Shares in regenerative medicine business Admedus Ltd (ASX: AHZ) are down 10% to 35 cents today and 52% lower over 2016 after the company revealed more big cash outflows for the quarter ending March 31 2016.
For the period Admedus posted a net operating cash outflow of $5.8 million with cash on hand at quarter end of $13 million. The large cash outflows and dwindling cash balance suggests the company may need to raise capital again within the next year unless it can dramatically reverse its fortunes.
Admedus has been investing a lot of capital all around the world in marketing and selling its regenerative heart patch named Cardiocel, although sales have not taken off as hoped. In fact for the most recent quarter total company receipts from customers are stated at $3.35 million, which is lower than the $3.48 million recorded for the prior quarter ending December 31 2015.
It's not hard to see why investors are heading for the exits then, as CardioCel sales were only "up slightly" on the previous period despite management's strategy to spend big to promote sales.
It was also revealed that executive management's remuneration would be reduced by a minimum of 10% going forward, as part of cost-cutting plans that the company may be taking too late in the day.
In my opinion the shares remain a sell as its CardioCel product fails to take off and the cash outflows remain large compared to how much cash the company has to fund itself through the rest of 2016.
If you're looking for small-cap medical device businesses then it would be far better to consider sleep treatment specialist Somnomed Limited (ASX: SOM), or disinfectant specialist Nanosonics Ltd (ASX: NAN). Both are well managed, growing sales quickly and cash flow positive, I expect their share prices could continue to travel in the opposite direction to Admedus over 2016.
