TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 03, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc. today announced preliminary financial results for the quarter ending June 30, 2017.  The company further reported signed agreements for 265 instruments year to date; contracts for customer evaluations have grown to 220 instruments while revenue generating placements have doubled to 45 across the U.S., European, and Middle East regions.

Net sales for the second quarter 2017 was $699,000 compared to $20,000 in the second quarter of 2016. The increase was driven by sales of the Accelerate Pheno™ system and Accelerate PhenoTest™ BC kit.

"This past quarter was quite exciting," said Lawrence Mehren, President and CEO. "Despite complicated budgets and verification requirements, enthusiasm for our solution remains high and customers, supported by a number of recent studies confirming the speed and accuracy of the system, continue to find ways to move to acquisition."

The company also reported completion of a multi-center pilot study for its lower respiratory kit, currently under development. The study provided early customer feedback and data for algorithm development using a protocol that aims to reduce diagnostic uncertainty for healthcare-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia by 1-3 days.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Lawrence Mehren, and Chief Financial Officer, Steve Reichling, will host a conference call to review the results at 4:15 p.m. Eastern Time on August 3, 2017.

Preliminary second quarter 2017 results

• Net sales of $699,000 compared to $20,000 in the second quarter of 2016
   
• Gross margin realized was 81% including inventory previously recorded as research and development (R&D) expense
   
• Selling, general, and administrative expenses of $11.5 million, compared to $9.5 million in the prior year period, driven by customer evaluation and personnel related costs
   
• R&D expenses for the second quarter of $5.5 million, compared to $8.4 million in the second quarter of 2016 due to clinical trial and pre-launch inventory costs incurred in the prior year period
   
• Net loss of $16.5 million, or $0.31 per share on weighted average basic shares of 53.6 million shares outstanding, which includes $4.2 millionin non-cash stock-based compensation expense
   
• Net cash for operations, separate from the sale of stock, was $11.9 million, ending the quarter with total cash, cash-equivalents, and short-term investments from all activities of $135.2 million

Full financial results for the quarter ending June 30, 2017 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 7th. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these preliminary estimates in the event of material changes.

Conference Call

The conference call will begin at 4:15 p.m. Eastern Time (1:15 p.m. Pacific Time) on August 3, 2017. The live teleconference of the call can be accessed through the company's website at http://ir.axdx.com. 

To participate in the conference call, dial +1.877.883.0383 and enter the conference ID: 8021823. 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 10108001 until August 17, 2017.

About Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc.

Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc. ("Accelerate") (Nasdaq:AXDX), is an in vitro diagnostics company dedicated to providing solutions for the global challenge of antibiotic resistance and healthcare-associated infections. The company's Accelerate Pheno™ system and Accelerate PhenoTest™ BC kit were recently cleared by the FDA for antimicrobial susceptibility testing direct from positive blood culture samples. The solution leverages proprietary molecular identification methods and morphokinetic cellular analysis (MCA) to provide minimum inhibitory concentrations for a range of applicable antibiotics.  The fully-automated system is designed to eliminate the lengthy culture and sample preparation steps required prior to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Recent market studies suggest the solution offers results 1-2 days faster than conventional methods, enabling clinicians to optimize antibiotic selection, dosage, and infusion strategy specific to the individual patient and their infection.

The "ACCELERATE DIAGNOSTICS" and "ACCELERATE PHENO" and "ACCELERATE PHENOTEST" 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 market need, acceptant and integration of our products. 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 February 28, 2017, 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.

Investors May Contact:

Laura Pierson, Accelerate Diagnostics, +1 520 365-3100, investors@axdx.com



Reporters May Contact:

Andrew Chasteen, Accelerate Diagnostics, +1 520 365-3100, achasteen@axdx.com

Source:  Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc.

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