Record quarterly revenue

Increased retail distribution by over 1,000 stores

LAS VEGAS, May 08, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CV Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:CVSI) ("CV Sciences" or the “Company”) announced today its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

First Quarter 2019 Financial and Operating Highlights

Record revenue of $14.9 million for the first quarter of 2019, an increase of 85% over the same quarter in 2018;

Strong gross margin of 70.8% compared to gross margin of 68.9% in the first quarter of 2018

Retail distribution increased to 3,308 stores as of March 31, 2019, a 48% increase from December 31, 2018;

Expanded retail presence into the food, drug and mass channel and are in active discussions for further expansion of the PlusCBD Oil™ brand; and

Generated $0.8 million of cash from operations, with cash balance increasing to $13.6 million at quarter end.

“We continued to expand retail distribution of the PlusCBD Oil™ brand and drive sales growth during the first quarter. We generated 85% revenue growth over prior year, achieving another record quarter, with strong gross margin performance,” stated Joseph Dowling, Chief Executive Officer of CV Sciences. “The PlusCBD Oil™ brand is now available in over 3,300 stores nationwide, including national food, drug and mass merchandiser accounts. As anticipated, since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, we have seen significant interest in the hemp-derived CBD category across retailers and channels, and we are in discussions with multiple retailers for new retail placements. We are making the investments across the organization to position ourselves to capitalize on the growing retailer and consumer demand. Our drug development program remains on track and we continue to anticipate filing an Investigational New Drug application in late 2019 / early 2020. We have the brand, the people and the unique business model focused on both consumer products and drug development to maximize our opportunity in the rapidly growing hemp CBD industry.”

Operating Results - First Quarter 2019 Compared to First Quarter 2018

Sales for the first quarter of 2019 were $14.9 million, an increase of 85% from $8.1 million in the first quarter of 2018. First quarter sales growth reflects the Company's continued organic expansion into all sales channels, including food drug and mass, natural product retail, wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels. The Company's retail store count increased to 3,308 stores nationwide at March 31, 2019, up from 2,238 stores as of December 31, 2018.

The Company recognized an operating loss of $9.4 million in the first quarter of 2019, compared to an operating income of $0.7 million in the first quarter of the prior year. The operating loss is primarily related to additional stock-based compensation and payroll expense associated with the retirement of the Company's founder and former President and Chief Executive Officer.

As reported under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), first quarter 2019 net loss was $9.4 million, compared with a GAAP net income of $0.6 million in the same period in 2018. Diluted net loss per share was $0.10 for the first quarter of 2019 compared to a diluted net income per share of $0.01 for the same period in 2018.

Non-GAAP net income for the first quarter of 2019 was $1.5 million, or $0.01 per diluted share based on weighted average shares outstanding of 115.6 million. This compares with non-GAAP net income of $1.7 million or $0.02 per diluted share based on weighted average shares outstanding of 95.6 million for the same period in 2018.

Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2019 was $1.7 million or 11.3% of net revenue, compared to $1.8 million or 22.6% of net revenue, in the first quarter of 2018.

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host a conference call and webcast to discuss these results today at 4:30 pm EDT/1:30 pm PDT. The webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company's web site at https://ir.cvsciences.com/news-events and at http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=134448 . Investors interested in participating in the live call can also dial (877) 407-0784 from the U.S. or international callers can dial (201) 689-8560. A telephone replay will be available approximately two hours after the call concludes and will be available through Wednesday, May 15, 2019, by dialing (844) 512-2921 from the U.S. or (412) 317-6671 from international locations, and entering confirmation code 13690537.

About CV Sciences, Inc.

CV Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:CVSI) operates two distinct business segments: a consumer product division focused on manufacturing, marketing and selling hemp-based CBD products to a range of market sectors; and a drug development division focused on developing and commercializing novel therapeutics utilizing CBD. The Company’s PlusCBD Oil is the top-selling brand of hemp-derived CBD on the market, according to SPINS, the leading provider of syndicated data and insights for the natural, organic and specialty products industry. CV Sciences, Inc. has primary offices and facilities in San Diego, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Additional information is available from OTCMarkets.com or by visiting www.cvsciences.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risk and uncertainties.

Contact Information

Investor Contact:

ICR

Scott Van Winkle

617-956-6736

scott.vanwinkle@icrinc.com

Media Contact:

ICR

Cory Ziskind

646-277-1232

cory.ziskind@icrinc.com





CV SCIENCES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

For the three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 Product sales, net $ 14,911 $ 8,071 Cost of goods sold 4,352 2,509 Gross Profit 10,559 5,562 Operating expenses: Research and development 1,342 154 Selling, general and administrative 18,595 4,740 19,937 4,894 Operating Income (Loss) (9,378) 668 Interest expense 6 49 Income (loss) before provision for income taxes (9,384) 619 Provision for income taxes — — Net Income (Loss) $ (9,384) $ 619 Weighted average common shares outstanding Basic 95,168 90,513 Diluted 95,168 95,636 Net income (loss) per common share Basic $ (0.10) $ 0.01 Diluted $ (0.10) $ 0.01

CV SCIENCES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share data)

March 31,

2019 December 31,

2018 Assets Current assets: Cash $ 13,638 $ 12,684 Restricted cash — 251 Accounts receivable, net 3,771 3,340 Inventory 7,900 7,132 Prepaid expenses and other 8,367 2,059 Total current assets 33,676 25,466 Inventory 771 1,418 Property & equipment, net 2,730 2,844 Operating lease assets 3,997 — Intangibles, net 3,792 3,801 Goodwill 2,788 2,788 Other assets 637 585 Total assets $ 48,391 $ 36,902 Liabilities and stockholders' equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 938 $ 1,245 Accrued expenses 9,499 2,673 Operating lease liability - current 634 — Notes payable, net 273 474 Total current liabilities 11,344 4,392 Operating lease liability 4,668 — Deferred rent — 1,329 Deferred tax liability 1,065 1,065 Other liabilities 437 — Total liabilities 17,514 6,786 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' equity Preferred stock, par value $0.0001; 10,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding — — Common stock, par value $0.0001; 190,000 shares authorized, 98,479 and 94,940 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively 10 9 Additional paid-in capital 65,278 55,134 Accumulated deficit (34,411 ) (25,027 ) Total stockholders' equity 30,877 30,116 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 48,391 $ 36,902

CV SCIENCES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

(in thousands)

For the three months ended

March 31, 2019 2018 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income (loss) $ (9,384 ) $ 619 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 177 119 Amortization of beneficial conversion feature of convertible debts — 13 Stock-based compensation 2,091 1,036 Stock-based compensation associated with employment settlement 7,857 — Bad debt expense 25 3 Noncash lease expense 124 — Change in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (456 ) 235 Inventory (121 ) 509 Prepaid expenses and other current assets (551 ) 94 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 999 (1,062 ) Deferred rent — 88 Net cash provided by operating activities 761 1,654 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of equipment (54 ) (138 ) Tenant improvements to leasehold real estate — (71 ) Net cash flows used in investing activities (54 ) (209 ) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Repayment of convertible debt in cash — (300 ) Repayment of unsecured debt in cash (201 ) (49 ) Proceeds from exercise of stock options 197 — Net cash flows used in financing activities (4 ) (349 ) Net increase in cash and restricted cash 703 1,096 Cash and restricted cash, beginning of period 12,935 2,792 Cash and restricted cash, end of period $ 13,638 $ 3,888 Supplemental cash flow disclosures: Interest paid $ 6 $ 34 Taxes paid $ 4 $ —

CV SCIENCES, INC.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(in thousands)

We prepare our condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for the United States (GAAP). The non-GAAP financial measures such as net income and loss per share and Adjusted EBITDA included in this press release are different from those otherwise presented under GAAP. We use non-GAAP measures internally to evaluate our performance and make financial and operational decisions that are presented in a manner that adjusts from their equivalent GAAP measures or that supplement the information provided by our GAAP measures. The non-GAAP financial measures exclude non-cash compensation expense for stock options and other non-recurring items. When evaluating the performance of our business and developing short and long-term plans, we do not consider share-based compensation charges. Although share-based compensation is necessary to attract and retain quality employees, our consideration of share-based compensation places its primary emphasis on overall shareholder dilution rather than the accounting charges associated with such grants. Because of the varying availability of valuation methodologies and subjective assumptions, we believe that the exclusion of share-based compensation allows for more accurate comparison of our financial results to previous periods. In addition, we believe it useful to investors to understand the specific impact of the application of the fair value method of accounting for share-based compensation on our operating results.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined by us as EBITDA (net income (loss) plus depreciation expense, amortization expense, interest and income tax expense, minus income tax benefit), further adjusted to exclude certain non-cash expenses and other adjustments as set forth below. We use Adjusted EBITDA because we believe it more clearly highlights trends in our business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on GAAP financial measures, since Adjusted EBITDA eliminates from our results specific financial items that have less bearing on our core operating performance.

We use Adjusted EBITDA in communicating certain aspects of our results and performance, including in this press release, and believe that Adjusted EBITDA, when viewed in conjunction with our GAAP results and the accompanying reconciliation, can provide investors with greater transparency and a greater understanding of factors affecting our financial condition and results of operations than GAAP measures alone. In addition, we believe the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors in making period-to-period comparison of results because the adjustments to GAAP are not reflective of our core business performance.

A reconciliation from our GAAP net income (loss) to non-GAAP net income (loss) for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 is detailed below:

Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 (in thousands, except per share data) Net income (loss) - GAAP $ (9,384 ) $ 619 Stock-based compensation (1) 2,091 1,036 Stock-based compensation associated with employment settlement (2) 7,857 — Payroll expense associated with employment settlement (3) 934 — Net income - non-GAAP $ 1,498 $ 1,655 Diluted EPS - GAAP $ (0.10 ) $ 0.01 Stock-based compensation (1) 0.02 0.01 Stock-based compensation associated with employment settlement (2) 0.08 — Payroll expense associated with employment settlement (3) 0.01 — Diluted EPS - non-GAAP $ 0.01 $ 0.02 Shares used to calculate diluted EPS - GAAP 95,168 95,636 Shares used to calculate diluted EPS - non-GAAP 115,581 95,636

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(1) Represents stock-based compensation expense related to stock options and warrants awarded to employees, consultants and non-executive directors based on the grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes valuation model.

(2) Represents stock-based compensation expense related to accelerated vesting of RSU's and the modification of certain stock options associated with the settlement agreement with our former President and Chief Executive Officer.

(3) Represents accrued payroll and related benefits associated with the retirement of our former President and Chief Executive Officer.

A reconciliation from our net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 is detailed below:

Three months ended March 31, 2019 2018 (in thousands) Net income (loss) $ (9,384 ) $ 619 Depreciation 168 110 Amortization 9 9 Interest expense 6 48 EBITDA (9,201 ) 786 Stock-based compensation (1) 2,091 1,036 Stock-based compensation associated with employment settlement (2) 7,857 — Payroll expense associated with employment settlement (3) 934 — Adjusted EBITDA $ 1,681 $ 1,822





_________________

(1) Represents stock-based compensation expense related to stock options and warrants awarded to employees, consultants and non-executive directors based on the grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes valuation model.

(2) Represents stock-based compensation expense related to accelerated vesting of RSU's and the modification of certain stock options associated with the settlement agreement with our former President and Chief Executive Officer.

(3) Represents accrued payroll and related benefits associated with the retirement of our former President and Chief Executive Officer.



