Q1 2026 Exagen Inc Earnings Call
Operator: Greetings, welcome to the Exagen Q1 2026 Earnings Call. At this time all participants are in listen-only mode. A question and answer session will follow after the presentation. If I would now like to turn the call over to your host, Tina Jacobsen, Vice President of Investor Relations. Thank you. You may begin.
Operator: Greetings, welcome to the Exagen Q1 2026 Earnings Call. At this time all participants are in 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 from your telephone keypad. As reminder this conference is being recorded. I would now like to turn the call over to your host, Tina Jacobsen, Vice President of Investor Relations. Thank you. You may begin.
Speaker #2: If anyone should require a prior assistance during the conference, please press star zero on your telephone keypad. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded.
Speaker #2: I would now like to turn the call over to your host, Tina Jacobson, Vice President of Investor Relations. Thank you. You may begin. Thanks, Operator.
Tina Jacobsen: Thanks, operator. Good morning. Thank you for joining us to discuss Exagen's financial results for the quarter ended 31 March 2026. Today, I'm joined by John Aballi, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Jeffrey Black, our Chief Financial Officer. The recording of this call, the press release announcing our financial results, and a slide presentation can be accessed on our website at www.exagen.com. Today's call will include forward-looking statements. We encourage you to review the statements contained in today's press release and the risks and uncertainties described in our SEC filings, which identify certain factors that may cause the company's actual events, performance, and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements made on today's call. We also will discuss non-GAAP financial measures on this call.
Tina Jacobsen: Thanks, operator. Good morning. Thank you for joining us to discuss Exagen's financial results for the quarter ended 31 March 2026. Today, I'm joined by John Aballi, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Jeffrey Black, our Chief Financial Officer. The recording of this call, the press release announcing our financial results, and a slide presentation can be accessed on our website at www.exagen.com. Today's call will include forward-looking statements. We encourage you to review the statements contained in today's press release and the risks and uncertainties described in our SEC filings, which identify certain factors that may cause the company's actual events, performance, and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements made on today's call. We also will discuss non-GAAP financial measures on this call.
Speaker #2: Good morning and thank you for joining us to discuss EXAGEN's financial results for the quarter-ended March 31, 2026. Today, I'm joined by John Aballi, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Jeff Black, our Chief Financial Officer.
Speaker #2: The recording of this call, the press release announcing our financial results, and the slide presentation can be accessed on our website at www.exagen.com. Today's call will include forward-looking statements.
Speaker #2: We encourage you to review the statements contained in today's press release and the risk and uncertainties described in our SEC filings which identify certain factors that may cause the company's actually events performance and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements made on today's call.
Speaker #2: We also will discuss non-GAAP financial measures on this call. Descriptions of these non-GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are included in today's press release.
Tina Jacobsen: Descriptions of these non-GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are included in today's press release. Now, I will turn the call over to John Aballi. John?
Tina Jacobsen: Descriptions of these non-GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are included in today's press release. Now, I will turn the call over to John Aballi. John?
Speaker #2: And now, I will turn the call over to John Aballi. John?
Speaker #3: Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us. We're starting 2026 off well. Today, we reported record first quarter revenue of $17.3 million, up 12% year over year.
John Aballi: Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us. We're starting 2026 off well. Today, we reported record Q1 revenue of $17.3 million, up 12% year-over-year, and with continued improvement in profitability metrics as we execute our plan. Gross margin was 59% and adjusted EBITDA loss reduced to $2.2 million, a 14% improvement versus last year. These results continue our efforts to build Exagen into a durable company that compounds value over time by prioritizing three core objectives: expanding adoption of our products, increasing ASP through disciplined revenue cycle execution, and delivering a steady cadence of innovation that meets the unmet needs of our clinicians. Q1 was another good example. We are executing, and our strategy is working. At the same time, our mission remains our anchor point.
John Aballi: Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us. We're starting 2026 off well. Today, we reported record Q1 revenue of $17.3 million, up 12% year-over-year, and with continued improvement in profitability metrics as we execute our plan. Gross margin was 59% and adjusted EBITDA loss reduced to $2.2 million, a 14% improvement versus last year. These results continue our efforts to build Exagen into a durable company that compounds value over time by prioritizing three core objectives: expanding adoption of our products, increasing ASP through disciplined revenue cycle execution, and delivering a steady cadence of innovation that meets the unmet needs of our clinicians. Q1 was another good example. We are executing, and our strategy is working. At the same time, our mission remains our anchor point.
Speaker #3: And with continued improvement in profitability metrics, as we execute our plan. Gross margin was 59%, and adjusted EBITDA loss reduced to $2.2 million, a 14% improvement versus last year.
Speaker #3: These results continue our efforts to build EXAGEN into a durable company that compounds value over time by prioritizing three core objectives: expanding adoption of our products, increasing ASP through disciplined revenue cycle execution, and delivering a steady cadence of innovation that meets the unmet needs of our clinicians.
Speaker #3: Q1 was another good example, we are executing and our strategy is working. At the same time, our mission remains our anchor point. Autoimmune disease is still a category where patients often struggle to get clear answers, and clinicians lack the tools to diagnose and treat with competence in a timely manner.
John Aballi: Autoimmune disease is still a category where patients often struggle to get clear answers, and clinicians lack the tools to diagnose and treat with confidence in a timely manner. We exist to change that, and we'll do so by pairing better science with best-in-class execution. Our innovation efforts are on track, and we believe Exagen is well-positioned to bring clarity to the complexities of autoimmune disease, ultimately improving outcomes for patients. When I look at our market opportunity, I'm incredibly energized by what's ahead. Drawing on our knowledge of the space and third-party research, we estimate the autoimmune testing market at over $2.2 billion, growing about 5% annually. With just over 3% market share today, we believe there is significant and realistic opportunity to systematically gain share by bringing better science, more timely results, and world-class service to our underserved channel.
John Aballi: Autoimmune disease is still a category where patients often struggle to get clear answers, and clinicians lack the tools to diagnose and treat with confidence in a timely manner. We exist to change that, and we'll do so by pairing better science with best-in-class execution. Our innovation efforts are on track, and we believe Exagen is well-positioned to bring clarity to the complexities of autoimmune disease, ultimately improving outcomes for patients. When I look at our market opportunity, I'm incredibly energized by what's ahead. Drawing on our knowledge of the space and third-party research, we estimate the autoimmune testing market at over $2.2 billion, growing about 5% annually. With just over 3% market share today, we believe there is significant and realistic opportunity to systematically gain share by bringing better science, more timely results, and world-class service to our underserved channel.
Speaker #3: We exist to change that. And we'll do so by pairing better science with best-in-class execution. Our innovation efforts are on track, and we believe EXAGEN is well positioned to bring clarity to the complexities of autoimmune disease, ultimately improving outcomes for patients.
Speaker #3: When I look at our market opportunity, I'm incredibly energized by what's ahead. Drawing on our knowledge of the space and third-party research, we estimate the autoimmune testing market at over $2.2 billion.
Speaker #3: Growing about 5% annually. With just over 3% market share today, we believe there is significant and realistic opportunity to systematically gain share by bringing better science, more timely results, and world-class service to our underserved channel.
Speaker #3: Driving adoption within that opportunity will be central to volume growth. And in the first quarter, a Vice CTD test volume grew 10% year over year.
John Aballi: Driving adoption within that opportunity will be central to volume growth. In Q1, AVISE CTD test volume grew 10% year over year, which compared to a 5% market growth rate suggests we continued to earn share in the quarter. Test volume remained in the mid 30,000 quarterly run rate range. I feel very positive about that performance, especially in light of a couple week disruption related to winter storms in late January and early February that reduced patient access and physician office days in specific US regions. Demand outside of the weather-impacted weeks tracked well with our expectations. We entered Q2 focused on execution and 1 month in have seen a strong start consistent with expected ordering patterns.
John Aballi: Driving adoption within that opportunity will be central to volume growth. In Q1, AVISE CTD test volume grew 10% year over year, which compared to a 5% market growth rate suggests we continued to earn share in the quarter. Test volume remained in the mid 30,000 quarterly run rate range. I feel very positive about that performance, especially in light of a couple week disruption related to winter storms in late January and early February that reduced patient access and physician office days in specific US regions. Demand outside of the weather-impacted weeks tracked well with our expectations. We entered Q2 focused on execution and 1 month in have seen a strong start consistent with expected ordering patterns.
Speaker #3: Which, compared to a 5% market growth rate, suggests we continue to earn share in the quarter. Test volume remained in the mid-30,000 quarterly run rate range.
Speaker #3: I feel very positive about that performance, especially in light of a couple-week disruption related to winter storms in late January and early February, that reduced patient access and physician office days in specific US regions.
Speaker #3: Demand outside of the weather-impacted weeks tracked well with our expectations. We entered Q2 focused on execution and one month in have seen a strong start, consistent with expected ordering patterns.
Speaker #3: In fact, year to date, we've seen several weeks where testing volume has exceeded 2025 weekly highs, and this is obviously just over a quarter into the year.
John Aballi: In fact, year to date, we've seen several weeks where testing volume has exceeded 2025 weekly highs, and this is obviously just over a quarter into the year. A big part of my optimism stems from a review of our sales metrics, which continue to show a broadening of our ordering base. Ordering clinicians were up 15% year over year, reflecting continued penetration and engagement within our channel. Our team is executing well, and the results continue to build. Now to ASP, one of the clearest indications that our operating strategy is translating into durable business improvement. We expanded trailing twelve-month ASP to $444, up $25 per test or 6% versus last year. Strength in the Q1 was driven by continued progress in revenue cycle management and favorable collections timing.
John Aballi: In fact, year to date, we've seen several weeks where testing volume has exceeded 2025 weekly highs, and this is obviously just over a quarter into the year. A big part of my optimism stems from a review of our sales metrics, which continue to show a broadening of our ordering base. Ordering clinicians were up 15% year over year, reflecting continued penetration and engagement within our channel. Our team is executing well, and the results continue to build. Now to ASP, one of the clearest indications that our operating strategy is translating into durable business improvement. We expanded trailing twelve-month ASP to $444, up $25 per test or 6% versus last year. Strength in the Q1 was driven by continued progress in revenue cycle management and favorable collections timing.
Speaker #3: A big part of my optimism stems from a review of our sales metrics, which continue to show a broadening of our ordering base. Ordering clinicians were up 15% year over year, reflecting continued penetration and engagement within our channel.
Speaker #3: Our team is executing well, and the results continue to build. Now to ASP. One of the clearest indications that our operating strategy is translating into durable business improvement.
Speaker #3: We expanded trailing 12-month ASP to 444 dollars, up 25 dollars per test, or 6% versus last year. Strength in the first quarter was driven by continued progress in revenue cycle management and favorable collections timing.
Speaker #3: We've now delivered 12 consecutive quarters of increasing trailing 12-month ASP, and view this metric as the most reliable indicator of progress, as it smooths the variability associated with accrual accounting and timing of collections.
John Aballi: We've now delivered 12 consecutive quarters of increasing trailing 12-month ASP and view this metric as the most reliable indicator of progress as it smooths the variability associated with accrual accounting and timing of collections. Overall, we're encouraged by continued improvement in our underlying reimbursement. It reinforces that we're investing in the right processes and the right tools to drive sustainable ASP expansion over time. In Q1, we continued to advance our processes around innovation and remain on track with our development priorities. We've been deliberately building the R&D to commercial muscle to deliver a dependable cadence for new products, with the objective of launching approximately 1 product every 12 or so months to our clinician base. Our next key priority is an offering for myositis, our first new standalone product since 2020, currently targeted for commercialization in early 2027.
John Aballi: We've now delivered 12 consecutive quarters of increasing trailing 12-month ASP and view this metric as the most reliable indicator of progress as it smooths the variability associated with accrual accounting and timing of collections. Overall, we're encouraged by continued improvement in our underlying reimbursement. It reinforces that we're investing in the right processes and the right tools to drive sustainable ASP expansion over time. In Q1, we continued to advance our processes around innovation and remain on track with our development priorities. We've been deliberately building the R&D to commercial muscle to deliver a dependable cadence for new products, with the objective of launching approximately 1 product every 12 or so months to our clinician base. Our next key priority is an offering for myositis, our first new standalone product since 2020, currently targeted for commercialization in early 2027.
Speaker #3: Overall, we're encouraged by continued improvement in our underlying reimbursement. It reinforces that we're investing in the right processes and the right tools to drive sustainable ASP expansion over time.
Speaker #3: In the first quarter, we continue to advance our processes around innovation and remain on track with our development priorities. We've been deliberately building the R&D to commercial muscle to deliver a dependable cadence for new products.
Speaker #3: With the objective of launching approximately one product every 12 or so months to our clinician base. Our next key priority is in offering for myositis.
Speaker #3: Our first new standalone product since 2020. Currently targeted for commercialization in early 2027. This is among the most requested diagnostic need within our channel, and will fit well with our commercial reach.
John Aballi: This is among the most requested diagnostic need within our channel and will fit well with our commercial reach. Myositis is an autoimmune disease that can present in many forms, but often causes chronic muscle inflammation, progressive weakness, or rapidly progressing interstitial lung disease. Left untreated, it can lead to irreversible damage that extends beyond the muscles to vital organs, and in the most severe forms, this results in complications leading to complete loss of lung function or even death. The testing dynamic for myositis is similar to connective tissue disease, where specifically with early disease, symptomatic presentation is ambiguous and the differential is broad. While roughly 100,000 patients in the US are affected by the disease currently, we believe this number dramatically underrepresents the true disease prevalence given the number of patients that ultimately go undiagnosed due to inadequate tests in the market.
John Aballi: This is among the most requested diagnostic need within our channel and will fit well with our commercial reach. Myositis is an autoimmune disease that can present in many forms, but often causes chronic muscle inflammation, progressive weakness, or rapidly progressing interstitial lung disease. Left untreated, it can lead to irreversible damage that extends beyond the muscles to vital organs, and in the most severe forms, this results in complications leading to complete loss of lung function or even death. The testing dynamic for myositis is similar to connective tissue disease, where specifically with early disease, symptomatic presentation is ambiguous and the differential is broad. While roughly 100,000 patients in the US are affected by the disease currently, we believe this number dramatically underrepresents the true disease prevalence given the number of patients that ultimately go undiagnosed due to inadequate tests in the market.
Speaker #3: Myositis is an autoimmune disease that can present in many forms, but often causes chronic muscle inflammation, progressive weakness, or rapidly progressing interstitial lung disease.
Speaker #3: Left untreated, it can lead to irreversible damage that extends beyond the muscles to vital organs, and in the most severe forms, this results in complications leading to complete loss of lung function or even death.
Speaker #3: The testing dynamic for myositis is similar to connective tissue disease. Where specifically with early disease, symptomatic presentation is ambiguous, and the differential is broad.
Speaker #3: While roughly 100,000 patients in the US are affected by the disease currently, we believe this number dramatically underrepresents the true disease prevalence, given the number of patients that ultimately go undiagnosed due to inadequate tests in the market.
Speaker #3: We believe the patient population under evaluation for myositis is many times this number. While most clinicians rely on conventional testing today, the vast majority of them lack confidence in those results.
John Aballi: We believe the patient population under evaluation for myositis is many times this number. While most clinicians rely on conventional testing today, the vast majority of them lack confidence in those results. We're developing a comprehensive offering that will bring clarity to this population that clearly needs a better solution. We are also excited about our scientific visibility to start 2026. At Autoimmunity 2026, a key autoimmune conference this month in Prague, Exagen had nine abstracts accepted, including several tied to our myositis research and continued evidence generation across the AVISE portfolio. We've also had two manuscripts accepted for publication related to our research in myositis and SLE. Those should be out for publication later this month as well. Our progress reflects the rigor, quality, and practicality of the work our clinical team is driving.
John Aballi: We believe the patient population under evaluation for myositis is many times this number. While most clinicians rely on conventional testing today, the vast majority of them lack confidence in those results. We're developing a comprehensive offering that will bring clarity to this population that clearly needs a better solution. We are also excited about our scientific visibility to start 2026. At Autoimmunity 2026, a key autoimmune conference this month in Prague, Exagen had nine abstracts accepted, including several tied to our myositis research and continued evidence generation across the AVISE portfolio. We've also had two manuscripts accepted for publication related to our research in myositis and SLE. Those should be out for publication later this month as well. Our progress reflects the rigor, quality, and practicality of the work our clinical team is driving.
Speaker #3: We're developing a comprehensive offering that will bring clarity to this population that clearly needs a better solution. We are also excited about our scientific visibility to start in 2026.
Speaker #3: At Autoimmunity 2026, a key autoimmune conference this month in Prague, EXAGEN had nine abstract accepted, including several tied to our myositis research and continued evidence generation across the Vice portfolio.
Speaker #3: We've also had two manuscripts accepted for publication related to our research in myositis and SLE, those should be out for publication later this month as well.
Speaker #3: Our progress reflects the rigor, quality, and practicality of the work our clinical team is driving. Looking ahead, we are reaffirming our full year 2026 revenue guidance of 70 to 73 million dollars.
John Aballi: Looking ahead, we are reaffirming our full-year 2026 revenue guidance of $70 to 73 million. We're incredibly pleased with the start to 2026, while working to build successive quarters and ultimately years of profitable growth. We remain focused on our priorities in delivering consistent execution. To close, I want to thank our team. The quality of this organization continues to improve, and the solid results we're delivering are the product of real collaboration across every function. I am grateful for the tremendous energy, the effort, and the high character that our people bring every day in service of autoimmune patients and clinicians. With that, I'll turn it over to Jeff for additional comments on the financials.
John Aballi: Looking ahead, we are reaffirming our full-year 2026 revenue guidance of $70 to 73 million. We're incredibly pleased with the start to 2026, while working to build successive quarters and ultimately years of profitable growth. We remain focused on our priorities in delivering consistent execution. To close, I want to thank our team. The quality of this organization continues to improve, and the solid results we're delivering are the product of real collaboration across every function. I am grateful for the tremendous energy, the effort, and the high character that our people bring every day in service of autoimmune patients and clinicians. With that, I'll turn it over to Jeff for additional comments on the financials.
Speaker #3: We're incredibly pleased with the start to 2026, while working to build successive quarters and, ultimately, years of profitable growth. We remain focused on our priorities in delivering consistent execution.
Speaker #3: To close, I want to thank our team, the quality of this organization continues to improve, and the solid results we're delivering are the product of real collaboration across every function.
Speaker #3: I am grateful for the tremendous energy, the effort, and the high character that our people bring every day in service of autoimmune patients and clinicians.
Speaker #3: With that, I'll turn it over to Jeff for additional comments on the financials.
Speaker #1: Thank you, John, and good morning, everyone. 2026 is off to a solid start with first quarter results reflecting continued deliberate execution across the business.
Jeffrey Black: Thank you, John. Good morning, everyone. 2026 is off to a solid start with Q1 results reflecting continued deliberate execution across the business. Once again, we achieved record top-line performance by growth in both testing volume and ASP. I'll dive into the financial results, starting with revenue. Q1 2026 revenue reached $17.3 million, an increase of 12% compared to last year. Testing volume grew 10%, driven by continued momentum from the investments we made last year to upgrade and expand the commercial organization. The team's productivity continues to ramp. In fact, even with many of our new territories less than a year old, we drove a 4% improvement in sales productivity based on TTM volume per territory. As John mentioned, we increased the number of ordering clinicians in Q1 by 15% year over year.
Jeff Black: Thank you, John. Good morning, everyone. 2026 is off to a solid start with Q1 results reflecting continued deliberate execution across the business. Once again, we achieved record top-line performance by growth in both testing volume and ASP. I'll dive into the financial results, starting with revenue. Q1 2026 revenue reached $17.3 million, an increase of 12% compared to last year. Testing volume grew 10%, driven by continued momentum from the investments we made last year to upgrade and expand the commercial organization. The team's productivity continues to ramp. In fact, even with many of our new territories less than a year old, we drove a 4% improvement in sales productivity based on TTM volume per territory. As John mentioned, we increased the number of ordering clinicians in Q1 by 15% year over year.
Speaker #1: Once again, we achieved record top-line performance by growth in both testing volume and ASP. I'll dive into the financial results starting with revenue. First quarter 2026 revenue reached 17.3 million, an increase of 12% compared to last year.
Speaker #1: Testing volume grew 10%, driven by continued momentum from the investments we made last year to upgrade and expand the commercial organization. The team's productivity continues to ramp.
Speaker #1: In fact, even with many of our new territories less than a year old, we drove a 4% improvement in sales productivity based on trailing 12-month volume per territory.
Speaker #1: And as John mentioned, we increased the number of ordering clinicians in the first quarter by 15% year over year. These are both clear indications that our commercial investments are translating into tangible performance gains.
Jeffrey Black: These are both clear indications that our commercial investments are translating into tangible performance gains. Our AVISE CTD trailing 12-month ASP expanded 6% to $444. Execution of our revenue cycle management initiatives supported a strong in-period ASP result, including the collection of over $900,000 in claims older than 360 days. Over time, we continue to target an ASP of at least 50% of our Medicare reimbursement, or approximately $600 to $650, recognizing that the quarterly contribution from our revenue cycle initiatives can be variable. Our pharma services offering generated roughly $300,000 of revenue in the quarter. Early efforts here are coming to fruition. We now have over $5 million in contract backlog value and growing that we expect to realize over the next 2 to 3 years.
Jeff Black: These are both clear indications that our commercial investments are translating into tangible performance gains. Our AVISE CTD trailing 12-month ASP expanded 6% to $444. Execution of our revenue cycle management initiatives supported a strong in-period ASP result, including the collection of over $900,000 in claims older than 360 days. Over time, we continue to target an ASP of at least 50% of our Medicare reimbursement, or approximately $600 to $650, recognizing that the quarterly contribution from our revenue cycle initiatives can be variable. Our pharma services offering generated roughly $300,000 of revenue in the quarter. Early efforts here are coming to fruition. We now have over $5 million in contract backlog value and growing that we expect to realize over the next 2 to 3 years.
Speaker #1: Our Vice CTD trailing 12-month ASP expanded 6% to 444 dollars, execution of our revenue cycle management initiatives supported a strong in-period ASP result, including the collection of over 900,000 in claims older than 360 days.
Speaker #1: Over time, we continued to target an ASP of at least 50% of our Medicare reimbursement or approximately 600 to 650 dollars, recognizing that the quarterly contribution from our revenue cycle initiatives can be variable.
Speaker #1: Our pharma services offering generated roughly $300,000 of revenue in the quarter; early efforts here are coming to fruition. We now have over $5 million in contract backlog value, and growing, that we expect to realize over the next two to three years.
Speaker #1: Moving to gross margin, we reported 59% for the first quarter 2026, relatively unchanged compared to first 360 basis points sequentially. Gross margin in the quarter benefited from the strength of our in-period ASP, and our continued COGS rationalization that is streamlining workflows in the lab and reducing costs across our supply chain.
Jeffrey Black: Moving to gross margin, we reported 59% for Q1 2026, relatively unchanged compared to Q1 2025 and up 360 basis points sequentially. Gross margin in the quarter benefited from the strength of our in-period ASP and our continued COGS rationalization that is streamlining workflows in the lab and reducing costs across our supply chain. We remain confident that gross margin will progress to the mid-60s over time as we achieve further ASP expansion, generate scale and fixed cost leverage, and further optimize costs. Turning to operating expenses, Q1 2026 OpEx was $13.6 million, up about 9% compared to last year. We continue to exercise expense discipline and direct incremental spend toward growth investments, including commercial and R&D initiatives.
Jeff Black: Moving to gross margin, we reported 59% for Q1 2026, relatively unchanged compared to Q1 2025 and up 360 basis points sequentially. Gross margin in the quarter benefited from the strength of our in-period ASP and our continued COGS rationalization that is streamlining workflows in the lab and reducing costs across our supply chain. We remain confident that gross margin will progress to the mid-60s over time as we achieve further ASP expansion, generate scale and fixed cost leverage, and further optimize costs. Turning to operating expenses, Q1 2026 OpEx was $13.6 million, up about 9% compared to last year. We continue to exercise expense discipline and direct incremental spend toward growth investments, including commercial and R&D initiatives.
Speaker #1: We remain confident that gross margin will progress to the mid-60s over time as we achieve further ASP expansion, generate scale and fixed cost leverage, and further optimize costs.
Speaker #1: Turning to operating expenses, first quarter 2026 OPEX was 13.6 million dollars, up about 9% compared to last year. We continue to exercise expense discipline and direct incremental spend toward growth investments, including commercial and R&D initiatives.
Speaker #1: Breaking out the components of OPEX, first quarter SG&A was just over $12 million, an increase of 8% compared to our first quarter 2025, and driven primarily by investment in commercial talent and territory expansion.
Jeffrey Black: Breaking out the components of OpEx, Q1 SG&A was just over $12 million, an increase of 8% compared to our Q1 2025, and driven primarily by investment in commercial talent and territory expansion. Notably, revenue growth continues to consistently outpace SG&A growth, indicating sustained operating leverage in the business. R&D accounted for about $1.6 million of OpEx in the Q1, growing over 20% compared to last year to support continued pipeline development, including preparation for the myositis product launch expected in early 2027. Our adjusted EBITDA loss, which excludes depreciation and non-cash stock comp expense, was $2.2 million in the Q1, a 14% improvement compared to last year. Please refer to the press release we issued earlier today for a reconciliation of our net loss to adjusted EBITDA.
Jeff Black: Breaking out the components of OpEx, Q1 SG&A was just over $12 million, an increase of 8% compared to our Q1 2025, and driven primarily by investment in commercial talent and territory expansion. Notably, revenue growth continues to consistently outpace SG&A growth, indicating sustained operating leverage in the business. R&D accounted for about $1.6 million of OpEx in the Q1, growing over 20% compared to last year to support continued pipeline development, including preparation for the myositis product launch expected in early 2027. Our adjusted EBITDA loss, which excludes depreciation and non-cash stock comp expense, was $2.2 million in the Q1, a 14% improvement compared to last year. Please refer to the press release we issued earlier today for a reconciliation of our net loss to adjusted EBITDA.
Speaker #1: Notably, revenue growth continues to consistently outpace SG&A growth, indicating sustained operating leverage in the business. R&D accounted for about 1.6 million dollars of OPEX in the first quarter, growing over 20% compared to last year to support continued pipeline development, including preparation for the myositis product launch, expected in early 2027.
Speaker #1: Our adjusted EBITDA loss, which excludes depreciation and non-cash dot-com expense, was $2.2 million in the first quarter, a 14% improvement compared to last year.
Speaker #1: Please refer to the press release we issued earlier today for a reconciliation of our net loss to adjusted EBITDA. Turning to cash, we ended the first quarter with cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash of just under 22 million dollars, and ahead of our internal expectations.
Jeffrey Black: Turning to cash, we ended the Q1 with cash equivalents, and restricted cash of just under $22 million and ahead of our internal expectations. We continue to maximize our revenue cycle management, which includes beginning the year by holding most claims. Consistent with previous years, this temporarily increases accounts receivable and results in a higher use of cash in the H1 of the year, which we expect to normalize in the H2. We continue to believe that our balance sheet provides us the runway needed to support the business's sustainable positive free operating cash flow. Shifting to guidance, as John mentioned, we're reaffirming full-year 2026 revenue guidance of $70 to 73 million.
Jeff Black: Turning to cash, we ended the Q1 with cash equivalents, and restricted cash of just under $22 million and ahead of our internal expectations. We continue to maximize our revenue cycle management, which includes beginning the year by holding most claims. Consistent with previous years, this temporarily increases accounts receivable and results in a higher use of cash in the H1 of the year, which we expect to normalize in the H2. We continue to believe that our balance sheet provides us the runway needed to support the business's sustainable positive free operating cash flow. Shifting to guidance, as John mentioned, we're reaffirming full-year 2026 revenue guidance of $70 to 73 million.
Speaker #1: We continued to maximize our revenue cycle management, which includes beginning the year by holding most claims, consistent with previous years. This temporarily increases accounts receivable and results in a higher use of cash in the first half of the year, which we expect to normalize in the second half.
Speaker #1: We continue to believe that our balance sheet provides us the runway needed to support the business's sustainable, positive free operating cash flow. Shifting to guidance, as John mentioned, we're reaffirming full-year 2026 revenue guidance of $70 to $73 million. The midpoint continues to assume high single-digit percent volume growth, and low single-digit percent ASP growth relative to our Q4 2025 in-period rate of approximately $430.
Jeffrey Black: The midpoint continues to assume high single-digit% volume growth and low single-digit% ASP growth relative to our Q4 2025 in-period rate of approximately $430. In closing, we remain committed to creating and sustaining shareholder value through financial and operational discipline as we deliver better care for autoimmune disease. Our financial performance reflects continued execution across top line expansion, cost management, and targeted investment to create a durable business well-positioned for self-funded growth and scale. Operator, we will now open the call for questions.
Jeff Black: The midpoint continues to assume high single-digit% volume growth and low single-digit% ASP growth relative to our Q4 2025 in-period rate of approximately $430. In closing, we remain committed to creating and sustaining shareholder value through financial and operational discipline as we deliver better care for autoimmune disease. Our financial performance reflects continued execution across top line expansion, cost management, and targeted investment to create a durable business well-positioned for self-funded growth and scale. Operator, we will now open the call for questions.
Speaker #1: In closing, we remain committed to creating and sustaining shareholder value through financial and operational discipline, as we deliver better care for autoimmune disease. Our financial performance reflects continued execution across top-line expansion, cost management, and targeted investment to create a durable business, well-positioned for self-funded growth and scale.
Speaker #1: Operator, we will now open the call for questions.
Speaker #2: Thank you. If you'd like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue.
Speaker #2: You may press star two if you'd like to remove your question from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star keys.
Speaker #2: Our first question comes from the line of Kyle Mikson with Canica Genuity. Please proceed with your question.
Operator: Our first question comes from the line of Kyle Mikson with Canaccord Genuity. Please proceed with your question.
Operator: Thank you. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press star two if you would like to remove your question from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star key. Our first question comes from the line of Kyle Mikson with Canaccord Genuity. Please proceed with your question.
Speaker #3: Hey guys, thanks for the questions. Congrats on the great quarter. One thing to talk about the quarterly, like the in-quarter ASP for a second, it was good to see the improvement in the trailing 12 months, but the quarterly was interesting.
Kyle Mikson: Hey, guys. Thanks for the questions. Congrats on a great quarter. I wanted to talk about the quarterly, like the in-quarter ASP for a second. It was good to see the improvement in the trailing 12-month, but the quarterly was interesting. It looks like maybe, like $470 or high $400s, and that would obviously be a pretty big increase from the last few quarters. I bring it up because it just seems like your Q1 ASP is typically the highest of the year of any of the 4 quarters. As we think about the step down going forward, if that is the case, what's the progression going to look like?
Kyle Mikson: Hey, guys. Thanks for the questions. Congrats on a great quarter. I wanted to talk about the quarterly, like the in-quarter ASP for a second. It was good to see the improvement in the trailing 12-month, but the quarterly was interesting. It looks like maybe, like $470 or high $400s, and that would obviously be a pretty big increase from the last few quarters. I bring it up because it just seems like your Q1 ASP is typically the highest of the year of any of the 4 quarters. As we think about the step down going forward, if that is the case, what's the progression going to look like?
Speaker #3: So it looks like maybe like 470 or high 400s, and that would obviously be a pretty big increase from the last two quarters. But I bring it up because it just seems like your first quarter ASP is typically the highest of the year of any of the four quarters.
Speaker #3: And so as we think about the step down going forward, if that is the case, just what's the progression going to look like? I know you have the ASP guidance, but maybe just talk a bit about the seasonality what you're seeing with RCM and that stuff and how we should just be thinking about it as a kind of build to the full year.
Kyle Mikson: I know you have the ASP guidance, maybe just talk a bit about the seasonality, what you're seeing with RCM and that stuff, how we should just be thinking about it as it kind of builds to the full year TTM ASP. Thank you.
Kyle Mikson: I know you have the ASP guidance, maybe just talk a bit about the seasonality, what you're seeing with RCM and that stuff, how we should just be thinking about it as it kind of builds to the full year TTM ASP. Thank you.
Speaker #3: TTM ASP. Thank you.
Speaker #4: Hey Kyle, good morning. Thanks a lot for the question—appreciate it. When we look at this quarter, very happy with how our revenue cycle team was able to deliver, specifically related to the prior period cash collections, which drove some of that upside or outsized performance in the quarter.
John Aballi: Hey, Kyle. Good morning. Thanks a lot for the question. Appreciate it. When we look at this quarter, very happy with how our revenue cycle team was able to deliver, specifically related to the prior period cash collections, which drove some of that upside or outsized performance in the quarter. You know, tough for us to project that each quarter going forward or know exactly, you know, that prior period collection tends to be a little bit lumpy for us. I don't think we're ready to say that there's gonna be a step down in sequential quarters or characterize exactly the size of it. Our revenue cycle approach has yielded pretty decent returns as it relates to prior period collections in quarters in the past, and it was great to see it happen again this quarter.
John Aballi: Hey, Kyle. Good morning. Thanks a lot for the question. Appreciate it. When we look at this quarter, very happy with how our revenue cycle team was able to deliver, specifically related to the prior period cash collections, which drove some of that upside or outsized performance in the quarter. You know, tough for us to project that each quarter going forward or know exactly, you know, that prior period collection tends to be a little bit lumpy for us. I don't think we're ready to say that there's gonna be a step down in sequential quarters or characterize exactly the size of it. Our revenue cycle approach has yielded pretty decent returns as it relates to prior period collections in quarters in the past, and it was great to see it happen again this quarter.
Speaker #4: Tough for us to project that each quarter going forward or know exactly. That prior period collections tends to be a little bit lumpy for us.
Speaker #4: So, I don't think we're ready to say that there's going to be a step down in sequential quarters, or characterize exactly the size of it.
Speaker #4: But our revenue cycle approach has yielded pretty decent returns as it relates to prior period collections in quarters in the past, and it was great to see it happen again this quarter.
Speaker #4: Looking forward to it in future quarters as well. But the exact magnitude is always difficult for us to project anything you'd add, Jeff?
John Aballi: Looking forward to it in future quarters as well. The exact magnitude's always difficult for us, to project. Anything you'd add, Jeff?
John Aballi: Looking forward to it in future quarters as well. The exact magnitude's always difficult for us, to project. Anything you'd add, Jeff?
Speaker #3: Yeah, Kyle, I would say you had done the calculation on in-period. Our out-of-period collections, just to put it in perspective, we said about $900,000 in out-of-period, greater than 12-month collections.
Jeffrey Black: Yeah, Kyle, I would say, you know, you had done the calculation on in-period. Our out-of-period collections, just to put it in perspective, you know, we said about $900,000 in out-of-period greater than 12 month collections. Put that in perspective, we did about $1.5 million for the entire year last year. Tracking very nicely, and again, very hard to predict whether that becomes a run rate or otherwise. That had about a $25 impact on the in-period ASP. We are tracking, you know, ahead of that, you know, Q3 or Q4 exit rate, which is encouraging. Again, I think it's too early for us to make a call on what we expect Q2 in terms of whether it's continued enhancement.
Jeff Black: Yeah, Kyle, I would say, you know, you had done the calculation on in-period. Our out-of-period collections, just to put it in perspective, you know, we said about $900,000 in out-of-period greater than 12 month collections. Put that in perspective, we did about $1.5 million for the entire year last year. Tracking very nicely, and again, very hard to predict whether that becomes a run rate or otherwise. That had about a $25 impact on the in-period ASP. We are tracking, you know, ahead of that, you know, Q3 or Q4 exit rate, which is encouraging. Again, I think it's too early for us to make a call on what we expect Q2 in terms of whether it's continued enhancement.
Speaker #3: To put that in perspective, we did about one and a half million for the entire year last year. So, tracking very nicely. And again, very hard to predict whether that becomes a run rate or otherwise.
Speaker #3: But that had about a $25 impact on the in-period ASP. So we are tracking ahead of that Q3 or Q4 exit rate, which is encouraging.
Speaker #3: But again, I think it's too early for us to make a call on what we expect for Q2 in terms of whether it's continued enhancement.
Speaker #3: We'll say we did see a full quarter of collections per PAD four, so that's tracking right around where we expect it to be. And then some of the increase is really relative to pair mix, which can change quarter to quarter.
Jeffrey Black: Will say we did see a full quarter of collections for PAD4, so that's tracking right around where we expect it to be. Some of the increase is really relative to payer mix, which can, you know, change quarter-to-quarter. Again, very encouraged. About a $25 impact on the out of period collections. Hoping that we'll continue to see that traction, but not yet ready to make the call.
Jeff Black: Will say we did see a full quarter of collections for PAD4, so that's tracking right around where we expect it to be. Some of the increase is really relative to payer mix, which can, you know, change quarter-to-quarter. Again, very encouraged. About a $25 impact on the out of period collections. Hoping that we'll continue to see that traction, but not yet ready to make the call.
Speaker #3: But again, very encouraged, about a 25-dollar impact on the out-of-period collections. Hoping that we'll continue to see that traction, but not yet ready to make the call.
Speaker #5: Okay. Yeah, John, that was helpful. And Jeff, that was a really good color there as well. Thank you for that. On the ordering positions in the quarters, that increased I think 15%.
Kyle Mikson: Okay. Yeah, John, that was helpful. Jeff, that was a good color there as well. Thank you for that. On the ordering physicians in the quarters that increased, I think 15%, I guess, year-over-year, that's great to see. I just wonder, was wondering what were some of the reasons for that? Then, you know, I think that might imply like a lower, you know, average test order per doctor, which is, you know, probably extends through that to cohort of newer to AVISE clinicians. On this note, what are some of the ordering trends of the more recent cohorts and physicians given, you know, several developments in the autoimmune field the last few years?
Kyle Mikson: Okay. Yeah, John, that was helpful. Jeff, that was a good color there as well. Thank you for that. On the ordering physicians in the quarters that increased, I think 15%, I guess, year-over-year, that's great to see. I just wonder, was wondering what were some of the reasons for that? Then, you know, I think that might imply like a lower, you know, average test order per doctor, which is, you know, probably extends through that to cohort of newer to AVISE clinicians. On this note, what are some of the ordering trends of the more recent cohorts and physicians given, you know, several developments in the autoimmune field the last few years?
Speaker #5: I guess year over year, that's great to see. I just wonder what were some of the reasons for that. And then I think that might imply a lower average test order per doctor, which probably makes sense due to that being a cohort of newer-to-Avise clinicians.
Speaker #5: On this note, what are some of the ordering trends of the more recent cohorts of physicians given several developments in the autoimmune field the last few years?
Speaker #4: Great question, Kyle. So you're exactly right. The ordering physician base increased 15% year over year. To about just over 2,700 physicians here for the first quarter.
John Aballi: Great question, Kyle. You're exactly right. The ordering physician base increased 15% year over year to about just over 2,700 physicians here for Q1. A big part of that has to do with our sales expansion. Obviously, with the additional territories we added in H2 of last year, those folks are really high caliber individuals, but they've just gotten into the field, established those relationships, and we're seeing the traction there. As it relates to orders per physician, you're on the mark there as well. I think part of the lower orders per physician for Q1, if you would be related to more of the weather impact, to be honest with you.
John Aballi: Great question, Kyle. You're exactly right. The ordering physician base increased 15% year over year to about just over 2,700 physicians here for Q1. A big part of that has to do with our sales expansion. Obviously, with the additional territories we added in H2 of last year, those folks are really high caliber individuals, but they've just gotten into the field, established those relationships, and we're seeing the traction there. As it relates to orders per physician, you're on the mark there as well. I think part of the lower orders per physician for Q1, if you would be related to more of the weather impact, to be honest with you.
Speaker #4: A big part of that has to do with our sales expansion. Obviously, with the additional territories we added in the back half of last year, those folks really high-caliber individuals, but they've just gotten into the field, established those relationships, and we're seeing the traction there.
Speaker #4: As it relates to orders per physician, you're on the mark there as well. I think part of the lower orders per physician for Q1, if you would, would be related to more of the weather impact, to be honest with you.
Speaker #4: We had about two weeks in the end of January, early February where we lost around 30% or so, a third of our volume for those two weeks just related to that severe weather in the northeast.
John Aballi: We had about 2 weeks in the end of January, early February, where we lost around 30% or so, a third of our volume for those 2 weeks, just related to that severe weather in the Northeast. That, you know, on an average basis, orders per physician would pull that number down a little bit. That's all we're seeing there. The weeks outside of the weather impact, we saw very robust demand on orders per physician base, and here into Q2 as well.
John Aballi: We had about 2 weeks in the end of January, early February, where we lost around 30% or so, a third of our volume for those 2 weeks, just related to that severe weather in the Northeast. That, you know, on an average basis, orders per physician would pull that number down a little bit. That's all we're seeing there. The weeks outside of the weather impact, we saw very robust demand on orders per physician base, and here into Q2 as well.
Speaker #4: And so that, on an average basis, orders per physician would pull that number down a little bit. So that's all we're seeing there. The weeks outside of the weather impact, we saw very robust demand on orders per physician, physician base, and here into Q2 as well.
Speaker #5: All right. Awesome. Perfect. And then finally, Jeff, you were mentioning the R&D expenses quarter was a bit elevated. Partially due to preparation for the myositis launch, I guess early next year.
Kyle Mikson: All right. Awesome. Perfect. Finally, Jeff, you were mentioning the R&D expense this quarter was elevated, partially due to preparations that myositis launched, I guess, early next year. I just was wondering if you guys could talk about how much education or like additional marketing is going to have to be, you know, kind of executed, I guess, this year for that test. How much of this is maybe R&D versus like an SG&A type thought process?
Kyle Mikson: All right. Awesome. Perfect. Finally, Jeff, you were mentioning the R&D expense this quarter was elevated, partially due to preparations that myositis launched, I guess, early next year. I just was wondering if you guys could talk about how much education or like additional marketing is going to have to be, you know, kind of executed, I guess, this year for that test. How much of this is maybe R&D versus like an SG&A type thought process?
Speaker #5: It just was wondering if you guys could talk about how much education or additional marketing is going to have to be kind of executed, I guess, this year for that test.
Speaker #5: And how much of this is maybe R&D versus an SG&A-type thought process?
Speaker #3: Yeah. I'll let John chime in on some details. But generally, this is going to be new product. Really outside of ICTD, but it will be distributed through the same sales channel.
Jeffrey Black: Yeah, I'll let John chime in on some details. Generally, this is gonna be new product, really outside of AVISE CTD, but it will be distributed through the same sales channel. The expectation is we're adding to the bag. There will be some incremental, you know, marketing efforts, but we don't expect to see OpEx ramp up substantially. We will continue to see investment this year on the R&D side, but this is, you know, will be our first standalone product beyond AVISE CTD really since, what, twenty-
Jeff Black: Yeah, I'll let John chime in on some details. Generally, this is gonna be new product, really outside of AVISE CTD, but it will be distributed through the same sales channel. The expectation is we're adding to the bag. There will be some incremental, you know, marketing efforts, but we don't expect to see OpEx ramp up substantially. We will continue to see investment this year on the R&D side, but this is, you know, will be our first standalone product beyond AVISE CTD really since, what, twenty-
Speaker #3: So the expectation is we're adding to the bag. So there will be some incremental marketing efforts. But we don't expect to see OPEX ramp up substantially.
Speaker #3: We will continue to see investment this year on the R&D side. But this will be our first standalone product beyond an ICTD, really, since—what, 2020?
John Aballi: Twenty
John Aballi: Twenty
Speaker #5: 2020.
Jeffrey Black: 2020. Really excited about it, we don't think it's gonna add really incremental burn. It's really just, you know, adding to the existing bag.
Jeff Black: 2020. Really excited about it, we don't think it's gonna add really incremental burn. It's really just, you know, adding to the existing bag.
Speaker #3: So really excited about it. And we don't think it's going to add really incremental burn. It's really just adding to the existing bag.
Speaker #5: The way we take a look at this, Kyle, or at least the way I think about it internally is we have to have very strong relationships with our customer base, but also the other innovators in the field and the KOLs.
John Aballi: The way we take a look at this, Kyle, or at least the way I think about it internally, is we have to have very strong relationships with both, with our customer base, but also the other innovators in the field and the KOLs. That serves several purposes, but one of them being as you launch a new product, and you conduct studies with folks, that can serve very much as incredibly powerful marketing material related to the new product. We've already started that. We've got abstraction, actually an accepted manuscript now, related to myositis and some of the research we're doing there. That's all done with the existing budget.
John Aballi: The way we take a look at this, Kyle, or at least the way I think about it internally, is we have to have very strong relationships with both, with our customer base, but also the other innovators in the field and the KOLs. That serves several purposes, but one of them being as you launch a new product, and you conduct studies with folks, that can serve very much as incredibly powerful marketing material related to the new product. We've already started that. We've got abstraction, actually an accepted manuscript now, related to myositis and some of the research we're doing there. That's all done with the existing budget.
Speaker #5: And that serves several purposes. But one of them being as you launch a new product, and you conduct studies with folks, that can serve very much as incredibly powerful marketing material related to the new product.
Speaker #5: So we've already started that. We've got abstraction actually in accepted manuscript now related to myositis and some of the research we're doing. And that's all done with the existing budget.
Speaker #5: And a big part of that or credit goes to our research team for having those relationships, finding creative ways to conduct studies, and, call it, economical way.
John Aballi: A big part of that or credit goes to our research team for having those relationships, finding creative ways to conduct studies in a, call it, economical way, and we'll continue to do that. There may be, you know, some marketing expense that is associated with the product launch, but it'll be measured and generally consistent with our current operating profile.
John Aballi: A big part of that or credit goes to our research team for having those relationships, finding creative ways to conduct studies in a, call it, economical way, and we'll continue to do that. There may be, you know, some marketing expense that is associated with the product launch, but it'll be measured and generally consistent with our current operating profile.
Speaker #5: And we'll continue to do that. There may be some marketing expense that is associated with the product launch, but it'll be measured in generally consistent with our current operating profile.
Speaker #5: Great. Helpful, guys. Thanks.
Kyle Mikson: Great. Helpful, guys. Thanks.
Kyle Mikson: Great. Helpful, guys. Thanks.
Speaker #4: Thanks, Kyle.
John Aballi: Thanks, Kyle.
John Aballi: Thanks, Kyle.
Kyle Mikson: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Bill Bonello with Craig-Hallum Capital Group. Please proceed with your question.
Kyle Mikson: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Bill Bonello with Craig-Hallum Capital Group. Please proceed with your question.
Speaker #6: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Bill Bonello with Craig Hallum Capital Group. Please proceed with your question.
Speaker #7: Hey, guys. Thanks a lot. And thanks for all the color. So on the first of all, on the volume, on the weather, you talked about a couple of tough weeks.
Bill Bonello: Hey, guys. Thanks a lot, and thanks for all the color. First of all, on the volume, on the weather, you talked about, you know, a couple of tough weeks. Any sense of maybe what the impact on volume growth might have been? I mean, did you, in theory, lose a day or two of productivity or how might we think about that?
Bill Bonello: Hey, guys. Thanks a lot, and thanks for all the color. First of all, on the volume, on the weather, you talked about, you know, a couple of tough weeks. Any sense of maybe what the impact on volume growth might have been? I mean, did you, in theory, lose a day or two of productivity or how might we think about that?
Speaker #7: Any sense of maybe what the impact on volume growth might have been? I mean, did you in theory lose a day or two of productivity or how might we think about that?
Speaker #4: Hey, Bill. Good morning. Thanks so much for the question. So the way we have characterized it is, for those two weeks, we lost about a third of volume over the course of two solid weeks.
John Aballi: Hey, Bill. Good morning. Thanks so much for the question. The way we have characterized it is for those 2 weeks, we lost about a third of volume over the course of 2 solid weeks. That's a couple thousand tests. That should be, I think give you the exact color you need.
John Aballi: Hey, Bill. Good morning. Thanks so much for the question. The way we have characterized it is for those 2 weeks, we lost about a third of volume over the course of 2 solid weeks. That's a couple thousand tests. That should be, I think give you the exact color you need.
Speaker #4: So that's a couple thousand tests. That should be I think give you the exact color you need.
Speaker #7: Yeah. And then just to expand on that, is there anything else, just as we see the ASP trend moving in the right direction—is there anything different that's happening at all on the volume front, in terms of either maybe walking away from some lower-priced business, or being more cautious about some of the accounts you're adding?
Bill Bonello: Yeah. Then, just to expand on that, is there anything else, just, you know, as we see the ASP trend moving in the right direction, is there anything different that's happening at all on the volume front, in terms of, you know, either, you know, maybe walking away from some lower priced business or being more cautious about some of the accounts you're adding? Or would we say the maybe differential in the growth rate and the sequential down tick would pretty much all be the weather?
Bill Bonello: Yeah. Then, just to expand on that, is there anything else, just, you know, as we see the ASP trend moving in the right direction, is there anything different that's happening at all on the volume front, in terms of, you know, either, you know, maybe walking away from some lower priced business or being more cautious about some of the accounts you're adding? Or would we say the maybe differential in the growth rate and the sequential down tick would pretty much all be the weather?
Speaker #7: Or would we say that maybe differential in the growth rate and the sequential down tech would pretty much all be the weather?
Speaker #4: So great question. So in the quarter, the impact of volume was pretty much weather-related. I mean, not really any other drivers there or motivators there.
John Aballi: Great question. In the quarter, the impact to volume was pretty much weather related. I mean, not really any other drivers there or motivators there. On the ASP side, really what's driving that continues to be just our the strategy we employed a few years ago. We just continue to get better at it. Our appeals continue to get better. These are long cycles, as you know, and as we learn through various successes or failures in our appeal efforts, we adjust our approach and make changes there. We're always evaluating our Medicaid patient population is maybe one area that I would say, you know, continues to evolve and certainly on the managed Medicaid side, what level of patient responsibility the market can support there.
John Aballi: Great question. In the quarter, the impact to volume was pretty much weather related. I mean, not really any other drivers there or motivators there. On the ASP side, really what's driving that continues to be just our the strategy we employed a few years ago. We just continue to get better at it. Our appeals continue to get better. These are long cycles, as you know, and as we learn through various successes or failures in our appeal efforts, we adjust our approach and make changes there. We're always evaluating our Medicaid patient population is maybe one area that I would say, you know, continues to evolve and certainly on the managed Medicaid side, what level of patient responsibility the market can support there.
Speaker #4: And then on the ASP side, really what's driving that continues to be just the strategy we employed a few years ago, and we just continue to get better at it.
Speaker #4: Our appeals continue to get better. And these are long cycles as you know. And as we learn through various successes or failures in our appeal efforts, we adjust our approach and make changes there.
Speaker #4: We're always evaluating our Medicaid patient population. It's maybe one area that I would say continues to evolve, and certainly on the managed Medicaid side.
Speaker #4: What level of patient responsibility the market can support there. And so those are some changes we have made here in Q1. But I don't think those are big contributors to volume impact.
John Aballi: Those are some changes we have made here in Q1, but I don't think those are big contributors to volume impact. They may have had some impact on the ASP side, but mostly ASP gains are due to wins on the revenue cycle side.
John Aballi: Those are some changes we have made here in Q1, but I don't think those are big contributors to volume impact. They may have had some impact on the ASP side, but mostly ASP gains are due to wins on the revenue cycle side.
Speaker #4: They may have had some impact on the ASP side, but mostly ASP gains are due to wins on the revenue cycle.
Speaker #7: Okay, that's really helpful. And then maybe just a follow-up on that on the ASP side. So, obviously, having improvement on both the collections front and it sounds like on fighting denials and all of that.
Bill Bonello: Okay. That's really helpful. Then maybe just a follow-up on that on the ASP side. Obviously, having improvement on both the collections front and it sounds like on fighting denials and all of that. Can you just remind us maybe what some of the key opportunities are? I know as we were going through last year, there were some really specific opportunities you saw, where you for things that you could get paid for, because of some of what you had added to the product over the course of the last year. Maybe just give us a little bit of an update on how you're feeling about that and where those opportunities stand today.
Bill Bonello: Okay. That's really helpful. Then maybe just a follow-up on that on the ASP side. Obviously, having improvement on both the collections front and it sounds like on fighting denials and all of that. Can you just remind us maybe what some of the key opportunities are? I know as we were going through last year, there were some really specific opportunities you saw, where you for things that you could get paid for, because of some of what you had added to the product over the course of the last year. Maybe just give us a little bit of an update on how you're feeling about that and where those opportunities stand today.
Speaker #7: Can you just remind us maybe what some of the key opportunities are? I know as we're going through last year, there were some really specific opportunities you saw where you for things that you could get paid for because of some of what you had added to the product over the course of the last year.
Speaker #7: And maybe just give us a little bit of an update on how you're feeling about that and where those opportunities stand today.
Speaker #4: Yeah, absolutely. Thanks for the chance to expand on it. From my standpoint, opportunistically, we continue to pursue prior period collections. I mean, we've talked about this a little bit with the new product launches, and you have your initial payment, or your initial ASP, call it, from when you perform the test.
John Aballi: Absolutely. Thanks for the chance to expand on it. From my standpoint, opportunistically, we continue to pursue prior period collections. I mean, we've talked about this a little bit with the new product launches and, you know, you have your initial payment, or your initial ASP, call it, from when you perform the test. Then over the course of about a 12 month, maybe even a little bit longer, 12 to 18 month period, you're able to continue to work with the insurance company, with the patient in various ways, through appeals, advocacy, what have you, and drive further collections. That's what we anticipated doing with the new product launches on the existing product. It's just coming to fruition.
John Aballi: Absolutely. Thanks for the chance to expand on it. From my standpoint, opportunistically, we continue to pursue prior period collections. I mean, we've talked about this a little bit with the new product launches and, you know, you have your initial payment, or your initial ASP, call it, from when you perform the test. Then over the course of about a 12 month, maybe even a little bit longer, 12 to 18 month period, you're able to continue to work with the insurance company, with the patient in various ways, through appeals, advocacy, what have you, and drive further collections. That's what we anticipated doing with the new product launches on the existing product. It's just coming to fruition.
Speaker #4: And then over the course of about a 12-month, maybe even a little bit longer, 12 to 18 months period, you're able to continue to work with the insurance company, with the patient, in various ways through appeals, advocacy, what have you.
Speaker #4: And drive further collections. And that's what we anticipated doing with the new product launches on the existing product. And it's just coming to fruition.
John Aballi: I, you know, to have $900,000 in prior period collections here in Q1 when all of last year we had about $1.5 million, that's phenomenal. We are, to be honest, so proud of the team, because it's coming from multiple payers and through multiple initiatives. you know, it's not just one single win that drove this, but it's on, you know, improving some of those collections for the new product launches. It's on the base business across multiple payers, and our level of payer engagement just continues to improve as well. I mean, here in Q1, we had, I said it on. We had presentations to three different medical directors at various Blues plans. They continue to be engaged.
John Aballi: I, you know, to have $900,000 in prior period collections here in Q1 when all of last year we had about $1.5 million, that's phenomenal. We are, to be honest, so proud of the team, because it's coming from multiple payers and through multiple initiatives. you know, it's not just one single win that drove this, but it's on, you know, improving some of those collections for the new product launches. It's on the base business across multiple payers, and our level of payer engagement just continues to improve as well. I mean, here in Q1, we had, I said it on. We had presentations to three different medical directors at various Blues plans. They continue to be engaged.
Speaker #4: To have 900,000 in prior period collections here in Q1 when all of last year, we had about a million and a half, that's phenomenal.
Speaker #4: We're to be honest, so proud of the team because it's coming from multiple payers. And through multiple initiatives. And so it's not just one single win that drove this, but it's on improving some of those collections for the new product launches.
Speaker #4: It's on the base business across multiple payers. And our level of payer engagement just continues to improve as well. I mean, here in the first quarter, we had—I said it on—we had presentations to three different medical directors at various Blues plans.
Speaker #4: They continue to be engaged. We're not these aren't just join a conference call. They sit silent. And you present your clinical dossier. And then the call's over.
John Aballi: You know, these aren't just join a conference call, they sit silent, and you present your clinical dossier, and then the call's over. There's high levels of engagement, lots of Q&A, follow-up requests for additional material. You know, we, our strategy is getting the attention of various payers. It's yielding improvement in ASP on the individual claim level for multiple CPT codes. We'll just continue marching along. That's been the strategy from day one and just continues to improve in terms of efficacy.
John Aballi: You know, these aren't just join a conference call, they sit silent, and you present your clinical dossier, and then the call's over. There's high levels of engagement, lots of Q&A, follow-up requests for additional material. You know, we, our strategy is getting the attention of various payers. It's yielding improvement in ASP on the individual claim level for multiple CPT codes. We'll just continue marching along. That's been the strategy from day one and just continues to improve in terms of efficacy.
Speaker #4: There’s high levels of engagement, lots of Q&A, and follow-up requests for additional material. So our strategy is getting the attention of various payers.
Speaker #4: It's yielding improvement in ASP on the individual claim level for multiple CPT codes, and we'll just continue marching along. And that's been the strategy from day one.
Speaker #4: And just continues to improve in terms of efficacy.
Speaker #7: Okay. And then if I could, just one last follow-up on that. That's helpful. But just in terms of getting paid for—obviously that's part of the success, presumably, on the prior period collections.
Bill Bonello: Okay. If I could just one last follow-up on that's helpful. Just in terms of, you know, getting paid for the additional markers, and obviously that's part of the success presumably on the prior period collections. As you look forward, are you feeling, you know, how are you feeling about consistency of payment for those additional markers? Are you thinking that's gonna be, I hate to say easier, but as you look forward, do you expect to see maybe the rate of denials moderate or a bit given the success you've had with the prior period collections, or is it too early to say on that?
Bill Bonello: Okay. If I could just one last follow-up on that's helpful. Just in terms of, you know, getting paid for the additional markers, and obviously that's part of the success presumably on the prior period collections. As you look forward, are you feeling, you know, how are you feeling about consistency of payment for those additional markers? Are you thinking that's gonna be, I hate to say easier, but as you look forward, do you expect to see maybe the rate of denials moderate or a bit given the success you've had with the prior period collections, or is it too early to say on that?
Speaker #7: But as you look forward, are you feeling how are you feeling about consistency of payment for those additional markers? Are you thinking that's going to be I hate to say easier, but as you look forward, do you expect to see maybe the rate of denials moderate or a bit given the success you've had with the prior period collections?
Speaker #7: Or is it too early to say on that?
Speaker #4: No, so it definitely will improve the rate going forward, especially just because we're on accrual accounting, right? So as you have a track record of improved collections, you can actually accrue it and then it'll factor into the rate going forward, right?
John Aballi: No, it definitely will improve the rate going forward, especially because we're on accrual accounting, right? As you have a track record of improved collections, you can actually accrue it, and then it will factor into the rate going forward, right? From that perspective, we will have greater certainty, we will have greater clarity because we will have first-hand experience in seeing this through full cycle. This is more specific to the new marker reimbursement. From that perspective, we will improve. I think the other thing I would say is we now have a 3-year track record of consistent improvement in ASP, I have a lot of confidence that our processes work and that they will continue to yield positive results over time as well. Yeah, all of that will be factors.
John Aballi: No, it definitely will improve the rate going forward, especially because we're on accrual accounting, right? As you have a track record of improved collections, you can actually accrue it, and then it will factor into the rate going forward, right? From that perspective, we will have greater certainty, we will have greater clarity because we will have first-hand experience in seeing this through full cycle. This is more specific to the new marker reimbursement. From that perspective, we will improve. I think the other thing I would say is we now have a 3-year track record of consistent improvement in ASP, I have a lot of confidence that our processes work and that they will continue to yield positive results over time as well. Yeah, all of that will be factors.
Speaker #4: So from that perspective, we'll have greater certainty. We'll have greater clarity because we'll have firsthand experience in seeing this through full cycle for the this is more specific to the new marker reimbursement.
Speaker #4: So from that perspective, we'll improve. But I think the other thing I would say is we now have a three-year track record of consistent improvement in ASP.
Speaker #4: And so I have a lot of confidence that our processes work and that they'll continue to yield positive results over time as well. So both all of that will be factors.
Speaker #4: The way to really lock it in, as you know, is through in-network contracting, and then your velocity of payments will improve. And you'll—I don't know that you ever sleep soundly at night regarding this area.
John Aballi: The way to really lock it in, as you know, is through in-network contracting, and then your velocity of payments will improve and you'll I don't know that you ever sleep soundly at night regarding this area, but at the same time, it may speed everything up a little bit.
John Aballi: The way to really lock it in, as you know, is through in-network contracting, and then your velocity of payments will improve and you'll I don't know that you ever sleep soundly at night regarding this area, but at the same time, it may speed everything up a little bit.
Speaker #4: But at the same time, it may speed everything up a little bit.
Speaker #7: Great. Thank you so much.
Bill Bonello: Great. Thank you so much.
Bill Bonello: Great. Thank you so much.
Speaker #1: Thank you. Our next question comes from Lynn of Dan Brennan with TD Cowan. Please proceed with your question.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Daniel Brennan with TD Cowen. Please proceed with your question.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Daniel Brennan with TD Cowen. Please proceed with your question.
Speaker #5: Great, thanks. Thanks for the questions. Maybe, guys, just on pacing for the year—just Q2 streets just shy of $18 million. Can you give us some flavor about maybe price, volumes? You guys seem okay with that number?
Daniel Brennan: Great. Thanks, thanks for the questions. Maybe, guys, just on pacing for the year, just Q2 street's just shy of $18 million. Can you give us some flavor about, like, maybe price volumes? You guys seem okay with that number. How do we think about that?
Dan Brennan: Great. Thanks, thanks for the questions. Maybe, guys, just on pacing for the year, just Q2 street's just shy of $18 million. Can you give us some flavor about, like, maybe price volumes? You guys seem okay with that number. How do we think about that?
Speaker #5: How do we think about that?
Speaker #4: From hey, Dan. Good morning, by the way. And from a guidance standpoint, we are guiding quarterly. I think we feel very comfortable about our annual guide.
John Aballi: Hey, Dan. Good morning, by the way. From a guidance standpoint, you know, we are guiding quarterly. I think we feel very comfortable about our annual guide, that $70 to $73 million. Obviously, you know, very nice quarter here for Q1, some of it driven by the prior period collections that we aren't quite ready to earmark for the rest of the year, you know, each quarter. We're still filling it out. We'd like to get another quarter behind us before we take a look at that annual number. I think the quarterly spread is, you know, is what it is on the analyst side, but I don't think we're too far off.
John Aballi: Hey, Dan. Good morning, by the way. From a guidance standpoint, you know, we are guiding quarterly. I think we feel very comfortable about our annual guide, that $70 to $73 million. Obviously, you know, very nice quarter here for Q1, some of it driven by the prior period collections that we aren't quite ready to earmark for the rest of the year, you know, each quarter. We're still filling it out. We'd like to get another quarter behind us before we take a look at that annual number. I think the quarterly spread is, you know, is what it is on the analyst side, but I don't think we're too far off.
Speaker #4: That 70 to 73. Obviously, very nice quarter here for Q1. Some of it driven by the prior period collections that we aren't quite ready to earmark for the rest of the year.
Speaker #4: Each quarter. So we're still filling it out. We'd like to get another quarter behind us before we take a look at that annual number.
Speaker #4: And I think the quarterly spread is what it is on the analyst side. But I don't think we're too far off.
Speaker #5: Okay. Thanks for that. And then maybe just one follow-up is on the weather. So you lost those couple thousand tests, I guess, in Q1.
Daniel Brennan: Okay. Thanks for that. Maybe just one follow-up on the weather. You lost those couple thousand tests, I guess, in Q1. I guess, presumably, do those come back in Q2? Were they gone? Does that kinda create a favorable comp into Q2?
Dan Brennan: Okay. Thanks for that. Maybe just one follow-up on the weather. You lost those couple thousand tests, I guess, in Q1. I guess, presumably, do those come back in Q2? Were they gone? Does that kinda create a favorable comp into Q2?
Speaker #5: So I guess, presumably, do those come back in Q2? Are they gone? And does that kind of create a favorable comp in Q2?
Speaker #4: Yeah, so because the sample type that we work in is peripheral blood, it's got a viability component to it. Really, it gets moved—those tests get moved theoretically.
John Aballi: Yeah. Because the sample type that we work in is peripheral blood, it's got a viability component to it, really it gets moved, those tests get moved theoretically. You know, if we were dealing with paraffin-embedded tissue or fixed tissue or something like that, you could envision a catch-up period that's maybe a little bit more realistic. For us, in essence, those are gone. Those are clinic days that are completely gone. There's only so many patients that a physician can see in a single day. Those are essentially gone.
John Aballi: Yeah. Because the sample type that we work in is peripheral blood, it's got a viability component to it, really it gets moved, those tests get moved theoretically. You know, if we were dealing with paraffin-embedded tissue or fixed tissue or something like that, you could envision a catch-up period that's maybe a little bit more realistic. For us, in essence, those are gone. Those are clinic days that are completely gone. There's only so many patients that a physician can see in a single day. Those are essentially gone.
Speaker #4: If we were dealing with paraffin-embedded tissue, or fixed tissue, or something like that, you could envision a catch-up period that's maybe a little bit more realistic.
Speaker #4: But for us, in essence, those are gone. Those are clinic days that are completely gone. There's only so many patients that a physician can see in a single day.
Speaker #4: So those are essentially gone.
Speaker #5: Got it. Okay. Maybe if you could just give us an update on the path for Denal CD. I know that's been on file for a couple of years now.
Daniel Brennan: Got it. Okay. Maybe can you just give us an update on the path towards an LCD? I know that's been on file for a couple of years now. Just wondering kind of any update there, how we think about that, and if in fact, you know, that were to come, how do we think about the impact that would mean on your ASP uplift?
Dan Brennan: Got it. Okay. Maybe can you just give us an update on the path towards an LCD? I know that's been on file for a couple of years now. Just wondering kind of any update there, how we think about that, and if in fact, you know, that were to come, how do we think about the impact that would mean on your ASP uplift?
Speaker #5: Just wondering kind of any update there, how we think about that, and what kind of if in fact, that were to come, how do we think about the impact that would mean?
Speaker #5: On your ASP uplift?
Speaker #4: Sure. So maybe I'll start with the impact first. Impact-wise, in LCDs, very nice progress for our organization. It will memorialize the coverage with Medicare that we have.
John Aballi: Sure. Maybe I'll start with the impact first. Impact-wise, an LCD is very nice progress for our organization. It will memorialize the coverage with Medicare that we have, I guess, in plain sight, but also allow us to leverage that for Medicare Advantage conversations and even policy discussions related to commercial lives with various plans. We're looking forward to it. Still waiting. Continue to have very good relationship with the MolDX team, meet with them on a regular basis, you know, about every quarter, just to get an update. We do have our body of evidence supporting AVISE CTD continues to expand. In fact, we had a systematic review, a very significant publication for us internally, just get accepted for publication. That'll come out, you know, maybe in a month's time or so.
John Aballi: Sure. Maybe I'll start with the impact first. Impact-wise, an LCD is very nice progress for our organization. It will memorialize the coverage with Medicare that we have, I guess, in plain sight, but also allow us to leverage that for Medicare Advantage conversations and even policy discussions related to commercial lives with various plans. We're looking forward to it. Still waiting. Continue to have very good relationship with the MolDX team, meet with them on a regular basis, you know, about every quarter, just to get an update. We do have our body of evidence supporting AVISE CTD continues to expand. In fact, we had a systematic review, a very significant publication for us internally, just get accepted for publication. That'll come out, you know, maybe in a month's time or so.
Speaker #4: I guess in plain sight, but also allow us to leverage that for Medicare Advantage conversations. And even policy discussions related to commercial lives with various plans.
Speaker #4: So we're looking forward to it. Still waiting. Continue to have a very good relationship with the Muldex team. Meet with them on a regular basis.
Speaker #4: About every quarter, just to get an update. We do have our body of evidence supporting advice CTD. Continues to expand. In fact, we had a systematic review, a very significant publication for us internally just to get accepted for publication.
Speaker #4: That'll come out maybe in a month's time or so. And we look forward to updating the Muldex team with that evidence as well. But where we sit right now is we're in the queue.
John Aballi: We look forward to updating the MolDX team with that evidence as well. Where we sit right now is we're in the queue. They are unable to tell us exactly where in the queue we are, but we remain in the queue, and they have a complete understanding of our product and the clinical evidence behind it. That's about all we can say at the moment.
John Aballi: We look forward to updating the MolDX team with that evidence as well. Where we sit right now is we're in the queue. They are unable to tell us exactly where in the queue we are, but we remain in the queue, and they have a complete understanding of our product and the clinical evidence behind it. That's about all we can say at the moment.
Speaker #4: We are unable to tell you exactly where in the queue we are, but we remain in the queue. They have a complete understanding of our product and the clinical evidence behind it.
Speaker #4: But that's about all we can say at the moment.
Speaker #5: Okay. Thanks for that, John. And just in terms of the Northwell transition, since I think you guys felt pretty good that other customers weren't looking to kind of switch from direct bill to kind of, I guess, third-party pay.
Daniel Brennan: Okay, thanks for that, John. Just in terms of the Northwell transition, I think you guys felt pretty good that, you know, other customers weren't looking to kinda switch from direct bill to, you know, kind of, I guess, third-party pay. Just any update there? How do you feel about that? Does that still remain the case today?
Dan Brennan: Okay, thanks for that, John. Just in terms of the Northwell transition, I think you guys felt pretty good that, you know, other customers weren't looking to kinda switch from direct bill to, you know, kind of, I guess, third-party pay. Just any update there? How do you feel about that? Does that still remain the case today?
Speaker #5: Just any update there? How do you feel about that? Does that still remain the case today?
Speaker #4: Yeah. Well, it's still staying. I think from my perspective, it's really unfortunate that we weren't able to find a path there. But as it relates to our broader client bill business, no further change.
John Aballi: Yeah. Well, it still stings. I think, from my perspective, it's really unfortunate that we weren't able to find a path there. As it relates to our broader client bill business, no further change. In fact, I think our relationship with our client bill customers continues to be very strong. It's maybe adjusted our approach a little bit and we have a lot of senior leadership highly tuned in to our client bill accounts and just continue to foster them as we do with really any other account. No further updates, if you will.
John Aballi: Yeah. Well, it still stings. I think, from my perspective, it's really unfortunate that we weren't able to find a path there. As it relates to our broader client bill business, no further change. In fact, I think our relationship with our client bill customers continues to be very strong. It's maybe adjusted our approach a little bit and we have a lot of senior leadership highly tuned in to our client bill accounts and just continue to foster them as we do with really any other account. No further updates, if you will.
Speaker #4: In fact, I think our relationship with our client bill customers continues to be very strong. Maybe adjusted our approach a little bit and we have a lot of senior leadership, highly tuned in to our client bill.
Speaker #4: Accounts. And just continue to foster them as we do with really any other accounts. So no further updates if you will. And as it relates to Northwell, we continue to find ways to serve their clinician base outside of the system itself.
John Aballi: As it relates to Northwell, we continue to find ways to serve their clinician base outside of the system itself, but see it as unlikely that a client bill arrangement comes back in the near future.
John Aballi: As it relates to Northwell, we continue to find ways to serve their clinician base outside of the system itself, but see it as unlikely that a client bill arrangement comes back in the near future.
Speaker #4: But see it unlikely see it as unlikely that a client bill arrangement comes back in the near future.
Speaker #5: Got it. Right. But you're not really hearing—like you think it is kind of more of a one-off, I guess, is still the case, correct?
Daniel Brennan: Got it. Right. Right, but you're not really hearing, like, you think it is kind of more of a one-off, I guess, is still the case, correct?
Dan Brennan: Got it. Right. Right, but you're not really hearing, like, you think it is kind of more of a one-off, I guess, is still the case, correct?
Speaker #4: Yeah. And that happened in July of last year. And since then, we continue to have, like I said, strong relationships with our client bill business.
John Aballi: Yeah. You know, that happened in July of last year. Since then, you know, we continue to have, like I said, strong relationships with our client build business. Pretty close to a definition of one-off in my opinion.
John Aballi: Yeah. You know, that happened in July of last year. Since then, you know, we continue to have, like I said, strong relationships with our client build business. Pretty close to a definition of one-off in my opinion.
Speaker #4: So pretty close to a definition of one-off, in my opinion.
Speaker #5: Terrific. Okay. That's great, John. Thanks a lot. I'll go back in the queue.
Daniel Brennan: Terrific. Okay. That's great, John. Thanks a lot. I'll go back in the queue.
Dan Brennan: Terrific. Okay. That's great, John. Thanks a lot. I'll go back in the queue.
Speaker #4: Yeah. Appreciate it, Dan.
John Aballi: Yeah. Appreciate it, Daniel Brennan.
John Aballi: Yeah. Appreciate it, Daniel Brennan.
Speaker #6: Thank you. Our next question comes from Lion of Mark Massaro. With BTIG, please proceed with your question.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Mark Massaro with BTIG. Please proceed with your question.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Mark Massaro with BTIG. Please proceed with your question.
Speaker #7: Hey, guys. Thank you for taking the questions. It was really nice to see the 15% increase in ordering clinicians. Can you give us a sense?
Mark Massaro: Hey, guys. Thank you for taking the questions. It was really nice to see the 15% increase in ordering clinicians. Can you give us a sense, are these all specialists, so I presume rheumatologists, or perhaps did you see any increase in breadth? Then related to that, can you speak to any potential opportunity to market to primary care or more generalist clinicians?
Mark Massaro: Hey, guys. Thank you for taking the questions. It was really nice to see the 15% increase in ordering clinicians. Can you give us a sense, are these all specialists, so I presume rheumatologists, or perhaps did you see any increase in breadth? Then related to that, can you speak to any potential opportunity to market to primary care or more generalist clinicians?
Speaker #7: Are these all specialists? So, I presume rheumatologists, or perhaps did you see any increase in breadth? And then, related to that, can you speak to any potential opportunity to market to primary care or more generalist clinicians?
Speaker #4: Yeah. Good morning, Mark. Thanks for the question. Very interesting one. From the physician-based standpoint, we still target the rheumatologists as our primary customer. And that's what we saw in terms of the expansion.
John Aballi: Yeah. Good morning, Mark. Thanks for the question. Very interesting one. From the physician-based standpoint, we still target the rheumatologists as our primary customer, and that's what we saw in terms of the expansion, continued growth, but roughly proportional to what we had previously. You know, about two-thirds devoted to the rheumatology channel and then about a third of that expansion coming outside of it. When we see utilization of the test outside of rheumatology, it can come in a few different ways, general practitioners, internists. We also see it in the women's health side, so OB-GYN, but also pulmonology as well.
John Aballi: Yeah. Good morning, Mark. Thanks for the question. Very interesting one. From the physician-based standpoint, we still target the rheumatologists as our primary customer, and that's what we saw in terms of the expansion, continued growth, but roughly proportional to what we had previously. You know, about two-thirds devoted to the rheumatology channel and then about a third of that expansion coming outside of it. When we see utilization of the test outside of rheumatology, it can come in a few different ways, general practitioners, internists. We also see it in the women's health side, so OB-GYN, but also pulmonology as well.
Speaker #4: Continued growth. But roughly proportional to what we had previously. So about two-thirds devoted to the rheumatology channel. And then about a third of that expansion coming outside of it.
Speaker #4: When we see utilization of the test outside of rheumatology, it can come in a few different ways. General practitioners, internists. But we also see it we also see it in the women's health side.
Speaker #4: So OBG. But also pulmonology, as well. And so we don't have targeted we want to keep our sales team focused. And I think you really need to take a look at what the potential is for those physicians.
John Aballi: Yeah, we don't have targeted. We wanna keep our sales team focused, and I think you really need to take a look at what the potential is for those physicians before you start targeting and marketing to them. From our standpoint, where we've seen expansion outside of the rheumatology specialty work well, it's when the rheumatologist is still involved, even if behind the scenes. You know, they know their referral network very well, and they know which physicians, you know, for whatever geographic reason, are seeing some of these patients, and they'll help direct us in that, in that respect. That's what we saw with this expansion as well.
John Aballi: Yeah, we don't have targeted. We wanna keep our sales team focused, and I think you really need to take a look at what the potential is for those physicians before you start targeting and marketing to them. From our standpoint, where we've seen expansion outside of the rheumatology specialty work well, it's when the rheumatologist is still involved, even if behind the scenes. You know, they know their referral network very well, and they know which physicians, you know, for whatever geographic reason, are seeing some of these patients, and they'll help direct us in that, in that respect. That's what we saw with this expansion as well.
Speaker #4: Before you start targeting and marketing to them. And so from our standpoint, where we've seen expansion outside of the rheumatology specialty work well. It's when the rheumatologist is still involved, even if behind the scenes.
Speaker #4: They know their referral network very well, and they know which physicians, for whatever geographic reason, are seeing some of these patients. And they'll help direct us in that respect.
Speaker #4: So that's what we saw with this expansion as well.
Speaker #7: Okay, that's great. And I think you expanded to, I believe, 45 territories. Can you just speak to how you're feeling about the productivity of some of the newer reps?
Mark Massaro: Okay, that's great. I think you expanded to, I believe, 45 territories. Can you just speak to how you're feeling about the productivity of some of the newer reps? How do you think they're ramping? If they're not fully ramped, do you see any potential for some pickup in H2?
Mark Massaro: Okay, that's great. I think you expanded to, I believe, 45 territories. Can you just speak to how you're feeling about the productivity of some of the newer reps? How do you think they're ramping? If they're not fully ramped, do you see any potential for some pickup in H2?
Speaker #7: How do you think they're ramping? And if they're not fully ramped, do you see any potential for some pickup in the back half of the year?
Speaker #4: Yeah. So first of all, they're a fantastic people. And been really excited about how we've how they've been able to come in. We've modified our training now a couple of times to cater to really refine it.
John Aballi: Yeah. First of all, they're fantastic people and been really excited about how they've been able to come in. We've modified our training now a couple of times, to cater, to really refine it, over the last couple of years, and it's working well. We split training into 2 phases. The first is kind of welcome to rheumatology. You know, remove the deer in the headlights sort of perspective. We bring them back after a couple months in the field to dive deeper into the science, but also really do more of a Q&A and tailor it to what they're seeing and the challenges that they're facing in their territories.
John Aballi: Yeah. First of all, they're fantastic people and been really excited about how they've been able to come in. We've modified our training now a couple of times, to cater, to really refine it, over the last couple of years, and it's working well. We split training into 2 phases. The first is kind of welcome to rheumatology. You know, remove the deer in the headlights sort of perspective. We bring them back after a couple months in the field to dive deeper into the science, but also really do more of a Q&A and tailor it to what they're seeing and the challenges that they're facing in their territories.
Speaker #4: Over the last couple of years, and it's working well. We just had our—we split training into two phases. The first is kind of 'welcome to rheumatology.'
Speaker #4: We remove the 'deer in the headlights' sort of perspective, and we bring them back after a couple of months in the field to dive deeper into the science, but also really do more of a Q&A and tailor it to what they're seeing and the challenges that they're facing in their territories.
Speaker #4: And we did that here in late December. So we've now had a quarter with our new reps going through phase two of the training.
John Aballi: We did that here in late December, so we've now had a quarter with our new reps going through phase II of the training, they're still getting their feet under them. You know, I think we typically see production consistent with our goal targets somewhere in that 6 to 9-month range. To truly get running, it takes a little bit longer than that. We've had a few of our territories land some pretty big accounts, clients, which is telling me that they understand the product. They're able to convey the clinical utility of the product in an effective way and develop that relationship. Very happy with how pretty universally these 5 territories have gotten acclimated to rheumatology and our product, but still a ways to go.
John Aballi: We did that here in late December, so we've now had a quarter with our new reps going through phase II of the training, they're still getting their feet under them. You know, I think we typically see production consistent with our goal targets somewhere in that 6 to 9-month range. To truly get running, it takes a little bit longer than that. We've had a few of our territories land some pretty big accounts, clients, which is telling me that they understand the product. They're able to convey the clinical utility of the product in an effective way and develop that relationship. Very happy with how pretty universally these 5 territories have gotten acclimated to rheumatology and our product, but still a ways to go.
Speaker #4: And so they're still getting their feet under them. I think we typically see production consistent with our goal targets somewhere in that six- to nine-month range.
Speaker #4: But to truly get running, it takes a little bit longer than that. And we've had a few of our territories land some pretty big accounts.
Speaker #4: Clients. Which is telling me that they understand the product. They're able to convey the clinical utility of the product in an effective way. And develop that relationship.
Speaker #4: So, very happy with how pretty universally these five territories have gotten acclimated to rheumatology and our product. But still a ways to go. And I would think you see a continued build throughout the year.
John Aballi: I would think you see a continued build throughout the year. We'll also look to expand our sales organization even further once we have those folks adequately supported. Maybe that comes in H2 or so. We'll have to see.
John Aballi: I would think you see a continued build throughout the year. We'll also look to expand our sales organization even further once we have those folks adequately supported. Maybe that comes in H2 or so. We'll have to see.
Speaker #4: We'll also look to expand our sales organization even further once we have those folks adequately supported. So maybe that comes in the back half of the year or so.
Speaker #4: We'll have to see.
Speaker #7: Okay, fantastic. And then my last question. I know in prior calls there had been more discussion around the newer biomarkers launched. In 2025, I know you've talked about PAD4.
Mark Massaro: Okay, fantastic. My last question. I know in prior calls, there had been more discussion around the newer biomarkers launched in 2025. I know you've talked about PAD4, I think anti-RA33, some others. Just curious how that is ramping. To what extent do you see potential upside in ASPs as we, you know, try to tune up our models? Just wondering how those are progressing relative to your internal expectations.
Mark Massaro: Okay, fantastic. My last question. I know in prior calls, there had been more discussion around the newer biomarkers launched in 2025. I know you've talked about PAD4, I think anti-RA33, some others. Just curious how that is ramping. To what extent do you see potential upside in ASPs as we, you know, try to tune up our models? Just wondering how those are progressing relative to your internal expectations.
Speaker #7: I think RA33, some others. Just curious how that is ramping, and to what extent do you see potential upside in ASPs as we try to tune up our models?
Speaker #7: And just wondering how those are progressing relative to your internal expectations.
Speaker #4: Yeah. The new markers I think generally inside the building we're very happy with the decision to pursue that research and ultimately commercialize those markers.
John Aballi: Yeah. The new markers, I think generally inside the building, we're very happy with the decision to pursue that research and ultimately commercialize those markers. I think part of what gives us, you know, that optimism or excitement is we've actually started to land pharma contracts related to testing with the new markers. We actually have two, specifically for PAD4 and RA33. Our unique RA markers are not only grabbing the attention of our clinical base and being useful in that context, but we're seeing that utility spread into our pharma partners. Obviously, as you have these new markers incorporated into various trials and subsequent publications leveraging these, it's just gonna continue to build.
John Aballi: Yeah. The new markers, I think generally inside the building, we're very happy with the decision to pursue that research and ultimately commercialize those markers. I think part of what gives us, you know, that optimism or excitement is we've actually started to land pharma contracts related to testing with the new markers. We actually have two, specifically for PAD4 and RA33. Our unique RA markers are not only grabbing the attention of our clinical base and being useful in that context, but we're seeing that utility spread into our pharma partners. Obviously, as you have these new markers incorporated into various trials and subsequent publications leveraging these, it's just gonna continue to build.
Speaker #4: And I think part of what gives us that optimism or excitement is we've actually started to land pharma contracts related to testing with the new markers.
Speaker #4: We actually have two. Specifically for PAD4 and RA33. So our unique RA markers are not only grabbing the attention of our clinical base and being useful in that context but we're seeing that utility spread into our pharma partners and obviously as you have these new markers incorporated into various trials and subsequent publications leveraging these it's just going to continue to build.
Speaker #4: And we continue to be the only group in the US providing these markers. And just very excited to drive that innovation into the field.
John Aballi: We continue to be, you know, the only group in the US providing these markers and just very excited to drive that innovation into the field. Specifically as it relates to ASP, I think our revenue cycle operations continue to improve the ASP that we're able to generate on our tests, but specifically those new markers. We're still gaining confidence with what that looks like full cycle. I mean, PAD4 launched in September of this past year, so we're 6 months in and we don't guide on ASP. I think from that standpoint, it's gonna be tough for me to give you some direction there. We like how the Q1 shaped up related to ASP.
John Aballi: We continue to be, you know, the only group in the US providing these markers and just very excited to drive that innovation into the field. Specifically as it relates to ASP, I think our revenue cycle operations continue to improve the ASP that we're able to generate on our tests, but specifically those new markers. We're still gaining confidence with what that looks like full cycle. I mean, PAD4 launched in September of this past year, so we're 6 months in and we don't guide on ASP. I think from that standpoint, it's gonna be tough for me to give you some direction there. We like how the Q1 shaped up related to ASP.
Speaker #4: Specifically as it relates to ASP. I think our revenue cycle operations continue to improve the ASP that we're able to generate on our tests.
Speaker #4: But specifically, those new markers. And we're still gaining confidence with what that looks like full cycle. I mean, PAD4 launched in September of this past year.
Speaker #4: So we're six months in, and we don't guide on ASP, and so I think from that standpoint it's going to be tough for me to give you some direction there.
Speaker #4: But we like how the first quarter shaped up related to ASP. Some of that prior period collection was related to the new markers. And we'll just continue to build from here.
John Aballi: Some of that prior period collection was related to the new markers, we'll just continue to build from here.
John Aballi: Some of that prior period collection was related to the new markers, we'll just continue to build from here.
Speaker #7: Great. Actually, John, just to clarify that—the pharma business that you're landing, how much of this is lupus-related versus RA or any other type of autoimmune disease?
Mark Massaro: Great. Actually, John, just to clarify that, the pharma business that you're landing, how much of this is lupus-related versus RA or any other type of autoimmune disease?
Mark Massaro: Great. Actually, John, just to clarify that, the pharma business that you're landing, how much of this is lupus-related versus RA or any other type of autoimmune disease?
Speaker #4: That's an interesting question. So, it's interesting, Mark, because you sign a contract for up to a certain amount of service. And some of that's dependent on trial enrollment, right?
John Aballi: That's an interesting question. It's interesting, Mark, because you sign a contract for up to a certain amount of service and some of that's dependent on trial enrollment, right? Right now, we have a pharma business, heavily focused in lupus, but actually quite a bit in RA as well. We've never broken it out publicly. Jeff, what would you
John Aballi: That's an interesting question. It's interesting, Mark, because you sign a contract for up to a certain amount of service and some of that's dependent on trial enrollment, right? Right now, we have a pharma business, heavily focused in lupus, but actually quite a bit in RA as well. We've never broken it out publicly. Jeff, what would you
Speaker #4: But we have right now we have pharma business heavily focused in lupus but actually quite a bit in RA as well. We've never broken it out publicly, Jeff.
Speaker #4: What would you?
Speaker #3: Yeah. It's a great question, Mark. Historically, clearly lupus. The expansion of the contract backlog, which is expanded from in the forest to the five million dollar range.
Jeffrey Black: Yeah, it's a great question, Mark. Historically, you know, clearly lupus, you know, the expansion of the contract backlog, which has expanded from, you know, in the 4s to the $5 million range over the course of the last 90 days. A lot of that has been driven by RA.
Jeff Black: Yeah, it's a great question, Mark. Historically, you know, clearly lupus, you know, the expansion of the contract backlog, which has expanded from, you know, in the 4s to the $5 million range over the course of the last 90 days. A lot of that has been driven by RA.
Speaker #3: Over the course of the last 90 days. A lot of that has been driven by RA. I would still say bigger percentage is lupus.
John Aballi: Yeah.
John Aballi: Yeah.
Jeffrey Black: I would still say bigger percentage is lupus, but we are seeing a sort of a growing contribution from RA.
Jeff Black: I would still say bigger percentage is lupus, but we are seeing a sort of a growing contribution from RA.
Speaker #3: But we are seeing a sort of a growing contribution
Speaker #4: Yeah. We're doing at least a third of our biopharma business in RA. It may be higher than that, but at least a third.
John Aballi: Yeah, we're doing at least a third of our biopharma business in RA. It may be higher than that, but at least a third.
John Aballi: Yeah, we're doing at least a third of our biopharma business in RA. It may be higher than that, but at least a third.
Speaker #7: That's all very helpful. Thanks, guys.
Mark Massaro: That's all very helpful. Thanks, guys.
Mark Massaro: That's all very helpful. Thanks, guys.
Speaker #1: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Matthew Parisi, with Qbank Capital Markets. Please proceed with your question.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Matthew Parisi with KeyBanc Capital Markets. Please proceed with your question.
Operator: Thank you. Our next question comes from the line of Matthew Parisi with KeyBanc Capital Markets. Please proceed with your question.
Speaker #5: Hi, yes. This is Matthew Parisi on for Paul Knight over at Qbank Capital Markets. Thanks for taking my question, and congrats on the quarter.
Matthew Parisi: Yes. This is Matthew Parisi. I'm from Paul Knight over at KeyBanc Capital Markets. Thanks for taking my question, and congrats on the quarter. I believe you called on the last call, you called out that ACR was now advocating for the AVISE CTD test. Can you talk to any impact that you're seeing as a result of said advocacy?
Matthew Parisi: Yes. This is Matthew Parisi. I'm from Paul Knight over at KeyBanc Capital Markets. Thanks for taking my question, and congrats on the quarter. I believe you called on the last call, you called out that ACR was now advocating for the AVISE CTD test. Can you talk to any impact that you're seeing as a result of said advocacy?
Speaker #5: I believe you called out on the last call that ACR was now advocating for the advised CTE test. Can you talk to any impact that you're seeing as a result of that advocacy?
Speaker #4: Good morning, Matthew. Thanks for the question. And you're exactly right. Very happy to have found a path that ACR can play in helping us drive greater access to our test.
John Aballi: Good morning, Matthew. Thanks for the question. You're exactly right. Very happy to have found a path that ACR can play in helping us drive greater access to our test. Given that we're at various forms of discussions with different payers, I would hesitate to call out a payer by name. But it's been a very positive impact. Anytime you have physicians advocating for your product directly to the payer, I think, you know, tough to mess that up, to be honest with you. We welcome it. We welcome the partnership. We really appreciate that they've recognized the role diagnostics play in the ecosystem, and that there needs to be a path for advocating greater access for patients. It just continues. So it wasn't a one-time event.
John Aballi: Good morning, Matthew. Thanks for the question. You're exactly right. Very happy to have found a path that ACR can play in helping us drive greater access to our test. Given that we're at various forms of discussions with different payers, I would hesitate to call out a payer by name. But it's been a very positive impact. Anytime you have physicians advocating for your product directly to the payer, I think, you know, tough to mess that up, to be honest with you. We welcome it. We welcome the partnership. We really appreciate that they've recognized the role diagnostics play in the ecosystem, and that there needs to be a path for advocating greater access for patients. It just continues. So it wasn't a one-time event.
Speaker #4: And given that we're at various forms of discussions with different payers, I would hesitate to call it a payer by name. But it's been a very positive impact.
Speaker #4: And anytime you have physicians advocating for your product directly to the payer, I think it's tough to mess that up, to be honest with you.
Speaker #4: And so we welcome it. We welcome the partnership. We really appreciate that they've recognized the role diagnostics play in the ecosystem, and that there needs to be a path for advocating greater access for patients.
Speaker #4: It just continues. So it wasn't a one-time event. It's a partnership that we formed with the ACR and the physicians there. And they're committed to speaking on our behalf.
John Aballi: It's a partnership that we formed with the ACR and the physicians there, and they're committed to speaking on our behalf and advocating for their constituency related to access. I would just say it remains strong and continues.
John Aballi: It's a partnership that we formed with the ACR and the physicians there, and they're committed to speaking on our behalf and advocating for their constituency related to access. I would just say it remains strong and continues.
Speaker #4: And advocating for their constituency related to access. So I would just say it remains strong and continues.
Speaker #6: That's great to hear. And then if I can squeeze in one more. You previously mentioned revenue per territory. In the range of $430,000. Do you have an updated revenue per territory number for the quarter?
Matthew Parisi: That's great to hear. If I can squeeze in one more. You previously mentioned revenue per territory in the range of $430,000. Do you have an updated revenue per territory number for the quarter? How should we really think about that as you ramp up the new territories?
Matthew Parisi: That's great to hear. If I can squeeze in one more. You previously mentioned revenue per territory in the range of $430,000. Do you have an updated revenue per territory number for the quarter? How should we really think about that as you ramp up the new territories?
Speaker #6: And then how should we really think about that as you ramp up the new territories?
Speaker #3: Yeah, man. I think that the number you're referring to is a quarterly number. So the annualized number would be north of a million and a half.
Jeffrey Black: Yeah, Matt, I think that the number you're referring to is a quarterly number. The annualized number would be, you know, north of a million and a half. That continues to be what I would say our target, a million and a half plus. We're tracking right about there, maybe, you know, moderately improved given the results of Q1.
Jeff Black: Yeah, Matt, I think that the number you're referring to is a quarterly number. The annualized number would be, you know, north of a million and a half. That continues to be what I would say our target, a million and a half plus. We're tracking right about there, maybe, you know, moderately improved given the results of Q1.
Speaker #3: That continues to be what I would say our target, a million and a half plus. And we're tracking right about there. Maybe a moderately improved given the results of Q1.
Speaker #6: Thanks for my questions. Thanks for giving my questions.
Matthew Parisi: Thanks for my questions.
Matthew Parisi: Thanks for my questions.
Speaker #1: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes our question and answer session. I'll turn the floor back to Mr. Aballi for any final comments.
Operator: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes our question and answer session. I will turn the floor back to Mr. Abbate for any final comments.
Operator: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes our question and answer session. I will turn the floor back to Mr. Abbate for any final comments.
Speaker #4: Thanks so much, yeah. Really appreciate everyone who joined the call today, and it's really a lot of fun to start the year off the way we have.
John Aballi: Thanks so much. Yeah, really appreciate everyone who joined the call today, and it's really a lot of fun to start the year off the way we have. Basically, we're continuing our momentum from the second half of 2025, but reigniting our progress in ASP gains and I don't think anything's more fun than that. I'm incredibly proud of our team, as I have been now for several years. They continue to deliver in transforming this organization into really the preeminent diagnostic company serving autoimmune patients. Progress at the company has come in spurs, but we've consistently improved our trajectory and we have put ourselves in position to own the autoimmune diagnostic space. While others are focused elsewhere, we'll continue to chip away at this opportunity and build a truly incredible autoimmune powerhouse.
John Aballi: Thanks so much. Yeah, really appreciate everyone who joined the call today, and it's really a lot of fun to start the year off the way we have. Basically, we're continuing our momentum from the second half of 2025, but reigniting our progress in ASP gains and I don't think anything's more fun than that. I'm incredibly proud of our team, as I have been now for several years. They continue to deliver in transforming this organization into really the preeminent diagnostic company serving autoimmune patients. Progress at the company has come in spurs, but we've consistently improved our trajectory and we have put ourselves in position to own the autoimmune diagnostic space. While others are focused elsewhere, we'll continue to chip away at this opportunity and build a truly incredible autoimmune powerhouse.
Speaker #4: Basically, we're continuing our momentum from the second half of '25, but reigniting our progress in ASP gains. And I don't think anything's more fun than that.
Speaker #4: I'm incredibly proud of our team. As I have been now for several years, they continue to deliver in transforming this organization. Into really the preeminent diagnostic company serving autoimmune patients.
Speaker #4: Progress that the company has come in spurts. But we've consistently improved our trajectory. And we have put ourselves in position to own the autoimmune diagnostic space.
Speaker #4: And while others are focused elsewhere, we'll continue to chip away at this opportunity and build a truly incredible autoimmune powerhouse. We appreciate the support of all stakeholders.
John Aballi: We appreciate the support of all stakeholders and look forward to continuing to update on our progress. Thanks so much again.
John Aballi: We appreciate the support of all stakeholders and look forward to continuing to update on our progress. Thanks so much again.
Speaker #4: And look forward to continuing to update on our progress. Thanks so much again.
Operator: Thank you. This concludes today's conference. You may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation.
Operator: Thank you. This concludes today's conference. You may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation.
