Quanterix Corporation Releases Operating Results for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019

Mar 9, 2020

46% Q4 revenue growth; 51% full year growth

BILLERICA, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Quanterix Corporation (NASDAQ: QTRX), a company digitizing biomarker analysis to advance the science of precision health, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and 12 months ended December 31, 2019.

“We’re pleased to close out another year of compelling growth, product launches, productive capital raises, key hires and technology adoption, marking our ninth consecutive quarter of strong performance since going public two years ago,” said Kevin Hrusovsky, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman, Quanterix. “2019 validated the vast utility for our Simoa technology to measure novel biomarkers with rich clinical potential such as neurofilament light chain (Nf-L), as well as other neuro biomarkers used in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s Disease, ALS and traumatic brain injury. Our mid-year acquisition of UmanDiagnostics also secured our long-term supply integrity of the fast-growing and highly differentiated Uman Nf-L antibodies, which provide unmatched sensitivity and specificity for Nf-L neurodegeneration measurements in blood. Now that we have harnessed most of the value chain of this highly attractive Nf-L franchise, we are working to fully realize its value creation potential through investments and strategic collaborations with marquee partners. This has catalyzed many growth vectors with wide-ranging potential across the research, drug development and clinical spectrum for neuro, oncology and inflammation biomarkers. We enter 2020 with a solid lineup of new differentiated instruments, serum-based biomarker assays, specialty pharma services and compelling validation stemming from over 650 Simoa-specific inclusions in publications. These advances, plus adoption momentum in drug development, are increasing the longer-term promise for our technologies in the larger, potentially more attractive, clinical landscape.”

Fourth Quarter 2019 Financial Highlights
Key financial results for the fourth quarter of 2019 are shown below:

  • Q4 revenue was $15.9M versus prior year Q4 of $10.9M, an increase of 46%;
  • Q4 product revenue was $11.4M versus prior year Q4 of $7.5M, an increase of 53%;
  • Q4 service revenue was $4.3M versus prior year Q4 of $3.4M, an increase of 26%;
  • Q4 GAAP gross margin was 43.1% versus prior year Q4 of 47.9%; Q4 non-GAAP gross margin was 47.3%, versus prior year Q4 of 47.9%. Q4 2019 gross margins include 410 bps of adverse impact from our successful HD-X trade-in program.

Full Year 2019 Financial Highlights
Key financial results for FY 2019 are shown below:

  • FY revenue was $56.7M versus prior year FY of $37.6M, an increase of 51%; excluding $1.3M in revenue recognized in Q3 2018 in connection with the termination of a license agreement, non-GAAP year-over-year revenue growth was 56%;
  • FY product revenue was $40.5M versus prior year FY of $23.4M, an increase of 73%;
  • FY service revenue was $16.1M versus prior year FY of $12.1M, an increase of 33%; and,
  • FY gross margin was 47.3% versus prior year FY of 47.7%, FY non-GAAP gross margin was 49.7% versus prior year FY of 45.9%, an increase of 380 bps.

For additional information on the non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release, please see “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financials” below.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Business Highlights

  • Our Simoa technology was highlighted in a record-breaking 246 publications in 2019, bringing total Simoa-specific inclusions to over 650 publications.
  • Launched Simoa HD-X Analyzer, Quanterix’ new, fully automated Simoa bead-based immunoassay instrument model; and extended our technology bench with the launch of the Simoa SP-X™ Imaging and Detection System, 10-Plex Simoa CorPlex Cytokine Panel, and broad menu of additional multiplex panels to further revolutionize research, disease monitoring and drug development across core therapeutic applications.
  • Acquired UmanDiagnostics AB, the world’s leading Nf-L antibody supplier, solidifying Quanterix’ position as the world leader in Nf-L assays as the Nf-L biomarker continues to draw global attention as a promising neurodegenerative disease indicator. A follow-on licensing and supply agreement with Siemens Healthineers for access to the proprietary Nf-L antibodies signed in November marks a critical step toward a clinically viable Nf-L test.
  • Reinforced growing utility of Simoa in neurology research, with increased citations demonstrating its critical role in identifying, monitoring and supporting treatment validation for neurodegenerative diseases through ultra-sensitive detection of serum Nf-L. Major research highlights include:
    • Nf-L as an indicator of Alzheimer’s disease 16 years before symptoms, supporting its potential utility as a clinically useful biomarker. (Nature)
    • Powering more than 85 percent of the Nf-L abstracts presented at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN)’s Annual Meeting, supporting the biomarker’s utility as an indicator of neurodegenerative disease onset and progression.
    • The Simoa Nf-L assay being utilized in a record 50 publications presented at the 35thCongress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS). Notable Nf-L papers included an application of Simoa to validate treatments for relapsing-remitting or primary progressive MS and use of Simoa to demonstrate the efficacy of treatments in patients with relapsing MS, which received FDA and EMA filing acceptance on Feb. 26, 2020.
    • Advanced critical infectious disease research valuable to the acceleration of a rapid triage test for adults with persistent cough suspected to have active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).
  • Successfully raised nearly $120 million through at-the-market equity (ATM) facility and follow-on offering, attracting marquee investors, and further enhancing Quanterix’ liquidity and potential for value creation.
  • Expanded our leadership team with the addition of Amol Chaubal as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) following his tenure in the position at Smith & Nephew and Novartis; 18-year Biogen veteran Tatiana Plavina as Vice President of Clinical Biomarkers; seasoned Thermo Fisher commercial leader Hether Ide as Vice President, Commercial, North America; and the election of 25-year business growth veteran Sarah Hlavinka to its Board of Directors.
  • Received EY’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2019 Award in New Englandrecognizing Hrusovsky’s achievements in healthcare technology innovation, Quanterix’ outstanding financial performance, his commitment to advancing precision health through the founding of the Powering Precision Health (PPH) foundation.
  • Invited to present its disruptive approach to leadership and company growth at several high-profile executive venues, including the SVB Leerink Healthcare CEO Summit, the Laguna Biotech CEO Forum and the Healthcare CEO Summit in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic.
  • Completed the move to our expanded 92,000 square-foot state-of-the-art headquarters in Billerica, Mass., which includes a CLIA-certified laboratory to support the needs of our growing pharmaceutical customer base.
  • Sponsored the 2019 PPH Summit in Barcelona, Spain, attended by more than 250 opinion leaders and researchers from around the world. The event featured more than 40 speakers who presented research across two full, concurrent neurology and oncology tracks. Key takeaways and the precision health mission were echoed in the inaugural “At the Edge of Biotech” leadership series created by Nasdaq, which reinforced the importance of biomarkers in accelerating disease detection, measurement of treatment efficacy and disease progression.

Conference Call
In conjunction with this announcement, Quanterix Corporation will host a conference call on March 9 at 4:30 p.m., EDT. Individuals interested in listening to the conference call may do so by dialing (833) 686-9351 for domestic callers, or (612) 979-9890 for international callers. Please reference the following conference ID: 8171579. A live webcast will also be available at: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/2wnc5veo. The webcast will be available on the Company’s website, https://www.quanterix.com/, for one year following completion of the call.

Financial Highlights (in thousands)

Quanterix Income Statement

 

in '000 USD

Q4 2019

Q4 2018

YTD 2019

YTD 2018

Product Revenue

11,431

7,458

40,491

23,365

Service Revenue

4,302

3,419

16,059

12,117

Collaboration Revenue

184

0

184

2,150

Total Revenue

15,917

10,877

56,734

37,632

 

Cost of Product Revenue

6,684

3,734

20,900

12,729

Cost of Services Revenue

2,368

1,935

8,998

6,955

Gross Profit

6,865

5,208

26,836

17,948

Gross Margin %

43.1%

47.9%

47.3%

47.7%

 

Research and Development

4,398

4,045

16,190

15,805

Selling, General and Administrative

13,953

10,577

52,246

33,693

Total Operating Expenses

18,351

14,622

68,436

49,498

 

Loss From Operations

-11,486

-9,414

-41,600

-31,550

Interest income (expense), net

282

24

627

46

Other income (expense), net

139

81

-10

-7

Tax

-107

25

-187

25

Net Loss

-10,958

-9,334

-40,796

-31,536

Quanterix Balance Sheet

 

in '000 USD

At 12/31/19

At 12/31/2018

Cash and Cash Equivalents

109,155

44,429

Accounts Receivable

10,906

6,792

Inventory

10,463

5,945

Prepaid Expenses and Other

2,137

2,330

Total Current Assets

132,661

59,496

Restricted Cash

1,026

1,000

Property and Equipment, Net

12,047

2,923

Intangible Assets, Net

14,307

2,348

Goodwill

9,353

1,308

Other Non-Current Assets

557

536

Total Assets

169,951

67,611

 

Accounts Payable & Accrued Expenses

14,845

12,688

Deferred Revenue

4,697

5,437

Current Portion of Long Term Debt

75

0

Other Current Liabilities

216

0

Total Current Liabilities

19,833

18,125

Deferred Revenue, Net of Current Portion

466

520

Long Term Debt, Net of Current Portion

7,587

7,623

Other Non-Current Liabilities

13,407

278

Total Liabilities

41,293

26,546

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

128,658

41,065

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

169,951

67,611

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement the Company’s financial statements presented on a GAAP basis, the Company has provided certain non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP revenue, non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin. Management uses these non-GAAP measures to evaluate the Company’s operating performance in a manner that allows for meaningful period-to-period comparison and analysis of trends in its business. Management believes that such measures are important in comparing current results with prior period results, and are useful to investors and financial analysts in assessing the Company’s operating performance. The non-GAAP financial information presented here should be considered in conjunction with, and not as a substitute for, the financial information presented in accordance with GAAP. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures set forth below.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financials
(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 

 

 

2019

2018

 

2019

2018

 

 

Three months ended

 

Year ended

 

 

December 31

 

December 31

Total revenue

 

$

15,917

$

10,877

 

$

56,734

$

37,632

Revenue from termination of license agreement (Note 1)

 

 

$

(1,342)

Non-GAAP total revenue

 

$

15,917

$

10,877

 

$

56,734

$

36,290

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

$

6,865

$

5,208

 

$

26,836

$

17,948

Revenue from termination of license agreement (Note 1)

 

 

$

(1,342)

Acquisition-related purchase accounting charges (Note 2)

 

$

667

$

5

 

$

1,378

$

49

Non-GAAP gross profit

 

$

7,532

$

5,213

 

$

28,214

$

16,655

GAAP gross margin %

 

 

43.1%

 

47.9%

 

 

47.3%

 

47.7%

Non-GAAP gross margin %

 

 

47.3%

 

47.9%

 

 

49.7%

 

45.9%

______

Note 1: During Q3 of the year ended December 31, 2018, we recognized $1.3 million in collaboration and license revenue in connection with the termination of our license agreement with bioMerieux SA.
Note 2: During the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019, we incurred $284 thousand and $612 thousand, respectively, of acquisition-related amortization of inventory valuation in connection with our acquisition of UmanDiagnostics. Also during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2019, we incurred $383 thousand and $766 thousand, respectively, of acquisition-related amortization of intangible assets adjustments in connection with our acquisition of UmanDiagnostics. During the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, we incurred $5 thousand and $49 thousand, respectively, of acquisition-related amortization of inventory valuation adjustments in connection with our acquisition of Aushon Biosystems.

About Quanterix
Quanterix is a company that’s digitizing biomarker analysis with the goal of advancing the science of precision health. The company’s digital health solution, Simoa, has the potential to change the way in which healthcare is provided today by giving researchers the ability to closely examine the continuum from health to disease. Quanterix’ technology is designed to enable much earlier disease detection, better prognoses and enhanced treatment methods to improve the quality of life and longevity of the population for generations to come. The technology is currently being used for research applications in several therapeutic areas, including oncology, neurology, cardiology, inflammation and infectious disease. The company was established in 2007 and is located in Billerica, Massachusetts. For additional information, please visit https://www.quanterix.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend" and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release are based on Quanterix’ expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause Quanterix’ actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements in this press release are discussed in Quanterix’ filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the "Risk Factors" sections contained therein. Except as required by law, Quanterix assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, even as new information becomes available.

Quanterix, Inc.
Amol Chaubal, CFO, 617-301-9495
achaubal@quanterix.com

PAN Communications
Staci Didner, 617-502-4300
quanterix@pancomm.com

Source: Quanterix Corporation