IN BRIEF: RUA Life Sciences close to break-even as sales nearly double
RUA Life Sciences PLC - holding company of multiple medical device businesses - Pretax loss narrows to just GBP10,000 in the financial year to March 31 from GBP2.0 million a year prior. Revenue jumps to GBP4.1 million from GBP2.2 million although administrative expenses rise to GBP4.2 million from GBP3.8 million. All revenue-generating business units contribute to the growth, with Biomaterials growing 18% from GBP496,000 to GBP587,000, and the Medical Device and Components business more than doubling to GBP3.5 million from GBP1.7 million. Gross margin fell from 81% to 77% partly due to the Biomaterials business, on which gross margins remain at over 94%, being diluted by the faster-growing contract manufacturing business. "Compared to other industries, growing a medical device business can be frustratingly slow due to the necessary regulatory requirements; however, the past 12 months have been exceptional, with a doubling in the scale of the business. The new business opportunities being pursued are equally exciting and, if successful, will add further to the growing high-quality revenues," says Chair Geoff Berg. Read More