First-Quarter Net Revenue of $3.5 Million;
Technology Advancements and Microplastics Capabilities on the Horizon
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ - 
(NewMediaWire) - May 09, 2024 - Nephros, Inc. (Nasdaq: NEPH), a leading water technology company providing filtration solutions to the medical and commercial markets, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.
Financial Highlights*
● Net revenue of $3.5 million, a decrease of 5% over Q1 prior year, and an 8% increase over Q4 prior year
● Net loss of $0.2 million, compared to a net loss of $0.3 million
● Adjusted EBITDA of ($95,000), compared to $147,000
*Stated performance is relative to same period in the prior year unless otherwise noted.
Robert Banks, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We continue to see strong growth of the core business as demonstrated by 12% growth year-over-year in programmatic business, which we define as regular and recurring, non-emergency response (ER) sales. Moreover, our operational prudence and disciplined deployment of capital further contributes to our steady advancement towards solid financial performance.” Robert Banks continued, “Given the unpredictable nature of ER orders, we are bolstered by the gains in our repeating business and customer loyalty. With this foundation, we are judiciously investing in the development of enhanced capabilities to extend our competitive advantages to address water quality and safety challenges.”
“We have taken an exciting step forward with the creation of an online filter tracker. This advancement will allow customers to more easily manage their Nephros filters with automated replacement reminders and documentation of installations and inventory. These features are just the beginning — we will continue to explore ways of creating and capturing value in the digital space,” said Robert Banks. “Additionally, Nephros is exploring how to best support those in need of nano and microplastic (NMP) filtration. With our ability to retain microorganisms with the smallest pore size on the market, we are uniquely suited to address NMPs, especially nanoplastics.”
Financial Performance for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2024
Net revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, was $3.5 million, compared to $3.7 million in the corresponding period in 2023, a decrease of 5%. In the first quarter of 2023, we had a very large one-time emergency response order which did not repeat in 2024. However, the decrease in revenue from ER orders was partially offset by the increased revenue from our programmatic business, which increased 12% year over year.
Net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, was $0.2 million, compared to $0.3 million during the same period in 2023. The decrease in net loss was driven by increased gross margins and decreased operating expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, was ($95,000), compared to $147,000 during the same period in 2023.
Cost of goods sold for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 was $1.3 million, compared with $1.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, a decrease of 16%. Gross margins for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 were 62% compared with 57% during the same period in 2023. The increase of approximately five percentage points was driven by reductions in shipping expenses, and more favorable terms with our largest supplier.
Research and development expense for both quarters ended March 31, 2024, and March 31, 2023, was $0.2 million.
Depreciation and amortization expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 was approximately $33,000, compared with approximately $54,000 for the corresponding period in 2023.
Selling, general and administrative expense for both quarters ended March 31, 2024, and March 31, 2023, was approximately $2.1 million.
As of March 31, 2024, Nephros had cash and cash equivalents of $3.6 million, compared to $4.3 million as of December 31, 2023. The decline in cash was driven primarily by the payment of annual employee bonuses and an investment in inventory in the first quarter of 2024.
Adjusted EBITDA Definition and Reconciliation to GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by taking net loss calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and excluding all interest-related expenses and income, tax-related expenses and income, non-recurring expenses and income, and non-cash items, including depreciation, amortization, non-cash inventory write-offs, and non-cash compensation. The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, for the first quarter of the 2024 and 2023 fiscal years:
| (unaudited) | ||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||
| Consolidated Results | 2024 | 2023 |
| (in $ thousands) | ||
| Reconciliation of net loss: | ||
| Net loss | (169) | (306) |
| Adjustments: | ||
| Depreciation of property and equipment | 11 | 10 |
| Amortization of other assets | 23 | 44 |
| Interest expense | 1 | 1 |
| Interest income | (25) | (12) |
| Non-cash stock-based compensation | (9) | 319 |
| Non-cash inventory write-offs | 73 | 91 |
| Adjusted EBITDA loss | (95) | 147 |
Nephros believes that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to Nephros’ financial condition and results of operations. Management does not consider Adjusted EBITDA in isolation or as an alternative to financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. The principal limitation of Adjusted EBITDA is that it excludes significant expenses and income that are required by GAAP to be recognized in Nephros’ financial statements. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is subject to inherent limitations as it reflects the exercise of judgments by management about which expenses and income are excluded or included in determining Adjusted EBITDA. To compensate for these limitations, management presents Adjusted EBITDA in connection with net income loss, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Nephros urges investors to review the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income loss and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate the business.
Conference Call Today at 4:30pm ET
Nephros will host a conference call today at 4:30pm ET, during which management will discuss Nephros’ financial results and provide a general business overview.
Participants may dial into the call as follows:
Domestic access: 1 (844) 808-7106
International access: 1 (412) 317-5285
Upon joining, please ask to be joined into the Nephros conference call.
An audio archive of the call will be available shortly after the call on the Nephros Investor Relations page.
Alternatively, a replay of the call may be accessed until May 16, 2024 at 1 (877) 344-7529 or 1 (412) 317-0088 for international callers and entering replay access code: 5779581.
About Nephros
Nephros is committed to improving the human relationship with water through leading, accessible technology. We provide innovative water filtration products and services, along with water-quality education, as part of an integrated approach to water safety. Nephros goods serve the needs of customers within medical and commercial markets, offering both proactive and emergency solutions for water management.
For more information about Nephros, please visit www.nephros.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such statements include statements regarding Nephros’ expected future revenue, gross margins, cash flows and expectations on achieving and maintaining positive cash flow and profitability, and the timing thereof and other future financial performance, the success of its new online filter tracker tool, and other statements that are not historical facts, including statements that may be accompanied by the words “intends,” “may,” “will,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “aims,” “believes,” “hopes,” “potential” or similar words. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, including inflationary factors and general economic conditions, changes in business and competitive conditions, unpredictability with respect to revenue derived from emergency response orders, the availability of capital when needed, dependence on third-party manufacturers and researchers, and regulatory reforms. These and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in Nephros’ reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which it may update in Part II, Item 1A – Risk Factors in its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q that it has filed or will file hereafter. Nephros does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.
Investor Relations Contacts:
Kirin Smith, President
PCG Advisory, Inc.
(646) 823-8656
ksmith@pcgadvisory.com
Robert Banks, CEO
Nephros, Inc.
(201) 343-5202 x121
| NEPHROS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||
| CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |||
| (In thousands, except share and per share amounts) | |||
| (Unaudited) | |||
| ASSETS | March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
| Current assets: | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 3,633 | $ 4,307 | |
| Accounts receivable, net | 1,518 | 1,496 | |
| Inventory | 2,779 | 2,470 | |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 200 | 132 | |
| Total current assets | 8,130 | 8,405 | |
| Property and equipment, net | 142 | 152 | |
| Lease right-use-of assets | 1,680 | 1,807 | |
| Intangible assets, net | 373 | 381 | |
| Goodwill | 759 | 759 | |
| License and supply agreement, net | 257 | 271 | |
| Other assets | 75 | 86 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ 11,416 | $ 11,861 | |
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||
| Current liabilities: | |||
| Accounts payable | 1,114 | 873 | |
| Accrued expenses | 413 | 794 | |
| Current portion of lease liabilities | 402 | 446 | |
| Total current liabilities | 1,929 | 2,113 | |
| Lease liabilities, net of current portion | 1,307 | 1,390 | |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | 3,236 | 3,503 | |
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | |||
| STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: | |||
| Preferred stock, $.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023; no shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 | - | - | |
| Common stock, $.001 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023; 10,544,139 and 10,543,675 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively | 10 | 10 | |
| Additional paid-in capital | 152,745 | 152,754 | |
| Accumulated deficit | (144,575) | (144,406) | |
| TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | 8,180 | 8,358 | |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | $ 11,416 | $ 11,861 | |
