Summary of Consolidated Financial Results for the First Nine Months of the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2020(PDF?506KB)

On February 5, 2020 Sysmex reported (Press release, Sysmex, FEB 5, 2020, View Source [SID1234553863])

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1. Results for the First Nine Months of the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2020

2. Dividend

3. Financial Forecast for the Year Ending March 31, 2020

4. Other Information

(1) Changes in significant consolidated subsidiaries (which resulted in changes in scope of consolidation):

(2) Changes in accounting policies and accounting estimates 1) Changes in accounting policies required by IFRS: Yes 2) Other changes in accounting policies: No 3) Changes in accounting estimates: No (3) Number of outstanding stock (common stock) 1) Number of outstanding stock at the end of each fiscal period (including treasury stock): 209,220,832 shares as of Dec. 31, 2019; 209,154,432 shares as of Mar. 31, 2019 2) Number of treasury stock at the end of each fiscal period: 446,532 shares as of Dec. 31, 2019; 446,168 shares as of Mar. 31, 2019 3) Average number of outstanding stock for each period (cumulative): 208,741,275 shares for the nine months ended Dec. 31, 2019 208,603,219 shares for the nine months ended Dec. 31, 2018 Note: Quarterly summaries of financial results are excluded from quarterly reviews. * Explanation regarding the appropriate use of financial forecast and other information 1. Basic earnings per share have been revised from the figures indicated in the consolidated financial forecast announced on November 6, 2019, in accordance with changes in the number of shares of outstanding stock and treasury stock. No other figures in the financial forecast have been revised. 2. The forecasts and future projections contained herein have been prepared on the basis of rational decisions given the information available as of the date of announcement of this document. These forecasts do not represent a commitment by the Company, and actual performance may differ substantially from forecasts for a variety of reasons. Please refer to "3) Consolidated financial forecast" within

"1. Qualitative information on quarterly financial results" on page 4 of the attachment to this document for cautionary statements concerning the conditions and performance forecasts that serve as the basis for these forecasts.

3. Supplementary financial materials (in Japanese and English) will be posted on the Sysmex website on Wednesday, February 5, 2020. - 1 - Content of Supplementary Materials 1. Qualitative information on quarterly financial results 2 1) Operating performance analysis 2 2) Financial conditions analysis 4 3) Consolidated financial forecast 4 2. Condensed quarterly consolidated financial statements and notes 5 1) Condensed quarterly consolidated statement of financial position 5 2) Condensed quarterly consolidated statement of income 7 3) Condensed quarterly consolidated statement of other comprehensive income 8 4) Condensed quarterly consolidated statement of changes in equity 9 5) Condensed quarterly consolidated statement of cash flows 11 6) Notes to the condensed quarterly consolidated financial statements 12 1. Notes related to the going concern assumption 12 2. Changes in accounting policies 12 3. Segment information 12 - 2 - 1.

Qualitative information on quarterly financial results 1) Operating performance analysis Future-related information contained in the text below is based on the judgement as of the end of the fiscal period under review. During the first nine months of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020, the Japanese economy was affected in the manufacturing sector by worsening earnings due to trade friction and other uncertainties in the international situation, and yen appreciation, as well as a downturn in business confidence.

However, the employment and income environments continued their modest recovery, and corporate investment remained firm as companies upgraded obsolete equipment and made streamlining and labor-saving investments against the backdrop of a labor shortage. Overseas, the economic outlook was characterized by a growing sense of caution, due to prolonged US–China trade friction, the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union and rising geopolitical tension in the Middle East. On the healthcare front, in Japan the medical and healthcare field faces growing demand due to an aging society and increasingly diverse health and medical needs.

The Japanese government is including the medical and healthcare industry in its growth strategies, which is expected to continue invigorating healthcare-related industries going forward. Looking overseas, the populations of developed countries are aging, while economic growth in emerging markets is causing healthcare demand to increase and prompting higher levels of healthcare quality and service enhancements. These trends are promoting efficient healthcare, with structural changes brought about by artificial intelligence, information and communications technology, and other breaking technologies.

Against this backdrop, we reported at the 12th Clinical Trials on Alzheimer’s disease (CTAD) conference in relation to a method of diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease using blood that we are developing in cooperation with Eisai Co., Ltd. At the CTAD, we demonstrated the possibility of understanding amyloid pathology in the brain from the amyloid beta (Aβ) in plasma measured using our protein measurement platform, the HISCL series of fully automated immunoassay analyzers.

This is expected to facilitate more patient treatment opportunities than methods currently used to understand amyloid pathology in the brain, such as amyloid PET and Aβ measurement using cerebrospinal fluid, as well as reducing the financial and physical burden on patients.

Sysmex and Eisai Co., Ltd will continue working to create new diagnostic technologies for the prevention and treatment of dementia. Meanwhile, in January 2020 health insurance coverage went into effect and we launched the ipsogen JAK2 DX reagent, a gene testing kit for blood cancers for which we had received manufacturing and marketing approval in December 2018.

This product is a gene testing kit that measures the JAK2V617F mutation* quantitatively, used in the diagnosis of certain hematopoietic tumors generally referred to as blood cancers, specifically polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). JAK2V617F mutation is frequently observed in patients with PV, ET, and PMF. No in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical device capable of measuring this mutation had existed in Japan. The introduction of an IVD medical device enabling doctors to make appropriate diagnoses based on international standards had long been awaited. By working to increase testing opportunities for patients and creating high-value testing and diagnosis technologies, going forward Sysmex aims to continue contributing to the development and advancement of personalized medicine. * JAK2V617F mutation: JAK2 refers to the tyrosine kinase JAK2 protein, which transduces the signals for regulating the growth and differentiation of blood cells. JAK2V617F indicates a mutation in which an amino acid (valine) at position 617 of JAK2 protein is replaced by phenylalanine.

In Japan, instrument and reagent sales increased, centered on the hematology and hemostasis fields. As a result, sales in Japan rise 6.8% year on year, to ¥33,995 million. Overseas, sales of reagents grew, mainly in the hematology, urinalysis and immunochemistry fields, while decreasing in the hemostasis field. Consequently, overseas sales for the Sysmex Group rose 4.3% year on year, to ¥184,167 million. The overseas sales ratio fell 0.3 percentage point, to 84.4%. As a result, during the first nine months of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020, the Group recorded consolidated net sales of ¥218,162 million, up 4.7% year on year. Operating profit declined 5.0%, to ¥40,420 million; profit before tax decreased 6.8%, to ¥37,224 million; and profit attributable to owners of the parent fell 8.3%, to ¥26,496 million. Performance by segment

(1) Japan In Japan, sales increased 9.0% year on year, to ¥36,695 million, benefiting from higher sales of instruments and reagents, mainly in the hematology and hemostasis fields. On the profit front, higher sales pushed up gross profit, but segment profit (operating profit) fell 5.9%, to ¥26,408 million, owing to higher SG&A and R&D expenses.

(2) Americas Instrument sales were down, mainly in the hemostasis field, but higher sales of instruments and reagents in the hematology field pushed up sales 3.0% year on year, to ¥47,014 million. On the profit front, increased sales boosted gross profit. Nevertheless, segment profit (operating profit) declined 33.7% year on year, to ¥1,667 million, as a result of rising SG&A expenses.

(3) EMEA Sales in the EMEA region expanded 2.5% year on year, to ¥58,193 million, helped by higher reagent sales, mainly in the hematology and hemostasis fields. On the profit front, higher sales leading to higher gross profit and a decrease in SG&A expenses pushed segment profit (operating profit) up 34.7% year on year, to ¥6,338 million.

(4) China In China, reagent sales decreased, mainly in the hemostasis field, and instrument sales fell in the hematology field. However, instrument sales in the hemostasis field grew, as did reagent sales in the hematology field. As a result, sales increased 3.3% year on year, to ¥56,532 million. On the profit front, SG&A expenses decreased, but a worsening cost of sales ratio caused gross profit to decline. Consequently, segment profit (operating profit) dropped 38.8%, to ¥4,275 million.

(5) Asia Pacific Instrument and reagent sales were up, mainly in the hematology field, leading to a 12.2% year on year rise in sales in the Asia Pacific region, to ¥19,727 million.

- 4 - On the profit front, despite worsening cost of sales ratio and higher SG&A expenses, higher sales led to a rise in gross profit and pushed segment profit (operating profit) up 34.0% year on year, to ¥3,079 million. 2) Financial conditions analysis

(1) Financial conditions As of December 31, 2019, total assets amounted to ¥374,368 million, up ¥27,593 million from March 31, 2019. As principal factors, property, plant and equipment increased ¥20,398 million, and inventories grew ¥11,178 million, while other short-term financial assets decreased ¥7,091 million. Meanwhile, total liabilities as of December 31, 2019, were ¥99,873 million, up ¥18,280 million from their level on March 31, 2019. Principal increases included a ¥17,083 million rise in lease liabilities (non-current) and a ¥5,542 million increase in lease liabilities (current), while accrued bonuses decreased ¥2,118 million.

Total equity came to ¥274,495 million, up ¥9,312 million from March 31, 2019. Among principal reasons, retained earnings rose ¥11,467 million, while other components of equity declined ¥2,492 million. Equity attributable to owners of the parent to total assets fell 3.1 percentage points, from 76.3% on March 31, 2019 to 73.2% on December 31, 2019.

(2) Cash flows As of December 31, 2019, cash and cash equivalents amounted to ¥48,695 million, down ¥2,366 million from March 31, 2019.

Cash flows from various activities during the first nine months of the fiscal year are described in more detail below. (Cash flows from operating activities) Net cash provided by operating activities was ¥35,155 million, up ¥6,062 million from the first nine months of the previous fiscal year. As principal factors, profit before tax provided ¥37,224 million (¥2,707 million less than in the corresponding period of the preceding year), depreciation and amortization provided ¥17,810 million (¥6,165 million more than in the corresponding period of the preceding year), an increase in inventories used ¥11,301 million (up ¥7,477 million), an increase in trade payables provided ¥2,998 million (¥1,477 million used in the corresponding period of the previous year), and a decrease in consumption taxes receivable provided ¥623 million (¥33 million used in the corresponding period of the previous year). (Cash flows from investing activities) Net cash used in investing activities was ¥17,994 million (decrease of ¥11,425 million).

Among major factors, purchase of property, plant and equipment used ¥10,123 million (decrease of ¥2,163 million), purchase of intangible assets used ¥9,633 million (up ¥2,976 million), purchase of investments in equity instruments used ¥3,522 million (up ¥1,507 million), and proceeds from withdrawal of time deposits provided ¥7,223 million (up ¥7,223 million). (Cash flows from financing activities) Net cash used in financing activities was ¥19,001 million (up ¥4,825 million). This was mainly due to dividends paid of ¥15,028 million (up ¥428 million), and repayment of lease liabilities, which used ¥4,177 million. 3) Consolidated financial forecast The Company maintains its consolidated financial forecasts, as announced on November 6, 2019. These forecasts are based on information available as of the date of this release. Actual results may differ materially from these forecast due to unforeseen factors and future events.

NCRI data shows increase in cancer research funding following five years of growth

On February 4, 2020 The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) reported that cancer research funding by NCRI partners has reached £700m for the first time, following five years of increased spending (Press release, NCRI, FEB 4, 2020, View Source [SID1234554062]).

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Analysis of the NCRI’s 18 partner organisations shows that cancer research funders in the UK have increased their collective spend, for the first time spending over £700m in the year 2018/19. This follows five years of spending increases and the highest level of funding since NCRI started collecting data in 2002.

This increase in funding was driven by a 9% increase in spend in Early Detection, Diagnosis and Prognosis research . Research into Treatment and Cancer Control, Survivorship, and Outcomes Research received less funding than in previous years.

The cancers that have some of the worst one- and five-year survival rates in the UK include stomach, oesophageal, lung, brain, liver and pancreatic cancers. Funding for each of these cancers has increased compared to the year 2017/18. Lung cancer now is second only to breast cancer in research spend.

Commenting on these findings, Dr Iain Frame, CEO of NCRI said:

"I am hugely encouraged to see that the trend for increasing cancer research spend continues. At NCRI we are excited about the increase in spend in Early Detection, Diagnosis and Prognosis research and we expect that our Screening, Prevention and Early Diagnosis Group will drive high quality research in this area.

Looking to the future we hope to see the work of the NCRI Living With and Beyond Cancer Group translate into more funding being available in this area, particularly in areas such as palliative and end of life care which currently receives very little funding.

We hope that our partners and the cancer research community can use these data to identify trends and gaps in funding across a range of research areas."

NCRI continues to work with funders of all cancer types to maximise the value and benefits of cancer research for patients and the public. NCRI involves patients, carers and others affected by cancer (also known as ‘consumers’) at all stages of its activities, including developing clinical trials and high-quality NCRI data studies.

Gilead Sciences Announces 8 Percent Increase In First Quarter 2020 Dividend

On February 4, 2020 Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) reported that the company’s Board of Directors has declared an increase of 8% in the company’s quarterly cash dividend, beginning in the first quarter of 2020 (Press release, Gilead Sciences, FEB 4, 2020, View Source [SID1234553893]). The increase will result in a quarterly dividend of $0.68 per share of common stock. The dividend is payable on March 30, 2020, to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 13, 2020. Future dividends will be subject to Board approval.

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QIAGEN reports results for fourth quarter and full-year 2019

On February 5, 2020 QIAGEN N.V. (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) reported results of operations for the fourth quarter and full-year 2019 (Press release, Qiagen, FEB 4, 2020, View Source [SID1234553871]).

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"QIAGEN’s performance for the fourth quarter and full-year 2019 delivered on the updated outlook we had set for sales growth, and exceeded the targets set for adjusted earnings," said Thierry Bernard, Interim CEO and Senior Vice President, Head of Molecular Diagnostics Business Area of QIAGEN.

"We continue to focus on attractive growth opportunities from the Life Sciences to Molecular Diagnostics and are determined to make QIAGEN a stronger and more differentiated leader. We have set balanced targets for 2020 that capitalize on growth opportunities in our Sample to Insight portfolio while acknowledging challenges, in particular the weakness in our China business that began in mid-2019 and expectations for a continued reduction in revenues from companion diagnostic co-development projects due to the 2019 changes in our next-generation sequencing strategy. While we are currently seeing an increase in global demand for instruments and consumables that can be used for infectious disease testing for the coronavirus, we remain cautious and have not included it in our outlook for 2020 given the uncertainties and disruptions to macro business trends in China at this time," Bernard said.
"We have reallocated resources to support business expansion, while also enabling us to set an outlook for adjusted earnings per share to grow at a significantly faster rate than sales growth. This is supported in particular by the decision to discontinue development of our own NGS instruments but also by the efficiency measures and resulting gains that were announced in 2019," said Roland Sackers, Chief Financial Officer of QIAGEN. "We are reaffirming our commitment to improving operating efficiencies and to maintaining disciplined capital allocation to support growth and increase returns."

Please refer to accompanying tables for reconciliation of reported to adjusted figures.
CER – Constant exchange rates. Tables may have rounding differences. CER sales results (Q4 2019: $417.9 million, FY 2019: $1.566 billion)
(1) Weighted number of diluted shares (Q4 2019: 231.3 million, Q4 2018: 232.4 million); (FY 2019: 232.4 million, FY 2018: 233.5 million).
Reported diluted EPS for FY 2019 based on basic shares of 226.8 million. Percentage changes are to prior-year periods.

(1) Includes companion diagnostic co-development sales (Q4 2019: $9 million, -55%, -54% CER, FY 2019: $42 million, -28%, -27% CER)
Tables may have rounding differences
(1) Asia-Pacific / Japan sales excluding China (Q4 2019: 0%, 0% CER and FY 2019: +2%, +4% CER)
Tables may have rounding differences. Percentage changes are to prior-year periods. Rest of world represented less than 1% of sales.

Fourth quarter 2019 results
Total net sales rose 3% to $413.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 from $403.2 million in the same period of 2018. Growth was 4% at constant exchange rates (CER) as currency movements against the U.S. dollar had a negative impact of one percentage point. The acquisition of N-of-One (acquired in January 2019) provided revenues of about $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Gains in consumables and related sales (+7% CER / 88% of sales) more than outweighed weaker instrument revenues (-16% CER / 12% of sales). Amid solid placements of the QIAsymphony and QIAstat-Dx systems, lower instrument revenues reflected a sharp decline in instrument sales of the GeneReader NGS System as well as a shift to reagent-rental agreements for which revenues are generated through consumables over the rental contract period. The Americas and Europe / Middle East / Africa regions grew at solid single-digit CER rates, while the Asia-Pacific / Japan region fell 4% CER due to an ongoing decline in China, mainly due to a slowdown in orders from distributors and the end of the China NGS joint venture, and weaker sales trends in Japan. Among the customer classes, Molecular Diagnostics (+3% CER / 48% of sales) was fueled by double-digit CER gains in consumables for use in universal NGS applications, along with solid gains in consumables used for Precision Medicine and companion diagnostics. Sales of the QuantiFERON-TB test rose 1% CER on a combined high-single-digit CER growth rate in the Americas and EMEA regions but lower sales in Asia, particularly due to China and Japan. Revenues from companion diagnostic co-development projects (-54% CER / $9 million) declined sharply as expected due to the decision to end companion diagnostic projects based on the GeneReader system in light of the new clinical NGS agreement with Illumina announced in October 2019. Sales in Life Sciences (+4% CER / 52% of sales) benefited from good CER gains in consumables and related revenues, in particular from the universal NGS portfolio, the QIAcube Connect instrument and QIAGEN Digital Insights as well as the Americas region, which more than offset lower instrument sales. Pharma (+5% CER / 19% of sales) was led by high-single-digit CER growth in the Americas and Asia-Pacific / Japan regions, while Academia / Applied Testing (+3% CER / 33% of sales) also showed solid growth trends in the Americas, in particular the U.S., against a softer performance in the EMEA region.

Operating income declined to $80.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 from $88.3 million in the same period of 2018. Results for the fourth quarter included pre-tax charges of $24.9 million related to the decision announced in October 2019 to discontinue NGS instrument development programs and prioritize resource allocation. Adjusted operating income – which excludes purchased intangibles amortization, long-lived asset impairments and other items such as business integration, acquisition-related costs, litigation costs and restructuring – rose 16% to $138.6 million (33.5% of sales) in the fourth quarter of 2019 from $119.4 million (29.6% of sales) in the 2018 period.

Net income was $44.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, or $0.19 per diluted share (based on 231.3 million diluted shares), compared to $60.9 million, or $0.26 per diluted share (based on 232.4 million diluted shares) in the same period of 2018. Adjusted net income rose to $110.1 million, or $0.48 per diluted share ($0.48 CER), from $93.7 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, in the prior-year quarter. Results for the fourth quarter of 2019 included an after-tax charge of $0.12 per share (based on 231.3 million diluted shares) for restructuring measures.
Full-year 2019 results
Total net sales grew 2% at actual rates to $1.526 billion in 2019 compared to $1.502 billion in 2018, and rose 4% CER as currency movements against the U.S. dollar had a negative impact of two percentage points. The acquisition of N-of-One provided revenues of about $5 million for full-year 2019.
Operating loss was $26.1 million in 2019 compared to operating income of $266.6 million in 2018. Results in 2019 included $301.8 million of pre-tax charges related to the decision to discontinue NGS instrument development programs and prioritize resources. Adjusted operating income – which excludes purchased intangibles amortization, long-lived asset impairments and other items such as business integration, acquisition-related costs, litigation costs and restructuring – rose 5% to $421.8 million (27.6% of sales) from $403.3 million (26.9% of sales) in 2018.
The net loss for 2019 was $41.5 million, or a net loss of $0.18 per share (based on 226.8 million basic shares) compared to net income for 2018 of $190.4 million, or $0.82 per diluted share (based on 233.5 million diluted shares). Adjusted net income for 2019 was $332.8 million, or $1.43 per diluted share ($1.46 CER), compared to $311.9 million, or $1.34 per diluted share, in 2018. Results for the 2019 period included an after-tax charge of $1.01 per share (based on 232.4 million diluted shares) for the restructuring measures.
Balance sheet and cash flows

At December 31, 2019, cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash were $629.4 million compared to $1.16 billion at December 31, 2018. Net cash provided by operating activities in 2019 was $330.8 million compared to $359.5 million in the year-ago period. Free cash flow was $212.9 million compared to $249.7 million, as purchases of Property, Plant and Equipment rose to $117.9 million (7.7% of sales) from $109.8 million (7.3% of sales) in 2018. Net cash used in investing activities was $222.3 million in 2019, including $125.0 million for the acquisition of digital PCR assets, compared to $211.4 million in 2018. Net cash used in financing activities was $639.1 million for 2019, which included $430.0 million for redemption of the 2019 convertible notes, $73.0 million in repayments during the fourth quarter for a tranche of the U.S. private placement and $74.4 million for share repurchases. This compares to net cash provided by financing activities of $360.4 million in 2018, which included $494.9 million from debt issuances during the year, partially offset by $104.7 million for share repurchase programs.
Sample to Insight portfolio update
QIAGEN is focused on growth opportunities for its Sample to Insight portfolio across the continuum of molecular testing from basic research to clinical healthcare. Among recent developments:

The QIAsymphony automation system surpassed 2,500 cumulative placements at the end of 2019, supporting solid single-digit CER growth in related consumables. QIAGEN is adding applications to this modular system, including a newly launched kit to automate microbiome sample preparation, further confirming QIAGEN’s leadership in sample technologies.

Automation of QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) on DiaSorin’s widely used LIAISON platforms gained U.S. regulatory approval in November 2019, and the two companies launched U.S. commercial activities for this new processing option.

QIAGEN’s next-generation sequencing (NGS) solutions continued to expand in 2019, with sales totaling over $180 million.

The QIAstat-Dx system is approaching 1,000 cumulative placements and reached $15 million of sales in 2019. The U.S. submission for regulatory approval of a new gastrointestinal panel was completed in late 2019, while a new meningitis panel remains on track for launch in Europe in the first half of 2020.

More than 660 placements of the QIAcube Connect low-throughput sample processing instrument were completed in 2019, primarily targeting Life Sciences customers. The new automation solution builds on over 8,000 placements of the first-generation QIAcube system. The QIAcube connect and QIAsymphony automation systems together provide a full range of options for sample processing.

The launch of QIAcuity, the new nanoplate-based digital PCR system, is on track for mid-2020. QIAGEN is developing this series of differentiated new platforms to make cost-efficient, highly versatile digital PCR technology available to Life Sciences laboratories worldwide.

In Precision Medicine, a new collaboration with Amgen was announced in January 2020 with the aim to develop tissue-based companion diagnostics for Amgen’s investigational new therapy in non-small cell lung cancer targeting KRAS G12C, a genetic mutation and common cause of cancer.

Late in the fourth quarter, QIAGEN completed the divestment of its NeXtal Biotechnologies line of structural biology products, which had sales of less than $5 million in 2019.
Measures to prioritize resource allocation implemented
QIAGEN implemented a set of initiatives announced in October 2019 as part of a new orientation for the NGS portfolio and measures to prioritize resource allocation. These steps include a new 15-year partnership with Illumina to broaden the global availability and use of NGS-based in vitro diagnostic (IVD) kits to deliver insights for clinical decision-making, including companion diagnostics for precision medicine. QIAGEN also announced in October that it was discontinuing development of new NGS instruments and implementing other measures, resulting in a pre-tax charge of $276.8 million in operating results (net loss of $0.89 per share) for the third quarter of 2019, and a pre-tax charge of $24.9 million in operating results (net loss of $0.12 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2019. QIAGEN currently anticipates additional pre-tax charges of about $20 million in the first half of 2020 from these measures.
Outlook
QIAGEN announced its outlook for full-year 2020, with net sales expected to grow about 3-4% CER and adjusted diluted EPS to be about $1.52-1.54 CER per share. The sales outlook takes into consideration overall growth in QIAGEN’s Sample to Insight portfolio, offset by significant headwinds from an anticipated double-digit CER decline in companion diagnostic co-development revenues due to the new orientation for QIAGEN’s NGS strategy announced in October 2019. The outlook also takes into consideration expectations for lower sales in China in the first half of 2020 mainly due to the slowdown in orders from distributors that began in mid-2019 and the end of the China NGS joint venture announced in 2019. It does not take into account any exceptional sales of products that can be used for testing related to efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak. This outlook also does not take into consideration any future acquisitions, including the potential acquisition of the remaining stake in NeuMoDx Molecular, Inc., for approximately $234 million through an option that expires in mid-2020.
Based on exchange rates as of January 31, 2020, currency movements against the U.S. dollar are expected to create an adverse impact of about one percentage point on net sales growth at actual rates for full-year 2020, and an adverse impact of $0.01 per share on adjusted EPS.

For the first quarter of 2020, net sales are expected to grow about 2-3% CER. Adjusted diluted EPS is expected to be $0.28-0.29 CER. Based on exchange rates as of January 31, 2020, currency movements against the U.S. dollar are expected to create an adverse impact of about 1-2 percentage points on net sales growth at actual rates, and an adverse impact of up to $0.01 per share on adjusted EPS.
Quarterly results presentation, conference call and webcast details
A presentation with additional information can be downloaded at View Source A conference call is planned for Wednesday February 5, 2020, at 15:00 Central European Time (CET) / 9:00 Eastern Standard Time (EST). A live webcast will be made available at this website, and a replay will also be made available after the event.
Use of adjusted results
QIAGEN reports adjusted results, as well as results on a constant exchange rate (CER) basis, and other non-U.S. GAAP figures (generally accepted accounting principles), to provide additional insight into its performance. These results include adjusted gross margin, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating income margin, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted tax rates and free cash flow. Adjusted results are non-GAAP financial measures that QIAGEN believes should be considered in addition to reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered as a substitute. Free cash flow is calculated by deducting capital expenditures for Property, Plant & Equipment from cash flow from operating activities. QIAGEN believes certain items should be excluded from adjusted results when they are outside of ongoing core operations, vary significantly from period to period, or affect the comparability of results with competitors and its own prior periods. Furthermore, QIAGEN uses non-GAAP and constant currency financial measures internally in planning, forecasting and reporting, as well as to measure and compensate employees. QIAGEN also uses adjusted results when comparing current performance to historical operating results, which have consistently been presented on an adjusted basis. Reconciliations are included in the tables accompanying this report.

Immutep to Present TACTI-002 Interim Data at German Cancer Congress

On February 4, 2020 Immutep Limited (ASX: IMM; NASDAQ: IMMP) ("Immutep" or "the Company"), a biotechnology company developing novel immunotherapy treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases, reported that more mature interim TACTI-002 clinical data will be presented at the 34th German Cancer Congress taking place in Berlin from 19th to 22nd February 2020 (Press release, Immutep, FEB 4, 2020, View Source [SID1234553867]).

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The data relates to use of the Company’s lead product candidate eftilagimod alpha ("efti" or "IMP321"), a soluble LAG-3 protein based on the LAG-3 immune control mechanism, as part of a combination treatment with pembrolizumab. It will be presented by TACTI-002 clinical trial Principal Investigator, Dr. Bernhard Doger of START Madrid, Spain on 19 February at 5 pm CEST. The abstract was submitted as a late-breaking abstract.

The presentation entitled, ‘Initial results from a Phase II study (TACTI-002) in metastatic non-small cell lung or head and neck carcinoma patients receiving eftilagimod alpha (soluble LAG-3 protein) and pembrolizumab’ will be contemporaneously released via an ASX announcement and made available on the Company’s website at the time of the congress on www.immutep.com/investors-media/presentations.html.

TACTI-002 is being conducted in collaboration with Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA (known as "MSD" outside the United States and Canada). It is evaluating the combination of efti with MSD’s KEYTRUDA (or pembrolizumab, an anti-PD-1 therapy) in up to 109 patients with second line HNSCC or NSCLC in first and second line.