HM
HELIUS MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (HSDT)·Q2 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q2 2024 revenue was $0.182M, up 35% QoQ on higher U.S. and Canada sales, but down 29% YoY due to the expiration of the Patient Therapy Access Program and temporary cash-pay pricing; net loss was $1.6M with EPS of -$0.64 .
- Reimbursement milestones advanced: first third‑party reimbursement at $23,900 for PoNS, CMS preliminary Medicare payment determinations in place with final rates expected to be effective Oct 1, 2024, and VA/DoD contract pricing secured (FSS and DAPA) .
- Stroke U.S. registrational program site participation fully enrolled; management reiterated FDA submission target in 1H 2025, supported by Canadian real‑world evidence initiatives .
- Liquidity bolstered via $6.4M offering (net ~$5.5M), ending cash of $6.4M and no debt; projected cash runway into 2025, with warrant mechanics potentially adding capital post CMS final rates and stock thresholds .
- Near-term stock catalysts: final CMS reimbursement rates (Oct 1 effective), VA sales penetration and PoNSTEP readouts; medium-term stroke submission trajectory and potential broader payer coverage .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- First third‑party reimbursement achieved for PoNS at $23,900, validating pricing and supporting payer negotiations; CMS preliminary payment determinations secured with final rates expected to be effective Oct 1, 2024 .
- Federal channels advancing: VA Federal Supply Schedule pricing ($23,843.72 device; $7,344.97 mouthpiece) and DoD DAPA pricing ($23,724.50 device; $7,308.25 mouthpiece); VA sales reps established across 13 states plus Puerto Rico .
- Management tone confident on access and clinical pathway: “The third quarter of 2024 will be pivotal… receive final reimbursement determination by CMS” (CEO Dane Andreeff) and stroke program “fully enrolled” with submission on track for 1H 2025 .
What Went Wrong
- YoY revenue decline (-$0.074M) versus Q2 2023 as PTAP expired and temporary cash‑pay pricing ended, highlighting revenue sensitivity to reimbursement timing .
- Operating structure still loss‑heavy: Q2 operating loss of $3.3M (EBIT margin ~-1,796%) and net loss margin ~-886% given sub‑scale revenue base .
- R&D spend increased to $0.9M YoY for clinical programs (stroke and risk of fall), elevating OpEx amid limited revenue scale until reimbursement expands .
Financial Results
Income Statement Bridge (Quarterly)
YoY Comparison (Q2 2024 vs Q2 2023)
Balance Sheet & Liquidity
KPIs and Operating Milestones
No reportable segments; revenue is product sales plus other revenue .
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We were pleased to announce the first third‑party reimbursement for PoNS from a major insurance carrier at $23,900 and are now just a few weeks away from CMS publishing its final reimbursement rates to be effective on October 1, which we believe will be a significant catalyst for growing revenue…” — CEO Dane Andreeff .
- “CMS is expected to publish final reimbursement rates in the coming weeks. Once finalized, the payment rates will be effective October 1, 2024.” — CFO Jeff Mathiesen .
- “The registrational program… is designed to establish the effects of cranial nerve noninvasive neuromodulation delivered using PoNS Therapy on gait and balance in chronic stroke survivors… results will significantly bolster our FDA submission when we submit for regulatory approval in 2025.” — CEO Dane Andreeff .
- “Beginning in June, we began building out a sales rep organization to service the VA sites… established sales representatives covering 13 states… plus Puerto Rico.” — CFO Jeff Mathiesen .
Q&A Highlights
- Pipeline and demand: Management maintains a “long list” of Medicare patients awaiting CMS final rates, indicating pent‑up demand likely to convert post Oct 1 .
- Stroke timeline: Enrollment on track and submission planned in 1H 2025; leveraging breakthrough designation and 150‑day pathway .
- TBI expansion: Investigating expansion; cited Canadian Pacific Blue Cross real‑world outcomes (balance/gait improvements, RTW, cost savings) as supportive evidence .
- Revenue inflection: Revenue muted pre‑reimbursement; expect significant boosts starting later in 2024 with VA access and CMS coverage enabling third‑party payer expansion .
Estimates Context
- Wall Street consensus estimates from S&P Global for Q2 2024 (revenue and EPS) were not available due to data access limits at time of request. Anchor comparisons to estimates were therefore unavailable; future updates should align with S&P Global consensus once accessible.
- Implication: Given a 35% QoQ revenue increase and reimbursement milestones, estimates may need upward revision for late‑2024/2025 once CMS rates are effective and VA/third‑party payer uptake accelerates .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Reimbursement is the key near‑term catalyst: CMS final rates effective Oct 1, plus first commercial payer reimbursement, should unlock demand and catalyze revenue growth in late 2024 .
- Federal channel execution: VA/DoD pricing secured and VA sales coverage established in 13 states + PR — a scalable path to MS patient access within integrated systems .
- Clinical momentum: Stroke registrational program fully enrolled in U.S., Canadian study underway; FDA submission targeted 1H 2025 supports medium‑term expansion beyond MS .
- Liquidity runway: Cash of $6.4M, no debt, and 2025 runway with potential warrant proceeds post CMS pricing/stock triggers reduce financing overhang through key milestones .
- Operating leverage potential: Revenue scale post‑reimbursement should begin to normalize extreme negative margins; watch SG&A discipline vs sales ramp .
- Sales infrastructure: Rapid PT training, tele‑prescribing, and manufacturer readiness position Helius to convert pent‑up Medicare and VA demand efficiently .
- Trading setup: Near‑term binary around CMS final rates and initial VA uptake; medium‑term thesis hinges on payer coverage breadth and stroke indication authorization .