Richard Davies wrote: The UK has a good crop of technology pioneers in cloud computing - for example ElasticHosts, FlexiScale, Flexiant, OnApp - and also some strong government initiatives such as G-Cloud.
We will have to see whether this kind of technical leadership converts into swift mass-market adoption or not.
NeuroMetrix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NURO), a health care company transforming
patient care through neurotechnology, today announced its financial
results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2009.
Total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $6.2 million,
compared with $7.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2008. Revenues in
the quarter were comprised of 9% medical equipment sales and 91%
consumables sales in comparison with 14% and 86%, respectively, for the
fourth quarter of 2008. Medical equipment sales consist of nerve
conduction testing devices (ADVANCE™ and NC-stat®) and related modules,
and service agreement revenues. Consumables sales include single use
nerve-specific electrodes, EMG needles, and other accessories. Gross
margin in the fourth quarter of 2009 was 70.5% of total revenues
compared with 67.8% for the fourth quarter of 2008. Net income for the
fourth quarter of 2009 was $0.4 million, or $0.02 per share, and
included a gain of $2.2 million, or $0.10 per share, relating to the
revaluation of warrants issued in the Company’s September 2009
financing. In comparison, net loss for the fourth quarter of 2008 was
$4.1 million, or $(0.30) per share.
For the year ended December 31, 2009, total revenues were $26.1 million,
compared with $31.1 million in 2008. Revenues for 2009 were comprised of
10% medical equipment sales and 90% consumables sales in comparison with
9% and 91%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2008. Gross
margin for 2009 was 71.2% of total revenues compared with 71.0% for
2008. Net loss for 2009 was $11.9 million, or $(0.71) per share and
included a net charge of $5.2 million, or $0.31 per share, for the
revaluation of warrants issued in the September 2009 financing. In
comparison, net loss for 2008 was $27.7 million, or $(2.02) per share.
During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (“CMS”) published a new Category I CPT code in the 2010
Physician’s Fee Schedule for nerve conduction studies performed with
preconfigured electrode arrays, such as those utilized with the NC-stat
System. The Company believes that this CPT code may streamline Medicare
reimbursement for medically appropriate nerve conduction studies
performed using the NC-stat System, and could also be a positive
influence on reimbursement by commercial insurers.
The Company has recently undertaken a number of initiatives to address
market opportunities, including the following:
Organizing North America Sales into a Physician’s Office sales group
supporting primary care, internal medicine, endocrinology, and
rheumatology, and a Neurointerventional sales group supporting
neurology, physical medicine and rehabilitation and orthopedics.
Initiating a field clinical education group to supplement the
Physician’s Office sales force and provide direct clinical support to
customers.
Redirecting Physician’s Office sales representatives to focus
primarily on new account acquisition.
Merging the corporate customer service and account management groups
into a single customer support organization.
Adding an employee on-site in the United Kingdom to manage European
sales, as well as extending customer service hours to support European
customers.
Developing several clinical outcomes studies relating to use of
pre-configured electrode arrays, which the Company anticipates will be
launched in 2010.
“We see an opportunity to reinvigorate and expand our installed base of
customers,” said Shai N. Gozani, M.D., Ph.D., NeuroMetrix President &
CEO. “Publication of the new Category I CPT code was a positive
development that should help our business in the long term. Physician
reimbursement under the CPT code is lower than under the prior codes,
which will necessitate some changes in our business model that will put
downward pressure on revenues and margins in the near term. However, we
have taken steps that we believe may lead to an increase in the number
of physicians using our products and an increase in electrode
utilization within accounts. The range of issues our customers face,
which include changes in reimbursement, decreased patient visits, and
uncertainty arising from the national debate on health care reform, make
2010 a difficult year to predict. We are working to position ourselves
to rebuild demand and, over time, return the Company to a growth track.”
Company to Host Live Conference Call and Webcast
NeuroMetrix management will host a conference call today, February 10,
2010 at 8:00 a.m., Eastern time, to discuss the Company's financial
results, business and financial developments, as well as other
forward-looking information about the Company’s business. To access the
call, dial 800-659-1942 (domestic), or 617-614-2710 (international). The
confirmation code is 65018804. The call will also be webcast and will be
accessible from the Company's website at http://www.neurometrix.com
under the "Investor Relations" tab. A replay of the conference call will
be available for three months starting two hours after the call by
dialing 888-286-8010 (domestic) or 617-801-6888 (international), and the
confirmation code is 74951707.
About NeuroMetrix
NeuroMetrix is a science-based health care company transforming patient
care through neurotechnology. We provide innovative products for
preservation and restoration of nerve and spinal cord function, and pain
control. To date, our focus has been primarily on the assessment of
neuropathies. Neuropathies affect the peripheral nerves and parts of the
spine and are frequently caused by or associated with carpal tunnel
syndrome, diabetes, sciatica, and other clinical disorders. We market
systems for the performance of nerve conduction studies and needle
electromyography procedures. Our product pipeline includes a system
designed to deliver pharmacologic agents such as anesthetics and
corticosteroids in close proximity to nerves for regional anesthesia,
pain control, and the treatment of focal neuropathies. We are also
developing devices and pharmaceutical agents to treat peripheral nerve
and spinal cord injuries. For more information, visit http://www.neurometrix.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
The statements contained in this press release include forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, including, without limitation, statements regarding
NeuroMetrix’s or its management’s expectations, hopes, beliefs,
intentions, or strategies regarding the future. The words “believe,”
“may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,”
“plan,” “hope” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking
statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a
statement is not forward-looking. The forward-looking statements
contained in this press release are based on NeuroMetrix’s current
expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their
potential effects on the Company. There can be no assurance that future
developments affecting NeuroMetrix will be those that NeuroMetrix has
anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks,
uncertainties (some of which are beyond NeuroMetrix’s control) or other
assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be
materially different from those expressed or implied by these
forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include the
factors described under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2008 and any updates contained in subsequent Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q, as well as other documents that may be filed by NeuroMetrix
from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
NeuroMetrix is providing the information in this press release only as
of the date hereof, and expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to
update the information included in this press release or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.