GUANGZHOU, China, May 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Burning Rock Biotech Limited (NASDAQ: BNR and LSE: BNR, the “Company” or “Burning Rock”), a company focused on the application of next generation sequencing (NGS) technology in the field of precision oncology, today reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Recent Business Updates

• Early Detection
  • THUNDER study for 6-cancer test was included in the Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines for Primary Liver Cancer (2024 Edition) and the Expert Consensus on Detection and Clinical Application of Tumor DNA Methylation Markers (2024 Edition), showing an impressive performance of ELSA-seq using cfDNA in cancer detection and origin prediction.
• Pharma Services
  • Total value of new contracts during the first quarter of 2024 amounted to RMB218 million, representing a growth over 100% from the same period in 2023.

First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Total Revenues were RMB125.6 million (US$17.4 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2024, representing a 11.9% decrease from RMB142.5 million for the same period in 2023, as we transition from central-lab to more in-hospital based testing. Importantly, in-hospital segment continued its double-digit growth.

• Revenue generated from in-hospital business was RMB57.4 million (US$7.9 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2024, representing a 11.3% increase from RMB51.6 million for the same period in 2023, driven by an increase in sales volume.
• Revenue generated from central laboratory business was RMB47.6 million (US$6.6 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2024, representing a 23.0% decrease from RMB61.8 million for the same period in 2023, primarily attributable to a decrease in the number of tests, as we continued our transition towards in-hospital testing.
• Revenue generated from pharma research and development services was RMB20.6 million (US$2.9 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2024, representing a 29.3% decrease from RMB29.2 million for the same period in 2023, primarily attributable to decreased testing services performed for our pharma customers due to timing of lumpy projects.
  

Cost of revenues was RMB39.9 million (US$5.5 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2024, representing an 8.7% decrease from RMB43.7 million for the same period in 2023, primarily due to a decrease in cost of central laboratory business, which was in line with the decrease in revenue generated from this business and partially offset by an increase in sales volume of in-hospital business and a decrease in depreciation expense for all kinds of business.

Gross profit was RMB85.7 million (US$11.9 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2024, representing a 13.2% decrease from RMB98.8 million for the same period in 2023. Gross margin was 68.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to 69.3% for the same period in 2023. By channel, gross margin of central laboratory business was 77.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to 77.8% during the same period in 2023; gross margin of in-hospital business was 68.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to 66.7% during the same period in 2023, primarily due to a decrease in amortization; gross margin of pharma research and development services was 46.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to 55.8% during the same period of 2023.

Non-GAAP gross profit, which excludes depreciation and amortization expenses, was RMB93.0 million (US$12.9 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2024, representing a 13.8% decrease from RMB107.9 million for the same period in 2023. Non-GAAP gross margin was 74.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to 75.7% for the same period in 2023.

Operating expenses were RMB211.5 million (US$29.3 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2024, representing a 26.4% decrease from RMB287.2 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by improved operating efficiency.

• Research and development expenses were RMB66.0 million (US$9.1 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2024, representing a 30.1% decrease from RMB94.4 million for the same period in 2023, primarily due to (i) a decrease in staff cost resulted from the reorganization of our research and development department to improve operating efficiency, and (ii) a decrease in the expenditure for research projects.
• Selling and marketing expenses were RMB46.9 million (US$6.5 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2024, representing a 27.7% decrease from RMB64.8 million for the same period in 2023, primarily due to (i) a decrease in staff cost resulted from the reorganization of the sales department and improvement in operating efficiency; (ii) a decrease in conference fee; and (iii) a decrease in travel expense.
• General and administrative expenses were RMB98.7 million (US$13.7 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2024, representing a 22.9% decrease from RMB128.0 million for the same period in 2023, primarily due to (i) a decrease in general and administrative personnel’s staff cost, and (ii) a decrease in amortized expenses for office building; (iii) a decrease in the provision for allowance for doubtful accounts.
  

Net loss was RMB121.5 million (US$16.8 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to RMB185.3 million for the same period in 2023.

Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments were RMB572.7 million (US$79.3 million) as of March 31, 2024.

2024 Financial Guidance

We currently expect to achieve breakeven (measured by non-GAAP gross profit minus non-GAAP SG&A) for the full year 2024.

Non-GAAP gross profit refers to gross profit excluding depreciation and amortization. Non-GAAP SG&A refers to selling and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses, both excluding their respective share-based compensation and depreciation and amortization.

Corporate structure reorganization

The Company moved its PRC onshore headquarter from Beijing to Guangzhou in May 2024. Burning Rock Biotech Limited, our ultimate Cayman Islands holding company, does not have any substantive operations other than directly controlling Guangzhou Burning Rock Biotech Limited, our new wholly foreign owned entity, or WFOE, and indirectly controlling Burning Rock (Beijing) Biotechnology Co., Ltd., the variable interest entity, or VIE, through certain contractual arrangements. The equity change of Beijing Burning Rock Biotech Limited had been completed, and certain contractual agreements had been amended. The chart below sets forth our corporate structure and identifies our principal subsidiaries as of the date of this release:

Conference Call Information

Burning Rock will host a conference call to discuss the first quarter 2024 financial results at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 p.m. Hong Kong time) on May 29, 2024.

Please register in advance of the conference using the link provided below and dial in 15 minutes prior to the call, using participant dial-in numbers and unique registrant ID which would be provided upon registering.

PRE-REGISTER LINK: https://register.vevent.com/register/BIbdb6210ab73d4bb7b25e3ffbdc206d07.

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available on the company’s investor relations website at http://ir.brbiotech.com or through link https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/ovj2q2n6.

A replay of the webcast will be available for 12 months via the same link above.

About Burning Rock

Burning Rock Biotech Limited (NASDAQ: BNR and LSE: BNR), whose mission is to guard life via science, focuses on the application of next generation sequencing (NGS) technology in the field of precision oncology. Its business consists of i) NGS-based therapy selection testing for late-stage cancer patients, and ii) cancer early detection, which has moved beyond proof-of-concept R&D into the clinical validation stage.

For more information about Burning Rock, please visit: ir.brbiotech.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “target,” “confident” and similar statements. Burning Rock may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Burning Rock’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon management’s current expectations and current market and operating conditions, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond Burning Rock’s control. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any such statements. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Burning Rock does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable law.

Non-GAAP Measures

In evaluating the business, the Company considers and uses non-GAAP measures, such as non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin, as supplemental measures to review and assess operating performance. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The company defines non-GAAP gross profit as gross profit excluding depreciation and amortization. The company defines non-GAAP gross margin as gross margin excluding depreciation and amortization.

The company presents these non-GAAP financial measures because they are used by management to evaluate operating performance and formulate business plans. The company believe non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin excluding non-cash impact of depreciation and amortization reflect the company’s ongoing business operations in a manner that allows more meaningful period-to-period comparisons.

Contact: IR@brbiotech.com

Selected Operating Data
	As of
	March 31, 2023		June 30, 2023		September 30, 2023		December 31, 2023		March 31, 2024
In-hospital Channel:
Pipeline partner hospitals(1)	29		30		29		28		28
Contracted partner hospitals(2)	49		50		55		59		59
Total number of partner hospitals	78		80		84		87		87

⁽¹⁾ Refers to hospitals that are in the process of establishing in-hospital laboratories, laboratory equipment procurement or installation, staff training or pilot testing using the Company’s products.
⁽²⁾ Refers to hospitals that have entered into contracts to purchase the Company’s products for use on a recurring basis in their respective in-hospital laboratories the Company helped them establish. Kit revenue is generated from contracted hospitals.

Selected Financial Data
	For the three months ended
Revenues	March 31, 2023		June 30, 2023		September 30, 2023		December 31, 2023		March 31, 2024
	(RMB in thousands)
Central laboratory channel	61,804		66,239		53,481		51,288		47,614
In-hospital channel	51,561		53,835		54,496		28,809		57,387
Pharma research and development channel	29,151		26,194		19,589		40,988		20,622
Total revenues	142,516		146,268		127,566		121,085		125,623

	For the three months ended
Gross profit	March 31, 2023		June 30, 2023		September 30, 2023		December 31, 2023		March 31, 2024
	(RMB in thousands)
Central laboratory channel	48,090		51,876		41,487		41,886		37,002
In-hospital channel	34,409		33,353		35,459		12,910		39,192
Pharma research and development channel	16,273		15,193		8,974		23,317		9,500
Total gross profit	98,772		100,422		85,920		78,113		85,694

	For the three months ended
Share-based compensation expenses	March 31, 2023		June 30, 2023		September 30, 2023		December 31, 2023		March 31, 2024
	(RMB in thousands)
Cost of revenues	353		627		680		654		596
Research and development expenses	13,612		15,301		12,161		12,401		12,287
Selling and marketing expenses	1,606		3,389		2,848		1,816		508
General and administrative expenses	62,595		18,502		57,704		56,472		55,990
Total share-based compensation expenses	78,166		37,819		73,393		71,343		69,381

Burning Rock Biotech Limited Unaudited Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Loss (in thousands, except for number of shares and per share data)
	For the three months ended
	March 31, 2023			June 30, 2023			September 30, 2023			December 31, 2023			March 31, 2024			March 31, 2024
	RMB			RMB			RMB			RMB			RMB			US$
Revenues	142,516			146,268			127,566			121,085			125,623			17,399
Cost of revenues	(43,744	)		(45,846	)		(41,646	)		(42,972	)		(39,929	)		(5,531	)
Gross profit	98,772			100,422			85,920			78,113			85,694			11,868
Operating expenses:
Research and development expenses	(94,417	)		(95,779	)		(83,701	)		(73,119	)		(65,985	)		(9,139	)
Selling and marketing expenses	(64,774	)		(70,842	)		(62,310	)		(49,785	)		(46,856	)		(6,489	)
General and administrative expenses	(128,039	)		(69,525	)		(118,724	)		(121,533	)		(98,681	)		(13,667	)
Total operating expenses	(287,230	)		(236,146	)		(264,735	)		(244,437	)		(211,522	)		(29,295	)
Loss from operations	(188,458	)		(135,724	)		(178,815	)		(166,324	)		(125,828	)		(17,427	)
Interest income	3,144			5,255			4,018			5,539			4,038			559
Other income (expense), net	599			(118	)		(157	)		160			434			60
Foreign exchange (loss) gain, net	(116	)		（210	)		423			(517	)		(13	)		(2	)
Loss before income tax	(184,831	)		(130,797	)		(174,531	)		(161,142	)		(121,369	)		(16,810	)
Income tax expenses	(422	)		(445	)		(450	)		(1,071	)		(180	)		(25	)
Net loss	(185,253	)		(131,242	)		(174,981	)		(162,213	)		(121,549	)		(16,835	)
Net loss attributable to Burning Rock Biotech Limited’s shareholders	(185,253	)		(131,242	)		(174,981	)		(162,213	)		(121,549	)		(16,835	)
Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders	(185,253	)		(131,242	)		(174,981	)		(162,213	)		(121,549	)		(16,835	)
Loss per share for class A and class B ordinary shares:
Class A ordinary shares - basic and diluted	(1.81	)		(1.28	)		(1.71	)		(1.58	)		(1.19	)		(0.16	)
Class B ordinary shares - basic and diluted	(1.81	)		(1.28	)		(1.71	)		(1.58	)		(1.19	)		(0.16	)
Weighted average shares outstanding used in loss per share computation:
Class A ordinary shares - basic and diluted	85,065,585			85,151,052			85,000,869			85,071,360			85,219,188			85,219,188
Class B ordinary shares - basic and diluted	17,324,848			17,324,848			17,324,848			17,324,848			17,324,848			17,324,848
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of nil:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(5,659	)		14,829			(1,955	)		(3,026	)		590			82
Total comprehensive loss	(190,912	)		(116,413	)		(176,936	)		(165,239	)		(120,959	)		(16,753	)
Total comprehensive loss attributable to Burning Rock Biotech Limited’s shareholders	(190,912	)		(116,413	)		(176,936	)		(165,239	)		(120,959	)		(16,753	)

Burning Rock Biotech Limited Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands)
	As of
	December 31, 2023		March 31, 2024		March 31, 2024
	RMB		RMB		US$
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	615,096		572,616		79,306
Restricted cash	120		58		8
Accounts receivable, net	126,858		135,360		18,747
Contract assets, net	22,748		23,063		3,194
Inventories, net	69,020		63,121		8,742
Prepayments and other current assets, net	50,254		46,630		6,458
Total current assets	884,096		840,848		116,455
Non-current assets:
Equity method investment	337		249		34
Convertible note receivable	5,320		5,320		737
Property and equipment, net	131,912		114,498		15,858
Operating right-of-use assets	12,284		19,655		2,722
Intangible assets, net	964		747		103
Other non-current assets	5,088		3,609		500
Total non-current assets	155,905		144,078		19,954
TOTAL ASSETS	1,040,001		984,926		136,409

Burning Rock Biotech Limited Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued) (in thousands)
	As of
	December 31, 2023			March 31, 2024			March 31, 2024
	RMB			RMB			US$
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	18,061			24,630			3,411
Deferred revenue	130,537			127,516			17,661
Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities	104,935			91,037			12,608
Customer deposits	1,197			1,197			166
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	8,634			11,026			1,527
Total current liabilities	263,364			255,406			35,373
Non-current liabilities:
Non-current portion of operating lease liabilities	3,690			7,971			1,104
Other non-current liabilities	4,537			4,717			651
Total non-current liabilities	8,227			12,688			1,755
TOTAL LIABILITIES	271,591			268,094			37,128
Shareholders’ equity:
Class A ordinary shares	116			116			16
Class B ordinary shares	21			21			3
Additional paid-in capital	4,849,337			4,918,718			681,235
Treasury stock	(65,896	)		(65,896	)		(9,126	)
Accumulated deficits	(3,853,635	)		(3,975,184	)		(550,557	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(161,533	)		(160,943	)		(22,290	)
Total shareholders’ equity	768,410			716,832			99,281
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	1,040,001			984,926			136,409

Burning Rock Biotech Limited Unaudited Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands)
	For the three months ended
	March 31, 2023			March 31, 2024			March 31, 2024
	RMB			RMB			US$
Net cash used in operating activities	(113,143	)		(40,209	)		(5,569	)
Net cash used in investing activities	(4,059	)		(2,386	)		(330	)
Net cash used in financing activities	(32	)		-			-
Effect of exchange rate on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(4,892	)		53			7
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(122,126	)		(42,542	)		(5,892	)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of period	925,268			615,216			85,206
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of period	803,142			572,674			79,314

Burning Rock Biotech Limited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results
			For the three months ended
	March 31, 2023		June 30, 2023		September 30, 2023		December 31, 2023		March 31, 2024
			(RMB in thousands)
Gross profit:
Central laboratory channel	48,090		51,876		41,487		41,886		37,002
In-hospital channel	34,409		33,353		35,459		12,910		39,192
Pharma research and development channel	16,273		15,193		8,974		23,317		9,500
Total gross profit	98,772		100,422		85,920		78,113		85,694
Add: depreciation and amortization:
Central laboratory channel	2,567		2,645		2,550		2,414		1,919
In-hospital channel	2,582		2,637		2,751		2,728		1,524
Pharma research and development channel	3,974		3,665		3,863		3,808		3,856
Total depreciation and amortization included in cost of revenues	9,123		8,947		9,164		8,950		7,299
Non-GAAP gross profit：
Central laboratory channel	50,657		54,521		44,037		44,300		38,921
In-hospital channel	36,991		35,990		38,210		15,638		40,716
Pharma research and development channel	20,247		18,858		12,837		27,125		13,356
Total non-GAAP gross profit	107,895		109,369		95,084		87,063		92,993
Non-GAAP gross margin：
Central laboratory channel	82.0%		82.3%		82.3%		86.4%		81.7%
In-hospital channel	71.7%		66.9%		70.1%		54.3%		70.9%
Pharma research and development channel	69.5%		72.0%		65.5%		66.2%		64.8%
Total non-GAAP gross margin	75.7%		74.8%		74.5%		71.9%		74.0%

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/370e7914-309e-48a2-b52f-03fe37ffa17d