Certara Reports First Quarter 2021 Financial Results and Updates Full Year 2021 Guidance

On May 6, 2021 Certara, Inc. (Nasdaq: CERT), a global leader in biosimulation, reported its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 (Press release, Certara, MAY 6, 2021, View Source [SID1234579366]).

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Highlights:
Revenue was $66.7 million, representing growth of 16% over the first quarter of 2020.
Net income was $1.1 million, compared to a net income of $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2020.
Adjusted EBITDA was $23.9 million, representing growth of 20% over the first quarter of 2020.
2021 guidance range was updated to $277 million – $285 million of revenue, $100 million – $102 million of adjusted EBITDA, and effective annual tax rate was lowered to 40% – 45%.
"Certara realized a successful start to the year, which reflects increased adoption of our proprietary end-to-end platform globally. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact lives worldwide, I want to thank our Certara team for their dedication and tireless efforts to advance the use of biosimulation and for delivering another record quarter of revenue – which is our first full quarter as a public company. With a broad and diverse customer base and robust demand for our innovative offerings, we continue to be well-positioned for sustained growth," said William F. Feehery, chief executive officer.

First Quarter 2021 Results
"In the first quarter, we delivered double-digit growth in revenue and profitability by executing on our customer commitments. With first quarter bookings growth of 34% year-over-year, we have solid momentum towards achieving our business and financial goals for the year," said Andrew Schemick, chief financial officer.

Total revenue for the first quarter of 2021 was $66.7 million, representing year-over-year growth of 16%. The revenue growth was driven primarily by technology enabled services and software licenses and subscriptions.

Total cost of revenue for the first quarter of 2021 was $26.0 million, an increase from $22.2 million in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to a $2.3 million increase in employee related costs and a $0.8 million increase in stock-based compensation costs, partially offset by decreases in travel related cost and retention expenses.

Total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were $35.1 million, an increase from $27.3 million in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to a $3.8 million increase in stock-based compensation expense, and a $1.4 million increase in employee related costs. The remaining increases were due to increases in secondary offering costs, acquisition related costs and D&O insurance.

Net income for the first quarter of 2021 was $1.1 million, compared to a net income of $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2020. Income from operations decreased $2.4 million due to higher stock-based compensation expenses and acquisition and transaction related expenses. The decrease in income from operations was offset by lower interest expense. Diluted Earnings Per Share for the first quarter 2021 and 2020 were $0.01.

Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2021 was $23.9 million compared to $19.9 million for the first quarter of 2020, representing 20% growth. See note (1) in the section A Note on Non-GAAP Financial Measures, below, for more information on Adjusted EBITDA.

Adjusted Net Income for the first quarter of 2021 was $9.4 million compared to $2.1 million for the first quarter of 2020. Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share for the first quarter 2021 was $0.06 compared to $0.02 for the first quarter of 2020. See note (2) in the section A Note on Non-GAAP Financial Measures, below, for more information on Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share.

2021 Financial Outlook
Certara is updating its previously reported guidance for full year 2021 by raising the low end the range for revenue and Adjusted EBITDA and lowering the range of its effective annual tax rate. We expect the following:

Full year 2021 revenue to be in the range of $277 million to $285 million;

Full year 2021 Adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $100 million to $102 million;

Full year 2021 Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share is expected to be in the range of $0.20 to $0.24;

Fully diluted shares for 2021 will be 153 million to 155 million; and

Effective annual tax rate for 2021 will be in the range of 40% to 45%.

Webcast and Conference Call Details
Certara will host a conference call today, May 6, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. ET to discuss its first quarter 2021 financial results. The dial-in numbers are (833) 360-0946 for domestic callers or (914) 987-7661 for international callers, followed by Conference ID: 9802129. A live webcast of the conference call will be available on the "Investors" section of the Company’s website at View Source The webcast will be archived on the website following the completion of the call for approximately one year.