STOCK TITAN

Rapid Micro Biosystems (NASDAQ: RPID) grows Q1 sales but posts $14.3M loss

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Rapid Micro Biosystems reported first quarter 2026 revenue of $8.0 million, up 11.1% from $7.2 million a year earlier, driven by 36% growth in product revenue to $5.6 million and 27.7% growth in recurring revenue to $5.1 million. The company placed six new Growth Direct systems versus three in the prior-year quarter, but service revenue declined 21.9% to $2.4 million due to lower validation activity. Gross margin was 4.6% on cost of revenue of $7.6 million, while operating expenses rose 17.9% to $14.2 million, leading to a wider net loss of $14.3 million, or $0.31 per share, compared with a $11.3 million loss, or $0.26 per share, in 2025. Cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, and restricted cash fell to $23.2 million at March 31, 2026, from $38.6 million at year-end 2025. The company reaffirmed full-year 2026 guidance for total revenue of $37.0 million to $41.0 million, gross margin of about 20%, and 30 to 38 Growth Direct system placements.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • Net losses and cash burn worsened: Q1 2026 net loss increased to $14.3 million from $11.3 million, and cash, cash equivalents, investments and restricted cash fell to $23.2 million from $38.6 million over one quarter, tightening the company’s liquidity cushion.

Insights

Revenue and recurring sales are growing, but losses and cash burn increased.

Rapid Micro Biosystems grew Q1 2026 revenue 11.1% to $8.0 million, with strong product revenue up 36% and recurring revenue up 27.7% to $5.1 million. Six Growth Direct placements signal continued adoption of its automation platform.

However, gross margin was only 4.6%, and operating expenses rose 17.9% to $14.2 million, widening the net loss to $14.3 million. Cash, cash equivalents, investments and restricted cash declined from $38.6 million at December 31, 2025 to $23.2 million at March 31, 2026, highlighting a significant burn rate.

The company reaffirmed 2026 guidance for total revenue of $37.0-$41.0 million and gross margin of about 20%, including 30–38 Growth Direct placements and at least 25 validations. Future quarterly results and cash balances in 2026 filings will show whether improving mix and scale offset losses.

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition Financial
Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Q1 2026 total revenue $8.0 million Up 11.1% from $7.2 million in Q1 2025
Q1 2026 net loss $14.3 million Compared with $11.3 million net loss in Q1 2025
Q1 2026 recurring revenue $5.1 million Increased 27.7% from $4.0 million in Q1 2025
Q1 2026 gross margin 4.6% Gross profit $0.4 million on $7.6 million cost of revenue
Cash and investments balance $23.2 million Cash, equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash at March 31, 2026
Operating expenses Q1 2026 $14.2 million Up 17.9% from $12.1 million in Q1 2025
2026 revenue guidance $37.0–$41.0 million Reaffirmed full year 2026 total revenue range
Growth Direct placements 2026 guidance 30–38 systems Reaffirmed full year 2026 placement target
recurring revenue financial
"Recurring revenue increased 27.7% to $5.1 million, compared to $4.0 million"
Revenue that a company expects to receive on a regular, predictable basis from ongoing sources such as subscriptions, service contracts, or repeat customer purchases. It matters to investors because it provides steadier cash flow and makes future earnings easier to forecast—like a landlord collecting monthly rent instead of one-off sales—supporting higher valuations and lower risk when those payments are reliable and customers tend to stay.
gross margin financial
"Gross margin was 4.6%, or $0.4 million, compared to 5.6%"
Gross margin is the difference between how much money a company makes from selling its products and how much it costs to produce them, expressed as a percentage of sales. It shows how efficiently a company is turning sales into profit before other expenses like marketing or salaries. Higher gross margin means the company keeps more money from each sale, which is a good sign of financial health.
Growth Direct system technical
"The Company placed six new Growth Direct® systems and completed the validation"
deferred revenue financial
"Deferred revenue | 6,634 | | | 4,734 |"
Cash a company has already received for goods or services it has promised but not yet delivered; it's recorded as a liability because the company still owes that product, service, or future revenue recognition. For investors, deferred revenue signals upcoming work or deliveries that will convert into reported sales over time and affects short-term obligations, cash flow quality, and how quickly a firm can grow recognized revenue—think of it like prepaid subscriptions or gift cards a business must honor later.
warrant liability financial
"Warrant liability | 116 | | | 186 |"
Warrant liability is the financial obligation a company records when it grants warrants—special options giving the holder the right to buy company shares at a set price in the future. It matters to investors because changes in this liability can affect a company's reported earnings and overall financial health, similar to how a pending contract can influence a company's future value.
restricted cash financial
"Restricted cash | 284 | | | 284 |"
Cash that a company holds but cannot use for day-to-day operations because it is set aside for a specific purpose—such as meeting loan covenants, serving as collateral, funding an escrow, or complying with regulations. Like money in a locked savings account earmarked for a bill, restricted cash reduces the cash available to run the business and pay dividends or debts, so investors treat it differently when assessing a company’s true short-term financial strength.
Total revenue $8.0 million +11.1% YoY
Net loss $14.3 million vs. $11.3 million prior-year quarter
EPS (basic and diluted) $(0.31) vs. $(0.26) in Q1 2025
Gross margin 4.6% vs. 5.6% in Q1 2025
Cash, equivalents, investments & restricted cash $23.2 million vs. $38.6 million at December 31, 2025
Guidance

Reaffirmed full year 2026 total revenue of $37.0–$41.0 million, gross margin about 20%, and 30–38 Growth Direct system placements with at least 25 validations.

0001380106false00013801062026-05-132026-05-13

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): May 13, 2026
RAPID MICRO BIOSYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware001-4059220-8121647
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
(Commission
File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 25 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, MA
02421
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
978-349-3200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
oWritten communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
oSoliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading
Symbols
Name of each exchange on which
registered
Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per shareRPID
The Nasdaq Capital Market
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company þ
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o


Item 2.02
Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On May 13, 2026, Rapid Micro Biosystems, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for its its first quarter ended March 31, 2026. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The information furnished under Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the Exchange Act, except as otherwise expressly stated in such filing.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)Exhibits.
Exhibit No.Description
99.1
Press Release of Rapid Micro Biosystems, Inc., dated May 13, 2026, related to its financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2026.
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL)



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
RAPID MICRO BIOSYSTEMS, INC.
Date: May 13, 2026By:/s/ Sean Wirtjes
Sean Wirtjes
Chief Financial Officer


Exhibit 99.1
Rapid Micro Biosystems Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Reports first quarter 2026 total revenue of $8.0 million, representing 11% growth compared to the first quarter of 2025
Placed 6 Growth Direct systems in the first quarter 2026 compared to 3 systems in the first quarter of 2025
First quarter 2026 product revenue increased 36% year-over-year; consumable revenue increased over 30%
First quarter 2026 recurring revenue increased 28% year-over-year; comprised 63% of total revenue
First quarter 2026 product gross margin percentage increased 15-percentage points; consumable gross margin increased 33-percentage points
Advanced strategic collaboration with MilliporeSigma with execution of Services Agreement
Reaffirms full year 2026 total revenue guidance range of $37.0 million to $41.0 million including a range of 30 to 38 Growth Direct system placements
Reaffirms full year 2026 gross margin percentage guidance of approximately 20%, with Q4 2026 exit rate in mid-20% range

Lexington, MA, May 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rapid Micro Biosystems, Inc. (Nasdaq: RPID) (the “Company”), an innovative life sciences technology company providing mission critical automation solutions to facilitate the efficient manufacturing and fast, safe release of healthcare products, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026.
"Our first quarter results reflect strong and consistent execution across the business," said Robert Spignesi, President and CEO. "Strong consumable revenue drove nearly 30% growth in recurring revenue, underscoring the strength of our installed base and utilization trends. We continue to see robust customer interest in QC automation and are increasingly engaged in strategic discussions with customers on enterprise-level deployments of the Growth Direct platform and broader integration into company-wide automation strategies."
First Quarter Financial Results
Total revenue for the first quarter of 2026 increased 11.1% to $8.0 million compared to $7.2 million in the first quarter of 2025. The Company placed six new Growth Direct® systems and completed the validation of five customer systems compared to three placements and nine validations in the first quarter of 2025. Product revenue increased 36.0% to $5.6 million, compared to $4.1 million in the first quarter of 2025. Service revenue declined 21.9% to $2.4 million, compared to $3.1 million in the first quarter of 2025. The decline was primarily due to lower validation activity in the quarter, compared to the prior year. Recurring revenue increased 27.7% to $5.1 million, compared to $4.0 million in the first quarter of 2025.
Total cost of revenue was $7.6 million in the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 12.2% compared to $6.8 million in the first quarter of 2025. Gross margin was 4.6%, or $0.4 million, compared to 5.6%, or $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2025.
Total operating expenses increased by 17.9% to $14.2 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared to $12.1 million in the first quarter of 2025. General and administrative expenses increased by 30.8%, research and development expenses decreased by 7.3%, and sales and marketing expenses increased by 24.4%, in each case compared to the first quarter of 2025.
Net loss for the first quarter of 2026 was $14.3 million and net loss per share was $0.31, compared to a net loss of $11.3 million and net loss per share of $0.26 in the first quarter of 2025.
Cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, and restricted cash were approximately $23 million as of March 31, 2026.



Full Year 2026 Outlook
The Company is reaffirming its full year 2026 total revenue guidance range of $37.0 million to $41.0 million including a range of 30 to 38 Growth Direct system placements, at least 25 system validations and gross margin percentage of approximately 20%.
Company Presentation Available
The Company has posted an updated presentation, titled Rapid Micro Biosystems Corporate Presentation - May 2026, to its Investor Relations website. The presentation includes a highlights of first quarter 2026 results and the Company's outlook for the second quarter and full year 2026.
This presentation is available at https://investors.rapidmicrobio.com/news-and-events/presentations
Webcast Details
The Company will host a conference call before the market opens today, May 13, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss its first quarter 2026 financial results. The live call is accessible on the Company’s website at investors.rapidmicrobio.com and will be archived and available for replay for one year.
About Rapid Micro Biosystems
Rapid Micro Biosystems is an innovative life sciences technology company providing mission critical automation solutions to facilitate the efficient manufacturing and fast, safe release of healthcare products such as biologics, vaccines, cell and gene therapies, and sterile injectables. The Company’s flagship Growth Direct system automates and modernizes the antiquated, manual microbial quality control (“MQC”) testing workflows used in the largest and most complex pharmaceutical manufacturing operations across the globe. The Growth Direct system brings the quality control lab to the manufacturing floor, unlocking the power of MQC automation to deliver the faster results, greater accuracy, increased operational efficiency, better compliance with data integrity regulations, and quicker decision making that customers rely on to ensure safe and consistent supply of important healthcare products. The Company is headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts and has U.S. manufacturing in Lowell, Massachusetts, with global locations in Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands. For more information, please visit www.rapidmicrobio.com or follow the Company on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @rapidmicrobio or on LinkedIn.
Rapid Micro Biosystems intends to use the Investor Relations page of its website as a means of disclosing material nonpublic information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor its website in addition to following press releases, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), public conference calls, presentations and webcasts.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes 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. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s guidance, including with respect to full year 2026 total revenue, gross margin, number of Growth Direct placements and system validations; and the Company's growth outlook in future periods.

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “outlook,” “aim,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “due,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “positioned,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and other similar expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events and future trends, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions which may cause actual results to differ materially from any results expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement, including, but not limited to risks related to, the Company's ability to achieve positive cash flow; the Company's ability to achieve its business objectives; the Company's significant losses since inception; the Company’s ability to meet its publicly announced guidance and other expectations about its business and operations; the Company's ability to fulfill customer orders on its anticipated timelines or at all; the impact of the Company's existing and any future indebtedness on its ability to operate its business; the Company’s ability to access any future tranches under its debt facility and to comply with all of its obligations thereunder; the Company’s limited experience in marketing and sales and the effectiveness of its sales processes; the Company’s need to develop new products and adapt to technological changes; the Company’s ability to establish and maintain its position as a leading provider of automated microbial quality control testing; the Company’s ability to maintain its manufacturing



facility; the Company's ability to improve the gross margins of its products and services; risks related to third-parties; the Company’s ability to retain key management and other employees; risks related to regulatory and intellectual property matters; risks related to supply chain disruptions and the impact of inflation; risks associated with macroeconomic events and uncertainty, including with respect to tariff and trade policy in the U.S. and abroad, as well as activity in the Company's industry and in the general economy; and the other important factors outlined under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, as such factors may be updated from time to time in its other filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations page of its website at investors.rapidmicrobio.com. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results. The Company has no obligation, and does not undertake any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statement made in this press release to reflect changes since the date of this press release, except as may be required by law.
Investor Contact
Michael Beaulieu, CFA
Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
investors@rapidmicrobio.com
Media Contact
media@rapidmicrobio.com




RAPID MICRO BIOSYSTEMS, INC.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Three Months Ended March 31,
20262025
Revenue:
Product revenue$5,578 $4,101 
Service revenue2,424 3,104 
Total revenue8,002 7,205 
Cost of revenue:
Cost of product revenue6,025 5,029 
Cost of service revenue1,606 1,772 
Total cost of revenue7,631 6,801 
Gross margin371 404 
Operating expenses:
Research and development3,359 3,624 
Sales and marketing3,422 2,751 
General and administrative7,442 5,690 
Total operating expenses14,223 12,065 
Loss from operations(13,852)(11,661)
Other income (expense):
Interest income256 466 
Interest expense(639)(12)
Other expense, net(32)(49)
Total other income (expense), net(415)405 
Loss before income taxes(14,267)(11,256)
Income tax expense
Net loss$(14,275)$(11,263)
Net loss per share — basic and diluted$(0.31)$(0.26)
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic and diluted45,433,80043,993,359



RAPID MICRO BIOSYSTEMS, INC.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
March 31,
2026
December 31,
2025
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$13,815 $20,030 
Short-term investments9,134 18,266 
Accounts receivable6,367 3,134 
Inventory, net17,447 17,593 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets2,463 2,145 
Total current assets49,226 61,168 
Property and equipment, net8,770 8,972 
Right-of-use assets3,838 4,109 
Other long-term assets245 319 
Restricted cash284 284 
Total assets62,363 74,852 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable$4,670 $4,139 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities6,495 8,316 
Deferred revenue6,634 4,734 
Lease liabilities, short-term1,320 1,298 
Total current liabilities19,119 18,487 
Lease liabilities, long-term3,337 3,674 
Notes payable, net19,053 18,902 
Warrant liability116 186 
Other long-term liabilities340 397 
Total liabilities41,965 41,646 
Total stockholders’ equity20,398 33,206 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$62,363 $74,852 





RAPID MICRO BIOSYSTEMS, INC.
Unaudited Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments
(in thousands)

March 31,
2026
December 31,
2025
Cash and cash equivalents$13,815 $20,030 
Short-term investments9,134 18,266 
Restricted cash
284 284 
Cash, cash equivalents, investments and restricted cash$23,233 $38,580 

FAQ

How did Rapid Micro Biosystems (RPID) perform in Q1 2026?

Rapid Micro Biosystems reported Q1 2026 revenue of $8.0 million, up 11.1% from $7.2 million in Q1 2025. Net loss widened to $14.3 million, or $0.31 per share, compared with an $11.3 million loss, or $0.26 per share, a year earlier.

What drove revenue growth for Rapid Micro Biosystems in Q1 2026?

Revenue growth was led by product sales, which rose 36.0% to $5.6 million, and recurring revenue, which increased 27.7% to $5.1 million. The company placed six new Growth Direct systems, double the three placements in the first quarter of 2025.

What were Rapid Micro Biosystems’ margins in Q1 2026?

Total cost of revenue was $7.6 million, producing gross margin of 4.6%, or $0.4 million. Product and consumable gross margins improved year-over-year, but higher costs and operating expenses of $14.2 million kept overall profitability very limited in the quarter.

How much cash does Rapid Micro Biosystems have after Q1 2026?

As of March 31, 2026, Rapid Micro Biosystems held about $23.2 million in cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, and restricted cash, down from $38.6 million at December 31, 2025, reflecting continued operating losses and working capital needs.

What guidance did Rapid Micro Biosystems provide for full year 2026?

The company reaffirmed 2026 guidance for total revenue of $37.0–$41.0 million, gross margin of approximately 20%, and 30–38 Growth Direct system placements with at least 25 validations, indicating expectations for continued growth and some margin improvement.

How is Rapid Micro Biosystems’ Growth Direct platform performing?

In Q1 2026, the company placed six Growth Direct systems and completed five validations. Management highlighted strong consumable revenue and nearly 30% recurring revenue growth as signs of healthy utilization and engagement with its microbial quality control automation platform.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents