On May 19, 2016 Rosetta Genomics Ltd. (NASDAQ: ROSG), a leading developer and provider of microRNA-based and other molecular diagnostics, reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2016.
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Recent developments include:
Expanded molecular diagnostics test menu with the launch of three new product offerings in common hematologic cancers and solid tumors;
Received conditional approval status from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) for RosettaGX Reveal, the Company’s novel microRNA classifier for the diagnosis of indeterminate thyroid Fine Needle Aspirate (FNA) smears;
Entered into an agreement that establishes health insurance access to Rosetta’s entire suite of diagnostic tests and services with America’s Choice Provider Network (ACPN), an independent multispecialty national provider network; and
Granted U.S. patent allowance for use of gene expression signature for classification of kidney tumors and granted European patent allowance for use of microRNA molecules for the treatment of liver cancer.
Management Commentary
"We are especially pleased to report record quarterly clinical testing revenues as it demonstrates the progress we have made in expanding our molecular diagnostics test menu, selling our clinical testing products and improving collections," said Kenneth A. Berlin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rosetta Genomics. "Throughout the first quarter we completed the revamping of our sales force and invested in our billing and collections department. The results are reflected in our growing revenue and expanding customer base, as well as in improved collections. Further, these changes position us to drive revenue growth throughout the balance of the year and beyond.
"The commercial launch of RosettaGX Reveal continues to be a prime focus for our team. We expect the positive performance data from our blinded validation study to be published in a peer-reviewed journal in the coming weeks. These data demonstrate exceptional performance and we anticipate that a journal publication will strongly support our reimbursement and sales efforts. In addition, our revamped sales team has been able to use RosettaGX Reveal to access new accounts to promote not only our exceptional thyroid offering, but also to promote our urologic cancer and solid tumor product lines. Since the beginning of the year, these promotional efforts resulted in the acquisition of over 30 thyroid customer accounts and over 60 new customer accounts for our urology and solid tumor businesses.
"Our work for the balance of the year will continue to focus on driving revenue growth in both our base business as well as with our new products, such as RosettaGX Reveal, expanding reimbursement, improving collections and advancing our clinical development programs, which should position us to achieve a number of important milestones that will enhance shareholder value," concluded Mr. Berlin.
First Quarter Financial
Results Please note that the pro forma comparisons below are meant to provide a comparison as if the PersonalizeDx acquisition occurred on January 1, 2015. The actual acquisition date was April 13, 2015.
Revenues for the first quarter of 2016 increased 711% to $2.6 million compared with revenues of $321,000 for the first quarter of 2015, and increased 27% compared with pro forma revenues of $2.1 million for the first quarter of 2015.
Revenues from urologic cancer testing services in the first quarter of 2016 were $1.4 million, an increase of 7% compared with pro forma revenues of $1.3 million for the first quarter of 2015, and represented approximately 54% of clinical testing revenues for the quarter.
Revenues from solid tumor testing services in the first quarter of 2016 increased 272% to $1.2 million compared with revenues of $321,000 for the first quarter of 2015, and increased 58% compared with pro forma revenues of $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2015. Solid tumor testing services represented nearly 46% of total clinical testing revenues during the first quarter of 2016, with the balance coming from RosettaGX Reveal.
Cost of revenues for the first quarter of 2016 increased to $1.7 million compared with $352,000 for the first quarter of 2015, due to the acquisition of PersonalizeDx leading to a higher volume of processed samples, as well as to increases in personnel and infrastructure.
Research and development expenses for the first quarter of 2016 increased to $842,000 from $748,000 for the first quarter of 2015, primarily due to increased activities in Thyroid and other areas.
Sales, marketing and business development expenses for the first quarter of 2016 increased to $1.9 million from $1.6 million in the prior-year period due to a larger commercial footprint as a result of the acquisition of PersonalizeDx.
General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2016 increased to $2.2 million compared with $1.4 million for the same period in 2015, with the increase primarily due to increased personnel and activities related to the acquisition of PersonalizeDx.
The operating loss for the first quarter of 2016 was $4.0 million, which included $230,000 of non-cash stock-based compensation expense, compared with an operating loss of $3.8 million for the first quarter of 2015, which included $276,000 of non-cash stock-based compensation expense.
The net loss for the first quarter of 2016 was $4.0 million, or $0.20 per ordinary share on 20.7 million weighted average shares outstanding, compared with a net loss for the first quarter of 2015 of $3.9 million, or $0.30 per ordinary share on 12.8 million weighted average shares outstanding.
On a non-GAAP basis, excluding $230,000 of non-cash stock-based compensation expense, the net loss for the first quarter of 2016 was $3.8 million, or $0.18 per ordinary share on 20.7 million weighted average shares outstanding. For the first quarter of 2015, excluding the $276,000 of non-cash stock-based compensation expense, the non-GAAP net loss was $3.6 million, or $0.28 per ordinary share on 12.8 million weighted average share outstanding.
Balance Sheet Highlights
As of March 31, 2016, Rosetta Genomics had cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and shortterm bank deposits of $12.6 million compared with $13.6 million as of December 31, 2015. The Company used approximately $2.6 million in cash to fund operations during the first quarter of 2016, and collected approximately $2.7 million in cash from its clinical testing services in addition to $1.6 million in cash receipts from a licensing deal signed in December 2015. Based on the Company’s current operations and plans, which include a cost-reduction plan should it be unable to raise sufficient additional capital, if necessary, Rosetta Genomics expects its current cash position will fund operations for at least the next 12 months.