On November 8, 2023 ChromaDex Corp. (NASDAQ: CDXC) reported financial results for the third quarter of 2023 (Press release, ChromaDex, NOV 8, 2023, View Source [SID1234637253]).

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Third Quarter 2023 and Recent Highlights

Total net sales were $19.5 million, with $17.4 million from Tru Niagen, up 14% and 19% from the prior year quarter, respectively.
Strong gross margin of 61.4%, an increase of 160 basis points, compared to 59.8% from the prior year quarter.
Sales and marketing expense as a percentage of net sales was 31.0%, an improvement of 340 basis points, compared to 34.4% from the prior year quarter.
Net loss was $1.0 million or $(0.01) per share, remaining stable compared to the prior year quarter, a notable achievement as the prior year’s results included the one-time Employee Retention Tax Credit recognition of $2.1 million ($0.03 per share).
Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, was a positive $0.5 million, a $1.7 million improvement from the prior year quarter.
In August 2023, launched Tru Niagen on iHerb, a global destination for supplements, expanding ChromaDex’s worldwide reach.
Clinical study published in August 2023 in the peer-reviewed journal Cell Reportsfound that supplementation of NR effectively reduced inflammation in both healthy subjects and immune cells derived from psoriasis patients.
In October 2023, launched Tru Niagen 1,000 mg, the most researched dosage in clinical studies, empowering customers to elevate their NAD levels by up to 150% after three weeks.
In October 2023, Zesty Paws, a prominent name in pet supplements, partnered with ChromaDex to launch a Healthy Aging NAD+ Precursor supplement for pets, featuring Niagen. This partnership marks the entry into the longevity category for pets and extends the power of Niagen to animal companions.
"We had a solid quarter, delivering 14% year-over-year revenue growth, a net loss of only $1.0 million, positive Adjusted EBITDA of $0.5 million, and positive operating cash flows for the third consecutive quarter, ending with $26.8 million in cash and no debt," said ChromaDex Chief Executive Officer, Rob Fried. "These results serve as a testament to our commitment to financial discipline and operational efficiency. ChromaDex is in its strongest financial position to date, and we expect to unlock commercial opportunities driven by new innovation in 2024 and beyond."

Results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the prior year quarter

ChromaDex reported a net sales increase of 14%, or $2.4 million, to $19.5 million. The increase in total net sales was driven by growth in Tru Niagen sales, partially offset by lower Niagen ingredient sales.

Gross marginpercentageimproved 160 basis points to 61.4%. The improvement in gross margin percentage is primarily driven by supply chain management optimization efforts, including improvements in yield loss, and benefits from economies of scale, partly offset by changes in business mix.

Operating expensedecreased 1%, or $0.2 million, to $13.1 million due to a $0.3 million reduction in general and administrative expense, partially offset by a slight increase in sales and marketing expense.

Net loss was $1.0 million, or $0.01 loss per share, consistent with the net loss of $1.0 million or $0.01 loss per share for the third quarter of 2022. Notably, the third quarter of 2022 included a one-time recognition of the Employee Retention Tax Credit recognition of $2.1 million, or $0.03 per share, further underlining the improvements in performance this quarter compared to the prior year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, was a positive $0.5 million, a $1.7 million improvement from the third quarter of 2022. See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a reconciliation of non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

Net cash inflow from operating activities was $6.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, showing a significant improvement compared to a net cash outflow of $14.8 million in the prior year. This improvement can be attributed to a $10.1 million reduction in net loss and positive cash impacts of $4.1 million from inventory management, $3.0 million from lower prepaid expenses and other assets, $1.5 million from reduced trade receivables, $1.6 million from higher accrued expenses and $0.9 million from higher provisions for doubtful trade receivables.

2023 Full Year Outlook

Looking forward, for the full year, the Company expects between 14% – 16% revenue growth year-over-year, driven by its global e-commerce business, steady growth from new and existing partnerships, upside realized from new partnerships in the first nine months of 2023 and realistic opportunities in the pipeline for the fourth quarter of 2023. The Company projects that gross margin will remain stable year over year as cost savings initiatives and benefits from economies of scale are expected to largely offset continued inflationary pressures. Moreover, further optimization, coupled with new and focused customer acquisition strategies are expected to result in reduced selling and marketing expense as a percentage of net sales. The Company plans to increase investments in research and development to drive innovation, and expects general and administrative expense to be flat to down $1 million year over year.

Investor Conference Call

A live webcast will be held Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (1:30 p.m. Pacific time) to discuss ChromaDex’s third-quarter financial results and provide a general business update.

To listen to the webcast, or to view the earnings press release and its accompanying financial exhibits, please visit the Investors Relations section of ChromaDex’s website at View Source The toll-free dial-in information for this call is 1-888-330-2446 with Conference ID: 4126168.

The webcast will be recorded, and will be available for replay via the website from 7:30 p.m. Eastern time on November 8, 2023 through 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on November 15, 2023. The replay of the call can also be accessed by dialing 800-770-2030, using the Replay ID: 4126168.