On May 5, 2020 Cerus Corporation (Nasdaq: CERS) reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2020 (Press release, Cerus, MAY 5, 2020, View Source [SID1234557021]).
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Recent developments and highlights include:
Total first quarter 2020 revenue of $24.6 million
Quarterly product revenue of $18.6 million, a 6% increase compared to the prior year quarter
Global demand for INTERCEPT kits grew during the first quarter with the calculated number of treatable platelet doses up 14% compared to the same period in 2019
Government contract revenue of $6.0 million
Reaffirming 2020 full year product revenue guidance range of $89 million to $93 million representing an approximately 20% to 25% increase over 2019 reported product revenue.
Strengthened balance sheet with a $63.3 million public offering of common stock. At March 31, 2020, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $133.1 million.
Announced strategic organizational changes to align teams around key commercial growth and product portfolio pipeline development targets.
Formed a collaborative research group with the aim of optimizing the characteristics and dosing of convalescent plasma as a potential therapy for COVID-19 patients.
Further strengthened the Company’s collaboration with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) with an incremental $14 million available under the contract.
"First quarter product revenue of $18.6 million exceeded our internal expectations despite the tumultuous macro environment created by the global COVID-19 pandemic. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has highlighted the need for comprehensive preparedness planning for healthcare systems and the corresponding obligation to safeguard the blood supply chain. The INTERCEPT Blood System has played a critical role for many blood centers by reducing the risk of transfusion transmitted infections," said William ‘Obi’ Greenman, Cerus’ president and chief executive officer. "In the face of this crisis, I am proud of the actions taken by the Cerus employees designed to make sure that the blood centers and hospitals have access to INTERCEPT Blood System, even in the regions hardest hit by the pandemic."
"It is unclear as to the extent and duration that the COVID-19 impact will have on the global transfusion medicine industry and on healthcare in general, but given the critical need for blood and blood components, we are cautiously optimistic about the health of our business and our ability to further our mission to make INTERCEPT the standard of care," continued Greenman.
Revenue
Product revenue during the first quarter of 2020 was $18.6 million, compared to $17.5 million during the same period in 2019. Revenue growth during the quarter benefited from increased demand for INTERCEPT platelet kit sales in the U.S., offset partially by the year-over-year product mix shift in France and a decrease in kit sales in the Middle East due to the timing of distributor orders.
Government contract revenue from the Company’s BARDA agreement was $6.0 million during the first quarter of 2020, compared to $4.5 million during the same period in 2019, as a result of increasing INTERCEPT red blood cell development activities. With the recently announced amendment, the total potential value of the current BARDA agreement is now $214 million with $50 million recognized as revenue to date.
BARDA is part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The development of the INTERCEPT red blood cell program has been funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, under Contract No. HHSO100201600009C.
Gross Margins
Gross margins on product revenue during the first quarter of 2020 were 55%, compared to 52% for the first quarter of 2019. Gross margins during the quarter benefited from continued economies of scale and resulting lower per unit costs, driven by increased manufacturing production to meet existing and expected future growth in demand for INTERCEPT.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses for the first quarter 2020 were $31.7 million compared to $29.6 million for the same period the prior year.
Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the first quarter of 2020 totaled $15.9 million, compared to $16.2 million for the first quarter of 2019. The year-over-year decline was primarily due to lower marketing and travel related expenses, both driven in part by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Research and development (R&D) expenses for the first quarter of 2020 were $15.8 million, compared to $13.4 million for the first quarter of 2019. The increase in year-over-year R&D expenses were primarily due to increased costs associated with initiatives for expanded INTERCEPT platelet label claims and costs for our red blood cell program, namely activities under our BARDA agreement.
Net Loss
Net loss for the first quarter of 2020 was $16.5 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $18.8 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2019.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments
At March 31, 2020, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $133.1 million, compared to $85.7 million at December 31, 2019.
At March 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $39.5 million in outstanding term loan debt compared to $39.4 million at December 31, 2019.
2020 Product Revenue Guidance
The Company expects 2020 product revenue to be in the range of $89 million to $93 million, unchanged from the prior guidance originally provided on January 13, 2020. The guidance range represents approximately 20% to 25% growth compared to 2019 reported product revenue.
QUARTERLY CONFERENCE CALL
The Company will host a conference call and webcast at 4:30 P.M. EDT this afternoon, during which management will discuss the Company’s financial results and provide a general business overview and outlook. To access the live webcast, please visit the Investor Relations page of the Cerus website at View Source Alternatively, you may access the live conference call by dialing (866) 235-9006 (U.S.) or (631) 291-4549 (international).
A replay will be available on the Company’s website, or by dialing (855) 859-2056 (U.S.) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and entering conference ID number 8484403. The replay will be available approximately three hours after the call through May 19, 2020.