Accelerate Diagnostics Reports Preliminary First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

TUCSON, Ariz., May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AXDX) today announced financial preliminary results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.

"During the quarter we installed our first pre-clinical trial site demonstrating our ability to successfully ship, install, train and run the Accelerate Wave((TM)) system with Gram-Negative Positive Blood Culture samples in a clinical microbiology lab," commented Jack Phillips, President and CEO of Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc. "We continue to target starting our clinical trial towards the end of the second quarter. In parallel to the clinical trial work, we are developing our Gram Positive PBC menu. We continue to present the Accelerate Wave to our current base of loyal customers and secure long-term rapid susceptibility testing contracts. The interest in Wave remains very high due to its differentiated and highly valued features," Mr. Phillips continued.

First Quarter 2024 Operating Highlights

    --  Notable Wave program achievements during the quarter included:
        --  Pre-clinical trial site installation of the Accelerate Wave system
            for Gram-Negative Positive Blood Culture (PBC) samples.
        --  Began development of Gram Positive PBC menu.
    --  Executed contract extensions with several strategic customers which
        secures approximately 70% of U.S. Pheno(® )customer base to longer-term
        contracts ahead of the Wave commercial launch.
    --  In the United States, added 12 new contracted Pheno instruments during
        the quarter, ending the quarter with 348 clinically live
        revenue-generating instruments and another 75 contracted instruments in
        the process of being implemented.

First Quarter 2024 Preliminary Financial Highlights

    --  Net sales for the quarter were $2.9 million, compared to $2.8 million
        for the same quarter of the prior year. Revenues from consumable
        products increased by 7% compared to the same period in the prior year.
    --  Gross margin was approximately 25% for the quarter, compared to
        approximately 36% for the same quarter of the prior year. The decline in
        gross margin resulted from lower capital instrument product sales mix.
    --  Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) costs for the quarter were
        $5.7 million, compared to $10.1 million for the same quarter of the
        prior year. The decline in SG&A costs is a result of lower
        employee-related expenses. SG&A costs include non-cash stock-based
        compensation of $0.9 million and ($0.1) million, respectively, for the
        same periods.
    --  Research and development (R&D) costs for the quarter were $5.2 million,
        compared to $7.0 million for the same quarter of the prior year. The
        decline in R&D costs is a result of lower employee-related expenses as
        well as lower third-party development costs for our next generation
        susceptibility instrument Accelerate Wave. R&D costs include non-cash
        stock-based compensation of $0.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively,
        for the same periods.
    --  Net loss was $17.0 million for the quarter, resulting in $0.88 net loss
        per share.
    --  Cash used in the first quarter was approximately $9.0 million, net of
        financing. This includes approximately $1 million in pre-paid annual
        expenses.

The preliminary results set forth above are not finalized, are based on management's initial review of Accelerate's results as of and for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, and are subject to revisions based upon closing procedures and the completion of external auditor review of Accelerate's financial statements. Actual results may differ materially from these preliminary results as a result of the completion of such closing procedures, final adjustments and other developments arising between now and the time that Accelerate's financial results are finalized, including as a result of Accelerate finalizing its analysis of the accounting for its previously announced January 2024 equity financing. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these preliminary results.

Full financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 will be filed on Form 10-Q through the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) website at http://www.sec.gov.

Audio Webcast and Conference Call

Management will host a conference call on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to review first quarter 2024 results.

To listen to the first quarter 2024 results call by phone, +1.877.883.0383 and enter Elite Entry Number: 2853328. International participants may dial +1.412.902.6506. Please dial in 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the conference.

A replay of the call will be available by telephone at +1.877.344.7529 (U.S.) or +1.412.317.0088 (International) using the replay code 1893704 until May 29, 2024.

This conference call will also be webcast and can be accessed from the company's website at ir.axdx.com. A replay of the audio webcast will be available for 30 days.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains certain financial measures that are not recognized measures under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), which include SG&A, R&D, and operating income (loss) amounts excluding stock-based compensation expenses.

Our management and board of directors use expenses excluding the cost of stock-based compensation and certain impairment transactions to understand and evaluate our operating performance and trends, to prepare and approve our annual budget and to develop short-term and long-term operating and financing plans. Accordingly, we believe that expenses excluding the cost of stock-based compensation and certain impairment transactions provides useful information for investors in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management and our board of directors. Expenses excluding the cost of stock-based compensation and certain impairment transactions is a non-GAAP financial measure and should be considered in addition to, not as superior to, or as a substitute for, SG&A expenses, R&D expenses, and operating income (loss) reported in accordance with GAAP. The following tables present a reconciliation of SG&A expenses, R&D expenses and operating income (loss) excluding stock-based compensation and certain impairment transactions to comparable GAAP measures for the periods indicated:


                                                                                                    Three Months
                                                                                                        Ended
                                                                                                 March 31,
                                                                                               (in thousands)


                                                                                               2024         2023



     Sales, general and administrative                                                      $5,706      $10,105



     Non-cash equity-based compensation as a component of sales, general and administrative    860        (140)



     Sales, general and administrative less non-cash equity-based compensation              $4,846      $10,245


                                                                                             Three Months
                                                                                                Ended
                                                                                        March 31,
                                                                                      (in thousands)


                                                                                      2024         2023



     Research and development                                                      $5,173       $6,968



     Non-cash equity-based compensation as a component of research and development    379          605



     Research and development less non-cash equity-based compensation              $4,794       $6,363


                                                                                          Three Months
                                                                                             Ended
                                                                                     March 31,
                                                                                   (in thousands)


                                                                                   2024         2023



     Loss from operations                                                      $10,156      $16,062



     Non-cash equity-based compensation as a component of loss from operations   1,297          555



     Loss from operations less non-cash equity-based compensation               $8,859      $15,507

About Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc.

Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc. is an in vitro diagnostics company dedicated to providing solutions for the global challenges of antibiotic resistance and sepsis. The Accelerate Pheno(®) system and Accelerate PhenoTest(®) BC kit combine several technologies aimed at reducing the time clinicians must wait to determine the most optimal antibiotic therapy for deadly infections. The FDA cleared system and kit fully automate the sample preparation steps to report phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility results in approximately 7 hours direct from positive blood cultures. Recent external studies indicate the solution offers results 1-2 days faster than existing methods, enabling clinicians to optimize antibiotic selection and dosage specific to the individual patient days earlier.

The "ACCELERATE DIAGNOSTICS" and "ACCELERATE PHENO" and "ACCELERATE PHENOTEST" and "ACCELERATE ARC" and "ACCELERATE WAVE" diamond shaped logos and marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc.

For more information about the company, its products and technology, or recent publications, visit axdx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements made in this press release and the related conference call are forward-looking or may have forward-looking implications within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. These forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," or "continue," or variations thereon or comparable terminology, include but are not limited to, statements about: the company's anticipated results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, the company's future development plans and growth strategy, including plans and objectives relating to its future operations, products and performance; projections as to when certain key business milestones may be achieved, expectations regarding the potential or benefits of the company's products and technologies, projections of future demand for the company's products, including the Accelerate Wave system; the company's continued investment in new product development to both enhance its existing products and bring new ones to market; the company's expectations relating to current supply chain impacts and inflationary pressures; the company's expectations regarding its commercial partnerships, such as with Bruker Corporation, including anticipated benefits from such collaboration; the company's intentions and plans relating to regulatory approvals, and the company's liquidity and capital requirements. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements due to significant risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: volatility throughout the global economy and the related impacts to the businesses of the company's suppliers and customers, whether due to customer demand fluctuations, supply chain constraints and inflationary pressures or otherwise; difficulties in resolving the company's continuing financial condition and ability to obtain additional capital to meet its financial obligations; the company's ability to obtain any regulatory approvals; and less than expected operating and financial benefits resulting from cost cutting measures. Other important factors that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those in its forward-looking statements include those discussed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including in the "Risk Factors" sections of the company's most recently filed periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and subsequent filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements are also based on certain additional assumptions, including, but not limited to, that the company will retain key management personnel; the company will be successful in the commercialization of its products; the company will obtain sufficient capital to commercialize its products and continue development of complementary products; the company will be successful in obtaining marketing authorization for its products from the FDA and other regulatory agencies and governing bodies; the company will be able to protect its intellectual property; the company's ability to respond effectively to technological change; the company's ability to accurately anticipate market demand for its products; and that there will be no material adverse change in the company's operations or business and general market and industry conditions. Except as required by federal securities laws, the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new events, uncertainties or other contingencies. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing the company's plans and expectations as of any subsequent date.


                                                                                    
              
                ACCELERATE DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

                                                                                       
              
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

                                                                                           
              
                BALANCE SHEETS

                                                                                             
              
                Unaudited

                                                                                        
              (in thousands, except share data)




                                                                                                                                             March 31, December 31,


                                                                                                                                                  2024          2023


                                                                                               
              
                ASSETS



              Current assets:



              Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                       $14,606       $12,138



              Investments                                                                                                                       1,145         1,081



              Trade accounts receivable                                                                                                         2,217         2,622



              Inventory                                                                                                                         3,249         3,310



              Prepaid expenses                                                                                                                  1,068           380



              Purchase obligation put option asset                                                                                                  -        3,419



              Other current assets                                                                                                              1,848         1,516



              Total current assets                                                                                                             24,133        24,466



              Property and equipment, net                                                                                                       3,197         2,389



              Finance lease assets, net                                                                                                         1,225         1,518



              Operating lease right of use assets, net                                                                                            957         1,177



              Other non-current assets                                                                                                          1,210         1,816



              Total assets                                                                                                                    $30,722       $31,366


                                                                               
              
                LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT



              Current liabilities:



              Accounts payable                                                                                                                 $5,108        $4,796



              Accrued liabilities                                                                                                               3,351         3,243



              Accrued interest                                                                                                                  1,014           164



              Deferred revenue and income, current                                                                                              1,272         1,545



              Current portion of convertible notes                                                                                                726           726



              Common warrant liability                                                                                                          3,035



              Finance lease, current                                                                                                              685           583



              Operating lease, current                                                                                                            940           977



              Total current liabilities                                                                                                        16,131        12,034



              Finance lease, non-current                                                                                                           81           262



              Operating lease, non-current                                                                                                        328           570



              Deferred income, non-current                                                                                                      1,110         1,122



              Other non-current liabilities                                                                                                     1,197         1,164



              Convertible notes, non-current                                                                                                   37,655        36,102



              Total liabilities                                                                                                               $56,502       $51,254





              Commitments and contingencies





              Stockholders' deficit:



              Preferred shares, $0.001 par value;



              5,000,000 preferred shares authorized and no shares issued or outstanding as of March                                                 -
    31, 2024 and December 31, 2023



              Common stock, $0.001 par value;



              450,000,000 common shares authorized with 21,811,706 shares issued and outstanding                                                   21            14
    on March 31, 2024 and 14,569,500 shares issued and outstanding on December 31,
    2023



              Contributed capital                                                                                                             705,706       694,634



              Treasury stock                                                                                                                 (45,067)     (45,067)



              Accumulated deficit                                                                                                           (685,822)    (668,857)



              Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                                                              (618)        (612)



              Total stockholders' deficit                                                                                                    (25,780)     (19,888)



              Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit                                                                                     $30,722       $31,366


                                          
              
                ACCELERATE DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

                                             
              
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

                                 
              
                STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

                                                    
              
                Unaudited

                                            
              (in thousands, except per share data)




                                                                                                                   Three Months Ended


                                                                                                         March 31,                    March 31,


                                                                                                              2024                          2023



     
                Net sales                                                                                $2,921                        $2,812





     
                Cost of sales                                                                             2,198                         1,801



     Gross profit                                                                                             723                         1,011





     
                Costs and expenses:



     Research and development                                                                               5,173                         6,968



     Sales, general and administrative                                                                      5,706                        10,105



     Total costs and expenses                                                                              10,879                        17,073





     Loss from operations                                                                                (10,156)                     (16,062)





     
                Other income (expense):



     Interest expense                                                                                     (2,450)                        (418)



     Interest expense related party                                                                             -                      (1,013)



     Loss on fair value instruments                                                                       (3,951)



     Foreign currency exchange gain                                                                            19                           233



     Interest income                                                                                          200                           420



     Other (expense) income, net                                                                            (627)                           45



     Total other expense, net                                                                             (6,809)                        (733)





     Net loss before income taxes                                                                        (16,965)                     (16,795)



     Provision for income taxes                                                                                 -



     Net loss                                                                                           ($16,965)                    ($16,795)





     Basic and diluted net loss per share                                                                 ($0.88)                      ($1.71)



     Weighted average shares outstanding                                                                   19,216                         9,830





     
                Other comprehensive loss:



     Net loss                                                                                           ($16,965)                    ($16,795)



     Net unrealized loss on debt securities available-for-sale                                                  -                           24



     Foreign currency translation adjustment                                                                  (6)                        (255)



     Comprehensive loss                                                                                 ($16,971)                    ($17,026)


                                                           
              
               ACCELERATE DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

                                                              
              
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

                                                             
              
               STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                                     
              
               Unaudited

                                                                         
             (in thousands)




                                                                                                                         Three Months Ended


                                                                                                               March 31,                    March 31,


                                                                                                                    2024                          2023



     
                Cash flows from operating activities:



     Net loss                                                                                                  (16,965)                     (16,795)



     Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:



     Depreciation and amortization                                                                                  858                           802



     Provision for bad debts                                                                                         19



     Equity-based compensation                                                                                    1,297                           555



     Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs                                                             1,596                           182



     Amortization of debt discount related-party                                                                      -                          572



     Loss on disposal of property and equipment                                                                      71                            11



     Unrealized gain on equity investments                                                                         (53)                         (50)



     Units offering issuance cost                                                                                   680



     Loss on fair value adjustments                                                                               3,951



     (Increase) decrease in assets:



     Contributions to deferred compensation plan                                                                   (12)



     Accounts receivable                                                                                            386                          (11)



     Inventory                                                                                                     (85)                        (140)



     Prepaid expense and other                                                                                    (447)                        (239)



     Increase (decrease) in liabilities:



     Accounts payable                                                                                               312                         (977)



     Accrued liabilities and other                                                                                (658)                        1,945



     Accrued interest                                                                                               850                           235



     Accrued interest due to related-party                                                                            -                          441



     Deferred revenue and income                                                                                  (285)                         (79)



     Deferred compensation                                                                                           33                           181



     Net cash used in operating activities                                                                      (8,452)                     (13,367)





     
                Cash flows from investing activities:



     Purchases of equipment                                                                                       (513)                         (12)



     Maturities of marketable securities                                                                              -                        8,221



     Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities                                                          (513)                        8,209





     
                Cash flows from financing activities:



     Proceeds from issuance of Units to related party                                                             2,050



     Proceeds from issuance of Units                                                                             10,232



     Units offering issuance cost                                                                                 (764)



     Payments on finance leases                                                                                    (79)                         (77)



     Net cash provided by financing activities                                                                   11,439                          (77)





     Effect of exchange rate on cash                                                                                (6)                        (262)





     (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents                                                             2,468                       (5,497)



     Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                                                              12,138                        34,905



     Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                                                                   $14,606                       $29,408


                                                       
              
                ACCELERATE DIAGNOSTICS, INC.

                                                          
              
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED

                                                   
              
                STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

                                                                 
              
                Unaudited

                                                                     
              (in thousands)




                                                                                                                          Three Months Ended


                                                                                                                March 31,                    March 31,


                                                                                                                     2024                          2023



     
                Non-cash investing activities:



     Net transfer of instruments from inventory to property and equipment                                           $127                           $71



     
                Non-cash financing activities:                                                                     $43                            $0


     Net transfer of instruments from inventory to property and equipment



     Accrued units offering issuance cost                                                                           $473                            $0



     
                Supplemental cash flow information:



     Interest paid                                                                                                   $10                            $0

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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SOURCE Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc.