Burning Rock Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Rhea-AI Summary
Burning Rock (NASDAQ: BNR) reported Q1 2026 revenue of RMB107.9 million, down 18.9% year over year. Central lab revenue fell 15.3%, in-hospital revenue 8.5%, and pharma services revenue 38.6%.
Gross margin was 72.3%. Operating expenses declined 14.0%, while net loss increased to RMB17.5 million. Cash and restricted cash totaled RMB448.7 million at March 31, 2026. The company also highlighted multiple oncology study presentations in early 2026.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Positive
- Operating expenses decreased 14.0% year over year to RMB96.9 million
- Research and development expenses decreased 31.8% to RMB27.6 million
- General and administrative expenses decreased 10.3% to RMB28.1 million
- Central laboratory gross margin improved to 88.7% from 84.1%
- Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash were RMB448.7 million
- In-hospital revenue excluding two hospitals would have grown 2% year over year
Negative
- Total revenue declined 18.9% year over year to RMB107.9 million
- Pharma research and development services revenue declined 38.6% to RMB22.8 million
- In-hospital business revenue declined 8.5% to RMB52.8 million
- Gross margin decreased to 72.3% from 73.2%
- Net loss widened to RMB17.5 million from RMB13.5 million
- Pharma services gross margin fell to 47.4% from 57.5%
News Market Reaction – BNR
On the day this news was published, BNR declined 6.50%, reflecting a notable negative market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -4.1% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 6 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $6M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $89.64M at that time. Trading volume was above average at 1.6x the daily average, suggesting increased trading activity.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Peers on Argus
BNR’s pre-news price was down 1.52% while several diagnostics peers also showed declines (e.g., XGN -5.19%, BDSX -3.91%, MDXH -2.66%). However, the momentum scanner flags a mixed picture with NOTV down sharply and MDXH up, suggesting more stock-specific dynamics around news flow.
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 12 | Q4 & FY 2025 earnings | Positive | -2.6% | 2025 revenue growth, higher gross margin, lower opex, multiple regulatory milestones. |
| Nov 20 | Q3 2025 earnings | Positive | -3.1% | Modest revenue growth, strong pharma R&D surge, better margins and narrower loss. |
| Sep 08 | Q2 2025 earnings | Positive | +9.2% | Revenues up 9.6%, pharma R&D up 68.1%, big opex cut and sharply lower loss. |
| Jun 06 | Q1 2025 earnings | Positive | -1.4% | Revenue and margin improvement with major opex reduction, loss narrowed substantially. |
| Mar 25 | Q4 & FY 2024 earnings | Neutral | -12.4% | Mixed segment trends, better margins and lower opex but full-year revenue decline. |
Earnings releases often showed improving fundamentals but mixed-to-negative next-day price reactions, with several positive reports followed by declines.
Over the past year, Burning Rock’s earnings updates (e.g., Q2–Q4 2024 and Q1–Q4 2025) highlighted gradual revenue growth in 2025, stronger gross margins (up to 75.1% in Q3 2025), and sharply lower operating expenses. Net losses consistently narrowed, and cash stayed in the RMB460–500M range. Despite these improvements, post-earnings reactions were often negative. The new Q1 2026 report breaks the prior growth trend with revenue contracting and gross margin easing slightly.
Historical Comparison
Earnings headlines over the last five reports saw an average next-day move of about -2.05%, framing expectations for how markets may contextualize this Q1 2026 miss.
Prior earnings showed revenue growth, margin expansion, and shrinking losses through 2025; Q1 2026 reverses that trend with revenue contraction and slightly softer margins.
Regulatory & Risk Context
Market Pulse Summary
The stock moved -6.5% in the session following this news. A negative reaction despite prior improvements fits a pattern where earnings have often been followed by weak trading, even on better numbers. Q1 2026 broke the recent revenue growth trend with an 18.9% decline and lower pharma R&D contributions. With shares already far below the $41.72 52-week high and under the 200-day MA, investors may focus on whether cost controls can offset topline pressure.
Key Terms
next-generation sequencing medical
ngs medical
precision oncology medical
ddpcr medical
mrd medical
pcr medical
sq-nsclc medical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
GUANGZHOU, China, June 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Burning Rock Biotech Limited (NASDAQ: BNR, the “Company” or “Burning Rock”), a company focused on the application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology in the field of precision oncology, today reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2026.
Recent Business Updates
- Early Detection, Therapy Selection & MRD
- Presented multiple study results at the 2026 AACR in April, showcasing validation data on MMcall, CanCatch Surf, 25-plex ddPCR, and SPIRAL.
- Presented study results at Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer in April 2026. “A four-cycle perioperative regimen of serplulimab combined with taxane-carboplatin demonstrated promising MPR and pCR rates with an acceptable safety profile in patients with resectable sq-NSCLC.”
First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Revenues were RMB107.9 million (US
- Revenue generated from central laboratory business was RMB32.3 million (US
$4.7 million ) for the three months ended March 31, 2026, representing a15.3% decrease from RMB38.3 million for the same period in 2025, primarily attributable to a decrease in the number of tests, as we continued our transition towards in-hospital testing. - Revenue generated from in-hospital business was RMB52.8 million (US
$7.6 million ) for the three months ended March 31, 2026, representing an8.5% decrease from RMB57.7 million for the same period in 2025, primarily attributable to a decrease in revenue from two hospitals due to one-off issue. Excluding such two, in-hospital revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2026 would have increased by2% year-over-year. - Revenue generated from pharma research and development services was RMB22.8 million (US
$3.3 million ) for the three months ended March 31, 2026, representing a38.6% decrease from RMB37.1 million for the same period in 2025, primarily attributable to decreased testing services performed for our pharma customers and lower milestone progress of our pharma programs achieved due to timing of the projects.
Cost of revenues was RMB29.9 million (US
Gross profit was RMB78.0 million (US
Non-GAAP gross profit, which excludes depreciation and amortization expenses, was RMB80.5 million (US
Operating expenses were RMB96.9 million (US
- Research and development expenses were RMB27.6 million (US
$4.0 million ) for the three months ended March 31, 2026, representing a31.8% decrease from RMB40.4 million for the same period in 2025, primarily due to (i) a temporary decrease across different research phases, and (ii) a decrease in amortized expense on share-based compensation. - Selling and marketing expenses were RMB41.2 million (US
$6.0 million ) for the three months ended March 31, 2026, remaining relatively stable as compared with RMB40.9 million for the same period in 2025. - General and administrative expenses were RMB28.1 million (US
$4.1 million ) for the three months ended March 31, 2026, representing a10.3% decrease from RMB31.3 million for the same period in 2025, primarily due to a decrease in impairment expenses for accounts receivables and contract assets.
Net loss was RMB17.5 million (US
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash were RMB448.7 million (US
Exchange Rate Information
This press release contains translations of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to Renminbi are made at a rate of RMB6.8980 to US
About Burning Rock
Burning Rock Biotech Limited (NASDAQ: BNR), whose mission is to guard life via science, focuses on the application of next generation sequencing (NGS) technology in the field of precision oncology. Its business consists of i) NGS-based therapy selection testing for late-stage cancer patients, and ii) cancer early detection, which has moved beyond proof-of-concept R&D into the clinical validation stage.
For more information about Burning Rock, please visit: ir.brbiotech.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “target,” “confident” and similar statements. Burning Rock may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Burning Rock’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon management’s current expectations and current market and operating conditions, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond Burning Rock’s control. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any such statements. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Burning Rock does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.
Non-GAAP Measures
In evaluating the business, the Company considers and uses non-GAAP measures, such as non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin, as supplemental measures to review and assess operating performance and formulate business plans. However, the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). These non-GAAP financial measures may be different from non-GAAP methods of accounting and reporting used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited.
The Company defines non-GAAP gross profit as gross profit excluding depreciation and amortization. The Company defines non-GAAP gross margin as non-GAAP gross profit divided by its revenue.
The Company believes presenting non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin excluding non-cash impact of depreciation and amortization, in addition to the Company’s GAAP gross profit and gross margin, provides a better understanding of the underlying trends in the Company’s operating business performance.
Reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures are set forth at the end of this press release, all of which should be considered when evaluating the Company’s performance.
Contact: IR@brbiotech.com
| Selected Operating Data | |||||||||
| As of | |||||||||
| March 31, | June 30, | September | December | March 31, | |||||
| 2025 | 2025 | 30, 2025 | 31, 2025 | 2026 | |||||
| In-hospital channel: | |||||||||
| Pipeline partner hospitals(1) | 30 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 30 | ||||
| Contracted partner hospitals(2) | 63 | 63 | 63 | 64 | 64 | ||||
| Total number of partner hospitals | 93 | 93 | 94 | 94 | 94 | ||||
(1) Refers to hospitals that are in the process of establishing in-hospital laboratories, laboratory equipment procurement or installation, staff training or pilot testing using the Company’s products.
(2) Refers to hospitals that have entered into contracts to purchase the Company’s products for use on a recurring basis in their respective in-hospital laboratories the Company helped them establish. Kit revenue is generated from contracted hospitals.
| Selected Financial Data | |||||
| For the three months ended | |||||
| March 31, | June 30, | September | December | March 31, | |
| Revenues | 2025 | 2025 | 30, 2025 | 31, 2025 | 2026 |
| (RMB in thousands) | |||||
| Central laboratory channel | 38,296 | 40,861 | 36,811 | 44,025 | 32,420 |
| In-hospital channel | 57,687 | 62,496 | 52,847 | 51,005 | 52,761 |
| Pharma research and development channel | 37,099 | 45,197 | 41,959 | 31,285 | 22,762 |
| Total revenues | 133,082 | 148,554 | 131,617 | 126,315 | 107,943 |
| For the three months ended | |||||
| March 31, | June 30, | September | December | March 31, | |
| Revenues by location of contracting customer | 2025 | 2025 | 30, 2025 | 31, 2025 | 2026 |
| (RMB in thousands) | |||||
| Overseas | 24,407 | 37,458 | 17,214 | 21,849 | 8,544 |
| Chinese mainland | 108,675 | 111,096 | 114,403 | 104,466 | 99,399 |
| Total revenues | 133,082 | 148,554 | 131,617 | 126,315 | 107,943 |
| For the three months ended | |||||
| March 31, | June 30, | September | December | March 31, | |
| Gross profit | 2025 | 2025 | 30, 2025 | 31, 2025 | 2026 |
| (RMB in thousands) | |||||
| Central laboratory channel | 32,191 | 35,937 | 30,126 | 39,322 | 28,761 |
| In-hospital channel | 43,895 | 46,490 | 37,925 | 38,388 | 38,458 |
| Pharma research and development channel | 21,315 | 25,676 | 30,793 | 20,856 | 10,789 |
| Total gross profit | 97,401 | 108,103 | 98,844 | 98,566 | 78,008 |
| For the three months ended | |||||||
| March 31, | June 30, | September | December | March 31, | |||
| Share-based compensation expenses | 2025 | 2025 | 30, 2025 | 31, 2025 | 2026 | ||
| (RMB in thousands) | |||||||
| Cost of revenues | 308 | 280 | 301 | 300 | 82 | ||
| Research and development expenses | 1,800 | (270 | ) | 73 | 259 | (345 | ) |
| Selling and marketing expenses | 1,025 | 364 | 624 | 748 | 164 | ||
| General and administrative expenses | 1,413 | 2,005 | 2,831 | 1,815 | 1,907 | ||
| Total share-based compensation expenses | 4,546 | 2,379 | 3,829 | 3,122 | 1,808 | ||
| Burning Rock Biotech Limited Unaudited Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Loss | |||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except for number of shares and per share data) | |||||||||||||||||
| For the three months ended | |||||||||||||||||
| March 31, | June 30, | September | December | March31, | March31, | ||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2025 | 30, 2025 | 31, 2025 | 2026 | 2026 | ||||||||||||
| RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||||
| Revenues | 133,082 | 148,554 | 131,617 | 126,315 | 107,943 | 15,649 | |||||||||||
| Cost of revenues | (35,681 | ) | (40,451 | ) | (32,773 | ) | (27,749 | ) | (29,935 | ) | (4,339 | ) | |||||
| Gross profit | 97,401 | 108,103 | 98,844 | 98,566 | 78,008 | 11,310 | |||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
| Research and development expenses | (40,389 | ) | (49,770 | ) | (41,469 | ) | (34,866 | ) | (27,559 | ) | (3,995 | ) | |||||
| Selling and marketing expenses | (40,888 | ) | (38,413 | ) | (41,808 | ) | (44,066 | ) | (41,206 | ) | (5,974 | ) | |||||
| General and administrative expenses | (31,303 | ) | (31,417 | ) | (31,698 | ) | (31,672 | ) | (28,088 | ) | (4,072 | ) | |||||
| Total operating expenses | (112,580 | ) | (119,600 | ) | (114,975 | ) | (110,604 | ) | (96,853 | ) | (14,041 | ) | |||||
| Loss from operations | (15,179 | ) | (11,497 | ) | (16,131 | ) | (12,038 | ) | (18,845 | ) | (2,731 | ) | |||||
| Interest income | 2,581 | 2,226 | 1,744 | 1,502 | 1,261 | 183 | |||||||||||
| Interest expense | - | - | (15 | ) | (15 | ) | (15 | ) | (2 | ) | |||||||
| Other (expense) income, net | (652 | ) | 387 | 7 | 1 | 294 | 43 | ||||||||||
| Foreign exchange (loss) gain, net | (26 | ) | (574 | ) | (2,151 | ) | (3,960 | ) | 65 | 9 | |||||||
| Loss before income tax | (13,276 | ) | (9,458 | ) | (16,546 | ) | (14,510 | ) | (17,240 | ) | (2,498 | ) | |||||
| Income tax expenses | (224 | ) | (244 | ) | (212 | ) | (876 | ) | (232 | ) | (34 | ) | |||||
| Net loss | (13,500 | ) | (9,702 | ) | (16,758 | ) | (15,386 | ) | (17,472 | ) | (2,532 | ) | |||||
| Net loss attributable to Burning Rock Biotech Limited’s shareholders | (13,500 | ) | (9,702 | ) | (16,758 | ) | (15,386 | ) | (17,472 | ) | (2,532 | ) | |||||
| Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders | (13,500 | ) | (9,702 | ) | (16,758 | ) | (15,386 | ) | (17,472 | ) | (2,532 | ) | |||||
| Loss per share for class A and class B ordinary shares: | |||||||||||||||||
| Class A ordinary shares - basic and diluted | (0.13 | ) | (0.09 | ) | (0.16 | ) | (0.15 | ) | (0.17 | ) | (0.02 | ) | |||||
| Class B ordinary shares - basic and diluted | (0.13 | ) | (0.09 | ) | (0.16 | ) | (0.15 | ) | (0.17 | ) | (0.02 | ) | |||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding used in loss per share computation: | |||||||||||||||||
| Class A ordinary shares - basic and diluted | 90,291,658 | 90,357,970 | 90,416,619 | 87,444,109 | 87,871,026 | 87,871,026 | |||||||||||
| Class B ordinary shares - basic and diluted | 17,324,848 | 17,324,848 | 17,324,848 | 17,324,848 | 17,324,848 | 17,324,848 | |||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss, net of tax of nil: | |||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | (72 | ) | (243 | ) | (1,724 | ) | (2,050 | ) | (3,143 | ) | (456 | ) | |||||
| Total comprehensive loss | (13,572 | ) | (9,945 | ) | (18,482 | ) | (17,436 | ) | (20,615 | ) | (2,988 | ) | |||||
| Total comprehensive loss attributable to Burning Rock Biotech Limited’s shareholders | (13,572 | ) | (9,945 | ) | (18,482 | ) | (17,436 | ) | (20,615 | ) | (2,988 | ) | |||||
| Burning Rock Biotech Limited Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||||
| (in thousands) | |||||
| As of | |||||
| December 31, | March 31, | March 31, | |||
| 2025 | 2026 | 2026 | |||
| RMB | RMB | US$ | |||
| ASSETS | |||||
| Current assets: | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 478,392 | 446,002 | 64,657 | ||
| Restricted cash | 2,696 | 2,728 | 395 | ||
| Accounts receivable, net | 169,611 | 164,497 | 23,847 | ||
| Contract assets, net | 12,301 | 12,715 | 1,843 | ||
| Inventories, net | 56,975 | 54,294 | 7,871 | ||
| Prepayments and other current assets | 18,611 | 20,759 | 3,010 | ||
| Total current assets | 738,586 | 700,995 | 101,623 | ||
| Non-current assets: | |||||
| Property and equipment, net | 31,099 | 26,997 | 3,914 | ||
| Operating right-of-use assets | 42,774 | 51,931 | 7,528 | ||
| Intangible assets, net | 284 | 258 | 37 | ||
| Other non-current assets | 7,632 | 7,603 | 1,102 | ||
| Total non-current assets | 81,789 | 86,789 | 12,581 | ||
| TOTAL ASSETS | 820,375 | 787,784 | 114,204 | ||
| Burning Rock Biotech Limited Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued) | ||||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||||
| As of | ||||||||
| December 31, | March 31, | March 31, | ||||||
| 2025 | 2026 | 2026 | ||||||
| RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | 40,744 | 18,043 | 2,616 | |||||
| Deferred revenue | 107,819 | 114,487 | 16,597 | |||||
| Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities | 80,861 | 75,381 | 10,928 | |||||
| Customer deposits | 592 | 592 | 86 | |||||
| Current portion of long-term borrowings | 200 | 200 | 29 | |||||
| Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 16,762 | 21,113 | 3,061 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 246,978 | 229,816 | 33,317 | |||||
| Non-current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Long-term borrowings | 1,700 | 1,700 | 246 | |||||
| Non-current portion of operating lease liabilities | 24,458 | 27,850 | 4,037 | |||||
| Other non-current liabilities | 11,975 | 11,961 | 1,734 | |||||
| Total non-current liabilities | 38,133 | 41,511 | 6,017 | |||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | 285,111 | 271,327 | 39,334 | |||||
| Shareholders’ equity: | ||||||||
| Class A ordinary shares | 120 | 120 | 17 | |||||
| Class B ordinary shares | 21 | 21 | 3 | |||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 5,010,060 | 5,011,868 | (8,291 | ) | ||||
| Treasury stock | (57,193 | ) | (57,193 | ) | 726,568 | |||
| Accumulated deficits | (4,255,607 | ) | (4,273,079 | ) | (619,466 | ) | ||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (162,137 | ) | (165,280 | ) | (23,961 | ) | ||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 535,264 | 516,457 | 74,870 | |||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | 820,375 | 787,784 | 114,204 | |||||
| Burning Rock Biotech Limited Unaudited Condensed Statements of Cash Flows | ||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||
| For the three months ended | ||||||
| March 31, | March 31, | March 31, | ||||
| 2025 | 2026 | 2026 | ||||
| RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (23,527 | ) | (29,304 | ) | (4,248 | ) |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (1,531 | ) | (364 | ) | (53 | ) |
| Net cash generated from financing activities | - | - | - | |||
| Effect of exchange rate on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 302 | (2,690 | ) | (390 | ) | |
| Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (24,756 | ) | (32,358 | ) | (4,691 | ) |
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of period | 522,162 | 481,088 | 69,743 | |||
| Cash,cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of period | 497,406 | 448,730 | 65,052 | |||
| Burning Rock Biotech Limited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results | ||||||||||
| For the three months ended | ||||||||||
| March 31, | June 30, | September | December | March 31, | ||||||
| 2025 | 2025 | 30, 2025 | 31, 2025 | 2026 | ||||||
| (RMB in thousands) | ||||||||||
| Gross profit: | ||||||||||
| Central laboratory channel | 32,191 | 35,937 | 30,126 | 39,322 | 28,761 | |||||
| In-hospital channel | 43,895 | 46,490 | 37,925 | 38,388 | 38,458 | |||||
| Pharma research and development channel | 21,315 | 25,676 | 30,793 | 20,856 | 10,789 | |||||
| Total gross profit | 97,401 | 108,103 | 98,844 | 98,566 | 78,008 | |||||
| Add: depreciation and amortization: | ||||||||||
| Central laboratory channel | 562 | 456 | 231 | 490 | 412 | |||||
| In-hospital channel | 290 | 389 | 372 | 308 | 228 | |||||
| Pharma research and development channel | 2,412 | 1,528 | 1,491 | 2,057 | 1,885 | |||||
| Total depreciation and amortization included in cost of revenues | 3,264 | 2,373 | 2,094 | 2,855 | 2,525 | |||||
| Non-GAAP gross profit: | ||||||||||
| Central laboratory channel | 32,753 | 36,393 | 30,357 | 39,812 | 29,173 | |||||
| In-hospital channel | 44,185 | 46,879 | 38,297 | 38,696 | 38,686 | |||||
| Pharma research and development channel | 23,727 | 27,204 | 32,284 | 22,913 | 12,674 | |||||
| Total non-GAAP gross profit | 100,665 | 110,476 | 100,938 | 101,421 | 80,533 | |||||
| Non-GAAP gross margin: | ||||||||||
| Central laboratory channel | ||||||||||
| In-hospital channel | ||||||||||
| Pharma research and development channel | ||||||||||
| Total non-GAAP gross margin | 75.6% | 74.4% | 76.7% | 80.3% | 74.6% | |||||