Neptune Provides Update on Incident at Its Production Plant
2012年11月13日 - 3:55AM
Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc.
("
Neptune") (Nasdaq:NEPT) (TSX:NTB) regrets to
report that in the afternoon of November 8, 2012, an explosion and
fire destroyed its production plant located in Sherbrooke, Québec,
Canada. Three employees were fatally injured. Eighteen other people
were transported to the hospital, four of whom were severely
injured.
Following the news of the death of three of its employees,
Neptune's management extended their most sincere condolences to the
victims' families and friends. Neptune's focus is concentrated
first on its employees and their families, and supporting them
through the tragedy. With the help of the Commission de la santé et
de la sécurité du travail (CSST), Neptune is providing its
employees with counselling services to ensure that they have access
to appropriate support under these circumstances. A more detailed
support plan for employees will be disclosed to employees
shortly.
"Our hearts are greatly traumatized by this horrible catastrophe
that will remain in our minds forever. Our thoughts are with our
colleagues and their families. The strength of Neptune has been
built on the commitment and dedication of our employees, and I am
confident that this same resolve will allow us collectively to
overcome this tragic event and rebound from it," stated Mr. Henri
Harland, President and Chief Executive Officer of Neptune.
While its focus is first and foremost on human aspects of the
incident, Neptune also wishes to provide an update on the
incident's impact on the following business aspects.
Operations
- The incident completely destroyed Neptune's current production
plant that was in operation in Sherbrooke, but damages at the
expansion facility currently under construction adjacent to
Neptune's Sherbrooke plant appear to be limited. Since all of
Neptune's krill oil products were manufactured at the plant that
was destroyed, operations at the plant are disrupted. Neptune's
inventory of krill oil products was stored at such production plant
and was destroyed as well.
- Neptune is strategizing on an action plan going forward to
ultimately allow it to resume production and meet client demands,
and plan particulars will be announced at a later date.
- In the interim, Neptune is taking all means to limit as much as
possible the damages, both human and financial, to its business,
and is evaluating different options to continue supplying its
customers until it is once again in production.
Insurance Coverage
- Neptune has insurance coverage in place covering among other
things property damage, business interruption and general civil
liability insurance up to certain specified amounts, and has
notified its insurers of the incident. Neptune will provide a more
detailed update on its insurance coverage in further
communications.
Incident Investigation and Cleanup Efforts
- An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause
of the explosion and fire, which according to preliminary reports
affected, amongst other things, some of the acetone reserves used
by Neptune for its krill oil extraction process. In collaboration
with the public health authorities, the City of Sherbrooke Police
Department as well as with the Fire and Emergency services, the
company is doing everything it can to understand what happened. The
results of this investigation will be communicated upon its
completion. Cleanup efforts at the plant also continue, in
conjunction with the authorities.
Trading on NASDAQ and TSX
- Trading of Neptune's common shares on the NASDAQ Stock Market
("NASDAQ") and the Toronto Stock Exchange (the
"TSX") has currently been halted indefinitely,
pending further information. A trading halt is imposed at the
discretion of the stock exchanges (or their regulatory arms), and
lifting of a trading halt is equally subject to the discretion of
the stock exchanges. Neptune currently anticipates that the trading
halts on its common shares will not be lifted until such time when
additional information is disclosed on Neptune's plans going
forward and NASDAQ and the TSX are satisfied that investors have
sufficient information on the business and operations of Neptune
going forward to make informed investment decisions.
Acasti Pharma Inc. And NeuroBioPharm Inc.
- Neptune expects that the day-to-day operations and business of
its subsidiary Acasti Pharma Inc. ("Acasti"),
through which Neptune is pursuing opportunities in the
pharmaceutical market, will not be interrupted. CaPre®, Acasti's
lead prescription candidate, is currently being evaluated in two
Phase II clinical trials, for which all required material had
already been produced. Both CaPre® and Onemia™, Acasti's product
marketed in the United States as a "medical food", are processed
and stored in U.S. facilities outside Neptune's affected plant.
Inventories of CaPre® and Onemia™ are adequate, the market supply
of Onemia™ will continue as planned and the ongoing clinical trials
on CaPre® will not be interrupted as a result of the incident.
Acasti did not derive any of its revenues from the sale of products
manufactured at the Sherbrooke plant, but will continue to be
dependent on the support of Neptune as its controlling shareholder.
- NeuroBioPharm Inc. ("NeuroBio") commenced
operations in October 2008, after having acquired an exclusive
worldwide license from its parent company, Neptune, to research and
develop existing and new active pharmaceutical ingredients based on
Neptune's proprietary omega-3 phospholipid technology and
intellectual property. NeuroBio will stick to its business plan and
research and development activities will continue as planned,
although milestones and the start of commercialization may be
delayed. NeuroBio will also continue to be dependent on the support
of Neptune as its controlling shareholder.
Finally, Neptune wishes to thank all of those who have
demonstrated courage and provided assistance and support to its
employees in connection with the tragedy, and in particular the
fire, police and health authorities who were on the front line of
the rescue efforts.
Neptune will continue providing updates to the market as further
information becomes available.
About Neptune Technologies & Bioressources
Inc.
Neptune is a biotechnology company engaged primarily in the
development, manufacture and commercialization of marine-derived
omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, or PUFAs. Neptune produces
omega-3 PUFAs through its patented process of extracting oils from
Antarctic krill, which omega-3 PUFAs are then principally sold as
bulk oil to Neptune's distributors who commercialize them under
their private label primarily in the U.S., European and Australian
nutraceutical markets. Neptune's lead products, Neptune Krill Oil
(NKO®) and ECOKRILL Oil (EKO™), generally come in capsule form and
serve as a dietary supplement to consumers.
Through its subsidiaries Acasti Pharma Inc.
("Acasti") (TSX-V:APO) and NeuroBioPharm Inc.
("NeuroBio"), in which Neptune respectively holds
57% and 96% of the voting rights, Neptune is also pursuing
opportunities in the medical food and prescription drug markets.
Acasti and NeuroBio respectively focus on the research and
development of safe and therapeutically effective compounds for
highly prevalent atherosclerotic conditions, such as
cardiometabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases, and for
neurodegenerative and inflammation related conditions. Acasti's
lead prescription drug candidate is CaPre®, a purified high omega-3
phospholipid concentrate derived from Neptune krill oil being
developed to address the prevention and treatment of
cardiometabolic disorders, including hypertriglyceridemia, which is
characterized by abnormally high levels of triglycerides.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this press release may be
considered forward-looking information within the meaning of
Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the
meaning of U.S. federal securities laws, both of which we refer to
as forward-looking statements. Such statements involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
results, performance or achievements to be materially different
from those implied by such statements, and therefore these
statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance
or results. All forward-looking statements are based on Neptune's
current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information
currently available to Neptune and relate to, among other things,
Neptune's intention to resume production in the future, extent of
insurance coverage relating to the tragedy, strategy, strategic
goals, research and development activities, research and clinical
testing outcome, future operations, future financial position,
future revenues/results, projected costs, prospects and plans and
objectives of management.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this
press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks
and uncertainties identified by Neptune in its amended and restated
annual information form dated September 11, 2012 and in its public
securities filings available at www.sedar.com and
www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml, actual events may differ materially from
current expectations. Except as required by law, Neptune disclaims
any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements.
CONTACT: Neptune Contact:
Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc.
Andre Godin, CFO
+1.450.687.2262
a.godin@neptunebiotech.com
www.neptunebiotech.com
Howard Group Contact:
Dave Burwell
(888) 221-0915
dave@howardgroupinc.com
www.howardgroupinc.com
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