Core Viewpoint - BetterLife Pharma Inc. has received an ISSUE NOTIFICATION from the US Patent and Trademark Office for its BETR-001 composition of matter patent, which provides strong intellectual property protection until at least 2042 [1][4]. Patent and Intellectual Property - The patent covers various claims related to crystalline forms of BETR-001, its formulations, and isomers [3]. - The composition of matter patent is considered the strongest level of intellectual property coverage for a compound [4]. Product Development - BETR-001 is a non-hallucinogenic neuroplastogen aimed at treating psychiatric and neurological disorders, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, migraines, and neuropathic pain [4][8]. - The company has completed most IND-enabling studies and plans to file for IND and start human trials in H1 2026 [5]. Financial and Shareholder Information - BetterLife has issued a total of 6,473,712 common shares and the same number of share purchase warrants, related to convertible debentures and accrued interest totaling $647,371 [6]. - The share purchase warrants are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.10 per warrant and have varying expiration dates [6]. Company Overview - BetterLife Pharma is focused on developing and commercializing compounds for neuro-psychiatric and neurological disorders, specifically BETR-001 and BETR-002 [7]. - BETR-002 is based on honokiol and is also in preclinical studies, targeting anxiety-related disorders [9]. - The company is exploring strategic alternatives for further development of a drug candidate for viral infections [10].

Financial Performance - For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the company reported total net revenues of $32,553,000, a 46.4% increase from $22,251,000 in the same period of 2024[165] - Total net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2025, were $32,553,000, an increase of 46% compared to $22,251,000 for the same period in 2024[196] - Gain on loans, net for the same period was $24,576,000, representing 75% of total net revenues, up from 70% in the prior year[165] - Gain on loans, net increased by $8,924,000 or 57% to $24,576,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $15,652,000 for the same period in 2024[196] - Mortgage interest income rose by $3,473,000 or 117% to $6,437,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $2,964,000 for the same period in 2024[204] - Other revenue increased by $1,213,000 or 43% to $4,030,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $2,817,000 for the same period in 2024[203] Loan and Investment Activity - Funded loan volume increased to $868,000,000 in Q1 2025, compared to $661,000,000 in Q1 2024, marking a 31.4% growth[172] - Direct-to-consumer (D2C) loan volume rose to $614,000,000, a significant increase from $360,000,000 in the previous year[172] - The average loan amount decreased to $291,909 from $332,111 year-over-year, indicating a shift in loan size[172] - Loans held for investment grew to $207.2 million as of March 31, 2025, up from $111.5 million as of December 31, 2024[229] - Net cash used in investing activities surged by $125 million, or 376%, to $159 million in Q1 2025, primarily due to increased loan originations[242] Expenses and Losses - Compensation and benefits expenses increased by $8,595,000 or 23% to $46,668,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $38,073,000 for the same period in 2024[210] - Marketing and advertising expenses increased by $4,133,000 or 91% to $8,687,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $4,554,000 for the same period in 2024[213] - Total expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2025, were $82,965,000, an increase of 13% compared to $73,600,000 for the same period in 2024[210] - Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $50,557,000, compared to a net loss of $51,492,000 for the same period in 2024[196] - Adjusted Net Loss for Q1 2025 was $46.2 million, compared to $42.8 million in Q1 2024, reflecting an increase of 8%[223] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2025 was $(40.4) million, compared to $(31.0) million in Q1 2024, indicating a decline of 30%[223] Strategic Initiatives - The company plans to continue investing in technology to enhance customer experience and reduce operational costs through automation[163] - The company aims to expand its market presence and diversify revenue streams through new product offerings and strategic partnerships[163] - The company is winding down its integrated relationship with Ally Bank, which has been a primary source of B2B loan volume[166] Cash Flow and Financing - Net cash used in operating activities increased by $14 million, or 34%, to $57 million in Q1 2025 from $43 million in Q1 2024[241] - Net cash provided by financing activities increased to $118.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, a rise of $120 million or 10450% compared to $1 million for the same period in 2024[243] - The company raised approximately $568 million in gross proceeds from the Business Combination in August 2023, with $528.6 million in the form of a Convertible Note[230] - The company entered into a Note Exchange Agreement to exchange $532.5 million of existing Convertible Notes for $155 million in New Notes and a cash payment of $110 million[234] - The New Notes will accrue interest at a rate of 6.00% per annum, payable semi-annually, with the first payment due on June 30, 2025[238] Risk Factors and Accounting - Forward-looking statements indicate potential risks including the ability to expand customer base and market share, and to respond to economic conditions[246] - The company emphasizes the importance of maintaining profitability and the ability to raise additional financing in the future[246] - Risks discussed in the 2024 Annual Report may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements[247] - The company is classified as a smaller reporting company and is not required to provide additional market risk disclosures[248] - There have been no significant changes in critical accounting policies and estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to the previous year[245]

Core Viewpoint - Better Home & Finance Holding Company (NASDAQ: BETR) has experienced a significant decline in share value, losing about one-third of its value over the past year, despite a recent recovery of approximately 50% from its lows [1] Company Performance - The company's shares have lost about 33% of their value in the past year [1] - Recently, shares have increased by around 50% from their recent lows [1] Investment Strategy - The company has over fifteen years of experience in making contrarian bets based on macro views and stock-specific turnaround stories to achieve outsized returns with a favorable risk/reward profile [1]

Better Home & Finance (BETR) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 13, 2025 08:30 AM ET Company Participants Tarek Afifi - Corporate Finance ManagerVishal Garg - Founder & CEOKevin Ryan - CFO & PresidentKartik Mehta - Executive MD & Director of ResearchJake Kooyman - Equity Research AssociateEric Hagen - Managing DirectorBose George - Managing Director Conference Call Participants Brendan McCarthy - Equity Research Analyst Operator Hello, and welcome to the Better Home and Finance Holding Company First Quarter twenty t ...

Better Home & Finance (BETR) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 13, 2025 08:30 AM ET Speaker0 Hello, and welcome to the Better Home and Finance Holding Company First Quarter twenty twenty five Results Call. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speakers' remarks, there will be a question and answer session. I would now like to turn the conference over to Tarek Afifi, Corporate Finance. You may begin. Speaker1 Welcome to Better Homeland Finance Holding Company's first quarter e ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2024, the company achieved a 19% year-over-year increase in funded loan volume, totaling $3.6 billion, and a 50% increase in revenue, reaching $108 million [10][11] - The adjusted EBITDA loss was reduced by 26% year-over-year, amounting to $121 million [10] - For Q4 2024, funded loan volume was $936 million, a 77% year-over-year increase, while revenue was $25 million, up from $18 million in Q4 2023 [12][49] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Funded loan volume growth in Q4 was driven by home equity products and refinance loans, with purchase loan volume increasing by 25% and refinance loan volume surging by 611% year-over-year [14] - Home equity loan volume increased by 416% in Q4 2024 compared to the previous year [14] - The company reported that 81% of funded loan volume in Q4 was generated through the direct-to-consumer (D2C) channel, with 62% being purchase loans [50] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall mortgage market saw improvements in Q4 2024, but 30-year fixed mortgage rates remained high, impacting mortgage demand [16] - The company outperformed the market, with a reported 619% increase in HELOC originations compared to a 10% industry-wide increase [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage AI and technology to enhance the home ownership experience, focusing on growth, efficiency improvements, and diversification of distribution channels [9][10] - The partnership with NEO Home Loans is expected to enhance local loan officer capabilities and improve conversion rates [33][45] - The company is committed to reducing expenses and improving operational efficiency to achieve profitability in the medium term [16][47] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the growth potential in 2025, despite macroeconomic headwinds and the wind down of the Ally business [51][53] - The company anticipates a 10% to 15% decrease in funded loan volume in Q1 2025 due to seasonal slowness and the exit from non-core businesses [51] - Management highlighted the importance of AI in driving down operational costs and improving customer experience [18][30] Other Important Information - The company has implemented significant cost-saving measures, including reducing loan origination expenses by 28% and marketing expenses by 27% in Q4 [17] - The AI-driven assistant, Betsy, has significantly increased customer interactions, growing from 5,000 in June 2024 to over 115,000 by February 2025 [19][20] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the underwriting and AI technology adjust for high property insurance costs? - Management explained that their technology integrates multiple data sources to provide instant homeowners insurance quotes, significantly reducing the need for manual processing [58] Question: How does profitability impact risk-taking? - Management clarified that their marketplace model does not involve holding loans on the balance sheet, thus minimizing risk while focusing on efficiency and cost reduction [62][68] Question: Can you walk through the savings opportunities from Tinman's AI application? - Management detailed that AI has reduced costs associated with loan officer tasks and improved customer service efficiency, leading to significant savings per funded loan [78] Question: How are gain on sale margins trending in Q1? - Management reported that gain on sale margins are trending higher, particularly with the NEO partnership, which is expected to enhance overall profitability [85][88] Question: Can you contextualize contribution profit per loan? - Management indicated that contribution margins have been improving, and they are focused on reducing costs in the mortgage business to drive profitability [98][100]

Revenue and Business Operations - The company derives almost all of its revenue from its mortgage loan production business, referred to as Home Finance, and related services [182]. - Approximately 30% of the company's Funded Loan Volume for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, was secured by properties concentrated in California (12%), Texas (9%), and Florida (9%) [187]. - The company has invested significant resources in developing new products and refining existing offerings, focusing on long-term growth areas despite reductions in near-term spending [182]. - The company is expanding its Better Plus business lines, including partnerships with third-party real estate agents and insurance providers [182]. - The company has been expanding internationally, including operations in the United Kingdom [182]. Risks and Compliance - The company faces risks associated with non-conforming loans, which involve a high degree of business and financial risk, potentially leading to substantial losses [184]. - The company is subject to significant legal and reputational risks related to the privacy and security of customer information, with approximately 10,000 data points captured per customer during the loan transaction process [194]. - The company may experience increased claims and reputational damage due to risks associated with new product offerings and potential defects in technology [182]. - The company is required to comply with various cybersecurity regulations, including the NYDFS Cybersecurity Regulation, which mandates the establishment of a cybersecurity program [196]. - The company acknowledges that failure to accurately predict demand for new products could adversely affect its financial condition and results of operations [183]. - The company faces significant risks related to network security breaches, which could lead to increased costs, litigation, and reputational damage [197]. - Inappropriate access to customer information could result in financial liabilities and regulatory actions, potentially impacting the company's financial condition [198]. - The company operates in a heavily regulated industry, requiring compliance with a wide array of U.S. federal, state, and local laws, which may be inconsistent [234]. - The company is subject to various telecommunications, data protection, and consumer protection laws, with ongoing compliance and monitoring required as these laws evolve [237]. - Regulatory actions for noncompliance could result in fines, loss of licenses, and damage to the company's reputation, affecting its ability to operate [240]. Financial Condition and Performance - The company has incurred debt to finance operations and acquisitions, which may limit its ability to raise additional funds for working capital and other business activities [224]. - The company is dependent on warehouse lines of credit for funding loans, and any termination of these facilities could materially impact its liquidity [227]. - A decline in the performance of loans underlying warehouse lines could affect the company's ability to renew these lines [229]. - The company is exposed to interest rate risk due to variable rates on borrowings, which could increase debt service obligations and decrease net income [233]. - The company has experienced net losses in recent years, leading to lower advance rates under warehouse facilities [227]. - The company reported a net loss of $206,290 thousand for 2024, a decrease in loss of 61.6% from $536,420 thousand in 2023 [487]. - Total liabilities increased to $971,227 thousand in 2024, up 24% from $782,954 thousand in 2023 [486]. - Customer deposits surged to $134,130 thousand in 2024, compared to $11,839 thousand in 2023, marking an increase of 1,133% [486]. Technology and Innovation - The company relies on proprietary technology, including its loan operating system, Tinman, to deliver services and evaluate loan applicants, making technological adaptation critical for growth [199]. - The loan production process is increasingly dependent on technology, and failure to meet advertised processing times could adversely affect the company's reputation and financial performance [200]. - The integration of AI technology is ongoing, and the company must address ethical and legal challenges to maintain competitive advantage and financial performance [207]. - The use of third-party software and services poses risks, including potential errors or failures that could materially affect the company's operations and financial results [209]. Stock and Market Performance - The market price of Class A Common Stock has shown significant weakness, influenced by the company's ability to integrate operations and execute its business plan [281]. - Sales of substantial amounts of Class A Common Stock could adversely affect its market price and impair capital-raising efforts [283]. - CEO Vishal Garg controls approximately 20% of the voting power and could increase to about 34.9% as Class B shares convert to Class A shares [284]. - The company does not expect to pay any cash dividends for the foreseeable future, with future determinations at the discretion of the Board [291]. - The existence of multiple classes of common stock may adversely affect the value and liquidity of Class A Common Stock, potentially leading to a less active trading market [289]. Regulatory Environment - The company must maintain appropriate state licenses to produce or service loans, with risks of inadvertently conducting unlicensed activities [250]. - The evolving regulatory environment may lead to increased scrutiny and enforcement actions, impacting the company's business strategies and growth plans [245]. - Noncompliance with applicable laws could lead to civil and criminal liability, including class action lawsuits and diminished ability to sell loans [246]. - The CFPB has the authority to impose civil money penalties ranging from approximately $6,800 per day for ordinary violations to approximately $1,360,000 per day for knowing violations [262]. - The revised definition of "qualified mortgage" by the CFPB has created additional compliance burdens for lenders [258]. Growth and Future Outlook - The company anticipates that interest rates will remain its primary market risk for the foreseeable future [464]. - The company expects its exposure to foreign currency exchange risk to increase as it focuses growth on specific entities in the United Kingdom [478]. - The management team has limited experience in overseeing a public company, which could hinder effective management during the transition [292]. - The market opportunity estimates and growth forecasts presented are subject to significant uncertainty and may prove to be inaccurate [303].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2024, the company achieved $3.6 billion in funded loan volume, $108 million in revenue, and an adjusted EBITDA loss of $121 million, with a year-over-year revenue growth of 50% and a 19% increase in funded loan volume [8][9] - In Q4 2024, funded loan volume was $936 million, representing a 77% year-over-year increase, although it decreased approximately 10% sequentially due to seasonal factors [8][11] - The adjusted EBITDA loss in Q4 was $28 million, with total GAAP net loss around $59 million [46][47] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Funded loan volume growth in Q4 was driven by home equity products and refinance loans, with purchase loan volume increasing by 25% and refinance loan volume surging by 611% year-over-year [10][11] - The company reported a gain on sale margin improvement from 1.95% in 2023 to 2.17% in 2024, indicating enhanced revenue per loan through pricing and marketing optimization [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall HELOC and HELOAN originations increased by 10% in the third quarter, while the company’s origination volume grew by 619%, indicating significant market outperformance [10] - The mortgage market saw improvements in Q4 compared to the same period in 2023, but 30-year fixed mortgage rates remained high, impacting mortgage demand [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage AI and technology to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer experience, with a focus on achieving profitability in the medium term [6][8][45] - The strategic priorities include continuing to grow the business, diversifying distribution channels, and enhancing the technology platform to streamline the mortgage process [8][33] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenges posed by low housing affordability and high mortgage rates but expressed optimism about the company's growth trajectory and market share gains [8][11] - The outlook for 2025 anticipates funded loan volume growth in the low to mid double digits, driven by initiatives like Neo powered by Better, despite macroeconomic headwinds [49][50] Other Important Information - The company is winding down its UK businesses, which contributed to lower volume in Q4, and expects to fully exit this segment by Q2 2025 [34][48] - The introduction of Betsy, an AI voice-based loan assistant, has significantly improved customer interaction efficiency, with a 20x increase in customer interactions since its launch [14][27] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the AI technology adjust for high property insurance costs? - Management explained that their AI system integrates multiple data sources to provide instant homeowners insurance quotes during the loan process, significantly reducing the need for manual intervention [54] Question: How does profitability affect risk-taking? - Management clarified that they operate a marketplace model, ensuring loans are pre-committed to investors before origination, thus minimizing risk while focusing on efficiency and cost reduction to achieve profitability [58][62] Question: Can you elaborate on savings opportunities from Tin Man's AI application? - Management highlighted that AI-driven processes have reduced operational costs significantly, with potential savings of $2,000 per funded loan and $1,400 for AI-underwritten loans, contributing to improved margins [72][73] Question: How are gain on sale margins trending in Q1? - Management reported that gain on sale margins are trending higher in Q1, particularly with Neo loans performing better than the direct-to-consumer business, indicating improved efficiency and customer conversion [80][82] Question: Can you contextualize contribution profit per loan? - Management indicated that contribution margins have been improving, and they are focused on reducing costs in the mortgage business to enhance profitability while maintaining a balance with corporate cost reductions [93][94]

Core Insights - BetterLife Pharma Inc. has completed an IND-enabling cardiac safety study for BETR-001, showing minimal impact on the hERG channel, which is crucial for cardiac function [1][2] - The CEO of BetterLife expressed satisfaction with the hERG safety data, which aligns with previous in vivo cardiac safety telemetry studies and indicates that BETR-001 acts as an antagonist at the 5HT-2B receptor, unlike LSD and other psychedelics [2] - The clean cardiac safety profile of BETR-001 brings the company closer to completing full IND-enabling studies and initiating clinical trials [2] Company Overview - BetterLife Pharma is focused on developing and commercializing BETR-001 and BETR-002 for neuro-psychiatric and neurological disorders [3] - BETR-001 is a non-hallucinogenic LSD derivative that is unregulated and can be self-administered, with a synthesis patent that eliminates regulatory hurdles [4] - BETR-002, based on honokiol, is also in preclinical studies and targets anxiety-related disorders, including benzodiazepine dependency [5]

Financial Performance - Total net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024, reached $28,994 thousand, a significant increase of 489% compared to $4,907 thousand for the same period in 2023[212]. - Gain on loans, net for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $21,503 thousand, representing a 74% of total net revenues, compared to $11,553 thousand in the same period of 2023, which was a 235% increase[213]. - Total net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, were $83.5 million, an increase from $54.6 million in the same period in 2023[254]. - Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $(54,210), compared to $(353,889) in the same period of 2023[252]. - Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders (Basic) for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $(3.58), compared to $(35.63) in the same period of 2023[252]. Loan Volume and Activity - Funded Loan Volume for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $1,035 million, up approximately 42% from $731 million in the same period of 2023[223]. - Refinance Loan Volume increased by approximately 177% to $130 million in the three months ended September 30, 2024, from $47 million in the same period of 2023[224]. - D2C Loan Volume for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $776 million, reflecting a 102% increase from $384 million in the same period of 2023[227]. - HELOC Loan Volume reached $166 million in the three months ended September 30, 2024, a substantial increase from $28 million in the same period of 2023[226]. - Total Loans funded in the three months ended September 30, 2024, amounted to 3,443, a 67% increase from 2,067 in the same period of 2023[229]. Revenue Sources - Better Plus revenue, which includes non-mortgage product offerings, accounted for 11% of total net revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2024[213]. - Gain on Sale Margin increased by approximately 50 basis points to 2.08% during the three months ended September 30, 2024 from 1.58% for the same period in 2023[233]. - Gain on sale of loans, net increased by $6.2 million or 65% to $15.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $9.6 million for the same period in 2023[255]. - International lending revenue increased by $0.1 million or 11% to $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $1.1 million for the same period in 2023[262]. - Mortgage interest income increased by $1.8 million or 51% to $5.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $3.6 million for the same period in 2023[271]. Expenses and Cost Management - Total expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2024 were $83,078, down from $358,137 in the same period of 2023[252]. - Compensation and benefits expenses decreased by $46.6 million or 55% to $37.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $84.3 million for the same period in 2023[279]. - General and administrative expenses decreased by $1.6 million or 11% to $12.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $14.2 million for the same period in 2023[281]. - Technology expenses increased by $0.9 million or 14% to $7.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $6.3 million for the same period in 2023[283]. - Marketing and advertising expenses increased by $7.0 million or 139% to $12.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $5.1 million for the same period in 2023[286]. Cash Flow and Financing - The company experienced a significant increase in net cash used by operating activities, totaling $273.945 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, which is an increase of 245% compared to $79.416 million for the same period in 2023[308]. - Net cash used in investing activities rose to $111.825 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, a 166% increase from $42.066 million in the prior year[309]. - The company reported net cash provided by financing activities of $93.108 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, a decrease of 72% from $330.929 million for the same period in 2023[310]. - As of September 30, 2024, the company had an aggregate available amount of $425 million across three warehouse lines of credit[301]. - The company had an outstanding amount of $134.481 million on its warehouse lines of credit as of September 30, 2024, compared to $126.218 million at the end of 2023[302]. Strategic Focus and Challenges - The company plans to continue investing in technology to enhance customer experience and reduce operational costs through automation[211]. - The company aims to expand its B2B relationships, currently primarily with Ally Bank, to diversify revenue streams[215]. - The company is focused on expanding its customer base and growing market share in existing and new markets[315]. - The company is facing challenges due to elevated interest rates and lower home sales, impacting its financial performance[315]. - The company aims to restore growth and expand its business in the long term[315]. Compliance and Governance - The company executed a 1-for-50 reverse stock split on August 16, 2024, to comply with Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement[303]. - The company regained compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements as of August 30, 2024, with the closing bid price of its common stock at $1.00 or greater for the preceding 10 consecutive business days[306]. - The company is focused on maintaining its listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market[316]. - The company acknowledges the risks associated with its capital structure and governance[316]. - The company is classified as a smaller reporting company and is not required to provide extensive market risk disclosures[319].