Veracyte Announces Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results

On November 2, 2022 Veracyte, Inc. (Nasdaq: VCYT) reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2022 (Press release, Veracyte, NOV 2, 2022, View Source [SID1234622795]).

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"Our third quarter results were robust given test adoption growth across our key products, new reimbursement contracts and expanded clinical evidence for our tests," said Marc Stapley, Veracyte’s chief executive officer. "We continue to invest in our long-term growth drivers, while maintaining our firm focus on financial discipline. I’m delighted with our team’s progress as we pursue our global vision of improving outcomes for patients all over the world through our exceptional diagnostic tests."

Key Business Highlights:

Increased third quarter total revenue by 25% to $75.6 million, compared to the third quarter of 2021.
Grew total test volume to 26,374, an increase of 26% compared to the third quarter of 2021.
Bolstered commercial reimbursement:
Received positive coverage decisions for the Decipher Prostate Genomic Classifier from three commercial payers representing over 20 million members, bringing the total number of covered lives for the test to 195 million; and
Signed four new commercial payer contracts for the Afirma Genomic Sequencing Classifier, bolstering the test’s in-network coverage to over 230 million health plan members.
Further reinforced the value and utility of our portfolio offerings through guideline inclusion and expanded clinical evidence:
Received a "Level 1" evidence designation in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)’s update to the 2023 prostate cancer guidelines, making the Decipher Prostate Genomic Classifier the first and only prostate cancer gene expression test to achieve this status;
Published data from a prospective, multi-site, Phase 2 clinical study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggesting that the Decipher Prostate test may help identify African American men with early, localized prostate cancer who are most likely to harbor aggressive disease;
Shared data from Phase 3 of the multi-center, randomized STAMPEDE trial at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) conference, which confirm the Decipher Prostate test’s ability to identify men with advanced prostate cancer who are more likely to benefit from intensified treatment, potentially expanding the test’s use;
Presented data at the American Thyroid Association’s annual meeting suggesting that Veracyte’s Afirma thyroid database and whole-transcriptome capabilities may enable identification of genomic signatures to help predict tumor behavior in thyroid cancer;
Presented data at the European Respiratory Society and American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST 2022) annual meetings suggesting the Envisia Genomic Classifier’s ability to provide prognostic information for people with suspected interstitial lung disease;
Published a study in Nature Medicine examining the predictive and prognostic potential of Veracyte’s immuno-oncology biomarkers and insight into factors associated with response to CAR T-cell therapy among patients with large B-cell lymphoma; and
Presented preliminary clinical utility data at the CHEST meeting for the Percepta Nasal Swab test, which suggest that the noninvasive genomic test may classify more lung nodule patients as low-risk or high-risk for lung cancer, as compared to the standard-of-care approach, which consists of a physician’s own assessment of clinical factors along with CT imaging.
Appointed Eliav Barr, M.D., to our Board of Directors and named John Leite, Ph.D. as general manager for Pulmonology and Market Access.
Generated $7.0 million in cash from operating activities and ended the third quarter of 2022 with cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $170.1 million, compared to $164.0 million at the end of the second quarter of 2022.
Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Total revenue for the third quarter of 2022 was $75.6 million, an increase of 25% compared to $60.4 million in the third quarter of 2021. Testing revenue was $64.6 million, an increase of 27% compared to $50.9 million in the third quarter of 2021 driven primarily by the strong performance of our Decipher and Afirma tests. Product revenue was $3.3 million, an increase of 12% compared to $3.0 million in the third quarter of 2021. Biopharmaceutical and other revenue was $7.7 million, an increase of 18% compared to $6.5 million in the third quarter of 2021, driven primarily by the contribution of the HalioDx acquisition.

Total gross margin for the third quarter of 2022, including the amortization of acquired intangible assets, was 59%, compared to 57% in the third quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP gross margin, excluding the amortization of acquired intangible assets and other acquisition related expenses was 66%, compared to 64% in the third quarter of 2021.

Operating expenses, excluding cost of revenue, were $54.6 million, an increase of 5% compared to the third quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP operating expenses, excluding cost of revenue, amortization of acquired intangible assets, other acquisition related expenses and other restructuring costs, were $51.1 million compared to $42.4 million in the third quarter of 2021.

Net loss for the third quarter of 2022 was $8.7 million, an improvement of 38% compared to the third quarter of 2021. Basic and diluted net loss per common share was $0.12, an improvement of 40% compared to the third quarter of 2021. Net cash used by operating activities in the first nine months of 2022 was $2.2 million, an improvement of $37.9 million compared to the same period in 2021.

A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures has been provided in the tables included in this press release. An explanation of these measures is also included below under the heading "Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

2022 Financial Outlook

The company is raising full-year 2022 total revenue expectations to $288 million to $293 million, representing year-over-year growth of 31% to 33%, assuming currency rates as of November 2, 2022. This represents an improved outlook compared to our prior guidance of $272 million to $280 million.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

Veracyte will host a conference call and webcast today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the company’s financial results and provide a general business update. The conference call will be webcast live from the company’s website and will be available via the following link: View Source The webcast should be accessed 10 minutes prior to the conference call start time. A replay of the webcast will be available for one year following the conclusion of the live broadcast and will be accessible on the company’s website at View Source

bluebird bio to Present at the 31st Annual Credit Suisse Healthcare Conference

On November 2, 2022 bluebird bio, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLUE) reported that members of the management team will participate in the 31st Annual Credit Suisse Healthcare Conference, Tuesday, November 8, at 5:00 p.m. PT at the Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (Press release, bluebird bio, NOV 2, 2022, View Source [SID1234622794]).

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To access the live webcast of bluebird bio’s presentation, please visit the "Events & Presentations" page within the Investors & Media section of the bluebird bio website at View Source A replay of the webcast will be available on the bluebird bio website for 90 days following the event.

Avid Bioservices to Participate in the Credit Suisse 31st Annual Healthcare Conference

On November 2, 2022 Avid Bioservices, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDMO), a dedicated biologics contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) working to improve patient lives by providing high quality development and manufacturing services to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, reported that the company will participate in the Credit Suisse 31st Annual Healthcare Conference (Press release, Avid Bioservices, NOV 2, 2022, View Source [SID1234622792]). Nick Green, president and chief executive officer of Avid Bioservices, will deliver a corporate presentation at the conference, which will take place November 7-10, 2022, in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.

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ChromaDex Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results

On November 2, 2022 ChromaDex Corp. (NASDAQ:CDXC) reported financial results for the third quarter of 2022 (Press release, ChromaDex, NOV 2, 2022, View Source [SID1234622791]).

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Third Quarter 2022 and Recent Highlights

Total net sales were $17.1 million, with $14.6 million from Tru Niagen, down (1)% each from the prior year quarter.
Strong gross margin of 59.8% in the face of inflationary pressures in global supply chains.
Selling and marketing expense as a percentage of net sales improved 730 basis points from the prior year quarter.
General and administrative expense decreased $5.0 million from the prior year quarter driven by lower legal expense.
Net loss was $1.0 million or $(0.01) per share, an improvement of $0.12 per share from the prior year quarter.
Net loss, excluding the one-time Employee Retention Tax Credit recognition of $2.1 million ($0.03 per share), was $3.1 million, or $(0.04) per share, an improvement of $0.09 per share from the prior year quarter.
Adjusted EBITDA including total legal expense, a non-GAAP measure, was a loss of $1.2 million, a $5.1 million improvement from the prior year quarter and approaching break-even.
Clinical study published in October 2022 in the JACC(1)finds Niagen safe and well-tolerated in patients with heart failure, marking a milestone for future clinical research. The study further found that Niagen almost doubled whole blood NAD+ levels, increasing white blood cell mitochondrial respiratory function and decreasing the expression of inflammatory markers.
Signed JV to pursue Blue Hat approval for Tru Niagen in Mainland China, and Sinopharm Xingsha debuted Tru Niagen at China International Natural Health & Nutrition Expo (NHNE), a major trade show.
Signed long-term supply agreement with Nestlé Health Science, extending non-exclusive rights to sell Niagen in multi-ingredient dietary supplements. Includes initial purchase commitment of approximately $2.0 million in 2022.
In October, raised $7.7 million, net of offering costs, with Nestlé Health Science and existing strategic investors.
"We approached cash flow break even in the third quarter and remain on track to achieve this important objective next quarter," said ChromaDex CEO, Rob Fried. "We finalized key strategic partnerships in China and signed a long-term supply agreement with Nestlé Health Science. Our position as the world’s leading NAD+ company is solid, supported by our strong and growing patent portfolio, our globally trusted consumer brand, Tru Niagen, and our pipeline of future innovations."

(1) Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Basic to Translational Science

Results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the prior year quarter

For the three months ended September 30, 2022 ("Q3 2022"), ChromaDex reported net sales of $17.1 million, a decrease of $0.2 million or (1)% compared to the third quarter of 2021 ("Q3 2021"). The slight decline in Q3 2022 revenues compared to Q3 2021 was primarily attributable to lower business-to-business sales of Tru Niagen as distributor partners continue to experience COVID-19 headwinds and other macroeconomic factors paired with lower demand for research and development services. Declines in net sales were partially offset by steady growth in e-commerce sales of Tru Niagen.

Gross margin percentage declined to 59.8% in Q3 2022 compared to 61.1% in Q3 2021 primarily due to increases in supply chain headcount, including higher wages, and other inflationary pressures, partially offset by business mix.

Operating expense decreased $6.1 million to $13.3 million in Q3 2022, compared to $19.4 million in Q3 2021. The decline in operating expense was largely attributable to a $5.0 million decrease in general and administrative expense paired with a $1.4 million decrease in selling and marketing expense. During Q3 2022, selling and marketing expense was scaled back to focus on the most efficient channels and investments, which drove a 730 basis point improvement in selling and marketing expense as a percentage of net sales, compared to Q3 2021. The decline in general and administrative expense was primarily driven by a $4.4 million decrease in legal expense.

The net loss for Q3 2022 was $1.0 million or $(0.01) per share compared to a net loss of $8.8 million or $(0.13) per share for Q3 2021. Adjusted EBITDA including legal expense, a non-GAAP measure, was a loss of $1.2 million for Q3 2022, a $5.1 million improvement from Q3 2021. Adjusted EBITDA excluding legal expense, a non-GAAP measure, was a profit of $0.1 million for Q3 2022. See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to net loss, the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

For Q3 2022, net cash outflow from operating activities was $3.7 million, compared to $5.9 million in Q3 2021 largely due to improvements in net loss of $4.6 million excluding other income from the Employee Retention Tax Credit which was partially offset by changes in working capital.

2022 Full Year Outlook

Looking forward, for the full year, the Company expects high single digit revenue growth, driven by its global e-commerce business and growth with partners. For the full year, the Company expects approximately 60% gross margin, lower selling and marketing expense as a percentage of net sales, approximately $1 million increase in R&D, and approximately $6 to $8 million decrease in general and administrative expense, as reported, driven by lower legal expense. The Company expects to be cash flow break-even or better in the fourth quarter of 2022. The Company considers Adjusted EBITDA including legal expense, a non-GAAP metric, to be a proxy for cash flow before working capital investments, and is targeting cash flow break-even on that basis.

Investor Conference Call

A live webcast will be held Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (1:30 p.m. Pacific time) to discuss ChromaDex’s third-quarter financial results and provide a general business update.

To listen to the webcast, or to view the earnings press release and its accompanying financial exhibits, please visit the Investors Relations section of ChromaDex’s website at View Source The toll-free dial-in information for this call is 1-888-330-2446 with Conference ID: 4126168.

The webcast will be recorded, and will be available for replay via the website from 7:30 p.m. Eastern time on November 2, 2022 through 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on November 9, 2022. The replay of the call can also be accessed by dialing 800-770-2030, using the Replay ID: 4126168.

Replimune to Present at Two Upcoming Investor Conferences

On November 2, 2022 Replimune Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: REPL), a clinical stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of a novel class of tumor-directed oncolytic immunotherapies, reported that members from the Replimune management team will present and host investor meetings at the following two conferences (Press release, Replimune, NOV 2, 2022, View Source [SID1234622790]):

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BMO Biopharma Spotlight Series Oncology Day
Date: Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Fireside Chat Time: 7:30 am EST

13th Annual Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference
Date: Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Fireside Chat Time: 1:30 pm GMT

A live webcast and replay of the fireside chat at the 13th Annual Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference will also be available in the Investors section of Replimune’s website at www.replimune.com.