Quotient Limited Provides First Quarter Fiscal 2022 Results and Business Update


  • MosaiQ™ Solution
    • Transfusion Dx: Latest data confirms performance of MosaiQ Expanded IH; Expanded SDS microarray demonstrates excellent performance
    • Commercial Execution: Significant progress made with several customer evaluations scheduled; 25 separate distributor contacts established
    • New Market Segments: Successful proof of concept project further indicates full extent of MosaiQ by Quotient solution
  • Alba by Quotient: Revenues within guidance; Key future growth drivers identified and being pursued
  • Financial Position: Significantly strengthened balance sheet

JERSEY, Channel Islands, Aug. 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quotient Limited (NASDAQ:QTNT), a commercial-stage diagnostics company (Quotient or the Company), headquartered in Eysins, Switzerland, today reported its first quarter fiscal 2022 key achievements and summarized recent business developments.

MosaiQ Solution

Transfusion Dx Updates – The Company continues to make significant progress toward commercialization of its transfusion diagnostics menu:

  • Immunohematology (IH): Preliminary data from an expanded IH EU field trial suggests the Company's recent initiatives to further improve the performance of the IH microarray have been successful. The preliminary data are summarized below:

    • Expanded IH Preliminary EU Field Trial Data*

Antigen TypeABDCcEekKCw
Concordance100%100%100%99.8%99.1%100%99.9%100%99.9%100%
Antigen TypeKpaFyaFybJkaJkbS
Concordance99.7%100%98.3%100%99.3%99.3%


*Based on Quotient’s initial calculations


 Expanded IH Internal V&V Data


Antigen TypeABDCcEekKCw
Concordance100%100%100%99%100%100%100%100%100%100%
Antigen TypeKpaFyaFybJkaJkbS
Concordance100%100%100%100%99%100%


 ○ Preparations for US field trials for the expanded IH microarray have commenced, with the field trials presently expected to begin in Q3 FY22.
  • Serological Disease Screening (SDS): Development is on track and recent internal tests conducted by the Company for the Expanded SDS antibody microarray demonstrated excellent clinical sensitivity performance. The US Initial SDS field trials are on track, with an expected submission of the 510(k)-pre-market notification to the US FDA around year-end.
  • Molecular Disease Screening (MDS): Recent feasibility study results conducted by the Company demonstrated good analytic performance for both RNA & DNA targets, further reinforcing the Company's belief that the MosaiQ solution can be leveraged across many applications beyond its initial transfusion applications. Additional partnerships with external parties have been established to drive progress with molecular menu development.

    • Molecular microarray development is progressing, with primers and synthetic target sequences selected for HIV-2, Hepatitis E, and West Nile Virus.

Commercial Execution – Quotient has optimized its go-to market strategy for its IH microarray to ensure a world-class experience for the customers it seeks to acquire through its participation in approximately upcoming tenders (collectively representing approximately 50% of the core European market).

  • 40 countries mapped for distribution, with 25 separate distributor relationships established, with a view to driving market adoption outside of geographies in which the Company markets directly
  • Several customer evaluations scheduled to develop white papers on MosaiQ solution
  • Third peer-reviewed publication for the COVID-19 Antibody Microarray near completion supporting the advantages of the MosaiQ solution in a laboratory environment

New Market Segments – Quotient will leverage MosaiQ’s antibody/antigen detection capabilities beyond Immunohematology and infectious disease screening, and has advanced its plans this quarter with the following updates:

  • Plasma Testing: Further characterized specific market needs and confirmed fit with MosaiQ; in active discussions with market participants representing >50% of the addressable market. Testing will be included in the upcoming Expanded SDS field trials.
  • Clinical Dx: MosaiQ technology’s fit against unmet market needs have been validated, and specific development/commercialization plans are being advanced in Antibody testing-based areas such as Allergy and Autoimmune diseases.
  • Companion Dx: Results from internal proof of concept in collaboration with a third party determined the feasibility of differential Vaccine-Induced Seropositive (VISP) testing results for both sensitivity and specificity.

“The power and flexibility of the MosaiQ solution is particularly well suited for applications in these markets and discussions with potential partners and customers are gaining momentum,” said Manuel O. Méndez, Chief Executive Officer of Quotient.

Alba by Quotient – Key future growth drivers in customer, geographic, and product portfolio expansion identified; specific opportunities are being pursued and finalized.

  • Generated $9.0 million product sales in the first quarter, growing 2% over Q1 of FY21
  • Alba’s direct sales to customers and distributors grew 20%
  • OEM business decreased by -5% compared to prior year

Financial Position – Quotient significantly strengthened its balance sheet.

  • Issued $105 million in convertible debt bearing 4.75% interest
  • Negotiations to restructure or refinance outstanding debt of $133 million are progressing
  • Received a further $5.8 million payout related to the Credit Suisse Supply Chain Finance Funds. The Company remains confident it will recover the remaining outstanding amount of $28.9 million.

Fiscal First Quarter Financial Results

The Alba by Quotient reagent business generated product sales of $9.0 million in the first quarter, up 2% from the quarter ended June 30, 2020. Alba by Quotient sales were adversely impacted in Q1 of FY22 by a contractual price decrease related to the largest OEM customer and a lower number of shipping cycles. This performance was driven by a 20% growth in sales to direct product customers. Product sales related to the MosaiQ COVID-19 Antibody test were $0.04 million in the first quarter, compared to $0.1 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2020. In the quarter ended June 30, 2021, gross margin on product sales improved to 41.5% of product sales compared to the gross margin of 39.3% reported in the quarter ended June 30, 2020. In the quarter ended June 30, 2021, gross margin improved mainly related due to lower costs of operating social distancing restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2020.

Key revenue and profit results are summarized below (expressed in thousands, except percentages)

  Quarter Ended 
  June 30, 
  2021  2020 
Revenue:        
Product sales —OEM Customers $5,856  $6,184 
Product sales — direct customers and distributors  3,145   2,629 
Product sales - MosaiQ  40   111 
Other revenues  48    
Total revenue $9,089  $8,924 
         
Product sales from standing orders (%)  67%  69%
         
Gross profit $3,799  $3,510 
Gross profit as a % of total revenue  41.8%  39.3%
Gross margin on product sales (%)  41.5%  39.3%
Operating (loss) $(21,977) $(19,721)

Capital expenditures totaled $1.4 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2021, compared with $0.8 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2020.

Interest expense for the quarter decreased by $5.3m compared to Q1 of FY21. The lower interest expense is due to a decrease in accrued royalties and a shift of expected revenues towards markets outside of Europe and the USA.

As at June 30, 2021 Quotient had $166.7 million in available cash and other short-term investments and $218.6 million of debt and $8.3 million in an offsetting long-term cash reserve account.

Outlook for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2022

  • Total product sales of Alba by Quotient reagents are expected to be in the range of $35.5 to $36.5 million compared to product sales in fiscal 2021 of $34.5 million. No other revenues are expected.
  • Capital expenditures in the range of $5 to $10 million.
  • Average monthly cash use for operations in the range of $6.5 to $7 million (excluding debt service cost and capital expenditures)

Alba by Quotient product sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 are expected to be within the range of $8.2 to $8.7 million, compared with $8.0 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2021.

The Company is not providing guidance on the operating loss.

Quarterly product sales can fluctuate depending upon the shipment cycles for red blood cell-based products, which account for approximately two-thirds of current product sales. These products typically experience 13 shipment cycles per year, equating to three shipments of each product per quarter, except for one quarter per year when four shipments occur. The timing of shipment of bulk antisera products to OEM customers may also move revenues from quarter to quarter. Some seasonality in demand is also experienced around holiday periods in both Europe and the United States. As a result of these factors, Quotient expects to continue to see seasonality and quarter-to-quarter variations in product sales.

Conference Call

Quotient will host a conference call on August 5th, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its first quarter fiscal 2022 financial results. Participants may access the call by dialing 1-866-269-4264 in the U.S. or 1-323-347-3278 outside the U.S. The access code is 4861155. The conference call will be webcast live on the Company’s website at www.quotientbd.com.

A replay of this conference call will be available through August 12, 2021, by dialing 1-844-512-2921 in the U.S. or 1-412-317-6671 outside the U.S. The replay access code is 4861155.

About Quotient Limited

Building on over 30 years of experience in transfusion diagnostics, Quotient is a commercial-stage diagnostics company committed to delivering solutions that reshape the way diagnostics is practiced. MosaiQ, Quotient’s proprietary multiplex microarray technology, offers the world’s first fully automated, consolidated testing platform, allowing for multiple tests across different modalities. MosaiQ is designed to be a game-changing solution, which Quotient believes will increase efficiencies, improve clinical practice, deliver significant workflow improvements, and create operational cost savings to laboratories around the world. Quotient's operations are based in Eysins, Switzerland, Edinburgh, Scotland and Newtown, Pennsylvania.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding our expectations of continued growth, the development, regulatory approval, commercialization and impact of MosaiQ and other new products (including the potential for using the Company’s MosaiQ technology to infectious disease diagnostics), current estimates of first quarter and full year fiscal 2022 operating results and expectations regarding our future funding sources. Such statements are based on current assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, include delays or denials of regulatory approvals or clearances for products or applications; market acceptance of our products; the impact of competition; the impact of facility expansions and expanded product development, clinical, sales and marketing activities on operating expenses; delays or other unforeseen problems with respect to manufacturing, product development or field trial studies; adverse results in connection with any ongoing or future legal proceedings; continued or worsening adverse conditions in the general domestic and global economic markets, including as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic; as well as the other risks set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Quotient disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

The Quotient logo, Quotient MosaiQ and MosaiQ™ are registered trademarks or trademarks of Quotient Limited and its subsidiaries in various jurisdictions.

CONTACT: Peter Buhler, Chief Financial Officer – peter.buhler@quotientbd.com; +41 22 545 52 26

Quotient Limited
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


  Quarter Ended 
  June 30, 
  2021  2020 
Revenue:        
Product sales $9,041  $8,924 
Other revenues  48    
Total revenue  9,089   8,924 
Cost of revenue  (5,290)  (5,414)
Gross profit  3,799   3,510 
Operating expenses:        
Sales and marketing  (2,493   (2,243)
Research and development, net  (12,477)  (11,450)
General and administrative expense  (10,806)  (9,538)
Total operating expense  (25,776)  (23,231)
Operating loss  (21,977)  (19,721)
Other income (expense)        
Interest expense, net  (632)  (5,926)
Other, net  (1,791)  233 
Other expense, net  (2,423)  (5,693)
Loss before income taxes  (24,400)  (25,414)
Provision for income taxes  2   (15)
Net loss $(24,398) $(25,429)
Other comprehensive income (loss):        
Change in fair value of effective portion of
foreign currency cash flow hedges
 $(112) $(3)
Change in unrealized gain on short-term investments  (121)  (404)
Foreign currency gain (loss)  217   146 
Provision for pension benefit obligation  15   13 
Other comprehensive loss  (1)  (248)
Comprehensive loss $(24,399) $(25,677)
Net loss available to ordinary shareholders
- basic and diluted
 $(24,398) $(25,429)
Loss per share - basic and diluted $(0.24) $(0.32)
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic and
diluted
  101,390,749   80,485,985 


Quotient Limited
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)


  June 30,
2021
  March 31,
2021
 
ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $114,547  $45,673 
Short-term investments  52,112   65,999 
Trade accounts receivable, net  4,452   5,323 
Inventories  23,161   22,011 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  8,292   4,870 
Total current assets  202,564   143,876 
Restricted cash  8,306   9,024 
Property and equipment, net  38,134   38,530 
Operating lease right-of-use assets  21,716   22,011 
Intangible assets, net  603   619 
Deferred income taxes  239   255 
Other non-current assets  4,984   4,956 
Total assets $276,546  $219,271 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $4,616  $4,659 
Accrued compensation and benefits  8,314   11,833 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities  10,656   13,889 
Current portion of long-term debt  30,208   24,167 
Current portion of operating lease liability  3,374   3,446 
Current portion of finance lease obligation  883   835 
Total current liabilities  58,051   58,829 
Long-term debt, less current portion  188,388   137,936 
Convertible loan derivatives  29,886    
Operating lease liability, less current portion  20,872   20,907 
Finance lease obligation, less current portion  440   445 
Deferred income taxes  1,649   1,824 
Defined benefit pension plan obligation  7,218   6,896 
7% Cumulative redeemable preference shares  21,738   21,475 
Total liabilities  328,242   248,312 
Commitments and contingencies        
Shareholders' equity (deficit):        
Ordinary shares (nil par value) 101,527,188 and 101,264,412 issued and outstanding at June 30, 2021 and March 31, 2021 respectively  540,734   540,813 
Additional paid in capital  39,939   38,116 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (16,066)  (16,065)
Accumulated deficit  (616,303)  (591,905)
Total shareholders' equity (deficit)  (51,696)  (29,041)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity (deficit) $276,546  $219,271 




Quotient Limited
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)


  Quarter ended 
  June 30, 
  2021  2020 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:        
Net loss $(24,398) $(25,429)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Depreciation, amortization and loss on disposal of fixed assets  1,389   1,953 
Share-based compensation  1,823   960 
Increase in deferred lease rentals  176   169 
Swiss pension obligation  188   253 
(Accretion) amortization of deferred debt issue costs and discount  (4,011)  2,078 
Change in fair value of convertible loan derivatives  1,984    
Accrued preference share dividends  263   263 
Income taxes  (170)  15 
Net change in assets and liabilities:        
Trade accounts receivable, net  893   (587)
Inventories  (834)  (638)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  (2,203)  (1,514)
Accrued compensation and benefits  (3,671)  (2,025)
Other assets  (3,482)  (306)
Net cash used in operating activities  (32,053)  (24,808)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Increase in short-term investments  (4,500)   
Realization of short-term investments  18,551   29,314 
Purchase of property and equipment  (1,405)  (830)
Net cash provided by investing activities  12,646   28,484 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
Repayment of finance leases  (213)  (171)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt  104,222    
Debt issuance costs  (3,732)   
Repayments of long-term debt  (12,083)   
(Cost of) proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares and warrants  (79)  59 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  88,115   (112)
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash  (552)  (158)
Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash  68,156   3,406 
Beginning cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash  54,697   12,940 
Ending cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $122,853  $16,346 
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:        
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:        
Cash and cash equivalents $114,547  $7,325 
Restricted cash  8,306   9,021 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $122,853  $16,346