SAN CARLOS, Calif., Aug. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRA), a leader in non-invasive genetic testing and the analysis of circulating cell-free DNA, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2016 and provided an update on recent business progress.

Recent Accomplishments & Highlights

• Generated total revenues of $52.0 million in the second quarter of 2016 compared to $45.1 million in the second quarter of 2015, an increase of 15%
• Accessioned greater than 103,000 tests in the second quarter of 2016 compared to approximately 69,000 tests accessioned in the second quarter of 2015, an increase of approximately 49%
• Accessioned greater than 80,000 Panorama tests in the second quarter of 2016 compared to approximately 58,000 tests accessioned in the second quarter of 2015, an increase of approximately 38%
• Accessioned greater than 18,800 Horizon carrier screening tests in the second quarter of 2016 compared to approximately 7,000 Horizon carrier screening tests accessioned in the second quarter of 2015, an increase of approximately 169%
• Signed a ten year supply agreement with Illumina and broadened the existing agreement to include oncology diagnostics development 
• The American College of Medical Genetics recommended that physicians inform all pregnant women, regardless of maternal age, that NIPT is the most sensitive screening option for traditionally screened aneuploidies, and of the use of NIPT to screen for clinically relevant microdeletions
• Announced a new collaboration with the University of California, San Francisco to study DNA markers of kidney transplant rejection
• Announced a Constellation™ technology transfer licensing agreement with Unilabs, one of Europe's leading providers of clinical laboratory testing and medical diagnostic imaging services, that enables Unilabs to offer Panorama® NIPT

"We are very pleased with our performance in the quarter," said Matt Rabinowitz, Natera's chief executive officer. "We believe this demonstrates the strength of our commercial offering, and that our progress on COGS and in-network agreements position us well for long-term leadership in women's health and other areas of genetic testing such as oncology."

Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2016 Financial Results

Total revenues were $52.0 million compared to $45.1 million for the second quarter of 2015, an increase of 15%. This was primarily due to higher test volumes, particularly for Panorama and Horizon. Tests accessioned were greater than 103,000 tests in the second quarter of 2016 compared to approximately 69,000 tests in the second quarter of 2015, an increase of approximately 49%. Roughly 50% of second quarter total revenue was derived from test volumes accessioned in the quarter; the balance of our revenues was derived from tests accessioned in prior periods.

Gross profit for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was $21.0 million, representing a 40% gross margin, compared to $19.4 million, representing a 43% gross margin in the same period of the prior year.* Gross margins declined effectively between the second quarter 2016 and 2015 as we entered into in-network contracts that reduced our average selling price.  The impact to gross margin was partially mitigated by improving collections on previously denied claims, reducing our cost of goods sold on a per unit basis, and increasing our commercial focus on our most profitable accounts.

Total operating expenses, representing research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses, for the three months ended June 30, 2016 were $43.5 million, an increase of 25% compared to $34.8 million in the same period of the prior year. The increase in the three months ended June 30, 2016 over the prior period was driven primarily by an increase in research and development activities.

Loss from operations for the second quarter of 2016 was $22.5 million compared to $15.5 million for the same period of the prior year.

Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was $23.2 million, or ($0.46) per share, compared to $19.7 million, or ($3.58) per share, for the same period in 2015. Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding were 51.4 million for the second quarter of 2016 and 5.5 million for the same period in 2015. The increase in weighted average shares of common stock outstanding between the second quarter 2016 and 2015 is primarily due to Natera's initial public offering on July 1, 2015 in which we sold 10.9 million newly issued common shares and 31.4 million preferred shares were automatically converted into common stock on a one-to-one basis.

At June 30, 2016 we held $216.8 million in cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash, compared to $232.1 million as of December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2015, we had drawn down $42.0 million under our $50 million line of credit with UBS at a variable interest rate of 30-day LIBOR plus 65 bps, and we increased these borrowings to approximately $49.0 million as of June 30, 2016. This line of credit was drawn down primarily to repay all then existing indebtedness at a significantly lower interest rate. The line is secured by our investment portfolio, which is designed to yield higher returns than the borrowing rate we incur.

2016 Financial Outlook

Natera anticipates 2016 total revenue of $200 million to $220 million; 2016 cost of product revenues to be approximately 60% to 65% of revenues; selling, general and administrative costs to be approximately $120 million to $130 million; research and development costs to be $45 million to $50 million, and net cash burn to be $75 million to $85 million**. Natera's research and development investments are intended to enhance the service offering and reduce the cost of goods sold of Panorama and Horizon, as well as technology development, product development, and clinical trials within oncology. In 2017, Natera expects revenue growth to closely track Natera's continued volume growth, driven by stable in-network pricing and broad payer coverage across our reproductive health business.

* Gross profit is calculated as GAAP total revenues less GAAP cost of product revenues. Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by GAAP total revenues.

** Net cash burn is calculated as the sum of GAAP net cash used by operating activities (estimated for 2016 to be between $65 and $75 million) and GAAP net purchases of property and equipment (estimated for 2016 to be approximately $10 million).

About Natera

Natera is a leading genetic testing company that develops and commercializes non-invasive methods for analyzing DNA. The mission of the company is to transform the diagnosis and management of genetic disease. In pursuit of that mission, Natera operates a CAP-accredited laboratory certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) in San Carlos, CA, and it currently offers a host of proprietary genetic testing services primarily to OB/GYN physicians and fertility centers, as well as to genetic laboratories through its direct sales force, laboratory distribution partners, and licensees that can run tests in their own laboratories and have the data analyzed through Natera's cloud-based Constellation™ software system. Tests include the Spectrum® pre-implantation genetic test for embryo selection during IVF; the Anora® miscarriage test to understand the genetic causes of a pregnancy loss; the Horizon™ carrier screen to detect inherited mutations; and the Panorama® non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) to screen for common chromosomal anomalies in a fetus as early as nine weeks of gestation. Each test described has been developed and its performance characteristics determined by the CLIA-certified laboratory performing the test. These tests have not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although FDA does not currently clear or approve laboratory-developed tests in the U.S., certification of the laboratory is required under CLIA to ensure the quality and validity of the tests.

Natera is also applying its unique technologies to develop non-invasive screening and diagnostic tools for earlier detection and improved treatment of cancer. These tests have not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Conference Call Information

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding Natera's products, commercial partners, user experience, clinical trials, preliminary future financial outlook and financial performance, strategies, and general business conditions. Any forward-looking statements contained in this release are based upon Natera's current plans, estimates, and expectations, as of the date of this release, and are not a representation that such plans, estimates, or expectations will be achieved. Subsequent events may cause these expectations to change, and Natera disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements in the future.

These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including: we face numerous uncertainties and challenges in achieving the financial guidance provided; we may be unable to further increase the use and adoption of Panorama, through our direct sales efforts or through our laboratory partners, or to develop and successfully commercialize new products, including our cancer products; we have incurred losses since our inception and we anticipate that we will continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future; our quarterly results may fluctuate significantly; we may be unable to compete successfully with either existing or future prenatal testing products or other test methods; our cloud-based distribution model may be difficult to implement, and we may not be able to commercialize this model if we do not comply with ongoing regulatory requirements; the results of our clinical studies may not support the use of our tests, particularly in the average-risk pregnancy population or for microdeletions screening, or may not be able to be replicated in later studies required for regulatory approvals or clearances; if our sole CLIA-certified laboratory facility becomes inoperable, we will be unable to perform our tests and our business will be harmed; we rely on a limited number of suppliers or, in some cases, single suppliers, for some of our laboratory instruments and materials and may not be able to find replacements or immediately transition to alternative suppliers; the marketing, sale, and use of Panorama and our other products could result in substantial damages arising from product liability or professional liability claims that exceed our resources; we may be unable to expand third-party payer coverage and reimbursement for Panorama and our other tests, and we may be required to refund reimbursements already received; if the FDA were to begin actively regulating our tests as outlined in the FDA'sOctober 3, 2014 draft guidance, we could incur substantial costs and delays associated with trying to obtain premarket clearance or approval and incur costs associated with complying with post-market controls; and any failure to obtain, maintain, and enforce our intellectual property rights could impair our ability to protect our proprietary technology and our brand.

Additional risks and uncertainties that could affect Natera's financial results are included under the captions, "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Natera's most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q. This is available on Natera's website at www.natera.com under the Investor Relations section and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Further information on potential risks that could affect actual results will be included in other filings Natera makes with the SEC from time to time.

Natera Inc. Contacts
Herm Rosenman, 650 249-9091 ext. 890
hrosenman@natera.com

Mike Brophy, 650 249-9091 ext. 1471
mbrophy@natera.com

Laura Zobkiw, 650 249-9091 ext. 1649
lzobkiw@natera.com

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SOURCE Natera, Inc.