Sign in

You're signed outSign in or to get full access.

SP

Sonoma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (SNOA)·Q2 2019 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Record quarterly revenue of $4.9M (+14% YoY; +13% QoQ) with gross margin expanding to 49% (from 40% in Q1), driving a two-year low EBITDA loss of $1.95M; diluted EPS improved to $(0.44) from $(0.55) in Q1 and $(0.67) in the prior-year quarter .
  • U.S. product revenue rose 7% YoY to $2.4M, while Latin America grew 32% YoY to $1.0M on Brazil launch shipments; dermatology prescriptions reached an all-time high (17,410), aided by mail-order channels now comprising ~42% of dermatology prescription shipments .
  • Cash declined to $4.0M from $7.7M in Q1, driven by working capital increases (receivables +$0.8M, inventories +$0.4M; largely international/Brazil), though management expects collections in the December quarter; EBITDA remains the primary cash burn proxy .
  • Stock reaction catalysts: continued margin expansion as mix shifts to higher-margin dermatology, adoption of mail-order channel (reduces rebates/substitution), and Brazil rollouts (acne/scar) alongside U.S. Epicyn cleanser launch plans .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

  • What Went Well

    • “Record high revenue” of $4.9M with higher gross profitability and lowest EBITDA loss in two years; company highlights strong demand and improved gross-to-net control via mail-order partners .
    • U.S. mail-order penetration scaled to ~42% of dermatology prescriptions, reducing wholesaler inventory swing risk and rebate leakage; management cites positive physician/patient reception and better predictability of net revenue .
    • International momentum: Brazil launch under NC Group/U.SK began (shipment of $248k in Q2) with additional product launches expected; management anticipates continued growth from Brazil and broader international network .
  • What Went Wrong

    • Cash balance fell to $4.0M (from $7.7M) on EBITDA loss and working capital build (receivables, inventory, prepaids), highlighting liquidity sensitivity; company expects conversion in December quarter .
    • U.S. dermatology net revenue declined 8% YoY despite underlying prescription growth, reflecting channel mix and gross-to-net headwinds (rebates/wholesaler inventory), though QoQ trends improved (+23%) .
    • Ongoing exposure to managed care dynamics and prior swings from wholesaler inventory reduce top-line visibility, necessitating continued channel rebalancing (mail-order vs retail) .

Financial Results

MetricQ4 FY2018 (Mar 31, 2018)Q1 FY2019 (Jun 30, 2018)Q2 FY2019 (Sep 30, 2018)
Total Revenue ($M)$3.655 $4.369 $4.939
Gross Profit ($M)$1.332 $1.731 $2.427
Gross Margin (%)36% 40% 49%
Operating Expenses - GAAP ($M)$6.081 $5.283 $5.079
Loss from Operations ($M)$(4.749) $(3.552) $(2.652)
EBITDA (Non-GAAP) ($M)$(3.717) $(3.084) $(1.950)
Net Loss ($M)$(4.763) $(3.458) $(2.820)
Diluted EPS ($)$(0.93) $(0.55) $(0.44)
Cash & Equivalents ($M)$10.066 $7.685 $4.048

Segment/Geography Product Revenue

RegionQ4 FY2018 ($M)Q1 FY2019 ($M)Q2 FY2019 ($M)
United States$1.362 $1.971 $2.426
Latin America$0.912 $1.079 $0.997
Europe & Rest of World$0.995 $1.045 $1.212
Total Product Revenue$3.269 $4.095 $4.635

KPIs and Operating Metrics

KPIQ4 FY2018Q1 FY2019Q2 FY2019
U.S. Dermatology Prescriptions Filled (units)13,667 14,726 17,410
U.S. Dermatology Factory Units (units)n/a13,177 16,282
Mail-Order Share of Dermatology Unitsn/a20% (June); 28% (July) ~42% (quarter)
U.S. Dermatology Net Revenue ($M)$0.779 (Q4) $1.207 $1.484

Notes: EBITDA is defined as GAAP operating loss minus non-cash stock-based compensation and D&A; non-GAAP reconciliations provided in 8-K exhibits .

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
Revenue/Top-lineFY2019/2020None providedExpect continued growth in animal health, acute care, and international; Brazil launches to support growth n/a
Operating Expenses (cash)FY2019None providedExpected to remain flat to down due to cost reductions n/a
EBITDA (non-GAAP)FY2019None providedExpect reduction in EBITDA loss as revenues grow and OpEx is controlled n/a
Channel MixNear-termNone providedExpand mail-order programs to reduce rebate costs/substitution; maintain retail relationships n/a

Management does not provide specific numerical guidance; commentary is qualitative.

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q4 FY2018; Q1 FY2019)Current Period (Q2 FY2019)Trend
Mail-order channel adoptionProgram implemented to mitigate rebate/wholesaler impacts; highlighted as key strategy ~42% of dermatology prescriptions via mail-order; 20% in June, 28% in July earlier Accelerating adoption
Gross-to-net/rebatesQ4 pressure from deductible resets; plan to reduce impact via mail-order and payer engagement Rebates “stabilized” with mail-order; program lowers co-pays and controls rebate costs Stabilizing
International/BrazilSigned NC Group/U.SK pact; Brazil approvals in FY2018 Brazil acne launch underway; $248k shipment in Q2; additional product launches expected Ramping
Dermatology prescriptionsQ4 weakness from inventory/rebates; underlying demand cited Prescriptions hit record 17,410 (+12% YoY; +18% QoQ) Strong demand
Margin mixQ4 gross margin 36% due to low-margin LatAm and U.S. derm decline Gross margin improved to 49% on U.S. volume and higher-margin Brazil mix Improving
Sales force/product launches33-person U.S. derm sales force; new products (Ceramax lotion) coming U.S. Epicyn Antimicrobial Facial Cleanser planned; Brazil Gramacyn acne product launch; clinical acne data supportive New SKUs launching
Regulatory/legal/shareholderNone flagged in Q4S-1/A filed; board evaluating Montreux Equity Partners letter; limited commentary Corporate actions under review

Management Commentary

  • “Total revenue was $4.9 million…a record high…we think we're just getting started” (Jim Schutz, CEO) .
  • “This is our lowest EBITDA loss in the last two years…caused by higher revenue, higher gross profitability, and…lower operating expenses [QoQ]” (Bob Miller, CFO) .
  • “Our mail-order program…represented 42% of our unit sales in the September quarter…we believe this diversification reduces the risk of inventory reductions” (Jim Schutz, CEO) .
  • “Shipments to Brazil…were $248,000…they far exceeded what their contractual agreement was…we expect to see good, strong growth” (Bob Miller, CFO) .
  • “All three [acne] studies confirmed statistically significant reductions…with p-values ranging from 0.1% to 0.02%” (Bob Miller, CFO) .

Q&A Highlights

  • Mail-order penetration: rose to “a little over 40%” of units in the September quarter (from ~20% in prior comments) .
  • Rebates: management said rebate costs have “stabilized” with mail-order and a cash-pay program that lowers co-pays and controls rebate spend .
  • Brazil growth: $248k shipment in Q2 for acne; scar product launches next; partner “far exceeded” contractual commitments; expectation of continued strong growth .

Estimates Context

  • Wall Street consensus (S&P Global) for Q2 FY2019 revenue and EPS was unavailable via our data access at the time of analysis; therefore, no beat/miss assessment versus consensus is provided.

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Mix and margin inflection: gross margin expanded to 49% as U.S. dermatology volume recovered and Brazil mix contributed; continued mix shift and mail-order adoption should support margin durability .
  • Demand indicators strong: prescriptions reached an all-time high, with factory units rebounding QoQ; underlying demand appears healthy despite prior gross-to-net noise .
  • Channel strategy is working: ~42% mail-order penetration reduces substitution and rebate drag, improving net revenue predictability and cash economics per script .
  • International optionality: early Brazil contribution with seven products licensed provides a second growth engine; watch for sequential build from acne and scar launches .
  • Liquidity watch: cash fell to $4.0M due to EBITDA loss and working capital build; collections expected in December quarter, but execution on working capital and OpEx control remains critical .
  • Near-term catalysts: U.S. Epicyn cleanser launch, Brazil scale-up, and sustained mail-order expansion could drive revenue growth and further EBITDA loss reduction .

Supporting detail:

  • Q2 FY2019 8-K press release and financials .
  • Q2 FY2019 earnings call transcript (operational commentary, prescriptions, mail-order, Brazil) .
  • Prior quarters for trend: Q1 FY2019 8-K/press release and call ; Q4 FY2018 8-K/press release .