Bioretec Ltd's business review January-March 2024: Controlled launch in the U.S. progresses

This announcement summarizes Bioretec Ltd's business review for January-March 2024. The complete business review is attached to this release as a PDF file and available on the company's website at https://bioretec.com/investors/investors-in-english/releases.
January-March 2024 in brief
Net sales amounted to EUR 682 thousand (1-3/2023: EUR 1,071 thousand).
The sales margin was EUR 478 (718) thousand, or 70.1% (67.0%) of net sales. The sales margin of 2024 includes other income of EUR 60 thousand accrued relating to the Business Finland grant. When excluding the grant effect, the sales margin for the current reporting period is EUR 418 thousand, or 61.3%. The main reason for the lower sales margin percentage has been the planned production shutdown due to the ramp-up of new production capacity.
EBITDA was EUR -1,112 (-491) thousand. EBITDA was EUR -1,112 (- 491) thousand. It was burdened by increased personnel costs due to headcount growth and additional fixed costs relating to U.S. commercialization and R&D projects.
The result for the reporting period amounted to EUR -1,097 (-557) thousand.
This business review is unaudited. This is Bioretec's first business review for the first quarter, and comparison period figures have not been published earlier.
Key figures
+-------------------------------------------+--------+--------+------+---------+
|EUR 1,000 unless otherwise noted           |1-3/2024|1-3/2023|Change|1-12/2023|
+-------------------------------------------+--------+--------+------+---------+
|Net sales                                  |682     |1,071   |-36.4%|3,906    |
+-------------------------------------------+--------+--------+------+---------+
|Sales margin                               |478     |718     |-33.4%|2,810    |
+-------------------------------------------+--------+--------+------+---------+
|Sales margin, % of net sales               |70.1%   |67.0%   |      |71.9%    |
+-------------------------------------------+--------+--------+------+---------+
|EBITDA                                     |-1,112  |-491    |126.6%|-2,833   |
+-------------------------------------------+--------+--------+------+---------+
|EBIT                                       |-1,139  |-543    |109.6%|-3,034   |
+-------------------------------------------+--------+--------+------+---------+
|Profit/-loss for the period (+/-)          |-1,097  |-557    |97.0% |-3,789   |
+-------------------------------------------+--------+--------+------+---------+
|R&D spend on total costs, %                |25.9%   |24.8%   |      |25.6%    |
+-------------------------------------------+--------+--------+------+---------+
|Equity ratio, %                            |74.3%   |44.3%   |      |77.3%    |
+-------------------------------------------+--------+--------+------+---------+
|Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |5,981   |587     |919.3%|6,910    |
+-------------------------------------------+--------+--------+------+---------+
|Number of personnel at end of period       |39      |28      |39.3% |37       |
+-------------------------------------------+--------+--------+------+---------+
Key events during the reporting period
European market authorization application for the RemeOsTM trauma screw proceeded to expert panel evaluation. The approval is estimated to be granted during the second quarter of 2024.
Bioretec was granted an FDA Breakthrough Device Designation status for its RemeOs™ Spinal Interbody Cage.
Bioretec's RemeOs™ biodegradable magnesium alloy composition was granted a patent by the U.S. Patent Office.
Timo Lehtonen, CEO of Bioretec Ltd:
" In the first quarter of 2024, our focus was on the production and distribution of our Activa product line as the U.S. market continued to utilize inventories of the RemeOs™ trauma screw from Q4 2023. Net sales this quarter were distinctly marked by contributions from different regions: Europe accounted for 27% of net sales (19% in the comparison period), the U.S. increased from 16% to 24%, while the rest of the world decreased from 65% to 49%.
The controlled launch of RemeOs™ trauma screw continued, with an evolving number of surgeries performed utilizing this innovative product. We are actively collecting and analyzing follow-up data from the surgeries to assess the efficacy of the fracture healing treated with our screws.
In preparation for continued US sales growth, the need to enhance our production capabilities resulted in a planned production shutdown In January, which is reflected in our profitability numbers for this period. This operational enhancement included the commissioning, qualification, and ramp-up of the new CNC machine dedicated to our trauma screw line and increasing our resource allocation to operational personnel and projects, setting the stage for increased output in subsequent quarters.
Looking ahead, we are waiting to receive market authorization for the RemeOs™ trauma screws in Europe during the second quarter of 2024. Our development efforts are ongoing for the next RemeOs™ pipeline products, supported by the new RemeOs™ magnesium alloy patent and the new FDA Breakthrough Device Designation received for the Spinal Interbody Cage. Additionally, we are advancing our plans for the next U.S. market authorization and initiating the RemeOs™ DrillPin clinical study in Austria, waiting for the ethical committee and other regulatory approvals to start the First-in-Human study.
As we have concentrated on enhancing our production capabilities in the first quarter, we project that our net sales will be more heavily concentrated in the second half of the year. This strategic growth platform building has been required to expand production capabilities to serve the future anticipated market demand and product portfolio expansions.
We are grateful to our investors, customers, and personnel for their continued confidence and support. Your trust encourages our commitment to innovation and excellence as we navigate these exciting opportunities and challenges."
Financial reporting in 2024
In 2024, Bioretec will publish the following financial reports:
half-year report for January-June 2024 on Thursday 15 August 2024
business review for January-September 2024 on Thursday 14 November 2024
The releases will be available online at Bioretec Ltd's website at
https://bioretec.com/investors/investors-in-english/reports-and-presentations.
Tampere, 16 May 2024
Board of Directors
Bioretec Ltd
Further inquiries:
Timo LehtonenJohanna Salko
CEOCFO
+358 50 433 8493+358 40 754 8172
timo.lehtonen@bioretec.comjohanna.salko@bioretec.com
Certified advisor:
Nordic Certified Adviser AB, p. +46 70 551 67 29
Information about Bioretec
Bioretec is a globally operating Finnish medical device company that continues to pioneer the application of biodegradable orthopedic implants. The company has built unique competencies in the biological interface of active implants to enhance bone growth and accelerate fracture healing after orthopedic surgery. The products developed and manufactured by Bioretec are used worldwide in approximately 40 countries. 
Bioretec is developing the new RemeOs™ product line based on a magnesium alloy and hybrid composite, introducing a new generation of strong biodegradable materials for enhanced surgical outcomes. The RemeOs™ implants are absorbed and replaced by bone, which eliminates the need for removal surgery while facilitating fracture healing. The combination has the potential to make titanium implants redundant and help clinics reach their Value-Based Healthcare targets while focusing on value for patients through efficient healthcare. The first RemeOs™ product market authorization has been received in the U.S. in March 2023, and in Europe, the CE mark is expected to be received during the second quarter of 2024. Bioretec is positioning itself to enter the addressable over USD 7 billion global orthopedic trauma market and to become a game changer in surgical bone fracture treatment.
Better healing - Better life. www.bioretec.com
Appendix
Bioretec Ltd's business review January-March 2024 (pdf)