Chembio Diagnostics Reports Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEMI) reported financial results for Q3 2020, showing total revenues of $10.3 million, a 6% increase year-over-year. Product revenue decreased 1% to $8.4 million. The company submitted EUA applications for the DPP SARS-CoV-2 Antigen and IgM/IgG test systems and received FDA PMA for the DPP HIV-Syphilis System. Despite increased revenues, the gross product margin dropped to 11.2%, attributed to lower international sales prices and operational challenges. The net loss was $5.5 million, or $0.28 per diluted share.

Positive

• Total revenue increased by 6% to $10.3 million.
• License and royalty revenue increased by 54% to $1.9 million.
• FDA PMA received for DPP HIV-Syphilis System.

Negative

• Product revenue declined by 1% to $8.4 million.
• Gross product margin decreased to 11.2% from 21.9%.
• Net loss increased to $5.5 million from $3.8 million.

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., Nov. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEMI), a leading point-of-care diagnostics company focused on infectious diseases, today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2020.

Recent Accomplishments & Highlights

• Achieved total revenue of $10.3 million and product revenue of $8.4 million for the third quarter of 2020, representing growth of 6% and a decrease of 1% respectively, compared to the prior year period
• Submitted an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the DPP SARS-CoV-2 Antigen test system, which was funded with the support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) under Contract No. 75A50120C00138
• Submitted an EUA application to the FDA for the DPP SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG test system
• Received FDA Pre-Market Approval (PMA) for the DPP HIV-Syphilis System, the first rapid test approved in the U.S. to aid in diagnosis of both HIV and Syphilis from single patient sample

“Over the past months we have executed our COVID-19 product development and regulatory strategy ahead of our expectations. The potential launch of antigen and antibody test systems that leverage the DPP platform will provide much needed and expanded access to decentralized COVID-19 testing amid the resurgance of cases across the U.S. Running both types of tests on the same Micro Reader analyzer will enable clinicians to address the needs of a broader patient population throughout all phases of the pandemic,” said Richard Eberly, Chembio’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our third quarter results demonstrate improvement in total revenues, which include revenue from DPP COVID-19 IgM/IgG systems shipped outside the U.S. in the second quarter.”

“We have significantly expanded our U.S commercial team with experienced industry professionals and are continuing to do so. We are also actively launching the DPP HIV-Syphilis System,” Mr. Eberly continued. “Looking forward, we are excited about Chembio’s future, serving multiple end markets that combined represent the most significant opportunity in the company’s history.”

Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results
Total revenue for the third quarter of 2020 was $10.3 million, an increase of 6% compared to the prior year period. Net product sales for the third quarter of 2020 were $8.4 million, a decrease of 1% compared to the prior year period. License and royalty revenue and R&D and grant revenue for the third quarter of 2020 totaled $1.9 million, an increase of 54% compared to the prior year period.

Gross product margin for the third quarter of 2020 was $0.9 million, compared to $1.9 million for the prior year period. Gross product margin percentage for the third quarter of 2020 was 11.2%, compared to 21.9% for the prior year period. Gross product margin in the third quarter of 2020 was impacted by a high concentration of sales outside the U.S. where average selling prices are lower, and operational inefficiencies, including those triggered by the recall of products starting at the end of the second quarter of 2020 together with activities related to qualifying automated manufacturing lines.

Research and development expenses increased by $0.1 million, or 6%, in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the prior year period. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $0.9 million, or 20%, in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the prior year period.

Net loss for the third quarter of 2020 was $5.5 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $3.8 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, for the prior year period. 

Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2020 totaled $28.7 million.

Conference Call
Chembio will host a conference call today beginning at 4:30 pm ET to discuss its financial results and recent business highlights. Investors interested in listening to the call may do so by dialing 844-602-0380 from the United States or 862-298-0970 from outside the United States. To listen to a live webcast of the call, please visit the Investor Relations section of Chembio's website at www.chembio.com. Following the call, a replay will be available on the Investor Relations section of Chembio’s website for 90 days. A telephone replay will be available until 4:30 pm ET on November 19, 2020 by dialing 877-481-4010 from the United States or 919-882-2331 from outside the United States and using the conference ID: 38202.

About the DPP Rapid Test Platform
Chembio’s proprietary DPP technology platform provides high-quality, rapid diagnostic results in 15 to 20 minutes using a small drop of blood from the fingertip or alternative samples. Through advanced multiplexing, the DPP platform can detect up to eight, distinct test results from a single patient sample, delivering greater clinical value than other rapid tests. For certain applications, Chembio’s easy-to-use, highly portable, battery-operated DPP Micro Reader optical analyzer then reports accurate results in approximately 15 seconds, making it well-suited for decentralized testing where real-time results enable patients to be clinically assessed while they are still on-site. Objective results produced by the DPP Micro Reader reduce the possibility of the types of human error that can be experienced in the visual interpretations required by many rapid tests.

Chembio’s portfolio of DPP-based point-of-care tests with FDA regulatory approvals include the DPP HIV-Syphilis System (PMA approved), DPP HIV 1/2 Assay (PMA approved and CLIA waived), DPP Zika IgM System (510(k)), and DPP Ebola Antigen System (EUA). Additionally, DPP-based tests have received regulatory approvals from the World Health Organization, CE-Mark, Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA), and other global organizations, where they aid in the detection and diagnosis of several other critical diseases and conditions.

All DPP tests are developed and manufactured in the United States and are the subject of a range of domestic and global patents and patents pending.

About Chembio Diagnostics
Chembio is a leading point-of-care diagnostics company focused on detecting and diagnosing infectious diseases, including COVID-19, sexually transmitted disease, and fever and tropical disease. Coupled with Chembio’s extensive scientific expertise, its novel DPP technology offers broad market applications beyond infectious disease. Chembio’s products are sold globally, directly and through distributors, to hospitals and clinics, physician offices, clinical laboratories, public health organizations, government agencies, and consumers. Learn more at www.chembio.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in the first paragraph following the bulleted items under “Recent Accomplishments & Highlights: above are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations with respect to the availability and functionality of COVID-19 tests. Such statements, which are expectations only, reflect management's current views, are based on certain assumptions, and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results, events or performance may differ materially from forward-looking statements due to a number of important factors, and will be dependent upon a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the following, any of which could be exacerbated even further by the continuing COVID-19 outbreak in the United States and globally: the ability of Chembio to maintain existing, and timely obtain additional, regulatory approvals, particularly for its proposed DPP COVID-19 diagnostic tests; Chembio’s dependence upon, and limited experience with, COVID-19 diagnostic tests; the highly competitive and rapidly developing market for testing solutions for COVID-19, which includes a number of competing companies with strong relationships with current and potential customers, including governmental authorities, and with significantly greater financial and other resources that are available to Chembio; and the risks of doing business with foreign governmental entities, including geopolitical, international and other challenges as well as potential material adverse effects of tariffs and other changes in U.S. trade policy. Chembio undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements in this release to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect any change in Chembio's expectations with regard to the forward-looking statements or the occurrence of unanticipated events. Factors that may impact Chembio's success are more fully disclosed in Chembio's public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, particularly under the heading “Risk Factors.”

DPP is Chembio’s registered trademark. For convenience, this trademark appears in this release without ® symbols, but that practice does not mean that Chembio will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, its rights to the trademark.

Investor Relations Contact
Philip Taylor
Gilmartin Group
(415) 937-5406
investor@chembio.com

CHEMBIO DIAGNOSTICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
	For the three months ended								For the nine months ended
	September 30, 2020				September 30, 2019				September 30, 2020				September 30, 2019
REVENUES:
Net product sales	$	8,406,457			$	8,510,629			$	17,914,623			$	23,381,906
R&D and grant revenue		1,654,500				971,980				3,756,161				3,528,033
License and royalty revenue		211,521				238,330				572,450				703,352
TOTAL REVENUES		10,272,478				9,720,939				22,243,234				27,613,291
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of product sales		7,467,746				6,649,114				17,512,925				18,112,676
Research and development expenses		2,351,880				2,223,939				6,233,040				6,542,591
Selling, general and administrative expenses		5,348,958				4,455,588				13,903,192				12,565,601
Severance, restructuring and other related costs		11,651				-				1,122,310				-
Acquisition Costs		-				-				63,497				395,612
		15,180,235				13,328,641				38,834,964				37,616,480
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS		(4,907,757	)			(3,607,702	)			(16,591,730	)			(10,003,189	)
OTHER INCOME:
Interest Expense, net		(735,819	)			(195,970	)			(2,110,011	)			(183,368	)
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES		(5,643,576	)			(3,803,672	)			(18,701,741	)			(10,186,557	)
Income tax benefit		104,778				20,667				319,597				400,339
NET LOSS	$	(5,538,798	)		$	(3,783,005	)		$	(18,382,144	)		$	(9,786,218	)
Basic and diluted loss per share	$	(0.28	)		$	(0.22	)		$	(0.98	)		$	(0.58	)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic and diluted		20,104,547				16,923,695				18,728,372				16,912,583

CHEMBIO DIAGNOSTICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF
	(Unaudited)
	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
- ASSETS -
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	28,687,453			$	18,271,352
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $276,210 and $62,000 as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively		3,522,498				3,661,325
Inventories, net		12,363,486				9,598,030
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1,007,473				693,013
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS		45,580,910				32,223,720
FIXED ASSETS:
Property, Plant and Equipment, net		8,033,112				5,933,569
Finance lease right-of-use asset, net		248,892				210,350
TOTAL FIXED ASSETS, net		8,282,004				6,143,919
OTHER ASSETS:
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net		6,316,221				7,030,744
Intangible assets, net		3,648,495				3,914,352
Goodwill		5,696,679				5,872,690
Deposits and other assets		462,664				543,539
TOTAL ASSETS	$	69,986,973			$	55,728,964
- LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY -
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	6,558,782			$	5,526,243
Deferred revenue		3,865,754				125,000
Finance lease liabilities		57,715				41,894
Operating lease liabilities		710,535				568,294
Note payable		-				180,249
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES		11,192,786				6,441,680
OTHER LIABILITIES:
Long-term operating lease liabilities		6,448,515				6,969,603
Long-term finance lease liabilities		200,397				171,953
Long-term debt, less current portion, net		18,040,427				17,644,149
Deferred tax liability		165,326				466,326
TOTAL LIABILITIES		36,047,451				25,252,031
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock – 10,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding		-				-
Common stock - $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 20,213,956 shares and 17,733,617 shares issued at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively		202,139				177,335
Additional paid-in capital		124,622,252				95,433,077
Accumulated deficit		(89,967,147	)			(71,585,003	)
Treasury stock 33,290 and 0 shares at cost as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively		(150,919	)			-
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income		(766,803	)			9,844
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY		33,939,522				24,035,253
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$	69,986,973			$	55,728,964

CHEMBIO DIAGNOSTICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
	For the nine months ended
	September 30, 2020				September 30, 2019
Net cash used in operating activities	$	(14,146,887	)		$	(6,398,207	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(3,182,180	)			(2,769,147	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		27,870,382				18,517,604
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		(125,214	)			(6,909	)
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		10,416,101				9,343,341
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of the period		18,271,352				12,524,551
Cash and cash equivalents - end of the period	$	28,687,453			$	21,867,892

FAQ

What are Chembio's Q3 2020 financial results?

Chembio reported total revenue of $10.3 million, a 6% increase year-over-year, and a net loss of $5.5 million.

What is the stock symbol for Chembio Diagnostics?

Chembio Diagnostics is traded on Nasdaq under the symbol CEMI.

Did Chembio receive any FDA approvals in Q3 2020?

Yes, Chembio received FDA PMA for the DPP HIV-Syphilis System.

What are the recent developments in COVID-19 testing by Chembio?

Chembio submitted EUA applications for the DPP SARS-CoV-2 Antigen and IgM/IgG test systems.

How did Chembio's product revenue change in Q3 2020?

Product revenue decreased by 1% to $8.4 million compared to the previous year.