Helius Medical Technologies, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Helius Medical Technologies (Nasdaq: HSDT) reported Q2 2024 financial results, highlighting key developments in its PoNS device commercialization. The company secured the first third-party reimbursement at $23,900 and received preliminary CMS payment determination. Q2 2024 revenue was $182,000, up 35% from Q1 2024 but down from $256,000 in Q2 2023. The company completed site enrollment for its U.S. stroke registrational program and secured contracts with the VA and DoD.

Financially, Helius reported an operating loss of $3.3 million and a net loss of $1.6 million for Q2 2024. The company closed a $6.4 million public offering, raising net proceeds of approximately $5.5 million. As of June 30, 2024, Helius had $6.4 million in cash with no debt, projecting a cash runway into 2025.

Positive

• Secured first third-party reimbursement for PoNS device at $23,900
• Received preliminary CMS payment determination for PoNS reimbursement
• Q2 2024 revenue up 35% compared to Q1 2024
• Completed site enrollment for U.S. stroke registrational program
• Secured contracts with VA and DoD for PoNS device and mouthpiece
• Raised $5.5 million in net proceeds from public offering

Negative

• Q2 2024 revenue of $182,000, down from $256,000 in Q2 2023
• Operating loss of $3.3 million in Q2 2024
• Net loss of $1.6 million in Q2 2024

Insights

Financial Analyst

Helius Medical Technologies' Q2 2024 results reveal a mixed financial picture. While revenue increased 35% quarter-over-quarter to $182,000, it's down 28.9% year-over-year. The operating loss slightly increased to $3.3 million, but the net loss remained flat at $1.6 million. The company's cash position of $6.4 million provides runway into 2025, bolstered by a recent $5.5 million net proceeds from a public offering.

Key positives include securing the first third-party reimbursement for PoNS at $23,900 and preliminary CMS payment determination. However, the revenue decline due to PTAP expiration and temporary cash pay pricing termination is concerning. The upcoming CMS final reimbursement rates in October could be a significant catalyst for future revenue growth and negotiations with other payers.

Medical Research Analyst

Helius' progress in clinical research is promising. The completion of site participation enrollment for the U.S. stroke registrational program is a significant milestone, positioning the company for a potential FDA submission in H1 2025. This, coupled with the Canadian study aiming to enroll 40 subjects, strengthens their regulatory and reimbursement strategy.

The upcoming primary endpoint results of the PoNSTEP study in Q3 2024 will be important in validating the technology's efficacy. The slight increase in R&D expenses to $0.9 million reflects the company's commitment to clinical development. However, investors should note that regulatory approvals and market acceptance of novel neuromodulation technologies can be challenging and time-consuming processes.

Market Research Analyst

Helius is making strides in market access, which is critical for the PoNS device's commercial success. Securing Federal Supply Schedule contract pricing with the VA at $23,843.72 for the device and $7,344.97 for the mouthpiece, along with similar pricing for the DoD, opens up significant government market opportunities. The expansion of nationwide sales representation at VA sites to thirteen states plus Puerto Rico is a positive step towards market penetration.

However, the revenue decline year-over-year indicates challenges in transitioning from the PTAP program to a sustainable commercial model. The success of Helius will largely depend on their ability to leverage these new reimbursement channels and expand insurance coverage. The upcoming CMS final determination could be a pivotal moment for the company's commercial strategy.

Company to host call at 4:30pm today

NEWTOWN, Pa., Aug. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Helius Medical Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:HSDT) (“Helius” or the “Company”), a neurotech company focused on delivering a novel therapeutic neuromodulation approach for balance and gait deficits, today announced results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Second Quarter and Recent Business Updates

• Secured the first third-party reimbursement for the Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (“PoNS®”) device from a major insurance carrier at $23,900, representing a significant milestone toward increasing PoNS accessibility.
• Received preliminary Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) payment determination for reimbursement of PoNS, paving the way to final price determination on October 1, 2024.
• Completed site participation enrollment for the U.S. registrational program in stroke; on track for a submission in the first half of 2025 to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”).
• Secured Federal Supply Schedule contract pricing with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) at $23,843.72 and $7,344.97 for the PoNS device and mouthpiece, respectively, through its partnership with Lovell® Government Services.
• Secured DAPA contract pricing with the U.S. Department of Department of Defense (“DoD”) at $23,724.50 and $7,308.25 for the PoNS device and mouthpiece, respectively, through its partnership with Lovell Government Services.
• Commenced building out nationwide sales representation at VA sites in June 2024, establishing coverage in thirteen states plus Puerto Rico to date.
• Q2 2024 revenue up $47 thousand or 35% compared to Q1 2024, reflecting increased product sales in both the U.S. and Canada.
• Q2 2024 revenue of $182 thousand, compared to $256 thousand in Q2 2023, reflecting the expiration of the Patient Therapy Access Program (“PTAP”) on June 30, 2023.
• Closed on $6.4 million public offering, raising net proceeds of approximately $5.5 million.
  

“Our team has been working tirelessly to get PoNS into the hands of MS patients who suffer from gait and balance impairment. These efforts are starting to pay off and during the quarter we made several important advancements toward removing barriers to our innovative technology. We were pleased to announce the first third-party reimbursement for PoNS from a major insurance carrier at $23,900 and are now just a few weeks away from CMS publishing its final reimbursement rates to be effective on October 1, which we believe will be a significant catalyst for growing revenue as well as negotiating reimbursement with other third-party payers,” stated Helius’ President and Chief Executive Officer, Dane Andreeff.

He continued, “In June, we completed site participation enrollment for our registrational program in stroke. This groundbreaking program is being conducted at several of the top neurorehabilitation centers in the U.S., and the results will be crucial to seeking regulatory approval in 2025. To bolster our FDA submission and support national reimbursement efforts in Canada, we’ve begun a Canadian study with the goal of enrolling at least 40 subjects at three centers of excellence for stroke rehabilitation.”

“The third quarter of 2024 will be pivotal for Helius and will help frame our future. We expect to have a first read of the primary endpoint’s results of our PoNSTEP study, further expand our VA sales rep organization and penetrate VA sites, and receive final reimbursement determination by CMS. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished to get to this point and excited about the outlook for Helius as these key milestones play out,” concluded Andreeff.

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Total revenue for the second quarter of 2024 was $182 thousand, a decrease of $74 thousand compared to $256 thousand in the second quarter of 2023, resulting from the termination of PTAP on June 30, 2023, and the termination of temporary cash pay pricing in May 2024. Revenue for the quarter increased by $47 thousand or 35% compared to the first quarter of 2024, as a result of increased sales in both the U.S. and Canada.

Cost of revenue decreased to $118 thousand for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $184 thousand for the comparable period in 2023, primarily attributable to lower sales compared to the same period in the prior year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2024 were $2.5 million, comparable to the $2.6 million reported in the second quarter of 2023.

Research and development expenses for the second quarter of 2024 increased slightly to $0.9 million, compared to $0.7 million in the second quarter of 2023, driven primarily by an increase in clinical trial activities for stroke and risk of fall programs.

Total operating expenses for the second quarter of 2024 were $3.3 million, flat compared to the $3.3 million reported in the second quarter of 2023.

Operating loss for the second quarter of 2024 was $3.3 million, compared to an operating loss of $3.2 million for the prior year period.

Net loss was $1.6 million for the second quarter of 2024, flat compared to a net loss of $1.6 million in the corresponding prior year period. The basic and diluted net loss per share for the second quarter was $0.64 per share, compared to a net loss of $2.92 per share for the second quarter of 2023.

Cash and Liquidity

Cash used in operating activities was flat at $5.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023.

As of June 30, 2024, the Company had cash of $6.4 million and no debt outstanding with a projected cash runway into 2025.

Conference Call
Date:	Monday, August 12, 2024
Time:	4:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Register (Audio only):	Click Here
Webcast:	Click Here

The webcast will be archived under the Newsroom section of the Company’s investor relations website.

About Helius Medical Technologies, Inc.

Helius Medical Technologies is a leading neurotech company in the medical device field focused on neurologic deficits using an orally applied technology platform that amplifies the brain’s ability to engage physiologic compensatory mechanisms and promote neuroplasticity, improving the lives of people dealing with neurologic diseases. The Company’s first commercial product is the Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator. For more information about the PoNS® or Helius Medical Technologies, visit www.heliusmedical.com.

About the PoNS Device and PoNS Therapy

The Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS) is an innovative, non-implantable, orally applied therapy that delivers neurostimulation through a mouthpiece connected to a controller and it’s used, primarily at home, with physical rehabilitation exercise, to improve balance and gait. The PoNS device, which delivers mild electrical impulses to the tongue, is indicated for use in the United States as a short-term treatment of gait deficit due to mild-to-moderate symptoms from multiple sclerosis (“MS”) and is to be used as an adjunct to a supervised therapeutic exercise program in patients 22 years of age and over by prescription only.

PoNS has shown effectiveness in treating gait or balance and a significant reduction in the risk of falling in stroke patients in Canada, where it received authorization for sale in three indications: (i) for use as a short-term treatment (14 weeks) of gait deficit due to mild and moderate symptoms from stroke and is to be used in conjunction with physical therapy; (ii) for use as a short-term treatment (14 weeks) of chronic balance deficit due to mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury (“mmTBI”) and is to be used in conjunction with physical therapy; and (iii) for use as a short-term treatment (14 weeks) of gait deficit due to mild and moderate symptoms from MS and is to be used in conjunction with physical therapy. PoNS is also authorized for sale in Australia for short term use by healthcare professionals as an adjunct to a therapeutic exercise program to improve balance and gait. For more information visit www.ponstherapy.com.

Cautionary Disclaimer Statement

Certain statements in this news release are not based on historical facts and constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “continue,” “will,” “goal,” “aim” and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding the sufficiency of the Company’s future cash position, the development, commercialization and success of the Company’s PoNS and PoNS Treatment, the progress of the Company’s clinical programs, future decisions and approvals from applicable regulatory entities in the U.S. and Canada, reimbursement status with third party payers, the Company’s strategic operating plans, and the uses and effectiveness of PoNS and PoNS Therapy.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include uncertainties associated with the Company’s capital requirements to achieve its business objectives, availability of funds, the Company’s ability to find additional sources of funding, manufacturing, labor shortage and supply chain risks, including risks related to manufacturing delays, the Company’s ability to obtain national Medicare insurance coverage and to obtain a reimbursement code, the Company’s ability to continue to build internal commercial infrastructure, secure state distribution licenses, market awareness of the PoNS device, future clinical trials and the clinical development process, the product development process and the FDA regulatory submission review and approval process, other development activities, ongoing government regulation, and other risks detailed from time to time in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and its other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian securities regulators, which can be obtained from either at www.sec.gov or www.sedar.com. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such statements except to the extent required by law.

Investor Relations Contact

Lisa M. Wilson, In-Site Communications, Inc.
T: 212-452-2793
E: lwilson@insitecony.com

Helius Medical Technologies, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
	Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
	June 30,								June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Revenue
Product sales, net	$	171			$	244			$	295			$	350
Other revenue		11				12				22				17
Total revenue		182				256				317				367
Cost of revenue		118				184				241				306
Gross profit		64				72				76				61
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses		2,457				2,569				5,090				5,443
Research and development expenses		870				684				1,658				1,570
Amortization expense		7				38				14				77
Total operating expenses		3,334				3,291				6,762				7,090
Loss from operations		(3,270	)			(3,219	)			(6,686	)			(7,029	)
Nonoperating income (expense)
Interest income (expense), net		(5	)			89				(13	)			189
Change in fair value of derivative liability		1,733				1,223				2,875				2,444
Foreign exchange gain (loss)		(141	)			259				(429	)			254
Other income, net		71				—				125				—
Nonoperating income, net		1,658				1,571				2,558				2,887
Loss before provision for income taxes		(1,612	)			(1,648	)			(4,128	)			(4,142	)
Provision for income taxes		—				—				—				—
Net loss	$	(1,612	)		$	(1,648	)		$	(4,128	)		$	(4,142	)
Loss per share
Basic	$	(0.64	)		$	(2.92	)		$	(2.48	)		$	(7.34	)
Diluted	$	(0.64	)		$	(2.92	)		$	(2.48	)		$	(7.34	)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Basic		2,518,071				564,423				1,667,699				564,279
Diluted		2,518,071				564,423				1,667,699				564,279

Helius Medical Technologies, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share data)
	June 30, 2024				December 31, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	6,387			$	5,182
Accounts receivable, net		121				117
Other receivables		538				520
Inventory, net		821				457
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		774				1,162
Total current assets		8,641				7,438
Property and equipment, net		165				178
Intangible assets, net		9				24
Operating lease right-of-use asset, net		31				52
Total assets	$	8,846			$	7,692
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	1,287			$	531
Accrued and other current liabilities		694				1,260
Current portion of operating lease liabilities		35				45
Current portion of deferred revenue		41				43
Total current liabilities		2,057				1,879
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion		—				12
Deferred revenue, net of current portion		103				128
Derivative liability		347				3,323
Total liabilities		2,507				5,342
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Class A common stock, $0.001 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 3,198,196 and 714,590 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		3				1
Additional paid-in capital		170,666				162,979
Accumulated deficit		(164,085	)			(159,957	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(245	)			(673	)
Total stockholders' equity		6,339				2,350
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	8,846			$	7,692

FAQ

What was Helius Medical Technologies' revenue for Q2 2024?

Helius Medical Technologies reported revenue of $182,000 for Q2 2024.

How did Helius Medical Technologies' Q2 2024 revenue compare to the previous quarter?

Q2 2024 revenue increased by 35% compared to Q1 2024.

What was the price of the first third-party reimbursement for the PoNS device?

The first third-party reimbursement for the PoNS device was secured at $23,900.

When is Helius Medical Technologies (HSDT) expecting to submit its stroke program to the FDA?

Helius Medical Technologies is on track to submit its stroke program to the FDA in the first half of 2025.

What was Helius Medical Technologies' (HSDT) cash position as of June 30, 2024?

As of June 30, 2024, Helius Medical Technologies had $6.4 million in cash with no debt outstanding.