Irwin Naturals Reports Q2 2023 Financial Results

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Irwin Naturals Inc. (CSE: IWIN) (OTC: IWINF) (FRA: 97X) ("Irwin" or the "Company") reported its financial results for its second quarter of fiscal 2023, the period ended June 30, 2023, on www.sedar.com.

Financial Highlights for Q2 2023

• Q2 revenue was $22.1 million, up 1.5% from $21.8 million in Q2 2022.
• Income from operations decreased $2.4 million from $0.5 million in Q2 2022 to a loss of $1.9 million in Q2 2023. The decrease is primarily attributed to the continued startup costs related to the Company's 2022 and 2023 Acquisitions at Irwin Naturals Emergence.

Financial Highlights for Year to Date June 30, 2023

• Completed the acquisition of Serenity Health, LLC, one of the leading ketamine clinics in Louisville, KY on February 17, 2023.
• Announced the successful acquisition of Keta Media, LLC, dba Ketamine Media, the nation's foremost advertising company dedicated to raising awareness about the clinical use of ketamine, on March 17, 2023.

Operational Highlights

Irwin Naturals has continued its expansion into the high-growth cannabis and psychedelics sectors. During the first half of 2023, the Company's partners launched the first products to the continental cannabis market and has signed ten brand licensing deals that will see Irwin Naturals products enhanced with THC being offered in places like California, Colorado, Mississippi, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon, Oklahoma, and Canada. Additionally, to date, the Company has completed multiple clinic acquisitions and one advertising company specializing in ketamine clinics. The Company will continue to build upon this solid foundation and make the necessary investments to support our growth objectives within the psychedelics sector.

Sean Sand, CFO, stated, "During the first half of 2023, we successfully launched our branded licensing initiative in our cannabis sector. Sales have exceeded our expectations and we look forward continuing our licensing efforts in the space. We also continued to expand our mental health footprint through the acquisition of an industry leading marketing and patient acquisition platform, Ketamine Media, enabling greater treatment availability and market expansion."

About Irwin Naturals

Irwin Naturals has been a household name and best-in-class nutraceutical company since 1994. It is now leveraging its brand into both the cannabis and psychedelic sectors. On a mission to heal the world with plant medicine, Irwin has operated its nutraceutical business profitably for over 28 years¹. The growing portfolio of products is available in more than 100,000 retail doors across North America, where 80% of households know the Irwin Naturals brand². In 2018, the Company first leveraged its brand to expand into the cannabis industry by launching hemp-based CBD products into the mass market. The Company is now leveraging its famous halo of brand trust to become, perhaps, the first household name brand to offer THC-based products. Its rapidly growing national chain of psychedelic mental health clinics is called Irwin Naturals Emergence.

For investor-related information about the Company, please visit ir.irwinnaturals.com/.

To contact the Company's Investor Relations department, please call toll-free at [phone] or send an email to [e-mail].

"Klee Irwin"
________________________________
Klee Irwin
Chief Executive Officer
T: 310-306-3636
[e-mail]

Regulatory Overview

The following is a brief summary of regulatory matters concerning ketamine in the United States ("US"). Under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. § 811) (the "CSA"), ketamine is currently a Schedule III drug as well as being listed under the associated Narcotic Control Regulations, and psilocybin is currently a Schedule I drug.

Most US States have enacted Controlled Substances Acts ("State CSAs") which regulate the possession, use, sale, distribution, and manufacture of specified drugs or categories of drugs and establish penalties for State CSA violations and form the basis for much state and local drug laws enforcement activity. State CSAs have either adopted drug schedules identical or similar to the federal CSA schedules or, in some instances, have incorporated the federal scheduling mechanism. Among other requirements, some US States have established a prescription drug monitoring or review programs collect information about prescription and dispensing of controlled substances for the purposes of monitoring, analysis and education.

In the United States, facilities holding or administering controlled substances must be registered with the US Drug Enforcement Agency ("DEA") to perform this activity. As such, medical professionals and/or the clinics in which they operate, as applicable, are also required to have a DEA license to obtain and administer ketamine (a "DEA License"). While ketamine is a controlled substance in the United States, it is approved for general anesthetic induction under the US Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Once a drug is approved for use, physicians may prescribe that drug for uses that are not described in the product's labelling or that differ from those tested by the manufacturer and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA"). Licensed medical practitioners may prescribe ketamine legally in Canada or the United States where they believe it will be an effective treatment in their professional judgment.

Please see Irwin's filing statement on its SEDAR profile for more information on the regulatory environment and regulations surrounding the US THC industry.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of management of the Company with respect to performance, business and future events. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as "may", "will", "would", "could", "should", "believes", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "expects", "plans", "intends", "anticipates", "targeted", "continues", "forecasts", "designed", "goal", or the negative of those words or other similar or comparable words. Forward-looking statements are based on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the business and the industry and markets in which the Company operates. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law.

Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Irwin Naturals, Inc.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA - Reconciliation

The Company defines EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as per the table below. It should be noted that these performance measures are not defined under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other entities. The Company believes that these measures are useful financial metrics as they assist in determining the ability to generate cash from operations. Investors should be cautioned that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to net earnings or cash flows as determined under IFRS. The reconciling items between net earnings, EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA are as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30,												Six Months Ended June 30,
	(in thousands)												(in thousands)
	2023			2022			$ Change			% Change			2023			2022				$ Change				% Change
Statement of Profit
Net (loss) income	$	(5,402	)	$	111		$	(5,513	)	%	(100.0	+)	$	(13,100	)	$	1,692			$	(14,792	)		%	(100.0	+)
Interest expense, net		786			111			675			100.0	+		1,297			360				937				100.0	+
Income tax (recovery) expense		(2,551	)		283			(2,834	)		(100.0	+)		(3,190	)		979				(4,169	)			(100.0	+)
Depreciation and amortization		746			426			320			75.1			1,515			831				684				82.3
EBITDA		(6,421	)		931			(7,352	)		(100.0	+)		(13,478	)		3,862				(17,340	)			(100.0	+)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		1			-			1			100.0	+		3			-				3				100.0	+
Gain on contingent consideration		(5,764	)		(263	)		(5,501	)		100.0	+		(6,154	)		(263	)			(5,891	)			100.0	+
Intangible assets impairment		1,848			-			1,848			100.0	+		5,587			-				5,587				100.0	+
Goodwill impairment		9,112			-			9,112			100.0	+		11,922			-				11,922				100.0	+
Adjusted EBITDA	$	(1,224	)	$	668		$	(1,892	)	%	(100.0	+)	$	(2,120	)	$	3,599			$	(5,719	)	%		(100.0	+)

Irwin Naturals, Inc. Consolidated Interim Statements of Financial Position (Unaudited) As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (Expressed in thousands of US dollars, except share amounts)
	June 30, 2023				December 31, 2022
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash	$	5,943			$		800
Trade receivables, net	15,826				21,311
Inventory	20,809				22,506
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,806				2,932
Notes receivable from related parties, current	265				255
Total current assets	45,649				47,804
Non-current assets:
Property and equipment, net	335				271
Right-of-use assets	4,261				4,194
Notes receivable from shareholders	6,967				6,014
Notes receivable from related parties, non-current	250				-
Goodwill	12,028				10,215
Intangible assets, net	4,192				7,677
Deferred tax asset	5,562				2,367
Other non-current assets	277				259
Total non-current assets	33,872				30,997
TOTAL ASSETS	$	79,521			$		78,801
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Trade and other payables	$	17,392			$		17,997
Reserve for returns	648				2,036
Lease liabilities, current	2,012				1,817
Line of credit, net of debt issuance costs	26,231				16,448
Notes payable due to acquiree	4,875				-
Notes payable, current	42				36
Total current liabilities	51,200				38,334
Non-current liabilities:
Lease liabilities, non-current	2,471				2,529
Notes payable, non-current	668				498
Contingent consideration	-				6,154
Notes payable due to acquiree	6,125				-
Deferred tax liability	983				983
Total non-current liabilities	10,247				10,164
TOTAL LIABILITIES	$	61,447			$		48,498
EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
Class B Shares, 320,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding	$	13,750			$		13,750
Subordinate Voting Shares, 3,373,493 shares authorized, issued and outstanding	7,943				7,068
Multiple Voting Shares, 18,240 shares authorized, issued and outstanding	59				59
Proportionate Voting Shares, 2,085,200 shares authorized, issued and outstanding	5,610				5,610
Warrants reserve	30				30
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(12		)		3
Retained (deficit) earnings	(16,262		)		(3,324			)
Total controlling interest	11,118				23,196
Noncontrolling interest	6,956				7,107
TOTAL EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	18,074				30,303
TOTAL LIABILTIES AND EQUITY	$	79,521			$	78,801

Irwin Naturals, Inc. Consolidated Interim Statements of Profit and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 (Expressed in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
	2023				2022				2023					2022
Operating revenue	$	22,129			$	21,809			$	44,635				$	44,403
Cost of sales	(12,243		)		(12,250		)		(23,642			)		(23,798		)
Gross profit	9,886				9,559				20,993					20,605
Selling, general and administrative expenses	11,737				9,054				24,309					17,574
Income (loss) from operations	(1,851		)		505				(3,316			)		3,031
Other (income) expenses:
Interest expense, net	786				111				1,297					360
Loss (gain) on foreign currency exchange	1				--				3					--
Goodwill impairment	9,112				--				11,922					--
Intangible assets impairment	1,848				--				5,587					--
Intangible assets amortization	119				--				319					--
Gain on contingent liabilities	(5,764		)		--				(6,154			)		--
Total other (income) expenses	6,102				111				12,974					360
Net (loss) income before income taxes	(7,953		)		394				(16,290			)		2,671
Income tax (recovery) expense	(2,551		)		283				(3,190			)		979
Net (loss) income	(5,402		)		111				(13,100			)		1,692
Less: net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest		(79	)		72				(151			)		351
Net (loss) income attributable to controlling interest		(5,323	)		39				(12,949			)		1,341
Comprehensive Income
Net (loss) income	$	(5,402	)		$	111			$		(13,100	)		$	1,692
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(32	)		(12		)		(14			)		(8		)
Total comprehensive (loss) income		(5,434	)		99				(13,114			)		1,684
Less: net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest		(79	)		72				(151			)		351
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to controlling interest	$	(5,355	)		$	27			$	(12,963		)		$	1,333
(Loss) earnings per share, controlling interest - basic	$	(1.57	)		$	0.03			$	(3.84		)		$	1.12
(Loss) earnings per share, controlling interest - diluted	$	(1.57	)		$	0.00			$	(3.84		)		$	0.00
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic		3,383,180			1,200,402				3,370,764					1,200,202
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted	3,383,180				322,472,356				3,370,764					321,927,492

Irwin Naturals, Inc. Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 (Expressed thousands of US dollars)
	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2023				2022
Net (loss) income	$	(13,100	)		$	1,692
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,515				831
Gain on contingent consideration	(6,154		)		(263		)
Goodwill impairment	11,922				-
Intangible assets impairment	5,587				-
Change in allowance for doubtful accounts	149				37
Change in inventory reserve	(96		)		(975		)
Change in deferred tax assets	(3,195		)		55
Notes receivable from shareholders	(900		)		(900		)
Notes receivable from related parties	(260		)		(155		)
Interest (income) expense, net	(49		)		12
Changes to working capital:
Trade receivables	6,680				2,494
Inventory	1,792				(1,861		)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	137				177
Trade and other payables	(123		)		(1,549		)
Reserve for returns	(1,387		)		(323		)
Other non-current assets	(3		)		(75		)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	2,515				(803		)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(5,834		)		164
Purchases of property and equipment	(26		)		(29		)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(5,860		)		135
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from line of credit	55,536				46,102
Payments to line of credit	(45,132		)		(43,233		)
Payments to notes payable	(117		)		(1,098		)
Payments of debt issuance costs	(748		)		-
Payments on operating leases	(947		)		(729		)
Purchase of treasury stock	(93		)		-
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	8,499				1,042
Effect of foreign exchange on cash	(11		)		-
Net increase in cash	5,143				374
Cash at beginning of the year	800				625
Cash at period end	$	5,943			$	999

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¹ Under several corporate structures, Klee Irwin has operated the Irwin brand profitably since 1994, as measured by EBITDA adjusted for extraordinary costs.
² Consumer brand recognition information is based on a formal Company survey with a sample size of 500 randomly selected adults