Technological watch

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PURE Bioscience, Inc. (SDC) antimicrobial, today reported financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended April 30, 2020 and the nine-month period ended the same date.

Q3: Summary of Results of Operations

• Revenues for the fiscal third quarter in 2020 increased 612% to $2,221,000, compared to revenues of $312,000 for the fiscal third quarter in 2019. The increase was attributable to increased sales across our distribution and end-user network servicing the food processing and transportation industry.
• Net income for the fiscal third quarter in 2020 was $473,000, compared to a net loss of ($1.9 million) for the fiscal third quarter in 2019. Net income, excluding share-based compensation, for the fiscal third quarter in 2020 was $519,000, compared to a net loss of ($1.7 million) for the fiscal third quarter in 2019.
• Net income per share was $0.01 for the fiscal third quarter in 2020, compared to a net loss of ($0.03) for the fiscal third quarter in 2019.
• Gross margin was 56% for the three months ended April 30, 2020, compared to 63% for the three months ended April 30, 2019. The decrease in gross margin percentage was primarily attributable to the sale of higher margin formulations and packaging configurations of our products during the three months ended April 30, 2019.

Nine Months: Summary of Results of Operations

• Revenues for the nine months ended April 30, 2020 increased 129% to $2,968,000, compared to revenues of $1,296,000 for the nine months ended April 30, 2019. The increase was attributable to increased sales across our distribution and end-user network servicing the food processing and transportation industry.
• Net loss for the nine months ended April 30, 2020 was ($1.3 million), compared to ($5.7 million) for the nine months ended April 30, 2019. Net loss, excluding share-based compensation, for the nine months ended April 30, 2020 was $725,000, compared to ($3.4 million) for the nine months ended April 30, 2019.
• Net loss per share was ($0.02) for the nine months ended April 30, 2020, compared to ($0.08) for the nine months ended April 30, 2019.
• Gross margin was 57% for the nine months ended April 30, 2020, compared to 63% for the nine months ended April 30, 2019. The decrease in gross margin percentage was primarily attributable to the sale of higher margin formulations and packaging configurations of our products during the nine months ended April 30, 2019.

Business Update

• PURE® Hard Surface
  • Food Processing and Manufacturing: PURE Hard Surface is now available for use in over a thousand protein, produce, bakery, and dairy facilities across the United States. By partnering with our distributors, who employ thousands of individuals, we have continued to expand the use and application of PURE Hard Surface to meet specific customer needs. Use of PURE Hard Surface has been adopted by multiple new food processors and current customers are expanding use to all their locations.
  • Transportation Sanitization: PURE’s Transport Sanitation Solution, designed to meet the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements, is now being used by three of the nation’s largest food transportation companies servicing restaurant chains, food processors and grocery store chains. In partnership with the industry leader, our efficacious application is being adopted across all transit channels as a sanitation solution for equipment, driver and passenger safety.
  • Using a newly-designed and implemented national distribution network, PURE has been able to showcase and promote adoption of PURE’s Transport Sanitation Solution across multiple channels, including prisons/jails, hospitality, education and more. This distribution team is national and will continue to provide PURE with trained sales professionals.

• PURE Control®
  • SmartWash® Boost: Travel delays and economic impacts related to COVID-19 have impacted final third-party validation of SmartWash® Boost. Nonetheless, SmartWash remains committed to bringing the revolutionary Boost product to market to treat pre-cut lettuce as a further intervention step to protect America’s food chain. A senior executive of Taylor Farms was recently quoted saying, “Clearly, there is a path forward for Boost to play an integral part in ensuring the safety of the United States produce supply.”
  • While five facilities are operating using PURE Control, the planned rollout at a multinational produce processor was slowed by the events of the first calendar quarter of 2020. All plans remain in place and are expected to move forward to additional locations for berry and tomato processing. The same multinational corporation adopted PURE’s Environmental Solution for all 21 of its locations, including corporate offices for facility and employee safety.
  • To date, work is ongoing with multiple additional processors for treatment of herbs, tomatoes, onions, broccoli, cabbage, berries, processed grapes, leafy greens and cut lettuce.

Tom Y. Lee, Chief Executive Officer, said that, “For the first time in the company’s history, PURE is profitable. During the third quarter, sales to our distribution network significantly increased due, in part, to our recently announced partnership with Packers Sanitation Services, Inc. (PSSI) and our alliances with Whiting Systems, Inc. and Marathon Group, LLC. We look forward to expanding our relationships with PSSI, Whiting and Marathon, all respective leaders in their industries with national and global reach.

“Due to increased and continued demand, we have expanded our production capacity. Our primary contract manufacturer has invested significant amounts to improve lead-times and volume, allowing us to manufacture bulk product in two Midwest locations with further expansion underway.

“With the achievement of profitability, I’m pleased to note that revenue for our fiscal fourth quarter is expected to meet or exceed our fiscal third quarter revenue.”

About PURE Bioscience, Inc.

PURE Bioscience, Inc. is focused on developing and commercializing our proprietary antimicrobial products primarily in the food safety arena. We provide solutions to combat the health and environmental challenges of pathogen and hygienic control. Our technology platform is based on patented, stabilized ionic silver, and our initial products contain silver dihydrogen citrate, better known as SDC. This is a broad-spectrum, non-toxic antimicrobial agent, which offers 24-hour residual protection and formulates well with other compounds. As a platform technology, SDC is distinguished from existing products in the marketplace because of its superior efficacy, reduced toxicity and mitigation of bacterial resistance. PURE is headquartered in Rancho Cucamonga, California (San Bernardino metropolitan area). Additional information on PURE is available at