RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Aug. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Asensus Surgical, Inc. (NYSE American: ASXC), a global leader of innovative digital solutions for the operating room, announced its operating and financial results for the second quarter 2024.
Recent Highlights
- Announced a definitive merger agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) with KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America, Inc. (“KARL STORZ”), a wholly owned direct subsidiary of KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG, an independent, family-owned global medical technology company. Under the Merger Agreement, KARL STORZ will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Asensus Surgical for $0.35 per share in cash (the “Merger”)
- Leading independent proxy advisory firms, ISS and Glass Lewis, recommend that stockholders vote FOR the merger proposal
- Second quarter revenue of $2.2 million
- The Company had cash and cash equivalents, excluding restricted cash, of approximately $7.8 million at June 30, 2024
“We’re at a critical juncture for our company. After thoroughly exploring all reasonably available options, we believe the Merger proposal offers the best opportunity to maximize value for our stockholders in our current circumstances,” said Anthony Fernando, Asensus Surgical President and CEO. “While we understand the offer price may not meet everyone’s expectations, it does provide a definite return in a challenging financial environment. If the Merger is not approved, we expect to seek bankruptcy protection. We encourage all stockholders to carefully review the information we’ve provided and to participate in this crucial vote. Every vote matters as we determine the best path forward for Asensus Surgical and all of our stakeholders.”
Company Urges Stockholder Participation in Critical Merger Vote as Extended Deadline Approaches
The Company’s Special Meeting of Stockholders regarding the merger proposal with KARL STORZ was recently adjourned to Tuesday August 20, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). While we have received proxies for approximately 55% of our outstanding shares with over 80% voted in favor of the merger proposal, we still need more votes to approve the transaction. Approval from a majority of all shares of our common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote as of our record date of June 28, 2024 is required for approval.
If not approved, the Company will incur significant near-term financial obligations, including a repayment to KARL STORZ of their $20 million securitized note, plus interest and prepayment premium, as well as associated transaction expenses. These obligations exceed the Company’s assets as reflected on its current balance sheet. As outlined in the Proxy Statement we filed with the SEC on July 5, 2024, over $300 million would need to be raised to support operations through 2027.
The Board of Directors, after careful consideration, concluded that this merger proposal represents the best choice to maximize stockholder value. Leading independent proxy advisory firms, ISS and Glass Lewis, have also recommended that the merger proposal is in stockholders’ best interests. If the Merger is not approved, we expect to seek bankruptcy protection in order to maximize the value of our assets as we seek an orderly liquidation of the company.
KARL STORZ’s merger offer stands at $0.35 per share. While lower than historical valuations, we believe this represents the best available price given current circumstances. Prior to accepting this deal, various alternatives were explored, including partnerships and potential acquisitions, but no other potential counterparty indicated interest in a transaction at a higher price.
Stockholder participation in this vote is crucial. Abstaining or failing to vote is effectively the same as voting against the merger proposal, as approval is needed from a majority of outstanding shares, not just a majority of votes cast.
Any stockholder with questions about the Special Meeting or in need of assistance in voting their shares should contact the Company’s proxy solicitor:
Alliance Advisors
200 Broadacres Drive, 3rd Floor
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Stockholders, banks and brokers may call toll free: (844) 858-7383
Outside the U.S. and Canada: 1-520-524-4960
Second Quarter Financial Results
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, the Company reported revenue of $2.2 million as compared to revenue of $1.1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2023. Revenue in the second quarter of 2024 included $0.8 million in system revenue, $0.6 million in lease revenue, $0.6 million in instruments and accessories, and $0.2 million in services.
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, total operating expenses were $23.1 million, as compared to $18.9 million, in the three months ended June 30, 2023.
For the three months ended June 30, 2024, net loss was $25.7 million, or $0.09 per share, as compared to a net loss of $20.7 million, or $0.09 per share, in the three months ended June 30, 2023.
Adjusted net loss is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures below. For the three months ended June 30, 2024, the adjusted net loss was $18.1 million, or $0.07 per share, as compared to an adjusted net loss of $20.3 million, or $0.09 per share in the three months ended June 30, 2023, after adjusting for the following charges: amortization of intangible assets, change in fair value of contingent consideration, and change in fair value of warrant liabilities, all of which are non-cash charges.
Balance Sheet Updates
The Company had cash and cash equivalents, excluding restricted cash, of approximately $7.8 million as of June 30, 2024.
Conference Call
To listen to the conference call on your telephone, please dial 1-800-717-1738 for domestic callers and 1-646-307-1865 for international callers, approximately ten minutes prior to the start time. To access the live audio webcast or archived recording, use the following link https://ir.asensus.com/events-and-presentations. The replay will be available on the Company’s website.
About Asensus Surgical, Inc.
Asensus Surgical is revolutionizing surgery with the first intra-operative Augmented Intelligence technology approved for use in operating rooms around the world. Recognized as an award-winning leader in digital technology, Asensus is committed to making surgery more accessible and predictable while delivering consistently superior outcomes. The Company’s novel approach to digitizing laparoscopy has led to system placements globally. Led by engineers, medical professionals, and industry luminaries, Asensus is powered by human ingenuity and driven by collaboration. To learn more about the Senhance® Surgical System and the new LUNA™ System in development, visit www.asensus.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes statements relating to Asensus Surgical, and our 2024 second quarter results, and of the proposed merger with KARL STORZ (the “Merger”). These statements and other statements regarding our future plans and goals constitute “forward looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statement include all statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectation of Asensus and can typically be identified by words such as “may,” “will” and similar expressions, as well as variations or negatives of these words, including statements about the Company’s pursuit of stockholder approval for the Merger Agreement and Merger, and whether the Company will be successful in securing the requisite vote of its stockholders or meet all of the other required closing conditions and the actual consummation of the Merger. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that are often difficult to predict, are beyond our control and which may cause results to differ materially from expectations and include, but are not limited to, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that would give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement and the fact that certain terminations of the Merger Agreement require the Company to pay a termination fee of $3,600,000, whether the Company will meet all conditions required to close the Merger transaction, whether the necessary approvals will be obtained before the outside termination date in the Merger Agreement, the effect of the announcement of the Merger on the Company’s relationships with its customers, as well as its operating results and business generally, the outcome of any legal proceedings related to the Merger that may arise, retention of employees of the Company following the announcement of the Merger, the fact that the Company’s stock price may decline significantly if the Merger is not completed, and the fact that the Company may be obligated to repay amounts advanced under the promissory note issued to KARL STORZ (the “Note”), which provided bridge funding to the Company, if the Merger is not consummated and whether our stockholders will approve the Merger. For a discussion of the risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s business, please review our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are based on our expectations as of the date of this press release and speak only as of the origination date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments, events or otherwise, except as required by law. The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof.
Important Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the Merger, the Company has filed with the SEC a definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents. This press release is not a substitute for the proxy statement or any other document that the Company may file with the SEC or send to its stockholders in connection with the Merger. Before making any voting decision, the Company’s stockholders are urged to read all relevant documents filed with the SEC, including the proxy statement, when they become available because they will contain important information about the Merger. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain the proxy statement and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC free of charge at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov, or from the Company at the investor relations page of its website, www.asensus.com.
| Asensus Surgical, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (in thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| June 30, | June 30, | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Revenue: | |||||||||||||||
| Product | $ | 1,396 | $ | 298 | $ | 1,709 | $ | 591 | |||||||
| Service | 236 | 289 | 521 | 484 | |||||||||||
| Lease | 575 | 494 | 1,100 | 982 | |||||||||||
| Total revenue | 2,207 | 1,081 | 3,330 | 2,057 | |||||||||||
| Cost of revenue: | |||||||||||||||
| Product | 1,155 | 1,612 | 2,836 | 2,837 | |||||||||||
| Service | 695 | 519 | 1,147 | 1,268 | |||||||||||
| Lease | 809 | 943 | 1,732 | 1,916 | |||||||||||
| Total cost of revenue | 2,659 | 3,074 | 5,715 | 6,021 | |||||||||||
| Gross loss | (452 | ) | (1,993 | ) | (2,385 | ) | (3,964 | ) | |||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 7,631 | 8,980 | 15,722 | 19,119 | |||||||||||
| Sales and marketing | 3,655 | 4,449 | 7,297 | 9,002 | |||||||||||
| General and administrative | 5,994 | 5,124 | 10,368 | 10,592 | |||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 110 | 114 | 224 | 226 | |||||||||||
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration | 5,700 | 203 | 12,180 | 308 | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 23,090 | 18,870 | 45,791 | 39,247 | |||||||||||
| Operating loss | (23,542 | ) | (20,863 | ) | (48,176 | ) | (43,211 | ) | |||||||
| Change in fair value of warrant liabilities | (1,825 | ) | — | 291 | — | ||||||||||
| Interest income | 66 | 431 | 192 | 870 | |||||||||||
| Interest expense | (321 | ) | — | (321 | ) | — | |||||||||
| Other expense, net | (52 | ) | (242 | ) | (111 | ) | (460 | ) | |||||||
| Total other (expense) income, net | (2,132 | ) | 189 | 51 | 410 | ||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (25,674 | ) | (20,674 | ) | (48,125 | ) | (42,801 | ) | |||||||
| Income tax (expense) benefit | (75 | ) | 12 | (121 | ) | (79 | ) | ||||||||
| Net loss | (25,749 | ) | (20,662 | ) | (48,246 | ) | (42,880 | ) | |||||||
| Net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders – basic and diluted | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | (0.18 | ) | $ | (0.18 | ) | |||
| Weighted average number of shares used in computing net loss per common share – basic and diluted | 272,316 | 239,570 | 270,791 | 238,929 | |||||||||||
| Comprehensive loss: | |||||||||||||||
| Net loss | (25,749 | ) | (20,662 | ) | (48,246 | ) | (42,880 | ) | |||||||
| Foreign currency translation (loss) gain | (174 | ) | 175 | (668 | ) | 725 | |||||||||
| Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments | 1 | 99 | 9 | 406 | |||||||||||
| Comprehensive loss | $ | (25,922 | ) | $ | (20,388 | ) | $ | (48,905 | ) | $ | (41,749 | ) | |||
| Asensus Surgical, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except for share data) (unaudited) | |||||||
| June 30, | December 31, | ||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
| Assets | |||||||
| Current Assets: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 7,782 | $ | 17,096 | |||
| Short-term investments, available-for-sale | — | 3,971 | |||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 406 | 3,508 | |||||
| Inventories | 7,160 | 7,172 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses | 2,729 | 3,143 | |||||
| Other current assets | 1,364 | 1,496 | |||||
| Total Current Assets | 19,441 | 36,386 | |||||
Restricted cash | 1,517 | 1,642 | |||||
| Inventories, net of current portion | 2,516 | 4,043 | |||||
| Property and equipment, net | 8,034 | 8,959 | |||||
| Intellectual property, net | 1,012 | 1,237 | |||||
| Net deferred tax assets | 34 | 44 | |||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | 4,688 | 5,165 | |||||
| Other long-term assets | 1,260 | 1,610 | |||||
| Total Assets | $ | 38,502 | $ | 59,086 | |||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||
| Current Liabilities: | |||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 2,057 | $ | 4,145 | |||
| Accrued employee compensation and benefits | 3,977 | 5,390 | |||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 2,611 | 1,636 | |||||
| Contingent consideration, current | 14,400 | — | |||||
| Operating lease liabilities, current | 1,070 | 1,036 | |||||
| Deferred revenue | 496 | 421 | |||||
| Notes payable | 15,309 | — | |||||
| Total Current Liabilities | 39,920 | 12,628 | |||||
| Long Term Liabilities: | |||||||
| Deferred revenue – less current portion | 258 | 290 | |||||
| Contingent consideration | — | 2,220 | |||||
| Warrant liabilities | 5,597 | 5,888 | |||||
| Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | 4,054 | 4,646 | |||||
| Total Liabilities | 49,829 | 25,672 | |||||
| Commitments and Contingencies | |||||||
| Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||
| Common stock $0.001 par value, 750,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023; 272,616,330 and 264,921,526 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively | 273 | 265 | |||||
| Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively | — | — | |||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 977,285 | 973,129 | |||||
| Accumulated deficit | (987,614 | ) | (939,368 | ) | |||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (1,271 | ) | (612 | ) | |||
| Total Stockholders’ Equity | (11,327 | ) | 33,414 | ||||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $ | 38,502 | $ | 59,086 | |||
| Asensus Surgical, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands) (unaudited) | |||||||
| Six Months Ended | |||||||
| June 30, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
| Operating Activities: | |||||||
| Net loss | $ | (48,246 | ) | $ | (42,880 | ) | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash and cash equivalents used in operating activities: | |||||||
| Depreciation | 1,682 | 1,652 | |||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 224 | 226 | |||||
| Amortization (accretion) of discounts and premiums on investments, net | 979 | (298 | ) | ||||
| Stock-based compensation | 3,273 | 3,894 | |||||
| Deferred tax expense | — | 79 | |||||
| Bad debt expense | 5 | — | |||||
| Change in inventory reserves | 1,011 | 459 | |||||
| Change in fair value of warrant liabilities | (291 | ) | — | ||||
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration | 12,180 | 308 | |||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||
| Accounts receivable | 3,008 | 1,614 | |||||
| Inventories | (646 | ) | (1,240 | ) | |||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 387 | 40 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses | 391 | 409 | |||||
| Other current and long-term assets | 350 | 340 | |||||
| Accounts payable | (2,040 | ) | 961 | ||||
| Accrued employee compensation and benefits | (1,319 | ) | (577 | ) | |||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 912 | (55 | ) | ||||
| Deferred revenue | 62 | (94 | ) | ||||
| Interest payable | 309 | — | |||||
| Operating lease liabilities | (459 | ) | (42 | ) | |||
| Net cash and cash equivalents used in operating activities | (28,228 | ) | (35,204 | ) | |||
| Investing Activities: | |||||||
| Purchase of available-for-sale investments | — | (12,268 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale investments | 3,000 | 48,735 | |||||
| Purchase of property and equipment | (111 | ) | (166 | ) | |||
| Net cash and cash equivalents provided by investing activities | 2,889 | 36,301 | |||||
| Financing Activities: | |||||||
| Proceeds from notes payable | 15,000 | — | |||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs | 982 | 196 | |||||
| Taxes paid related to net share settlement of vesting of restricted stock units | (176 | ) | (490 | ) | |||
| Proceeds from refund of non-redeemed shares of non-accredited investors | 85 | — | |||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options | — | 5 | |||||
| Net cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in) financing activities | 15,891 | (289 | ) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 9 | 751 | |||||
| Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (9,439 | ) | 1,559 | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period | 18,738 | 7,470 | |||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | $ | 9,299 | $ | 9,029 | |||
| Supplemental Disclosure for Cash Flow Information: | |||||||
| Cash paid for leases | $ | 804 | $ | 655 | |||
| Cash paid for taxes | $ | 142 | $ | 262 | |||
| Supplemental Schedule of Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities: | |||||||
| Transfer of inventories to property and equipment | $ | 857 | $ | 802 | |||
| Lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets | $ | 112 | $ | 417 | |||
| Asensus Surgical, Inc. Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (in thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| June 30, | June 30, | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders (GAAP) | $ | (25,749 | ) | $ | (20,662 | ) | $ | (48,246 | ) | $ | (42,880 | ) | |||
| Adjustments | |||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets (a) | 110 | 114 | 224 | 226 | |||||||||||
Change in fair value of contingent consideration (b) | 5,700 | 203 | 12,180 | 308 | |||||||||||
| Change in fair value of warrant liabilities (c) | 1,825 | — | (291 | ) | — | ||||||||||
| Adjusted net loss attributable to common stockholders (Non-GAAP) | $ | (18,114 | ) | $ | (20,345 | ) | $ | (36,133 | ) | $ | (42,346 | ) | |||
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| June 30, | June 30, | ||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders - basic and diluted (GAAP) | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | (0.18 | ) | $ | (0.18 | ) | |||
| Adjustments | |||||||||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets (a) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration (b) | 0.02 | — | 0.04 | — | |||||||||||
| Change in fair value of warrant liabilities (c) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||
Adjusted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders – basic and diluted (Non-GAAP) | $ | (0.07 | ) | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | (0.14 | ) | $ | (0.18 | ) | |||
The non-GAAP financial measures for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, which provide management with additional insight into the Company’s results of operations from period to period without certain non-cash charges, are calculated using the following adjustments:
a) Intangible assets that are amortized consist of developed technology and purchased patent rights recorded at cost and amortized over 7 to 10 years.
b) Contingent consideration in connection with the acquisition of the Senhance System in 2015 is recorded as a liability and is the estimate of the fair value of potential milestone payments related to business acquisitions. Contingent consideration is measured at fair value using a probability of occurrence related to the Merger Agreement with KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America, Inc. and Karl Storz California Inc. for a proposed Merger and a Monte-Carlo simulation utilizing significant unobservable inputs including the probability of achieving each of the potential milestones, revenue volatility, EURO to USD exchange rate, and an estimated discount rate associated with the risks of the expected cash flows attributable to the various milestones. Significant increases or decreases in any of the probabilities of success or changes in expected timelines for achievement of any of these milestones would result in a significantly higher or lower fair value of these milestones, respectively, and commensurate changes to the associated liability. The contingent consideration is revalued at each reporting period and changes in fair value are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
c) The Company recorded warrant liabilities related to common stock warrants issued in the registered direct offering in July 2023.
Warrant liabilities were recorded at their initial estimated fair value. Adjustments associated with changes in fair value of the warrant liabilities are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
INVESTOR CONTACT:
Mark Klausner or Mike Vallie
ICR Westwicke
invest@asensus.com
443-213-0499
MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Ventresca
Matter Communications
AsensusPR@matternow.com
617-874-5488
