OI
OPGEN INC (OPGN)·Q1 2023 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 2023 revenue was $0.91M, up 94% year over year and 26% quarter over quarter, driven by FIND collaboration, Unyvero product sales, Acuitas AMR Gene Panel contracts, and Ares service revenues .
- Operating expenses declined to $6.0M (from $6.3M YoY) and operating loss improved to $(5.07)M versus $(5.85)M YoY; cash was $7.04M at March 31, 2023 .
- Strategic catalysts: De Novo FDA submission for Unyvero UTI with substantive review initiated, and non-exclusive U.S. distribution partnership with Fisher Healthcare to accelerate Unyvero adoption .
- 2023 guidance maintained: revenue $4–$5M and net cash consumption ~$4.5–$5.0M per quarter; incremental ~$0.18M FIND revenue expected in Q2 2023 .
- Street consensus (S&P Global) was unavailable for EPS/revenue; no estimate comparison could be made (S&P Global data unavailable).
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Revenue growth accelerated: $0.91M (+94% YoY; +26% QoQ) with contributions from FIND, Unyvero sales, Acuitas contracts, and Ares services .
- Regulatory progress: Submitted De Novo request for Unyvero UTI; FDA confirmed complete submission and initiated substantive review .
- Commercial leverage: Signed distribution partnership with Fisher Healthcare to broaden U.S. coverage and shorten sales cycles; management expects traction and momentum in coming quarters .
- Quote: “We continue to see revenue growth opportunities for our Unyvero products and Ares Genetics’ services globally and especially here in the U.S.” .
What Went Wrong
- Business remains loss-making: Q1 2023 net loss $(5.74)M and diluted EPS $(1.25), though improved YoY; cash consumption remains elevated .
- China commercialization timeline remains extended: NMPA process anticipated at ~24–30 months, with clinical study initiation still forthcoming .
- Limited visibility on Acuitas customer count and near-term ramp; management declined to quantify new customers and emphasized Unyvero focus via Fisher .
Financial Results
Revenue, EPS, Operating Metrics (last two quarters + current)
Revenue Mix
Operating Expense Breakdown (indicative KPIs)
Notes: Non-GAAP measures were not disclosed. Margin metrics (gross/EBIT/net) were not reported in the press releases; operating loss and expense trends are shown instead .
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- CEO tone: “The beginning of this year has been a news rich period... momentum during the first quarter has carried over to the second quarter.”
- Distribution channel strategy: “This was not an out-licensing deal... decision driven by desire to significantly broaden and deepen our footprint... upside is faster and broader penetration.”
- FDA UTI timeline: “Interactive review can take 9–15 months... probably a 2024 clearance decision.”
- CFO on growth drivers: Revenue increase “primarily due to... FIND collaboration project, Unyvero product sales, ... Acuitas AMR Gene Panel... and Ares related service revenues.”
- China update: NMPA clearance expected to take ~24–30 months; partners meeting in China and Germany to advance clinical study planning .
Q&A Highlights
- Thermo Fisher distribution: Clarified as distribution (not out-licensing); objective is broader U.S. market penetration and faster adoption .
- FIND next steps: Added work packages (~$180k in Q2) and active dialogue on broader follow-on development including clinical trials and regulatory submissions in LMICs .
- China clinical timeline: Team on-site in China; initial in-person engagement since 2020; study initiation updates pending; overall NMPA timeline ~24–30 months .
- UTI FDA review expectations: 90-day AI letter expected; clearance likely in 2024 based on de novo process duration .
- Commercial approach post-clearance: Leverage Fisher’s national footprint; internal sales team will not be significantly expanded; RUO UTI already commercialized .
- Acuitas customers: No specific counts disclosed; 2023 focus on Unyvero rollout via Fisher .
Estimates Context
- Wall Street consensus (S&P Global) for EPS and revenue was unavailable for OPGN; therefore no comparison to estimates could be provided (Values retrieved from S&P Global were unavailable due to mapping constraints).
- Given the strong YoY and QoQ topline growth and maintained FY revenue guidance ($4–$5M), sell-side models may need to reflect increased collaboration revenues (FIND, BioVersys) and potential acceleration from Fisher distribution .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Revenue inflection: Collaboration revenue and initial Ares services drove Q1 growth; Fisher distribution should accelerate Unyvero placements and consumables in coming quarters .
- Regulatory de-risking: UTI De Novo submission accepted; interactive review underway; clearance likely in 2024—near-term catalyst path is clear .
- China optionality with long runway: NMPA timeline intact; renewed in-person engagement increases execution probability, but commercialization remains medium-term .
- Cash burn and financing: Net cash consumption guided at $4.5–$5.0M/quarter; recent equity raises bolster liquidity but balance sheet strength remains critical to co-fund non-dilutive grants .
- 2023 topline visibility: Maintained $4–$5M guidance with incremental ~$0.18M from FIND in Q2; BioVersys trial revenue to continue as sites add; monitor execution against distribution-led Unyvero ramp .
- Trading implications: Near-term news flow from FDA interactive review (AI letter), Fisher-driven account wins, and FIND expansion could be catalysts; downside risk if China study initiation or distribution traction lags .
- Medium-term thesis: Platform leverage (Unyvero A50/UTI, A30) plus AI-enabled Ares services position OPGN to shift revenue mix toward higher-margin consumables/services as regulatory clearances and partnerships mature .