Avita share price dives 16% on net loss

The medical technology company's shares are falling following today's financial results

| More on:
A sad looking scientist sitting and upset about a share price fall.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • The Avita Medical share price is descending today 
  • The company's net loss jumped by 47% in the first half of the year 
  • Operating expenses increased in the first half of the year

The AVITA Medical Inc (ASX: AVH) share price is falling on the back of the company's financial results.

The medical technology company's share price is currently $1.895, a 16.5% fall. For perspective, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 0.6% today.

Let's take a look at what Avita reported to the market today.

Avita reports a higher net loss

Avita reported both quarterly and half-year results for the 2022 calendar year.

In the first six months of 2022, Avita reported:

  • Net loss jumped by 47% to $15.7 million, compared to $10.7 million loss in prior corresponding period (pcp)
  • Gross profit margin increased by 2% to 80% compared to pcp
  • Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) loss jumped 46% to $11.1 million on pcp
  • Commercial revenue excluding Biomedical Advance Research Development Authority (BARDA) revenue jumped 39% to $4.4 million
  • Total revenue including BARDA revenue of $15.9 million, down from $19.1 million in pcp

Second-quarter results included:

  • Net loss up 33% to $6.3 million
  • Adjusted EBITDA loss leapt 51% to $4.7 million
  • Gross profit margin jumped by 3% to 83% on pcp
  • Commercial revenue excluding BARDA revenue leapt 23% to $8.2 million
  • Total revenue including BARDA revenue of $8.3 million, down from $10.3 million on pcp

What else did the company report?

Operating expenses surged 12% on the pcp to $29.9 million in the first six months of the year. This was largely due to greater compensation costs and professional fees.

Lower clinical trial expenses partly offset these higher costs. Research and development costs were also lower compared to the pcp.

Avita highlighted the commercial revenue growth was due to more customers and order sizes increasing.

Avita has $91.1 million of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities available as of 30 June and no debt.

The company is providing a calendar year 2022 revenue guidance of $30 million, excluding BARDA revenues. BARDA revenues are expected to be $0.3 million in 2022 compared to $7.9 million in 2021.

What did management say?

Commenting on the results, chief executive officer Dr Mike Perry said:

Our commercial team continued to drive further RECELL utilisation and penetration within burn centres, and our clinical team advanced our soft tissue reconstruction and vitiligo trial.

We look forward to topline data from our vitiligo clinical trial in the second half of this year.

Topline results from pivotal trial

Avita also reported topline results from a trial looking into the company's RECELL system to heal soft tissue reconstruction with reduced donor skin.

The results showed "statistically superior donor sparing" and "comparable healing rates" in the treatment of soft tissue injuries.

Further commenting on the trial, Dr Perry said:

The RECELL system has been used to effectively treat serious burn injuries and we anticipate that the RECELL system will be well-positioned to treat patients with soft-tissue injuries, pending FDA review and approval.

Avita share price snapshot

The Avita share price has dived 45% in the year to date. However, it has gained 14% in the past month.

For perspective, the benchmark ASX 200 index has lost more than 5% in the year to date but climbed nearly 7% in a month.

Motley Fool contributor Monica O'Shea has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Avita Medical Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Avita Medical Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Earnings Results

Delighted adult man, working on a company slogan, on his laptop.
Earnings Results

Bank of Queensland share price leaps 6% on improving outlook

ASX 200 investors are bidding up the Bank of Queensland share price on Wednesday.

Read more »

Photo of two women shopping.
Earnings Results

Premier Investments share price jumps 9% on results and demerger plans

The Smiggle and Peter Alexander owner has released its results. How did it perform?

Read more »

A man holds his hand under his chin as he concentrates on his laptop screen and reads about the ANZ share price
Earnings Results

Soul Patts share price struggles on falling profits

ASX 200 investment house Soul Patts reported its half year results this morning.

Read more »

a biomedical researcher sits at his desk with his hand on his chin, thinking and giving a small smile with a microscope next to him and an array of test tubes and beackers behind him on shelves in a well-lit bright office.
Earnings Results

Chemist Warehouse merger target Sigma reports 149% FY24 profit jump

This could be the last set of results from Sigma as we know it if its merger is approved.

Read more »

A man holds his head in his hands, despairing at the bad result he's reading on his computer.
Earnings Results

Brickworks share price tumbles on disappointing half-year loss

This loss didn't stop the company from increasing its dividend again.

Read more »

A man sits on a bench atop a mountain with a laptop, making investments with a green ESG mind.
Earnings Results

ASX All Ords stock KMD tumbles as interim dividend cancelled

Investors are hitting the sell button on ASX All Ords stock KMD today.

Read more »

Coal miner holding a giant coal rock in his hand making a circle with his hand, symbolising a rising share price.
Energy Shares

New Hope share price charges higher despite profit crunch and huge dividend cut

Weaker coal prices have hit this miner's profits and dividend hard.

Read more »

A Chinese investor sits in front of his laptop looking pensive and concerned about pandemic lockdowns which may impact ASX 200 iron ore share prices
Earnings Results

Liontown share price tumbles 7% on half-year results

This lithium developer's results have been released this afternoon.

Read more »