Nuwellis, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Nuwellis, Inc. (NUWE) reported a total revenue of $1.9 million for Q1 2022, marking a 17% increase from Q4 2021. This growth was driven by higher sales of consumables, despite capital equipment sales being lower than the previous year. The company received a Category III CPT Code effective January 1, 2022, enhancing reimbursement for therapeutic ultrafiltration and advancing Aquadex. Gross margin improved to 57.2%, while net loss decreased to $4.5 million. Cash reserves stood at approximately $19.3 million as of March 31, 2022.

Positive

• Total revenue increased by 17% sequentially to $1.9 million.
• Gross margin improved to 57.2%, up from 50.4% year-over-year.
• Reduction in SG&A expenses by 16% compared to the prior-year period.
• Received a CPT Code that boosts reimbursement for Aquadex.

Negative

• Net loss of $4.5 million, although improved from $5.2 million in the prior year.
• Capital equipment sales decreased compared to the prior year.

MINNEAPOLIS, May 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nuwellis, Inc. (Nasdaq: NUWE) announced today its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022, which included the following highlights:

• Generated $1.9 million in total revenue for the first quarter 2022, up 17% sequentially from the fourth quarter of 2021
• Received a Category III CPT Code effective January 1, 2022, specifically for the use of therapeutic ultrafiltration, thereby increasing reimbursement to professionals and facilities, an important step in advancing Aquadex to standard of care
• On track to enroll first patients in REVERSE-HF, a randomized controlled multi-center clinical trial designed to validate clinical outcomes and the economic value of Aquadex therapy
• First quarter 2022 cash flow from operations improved $0.6 million compared to the prior-year period

“I am very pleased with the resilient performance in the quarter,” said Nestor Jaramillo, CEO of Nuwellis. “Going forward, we expect to continue benefiting from the successful execution of our strategy and rollout of our new sales management system.”

First Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Total revenue for the first quarter of 2022 was $1.9 million, an increase of 17% compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 and even with the prior-year period. Growth in the quarter was fueled by higher sales of consumables. Capital equipment sales increased sequentially but were below the prior year, while total monthly year-on-year sales comparisons improved as the business advanced through the quarter.

Gross margin was 57.2% for the first quarter 2022, compared to 50.4% in the prior-year period, with the increase driven primarily by favorable product sales mix and reduced inventory revaluation expense.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2022 were $4.4 million, representing a 16% reduction compared to the prior-year period. This reduction resulted from continued cost vigilance and certain non-recurring administrative costs in the prior-year period.   

First-quarter research and development expenses were $1.1 million dollars, compared to $0.9 million dollars in the first quarter of 2021. This increase reflects investment in our dedicated pediatric device.

The net loss for the first quarter of 2022 was $4.5 million, compared to a net loss of $5.2 million in the prior-year period. This resulted in $0.6 million lower net cash used in operating activities.

Cash and cash equivalents were approximately $19.3 million as of March 31, 2022.

Webcast and Conference Call Information
The Company will host a conference call and webcast at 9:00 AM ET today to discuss its financial results and provide an update on the Company’s performance. To access the live webcast, please visit http://ir.nuwellis.com. Alternatively, you may access the live conference call by dialing (877) 303-9826 (U.S.) or (224) 357-2194 (international) and using conference ID: 6092276. An audio archive of the webcast will be available following the call at http://ir.nuwellis.com.

About Nuwellis
Nuwellis, Inc. (Nasdaq: NUWE) is a medical device company dedicated to transforming the lives of patients suffering from fluid overload through science, collaboration, and innovation. The Company is focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing the Aquadex SmartFlow^® system for ultrafiltration therapy. Nuwellis is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, with a wholly owned subsidiary in Ireland.

About the Aquadex SmartFlow System
The Aquadex SmartFlow system delivers clinically proven therapy using a simple, flexible and smart method of removing excess fluid from patients suffering from hypervolemia (fluid overload). The Aquadex SmartFlow system is indicated for temporary (up to 8 hours) or extended (longer than 8 hours in patients who require hospitalization) use in adult and pediatric patients weighing 20 kg or more whose fluid overload is unresponsive to medical management, including diuretics. All treatments must be administered by a health care provider, within an outpatient or inpatient clinical setting, under physician prescription, both having received training in extracorporeal therapies.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including without limitation, statements regarding the new market opportunities and anticipated growth in 2022 and beyond. 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 release, including, without limitation, those risks associated with our ability to execute on our commercialization strategy, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the possibility that we may be unable to raise sufficient funds necessary for our anticipated operations, our post-market clinical data collection activities, benefits of our products to patients, our expectations with respect to product development and commercialization efforts, our ability to increase market and physician acceptance of our products, potentially competitive product offerings, intellectual property protection, our ability to integrate acquired businesses, our expectations regarding anticipated synergies with and benefits from acquired businesses, and other risks and uncertainties described in our filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made. Nuwellis does not assume any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

NUWELLIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

		Three months ended March 31,
		2022						2021
Net sales	$	1,926		$		1,918
Cost of goods sold		824				952
Gross profit		1,102				966
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative		4,412				5,237
Research and development		1,106				947
Total operating expenses		5,518				6,184
Loss from operations		(4,416	)				(5,218			)
Other income (expense), net		(55	)				(1			)
Loss before income taxes		(4,471	)				(5,219			)
Income tax expense		(2	)				(2			)
Net loss	$	(4,473	)	$		(5,221				)
Basic and diluted loss per share	$	(0.42	)	$		(1.62				)
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted		10,538				3,242
Other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(2	)	$		(3				)
Total comprehensive loss	$	(4,475	)	$		(5,224				)

NUWELLIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

		March 31, 2022				December 31, 2021
ASSETS		(unaudited)
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	19,300			$	24,205
Accounts receivable		951				750
Inventories		3,294				2,843
Other current assets		350				328
Total current assets		23,895				28,126
Property, plant and equipment, net		1,153				1,188
Operating lease right-of-use asset		1,038				1,082
Other assets		21				21
TOTAL ASSETS	$	26,107			$	30,417
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	1,797			$	1,414
Accrued compensation		1,335				1,664
Current portion of operating lease liability		181				167
Current portion of finance lease liability		24				26
Other current liabilities		55				36
Total current liabilities		3,392				3,307
Operating lease liability		909				956
Finance lease liability		22				28
Other long-term liability		71				179
Total liabilities		4,394				4,470
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity
Series A junior participating preferred stock as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, par value $0.0001 per share; authorized 30,000 shares, none outstanding		—				—
Series F convertible preferred stock as of both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, par value $0.0001 per share; authorized 127 shares, issued and outstanding 127 shares		—				—
Preferred stock as of both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, par value $0.0001 per share; authorized 39,969,873 shares, none outstanding		—				—
Common stock as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, par value $0.0001 per share; authorized 100,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 10,537,606 shares		1				1
Additional paid-in capital		279,114				278,873
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(13	)			(11	)
Accumulated deficit		(257,389	)			(252,916	)
Total stockholders’ equity		21,713				25,947
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	26,107			$	30,417

NUWELLIS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

		Three months ended  March 31,
		2022					2021
Operating Activities:
Net loss	$	(4,473		)		$	(5,221	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash flows used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		105					126
Stock-based compensation expense, net		241					355
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(201		)			(14	)
Inventory		(451		)			(89	)
Other current assets		(22		)			(132	)
Other assets and liabilities		(80		)			24
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		54					(431	)
Net cash used in operating activities		(4,827		)			(5,382	)
Investing Activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(70		)			(56	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(70		)			(56	)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from public stock offerings, net		—					18,902
Proceeds from warrant exercises		—					1
Payments on finance lease liability		(6		)			(6	)
Net cash provided (used in) by financing activities		(6		)			18,897
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		(2		)			(3	)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		(4,905		)			13,456
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period		24,205					14,437
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	$	19,300				$	27,893
Supplemental cash flow information
Inventory transferred to property, plant and equipment	$	—				$	89

INVESTOR CONTACTS:

George Montague, CFA
Chief Financial Officer, Nuwellis, Inc.
ir@nuwellis.com

Matt Bacso, CFA
Gilmartin Group
Matt.Bacso@gilmartinir.com        

FAQ

What are the financial results of Nuwellis for Q1 2022?

Nuwellis reported total revenue of $1.9 million for Q1 2022, a 17% sequential increase.

What is the current cash position of Nuwellis as of March 31, 2022?

As of March 31, 2022, Nuwellis had approximately $19.3 million in cash and cash equivalents.

How has Nuwellis' gross margin changed in Q1 2022?

The gross margin for Q1 2022 increased to 57.2%, up from 50.4% in the prior-year period.

What is the significance of the Category III CPT Code for Nuwellis?

The Category III CPT Code enhances reimbursement for therapeutic ultrafiltration, important for the Aquadex therapy.

What was the net loss reported by Nuwellis for Q1 2022?

Nuwellis reported a net loss of $4.5 million for Q1 2022, an improvement from $5.2 million in the previous year.