TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc. today announced financial results for the quarter ending June 30, 2018.  The company posted revenue of $1.7 million, up 142% from the prior year quarter, and reported a record number of new agreements signed in the quarter bringing the global total to 430 instruments. Contracts for customer evaluations total 312 instruments while commercial placements grew to 118 across the U.S., European, and Middle East regions.

"We're excited to report a record number of new customer agreements this quarter," said Lawrence Mehren, President and CEO. "While not yet fully translated into revenue, this sales momentum, strong customer advocacy, and upcoming clinical outcome data are quite encouraging."

In addition, the company reported securing new agreements with prominent group purchasing organizations during the quarter. The agreements, covering approximately 1,400 hospitals, add additional value to member hospitals and aim to streamline the adoption process.

The company also announced progress on the development of its severe bacterial pneumonia kit including alignment with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on a shorter and less complex, 510(k) regulatory pathway, and clinical trial for the test. The expected start of the U.S. clinical trial is on or before our Q3 conference call.  

Mr. Mehren, together with Steve Reichling, the company's Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call to review the financial results, commercial progress, and development updates at 4:15 p.m. Eastern Time on August 6, 2018.

Second quarter 2018 results

• Global install base increased by 25% during the quarter
• Net sales of $1.7 million for the second quarter and $2.5 million year to date, compared to $699 thousand and $1.2 million, for the same respective periods in the prior year
• Gross margin realized was 58% for the quarter and 52% year to date
• Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the quarter were $15.3M and $29.7M year to date as compared to $11.5M and $22.0M from the respective same periods in the prior year. These year-over-year increases were driven by higher personnel and customer evaluation related costs in the US and EU
• Research and development costs for the quarter were $6.1M and $12.9M year to date as compared to $5.5M and $9.8M from the respective same periods in the prior year. These year-over-year increases are the result of additional investments in the preparation for respiratory clinical trials and expanded scientific affairs activity
• Net loss of $23.2 million in the second quarter and $44.0 million year to date, or $0.43 and $0.80 per share on weighted average basic shares of 54.0 million and 54.8 million shares outstanding, respectively. This net loss includes $3.4 million in non-cash stock-based compensation expense in the second quarter and $9.0 million year to date.
• Net cash used in the quarter was $17.1 million, ending the quarter with total cash, investments, and cash-equivalents from all activities of $197.4 million

Full financial results for the quarter ending June 30, 2018 will be filed on Form 10-Q through the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) website at http://www.sec.gov. The company anticipates filing on August 7, 2018. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these preliminary and unaudited estimates in the event of material changes.

Audio Webcast and Conference Call

Listen to an audio webcast of the call by visiting the events section of the company's investor relations website at ir.axdx.com. A replay of the audio webcast will be available until August 27, 2018.

To participate in the conference call, dial +1.877.883.0383 and enter the conference ID: 6994802

International participants may dial +1.412.902.6506. Please dial in 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the conference. A replay of the call will be available by telephone at +1.877.344.7529 (U.S.) or +1.412.317.0088 (international) using access code 10120739 until August 27, 2018.

About Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc.

Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc. (Nasdaq:AXDX), is an in vitro diagnostics company dedicated to providing solutions for the global challenges of sepsis, antibiotic resistance and healthcare-associated infections. Every 3-4 seconds someone dies from sepsis. In the United States, sepsis remains a leading cause of death, taking more lives than HIV, breast cancer, and prostate cancer combined. Bacteria are the most common cause of the serious infections that lead to sepsis, and continue to develop resistance to antibiotics. These antibiotic resistant bacteria further complicate the treatment approach for physicians who already wait days for lab results to determine which antibiotics are likely to be effective against the infection.

The Accelerate Pheno™ system and Accelerate PhenoTest™ BC kit combine several technologies aimed at reducing the time clinicians must wait to determine the most optimal antibiotic therapy for these infections. The FDA cleared system and kit fully automate the sample preparation steps to report phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility results within 7 hours direct from positive blood cultures. Recent external studies indicate the solution offers results 1-2 days faster than existing methods, enabling clinicians to optimize antibiotic selection and dosage specific to the individual patient days earlier.

The "ACCELERATE DIAGNOSTICS" and "ACCELERATE PHENO" and "ACCELERATE PHENOTEST" and diamond shaped logos and marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc.

For more information about the company, its products or technology, visit axdx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements made in this press release are forward looking, such as those, among others, about our projections as to when certain key business milestones may be achieved, the potential of our products or technology, the growth of the market, our estimates as to the size of our market opportunity and potential pricing, our competitive position and estimates of time reduction to results, and our future development plans and growth strategy. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. Information about the risks and uncertainties faced by Accelerate Diagnostics is contained in the section captioned "Risk Factors" in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2018, and in any other reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. The company's forward-looking statements could be affected by general industry and market conditions. Except as required by federal securities laws, the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new events, uncertainties or other contingencies.

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SOURCE Accelerate Diagnostics

Investors May Contact: Laura Pierson, Accelerate Diagnostics, +1 520 365-3100, investors@axdx.com OR Reporters May Contact: Andrew Chasteen, Accelerate Diagnostics, +1 520 365-3100, achasteen@axdx.com