Schrödinger Reports Strong Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Schrödinger (Nasdaq: SDGR) reported strong Q2 2024 financial results with total revenue of $47.3 million, a 35% increase year-over-year. Software revenue grew 21% to $35.4 million, while drug discovery revenue more than doubled to $11.9 million. The company launched a major initiative to expand its computational tools for predictive toxicology, funded by a $10 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Schrödinger expects to report initial clinical data for its lead programs SGR-1505 in 1H25, and SGR-2921 and SGR-3515 in 2H25. The company updated its 2024 financial outlook, maintaining software revenue growth guidance of 6-13% and drug discovery revenue expectations of $30-35 million.

Positive

• Total revenue increased 35% year-over-year to $47.3 million
• Software revenue grew 21% to $35.4 million
• Drug discovery revenue more than doubled to $11.9 million
• Software gross margin improved to 80% from 77% in Q2 2023
• Received $10 million grant for predictive toxicology initiative
• FDA granted Fast Track Designation for SGR-2921 in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia

Negative

• Net loss of $54.0 million compared to net income of $4.3 million in Q2 2023
• Operating expenses increased 12% to $84.1 million
• Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities decreased to $381.5 million from $468.8 million at end of 2023
• Software gross margin expected to be slightly lower than 2023
• Operating expense growth in 2024 now expected to range from 8% to 10%
• Cash used for operating activities in 2024 expected to be above 2023 levels

Insights

Financial Analyst

Schrödinger's Q2 2024 results demonstrate strong growth, particularly in software revenue, which increased 21% year-over-year to $35.4 million. This growth, driven by increased adoption of hosted licenses and multi-year deal renewals, indicates a positive trend in the company's core business. The total revenue of $47.3 million represents a substantial 35% increase from the previous year.

However, it's important to note the significant net loss of $54.0 million compared to a net income of $4.3 million in Q2 2023. This swing is largely attributed to changes in the fair value of equity investments, highlighting the volatility associated with such holdings. The company's cash position has decreased from $468.8 million at the end of 2023 to $381.5 million, which warrants attention to cash burn rates.

The updated guidance for 2024, particularly the expectation of lower software gross margins and increased operating expense growth, suggests potential challenges ahead. Investors should closely monitor the company's ability to manage costs while maintaining growth momentum.

The launch of the predictive toxicology initiative, backed by a $10 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, represents a strategic move to enhance the company's platform capabilities. This could potentially lead to new revenue streams and increased value proposition for clients in the long term.

Biotech Industry Analyst

Schrödinger's progress in its proprietary pipeline is noteworthy. The advancement of three clinical-stage programs - SGR-1505, SGR-2921 and SGR-3515 - with expected data readouts in 2025, marks a significant milestone for the company's transition from a pure-play software provider to a integrated drug discovery company. The FDA Fast Track Designation for SGR-2921 in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia is particularly encouraging, potentially accelerating its development timeline.

The company's collaborative efforts and co-founded ventures continue to yield promising results. The planned acquisition of Morphic Holding by Lilly for approximately $3.2 billion validates Schrödinger's platform and business model. With Schrödinger owning 834,968 shares of Morphic and entitled to royalties on clinical programs, this deal could provide a substantial financial boost.

The progress of other co-founded companies, such as Ajax Therapeutics and Structure Therapeutics, further underscores the potential of Schrödinger's computational platform in drug discovery. These successes not only provide potential future revenue streams but also enhance the company's reputation in the industry.

However, investors should be mindful of the inherent risks in biotechnology. The transition from software to drug development introduces new challenges, including longer development timelines and higher costs. The company's ability to balance its software business with its growing drug discovery efforts will be important for long-term success.

07/31/2024 - 04:05 PM

Second Quarter Total Revenue of $47.3 Million, Software Revenue of $35.4 Million

Launches Major Initiative to Expand Application of Computational Tools for Predictive Toxicology

Initial Clinical Data Expected for SGR-1505 in 1H25, SGR-2921 and SGR-3515 Data in 2H25

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Schrödinger, Inc. (Nasdaq: SDGR), whose physics-based computational platform is transforming the way therapeutics and materials are discovered, today announced financial results for the second quarter of 2024.

“We are very pleased with our results for the second quarter. We delivered 21% software revenue growth, and we see many opportunities for customers to increase their scale of adoption of our technology. Our recently announced predictive toxicology initiative reflects our commitment to investing in the science underlying our platform to drive future growth,” said Ramy Farid, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Schrödinger. “Recent clinical and corporate milestones at co-founded companies further validate our platform and underscore the strength of our business model. Our proprietary therapeutics pipeline also continues to progress, and we look forward to sharing the initial Phase 1 data from each of our three lead programs next year, starting with SGR-1505 in the first half of 2025.”

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

• Total revenue for the second quarter was $47.3 million, compared to $35.2 million in the second quarter of 2023.
• Software revenue for the second quarter increased 21% to $35.4 million, compared to $29.4 million in the second quarter of 2023. The increase reflects increased contribution from new and existing customers purchasing hosted licenses as well as the renewal of several multi-year deals.
• Drug discovery revenue was $11.9 million for the second quarter, compared to $5.8 million in the second quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily due to the recognition of milestone revenue associated with the progression of ongoing collaboration programs.
• Software gross margin increased to 80% for the second quarter, compared to 77% in the second quarter of 2023, primarily due to increased revenue in the period.
• Operating expenses were $84.1 million for the second quarter, compared to $74.9 million for the second quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily due to higher R&D expenses.
• Other expense, which includes changes in fair value of equity investments and interest income, was $1.2 million for the second quarter, compared to other income of $45.0 million for the second quarter of 2023, reflecting the difference in mark to market value of the company’s equity investments.
• Net loss for the second quarter was $54.0 million, compared to net income of $4.3 million in the second quarter of 2023.
• At June 30, 2024, Schrödinger had cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities of approximately $381.5 million, compared to approximately $468.8 million at December 31, 2023.

	Three Months Ended
	June 30,
		2024				2023			% Change
	(in millions)
Total revenue	$	47.3			$	35.2			35	%
Software revenue		35.4				29.4			21	%
Drug discovery revenue		11.9				5.8			104	%
Software gross margin		80	%			77	%
Operating expenses	$	84.1			$	74.9			12	%
Other (expense) income	$	(1.2	)		$	45.0			—
Net (loss) income	$	(54.0	)		$	4.3			—

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, Schrödinger reported non-GAAP net losses of $48.1 million and $110.5 million, respectively, compared to non-GAAP net losses of $56.8 million and $84.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. A reconciliation of non-GAAP net loss to GAAP net (loss) income can be found in “Non-GAAP Information” and financial tables below.

2024 Financial Outlook

Today Schrödinger updated its 2024 full-year guidance for software gross margin and operating expense growth and maintained its other financial guidance. The company’s financial expectations for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, are as follows:

• Software revenue growth is expected to range from 6% to 13%.
• Drug discovery revenue is expected to range from $30 million to $35 million.
• Software gross margin is now expected to be slightly lower than 2023 and in the range of 2022 based on the effect of the research grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
• Operating expense growth in 2024 is now expected to range from 8% to 10%.
• Cash used for operating activities in 2024 is expected to be above cash used for operating activities in 2023.

For the third quarter of 2024, software revenue is expected to range from $32 million to $34 million.

Recent Highlights

Platform

• In July, Schrödinger launched an initiative to expand its computational platform to predict toxicity associated with binding to off-targets. The goal of this initiative is to develop a computational solution to improve the properties of drug development candidates and reduce the risk of development failure. The project will be funded initially by a $10 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and will leverage NVIDIA’s AI technology.

• In June, Schrödinger and AstraZeneca scientists published a method yielding more accurate predictions of experimental free energies for optimizing protein-protein interactions, which is central to biologics design. The case studies demonstrate how FEP+ calculations can be applied to real-world protein therapeutic design projects, potentially increasing throughput and lowering discovery costs.

Proprietary Pipeline

• The company is advancing the Phase 1 dose-escalation study of SGR-1505, its MALT1 inhibitor, in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell malignancies, and enrollment is ongoing in the U.S. and Europe. The company expects to report initial clinical data from this study in the first half of 2025.

• Schrödinger announced today that the FDA has granted SGR-2921, the company’s investigational CDC7 inhibitor, FDA Fast Track Designation for the treatment of relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia. The Phase 1 study of SGR-2921 in patients with acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome continues to enroll patients in the U.S. and EU. The company expects to report initial clinical data from this study in the second half of 2025.

• Today, Schrödinger announced the initiation of dosing in a Phase 1 clinical study of SGR-3515, an investigational Wee1/Myt1 inhibitor in patients with advanced solid tumors. The dose-escalation study is designed to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, preliminary anti-tumor activity, and a recommended Phase 2 dose of SGR-3515. The company expects to report initial clinical data from this study in the second half of 2025.

Collaborators, Partners, and Co-Founded Companies

• In July, Morphic Holding, Inc., a company that Schrödinger co-founded, announced its planned acquisition by Lilly for $57 per share, or approximately $3.2 billion. Schrödinger currently owns 834,968 shares of Morphic and is entitled to low single-digit royalties on its clinical development programs, including MORF-057.

• Development programs at other companies co-founded by Schrödinger continued to progress. In May, Ajax Therapeutics, Inc. completed a Series C financing and received Investigational New Drug clearance for AJ1-11095, a type II JAK2 inhibitor. In June, Structure Therapeutics presented obesity and diabetes data from its Phase 1b/2a study of GSBR-1290, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, at the Annual Meeting of the American Diabetes Association.

Webcast and Conference Call Information

Schrödinger will host a conference call to discuss its second quarter 2024 financial results on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. ET. The live webcast can be accessed under “Events & Presentations” in the investors section of Schrödinger’s website, https://ir.schrodinger.com/events-and-presentations/default.aspx. To participate in the live call, please register for the call here. It is recommended that participants register at least 15 minutes in advance of the call. Once registered, participants will receive the dial-in information. The archived webcast will be available on Schrödinger’s website for approximately 90 days following the event.

Non-GAAP Information

Included in this press release is certain financial information that has not been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). The company presents non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP net income (loss) per share, which exclude gains and losses on equity investments, changes in fair value of equity investments, and income tax benefits and expenses. Adjusting net income to exclude the impact of these items results in a financial presentation for the company without the impact of our equity investments and tax benefits and expenses. Management believes non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP net income (loss) per share are useful measures for investors, taken in conjunction with the company’s GAAP financial statements because they provide greater period-over-period comparability with respect to the company’s operating performance, by excluding non-cash mark-to-market and other valuation adjustments for the company’s equity investments, non-recurring cash distributions from the company’s equity investments and the tax impact of these distributions that are not reflective of the ongoing operating performance of the business. However, the non-GAAP measures should be considered only in addition to, not as a substitute for or as superior to, net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share or other financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Other companies in Schrödinger’s industry may calculate non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP net income (loss) per share differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. For a reconciliation of non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP net income (loss) per share to GAAP net income (loss) and GAAP net income (loss) per share, respectively, please refer to the tables at the end of this press release.

About Schrödinger

Schrödinger is transforming the way therapeutics and materials are discovered. Schrödinger has pioneered a physics-based computational platform that enables discovery of high-quality, novel molecules for drug development and materials applications more rapidly and at lower cost compared to traditional methods. The software platform is licensed by biopharmaceutical and industrial companies, academic institutions, and government laboratories around the world. Schrödinger’s multidisciplinary drug discovery team also leverages the software platform to advance a portfolio of collaborative and proprietary programs to address unmet medical needs.

Founded in 1990, Schrödinger has approximately 850 employees and is engaged with customers and collaborators in more than 70 countries. To learn more, visit www.schrodinger.com, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram, or visit our blog, Extrapolations.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including, but not limited to those statements regarding Schrödinger’s expectations about the speed and capacity of its computational platform, its financial outlook for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 and second quarter ending June 30, 2024, its plans to continue to invest in research and its strategic plans to accelerate the growth of its software licensing business and advance its collaborative and proprietary drug discovery programs, the long-term potential of its business, its ability to improve and advance the science underlying its platform, the initiation, timing, progress, and results of its proprietary drug discovery programs and product candidates and the drug discovery programs and product candidates of its collaborators, the clinical potential and favorable properties of its CDC7, MALT1, and Wee1/Myt1 inhibitors, including SGR-1505, SGR-2921, and SGR-3515, the clinical potential and favorable properties of its collaborators’ product candidates, the expected timeline for submitting investigational new drug applications, its initiative to expand its computational platform to predict toxicity associated with binding to off-targets, as well as expectations related to the use of its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. Statements including words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and statements in the future tense are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect Schrödinger’s current views about its plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects, which are based on the information currently available to the company and on assumptions the company has made. Actual results may differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements and are subject to a variety of assumptions, uncertainties, risks and important factors that are beyond Schrödinger’s control, including the demand for its software platform, its ability to further develop its computational platform, its reliance upon third-party providers of cloud-based infrastructure to host its software solutions, factors adversely affecting the life sciences industry, fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies, its reliance upon its third-party drug discovery collaborators, the uncertainties inherent in drug development and commercialization, such as the conduct of research activities and the timing of and its ability to initiate and complete preclinical studies and clinical trials, whether results from preclinical studies will be predictive of the results of later preclinical studies and clinical trials, uncertainties associated with the regulatory review of IND submissions, clinical trials and applications for marketing approvals, the ability to retain and hire key personnel and other risks detailed under the caption “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 2024, as well as future filings and reports by the company. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, Schrödinger undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events, changes in expectations or otherwise.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Revenues:
Software products and services	$	35,404			$	29,352			$	68,819			$	61,565
Drug discovery		11,930				5,837				15,113				38,406
Total revenues		47,334				35,189				83,932				99,971
Cost of revenues:
Software products and services		7,167				6,695				15,143				13,810
Drug discovery		8,832				14,684				18,564				26,658
Total cost of revenues		15,999				21,379				33,707				40,468
Gross profit		31,335				13,810				50,225				59,503
Operating expenses:
Research and development		50,835				42,705				101,446				83,446
Sales and marketing		9,693				9,022				19,864				18,167
General and administrative		23,536				23,216				49,077				49,524
Total operating expenses		84,064				74,943				170,387				151,137
Loss from operations		(52,729	)			(61,133	)			(120,162	)			(91,634	)
Other (expense) income
Gain on equity investments		—				—				—				147,322
Change in fair value		(5,833	)			40,654				2,304				76,391
Other income		4,598				4,326				9,626				7,263
Total other (expense) income		(1,235	)			44,980				11,930				230,976
(Loss) income before income taxes		(53,964	)			(16,153	)			(108,232	)			139,342
Income tax expense (benefit)		83				(20,431	)			539				5,928
Net (loss) income	$	(54,047	)		$	4,278			$	(108,771	)		$	133,414
Net (loss) income per share of common and limited common stockholders, basic:	$	(0.74	)		$	0.06			$	(1.50	)		$	1.86
Weighted average shares used to compute net (loss) income per share of common and limited common stockholders, basic:		72,711,685				71,642,722				72,501,409				71,555,395
Net (loss) income per share of common and limited common stockholders, diluted:	$	(0.74	)		$	0.06			$	(1.50	)		$	1.79
Weighted average shares used to compute net (loss) income per share of common and limited common stockholders, diluted:		72,711,685				75,064,323				72,501,409				74,499,672

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)
Assets	June 30, 2024				December 31, 2023
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	108,109			$	155,315
Restricted cash		4,227				5,751
Marketable securities		269,180				307,688
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $150 and $220		11,849				65,992
Unbilled and other receivables, net for allowance for unbilled receivables of $130 and $100		40,321				23,124
Prepaid expenses		15,493				9,926
Total current assets		449,179				567,796
Property and equipment, net		25,723				23,325
Equity investments		88,555				83,251
Goodwill		4,791				4,791
Right of use assets - operating leases		116,525				117,778
Other assets		3,598				6,014
Total assets	$	688,371			$	802,955
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		8,116			$	16,815
Accrued payroll, taxes, and benefits		24,320				31,763
Deferred revenue		40,799				56,231
Lease liabilities - operating leases		16,801				16,868
Other accrued liabilities		9,723				11,996
Total current liabilities		99,759				133,673
Deferred revenue, long-term		7,080				9,043
Lease liabilities - operating leases, long-term		107,128				111,014
Other liabilities, long-term		424				667
Total liabilities		214,391				254,397
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 10,000,000 shares; zero shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		—				—
Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 500,000,000 shares; 63,621,165 and 62,977,316 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 , respectively		636				630
Limited common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 100,000,000 shares; 9,164,193 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		92				92
Additional paid-in capital		920,621				885,973
Accumulated deficit		(447,189	)			(338,418	)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income		(180	)			281
Total stockholders' equity		473,980				548,558
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	688,371			$	802,955

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(in thousands)
	Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024				2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$	(108,771	)		$	133,414
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating activities:
Gain on equity investments		—				(147,322	)
Fair value adjustments		(2,304	)			(76,391	)
Depreciation and amortization		2,837				2,925
Stock-based compensation		25,026				22,653
Noncash investment accretion		(4,706	)			(2,858	)
Loss on disposal of property and equipment		7				63
Decrease (increase) in assets:
Accounts receivable, net		54,143				46,301
Unbilled and other receivables		(17,197	)			(1,448	)
Reduction in the carrying amount of right of use assets - operating leases		4,205				3,720
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(6,118	)			(11,408	)
(Decrease) increase in liabilities:
Accounts payable		(8,941	)			192
Income taxes payable		—				4,779
Accrued payroll, taxes, and benefits		(7,443	)			(3,554	)
Deferred revenue		(17,395	)			(21,235	)
Lease liabilities - operating leases		(3,953	)			(1,584	)
Other accrued liabilities		(2,389	)			2,216
Net cash used in operating activities		(92,999	)			(49,537	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(5,096	)			(6,007	)
Purchases of equity investments		(3,000	)			(4,125	)
Distribution from equity investment		—				147,117
Purchases of marketable securities		(153,513	)			(125,714	)
Proceeds from maturity of marketable securities		196,266				228,174
Net cash provided by investing activities		34,657				239,445
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuances of common stock upon stock option exercises		950				5,565
Principal payments on finance leases		(29	)			—
Payment of offering costs		—				(174	)
Issuance of common stock upon ATM offering, net		8,691				—
Net cash provided by financing activities		9,612				5,391
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash		(48,730	)			195,299
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period		161,066				95,717
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$	112,336			$	291,016
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow and noncash information
Cash paid for income taxes	$	439			$	918
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities
Accrued offering costs		—				199
Purchases of property and equipment in accounts payable		435				2,935
Purchases of property and equipment in accrued liabilities		331				30
Acquisition of right of use assets - operating leases, contingency resolution		2,848				514
Acquisition of right of use assets in exchange for lease liabilities - operating leases		—				6,333

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
	June 30,								June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Net (loss) income (GAAP)	$	(54,047	)		$	4,278			$	(108,771	)		$	133,414
Income tax expense (benefit)		83				(20,431	)			539				5,928
Gain on equity investment		—				—				—				(147,322	)
Change in fair value		5,833				(40,654	)			(2,304	)			(76,391	)
Non-GAAP net loss	$	(48,131	)		$	(56,807	)		$	(110,536	)		$	(84,371	)
Non-GAAP net loss per share of common and limited common stockholders, basic and diluted:	$	(0.66	)		$	(0.79	)		$	(1.52	)		$	(1.18	)
Weighted average shares used to compute net loss per share of common and limited common stockholders, basic and diluted:		72,711,685				71,642,722				72,501,409				71,555,395

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240731471319/en/

Matthew Luchini (Investors)

Schrödinger, Inc.

matthew.luchini@schrodinger.com

917-719-0636

Allie Nicodemo (Media)

Schrödinger, Inc.

allie.nicodemo@schrodinger.com

617-356-2325

Source: Schrödinger

FAQ

What was Schrödinger's (SDGR) total revenue for Q2 2024?

Schrödinger's total revenue for Q2 2024 was $47.3 million, a 35% increase from $35.2 million in Q2 2023.

How much did Schrödinger's (SDGR) software revenue grow in Q2 2024?

Schrödinger's software revenue grew 21% to $35.4 million in Q2 2024, compared to $29.4 million in Q2 2023.

When does Schrödinger (SDGR) expect to report initial clinical data for SGR-1505?

Schrödinger expects to report initial clinical data for SGR-1505 in the first half of 2025.

What is Schrödinger's (SDGR) software revenue growth guidance for 2024?

Schrödinger maintains its software revenue growth guidance for 2024 at 6% to 13%.

What was the amount of the grant Schrödinger (SDGR) received for its predictive toxicology initiative?

Schrödinger received a $10 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for its predictive toxicology initiative.