Q3 2024 Champions Oncology Inc Earnings Call
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Operator: Greetings. Welcome to the Champions Oncology third quarter fiscal year 2024. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A question and answer session will follow the formal presentation. Anyone should require operator assistance during the presentation, please press star zero on your telephone.
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Greetings and welcome to the champions oncology third quarter fiscal year 2024 earnings call.
At this time all participants are in a listen only mode.
A question and answer session will follow the formal presentation.
If anyone should require operator assistance during the conference. Please press star zero on your telephone keypad. Please.
Ronnie Morris: Please note this conference is being, I will now turn the conference over to your host, Ronnie Morris, CEO of Champions, you name it. Good afternoon. I am Ronnie Morris, CEO of Champions Oncology. And joining me today is David Miller, our Chief Financial Officer. Thank you for joining us for our quarterly earnings call. Before I begin, I will remind you that I was making forward-looking statements during today's call and that actual results could differ materially from what is described in those statements. Additional information on factors that could cause results to differ is available in our Form 10-Q and Form 10-K. Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures that may be discussed during the call to GAAP financial measures is available in the earnings release.
Please note. This conference is being recorded I will now turn the conference over to your host Ronnie Morris CEO of champions oncology you may begin.
Ronnie Morris Champions oncology, joining me today is David Miller, our Chief Financial Officer.
Thank you for joining us for our quarterly earnings.
Before I begin I will remind you.
Statements during today's call and actual results could differ materially from what is described in those statements.
Additional information on factors that could cause results to differ is available in our Form 10-Q and Form 10-K.
A reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures that may be discussed during the call.
GAAP financial measures is available in the earnings release.
Ronnie Morris: Overall, we experienced a challenging third quarter with less than stellar results as we continue to navigate through the challenges we've been highlighting over the course of the year. However, I will reiterate that we see positive developments emerging that will translate to improving results over the coming quarters. As we have discussed on previous calls, the challenges began in October of 2022 when the economic environment, specifically in the biotech sector, turned markedly negative. Our customers reduced their R&D budgets in real time, which led to fewer studies ordered, an increase in cancellations, and longer sales cycles. In addition, study sizes were smaller than we were accustomed to, which is a trend that has continued.
We experienced a challenging third quarter with less than stellar results as we continue to navigate through the challenges we have been highlighting over the course of the year.
However, I will reiterate that we see positive developments emerging that would translate to improving results over the coming quarters as we.
We have discussed on previous calls the challenges began in October of 2022, when the economic environment, specifically in the biotech sector turned markedly negative.
Our customers reduce their R&D budgets in real time, which led to fewer studies ordered an increase in cancellations and longer sales cycles. In addition to study sizes were smaller than we were accustomed to which is a trend that has continued.
Ronnie Morris: All of these factors resulted in lower net bookings and ultimately lower quarterly revenue. Along with the external factors, we identified some operational issues that led to slower revenue conversion, putting additional downward pressure on our top line and operating results. We have made significant progress towards reversing these trends, and the metrics we used to measure operational efficiencies and success have made significant headway over the last several months; cancellations have receded back to historical levels. Our business development strategy is taking hold, which will contribute to our already strong bookings, which are the fundamental foundation for building long-term success. As these higher bookings convert to revenue over the coming quarters, we will see a return to quarterly revenue growth and profitability. Anticipating the slowdown in biotech funding and R&D, over the last year, we have expanded our work with some of our top-tiered, larger customers. These large pharmaceutical companies generally have larger and more stable budgets.
These factors resulted in lower net bookings and ultimately lower quarterly revenue.
Along with the external factors, we identified some operational issues that led to slower revenue conversion, putting additional downward pressure on our top line and operating results.
Made significant progress towards reversing these trends and the metrics, we use to measure operational efficiencies and success has made significant headway over the last several months cancellations have receded back to historical levels. Our business development strategy is taking hold which will contribute to our already strong bookings which are the <unk>.
The mental foundation for building long term success.
These higher bookings convert to revenue over the coming quarters, we will see a return to quarterly revenue growth and profitability.
Anticipating the slowdown in biotech funding in R&D over the last year, we have expanded our work with some of our top tiered larger customers. These large pharma companies generally have larger and more stable budgets.
Ronnie Morris: Smaller biotech companies that we work with. This does not mean we are abandoning the smaller biotech space, but we see a more robust pipeline of opportunities emanating from these larger customers. Despite the fact that the biotech sector is showing a lot more activity since the start of the year, we have decided to right-size our operational teams and reduce our costs at this time to better reflect the current market conditions and our current revenue. When the need arises, we are confident we will be able to staff up to meet the increased need.
Smaller biotech companies that we work with.
This does not mean, we're abandoning the smaller biotech space, but we see a more robust pipeline of opportunities emanating from these larger customers.
Despite the fact that the biotech sector is showing a lot more activity since the start of the year, we have decided to right size the operational teams and reduce our cost at this time to better reflect the current market conditions and our current revenue when the need arises. We are confident we will be able to staff up to meet the increased need.
Ronnie Morris: We are becoming leaner in order to reach our goal of quarterly profitability and then continue to expand our operating margin over time. As is often the case, the anticipated turnaround has taken longer than initially expected, but it is coming. With regard to specific offerings, our clinical biomarkers pipeline has grown with a modest uptick in our clinical bookings. This has been an area that has lagged behind our internal expectations, and we are monitoring closely to determine if it can finally become a more meaningful contributor to our long-term revenue growth. Turning to Xvivo, we continue to expand our Xvivo offering, making it more robust by adding additional models to our platform. We continue to get extremely positive feedback from our customers on this platform, and we anticipate strong growth from our Xvivo offering over the coming quarters. With regard to Corellia, our wholly owned drug development subsidiary, our lead discovery programs are progressing well through the therapeutic discovery stages, with our two lead programs exhibiting promising results.
We're becoming leaner in order to reach our goal of quarterly profitability and the continued and and then continue to expand our operating margin over time.
Often the case the anticipated turnaround has taken longer than initially expected, but it is coming with regard to specific offerings. Our clinical biomarkers pipeline has grown with a modest uptick in our clinical bookings. This has been an area that has lagged behind our internal expectations and we are monitoring closely to determine.
And if it can finally become a more meaningful contributor to our long term revenue growth.
Turning to ex vivo, we continue to expand our ex vivo offering making it more robust by adding additional models for our platform. We continue to get extremely positive feedback from our customers on this platform and we anticipate strong growth from our ex vivo offering over the coming quarters.
With regards to Corral Leah our wholly owned drug development subsidiary, our lead discovery programs are progressing well through the therapeutic discovery stages with our two lead programs exhibiting promising results. We continue to be actively engaged with investors in an effort to raise capital to support and accelerate our growth.
Ronnie Morris: We continue to be actively engaged with investors in an effort to raise capital to support and accelerate our growth. In addition to the prospect of raising capital, there are potential near-term licensing opportunities that we are currently evaluating. This is an exciting development within our target discovery program and a model we hope to replicate.
In addition to the prospect of raising capital there are potential near term licensing opportunity that we are currently evaluating this is an exciting development within our target discovery program in our model, we hope to replicate in.
Ronnie Morris: In summary, the quarter's performance was challenging but not entirely unexpected. We anticipate that improvements will slowly take hold and put us back on our targeted trajectory. Despite the slowdown, we continue to have robust bookings, a comprehensive platform, a stellar reputation, and a strong team that is poised for the next stage. We are confident that we will emerge with stronger revenue and profitability over the long term. Now, let me turn the call over to David Miller for a more detailed review of the financials. Thanks, Ronnie. Our full results on Form 10-Q will be filed with the SEC on or before March 18.
In summary, the quarter's performance was challenging but not entirely unexpected we anticipate that improvements will slowly take hold and put us back on our targeted trajectory. Despite the slowdown we continue to have robust bookings a comprehensive platform a stellar reputation and a strong team that is poised for the next stage.
We are confident that we will emerge with stronger revenue and profitability over the long term.
Now, let me turn the call over to David Miller for a more detailed review of the financial results.
Thanks, Ronny our full results on Form 10-Q will be filed with the SEC on or before March 18th.
David Barry Miller: Our third quarter revenue was $12 million, a decline of 6% from the third quarter of fiscal 2023. As we've been guiding our calls throughout the year, the challenges encountered last year, specifically customer cancellations, led to a reduction in convertible bookings and would ultimately lead to lower revenue in 2024. We believe last quarter, our Q2, was the revenue low point, and the expectation remains that we'll see gradual improvement over the coming quarters, beginning with this quarter, Q3, which was approximately 4% higher sequentially. On a gap basis, our loss for the third quarter of 2024 was approximately $2.6 million compared to $2.5 million in the prior year. Included in the $2.6 million loss were non-cash expenses of stock compensation and depreciation totaling approximately $900,000.
Our third quarter revenue was $12 million.
Klein of 6% from the third quarter of fiscal 2023.
As we've been guiding on our calls throughout the year.
<unk> encountered last year, specifically the customer cancellations led to a reduction in convertible bookings that would ultimately lead to lower revenue in 2024.
We believe last quarter. Our Q2 was the revenue low point and the expectation remains that we will see gradual improvement over the coming quarters, beginning with this quarter Q3, which was approximately 4% higher sequentially.
On a GAAP basis, our loss in the third quarter of 2024 was approximately $2 6 million compared to $2 5 million in the prior year.
Included in the $2 6 million loss were noncash expenses of stock comp in depletion and depreciation totaling approximately 900000.
David Barry Miller: Excluding these non-cash items, our adjusted EBITDA loss was approximately $1.7 million for the quarter compared to an adjusted EBITDA loss of $1.6 million in the year-ago period. Turning the focus to our cash-based results, the total cost of sales was $7.8 million compared to $7.5 million in our third quarter last year, an increase of 4%. The increase relative to the same period last year was primarily due to an increase in mouse costs.
Excluding these noncash items, our adjusted EBITDA loss was approximately $1 7 million for the quarter compared to an adjusted EBITDA loss of $1 6 million in the year ago period.
Turning the focus to our cash based results.
Total cost of sales was $7 8 million compared to $7 5 million in our third quarter last year, an increase of 4%.
The increase relative to the same period last year was primarily due to an increase in that class.
David Barry Miller: These costs rose due to some operational inefficiencies which are being corrected. This should lead to lower mouse costs as a percentage of revenue in the coming quarter. As a result of our lower top line revenue and higher cost of sales, our gross margin dipped to 35% for the quarter, compared to 41% for the same period last year.
These costs rose due to some operational inefficiencies, which are being corrected.
This should lead to a lower amount of cost.
As a percentage of revenue in the coming quarter.
As a result of our lower top line revenue and higher cost of sales, our gross margin to 35% for the quarter compared to 41% for the same period last year.
David Barry Miller: Our margins should begin to improve over the coming quarters as our revenue expands, leveraging against the fixed cost component of the cost of sales and lower mouse costs resulting from both price reductions on recently negotiated terms along with improvement in operations. Additionally, we anticipate a decline in salary expense as we make some strategic reductions in our operations. So the quarter R&D expense was approximately $2.2 million compared to $3.2 million in the year-ago period. Our R&D spend is split between traditional R&D, supporting our core business services, and investing in our drug discovery platform. Approximately $900,000 was invested towards our drug discovery efforts during the quarter, down from $1.5 million in the year-ago period. The reduction in our drug discovery spend should continue in subsequent quarters as we're in a holding pattern while we look to raise capital for future discovery efforts. For the quarter, sales and marketing expense was unchanged at $1.7 million.
Our margins should begin to improve over the coming quarters as our revenue expand leverage leveraging against the fixed cost component of cost of sales and lower mouth cost, resulting from both price reductions on recently negotiated term along with improvements in operations.
Additionally, we anticipate a decline in salary expense and so you can make some strategic reductions and our operational team.
For the quarter R&D expense was approximately $2 2 million compared to $3 2 million in the year ago period.
Our R&D spend is split between our traditional R&D supporting our core business services and investing in our drug discovery platform.
Approximately 900000 was invested towards our drug discovery efforts during the quarter down from $1 5 million in the year ago period.
<unk> and our drug discovery spend should continue in subsequent quarters.
In a holding pattern, while we look to raise capital for future discovery efforts.
For the quarter sales and marketing expense was unchanged at $1 $7 million, our G&A expense was mostly flat with expenses.
David Barry Miller: Our GNA expense was mostly flat, with expenses of $2 million in the current quarter compared to $1.9 million in Q3 2023. Now turning to cash. We ended the quarter with $4.5 million of cash on the balance sheet and no debt. For the quarter, cash used in operating activities was approximately $900,000, resulting primarily from our net loss and partially offset by an increase in deferred revenue.
Expenses of 2 million in the current quarter compared to $1 $99 million in Q3 2023.
Now turning to cash we ended the quarter with $4 $5 million of cash on the balance sheet and no debt for the quarter cash used in operating activities was approximately 900000, resulting primarily from our net loss and partially offset by an increase in deferred revenue.
David Barry Miller: Changes in our working capital accounts were in the ordinary course of business. Investment in new lab equipment was a modest $125,000, and we do not anticipate any significant CAFX investment in the near term. We are carefully monitoring our cash position and have no plans to raise capital for our core business. We anticipate a small decline in our cash balance in Q4 with a gradual quarterly acceleration beginning in fiscal 2025 stemming from improvement in our operational results. We believe our cash position remains sound. In summation, our third quarter financial results were weaker than usual, but mostly as expected.
Changes in our working capital accounts were in the ordinary course of business.
Investment in new lab equipment with a modest 125000, and we do not anticipate any significant capex investment in the near term.
We are carefully monitoring our cash position and have no plans to raise capital for our core business.
We anticipate a small decline in our cash balance in Q4 with a gradual quarterly acceleration beginning in fiscal 2025 stemming from improvement in our operational results. We believe our cash position remains sound.
Information, our third quarter financial results.
The results were weaker than usual, but mostly as expected.
Operator: We envision a return to sustained revenue growth, which we began this quarter, while at the same time, we begin to realize operational efficiencies that have been a company focus over the last few quarters. We will keep tight control on our expenses, including making strategic deductions in several areas that won't adversely impact operations or long-term growth but should start having an impact on our bottom line results in the near term. We are confident that despite recent obstacles from both internal and external factors, our long-term prospects are positive, and we're poised for a slow but steady improvement in our operational results, including revenue growth and ultimately profitability within the next few quarters. We are currently in our fiscal fourth quarter. As such, our next earnings call will be in late July when we report on our fourth quarter and full year 2024 results and a 2025 preview.
We envision a return to sustained revenue growth, which we began this quarter while at the same time, we begin to realize operational efficiencies that had been a company focus over the last few quarters, we will see.
Keep tight control on our expenses, including making strategic reductions in several areas that will adversely impact operations, our long term growth, but should start having an impact on our bottom line results in the near term we are.
Confident that despite recent obstacles from both internal and external factors. Our long term prospects are positive and we're poised for a slow but steady improvement in our operational results, including revenue growth and ultimately profitability within the next few quarters.
We are currently in our fiscal fourth quarter as such our next earnings call will be in late July when we report on fourth quarter and full year 2024 results and 2025 preview.
Operator: We will keep you apprised should there be any significant developments in the interim. We will now open the call to questions. At this time, we will be conducting a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star 1 on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question. You may press star two if you would like to remove your question from the list. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the start button.
Keep you apprised should there be any significant developments in the interim we will now open the call to questions.
At this time, we will be conducting a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question. Please press star one on your telephone keypad.
Confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You May Press Star two if you would like your question from the queue.
For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star keys, one moment, please while we poll for questions.
Operator: One moment, please, while we poll for questions. Your first question for today is from Matt Hewitt with Craig. Hey guys, this is Jack on from PET.
Your first question for today is from Matt Hewitt with Craig Hallum.
Hey, guys. This is Jack on for Matt.
David Barry Miller: Um, couple questions. When does the press release come out? It looks like that hasn't been published yet. Then, for follow-up, what have you been hearing from customers regarding budgets in their pipelines? Are they feeling a bit more comfortable with their balance sheets and willing to re-engage from an investment standpoint? So I'll take the first one, and I'll let Ronnie take the second one.
Couple of questions.
When do you expect the press release, it looks like that hasn't been published yet.
For a follow up come out of.
Or what have you been hearing from customers regarding budgets and their pipelines are you are they feeling a bit more comfortable with their balance sheets and are willing to re engage from investment standpoint.
Sure.
The first one and I'll, let me take the second one.
David Barry Miller: Yeah, I'm not sure why there was a delay in the press release. I actually got an email confirmation just while I was on the call. It was sent out as per usual, and I know it didn't hit at 4 p.m. as it was scheduled.
Im not sure why there was a delay in the press release I actually got a email confirmation just while we're on the call.
We've sent out.
As per usual.
I know it didn't hit at four P. M. As it was schedule. There is no no. Other reason other than some technical issue on the press release side.
Ronnie Morris: There's no other reason other than some technical issue on the press release side, not on our end. Yeah, and in terms of the... In terms of what we're seeing out there, there's certainly been a loosening up of the R&D budgets in the pipeline, and certainly there's been a lot more activity in the last couple of months than there was almost all last year. We, as I think I mentioned in my comments, anticipated this coming down the pike, and we're working really hard to work more closely with some of the larger pharmaceutical companies and partners that we have We are starting to see more biotech; I'm starting to have more funds and starting to talk about doing more studies. But I think it's still a little bit early for us to know exactly how far back things have come.
On our end.
Yeah and in terms of the.
Yes.
In terms of what we're seeing out there certainly.
Certainly been a loosening up of the R&D budgets in the pipeline certainly.
Theres been a lot more activity last couple of months and they were almost all last year.
Where we as I think I mentioned it.
In my comments, we spent we we.
We anticipated this coming down the Pike, and we work really hard to work.
More closely with some of the larger pharmaceutical companies and partners that we have.
We are starting to see more of the biotechs.
Darting to have more funds and starting to talk about doing more studies, but I.
I think it's still a bit early for us to know exactly.
If.
How far back things have come.
Ronnie Morris: So certainly looks better than it was, let's say, a year ago. But how far it's going to come to where it was a couple of years ago, I just don't know yet. Okay, that's helpful. And if I could squeeze in one more question regarding AI, could we just get a progress update on that? How much do you think you invested in the business during Q3? And then, given the environment, does it make sense to maybe put that on the side burner until we see further improvement?
So certainly looking better than it was let's say a year ago.
Right.
Yeah.
How far it's going to come through where it was a couple of years ago I just don't know yet.
Yeah.
Okay. That's helpful and if I could squeeze in one more question regarding shortly AI can you just give a progress update on that.
How much do you think you've invested in the business during Q3 and then.
Given the environment does it make sense to maybe put that on the side burner until we see further improvement.
David Barry Miller: It was about 900,000, and there is some overlap between Champions and, obviously, Corellia, but about 900,000 were in the current quarter, and certainly our Ronnie can speak in terms of the strategic planning for the future. Yeah, and in terms of the Corelli investment, we definitely are. Lowering our investment substantially for both Q4 and Q1 going forward. We are, we believe, getting close to getting investments or outlicensing deals for some of the assets. So we think in short order, so the answer to your question is, number one, we are taking that into account, and we are reducing our spend significantly.
Yes.
Yes go ahead.
It was about 900000 and maybe there is some overlap.
Between champions, and obviously, Cornelia, but about 900000.
Current quarter.
Certainly out Rodney can pick the in terms of the strategic planning for the future.
Yeah and in terms of.
Corella investment we definitely are.
Lowering our investment substantially.
For both Q4 and Q1 going forward, we are we believe getting close to getting investments or out licensing.
Deals for some of the assets. So we think in short order so.
The answer to your question is number one we are taking that into account and we are reducing our spend.
Significantly and two we are.
Ronnie Morris: And two, we are excited and hopefully will get outside funding in short order to take the pressure off of Champions and continue to grow the exciting platform. Okay, that's perfect. Thank you for the call.
Excited and hopefully getting outside funding in.
Short order to take the pressure off of champions continue.
To grow the exciting platform.
Okay. That's perfect. Thank you for the color.
Sure.
Okay.
Operator: As a reminder, if you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad, and more. Thank you. Thank you. We have reached the end of the question-and-answer session, and I will now turn the call over to Ronnie for closing remarks.
As a reminder, if you would like to ask a question. Please press star one on your telephone keypad.
Okay.
Yes.
We have reached the end of the question and answer session and I will now turn the call over to Ronny for closing remarks.
Thank you.
Thank you everybody for joining our quarterly earnings call as.
Ronnie Morris: Thank you. So, thank you, everybody, for joining our quarterly earnings call. As I think we've mentioned, it was somewhat of a disappointing quarter from a financial perspective.
As I think we've mentioned it was somewhat of a disappointing.
Quarter from a financial perspective.
Ronnie Morris: But we do feel very confident going forward, both looking at our bookings and our efficiencies and our operational excellence and the customer feedback that we are going to start to have quarters where we have good revenue, a higher base of revenue, decreased costs, and profitability. So we are excited to continue to update you for Q4 and for next year's guidance as well over the summer. So we look forward to that update. And have a good evening. Thank you. This concludes today's conference, and you may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation. Please.
We do feel very confident going forward, both looking at our bookings and our our efficiencies and our operational excellence.
And the customer feedback that we are going to see.
Start to have quarters, where we have.
Good Rev.
Revenue higher base of revenue decrease cost and profitability.
Profitability.
So we are excited to continue to update you.
For Q4 and for next year's guidance as well.
Over the summer time, so we look forward to that update and have have a good evening.
Thank you. This concludes today's conference and you may disconnect. Your lines at this time. Thank you.
You for your participation.