Company Announces Intention to Explore Strategic Alternatives
Signs Term Sheet with Key Customer to Materially Expand Commercial Relationship
Expands Development Pipeline from 24 to 25 Active Projects as of Fiscal Second Quarter-end
Subsequently Transitioned Three Projects to Commercialization with FDA Approval in Fiscal Third Quarter, Expanding Commercial Products from 26 to 29 with 14 Customers
Fiscal Second Quarter Earnings Call Scheduled for March 17th, 2023 at 8:30 am Eastern Time

CHASKA, Minn., March 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. (“Lifecore” or the “Company”), a fully integrated contract development and manufacturing organization (“CDMO”), reported results for the fiscal 2023 second quarter ended November 27, 2022.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTENTION TO EXPLORE STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVES:

Concurrently with the issuance of this press release, Lifecore also announced its intention to explore the Company’s potential strategic alternatives to maximize value for stockholders, which may include an evaluation of a potential sale of the Company, potential debt or equity financing transactions, or other possible strategic transactions.

CEO COMMENTS:
James G. Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lifecore, commented, "We continue to make important progress toward unlocking the potential of Lifecore as a CDMO business and today announced that we intend to explore the Company’s strategic alternatives to maximize value for our stockholders.   Today, we also announced the entry into a term sheet with an existing customer that contemplates a meaningful expansion of our relationship with this customer and includes substantial up-front payments, demonstrating the quality of our development portfolio as well as the benefits of our significant capacity investment strategy we have executed over the past several years.    During the second quarter, our revenues and adjusted EBITDA were negatively impacted by timing differences resulting from delayed customer orders and postponed onboarding of new development projects.    Despite these issues and the near term challenges the Company faces with its current capital structure, we believe Lifecore remains an excellent business with attractive growth characteristics and a compelling development pipeline that we intend to convert into stockholder value."

LIFECORE FISCAL SECOND QUARTER 2023 BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS:
As previously reported, on December 13, 2021, the Company closed on the sale of its Curation Foods' fresh packaged salads and vegetables business (the “Eat Smart Disposition”), and as such, those results are reflected as discontinued operations in all periods presented within the Company’s financial statements reported herein. The operations associated with the Company's remaining Curation Foods assets are reflected as part of the Curation Foods segment in all periods presented within the Company’s financial statements reported herein.

• Consolidated revenues of $38.8 million, a decrease of (10.7)% year-over-year.
• Consolidated gross profit of $7.1 million, a decrease of $7.6 million, or 51.7% year-over-year, primarily due to a $5.0 million decline in the Lifecore segment due to decreased revenue and unfavorable sales mix, and a $2.6 million decline in Curation Foods due to the impact from lower sales volume in combination with higher fruit costs.
• Consolidated net loss from continuing operations of $12.4 million, which includes a non-cash intangibles impairment charge of $1.3 million related to the avocado products business and $4.1 million of restructuring and other non-recurring charges such as legal expenses, both net of tax.
• Consolidated adjusted EBITDA of $(0.4) million, compared to $8.2 million in the prior year period.
• Lifecore segment EBITDA of $3.0 million, compared to $9.1 million in the prior year period, reflecting timing of sales and unfavorable mix versus the prior year period.
  

CONSOLIDATED FISCAL SECOND QUARTER 2023 RESULTS:
Fiscal second quarter 2023 results compared to fiscal second quarter 2022 are as follows:

^{* See “Non-GAAP Financial Information” at the end of this release as to how the Company defines these non-GAAP financial measures and for a reconciliation thereof.}

Revenues decreased $4.7 million year-over-year, which was primarily a result of a $3.3 million decrease in Lifecore segment revenues.

Gross profit decreased $7.6 million year-over-year. Results were driven by a $5.0 million decrease in the Lifecore segment and a $2.6 million decrease in the Curation Foods segment.

Net loss from continuing operations decreased $16.7 million to a loss of $12.4 million for fiscal second quarter 2023, which includes a non-cash intangibles impairment charge of $1.3 million related to the avocado products business and $4.1 million of restructuring and non-recurring charges, net of taxes, related to consolidating and optimizing operations associated with Project SWIFT. This compares to net income of $4.2 million in the prior year period, which includes $1.3 million of restructuring and non-recurring charges, net of tax, related to consolidating and optimizing operations associated with Project SWIFT.

SEGMENT RESULTS:
Lifecore Segment:

Lifecore is the Company’s CDMO business focused on product development and manufacturing of sterile injectable products. Lifecore continues to expand its presence in the robust CDMO marketplace by utilizing its specialized capabilities to partner with and provide value-added services to biopharmaceutical and medical device companies. Lifecore continues to seek to drive growth with a focus on building its business development pipeline, maximizing capacity and advancing product commercialization for innovative new therapies that improve patients’ lives.

In the fiscal second quarter 2023, Lifecore realized total revenues of $21.7 million, representing a decline of (13.0)% as compared to the prior year period, primarily driven by a 25.0% decrease in its CDMO business, which was partially offset by a 57.9% increase in its Hyaluronic Acid (HA) raw material manufacturing (fermentation) business. The decrease in CDMO revenue was primarily due to a shift in the timing of shipments to customers, and lower development revenue associated with a delay in onboarding new customers. The increase in HA raw material manufacturing revenue was primarily due to a deviation in shipment timing in the prior year period, which was influenced by excess channel inventory as a result of the global pandemic’s negative impact on elective procedures.

Lifecore's development pipeline increased to 25 active development programs under contract as of the end of fiscal 2023 second quarter. These projects are delineated as follows: early phase or proof of concept (7), Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical development (9), and Phase 3 clinical development or scale-up/commercial validation activity (9). Lifecore currently manufactures 26 commercial products for 13 clients, which remains unchanged from fiscal first quarter 2023.

Curation Foods Segment:

Curation Foods is the Company’s natural food business consisting of avocado products, olive oil and vinegars. The Company continues to focus on divesting its remaining assets in support of its previously announced decision to focus the Company's Lifecore Biomedical segment. On December 13, 2021 the Company closed on the Eat Smart Disposition for $73.5 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments; those results have been reclassified as discontinued operations within the Company’s financial statements. On June 2, 2022 the Company sold its BreatheWay business for $3.2 million in cash. BreatheWay was previously represented as the "Technology" category within the Curation Foods segment and prior year's results will remain classified in continuing operations. Additionally, subsequent to fiscal second quarter end, on February 7, 2023, the Company sold its avocado products business for $17.5 million, subject to certain adjustments.

Curation Foods realized total revenues from continuing operations of $17.1 million for the fiscal second quarter, representing a decrease of 8.0% as compared to the prior year period. The decrease was primarily driven by a (12.4)% decline in sales from O Olive, and a (3.0)% decrease in Avocado Products sales, and a 100% decline in Technology revenue as a result of the sale of the BreatheWay business.

GOING CONCERN

As further described in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q the three months ended November 27, 2022 (the “Current 10-Q”), the Company has evaluated its financial condition, and, based on this evaluation, the Company has determined that the existence of certain conditions and events raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year following the date the Current 10-Q was filed. As a result of this determination, all outstanding borrowings under the Company’s existing credit agreements are classified as short term on the consolidated balance sheets as of November 27, 2022 and May 29, 2022 contained in this earnings release and in the Current 10-Q.

CASH FLOW & BALANCE SHEET
Cash used in operations was $4.5 million for the six-month period ended November 27, 2022 compared to $4.3 million of cash used in the prior year period. Cash provided by investing activities decreased $36.2 million versus the prior year period primarily due to the timing of asset sales. Capital expenditures were $6.2 million for the six-month period ended November 27, 2022 primarily focused on supporting Lifecore’s long-term growth initiatives. Cash provided by financing activities was $12.7 million for the six-month period ended November 27, 2022, driven by borrowings under the Company’s line of credit and the sale of common stock.

The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $6.8 million as of November 27, 2022. Total bank debt, net of cash, at fiscal 2023 second quarter end was $140.1 million, consisting of its line of credit and term debt, compared to $136.5 million at fiscal 2022 year end.

Subsequent to fiscal second quarter end, on January 9, 2023, the Company announced the closing of a $38.75 million private placement (“PIPE”) of newly designated Series A convertible preferred stock. Simultaneously, the Company also amended its credit agreements to provide for, among other things, relief from certain financial covenants at that time.

RESTATED FISCAL 2022 FORM 10-K/A, AND FISCAL 2023 FIRST QUARTER 10-Q/A FILINGS, FISCAL 2023 SECOND QUARTER FORM 10-Q
The Company filed its restated Fiscal 2022 Form 10-K/A and Fiscal 2023 First Quarter Form 10-Q/A with the SEC today. These restatements were related to certain non-cash impairment charges related to the Company’s Curation Foods business contained in the Company’s previously issued (i) audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended May 29, 2022 and (ii) unaudited consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended August 28, 2022. As previously announced, the Company sold its packaged salad and fresh vegetable business on December 13, 2021 and its avocado products business on February 7, 2023. The Company’s only remaining Curation Food’s asset is O Olive Oil & Vinegar.

WITHDRAWAL OF FISCAL 2023 GUIDANCE
Due to the Company's announcement of its intention to explore strategic alternatives, the Company is withdrawing its previously announced full year fiscal 2023 guidance.

CONFERENCE CALL
The live webcast can be accessed via Lifecore's website on the Investor Events & Presentations page. The webcast will be available for 30 days.

Date: Friday, March 17, 2023
Time: 8:30 a.m. Eastern time
Webcast link: http://ir.lifecore.com/events-presentations

To participate in the conference call via telephone, dial toll-free: (877) 407-3982 or (201) 493-6780. Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time so the operator can register your name and organization.

A replay of the call will be available through Friday, March 24, 2023 by calling toll-free: (844) 512-2921 or direct (412) 317-6671, and entering code 13737061.

About Lifecore Biomedical
Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. is a fully integrated contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that offers highly differentiated capabilities in the development, fill and finish of complex sterile injectable pharmaceutical products in syringes and vials. As a leading manufacturer of premium, injectable grade Hyaluronic Acid, Lifecore brings more than 40 years of expertise as a partner for global and emerging biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies across multiple therapeutic categories to bring their innovations to market. For more information about the Company, visit Lifecore’s website at www.lifecore.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Information
This press release contains non-GAAP financial information, including with respects to EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, Lifecore segment adjusted EBITDA, Curation Foods segment adjusted EBITDA, and Other segment adjusted EBITDA. The Company has included reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to their respective most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. See the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Information and Reconciliations” in this release for definitions of EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, Lifecore segment adjusted EBITDA, Curation Foods segment adjusted EBITDA, and Other segment adjusted EBITDA.

The Company has disclosed these non-GAAP financial measures to supplement its consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude/include certain items that are included in the Company’s results reported in accordance with GAAP. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful additional information to investors about trends in the Company’s operations and are useful for period-over-period comparisons. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the comparable GAAP measures. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not be the same as similar measures provided by other companies due to the potential differences in methods of calculation and items being excluded/included. These non-GAAP financial measures should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP.

Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and our future results that are subject to the safe harbor created under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other safe harbors under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Words such as “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “project”, “plan”, “intend”, “believe”, “may”, “might”, “will”, “should”, “can have”, “likely” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including such factors among others, as the outcome of any evaluation of the Company’s strategic alternatives or any discussions with any potential bidders related thereto, the Company’s ability to negotiate a favorable forbearance arrangement with the lenders, or at all, and the potential exercise by the lenders of their available remedies under our credit agreements, including the acceleration of all outstanding borrowings thereunder, the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern, the ability of the Company to conduct its strategic review process in a timely manner or at all, the Company’s ability to successfully complete the transition of the Company’s business and operations to focus on Lifecore, the timing and needs related to capital expenditures, the timing and expenses associated with operations, the ability to achieve acceptance of the Company’s new products in the market place, government regulations affecting our business, the timing of regulatory approvals, uncertainties related to COVID-19 and the impact of our responses to it, and the mix between domestic and international sales. For additional information about factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, please refer to our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors contained in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K/A. Forward-looking statements represent management’s current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements made by us to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

LIFECORE BIOMEDICAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except par value)

LIFECORE BIOMEDICAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

LIFECORE BIOMEDICAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited and in thousands)

LIFECORE BIOMEDICAL, INC.
SEGMENT RESULTS
(Unaudited and in thousands)

Non-GAAP Financial Information and Reconciliations

EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. We define EBITDA as earnings before interest, income tax expense (benefit), and depreciation and amortization. We define adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA before certain restructuring and other non-recurring charges. See “Non-GAAP Financial Information” above for further information regarding the Company’s use of non-GAAP financial measures.

(1)  During fiscal year 2020, the Company announced a restructuring plan to drive enhanced profitability, focus the business on its strategic assets, and redesign the organization to be the appropriate size to compete and thrive. This included a reduction-in-force, a reduction in leased office spaces, and the sale of non-strategic assets. Related to these continued activities, in the second quarter of fiscal year 2023, the Company incurred (1) $0.8 million of restructuring charges, primarily related to legal costs, and $3.3 million of certain non-recurring charges primarily related to consolidating and optimizing operations associated with Project SWIFT.

Investor Relations
Jeff Sonnek
(646) 277-1263
jeff.sonnek@icrinc.com