Since 2013, Selektope® has held a low production volume exemption in Japan. However, following the achievement of full approval under the CSCL, received on June 2, Selektope® will now be included in the CSCL registry as a Specified New Chemical Substance.The evaluation of Selektope® as a new chemical substance under the CSCL has entailed thorough risk assessments for humans and the environment to ensure safe use of the antifouling biocide. The aim of the CSCL approval of chemicals for use in Japan is to prevent environmental pollution caused by chemical substances that pose a risk of impairing human health and interfere with the inhabitation and growth of flora and fauna. Therefore, by achieving Selektope® approval by law, I-Tech has expanded global sales potential in Japan.

I-Tech’s revolutionary biotechnology, the barnacle-repelling active agent Selektope®, is an organic, non-metal ingredient for marine antifouling coatings that works to prevent barnacle fouling by temporarily activating the swimming behaviour of barnacle larvae, repelling them from the ship hull surface with non-fatal effect. Heavy barnacle fouling is particularly problematic for ships as it increases hydrodynamic drag, which increases fuel consumption and raises emissions of greenhouse gases and hazardous particles.Philip Chaabane, CEO, I-Tech AB, comments: “We welcome the upgraded approval of Selektope® under the Japanese CSCL which responds to the desire of our customers to further expand their business in Japan using our technology. Japan is an important market for I-Tech and the successes we have achieved so far clearly justify the investments made to achieve an upgraded regulatory position for Selektope® in that country.”

For more information, please contact:
Philip Chaabane, CEO
M: +46 073-910 37 08
E: philip.chaabane@i-tech.se

About I-Tech (publ)

I-Tech is a biotechnology company that has developed the product Selektope®, an active agent that prevents barnacle on submerged surfaces such as ships and boat hulls, but also other marine installations. By increasing the resistance to barnacle growth in marine paint systems (e.g antifouling coatings), fuel and maintenance costs are reduced. I-Tech has obtained the necessary regulatory approvals for Selektope® and has several of the world's largest manufacturers of marine antifouling coatings as customers. The company's share is listed for trading on Nasdaq First North in Stockholm with Erik Penser Bank as Certified Adviser, phone: +46 (0)8 463 83 00, email: certifiedadviser@penser.se. For more information visit our website www.i-tech.se.

About Selektope®

Selektope® introduces, for the first time, a pharmacological mode of action to combat barnacle settlement. By temporarily stimulating the octopamine receptor, the barnacle larvae’s swimming behavior is activated and the organisms are deterred from the hull. These ground-breaking discoveries enable unrivalled power at very low concentrations, yet within the limits of rigorous risk assessments. Selektope® is an organic, non-metal compound with efficacy proven at 0.1% w/w. For more information visit our website www.selektope.com

Redeye regards I-Tech as fairly valued on the back of a Q1-report somewhat weaker than we had expected. Following a strong run in the share, we believe the market has discounted mild Corona Virus effects, now trading above our current fair value. We remain positive to the company's progress, with largely unchanged estimates, implying a strong outlook for sales and earnings in the coming years.

Read more and download the research update: https://bit.ly/2zB9hKy

Start following companies at Redeye to receive the latest equity research within Life Science and Technology.

This is a press release from Redeye - Research Powered Investment Banking. https://www.redeye.se/about/

Summary of the period

”A strong quarter despite uncertain times”

• Net turnover for the period amounted to kSEK 13 525 (6 170), corresponding to an increase in turnover of 119% (62%). Operating profit/loss amounted to kSEK -984 (-4 435).

January to March 2020

• In March, the leading Norwegian paint manufacturer, Jotun, launched two new marine paints based on I-Tech’s proprietary antifouling active agent Selektope®.

• During March, Per Svensson was appointed Sales Director for I-Tech. Per comes most recently from Emerson Automation Solutions where he was Director of Global Sales and Aftermarket Marine Solutions.

• In the beginning of the year, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic led to a temporary production stop at shipyards, primarily in China, which are now back in production. Furthermore, restrictions have been introduced in India where I-Tech’s production and deliveries are based. The production stoppage at the shipyards occurred during a period of normal low demand for I-Tech’s products. So far, I-Tech has not been negatively affected besides an increase in delivery cost.

Important events after the period

• No important events have occurred after the period

Financial Summary

CEO comments

Although the first quarter was characterized by lockdowns in several key markets in Asia, we managed to increase our sales by 119 percent to SEK 13.5 million (6.2) compared with the corresponding quarter last year. The improvement is partly due to activities in key markets gaining momentum again in March, and partly because our customers expect relatively high activity in shipyards around Asia and the Middle East in the coming months. However, uncertainty about how the ongoing pandemic will develop and how it may affect the market for the rest of the year remain high. It is positive that the shipbuilding industry in China, Japan and Korea has returned to a fairly normal level of industrial activity, and that our largest customer, Chugoku Marine Paints, is optimistic and has managed to maintain production in important markets despite the circumstances. At the same time, from an operational perspective, it has been a turbulent time with, for example, the lockdown in India affecting our deliveries from sub-contractors. However, despite this, we managed to satisfy our customers’ demand and, although we experienced increased transportation costs, we managed to keep the gross margin up and on par with the same quarter last year. For the first quarter, the gross margin was 45% (44%) and operating activities again showed a positive EBITDA of SEK 1.0 (-2.3) million. The operating profit for the period was significantly improved and amounted to SEK -1.0 (-4.4) million, which means that we are approaching a positive operating profit in line with our plans.

Besides successfully navigating a challenging quarter, I am also very pleased that Jotun, the world’s leading marine paint manufacturer, announced during the period that the launch of two products containing Selektope®. With this launch, Jotun intends to offer the best possible protection against marine fouling on vessels with longer idle periods, especially during the outfitting period. The launch of the SeaQuantum Pro Ace and SeaForce Active Ace products means that Selektope® is used in two technology platforms at different cost levels, which opens up a wider customer base. The products will primarily be available in Korea and in China, where they are now being marketed. We hope to see rising demand as Jotun secures new business.

Three of the world’s largest paint companies have now officially launched Selektope®-containing products on the market. This contributes positively to our quarterly results. In addition, we have continued to supply an unnamed customer with approximately the same demand as in previous quarters. This means that we now have a good base on which to grow the business. The recruitment of our new sales director, Per Svensson, during the quarter will also help us to further develop our business and I-Tech’s commercial operations.

Although the year has started well financially, despite the challenges and concerns relating to COVID-19, the global pandemic continues to give rise to widespread uncertainty. As such, we are implementing some measures to mitigate potential downturns in the business climate. We have, for example, postponed non-businesscritical
investments and we are well on the way to securing our inventory to reduce the risk of supply interruptions due to further lockdowns.

Through establishing commercial relationships with four of the six largest paint manufacturers in the world, delivering a strong financial quarter and with sustained liquidity, I see good opportunities that we will navigate through the current situation in a good way and that we are well positioned when growth accelerates again.

Philip Chaabane, CEO
M: +46 73 910 37 08
E: philip.chaabane@i-tech.se

This information is information that I-Tech AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 08:30 CET on May 08, 2020

About I-Tech AB

 I-Tech is a biotechnology company that has developed the product Selektope®, an active agent that prevents barnacle attachment on submerged surfaces such as ships and boat hulls, but also other marine installations. By increasing the resistance to barnacle growth in marine paint systems (e.g. antifouling coatings), fuel and maintenance costs are reduced. I-Tech has obtained the necessary regulatory approvals for Selektope® and has several of the world's largest manufacturers of marine antifouling coatings as customers. The company's share is listed for trading on Nasdaq First North Growth Market in Stockholm with Erik Penser Bank as Certified Adviser, phone: +46 (0)8 463 83 00, email: certifiedadviser@penser.se. For more information visit our website www.i-tech.se.

About Selektope®

Selektope® introduces, for the first time, a pharmacological mode of action to combat barnacle settlement. By temporarily stimulating the octopamine receptor, the barnacle larvae’s swimming behavior is activated and the organisms are deterred from the hull. These ground-breaking discoveries enable unrivalled power at very low concentrations, yet within the limits of rigorous risk assessments. Selektope® is an organic, non-metal compound with efficacy proven at 0.1% w/w. For more information visit our website www.selektope.com.

I-Tech AB (publ) has published its Annual Report for 2019.

For additional information, please contact:
Philip Chaabane, CEO
M: +46 073-910 37 08
E: philip.chaabane@i-tech.se