Cibus Inc (CBUS) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Strategic Advances and Financial Insights

GuruFocus.com
03-21
  • Cash and Cash Equivalents: $14.4 million as of December 31, 2024.
  • R&D Expense: $12.4 million for Q4 2024, down from $14.2 million in the prior year.
  • SG&A Expenses: $6.8 million for Q4 2024, unchanged from the prior year.
  • Net Loss: $25.8 million for Q4 2024, compared to $277.2 million in the prior year, which included a $249 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge.
  • Net Proceeds from Offering: $21.6 million received in 2025.
  • Warning! GuruFocus has detected 7 Warning Signs with CBUS.

Release Date: March 20, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Cibus Inc (NASDAQ:CBUS) is making significant progress in its transformation from an agricultural trait development company to a commercial trait company, with a focus on gene-edited productivity traits.
  • The company's proprietary Rapid Trait Development System (RTDS) allows for precise gene editing, making traits indistinguishable from those developed via conventional breeding, which is advantageous from a regulatory perspective.
  • Cibus Inc (NASDAQ:CBUS) has established collaborations with major rice seed companies in North and Latin America, representing approximately 40% of accessible rice acres in these regions.
  • The company is seeing promising results from field trials, particularly in rice and canola, which are moving towards commercialization.
  • Cibus Inc (NASDAQ:CBUS) is well-positioned to benefit from favorable regulatory changes in the EU, which could expand the market for gene-edited products.

Negative Points

  • Cibus Inc (NASDAQ:CBUS) reported a net loss of $25.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, although this is an improvement from the previous year's loss.
  • The company is reliant on existing cash and cash equivalents to fund operations into the late third quarter of 2025, highlighting potential financial constraints.
  • There is uncertainty regarding the timing of commercialization for some of Cibus Inc (NASDAQ:CBUS)'s products, particularly in the EU market.
  • The company is still in the process of developing its Soybean platform, which is crucial for accessing a substantial market.
  • Cibus Inc (NASDAQ:CBUS) is facing challenges in achieving cost reductions, although some progress has been made in streamlining operations.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Could you explain what the recent EU decision means for Cibus in terms of milestones or timelines for commercial products in Europe? Also, how have changes in the regulatory landscape affected customer interest and potential revenue structures? A: The EU's progress on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) is crucial for Cibus. The EU Council's recent actions allow for the final adoption of the text approved by the parliament, which impacts trade and cultivation globally. This regulatory clarity accelerates customer programs and enhances the path to market for gene-edited products. Cibus' non-GMO, conventional-like approach aligns well with these regulatory changes, facilitating clearer paths through grain trade and customer engagement.

Q: How does the current draft of the EU law affect the patentability of genetic modifications, and what impact does this have on customer demand? A: The EU Council's stance on patenting emphasizes transparency, requiring seed companies to disclose patents behind their products. This strengthens intellectual property coverage, providing a robust framework for seed companies and enhancing customer confidence in adopting gene-edited traits.

Q: Given the progress on various traits and products, has the timing for commercialization changed from last quarter? A: The commercialization timelines remain on track. Field trials for the HT2 trait and advancements in Sclerotinia resistance are progressing well. The favorable European regulatory environment is encouraging customers to expedite market entry, particularly for Canola and Winter Oilseed Rape programs.

Q: Regarding the Sustainable Ingredients business, should we expect meaningful revenues in 2026 from bio-fragrance or partner-based projects? A: Cibus anticipates revenues from the bio-fragrance segment in 2026. Significant progress has been made in fermentation-based products, aligning with the demand from multinational CPG companies for sustainable ingredients. This development leverages Cibus' expertise in yeast genetics and fermentation.

Q: Are there any priority traits and crops that Cibus intends to focus on for commercialization? A: Cibus is prioritizing its 3-crop Biotrait platform, focusing on Rice, Canola, and Winter Oilseed Rape. The company is also advancing its Soybean platform, particularly targeting Sclerotinia tolerance and disease resistance, which traditional breeding and GMO methods have not effectively addressed.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

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