Sandra Gardiner
Analyst · Maxim Group. Please proceed with your question
Thank you, Ed. For the first quarter of 2021 operating expenses were $18.5 million, compared to $12 million for the prior year period, and approximately $6.5 million increase year-over-year. Operating expenses to the three months ended March 31, 2021 included $7 million of non-cash stock based compensation versus $2.6 million in the prior year period, representing $4.3 million, or 66% of the year-over-year increase in operating expenses. The additional year-over-year increase in operating expenses was primarily driven by the expansion of commercial and operational infrastructure, including increased headcount to support commercialization activities. As I move into the discussion of our operating expenses, I'll focus my comments on our adjusted or non-GAAP results to provide insights into the underlying trends in our business. Please refer to today's press release for a detailed reconciliation of non-GAAP measures with the most comparable GAAP measures. Research and development expenses consists of salaries and related expenses for manufacturing, research and development personnel, as well as clinical trials and consulting costs related to the design, development and enhancement of our potential future products. Non-GAAP research and development expenses increased by approximately $600,000 to $5.9 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2021, from $5.3 million during the same period in 2020, primarily due to increases in personnel, facility related costs and consulting and outside services in support of our SBA submissions and new application development. All partially offset by reductions in clinical trial expenses, sponsored research, prototype material and devices and travel expenses from a year ago. We expect to incrementally elevated research and development expenses compared to the prior year period to remain at approximately these levels for the year, as we continue to invest in the CellFX system application expansion initiatives, Darrin previously discussed. Sales and marketing expenses consists of salaries and related employee expenses for commercial personnel, including marketing and commercial operations, as well as professional fees, trade shows, sponsorships, and other promotional activities. Prior to receiving FDA clearance and CE Mark approval for the CellFX system, sales and marketing expenses were included in general and administrative operating expenses. Non-GAAP sales and marketing expenses increased by approximately $1 million and $2.4 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2021, from $1.4 million during the same period in 2020, primarily related to increase personnel, consulting and outside services to support commercialization activities not conducted in 2020. Sales and marketing expenses for the three month period March 31, 2021, also included $135,000 of non-cash expenses related to the Controlled Launch of the CellFX system. We expect sales and marketing expenses will continue to incrementally increase throughout the year, as we invest in activities to support broad commercial operations, including the Controlled Launch of the CellFX system. General and administrative expenses consist of salaries and related employee expenses for executives, finance, legal, human resources, information technology and administrative personnel, as well as professional fees, patent fees and costs, insurance costs and other general corporate expenses. Non-GAAP general, administrative expenses increased by approximately $600,000 to $3 million for the three month period ended March, 31 2021 from $2.4 million during the same period in 2020, primarily related to increases in personnel, facility related costs, legal, accounting, other public company expenses and director and officers insurance. Non-GAAP net loss for the first quarter of 2021 was $11.4 million, compared to a net loss of $9 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2020. Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $59.9 million as of March 31, 2021, compared to $20.5 million as of December 31, 2020. Cash used in the first quarter of 2021 was $10.7 million, excluding net proceeds received under the aftermarket or ATM equity offering program, term loan and the exercise of warrants. On March 11, 2021, we strengthened our balance sheet through a $41 million term loan payable in June 2022. We will continue to use our best discretion in authorizing distribution of shares under the ATM program. During the three month period ended March 31, 2021, we issued and sold 157,742 shares of common stock under the ATM. The shares were sold at an average price at $34.29 per share for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $5 million after deducting sales commissions and offering cost payable. Cash usage will continue to increase incrementally as we invest in activities to support broad commercial operations, including building a commercial team in Europe, increasing inventory levels and conducting additional studies to support indication expansion with the FDA. Inventories were $1.1 million at March 31, 2021. On the top line, revenue generation will begin as each Controlled Launch clinic completes their 40 patient commitment and elects to take ownership of the CellFX system. As such, incremental revenue generating systems will come online throughout the year, as systems are implemented at practices and they complete initial procedures. We remain focused on our Controlled Launch strategy and its implementation through calculated investments to drive long-term adoption and growth. Now I'll turn the call back to Darrin.