Summary of Lucid Diagnostics Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Lucid Diagnostics - **Founded**: 2018 - **Technology**: Focuses on detecting precancerous conditions for esophageal cancer, which is the second most deadly cancer [3][4] Industry Context - **Esophageal Cancer**: High mortality rate; early detection is crucial for prevention [4][5] - **Target Population**: Patients with heartburn and at least three out of six risk factors (e.g., over 50, white male, obese, smoker, family history) have about a 10% chance of having precancer [6] Core Technology and Testing Method - **Testing Method**: Non-invasive molecular test using a swallowable balloon capsule to collect samples from the lower esophagus [7][8] - **Performance Metrics**: - 99% negative predictive value [9] - 80% of patients can avoid invasive tests [10] - Approximately 40,000 tests performed to date [11] Financial and Coverage Insights - **Medicare Payment**: Established at $19.38 in 2021; ongoing efforts to secure coverage from Medicare and commercial payers [12] - **Current Testing Volume**: Approximately 2,756 tests in the latest quarter, a decrease from previous quarters due to waiting for coverage [14][15] - **Claim Denials**: About 83% of claims were denied in the quarter, primarily due to lack of medical policy coverage [20][21] Strategic Focus - **Coverage Strategy**: Engaging with payers to secure coverage; significant focus on building a clinical evidence package [12][19] - **Regional Plans**: Increased engagement with regional commercial plans, which are more willing to discuss coverage [24] - **Health System Partnerships**: Long-term partnerships with health systems to integrate testing into broader cancer prevention programs [25][26] Future Outlook - **Medicare Coverage Anticipation**: Expecting to secure Medicare coverage soon, which will allow for increased test volume and revenue growth [30][72] - **Market Opportunity**: Approximately 30 million patients recommended for screening, with 40-50% being Medicare age [30] - **Revenue Growth**: Anticipated solid revenue growth next year, with plans to ramp up operations post-Medicare approval [70][72] Competitive Landscape - **Comparison with Other Tests**: Lucid's test is positioned as more effective than sponge-based devices and blood tests for detecting precancerous conditions [82][88] - **Partnership Potential**: Opportunities for collaboration with other companies in the space to enhance market reach [81] Conclusion - **Growth Potential**: Lucid Diagnostics is poised for significant growth with the anticipated Medicare coverage and increasing commercial payer engagement, targeting a substantial market opportunity in esophageal cancer prevention [90][91]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported revenue of $800,000 for the first quarter, which fell short of expectations due to external headwinds and a greater concentration of testing through healthcare events [8][27] - The cash balance at the end of the first quarter was $25.2 million, which does not include the net proceeds from a recent public offering that raised approximately $16.1 million, bringing pro forma cash to over $41 million [23][11] - The non-GAAP net loss for the first quarter was $11.2 million, slightly higher than the trailing average of $10.8 million, with a non-GAAP net loss per share of $0.16 [29][28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company performed 3,034 EsoGuard tests in the first quarter, exceeding the target range of 2,500 to 3,000 tests [7] - The company doubled the number of contracts in its concierge medicine program and employer contracts in the first quarter [9][10] - The average allowable amount per test from adjudicated claims was approximately $13.62, with a median at the Medicare rate of $19.38 [32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is experiencing delays in cash collections primarily from United Healthcare due to a national issue with a new claims processing system [27] - The percentage of Medicare volume is currently estimated at 10-15%, with a goal to increase this to 40% once Medicare coverage is secured [60][61] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on driving commercialization of EsoGuard and enhancing long-term shareholder value, with a strong emphasis on securing Medicare coverage [5][6] - The company is actively engaging with regional commercial insurers to secure EsoGuard coverage and has seen positive developments with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of New York [14][15] - The company is also targeting cash pay and contracted programs with concierge medicine practices and employers to diversify revenue streams [10][81] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains optimistic about the imminent Medicare coverage decision and believes it will significantly enhance commercialization efforts [38][40] - The company is preparing for a potential increase in test volumes and revenue once Medicare coverage is secured, while also managing cash burn effectively [70][82] - Management highlighted the importance of ongoing clinical studies to support expanded indications for EsoGuard, particularly in asymptomatic patients [44][46] Other Important Information - The company has secured a significant NIH grant for a larger study to replicate initial positive findings regarding EsoGuard's effectiveness in patients without GERD symptoms [46] - The company is actively involved in legislative efforts to promote biomarker testing coverage, although it acknowledges the challenges in translating state mandates into payer reimbursements [84][85] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of weather on Q1 volumes - Management indicated that there was no evidence that weather impacted volumes, noting a shift towards larger testing events which can create lumpier revenue [35][36] Question: Status of Medicare coverage discussions - Management confirmed ongoing engagement with the Medicare group and expressed confidence in the upcoming decision based on previous discussions [38][39] Question: Future studies related to EsoGuard - Management stated that additional data from the NIH study will be crucial for expanding clinical indications and market opportunities [41][46] Question: Trends in Medicare mix - Management noted that the current Medicare volume is lower than desired but plans to increase this significantly post-approval [60][61] Question: Marketing strategies for concierge medicine - Management explained that they are optimizing patient-facing materials and processes to effectively market EsoGuard within concierge practices [72][73] Question: Legislative efforts for biomarker testing - Management is actively engaged in legislative efforts to promote biomarker testing coverage but does not expect it to be a complete solution [84][85]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported revenue of $800,000 for Q1 2025, which fell short of expectations due to external headwinds and a greater concentration of testing through healthcare events [8][28] - The cash balance at the end of Q1 was $25.2 million, which does not include the net proceeds from a recent public offering that added approximately $16.1 million, bringing pro forma cash to over $41 million [11][23] - The non-GAAP net loss for Q1 was $11.2 million, slightly higher than the trailing average, with a non-GAAP net loss per share of $0.16 [30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company performed 3,034 EsoGuard tests in Q1, exceeding the target range of 2,500 to 3,000 tests [7] - The company doubled the number of contracts in its concierge medicine program and employer contracts in the first quarter [9][10] - The quarterly test mix included larger testing events, which are more efficient but can lead to lumpier revenue recognition [37] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is experiencing delays in cash collections from United Healthcare due to a national issue with a new claims processing system, affecting revenue recognition [28] - Approximately 10-15% of the test volume is currently Medicare-related, with plans to increase this to 40% post-Medicare approval [60] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its commercial efforts through concierge medicine and employer contracts while awaiting Medicare coverage [6][10] - The recent NCI-sponsored study showed EsoGuard's effectiveness in detecting esophageal precancer in patients without GERD symptoms, potentially expanding the target market by 70% [12][45] - The company is actively engaging with regional commercial insurers to secure EsoGuard coverage and has seen positive developments with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield [14][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about securing Medicare coverage soon, which is expected to accelerate commercialization efforts [19][41] - The company is well-positioned financially to navigate any delays in Medicare coverage due to recent capital raises [70] - There is a growing understanding in the GI community regarding the importance of screening asymptomatic patients, which could lead to expanded market opportunities [44][45] Other Important Information - The company has a robust pipeline of regional plans and is leveraging new clinical guidelines to drive positive policy coverage decisions [16][17] - The company is preparing for a comprehensive EsoGuard testing program in partnership with a major health system, which includes a concierge medicine component [9][63] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of weather on Q1 volumes and expectations for Q2 - Management indicated that weather was not a factor in Q1 volumes and expects to maintain similar volume levels until broader coverage is achieved [36] Question: Status of Medicare coverage discussions - Management confirmed ongoing discussions with the Palmetto GBA group and expressed confidence in the imminent decision regarding Medicare coverage [38][41] Question: Future studies and data investment for EsoGuard - Management highlighted the importance of the ongoing NIH study to replicate initial findings and support expanded indications for EsoGuard [42][48] Question: Trends in Medicare mix and expectations - The current Medicare volume is around 10-15%, with plans to increase this significantly post-approval [60] Question: Visibility for large testing events for the rest of the year - The company has a strong pipeline for large testing events, primarily driven by fire departments and self-insured employers [96]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated $1,200,000 in revenue for the fourth quarter, reflecting a 15% increase compared to the same quarter last year [27][28] - Test volume exceeded 4,000 tests in the fourth quarter, representing a record quarterly test volume [7][28] - The quarterly burn rate was $10,100,000, lower than the average burn rate of $11,000,000 for the preceding four quarters [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The EsoGuard sales channels have seen significant advancements, with a focus on expanding coverage and reimbursement [6][9] - The concierge medicine cash pay program has signed 20 contracts within a few weeks of launch, indicating strong initial traction [8][20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has submitted claims to 400 payers, with ongoing conversations with numerous commercial payers [94] - The NCCN guidelines now include a section on screening for esophageal precancer, which is expected to influence positive policy coverage decisions from commercial payers [10][70] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on driving revenue through expanded sales channels, including direct contracting with employers and concierge medicine [14][19] - The recent positive insurance coverage policy from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is seen as a precedent for future engagements with commercial payers [9][81] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the potential for significant growth in test volume and revenue in the second half of the year, particularly with the expected Medicare coverage [22][60] - The company is confident in its ability to scale operations and target the Medicare population effectively once coverage is secured [59][61] Other Important Information - The company secured an $8,000,000 NIH grant to study EsoGuard for expanded indications, which could significantly increase the total addressable market [12][48] - The balance sheet was strengthened through long-term debt refinancing and a registered direct common stock offering, extending the runway well past key reimbursement milestones [11][24] Q&A Session Summary Question: How should we think about the volume metric going forward? - Management advised to remain conservative on test volume expectations, focusing more on revenue rather than just volume [36][37] Question: Why was the effective ASP lower than expected? - The lower ASP was attributed to the timing of payments rather than a direct reflection of payment rates [42][44] Question: Can you size the opportunity from the $8,000,000 NIH grant? - The opportunity is significant, potentially adding 20 million patients to the screening recommendations [48][50] Question: What happens if Medicare coverage is secured? - The company plans to aggressively target the Medicare population and expects to submit a backlog of claims [60][86] Question: How will NCCN inclusion help the company? - Inclusion in NCCN guidelines is expected to serve as a powerful tool in discussions with commercial payers [70][72]