Pulse Biosciences Reports First Quarter 2021 Financial Results
Pulse Biosciences (PLSE) reported its Q1 2021 financial results, highlighting significant progress in the rollout of its CellFX System Controlled Launch program, onboarding 15 aesthetic practices. The company submitted a final response to Health Canada for the CellFX System Medical Device License, with completion expected by Q2. FDA IDE approval was received for a feasibility study on basal cell carcinoma treatment. Financially, cash and investments reached $59.9 million, though GAAP net loss increased to $18.6 million from $11.9 million YoY, reflecting rising operational expenses.
- Commenced Controlled Launch program, onboarding 15 aesthetic practices.
- Received FDA IDE approval for feasibility study on basal cell carcinoma.
- Cash and investments totaled $59.9 million as of March 31, 2021.
- GAAP net loss increased to ($18.6) million from ($11.9) million YoY.
- GAAP operating expenses rose to $18.5 million from $12.0 million YoY.
Pulse Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLSE), a novel bioelectric medicine company progressing its Nano-Pulse Stimulation™ (NPS™) technology, today announced financial results for the first quarter of 2021.
Recent Highlights
- Commenced the CellFX® System Controlled Launch program and onboarded the first 15 participating U.S. and European aesthetic specialty practices in the first quarter, representing significant progress toward the program goal of onboarding 75 Key Opinion Leader (KOL) sites by the end of the third quarter
- Submitted anticipated final response to Health Canada regarding the CellFX System Medical Device License, expect completion of the review by the end of the second quarter
- Received FDA IDE approval for a feasibility study to assess the treatment of basal cell carcinoma using the CellFX System, enrollment of 30 patients is planned to begin in the second quarter and to be completed by the end of the third quarter
- Continued patient enrollment and treatments in an FDA IDE approved pivotal comparison study to assess the treatment of cutaneous non-genital warts using the CellFX System; 51 of 150 patients have been enrolled to date with completion expected as early as the end of the second quarter or early in the third quarter
- U.S. consumer research presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) virtual annual meeting rated aesthetic patients’ willingness to pay premium out-of-pocket fees and prioritize clearance of skin lesions with the CellFX procedure profile ahead of other popular aesthetic procedures
-
Strengthened balance sheet through
$41 million term loan with a maturity of June 2022 and announced an at-the-market (ATM) equity offering program which could raise up to$60 million in aggregate gross proceeds
“In the first quarter of 2021, we achieved two significant milestones in our business with regulatory clearances for our CellFX System in the U.S. and in Europe. With these regulatory clearances in hand, we immediately executed the rollout of our Controlled Launch program of the CellFX System integrated with CellFX CloudConnect services in both these important markets. We have already made meaningful progress onboarding the first group of KOL participants and over the next several months look forward to gaining insights and developing best practices on driving long term adoption and utilization as we move towards full commercial launch later this year,” said Darrin Uecker, President and CEO of Pulse Biosciences. “As we continue to execute on our commercial strategy, we plan to build upon these clearances, selectively adding new markets and pursuing additional applications of our CellFX System outside of aesthetic dermatology.”
First Quarter 2021 Results
Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled
GAAP operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 were
GAAP net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was (
Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP operating expenses and net loss have been provided in the tables following the financial statements in this press release. An explanation of these measures is also included below under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
Impact of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic had minimal impact on the Company’s operations in the first quarter of 2021. Product development, execution of clinical trials, regulatory timelines and Controlled Launch have not been materially affected at this time but due to the uncertain scope and duration of the pandemic, future impact to the Company’s operations and financial results cannot be reasonably estimated.
Webcast and Conference Call Information
Pulse Biosciences’ management will host a conference call today, May 10, 2021 beginning at 1:30pm PT. Investors interested in listening to the conference call may do so by dialing 1-877-705-6003 for domestic callers or 1-201-493-6725 for international callers. A live and recorded webcast of the event will be available at http://investors.pulsebiosciences.com/.
About Pulse Biosciences®
Pulse Biosciences is a novel bioelectric medicine company committed to health innovation that has the potential to improve the quality of life for patients. The CellFX® System is the first commercial product to harness the distinctive advantages of the Company’s proprietary Nano-Pulse Stimulation™ (NPS™) technology, such as the ability to non-thermally clear cells while sparing non-cellular tissue, to treat a variety of applications for which an optimal solution remains unfulfilled. Nano-Pulse Stimulation technology delivers nano-second pulses of electrical energy. The initial commercial use of the CellFX System is to address a range of dermatologic conditions that share high demand among patients and practitioners for improved dermatologic outcomes. Designed as a multi-application platform, the CellFX System offers customer value with a utilization-based revenue model. To learn more, please visit pulsebiosciences.com.
To stay informed about the CellFX System, please visit CellFX.com and sign up for updates.
Pulse Biosciences, CellFX, Nano-Pulse Stimulation, NPS and the stylized logos are among the trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Pulse Biosciences, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In this press release, in order to supplement the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or GAAP, management has disclosed certain non-GAAP financial measures for the statement of operations. The Company believes that an evaluation of its ongoing operations (and comparisons of its current operations with historical and future operations) would be difficult if the disclosure of its financial results were limited to financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. As a result, the Company is disclosing certain non-GAAP results in order to supplement investors’ and other readers’ understanding and assessment of the Company’s financial performance because Company management uses these measurements as aids in monitoring the Company’s ongoing financial performance from quarter to quarter, and year to year, on a regular basis and for financial and operational decision-making. Non-GAAP adjustments include stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization. From time to time in the future, there may be other items that the Company may exclude if the Company believes that doing so is consistent with the goal of providing useful information to investors and management. The Company has provided a reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure used in this earnings release to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Investors are cautioned that there are a number of limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures as analytical tools. Investors are encouraged to review these reconciliations, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate the Company’s business.
Non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies, which could reduce the usefulness of the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures as tools for comparison. Investors and other readers are encouraged to review the related GAAP financial measures and the reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures set forth below and should consider non-GAAP measures only as a supplement to, not as a substitute for or as a superior measure to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures in this earnings release exclude the following:
Non-cash expenses for stock-based compensation. The Company has excluded the effect of stock-based compensation expenses in calculating the Company’s non-GAAP operating expenses and net loss measures. Although stock-based compensation is a key incentive offered to employees, the Company continues to evaluate its business performance excluding stock-based compensation expenses. The Company records stock-based compensation expense related to grants of performance and time-based options. Depending upon the size, timing and terms of the grants, as well as the probability of achievement of performance-based awards, this expense may vary significantly but will recur in future periods. The Company believes that excluding stock-based compensation better allows for comparisons from period to period.
Depreciation and amortization. The Company has excluded depreciation and amortization expense in calculating its non-GAAP operating expenses and net loss measures. Depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges to current operations.
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements, including, among other things, statements relating to Pulse Biosciences’ expectations regarding the benefits of the Company’s Controlled Launch program and commercialization of the CellFX System, including the timing for onboarding KOLs, regulatory clearance and the timing of FDA, Health Canada and other regulatory filings or approvals, including the ability of the Company to successfully complete a 510(k) submission for the CellFX System for other dermatologic indications, NPS technology including the effectiveness of such technology, the CellFX System including the benefits of the CellFX System, current and planned future clinical studies, the timing for completion of such studies, and the ability of the Company to execute such studies and the results of any such studies, other matters related to its pipeline of product candidates, the Company’s market opportunity and commercial launch plans, including the market for aesthetic dermatologic procedures and the willingness of consumers to pay premium out-of-pocket fees for treatments, and expectations regarding adoption of the CellFX System, additional applications of the CellFX System outside of aesthetic dermatology, future financial performance, the impact of COVID-19 and other future events. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on Pulse Biosciences’ current expectations, estimates, and projections regarding Pulse Biosciences’ business, operations and other similar or related factors. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” and other similar or related expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult or impossible to predict and, in some cases, beyond Pulse Biosciences’ control. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described in Pulse Biosciences’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Pulse Biosciences undertakes no obligation to revise or update information in this release to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.
PULSE BIOSCIENCES, INC. |
||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets |
||||||||
(In thousands, except par value) |
||||||||
(Unaudited) |
||||||||
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
||||||
2021 |
|
2020 |
||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
59,883 |
|
$ |
12,463 |
|
||
Investments |
— |
|
8,012 |
|
||||
Inventory |
1,135 |
|
— |
|
||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
958 |
|
1,864 |
|
||||
Total current assets |
|
61,976 |
|
|
22,339 |
|
||
Property and equipment, net |
2,430 |
|
2,478 |
|
||||
Intangible assets, net |
3,715 |
|
3,882 |
|
||||
Goodwill |
2,791 |
|
2,791 |
|
||||
Right-of-use assets |
9,280 |
|
9,438 |
|
||||
Other assets |
365 |
|
365 |
|
||||
Total assets |
$ |
80,557 |
|
$ |
41,293 |
|
||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ |
2,164 |
|
$ |
1,717 |
|
||
Accrued expenses |
5,617 |
|
5,326 |
|
||||
Lease liability, current |
629 |
|
542 |
|
||||
Related party note payable, current |
118 |
|
— |
|
||||
Total current liabilities |
|
8,528 |
|
|
7,585 |
|
||
Lease liability, less current portion |
10,632 |
|
10,814 |
|
||||
Related party note payable, less current |
|
41,000 |
|
|
— |
|
||
Total liabilities |
|
60,160 |
|
|
18,399 |
|
||
Stockholders’ equity: |
||||||||
Preferred stock, |
— |
|
— |
|
||||
Common stock, |
26 |
|
25 |
|
||||
Additional paid-in capital |
211,550 |
|
195,410 |
|
||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
— |
|
(1 |
) |
||||
Accumulated deficit |
(191,179 |
) |
(172,540 |
) |
||||
Total stockholders’ equity |
|
20,397 |
|
|
22,894 |
|
||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
$ |
80,557 |
|
$ |
41,293 |
|
||
PULSE BIOSCIENCES, INC. |
||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss |
||||||||
(In thousands, except per share data) |
||||||||
(Unaudited) |
||||||||
Three-Month Periods Ended |
||||||||
March 31, |
||||||||
2021 |
|
2020* |
||||||
Revenue |
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
||
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
||||
Research and development |
9,063 |
|
6,181 |
|
||||
Sales and marketing |
4,146 |
|
1,695 |
|
||||
General and administrative |
5,316 |
|
4,074 |
|
||||
Total operating expenses |
|
18,525 |
|
|
11,950 |
|
||
Other income (expense): |
|
|||||||
Interest income (expense), net |
|
(114 |
) |
|
78 |
|
||
Total other income (expense) |
|
(114 |
) |
|
78 |
|
||
Net loss |
|
(18,639 |
) |
|
(11,872 |
) |
||
Other comprehensive loss: |
||||||||
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities |
1 |
|
13 |
|
||||
Comprehensive loss |
$ |
(18,638 |
) |
$ |
(11,859 |
) |
||
Net loss per share: |
||||||||
Basic and diluted net loss per share |
$ |
(0.71 |
) |
$ |
(0.57 |
) |
||
Weighted average shares used to compute net loss per common share — basic and diluted |
|
26,072 |
|
|
20,838 |
|
||
*Certain 2020 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Sales and marketing expenses have been reclassified out of general and administrative and presented as a separate line item. Amortization of intangible assets have been reclassified to general and administrative expenses. |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Three-Month Periods Ended |
||||||||
March 31, |
||||||||
Stock Based Compensation Expense: |
2021 |
|
2020 |
|||||
Research and development |
$ |
3,166 |
|
$ |
877 |
|
||
Sales and marketing |
1,761 |
|
310 |
|
||||
General and administrative |
2,038 |
|
1,439 |
|
||||
Total stock-based compensation expense |
$ |
6,965 |
|
$ |
2,626 |
|
||
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures |
||||||||
The following table presents the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures: |
||||||||
(In thousands) |
||||||||
(Unaudited) |
||||||||
Three Months Ended |
||||||||
|
March 31, |
|||||||
2021 |
|
2020 |
||||||
Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Research and development: |
||||||||
GAAP Research and development |
$ |
9,063 |
|
$ |
6,181 |
|
||
Less: Stock-based compensation expense |
(3,166 |
) |
(877 |
) |
||||
Less: Depreciation and amortization |
(39 |
) |
(41 |
) |
||||
Non-GAAP Research and development |
$ |
5,858 |
|
$ |
5,263 |
|
||
Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Sales and marketing: |
||||||||
GAAP Sales and Marketing |
$ |
4,146 |
|
$ |
1,695 |
|
||
Less: Stock-based compensation expense |
(1,761 |
) |
(310 |
) |
||||
Non-GAAP Sales and marketing |
$ |
2,385 |
|
$ |
1,385 |
|
||
Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP General and administrative: |
||||||||
GAAP General and administrative |
$ |
5,316 |
|
$ |
4,074 |
|
||
Less: Stock-based compensation expense |
(2,038 |
) |
(1,439 |
) |
||||
Less: Depreciation and amortization |
(240 |
) |
(229 |
) |
||||
Non-GAAP General and administrative |
$ |
3,038 |
|
$ |
2,406 |
|
||
Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Operating expenses: |
||||||||
GAAP Operating expenses |
$ |
18,525 |
|
$ |
11,950 |
|
||
Less: Stock-based compensation expense |
(6,965 |
) |
(2,626 |
) |
||||
Less: Depreciation and amortization |
(279 |
) |
(270 |
) |
||||
Non-GAAP Operating expenses |
$ |
11,281 |
|
$ |
9,054 |
|
||
Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Net loss: |
||||||||
GAAP Net loss |
$ |
(18,639 |
) |
$ |
(11,872 |
) |
||
Add: Stock-based compensation expense |
6,965 |
|
2,626 |
|
||||
Add: Depreciation and amortization |
279 |
|
270 |
|
||||
Non-GAAP Net loss |
$ |
(11,395 |
) |
$ |
(8,976 |
) |
||
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FAQ
What are the key financial results for Pulse Biosciences in Q1 2021?
What progress did Pulse Biosciences make with their CellFX System in Q1 2021?
How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact Pulse Biosciences operations in Q1 2021?
What is the expected completion date for the Health Canada review of the CellFX System?
