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Dare Bioscience, Inc. (DARE)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 2025 was a transitional quarter ahead of initial product revenue in Q4: DARE reiterated December availability of DARE to PLAY Sildenafil Cream via a 503B outsourcing facility and expects first revenue recognition in Q4 2025 .
- Operating discipline and non-dilutive funding improved the P&L: R&D fell 56% YoY on higher contra-R&D and lower Ovaprene manufacturing and personnel costs; G&A rose on professional services and commercial readiness spend .
- Balance sheet strengthened materially during Q3, ending cash and equivalents at ~$23.1M and working capital at ~$3.8M, aided by ~$18.7M ATM proceeds and $7.3M grant receipts in the quarter .
- Near-term stock catalysts: December 503B launch of DARE to PLAY, broadening to 50-state fulfillment in early 2026, and continued Ovaprene Phase 3 execution after a favorable DSMB review in July; additional grant installments expected support non-dilutive runway .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Executing dual-path commercial + FDA strategy: “We remain on track” for initial prescription fulfillment of DARE to PLAY in December via 503B, with early-2026 nationwide availability; initial Q4 revenue expected .
- Non-dilutive funding momentum: Received $6M (Jul) and $4M (Oct) installments for DARE-LARC1 and anticipate an additional $3.6M installment in Nov 2025; Q3 grants totaled $7.3M received .
- Ovaprene Phase 3 de-risking: DSMB recommended study continuation without modification; interim pregnancy rate consistent with expectations .
What Went Wrong
- Minimal revenue and ongoing losses: Q3 revenue was $2.3K with net loss of $(3.56)M; EPS improved but remains negative .
- G&A stepped up YoY to support commercialization, pressuring near-term opex: G&A rose to $2.5M vs $2.0M in Q3 2024 on professional services and commercial readiness .
- HRT timing pushed out: DARE to RECLAIM (HRT1 via 503B) moved from late 2026 (Q2 guidance) to early 2027, albeit with a supportive regulatory backdrop per management’s Q&A commentary on FDA/menopause guidance .
Financial Results
Income statement and key balance metrics (USD)
Year-over-Year snapshot (Q3)
Notes and drivers:
- R&D down 56% YoY on contra-R&D from non-dilutive awards and lower Ovaprene manufacturing/personnel costs; offset partly by increased spend on DARE-HPV, DARE-LARC1, Sildenafil 3.6%, DARE to PLAY, and DARE-PTB1 .
- G&A up YoY due to professional services and commercial readiness investments .
- Cash/working capital improved significantly in Q3 on ~$18.7M net stock sales and ~$7.3M grant receipts during the quarter .
Results vs. Estimates
S&P Global consensus for quarterly EPS and revenue was not available at the time of analysis; as a micro-cap with limited coverage, estimates are often sparse for DARE.
Segment breakdown and KPIs
- Segment reporting: Not applicable; DARE reports on a consolidated basis .
- Operational KPIs and funding milestones:
- Ovaprene Phase 3 DSMB review (July): continue without modification; interim pregnancy rate consistent with expectations .
- Grant funding: $6M received in July; $4M in October; $3.6M installment anticipated in November 2025 .
- Commercial readiness: 503B launch DARE to PLAY in December; 50-state fulfillment expected early 2026 .
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We remain on track for our 503B outsourcing facility partner to begin fulfilling prescriptions in select states in December… and… in all 50 states in early 2026.”
- “We therefore believe that DARE to PLAY Sildenafil Cream is poised to be the first meaningful prescription innovation in this category… a near-term revenue driver.”
- On Ovaprene: “DSMB… recommended that the trial continue as planned… interim pregnancy rate… consistent with our expectations.”
- On funding: “During the third quarter, we received approximately $18.7 million in net proceeds from sales of our common stock and a total of $7.3 million in grant payments.”
- CEO tone: “We believe the coming weeks will represent a historic moment for Daré and for women seeking new options.”
Q&A Highlights
- Menopause HRT policy shift: Management “thrilled” with FDA’s recent change; reiterated dual-path for DARE to RECLAIM with early 2027 503B timing and a single Phase 3 for FDA pathway previously aligned; expects improved provider receptivity .
- R&D prioritization and runway: Focus on near-term commercial launches (DARE to PLAY, DARE to RESTORE), and grant-backed programs (Ovaprene, DARE-HPV, DARE-LARC1, DARE-NHC); prioritizing programs with clear regulatory roadmaps and market opportunities .
- Commercial awareness and access: Clinician engagement via medical meetings and webinars; Medvantx portal for prescriptions and telehealth; broader partnerships to follow once nationwide availability achieved; digital marketing to ramp into new year .
- ATM capacity: “Baby shelf” restrictions currently limit ATM utilization .
Estimates Context
- Wall Street (S&P Global) consensus for Q3 2025 revenue and EPS was not available; no consensus-based beat/miss assessment can be made at this time. Given limited small-cap coverage, estimate visibility is currently low.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- December launch of DARE to PLAY via 503B, with Q4 revenue recognition, is the central near-term catalyst; nationwide availability in early 2026 should broaden demand capture .
- Operating leverage from non-dilutive funding is tangible: R&D down 56% YoY while key clinical and preclinical programs advance; this lowers cash burn ahead of initial revenue .
- Balance sheet inflected in Q3 on capital raised and grants, supporting commercial rollout and pipeline execution; working capital turned positive .
- Ovaprene remains a potential medium-term value driver with favorable interim DSMB review and a Bayer option post-Phase 3 (including potential $20M payment and tiered double-digit royalties, subject to a minority interest) .
- HRT timing slipped to early 2027 for 503B availability, but management sees a more supportive regulatory and clinical discourse that could enhance market receptivity upon launch .
- Execution risks include: 503B/state licensing and partner performance, speed of clinician/patient uptake, and limited estimate coverage; continued non-dilutive funding mitigates R&D spend and runway risk .
- Near-term trading setup: December availability confirmation and early ordering cadence for DARE to PLAY, plus additional grant receipts, are likely stock-moving updates; watch for 50-state coverage milestones and subsequent partnership announcements .
Appendix: Additional Q3 2025 Company Communications
- Q3 2025 results press release: commercial readiness webinar (Nov 17) and December DARE to PLAY availability via 503B .
- 8-K Item 2.02 and EX-99.1 include full Q3 financial statements and operating commentary .
- Gates Foundation contract up to ~$300K for global contraceptive landscape review announced Nov 3, 2025 .