On May 7, 2024 Veracyte, Inc. (Nasdaq: VCYT) reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 (Press release, Veracyte, MAY 7, 2024, View Source [SID1234642802]).
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"We had a strong start to 2024, driven by robust growth from our market-leading Decipher Prostate and Afirma tests. We executed upon our strategies to further penetrate these markets by expanding our clinical evidence, and, for Decipher, securing enhanced status in guidelines while also achieving a key commercial reimbursement milestone," said Marc Stapley, Veracyte’s chief executive officer. "We also expanded our capabilities into minimal residual disease (MRD) testing by completing our acquisition of C2i Genomics and initiating development of our first test using their novel, whole-genome approach."
Key Business Highlights
Increased first quarter total revenue by 17% to $96.8 million, compared to the first quarter of 2023.
Grew total test volume to 33,424, an increase of 16% compared to the first quarter of 2023.
Received the highest-level rating among gene expression tests for the Decipher Prostate Genomic Classifier in updated NCCN* prostate cancer guidelines.
Expanded clinical evidence for the Decipher Prostate test with a study published in JCO Precision Oncology showing that it is prognostic for progression in prostate cancer patients undergoing Active Surveillance.
Demonstrated the power of the Veracyte Diagnostic Platform to expand evidence with the presentation of 14 abstracts at the American Urological Association’s 2024 Annual Meeting, including podium presentations for our research-use-only Decipher GRID offerings in prostate cancer and bladder cancer.
Contracted with one of the largest commercial payers in the U.S., making the Decipher Prostate test an in-network offering for its close to 30 million members.
Received Medicare coverage for our Afirma TERT promoter gene mutation test, following publication of analytical validity data for the test in the Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Completed the acquisition of C2i Genomics and initiated development of an MRD test for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Ended the first quarter with $209.2 million of cash and cash equivalents.
* National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way.
First Quarter 2024 Financial Results
Total revenue for the first quarter of 2024 was $96.8 million, an increase of 17% compared to $82.4 million reported in the first quarter of 2023. Testing revenue was $90.3 million, an increase of 25% compared to $72.4 million in the first quarter of 2023, driven primarily by the strong performance of our Decipher Prostate and Afirma tests. Product revenue was $3.5 million, a decrease of 9% compared to $3.9 million in the first quarter of 2023. Biopharmaceutical and other revenue was $3.0 million, a decrease of 51% compared to $6.1 million in the first quarter of 2023.
Total gross margin for the first quarter of 2024, including the amortization of acquired intangible assets, was 65%, compared to 62% in the first quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP gross margin, excluding the amortization of acquired intangible assets and other acquisition related expenses was 68%, compared to 68% in the first quarter of 2023.
Operating expenses, excluding cost of revenue, were $67.1 million. Non-GAAP operating expenses, excluding cost of revenue, amortization of acquired intangible assets, other acquisition related expenses and other restructuring costs, grew 6% to $61.6 million compared to $58.1 million in the first quarter of 2023.
Net loss for the first quarter of 2024 was $1.9 million, an improvement of 77% compared to the first quarter of 2023. Basic and diluted net loss per common share was $0.02, an improvement of $0.09 compared to the first quarter of 2023. Net cash used in operating activities in the first three months of 2024 was $9.0 million inclusive of the typical annual bonus payments and payroll tax reset in the first quarter, as well as C2i acquisition-related expenses, an increase of $6.8 million compared to the same period in 2023.
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."
2024 Financial Outlook
The company is raising full-year 2024 total revenue guidance to $402 million to $410 million, representing year-over-year growth of 11% to 14% and testing growth of 15% to 18%. This guidance range represents an increase compared to prior guidance of $394 million to $402 million. In addition, the company now expects cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments at the end of the year to be $236 million to $240 million compared to prior guidance of $230 million to $234 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
The conference call dial-in can be accessed by registering at the following link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI5ccb6c3c55e34500b5c9256eb8e1a7f4