelve months ended
December 31

 
Amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars unless otherwise stated 2023   2022   2023   2022  
Kit        
Revenue 39,652   30,555   87,493   55,091  
Cost of revenue (6,258 ) (4,011 ) (14,946 ) (7,131 )
Gross profit 33,394   26,544   72,547   47,960  
Gross profit margin 84.2 % 86.9 % 82.9 % 87.1 %
Less:        
Depreciation charges 283   157   887   569  
Share-based compensation expenses 81   57   275   176  
Adjusted Gross Profit 33,758   26,758   73,709   48,705  
Adjusted Gross Profit % 85.1 % 87.6 % 84.2 % 88.4 %
         
Service        
Revenue 23,206   23,389   66,048   73,012  
Cost of revenue (9,459 ) (8,407 ) (28,191 ) (31,776 )
Gross profit 13,747   14,982   37,857   41,236  
Gross profit margin 59.2 % 64.1 % 57.3 % 56.5 %
Less:        
Depreciation charges 621   563   2,343   2,448  
Share-based compensation expenses 108   105   371   220  
Adjusted Gross Profit 14,476   15,650   40,571   43,904  
Adjusted Gross Profit % 62.4 % 66.9 % 61.4 % 60.1 %
         
All other segments        
Revenue 5,695   3,940   16,056   11,745  
Cost of revenue (4,166 ) (2,342 ) (11,999 ) (6,442 )
Gross profit 1,529   1,598   4,057   5,303  
Gross profit margin 26.8 % 40.6 % 25.3 % 45.2 %
Less:        
Depreciation charges        
Share-based compensation expenses        
Adjusted Gross Profit 1,529   1,598   4,057   5,303  
Adjusted Gross Profit % 26.8 % 40.6 % 25.3 % 45.2 %


Reconciliation of constant currency revenue growth to revenue growth as reported under IFRS, the most directly comparable IFRS measure (unaudited):

We use the non-IFRS measure of constant currency growth, which we define as our total revenue growth from one fiscal year to the next on a constant currency exchange rate basis. We measure our constant currency revenue growth by applying the current fiscal period’s average exchange rate to the prior year fiscal period.

  Three months ended
December 31

  Twelve months ended
December 31

 
Amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated 2023   2022   2023   2022  
Revenue 68,553   57,885   169,597   139,848  
Revenue growth (IFRS) 18 % 33 % 21 % 47 %
Foreign exchange impact 1 % (4 %) % (6)        %
Constant currency revenue growth 17 % 37 % 21 % 53 %


Reconciliation of consolidated adjusted gross profit to gross profit, the most directly comparable IFRS measure (unaudited):

  Three months ended
December 31

  Twelve months ended
December 31

 
Amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated 2023   2022   2023   2022  
Revenue 68,553   57,885   169,597   139,848  
Cost of revenue (19,883 ) (14,760 ) (55,136 ) (45,349 )
Gross Profit 48,670   43,125   114,461   94,499  
Gross Profit % 71.0 % 74.5 % 67.5 % 67.6 %
Less:        
Depreciation charges 904   720   3,230   3,017  
Share-based compensation expenses 189   162   646   396  
Adjusted Gross Profit 49,763   44,007   118,337   97,912  
Adjusted Gross Profit % 72.6 % 76.0 % 69.8 % 70.0 %


Reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to operating loss, the most directly comparable IFRS measure (unaudited):

  Three months ended
December 31

Twelve months ended
December 31

 
Amounts in thousands of U.S. Dollars 2023   2022 2023   2022  
Operating income/(loss) (6,329 ) 8,178 (50,277 ) (30,602 )
Add:        
Amortization 2,785   2,682 11,029   11,212  
Depreciation 2,344   1,610 7,971   6,114  
EBITDA (1,200 ) 12,470 (31,277 ) (13,276 )
Management Adjustments 11,559   298 14,432   1,288  
Share-based compensation expenses 2,918   2,084 11,060   8,047  
Adjusted EBITDA 13,277   14,852 (5,785 ) (3,941 )