MBLX-YE.2014-8K


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) March 19, 2015
 
METABOLIX, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
DELAWARE
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
 
001-33133
 
04-3158289
(Commission File Number)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
21 Erie Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts
 
02139
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
(617) 583-1700
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
 
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2. below):
 
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))






TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
EXHIBIT 99.1






Item 2.02 Results Of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
On March 19, 2015, Metabolix, Inc. issued a press release announcing the financial results for its year ended December 31, 2014. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. This information, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d) Exhibits.
 
Exhibit
 
 
No.
 
Description
99.1

 
Press Release dated March 19, 2015.

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
METABOLIX, INC.
 
 
 
Date: March 19, 2015
By:
/s/ Joseph Shaulson
 
 
Joseph Shaulson
 
 
President & Chief Executive Officer






INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
Exhibit
 
 
No.
 
Description
99.1

 
Press Release dated March 19, 2015.



exhibit991



Metabolix Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2014 Financial Results

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - March 19, 2015 - Metabolix, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBLX), an advanced biomaterials company focused on sustainable solutions for the plastics industry, today reported financial results for the three months and full year ended December 31, 2014.
“In 2014 we began implementing a plan to reshape Metabolix into a specialty biopolymers company,” said Joe Shaulson, president and CEO of Metabolix. “We focused our strategy on commercializing our PHA biopolymers as performance additives in high value applications. We also restructured our U.S. organization, sold our German operations and raised $25 million in a private placement to fund core biopolymer operations as well as an increase in production capacity. Together, these actions leave us well positioned to continue executing our strategy and advancing our biopolymers business in 2015.
“We continue to work closely with customers in our target application spaces, where we believe our PHA biopolymer materials can deliver significant value. Customers are progressing through product testing and validation and are evaluating our Mirel® biopolymers as performance additives for PVC and PLA, as well as in a range of applications requiring functional biodegradation. We are working hard to drive customer evaluations to successful conclusion in 2015.
“We recently announced a global, exclusive technology and commercial alliance with Honeywell to offer new marine biodegradable PHA biopolymers for use in cosmetics and personal care products. Honeywell selected our PHA biopolymers because they are a biobased, marine biodegradable alternative to synthetic plastic microbeads, with the potential to address emerging developments in the regulatory environment for personal care ingredients. We look forward to working with Honeywell to introduce new personal care products based on our biopolymers that will be marketed under Honeywell’s Asensa® brand.
“In late 2014, we decided to significantly increase our pilot production capacity for Mirel® PHA biopolymers. The expansion of capacity within the existing footprint of our contracted recovery facility is well underway. Once these facility modifications are complete, we will begin ramping production to our expanded nameplate capacity of 50,000 pounds per month. And, as we’ve noted previously, we will continue to evaluate and develop production expansion options for our business as we bring on commercial scale customers for our PHA biopolymers,” said Shaulson.


FULL YEAR AND FOURTH QUARTER 2014 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
Metabolix is managed with an emphasis on cash flow and deploys its financial resources in a disciplined manner to achieve its key strategic objectives. The Company ended 2014 with $20.0



million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents. The Company’s net cash used in operating activities during 2014 was $24.2 million, which was a decrease of $2.4 million from the $26.6 million used for operating activities during 2013.
The Company’s present capital resources are not sufficient to fund its planned operations for a twelve month period and, therefore, raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company expects that reductions in cash usage in 2015 due to the discontinuation of its German operations, the restructuring of its U.S. organization and other cost-containment measures will be largely offset by increased biopolymer production costs. As a result, Metabolix anticipates cash usage during 2015 of approximately $23.0 million, including approximately $1.0 million in capital costs related to the expansion of pilot manufacturing capacity and assuming continued funding of the Company’s crop science program for the full year. While the Company was successful in raising $25.0 million during the third quarter of 2014, the Company will require additional funding during 2015 to continue its operations and support its capital needs. The timing, structure and vehicles for obtaining future financing are under consideration, but there can be no assurance that future financing efforts will be successful. The Company intends to use the proceeds of any future financings to continue developing its specialty biopolymers business as the foundation for longer range commercial scale plans and the future growth of its business.


Continuing Operations:

For 2014, the Company reported a net loss from continuing operations of $26.8 million, or $0.44 per share, as compared to net loss from continuing operations of $28.5 million, or $0.83 per share, for 2013.
Total revenue from continuing operations for the full year 2014 was $2.8 million, compared to $3.8 million recorded in the prior year. Product revenue was $0.5 million in each of 2014 and 2013. Cost of product revenue for the full year 2014 was $1.5 million, compared to $1.9 million in the prior year. The decrease in cost of product revenue is due primarily to lower inventory logistics costs.
Research and development expenses for continuing operations were $17.3 million in 2014, compared to $18.8 million for 2013. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $10.8 million and $11.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The Company’s net cash used in operating activities for continuing operations during the full year 2014 and 2013 was unchanged at $23.7 million.
The Company reported a net loss from continuing operations of $5.8 million, or $0.05 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to a net loss of $8.0 million, or $0.23 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2013.
Total revenue in the fourth quarter of 2014 was $0.9 million, compared to $0.7 million for the comparable quarter in 2013. The fourth quarter revenue consisted primarily of revenue from government grants, with $0.1 million in product revenue recognized during the fourth quarter of both 2014 and 2013.
In the fourth quarter of 2014, research and development expenses were $4.1 million, and selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $2.5 million. This compares to $4.6 million of research and development expenses and $3.4 million of selling, general and administrative expenses in the fourth quarter of 2013.



Discontinued Operations:

In October 2014, in connection with the continuing shift in the Company’s focus to commercializing performance additive solutions based on PHA biopolymers, the Company discontinued the operations of its wholly-owned German subsidiary, Metabolix GmbH, and sold substantially all of the assets of that subsidiary. The Company recorded a loss from discontinued operations of $2.8 million for the full year 2014, compared to $2.0 million for 2013. Certain assets of Metabolix GmbH have been classified on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013, as held for sale. The net cash used by discontinued operations during the full year 2014 was $0.6 million. The cash usage is lower than the loss from discontinued operations of $2.8 million primarily due to non-cash adjustments for the write down of assets held for sale of $0.9 million and an additional $1.3 million reduction of inventory from sales recognized in the period.

Restructuring:

In October 2014, the Company implemented a restructuring of its U.S. organization to reflect its more narrow strategic focus on PHA biopolymers and to modify staffing to a level necessary to support successful implementation of its current business strategy. The scope of the restructuring also reflects the Company’s decision to suspend work on its chemicals program. The Company recorded restructuring charges of $0.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2014 related to post-employment benefits associated with these actions.
Conference Call Information
Metabolix management will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. (ET) to discuss fourth quarter results. The Company also will provide an update on the business and answer questions from the analyst community. A live webcast of the call with slides can be accessed through the Company’s website at http://www.metabolix.com in the investor relations section. To participate in the call, dial toll-free 877-709-8150 or 201-689-8354 (international).
To listen to a telephonic replay of the conference call, dial toll-free 877-660-6853 or 201-612-7415 (international) and enter pass code 13600162. The replay will be available beginning at 7:30 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, March 19, 2015 and will last through 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, April 2, 2015. In addition, the webcast will be archived on the Company’s website in the investor relations section.
About Metabolix
Metabolix, Inc. is an innovation-driven specialty materials company focused on delivering high- performance biopolymer solutions to customers in the plastics industry. Metabolix’s Mirel® biopolymers, which are derived from renewable resources, are a family of biobased performance additives and specialty resins based on PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates). Metabolix's proprietary biotechnology platform enables the creation of specialty biopolymers for use in a broad range of applications such as construction and packaging materials, as well as industrial, consumer and personal care products.

For more information, please visit www.metabolix.com. (MBLX-E)



Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The forward-looking statements in this release do not constitute guarantees of future performance. Investors are cautioned that statements in this press release which are not strictly historical, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s business plans and strategies; expectations for pilot and commercial scale PHA biopolymer manufacturing; expected market demand and commercialization plans for the Company’s PHA biopolymer products; expected future financial results and cash requirements; plans for obtaining additional funding; plans and expectations that depend on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern; and expectations for future research, product development and collaborations constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including the risks and uncertainties detailed in Metabolix's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed on March 28, 2014. Metabolix assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this press release or with respect to the announcements described herein.

Metabolix Inquiries:
Lynne H. Brum, (617) 682-4693, LBrum@metabolix.com

(FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW)




METABOLIX, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
UNAUDITED
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product revenue
 
 
$
118

 
$
57

 
$
546

 
$
461

Grant revenue
 
 
506

 
609

 
1,807

 
2,480

Research and development revenue
 

 

 

 
618

License fee and royalty revenue
 
232

 
80

 
447

 
219

 
Total revenue
 
856

 
746

 
2,800

 
3,778

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of product revenue
 
110

 
664

 
1,482

 
1,908

Research and development expenses
 
4,062

 
4,603

 
17,342

 
18,802

Selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
2,536

 
3,438

 
10,805

 
11,608

 
Total costs and expenses
 
(6,708
)
 
8,705

 
29,629

 
32,318

 
Loss from continuing operations
 
(5,852
)
 
(7,959
)
 
(26,829
)
 
(28,540
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense), net
 
45

 
(8
)
 
61

 
(4
)
 
Net loss from continuing operations
 
(5,807
)
 
(7,967
)
 
(26,768
)
 
(28,544
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discontinued operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss from discontinued operations
 
(448
)
 
(660
)
 
(1,878
)
 
(1,962
)
 
Loss from write down of assets held for sale
3

 

 
(888
)
 

 
Total loss from discontinued operations
 
(445
)
 
(660
)
 
(2,766
)
 
(1,962
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Loss
 
 
$
(6,252
)
 
$
(8,627
)
 
$
(29,534
)
 
$
(30,506
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted net loss per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss from continuing operations
 
$
(0.05
)
 
$
(0.23
)
 
$
(0.44
)
 
$
(0.83
)
 
Net loss from discontinued operations
 

 
(0.02
)
 
(0.04
)
 
(0.05
)
 
Net loss per share
 
$
(0.05
)
 
$
(0.25
)
 
$
(0.48
)
 
$
(0.88
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of shares used in per share calculations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic & Diluted
 
118,869,232

 
34,578,636

 
61,455,063

 
34,471,301





METABOLIX, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
UNAUDITED
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2,014
 
2,013
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
 
$
20,046

 
$
19,209

 
Inventory
 
586

 
1,921

 
Other current assets
 
1,333

 
1,948

 
Assets of disposal group classified as held for sale
 

 
2,153

 
Restricted cash
 
619

 
619

 
Property and equipment, net
 
456

 
793

 
Other assets
 
95

 
95

 
Total assets
 
$
23,135

 
$
26,738

 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
$
4,042

 
$
5,471

 
Short-term deferred revenue
 
147

 
669

 
Current portion of deferred rent
 

 
55

 
Other long-term liabilities
 
150

 
145

 
Total liabilities
 
4,339

 
6,340

 
Total stockholders' equity
 
18,796

 
20,398

 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
23,135

 
$
26,738





METABOLIX, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
UNAUDITED
(in thousands)
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
(29,534
)
 
$
(30,506
)
 
$
3,630

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss from discontinued operations
 
(2,766
)
 
(1,962
)
 
(326
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
(26,768
)
 
(28,544
)
 
3,956

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash used in operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
507

 
928

 
1,298

Charge for 401(k) company common stock match
 
374

 
397

 
408

Stock-based compensation
 
2,276

 
3,122

 
3,779

Inventory impairment
 
873

 
746

 
138

Gain on sale of property and equipment
 
(43
)
 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Inventory
 
462

 
(516
)
 
(2,288
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
(1,424
)
 
729

 
687

Deferred rent and other long-term liabilities
 
(50
)
 
(151
)
 
(154
)
Deferred revenue
 
(522
)
 
(398
)
 
(37,791
)
Other operating assets and liabilities
 
624

 
30

 
(417
)
Net cash used by continuing operations for operating activities
 
(23,691
)
 
(23,657
)
 
(30,384
)
        Net cash used by discontinued operations for operating activities
 
(553
)
 
(2,991
)
 
(1,352
)
        Net cash used in operating activities
 
(24,244
)
 
(26,648
)
 
(31,736
)
Cash flows from investing activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchase of property and equipment
 
(172
)
 
(373
)
 
(392
)
Proceeds from sale of equipment
 
43

 

 
12

Change in restricted cash
 

 
(25
)
 
28

Purchase of short-term investments
 
(1,508
)
 
(16,635
)
 
(58,933
)
Proceeds from the sale and maturity of short-term investments
 
13,017

 
36,821

 
84,303

Net cash provided by investing activities
 
11,380

 
19,788

 
25,018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from options exercised
 
300

 
14

 
19

Proceeds from private placement offering, net of issuance costs
 
24,914

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities
 
25,214

 
14

 
19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
(2
)
 
(28
)
 
(6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
12,348

 
(6,874
)
 
(6,705
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
7,698

 
14,572

 
21,277

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
20,046

 
$
7,698

 
$
14,572