On November 19, 2018 Guardant Health, Inc. (Nasdaq:GH), a leading precision oncology company focused on helping conquer cancer globally through use of its proprietary blood tests, vast data sets and advanced analytics, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 (Press release, Guardant Health, NOV 19, 2018, View Source [SID1234531532]).

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Recent Highlights

Revenues of $21.7 million for the third quarter of 2018, representing a 95% increase over the third quarter of 2017

Reported 7,027 tests to clinical customers and 2,505 tests to biopharmaceutical customers in the third quarter, representing increases of 14% and 67% respectively, over the third quarter 2017

Lung cancer study published in JAMA Oncology demonstrated Guardant360 outperformed tissue biopsy alone in identification of targetable mutations

Awarded Medicare coverage for the Guardant360 assay in non-small cell lung cancer through a local coverage determination from Palmetto GBA, a Medicare Administrative Contractor; successfully received first payment

Completed initial public offering, raising approximately $249.5 million of net proceeds, after underwriting fees and other expenses
"Our third quarter accomplishments reflect the ongoing strength of our business," said Helmy Eltoukhy, PhD, Chief Executive Officer. "We are continuing to build proof points for a blood-first paradigm ahead of traditional tissue genotyping, as demonstrated by the study from the University of Pennsylvania which was recently published in JAMA Oncology."
"In addition, we are pleased with the successful completion of our IPO," continued Dr. Eltoukhy. "We are grateful for the support of our investors who participated in the offering, and we are focused on the creation of long-term shareholder value through unprecedented access to cancer’s molecular information throughout all stages of the disease."
Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results
Revenue was $21.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2018, a 95% increase from $11.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017. Precision oncology revenue increased 78% driven by higher testing volume and increases in revenue per test. Tests for clinical customers increased 14% (after excluding tests in the third quarter of 2017 from a customer that began processing tests in-house in March 2018 based on a joint development agreement) and tests for biopharmaceutical customers increased 67%.
Gross profit, or total revenue less cost of precision oncology testing and cost of development services, was $11.6 million for the third quarter of 2018, an increase of $9.1 million from $2.5 million in the corresponding prior year period. Gross margin, or gross profit divided by total revenue, was 53.7%, as compared to 22.2% in the corresponding prior year period.
Operating expenses were $35.8 million for the third quarter of 2018, as compared to $31.1 million in the corresponding prior year period, an increase of 15%.
Net loss attributable to Guardant Health, Inc. common stockholders was $24.5 million in the third quarter of 2018, as compared to $33.3 million in the corresponding period of the prior year. Net loss per share attributable to Guardant Health, Inc. common stockholders was $1.94 in the third quarter of 2018, as compared to $2.76 in the corresponding period of the prior year.
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $274.3 million as of September 30, 2018. In October 2018, Guardant completed an initial public offering, raising approximately $249.5 million net of underwriting fees and other expenses.
2018 Financial Guidance
Guardant Health expects full year 2018 revenue to be in the range of $82.0 million to $84.0 million.
Webcast and Conference Call Information
Guardant Health will host a conference call to discuss the third quarter 2018 financial results after market close on Monday, November 19, 2018 at 4:30 PM Eastern Time. The conference call can be accessed live over the phone (866) 417-5537 for U.S. callers or (409) 217-8233 for international callers (Conference ID: 9156645). The webcast can be accessed at View Source