iSpecimen Reports First Quarter 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

iSpecimen Inc. (Nasdaq: ISPC) reported Q1 2024 financial results, highlighting a focus on Next Day Quotes program to expedite biospecimen transactions, resulting in improved market position and growth prospects. By strategically refining the supplier network, 40% of all quotes were Next Day Quotes in Q1 2024, with a high conversion rate to purchase orders. The Company aims to transition a majority of its business to Next Day Quotes for enhanced financial performance. Despite a reduction in revenue due to a decrease in specimen count, the average selling price per specimen increased, offsetting the impact. iSpecimen also announced a strategic partnership with TriMetis Life Sciences to enhance tissue-based research.

Positive

• iSpecimen made significant progress in Q1 2024 with the successful implementation of the Next Day Quotes program, improving market position and growth outlook.

• The Company's focus on transitioning suppliers to Next Day Quotes resulted in a quarter-over-quarter increase in Next Day Quotes and a high conversion rate to purchase orders, indicating strong operational efficiency.

• iSpecimen's partnership with TriMetis Life Sciences is expected to drive innovation and transformation in tissue-based research, offering new opportunities for growth and expansion.

Negative

• Despite the positive operational advancements, iSpecimen experienced a decrease in revenue in Q1 2024 due to a significant reduction in specimen count, impacting the overall financial performance.

• The net loss for the quarter increased compared to the prior period, signaling potential financial challenges that the Company needs to address to improve profitability.

• iSpecimen's decision to enter into an At the Market Offering Agreement to issue and sell shares of common stock may lead to dilution for existing shareholders and impact stock performance.

Insights

Financial Analyst

iSpecimen Inc.'s financial performance in the first quarter of 2024 indicates a clear strategic pivot towards refining the efficiency of their service delivery, with Next Day Quotes showing a remarkable improvement in conversion rates from 32% to 91%. This operational initiative is evidently set to enhance customer experience and potentially lead to revenue growth in subsequent quarters. There's a significant reduction in net loss, from a net loss of $2.43 million to $2.90 million, which might seem concerning at first glance. However, the careful streamlining of supplier networks, alongside the increased average selling price per specimen, may be indicative of an improved focus on profitability and a stronger business model moving forward. With a decreased cash position, it suggests a careful scrutiny of their future capital raising strategies, such as the 'At the Market' offering, will be important for maintaining operations without diluting shareholder value excessively.

Market Research Analyst

The strategic emphasis on quality over quantity in iSpecimen's supplier network could lead to a more stable and reliable ecosystem for customers, potentially driving up market demand. It's noteworthy that despite the reduction in specimen numbers, customer organizations increased, which may imply confidence in the value proposition of iSpecimen's services. The company's willingness to cut off underperforming suppliers can be seen as a decisive move to improve the overall quality of their marketplace, which might resonate well with potential investors who are looking for companies with proactive management teams. However, investors should be aware of the potential risks associated with the relatively small size of the company and its niche market, which could impact market volatility and liquidity for the stock.

LEXINGTON, Mass., May 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- iSpecimen Inc. (Nasdaq: ISPC) (“iSpecimen” or the “Company”), an online global marketplace that connects scientists requiring biospecimens for medical research with a network of healthcare specimen providers, today reported its financial and operating results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024.

“iSpecimen made tremendous progress during the first quarter advancing our most promising operational initiative, Next Day Quotes, a program that expedites the biospecimen transaction process, which has helped elevate our market position and is expected to contribute meaningfully to our growth in 2024 and beyond,” said Tracy Curley, CEO of iSpecimen. “To transition our suppliers to Next Day Quotes, we have strategically refined our supplier network, deeply aligning and effectively engaging with our strongest suppliers to maximize their operational capabilities, while terminating relationships with suppliers unable to support the needs of our expanding customer base.”

“In the first quarter of 2024, 40% of all quotes provided to customers qualified as Next Day Quotes, compared to 34% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 25% in the third quarter of 2023. This favorable quarter-over-quarter increase in Next Day Quotes was directly correlated to growth across all of our business lines. During the first quarter of 2024, 91% of prospective Next Day Quotes dollars converted to purchase orders, compared to 32% in the fourth quarter of 2023. As we continue to refine and strengthen our supplier network, I am confident transitioning a majority of our business into Next Day Quotes will result in stronger positioning for iSpecimen and result in greatly improved top- and bottom-line results over time,” concluded Ms. Curley.

First Quarter 2024 Highlights

• As of March 31, 2024, iSpecimen had over 140 unique supplier organizations under contract, a reduction of 103 from 243 suppliers at December 31, 2023, a planned reduction related to the Company’s focus on building a higher quality of our supplier network;
• As of March 31, 2024, over 600 unique customer organizations purchased from iSpecimen, an increase of 66 from 534 at the end of the first quarter 2023;
• iSpecimen Marketplace had nearly 7,564 registered research and supplier users as of March 31, 2024, up approximately 9% from 6,918 as of March 31, 2023.
  

Recent Corporate Updates

• iSpecimen and TriMetis Life Sciences Announce Strategic Partnership to help Transform Tissue-Based Research
  

Financial Results for First Quarter 2024
For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, revenue was approximately $2.29 million, compared to approximately $2.95 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The reduction was primarily due to a decrease of 3,388 specimens, or approximately 39%, in specimen count, from 8,629 specimens during the quarter ended March 31, 2023 to 5,241 specimens during the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The effect of the decrease in specimen count was partially offset by an increase in the average selling price per specimen by approximately $95, or approximately 28%, from $342 in the first quarter of 2023 to approximately $437 in the first quarter of 2024.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, cost of revenue decreased by approximately $147,000, or approximately 13%, to approximately $1 million, compared to approximately $1.15 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in cost of revenue was attributable to a 39% decrease in the number of specimens accessioned for the current period, compared to the same period in the prior year, partially offset by a $58, or 44%, increase in the average cost per specimen.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, general and administrative expenses increased by approximately $286,000 or approximately 16%, to approximately $2.10 million, compared to approximately $1.82 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The increase was attributable to increases in professional fees of approximately $329,000, taxes and insurance of approximately $267,000, and bad debt expense of approximately $45,000, which were partially offset by decreases in compensation costs of approximately $250,000, general operating expenses of approximately $78,000, depreciation and amortization of approximately $23,000, and utilities and facilities expenses of approximately $4,000.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, the net loss was approximately $2.90 million, or ($0.32) per share, compared to a net loss of approximately $2.43 million, or ($0.27) per share, for the same period the prior quarter.

As of March 31, 2024, cash and cash equivalents, along with available-for-sale securities, were approximately $2.56 million, compared to approximately $5.01 million as of December 31, 2023.

On March 5, 2024, iSpecimen entered into an At the Market Offering Agreement, under which iSpecimen may issue and sell shares of its common stock from time to time for an aggregate offering price of up to $1.5 million, which shares, when issued, will be registered pursuant to its shelf registration statement. The Company may seek additional funding through public equity or other sources to fund further capital investments or for general corporate purposes.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

The Company will host a conference call and audio webcast on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time featuring remarks by Tracy Curley, CEO.

Event:	iSpecimen First Quarter 2024 Results Conference Call
Date:	Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Time:	8:30 a.m. Eastern Time
Dial in:	1-800-717-1738 (U.S. Toll Free) or 1-646-307-1865 (International)
Webcast:	https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1666705&tp_key=0ac1c8e17f

For interested individuals unable to join the conference call, a replay will be available through May 21, 2024, at +1-844-512-2921 (U.S. Toll Free) or +1-412-317-6671 (International). Participants must use the following code to access the replay of the call: 1170104. An archived version of the webcast will also be available on iSpecimen’s Investor Relations site: https://investors.ispecimen.com/presentations/.

About iSpecimen
iSpecimen (Nasdaq: ISPC) offers an online marketplace for human biospecimens, connecting scientists in commercial and non-profit organizations with healthcare providers that have access to patients and specimens needed for medical discovery. Proprietary, cloud-based technology enables scientists to intuitively search for specimens and patients across a federated partner network of hospitals, labs, biobanks, blood centers and other healthcare organizations. For more information, please visit www.ispecimen.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements are characterized by future or conditional verbs such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," “believe," "estimate," "continue" or similar words. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss future expectations and plans, which contain projections of future results of operations or financial condition or state other forward-looking information.

Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to the risk factors contained in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. New risks and uncertainties arise over time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict those events or how they may affect the Company. If a change to the events and circumstances reflected in the Company's forward-looking statements occurs, the Company's business, financial condition and operating results may vary materially from those expressed in the Company's forward-looking statements.

Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information, please contact:

Investor Contact
KCSA Strategic Communications
Phil Carlson / Erika Kay
iSpecimen@kcsa.com

iSpecimen Inc.
Condensed Balance Sheets
		March 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
ASSETS		(Unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	2,089,891			$	2,343,666
Available-for-sale securities			466,493				2,661,932
Accounts receivable – unbilled			1,978,144				2,212,538
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $718,821 and $520,897 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively			437,424				728,388
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			313,999				292,079
Total current assets			5,285,951				8,238,603
Property and equipment, net			120,873				127,787
Internally developed software, net			6,065,770				6,323,034
Other intangible assets, net			860,366				908,255
Operating lease right-of-use asset			153,340				193,857
Security deposits			27,601				27,601
Total assets		$	12,513,901			$	15,819,137
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	3,560,474			$	3,925,438
Accrued expenses			1,710,815				1,540,607
Operating lease current obligation			156,703				167,114
Deferred revenue			272,681				415,771
Total current liabilities			5,700,673				6,048,930
Operating lease long-term obligation			—				29,130
Total liabilities			5,700,673				6,078,060
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 8)
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 9,501,112 issued and 9,470,112 outstanding at March 31, 2024 and 9,114,371 issued and 9,083,371 outstanding at December 31, 2023			947				908
Additional paid-in capital			69,079,341				69,104,313
Treasury stock, 31,000 shares at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, at cost			(172	)			(172	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income			41				840
Accumulated deficit			(62,266,929	)			(59,364,812	)
Total stockholders’ equity			6,813,228				9,741,077
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	12,513,901			$	15,819,137

iSpecimen Inc.
Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2024				2023
Revenue		$	2,289,993			$	2,950,197
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenue			1,000,006				1,146,912
Technology			911,967				834,407
Sales and marketing			665,941				962,169
Supply development			197,839				275,246
Fulfillment			410,854				455,531
General and administrative			2,103,906				1,818,355
Total operating expenses			5,290,513				5,492,620
Loss from operations			(3,000,520	)			(2,542,423	)
Other income, net
Interest expense			(4,465	)			(3,535	)
Interest income			30,498				114,263
Other income (expense), net			72,370				(117	)
Total other income, net			98,403				110,611
Net loss		$	(2,902,117	)		$	(2,431,812	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net loss		$	(2,902,117	)		$	(2,431,812	)
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities			(799	)			18,843
Total other comprehensive income (loss)			(799	)			18,843
Comprehensive loss		$	(2,902,916	)		$	(2,412,969	)
Net loss per share - basic and diluted		$	(0.32	)		$	(0.27	)
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding - basic and diluted			9,132,460				8,980,898

 

FAQ

What were the highlights of iSpecimen's Q1 2024 results?

iSpecimen reported over 140 unique supplier organizations, 600 unique customer organizations, and nearly 7,564 registered users on its Marketplace as of March 31, 2024.

What was the revenue for iSpecimen in Q1 2024?

iSpecimen recorded approximately $2.29 million in revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to $2.95 million for the same period in 2023.

What led to the reduction in revenue for iSpecimen in Q1 2024?

The decrease in revenue was primarily due to a 39% decrease in specimen count, partially offset by an increase in the average selling price per specimen.

What financial challenges did iSpecimen face in Q1 2024?

iSpecimen experienced an increase in net loss for the quarter, along with a decrease in revenue and cash and cash equivalents compared to the previous period.

How can interested individuals access the replay of iSpecimen's Q1 2024 conference call?

For those unable to join the conference call, a replay will be available through May 21, 2024, by dialing +1-844-512-2921 (U.S. Toll Free) or +1-412-317-6671 (International) with the access code: 1170104.