Evogene Ltd. (NYSE:EVGN) Q2 2020 Earnings Conference Call - Final Transcript

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by. Welcome to Evogene's Second Quarter 2020 Results Conference Call. [Operator Instructions]

Before we begin, I would like to caution that certain statements made during this earnings conference call by Evogene's management will constitute forward-looking statements that relate to future events, risks and uncertainties regarding business strategy, operations and future performance and results of Evogene. I encourage you to review Evogene's filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission and read the note regarding forward-looking statements in their earnings releases, which states that statements made in those earnings releases and in the similar way on this earnings conference call that are not historical facts may be deemed forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date of the announcement of results. Many of the factors that impact whether forward-looking statements will come true are beyond the control of Evogene and may cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. Evogene is under no obligation to update publicly or alter our forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. We expressly disclaim any obligation to do so. More detailed information about the risk factors potentially adversely impacting our performance can be found in our reports filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

That said, I would now like to turn the call over to Ofer Haviv, Evogene's CEO. Ofer, please go ahead.

Thank you and good day, everyone. We appreciate you joining us today for our second quarter 2020 conference call. Joining me today is Ms. Dorit Kreiner, our CFO.

I will begin my comments today by addressing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Evogene. I will then provide a brief review of Evogene's and its subsidiaries' primary expected value-enhancing activities in the near future. Following my comments, Dorit will summarize Evogene's financial results for the second quarter of 2020. We will then open the call for your questions.

With respect to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Evogene's operations, I am pleased to say that to-date, the impact has been minimal. As of today, the Company has resumed full activity. While we are fully operational, I want to assure our shareholders that the Company and its employees are working in compliance with the restrictions and guidelines provided by the Israeli health authorities and other applicable governmental authorities and will continue to do so.

Although Evogene group's internal operations have not been severely impacted by the ongoing pandemic, our ability to meet freely with partners and investors has been hindered over the past few months. We have attempted to overcome this limitation by conducting meetings over virtual platforms.

I would now like to begin by giving the quarterly update.

In May, Evogene announced its new branding, which marks the conclusion to the strategic change the Company has been focused on over the past years.