GenMark Diagnostics Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Results


CARLSBAD, Calif., March 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GenMark Diagnostics, Inc. (Nasdaq: GNMK), a leading provider of automated, multiplex molecular diagnostic testing systems, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2019.

Full Year 2019 Financial Highlights

  • Total revenue of $88.0 million, an increase of 24% over 2018 
    -- ePlex revenue of $60.3 million, an increase of more than 59% over 2018
  • Gross margin of 32.5%, a 500-bps improvement over 2018
  • Ended the year with $53.5 million in cash and investments

Fourth Quarter 2019 Financial Highlights

  • Total revenue of $27.2 million, an increase of 40% over the fourth quarter of 2018 
    -- ePlex revenue of $19.2 million, an increase of approximately 58% over the fourth quarter of 2018
  • Gross margin of 33.5%, a 630-bps improvement over the fourth quarter of 2018

Recent Operational Highlights

  • Placed 38 net new ePlex analyzers in the fourth quarter of 2019, expanding the global installed base to 527 at year end
  • Approximate average annuity per ePlex analyzer of $148,000, compared to $139,000 in the comparable period of 2018
  • Over 70% of placements in the fourth quarter were within labs that previously had a competitive analyzer
  • Shipped initial Research Use Only (RUO) test kits designed to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus to several key sites in the U.S. with access to clinical samples and to the company’s Hong Kong distributor

“2019 was a turning point for our company.  From the FDA clearance and launch of our suite of blood culture identification panels to our significant improvement in gross margin, our team delivered meaningful results through teamwork and clearly defined goals,” said Scott Mendel, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer. “I am confident that we will build on these achievements and drive strong revenue growth and improving margins in 2020.”

“As revenue crosses over the $100 million mark in 2020, we are increasingly focused on driving towards cash flow positivity.  We expect continued strong U.S. ePlex revenue growth, which is the vast majority of our business. Internationally, we plan to take a more measured approach that balances additional placements with stronger leverage of 2019’s geographic expansion,” concluded Mendel.

Fourth Quarter Financial Results
Revenue was $27.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, an increase of 40% versus $19.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. 

Gross profit was $9.1 million, or approximately 33.5% of revenue, compared with $5.3 million, or 27.2% of revenue in the same period of 2018.

Operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $17.8 million compared to $15.9 million in the same period of 2018.  The increase was largely due to higher BCID launch and ePlex development expenses.

Loss per share was $0.17 for the fourth quarter of 2019, compared to a $0.21 loss per share in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Full Year 2019 Financial Results
Revenue was $88.0 million in 2019, an increase of 24% versus $70.8 million in 2018.  Gross profit was $28.6 million, or 32.5% of revenue, compared with $19.5 million, or 27.5% of revenue in the prior year.

Operating expenses for 2019 were $70.4 million compared to $67.3 million in 2018.  The increase was largely due to higher BCID launch and ePlex development expenses.

Loss per share was $0.82 for 2019, compared to a $0.91 loss per share in 2018.

Cash and investments were $53.5 million as of December 31, 2019.

Guidance for Full Year 2020
The company expects revenue for the full year 2020 in the range of $100 million to $110 million, which represents growth of 14% to 25%, updated from 20-25% previously communicated. ePlex revenues are expected to increase by more than 30% in 2020 and represent approximately 70% to 80% of total 2020 revenue.

Global ePlex placements are expected to range from 130 to 160 net new analyzers with an annuity per analyzer between $130,000 and $135,000. 

Gross margin is expected to be in the 36% to 39% range and operating expenses are expected to be approximately $65 million to $70 million.

Cash used in operations is projected to decline year over year to between $16 million and $20 million.

Webcast and Conference Call Information
GenMark will host a conference call to discuss fourth quarter results in further detail on Monday, March 2, 2020 starting at 4:30 p.m. ET. The conference call will be concurrently webcast. The link to the webcast will be available on the GenMark Diagnostics, Inc. website at www.genmarkdx.com under the investor relations section and will be archived for future reference. To listen to the conference call, please dial (877) 312-5847 (US/Canada) or (253) 237-1154 (International) and use the conference ID number 8163576 approximately five minutes prior to the start time.

About GenMark Diagnostics
GenMark Diagnostics (NASDAQ: GNMK) is a leading provider of multiplex molecular diagnostic solutions designed to enhance patient care, improve key quality metrics, and reduce the total cost-of-care. Utilizing GenMark's proprietary eSensor® detection technology, GenMark's eSensor XT-8® and ePlex® systems are designed to support a broad range of molecular diagnostic tests with compact, easy-to-use workstations and self-contained, disposable test cartridges. GenMark’s ePlex: The True Sample-to-Answer Solution™ is designed to optimize laboratory efficiency and address a broad range of infectious disease testing needs, including respiratory, bloodstream, and gastrointestinal infections.  For more information, visit www.genmarkdx.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding events, trends and business prospects, which may affect our future operating results and financial position. Such statements, including, but not limited to, those regarding our future financial performance, regulatory submissions and approvals, plans and objectives of management, and the timely and effective commercialization and clinical impact of our ePlex system, are all subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results and financial position to differ materially. Some of these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, our ability to successfully commercialize our ePlex system and its related test menu in a timely manner, constraints or inefficiencies caused by unanticipated acceleration and deceleration of customer demand, our ability to successfully expand sales of our product offerings outside the United States, and third-party payor reimbursement to our customers, as well as other risks and uncertainties described under the “Risk Factors” in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events, trends or circumstances after the date they are made.

Investor Relations Contact                                                             
Leigh Salvo                                         
(415) 937-5404   

GENMARK DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except par value)

 As of December 31,
 2019 2018
ASSETS:       
Current Assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$44,360  $36,286 
Short-term marketable securities9,100  8,882 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $376 and $75, respectively16,759  11,534 
Inventories11,301  10,244 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets1,877  1,483 
Total current assets83,397  68,429 
    
Property and equipment, net20,419  21,070 
Intangible assets, net1,432  2,023 
Restricted cash758  758 
Noncurrent operating lease right-of-use assets4,642   
Other long-term assets825  701 
Total assets$111,473  $92,981 
    
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:       
Current liabilities:   
Accounts payable$12,249  $9,886 
Accrued compensation7,493  7,358 
Current operating lease liability1,842   
Other current liabilities2,732  3,043 
Total current liabilities24,316  20,287 
    
Deferred rent  2,996 
Long-term debt69,145  36,042 
Noncurrent operating lease liability5,796   
Other noncurrent liabilities53  109 
Total liabilities99,310  59,434 
    
Commitments and contingencies - See Note 7   
    
Stockholders' equity   
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 5,000 authorized, none issued   
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000 authorized; 60,255 and 56,240 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively6  6 
Additional paid-in capital526,294  500,344 
Accumulated deficit(514,233) (466,883)
Accumulated other comprehensive income96  80 
Total stockholders’ equity12,163  33,547 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$111,473  $92,981 
        

GENMARK DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(In thousands, except per share data)

 Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
 December 31, December 31,
 2019 2018 2019 2018
Revenue:       
Product revenue$27,078  $19,325  $87,491  $70,481 
License and other revenue118  53  530  278 
Total revenue27,196  19,378  88,021  70,759 
Cost of revenue18,079  14,106  59,418  51,278 
Gross profit9,117  5,272  28,603  19,481 
Operating expenses:       
Sales and marketing6,127  5,813  24,118  21,777 
General and administrative4,942  4,147  19,159  17,545 
Research and development6,754  5,924  27,140  27,931 
Total operating expenses17,823  15,884  70,417  67,253 
Loss from operations(8,706) (10,612) (41,814) (47,772)
Other income (expense):       
Interest income74  134  512  711 
Interest expense(1,630) (862) (5,961) (3,108)
Other (expense) income11  (143) (23) (192)
Total other expense(1,545) (871) (5,472) (2,589)
Loss before provision for income taxes(10,251) (11,483) (47,286) (50,361)
Income tax expense36  80  64  139 
Net loss$(10,287) $(11,563) $(47,350) $(50,500)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted$(0.17) $(0.21) $(0.82) $(0.91)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic and diluted58,915  56,065  57,603  55,669 
        
Other comprehensive loss:       
Net loss$(10,287) $(11,563) $(47,350) $(50,500)
Other comprehensive income (loss):       
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax48  15  11  44 
Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of tax(3) 1  5  27 
Total other comprehensive income (loss)45  16  16  71 
Total comprehensive loss$(10,242) $(11,547) $(47,334) $(50,429)
                

GENMARK DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)

 Years ended December 31,
 2019 2018 2017
Operating activities:     
Net loss$(47,350) $(50,500) $(61,850)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:     
Depreciation and amortization7,268  7,088  5,317 
Net accretion of premiums/discounts on investments(133) (142) (39)
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs1,740  938  1,132 
Stock-based compensation12,046  11,697  12,170 
Provision for bad debt338  23  14 
Non-cash inventory adjustments2,631  1,426  1,323 
Other non-cash adjustments537  15  (224)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:     
Accounts receivable(5,584) (878) (1,555)
Inventories(6,534) (2,414) (10,512)
Prepaid expenses and other assets(750) 854  (599)
Accounts payable1,501  (1,389) 2,557 
Accrued compensation(885) 1,059  (263)
Other current and non-current liabilities249  (289) (893)
Net cash used in operating activities(34,926) (32,512) (53,422)
Investing activities:     
Payments for intellectual property licenses    (500)
Purchases of property and equipment(2,092) (2,575) (4,815)
Purchases of marketable securities(32,135) (29,778) (70,989)
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities    13,896 
Maturities of marketable securities32,055  66,300  37,500 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities(2,172) 33,947  (24,908)
Financing activities:     
Proceeds from issuance of common stock14,021  1,061  87,267 
Costs incurred in conjunction with public offering(574)   (5,469)
Principal repayment of borrowings(35,093) (92) (7,848)
Proceeds from borrowings70,000  7,098  15,000 
Costs associated with debt issuance(3,638) (20) (187)
Proceeds from stock option exercises457  22  287 
Net cash provided by financing activities45,173  8,069  89,050 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash(1) 28  75 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents8,074  9,532  10,795 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year37,044  27,512  16,717 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year$45,118  $37,044  $27,512 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:     
Transfer of systems from inventory to property and equipment$2,846  $1,689  $4,885 
Property and equipment costs incurred but not paid included in accounts payable$1,234  $372  $227 
Supplemental cash flow information:     
Cash paid for interest$3,946  $2,028  $1,643 
Cash paid for income taxes, net$155  $165  $61