Form 6-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of May 2023

Commission File Number: 001-39316

 

 

BURNING ROCK BIOTECH LIMITED

(Registrant’s Name)

 

 

No.5 Xingdao Ring Road North, International Bio Island

Guangzhou, Guangdong

People’s Republic of China

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F  ☒         Form 40-F  ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  ☐

 

 

 


INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Exhibit 99.1 (excluding the paragraph under the heading “2023 Financial Guidance,” the paragraphs under the heading “Non-GAAP Measures,” the table under the heading “Burning Rock Biotech Limited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results,” and other discussions on non-GAAP measures therein) of this current report on Form 6-K (the “Report”) shall be incorporated by reference into the Company’s registration statements on Form F-3, which became effective on September 30, 2022 (File no. 333-264577).

 

2


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Number

  

Description of Document

Exhibit 99.1    Press release

 

3


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Burning Rock Biotech Limited
By:  

/s/ Leo Li

Name:   Leo Li
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

Date: May 30, 2023

 

4

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Burning Rock Reports First Quarter 2023 Financial Results

GUANGZHOU, China, May 30, 2023—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, 2023.

Recent Business Updates

 

   

Minimal Residual Disease (MRD)

 

   

Results of the MEDAL (MEthylation Based Dynamic Analysis for Lung Cancer) study were published at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023 (“AACR 2023”). Through parallel testing and comparison of Burning Rock’s personalized MRD test brPROPHET and fixed MRD assays, the objective of this study was to establish the best technique and application strategy of dynamic MRD detection for prognosis prediction and disease assessment among NSCLC patients. It shows that brPROPHET detected more MRD events with ultra-low ctDNA abundance yet meaningful prognostic significance. In addition, the dynamic change of longitudinal MRD was evaluated to explore the positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of MRD detections over time, providing important insights for guiding the standardization of future surveillance applications.

 

   

The results of the clinical performance of brPROPHET in patients with resectable gastric cancer and biliary tract cancer were also released at AACR 2023.

 

   

Pharma Services

 

   

Total value of new contracts entered into during the first quarter of 2023 amounted to RMB75 million, representing a 27% increase from the same period in 2022.

First Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Revenues were RMB142.5 million (US$20.8 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2023, representing a 5.2% increase from RMB135.5 million for the same period in 2022.

 

   

Revenue generated from central laboratory business was RMB61.8 million (US$9.0 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2023, representing a 16.7% decrease from RMB74.2 million for the same period in 2022, primarily attributable to a drop in the number of tests performed resulting from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in January and the Company’s focus on its in-hospital business.

 

   

Revenue generated from in-hospital business was RMB51.6 million (US$7.5 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2023, representing a 5.3% increase from RMB49.0 million for the same period in 2022, driven by an increase in sales volume.

 

   

Revenue generated from pharma research and development services was RMB29.2 million (US$4.3 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2023, representing a 135.5% increase from RMB12.4 million for the same period in 2022, primarily attributable to a further increased testing volume performed and higher average total contract value from our existing and new customers.

Cost of revenues was RMB43.7 million (US$6.4 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2023, representing a 8.8% decrease from RMB47.9 million for the same period in 2022, primarily due to a decrease in cost of central laboratory business, which was in line with the decrease in revenue generated from this business.

Gross profit was RMB98.8 million (US$14.4 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2023, representing a 12.8% increase from RMB87.6 million for the same period in 2022. Gross margin was 69.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to 64.6% for the same period in 2022. By channel, gross margin of central laboratory business was 77.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to 68.1% during the same period in 2022, primarily due to a decrease in inventory write down and royalty fee; gross margin of in-hospital business was 66.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to 68.2% during the same period in 2022; gross margin of pharma research and development services was 55.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to 29.2% during the same period of 2022, primarily due to an increase in test volume of higher margin projects.

 

1


Non-GAAP gross profit, which excludes depreciation and amortization expenses, was RMB107.9 million (US$15.7 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2023, representing a 16.4% increase from RMB92.7 million for the same period in 2022. Non-GAAP gross margin was 75.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to 68.4% for the same period in 2022.

Operating expenses were RMB287.2 million (US$41.8 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2023, representing a 18.0% decrease from RMB350.4 million for the same period in 2022. The decrease was primarily driven by budget control measures and headcount reduction to improve the Company’s operating efficiency.

 

   

Research and development expenses were RMB94.4 million (US$13.7 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2023, representing an 21.0% decrease from RMB119.5 million for the same period in 2022, primarily due to (i) a decrease in research and development personnel’s staff cost, and (ii) a decrease in royalty and license fee.

 

   

Selling and marketing expenses were RMB64.8 million (US$9.4 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2023, representing a 27.4% decrease from RMB89.2 million for the same period in 2022, 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 entertainment and travel expenses; and (iii) a decrease in advertising and marketing fee.

 

   

General and administrative expenses were RMB128.0 million (US$18.6 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2023, representing a 9.7% decrease from RMB141.7 million for the same period in 2022, primarily due to (i) a decrease in general and administrative personnel’s staff cost, and (ii) a decrease in operating lease expense as a portion of the expense started to be recognized as cost of revenue following the commencement of production activities in the relevant parts of the property in the first half of 2022; (iii) a decrease in amortized expense on share-based compensation.

Net loss was RMB185.3 million (US$27.0 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to RMB261.4 million for the same period in 2022.

Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments were RMB803.1 million (US$116.9 million) as of March 31, 2023.

2023 Financial Guidance

We reiterate our 2023 full-year revenue guidance of approximately 20% growth over 2022.

Conference Call Information

Burning Rock will host a conference call to discuss the first quarter 2023 financial results at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 p.m. Hong Kong time) on May 30, 2023.

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/BI70acdaea8afc4d3e8f3eec70e5cc3fa7.

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/p3h6zb7y.

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.

 

2


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

 

3


Selected Operating Data

 

     For the three months ended  
     March 31,
2022
     June 30,
2022
     September
30, 2022
     December
31, 2022
     March 31,
2023
 

Central Laboratory Channel:

              

Number of patients tested

     7,743        8,060        7,989        6,419        6,139  

Number of ordering physicians(1)

     994        767        897        797        792  

Number of ordering hospitals(2)

     318        264        257        238        241  

 

(1) 

Represents physicians who on average order at least one test from us every month during a relevant period in the central laboratory channel.

(2) 

Represents hospitals whose residing physicians who on average order at least one test from us every month during a relevant period in the central laboratory channel.

 

     As of  
     March 31,
2022
     June 30,
2022
     September
30, 2022
     December
31, 2022
     March 31,
2023
 

In-hospital Channel:

              

Pipeline partner hospitals(1)

     24        25        22        28        29  

Contracted partner hospitals(2)

     41        43        47        49        49  

Total number of partner hospitals

     65        68        69        77        78  

 

(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.

 

4


Selected Financial Data

 

     For the three months ended  
Revenues    March 31,
2022
     June 30,
2022
     September
30, 2022
     December
31, 2022
     March 31,
2023
 
       

 

    

 

    

 

    

 

    

 

 
     (RMB in thousands)  

Central laboratory channel

     74,211        78,597        89,992        71,970        61,804  

In-hospital channel

     48,957        34,177        49,636        42,526        51,561  

Pharma research and development channel

     12,356        18,072        15,003        27,741        29,151  

Total revenues

     135,524        130,846        154,631        142,237        142,516  

 

     For the three months ended  
Gross profit    March 31,
2022
     June 30,
2022
     September
30, 2022
     December
31, 2022
     March 31,
2023
 
       

 

    

 

    

 

    

 

    

 

 
     (RMB in thousands)  

Central laboratory channel

     50,574        57,575        69,991        54,507        48,090  

In-hospital channel

     33,396        20,012        31,593        26,999        34,409  

Pharma research and development channel

     3,610        5,015        7,010        19,757        16,273  

Total gross profit

     87,580        82,602        108,594        101,263        98,772  

 

     For the three months ended  
Share-based compensation expenses   

March 31,

2022

    

June 30,

2022

    

September 30,

2022

    

December 31,

2022

     March 31,
2023
 
       

 

    

 

    

 

    

 

    

 

 
     (RMB in thousands)  

Cost of revenues

     365        441        481        496        353  

Research and development expenses

     12,299        11,923        13,978        14,673        13,612  

Selling and marketing expenses

     1,774        2,158        2,346        2,247        1,606  

General and administrative expenses

     65,715        62,615        61,041        74,232        62,595  

Total share-based compensation expenses

     80,153        77,137        77,846        91,648        78,166  

 

5


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,
2022
    June 30,
2022
    September 30,
2022
    December 31,
2022
    March 31,
2023
    March 31,
2023
 
     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     RMB     US$  

Revenues

     135,524       130,846       154,631       142,237       142,516       20,752  

Cost of revenues

     (47,944     (48,244     (46,037     (40,974     (43,744     (6,370
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     87,580       82,602       108,594       101,263       98,772       14,382  

Operating expenses:

            

Research and development expenses

     (119,496     (92,112     (109,433     (100,827     (94,417     (13,748

Selling and marketing expenses

     (89,211     (105,634     (90,275     (85,174     (64,774     (9,432

General and administrative expenses

     (141,733     (150,316     (143,530     (132,705     (128,039     (18,644
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     (350,440     (348,062     (343,238     (318,706     (287,230     (41,824
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (262,860     (265,460     (234,644     (217,443     (188,458     (27,442

Interest income

     1,832       2,685       2,001       2,838       3,144       458  

Interest expenses

     119       (29     12       —         —         —    

Other income (expense), net

     298       127       (189     (84     599       87  

Foreign exchange (loss) gain, net

     (777     624       1,337       365       (116     (17
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income tax

     (261,388     (262,053     (231,483     (214,324     (184,831     (26,914

Income tax expenses

     —         (84     —         (1,901     (422     (61
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

     (261,388     (262,137     (231,483     (216,225     (185,253     (26,975
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to Burning Rock Biotech Limited’s shareholders

     (261,388     (262,137     (231,483     (216,225     (185,253     (26,975

Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders

     (261,388     (262,137     (231,483     (216,225     (185,253     (26,975

Loss per share for class A and class B ordinary shares:

            

Class A ordinary shares - basic and diluted

     (2.50     (2.50     (2.23     (2.11     (1.81     (0.26

Class B ordinary shares - basic and diluted

     (2.50     (2.50     (2.23     (2.11     (1.81     (0.26

Weighted average shares outstanding used in loss per share computation:

            

Class A ordinary shares - basic and diluted

     87,179,752       87,532,539       86,585,322       85,051,882       85,065,585       85,065,585  

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

     (3,065     29,715       20,646       (5,950     (5,659     (824

Total comprehensive loss

     (264,453     (232,422     (210,837     (222,175     (190,912     (27,799

Total comprehensive loss attributable to Burning Rock Biotech Limited’s shareholders

     (264,453     (232,422     (210,837     (222,175     (190,912     (27,799

 

6


Burning Rock Biotech Limited

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

 

     As of  
     December 31,
2022
     March 31,
2023
     March 31,
2023
 
     RMB      RMB      US$  

ASSETS

        

Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

     905,451        793,484        115,540  

Restricted cash

     19,817        9,658        1,406  

Accounts receivable, net

     109,954        125,554        18,282  

Contract assets, net

     41,757        48,887        7,118  

Inventories, net

     130,321        113,895        16,584  

Prepayments and other current assets, net

     51,462        47,209        6,874  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     1,258,762        1,138,687        165,804  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current assets:

        

Equity method investment

     690        599        87  

Convertible note receivable

     5,105        5,105        743  

Property and equipment, net

     251,829        220,342        32,084  

Operating right-of-use assets

     48,205        39,351        5,730  

Intangible assets, net

     1,986        1,701        248  

Other non-current assets

     20,890        11,583        1,687  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

     328,705        278,681        40,579  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

     1,587,467        1,417,368        206,383  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

7


Burning Rock Biotech Limited

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued)

(in thousands)

 

     As of  
     December 31,
2022
    March 31,
2023
    March 31,
2023
 
     RMB     RMB     US$  

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

      

Current liabilities:

      

Accounts payable

     50,947       23,593       3,435  

Deferred revenue

     147,633       154,317       22,470  

Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities

     173,832       146,697       21,361  

Customer deposits

     1,803       1,197       174  

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

     37,236       32,312       4,705  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     411,451       358,116       52,145  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities:

      

Non-current portion of operating lease liabilities

     13,551       9,144       1,331  

Other non-current liabilities

     4,124       4,545       661  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

     17,675       13,689       1,992  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     429,126       371,805       54,137  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

      

Class A ordinary shares

     117       117       17  

Class B ordinary shares

     21       21       3  

Additional paid-in capital

     4,582,790       4,660,924       678,683  

Treasury stock

     (58,919     (58,919     (8,579

Accumulated deficits

     (3,199,946     (3,385,199     (492,923

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (165,722     (171,381     (24,955
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     1,158,341       1,045,563       152,246  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     1,587,467       1,417,368       206,383  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

8


Burning Rock Biotech Limited

Unaudited Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

 

     For the three months ended  
     March 31,
2022
    March 31,
2023
    March 31,
2023
 
     RMB     RMB     US$  

Net cash used in operating activities

     (144,361     (113,143     (16,475

Net cash used in investing activities

     (13,011     (4,059     (591

Net cash used in financing activities

     (3,934     (32     (5

Effect of exchange rate on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

     (2,931     (4,892     (712

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

     (164,237     (122,126     (17,783

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of period

     1,439,112       925,268       134,729  

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of period

     1,274,875       803,142       116,946  

 

9


Burning Rock Biotech Limited

Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results

 

     For the three months ended  
    

March 31,

2022

   

June 30,

2022

    September 30,
2022
   

December 31,

2022

    March 31,
2023
 
       

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
           (RMB in thousands)  

Gross profit:

    

Central laboratory channel

     50,574       57,575       69,991       54,507       48,090  

In-hospital channel

     33,396       20,012       31,593       26,999       34,409  

Pharma research and development channel

     3,610       5,015       7,010       19,757       16,273  

Total gross profit

     87,580       82,602       108,594       101,263       98,772  

Add: depreciation and amortization:

          

Central laboratory channel

     2,553       2,545       3,138       3,609       2,567  

In-hospital channel

     93       1,428       2,479       2,449       2,582  

Pharma research and development channel

     2,493       4,327       2,805       3,065       3,974  

Total depreciation and amortization

          

included in cost of revenues

     5,139       8,300       8,422       9,123       9,123  

Non-GAAP gross profit:

          

Central laboratory channel

     53,127       60,120       73,129       58,116       50,657  

In-hospital channel

     33,489       21,440       34,072       29,448       36,991  

Pharma research and development channel

     6,103       9,342       9,815       22,822       20,247  

Total non-GAAP gross profit

     92,719       90,902       117,016       110,386     107,895

Non-GAAP gross margin:

          

Central laboratory channel

     71.6     76.5     81.3     80.8     82.0

In-hospital channel

     68.4     62.7     68.6     69.2     71.7

Pharma research and development channel

     49.4     51.7     65.4     82.3     69.5

Total non-GAAP gross margin

     68.4     69.5     75.7     77.6     75.7

 

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