Helius Medical Technologies, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results
Helius Medical Technologies, Inc. (HSDT) announces Q4 and full year 2023 results, including revenue decline, operational updates, and financial data. The company secured HCPCS codes for PoNS Therapy, expanded stroke program, signed LOI with MSSS, and released study results. Despite revenue decline, operating expenses decreased, and $1.3 million was raised in Q1 2024 under the ATM program. The PR highlights progress towards Medicare reimbursement, stroke patient treatment, and financial stability.
Positive
Securing HCPCS codes for PoNS Therapy by Helius is a significant step towards reimbursement.
Expansion of the stroke program and collaboration with MSSS show promising developments.
Revenue decline in Q4 2023 compared to the previous year was primarily due to the expiration of PTAP.
Operating expenses decreased in Q4 2023, contributing to improved financial management.
The company raised $1.3 million in Q1 2024 through the ATM program, extending cash runway.
Progress towards Medicare reimbursement, stroke patient treatment, and financial stability are highlighted in the PR.
Negative
Revenue decline in Q4 2023 compared to the previous year.
Net loss of $1.0 million in Q4 2023, compared to a net loss of $4.9 million in Q4 2022.
Operating loss for the full year 2023 was $12.4 million, compared to a loss of $15.5 million for the full year 2022.
Cash decreased from $14.5 million at December 31, 2022, to $5.2 million at December 31, 2023.
The recent financial results from Helius Medical Technologies reveal both positive developments and areas of concern for investors. The assignment of HCPCS codes by CMS for the PoNS device is a pivotal step towards reimbursement, which could significantly enhance the product's market penetration and revenue potential. The progress in the stroke registrational program and the LOI with Québec's MSSS indicate potential growth avenues. However, the sharp decline in Q4 revenue year-over-year, primarily due to the expiration of PTAP and lower sales in Canada, raises questions about current market demand and the company's ability to execute its commercial strategy effectively.
Furthermore, the company's decreased operating expenses and reduced net loss indicate a focus on cost containment, which is essential given the reduced revenue. The cash raised through the ATM program appears to provide a temporary cushion, but the sustainability of the company's financial position hinges on successful commercialization and reimbursement outcomes. The significant decrease in net loss per share year-over-year suggests an improvement in financial health, but the company's long-term viability is yet to be determined.
The neuromodulation market is witnessing growth, driven by technological advancements and an increasing prevalence of neurological disorders. Helius's PoNS device is situated in a niche segment focusing on balance and gait deficits, which could represent a unique value proposition if clinical outcomes are favorable and reimbursement is secured. The partnership with Québec's MSSS for the government-funded initiative could not only bolster the evidence base for PoNS Therapy’s effectiveness but also serve as a model for adoption in other regions or countries.
However, the reduced revenue in the latest quarter, despite these strategic developments, indicates that market adoption may be slower than anticipated. The decrease in product sales in Canada, a key market for Helius, could be indicative of saturation or competitive pressures. Investors should monitor the company's ability to convert regulatory and clinical milestones into tangible sales growth, as this will be critical for Helius's success in the competitive medical device landscape.
The securing of HCPCS codes from CMS is a strategic milestone for Helius, as it facilitates the path towards Medicare reimbursement. Reimbursement is often a critical factor in the adoption of new medical technologies, as it influences both provider prescribing behaviors and patient access. The company's engagement with CMS to secure Medicare reimbursement by October 2024 is a key area to watch, as it could dramatically influence the product's commercial success.
Additionally, the collaborative study with PBC and HTC showing improved RTW outcomes for TBI patients could serve as compelling evidence to support reimbursement cases. The financial impact of such studies cannot be overstated, as they provide the cost-benefit analyses that payers require to justify coverage of new therapies. The alignment with FDA on optimizing the stroke development plan and the initiation of new studies are also positive steps, yet the actual impact on business will depend on the outcomes of these studies and subsequent regulatory decisions.
03/28/2024 - 04:05 PM
-- Company to host call at 4:30pm today --
NEWTOWN, Pa., March 28, 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 and full year ended December 31, 2023.
Fourth Quarter and Recent Business Updates
Secured Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (“HCPCS”) Level II codes for the Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (“PoNS®”) mouthpiece and controller from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”), representing a significant step toward reimbursement. Further expanded the registrational program in stroke by adding a second site and initiating an open-label study; reached alignment with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) on optimizing the stroke development plan. Signed a letter of intent (“LOI”) with the Québec Ministry of Health and Social Services (“MSSS”) to purchase up to 30 PoNS systems that will be distributed in five separate administrative regions within Québec as part of a government-funded initiative designed to evaluate the effectiveness of PoNS Therapy™ when used by patients suffering the effects of stroke. Released study results from collaborative project between Pacific Blue Cross (“PBC”) and HealthTech Connex (“HTC”), demonstrating that PoNS Therapy can drastically improve return-to-work (“RTW”) outcomes for patients suffering from traumatic brain injury (“TBI”). Q4 2023 revenue of $134 thousand , compared to $282 thousand in Q4 2022, primarily attributable to the June 30, 2023 expiration of PTAP in the United States and lower Canada product sales. Total operating expenses of $2.3 million in Q4 2023, a decrease of $0.5 million compared to Q4 2022. Generated $1.3 million of net proceeds from the sale of shares of Company common stock under its At-The-Market (“ATM”) in Q1 2024, extending cash runway into Q3 2024. “We are pleased to have reached a key milestone toward Medicare and broad third-party reimbursement last month when CMS assigned HCPCS codes for the PoNS mouthpiece and controller, effective April 1, 2024. We plan to engage with CMS in the coming months with the objective of securing Medicare reimbursement for the PoNS controller and mouthpiece to be effective as soon as October 1, 2024. In addition, these codes will facilitate our ability to concurrently pursue third-party payer coverage,” said Dane Andreeff, President and Chief Executive Officer of Helius.
“Delivering PoNS Therapy to stroke patients suffering from gait and balance deficit is one of our chief goals and I'm proud to report that we’ve made several meaningful strides toward potential U.S. authorization. In recent weeks, we’ve added a second site to our ongoing investigator-initiated, placebo-controlled study, begun enrollment of an open-label study at this same site, and met with the FDA to optimize our overall stroke development plan. We are now targeting an early 2025 regulatory submission with possible commercialization by the end of next year.”
“With $1.3 million raised under our ATM program since year end, we now have the cash runway to take us into the third quarter of 2024 as we continue progressing our stroke registrational program and pursuing widespread reimbursement,” concluded Andreeff.
Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results
Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $134 thousand , a decrease of $148 thousand compared to $282 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2022 primarily attributable to the June 30, 2023 expiration of PTAP in the United States and lower Canada product sales.
Cost of revenues was $90 thousand for the three months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $150 thousand for the comparable period in 2022, primarily due to decreased revenues.
Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $44 thousand , compared to gross profit of $132 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased to $1.6 million , compared to $2.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 due primarily to a decrease in compensation related expenses.
Research and development expenses for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased to $0.7 million compared to $0.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, resulting primarily from a decrease in clinical and product development expenses in the current year period.
Operating loss for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased to a loss of $2.2 million , compared to an operating loss of $2.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Net loss was $1.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to a net loss of $4.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The basic and diluted net loss per share for the fourth quarter 2023 was $1.47 , compared to net loss per share of $8.66 in the fourth quarter 2022.
Full Year 2023 Financial Results
Total revenue for the full year 2023 was $644 thousand , compared to $787 thousand for the full year 2022, due to lower Canada product sales resulting from the prior year inclusion of approximately $120 thousand of revenue recognized in connection with the delivery PoNS devices related to noncash consideration paid in the Company’s acquisition of Heuro.
Cost of revenue for the full year 2023 increased $120 thousand to $583 thousand , compared to cost of revenue of $463 thousand for the full year 2022, primarily attributable to fixed overhead costs, including salaries and benefits of employees involved in management of the supply chain and certain production costs.
Gross profit for the full year 2023 was $61 thousand , compared to gross profit of $324 thousand for the full year 2022.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the full year 2023 decreased to $9.3 million , compared to $10.6 million for the full year 2022, due primarily to a $0.6 million decrease in stock-based compensation and a $0.6 million decrease in payroll taxes including the $0.5 million Employee Retention Credit claims we filed for the prior eligible periods.
Research and development expenses for the full year 2023 decreased to $2.9 million , compared to $4.3 million for the full year 2022, due primarily to decreases in product development expenses and clinical trial activities as we transitioned our focus from product development and clinical trials to U.S. commercialization activities beginning in 2022.
Operating loss for the full year 2023 decreased $3.1 million to a loss of $12.4 million , compared to a loss of $15.5 million for the full year 2022.
Net loss for the full year 2023 was $8.9 million , compared to $14.1 million for the full year 2022. The basic and diluted net loss per share for the full year 2023 was $14.56 per share, compared to $52.13 per share, for the full year 2022.
Cash and Liquidity
Cash used in operating activities for the three months ended December 31, 2023, was $2.0 million , compared to $2.1 used in operating activities in the fourth quarter of 2022, reflecting the results of our continued focus on managing cash burn.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had cash of $5.2 million , compared to $14.5 million at December 31, 2022. In Q1 2024, the Company generated $1.3 million of net proceeds from the sale of shares of its common stock under its ATM program at an average share price of $9.27 per share, extending the cash runway into Q3 2024.
The Company had no debt outstanding at December 31, 2023.
Conference Call Date: Thursday, March 28, 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 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 Company’s expected results for its business and financial performance in 2024, the sufficiency of the Company’s future cash position, the development, commercialization and success of the Company’s PoNS and PoNS Treatment, future decisions and approvals from applicable regulatory entities in the U.S. and Canada, 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, 2023, 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.lwilson@insitecony.com
Helius Medical Technologies, Inc. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except share and per share data) Three Months Ended Years Ended December 31, December 31, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Revenue Product sales, net $ 123 $ 281 $ 605 $ 778 Other revenue 11 1 39 9 Total revenue 134 282 644 787 Cost of revenue 90 150 583 463 Gross profit 44 132 61 324 Operating expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses 1,632 1,967 9,271 10,640 Research and development expenses 650 794 2,942 4,262 Amortization expense 8 40 117 181 Goodwill and fixed asset impairment — — 159 757 Total operating expenses 2,290 2,801 12,489 15,840 Loss from operations (2,246 ) (2,669 ) (12,428 ) (15,516 ) Nonoperating income (expense) Interest income (expense), net — 85 257 (834 ) Change in fair value of derivative liability 915 (2,462 ) 2,966 3,027 Foreign exchange (loss) gain 213 154 275 (756 ) Other income (expense), net 73 6 80 7 Nonoperating income (expense), net 1,201 (2,217 ) 3,578 1,444 Loss before provision for income taxes (1,045 ) (4,886 ) (8,850 ) (14,072 ) Provision for income taxes — — — — Net loss $ (1,045 ) $ (4,886 ) $ (8,850 ) $ (14,072 ) Loss per share Basic $ (1.47 ) $ (8.66 ) $ (14.56 ) $ (52.13 ) Diluted $ (1.47 ) $ (8.66 ) $ (14.56 ) $ (52.13 ) Weighted average number of common shares outstanding Basic 708,603 564,014 607,890 269,929 Diluted 708,603 564,014 607,890 269,929
Helius Medical Technologies, Inc. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except share and per share data) December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,182 $ 14,549 Accounts receivable, net 117 71 Other receivables 520 272 Inventory, net 457 589 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,162 1,216 Total current assets 7,438 16,697 Property and equipment, net 178 347 Intangible assets, net 24 140 Operating lease right-of-use asset, net 52 103 Total assets $ 7,692 $ 17,287 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities Accounts payable $ 531 $ 627 Accrued and other current liabilities 1,260 1,280 Current portion of operating lease liabilities 45 54 Current portion of deferred revenue 43 27 Total current liabilities 1,879 1,988 Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion 12 56 Deferred revenue, net of current portion 128 175 Derivative liability 3,323 6,917 Total liabilities 5,342 9,136 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Class A common stock, $0.00 1 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 714,590 and 564,094 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively 1 1 Additional paid-in capital 162,979 159,645 Accumulated deficit (159,957 ) (151,107 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (673 ) (388 ) Total stockholders' equity 2,350 8,151 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 7,692 $ 17,287
What are the key highlights of Helius Medical Technologies, Inc.'s (HSDT) recent PR?
The PR announces Q4 and full year 2023 results, including revenue decline, operational updates, and financial data. It mentions securing HCPCS codes for PoNS Therapy, expanding the stroke program, signing an LOI with MSSS, and releasing study results.
Why did Helius Medical Technologies, Inc. (HSDT) experience a revenue decline in Q4 2023?
The revenue decline in Q4 2023 was primarily due to the expiration of PTAP in the United States and lower Canada product sales.
How much did Helius Medical Technologies, Inc. (HSDT) raise in Q1 2024, and through which program?
The company raised $1.3 million in Q1 2024 through the ATM program, at an average share price of $9.27 per share, extending the cash runway into Q3 2024.
What progress has Helius Medical Technologies, Inc. (HSDT) made towards Medicare reimbursement?
The company secured HCPCS codes for PoNS Therapy, a significant step towards reimbursement, with plans to engage with CMS for Medicare reimbursement effective as soon as October 1, 2024.
What financial updates were provided in Helius Medical Technologies, Inc.'s (HSDT) PR?
The PR mentions a revenue decline in Q4 2023 compared to the previous year, operating expenses decrease, and $1.3 million raised in Q1 2024 under the ATM program, extending cash runway into Q3 2024.
