Eden Research plc (LON:EDEN) cut losses in the first half of its financial year as it eyed a larger sales footprint for its Cedroz pesticide.
The AIM-listed firm, which develops biopesticides to protect crops, animals and humans, reported that for the six months ended 30 June pre-tax losses had narrowed to £645,000 from £940,000 in the same period last year despite revenues contracting to £581,000 from £682,000.
READ: Eden Research set to enter period of “strong product sales growth”, says Cenkos
The lower losses appear to have resulted from reduced sales costs, which fell to £250,000 in the period from £479,000 a year ago.
Eden also reported that product sales in the first half had dropped to £450,000 from £680,000, although clarified that this was due to a change of production schedule and that the seasonality of its business meant most sales would be weighted to the second half.
Overall, current trading was in line with expectations, while the sales footprint for Cedroz was expected to increase “significantly” following final authorisation in the southern crop zones of the EU and emergency approval for its use in Italy.
As a result, Eden said its growth prospects were “steadily improving” and it had several product developments underway internally and with partner firms which should see it become a “global player” in the medium term.
In mid-morning trading on Wednesday, Eden’s shares were 3.1% lower at 9.6p.